Page 25 of Inside Out
“Probability is expectation founded upon partial knowledge.”
~George Boole
“Don’t make assumptions and predictions when you only know half of the story.”
~Julius Shepherd
“I’m not listening to any classical crap for ten hours,” Marcus said after getting in my car late Sunday morning. I’d stopped by to pick him up for the drive to Lexington, Kentucky, to see our paternal grandparents.
“It’s only an hour and twenty minutes from here each way. That’s nowhere near ten hours.”
“It feels like it,” he groused, sounding grouchier than normal.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar.”
“Nothing I feel like talking about anyway.” Marcus released a frustrated groan. “I’ve met a girl, and I care about her a lot.”
“That’s great, bro. Why do you sound like it’s such a bad thing? Does she not return your feelings?”
Marcus scoffed. “Return my feelings? You sound older than Gram and Gramps. She’s into me too, that’s not the problem.”
“Than what is the problem, Marc?”
“I’m getting a lot of blowback from the team and coach, okay? They think I’m getting in over my head.”
“I’m confused,” I said. “Coach isn’t in a relationship, and no other players have girlfriends or boyfriends?”
“Coach is married and most of the guys on the team are dating.”
“Then why are you being held to a higher standard?”
“Things with Camilla are complicated,” Marc said with a shrug. Talking to him was like pulling teeth sometimes. He preferred to work through things on his own, and I knew he’d come to me if he needed me, so I was prepared to let the subject drop. “She has a kid.”
“Camilla does?”
“Yeah.” His voice had gone soft, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “He’s named Manuel after Camilla’s dad, but they all call him Manny. I call him my little man. I love her, J. I love Manny too. They make me happy.”
“Bro, I consider myself to have an analytical mind, but I’m just not computing here. She loves you too?” I asked. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Marc nod. “And you love her. What is the problem? Why does anyone care about you dating Camilla?”
“They said Camilla’s just using me for a free ride out of poverty. That’s not true, J. I met her at the diner where she works. Camilla had no idea who I was. She just called me peanut butter pie guy. I’m a good judge of character, right?” he asked.
“You are, Marc. If you say that Camilla cares about you, then I believe you.”
He blew out a relieved breath. “I haven’t told Mom about Camilla and Manny yet. How do you think she’ll react?”
“Mom loves who we love; no questions asked. She’d told us both that a thousand times at least. Tell her when you’re ready.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m letting outside influences mess with my mind. I’ve never caved to that kind of pressure, and now isn’t the time to start.” He turned his head and studied me silently for a few seconds. “What’s different about you? You look more relaxed than the last time I saw you.”
“Nothing,” I said with a casual shrug.
He sucked in a quick breath, almost gasping. “You got laid.”
“No, I didn’t.” Well, not the way he was thinking. I spent hours making out with a gorgeous man with an equally beautiful soul until my body throbbed and my cock ached. I’d gone home and relieved the tension while reliving the feel of Rome’s lips on mine and imagining other places on my body he could kiss.