Page 4 of By The Moon

Jerome scooted off the bed and almost jumped over the disgusting pile of crap on the floor. He waited as Sage packed a few things, including his college work, and left the room. Back inside Jerome’s, he created some space on his desk and let Sage use it.

“It even smells better in here.” Sage dropped his bag and stretched. “Aren’t you going home this weekend?’

“Just grabbing a few more things then I’ll be on my way. You’re welcome to stay the weekend. You know Alan doesn’t mind.” Alan was Jerome’s roommate and an all-around nice guy, who detested Stan as much as Sage did.

“I like Alan. Nice guy who just goes with the flow.”

Jerome pulled his backpack out from under his bed and finished putting his work inside. He’d packed it earlier and waswaiting to see what would happen with Den. He knew, but still he’d wanted to see what would happen.

After sending a quick message to Alan to let him know Sage was staying, Jerome picked up his bag. “I’ll be back Sunday.”

“Make sure you hit the clubs.”

Laughing, Jerome fist bumped Sage and left the dorm, taking the elevator down to the front. His dad, Shaun, sat waiting outside and as soon as Jerome got in the car, he drove off. “How was it?”

“Good. Glad to be home though.” Jerome waited a beat, then added, “Den broke up with me.”

“His loss.” Shaun grunted. “The right man will come along, son. Just you wait and see.” As Shaun drove, he asked, “Going out tonight?”

“I need a night out,” Jerome mused. Grinning at Shaun, he asked, “What if I don’t come home?”

“I’d say good because your sister is home too.”

“No,” Jerome wailed then laughed. “Final year stress. Not looking forward to it.”

“You with biochemistry, Candice with molecular biology and me somehow managing to get a high school diploma.”

“We’re only where we are because of you and Mom. You gave us everything we needed to be where we are today. Wasn’t it you who always told us to not put ourselves down?”

“Don’t use my words against me, boy.” Shaun grinned. “You going to Craig’s?”

“Yeah. A few of us are going over to his house. Might play some games, you know.”

“Hmm. I know. I was your age once.”

Jerome and Shaun talked on the drive home and, at some point, Jerome fell asleep. He was nudged awake by Shaun and sat up, seeing his home in front of him. “I fell asleep?”

“Didn’t take long, and you needed it. I even stopped at McD’s and you didn’t wake up.”

“Damn. I must have been tired.” Jerome got out of the car, yawned and stretched, then grabbed his bag from the back seat. Following Shaun inside, he went to his bedroom and emptied his bag, grabbing his dirty clothes and putting them in the utility room. One bonus of going home was making sure all his clothes were washed. Not that he didn’t do laundry at college, but there was something about being home and having them cleaned there.

Seeing the items he’d packed for hitting the clubs later, Jerome smiled. Maybe it was time to put his mystery man from his mind, but when he thought about it, he lost his breath. What was it about the man who’d saved him that night? Why did Jerome always think about him?

“Jerome!”

Jerome shook his head and jogged downstairs and into the kitchen. Shaun had put a coffee on the counter for him, and some chocolate. “Thanks Dad. I need this.”

“I’m making quesadillas for dinner.”

“Nice. Haven’t had them in a while. Food at college isn’t great.” That made Jerome remember the food package that had mysteriously arrived for him the week before. It wasn’t the first time, either. “I meant to thank you for the food you sent.”

“Wasn’t me this time.” Shaun arched an eyebrow. “Seems you have an admirer.”

“Who sends me food?” Not that he was really complaining. The food had lasted him all week. “It had all my faves in it, too,” he mumbled around a piece of chocolate he’d shoved in his mouth.

“An admirer and a stalker?” Shaun looked at Jerome. “Just to be safe, keep your eyes open when you’re out.”

“It isn’t the first time.”

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