Lucas looked around, hoping no one had noticed them. He’d never linked arms with a boy in public.
Zach pointed in the distance. “Hey, look. There’s someone playing piano. Wanna go check it out?”
It was the street piano.
Lucas nodded. He filled Zach in about the project as they walked, omitting the fact that he’d been here before. If Zach hadn’t heard about the incident, he wasn’t going to tell him.
When they reached the piano, they found an elderly woman playing a classical piece. Lucas didn’t recognize it, but he liked it. “She’s good.”
“Not as good as you,” Zach said, bumping him with his hip.
The move, though playful, was unexpected, and Lucas struggled to maintain his balance.
“Graceful,” Zach teased.
Lucas wished he were more relaxed. He wanted to tease back, but his nerves were getting in the way. How was Zach so calm? So funny? So insanely sexy? Lucas tried not to fixate on Zach’s lips as he sipped from his water bottle. Would Zach try to kiss him before the end of the night? He wouldn’t kiss him here, out in the open, but maybe later—
“Looks like it’s your turn,” Zach said, interrupting his thoughts.
“What?”
Zach nodded toward the piano. “Your turn.”
Lucas watched the woman get up from the bench and rejoin her family.
“What? No.”
“Please? I’d love to hear you play.”
“I don’t think so. I’m sure there are other people waiting.”
Zach looked left and right in an exaggerated motion, then bent down and looked under the piano. “Nope. Just us.”
Lucas laughed. “Is that supposed to convince me?”
“How about if I sit next to you? Would that convince you?”
Lucas swallowed, remembering the way Zach sat next to him at the piano the day before, remembering the kiss they shared.
“Okay,” he said, his voice cracking.
They settled onto the small bench.
“Do you take requests?” said Zach.
“Sure, if it’s something I know.”
“Let me think,” Zach said, playfully tapping his index finger against his cheek. “How about some Cyndi Lauper?”
Lucas’s smile fell, and he immediately looked down at his lap. Was Zach making fun of him? After all this? Had it been a sick joke the whole time? How could he have fallen for the same trickery again? He felt his throat constrict, and he couldn’t hold back the tears.
“Hey, hey. Lucas,” Zach said, putting his arms around him. “What’s wrong? Please tell me. I’m sorry.” Zach rubbed his hand up and down Lucas’s back. “Please.”
Lucas wanted to scream, but he couldn’t speak. Instead he sat very still, willing himself to disappear.
“Please. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Why did you say that?” he managed to choke out.
Zach squeezed him tighter and leaned in to speak softly in his ear. “I’m sorry. I heard what happened. I’ve heard people teasing you about it.”
“Then why would you say that?”
“Because I can’t bear the thought of anyone taking something you love away from you. I really want to hear you play. I… I wanted to make it a good memory to replace the bad one. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
Lucas slipped his arms around Zach and returned the hug. Although a sense of relief washed over him, his fears still held him captive. When Lucas let go, would Zach like who he saw? There was nothing sexy about a crybaby. Were people staring? Gawking at the overly emotional gay boys?
“Will you play for me?” Zach whispered in his ear.
Lucas took a deep breath, then nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. And don’t be embarrassed. I like being able to comfort you.” He gave Lucas a warm smile. “Do you know what song you wanna play?”
Lucas nodded. He knew the perfect song for the occasion. Chances were Zach wouldn’t know it, which was okay, because the lyrics were a little too honest. He glanced around, noting the few people staring.
“Don’t worry about them,” Zach said. “Play for me. And for you. Teagan and Tate.”
Despite his lack of confidence, Lucas began to play. The song started out slowly, then gained power in the chorus.
“All Through the Night,” Zach said, recognizing the melody as soon as Lucas hit the chorus.
He knew the song! Lucas smiled and continued to play, pouring his heart into it. He ran through the lyrics in his head, noting how accurately they described his feelings. He wanted nothing more than to put the past behind him and move forward with Zach, to make tonight last as long as possible. Once he played the final note, Zach applauded.
“You know your Cyndi,” Lucas said.
“We’ve recently become acquainted.”
“People are staring. Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay, but first….”
Zach held out his phone and leaned in toward Lucas until they were cheek to cheek.
Lucas tensed. He didn’t like having his picture taken. And the intimacy of having Zach’s face so close to his, touching him, made his skin heat up.
Zach took the photo and then inspected it. He chuckled. “Lucas, you look like I’m holding you at gunpoint. Come on. Try again.”
Zach held out his phone and leaned in for another shot. “Okay, one… two… three!”
Just as he said three, he turned to kiss Lucas on the cheek and dug his fingers into Lucas’s side.
Lucas yelped and tried to break free. “No! I’m ticklish!”
Zach released him and looked at the picture he’d taken. He howled with laughter.
“Lemme see,” Lucas said.
“No way. This is all mine for ever and ever.”
“Lemme see.”
Zach laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes.
Lucas attempted to grab the phone, but Zach held it at arm’s length. He had those long swimmer’s arms. Lucas didn’t stand a chance.
“Fine.” Lucas crossed his arms and pouted.
“Okay, okay, I’ll show you, but I get to keep it.”
Zach held the phone up for Lucas to see, then burst into a new fit of laughter. Lucas was making the most ridiculous face imaginable, and the top of his head was cut off. Zach was straining to keep his lips pressed firmly against Lucas’s cheek.
Lucas couldn’t help but laugh as well. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Me? Do I need to show you the picture again?”
“No!”
“Come on,” Zach said. “Let’s go grab some food.”
They got some take out, then found a spot near the water where they could sit and eat. Lucas had only eaten a third of his burrito by the time Zach had finished.
“Don’t you like it?” Zach said.
“Yeah, I’m not that hungry I guess.” He was too nervous to eat.
Zach suggested they walk up to Federal Hill. “Have you ever been up there? There’s a great view of the water.”
Lucas shook his head.
“Hey, let’s make a pit stop first,” Zach said. “There’s nowhere to go up on the hill.”
As they approached the restrooms, Lucas tensed. He avoided public bathrooms whenever possible, especially at school. The bathrooms at school never failed to house some asshole making lewd accusations, even though Lucas always went into one of the stalls. More than once he’d been physically removed and told to use the ladies’ room.
It was unlikely something like that would happen here, but he faced an entirely different problem. What was proper bathroom etiquette for gay guys? Should they take turns going in? Or would that make him seem uptight? He had already cried, for God’s sake. He didn’t want Zach to think he was a crybaby and a prude. Maybe he should try and hold it until he got home.
“You coming?” Zach said, interrupting his thoughts.
Lucas didn’t realize he’d stopped. “Yeah.”
He decided to play it cool
and follow Zach’s lead. Lucas quickly scanned the restroom upon entering. Two of the four urinals were occupied and there were two stalls, one of which looked empty.
Zach walked up to the fourth urinal, leaving Lucas to choose between the extremely foul smelling stall and sandwiching himself in between the two strangers. He was leaning toward using the empty stall when the man in the adjoining one emerged. He was an old guy with sunken cheeks and grimy hair. He looked like a drug addict. The guy breezed past Lucas, his stench wafting in the air, and walked out without washing his hands. Lucas winced. He’d take his chances with the urinal. At least he wouldn’t have to touch anything suspect.
He approached the empty urinal, careful not to look to either side. He unzipped his fly and pulled out his dick, taking aim at the drain. As awkward as it was, at least he had a buffer between himself and Zach.
Before he was able to start, the men on either side simultaneously flushed and left. Lucas tensed, hoping Zach wouldn’t look over. Lucas tried to clear his mind, but he was acutely aware of Zach’s presence. He could feel him in the room. And he could hear him—taking a whiz—which was awkward. Don’t think about it, he told himself. Just do it. He pictured waterfalls, oceans, leaky faucets. Nothing seemed to work. He had a major case of stage fright. He didn’t want Zach to see or hear him taking a piss.
“Need a hand?” Zach said in a sultry voice.
Startled, Lucas turned his head. Zach had zipped himself up and was staring at Lucas with an amused expression. He kept his gaze at eye level, but even so, that had to be a violation of proper bathroom etiquette.
“I’ll wait for you outside,” Zach said as he walked over to the sink to wash his hands.
Even with Zach gone, Lucas had trouble getting started. Standing with his back to the door, pants open and dick out, put him in a precarious position. He hated feeling so vulnerable. After several minutes, he finally accomplished his task and rejoined Zach outside.
“I hate public bathrooms,” Lucas mumbled.
“Yeah, I know. You kinda lose your modesty when you’re a swimmer, though. The school facility isn’t so bad, but public pools? Shit. I’ve seen my share of shriveled balls and hairy asses.”
“So you like checking out the old dudes?” Lucas teased.
“Gross!” Zach laughed. “Believe me, locker rooms aren’t as glamorous as people think they are.”
“I try to keep my distance.”
“Good plan. I’d have a hard time not looking if you were in there.”
“Shut up,” Lucas said, nudging him with his arm as they walked. He knew Zach was teasing. No one would want to see Lucas naked.
When they reached the top of the hill, they sat on the grass and looked out over the Inner Harbor.
“It really is beautiful up here,” Lucas said. The city skyline twinkled with thousands of amber-colored lights, each reflected in the dark, velvety water.
Zach squeezed his hand. “I wish I could kiss you right now.”
Lucas licked his lips and glanced around. Too many people nearby. It was risky. “Me too,” he whispered.
They settled for holding hands as they sat and looked out over the water.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Zach said.
“I was planning on coming to the meet. I’ll be there to cheer you on.”
He didn’t always attend Mason’s swim meets. His mom usually had to work, which meant he was stuck sitting alone with his dad for hours in the bleachers. Instead of father-son bonding time, that usually amounted to awkward silent time, during which he hoped his dad didn’t catch him ogling the swimmers. This time, however, he would gladly endure the discomfort.
“Sweet. Are you busy after?”
Lucas nodded. “Yeah, I’m meeting a friend to help him with something. Do you know Alex Goodman?”
“I know who he is. You’re hanging out with him tomorrow?”
“Yeah, at school. In the music room. He roped me into playing piano for him.”
“I don’t know if I like the sound of that. Should I be jealous?”
“No, of course not.”
Lucas blushed, remembering the kiss he’d shared with Alex. Did Zach know about that?
“We’re just friends,” Lucas said. “In fact, I’ve come up with an elaborate plan to impress the girl he likes. If all goes well, he and Trish will be an item by the end of the day.”
“Trish? Now there’s a spitfire. How’re you gonna pull that one off?”
“Duh, with my magic fingers,” Lucas said as he pretended to play piano one-handed on Zach’s outstretched thigh.
Zach shivered. “You wanna get outta here?”
They didn’t hold hands on the way back, but as soon as they were in the car, Zach reached for Lucas. Lucas responded instantly, leaning forward to meet Zach’s lips. The intensity behind the kiss was something he’d never experienced. Zach wanted him. Lucas felt it with every fiber of his being. Zach wanted him. When he felt Zach’s tongue seek entrance, he eagerly opened to him.
When Zach finally pulled away he was panting. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”
Lucas smiled at him.
“I guess we should go, though. The windows are fogging up,” said Zach.
When Zach pulled up to Lucas’s house, he undid his seatbelt, then leaned over to give Lucas another kiss. It was gentler and sweeter this time. “I had a really good time.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Lucas nodded. He didn’t remember getting out of the car. He didn’t remember walking to his door or going inside. He barely remembered talking to his parents. He floated up the stairs and collapsed onto his bed, replaying that sweet kiss in his mind.
The buzz of his phone brought him out of his stupor.
Alex: we still on for 2mrw?
Lucas: yes, bring your dancing shoes
Alex: ur the best
Lucas: see you tomorrow
He hoped Alex would like his idea.
Chapter Fifteen
Dance Me to the End of Love
TRISH tugged on the hem of her skirt to smooth out the wrinkles. As much as she enjoyed driving, she hated the disastrous effect it had on her clothing. She was only meeting Lucas, she told herself. He wouldn’t be critical. Still, she liked to look her best. She’d duck in the restroom to check her hair and makeup once she was inside the school.
She made it halfway across the parking lot before she realized she’d left her script in the car. Damn. She’d have to go back. She still had another hour until she was supposed to meet Lucas. She’d decided to come early because she knew the music room would be a quiet haven. It was the perfect place to practice her audition piece for the spring musical, Victor/Victoria. Practicing at home was impossible with her little brother and sister on the loose. Maybe Lucas would run lines with her after they practiced their number for the talent show.
She dreamed of snagging the lead in the school play. She was no Julie Andrews, but even so, she was confident she could pull it off. She had the pipes. And the red hair. It would take considerable effort to plaster her hair down enough to pass for a boy, though. Would they ask her to cut it? She hoped not. She loved her hair.
Competition for the lead would be stiff. She’d have to work harder on portraying masculinity: her walk, the timbre of her voice, her facial expressions. She would need to perfect them all. But who could she use for inspiration? The only boys she knew well were gay. And they weren’t hot, hunky gays. They were girly gays. Of course she’d never say that to their faces. Especially not to Donovan. If she so much as hinted that Donovan was swishy, he’d give her a nasty tongue-lashing followed by a week of the silent treatment. Why was he so insecure? If she were Donovan, she’d totally embrace her inner queen.
Trish retrieved her script from the car and made her way back to the building. She decided to skip the trip to the restroom. Lucas wouldn’t care if her lipstick had faded. Besides, she had plenty of time before he was set t
o arrive. She could freshen up later.
The clacking of her heels echoed in the deserted hall as she walked toward the back of the building. She felt as though she’d stepped into a scene in a bad horror flick, so she bent down and slipped off her shoes before proceeding in her stocking feet. She wasn’t used to being here on a Saturday, but Lucas had assured her the building would be open. Something about community classes. As she approached the music room, she heard voices. Damn. Was the room in use? She really needed to work on her lines.
Peeking through the open doorway, she spotted Lucas near the piano. Alex was with him. She narrowed her eyes and frowned.
What was Alex doing here? And why was Lucas so early?
“I don’t know about this,” Alex said.
“She’ll love it. I know she will. Just listen to the song,” said Lucas. “If you’re not feeling it, we’ll try something else.”
She? Who were they talking about?
Trish snuck behind the door for cover and spied on them through an opening in the sidelight. Lucas scrolled through his iPhone until he found the song he was searching for.
“Here we go,” he said, handing the phone to Alex.
Alex stuck one of the ear buds in his ear and offered the other to Lucas. They stood there, side by side, the jock and the pipsqueak, listening to the song while sharing ear buds. It was the cutest thing ever. But what were they up to?
“Wait,” Alex said, fumbling with the player. He yanked out his ear bud. “What does it mean to lift someone like an olive branch?”
“It’s symbolic,” Lucas said.
“Who’s the dove? She’s the dove, right? I don’t wanna be the dove.”
“Something tells me you’re not in honors English.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just listen.”
Trish suppressed a giggle. She wished she could hear what they were listening to.
Alex put the ear bud back in place, and he and Lucas continued to listen.
“Wait, pause,” said Alex. “What’s Babylon?”
“It’s an ancient city.”
“Yeah, but what does it mean? How do they move in Babylon?”
Lucas blushed. “I don’t know. Sexy-like.”
Play Me, I'm Yours [Library Edition] Page 14
