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Chapter 1
ProfessorJulianEverettpacedthe lecture hall, his voice resounding as he read an impassioned sonnet. Each confident step of his polished oxfords tapped against the wooden floorboards, punctuating his thoughts on love and societal norms in twentieth-century literature. With each expressive gesture, his casually rolled-up shirtsleeves inched higher, highlighting well-defined forearms.
From his front-row seat, Alex Bennett had a view of the undulating silhouette of the North Georgia mountains, their majestic peaks set against the vast sky. Yet, his professor’s laser-beam blue eyes seemed more interesting than the scenic vista.
Everett’s aftershave, a blend of amber and sandalwood, filled Alex’s nostrils as he strode past. Its spicy undertones lingered on Alex’s tongue, inviting him to draw nearer and taste the essence of the man who held his attention.
Everett paused at the lectern, backlit by the soft spring sunlight pouring through the tall windows, showcasing Blue Ridge College’s natural beauty. He adjusted a loose strand of his tousled salt-and-pepper hair, revealing the strength of his jawline and the tanned skin of his neck. The professor’s shirt stretched taut across his shoulders when he turned the page of his notes.
Crossing his legs, Alex tried to reposition the tightness in his jeans. He reached behind himself for his blazer to hide his erection, but the fabric was trapped beneath him and wouldn’t budge.
The lectures had the same effect on him as successfully cracking a complex algorithm—minus the hard-on, of course. Although Alex appreciated the nuance and complexity of literature, the infectious way his professor spoke about these great works was the reason for his enjoyment.
“Mr. Bennett?” Everett’s voice cut through the fog of Alex’s thoughts, and the lecture hall swam into focus.
Dozens of faces peered at him expectantly. A sharp elbow jabbed Alex. He turned to his friend Ethan, who had delivered the painful jolt to reality.
“Dude, he asked you a question.” Ethan’s short black hair brushed against Alex’s arm as he leaned in conspiratorially.
Alex choked on the panic that glued him to his seat. Even his hard-on retracted like a turtle into its shell. The entire class continued to wait, including Professor Everett, who had one eyebrow cocked in query.Or is that amusement?
“Um, could you repeat the question?” He flicked his fingers across the pages of his used paperback ofBrideshead Revisited, ears burning under the weight of a hundred curious stares.
With a sniff, Travis Spencer, a literature major, leaned forward in his seat. He had an air of privilege—from his perfectly tailored blazer to his neatly combed brown hair. Though Travis was objectively handsome, an edge to his angular features and thin lips made him punch-worthy.
Professor Everett cleared his throat, recapturing Alex’s attention. “I asked your thoughts on the themes of love.” His voice remained calm and even, betraying no hint of irritation.
“Right,” Alex said, flipping open the paperback to a random page. As he scanned the text with his finger, the letters seemed to dance and shift, some blurring together while others appeared in the wrong order. Words he knew suddenly became a jumbled mess of unfamiliar characters. Stress always made his dyslexia worse. After taking a deep breath, he exhaled.Fuck it. “Well, I think Waugh’s portrayal of love isn’t binary. It goes beyond simple ones and zeroes of romantic love and incorporates the gray areas of forbidden love, especially between Charles and Sebastian.”
The words hung in the air before the confusion registered on his classmates’ faces. He’d slipped into code speak again. A flicker of surprise crossed Professor Everett’s face.
“Sorry, that’s… that’s how I think about things.” Alex scratched the back of his neck and offered an awkward smile. “In code, I mean.”
“Refreshing,” Everett said. “Go on, Mr. Bennett. Please.”
“Throughout the book,” Alex continued, “Charles and Sebastian aren’t just buddies. They’re bonded to each other, breaking rules, making us question what we know about love.” He wiped his sweaty palms against his jeans. “That’s what I got out of it, anyway.”
Professor Everett smiled. “Well said, Mr. Bennett. Love is indeed complex and not bound by societal norms. It has a language that transcends our limited definitions.”
Alex’s throat tightened, making it difficult to swallow. He snuck a glance at Travis’s disgruntled expression and bit back a triumphant grin.
“Of course, that’s all speculation,” Travis said, jutting his hand to catch the professor’s attention. “There is no overt reference to a romantic relationship between Charles and Sebastian, and the bonds of friendship can be just as deep, if not deeper, than romance. In the end, Charles marries and has a family. You know, aconventionallife.”
“Valid counter, Mr. Spencer,” Everett said. “Still, the point Mr. Bennett raises deepens the story and invites questions about love and the choices we make.”
“I’m sorry, Professor, but I disagree. Respectfully.” Travis pursed his lips, his gaze intense. “Even the author described their relationship as ‘an idyll in a world of lost illusions…’”
Cheeks burning, Alex turned away, noticing the English department chair standing in the doorway. Dr. Nathan Gray crossed his arms over his chest, a smile playing on his lips as he observed the lecture. Their eyes met for a brief second before Alex jerked back around, the whiplash adding to his discomfort.
“Excellent discussion today, class,” Professor Everett said with an emphatic handclap. “Over the spring break, please delve into E.M. Forster’sA Room with a View.”
With a collective slump of their shoulders, followed by a groan that bounced around the lecture hall, students packed up their belongings.
With a slight shake of his head, Everett added, “Which will be our last book of the semester.”
Instantly, all shoulders straightened, and the groans transformed into a burst of applause. As his classmates filed out, Alex couldn’t help but steal another glance at his professor. He wondered if he would ever find the courage to decode the connection he sensed between them.
“Nice save, dude.” Ethan shoved his laptop into his backpack. “How’d you come up with all that on the fly? I couldn’t even finish the book.”
