Page 23 of Noah

"Are you going to do anything about it?"

I sighed. "Not sure yet."

"Well … I want to know the details if you do decide to pursue him."

I laughed. "You'll be next in line after Liam."

"How is that beautiful man?"

"Still the hook-up king."

"He doesn't know his worth."

"You have that right." I rose to my feet. "Is Kyle here? I want to check on him."

"He's in his usual spot. His latest obsession is Oscar Wilde. He brought some books in."

"Jeez, that kid. Can't he read some youth stuff for a change?"

"That's not his style."

I placed my hand on the doorknob, ready to turn it. "Has his mom said anything about why he's like this, practically non-verbal?" I'd been thinking about something Brody had told me about him rarely speaking early on in his life. Maybe Kyle was the same.

"She suspects it's autism, but she hasn't had him tested. I think she's afraid to know. Life will be hard for him. It's why she brings him here. To try to coax him out of his shell."

"My guy from the pub, Brody, he's on the spectrum and he's a criminal lawyer.

Maybe I shouldn't have let that slip. But it was relevant for Kyle. There was no clear-cut outcome for how Kyle's life was going to turn out. I didn't think Brody would mind.

Jamal's eyebrows ticked up. "Maybe there is hope for Kyle."

I opened the door. "I'm going to go talk to him."

Jamal was right. Kyle was in the library reading a book about Oscar Wilde.

"You're sure into the mature stuff," I said as I sat with my back against the wall. "I don't know much about Oscar Wilde. Maybe I'll read that book next."

Kyle closed it and handed it to me.

"No, not right now. You finish reading it first."

Kyle shook his head and shoved the book at me. It was possible he'd already read it a few times. I'd take it home with me tonight and read it before I was in next.

He pulled a book from the pile beside him. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The kid really was on a kick. I saw a lot of reading in my future if I was going to connect with Kyle.

I opened the book Kyle had given me and we spent the next two hours reading. Today wasn't going to be a speaking day. Brody had told me conversing didn't come naturally to him. I imagined Brody as a young boy, keeping his thoughts to himself. I wondered if he'd ever been lonely.

The thought made me sad. Maybe that's why his eyes sometimes looked so sorrowful. Not as much anymore, but the emotion was still there on occasion, fleeting across his gaze.

Was he lonely?

Will he let me in even further?

I suspected there was some serious depth to Brody.

I wanted to dive into it and let it surround me.

Chapter Six | Brody

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