Page 23 of Swim Crush

And the semi.

Which reminded me to hurry up and get back to my phone. Maybe I had a message waiting for me. With Logan gone, I could jack it as much as I wanted and not get caught. I dried my wet fingers, draped the towel over my shoulder, and swiped.

PillowByter: You’re back?

PillowByter: Back where?

CircusTent: On campus. I came back early.

PillowByter: Any particular reason?

I felt ballsy.

CircusTent: To take you out on a date.

CircusTent: For New Year’s.

PillowByter: Oh really?

PillowByter: And what makes you think I’d agree to that after months of remaining anonymous?

CircusTent: The holiday spirit?

PillowByter: LOL. Call me the Grinch.

PillowByter: Maybe I’ll get the courage before the end of the semester, but not right now.

PillowByter: Sorry.

CircusTent: It was worth a shot.

It was New Year's Eve, I was out of semen, and campus was deserted. I could've gone into Nashville and found something to occupy my time, but I didn't want to get drunk alone. Finding my way back to campus could be problematic. Plus, there was the chance I wouldn't be served as I was twenty and hadn't bothered with another fake ID since my last one was confiscated.

Since I knew he was around, I took a chance.

Mike: How's it going?

Mike: Any plans for tonight?

Plus, part of me wanted to somehow make up for earlier, to show that he could be comfortable around me. I was a little surprised he answered so quickly.

Hayden: I'm good, and sadly not really.

Mike: I don't really want to see your dad any sooner than I have to, but maybe I can come over and we can watch the ball drop?

Mike: I fully realize it's rude to invite oneself over, but my tiny room isn’t company-friendly. Plus, there's only so many things I can do by myself and my hand's exhausted.

I stared in horror at the message, realizing I just sent Coach's son a masturbation joke. The seconds felt like minutes. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the typing dots bubble on my screen.

Hayden: Should've asked for a Fleshlight for Christmas.

Mike: LMAO!

Hayden: My parents are heading out to a party, so it's just me if you really wanted to hang out.

I deleted the text I was about to send – he was more than enough but I didn’t want to patronize him – and retyped.

Mike: What do you like to drink?