“Different how?” Daniel approached and stood beside Gideon, his hand settling on Gideon’s lower back.
“I’m not entirely sure he told the truth in the introduction,” Gideon said. “At least, not the whole truth.”
“What did he say?”
Gideon retold Katt’s story to Daniel. “I’m not sure he’s as curious as he implied.”
“Why would he sign up for it if he wasn’t?”
Gideon shrugged. “Beats me.” He looked at Daniel. “Were you ever… curious?”
Daniel squinted. “Meaning…?”
“Was there ever a time when you weren’t sure about your preferences?”
Daniel chuckled. “No. I knew from the very start. I was chasing boys in kindergarten.”
Gideon laughed, then sighed. “Yeah, I think I always knew, too,” he murmured. “But I kept it to myself until, well… you know the story.”
“I do.” Daniel kissed his cheek, then touched Gideon’s chin and turned his face, kissing him softly on the mouth. “You’llalwayshave me,” he whispered between kisses. “For as long as you want me.”
Daniel had loved him from the moment they met—and had waited for Gideon for years. The words he spoke now were true. Gideon leaned into the kiss. “I’ll always want you. I promise, I will.”
“Don’t have to promise.” Daniel cupped Gideon’s face and touched foreheads with him. “I know. I’m not worried.”
Gideon wondered whether that was entirely true, but it was a conversation for another time. He turned his attention back to the monitor, and he and Daniel watched the scene continue to unfold in the rec room.
5
Marcus shifted on the sofa, sitting sideways on his knees, facing Katt. “Do you wanna try kissing?” His voice was soft, almost cottony. He seemed eager to experiment with Katt, but not without Katt’s permission. “Just one kiss. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.”
Katt felt “on display” as the other young men watched, some amused, others curious to see how far Katt would go. Why was he dragging his feet? He had to do itall.He might as well quit stalling and get it over with—deal with the “fallout” afterward, when he was away from this place… and these men.
Mickey tittered. “No one ever stops with just one kiss from you, Marcus. Your kiss is addictive.” The onlookers chuckled and agreed.
Giggling lightly, Marcus gazed at Katt and pressed his soft, pinkish lips together, waiting for Katt’s response.
Katt thought about that day in the fort, trying to conjure the memory of how it felt to kiss his friend for the first time. The alcohol they’d consumed beforehand blurred the memory somewhat, but Katt hadn’t been as drunk as he’d let on. So, what did that say about him? He’d always blamed the beer for what they did. But now, suddenly, he was admitting he wasn’tthatdrunk?
His heart hammered at his ribs as he was suddenlyscaredto kiss the boy. What if hedidlike it? What if hehadlikedeverything they’d done in the fort? This wasn’t supposed to be some kind of “revelation” for him—just aninitiation.Nothing more.
Calm down. There’s no revelation. You’re just freaking out. You’re not some closeted gay. You’re straight as a fucking arrow. And none of this is going to change that—just like Todd said. So, nut up and get it over with.
Staring at Marcus’s mouth, though, he still hesitated. The boy’s wet tongue darted out, sliding across his lower lip, the saliva causing the pinkish hue to deepen a fraction.
Had Todd and the othersreallydone this?
When Franco took Katt to meet Todd, his nerves had intensified significantly. He was experiencing real cramps by the time they arrived at the fraternity house.
“Todd’s in his office,” Franco said as they climbed the curving staircase. “It’s the other part of the house that is undergoing renovations.”
Katt simply nodded, his throat too tight to speak. Why was he so fucking nervous? Even if Todd mentioned the fort—so what? It was years ago, and they were thirteen. None of that mattered now. What they’d done hadn’t made them gay.
So, what’re you afraid of?
Katt was as afraid of the question as of the answer.
Franco stopped before a polished wood door and knocked.
