Chapter 39
Ryan
“Look, it’s fine,” I say as Brandon and I get out of the car a few blocks down from his parents’ house.
The street was already packed with cars when we arrived, and this was as close as we could get.
Which really sucks because this goddamn bikini I’m wearing is riding up my ass after a few steps. “I’m the one that made the damn bet.”
“Did you honestly think you were going to have to do this humiliation ritual on your own?” Brandon asks me, aghast. Poor guy.
He looks miserable in the pink and purple two-piece he’s donned to support me.
But at least his bikini has a skirt so he has more bulge and butt coverage than I do.
Looking down at myself, I’m borderline obscene.
“Look,” Danton says, standing proudly in a black bikini of his own that I hope to God doesn’t belong to Vicky. “We just got to make a quick round, in and out and then we can change out of these things and head back home to St. Louis.”
“We’re not staying for party?” Ivanov asks. He’s wearing a black Speedo.
“Where’s your top?” Brandon asks, his temper rising the closer we get to his parents’ house.
“I am European, yes,” Ivanov says. “We do topless.”
“Great. That explains it,” Brandon grumbles.
“Here,” Clemmers says, catching up with us. He has Roysy and O’Shea with him. He tosses a towel to Brandon. “Tie this around your waist. Consider it a cheat code.”
“Actually…” I grab another towel from him. “That’s a good idea! Towels for everyone.” At least this way my balls are covered.
“This is so humiliating,” Brandon says as he secures his towel.
The only one of us who doesn’t tie one around their waist is Ivanov. He just slings his over his shoulder.
“Hey, Ryan!” I hear Ander’s voice call from the front of the Bouchards’ bungalow. “Nice legs!”
“Laugh it up.” I shout back to him. “This is going to be you next year!”
“Is that so?” he says as he comes down the stairs to meet us.
Behind the house I can hear music and people laughing and having fun. His cup party is just gearing up, and it’s likely to go on for hours.
“I can’t believe you got Brandon into one of these,” he says as he greets us laughing. He looks Brandon up and down and grins at him. “You look ridiculous.”
“Oh, you think?” Brandon snipes.
I give him a subtle pat on the butt. “You did what you needed to. Go get changed,” I tell him.
“Thank Christ,” he says and stomps up the stairs of his parents’ house like I’m sure he’s done a million times before.
“Baby!” Danton, Roysy, and Clemmers all yell after him.
He lifts up his right hand with his middle finger raised.
“This where you grew up?” Ivanov asks, coming to stand beside me.
Ander seems to notice his presence for the first time. Caught off guard, he takes in the sight of Ivanov, and for once it appears he has nothing to say. “Uhh… yeah…” he says, his eyes taking in all of Ivanov.
Danton and I share a look.
“Is cute,” Ivanov says. “Small like your brother.”
Ander rubs the back of his neck. “Er, yeah, I guess, but it’s nice, you know? You want a tour?”
“Yes,” Ivanov says. “I think your mother would like to see me, no?”
“She’s going to be so shocked to see you,” Ander says, then gestures for Ivanov to follow him. Clemmers and Roysy do the same.
Danton comes to stand in front of me. “What the fuck was that?”
I choose not to answer, just sling my arm over his shoulders. “Come on. Let’s head inside.”
Brandon. My new family. Everything I’ve ever wanted is on the other side of that front door.
*