Chapter 27
Oliver
I’d texted Mum to let her know I was on my way, so it’s no surprise to see her standing at the front door when I arrive.
“Hey, Mum,” I say, kissing her on the cheek, then giving her a quick hug.
It seems like only yesterday that she would pull me into her arms and make all my problems seem small.
Now, it sadly feels like I’m the one creating problems for her.
We sit down at the kitchen table with coffee and biscuits. I ramble on about the weather, and the state of the world, and complain about how much admin teachers have to do. But she knows something’s up because why else would I be home from work on a Friday if I’m not sick?
Mum's gaze drops to my right hand. She stares for a moment, then concerned eyes return to mine. “So, what’s going on, Oli?”
I’d forgotten about my knuckles. The swelling is gone, but the cuts to my knuckles are still visible, and there’s bruising. I blow out a puff of air. “I guess this is a giveaway,” I say, holding up my hand.
“It’s not just your hand. It’s taking a day off work, which you never do, and you look as if you haven’t slept.”
“Yep, that and more. You can also add angry, frustrated and defeated. Maybe even sad.” Something about saying that last word out loud brings tears rushing to the surface.
“Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry,” Mum says, moving to comfort me. She wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer to her side. “What’s happened? You haven’t broken up with Huxley, have you?”
I brush the tears from my cheeks. “No. But I’m scared everything that’s happening will stop us from being together.”
“Let me get you some tissues.” Mum leaves and is back seconds later, placing a tissue box in front of me. I blow my nose as Mum waits patiently for me to explain.
“I have to tell you something, and you’re not going to be happy about it.”
Her eyes are kind, but I can see the worry behind them. “Well, that’s for me to decide. What’s happened?”
“I ran into Reece on Tuesday night. Huxley and I were on a date, and we were holding hands. Reece said some really terrible things about me being queer, and about Huxley. Look, I know I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry, but I hit him.
” I hold my breath. Strangely, I’m hoping she’s angry rather than disappointed.
A lot of different emotions cross her face as she tries to remain calm.
Mum has always been good at keeping herself well-regulated. “I see,” she finally says. “You know I don’t believe violence is ever okay. I haven’t heard a single word from Reece. Is he injured?”
“His nose was bleeding, but he seemed okay. I don’t think it was broken. I know I shouldn’t have done it, Mum. There’s no excuse and I’m sorry. But if you’d heard what he said about Huxley.”
“Okay, tell me. What did he say?”
“I can’t repeat it,” I reply, shaking my head. “It’s not appropriate.”
A flicker of anger crosses Mum’s face before she reins it in again. “Oliver, I have lived a life and heard everything. You don’t need to protect me from words. Please tell me what he said.”
I drop my face into my hands, not wanting to look at her while I say it. “He called me a fag, told me dating Huxley was disgusting and…and asked me if Huxley got on his knees and…” There’s no way I’m finishing that sentence. My face burns, and I can’t bring myself to face my mother.
“Oliver, please look at me.”
Reluctantly, I sit up and force myself to make eye contact. She reaches for my hand.
“Oliver, I understand why you lost your temper. Not that it’s an excuse for fighting. But I am extremely disappointed to hear Reece would speak to you and Huxley in that way. I will have a stern word with him. For now, give him some time and space to think about it.”
“Okay.”
“I know you worry, but it’ll be alright. We’ll get through this. Now tell me, did Huxley hear what Reece said and that’s caused a rift between you two?”
“No, fortunately he only heard the stuff Reece said about me. He’d already walked off. Huxley’s been through so much. He doesn’t deserve this.”
“No one does. Let’s organise for us to meet soon, so he knows he’s welcome in our family.”
At Mum’s words, tension drains from my shoulders. But I still need to tell her about what’s happening at school. “Yeah, I’d like that. Thanks, Mum. But that’s not the only thing we’re dealing with right now. I was given a three-day unpaid suspension at work.”
“What? You’re kidding me, sweetheart. How did that happen?”
I spend the next thirty minutes telling Mum everything—starting with Huxley’s pride pin and ending with my meeting with Williams.
“You see, I think Huxley feels guilty. Like he’s the one responsible for everyone else’s shitty behaviour. He even thinks he’s responsible for what’s happening to me. I don’t want to lose him over this.”
Mum gives my arm a comforting pat. “You’re standing up for what’s right, and I’m so proud of you.
And if you and Huxley are meant to be together then you’ll find your way through this.
If you decide to resign, I’ll understand.
But if you want to stay and fight it, then I absolutely support that too.
” Mum pauses, studying my face, before asking, “Are you falling in love with Huxley?”
My cheeks flush. “Yeah, I think I might be,” I admit.
“I was never really sure if I was in love with Audrey. I mean, I loved her, I guess, but with Huxley it’s different.
We haven’t known each other that long, but it’s so much more…
intense. I haven’t told him yet because we’re not even officially boyfriends. ”
Mum smiles, her eyes lighting up. “Perhaps the boyfriend conversation needs to be had then. Talk to him and see if he wants the same level of commitment you do. If he knows the two of you are in this fight together, it might make all the difference.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Mum. I’ll talk to him on the weekend.”
By the time Cazaly and I are standing on Huxley’s doorstep, the day has been a roller-coaster of emotions.
After the morning with Mum, I spent the afternoon pissed off, knowing the footy match was playing and I wasn’t there to coach.
Then I spiralled into despondency, unable to rid myself of how hopeless the situation is.
And, while showering for our date night, thoughts of fucking Huxley made me so horny I had to jerk off.
But at least now I might be able to last long enough not to embarrass myself.
I ring the bell, then wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans. Cazaly seems equally eager, his tail wagging so hard his bum is wobbling from side to side. “Play it cool,” I tell him.
It’s 6:00 PM on the dot—I’m right on time. I assume Huxley wants to have dinner first, but I’d rather have Huxley. My stomach can wait.
I guess I’d sound like a creep if I asked Huxley to reverse the normal order of events for a date, but damn, I want to. He said he wanted to douche, but I have no idea if he’s done that already or if he’ll do it later. Fuck, gay sex is complicated.
The door swings open and…um…hello! Huxley has on black, slim fit jeans and an almost transparent black shirt with most of the buttons undone. His curls are still damp, his feet bare, and I’m fucking speechless.
Huxley giggles, grabbing me by the collar and pulling me inside. I’m vaguely aware of him taking Cazaly’s lead off and the two dogs running down the hall, but my eyes are glued to the man in front of me. If his intent was to get me in the mood for sex, then he’s a ridiculous overachiever.
I back Huxley up against the wall, pinning his hands above his head and pressing our bodies together.
“You look so sexy.” I brush my lips past his, not quite kissing him, and whisper in his ear.
“I wanna be inside you so fucking bad.” Grinding my hips forward, I make a point of letting Huxley know I’m already hardening for him.
“Yeah? I got ready for you. Been thinking about you all day.”
I devour Huxley with my mouth, utterly ravenous for him. There is a burning need that I can’t imagine will ever be extinguished. I lift him up and his legs wrap deliciously around my hips as I suck greedily on his throat.
“Oliver,” Huxley pants. “Bedroom. Please.”
I don’t need to be told twice, carrying him down the hall and into the bedroom.
I lay him gently on the bed, trailing wet kisses down the exposed skin of his chest. I undo the last two buttons of his shirt, sweeping it open to get at Huxley’s pretty erect nipples. He squirms as I lick and suck and flick the hard nubs. But what I really want is those jeans off.
I move my attention to the button and zipper; I already have them over his hips when I’m stopped dead in my tracks. Huxley is wearing a black satin jockstrap, and holy fuck is that sexier than I thought possible.
I groan. “Damn, Hux, are you trying to kill me?” I palm my cock, so utterly aroused I’m already leaking beneath my jeans.
Huxley rolls onto his stomach, exposing his bare ass and cheekily glancing over his shoulder at me. “Maybe. Now, take your clothes off and fuck me.”
All I can do is stare, completely lost for words.
Huxley’s ass is perfectly framed by the jock strap, as if gift wrapped just for me.
Unable to resist, I sink my hands into the firm, round globes, before spreading him open.
His hole is smooth and pink and, dare I say, very edible.
I never thought I would find it so attractive, but my cock jerks at the sight.
“Fuck, your ass looks so hot in this.” Grabbing the strap, I let it snap back against Huxley’s skin, the sound sending a thrill up my spine.
Huxley arches his back, pushing his ass up. “Yeah? I didn’t know if you’d like it or not.”
“Oh yeah, I like it.” I’m practically drooling.
Huxley’s cheeks flush. One moment he’s coy and shy, the next confident and sexy. The mix is keeping me on my toes, both alluring in their own way.
“I stretched myself, so I’m not sure what you’re waiting for.”