Charlie: I’ll listen.
A few minutes passed, then Trent sent a picture of two tickets.
Trent: They’re not the best seats, but my friend can’t come with me. Would you go with me?
I looked at the message and recalled the boy in the tent, showing me cards of tall men I knew nothing about. Despite that, I loved hearing Trent be so excited about them.
Charlie: I’d love to go.
I fell asleep with my phone on my chest and dreamed it was Trent’s heavy hand resting there as we napped in a tent in my parent’s backyard. But this time, we were adults and my parents weren’t home.
Chapter Five
Trent
Itried not to wring the tickets in my hands as I stood in front of the Boston Garden looking around for a sign of Charlie. It was not his fault I arrived an hour earlier than we’d arranged to meet at the arena’s entrance. Not wanting him to wait for me, I ended up waiting for him. I crushed the lollipop in my mouth and pulled out another. I had a collection of five sticks in my pocket now, but had three more tiny sugar boosts left in the other.
Where was he?
Over the last two weeks, we’d been texting non-stop and met for lunch at Randy’s every day. At first, I’d thought I’d gotten my bestie back, but I was mistaken.
Charlie had been my friend from childhood, but as an adult, he was a new person I was getting to know. This mature Charlie was still evoking the camaraderie and hug-like sense of warmth in me, but on top of that, a set of new feelings brewed that hadn’t belonged in the mind and body of the kid I was then.
All prompted by that kiss.
After a month spent researching online and watching more porn than I had during puberty, I chafed my dick and sprained my wrist. I had reached the conclusion that Charlie only brought out an attraction in me that I’d neglected. Maybe I hadn’t been ready to embrace my sexuality? Or I was afraid because I hadn’t known anyone who’d helped me accept it?
Now, I understood why Charlie had used the move as a clean slate. It was easier for me to explore far from home, in a place no one knew me, and where I’d already found someone who would understand what I was going through.
According to my thorough research, I was attracted to people, regardless of gender. It so happened that Charlie was a whole package. He was fun to be around, patient with me, understood my word-diarrhea, and well, he was rockstar hot. The past weeks of eating lunch and ignoring a boner whenever Charlie called me his Cupcake, had been a challenge.
On top of that, the way he commanded our physical interactions got me hard in seconds. I had felt it in that kiss, and every time we touched. He was leading me, and I was ready to follow.
A grin spread on my face as I spotted Charlie coming my way, dressed all in black, in cargo pants and a t-shirt that spelled The Offspring and had a skeleton on a yellow background. His hairwas artfully disheveled, with a few red strands falling over his forehead.
“There you are, Cupcake.” Charlie’s voice sent a shiver of excitement through me, and the small peck on my cheek made me want to pull him into a hug.
Which I did.
Squeezing him briefly, I smelled his hair. Would I ever wake up in the morning to the soft strands tickling my face? I could dream. “Ready?” I asked, handing him his ticket.
“Yeah. In the thirteen years I’ve lived in Boston, I’ve never been to a Celtics’ game.” Charlie knocked me with his hip. “Thanks for popping my cherry.”
“I’m glad to be of service.” I half-bowed to him as we went through the ticketed entrance and into the hall.
Directed by the signs, I led us to the merch shop first. I reached for a black and green Celtics jersey, size medium, and turned to Charlie.
“You’re getting a new one?” He pointed at an identical garment I had on.
“Nope. This one is for you. It would go well with your black t-shirt, and Jaylen Brown is a damn good player. He was the NBA finals MVP this year.” I gave him my most pleading look and put it against his chest, proud that I judged his size perfectly. “Oh and this, too.” Grabbing a green foam hand with a pointing index finger, I waved it at him.
Charlie sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll wear it in the name of friendship.” He chuckled and grabbed the items from me. “But I’ll buy them myself. And take one of the hand thingies for you, too.”
“They also have thick fake gold chains. Look how fancy.” I jiggled the faux jewelry, creating a plastic clacking sound.
“I know their mascot is a leprechaun, but that doesn’t mean I want to be one.” He pointed a foam finger at me.
“Well, so far you’ve brought me only luck.”
