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I laughed. “Yeah.”
“Hunter Rhodes is a heck of a catch, Clark.”
I imitated Beckett, ticking off points on my fingers. “Hot. Straight. DILF. The trifecta of untouchable for a nerdy guy like me.”
Augustus scoffed. “You sell yourself short. You’re cute.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly. “Maybe I can tell Hunter to get a puppy instead.”
“I doubt he wants to make out with a dog. I mean, there are all kinds of kinks, but…”
I laughed. “Shut up. I’m freaking out here. You know what happened at my last school if you talked to Joe.”
He nodded. We’d reached my car and stopped beside it.
“Joe told me a little of the story,” he said. “What your friend did…I can’t presume to know everything about her choices, but she was violating a policy and sneaking around, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Whereas everyone here already thinks you’re dating Hunter. It can’t get any more public after that kiss at the pub a week ago.”
“Yeah…that was unexpected.”
“Apparently there’s a lot of that with him, huh?” He smiled. “I say enjoy it, Clark.”
“Really? Weren’t you the guy who beat yourself up over hooking up with a coworker?”
“Yeah, and it all worked out for me and Joe.” He nudged me. “Besides, aren’t you the one that said not to let fear hold me back?”
“Touché. You really don’t think it’s a bad idea? Joe seemed concerned I’d get in over my head.”
“That was when Joe thought your feelings wouldn’t be returned. That doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“I guess…”
Augustus continued, “All I know is you’re a good person, Clark, and a great teacher. Dating A DILF won’t change that.”
I groaned a chuckle. “Please don’t call him that.”
“Hey, I don’t make the rules. They’re your words. Maybe the key is seeing Hunter as more than a DILF.”
“I do! Geez. I respect him so much.”
“Then you have your answer. You’re not breaking your rule at all. You’re getting involved with a genuine, caring person who you respect, and who had better respect you unless he wants Joe to kick his ass.”
“What, you’re not going to kick his ass for me?”
Augustus gestured to his slender frame. “We play to our strengths. My strength happens to be a beefy boyfriend, but I’m sure we can get Tucker, Wes, and Beckett to jump in too. You just say the word.”
I shook my head, grinning as I stepped forward to hug him. “Thanks for the pep talk, Auggie. It helped.”
He squeezed me back. “I’m glad to hear it, but don’t let me catch you using that nickname again. Only Joe gets to do that.”
I stepped away, smirking. “Just wanted to make sure I was really talking to you and you hadn’t been body-swapped with a sensitive, understanding alien.”
He swatted my arm. “Well, I guess you’re feeling better. Tell Hunter I said good luck managing such a brat.”
“He calls me angel.”
