Ryan disappeared silently into the locker room and Troy breathed a sigh of relief when her re-appeared a few moments later fully dressed and announced he would wait for Troy outside. Troy quickly turned off the water and got dressed alone.
.....................................................................................................
Ryan stood with his back and one foot leaning against the wall outside the locker room door. He began imagining Troy standing in there running the towel across his chest as a stray drop of water fell from his hair and slid seductively along his collarbone and down the crease between his pectoral muscles... gah! Ryan really needed to get a grip! However much his imagination liked to run away with him, Troy wasn't gay!
And, even if he were he would never be interested in scrawny little Ryan Evans, Ryan mused sadly to himself. Yet he was sure he wasn't imagining Troy staring at him earlier in the shower but he was probably just favourably comparing his own manly physique to Ryan's slender, un-tanned form. Troy re-appeared just as his father showed up.
"Ok boys, all ready to head home?" Mr Bolton enthused before heading in the direction of the car. He was the first to get in and he threw his kit bag onto the passenger seat just as troy was about to get in.
"Sorry, Troy, do you mind sitting in the back with Ryan? It's just I haven't had a chance to empty the truck of the golf clubs from last weekend's game?"
Troy stiffened his shoulders imperceptibly and nodded awkwardly.
"Sure, Dad. No worries."
Troy climbed in beside Ryan and sat in silence for most of the ride home. Ryan occasionally glanced over at Troy who would occasionally catch his gaze and then quickly look away. Neither spoke until they approached the Evans' gates.
"Thanks for a great day, Mr Bolton," Ryan said cheerily, "You too, Troy."
"No problem, Ryan, anytime you fancy some batting practice, just give us a call!" Jack Bolton enthused.
Troy refused to look up at Ryan which he took as a bad sign. Something was going on between him and Troy but he didn't know what it was and he was confused. Ryan knew that if he left it here then there was a good chance that Troy would become even more withdrawn and Ryan's window of opportunity to bring up the subject would be gone forever. Taking a glance at Troy's father Ryan decided to risk it.
"Um, Troy, I was wondering whether you fancied staying for dinner? My parents are away this weekend and Sharpay is staying at Taylor's but our Chef always prepares far too much. Do you fancy a guy's night in watching the Canucks play the Hurricanes?"
Troy hesitated when his father piped up
"I didn't know you were a hockey fan too, Ryan!" He turned to his son, "Your mother and I actually have plans for this evening so you would just be in on your own. How about it?"
Troy seemed torn between wanting to extend his time alone with Ryan and running for the nearest emergency exit.
"We have a 50" projector screen," Ryan offered in the hope of sweetening the deal a little. Troy knew as soon as the words were out of his mouth that he couldn't refuse without his father asking him some rather unwanted questions so reluctantly he agreed and stepped out of the car carrying his kit bag with him almost as a shield.
"Have a good evening Troy, call if you're planning on staying over won't you? You know how your mother worries!" Mr Bolton said with a smile before driving off and leaving the boys at the gates of the Evans' estate. Ryan punched in the code for the gate and gestured for Troy to go ahead.
"Thanks," Troy mumbled and headed towards the front door with Ryan in tow.
...................................................................................................................................
Troy had to admit that dinner had, once again, been excellent at Ryan's. They'd enjoyed steak followed by a delicious crème Brule that rivalled Zeke's. Once dinner had been finished, they headed down to the den. There was the aforementioned monster of a TV screen and surrounding it were several extremely comfortable looking sofas. Ryan switched the TV on just in time to see the first whistle of the game and, following Troy's lead took a seat on the sofa directly in front of the TV.
Throughout the game they were silent apart from the occasional offering of snacks and drinks to Troy by Ryan. By the end of the second period both boys were getting quite enthralled in the game, yelling at the screen and occasionally jumping up from the sofa in frustration when the game went against their favourite team. After the third penalty, Troy had become so incensed by the injustice of the referee that he did not notice that, when he sat back down, he was so close to Ryan that he was practically in his lap. Ryan, however was acutely aware of the fact and he dared not move in case Troy realised and sprung away. It was only when the game ended that Ryan uttered a word.
"Well, that sucked!" He exclaimed half heartedly, "That referee was so biased!"
Troy nodded in agreement.
"Totally! They should have a re-match or something!"
Ryan risked a sideways glance at Troy.
"Hey, do you fancy watching a movie?" He suggested and Troy nodded.
"Sure, what are you in the mood for? Action, drama or musical?"
"Musical I think. Hmm... I haven't seen Moulin Rouge in a while."
Troy nodded and smiled at Ryan.
"Don't tell Chad and the guys but I love that movie! Where's your DVD player?"
Ryan grinned slyly but made no move to stand up.
"Observe," he said to Troy before glancing up at the TV and snapping his fingers. "DVD. MUSICAL. MOULIN ROUGE" he called and several seconds later the red curtains and conductor appeared on the screen. Troy stared in awe.
"Dude, that's awesome! Where did you get that? It's like a 007 gadget!"
"It was a Christmas gift from Sharpay to our parents a few years ago. She got sick of the constant arguments about whose turn it was to change the channel."
Troy relaxed back onto the sofa and Ryan resumed his previous position next to him. As the movie progressed, Troy started to lean lightly on Ryan's shoulder, seemingly unaware. Ryan smiled to himself as he leaned into Troy more and soon the pair was stretched out along the sofa which was wide and long enough to accommodate them both with ease. Troy glanced away from the movie and realised he was nose to stomach with Ryan. Ryan's shirt had ridden up slightly, unveiling a vast expanse of smooth, creamy skin with a light covering of hair trailing down his flat abs and disappearing under his Calvin Klein waistband. Troy yawned but kept his eyes fixed lazily on Ryan's exposed flesh.
"You have a really cute stomach, I never noticed before," Troy stated in a slight sing songy voice.
Ryan glanced sideways for a moment, not entirely convinced he'd heard Troy correctly. When he glanced down at Troy he found him staring under his shirt.
"Oh?" Ryan said in an anxious yet somewhat amused tone, encouraging Troy to continue.
"Yeah, it's... cute."
"How so?" Ryan continued; he knew he was treading on very thin ice so he kept his words to a minimum.
"Well, it's ... flat, with just a hint of muscle. And this crease just here," he said, gesturing to the line down the centre of Ryan's torso, "May I?" He said pointing at the hem of Ryan's shirt.
Ryan sucked in a breath.
"Sure," he said jovially before Troy gently peeled back his shirt to the line just below his upper chest.
"See? It's so soft," Troy continued, wistfully tracing his fingers across Ryan's stomach which was currently melting into a heated pool at the base of his spine. Suddenly Troy reached across and placed a chaste kiss just above Ryan's navel but he didn't look up at Ryan. He continued to trace patterns across Ryan's abdomen. Ryan had no idea why Troy was doing that but he wasn't about to question it; it felt too good. Troy's ministrations were starting to lull him into a dozy state so he relaxed further into the sofa and let Troy continue. After several minutes Troy broke the silence again but still had his gaze focused on Ryan's abs.
"I've run out of patterns to trace." He stated flatly, as though he'd just asked Ryan the time. He then slowly began to run his hand up and under Ryan's shirt until it was covered by fabric and lying somewhere between his abs and collarbone. Troy then risked a glance up at Ryan who was smiling down at him, not daring to speak. Troy shifted his weight so that he was lying on his side and leaning over Ryan's torso as he ever-so-gently pushed Ryan's shirt completely up around his neck.
"See? Gorgeous!" He exclaimed lazily. Ryan stared up at the ceiling, not quite believing that he was lying on his sofa with Troy's hands all over him when the sudden soft wetness of Troy's lips descended upon his nipple. Troy softly began to trace its outline with his lips as it became rock hard under his mouth and Ryan froze. When Troy had memorised its outline he stuck his tongue out and began to lick. The heat that had started pooling in Ryan's spine travelled up and he felt like someone had pushed him against a heated car seat. Troy suddenly bit down and Ryan had to restrain himself from jumping off the sofa. If his pleasure hadn't been evident before, it was quickly becoming an issue as his already tight pants began to feel infinitely tighter.
"Um, Troy?" Ryan began but Troy didn't look up.
"Yeah, I know, the other one must be feeling slightly neglected I'll get to that in a minute." He said and Ryan just stared in shock.
"Uh, no, Troy that's not what I... as much as I'm enjoying this, will you just stop that a minute?"
Troy stopped and glanced up at Ryan.
"I really don't know why I'm questioning this right now but- actually, yes I do, you're straight!" He said, the fog clearing slightly now that Troy wasn't stroking him into oblivion, "So why am I lying on my sofa being felt up by the future Lakers Playmaker?!"
Troy glanced down at Ryan's stomach again as if it held the answers to life, the universe and everything and paused for several moments before speaking.
"Because I realised a few days ago that I am seriously attracted to you."
Ryan didn't quite believe what he was being told.
"Uh huh, and when did this little gem of knowledge occur to you?"
"When you and Chad came to visit me, and you came back for your hat." He paused and just as Ryan was about to interrupt he continued. "And the other night after dinner when you showed up and surprised me with the Phil Jackson thing." Troy began to walk his fingers up Ryan's chest following them with his eyes until he reached Ryan's face. "And," he finished, looking straight into Ryan's eyes, "Today at batting practise when I couldn't keep my eyes off that hot little ass of yours."
Ryan hesitated then a small smile crept across his face.
"Do you mean when I was wiggling it to make a home run or when you were unashamedly checking it out in the shower?"
Troy had the decency to look sheepish but he was still grinning like the Cheshire cat when he replied.
"Both."
Ryan ran a hand gently through Troy's hair. It was as soft as it looked.
"So, just to be clear, Troy Bolton, Mr Sports Fanatic, likes boys now?"
Troy shook his head fiercely and Ryan was about to respond when Troy beat him to the punch line.
"Nope. Just one." He said matter-of-factly, focussing on Ryan's Adams apple which was looking extremely kissable to Troy at that moment. His forwardness was starting to scare him a little, but even though his head was screaming at him that he had been feeling up another guy he couldn't seem to see it that way. True, Ryan was male, but for some reason he was just 'Ryan', the guy who, for whatever reason, he couldn't think straight when he was around – in both definitions of the word.
"Well, in that case..." Ryan started, trailing off as he placed a hand under Troy's chin and drew his lips up to his own. What started as a tentative, closed mouth kiss rapidly progressed. After a few moments of their lips lightly brushing, Ryan pulled Troy's lips to his, crushing their mouths together as Ryan pressed his tongue against Troy's mouth. Troy opened his mouth and his tongue began to fiercely duel with Ryan's as they both fought for control. After what seemed like forever, they quickly broke apart, both gasping for air. They stared at each other, their breathing coming in longer gasps as their starved lungs replenished with oxygen. Troy's blue eyes had turned several shades darker as though a storm was brewing in the once bright blue depths. Troy took one look at Ryan and felt a familiar tightness in his jeans as he noticed his eyes were almost black with lust. His smooth, unblemished face was flushed red and he was staring at Troy like a starving man eyeing a Thanksgiving roast.
Before he could change his mind, Troy placed a hand flat on Ryan's chest and pushed him backwards so he was lying flat on his back as Troy leant over him and captured his lips once more. Ryan moaned into Troy's mouth causing the tightening in Troy's jeans to worsen as Ryan snaked his hands around Troy's back and pulled his torso down until Troy was lying flush against him, his weight on his chest a delightful discomfort to Ryan.
Troy drew his lips away from Ryan's long enough to pull Ryan's shirt the remaining few inches up and over his head so he lay there with nothing above his Calvin Kleins. Troy held his weight up on his arms, his muscles lightly bulging with the effort. Ryan seized the opportunity to undo the buttons on Troy's shirt and roughly pushed it back over his shoulders exposing Troy's muscular chest.
Ryan stared in awe for a few seconds before sticking his tongue out and running it up the crease between Troy's abs until he reached Troy's throat. He immediately began to suck on the hollow at the base of Troy's neck and Troy moaned low and gravelly in his throat, causing Ryan to suck even harder. He'd probably leave a bruise but no one except him would know unless Troy walked around with his top button undone. Ryan's back was slightly arched as he leant on his elbows to allow him to reach Troy's throat and it was a position that Troy fully intended to take advantage of. While Ryan was distracted, Troy ran a feather-light finger from the base of Ryan's spine to the base of his neck, causing Ryan to shudder. He pulled slightly away from Troy's neck and looked up at him through his eyelashes.
"Do that again and you'll have a big mess on your hands!" He whispered. Troy raised an eyebrow at his forwardness and, as he glanced down, he smirked.
"Oh really?"
"Mmmhmm," Ryan hummed the affirmative. "And, as much as I'm enjoying this, I think that second base is quite enough for a first date."
Instead of recoiling at the idea, Troy was strangely undeterred by Ryan's use of the 'D' word.
"Troy, is this... not a little weird for you?" Ryan asked, earnestly, "I mean, I got used to the idea that I was gay a while ago but you...?"
Troy seriously considered the question for a few seconds before replying. He sat up and Ryan sat up with him, listening intently.
"I'm even more surprised than you that my answer is, no, it isn't weird. God knows, it should be! We've been friends for so long and I was with Gabby until a week ago even though we hadn't actually seen each other for a while. I can't explain it other than this doesn't feel wrong at all."
Both boys began to smile at each other and Troy pressed his lips against Ryan's in a short but passionate kiss. When they pulled apart, Troy yawned, followed quickly by Ryan.
"Well, I suppose it's getting late," Ryan said, expecting Troy to take it as a cue that it was fine for him to leave but he didn't take it. Instead he stared at Ryan, his face showing an internal battle of some description. Ryan sensed Troy's discomfort.
"What's wrong, Troy?" He asked, concerned that maybe the other boy was coming to his senses.
Troy shrugged and threw a weak smile at Ryan.
"I dunno, I was sort of wondering whether it would be ok for me to... stay? I mean, just stay over in a guest room or whatever." When Ryan was silent Troy took it as a bad sign. "I mean, I can always walk home, it's not too far-"
Ryan silenced him with a finger across his lips.
"Troy, that's fine by me." He then mock pouted and glanced sideways at Troy. "I'm just a little disappointed that you want to stay in the guest room, that's all."
Troy's face lit up and he jumped up off the sofa.
"Awesome!" He announced then paused, "Wait! Could I borrow your phone?"
Ryan nodded in comprehension.
"Of course, you promised your dad you would call. Go ahead, it's over there by the fireplace. I'll wait outside for you." And with that Ryan stood up and left the room, leaving Troy to make his phone call in private.
......................................................................................................
A few minutes later Troy re-appeared and smiled at Ryan.
"Everything's cool," he said looking expectantly at Ryan, "So...?"
"Well I don't know about you but I'm exhausted!" Ryan said theatrically, reaching for troy's hand and lacing their fingers together, "I was thinking that a relatively early night was in order."
Troy smiled coyly and Ryan led him up the stairs to his bedroom. Once inside and the door locked, Ryan threw Troy a baggy pair of sweats. Troy caught them and looked up at Ryan surprised.
"I didn't think you would want to sleep in your jeans."
Troy shrugged and muttered something that Ryan didn't quite catch.
"Sorry Troy, what was that?"
Troy went red and repeated it a little louder.
"I said I usually just sleep in my shorts but, that's cool." He said, removing his jeans and laying them across the chair at Ryan's desk before putting on his sweats. Ryan did the same but Troy was faster and just as Ryan had pulled on his blue sweats Troy snuck up behind him, snuck an arm around Ryan's waist and pulled him down onto his bed, kissing his neck as he did so.
Ryan laughed, fought Troy off and tackled him until Troy was lying beneath him. Ryan then seductively kissed his way down Troy's torso until he reached his waistband where he paused, glanced up at Troy with an incredibly dark set of bedroom eyes . Then, as quickly as he had turned it on, he grinned devilishly, bounded off him and into the bathroom. Troy just rolled his eyes in a frustrated manner and collapsed back onto the bed.
When Ryan returned he lay down next to Troy who was already falling asleep. In his semi-awake state Troy wrapped an arm protectively around Ryan's waist and planted a kiss on the back of shoulder before snuggling down into him and closing his eyes. Ryan shuffled himself backwards until he was snugly tucked into the curves of Troy's body. Ryan still wasn't as entirely convinced of Troy's certainty in this new found attraction as Troy was but he wasn't about to let the opportunity pass him by.
Whatever the morning brought, he sighed, at least he'd made the most of this while he had it.