Page 65 of The Hookup Mix-up

When I step into the house, the first thing I see are balloons and streamers and a banner that says…Happy Coming Out. The letters are taped together. They clearly bought several banners and cut letters and words out to get their message across.

“What the fuck?” I frown, confused.

“Shit! He’s home! Happy Coming Out!” Casey throws confetti all over me. Of course a piece lands in my eye.

“Fuck. Ouch.”

“Shit. I’m sorry.”

I flutter my lashes to get the damn thing free. Jack and Avery have joined him now, Avery carrying a cake with penis candles.

“Welcome to the cool kids club.” Jack hugs me, and all I can think is how fucking lucky I am to have these people in my life.

“I can’t believe you guys did this for me.”

“I messaged Perry on social media, and he told us when you left. You still got here quick, though,” Jack says.

“How was your night?” Avery asks.

I don’t pause, don’t think, just open my mouth and say, “I’m totally in love with him and he doesn’t know.”

They grin.

“This calls for cake and beer, my friend.” Casey slaps a hand on my shoulder as we go to the table. We eat cake and drink a beer at noon, while I blabber on about my boyfriend…and did Avery and Casey know their prostate was a magic fucking button to the best orgasm in history?

“Right?” Jack asks, and we all laugh.

We hang out for a while, then play some video games before I head up to my room. Plopping down on my bed, I pull out my phone and call my mom.

“Hey, you. How’s my college boy?”

“Good,” I answer honestly. I don’t even have it in me to be stressed about school, not today. Not with the high I’m riding. “Great.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear.”

“How are things there?”

Mom gives me an update on the family. Dad was sick and missed a few days of work, and that makes things a little difficult, but they’re doing okay. It makes me wonder if I shouldn’t bring Perry home. That’s another mouth to feed, but I brush that aside. I’ll eat less or buy some food or something to make up for it.

“I can’t wait to see you next weekend,” Mom says.

“I can’t wait either. Listen…that’s why I called. I’m bringing a friend home with me.”

Mom seems to hesitate, then asks, “A girlfriend?”

My pulse spikes. “No, no. Just a friend. He…his name is Perry. We’ve gotten really close. He’s basically like my best friend now, and…” And I love him, and I want you to meet him, and dude, I have the best boyfriend ever!

“And what?”

“Nothing. That’s it.”

Mom chuckles. “Of course you can bring him. We can’t wait to meet someone who clearly means a lot to you.”

I grin. I should have known they wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I’m bi…and while I don’t think you’ll care—in fact, I know you won’t—it’s still scary.

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