“Well… I was attracted.”
“You got a chubby?”
“It was moving towards the full log. I felt awkward.”
“Who knew you liked older men? Color me shocked. But you’ve always had daddy issues, so…”
“Dude! I do not have daddy…. And he doesn’t look old at all. His bio said last year was only his first year teaching. He just got his masters a few years ago, so he’s… what? Maybe thirty?”
“Nine years older than you. Hence – an older man.”
“You’re getting some sick kind of joy about this, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea.” She giggled. “I’m really not surprised that it’s a guy, though. I mean, I know you go both ways and all, but… I’ve always thought you would wind up settling down with a man instead of a woman. Men seem to make you more comfortable, and you’re much more yourself around them than you were with… I mean, we’re great now that we’re not dating. But when we were – you were so disconnected.”
“I was eighteen.”
“Still, Dare… You’ve always been more attracted to guys.”
“Yeah. That’s true, I guess. I’ve definitely dated more men…”
“If you call fucking, dating. I call it fucking. Dating comes with some kind of possible future.”
“I dated a little.”
“And you fucked a lot.”
“Earlier. I’ve been keeping it in my pants for the most part.”
“I know. I just think that a great guy like you – and you really are a great guy, Dare. You deserve to find someone who can take care of you in ways that you’re not so good at. I’m sure you would do the same for them. That’s a complementary relationship. Opposites attract.”
“Yeah – you’re enjoying this way too much.”
“What time do you have to be at your mixer thingie?”
I glanced at my watch and felt my stomach lurch. Thirty minutes – fuck.
“Like almost now.”
“Please tell me you’re not showing up in soccer shorts and a tank top.”
“I’m going home to change right now.” I downed the rest of my beer and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.
“Have fun. Tell your hot professor you wanna make out in the corner.” She giggled as I turned. I flipped her the bird over my shoulder, and her giggle turned into a cackle of glee.
I needed to shower, but there was no time for that. If I was going to see professor cutie again, I wanted to present myself at my best, and that meant a button-down and tie. But if Amber was right… Did it even matter?
I knew I was putting the cart before the horse – but there was a part of me that hoped it was true. I had felt alone for so long. It would be nice to know that I had someone who I would never want to disappoint and who would feel the same about me.
Hell. It was nice to know I might have a future that I would want instead of one that had already been planned.
5
THOMAS
The last two days had been a testament in terror.
I made a fool of myself in front of a new student, and as soon as I got home, I thought the most illicit thoughts as I banged one out. I have lost all sense of professionalism, and he’s scheduled to be back in my office for his second lesson tomorrow. Tomorrow!
