“Dr. Campbell.” He came in briskly, putting some papers on my desk. “We’ve just heard from Dr. Brandon. It appears she’s not coming back. She’s decided to stay home with her newborn, so we’re scrambling to reassign her classes. This is what your schedule will look like in the winter. I need you to sign off on these as soon as possible because registration for next term is coming up quickly.”
I glanced down at the papers on my desk and had to do a double take. “Seven classes?” I asked in shock. “You can’t be serious.”
“You’re the most qualified to teach astronomy,” he said.
“So then I won’t have time to work on my research at all,” I said.
“That’s what nights and weekends are for.”
“Are you going to read and grade essays for me then?” Six months ago, I never would have spoken to my boss that way, but I was furious.
“This is what’s called paying your dues, Isla. Everything’s come easy to you because of your intelligence, but you’re on an even playing field now, so you’ll have to work harder and sacrifice more to get ahead.”
I stared at him and a thousand things raced through my mind. Including telling him to go fuck himself and quitting. I wouldn’t do that to my students this deep into the semester, though, plus I’d never been impulsive that way. It was the first time in my life I’d thought about it, though.
“While I’ll do what’s best for the students, I’ve been teaching here for four years. Why on earth would I start paying dues now, versus when I first started?” I truly wanted an answer to this question and I waited patiently for him to give me one.
“You were a shining star and we knew other universities were recruiting you, so we made our offer attractive. Now that you’re settled, you’ll have to fight for perks like choosing your own schedule and teaching fewer classes.”
“Fight how? Do you suggest fisticuffs with the other lecturers? Or perhaps I should bring you coffee each morning? Shine your shoes? Is this what the world of academia has come to?” I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I couldn’t seem to stop talking and I was growing more furious by the moment.
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You should watch your tone, Dr. Campbell.”
“What will you do? Fire me?” I actually laughed. “Please do. It would make my life so much easier.”
Our eyes met and amazingly, he backed down first. “Of course I’m not going to fire you. You’re one of the best lecturers we have. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I didn’t mean it that way. Tensions are a bit high this time of the semester. Anyway, please sign off on the classes and get them to my assistant by tomorrow.”
He turned and hurried out before I could respond, and I stared after him in confusion. What the hell had just happened and why was I suddenly considering walking away from my job? It had to be at least partially because of how much I missed Dax, but there was more to it. There had to be.
I longed to call my twin, but he was probably asleep now and I didn’t want to wake him. Besides, I didn’t know what to say. I could always talk to Mum, but she didn’t understand. She had a college degree, but she’d never worked and had never wanted to. All she’d ever wanted was to love my father, take care of their home, and be a mother. I wanted some of those things, like loving Dax, but I had no interest in managing a home, and being a mother felt like something that was still far in the future.
I itched to call Dax, but did something I probably shouldn’t have done. I texted him instead.
ISLA: Thinking of you. Hope all is well.
30
Dax
I was awake when Isla texted me, and though I desperately wanted to respond, I opted not to. I didn’t know what was going on with her, but I had enough on my plate. I was working on a paper that was due in a couple of days and I was testing to get my yellow belt in taekwondo as soon as we got back from this road trip. I’d also been accepted into UNLV, after what felt like a thousand meetings with the admissions department. Normally, it didn’t work this way, but between being something of a local celebrity and my amazing SAT score, they’d given me a provisional acceptance. If nothing else, I’d get credit for this writing class, and it was kicking my ass. I’d gotten a C minus on the first essay, and Ian had helped me get my grades up on the next two, but this one seemed to be taking forever.
I was distracted by hockey, essentially working two jobs and going to school, and horny as fuck on top of all that, so I probably wasn’t as focused as I should have been. I was tired tonight, though, and I closed my laptop even though the essay wasn’t done. I’d think about how and what to respond to Isla in the morning.
Sleep was a long time coming and when the alarm went off at seven, I was exhausted and didn’t think about Isla’s text until we were on the plane home. I’d been about to doze off and decided not to text her back. It would be like ripping off a scab and starting the healing process all over again. I wasn’t over her, by any means, but at least I wasn’t thinking about her every minute of the day. Though I would have done almost anything to get her help on this stupid argumentative essay. I really had no interest in arguing that the Dallas Cowboys were better than
