Strong Enough
by Nico Grey
XX
The tension that had been building slowly inside Caleb all day finally reached a crescendo. The traffic became thicker as Grace Neeson prepared to turn into the Silver River Union High School grounds. Seated next to Tyler in the back seat, Caleb fatalistically surrendered to the moment. They were committed.
The school facade was engulfed in light. Cars were pulling up in front of the building and dropping their passengers off in pairs. Other boys and girls were strolling toward the entrance from the direction of the parking lot. All were arriving in culturally-approved couples.
When Grace's older model Honda Civic stopped in front of the main entrance, Tyler pushed the passenger seat forward and guided Caleb out from the back seat. Grace watched the boys closely as they walked together toward the brightly-lit entryway, her concern only half the level of the trepidation that Caleb was feeling in his chest.
Tyler hadn't reached for Caleb's hand. But he kept station close by Caleb's side. The unusual couple began to attract attention when they emerged into the school's lobby.
Caleb was pretty sure that everyone attending the dance wouldn't arrive exclusively in couples. It was a high school dance, after all. It was a Valentine's Day dance, true. And romance was in the air. But it was still a social event for all students.
There were bound to be those in attendance that hadn't paired off. But most of the arrivals that he could see were uniformly boy-with-girl.
Caleb was certain that every pair of eyes in the school lobby was following him and Tyler as they skirted the reception area, where a professional photographer had couples posing for pictures, and escaped toward the school's gymnasium. The faint sound of music guided them in the proper direction.
The gym was decorated in the customary reds, pinks, and cream colors that signified Valentine's Day in every high school across America. Heart-shaped balloons floated just a few feet above the heads of the crowd milling about. A live— but rather ancient, in Caleb's opinion— band occupied a small stage at one end of the room, also buried in pink, red, and cream-colored streamers and balloons.
Just outside the gymnasium, the lobby between the gym and the cafeteria had been packed with tables where couples could rest, socialize, and enjoy refreshments. The cafeteria itself was opened to provide those refreshments.
Those already gathered for the dance were viewing the venue with a mixture of excitement and wonder. Caleb inspected the area carefully for threats.
Caleb jumped when he felt something warm grasp his hand.
"Let's find a table," Tyler suggested. "We can keep an eye out for Abby and her date."
Fortunately, Caleb decided, everyone in the gymnasium was too busy enjoying the music, decorations, or their own date to pay close attention to him and Tyler.
Watching and waiting didn't prove a terribly relaxing activity for Caleb. In the first fifteen minutes alone, he and Tyler noticed Van, Benjer, and Lexxi make their way to the cafeteria for refreshments. Each of them seemed more interested in the evening as a social activity than an opportunity to focus on their respective dates.
Caleb was particularly concerned about Van. He appeared distracted and surly. His date, wherever she was, didn't appear to be the most important thing on his mind.
He exchanged glances with Tyler each time an unfriendly face stalked past their table. Tyler shrugged indifferently. He appeared confident. And that had a calming effect on Caleb.
"Oh my god! You match!" Abby shrieked as soon as she spotted them.
'If that doesn't give the game away, I don't know what will,' Caleb cringed. Then the meaning of her remark registered. 'Match?' he wondered. 'Because we're both wearing clothes?'
"She must mean that we're both guys and we're both wearing sports coats. Unless you've bought another pair of those pink briefs," Tyler leered.
"Another. . .?" Then his eyes widened. "Are you?"
"It's Valentine's Day," Tyler smirked. "It's all about keeping my date happy."
He began to laugh uncontrollably when he noticed that Caleb was starting to hyperventilate.
When Caleb finally noticed the boy standing quietly behind Abby, he thought that he looked familiar. It took him a moment to make the connection.
"Hi, Alex?" Caleb was fairly certain that was how Abby had introduced him.
The boy smiled tentatively.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he apologized.
"Oh, Tyler!" Abby interjected brightly, "This is my date, Alex. He lives just down the road from me. We've known each other for years!"
Date?! Caleb was immediately tempted to abuse Abby. After all the times she teased him about finding a younger boy for him, and then she brought an eighth-grader to the Valentine's Day dance! But he recognized that any teasing would make Alex more uncomfortable than it made Abby.
"Why don't we go get some refreshments?" he suggested to Alex.
It was the polite thing to do. And it would give Abby some time to try to explain the situation to Tyler. Caleb hoped that Tyler would use the time to abuse Abby just as thoroughly as he would if their roles were reversed.
He chatted casually with Alex while they waited in the refreshment line. Caleb was rather amused that Alex had gone to so much trouble with his appearance for a high school date— he had noticed fewer than a dozen other boys wearing an actual suit and tie— but realized that he cleaned up rather well. He didn't think that Alex had cut his hair, but it was much neater than it had been when they met on the bus.
Caleb learned that Abby's date's name was Alex Fortin; Alexander to his family. The Fortins and the Wests had been close friends for years, so he had known Abby for as long as he could remember.
Alex had lived in Judah since birth and spoke enthusiastically about small town life. Caleb was interested to discover that Alex enjoyed spending time outdoors, hiking and camping. He also admitted that he enjoyed school. And while he didn't consider himself an athlete, he was considering trying out for the middle school track and field team when their season started in a few weeks.
After conversing for almost ten minutes, Caleb found himself liking Alex. Despite their two-year age difference, Alex was intelligent and mature enough to hold his own in a typical teen conversation. And since he was two years younger, Caleb appreciated that Alex was politely deferential.
The crowd in the lounge area had begun to thin by the time Caleb and Alex returned to their table, as people began to migrate toward the gymnasium. Tyler was shaking his head and laughing at something that Abby was explaining to him. Caleb was curious about that reaction, but the subject turned quickly to bland conversation suited to all four of them.
Caleb and Tyler attempted to direct the conversation toward Abby and Alex, allowing Alex to participate and share information about himself and his interests. Caleb was surprised that both Abby and Alex kept trying to turn the conversation back to him and Tyler.
It was confusing. Alex was the newest member of their group. He was the youngest and the least socially experienced. Caleb thought that it only made sense to lead the conversation in directions that would interest Alex and would be less challenging for him. But every time he tried to explore what he had already learned about Alex in a little more depth, either Abby or Alex had other ideas.
Eventually, Caleb suggested that, since they were at a dance, perhaps Abby and Alex would like to dance. He was a bit alarmed when Abby suggested that maybe he and Tyler would also like to dance. But the suggestion didn't appear to faze Alex. Apparently he had already heard of Silver River's midnight cowboy and was phlegmatic about an evening in his company.
Tyler finally shooed Abby and Alex off toward the gym dance floor. Caleb wasn't at all sure that either of them was interested in dancing. It almost felt like the couple had an agenda and only took a break to discuss a new plan of attack.
He raised a questioning eyebrow at Tyler.
"We'll dance," Tyler assured him. "I just want to give everyone here time to enjoy their evening. We might disrupt everything when they see us together. I don't mind waiting a while, if you don't," he explained.
Caleb nodded. It made sense. And it was considerate. Besides, the dance had been Tyler's idea. He had invited Caleb. Letting him lead was only good etiquette.
"So what's the deal with Abby and Alex?" he wondered. "After everything she's done to us, we really owe her a load of abuse over this. But I don't want to embarrass him. He seems like a nice kid."
Caleb was surprised when Tyler started laughing.
"I guess she's just trying to do something nice for him," Tyler agreed. "And maybe she isn't completely through with us.
"I think all will be revealed soon enough. And I'm sure it will be interesting." He chuckled uncomfortably.
'Of course the evening wasn't going to be drama free,' Caleb realized when he noticed Benjer Frye and a couple of his friends strolling purposefully in their direction.
"I'm really not surprised that the eighth grader ended up with the girl," Benjer observed conversationally to his friends. "Little karate kid here and his bitch probably wanted some time for themselves, anyway."
Benjer's crew was amused by his wit. But Benjer backed up with an anxious expression on his face when Caleb began to growl deep in his throat.
Tyler's laughter didn't improve Benjer's attitude. He snarled menacingly as he attempted to gather his courage. But when Tyler pushed back his chair and stood up, Benjer chose the moment to scurry off.
Benjer's crew noticed that the brief encounter had attracted the attention of some of the adult chaperones in attendance. They decided that they needed to check on Benjer to make sure that he was alright. He might need emotional support.
"Is that what the rest of the year will be like?" Caleb sighed. "I don't want anything from them. The only thing I want is to be left alone?"
"Are you sure that's all you want?" Tyler inquired seductively.
Caleb immediately felt his emotions rise.
"Tyler! Of course that's not what I meant! But are you sure you want to deal with people like Benjer constantly? If people associate you too closely with me, some of them won't leave you alone either."
Tyler shrugged.
"I spent three years trying to avoid being noticed. The past three months have meant more to me than all of those three years, even if it does mean having to put up with people like Benjer and Sandy."
Tyler leaned toward Caleb and reached for his hand.
" I like my life a lot better now. Maybe I was just ready to grow up. But I think that being with you. . . and Abby," he added, after reflection, "has been good for me. I like this life a lot more. And you guys have helped make me strong enough to endure some of the crap that comes with having a better life."
Caleb needed a few seconds to process Tyler's declaration. He searched Tyler's face.
'Fuck 'em?' his eyes asked.
"If they don't like it, fuck them!" Tyler agreed.
Caleb closed his fingers around Tyler's hand. He noticed several surprised glances from nearby tables. But nobody gasped.
"Alex proved that he can dance!" Abby declared as she dropped into the chair beside Caleb. "I need something to drink," she directed that at Alex, "then we're going to find out which one of you two is next!"
Caleb resisted the instinctive urge to flee. He could dance; passably, at least. He wasn't panicked about Abby's plans. Besides, he thought that the expression on Tyler's face seemed eager.
Caleb became more concerned when Abby dragged Tyler off toward the dance floor. He felt reasonably confident about dealing with bullies when he and Tyler were together. But he was concerned for Alex if Benjer decided to make another run at him.
Fortunately, a couple of the adult chaperones appeared to be paying closer attention to his table. And Benjer was nowhere in sight.
'He's probably at the nurse's office having her treat his injured pride,' Caleb snickered to himself.
"So, you and Tyler?" Alex hadn't missed their joined hands when he and Abby returned from dancing.
He seemed to realize that he might have asked an awkward question.
"I mean, I think that's cool," he assured Caleb. "Very cool! I think it takes a lot of courage."
There seemed to be more to the observation. Caleb eyed Alex inquiringly.
" I'm just amazed at how well you're dealing with. . . everything," Alex concluded awkwardly.
And that did clarify a lot for Caleb. Eighth graders were apparently plugged into the high school's gossip network. He appreciated that Alex was handling the knowledge with maturity and discretion.
"I have great friends," Caleb explained. "Having the understanding and support of good people helps make me strong enough to be myself. I can handle almost anything when my friends are behind me."
The longing Caleb noticed in Alex's expression encouraged him to say more.
" Having someone love you. . ." He tried to figure out how to explain it. "It's like growing up, never being sure about yourself. You wonder if you're good enough. Sometimes you find out that you aren't. . . or at least a lot of people think that you aren't. But then, when you find someone who knows the real you, and they love you. . . that makes it a lot easier to believe in yourself."
Alex nodded slowly. Caleb watched his explanation resonate in the emotions displayed on Alex's face.
"I think that's it," Alex agreed. "A lot of times I don't feel like I'm good enough. It's hard to make friends. I worry about what my parents think about me. But if I had someone that I loved. . ."
"It feels amazing!" Caleb assured him. "And when you discover that person loves you back? It's almost like the rest of my life suddenly makes sense."
"You're really lucky," Alex's expression was wistful. "Tyler is incredible!"
"It will happen for you, too," Caleb encouraged him. "Maybe Abby will be that person for you."
Part of Caleb sincerely hoped that she would. Alex seemed like a good kid. Abby deserved someone in her life. And maybe— just maybe— if Abby had Alex, she'd forget about her interest in massage and gay teen couples therapy.
Alex's expression wasn't what Caleb expected. He hoped that the possibility was encouraging. Instead, Alex seemed confused. He leaned toward Caleb.
" We're not dating," he whispered. "She's just a friend. I like boys. . . Just like you do."
"You didn't say anything!" Caleb accused, as Abby manhandled him around the dance floor.
"I didn't say anything about you either," Abby defended her integrity. "I provide a professional service. Confidentiality is guaranteed!"
"You certainly hinted pretty heavily to Tyler about me," Caleb reminded her.
"If he wasn't already interested, he never would have figured out anything from my hints," she concluded smugly. "That was a therapeutic intervention!"
Caleb took a few minutes to consider that explanation while Abby guided him forcefully around other dancing couples.
"So I guess that means you aren't planning a ménage a trois for Alex and us," he reasoned. "Otherwise you would already have been 'hinting' in a therapeutic fashion."
"Not unless you're interested," Abby said. "You may have noticed that he is kind of cute."
"Abby!"
Caleb tried to resist her direction. She laughed him off and kept him moving to the rhythm of her own beat.
"Relax, Caleb. I just guide my clients where they already want to go. I don't force anyone. I'm sure I can help him find his own Prince Charming," she concluded with a self-satisfied smile. "In the meanwhile, you and Tyler are going to help me educate Alex in what it means to be a gay boy."
"Abby!"
This time he did manage to halt her momentum.
"What are you planning?"
"Don't be so suspicious," she chided him. "Just make sure that you and Tyler are on time tomorrow. Do what you normally do. It will be good for you two and for Alex."
Caleb returned to their table in a state of shock. On reflection, he realized that Tyler had also looked rather stunned when he and Abby had finished dancing.
Caleb felt a confusion of emotions in both mind and body. He was sure that, whatever Abby had planned, he would regret it. But he recognized that he usually regretted Abby's schemes before eventually coming around to understanding their purpose.
He was also feeling anxious because, whenever he wasn't distracted by Abby's conversation, he noticed Van Cross everywhere out on the dance floor. Van had scrupulously avoided making any eye contact with Caleb, but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Abby.
While he attempted to settle his emotions, Caleb left Abby and Tyler to guide the conversation. Alex seemed content to listen most of the time. And Caleb was afraid of what might come out of his mouth while he was still processing what Abby had told him.
Caleb and Alex left to purchase another round of refreshments for their table. All four had decided to take a break from dancing to get to know each other better. With Abby directing the conversation, Caleb eventually decided that drinks and sustenance might be necessary to help strengthen his resistance.
"You guys really let her massage you?" Alex wondered. His tone was one of disbelief, perhaps because Abby had already shared details of her 'treatment'.
Caleb shrugged.
"It's complicated," he deflected. "You know Abby. It's hard to resist when she's determined to do something. And really, she gives a pretty good massage now.
"Besides," he admitted, "I kind of enjoy watching her massage Tyler."
Alex snickered. But he appeared to get the point.
"And you want me to help?"
"Not really," Caleb decided to be honest.
He had tried to resist that suggestion by pointing out to Abby that it would feel more like they were cheating on each other if he let another gay guy massage him or Tyler. 'It's different when the person giving the massage is enjoying it!' he explained patiently.
'And you think I don't?' Abby snorted derisively.
Caleb realized pretty quickly that he wasn't going to win that argument.
"Not really," Caleb repeated. "But I guess I should trust Abby. Everything she's done so far, no matter how weird and twisted, seems to have worked out.
"She has this theory about doing things that make us feel uncomfortable. Once we do them, we learn that we can tolerate stuff that we didn't believe we could do. That makes it easier for us to face new challenges. It makes us stronger."
Alex nodded as if he fully understood Abby's argument.
"I'm gay," he admitted. "That makes me different from most people. Sometimes it will be harder for me to fit in. I'll have to be strong to survive."
"Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself," Caleb advised. "And you shouldn't be afraid to stand up for yourself with Abby either. She means well. At least I'm pretty sure that she does. But she doesn't know what it feels like to be you. She may try to push you too far, without realizing what she's doing."
Alex nodded again, as if from experience.
"I remember when we were younger," he blushed. "Almost every time our families got together, Abby and I ended up playing show and tell. Except she was doing all of the telling and I was doing all of the showing," he concluded ruefully.
Caleb laughed. He really couldn't help himself.
"So you won't be too uncomfortable with Abby's idea of therapy?" he asked.
"I don't know," Alex admitted. "I guess I'm used to doing what Abby tells me to do. But I've never taken my clothes off with other guys," he concluded uncertainly.
"We'll all have to stand up to Abby if she really makes us uncomfortable," Caleb advised. "I have to explain to her all of the time that Tyler and I aren't dolls. I know she likes us and cares about us. But sometimes she forgets that we might feel different about things than she does.
"I've already told her that I understand her theory about making us stronger. I even agree with most of it. But I have my limits. I'm not going to engage in any public orgies just to entertain her, even if it does help to lower my inhibitions!"
Caleb found Alex's scandalized reaction encouraging. It seemed likely that he would join Caleb and Tyler in a united front to oppose Abby if her 'suggestions' ever went too far.
Abby eyed them suspiciously when Caleb and Alex returned to the table.
Caleb shrugged off her inquiry with an innocent expression.
Abby went after the weakest link first.
"Caleb and Tyler always arrive at my house between one and two," she informed Alex. "Although, with the debauchery they have no doubt planned for tonight, it's possible they may arrive a little later than usual.
"You'll need to be there by twelve-thirty to make sure that we have time to get ready. It might even be a good idea if you come earlier and have lunch with me. That will help ensure that we stay on schedule."
Alex gulped and glanced uncertainly at Caleb.
Caleb nodded.
"We'll be there, Abs," he assured her. "I wouldn't want to be responsible for you missing out on your sexual perversions fix on Valentine's Day, of all days. That just doesn't seem right.
"But I have told Alex," he warned, "that no matter what you try to make him say or do, one blink always means 'yes' and two blinks means 'no'. Tyler and I won't let you scandalize him."
"You were a lot more fun when you were lonely and desperate," Abby pouted.
"Fine! We'll keep this arrangement semi-democratic. Besides," she smirked, "I know where I can always appeal if I need more votes to do things my way."
She cast a meaningful glance at Caleb's crotch and cackled.
Caleb, Tyler, and Alex shared uneasy glances. Caleb and Tyler were experienced enough to know that if push actually came to shove, they were screwed. Even Alex had enough experience with his own wayward penis to understand that the three of them could easily end up in a great deal of trouble. On the other hand, all three realized, it might just turn out to be a very good kind of trouble.
Caleb glanced up at a wall clock and was surprised to see that it was already after nine o'clock.
"Your mother will be here in less than an hour," he reminded Tyler.
"And we still haven't danced," Tyler grinned.
He stood and extended his hand toward Caleb. After Caleb let Tyler pull him to his feet, Tyler reached inside his sports coat and pulled out a cellophane sheath that contained a single red rose. He cleared his throat to get the attention of their table.
"Just three months ago, I was alone. I had been alone for years. Without using a lot of words to explain what I mean, I just want to say that in only three months you've brought a light into my life that I had stopped hoping could exist there.
"I used to get up every morning just expecting to make it through another day. Now I get up in the morning full of excitement every time I know we'll spend the day together. I hope you'll give me that feeling every day for the rest of my life. And I hope you'll let me try to give that same feeling to you."
Caleb was fighting to keep his emotions under control. He was pretty sure that he heard Abby sob.
Tyler extended the rose to Caleb.
"You're my Valentine," he explained. "I'd like you to spend the rest of the evening in my arms."
And that did bring tears to Caleb's eyes. He took a step blindly toward Tyler and let him slip the rose into a button hole on his sport coat. Then Tyler took his arm and guided him toward the dance floor.
Caleb was sure that he and Tyler were getting some strange looks. That didn't really bother him. He was sure that together, he and Tyler were strong enough to stand up to anything that threatened them.
He used his free hand to wipe at his eyes. He leaned toward Tyler and whispered in his ear.
"Good play," he congratulated. "After giving Abby this moment, I think she'll probably go easier on us tomorrow."
Tyler chuckled.
"I don't care if she makes us have full sex in front of the entire school," Tyler told Caleb. "It would be worth it. Thank you for being my light."
" Full sex?" Caleb wondered. "I suppose if she made us. . ." he tried to smirk at Tyler. But his emotions made anything but an effusive smile impossible.
Tyler and Caleb found space next to Abby and Alex on the dance floor. As his vision cleared, he was surprised to find very few scandalized expressions on the faces of those around him. There were curious expressions. Neutral expressions. There were even a few faces that expressed genuine warmth and welcome.
The unhappy faces kept their distance. Caleb noticed Van again, still tracking every move Abby made with his eyes. A couple of Benjer's friends had sour looks on their faces. There was a coven of girls in his class— friends of Lexxi has was sure— that didn't seem very pleased to see him. And there was one very hostile face belonging to a vice principal.
Mr. Callahan was watching Caleb and Tyler with a malevolent expression.
Caleb put those unwelcoming faces aside. He focused on the friendlier faces nearby. He leaned into Tyler, experimenting with the idea of kissing him on the top of his head, and found his lips level with Tyler's eyes.
That was a new development, he was sure. He inspected Tyler carefully, then questioned with his eyes.
"Lifts?" he asked.
That didn't seem like something that Tyler would do.
Tyler shook his head.
"Just you," he explained. "You believe in me. I've grown a couple of inches since my birthday. Thanks for teaching me how to do it."
That was another emotional moment for Caleb. He pulled Tyler closer as they pretended to dance to the music the band was playing. Several new tunes filled the gymnasium in succession, but Caleb and Tyler were lost in their own rhythm.
"Rogaine!" Abby hissed a warning. "Give Tyler a little room to breathe."
Caleb glanced around until he noticed the vice principal. His gaze was full of malice. But he remained on the opposite side of the gym.
Caleb was tempted to pull Tyler closer, just for spite. But he didn't see any reason to risk ending a beautiful evening.
He was surprised to feel a firm tap on his shoulder. 'That was weird!' was his first thought. He glanced toward the other side of the gymnasium. Callahan was still there. He turned in the opposite direction. Another hate-filled face confronted him.
"I'm cutting in!" Lexxi announced.
Caleb was surprised, then confused. He was aware of the practice. He had seen it done once or twice in a movie, but never in person.
Caleb wondered who she was cutting in on. Did she want to dance with him or with Tyler? Fortunately, Tyler understood the situation better.
"No, thank you, Lexxi." Caleb was pretty sure Tyler had started to call her 'Sandy'. "The dance is almost over. I'm going to finish it with my date."
"Date!?!"
For a moment, Caleb was sincerely afraid of Lexxi.
"That is so sick!" she raged. "You could have asked me! But you'd rather date this, this gay whore!"
Caleb was planning to put some space between Lexxi and himself, just in case she completely lost her mind. But Tyler pulled him close. He wasn't afraid of her. And he didn't see any need to debate with her.
"I love him." he explained. "He loves me. That's all that really matters."
The kiss left Caleb gasping for breath.
"Why did you do that?" he demanded, once he could breathe again.
"Because I love you," Tyler said.
"Not the kiss," Caleb was shocked. "You slipped me some tongue!"
Tyler smirked.
"That was nothing compared to what you tried to slip me!"
"I didn't slip you anything!" Caleb defended himself reflexively.
"I didn't say you did. I said you 'tried' to slip it to me. I felt it!" Tyler explained. He glanced meaningfully downward.
Lexxi had been following their exchange avidly. Suddenly her eyes shot open comically. With a horrified gasp, she spun around and bolted away from them.
Caleb barely had time to exchange confused glances with Tyler and Abby before he was interrupted again.
"Bradford!"
It was a familiar voice.
"You too, Neeson! Both of you go to my office immediately! PDAs are prohibited on school grounds. And that was absolutely pornographic!"
Caleb was tired. As he considered the situation, he wasn't intimidated by the man. He grabbed Tyler's hand.
"Let's go home," he suggested.
"I told you to go to my office. Now!" Regan Callahan bellowed.
"I don't think so, Mr. Callahan," Caleb said. "I heard what you said to my lawyer after our last meeting. I heard you admit to sexually assaulting a boy. We're not going to be alone with you. It isn't safe."
Callahan was horrified. But he quickly regained control and attempted to exert his authority.
"You do not want to do this, boy!" Callahan raged. "You do not want to end up on my list!"
"If anyone ends up on a list, Mr. Callahan, I'm pretty sure it will be on a sex offenders' registry." Caleb knew that he should feel more frightened than he did. But he felt safe with Tyler and Abby beside him.
"We can all talk Monday morning with my lawyer present, if you really want to," Caleb explained reasonably. He shrugged. "We're going home now."
Tyler never let go of Caleb's hand. Abby and Alex closed in behind and followed them through the school's corridors and out the front door.
Outside of the school, Tyler was less calm.
"He's going to kill you," he predicted.
"I don't think so," Caleb tried to assure Tyler. "I did hear him admit to sexually assaulting a boy. It was reasonable to refuse to be alone with him."
He glanced to Abby for reassurance.
"But we may end up with a short suspension for your PDA," Caleb smirked.
"Or a longer one for yours," Tyler patted Caleb gently to remind him.
"Abby's father may have to twist some arms to keep me out of trouble for defying Callahan like that," Caleb acknowledged. "But I didn't say a word that wasn't true. I'm pretty sure that Callahan will be desperate to sweep it all under the rug."
Tyler began nodding agreement slowly as Caleb explained.
"You're probably right. We should be more worried about when Sandy starts telling her story all over school. And she's likely to embellish it. She must really hate us now."
Abby laughed.
"You guys really don't understand Lexxi, do you? She wasn't angry about what you did. She was actually into it. The reaction you saw was hunger. Hunger and panic."
Abby waited for them to get her point.
"She didn't run away so fast because she was outraged or disgusted. She was desperate to find a private place to have an orgasm!" she cackled.
Tyler looked at Caleb in confusion. Caleb didn't have an explanation. But he did have an idea.
"Can you think of a private place where we could go now to have an orgasm?"
He tuned out Abby's excited shriek.
"My mother will be here in ten or fifteen minutes," Tyler volunteered. "She can bring us to a very private place that I know."
Caleb snickered.
"That was smooth. Does your mom know that you're planning to seduce me?"
"No." Tyler considered his response thoughtfully. "But she won't mind. She knows that I love you. She loves you, too."
Caleb decided that they could wait a few minutes. There would be a warm bed at the end of the wait.
"I love you, too," he pulled Tyler closer and kissed him. He waited to be invited in.
"Happy Valentine's Day!"
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