Page 124 of Game Night: Truth or Dare
Boxes litter the floors, counters in the kitchen, and on the couches that are already arranged into some semblance of structure.
“I’m working in the kitchen,” Keith says, inclining his head to the open doorway. “Can you grab the kettle and get some water on for tea while I find some mugs?”
Nodding, I move around him, rinse his kettle, then fill it with water. After I put it on the stove, I start opening cabinets to find tea bags. Once found—in an otherwise empty cabinet—I pull two out and slide myself onto the counter. Keith finds mugs and rinses them, setting them beside the stove near the tea bags.
We’re quiet, just staring at each other until the kettle starts whistling. I hop down from the counter and get our tea together. When it’s done, I hand him his mug and blow on mine, watching him over the rim of my cup. He does the same and I feel my cheeks heat for more reasons than the hot tea.
After the silence grows thick and I think we’ll just end up staring at each other for the remainder of the time I’m here, Keith sets his cup to the side, rubbing his hands together. I set mine down as well, then hop back on the counter.
Keith chuckles, shaking his head, and turns to the box on the counter. “I swear,” he says as he pulls cups out of the box and places them in the dishwasher, “I really am better at conversation than this. It’s just …”
“Weird,” I fill in for him.
Another chuckle. “Yeah, weird.” He looks over his shoulder at me. “Not in a bad way. I just never thought I’d be attracted to a man so young.”
I shrug and lean forward a little, my hands gripping the counter. “I’ve always liked older men, though I didn’t act on it until about a year or so ago. Most don’t want a college kid long term—just someone to have fun with for a while and move on to the next.”
Keith gives me a sad look over his shoulder. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what I’m looking for, but I wouldn’t toy with you like that.”
“This is different,” I tell him. “There’s our relationship with Evan at stake. I don’t think we can have anything more than fun. I don’t think I could bear the thought of your relationship with your son being tarnished because of me.”
He turns back around, smiling sadly. “That’s what makes this so hard. I want to get to know you, but I don’t know how Evan would react to us.” He waves his hands back and forth, gesturing between us. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t hang out.”
I nod. “I know. I’d like that.”
“Good.”
Deciding I really should help him move in, I jump down from the counter and open a box, helping him unpack like I offered.
Chapter 6
Keith
Over the next week, Derek comes over after his classes to help me unpack. If I were alone, I would have been done already, but I like him moving things around into the spaces he wants them. I give him a general idea of where I want things and he sets them up how he wants them. Not in a ‘staking my claim’ sort of way—he seems to do it unconsciously. I will admit that I like looking at where he puts things and I have no desire to move them.
Tonight, though, we only have a few boxes left to unpack. Not enough for him to even be here for an hour if we’re diligent. I find myself getting nervous, wondering if I would have to find an excuse to get him to come back or if I could just ask him. I used his offer to help me unpack like a lifeline, hoping we could get to know each other while he helps me.
It worked like a charm. Derek is an interesting young man. I find myself drawn to him more and more. While he’s still the man that gave me an award-winning blow job, he also has a lot of depth to him. He’s smart, ranking second in his class. He’s driven, since he already has several job offers locally and statewide. And he’s funny as hell. Derek has been cracking me up, telling joke after joke while we work. He’s made the time we’ve spent unpacking fun rather than boring and tedious.
The knock at my door has me smiling from ear to ear. I hustle over and throw the door open, expecting to see Derek. Evan’s smiling face greets me. I try not to let my disappointment show, but it’s short-lived. I love seeing Evan any chance I get. Being this close to him makes my heart happy.
Reaching out, I pull him into a hug, clapping him on the back. “Hey. I thought you had study hall.”
He brushes past me, dropping his backpack to the floor as he sits on the couch. I surreptitiously grab my phone and send off a quick text.
Me: Evan is here. You can still come over, though. We can wait until he leaves to unpack.
I get a text back immediately.
Derek: No, hang out with him. If he doesn’t stay the night, let me know when he leaves and I’ll help with the last few boxes.
A smile leaps to my face, even though I try to wipe it off. Evan catches it, though. “New woman in your life?” he asks, a genuine smile aimed at me. I want to tell him so badly that it’s a new man, and that he knows him, but that would be unwise for two reasons. One, I can’t tell my son I want to fuck—and possibly more—his friend. Two, Evan doesn’t know I’m bi.
Besides, Derek and I are just getting to know each other. It’s almost like the bathroom blowjob didn’t happen. I know what I want from him, but I’m sure he doesn’t want that now, since we have such a good connection.
I can, however, remedy one reason I can’t tell Evan about Derek.
Pulling in a deep, fortifying breath, I say, “New guy. Kind of? I’m not sure where it’s going, but I like him.”
