Page 67 of King of the Crease

I turn the trophy over in my hands. It cost two bucks. It feels like the Stanley Cup to me.

“Thank you so much!” Nick hugs her, then the guy with no shirt. He points to me. “This is my boyfriend!”

The award givers share an “aw” look between them.

I hug Nick to my chest and plant a divine kiss on his lips, tasting the variety of alcohol he’s consumed tonight.

“Adorable!” she says.

“Congrats!” The guy pats us both on the backs.

“We did it, Hank!” Nick holds up the trophy, positively beaming. “We won the bar crawl!”

“We did.” I feel like a winner, and it’s not because of the trophy.

21

HANK

Having a bar crawl in a suburban town doesn’t seem like the brightest idea when it comes to getting home. Luckily, the town allows overnight street parking, and an organization from the local college is running free designated driving trips.

After another two cups of water, Nick and I hitch a ride in a minivan with other spent bar crawlers. We get his overnight bag from my car first…as well as the “supplies.” The driver, a scrawny kid not much older than Brody, offers everyone water and barf bags.

“It’s my mom’s car. I am begging you. If you feel like you have to blow chunks, let me know. I can pull over.”

It’s eleven-thirty at night, but it might as well be three in the morning. Darkness envelops the streets, save for the glow of Christmas lights strung up on houses. Nick points out the window at the glow in the distance and mouths D’Angelos. He cuddles up against me, our trophy pressing against my stomach, as neighborhoods fly by.

We’re dropped off first. With each step up to the house, my dick grows harder. Nick still seems buzzed, so I caution myself that nothing may happen tonight. We may go to sleep. But if we can keep cuddling in bed, it’d make my century.

“It’s good to be home.” Nick sits on the arm of the couch.

I immediately go to the kitchen and pour us two large glasses of water. I grab the bottle of Advil from the basket above the fridge and get two slices of bread.

“Here. Drink this. Eat this. Take these.” I hand over the water, slice of bread, and two pills.

“I’m feeling sobered up.”

“Drink some more water. Eat some food. Your body will thank you.”

He ingests all three. He seems surprised at how thirsty he was.

“I survived my first bar crawl,” he says, his reserved self coming back. Though still with his cute accent. That’s how I can tell he’s still a little drunk.

“Did you have fun?”

“A lot of fun. I really like this life.” He yawns. His bright eyes are turning droopy. “I really like you.” There’s a touch of sorrow in his voice, the same touch that’s in my chest. He’s leaving soon.

“Baltimore is only a few hours away. A few hours in the car, and I’m there.”

That doesn’t get much of a reaction out of him. He manages a half-smile.

“Can we go upstairs?” He cocks an eyebrow at me.

I nod yes. I pour us two more glasses of water, sling his overnight bag over my shoulder, then lead the way.

“Your bed looks comfy and cozy,” he says when we get to my bedroom. My heart rattles in my chest like I’m a teenager all over again, only this time I’m going to get some action. There’s a cute guy! In my bedroom! Who wants to get in my bed!

He pulls at the covers but they don’t budge. “Do you always make your bed this well?”