Page 69 of Ancient History

“Yes, Amos. Even on Flag Day.”

“Hutch, I don’t want to get hurt again. What if we get in this cycle where we get together, then break up again?”

“You say that history repeats itselfunless we learn from our mistakes. Well, I’ve learned. I’m not running anymore. I’m not letting myself be intimidated out of love. And you’re not this shy, awkward kid anymore.” I see-sawed my head. “You’re still a little awkward, but in a really cute way.”

“Thanks?” He raised an eyebrow, all his adorable awkwardness spilling out.

“Oh, yeah. It’s a compliment. Look, I don’t have any historical examples to whip out, but I know soccer, and the game isn’t over until the final seconds. There’s always time for a team to shrug off their losses, get their shit together, and stage a come from behind victory.” I kissed him softly, then gazed into his eyes, trying to parse out what he was feeling. “Amos, I know I broke your heart before, but if you give me one more chance, I’ll never break it again.”

Amos lunged forward and kissed me with ten years worth of pent-up things he couldn’t say. This was an all-timer of a kiss, shooting down to my toes.

“One more chance,” he said, smiling against my lips. “Don’t fuck it up.”

“I won’t. I promise.” I meant every word. There would always be a part of myself upset for what I did, for the fear that led me to cut the most important person out of my life. Just like a part of me would always rewind the day I tore my ACL to see what I could’ve done differently.

But living in the past was pointless. And maybe I needed to go through rough times to enjoy these current highs.

We made out in his car, our heavy breathing and moaning fogging up the windows. The center console made it tough for things to progress. That, and we were parked on the street where anybody could drive by.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to sex,” Amos said. “For sex. Shit. Sorry.”

“Agreed.” I nibbled on his ear lobe. “Let’s go up to my room.”

He pulled back. “But your dad’s home.”

“So?” I did not want to be thinking about Pop at this moment.

“So, you just want me to come in with you and go up to your room? Are you even allowed to have boys up in your room?”

Pop would probably throw a ticker tape parade, which would make things weirder.

“I don’t want your dad’s first impression of me to be some guy you bring up to your room. If we’re really going to give this another shot, then I want my first meeting with your dad to be more traditional. Maybe brunch?”

I wasn’t sure what signals Amos was giving me with his etiquette conundrum. I imagined guys had the same challenges hooking up with Emily Post.

“So should we hold off?”

“Probably.” Amos took a deep breath and put his hands back on the steering wheel.

For approximately two seconds.

Then we were making out again, and he grabbed my dick through my jeans like it was the gear shift.

“We can go to your condo.”

“I can’t drive with this boner.”

“We could find a secluded spot,” I suggested, catching my breath. “Scoops?”

“Kids use the Scoops lot at night to skate and get high. Besides that, there are no more secluded spots in Sourwood. They’ve either turned into a park, a housing development, or they’re being used by other horny teenagers.”

“I have an idea.” I didn’t know if it’d work. I was thinking with my other head. “But you have to trust me.”

20

AMOS

Was I willing to die to have great sex?

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