Page 10 of We May Be Fractured

Sex

[Now playing ? Pumped Up Kicks—Foster the People]

“I ’ll start,” Nyle said, his gaze landing on Aaron. “Never have I ever…been with a guy.”

“Here we go again,” Luzanne muttered and sipped her drink.

Aaron froze, his drink in mid-air inches from his lips. Sure, he’d hooked up with a guy, but they hadn’t gone ‘all the way’.

“Define ‘been with’,” Aaron blurted out.

Nyle blinked. “Wait a minute… Do we have a virgin here?”

“Seriously, Nyle?” Ria interjected with a hint of annoyance. “Virginity is such an old-school concept. It’s just more baggage society dumps on us.”

“What are you talking about? It’s rather simple. You’ve either had sex or you haven’t.”

“And what counts as ‘having sex’? Who gets to decide that definition?”

“Come on, Ria. Don’t turn everything into a philosophical debate or, worse, an excuse to organise a protest.” Nyle groaned. “That’s how you got into trouble last time.”

Luzanne raised a hand to silence him, showing she was interested in what Ria had to say.

Ria pressed on. “You know, traditional definitions of ‘virginity’ are so limited. It’s usually about a penis and a vagina. But what about other forms of intimacy? Or people who might never do the whole ‘penis in vagina’ thing? Do they not count?”

A few nods of agreement spread around the circle.

“I meant penetrative sex, then,” Nyle mumbled, trying to defend his initial statement.

Meeting Aaron’s gaze, Ria clarified, “To answer your question, the definition of sex can be whatever you want it to be. The focus should be on how you feel about your experiences. Not labels.”

The group sat in an awkward, reflective silence.

Breaking the quiet, Nyle quipped, “Wow, Ria. This Christmas, I think I’ll gift you a jumper that says ‘I’m majoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies’.”

“And I’ll give you one that says ‘twat’,” Landon shot back.

“Thanks, Lanny.”

“He’s not wrong,” Ria playfully added.

“When do you ever not side with Landon?” Maeve remarked, her voice tinged with bitterness.

“You three,” Nyle pointed his beer first at Landon, then Ria, and finally Aaron. “Next ‘party-pooper’ intervention, you’re out. This game is for fun and getting wasted.”

Landon leaned back with an air of casual confidence, sipping his cocktail. “You should’ve laid out these winning rules from the start.”

Nyle shot him a mock-stern look. “There are no winners in this game.”

“Maybe there are though.” Landon shifted his gaze to Aaron.

Luzanne chimed in, “Never have I ever…had penetrative sex.”

Aaron shot Luzanne a ‘seriously?’ look as he drank. She was definitely calling him out.

“So you’re not a virgin after all,” Nyle teased him.

“Never have I ever…” Jean continued, “…thought about sleeping with someone here tonight.”

Surprisingly—or maybe not—one by one, they all drank.

All but Aaron.

As the rounds continued, Aaron picked up on the trend. Every single “Never have I ever” was about sex. As in, never have I ever…had a quickie in a public loo, had a friends-with-benefits situation, or used glow-in-the-dark condoms.

So, while everyone’s drinks kept disappearing, his stayed mostly full.

Catching on to Aaron’s sobriety, the group, mainly thanks to instigator Nyle, switched things up. Using titbits they’d picked up earlier, they started throwing out softer pitches, such as never having sailed to Point Nemo or not visited Sydney.

As expected, Cliff threw a curveball into the mix. “Never have I ever…backstabbed a mate.”

Maeve chuckled, glancing around the circle with an ‘I know what that’s about’ expression.

That stung, but Aaron wasn’t about to let Cliff see it. Meeting his challenging stare, he lifted his drink in a ‘cheers to that’ gesture.

Finally, it was Aaron’s turn. Taking a deep breath, he looked round at everyone. “Never have I ever…tried to pick on someone in this game just to get them wasted.”

Nyle took a dramatic swig of his drink, and a few others joined him. Ria and Landon, however, didn’t.

“You’re not upset, are you?” Nyle scratched his head. “We’re just messing around.”

“It’s cool,” Aaron replied. “I’m not bothered. But seriously, what’s with all the sex questions?”

“Because it’s fun?”

“I think sex is overrated.”

Nyle frowned. “Are you for real?”

“He is,” Cliff said, jumping in. “The dude’s bi, and yet he’s not using it to his full potential.”

Aaron shot him an annoyed look. “There’s more to life than sex, you know.”

“Like what?” Nyle challenged. He seemed sceptical and curious at the same time.

“Like jamming to music, bingeing an entire series in one night, diving deep into a book, or just…running until you’re tired.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve never had a good fuck,” Nyle commented instantaneously, perhaps without malice.

“Sounds to me like you want to go fuck yourself, and not in the way you might like,” Aaron retorted, instead, with malice.

“If you want, I can make it enjoyable for you, too.”

Luzanne sighed. “Nyle’s being Nyle again.”

Aaron grinned, unimpressed. “I got it, thanks. Not interested.”

Nyle pouted, gesturing at himself. “You’re refusing a hottie like me?”

“Yeah,” Jean quipped. “Even I have to admit Nyle’s a great catch.”

“Hey,” Luzanne protested, playfully slapping his arm.

“ Mon amour , he’s your brother.” He kissed her cheek. “Beauty runs in your genes!”

A few people laughed. Aaron paused to really look at Nyle—his delicate facial features, chiselled jawline, and a lean body that hinted at regular gym visits. He could see why others might find him attractive, but for Aaron, Nyle’s over-the-top approach overshadowed his looks.

“Offer’s always on the table if you ever want a taste.” Nyle leaned in a little too close. “I know how to make the good guys bad for a weekend,” he sing-songed, casually lifting his drink. But his hand faltered, tipping the contents onto Aaron’s hoodie.

Accidental or not, it was unwelcome.

“Ah, shoot,” Nyle murmured, extending a hand to pat the stain on Aaron’s chest, dangerously near the scars Aaron kept hidden away.

“Don’t,” he snapped, firm but controlled, masking the discomfort surging.

Nyle paused, his hand still mid-air. “Sorry, I was just—”

“I said don’t,” Aaron interjected again, more firmly this time, catching Nyle’s wrist in a tight but measured grip. “You’ve got three seconds to remove your hand before I make sure you can’t use it again.”

The mood soured in an instant. Ria and Landon shared a look of concern, while Nyle withdrew his hand.

Standing up abruptly, Aaron strode towards a quiet part of the garden, each step a firm punctuation to his harsh words. The weight of everyone’s stares felt like darts against his back as he moved away.

Subdued chatter immediately rose, but Maeve’s voice emerged clearly.

“Maybe he was right. Maybe it’s not Landon we should be afraid of anymore, but him.”

Without turning around, Aaron slipped behind the summer house that loomed still in the corner, its door fastened with an old padlock. This place had either been forbidden or forgotten, and Aaron used it as a shield from the others.

Patting down his pockets, he found a crumpled cigarette. Out of habit, he placed it between his lips but sighed as he still had no lighter. He plucked it from his mouth and rolled it between his fingers.

“I don’t think it will light itself if you keep staring at it,” a soft voice remarked behind him. “Unless, of course, you’re hiding special powers, like laser vision.”

He turned to Ria, her height only reaching his chest. She could pass for a minor, and he wondered if she, like Cliff, suffered from a similar age-defying spell.

“Got a lighter?” he asked, half hoping.

She shook her head, her ponytail swinging from side to side. “I don’t smoke. But if you want, I can ask Landon to lend me his.”

Aaron glanced behind her, spotting Landon among the group, the guy he might’ve accidentally stolen the ‘intimidating’ crown from.

“Never mind…” He put the cigarette back in his pocket. “I should probably cut down anyway.”

“Nyle made quite the impression, huh?”

“That’s one way to describe it.”

Nyle’s bubbly energy perfectly mirrored his appearance—lanky, exuberant, and nuanced. He looked like someone who never met a stranger, only friends he hadn’t made yet.

Ria tilted her head. “Nyle’s all bark and no bite. But you know what they say, it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”

“Then you better run,” he told her, but without any threatening inflection.

“Who said I wasn’t talking about me?”

“In my opinion, the creepy award of the evening goes hands down to your friend ‘I dress in black because it’s the non-colour of my soul’.”

“Landon?”

“Yeah, Landon.” Aaron tested the name on his tongue.

“Landon knows how to be silent, but he’s also noisy when he wants to draw attention.”

Thinking back to how Landon had ignored him after Aaron had asked for a lighter and the distinct sound of his boots on the ground, Aaron mused, “He’s like a cat, isn’t he?”

Ria burst out laughing. “Oh my god, that’s spot on! I’ve never thought of him like that, but you’re absolutely right!”

It took a while, but in the end, Ria managed to convince Aaron to give another chance to the evening, which continued with toasted marshmallows and less-intrusive games.

When the bonfire died out, the guests left one by one. Luzanne and Jean, hand in hand and giggling, headed upstairs. Landon’s gaze followed them until they vanished beyond the stairwell, and then he stepped out into the garden, cigarette pack in hand.

In the dim glow of the living room, Aaron hesitated, the couch-surfing app open on his phone.

“Hey.” Nyle approached cautiously after saying goodbye to his friends. “If you’re looking for a place, you’re welcome to crash here.”

Aaron looked at him suspiciously, wary of his real motives.

Nyle tilted his head towards Aaron’s phone. “Saw you checking that app. It’s not some weird move. Promise.”

Aaron obscured his phone screen and stared at him, annoyed.

“I’m sorry about what happened before,” Nyle continued. “I was trying to flirt, especially after finding out you’re bi. Seriously, you’re fit and…intriguing. I mean, sure, your fashion sense could use some work, but you’re attractive. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“Just because you find someone attractive doesn’t mean you should make them uncomfortable.”

“True. But I hoped you would be down for a shag.”

“Told you already. Not interested.”

“All righty.” Nyle raised his hands. “I got the message. You can still sleep here though. We have an extra room that’s empty. If you wait, I can sort it out and—”

“No, there’s no need. The couch is fine for one night.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m used to it by now.”

“Stunning! Stay here. Don’t move.” Nyle ran up the stairs.

After a few seconds, a loud noise followed an equally loud curse as if Nyle had dropped something. He came limping back with a pile of sheets, blankets, and a pillow.

“The loo’s down there.” Nyle motioned with his head. “If you’re thirsty or hungry, you know where the kitchen is, and there’s a socket by the sofa for your phone. Anything else, give me a shout.” He handed Aaron everything and disappeared around the corner.

After quickly setting up his makeshift bed, Aaron flopped down.

He’d barely closed his eyes when the rhythmic thudding from upstairs began, each beat accompanied by the occasional “Yes” and “Oui.” He groaned.

Of course this would happen; Luzanne and Jean had been all over each other the entire night. Thankfully, their nocturnal symphony was brief. Silence soon blanketed the room, sleep not far behind.

Aaron shuffled, trying to get comfortable. Just as he managed to settle, a floorboard creaked. He opened his eyes, recalling Ria’s words about Landon. But instead of Landon, a small black cat with one glossy eye and a tattered ear appeared.

“Hey there,” Aaron said softly, sliding from the couch and crouching in front of it. He stretched out his hand and waited, letting the cat come closer at its own pace.

It hesitated, then sniffed and nuzzled his fingers.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Aaron muttered, returning to the couch. He patted a spot beside him.

The cat considered the invitation. Then, it jumped up next to him and curled up into a soft fur ball. Aaron petted it until they both fell asleep in the quiet of the night.