He leaned close and whispered as the professor called for attention, “Jeez. You always have to be the center of attention, don’t you?”
My eyes threatened to bulge out. He thought I had to be the center of attention?
He laughed. “I’m just messing with you, but I actually did come over with something to say.” He grew quiet and more serious.
I waited.
He remained quiet.
“Logan,” I prompted.
“I forgot what it was.”
“Ah, Mr. Kade,” the professor called his name. “It’s nice to see you in the correct hour and classroom this time.”
All eyes turned our way—or at least the rest of the classroom that hadn’t already been watching Logan. He was unfazed.
A lazy grin came over him, and he gave the professor a thumbs-up. “Enjoy it, Stephanie.” He indicated his thumb. “I only reserve this for the superhot professors.”
Her slight grin vanished. Her mouth pressed into a flat line as she said, “It’s Professor Baun, and not only was that inappropriate but it was also not entertaining. Do it again, Mr. Kade, and you’ll be out of this class.”
I closed my eyes. That was like a personal challenge to Logan. I knew what was coming.
He leaned back in his chair, gave her a cocky smirk, and asked, “To clarify, if I hit on you one more time in this class, does that mean I can go back to the other hour? Because I have to say, the other class worked better with my schedule, but this one has my brother’s girlfriend in it.” He threw his arm around my shoulders and patted my head. “See Sam? I’m never inappropriate when she’s around.” His grin grew as he showed his perfect white teeth.
A guy in the back coughed into his hand. “Bullshit.”
Logan turned around and gave him the thumbs-up sign, too, and coughed right back. “Asshole.”
“Okay, Mr. Kade.” The professor snapped her fingers and pointed to the door. “Out. I’m not going to deal with this. You can come by my office immediately after this class ends.” The glare she fixed on him meant business.
Logan stood, and another smart-ass comment was about to leave his mouth.
I clamped a hand on his arm. As he looked down, I shook my head. “Just don’t.”
The cocky smirk vanished, and he straightened, nodding to me. “All right. Wait for me afterward. I still need to talk to you.”
As he went, the professor’s gaze fell on me with a look of disappointment and derision. The old Sam would’ve shrunk back into her seat. I’d changed, and I stared right back at her. I enjoyed this class, and I enjoyed learning from her, but I’d done nothing wrong. If she was irritated with Logan, that had nothing to do with me, so I lifted my chin.
Mason’s words from last weekend filtered back to me. “You lift your chin, and you get this look, like you’re going to bulldoze your way through a tornado if you have to. No one’s going to stop you.”
I felt the same determination now. She wasn’t going to bulldoze through me or try to intimidate me. I’d stand my ground. A second later, after she’d held my gaze, she dropped hers and pointed to the board behind her. The class continued after that, but tension filled the room from Logan’s departure and my stare-off with the professor. I’d endured more than this awkwardness, so I sat back and gave everyone a silent fuck-you back.
I looked bored throughout the class period. People noticed. Some gave me disgusted looks. Others seemed more attentive to me. There were a few who nodded in approval.
For once, I felt like I could take the Kade name on. I am Samantha Kade. Hear me roar. That confidence lasted until the end of the hour.
“Miss Strattan.” The professor plunged a knife through my daydreaming. She had the same disappointment and derision written over her face. “May I talk with you as well after class?”
A girl who was sitting two seats down from me sucked in her breath.
A guy muttered under his breath behind me, “Damn.”
With that one request, the professor tainted me. Whatever her issue with Logan, it extended to me.
I’d done nothing wrong. Fuck that. I asked, “Why?”
She had forgotten me, gathering her papers, as everyone started to leave. At my question, they sat back down.
She looked around the room. “You can all go.”
They ignored her.
She pressed her lips together and pinned me down with a stare. “I can explain in private, Miss Strattan.”
Fine. My jaw was clenched shut, and I gritted my teeth, shoving up from my seat. I clutched my book, notebook, and bag in my hands. “I’ve not done a thing wrong. I want to make that clear for the rest of the students. I’ve not missed a day. I’ve never been late. All my assignments have been handed in and done well, if I might add, from the exemplary scores you’ve given me up until this point.”
Her head cocked to the side, and she came around, standing beside her podium with an arm resting on the side. “Are you challenging my request to meet with you in private?”
“I’m making my record known to the rest of the class.”
“Why?”
“Because, at the beginning of the hour, I was just another student. Logan came in, and he challenged you. He did that. Not me. Now, you’re requesting to see me after class. I don’t know why, but if you start downgrading my assignments, I want to make my history known to everyone else in case I might have to challenge you in the future.”