Which was weird, because I felt calm.
“Yeah.”My voice sounded smokey.
He was clasping my hand.
“Are you okay?”he said.
“I will be.”I shut my eyes.I felt tired, but a good tired.
“Craig!”
“I’m okay.”I opened my eyes again, because I didn’t want him to keep freaking out.
“You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack.Can you sit up?”
I rolled onto my knees, and he helped me stand.I had to brace my hand against his shoulder.I looked down at myself.“I really need a shower.”
Then I went to the bathroom.In the shower, I had this notion that maybe I should be worried.WasI okay?I felt fine, just exhausted.
I put on my bathrobe, and when I opened the bathroom door, he was in the hallway waiting for me.
“Okay?”he said.
“I feel like I got knocked out, actually.I got so turned on from holding you that I shot.Just like my first time with you.”
“You scared the shit out of me,” he said.
I noticed he’d changed his shirt.“Aw, look at you all cleaned up.”
“I had your come all over my shirt, man.”
“Sorry.Maybe don’t mention that when you talk to my parents.Give me a hug, huh?I promise I won’t come on you this time.”
He didn’t laugh, but he hugged me.“Craig, that’s not normal.”
“I never came right after practicing before.I was just winded.That’s probably what it was.”
“But—”
“I’m gonna get dressed.Then I’m gonna come out to my parents.”
Yeah, that thing I had to do.I let him go, went into the bedroom, and shut the door.Then I got dressed.
He was standing outside the bedroom door when I opened it.“I should talk to my parents now.You mind staying here?”
“Yousureyou’re okay?”
“I’m fine.Hey, I didn’t thank you properly.”I pulled him into a hug and kissed him, long and slow.“Thanks.Hey, your hair’s messed up.”I ran my hands through his hair, over and over.I didn’t want to stop.“You look so good, honey kid.”
“Should I put on a dress shirt and a tie?”he said.
I didn’t know he owned a dress shirt and tie.I pictured my mother asking him what the soup of the day was.
“Just wear what you’re wearing.I’m gonna do it now, I swear.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks,” I said, patting him on the shoulder.
