Smoldering Desires

by C. E. Knipes

  “Earth to Evan, come in Evan.”

  I realized my mother was speaking to me.

  “Sorry, what did you say, Mom?”

  “I asked if you invited Jessica and Samantha over for dessert tonight.”

  “Yes, and I also asked Max.”

  My mother’s mouth dropped slightly open. Someone else gasped. I wasn’t sure who. My mother regained her composure.

  “Max Spenser. I didn’t realize the two of you were close again. Is that why he called yesterday?”

  “We ran into him the other night at Spenser’s. And last night as well.”

  “Well, it will be nice to see him again.”

  There were no other comments. When breakfast was over, I helped my mother and Margaret with the dishes. When we were done, I grabbed a cup of coffee and planted myself in the living room on the couch. I always watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. It was one of my favorite holiday spectacles. Katie and Bridget joined me.

  An hour into the parade Max texted me “Happy Thanksgiving.” I returned his greeting. “Same 2 u.”

  When the parade was over, I went upstairs unnoticed and lay down on my bed. Within minutes, I was fast asleep. A gentle knocking woke me. I looked at the clock. I had been asleep for almost three hours.

  “Come in.”

  It was my mother.

  “Hey there, sleepyhead. I wondered where you’d gotten off to. Dinner will be ready in an hour. We’re playing spades in the dining room if you’d like to join us.”

  “You bet.”

  “First, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure, Mom. You know you can.”

  “You know I’m not one to meddle in your relationships. I have to ask, though, did you and Sebastian break up? Your father really liked Sebastian, as did I.”

  “Yes, Mom, we’ve broken up. I won’t go into details. I will only say that he cheated on me with his ex.”

  “Oh, Evan, I’m so sorry. I was so hoping he was the one.”

  “So was I, Mom. So was I.”

  “Now, what’s going on with Max? Are you two getting back together?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t on the rebound. I’m trying not to overthink it. I enjoy spending time with Max. That’s as much as I’ve thought it through.”

  “Just as long as you treat everyone with respect. That’s all I ask.”

  “You know I will, Mom.”

  “I do. Now, let’s go play cards. You can be my partner.”

  My father and brothers, except Brandon, were watching football in the living room. Aunt Katherine and Uncle Robert were at the kitchen table, as was Madeline, ready to play spades. Margaret had taken Katie and Bridget out to play in the snow.

  We played cards right till it was time to set the tables for dinner. When my mother gave the call, everyone converged in the two rooms and quickly chose a seat. As with breakfast, we had to use both the kitchen and dining room tables. I chose to buck tradition, and Brandon and I sat in the kitchen with Rory, Madeline, Katie, and Bridget.

  As always, Thanksgiving dinner was a veritable feast. My mom had cooked a turkey and a duck. We had mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, a green salad, yams, peas, corn, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, homemade cranberry sauce and applesauce, homemade pickles, and fist-sized dinner rolls from Mr. Larsen’s bakery.

  My father said grace and the feast began. I was determined not to fill up on only a few things, and try to eat a little bit of everything. I did pretty well and went back for seconds on everything. When the dishes had been cleared, the pies and cakes made their appearance on the sideboards in the dining room. I texted Max and Jessica. The doorbell rang in under ten minutes. I was surprised to find Max, Jessica, and Samantha standing together.

  “Did the three of you walk here together?”

  Jessica laughed. As did Max.

  “No, we met at the sidewalk out front.”

  “Happy Thanksgiving. Come in and get warm.”

  Each of them had brought a bottle of wine.

  Brandon, Max, Samantha, Jessica, and I ate dessert in the kitchen. The rest were spread out between the dining and living rooms. The rest of the evening went smoothly. Everyone was cordial to Max, including Brandon and Jessica. Second helpings were served of each pie and cake. The beer, wine, and whiskey flowed, and everyone was in good spirits. It was close to midnight when Max, Jessica, and Samantha left. I went straight to bed, with no texts or calls from anyone.

  I spent as much time as I could with Max over the next two days. We had lunch on Friday and Saturday, and I spent Friday and Saturday nights at Spenser’s. Jessica, Samantha, Brandon, and Rory showed up each night. We played pool, swapped stories, laughed, and drank copious amounts of beer and tequila. Each night was culminated in hours of sweaty sex at Max’s house. I never stayed the night, though, nor late. I was trying to be on my best behavior for my family.

  I kept thoughts of Sebastian from my mind as best I could. However, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing. Despite his claims to the contrary, was he back with Brent? Had they spent Thanksgiving together? I hadn’t heard from him since the call on Thanksgiving morning. A part of me was eager to get back to Milton and see him. Another part of me was just as eager to enjoy my renewed relationship with Max.

  It was soon Sunday, and I was packing for the drive back to Milton. I was picking Jessica up at her house. I hadn’t seen her since dessert Thursday night. We had texted and talked on the phone, but I’d spent my time with Max. I knew when I saw her I was going to get an earful.

  Max and I had agreed to meet for lunch to say good-bye. He had chosen a local diner we had both frequented growing up. I knew I had to fill him in on Sebastian. He was sitting in a booth in the corner when I walked in. He greeted me warmly.

  We ordered burgers and fries for lunch.

  “Before I head back to Milton, Max, I need to tell you something.”

  “Geez, I don’t like the sound of this.”

  “We’ve been friends for a long time, Max. I owe you this much.”

  “Okay.”

  He sat quietly while I told him the entire story of Sebastian. When I was done, he didn’t say anything for a full minute. He looked out the window and then back at me.

  “Thanks for telling me, Evan. I appreciate it. Now, it’s my turn.”

  He began his own tale of love woes. It was with a guy we had gone to school with, Todd O’Brien.

  “We broke up several weeks ago. I think I was so eager to connect with you to help me forget about Todd.”

  “As I said, Max, we’ve been friends for a long time. Now we have another chance to be more than just friends. Are you willing to give us another try?”

  “I am, Evan. Can I give you a lift home?”

  “No, I can walk from here.”

  I paid for both of us, despite his protests. Outside the diner, he surprised me when he hugged me and kissed me on the lips. He had never been this open before.

  “I’d like to visit you at Milton. Maybe come for a weekend, or just a Saturday night.”

  “I’d like that. I’ll be home for Christmas in a few weeks.”

  “Okay. I’ll give you a call at the end of the week. Bye, Evan.”

  “Good-bye, Max.”

  I walked home, said good-bye to my parents and Brandon, and grabbed my duffel bags. When I picked Jessica up, I could tell she was in a bad mood.

  “Good afternoon, sunshine.”

  “Afternoon, asshole. I hope you had a good time with your new lover. You’ve ignored me for most of this vacation.”

  “I know I did, Jess. But spending time with Max was wonderful. It was just what I needed to take my mind off of Sebastian.”

  “Did it help?”

  “For the most part, yes.”

  “Good. Then I forgive you for being an ass.”

  As usual, we stopped for a bite to eat at our favorite Denny’s.

  “When is Calvin back?”

&n
bsp; “Not till tomorrow morning. His flight was delayed due to snow. Which sucks. I miss him terribly.”

  “When we get back to Milton, let’s hit the Vital Spot for some wings, and we’ll watch the game.”

  “I like the way you think, Mr. McGarrity.”

  I knew all had been forgiven.

  The ride back was uneventful. Thankfully, the snow had stopped. I dropped Jessica off at her dorm.

  “I’ll be over in ten minutes. Have a joint ready.”

  I drove to the parking lot near my dorm. When I made it to my room, Sebastian was sitting on the love seat in the lounge outside my door. He was sporting a black eye.

  “Hello, Evan. Welcome back. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Mine was fine. Thanks for asking.”

  His voice was laden with sarcasm.

  “I did, Sebastian. Apparently, a better one than you. How new is that?”

  “I just got it last night. I came back to campus early, hoping you would be here so we could talk. I had too much to drink and this asshole insisted on picking a fight with me.”

  “I hope he looks worse than you.”

  “He does. I haven’t heard from you since Thanksgiving, Evan. I was hoping that call had thawed you a little, but I guess it didn’t.”

  “I was just being polite to you on the phone, Sebastian. I said everything I had to say to you before I left for Thanksgiving break. We’re through. Or did the hit you took erase your memory as well as give you that black eye?”

  I could tell by the look on his face I’d hurt his feelings. A part of me was glad. I wanted him to feel as bad as I did. But another part of me, the larger, better part, did feel sorry for him. That part told me I should be ashamed of myself. My anger got the better of me at this point.

  “You spent the night with your ex. For all I know, that wasn’t the first time. You’ve probably been seeing both of us all this time.”

  “You haven’t given me a chance to explain, Evan.”

  “Yes, you keep texting me and leaving me messages saying the same thing. You’ve had plenty of time to make up any story you wanted. I’m meeting Jessica at the Vital Spot for drinks. Give me your explanation, and then beat it.”

  I unlocked my door and threw my duffel bags on the bed. He came in behind me and closed the door.

  “I did not wind up in bed with Brent of my own volition. As far as I know, we didn’t even have sex. I remember him being at the Inn Between with Drake. He made a point of sitting next to me. He launched into a long apology regarding our relationship and all the things he’d done. He even said he was happy that you and I were together.”

  “And you believed him?”

  “I didn’t want to believe him. But he seemed sincere. I’d had a lot to drink as well by that point. Unfortunately, that’s all that I remember till I saw you standing outside my door the next morning.”

  “What did Drake have to say about the evening?”

  “I asked him if anything untoward had happened. Apparently, he was pretty drunk as well. He remembers us leaving as a group. I split off when I reached my dorm. He said Brent went home with him. He must have left Drake and come back here. I think he slipped me something and staged that whole incident. I’m now certain it was him who drugged you at the Halloween party.”

  “What is this, Sebastian, a Lifetime movie? Brent is the lead, drugging and seducing anyone he pleases? Now, I’ve listened to your explanation. Yet it came with no apology. It’s time for you to go.”

  “Will you at least consider what I said, Evan? I’ve never lied to you.”

  “Not that I’ve found out about yet. If you want to see Brent, I can’t stop you. But I can certainly stop you from seeing both of us. But, to be fair, I will consider what you’ve said.”

  “Thanks, Evan. I hope to hear from you soon. I do still love you.”

  He opened the door and left without another word.

  Minutes later, Jessica burst into my room.

  “Did I just see Sebastian leave here?”

  “You did. He came to explain how he and Brent wound up in bed together.”

  “What did he say?”

  I updated her on all that had just happened.

  “Do you believe him?”

  “I’m starting to, but I didn’t say that to Sebastian. Knowing the shit that Brent has pulled, it shouldn’t be that hard to believe he would resort to drugging someone to get what he wants. I wish there was physical proof.”

  “Unfortunately, Evan, there isn’t. For all intents and purposes Brent has broken the two of you up. He’s won. It’s just a matter of time before they get back together without you in the picture. Are you willing to take that chance?”

  “I don’t know, Jess. I have to think on this.”

  “I understand. I just hope it’s not too late by the time you make a decision.”

  We smoked a joint and walked to the Vital Spot. The bar was packed, as most students had returned home already from break. A couple of beers turned into several, in addition to shots of tequila, one joint, which we smoked outside, and numerous games of pool. We stayed out till the bar closed at two a.m. After that, we went to DiMarco’s and ate an entire large pizza. By the time I walked Jessica home and got back to my room it was three twenty a.m. I barely managed to brush my teeth before crawling into bed.

  Monday morning came all too soon. I forgot to set my alarm and woke up ten minutes before my class. I was tired, hungover, and not ready to dive back into classes. I was not looking forward to seeing Sebastian in Leadership and Organizational Behavior. So I decided to stay in my room and have the day to myself. I texted Jessica and let her know my plan. We agreed to meet for dinner in the cafeteria at six. I read several books, listened to music, and smoked a joint. I had a pizza delivered for lunch. After I’d made my way through three-quarters of it, I took a nap. I set my alarm for five. I got up, took a shower, smoked another joint, and walked to the cafeteria.

  Jessica and Calvin were waiting for me just inside the front doors.

  “Hello, buzzy.”

  “You know it.”

  “Hi, Calvin, it’s great to see you again. How was your Thanksgiving?”

  “It was very nice, Evan. Yours?”

  “It was great.”

  I piled as much food on my tray as I could fit. We took our usual table, and I ate like a lumberjack. I kept an eye out for Sebastian or Brent. Both appeared to be keeping low profiles. Jessica and Calvin tried to cheer me up, but I was determined to stay in a funk. I so wanted to believe Sebastian. Truth be told, I missed him terribly. However, I was still in the grip of my Irish stubbornness. We parted company after dinner, and I went back to my room. With no homework to do, I read for a few more hours and went to bed early.

  *

  The week flew by, and true to his word, Max called me the following Friday.

  “Hi, Evan. How’s it going?”

  “Good, Max. It’s nice to hear from you. What’s going on?”

  “I have next Saturday off from the bar. I’m calling to see if you’re up for some company.”

  “I am.”

  “Great. I’ll drive down Saturday afternoon. I should be there around four or five. Does that work?”

  “Sounds good, Max. Text me once you’re on the road.”

  “Will do. Bye, Evan.”

  “Bye.”

  The weekend passed without incident. I stayed in my room the entire time. I didn’t even venture out to eat. I ordered everything delivered. My room smelled like a fast food joint. When Monday rolled around, I was ready for it. I was anxious all week in anticipation of Max’s arrival on Saturday. However, I could not keep thoughts of Sebastian from intruding. I had only seen him the previous week in class. He had not even acknowledged me. There had been no sign of him in the cafeteria, or at DiMarco’s, Perry’s, or Mandy’s. He was definitely keeping a low profile.

  Saturday afternoon finally arrived. Max had texted me when he left Lancaster at two p.m. That should put him here at four
p.m., or shortly thereafter. I received a text at four fifteen.

  “I’m in the parking lot, next to your car.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  We were barely inside my room when Max grabbed me, pulled me to him, and kissed me deeply. I could feel his hardness pressed against me.

  “I missed you.”

  “I see that.”

  We undressed together and fell onto my bed. I turned over and rose up on my hands and knees. I grabbed a packet of lube and a condom and handed them to Max. When he had us both primed, he slid into me, inch by inch. He grabbed me at the hips and began slow, leisurely thrusts. Each one was designed to maximize every inch of his cock. I began moving my hips to meet his thrusts. After several minutes, he increased his pace, and I matched his. Soon we were thrashing wildly on the bed. After a half dozen more lunges, he was groaning uncontrollably. He slid inside me a final time and writhed in the throes of his orgasm. When he was spent he pulled out of me and turned me onto my back. He took my cock into his mouth and finished me off with just a few quick bobs. He kissed me and collapsed beside me.

  “We’re meeting Jessica and Calvin in the cafeteria for dinner. I’ll shower first.”

  When I returned from the shower, he had a towel wrapped around his waist. I got dressed and texted Jessica that we were on schedule. After Max got dressed, we smoked a joint before heading to the cafeteria. The plan was to head to Buffalo after dinner for a movie. The cafeteria was packed and we weren’t able to get our regular table. We had to sit at one in the far corner. We had just sat down when Jessica elbowed me in the side.

  “Sebastian at five o’clock.”

  I looked over, half expecting to see him with Brent. I was relieved that he was dining with his soccer buddies. He saw me, and he couldn’t have missed Max. Of course he didn’t recognize him. He got up and headed to our table.

  “Hold on for the fireworks.”

  Sebastian grabbed an empty chair behind me and turned it to face me.

  “Hi, Evan. Hi, Jessica and Calvin. Who’s your new friend, Evan?”

  Before I had a chance to respond, Max stood up, towering over Sebastian.