Rory wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Bernard had been with guys, but he didn’t want to hear the details. He wanted to pretend he was Bernard’s first, even though that was impossible.
“I…” Bernard giggled. “I came in my pants as soon as the guy took off his clothes and touched me.” He buried his face into Rory’s back. He was laughing.
“What?”
“Yes, I was twenty,” Bernard said. “I’d just started exploring and it was with someone from High School. No, I won’t tell you who. We were at his parents’ house. They were out of town, and we were going to experiment. Well, we did little after that.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” Rory said. “I know it must have been embarrassing.”
“I haven’t spoken to him since.”
They went silent. Rory held Bernard’s arm. He stroked the hairs. Bernard’s arm hair was soft.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Bernard
Saturday, September 25/Sunday, September 26
IT WAS Aquarter to ten, and Bernard was running late. He still needed to pick up Rory and drive twenty minutes to the park.
Bernard rushed out the door, Ginger in tow, and drove off to Rory’s.
He arrived at ten and knocked.
Rory answered in a blue T-shirt, tan shorts, and sunglasses. Bernard lifted Rory’s glasses and stared into his beautiful green eyes.
“Don’t hide your eyes.” Bernard smiled.
“You’re sweet.” Rory’s cheeks reddened.
“Are you ready to go?” Bernard asked.
“Can’t we stay in and cuddle?”
Rory wrapped his arms around him and kissed him.
Bernard melted in Rory’s embrace. He pulled him closer. The warmth of Rory’s lips erased all urgency in leaving.
Bernard pulled away slowly and ran a finger up and down Rory’s chest.
“As much as I’d like that, we’re already late. We were supposed to be there at ten.”
“All right, we’ll go then.” Rory pouted.
Bernard laughed.
“You said you invited your friends too?” Bernard asked as they walked to his truck.
“Yes, Davi, Nicolas, Sophia, and Jeff have all said they’ll join us. It’s going to be fun.”
*
THEY ARRIVED ATten-thirty to find everyone had settled around a park bench and were socializing. Davi and Sophia were in an animated conversation with Sarah.
“Well, it looks like we don’t have to introduce anyone,” Bernard said. “You all seem to have done that.”
“Well, we all got here around ten. Where were you two?” Kelly teased.
