Climax

Curiosity Made Carl Gay - 7

Terry

"God, I can't believe I didn't think of it before. How did I miss something so obvious? They all have the same last name for Christ's sake. Just because their skin color is different, I missed it. What kind of human I am?" I ask Brian.

"Man, it's not like racism, is it? It is, I think. Fuck, I feel bad for you." Brian pats my back.

"You could have told me!"

"Look me in the eye and say that again." Brian punches my shoulder.

"Fine. It's completely on me." I groan. Brian sometimes forgets his own last name and checks his ID card.

"I'm ashamed. Whenever I think about it, I want to bang my head. I preach not to assume, yet here I am, completely ignoring what's right in front of me and assuming my ass off." I punch my sandwich with my fork.

"Whoa..cool down... we all make mistakes, that's how we learn. You're no exception. Tell him how sorry you are. That's all you can do now. Stop fretting." He chides.

I nod. Last night I somewhat brushed off the whole thing while talking to Carl, but it's still eating me.

****

"Hey..." I wave when I see Carl near the bleachers, panting.

"Hi.." He wheezes.

"Laps?" I sneak glances at his biceps. He is all sweaty and yummy in a sleeveless blue track shirt and shorts. The shirt sticks to his stomach in a way that left nothing to imagination except how it would taste. His shorts, nope, not going there, not unless I get to go all the way.

"Done. You? I didn't see you in math today." Carl wipes his forehead with his arm. Usually I see him from afar, when he runs around the ground, this close, everything is million folds sexier. Even his forearm.

It's becoming difficult to concentrate on what he is saying.

"I had a conflict with a chem test." He was looking for me, it made me grin.

He sits on the bleachers and stretches his legs. "Are you really sure the mall is okay?"

I step closer but don't sit, I've a lovely view, it'd be a stupid move to give it up. "Come on. You're making me second guess." I'm ready to take the risk for Carl, I know it'd be worth it.

"I don't want you to be the topic of the next rumor, when you want to keep it a secret. Rumors are bad." He studies his nails, uncomfortable again.

"I know, sorry about that rumor about your break up." I sit down, sighing.

"That's the bad part, no one knows the truth. Jas broke up with me coz, she wanted to get back with her ex." Carl still doesn't look up, his voice is barely above a whisper.

"What? Then why the heck you didn't correct anyone?" I fume.

He shakes his head. "She should have done it. I can't."

"Why not?"

"She dumped me. How can I give a reason? Maybe this is the true reason. Moreover ladies are like pedestrians on the road. They're always right. Even when they do wrong. If you fight them you'll get a lawsuit. You always agree with them."

"Wow." I slow clap.

He bumps his shoulder with mine, a small slice of his sweaty skin brushes below my half sleeve.

"What?"

"That's really unfair for men.."

"Maybe, but it works. My dad gave me that advice when I was six or seven. I never had a single fight with any ladies. My parents have been married for twenty five years now. I think that's because he follows it too." He is becoming comfortable as he gets back to talking his usual topic. Family.