Page 59 of Mr. Naughty List
Chapter Eighteen
RJ’s voice helddaggers as he whispered, “Wait, wait. She actually said, ‘Don’t embarrass me, Aaron’?Thatwas her motherly advice the first day you started work in her school?”
“Yep.”
They were back at the loft. Aaron’s story about his parents’ ugly divorce, the custody fights, and his own difficult relationship with his mother as a teen, and now as an adult, had taken the entire ride back to Knoxville to impart.
He’d divulged the finer details of her role in Aaron remaining closeted at school as they’d carried the tree inside and unwrapped it, though he’d avoided mentioning the humiliation of Coach McAllister. And he’d kept right on talking as they mixed up a formula of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water to clean Grandma’s ornaments.
Constance sat beneath the tree staring up at it in awe, but so far hadn’t tried to climb it. Thank God.
“And yesterday was the worst conflict I’ve had with her in years. Maybe ever,” Aaron said. “I’ve tried to put it out of my mind, and thanks to you and the whole naughty elf game, I was pretty much able to do it. But then you asked about why I was still closeted, and my dad brought my mom up, and so it’s all come rushing back in. The anger. The shame.”
“What happened yesterday?”
Aaron sighed, polishing a silver and gold bulb. “During the dance, she pulled me aside and told me off for flirting with a parent.” He rolled his eyes. “Obviously, I wasnotflirting with a parent. Just talking to a dad about his son, a young man who’s struggling right now.”
“So not only did she accuse you of something you would never do—”
Aaron scoffed. “I’m not a saint. I won’t say I’ve never accidentally flirted with a student’s dad. But never on purpose. And the time it happened, he started it.”
RJ raised a brow. “Sounds like another story there.”
“An embarrassing one. Never mind.”
“What I was saying is that she accused you of something you weren’t doing, and she also interrupted a potentially important conversation about a student.”
“Exactly!” Aaron applied more baking soda and vinegar solution, making the bulb shine. “She also said other things.” He flushed a little. “I’m embarrassed to repeat them.”
“After what I told you about my teen years, you can tell me anything.”
“I’m sorry about that, by the way.” Aaron put the bulb aside and took hold of RJ’s hand. “I should have been there for you. I was your teacher, and I had no idea. I wish you’d come to me. I could have helped you.”
“Could you have? Really, Aaron? What would that have looked like? Placement in some kind of foster care? Believe me, I consider myself lucky.”
“How?”
“What happened with me wasn’t great. But at least I was getting off with an older guy I actuallychoseto screw and not being molested by someone who was supposed to care for me. Or being passed from loveless home to loveless home. And, like I also said earlier, I was a freshman when I was with that guy. All that was over by the time I saw you for the first time my senior year.” RJ’s eyes went darker. “I’ll never forget how you came in that first day, looking so sweet in that sports coat and bow tie, and your hot ass all—” RJ let out a low whistle.
“You’re really fixated on my ass.”
“Spent an entire school year staring at it. I like your dimples too. They make me want to eat you alive.” He raised a brow. “But don’t think I didn’t notice how you deflected the topic of conversation away from the stuff about your mom. What else did your mom say? It’s better to get the poison out than let it fester.”
Aaron took a deep breath. Then he spit out the insults his mother had sent his way, calling his sexual behavior illicit and dangerous, without accepting any of the blame for that. “How can I give myself to someone, heart and soul, when I’m not allowed to be open and honest about who I am? Not only at work, but in my mother’s home? She’s set me up for this life, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep living it. I want more.”
“You deserve more, babe.” RJ stared at him with solemn, hazel eyes. “You’re a lovable man. And youdeserveto be loved. Don’t let her take that away from you.”
Aaron’s heart fluttered, and he ducked his head, putting a few more ornaments in the aluminum tub to soak. “I wonder sometimes.”
“What do you wonder?”
“If I do deserve it?”
RJ moved closer, took Aaron’s chin in his hand and tipped it up. “What deep, dark secret haven’t you shared with me, Mr. Danvers? Hmm.”
Aaron licked his lips, his gut quivering and his cock filling slightly. “I…don’t know. But there’s got to be something.”
RJ’s gaze bore into him. “What’s the worst thing about you? The thing you’d be completely mortified if anyone found out?”