Stupid girl.
As soon as class was over, though, I’d have my bag already clutched in my hand and I’d hurry out the door and down the stairs, never giving Brax a chance to catch me. Kelsy, blessedly, didn’t even try. He had his seductive nurse girlfriend from the Blitz at his side constantly now and had apparently moved on. I was old news, no longer a conquest. In my heart I knew he thought he’d won. Let him think it. He was the very last thing I needed to worry about. I was glad his obsessive behavior was turned on anyone else other than me. Poor girl.
Over the next two weeks before Thanksgiving break I seriously struggled. Tessa was right there for me. She, Marcie and Kelly tried their best to convince me to go out with them again, but I had zero interest in going to bars. Strangely enough, Ash’s fight with Brax hadn’t deterred his pursuit of me, and after getting my cell number from Tessa, he’d texted and asked me out. I was flattered, but uninterested, and declined. Then I threatened to strangle Tessa for giving my number out. She promised not to do it again.
A week before break I was closing at the oservatory with Steven when all hell broke loose. Noah and, regrettably, Dr. Callander, were both present and in the lobby. Steven and I were turning all the lights off in the displays in the back.
“I need to speak to Gracie Beaumont. Now.”
Brax’s booming voice, a little slurred, resonated off the walls, and Steven and I exchanged a worried look.
“Uh oh,” he said quietly. “That sounds like trouble. Maybe you should stay back here with me?” He glanced at the doorway. “Let Professor Callander handle it.”
I nodded, but moved closer to the doorway so I could hear a little better. Steven moved with me. Inside, my heart pounded.
“Son, you’ve been drinking,” Professor Callander said in a strong voice. My stomach dropped at the accusation that was more than likely completely true. “Ms. Beaumont is not available. Leave now and I won’t call campus police.”
Brax’s disbelieving laugh cut through the air. “She’s here. She’s always fucking here so go get her. She was supposed to be off an hour ago.”
“I’ll give you one last chance, son,” Professor Callander advised. “Leave.”
“I’m not your son. Hicks, you know she’s fucking here. Tell her I’m waiting for her outside. Never mind douchebag, I’ll tell her myself. Gracie! You might as well get out here and talk to me. I ain’t leaving this time till you hear me out! I’ll be waiting by your truck.”
The double glass doors in the lobby slammed, and I jumped where I stood.
“Shit,” Steven muttered. He looked at me. “You can’t go out there. He’s drunk.”
I closed my eyes briefly. Godalmighty, he was drunk. And all he’d wanted to do, ever since the Blitz, was tell me his side of the story. Why hadn’t I just listened?
I looked at Steven. “I don’t want him to get into trouble.” I sighed. “If the professor calls the campus police on him, he will get in serious hot water with his coach.”
Steven’s brows knitted into a frown. “So? He should’ve thought about that before boozing it up and coming here to harass you.”
I sighed again and shook my head. “I’ll just go talk to him.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”
“You’re welcome. But this won’t end good, Olivia,” he said. “Do you want me to come with you? I don’t think he’ll punch me out like he did Noah.”
I glanced over my shoulder as I hurried out the door. “No, it’s okay. Thanks.”
Steven followed me, though, and the second I entered the lobby, I almost ran smack into Professor Callander. Noah was right behind him and I knew they were both headed to find me. Noah’s pensive expression stopped me in my tracks.
“Professor, I am so sorry,” I started. “I can explain—”
The professor was older, with graying hair and a long mustachio, but had the gentlest brown, honest, no-nonsense eyes I’d ever seen. In a firm grip, he squeezed both my shoulders. “Olivia, I know you are. And I understand this isn’t your fault. But,” he cleared his throat and leveled his gaze to mine. “I can’t place this program or the observatory at any risk, whatsoever. And that boy, I’m afraid, is a risk.” His eyes softened. “I’m sorry, Olivia. You’re a fine, promising astrologist, and I abhor this decision. But I’m going to have to let you go.”
My mouth, cheeks, face went numb with shock and disbelief. I couldn’t say anything. Only stare. Let me go? I was getting fired?