Smoldering Desires

by C. E. Knipes

  Sebastian’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Brent waited silently, his back still to me. When Sebastian did respond his voice was low but commanding.

  “I have just one question for you, Brent.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Are you fucking crazy?”

  His voice quickly rose to a shout as his agitation boiled over.

  “We’re through, Brent. As in no longer dating, no longer talking, no longer anything. We have been for months. Get that through your fucking thick head!”

  His raised voice caused most heads in the place to turn in our direction. I was waiting for the next piece of the puzzle, and Sebastian delivered it on queue.

  “I’m going with Evan. Who I happen to be happily dating. Now, get lost. Before I really lose my temper and end up with a restraining order on myself.”

  Brent stood his ground though and didn’t miss a beat. That was when I got another big dose of crazy.

  “Why do we always have to go through this, Sebastian? We break up over something silly. You stay mad at me for a week or two. Then we get back together. It’s like a Shakespearean play.”

  “We’re not getting back together, Brent. And this isn’t a fucking play!”

  In the short time I’d been dating Sebastian, I had not heard so much swearing from him since that day in the cafeteria.

  “I’m dating Evan McGarrity. Do you understand?”

  That was when the first crack appeared in Brent’s facade.

  “Who the fuck is this Evan McGarrity?”

  Now everyone in the place was staring, including the manager.

  “I’m Evan,” I replied calmly. “We met last week in the cafeteria.”

  Brent turned to me, his eyes wild with hate. He scanned me quickly, as he had done in the cafeteria.

  “Obviously, you made no impression on me. As most of Sebastian’s one-night stands don’t.”

  I was dismissed before I could respond. I felt it best not to add fuel to the fire, as they say. Brent turned back to Sebastian.

  “You’re kidding, right? Isn’t this just another one of your lame attempts to ‘get over me’? Isn’t that how you typically phrase it? You know I’m the only one for you, Sebastian, not this ginger trash.”

  I stood up so quickly my chair fell to the floor behind me. The crash it made silenced the entire place.

  “Why don’t we step outside and I’ll show you who’s ginger trash?”

  “Let’s do it, dickhead. I should have beaten your ass that day in the cafeteria.”

  As I came around the table, Sebastian stood up and stepped between us. At the same time, the manager of DiMarco’s confronted us.

  Chapter Three

  “What’s the problem here, gentlemen?”

  Sebastian was the first to answer.

  “We were having lunch when this man came in and began insulting us. He’s trying to pick a fight with both of us.”

  “Do you know each other?”

  “He and I have history.”

  The manager, a good-sized man, turned to Brent, towering over him. He outweighed him by at least fifty pounds.

  “What’s your beef with these two?”

  “There seems to be some misunderstanding, sir. I was just asking if they knew what the price was for tickets to the Fall Formal. It’s in less than a week, and I wanted to get my tickets today. Somehow this man thought I was asking him to take me. Which couldn’t be further from the truth. I already have a date.”

  The manager stared at Brent in silence for a moment. His skepticism at Brent’s explanation was plainly written on his face. I was amazed and a tad frightened at how smoothly Brent had shifted gears. From raging maniac to sweet-as-pie nice guy.

  “Tickets are one hundred dollars per couple. They’re on sale in the Student Union. Now, beat it. And find some other place to dine.”

  No one could have missed the tightening of Brent’s expression. Or the tensing of his body. For a moment, I thought he was going to pick a fight with the manager. Apparently, the manager did as well. He took two steps back from Brent. But whatever Brent had been thinking of doing, he apparently changed his mind.

  “Thanks for the information. By the way, your pizza sucks!”

  Just like that, Mr. Hyde was back with us.

  “Get out. Now!”

  Without another word, Brent turned and left. The manager watched him go before turning back to us.

  “I’m sorry about that. He’s caused problems in here before. Enjoy the pizza on me.”

  We both thanked him and sat down as he returned to behind the counter.

  “I’m so sorry about that, Evan. Now you know why we both need to be on guard at all times. There’s no telling where Brent’s going to show up. Nor what mood he’s going to be in. Now you see why I had a restraining order against him. He can go from nice to ugly in the snap of your fingers.”

  “Yes, I’ve seen that twice now. Firsthand. Do you think he’s bipolar?”

  “He could be bipolar or schizophrenic. I’m not a doctor, but something’s misfiring in his brain.”

  “Should I be worried now that he knows about us? More importantly, he now knows what I look like.”

  “I’d say it’s best to be on guard.”

  “Seriously? Christ! I asked you this after the incident in the cafeteria and I will ask again. What about another restraining order?”

  “Again, he hasn’t broken any laws or done enough to warrant one. I know this much from past experience. Like I said, keep your eyes open. Now, let’s try to forget about that asshole. I have a surprise for you.”

  “You know I like surprises.”

  “Close your eyes.”

  I closed my eyes.

  “Now, open them.”

  When I did, there was a white envelope on the table in front of me. Inside were two tickets to the Fall Formal.

  “Sebastian, where and when did you get these? I thought we were going after lunch.”

  “I skipped out of class early. I didn’t want them to all be gone. Especially when I have such a perfect opportunity to be seen with my new beau.”

  “You’re so old-fashioned, Sebastian. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to go as your new beau. I’ll give you my share now before I forget.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Evan. This will be my treat.”

  “I can’t let you do that. We haven’t known each other that long. Please let me pay half.”

  “I’ll tell you what. You can buy the first two rounds of drinks at the formal.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  I studied the tickets.

  “What is the Pittman Manor? I’ve only heard of it in passing.”

  “Howard Pittman was one of the original settlers of this area. He founded Milton, naming it after his eldest son. He was also involved in the settlement of two other towns, Williston and Clarence, also named after two sons. Pittman Manor is a historical site. The current owners provide tours, and there are numerous rooms that can be rented for both public and private functions. I went there my freshman year for our soccer team’s victory dinner. It’s quite elegant.”

  “It sounds very elegant.”

  “It’s going to be quite the big deal. There will be a live orchestra, a pay-as-you-go bar, appetizers, and a sit-down dinner. The entrée choices are beef, chicken, salmon, and vegetarian. I chose chicken for you. I hope that’s okay. I chose beef for me. If you want beef, we can swap.”

  “Chicken is fine, Sebastian.”

  “Excellent.”

  He pulled a small brochure from his coat pocket.

  “Here is the schedule of events for the evening. Appetizers will be served at six p.m., and dinner is at seven p.m. After dinner, there will be dancing in the Equinox Ballroom till the event ends at eleven p.m. We should make this our night to shine and go all out. We’ll rent tuxes and a limo.”

  “I can’t wait for Saturday night, Sebastian. I’ll have to ask my parents for an advance on my monthly allowan
ce to pay for a tux and limo. But I’m sure they won’t mind.”

  “Please don’t worry about it, Evan. I have adequate funds to cover everything. I like to spend money on you. It makes me happy. As I said, let’s look at this formal as the two of us officially announcing our relationship to the rest of the Milton student body.”

  “I’m sure the rest of the students, and a large percentage of the faculty, are already aware we are seeing each other, Sebastian. They’ve certainly seen us making out all over campus!”

  He laughed and reached across the table and took my hand in his.

  “Well, Evan, I’m ready to do more than make out.”

  I jumped when his stockinged foot was suddenly in my crotch. He began rubbing it vigorously, bringing my cock to aching hardness.

  “As a nightcap on the formal, I think it’s time we consummated our relationship.”

  “In plain speak, you want to get into my pants.”

  He laughed as he placed another slice of pizza on my plate and one on his.

  “Only if you want me to.”

  “I certainly do, Sebastian. I think we’ve waited long enough. I know I have. I’m tired of jerking off to mental pictures of you naked.”

  “Wow. Thanks for the visual. I have to agree. I must also confess I haven’t been a stranger to my own hand. Although it’s only been two weeks.”

  “I know, Sebastian. But it seems like two years.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “However, there’s something we haven’t discussed yet. I don’t want it to throw a damper on our upcoming plans. But it’s a fact of our lives as gay men.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Our HIV and STD status. Have you been tested recently?”

  “You’re right. Christ, I hadn’t even thought about that yet. I was so caught up in getting to know you. That is a very important piece of the puzzle. My last test was about a year ago. I received a clean bill of health.”

  “I’m happy to report the same for me. I still think we should get tested before Saturday.”

  “Okay. We can go to Milton Medical Center before we head to Buffalo this afternoon. My last class gets done at two.”

  “My next class has been cancelled. While you’re in class I’ll go online and find a store in Buffalo to rent tuxes. I’ll also find a limo service.”

  “Cool. Let me get a to-go box for the pizza.”

  I watched him walk to the counter. My head was filled with an image of him undressing in front of me, then removing my clothing. I reached down to grab his cock. It was hard as bone, and pointing straight at me. Sebastian was suddenly standing beside me.

  “Where were you just now?”

  “I was already thinking about Saturday night.”

  “Which part were you thinking about?”

  I felt both my cheeks turn warm.

  “You were naked and undressing me and I had just grabbed your cock.”

  He stared intently at me for a moment.

  “Should we move Saturday night up to tonight?”

  “Or right now,” I countered.

  “I would love nothing more, Evan. Believe me. But I want our first night together to be special. I think I can wait four more days. I’ll just have to masturbate two or three times a day till then.”

  “I’d pay money to see that.”

  “Wait till Saturday and you can see it for free!”

  “I love it when you talk dirty. I’m looking forward to Saturday. On that note, you need to get to class. If I stay one minute longer, I’ll be taking you back to my room. Saturday be damned!”

  I had to will my hard-on to disappear so I could stand up.

  “Walk with me to my class and then I’ll meet you at your room around three.”

  “Sounds good.”

  After leaving Sebastian at the Bremerton building, I walked back to my room. I sat in my recliner and texted Jessica what had just happened. When she didn’t respond immediately, I checked her schedule. She wasn’t in class. Where could she be?

  My phone rang and I thought it was her. It was my mother. It had been almost two weeks since I last talked to her. I was going to get an earful. I braced myself and answered the call.

  “Hey, Mom, how are you?”

  “Evan. Evan McGarrity. Is that you? My long-lost son?”

  “Yes, it’s me, Mom. Stop being so dramatic.”

  “Two weeks without a call, Evan. Two weeks.”

  “I know, Mom. I’ve been busy with school.”

  “You must be pulling straight A’s with all the studying you’ve been doing.”

  “I’m managing. Is there a specific reason for your call?”

  I regretted my question as soon as it came out of my mouth.

  “Don’t you take that tone with me, Evan Patrick McGarrity. I’m calling to see if you’re okay and if you need anything. Maybe some extra spending money? Also, will you and Jessica be coming home for Halloween?”

  Geez, I hadn’t even thought about Halloween.

  “I don’t think so, Mom. But I could use some extra spending money. There’s a fall formal this Saturday. I could use some extra money for a tux and a limo.”

  “You’re going to a formal? Does that mean you have a date?”

  “Yes, Mom, I have a date.”

  “I want to hear all about him.”

  I spent the next fifteen minutes bringing my mom up to speed on Sebastian. Well, that took five minutes, followed by ten minutes of interrogation from her.

  “Oh, Evan, I’m so happy for you. Will we meet him at Thanksgiving?”

  “I hope so, Mom. I haven’t asked him yet. I don’t want to scare him off. But it’s in the back of my mind. I do need to go, though. We’re heading to Buffalo to rent tuxes. Sebastian will be here any minute.”

  “Okay. Please don’t wait so long between calls. You know how I worry. Have fun at the formal. I’m running errands tomorrow, so I’ll make a deposit to your account. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Mom. Take care. Say hi to Dad and anyone else you see.”

  “I will Evan. Good-bye.”

  I felt better after talking to my mom. As I always did. She could be smothering sometimes, but I knew it was because she loved me. I was her baby.

  I thought about smoking a joint but decided against it. I had a shitload of homework to do before heading to Buffalo with Sebastian. But my more immediate need was to locate a tuxedo rental shop and a limousine rental service. I turned my laptop on and began searching.

  After about fifteen minutes I had links for five tuxedo shops and three limo services in Buffalo. I texted the tuxedo links to Sebastian. I then called the limo services and got pricing from all three. As Sebastian would be paying for the limousine, I would let him make the final pricing decision.

  With those tasks completed, I moved on to homework. First up was reading the next two chapters of Crime and Punishment for my Modern Literature class. I opened a beer and got comfortable in my overstuffed recliner. I tried hard to focus on the book, but Dostoevsky quickly made my head begin to nod. The next thing I knew, Sebastian was lightly shaking my shoulder. When I opened my eyes, he leaned down and kissed me.

  “Hey, sleepyhead. I knocked, but no one answered. The door was unlocked so I let myself in. I got your text with the links. I have the first two loaded in my GPS. I think two should be enough. Did you find a limo service in Buffalo?”

  “I did.”

  I gave him the three limousine listings. He chose one seemingly at random and I listened as he reserved a limo for this coming Saturday. He was so efficient.

  While Sebastian was on the phone, I rummaged in the top desk drawer, looking for my spare room key.

  “That’s taken care of. They’ll be out in front of your dorm at five p.m. on Saturday night. Are you ready to go?”

  “Let’s do it. Before I forget, here’s the extra key to my room.”

  “Thanks. Grab a few joints for the road. We can grab dinner in Buffalo.
”

  Milton Medical Center was a mere ten minutes from campus. We had to wait an hour before we could get our blood drawn. We were each given a code and the phone number to call. Our test results would be available by end of day Friday.

  Once back in the Jeep, Sebastian put Wish You Were Here in the CD player and we were off. It was one of those times together I so much enjoyed. There was no need for conversation. It was just enough to be with each other. I lit a joint, took a deep drag, and passed it to Sebastian. He took a hit and passed it back. We had just finished smoking when Jessica texted me.

  “Where r u?”

  “We’re halfway 2 Buffalo. We decided this morning we’re going 2 attend the Fall Formal this Saturday. We’re driving 2 Buffalo 2 rent tuxes. Sebastian also rented us a limo 4 the night!”

  “I’m so excited 4 u. And jealous. Now I want 2 go!”

  “U have less than a week 2 find a date. Anyone in mind?”

  “Let me call u. This is 2 much 2 text.”

  My phone rang.

  “Hello, Jess. What’s up? Have you been keeping secrets from me?”

  “Well, I haven’t told you this yet because I didn’t want to jinx it. There’s this guy in my Chemistry class that I’ve had my eye on. We’ve been talking before class starts. He asked me out for coffee last Friday. We had lunch today. That’s where I was when you texted me earlier. We’re meeting for dinner tonight at DiMarco’s. His name is Calvin Stephenson. He’s a junior, and he’s from Montpelier, Vermont. I’m thinking he may ask me to the formal. I will let you know after dinner tonight.”

  “That’s great news, Jess. I can’t wait to meet him.”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking about that. We’re going out for drinks after dinner. What time are you and Sebastian due back from Buffalo? You guys can join us, and I can meet Sebastian while you’re meeting Calvin.”

  “I’ll ask him, Jess.” I muted my phone and turned to Sebastian. ”Would you be up for drinks tonight with Jess and Calvin when we get home? Calvin is a new guy she’s seeing. She’s hoping he’ll ask her to the Fall Formal.”

  “Sure. I’d love to meet them.”

  “We’re a go, Jess. I’ll text you when we’re heading home. Enjoy your dinner.”

  “You too, Evan. Bye.”