Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Timothy’s Terrible Prompt Stories - 16. Prompt 364 That is the last time I am telling you anything! (II)
An Eric POV chapter
“That is the last time I am telling you anything!”
Rob jumped up from the table, and Nelson wished he were invisible. The meal had been pleasant up to this point with delicious food and relaxed talk. But after they had finished, Rob and Eric’s dad brought up the subject of his elder son’s fight with his teammates.
“Now Rob, Eric should be prepared…”
“No!” The angry teen fumed, “I only told you what they said so you would understand why I hit them and broke up with Melanie. They won’t say anything in school, since plenty of people will report them if they do. Chris and Ryan are both seniors, and they will be gone by the end of the year. And in any case, I expect Nelson will stay glued to Eric’s side, and no one is stupid enough to say anything hateful in front of him.”
Rob’s mom tried to defuse the situation. “Since you’re standing up, Rob, why don’t you fetch the ice cream from the freezer. Nelson, I hope you like apple pie?”
“Yes, ma’am... I mean Diane, but I’m not sure I can eat any right now. I had too much lasagna, it was delicious.”
“OK, in that case maybe we can wait an hour or two. When do you have to be home?”
“I texted my parents and I hope they’ll pick me up on the way home. But if ten-thirty is too late, I can leave earlier.”
“Lord no, we never go to bed before eleven on the weekend, so that’s fine. Why don’t you boys go upstairs for a bit and we’ll have pie around nine-thirty?”
“Thanks, Mom,” Eric stood up quickly, and Nelson followed his lead. But manners and habit made him ask.
“Shouldn’t we help clear the table?”
Eric’s mom smiled at him, “Just put your plate and glass by the sink, and I’ll load the dishwasher later. It’s normally Eric’s job, but not when he has company. Now off you go, boys, and do stop scowling, Rob. We will respect your wishes to keep matters confidential, won’t we, Will?”
“Yes, as long as there are no more incidents and both of you promise to tell me immediately if any of you get harassed. Nelson, I assume your parents are of the same opinion?”
“Yes sir, and since they are both lawyers, they have a pretty good idea about how to handle any problems. My mom has done legal counseling concerning hatecrimes for years.”
“Good to know. We’ll invite your parents over for dinner soon and ask their advice. And yes, Rob, we’ll keep the talk on general rather than specific matters.”
All three teens were grateful to escape, and Eric made no objections when Rob followed Nelson and him into his room. Rob threw himself down on the bed and groaned.
“Fuck. Parents. Sometimes they are too much.”
For once Eric agreed completely with his brother, “Yeah, I’m sorry about that, Nelson.”
“Not to worry, my parents would have been the same. Worse, actually since any cross-examination by them would have made you tell everything. Why do you think I’m so bad at lying?”
Eric went over to put some music on and he and Nelson sat together on the bed with their backs against the wall. Rob was across the bed at the other end; he turned on his side to look at them.
"So that’s why you never denied being interested in Eric, after I forced you to ask him on a date?” He laughed.
“Not much point since I had just told Jazz about having a crush on your brother. And you didn’t force me to do anything.”
“Jazz thought it was…,” Rob began, but his brother interrupted.
“Damn, I completely forgot.” Eric smacked his forehead. “Jasper and Carolyn told us to congratulate you on your home run. They had to go, so I promised.”
“Thanks, bro. Hey, how come you’re here instead of at Nelson’s place?”
“Well, we asked Dad for a lift, and he suggested taking us home, the worse luck, I guess. But now I’m glad he did. Even if you did barge in without knocking.”
“I knocked.”
“But never waited for a reply.”
“Come on Eric, if you don’t keep your door locked, you can’t blame people for entering. Like Mom did the other night.”
“Well, I guess rather you than Mom. Not that I want you to…” Eric trailed off, unsure how to express his horror at the thought of anyone surprising Nelson and him in an intimate situation.
“Rob, I wanted to ask you something.” Nelson thought a change of subject would be useful.
“Go ahead.”
“Is it OK if I tell Jazz about the fight? And are you going to tell the coaches?”
“Yeah, I guess you can tell him, and I’ll fill him in on the details on Monday. I don’t plan to tell anyone at school, but if Chris or Ryan blab, I may have to. I suppose it depends on what Chris tells his parents about how he got a fat lip. Or, he might decide to drop baseball.”
Eric decided he wanted to know. “Rob, is Chris the guy you talked to when Nelson and I met you before the game?”
“Yeah, that’s right, why?”
“Well, you didn’t notice but he wasn’t too pleased to see us holding hands.”
“Tough luck. You two have as much right to hold hands as any other couple in school.”
Nelson decided to intervene before Rob worked himself into another righteous fit.
“You can’t force people to accept, Rob. If they don’t say or do anything, that’s the best you can hope for. And Chris obviously knew better than to say anything in public. However, I’m surprised he mouthed off in front of you later.”
“Well, he didn’t know I was listening, so I guess that explains it. Anyway, forget about that asshole. What did you do today, apart from watching the game and a movie?”
Nelson shrugged, “Talked, played a computer game, had lunch. Just got to know each other better.”
Rob’s attention was on his brother’s face and his grin morphed into a leer. Nelson turned his head and sure enough Eric was blushing.
“Soooo, bro how well did you ‘get to know’ Nelson?”
“Shut up, Rob. I’ve never plagued you for details about your dates, have I? Why do you keep asking about stuff that’s none of your business?”
Nelson wondered too, and here was a chance to tease the jock back, “Yes, Rob, do tell us why?”
“No reason, guys. Just want to know if you’re happy together.”
- 20
- 1
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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