Chapter 4.6
August
"Hey, mate," a voice broke through my hazy brain that was full of Etoile's intoxication. I couldn't pull away from her even if I wanted to. So I ignored it.
"Hello, there! Could I interrupt, please?" the voice got louder, but I didn't care.
Breathless, Etoile said, "August, sweetie, I think Wilder wants something."
"He'll go away." I nibbled on her ear, inching my hand up her dress.
But then the name Wilder registered to me. Wilder. As in Wilder Roberts. That had all the effect of someone dousing us with a water hose.
"Shit!"
He cleared his throat and intoned in his thick British accent, "I would appreciate it if you did that somewhere else."
Bolting to my feet, I backpedaled. "Hey, dude, like I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, you know...get carried away. We'll stop." I really didn't want to piss off the host. I thought the party had stayed outside and well, Etoile made me lose my mind for a moment, but I wasn't going to tell him that.
Turning around, his glare evaporated into a genuine smile. "No, mate. It's fine. If you like, please use one of the rooms upstairs for your...private party. I don't mind at all. It's just that out here is rather..."
I put my arm out. "No, no...I get it. Are you sure that's okay?" I couldn't imagine what the upstairs even looked like. This house was enormous. I was sure to get lost if we even attempted to find a room. But I was not about to let this opportunity pass me by.
"It's seriously fine. Just don't use my parents' room. That's the first one on the left. All others are fair game." He winked.
"Thanks," I said, totally blown away by how cool Wilder Roberts was. I hadn't even been introduced and felt funny doing that now since he basically gave me banging rights to one of his rooms. I guessed it didn't matter. I bet his maids had maids. He wouldn't have to worry about us making a mess.
Etoile didn't have to be told twice. Kissing Wilder on the cheek in thanks, she pulled me toward one of the many staircases. Then she stopped in front of a portrait of a couple--no doubt Wilder's parents.
"Aren't they amazing?" she said, in a dreamy tone. "I wonder what it's like to have all the money in the world and be the biggest power couple of our time."
I smiled, not knowing anything about what she was saying. "Power couple?"
Turning around, she looked as if she wanted to say more. Maybe to explain what that meant. I'd never heard of Wilder's parents. They must have been locally famous or something because I would have known about them if they were as famous as she was making them out to be. Then, as if she wanted to change the subject, she cocked her head in a devilish way. "Race you upstairs!"
Before I could blink, she dashed up the steps, two at a time, then darted toward the left doorway.
I scratched my head. "Um, Etoile. We aren't supposed to go in that room. Didn't you hear Wilder?"
Slinking down so I could grab a good look of her breasts, she whispered, "Don't you want to know what it feels like to be them?"
I couldn't give a shit about seeing the inside of Wilder's parents bedroom. And besides, he asked us not to. Mimicking her, I said, "I'm not going in there, honey, so...if you want me, we need to go somewhere else."
She giggled, pulling a piece of her hair out of her eyes. "Want to bet?"
Laughing, she burst through the doorway and wouldn't come out.
"Fuck," I whispered. Sometimes I wished I wouldn't listen to my dick.
The room was huge with this see-through closet encasing more clothes than a department store. But my focus was on the silver vixen in the middle of the room. She'd taken off her dress and was ready for me. My eyes drank in her curves and her beautiful skin. Instantly, I threw all my clothes on the floor and we crashed together then I angled her body towards the bed.
I didn't understand what was happening to me when I was with her. Hell, I'd been with lots of girls, but Etoile was different. Her body seemed to sizzle under my touch, and I couldn't get enough. Like she was some drug that I knew I shouldn't try but couldn't help myself.
I'd never been dizzy with passion before, but I was with her. Every part of me buzzed.
I didn't want our night to end, but I felt uncomfortable being in that room, so after we'd done it a few times, I shrugged on my clothes and urged her to do the same. She pouted for a while, but thankfully, didn't give me any trouble about it.
Outside, an angry Amber was waiting on us. I kissed Etoile good-bye, trying to savor the time we'd just spent together.
Outside, an angry Amber was waiting on us. I kissed Etoile good-bye, trying to savor the time we'd just spent together.
"Oh, God!" Amber huffed. "Didn't you two have enough of each other already? I want to get home this century."
"She really hates me, doesn't she" I said between kisses.
"I'll make it up to her, sweetie, don't worry." Etoile entangled her warm tongue with mine in one last hot kiss before she released me.
God, I wanted more time with her.
Trying to calm myself, I walked back inside to see if Chase needed a ride, then noticed everyone had vanished. I took my phone to text Chase but he'd already left me a note that he'd gotten a ride and not to worry. Then he left a cheesy porno gif for me. I grinned.
Stepping toward the kitchen, I wanted to see if Beau had left, too, and was met with his boyfriend's irate face.
"He's hammered," Ashton snapped, hands on hips, "so if you would get his drunk ass out of my house, I'd appreciate it."
"Who are you talking about, Ashton?"
"Your boyfriend. That's who."
"What?" I screeched. The idiot wasn't making sense.
"Oh don't play dumb with me. After he got trashed, he constantly called me 'August' all night. I know what you two are doing behind my back. Now get the fuck out of my house and take him with you!"
"Are you fucking insane? I'm not with Beau. He just my friend. I have no idea what you're bitching about, but it's total shit you've made up."
He glared at me and spat, "You've got five minutes or I'm calling the cops."
Turning on his heel, he stormed away.
Anger peppered me as I watched his sorry ass leave.
"Fucking loser!" I shouted at him.
He just glanced back and flipped me off. Well, so much for getting invited next year to this party. And I really liked Wilder, too. Turning around, I shook my head. There was Beau passed out on the couch along with his sister and her boyfriend.
I couldn't help gazing at Briar and feeling a brick drop in my gut.
I wanted to punch Daniel for letting her get so out of her mind wasted that she was flopped over the couch at an odd angle. I mean, what was up with that? Why were both of them passed out? Their night didn't end as well as mine, but I guessed I should be grateful. I already hated Daniel and now I had a good reason. I would have treated Briar so special, she wouldn't have wanted to drink the night away.
Drool was dribbling out of Briar's mouth. I longed to pick her up and carry her home, but thought better of it. She was not my problem. And besides, I had such a awesome time with Etoile, I needed to flush Briar out of my mind.
Crossing my arms, I yelled, "Beau. Get up, man. Now!"
"Huh? Wha?" He smacked his lips a few times then went back to sleep.
I kicked him and urged, "Come on, man, get the fuck up. We've got to go or your boyfriend is going to call the cops."
Finally, rising to his feet, he palmed the back of his neck. "Oh man, I feel like shit."
"You look like shit. Come on, I'll take you home."
Beau and Briar lived in the trendy part of downtown by the docks. It was a sweet address with probably a sweet price tag, no doubt funded by Daniel Fortner. Beau said he didn't want handouts from the Fortner family so he paid his own rent and his flat was tiny, but nicely decorated. It was at one time a huge old pub, but was converted into six small apartments, although no one used the ones upstairs.
It took forever for me to help Beau get dressed. He was so wasted, he wasn't making sense half the time. He'd cry one minute about getting dumped by Ashton then laugh that he was glad it happened. When I settled him onto his bed, I went to the bathroom, washed my hands then turned to go.
Before I could open his bedroom door, he said, "Stay with me."
Surprised, I muttered, "Huh?" He seemed coherent now.
"Can you? Stay?"
He'd just spent the night at my house a month back, so it shouldn't have sounded weird to me but at that moment, I felt a tug that maybe I shouldn't. Not tonight anyway. "Beau..." I said, trying to figure out how to turn him down nicely.
"God, August, I don't want to fuck you. I just....don't want to be alone right now."
I was taken back to the times when Beau had it rough growing up and how I used to comfort him, making him feel better. I hated how I always forgot he was still struggling inside. Losing his parents, living in an apartment, having to make his grades, pay rent, just grow up when most people his age only cared about their next party or what college they were going to get into. Beau Blackwell had no one to turn to when he was feeling down.
But that was wrong.
He had me now.
Taking off my clothes to my underwear, I gingerly crept up on the bed, looking to see if he was asleep.
"Beau?" I asked. "Are you awake?"
"Mmmhmm..." he muttered.
Rubbing his back like I used to do when we were kids, I said, "I'm sorry about Ashton."
"Yeah," he said, voice catching like he was about to cry. "He was a fucking dick anyway."
"He thinks we're together." I hated being the reason he was hurting.
"I know...I tried to tell him it's just a slip of the tongue. August and Ashton are similar names. But he wouldn't listen. I think it was just an excuse anyway."
"That sucks."
Flipping over, Beau said, "You know, sometimes I wish I was like you."
"What do you mean?"
"If I wasn't gay, I wouldn't have to settle for a brat like Ashton. I could have my pick of women like you do. Go from one to the next if I got dumped...but it's just not like that for me."
I stroked his head. "There are a lot of gay guys out there. Chase, for example."
"Chase is a douche."
I chuckled. He was a good friend, but yeah, I could see that. "Isn't there someone else in our high school you like?"
He didn't say anything for a while then he broke down and cried. Ashton really hurt him tonight. Pulling him into my arms, I cradled him until he calmed down. "Beau," I whispered, "there is someone out there for you. Someone who'll love you and treat you right. You just have to be patient."
"Yeah, but for how long?"
I shrugged. "For as long as it takes. Listen, I'm in the same boat. You might think I go from girl to girl, but it's just sex. Meaningless, really. I feel just as lost as you do, bro."
*****
Beau
Gazing up at August, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine, I struggled to keep my composure. He was making it so tough on me. He had no clue what his touch was doing to me, otherwise, he wouldn't get this close. But I enjoyed every moment. It was just like when we were younger. He'd always rub my back or my head, give me hugs, or cradle me when I cried. Tonight was no different. Why was this special person not in my reach? I knew he loved me more than anyone had ever loved me. Even more than my parents or my sister.
But...
He could never be mine.
*******
The birds chirped, waking me up. My head pounded from all the drinks I had last night and my stomach was on fire. I vowed never to binge drink like that again. Ashton was definitely not worth it.
And then I heard the soft snoring of August next to me as he slightly moved his hand against my pillow.
I smiled.
Even though August wasn't attracted to me romantically, we could still be close. I never needed to be jealous of Chase. I realized he wouldn't replace me to August. No one could. Not even Briar. And somehow that felt satisfying. Even more so than if August had been my lover.
We could be side by side like this.
No one could take it from us.