Page 75 of Check You Out

“Great suggestion!” Aidan replies in an animated voice. “I’ll include something about that. That’s also a challenge for low vision students, too. Thank you for bringing that up, Charlie.”

They bloom under his praise. Their shy, reserved face widens in a joyous grin, and they lift their shoulders, while their mom gives them a reassuring smile.

Aidan continues with his speech, discussing the importance of diverse texts and how impressionable they can be on young minds. As he talks, my mind wanders to his interaction with Charlie and how I’ve seen him treat others. Aidan always makes it known my thoughts and my opinions matter. He will push back when my thoughts might be harmful or uncomfortable to others, but he hears me out first.

It’s so much like my dad. Even down to their tone of voice and their expressions.

An overwhelming feeling of grief washes over me. The kind that still bubbles up to the surface now that it’s been almost six years since I lost him. My eyes water, and I swallow hard.

“‘One of the greatest joys of my life is seeing a child fall in love with reading. But if we cannot fund our libraries, the frequency of kids falling in love with reading will decrease. As an educator, I request that the council reject the proposed bill and keep the Summerville Public Library open. It is vital to our children and our children’s futures that this institution of learning and knowledge remain open for all to enjoy.’”

He glances around us after he finishes. “Well?” he asks. “Any feedback?”

Lisa G nods. “It’s good, I like it. I agree with Charlie about the audiobooks. They’re good for us old folks who have trouble seeing.”

“Charlotte, any thoughts?” Aidan addresses me.

“It was great,” I reply, blinking. “Really good job.” Plastering on a smile to hide my grief, I say with energy, “Alright, who’s next?”

Charlie volunteers and begins with a passionate plea about how the library is their happy place and a refuge for not only themself, but for numerous friends. They tell a story about how one of the librarians sat down and helped them with a complicated math problem after school.

“I like it a lot,” Aidan says after they finish. “You’re really driving the argument of pathos through emphasizing how the library will affect you and so many other children if it closes. But I think you can highlight a little bit more logos in your speech by appealing to the more logical side. There’s plenty of research on the impact libraries have on children and how that improves academic and lifelong achievement. Maybe add in a statistic or two to help drive that point. Great job!”

Charlie beams and says, “Thank you, Mr. Talbot.” They start writing things down in their notebook. “Do you think the speech was too long?”

“You’re good,” I answer. “I was watching the clock, and you were under three minutes.”

Lisa G. goes next, followed by me. All too quickly, I’m adjourning the meeting and Aidan is walking me home.

“Are you ok?” he asks once we’re standing by my apartment entrance and out of view and earshot. “You just looked a little sad when I was talking. I-I would’ve asked in the moment, but I didn’t think it was the right time.”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I was just thinking of my dad.”

Aidan interlaces his fingers with mine and his thumb grazes across my knuckle. “You miss him.”

I nod. “I do and seeing you interact with Charlie just reminded me so much of him.” I sigh and the tears well up. “You have a lot in common with him, besides being an English teacher. I think you would’ve liked him.”

He takes a breath of air. “From everything you’ve told me, your dad was a great guy, and I’m honored to have the comparison,” he murmurs, and brings his other hand up to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. “I like you a lot, too.”

“Yes, that’s already been established.” I take my free hand and snake it behind his neck, pulling him into a kiss. His lips are soft but yearning against mine. He deepens the pressure and my mouth parts open for him. His tongue sweeps across my teeth, and I stifle a gasp.

My heart pounds in my chest, rattling in my ribcage. I want more, far more than this dizzying kiss. I want all of him.

I dig my fingers into his back, needing him closer to me. Panting, I break off the kiss and say in a hoarse whisper, “I want you. I want all of you. I need you.”

Aidan leans back on his heels and swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I know you’re implying that we should have sex, but I would like explicit consent before we move further.” He grits his teeth. “It just t0 calm my anxiety,” he adds. “Do you want to have sex with me?”

I let out a chuckle, and my fingers tangle in his hair, feeling the silky-smooth texture. “Yes, I do.”

“Ok,” he responds in a husky voice. “Shall we?”

32

Aidan

Charlotte runs up the stairs to her apartment, laughing and tossing her hair back. I follow a step behind, clutching her soft hand. My gaze is glued to the bouncy wave of her hair. We collide on the landing outside her door, our mouths crashing in a melding of our bodies. My hands find hers and my fingers wind around her wrists before pinning them gently behind her head.

She arches into me and lets out a little gasp when my teeth graze against her lips. Her mouth parts, and my tongue grazes over the contours of her mouth. I grind my pelvis into hers as my cock strains against the confines of my shorts.