“Keep going.”
He kissed down to just below Gabriel’s belly button, where a narrow, dark trail of hair disappeared below his waistband. Drew desperately wanted to follow the trail all the way to the end.
“And this?”
“Keep going.”
Drew kissed the bulge in Gabriel’s shorts. He wanted what was beneath it, but he was willing to be patient. He was just about to untie the drawstrings of Gabriel’s swim trunks when he felt something vibrating in Gabriel’s pocket.
“I think you’re getting a phone call,” he said.
Gabriel groaned, yanked out his phone, and paused. “Shit, it’s my dad. I think I need to take this.”
Drew sat up, hot and wanting more, but giving Gabriel some space to talk to his father.
“Hey, Dad,” Gabriel said. “What’s up?” He listened carefully, a frown slowly spreading on his face. “Is everyone okay?”
Drew sensed the distress and concern in Gabriel’s voice.
“Okay, I’m glad everyone’s okay. Do you want me to come?”
Gabriel cast Drew an apologetic look, and Drew shrugged. If Gabriel had to do something for his family or for the camp, Drew understood. He didn’t like that their makeout session might have to be cut short, but he could be patient.
“Okay,” Gabriel said. He ran a tired hand over his face. “I’ll be there soon. Bye.” He hung up and looked apologetically at Drew. “I’m so sorry. Something happened at camp, and my parents are freaking out. It’s my day off, and they normally wouldn’t call me in, but it sounds serious.”
Drew could tell from Gabriel’s face that he was distressed, and Drew didn’t want to make anything worse. “Are your parents both okay? Is your dad?”
“I think so. Thanks for asking. I think they’re just confused and worried. They didn’t tell me what happened, but it sounds serious. I have to go, unfortunately. I feel awful. But I have the rest of the day off. Can I see you later today?”
“Let me come with you,” Drew offered. “In case there’s anything I can do.” Then he realized what it might look like if he showed up with Gabriel. He wasn’t sure if that was something Gabriel wanted his parents to see. “Unless your parents would ask questions if we showed up together.”
“They might, but I don’t care if they do. Do you really mean you’d come with me? I think that would make me feel better. I’m worried about them. I love them, but sometimes they struggle to make big decisions if they need to be made, and I work there.”
“I’ll come with you.” Drew found their shirts, tangled on the floor, and handed Gabriel his. “Do you want me to drive?”
“I don’t mind driving.”
—
It was mid-afternoon when they arrived at Orion’s Belt Hockey Camp. Gabriel drove quickly and in silence, and Drew didn’t break the silence. He could tell that Gabriel was worried, and he wanted to be there to support him if Gabriel needed him.
When they reached the parking lot, Gabriel swore softly. Drew felt nervous, too, seeing what Gabriel had seen: a police car was parked in the gravel lot. There was just one car, and no sign of any officers.
“I hope everyone is really okay,” Gabriel muttered as he parked the car.
Drew squeezed Gabriel’s hand. “I’m sure everyone is.” He didn’t feel as confident as he sounded. If the police were here, that was concerning. He was vaguely aware that, if the police were here, he might have to give a statement of some sort, and if he did that, he would have to give his full name. More and more people were discovering that he was here, and he didn’t want the word to get out to everyone. He was enjoying his privacy.
Gabriel led the way into the main building of the camp. A middle-aged woman—Drew remembered her name was Danielle—was sitting in the offices. She jumped to her feet when she saw Gabriel and Drew. She only looked briefly at Drew before looking to Gabriel.
“Gabe, I’m glad you’re here. They’re back in your dad’s office.”
Neither of them asked who “they” were. They would find out soon enough.
Don Ackermann’s office was cluttered with stacks of papers, old photos from camp, books, and camping equipment. Gabriel opened the door after knocking and indicated that Drew should come in with him. Drew followed Gabriel into the large room. Don was sitting at his desk, and Laurel leaned against one of the walls between two framed photos. An old, cranky-looking man in an Orion’s Belt polo shirt and wide khaki shorts sat in a chair with his arms folded. Another man, with dark hair and wearing athletic clothes, paced on some of the only open floor area. A police officer, a woman in a dark blue uniform, also sat facing Don at his desk.
Everyone looked up when Drew and Gabriel entered.
“Who’s this?” the officer asked.
