Page 36 of Praise You

"His name is Ronan. He's a pretty amazing person. I'm excited to get back to him. I haven't been able to get to know him as much as I want to."

"And why's that?"

And here's when I admit the hardest part of this whole situation. "Okay, I need you to keep an open mind, please."

"Oliver, there's nothing you can say that would make me think differently of you. Well, there is, but I guarantee what you're going to say isn't that bad."

"Okay." Taking a deep breath, I get it off my chest. "Ronan was my student. He's not anymore. But he was. That was how we met. Well, actually we met beforehand, but that's neither here nor there. What matters is he was my student, but there was something about him that pulled me in, and I couldn't stay away. But nothing has really happened. I came out here before it could. But I'm so damn excited to get back home to see what could happen. And now I realize I'm babbling and fuck, Alexander. Did I fuck up?"

"First off, take a breath, Oliver. And second, he's your student? But aren't your students adults? So, what's the problem with that?"

"Isn't that the problem? That he's my student."

"I don't see a problem with it. If he's an adult and it's consensual, then you can do whatever you want. And you said it yourself, nothing happened while he was your student. So, I think you're good. Plus, the huge-ass smile you just had on your face was everything. He must be pretty damn special. That's all that matters. He's not your student anymore?" I shake my head no and he continues, "Then see what happens. Get to know him better. Do what's going to make you happy."

"You're right. Even though I already knew I wasn't going to walk away, you've helped me solidify my decision."

We each order another beer, our conversation changing from things such as work to our families to Alexander planning to visit me in a couple months. We watch Elias and his friend Melanie dance all around the dance floor. We end up joining in for a few songs before calling it a night.

Later that night, after getting into bed, I check the time, noting that in hopefully twenty-four hours, I'll be with Ronan.

Chapter Fourteen

Ronan

Noah deciding he needed to go home has been really hard on me. And if it's hard on me, I can't imagine how hard it must be on Asher. Which is why me, Asher, West, and Carter decided we would go out for New Year’s to try to get our minds off everything.

I'm standing in the corner of the Beta house, watching everyone else drink, and have fun. Asher is wandering around, not talking to anyone, and I know he doesn't want to be here, either.

The past few weeks without Noah have been hard, and I miss him more than ever. But I'm also missing Oliver. He's been in Chicago for the holidays and I'm anxiously waiting for him to come back. I'm taking another sip of my drink when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, smiling when I see Oliver's name on the screen.

Freckles: What are you doing?

Ronan: I'm at some Beta party with my roommates. What about you?

Freckles: I just got back from the airport.

Ronan: You're back?!

Freckles: I'm back. Are you too busy right now?

Ronan: I'm never too busy for you.

Freckles: Can I come pick you up?

Ronan: God yes, meet me at the corner of Mist and Ash.

Freckles: Be there in two mins.

Downing the last of my drink, I push off the wall and set my cup down on a table as I pass by. I don't try to find my roommates, my mind only on Oliver and being able to see him. Leaving the house, the door swings shut behind me as I'm jogging down the steps toward the front. I turn down the street and rush when I see Oliver's car idled by the stop sign. Pulling on the handle, I jump into the car, turning to face him.

"Hi," I say, staring at him.

"Hi," he whispers back.

"Fuck, it's so good to see you. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Ronan." His hand reaches out to grab mine and I open my hand, his fingers interlocking with mine. "Do you want to go back to my place?" His voice is small and timid, as though he thinks I'm going to say no.

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