Chapter 28

* * * *

Back at Alex’s apartment, Jamie sat on the floor in

the living room, a paper plate overflowing with lo mein and rice

juggled precariously in one hand as he shoveled food into his mouth

with the other. He sat back against the couch, gaze riveted to the

TV screen where Alex had turned on the latest Star Warsfilm

because Jamie told him he hadn’t seen it yet.

Alex sat on the couch beside him, watching Jamie watch TV and

wondering what it would feel like to touch the smooth skin along

Jamie’s neck, just below where his curls stopped. At some point

before dinner, he’d discarded the mesh T-shirt, and his tank top

hung low along his neck, exposing more skin that Alex ached to

touch. What if I just reached out and ran my thumb along the

back of his neck?he wondered as he ate. Just a little

touch. I could say I was brushing away a piece of lint, fuzz, a

hair, and then I’d know if he’s really as soft as he looks. And

warm, and smooth, and—

Stop it.