“I know.” He laughs, hands clasped behind his back. He leans down just a tad, as if I can’t hear him fromallthe way up there.
“Did your dad come?” Shaking my head, he smiles. “And what will be your first act as a free man?”
“Hmm.” I pretend to think, looking around the courtyard to give myself a moment to breathe. My senses are being attacked by his scent. “Pancakes.” I decide. To this, he laughs very loudly—loudly enough, in fact, to conjure Drew.
He appears behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist. Aaron does not look away from me.
“Pancakes? Now that sounds incredible. I should have done that instead of a party.”Ouch. The memory stings. The mistake I made. Fucking Drew in his house, at his party, losing my virginity.
“Yeah,” I swallow, staring up at him. “Pancakes have very low risk, high reward.” Aaron grins wider, searching my eyes, still leaning into me.
“Benjamin.” Drew says, arm tightening; his voice sounds like a warning. My smile fades, and I watch Aaron tilt his head as he studies me, grin slowly fading away as well.
“Well, Button. Don’t trip on stage. I’d hate to have to take you to the emergency room on such a momentous day.” As I go to tell him to fuck off—or go trip himself—Drew speaks.
“You’re off the hook, man, no worries. I’ll be the one to take him.”
Right when I think Aaron might lean back up and start shit-talking Drew into the ground, he smiles at me sweetly—as if he’s telling me,I am so amused by your little boyfriend; I’ll come get you later.And then, without ever acknowledging Drew, he turns away and heads back to his family.
“Hey,” Drew says, and I spin to face him. “What was that?” I stare at him, unsure what he’s upset about.
“Uh, Aaron congratulated me on graduating, and I told him Fe and I are getting pancakes after.” He doesn’t seem very convinced that nothing else went down, but he nods, kisses my hand, and gives me a smile.
“Come on, let’s go sit.”
???
Walking across the stage was actually kind of terrifying. I shook hands with so many people I’ve never even seen before. But now I’m not a high schooler anymore, so there’s that. Greg and Tina were amazing, giving me flowers and making me feel like as much their son as Felix is. Amber cried like a baby, and Aaron glanced between me and Felix like the two of us were the most preciousthings on the planet—like he had put us on that stage. Full of pride and affection. So in turn, Felix also cried.
Greg and Tina left with Aaron and Amber about thirty minutes ago, leaving us to mingle with our classmates.
Now Felix, Drew, Kayla, and I are making our way to the student lot.
“Well, personally I am happy to never step on this ground again.” Kayla says, spinning in a big circle a bit ahead of the group. “Cheering was fun, but everything elsesucked.” Felix grabs her mid-twirl, making her scream and giggle. I smile at them, admiring their gross affection. I wonder why Drew and I aren’t like that… Did we used to be?
“Hey,” Drew says, bumping my shoulder.
“Hm?” I look at him as we walk, giving him a content smile and trying not to let him in on the question my eyes are holding.Do you even like me anymore? I want to ask, but I can’t. I won’t.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay with you tonight. My mom wants to take me out, and we’ll probably be leaving for UA soon, so…” Nodding, I grab his bicep.
“It’s okay. Kayla is going to a cheer thing, so Felix and I are doing an indoor, post-pancake boys’ night.” He smiles, giving me a chuckle.
“Weirdos.”
“Aaron!” My head snaps forward to where our cars are now in view—but now Aaron’s truck is among them, both him and Amber sitting on the hood like parking-lot royalty.
“Hey there.” He grins. I can feel my heart rate quickening; I’m trying to hide the smile attempting to break free.
“The party has arrived, bitches.” Amber greets, shaking her tits at us and successfully making everyone—outside of Drew—laugh.
“Party?” Felix gasps. “No way! You’re going to stay with us?!” He’s jumping up and down like a child, looking at me like we just won the lottery. He hasreallymissed his brother.
“Well, someone has to buy the booze.” Amber waves her fake ID.
“Plus, I was promised low risk, high reward.” He grins at me and my face flushes, so I look away. That dick—he’s doing it on purpose just to piss Drew off.
“Well, now I feel like I’m missing out on something amazing.” Kayla pouts, shaking Felix back and forth like it’s his fault.
