“Thanks, Coach.” Kevin looked at David. David simply shrugged, not wanting to make the choice for Kevin or lead him into making a decision he might regret. “I’ll think about your offer. Maybe David and I will talk about it tonight.”
“David, is that your backpack?”
“Yeah, Dad. I was thinking about staying over at Kevin’s, so I packed some stuff I’d need, including my laptop in case I decided to do a little homework in the morning. I hope that’s okay with you?” David stared directly at his father, hoping to get his support.
“You’re kind of springing this on me at the last minute.” Rob glanced from David to Kevin and back. As he did, Kevin took David’s hand in his.
“Mr. Martin, my parents will be home later tonight. They went out to dinner with some friends, but they know David might stay over.” Kevin paused briefly. “If you want my mom or dad’s cell phone numbers to confirm with them, I’ll give them to you.”
Rob pinched the bridge of his nose and then looked at Steve. “This is all new territory for me.”
“Go ahead, Rob. You’re his father. You can set boundaries if you feel the need.” Steve rubbed Rob’s arm as he spoke.
“Okay, then. Kevin, I’ll go with what my gut says I should do as David’s father.”
David looked on, feeling anxious about what his father might say and hoping it wouldn’t sabotage his night with Kevin.
“Please give me your parents’ cell numbers. I don’t plan to use them, but it’s probably a good idea for me to have them just in case of an emergency and David doesn’t answer when he’s at your place.”
“Dad, does that mean I can go, backpack and all?” David bit his lip awaiting his father’s final word.
“I don’t know what your mothers would do, but since they’re not here, I say you’re old enough to spend the night, with the caution to think first before you do anything.” David’s father bit his lip. “And to always be safe.”
“I will, Dad, I promise.” David looked at both his fathers. “Thank you both.” His smile spread from ear to ear. David had never had the opportunity to be treated like an adult under such important circumstances and he knew, in his heart, he wouldn’t screw up the responsibility he had been given.
Quickly hugging each of his dads, David slung his backpack over one shoulder and guided Kevin to the door. As soon as it closed behind them, while they were waiting for the elevator, Kevin turned toward David. “I wish I had done that.”
Confused by Kevin’s seemingly random statement, David furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about?”
“I wish I had thought first before challenging John. It was stupid, and now I might be the cause of his life being fucked up if I stand by the deal and he can’t meet the conditions.”
Not knowing how to respond, David wrapped his arm around Kevin’s waist and held him close. The two rode down in the elevator and walked to the car in silence. David just hoped their night together wouldn’t, once again, be ruined following an important meet. He was beginning to feel jinxed.
Chapter 26
DINNER AT the local burger place was delicious. Food always tasted better after a tough meet. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts to get Kevin to relax, David had been mainly unsuccessful in his attempts to give Kevin some peace of mind.
It wasn’t that they didn’t talk to each other. They had plenty to say. Kevin was more than interested in continuing their evening back at his place, and they joked about some of their strangest teachers and their bizarre idiosyncrasies. They spoke about everything except the true elephant in the room—Kevin’s deal, or rather the ultimatum they both knew it was, with John.
When they returned to Kevin’s car after dinner, David was surprised when Kevin stood with him on the passenger side, rather than going straight to the driver’s door once he released the locks with his remote key.
“You really do look great tonight. You clean up pretty damn well whenever we go out.”
Although David didn’t know what prompted Kevin’s flirtatious comment, he was happy to receive the compliment. “You do a pretty damn good job yourself.”
Kevin backed David up against the car, surrounding him with his arms by placing each hand against the roof of the car. “I’m glad you think so. I want tonight to be special for us. I hope you still want to go back to my house.”
Surprised by Kevin’s lack of faith in him, it took David a moment to reply. “Of course. Is there any reason I shouldn’t go with you?”
Without missing a beat, Kevin looked to his left then to his right. They were alone in the parking lot. He immediately crashed his lips against David’s. If it hadn’t been so sexy, the force might have actually been slightly painful. David felt the heat of Kevin’s tongue as he quickly pressed it inside. Moaning, David pushed his own tongue against Kevin’s, heating up their out-of-the-ordinary public display.
David felt a brief sense of loss when Kevin took a step back, releasing David from his pleasurable capture against the car. David had been so lost in the moment he was unaware of how much time had passed, when Kevin eventually took a step back, releasing David from his pleasurable capture against the car. Taking a deep breath, David found his voice again, his head still spinning a bit from their brief, yet intense, make-out session. “Wow! That was pretty damn amazing, and very unexpected.” David grinned. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Glad to know I can surprise you and keep you pleased all at once.” Kevin smiled.
“So this was a surprise?” David was convinced the passionate, albeit welcomed, gesture was another avoidance tactic, and he proceeded cautiously with his question, not wanting Kevin to completely recoil.
“Is there anything wrong with surprising my boyfriend and putting a big grin on his face, not to mention hearing you moan? That was totally hot!”
Feeling the heat rising in his cheeks, David was pleased it was so dark out. “Nothing wrong whatsoever.” It was clear Kevin had no intention of confessing anything more about his possible motivation. David decided to keep his mouth shut rather than end up at his own home, alone and metaphorically kicking himself in the ass.
“I think it’s time to take this somewhere more private.” Kevin chuckled as he opened the passenger-side door for David. Kevin took his seat behind the wheel, and they headed off.
Crossing the threshold of Kevin’s home, David watched as he moved into the living room and turned on several lights.
“It looks like my wayward sister is taking advantage of knowing my parents are going to be out late.”
“Was she supposed to be home before us?” David glanced at the stairs leading to the bedrooms and wondered if they would be heading up sooner or later. Butterflies stirred in his stomach, and he took a silent, deep breath to squelch his nerves.
“Not necessarily. My parents are pretty cool about curfews. As long as they know who we’re with and when we’re expected, they’re flexible with the time we get home.” Kevin chuckled. “You should have seen them when Jesse didn’t call to let them know she’d be really late on a night raging with thunderstorms. I thought they were going to kill her!”
David’s eyes widened, enjoying the gossipy tidbit about Jesse. “What happened?”
“She finally walked in two hours after she told the ’rents she’d be home. They started out by glaring at her and telling her she was grounded for life, but she got paroled after three weeks.”
“I bet she hasn’t made that mistake again.”
“Not on your life! She texts them practically every hour giving them updates on her location and expected time she’ll arrive home.”
“I guess that’s the way it should work in families.”
“What did your moms do?” Kevin closed and locked the front door behind them awaiting David’s answer while they stood in the foyer.
David chuckled. “They never had much reason to be worried. My social life was as close to completely tame as was probably possible.”
“And your
dads?” Kevin glanced at the stairway and then looked back at David.
“They’re working on perfecting the parenting thing. I think my dads are doing better and better. We kind of have a deal like you have with your parents now. Hopefully, it’ll continue to work.”
“It should if you don’t abuse it.”
“I won’t. I don’t want to spend three weeks on lockdown, away from you, because I screwed up.” David winked at Kevin, getting a huge smile in return. “Besides, I made a deal with them and I plan to stand by it.”
Kevin looked away, and David realized what he had said. “A deal,” Kevin sighed. “I wish I hadn’t made that stupid deal this morning.”
Although David didn’t want to waste their night together rehashing those awful minutes with John, he was pleased to see Kevin was finally willing to open up to him. “You were angry, rightfully so.”
“I should have thought before I spoke.”
“Yeah, maybe, but you’re not perfect. We all make choices we regret.”
“What if he opens his big mouth and tells Coach Wilkins? I’ll not only lose my position as captain, but I’ll probably be kicked off the team.”
“Remember, if he opens his mouth, you can open yours. At least for now, he’s so damn insecure, living in his crazy closet, I’d wager he’s more scared of you than you are of him.”
“God, David, I hope you’re right. Track is what I want. Not only is it my ticket to college, but I still have dreams about the next Olympics, maybe even the one after if I can keep up the pace.”
David swallowed hard. Kevin trusted him enough to open up to him about all his insecurities and all his concerns. This was what it was like to have someone you cared about trust and respect you, and hope to have those feelings returned. David didn’t waste any time. Without hesitating for a moment, he pulled Kevin into a tight embrace and laced his fingers through his dark, wavy hair. “You’ll do it, Kevin. You’ll do it all.” David gently kissed Kevin on the cheek. “And with any luck, I’ll be by your side, cheering you on the whole way.”
Kevin lifted his head, his eyes looking directly into David’s. “You really mean it, don’t you?”
Nodding, David remained silent hoping his facial expression would be transparent enough for Kevin to read.
“I’m really falling for you, and when you say things like that, it makes me want to be even closer.”
“I always want to be closer to you.” David let out a small breath he was holding. Was this really going happen tonight? Were they going to spend the night with no further mysteries between them?
“David, I want to go upstairs, but only if you’re ready.” Kevin bit his lip. “I want to be completely clear. I want you. I want—” Kevin shook his head. “Forget it. It’s probably too soon.”
“Kevin,” David rolled his lips inward, the two still standing in the foyer, holding each other in a firm embrace. “Kevin, please don’t say it’s too soon.”
“I don’t want to scare you off. You’re worth waiting for.”
“I need you, want you, in every way.” Kevin’s eyes searched his for complete understanding. “I want you inside me.” There, he had said it out loud. At first David thought he would want to run, but instead he felt relieved and hopeful. “Do you have, you know condoms?”
“Condoms and lube are upstairs. I hoped you’d want this too and I wanted to be prepared.” Kevin pursed his lips.
“Then I’m ready.”
“I need you, want you, in every way.” Kevin’s eyes searched his for complete understanding. “I want you inside me.” There, he had said it out loud. At first David thought he would want to run, but instead he felt relieved and hopeful.
“Are you sure?”
“Without question.”
Releasing his arms from around David’s back, Kevin took David’s hand in his. Neither daring to utter another sound for the moment, Kevin laced their fingers together as they walked up the stairs and entered his bedroom. When he closed the door behind them and turned the lock, Kevin finally broke the silence. “My parents will be out for at least two more hours.”
As he began to unfasten the buttons on Kevin’s shirt, David smiled. “Good.” Slowly removing Kevin’s shirt, David stepped closer to the edge of the bed, then pulled his own shirt off over his head. David was glad the only light was from the full moon filtering in through the window blinds. It was the perfect lighting for the mood.
As they lay together on the bed, David carefully released himself from his jeans and then by touching the front of Kevin’s jeans encouraged him to do the same. David’s breath hitched at the sight of Kevin. He was so beautiful in every way, even more than David could have imagined.
Feeling Kevin’s weight as he lay on top of him, kissing him more deeply than David thought a person could ever be kissed, David knew this night would change his life forever—in the best way possible. Closing his eyes, experiencing Kevin’s touch, from head to toe, David felt, for the first time in his life, what he could only assume was the bliss that accompanies pure love.
Chapter 27
A BRIGHT sliver of light filtered through the window blinds, waking David. Still drowsy, he rolled over and smiled. There was Kevin, sleeping soundly next to him.
The night before had been everything David had hoped for and more. David was sure they had made love; it had been so much more than just sex, for him at least. Kevin had been extremely slow and gentle, making David’s first time the best night of his life. David thought he heard Kevin utter words of love, but he had been so lost in his own bliss, and making sure Kevin experienced the same, David wasn’t sure exactly what they said. It didn’t matter; David now knew without question he was in love. He just hoped Kevin felt the same.
Glancing under the covers, David admired Kevin’s long lean body, despite the fact he was sleeping clothed. Although Kevin’s parents and sister hadn’t disturbed them, David and Kevin did put on sweatpants once they were actually ready to go to sleep. Kevin’s parents preferred Kevin feel free to bring David home rather than worry that he might be somewhere unsafe in order to have private time with his boyfriend. David had a feeling his father felt the same way since he hadn’t taken long to agree to allow him to spend the night at Kevin’s, despite his understanding of how the night would probably culminate.
Before he could spend any more time thinking, David noticed Kevin begin to stir. He looked at Kevin and smiled. “Hey. Good morning.”
Kevin offered a sleepy half smile in return. “Yeah, it sure is.” Kevin brushed David’s floppy bangs out of his eyes. “How are you feeling this morning? Are you okay?”
Nodding, David rested his hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “Better than okay. Last night was the best night of my life.”
“I’m glad. It was mine too.”
“Even with a guy as inexperienced as me?”
“Especially with you—because it was you.” Kevin cupped David’s cheek. “Didn’t you hear me last night? I meant what I said.”
“Well, I know people sometimes say stuff when they’re, well, having sex, that they don’t always mean. I won’t hold you to anything you declared last night.” David bit his lip, trying to be cool.
“You can be so insecure sometimes.” Kevin propped himself up, resting his elbow on his pillow. He was hovering slightly over David. Kevin slowly leaned down and brushed his lips against David’s several times. “Last night was as special for me as I hope it was for you. My last boyfriend never made me feel like you make me feel.”
“How’s that?” David knew it sounded like he was fishing, but he felt the words were important this morning.
“You make me feel like I’m the most important person in your life. I’ve never felt that way before. I told you, my last boyfriend was more interested in conquests than commitment.”
“You are the most important person in my life. I love you.” The words escaped David’s lips before he could hold them back.
Kevin’s eyes widened. “Well, after
last night, I sure hope this is about love and not just about sex.” David looked into Kevin’s eyes and didn’t say a word. “If you want to hear it in the light of day, I’ll be happy to repeat myself.” Kevin wrapped his free arm around David, drawing him even closer. “I’m in love with you too. There’s no question in my mind. Hell, I probably started falling in love with you the first day I saw you on the track. First it was attraction and then it became love.”
“Wow.” David could barely get the word out of his mouth. No one had ever meant more to him or made him feel like he was the most important person on the planet until Kevin.
“After I stated clearly that I love you, wow, isn’t a bad follow-up.” Kevin chuckled and kissed David once more. He then looked over David’s shoulder. “My family will be up soon, and I think we should make an appearance.”
“Me too. I don’t want your parents to think I came for sex and then took off.”
“I doubt they’d think that, but we probably should shower. You can head in first. One of the benefits of a big house—my own bathroom. Jesse has one too. It’s a good thing too. She has enough perfume to make me gag if I had to share with her.”
David laughed as he reluctantly hauled himself out of bed and approached the bathroom. “In that case I’ll go into your nice manly bathroom and shower.” David felt a pillow hit his back as he made a dash for the door.
AFTER AN amazing weekend with Kevin, David anticipated school with mixed feelings. David’s dads had been supportive and filled with smiles when David had returned home after his night with Kevin. They had been wise enough to keep their questions at bay and let David keep his time with Kevin private and special, letting him know they would be there for him if he ever had questions or wanted to talk.
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