Free The Way You Say My Name by Sara Bell

and pulled his coat tighter around his neck. The gap between his scarf and his collar was just enough to let the thirty-three degree temperature seep into his skin. No matter how many layers he wore, there was nothing he could do to combat the cold as he started the three-block-walk to school. He could have called Aunt Sadie to come and take him, but he hated to bother her. Since she’d retired from her nursing job two years ago, she did her best to stay busy with other things. Today was her day to volunteer at the public library, and she’d already left by the time Jamie realized Ben wasn’t gonna show. He’d be late, but there was no help for it. The temperature was actually high for February, and thankfully, it wasn’t snowing. Snuggling into his clothing, he set a fast pace and took off. He’d made it almost to the end of the first block when he heard a car pull up beside him, and a familiar voice say, “Get in.”

Jamie bent down to peer through into the rolled-down passenger window of the Lumina. Giving Dillon the most nonchalant look he could manage with his teeth chattering as they were, he said, “No, thanks. It’s not that far, and I don’t mind walking. Ben’s probably just running late. I’m sure he’ll stop and pick me up on the way to school.”

Dillon blew out the breath he’d just taken in, sending little clouds of smoke swirling out the open window and through the frigid air. “Christ, Jamie--I mean, James--you’re gonna freeze out here. Just get in the car. You can meet up with Lewis at school.”

Dillon must have seen the indecision on Jamie’s face, because he said, “I’m not gonna molest you, man. I swear. All I want to do is give you a ride to school. I meant what I said yesterday. No pressure.”

Jamie felt himself giving in, but the truth was, it wasn’t a hard decision to make. Yesterday at his house, he’d found himself aching to believe what Dillon said was true. Even after all the hurt Dillon had caused, Jamie had never stopped hoping he and Dillon could have something together. He was scared to let himself trust Dillon again, but that didn’t stop the butterflies that raced around his stomach every time he saw the guy, nor did it stop him from weaving dreams of a future with Dillon in a starring role. While all of this was waging a war inside his head, he failed to notice that Dillon had put the car in park and gotten out.

Dillon walked around to where Jamie was standing and opened the passenger door. Ever so gently, he tugged on Jamie’s arm with his left hand, urging him towards the car. “Come on, James. Please, get in the car.” When Jamie still hesitated, Dillon, without ever letting go of Jamie’s arm, stuck the glove of his right hand in his mouth and tugged it free with his teeth. He removed it from his mouth and stuffed it into his coat pocket. Then, with fingertips so tender Jamie wanted to moan, Dillon traced small circles on each of Jamie’s wind reddened cheeks. “Oh, babe, you’re almost frozen. Let me see if I can help.” Then, before Jamie could protest, Dillon leaned forward so that they were almost touching--so close that Jamie could feel the heat from Dillon’s skin. As Jamie stood before him in frozen silence, Dillon opened his mouth and huffed warm air onto Jamie’s cold cheeks.

Jamie was too stunned to say a word, but Dillon remained at his task. When he seemed satisfied that Jamie’s skin was warmer, Dillon again pulled him towards the car. “Come on. The car is nice and warm, and I want to get you out of this wind.” This time, Jamie went without protest.

The ride to school was mostly quiet, but, to Jamie’s surprise, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. He could still feel Dillon’s warm breath on his cheeks, still feel the moist heat from his body. And the fact that Dillon had done all that on a busy street didn’t escape him, either. Anyone could have seen them, and Dillon didn’t seem to care. Before he had time to reason