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“Because…” Max hesitated, the reasons suddenly endless. “Because I totally just changed things between us.”
Kevin exhaled. “Yeah… But I like this change. Maybe even like it a lot.” He touched Max’s cheek. “You’re my best friend, Max. You always will be. But what we did just now felt… kinda right.”
Max’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t agree more. Because that kiss they’d just shared, right there in the grass… He’d never experienced anything so honest.
Allowing himself to relax, Max finally smiled. “I know what you mean, Kev. It felt… It felt good. Good enough that it can’t be wrong.”
Forgetting the fishing poles, the stolen rum, their sodas, Max dipped his lips back down to Kevin’s. They’d found their truth. Now Max wanted to enjoy it.
TWO
— FOUR YEARS LATER —
“Dude! Watch where you’re going. You spilled beer all over my shirt.”
Kevin winced at the guy he’d just walked into. “Shit. Sorry, man. Didn’t see you.”
Watching the spectacle, Max grinned and walked over, joining Kevin beside the bonfire. “Come on. Let’s go get some more wood.”
Kevin nodded and followed Max out of the clearing, and into the forest’s denser tree cover. “Thanks for the save. Brett was about to kick my ass.”
Max grunted. “That pencil dick? He’d have to get through me first.”
Behind them, the grungy beat of Pearl Jam’s “Alive” filled the dark night’s cool, crisp air. Popping drums and whiny guitars, rising above the illegal party’s chatter. Illegal in the sense that the thirty some teens present were technically considered trespassing. Not that they were doing any harm—unless one considered hanging out on county property building prohibited bonfires harmful. This time they’d congregated at Frying Pan Park, but they rotated spots every weekend. Always outdoors, though, and well out of view from any cops, or landowners, or whoever. Which wasn’t to say they hadn’t had their fair share of close calls, forced to scatter in every direction to avoid getting arrested. Although honestly, that was half the fun. Tearing through pitch black forests always got the blood pumping. Unfortunately, it was also an affective buzz kill.
And just like every weekend, Max had insisted he and Kevin go. To hang out with their buddies, drink some beers, and just chill. Although, very few gathered were Kevin’s friends. Because he was the shy one. The reserved one. The recluse. But he still needed to unwind like everyone else. Hell, probably more so. Max could tell. He could see it in Kevin’s eyes every time that he looked at him. Life with his holier-than-thou parents was taking its toll.
Kevin stumbled over a branch lying cock-eyed on the ground.
Max grabbed his arm and righted him before he fell. “Damn,” he laughed. “Walk much, Kev?”
Kevin shot him a tipsy, boyish smile. “Maybe I shouldn’t have done that last beer bong.”
Max smirked and shook his head. “With as often as you drink? One would think you could hold your liquor a little better.”
“Pfft,” Kevin scoffed, ambling beside him. “Got no fucking idea what you’re talking about.”
Max chuckled. “Uh huh. Sure. Not a clue. You don’t even wait for the weekends anymore.”
Kevin’s playful smile faded. “You wouldn’t either if you lived with my parents.”
“I guess.” Max shrugged. “But I still think you should stand up to them.”
Kevin cringed. “Have you not fucking met my dad?”
“You’re going to have to sooner or later.”
“Shit!” Kevin’s arms flailed as he tripped on something else.
Max yanked him swiftly against his chest, keeping his drunk ass from falling. Maneuvering Kevin to lean against a tree, Max smiled and moved in close. He couldn’t help it. Couldn’t resist. Kevin was just so damn adorable. What with those pink cheeks and big bright eyes, and that expression that always told Max how much Kevin wanted him. Even now, Max could totally see it in his gaze. If Max wanted to, he could fuck Kevin right then and there. And yeah, Max definitely wanted to. Thing was, their convo had just touched on a matter that Max kind of wanted to discuss.
Easing closer, he pressed his lips to Kevin’s. “You’re gonna have to tell them, Kev. We made a pact, remember?”
Kevin’s face pinched warily. “Of course I remember. I just… I just need more time.”
“More time?” Max eased back. “You’re already two months behind. We agreed to tell our parents right after graduation. Which, unlike someone, I actually did.”
“I know.” Kevin swallowed, the act looking painful. “Maybe just a couple more weeks.”
“A couple more weeks? We leave for college in less than a month.”
“Right. Exactly.” Kevin clutched Max’s shirt. “Which I’m thinking is actually perfect. I could wait until right before we go. Tell them a few minutes before we leave.”
“No.” Max shook his head. “That’s not—Kevin, no.”
“Why not?” Kevin demanded, his voice rising in pitch. “Seriously. What’s the big deal?”
“Because you made me a promise. And now you’re trying to break it.”
