Just Making Out

by Mark Roeder

“You could have asked. It’s not a secret. Surely, you had it figured out.”

  “Yeah. I’m not surprised. Damn, I think the whole world is gay except for you and me, Jon.”

  “That should solve the overpopulation problem then,” Ethan said. “Actually, if it’s up to Brandon and Jon to reproduce, we’ll probably go extinct as a species.”

  “Yeah,” Brendan said, “we’ll probably have to pinch hit for them. I mean, what girl would want that?” Brendan nodded his head toward Brandon and Jon.

  “Hey! Insults are our turf! Back off!” Brandon said.

  “Yeah, you’re working our side of the street!” Jon said.

  Ethan and Brendan just looked at each other and mouthed, “Too easy.”

  “Don’t you just hate it when homos try to be witty,” Brandon said to Jon.

  “I sure do. They should stick to what they know—like decorating, hairdressing, and giving blowjobs. Let’s go where we’re appreciated, Brandon.”

  “If there is such a place,” I said.

  Brandon flipped me off but couldn’t help but grin. He and Jon walked away, pretending to be incensed.

  “Well, there goes the entertainment,” Ethan said.

  “We can always watch Tim and Dane,” Nathan said.

  “Nah, I’m tired of that show.”

  Tim and Dane departed before the end of the lunch period as they had a habit of doing. They probably went to a quiet corner somewhere to steal a few kisses, although I couldn’t imagine where they could find a quiet corner in or near the cafeteria. With everyone talking, silverware clinking, chairs scooting on the floor, and people coming and going, it was sometimes hard to carry on a conversation.

  Marc closed his hand over mine. I looked at him and grinned. Damn, I wanted him! I wanted him right then and there. I wanted to throw him onto the table and climb right on top of him. That would sure cause a stir! I could just imagine what Brandon and Jon would have to say about that! Marc made me feel aggressive. He liked it kind of rough. Marc and I had only hooked up twice: once in my car and once with Blake. Marc had proven to be very sexual. I think you could describe the three-way as dom/sub, although sub didn’t properly describe Marc. He had the submissive role in that he was the bottom and both Blake and I were rough with him, yet there wasn’t really anything submissive about him. Someone smarter than I could explain it better, but I’m a jock, so what do you expect?

  Near the end of lunch, Marc and I took our trays up together. Marc was telling me about skateboarding and trying to get me to join him sometime. I kind of wanted to, but I’d never skated. I just knew I’d spend more time on my ass than I would on the board.

  I spotted Tristan and Nate speaking quietly together a short distance away. I had the strongest urge to go over and shove Nate away from Tristan. I guess I didn’t have my jealousy very well under control.

  “Ignore them,” Marc said. “Come on.”

  Marc pulled me up the hallway, talking and laughing as we passed Tristan and Nate. It was all for their benefit. I didn’t look to see if Tristan noticed us. I didn’t want him to know I cared.

  “What do you think about my performance,” Marc said as we head on up the hall.

  “Just now, or the other night in car?”

  “Both.”

  “Incredible,” I said, devouring him with my eyes.

  “You look like you want to rape me,” Marc said.

  “Well, not rape you, but…I was having a little fantasy earlier about taking you right on the table in the cafeteria.”

  “Mmm, that would be hot, but then Mr. Kerr would come over and say, “Gentlemen, I’m sorry, but P.D.A. is not allowed.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what he’d say,” I said, laughing. “Damn, I want you.”

  “Maybe after school?”

  “I have work.”

  “Well, I could come over after work. We could at least make out on your couch.”

  “That might drive me insane, but yes, I get off at nine.”

  “Interesting choice of words.”

  I grinned.

  “You are so bad.”

  “Yeah, and you love it.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  ***

  Work went well. I was lucky to have a job, or rather two jobs, that I liked. I didn’t want to keep working at Ofarim’s and Café Moffatt for my entire life, but both had pleasant atmospheres, easygoing bosses, and generally friendly customers. I felt a little odd serving guys on my football team, but then most of them worked similar jobs, too. They sometimes gave me a hard time, but it was all in fun, and it made the time pass faster.

  Brendan and Casper came in at about eight for ice cream. They shared a banana split. I gazed at them longingly as they talked and laughed together. That’s what I wanted with Tristan. Brendan and Casper had been together quite awhile now. They weren’t all over each other like my brother and his boyfriend, but it was obvious they loved each other. They seemed an unlikely pair. Brendan was a muscular jock, and Casper was so small he looked younger than his sixteen years—make that seventeen—Casper had celebrated a birthday less than a week ago. Brendan was almost two years older than Casper, but he looked four or five years older. The actual difference in their ages wasn’t all that much, but I wondered what they’d do after Brendan graduated in a few weeks. Casper was a sophomore and had two more years of school left.

  Ofarim’s usually cleared out near closing time. When only Brendan and Casper were left, I walked over to their booth.

  “How’s the loft coming along?” Brendan asked.

  “Not bad. We’re still missing quite a few things, but nothing we can’t live without. Tristan helped me pick out some stuff…”

  I trailed off. Talking about Tristan made me sad. Why did I have it so bad for him?

  “Our social worker dropped in to check on us. She liked what we’d done with the place.”

  “So what’s up with you and Marc?” Casper asked. “Is he your new friend, boyfriend, or boy toy?” Casper grinned.

  “A little of each,” I said. “We’re kind of dating. We haven’t known each other long, and we’re just seeing where things go.”

  “I like his openness,” Brendan said. “He’s funny, too.”

  “Yeah, and sexy.”

  “I never notice things like that,” Brendan said.

  “Liar,” Casper teased.

  “Okay, I noticed. So what about you and Tristan?”

  “I don’t know. He seems much more interested in Nate than me. I guess we’re still friends. Well, we’re definitely not enemies. I just…I don’t know. Marc knows how I feel about Tristan.”

  “You don’t have to explain it to us,” Brendan said.

  “I know. I just…life’s really complicated.”

  “Doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.”

  “Yeah, and Marc is definitely fun.”

  “I guess your sex life is no longer a problem,” Brendan said. “The tone of your voice just then spoke volumes.”

  I grinned.

  “Yeah. That part of my life has sure improved. I thought for sure I’d die a virgin.”

  “I think everyone does,” Brendan said. “I know I did.”

  “You? I figured you always had guys crawling all over you.”

  “Nope. Most everyone assumed I was heterosexual. That kept any guy who might have been interested at bay. It was frustrating at the time, but it worked out for the best.”

  Brendan took Casper’s hand and held it. They smiled at each other.

  “Now I’ve got him, and I’m not letting him get away,” Casper said.

  “I wouldn’t if I was you. I doubt Brendan will let you get away, either.”

  “Not a chance.”

  “If Jon was here, he’d accuse you guys of being sickeningly sweet.”

  “Yeah, maybe Ofarim’s should hire Jon and Brandon to perform. Just give them a booth and let them go at each other. You could advertise it as dinner theatre.”

  “No kidding. I th
ought it was hilarious that Marc suspected they were a couple.”

  “Well, if I didn’t know better, I might think that myself. I’m afraid they both have terminal heterosexuality, though.”

  “Yeah, too bad there isn’t a cure for that. Such a pity,” I said.

  “I just hope neither of them gets himself into trouble,” Brendan said.

  “Surely they’re smart enough to use protection.”

  “Yeah, but even that isn’t a hundred-percent safe. Could you imagine either of them as a father, especially now?”

  “Scary,” I said.

  “No one has it easy. Just think about Stephanie.”

  “Yeah, her baby is what, like eight-months old now? Can you imagine having a kid to take care of while you’re still in high school?”

  “He’s so cute,” Brendan said. “He has the most beautiful eyes and the most beautiful blond hair. Of course, I’m partial to blonds.” Brendan looked at Casper, who grinned.

  “Has she told anyone who the father is?” I asked.

  “Who knows? I’ve heard it’s the soccer coach, and someone said it was Devon. Stephanie isn’t saying, so I doubt we’ll ever know for sure.”

  “Yeah. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about becoming a father.”

  “Have you and Marc been trying?” Brendan asked mischievously.

  “Just once, but we intend to try a lot harder.” I laughed. “Do not tell Tim I said that.”

  “Yeah, Dane and Tim were practically having sex at lunch today,” Casper said.

  “Maybe we should keep a bucket of cold water at the table to throw on them,” I suggested.

  “Do you think they’d notice?” Casper asked.

  “Probably not.”

  Brendan and Casper departed about ten minutes before closing, and I continued cleaning up. I almost always worked ahead with cleaning and shutting things down so I didn’t have to stay too long after we closed. No one else came in, so it didn’t take me long at all to get things in order. I locked up and hurried home.

  Marc was sitting on the couch talking to Tim when I arrived. I smiled when I spotted him.

  “Ten more minutes and I would have put the moves on your boy toy,” Tim said.

  “I thought Shawn was my boy toy,” Marc said.

  “I could believe that, Tim, if you weren’t head over heels in love with Dane.”

  “We did think about pretending to make out when you walked in,” Marc said. “I was afraid you might not realize it was a joke, though, and I wasn’t sure how I’d convince you.”

  “Probably a wise choice,” I said.

  “Hey, is Dane okay?” I asked Tim. “He seemed a little messed up today, well, except at lunch when you two were fawning over each other.”

  “I have some big news for you concerning Dane, and it’s not good news,” Tim said. “This cannot leave this room, however.”

  “Okay.”

  “Boothe is back in town—or at least he was.”

  “What? Did Dane call the cops?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Shut up, and I’ll tell you. Dane thought he saw Boothe yesterday afternoon when I was walking him home from school, but he wasn’t sure. Anyway, this morning on the way to school Boothe ambushed him, made him get in his truck, and took him out into the country.”

  “Shit. Is Dane okay? Did Boothe hurt him? Did he…”

  “Shut up, will you? He didn’t hurt him, except for punching him a couple times and slapping him around.”

  “Why didn’t Dane call the cops? I’m calling the cops.”

  “Shawn! Chill!”

  Marc looked as though he didn’t know quite what to think. I was on the verge of freaking out, and I didn’t understand why Tim was being so calm nor why the authorities hadn’t been notified.

  “Boothe just wanted to talk. Well, he wanted Dane’s help.”

  “His help? Why the hell would Dane do anything for that bastard?”

  “I’m trying to tell you.”

  “Okay. Okay.”

  “This is where it gets interesting and weird. Boothe asked Dane if a ghost had come after him.”

  “A ghost?”

  “Yeah, a ghost, from when they robbed graves.”

  “They robbed graves?” Marc asked. “Are you shitting me?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “I mean no. Boothe was a grave robber, and Dane worked for him for a while the summer he ran away from home and ended up in Verona.”

  “Wow.”

  “Boothe was serious about this? Was he drunk or high?”

  “He was deadly serious, and he was not drunk or high. He said he wanted Dane to help him figure out how to get rid of this ghost or something like that. He’d said the ghost would be after Dane, too, and soon.”

  “Boothe is messed up.”

  “That’s my guess,” Tim said, “but Dane said he didn’t seem messed up, other than talking about the ghost.”

  “Okay, so why didn’t Dane call the cops? Boothe is dangerous.”

  “That’s what I said, but Dane said that if Boothe wanted to hurt him, he could have done so when he had him out in the middle of nowhere. He figures he’s safe. Boothe split anyway. He’s not stupid enough to stay around.”

  “He’s coming back, though? You said he wanted Dane’s help?”

  “Boothe wasn’t very clear on that, but Dane figures he’ll be back. How else could Dane help him with his ghost problem?”

  “Boothe has finally just fucking lost it. Seriously, I’m calling the cops. Boothe is obviously nuts, and he is wanted.”

  “I don’t know if Dane will like that.”

  “Tough. Boothe could come back and kill him or something.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re calling the cops. I wanted to, but Dane made me promise not to. I was hoping you would, but remember it was not my idea.”

  “Your wish is granted. Marc, this shouldn’t take long. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. This Boothe sounds like bad news.”

  “Of the worst sort.”

  I made the call while Tim and Marc talked. There wasn’t much the cops could do, of course, but I was told they’d be on the lookout for Boothe. I didn’t give them any details other than that Dane had seen Boothe and he was sure it was him. I didn’t want to cause Dane any problems, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to just sit and do nothing.

  “You look stressed,” Marc said when I returned to the couch.

  “I have homework,” Tim said, winking.

  Marc moved in on me and pressed his lips to mine. We started making out, and my worries over Dane left me. I concentrated solely on Marc—the taste and texture of his lips and tongue, the feel of his body as it pressed against mine, his erection as it fought to escape from his pants. All the kissing, hugging, and groping drove me insane with lust, but it relaxed me in other ways. Besides, arousal isn’t an unpleasant feeling. It was rather exquisite, actually. I just thought of making out with Marc as a way to sexually torment myself until we could really go at it.

  Still, I was sorely tempted to tell Tim he could have Dane in his room with the door closed for an hour if I could do the same with Marc. I had to be strong, however. I had responsibilities. I had to think with my mind and not my penis. At the moment, my penis was screaming for attention, but I willed myself to do what I thought was right.

  “We could drive somewhere,” I said after we’d been making out for an hour. “We could park somewhere dark again and…”

  “I have to be home soon. Sorry.”

  “Damn. I think you just like tormenting me.”

  “Oh, I do, and I want you all worked up for the next time we can get naked together.”

  “If I’m this worked up, I’ll explode before I can get it in.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be good for another round,” Marc said and kissed me again.

  We made out a little while longer, then Marc got up.

  “I’ll drive you home,” I said.

/>   “Walk me home.”

  “Are you afraid I’ll molest you in the car?”

  “No. I’m afraid I’ll like it too much, we’ll be late, and Mom will think I’ve been kidnapped. Besides, I want to walk with you under the stars.”

  “It’s started raining, Marc. We won’t be able to see the stars.”

  “They’re still there, silly, whether we can see them or not.”

  Marc and I put on our jackets. I grabbed an umbrella for us to share. I called out to Tim that I’d be back in a few, and then Marc and I set out.

  It was chilly, but warmer than it had been recently, despite the cold rain. We were just barely into the second half of March. I couldn’t wait for spring and warmer weather, but it was quite a pleasant night. I took Marc’s hand, and he leaned his head against my shoulder. The rain fell down all around us, but we were safe and dry under the umbrella.

  “I could really grow to like you,” I said.

  “Grow to like me. You don’t already?”

  I could hear the smile in Marc’s voice.

  “Of course, I like you already. I just mean I could grow to like you even more.”

  “Maybe Tristan has more competition than he thought.”

  “Yeah, I still can’t get him out of my mind, though. I want you to know that.”

  “I know. You already told me.”

  “I just want to make sure.”

  “It’s okay, Shawn. I know how you feel about him. I don’t expect us to get serious. I don’t even want to get serious with anyone right now.”

  “I just want to be honest.”

  “You always have been…honest and sexy.”

  “Damn, I wish we could be alone.”

  “Honest, sexy, and horny.”

  “Especially the last.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Waiting only makes it better.”

  “Maybe, but I’d rather do it all the time.”

  “I bet you would.”

  We reached Marc’s home all too quickly. I pulled him to me and gave him a lingering kiss. I stood there in the darkness and watched him until he walked inside. I turned and headed for home. Why couldn’t I have this with Tristan? Why did he want Nate instead of me? Why couldn’t I just forget about Tristan and date Marc? Marc wasn’t looking for anything serious right now, but that could change. I liked him better every time we met. If Tristan waited too long to notice me, he might just find he’d waited until it was too late.