“You know, you can get comfy too, if you like.”
“Nah, that’s okay. I don’t want the food to get cold. I’ll change after dinner. By the way, where did you tell your mom and dad you’re staying tonight?”
“Oh, well, I told them that a group of us from Drama class are spending the night at Suzi’s house to work on a skit for school. And that we’re going to pull an all-nighter.”
“And they were okay with that?”
“Yeah, they only asked if her parents were going to be home and to confirm they were okay with all the kids spending the night. They took my word for it. Their parenting style is hands-off, really. They basically let me do whatever I want.”
“Except be gay. Whatever you want, except be your true self.”
As soon as I say the words, I immediately regret it. PJ opens his mouth but quickly closes it. I lean over and put my hand on his arm reassuringly.
“PJ, I’m so sorry. I was being a sarcastic twit.”
“It’s okay. I deserve it. I believe part of the reason my parents are okay with me spending the night at a girl’s house is that they are hoping it’s a sign that I’m straight.” PJ starts playing with my fingers that were rubbing his arm a few moments ago. He looks at me sadly. “Simon, I want you to know, I planned on keeping my promise to you and my New Year’s resolution to tell my parents about us. I did; I really did! I just need to find the right time, and I promise you I will tell them all about you. Do you understand? I don’t want to hurt you; I’m just scared. They didn’t react well last time. But I promise you, I’m going to tell them. Before the end of the month for sure. Bear with me a little longer. Can you do that?”
“I can do that.” I lean over and give him a quick kiss. What an ass I am for opening my mouth and almost ruining our special evening. I sit back down and hand him a napkin. “Let’s eat!”
Dinner is special in a quiet, unassuming way. Not that there is anything spectacular about spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread, but watching PJ eat spaghetti in his pajamas is a treat. He struggles to get the pasta twirled around his fork, and it drops on his shirt, and he has little tomato sauce splatters on his cheeks. I find it so charming that I don’t mention it to him. After we finish eating, PJ helps carry the dishes to the sink.
“You go get comfy, and I’ll do the dishes.” PJ takes the dishcloth from my hands.
“You’re a keeper, Pajamas.”
I head to my bedroom and find the door closed. I open it and catch my breath. There must be fifteen candles burning around my bedroom, casting beautiful shadows. It’s magical. I’ve never seen so many different candles lit in one place before. He’s made my bed which I had left in disarray. Our pillows are next to one another with Billy, the little plush otter, prominently placed in the middle. There are even a few rose petals scattered on the bed. I can’t believe what I’m looking at. I turn to run back to the kitchen and crash into PJ who has snuck up behind me.
“It’s beautiful!” I throw my arms around his neck. “How did you sneak all this in here in that little duffel bag?
“What can I say? I’ve got mad skills.” He grins devilishly. “So, you like it? I was hoping you would and that you would also be surprised. Do you, and are you?”
“I love it, and yes, I’m so surprised. But now I feel like a bad boyfriend. I didn’t do anything for you. I didn’t even make my bed for us.”
“Hello? You cooked us dinner. Remember?”
“Yeah, well, I guess I did do that.”
“Don’t be stupid. Get comfy and I’ll finish the dishes. Meet me on the couch and we can watch a movie. The candles are for…later! Good things come to those who wait!”
“Wake up, sleepyhead. The movie’s over,” PJ whispers in my ear. “I didn’t want to wake you, so I just let you sleep through it. You seemed so tired.”
“Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping well lately, and it’s so warm and cozy under this blanket with you.” I reach up and scratch the blond whiskers on his chin. “I could lie on the couch with you forever.”
“I think the cats like it too. Look!” PJ points to the end of the couch.
I sit up and notice both Sammy and Millie have squeezed themselves onto the couch with us. “We’re like our own little family, aren’t we? It’s a good thing I’m small, otherwise all four of us would never fit on this couch. I am a bit hot though. Are you hot too? Do you want me to turn down the thermostat?”
“No. I have another idea. Let’s take our shirts off. Remember, we’re the only ones here.” PJ has a glint in his eye.
Without breaking eye contact, I peel my shirt off. He does the same. We lie down on the couch, and it feels nice to be so close together, skin to skin. Our bare feet mingle under the soft blankets. I rub my hand from his chest to his stomach. He has small patches of coarse hair in the middle of his chest, around his nipples, and on his stomach. My hand lingers in the area between his belly button and the top of his flannel pants. This is my very favorite part of him. The golden-brown patch of hair that disappears under the elastic waistband beckons me onward.
“It’s okay.” His breath is fire on my neck, and I slip my hand into his pants. He moans and finds my lips with his. I’m so aroused right now; I could explode at any moment.
“Let’s take our pants off too,” I say.
We stand up and slowly remove each other’s pants until we’re completely naked in the middle of my living room with only the light from the television reflecting on us.
I turn off the TV, take PJ’s hand, and lead him down the hall to my room. The bedroom is even more beautiful than I remembered. I suppose it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, leaving all those candles burning unattended. But the candles are in jars, and the door has been closed, so the cats couldn’t get in and knock them over.
