Max’s Awakening ‘Sleepover Interlude’

By J with  craigpnifty@protonmail.com

Author’s notes:

Bonus chapter! 

After reading the last chapter, I’m sure you are dying to know what transpired at Noah’s after Max angrily stormed off to Craig’s, right?

Well, here it is…

We outlined this so we could be sure to include the events correctly in both stories and realized afterwards it could be a pretty fun read.  It does deviate from the first person narrative, since neither Max or Craig are present for the events.

This chapter is mostly written by J, who has edited and helped me refine recent chapters.  As you can see, he is probably a more gifted writer than myself.  I can’t even begin to describe how much he’s improved this story (and my writing) for the better.

Donate here to support Nifty:  https://donate.nifty.org/donate.html

Sleepover Interlude

Noah angrily made his way to the basement.  None of this had gone as envisioned, and in his mind, Cam was to blame.  Max delivered a sincere apology and Cam callously brushed it aside and responded with snide, malicious comments.  He’d never seen Cam be such a prick.  He did and said things purely to hurt Max, pushing him further away.  Noah - always loyal to a fault - was enraged.

Cam was standing by the couch, looking at his phone, when Noah burst into the room.

“What the fuck was that?” Noah yelled, as he marched around the sectional to approach Cam, his hands thrown into the air.

“What did you expect?” Cam asked nonchalantly. 

This only caused Noah’s rage to intensify.  His eyes flickered.  He faced Cam, pushing him - hard - onto the couch.  “I never expected you to be the world’s biggest asshole.  What the hell were you thinking?”

Cam was taken aback by Noah’s forceful reaction.  “Dude, what the hell?  I didn’t do or say anything I haven’t before.”

“You were a complete FUCKHEAD!” Noah bellowed, his face bright red with fury.  “Max gave you a heartfelt apology, taking total responsibility.  He was in tears and you not only blew him off, you said a bunch of mean shit just to make him feel worse!  What the fuck is your problem?”

Noah’s profane ranting stunned Cam, who was almost inaudible.

“I said I didn’t want to talk to him, and I told you repeatedly I wasn’t going to get back with him,” Cam offered.  “You shouldn’t have tricked me into coming here.”

“Okay, fine.  Maybe it was a mistake to get you in the same room tonight.  But you didn’t have to be a complete dick about it, either.  You shouldn’t have dumped on him with all the extra shit about his dad or ask me to be your boyfriend.  I can’t fucking believe you!” Noah’s voice was rising.  Jackson would surely hear something.  “And since when don’t you like the Texans?  This is all such bullshit.”

Noah barely took a breath, and a knot was quickly forming in Cam’s stomach.

“You know, Max told me how much of a shithead you were when you first moved here, but after I met you, I couldn’t see it.  Now I do.”

Cam didn’t know what to say.  Noah had always been so chill.  He knew Max was Noah’s best friend, but he never expected to be verbally bitchslapped like this.

“I just don't get you, Cam.  You go out of your way to help that Seb kid at your school who is getting bullied and now YOU ARE THE FUCKING BULLY.  What a hypocrite you are!” Noah blustered.

The words hung in the air, cutting Cam.

“I’ve known Max since we were 2.  He has never been so distraught, not even when his dad was arrested or when his parents divorced.  I swear to God if he hurts himself, I’m going to rip off your head and shit down your neck,” Noah said sternly, looking Cam straight in the eye.

“Come on, Noah.  He’s not that upset.  He’s known we’re finished.  This wasn’t news,” Cam responded, not sounding at all confident in his words.  “It’s not like he would ever go that far.”

“How do you know?  Jackson had a friend shoot himself last year over a whole lot less.  I’ve never seen him like this, so yeah, I’m worried about that,” Noah said, his own eyes beginning to water.  “You have no fucking idea how deeply you wounded him, do you?  How can you hurt him like that and not care?”

Cam felt like he had been punched in the gut.  He hung his head, realizing how much worse he made everything, and started to weep.  Cam was confident he had every right to feel betrayed by and angry toward Max, but he never intended to emotionally maim him.  He knew the comment about Max’s father and asking his best friend to be his boyfriend in front of him was below the belt.

***

Suddenly, footsteps were heard overhead.  Cam recognized a deep voice.

“Cameron Brendan Rice!  Boy, where the hell are you?” Cam’s father, Bob, sounded as irate as Noah.  Cam knew that tone - the one where his father’s normally muted Texas drawl manifested - and it meant he was about to get it.

“Down here sir,” Cam managed to squeak, through tears.

Bob stormed down the basement stairs.  Cam sat on the couch, his face red and wet.  Noah towered over him, looking furious. 

“Cameron, I can’t even believe all I just heard.  I was next door enjoying a beer with Mr.  Peters when Max stumbled in, a total sobbing mess.  It was awful!  I’ve never seen a kid so upset,” Bob began.  “I find out YOU dumped HIM?  Why did you lie to me?  Huh?”

Cam knew he had a trump card, and could tell his dad the real reason he ended things with Max.  But, he already hurt Max more than enough and his father would be pissed at being lied to, regardless of the reason.

Bob barely took a breath, a vein in his neck throbbing.  “Then, tonight, you pile on by making fun of his incarcerated father and breaking gifts he brought you from Mexico?  You know better than that!”

Cam sat stoically, his eyes set firmly upon the floor, trying desperately to count the number of fibers in the carpet to maintain his composure.  “Noah just finished ripping me apart for the same thing.”

“Look at me when you speak!” Bob demanded.  “You were not raised to lie or be cruel.  Frankly, I’ve never been so ashamed as I am right now.”

The room fell silent.  Noah knew he should give the father and son privacy, but frankly, he was grateful Mr. Rice was piling on.  Even at 13, Noah understood Cam needed to hit rock bottom to reset.  Cam quietly cried.  Tension suffocated the temporary quiet.

“So?  What do you have to say for yourself, young man?” Bob asked.

Cam looked up to his father.  He had to respond, but despite everything, he couldn’t destroy Max.  Besides, at this point, would his father even believe him, or just get more upset and assume he was lying?

“I can’t have a boyfriend, that’s why,” Cam finally offered, in the small, broken, voice of a sad child.

Noah looked confused but knew to keep his mouth shut.  Mr.  Rice looked like he was about to take off his belt.

“What are you talking about?” Bob asked, bewildered.  “You know I like Max and have no problem with you being gay.”

It was all too much.  Cam finally - completely - broke down, for the first time since the breakup.

“Because, if I have a boyfriend and Mom finds out, you’ll get divorced and I’ll have to move back to Texas with her and get sent to the perv patrol!” Cam screamed through sobs.

Bob’s tone softened.  “Son, what are you talking about?”

“I HEARD YOU!” Cam yelled.  His RVCA shirt was tear-soaked.

“Huh?  I don’t…” Bob began to say, before being interrupted. 

“I was in the fucking hot tub!” Cam yelled, before calming slightly.  Cussing toward his father was not a prudent idea.  “A couple nights after we broke up.  The timer on the jets had run out and I was just relaxing.  I was about to dry off and come in when you and mom came out on the deck.  You didn’t know I was down below and I heard it all!  Your argument about Mom’s friend from church and her ‘homosexual child.’  You said you would kick her out if she ever tried to send me to, what was it, ‘reparative therapy?’  She talked about how pedophiles groom kids to recruit them into homosexuality and they have to be deprogramed away from sin.”

Bob was taken aback, and could tell his son was hurting, brooding for weeks over a conversation he never should have heard.  “She doesn’t know you’re gay, I know it isn’t a choice, and there’s nothing wrong with who you are.  What you overheard was hypothetical.  I was just making a point, that it’s wrong to put a kid through that.”

“She’ll find out sooner or later and hate me!” Cam roared.  “I stopped being mad at Max a few days after our fight, but was too afraid to have a boyfriend again.  I love him, but I won’t let my ‘aberrant lifestyle,’ as Mom puts it, destroy all our lives,” Cam said, bawling.  “Now you hate me too!”

“Oh shit,” Noah said.  In his anger, Bob forgot they were not alone.

“Noah, let’s go upstairs and give them some privacy,” Jackson said from the doorway.  No one knew he was there, as he came to investigate the commotion, not realizing he walked into a family crisis.

Bob sighed.  Always authoritative and confident, he didn’t know what to say.  He knew his son repeatedly lied and was being needlessly vicious, and that warranted swift consequences, but seeing him wracked with sobs changed the calculus.  Cam was clearly hurting, battling his own self-loathing demons and being crushed by misguided anxiety.

“I appreciate that, but it’s okay.  You’ve heard everything anyway,” Bob responded.  “We’ve imposed long enough.  Cam, grab your stuff and let’s go.  We have more to talk about.”

Cam sat, non-responsive, trembling slightly between wails.  For the first time in weeks, he was processing all of his stress and hurt.  Toward Max who cheated on him, Craig who took advantage, his homophobic mother, and a God he was raised to believe in who made him gay but would damn him for it?  Then, to be screamed at by a close friend and his own father?  It was all so unfair, Cam thought. 

“Uh, I’ll get some tissues,” Noah said, walking toward the basement bathroom.

“I’ll grab a bottle of water,” Jackson offered before heading up the stairs.

Bob sat on the couch beside Cam, wrapping his arm around his son.

“Come here,” Bob gently instructed as he pulled Cam into a hug.  “You know I love you, and I’ll never stop loving you.  I am very disappointed in your behavior, and you will have consequences, but that isn’t important right now.” Cam buried his face in his father’s chest.  Neither could remember the last time that happened.

Noah handed Mr.  Rice the tissues just as Jackson was heading down the stairs with the water.  Cam’s cries started to stifle.

“Here, take a drink,” Jackson said, offering Cam the water bottle.  “I’ll be upstairs if you need anything else.  Noah, follow me.  Now.”

“No! I want him to stay,” Cam said forcefully.  Noah wasn’t sure why Cam would want him around in such a vulnerable moment, after he was so brutal to him, but Mr.  Rice nodded his assent.

“Look, son, I’m not sure what will happen when your mother finds out.  I’m not going to lie and pretend it will be pleasant, but none of that is your fault,” Bob said, trying to be reassuring.  “I promise that I’ll never let anyone try to ‘fix’ you, because there’s nothing needing repair.”

Cam sniffled and closed his eyes.

“I don’t want to be the cause of our family splitting up.  It’s not like I ever wanted to like other boys.  If I could be normal, I would,” Cam said, his voice quivering. 

“That isn’t going to happen.  Even if it did, you wouldn’t be the cause,” Bob said.  “Listen to me: you are fine just how you are.  We both know you can’t change your sexuality, but even if you could, there’s nothing wrong or abnormal with being gay.  I don’t ever want to hear you talk like that again, do you understand?”

“Okay,” Cam mumbled meekly.  He regained enough composure to stop crying. 

“Good.  Let the grown ups worry about the adult stuff,” Bob said, stroking his son’s hair.  “I shouldn’t have yelled.  I don’t abide being lied to or you being so rude, but I can see now how stressed you’ve been.”

“I’m sorry I let you down.  I didn’t know what to do, I just wanted things to stay  normal and thought if I pushed Max away it would be best for everyone,” Cam said as a solitary tear escaped.  “I know I made all this worse.  I don’t think Max will ever forgive me.”

“You won’t know if you don’t try,” Bob said, smiling for the first time.  “Not that you have to get back together with him.  I only expect you to be honest and kind.”

“I do miss him, but I was so mean,” Cam said as he hung his head again in shame.

“Yes, you were, and you’ll answer for that.  But you’re also just starting to figure this stuff out, and we all make mistakes.  That doesn’t make you a bad person,” Bob said.  “You always seemed so happy together, like you made each other whole.  And you’ve been so miserable the last couple of weeks.”

“Noah said the same thing.  I thought I was hiding it better,” Cam said.  “I guess not.”

“Uh, no,” Bob declared.  “But if the only reason keeping you from making up with Max is worrying about your mother, well, don’t let that stop you.  Everyone deserves to be happy and I’ll deal with her when the time comes.”

Bob squeezed Cam’s arm reassuringly.  Cam could instantly feel his chest loosening, as if a great weight had been lifted.  For the first time since the break-up, he could breathe normally.  “I’m surprised you weren’t more excited to have a reason to move back to Houston.  I guess you’ve really settled in here, huh?” Bob said.

Cam nodded.  “My friends in Texas were fun and all, but they’re nothing like the friends I made here,” Cam replied, glancing appreciatively at Noah.  “My friends here really care.  It’s...different.”  

Bob smiled, proud that his son had grown to understand the value of deeper friendships.  “Anyway, let’s get home,” Bob said.  “We still need to...”

“I know I’m in trouble, but can I please stay?  Maybe Noah and I can figure out a way to make this better?” Cam pleaded.  “Daddy, please?”

Bob mulled over the request.  This time, it was he who glanced at Noah, who smiled and nodded approval.

“Fine.  I’ll postpone sentencing until I pick you up tomorrow, but this isn’t going to be a regular sleepover.  No electronics and lights out and in bed by 10.  You’re going to have a busy, tiring day tomorrow.  Understood?  Noah?”

“Yes sir,” the boys chorused.

“Good.  Cameron, give me your phone, and don’t ask when you’ll get it back because I haven’t decided,” Bob ordered.  “I’ll be back here at 11 to pick you up.  You can tell me your plan for atonement then.  It better be good.”

Cam immediately stood, reached into his pocket, and handed over his iPhone, and went in for a hug.

“I love you too,” Bob said surprised, kissing the top of Cam’s head.  “You’ve done wrong.  Make it right.”

***

After Mr.  Rice left, the boys sat in awkward silence.

“So,” Noah smirked.  “Your dad seems nice.”  Cam couldn't help himself and burst out laughing.

“He can be a little intense when he’s upset,” Cam finally managed to say.  “We don’t dare play video games or stay up past 10 because he’ll know.  He always knows, somehow.”

“Bro, ‘a little intense’ is an understatement,” Noah said grinning.  “I don’t think my asshole will ever be the same after clenching so hard.  There’s no way I could be fucked now even if I wanted to.  I thought you were going to spontaneously combust when he glared at you.”

Cam laughed again.  He was starting to relax.

“Well, he’s usually cool, but he hates being lied to and always reminds me that I represent our family ‘at all times’ and if I’m bad, it ‘reflects poorly upon all of us,’” Cam explained.  “I let him down.  I hate that he’s so disappointed in me and that I cried like that.”

While Cam had calmed, Noah could tell he was embarrassed and needed to be reassured. 

“Yeah man, disappointing your parents is the worst,” Noah said cringing.  “They know how to drop a guilt bomb like no other.  It sucks.  My mom told me that a few months back after I did something stupid, and I cried myself to sleep and couldn’t look her in the eye for at least a week.”

Cam nodded, appreciating Noah’s empathy and that he wasn’t judging him for losing it.  Eighth grade guys don’t cry like that, and certainly not in front of each other.

“So, um, what’s going to happen when you get home?” Noah asked.

Cam took a deep breath.  “Well, you already saw my phone get taken away, get restricted from electronics, and given a bed time which I don’t normally have in the summer.  So, I’m grounded for sure.  I’ll definitely have extra chores and an exhausting workout.  I might have to write an apology letter to you and Max,” Cam said before pausing for a moment.  “I haven’t gotten spanked since we moved here, but as upset as he was, it wouldn’t surprise me if I’m told to ‘assume the position.’ I half expected him to put me over his knee in front of you.”

“Wow.  I thought my parents were strict,” Noah said.  “He doesn’t play around, does he?”

“No, but honestly, he’s a really good dad and is always supportive.  He’s never abusive or anything like that.  Even when he disciplines me, he takes time to explain why, so I know he’s doing it for my own good and to help me learn from my mistakes.” Cam said.

“Look, I’m sorry I roasted you so hard.  I didn’t know your pops was going to come over and mangle your corpse,” Noah said sheepishly.

“It’s okay.  I needed a kick in the ass and you were a good enough friend to give it,” Cam responded.  “Max is lucky to have you.”

“He’s like my brother.  I’m closer to him than I am Jackson,” Noah said, almost choking up.  “That’s why I was so adamant about getting you back together.  You make him so happy, and with everything he’s been through, he deserves to be happy.”

“Yeah.  I know it’s corny as fuck, but he made me really happy too.  I think that’s why it hurt so much when I found out he did...stuff with Craig and thought it was no big deal,” Cam said.  “I know Craig isn’t a bad guy, I guess I was jealous and freaked out he was going to replace me.  Like, how can I compete with a grown-up who has money and can drive and has a bigger dick and stuff?”

Now it was Noah’s turn to laugh.  Cam was confused

“What’s so funny?” Cam asked defensively.

“It’s just not like that.  Sure, Max loves Craig, but as like the dad he never really had.  And from what he says, Craig totally regrets letting it go so far,” Noah explained.  “Dude, Max is completely in love with you, which is why he’s been so upset and miserable about your break up, and hurt by what you said.”

Cam looked down at the floor again, disgusted anew by his own behavior. 

“I don’t know how to undo what I did.  He’s never going to take me back,” Cam whined as he picked up the broken pieces of the ceramic, noticing for the first time the small heart his carelessness put a crack through. 

“Let me call him.  I texted earlier but he didn’t respond.  Maybe he’s still at Craig’s and can come back over?” Noah suggested. 

Noah called, several times, only to be sent to voicemail.  Max was clearly screening his calls.  Finally, there was an answer, but it was Craig.  They spoke briefly.

“What did he say?” Cam asked.

“Craig took him home and said Max needs some space and alone time.  I guess he’s still really upset,” Noah relayed.

“Fuck.  I guess I can’t blame him,” Cam said.  “I’m going to have to do something big, aren’t I?  I’m not even sure I can face him after tonight.”

“Maybe a grand romantic gesture, like something from a ridiculous chick flick?” Noah suggested.

“I don’t know what it could be,” Cam responded.  “Although...we did fantasize about coming out and going to each other’s dances sometime this year, but it’s still summer.”

“Wait!” Noah exclaimed.  “We go back to school earlier than you do.  Next Friday is the first S.N.O.”

“S.N.O.?” Cam asked.

“Spartan Night Out,” Noah explained.  “Spartan is our school mascot.  They do them every month for kids who haven’t gotten in trouble and aren’t failing any classes.  Sometimes they’re lame, but the first one is always a back-to-school dance everyone can attend, and it’s in less than a week!”

Cam’s spirits rose.  Was it conceivable?

“The problem is, only students from our school can go and they usually check school IDs, to make sure a kid isn’t on the suspension or bad grades list,” Noah spoke confidently.  “But, since it’s the first one and anyone can come, I might be able to sneak you in and you could surprise him.  He’ll shit himself!” Noah was almost giddy. 

“It’s a good idea, but if you get caught smuggling me in you’ll get in a bunch of trouble, and I can’t ask you to do that,” Cam said.

“Relax.  It’s the first week of school.  There will be hundreds of people there, including a bunch of new kids no one knows.  You’ll be just another face.  No one will bat an eye,” Noah said, his enthusiasm increasing by the moment.

“Maybe I can fix this and show him,” Cam handed Noah the ceramic pieces.  “Do you have any super glue?”

“Let me see if I can find something,” Noah said, bounding up the stairs.

Noah returned a couple of minutes later, adhesive in hand, and they managed to repair the ceramic, leaving it on the ping pong table to cure.

“The biggest problem might be convincing Max to go,” Noah said.  “He’s been so down I’m not sure he’s going to be up for it after a long first week back to school.  But, maybe I can guilt him into being my wingman for a girl I really like.”

“Noah! You have a crush?  What’s the lucky lady’s name?” Cam asked with a snicker.

Noah blushed.  “Ashley.  She’s smokin’ and not stuck up at all.  I think she has a thing for Max, though.”

“I can’t fault her for that.  He is hot,” Cam replied, almost giggling.  “But if you get a girlfriend, does that mean you won’t need us to blow you anymore?”

Noah groaned.  “You’re hilarious.  And yeah, ‘Max is so hot,’ that’s what I keep hearing.  You may have to fight her for his affection.”

“I’ll stab a bitch if I have to,” Cam said laughing.  “But seriously, if I get him back, I’m not letting go again.”

“You’ll get him back.  We just have to plan it out,” Noah said.

“Maybe, but it has to be a surprise to work and if he won’t go, we’re fucked,” Cam said.  “I wonder if Craig could help convince him?”

“Yeah!  I’ll text Craig and ask if he can take me on a donut run or come over before your dad picks you up or something,” Noah suggested.  “I don’t think Max will tell us both no.”

Cam sighed.  “That might be awkward.  I sent Craig a really nasty message right when I found out.  Called him a pedo and threatened to report him.”

Noah grimaced, but didn’t say anything.

“I know I owe him an apology, too,” Cam said.

“Maybe it’s a good thing your dad took your phone, young man,” Noah teased, parroting Mr. Rice.

“I’d get whooped for sure if he knew I disrespected an adult,” Cam said, shuddering.  “That pisses him off more than being lied to.  That’s actually one reason he approves of Max, because he’s always so polite and appreciative.”

“Yeah, Max has always had a way with adults.  Obviously,” Noah joked.  “Too soon?”

It took Cam a moment to process what Noah was alluding to, but then he grinned.

“I’m not happy about what they did, but I can’t really blame Craig.  I know you’re straight and don’t understand, but Max is…” Cam trailed off.

“Gorgeous?” Noah finished Cam’s sentence sarcastically, rolling his eyes. 

“Well, yeah, he’s fucking hot.  And the sex is amazing,” Cam shared as Noah pretended to wretch.  “But it’s more than that.  He’s just...special?  He has this energy and intensity.  I can’t explain it.  I guess I can see how Craig could be tempted into doing things.”

Noah nodded.  “I may not get the physical stuff, but I know what you mean.  Max has always just had a way, but it isn’t phony.  He never tries to manipulate or hurt anyone.”

Noah’s phone suddenly went off.  He set an alarm right after Mr.  Rice left.

“It’s 9:45,” Noah said as he stood.  “We better get ready for bed.”

“‘We’?” Cam asked, “You’re not going to stay up later?  You aren’t grounded.”

“No, but I’m not going to rub it in your face.  That wouldn’t be fair.  I’m your friend,” Noah said emphatically.  “Besides, your dad kind of terrifies me.”

With that, Cam let out a huge belly laugh and gave Noah a fist bump.  What he told his dad was true: his friends here really were different, in the best possible way. 

***

True to their word, the boys were “in bed” with the lights off by 10 PM.  They decided to stay in the basement for the night, sprawled out on the sectional, feet to feet.  They both stripped to their underwear, and Cam slipped into his sleeping bag while Noah grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch.

Sleep was elusive.  Neither had been to bed this early since school let out in May, and whether the result of the adrenaline from the earlier drama or the excitement of their scheme to surprise Max, neither boy was tired.

They both stared at the ceiling in silence, not wanting to disturb the other.  The only noise was the whirl of the ceiling fan and hum of the A/C kicking on.

“Noah, are you still awake?” Cam asked softly, not wanting to wake him if he was already asleep.

“Yeah.  I slept in until noon.  My parents told me I have to get back on a normal sleep schedule before school starts, but it’s hard after staying up all night for three months,” Noah responded.  “No way I’m going to get to sleep this early.”

“Same,” Cam said.  “When is your normal bedtime during the school year, anyway?”

“Ten on a school night, eleven on the weekend or a holiday.  You?” Noah responded.

“Nine on a school night when I have to work-out early in the morning, otherwise ten,” Cam shared.  “It sucks sometimes, but I have to be up at 5:30 to get to the gym to sneak a workout in before school.  Dad says I have to be willing to sacrifice for something I love if I want to be the best.”

“You really look up to your dad, don’t you?” Noah asked.

“Well, yeah.  Don’t you?” Cam retorted.

“Sure, but mine doesn’t push me as hard as yours does,” Noah said.  “I guess it’s better than Max.  Even before his dad was locked up, he usually ignored or told Max he was a dumbass.”

Bringing up Max’s father was uncomfortable, and reminded Cam of his harsh words from earlier.

“I still can’t believe I brought him up.  I should have known better.  Max hardly ever mentioned him, and we talked about everything,” Cam said wistfully.

“He’s never really talked about him much.  We usually had play dates when we were little and then sleepovers here because Rick didn’t let him have friends over much,” Noah said.

“Was it true what you said, that Max never even cried when his dad went away?” Cam asked.

“Yeah.  At least, not ever around me.  He was angry, and worried about his mom, but he never wanted to talk about it much.  Even when Stacy made him go to therapy, he said he just told the therapist what she wanted to hear,” Noah said.  “I think that’s why he always clicked so well with Craig.  He could really talk with him about stuff.  Craig’s always been good about that.  He doesn’t judge or lecture like most grownups.”

“He always seemed cool, until...” Cam stopped mid-sentence.  “But you said Craig never tried anything with you, right?  Do you ever wonder why that is?  He would have had plenty of chances.  Your parents trust him, and there’s plenty of motive since he, you know, likes boys like that.”

Until that moment, Noah had never really wondered why Craig never made a move on him.  It was true he had plenty of opportunity over the years.

“I dunno.  Everyone has always commented about how handsome and ripped Max is.  Maybe I’m too ugly,” Noah said flatly, almost wincing. 

“You aren’t ugly!” Cam exclaimed.  “Do I have to suck your dick right now to prove it?” Cam laughed and playfully kicked Noah’s leg. 

“You’d probably want one back like last time,” Noah groaned. 

“Nah, I know you aren’t into that,” Cam responded.  “I’m serious though.  If you want a BJ, it seems like the least I can do.”

Noah thought for a moment.  As stereotypically horned up as 13-year-old boys are supposed to be, he just wasn’t in the mood.

“No, I’m good,” Noah said.  “Unless you need to.”

Cam was surprised.  Noah had never before turned down a blowjob.  He was relieved, though.  He wasn’t feeling like it, but thought it would be polite to offer.

“Really? I’m fine,” Cam said.  “I just wanted to be a good guest.  I don’t need you telling my father I was ungracious.”

Noah laughed.  “Honestly, I cammed after waking up and jerked off twice.  Omegle is awesome.”

Cam was alarmed.  He knew some kids would stream themselves masturbating, but never realized Noah did.

“Dude, isn’t that kind of risky?” Cam emphasized.  “You could be jackin’ for anyone, even creepy old guys!  And you show your face?  What’s to stop them from recording you and sharing it?”

Noah remembered having a similar conversation with Max months ago.  He must not have ever told Cam.  “You sound like Max.  He said some of the same things.”

“But you’re still doing it?” Cam asked incredulously.

“Why not?  It isn’t like I have girls hanging off me like you guys do.  I don’t get laid.  So, if a girl in Ohio or Colorado or wherever gets off watching me jerk, it makes me feel...sexy?  And they do it along with me, so I know it isn’t a creeper,” Noah tried to justify.

Cam shook his head.

“Last year, my school brought in detectives from the crimes against children unit and had an assembly on digital safety.  They were pretty blunt about kids who have been charged for sending pics of videos of themselves or their exes, which seems crazy to me,” Cam said.  “But they also said there’s technology creepers use to spoof videos and record your stream, which can then be posted wherever.  So, it might look like it’s a girl but it could be anyone.”

Noah shrugged.  “I guess.  The girls have always been cool.  They’ve never asked me to do anything too weird.  A couple have asked me to finger my butt and pretend it’s their pussy, but that’s it.  I wouldn’t do that, and they dropped it.”

Cam knew better than to push the matter, but made a mental note to bring it up later.  Girls don’t want to see a boy’s asshole or junk.

Noah didn’t want to be lectured about how he preferred to get off.  Was it really so different from watching porn? It wasn’t anyone else’s business, and he wanted to change the subject before getting annoyed with Cam.

“So, when did you know you were gay?” Noah asked.  “I know it isn’t a choice, but it’s just so weird to me, that someone can like another guy like that and be grossed out by girls.”

Cam pondered Noah’s inquiry for a moment.  He always knew he wasn’t interested in girls, but when he was younger, it was easy to dismiss that they had cooties or he cared about sports more.  Why does no one ever ask when someone knew they were hetero? 

“Hmm.  11 or 12 was when I first started to recognize I liked other boys, and wanted to touch them, when all of my friends were getting girl obsessed,” Cam responded.  “But now that I think about it, I remember when I was 8 or 9 seeing some of the older kids on the gymnastics team in the locker room, and being fascinated by their muscles and body hair.  I’d get really embarrassed and hide when I’d get a boner, but never really made the connection until now.”

“I bet being a locker room is hard, seeing a bunch of mostly naked guys and wanting to check them out but not wanting to get caught,” Noah suggested.

“It can be, I guess.  I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable or out myself, but I’m also curious, especially if I think they’re hot.  It’s like a kid in a candy store; I want to taste everything but know I could get sick,” Cam admitted.  “It’s gotten easier.  I think being at the gym so much has helped, always around a bunch of firm bodies.  You get more used to it, so the school locker room isn’t as big of a deal.”

“I’m not sure how I’d handle it if I could go into the girls’ locker room,” Noah said.  “I’d be chubbed out the entire time.”

Cam laughed.  “With that thick dick of yours, it sure would be hard to hide.  No pun intended.”

Speaking about penis size and his own relatively impressive girth was a good segue to a topic that confounded Noah.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” Noah asked.

“Does what hurt?” Cam responded.

“You know, getting fucked.  Like, your ass is usually an exit, right?” Noah said, instinctively clenching.

“It can, at first.  That’s why you use lube and go slow.  But then it feels really nice.  But, I usually preferred doing the fucking than getting fucked,” Cam explained.  “It never really hurt with Max, though.  Maybe I was used to him or his dick just isn’t that big, but it always fit fine and felt good.”

“If you say so.  I’d be too big of a wuss to ever try it,” Noah said.  “Good thing I’m not gay or bi, I guess.”

“I imagine a bigger dick, like an adult’s, would hurt more,” Cam offered.

“Right?  Max didn’t seem to think so, though,” Noah said.  “I still can’t believe my best friend and neighbor who is more like an second dad did it together.” As soon as he finished his sentence, Noah knew it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say.

Cam exhaled.  “I would think so.  Maybe Craig isn’t that well endowed?”

“Still, he’s fully grown.  He has to be bigger than either of us,” Noah said.

“Probably.  But if Max was super into it, he could really loosen up and pull you inside,” Cam explained.  “Sometimes when we would be in the middle of fucking, my dick would get slicker as we’d go.  Like his juices got flowing.”

Noah groaned, playfully throwing a pillow.  “Jesus.  That’s fucking disgusting.”

“Like you would be grossed out by a wet, dripping pussy.  It’s the same thing!” Cam defended himself.  “You should try it sometime.  An ass is hot, wet, and tight.  What’s not to like?”

“Getting shit all over?” Noah immediately retorted.

“That’s never happened to me or Max,” Cam said proudly.  “And stinky clit juice is what’s disgusting.”

They both laughed.  True, they may not understand the other’s proclivities, but they appreciated the ability to frankly discuss them without judgment.  Boy talk is vital to male bonding and navigating the perils of puberty. 

“So, would you ever let Craig fuck you?  Or fuck him?” Noah asked.

Cam thought for a moment.  He wasn’t expecting that question. 

“I’m not sure,” Cam said honestly.  “I always liked Craig, and he isn’t bad looking for an older guy, but I don’t think of him like that and usually am attracted to other boys, not men.”

“I get that.  I mean, I like girls our age mostly too, but I’d totally rip up the pussy of a MILF or hot singer or actress or whatever,” Noah shared.

“I get the feeling you’d pound away on any vagina,” Cam teased.

“Hey!  I have some standards,” Noah defended himself.  “Like, it has to belong to a human.”

Cam laughed.  “Yeah, that’s a good requirement.”

The lighter tone of their conversation wasn’t lost on either boy.  A few hours early, this would have not seemed possible.  There’s comfort in darkness, when the adolescent veil of insecurity and bravado can be dropped and greater intimacy achievable. 

***

Cam remembered how upset he was when he was forced to move to Minneapolis.  Leaving everything, and everyone, behind made him bitter for so long.  He knew he was cocky and insufferable when he arrived.  But, he never would have met Max - or Noah - if it hadn’t happened, and they help him to be a better person.  It was fortunate for Cam there was no light, as a tear of happiness rolled down his cheek.  He had such an emotional few hours, feeling so close to Noah and the prospect of finally reconciling with Max gave him a warm, tingly feeling.

“I know tomorrow is going to suck, but I’m really glad my dad let me stay tonight,” Cam said.  “It’s nice having someone to talk with like this.”

“I’m glad, too,” Noah agreed.  “Max will always be my best friend, but it’s even better when you’re here.”

Noah wasn’t sure if he should ask, but there was a question gnawing at him and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to broach it. 

“Cam, can I ask you something kind of personal?”

“I mean, you’ve cummed in my mouth before.  What’s more personal than that?” Cam joked. 

“I knew you were upset about Max cheating and the breakup, but we hung out several times since then.  Why didn’t you tell me when you overheard what your parents said?” Noah asked.  “It obviously freaked you out.  We could have talked about it and maybe you would have felt better.”

Cam didn’t want to rehash this matter, but knew it was a fair question  

“I’m not sure.  Part of me wanted to.  I mean, I thought about it,” Cam started.  “I was stressed and ashamed.  Plus, you’re Max’s long time best friend and have only known me for a few months.  I didn’t want to be a burden.  I was already afraid you were going to take his side, and I didn’t want you to tell him or feel sorry for me.”

“‘Friendship is never a burden’, that’s what my dad always says,” Noah responded.  “I would have been there for you like I’ve tried to be there for Max.”

“I believe that.  I just...I don’t know.  It felt like my issue to figure out,” Cam said.  “Can we please talk about something else?”

Neither boy said anything for a few minutes.  The silence was only broken by the sound of Jackson’s footsteps in the kitchen above, but it was enough to reset the conversation. 

“Do you really think our plan will work?” Cam asked pensively. 

Noah took a moment to formulate his response. 

“Cam, I know Max as well as anyone can know another person,” Noah began.  “He’s always been kind and forgiving.  I’ve never known him to hold a grudge against anyone, except for maybe his father.”

“I know, but still,” Cam grunted.

“I think the reason he reacted so strongly about the break up and then you being a douche to him was because he cares about you so much.  When you explain you were freaking out about your mom being a homophobe, blaming yourself if your parents split, afraid of having to move away, and maybe even having to pray the gay away, he’ll understand.”

“You think?” Cam asked, still unconvinced.

“Max is going to be so relieved and beside himself with joy, it’s going to be amazing,” Noah said.  “When you walk into the dance and apologize, it’ll be epic.  But we’ll talk with Craig about it more in the morning.  He’ll help us, you’ll see.”

“I need to figure out what I’m going to say to Craig.  He must hate me for threatening him,” Cam said ruefully.

“I doubt he hates you.  Max says Craig blames himself for everything.  I’m sure if it’s heartfelt he’ll accept it,” Noah reassured.  “Who knows, he might try to make amends with you, too.”

The prospect of Craig apologizing to him hadn’t occurred to Cam.  “I think I’m ready to forgive.  I have to.”

“I’m glad,” Noah said, yawning.  “But I’m about to conk out.  Get some sleep.” 

Noah rolled over.  Max and Cam both told him he wasn’t ugly, and the Omegle girls didn’t seem to think he was, either.  But maybe Cam was right and they weren’t actually girls his own age.  He wondered if he was more attractive to guys for some reason.  But, it still seemed odd Craig never would have tried anything, and there has to be a reason.  He had to know, and would ask tomorrow, even if the truth hurt. 

After a few minutes, Noah’s breathing became shallow.  Cam silently prayed for strength and out of gratitude.

With his concerns alleviated by his father and Noah, finally allowing himself to forgive Max and Craig, and a plan in place to reunite with the boy he loved so deeply, Cam slept more soundly than he had since Max was last in his arms.

*** End of Sleepover Interlude ***

Author’s Note:

Don’t you just adore Noah and Cam even more now?  ;) Feedback appreciated as always: craigpnifty@protonmail.com