Episode 4

The weekend slipped by as usual, with Jason strolling past the quaint houses of the gated community, engaging in various gardening tasks, and just as he was loading his tools, a familiar motorcycle pulled up three houses down.

Bill dismounted and walked up to Brittany Miller's doorstep—the most beautiful girl in school, aside from his cousin. She stepped out and draped herself around the tall, dark-haired guy.

From his vantage point, Jason watched their tongues twine mercilessly, heaved a sigh, and went back to gathering his gear.

"Jason! Jason!" A female voice from across the street made him turn. There stood Brittany, beaming, while Bill looked away, wiping his lips.

"Hi, Bri."

"Mom wants you to tend the garden tomorrow. Can you?"

"Sure, of course," Jason said, smiling, took his bike, and pedaled away.

"You've played your last card," he thought. If word got out that Bill was seeing Brittany, their fictitious relationship would be blown—especially since they were both so prominent at school.

But he didn't dwell on it—it wasn't a real romance, so why the concern? Come Monday, he would catch the bus as always and arrive at school as if the game had never existed.

"Too good to last," he chided himself as the wind buffeted his face.

Jason left the tools in the shed, wandered into the kitchen, and poured a large glass of juice, beads of sweat rolling down his defined abdomen, his throat emitting the sound of desperate thirst being quenched.

"Hello, darling—"

"Mom," Jason wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and smiled at Shara, looking a tad healthier.

"How did you sleep? Are you feeling alright? Did you take your medication?"

"There, there, I'm still the mother here," she patted her son's shoulder, grimacing.

"Go shower; you're soaked with sweat."

"Sure, it’s scorching outside, and the 30-minute bike ride really did its job." Jason set the glass on the counter and headed for the bedrooms.

"You shouldn't push yourself so much; I'm getting better," Shara said, her voice tinged with worry. She wasn't happy that her 17-year-old son was working so hard while she was still unable to help.

"Hey, mom, I'm fine if you're fine. Don't worry about work—I'm on it," he reassured her with a gentle touch.

"Okay, okay, but go shower—you stink." She playfully pinched her nose to tease her son.

"A hug?" Jason extended his arms, showing off a wide smile as his bare chest approached his mother with enthusiasm.

"Jason Collins, go take a shower," Shara laughed, raising her voice and pointing at the stairs.

"Alright, alright, but remember, you rejected your sweet baby's hug," Jason pouted, barely holding back laughter.

"I'll live with it. Now go bathe, and then come down for some tasty food."

"Guess I can forgive you." He sprinted up the stairs two at a time.

"Jason, you'll fall!"

"I'm fine, mom!" His voice echoed from afar.

"Shara, your baby's grown up," she told herself, smiling as she shook her head.

Monday arrived, and as always, Jason was finishing packing his bag for the bus.

"Baby! Someone's here for you!" Jason's mother called from downstairs.

Descending the stairs, puzzled, Jason found himself face-to-face with the world's most handsome boy.

Damn, why not fall for him? He thought, admiring the honey-hued skin, masculine features, and those green eyes. Jason was smitten, but he armed himself with defenses and approached.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked, smiling.

"Well, I told you I'd come pick you up. I'm your—"

Jason's hand covered Bill's mouth, his blue eyes widening with a unique sparkle that made the dark-haired guy shiver at the touch.

"Shh, my mom might hear you. Let's go, move it." Jason pushed him out the house.

"See you this afternoon, mom!" he shouted as he shut the door.

"Take care, baby," his mother's voice trailed off.

Bill still looked dazed at his boyfriend, his gestures so close to his face, those bright blue eyes entrancing him, and the feel of Jason's smooth skin was unparalleled, quickening his heartbeat.

"Baby?" he teased, still lost in those deep blue irises.

"You didn't have to come… Bill, Bill, hey Bill!"

"What?" Bill snapped out of it when he noticed the blue-eyed boy waving his hand in front of him.

"You didn't have to come."

Adjusting his backpack, Jason headed to the bus stop, leaving a stunned Bill behind. Moments later, Bill hustled after him.

"Come on, I came to get you. It was part of the deal—thirty days," Bill reminisced with a smile, striding in front of Jason, his back to the road.

"Yeah, it's true. Watch out, you’ll fall," Bill continued, blocking the path, then Jason spoke—no one was supposed to know their relationship was a game or they'd be disqualified.

"No one knows," Bill assured him.

"Okay, and what about Bri? Yesterday, I saw—I saw your tongue quite busy," Jason gently pushed the dark-haired guy aside to pass, but before he moved forward, Bill shoved him against the wall of a beautiful house and, grinning, moved within inches of his face.

"Jealous?" he arched a brow, showing off a crooked smile that took anyone's breath away.

"Are you stupid or what?" Jason tried to speak without a quiver in his voice as the dark-haired lad pressed him against the solid wall, bringing their bodies even closer.

"What'd you say, honey?" Bill's lips were too close, too tempting.

Jason swallowed hard; the warm breath made his whole body tingle, but he wouldn't be intimidated. He was too attracted to Bill. If this was his chance, even if it lasted a mere minute, he'd grab it. The game was off anyway.

Without another word, he stared into the green eyes before him, a crooked smile crossing his face, making the dark-haired guy frown. Without warning, Jason grasped Bill's nape and planted a kiss.

Bill's eyes widened, but he didn't resist as Jason gently played with his lips—it was his first kiss from a guy, and he wasn't bothered by it at all.

"I'm not jealous; we're nothing," Jason whispered against Bill's moist lips, then pushed him away and ran to catch the bus.

Jason arrived at school, still breathless, stowed his belongings in his locker, and entered his first class, his lips’ sensation tingling, touching them occasionally with a smile.

Entering the classroom, he sat down, still lost in thought, trying to steady his heartbeat.

"I see you missed me."

The masculine voice yanked him out of his reverie.

"Hey, Frank, you're here."

"Here? Dude, what's with you? I've been sitting here since you came in. What's going on that you can't stop grinning like a fool?"

And that's when Jason fully grasped what he'd done.

"Crap, crap, crap," he banged his head on the desk as if wishing to vanish.

"Hey, calm down, baby, what happened?" Frank placed a hand between the wood and his friend's forehead, stopping the self-inflicted blows.

"Frank, I messed up."

The brunette furrowed his brows in confusion.

"What happened?"

"Bill... I..." The brunette nodded, waiting for Jason to finish, but before he could, the teacher entered, and they had to postpone the conversation.

Hours passed and Jason's throat knot only got tighter. Mustering his courage on reaching the cafeteria, he saw green eyes drill into him. Without looking too hard, he lifted his chin and walked in. He managed to serve himself some food, hurried to a table, and sat across from Frank who was devouring his roast beef.

"What's with you? You looked like you were going to pass out during class," Frank asked, still smiling as he chewed.

"Go on, say I'm stupid. Just say it." Jason sounded resigned.

"Well, yes, you've always been stupid, but I'd like to know why you're so eager for me to confirm it," Frank teased.

"I kissed him."

"Who?" Frank asked, cutting into his meal without looking up.

"Hello, darling—" The voice behind his neck made those striking blue eyes squeeze shut in a plea to vanish.

He’s going to hit me, definitely going to hit me, Jason thought.

Bill pushed him forward slightly, swung his legs around Jason's back, and settled down, pinning him with muscular arms and placing his chin on his shoulder, causing Jason to shiver like a leaf in the wind.

Frank’s slice of roast beef dropped to his plate, his mouth agape, uncomprehending the spectacle. Bill Brennan—the heartthrob, the 'virgin snatcher,' as he'd dubbed him—was now cuddling up to his pal as if he were a koala. It was surely a lot to take in.

"You ran off, and I had no choice but to bug you at lunch. Remember, I'm your boyfriend," Bill murmured close to Jason's ear.

Jason wouldn't be cowed; it was clear everyone was watching now, and if Bill wanted to play, he wouldn’t stop him.

"You're not bothering me, but you could sit in another chair," Jason challenged, his voice brushing the dark-haired boy’s lips, which curved into an arrogant smile.

Frank sipped his drink; unblinking—it was like watching the best movie from the best seat.

"I thought you wouldn't mind me behind your lovely rear,"

"Maybe I prefer being behind yours," Jason upped the ante.

"Cough, cough," Frank choked on his drink, causing Jason to shield himself. This was too much.

"Are you okay?" His buddy inquired.

"You guys... you guys…" Frank sputtered, pointing at them in disbelief.

"Yes, we're together," Bill confirmed, comfortably resting on Jason's shoulder.

"But how? Since when? I mean you, damn…" Frank struggled to find words, but they choked in his throat.

"It's simple, this beauty swept me off my feet, and that's that." Bill trailed his tongue over the warm lobe of Jason's ear, who tried to dodge but was again restrained.

Things were heating up, and Jason’s pants were witness. He tried to scoot forward so the table could shield a potentially more embarrassing moment.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***