Page 12

12

CONNOR

I left Mason and headed back to the dorm. I didn’t have any classes the rest of the day, and it was Friday. That meant party night for a lot of the student body, especially the fraternities and sororities. The kegger/bonfire had been put together by four or five Greek houses, and they had permission but kept the kegger part on the down low. Underage drinking was frowned upon, but campus security sometimes looked the other way. It made me wonder how many students had fake IDs.

I had some studying to do before the night’s festivities, so before I buckled down, I texted Mason the time and place where the three of us would meet. My fingers shook slightly as I texted him the details. I’d told Spencer about Mason weeks ago, about the day he gave me a lift to the dorm. I’d also confessed that I thought Mason was a ‘hot daddy,’ with a full detailed description. Spencer wasn’t yet aware of the invitation I’d given Mason for tonight.

I hadn’t seen or heard from Spencer today, but I assumed he’d be ready to go at the agreed time. The texts I’d sent Mason were laced with playful innuendo, carefully chosen to test the waters. I hoped he’d catch on. I felt bolder now, more confident with him, and decided to flirt a little to see how he responded. I wanted to draw him out, explore the spark between us, and see where it might lead. I craved more of him.

A little past seven-thirty, I heard Spencer open and close his door across the hall. I’d already put my books away, showered, and brushed my teeth. I opted for jeans, an EOU sweatshirt, and a jacket, figuring I’d be warm enough, especially with a bonfire.

There was a rap at my door about ten minutes later. It was unlocked and Spencer walked in with his usual chipper mood and a bounce in his step. I finished putting my shoes on and told him I was ready.

“Remember the trucker I told you about who gave me a ride before school started?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he replied.

“He was at the diner this afternoon, and we ended up having lunch together.” Spencer’s mouth dropped open as he looked at me, eyes wide in surprise.

“You’re catching flies,” I chided.

“You saw him again?”

“Yes, and we had lunch. It was quite pleasant, and he even picked up the tab,” I replied in a smirking tone. “I also invited him to the kegger tonight. I texted him the time and place to meet us.” Spencer’s look of surprise never left his face. “He may or may not come, but it was an open invitation. My gut tells me he was fighting the urge.”

“Oh my God, I finally get to meet the hot daddy you’ve been swooning over?” he asked as if he didn’t believe me.

“If he shows,” I replied nonchalantly, trying to hide my excitement. “And I sort of pulled you out of the closet with me and told him we’re gay.” Spencer chuckled. Again, believing in fate, I had a feeling the universe was going to give me the gift of my trucker tonight. “I didn’t pressure him, but reading his body language, I sensed he really wanted to come. I want to know more about him. Get him to open up a little more. Our conversations have been, how can I say, generic at best?”

Spencer looked at me with a sly grin. “Get a few beers in the guy, and you’ll start learning a lot more about him.” He stood there, lightly clapping his hands together with a look the devil would be proud of.

“I just want this to be comfortable and easy for him. He’s concerned about his age and that he won’t fit in with the young crowd. I hope to take him aside privately, out of the fray, so we can have a more intimate conversation. I’d like to know more about his story,” I said seriously.

“My advice is to watch how much beer you consume,” he lectured. “I’m sure you’ll put him at ease, though. You’re good at that, but I’ve seen how flirty and handsy you get when you over-consume. Remember the last party we went to?” he laughed with a waggling brow.

I pushed him out the door. “Yes, don’t remind me of that drama,” I replied as I gritted my teeth. I’d inadvertently hit on a straight guy I thought was cute at that party, being rather feminine both in voice and mannerisms. He was incensed and rude, negatively reacting to my overtures, and made a point to embarrass me. Apparently, my gaydar was out of alignment that night.

We left the dorm and headed to the kegger. It was eight o’clock when we arrived at the agreed spot. It was a large fir tree with a trunk so thick it would take four or five people holding hands to hug it, and it was about two blocks from where the bonfire had been set.

We could see the flicker of a low-burning woodpile and figured they had just recently put a match to it. The imposing bonfire was set in a clearing and was well-contained within a circle of small boulders. The cold breeze we’d had earlier had completely died down, and the weather was calm but quite chilly. We were comfortable in jackets but the temperature would drop, forcing us and most of the crowd closer to the warming flames.

I loved bonfires. When I was about ten, my mom, brother, and I would find a beach on the Columbia River during the summer. Portland was inland, so the river was where we’d camp, fish, wade, and swim. At dusk, Mom and Kyle would gather driftwood, and I’d create a fire pit, lining it with river rock. We cooked our caught fish, roasted hotdogs, and s’mores over the open flames, Mom telling ghost stories before we headed off to our sleeping bags in the crowded tent. Simple family pleasures I treasured.

I didn’t initially hear Spencer ask what time I’d told Mason to meet us, lost in my reverie, so when he asked again, snapping his fingers in front of my face, I responded. “I told him eight o’clock.”

“He’s late,” he said, looking at me while rocking on his toes, acting all antsy. I had a disappointing feeling Mason had decided not to come, and as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I saw the sexy man confidently stroll toward us, breaking through a group of students.

He was without his baseball cap, wearing jeans that hugged his thighs nicely and a Carhartt jacket with the collar turned up. I remembered he’d taken his cap off when we ate at the diner earlier, and I was struck by his wavy black hair, contrasting with his steely blue eyes, which paired nicely with his greying temples. He also sported a crew neck T-shirt tonight that gave him a comfortable yet contemporary appearance. I liked what I saw. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes scanned every inch of his broad frame as he walked up to us with a gentle smile. My cock twitched.

Fuck, he looks even hotter tonight!

I bumped Spencer with my elbow before I stepped forward to greet Mason. Again, he stuck out his hand, and I took it firmly, not letting go. “Hey, I’m glad you decided to come after all.” Our grasp lingered a moment longer than usual, and I stood by him for a beat longer than necessary. Then, I gently let go as I stepped up beside him. As we faced Spencer, I could see my amazed friend’s stare take in the beautiful specimen of a man.

I was about to introduce them, but Spencer spoke first, putting his hand out to greet him. “Hi, I’m Spencer. Connor told me you were the big rig driver that got him to school on time. It’s finally nice to meet you.” I rolled my eyes slightly as Mason took Spencer’s hand and said hello.

He actually said, big rig?

Spencer wasn’t the type, as far as I knew, to come between the two of us. He was just being his overly friendly self. I figured he was just as enamored with Mason’s striking good looks as I was. Quickly, I said, “The bonfire and libations are this way.” I pointed in the direction of the blazing firelight, which produced the occasional spark that wafted skyward. We all started walking to where others were gathered, me between Mason and Spencer.

Mason asked Spencer about his area of study, our swim workouts, and what direction he planned to head in upon graduating. I could tell Spencer was thrilled at the attention and I was happy the conversation stayed out of sexual innuendo territory. I’d told Spencer I didn’t know which way Mason swung sexually. But knowing Spencer, he was dying to know, and I was sure he was assessing Mason. My plan tonight was to see if Mason had as much interest in me as I had in him.

There was already quite a crowd around the bonfire when we walked up. I noticed there were places tucked away for more intimate conversations, and I could see couples chatting softly, along with bigger, more boisterous groups of students closer to the bonfire. There were a plethora of red cups in hands, and I knew the kegs had to be close by.

No one was paying the three of us any mind, and I was sure Mason felt comfortable with that. I figured I could easily get Mason alone. I didn’t sense any hesitation with his demeanor or our conversation at lunch, and now he’d joined us and was talking comfortably, I felt slightly more at ease, even though my gut was still tied in knots.

“Mason, would you mind scouting us some beers?” I asked, wanting to get Spencer alone. “That way, you can take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about your college days.” I finished with a laugh.

Mason gave me a quizzical look, probably wondering if I meant it as an insult, but then shook his head and laughed. “Alright, you boys hold tight—this old man will go scope out the perimeter and bring back supplies.” His tone was playful and almost military.

Once he was out of earshot, Spencer turned to me. “Holy fucking shit! I know you told me he was hot and all, but Christ, he’s definitely a fucking daddy sex god. Look at that ass.” He pointed at Mason as he sauntered away and finished with a whimper and a crazed look.

“Simmer down, horndog.” I gave his upper arm a bump with my fist. “You know I planned on getting to know him better tonight, so when he heads back with our beers, just excuse yourself and say you want to mingle a bit.”

“Will do. And look who’s calling who a horndog.”

A few minutes later, Mason returned, balancing red cups full of a heady brew. Again, his eyes stared into mine as I gratefully accepted my cup of beer. We toasted to a fun night, then Spencer piped up, saying he wanted to take in the crowd, and trotted off.

“Did you have any problem finding where the keg was stashed?” I asked, taking another sip of beer and trying to cover my nervousness.

“Oh no, not at all. I noticed a group of students emerging from a hidden spot in those trees over there, each carrying a cup. It reminded me of a line of ants returning to their nest with food,” he replied with a light chuckle. I huffed back with a laugh, slightly sloshing some beer over my hand. Perhaps my nerves were a bit too obvious.

“You told me you loved to watch people at these gatherings,” Mason said, almost like a question. “Do you want to find a seat somewhere where we can take it in?”

Yes, I definitely do, and I so want to do more with you than just sit and take in this crowd. I thought as I looked at his handsome face.

The flickering flames of the bonfire highlighted his angled features, and I felt my blood heat. The firelight danced in his eyes as he looked at me, and the ends of his black hair almost took on a blue hue. My desire for the man had become nearly too much. I took another swig of beer and noticed Mason had all but finished his. He glanced into my cup before taking it from me.

“Let me get us a refill. I’ll be right back.” He smiled, grazed my fingers when he reached for it, and then said, “Why don’t you find us a place to sit.” I watched him walk away and took in his ass, just as Spencer had done earlier.

I looked around and saw a large flat boulder with enough room for two, not more than ten yards away. It was set back enough for privacy with shrubbery that hid the rock from behind. Mason returned with fresh beer to where we’d been standing before, so I called out to get his attention.

“Here you go,” he said cheerfully handing me a beer as he lightly tapped his cup to mine. We sat on the boulder close enough that our shoulders, thighs, and knees touched. Although the boulder was big enough for two, neither of us was small. I felt his body heat and noticed his woodsy scent. There was a hint of leather infused with sandalwood, and I felt my cock swell as I took in that intoxicating scent as if it were an aphrodisiac.

I needed to clear my head, sitting close to him. I thought asking about his trucking business and more personal aspects of his life might distract me from my wanton thoughts. He’d never mentioned a wife or girlfriend, which only fueled the fantasies I had about him. He didn’t wear a ring on his left hand, but I realized many married men didn’t wear wedding bands.

“How often are you on the road with these trips you take?” I asked, beginning my mental list of questions.

He laughed. “I’ve been known to be on the highways for weeks at a time. It just depends on the freight I need to carry and where my broker sends me. I’m an independent trucker, and we often use freight brokers to find pickups. Brokers act as intermediaries between shippers and carriers. But since I’m a lone wolf who’s done this for years, I’m able to pick and choose my territories and make it work so I can take time off when I like.”

That was the most Mason had ever spoken in one sitting, and it was not only refreshing but I was also being educated about the trucking business. I wanted to learn more.

I looked down at my beer, feeling braver, then glanced at him quickly and asked, “You must be on the road alone quite a bit, and I don’t mean to pry, but does your wife or girlfriend take kindly to you being away for long stretches?” My heart quickened, not knowing if I really wanted to know the answer.

I took another big swallow of beer, wincing internally at my boldness. I felt Mason’s gaze as he looked my way. I shifted and looked back at him.

“I’m not married, nor do I have a girlfriend…and you’re not prying. I’ve been rather silent about my life, and you’re just being curious,” he replied. He looked away, absorbed in thought, his expression turning somewhat somber. “I’m a widower.” He took a long draught of beer and continued to look straight ahead at the roaring bonfire.

With his admission of being a widower, my heart sank, both in empathy for his grief and at the realization that I now had my answer about his sexuality. I didn’t want to bring up anything that could spoil the night, and I was afraid I’d done just that.

I cleared my throat. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…” He immediately set his hand on my knee, stopping me from continuing the apology.

“It’s fine, you don’t need to apologize.” He paused briefly. “It was a long time ago.” He kept his hand on my knee as he spoke, looking into my eyes, and I could feel a definite tingle and warmth run up my leg to my crotch.

After he’d finished, I gently placed my hand on his, which was still on my knee. I could feel his pulse quicken along with mine, and a spark seemed to ignite between us. Not second-guessing, I placed my head on his shoulder. I wanted to wrap my arms around him so badly and draw him into a sympathetic embrace. My intentions at that moment weren’t amorous. I just wanted him to know I cared.

I felt him lean his head on top of mine, and my breath hitched.