is simply something you do. You know, like, ‘What are you doing this weekend?’ ‘Doing my homework, doing my chores, getting laid…’” Dean sighed. “It wasn’t like that for me. I wanted my first time to be with someone I cared for, someone who cared for me. Only, it didn’t happen quite that way.”
“Can you tell me about it?”
Dean nodded. “I think it’s important you hear this from someone. It was a snatched moment, over way too soon, with a boy who just wanted sex. So did I, for that matter, despite my wishing for it to be special. We didn’t take our time. Probably because we had no time. And if I could go back, I would do it differently.”
“And that’s exactly why I’m here,” Robin stressed. “I want to take my time. I don’t wanna be like you, looking back and regretting it. No offense.”
“None taken. So now, you’re going home.” Robin’s face fell, and Dean’s heart went out to him, but he had to be honest. “You said you need to take your time and think about it. So that’s exactly what you’re going to do—at home.” He felt confident he hadn’t given Robin any false hope, or made any promises he couldn’t keep.
Robin jerked his head up. “But does that mean—?”
“It means you’re going home,” Dean said firmly. Then he relented. “It doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t come back here, or that we’re never going to talk again.” He smiled. “Lake Placid is a small place.”
Robin got to his feet, and Dean walked with him to the front door. Robin paused, gazing at Dean’s face. “Do I get a kiss goodbye?”
Dean rolled his eyes before leaning in and giving him a peck on the cheek. When he straightened, Robin pouted adorably. “That’s it?”
Dean laughed. “Don’t push your luck. Now get your ass on that bike and pedal out of here.”
Robin’s smile was such a relief after the misery Dean had seen there a few seconds ago. “Bye for now.” And then he was climbing on his bike and pedaling like fury away from the house and along the street.
Dean closed the door, locked it, and leaned against it, his forehead kissing the glass window.
Now what do I do?
Chapter Eight
Dean poured himself a coffee, then sank into one of the chairs. The staffroom was about half full, and the lunch break had about twenty minutes left to run. He’d tucked himself away in a corner, hoping not to invite conversation.
Dean had a lot on his mind. Well, one thing in particular, about five-feet-six, light brown hair, light brown eyes, cute smile, gorgeous bod…
What am I going to do with you, Robin?
“Penny for them?”
Dean jerked his head up. Kate stood there, a plastic box filled with what looked like pasta salad in one hand, a cup of tea in the other. He stared at her blankly.
“Your thoughts. I’ll give you a pen—” She sighed. “Never mind. Are you okay? You looked like you were deep in thought over here.”
“I’m fine,” Dean assured her.
Kate arched her eyebrows. “Okay, as our students are so fond of saying… pants on fire.” She tilted her head. “You want me to leave you alone?”
“Actually? No. Can we go someplace and talk?” Maybe another perspective would help.
“Sure. Your classroom is closest.” She grinned. “Unless you really want to have a conversation next door to the girls’ locker room?”
“It wouldn’t be my first choice, no.” Dean got up, and they left the room. When they reached his classroom, they went inside, and Dean closed the door behind them. He sat at his desk, and Kate grabbed a chair and pulled it up.
She opened her lunch box, took a fork from her purse, and sat back. “Okay. Spill.”
He told her about Robin’s visit Monday evening and their subsequent conversation. Kate listened while she ate, nodding occasionally, and snorting at least once, fortunately not at a moment when her mouth was full. When he was done, Dean took a drink. “So there you have it.”
“What’s next?
Dean widened his eyes. “You’re asking me? Why do you think I’m in such a mess? I don’t know what to do.”
Kate pursed her lips. “Let’s try this from another angle. Tell me about Robin. The Robin you know, not the one I remember as a student.”
“That’s the weird part. When he was a student here, I hardly noticed him—well, certainly not like I’m noticing him now. He was merely another student. Oh, he was good at building the sets and