Chapter Ten #2
Dean hesitated. “I’ll need two tickets, but before you start hearing wedding bells—and don’t deny it, because that’s what you did every single time I dated anyone in Chicago—it’s sort of… complicated.”
“Ooh, now I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”
“He’s not exactly my date.”
“This gets better and better. So what is he then?”
“He’s more like the eighteen-year-old ex-student whose dad is making me a new canoe.”
A pause. “Keep going, because I know there’s more to come. I can hear it in your voice.”
“Only if you promise to listen without comment till I’m finished.”
“You got it.”
Dean told him everything, and true to his word, Adrian listened without a single interruption. When he was through, Dean fell silent.
“Wow.”
“That’s all I get?” Dean demanded incredulously. “Wow?”
“No, seriously, I’m impressed.” Adrian chuckled. “By your stamina, if nothing else. Because to keep up with the potential sexual Olympics that will undoubtedly be a major factor in a relationship with an eighteen-year-old…”
Dean snorted. “You make it sound like we’re going to be fucking every hour on the hour.”
“No, it will only feel that way,” Adrian quipped. “But hey, go for it.” Another pause. “Please, tell me he’s not some pimple-covered kid with a huge dick and no brain.”
Dean let out a mock gasp. “Ouch. That’s harsh. And here was I thinking you were my friend.”
“I am!” Adrian protested. “And I’m teasing. So what is he like?”
“Oh, Ade. He’s beautiful. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s talented.” And Dean wanted to know more of him.
“But he’s got a tiny dick. I’m reading between the lines here because you left that part out.”
Dean laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, but no. He’s got a gorgeous dick.”
“And I get to meet him, right? Because you’re going to bring him to the party after the show, aren’t you?” It might have sounded like a question, but Dean knew better.
It was a summons.
“Okay, I’ll bring him. I’ll make sure he doesn’t drink.” The last thing Dean wanted was Adrian getting in trouble with the cops. “And if you say the word, I’ll bring him backstage too. He’d love that.”
“I can’t wait. Where will you stay? I’d ask you to sleep at my place, but it’s going to be packed. All my roommates are home, and they’ve got guests staying too.”
“Then I’ll book us a hotel. I’ll get right on it once I finish this call.” Part of him was pleased about that. He was very fond of Adrian, but he didn’t like the idea of getting up to anything with him in the next room.
Then it occurred to him. School closed for the holidays at midday the Friday before the performance. If we leave ASAP and come back Sunday night, that would give us two nights together.
Two nights in a hotel bed—with Robin.
Santa was giving Dean his Christmas present early this year.
“Hey, where did you go? Are we done? Is that it?” Adrian sounded amused.
“Sorry. I zoned out there for a sec. I can’t wait to see you again. It’s been too long, and we really need to catch up. So I’ll see you in two weeks’ time.”
“Sure. Do I mail the tickets, or simply leave them at the box office for you?”
“Leave them. You’ve got enough on your plate.”
“Fine. Now go back to drooling over your shiny new toy, and I’ll see you then.” Adrian disconnected.
Dean scrolled to Robin’s number and sent a text. Got a sec? When his phone rang, he couldn’t help smiling. “Hey. Hello there.”
“I was just thinking about you.” Robin sounded a little out of breath.
Dean chuckled. “I’m not going to ask in what context. But from the sound of it, you might need to wipe down your phone when we’re done.”
Silence. “Do you have cameras set up in my room?”
Busted. “Nope, but I was eighteen once. Now… you remember I told about my friend Adrian, who’s—”
“The dancer? Sure.”
“He’s performing Saturday December 21st. And my plan is to leave Lake Placid as soon as we can once school is out, and spend two nights in the city, returning here Sunday evening. How does that sound?”
“A weekend in New York—with you?”
“We talked about this, didn’t we?” Dean was momentarily puzzled.
“Yeah, we did, only… I didn’t think it would happen.”
“Well, it is happening. And I’m calling now because you’ll have to clear it with your parents. They’ll need to know you’re going with me.”
“Yeah, of course. Okay. I’ll work out what I’m going to say to them. Where are we staying? With your friend?”
“No, that’s not going to be possible, so I’ll book us into a hotel. You can tell your parents it’s going to be separate rooms.”
A pause. “But it’s not… is it?”
Heat surged through him. “No, it most definitely is not. If that’s okay.”
He caught the hitch in Robin’s breathing. “It’s okay. Scary, hot, exciting… but okay.”
“And Robin?” Dean smiled. “I’m booking a room with a king-size bed.” The thought of the two of them between soft white hotel sheets was enough to send the blood heading south.
“Aw shit.”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I had a little… accident, is all.”
Dean thought that was fucking adorable. “Go clean up,” he said with a chuckle. “Let me know how it goes with your parents when I see you Saturday.”
“Oh. Saturday. Yeah.” Robin cleared his throat. “I’d better finish the call. I have some cleaning up to do. See you Saturday.” Dean was about to say goodbye when Robin said, “Dean? Thank you.” Then he disconnected.
Dean put down his phone and stroked Lady. “So how do you think he’s going to tell his parents?” Lady blinked, and Dean chuckled. Then he thought about it, picked up his phone, and sent Robin a text.
If you need backup when you talk to your parents, let me know.
He couldn’t let Robin deal with this on his own.
Lazily stroking Lady, Dean reflected on the prospect. Two nights with Robin. A big hotel bed, room service… and Robin in his arms, all night long. What shocked Dean was that it was the last part he was most looking forward to.
Yeah. This was already way more than just sex.