Page 9 of I’ll Walk With You

Javier

I wasn’t lying when I told Bryce I was comfortable. I could have easily stayed crushed under his weight forever, but he seems to have turned to stone above me. The puddle of cum I’m lying in becomes all too noticeable. It’s cold and sticky like the tension filling the room. What did I say?

It couldn’t have been the fake boyfriend thing, since this was his idea in the first place. He doesn’t want to be with me. Not really.

Does he?

I shake my head. There’s no way.

Bryce slowly sits up, taking his warmth with him and leaving me cold.

A shiver wracks my body and, of course, Bryce notices.

“One sec and I’ll get something to clean you up.

” His soft cock slips out of me, and I can’t hold back the gasp that leaves my lips.

Even that feels amazing. I’m going to need a repeat.

Hopefully we can make that happen. I can hear him moving around the room, discarding the condom and cleaning up.

His footsteps head back towards me and a hand lands on my back, soft fabric rubbing against my skin as Bryce cleans the lube from my crease.

“C’mon, roll over, and I’ll clean up your cum. ”

I immediately comply. The tenderness of his actions makes my heart clench. He’s so kind and caring.

Someone would be lucky to date him.

Just not me.

A stab of pain at the thought makes my breath hitch.

Bryce’s eyes dart to mine. “Are you okay, Angel? Did I hurt you?”

I’m dying. He’s literally killing me. His sweetness is unrivaled.

Shaking my head, I reach out and take his hand. “No, you didn’t hurt me. You were perfect.”

His cheeks flush, and he dips his chin, avoiding my gaze. “You should, uh, stay here tonight. I’ll get you some clothes to sleep in and then you can do the walk of shame in the morning.”

I should go, but I don’t want to. Squeezing his hand, I agree.

After I freshen up and dress in the bathroom, I climb into Bryce’s bed on my side, facing the wall. Music and laughter shake the house, but my eyes grow heavy with his familiar scent surrounding me. Comforting me.

As he slides in behind me, the bed shifts. “Is cuddling okay?” His voice is a soft rumble.

The way he always checks in with me settles deep in my gut, warming me from the inside out. “Mhm,” I rumble, too worn out to form words.

I wish I could keep him.

“This could be real, Javi.” His whisper must be in my imagination as I drift off to sleep.

The next day, my thoughts are a scattered mess. I can’t focus on my assignment to save my life. Was that a dream or reality?

It could’ve been my subconscious playing tricks on me, making me think Bryce said the words I’d love to hear. Does he really want to be my boyfriend? In the light of day, I have to admit to myself, I want us to be real. He’s funny, kind, considerate, and hot as hell.

Should I tell him I’d say yes in a heartbeat if he wants to make us official?

“This could be real, Javi.”

My phone buzzes with an incoming call from Joel. Needing the distraction, I answer right away. My brother is my favorite person on the planet, even though he tends to act more like a parent sometimes.

“Hey,” I answer, injecting a lightness I don’t feel to my voice.

“Hey, little bro, what’s up?” Joel asks. “You sound weird.”

I sigh. Fuck him for knowing me too well. “Ugh, how do you do that every single time? Can’t I be angsty in peace?”

Joel’s chuckle echoes over the line, and I smile even though I’m exasperated.

“It comes with the territory of knowing you since birth, and angsty isn’t your thing, it’s mine.”

“Fair.”

“Tell me what’s got you in your head.”

Flopping back onto my bed, I cover my eyes with one hand. “There’s this guy–”

Joel scoffs. “Of course it’s about a guy.”

“Joel!”

“What? I’m sorry, but another one, Javi? Already? Isn’t it too soon?”

Doubts try to creep their way in, Joel’s concerns the same as I’ve already had. But how can it be too soon, when what I had with Keith was less genuine than fake-dating Bryce?

I’m not wrong about wanting more, but am I brave enough to ask for more and possibly get turned down?

I’m not so sure.

“Hey! Fuck you for that. This one is different. He’s genuinely nice, and–”

“I don’t know, Javi...”

My frustration builds. He knows how bad I fucked up with Keith.

He knows that he threatened to report me for stalking, but I’m not a child.

I ignored my instincts with Keith. That’s not what’s happening here, and I need him to understand.

“Can you stop fucking interrupting me and let me explain?” My voice sharpens.

Joel sighs. “Shit, sorry, I’ll listen.”

I start at the beginning, telling Joel about meeting Bryce at the Sigma Mu table, and ending with us making out at the party to prove to Keith I’d moved on. Of course I leave out the best sex of my life. There are some things my brother doesn’t need to know.

He stays quiet the whole time, listening intently. When I finish, the line is so quiet I look at my phone to see if I lost the call. He’s still there and his silence stresses me out. “Well? Say something!”

“It sounds like you really like him. And to be fair, it sounds like he likes you, too.” He takes an audible breath. “I’d have to meet him, but you might have a good guy, Javi. Someone worthy of you.”

My shoulders drop, all remaining tension drawing out of my body.

I know what I need to do.