Page 110 of Romance Languages

“Exactly! Business has been going great. We’re continuing to expand, and we may even start a podcast to talk about our adventures in the vending machine trade,” Anton said, full of pep. Who knew vending machines could be such an enthralling career?

“If only you could install a new machine in our faculty lounge. The only way to retrieve a soda is by crossing your fingers and hoping gravity does its job,” Chase said in a highly accurate description of our janky machines.

Anton and Sebastian laughed at his joke.

“How long have you guys been doing this?” I asked.

“A year,” Sebastian said. He turned back to Chase. “Mr. Mathison, can I just say that I loved your class? I never thought I’d like chemistry.”

“I feel the same way,” Everett joked. The boys barely reacted.

“Mr. M., you’re looking good. Have you been working out? I would’ve remembered those guns,” Anton said with…was that a flirty smile?

I looked at Everett and Amos, who were thinking the same thing. Chase, bless him, was completely oblivious.

“Well, I do push-ups and light training with dumbbells every morning. It’s the best way to maintain bone density,” our friend said.

“It’s working for you, Mr. M.” Anton gave Chase another once-over, barely hiding his interest. Were this wine not extremely tasty and extremely pricey, I would’ve spat it out in shock.

“Anton, we should go. We have that delivery in Montgomery,” Sebastian said.

“Cool. It was great meeting all of you and really good running into you Mr. M. Here’s our business card if you wanted to talk about getting a new machine in your faculty lounge.” Anton handed Chase the hand. “Make sure to grab a Coke on your way out!”

He waved to all of us, saving one last lingering look at Chase.

The boys left the winery, and we were left with some questions.

“Was that guy hitting on Chase?” I asked.

“Oh yeah. One hundred percent,” Amos said.

“One thousand percent,” Everett chimed in. “Chase, for the love of everything gay and holy, please tell me you’re going to call him.”

“Of course I will.”

“Awesome!” Everett cheered.

“The faculty lounge is in dire need of a new vending machine. It’s holding two of my Diet Sprites hostage.”

Amos, Everett, and I let out a collective groan.

“Chase!” Amos pleaded. “Anton was hitting on you.”

“And not subtly,” I added.

“I think Sebastian was also a little interested, too.” Everett sipped his wine.

Chase looked at us like we were crazy. “They’re students!”

“Former students,” we said in unison.

“Just because a student graduates doesn’t mean I shirk my responsibility as a teacher.”

“Chase, you have a responsibility to let a hunky wrestler have his way with you,” Everett said. “Maybe two wrestlers if you play your cards right. It’ll be like shoving two Twinkies into your mouth again.”

Chase rolled his eyes and bit into a breadstick. He wasn’t asexual—he’d shared stories of hookups. But now that I thought about it, I’d never heard Chase mention dating. Did he have a deep, dark secret like me?

“Can we go ahead and order some food?” Chase popped open his menu, hiding from us, and that was that. For now, at least.

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