Rocky

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Em had announced he was going home 20 minutes ago but yet he stood with his coat in hand. He wanted Sam to ask him to stay but it didn't seem like it was going to happen. "Well, um, thanks for dinner."

Sam stepped toward the door and his heart sunk.

"Or I could stay?" Em blurted out.

"No. I don't think that's a good idea" Sam answered too quickly.

"Sorry, shit. I shouldn't have asked. Shit." Em wanted to punch himself in the face.

Leaning into the doorway, Sam's handsome face was creased with worry. "I have to work tomorrow and I didn't – I don't want to ruin this by moving too fast."

Em laughed. "It's absolutely fucking fascinating that you think, on any level, that you're going to be the one who ruins this. Have you ever met me?"

Sam just looked sad. "I have a lengthy history of disappointing people. I think there's something wrong with me."

"There's nothing wrong with you." Em knew that any normal person would lean over and kiss Sam in this moment. But Sam's expression was guarded and some instinct told him that he needed space. Instead, he allowed himself to enjoy Sam's profile, as he opened the door, warmth rushing out into the cold night.

He pulled on the sleeve of Sam's sweater, completely unable to resist the urge to touch him. "When can I see you again?

"Aren't you tired of me yet?" Frown lines etched Sam's forehead.

Em noticed the tension in his eyes. Did Sam really think that someone could get tired of him? Em was already imagining their future, longing for a closer connection. "What about tomorrow night?

"Um, OK." A hesitant smile played across Sam's lips. "What you want to do for our next date?"

"We could go to a movie?"

Sam looked worried "Isn't that isn't too public?"

"I'll wear a mask; it will be OK." Em said to himself as much as to Sam. "You can even choose the movie."

"Ohhhh, I've got a good idea." Sam's face lit up into a bright smile and Em couldn't help but grin back.

Sam open the door and Em pulled on his puffer coat.

"Go home, Shady. I'll text you in the morning."

Despite an overwhelming longing to stay, Em stepped out into the cold night air.

--

The next day Sam sat with Lorna in the teacher's lounge. She had hooted with laugher when he described his evening.

"Risotto? Eminem came over to your house and you cooked risotto for him? I don't understand — is this what older white dudes do when they're alone together?"

Shrugging, Sam checked movie listings on his phone. "Yeah. Or we grill out."

"I thought you drank beer and watched golf?" Lorna teased.

"He doesn't drink. And we did watch ESPN while we cooked."

"Men are so damn weird." Lorna stopped to study Sam's smile. "Wait. Hold on - hold on! Do you like him?"

"Noooo." Sam lied.

"Oh my god, you do like him." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You know that you cannot like him."

Sam sat up straighter. "There aren't any rules about dating the parents of former students."

Lorna touched his shoulder. "That is not what I mean, idiot. This is Eminem. Grammy winning, rap god, top ten top selling whatever, whatever, whatever. You cannot date him. He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is a sexist organization by the way."

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