“Where my mum is from, right before midnight, you say ‘black rabbit’ a few times. And then right after midnight, you say ‘white rabbit.’ And we also light offfireworks.”
“Like on the Fourth ofJuly?”
“You Americans, always trying to upstage us.” Eamonn dragged his lips along his neck, smelling the Rafe scent that was imprinted on his brain. Rafe dug his hands into his back. He wasn’t letting go.Neither amI.
“I can’t believe you’re here. When do you go back?” Rafeasked.
“Tomorrow night. But it’s onlytemporary.”
“What?”
“I’ve never been to America. I want to see all this great country has tooffer.”
Rafe stepped back, another wave of shock lighting up hisface.
“I applied to Water WaterEverywhere.”
“Youdid.”
“Don’t celebrate just yet. I have a first interview in January, so nothing is a done deal. But I’ve been doing some research and there are loads of companies and non-profits that sponsor work visas, particularly for recent college graduates. I even found summer camps that hire Brits ascounselors.”
The chatter from the party got louder as it got closer to midnight, but he and Rafe were in their ownbubble.
“What about your job at the boxcompany?”
“I turned it down. They’re not short of applicants, so they’ll find someone else to fill my position. I’m going to work part-time in the warehouse until I graduate, so at least I’ll have moneysaved.”
He was surprised at how cool his uncle was about the whole thing. He understood that Eamonn wanted to explore what was out there. He himself had backpacked across Europe for a good six months before settling down into his first job. He even offered to connect Eamonn with colleagues who do business with Americancompanies.
“Until then, we’ll have ample amounts of phone sex,” Rafesaid.
“Andsexting.”
“And Skypesex.”
“And I’ll write you dirty handwrittenletters.”
“And I’ll commission an oil painting of me reading them while touching myself.” Rafe rested his head on Eamonn’s shoulder, right where itbelonged.
“We’ll figure it out. Winter holiday has been bloody awful, thinking I was never going to see you again. But we’re only gettingstarted.”
They joined in a kiss that turned into a long embrace. Rafe nestled against him, warming Eamonn all throughout his body. They swayed to nonexistent music, just the buzz and chatterinside.
“I’m no expert on phone sex,” Eamonn said, itching at his scruff. “but I reckon we’ll need experience to draw upon, to make sure our calls are technicallyaccurate.”
“That’s a valid point. What do you think we shoulddo?”
Eamonn leaned in and whispered in Rafe’s ear: “I’m going to drill your arse until your fucking legs falloff.”
Rafe wrapped his arms around Eamonn’s neck and kissed him. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said tome.”
“You said itfirst.”
“That’s right! I did!” Rafe shook his head with realization. “I am such a badass.”
Minutes later, Eamonn had Rafe up against the side of the house. His legs fastened themselves around Eamonn’s sturdy hips. His pants bunched up just below his ass as Eamonn reamed his thick uncut cock inside Rafe’s opening. Eamonn hoped nobody came outside and saw his bare bum pumping into his boyfriend. Americans could be squeamish like that, and he didn’t want to make a bad impression in this new land, one he looked forward to knowing better. Need pulled them together, and they held on so tight that Rafe was going to rip Eamonn’s coatsleeves.
Their mouths bounced around trying to find each other in the heat. Snowflakes fluttered out of the black sky. Rafe’s face clenchedup.
