By The Moon (Live By Night #3)

Chapter Two

J erome watched his latest and now ex-boyfriend leave and sighed in relief. He wasn’t sure why he couldn’t go beyond kissing with the men he was with, but as soon as they wanted more, he broke out in a cold sweat and backed away. They usually left at some point when he wouldn’t put out, and Den was the last in a what felt like a long line of men. It was actually three, but still.

Maybe it was because of him . The man he’d met when he was younger, the one who had saved him. There was something about him. Something that had made Jerome dream of him, of them both. Naked, under the sheets, kissing and touching, licking and fucking.

He’d never had sex, never had a hand job, but he wanted them all with his mysterious savior. Could meeting someone for a few minutes make you avoid all men? Jerome believed so. The man who he’d met, the one he was sure had comforted him when his mom had passed, was the only one Jerome wanted. He tried with men, but nothing worked even when he’d been desperate for something. A spark of lust, of arousal, but nothing happened.

Here he was. Single. Again.

He didn’t care, not that much.

Standing, Jerome left his dorm room and knocked on the door of the room next door. His friend Sage bunked there and hated Stan, his roommate. He hated him so much he faked a break in so he could destroy Stan’s work.

Jerome hadn’t agreed, especially as he knew how much time and effort went into assignments. Sage was unrepentant, and that was when he found out his roommate had come onto him one night and Sage had had to physically fight him off. A kick to the nuts had done the job. Sage had asked to transfer but there had been nowhere to go, so he was stuck.

Sage opened the door, glanced up and down the hallway. “Come in.”

Jerome entered and winced. Sage’s side of the room was neat and tidy. The other side… not so much. There was food all over the floor, dirty clothes, papers, notes, books, used glasses, cups and more as well. Jerome skirted the edge of the destruction and sat on Sage’s bed.

“Is anything living in there?”

“I heard rustling the other night so who the fuck knows? The dirty bastard.”

“Still giving you problems?”

Jerome moved back on the bed until he reached the wall and leaned against it as Sage answered. “He likes to walk around naked and don’t ask me how I know he doesn’t clean his ass after taking a shit.”

“Sage. You need to speak to someone.”

“Don’t you think I haven’t tried that like a thousand times already? There is nowhere else for me to go. I even said I’d sleep on the floor, but nope. Rules and regulations and health and safety. Blah fucking blah.” Sage dropped onto the bed next to him, his blond hair falling over his forehead. He moved it out of the way and glared at the mess across from them, his blue eyes growing frosty. “I hope he falls and breaks his legs.”

“Sage—”

“Don’t give me the ‘don’t be mean’ talk. You don’t have to live in this. I’ve taken photos and shown them what it’s like. All they did was issue a warning. Pretty sure I saw a cockroach the other day, but if I complain too much they’ll have a word with me.” Sage kicked some of the shit on the floor. “Where’s what’s his face?”

Jerome sighed because he knew why. “We broke up.”

“No surprise there.” Sage gave Jerome a pointed look. “It’s him. Your mystery man.”

“I don’t even know who he is,” Jerome murmured, then pulled his feet back when he heard rustling from the other side of the room. “You know what? Grab some things and crash with us. Alan won’t mind.”

“Yeah he’s good, you know and I think he hates dickhead as much as we do.”

Jerome scooted off the bed and almost jumped over the disgusting pile of crap on the floor. He waited as Sage packed a few things, including his college work, and left the room. Back inside Jerome’s, he created some space on his desk and let Sage use it.

“It even smells better in here.” Sage dropped his bag and stretched. “Aren’t you going home this weekend?’

“Just grabbing a few more things then I’ll be on my way. You’re welcome to stay the weekend. You know Alan doesn’t mind.” Alan was Jerome’s roommate and an all-around nice guy, who detested Stan as much as Sage did.

“I like Alan. Nice guy who just goes with the flow.”

Jerome pulled his backpack out from under his bed and finished putting his work inside. He’d packed it earlier and was waiting to see what would happen with Den. He knew, but still he’d wanted to see what would happen.

After sending a quick message to Alan to let him know Sage was staying, Jerome picked up his bag. “I’ll be back Sunday.”

“Make sure you hit the clubs.”

Laughing, Jerome fist bumped Sage and left the dorm, taking the elevator down to the front. His dad, Shaun, sat waiting outside and as soon as Jerome got in the car, he drove off. “How was it?”

“Good. Glad to be home though.” Jerome waited a beat, then added, “Den broke up with me.”

“His loss.” Shaun grunted. “The right man will come along, son. Just you wait and see.” As Shaun drove, he asked, “Going out tonight?”

“I need a night out,” Jerome mused. Grinning at Shaun, he asked, “What if I don’t come home?”

“I’d say good because your sister is home too.”

“No,” Jerome wailed then laughed. “Final year stress. Not looking forward to it.”

“You with biochemistry, Candice with molecular biology and me somehow managing to get a high school diploma.”

“We’re only where we are because of you and Mom. You gave us everything we needed to be where we are today. Wasn’t it you who always told us to not put ourselves down?”

“Don’t use my words against me, boy.” Shaun grinned. “You going to Craig’s?”

“Yeah. A few of us are going over to his house. Might play some games, you know.”

“Hmm. I know. I was your age once.”

Jerome and Shaun talked on the drive home and, at some point, Jerome fell asleep. He was nudged awake by Shaun and sat up, seeing his home in front of him. “I fell asleep?”

“Didn’t take long, and you needed it. I even stopped at McD’s and you didn’t wake up.”

“Damn. I must have been tired.” Jerome got out of the car, yawned and stretched, then grabbed his bag from the back seat. Following Shaun inside, he went to his bedroom and emptied his bag, grabbing his dirty clothes and putting them in the utility room. One bonus of going home was making sure all his clothes were washed. Not that he didn’t do laundry at college, but there was something about being home and having them cleaned there.

Seeing the items he’d packed for hitting the clubs later, Jerome smiled. Maybe it was time to put his mystery man from his mind, but when he thought about it, he lost his breath. What was it about the man who’d saved him that night? Why did Jerome always think about him?

“Jerome!”

Jerome shook his head and jogged downstairs and into the kitchen. Shaun had put a coffee on the counter for him, and some chocolate. “Thanks Dad. I need this.”

“I’m making quesadillas for dinner.”

“Nice. Haven’t had them in a while. Food at college isn’t great.” That made Jerome remember the food package that had mysteriously arrived for him the week before. It wasn’t the first time, either. “I meant to thank you for the food you sent.”

“Wasn’t me this time.” Shaun arched an eyebrow. “Seems you have an admirer.”

“Who sends me food?” Not that he was really complaining. The food had lasted him all week. “It had all my faves in it, too,” he mumbled around a piece of chocolate he’d shoved in his mouth.

“An admirer and a stalker?” Shaun looked at Jerome. “Just to be safe, keep your eyes open when you’re out.”

“It isn’t the first time.”

“You’ve mentioned it happening before, but you still need to be careful.”

“I will. Did I tell you Sage is staying in my place this weekend?”

“The school needs to sort that shit out. He shouldn’t be afraid to stay in his own room because of his roommate. He said no and now look what he’s dealing with.”

“I was in there earlier. I’m pretty sure there is something living under his bed. Sage’s side is clean and tidy, but Stan’s side…” Jerome shivered. “I had to be careful where I stood.”

“He needs to take photos and show them what he’s living with.”

“You think he hasn’t?” Jerome shook his head. “The place was clean for a week then went downhill again and Sage had to deal with more abuse. He told me earlier this week he’s considering changing schools. Me and Alan talked about Sage crashing at ours. It would be crowded but we’d manage.”

“None of you should have to put up with him.” Shaun almost spat the word out. “Have Sage’s parents been in contact?”

“No, because he hasn’t said anything. They talk when they have to.” Sage didn’t have the best home life, so the less contact he made with his parents, the better. Sage only told Jerome small things, but it was enough for Jerome to understand some people should never be parents. Just because you could didn’t mean you should.

“Next time you come home, bring him with you.”

“Thanks, Dad. I will.” Shoving another piece of chocolate in his mouth, Jerome asked, “When we going to eat?”

“When Candice has finished her assignment.” Shaun side eyed Jerome. “You could go and say hello to her.”

“And disturb her when she’s working? I hate it when someone does it to me.”

“I’m finished anyway.” Candice walked into the kitchen, her long dark curls bouncing around her head, and gave Jerome a hug. “How are classes?”

“Hard, a lot of information, but good. I like it. Exams?” Jerome sympathized. He had exams coming up, but these were Candice's final year ones so there was more pressure.

“Soon, the same as you.” Candice snatched a piece of Jerome’s chocolate and popped in her mouth. “I heard Sage mentioned. I like him.”

“He likes you too.” Jerome waggled his eyebrows and jumped out of the way when Candice went to hit him.

“Not like that and you know it.”

“I think I’ll get the food started.” Shaun gave them both a look.

“I’ll do the salad.” Jerome rushed over to the fridge, nudging Candice out of the way. “I called it!”

“You big kid!” Candice tried to push him but Jerome refused to move.

“Jerome can do the salad and Candice can help me prepare the veggies and cheese.”

Jerome grinned at Candice, who flipped him off. He grabbed what he needed from the fridge and spent the next few minutes making the salad. By the time he was done, he could smell food cooking and his stomach rumbled. Damn, he was starving. Nothing beat home cooking.

Once everything was cooked, they sat and ate, talking about friends they knew, people from their classes. After everything had been cleaned and put away, Jerome went to his bedroom to shower and change. Staring at his reflection in the mirror, Jerome nodded to himself. Not too bad.

In the living room, Shaun looked him up and down. “Craig’s, huh?”

“Yes, and we may do something after.” His phone beeped telling him his cab had arrived. “See ya later!” Shaun followed him outside and Jerome shook his head. “I’ll be fine, Dad.”

“Make sure you are and take things with you.”

Jerome rolled his eyes. “I’m going out with friends. Why do I need to take things? I’m not hitting the clubs, you know.”

“Really? Like I wasn’t your age once. Be careful.”

Jerome waved and got in the car. Time to have some fun.