by Bradon Nave
Taking the opportunity to slide my hand under her shirt, I was pleased to find she was wearing a sports bra—easily accessible.
She sat up from me, removing her shirt and bra in one quick move. I couldn’t take my gaze off her chest. I’d imagined what they’d looked like hundreds of times, but meeting them for the first time was magical. Still flat on my back, I reached for either of them as she began unbuttoning my pants. As her hand worked its way inside, I found it difficult to pace my breath due to my excitement.
“Hello,” she muttered.
Raising up to kiss her, I laid her backward, attempting to slow the pace. I didn’t want another fifteen-second fiasco.
She softly rested into my pillow, gazing up at me as her hair laid out over the blue pillowcase. Steadying my trembling hand, I traced my index finger from her neck and to her breast as I leaned down to kiss her once more.
I assumed I’d been given the green light to unbutton her pants too—to explore her as well. As my hand left her chest and ventured to the area, she quickly diverted it. “No…stop, not today,” she whispered.
Swallowing hard, I immediately pulled away from her. No means no. “No problem,” I said, kissing her forehead and returning flat on my back as I looked to the ceiling, attempting to calm my excitement. I’d wanted to touch her, to pleasure her, but I knew without a doubt there would be other opportunities for such things. I was willing to wait as long as she wanted. Looking to her from the corner of my eye once more to see my new friends, I was surprised to see no effort from her to put her shirt back on.
“Hey,” she said softly. “Just not that. Not this time,” she said as she leaned over me, her hair brushing my face as she kissed me.
I closed my eyes as I felt her tug the front of my jeans and boxers down. The anticipation of her touch left me barely capable of swallowing. When she did touch me, I felt nearly incapable of breathing. I’d been given a few hand jobs before, but there was nothing spectacular about them. In fact, they hurt and left me giving awkward instructions and longing for it to just be over. This was different—her touch had me completely enslaved. Her gaze never left mine the entire time her hands were there. As her pace increased, so did my breath. It was over in mere seconds—less than my fifteen-second record.
I’d tried to be as discrete as possible, but the male orgasm is typically anything but. As she peered down at me, catching my breath, she smiled. I was left with the awkward thoughts and feelings that lurk when the experience isn’t mutual, and she was looking for her shirt.
The robotic way she walked to my dresser and retrieved several Kleenexes to clean up with left me somewhat uneasy—as if she’d done this chore several times with her stargazing study buddy. It didn’t really matter. I didn’t care about any of that as long as she planned on sticking around with me.
I remained completely still and quiet until she threw the Kleenex in the wastebasket and buttoned my jeans back. “You okay?” she asked sweetly, lightly tickling my stomach.
“Um…that was amazing.”
She smiled, leaning down and kissing my cheek. “You’re amazing.”
“How ’bout that mac’ n ‘cheese?” I asked jokingly.
“That actually sounds really good.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
Climbing into Duke’s car, I was almost instantly presented with the most massive breakfast burrito I’d ever laid eyes on, wrapped in tinfoil and complete with napkins. “Damn, D. Where did you get this?”
“I stood in line for thirty minutes. Peace offering,” he said while smiling.
“I told you we were good, D. You didn’t have to buy me breakfast.”
“I know. I messed up pretty good yesterday, Jess. I messed up in front of a good portion of our class. I’m feeling pretty shitty today.”
“Well, stop. Everyone that knows you knows what a good guy you are…Justin’s cool with you, who cares what anyone else thinks?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Is that his?” I asked, pointing to the other burrito in Duke’s lap.
“Nah, that’s mine. You think I should have grabbed him one?”
“Dude, D…stop stressing. You’re good,” I said, unwrapping the tinfoil.
“Lily says I need anger management or some therapy or something,” Duke said as we remained parked in front of my house.
“Nah, man. You were just under the impression I needed backup. You’re a solid guy. Whatever you’ve got going on I think you’re big enough to work out with logical thinking.”
“I sure as hell hope so. Is Kacey pretty pissed at me? Does she think I’m batshit?”
“Nope,” I replied. The piping-hot eggs were scalding my tongue as I opened my mouth to cool the bite I’d taken.
“Yeah…that’s probably pretty hot. They wrapped it right off the grill. I should have grabbed some chocolate milk.”
“I got half a gallon inside,” I said, swallowing painfully as the hot contents made their way down. “Just don’t backwash.”
“Cool.”
Racing through my front door and to the fridge, I grabbed the unopened milk and turned to run back to the car. As I reached the front porch, I noticed Duke’s demeanor was tense, uneasy, and defeated-looking, even from my front door. He was the last person I wanted to see in this position. I had to help the guy out somehow.
“You first, dude,” I said, passing him the milk as I climbed in his car.
“Is that shit expired or what?”
“No, sir. Drink up, D. We gotta long day ahead of us,” I proclaimed as I pulled my phone out to text Kacey.
“Huh?”
“Senior day, dude…just me and you, amigo.”
“Like, skip school all day? Really?”
“For sure, D. Let the talk about what happened yesterday die down. Let’s just go hang out…do dude stuff.”
As he chewed his food, Duke’s eyes rested in the left sides of his sockets. “Hell yeah…senior day.”
“Hell yeah.”
“So, where does senior day start first?” he asked.
“I’m renaming it Duke Day. You tell me.”
“Although I like where this is going, there’s already a Duke Day for Duke Kahanamoku…trust me, I’ve looked into this, and this was your idea. You have ten seconds to produce an ill-thought itinerary or we’re headed to class, young mister.”
“Aren’t you just a wealth of knowledge?” I replied.
“Seven seconds, Jess.”
“Just go back to your house. We can figure it out from there…or is Judy home?”
“Nah, she’s not there.”
Walking in the living room, Duke flung his bag on the floor and fell belly-down onto the couch. “Jess…why couldn’t you have decided last night that today was senior day? I really could have used a couple more hours to sleep in.”
“Go to sleep, man. I’ll chill down here or whatever.”
“Nope. It’s senior day, doofus.”
“When will your mom be home?” I asked as I sat in the recliner. Duke said nothing as his face formed a smirk. “Duke…what’s the matter, man?”
“Larry asked my mom to marry her,” he blurted out.
“What? Holy shit…when?”
“Yesterday.”
“So, is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
Duke rolled on his back, looking toward the ceiling. “I dunno…I want my mom to be happy. I like the guy. It’ll just be weird when he moves in here.”
“Wait, what? He’s moving in?”
“Well, yeah. Dude lives in an apartment. Besides, it would suck to move out of this place,” Duke replied.
“You’re right.”
“The last thing I want to hear is my mom getting it on with that dude. That’s so gross. Who wants to listen to that nastiness?”
“I don’t have a clue, Duke…certainly not me,” I responded with a smile, gaining his attention.
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“You’re good
, man. How do you really feel about them getting married?”
“Jessie, you’ve been hanging out with shrinks too long, bud.”
“Stop diverting, Mr. Austin,” I said sarcastically as I leaned forward.
“I just…I don’t want my dad to think I’m letting this guy take his place, ya know?”
Duke’s comment completely threw me off guard. “Isn’t your dad remarried? When was the last time you even spoke to him?”
“He called on Christmas Day. We talked for a while,” Duke muttered.
“I don’t think he’ll think you’re replacing him, man. You’re a big boy now. You know who your dad is. It may be cool to have Larry around. And besides, that dude is what, thirty? He’s a little young to try to be your dad.”
Inhaling deeply through his nostrils, Duke maneuvered his feet from the couch to the floor. “You’re right. The guy’s always been straight up with me, and he’s captain of the fire department, so he’s teaming with badassery. I’m gonna stop worrying about it and just be happy for those horny little lovebirds,” Duke proclaimed proudly with a goofy smile.
“Do you think Larry will be cool with me swinging by for my conjugal visit? You know your mom can’t live without what I’m working with.”
“I’m sure he’ll be cool with it. He might even be able to critique your technique and give you a few pointers,” Duke said, much to my disgust.
“Too much.”
Scratching his head, Duke stood from the couch, popping his neck by cracking it with his hands in quick thrusts. “Get up, Jessaroonie. Let’s go throw the pigskin and plan this senior day.”
***
“Is Lily coming over tonight?” I asked as we sat in Buffalo Wild Wings, ravaging a plate of ridiculously hot flavored wings.
“Nah, she has some big physics test tomorrow. She said she was gonna swing by, but not for long. You and Kacey hanging out?”
“Nope, her and her mom are going to have a girls’ night in. They’re gonna watch some cheesy movies. Dude, we should camp out in your living room third-grade-style. We can order pizza and play some Xbox. What say you, Mr. D?”
“Hell, yeah. Mom won’t be there more than likely. We can’t skip school tomorrow, though…not two days in a row.”
“Just first class,” I said sarcastically, biting into another wing.
“You boys are certainly a ways from home,” said a solemn-looking Ms. Davenjer as she stood over us.
“Not really, but okay,” Duke replied, wing sauce on either side of his mouth.
“Scoot, Jessie,” the woman said as she sat slid in next to me in the booth. Mrs. Davenjer was frumpy, but I always thought if she’d lose the crazy glasses and dated skirts, she’d be mildly attractive.
“You gonna rat us out?” I asked, smiling at her.
“That depends,” she muttered.
“On what?” Duke asked, his face clad with curiosity.
“On if you rat me out…I took a sick day. I needed a break from you brats. I’m also going to need to confiscate a few of those wings while I wait on my order,” she said, smiling as I slid my plate in her direction.
“Ms. Davenjer, you would take food from the mouths of two hungry and growing young men? The shame…the absolute shame.”
“Duke, buddy, no offense, but I don’t think you’re in any danger of starving anytime soon, young man.”
“That’s mean,” Duke protested with a smile. “You think I’m fat?”
“No, Duke, I think you’re nourished…and stingy with your food.” The woman smiled as Duke offered food from his plate as well.
“Holy shit!” Ms. Davenjer exclaimed, catching the attention of a few of the customers sitting near us. “What the heck did they flavor these with? Sulfuric acid?” she continued, reaching hastily for a napkin.
“You okay?” I asked, offering my glass of water.
“I’m fine…I should file charges against this place,” she said, taking my water.
“You think that’s bad…just wait until tomorrow,” Duke said crassly with a mouth full of chicken.
“You’re revolting,” Ms. Davenjer replied, shaking her head and smiling.
“But you love me…and you’ll miss me in class next year.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Dude…is that a salad bowl?” I asked of Duke as he walked into the living room from the kitchen, eating Captain Crunch.
“Yep, but if you want some, you have to get your own,” he replied, sitting next to me on the comforter we’d spread out on the floor in front of the television.
“I don’t get it, D. We literally just had pizza not even two hours ago.” His scowl informed me he didn’t necessarily care for my critique.
“It takes a lot of fuel to keep this much man going,” he said, milk dripping from his chin while he eyed the screen.
“You’re a bottomless pit. I’m glad Judy has a good job.”
“Is that your phone or mine?” he asked, chewing while a phone vibrated behind us.
“Mine…” I said, reaching for my phone. “It’s Kacey. Hello, beautiful.”
“Whatcha doin’?”
“Nothing really…gaming with Duke.”
“Are you staying there tonight?”
“Affirmative.”
“Well, can I stop by? Or would I be interrupting something?”
“Interrupting something?” As I asked this, Duke placed his hand behind my head, motioning it toward his crotch. “Stop by. We’re just playing games. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Mom decided to turn in early, and I don’t feel like going to bed yet. I thought I’d see what you were up to.”
“Pajamas and pizza. We were about to make a fort in the living room…no joke.”
“A fort? Like out of blankets and stuff?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “Just like when we were kids…Nerf and SpongeBob.”
“Oh my God, you guys are too much.”
“Come over whenever.”
“Will do. I’ll text when I leave.”
“’K.”
Hanging up the phone, I looked to a seemingly disappointed Duke, looking evil-eyed and shaking his head. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “What?”
“You have violated the pact, Jessie. No girls are allowed in the fort…ever,” he proclaimed passionately, giving me a sarcastic glare.
“Oh, yeah…I forgot. Do those rules still apply? I think we need an amendment now we’re no longer prepubescent.”
“I’ll think about it…I’m still president, so I’ll let you know my decision post Captain Crunch.”
“You’re such a dumbass.”
“Dumbass or not, I’m still the president. Deal with it, Jess.”
“Not to change the subject, but do you think Davenjer is really going to keep her mouth shut about seeing us today?” I asked.
“What?” Duke asked, his mouth full of cereal. “Dude, that woman loves us. We’re two of the only kids in her class pulling A’s, and we’re almost always there. She’s good. She gave us her word.”
“You’re right. Scarf that down…let’s grab some sheets and the kitchen chairs,” I said as Duke tipped the bowl to his mouth, gulping the milk like a five-year-old.
***
As we looked upon our masterpiece, I couldn’t help but feel like a juvenile for being so excited. The five large kitchen chairs were spread out in the living room with large white sheets laid across them and draped over the sides, clothes-pinned in place. Our fort looked much better than anything we’d constructed in our younger years.
“Instagram this awesomeness,” Duke said as we paused and posed for a ridiculous picture with our makeshift clubhouse in the background.
“I think Kacey is here,” Duke said as footsteps were heard on the front porch. I happily walked to the front door and opened it dramatically just as she was about to knock.
“Howdy,” I said as she stepped back, smiling curiously.
“Hi,” she replied, hugging me around my waist.
“Do you really sleep in this?” she asked, looking at my plaid pajama pants and Batman T-shirt.
“Nope…usually just boxers, but I don’t want to be violated during my sleep by Duke.”
“Like I’d wait until you were sleeping,” Duke replied as he walked to the doorway. “Hey, Kacey, want some pizza?”
“Hey, D…sure, I wasn’t really feeling what Mom made for supper. What kind?”
“The only kind…pepperoni,” Duke replied as he stepped aside, motioning us in.
“Oh…wow, you boys weren’t kidding. You actually built a fort. That’s…that’s cool,” Kacey said. Her face seemed unsure of what reaction to display.
“You don’t love it?” Duke asked.
“No, I do…I really do. I’m proud of both of you, seriously.”
“You want to sleep in there with us tonight?” I asked, smiling.
“Um, that wouldn’t be awkward or anything,” she replied, smirking at me.
“Then you are banished,” Duke said as he walked to the staircase. “You two don’t come looking for me anytime soon,” he said as he ascended.
I took the opportunity to grab her and kiss her, wrapping my arms around her tightly. She felt reserved, ridged almost. “You okay?” I asked, pulling away slightly.
“I’m good. I’m tired, but I’m good.”
“How was school today?” I asked, taking her hand and leading her to the couch.
“The first half was okay…I’m not too sure about the second half. I wasn’t there,” she said, smiling at the floor.
“You skipped too? That’s awesome. You could have come with us.”
“It’s okay…you need guy time,” she said softly. Her body language, the way she easily broke eye contact and failed to connect had me writhing inside. My anxiety mounting, and knowing Duke would be back down any minute, I cut the bullshit.
“You…you’ve seemed different. The last few days you’ve seemed different. Even in your texts you seem…I dunno, distant,” I said. My comment failed to capture her gaze; she continued to look toward the floor. “I get it,” I said, my throat tightening.