Several of the guys seemed excited by my announcement. When I asked my stepdad Chase if he wanted to play in a charity softball game, he immediately agreed and offered to ask a few of his former teammates if they were interested. Less than an hour later, he called to inform me that former World Series Champions Aron Parker, and his husband Drew Rockland, as well as their friend Slate Rodgers would love to help us with our event. As I went over the details with each of them, Slate mentioned his husband, Vaughn Evans, and his band, Flirting with Fire, would be willing to help with anything we needed, since it was for a good cause.
“It sounds like we’re set with the talent,” Fallon noted, before moving on to another committee.
After everyone had given their report, Fallon reminded us that final payments were due for our annual ski trip we were going on next weekend and then adjourned the meeting.
I followed behind as everyone made their way out of the room. I was starving and wanted to grab something to eat since I’d missed lunch before the meeting started.
Just as I was about to head to the kitchen, Ford stopped me in the hallway and asked, “Got a minute to talk?”
Figuring it would be easier to let him say whatever he needed to than to keep brushing him off, I shrugged my shoulders and replied, “Sure.”
He looked around. “Can we go to my room?”
“I guess.” I followed him up the stairs and had to hide the roll of my eyes when he looked around again before opening his bedroom door so we could walk inside.
The door clicked shut behind us, and I leaned against the wall as he sat on his bed. I waited a few moments for him to speak, but he stared at his feet instead.
“So, what’s up?” I finally asked to break the silence.
His face tilted up to look at me. “I think I made a mistake.”
My brow furrowed. “About what?”
“About breaking up with you.”
Fuck.
“Look—”
“I miss you,” he rushed out. “Do you think you could give me another chance?”
I shook my head. “I can’t.”
“If it’s because you don’t want to be in a secret relationship—”
“That isn’t the problem.” A few weeks ago, it had been, but now that I found myself in a similar position, I realized the two situations were different. With Hayden, there was a clear end date for when we no longer needed to keep our relationship a hidden from everyone, and it felt like there was a chance for a future with him. I never felt that with Ford, and even if he changed his mind and came out, it was too late for us.
“Then what is it?”
“I’ve moved on,” I admitted.
“So, you were with someone last night?” His voice cracked, and he dropped his head again.
I didn’t know how I should respond. It didn’t feel right to lie to him and give him any false hope, so I said, “Yeah,” and walked out of the room.
* * *
The next day,I found it nearly impossible to focus on class when Hayden looked as sexy as he did in a white button-up shirt and fitted navy slacks. Dirty thoughts of what we’d done the morning before played through my mind, and I had to adjust myself discreetly.
“If you all can pull up the article on lens conversion factor, I’ll give you a few minutes to read it. The link is on my website if you don’t have your syllabus handy.”
I opened my web browser and clicked the link. While reading, I found myself daydreaming again. Just as I was picturing myself dropping to my knees in front of Hayden, my phone vibrated.
I slid my cell under the table and clicked on the message that had just come through:
Meet me in my office after class
I’d saved Hayden’s number after he’d texted me two nights before, but only used his initials in case someone happened to catch a glimpse of my phone. I looked up, but his attention was on the laptop in front of him, although I was almost positive there was a slight smirk on his face.
