Chapter 34
Oliver
Since we can’t hear another voice, we assume he’s on a phone call.
“Should we come back?” Huxley asks.
“No, let’s have some fun with it.” I knock loudly on the door five times to be sure he hears over his own ranting.
“It’s not a good time,” Williams shouts.
I don’t give a flying fuck if it’s a good time. I fling the door open and stride in, keeping Huxley close to my side. Williams shoots us a filthy look, makes an excuse to whoever’s on the line, and ends the call.
It’s only then that his gaze comes to rest on our joined hands. Eyes widening to comical proportions, the look of horror on his face is utterly priceless.
“Wha-what in heaven's name is…?” Williams stumbles over his words then must choke on his own spit, because he coughs violently.
It’s hard not to laugh. I squeeze Huxley’s hand and give him a wink.
When Williams finally pulls himself together, I begin.
“Mr. Williams, Huxley and I are here this morning to inform you that we are in a consensual romantic relationship. We will, of course, make an appointment to speak with HR to sign the workplace relationship paperwork as soon as possible. But, more importantly, we want to inform you that we are seeking legal representation regarding the discrimination Huxley and myself have experienced here.” I turn to my boyfriend. “Would you like to add anything?”
“I would like to add that I will be displaying my pride flag in my classroom and also wearing my badge.” Huxley taps his lapel twice for good measure, where he wears his badge.
“That’s awesome, Hux,” I reply. “And I’m wearing my love is love bracelet today.” Lifting my hand, I point to my wrist. It’s the most liberating moment of my life, standing in this office as my true self. I smile so widely it hurts.
Williams points at us. “Now there’s no need to bring lawyers into this.” He sighs, looking old and defeated. “And I will expel Jake and Troy. Just try to have some decorum. And Oliver,” he adds, shaking his head, “I can’t believe you, of all people.”
For a moment, I don’t know what to react to first: Jake and Troy being expelled or Williams’s continued homophobia.
But anger wins. “Firstly, I don’t appreciate what you just implied.
Your understanding around queerness is outdated and offensive for a man who claims to be an educator.
And a good Christian,” I add, to twist the knife.
“Secondly, why are you now so quick to expel Jake and Troy? Is the media coming for you? Is your job on the line, sir?”
Beside me, Huxley covers his mouth as he attempts to stifle a giggle.
Williams practically snarls, his face burning blood red as he spits out, “Amber Rawlings has video of them. Now get out of my office!”
Huxley drags me into the supply room and presses me against the door.
“We did it, Oli. We did it.” On his tiptoes, he crashes his mouth to mine, kissing me stupid.
It’s perhaps our most awkward kiss to date, smiling and laughing at the same time, but it feels like we just won an Olympic gold. “I love you, angel.”
“Love you too, babe. I wanna find Amber at recess and thank her. Was it her that called the news? It must have been. How does a seventeen-year-old pull that off?”
“I don’t know, but that girl is going places. I have yard duty at recess, so thank her for me, too. At lunch, I’m taking you to the teachers’ lounge and announcing we’re together.”
Huxley beams up at me. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
I nod. “I don’t think I could be any happier right now.” The warning bell rings. “I’ll pick you up from your classroom, okay?”
“Okay.” Huxley steals one more kiss, then we head off in opposite directions.
Huxley is already standing outside his classroom when I swing by to pick him up. If his face is anything to go by, he clearly has something to tell me. “What is it?”
“I talked to Amber. It wasn’t her who spoke to the reporter,” he whispers. “She showed the video of Jake and Troy to Williams, but that’s it. She didn’t even know about the TV report.”
I blink, trying to absorb this new information. “Well, most of the kids know about the news report. They were talking about it all morning. Haven’t any students said anything to you?”
“No, not a single one. I guess that’s because they know it’s about me.”
“I haven’t spotted Jake or Troy. But I assume they haven’t been officially expelled yet. So who contacted the reporter?”
Huxley shrugs. “No idea. But I guess we have a secret ally.”
“Guess so. Should we head over to the teachers’ lounge?”
We begin the walk across campus. Huxley fills me in on his conversation with Amber, who is now wearing her pride pin on her uniform for all to see.
“I feel like I actually made a difference in her life, Oli.”
I smile at Huxley, wishing we weren’t in front of students so I could kiss and hug him. “She’s the first of many. Honestly, women are incredible. When I look at my mum, and you’ve got Maddie and Lara, and I’ve got Jen…” I freeze, the puzzle pieces falling into place.
Huxley stops walking and turns to face me. “What is it?” he asks.
“Oh my God, we’re so stupid. It’s Jen. She told the reporter.”
“Really? She’d do that for me? For us?”
“I guess with all the Bradley drama on Thursday night, I forgot to tell you. I already came out to Jennifer and she knows about us.”
Huxley blinks, then juts his chin forward. “Ah…that was kind of big news to forget, Oliver.”
“In my defence, I was very preoccupied all weekend.” My eyes run the length of Huxley’s body to prove my point.
He steps closer and looks up at me from under those long lashes. “You were definitely preoccupied with one particular part of me. It’s like I can still feel you.”
I groan, trying to stop the blood rushing to my dick. I can’t get hard in the middle of the school yard. “God, I wish I could kiss you right now.”
“You can probably kiss me in the teachers’ lounge.” He turns and walks away, deliberately swinging his scrumptious ass.
I chase after him, whispering from behind. “Considering where I want to kiss you, I highly doubt that.”
“Mr. Turner!” Huxley says with faux shock. I burst into laughter.
Once in the teachers’ lounge, we head over to our usual table, noticing how all eyes turn to us.
No doubt everyone has seen the TV report by now.
Since I’d rather come out in one swift motion, I grab hold of Huxley’s hand.
There’s a flurry of reactions—ranging all the way from disapproval, to shock, but mostly to affirming smiles.
I don’t give a shit what any of the homophobes think, and at least I now know who to unfollow and block on my Insta.
Sitting down at the table, we greet Jennifer, Michelle, Chris, and two other teachers—Rashid and Damian.
Damian is the first to speak. “I didn’t see this coming. Not gonna lie, Oliver, I had no idea. Is it serious?”
“Sure is,” I reply, planting a quick kiss on Huxley’s cheek.
“Well, congrats then. We could all do with the excitement of a work romance around here,” Rashid says, smiling.
Michelle and Chris congratulate us both too, and I know this the best decision I could’ve made. Sure, there’ll be some teachers who treat me differently from now on, but that’s on them.
Huxley turns to Jennifer, who is sitting on his other side. “So, Jen, is it you we have to thank?”
She smiles and nods. “Sure is. And if Beryl’s information is correct, Jake and Troy are getting expelled for what they did.
I heard some hard evidence turned up and sealed their fate.
” Jennifer lowers her voice. “Honestly, I think it’s only a matter of time before Williams is relieved of his position.
Have you seen the comments on social media?
Most parents are disgusted and are applying pressure to have him removed.
There are a few idiots, of course, but the response is overwhelmingly in support of you. ”
I put my arm around Huxley and lean across so Jennifer can hear me. “Thank you so much. We really didn’t want to have to find new jobs.”
“I’m just glad to see you two happy. I’m really proud of you, Oli.” Jennifer’s gaze shifts to Huxley. “You’re one lucky guy, you know that?”
“I know,” he replies. “And we’re both so lucky to have you as a friend. I really hope we can spend more time together.”
Jennifer’s cheeks pinken, her eyes sparkling. “Me too. I’d really like that.”
I’m in my office the following afternoon, almost ready to leave for the day, when there’s a knock on the door. I know it’s not Huxley because he doesn’t knock, although I suspect my boyfriend will be here any moment. “Come in,” I call out.
The door slowly opens, and there stands Jake and Troy.
Anger radiates from Jake, while Troy looks defeated.
I knew meetings were planned to officially expel them; what I didn’t expect was for these boys to seek me out.
I’m not sure how to handle the situation.
I have a responsibility as a teacher, but I’m still carrying anger of my own.
“What can I do for you two?” I say curtly as I get to my feet.
Jake steps into my office, chin raised. “Do you know we’ve been expelled?”
“Yes, I do. If you’re here looking for sympathy, then you’ve chosen the wrong teacher. After the two run-ins we had over your homophobic behaviour, and then what you did to Mr. Sinclair, it’s an appropriate consequence. I hope you’ve both learned your lesson.”
“I never took you for a man to side with the gays.” Jake’s mouth twists into a snarl. “Let’s go, Troy. I told you he wouldn’t help us.”
Huxley appears in the corridor behind them, so I move quickly to the door, glaring down at the boys.
“The only way I’d help you two is to escort you off this campus.
But I’ve got plans with my boyfriend tonight.
So, excuse me.” I push past them and take Huxley’s hand, planting a kiss firmly on his lips.
“Shall we go?” I ask, smiling at Hux. Everything the boys thought they knew about the world is blown to smithereens, and I love that for them.
As we head down the corridor, happiness radiates from Huxley, as joy blooms in my own chest. We bloody well made it.
The following Friday afternoon, I’m back coaching the footy team with Huxley standing at my side.
Gossip travelled fast, so it didn’t take long for students to discover we’re together.
Not that we’ll ever cross that line in front of students, but it’s nice to be able to look at my boyfriend without having to hide my love. It feels like freedom.
It seems certain that Williams will step down from his position as principal next week, with rumours flying around the staff room saying that if he doesn’t, he will be fired.
The Channel 9 reporter found out it was Huxley, but we both declined an interview, telling her the report had already done its job.
We thanked her, grateful she was willing to respect our decision not to go public and keep our names out of the press.
Last night, I took Huxley to meet my mum. The night was a huge success, as I knew it would be, with Huxley and Mum hitting it off straight away. I don’t know what the future holds for me and Reece, but I have hope he’ll come around someday. If not for me, then at least for Mum.
As the siren sounds, I cheer for our boys—team players who didn’t need Jake and Troy for the win. I turn to Huxley, beaming with pride.
“Congrats on a great win, Coach Turner,” he says, smirking.
I’m so in love with this man that it almost paralyses me. Yes, we’re only at the beginning of our relationship, but I know it’ll be the two of us until the end. Just as the sun rises and sets each day, I intend to make every day start and end with Huxley in my arms.
“Thank you, Mr. Sinclair.” I’d like to sweep him up into my arms, but I settle for a brief touch on his shoulder before moving closer. “What time are we due at Maddie and Lara’s?”
“Anytime. Maddie said she’ll order take-out for dinner once we arrive.”
“Okay, let me finish up here and we’ll get going.” I wink at Huxley as I head off to congratulate the team. Life is looking damn good.