Harry jumped up, nearly knocking over the table. "M--Mr. Kay," he stammered.

"Hello, Harry," Mr. Kay looked from him to Robbie. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh, yes sir," Harry babbled. "We--we were just sitting here, just eating and talking about this and that. Right?" He looked to Robbie for support. "Just. . .sitting here. . . talking."

Robbie was calmly sitting and staring at his hands. Harry could feel his own heart trying to pound its way out of his chest. Dammit! His worse fear. The old man had to have heard what he was saying. He sure as hell saw them holding hands, and not in that "we're just mates" way.

Kay looked at him for a moment before turning to his son. "How are you, Robert?"

"I'm good, Father," Robbie answered in a casual tone before sipping from his water glass.

"Are you all right?" Kay asked. As if Harry hadn't said anything.

"I was just upset by a rejection letter from a school I wanted to get into," Robbie said. "Harry was just comforting me and telling me not to give up."

Kay looked at Harry. "I see,"

"He also told me that he was here for me if I needed to talk to someone," He looked up at Harry. "He was just being a friend."

Mr. Kay looked at the two while Harry studied his face. As usual the boss had that cold serious look he knew so well. Did he buy Robbie's explanation? His entire life depended on the answer.

Kay nodded. "I'm glad to see the two of you becoming good friends," he said before drawing Harry aside. "We have a new assignment. There's going to be a meeting. . ."

Harry almost fainted with relief. The old man bought it! "Yes sir, I'll be there."

"Robert," Kay turned to his son. "Will you be joining me for lunch later?"

"Yes, Father."

Mr. Kay left. Harry dropped back into his seat.

"Oh my God," he said. "That was so close."

"Geez,"Robbie looked at him closely. "Are you okay? You look like you're about to pass out."

Harry put his head in his hands. This was too risky. He missed the good old days when all he had to worry about was going to class on time.

"Hey," Robbie said. "Will I see you tonight? Or do you need to study?"

Harry sighed. "I don't know. I really need to catch up on things."

He noticed Robbie running his tongue across his full lips. It reminded him of how Robbie would slide his tongue across Harry's lips, moving them to his neck and chest, down his spine, then along the length of his member.

The memory caused his throat to tighten, among other things.

"Harry?"

"Uhh, sure."

"Sure what?" Robbie teased, caressing his arm. "That you'll see me or that you have to study?" He stared at Harry, aware of Harry's reactions.

Harry was enjoying the way Robbie's fingers stroked his skin, making the nerves beneath come alive. He shouldn't. He still had his project to finish, tests to study, papers to write. He needed to get it together.

But Robbie. . .

"I want to see you," Harry said. "Tonight."

Robbie smiled. "Good."

Later in class Harry received the results of his exam.

He got an F.

An F. Way worse than a D.

His first fail.

Harry sat there in his seat in the lecture hall. He stayed there long after everyone else had left, staring at his paper. He felt numb. An F. He would have to repeat the entire class to make it up. He had studied so hard.

That's not true. He barely cracked open the books. And when he did, he was distracted by Robbie and their new affair.

It was all Robbie's fault. That kid was so damn seductive.

It was Harry's own fault. He needed to learn some self control and keep it in his pants.

Sometimes Robbie would encourage him to go focus on his studies. Harry was the one who chose to blow it off. He couldn't help it. It was difficult resisting Robbie. His lovemaking was beyond amazing. He loved how Robbie kissed and caressed him, making every fiber of his being come alive with intense pleasure.

Harry was weak. And he was lonely. He didn't want to go home to an empty place and bed.

Now that he was involved with Robbie, he didn't know himself anymore. Zayn was right. He was on his way to ruining his entire future.

And who was Robbie anyway? Other than being the son of his boss, Harry didn't know a lot about him. Robbie liked to get his way, he liked having fun, he loved sex. He was untidy. He drank, smoked pot and took unknown pills when he had strange nightmares that he wouldn't talk about. Plus he kept secrets, like what really happened in London. Was the nightmare connected, he wondered.

Doesn't matter. Harry was going to have to make a decision. He had to choose between Robbie and his studies. And it had to be his education. It meant everything to him. He only knew Robbie for a few months, not enough to sacrifice himself over.

It would be hard but he had to do it.

He was going to break up with Robbie.

For the sake of his future. Otherwise he was going to flunk out of school. Everything he worked for down the drain.

Robbie came out of Macy's of State Street with a couple of shopping bags and climbed into a cab. Among his purchases was a gift for Harry. Just a little something to let Harry know that Robbie liked him.

Robbie checked his phone. He had time to stop at his place to change before meeting his father for lunch. He wondered if Father would approve of Harry. Harry was nothing like . . .He wasn't going to think about that.

At the apartment Robbie took a quick shower. He imagined Harry next to him, showering with him, doing his back, doing his front, doing him. . .

Whew! Take it easy, man, he told himself. Robbie tried to cool off. He was going to see Harry tonight anyway, no sense getting all hot and bothered now. The plans he had for them! Better make it a cold shower.

As he got dressed, Robbie wondered how Harry did on the exam he was taking that day. Maybe he'll take Harry out to dinner, then later on some "dessert". He smiled to himself. He was so excited about seeing him later. He was really enjoying his time with Harry. Harry did give him a hard time at first but Robbie's charms won him over.

It was worth it. Harry really made him happy.

With a smile on his face, Robbie left the building to meet his father. God, he loved Chicago!

In the distance, hidden behind a tree, someone was watching Robbie.