Page 95 of Hits Different

“I don’t think I can be myself without it, Brandon”, his lip wavers. “But I can’t be myself without you either”.

Challenge accepted. I force down the quell of doubt in my gut. “You clearly love it. And I”, I’m about to say ‘love you’, but stop myself just in time, “Respect that”.

“Do you really think I could do it?”He looks so young when he lets his guard down. Too young to get your heart broken chasing the wrong thing.

“I think you can do anything”. And I mean it.Because he’s Parker Di Rossi, and if there’s one thing he’ll always have, it’s me to believe in him. Even if I’m going to worry myself sick in the process.

“I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna make this my life”. Parker’s eyes land on the portrait tattoo on his forearm. “And my dad’s gonna be…” he break off, covering the crack in his voice with a forced laugh.

“Proud? He was already proud. You know that, don’t you?” Something flickers across his face. I open my mouth to continue, but he cuts me off, pulling me closer.

“Who’s talking to me right now?” Parker smiles, “Best Friend Brandon, or Hot Date Brandon?”

“The Brandon that really needs to kiss you”.

I lead him quickly to a sheltered spot at the side of the gym. There’s barely a sliver of light between us and I close the gap in a millisecond, pressing my lips onto his. His whole body melts into mine.

“Brandon?” His voice is ragged.

“I know, I know, you’ll kill anyone who…”

“No, not that”.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No. I just want you”. He kisses me urgently, then parts to brush the fringe out of my eyes. “Every part of you, Brandon”. I laugh, but he doesn’t. “I’m deadly serious. I want you. Right fucking now. I can’t wait anymore. I won’t”.

Chapter 37

PENTHOUSE

Parker

“This is our first date”, Brandon bites his lip, a move so deadly it should come with a safety warning. “I didn’t come tonight with any expectations. I don’t want you to feel pressured”.

“I don’t. In the slightest”. Every word is carefully punctuated so there’s no misunderstanding. “I want to be closer to you. I’ve waited my whole life to do something that matters, Carter. I won’t wait anymore”.

His whole body shivers. “I want that too. More than you know”.

The first time I lost my virginity, it was with an older woman I’d met whilst bussing tables at a hometown restaurant. She thought I was a little older, I thought she was a little younger. The sex was quick, passionate, and I never saw her again.

When it was over, I felt a strange sense of disconnection, like I’d hit the finish line without actually running the race. It wasn’t bad, but, it wasn’t good either. After the buzz of telling people wore off, there was a part of me that wished it had been more special. It’s a story for the locker room. But that’s all it is.

With Brandon, I want it to be more than that.

“Where shall we go?” The boys are at home tonight, and I don’t want to risk Deano spotting us. Tonight is only about me and Brandon.

“I know a place”. His voice hums like a race car engine. “Somewhere worthy of a special contribution”.

When he says it like that, I would follow him to the ends of the goddamn earth.

* * * *

The walk through town does nothing to dampen my libido. Brandon deftly leads me through small pockets of people gathered outside bars or restaurants. My heartbeat quickens with every step.

We’re walking together so closely that we keep bumping into each other. We take a familiar left turn but to my surprise, we keep going. “Summit is that way”.

He shoots me an amused look. “Yeah. We’re not going home”.

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