Chapter 24
1022words
Would you believe me if I said I tried my hardest not to fall for this guy? But I mean even I knew it was inevitable. The last 2 months we spent hanging and basically figuring out that we have too much in common, it's frightening really. Now all I want is him but I can't do that, I can't think like that he's all I got right now- aside from the rest of the team, but if I'm going to get closer to Gentry I want it to be because he's a really good friend, not because I'm trying to get something from him.
There are thousands of guys on this campus I just need to find one and focus on them, that way Gentry can stay just a friend, and I'm not the gay guy trying to get a straight guy to fall for me.
"Have you tried Grindr?" Pen asks as we FaceTime and I walk to class
Shaking my head "I'm not really looking to hook up with anyone, I don't know" I shrug "maybe it's too soon to try and find a guy"
"Maybe but how else are you going to take your mind off Gentry? Unless you don't want to take your mind off him" she says with a sneaky
grin
"No I definitely do, he's not an option" I'll keep lying to myself until I believe it. "Tell me about school"
"It's pretty great here" she starts while in bed, "rains a lot but other than that I love it, the guys are hot as hell and they are not picky. I
should've left America way sooner" we chuckle, "maybe I'll find you a guy to have a long-distance torrid affair with, they're all pretty fluid
here too."
"Gotta love Europeans."
"Hey" I feel 2 arms wrap around my neck from behind stopping me as I'm walking, looking over my shoulder I see Gentry resting his head near mine and our cheeks touch. He removes one of the headphones from my ear "didn't you hear me calling your name?" He asks
Shaking my head I reply "no sorry,"
"And who's this?" He points to my phone screen and I look at Pen who's practically gawking at us "That's my best friend, Pen"
"Hi" Gentry waves with a smile and Pen waves back. "Listen" he finally lets go and stands in front of me, "I have to run to class but I'm gonna text you ok, there's a party at the lacrosse house tonight and we have to be there."
"Ok yeah let me know" "Cool later," he runs away.
Looking back at the screen Pen is still pretty stunned, "I know" I shake my head sighing, "see what I'm dealing with?"
"You're screwed buddy" she laughs
"I know" I groan as I continue to walk, "the worst part is we're only growing closer which means this can only get worse."
"We have to find you a guy asap," "We really do."
Gentry loves a good party he always says that's what college is all about, getting as fucked up as possible then swearing the next day to never do it again. All about fun and regret, but I don't want to regret anything and I was never a big drinker so these parties do nothing for me, but I still enjoy them because he enjoys them.
Walking into the lacrosse house we're greeted by loud music and people everywhere, it's pretty cool that the lacrosse team gets their own house. They do whatever they want with little consequences. We'd never be able to throw parties like this in the dorms.
The house is dark with colorful lights going around the different rooms, the music is glaring and the people are either already drunk and high, or on their way to being drunk and high. Gentry and I are walking around mingling as I nurse a beer he handed me since we walked in.
Almost an hour into the night and I already lost him, but I'm fine with that because I don't want to seem attached to him. The only way this friendship will work is if I keep actual distance from him, because the more I'm around Gentry the more comfortable he gets with me, and the more that messes with my mind. It sucks to think like that though, someone's actually trying to be my friend and here I am reading into it, I have to stop.
"Guess who I just met!" Gentry walks up to me with a guy behind him, "this is Adam" he introduces him to me, "Adam this is Shane you guys have a lot in common you should talk, I'll be right back."
"Gent-" he quickly walks away leaving me with the guy. We turn to each other and he smiles "what exactly do we have in common?"
"Oh I told him I was gay and he immediately said I should meet his friend Shane" "Ah" I nod understanding, "forgive him he means well"
Adam chuckles "don't they all, but he didn't let me finish though because I wanted to say that I already had a boyfriend, but I guess nothing was as important as me meeting you."
Sighing I cover my face, "I'm sorry"
"It's ok" Adam chuckles again, "like you said I'm sure he meant well." We stand next to each other watching as the party grows more and more, "so you guys are on the baseball team?" I nod "cool"
"Are you on a team too?"
Shaking his head Adam smiles "I'm a theater gay" he says and I understand completely.
The party is finally on the verge of being over and I find Gentry in the kitchen chatting with a girl, waiting a distance away I watch as she takes his phone probably putting her number in. When they're done she walks away and I join him "hey," I say behind him and he turns
