Page 86 of Mr. Naughty List
“I guess. I’ve never done anything like this before. I don’t know what to expect, or what might happen.”
Or if you’ll bolt if things go badly.
He didn’t even know what “going badly” might look like.
Aaron squeezed his fingers, looking all teacher-like and adult. RJ wanted to kiss him. “It’ll be all right. It’s just necessary is all. Come on. Let’s get it over with.”
RJ opened the front door and felt disoriented by the lack of small feet pounding down the stairs and enthusiastic greetings and hugs. He hadn’t really been in the house during the day when the kids weren’t home. It was unnerving.
Even more unnerving was the look on Doug’s face when RJ brought Aaron into the living room. Mom and Doug were waiting there in their easy chairs with coffee mugs and worried expressions, and Doug’s only grew doubly so when Aaron came in.
Everyone stood awkwardly beside the coffee table until RJ gestured at Aaron and said, “Doug, this is—”
“Mr. Danvers. I know. He’s Carter’s favorite teacher.”
Aaron smiled and took Doug’s outstretched hand. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Ward.”
“Oh, no, call me Doug, like I told you before.” He blinked between them and took the bull by the horns. “RJ, what’s going on? Why is Mr. Danvers here?”
“They’re dating,” Mom interjected. “Remember? I told you RJ was seeing someone.” She motioned at Aaron. “This is the someone.”
“Oh.” Doug looked between them with some confusion, but then shrugged. “I see. Let’s all have a seat.”
Mom and Doug took the lounge chairs, and RJ and Aaron sat on the couch. Aaron held himself quite stiffly, all prim and proper now that he had parents as an audience. Nothing like the man in RJ’s arms the night before.
Doug cleared his throat. “So, you wanted to meet with us, Mr. Danvers, because you were concerned about this?” He gestured between RJ and Aaron. “Since you’re Carter’s teacher?” The guess was close but not quite the issue, and RJ opened his mouth to say so, but Aaron beat him to it.
“Actually, I only found out that RJ was related to Carter by marriage just yesterday morning when the principal called me to her office to inform me that Carter had come to her to complain about me dating his stepbrother. I had no idea Carter even knew we were seeing each other, since as I said before, I didn’t know Carter was related to RJ.”
Doug tilted his head, obviously confused. He took a sip of his coffee and seemed to realize he’d been less than hospitable. “I’m sorry, would you like coffee?” he asked, lifting his mug.
“Good idea,” Mom said. “This sounds like it’s going to take a little time to fully understand.”
“I’m good. Thanks.” Aaron wiped his hands on his pant legs, a move RJ recognized as nerves, so he put his arm around Aaron’s shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. Oddly, Aaron shrugged him off with a strange smile and a cough.
“I’m fine too, thanks,” RJ said.
“All right. So, let me see if I understand so far. Carter complained to the principal? About the two of you dating?” Mom asked. “Why would he do that?”
“I think something about me dating his stepbrother has made him uncomfortable,” Aaron said. “Going to the principal is a fair thing for a student to do when they have a problem with a teacher’s behavior.” Aaron put up a hand. “I want to make it clear, Mr. and Mrs. Ward, I don’t have a problem with Carter and I’m not hurt or upset with him.” He gave a sweetly dimpled smile. “I hoped we could all work together to help Carter be more comfortable with whatever happens between RJ and me going forward. I won’t be his teacher forever, but RJ will be his brother for the rest of his life. We need to find a way to help him feel all right about things.”
“Carter doesn’t like me,” RJ said, hoping he didn’t sound as butthurt as he felt about it. If Aaron could be this mature about it all, then he could too. “I admit I don’t know why he even cares that I’m with you. He can barely stand to look at me.” RJ winked. “He must think you’re too good for me, Mr. Danvers.” Aaron’s eyes went wide and RJ had to hold back a chuckle. “I mean, Aaron.”
“How… Oh, heavens, I might regret asking this,” Mom said, looking between them carefully. “But how did you two meet? One of those apps, I’m assuming?”
“No,” Aaron said and looked to RJ.
“Aaron was my teacher,” RJ said.
The room went deadly silent. Betsy looked at Doug, and Doug looked at Betsy.
The moment hung dangerously before Aaron jumped in, waving his hands to dispel whatever it was they were thinking. “It was forever ago. My first year teaching. I taught high school back then, English Comp, and RJ was a senior.”
That seemed to make it worse.
“Nothing happened!” Aaron said, babbling. “Not back then. I barely noticed him. He was weird and gawky, and stared at me too much. I gave him a C. It was a generous grade.”
RJ couldn’t stop a chuckle. “C-minus.” But his mother was still pale, and Doug didn’t look comfortable either. He decided to nip it all in the bud. “Hey, I’m not saying I didn’t think Aaron was attractive back then. But he was my teacher and nothing more. When I ran into him after a gig last week, we got caught up. Turns out I’m an adult now and so is he.” RJ raised a brow pointedly.