Play Me, I'm Yours [Library Edition] (16 page)

“Zach Teagan?” Alex said. His eyebrows shot up as realization hit. “Zach Teagan? You’re shitting me.”

“I don’t know for sure, but I think he likes me. Or at least he wants me to think he does.”

“Did he ask you out?”

“No.”

“How do you know he likes you? Did he flirt with you?”

“Yeah, kind of. I think so. I don’t know. He’s subtle. Like, he called me his lucky charm.” Lucas blushed and lowered his head. “It’s stupid. I know that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Did he say anything else?”

Lucas didn’t want to tell him about the poetry. He didn’t think Alex would understand. Besides, if he told him it sounded like Zach was writing about a girl, it would only draw more attention to his effeminate qualities.

“He referred to himself as my suitor once.” He glanced up at Alex, who smiled back at him.

“That’s not so subtle, Lucas.”

“I know. I guess I’m afraid it’s all a big joke. I mean, why would a guy like him be interested in someone like me?”

“Hey! Don’t put yourself down. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he likes you. I’m a good guy and I like you, right?”

“Yeah, but not like
that.”

Alex sat beside Lucas on the bench and put an arm around him. “I don’t know Zach that well, but he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d get his kicks from hurting other people, you know? He keeps to himself mostly. Maybe because he doesn’t want people to know he’s gay.”

“I guess so.”

“You should go for it. He seems like a nice guy. And if he’s not, I’ll kick his ass for you.”

“I don’t know. Donovan completely humiliated me in front of him yesterday. He probably doesn’t even like me anymore.”

“What? What did he do?”

“He wrote a limerick about me and read it out loud in front of the entire class. He made me sound like a prude.”

“That guy’s an asshole! What did you do?”

“Nothing. We were in class.”

“Lucas.” Alex sighed.

Lucas drew back. “What was I supposed to do?”

“You have to stand up for yourself. You can’t just sit there and do nothing or people are gonna keep picking on you. Why didn’t you tell him to go to hell?”

“It wouldn’t change anything.”

“Well, you don’t have to make it so easy for them.”

Why was Alex coming down on him so hard?

“I’m sorry I’m so pathetic,” Lucas said, getting up and grabbing his bag. “I have to go.”

“Wait. No, Lucas, wait,” Alex said, but Lucas hurried out the door.

He knew Alex was right, but the words had hurt. He didn’t want Alex to think of him that way. He didn’t want Zach to think of him that way. Even if Zach did like him, it would only be a matter of time before he realized Lucas was a big sissy. It was hopeless.

Chapter Thirteen
Dreams of Love

F
INDING
his usual spot on the bleachers, Lucas settled in to do his homework. He’d calmed down since lunch but still felt on edge. He wondered if Zach would come over and talk to him again after practice. Part of him desperately hoped he would, and another part wanted to avoid the confrontation altogether. Alex had told him to go for it. Maybe he was right. Maybe Lucas needed to take a leap of faith.

“Hey, Boo.”

Lucas turned to see Trish climbing the bleachers.

“Trish? What are you doing here?”

“Taking matters into my own hands. I can’t wait anymore, Boo.”

“What? What do you mean?” Lucas felt a jolt of panic set in. “What are you gonna do?”

Would she come right out and ask Zach if he was gay? Would Zach be mad at him for revealing his secret? He’d really made a mess of things now.

“I’m gonna put on my big-girl pants and finally talk to Zach. You can introduce me.”

This was a nightmare. He’d almost convinced himself to try and talk to Zach, and here was Trish, ready to swoop in and sweep him away, right under his nose.

“What are you going to say to him?” Lucas said.

“I don’t know. Don’t worry, I work well under pressure.”

This was a completely foreign concept to Lucas, who planned all conversations as far ahead as possible. For the next thirty minutes, he tried imagining what Trish might say and how Zach would react. It was nearly impossible, though, because she was so unpredictable.

She waved at Zach a few times, but he didn’t acknowledge either of them. As practice wound down and the team made their way to the locker room, she jumped up. “Lucas, he’s leaving. Let’s go say hello.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll come back out after he changes. He’ll pass right by here.”

“Okay. I’m nervous. Are you nervous?”

“You’re making me nervous. Are you sure this is a good idea? What if we both scare him off?”

“Think positive, Boo. No negative nellies allowed.”

When Zach emerged from the locker room, he walked toward them just as Lucas had predicted. “Hi, Lucas. Hi, Trish.”

Trish beamed and gave Lucas’s arm a squeeze. He could hear her inner squeal.

“Hi, Zach. You looked great out there. Lucas was telling me all about your technique.”

Lucas blushed. Why did she say
that?

Zack cocked an eyebrow and laughed. “Oh really? Thanks, I think. Do you swim?”

“I splash about in a string bikini. Does that count?”

“Not around here, but I won’t tell anyone,” he said. “What about you, Lucas? I’ve never seen you in the water.”

“I don’t think there’s a pool big enough to hold both me and Mason.”

“We’ll have to sneak you in when he’s not around, then,” he said with a wink.

Trish cleared her throat. “So, Zach, suppose I had an extra ticket to see Green Day in concert. Third row, center stage. Do you know anyone who might be interested in going?”

“You have third row seats for Green Day? That’s awesome. You should take Lucas.”

“You don’t even know if he likes Green Day.”

“Yeah, but he likes you, and he deserves a fun night out.”

“Ooh, you’re good.” She leaned in and gave Lucas a kiss on the cheek. “I approve,” she said, then made her exit.

How had she done that so effortlessly? Lucas’s heart beat furiously as he scrambled to find the right words.

Zach opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. He narrowed his eyes. “Do I want to know how she found out Green Day is my favorite band?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows what color underwear you wear on Thursdays,” Lucas said.

“Lucas Tate, are you flirting with me?”

Lucas felt the heat rush to his face. “There’s Mason,” he said. “Gotta go.”

A
S
SOON
as he got home, Lucas pulled out his phone.

Lucas:
i think it’s time to make your move

Alex:
u propositioning me?

Lucas:
no! go get your girl

Alex:
is she over that other guy?

Lucas:
yes

Alex:
and ur not mad at me?

Lucas:
i’m not mad at you

Alex:
xoxo

Lucas:
xoxo?

Alex:
we just kissed and made up

Lucas:
you’re ridiculous. you two will be perfect together

Alex:
:-)

Lucas smiled. Trish and Alex were the best friends he’d ever had. He hoped Trish wouldn’t turn Alex down. She’d have to be crazy not to fall for his charms. And she’d be good for Alex too. She was sweet and loyal, and she wanted a serious boyfriend. And apparently, Alex liked her wacky ways. They’d be perfect together.

His phone buzzed.

Alex:
i need ur help

Lucas:
with what?

Alex:
trish. i can’t just ask her out. i need to do something special

Lucas:
and you’re asking ME for advice?

Alex:
please? help me think of something

Lucas:
how about a flash mob?

Alex:
i’m serious!

Lucas:
okay, let me think about it

Alex:
thx, dude

Lucas lay on his bed, trying to come up with a plan for Alex. But before he knew it, Zach had overtaken his thoughts. Would Zach ask him out? Lucas got butterflies every time he thought about it. But was he willing to put his heart out there and risk being hurt again?

L
UCAS
was in the middle of practicing a new piece the next day when he heard someone enter the music room. Thinking it was Mrs. Davidson, he continued to play without turning to say hello. His fingers danced on the keys in perfect rhythm. By the time he’d reached the end of the piece, he’d forgotten someone else was there.

“That was incredible,” he heard a familiar voice say.

Lucas spun around. “Zach. What are you doing here?”

“I heard you playing. I’m sorry, I should have knocked or something. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s okay. I’m just practicing.”

“Do you mind if I watch?”

Lucas gulped. “I guess it’s only fair, right?”

“If you really want to be fair… your piano bench is the closest thing in here to bleachers. Can I sit?”

His heart fluttered. “Um… okay.”

Lucas scooted to one side of the bench. He’d never been this close to Zach before, and it made his skin prickle.

“What was that you were you playing?” Zach said.

“
Liebesträume
, by Franz Liszt.”

“It’s beautiful. Is it German?”

Lucas nodded his head.

“What does it mean?”

Lucas wet his lips and fidgeted in his seat. “Dreams of Love.”

Zach smiled. “No wonder it’s so beautiful. Play it again?”

“Okay.”

Lucas rearranged his sheet music. He stalled in an attempt to regain his composure, then placed his hands in their starting position. He wasn’t sitting in the center of the bench, so the reach was awkward. Zach must have noticed, because he slid farther to the edge and patted the space in the middle. Lucas scooted over until they were sitting so close their legs were touching.

He drew in a breath and struck the opening note. He was usually relaxed when he played. He liked to let himself be swept away from the here and now, but with Zach beside him, brushing his arm when Lucas played the high notes, he was acutely aware of where he was and what he was doing. It was an emotional piece to begin with, now intensified by his feelings for the boy sitting next to him, the physical manifestation of his own dreams of love. His heart felt as if it would burst. When he came to the end of the piece, he was breathing heavily and was on the verge of tears.

“Lucas, that was amazing,” Zach said softly. “I’ve never heard anything so beautiful.”

He wanted to believe Zach. He really did. He’d fantasized about a moment much like this, but he was paralyzed with fear.

“You know I like you, right?” Zach said.

Lucas looked up at him but didn’t know what to say.

“Do you want to go out sometime?”

Lucas didn’t answer.

“Tell me what you’re afraid of,” Zach said softly.

Lucas blinked rapidly as he felt his eyes burn. “That you’re a straight boy playing an elaborate prank on me.”

Zach chuckled. “I could kiss you. Would that put your mind at ease?”

“I’ve been kissed by straight boys before,” Lucas said, his voice wavering.

Zach cocked an eyebrow. “Sounds hot.”

Lucas looked away.

“Just kidding,” Zach said, laughing. “I don’t know anything about kissing straight boys. I just want to kiss you.”

Zach leaned in, and the moment their lips met, Lucas felt butterflies spread through his chest. The kiss was warm and soft, but his heart was on fire. All the fear, the worry, the doubts—they vanished in that instant, and he was overcome with a feeling he’d never experienced before. Love? Happiness? He didn’t know what it was, but he knew it felt right, like the scattered pieces of his heart had finally clicked into place.

“Yes,” he whispered as Zach slowly pulled away.

“Yes?”

“Yes. I want to go out with you.”

Zach beamed. “Tomorrow night?”

Lucas nodded, returning his smile.

“I can’t stay out late. We have a meet Saturday morning.”

“That’s okay.”

“Okay, tomorrow, then. Here, give me your hand.”

Zach took his hand, rubbing his thumb against Lucas’s palm.

The small but intimate gesture sent a surge of pleasure straight to his groin, and he shifted nervously.

Zach grabbed a pen from his bag and wrote his phone number on the palm of Lucas’s hand. Lucas brushed his finger over the number, hardly able to believe what had just happened between them.

L
UCAS
sat on his bed and stared at his phone, wanting to call Zach but not knowing what to say. Was Zach expecting him to call? They still needed to make plans. Lucas hadn’t had a chance to talk to him after school; the swim team didn’t practice on Thursdays. He hadn’t even asked his parents if he could go out. He didn’t know what to say to them either. After ten minutes of trying to find words, he punched in Zach’s number.

Lucas:
hi, it’s Lucas. you busy?

Zach:
never too busy for you :-)

His heart fluttered. Zach always seemed to have that effect on him. He wasn’t sure how he should respond. He wasn’t skilled at flirting. As he contemplated a reply, his phone rang.

“Hey. What’s up?” Zach said.

“Hi. Um… not much. I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow.”

“Yeah, sure. Unless you’re calling to cancel. In that case I insist you cover your mouth with duct tape immediately.”

“What? No.”