And I got an email from my foster dad earlier this week.”
“Is everything okay?” I could hear the concern in Anderson’s voice and smiled a bit as I rolled back onto my back.
“Yeah. They’ve changed a lot of their plans, and it kinda altered mine. Nothing big though. They’re retiring and are going to travel. They wanted me to know.”
“I’m a huge fan of traveling.”
“So you’ve said. I can’t say I’m a fan because I’ve never really done a whole lot of traveling outside of Texas.”
“That’s something I hope to remedy starting this summer. You ready to go to the Bahamas?”
“Yeah.” And I would love to, but I didn’t know how I was going to afford my share. “You’ll have to let me know what to pack.”
Anderson chuckled through the line. “Shorts. Lots of shorts. Everything planned is very low-key. Plan on spending days on the beach and nights relaxing in a hammock or in bed with me.”
I silently groaned because that sounded wonderful. But I couldn’t help but have doubts. “Sounds good,” I said, trying to sound convincing. The knock on my door let me know that the food we’d ordered was here. “Hey, I’ll call you back, okay? Our supper is here.”
“Supper. Yes, that’s something I need to do as well. You don’t have to call though. I know you’re busy. It was good to see you earlier, and at some point we do need to sit down and have a conversation.”
“I agree. I’ll talk to you later, Anderson.”
“I’ll be here.”
I sat up, ending the call as I stood up. I left my room and the aroma of Chinese hit me, causing my stomach to growl. I smiled at Ethan as he placed several cartons at my spot.
“So, y’all are in a relationship, right?” Ethan asked as I sat down.
“Umm, I’m not sure. I guess? It’s complicated. And a little odd,” I said.
“Odd how? You like him, right? He treats you well? He’s not married or anything, so what’s the issue?”
I groaned and opened the carton of fried rice. How couldn’t things be complicated?
“You mean aside from the fact that he’s twenty years older than me? Or how about he has a beautiful house, a really nice SUV, and a job that pays actual money? You mean other than that?” I asked as I pulled my carton of orange chicken toward me. We always got both rice and noodles and shared both, but I got orange chicken and Ethan got General Tso’s.
“I’m really not seeing the issue, Dax. I mean, other than he’s your professor. He won’t be forever though. But the man is hot. Like, seriously smokin’ hot, and he’s interested in you.”
“You don’t think people will see us and think I’m using him? Or that I’m…I don’t know, his toy?”
Ethan gave me a what the fuck you talkin’ ’bout look, and I shrugged. The thought had entered my mind on more than one occasion.
“No, man. They won’t. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s not uncommon for gay men in relationships to have a gap in their ages. Besides, who cares what others think?”
“I do? I don’t know.” I picked up the can of Diet Coke, and after opening it, I took a long drink before looking back at Ethan.
“What’s really going on? I mean, there’s something. Is it the money issue? You said you were going to use the pet-sitting thing for your passport. If he wants to pay for things, let him. Seriously.”
I groaned. That was another thing. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford the plane ticket, let alone my share of the hotel.
“Dude, let him spoil you. You’ve never had that, so let him. It’s not like he’s doing it in exchange for blowjobs. The sex and blowjobs started before he mentioned the trip.”
I thought about that for a minute, and I wanted so desperately to use that as the reason to let him. Never once had Anderson mentioned me covering any part of the trip. But I needed to know for sure before we went. I wasn’t going to get far without a plane ticket.
My phone vibrated on the table, and I picked it up, already knowing it was Anderson. He and Ethan were the only two who ever texted me.
Anderson: Okay, I know you’re busy but I’ve been thinking that talking sooner than later is better? My place tomorrow? 6:30? I promise to behave.
I groaned, and when Ethan snatched my phone out of my hand, he ha’d before he started