“Patrick, none of that matters to me.”
“Could have fooled me with the way you were laughing and having two chicks fight over your dick.”
“I’m sorry for having to keep up fucking appearances, Patrick! You were the one I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. I told you I wanted to touch you in the car on the way to the party.”
“Yeah. I remember as you were fingering me in the bathroom of the party like I’m some piece of shit toy for you to fuck around with. You wouldn’t accept my mouth on your dick, but clearly had no problem accepting hers. Like my mouth isn’t good enough for you. LikeI’mnot good enough for you. I’m not a goddamn toy for you, Hollis! I was a fucking toy and pawn for my dad and stepbrother! I’m not one for you!”
“You’ve never been a toy to me! I’ve wanted nothing but to take care of you. I’ve wanted to always keep you near so I could watch over you. Always.”
I was wobbly from his missiles.
“And I’m sorry, Patrick, but I wasn’t going to let you blow me on the floor of my trainer’s bathroom. I just couldn’t keep my hands off you much longer.”
Maybe he wanted to reserve that for when we were home. He walked toward me. The closer he got, the quicker he made my armor disappear. He wrapped his palm around the back of my neck and pressed his forehead against mine. His touch instantly warmed me up.
“You mean more to me than a quick fuck or load blow in the bathroom of a party, Patrick.”
I swallowed hard and closed my eyes.
“I thought you didn’t mean what you said after your second fight… about celebrating. Our celebration. I didn’t think you’d want to do that anymore or maybe you didn’t mean it then.”
“I’ve been looking forward to tonight, just like you have.” Hollis kissed my forehead. “But I was most concerned with getting home and taking care of you.” He kissed my forehead again. “You and I can watch film anytime. But no matter what, I planned on sleeping in the same bed with you.”
“Even now?”
“Even now.”
Twenty years old/November
Hollis and I had taken Chase to a Lakers game tonight and were stuck in some traffic behind Steve and Jacobi’s car. Normally, we’d let them do the driving, but given the circumstances, Hollis wanted just the three of us to ride together. Charles and Kristin had been somewhat concerned about Chase saying his grades had slipped since the school year started and that he seemed to be withdrawing from activities he liked. Their grandfather said he thought it was a combination of puberty and Chase’s older brother no longer being at home.
Before we left the arena, we told Steve and Jacobi we were going to get some pizza. It was late, so we hoped the pizza place wouldn’t be jammed with people. But I was sure Steve and Jacobi would still be able to keep people at bay. Most restaurants wouldn’t have an issue giving us some privacy, but we were going to a pizza place, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The three of us walked in behind Steve and Jacobi and waited to be seated. The manager on duty recognized Hollis right away and set Hollis, Chase, and me up at a round table close to the corner of the restaurant. Steve and Jacobi sat at a small rectangular table between us and the rest of the place. It was at the table where I felt like maybe I was seeing a hint of what Charles and Kristin were worried about.
Chase was usually so full of energy and excitement. But now he just sat there resting his head against his hand while he chewed on his straw. I glanced at Hollis and could tell by the lines on his forehead as he watched Chase that he knew something was possibly up.
“So, how’s school?” Hollis asked him.
Chase shrugged and slid the straw wrapper back and forth on the table. He glanced at me and then back at Hollis before he released the straw from his teeth and sat up.
“It’s okay,” he finally said.
“Just okay?” Hollis inquired. “You keeping up with your grades okay?”
Chase sighed and looked down.
“I’ll tell you what I’ve been telling Mom and Dad and Grandpa. Nothing is wrong.”
“Okay, bub.” Hollis reached over and rubbed on Chase’s shoulder. “I just want you to know I’m still here for you.”
“I am too,” I added.
“Morg is as well,” Hollis added. “Even though we’re not at home, we’re just a call away. Okay?”
Chase nodded and went back to staring at his Coke and stirring it with his straw. I’d never seen Chase like this, and I could see why his parents were worried. It made sense why they thought if anyone could reach Chase, it would be Hollis. They’d always been best friends. Hollis looked concerned and kept trying to start conversations with Chase, but he even had a hard time getting Chase to respond with much more than a few words.
“Hey…” Hollis bumped Chase’s elbow to get his attention. “Want to have a guys’ weekend?” he asked Chase.
