Page 17 of Lessons in Chemistry

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m his tutor.”

“And his friend.”

Auggie and I aren’t friends. Not yet. But I’d like us to be. Would Auggie and Casey get along?

“Come to meet Auggie with me tomorrow.”

Casey doesn’t reply, and I realise from the soft rhythm of his breathing that he’s fallen asleep.

“Casey.”

He doesn’t stir. He must be exhausted to fall asleep in the middle of a conversation. I should wake him and send him to his own room to sleep, but I don’t have the heart to. Or maybe I don’t want to. I shuffle down the bed so I’m lying beside him without disturbing him. He snuggles closer in his sleep, hugging me against him. I have the urge to stroke his face, but I keep my hands to myself. Instead, I watch him sleep until my eyes get too heavy to stay open.

I wake from an amazing but steamy dream involving me and Casey, and then Auggie, and then Casey again. It featured lots of kissing and things I’ve never done with a guy but have fantasised about. It was confusing and exhilarating. Less exhilarating is my erection, which is chaffing against my unforgiving jeans.

It’s getting light outside. My glasses are crooked on my face. I should have taken them off before falling asleep. Casey is still sleeping, still snuggled up to me, and still hugging me. It’s hard to breathe as I figure out what to do. It would be mortifying if he saw my erection. It’s more than a case of morning wood. I’m hard for him. Or maybe for Auggie. Fucking hell, I can’t think straight. Casey is the one pressed against me, looking adorable in the morning half light. His lips are so kissable. My cock twitches, and my underpants become warm and damp from pre-cum. Shit. Shit. Shit. I need to get out of bed and into the bathroom before Casey wakes up.

I move. He stirs. Shit.

He murmurs as his eyes flicker open. He wipes his hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. What time is it?”

“Morning.” My voice is tight.

“Really? I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I fell asleep too.”

“Is it okay? You sound pissed off.”

I wince. “I’m not. I’m tired, that’s all.”

“You didn’t sleep well?”

Shit. Casey probably thinks it’s his fault. What do I do? How do I get out of this? I’m making things worse every time I open my mouth. Maybe I should make a joke out of my predicament and hope things don’t get awkward between us. Or I could pray for the earth to open up and swallow me whole.

“No. I mean, yes. I’m fine. I got enough sleep. Sorry for snapping at you.”

Casey frowns. “Okay.” He rolls onto his back and rubs his face again. “I should leave you in peace and go and have a shower.”

“You’re not going to the pool today, are you?”

He stares at the ceiling and rubs his shoulder. “Probably not. You’re right. I need to take a rest day. I’m still aching from yesterday.”

“You need a massage.” Why the hell did I say that?

He glances at me and smiles. Thankfully, his stare remains fixed on my face. “The chance would be a fine thing. I wish we had a bath.”

“Or one of those showers with massage jets.”

He chuckles. “That would be nice.”

I reach for my blanket and pull it over my waist.

“Are you cold?”

“A little,” I lie.