Thank you JasperLuver48 for your awesome review over at The Major's Army! ILY.
Thanks to MeteorMuse for betaing this, and to TippyL and sadtomato for telling me to add more smut. ILY girls.
It might be awhile before Chapter 6. We move on the 9th, and I'm going to need some time to resettle.
I didn't write Twilight. If I did, there would have been no tiny hot hands. Only big strong manly ones. ;)
ooOOoo
I'm staring at the text on my phone when I hear Riley and Jasper coming down the hall.
"Hey, E. Get some clothes on your fine ass, and let's go get some grub. Between that shower and basketball earlier, I'm starving."
I look up just as they enter the kitchen and freeze. Riley is wearing a pair of my jeans and a pale yellow Lacoste. Damn, he looks good. He should dress preppy more often. But that's not what makes me uncomfortable. Jasper is wearing Garrett's sweatshirt. Shit. I feel like throwing up.
"What's wrong, E? You look pissed." I look up to meet his gaze, and he's smirking at me. This smirk doesn't say "I just fucked you in your shower". This smirk says "There's something going on with you, and I know this sweatshirt has something to do with it, but you're too much of a pussy to tell me to take it off". Fuck.
"No man. I'm cool. Let me go grab some clothes, and I'll be ready." I nearly crush my phone in my hand as I walk down the hallway, through my bedroom, and into my closet. That asshole. Is he playing games with me? Maybe they think I'm playing games with them. I grab the first shirt I see and a pair of jeans, then pull on some socks and my Adidas as I hurry back down the hall.
"Ready. What are we eating?" Riley and Jasper both stare at me.
"What? I said I'm ready. And I really do have projects to work on, so let's get this show on the road." Jazz looks at Ri, then back at me, and they both bust up laughing.
"Shit. What?" I look down and realize what's happened. I'm wearing Jasper's Jesus was a Hippietee shirt, Riley has on one of my best polos, and Jasper is wearing Garrett's sweatshirt that they aren't even supposed to know is Garrett's. Could this situation be any more ridiculous? Despite my anger, I join in their laughter.
"Guess it's opposite day or some shit. Let's go." I grab my wallet and keys, shove my phone in my pocket, and we head out the door. I can almost feel Garrett's text searing into my thigh as I walk.
ooOooo
After a nerve-wracking dinner at Flat Branch, we return to my place, where I bid them good night at the door. I'm on edge from spending the entire meal looking around for Garrett, convinced that he would be there and see Jasper in his shirt. I haven't found a second to text him back, and the longer the night progresses with Jazz and Riley, I can't help but feel like shit. About everything. The sweatshirt. The sex. The way I blew Garrett off earlier today. Why did I choose them over him? I can't even answer myself properly. My head is one big question mark.
"See you guys later."
"Yeah, have a good night studying, man." Riley hops in the driver seat of the Outback and pulls the door closed.
Jasper has a teasing twinkle in his eye. "Sorry about the clothes, Edward. You'll just have to get them back the next time you come by, I guess. Or maybe we could bring to them to you at basketball next Saturday."
"No! I mean, that's not necessary. I'm sure I'll see you guys before then. Besides, that's the beginning of Thanksgiving break. You'll be on your way to Texas, and I'll be heading toward Chicago." I've never been so thankful for a Thanksgiving holiday as I am right now. Just the thought of Jazz and Riley walking onto the court next weekend, holding Garrett's sweatshirt mixed in with my own clothes has me nearly in tears.
"Oh right. Well I guess we'll see you at the shop then. Until then." He gives a fake salute, and then he gets in the car, and they drive away.
What is going on in that head of his? Does he know something is going on with Garrett? Or is he just naturally curious about the new addition to my wardrobe? I mean, to be honest, it does stick out of my closet like a pink feather boa would. Hell, a pink feather boa might fit in even better.
I unlock the front door and go straight to my room, plop down on my bed and pull my phone out of my pocket. I rub my face with one hand and navigate to my texts with the other.
Hope the projects are going well. Wish we could have hung out instead. Call me sometime.
I sigh, then type out a quick response.
Yep. Long day. Maybe tomorrow?
His response is almost instant.
I thought you might not answer. Yes, tomorrow is perfect! Lunch? Brunch? Is brunch too gay?
Haha. Not too gay. Just gay enough. Meet me at bleu at 11?
Sounds perfect. Night Edward.
Good night.
I look at the time before turning off my phone screen. 8:18 p.m. Fifteen more hours. Fifteen hours I can finally be working on stuff for class. Fifteen hours I can feel guilty about my activities with Jasper and Riley. Fifteen hours that I can hope for another almost neck kiss. Fifteen hours ...
ooOOoo
"This Eggs Benedict is quite possibly the best thing I've tasted in a month." Garrett moans around another forkful of food and I watch, mesmerized. The boy has eaten no less than three overflowing plates full of brunch food.
I take a sip of my second mimosa and push the plate in front of me away slightly. I had the same nightmares all night that I've been having off and on for two weeks, and my stomach is uneasy. Thank God Garrett was too involved in his Eggs Benedict love affair to notice that I had half-heartedly picked through a plate of French toast, eggs and bacon before giving up. I don't need him questioning my appetite.
"You're so quiet, E. What's up?" He pauses mid-bite, then lowers his fork to his plate altogether. "Talk to me."
"I don't know. Just a little off today, I guess. I didn't sleep well, and I've still got to finish up some things before break." And I have regular threesomes with some friends of ours. No big deal.
"Well. How much work do you have left to do?"
"I don't know. Maybe three or four hours? I just have to put the finishing touches on a research article and throw together the last of my design ideas for my parents' den."
"Wait. One of your projects is for your parents? It isn't even for class?"
"Well. I mean, no. Not technically. My mom runs this magazine that I'd love to work for some day, and she wanted my ideas on a total gut-to-finish redo of their den. I think it's like … a test, or something. All I know is that I want it to be perfect."
Garrett's smile widens the entire time I'm explaining myself.
"Babe, you are sucha momma's boy. Come on. Let's get the tab and get out of here."
"Where? I really have to get home and get to work and …" I know I'm just making excuses to not be alone with him. Not yet. I need more time to figure everything out in my head.
"Edward, you need time to relax. You're so stressed out over this little 'project' for your mom, it's killed your entire weekend. We're going for a hard run, and then I'll give you a good long rubdown."
As he signals for our waiter to bring our check, I swallow hard and feel my cock stiffen. A rubdown? Like a massage? The boy wants to put his hands all over my body. Oh God.
I should feel even worse that he thinks all my tension is over the den project. But all I feel is … hard.
ooOOoo
"Jesus. You do this every single day? Fuck." I'm panting, dripping sweat and seriously lagging behind.
Garrett turns around to run backwards while he mocks me.
"Of course I do. Five miles, baby. You think these calves sculpted themselves? Now hurry it up. After this hill, only another mile to go, then cool down." He turns back around and takes off again, while I struggle just to put one foot in front of the other.
I work out. I go to the rec every day. But I don'trun five miles. Ever. The boy is going to kill me. I focus on my breathing and the view of his ass and legs in front of me and push myself harder.
The run started great. The air was crisp in my lungs and it was easy to let go of all the thoughts swirling in my mind and just run. But after the first two miles, Garrett pushed on while I started to falter. He's got stamina. I wonder if that translates to the bedroom. I allow those thoughts to get me over the crest of the hill and breathe deeply. One more mile, then cool down, then rub down.
Rub down. Shit. I don't think my dick has softened since he mentioned it at brunch. Going downhill, I pick up speed and overtake Garrett, who gapes at me in disbelief.
"What the hell, E? You get a second wind?"
"What's wrong, Garrett? Running out of steam?" I blow by him and make the loop back toward his neighborhood, but he catches me easily.
We run like that, side by side, for the final mile, before he grabs my elbow and helps me slow to a lazy jog.
"It's very important to cool down after a hard workout. You don't want your muscles seizing up when I'm massaging them." He looks me in the eye, and all I see is lust. He can't wait to touch me. He wantsto touch me. Fuck.
We make our way to his duplex and, after peeling off our shoes and socks, head straight for the kitchen. He pulls two Gatorades out of the fridge and orders me to drink the entire thing, but slowly. I kind of like the way he's been telling me what to do all day. Taking charge. Almost like he's taking care of me. I blush at the thought but hope I can pass it off as still being pink-cheeked from running.
"How do you feel?"
"Actually, now that I can breathe, I feel pretty great." I grin at him, and he chuckles.
"That's the endorphins. They aren't released as much during weight lifting, pull ups, that kind of stuff. Mostly just from cardio. Feels amazing doesn't it? Like you could climb a mountain or something."
Or something. Like have marathon sex all afternoon. That kind of something.
"Okay. I promised you a rub down. Get in there on the couch."
I hesitate. "I'm all sweaty still. You sure? Maybe I should just go home and shower."
"Edward? Go lie on the couch. I'm just going to grab some lotion from my room. Might as well take your shirt off before you get cozy."
We had stopped by my place to grab workout clothes, and I'm so glad I swiped on some fresh deodorant while we were there. I hope I don't smell. Please, don't let me smell, I think as I pull my tee shirt off and lie down face first on the couch.
I'm only there for a moment before I hear him run back down the stairs and come over beside me. I turn my head and watch, curious as to how he's going to maneuver this, but he simply plops down on his coffee table and sits a bottle of lotion next to his thigh.
"Do you think you need to stretch first? Sometimes I feel like I need to stretch my muscles out before a massage to get them ready."
To my surprise, I feel an instant flare of jealousy. Who's been massaging him? And when? I push the thought aside to answer his question, but I really want to ask.
"Umm, it's whatever you think. I've never really had a massage before, so I'm not sure what's best."
"Really? Oh Edward, you've been missing out. There's nothing more relaxing than someone else focusing on your muscles. It's just not the same to rub your own."
You're so right, Garrett. It's not the same to rub your own muscles. I can think of one in particular. Okay so it's not a muscle, but I'm taking liberties with my dirty thoughts here.
"Alright, if we're popping your massage cherry, we've got to do this properly. Up. Follow me," Garrett says, while jumping up and grabbing the bottle again.
"What?" I'm not sure what's happening, but I'm already standing, eager to do as he says.
"My bed. Much better spot for a rub down, don't you think?" He turns to run up the stairs, and all I can do is follow, trying to hide the erection in my basketball shorts.
Garrett's room is much different from the rest of the duplex. While the other parts smacked of college boys on a budget, his room is sophisticated. The furniture is all dark cherry wood and looks like real shit, not the kind of stuff you buy at Ikea and put together yourself. His bed has a gorgeous smooth headboard and two posters at the foot, with a beautiful rich red duvet and pillows. It's like a retreat in the midst of movie poster and beer bottle living, and it makes me want him that much more.
"Nice room, G. I have to say, I'm impressed."
"Thanks. My parents bought me the chest of drawers and it kind of inspired me to make the bed frame. It was a project in wood shop my senior year of high school, and it kind of became it's own monster. I know. I'm a dork."
"No. No way. It's beautiful." I take a step closer and run my hand reverently across the wood grain of the headboard. "You're very talented."
"Thanks." Garrett catches my eye, not a trace of embarrassment or shyness in his own, and gets bossy with me once more. "Lie down, Edward."
I climb onto the bed on all fours and position myself sideways on the bed. I know it's the wrong direction but I want my feet to hang off slightly and I don't want to get my sweaty hair on his pillows.
I feel movement to my right and knowing he is sitting next to me on his bed, in his room, gives me a thrill. Why does this seem so much sexier than when I've been on the bed at Jazz and Riley's?
I hear the lid of the lotion bottle pop open, and my body tenses slightly.
"Relax, E. I'm gonna warm it up with my hands a bit first." Garrett's voice has dropped to a husky hushed tone, and I can't help but hope he's as turned on as I am.
I feel a tentative hand graze my right calf, leaving a thin trail of lotion in it's path. He moves a bit closer on the bed before grasping my calf in both of his hands and beginning to rub slow, firm circles across the muscle. He's right. I've been missing out.
"Mmmm, God. That feels great."
"Good. Now focus on relaxing your body. Let the tension of midterms, your projects, the run, all of it, fall away. Deepen your breathing and just be." Okay, he's starting to sound a little like a yogi now, but it's still sexy as hell, so I focus on his voice and nothing else.
"Do you see yourself moving back to Ohio after school?" I whisper.
"I don't know, honestly. I'm close with my family but Alice followed me here, and I don't think my parents plan to live there much past retirement. So, I guess you could say I'm open to other options."
"Hmm. That's good. One should always be open to options. No matter what the options are." Garrett has moved on to my other calf, and it feels heavenly.
"But look at you, E. You have set plans, right? Heading back to Chicago as soon as you have a degree in hand?"
"Well, true. But I wouldn't have to right away if the right opportunity came along. It's just where I see myself ending up, at my mom's magazine." I shrug. This all comes out much lazier than I intend, but I can't find myself to care. Garrett's hands have found their way up my calf and are now working my left thigh. "That feels amazing. That's the exact spot that was burning during our run."
I hear him snort softly. "Well, you'll have to keep doing cardio, and it won't burn quite so badly."
"Hey, I work out every day," I protest.
"Hmm. I'm not sure going to the gym is the kind of cardio I've got in mind, Edward." Damn. I squirm a little, trying to find a comfortable way to lie with my erection pressed into the bed.
After several minutes spent on my legs, I hear the snap of the lotion bottle again. What I'm not prepared for is feeling a leg come to rest on either side of my hips, followed by gentle pressure on my ass cheeks.
"I hope this is alright," Garrett murmurs. "It's the easiest way to fully work your back."
Fuck. The boy is straddling me. And he's going to work my back. My cock is digging into the bed below me. It's nearly painful, but I'm afraid if I grind my hips at all, I'll give myself away.
"Christ, Edward. You're so tense. Relax." Garrett's hands glide over my shoulders and neck in smooth, long strokes. He uses a firm touch, and I can feel a bit of roughness to his hands under the layer of lotion. Working hands. I have a strong sudden urge to kiss them, and I groan.
"Too hard? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Yes, I'm very much too hard. Maybe you can help me out a little lower … "No, keep going. It feels great."
His hands work up and down the length of my back and sides for several long minutes. I'm lost in the sensation, finally fully relaxed when he leans over my back to reach the back of my head and neck, and I feel it. It. His dick is hard and poking into my ass cheek.
"Fuck," I whimper.
"What is it, E? Tell me what you're thinking." Garrett's lips are just behind my ear, and I can feel his chin graze my shoulder blade with each word.
"Fuck. That feels so good. And I can feel you." He rotates his hips slightly, and I inhale sharply. "All of you."
With that, Garrett swiftly flips me onto my back but remains straddling me, leaned over my prone body, one hand propped on the bed on either side of my head. I am caught in his intense stare for I don't know how many seconds before he breaks the silence.
"God, we could be so great together." His voice is barely a whisper, and his lips move closer to my own with every word. I close my eyes and rise up to meet him, parting my own lips just as they meet his. And it's good. It's so good, it's mere seconds before I'm completely lost in him — lost in us, in what could be.
He deepens the kiss, and I let him, feeling his tongue against my own. He tastes like sweet and salty, Gatorade and sweat. Suddenly, he shifts positions, and I feel his erection against my own on my stomach. I moan into his mouth and reach one hand up to gently hold onto his neck.
"Garr? You here? I went shopping today, and I got you the bestshirt. OMG, you have to wear it next time you see Edward. How was brunch by the way? Was it amazing? He's so cute. I swear. Oh GOD!"
The second we heard Alice come in the door downstairs, we froze. But that was the problem — we literally froze, lips mid-lock, Garrett on top of me, my hand gripping the back of his hair. She hurtled up the stairs, babbling the entire way, and got to Garrett's door before we even realized the awkwardness that was about to happen.
"Oh. My. God. I'm so sorry. Shit. I didn't even think … shit." She backs away from the bedroom with a horrified expression on her face and turns back down the hallway.
Garrett finally returns to his senses and jumps off the bed, tosses me a tee shirt from the pile of clean laundry on his armchair and runs down the hall.
"Al, wait. It's not a big deal. Alice!" I hear them both thunder down the stairs before he apparently catches up to her before she can make it outside.
"I'm so sorry Garrett. I'm so embarrassed. I just ..."
"Alice, would you stop? It's fine. It's no big deal. I, I really like him, Al." Garrett's voice gets softer on the last sentence, but I've made it to the top of the stairs by that point. I hear every word, and I can't help the smile that spreads across my face at what he said.
"I know you do. It's sweet. I'll try to remember to knock. Or call or something. God, I'm an idiot. I can't make eye contact with him right now. I'm out."
"Fine, I'll call you later."
I make my way slowly down the staircase as I hear the front door open and close. Garrett is standing by the door with one hand gripping the back of his neck, and he looks up when he hears my footsteps.
"Hey. Sorry about that." He blows out a long sigh. "I guess I should be taking you home. You have a project to work on, right?"
"Oh. Right." I can't lie. I'm disappointed that he wants to take me home, but I don't push the issue. I'm not sure I should be left alone with him any more today anyway. "Let me just grab my clothes."
I find my things, replace Garrett's clean tee shirt with my sweaty one, throw my jeans over my shoulder, and follow him out the door to the car.
The ride to my place is relatively silent, and about three blocks from my house, I decide I need to make a move.
"So. Thanks for the run. And the massage. Really. It was amazing. All of it." I'm trying to get him to look away from the road, make eye contact, show me he had a good time too, but he just stares straight ahead.
"That it was. I'm really sorry about Alice. I mean, I don't know where we were going but … I don't know. Maybe it was a good thing she broke it up. I feel like maybe we should take this slow, whatever 'this' is." Finally, as he pulls into my driveway, he looks my way, but it's shy this time. Less direct than his piercing stares all day have been.
"Yeah, me too. I mean, we should definitely take things slowly." I pause, my hand on the door handle. Am I capable of slow? My dick has been throbbing in my pants all day. Nothing slow about that. "Is dinner on Thursday slow enough?" I look back at him, wanting this more than I've wanted anything in weeks, and I'm so relieved when he smiles.
"Of course. Dinner Thursday is perfect. Alice and I leave town Friday afternoon, and I'm sure you do too. I'd really like to see you before break."
"Yeah, I'll be heading home Friday or Saturday. Not sure yet. Great. So … I'll call you."
"Please do. Have a good day, Edward." He winks at me as I get out of the car and shut the door.
Once inside, I head straight to the shower, but my phone starts going off as I'm stripping my sweaty clothes.
What's goin' on E? Busy today? We were thinking about watching a movie in awhile...
Riley.
My fingers are poised over my phone, trying to decide what reply to type out. I could eagerly text him back. I could jump in the shower, throw on some clothes and hurry over to their place. I could probably be getting my dick sucked as soon as I walk in their door. And part of me wants it. A lot.
But I can't do it. Just enough happened today with Garrett that I'm suddenly overwhelmed with what could be.
"We could be so great together." It's been echoing in my head ever since he said it. He thinks we could be great together. He thinks we have potential. He wants to take things slow. Slow is better than … whatever it is I'm doing with Jasper and Riley. Right?
I don't text back. I don't do anything but throw my phone on the bed, finish stuffing my clothes in the hamper, and turn on the shower.
While I'm showering off the sweat from our run and the lotion from Garrett's massage, I think about everything that happened today. Brunch, where Garrett tried to make me laugh and chill out, even though my stomach was in knots. The run, where he pushed me to be better, to do better. And afterward, on his bed, where he made me feel amazing, like the only one he has eyes for. I've been myself the whole day with him, not trying too hard to be something specific for someone. Just me. I like it.
ooOOoo
Wednesday afternoon. I hate Wednesdays. There have been no campus interactions with Garrett on Wednesdays so far, which completely sucks.
2:33 p.m. I sigh. Just one more day until I see him in person and can evaluate what's going on with him. With us. Our daily texting ritual has stepped up to a phone call every night plus some texting throughout the day, but it's been hard to judge where his head is at. He mentioned that his grandfather is in the hospital, but I can hardly believe that's the reason he's been short with me. I'm not sure.
I've tried to stay positive, just going through the weekday motions. Mornings at the coffee shop have been somewhat strained. Jasper keeps asking me strange questions about Thanksgiving break and what my plans are, even though I know he and Riley are going to Texas for the week. Yesterday morning, he even asked me out of the blue if I'd met his friend Alice. When I responded that I had, he made a point to tell me that she's Garrett's sister. Weird.
I lie back on the couch and turn the TV back off after flipping through the channels of endless daytime television.
I wonder if I can text Garrett without seeming overly needy. I mean, I just talked to him a few hours ago, but I miss him. Picking up my phone from the coffee table, I try to think of something witty or especially charismatic to say. Then I remember: just be me.
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow. I really can't wait to see you.
After five minutes of staring at the numbers on my clock change over, I put the phone back on the coffee table and stand up. With Thanksgiving break around the corner and a light workload in classes, I'm essentially twiddling my thumbs this week. There's nothing to do in the kitchen but eat, so I wander down the hall to my bedroom and fall backwards onto the bed, splayed out.
Closing my eyes, I wonder if I could take a nap. I try remembering every aspect of Sunday with Garrett, thinking the good memories will put me to sleep. I've replayed the day in my mind so many times this week that it's almost a movie in my head, but this afternoon I'm frustrated. Anxious to see him again.
When I get to memories of the massage, I savor each thought of his hands on my body, the way his fingers kneaded my muscles, that bit of roughness I could feel each time he touched me.
I scoot further back on my bed and reach for the button on my jeans, undoing them quickly and reaching inside to free myself from my boxer briefs. Fuck, I'm hard. I reach for the lotion on my nightstand and squeeze a bit onto my hand before touching myself with long smooth strokes.
My mind drifts back to Garrett and his bed — the way he leaned over my body, his hard cock against my ass, his chin grazing my shoulder. I tighten my grip and pump myself harder as I get to the part where he flipped me over. Facing him. Willing something to happen between us.
Stroking myself furiously, I allow myself to think about the kiss. His mouth and my mouth and hard dicks that could have been rubbed between warm bodies. Fuck. I groan as I come all over my own stomach, but I don't open my eyes. Not yet. If I keep them closed, I can keep imagining I'm still in his bed. Still kissing the boy that made me realize I want more.
ooOOoo
I fell asleep after my little personal afternoon delight and woke with a start in the dark, wondering why I never heard back from Garrett. When I get my bearings, I turn on some lights, clean the dried cum from my hand and stomach, and pad barefoot back to the living room for my phone. I wish I'd just waited until morning.
I can't make it. I have to cancel. Sorry man.
I stare at the text on my phone for what seems like hours, but is probably only seconds, before composing a totally girly reply.
Can't? Or don't want to? I'm needy. Sue me.
After a few minutes, a reply comes through.
Can't. Look, I'll try to call you tomorrow. Al and I are leaving first thing in the morning for home. Not Friday. Sorry.
Tell Alice to fuck off. I'll make it worth your while...
Afraid not. See you after break, man.
Man? Not babe or E or even Edward? I thought I was more than just man. Thought we were on our way to ... I don't know … almost boyfriends. What the hell?
ooOOoo
Reviewers will get a peek at my one-shot that will be featured on the Twinklings Fuck Me Fridays on APRIL 15TH. It's titled Dirty Words and *whispers* it's E/B, not slash.
If you review, please let me know who your Garrett is. There are several boys out there that fit the bill, but I'm curious to know who YOU see.
VOTING starts TOMORROW in the Eurofornication contest! Go check out the slash and poly entries! http:/ .net /u/2757436/
Also, don't forget about the Fandom Fights Tsunami compilation! I wrote a JPOV outtake that all chapter 4 reviewers got a sneak preview of. If you go back and review chapter 4 this week, I'll send you the snippet they all received.