Wrestling With Love (30 page)

D.H. Starr

Wrestling With Love

had received a text message. It was from Scott. You bastard. I watched you walk out and your ass was so hot I sprang a woody on the spot. Now I’ll have to sit here for however long it takes for my dick to calm down. I’m gonna make you pay for that. Oh and another thing…I love you.

Any disappointment Derek had felt evaporated into the cool night air. He sent a quick text back. Is that a promise or a threat? A few seconds later he received a response. It was one word, Both! Derek laughed out loud, drawing looks from students who were walking nearby. God I love that man so much.

When Derek arrived at the Art Building the conference room where The Alliance was meeting was already teaming with even more people than the previous meeting. As soon as he entered, Tyrell walked up to him. “Hi. I was hoping you would come tonight.”

“Hi, Tyrell.” Derek still hadn’t made up his mind about Tyrell. Most of the time, his behavior was off-putting, but still, there had been a few times he had shown a side to himself Derek could be friends with.

“I saved you a seat over here by me.” He motioned to an area at the side of the room. Grabbing Derek by the hand, Tyrell led him to their seats. Derek was surprised Tyrell had taken his hand, but didn’t know how to remove it without seeming rude. Maybe Tyrell was trying to be nice. Derek decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. “So, how have you been?”

Tyrell sat down and turned to face Derek. “Things have been fine. I don’t like my classes, but I’ve been hanging out with the people from this group. They all live on this side of campus so we see lots of each other.”

Derek felt his mind click as he registered Tyrell’s statement. It fit right into his perception that people separated themselves into groups. This comment only reinforced the idea that The Alliance would be no different than any other group he had seen on campus. “Oh, that’s cool.” He didn’t think it was cool at all, but didn’t see a point in saying anything about it.

When Jared called the meeting to order, everyone settled down. “Welcome and thank you for coming to our third meeting. Tonight we’re going to begin planning some of our events. There are three events that need immediate planning and three of our senior officers will lead groups for that purpose. After I’ve explained the projects, you can choose which one you wish to work on and meet with that group leader. If you’re not interested in working on a committee, the meeting will be shorter than usual. As Jared spoke, Tyrell rested his arm on the back of Derek’s chair, slightly brushing his fingers against his upper back. Derek stiffened at the contact and looked around the room. Several students were glancing in their direction. When he turned to face Tyrell, he was nodding towards those same students. Deciding to focus his attention on Jared, Derek pushed his discomfort aside.

Jared began explaining the three initiatives. “The first project is the Big Brother-Big Sister initiative. As I said before, the university has a rule that you must have 142

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maintained at least a 2.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters to be involved in this so freshman can’t participate. For anyone else, we’ll need verification of your qualifications. Jeff Smith will be running that group.” Jeff stood up to face the group. He was a junior, lanky, with shaggy brown hair and pale skin. Sporadic moles dotted his otherwise unblemished profile and his lips were Mick Jagger big. Despite his awkward appearance, his smile was genuine and he seemed like a friendly person. Jared continued. The second project is a fundraiser for the local homeless shelter for abandoned gay youth. Statistically, these kids have a very high depression and suicide rate and the shelter does an amazing job of providing a safe and accepting environment for them. They need money for outreach so more kids will know they have options besides hustling, dealing, or worse. Charlie Wong will be running that group.” As Jeff had done, Charlie stood up so people could see who he was. He was also a junior and far more attractive. He must have had mixed race genealogy as his features were more like Keanu Reeves from The Matrix. In short, he was hot. Well-toned, tall, dark hair, skin with a hint of underlying color and healthy looking. The only thing that would have filled out the image would have been if he were wearing a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.

“The final group will be led by me.” Jared clasped his hands behind his back, standing before the group, his stance completely unguarded. Derek liked the fact he kept his arms behind his back instead of crossing them over his chest. The posture created an open feeling and displayed confidence. “My initiative isn’t tied to a large social issue like the other two, but it’s something I’ve wanted to see happen over the past four years. I will be heading the committee to plan a huge, campus-wide dance. My goal for the dance is to promote integration. I want this to be highly publicized and hope to draw people from all groups and segments of the campus. As I stated in the last meeting, I want to break down walls. Hopefully this dance will help to achieve that.”

Jared pointed to three posters which had been taped around the room. They had the names Jeff, Charlie, and Jared written on them. “If you’re interested in volunteering for a group, please remain and go to the poster with the name of the person leading the work. If not, thanks for coming and our next meeting will be in three weeks.”

Derek was encouraged that very few people left. He knew he was going to go to Jared’s group without giving it any thought. He liked Jared and wanted to get to know him better.

As Derek stood to walk over to Jared’s group, Tyrell looped his arm around Derek’s. “So, which group will you be joining?”

Derek looked at Tyrell’s arm and wanted to ask him what he thought he was doing. Before he could, Charlotte, Phillip, and Oscar walked over. “Hey, Tyrell,” Charlotte said. “How are you doing?” Derek could see all three of them were pointedly staring at his and Tyrell’s joined arms.

“I’m great. Have you met Derek?” Tyrell released Derek’s arm, only to place it around his shoulder. “Derek, this is Char….”

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Stepping to the side, Derek interrupted him. “Yes, I met them a while back before the last meeting. How are you doing?”

Phillip blatantly allowed his gaze to run up and down Derek’s body before answering. “We’re great. How are you and Ty doing?”

Derek was confused. “Who’s Ty?”

Tyrell flushed and immediately jumped in. “You know, that’s my nick name.”

Oscar’s expression became suspicious. Tyrell pushed on. “So, which group are you guys going to join?”

Charlotte answered for the group. “We’re not going to join any of them. We just stopped by to say hello and to meet Derek. We didn’t realize we’d already met him.”

Turning to Derek she smiled, although the smile didn’t feel friendly. “Ty never shuts up about you.”

Tyrell’s body tensed. “Okay, well, I’ll catch up with you guys later.” Charlotte turned to leave and Phillip dutifully followed her. Oscar lingered for a moment, watching Derek and Tyrell, a suspicious look still on his face. Finally he turned and followed his friends. Once they were gone, Tyrell relaxed. Derek wasn’t pleased with the whole interaction. “Tyrell, what the hell was that all about?”

Tyrell smiled. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you were very touchy feely and you acted as if we know each other really well. I barely know you at all and I don’t like to be handled without giving my express permission.” Derek could feel his ears heat up and assumed his face was probably flushed.

Tyrell laughed nervously, glancing back in the direction where Charlotte, Phillip, and Oscar had just walked, then turned to face Derek once again. “So, which group are we joining?”

Derek shook his head. “The group I’m joining is the party planning group. I have no idea which group you’re joining.”

“I’m going wherever you are.” He began to follow Derek to Jared’s group. Derek stopped in his tracks. Something wasn’t right. “What‘s going on Tyrell? You’re acting really weird.”

“What? I thought we said we would be friends the last time we hung out.”

Derek remembered their conversation. “Yes, friends,” he said, emphasizing the word, “and only friends.”

Tyrell nodded. “Yeah, yeah. Friends only, I got it.”

“Do you? Because it doesn’t seem that way. You’re acting weird and touching me and stuff.”

Tyrell shrugged, an innocent expression on his face. Derek remained wary, but decided not to make a scene in the middle of the meeting. 144

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They walked over to Jared’s group which had already begun to discuss the party. Jared was explaining his goals for the party once again. Several art majors, volunteered to promote the party by creating posters which could be duplicated and displayed around the campus. Others agreed to sell tickets and to work the party itself. “What we really need,” Jared said, “is some great music. If this party is going to be what I envision, we need music that will really move the crowd. None of these second rate DJs who’ve been used in the past are good enough. We need music that’s going to be remembered. We need people to dance their asses off so they’re thinking about how much fun they’re having. Great music and lots of dancing will get people together and, hopefully, get people bumping and grinding with others they normally never hang out with.”

Derek’s pulse sped up. This was the perfect way for him to help out. He raised his hand. Jared looked at him and chuckled. “You don’t have to raise your hand, Derek. What would you like to ask?”

It took Derek a moment to begin speaking. He was surprised Jared had remembered his name. “I mix. I love it and I’ve been mixing for parties around campus all year. I don’t like to brag, but I’m really good. I did it all through high school for our parties and would love to do it for this party free of charge.”

Jared’s eyes widened slightly. “Really? That sounds awesome. Do you have any samples of what you’ve mixed? I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I’m looking for a very specific sound for this party.”

Derek nodded. “No offense taken. I totally get that. Yes, I do have pre-recorded mixes. I could burn several different songs for you onto a sample CD. For each song, I basically have twenty others recorded which are identical in style.”

The group murmured and broke into small discussions. Jared nodded his head.

“I’m impressed. Very cool.”

Once they had planned the party and assigned people things to do to prepare, Jared dismissed the group. He asked Derek to hang back for a moment. Tyrell lingered by his side, but when both Derek and Jared looked at him with questioning expressions, he simply said goodbye and left.

They both watched in silence as Tyrell walked toward the door. Before leaving, he turned and waved. Turning to Derek, Jared said, “I’m really glad you decided to come to the meeting, Derek. I also think it’s very generous of you to offer to mix for the party and to do it for free, but we can pay you.”

“No, really, I don’t want the money. I believe in what you’re trying to accomplish. If I can be a part of making it happen the way you’re describing it, that’s payment enough for me.”

Jared assessed Derek. “You mean that, don’t you?”

Derek was surprised at the question, but simply stated, “Yes.”

“Come on, let’s head out.” Looking around the room to make sure everything was in order, Jared held the door open for Derek. “I think you’ll make a great addition to 145

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The Alliance. I know I only met you briefly at the end of the last meeting, but I can read people pretty quickly.”

As they left the Arts Center, Derek pulled his zipper up closer to his neck. The evening breeze carried a sharp chill and blew against his exposed neck. “I’m having a get together with a couple of the members of the group next week. It’s nothing much, just pizza and hanging out in my dorm room. Would you like to come by? You could bring the demo CD if you want.”

“Sure, that sounds great.” Derek liked the idea of being able to meet more of the gay students on a personal level. If they were friends of Jared’s, they were probably nice people who Derek would like as well.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes. Eventually, Jared broke the silence.

“Derek?” Jared paused, then, seeming to decide better of saying what was on his mind, remained quiet.

“What is it?”

He bit his lower lip. “Nothing, really. Just, be careful around some of the people you meet in The Alliance. As much as I promote acceptance and integration, not everyone shares my views. There’s as much gossip and backstabbing in our group as in any other group. You seem like the kind of guy who keeps pretty quiet. Am I right about that?”

Derek nodded. “I tend to observe before letting my guard down.”

“That’s good. It’ll help you. Take your time. Get to know people before you share too much with them. Despite the growing acceptance and visibility of gay people, lots of people still have a problem with us. That’s why I want to have this party.” Jared hesitated, then continued. “But, people outside The Alliance aren’t who really get me upset. They’re either ignorant or need exposure. It’s the members within our own group who do hurtful things that really upset me.”

“I’m not sure I get what you’re trying to say to me.”