Her Dirty Professor Series (21+)

Ryder

“Ryder, Rick,” murmurs Chrissy. Her usually carefree tone sounds miserable as she calls out to us from the bathroom.

“Are you okay, babe?” my brother asks, his voice etched with concern. We glance at one another and move toward the bathroom. Inside the marble space, Chrissy is hunched over the toilet, her entire body curled against the porcelain throne. She looks pale, and even a bit sweaty.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my heart racing at the pitiful image before me.

But Chrissy merely shakes her head.

“Either I have the world’s worst stomach bug or it’s food-poisoning,” she moans pathetically. “Don’t come any closer. I don’t want to get you sick if it’s a bug.”

Of course neither Rick nor I listen to this instruction. Instead, my brother grabs a washcloth and dampens it while I stroke Chrissy’s back gently.

“You weren’t feeling so good after that burger last night,” I remind her gently. “Maybe that’s the culprit?”

She nods slightly, her body shaking as she sits in front of the toilet. Rick places the cool cloth on the back of her neck. “There you go, love,” he husks with concern. Chrissy looks up at each of us gratefully and then sighs.

“I don’t think I can make it to the lunch with your dad today. I’m really sorry because I was looking forward to meeting Fred.” Tears spring into her eyes, but I shush her.

“Don’t even worry about it,” I stroke her pale cheek in a gesture of comfort. “It’s nothing.”

“You’ll have another chance to meet our dad,” Rick assures her. “Besides, maybe it’ll be good for Ryder and me to talk to him first anyways. Fred’s an understanding guy, but we have a lot to put on him, to say the least. We won’t cancel because of this little bump in the road.”

The beautiful woman smiles, even if she’s looking a bit green. “You shouldn’t cancel on your dad. I’m going to be fine. I’m just a little under the weather, and I’m sure I’ll feel better once I lie down for a bit.”

I glance at my brother. Rick’s face is concerned, but we nod. After all, it’s just a bug, right?Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“All right,” he says. “But call us immediately if you start to feel worse.”

Chrissy laughs although it comes out as a bit of a croak. “I can’t imagine feeling worse, but I promise to call if I need you.” Hearing her gentle tone eases my nerves ever so slightly.

“We better get going then,” I say as I plant a gentle kiss on Chrissy’s forehead. “Text us to let us know how you’re doing, okay? We’ll come straight back if you need us.” She nods, and I hesitate only a moment more before exiting the bathroom.

A few minutes later, my brother and I are out the door and headed to the main strip of downtown Sheridan. I don’t love leaving Chrissy in such a state, but Rick and I need to see our father and talk to him about our unique relationship especially before he hears about it from someone else.

After all, Fred’s getting up there in age, and we want to be sure to break the news gently. I think he suspects that Rick and I have shared women before, but he’s never asked directly about it, nor have we confirmed any suspicions. But this time, the relationship is real and we need to address it with our father.

As we make our way down the main drag toward the restaurant, I take in the eccentricities that make up my hometown. Sheridan is a charming little place, filled with a funky cast of characters, some cranky, others friendly. Many of them have known Rick and me for most of our lives, and astonishingly, seem to remember us from when we were boys too.

As we pass by a local cafe, we wave to Bess Cartwright, who recently married our friends Ben and Brandon. It’s comforting to know we’re not the only threesome in town because it means Sheridan is reasonably open-minded. At least its citizens won’t treat us as pariahs because my brother and I happen to adore the same woman.

“Have you seen how big Melanie’s gotten?” Rick asks with a shake of his head. He’s talking about Bess’s two year old daughter. “She looks just like her fathers, and I don’t usually say this, but that’s one cute kid.”

“You ever think about having children?” I ask my brother in a casual tone. I’m somewhat surprised that I’ve never asked him about kids before, but then again, we’ve never met a woman who was worth the commitment.

Rick runs a hand through his thick black hair as he considers. “Yeah, I think with the right woman, I would love to be a dad.”

I nod, agreeing with this assessment.

“You think Chrissy could be the right one?”

My twin turns to me, his blue eyes serious.

“Yeah, I do actually. She’s giving, loving, and sweet, and I know I’d love to fill her belly with children.”

A wave of warm possession sweeps over me too.

“I’d love to get her pregnant,” is my low growl. “Over and over again, with our kids.”

But then the conversation is cut off because we’ve reached the restaurant. Fred’s already at the table, and despite being in his late 70’s, he looks quite dapper. His white hair is slicked back, and he’s wearing a crisp button down with a brown suede jacket.

“Hey Pops. You’re looking good,” I tell my father as Rick and I settle into chairs on either side of him. “Did you order drinks yet?”

“Not yet, fellas,” he rasps. “I just got settled in myself.”

Rick looks at our father, and his expression is friendly, if concerned. The truth is that Fred, despite his jovial attitude, is frail. Sitting in his wheelchair, the man who had once been larger than life to us has lately seemed more and more childlike. He’s literally shrinking before our eyes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s lost two inches in the past few years. Not only that, but his back is hunched, and his limbs look increasingly withered with prominent blue veins. Age comes for everyone, and unfortunately, Fred Walsh is no longer the strapping man he used to be.

But hopefully, he’ll be able to handle the news that his sons are in a relationship with one beautiful, curvy woman. Chrissy means so much to us, and it’s time to break the news to my father, no matter how frail he is.

I frown slightly, wishing that the curvy girl had been able to make it to the lunch with us today. After all, anyone meeting her would be immediately charmed, and I’m sure Fred would adore her. But she was so sick, and dragging her to this lunch would have been inhumane.

“Boys, you look good,” Fred rasps lightly. “Keeping busy out here in the middle of nowhere?”

Rick shakes his head and laughs easily. Our dad still can’t believe that we’ve been living in Sheridan these past few months. We left for New York almost a decades ago, and allegedly moved back for “business,” although I’m sure my father doesn’t really believe that.

“We keep plenty busy, Dad,” my brother laughs while clasping Fred’s hand affectionately in his own. “We’re launching a lingerie line as part of Ayema. That’s what we’re in town for, remember?”

Fred’s eyebrows go up slightly.

“Women’s lingerie? Well isn’t that scandalous. And are you going to have a fashion show so your old man can see these designs firsthand?” Fred is still wicked, and we howl at his quirked eyebrows. Our dad has always been quick witted, and it comforts me to know that the old man sitting next to me still has some life in him.

“We’ll put you front row center when we do,” Rick promises as he picks up his menu.

“Good,” my father nods with approval. “You know how much I love seeing lush ladies strutting their stuff!”

I share an amused glance with my brother. Fred is far too infirm to enjoy that kind of intimacy with a woman, although a man can still appreciate with his eyes, I suppose. You’re never too old for that.

“You know, boys,” Fred hums from behind his own menu. “I know you two better than I know the back of my hand.”

My brother and I share a quick glance. “What are you talking about Dad?” I ask.

“You obviously have something you want to tell your old man, that’s all,” Fred says in response, still busy behind his menu.

With another quick look at my brother, I nod.

“Well,” I begin. “You’re right, actually. Rick and I wanted to share a bit of news about our lives. It’s a positive development, so there’s no need to get antsy, but it’s also a bit unusual.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Fred says lightly, folding his bony hands across his lap. “Is everything okay with you two?”

“It is,” Rick reassures him quickly. “It’s just a little non-traditional, shall we say.”

Fred’s keen blue eyes still sharp as a bird’s scrutinize me and Rick in turn.

“As long as my boys are healthy and happy, nothing is ever that big of a deal to me.”

It’s my turn to nod appreciatively. That’s Fred for you, I think with no small amount of reverence for my father. He’s always been supportive and kind, no matter what my brother and I get ourselves into.

But before I can dive into the big reveal, there’s a sudden commotion at the entrance to the restaurant. The three of us turn toward the noise, curious as to who’s screaming at the hostess. Interestingly, there’s a skinny older blonde woman with her make-up caked on, and she’s gesturing furiously. To my surprise, she turns to us with a nasty look in her eyes. Who is that? Do we even know her? But then my eyes land on our sweet Chrissy trailing in the woman’s wake, and suddenly, the world goes to hell in a hand-basket.