I finally give up, email my other classes and tell them there isn’t going to be class today. I make sure to add extra homework to the philosophy class because I’m pissed off. As I look around my office, it’s destroyed. Not sure if I can get my mom to come clean this mess for me though. I’ll have to find the energy to pick it up all up because there is no way I can work in a space like this. For the first time in my career as a teacher, not just a professor, I’m going home sick.
On the way to my car, students stop and talk to me. Some complain about the homework, while others ask questions about a problem or what technique would be best to stop a hacker but can clearly see that I’m in no mood to discuss anything. They’re lucky I don’t assign more and the only reason I’m not is because I don’t want to grade a bunch of shit right now.
My day is an epic shit show, but it turns into a fucking diarrhea fest when I see Laura’s husband coming toward me. I turn slightly and walk in a diagonal toward my car, hoping the piece of shit won’t realize I’m not in his line of sight.
“Hey, Jude.” The tighty-whitey wearing asshole elongates my name, much like Laura does. Only she does it to be cute and this dickwad is doing it to be a shitbag.
I keep walking. I have nothing to say to him and I don’t care to see him gloat about Laura. I get it. She’s what he wants. I know I’ll never compare to him. Not in looks. Not in money. I know women enjoy the finer things in life and guys like Shawn can provide that. The country clubs, yachts, elegant dinners out. My idea of a good meal is hitting the diner inside the bowling alley because they make the best damn chicken strips I’ve ever had. I’m a simple man, who likes simple things and I’ll never able to compare to the likes of Shawn. And oddly, I’m okay with that or I will be. There is no reason for him to be here rubbing salt in my gaping wounds.
When I reach the parking lot, I make the mistake of looking behind me. Shawn is hot on my heels and too close for me to hop into my Jeep and speed off. Honestly, I shouldn’t have to, but I hate him, and I hate confrontation, especially when I’m at work.
“What do you want?” I seethe.
“Just want to talk, man to man.”
I smirk. Shawn has never wanted to talk to me before, and now we’re going to have a man to man conversation. Something that could’ve happened years ago. I may be blinded by Laura but I’m not when it comes to Shawn. We will never be friends.
Neither will Laura and I because I’m done.
“We have nothing to talk about.” I press the unlock button on my key fob, but nothing happens. I’ve been meaning to replace the batteries in this stupid thing but haven’t gotten around to it.
“Yeah man, we do.” He sets his hand on my car. Right in the spot where the window and door meet, mostly preventing me from getting inside. How childish.
I sigh and turn to face him. “What Shawn? What could we possibly need to talk about?”
“Laura,” he says because it’s not obvious. I feel like saying duh but instead I motion for him to continue. I have places to be. Not sure where, but I’ll find a place to go and hide out. “Here’s the thing. I know she’s in love with you and probably has been since middle school or some shit, but she loves me too, and the shit going on between us is just a speed bump. We lost our way or whatever, but we’re a strong couple and can find our way back.”
“What’s your point?”
“My point is, I want you to stay away from Laura. I’ve already told her to drop your class and it would just be best that when you see her around campus you act like you don’t know her.”
“Excuse me?” Is this dickwad for real? “Look, I’m not going to stay away from Laura.” I am, but he doesn’t need to know this. “If she wants to see me, take my class, or have a cup of coffee with me, we’re going to do it.”
“Look man,” he says as he steps closer. “You’re the only thing standing between us and I want you gone. Since I know Laura will get pissed at me for saying this shit to her, I’m saying it to you. Stay the fuck away from my wife.” He points his finger in my face and I seethe. My hand clenches into a fist and before I know what I’m doing, my arm is cocked back, and my fist is crunching into his nose. Blood spews everywhere before Shawn has a chance to react. His hand comes to his nose, cupping the geyser that’s rushing from his nostrils. “You broke my fucking nose, cocksucker.”
“Yeah, you know I’ve wanted to do that from the first day I ever met you and you took Laura from me. Too bad it’s taken me this long to tell you how I truly feel.” I pull my car door open and toss my bag inside. Shawn is doubled over and people are watching. I should care, but I don’t. I get in, slam the door and bring the engine to life. But, before I put my car into drive, I push the auto button on the window and wait for it to go down. I lean out and say, “You’re a douche.” And drive off.
I feel exhilarated and humiliated. Two contrasting emotions. Going home isn’t an option, so I head to the bar. It’s the last place I want to be, but the only place that is going to block out any memories I have of Laura and that is what I need to do right now. I tell the bartender that I need the bottle of tequila, without the limes and salt.
I’m deep into the bottle when someone sits down next to me. Her perfume takes over the wretched smell of tequila. She orders water because she’s smart.
“What do you want?” I slur.
“You,” is all she says.
9
Laura
I heard and saw everything in the parking lot. Shawn and Jude had no clue I was watching them. The last thing I expected to see was Jude laying into Shawn and breaking his nose. I heard the crack from where I stood. Shawn had no right to say the things he did to Jude. I’m not his wife anymore and nothing he says or does will change my mind to take him back. Especially now. I want to get back in my car to follow Jude, but I have to settle things with Shawn once and for all.
Blood seeps through his hand as he stumbles to get to his car. “Did you fall on your face?” I ask, coming up behind him.
Growling, he jerks around and glares at me. “That fucking cocksucker of a boyfriend of yours broke my nose.”
“I think you deserved it.”
He untucks his shirt and uses it to wipe the blood off his face. “I told him the truth. You’re my wife. We deserve a second chance.”
“Ex-wife,” I correct him. “And there are no second chances for us. I love Jude.”
Shawn stares at me in disgust. “Seriously? He’s a teacher that only makes like thirty grand a year.”
I shrug. “Don’t care. He makes me happy.” Jude could make only ten grand a year and I’d still love him. Just the thought of him makes me smile. “Goodbye, Shawn.”
“Laura, wait!”
Turning on my heel, I march to my car and speed out of the parking lot. I don’t know where Jude went but it shouldn’t be too hard to find him. Boone isn’t exactly a big town so just a few minutes driving down Main Street is all I need. There, sitting right in front of the bar is his Jeep. I park beside him and rush inside. He’s supposed to be teaching class, not in a bar being stupid. I already got the email alert on my phone with our Philosophy assignment from him. There’s no way in hell I’m going to type a ten-page essay on whether or not I think a bush is a small tree or just simply a bush. It was either that, or a ten-page essay on if we can see wind. How the hell can you write that long of an essay on those two topics? I know I can’t.