“Professor Pashuk, I’ve known you for years, and I have not heard a whisper about this. I said as much to the university president. That’s likely your best defense. HR will investigate, of course, but as long as we don’t discover that you and Assa havebeen cajoling or extorting others into your bed, I imagine it will wrap up quickly.”
Wes squeezed his eyes shut briefly. For months, he had wondered how Lux would use his leverage. Now that the moment had arrived, it was clear the other man had miscalculated. Perhaps there would have been more consequences from the administration if Lux had simply told the truth and not exaggerated.
“Thank you, dean, for your support. Today, yesterday, and my entire career. But I want to be honest that part of whatmy colleagueis accusing me of is rooted in truth. Assa and I do engage in consensual non-monogamy occasionally. I won’t go into the specifics, but I’m not ashamed. We don’t consider ourselves dirty or think there’s anything wrong with it. However, to your point, we understand that many in society have very specific viewpoints on this issue, so we have been careful to keep our affairs well away from the university.”
Wes debated telling him that Lux had been propositioning him for months but decided against it. He wanted this investigation to end quickly. Adding layers would not help that cause.
Dean Reynolds leaned back in his chair. “Professor Pashuk, I don’t believe you’ve done anything to put the department at risk. Nor do I believe the university will pursue corrective action. We allow our staff to have private lives, and unless you and your husband have engaged with a student—”
“Never!”
The dean held up his hands. “To my understanding, there is nothing in what you have just disclosed that warrants disciplinary measures.”
Wes exhaled heavily in relief.
“I’ll warn you that you may have to endure some unwanted attention. Although I have no concrete proof, I believe youraccuser has spread these same stories to the students and staff to ensure your full exposure.”
“I can handle it,” Wes said. “Assa too. It will blow over eventually.”
“I imagine so. This is a university, after all, and I’m sure there are folks engaging in activities that are just as, or perhaps even more controversial. There may be some stares, and I’ll certainly let you know if we hear from parents, but I believe you are correct that waiting it out is the right approach.”
Wes shook his hand. “Thank you again. I appreciate it.”
Dean Reynolds nodded, his eyes full of sympathy as he added, “I only hope this turn of events doesn’t haveother implicationsfor your future plans.”
Wes felt the lump in his throat. “You and me both.”
Back in his office, he put his head in his hands. He could deal with disapproving looks. Perhaps it was better to finally have it all out in the open. He and Assa no longer had to walk on eggshells worrying that someone might find out.
A text from Assa let Wes know that his supervisors had the same response as Dean Reynolds. One of his coworkers even confided that he was also in a polyamorous relationship.
After leading his first classes of the day, Wes gained confidence that he and Assa would weather the storm. His students watched him quizzically, and one cocky alpha tried to give him a high five, but once it became clear that Wes was the same man and teacher that he’d always been, the novelty of knowing he and his husband liked to fuck other men seemed to wear off.
There were a few students who eyed him with disgust, and all his classes had at least one drop, but in total, it wasn’t a catastrophe.
He was packing up his bag when his office door opened.
Lux walked in and slumped down in the chair across from Wes’s desk.
Dark circles emphasized the hollows of his eyes. His tie hung crookedly, and the skin beneath his unshaven jaw was tinged with gray. Wes had avoided him all day, not wanting to risk a confrontation. But he could not pretend he was invisible now.
“Lux.”
The man looked up, sharpening his gaze. The suffocating silence stretched.
Finally, he said, “Professor Pashuk. Interesting start to the week for you.”
Wes entertained a momentary fantasy of slapping him, this resentful fool who had tried to ruin his career. His life. Had it been worth it? Risking his own reputation with the dean? Is that why he looked like he’d been run over by a truck?
Lux remained quiet.
Finally, Wes snapped, “What do you want?”
“Nothing. Like I said, it’s been a good week for you. Yesterday, tenure. And today, we all found out you’re bulletproof. So I’m here to congratulate you. Again.”
Whatever his game, Wes did not want to play. “Alright. You’ve told me. You can leave.”
Luxtsked. “Should have been my tenure.”