Chapter 24

An easy smilespreads across my lips as I saunter through the university halls. Ben and I have been together for six weeks now, and each day just gets better and better. He's everything I could have hoped for in a partner and a boy. And the doubts I harbored before we started our relationship about not being able to make things work have been completely wiped from my mind. Not only are we solid as a couple, but I also feel like I've become a better teacher.

"Professor Johnson," a female student calls out as I'm about to walk through my classroom"s doors.

Pausing my footsteps, I turn to find Mindy Alistar approaching me with her brows pinched together.

"Good morning, Mindy. Can I help you?" I question and she nods, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. "Why don't we have this discussion inside," I suggest, tilting my head toward the room.

She presses her lips together in a tight smile but walks into the classroom.

"I got the email you sent with my current grades, and I'm worried," Mindy states when we get to my desk. "I don't know why I'm not grasping the concepts, but I'm trying my hardest, and it feels like it's not good enough."

Tears pool in her eyes, and I sympathize with her. Her hard work is evident in her grades, but obviously, she doesn't see that she is improving.

"Not every subject is easy for every student," I start, wanting her to know that just because this class is a challenge, it doesn't mean she's stupid. "When you first started this class, your grades were much lower than they are today. Your hard work is paying off, and you just need to keep it up. If you continue on the path you're currently on, you'll pass my class with no problems."

Her brows shoot up, and her eyes fill with hope. "Are you sure?"

I nod and offer her a warm, reassuring smile. "I'm positive. But if you feel like you need more help, I could get you the number for a tutor who works with some of my other students."

"I actually already hired one," she replies. "Maybe she's helping me more than I figured."

"Crazy immediate results are very rarely seen in situations like this, but your progress is evident."

Mindy's smile grows, and her posture straightens a little from my words. "Thank you, Professor Johnson. I appreciate you taking a moment to ease my worries."

"Any time," I assure her.

She leaves the classroom with more pep in her step, filling my heart with pride. This is why I got into teaching. I wanted to help kids learn and watch them grow, especially in subjects that challenged them.

With my classroom empty again, I move to set things up for the day, then check my phone to see if Ben has sent me a flirty morning text yet.

A groan pulls from my lips, and I shake my head, taking in the image of Ben's erection tenting his boxers.

Sweet boy: Morning wood is the worst.

Me: I'm sorry you're suffering, but you better not touch yourself. I'll help take care of you after your game tonight.

Sweet boy: You promise?

I laugh at his message while typing out my response.

Me: I promise, but only if you're a good boy.

Sweet boy: Silly professor, you should know by now I'm the BEST boy.

I smile at my screen because he isn't wrong. Ben is marvelous. He's everything I could have hoped for and nothing I ever thought I could have. Every day I spend with him I learn new things about him and myself. He might be younger than me by ten years, but we're growing together, and I love it.

My house is too empty and quiet as I lay on the couch, moping and watching Christmas movies.

It's Thanksgiving, and I really wanted to spend it with Ben, but he has an away game this weekend and is traveling.

I probably wouldn't feel this blue if it wasn't my first major holiday away from my family. We've always been the type to celebrate everything together, and I don't get to do that this year. If Ben were here, it would ease the ache a little, but unfortunately, that couldn't happen.

I'm barely paying attention to the movie when my phone rings and a big smile spreads across my face when I see that Dad is calling.

"Hey, old man, how's it going?" I answer.

He laughs, and the sound envelops me like a warm hug. Man, I miss my family.

"I'm all right for a dinosaur," he replies, and I chuckle. "How are you doing?"

"Honestly?"

"Well, I didn't raise you to be a liar so an honest answer would be appreciated," he tells me like he's always done.

I sigh. "I miss you guys."

"You don't have anyone to spend the holiday with?" he inquires.

I haven't told my parents about Ben yet because two months isn't very long for a relationship. But I'm positive we aren't breaking up any time soon, so I guess now would be a good time to fill them in.

"I would have, but he's busy today, which is why I've been moping around and watching movies I've seen a hundred times," I explain.

"You're dating someone?" Dad asks, most likely double-checking he heard what I said correctly.

"I am," I reply, smiling so wide I bet it would be comical if someone saw it. "His name is Ben, and he's a hockey player. At least he will be until the end of the season. He's a student at GSU pursuing a career in sports medicine," I explain.

"A student?" he repeats. "Is that allowed?"

"Since he's not one of my students, it is. We just had to fill out some paperwork to inform the university of our relationship."

"Oh, that makes sense. So, he's quite a bit younger than you, I take it?" he questions.

"He's ten years younger, but neither of us is concerned with the age gap. He's a great guy, Dad. I know you'll love him when you meet him."

"Does that mean you're bringing him home for Christmas?" Dad asks.

"I haven't asked him yet. I was actually planning on doing something different this year," I fill him in. "Ben doesn't have parents, but he has an important person in his life, and from the sounds of it, he doesn't have the chance to see him often. I'm going to try to figure out a way to bring the two of them together over the holiday. I haven't spent a Christmas away from you guys, but Ben deserves something special. Is that okay with you?"

"Would it be okay with me if my son spends Christmas with the man he loves?" my dad asks, making my heart race. Ben and I haven't said the four-letter L word yet, but clearly Dad is picking up on how much Ben means to me simply by how I'm talking about him. "We'll miss you, but we have plenty more holidays to celebrate. You spend this one with Ben."

Dad's blessing makes me happy and eases some of the worry I was harboring around the hairbrained idea I've been conjuring up the last week.

"If something happens and the plan falls through, I'll let you know," I tell Dad.

"Sounds good," he replies. "Anyway, I should let you go. I just wanted to call and say that we love you, and we're here if you need us."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you too. Tell that to Pops, Mom, and MoMo, please."

"Will do, son," he assures me.

Once I'm off the call, I do a little digging on the internet, hoping I'll be able to find Coach Appleton in Los Angeles.

Surprisingly, it doesn't take long to find a guy that fits the profile of what Ben told me. I send him a message over social media, explaining who I am and what I'd like to do for Ben, then exit the app since I'm not expecting a reply right away. I turn my focus back to the movie that is now almost over and pray I found the right guy.

My eyelids are drooping, feeling like they weigh a million pounds as the movie plays, and I'm nearly asleep when my phone pings, alerting me that someone has sent a message on social media. I jolt awake and quickly reach for my phone, opening the app with fast fingers.

Calvin Appleton responded to my message, and my hands shake as I click on the icon to read the entire response.

Calvin Appleton: Hi, Ian. Thank you for reaching out. I am Ben Cooper's childhood hockey coach. Your plan for Christmas sounds fantastic. I was actually planning on coming out to Michigan during that time anyway. Funny enough, I have a meeting at GSU for the opportunity to join their coaching team, and the only time that worked for everyone was during the Christmas break. I've been meaning to reach out to Ben, but I wanted to make sure the plans were solidified first. I would hate to get his hopes up and disappoint him. Anyway, if you're still interested in the three of us spending Christmas together, please let me know, and I'll be there.

My smile takes over my entire face, almost hurting as I type out my response immediately.

Me: That's fantastic! And yes, the plan still stands, but I was kind of planning on keeping it a surprise. What do you think about that?

Calvin Appleton: Sounds great. I'm looking forward to meeting you and spending some time with Ben. Fingers crossed, I land the job, and I'll be able to see him a lot more. That boy is like a son to me, and I'm so proud of the person he's turned out to be.

Me: I look forward to meeting you too. Ben is an amazing person, and he speaks highly of you. Thank you for being the one person from his childhood who didn't turn their back on him.

Calvin Appleton: No need to thank me. Ben deserved it.

I haven't met Calvin in person yet, but it's already obvious I'm going to like him a lot. With that piece of the puzzle solved, I develop more of a game plan to make this the best Christmas Ben has ever had.