THE FIRST game of the season was upon them. Liam went through his stretching routine, making sure to concentrate on his quads and hamstrings. The morning was cooler than usual for a September Saturday, and he definitely didn’t want to cramp up. The clouds and slight drizzle didn’t help either.
They were playing their county rival and hoping for a repeat of a win from last year. Liam’s school had only lost seven players to graduation the past year, so they had a pretty good chance, especially with Cody and his quick legs and sticky hands. Liam leaned against the bench to stretch out his calves as he noticed Cody practicing on the field. Pass after pass, some great spirals, some pretty wobbly, and he caught them all. Liam had a great feeling about this game, heck, about the entire season. Wouldn’t it be cool to actually make the playoffs for their division this year?
The referee blew his whistle and the teams took their sides. The captains met in midfield for the coin toss, and Liam’s team won, opting to kick off first. The game was on. He put on his helmet and placed the ball on the kicking tee. He took two and a half steps back to the right, his eyes focusing on the ball. He looked up at the stands to the waving flags, taking into consideration the direction the wind was blowing. Taking a deep breath, he ran toward the ball, kicking it precisely along the laces. The ball sailed over midfield and well into the other team’s territory, a perfect forty-nine yards, two over his average. Yes, this was going to be a good game indeed.
Halftime saw the score seventeen to seven in favor of Liam’s team, the mighty Cardinals. Everyone was elated in the locker room, even though they were dripping sweat and covered in mud. The sun had come out with a vengeance, creating high humidity, but no one seemed to care. High fives went all around. It gave him an excuse to touch Cody, if only for a back slap and fist bump. Cody was responsible for one of their touchdowns and had moved them into position for their second. Coach blew his whistle, and Liam plopped down next to Cody. Damn, even when all muddy and sweaty, with his lavender hair looking like an old-lady gray, he still looked sexy.
“Simmer down there, girls. We haven’t won yet. Still got two more quarters to get through. Don’t get cocky on me.” Coach Walker tapped his clipboard. “We got lucky on seven of those points, otherwise it’d be a three-point game instead of ten. So keep your mind in the game.”
Liam’s thigh kept touching Cody’s, and the sensation, even through their respective skintight pants, became more than a distraction for him. Coach kept talking, but all Liam could think about was the heat being exchanged between the two of them. He risked a glance at Cody, who matched his gaze and gave him a wink. Liam quickly looked away, grateful everyone else seemed to be mesmerized by Coach’s words. He hoped the heat he felt creeping up his cheeks would be taken as a reaction to the high temperatures. He turned his attention back to what the coach was saying.
“Now, go out there and play ball!”
The entire team stood up, waving their helmets and chanting. Liam followed suit, confident no one observed his and Cody’s interactions. They headed back out onto the field.
The second half didn’t go quite as well as the first, but Liam’s team ended up pulling out a squeaker, winning thirty to twenty-seven with a final-few-seconds field goal. The locker room was more rambunctious than ever with trash talk and water bottles thrown across the room. Liam knew his mother would be appalled at the language, but he reveled in the victory along with his teammates. He felt a hand give him a playful slap on the back.
“Awesome game, huh, Liam?”
Liam turned to see Cody grinning from ear to ear.
“Great way to start the season, for sure.”
“Some of the guys are heading over to the diner. You coming?”
Liam chewed his lower lip. “I’ll have to ask my parents.”
“Cool. Hope to see you there.” Cody gave Liam a little tap on the back of the head.
Liam absentmindedly rubbed the spot Cody had hit as he contemplated how to approach his parents.
“IT’S AWFULLY late. And tomorrow’s church, you know.” Liam’s mom plucked some lint off his t-shirt.
“Sarah, we agreed to loosen the apron strings a little, remember?” Liam’s dad put his arm around her waist.
“I know, I know, it’s just so hard. He’s growing up so fast. Soon he’ll want to go out on dates. You know, do ‘couple’ things.”
Liam tried not to flinch at the dating comment. His heart fell as he realized he could never live up to what his mom and dad wanted. He stood up a little straighter. “Can I please go?”
“I suppose so. Just so hard to let my baby go, you know?” His mom gave him a hug. She drew back and smoothed his hair back. “It was just yesterday you were holding my hand to cross the street.”
“Mom!”
“Well, it’s true!” She opened her purse and handed him a ten-dollar bill. “Will this cover what you want?”
Liam nodded and pocketed the bill. “I’m just going to get my usual, burger and shake. That leaves plenty for a tip.”
“That’s my boy, always thinking of others. Proud of you, son.” Liam’s dad gave him a playful punch in the arm.
“You’ll call when you want to be picked up?”
“Unless someone gives me a ride, if that’s okay? The diner’s only eight blocks from home.” Liam’s heart sped up a little, hoping he might be able to get a ride from Cody.
“I suppose so. But buckle up and make sure they stay under the speed limit. No texting and driving. And be home by ten.”
“Aw, ten? Eleven, please? I promise I’ll be up for church with bells on.”
His mom shook her head. “Ten.”
“Why don’t we compromise, ten thirty. I think that sounds fair, right, hon?” His dad gave him a wink.
His mom shrugged. “Okay, ten thirty. But not a moment later.”
Liam hugged her. “Of course. Ten thirty on the dot. Thank you.”
“And you’ll call us if any drugs or alcohol show up, right?”
“Mom! We’re going to a diner, not a rave.”
Liam’s dad put his hands on Sarah’s shoulders. “We agreed to give him some more freedom. I trust his judgment.”
“As do I. I’m just being a mother.” She leaned in and gave Liam a peck on the cheek. “Have a good time.”
“I will!” Liam waved to his parents as he headed toward where the team had gathered.
THE DINER was packed by the time the team arrived. The high fives that started in the locker room continued as the team shuffled in. Liam was secretly pleased he was able to sit at the same table with Cody. Not like they’d do anything here, but it was nice to be in the same vicinity as him.
“Whatcha boys want?” The waitress tapped her order pad with her pen.
“Busy enough for ya, uh, Sally?” Cody eyed her nametag as he put down his menu.
“Crazy like this after every game. You’re the new guy in town. Cool hair.”
“Thanks.”
“So whatcha want?”
“A vanilla shake and an order of chili cheese fries, please.”
Sally wrote it down. “Next?”
Liam closed his menu. “Chocolate shake and double cheeseburger, ketchup and pickle.”
“Don’t you get that every time you’re here?”
Liam shrugged.
“How about you two?” Sally pointed to the other two guys in the booth and, after taking their orders, said, “Back in a few with the drinks.”
Matt, who sat across from Cody, tapped Cody’s hand and leaned forward. “You hot for Sally or what? She is smokin’!”
Cody rolled his eyes. “Why would you say that?”
“You called her by name and made small talk.”
“I was being polite. Puh-leeze, she’s like what, twenty?”
“Nineteen. She graduated with my brother. You’re seventeen, not out of the realm of possibility.”
Jacob, who sat next to Cody, slugged Cody’s shoulder. “Come on, ask her out. You know you want to.”
“What is it with you guys? Everyone is into everyone else’s love life around here?”
“Pretty much,” Matt and Jacob answered in unison.
“Liam, what do you think?”
Liam looked at Cody, hoping his discomfort wasn’t that noticeable. “Think?”
“Should I ask Sally out?” He gave Liam a very slight wink.
“If you like her, why not?”
“Maybe I will.”
All four boys piped down as Sally came back with their drinks. “Here you go, boys. Enjoy. And congrats on the game.”
Their talk turned to their next game and all gossip about Sally was forgotten. Except by Liam. He really wondered if Cody would ask her out. Cody had said he planned only to date girls while he was here.
AFTER THREE hours of sitting, talking, eating, and telling rude jokes, it got to be just after ten. Liam looked around and noticed a couple of guys had left already, so he wouldn’t be the first one to leave.
“I’d better go call for a ride. Time to head home.”
Cody slurped down the last of his third vanilla shake. “Wait, I can drive you. No sense dragging your parents out of bed.”
“You sure? You don’t want to stick around and talk to Sally?” Liam hoped his voice dripped sarcasm and not jealousy.
Cody tilted his head in Sally’s direction. “Looks like Evan’s making a move on her. Maybe another time.”
“Okay. Let’s go.” Liam shrugged his hoodie on and headed out the door.
The air was still and smelled like rain. A flash of lightning streaked in the distance.
“Gonna rain tonight.” Liam pulled his hood up over his head.
“Yeah. Might be a great storm.”
“Great storm?”
“I love thunderstorms. Love watching them. Mom says it’s the best time to create potions. Infuses energy into them.”
Liam shook his head. “Don’t know if I could get used to stuff like that.”
“Your grandma or mom ever make homemade chicken soup for you when you’re sick?”
“Plenty of times.”
“How is that different than a collection of herbs to take when you’re not feeling well?”
“Is that what’s in the potion?”
“Pretty much. Herbs, oils, heck maybe even a spice or two.”
“I had no idea.” Liam reached out for the door handle, waiting for Cody to unlock it.
“You’ve got to come over sometime. You’d love my mom.” Cody pulled out his keys and clicked the unlock button. “It’s open, climb on in!”
Liam slid into the passenger’s seat. “I think I need some more education on Wicca. Everything I’d ever been taught was that witchcraft was the handiwork of the devil. Although I never really believed it.”
“Some people want to believe anything different than them are works of an evil being.” Cody shrugged. “I’m glad you don’t believe like that.” Cody looked left and right before heading out of the parking lot.
Liam toyed with the end of his hoodie strings. “You really want to go out with Sally?”
“Not really.”
Liam glanced over to Cody. “Then why—”
“While I look pretty confident on the outside, sometimes I just let myself roll with the crowd so I can fit in. I would really like to date you, but I’m going to have to settle for being friends.”
“Date-date me? What do you mean by that?”
“Date. Like go out to movies, hold hands in the park, make out on the couch, you know, date.”
“Oh.”
“You sound disappointed.”
Liam took in a deep breath. “I’d like that too. But ain’t gonna happen here, is it?”
Cody clenched the steering wheel. “Not really. I mean, look—” Cody pulled the car to the side of the road. He put it in park and turned to face Liam. “I do want you to come over to my place. My parents know who and what I am and they love me regardless. I’ve had guys over before, well, I mean back home, and they’re cool about it. We could be ourselves in my house. Maybe not at the movies or at the park, but it’d be something. Do you want that?”
Liam’s eyes grew wide. “You mean you kiss other guys in front of your parents?”
Cody smiled. “Yes. Both boys and girls. I’m telling you, they don’t care. They are happy for me.”
“I kinda can’t wait to meet them now.”
“Maybe next weekend? Since I stayed over before, it’s my turn to reciprocate. Ask if you can stay over after next week’s game.”
“What would be my excuse?”
“Excuse?”
“You know, like why would I stay over?”
Cody leaned back. “You need an excuse?”
“Typically, yes.”
“Wow, this is the ’50s, isn’t it?”
“Staying for dinner is one thing, staying overnight, well, for boys after they hit the teenage years, unless it’s a party, not so much.”
“Okay, how about I want to have a movie marathon. All PG or PG-13, I promise. Well, at least I’ll promise to your parents.”
Liam sighed. “I can ask.”
“Good.” Cody looked up and down the deserted street. He leaned closer to Liam, bringing their lips together.
Liam leaned into Cody, wanting more body contact. His arms went around Cody of their own volition. Cody pressed a little harder, the tip of his tongue meeting Liam’s lips. Liam opened his mouth slightly, and Cody’s tongue slipped through. Liam could taste a hint of vanilla from all the shakes Cody had consumed earlier. All too soon, the kiss was over. Cody pulled back.
“You okay?”
Liam brought his finger to his lips. He felt his jeans become a little tight.
“Liam?”
Liam looked up into Cody’s eyes.
“Yo, Liam, come on.”
“What?” Liam couldn’t quite find his voice.
“You kinda spaced out on me for a sec.”
“That was amazing.”
Cody dropped his gaze. “Really?”
“I want to do it again.”
Cody leaned in, his hands cupping Liam’s face. Their lips met, and with no hesitation their tongues met and slid over each other. Cody put his hand on the back of Liam’s head, keeping them locked together for long seconds. The need to breathe broke the kiss.
Liam reached out and tucked a stray hair behind Cody’s ear. “You can do that in front of your parents?”
Cody smirked. “Well, not that intense, but close.” He turned back to his seat.
“I wish we could….” Liam didn’t finish the sentence.
“I know.”
“Does kissing like that make you, you know, feel stuff?”
“If you mean does it turn me on, yeah. You?”
“I’ve never felt stuff like this, but yeah, turned on.”
Cody turned his blinker on and pulled back into traffic. “I suggest we just take things slow. I know I’ve got more experience than you, and believe me, it’s better to go slower than fast.”
“It’s going to be a glacial pace seeing as we’re stuck here.”
“We’ll find a way.”
“You really want to date me?”
“In as much as we can ‘date’ yeah.”
“And if the only place we can kinda be ourselves is your parents’ place?”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Liam rubbed his face. “I hope I can keep up the charade at home.”
“You think your parents would do something drastic if they found out?”
“I don’t know. They both toe the church’s line on everything.”
“Are you going to stay in the closet forever?”
Liam looked out the window, noticing a few drops of rain had started to fall. “I don’t want to. But I don’t have a choice right now. I need to keep a roof over my head.”
“They’d actually kick you out?”
“I just don’t know. Maybe.”
Cody pulled up to Liam’s house. He turned once more to face Liam. “I don’t know your parents very well, but I can only hope they’d find their love for you stronger than their love of a church.”
Liam clenched his jaw. “I just don’t know.”
“Well, it’s not something you have to deal with right this minute. When the time comes, you’ll know it.” Cody leaned back. “Looks like your parents are still up.” He pointed to the only light on in an upstairs bedroom. He quickly pecked Liam on the lips. “Have a good night.”
Liam smiled. “You too. See you Monday.” Liam hopped out of the car and headed in just as the heavens opened up.
“DON’T FORGET to lock the door,” Liam heard his mom call from upstairs.
“Locked and bolted.”
“Thank you. You have a good time?”
Liam pressed his fingers to his lips. “The best. Thanks for letting me stay out.” He put his coat on the rack and headed up the stairs.
His mom met him at the top of the stairs. “You’re home five minutes early. I think that warrants a later curfew next time.” She kissed the top of his head. “You are turning into such a responsible, well-adjusted young man. I’m proud of you.”
Liam felt his cheeks get hot. He wanted to blurt out everything to her, let her know he’d found someone special to be with. But he kept his thoughts to himself. “Thanks, Mom. Going to hit the shower and go to bed. Gotta get a good night’s sleep.”
“See you in the morning.” She tousled his hair before heading back into her bedroom.
Liam opened the door to his bedroom, feeling a bit uneasy. He had left this room earlier in the day a boy who’d only had a couple of quick kisses in his life. He returned feeling so much more mature after having his first, albeit short, make-out session. He stripped down and stepped into a steaming shower. He allowed his mind to go back to the kisses in the car and felt his body respond. While he was no stranger to making himself feel good, this time he had real-world experience to go along with his fantasies. He climaxed harder than he ever had before. That night he slept hard and deep, so soundly the thunderstorm didn’t even register.