Page 35 of Don’t Call Me Son

Jay shrugs looking down at Archie. “What?”

Archie shakes his head, laughing. “Well… you were a bit feral.”

Sarah laughs. “Okay, that’s enough. I don’t need details.”

Archie adds, “But… I do think it’s important to know.” Then he looks directly at me for the first time. “Jay asked for my permission.”

His eyes flick away like it was casual, but I know exactly what he’s saying. Unlike me… I didn’t really ask; I just showed up and took… took his fucking virginity in the most dominating way.

Archie claps his hands together once, regaining some confidence. “Anyway, I’m just gonna grab some more clean clothes and I’m gonna stay with Jay for a bit.”

Sarah frowns, looking torn. “Oh, I thought you’d be coming home.”

“Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. I have my own life. I’m independent, and Jay doesn’t mind.”

Sarah crosses her arms. “Well, how long for?”

Archie starts to say, “Well I’m not…”

But Jay cuts in, smiling happily. “Indefinitely.”

Archie looks at him, shocked. “Indef… what?”

“Yeah, if you want.” Then he easily and gently presses a kiss to the tip of Archie’s nose and Archie blushes again; clearly positively affected by his best friend.

Sarah grins, motioning toward the kitchen. “Jay, do you want a drink while he packs some stuff then?”

She inhales sharply, like she’s steadying herself for her son basically moving out, and then they head into the kitchen and Archie rushes upstairs. Oh, he’s not getting away without us having a conversation.

I jog upstairs after him and push open his bedroom door just as he pulls his suitcase out from under the bed.

“Archie,” I say deeply.

He stiffens for a moment, then carries on unzipping the suitcase like I’m not even here. “What?”

I move to stand beside him. “So… that’s it then?”

Archie throws some clean underwear into the case and finally looks up at me. “Well, yeah… obviously, Colt.”

I look down at him. “That easily? Really?”

Archie laughs, but there’s no real humour in it. “Yes, that easily, Colt! It should have never happened, okay?”

Wow. That hurts a little more than I expected. I inhale sharply. “I can’t believe this. You see me and your mom having sex and you freak and rebound?”

Archie shoves me and I stumble back a small amount. He points at me, eyes flashing. “Yes, I freaked! Because I feel guilty as shit for Mom. What we were doing was completely fucking wrong, and it’s done. We are done, Colt. No more. And no, Jay is not a rebound. He’s made me feel really free and safe the past few days and sex with him… well, it just opened my eyes. I already have a deep connection with Jay; it feels natural. It doesn’t feel complicated; he’s not trying to hide me. But most of all… I enjoyed it.”

I swallow. “And with me?”

Archie throws his arms up. “It’s not the same! I enjoyed being wanted, and I really appreciate all of your emotional support, truly I do. But you’re my stepdad; that’s not going to change. I refuse to be anyone’s second choice, I refuse to be kept a secret my whole life; I deserve more… but mostly, I refuse to ruin my mom’s marriage and break her heart. I’ve been a terrible son, and I truly hope she never finds out.”

I nod slowly. My heart hurts a little, but at least we didn’t take it too far; it was just two weeks. At least no real feelings were involved, the lust will fade, and the hurt will fade. But I fear something will always linger deep inside.

“Okay, yeah… you’re right,” I say quietly. “And I’m sorry… for not asking permission. For taking your first time. For sneaking around.”

I pause, swallowing hard to steady myself. “But Archie, I want you to know… I’ll always be here for you, for anything. You’re never alone.”

Archie softens and nods genuinely, like he appreciates that. He smiles a little sadly. “We’ll get over this, Colt. At the end of the day… it was just a bit of thrilling fun, right?”