Free Something Like Thunder by Jay Bell Page A

were already off to a great start. Nathaniel tried not to disappoint, bringing up topic after topic. Conversation remained one-sided. Caesar occasionally offered a few quiet words or nodded to show he was listening, but no lighthearted banter resulted. Nathaniel had been his private tutor for a few weeks with little progress. When added to their time at the learning center together, he felt even more like a failure.
    While helping to set up the tent, Mr. Hubbard had been encouraging when Nathaniel broached the subject.
    “He’s really quiet around me. I feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
    “Caesar? Quiet?” Mr. Hubbard had winked. “I noticed that too, and it is unusual for him. I think he just admires you.”
    “Really?”
    “Sure! Why don’t you two spend some time together, man to man.” Mr. Hubbard then suggested the hike they were currently on, mentioning an old ghost town a few hours away from camp, and offered one more piece of advice. “Take him into your confidence. Pull the curtain aside and show him that you’re human too. That’ll help get you down from the pedestal he’s put you on.”
    Nathaniel wasn’t sure what to make of that. Was he supposed to open up about Dwight? Right now, that was the last thing he wanted to think or talk about. Escaping felt too good. Why sully this paradise by invoking his brother’s spirit? Still, they had to talk about something. Nathaniel slowed, stepping off the path to walk beside Caesar.
    “Miss your girlfriend yet?”
    Caesar nodded.
    “Spring break without you watching out for her. I hope she doesn’t get into trouble.”
    Caesar managed a nervous chuckle.
    “Seems like a good girl. I can tell she’s crazy about you.”
    A smile that didn’t reveal teeth.
    Ugh, so boring! Nathaniel decided to stop being cautious. “So, have you guys fucked yet?”
    Caesar’s cheeks grew red and he smiled. More of a leering grin, really. A hint of swagger came into his step too. Promising.
    “Well, well!” Nathaniel said. “Make with the details!”
    “Like what?” Caesar said, not completely averse to the suggestion.
    Like how big is your dick and what can you do with it? Nathaniel struggled to find a question that didn’t center on Caesar. “Is she wild? Tame? Somewhere in between?”
    Caesar thought about it, still grinning. “Sweet,” he said eventually. “When we’re just hanging out, she’s got a wicked sense of humor, and she loves to tease me. Not in a sexual way. Uh… She’s fun to be around. But in bed it’s like she’s vulnerable. Delicate.”
    “Huh,” Nathaniel said. He would have preferred raunchy details, because now he was picturing Caesar being gentle and tender, calling on his emotions rather than his hormones.
    “It’s kind of a shame,” Caesar said quickly. “Don’t tell her I ever said this, because it would break her heart, but I wish she was the same Steph in bed. I’m always worried I’m going to hurt her. I don’t mind being gentle. Occasionally though I just want to get nasty.”
    “Nasty?”
    “Freaky,” Caesar said.
    Nathaniel wished he could casually adjust himself. His jeans were starting to feel tight. He wanted to ask what Caesar meant, but if his dick got any harder, there would be mounting evidence—literally—of how turned on he was getting.
    “What about you?” Caesar asked.
    “I’m down with freaky,” Nathaniel said, pretending to misunderstand the question. “Nasty too.”
    Caesar chuckled. “No, I mean what’s it like with your girlfriend?”
    “I don’t have one.”
    “Really? Oh. What type of girl do you like?”
    Nathaniel sighed inwardly, his erection subsiding. Coming out sucked. He had no regrets about having done so originally, the feeling liberating. What no one had told him was how he would have to keep coming out over and over again. People couldn’t tell just by looking at him, which meant he often found himself in situations like these where he needed to explain. There was