by Daryl Banner
I lean in and whisper, “I’m a better teacher without three beers in me.”
Justin Brady studies me, trying to figure something out. His hair is more calm today, not flipped up like usual. Even the usual ferocity of his eyes seems somehow muted, underplayed.
I move to the doors of the theater, then hold them open for him. He hesitates only a moment, then moves through the doors. He stops in front of me, lifts his pretty gaze to me and says, “Y’know what I respect about you?”
I tilt my head. “What’s that, Mr. Brady?”
He says: “You’re fair.”
I nod, appreciating that. “Thank you.”
“And,” he adds with a clever smirk, “I’m enrolled in Basic Acting II next semester.” He gives me a wily flash of teeth. “Guess I care after all.”
When Justin Brady leaves, I find myself watching after him. My notebook clung to my chest, I consider how fair I really am. Has the student changed me, or have I changed the student? I feel my heart beating against my notes of criticism, my grades, my F’s and A’s and B’s, and I think about the roles we play. I’m just the guy that got off, he’d said the other night.
I’m left there in a curious daze, wondering whether the freshman owned me at all, or if perhaps it was I, all along, who owned him.
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Enjoy this Brazen Boys story?
Check out the other books in The Brazen Boys M/M standalone novella series by Daryl Banner.
All novellas are only $0.99
or available FREE on KU (Kindle Unlimited)
“Dorm Game (The Brazen Boys)”
http://www.amzn.com/B00TZCHUEI
“On The Edge (The Brazen Boys)”
http://www.amzn.com/B00V8CZJTQ
Each story in the Brazen Boys series is a standalone M/M novella and can be read in any order.
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