Freak

by Alicia Masterson

  Corey sat still, calculating the situation. 'I can't let anyone know, especially Brian, that I just made up everything I said at the party. It looks like Brian's impressed Coach though, and Andy's none too popular with anyone right now. But there's still a chance that Coach will still make Andy captain, especially if he's as good as I think he is. I have to make sure that he doesn't get any more popular. That shouldn't be too much of an issue though. Just a second ago, the team was ready to start a mob. I'm making the right decision to keep Brian deluded. He shouldn't have to be subjected to that.'

  There were still murmurs and quiet complaint amongst individuals in the team, but largely, the team accepted their captain's judgment and wisdom and kept their prejudices to themselves. Dallas and James in particular were totally silent, afraid that their idol was angry with them.

  The meeting finished quickly, without any hitches, and the people filed out of the room, talking excitedly about next year's season. Coach gave Brian an appreciative nod before leaving himself, leaving Corey, Brian, and Andy in the room alone. Andy wanted to stay to thank Brian personally. Brian could have incited violence if he wanted to, but instead, he actually used his power to make his team see reason.

  "Brian, I'll catch up with you at home," Corey said, wanting to distance himself as far from Andy as possible, lest he somehow inadvertently give anyone the impression that he supported the player.

  "Thanks for that. I really appreciated it. I was getting scared there for a bit."

  "Really, it's not a big deal. I'm Brian Mannus, I guess you can consider me the unofficial captain of this team for next year, but I guess you can tell it's pretty much set in stone," Brian said, holding out his hand.

  Andy gladly shook it, his impression that Brian was cold beginning to change immediately. He was about to bring up Christine and Brian, but he remembered the awkwardness from their dinner, and wisely chose to let it go. What happened between them was their business.

  Brian saw Andy every day for a little bit in class, but this was the first time he ever actually took any notice of what was there. Before he could stop himself, he had already looked Andy up and down, a nearly imperceptible smile unconsciously forming on his face. Andy didn't miss the quick motion of his eyes, or the change in his demeanor and raised his eyebrows, processing what he thought he just saw.

  Brian did his best to control the redness on his cheeks, coughing, and starting to walk out of the room. "I'm glad to have you on the team. It was nice to meet you."

  "It was nice to meet you too…" Andy replied, still thinking. 'I know I didn't just imagine him checking me out. Am I reading too much into that? Even if I am, I should take that as a compliment, right? I'm not going to lie to myself and say that he's not extremely attractive… I have to talk with Garret about this, he's better at this kind of stuff than I am. I suck at reading people.'

  --

  Corey barely had the opportunity to start making himself lunch before he heard Brian's car rolling in. Brian gladly took the glass of water Corey had sitting out for him and drank it down, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

  "Back already? Is he not much of a talker, then?" Corey asked, getting sandwich stuffs from the fridge.

  "I wouldn't know. I had to leave before either of us really had the chance to say anything."

  "Had to leave? What happened?"

  Brian thought about what he was about to say for a second. He didn't want to hurt Corey's feelings, but he's never kept anything from him before, and he's always understood. "I don't even know. I didn't even think about it. I kind of just checked him out standing right in front of him, and he noticed."

  "So…? He's gay, I'm pretty sure he's not like, insulted or anything. Plus, how could you not? He's amazingly hot. Did you like what you saw?"

  "Corey, no, you don't understand. I don't even think I've ever even been as attracted to anyone as I have to him, just now. Not even you. He made me blush just by looking at me."

  Corey bristled a little bit at that confession. It's not the first time he's heard from Brian that he didn't really feel physically attracted to him, but he thought at least that had changed over the break. He didn't feel intimidated by this newcomer, he knew that Brian and himself were in it for more than just the physical stuff, but he did feel just a twang of jealousy. He was scared for Brian though, seeing how the team reacted to Andy.

  'Damn it, I want to tell him how I feel so badly…' he thought. "That's fair. You're attracted more to him than me. He is extremely attractive, maybe even more than I am. So, why don't you just ask him to sleep with you tonight."

  Corey didn't miss the deer-in-the-headlights look that flashed across Brian's face. He'd only seen that look once, the last time he joked around about kicking him out. 'I'm such an idiot, now I went and hurt him back…'

  "No! Corey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I just meant, I… please don't be insulted…" Brian said, his confused feelings getting the best of him. He tilted his head down, in disgust with himself.

  "Brian… no, damn it, stop, don't look like that," Corey said, rushing over to his side, tilting his head back up to look at him. "I was just messing with you. Nothing you ever say or do could ever make me want to reject you."

  Brian looked closely into Corey's blue eyes to see if he actually meant it. He sighed, understanding now that it was just a joke. "Thanks… it's just that, I know that you're the most important person to me right now, I couldn't live without you; you're my best friend. No, you're more than that… I don't exactly know what, but you are. If I didn't have this, you, I don't think I'd have any more reason to live. But I still can't help what I felt today. I don't know what going on."

  "So you checked out a guy, and liked what you saw. You only noticed what was glaringly obvious. It'll never make any difference to me if you're gay, straight, whatever. To me, you're just Brian, and that's all you'll ever have to be."

  "Corey, even if you were right, and I'm really not gay. It doesn't matter, I just want you to know that what he have, I want to have it, and more, forever. Forget labels, I just want you. And I want to be yours."

  "I'm yours, and you're mine. Nothing can change that. Brian, I…' Corey paused, chewing over the repercussions of the words he was about to say.

  "I know you're afraid to say it. I love you too."

  Brian wasn't sure if he said something wrong again when he got tackled out of his chair onto his back, the wind knocked out of him in surprise. His answer was pretty clear though when he was further robbed of his ability to breath by Corey's weight on top of him, Corey's mouth already attacking Brian's.

  Brian did his best to allay Corey's advance before things started to get too serious, on a kitchen floor. "Corey… can't breathe… floor… bedroom…"

  Corey laughed, the biggest smile he's ever had stamped onto his face. He rolled off of him, and started laughing hysterically, unable to control the surge of happiness. Brian got up, catching his breath, and smiled gently towards Corey, waiting for him to calm down.

  "Corey, are you okay?"

  His laughing under control, he breathed deeply before propping himself up, a few chuckles still escaping every once in a while. "Brian… I don't think you get how long I've wanted to say 'I love you.' I've only been holding back for your sake, especially after what we saw from the team, today. You beat me to the punch though, you said it first. It made me realize, all that outside stuff doesn't matter. The only things that matter are us, here, now. I've been such an idiot to keep my feelings to myself for so long."

  Brian was caught by surprise again when Corey propped himself on one knee, Corey's hands clasping one of his own. "Don't freak out on me again, I'm not actually proposing. No titles, no labels. Will you be my Brian?"

  Brian laughed this time, helping him to his feet before capturing him in a tight hug. "Only if you'll be my Corey. Yes."

  Without hesitation, Brian picked up the slightly smaller man in his arms, bridal style, and they laughed together as Brian began t
he trip upstairs to Corey's bedroom.

  The moment couldn't have gotten any better even if wedding bells had chimed.

  --

  "You're such a weird boyfriend, Garret. I just told you that another guy checked me out right in front of me, and you're not even a little bit jealous, or upset."

  "Why get upset, he didn't try anything, and he obviously left when he knew it was going to get awkward. I have no problems with him. Didn't know he swung that way, though, girlfriend and all. I wonder if that has anything to do with that guy he's always with…"

  "Corey? Wow, actually, now that you mention it, it could be. But that's drawing conclusions."

  "Whatever, don't really care that much. Plus, I've never told you this, but I've caught you checking both of them out at some point during our first period. So why should I be angry if he does it back?" Garret said, waiting to see Andy's reaction. He had no issues trusting him; he knew Andy wasn't like that. It was still fun to mess with him though.

  Like he thought, Andy's face lit up a few shades darker red, but calmed down when he saw that Garret was still smiling, amused.

  "There's also the matter of me owing Brian some gratitude for stopping the entire football team from smashing your perfect face into the ground."

  "So that's what you think, huh, that I'm some kind of defenseless, perfect, faithful, boyfriend that needs other big, strong, men to keep me safe from the big, bad world?" Andy asked, slowly pushing Garret back further on the couch they were on, slowly moving himself so that his legs were straddling his waist, and their faces were inches apart. He lowered his head so that his mouth was a small distance from Garret's ear.

  "I think you're wrong though," he whispered huskily. "So let me tell you something that I've never told you before… I'm not a virgin."

  Garret's face lit up in surprise. Even he couldn't guess that that was where Andy was going with this. But then his suspicions were realized when Andy started mercilessly tickling him, the position Andy was in perfect for pinning him down.

  "I won't stop until you say that you were wrong. Now who's defenseless?" Andy said, ignoring Garret's curses between laughter.

  "Get off. Hahaha. Stop, fine, I give, you're not, you're not!" Garret pleaded, suddenly sorry that he let Andy know where his ticklish spots were. He raised his eyebrows though. Andy stopped, but he wasn't moving, either. He was still pinned underneath the taller man, and Andy's eyes met his, with a mischievous look on his face.

  "I've never really had a boyfriend that trusted me as much as you. No one's going to be home for a few hours… Only if you want to…"

  "Oh, fuck yes, I want to!" Garret said, not the type to beat around the bush, so to speak.

  "Good!" Andy said, suddenly getting up off of Garret, hearing a small whine in protest at the loss of contact. "Just wanted to make sure that you wanted to too. Want to watch a movie?"

  "Oh, fuck no, you got me worked up, you're not leaving me hanging like that!"

  Andy smiled, a suggestive look returning to his face. "I was just kidding. Forgive me for not wanting to do it on a couch. Meet you upstairs."

  Garret stared dumbfounded. He was used to the cute, innocent Andy who would give him a blush whenever he kissed him around other people. Not that he was complaining; this Andy was really turning him on. He casually made his way up the stairs, feeling like a cat chasing after an extremely delectable mouse.

  "Andy… where are you… HOLY FUCKING MOTHER OF-" Garret shouted, his jaw almost dislocating from the sight he beheld on the bed. Andy was reclined on the bed, his head resting in his hands casually, albeit completely naked.

  "Oh, hey there. I'm kind of bored, would you like to play with me?" Andy said, smirking at Garret's reaction. It was a nice change of pace to see him flustered for once.

  "I… wow… oh man, let me get my clothes off!" He said, already fighting with his belt.

  Andy shot up and sauntered his way to a speechless Garret, kneeling down, their eyes never breaking contact. "Let me help you with that..."

  !!CENSORED!!

  Garret took the moment to properly admire Andy's body, tracing a lazy finger around his abs playfully, still shining with their sweat. Smiling, he rolled over with their front sides meeting this time, pulling Andy in for a prolonged kiss before resting his head beside Andy's. Andy pressed Garret softly onto himself with a hug, and they fell asleep, in each other's arms.

  --

  Or they would have, had the doorbell not rung. Garret's eyes flew open, realizing who it was, struggling in vein against Andy's arms to escape.

  Andy's eyes were still closed, but he wouldn't break the embrace, pushing Garret against him in an attempt to get him to calm down. "It's not my parents, whoever it is, they'll leave. Sleep."

  "No, you don't understand, that's Christine and Brian at the door. I forgot that I said it was okay if they could meet us here to hang out later."

  "Idiot! Damn it, get off, get off, why didn't you tell me they were going to come?!" Andy shouted, waking up immediately, irritated that the mood was just shattered to pieces.

  "I knew you wouldn't have any problems with it. Sorry if I didn't just know that you were going to go all crazy kinky sex kitten on me today!"

  "Wait, what did you just call me?" Andy asked, bemused at his description.

  Garret blushed, waving off the comment before heading off to the bathroom to get towels.

  "No, seriously, did you just call me a crazy kinky sex kitten?" Andy asked, accepting the towel that was thrown at his face.

  "I call them as I see them. Plus, when you're in the zone, you do make kind of a purring sound with your throat. It's kind of hot."

  It was Andy's turn to blush that time, quickly looking around for their clothes. "I do not. You're lying."

  Garret laughed, goading Andy by imitating the noise. In a matter of minutes, they were somewhat presentable and dressed, and they ran down the stairs to greet their friends.

  Andy opened the door, welcoming them in. Christine gave them a smirk, noticing their disheveled appearances and the faint sheens of sweat.

  "Sorry we're a little bit late. Took you guys long enough to answer the door. I hope we didn't interrupt anything." She started to laugh hysterically as the three guys in the room's faces turned deep red, Brian opting to step out to wait in the car.

  "We'll wait outside. Finish up, er, I mean, clean up, you guys reek," she said, winking as she turned to leave the house.

  "That went smoothly," Garret said, laughing as he closed the door behind them. Andy promptly hit him at the back of his head. "Hey! What was that for?"

  --

  Christine was glad that she had someone to talk to in her art class now. Andy and Garret had both done wonders in helping her find peace with her situation. It still stung when Brian continued to ignore her in the hallways, but she could deal with it now, without lying to herself. She wasn't perfectly okay like she made herself seem at the double date, but she was getting better.

  She laughed, her thoughts broken when she glanced next to her at a distracted Andy, grinning broadly as he labored away at the canvas in front of him. 'How many talents can one person have? He's amazing with a brush, too.'

  "Extra happy today, Andy? I know painting's fun, but not fun enough for that goofy grin. Are you still giddy from yesterday afternoon? I take it we didn't interrupt anything then."

  Andy flashed her an even toothier smile before leaning in to her ear to whisper. "Let's just say that Garret's Christmas present for me came a little bit late this year."

  "Oh, that's great! I'm so happy for you two. I think Brian might be scarred for life, but he's tough, he'll manage, somehow. So… I'm dying to know, how was it? It wasn't your first time with, like, guys, right?"

  Andy's grin faltered for a moment, his face turning a shade of pink. "No, but do we really have to talk about that here?"

  Christine laughed again, appreciating how open this friendship became in just a month. She knew that she could trust Andy with
anything. She remembered bitterly an argument she had with Brian not too long ago.

  "You're already practically spending more time with him than his own boyfriend! Either you're interested, or you're trying to replace Brian, but I know you're not stupid, so it has to be the second one," Brian said, exasperated by another eighth period spent listening to Christine recount how much fun she had with Andy and Garret the night before.

  "You're just sore since you can't join us. Why do you still work at Starbucks on weeknights anyway? It's not like you're desperate for the cash."

  "You didn't deny it, so you are just using him to replace Brian," Brian shot back, careful to be quiet, since Brian didn't sit too far away.

  "I would never do that to Andy. He's his own person. And I can't believe you would assume that I would sink that low. I'm stronger than you think. So we hit it off quickly, it's not a big deal."

  Andy looked back with some amount of sadness too at Garret's first impression of the friendship.

  "Are you sure you're making a smart decision by trusting her so quickly? Christine seems like a nice girl, but not nice enough for you to spill your life to her off a whim."

  "Maybe your memory's fuzzy. We clicked fast enough that we already had our first kiss on the second day we knew each other. And I don't keep anything from you, either. Maybe you're jealous?"

  Garret laughed, kissing him gently on the lips. "It's your decision. You know I can't help but trust you completely. I like her too; I can tell she's different from the rest of the girls. But what is it that you see in her anyway?"

  "A passion for life. Unwavering loyalty. Understanding, intelligence, strength. Don't get me wrong, I feel like I was meant to be with you, too, but I know for sure that I was meant to be friends with her. It feels right."

  "Excuse me for interrupting. You are Christine O'Hara, correct?" A tall blond girl said gruffly, shaking both of them from their memories.