Page 3 of Forbidden Lessons

“Come on.” Ethan threw an arm around his friend’s shoulders. “Let’s go before you soak your socks in drool.”

Grumbling to himself, Alex let his friend maneuver him up the sloped aisle. He had too much on his plate to question why the idea of Travis working closely with Everett bothered him.Or the way Dr. Gray’s hand rested on Everett’s shoulder. Was that casual collegiality or something more intimate?

Alex pushed open the building’s doors. The gentle March breeze ruffled his hair and caressed his face. Students moved in animated clusters across the quad, their laughter and spirited conversations echoing amid the historic red-brick buildings.

“You’ve got that look again.” Ethan bumped Alex’s shoulder. “The one that says your brain’s stuck in an infinite loop.”

“Just thinking about graduation. About job applications.” Alex forced a smile, focusing on the scents of blooming dogwoods and azaleas that mingled with the earthy aroma of the quad’s freshly sprouted grass.

Hedidhave a lot of things to cross off his list before walking the stage. Finding a job was the priority. He’d had some promising interviews, including one with a prominent Silicon Valley tech company, but nothing had hit yet. He would graduatesumma cum laude,but an A in Everett’s class would be a personal triumph. A certifiedfuck youto those small-town, small-minded bullies who’d mocked his undiagnosed dyslexia.

All the more reason to avoid distractions, especially reckless, bubbling emotions for some guy. A professor at that.

“Maybe I should talk to Everett,” Alex said. “Ask him for some tips.”

“You’re surrounded bytips,” Ethan said. “You go to an all-male college. Leave Everett’s tip alone.”

“Not what I meant, Eth.”

“Two months, dude, and you’ll have that diploma. Accept the B and move on. Stop crushing on the professor.”

No crush here,Alex rationalized. His fascination with Julian—Professor Everett—was simply appreciation for a gifted teacher. That was all.

Now he just had to convince himself of that.

Chapter 2

TheflickeringlightsinJulian’s office cast a shadowy pall over the stacks of ungraded essays and discarded books cluttering his desk. Julian leaned back into his creaky chair, its worn armrests offering scant comfort. Despite access to breathtaking views of majestic mountain peaks, the stateliness synonymous with Blue Ridge College had taken a detour around his office.

He kneaded the tension in his neck, seeking a release from the knot that tightened with the thoughts of his looming tenure case. Nate’s looming observation had filled Julian with a nervous energy that he’d tried to channel into an engaging afternoon lecture. Nate seemed impressed, offering praise afterward. Such feedback from the department chair would go a long way with the tenure committee. Blue Ridge was a teaching-focused university, and while Julian loved interacting with students, the scholarly pursuits at his previous institution had taken him away from the classroom.

The musty odor of still-boxed books evoked the career he’d abandoned seven months ago. Muffled voices from the neighboring offices evoked the bustling campus he hadn’t yet fully integrated into.

The uncertainty left a bitter aftertaste on his tongue. Or perhaps that was the coffee he’d burned, guzzled, then spilled right before his afternoon lecture.

He replayed that lecture, particularly the spirited debate between the assertive Travis and the insightful computer science student Alex Bennett. An unexpected smile crossed Julian’s face as he thought of Alex. He’d not only made unique contributions, but also delivered them with an undeniable charm. An earnest demeanor and shaggy brown hair framed those thoughtful eyes. He had a refreshing blend of intellect and youthful allure. Julian should thank Alex for the success of his teaching observation. He’d offered something more meaningful than the Cliff’s Notes approach to literary analysis most of his students spouted.

Had he navigated the intense exchange between Alex and Travis adeptly? Travis, with his habitual confidence and aloofness, had dominated the discussion—a familiar pattern. While class discussions had been lively this semester, Travis’s overpowering presence could lead to others becoming mere spectators. With a sigh, Julian vowed to reevaluate his classroom management if he was going to make it at Blue Ridge.

A sharp rap on the door caused him to stiffen.

Nate Gray entered, a gym bag slung casually slung over his shoulder. Gone was the suit and tie. Instead, Julian’s best friend sported an olive-green tank top and black running shorts that emphasized his athletic physique. Nate would have been mistaken for a student if not for the deep furrows he’d earned as the department chair.

“What’s this?” Julian asked in faux surprise. “Has Chairman Gray dismissed the college’s dress code and gone rogue?”

“How about a workout to shake off those teaching observation jitters?” Nate dropped his gym bag before sitting opposite Julian.

“Was it that obvious?” He winced.

“On the contrary, Jules. You commanded that lecture hall and showcased your expertise. Trust me, the committee will get nothing but praise from me.”

Julian reached for the pen on his desk and clicked it several times. “Navigating the classroom again, rebuilding my career at forty…” He paused, his tone softening. “I can’t thank you enough, Nate. Getting me this job, advocating for early tenure consideration… standing by me after my split with Jennifer.”

“You’re a natural with students. You’ll carve out your niche at Blue Ridge. And about the personal stuff, no one understands the toll of a misaligned relationship better than I do.”

Julian chuckled. “True, but your sexual awakening occurred a few decades before mine.”

“Gaytopia’s gates are always open.” Nate furled a hand. “Even for late arrivals like you.”

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