the torque would be way too much.”
“Yep.” Jeremy had no clue about cars, but that sounded reasonable.
Max watched more of the movie as the bus crawled along while Jeremy tried to refrain from humping Max’s leg on the Greyhound. He stared blankly at the screen, replaying the sex they’d had on a loop in his mind.
They’d dozed on Jeremy’s tiny bed, and Max hadn’t minded that he drooled on his chest. Then they’d ordered pizza, played a hilariously bad football game online, and had orgasms again. That time they’d started making out before Max had taken their shafts in his big hand and rubbed them off together before he left Jeremy to study because they were both annoyingly responsible.
Being next to Max again, Jeremy was dying to kiss him. He’d gone from his first kiss to shared orgasms to just being friends again so quickly his head was spinning. Honestly, he still felt like a virgin. There was so much more he was dying to explore.
He’d always thought of his virginity in terms of being penetrated. Probably because of what society made him think and also because that’s what he fantasized about the most. What would it be like if Max fucked him? He’d touched Max’s cock, and maybe he’d imagined a few times since what it would be like to have it inside him.
Maybe a few dozen times. Or a hundred. Whatever.
It would hurt, no question. Jeremy had fingered himself but never had the guts to try anything bigger. Yeah, it would hurt, but he could imagine how good it would feel eventually. How Max would be gentle at first, but maybe eventually he’d fuck Jeremy with more force. Bend him over and take him hard, stretch him open with his dick and have control—
Jeremy’s face burned, and he looked out the window, glad his new parka was balled on his lap. Max nudged his arm, and when Jeremy reluctantly looked at him, Max gave him a knowing smile.
He popped out Jeremy’s earbud and leaned in to whisper, “If it’s any consolation, I’m horny too.”
Jeremy gaped, and Max laughed, taking out his own earbud. Jeremy glanced around them, but the other passengers didn’t seem to be paying attention. “Did I say it out loud?”
“You don’t need to,” Max murmured. He lifted his hand from his lap as though he was going to touch Jeremy’s knee or thigh before seeming to remember himself. “But my dad and stepmother are weirdly uptight about some stuff. Meg brought her old boyfriend home for Thanksgiving once and it was hellishly awkward. And since we just met last week, it’s way too soon to subject you to that. If they think we’re only friends, they’ll be chill.”
“Right. Makes sense.” Jeremy tried to play it cool. “And in January, we can…”
Max popped an eyebrow. “See what happens. Pick up where we left off if we want.”
Why wouldn’t we want to?? Jeremy breathed through the surge of panic as he nodded.
Max’s playful expression tightened. “I’ve got some stuff to figure out in the meantime.”
Concern replaced Jeremy’s nagging anxiety. “Did you get your LSAT results?”
“Not yet. But I don’t know—” He broke off, shaking his head. “You don’t need to worry about this.”
“I don’t mind. I want to hear it. Really.”
But Max smiled, popped his earbud back in, and returned to the movie. Jeremy didn’t press, although he was eager to help Max with whatever problems he might have. Maybe Max would confide in him another day.
Where his leg pressed against Max’s was like being on fire, and Jeremy willed the traffic to start moving already. At least it was good practice for being close to Max without having anything more than friendship on offer.
He attempted to concentrate on the dumb movie, the bus crawling forward before jerking to a stop, the brakes on and off and back on again.
Hanging back with his little rolling suitcase on the sidewalk by the Barrie bus station, Jeremy watched Max and Meg greet their parents with big hugs and kisses. Max had assured Jeremy he was welcome, but he hoped he wasn’t totally intruding on their family Christmas. He’d been so excited to spend more time with Max that he hadn’t really thought about it.
The wind gusted with a bitter bite, and Jeremy zipped up his parka to his chin, trying not to think of the stiff, short hugs he’d exchanged with his parents at the end of August. They were on the cruise now—the first day at sea. Dad