Page 37 of The Retreat

“Owen! So happy to hear from you. I’m sure you can guess why I’m calling.”

“Er— your message said…”

“Right, right! It’s been a long day of these. Here at Team USA, we’d like to offer you a spot to fence on the national team this year. You’ve been on our short list for a long time…”

What?

He can’t be serious. I know I fence at an elite level, but really?

I realize he’s still talking and try to pay attention.

“—so we’d love to have you come out to the facility and get to know everyone,” Coach Ryker finishes.

Fuck.

What do I say when I have no idea what he’s asking? Fuck my life.

“Sure. I’d love to.”

“Great. I’ll have my assistant coach reach out to arrange all the details. We are happy to have you on the team, Owen.”

We got off the phone and I turn toward Colin. “Don’t say it.”

“What happened to asking questions?” Colin asks, a laugh creeping into his voice.

“I panicked and blanked out.”

“That tracks.”

“I need a nap,” I say, quickly exiting the room so I can go jack off and contemplate why I let him talk me into this.

Three days later, I learned how big a mistake I made.

FOURTEEN

Colin

Fencing practice starts today, though not for a few hours and it’s all going to be different, since Oliver and Owen graduated, I don’t know who our new captains are besides Ryan for epee.

My phone buzzes with a text from Isaac.

Baby Bird: I’m out front, come on!

Corruptor: You’re such a people pleaser.

Baby Bird: I can leave and you can find your own ride.

Corruptor: Like I don’t have a driver

Heading toward the door, I find Owen with his head hanging off the couch, still in his pajamas, staring at the ceiling. It’s not all that surprising since it’s not noon yet.

“I’m leaving.”

Isaac and I are going to spend the day together since Oliver is at work and Isaac is anxious, but I don’t say that. Maybe I want him to wonder who I’m going out with.

His gaze finds me and, like every time I have his attention, I can feel it like a physical caress. He’s driving me insane. There’s only so much jacking off I can do before the desperation for something more starts clawing at me. Since we moved in here, he’s allowed me to touch him once for a few seconds, and he hasn’t touched me. He won’t even share a bed with me since we moved. The few times I’ve actually seen him asleep, he was on the couch or in his gaming chair at the computer.

I can feel the bad decisions coming, and when they present themselves, I don’t know that I’ll be able to turn it down.

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