51

Nothing had gone as I’d imagined since the moment I walked into Evan ’s class. Standing before the Donny with Evan , Cole, and Dave flanking me felt like the worst decision I’d ever made. My book might be doing well online, but I still wanted my degree. I still wanted to take classes from these three men. How did I mess everything up?

I didn’t regret a single moment with them. If anything, the news of our twins had pulled the scattered fragments of our relationship together. But now, facing the Donny, I couldn’t shake the weight of what I was about to do.

Twins. Just the thought of it made me straighten my back and lift my chin as I faced Donny Scott.

He leaned back in his big leather chair, fingers steepled in front of his mouth, trying to look casual. But I could see through it—he’d been glaring at us ever since we entered. Evan  guided me to a seat, and Donny Scott’s intense focus only sharpened when I sat down.

No number of degrees would shield us from the storm that was about to hit.

“I think it’s time someone told me what’s going on here.” Donny Scott leaned forward, planting his elbows on the desk.

My palms itched to grab Evan ’s hand on my left or Cole’s on my right. Dave, sitting beside Cole, was out of my reach, but I could feel his unwavering support.

There had been arguments about whether or not to tell the Donny, but in the end, Evan  had won. Just as Dave had pushed to tell Carrie, Evan  insisted we come clean to the Donny.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Evan  beat me to it.

“You were right to question us.” Evan  leaned forward, taking my hand.

Donny Scott’s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening to an almost ferret-like intensity.

“It’s my fault.” I blurted the words before I could second-guess myself. “I pursued them, not the other way around. And my grades have nothing to do with it. If you look at my record, you’ll see I’m just an average student, like I’ve always been.”

“Average?” Donny Scott adjusted his glasses and peered at me through them for a long moment before tapping away at his computer.

While his attention was focused on the screen, I squeezed Evan ’s hand and took a shaky breath. This was harder than I had expected. Lying wasn’t in my nature, but facing the truth about breaking rules—and the possible consequences for these three good men—was even harder.

Donny Scott stopped typing and scanned the screen, likely checking my grades.

“What happens outside the classroom hasn’t affected my work ethic,” I continued, trying to reassure him. “I’ve shown up to classes, presented myself respectfully—”

Donny Scott rubbed his forehead, stopping me mid-sentence. His expression made it clear we were in deeper trouble than I had anticipated.

When he spoke, his voice was heavy with exhaustion. “You three should’ve known better.” His face flushed as he threw his glasses on the desk and paced behind it. “When I asked you about this, you should’ve told me the truth. If you had, maybe we could’ve worked something out.”

I understood now. His anger was partly about betrayal. He had trusted Evan , Cole, and Dave, who had stellar records. Then, I came along and turned everything upside down. The shame of it almost made me sink into my chair, but I held myself together.

Cole moved his arm across the back of my chair, not touching me but close enough that Donny Scott noticed. He pointed a finger at Cole. “This is unacceptable. I should suspend all of you. Hell, I could fire you.”

His neck and face were turning red. “If I had anyone to take over, you’d all be out of here without a second thought.”

Relief washed over me, but I quickly spoke up. “Please don’t fire them or suspend them. This is my fault. I’ll switch classes. Just don’t punish them.”

Donny Scott crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. “And how do you expect that to work? After class, when you need help with an assignment? Are you going to tell me none of them will help you?”

“We’re not cheats,” Dave interjected, his voice filled with anger. He sat up straighter, as if he might stand, but stayed seated. “Becca  has never asked us for help with her coursework.”

That was true. If anything, I’d challenged them on the syllabus and mocked some of the literature being taught.

Cole gestured toward Dave, trying to calm him, but Dave shrugged him off, and Cole sighed. “Look, sir, we know we could’ve handled this better. But we’re trying to do what’s right.” He leaned in, resting his hand on the back of my chair, sending a wave of warmth and comfort through me.

“He’s right,” I said, swallowing my nerves. “I’ll probably need to adjust my schedule anyway, maybe take more online classes.” The words sounded heavier than I meant. Once my pregnancy progressed, and especially after the twins were born, it would be impossible to finish all my classes. My entire life was about to change, and a lot depended on how Donny Scott reacted.

Donny Scott eyed me curiously, leaning forward. “I thought you weren’t interested in online classes. That’s what your advisor told me when your schedule was made.”

How did he know that? It must be in my online records. I shook off the confusion and explained, “I wasn’t initially interested, but my friend has been taking them, and I’ve found I enjoy them more than I thought.” I paused to gather my thoughts. “And I’ve taken on a second job writing books.”

“That’s your priority now?” Donny Scott scoffed. “You’re telling me writing is more important than your education?”

I held my ground, despite his skepticism. “It’s not that. Writing is why I’m here in the first place. I’ve found success with my story, and I’d hate to lose the momentum.” I hesitated, then added, “I’ll even leave school if that’s what it takes to keep them from facing consequences. I’d rather do that than see them treated like criminals.”

“Don’t you dare,” Dave interjected, leaning past Cole and squeezing my knee. “We can work this out. There’s no need for you to quit.”

Was there? “If it makes things easier,” I said, shrugging, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. My emotions were all over the place after learning about the pregnancy, and I’d rather come across as cold than let the tears show.

“Let me remind you, you’re here on a scholarship,” Donny Scott said, tenting his fingers and tapping them against his lips as he thought.

I nodded, already aware of the gravity of my situation. “I know. I’m on scholarship.”

Evan  made a noise beside me, but I ignored him as Donny Scott continued.

“And your actions have put not only their jobs at risk but also your scholarship. If word gets out about your relationship with your professors, it could destroy any chance of you receiving scholarships in the future—or even attending this school if you try to return.”

What?

“That’s harsh,” Cole said, releasing his hold on Evan ’s shoulder and resting his hand on the back of my chair again. “You’d take away her education over this?”

“I would not,” Donny Scott replied, his frown deepening. “But your actions have put us all in a difficult position. I’m willing to work with you, but you need to understand the consequences. We all need to decide what to do next.”

The situation was more fragile than I’d ever imagined. My hand instinctively rested on my stomach. Cole noticed, and for a brief moment, a grin flashed across his face, too quick for me to fully process. But then he quickly masked it, redirecting his focus back to Donny Scott.

This was it. I hadn’t just jeopardized their jobs, their reputations, and the college’s integrity. I had put my entire scholarship on the line. My future, everything I’d worked for, was at risk. And if my readers found out what I’d done… would they turn their backs on me? The thought made me feel like the ground was slipping beneath my feet.

Could this really be the end? My career and my dream of a degree, all crashing down before they had even begun. Was it all over?