Unnecessary Roughness (10 page)

Just as Kyle reached for the railing of the front entrance to tag it, Connor was there a split second behind him.

Kyle gasped for air.

Connor bent over and sucked in oxygen as well, then shouted as he choked, “You cheated!”

“Did not!” Kyle panted in obvious spasms of pain. “You never made rules!”

“That light!” Connor tried to point.

“Tough! I won!” Kyle held out his key, struggling to stick it in the lock. Someone was coming out of the building at the same time and held the door open them.

“Did not! You forfeit!” Connor started to catch his breath.

“Did too! Fair and square!”

“Not! Not fair or square!”

“Shut up! You lost!” Kyle coughed and had trouble talking. He opened their apartment door and cranked up the air conditioner, walking the length of the apartment to open the windows.

The moment he was inside, Connor collapsed on the floor and tried to get his breath back. He bent his knees and groaned. His crotch was on fire from the pain of the injury.

Kyle returned from the kitchen, downing a glass of water.

“I won. You know you cheated.” Connor pointed up at him.

“You’re a sore loser, Worthington.”

“Get me some water, dipshit.”

Predictably, Kyle poured his remainder on him.

Finding some reserved energy, Connor rolled out of the way and went after him. Kyle had nowhere to run in the small place. “Stop! I can’t breathe,” Kyle cried when Connor pinned him against a wall.

“Shower. Get out of my way.” Connor nudged him.

“My turn. You always go first.”

“Aaaugh!” Connor cried in agony.

“You’re the one that wanted to race two miles!”

“God, I have to go lay down.” Connor headed to his room and dropped onto the bed. His body was throbbing in pain and he felt light-headed.

Kyle shook his head at Connor and stripped for the shower. Just after he stepped into the cool water, he jumped out of his skin as Connor came in to use the toilet. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Taking a pee. What the fuck does it look like?”

“I’m in the fucking shower!”

“I won’t peek. Wait, don’t we shower together in the locker room?”

“What the hell does that mean?” Kyle was shaking from exertion and nerves.

“It means we’ve seen each other naked. Get over it.”

“Don’t flush! The water temperature will change.”

“Heh heh…” Connor put his hand on the lever.

 Kyle opened the sliding door a crack to peer out, spotting that maniacal grin. Kyle cracked up with laughter and couldn’t remember having this much fun with anyone ever before.

Connor watched him double over with laughter and stood back with his arms crossed as if he was enjoying it.

“Oh, Connor, I haven’t laughed this hard in my life!” He tried to stop the hilarity and stuck his face under the water spray.

“You enjoying yourself?” Connor smiled.

“Uh, yes…no…” Kyle stuck his head out at him again. “Why? What are you going to do to me?”

“Do to you?” Connor lifted his shirt over his head. “I want to shower and get the stinking sweat off my body. How long are you planning on being in there?”

“I don’t rush you out.” Kyle grabbed the shampoo. “Don’t just stand there and watch me. Are you nuts?”

“You’re the only form of entertainment at the moment.”

Kyle scrubbed his hair and thought about Connor wanting to watch him take a shower. “I’d invite you in, but you might like it,” Kyle said.

Connor broke up laughing. Kyle slid back the door again to see him.

“Yes! I just might.” He shook his head and left the room.

“Damn,” Kyle sighed with disappointment, then closed the sliding door, as confused as usual.

After he’d shaved and brushed his teeth he came out wrapped in a towel and gestured for Connor. “All yours.”

“Thanks.”

Kyle noticed Connor had been at the books again. As if he were stiff from sitting too long, Connor stood up and took his turn in the bathroom. Kyle paused as Connor stripped and stepped into the tub. He was beginning to adore him. Way too much.

Tearing his eyes away from the naked blur behind the shower doors, Kyle headed to his room to dress.

While under the hot water, Connor massaged his aching pelvis, trying to soothe the area where the cup had smashed into him. Getting an erection as he played with himself, he peered out to see if Kyle was around or could peek in. Connor spread his legs and jacked off, imagining Kyle’s naked body as he did.

Finished showering and wearing only a pair of gym shorts, Connor blow-dried his hair, then shaved.

Feeling better, he was ready for more studying. The scent of food made him sniff the air curiously. Connor followed his nose to the kitchen. He looked over Kyle’s shoulder as he cooked. “Wow.”

Kyle smiled and peeked over at him. “Hungry?”

“Starved!”

“Set the table.”

While Connor hunted around for silverware and dishes, Kyle poured orange juice for them both.

“That really looks great, Kyle. I’m impressed.”

Kyle removed a casserole of lasagna from the microwave oven and put out a bowl of garden salad.

“Shit! You really can cook.” Connor sat down eagerly as Kyle served him. Connor waited for Kyle to join him, beaming at Kyle proudly. Lifting his juice glass up for a toast, he said, “To our first homemade meal.”

“Completely vegetarian.” Kyle tapped his glass, watching while Connor groaned at the flavor.

“Awesome.”

When Connor had cleaned his plate quickly, Kyle appeared stunned. “I guess you really did like it.”

“I did. You’re fantastic.”

Kyle’s eyes grew wide. “Thank you, Connor.”

“No! Thank you. I mean it.” Connor took another helping of salad.

When they were finished, Connor offered to clean up. He washed the dishes and put away everything that was on the table. As he dried his hands, he noticed Kyle was at his books again. Connor sat down beside him on the sofa and flipped open a textbook, highlighting and making notes.

Hours later their silence became mixed with yawns.

Connor checked his watch. “Christ. It’s almost eleven. You close to finishing?”

Stretching his back, Kyle stifled a yawn. “Do we ever get done with this crap?”

“Call it a night. Come here.”

Kyle closed his book and followed Connor curiously.

“Go lay down on your bed. Take off your shirt.”

“The rub? We weren’t serious. Wasn’t it just a joke?”

“No. I’ll give you a backrub. It’s the least I could do. You made dinner. And sort of won—
cheated
,” he coughed the word, “the race.”

Kyle took his shirt off over his head. “I didn’t cheat.”

“Sure ya didn’t. We’ll run that again tomorrow and see who wins.”

Tossing his shirt down, Kyle lay against the brand new sheets and pillows as Connor left the room and came back again quickly.

“Hurry I’m about to snooze on my pillows,” Kyle moaned. “And shut the air conditioning and windows. Brr! Now it’s cold in here.”

“Got it.” Connor raced around the apartment. “I’m back.”

“Why are you rubbing your hands together? Are you cold too?”

“No. I have a dab of olive oil. It’ll be good for your skin.”

“Olive oil? Don’t get me all greasy.”

“No, just a touch.” Connor rubbed it into his hands and sat next to Kyle on the bed.

“Oh, my God.” Kyle groaned in pleasure as Connor began the massage.

Connor had never done this to anyone before and wanted to make it wonderful. To show his appreciation, he worked Kyle’s neck and shoulders in all the places he thought it would feel good on himself. Hearing Kyle’s soft moans and deep breaths assured him it must be satisfying. He took his time, enjoying touching Kyle, hopefully as much as Kyle was enjoying the release. As he squeezed Kyle’s muscular shoulders, Connor smiled to himself contentedly. He’d never had a friend like this, one he could feel totally relaxed with and be confident enough to touch him without being accused of anything lewd. It was absolutely amazing. 

Kyle was in heaven. He floated above the clouds and imagined after the rub they would get naked and kiss for an hour, then make soft, slow passionate love. Connor would then sleep in his arms and they’d wake up together. Those hands...ohhh, those hands were touching him. Caressing him lovingly. He was falling. Falling hard.

Connor brushed his fingertips over Kyle lightly. He thought Kyle may have drifted off to sleep. Assuming he had, Connor dug his hands through Kyle’s thick brown waves, loving the rich chocolate color and feathery soft texture. With sensual longing and care, he massaged Kyle’s head and scalp and then combed his fingers through the ringlets that formed in back.

Hearing Kyle’s deep breathing, Connor leaned over to whisper, “Goodnight, Kyle.” Quietly, he slipped to the bathroom to wash the trace of oil off his hands, then brush his teeth. He turned off the lights, made sure the door was locked, then stripped for bed.

Connor reclined in his crisp, newly outfitted bed and inhaled in contentment. He liked this arrangement. Very much. He had his new best friend with him now. They would be inseparable. It was wonderful. He reached down between his legs and smoothed his hand up and down his cock until it hardened. He couldn’t get enough of jacking off thinking about him.

Imagining Kyle making love to him, he folded back the sheets and worked himself until he came. He grabbed a tissue and cleaned up, then curled into the sheets. It was fantastic, absolutely fantastic.

Chapter Five

Connor went to the bank first thing Monday morning to check his balance. He had begged for a laptop but his father refused, telling him there were computers in the library. When he found five hundred dollars in his account he sighed with relief and headed to class. In biology class he met Jean eagerly awaiting him. She filled him in on the dorm room gossip and the fact that Gus couldn’t get another roommate after Connor had left.

“You put up with him for a whole year,” she said.

“He was a really nice guy. Just messy.” Connor glanced up at the clock and found a seat.

Jean sat in the chair next to him. “Do you want me to let you know when the floor has another party?”

He shrugged. “If you’d like. I really need to focus on my studies. I have a full credit load as it is, plus lacrosse.”

“Your hair’s really getting long. I like it that way. Will you let it keep growing?”

Connor reached for the ends, tugging on them to check its length. It was well past his shoulders now and he had no intention of cutting it. It was another way of rebelling against his father. He kept imagining him shouting, “You look like a fucking girl! Get a haircut!”

Well, he didn’t have to cut it now, did he? “I don’t know.” He smiled at her sweetly. “You think I should? Do I look like a rock star?”

As if she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for it, she brushed it back from his face. “I love it long.”

“Me too.” He grinned impishly. “Totally Mickey Finn.”

“Who the heck is that?”

“The T. Rex guy.”

“Never heard of him.”

Connor gave her a campy, glamorous pose, pursing his lips and making kissing noises. “Learn your rock history, lady.”

“I bet you’re way better looking than him.” She whacked his shoulder playfully.

He blinked. “No way!”

“Yes, way!” She grabbed a handful of his hair.

“Well, check him out first on the computer before you judge.” He thought that guy was fucking gorgeous.

The instructor tried to get the class started, calling for them to open their books. Jean released her hold on Connor’s long locks and asked, “You never return my text messages. When are you going to?”

Instead of answering, he just laughed softly, focusing on the professor as the lecture began.

Kyle sat in class trying to pay attention. He kept scribbling
C.A.W
. over and over again in the margins of his notebook. The back massage. The incident when Connor was watching him in the shower. Should he try something? No. Yes. No. Would he blow it? No. He had to wait for Connor to do it. Was Connor sending him some kind of signal when he gave him a massage? That was a signal, wasn’t it?

“Mr. Baker?”

In anguish Kyle raised his head quickly at the professor’s voice. He swallowed nervously and took a peek around. The class was waiting for his answer. “Could you repeat the question, please?” Kyle asked meekly.

Connor packed his books and left the hall for his lunch break. The sun was filtered through a layer of clouds. He closed his jacket and headed to the Bruin café to buy a sandwich.

“Connor!”

He turned over his left shoulder to find Hannah catching up to him.

“Hey, handsome.”

“Hey.” He smiled and received her peck on the cheek.

“You headed to lunch?”

“Yes, you headed to work?”

“Yup. Walk me there?”

“Sure.” He figured a veggie burger was just as good as a sandwich.

She held his hand and they strolled briskly across the campus. “I’m glad I caught up to you. Do you ever turn your cell phone on or check your messages?”

“No. I’m too busy with classes and lacrosse. Sorry.” He smiled to soften the blow.

“What are you doing tonight?”

“I was planning on staying in and studying or hitting the library computer. Why?”

“No reason. I just wanted to see you. Should we plan something for the weekend?”

When they came to a cross street, he hit the walk button a few times as they waited for the signal to change. “Uh, can I get back to you?”

“I suppose. You got plans?”

“I was thinking of stopping home. Just for a few hours to see my mom. I have a game on Saturday, but it’s scheduled for ten.”

She laughed at him.

When the light changed he walked across the street. “What?”

“A mama’s boy? I never would have guessed that.”

At the nasty comment Connor took deep insult. He shook off her hand and replied, “Yeah, okay. What-fucking-ever.”

“I’m teasing. Where’s home? I assume it’s local.”