23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dylan
Axel
Wanna grab breakfast before I start work?
I’m popping out of town today. I’ll stop by the pub tonight for a drink, though?
Axel
Out of town?
Got an appointment. See you later xxx
I felt slightly bad for not telling Axel what I was up to, but I really wanted to make sure I had it all figured out before I went to him with my plans.
Just before Christmas, I bumped into Mr Morgan Junior’s mum, Mrs Morgan, who also happened to be the head teacher of Foxwood Primary School. Unlike her grump of a son, she was a cheerful and chatty woman. She hadn’t been the head when I was at school, but she’d been my class teacher when I was nine.
Over a lukewarm, fairly off-putting cup of coffee in the Cluck Cafe, we’d chatted about what I’d been studying at uni and what I wanted to do next.
It was her who had planted the seed.
“Have you ever thought about teaching, Dylan?”
I had and I hadn’t. Not with any seriousness. I’d briefly considered teaching high school English, but I despised teenagers with their surly attitudes, so it had never seemed like a good fit.
“We’re always looking for bright local teachers. Why don’t you stop by one day and take a look around? It will have changed quite a lot since you were there, and watching a lesson or two might give you a feel for the place?”
In the end, I’d watched four lessons, and my intuition told me that it was exactly what I should do next. I had loved school, had loved to learn with an insatiable curiosity. But it was actually watching a teacher giving some extra time to a kid struggling to read that had enraptured me.
The little girl had reminded me of a young Cooper. Desperate to keep up but struggling, and the way her face lit up when she’d managed to read a full sentence with no mistakes? I’d had to fight back tears.
I’d spent most of my life feeling like I was chasing something. Chasing after Axel, chasing a way out of this small town, chasing to be top of my class.
And yet, it was here in Foxwood Primary, the place where I’d become a person, that I realised, I didn’t have to chase anymore.
Axel would be waiting for me at home, and I’d spend every Sunday having dinner with my family. I could have the life I’d always wanted; it was finally within reach.
I didn’t need to chase anymore. I could just be.
“Mr Bailey?” A woman poked her head out of the door opposite where I was sitting.
“Yes, that’s me.” I smiled and stood to shake her hand. Her palm was warm but not clammy, and she had a reassuring face.
I followed her into the small office located in the heart of Reynard University.
“You’re here to discuss your options about completing your teacher training, is that correct?” she asked as we both took a seat, her behind the desk and me opposite.
“Yes, that’s right.”
She continued to flick through the pages of my uni record. “Well, no complaints from me. You got a First from Volpe with some outstanding recommendations. What is it about the training you’d like to discuss?” she asked, apparently perplexed.
“The thing is, when I looked through the prospectus, it appeared that you have specific local schools you do the course in conjunction with, and I’d like to figure out a way I could complete the course while still living in Foxwood Hollow. I’ve already spoken to the head teacher at Foxwood Primary, and she’s more than happy for me to complete my training there. I don’t mind commuting for the classes held here, but it’s really important to me that I live in Foxwood Hollow.”
She listened to my long monologue with interest and some surprise.
“I want to start by reassuring you that I don’t foresee any of that being a problem.”
I let out a relieved breath, and my shoulders finally relaxed. I hadn’t realised how much my hope had been riding on this.
“We advertise the schools associated with the course because some students worry about finding a placement, and this alleviates that. The truth is, Mr Bailey, there is a major shortage of teachers across primary and secondary schools. If we can find a way to make this work with you, we will.” She smiled, and my concerns melted away at her words.
I was really going to have it all—the career, the home, and most importantly, my Axel.
When I exited the university building, I headed across the road towards a coffee shop. Standing outside and arguing on the phone in Urdu, was Iqra. She spotted me, muttered a few more angry words and then hung up the phone.
“How’s your mum?” I asked, knowing she was usually the source of Iqra’s aggravated phone calls.
“Insufferable, honestly. She keeps trying to convince me that moving out was a mistake and I should go and live at home until I get married. She’s yet to realise that if I move back home, I’ll end up in prison for matricide.” She huffed but then closed the distance between us and wrapped me up in a fierce hug.
“Oh my god, are you okay? You never voluntarily hug me. I’m going to remember this moment for the rest of my life,” I gushed.
“I miss you and George,” she mumbled into my neck.
I wasn’t used to seeing such a soft side to Iqra; she was a good friend but had always been a bit more closed off than me and George were. It was endearing to know she valued us just as much.
“Well then, I might have some good news for you!”
“Let’s get caffeine, and you can tell me all about it.” She smiled as we made our way inside the little cafe, the scent of roasted coffee beans in the air.
On my way back home, I stopped off at the school to see Mrs Morgan and tell her the good news. Come September, I’d begin my teacher training, three days a week in the school and two days a week at uni. I couldn’t wait.
Mrs Morgan was thrilled and invited me, Cooper, and Axel over for dinner the following week to celebrate.
Nobody was home when I dropped the car off, so I was buzzing out of my skin as I walked to the pub to see Axel.
He was serving a customer when I stepped inside, but I spotted Cooper and Milly down the far end of the bar, so I headed their way.
I crept behind Cooper, wrapped my arms around him and squeezed as tight as I could.
“Jesus, Dyl. You’re freakishly strong for someone so small,” he complained.
“Small but mighty, my friend,” I replied.
“Gin I wanted to bury my head in his stomach.
Once he was down to his underwear, he joined me under the covers, and I spent the next few minutes running my fingers through his furry chest. And then, because it was right in front of my face, I nibbled his nipple.
“Oi!” He retaliated by biting my ear.
The joke was on him, though, because I was into it. My cock filled, and I shimmied out of my briefs.
“What are you up to down there?” he asked.
“Want a sword fight?”
“You did not just ask me that.”
“Go ooooon. You know you want to.”
“Love, that is not a fair fight.” He snickered.
“Why are you being such a scaredy fox then?” I taunted, and he gave up the fight, tugging his boxers down and shucking them off.
He smacked his much bigger, much heavier cock against mine once, and I cracked up until he took them both in his big hand and began to stroke them in a tight grip.
I leaned up to kiss him and rubbed a thumb over the stiff bud of his nipple. He loved that once he was turned on. When he was really close, sometimes I could get him over the edge just by pinching them.
Our sword fight had definitely devolved into a sword wrestle, but I had no complaints. I thrust into his hand, chasing my release and moaning into Axel’s mouth as I did it.
“You gonna come for me, love?” His low, gravelly voice travelled straight from my ears to my aching balls, and I pretty much shot my load on command. I shook as I spilled over his hand and both our cocks. Axel continued to stroke me through my release and then let me go, using my cum to get himself off hard and fast until he grunted and came moments later.
I loved watching Axel come. There was something about watching a big, burly man in that vulnerable moment as he lets go and the need for unfettered pleasure takes over.
“We really need to start putting a towel down,” he grumbled before reaching for the box of wet wipes by the bed and cleaning off his hand.
I watched as Axel climbed out of bed to go to the bathroom, enjoying the sight of his juicy butt a little too much. “Down boy,” I whispered to my dick, who was trying to rally at the sight.
Axel returned and very gently and lovingly wiped my soft cock and balls down with a warm washcloth before throwing it in the wash basket. And just when I was beginning to think that I couldn’t love him anymore, he ruined it.
“What are you doing?” I asked when he climbed over me and began settling in on my side of the bed.
“I always sleep in the wet patch. It’s your turn to take one for the team.”
“Oh, I see how it is. I’m the sacrificial lamb.”
“Baaah,” he… he fucking bleeted at me.
When I shuffled and the cold, damp patch on the sheet pressed against my bum, I decided that was a hard pass, so I climbed on top of Axel and rested my head on his chest.
“I’ll just sleep on you tonight.”
I jiggled a little when he laughed, but he began stroking his fingertips up and down my spine, and I settled in.
Maybe I’ll always sleep on Axel now. He makes a lovely bed.
The following week, Axel and I walked in the direction of Mrs Morgan’s house where we were meeting Cooper to go for our celebratory dinner. She was thrilled when Cooper said he would come because she’d always had a soft spot for him when he was at school.
We found him on the corner of her street… pacing.
“What’s up with you?” Axel asked.
Cooper’s head shot up, and he cleared his throat a few times before responding. “Nothing.” His voice came out several octaves too high, making him sound like Scooby Doo. “Who’s gonna be at this dinner?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I didn’t exactly request a guestlist before I RSVP’d. Why does it matter?”
Cooper began tugging at the collar of his shirt like he was hot even though it was mid-winter and fucking freezing outside.
“Come on, we’ll be late.” Axel ushered Cooper and me towards Mrs Morgan’s terraced house.
As we made our way to her front door, I couldn’t help but side-eye Cooper as he continued acting weird.
“Do you need the toilet or something?” I asked.
“What? No. I’m not a child.”
“Could have fooled me,” I mumbled as Axel used the brass knocker still surrounded by a Christmas wreath. The vibrantly painted yellow door matched Mrs Morgan perfectly with her cheery disposition.
The person who answered the door, however, had the opposite of a cheery disposition.
Her son, Mr Morgan, stood on the threshold. “Evening,” he managed to force out with a smile that looked as though it caused him physical pain to maintain.
Mrs Morgan’s head popped up to the side of him. He was a large alpha, and his wide frame filled most of the doorway. “Well, let them in, Patrick. It’s freezing!”
He grunted but stepped to the side so we could enter the house. The long, narrow hallway was lined with photographs of Mr and Mrs Morgan and a young Patrick, who had evidently always looked a little grumpy.
“Thank you so much for inviting us, Mrs Morgan,” I said to her retreating back.
“You’re more than welcome, but please, call me Linda,” she replied.
She led us into the dining room, a large farmhouse-style table in the centre with bench seats on either side. It was dark outside so the window was covered with a thick red curtain, not dissimilar to what you’d find at the theatre.
“What can I get you all to drink? I’ve got a nice bottle of red here if you fancy it?” she asked.
Axel and I both gave an enthusiastic ‘yes’, but Cooper squirmed a little in his seat. He didn’t really like any alcoholic drinks except lager, but he hated feeling like a rude guest. I was about to answer on his behalf, but then Patrick came into the room and placed a bottle of beer in front of Cooper.
“Glass?” Patrick asked in that monosyllabic way of his.
“No, this is fine. Thank you.” Cooper peered up at him with a grateful smile on his face and… something else.
Interesting.
“Something smells delicious,” Axel said.
“Oh, that’s all Patrick. I’m useless in the kitchen, but his dad, John, taught him everything he knew before he passed.” She smiled fondly although her eyes still held a deep sadness in them.
“I was sorry to hear about your loss, Linda,” I said.
“Thank you, dear. It’s not been easy, but having my Patrick here so much always helps.”
To each their own. I couldn’t imagine Patrick being a very soothing presence while grieving a loved one, but maybe he had a better temperament when they were alone.
Linda poured four glasses of red wine and took one of them into the kitchen for Patrick while we all found seats.
The atmosphere was awkward but in a pleasant type of way. Like seeing extended family for Christmas when you don’t really have anything in common, but circumstances have brought you together, and it’s nice to see them all the same.
Linda returned with a tray of what smelled like garlic dough balls.
A very embarrassing groan escaped my lips when I bit into one and found melted mozzarella at the centre. It was loud enough that Axel blushed.
“Sorry, they’re just insanely good,” I said in my defence.
Cooper shook his head at me in a ‘why are you like this’ type of way, but then took a bite from his own and said, “Actually, that’s fair. These are amazing.”
About halfway into our glasses of wine and the garlic balls long gone, Patrick reappeared with plates of pasta for each of us.
I literally salivated. It was chicken and mushrooms in a creamy sauce over linguini and covered in a very healthy amount of parmesan cheese.
“Wow. Thanks… Mr Morgan. Abbie will be trying to poach you for her restaurant if she gets wind of this,” I said.
“Patrick. Mr Morgan was my dad,” he replied, leaving a stilted silence in his wake.
“Well, let’s all tuck in before it gets cold,” Linda jumped in to save the atmosphere.
Cooper was the first to finish, wolfing down the food at a rate that gave me indigestion just to watch. Apparently, Patrick didn’t seem to find it too off-putting, though, since he immediately got up to give him a second helping of food.
I felt like I was at the zoo watching a very obscure animal mating ritual. I’d have to draw the line if either of them started sniffing each other’s butts at the dining table.
Watching the whole exchange between the two of them made my heart hurt a little. Cooper had never been very forthcoming about people he was dating, and he’d never had a serious relationship that I was aware of. Was he scared to tell us he was alpha-sexual? I hope he knew that nobody in our family would have a problem with that. All we ever wanted was for him to be happy. Axel certainly wouldn’t care; after all, Milly was an omega and only dated other omegas.
Overall, the dinner was a success. Linda was clearly delighted to have me joining her staff next year, and I knew we’d get along well. It felt good to have Axel by my side, my partner there with me to celebrate this next chapter.
After we said goodbye to Linda and Patrick, the three of us began to walk home, the air bitingly cold.
“Still on for the rugby next weekend?” Axel asked Cooper when we were headed in different directions.
“Yes! Can’t wait, mate. See you tomorrow.” He gave us both a quick hug before jogging away.
By the time we made it home, my fingers and toes were icy cold, so I quickly stripped out of my clothes and climbed under the duvet.
“Dyl? Where’d you go?” Axel called out.
I popped my head out in answer.
“Jeez. I thought you were a pillow.” He laughed.
Joining me in the bed, he curled around me and I pressed my cold nose to his warm chest.
“Here, tuck your feet between my thighs; they’ll warm up quicker.”
“Sometimes I love you so much that I think I might die from it,” I replied while doing as he suggested.
“If you die from that, I won’t have anyone’s freezing cold little trotters to warm up at night and wouldn’t that be a tragedy?”
“Little trotters?” I shoved at his chest gently, and he chuckled.
“The cutest little trotters.” He kissed my nose in an adoring way, so I let it go.
I’d almost dozed off when Axel asked, “Did you think it seemed weird between Cooper and Patrick tonight?”
“They seemed… sort of intense, right?”
“I’ve never seen him like that before.”
“Do you think he knows that none of us would care if he… if he prefers alphas?”
“I mean… I’d like to think so. But we’ve been best friends our whole life, and he never told me. Maybe I’ve done a shitty job if he felt like he had to keep this from me.” Axel’s voice choked up a little.
“All we can do is make sure he knows it now. Maybe we’re reading into nothing, anyway.”
“Yeah… maybe.” But he didn’t sound convinced.