DNA Part 6
A few days had passed since our first date. Adrian and I spent every free moment together after that night. I was finally building up enough courage to tell Theo what was really going on. I figured he’d take the news of his best friend currently dating a guy a lot better if he knew said guy. Adrian was in my room every night that following week. We played video games, chatted about class, and Theo even joined in from time to time. It wasn’t until one night after class that I suspected that Theo may know more than he let on.
I sat at my desk writing a paper when I heard Adrian’s voice outside my door. Usually hearing his voice evoked joy inside my soul, but tonight it was accompanied by Theo’s voice as well. The door opened and in walked the two of them talking and laughing about something. I greeted Adrian with an inquisitive look on my face. However, Theo didn’t waste a second explaining it all in vivid detail.
Theo: Look who I ran into on my way back from the gym.
Me: Let me guess…..
Adrian: Don’t look so surprised then.
Me: It’s not that, but….
Before I could finish Theo interrupted me with some grand news. More like bland news.
Theo: Did you know this guy played intramural sports?
Me: No, but I am sure you are going to tell me all about it.
Theo: Right. He plays football and soccer for opposing teams.
Me: Wow. That information will surely save my life one day.
Adrian: You should come to some of my games.
Theo: Wait a second new guy!
Me: And here it comes.
Did I mention how competitive and slightly possessive my best friend was?
Theo: Of course he will be cheering for my team. Best friend rules.
Me: Do guys really ever say, “Best friend rules” out loud?
Adrian: No reason he can’t support two teams.
Theo: Um yeah there is a big problem with that. Lakers fans aren’t supporting the Mavericks too. It ruins their sense of loyalty!
Adrian: Well how about this, you can be his favorite team and I’ll be his favorite player.
Theo: Ha! I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but I’m the favorite.
Adrian: You were the favorite?
Theo and Adrian: Who’s your favorite?!
I actually couldn’t believe what I was hearing at the moment. Those two fools were actually fighting over my nonexistent support. I went back to writing my paper as they argued about something else. Adrian and Theo started playing 2K, and I took it as a sign that Theo was okay with Adrian’s presence for now. I waited until they were deep into a heated match and slipped away to do a load of laundry. After such a tumultuous scene I needed a little peace and quiet.
I grabbed my laundry basket, detergent, and dryer sheets before slipping away to the basement. The stairwell to the basement was a bit creepy on account of you not being able to see around the first corner going up or down. However, I reached the washing machines unscathed. I loaded the washer and took a seat atop a large blue table for folding clothes. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the back wall. My eyes couldn’t have been closed for more than 30 seconds when I heard a dryer door pop open. I sprung up from my resting position to see who was up this late washing clothes.
Granted I was washing clothes that late to escape the arguments of my best friend and soon to maybe could happen boy who is a friend, so I didn’t have a leg to stand on. Is that the saying?
There was a guy with his body half inside the dryer. All I could see was the top of golden blonde hair. As he turned around to finish collecting his items, I realized it was the junior who taught (spoke) in my freshman studies class. I remembered him easily on account of his electric blue eyes. His name was Rory and he was a Greek from one of the most party happy fraternities on campus nicknamed the BETAS. We talked for a second about my problems with sleeping in public laundry rooms and he invited me to their annual Beer Gala. Yes, it does sound fancy, but I’d heard stories of alcohol raining from the ceilings every 10 minutes and people getting drunker because it absorbed into their skin. Urban Legend or Rumor Mill. I reminded him of my under 21 status and he reminded me of his lack of caring. He said my name would be on the list and assured me that if I didn’t come he would find me. I agreed only to get back my peace and quiet as he left on a mission to haze some pledges with a long purple dildo. I didn’t bother asking more.
When the washer timer went off I pulled my clothes out and threw them into the dryer. I was halfway done, then two hands appeared over my eyes. I didn’t bother guessing who it was because after sleeping in a bed with someone you kind of start to identify their scent. Adrian’s scent was a mix of all his favorite personal care products. He washed mostly with a soap that was supposed to remind you of an Irish spring. He keep his skin from drying out with a lotion that claimed to be made with real Shea butter. It all came together as one scent with a spray of his favorite cologne from some rapper turned clothing designer turned still too rich for my blood. I told him it would take a lot more than hands over my eyes to turn his scent and body into a mystery for me. He gripped me tightly around the waist staying attached as I put the remaining clothes into the dryer. He let go as I bent over to pick up a runaway dryer sheet.
Adrian: I would really like it if you came to my first game tomorrow night.
Me: What makes you think I wouldn’t come?
Adrian: Well we’re playing Theo’s team, so I figured you’d be Switzerland.
Me: Me? Switzerland? No, no, no my dear boy I’m definitely America.
Adrian: And what does that mean exactly?
Me: It means I’m allowed to takes sides especially when one is as hot as you.
I gave him a kiss and urged him to go and get some rest. He obliged my request by giving me a bear sized hug before leaving for the night. I sat watching the dryer spin around and around for another 30 minutes before returning to my room.
The lights on Theo’s side of the room were already out. I didn’t want to wake him so I quietly got ready for bed and turned out my light. I was pulling back my covers to get into bed when Theo’s voice broke the silence.
Theo: Adrian is a cool dude.
Me: Yeah, I think so too.
Theo: Not what I expected.
I chuckled and asked what he meant by that last part.
Theo: Nothing, just didn’t expect it.
Me: Glad you’re okay with my new friend.
I had gotten into bed, put my phone on vibrate, and was just about to fall asleep when Theo gave me one last comment.
Theo: Hey….
Me: Yes…..
Theo: You two seem good together.
Once again, I was left speechless. I didn’t know what to say so I didn’t say anything at all. I knew then that Theo was a true friend. I drifted off to sleep with a huge smile on my face and a huge heart in my chest. I was ready to scream someone’s ears off for my best friend and my new friend, both were essential to my life at the time.
As the first game of the intramural season started I split my cheering between Theo’s team Strikers and Adrian’s team Cool Footings. I am sure the crowd was very confused by my flip flopping style of support. Secretly, I really wanted my new beau to come out on top. I watched as his muscles rippled under his tight jersey every time he attempted to steal the ball. I caught his attention as he made his way up the field toward the Strikers goalie. Time slowed just a bit as he winked at me mid-stride. I wanted to return his affections by cheering even louder, but I kept it at 50% to keep all parties involved happy. Theo would notice if I gave Adrian all my time.
With all the energy being put toward the game, I didn’t notice Adrian’s friend Morgan had sat down next to me. I wondered what brought on this sudden interest in my companionship.
Me: Hey, almost didn’t notice you there.
Morgan: Thought I’d come and watch Adrian make a fool of himself.
Me: He’s doing pretty good.
Morgan: I can see, on and off the field.
Me: You never taught him some moves.
Morgan: Plenty, but none seemed to work as well as you.
Me: I don’t understand….
The game ended and Theo’s team won. I cheered for Theo and the Strikers as they lifted their captain into the air and off the field. After the celebration fizzled, I rushed down to make sure Adrian wasn’t taking it too hard. He was all smiles without a care in the world. I walked over to congratulate him on a good game. His teammates limped off the field like a bunch of wounded animals while Adrian laid in the grass on the sidelines. I stood over him looking down at his sweat soaked body and grass stained shorts. He opened his eyes right before displaying that signature grin I’d come to love.
Still a dumb grin, but I love it anyway.
Adrian rose up grabbed my legs and tackled me to the ground. Stragglers watched as we wrestled in the grass for a bit before Morgan came over to ruin our fun.
Morgan: Okay boys break it up.
Adrian: Way to ruin a moment…..
Morgan: Oh was two sweaty guys rolling around on a field a moment?
Me: It was certainly something….
Adrian: I’m going to go and get the rest of my stuff then we can head to my room.
I stood there waiting with Morgan in silence until Adrian returned. She started to ask me all these questions about my intentions with Adrian. I told her that my only intention was to be with him as long as he wanted to be with me. She gave me a weird look as she saw Adrian returning in the distance. She told me to be careful before walking off. Adrian walked up just as she left in the opposite direction. For a girl who seemed so nice at first she sure was ruining my first impression of her. What does be careful mean anyway? I’m confused...
I sat on Adrian’s bed staring up at an old Michael Jordan poster. We could learn something from Jordan I thought. Don’t put all of your chickens in one coop. He put most of his into those damn overly priced shoes and now he is still raking in the dough after his basketball career is long over. Well that made more sense inside my head at the time.
I heard the shower turn on and the steam started to pour into the room. Adrian stood in front of me and stripped down to his underwear. He jumped on top of me still smelling foul from his 2 hours of running up and down the field.
Me: Ugh get off you stink.
Adrian: Take me as I am.
Me: How about you take that shower.
Adrian: How about you join me? We can just do regular shower stuff.
Me: Yeah shower stuff. I don’t know….
He didn’t wait for me to protest any longer before he pulled my shirt over my head. He kissed my chest and ran his tongue across my flat stomach. I watched as he unbuckled my jeans and pull them off. He was extremely good at seducing me, so I gave in ever so easily. We discarded our underwear and jumped into the shower. The warm water flowed over our bodies. He was so comfortable with me now. I could feel his body soften as we kissed against the shower wall. I don’t think I could have gone to second base that night even if I wanted to. My mind was not in it. All I could think about was what Morgan meant by “be careful.” I didn’t know if it meant Adrian was fragile or cunning. Am I just some pawn in some guy’s sick fantasy? Those thoughts faded in and out as Adrian kissed my neck. I decided then that if this wasn’t what it seemed then I’d be okay with that. I had never experienced love, so it was only right that I expected to experience heart break at some point too.
To be continued……
*Each post in this series will be accompanied by a song that sums up this part of the story. So go listen to it!
