Chapter 9

On his way out of the kitchen,Nolan grabbed a bucket full of beer and ice and made his way through the party to the back deck with Cam and Rick in tow.He leaned against the wooden railing and opened a beer for Rick and one for Cam before opening one for himself.

“Man,I’m so glad you showed up,”Nolan said.

“I’m glad I got the balls to come,”Rick said.“I was afraid I’d be too old.”

“You’re only like thirty-five.That’s not old,”Nolan scoffed.

“I’m thirty-eight.”Rick grinned.

“Still not old,”Nolan said.“You’re just experienced.”

Cam snorted and slammed his beer back before reaching for another.Rick studied his son before saying,“I’ve obviously upset you by showing up,Cameron.Do you want me to leave?”

“It’s not the showing up that’s the problem,”Cam said with a scowl.

“I’m glad he came,”Nolan said to Cam.He turned to Rick and placed a hand on his shoulder before looking him in the eyes and saying sincerely,“I’m really glad you came.You saved me from those girls.”

Rick laughed and playfully elbowed Nolan in the ribs.“In a little bit over your head there,huh?”

“That’s a total understatement,”Nolan said.“I’m still splashing around in the kiddie pool and they are definitely deep-end girls.”

Rick chuckled.“Glad I could help.”

“I’m sure Dad knows exactly how you feel,”Cam said.

“What do you mean?”Nolan asked.

“Cameron,”Rick said.“Watch yourself,son.”

“You know what?”Cam crossed his arms across his chest.“I’m not going to watch myself.I’m sick of holding my tongue.You don’t have to explain about how relieved you are,Nolan.Dad knows all about how good it feels to be saved from a girl.”

“Damn it,Cameron,”Rick said.“That is enough.”

Nolan looked from father to son,not understanding their tension.

“No,Dad,it’s not enough.Nolan looks up to you.He thinks you’re this awesome guy but he doesn’t know why you’re being so nice to him.He thinks you showed up here because he’s good company.”

“Cameron,I won’t stand for this,”Rick said.“I’m leaving.”

“You can’t run away from this,Dad.Tell him.”

Rick gently put his hand on Cam’s arm.“Please,”he said softly.

“I’ve had enough of your begging.That doesn’t affect me anymore.Why don’t you tell him the story,Dad?You know the one.It’s about that time Uncle Bill saved youfrom a girl?”

Rick whispered,“Don’t.”

Cam studied his father’s handsome face.He watched a tear slide down one of his father’s cheeks while a matching one slid down his own.“Nolan,I’m just going to say it.The only reason my dad is being so nice to you is because he wants to fuck you.”

Taking a step backward,Nolan scanned Rick’s face for conformation.

“Goddamn it,Cameron,stop it!”Rick shouted.

Cam shook off his father’s hand and stormed past the shocked Nolan and into the house.Nolan took another step backward.

“Nolan,it’s not like that,”Rick pleaded.“Really.You have to believe me.”

“What would make him say something so hateful?”Nolan asked.

“He’s mad at me for the divorce.”

“Is he telling the truth?Are you gay?”

Ricks hung his head and his shoulders slumped.He sat in a nearby chair and drained his beer.“Yeah.”

“I’m confused.You…well,I don’t know,”Nolan said.

“I don’t act gay?How do gay people act?”

“I don’t know.Like,real gay.Like,you can totally tell.”

Rick closed his eyes and slowly shook his head from side to side.“You’ve got a lot of growing up to do.I shouldn’t have come here tonight.”

Nolan crossed his arms over his chest.He was suddenly freezing.His voice was trembling when he said,“Yeah,well maybe you shouldn’t have,Rick.”

Rick slowly rose from the chair and dusted off his backside.“I’ll get out of your hair.”

Nolan stood stock still,his mind swimming from more than just the effects of the beer.

Rick pat Nolan’s shoulder.“I’m really sorry he did this.”

Nolan just nodded his head.Rick directed a sad little half wave in Nolan’s direction before he too disappeared into the crowd.

Nolan was relieved to see Cam’s bedroom door closed when he got back to the apartment.If ever there was a time to discuss things with your best friend it was now.But since it was his best friend who was responsible for creating the drama that had his head spinning,he was left with little options but to puzzle it out on his own.He flopped onto his bed and scooped up his well-worn stuffed blue bunny.

“What a mess I’m in this time,Mr.Floppy,”Nolan said.

Rick was the most kind and welcoming person Nolan had met in a long time—possibly ever.He was so hilarious but would be quick to comfort if the joke hit too close to home.He never made Nolan feel unwelcome or out of place and he’d just met him.He didn’t even lash out at Cam when Cam was being so aggressive with him.

“On the other hand,Cam said he was only nice to me to get in my pants,”Nolan said aloud to the bunny.

Could that be true of Rick?He didn’t seem like that kind of guy to Nolan.Nolan had seen many women placated and coddled just long enough for the guy interested in her to get off.No matter what angle he approached the idea,he could just not see Rick being that way.

“Wait,maybe I’m wrong.Cam said he wanted to fuck me.Did he say he was onlybeing nice so he could fuck me?Maybe they are separate things.He’s nice.He wants to fuck me.”Nolan rubbed his hands over his face and growled out of frustration.“Why did he have to fuck up an awesome friendship with all this sex shit?”

Nolan let out an annoyed sigh and flopped onto his side,covered his head with his pillow and willed himself to go to sleep,but rest was elusive.He did sleep fitfully but not deeply and he eventually found himself staring at the clock and wondering what time Toni usually woke up.No matter how cuddly Mr.Floppy was,he was horrible at giving advice.

As torturous as the wait was,Nolan forced himself to stay in bed until eight,then he leapt out of bed,sneaked into the kitchen to grab a Pop Tart that he ate as he made his way outside to his bicycle.His school’s campus wasn’t too large,but big enough that he didn’t want to walk to Toni’s apartment.He also knew how congested the parking situation near Toni’s building was,so the bike was his best option.