Free Winter Ball by Amy Lane Page A

dressing at the same time, Skip in his polo shirt and tan pants, Richie in his mechanic’s blues and jeans.
    Skip shoved toast in Richie’s hand before they both ran out the door. Richie paused, one hand on the doorknob, his duffel bag over the other shoulder, and Skip grabbed his lapels suddenly and hauled him in for a thorough, lip-pulping, cock-hardening, nipple-tightening mauling. When Skip released him, Richie let go of the doorknob to rub his lips.
    “What was that for?” he asked in wonder.
    Skip was already hot from the kiss, but he knew his face got even redder. “Just… don’t forget this weekend, ’kay? Was… you know. Like the best weekend in my life. Want another one.”
    Richie’s smile was almost shy. “You want another one?”
    Skipper bit his lip. “That okay?”
    “Yeah. I mean….” A smile of wonder split Richie’s face. “ Yeah !” He reached behind Skip’s neck and hauled him down for another kiss, and this time Skipper found himself smiling when it was done. “We’re gonna do it again, right?” Richie asked, their faces so close Skip could feel little puffs of Richie’s breath across his lips.
    “Next weekend,” Skip promised rashly. “We’ll go out to a movie Friday, play Saturday—can’t promise we’ll win—”
    “Who cares!” Richie said, clearly enchanted. “Friday! I’ve got a reason to survive the fucking week now! That’s awesome !”
    He was out the door before Skip could tell him that he could come by any day. Any day was a day Richie could hang out on his couch, play his video games, strip naked, and molest Skip’s unprotesting body.
    But it didn’t matter, because they were going to do something on Friday. Richie would find his way to Skip’s door when he needed to, right?
     
     
    BY LUNCHTIME, Skip was staring at his phone like it had the secret of the universe.
    “Skip,” Carpenter muttered, “you’re up!”
    Skip looked at the phone bank, swore, ignored his cell phone, picked up his work line, and squeezed his squishy brain-shaped toy. “Tesko Tech Business Services! This is Skipper, how can I help you?”
    “Oh, hey! Skipper! My boy! Lucky me, I got you again!”
    Oh Lord. Skipper rolled his eyes at Carpenter and mouthed, “Mr. Gay Porn.” Carpenter made an obscene gesture using his fist and his closed mouth and his tongue in his cheek.
    Skipper grinned and walked Mr. Gay Porn through his paces. When he was done, the guy laughed and said, “We’re going to have to stop meeting like this, Skipper. Any chance we can meet any other way?”
    Oh boy. Skipper sighed grimly. “Actually, I’m seeing someone right now, sir. And this is highly inappropriate.”
    “Oh….” That sound was not promising, in that it didn’t sound like Mr. Gay Porn would go away. In fact, that sound was highly un promising. “You are seeing some one . You didn’t say a girl . You said you are seeing some one .I find that interesting. Don’t you find that interesting?”
    Skipper pasted a smile on his face. “Thank you, sir, for using the tech services at Tesko. If you have any questions or any complaints about the service you’ve just received, feel free to dial the number provided by your employee manual. Thank you again, and have a nice day!” He hung up. “Without me ,” he finished with passion.
    “What’s the matter, Skipper? He having trouble realizing that no means no?”
    Skipper turned to his friend and shook his head. “Man, you’d think the guy would… I don’t know. Take the hint. I told him I was seeing someone—”
    “You are?” Carpenter took a deep drag from his flavored water and looked eager. “Tell me more!”
    Skipper blinked. “You act like I haven’t ever dated before!”
    Carpenter rolled his eyes and took another drag. “Skipper, my last girlfriend was a year ago. She was sweet, didn’t mind that I was fat, and left me because her old boyfriend came back and she loved him more. It was very sad. Your last girlfriend was