“I guess we are,” he replied looking directly at Colton. “Friends.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Colton
HENRY STOPPED BYHank’s place on Friday early in the evening and together the three of them walked to Tilly and Vernon’s house for dinner. Hank had agreed to come this time since Trent was out of town with the wife and no one exactly seemed to know where Paulie was at. That wasn’t uncommon since Paulie often went on a longish bender if he’d won some extra money on cards or at the races. His uncle had gone to school with Tilly, but they weren’t exactly close. However, Colton had persuaded him to come. Since he and Hank were slowly becoming close, he didn’t feel good about just leaving him at home by himself on a Friday night. He knew that Hank was still mourning the loss of Eugene and Colton had a feeling that he was often lonely.
Tilly chattered away over dinner about the increase in living costs, and Hank and Vernon talked about the latest hockey standings. Colton found himself not really listening as he tried to discreetly steal glances at Henry during most of the meal. A few times Henry caught his stare and smiled at him, shaking his head at the other three and their rambling.Friends. That was what they had agreed to be. Friends.
He shifted in his seat, looking at Henry’s profile as the younger man laughed at something Hank had just said. His blond hair had a way of falling into his eyes when he gestured with his hands. Henry frequently did that when he spoke of things he was passionate about. The clinic. His gran. His dark-blond brows would meet in the middle in a cute frown when he was in deep concentration, making him appear even younger than he was. Freckles formed an irregular pattern on his square nose making him nearly irresistible.
Colton imagined Henry as a young boy with a small dog running after him on warm summer evenings in a neighborhood buzzing with children’s voices and the smell of barbeque. Could they have been friends if they’d been the same age? If they’d grown up together? Something told him that Henry would’ve been the kind of friend that would’ve shared his favorite toys with you without a glimpse. Or the kind of friend you would steal cookies with from the plate cooling off in the kitchen window. The kind of friend you could whisper secrets to. Colton wouldn’t have minded having a friend like Henry growing up. But they could be friends now, Colton thought to himself, unable to take his eyes off Henry.
Before coffee was served, Henry gestured towards the porch, pushed his chair back from the table and silently asked Colton to follow him. It was cold outside; winter was coming early this year and it had been snowing that afternoon. Colton crossed his arms in front of his chest as they stood next to each other looking out at the backyard.
“Jesus,” Henry said as he chuckled.
“I know,” Colton laughed in agreement. “If I have to listen to more speculation on why Nebraska doesn’t have an NHL team, I’m gonna scream.”
“Oh yeah?” Henry grinned as he bumped Colton’s right shoulder with his own. “Do you prefer discussing the price of beef versus chicken instead?” Colton couldn’t help but groan as he bumped Henry back.
“Please, shut up,” he laughed. It was always the same, Colton noticed, when he was around Henry. He felt lighter somehow. Younger. Henry made him feel again. He made him laugh with his carefree attitude and teasing remarks. How anyone could not want Henry in their lives puzzled him. It made Colton angry when he thought of the sixteen-year-old boy being kicked out of his childhood home simply for being true to himself. He looked at the other guy. At his broad, boyish smile as he gazed up at the sky. Unlike the other night at the creek, there were no stars out this evening.
The creek. He couldn’t stop thinking about that night. The softness of Henry’s lips as he’d kissed him. It had felt so natural. More natural than any other kiss he’d ever had. The soft moans while he’d licked the seam of Henry’s lips, tasting him. And then, later the feel of those plump lips wrapped around his dick. He wanted to do it again. He really wanted to. Unable and unwilling to hold back, he turned towards Henry.
“Can I kiss you again?”
Henry turned towards him, the familiar frown between his golden eyebrows, a smile still lingering at the corner of his mouth.
“Yeah,” Henry replied breathily looking back at the door. The fog of his breath was hanging between them in the cold air like a cord connecting them. “Here?”
Colton nodded as he reached out and grabbed Henry’s left arm, drawing him closer. He felt reckless when around Henry. Guided by something inside himself that he didn’t recognize. He licked his lips before meeting Henry’s with a light kiss at first. As he tasted Henry and felt him returning the kiss, he increased the pressure, nipping at his full bottom lip. A soft whimper escaped him which only turned Colton further on. With his left hand behind Henry’s neck, he drew him even closer, moaning as his groin connected with Henry’s, clearly feeling the outline of his arousal.
His own dick strained behind his zipper as he continued to explore Henry’s intoxicating mouth with his tongue. He tasted so good. He tasted like a promise of something more. Henry moved closer and rubbed his jean clad dick against Colton’s. He was sucking repeatedly on Colton’s tongue by now as they were grinding together, their hips imitating the rhythm of their tongues.
Abruptly, Henry pulled away from Colton, considering him with a dazed look in his eyes. His lips were bruised from the intensity of the kiss, and he panted like he’d just run ten miles.
“What?” Colton looked at him suddenly feeling insecure, his heart pounding away in his chest. “Did I do something wrong?” Henry shook his head and gave him a chaste peck on the lips.
“No, no of course not. It’s just, we should probably head back inside before they come looking for us…” Henry trailed off gesturing at the kitchen door.
“Yeah, sure, you go ahead,” Colton replied. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“Okay,” Henry whispered, cheeks burning as he brushed his lips softly against Colton’s and headed inside.
Taking a deep breath, Colton looked down at his groin, the outline of his erect cock visible behind the faded fabric of his jeans. Brushing a hand through his hair, he looked out into the field behind the small house. He swallowed, still tasting Henry on the back of his tongue. He looked down at the weather-beaten planks of wood on the porch. He could make out the outline of Henry’s footprints next to his own in the soft, pristine snow. Smaller than his own, but still leaving a clear imprint on the porch.
When he returned after a few minutes, the coffee was already served, and Vernon had put on some old school country music. Instinctively, his eyes searched for Henry who was looking straight at him. As he sat down, Tilly immediately poured him some coffee and carved him a slice of red velvet cake.
“So, how is it being back, Colton?” Vernon asked. “I bet the single ladies are real glad that you’re back in town,” he grinned knowingly.
“Oh, lay off him, you old fool,” Tilly smiled at him fondly throwing a quick glance in Henry’s direction.
“It’s good,” Colton replied taking a sip of his coffee. “Been at the shop most of the time, though.” He took a bite of the cake and moaned making Henry choke on his coffee. “This is really good, Tilly,” he said biting back a smile and licking his lips exaggeratedly.
He noticed Henry mouthing at him “stop!” He mouthed back innocently “what?” Henry just shook his head, making Hank look between the two of them questioningly. As the small talk continued around the table, Colton jerked slightly, feeling a kick to his boot. He looked up and saw Henry smirking at him as he clearly mouthed “Wanna get out of here?” Colton looked around the table, but the other three were again engulfed in conversation, this time about oil prices. He stretched his arms above his head and looked at Tilly.
“Well, again Tilly, it was real nice of you to have us. I’m gonna head home soon, though. The week’s catching up with me.”
