Page 30 of The Locker Room

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Walking down the street, holding Chris"s hand, could kill it dead.

Chris knew that. They"d spent a year speculating on college, talking

about going together and working on Xander"s grades. Chris knew how

much it meant to him.

Xander backed up and reached out and ran his thumb across

Chris"s lower lip.

26

Amy Lane

“We"re the only ones who need to know, anyway,” he said,

meaning it. Chris was his best, most personal, most amazing secret. It

was almost like if Xander exposed the two of them to the harsh lights, he

would dissipate into smoke and disappear on the screams of the crowd.

Chris grinned then, whole and undisturbed. “C"mon, Xan, my

mom"s making breakfast this morning. I know she wants to see you.”

He turned and trotted into the house, and Xander followed,

bemused.

They came inside and, sure enough, Xander could smell pancakes.

Andi looked up from the stove and beamed at him.

“Xander! God, honey! I"m so glad to see you. I mean—” She

shook her head and her eyes got too bright. “Jesus, honey. I"m sorry I

took off on you last time. C"mere.” She held out her arms, and Xander

felt compelled to walk into them. Suddenly he was embraced, enfolded,

even though Chris"s mom was only around five foot five inches tall.

“Xander!” Suddenly Jed was there, too, and Xander was embraced

like family. He smiled at them a little, and blushed—hard. His body

felt… hungry. Starving. Almost as faint for touch as it had been for food

the day he and Christian had been forced to give up everything to Coach.

“"S good to see you,” he muttered, uncomfortable and yet savoring

every moment. This was family, he thought in wonder. This was

kindness. He would have to remember this, so that when he was a

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