Page 47 of Untouchable Player

“There’s no shame in being a virgin.”

“I know. It’s just, I don’t want to be.”

My heart pounds in my ears. Maybe I could make sure his first time isn’t awkward? I might not be smart, like his future boyfriend will be, but I’m not a total dick, and I won’t treat him like shit. And I don’t mean to blow my own horn, but I’m pretty good at sex, or at least, people have told me I am. Maybe I could stop him from making a mistake with someone who wants to use him because he’s in a rush and they can see it a mile away? Maybe…

Someone puts a key in the front door and Nate stiffens.

Nate

“Mom I…”

My momanddad are standing in the doorway,together.

“Jesse, what are you doing here?” Mom asks, “is Harrison home?”

“No, I was just uh… studying… then we took a break to watch a movie. I should go…” he looks at me, “unless you want me to stay?”

That isn’t something your brother’s teammate, who you’re just innocently studying with, would say, and maybe I should be worried my parents will pick up on that, but in the moment, I’m just happy he asked.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

I show him out, glad to have a moment away from my mom and dad before the inevitable talk I can feel coming.

Jesse asks me if I’m sure I’m okay when we get to the door.

I nod. For a second, I think he’s going to kiss me and I really want him to, but he doesn’t.

After he leaves, I reluctantly join my parents in the den.

Mom’s picking the Five Guys’ wrappers up from the floor and I want to apologise for making a mess, but I don’t think I’ll be able to comment without giving something away.

My dad is the first to speak.

“Nate, sit down please.”

I want to ignore him. To rebel. But I didn’t even do that when I was a teenager. I do as I’m told.

Mom sits next to me and puts her hand on my knee.

“I’m sorry things have been a little crazy the past few days.”

I want to tell her it’s not her fault, but I remember what Katie said about not knowing the whole story and try not to jump to conclusions.

“Your father and I have had a little talk and I’m coming back home.”

“Did he have an affair?”

“Nate,” Dad says. Mom looks at him. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“She’s my mom,” I say, “so it is my business.”

“I’m not going to talk about this with you Nate,” he says, firm but calm, “I’d like you to go up to your room now so your mother and I can talk.”

Mom shoots me a pleading look, so I do as he says.

I wait to hear shouting, but if they’re even talking, it’s too quiet to make it up two flights of stairs to the attic.

When I check my phone, I have messages from last night I hadn’t dared look at until now. Katie asking me where I am, each message getting increasingly more worried until the last one:

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