I collapsed, every muscle inside me going lax. Asher followed suit, and soon, we were asleep again, me still gripping onto his shirt.
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Back in the locker room. Asher had been at my side all day, even accompanying me to the bathroom during lunch. He had gotten a lot of questions about
the black eye and cut lip (mostly from slutty freshmen girls who thought he was sexy.) He mostly just shrugged it off, muttering something about lane
lines and diving. He had been on edge all day. Each chuckle from a boy or quick movement behind me caused the poor blond to startled, grabbing my wrist
and yanking me close. Needless to say, he was practically plastered to my side in the locker room.
He practically ripped my hand off as Parker approached us.
Parker was in his swimsuit and I really couldn't help but let my eyes scan those olive tanned abs, chiseled and defined. He pecs were rock hard, his
nipples hard and dark from the cold. He really was gorgeous with that scruffy stubble and haphazardly brushed black hair. Asher seemed not to be as
smitten as I was.
Parker could sense Asher's apprehension as he leaned against the lockers. "Woah there, Ash baby," Parker hissed softly, eyes bright. He wasn't as
intimidated by Asher's strength as the rest of us were. "Nice shiner. As a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about that…"
"I knew it!" Asher burst out. It was my turn now to grab his wrists and hold him back. "You put Ky up to that! To harassing Quince! I'll fucking kill you!" I could feel Asher's pulse rise, his blood hot under his skin. What Parker told us next, though, complete threw Asher for a loop.
"Nope. I didn't. Ky and I…" Parker looked down, wrinkling his nose up. "Had a thing." Asher and my's jaws both dropped. A thing?! This
stunning, suave captain and that barbaric, violent prick? I could tell Asher was thinking the same thing. No way could a guy who shouted "fag" like
that ever have been with a man, let alone Parker.
"Yeah, yeah. Pick your jaws up off the floor, gawkers." Parker reached for his swim goggles, just and cool and unphased as ever. "He must've seen me
flirt with the wife," and of course, a nod to me, "and gotten jealous. I broke it off with him last week or so. He was too self-hating for my taste."
Parker stepped forward, fingers running over the red marks on my throat. I looked away, ashamed. I felt Asher tense up behind me.
"I really am sorry, Quin. I never meant to have this happen…" That comments made me blush. Parker was rarely gentle or genuine, so any show of
have real human emotions, especially caring!, was always embarrassing for me. It caught me so off guard. He kept stroking the red skin, his face
obviously worry and pain stricken. He was thinking, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the damage his ex-lover had caused me.
Asher had had enough. He shoved Parker's hand away, wrapping an arm around my hips. "Tell you fucking boy toy to leave us the hell alone." Asher had
always been a lot more intense and harsh than I was. I could never say those words in that tone. Parker opened his mouth to retort, but Coach called us
out to practice. I gave Asher a hug goodbye before Parker and I went off to Varsity practice, leaving Asher alone in the locker room, shooting daggers
with his eyes into Parker's back.
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I headed out towards the car, still mad at Parker. Him and Quincy were the fastest on the team, meaning they swam in the same lane together. I hated
the thought of them two, chatting together between sprints. It pissed me off. I shoved my hands in my pockets, fondling for me keys. I was going to sit
in the car, turn on some music, and wait to drive Quincy home from practice. He usually walked, but how was I supposed to let him walk home alone? I
wasn't ready yet.
As I approached my car, I noticed a girl leaning against it. Sasha Jelter. She looked over at me, long straight blond hair draped gracefully over her
shoulder, tight sundress showing too much cleavage to be appropriate for high school. She was a Junior, like Quincy. She smiled and waved at me, giving
a seductive giggle.
"Oh, poor baby!" She exclaimed, seeing my eye. I looked behind me, making sure I was alone before I reached out and hugged her. Her and I had been
meeting every day after school for a while now, flirting and snuggling in my car. I knew she had a crush on me, and to be honest, it was nice to have a
normal high school flirt buddy during these crazy times.
I kissed her cheek. It was a formality, really. We slipped into my car, me in the drivers seat, her in the passenger. I turned on the music, leaning my
chair back.
Over the span of an hour, she and I laughed and teased each other, shoving or pinching each other playfully here and there. There was defiant sexual
tension. I mean, we were teenage kids! I kept my eye on the time. Quincy's practice was two hours. I had time. And, really, it was kind of nice to have
an attractive girl fawn over me. Like I was a normal 18-year-old boy.
Sasha closed her eyes, resting her head on my shoulder, her hand ontop of mine. "Oh, Ash! You know, I feel really good with you…" She opened her
green eyes then, eye lashes long, lips pouty. She leaned up, lips inches from mine. I was just about to pull back when-
"Asher?" Quincy was standing infront of the car, arms folded over his chest. He was frowning, that angel face all scrunched up, body shaking.
I shoved Sasha back and flung open the door, saying the first thing that came to mind: "Your practice isn't over yet!" I regretted it the moment I said
it.
"Oh! I'm sorry I was early! No, please, continue!" Quincy looked into the car, glaring at the very confused Sasha. I reached out for Quincy,
knowing that him and I could not fight now. There was so much danger out there, so many bad people. I didn't care if he hated me, I wasn't leave him.
"It wasn't like that! She's just my friend!" I was babbling, frantically following Quincy as he sped-walked down the sidewalk. I was faster on land and
managed to grab his wrist. His was so cute when he was angry. I tugged him against me, holding him firmly to my chest. Damn anyone who sees, I didn't
care. "You're the only one for me, Quin. Please know that…"
He beat his fists ineffectively against my chest, my arms tight around him. He was trembling, gasping for air. I tried to calm him, but he had worked
himself up. "We can never be together!" Quincy was sputtering, trying to push me away. "We can never be together! You need a wife! And kids! And pretty
long hair! And tits and, and, and I could never give that to you!" What was all this? Quincy was freaking out. I couldn't help but think that this was
left over fear from last night. He was still so shaken up, that poor innocent kid.
"Just let me go home, Asher… Please just let me go home…" He looked so miserable, so defeated. I pressed my lips to his forehead, holding
the shaking boy in tight. I rocked him in my arms, nodding lovingly.
"But please, go straight home, and text me right away. I'll come over if you need me." I kissed him again, and he peeled away from my chest. I
watch with worry as he headed down the street.
When I got back to the car, Sasha had left. I got into the car, taking a moment to compose myself.
I mean, nothing was going to happen to Quincy on his way home.
Right?
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Buahah. I've become very happy with these cliffhangers. It's 1:30am. How I've managed to write 3 chapters in 3 days is beyond me. I just couldn't stop writing! As per usual, feel free to email, I try to
respond to all of them. What's gonna happen to Quin? Will Parker and Ky make up? Who will Sasha tell what she saw? And, I mean, the parents have to
come home some time….. phanpy.road@yahoo.com