Page 50 of Teaching Roman

He pressed closer to me as if sensing my thoughts. Our bodies tangled under the starless sky, fighting to be closer together.

“What the hell, Jess?” Brett’s angry voice shattered the mood.

We startled apart, Roman’s hand steadying me as I stumbled on the uneven path. It hovered over the small of my back as my gaze landed on my ex-boyfriend. He was standing in the street, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. He was dressed casually, but the hateful expression was anything but.

“This is why you said no?” Brett spat at me. “Christ, did you bring him back from Mexico? I thought you had more taste than that.”

Roman stiffened at the racist remark, and I stepped quickly between them. It was always awkward the first time you saw an ex, but Brett didn’t have any claim on me. Not anymore. Apparently, he needed a reminder. “My life isn’t your business anymore, Brett.”

“You’re Brett?” Roman asked, running his eyes up and down my ex-boyfriend. “Huh.”

“Now what does that mean?” Brett demanded. “Have you been talking about me, Jess? What have you been saying? I bet you tell him what a mistake you made letting me go.”

“It’s over, Brett.” I spoke in slow, careful words. “Go home.”

“You know what’s funny?” Brett continued, ignoring my warning, “I never go to Garrett’s, because I’m avoiding you, and the one night my buddies talk me into it, you’re here—with some guy.”

I flinched at the implication in his words. If only he knew that Roman wasn’t just a random man but telling him that would only make things worse. Letting this encounter get any uglier could only spell trouble. I took a deep breath and opted to play peacemaker. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were there.”

I hadn’t seen him in the bar, but it was clear he’d been watching me. The thought made me queasy. Why couldn’t he get over me already? The rain had picked up now. The drops hit my face and streaked cold down my cheeks like forgotten tears. It was the closest I’d ever coming to crying over him.

“Like hell you didn’t.” Brett moved nearer and Roman’s hand found mine. He wasn’t marking his territory—that wasn’t his style—but I didn’t doubt that he wasn’t going to let Brett come any closer.

Tugging at Roman’s hand, I urged him along, eager to get away from the scene Brett was making. But Brett wasn’t going to let us get away that easily.

“The important thing is that I saw you and your boyfriend,” Brett called after me. “I had to ask around a little bit, but you can guess how surprised I was when I found out he’s a professor.”

I froze in my tracks. Of course, he would take things too far. I should have seen that his obsessive side would only make matters worse after our break-up. Once he’d stopped calling and texting, I thought he finally moved on. Now I knew that was a futile hope. Wheeling around, I turned on him. “He’s not a professor. What do you want me to say? Things are over between us, Brett. It’s not your business who I date.”

“The university might feel differently. Maybe we could talk and you could explain.” Brett held his hands up innocently, but I wasn’t buying his act. It was at odds with the rest of his behavior.

“I’ll think about it,” I said. “Good night.”

This time I didn’t take Roman’s hand. I didn’t want him to feel mine shaking. We started moving, heading in the opposite direction of Brett. Neither of us spoke, and it took me a few minutes to realize he wasn’t leading me to his apartment anymore. I didn’t object when we reached the stairs to my place.

“Maybe it would be better…” Roman let the suggestion trail away, but I knew where he was headed with it. Being together didn’t feel all that wise after Brett’s threat. In the morning, we’d feel differently. Right now, I had a lot to think about.

I nodded. “Let me talk to him.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Concern shone in his dark eyes. “He seemed unstable.”

“He’s just upset,” I assured him. “Believe me, Brett is pretty much all bark, no bite.”

Roman opened his mouth like he was going to argue with this, but kissed me instead. “Take one of the girls with you.”

I agreed, fingers crossed behind my back. If I was going to face Brett, I needed to do it alone. I’d never come clean to my best friends about Brett’s proposal. I still wasn’t sure why. Initially, I’d wanted to spare Cassie’s feelings, but she had gotten over Trevor months ago. I’d never even told Jillian. I’d wanted to forget it had even happened. Maybe Brett knew that, which was why he was acting like a first class dickhead now.

Talking to Brett might allow him to see that we weren’t as compatible as he’d deluded himself into believing. His threats regarding my relationship with Roman were just a symptom of his own regret. If we faced facts, he’d see that. Unless he acted like he had tonight. Then it would be easy to walk away without remorse. A girl could hope.

Then again, I knew to be careful what I wished for.