We were wrestling, Eric trying his best to grab the first player controller out of my hands when the sudden loss of distance started to get to me. The only thing stopping me was the fact that my dad right down stairs. Getting a little annoyed I let Eric grab the controller, falling back on the bed to groan. When he didn't pay me any attention I groaned again.

“Alright, what is it?” Eric asked, smirking at me when I rolled over and nearly fell off the bed.

“What is it?” A little incredulous I whispered, “You’re here looking sexy as shit in your muscle shirt and won’t even let me cuddle with you.”

“No, cause when you get like this you always beg to be the little spoon and it makes me uncomfortable having your butt against me like that, especially with your dad here,” he said back, frowning at me.

Sitting up I gave him a look. “That’s the point,” then I grab his shoulders, “I want you to get a hard on.”

“I hate you.”

“Nah, you love me and ya know it. Hey, how bout we just go outside for a bit,” I said, I felt bad for what I was planning but Eric came to the house unannounced and I mean I can’t just turn him down. He’s my best friend and I don’t wanna lie to him. See the thing is I had plans to tell him anyway but I got a challenge. That fight a few days back was just some prick getting pissed off that Damon won a bet against him and I jumped in once he and his little friends thought they were gonna gang up on him. No yesterday’s little skirmish was what got me noticed. I was telling Eric cause for one I wasn’t gonna lie him but two, I really wanted him to be there.

Frowning Eric said, “Man it’s hot enough as is, look I’m getting a tan.”

Lifting his arm Eric shoves it in my face to reveal his tan lines. He looked like he was wearing a skin toned t-shirt, I’m beginning to think the only reason I didn’t notice was because I was too busy taking note of how puberty and his impending changes were sculpting all sorts of muscles on his body. I didn’t think I’d be into that kind of thing but Eric was starting to get taller than me as the summer went on and I was starting to find him more and more attractive. Now I feel shallow but it’s true.

“Well maybe it’ll even out, besides you don’t wanna cuddle with me, playing the game would be boring otherwise.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“That’s just the wolf talking. You’re just horny and don’t know how to channel it.” Eric rolled his eyes, turning back to the game. “It is summer.”

“Even if my dad weren’t here you’d still say no. It doesn’t matter I still have a left hand.”

“Then use it.”

Faking astonishment I put a hand to my chest. “How could you? You’re so heartless. No but for real though, would you ever stroke me-”

“Oh my god, Toby shut up! I would never put hand anywhere near your dick okay,” he huffed, setting the controller down.

“That’s not what you were saying the other day...” I teased, “So we’re leaving?”

“Yeah, maybe you’ll shut up.”

“But why. Sex is fun to talk about.”

Muttering under his breath Eric shuffled out of the room with me hot on his heels. Now how was I gonna explain it to him. Maybe I could just convince him to come with me to the pool so we could watch a few fights and when I get called down I can be like: Surprise, I accepted a challenge. I’m not expecting him to be proud or happy for me but I still want him to be there. I already know dad doesn’t want me getting into stuff like that so I didn’t bother telling him cause he’d just try to persuade me not to go. The only person close to me besides Damon who approves of what I’m doing is Peter and if he were here right now he’d clap me on the back and go, “That’s my little brother” like he used to every time I got into fights at school.

Eric finally took notice of we were headed, too busy trying to ignore me and the current, uncomfortable, topic of conversation. I was just about to get deeper into it when he stopped.

“We’re... we’re going to the park?” he said, scowling at me as we walked.

“Yeah, I figured we could you know, swing maybe get on the seesaw for a bit,” I joked.

“I don’t wanna get on a seesaw, not with you.”

“Why not?”

“Cause you’re an asshole and you always leave me stuck in the air.”

“Nah, it’s been like two years man, you’ve gained a bit.”

“First you take me to the park, then you call me fat. I’m not stupid Toby, nobody goes to this park except mutts and gamblers. I don’t wanna watch a bunch of senseless fighting,” he complained, shoving his hands into the pockets of his shorts as we stepped off the sidewalk and into the grass.

Making a beeline for the swings I said, “Then fine, we can just play around on the equipment for a bit.”

Glaring at me Eric slumped into one of the swings. He was suspicious. I wouldn’t just come out here for no reason. Looking up I noticed Damon coming our way, he’d been sitting in his van probably waiting for me to come. That was only gonna put Eric on edge, he didn’t like Damon.

“Ay, bro, where were you, you’re up next and- oh shit,” he said once he got to us. He knew who Eric was and to be honest I don’t think he likes Eric either but the two try for my sake.

“He’s up next?” Eric said, looking to me. Frowning he said, “I knew it. I’m not playing nurse for you again and I’m not just gonna sit here and let you go out and do something that stupid.”

“What do you mean? For all you know he could be talking about uh... karaoke,” I said, letting out a weak laugh that no one joined in on. “Look if it makes you feel better I really wanted you to be here.”

“For what? To watch you and some mutt beat each other senseless while he places bets?” Eric scoffed, getting up from his swing.

“No, you don’t have to watch I just wanted you to be here. I mean this is my first real challenge and dad and my brothers aren’t here-“

“Man, you’re guilt tripping me.”

“I’m not guilt tripping you I swear. You can go home if you want to, I just really wanted you to be here plus Damon promised we’d get Chinese if I won and I figured you might want some.” Grabbing hold of Eric’s shoulders I whispered, “Look I know why you don’t want to me fight but I’m tougher than I look.”

Looking to Damon, Eric said, “And you’re indulging this?”

“Ay, man I’m not indulging nothing. Just trust him, I know you’ve seen him fight,” Damon said, earning a look of uncertainty from Eric.

“I’ve seen him fight but that’s besides the point. You know how this works, he gets into one fight and before you know it ten more people are lined trying tot get at him.”

“That’s literally why I’m here. Look, Eric you don’t have to stay but at least come with us for Chinese, to make up for all this.”

“I guess I can’t stop you huh. Fine, but I swear-”

“Aw you really do care,” I cheered, wrapping him up in a hug. 

“Yeah, Yeah, now get off me, Jesus you can’t be serious for more than two seconds.” He blushed, immediately crossing his arms over his chest at me. “But I’m serious about what I said. I’m not gonna be playing nurse for you so... so don’t get hurt.”

Giving him a weak smile I shrugged, “I’ll try, as you so eloquently but it.”

Rolling his eyes, Eric pulled me back in for another hug, lips brushing against my neck as he mumbled, “Whatever.”