Chapter 13
We lay there, temporarily connected in a sweaty, panting heap, our bodies still entwined. Gradually, our breathing normalized, and we untangled ourselves, each collapsing separately onto the mattress.
After a moment, I rolled onto my back and turned my head to glance at Connor, who was also sprawled out beside me. His chest rose and fell with deep, satisfying breaths, and a content smile played on his lips. When our eyes met, I noticed a newfound warmth in his eyes, a hint of freedom forged in the heat of our affection. I could sense that he felt more comfortable being his true self around me.
"Damn, Noah..." Connor said, his voice rough from exertion. "That was fucking intense." He chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "Never thought I'd end up having sex with you and Sarah at the same damn time"
I laughed softly, still catching my breath. “Yeah, that was… something else,” I admitted, my voice low and a little hoarse. I lay there for a moment longer, letting the last remnants of the high wash over me before I finally sat up.
Sliding off the bed, I grabbed a towel from the chair in the corner and wiped myself down. The cool and softness of the towel against my skin felt good, pulling me back into the present. Once I was done, I tossed it toward Connor and Sarah, who were still sprawled out on the bed.
“Here,” I said, smirking. “Clean yourselves up.”
Connor caught the towel with one hand, grinning lazily as he wiped his chest. Sarah took it next, sitting up and wrapping it around herself as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She looked at the clock on my nightstand, her expression softening but tinged with exhaustion.
“I should probably get going,” she said, standing and beginning to gather her clothes. Connor, still lying naked on the bed, gave her a teasing look.
“Leaving so soon?” he asked, his tone playful but relaxed.
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Some of us have early mornings, you know,” she shot back with a small smile. Once dressed, she leaned down to kiss Connor on the cheek, then turned to me and did the same. “Goodnight, boys,” she said, her voice light and affectionate as she headed for the door.
“Night, Sarah,” I called after her, watching as she left. The door clicked shut, leaving just Connor and me in the quiet room.
I turned to look at him. He was still stretched out on the bed, completely comfortable in his nakedness, his hands tucked behind his head. “Are you staying the night here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He smirked, his gaze meeting mine. “Of course, I am. What, are you kicking me out?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Oh no, you can stay if you want.”
“Damn right I’m staying,” he said, sitting up and stretching. “I’m too comfortable to move.”
I laughed again, pulling on a pair of boxers before heading toward the kitchen. “You want something to drink?” I called over my shoulder.
“Yeah, grab me a water bottle,” he replied, finally getting up and trailing behind me. I handed him a bottle from the fridge, and as I turned back around, I caught him doing something ridiculous. He was standing in the middle of the living room, pointing at his flaccid cock and flapping it around.
“Look, Noah,” he said, his voice full of childishness. “It’s a chicken nugget.”
I burst out laughing, nearly dropping my drink as I leaned against the counter for support. “You’re such an idiot,” I managed between fits of laughter.
Connor grinned, clearly proud of himself, and flopped down onto the couch with his water in hand. I shook my head, still chuckling, and walked over to join him. Sliding onto the couch beside him, I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.
We turned on the TV, letting some mindless show play in the background as we sat there together. The laughter eventually subsided, replaced by a comfortable silence. Before long, the exhaustion of the night caught up with us, and we both drifted off on the couch.
When I woke up, the sunlight was streaming through the window, and Connor was gone. For a moment, I frowned, wondering where he’d gone, until I spotted my phone on the kitchen counter. Picking it up, I saw a text from him: “Hey bro, I didn’t want to wake you up, but I had to leave early because I have an interview.”
I smiled to myself, typing back quickly: “No problem. I hope you get the job
.”
His reply came almost instantly: “Thanks, bro.
”
My phone suddenly rang. It was my cousin Tyler. I answered, “Hey, Ty!”
He didn’t waste any time. “Noah, are you okay? You haven’t called me since the shooting at the court.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry for not calling sooner. It’s been a lot.” I went on to share everything I knew, including the fact that Jason had called me after the incident. Tyler listened intently, his concern evident in his voice, but after a few minutes, I had to cut the conversation short. “Look, I gotta get ready for work, but I’ll catch up with you later, alright?”
“Alright, man. Just… take care of yourself,” Tyler said before hanging up.
The days passed, and a couple of weeks went by without hearing anything from Jason. I still had the package he’d instructed me to retrieve sitting in my closet. He hadn’t called to provide an update on his case, and it’s not like I can call him.
Regardless, tonight was about unwinding. I was headed to Tyler’s place to hang out and blow off some steam. When I knocked on the door, it was Grayson who opened it. He looked visibly upset, his lips pressed into a thin line, but I didn’t care. I handed him the bottle of Peppermint Rumple Minze Schnapps Liqueur I’d picked up from the liquor store and pushed past him into the house.
Tyler greeted me with his usual excitement, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Noah! Took you long enough. You remember the twins, don’t you?”
I looked over at the two grinning faces on the couch. “Of course, I do. Tristan and Nathan, right?”
“That’s right!” they chimed in unison, clearly already tipsy.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Y’all started without me, huh?”
“Two hours late, bro,” Tyler teased, shoving me lightly.
The night was off to a good start. Everyone was in high spirits, taking shots and laughing at stupid jokes. Everyone except Grayson, who sat in the corner nursing a drink and staying unusually quiet. I knew why he was upset, but I wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.
As the night started to wind down, Grayson stood up and announced to everyone except me, “I’m going to bed. I have work in the morning.”
Without thinking, I blurted out, “Well, take your moody ass to bed then!”
The room erupted into laughter. Even the twins were doubled over, holding their sides. Grayson, however, wasn’t amused. He rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Whatever,” before turning and slamming his bedroom door behind him.
The laughter immediately turned into a collective “Ooooooo,” as if I’d just gotten myself into trouble. Tyler gave me a pointed look. “Noah, you need to go apologize, bro.”
I rolled my eyes, waving him off. “Alright, alright,” I said, standing up as the twins giggled like kids in the background.
I walked into Grayson’s room, closing the door behind me.
Grayson was sitting on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his phone, his back to me. He didn’t even acknowledge me when I came in.
“Hey,” I started, leaning against the door. “I didn’t mean to piss you off out there.”
He let out a dry laugh, still not looking at me. “Yeah, well, you did.”
I sighed, stepping closer. “Come on, man. You know I was just joking. Everyone was laughing. It wasn’t that serious.”
Finally, he turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at me over his shoulder. His expression was tight, his jaw clenched. “It’s not about the joke, Noah. It’s about the fact that you don’t care.”
That stopped me in my tracks. “Don’t care?” I repeated, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
He set his phone down and turned to face me fully, his eyes locking onto mine. “You know why I’m upset, and you just brushed it off like it’s nothing. Like I’m nothing.”
I blinked, caught off guard by the weight of his words. Grayson wasn’t usually this direct. He was the type to keep his feelings bottled up until they spilled over, and clearly, I’d pushed him to that point tonight.
“Grayson…” I started, but he cut me off.
“Do you even know how it makes me feel when you just ghost me?” he asked, his voice low but intense. “You walk in here, hours late, like you own the place. You’re the life of the party, everyone loves you, and I’m just… here. Invisible.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I hadn’t realized he felt that way, but I was too tipsy for this shit.
“I’m sorry,” I said finally, my voice softer now. “I didn’t try to make you feel that way.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” he said, shaking his head. “You never do, but it is what it is.”
That stung, but I knew he wasn’t wrong. I had a tendency to get caught up in my own world, to focus on the fun and ignore anything that might bring the mood down. It wasn’t intentional, but that didn’t make it okay.
I walked over and sat down on the bed beside him, leaving a bit of space between us. “Look, I’m not good at this kind of stuff, but I don’t think you’re invisible. It’s been a lot of shit on my mind lately, and you were a part of that situation. I didn’t want to talk about it, but if I’ve ever made you feel like you don’t matter, it’s on me, and I’m sorry.”
Grayson didn’t say anything for a long moment. He just stared at the floor, his jaw tight. Finally, he let out a long breath and nodded. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “I just… I don’t know. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately to.”
“Wanna talk about it?” I offered, genuinely curious now.
He hesitated, then shook his head. “Not tonight. I’m too tired.”
“Fair enough,” I said, standing up. “But seriously, Grayson, I wasn’t trying to be a dick. I’ll try to do better, okay?”
He looked up at me then, a small, tired smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Okay.”
I turned to leave, but as I reached the door, I couldn't resist throwing one last comment over my shoulder. "Hey Grayson?" I said, pausing with my hand on the knob.
"Yeah?" he asked, looking up at me expectantly.
"You sure you don't want to suck this?" I said with a grin, giving my half-hard cock a casual squeeze.
Grayson's eyes widened in surprise for a split second before he burst out laughing. "No, fuck off," he said, wiping tears from his eyes. "Get out of here."
I chuckled, feeling a rush of relief that the tension had broken. "Alright, alright, I'm going," I said, zipping my jeans back up. "Sweet dreams, Grayson."
"Same to you," he replied, still smiling as I closed the door behind me.
I left his room, closing the door quietly behind me. When I stepped back into the living room, everyone was still sitting around, though the energy had mellowed out. Tyler raised an eyebrow at me. “All good?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said, grabbing my drink from the table and taking a sip. “We’re good.”
The twins gave me matching grins, clearly entertained by the whole thing. “Told you they weren't gonna fight,” Tristan said, nudging Nathan.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Shut up and pour me another shot.”
The night carried on, and while Grayson stayed in his room, I felt better knowing we’d cleared the air. Sometimes, it took moments like that to remind me to stop running away from life. You have to go through things that make you feel uncomfortable. Growth isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.
As the party began to wind down, my cousin Tyler clapped his hands together, signaling to everyone. “Alright, y’all, party’s over. Time to wrap it up.”
I drained the last of my drink and stood up, stretching. “Alright, Cuzzo, I’m out,” I said, grabbing my car keys off the kitchen table.
But before I could leave, Tyler stopped me. “Hey, hold up!” He pointed toward the twins, who were slumped on the couch, clearly too drunk to function. “Can you drop the twins off?”
I looked at Tristan and Nathan, who looked like they were on the verge of passing out. “Where do they stay?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tyler smirked. “They live in the same apartment complex as you.”
That made me pause. “I’ve never seen them around my apartments,” I said, skeptical.
“They live all the way back by the dumpsters,” Tyler explained with a shrug.
“By the dumpsters?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “Oh really?”
Tyler laughed, clearly amused by my doubt. “Just take them, man. They’ll show you. I’d do it myself, but…” He gestured vaguely at the mess of cups and bottles around the room. “I gotta clean this up.”
I sighed, knowing I couldn’t say no. “Fine,” I mumbled. “But they better not throw up in my car.”
“Thanks, man,” Tyler said, clapping me on the shoulder. He turned to the twins, who were barely conscious. “Alright, you two, get up. Noah’s taking you home.”
Tristan groaned, rubbing his face, while Nathan just made a vague noise of protest. “C’mon,” I said, grabbing Tristan by the arm and pulling him to his feet. “Let’s go.”
With some effort, I managed to get both of them out to my car. Tristan was a little more coherent, but Nathan was practically dead weight. “You owe me for this,” I said as I helped Nathan into the backseat.
Tristan climbed into the passenger seat, already starting to ramble. “Man, you’re a real one for this,” he said, slurring slightly. “Not many people would do this, you know?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, starting the car. “Just tell me where you live.”
Tristan pointed vaguely out the window. “That way.”
I sighed, pulling out of Tyler’s driveway and heading toward the apartment complex. When we got there, I slowed down and looked at Tristan. “Alright, which building?”
He frowned, looking around like he was trying to solve a puzzle. “Uh… it’s, like… over there,” he said, pointing in a random direction.
I drove toward where he pointed, but when we got there, he shook his head. “No, wait, it’s not this one.”
“Seriously?” I said, exasperated. “You don’t know where you live?”
“I do!” he insisted. “It’s just… it’s dark, man.”
We ended up driving around the complex three times, with Tristan giving me increasingly vague directions, before I finally threw my hands up. “Bump this shit. I’m going home,” I said. “Y’all just have to stay with me tonight.”
Tristan laughed, clearly unbothered. “Alright, cool. Your place is probably nicer anyway.”
I parked the car and helped Nathan out, practically dragging him to my apartment. Once inside, I dropped him onto the couch, where he groaned and immediately sat up, clutching his stomach.
“Oh shit,” Tristan said, laughing as he pointed at Nathan. “Here it comes.”
Nathan bolted upright, his unsteady legs wobbling as he stumbled toward the bathroom. I shouted, “Hurry up this way!” just in time for him to drop to his knees and vomit into the toilet.
“Damn,” Tristan said, leaning against the doorframe and laughing. “You’re such a fucking lightweight.”
I shook my head, grabbing a towel and handing it to Nathan while he continued to empty his stomach. “Alright, that’s enough,” I said, patting his back lightly. “Get it all out.”
Nathan groaned in response, his forehead pressed against the toilet seat. “I’m never drinking again,” he mumbled.
“Yeah, sure,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You’ll be back at it next weekend.”
Tristan chuckled, leaning down to ruffle Nathan’s hair. “Lightweight,” he repeated, grinning.
“Shut up,” Nathan mumbled weakly, swatting at him.
After Nathan finished, I helped him to his feet and guided him back to the couch. I grabbed a pillow and blanket from the hallway closet, making sure he was comfortable before turning to Tristan. “Alright, you’re next. Where are you crashing?” Tristan was nowhere to be seen. “Tristan?” I called out.
“Damn, I thought he was right behind me,” I said to myself.
I checked the bathroom first, thinking he might have passed out in the tub or something, but it was empty. Finally, I walked into my room—and there he was, lying on my bed like he owned it, his dirty-ass shoes still on.
“Oh, hell naw,” I said, marching over. “Get your damn shoes off my bed.”
Tristan cracked one eye open, smirking at me. “Relax, man. It’s just shoes.”
I grabbed his ankles and yanked his shoes off, tossing them onto the floor by the nightstand. “You can sleep in my bed, but not with your dirty-ass shoes on,” I said firmly.
He smirked lazily, clearly unbothered. “Thanks, Mom,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
I ignored him, pulling the blanket up over him and making sure he was at least somewhat comfortable. As I adjusted the pillow under his head, I looked up and saw him staring at me, his expression softer now.
“Bro, you’re too nice, you know that?” he said quietly.
“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled, stepping back. “Go to sleep.”
I was turning to leave the room, but before I could take a step, I felt his hand suddenly wrap around my arm. His grip was firm, surprising me. “Where are you going?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.
I stopped, glancing down at his hand on my arm. “What are you doing?” I asked, trying to pull away, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his smirk widened. “Damn, you’re like a female. Tucking me in and shit.”
I smirked at him, shaking my head. “You’re just drunk as hell. Take your ass to sleep,” I said, my tone firm but light.
“What? I’m not drunk, motherfucker,” he said, his words slurring slightly, though his grip remained steady.
I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’re definitely drunk,” I said, reaching to move his hand off my arm. But the moment I tried, he tightened his hold, his smirk turning into a grin.
“Where are you going?” he asked again, this time with a bit more insistence.
I sighed, exasperated. “Boy, I will suck the skin off your dick, you better leave me alone,” I said, half-joking and fully expecting him to let go.
Instead, his eyes widened, and for a moment, he just stared at me, caught completely off guard. Then, as if recovering quickly, his grin returned, even wider than before. “Oh, really?” he said, his tone dropping as he lifted his head. His voice was laced with amusement, and there was something else I couldn’t quite place.
I froze for a moment, realizing what I’d just said. “Man, shut up,” I said, yanking my arm free and stepping back, already regretting the words that had come out of my mouth.
Tristan laughed, his head falling back against the pillow as he clutched his stomach. “Nah, nah, you can’t just say that and walk away,” he teased, his laughter echoing through the room.
Suddenly, I turned around and, before I could even think twice, I reached down and peeled back the blanket. I tugged down his shorts and boxers, and engulfed Tristan’s flaccid cock in my warm, wet mouth. His laughter stopped instantly, replaced by a sharp intake of breath.
“Hey, wait… What… What the fuck!” he shouted, his voice cracking slightly.
I stopped mid-suck, cock instantly growing in my mouth, and looked up into his stunned gaze. Tristan's eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and for a moment, I could almost see the gears turning in his head. He seemed frozen, unsure of how to react.
Then, without warning, he bucked his hips ever so slightly. The subtle movement sent a thrill through me, and I took it as my permission to continue. With renewed enthusiasm, I bobbed my head, swirling my tongue around his shaft and savoring the salty taste of his skin.
Tristan's reaction was immediate and visceral. A deep, guttural groan escaped his throat as his fingers intertwined in my hair. He struggled to find a stable foundation amidst the chaotic whirlwind of his thoughts. "Fuck... Noah..." he breathed, his voice strained with pleasure. "This ain't... shouldn't be... shouldn't be happening."
We lay there, temporarily connected in a sweaty, panting heap, our bodies still entwined. Gradually, our breathing normalized, and we untangled ourselves, each collapsing separately onto the mattress.
After a moment, I rolled onto my back and turned my head to glance at Connor, who was also sprawled out beside me. His chest rose and fell with deep, satisfying breaths, and a content smile played on his lips. When our eyes met, I noticed a newfound warmth in his eyes, a hint of freedom forged in the heat of our affection. I could sense that he felt more comfortable being his true self around me.
"Damn, Noah..." Connor said, his voice rough from exertion. "That was fucking intense." He chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "Never thought I'd end up having sex with you and Sarah at the same damn time"
I laughed softly, still catching my breath. “Yeah, that was… something else,” I admitted, my voice low and a little hoarse. I lay there for a moment longer, letting the last remnants of the high wash over me before I finally sat up.
Sliding off the bed, I grabbed a towel from the chair in the corner and wiped myself down. The cool and softness of the towel against my skin felt good, pulling me back into the present. Once I was done, I tossed it toward Connor and Sarah, who were still sprawled out on the bed.
“Here,” I said, smirking. “Clean yourselves up.”
Connor caught the towel with one hand, grinning lazily as he wiped his chest. Sarah took it next, sitting up and wrapping it around herself as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She looked at the clock on my nightstand, her expression softening but tinged with exhaustion.
“I should probably get going,” she said, standing and beginning to gather her clothes. Connor, still lying naked on the bed, gave her a teasing look.
“Leaving so soon?” he asked, his tone playful but relaxed.
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Some of us have early mornings, you know,” she shot back with a small smile. Once dressed, she leaned down to kiss Connor on the cheek, then turned to me and did the same. “Goodnight, boys,” she said, her voice light and affectionate as she headed for the door.
“Night, Sarah,” I called after her, watching as she left. The door clicked shut, leaving just Connor and me in the quiet room.
I turned to look at him. He was still stretched out on the bed, completely comfortable in his nakedness, his hands tucked behind his head. “Are you staying the night here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He smirked, his gaze meeting mine. “Of course, I am. What, are you kicking me out?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Oh no, you can stay if you want.”
“Damn right I’m staying,” he said, sitting up and stretching. “I’m too comfortable to move.”
I laughed again, pulling on a pair of boxers before heading toward the kitchen. “You want something to drink?” I called over my shoulder.
“Yeah, grab me a water bottle,” he replied, finally getting up and trailing behind me. I handed him a bottle from the fridge, and as I turned back around, I caught him doing something ridiculous. He was standing in the middle of the living room, pointing at his flaccid cock and flapping it around.
“Look, Noah,” he said, his voice full of childishness. “It’s a chicken nugget.”
I burst out laughing, nearly dropping my drink as I leaned against the counter for support. “You’re such an idiot,” I managed between fits of laughter.
Connor grinned, clearly proud of himself, and flopped down onto the couch with his water in hand. I shook my head, still chuckling, and walked over to join him. Sliding onto the couch beside him, I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.
We turned on the TV, letting some mindless show play in the background as we sat there together. The laughter eventually subsided, replaced by a comfortable silence. Before long, the exhaustion of the night caught up with us, and we both drifted off on the couch.
When I woke up, the sunlight was streaming through the window, and Connor was gone. For a moment, I frowned, wondering where he’d gone, until I spotted my phone on the kitchen counter. Picking it up, I saw a text from him: “Hey bro, I didn’t want to wake you up, but I had to leave early because I have an interview.”
I smiled to myself, typing back quickly: “No problem. I hope you get the job
.”His reply came almost instantly: “Thanks, bro.
”My phone suddenly rang. It was my cousin Tyler. I answered, “Hey, Ty!”
He didn’t waste any time. “Noah, are you okay? You haven’t called me since the shooting at the court.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry for not calling sooner. It’s been a lot.” I went on to share everything I knew, including the fact that Jason had called me after the incident. Tyler listened intently, his concern evident in his voice, but after a few minutes, I had to cut the conversation short. “Look, I gotta get ready for work, but I’ll catch up with you later, alright?”
“Alright, man. Just… take care of yourself,” Tyler said before hanging up.
The days passed, and a couple of weeks went by without hearing anything from Jason. I still had the package he’d instructed me to retrieve sitting in my closet. He hadn’t called to provide an update on his case, and it’s not like I can call him.
Regardless, tonight was about unwinding. I was headed to Tyler’s place to hang out and blow off some steam. When I knocked on the door, it was Grayson who opened it. He looked visibly upset, his lips pressed into a thin line, but I didn’t care. I handed him the bottle of Peppermint Rumple Minze Schnapps Liqueur I’d picked up from the liquor store and pushed past him into the house.
Tyler greeted me with his usual excitement, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Noah! Took you long enough. You remember the twins, don’t you?”
I looked over at the two grinning faces on the couch. “Of course, I do. Tristan and Nathan, right?”
“That’s right!” they chimed in unison, clearly already tipsy.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Y’all started without me, huh?”
“Two hours late, bro,” Tyler teased, shoving me lightly.
The night was off to a good start. Everyone was in high spirits, taking shots and laughing at stupid jokes. Everyone except Grayson, who sat in the corner nursing a drink and staying unusually quiet. I knew why he was upset, but I wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.
As the night started to wind down, Grayson stood up and announced to everyone except me, “I’m going to bed. I have work in the morning.”
Without thinking, I blurted out, “Well, take your moody ass to bed then!”
The room erupted into laughter. Even the twins were doubled over, holding their sides. Grayson, however, wasn’t amused. He rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Whatever,” before turning and slamming his bedroom door behind him.
The laughter immediately turned into a collective “Ooooooo,” as if I’d just gotten myself into trouble. Tyler gave me a pointed look. “Noah, you need to go apologize, bro.”
I rolled my eyes, waving him off. “Alright, alright,” I said, standing up as the twins giggled like kids in the background.
I walked into Grayson’s room, closing the door behind me.
Grayson was sitting on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his phone, his back to me. He didn’t even acknowledge me when I came in.
“Hey,” I started, leaning against the door. “I didn’t mean to piss you off out there.”
He let out a dry laugh, still not looking at me. “Yeah, well, you did.”
I sighed, stepping closer. “Come on, man. You know I was just joking. Everyone was laughing. It wasn’t that serious.”
Finally, he turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at me over his shoulder. His expression was tight, his jaw clenched. “It’s not about the joke, Noah. It’s about the fact that you don’t care.”
That stopped me in my tracks. “Don’t care?” I repeated, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
He set his phone down and turned to face me fully, his eyes locking onto mine. “You know why I’m upset, and you just brushed it off like it’s nothing. Like I’m nothing.”
I blinked, caught off guard by the weight of his words. Grayson wasn’t usually this direct. He was the type to keep his feelings bottled up until they spilled over, and clearly, I’d pushed him to that point tonight.
“Grayson…” I started, but he cut me off.
“Do you even know how it makes me feel when you just ghost me?” he asked, his voice low but intense. “You walk in here, hours late, like you own the place. You’re the life of the party, everyone loves you, and I’m just… here. Invisible.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I hadn’t realized he felt that way, but I was too tipsy for this shit.
“I’m sorry,” I said finally, my voice softer now. “I didn’t try to make you feel that way.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” he said, shaking his head. “You never do, but it is what it is.”
That stung, but I knew he wasn’t wrong. I had a tendency to get caught up in my own world, to focus on the fun and ignore anything that might bring the mood down. It wasn’t intentional, but that didn’t make it okay.
I walked over and sat down on the bed beside him, leaving a bit of space between us. “Look, I’m not good at this kind of stuff, but I don’t think you’re invisible. It’s been a lot of shit on my mind lately, and you were a part of that situation. I didn’t want to talk about it, but if I’ve ever made you feel like you don’t matter, it’s on me, and I’m sorry.”
Grayson didn’t say anything for a long moment. He just stared at the floor, his jaw tight. Finally, he let out a long breath and nodded. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “I just… I don’t know. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately to.”
“Wanna talk about it?” I offered, genuinely curious now.
He hesitated, then shook his head. “Not tonight. I’m too tired.”
“Fair enough,” I said, standing up. “But seriously, Grayson, I wasn’t trying to be a dick. I’ll try to do better, okay?”
He looked up at me then, a small, tired smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Okay.”
I turned to leave, but as I reached the door, I couldn't resist throwing one last comment over my shoulder. "Hey Grayson?" I said, pausing with my hand on the knob.
"Yeah?" he asked, looking up at me expectantly.
"You sure you don't want to suck this?" I said with a grin, giving my half-hard cock a casual squeeze.
Grayson's eyes widened in surprise for a split second before he burst out laughing. "No, fuck off," he said, wiping tears from his eyes. "Get out of here."
I chuckled, feeling a rush of relief that the tension had broken. "Alright, alright, I'm going," I said, zipping my jeans back up. "Sweet dreams, Grayson."
"Same to you," he replied, still smiling as I closed the door behind me.
I left his room, closing the door quietly behind me. When I stepped back into the living room, everyone was still sitting around, though the energy had mellowed out. Tyler raised an eyebrow at me. “All good?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said, grabbing my drink from the table and taking a sip. “We’re good.”
The twins gave me matching grins, clearly entertained by the whole thing. “Told you they weren't gonna fight,” Tristan said, nudging Nathan.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Shut up and pour me another shot.”
The night carried on, and while Grayson stayed in his room, I felt better knowing we’d cleared the air. Sometimes, it took moments like that to remind me to stop running away from life. You have to go through things that make you feel uncomfortable. Growth isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.
As the party began to wind down, my cousin Tyler clapped his hands together, signaling to everyone. “Alright, y’all, party’s over. Time to wrap it up.”
I drained the last of my drink and stood up, stretching. “Alright, Cuzzo, I’m out,” I said, grabbing my car keys off the kitchen table.
But before I could leave, Tyler stopped me. “Hey, hold up!” He pointed toward the twins, who were slumped on the couch, clearly too drunk to function. “Can you drop the twins off?”
I looked at Tristan and Nathan, who looked like they were on the verge of passing out. “Where do they stay?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tyler smirked. “They live in the same apartment complex as you.”
That made me pause. “I’ve never seen them around my apartments,” I said, skeptical.
“They live all the way back by the dumpsters,” Tyler explained with a shrug.
“By the dumpsters?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “Oh really?”
Tyler laughed, clearly amused by my doubt. “Just take them, man. They’ll show you. I’d do it myself, but…” He gestured vaguely at the mess of cups and bottles around the room. “I gotta clean this up.”
I sighed, knowing I couldn’t say no. “Fine,” I mumbled. “But they better not throw up in my car.”
“Thanks, man,” Tyler said, clapping me on the shoulder. He turned to the twins, who were barely conscious. “Alright, you two, get up. Noah’s taking you home.”
Tristan groaned, rubbing his face, while Nathan just made a vague noise of protest. “C’mon,” I said, grabbing Tristan by the arm and pulling him to his feet. “Let’s go.”
With some effort, I managed to get both of them out to my car. Tristan was a little more coherent, but Nathan was practically dead weight. “You owe me for this,” I said as I helped Nathan into the backseat.
Tristan climbed into the passenger seat, already starting to ramble. “Man, you’re a real one for this,” he said, slurring slightly. “Not many people would do this, you know?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, starting the car. “Just tell me where you live.”
Tristan pointed vaguely out the window. “That way.”
I sighed, pulling out of Tyler’s driveway and heading toward the apartment complex. When we got there, I slowed down and looked at Tristan. “Alright, which building?”
He frowned, looking around like he was trying to solve a puzzle. “Uh… it’s, like… over there,” he said, pointing in a random direction.
I drove toward where he pointed, but when we got there, he shook his head. “No, wait, it’s not this one.”
“Seriously?” I said, exasperated. “You don’t know where you live?”
“I do!” he insisted. “It’s just… it’s dark, man.”
We ended up driving around the complex three times, with Tristan giving me increasingly vague directions, before I finally threw my hands up. “Bump this shit. I’m going home,” I said. “Y’all just have to stay with me tonight.”
Tristan laughed, clearly unbothered. “Alright, cool. Your place is probably nicer anyway.”
I parked the car and helped Nathan out, practically dragging him to my apartment. Once inside, I dropped him onto the couch, where he groaned and immediately sat up, clutching his stomach.
“Oh shit,” Tristan said, laughing as he pointed at Nathan. “Here it comes.”
Nathan bolted upright, his unsteady legs wobbling as he stumbled toward the bathroom. I shouted, “Hurry up this way!” just in time for him to drop to his knees and vomit into the toilet.
“Damn,” Tristan said, leaning against the doorframe and laughing. “You’re such a fucking lightweight.”
I shook my head, grabbing a towel and handing it to Nathan while he continued to empty his stomach. “Alright, that’s enough,” I said, patting his back lightly. “Get it all out.”
Nathan groaned in response, his forehead pressed against the toilet seat. “I’m never drinking again,” he mumbled.
“Yeah, sure,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You’ll be back at it next weekend.”
Tristan chuckled, leaning down to ruffle Nathan’s hair. “Lightweight,” he repeated, grinning.
“Shut up,” Nathan mumbled weakly, swatting at him.
After Nathan finished, I helped him to his feet and guided him back to the couch. I grabbed a pillow and blanket from the hallway closet, making sure he was comfortable before turning to Tristan. “Alright, you’re next. Where are you crashing?” Tristan was nowhere to be seen. “Tristan?” I called out.
“Damn, I thought he was right behind me,” I said to myself.
I checked the bathroom first, thinking he might have passed out in the tub or something, but it was empty. Finally, I walked into my room—and there he was, lying on my bed like he owned it, his dirty-ass shoes still on.
“Oh, hell naw,” I said, marching over. “Get your damn shoes off my bed.”
Tristan cracked one eye open, smirking at me. “Relax, man. It’s just shoes.”
I grabbed his ankles and yanked his shoes off, tossing them onto the floor by the nightstand. “You can sleep in my bed, but not with your dirty-ass shoes on,” I said firmly.
He smirked lazily, clearly unbothered. “Thanks, Mom,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
I ignored him, pulling the blanket up over him and making sure he was at least somewhat comfortable. As I adjusted the pillow under his head, I looked up and saw him staring at me, his expression softer now.
“Bro, you’re too nice, you know that?” he said quietly.
“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled, stepping back. “Go to sleep.”
I was turning to leave the room, but before I could take a step, I felt his hand suddenly wrap around my arm. His grip was firm, surprising me. “Where are you going?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.
I stopped, glancing down at his hand on my arm. “What are you doing?” I asked, trying to pull away, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his smirk widened. “Damn, you’re like a female. Tucking me in and shit.”
I smirked at him, shaking my head. “You’re just drunk as hell. Take your ass to sleep,” I said, my tone firm but light.
“What? I’m not drunk, motherfucker,” he said, his words slurring slightly, though his grip remained steady.
I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’re definitely drunk,” I said, reaching to move his hand off my arm. But the moment I tried, he tightened his hold, his smirk turning into a grin.
“Where are you going?” he asked again, this time with a bit more insistence.
I sighed, exasperated. “Boy, I will suck the skin off your dick, you better leave me alone,” I said, half-joking and fully expecting him to let go.
Instead, his eyes widened, and for a moment, he just stared at me, caught completely off guard. Then, as if recovering quickly, his grin returned, even wider than before. “Oh, really?” he said, his tone dropping as he lifted his head. His voice was laced with amusement, and there was something else I couldn’t quite place.
I froze for a moment, realizing what I’d just said. “Man, shut up,” I said, yanking my arm free and stepping back, already regretting the words that had come out of my mouth.
Tristan laughed, his head falling back against the pillow as he clutched his stomach. “Nah, nah, you can’t just say that and walk away,” he teased, his laughter echoing through the room.
Suddenly, I turned around and, before I could even think twice, I reached down and peeled back the blanket. I tugged down his shorts and boxers, and engulfed Tristan’s flaccid cock in my warm, wet mouth. His laughter stopped instantly, replaced by a sharp intake of breath.
“Hey, wait… What… What the fuck!” he shouted, his voice cracking slightly.
I stopped mid-suck, cock instantly growing in my mouth, and looked up into his stunned gaze. Tristan's eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and for a moment, I could almost see the gears turning in his head. He seemed frozen, unsure of how to react.
Then, without warning, he bucked his hips ever so slightly. The subtle movement sent a thrill through me, and I took it as my permission to continue. With renewed enthusiasm, I bobbed my head, swirling my tongue around his shaft and savoring the salty taste of his skin.
Tristan's reaction was immediate and visceral. A deep, guttural groan escaped his throat as his fingers intertwined in my hair. He struggled to find a stable foundation amidst the chaotic whirlwind of his thoughts. "Fuck... Noah..." he breathed, his voice strained with pleasure. "This ain't... shouldn't be... shouldn't be happening."
