I chuckle, and he shakes his head at me. I thought a visit was in order before he thinks I dropped off the face of the planet.
“I’m sorry, man. I’ve been preoccupied.”
“Yeah…I wouldn’t call that preoccupied. I think obsessed is the better word, don’t you? I heard somewhere that too much sex can make you crazy.” He jokes, and his bright blue eyes sparkle with mischief.
“So, how come you’re still doing it? I just left the marines. I think I have just the right amount of sex to keep me sane.”
That’s a lie, and even I know that. Jia and I have been a pair of animals.
“Whatever, man, I ordered ahead and got Chinese. It should be here in ten minutes. Do you want a beer in the meantime?” he asks.
“Sure, thanks.”
I follow him into the kitchen, and he gets out two cans of beer from his fridge.
It’s Friday, and James is in. It’s very unusual. I didn’t expect him to agree to a hangout session instead of going out. Normal for us would be going out.
He tosses me the beer, and I open it to take a good swig. I need the drink right now to calm me. I have three days before my girl gives me an answer, and I’m nervous as fuck.
“How are things?” I ask him when he opens his beer.
“Shit.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why? Why are they shit?”
“Never mind, there’s no point talking about it.”
I get the feeling we’re talking about his student again. His face show the same look from weeks ago.
“What happened? Is it about your student?”
“It is, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re going to tell me I did the right thing by focusing on my career.”
I bite the inside of my lip and assess him. Although he’s trying to school his features and act like he’s cool, I know he’s not.
“James, I’m not going to tell you that. Clearly, she wasn’t just a piece of ass.” Like I thought. I thought it was one of those bizarre James things, but I should have known better. He wouldn’t fuck around and screw with his career.
“No…I didn’t see her that way. She transferred out of my class last week, and I feel like shit. I guess it fixes it because I didn’t think I could watch her in my class either and be constantly reminded that she’s off limits.”
Fuck, he’s sounding like she meant more to him. “James… I’m sorry, man.”
“It’s okay. I just feel bad because she had to go that far. It’s the best solution, though, even if I wish it weren’t.”
“I wish I could tell you otherwise.”
“But you can’t because what happened is smart. I would have gotten my ass fired. Anyway, listen to me. I sound like a pussy. I’m good. I’ll be fine. How about you?”
I really do wish I could tell him something else, but there’s nothing I can say that won’t get him fired. Teachers and students are a big no. It’s completely forbidden.
“I’m okay,” I answer, deciding to go with the flow of subject change.
“You look like things are going really well. You’re days away from the end of the crazy.” He chuckles.
“Yeah, I’m days away and right back to where I left off years ago.”