Turbulence - 14. Chapter 14

Daniel pulled his new football jacket tighter around his chest and put his bare feet up against the balcony railing, his cellphone propped to his ear as he conversed with Denver. The night air presented a keen edge that prophesied winter. The brighter stars cut through the lights of the city below and he was momentarily reminded of campfires beside the river. But instead of the dark forest and sound of water and wind, he listened to the voice of the city. His friends found it exciting when they joined him here on the balcony at night. But this was nothing special to Daniel. The lights from the other buildings and the incessant noise of traffic were simply the background of his world. He could read the sirens like bird calls. Mandy became especially distressed by the balcony at night; she told him it reminded her too much of her mother out patrolling the streets. While Daniel sat rocking slowly in the chair, Officer Cole was probably out there somewhere, cruising the streets with her partner looking for a black Escalade. His own mother milled about only a few feet away in the kitchen, providing a somewhat secure presence to his world.

“But you were awesome last night! No, really man. They pushed their running game so you never had a chance to shine,” Daniel tried to reassure his mentor. He shifted the phone against his shoulder and slid his hand back into the jacket pocket before continuing. “You were on that guy's ass all night. They were probably afraid to pass it your way.”

“He made the plays when they needed him to,” Denver countered grimly.

“And you nailed him every time. . . well most of the time anyway. Remember how you ran him off the field and into their coach? Man that was too funny.”

“It wasn't my best game kid. I hope you see something better next Friday. If I play like that again, Coach Davies will probably bench me.” The comment was beyond Daniel's comprehension and it left him speechless for a moment. Denver switched topics on him. “Did you get your math homework done for Monday?”

“Yes it's done.” The question exasperated Daniel; he didn't want to think about schoolwork right now. Especially algebra, which caused him a great deal of confusion. Denver was just the opposite -- a math whiz who seemed especially eager for a chance to help his protege. They had spent a great deal of time going over it during their thirty-minute resource period on Friday.

Denver ignored the tone of Daniel’s voice. “Do you understand it now?”

“I told you it was just the terms. It was different last year for some reason. I finished it this afternoon.”

For Daniel, resource period was more of an opportunity to hang out with his senior during school. Denver quickly discovered that Daniel did not appreciate assistance with his schoolwork. The senior became content to confine his role to editor, literary critic and more recently, algebra instructor. But most of the time, Daniel's friend Kemal, who sat before Daniel in English, would latch onto the better students during resource period. Kemal's senior was apparently not much help to the boy, so more often than not, Denver and Daniel found themselves tutoring the hapless pair.

Daniel decided to deflect the conversation. “So did you hear about the drive-by after the game?”

“It scared the shit out of me. I knew you and Mark were probably somewhere in the middle of it.” Denver did not hear about it until his team was getting back on the bus.

“We were waiting for a bus down the street. Mark pushed me down when the shots were fired. They drove right by us! Amber talked to a reporter -- man that place was wild.” Daniel rubbed a numb foot for a moment and rocked precariously on the chair as he traded feet to warm the other. He thought about his mother going ballistic when she heard about the shooting.

“It's a fucked up city. You remember what I told you about that crowd,” Denver warned.

“Don't sweat it; I've been keeping my distance since grade six.” Gangs were a formidable obstacle in Daniel's inner city world. He gave them all a wide birth and showed the different colors cautious respect when he bumped into them.

“Right. And you got the shit kicked out of you the first week of school.”

Daniel made it a point to learn the geography of Riverview after that. “Well, maybe you shoulda spent less time teaching me the facts of life and more time pointing out the different territories at school.” A painful silence followed and Daniel could tell he had touched on something sensitive with his comment. He waited for Denver to respond

“So how's your love life?” Denver finally asked in a tone Daniel had come to recognize.

“You should know,” Daniel said softly; he could not keep the sense of longing out of his voice.

Denver replied in a measured tone. “I'm sorry, Daniel. I told you how it would be. You know I can't start something with you. Last Saturday was a one-time deal.” The rejection still hurt. It was just as well they were talking on the phone. Denver had already seen enough of the young teen's hunger over the past week. “It was special Daniel, I'll always remember it. It makes me feel really close to you, you know that. But it was just one night.”

“It doesn't have to be.” Daniel responded plaintively. They were traveling through familiar territory. “If it was special for you, then why does it have to be just a night?”

“Daniel boy, you know why.” The response came quickly. Mark, of course.

Daniel needed to find a way to accept it but he was not taking things well. In Daniel's mind it was not a problem. Daniel could not see how he and Denver being intimate with each other every once in a while could hurt Mark. . . or how it could hurt Mandy for that matter. True, she was his girlfriend now -- just thinking about her filled him with joy -- but they had not done anything serious yet. It was not like they were going steady or something. It had not stopped her from going to a movie with other boys in her drama club and it had certainly not stopped Daniel from thinking about Denver.

“It takes work boy.”

Daniel was not sure what Denver meant by that. “What, being with someone or trying not to be with someone?”

Denver laughed and told him both.

"Well we still have June," Daniel remarked playfully, but his hunger for the seventeen-year-old would not subside. He was determined to hold Denver to his half-hearted morning after promise.

"We'll see," Denver responded.

Daniel felt encouraged by his partner's softening tone. Denver's deep voice on the phone prompted Daniel's hand to wander deep into his crotch to fondle his cock and balls. The soft texture of the sweat pants felt heavenly against his raging cock. Daniel played with himself as they continued to talk. He knew he would get nowhere with his friend on this night. Any further conversation was simply an opportuinity to masturbate over Denver's sensual voice.

“Are things okay around the school? You don't talk about it much.”

Things were not okay. Everyone had promised that if he was a good sport and took the hazing then the abuse would slack off after the school dance. This did not seem to be happening. Daniel considered his words carefully. “It comes and goes, I don't know. . . A couple of the guys keep coming back at me, but mostly people leave me alone if they hassled me once before.” It was very hard and he took it personally. Daniel was not used to being teased or bullied. He realized his popularity in elementary school had spoiled him and he was a little ashamed that he never had to worry about it before.

“What guys? Is Troy on your case?” Denver always wanted names.

“Not really. In fact, he was almost nice Thursday. Some of the seniors from the swim team showed up at the end of gym. They told the swimming coach they wanted to do an initiation with us and the bastard left the pool to go get a cup of coffee or something. They made us do atomic sit-ups. Do you know what those are?”

“Yeah, I've heard of them.”

“We all had to do thirty sit-ups. I'm pretty fast, especially when I have someone's bare ass in my face. So this guy started harassing me, saying I wasn't getting my face in the other guy's ass enough. Troy told him to back off. We were almost late for the next class though. Some of the chubby kids took forever to do their sit-ups. . . I wish they would let us wear swim suits.” Daniel could not hide the embarassment and bitterness. It would have been bad enough if everyone had their butts covered. Doing it together as a class did not help either. The situation worsened in the change room afterward; once accusations started flying, a few punches were thrown. Daniel discovered he preferred dealing with the seniors on his own: fewer people to know about what was happening. “Seriously, I’ve only had a couple other little problems Denver.”

The few little problems could be summed up in one word -- Jake. Daniel's nemesis had not been able to corner him again; Daniel made sure of that. But it did not prevent Jake from mocking him. What was that phrase again? Jake undresses me with his eyes. Sitting in the cafeteria, Daniel felt the older bully's presence all around him. He would see Jake across the room staring at him over a forgotten lunch and Daniel imagined the powerful youth was reliving the scene in the restroom, as he pushed Daniel panting against the wall. Jake would be thinking of his finger back inside the ninth grader; the finger that had made Daniel hard. Daniel did not like Jake's smug look or the lust in his eyes. Daniel did not want Jake. Sitting in the chill air on his balcony, Daniel wished Denver would go back to looking at him the way Jake looked at him. It would have been different if it had been Denver in that restroom.

Why does it have to be Jake who still wants me?

“Your team plays on Thursday, right?” Denver's question was a welcome distraction.

“Right. Are you gonna come watch me?” Daniel was filled with a mixture of fear and excitement at the prospect of playing his first high school game.

“I'll be there. I'll pull some of the gang together to cheer you on.”

“That would be great.”

The freshman football team did not get much play around the school. Everyone went to the varsity games, while the freshmen stands were usually left to parents watching their sons. Freshie year was not an inducement for ninth graders to gather in large numbers and the boys were disappointed to learn that the cheerleaders did not grace their games. Daniel wanted to see Mandy bouncing on the sidelines as he scored touchdowns. But he quickly dismissed the thought. Realistically, he conceded that he was unlikely to score a touchdown and she was never going to be a cheerleader for his benefit.

At least Denver would be watching him. Daniel glanced over his shoulder to where his mother sat absorbed in some work at the kitchen island. She had a glass of wine out. That was a signal that she was going to be busy for a long while. Daniel tugged his waistband down a bit more as he continued listening to Denver. He ran his thumb over the teardrops hanging from the tip of his cock.

Dangerous Shoals
Tuesday, September 21st

Mandy watched Daniel as he sat against the cafeteria wall eating alone. She took little solace knowing he was not always alone; sometimes a friend would sit with him. But mostly, Daniel ate alone. She knew he dreaded the next senior who might humiliate him in front of his friends, mainly her. Mandy turned to listen to Isabeau and Conrad before glancing back at Daniel for one last look. She thought about the final straw. In the euphoria of their breakthrough at the dance, they had begun eating together in the cafeteria. After they finished, they would sit holding hands simply content to be together. That ended as abruptly as it began. They were in their own world when three senior girls stopped and interrupted them. Daniel quickly snatched his hand away, but the connection had been made and the girls decided to amuse themselves at the expense of the young freshie couple.

“Well, will you look at that! Two young lovers Trina; aren't they so sweet?”

“What's your name honey?

“Daniel.”

“Do you French kiss Daniel? Do you stick your tongue way down her throat?” Daniel did not respond to the question. Mandy was surprised when the girl reached down and started kissing her. It was a familiar hazing for Mandy and she cooperated half-heartedly, conscious of Daniel watching her. The girl forced her tongue between Mandy's lips and then broke contact. “Hmmm, pizza buns, yummy, see how it's done Daniel? Show us what you can do.” Daniel leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her lips.

“Oh that was pathetic children. Show me something more interesting.” One of the girls coaxed Daniel out of his seat and escorted him around the table. Daniel's face was frozen into a mask and his cheeks were flushed. Mandy had never seen him that angry and she worried about what he would do. She took the initiative and pulled his head close for another kiss. She remembered blocking out everything else except his lips and the feel of his hair between her fingers. He would not help, so she pushed her tongue through his lips and then suddenly he was responding to her. Daniel turned out to be a surprisingly good kisser, like someone who had taken a few lessons. Mandy gasped and their eyes met quickly as they pulled away; there was no mistaking the spark in his eyes.

The girl had been satisfied. “Now that was more like it girl. You'll get him all hot and bothered with those moves.” She seemed ready to move on but one of the others decided to push a little harder.

“Do it again but this time put your hand down his pants.”

Mandy hesitated, but leaned forward again to kiss her reluctant boyfriend. She slipped her fingers down the back of his jeans letting them rest lightly on the warm flesh.

“Now put your hand down the front.”

“Oh give the girl a break Floe, she's done enough.”

All eyes from the surrounding tables were upon them. Daniel's unpredictable hormones were providing mixed signals and he became flustered. Mandy started to move her hand around his waistband but Daniel pulled away and turned toward the girl.

“This isn't fair, back off!” His face was red.

“Excuse me? I know I didn't just hear you telling me what to do.” The girl named Floe turned to one of her friends in mock indignation. “Did this baby just tell his momma to back off?” She turned back to Daniel. “Back off, back off? You giving me lip boy? Am I your bitch? I think you're the bitch here, bitch.”

Daniel deflated a little after her rant. “I just think we did enough for you.”

The huffy senior cast her eye around the room until she spotted a friend and waved imperiously at him. “Clarence, yo boy, over here.” A tall senior unfolded himself from a nearby table and cruised over to the girls. “This boy thinks I'm his bitch.”

“I didn't say that!”

“You shut your mouth.” She snapped at Daniel. “What are you going to do about it Clarence?”

“Don't get your panties in a twist Floe.” The senior reached down and dragged Daniel off his feet by his shirt. He started marching him toward one of the cafeteria exits.

All Mandy could do was sit and watch. Daniel stumbled along trying to keep his balance as the tall senior knocked him into passing students.

Floe watched their progress for a while before announcing to her friends with a huff, “I'm gonna make sure this gets done right -- Clarence! I'm coming with you.” She stalked away from the table and when she reached Daniel, she gave him a swat to the head.

Mandy's eyes became teary as her boyfriend disappeared from sight.

“Your boy just made trouble for himself girl. . . he shoulda kept his mouth shut. Sorry about that.”

The two girls left her sadly collecting Daniel's book bag and football jacket. She hugged it to her before slowly gathering her own things and heading out in the direction Daniel had been taken. She slipped her glasses back on and drooped a little into the baggy sweater. Meanwhile, only one table away, a security guard perched chatting happily with some other students.

Since the incident, no matter what she said, he would not eat with her. Mandy smiled across the space and she was rewarded with a little smile in return. He would be okay, but she hated the pretense. Conrad slipped his arm around her waist and leaned close to whisper something. She watched Daniel's smile dissolve and he seemed to study his sandwich. Conrad was just a good friend, someone with a car who could take her to the movies and plays she knew Daniel would hate. Conrad and the other boys were nothing for Daniel to worry about. Conrad was funny too. She was not sure if Daiel hated the boys around her or himself for staying away.

She probably thinks I'm scared to be with her. Daniel thought morosely. This was, in its own way, unfortunately true. Whatever else happened during the year, he wanted to keep her safe. Conrad knew Daniel was watching, but kept making a play for Mandy. Get your hands off her, you dick! Daniel shredded the grilled cheese sandwich while he watched her table. It really was not the chubby Conrad he worried about; Carlos and Victor worried him more. They were good looking and he could tell Mandy was drawn to them. Somehow, she always managed to avoid mentioning either of them to him and that set off alarms in Daniel's head. Daniel and Mandy had been talking before class when Carlos joined them. Mandy turned to Carlos and told him she would see him in class. In doing so, she turned her back on Daniel, who stood there awkwardly for a moment before leaving the couple to their conversation. That incident occurred before the dance, but it still left a sour taste in his mouth when he saw them together now. What was it Denver had said? Have a little faith. Easy to say when you are almost eighteen and built like Denver. When you are fourteen and running scared, everything was different.

“So why don't you just go sit with her?” His friend dropped down beside him.

“Leave it alone Simon. You know why.” He slid over on the bench to give Simon some room. “How's it hanging?”

“Down to my knees like it always does. You know most days you sit here and nobody bothers you. Look at Dilbert over there. Probably the most inoffensive nerd in the school, but it is like he has a kick me sign on his ass. Every day he gets something done to him. You sit with that football jacket on and it is like a shield protecting you from the shit flying around.”

Daniel eyed the boy with coke spilled on him. “Then why do I feel like my name is scratched into a bathroom wall? 'For a good time, call Daniel Murrell.'” That was a mistake. Daniel cursed himself for mentioning restrooms to Simon.

Simon didn't answer. He had already seen something like that on a restroom wall before he scratched it out. Except it read more like 'Get Denver Hawk's freshie.' Daniel worshipped Denver and he would not want to hear that the hundred dollar boy was taking the heat because his senior had a reputation as a shit disturber. Simon's brother actually joked about it with his friends. Then again, his brother Vance was a bit of an asshole. Simon studied Daniel. He realized he should not have criticized Daniel. It had only been ten days since he found his friend huddled in the restroom. Since then, Daniel kept pretending it never happened. It was not something Simon would willingly bring up either.

Simon decided to let it drop. “So big game Thursday?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Daniel was back to studying Victor because he had his hand on top of Mandy's. He did not want to ask Simon if he was coming to the game to watch him.

“You better score some touchdowns because I'm writing my descriptive essay about you.”

“You can't do that, I was going to write about the game too.”

“So we both can. Ms. Cannon will be thrilled by the different perspectives. Let me see, I can taste the beer I will sneak into the stands, you can taste the blood and dirt in your mouth when they grind you into the turf. I can feel the girl's tight ass next to me on the bleacher and you can feel the bone break when the guy covering you lands on your leg.”

“And I can see the stands from the end zone while I dance for the crowd and you can see the fat ass of the guy in front of you as the crowd is cheering my touchdown.”

“Or you can smell the urine running down your leg when they are about to pile on you, while I will smell pussy after the game.” Simon had a way of bringing Daniel out of himself when he was depressed. “Don't forget to include some metaphors and similes in your description. Daniel's thigh bone cracked like a branch.”

“A lightening bolt scorched the field leaving the ball sizzling in the end zone. Anyway, I will probably ride the bench all night.”

“Such false modesty, you know you're in the starting line-up. Besides, I can write about you sitting on the bench: Lost in his oversized pads the little boy scratched his tiny balls in boredom.” Daniel laughed out loud. Damn, Victor's playing with her hand now.

Mandy was glad to see Simon. She did not trust him, but Daniel seemed to like him. Funny, they had never gotten along in elementary school. She was disturbed to see Daniel's fascination with Victor. It was hard to keep Daniel away from her new gay friends. She was probably being foolish. There was nothing gay about Daniel. Simon was as straight as they came, but she worried about what would happen if Daniel liked the boys as well as Denver did and Daniel had already done some disturbing things. The rumour was that Victor and Carlos were major players. Conrad had confided that they had hit on him at a few cast parties. Every time Daniel asked about them, Mandy recalled Denver and the June freshie party in the warehouse. She steered the conversation away as quickly as she could.

“Isn't that your new boyfriend over there with David Spade?” Victor looked over at Daniel.

She glanced at Conrad's frown before responding to Victor. “Yes, that's Daniel.”

“He is to die for.” contributed Carlos, eyeing Daniel. “He's like. . . a smaller version of Orlando Bloom. You know Victor, when he played the blond elf. He has a beautiful pout and the way he draws his eyebrows together. . .”

Mandy thought that was a bit of a stretch.

“Maybe Heath Ledger?” Victor suggested. He glanced over at Daniel and turned back laughing.

Mandy cast about for a distraction. “So Victor, explain again what makes this movie we are seeing so good?” She pretended interest until Daniel was forgotten. Out of the corner of her eye she watched her boyfriend drop his mangled sandwich on his tray and leave with Simon.

Victor walked Mandy to English; she appreciated the consideration. He paused at the door to remind her about the time he would pick her up for the movie. She left Victor at the door and turned to see if Daniel had made it to class. When she smiled at him, he responded with a sad smile and busied himself with his binder. She worried that he had been harassed on his way to class. Like many others in the freshman English class, they had arrived early. Ms. Cannon's room was a safe haven and it was not unusual to find most of the students chatting at their desks while the teacher prowled the hallway outside her room. Mandy wandered back and sat in Kemal's seat so that she could check on Daniel.

“Things okay today?”

“Sure.”

“You look sad.”

“No, I'm okay.” Daniel struggled a moment and added “What's with that Victor guy and you?” He cursed himself for sounding so possessive. It was something he had privately criticized Greg about. Daniel did not want to keep her that way.

He thinks I'm interested in Victor, she realized with a start. It was something she had not considered. She smiled to herself and then realized she might be sending the wrong message. “He's just a friend. We share the same interests.” That did not sound right either. She searched for some way to extricate herself. Daniel peered at her with suspicion, so she decided to change the subject. “Are you going to Mark's birthday party?” She had heard about it from Carlos; there were no secrets in the small but openly gay drama community.

The distraction seemed to work.

“I don't know. Denver didn't actually invite me.” Daniel had mixed feelings about going. This would be Mark's night and Daniel did not want to think about what would happen after the party. “I'll probably go.”

“Why don't we rent a movie instead? My mom is working the night shift next week.” She dangled the bait under his nose. Carlos and Victor were planning to go to Mark's party and she did not want Daniel there.

“Yeah, let's do that.” Snap, he grabbed the hook. She could see him visibly brighten. Kemal came back to his desk and she let him have his seat.

Later, when Daniel had a moment to play through their conversation, he realized she distracted him from his question about Victor. Well, at least he knew it was not going to be Conrad, Victor or Carlos spending the evening with Mandy. That was one consolation.

Gone Fishing
Thursday, September 23rd

“Tell me again why we're here?” Hank peered at Peter.

“Arlo wants to see the football game.”

“So why is 'what's his name' here?” Hank seemed a little dense.

“Laine, my name is Laine.” Laine shifted slightly closer to Arlo so their hips would touch. He returned to his primary objective, a study of the freshman team milling around the bench. They were not a bad looking crew.

“Laine is here because Arlo is here,” Peter replied patiently.

And Laine likes football and muscular boys in spandex, Laine added silently. C'mon guys, why don't you tackle me? The players were not much bigger than him; it occurred to Laine that he should have tried out for the team. If he made it, his mom and dad might have found the money for the uniform fees somewhere.

“So why is Evan here?” Hank continued.

“Evan is here because you're here, man.”

“Why am I here then?”

“You're here because we needed Evan's dad to drive us, and Evan said he wasn't going unless you came.”

“Oh.”

Hank lapsed into momentary silence. Laine had not decided what he thought of the three boys yet. So far he liked Peter the best. Laine returned his attention to the boys on the field. The Wolverines' offensive sets looked a little ragged to him and the Eagles defense seemed to be taking advantage of it. Laine studied a wide receiver dancing nervously before crouching and setting himself on the line.

Nice butt!

“So why are you here?” Hank asked Peter.

“I'm beginning to wonder why,” Peter replied. “You know, if you forget for a moment that these dumb jocks are destined to die from concussions induced by slamming beer cans into their foreheads, I have to admit there are some real hotties out there.”

Laine silently agreed.

“Intelligence is over-rated,” contributed Evan.

All the boys glanced at Hank, who seemed preoccupied with his zipper. He looked up at them and smiled brightly. “So why is Arlo here again?”

“Arlo wants to watch his best bud play football.”

The words sent a gloomy shadow across Laine's face. He was still trying to get to know Arlo and he had been reluctant to go to the game after Arlo explained his main reason for going. The prospect of 'another man' in Arlo's life was frustrating. Laine was finally starting to make some progress. Arlo had connected him with the other three boys and he was confident Arlo was not going to walk away from him the next time someone in a shopping mall pointed out that he was gay. It felt good talking to people who accepted him. He liked Arlo. He looked forward to their class together each day and conversing with him on the telephone each night. Arlo had kissed him and felt his weiner. Arlo's hip was tight against his. Their closeness and the sight of the boys on the field below excited him. Laine knew he should relax. It was a nice afternoon and the warm sunshine hinted of lazy summer days.

The four boys beside him fell into a banter about their counterparts out on the field. Laine dismissed his fears and tried to enjoy the game. As Peter had pointed out, there were certainly some fine looking boys on the team. Laine did not mind that they were jocks either; he spent much of his time watching a couple of the boys he recognized from classes. Greg was playing defense. Laine recognized him because he always seemed to take his helmet off when he was on the side lines. Greg wore a bright bandana wrapped around his head and possessed a talent for clearing his nostrils without a Kleenex. Laine watched with interest as Greg tilted his head and placed a finger on the side of his nose to eject a tight wad of snot. Greg poked a teammate next to him before demonstrating he could clear the other nostril just as well. Later, when Greg returned to the field, Laine took secret pleasure in watching the larger Northmont Eagles linemen brutalize the same boy who had walked away from him in the mall. Laine had to credit Greg with staying power. The Wolverine defense seemed to spend most of the game on the field.

“When do we leave?” Hank asked plaintively.

“It's only the first quarter.”

“How many quarters are there?”

Nobody felt inclined to answer Hank.

Laine shifted his attention to the field and Riverview's offensive line. After eight minutes of play, it appeared to Laine that Riverview was determined to stick with its running game. The coach seemed reluctant to let his quarterback throw the ball. Laine flicked an eye to the side lines -- second down and long yardage -- an obvious run right up the middle. The running back hit a wall of Eagles right at the line of scrimmage. Laine watched the ground game continue for a few more minutes as the ball turned over repeatedly and the quarter clock wound down. The Eagles slowly pulled ahead in this chess game of field position. The Wolverines seemed determined to continue their attempt to push through the stronger wall. Finally, the pace changed. After a spectacularly unsuccessful play up the middle the two teams sorted themselves out along the line of scrimmage. Then, they tried to catch the Eagle safety off guard -- the Wolverines dropped a ball across the line of scrimmage to a wide receiver who gracefully ran an unexpected hook pattern.

“Yes! Way to go Dan!” Arlo exclaimed beside Laine.

It was fourth and short yardage. Laine expected a punt but the Wolverines opted to go for it instead. They were able to push it ahead of the marker and their drive stayed alive. Laine watched the Wolverine huddle. The quarterback pointed at 83 and the wide receiver nodded his head vigorously. The boy left the huddle with an extra bounce in his step.

“Man, they are telegraphing the play,” Laine commented to Arlo.

“What do you mean?”

“It's another pass to 83. Look, see the safety?”

“Which one?”

“47, he's got his eye on 83.”

“You think?”

“Just watch,” Laine commented with renewed interest in the game.

It was a repeat of their earlier play but this time the ball popped loose when the inexperienced receiver was speared to the ground just as the ball arrived. It was ruled incomplete.

“Ouch!”

It was a direct hit. The Wolverine receiver lay on the turf for a moment. The Eagle reached down and the receiver gamely accepted the offered hand. He came up with a bounce that made Laine smile and the two boys exchanged words before 83 headed back to the huddle. The Wolverines reverted to their running game but Laine found himself following the lithe receiver around the field.

The Riverview drive grounded to a halt a few plays later. 83 trotted to the bench just below where Laine silently watched him and the four other boys sat sorting the team into categories. That guy has a serious package tucked in between his thigh pads, mused Laine, who was about to share the thought with Arlo when his pet receiver collided with Greg's shoulder pad as he arrived at the sideline. The two boys exchanged words and 83 held his ground when Greg shoved him in the shoulder. Laine was surpised by the unexpected hostility between the two boys. Chalk up another point in the receiver's favor, as if he needed one. Laine's eyes followed the player to the bench where he stopped to talk to a familiar face -- Duncan -- who was working the sidelines as an assistant coach. I wonder why he pissed Greg off?

Arlo nudged Laine, “That's Daniel.”

Laine was preoccupied by the amazing way 83's butt filled the spandex pants so he missed Arlo's comment. The tight fabric showed every sculpted curve from the loose folds of his jersey down to his cleats. The sunlight bathed him in a late afternoon glow. The green and brown smears were vaguely erotic. Laine idly imagined it was his own fingers daubing paint along the contours of the stretched fabric.

“Huh?” Laine offered.

Arlo turned to Peter and pushed the boy slightly. “See that guy there? That's who I was talking about.”

Peter mumbled an unenthusiastic response, he seemed to be following his own interests. “Number 83, okay.” It was just a casual comment, no particular excitement in his voice. Peter mumbled another disinterested response and turned back to Evan. Laine missed the exchange as he studied the receiver on the sidelines. I wish he would take his helmet off so I could see him. The boy seemed to be listening to Duncan's advice -- he nodded his head. Arlo leaned close to Laine's ear and Laine cocked his head to show he was listening.

“You want to know something? Daniel was my first.”

"Who?"

"That guy there, number 83. . . Daniel"

Why did Arlo have to tell me that? Laine slumped next to Arlo. It had been the same with the drama queens he had briefly sat with in the school cafeteria. Laine sighed to himself. Even the straight boys in the locker room had to tell it all. People always needed to brag about their experiences or out someone in some way. Laine slid his eyes cautiously over to Arlo's face. It was still close to his, but Arlo's eyes were riveted on the boy on the field. Laine turned his attention back to the boy named Daniel still basking in the stolen attention of his senior. Laine felt put out. Why does it have to be so hard to make new friends anyway?

Laine felt inexperienced. Relationships were new to him and he was having trouble with the easy way the other boys handled things. He could still picture Peter and Arlo under the bleachers at the dance. Arlo swore he had no interest in Peter. Laine gazed at the fluid movements of the boy on the sidelines, torn between admiration and envy. Just when life with Arlo seemed to be progressing, in stepped another hot boy to worry about. Laine lapsed into a sullen silence. Arlo's warmth beside him momentarily held less promise. When number 83 took the field again, Laine became more critical. He felt a stir of satisfaction when his mysterious rival dropped an easy pass and the Wolverines turned over the ball. Laine glanced at Arlo to gage his reaction. Arlo did not bother to comment on his friend's mistake. The mistake cost the Wolverines the drive and they had to punt the ball.

Laine could tell Arlo's friend Daniel was upset but could not muster any sympathy for the boy. Laine chatted with Arlo until Daniel returned to the field, then continued his private critique. Daniel seemed. . . overly enthusiastic. The Wolverines were back to their running game and it seemed like Daniel was simply out there to distract the Eagle defense. Perhaps if you could actually outdistance the pass protection, they might throw the ball your way, Laine reflected cynically. Laine watched the helmeted receiver trot on and off the field in this way as the game progressed into the second quarter.

Laine nursed his jealousy. Greg was begining to look ground down by the constant push of the Eagles line. That was a small satisfaction. Unfortunately, Arlo's Daniel had gotten off lightly. Laine idly wished someone would toss the ball Daniel's way so he could take a few hits. Then again, Arlo would probably just end up feeling sorry for his friend.

Laine's wish came true when the receiver caught a pass and slipped past the Eagle safety who had been dogging him throughout the half. Daniel managed ten yards before he was knocked over. Arlo was immediately impressed and barraged the boys with paise for his friend. That simply made Laine brood more. Laine sighed two plays later when Daniel managed to hold onto another quick pass. Things were not going as Laine wished them to. He brightened when Daniel bounced out of the huddle on the next play. Laine knew the boy was in trouble once more.

“Look at him Arlo, your friend is giving the play away again.”

It was so obvious and Laine waited smugly for the inevitable hit from the Eagle safety edging his way over toward the side of the field. Just as Laine predicted, Daniel curled in and when he tried to draw the ball in, he was hit from both sides. Laine grunted his satisfaction as the ball popped free and Arlo's friend crumpled to the ground.

Well done Eagles, he smiled slightly to himself. Daniel stayed down and curled over his groin. Yikes! That has to hurt.

“Oh my God! Now that is what I call getting sacked.” Peter joked. Daniel rolled on his back and held onto his helmet with his hands. “Man, you're holding the wrong part!” Peter called out. That got Peter a few chuckles from Evan and Hank. A few more words were exchanged about the stupidities of playing football. Laine offered a slight snort in agreement and watched as the Riverview coach trotted onto the field. The two Eagles responsible for the damage talked together nearby while they watched their victim suffer.

Time stretched out as Laine watched the agonized boy on the ground try to recover. Laine had been hit like that before and he knew how it must feel. Daniel's eyes would be blacking out. He would be nauseated and it would be hard to think. There would be no way to ease the pain. The late afternoon sun slipped behind a cloud and Laine felt a chill. Suddenly he became overwhelmed by a sense of shame. He dropped his head and studied his shoes, then looked back onto the field where Daniel rested on his back with his knees up. The Wolverine coach was leaning over him and they were exchanging a few words. What was I thinking? The boy had tried his best. He doesn't even know I exist.

Daniel lay still with a hand on his flat stomach as if he wanted to cradle his aching groin. Laine desperately regretted the pain he had wished on the boy. Arlo, silent beside him, seemed to have forgotten Laine's existence. "Don't worry, he'll be fine," Laine found himself reassuring his friend. Arlo turned his eyes on Laine and offered a grateful smile. Arlo took Laine's hand and squeezed it quickly before turning his attention back to the field. Laine felt reassured and Arlo's earlier words lost their sting. If his new friendship with Arlo was to mean something, he would have to be able to live with Arlo's friends too. This boy belonged to Arlo's past, but the past was the past and Arlo was fast-becoming his boyfriend now. Laine gazed at Arlo with affection.

Someone likes me for who I am. Laine felt exaulted.

Laine turned his attention back to Daniel on the field; he felt an inexplicable anxiety for Daniel and he wanted this boy back on his feet. He needed Daniel to be okay. He tried to reach out to the boy lying on the field. “C'mon, shake it off,” Laine whispered under his breath. “That's it, take a breath and shake it off boy. Don't stay down any longer. . . get up!” Laine held his breath as the moments passed. Daniel finally sat up and the coach offered a helping hand. When Daniel stood up, Laine heaved a sigh of relief. Daniel bent over once and then straightened with a nod to his coach. As he started off the field there was a scattering of applause. Laine had connected with the boy and his recovery left Laine feeling oddly triumphant. He nudged Arlo, who smiled broadly.

“Guess he's out of the game,” commented Evan.

“Nope.” Laine shook his head as he watched Daniel limp slowly toward the bench. “He'll be back.” The September sun hanging low on the horizon bathed Daniel momentarily in a glow before he fell back into the grey shadows of his concerned teammates.

“Think so?”

“Sure,” Laine smiled. “You can count on it.”

--------------------------

It was a perfect afternoon for a game. Karen surveyed the stands and felt oddly disappointed to see so few students. Down on the center line behind the Wolverine bench, a loyal group of parents were making noise and calling out useless advice to the boys on the field. She did not know many of the parents. Few had come to the September orientation, and most would avoid the parent-teacher interview next month like it was a disciplinary referral to the vice principal's office. She did recognize Daniel's mother. Karen might have guessed who she was even if she wasn't sitting next to Mandy Cole and screaming Daniel's name every once and a while. Daniel looked a lot like his mother. Karen guessed the formidable woman sitting beside her in a city police uniform must be Mandy's mother. Heather Murrell was one of the few parents who came to see her after the orientation. They talked briefly before Karen had to turn her attention to the next set of parents. There had not been much to say. Daniel was an exceptional student, although somewhat disinterested in English composition and literature. Karen had jokingly shared this with Heather and had been flattered when Heather revealed that Daniel respected his English teacher very much. Karen would have liked to share her fears about freshie year, but there had not been time.

John had been ignoring her since the game started, so she attempted to draw him into a conversation. “How come when the receiver drops the ball, no one goes after it, but when the runner drops it they all scramble for it?

“On an incomplete pass the ball is dead,” John replied patiently. "But a fumble is a live ball."

“So why don't they just pass it all the time?”

“It depends on the play.”

As if on cue, the next play was an incomplete pass.

“They should've passed it to that big guy instead of the guy who was covered,” Karen observed.

John looked at her for a moment and smiled. “Only certain players are allowed to catch the ball, the running backs and receivers like your guy number 83 over there.”

Karen worked to keep the grin off her face. “Well maybe if 83 got a headstart he would be in a better position to catch the ball.”

“He can't leave until the ball is snapped.” John began to sound exasperated.

“So they only get four ups?”

“Downs! My God woman, how can you live here and not know about football?”

“I like to watch the boys -- they're so cute in their tights and stockings.” She bit her lip knowing this last comment had pushed her companion over the edge.

John lapsed into inarticulate silence. Karen resigned herself to watching the game. In reality, she probably knew more about football than her companion. From the age of eight, her father had taken her to every university home game and she had learned her football from the master. Her first boyfriend had lived the game and talked about it with her endlessly. She wondered if this was one reason she could identify with Mandy so much. Finally, the laughter came to the surface when she expertly diagrammed the next several plays to him.

He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "You are so going to pay for leading me on like that, Karen."

The Wolverines were losing badly at the moment. Some of the boys were not taking it well. After Daniel dropped an easy pass that could have possibly opened the door for a quick touchdown, he sat down on the bench and buried his helmeted head in his arms. The burly senior who had spoken to him before patted him on the shoulder pads in sympathy. Apparently, not all the seniors were problems. Daniel made up for it a few plays later by snagging the ball and breaking a tackle before getting brutally crushed by two huge defensive ends.

“He should have broken to the left and stepped out of bounds," lamented the Vice Principal. "He covered about thirty yards running across the field and only made four.”

Karen agreed with John. Daniel was helped to his feet and limped off the field. Karen noticed Daniel had another small cheering squad behind her. When she turned around she recognized Simon and Daniel's senior among the group.

“Thanks for coming with me to the game today, John.”

“No problem. . . this is fun for me too. I try to make it to the varsity games and sometimes I forget about the little guys." John looked up at the scoreboard. "Unfortunately, our boys are getting creamed out here today.”

They watched in silence as the Northmont team buried the Wolverines six points deeper. From the sidelines, Karen stood close enough to see the tears of frustration in Azizi's eyes as he threw his helmet down. His family had not been in the country more than nine months and he was dealing with the loss as if the game meant the whole world to him. Karen was momentarily distracted by the blue movement of Mandy's mother as she spoke into her radio and rose to leave the stands. It reminded her of the horrendous shooting after last Friday's game.

“God I hope there is no trouble after the game tomorrow night.”

“It should be fine -- we won't be playing Central. . .” Both teachers felt oppressed by the gang violence that affected the schools. “Riverview High used to be mostly suburban, white collar," John explained. "The demographics are changing along with the neighborhoods. We have such a mixed bag these days. That's why the learning communities are so important. They help break down the ethnic barriers and the economic differences.”

The second half wore on and the game degenerated into a rout. Some Wolverines fought stubbornly through to the last minute. Azizi and Greg held their own on the line and made Northmont fight for every yard, while Daniel had a final moment of glory when he stumbled into the end zone with an Eagle on his back. When the final whistle went off, most of the Wolverines stood aimlessly on the field before they trooped back toward their locker room. Karen watched Daniel cross the field to shake the hand of the boy he had battled most of the night. A handful of boys joined him and when they were done they crossed back to their bench with Harvey Larson and his assistant coaches. Karen smiled as Harvey slapped Daniel on the side of his helmet affectionately.

“Well, the boys will be more miserable than usual tomorrow.” She commented to John as they made their way down from the stands.

“Harvey is going to make them sweat now,” John replied. “Give them time, this is just the first game. They might pull something together before the season ends.”

Sun going down
Friday, October 1st

By 1:00 a.m. the party was turning wild and it found its way into the pool and hot tub. A low mist drifted over the pool concealing rafts of people splashing each other in the water. The house was overrun when Mark’s small circle of friends were overwhelmed by a large number of strangers pulled in by a flurry of text messages. Denver sighed quietly. He might not be popular with his classmates and Mark might be a visible member of the school’s gay community, but it seemed that any Saturday happening on the River Bluffs was like a black hole ready to suck people in. Denver thought about the mess he would have to clean up in the morning. He sat with Amanda and Amber in the hot tub and watched Mark across the yard; the newly turned seventeen-year old had abandoned himself to the crowd. Denver nursed a mug of coffee and let the girls' conversation wash over him. He stretched his legs and felt content with the evening. The night air was far too cold for comfort. Denver's eyes slid away from where Mark frolicked in the pool, and made their way to the empty side of the hot tub. A curl of steam drifted across the roiling water like an adolescent tornado. The swirl brushed against his chest and then it was only a memory.

“You hate this don't you?”

“What?” Denver seemed unaware of his air of detachment.

“You're not even listening to us anymore. Where are you, back at the restaurant cooking?” Amanda laughed at him gently. She reached over to push the hair off his face. “Are the people getting you down Denver? All these people crashing your party?”

Denver shook his head bemused, “No really, this is cool. Everyone seems to be having a blast.”

Mark was at the center where he liked to be. Denver recalled their first meeting at the Boisson party. Mark had been sitting beside his friends so shyly. Sweet sixteen, a dark pool Denver longed to dip into. Denver had seen a hint of this other Mark when he introduced the sophomore to a circle and watched him come out of himself. There were no snowflakes, but the chill in the air recalled their first night together. The action in the pool became rowdier. Denver watched his lover lose his balance under the weight of the boy on his shoulders. A moment later, Mark heaved the boy back out of the water and the chicken fight continued.

Amanda let it drop. She knew something possessed her friend's mind, but Denver was deep and rarely inclined to share with her. She saw Ho Fai at the kitchen door and climbed out of the water. She paused at the edge of the tub and kissed Denver on the forehead as he leaned back. “Wipe the pout off your face Denver. You look like a little boy who broke his favorite toy. Whatever is bothering you, I'm sure it can't be that bad. I'm going to talk to Harry for a while, maybe get him to take me home.”

“Good for you.”

They shared a smile and he watched her as she walked away. It was a start. Amanda needed someone for herself.

Denver turned back to the pool party. The fight was still on but Mark had escaped it for the moment. Denver spotted him at the edge of the pool exchanging a birthday kiss with two tenth graders he recognized as part of Mark’s outer circle. They were handsome enough to encourage Mark’s interest. Denver suppressed his jealousy. You’re hardly one to complain. Denver watched as Mark put the amorous boys off. The pair turned to kissing each other, their interest in Mark set aside if not forgotten.

Mark pulled himself out of the pool and came over to Denver. The steam rose from his body. Denver fet cold just watching him, then nodded in the direction of the boys.

“They looked anxious to get to know you there.”

“I'm sure they have forgotten me already. Besides, I want you. Take me somewhere and warm me up.” Denver looked around and decided things were under control.

They made love to the sounds of the party. Later, Denver lay beside his drowsy lover and stroked his back. “Sleep well birthday boy.” Mark stirred slightly and settled deeper into the pillow. The slender young man still had him in his power and Denver bent down and kissed his exposed cheek. He let his fingers trail up the curve of Mark's back to the dark curls covering his neck. Denver's hand fell away and the image shifted momentarily, but when he blinked again it was Mark who lay beside him.

Arlo's need
Saturday October 2nd

Arlo phoned him on Saturday. Daniel took his phone out on the veranda and sat with his feet up on the curving wall.

“I haven't seen you in a while. What have you been up to?”

That left an uncomfortable silence as Daniel considered the first comment. Arlo was right. Their relationship was a little confused at the moment. Screwing around together that one forgettable summer afternoon had shaken Daniel. Seeing Arlo under the bleachers at the Freshie Dance left Daniel uncertain. Arlo's relationship with the older boy named Donald disturbed him and it seemed evident that Arlo had found someone else. It also served to uncomfortably remind Daniel of his own explorations.

“Oh, you know school, football. Things have been busy I guess.” Daniel stirred restlessly in his chair. His words were dishonest.

“Are we still friends, Daniel?” Arlo's voice sounded strained.

Daniel felt trapped by the question. He left Arlo hanging for a painful moment. “Sure Arlo. It was just a little weird. . . what we did, if you know what I mean.” Daniel's voice trailed off.

Arlo seemed undeterred. “Do you feel like coming over for the night? We can -- you know -- do whatever. Your call Daniel.”

Daniel had to pause again to consider Arlo's meaning. Do whatever. . . your call. It was such a familiar phrase. Arlo's response almost defined the relationship between them, the way he forced Daniel to take the lead. You just don't get it, do you Arlo. Daniel tried to shake off the feeling there was something new in the offer. But was his desperation for Denver actually making the offer seem attractive? Ultimately, Daniel convinced himself he should stop avoiding Arlo. They were supposed to be best friends. Arlo should not be that hard.

Bad choice of words.

“Sure, sounds good.” Daniel attempted to infuse his response with some enthusiasm. He was not going to walk, so Arlo would have to came over with his mom and pick him up. While Daniel was waiting for Arlo and his mother, he received a call from Mandy. She was wondering if he wanted to have some company. He cursed to himself and told her he was waiting to be picked up.

------------------------

It was late and the house was silent. Daniel flipped open his cellphone and checked to see if Denver had texted him, then slipped it back into his pocket. He knew there was nothing even before he took it out; he would have heard the special chime. Arlo returned from the bathroom. Daniel glanced over to where Arlo sat on the bed before pulling his shirt off.

He's with Mark.

Daniel shook the thought away. With a casual sweep of his hand he pushed a soiled t-shirt off the back of Arlo's chair. It fell to join its mates skattered across the carpet. Daniel draped his shirt over the chair and turned his back to Arlo while he opened his pants. He paused, hands poised on the belt buckle.

“So have you seen what's-his-name since the dance?”

Arlo momentarily thought Daniel had been referring to Laine, but reasoned that Daniel did not know him. "Quinton?"

"Right."

“Yeah, a few times.” Arlo spoke quietly.

Daniel looked at Arlo briefly over his shoulder before depositing his pants on the chair with his shirt. Arlo said very little about his senior. Mostly he seemed to be with the other boy. . . Donald. No surprise the evening would inevitably lead to this. Daniel and Arlo had run through every distraction in the house and it seemed conversation was all they had left. A few months ago that would not have been a problem. They would have talked about their lives and shared their thoughts till dawn. Daniel let his eyes wander around Arlo's cluttered room. He was mildly surprised that it showed no evidence of the growing rift between them. Daniel's sixth grade school picture was still stuck to the board above Arlo's desk. Daniel finally turned and made his way over to the bed. They sat at opposite ends. For years they had slept side by side without a second thought. Now there was this awkwardness between them. Arlo was down to his boxers. They both were. They had always slept this way and Daniel could not think of a diplomatic way to change that. Arlo crossed his legs and Daniel had to re-evaluate the tightness across Arlo's groin.

“I go to parties with Donald and the guys.”

Daniel was afraid to ask about the parties and he was regretting staying the night. “So are they still being nice to you?”

Arlo shrugged and smiled at him. “Well, it's like you said, if you play along with them then things are better." Arlo sat up. "It's sure different than grade eight isn't it? My sister's parties are lame compared with the parties Donald takes me to. We get drunk and smoke some gnarly shit. Do you ever toke it up with your senior?”

Daniel shook his head. He suspected that Denver and Eddie slipped out for smoke breaks, but Denver never offered him anything. Denver did not even seem to drink very often; Daniel tried to follow his example.

Arlo felt a need to rationalize his remark. “I only smoke at the parties, just a cigarette now and then. You know what it's like, after you do a blow job a cold brew and a smoke chills you out.”

Daniel looked at his friend and did not know how to respond to Arlo's shock-treatment. He said it all so casually. Denver was decidedly different. Their night together had been special. Chills you out. . . Daniel recalled falling asleep cradled in Denver's arms; his cock grew hard. The silence became painful so Daniel contributed a half-hearted chuckle to acknowledge Arlo's words.

“So you and Mandy hooked up finally. That's cool.”

“Yeah it's great.” Daniel's imagination switched tracks easily. He cherished the memory of Mandy's disappointed voice hours earlier and once more regretted his decision to come to Arlo's. Daniel's smile was genuine when he met Arlo's gaze. Arlo grinned back at him, sharing his joy. He's a good guy, thought Daniel, a good friend. He deserves better.

“So. . . is there anyone else Arlo? I mean besides Donald. . .” Arlo would know he was talking about boys. Neither forgot Arlo had confessed he might be gay. Daniel was thinking about the boy under the bleachers at the dance.

Arlo looked him in the eyes and Daniel tried to hold his gaze. “I know you don't like Donald. It's been okay, you know? I've been hanging out with a few other guys lately, that's where I was last night you know? I should take you over to Peter's sometime.”

Daniel didn't answer right away. The silence gave Arlo a chance to regret mentioning Peter and the others.

Peter. Daniel suddenly felt a compulsion to admit he might be bisexual like Denver. It still felt awkward though. Arlo lifted a leg and the stretched fabric opened a path along his thigh. Daniel felt driven by a sudden impulse, “Best friend's Arlo?” Arlo smiled and nodded his head, acknowledging their code of secrecy. Daniel continued. “It's okay, doing it with guys. I can get off on it too, you know?” Daniel was rewarded with another smile and gentle nod; it would be safe to follow the course. “Of course girls do it for me more. I think that's why I get off on boys who are smaller. You teased me about looking for guys who were like girls. Maybe that's true.” Daniel tantalizingly tugged at the hem of his boxers. It was not true at all of course, but Daniel did not mind the white lie. When strong older guys like Jake or Denver put their hands on him, Daniel got hard. Guys his own age excited him too. But Arlo was all wrong for him, so why was he drawn to his body tonight? “I'm definitely into girls more than boys.”

“Sure, I understand,” Arlo agreed helpfully. “Only, the girls don't put out. . . right?”

“Well not much, that's for sure.” Daniel dropped onto the bed. He stretched out and let his toes wander closer to Arlo's hip. It was easier on his cock too; it had some place to go. “Mandy and I are going slow. That's okay right?” Arlo let him talk. “I get pretty horned out after being with her though.”

“I could see that. Are you still okay with me being with guys?”

“Sure Arlo, I told you, you're my friend.”

“So I met this guy. You don't know him.”

“Yeah?” Must be the boy under the bleachers. . . nice enough, Daniel concluded.

“He's like, really shy. Do you mind? Do you and Mandy do any stuff?”

“A little.” Daniel cautioned himself. Mandy and Arlo were friends too. They talked together.

“This guy doesn't do much. He likes to hold hands, kiss and stuff. He's hot, but he leaves me so fucking horny. I mean, I have not even blown him yet!" Arlo waved his arms around. "I haven't even seen his cock yet!" Arlo flopped back and dramatically covered his eyes to show his frustration. He curled back up on one arm and let the other trail along Daniel's calf a moment before giving Daniel an evil grin. "But I felt his boner." Arlo raised his eyebrows before continuing. His dark features took on a dreamy cast. "He's in one of my classes. He's kind'a sweet. He has this smile that's just. . ." Arlo froze and realized Daniel lay listening to him with that identical smile curled across his lips.

Daniel missed the pause. He was caught up in Arlo's excitement. It seemed to match his own for Mandy and he was genuinely happy for his friend. It sounded romantic to Daniel. Mandy had a smile that made Daniel melt. He pictured the boy he had seen locked in tight embrace with Arlo and wondered why Arlo was not having a sleepover with Peter.

Daniel thought of his cautious relationship with Mandy. “It's a big step Arlo.”

“No it isn't, it's just getting your rocks off.” Arlo emphasized that by grabbing his crotch and shaking it. Daniel seemed a little taken back by the rude gesture. Lots you don't know about me Danny boy. Arlo laughed a little. He pulled himself together and gave Daniel the eye. “Have you done anything since we did that stuff during the summer?”

Daniel was not ready to talk specifics with Arlo. “Some stuff. . . necking, kissing.”

“Blow jobs?”

“Well, no,” he lied. Jake, Frank and Denver fresh in his mind. He was simply not ready to say more.

“Fucked?”

“Oh no man, nothing like that!” Lying with Denver, letting their cocks rub together, letting Denver touch him. That wasn't 'fucking' was it? Daniel knew he was getting hard. Normally popping a bone would not have been a big deal with Arlo. For most of the time since grade seven there had been a certain comfort level. There were many nights of sharing their feelings, occasionally masturbating to pornography on the internet. Arlo was doing it now with boys. “What about you? I mean since this guy Donald--?”

“Sure.” Arlo said it so matter-of-factly. You have no idea how many times.

“Wow.” Daniel tried not to let his surprise slip through. “So this guy, he's not your first boyfriend -- hey Arlo, that's rude! We always told each other stuff like this.” Daniel ignored the fact that he had not told Arlo about Denver, “You had a guy and you didn't tell me about him?”

“I told you a while ago, Donald and I still go at it.”

Oh yes, Donald. Arlo's Jake. Somehow Daniel had a hard time seeing the two of them as a couple. It felt really wrong.

“Some other guys too. Some of those guys think I'm really hot. . . kinda sick isn't it?” Arlo laughed at himself and Daniel stirred uncomfortably on the bed. “I guess I must be a bit of a man-whore.” That comment led to another long silence during which both boys pursued their own thoughts. Arlo finally made the first move. He pulled off his t-shirt and slipped into bed. “I guess I'm tired, let's hit the sack.” He turned off the light.

Daniel slipped under the covers next to his friend. The bed didn't seem as big as it once had. Their shoulders touched. They lay on their backs wide awake; the evening's conversation and the afternoon in Daniel's apartment lay between them. Daniel heard Arlo sigh and felt him turn on his side. He thought he had turned to the wall. “Do you want to fool around?” He glanced at Arlo's back and found himself looking into his eyes instead. Daniel looked back, silently struggling with his feelings. The memories of sex with Amber blended with his desire for Mandy and the fire that Denver had ignited. Daniel's heart beat stronger and the blood began to sing in his veins. He was not drawn to Arlo at all, but he needed something.

“Do you?” He answered back with a shake in his voice he could not control. He could smell Arlo and feel his heat. He was not sure what to do.

“Yes,” his friend whispered. “Fuck me Daniel.”

“I've never done that before.”

“It's not complicated.”

They reached out for each other. Arlo groped until he made contact with Daniel's underwear, then slipped his fingers beneath the fabric to touch Daniel's erect penis. Daniel let his fingers travel up and down the other boy's hard chest and down to his underwear. When he brushed Arlo's groin he felt Arlo's erection. Arlo's hand traveled back up and cupped Daniel's chin for a moment. People touching his face, Daniel was reminded of Jake and Denver for a moment and it fuelled his passion.

The boys tried an embrace. The touch and heat of their bodies began to stimulate them both and Daniel became bolder. He hesitantly kissed Arlo. When Arlo responded with a tongue Daniel allowed his friend to probe a moment before pulling away. Daniel rolled on top of his friend and immersed himself in the fire. Their groins pressed together and each boy's erection strained against the light fabric of their boxers. Arlo's hands traveled across Daniel's back and down into his underpants to clutch his ass. Daniel pulled Arlo's boxers down. When the boy's cock sprang free Daniel felt a sudden spurt of cum that covered their bellies.

“Fuck me Daniel” Arlo groaned “I need you inside me.” He removed Daniel's boxers and they both struggled to untangle themselves from the underpants and bedding.

Arlo turned over on his front and lifted a leg up to his chest. Daniel's cock was rock hard when it met the slick anus of his friend. He had never tried to enter a boy before and he wasn't sure how it was done. Arlo had put something slippery on and Daniel's cock slid in far more easily than he could imagine. Arlo reached for his cock and guided it in. He thought Arlo would be tighter than Amber, harder to enter. Daniel's mind mixed with the usual thoughts of Mandy and Amber, the only girl he'd actually known. He spent little time comparing the experiences. He focused on the urgency of his need. The love making ended when Daniel arched his back and grabbed Arlo by his shoulders. His mind drifted to the brief moment he and Simon had seen Arlo under the bleachers. Daniel felt a wave of nausea -- this felt nothing like his night with Denver. He suddenly needed to be clean.

Arlo was still lying face down naked on the bed when Daniel came back from washing himself; he sat on the bed and retrieved his underpants. At first he thought Arlo was asleep, but then Arlo stirred into vulnerability, legs spread and ass slightly raised and gyrating. Daniel kissed him once on the cheek and asked if he was okay. Arlo smiled a little and nodded, then rolled over. “I wish we could do it some more.”

Daniel grunted, lay down and drifted off into sleep.

He was back in the tent listening to the rush of water falling through the boulder-strewn crevice. The light filtered through the deep blue tent as he kicked his sleeping bag off his naked body. The tent was tight and Denver's thigh was pressed against his crotch. Daniel could feel Denver's penis sliding along his hip, and the tickling sensation in his own rigid penis. “Time out!” Daniel called quite clearly but Denver told him to be quiet. He didn't want to attract the attention of Mark and Mandy, who were nearby deep in conversation about the latest play. Mandy glanced over at him from time to time and Daniel worried that she might get the wrong idea. Denver had pushed the game too far. “Time out, truce!” he repeated. Denver paused and Daniel turned to Mark. He wanted to reassure him that Denver wasn't serious. Denver pulled him gently back and resumed the game. Daniel lay still and rested his head on the pillow. The water sounded so peaceful.

He woke in early sunlight from an erotic dream that had ended in an orgasm. He opened his eyes, trying to remember the details. He suddenly realized it was Arlo and not Denver who had been sucking on him. Daniel lay still while Arlo's head rested on his belly. He felt Arlo's hand fondling his sack. He felt the air cooling the saliva on his cock. Daniel decided to pretend he was still asleep. After a little while Arlo rolled off him and went back to sleep. Daniel stared at the ceiling for a long time.