Page 74 of Check You Out

The bell twinkles, and I jump back from her, my blood still thick and hot with desire.

She flashes me one glance, one heavy-lidded glance, filled with need and lust that vanishes once she makes eye contact with the arriving customer, a young family with small children. “We’ll finish that later,” she murmurs before greeting them.

Adjusting my pants to hide the erection, I pick up the order sheets, plaster on a family friendly smile, and resume pulling orders.

31

Charlotte

10 Days until the Council Meeting

The Save The Summerville Library Committee has grown again. Mayor Harrington has joined, along with members of the local Scout Troop and the VFW. My heart swells at how this community has stepped up to save our town’s little library. It’s almost hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, this group was a ragtag band of only seven people, and now our numbers have swelled to almost twenty, not including the people who have signed the petition.

And this is just an ad hoc meeting conjured up the Friday night before our protest. What is our next Wednesday meeting going to be like?

I’m going to have to get more chairs.

“It sounds like we’re all set for the protest this Saturday,” I say a few minutes later. My gaze darts from person to person after we’ve gone through introductions and recap of last week’s meeting. “Let’s review the particulars, we’ve got all our permits approved. We’ve blasted the event on social media. Johnny and Georgie will be setting up food tents with proceeds going to the Douglass County Public Library System. Multiple stores in town will be donating profits from Saturday as well. Mayor Harrington is working with law enforcement to set up cones. Anything else?”

I’m met with smiles and nods, but no one has items to bring up. I continue, “So, given that we’re all set, I figured today would be a good time for us to practice our speeches for the Open Comment meeting.” I wait to see if anyone moans or shows displeasure, but again, I’m met with expressions of agreement. “I figured we could break off into small groups and then get feedback from our peers. How many of you have written speeches?” I raise my hand to demonstrate. “Even if it’s just a rough draft or some talking points?”

About half the committee members raise their hands. “Ok!” I’m so happy about the amount of support. “If you haven’t written anything, then maybe today can be used to get inspiration and jumpstart that creativity. There’s a table set up over there with paper and pens.” I point to the aforementioned table, and a couple of people start to make their way there.

We break further into small groups. My group includes Aidan, Lisa G., and a senior Scout named Charlie and their mom, Cheryl.

“They’re one of my students,” Aidan murmurs as we settled in a circle. “Very smart.”

Turning to my little group, I begin, “Alright, so, who wants to go first?” I’m met with blank stares, uncomfortable shifting, and silence.

Aidan shifts forward in his chair. “I’ll go.” He pulls out his phone and clears his throat. “Hold on, let me just find my speech.”

“Take your time,” I say. In the empty space, I take a sip from the thermos of tea he handed me before the meeting started. My insides warm from the spicy cinnamon and the soothing vanilla. My gaze follows his hands as he scrolls through his phone, and my focus zeros in on his muscles and tendons working. I swallow and try not to think those hands on my body, and I fail.

This was Aidan’s last week of school, and he’s been spending every waking moment that he’s not in school at the bookstore. He had half days this week and developed a routine for each day. He would get out at twelve, pick up his dog, Lloyd, and then come over by one. He would juggle helping me in the bookstore and grading final papers, while sneaking stolen kisses in quiet moments. After the store closed, we relocated to my apartment above, where he’s made me dinner every night this week. His dinners have been simple but delicious: spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad, fish tacos with a mango salsa, roasted chicken with broccoli and potatoes.

I didn’t realize just how sexy it was to have someone cook for me.

After the dishes have been cleared and I’m happily heavy from his food, we’ve cuddled on the couch and made out until our lips were swollen. But it hasn’t gone further than that.

I want to take that next step with him. We’re together now in an actual relationship, and we’ve talked about everything, except sex, and I’m not sure how to bring it up. Usually with guys I’ve dated, they’ve wanted to fuck me right off the get go, and that’s all they’ve wanted. I’ve had to deflect them because I wanted things to go slow, wanting more than just sex.

It’s frustrating and refreshing all at the same time. Nicole told me I should just grow a pair and proposition him. Maybe tonight I’ll gather the courage. It’s not a school night, and we can sleep in before the protest tomorrow.

“Ah, here’s my speech” Aidan says, clearing his throat again and bringing me out of my daydream. I push down my feelings of lust to focus on the task.

“First off, I’ll greet the County Council and the citizens, no reason for me to go over that now.” He reads aloud from his phone. “‘My name is Aidan Talbot. I’m an English teacher at Summerville High School, and I’ve been teaching in Douglass County Public Schools for the past nine years. Books are a vital part of my daily life and a central part of the curriculum for every English course. Books introduce new worlds, new ideas, and new perspectives to the reader.’”

He goes on to highlight the decreasing literacy rates, and he touches upon his own frustrations with high school students reading below grade level.

“‘One of the major reasons for the decline in literacy is the lack of easy access to literature and other reading materials. When students can practice their reading, they improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.’” He takes in a breath. “‘However, not everyone can afford to purchase books, and while school libraries do provide books, their selections are limited. With book bans, diverse texts are hard to acquire.’”

Charlie squirms in their seat like they want to say something, and I’m about to say something, but then Aidan’s voice shifts. He glances up and adjusts his glasses. “Yes Charlie?”

“Yes, uh, I, um, is it ok if I make a s-s-suggestion?”

A warm smile spreads on his face. “Of course, that’s why we’re here. To share our opinions.”

They flash a close-lipped grin and continue, “I think you should mention the format of books. I like to listen to audiobooks because I can do other things, and I can also enjoy them any time. We don’t have any audiobooks at our school library.”