It’s not my scene.
In fact, I’d gladly miss it for some time alone with Eric, but this year, some of my paintings are being auctioned off to benefit the Children’s Hospital of New York.
He bites his lip, the smile dropping from his face. “If you want to go, then we’ll go.”
Something’s wrong. At first, I blamed my guilt over accepting a gift from Aaron and keeping it a secret, but now I’m not sure.
“Geez, that sounded… pained?”
Squeezing my hand, he leans back in his chair. “It’s no secret that I’m not fond of wearing a tux, but for you, I’ll do anything.”
I try to abandon my apprehension while we quietly do schoolwork side by side. I try, but my nagging thoughts just won’t ease up. It could be the Olympic trials for Seoul next fall. It could be finals in a couple of weeks. Maybe he’s picked up on Aaron’s shift in attitude toward me.
Whatever it is, I feel like we’ve been knocked off center.
Dusk on this spring evening gives a tranquil feeling on campus. With such a small student body, it’s easy to feel like the whole place belongs to us. I keep stealing glances at Eric as we walk to his car. I managed to keep my mouth shut while we studied. Now I’m weighing my words carefully.
He surprises me by detouring onto the stone path toward the Great Hall, pulling me along. “I want to show you something.”
At least his mood has improved.
We take a right inside the doors, past the chapel currently closed for renovations, three classrooms, and through the door to the side stairs.
In jest, I pull my hand away. “I’ve seen a horror movie with a scene like this.”
Even in the middle of the day, the darkened corridors of this building feel haunted.
Eric’s laugh echoes as he pulls the second-floor door open. The chapel has a balcony section accessible from this level. He tugs me through, putting a finger over his mouth to hush me.
Normally, this door is locked.
Eric grabs me to stop me from toppling over a carpet roll. My gasp bounces off the cavernous space.
He points to the floor below, where half the pews are being replaced. The altar is intact, the changing light of day casting strange shadows through the stained-glass windows behind it.
Then I see it.
Fascination pulls me closer to the edge of the balcony.
“Whoa, don’t lean on that, Biz.” He pulls me back slightly; his arm hooked around my waist. “That’s the painting, right?”
The Divinities. It’s breathtaking, even better in person than in a textbook. Tears fill my eyes. “How did you know it was here?”
“Aaron saw it delivered to the chapel earlier today. I knew you’d want to see it.” His voice softens as he pulls me back against his chest. “It’s… majestic-looking, I guess, but I love your paintings more.”
It’s sweet of him to say, but this painting… it’s not just a work of art. It’s history. It’s a call to something deeper. I did a paper in high school onThe Divinitiesand the other two paintings in the collection. But of the three… I feel a mix of connection and hope when I see it.
I turn in Eric’s arms to hug him, but the expression on his face makes me hesitate. The tenderness pricks at my heart. “What?” I ask, wiping a tear from his cheek. “Do you need to tell me something?”
He shakes his head before leaning in to kiss my cheek. He shuffles back toward the door while holding me, pulling it closed tight. Then, he deftly picks me up to swing me around. My legs wrap around his waist.
We rarely get time alone anymore, with our roommates, his swimming, my painting, and school obligations. Any moment we’re able to touch… anytime we can make love, neither of us wastes it.
Breaking our kiss, he digs in his backpack for a condom, but I grab it eagerly. “I’ve got it.”
I quickly look around to make sure we’re hidden from view of anyone entering downstairs before we continue, then readjust myself as the shadows fully envelop us.
I take pleasure in the way he watches me undo his belt and unzip his pants. My hand reaches inside to free him. His head falls back with a groan.
