Just a bit twisted

Days passed and Rutledge did not return.

He didn't call either.Sean knew he could call, but the mere thought of it made him back off.He didn't want to be too clingy.

By Friday, Sean was completely out of his mind.To make matters worse, Emily and Bee have been asking where Mr. Rutledge has been all day—something Sean has no answer for.

Where has he gone?

In the back of Sean's mind was a faint, shapeless thought: Rutledge was afraid of commitment.Maybe this thing between the two of them made him feel at a loss.If that's the case, well, he's going to die.Sean didn't fucking want to be a clingy jellybean.

"What's the matter with you, man?" Christian asked him early Friday morning, as they took their seats in the classroom where Rutledge taught.

"fine."

"You look terrible."

"Didn't sleep well," Sean muttered, rubbing his eyes.This is not a lie. "I just—" He cut off, seeing the professor just walk into the classroom.

Not Rutledge.

His heart sank.

Professor Newland sat behind Rutledge's desk and smiled at his classmates.

"Good morning," said the female professor in a brisk tone. "I am currently taking Rutledge's class until further notice."

There was cheers in the classroom.

Sean raised his hand.

"Please, Mr. Wyatt?" said Newlander.

"Where's Professor Rutledge?"

The other raised his eyebrows. "I don't think this is something you should be concerned about, but if you must know...Professor Rutledge has family matters to spare."

"That's right," muttered a girl sitting on Sean's other side. "I've seen it on the news. He's going to marry a certain politician's daughter."

Sean stared at her blankly.

Christian put a hand on his shoulder and said something, but he barely heard.

get married?Drake?

"That's not true," he whispered, more to himself than to the girl. "He's gay. And he's..." My man.

But he is not, is he?He has no right to be angry.They are nothing to each other.

"Are you okay?" Christian said, frowning and looking at him.

"I'm very good."

"Sean—"

"I'm fucking fine!" Sean took a deep breath, then said a little softer, "Sorry. I'm fine."

***

After Sean came home early and got the babysitter off work early, he sat on the couch and watched the twins play.

Their skirts were all torn, and they were almost out of fit.They need new clothes.

He closed his eyes and thought about how much it would cost.Christmas is coming, and the holidays are expensive, so he has to save money.Buying new clothes for the girls would have to wait until he got a better job.

Sean sighed and rubbed his face.yes.That's what he should be concerned about.Stop thinking about it.The little devils have to rely on him to support them.

The two girls suddenly climbed up, causing the sofa to sink.

"You are sad," said the little bee.

"We don't like to see you sad," Emily said.

With a bright smile on his face, Sean put his arms around them both and pulled them to his side.They were warm and smelled of soap and candy.A taste of innocence.

"No," he said. "How can I be sad?"

"When will Mr. Rutledge be back?" asked Emily again, her blue eyes wide and glistening with tears. "He said he was going to give me a dog! A dog with a white star on its forehead."

The little bee sucks its thumb. "Yeah, when is he coming back?"

Sean's heart shrank suddenly.At that moment, he hated Derek Rutledge more than everyone else.The sisters have no one else around but Sean; it's only natural that they'll become dependent on Drake, since he's basically been living in their house for the past few weeks.

Sean smiled, but it felt ugly. "It doesn't look like he's coming back, sweetheart."

Emily frowned. "why?"

How to answer this?

Sean looked away. "Because he has a family of his own. And his dad seems to want him to get married." At least that was the only explanation he could think of. "He's starting a family now."

"Why?" Emily said.

The little bee pouted its lower lip. "why?"

Sean looked back and forth between the two of them, not knowing what to say.

"I don't know, baby," he murmured, holding Emily tighter as he pressed his lips to Bee's temple. "I have no idea."