Chapter 06 DYLAN
Well, that was something. I thought Peter was going to lean in and kiss me.
And, damn, did I want him to.
How am I supposed to get through taking these photos with him when all I want to do is slant our lips together and go to town?
Focus.
I can’t be inappropriate. Professor Duncan…Peter, I mean…
Peter was always one of my favorite professors. Yes, he’s incredibly hot, but it wasn’t just about his looks for me. It was his passion for the art.
And passion is really sexy.
We walk along the path past a few apple trees and approach a creek complete with a waterfall. The sun shimmers off the water, making it sparkle like a diamond.
Peter walks next to me. We’re completely silent, but I catch him casting glances my way ever so often.
Well, I guess he could say the same thing about me, because I’m shooting glances at him as well, which is how I’m catching him looking at me.
Jesus, I’m in my head.
Okay, I have to say something. Anything.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
That’s what I ask? Good God!
Way to lay it on thick, Dylan.
Peter looks startled by the question. He pulls at his collar and clears his throat. “No, I’m actually—“
He stops, and a sad expression washes over his face. “Newly single, actually.”
Newly single.
Great job, Dylan. Bring up his recent breakup. Smooth.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I am too. Not newly single, just…single.”
Perpetually single.
Peter’s eyes widen, and he rubs the back of his head. “Weren’t you seeing a boy in the department? Greg?”
“Graham.“
Graham is my ex. If you can even call him that. We dated during Angels in America. He played Joe, the hunky Mormon who has the hots for guys. “I think it was more of a spotlight romance, if you know what I mean.”
Peter chuckles. “I’ve never experienced one, but I hear they’re a whirlwind.”
“More like a hurricane. At least it was with Graham. He’s nothing if not chaotic.“
And a self-obsessed asshole who can’t keep his dick in his pants. “We ended right after the production closed.”
“I’m sorry.”
I wave my hand. “Nah, don’t be. It’s for the best. We weren’t very compatible.”
Peter looks at me contemplatively before leaning in and whispering, “I know it’s poor form for a professor to speak badly about a student, but he always seemed a little full of himself.”
I bark out a surprised laugh. “A little is putting nicely.”“I thought so. He gave that off that energy.”
I shake my head, remembering all of the red flags I ignored. The biggest being missing my birthday dinner because he bumped into a director in town and grabbed a drink with him.
And grabbed his dick too, I found out later.
“Yep, that’s him, alright.”
Peter leans in again. The fact that he’s whispering when it’s just the two of us and Sadie in the middle of the woods makes my heart swell. “He was also a very poor student. He almost failed my Classics class.”
“Well, that’s because he can barely read.”
This time, Peter is the one who barks out a laugh. “That seems like a necessary skill for an actor.”
“Meh. You’d be surprised. Does Keanu Reeves seem like a genius to you?”
Peter nods. “Point taken.”
“Okay, boys, I think this is the spot.“
Sadie points to the creek's shore. The waterfall is in the background, and boulders border the shore. “I’ll try and position you so that we catch the fall, but I don’t want it to distract us from the two of you.“
She points to one of the large boulders. “Dylan, could you sit there, and, Peter, let’s have you kneeling next to it.”
The two of us make our way to the boulder, and I’m instantly more at ease now that we’ve talked again. The awkward silence was killing me.
I also got to hear Peter laugh, and I have to admit, he’s got a really great laugh.