Austin woke up a bit late as the late morning sun rays seeped though the small slits in the blinds. His eyes still felt heavy since he had spent the majority of last night with thoughts of Noah running wildly through his head.
His newfound attraction to the boy still made no sense to him and staying up all night stressing about it had not helped in the least because he could still feel Noah's cool lips on his warm skin.
On the plus side, at least this time he knew exactly where he was waking up at. Every fiber of his being was urging him to slowly close his eyes and catch some more sleep -it was a Sunday after all, but he felt uncomfortable about it . It would be kind of awkward showing up for breakfast during lunch time when he was a guest at the house.
He forced himself off the incredibly comfortable bed and dragged himself into the guest bathroom. It was as impressive as the room itself, full off fancy, imported everything -like something straight out of a Lifestyle Magazine. He relieved himself and stripped off his clothes before slipping into the shower.
The water was so warm and the pressure was amazing as it beat down on his skin positively freshening and relaxing him. He loved his shower at home but this shower was something else. Even breathing in the steam felt amazing. He couldn't believe he was standing naked in a bathroom that was under the same roof as Noah -it was both unsettling and slightly intriguing.
He liked the feeling of getting intrigued by that thought, he really did.
Every now and then he kept wondering ,what if Noah came looking for him and accidentally walked in on him fully naked and wet all over?
As he closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm droplets pelting on his skin,his mind suddenly flashed back to every single time his lips had come into contact with Noah's, or that one time he had confessed his true feelings to Noah in a drunken rant. And the most recent, the hallway make out session that had refused to leave his mind for even a second.
Uh-ow! His member was now rising at an alarming rate as he thought about all of it. This can't be happening, he thought. Apparently, that was not enough to cool down his racing nerves and heightening pulse. His shaft started throbbing when his mind went to a sleeveless Noah, imagining just how godly he would look without any fabric on his skin.
There was no going back now, he was a complete goner -he was basically free falling into a pit filled with wild thoughts of Noah. Only one way to get the excess heat to leave his body and he didn't have time to think twice about it as he grabbed himself and decided to take care of business.
He held onto the shower head and started slowly, savoring the relieving feeling that came along with it.
When he looked down, though, his first ever fantasy about Noah smacked him in the face, remembering how Noah had almost taken him in his mouth. He was filled with adrenaline and started pumping harder and harder until his legs almost gave in due to shaking and loss of strength.
He was finally done as he released his load onto the floor, some of it going to the glass barrier. He was exhausted, so he leaned against the wall and took deep breaths. He didn't have enough to strength left to think about what he had just done.
That didn't take long though and in no time, regret came flooding in. It was more a combination of relief, regret, shame, and a lot of other messed up feelings. He wanted to punch something hard only because going back to a time when he hadn't masturbated over Noah was not possible.
It was now a new level of confusion ,with him re-evaluating everything he had ever known about himself. He wasn't sure where to start with his usual denial, it was useless though. He stood there with the water running down his skin while he closed his eyes and kicked himself mentally, multiple times, for being such a vulnerable idiot.
After hurriedly cleaning the bathroom area and himself up, he wrapped a soft, clean towel round his body and walked back into the room and slumped himself onto the bed, laying on his back.
He took a moment to stare at the ceiling and collect his thoughts and nerves -to try and think about what exactly was happening to him. At one point he started to consider the possibility that he was losing his mind but even he knew that was a bunch of bullcrap.
He hadn't noticed the pair of sweatpants and T-shirt that were laying neatly on the bed beside him until he got up to retrieve his used ones. He figured that Rosa, the maid, had laid them out for him so he picked them up and threw them on quickly. They fit him perfectly well and he really hoped they belonged to Michael -or anyone else whose name didn't start with the letter N.
As he neared the kitchen, taking careful steps in case his bad luck caught up with him and a loose floorboard appeared out of nowhere, he heard a lot of screaming coming from the inside. It sounded like a pretty heated argument so he stood still and eavesdropped.
"You're just a fucking coward!" That sounded like Noah, but who was he yelling at?
"And what are you, huh? Some kind of saint ?!" It was Michael.
"You can call me what you want but we both know you screwed up bad this time around!"
"Why, because I decided to get some from a girl who would actually put out?"
"You and I both know what that crazy bitch you dragged into your home is all about. Are you so dumb that you don't see she's just not into you like that and there's only one thing she cares about ?"
"Don't you dare call her a crazy bitch, I love her!"
"You love her now?!" Noah sneered.
"Yea, so what are you gonna do about it?"
"Why do you have to be such a fucking brat all the time! You had a great girlfriend. She's become a friend of mine and I know for a fact that you made a huge mistake, Mikey!"
"Look at you, you move into town and suddenly you're an expert on people!"
"You're gonna regret this!"
"I'm gonna regret this? You knew about the affair long before Nicole found out, I don't recall you warning your best friend about it!" Michael responded smugly.
What! Austin almost said out loud at that piece of information but he managed to stay silent, barely. His pulse started racing with anger -which was directed mainly towards Noah. He felt the urge to walk in and deliver a swift kick where the sun don't shine.
"I was giving you time to come clean ...and I kept telling you that all the time but did you listen? Of course not! You kept being the same old jack ass you've always been, same old rich brat who doesn't care about anything or anybody else!"
"Look who's talking! Have you forgotten where my dad found you four months ago?"
"What does that have to do with any of this ?!" Noah asked.
"Everything!" Michael yelled some more, "So quit acting like you're better than me because you're not even close! You keep forgetting that you don't actually belong here. This is my home!"
"I'm not trying to act like I'm better than you and it is my home too, so it's high time you started dealing with it!"
"You're just some screwed up junkie who can't even set his head straight. You have no right to judge me! Have you thought of what would happen if I somehow let it slip that you let go and got very wasted Friday night? Don't think I didn't see all the chewed gum in the litter bin ,what's the matter, craving more?"
"You son-of-a- "
"Uh uh uh...you do know what will happen, right?"
"Wow, so now you got something to hold over my head. Real classy, Michael!"
"Don't trifle with me, Noah. I know exactly how to push your little buttons."
There was a brief silence before Noah said, "This isn't over." And then footsteps started approaching towards Austin's direction.
He didn't know what to do so that they wouldn't find out he had been eavesdropping but there was nowhere he could go, not even a hiding place.
As Noah walked out, he ran right into Austin and they both almost tumbled over into the floor. Noah held on tight onto Austin's shoulders to prevent him from falling and as Austin stood upright, he looked right into Noah's eyes, his own filled with anger and confusion. He was mad that Noah had not told him or Nicky about how Michael was cheating on her with Lira.
"Austin!" Noah said as soon as he realized that Austin had been listening in on his conversation with Michael, "How long have you been here?"
"I don't believe it." Austin said silently but Noah heard anyway.
"What..what are you talking about?" Noah asked nervously as he removed his hands from Austin's body and slid them into his pants pockets.
"You knew?" Austin shook his head as he started walking away.
"Listen, I can explain," but Austin proceeded to find the closest exit. "Austin!" He didn't look back even for a second as he stormed away enraged.
"Oh, your boyfriend slept here again. That's gold." Michael said with a smug smile as he appeared beside Noah, "I hope he didn't hear that part about you knowing I was screwing someone else behind his sister's back and didn't tell him about it. Because that would be hard to explain!" The utter smugness in his voice made Noah want to strangle him.
"Shut your trap you selfish, inconsiderate pig!" Noah said as he trotted towards the direction where Austin had gone.
He found him in the backyard, standing by the pool as the wind gloriously blew his hair making it look the more magnificent. Noah was afraid of what Austin might say to him if he tried to explain himself. Now that the truth was out, he wished he had done something about it earlier. He hated seeing Austin angry or hurt, especially if he was the cause of either.
"Austin." He called out as when he was a few feet behind him.
Austin just kept quiet and his eyes remained fixated on the still, blue waters of the pool.
"Please let me explain." Noah begged.
"What is there to explain?" Austin asked as he turned around to face Noah. His hair was now flying messily into his face and Noah thought just how gorgeous a sight that was and how he didn't wanna lose it for a minute because of his stupidity, "I think it's all pretty clear; you lied to both Nicky and me."
"It wasn't intentional, I swear. I was trying to do the right thing!" Noah tried to explain.
"You and your cousin are both the same." Austin said, "I don't know what you two have against my family but stay away from us!"
"I agree, my cousin is a major douche bag and I can't make excuses for him but can I please tell my side of the story?"
"I'm sure it's gonna be a story, alright!"
"I didn't think you would believe me if I just came up to you and told you the truth. That's why I tried to get Mikey to clean up his act but as you can see it did not work."
"You really think I'm buying that?" Austin asked distrustingly.
"Why would I lie?"
"Because that's what you're good at?" Austin shrugged.
"Come on. I like Nicky, she is a good friend and a cool person ...and your sister! Why would I jeopardize my chances of you liking me just to cover for my stupid cousin?" Noah begged. He could see Austin slipping through his fingers just when he was beginning to get so close.
He was getting nervous once again. Why was liking someone so much feel like walking on eggshells?
"Would you have trusted me if I had told you?" Noah continued after moments of Austin not saying anything.
Austin kept quiet. He looked like he was thinking of a way to answer Noah's question, "No...not really. ...I mean, I don't think so."
Noah closed his eyes for two seconds and then opened them, "Look, Austin, I like you. I really do." He said with a determined resolve, "And I'm sorry that you had to find out this way that I knew the truth. I'm sorry I even kept it from you but I need you to trust me. I'm not playing around with you. I genuinely want you ...and only you."
Austin raised his gaze from the ground and slowly looked at Noah.
Noah's face was that of uncertainty. He felt like he might have let a little too much slip. On the other hand, the look on Austin's face was confused. His mouth was agape and brows were knitted in a tough frown. He was somewhat in denial over what Noah had just revealed.
"Please say something." Noah asked.
Austin shook his head swiftly as he blinked rapidly.
"Austin?"
"Wow." Austin said then paused for a really long time.
"That's it?"
"I don't think I know what I'm supposed to say."
"Just something ...anything."
"I feel weird and I haven't even had anything yet. This might be a little too much for this time of day."
"You don't need to say anything now, let's go get you some breakfast." Noah stood up and stretched out his hand for Austin to take.
"Wait!" Austin suddenly said, which made Noah sit back down.
"Yes?" Noah asked attentively.
"I don't wanna just say ...nothing." Austin said.
"Ok." Noah was dreading what Austin was about to say.
"I can't really say you're forcing me into anything." Austin said hesitantly.
"What do you mean?" Noah asked again.
"You know exactly what I mean." Austin said as he looked away while running a hand through his hair, "I'm really confused about what is happening to me and I don't think I'm imagining it. This is all happening so fast and I wish it would go slower but I also feel like I want it to go at the same pace. ..I'm not making much sense, am I ?"
"No, I understand what you're saying." Noah said calmly but on the inside, his heart was about to leap out of his chest.
"Do you?" Austin questioned, "Because even I don't understand what I'm saying. I've never been attracted to a guy before but now it's Noah all the time in my head and I don't know how to deal with it. I liked it better when you were just a numbing pain in the ass because I don't know how to deal with the honest side of you. It's like ...I wanna kiss you and then run away immediately after. God, what is wrong with me!"
"Nothing!" Noah protested quickly, "It's ok to be confused about it. I can wait for you to come to terms with it. I'm not in any hurry. I can even help you through it."
"What...what if I don't want you to wait?"
"What do you mean?" Noah's heart was seriously about to collapse from all the abrupt suspense.
"I mean...what if I want you to kiss me now?... Right here." Austin said, his cheeks now a very deep shade of pink. It was like he was having an out-of-body experience and he had no control over his body because he couldn't believe all the things he was saying -and worse, that he actually meant everything he said.
"Are you sure?" Noah asked, almost pinching himself to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
"That's really not a question I wanna be asked right now when I'm dying to kiss you again." Austin said and before he could say anything else, Noah was off his chair and fisting Austin's hair in his hands and he landed on top of him in one swift movement.
Their lips were together in no time as they both put everything they had wanted to say to each other into that one kiss. There was no holding back for them as they groped and caressed each other as Noah slipped his tongue into Austin's mouth. Noah dominated the kiss as Austin savored how skillfully Noah sucked on his tongue, almost sucking the air from his lungs.
They grinded their steadily hardening crotches against each other. Noah pulled away from the kiss for a moment and stared down at Austin's face, which was flashed and somehow more beautiful than ever. He was still finding it hard to believe that what was happening right now was consensual.
"What?" Austin asked lightly, a little out of breath and offered Noah a slight shy smile.
"It's just...." he spaced out.
"Yes?"
"It's better than I thought it would be." Noah said gently.
"I know." Austin responded while biting his lower lip gently.
"Did I tell you how amazing you look in my clothes?" Noah said. So those were Noah's! Austin thought.
"So, are you just gonna lay there complimenting me or do you wanna do it again?" He teased as he wrapped a leg around Noah, resting against his ass.
"Hell yea!" Noah affirmed and immediately started devouring Austin's lips again. Austin was in a state of complete euphoria at how gently, yet strongly Noah handled him and when Noah reached down and cupped one of his ass cheeks with one hand, there were no words to describe exactly how he felt on the inside.
It was like the Fourth of July in his chest.
He ran his hands up and down Noah's gorgeously ripped arms then down his back to the waist. When Austin slid his hands underneath his shirt, Noah's heart almost burst from how arousing that simple action was. If he had been wearing tighter pants, they would have literally burst.
Noah was getting more and more uncomfortable as his shaft advanced in size. It was actually becoming painful. It would have been the most amazing thing on earth to have Austin help cool him down but he was the catalyst now and he knew Austin wasn't ready for the overly physical part.
As hard as it was for him, he managed to pull away and get off of Austin before his animalistic instinct kicked in and he did something he would definitely regret.
"As much as I would love to do that all day, everyday," he forced himself to say although his voice was slightly hoarse. "We need to get you fed."
Austin nodded his head and cleared his throat. Be couldn't understand why it was starting to feel awkward so he had to do something about it, "Listen, I don't want this to become awkward." He said as he stood up, losing his footing a little and Noah had to grab him to steady him.
"Me neither," Noah agreed as he looked directly into the eyes that were his saving grace, "So, let's not make it."
Austin smiled at him before saying, "Ok. But I'm really hungry, let's go."
Noah led the way to the kitchen, where they found a plate full of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches beside a jug full of mimosa, next to a fresh pot of coffee.
"Yes!" Noah exclaimed, "Rosa is a genius!"
"If we're actually having mimosas, then I love her too." Austin said.
"I'm having the coffee." Noah corrected.
"Why?!" Austin asked.
"Long story." Noah simply replied and Austin easily let it go.
They ate in comfortable silence, then spent the next few hours playing video games and hanging around the pool, stealing kisses every now and then. It still felt unreal to both of them. They actually enjoyed each other's company and Noah loved how Austin laughed at every dumb little thing he said or did occasionally; and when Noah slipped and nosedived into the pool.
Evening came and Austin had to go back home, so they called a cab. Noah was not thrilled to have Austin leave. Their weekend together had been halfway filled with argument and misunderstanding and confusion but, all in all, it had been one of his favorite weekends ever.
As he walked Austin to the door, he kept stealing glances at that bright, beautiful face every now and then, trying to save a mental picture for when he fantasized tonight -he knew he would be doing a lot of that.
"I kind of wish you weren't leaving." Noah said.
"Dude, I can hardly remember when last I slept in my bed. It's been so long!" Austin replied. He was starting to see the gentle side of Noah and that guy was really interesting and a lot of fun to be around, not to mention his lips were so addictive it was like they were dusted with meth or something.
"We can always relocate your bed to here!" Noah joked.
"You wish." Austin said as he reached for the door handle but before he could turn it, someone else turned it from the outside and in came Michael, holding Lira's hand and they both seemed all lovey-dovey.
Michael went pale when he came face-to-face with Austin and the second Austin saw him, all the rage he had felt when he first heard that he had hurt his sister, then also finding out the entire backstory came rushing through him.
He folded his fingers into a very tight fist and delivered a hard punch right between Michael's jaw and neck, which sent him tripping backwards and falling onto the floor. As Michael clutched his jaw, Austin knelt beside him and punched him straight in the stomach.
"Michael!" Lira called out as she jumped to his side without wasting any time, "Austin, stop it!"
"You don't tell me what to do." Austin replied to her venomously as he grabbed the front of Michael's shirt and pulled him up slightly. Noah did not wanna butt in, so he stood there and watched as Austin beat up his cousin.
Austin leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "She told me that I shouldn't touch you, because she can take care of you by herself, but I couldn't resist . I've hated you since the day I met you and now I know why. You're just a no good, useless shit face who used my baby sister. She'll make you pay and I will too. So watch your back asshole, you hear me?"
"Get out of my house !" Michael said, but there was a little pain in his voice and there was blood trickling gradually at the side of his mouth.
"With pleasure." Austin spat and stood up but not before punching him again in the jaw. That hurt his knuckles like hell but it was worth it.
"Wow, I really should have listened every time you threatened to punch me." Noah said when they got outside.
"Yea, you should have."Austin responded.
"To be honest, I really enjoyed that."
"So did I ." Austin said, "Although I might have broken a few fingers." They stopped by the cab and turned to face each other.
"Let me see," Noah asked with concern as he took a look at Austin's right hand. It wasn't really a big deal but he still felt a sting on seeing the minor bruises forming.
"No big deal. I'll just ice it when I get home."Austin said as he retrieved his hand from Noah's grasp, "Well, I better get going." But he didn't make a move to get in the cab and instead remained staring at Noah.
"What?" Noah asked, although he knew what Austin was thinking.
"How about...one for the road." He responded, blushing a little as he moved his face closer and captured Noah's lips in a short but heated kiss before pulling away and opening the car door.
***
He found Nicky already home when he got there. She was flipping through channels while holding a large tub of ice cream.
"Hey there, Noah's boyfriend !" She greeted as soon as he sat on the adjacent seat.
"What did you say?" Austin was suddenly spooked and sat up straight, hoping his sister was just teasing him and that she didn't actually know anything.
"What, Noah's boyfriend?"
"Yea, that!" He replied, "Not that it's anything...but..why would you say that?"
"Why do you seem so nervous Aussy?" Nicky asked innocently, "I was just saying!"
"Nothing...never mind." He said, feeling a bit relieved.
"I mean, it's not like I know about a certain steamy make out session by the pool or anything like that."
"Wha... How the hell would you know about that!"
"Oh, so it did happen!" She was clearly amused by his reaction.
"What?...no...I..I don't know what you're talking about!" He said why averting his eyes.
"Don't sweat it, I know everything !"
"And by everything, you mean ..."
"Everything!"
"How?!"
"I've got my ways." She said as she took a spoonful of her ice cream.
"Come on, be serious." Austin begged.
"I am."
"You are one weird chick!" Austin said while shaking his head in disbelief.
"Whatever," Nicky said. "But seriously, just yesterday you were denying tooth and nail about even slightly being attracted to Noah. It's like any time I leave you two alone you both turn into horny bunnies!"
"Oh my god, nothing happened!" Austin seemed horrified, "We didn't do anything."
"That's disappointing." Nicky replied, "Not even below the clothes action?"
"I'm gonna stop talking now before you trap me in your evil fishing net."
"I wouldn't put it that way."
"I would!" Austin said, "I'm going upstairs to clean myself up." He got off the couch.
"How dirty did you and Noah get?" She teased further.
"What...shut up!" Austin said at a loss for words.
"Well, hurry. Mom said she wants to talk to the both of us."
"Talk about what?"
"No idea."
"Oh, there you are Austin !" Mrs. McNamara came hurriedly down the stairs, "When did you get home?"
"Just now, why?" he responded as she hugged him tight.
"How are you feeling today?" She asked as she laid the back of her hand across his forehead.
"I'm ok..never been better!" He loved that his mom cared for him but less when she fussed over him excessively as if he was a baby bird who broke his wing.
"Almost forgot, I have something important to talk to you two about, come on." He followed her back to the living room.
"What is it?" Nicky asked when they were all settled, the two of them seated on one couch as their mother sat on the opposite side.
"Well, your father and I have made a decision than I need you both to try and be ok with." She started, "We talked about it last night and we agreed that it would be better if we got separated."
"What!" They exclaimed in unison.
"It's no big deal. It's just a temporary separation as we try to deal with some things."
There was a brief silence as Austin and Nicky absorbed the information their mother had just thrown at them.
"Does this have anything to do with me?"
"What?!..No!" Allison denied, "Why would you think that?"
"I know dad was not happy when I came out, but at that time it was just a joke. I didn't mean to come between you too, but...can't you fix it?"
"Oh, honey, you did no such thing. Things have been building up for quite some time now and none of it is your fault, ok? So, stop thinking that."Austin nodded in understanding.
"Where is he gonna live?" Nicky asked.
"He's getting an apartment in town. It's not too far so you guys can go visit whenever you want." They were sad their parents were separating but spending a significant amount of time alone with their father, that sounded terrifying.
"Are you gonna be ok?" Austin asked.
"Of course, don't worry about me. I'm always ok." She didn't look fine. Her mood was gloomy and her usually bright eyes were looking dim and tired -it was like she hadn't slept in a while.
"Alright, but we're here if you need us mom," Nicky said as she went to hug her mother. Austin joined her as they engulfed their mother in one huge bear hug.
"Off you go now, you need to rest. You've got school tomorrow!" She dismissed them and they both obliged, not wanting to bug her with annoying questions.
"I did not see that coming." Austin said as they stood outside Nicky's room.
"Me neither," Nicky agreed. "I'm worried about mom."
"She's a tough one. I'm sure she'll be fine." He didn't believe that completely but he needed to be positive nonetheless.
"I hope so," she responded. "Well, have fun in there showering while fantasizing about Noah." She said with a knowing wink.
"Did you really have to say that?!"
"I didn't have to but it's my pleasure." she replied, "And, by the way, it was Noah who told me about the two of you locking lips practically all day today."
"And now, I have a reason to kill him!"
**********************