“He’s my professor. Kayden Lockwood.” Gareth casts a fleeting glance at me before he trudges to his cousin’s side.
I give Nikolai a look of disdain for ruining my session and pin Gareth with a look. “We are not done, Carson. I expect you in my office tomorrow morning.”
Instead of leaving, I remain by the corner, my arms crossed as I listen in. While I can’t see them, I want to make sure Gareth is okay.
None of his family members know about his sexuality, and I know how freaked out he was about the gay thing. He’s more comfortable now, but I’m not sure if he’s comfortable enough to come out.
“Why the fuck would your professor corner you in an alley?” Nikolai asks the very obvious question.
Gareth, to his credit, answers in that mellow, pliable way he usually communicates in public. “We…had a slight disagreement.”
“And he couldn’t solve it in the classroom like all other professors?”Another good question.
“I…uh, I pulled something outside of law school and he was pissed.”
“That still doesn’t give him the right to attack you. Want me, Jer, and Kill to add him to the MIA list?”
“No, no. That’s not necessary. I can take care of this situation.”
“Didn’t look like you were doing a very good job at it. Kill and I will maim the fucker.”
“Niko, no. Don’t…tell Kill. Don’t tellanyoneabout what you just saw.”
Hmm. He sounds distraught.
Honestly, I don’t care whether or not he accepts his sexuality as long as he accepts me, but was his apprehension this bad?
“Why not…? Fuck me,” Nikolai says. “Is this that man you told me about that time? The only one you’re attracted to?”
My brows rise.
He talked to his cousin about me? He said I was the only one he’s attracted to?
Am I supposed to feel a twist in my chest at that?
“N-no,” Gareth says in such a cute little voice.
“You just stuttered. You never stutter.”
“Just forget it. Since when are you this perceptive?”
“Since now. It’s him, isn’t it?”
“No,” he says with more force than needed.
“In that case, I guess I can discuss this further with Kill and Jer and see if it’s true or false.”
“Nikolai!”
“Or you can just tell me.”
“Fine! It’s him.”
My chest expands, and I’m grinning like an idiot in the streets.
“A much older professor, huh?” Nikolai says in a teasing voice. “You’re much more adventurous than I thought, cousin. I’m actually impressed.”
“It’s nothing serious, so don’t tell anyone.”