AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He mumbles some arguments but knows better than to let me hear them. The lines were only the first stage of his training. If he can’t focus on his studies, I have no problem making the consequences more physical. I won’t use the word spanking when I tell him. I’ll just remind him that if he doesn’t get his shit together, there will be punishments much harsher than putting pen to paper. He might not get exactly what I mean, but he’ll know it’s not an empty threat. Nothing would make me happier than to take his firm ass over my knee and remind him why there are rules in place that he’s expected to follow.
Or else.
Once I’ve put cream cheese on two toasted bagels, one for each of us, and have his cold bagel ready, I take them out with two glasses of orange juice. Normally, he likes to drink milk in the morning, but I don’t want to remind him of the substance. Not when he seems to have suspicions that are hitting a little too close to home.
Three hours into our study session, and I’m impressed. Lucas is obviously taking this new study plan seriously and seems to be trying hard to learn what he needs to. He made flashcards for history and calculus to cover formulas and graphic equations he’s being tested on, and he aced the English quizlet I found for him on my phone.
“You’re doing a great job, Luke.” I wrap my arm around his shoulder and pull him to my side, almost kissing the top of his head before I stop myself. “You’re gonna ace your tests this week.”
He rests his head on my shoulder and sighs, not pulling away when I release my grip. “Thanks, Hunt. I really appreciate how much you’ve helped me. I couldn’t do it without you.”
You don’t have to, sweetheart.
Shit, I need to get myself together. Clearing my throat, I lean my head back and close my eyes, gently nudging him over so he’s not against me. Triggering me. “So, um, you want to take a break?”
“I guess. But um…” His voice is shaky and tentative. “I really need you to be honest with me, Hunter.”
“About what?” I open my eyes and follow his gaze, right down to the wet marks on both sides of my chest, right through my hoodie. “Fuck!” I hop off the couch and go straight into the bathroom, absolutely mortified.
“Hunter, wait.” Lucas is right behind me, banging on the door. “Please let me in. I can help.”
“No, you can’t.” I rip my layers off and turn on the shower. “No one can.”
He’s quiet, but I know he’s still there. Still waiting to have the conversation that I was hoping we could avoid forever. But now, I’ll have to admit what’s going on and what might never go away. Under the hot water, I do my best to empty out the milk in my chest as I finally allow a few tears to escape from my eyes.
This isn’t fair. I might lose my best friend and never find true happiness because of some crazy biological abnormality that I have no control over.
When the water runs cold, and there's nothing left to drip from any parts of my body, I turn off the water and wrap myself in a towel. As I expect, Lucas is sitting on his bed with his laptop open, probably looking up the process for requesting a new roommate. Someone who isn’t a leaky freak.
He doesn’t look up or even say anything when I walk into the room and turn my back, quickly getting dressed in a compression shirt and another hoodie.
I consider tucking a towel under my shirt, but does it even matter now? He obviously knows something’s up. No sense trying to hide it any longer.
When there’s nothing more for me to do to stall for time, I take a deep breath and turn to face him, sitting on the edge of my bed with my hands clasped in front of me and shame written all over my face. “So…”
“Hunter, I think I know what’s happening, and I can help.” Lucas is so damn sweet it makes a lump form in my throat. He has no idea what he’s saying.
“I don’t think you can, Luke. It’s…not normal.”
He slides to the edge of his bed and leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Male lactation isn’t as unusual as it used to be. I have a cousin who does it. It’s not that big of a deal.”
My jaw goes slack as his words sink in. He actually does know what he’s talking about—and he knows someone else who’s like me. “Seriously? This is a…thing?”
He smiles and blows out a breath through his nose. “Yes, it’s a thing. It’s…annoying, I guess. And maybe uncomfortable, but it’s not bad. At least, not if you don’t have other symptoms.” His eyes narrow and his tone lowers an octave. “Do you have any other symptoms? Seriously, Hunter, you have to be honest with me. Is it just the milk or are you feeling sick?”
I shake my head, unable to hold his eye contact as I speak. “Just the milk. I’ve leaked here and there for a few years, but lately, it's been a lot.”
“But nothing else is going on?”
“No, I feel fine.” Instinctively, I hold my pecs and press them, regretting it when I feel cool wetness spreading across my shirt. “Just full a lot of the time. That’s, uh, what I was doing the other day when you came in. I read that I can squeeze out the milk to keep it from just pouring down my chest. And, well, you caught me in the middle of it.”
Lucas grinned. “I had a feeling that was it, but I wasn’t sure until today.” He grabs his laptop and moves to my bed, sitting beside me. “My cousin sent me a link to this group he’s in. The Lactin Brotherhood is an organization for men who lactate. Y’know, like you. They have a lot of research and educational stuff. I looked at it a little, but the biology stuff started getting too complicated, and then you got out of the shower… Anyway, their website has tons of good information. We should check it out.”
“Wow…” I’m stunned by how supportive he’s being. I thought he would be freaked out or worse. But he’s not only more informed than I am, he’s acting as if this is totally normal. And…okay. “Thanks.”
Lucas rests his head on my shoulder and sighs. “You’re always there for me when I need you. Now, it’s my turn to be here for you. We’ll figure this stuff out together, Hunt. Just don’t hide from me, and we’ll get through it.”
My throat is tight again as I nod. Maybe I haven’t been giving Lucas enough credit.
