Page 13 of Note to Self
His lips are on mine again. The kiss is even better than last night. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close. I angle my head to the right and slide my tongue inside the wet heat of his mouth, deepening the kiss. I lick over his tongue, flick up to the roof of his mouth, and slip over his lips, only to lick inside again. With my hands in his hair, I lose myself in him. In twenty-four hours, my life is changing, making me question all the things I know about myself.
Footsteps in the background bring me back to the here and now. Shit, we’re out in public. However relaxed the locals are, plenty of people still object and are offended by two men kissing. I release my grip on his hair, and our mouths part. He takes my hand and guides me back to the lane that will lead me to my temporary home.
We don’t talk, but it’s a comfortable quiet. He rubs his thumb over mine, and sparks shoot up my arm. When we get to my door, he turns me and pushes my back softly against it.
He’s so tactile, stroking up and down my arms, brushing his nose up mine. He leans forward and rests his forehead on mine. He breathes in deeply. “Me too.”
It takes my brain a moment to catch up on his meaning. Wow! What does it all mean? Is he talking about us?
“Goodnight, Trent. I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Be ready by eight thirty.”
I watch him walk away, his hands in his front pockets as if nothing monumental has just happened. Okay, it’s not as if we’ve said “I love you.” That would be over-the-top crazy. And untrue. I don’t love him. I know him a little better now, and getting to know him more is exciting.
I push my key into the lock and open it. I don’t bother turning on any lights but go straight to the bedroom.
It’s not until I’m in bed and just about to drift off that doubts slip into the haze.
Is he doing the same thing as Marc? Is this a game?
When I knock on the door, Trent is ready and waiting. He’s dressed casually in slim-fit shorts and a T-shirt with a zip-up hoodie over the top. His blond hair is styled, his short beard neatly trimmed. Does he ever not look totally stunning?
“What?” he says. “Have I got toothpaste on my face?” He wipes his hand over his mouth.
“No, I was wondering if there’s ever a time you don’t look incredible.”
He smiles widely as a pink blush blooms on his cheeks. “You’ve got to stop saying shit like that.”
I ignore him. “Ready?”
“Yep, and before you ask, yes, I have everything.”
As we drive, I notice that Trent is jittery, twisting his fingers together in his lap. “Is everything okay? We don’t have to do this. Or we can go and get some breakfast first.”
“No, I’m good. I had something to eat before you picked me up. I’m a good boy, see.” He grins at me, and I smile back.
“I think some of the school kids have rubbed off on you.”
He laughs hard. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Do you know what secondary schools are like now? Kids come to school with knives. They belong in gangs and spend most of their time trying to prove who’s harder. They don’t give a shit about having breakfast before they come to school.”
I don’t know what to say about that. I can’t imagine Trent in front of a classroom full of kids who have no interest in learning or in behaving. When I was at school, you didn’t dare badmouth a teacher or start fights. But I went to a private school, so he’s right. I know nothing about the public education system. Maybe he’d had enough of trying to teach in a volatile environment. Or maybe something happened that drove him away.
“Oh my god! Did something happen to you? Were you threatened?”
“No, surprisingly, I was quite well liked. I’m a good teacher, I make classes interesting, and kids would generally listen. If they didn’t, they weren’t allowed back in my classroom, and they knew I meant it. I may not be full of muscles, but I can be strong about the things that matter.”
“Are you going back to teaching after the summer?”
Trent lets out a small, sad sigh. Is it at me? Am I asking too many questions?
“I don’t know. I’m working through some things and trying to get a clearer vision of my future. But I can go back in September if I want to. The head wants me back. He’s organising supply teachers for my classes rather than replacing me.”
That’s very cryptic, and now I don’t know if it’s good things or bad that are making him rethink his life. The only way I’ll know is if I ask. “Anything you’re able to share?”
We’ve made it to the narrow lane, and I navigate the potholes and the overgrown hedges on either side. Thankfully, the windows are closed, or the brambles that are as thick as my fingers would be scratching our faces.
“Where are we? Have you brought me out here to kill me? Nobody must use this track. I’ll never be found,” he says in mock horror, but I’m just glad he’s laughing, his tone light for the first time since we got in the car.
“Damn, you’ve worked out my dastardly plan. Although Drew and Merrick both know we’re coming here, so if you don’t show up again, they will come looking for you.”
