Wrestling With Love (43 page)

Elizabeth nodded and turned to the other students gathered in the hallway. “Let’s give them some time to talk.” As they left, students hugged both Derek and Scott, letting them know they supported them and would do whatever they could to help. Once alone in their room, Scott pulled Derek into a hug. “Are you okay?”

Derek allowed himself to be held. “I’m fine. I just can’t believe he would go this far. I mean, I know he’s an ass, but I didn’t think he was completely stupid or crazy.” Derek tightened his grip around Scott’s waist. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It was a shock when I got back to the room, but in a way, the timing of something like this happening is perfect.” He stiffened for a moment, then let out an awkward laugh. “Well, not that there’s ever a good time for something like this to happen, but all morning I’ve been thinking about you and us. I rushed back here to see you so I could tell you everything I figured out today.”

Derek stepped back so he was facing Scott. “What sort of things?”

Scott blushed. “While sitting in class, I was thinking about you, about us, and images of the two of us together kept filling my mind. Pictures of the two of us together with our friends. Together, so people knew we were a couple. And the funny thing is, 205

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the thought filled me with pride, not fear. I realized how important you are to me all over again and wanted to let you know how I felt. Then, when I arrived here and saw what Tyrell did…” He paused as the blush on his face turned crimson. “All I could think of was how angry I was he would do yet another thing to upset you.”

Derek wrapped his arms around Scott and leaned his head against his shoulder. Scott’s strong arms closed around him and large hands rubbed his back soothingly. After a few seconds of silence, Derek spoke. “You want me to press charges, don’t you?”

Scott held Derek at arm’s length. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support, but yes, I do want you to file a complaint.”

Derek nodded. “Okay, but can we go somewhere first? There’s someone I’d like to talk to before I make up my mind. Jared lives across campus and I’d like to run this by him. Will you come with me?”

“Of course. I think it’s actually a good idea to get the president of The Alliance involved in this. He’ll probably know how to make this a bigger issue than an isolated dorm vandalism case.”

The two headed across campus in silence, Scott never letting go of Derek’s hand. When they knocked on Jared’s door fifteen minutes later, Scott was taken aback when Hank answered. “Derek, Scott, what are you guys doing here?”

Derek and Scott looked at each other. Simultaneously they said, “You know Hank?”

“He was my orientation leader,” Derek said. “How do you know him?”

“He’s on the wrestling team.” Scott turned to Hank, looking slightly uncomfortable. Hank looked back and forth between Derek and Scott, lowered his gaze to their hands which were still twined together, then motioned for them to come into the room.

“What’s the matter?”

Derek explained what had happened. As he did Hank’s expression grew more and more serious. Scott, still looking uncomfortable, walked over to Derek’s side, placing an arm on his shoulder. Derek leaned into Scott and wrapped a hand around his waist. Feeling Scott stiffen at the intimacy, he looked up. “What’s wrong?”

Scott bit his lower lip. Placing his hand over Derek’s shoulder he pulled him in tighter. “Nothing. I just…the guys on the team don’t know about me and…Hank is…never mind. It’s not important.”

Hank was watching the two of them with a curious expression on his face. “Hank is what?” Hank asked.

Scott looked up. “You’re on the team and this is a hell of a way for you to find out I’m gay.”

Hank laughed. “Okay, but what does me being on the wrestling team have to do with anything?”

Scott stared at Hank. “You’re on the wrestling team and just found out that Derek and I are boyfriends. Don’t you think that will freak the team out a little bit?”

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Hank raised an eyebrow. “No. First of all, I wouldn’t tell them. That’s up to you. But even if I did, I don’t think they would give a shit. Actually, Derek is pretty good looking so they’ll probably razz you about getting lucky.”

Derek felt his cheeks flush. He looked at Scott whose mouth had dropped open.

“What?”

Hank allowed his facial expression to relax. “Jared will be here in a few minutes. Why don’t I fill you in with a little history lesson. I met Jared last year. His boyfriend was the captain of the wrestling team. They were living together, but when his boyfriend graduated, Jared needed a new roommate, so he and I decided to room together. I can tell you firsthand that the guys on the team do not have a problem with someone who’s gay.”

Scott sat up straighter, leaning forward and peering at Hank. “Really? They elected someone captain who they knew was gay?”

Shaking his head, Hank muttered “freshman” under his breath. Derek laughed. “Hey, be nice to the young ones.”

“No offense. I was an idiot once too. You freshman have no clue that college life is different than high school. You come in with these preconceived notions of how people will think and act. It takes you a whole year to figure out that people aren’t nearly as closed minded once they have to begin to fend for themselves. Or, if they are closed minded, they’re way too preoccupied trying to keep their heads above water to put the time and energy into bothering with other people’s private lives.”

Despite the shock of seeing his door vandalized, Derek decided the day wasn’t turning out too badly.

When Jared arrived, his surprise was evident. “Hey, Derek. This is a nice surprise. Who’s your friend?”

Derek introduced Scott, then told Jared about what had happened at his dorm. When he finished, Jared stood motionless, staring at the floor. His cheeks had become beet red as his fists clenched and unclenched. When he finally spoke, his voice was strained. “He wrote the word faggot on your door?” Shaking his head, he sat down. Hank, Derek, and Scott watched in silence as Jared fumed. “Okay, there are a number of ways we can handle this. You say that your RA has already informed campus security and the deans?”

Derek nodded. “But the only witness isn’t sure of who she saw. Her description matches Tyrell, but Elizabeth says it’s not a lot to go on. Gripping his knees, Jared lifted his head from staring at the floor and looked at Derek. “You are going to file a complaint against him for the other two incidents, correct?”

Derek looked down. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I want to create more of a problem.”

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“Derek!” Jared’s voice came out sharply and Scott pulled him in closer, angling his body so that Derek was standing slightly behind him. Jared raised his hands. “I’m sorry. Derek, I want you to seriously consider filing a complaint. We can’t allow this kind of behavior to continue without addressing it. Not only have you been violated, but it sends the wrong message. People can’t just behave like this without retribution.”

Scott, who had remained silent, actually stepped between Derek and Jared. His movement wasn’t aggressive, but it was clearly intended to be protective. “I’m sorry, Jared, but are you trying to push Derek into doing something he isn’t sure he wants to do? Because it sounds to me like you want him to do something for the benefit of other people. I understand where you’re coming from, but my only concern is what’s best for Derek. I hope you can understand that.”

Jared looked at Scott. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just when things like this happen, I can’t help but think about the bigger picture.” Turning to Derek his expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry, Derek. This decision is yours and I will, of course, support whatever you decide. I hope you don’t mind that I’ll be working with security and the deans to address the issue of the vandalism of your dorm room.”

Derek felt like the center of attention and didn’t like it. His natural instinct to recoil flared up and he had to fight hard to push it back. “I understand,” he managed weakly.

“And maybe I will file a complaint. I just need some time to think about it.”

“Of course. Take as much time as you need. But when you decide, please let me know.” Jared sat back down and cradled his head in his hands. Scott took Derek by the hand. “Maybe we should go for a walk. Your head always clears when you get fresh air.”

Glad to let Scott take charge, Derek allowed himself to be led from the room and the dorm. They walked around the campus aimlessly. Scott had been right, the cool air was helping to clear his head and to alleviate the nervous energy that had been building up inside of him.

By the time they got back to their dorm, security had already taken pictures of the door and maintenance was repainting it. Derek was surprised at how efficiently this problem was being handled. “Wow, they really acted quickly.” Scott simply nodded.

“Scott, you know I’m not going to file a complaint, right?”

Scott nodded again and put his arm around Derek’s shoulder. “Yes, I figured you probably wouldn’t. It’s okay. I understand.” Despite his words, Scott’s disappointment was as obvious to Derek as if he had sent him a text message saying you’re making a terrible mistake.

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Chapter Nineteen

Since there wasn’t enough evidence to formally accuse Tyrell for the vandalism of their door, the issue had been dropped. Scott kept to his word of supporting Derek in his choice not to file a complaint for the other incidents involving Tyrell. Jared also supported Derek’s decision to keep Tyrell in the group. Derek didn’t want to incite any additional anger or to prompt him in any way. Life had finally settled down and Derek wanted to keep it that way.

The dance had been very well advertised and it was the talk of the campus since there had only been one other school-wide dance that year. After Jared announced the success of Jeff and Charlie’s initiatives and the group applauded the achievements, Jared called for the group’s attention. “I am so proud of the work we’ve done this year. We are truly achieving our goals. The things we’re doing not only benefit the community surrounding BU, but they make us visible to the student body. I believe we’re demonstrating through our actions we’re a group with values and interests which are similar in many ways to everyone else. In short, I believe we’re breaking down barriers. The dance should be another opportunity for us to bring the student body together in a unifying way.”

The group applauded again and Jared continued. “As you know, the dance is going to be this Saturday night. That’s two days from now and I’d like to invite each of you to a party at my dorm tomorrow night. It will be a celebration of our success as a group. I also think it would be nice for us to hang out socially before the dance. We’ve been so focused on our projects that we haven’t spent time just having fun as a group.”

As the meeting broke up, Derek and Scott began to mingle with the other members. Scott had quickly become a popular member of the group. His physical attentiveness reminded Derek of their time together in New York and was yet another way Scott had transitioned from reserved to open about his sexuality and their relationship. Talking to a few members of the group, he placed his arm around Derek’s waist, pulling him closer. The act was unconscious, reflexive. Derek leaned into Scott’s body, allowing himself to be held and enjoying the touch of their bodies.

“Well, well. Look at the cozy little love birds.” Derek turned and saw Tyrell standing next to them. Scott’s arm tightened around Derek’s waist protectively. “How sweet.”

“Give it a rest, Tyrell.” Scott’s statement was delivered casually, but there was a clear hint of danger behind his words. “Why don’t you go find your minions who do all of your bidding?”

Tyrell looked around the room to see if Charlotte, Phillip, and Oscar were nearby.

“Maybe I just want to stand here and bask in the glory of your perfect relationship.” He glanced around again to see if anyone was looking. Then, leaning in, he whispered, “I heard you and Derek received a love note the other day.”

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Scott’s grip became even tighter around Derek’s waist and he had to exert energy to position himself between the two. “Tyrell, I think it would be best if you walk away. To joke about something like that goes beyond what I would expect of anyone, even you. I thought you were the one who said we all have to stick together. Remember? What were your words? As gay people we have to have each other’s backs. Something like that, right?”

Tyrell didn’t budge. “Well, maybe my opinions are beginning to change.”

Derek felt Scott begin to push him aside which would have given him a clear path to Tyrell. Maintaining his position between the two, Derek smiled. “We’ll see you at the party tomorrow night. Have a good evening.” As he took Scott by the hand, he had to tug to force him to follow.

Once out of the building, Scott pulled his hand from Derek’s grip. The ground was covered in heavy, wet snow. It was perfect for forming tight, hard snowballs. Picking up a huge pile, he carefully formed it into a tight ball and hurled it into the trees. He grunted with the effort and got very good distance.

Derek laughed. “Do you feel better now?”

“No, not quite yet.” Scott picked up another clump of snow, forming it into a ball again and hurled it at the sign which indicated the direction to the cafeteria. The snowball hit the sign, creating a sharp clang as bits of ice smashed against the metal.