Play Me, I'm Yours [Library Edition] (17 page)

“Good. So what do you want to do tomorrow?”

“Oh. Um, I don’t know.”

“Well, we could get something to eat, go to a movie. That’s kinda cliché, though. How about scuba diving? Alligator wrestling? I’m up for anything you want to do, really.”

Lucas laughed. “I don’t know about scuba diving….”

“But you’re okay with alligator wrestling? Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side,” he teased. “How about we go to the Inner Harbor? It’s really pretty at night.”

Lucas thought back to the last time he’d been there. Chris Robins had easily picked him out of the crowd.

“Can I ask you something?” Lucas said in a sober tone.

“Yeah, of course.”

“Are you worried about people seeing us?”

Zach was quiet for a few moments. “Most people don’t know I’m gay. So if we see someone we know, they might say something. Hell, people we don’t know might say something. I guess it’s a chance we’ll have to take. I’m not gonna let it keep us from going out and having a good time.”

“So you don’t mind? Being seen with me?”

“No, of course not. Do
you
mind?”

“No. Why would
I
mind? I mean, you’re….”

“I’m what?”

Lucas paused. “Nothing.”

“I’m nothing?” Zach said.

“No, that’s not what I—no, you’re not nothing. Forget it.”

“Mhm. Do you want me to pick you up?”

“Okay. Would you mind coming in for a few minutes to meet my parents?”

“Yeah, sure. Do they know? That you’re gay, I mean.”

“Yeah, they know. They’re okay with it. I guess they just want to know who I’m with. I know it’s kinda lame.”

“It’s not lame. At least you know they care.”

Lucas detected a hint of bitterness in Zach’s voice. He wasn’t sure if he should ask Zach about his parents. It sounded like it might be a touchy subject. He didn’t want to say something to upset him.

Lucas’s mom called him from downstairs.

“Hey, I’ve gotta go eat dinner. What time are you coming over?”

“How about seven?”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

Zach may not have been able to see the smile that lit up Lucas’s face, but his mom didn’t miss it as he joined his family at the dinner table.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” she said.

Lucas shrugged. He was going to have to tell them something, but he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. “I sort of have a date tomorrow night.”

Mason put down his fork and glared at him. “He asked you out?”

Lucas grinned and nodded.

“Who asked you out?” his mom said.

“Zach Teagan,” said Lucas.

“Who’s Zach Teagan?” his dad said with a sour face.

“He goes to our school. You’ve probably seen him. He’s on the swim team.”

“Oh?” his mom said. “Which one’s Zach?”

“He’s our best flyer,” Mason said. “I should have known he was gay. He shaves his entire body.”

Lucas blushed. Had Mason ever seen Zach naked? Did Zach really shave his
entire
body? These were entirely inappropriate thoughts for the dinner table, he realized, as heat suddenly pooled in his groin.

“Where is this boy taking you?” his dad said.

Lucas could tell he didn’t approve. “The Inner Harbor.”

“That sounds like fun. Just be careful, sweetie.”

“You can show him your Jerry Lee Lewis impression,” said Mason. “I’m sure he’ll love it.”

“Quit teasing your brother,” his dad said.

“You know, you really could use a haircut, honey. Do you want me to call Beth and see if she can work you in tomorrow afternoon?”

“No, Mom. I’m fine.”

“Well, you want to make a good impression, don’t you? And you could use some new clothes too. You’re still wearing those shirts I bought you two years ago. And don’t even get me started on those shoes.”

“Mom, it’s fine. I haven’t grown in two years.”

“I could use some new shoes,” Mason said.

“Lucas, let’s go this weekend. It’ll be fun. I love clothes shopping. It’s like playing dress-up.”

“Sharon. Listen to yourself,” his dad said. “He’s practically a grown man. He doesn’t want to play dress-up.”

It felt odd hearing his dad call him a man. Despite his age, he didn’t feel like one. He still felt like a boy. His dad was right, though. He didn’t want to go shopping with his mom. Imagine if someone from school saw him.

“I just want him to look his best for his new friend.” She turned her attention back to Lucas. “At least you know a lot about swimming. Make sure to talk to him about things you know he’s interested in.”

Lucas bit his tongue as she continued with her dating advice.

“Better yet,” she said, “just let him do the talking.”

“Mom!” Lucas pushed his chair back and stood. “If he doesn’t like me the way I am, I’d rather be alone.”

He didn’t wait for her reply. He left the table and went directly to his room. He couldn’t listen to her anymore. He was worried enough that Zach wouldn’t like him, that he’d find him dull. All she was doing was compounding his anxiety. Next she’d be telling him to stuff a sock in his pants. Lucas looked down at his crotch and let out a sigh. How was he ever going to pull this off?

Chapter Fourteen
All Through the Night

H
IS
mom had to work the following evening, so only his dad sat with him in the family room, waiting for the boy of his dreams to arrive.

Mason walked in with a bag of Doritos and plopped down on the sofa.

“You waiting for Zach too?” Lucas said.

“I gotta see it with my own eyes to believe it, that’s all.”

“Just don’t be a dick. Please.”

“Why not? I thought you liked dick.”

Yep, he was gonna be a dick.

His dad cleared his throat. “Looks like he’s here,” he said, pointing out the window.

Lucas gripped the arm of the chair as his heart leapt into his throat.

“Aren’t you gonna answer the door?” Mason said.

Lucas stumbled to the door, tripping over his feet on the way. He took a deep breath, then rested his hand on the doorknob and waited for Zach to ring the bell. He knocked instead, three loud raps that made Lucas jump and set his heart racing.

“Lucas?” His dad gave him an exasperated glance. “Answer the door.”

“Right. The door.”

When Lucas opened the door, Zach flashed a smile and leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek.

“You smell yummy,” Zach whispered, sending the butterflies in Lucas’s stomach aflutter.

They stood staring into one another’s eyes for a few moments before Zach asked, “Are you gonna invite me in?”

“Oh. Yeah.” Lucas laughed.

His dad rose to meet them as they entered the family room.

“Dad, this is Zach. Zach, this is my dad.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Zach said, reaching for his hand. Lucas breathed a sigh of relief as he witnessed the firm handshake.

“Same,” his dad said. “Where are you boys going?”

“We’re gonna walk around the Inner Harbor, sir. Maybe grab something to eat.”

“I hear they’ve got great live entertainment,” Mason said, still seated on the sofa.

“Oh, hey, Mason. How’s it going?”

Mason mumbled a reply, stuffing his mouth full of chips.

“You ready for the meet tomorrow?” Zach said.

“Yep. Just chillin’ at home tonight. You know what they say—you shouldn’t partake in any kind of sexual activity before a competition.”

“Okaaaaaay!” Lucas said. “Time to go.”

Lucas grabbed Zach’s arm and dragged him toward the door.

“You got your phone on you, Lucas?”

“Yeah, Dad.”

“All right. Don’t be late.”

“We won’t, sir.”

“Thanks, Dad. Bye!”

Zach laughed as soon as the door shut behind them.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry. Just be glad my mom wasn’t there too.”

“No, it’s okay. Be glad you have a family who cares about you.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it caring, at least not where Mason’s concerned.”

“Of course he cares about you. He was eyeing me up even more than your dad was.”

Lucas snorted. “Yeah, right.”

Zach smiled, opening the passenger door for Lucas. “Is it okay if we stop at Jitters on the way? Get something to go?”

Jitters? That was the coffee shop where he’d gone with Donovan. “Okay,” he said reluctantly, climbing in to the car.

“We don’t have to.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t really drink coffee, that’s all.”

“You don’t have to drink coffee, goof. They’ve got other things too. Allow me to enlighten you.”

Lucas smiled. He would definitely try something different this time.

Once they entered the shop, Zach asked Lucas if he knew what he wanted. He shook his head, staring up at the menu.

“If you like sweet and spicy, I highly recommend the chai latte. If you like sweet and chocolaty, they have a killer white hot chocolate. Or if you’re into something healthier, you could go for a smoothie. Pick your poison.”

Lucas smiled. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention. “Sweet and spicy.”

“Excellent choice.”

When it was their turn to order Zach pulled out his wallet. “Two grande chai lattes, please. And two bottled waters.”

Should he offer to pay? It was a date, but they were both boys. How did that work?

“I can pay for mine,” Lucas said.

“Nope. I got it.”

The barista smiled at them. “Can I get your names for the cups?”

“Teagan and Tate,” Zach said.

“Teagan and Tate,” Lucas repeated. It rolled off his tongue like poetry. God, what was this boy doing to him?

“You must really be thirsty,” Lucas said as they waited. “Four drinks.”

“It’s the chai. High in caffeine. Gotta stay hydrated.”

Lucas nodded. “What Mason said earlier—this isn’t going to interfere with your meet tomorrow, is it?”

Zach cocked an eyebrow. “You mean all the
sexual activity
we’ve got planned for later?”

Lucas’s heart stopped. “Uh—”

Zach let out a full-bodied laugh. “I’m kidding. You should see your face.”

Lucas looked away.

“Sorry. To answer your question, no, not at all. Don’t worry about it. I mean, we’re not gonna do anything crazy, right?”

Lucas shook his head, but the truth was, he had no idea what he was doing. It was all a bit crazy.

“Two grande chais for Teagan and Tate,” said the barista.

They both smiled.

“Come on,” Zach said. “Let’s get outta here.”

B
Y
THE
time they reached their destination and found parking, they’d finished their lattes. Zach grabbed the water and led Lucas out of the garage. As they meandered toward the Inner Harbor, Lucas was hyperaware of the few times he brushed up against Zach in an attempt to avoid oncoming foot traffic.

“Come on,” Zach said, taking hold of his arm and steering him toward a less-populated area. “It’s not so crowded over here.”

Lucas looked around, hoping no one had noticed them. He’d never linked arms with a boy in public.

Zach pointed in the distance. “Hey, look. There’s someone playing piano. Wanna go check it out?”

It was the street piano.

Lucas nodded. He filled Zach in about the project as they walked, omitting the fact that he’d been here before. If Zach hadn’t heard about the incident, he wasn’t going to tell him.

When they reached the piano, they found an elderly woman playing a classical piece. Lucas didn’t recognize it, but he liked it. “She’s good.”

“Not as good as you,” Zach said, bumping him with his hip.

The move, though playful, was unexpected, and Lucas struggled to maintain his balance.

“Graceful,” Zach teased.

Lucas wished he were more relaxed. He wanted to tease back, but his nerves were getting in the way. How was Zach so calm? So funny? So insanely sexy? Lucas tried not to fixate on Zach’s lips as he sipped from his water bottle. Would Zach try to kiss him before the end of the night? He wouldn’t kiss him here, out in the open, but maybe later—

“Looks like it’s your turn,” Zach said, interrupting his thoughts.

“What?”

Zach nodded toward the piano. “Your turn.”

Lucas watched the woman get up from the bench and rejoin her family.

“What? No.”

“Please? I’d love to hear you play.”

“I don’t think so. I’m sure there are other people waiting.”

Zach looked left and right in an exaggerated motion, then bent down and looked under the piano. “Nope. Just us.”

Lucas laughed. “Is that supposed to convince me?”

“How about if I sit next to you? Would that convince you?”

Lucas swallowed, remembering the way Zach sat next to him at the piano the day before, remembering the kiss they shared.

“Okay,” he said, his voice cracking.

They settled onto the small bench.

“Do you take requests?” said Zach.

“Sure, if it’s something I know.”

“Let me think,” Zach said, playfully tapping his index finger against his cheek. “How about some Cyndi Lauper?”

Lucas’s smile fell, and he immediately looked down at his lap. Was Zach making fun of him? After all this? Had it been a sick joke the whole time? How could he have fallen for the same trickery again? He felt his throat constrict, and he couldn’t hold back the tears.

“Hey, hey. Lucas,” Zach said, putting his arms around him. “What’s wrong? Please tell me. I’m sorry.” Zach rubbed his hand up and down Lucas’s back. “Please.”

Lucas wanted to scream, but he couldn’t speak. Instead he sat very still, willing himself to disappear.

“Please. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Why did you say that?” he managed to choke out.

Zach squeezed him tighter and leaned in to speak softly in his ear. “I’m sorry. I heard what happened. I’ve heard people teasing you about it.”

“Then why would you say that?”

“Because I can’t bear the thought of anyone taking something you love away from you. I really want to hear you play. I… I wanted to make it a good memory to replace the bad one. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

Lucas slipped his arms around Zach and returned the hug. Although a sense of relief washed over him, his fears still held him captive. When Lucas let go, would Zach like who he saw? There was nothing sexy about a crybaby. Were people staring? Gawking at the overly emotional gay boys?