First message
The whiskey burns going down. Third glass. Maybe fourth. I've lost count. I shouldn't be here. I took a personal day. Told myself I'd stay home, stay away from her, stay sober.
But the house was too quiet, and the bottle was empty, and the next thing I knew, I was walking toward campus like a man possessed. I lean against the gate and watch the students stream out. She's there, laughing at something James Peterson said. His hand brushes her arm, and I feel something snap inside me. The glass in my hand shatters. Blood drips from my palm.
I'm moving before I can stop myself.
Peterson spots me first. His eyes widen at my appearance—bloodied hand, whiskey on my breath, fury barely contained.
"Mr. Durand—"
"James." I use his first name. Intimate. Threatening. "Walk with me."
He follows me a few feet away, nervous now. He should be.
I lean in close. Let him smell the alcohol. Let him see the madness in my eyes.
"She's off limits," I say, low and deadly. "I see you touch her again, I see you even look at her—there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
He pales. Nods.
"Good. Now get out of my sight."
---
She catches me before I can escape.
"What did you do to him?"
I don't answer. I can't look at her. If I look at her, I'll break.
"Mr. Durand—"
"Stop calling me that." My voice cracks. "Just... stop."
She steps closer. "Why are you so angry?"
“ shouldn’t I be? We kissed at that god forsaken wedding and now I’m your teacher. Don’t ask for indiffererence. I can’t