“But if a book can make you feel this way, then I would argue it’s a successful piece of literature. So, show of hands, who enjoyed the book?” Every hand goes up.
“Excellent. So, I think given the mood of this session, how about we end class a bit early by going on a little field trip? I know a great bookstore that also serves beer and has delicious baked goods.”
***
Niall looks up from behind the counter as Hughie and I enter Books and Brews.
“Doesn’t your class go for another like hour or so?”
“Yeah, about that.” I’m interrupted by the door opening behind me, as the students from class fill into the building.
“Hey Hughie! Is that Daniel’s maybe boyfriend?”
Niall’s face scrunches up. “What…”
Lily sidles up next to me, looking at Hughie. “Is this Uncle Niall?”
Hughie beams. “Sure is!”
“Can we get a round of Guinness for the class?” Niall goes to say something but I put my hand up. “Rough class today.”
I help Niall disperse the beers, all the students happy to get a free beer from their teacher. I also tell everyone to get a baked treat on me as well.
“Are we going to talk about it?”
“No. Maybe. But your nephew is to blame.” I look over at Hughie, who is sitting with Lily and Samuel at a table. The three of them are flipping through copies ofHeartstopper, which is a couple lessons after Zentner.
“Is he now?”
I take a sip of my pint. “You are the ‘maybe boyfriend’ he introduced to the class.”
Niall slumps on the counter. “We should probably have a talk with him.”
The light catches the green of his eyes, heightened by the matching green sweater he’s wearing today. I think of how he looked when his clothes were on the floor, the way his thighs had strained against the hem of his boxer briefs.
It is the middle of the day, in the middle of class, and this is inappropriate.
But I also think about how gentle his kisses were. The way he held me when we fell asleep. How incredibly there he’s been for me since I’ve arrived here in Dublin.
“I would, you know.”
“Would what?”
I take another sip. “Be your ‘maybe boyfriend’, maybe without the maybe. Or, just see where it goes, I know it hasn’t been that long—”
“I’d like that very much,” Niall says.
My heart flutters, surprised by the first bit of positive news in what seems like a long time.
The class has settled into various corners of the book pub. Noah’s spirits seem to have been lifted a bit, seeing him laugh at something Delilah said.
“Why was class rough today?”
I swirl the dregs of beer in my glass. “The book we read for class this week involves grief and loss. Specifically…of best friends.”
“Ahh,” Niall grabs my beer and tops it off.
“One of the students recently lost their best friend and explained how the book had helped him. I kinda got emotional because, you know, everything. Hughie knew it was Michael, by the way.”
