Forty Three

We approached the admin building parking lot, my nerves through the car roof. Damn it, I needed to be strong here. It was my idea to join Joel in the first place.

I took a deep breath, resting my hands over my stomach while he found a parking spot.

I unclicked my seatbelt, draping my bag over my shoulder when I felt Joel's hand on my leg.

"You don't have to come in, baby." What? Was he crazy? No way in hell was I letting him do this alone.

"I'm coming, Joel. They need the truth and I'm not going to hide from them." His eyes softened in admiration, and he leaned forward to place a kiss on my temple.

"Okay. Let's get this over with. Let me get you." He opened up his door, crossing to mine. I gripped his hand confidently, letting him help me out.

Three steps onto the sidewalk, and I heard nearby laughter and whispers. My chest tightened.

It's nothing. Just keep walking.

That's when I heard it.

"Thats them." They knew. This was an introverts worst fucking nightmare.

"Ignore them." Joel instructed. He was right. I didn't need to worry about those assholes. I wrapped my arms around one of his, holding him close while we walked.

"Slut." I heard a passerby cough under their breath, followed by their friend who spoke up by saying, "Think she'll do me next?"

I shot them a poisonous glare before pulling open the door and stepping through. The older man with soft eyes that replaced Joel after his heart attack was waiting for us at the other side. He smiled, extending a hand for Joel.

"Doc. This is Jennifer. Jen, this is Dr. Sutton, the department head." Great. I swore at the department head. I smiled bashfully, shaking his hand.

"I believe we've met," he began with a knowing look. "However, it was a much different circumstance. It's nice to meet you officially."

"Thanks. Um, you too." I muttered, gripping back onto Joel as soon as I finished my handshake. Dr. Sutton smiled at our contact, before turning back to Joel.

"I'll escort you two to the Chancellor's office." I held my breath. What was even happening anymore?

We walked the long corridors where a mix of reactions met us. Some curious, others downright aggressive. Regardless, I held on tight to Joel's forearm. I never did well with attention, and I was in hell. But Joel was worth it. And our baby was worth it. I just had to bear it for a little while.

Finally, we approached a large mahogany door with the name tag, "Dr. Charles Lawson, Chancellor" sprawled on a gold placard beside it. I took a deep breath, ready to face the scariest moment of my life, when the door opened unexpectedly.

Oh my God.

I met June's widened eyes with my own, my arms instinctively pulling away from Joel, but he caught them, holding them firm against him.

"June." He nodded, and I could hear the annoyance in his voice. But I couldn't tell if it was directed at him or me. Shit. I hoped he didn't think I pulled away because I was embarrassed of him. I felt like such an asshole. I slid my left hand around his back, rubbing it gently before facing June again. He was zeroed in on where we touched, but I couldn't read his expression.

"Excuse me." He gave us a small bow before taking brisk steps away from us. I frowned.

Did he just ignore me?

It hurt worse than I expected it to. I defended him. I thought he was my friend, and he just walked away without so much as a hello. Was he mad at me? I knew I had lied to him, but I had to. He threatened to tell his dad.

Joel sensed my distress, leaning down to kiss my head.

"It's okay, baby." It was simple, but it helped, and I brushed aside my confused concern to focus on our task.

Dr. Sutton stepped ahead of us, opening the heavy door while we entered. The office was huge, with oak floors and a separate seating area equipped with two armchairs and a sofa. An espresso machine sat on a cart in the corner, along with a mini fridge stocked with soda and water bottles.

Standing from behind the large L-shaped desk in the center was a sharply dressed man, maybe late 40's, with a kind smile and the same bright blue eyes June had. He was just as handsome, too, even with his silvered hair. He buttoned his suit jacket, crossing around the desk to meet us. He shook both of our hands, his expression unreadable and professional.

"Welcome Jennifer. Joel. Please." He gestured to the sofa and we sat obediently. "Would you like a drink? Coffee? Soda? Water?"

Joel looked at me. I shook my head out of politeness, but he answered for me. "Could she have water, please?" Okay. I was thirsty, so I couldn't really complain. Sutton sat in one of the armchairs and the bottle was extended to me peacefully.

"Thank you." I mumbled, holding it between my knees and keeping my eyes down. I felt like I was in the principal's office about to be scolded and I hated it. I never got in trouble. I wasn't used to meeting higher ups and it was intimidating as hell. I shifted subtly closer to Joel as the Chancellor took his seat. He picked up a pair of glasses from the side table, along with an iPad cased in soft leather. Just when I was beginning to wonder if he planned on addressing us, he spoke.

"Mr. Becker." His eyes flicked up to me. "Miss Matthews."

"Yes, sir."

"Dr. Sutton has informed me of your conversation regarding your relationship with your student that you two had on Friday. I was told that you were hoping to make an appeal for a pre-existing relationship, is that right?" Joel cleared his throat, wiping his palms on his slacks.

"Yes, sir."

Chancellor Lawson sighed, brushing one of his hands through his slicked back hair in exasperation.

"Unfortunately, you are no longer eligible to submit an appeal."

What? My heart came to a sudden stop.

"Wait, what do you mean? You can't just fire him without giving him a chance to defend himself!" I blurted, surprising even myself by the outburst. I looked desperately to Joel, whose head was now in his hands. This couldn't be happening! It wasn't fair! Just when I was about to ask what gave him the right, he held up his iPad.

"Before you continue, I think you'd better take a look at this." Joel lifted his head, his brows furrowed as he extended his hand to accept it. It was a video, set on Fullscreen that showed only what looked to be a wooden door, a large play button in the middle.

My eyes met Joel's once more, before nodding for him to proceed. His thumb tapped the center. Within the first few seconds of the clip, the door was pushed open.

Oh my fucking God.

"*Fuck, taste me, Jennifer.*"

No. My jaw fell open, my eyes widening like saucers.

"*Yes, Professor.*"

I felt the heat rushing to my face rapidly, my chest pounding as my lungs begged for air amidst my shock and humiliation.

It was us. In Joel's office.

Even though you couldn't see more than the back of my head, you could see all of Joel, every expression of desire and lust as I took him in my mouth, his hands tangled in my hair as his hips began to thrust.

"*Oh, fuck. So fucking good, Jennifer.*"

Joel rushed to pause the video, as if just becoming aware of our intimate moment captured on the screen. His fingers brushed against the minimize tab, revealing my worst fucking nightmare.

It wasn't just given to the Chancellor. It was posted. On a porn site. With the title, "MU Professor Gets Swallowed by College Slut."

"I'm going to be sick." I stood, rushing to the wastebasket in the corner of the room to expel my breakfast. As I wretched, every comment we heard coming in started to make sense. Fucking hell.

That's who I was to them. The college slut. We were a laughing stock.

Tears sprang to my eyes as my stomach settled, leaving me sobbing over the metal bin like a fucking mess. I felt Joel's hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently while doing his best to whisper encouragement into my ear, but I couldn't hear him through my loud thoughts.

When I agreed to come here today, I expected to be Joel's support. I knew there was a chance his life could be ruined, but I didn't expect to go down in the flames as well.

But I did. It was over. We lost.

I barely heard Joel speaking on the phone, because my stomach decided to resume it's assault. Countless minutes later, I had literally nothing left to expel. I was utterly spent, shivering against the wall, my cheek pressed to the wood paneling. A water bottle appeared in front of me, but the hand attached wasn't Joel's.

I followed it to Dr. Sutton, who, even after witnessing the most humiliating moment of my life, was still smiling kindly at me.

"Have a small drink. It will help." He suggested, and I accepted. The cool liquid soothed my burning throat, washing away the disgusting taste along with it.

"Thank you." I mumbled, scanning the area for Joel, but coming up empty. Panic started swelling in my chest, but Dr. Sutton placed a calming hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, dear. He just went to retrieve his friend from the lobby." His friend?

On cue, the door creaked open and Joel entered, followed closely by Isaac. Thank God. I had never been more happy to see him, and I crawled to my feet. He caught glimpse of me, meeting me halfway with a pitying smile.

"Kitten." He opened his arms and I jumped into them, burying my nose into his chest, letting my sobs loose all over again. "Shh. It's okay, baby girl. Why don't you come with me for a little bit?" He cooed, petting my hair. I sniffled, slowing my tears enough to glance into his welcoming green eyes.

I wanted to. Honestly, I wanted to run far away from here. But I couldn't leave Joel here alone. I lifted my eyes to him, suddenly aware of how tightly I was clinging to his best friend. But when our eyes met, he didn't seem the least bit bothered by it.

Only concerned. He was chewing gum, the subtle clench and release of his jaw showing the tension he was trying so hard to hide. But I saw it, the pain in his beautiful blue eyes. The guilt. He was blaming himself.

But he had no reason to. It wasn't his fault. It was mine.

He lost his job because of me.

My vision was getting hazy again, and Joel took notice, stepping towards me. I released Isaac so I could meet him.

His embrace was firm, but I could feel him trembling against me.

"Go with him, baby. I'll be home soon." He whispered against my hair, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"I don't want to leave you."

"I'm okay. But I need to talk to the Chancellor, now, and I'm worried about you. Please?" He leaned back, pleading with me.

"Okay." I conceded, pressing a kiss to his collarbone. He offered me one last smile.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." I mumbled, before turning to face Isaac again. "Please, take me home."