“I’m not sure what’s happening,” Chad whispered. “All I know is I like being with you, and when I’m not with you, I think about you. All the time.” Powerless to stop himself, the confession poured out of him. “I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never wanted anything more than just being in the present. The future isn’t anything I ever really thought about. Not when it comes to dating, anyway.”
Jeff put his index finger on Chad’s lips and smiled. “No talk of future tonight, remember? Just enjoy yourself.” He traced Chad’s lips with his fingertip.
Chad swallowed hard and fought the urge to suck that finger.
The waitress arrived with their drinks. “Ready to order?”
Jeff laughed. “Sorry. We haven’t even looked at the menus.” He grabbed them and handed one to Chad.
“That’s fine. I’m waiting on a basket of fresh bread for you guys. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”
Chad tried looking at menu, but could only think about touching Jeff. He slid a couple inches closer to the man until their thighs pressed together.
Jeff cleared his throat. “The shrimp scampi sounds good.”
Chad smiled and pressed his leg harder against Jeff.
“Or the…the…seared scallops look…mmm,” Jeff trailed off when Chad shifted his hip to brush against his.
“What was that?” Chad asked teasingly.
“You’re not playing fair.” Jeff dropped his hand under the table and squeezed Chad’s thigh.
“Mmm, but I like how you’re playing.”
The waitress reappeared and set a basket of warm bread on the table. “Are you guys ready to order now?”
Jeff smiled. “I am. What about you, Chad?”
Fuck. He hadn’t even read anything in front of him. “Yes,” he lied. “You go ahead.”
Jeff’s eyes widened in surprise before he turned back to the waitress. “I’ll take the seared scallops. I’m sorry, what did it come with?”
“Asparagus or green beans.”
“I’ll take the asparagus.”
“And you, sir?”
Chad ordered the shrimp scampi and they handed their menus to her.
“How are rehearsals going?” Chad asked, taking a drink of his cold beer.
“Oh, God.” Jeff set his elbows on the table and let his head fall into his hands. “I think there’s a mass conspiracy among teenagers to kill me.”
Chad laughed. “Why?”
He glanced at Chad. “You really want to know?”
“Lay it on me.”
“Okay, but remember I warned you. First of all, my leading lady has a crush on my leading man—who has acrush on some guy named Devon on the football team.”
Chad smiled. “Okay. That’s not going to work.”
“No. And she apparently doesn’t know he’s gay. So she’s doing everything in her power to get him to notice and he’s forgetting his lines because he’s trying to learn about football!” Jeff shook his head. “On top of that, the old dentist’s chair we were going to use in the play broke. It’s beyond repair. No matter how much duct tape we use, that thing is not going to hold.”
“Where can you find another?”
Jeff sighed. “I’m not sure. I’m putting out feelers to a few other schools and the local college to see if they have anything in their prop departments. I doubt they will, though. Most places rent props from companies, but our school doesn’t have the funds this year.”
“Have you tried dentist’s offices?”
Jeff shot him a look like he was the biggest idiot on the planet.
“Okay. Got it. Clearly, you’ve already done your research.”
“Yeah. And then the leading lady’s understudy’s mom is pissed at me and is campaigning against me now. She believes her little girl ‘deserves the lead.’” Jeff used air quotes. “She’s met with the principal and superintendent so far. I feel sorry for Julie, her daughter, because she doesn’t even want the lead. She wants to be in the ROTC, but her mom is forcing her into acting.”
“Ouch. Fun mom. Do you think the school will listen to her?”
Jeff shook his head as he reached for a piece of bread. “Nah. This happens all the time. These moms—and sometimes a dad or two—think their child should be the star. It’ll pass.”
“Shit, that sucks, though.”
Jeff chortled. “Yeah, and there’s more. I had to kick two boys out because I had warned them about bullying—I don’t tolerate it. I heard they were picking on a kid with autism that’s on our scenery committee. He’s an amazing artist. He doesn’t talk, but not because he can’t. I was told he has ‘selective mutism’ and apparently talks only at home. Anyway, this kid, Andy—and he’s only fifteen—his artwork is so far beyond anything I’ve ever seen at his age. He blows me away. He’s drawing huge murals for us and free-hands it all! Huge twelve-foot characters and he draws it on the fly. Amazing.”
“But the bullying?”
“Yeah, I heard they had been mean, but we talked and I thought I got through to them. Nope. Walked backstage and caught them calling him horrible names. He was in tears. I let them go immediately and sent them to the principal. They’re both suspended. And of course, they hate me now, too.”
Chad rubbed Jeff’s back. “You did the right thing. I’ve never understood where the hatred comes from. I saw a lot of it in school on my football team. Don’t get me wrong, most of the guys were great. But there were some really hardcore bullies on the team, and back then, there was never as much…oversight. I guess that would be the right word.”
“We’re much better about keeping on top of bullying now than when we were growing up.” Jeff rolled his shoulders. “That feels good. I like when you touch me.”
Chad whispered into his ear, “I like touching you, Jeff. A lot.”
Jeff shivered and leaned into him. “Thanks for listening to me complain.”
“You can complain to me anytime you want, honey,” Chad responded, the endearment slipping out easily,but unexpectedly.