Creep - Jennifer Hillier [8]
“What is it, Ethan?” She forced what she hoped would pass for a natural smile.
His gaze zeroed in on her new diamond bracelet. “I was hoping you would let me out of my proctoring duties for next week’s finals. I’m getting behind on my thesis and want to schedule some interviews down at the soup kitchen. Try as I might, I can’t be in two places at once.”
He’s not serious. In all the years Sheila had supervised teaching assistants, she couldn’t recall a single one asking to be let out of exam duty. It was part of the job.
She searched frantically for the right words, struggling to keep her voice composed. “This is rather short notice. I’ll have to ask someone from Dr. Easton’s class to cover for you. Midterms are next Tuesday. And don’t you have several requests for early writes?”
Ethan shrugged. “Yep, I actually have four scheduled. But you know, you have been working me really hard lately, so I kind of think you owe me a favor.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, head cocked to one side.
Motherfucking asshole bastard.
Sheila risked a glance at Morris and saw that his expression was one of wary politeness. Morris was big, and Morris was loud, but Morris wasn’t stupid. She knew he’d picked up on the subtle tension that had suddenly dropped into the air.
“I guess I have been,” Sheila said. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.” Ethan looked at Morris. “She really is fabulous to work for. All the grad students in psych request Dr. Tao.
I’m very lucky to have her as my adviser. Anyway, I should get home, but it was terrific meeting you, Morris.” Ethan stuck his hand out again.
Morris shook it, but this time he didn’t pump with quite the same enthusiasm as he had moments earlier. “Likewise. Be careful getting home, son. It’s raining pretty hard out.”
Ethan bristled at the word son, but he turned and left the office as quietly as he’d come. Sheila headed back around her desk and slumped into her chair, exhausted. Wiping her palms on her skirt again, she worked at controlling her emotions, keeping her hands under the desk so Morris wouldn’t see them trembling. She listened for Ethan’s footsteps and was relieved when they finally receded.
“What was that about?” Morris said, closing the door firmly. “Why do I get the distinct impression you just got lassoed?”
Sheila waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. He’s a bit of a spoiled brat.”
“Oh, I got that.” Morris leaned forward, scrutinizing her face. It took every ounce of strength Sheila had not to look away. “Listen, darlin’, it ain’t my place to tell you how to do your job. Lord knows I wouldn’t want you telling me how to do mine. But I think a little well-meaning advice is called for here, and trust me when I say that you need to rein that boy in. He works for you, remember. It ain’t his place to tell you what his schedule’s gonna be next week. You’d be smart to call him tomorrow and tell him he’d better be where he’s supposed to be or he ain’t gonna do so well on his next performance review.”
“You’re absolutely right, babe.” Sheila’s face was tight. “It isn’t your place.” She attempted a smile to soften her words. “Don’t worry, I can handle my students.”
It was a lie, of course, but she delivered it with ease.
CHAPTER : 3
Nothing was showing up on CampusAnonymous.com, or anywhere else on the Internet.
Sheila had been googling herself obsessively for almost two weeks, and she was now positive Ethan was bluffing. There was no video. If Ethan were really determined to destroy her life, certainly he’d have done it by now.
Thank God she hadn’t said a word to Morris. What if she’d told him for nothing?
As far as she was concerned, it was over.
She picked at the seasoned nuts in front of her as she worked her way through her second cranberry lime. Her barstool seat at the Seafood Grille had a nice view of the waterfront, but her attention was focused on the young bartender serving her. Dark skin, dark eyes, tight black T-shirt, gold-plated name tag that read LUKE. Just good-looking enough for her to feel flattered every time he smiled