I'm Not Gay, I Swear! | McPriceley

Chapter Eleven

"Ha! So I was right!"

Kevin was currently at the diner with Arnold, having left early as Connor continued to sleep. At least five days had gone by since Kevin and Connor had gotten together, and they finally deemed it reasonable to tell Arnold. He was Kevin's best friend, after all.

"Yeah, yeah," Kevin shook his head, though a small smile made its way onto his face. "But nobody can know. He's still supposed to be a straight guy, and he definitely isn't comfortable enough to tell a bunch of people. So I'm trusting that you won't tell anyone."

"Of course. So he's going to have to keep forcing straight thoughts on you in front of your family?" Arnold asked.

"Well, in a sense, yes. But to be honest, he never really did in the first place. More just of 'emotional health sessions.' So now all we have to do is pretend that we're not together."

"Do you really think it's going to be that easy?"

"Sure... I'll just have to make sure I don't accidentally call him a pet name or hold his hand or something. How hard can that be?" Kevin shrugged.

"Whatever you say, bud. I just hope that your parents will be okay with it all in the end."

"Me too," Kevin sighed. "Keeping a secret like this definitely isn't any fun."

"I wouldn't think-"

"Kevin Andrew Price!" a voice yelled from the doorway, causing everyone's attention to be drawn to them.

It was Connor. Of course it was. Arnold's eyes widened, while Kevin tried for a nervous smile.

"Ooh, you're in trouble," Arnold teased.

"Con! How delightful to see you! What's the matter?" Kevin asked, playing sweet.

"You know what exactly is 'the matter!' You left me back at the house, when we are supposed to be by each other's side twenty-four, seven," he said, storming up to the two boys.

"Aw, I just wanted to let you sleep in, hon."

"And while that is very thoughtful of you, have you forgotten that we are supposed to still be pretending that I am your 'Straight Companion'?"

Kevin sighed. "Right, right. I'm sorry, I really am."

"It's alright, sweetie. But you really do need to be more careful," Connor told him as he planted a quick kiss on Kevin's temple before taking a seat on the stool next to them.

Arnold continued to watch them both with a wide smile as he rested his head on his fist. "You two really are adorable, you know that, right?"

That led to Kevin immediately turning a deep red, and Connor letting out a small chuckle. "Well thank you."

"Anytime, Con."

Connor went ahead and ordered his usual hot chocolate before his eyes widened as he noticed someone behind the counter. "Chris?!"

A blond man perked up at the sound of his name, instantly breaking into a smile as he noticed Connor. "Con! What're you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm just hanging out with my friends," he explained, motioning towards Kevin and Arnold. "But it feels like forever since I've seen you!"

"I know!" Chris beamed.

Arnold leaned closer to Kevin as the two guys kept talking. "Do you have any idea who this guy is?"

Kevin shook his head. "Not a clue." He tried smiling at the surprisingly very short boy. "Con, why don't you introduce us to your new friend?"

Connor seemed to have forgotten that both Kevin and Arnold were there. "Oh, right! Chris, this is Kevin and Arnold. Guys, this is Chris, my best friend from throughout high school."

Chris held his hand out for Kevin and Arnold to shake. "It's nice to meet you both!"

"You too!" Arnold said with the same amount of enthusiasm.

"Yeah," Kevin smiled faintly.

"You should definitely hang out with us more," Connor offered to Chris. "You could join our little group!"

"Yeah!" Arnold exclaimed. "We meet here at the diner multiple times throughout the week."

"I see. Well, I just started working here, but I only work certain days. So I'll have to let you know whenever I'm free so that we can hang out together."

"Sounds good!" Connor smiled widely.

Another customer appeared at the counter top. "Oh, I gotta get back to work. It was nice seeing you, Con!"

"You too!"

"Well look at that," Arnold said. "All Kevin had to do was get a boyfriend and suddenly our friend group is growing at an exceptional rate."

Kevin and Connor laughed nervously at the "boyfriend" comment. Sure, they were together, but they hadn't exactly put a label on what they were yet. This was the first time either of them had been in a relationship, and they most certainly didn't want to rush through it so fast.

Arnold eyed them both. "Is... something wrong?"

"Nope, everything is perfectly fine," Kevin lied, which resulted in Connor hitting his arm.

"We just... haven't established our relationship that far yet," Connor explained. "So we don't have labels like that still."

"Ohhh," Arnold said. "Well, sorry for saying that then. But you've been together for like, almost a week now. Wouldn't that be enough time for you to see exactly where you are?"

"You have to remember, bud, that Connor has just come to terms with his sexuality," Kevin told him. "It's going to take a little longer than with you and Naba."

Arnold nodded slowly. "Right."

"But that doesn't mean that we don't like each other!" Kevin said quickly.

"Yeah, I still like my little bear a lot," Connor smiled.

Arnold tried to stop himself from laughing. "B-bear?"

"Oh, shut up," Kevin mumbled, blushing darkly. "You had to use that name, didn't you?"

"Why, yes, yes I did," Connor chuckled.

"Awe, I think it's quite sweet, bear," Arnold teased.

"Arnold, would you not?"

"Nope, I think I will, bear."

"Arnold, I swear to God, I will throw you off a bridge."

"Wow, quite aggressive there, bear."

"ARNOLD-"