One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 115 Audrey

I stormed into the house that night, slamming the door behind me with a force that reverberated through the walls. My mind was still reeling from that unexpected encounter with Edwin, the scent of him still lingering on my skin. All I could think about was washing it off, scrubbing away every part of him-

"Whoa, what's got you all worked up?" Tina's voice cut through my haze, and I looked up to see her peering over the back of the couch with wide eyes.

I shook my head, not ready to delve into what had just happened-not even with her. "Nothing. Just... work stuff, I lied, trying to keep the bitter edge out of my voice but failing miserably.

Gavin emerged from the kitchen next with a slice of half-eaten pizza in hand. "You okay, Audrey?"

"I'm fine," I snapped, the words more abrupt than I intended. Instantly, I regretted my tone. "Sorry, I just.. I need to unwind.

Betty and Avis exchanged a glance, and Betty's face lit up. "I know just the thing. Midnight swim, anyone?"

The suggestion took me by surprise. "A swim!" I asked.

Betty nodded. "There's a lake not far from here. We can walk there, bring some booze..."

Phit my lip, considering for a moment. It was late on Wednesday night, and I had work in the morning, but the idea of going for a dip and getting tipsy under the stars sounded appealing. "F**k it," I said, throwing my hands up in the air. "A swim sounds f**king fantastic.

"Yes!" Avis cheered, leaping up from the couch. "I'll grab the wine!"

Within minutes, we were making our way out of the house, armed with bottles of wine and towels. The night air was thick with the scent of summer-blooming flowers and freshly mowed grass-as we scurried through the woods behind the

house.

"Here it is," Betty said, pulling aside a fern frond to reveal a small, glimmering lake sitting in the middle of the woods.

I couldn't help but gasp softly as I stepped onto the rocky shore.

The moon hung low and full in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the tranquil water. The entire lake was surrounded by trees aside from one cottage sitting at the far end, entirely secluded. It was like something out of a dream: peaceful and idyllic, exactly what I needed after the day I'd had.

As we set our things down, Gavin didn't waste any time. There was a rope hanging from a nearby tree branch, and he grabbed it with a grin, his laughter ringing out into the air as he launched himself into the water with a wh**p.

on in, the water's great!" he called out when he emerged, soaking wet,

already uncorking a bottle of wine. "Last one

together, our excited shrieks mingling with the splash of the water. The initial shock of the cool water was startling, but as I surfaced, pushing my wet hair back from my face, I already felt better. I couldn't help but laugh as Tina tried to dunk Avis under the water, Avis screaming and

wine bottle in one hand. "You look like you could use

spread through my chest, the alcohol providing a

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Chapter 115

I said, handing the bottle back. "Irally

as a teenager whenever I needed to

the second secret place you've shared with me, you know I

eyebrow, Betty added, "The attic bedroom used

69%a

only I could hear while the others splashed around in the background. "Look, I... I know you're going through some stuff. I don't know who it is exactly, but I can guess. And I

a swig from the wine bottle. She handed it to me,

of some much-needed space to clear my head. I decided to take a quiet swim by myself along the rocky shore. The wine had loosened my muscles, and the gentle lapping from. of the water against my skin was soothing, like a balm for my f***zled nerves. For a moment,

foot struck it hard, and I let out a yelp of pain, the sharp sting jolting up my leg. "S**t," I muttered, treading water with little grace due to the pain

the shore to call for help, but my friends were too far away to hear me. I was close enough to the cottage, though, so gritting

as I examined my foot in the dim moonlight. The sight of the blood made me feel light-headed. It looked worse than it felt, but the sharp pain

me. My heart leapt into my throat. Great, I thought. Now I was going to get in trouble for tre**ing on top of everything else. The last

and then a familiar voice

surprise written across his face. His presence was the last thing I expected, and it took me a moment to process the situation. "What the hell are you doing here?" I blurted

the same thing," he said, slowly sipping his

out a bitter laugh, feeling entirely as if I was having another nightmare. "Of course it is. Because

and his expression shifted to one of genuine concern. "You're bleeding. Come inside, let me take a look at

wobbling as pain shot through my foot. The prospect of swimming back to my friends seemed suddenly overwhelming, but as I looked around, I could see a dirt path snaking out from Edwin's cottage and around the lake. "I'll walk

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Chapter 115

don't be stubborn. You don't have to forgive me, but at least let me put a band-aid on it." I wanted to refuse, to

his