CHAPTER 6

Calem woke up late that morning in Ben’s arms, with memories of the previous night flooding back. He did not want this moment to end, but eventually, the need to urinate overwhelmed him. Afterward, he climbed back into bed, not yet in the mood to venture out. Just as he began to drift back into sleep, Ben started to wake up.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Ben said.

Ben spread his legs over Calem’s as he conspicuously rearranged the bulge in his boxers.

“Morning. I’m late! Again!”

“Oh yeah! Let me just go to the bathroom. I’ll go with you. I haven’t seen Jeremy since the last match.”

“Sure. But I don’t think he will be home.”

Ben sat up, rubbing his eyes.

“Do you have Speedos for me?”

Calem stood up, took an extra pair of Speedos from his drawer, and placed them in his backpack along with a couple of towels and sunscreen.

“So, you just decided to sleep over last night?”

“That was an accident.”

“Sure!”

“I fell asleep waiting for you! You took so long!”

“That’s a really lame excuse!”

Ben laughed sheepishly, knowing he had been found out.

They stopped in the kitchen for a few minutes, allowing Calem to quickly throw together beef cold cut and salad sandwiches and grab cans of soft drinks from the fridge for their lunch. Taking Ben’s car, they reached Jeremy’s house shortly after 10 a.m. When they rang the doorbell, as Calem had expected, Jeremy had already left for work.

“Hmm, let’s see if he remembered to leave the back gate open for me; otherwise, we will have to jump over.”

Calem tried the gate; it opened without any resistance. Ben, sitting on a sun lounger, watched Calem disrobe and slip into his Speedos. When Calem finished, he turned to Ben, hoping to watch him undress, but Ben was watching Calem intently. Embarrassed, Calem quickly looked away.

“Do you want to eat before or after we swim?” Calem said.

“Let’s swim first.”

When Calem sat down on the sun lounger, he applied sunscreen to his legs, stomach, and shoulders. Then, he turned to Ben and held out the lotion to him.

“Can you put some on my back, please?”

“Sure. What do I get in return?”

A cheeky smile spread across Ben’s face.

“Good things come to those who wait.”

Calem gave Ben a suggestive expression while passing the lotion to him. Ben acknowledged the offer with a knowing smile and sat on Calem’s sun lounger. After Ben applied the tanning lotion to Calem’s back, Calem turned to him and took the lotion back.

“Take your t-shirt off. Let me do your back.”

When Calem finished applying the lotion to Ben’s back, he stood up and walked to the pool.

“Hey, what about the front?”

Calem ignored him as he dived into the cool water. The moment Calem hit the water, Ben quickly pulled his shorts down and followed him into the pool, naked. Ben swiftly swam over to him and, in a couple of deft moves, pulled Calem’s Speedos off. Calem let out a cry of surprise and made an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve his Speedos; however, Ben teasingly tossed them onto a nearby sun lounger. When Calem tried to leave the pool to retrieve his swimwear, Ben firmly tugged him back, mischievously preventing his escape. He drew Calem into his arms, playfully lifting him out of the water multiple times before effortlessly tossing him into the air, sending Calem splashing back into the water. The backyard echoed with joyful shrieks, which mingled with the sound of water splashing as they played away their hours in the water.

Eventually, after several hours of water play, their growing hunger drove them to have lunch. Calem emerged from the pool, droplets running down his body as he made his way to the poolside. The vibrant sunlight played on the surface of the water, casting a shimmering glow on his damp skin. His eyes scanned the surroundings until they landed on the lounger where Ben had tossed his Speedos. Calem approached the lounger swiftly, looking up at the neighbours’ houses, the pool deck feeling warm beneath his bare feet. He scooped up the speedos. As he slid into the swimwear, Ben got out of the pool, his naked athletic frame glistening with water droplets. With a playful grin on his face, Ben sneaked up behind Calem just as he secured the Speedos in place. Calem felt the soft touch of a towel enveloping his damp hair as Ben, standing closely behind him, gently drying his hair. When the final strands were dry, Ben paused, wrapping his arms around Calem and pulling him tightly into his embrace.

“Ben, oh my God, put your Speedos on!”

Ben looked at the neighbouring houses and quickly slipped into his Speedos. Calem took out the packed lunch from his bag, and they hungrily devoured their sandwiches. Calem reached for the can beside him and took a quick sip from it. When he sat up, Ben leaned over toward him, licking a drop of coke off Calem’s lips. After planting a quick kiss on Calem’s lips, Ben moved to the edge of his lounger and finished his sandwich.

“I’m stuffed!” Calem said.

“I wouldn’t say so. But you will be!”

Ben looked suggestively at his crotch.

“I meant food.”

Calem could not stop himself from laughing.

“I didn’t!”

Ben looked at Calem with intention, raising his eyebrows suggestively twice in rapid succession, a broad, confident grin spreading across his face.

“Fresh! The neighbours!”

Calem looked up at the neighbouring houses for any activity as they reclined on their loungers. Ben suddenly pointed to the mountain when he noticed that a ‘tablecloth’ had formed on the mountain top. They watched in awe as low-lying clouds suddenly rolled in, enveloping the flat plateau in a shroud of mist and moisture. The clouds appeared to flow gracefully over the mountain’s surface, their edges gently caressing the rugged cliffs and slopes. As soon as the clouds dispersed, Calem let go of Ben’s hand and reached for his spectacles and prospectus in his bag.

“Hey!” Ben said.

Calem ignored Ben and placed the articles on his lap.

“Put that shit away. You are not doing that with me here.”

Ben extended his hand to stop Calem from opening the book.

“I have to read this before classes start up in a couple of weeks.”

Calem pulled the book from Ben’s outreached hand.

“Didn’t you have enough free time the last few days to do this when we weren’t together?”

Ben became slightly irritated.

“Are we together?”

Calem appeared to respond in a light-hearted manner, however his underlying intent was in fact serious.

“The fuck?”

Ben became angry, certain that he had correctly grasped Calem’s intention.

“Never mind.”

Calem unsuccessfully tried to hide his feelings of disappointment.

“Sarah 2.0?”

“Just forget it.”

Calem noticed that Ben’s anger was growing.

“Okay, let’s drop it. So why didn’t you finish your reading earlier?”

“I tried to, but I couldn’t concentrate.”

“What do you mean, you couldn’t concentrate?”

Ben propped himself on his elbows as he struggled to make the connection.

“Um…”

“Um?... Well, what?”

Ben could feel his frustration building as he sat up completely on the lounger.

“Will you be angry if I tell you honestly?”

“It depends.”

“Then forget it.”

“No, go on. You already started. So, finish.”

“Well, I didn’t hear from you…”

“So?... And?”

“... And I didn’t know whether I’d see you again… I thought that you wouldn’t want to see me again.”

“Are you being serious?”

A perplexed expression shot over Ben’s face.

“Don’t get angry. Just forget I said it. I’ll put the book away.”

Ben sat up and moved to the lounger’s edge.

“Why do you have to be like this? Honestly, I didn’t think you’d be like this. I might as well be with Sarah! Same fucking nagging and bullshit.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Ben looked back towards Calem, shaking his head as he reclined on the lounger. To avoid an argument with Ben, Calem knew he had to change the subject of their conversation.

“Are you really going to work after summer is over?”

Ben took a moment to respond, realising that Calem was trying to shift the conversation to avoid any further disagreement with him.

“That’s the plan… for now.”

“Why don’t you study further?”

“I hate studying. My parents want me to go to Cape Tech, but it’s just easier to work. I want to get my own place so I can get married and, eventually, have children. Well, that’s our plan anyway.”

“Our plan?”

Calem could not help himself as he absentmindedly repeated Ben’s response. His cheeks turned slightly red, hearing those words.

“Yes, our plan. Do you have a problem with that?”

Ben looked over to Calem.

“No. Not at all. I am surprised that you don’t want to study further. You seem like a very bright guy.”

“I am not surprised that you will be, Mr. Nerd.”

“Yeah, my life has been planned out for me, I guess.”

Calem sat in deep thought for a moment.

“What does that mean? ‘Planned out’?”

“Well, my parents are justifiably ambitious for us. They have worked very hard to provide for us. I feel like I don’t really have much of a say of what I want to do. Both my brothers are successful lawyers. So, I guess I will have to be one too. The same success is expected from me and my sister.”

“Enough of this topic. I get enough of it at home. How about this? Picture this: me, balls deep inside you, making you moan as I fill you with my babies.”

“I’m not Sarah, I can’t give you kids.”

Calem turned his head away. Ben cocked his head and the smile slowly disappeared from his face.

“Oh, jeez! Really?”

Ben sat up on his lounger again. Recognising that he had upset Ben, Calem felt the need to shift his mood.

“Okay, please, forget it. I’ll make it up to you, right now.”

Calem got off his lounger and positioned his head between Ben’s legs.

“Won’t the neighbours see? Let’s go into the pool house.”

Calem ignored his suggestion as he started to stroke Ben’s crotch over his Speedos. He looked up, seeing no one, pulled Ben’s Speedos off and lowered his head, slowly wrapping his lips around the bulging head before sliding down and up the shaft in deliberately slow movements. A few minutes later they heard the veranda door being unlocked. Calem quickly returned to his lounger and Ben hastily pulled his Speedos back up and rolled on to his stomach to hide his bulge.

“What are you doing back so early?” Calem said.

Jeremy frowned, ignoring Calem and their suspicious behaviour, swaggered over to Ben, extending his fist for a fist bump.

“Howsit?” Jeremy said.

Jeremy settled into the lounger next to Ben. Despite Jeremy being eight years older than Ben, the two of them frequently played football and rugby for the same clubs and shared a mutual liking for each other. As they began discussing the recent matches, Calem dove into the pool, having no interest in sports. Meanwhile, Ben, lying on his stomach, attempted to distract Jeremy by engaging in a chat about the upcoming match. The intention was to provide enough diversion, affording ample time for Ben to lose his erection. Fortunately, the phone rang from inside the house, and Jeremy quickly excused himself to answer it. When he disappeared into the house, Calem swam to the edge of the pool and locked eyes with Ben, who burst out into laughter.

“That was close,” Ben said.

“Too close.”

Ben rolled over to the pool edge and tried to kiss Calem, but he pulled away.

“Be careful! He can come out at any minute!” Calem said.

Calem, anxiously, looked back to the veranda door.

“How about we swim for another hour or so, and then we can grab a burger and catch a movie after?” Ben said.

“Sounds good.”

Jeremy came out of the house with a smile on his face. He kneeled beside the pool dipping his hand into the cool, clear blue water.

“Ben, do you want to stay for a braai? I don’t have to go into the office anymore.”

“No, it’s okay we are planning to catch a movie,” Ben said.

After a few more strokes, they both climbed out of the pool and made their way to the pool house for a quick shower and change. As Calem strapped on his watch, he noticed it was already 5 p.m., realising they would have to hurry to grab a burger before the 8 p.m. show.

Ben burst with unbridled excitement when they got outside and saw Jeremy’s new sports car.

“Fuck, why didn’t you tell me Jeremy got an SLK 230?”

“A what?”

Calem looked at him with a puzzled expression on his face. Ben turned back and rang the doorbell.

“Jeremy, come out here!”

A few seconds later a smiling Jeremy opened the front door.

“What’s up?” Jeremy said.

“Bra, why didn’t you tell me you got a sports car? You have to take me for a spin!”

Ben bubbled with pure childlike enthusiasm. Jeremy, eager too, to show his new toy off, headed inside to retrieve the car keys. To Calem’s surprise, Jeremy tossed the keys over to Ben as they walked to the car. Realising this would likely take some time, Calem went back inside and settled comfortably in front of the TV.

Hours later several hoots woke Calem from a nap on the living room sofa. When he stepped outside, Ben was waiting in his own car, with Jeremy leaning into the driver’s window, engaged in a lively conversation about engines, fuel consumption and other car-related topics that held no interest for Calem. As Calem got into the car Jeremy invited them again to braai with him, but they both declined.

“That was so fucking amazing! He let me drive! When we got on to the M5 it felt like we were fucking flying! Wish I had a brother like him!”

“Yeah, me too.”

Ben looked in confusion at Calem.

“What do you mean?”

Calem tried to steer clear of any conversation about his relationship with his brother, which, at best, could be described as a hostile truce between them.

“Nothing. Where do you want to go?”

“K.C. is closest,” Ben said.

Calem looked at Calem as they pulled out of Jeremy’s driveway.

“I prefer Cavendish Square. Which one do you prefer?”

“Um, not sure. Lemme think.”

Calem understood that Ben had chosen Kenilworth Centre as they entered the M5. While Calem preferred the neighbouring, more upmarket Cavendish Square Centre located just a few kilometres away, Kenilworth Centre appeared to be the more practical choice due to their plan to grab a burger before the movie.

Ben’s wide grin beamed pure exhilaration as he daydreamed about zooming down the M5 in the sports car.

“Do you know what’s playing?” Ben said.

“No. But I’m sure there will be something good to choose. I think if we hurry, we might still have time for a burger.”

Ben heard Calem’s stomach rumbling with hunger.

“I had something for you to eat, but we were interrupted.”

“Christ, is everything always about your cock?”

“You’ll eat those words, and my cock, later when I make you my bitch!”

Reaching a traffic light, Ben unzipped his jeans and reached into his underwear, carefully scooping up a fingertipful of precum streaming down his shaft. With a soft touch, put his fingers into Calem’s mouth. Its taste had a gentle taste to it that lacked the overpowering odour and pronounced chlorine aftertaste of his more potent cum. Calem’s heart raced as Ben withdrew his finger from his lips, reaching down to gather up another scoop. As the traffic lights started to change colour, Ben quickly removed his finger from Calem’s mouth and zipped his trousers up.

“Hmm. Did you like that?”

“What are we doing, Ben?”

Ben noticed Calem’s distress becoming apparent as he grew visibly agitated, his body tensing.

“Going to watch a movie, silly.”

Ben reached out for Calem’s hand in an attempt to soothe him.

“I know I said I wouldn’t behave like this again. But we almost got caught today.”

Calem glanced at Ben and noticed the smile gradually fading from his finely chiselled face. Ben realised that also with Calem he would have to engage in ‘girlfriend maintenance’. He decided to say nothing for the time being. At Kenilworth Centre Ben found a parking spot underneath the bridge close to the main entrance. After switching the engine off, Ben remained seated in thoughtful silence for a while.

“Okay, speak. You have my full attention. What’s up?”

Ben braced himself for a conversation he was reluctant to have.

“Nothing.”

Calem was apprehensive that if he shared his thoughts with Ben, it might provoke another argument.

“Okay, I’m going to need more than that.”

Ben desperately tried to hold on to his patience. He was used to dealing with these kinds of situations with Sarah, but he had naively expected Calem to be different.

“I don’t know what we are doing. You have Sarah…”

“For fuck’s sake, nothing is going on between us. I don’t know why you are complicating things. Let’s see what’s playing!”

Ben looked at Calem with a finality that he knew could not be overturned. Without waiting for Calem to leave the car, Ben swiftly crossed the street, impatiently waiting for Calem to join him at the entrance.

On their way to the cinema, Ben caught Calem staring at the Marcelo’s frozen yogurt kiosk as they approached it.

“Do you want a frozen yogurt?”

“No, it’s okay. I’m not hungry anymore.”

Ben went in knowing Calem would want one.

“Well, I’m getting one. Come on, get one too.”

While waiting in line, a familiar voice sounded from behind.

“What are you two doing here?” Sarah said.

Ben and Calem exchanged guilty glances as they turned around.

“I thought you were completing work applications tonight?” Ben said.

“I was, but got bored. You weren’t home when I called. Anyway, Lilli was free, so she came with me.”

That evening, Sarah accentuated her delicate and elfin appearance with a dress that clung tightly to her gazelle-like figure. The sexy short skirt she wore emphasized her long legs. Her face, framed by locks of shoulder-length black hair in loose waves, featured large, expressively striking black doe-like eyes and a slender nose. Calem understood why Ben would be interested in her; they made a truly stunning couple. However, Sarah was popular not only for her looks but also for her affectionate personality. While not known for her intelligence and wit, she consistently displayed child-like charm, compassion, and genuine kindness - qualities that endeared her to her friends. Despite the warm smile she wore upon meeting them, it dulled in disappointment as Ben did not appear particularly happy to see her.

“Hey, how are you guys?” Lilli said.

“Hey! Good!” they said.

Sarah pouted as she drew closer to Ben; he seemed uncomfortable when she hugged him, followed unexpectedly by a long kiss on the mouth. While they kissed, Ben kept his eyes on Calem, who looked away.

“I have been trying to get hold of you for days now!” Sarah said.

Calem turned to greet Lilli, whom he noticed was smiling at him a little bit too eagerly.

“Yeah, sorry I wasn’t home. We spent the day at Jeremy’s,” Ben said.

Sarah leaned in closer to Ben, touching his chest gently with her right hand.

“I miss you. We never see each other anymore.”

“Oh yeah? Well, we are seeing each other now.”

“No. I mean alone.”

Calem noticed Lilli looking away nervously as Ben observed a frown crossing Sarah’s face.

“Sure, I can come around tomorrow before rugby if you are free?”

Calem looked away as Sarah gently leaned in to plant yet another kiss on Ben’s cheek, but this time, Ben moved out of her reach. Sarah stepped back, feeling uneasy.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll wait for you.”

Noticing Calem’s discomfort, Ben took another step back from Sarah and nodded, indicating his agreement.

“What are you coming to watch?” Ben said.

“Fifth Element,” Lilli said.

“I don’t like Bruce Willis, let’s find something else to watch,” Ben said.

“Honey, I want to see it. My sister really liked it.”

Sarah employed her little girl voice.

“No, fuck that! I heard its gay.”

Ben saw Calem flinch as the words left his mouth. To hide his embarrassment Calem looked away.

“Come on! Please!” Sarah said.

“No!”

Sarah’s smile faded, realising that she would not be able to get Ben to change his mind.

“Oh, I heard it is exceptionally good. I have been planning to see it,” Calem said.

“Oh? Really?” Ben said.

“It’s supposed to have awesome special effects and great costumes, but let’s watch something else. Jurassic Park looks good too.”

Caught in this surprising encounter, Ben found himself in a precarious position between Sarah and Calem. The awkwardness increased as Sarah hugged Ben and leaned her head on his shoulder. Uncomfortable, Ben stole a glance at Calem, who stood silently, his emotions carefully concealed. The unease persisted, leaving Ben with a palpable sense of guilt as he allowed Sarah to kiss him, all the while keeping his eyes on Calem. Realising the need to mend the rift with Calem, he felt compelled to make amends for the discomfort caused by the unexpected situation.

“Hmm. Okay, then. Let’s watch Fifth Element then,” Ben said.

Ben did not want to watch this particular movie, but he wanted to do something to make Calem happy, and this idea was the only one that came to mind at that moment. Calem turned toward Ben and observed a palpable sense of unhappiness forming on Sarah’s face as Ben took her by the hand and gently pulled her toward the escalators.

“Aren’t you guys getting frozen yogurt?” Lilli said.

Sarah looked back at Lilli, exchanging a meaningful look before returning her gaze to Ben. Nervously, Calem glanced down to the ground briefly before eventually following them.

“I guess not. Let’s go,” Calem said.

As they ascended the escalator, Lilli playfully latched her left arm into Calem’s. She had always liked Calem and saw this as her chance to draw him closer. That evening, Calem could not recall Lilli ever looking as attractive. As usual, her distinctive cherubic features were framed by shoulder-length, jet-black hair in a ponytail. Her rosy cheeks hinted at a delightful secret, and behind her spectacles, her eyes sparkled with unusual curiosity. The focal point of Lilli’s face was undoubtedly her glasses, delicately perched upon her nose. However, her most striking feature was her beautifully flawless, milky-white skin, reminiscent of porcelain. Its flawless complexion enhanced the angelic quality of her appearance, reflecting the purity of her spirit, giving the impression that she was untouched by the complexities of the world. While Lilli might not possess the effortless sexiness of Sarah, her charm extended beyond physical attributes; it emanated from her kind heart and keen intellect.

Ben turned to look at them, disapproval spreading across his face as he saw Lilli clinging closely to Calem. Unbeknownst to them, anger welled up in Ben’s eyes as they carried on with their animated conversation. Upon reaching the top of the escalator, they found Sarah standing alone.

“Where’s Ben?” Lilli said.

Calem looked around searching for Ben.

“One second we were talking about getting snacks for the movie, and the next he storms off!”

Sarah looked terribly confused to Lilli and Calem.

“Are you sure you didn’t say something that pissed him off?” Lilli said.

“No, I didn’t have a chance to say anything. He’s so fucking moody today! Actually, he has been fucking moody the last few weeks.”

“That bad, eh?”

“Yes, that bad.”

“Honestly, girl, I thought you were exaggerating.”

“If things continue like this, Lilli, I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen to us.”

“You sure nothing happened between you two?”

“Everything was just fine until a few weeks ago. No fights, nothing. Then, one day things were all of a sudden different.”

“What do you mean things became ‘different’ suddenly? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Lilli, honestly, I don’t know, just different... no warning. It’s like he became a different person.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He has become so cold and... distant.”

Oblivious to the girls, Calem turned red, looked away, and shuffled awkwardly on his feet, noticing Sarah’s increasing concern.

“You seemed like the perfect couple.”

“Clearly, not.”

Lilli rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief.

“Giiiiirl!”

The girls stopped when they observed Calem’s increasing discomfort, though he pretended not to pay attention to their conversation.

When Ben came out of the bathroom, he headed directly to the food counter. Calem walked up to the queue with Ben, but initially, Ben ignored him. While they waited their turn, Calem became alarmed as he noticed the visible tension in Ben’s neck muscles as he spoke through clenched teeth.

“I see you are enjoying yourself,” Ben said.

“What?”

A look of confusion registered on Calem’s face.

“Don’t act fucking stupid. I saw how you were laying into Lilli.”

Ben glared at Calem with undisguised anger.

“The fuck. Am I the one here with my girlfriend?”

Calem felt his patience wearing thin, sensing that he was rapidly losing control over himself.

“Don’t raise your voice! I didn’t plan this. Look, just stop it.”

“Can we talk about this later, please? Don’t cause a scene. I’m not here with my girlfriend. Remember, you are the one with the girlfriend. All Lilli did was hold my arm. We are not an item. And we are certainly not planning to get married!”

Calem, uncertain of what else to add, locked eyes with Ben in a way that carried an accusatory undertone. It was a moment that made Ben realise he had no justification for his unreasonable actions. When their turn came, Ben ordered tickets, popcorn, and drinks for the four of them.

“Take the tray with the drinks please. I got the snacks. Let’s go.”

Ben offered a warm, sweet smile to the girls as they returned with the snacks and tickets.

“Let’s go in?” Ben said.

“Sure,” both girls said.

Ben walked behind them into the theatre. Sarah and Lilli shared their decision to take the middle seats, with Ben and Calem on each side of them. Ben objected, but Calem touched his hand and with a nod, he slipped past them into his seat. Although Calem, Sarah, and Lilli enjoyed the movie, it felt twice as long for Ben. He was acutely aware of every effort Lilli made to reach for Calem’s hand, though she met with Calem’s rejection each time, it visibly agitated Ben. Calem was aware that, despite having to focus on Sarah, Ben was keeping a watchful eye on him. As the credits finally started to roll Ben stood up and looked at the girls impatiently, who were taking their time gathering their bags.

“Sarah, how did you get here?” Ben said.

“Lilli drove us here.”

“Okay, you go home with Lilli, and I’ll take Calem home. We’ve had a long day; I want to get home ASAP.”

Sarah looked down sadly.

“But let me walk you to your car first. Calem, wait for me by the car. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

Ushering them towards the exit, Ben spoke so quickly that he did not allow anyone to get a word in edgewise.

Sarah stopped when they reached Lilli’s car.

“Don’t forget tomorrow. I mean it! We need to speak.”

Ben nodded, gave Sarah a perfunctory kiss, and promptly left once he saw them drive off.

Minutes later, Calem saw Ben appear and stop just outside the entrance, reaching into his pocket for a cigarette. Lighting it, he took a drag with an agitated expression on his face. Briefly glancing up, he locked eyes with Calem while continuing to take more drags. When Calem looked away, Ben crossed the street and unlocked the car door for him. Once inside, Ben fixed his gaze on the steering wheel, gathering his thoughts as he finished the cigarette.

“Ben, I…” Calem said.

“You need to keep quiet right now. I need to think.”

Ben abruptly started the engine and carelessly backed the car onto the road to leave the mall. When they reached the intersection, the red signal grated on him, and Ben tapped his fingers restlessly on the steering wheel. As the light prepared to transition, Ben unpredictability decided, with a quick twist of the steering wheel, to make a reckless left turn onto Doncaster Road instead of the expected right. The tyres screeched against the asphalt as the abrupt manoeuvre cut dangerously close in front of another car, causing it to slam on its brakes, with several horns blaring in protest. For a fleeting moment, adrenaline surged through Ben as he narrowly missed the car in front of him by a fraction of an inch. Calem remained silent as the unexpected turn jolted him from side to side as they headed towards the mountain. In the rearview mirror, the reflections of flickering headlights trailed behind, but Ben was already speeding away, the intersection disappearing in his rearview mirror.

Their journey took them from the bustling commercial environment of Kenilworth to one with an ethereal, serene, almost otherworldly tranquillity and beauty. Rhodes Memorial was a deliberate choice, one that Ben knew would afford them the chance to be completely alone and undisturbed in a solitary and quiet setting.

The neoclassical memorial with its imposing columns and intricate stonework was perched on the slopes of Devil’s Peak. It exuded an unmistakable sense of grandeur and history, that fittingly reflected the period during which it was built. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, during the day it offered panoramic views of the city for miles in every direction. The dense greenery and colourful blooms created a serene and picturesque setting with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. But at nighttime the monument and its surroundings transformed into a magical and peaceful setting. Tastefully illuminated, with soft, warm lighting that created an ambiance that was captivating and almost otherworldly. The city’s sparkling lights visible below, created a stunning contrast to the dark surroundings. But most impressive of all was the night sky over the memorial that night, exceptionally clear and offering a view of a sky filled with various constellations.

Ben shut the car engine off and stared into the distance. He got out taking his pack of cigarettes with him. He sat on the bonnet and lit a cigarette, resting his right foot on the bumper. Calem decided to remain in the car for a while. As he stepped out, he noticed the strong scent of pine trees filling the air with a refreshing aroma, accompanied by the loud chirping of crickets in the darkness. Calem sat next to Ben and looked down. Without uttering a word Ben put his arm around Calem’s waist, pulling him closer. They continued to sit in silence taking in the awe-inspiring surroundings of the monument. As Ben prepared to address the issues he was facing with Calem, he removed his arm from Calem’s waist.

“Calem, please stop asking what we are; I don’t want to see you with other people.”

Ben took a long, strong drag on his cigarette.

“Ben, you are acting crazy?”

Calem became tense, unsure of how to alleviate the tension between them.

“Calem, did you not hear what I just said?”

“Ben, do you honestly believe that there is something going on between me and Lilli?”

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Well, what if I see someone else?”

“You can’t.”

Ben’s upward glance met Calem’s, and Calem spotted an unmistakable seriousness in Ben’s eyes. The subtle shake of Ben’s head and pursing of his lips underscored the depth of his unshakeable resolve for Calem to obey him. The combination of that look and his nod, which conveyed a distinct caution, made the hairs on the back of Calem’s neck rise.

“Ben, please be reasonable. You are boxing me into a corner, yet you expect unfettered freedom for yourself at the same time.”

Ben smiled, struggling to suppress his temper as he felt anger beginning to surge uncontrollably inside him, a malevolent grin twisting his features.

“Calem, did you not hear what I just fucking told you to do?”

“I’m very confused. When I asked you what we were doing, you couldn’t answer my question. And now you are telling me I can’t see other people. So, I will ask again. Are we boyfriends?”

Ben slammed his fists onto the car bonnet.

“That’s a fucking stupid question! Stop asking it.”

Calem moved a few inches away.

“Why are you moving away? I’m not going to punch you.”

Calem remained silent, calming his thoughts, summoning the courage to speak.

“If there is nothing between us, then I honestly don’t see why we are having this conversation.”

Ben let out a heavy sigh.

“Why are you behaving like this?”

“Are we boyfriends?”

Ben looked away and kissed his teeth.

“The fuck. You are fucking crazy!”

“Then I don’t see why I can’t see other people. I mean, I’m single, so…”

“You are not single.”

“What?”

“I really have no idea what you want or what you want me to say. You are being completely fucking complicated and dramatic. This whole situation is very gay right now.”

“Yeah, this situation is very gay. Maybe that’s the problem.”

Ben, feeling embarrassed, looked away upon noticing Calem’s expression of hurt and disbelief.

“We are not boyfriends, so who I see is my business... right?”

“No. You can’t.”

“I don’t see why not!”

“You belong to me.”

Ben, looking down to avoid eye contact with Calem, noticed his cigarette had come to its end. He extinguished the bud on the ground, making sure the fire had completely died down before he quickly lit another cigarette.

“What? I belong to you?”

A mixture of bewilderment and frustration played across Calem’s face as he confronted Ben, standing face-to-face.

“I don’t know why you are being so fucking intense tonight!”

Despite Ben’s intimidating tone, Calem maintained his unyielding gaze, locked directly onto Ben’s eyes.

“Wait… but what about that day with David and Tom? You seemed perfectly okay with them fucking me.”

It was only after the words had left his mouth that Calem realised the weight of what he had just said. A darkness crossed Ben’s face instantaneously, and he thought that Ben might actually punch him. However, overwhelmed by the memory of an emotionless Calem that day, Ben leaned onto the car bonnet, filled with anger as he looked down at the ground.

The remembrance of that day awakened in Ben like a shockwave, leaving him with a sickening feeling as the expression on his face continued to sour. A mix of emotions, anger and disgust, contorted his face to the point where he involuntarily spat on the ground in a visceral display of disgust. While it did not corrupt the core of what he felt for Calem, in that moment, he found himself grappling with an overwhelming sense of repulsion.

“I hate what they did to you. That was before…” Ben said.

Ben stopped himself.

“Before… what?”

Ben looked away, his face twisting with the weight of stress.

“Christ, you are like a fucking Chinese water torture!”

“Ben, I really need to know! Is this wrong of me?”

“You just won’t let go, will you?”

Overwhelmed by the emotional strain, Calem eventually broke down. When Sarah cried, Ben often felt ill-equipped to console her, but as he witnessed the tears streaming down Calem’s face, he instinctively pulled him into a comforting embrace. In a search for solace and connection, Calem, too, wrapped his arms around Ben, the enigma who held him, in a tight embrace.

Ben paused for a moment, taking some time to organise his thoughts. He felt overwhelmed by the need to provide an explanation to Calem, who was trembling with tears in his arms. In hushed tones, he softly whispered words of comfort into Calem’s ear to calm him down. When Calem seemed calmer, Ben turned to face him, gently took his face into his hands, and looked directly into his eyes while wiping away his tears.

“I didn’t think much of what Tom and David did while it was happening, but this changed after they left. You pretended as if nothing had happened… I expected you to be ashamed, embarrassed, maybe upset. Instead, I saw unquestioning acceptance of what happened. I thought that if we were to trade places, I would not have reacted the way you did. Calem, as I look into your eyes, as I am doing now, I sense a loss of control over myself. I’ve come to realise that I don’t want you looking at anyone else the way you do at me, especially not the way you do when I’m fucking you.”

Upon hearing these words, Calem experienced a sense of relief, fully understanding their implications.

“Please, will you stop crying now?”

Calem fell silent, left speechless by Ben’s confession.

“I don’t know what else you need to hear, but I’m not gay. We are not boyfriends, and I can’t provide what you need from me. But I knew then and know now, that you can’t be with other people.”

Calem remained silent as Ben reached for Calem’s hand.

“What? Do you seriously expect me to stay cooped up in my room, waiting for you for days on end until you decide you need a fuck?”

“If you put it like that, then the answer is, ‘yes’.”

Calem pulled his hand away. Ben looked down, confirming that this was indeed what he was expecting. Ben shifted uncomfortably as he drew nearer to Calem seeing a troubled expression on his face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ben said.

“Oh, boy! I don’t think you want to hear what I have to say.”

Ben pursed his lips and took a step back, hinting at his discomfort.

“Let’s hear it then.”

Calem hesitated for a moment.

“I think I am gay. I’ve never been attracted to girls, but also could not fully understand my attraction to men. I was so confused about myself until that afternoon. That confusion has since cleared, but now I am seeking clarity on what we are to each other.”

Ben stood in front of Calem and held him by the shoulders.

“This conversation is over.”

“Just like that? The conversation is over?”

Ben stood back, releasing him.

“Yes! Just like that!”

Calem leaned back against the car bonnet, feeling powerless.

“Okay,” Calem said.

After finishing his cigarette, Ben moved between Calem’s legs and kissed his neck. He stayed there long enough to ensure that his bite had left a noticeable mark behind. One which he intended to signal his possession of Calem to others. He moved up to Calem’s mouth, voraciously sucking on his lips and tongue as he held Calem’s head in his hands. Calem was slow to respond, but he became increasingly aroused, feeling Ben’s pressing his weight onto him.

“Let’s go home,” Calem said.

Calem abruptly pulled away and cast a quick, apprehensive glance around, checking to see if they were alone.

“Ben, not here!”

Ben ignored him, unbuttoning and unzipping Calem’s jeans, lowering them over his buttocks. As he bent Calem over the car bonnet, he slowly entered him. The obstacles they encountered and the conversation they had made Ben release the frustration and anger that had been building within him, causing him to thrust into Calem with increasing force. Ben’s body responded with a surge of adrenaline, his heart rate quickening, as he felt an overwhelming need to assert his control over Calem. He felt his senses sharpening in order to maintain control and compel the body beneath him to become completely submissive to his will. Ben pushed his muscles to work harder, believing that each pelvic thrust, stronger and faster than the previous one, reinforced his sole and exclusive possession of Calem. Amid the struggle, Calem remained determined to endure the ordeal as Ben started to ram harder and harder into him.

As the pain from the initial thrusts began to transform into indescribable sensations of pleasure for Calem, Ben sensed the tension inside him reaching an irrevocable point of no return. An unexpected vulnerability washed over him, causing his violent thrusts to momentarily seize. His body locked into a rigid position, unexpectedly giving way to sensations of ecstasy, warmth, and release. In seconds, Ben felt a surge of euphoria intensify as he squeezed Calem tighter in his arms. Their connection deepened as he felt himself release in rhythmic contractions into Calem.

Calem, too, felt the jolts inside him as Ben flooded into him. A moment later Ben restarted with slow, irregular pelvic thrusts driving again and again into Calem. With one unexpected, quick, final pelvic thrust, he buried himself even more deeply into Calem, drawing a sharp gasp from Calem. After withdrawing, he slapped Calem’s arse and took a step back.

“That was fast,” Calem said.

Ben blushed slightly as he zipped up.

“I've been so fucking horny since last night; I’ve been unable to stop thinking about cumming inside you since then.”

They held hands for most of the journey home, discussing the movie and sharing their thoughts on what they liked and did not like about it. Ben brought his car to a gradual stop in front of Calem’s house, silently yearning for an extra five minutes to continue their conversation.

“Sorry about the movie, too. I had hoped that it would just be us. Sarah doesn’t like K.C. Next time we can go to Cavendish, okay?”

“It’s okay. Let’s put all this behind us.”

Ben nodded. As Calem opened the door, Ben pulled him back into his seat and leaned over toward the passenger seat, resting his head on Calem’s shoulder.

“Do-over tomorrow?” Ben said.

“Sure!”

“I’ll come round after rugby.”

Those words felt like manna in the desert for Calem, his face breaking into a wide and heartfelt smile.