Whatever, Cowboy.

Different Sides_8

Austin's POV of "Where is He?"

  "Honey, you broke our rule and Jeanette's house rule as well. We need to meet the boys you... interact with, in that way, of course, and she doesn't want any... different than 'regular' sex problems in her house." Mom explained for the millionth time since I came inside the house. It was the next morning and she couldn't just drop it. My father won't even look at me, but he still feels he should be in the room. I get it. They want me to be safe and not fall into the same situation as before, but I know I'm gay now, and I know that no means no. They don't need to baby me every time I talk about a guy.

  "I know, Mom. I'm sorry, I will do better next time."

  "In my opinion, there shouldn't be a 'next time'. Austin, you are an MVP quarterback for the 2nd best team in the state. You shouldn't be going to parties and getting a gut from alcohol. You should be training to be better than that Jack Harvey prick of a boy." My father intruded. Wow, thanks, dad. I just want this conversation to be over already, I have to go apply for that job position before anyone else. "Now, you either get your act together, or–" Dad was cut off by knocking at the door. Thankfully. I have a feeling he hadn't thought the next few words out properly, and he'd have created an argument fast.

  "Hello? Can we help you?" I hear my mother say. However, I unfortunately can't hear what the visitor has to say back. "There is. Is something wrong?" She took a pause, looked in the house at us, and then looked back outside. Her face looked sour like she didn't want to talk to the visitor. Who are they? To my surprise, she moved out of the way as she opened the door.

  "Austin, you are excused from this little conversation. You have a guest, and he'd like to speak privately." She commanded whilst closing the door behind the tall figure. Why's he here!? Is he okay? How'd he get my address? Is dad gonna flip out? I look back to my father, unable to completely control my overjoyed face as he waves me off, a sure sign that I can go.

  I shuffle over to Tyler and grasp his wrist, I don't want to tug very hard, and somehow, thankfully, I don't have to. He's fully willing to follow me, which somehow makes everything in the air feel light. We head up the steps and cross into my room. Once inside, I close the door, leaving a crack in it for an easy exit or entrance. I turn around to see him staring at me; It sends a warm shiver up my spine. Even though I can tell there's a lot on his mind and he's stuck in it, he still reaches out for me. What do I do? Should I move toward him? Is he reaching for my hips? He just stuck in his head. He doesn't know what he's doing. Should I say no? Do I want to say no? Does he? Tyler draws me in by my waist and holds me close. He's still in his head, but this is starting to become too much. I'm worried he isn't okay. Should I say something? He won't, dipshit. Say something!

  "You uhm... You wanted to talk?" I asked breathlessly. Why is this affecting me so bad? My heart is racing, and I can't hear anything other than my cloudy heartbeat. My skin feels warm, and my nerves feel more alive than getting the first touchdown of the game. My question must have knocked him out of his consciousness because Tyler was observing what he'd done until we locked eyes. Were his eyes ever this green? They look like a rainforest with perfect rays of sunshine shooting through. We've never been this close for me to see them.

  "Yeah! Uh– I wanted to ask..." He began before looking away, frustration heavy on his face. "Are you alright? You left Charlie in a hand-made blanket last night and vanished." Filled with regret, I looked down, the rush of warmth and emotion leaving. I turned closer to the wall and tried to escape his grasp in the hopes of not hurting his feelings any further. I didn't mean to leave Charlie, but I had to go home.

  "Oh." I don't know what else to say. I can tell it wasn't enough for him, though. He lifted my chin gently. Those mushy, warm feelings I was talking about came back faster than a ref whistle. As we stay in each other's grasp with locked eyes, we begin to spin closer to the wall. What is he doing? He's back in his head again while I'm against the wall. His hips pressed against mine, both arms above my head as he pins the with his forearm. This is so corny, but I don't think he can sense that through his glazed over eyes. At this point, I'm searching for any sign of emotion in his eyes. Just a moment later, I saw his eyes flurry in confusion, worry, and fear. He analyzes what he's done physically and gently looks back at my eyes once in a while.

  "Austin? Cowboy45? Are you guys in here?" Shit! Why'd Arizina have to come in right now? Both of our heads snap toward the door as Tyler releases my wrists. "We're fine, Arizona!" Stupid voice cracks... she's definitely on our trail now, I can see the window light from down the hall peering through the cravas of the door, her shadow elongated in the obstruction. "Just... talking." We were doing none of the such. I'm not sure what this is, but talking is definitely not the category for it. I can feel my face bright red like sunburn in the hot air. My ears, cheeks, and even nose are warm despite having no sunlight on them, Tyler blocking the chance of this.