Wrestling With Desire

by D. H. Starr

  Before Derek could answer, Scott leaned down and locked their lips together. Scott's arms still held control of Derek's, so Derek was prone and unable to do anything but receive the kiss. Responding to Scott's excitement, Derek opened his mouth and their tongues intertwined, massaging each other.

  Derek treated himself to Scott's lower lip, nibbling on it gently. Having his arms pinned to his sides and Scott controlling his body, Derek felt himself become aroused and wiggled his hips to create some friction. Scott's own excitement became immediately obvious. After a few minutes of kissing and writhing, Scott loosened his grip on Derek and sat up. "Thank you, Derek. That was awesome."

  Unsure whether he was referring to the suplex or to the kissing, Derek turned to gaze into Scott's eyes and smiled.

  "I'm here to please."

  It was while they were sitting in the middle of the mat that Josh entered the wrestling room. "Hey, what are you guys still doin' up here? Aren't you gonna grab dinner with the team before the show tonight?"

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  Derek became acutely aware that his cock was stretching at his shorts. Relieved that he was sitting with his back to the door, Derek turned his head. "We were just practicing a little.

  Scott wanted to get the suplex down right. We'll catch up with you guys in a few. You're headed to the Square for pizza, right?"

  "Yeah. See you guys there."

  As Josh left the room, Derek let out a deep breath. Scott turned to him and grinned. "That was close." He leaned over, gave Derek a sweet peck on the cheek, and hopped up. "Let's do two minutes of spins each to make ourselves a bit less obvious before we head out."

  * * * *

  The auditorium was filling up quickly by the time Derek, Scott and the rest of the wrestling team showed up for the musical. Derek handed two tickets to the ninth grader collecting them at the door and headed with Scott towards the back row. There were two seats in the back corner which were unoccupied and Derek claimed them, removing his jacket and draping it over the back of his seat. The rest of the guys took random seats throughout the auditorium, so Derek had Scott all to himself. Looking through the makeshift playbill that one of the cast members had designed, Derek began to read the cast profiles to Scott. "Let's read Beck's. She loves writing these."

  Appearing in her fourth musical at Brampton, Ms. Rebecca Stoltz is thrilled to be playing the part of Tracy Turnblad in this year's production of Hairspray. A fierce and fiery girl, 169

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  Tracy gives new meaning to the poignant phrase 'I like big butts!'

  Scott snapped his head towards Derek and grabbed the playbill. Reading Beck's profile he laughed and gave Derek a shove. "It doesn't say that. I actually believed you though.

  It's definitely something she would write. Let me read it."

  Scott began reading out loud. " Appearing in her fourth musical at Brampton, Ms. Rebecca Stoltz is thrilled to portray the leading role of Tracy Turnblad, a revolutionary high school girl who proves that beauty comes from within. Beck hopes that her performance will inspire the audience to cast aside their fears and doubts and to grab life by the balls. "

  Derek ripped the playbill from Scott's hands, scanning the profile. "It says cast aside their fears and doubts and go for their dreams. " Scott shrugged, smiling his crooked grin, and looked at Derek with a sinister twinkle in his eyes. They continued reading profiles until the lights went down and the orchestra began playing the introductory medley.

  The shadowy darkness of the audience gave Derek and Scott a great deal of privacy, as music, the colorful set, and elaborate fifties era costumes filled the auditorium. Leaning back, Derek stretched his legs and then crossed one over the other, resting his hands in the space the position created between his legs. The opening medley was a preview of the main songs of the musical and Derek found himself thinking how similar medleys were to the mixing he loved to do.

  His reflection was cut short as he felt something brush against his hand. Looking down, he caught his breath as Scott took his hand and intertwined their fingers. Scott's eyes were 170

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  peering directly into his as he gave Derek's hand a short squeeze and then turned to the stage just as Beck entered.

  Derek squeezed Scott's hand in return. Sitting in the back row and cast in darkness, their hand-holding was furtive. The excitement was electrifying even if he and Scott were the only two who knew.

  Derek had to admit the musical was the best one the school had produced yet. As the cast came out to give their bows, the audience cheered and applauded. When Beck came out, the cheering rose to a roar of hoots and hollers and the entire audience stood to show their adoration. Derek glanced at the cast. Bryce had a huge grin on his face as the whole cast took a bow together. He then pushed Beck out from the lineup of actors and the audience began a new round of rapturous acclaim. Derek saw that Malinda had a momentary look of disgust on her face which she quickly replaced with a beaming grin. Well, I'll give her credit. She may hate Beck, but she can sure act like she's pleased as punch about Beck's adoring fans.

  As the auditorium cleared out, Derek and Scott hung back to wait for Beck so they could go to the cast party together.

  Although most cast parties only included the cast and crew, Brampton prided itself on taking advantage of any opportunity to party. As a result, the bulk of the senior class would be present. It was going to be at George Davis' house since his parents were leaving for a weekend trip directly from the opening night of the musical.

  About ten minutes later, Beck came into the auditorium, face cleared of stage makeup and wearing black jeans and a 171

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  bulky sweater. She was beaming. Derek ran over to her and caught her in a bear hug. "You were fantastic!"

  Scott concurred and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small gift-wrapped box. "I got you something. S'nothing much, but..."

  Beck grabbed the gift from Scott's hands and tore the paper off. Opening the box, she pulled out a plastic keychain in the shape of a star with the name REBECCA written on it in bold black letters. "Scott, if that isn't the sweetest thing.

  Thank you, come give mama a kiss."

  Scott blushed. "I wanted to get one that said BECK but they didn't have any." He allowed himself to be crushed by Beck's embrace and she gave him a friendly smooch right on the lips. Scott shuffled his feet.

  "Oh my God, look at him Derek, he's embarrassed. That is too cute." Beck flashed an elated grin at Scott and hugged him again. "Thank you, Scott. I love it." Derek had no idea that Scott had bought Beck a present. The fact that he had didn't come as a surprise and Derek had to fight the urge to push Beck aside so he could take her place hugging him.

  The three of them left the school and headed to George's house. Once there, they had to circle around a couple of times looking for a space. Finally they gave up and drove a couple of blocks down Mt. Auburn Street before they found a place to park. Bundled in winter coats, they headed to the party arm-in-arm. They could hear the music three houses before they reached George's house, and when they opened the front door, Derek could feel the bass from the stereo rumbling through his chest. Making their way up the stairs, 172

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  they were directed to put their jackets in George's parents'

  bedroom.

  The guys on the wrestling team were already there and were congregated to one side of the living room. Derek and Scott made their way toward the group as Beck excused herself to join Bryce and a few of the other cast members in the kitchen. The guys were talking about the upcoming meet with Lexington.

  "So, I found out that the team is going to be really strong after all, even though they lost three players—" Josh i
nterrupted his own speech when he saw Derek and Scott.

  "Hey guys. C'mon over. You'll want to hear about this." They joined the group as Josh continued. "So their three new members are at the 135, 167, and 179 weight classes." He turned his head towards Derek and Scott giving them a meaningful look. "That's you guys and me. Kinda sucks that they're our first meet because it would have been nice to go and watch them before having to wrestle them." The other team members began mulling over how they had performed against the Lexington wrestlers the previous year. Scott, being new and not knowing any of the Lexington team, was very interested.

  Derek, not really wanting to talk about wrestling this evening, elbowed Scott. "I think I'll head to the kitchen and hang with Beck for a while. I'm kinda done with the whole wrestling talk for now." Scott smiled and nodded before turning back to the team.

  Derek left them and headed to the kitchen. Looking around, he couldn't find Beck anywhere. He walked out onto 173

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  the porch off the kitchen, where a number of students were hanging out, and she wasn't there either. Turning to head back into the house, he bumped into Bryce, knocking him off balance. "Whoops, sorry, didn't see you there."

  Bryce placed his hand on the wall to balance himself. "No problem."

  "The play was awesome. It's definitely the best one yet."

  Bryce smiled. "It was fun. I have to give the credit to Beck for helping me pull off this role though. I never would have been able to do it without her." Bryce shivered and started to rub his arms. "It's kind of cold out here. Want to head back inside?" Derek followed Bryce back into the house and into the living room where the bulk of students were located. The heat from their dancing bodies made the room comfortably warm.

  Derek looked over to where Scott and the rest of the team were standing and saw that they were still engrossed in conversation. Scott turned, catching Derek's eye for an extended second, then smiled and turned back to the conversation he was having. "So you and Beck spent a lot of time together rehearsing. She said that you are about as serious about acting as she is."

  Bryce rolled his eyes. "I think so, but there's an intensity about Beck that I don't think anyone could rival. Don't get me wrong. I worship her. She is amazing. But she kind of scares me sometimes too. Do you know that she made me watch both versions of the Hairspray movie? The John Waters version with Ricki Lake and the one that just came out with Nikki Blonsky."

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  Derek laughed, "I'm surprised she didn't make you go to New York with her to watch the Broadway musical as well."

  "Oh, she tried. She even said that if I didn't go, and then fucked up, she would take my nuts, put them in a blender, and feed them back to me in a cup." Bryce shuddered remembering the threat.

  Derek laughed and patted Bryce on the shoulder. "You should feel complimented. You aren't a true friend of Beck's unless she's threatened some horrific violence against your balls." Derek looked around the living room. "Speaking of Beck, have you seen her?"

  Bryce looked as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "She told me not to tell you."

  Derek looked at Bryce with a combination of confusion and irritation. "Bryce. Where's Beck?"

  "She said that she'd—."

  "BRYCE! Where's Beck."

  "She ran outside to get sick." Derek took a menacing step towards him and Bryce backed away instinctively.

  "How did she get sick already? We just got here."

  Bryce lowered his head. "A few of us made her do some shots of vodka and maybe a few other liquors."

  "You didn't. Bryce. Didn't you know that—"

  "That she can't do shots. No. I had no idea."

  "How many shots did she do?"

  Bryce started scratching his head as he reviewed the shots. "I made her do a vodka shot. George made her do one of gin. Then Malinda made her do one of peppermint 175

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  schnapps. That's when she grabbed her mouth and ran outside."

  "Jesus Bryce. Were you guys trying to kill her? Did she do them all in a row?"

  "Yeah. But she should have told us if she couldn't handle it."

  Derek shook his head. "We're talking about Beck. Do you really think she would ever admit to any flaw or weakness?

  You could have offered her liquefied shit and she would have drunk it just to prove a point."

  Bryce trembled at the thought. "You're her best friend, right?"

  "Yeah. But what has that got to do with anything?"

  Bryce shuffled his feet. "It's just that Beck is the only other person who makes statements that are that disgusting without a second thought." When he looked up to face Derek, he had a slight smile on his face and his head was tilted to the side. His eyes were peering directly at him.

  A wave of annoyance passed over Derek. Beck was getting sick and, no matter how proud she was, she needed someone with her. "Look, if Beck is getting sick, we need to help her out. Where is she?"

  Bryce's entire posture shifted instantly in response to Derek's clipped tone. "I have no idea. I saw her run out the back door."

  Derek shook his head. "Come on. Grab some water and a paper towel. We're going to make sure she's ok." Bryce did as instructed and the two of them headed into the back yard.

  "I saw her head off in the direction of the cars."

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  Derek headed towards the cars. Near the end of the driveway, Derek heard what he had been listening for. Beck was retching just a few feet away. "Beck. Beck! Where are you?"

  "Go away. I don't want anyone to see me like this." Beck's voice was raspy and hoarse.

  Derek worked his way around the car where Beck's voice came from and saw her curled up on the ground next to a tire wheel. "Beck. Why on earth would you come out here alone to get sick? You could have always told someone to get me."

  Beck turned her face up to look at Derek. "I don't want anyone to see me like th—" Her words were cut off by another round of heaving as she threw up bile into the snow.

  Bryce stood in his spot, frozen and not knowing what to do.

  Derek stomped up to Bryce. "Don't just stand there. Give me the water and the napkin." He ripped the napkin from Bryce and gently wiped Beck's mouth with a corner of it.

  Tearing off the dirtied part, he wet the rest of the napkin with some water and pressed it to the back of her neck. "Here, this should help to make you feel a little bit better. Take the bottle of water and take tiny sips. Tiny sips always make me feel better when I'm sick."

  Beck crawled to her hands and knees, then lowered her bottom so it was resting on her heels. "Thanks. That does make me feel a bit better." She took the water bottle and obeyed Derek's instructions, taking tiny sips. After a few minutes, she was able to lift herself up to a kneeling position.

  "I am so never drinking vodka again, ever."

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  Derek laughed. "Why were you drinking vodka in the first place? I thought you were a wino, not an alchie."

  She lifted her head and peered at Derek with menacing eyes. "I will drink whatever I damn well please at my own cast party. Who in the hell do you think you a—" She doubled over once again and began to vomit some more.

  Derek laughed, unable to help himself. He knew that Beck was miserable and sick, but the fact that she had been chastising him and was repaid with another round of nausea seemed like good karma. "Maybe you should spend less time using your mouth to yell at me and more time using it to sip the water I gave you."

  She glared at him, but continued sipping the water. After about ten minutes, she seemed to be over the worst of it and Derek helped her to her feet. Bryce had remained still and useless the whole time. "Get over here. Help me with her."
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  Bryce seemed to remember how to function and walked over to Beck's other side, helping her to her feet. Slowly they made their way back to the party.

  Once they got to the back yard, they hung back for few minutes until Beck was sure she was feeling good enough to go back inside. "I swear to God. If either of you tell anyone that I got sick I will take your balls, tie them together, and push one of you off a cliff, forcing the other one to have to make a choice to fall as well or to allow your balls to get ripped off in order to save yourself."

  Derek looked at Bryce. "She seems to be feeling much better now. I think it's safe to bring her back inside to the 178

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  party." Bryce had a horror-struck look on his face, but helped Derek walk Beck up the stairs.

  Once they were safely inside the house, Beck excused herself to go to the bathroom. Bryce leaned against the wall.

  "I feel like I have just been to war."

  Derek looked at him like he was a leper. He had no tolerance for people who completely froze under pressure.

  Sighing, he thought of the best way to get away from him so he could go find Scott. He had spent the past thirty minutes nursing Beck and, to some extent, nursing Bryce as well.

  Now, he wanted to be around someone who he could actually respect. Even though he had only been gone for a half hour, he had his fill of Bryce and wanted to find Scott. With very little enthusiasm, he mustered a polite exit line. "Like I said before. You aren't a true friend of Beck's until she's threatened some form of violence against your nuts. I should probably go and check on her."

  Bryce smiled, but it was timid and his hands lowered to protectively cover himself. "So you and Beck have been friends for a long time haven't you?"

  Shit. The last thing Derek wanted was to continue a conversation with Bryce. "Yeah. Since we were kids. You already asked me that. Remember?"