Oscar laughs. “To be honest, I don’t know why I stopped pursuing it. I got a Bachelor of Science degree, but then… I just stopped looking to further it. I’m not sure I even tried looking for a career with it.”
“How’d you get into content creation?”
He grins. “Believe it or not, it’s because of science. I had this idea to make science sexy. Study with my shirt off or while I was exercising, a lecture playing in the background. I recorded some experiments in a jock strap. That kind of thing. Then…” Oscar stops to think about it as he takes a bite of his sandwich. “I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how it got into the adult content nor how it shifted to what my brand is now. Natural progression, I suppose.”
“Huh. That’s kind of cool.”
Oscar nods. “I haven’t thought about it in a while. I kind of miss science now that I’m thinking about it.”
“You can always introduce it again.”
“Mmm,” he hums.
Alka returns, shutting the door behind him. He hands my phone back and kisses the top of my head. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”
I huff as I dig into my lunch box. I think Oscar packs enough for three people in one box. There’s a lot of food that I definitely don’t make it through in a day. He says he just wants me to have options.
“That’ll be easy.”
“We’re going to address it without being specific.”
I sigh. Great. “How long has it been since you were a kid, Alka?”
Both men laugh at me. “What?” Alka asks.
“When the teachers get involved, it makes the situation worse,” I point out. “Just let it be. What’re they going to do?”
Alka shakes his head. He doesn’t answer as he returns to his meal, and we eat in silence for a long time before he sighs. “I hate that you’re dealing with this,” he says at last.
I nod. “It’ll pass.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Oscar says.
“Let’s get back to your birthday,” Alka says. I grin. “Are you opposed to a party?”
“No,” Oscar answers. “Though I’d be just as happy withsimply having our friends over for dinner. Happier still if I can spend the day with my two favorite men.”
“We’re definitely doing that,” Alka says. “Forty is a big year. I want to do something special.”
“I realize how corny this is even before I say it, but I’m going to risk it. Every day with you is special.” He looks between us, including me in his corniness. I grin and take another bite of sandwich.
“Yep, that’s corny,” Alka says. “I’m not saying I disagree, but we’re trying to teach here, Oz. Keep those gross sentiments as inside thoughts.”
I laugh.
There’s a knock on the door, and Alka gets up to answer it. My muscles tense when I see Jeff outside the door. He immediately meets my eyes, and I don’t miss the bitterness in his expression. He’s joined by three others, thankfully none that I thought were friends.
“What’s up, Doherty?” Alka asks.
“I’m sorry to interrupt lunch,” he says, “but we’re really uncomfortable with what’s going on. I know you said Kipler isn’t going to receive special treatment, but it really feels like he is. I’m not the only one who thinks so.” Jeff makes a very pointed look at me as if he’s proving a point.
“Yeah? Right now, my boyfriend, husband, and I are talking about ideas for my husband’s birthday. Do you need to be involved in that?”
Jeff shifts uncomfortably. “No, Coach.”
“After we made a decision on that, I was going to bring up dinner. There’s a new place on Hemlock that I’ve been meaning to suggest. Do you need to be involved in that because Roux is?” Alka asks.
Jeff presses his lips together.
