Page 7 of Dickathlon

“Yup.”

“And all the guys are shirtless?”

“Of course, bro. It’s an island.”

The show was exactly what we needed. It seemed that way anyway. I got to ogle some muscle and a few of the girls were cute too, and Luke got his escape.

He was nestled into my side with his head just below my pec, his hair tickled my bare chest, but I let him do it. Honestly, it felt good to be this close to someone. It had been a few years since my last girlfriend, and Quinn and I had never been physical with each other.

“This is okay, right? You don’t mind?”

“For sure, Luke. It’s not like I’m tied down.”

“Well, I appreciate it.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

“I’m surprised your parents let you come.” Not sure I should’ve said the P word.

“It’s Christmas. They’re busy with their friends. I said I wanted to see mine. And they know Cam’s in Florida. They’re still looking for a new coach for me anyway.”

“We can definitely get some workouts in if you want. Quinn and I pretty much have access to a private gym for two weeks now that school’s out.”

“That would be nice.”

“By the way, how’s school going?”

“It’s fine.”

“You talked to Woodward at all?”

“A little bit.”

He turned suddenly, burying his face between the couch and my side. His arm wrapped around my lap. I couldn’t hear any sobs, but his shoulders were heaving. I paused the show, dumped the remote, and started rubbing his back slowly with my free hand. After a minute or two, his breathing evened out.

He pulled back just a bit and brushed his hair away from his face. “It’s been really bad, Ty. I don’t know what to do.”

“I don’t really know either, but we can try to figure it out. You and me.”

“Okay.” He sniffled a little before pushing away from me to sit up.

“I’m gonna get ready for bed. Is it weird if I sleep with you tonight?”

I smiled. “Only if you make it weird.”

“Is it weird if I sleep naked? That’s how I’m most comfortable.”

Hmm. “I mean, I’ve seen you naked, so...no?” I stood up, taking his plate from the coffee table.

“You don’t have to get tha-”

“It’s fine. You go get ready for bed. I’ll be there in a minute.”

I headed into the kitchen, rinsed the plates, then shoved everything into the dishwasher.

You can do this. This isn’t weird. It’s just you and your best guy friend sleeping in the same bed. Naked.

Quinn and I had been friends for years and slept in the same bed a few times. Nothing had ever happened. This would be the same.

You weren’t both naked.