Page 20 of Unexpected Boyfriends

On Saturday night, I pick up Justin at 8.30pm as promised. I bring the car. I’m pretty sure he’s hoping I’ll take him on the bike, but I’m not sure how happy his grandparents are about him being on the motorbike, and well, he’s still in their care and living in their house, so I need to be respectful of that… up to a point, anyway. Besides, I don’t really want to arrive at the hall with a hard-on from riding with Justin pressed up against me. So, car it is.

I ring the doorbell and Justin answers almost immediately.

“Hey,” he greets me with sparkling eyes and a happy smile.

I give him a thorough, and very obvious, once-over. He looks cute as hell – tight jeans that hidenothingand an oversize T-shirt with cuffs in a bright orange color that contrasts with and highlights the grey of his eyes. His hair is casually mussed and he’s used gel to keep it that way. All in all, cute as fuck.

“Hey, yourself.” I say appreciatively. I’m sure I must have a hungry look in my eyes because he blushes and glances at the ground. “Ready to go?”

He nods.

“Heading out now. Good night,” he calls out, as he pulls the door closed behind him. Before he can step away from the door, I crowd him against the brick wall, pinning him with my body, while I kiss him slowly and thoroughly on the lips. He's warm and solid, and we're pressed so close together.He trembles against me.

I draw back. That’s a much better way to say hello. Justin looks a bit dazed but not at all unhappy.

“Come on, let’s go,” I tell him, giving him a nudge towards the car.

He blinks back to life, the momentary daze gone.

He jumps into the car, all eager excitement, eyes bright and cheeks flushed. But then once we're underway he falls silent. The constant tapping of his fingers on the door handle bothers me. Something's wrong. I ask him a few questions about his day and I only get one- or two-word answers back.

“Dude,” I turn to him as we’re waiting at the traffic lights. “Are you okay?”

“Um. Yes?” he doesn’t sound too sure.

“What gives? You don’t normally have this much trouble talking to me.”

Justin hesitates, bites his lip.

“Come on, spit it out.” Then, remembering that he is four years younger – four years less experienced – than me. “What’s wrong? I won’t judge. Promise.”

“Uh. Just nervous, I guess.”

“Nothing to be nervous of. It’s just a band, there’ll be a crowd but it’s just locals.”

“I’m not a local.”

“No, but you’re with me. You’ll be fine.”

“Um, but your friends will be there, right?”

“Yeah, a few. Why?”

“Just thinking that might be kind of awkward… with me being so much younger. Might not have a lot to talk about.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine. We won’t be talking much anyway, the bands are always way loud.”

I reach across the transmission box and cover his hand with mine. “We’ll be together. It’ll be fun.” I give his hand what I hope is a reassuring squeeze.

Justin nods. After that the tapping stops and conversation flows better, though still not as easily as it usually does. And he’s got me wondering.

Am I going to have a problem with my friends?

JUSTIN

I’m excited to go out with Axel to see the band, but I’m also really nervous. What will his friends think? How will he introduce me – as a friend, a date? Do they even know he’s gay? I wish I knew, but I don’t want to ask. I don’t want to look totally gauche.

When we arrive, we get out of the car and Axel brings out a cooler bag from the backseat, obviously well prepared. I'm not going to make the same mistake as last time. I'm sure I can safely assume he's got me covered.

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