So Called Chaos - 1. Otherwise Occupied

The sound of the whistle echoed across the pool, signaling the last lap of an already brutal practice session. Steven Carter dived in, sinking almost to the bottom before he kicked out with his legs. He cut through the water without looking to his left or right. He focused on the opposite end of the pool. He emptied his mind and willed all his energy to keep his tired muscles from cramping.

Coach Damien had pushed the entire team hard this year. And with only two more weeks until the State Finals, he pushed even harder. But as hard as he pushed the team, he pushed Steven the hardest. But what Coach Damien never understood about swimming, you're all alone in the pool. No amount of yelling or encouragement could help. It was just the swimmer and the water, everything else was a dream, muted and slowed.

Steven touched the wall with his hand and curled his body under. He kicked off the wall with all his strength. The shock of hitting the wall vibrated through his legs and up his spine. He winced though it did not slow him. He had not fully recovered from his broken ankle a few months earlier but he was not going to miss State Final's for anything.

He dug down deep for a final push and just hoped he was out front. There were only two spots left for the upcoming year at Stanford along with a full scholarship. It was his only chance to attend such a prestigious college.

Just when he thought he could not kick anymore, his hand touched the edge of the pool. He pulled himself halfway out of the water, his chest heaving as he turned to look back at the other swimmers. He grinned, he was at least a full three seconds ahead of the closest swimmer.

Coach Damien pointed at the banners that lined the walls of the pool and yelled out, "That's what I'm talking about. You keep that up and you'll add another championship for Glacier Bay High in two weeks."

Steven grinned as he hauled himself from the pool. The moment his left foot hit the tile floor, he grimaced.

Coach Damien reached out with a hand to steady him as he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Cramp," Steven lied smoothly as he hobbled over to the nearest bench. "Didn't have enough water today."

Coach Damien helped the boy to the bench and knelt down next to him. He grabbed Steven's leg in his powerful grip and began massaging the tired calf muscle.

"The last time I kicked off the wall, I felt it," Steven said in a quiet voice, his face contorted in pain. He took off his goggles and tossed them beside him. "Damnit."

"Hold on, son," Coach Damien ordered as he moved down to the boy's ankle. He rotated the ankle back and forth, being careful to go slowly. He asked, "How's that?"

"Better," Steven managed to say with a straight face. He had to bite back a scream that threatened to escape his throat. His ankle felt as if it was on fire.

The other boys had gathered around them, with concern on their faces. Steven was their best chance to win another championship and everyone knew that.

Coach noticed the boys and stood up as he said, "All right, great job today. Each of you gave it your all. And sometimes, that's all it takes to win. Now hit the showers."

It took a few moments for the fifteen boys to make it back to the locker room between the pushing and shoving so each boy could take a moment to offer Steven some encouragement. After they disappeared around the corner, Coach Damien rubbed his eyes and sat down next to Steven. He peered at the boy with a look that demanded an explanation.

"I'm serious, Coach, it's nothing," Steven said as he wiped the excess water from his chest. He forced a smile and added, "You've been pushing us all hard. I'm just tired."

"Look," Coach Damien said as he put his arm around the boy. "I know how much you want this, how much you need this. But you might have come back too soon. Bones take time to heal, even when you're young. That was a nasty break."

Steven, like most natural swimmers, was tall and lanky without a trace of fat on his body. And like most swimmers, he shaved his body hair. Though he kept his brown hair shaggy as he could hide it under his swimming cap.

"Tell me about it," Steven said with a chuckle. "Imagine Aaron playing the video to anyone and everyone willing to watch it every chance he gets."

"I'm being serious," Coach Damien said flatly. "I let you back to practice because I know how much this means to your future. But if it comes down to you doing permanent injury to your ankle or competing, I'll boot your ass right out of here so fast your head won't stop spinning for three days."

Coach Damien was an impressive man, tall and still looked amazing in a bathing suit at 45 years old. He had receding brown hair and intense blue eyes that always made Steven nervous, especially when he focused all his attention like he was doing now.

He knew the man was completely serious and his only chance to make the competition was to prove that it was indeed a cramp and nothing else. He stood up quickly and placed both feet flat on the floor. He walked around the bench making sure to keep his face neutral, he said with a grin, "See, just a cramp like I said,"

Coach Damien stood up and though he looked doubtful, he said quietly, "Just be careful this weekend."

No worries," Steven said as he bent down, grabbed his goggles and towel from the bench. He walked towards the locker room, drying off his hair. He paused at the locker room doorway, he looked over his shoulder and asked, "How did I do?"

"You shaved off another eighth of a second."

"I told you changing my motion would work," Steven yelled out as he disappeared into the locker room. The moment he was out of sight, he leaned against the wall so he could take all his weight from his foot. He took a deep breath and hobbled as best as he could until he reached his locker.

He sat down and sighed. He opened his locker and reached into his shower bag. He opened a prescription bottle and placed one of the pills in his mouth. He washed it down with a swig of water and leaned back against the metal locker. He had been prescribed Vicodin after he broke his ankle, he was already on his fourth and final refill.

The locker room was loud as his teammates goofed around in various stages of showering, dressing, and just being loud boys. Steven loved being in the locker room, being part of a team, feeling the camaraderie, the school spirit, the energy of his teammates, but at this moment, he would have loved to have quiet. At least until the Vicodin kicked in.

"Yo, Carter, you all right?" Tyler Cummings asked as he toweled himself off a few feet away. He was genuinely concerned, even though Steven was his biggest competitor. He wanted to beat Steven, but he wanted to beat him in the water.

Tyler used the excuse for his always coming in second was due to Steven's being one inch taller. Though they measured and Tyler had the longer reach. He kept his hair longer on top but faded on the sides. Steven might have a few pounds on him but they were basically the same person.

"I'm fine," Steven replied as he consciously avoided looking at the naked boy as he dried his hair.

Tyler held many records as well at the school. It had been the two of them going head to head since either one could remember. The last thing he wanted to show in front of the boy was weakness, no matter how good he looked in or out of Speedos. He offered, "You looked great out there."

Tyler stopped drying his hair and peered out from under the towel, he promised, "One day, Carter."

Steven slung the towel over his shoulder and grabbed his shower bag. He was a bit uncomfortable under Tyler's intense scrutiny but forced himself to stand still, exposed, relaxed.

"Why do you always do that? Tyler finally asked as he reached for his underwear.

"Why do I do what?"

"You dry yourself off before you get into the shower," Tyler said as he pulled up his boxers.

Steven shrugged. He didn't even realize he did that. He slipped into his shower shoes and said, "Maybe I don't like getting into the shower all wet."

"You're a strange duck," Tyler declared as he shook his head with a grin. He rubbed his stomach and then frowned.

"I'm not a duck," Steven replied dryly as he walked towards the showers. "I'm a guppy."

"I need to shave again," Tyler said absently as he pulled up his jeans.

"Don't bother, it won't help you beat me," Steven called out over his shoulder.

"Bite me."

Steven laughed and walked into the shower room. He made sure to stay on the wooden planks that were laid out on the floor between the shower heads like some kind of giant checkerboard. He could smell chlorine, various hygiene products and a slight smell of mold that caused him to breathe through his mouth. If he didn't have to wash the chlorine from his body, he would never set foot in what he knew was a cesspool of disease. He always had an uncomfortable feeling standing in a communal shower, as if he was in some kind of prison or something.

The last two boys left by the time Steven stopped in front of the last showerhead. He hung his shower kit from the hook over the shower and turned the water on and adjusted it to the perfect temperature, somewhere between hot and scolding.

He sighed and let the hot water flow over his shaggy brown hair and down his tired body. For over ten minutes he stood there, his hands leaning against the wall for support, waiting for the painkiller to work its magic.

"There's a sight you don't see every day."

Steven broke out in a smile at the sound of that voice. He did move but replied, "Yes you do."

"I don't know, not like this."

"What, naked and wet?" Steven asked as he wiped the water from his eyes.

"No, naked and wet I've seen. Naked and wet, leaning against the wall, looking...well so damn inviting, not so much."

"Are you perving on me" Steven asked with amusement as he turned around. His blue eyes widened when he saw the boy standing before him and the unmistakable bulge in his blue soccer shorts. "I guess you are."

His boyfriend, Aaron Tate, stood leaning against the doorway of the shower room, his arms crossed over his chest. His blonde hair hung in his eyes still damp from sweat. He was still wearing his blue and white soccer uniform. He must have rushed straight over from practice. He looked amazing, sweat and all.

Aaron looked down and said, "I guess I won't be needing viagra anytime soon." He stretched provocatively and thrust out his hips in the process.

Steven saw the lust in his boyfriends eyes and his own body started to respond. "Is anyone left out there?"

"Nope, already checked, even the stalls," Aaron replied as he took a step closer. "And the locker room door somehow locked itself."

"So we're locked in," Steven said with grin. "That's too bad."

"It is a tragedy," Aaron stated as he pulled his shirt over his head exposing his smooth chest. "Looks like you have to come up with something to relieve some of the boredom."

"I trust that between you and me, we can think of something constructive to do," Steven declared with a challenging look on his face.

"I'm betting on it," Aaron growled out as he dropped his shirt on the ground.

"Hello? Is anyone still here?" Coach yelled out from the other room

Aaron reached down and pulled his shirt over his head and placed his hands over his crotch to hide his excitement. Steven moved even faster, he turned off the hot water and faced the wall and let the ice cold water run over his body.

Aaron had a look of disappointment on his face but screamed out, "In here Coach."

"The door was locked," Coach said as the boys heard his footsteps getting closer.

"Sorry about that Coach," Aaron said and greeted the man with a smile. "I must've bumped it by accident.

Coach rounded the corner and paused for a moment as he looked at the two boys alone in the shower. He shook his head and said, "Oh, hi Aaron. What are you doing here?"

Aaron greeted the man with a grin, somehow he managed to look innocent. "I'm waiting for this little guppy to finish up so I can give him a ride home."

Steven still faced the wall and tried to will his body under control, but he couldn't stop shaking from the cold water.

For a moment, the three of them stood there in silence. The only sound was the water pouring down onto the concrete floor. Steven shut the water off and grabbed his towel. He wrapped it around his waist and grabbed his shower bag. He faced the other two and asked, "Something wrong Coach?"

Coach caught himself and said, "No, when I found the door locked, I thought maybe a few of the freshmen were up to no good again."

"Nope, no goofy freshmen here," Steven replied. At the same time, Aaron said, "Just us horny seniors."

Coach cocked his head and looked from one to the other. "What?"

Aaron didn't miss a beat, he kept his smile on his face and said, "No one's here except us hungry seniors."

Coach cleared his throat, "Well, hurry up Steven, I've got to lock up for the night. Get off that ankle and get some rest."

"I will," Steven said as he walked towards his locker.

"Promise me," Coach urged as he watched the boy walk across the room, looking for any sign of a limp or pain on the boys face.

Aaron stated, "Couch's honor." Steven rolled his eye and said, "Coach's honor, promise."

"Okay, have a good weekend boys." Coach said and walked towards the door.

Aaron walked over to Steven and neither said a word until Coach disappeared from the room.

"Jesus," Steven muttered. "That was too close." He dropped his shower bag on the bench and sat down.

"Exciting though," Aaron declared and rubbed his fingers through Steven's brown hair. "Kind of gets the blood pumping."

"Pumping blood was the last thing I needed in there," Steven said as he laughed. He started drying his hair before working down his body.

Aaron changed the subject and asked, "What did he mean by take care of that ankle? What happened?"

Steven stood up, and explained as he started dressing, "I hurt my ankle during practice today."

Aaron's smile faded and a look of concern crossed his face. "Is it bad?"

Steven shrugged, "I took a painkiller, its okay."

"Poor baby," Aaron muttered as he leaned over and kissed his boyfriends forehead.

Steven ran his fingers through his damp hair and made a face, "You stink."

Aaron smelled under his arm and made a face, "I concur. Why don't we go back to my place so we can finish our shower?"

Steven grabbed Aaron's head and kissed him before he offered, "My place, we have it all to ourselves until five."

Aaron glanced at his watch and tapped one finger to his chin in thought. "Well, you do have a bigger shower. Let's go."

Steven made a growling noise in the back of his throat and Aaron bent over and grabbed the wet pair of speedos and shoved them in Steven's bag. Steven slung the bag over his shoulder and the two headed towards the door. Aaron paused for a moment to pick up his discarded bag and reached for the doorknob.

Aaron paused, and leaned over for a kiss. Steven pushed him away with a laugh, "Not until you shower stinky boy."

Aaron threw open the door and declared, "I'm driving."

"Wrong again stink boy," Steven said as he limped down the corridor. "I'm driving."

"Fine," Aaron said before he grinned. "I'm sure I can think of something to keep me otherwise occupied on the drive."

Steven thought back to the first time Aaron thought of something to keep him otherwise occupied on a particularly long drive. He had almost crashed the car into a tree. He said, "Can't wait."

As they stepped out into the sunlight, Aaron noticed how bad Steven was limping and asked, "Are you sure you are all right?"

"Well, instead of a throbbing pain it's now more of a dull ache," Steven admitted. He looked around the parking lot and asked, "Where did you park?"

"Come on gimpy gumpy," Aaron said as he grabbed both bags. "This way."

After a moment, Steven saw Aaron's bright red mustang parked in Principal Williams private space, he laughed. "One of these days, Williams is going to have your car towed."

"He wouldn't dare," Aaron declared as he pretended to hug his car. "He loves this baby as much as I do."

"You are not right," Steven declared. And when Aaron raised one eye brow, he added, "You're not, its not a new thing stinky boy."

Aaron reached into his bag and threw Steven the keys. "Just because my outside is a bit off center does not give you the right to accuse me of being not...right."

Steven rolled his eyes and unlocked the door and slowly climbed inside. He grunted as he leaned over to unlock the passenger side. Once Aaron sat down, he looked at his boyfriend and declared, "That made no sense whatsoever."

Steven started the car and he reached for the locks that would release the top. Aaron smacked his hand, "Not a good idea gumpy, when I go down, the top must stay up."

"Kinky," Steven said as he backed out. He put the car into first gear and made it only a few feet before he had to slam on the breaks.

"What..." Aaron said before he saw their friend Mike Reynolds standing in front of the car, his back pack slug over one shoulder.

"I missed the bus, can I get a ride?" Mike asked, an expectant look on his round face.

Aaron looked over at his boyfriend and shrugged as if to say sorry. He opened the door and said, "Sure, hop in the back."

"You guys are a lifesaver," Mike declared as he climbed in the back. He pushed the passenger seat forward to make room for his bulk and squished Aaron in the process.

"Watch out, will ya," Aaron grumbled.

Mike sat in the middle of the back seat so he could lean closer to the front. "Aren't you going to put the top down?"

"We weren't," Steven stated with a frown. Aaron looked at his boyfriend and said, "But now there's no reason why we shouldn't enjoy this beautiful day."

Steven hit the lever on his side and mumbled, "I can think of at least one."

"What's that?" Mike asked as he put a pair of sunglasses on his head.

"Nothing," Steven said.

"So are you guys going to Mindy's party tonight?" Mike asked as Steven hit the gas hard causing the boy to slam into the back seat.

"What?" Aaron asked as he held tightly to the side of the car.

"Are you guys going to the party tonight?" Mike repeated the question as he fumbled for a seat belt that wasn't there.

Steven shot out of the parking lot and squeeled the tires as he made a sharp left turn. "What party?" He asked as he slammed on the brakes. The car was stopped at the sign more than a bit crooked.

"Mindy's house." Mike squeeked out.

Steven floored the car again and took off down the street, "Probably, we always do."

"I asked Sara if she was going to go, and she said yes. So I said see you there and then she said yeah. Do you think that means anything?" Mike asked.

Steven exchanged looks with Aaron and said, "Yeah, I think it does."

"Really, what?" Mike asked as he leaned up again.

"I think it means she'll shee you at the party," Aaron laughed. He switched on the radio and turned up the volume.

"No, I mean, does she like me?" Mike screamed over the radio.

"As much as I do," Steven muttered.

"What?" Mike asked. "Can you turn down the radio, I can't hear you?"

"Sorry, my car, my music level," Steven stated as he started singing along to the radio at the top of his lungs.

"But it's not your car, it's his," Mike declared with a pout on his face.

Mike braced himself with his hands against the side of the car. "Why do you have to drive so fast?"

"I'm in a hurry," Steven yelled back and then mumbled, "To get rid of you."

"What?"

"He said he has to poo," Aaron said, unable to hold back his laughter.

"That's gross," MIke said with a frown.

Five minutes later, Steven slammed on the brakes in front of Mike's house. He turned down the radio and waited for the boy to exit the car.

Mike climbed out and turned and asked, "Do you think you could pick me up tonight?"

"Sorry, I can't," Aaron said. "I've got to..."

"Vacuum the couch," Steven offered.

"What?"

"See ya tonight," Aaron said with a wave as Steven sped away.

"Bye." Mike said with a wave.

"That was rude," Aaron stated as he turned off the radio.

Steven made a face and declared, "That's the third time this week, he missed the bus."

"So," Aaron stated with a shrug.

"He just wants to ride in your car," Steven complained. "I don't know why you put up with it."

"Because I like Mike, and normally so do you," Aaron said.

Steven sighed. "I do, I'm just stressed."

"More like depressed," Aaron offered as he placed a hand on Steven's thigh.

"How about repressed?" Steven countered.

"Irritable is more like it."

"Blow me."

"That was the plan gumpy," Aaron said through a laugh.

"Until you invited whats-his-name along for the ride," Steven muttered.

"Don't be mad," Aaron said in his best little boy voice. "We still have plenty of time."

"That's true."

Four street later and three stop signs, Steven pulled up in front of his house and parked on the street. He lived in a modest four-bedroom home with a nice manicured lawn and fenced in front porch that wrapped around the side of the house. A two-car garage nestled on the side of the house, painted yellow with white trim that matched the rest of the house. His mother and her morbid fascination with the color yellow. He really didn't care for the color but it was home, the only one he had ever known.

He grabbed his bag from the back seat and limped up the driveway with Aaron close behind. He walked along the side of the house and fished out his keys from his bag. Once he turned and walked along the back of the house, he unlocked the door and entered into the kitchen.

The kitchen was large and painted in soft yellows and blues. There were pictures and small figures of cows covering most of the walls and counter space. A large wooden island in the center of the kitchen was where the family normally ate breakfast. To Steven, this was his favorite room in the house. All his best memories were him sitting on a stool doing homework while his mother cooked dinner and his father sat next to him reading the paper. For some reason, the kitchen felt like home more than any other room in the house.

Aaron had spent so much time over at the Carter's house that he was considered one of the family. So when he walked over to the refrigerator and opened it, Steven called out over his shoulder as he headed into the living room, "Get me a Dr. Pepper too."

Aaron called out from the kitchen, "Oh hi Mamma Carter."

Steven hung his head in frustration and dropped his bag on the floor and headed back into the kitchen.

"Hi Aaron, How are you doing?" Lynn Carter asked as she struggled with two bags of groceries in her arms.

Aaron grabbed the bags and replied with a genuine smile, "I'm great."

"What are you doing home so early?" Steven asked as he tried to make sure she didn't see his disappointment.

Lynn placed one hand on her slender hip and shook her head, "I swear Steven, you're becoming more like your father every day. How can you be so forgetful?"

"Yeah, how can you be so forgetful Steven," Aaron asked, his eyes wide as he waited for the answer.

"That's right, Dad's boss is coming for dinner." Steven stated. He looked at Aaron and said, "I'm sorry, I totally forgot."

Aaron shrugged and asked, "More bags in the car?"

"Would you mind?" Lynn asked.

"Never for you," Aaron said as he opened the door that led into the garage. "Come on gumpy, lets get the food."

The two boys made two trips and after they were finished, Lynn asked, "Why are you limping?"

"My ankle's just a bit sore today," Steven said. "It's nothing."

Lynn emptied the bag closest to her and asked, "Aaron, are you staying for dinner?"

Aaron looked over at his boyfriend, and shook his head. "I better not. My mom already complains I spend too much time over here as it is. She claims she's forgotten what I look like half the time."

Lynn laughed, "I've thought the very same thing about Steven at times."

"I'm going upstairs," Steven declared and motioned Aaron to follow. "What time is dinner?"

"Six o-clock, dress nice."

"Okay."

"Bye Mamma Carter," Aaron said as he kissed her on the cheek.

Lynn smiled and asked, "Why can't you be more like him Steven?"

"Okay, Steven said as he walked back over and kissed Aaron on the cheek. "Whatever you say."

"I meant me," Lynn said with a laugh.

"Sorry," Steven said with a shrug. "You should be more specific."

"Get out of here you goof ball," Lynn said shooing them from her kitchen. "And Aaron."

"Yes."

"Take a shower, you really smell," Lynn said with a sweet smile.

Aaron stood there, his mouth opening and closing. He looked at Steven, who only said, "I told ya."

Steven picked up his bag from the living room and walked up the stairs and down the hall. He rolled his eyes on the seemingly endless pictures that adorned the hallway, and stopped at the laundry room just down the hall from his room. He opened his bag and pulled out his dirty clothes.

"I can't believe you did that," Aaron said in disbelief as he stood against the wall watching his boyfriend.

"Do what?" Steven asked as he seperated his clothes.

"Kiss me in front of her."

He took out his damp towel and dropped them in the basket. "So, it was only on the cheek."

"You have to be more careful," Aaron declared as he crossed his arms. His handsome face was twisted into a frown.

"Are you for real?" Steven asked as he grabbed his wet speedos.

Aaron leaned against the doorframe and sighed. "Yes, I don't want anyone knowing about us."

Steven turned around and leaned against the washer. "How long have we been friends?"

"I don't know, five years or so."

"How long have we been," Steven lowered his voice. "you know."

"One year, two months, fifteen days, six hours," Aaron paused to look at his watch.

"What? You don't have it down to the exact second?" Steven said with a grin. "I'm a bit hurt."

Aaron shrugged, "This is a different watch then the one I was wearing that day so it's a bit slower than that one so I'm not sure how many minutes."

"Right."

"Right what?"

"What was I saying," Steven asked, the wet speedos still in his hand.

"You were asking, you know," Aaron prompted.

"Right," Steven said. "We've been friends longer so she only thinks we are goofing off."

"I don't know, " Aaron said. "You didn't see her face when you kissed me."

"You're imagining things."

Aaron did not want to continue with this line of thought. He glanced at his watch and changed the subject. "Since your mom's home, I should get going. I'd like to finish my homework before the party."

"Yeah, me too. That way we can have the entire weekend for, you know," Steven whispered in a conspiratorial tone.

"All right, I'll call you before I head over," Aaron stated as he walked out of the room

"Hey," Steven called out. Aaron turned around and Steven asked, "Don't I get a goodbye kiss?"

"Not until I shower, remember," Aaron said with a chuckle. "Gotta go and no cheating."

"What?"

Aaron held his closed hand in front of his crotch and pumped it back and forth, "Not until tonight."

Steven grinned and emptied the rest of the his dirty clothes into the basket. He grinned when Aaron's arms encircled him. Aaron squeezed him tight and kissed his cheek. Steven turned around inside his embrace and after a deep breath, he said, "I thought you wanted to be careful."

Aaron kissed him hard, "Tonight, I promise."

Steven smiled and looked down at the speedos in his hands. He brought them closer to his face and he realized they weren't his size. He dropped them in the basket and made a face. He touched someoe else dirty swimsuit. Aaron must have grabbed the wrong pair by mistake in the locker room. The least he could do was wash them before he returned them.

He walked down the hall and into his room. He got undressed and tossed the dirty clothes into the hamper by the door of his private bathroom. After he relieved himself he walked back into the room in just his boxers.

He sat down at his desk and pulled out his homework. He held up his math book in one hand and his english book in the other while he debated which he would do first. The math book won out and for the next two hours he wrestled with trigonometry. After he finished the required homework, he shut the book and stretched.

His stomach started to rumble and he looked at the clock. He wondered what his mom was preparing for dinner and if she needed any tasters. He stood up and walked over to the closet. He grabbed a pair of shorts from the shelf and slipped them on. He walked down stairs and into the kitchen where his mom was busy chopping vegetables and occassionally stirring something on the stove that smelled delicious.

Lynn was petite with long flowing brown hair and mischievous green eyes. She stood at 5 foot 3 inches and he could still remember how he felt when he finally past her with his growing spurts the summer he turned thirteen. Though now he towered over her, though her personality made her seem much taller especially when she locked her eyes on his when he was in trouble.

Before he stepped all the way into the kitchen, he made sure to make a small noise to alert her of his presence. He waited until she looked over her shoulder at him before he asked, "What's for dinner?"

"Duck."

He pretended to do that behind the kitchen island. "Why?"

"No, I'm cooking duck for dinner," She replied as she turned back to the stove.

"My favorite," Steven grinned as he rubbed his stomach. "What else?"

"Asparagus, and some rice, nice spinach salad."

He opened one of the cabinets and grabbed a box of cookies. Lynn warned, "Don't spoil your dinner."

Steven took a single cookie and shoved it in his mouth whole. Through his chewing, he asked, "Have I ever not eaten your dinner?"

"That's true," Lynn said. "Not sure why I say that."

"Probably cause you still think I'm seven," Steven offered while shoving another cookie in his mouth.

Lynn ignored that comment and asked, "So what's this party you're going to tonight?"

"Mindy's, she throwing a pool party," Steven answered after he put the box of cookies back in the cabinet. He walked over to the fridge and grabbed a Dr. Pepper. He took a long drink and then burped loudly.

Lynn ignored the burp and asked, "Who's going to be there?"

"Everyone."

"Are her parents going to be there?" Lynn stopped stirring the pot and looked directly at him.

"Nope," Steven said honestly as he sat down on one of the stools. "It's just gonna be us kids."

"Will there be alcohol?"

Steven shrugged, "Probably, you remember how kids like to drink when the parents are away."

"Steven Carter, you better not be drinking," Lynn declared as she waved a spoon at him.

"If I do, I promise I won't drive," Steven stated with a straight face.

"You don't have a car," Lynn admonished. She did return to stirring the pot.

"See, proves I'm not lying," Steven stated triumphantly. "Besides, Aaron can drive."

"He better not be driving either."

"Fine, then we'll stay over," Steven said with a straight face. "I don't know why you are making this so difficult."

She whirled around, her face red and she opened her mouth but quickly shut it when she saw the big grin on her son's face. "I can't believe you treat me this way."

"What way?" David Carter asked as he walked into the kitchen from the garage. He was carrying his briefcase in one hand, a tire iron in the other hand. His tie was undone, he looked exhausted and his chocolate colored hair was standing out in all directions.

"Your son is trying to give me a heart attack," Lynn declared before she kissed her husband of twenty years.

David returned the kiss and the said, "Steven, what did we talk about, stop giving your mother heart attacks."

"I would never," Steven said with mock sincerity.

"Not you, what's for dinner," David called out as he walked towards the living room

"Duck." Steven called out.

Steven couldn't help but laugh as hos father crouched down and disappeared into the living room. Lynn raised her head towards the sky and asked, "Why do you do this to me?"

"Don't waste your breath mom, I don't think he's listening," Steven said as he kissed her cheek before following his dad into the living room.

The living room was painted white with blue carpet and more than a few family pictures adorned the walls but no where near as many as the upstairs hall. A couch and two loveseats made a small square so all those sitting could see the TV nestled in the corner. A rather large oak coffee table was centered between the couches and about a dozen magazines fanned out in the center. A large comfortable leather recliner was pushed off to the side and at the moment, David was sitting in looking tired.

"Hey dad, can I have fifty bucks, "Steven asked as he flopped down on the couch.

David was busy taking off his shoes, he sent one shoe flying across the room before he asked, "Why?"

"Because I want to buy stuff," Steven stated as he stood up and waited for the other one to go flying.

"What kind of stuff," David asked as he kicked the other shoe in the other direction.

"Aaron has a lead on some good weed, " Steven joked as he retrieved the two shoes. He put them by the stairs and returned to he couch.

David was frowning and he was poking his stomach with one long finger. Steven asked, "What are you doing?"

"Do you think I'm getting fat?" David asked as he looked up to his son.

"It's hard to tell with your belly in the way," Steven managed to say with a straight face.

"My secretary said my backside was getting flabby today," David continued. "I haven't worked out this week."

"And you're definitely not getting younger," Steve offered. "They say the older you get..."

"Lynn," David called out to the kitchen as he stood up.

"Yes."

"How much time before dinner?"

"About an hour or so."

"Great, I"m going to go for a run," David declared as he stripped off his coat.

Lynn walked into the room and asked, "Why? Your boss will be here in thirty minutes."

"Damn," David muttered. "So that's why he said I'll see you later."

"Dad's losing it," Steven leaned over and whispered loudly to his mom.

"He never really had it," Lynn retorted with a laugh.

"Well, I better go and open some wine then," David muttered as he headed up the stairs.

"Ah, dad."

David turned around, "What?"

"Fifty bucks."

"That's right," David said as he reached into his back pocket and grabbed his wallet. "You want to buy some weed."

"David," Lynn exclaimed.

"What?" David replied. "At least he's honest about it. Its legal after all."

"That doesn't matter."

David peered into his wallet and said, "I don't have fifty, take this instead."

Steven took the bills and said, "Thanks dad. I guess I should get ready for dinner and put some clothes on."

"I don't know why you encourage him," He could hear Lynn say as he walked up the stairs. He started grinned when he looked at the bills his father gave him, four crisp twenties.

He heard his dad say, "You know the boy doesn't smoke weed. I don't know why you let him get to you all the time."

Steven walked to his room and shut the door behind him. He had decided long ago that yellow or anything resembling yellow was never allowed in his room. The carpet was a soft blue as well as his bed coverings. The walls were white but almost completely covered by posters and pictures. On the far side of his bed was a tall bookshelf overflowing with numerous swimming trophies he had won over the years. It took him over two years and all the debating skills he possessed to convince his mother they belonged in his room instead of the living room. That was his greatest achievement. In the corner opposite his bed was a cheap desk that served his laptop and homework. He kept it spotless at all times.

He walked over to the closet and took off his shorts. He folded them before putting them back on the shelf. He absently rubbed his stomach and wondered what he should wear for the party tonight. He looked down and blushed. Between the shower room with Aaron, the car ride home, and the expectations of coming home to an empty house, he was very aroused. He dropped his hand to his crotch before remembering his promise to Aaron to wait for tonight.

He took off his boxers and stomped into the bathroom and took a cold shower. He washed his hair quickly and finished soaping the rest of his body. Cold water did wonders for the male libido, it wasn't the most pleasant way to clean oneself.

He dried off an stared into the mirror. He combed his hair put a bit of product to keep it somewhat tame. He brushed his teeth and walked back to the closet and once again pondered what to wear.

He decided on a pair of ripped jeans, and a black and white shirt. He paused while grabbing a pair of boxer briefs, he smiled and reached for his white jock. He could only imagine at Aaron's face later on tonight. He quickly dressed and was buttoning up his shirt when his cell phone rang.

"Yes stinky boy."

"What are you wearing?" Aaron asked, his voice husky and low.

"A pair of jeans at the moment," Steven answered.

"Oh," Aaron sounded disappointed.

"Too bad you didn't call like two minutes earlier," Steven teased. "I had just got out of the shower."

"Did you wait?"

"As hard as it was...is, yes."

"Good guppy."

"Was there something you wanted or did you just call to see if I was naked," Steven asked as he slipped on his black shoes.

"Actually, I was wondering what you were wearing."

"Oh, how sweet."

"Not what you think," Aaron uttered. "I just don't want to show up at the party wearing the same clothes like last time."

"That was funny."

"Whatever, so what are you wearing," Aaron asked again.

"A pair of jeans, some socks, some shoes, undies, "Steven avoided the question.

"And."

"What and?"

"Your shirt," Aaron stated. "What type of shirt?"

"Not wearing one."

"Fine, be a dick."

"Which shirt are you going to wear?" Steven asked.

"A plain white shirt and black jeans."

"Got it," Steven said as he started unbuttoning his shirt. "Call me when dinner is over okay."

"Will do," Aaron said.

Steven threw his phone on the bed and grabbed a pair of black jeans and a white shirt. He quickly changed clothes and made sure he had everything. He turned off the light and headed downstairs to dinner.