Play Me, I'm Yours [Library Edition]

by Madison Parker

Lucas: i’m not mad at you

  Alex: xoxo

  Lucas: xoxo?

  Alex: we just kissed and made up

  Lucas: you’re ridiculous. you two will be perfect together

  Alex: :-)

  Lucas smiled. Trish and Alex were the best friends he’d ever had. He hoped Trish wouldn’t turn Alex down. She’d have to be crazy not to fall for his charms. And she’d be good for Alex too. She was sweet and loyal, and she wanted a serious boyfriend. And apparently, Alex liked her wacky ways. They’d be perfect together.

  His phone buzzed.

  Alex: i need ur help

  Lucas: with what?

  Alex: trish. i can’t just ask her out. i need to do something special

  Lucas: and you’re asking ME for advice?

  Alex: please? help me think of something

  Lucas: how about a flash mob?

  Alex: i’m serious!

  Lucas: okay, let me think about it

  Alex: thx, dude

  Lucas lay on his bed, trying to come up with a plan for Alex. But before he knew it, Zach had overtaken his thoughts. Would Zach ask him out? Lucas got butterflies every time he thought about it. But was he willing to put his heart out there and risk being hurt again?

  LUCAS was in the middle of practicing a new piece the next day when he heard someone enter the music room. Thinking it was Mrs. Davidson, he continued to play without turning to say hello. His fingers danced on the keys in perfect rhythm. By the time he’d reached the end of the piece, he’d forgotten someone else was there.

  “That was incredible,” he heard a familiar voice say.

  Lucas spun around. “Zach. What are you doing here?”

  “I heard you playing. I’m sorry, I should have knocked or something. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “It’s okay. I’m just practicing.”

  “Do you mind if I watch?”

  Lucas gulped. “I guess it’s only fair, right?”

  “If you really want to be fair… your piano bench is the closest thing in here to bleachers. Can I sit?”

  His heart fluttered. “Um… okay.”

  Lucas scooted to one side of the bench. He’d never been this close to Zach before, and it made his skin prickle.

  “What was that you were you playing?” Zach said.

  “Liebesträume, by Franz Liszt.”

  “It’s beautiful. Is it German?”

  Lucas nodded his head.

  “What does it mean?”

  Lucas wet his lips and fidgeted in his seat. “Dreams of Love.”

  Zach smiled. “No wonder it’s so beautiful. Play it again?”

  “Okay.”

  Lucas rearranged his sheet music. He stalled in an attempt to regain his composure, then placed his hands in their starting position. He wasn’t sitting in the center of the bench, so the reach was awkward. Zach must have noticed, because he slid farther to the edge and patted the space in the middle. Lucas scooted over until they were sitting so close their legs were touching.

  He drew in a breath and struck the opening note. He was usually relaxed when he played. He liked to let himself be swept away from the here and now, but with Zach beside him, brushing his arm when Lucas played the high notes, he was acutely aware of where he was and what he was doing. It was an emotional piece to begin with, now intensified by his feelings for the boy sitting next to him, the physical manifestation of his own dreams of love. His heart felt as if it would burst. When he came to the end of the piece, he was breathing heavily and was on the verge of tears.

  “Lucas, that was amazing,” Zach said softly. “I’ve never heard anything so beautiful.”

  He wanted to believe Zach. He really did. He’d fantasized about a moment much like this, but he was paralyzed with fear.

  “You know I like you, right?” Zach said.

  Lucas looked up at him but didn’t know what to say.

  “Do you want to go out sometime?”

  Lucas didn’t answer.

  “Tell me what you’re afraid of,” Zach said softly.

  Lucas blinked rapidly as he felt his eyes burn. “That you’re a straight boy playing an elaborate prank on me.”

  Zach chuckled. “I could kiss you. Would that put your mind at ease?”

  “I’ve been kissed by straight boys before,” Lucas said, his voice wavering.

  Zach cocked an eyebrow. “Sounds hot.”

  Lucas looked away.

  “Just kidding,” Zach said, laughing. “I don’t know anything about kissing straight boys. I just want to kiss you.”

  Zach leaned in, and the moment their lips met, Lucas felt butterflies spread through his chest. The kiss was warm and soft, but his heart was on fire. All the fear, the worry, the doubts—they vanished in that instant, and he was overcome with a feeling he’d never experienced before. Love? Happiness? He didn’t know what it was, but he knew it felt right, like the scattered pieces of his heart had finally clicked into place.

  “Yes,” he whispered as Zach slowly pulled away.

  “Yes?”

  “Yes. I want to go out with you.”

  Zach beamed. “Tomorrow night?”

  Lucas nodded, returning his smile.

  “I can’t stay out late. We have a meet Saturday morning.”

  “That’s okay.”

  “Okay, tomorrow, then. Here, give me your hand.”

  Zach took his hand, rubbing his thumb against Lucas’s palm.

  The small but intimate gesture sent a surge of pleasure straight to his groin, and he shifted nervously.

  Zach grabbed a pen from his bag and wrote his phone number on the palm of Lucas’s hand. Lucas brushed his finger over the number, hardly able to believe what had just happened between them.

  LUCAS sat on his bed and stared at his phone, wanting to call Zach but not knowing what to say. Was Zach expecting him to call? They still needed to make plans. Lucas hadn’t had a chance to talk to him after school; the swim team didn’t practice on Thursdays. He hadn’t even asked his parents if he could go out. He didn’t know what to say to them either. After ten minutes of trying to find words, he punched in Zach’s number.

  Lucas: hi, it’s Lucas. you busy?

  Zach: never too busy for you :-)

  His heart fluttered. Zach always seemed to have that effect on him. He wasn’t sure how he should respond. He wasn’t skilled at flirting. As he contemplated a reply, his phone rang.

  “Hey. What’s up?” Zach said.

  “Hi. Um… not much. I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, sure. Unless you’re calling to cancel. In that case I insist you cover your mouth with duct tape immediately.”

  “What? No.”

  “Good. So what do you want to do tomorrow?”

  “Oh. Um, I don’t know.”

  “Well, we could get something to eat, go to a movie. That’s kinda cliché, though. How about scuba diving? Alligator wrestling? I’m up for anything you want to do, really.”

  Lucas laughed. “I don’t know about scuba diving….”

  “But you’re okay with alligator wrestling? Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side,” he teased. “How about we go to the Inner Harbor? It’s really pretty at night.”

  Lucas thought back to the last time he’d been there. Chris Robins had easily picked him out of the crowd.

  “Can I ask you something?” Lucas said in a sober tone.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Are you worried about people seeing us?”

  Zach was quiet for a few moments. “Most people don’t know I’m gay. So if we see someone we know, they might say something. Hell, people we don’t know might say something. I guess it’s a chance we’ll have to take. I’m not gonna let it keep us from going out and having a good time.”

  “So you don’t mind? Being seen with me?”

  “No, of course not. Do you mind?”

  “No. Why would I mind? I mean, you’re….”

  “I’m what?”
>
  Lucas paused. “Nothing.”

  “I’m nothing?” Zach said.

  “No, that’s not what I—no, you’re not nothing. Forget it.”

  “Mhm. Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “Okay. Would you mind coming in for a few minutes to meet my parents?”

  “Yeah, sure. Do they know? That you’re gay, I mean.”

  “Yeah, they know. They’re okay with it. I guess they just want to know who I’m with. I know it’s kinda lame.”

  “It’s not lame. At least you know they care.”

  Lucas detected a hint of bitterness in Zach’s voice. He wasn’t sure if he should ask Zach about his parents. It sounded like it might be a touchy subject. He didn’t want to say something to upset him.

  Lucas’s mom called him from downstairs.

  “Hey, I’ve gotta go eat dinner. What time are you coming over?”

  “How about seven?”

  “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

  Zach may not have been able to see the smile that lit up Lucas’s face, but his mom didn’t miss it as he joined his family at the dinner table.

  “What’s got you in such a good mood?” she said.

  Lucas shrugged. He was going to have to tell them something, but he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. “I sort of have a date tomorrow night.”

  Mason put down his fork and glared at him. “He asked you out?”

  Lucas grinned and nodded.

  “Who asked you out?” his mom said.

  “Zach Teagan,” said Lucas.

  “Who’s Zach Teagan?” his dad said with a sour face.

  “He goes to our school. You’ve probably seen him. He’s on the swim team.”

  “Oh?” his mom said. “Which one’s Zach?”

  “He’s our best flyer,” Mason said. “I should have known he was gay. He shaves his entire body.”

  Lucas blushed. Had Mason ever seen Zach naked? Did Zach really shave his entire body? These were entirely inappropriate thoughts for the dinner table, he realized, as heat suddenly pooled in his groin.

  “Where is this boy taking you?” his dad said.

  Lucas could tell he didn’t approve. “The Inner Harbor.”

  “That sounds like fun. Just be careful, sweetie.”

  “You can show him your Jerry Lee Lewis impression,” said Mason. “I’m sure he’ll love it.”

  “Quit teasing your brother,” his dad said.

  “You know, you really could use a haircut, honey. Do you want me to call Beth and see if she can work you in tomorrow afternoon?”

  “No, Mom. I’m fine.”

  “Well, you want to make a good impression, don’t you? And you could use some new clothes too. You’re still wearing those shirts I bought you two years ago. And don’t even get me started on those shoes.”

  “Mom, it’s fine. I haven’t grown in two years.”

  “I could use some new shoes,” Mason said.

  “Lucas, let’s go this weekend. It’ll be fun. I love clothes shopping. It’s like playing dress-up.”

  “Sharon. Listen to yourself,” his dad said. “He’s practically a grown man. He doesn’t want to play dress-up.”

  It felt odd hearing his dad call him a man. Despite his age, he didn’t feel like one. He still felt like a boy. His dad was right, though. He didn’t want to go shopping with his mom. Imagine if someone from school saw him.

  “I just want him to look his best for his new friend.” She turned her attention back to Lucas. “At least you know a lot about swimming. Make sure to talk to him about things you know he’s interested in.”

  Lucas bit his tongue as she continued with her dating advice.

  “Better yet,” she said, “just let him do the talking.”

  “Mom!” Lucas pushed his chair back and stood. “If he doesn’t like me the way I am, I’d rather be alone.”

  He didn’t wait for her reply. He left the table and went directly to his room. He couldn’t listen to her anymore. He was worried enough that Zach wouldn’t like him, that he’d find him dull. All she was doing was compounding his anxiety. Next she’d be telling him to stuff a sock in his pants. Lucas looked down at his crotch and let out a sigh. How was he ever going to pull this off?

  Chapter Fourteen

  All Through the Night

  HIS mom had to work the following evening, so only his dad sat with him in the family room, waiting for the boy of his dreams to arrive.

  Mason walked in with a bag of Doritos and plopped down on the sofa.

  “You waiting for Zach too?” Lucas said.

  “I gotta see it with my own eyes to believe it, that’s all.”

  “Just don’t be a dick. Please.”

  “Why not? I thought you liked dick.”

  Yep, he was gonna be a dick.

  His dad cleared his throat. “Looks like he’s here,” he said, pointing out the window.

  Lucas gripped the arm of the chair as his heart leapt into his throat.

  “Aren’t you gonna answer the door?” Mason said.

  Lucas stumbled to the door, tripping over his feet on the way. He took a deep breath, then rested his hand on the doorknob and waited for Zach to ring the bell. He knocked instead, three loud raps that made Lucas jump and set his heart racing.

  “Lucas?” His dad gave him an exasperated glance. “Answer the door.”

  “Right. The door.”

  When Lucas opened the door, Zach flashed a smile and leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek.

  “You smell yummy,” Zach whispered, sending the butterflies in Lucas’s stomach aflutter.

  They stood staring into one another’s eyes for a few moments before Zach asked, “Are you gonna invite me in?”

  “Oh. Yeah.” Lucas laughed.

  His dad rose to meet them as they entered the family room.

  “Dad, this is Zach. Zach, this is my dad.”

  “Nice to meet you, sir,” Zach said, reaching for his hand. Lucas breathed a sigh of relief as he witnessed the firm handshake.

  “Same,” his dad said. “Where are you boys going?”

  “We’re gonna walk around the Inner Harbor, sir. Maybe grab something to eat.”

  “I hear they’ve got great live entertainment,” Mason said, still seated on the sofa.

  “Oh, hey, Mason. How’s it going?”

  Mason mumbled a reply, stuffing his mouth full of chips.

  “You ready for the meet tomorrow?” Zach said.

  “Yep. Just chillin’ at home tonight. You know what they say—you shouldn’t partake in any kind of sexual activity before a competition.”

  “Okaaaaaay!” Lucas said. “Time to go.”

  Lucas grabbed Zach’s arm and dragged him toward the door.

  “You got your phone on you, Lucas?”

  “Yeah, Dad.”

  “All right. Don’t be late.”

  “We won’t, sir.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Bye!”

  Zach laughed as soon as the door shut behind them.

  “Oh God, I’m so sorry. Just be glad my mom wasn’t there too.”

  “No, it’s okay. Be glad you have a family who cares about you.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly call it caring, at least not where Mason’s concerned.”

  “Of course he cares about you. He was eyeing me up even more than your dad was.”

  Lucas snorted. “Yeah, right.”

  Zach smiled, opening the passenger door for Lucas. “Is it okay if we stop at Jitters on the way? Get something to go?”

  Jitters? That was the coffee shop where he’d gone with Donovan. “Okay,” he said reluctantly, climbing in to the car.

  “We don’t have to.”

  “No, it’s okay. I don’t really drink coffee, that’s all.”

  “You don’t have to drink coffee, goof. They’ve got other things too. Allow me to enlighten you.”

  Lucas smiled. He would definitely try something different this time.

  Once they ent
ered the shop, Zach asked Lucas if he knew what he wanted. He shook his head, staring up at the menu.

  “If you like sweet and spicy, I highly recommend the chai latte. If you like sweet and chocolaty, they have a killer white hot chocolate. Or if you’re into something healthier, you could go for a smoothie. Pick your poison.”

  Lucas smiled. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention. “Sweet and spicy.”

  “Excellent choice.”

  When it was their turn to order Zach pulled out his wallet. “Two grande chai lattes, please. And two bottled waters.”

  Should he offer to pay? It was a date, but they were both boys. How did that work?

  “I can pay for mine,” Lucas said.

  “Nope. I got it.”

  The barista smiled at them. “Can I get your names for the cups?”

  “Teagan and Tate,” Zach said.

  “Teagan and Tate,” Lucas repeated. It rolled off his tongue like poetry. God, what was this boy doing to him?

  “You must really be thirsty,” Lucas said as they waited. “Four drinks.”

  “It’s the chai. High in caffeine. Gotta stay hydrated.”

  Lucas nodded. “What Mason said earlier—this isn’t going to interfere with your meet tomorrow, is it?”

  Zach cocked an eyebrow. “You mean all the sexual activity we’ve got planned for later?”

  Lucas’s heart stopped. “Uh—”

  Zach let out a full-bodied laugh. “I’m kidding. You should see your face.”

  Lucas looked away.

  “Sorry. To answer your question, no, not at all. Don’t worry about it. I mean, we’re not gonna do anything crazy, right?”

  Lucas shook his head, but the truth was, he had no idea what he was doing. It was all a bit crazy.

  “Two grande chais for Teagan and Tate,” said the barista.

  They both smiled.

  “Come on,” Zach said. “Let’s get outta here.”

  BY THE time they reached their destination and found parking, they’d finished their lattes. Zach grabbed the water and led Lucas out of the garage. As they meandered toward the Inner Harbor, Lucas was hyperaware of the few times he brushed up against Zach in an attempt to avoid oncoming foot traffic.

  “Come on,” Zach said, taking hold of his arm and steering him toward a less-populated area. “It’s not so crowded over here.”