The Fading Trilogy: Fading, Freeing, Falling: Includes 2 BONUS short stories: Hoping and Finding Forever

by E. K. Blair

  I miss her.

  I miss everything about her, and now I need her more than ever. I need her to tell me it’s okay, that I’m okay.

  When I got my acceptance letter from the University of Washington the other week, I knew it was where I was going to go. I need to get the hell out of California and away from everything I know. I need to free my mind of the constant taunting. I just need to be free to find myself. To figure all this out. To understand why, when I was banging Carly tonight, all I could think about was Tyler. Fuck.

  I’m not a fag. That shit is sick, and it’s not me. I hate myself for even thinking that it could be. Just three more months before classes start at UW. August is when I will escape from here and finally get the headspace I need to work everything out.

  “Kimber, what’s taking you so long?”

  “Stop bitching. Just let me get my boots on, and I’ll be ready. Man, what has your panties in a twist?” she whines as she sits on the floor of her closet, zipping up her boots.

  “I’m going to say goodnight to Candace real quick. Hurry up, okay?”

  “Uuugh!” I hear her grunt as I walk down the hall to Candace’s room. When I open her door, she is sitting on her bed studying. Typical Candace. She’s focused and quiet, and she’s the sweetest girl I know. I love her more than anything. She was the first person I met and became friends with when I moved here to Seattle three years ago. We had an instant connection. In a way, she reminds me a lot of Jace in her sincerity. She made it easy for me to decide to open up to her about being gay, and she was the first person I ever told. She didn’t even think twice about it when I told her.

  “Hey, Jase,” she says as I walk into her room and sit down next to her.

  “You really should come out with us. This band is supposed to be really good.”

  “I have a lot of reading to do. Besides, I have to be at work by six tomorrow morning,” she tells me as she closes her books and slides them to the foot of the bed.

  “You know your excuses are lost on me, right?”

  She smiles, and I kiss her forehead before hugging her.

  “Stop molesting my roommate. I’m ready,” Kimber says loudly as she enters the room, flipping her bright blonde hair behind her shoulder.

  “You guys have fun. Call me tomorrow, Jase.”

  “Will do. See ya later.”

  When we arrive at Level One, the place is packed. Kimber and I head straight to the bar and waste no time downing a couple shots. The band playing tonight has brought in a large crowd. It’s the busiest I have ever seen this place.

  “They’re really good,” Kimber shouts over the music.

  Picking up the bottle of beer the bartender hands me, I nod my head and take a sip. Mark, the guy who plays guitar, is in a few of my classes; he’s an Architect major like me. We’ve never talked much, but he was the one who told me about this gig tonight. It’s hard to tell, but I get the sense that he’s gay too. I guess he’s a lot like me. Kimber and Candace told me that there’s no way they would’ve ever known unless I told them. But there’s something about Mark that makes me think I’m not wrong about my assumption.

  Kimber and I get comfortable at the bar and sit back to listen to the band play for a while. I met Kimber around the same time I met Candace. She’s a wild chick but fun as hell. I tend to go out more with Kimber, although we aren’t as close as I am with Candace. I don’t think many people have the connection that Candace and I have.

  After a couple beers and a round of pool, we find ourselves back at the bar as the band takes a short break.

  “Jase, man, you made it,” I hear from behind me.

  Setting my beer down, I turn and Mark has sidled up next to me. “Yeah, I’ve been here before. Never knew you played here.”

  He nods at the bartender and then looks back at me. “Dude, we play everywhere we can get a decent gig. We’ve been here before, just not a lot.”

  The bartender hands him a bottle of beer, and I catch myself staring as he takes a long swig. His build is similar to mine, so I know he must hit the gym as often as I do by the way his sweaty shirt is clinging to him. Damn. I take another sip and look down the bar at Kimber, who is scoring a free drink from a loser who thinks he has a chance with her. I laugh and shake my head when I hear Mark ask, “You here by yourself?”

  “No, but she’s left me to sexually harass anyone she can,” I joke.

  “My type of girl.”

  Shit. I was wrong.

  After taking another gulp of his beer, he sets his bottle down and cocks his head before saying, “If I was into girls.”

  “No?” I ask for clarification.

  Turning to lean his back against the bar, he looks at the stage as he says, “Nah, man.”

  “Good to know,” I respond, and when he looks back at me, he gives a sexy side grin that lets me know he understood what I meant.

  “So, you sticking around?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. We have one more set for the night.” He turns around and calls for another beer. When he gets it, he looks my way. “I’ll catch you after?”

  “Yeah.”

  He nods before heading back to the stage to join the rest of the band that is already up there.

  Ever since I moved away from La Jolla and came to Seattle, I have been trying to figure out who I am. I was really confused before coming here, but after seeing the reaction from telling Candace and then Kimber, which was hardly even a reaction at all, I felt a huge boulder being lifted off my shoulders. Candace encouraged me to be myself and not hide while I was here. No one knew me, and it was a fresh start.

  Putting myself out there was difficult at first. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing and always felt awkward. But I figure that is how most people are when they start dating, even straight people. Even though I screwed around a lot in high school, it was never what I really wanted. I barely felt anything, other than disgusted. I think I was more disgusted with myself for using all those girls. Now that I’m here, I’ve been more comfortable with myself. The misery that I used to feel back home isn’t so mind-consuming.

  I’ve casually been with a lot of guys but haven’t found myself in any serious relationship yet. I have been having fun and enjoying college life, not taking anything too seriously. But watching Mark on stage with his guitar slung low on his body, working the fret board, I wonder what it is about him that makes me want to keep my eyes fixed on him.

  “He’s fucking hot,” I hear Kimber say. I didn’t even know she had sat back down next to me; I’ve been so zoned out.

  “Who?”

  Rolling her eyes, she says, “Don’t be stupid. The guitarist you haven’t taken your eyes off of for the past five minutes.”

  “His name’s Mark.”

  “You know him?”

  “We have classes together,” I say as I turn my attention back to him.

  “Gay?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Well that sucks,” she pouts, and I have to laugh at her.

  “Only for you,” I playfully tease.

  She nods her head as she continues to listen to the song they’re playing. They have a unique alternative sound and can clearly draw in a crowd. As they finish the song, Kimber turns to me while asking, “How much longer do you want to stay?”

  “A while. I told Mark I’d stay to the end of their set. Why?”

  “I’m a little tired. I think I’m just gonna grab a cab. It’s getting late.”

  “You sure?”

  Looking at me and smiling, she teases, “Yeah. I’m not gonna stick around and cock block you like you did me the other night.”

  “You’re full of shit,” I laugh as I shake my head at her.

  She smiles at me and gives me a hug before she heads out.

  About a half hour and several songs later, the band is packing up their equipment before the next one takes the stage. Walking over to me, Mark hands his guitar case to the bartender who sets it against the back wall an
d then hands him another beer. He introduces me to Chasten, the drummer, who comes over to say bye before he leaves with the rest of the guys.

  “So, are you from around here?” he asks.

  “California. I grew up near San Diego. What about you?”

  “I’m from Ohio. All my family is there. I just really needed a change of scenery, mostly people, so I came here.”

  Nodding my head, I tell him, “Sounds like me, man. You go home often?”

  “Try to. I have two younger sisters that I’m close with, so I like to get back there a few times a year to visit. What about you? Any brothers or sisters?”

  “A sister,” is all I say. Mentioning her always brings a burn to my tightening throat. So, I leave it and move on. “You guys are pretty good. How long have you been playing?”

  “We’ve played together for a couple years now.” He takes a swig of his beer and continues to talk about how the band got started and some of the gigs they have played.

  Talking with him is easy and we casually go back and forth, getting to know each other. I’ve never really noticed his green eyes until now, not that I’ve ever had the chance to. We’ve had some classes together for the past three years, but our paths never crossed enough to allow for more than just brief interactions, but he’s sexy as hell.

  After a while, we realize it’s getting late, so Mark grabs his guitar as we head out into the parking lot to leave. He walks over to his white Range Rover that is parked a few spaces away from my SUV. Following him, he slides his guitar into the back seat and turns to face me when I ask, “So, you got any plans this weekend?”

  Shutting the door and leaning against his car, he says, “No, not really.”

  “You wanna get a bite to eat tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, that sounds good. Dinner?”

  “Eastlake?”

  I see a hint of a smirk when he says, “Sure.”

  God, I want to kiss him, but for some reason I’m hesitant, so I don’t. We exchange numbers and say goodnight before I turn to my car. When I hop in and turn the key, a pang of anticipation hits me, and I wonder what’s different about this guy that is sparking this eagerness in me.

  “So, who’s this guy you’re going out with tonight?” I ask Candace as she flops down on the couch next to me.

  “Kaleb. He used to work at the coffee shop a while ago. We ran into each other the other day.”

  “Hmm.”

  She tilts her head at me and asks, “What?”

  Candace is a serial dater. One date then she is done. She’s always been closed off with guys and never really cares enough to get to know them.

  “I don’t know why you even waste your time.” I try and soften my remark by reaching my arm around her and bringing her closer to me.

  “Honestly . . . I don’t know either.”

  Kissing the top of her head, I joke, “I think you just like free dinners.”

  We both laugh while we shift to lie down on the couch. I love this girl; I always have. I can share things with her that I never could with anyone else. She never judges.

  Our physical relationship has always been a part of who we are together. We often sleep in the same bed, and I honestly think I give her something she has always lacked in her life—affection. I’ve never met her parents, but from what she has told me, they are pretentious assholes and have always treated her like shit. Although she dates a lot, I know I’m the only man in her life that she allows this affection from.

  “What do you have going on tonight?” she mumbles with her head on my chest.

  “I’ve got a date myself.”

  “Really? With who?”

  “This guy named Mark. We’ve had a few classes together. He plays guitar in the band that Kimber and I went to go see last night.”

  “That’s hot,” she says with a giggle.

  “I know.”

  Just like Candace, I’m a serial dater too. Hookups are kinda my thing. I’ve never even brought a guy around Candace. It’s one thing for her to know I’m gay, but I feel weird having her see me that way. I know this is who I am, but in a way, I still don’t think I’ve completely accepted it.

  “So what are you guys doing?”

  “Just grabbing a bite at Eastlake,” I say.

  Shifting herself tightly against me, she laughs a little when she says, “So, tell me how hot he is.”

  “Hot enough that you’d take a second date with him if he were straight.” I turn into her before saying, “Now shut up, and let’s take a quick nap before you have to go.”

  “Fine,” she whines, and I lean down to give her a quick kiss on the head.

  Hopping out of the shower, I feel that pang of excitement again. I sling my towel around my waist and head into the kitchen to get a beer to try and settle what’s going on inside of me.

  I throw a little gel into my hair and grab a pair of jeans and an old UW t-shirt. I down the rest of my beer, take my keys, and head out towards the elevator. I shoot Candace a quick text.

  Call me when you get home tonight.

  It doesn’t take her long to reply.

  Okay. Have fun. I love you.

  Love you too.

  On the drive to the restaurant, I can’t get the images of Mark last night out of my head. Normally, I would have gone in for a kiss, but something about him made me nervous. I try not to think about it too much when I walk in and spot Mark already sitting at a table. I make my way over and take a seat.

  “Hey. Been here long?” I say.

  “Nah, just got here. I ordered a couple beers.”

  “Thanks.” God, he looks good in an old, worn Mudhoney shirt that fits snug across his chest.

  “So, what did you do today?”

  “Not much, man.” The waiter comes by and drops off our beers as I continue, “Just hung out with one of my friends. That’s all. You?”

  “About the same. Hit the gym and hung out.”

  “What gym do you go to?”

  “I’m doing Crossfit at The Rock right now,” he says before taking a swig of his beer.

  “Yeah, I’ve heard about that place. I’m a member at the Athletic Club. It’s a little closer to me.”

  “I need to check that place out now that the summer is winding down. I usually workout on campus during the school year, but always do Crossfit in the summer.”

  Knowing that I already want to see him again, I offer, “You should tag along with me Monday morning.”

  “Really?” he asks as he sets his beer down.

  “Yeah, I’m normally up there by seven.”

  He nods his head and says with a slight grin, “I’ll meet you there.”

  Conversation with him is comfortable as we continue to talk about school and what our plans are after we graduate this next year. I never really care to chat too much with the guys I see, but Mark is pretty cool.

  “Did you have a busy summer?” I ask after the waiter drops off our food.

  “Not too bad. We’ve been playing a lot more gigs, so it keeps me busy. What about you?”

  Setting my beer down, I say, “I pretty much hung low. Took some day trips down to Westport to do some surfing.”

  “How long have you surfed?”

  “My whole life. I grew up next to the beach, so it has always been a part of me. I don’t do much of it anymore though since it takes almost three hours to get to a decent spot to paddle out,” I tell him and then ask, “You ever been?”

  “Surfing? No,” he laughs. “I’m from Ohio, remember? The only thing we do in the water is sail and fish.”

  He has a beautiful smile, and I can’t help the one that crosses my face when he looks the way he does right now. “Well, maybe one day I’ll get you on a board.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up,” he chuckles.

  We eat a long dinner and take our time getting to know each other.

  After paying the tab, we walk out into the misty night, and I follow Mark to his car. Before he opens his door, he turns around,
and says, “So, I guess I’ll see you Monday.”

  “Yeah,” I respond as I step closer to him and brace my hand on the car next to his shoulder. I wanted to kiss him last night, but fuck if I don’t feel those same nerves again right now. Nerves I never feel when I’m with a guy. Shoving them down, I lean in, and I’m relieved when Mark wraps his hand around my neck and pulls me into him, pressing his lips against mine. We stand there in the light rain and kiss, all the while, the anxiety that rushes through me has me on edge. He crushes his mouth against mine, and I thrust my tongue past his lips and slide it against his. My body is pressed firmly against him, and I’m getting myself too worked up, so I pull back.

  Not releasing his grip on my neck, I stare at him, and he gives me a slight grin when he brings me back to him and kisses me again. This time, soft. Our lips just rest on each other’s for a moment before he drags his off of mine.

  “See you Monday?” he says in a low voice.

  Stepping back, I nod and respond, “I’ll call you.”

  He smiles and then turns as he opens his door and hops into his SUV.

  The intensity that’s rolling through my body makes me want to drive straight to his house and continue what we just started here in this parking lot. I get in my car and am knocked out of my indecent thoughts when I hear my phone chime. I take it out of my pocket and read a text from Candace.

  Just got home. How was your date?