You All Over Me [BxB]

Five

Another round of laughter erupted, raucous and uncensored, drowning out Theodore's internal turmoil—temporarily.

"But do you have proof of this?" someone asked.

A different guy chimed in. "Yeah. I know someone who slept with him."

"No way! That's interesting. Who was it?"

"Was he any good?"

Someone snorted. A few dissolved into chuckles.

Theodore squirmed as his thoughts spiraled. Was this the kind of 'locker room' talk he'd tried so hard to avoid all his life? And... could they really be talking about the same Jacob? He'd seen Jacob with a girl before... maybe a friend? Or just an acquaintance? The revelation was jarring.

So Jacob is... gay?

Theodore shooed the thoughts away immediately. He knew better than to speculate about other people's sexuality.

Besides, Jacob's preferences were irrelevant to him.

Steve feigned a gagging noise and scoffed. "Bleh. Gross."

"You think he was the one receiving?"

"Doesn't seem like the type..."

"Hey, someone might hear you."

"Who cares?"

Theodore's stomach churned. If this was the kind of conversation he'd have to endure with these fraternity members, perhaps joining was indeed a bad idea.

"What are you still doing here?"

Theodore's heart skipped, his muscles tight. He cursed inwardly.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

He whirled around stiffly, the tension melting away as he laid eyes on the person who'd asked the question.

It was an incoming freshman. Someone he'd seen earlier, queuing at the registrar's office. He was a bit shorter than him, with messy curls and earth-toned skin. His dark, coffee-brown eyes were framed with long lashes.

"I... They're still talking..." Theodore said weakly. "How long have you been standing there?"

"A couple of minutes." The student peeked toward the group, his Adam's apple bobbing as he replied, "I think they're waiting for us."

"Are you also a pledge?"

"Uh-huh," he replied cheerfully, extending a hand. "I'm Austin."

He shook his hand. "I'm Theodore."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too," he responded flatly, casting another look at the frat guys. They had thankfully veered away from talking about Jacob, but he was still on edge.

"You okay?"

"Oh, uh... yeah."

"Alright, come on then!"

"Wait—"

Austin revealed himself to the men, tugging on Theodore's sleeve and dragging him to the scene.

"We're here!"

******

Jacob tried reverse parking three times, switching gears and alternating between the accelerator and brake pedals repeatedly before getting it right. Driving had never been his strong suit, nor did he enjoy it. This was his first time using the brand new black Honda he'd received for his twenty-third birthday a couple of months ago.