Chapter Five

Trent

I tried not to wring the tickets in my hands as I stood in front of the Boston Garden looking around for a sign of Charlie. It was not his fault I arrived an hour earlier than we’d arranged to meet at the arena’s entrance. Not wanting him to wait for me, I ended up waiting for him. I crushed the lollipop in my mouth and pulled out another. I had a collection of five sticks in my pocket now, but had three more tiny sugar boosts left in the other.

Where was he?

Over the last two weeks, we’d been texting non-stop and met for lunch at Randy’s every day. At first, I’d thought I’d gotten my bestie back, but I was mistaken.

Charlie had been my friend from childhood, but as an adult, he was a new person I was getting to know. This mature Charlie was still evoking the camaraderie and hug-like sense of warmth in me, but on top of that, a set of new feelings brewed that hadn’t belonged in the mind and body of the kid I was then.

All prompted by that kiss.

After a month spent researching online and watching more porn than I had during puberty, I chafed my dick and sprained my wrist. I had reached the conclusion that Charlie only brought out an attraction in me that I’d neglected. Maybe I hadn’t been ready to embrace my sexuality? Or I was afraid because I hadn’t known anyone who’d helped me accept it?

Now, I understood why Charlie had used the move as a clean slate. It was easier for me to explore far from home, in a place no one knew me, and where I’d already found someone who would understand what I was going through.

According to my thorough research, I was attracted to people, regardless of gender. It so happened that Charlie was a whole package. He was fun to be around, patient with me, understood my word-diarrhea, and well, he was rockstar hot. The past weeks of eating lunch and ignoring a boner whenever Charlie called me his Cupcake, had been a challenge.

On top of that, the way he commanded our physical interactions got me hard in seconds. I had felt it in that kiss, and every time we touched. He was leading me, and I was ready to follow.

A grin spread on my face as I spotted Charlie coming my way, dressed all in black, in cargo pants and a t-shirt that spelled The Offspring and had a skeleton on a yellow background. His hair was artfully disheveled, with a few red strands falling over his forehead.

“There you are, Cupcake.” Charlie’s voice sent a shiver of excitement through me, and the small peck on my cheek made me want to pull him into a hug.

Which I did.

Squeezing him briefly, I smelled his hair. Would I ever wake up in the morning to the soft strands tickling my face? I could dream. “Ready?” I asked, handing him his ticket.

“Yeah. In the thirteen years I’ve lived in Boston, I’ve never been to a Celtics’ game.” Charlie knocked me with his hip. “Thanks for popping my cherry.”

“I’m glad to be of service.” I half-bowed to him as we went through the ticketed entrance and into the hall.

Directed by the signs, I led us to the merch shop first. I reached for a black and green Celtics jersey, size medium, and turned to Charlie.

“You’re getting a new one?” He pointed at an identical garment I had on.

“Nope. This one is for you. It would go well with your black t-shirt, and Jaylen Brown is a damn good player. He was the NBA finals MVP this year.” I gave him my most pleading look and put it against his chest, proud that I judged his size perfectly. “Oh and this, too.” Grabbing a green foam hand with a pointing index finger, I waved it at him.

Charlie sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll wear it in the name of friendship.” He chuckled and grabbed the items from me. “But I’ll buy them myself. And take one of the hand thingies for you, too.”

“They also have thick fake gold chains. Look how fancy.” I jiggled the faux jewelry, creating a plastic clacking sound.

“I know their mascot is a leprechaun, but that doesn’t mean I want to be one.” He pointed a foam finger at me.

“Well, so far you’ve brought me only luck.”

“Oh, yeah?” Charlie paid for the merch and handed me the hand with the team’s logo on it—a cheeky leprechaun in a circle.

“You got me addicted to dino pancakes, showed me that 2000s music is old enough to have theme parties, and—” Made me question my sexuality. “Introduced me to fun people.”

Charlie narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips twitching into a smile. Then he patted my arm, directing us to the store’s exit. His frequent casual touches were like small kisses of affection. I’d like to get more of them. Often.

We waddled to our first balcony seats and settled in between two dudes with beers and a woman with three thick chains around her neck and a fake pot of gold.

“After the party, the guys keep asking when I’m bringing you home again. Will you come over next Friday to chill and watch a movie? It will be just me and Trixie. Sabrina can’t be there because her parents are coming over for the weekend.”

I nodded as the Seven Nation Army bass beat filled the arena, amping up the fans. The music was so loud it thumped in my chest, like at Charlie’s concert. Or maybe it was my heart at the idea of another evening spent with him.

“Sure. What should I bring?”

“Your smile is enough, Cupcake.” Charlie bumped me with his shoulder and remained close.

Basking in the proximity, I watched the mascot—a guy dressed as a leprechaun—and the dancers in skimpy outfits, warm up the audience. The comfort of having my bestie next to me kept me in place until the players entered the court.

Charlie was looking up and I followed his line of vision.

“You see the banners up there?” I pointed to the white and green sheets hanging high off the ceiling.

“Yeah.”

“The dates on them show the eighteen championships the Celtics won—the most in NBA history. With a few years’ break for the Jordan era.” I chuckled to myself, but that was a fact. “Then they were back in the game.”

“What are the three banners next to them?” Charlie asked.

“Those are retired numbers. That means no one in the team can use them anymore because whoever wore it before was so good. Like 33 for Larry Bird, AKA Larry Legend for his awesome career in the eighties.” I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from relaying info on Bird, and other players from the past. To my surprise, Charlie didn’t look bored as he watched the players take to the court.

“Just tell me when to stand up or cheer.” Charlie wiggled the foam hand at me.

“Oh, you’ll know. You’ll feel everyone’s excitement.” I was itching to tell him what was happening, but no one ever wanted to listen to my running commentary.

“So what are the stakes? Is this game important or one of those that don’t count much?” Charlie turned to me, genuine interest in his eyes. “Sorry, I don’t remember the rules anymore. You’ve always told me about it all.”

I could kiss him. The information that had been bubbling in me spilled out in words.

“This is a pre-season game, so whether they win or lose, it won’t weigh on the season. It’s like a warm up ahead of the serious games. But today they’re playing? Denver Nuggets.” I made jazz hands, grinning at Charlie’s amused expression.

“And that’s good, right?”

“Oh yeah. Celtics were champions in the previous season, but Nuggets won the year before that. During pre-season, successful teams like Celtics are usually paired with a shitty team, but this game could be great even for the NBA finals.” I lowered my voice to a commentator mode.

Charlie patted my thigh. “Okay, so tell me what’s happening now.”

With glee, I spiraled into describing what was going on, keeping it low enough not to disturb others. “Damn, Nuggets started strong with Nikola Jokic taking the ball. The Joker is on it, but our guys have him covered. He shoots and…misses! He barely grazed the rim.”

Charlie burst out laughing. “He what?”

I grinned. “Some commentators use very graphic descriptions that sound like the most filthy innuendos, so I picked up a thing or two.”

“Show me what you got.” Charlie cheered me on with the foam glove.

I nodded. “Let the puns begin.” Between triple penetration comments and various rim jokes, I had Charlie in stitches in no time.

“He’s hammering those balls in!” I elbowed Charlie, who was wiping tears off his face with his jersey, his cheeks pink from laughing.

“Tatum comes from behind and gets a piece of it. It’s not about when you come, it’s how hard you come.” I delivered the lines in the best commentator voice and tone I could muster.

I loved the game, but my favorite part was Charlie holding onto my arm as he doubled over.

The Celtics lost, but I was grinning as we headed out with the crowd. The lights around the arena illuminated the area as if casting a beacon of hope that the evening was not over.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

“How about a beer?” Charlie shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I know a good place nearby. Unless you have plans.”

And just like that, Charlie gave me another reason to hug him. I didn’t though. I could behave in public even whilst still hyped by the game. “Beer sounds great. Lead the way.”