Page 32 of Out in the Open

“There’s a couple.”

“Such as?” Ethan prompted. Greg always knew when to pull back just when he wanted more.

“Intro to Sociology freshman year. That professor was awesome. He used to work in the Chicago Public School system, working to improve it. He told us about all these studies he’d conducted and all these insights he’d found. Of course, CPS is still a mess, but at least he tried. It was really fascinating.” Greg’s face lit up; Ethan had never seen him so engaged. He liked that Greg was capable of caring about something non-alcoholic or sexual.

“I’ve always heard good things about that class. Are you a sociology major?”

“I can’t believe all we’ve gone through and we never asked each other’s majors.” Greg took a sip of his drink. “I’m pre-law.”

“Really?”

Greg shrugged and stayed quiet.

“But you hate Constitutional Law. Have you taken other pre-law classes?”

“Yep.”

“And they’re better?”

Greg seesawed his head.

“If you don’t like pre-law, then why are you majoring in it?”

Greg’s expression became sterner. “I’m already this far along. I can’t switch.”

“I thought about being a pre-law major, but my dad wouldn’t let me. He said that I should major in something I’m interested in, then I’ll just apply to law school. But maybe pre-law is the way to go if I want that early experience.”

“No,” Greg said, cutting him off. “He’s right.”

“I don’t know. Maybe you have it right.”

“I don’t.” All signs of jovial Greg were gone. He turned the cup in his hands.

“What made you decide to major in pre-law?”

“Is this how you are with all guys?” Greg asked, no segue, no mercy.

“Talkative?” Ethan asked with a coy smile.

“Interrogating.”

Ethan was taken aback and had to look away to the river for a moment. He had never been called that in his life. Sometimes, he feared he didn’t ask enough questions and that was why more guys didn’t talk to him.

“I ask questions. I’m curious.”

“You sound like you’re cross-examining me on the witness stand. It’s not a conversation. It’s an interview.”

“I’m curious, that’s all.”

“I know you are. You’re curious about a lot of things. I like that about you. It’s cool. I’ve never felt so wise.”

Ethan tried to hold back a blush. Why was he blushing over what was probably a backhanded compliment? The insults rolled off Ethan easily; he was used to them. Not compliments. Maybe, he thought, each compliment was another small sign of approval. Ethan hated that he wanted to feel cool around Greg, but it was the truth. Greg was cool. Effortlessly cool.

“You’re letting your curiosity turn you into a zealous interviewer. That’s not chitchat, and it definitely isn’t flirting.”

“I wasn’t flirting with you!” Ethan said defensively. Although maybe it was a touch true.

“I know that. But have you tried to flirt with guys before? Has this same thing happened?”