Chapter 11
ANTHONY
I’m just opening my closet to put my helmet away when my phone vibrates with a notification.
Putting the helmet on my nearby desk instead, I dig my phone out of my pocket, and a slow smile spreads over my lips when I see the text app is active, and I have a new text from West.
Opening our text thread, I sit on the edge of my bed and read his message.
West: have you heard the news?
Anthony: what news?
West: that I’m the biggest loser to ever loser
Anthony: is that what people are saying?
West: yup
West: are you sure you go to silvercrest? Literally *everyone* is talking about it
Anthony: I was off campus for a bit, just got back and haven’t talked to anyone yet
West: ah, that makes sense. I’m sure you’ll hear all about it soon enough
West: wait, you went off campus for a bit?
I understand his confusion. Silvercrest isn’t just known for its world-class education, tiny class sizes, or how its degrees are essentially golden tickets into any industry, business, or educational institution graduates want.
One of the biggest draws of the school is how isolated it is. The campus is literally in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by thick, inhospitable woods and the best security that money can buy. The only things nearby are a small town where the school staff is housed and a private airport.
We have the freedom to come and go as we please as long as we sign in and out at the main gate, but since there’s nothing to do and nowhere to go, most people don’t bother leaving unless they’re flying out or taking a day trip.
Anthony: went for a ride
West: a ride?
Anthony: on my bike
West: bike like motorcycle or like an actual bicycle?
Anthony: not a bicycle
Anthony: how about you tell me why everyone is saying this?
West: wouldn’t you rather hear the gossip version? The ones I’ve heard are way juicier than mine
Anthony: I want to hear your version
West: I got dumped. At least that’s what everyone’s saying
Anthony: I said I wanted to hear your version, not what everyone is saying
West: M cheated on me, we broke up, I have a very expensive ring in my pocket and her friends are telling everyone that she dumped me and heavily implied that it’s because of my lack of bedroom skills
I wince as I read his text. I’m not friends with McKenna or her clique of girlfriends, but I know them, and it’s not surprising they’re talking shit about West and causing unnecessary drama.
Anthony: that’s fucked up
West: yeah but whatever
West: it’s not like I had a lineup of ladies waiting in the wings to take her place before the rumors. And now any chick I do sleep with will have really low expectations going into it so I won’t have to worry about disappointing them
Anthony: that’s one way of finding the silver lining
West: you know what they say – when life hands you lemons, make hard lemonade, get blackout drunk and gaslight yourself into believing it’s not that bad
Anthony: is that what people say?
West: it should be if it isn’t
Anthony: I have another silver lining for you
West: what’s that?
Anthony: you don’t have to worry about the rumors and all the ladies who aren’t waiting in the wings to take her place
West: how is that a silver lining?
Anthony: because you told me you wanted to get fucked
Anthony: so unless you were talking about getting pegged, you’re fine
West: but now all the guys on campus are also going to think I suck in bed
Anthony: well, I don’t know about other guys, but I appreciate it when my parter *sucks* in bed
West: that’s not what I mean and you know it
Anthony: there are a few reasons it doesn’t matter if guys think you’re bad in bed
West: and what are they pray tell?
Anthony: you don’t need to have those kind of skills when you’re a bottom
West: who said I’m a bottom?
Anthony: you did when you said you wanted to *get* fucked
West: maybe I’m vers
Anthony: are you vers?
West: I don’t know
Anthony: have you ever hooked up with a guy before?
West: yes
Anthony: how many?
West: 1
A strange warmth spreads through my chest. I assumed West had experience with men outside of what happened between us during the Hunt. Is that the only time he’s ever been with a guy?
Anthony: was it good?
West: good enough that I never stopped thinking about it
More of that warmth moves through me at his confession. I don’t know why hearing that I’m the only guy he’s ever been with, or that he hasn’t been able to get our encounter out of his head, is such a rush.
West: why did I tell you that?
Anthony: because you like being good for me
West: or maybe I’m being reckless because my entire life is falling apart and self sabotage is kind of my thing
Anthony: I suppose two things can be true
West: have you ever hooked up with a guy?
Anthony: yes
There’s a long pause, and I lean back on one hand as I wait to see if he’s done or if he has more to say. Almost a full minute passes, then my phone vibrates in my hand.
West: this is so fucked up
Anthony: what is?
West: this. All of this
West: I have no idea who you are or what your motives are. I don’t know if you actually want me or if you’re just saying all of this to get me to confess my secrets so you can use them against me later
Anthony: would it help if I told you that I’m not just saying all of this to use it against you later?
West: sure, because no one has ever lied over text before so obviously everything you say is 100% true
Anthony: what if I proved it to you?
There’s a brief pause, then the little bubble pops up on my screen as he answers.
West: proved it?
Anthony: yes
West: how?
Anthony: by fucking you
There’s another silence, and this one so long that my screen times out twice and I have to tap on it to flash it back up.
I know I’m pushing things, especially when he’s obviously emotional and dealing with shit, but whatever. He texted me, and he’s an adult. He can put his phone down and walk away if he doesn’t want to have this conversation.
Just when I think he’s done just that, the bubble pops up again. The little dots appear, then disappear, then appear, and disappear again before a message finally comes through.
West: what’s the other reason?
My brow furrows as I reread his question.
Anthony: other reason?
West: why guys thinking I’m bad in bed isn’t a bad thing. You said there was more than one reason
Anthony: because it doesn’t matter if other guys want to fuck you
West: it doesn’t?
Anthony: no
West: why not?
Anthony: because if anyone is going to fuck you, it’s going to be me
My screen goes dark as another pause stretches between us.
Anthony: do you want that?
His answer comes in only seconds after I hit send.
West: yes
Anthony: where are you right now?
West: my room
West: why?
Anthony: what would you do if I was in your room right now?
This time the pause is so long I’m convinced he’s done with the conversation, and I’m just slipping my phone back in my pocket when his text comes through.
West: what do you mean?
Anthony: if I was in your room and I kissed you, would you let me?
West: probably
Anthony: what if I told you to get on your knees?
West: maybe
Anthony: what if you didn’t know I was there until you felt my hand around your throat. Would you fight me or would you be good for me?
West: I don’t know
Anthony: yes you do
Anthony: tell me
West: be good for you
Anthony: are you hard right now?
West: yes
Anthony: show me
West: what?
Anthony: you said you’d be good for me, now show me
There’s another long pause, and just when I’m sure that I pushed him too far, a photo loads in our text thread.
Heat moves through my body, and my cock goes rock hard as I click on the photo to expand it.
Like the last one he sent, it’s tame by sexting standards, but it’s still one of the hottest photos I’ve ever seen.
He’s wearing a pair of loose gray sweatpants that are sitting low on his hips and showing off his tight stomach and thick muscles.
But the real star of the show is how he’s gripping the base of his dick over the material of his sweats to create a perfect dick print that shows off his considerable size.
I quickly save the photo so I can enjoy it later and go back to our text thread.
West: I’m going to assume your silence is because you’re so overwhelmed by my hotness it’s rendered you mute and not that you’re laughing your ass off at my lame attempts at being sexy
Anthony: there’s nothing lame about you or the photos you’ve sent
West: really?
I can’t be sure because it’s impossible to read tone over text, but there was something different about that last message. It feels smaller, more vulnerable. Like he truly has no idea how hot he is.
Anthony: really
On a whim, I switch to my camera and take a quick photo of my dick. It’s not the greatest shot, and my print isn’t nearly as defined and obvious as his since I’m wearing jeans, but it shows that I’m just as hard as he is.
I take a closer look at the pic to make sure there’s nothing in it that can identify me or give him any way of figuring out where I am, then send it.
Anthony: that’s what your pic did to me
Anthony: does that answer your question of whether I liked it or not?
West: yeah
Anthony: I want you to tell me about a fantasy you have
West: what?
Anthony: I want you to tell me about one of your fantasies
Anthony: something you’ve never told anyone
West: not sure I should do that
Anthony: why not?
West: because you’ll think I’m crazy and probably report me to someone
Anthony: like who? The fantasy police?
West: or the psych ward
Anthony: would it make you feel better to know that I’m sure your fantasies are no darker than mine?
West: I mean you can say that but that doesn’t make it true
Anthony: how about you tell me one and we’ll see if you can out freak me
West: sure, why the fuck not
West: it’s not like my life can fall apart any more than it already has
Anthony: there’s that can do spirit they teach us here
West: carpe diem and all that jazz