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- 01/01/2015
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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 - 19. Prompt 360 Why do I even bother? (II)
An Eric POV chapter
“Why do I even bother?”
Eric wanted to storm upstairs and slam the door to his room, but he knew that would be a huge mistake. He was pissed at his mom for not trusting him. He had explained again – in spite of being acutely mortified – that it didn’t matter if they had been alone at Nelson’s house, since they hadn’t done anything they wouldn’t do if they were here.
After his shout of anger, he deflated at the sight of his parents’ upset faces. He slumped in his chair and hid his face in his hands.
“Why do I even bother? You seem determined to think the worst of me,” he muttered dejectedly. He wasn’t used to being treated like this, but he suddenly understood why Rob occasionally grumbled about their parents being too protective, interfering, and annoying. Why did they have to ruin his wonderful date day with this crap?
“Eric,” his mom began, her tone softer than before, but then she stopped. Eric could hear his dad talking to her in a low voice. He didn’t bother trying to listen, but hopefully she’d let Dad deal with matters.
Moments later, he felt her hand caress the back of his neck the way she used to do when he was a kid and upset or hurt. “I’m sorry, Eric, I didn’t mean to accuse you. If you’re honest with us, we’ll trust you. And now that I’ve met Nelson – and his parents – I’m more comfortable with the idea of you going out with an older boy.”
She patted his shoulder and left the kitchen, closing the door behind her. There was a long silence while Eric tried to get a grip on his anger. Finally, he sighed and turned his head to look at his dad.
“You know, I used to be almost glad you don’t have any sisters. It’s always harder for a mother to accept the girls her sons bring home, and a father gets protective when boys approach his darling daughters. Or so Freddy tells me.”
Eric smiled at the thought of his dad’s brother ranting about the ‘suitors’ of his daughters. All three of his teen cousins were blond, pretty and popular with guys.
“So you may have to be patient while your mom and I adjust to the new reality of you going on dates and being with a boy. It’s fairly easy to deal with in our heads, but gut reactions and emotions are harder to control.” His dad was a psychologist but he was quite good about not using his professional skills on them, in Eric’s opinion.
Especially after Rob had rolled his eyes one day at dinner when he was twelve and said: “Stop doing the understanding psychology thing on us, Dad. We can see through it, you know.” The weirdest part was their mom’s reaction. She laughed so hard she cried. Several years later she told them that she’d made the same complaint early in their marriage. But she also made it clear she admired her husband for being a brilliant therapist as well as a caring spouse and father.
In this case, it helped to have his dad admit that any issues were to be dealt with by his parents adjusting and not by Eric. It made him able to give concessions too.
“OK, Dad. I forgive you and Mom for ruining the end of my day, and I promise to let you know where I am, and to think about the consequences before I do anything.”
Father and son stared at each other for a long moment, but Eric cracked first. His lips twitched and he began to laugh. His dad joined him and soon they were leaning on the kitchen table and slapping each other’s shoulders while they howled with laughter.
Suddenly Rob opened the door and came into the room. He stared at them in complete surprise.
“What are you laughing about?”
Eric managed to pull himself together. “You know that thing Dad always says to you?”
“Which one?”
“Well, usually before you go out with Mel… ehm with your friends?”
Rob scowled. “You mean about letting them know where I’m going and when I’ll be back? Or the ‘think about the consequences before I do anything’ BS?”
When this reply made his brother and dad collapse with mirth, Rob shot them an annoyed look and turned to leave. Eric took the opportunity to dash after him. He wanted to avoid any more parental drama and he needed to placate Rob.
“Wait up, Rob. We weren’t laughing at you.”
The older teen paused on the landing.
“Yeah?” His grunt didn’t sound convinced.
“No, the joke’s on me. I finally get what you’ve been saying about overprotective parents.” Eric almost felt bad about his dismissive attitude every time Rob had complained for the past two years. Yet their parents weren’t that bad compared to others.
“Oh yeah? Did Mom curtail your possibilities for private time with Nelson?” The teasing tone of the Rob he knew was back.
Eric walked past Rob to his own room and his older brother followed.
“Was that what the shouting was about?” Rob did his signature back flop onto the end of his brother’s bed.
“Were you listening at the door?” Eric’s voice was incredulous. He closed his door and sat down on the bed.
“Fuck no, you know me better than that, bro, but you did shout something.” Rob turned onto his side to smirk at his pouting sib at the head end of the bed. Eric liked to think that he rarely lost his temper, or needed his brother’s help to deal with their parents, but maybe Rob was a good ally, if...
“Yeah, well Mom was practically accusing me of making sure Nelson and I were alone at his house, so we could have sex.”
“And was she wrong?”
“Fuck off, Rob!”
“Come on, you can’t really expect me to believe you didn’t do anything?”
Eric got lost in the memory of Nelson’s reaction to having his hair played with while they made out. Fuck, his boyfriend was so hot. He shifted as his jeans became uncomfortably tight, and the words fell out of his mouth, “We kissed.”
“Aaannnnddd?” Rob wriggled his eyebrows. "I mean, I saw you guys kissing; that much I know."
“And, … there’s nothing else to tell! We didn’t even take any clothes off.” Almost true, but hoodies don’t count, do they…?
“No body contact? No touching? No spooning?” Rob’s voice was almost a seductive whisper.
“Rob! Will you please – ”
“Well, you did it here, so…” The silence stretched as two sets of blue eyes challenged each other. Eric was determined not to lose this time; his intimate moments with Nelson were private, damn it. Rob would have to go elsewhere to have his curiosity satisfied. Hmm, maybe… he had a wicked thought.
“Well, if you’re so interested in what two guys do, why don’t you join the GSA with me? I’m signing up on Monday and going to their next meeting with Nelson. You could come along, and maybe you’d meet someone; someone who would love to show a straight jock like you what it’s all about?” Eric enjoyed the outraged face of his apparently speechless brother at the blatant teasing.
In fact, Eric was pretty sure Rob would get female offers enough to last him the rest of his senior year. The girls in West Hill High would compete for Rob’s attention. There was no denying that his older brother was one of the most popular and attractive students in their school. Being Rob’s brother was hard at times, but Eric wasn’t blind to the advantages. He would have been more worried about coming out, if he hadn’t been sure of Rob having his back.
“Get real, Eric. Stop treating me like an uncaring oaf! I know the GSA is there for more important reasons, and to be a safe place where everyone can feel accepted. But on the other hand, it’s not a bad idea. Joining the GSA, I mean. What about pulling in Tony and Maria?”
The sincerity on the big oaf's face told Eric that he had stepped over the line with his 'joke'. He sat up a bit to let Rob know he was sorry without having to say it. “We haven’t discussed it, but I’m sure they’d do it for me if I ask. Or, at least Maria will for sure.”
“Well, we both know she has Tony wrapped around her little finger.” The blond brothers grinned at each other; the infatuation of their friend was a constant source of amusement. But now Eric knew exactly how Tony felt, since he wanted to be with Nelson as much as possible too.
Suddenly Eric’s phone announced the arrival of a text. He dug it out.
Nelson: “Back home. Mom finally done asking questions, lol. Can I call you?”
“Ehm, Rob, can we say good night now?”
“Oh-ho, the boyfriend is sexting you?”
“What..?” Eric was focused on the screen and not really paying attention.
“You know, texting you about having fun. Did he send you a photo?” Rob craned his neck to see.
“No! He just wants to call me.”
Rob started laughing and Eric blushed even more and pointed at the door. “Say no more. I’m leaving. Have fun, bro. And don’t forget to lock the door this time.”
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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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