Freed, page 11
Unlike before, He’s staying put and he’s not fighting against it. He’s not running from the truth and while it might not be the warmest embrace of his true nature, at least he’s finally acknowledging it in front of somebody other than me. There’s no denial on his part and even though he’s hiding it well, I can still see the shadow of fear in his eyes.
But then something strange happens. Over the next few hours, as we drink and talk together, Dylan starts to loosen up and relax. He and Auddie talk and get to know each other. They find that they have quite a lot in common and by the end of the night, they’re talking like they’re old friends.
As I watch them bantering back and forth, my apartment echoing with their laughter, my heart swells to the point it feels like it might burst and I can’t keep the smile off my face. I can’t stop thinking that this feels good. This feels right.
Around about midnight, Dylan has already decided he’s going to stay with me tonight rather than go back to his frat house, and I walk Auddie to the door. I’m holding it open for me when she turns and kisses my cheek.
“What was that for?” I ask with a laugh.
“I think he’s great,” she whispers in my ear. “You two are amazing together.”
I give her a wide grin. “Oh, so you approve now, huh?”
She slaps me playfully on the arm. “You can’t blame me for how I felt,” she says. “But I’m happy to say that I was wrong. He’s wonderful.”
“I’m really glad you think so,” I smile. “We still have a lot of work to do. I mean, this is going to be a process yet. But we’re heading in the right direction. I feel good about this.”
“Let’s just hope he continues heading in the right direction.”
“I’m optimistic,” I say.
“Me too,” she replies. “Why don’t you bring him to brunch tomorrow?”
I cock my head. “You think?”
She nods. “Absolutely. I think he’ll love the group,” she says. “And I’m sure they’ll love him.”
I think about it for a moment and then look at her. “It’ll be a baptism by fire, but I think you’re right. I think it’ll be good for him to meet the gang.”
Auddie leans forward and kisses my cheek again and pats the other. “Then we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait.”
I close the door behind her and pause for a moment. As I walk through the apartment, locking up and shutting everything down, then head for the bedroom where Dylan is waiting for me, the more I think that really is a fantastic idea.
Chapter Thirteen
Dylan
The light is streaming through the windows and I stretch myself out, feeling a bit stiff. I stretch out muscles that are surprisingly sore and roll over to find Wes laying on his side propped up on one arm, his eyes open, and him staring right at me with a small smile upon his lips. The way the sunlight is slanting in through the window lands right on him, softening his features and creating a halo of sorts around him. I swear to God looks like it’s purposeful theatrical lighting designed to make him look ethereal. Angelic.
“Watching me sleep?” I grin. “That’s not creepy or anything.”
“Creeping people out is also part of the gay agenda.”
“Oh, is it? Apparently, I have a lot to learn,” I laugh. “Do you have a manual or something I can study up on?”
I reach out and brush some hair off his forehead and give him a smile. Wes takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, the expression on his face warm and gentle. But more than that, it’s filled with an acceptance and even – love – I’ve never felt before.
I’m not saying he’s in love with me and I’m definitely not in love with him. We’re not even close to being at that point yet but I can tell there is something special, something different, developing between us. What we’re starting to build is to me, as unique as it is unexpected – and terrifying.
“You really won Auddie over, you know,” he says.
“Yeah?”
He nods and I lapse into silence for a long moment, glad that I turned his best friend’s perception of me around. I actually like her a lot. She’s real. Genuine. She’s funnier than hell and incredibly intelligent. She and I have a lot more in common than I thought possible and I really like her. I can see why Wes is so close to her.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks.
“Hard to say,” I respond. “Everything in my head is all jumbled up.”
He chuckles softly. “I can understand that.”
Wes leans forward and places a soft kiss on my lips. It sends an electric charge surging through my body and fills me with an intense desire to have him again – which is also something new to me. I’m not used to actually wanting somebody.
“I see your brain spinning,” Wes says.
“I was just thinking about how weird this all is.”
“Weird?”
I nod. “In the past, I used to have sex just to have sex. When it was expected and required of me,” I tell him. “I’ve never actually wanted to have sex with somebody before. It’s a weird feeling to – want.”
Wes arches an eyebrow at me and grins. “Oh, so you want to have sex with me, huh?”
Returning his smile, I reach out under the covers and grab hold of his cock, which is already stiff and long, begging for attention.
“I’d say it feels like you want to have sex with me,” I chuckle.
“Maybe.”
I tighten my grip and give him a few strokes, drawing a small gasp from his lips.
“Definitely,” I laugh.
Wes playfully slaps me on the chest and we laugh together for a moment before I pull him to me and press my mouth to his. Wes slides his tongue into my mouth, his kiss so intense and passionate, it nearly steals my breath. Slowly, he draws back, the smile on his face seductive, and my lips burning with desire. He lifts a hand and traces the tip of his finger down my cheek.
I turn over and roll out of the bed, walking around to the other side and take hold of Wes’ hand. I pull him out of bed and lead him across the room and into the bathroom. It’s small and it’s cramped but it’ll work. I lean into the shower and turn it on and pull Wes into a deep, passionate kiss as it warms. Soon enough, clouds of steam are billowing around us, so we both step into the shower and let the warm water rain down over us.
Wes’ firm body, slippery with the water, pressed against mine feels good and it ignites the fires of lust within me. We grind against each other and the feeling of Wes’ cock, long and rigid pressed flush against my belly only fuels that fire. Reaching down, I grip his hard length, stroking him firmly. He groans softly at first, his voice of pleasure growing as I grip and stroke him even harder.
Sliding down to my knees, I open my mouth and take him into me. He stutters and gasps as I take him as deep into my mouth as I can and start to bob my head up and down, using as much suction and tongue as I can. I know I don’t have the experience Wes does at this and I’m pretty much just winging it – trying to do more of what he physically reacts to.
I suck him harder and faster, gripping his balls and squeezing them tight. Wes pumps his hips, sliding his rod deeper into my mouth. His breathing is growing ragged and his moans grow louder and longer, echoing around the small bathroom. Suddenly feeling adventurous, I decide to ad lip and as I suck his cock, I slide two fingers into his ass. Wes staggers forward, a moan that’s almost not human passing his lips, and pushes his cock deep into my throat.
He looks down at me, a lopsided grin and light of extreme ecstasy on his face. I suck him harder, rolling my tongue around his cock as I pump my fingers into him deeper and faster.
“Fuck,” Wes croaks. “Holy shit, Dylan.”
Wes grips my hair, pulling it hard as he pumps his cock into my mouth. And as I drive my fingers as deep inside of him as I can go, Wes throws his head back and cries out. His body tenses as his cock starts to pulse and throb and a moment later, he erupts, filling my mouth with his thick, salty seed. Having never had somebody come in my mouth before, it surprises me and I choke and sputter, spitting it all out over him. The water rains down over us, washing it away immediately.
In between drawing deep breaths, Wes laughs hysterically and pulls me to my feet and wraps me in a tight embrace. Feeling stupid, I look down and feel my cheeks flaring with heat. Wes puts two fingers under my chin and raises my face to his. He gives me a warm smile and kisses me. I look back at him as he draws back and feel a trembling smile touch my lips.
“Hey,” he whispers. “That was amazing.”
“Yeah?”
He nods. “Really amazing.”
I suddenly feel better and kiss him back, pulling him to me. Wes grabs hold of my cock, which is stiff and aching for release. He turns around and puts the palms of his hands on the wall of the shower in front of him. Wes turns and looks at me over his shoulder, a salacious look upon his face.
“Fuck me, Dylan,” he groans. “Fuck me hard.”
I grip his shoulders with both hands as I slide my dick into him. Wes gasps and groans as I start to move inside of him. The waves of pleasure rolling through my body are intense and sear my every nerve ending, making me cry out. I pump my hips harder, driving my cock into him even deeper.
“Yes, baby,” Wes groans. “Give it to me. Fuck me.”
The slapping of our wet bodies is loud, as our groans of ecstasy. I dig my fingers into his shoulders even harder, burying my cock up to the hilt inside of him. Wes pushes himself backward, taking me into him even deeper as I feel my body tense up. I feel myself hurtling toward the edge of release.
Wes bends lower, reaching between his legs and grips my balls. He squeezes and massages them as I thrust my staff into him, sending a powerful shock of pleasure through me. I lose my rhythm and gasp loudly. A moment later, I grab his hair, pulling it tightly as I burst. My cock pulses as I shoot thick ropes of come deep into him.
I shudder as I drain the last of my come into him and remain where I am, as if frozen in place, for several long moments. My entire body is tingling, sending powerful pulses of electricity from head to toe within me.
After a couple of moments, my cock deflates and slips out of Wes, a gush of my come sliding out with me. He turns around and pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist, and gives me a long, sensual kiss. Slowly, he pulls back and I smile at him.
“That’s a great way to start a day,” he purrs.
I nod. “Yeah, I think I can get used to that.”
He flashes me a wicked grin. “Sounds like I’m indoctrinating you,” he says. “The gay agenda claims another victim.”
We laugh together for a moment before Wes gives me a serious look. We cling to each other, the water washing down over us, and I realize this is probably the most intimate moment I’ve ever shared with somebody.
“What is it?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Nothing. Just enjoying the moment.”
“Well, the moment’s over,” he informs me. “We need to clean up. We’ve got an appointment today.”
“Appointment?”
He nods. “Yup. We’re having brunch with the gang today.”
“The gang?”
“Well aren’t you just full of questions,” he laughs. “Section three, subchapter two-A of the gay agenda manual requires you to have a squad.”
I join his laughter but can’t stop the flood of tension that suddenly grips me. I look away, doing my best to loosen up and relax.
“What is it?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s just…”
My voice trails off as I realize I have no idea what to say or how to phrase my thinking without sounding like an asshole. Wes raises my head again and looks me in the eye.
“We don’t have to go. I mean, if you’re too scared, or –”
I laugh and wag my finger at him. “Clever boy. Very clever boy,” I grin. “Challenging my manhood and sense of self like that.”
Wes grins wide and my heart aches with how beautiful he is. He shrugs and gives me a peck on the cheek.
“Yeah, those psych classes are paying off,” he says. “Did it work?”
I sigh and wipe the water away from my eyes. The idea of going out into public – of acknowledging that I am a homosexual to the world – does terrify me. Inside the four walls of his apartment is one thing. But going out into the world is something else entirely.
But if I’m going to move forward in my life, I need to move forward. This is just one more obstacle in my life that needs to be overcome and one more fear that needs to be conquered. I can do this.
“Yeah,” I tell him. “I’m in.”
Chapter Fourteen
Wesley
Frankly, I am surprised Dylan agreed to go to brunch with us. When I asked him, I expected him to beg off. I figured he’d suddenly remember some frat function or a team practice he needed to get to. So when he agreed to come, I was shocked. Happy but shocked all the same.
I pull into the parking lot of the small café where we usually gather for brunch and find a spot. I shut off the engine and turn to Dylan to find him staring straight ahead through the windshield, the apprehension on his face more than clear. Reaching over, I take his hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
“Hey, are you okay?”
As if I just snapped him out of a dream, Dylan looks over at me, his eyes wide and filled with fear. He gives himself a little shake and seems to come back to himself. He gives me a shaky smile.
“This is really happening,” he says.
I lift his hand and place a soft kiss on his knuckles. “It doesn’t have to be if you don’t want it to,” I offer. “If you’re not ready –”
He shakes his head. “I don’t feel ready. I mean, it’s one thing to express myself with you when we’re alone,” he says. “But this is something totally different.”
I nod. “I get it, Dylan. I really do. This is a big step for you.”
“That feels like an understatement,” he says, a wry smile on his face. “This is going to change my entire life. I mean, once I go in there with you, I feel like the cat’s going to be out of the bag. Like it’s only a matter of time before everybody knows what I am.”
“You make it sound like people are going to find out you’re a space alien or serial killer or something,” I say with a chuckle. “Despite what your father and his friends might think, there are a lot worse things to be than gay.”
He lets out a long breath and runs a hand through his hair. “I know. And I know that I’m probably blowing this up in my head a lot more than it should be,” he admits. “But there are so many things I just don’t know right now. This is going to change everything. This is going to turn my entire world upside down.”
“It will. There’s no doubt about it. But being gay doesn’t have to define you, Dylan. It doesn’t have to define you any more than being an athlete does. Or being a straight man who fucks a lot of women,” I tell him. “Those are labels other people put on you. But you have the choice – and the chance – to finally define yourself. You have the opportunity to be free of those labels and be the person you want to be.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right,” he says.
“Look at it this way,” I say brightly. “At least this place is out of the way. You’re probably not going to run into your frat buddies here.”
He chuckles. “Well, that’s a plus.”
“Look, if you’re not comfortable –”
“No, it’s fine,” he says. “It’s fine. You’re right. I’m going to need to do this sooner or later, right?”
I give him a lopsided grin. “Then let’s get in there. I’m starved.”
We get out of the car and head inside. I reach out to take his hand but pull my hand back quickly, not wanting to push things too far just yet. I hold the door open for him and follow him in. After checking with the hostess, I lead Dylan to the patio at the rear of the restaurant where we usually congregate to find everybody already there.
Auddie is on her feet the second we step through the door and she throws her arms around me, squeezing me tight. She gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek before turning and grabbing hold of Dylan and repeating her greeting.
“I see the mimosas are strong today,” I say.
“Shut up,” she squeals and slaps me playfully on the arm.
She grabs Dylan’s hand and pulls him over to the two empty chairs next to her and picks up her champagne glass, holding it up as she taps it with her fingernail. The table falls silent and all eyes turn to them. I see Dylan’s face darken and he flushes with embarrassment as he takes in the six people seated around the table staring back at him. He’s gone from looking slightly uncomfortable to looking on the verge of a nervous breakdown in the blink of an eye.
“Attention everybody,” Auddie starts. “I’d like to introduce you to Wesley’s new squeezie. Everybody, this is Dylan.”
“H – hey everybody,” Dylan says softly.
The gang greets him warmly and I can tell that a couple of them recognize Dylan. For his part, he gives them a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes but he gives them a small gesture of greeting. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here right now but he’s doing his best to keep his emotions in check and keep from bolting.
I go around the table and greet all my old friends, getting the same raised eyebrow look from everybody and have to keep myself from laughing. A few of them know about Dylan and what happened between us – and they had the same reaction as Auddie. But I’m guessing Auddie must have smoothed the waters before we got here since none of them are threatening to cut Dylan’s pecker off.
“Hey, you’re on the lacrosse team, right?” Eric asks.
Dylan nods as he takes his seat next to Auddie and I drop down in the chair next to him. He takes a long drink from the water glass sitting in front of him and looks like he’s trying to steady his nerves.
“Yeah,” he finally says. “I am.”
Under the table, I put my hand on Dylan’s leg and give it a squeeze to try and reassure him. The muscles in his leg are taut and he’s radiating nervousness from every pore on his body. He looks over at me with a tight smile on his face and clears his throat. Auddie picks his hand back up and interlaces her fingers with his.
