“Yeah. For sure. Are you getting caught up on everything? You said you were behind and hoped you could get on top of things,” he says.
He remembered.Maybe my bar is set incredibly low, but remembering a comment I made in a conversation that bore no importance means a lot.It’s sad when the bare minimum feels like elite-level effort.
“Yeah. As of last night, I’m officially on top of things,” I say. “My students all have projects they’re working on for the rest of the semester, so the load is lighter, which is great.”
“Well, if you ever need someone to substitute teach a class here or there, let me know. I have some time on my hands.”
I laugh at the playful grin on his handsome face. “And what exactly would you be authorized to teach in a philosophy class?”
“I’d start with my boy Marcus Aurelius.”
“What about him?” I ask, curious where he’s going with this. “Anything in particular?”
He leans against the table with a casual coolness that’s interesting. Typically, men eager to discuss philosophers wear button-ups, wire-rimmed glasses, and often a toupee. It’s not exactly a topic I encounter regularly with men who look like Brooks.Is that judgy?Maybe. But it’s also statistics in my experience.
“I’d start with the part where he’s asking his daughter if she would’ve been a just Caesar had she been born a man,” he says. “I think we could do a lot with that. Lots of angles to work from.”
What is he talking about?I’ve studied philosophy for a decade, and none of this is ringing a bell. “That’s an interesting angle.”
“Yeah, it was a great scene. They were in the tent shortly before he gets killed by Commodus.”
I try my hardest not to laugh, but it’s futile. “Are you talking about a movie?”
“No.” His eyes widen, making it clear I’m right. My laughter grows louder. “I was just testing you to see if you really knew your shit.”
“Hey, Brooksy. You about done over there? We gotta go, my man,” Jasper calls from the other side of the restaurant.
“Yeah, gimme a second,” Brooks says. “I gotta pry my foot out of my mouth.”
I rest against my seat and smile up at him. I almost tease him, but decide to let it go. “Where are you headed?”
“We’re picking up a trailer for Hartley about a half hour from here.” He lifts a brow. “Want to ride with us? It’ll be fun, and we’ll behave. Promise.”
“That boy ain’t behaved a day in his life,” Charlie shouts from the round table.
“Charlie, you shut the hell up,” Brooks says, making everyone laugh. “Mind your damn business.”
The thought of being cooped up with Brooks makes it impossible to sit still. I shift in my seat, begging the throbbing between my legs to stop.
“Can’t,” I say, sighing. “I have a date with my needle and thread.”
“Sounds boring.”
Of course, it sounds boring.I’m boring. I’m so boring I bore myself. “Yeah, well, I’m not the most interesting girl in the world.”
He takes a step away from the table. “I beg to differ.” He flashes me a megawatt smile. “See ya around, Doc.”
I consider reminding him once again that I’m not a doctor, but decide against it. It won’t matter. Besides, I kind of like that he gave me a nickname.
“See ya,” I say.
He meets his friends at the door and walks out without looking back.
CHAPTER
SIX
Audrey
