The house was quiet when I headed downstairs, and I drifted from room to room, seeking out Foster so I could ask if he wanted me to fix him something to eat as well. I found him on the couch in the den, stretched out with a book resting on his chest. He was sleeping soundly, and I crept out of the room, careful not to wake him.
In the kitchen, I made myself two large sandwiches and wolfed them down while standing at the counter. As I ate, I gazed out the window, watching a mild breeze roll through the nearby trees. I was glad Foster was finally getting some rest. He normally worked long hours, and when he was home, Mom was always insisting that he accompany her on errands or to dinner at a friend’s house. He never had time to simply relax.
Once I was back in my room, I returned to working on the paper. Finally I finished the first draft, and I set about editing and revising it. I had a bad habit of nitpicking over what I’d already written, making changes that weren’t necessary. As a result, one paper took me far longer to write than it would most other students. I knew I was going to have to become more efficient with completing the work, but for now, I continued to make changes, hoping the corrections would make the paper stronger.
By the time I looked up from my laptop, I saw that the sky was dark outside. Now that it was half past eight, I forced myself to set the Psych paper aside and accept that it was as good as it could possibly be. I still had work to do for my other classes, but I told myself I would tackle that tomorrow after Foster had left for his trip.
I rushed to leave my room so I could join Foster downstairs, but as soon as I stepped out into the hall, I saw him heading my way. Immediately I smiled. “I was just coming to see if you wanted to watch a movie or something,” I said. Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best suggestion to make, since the last time we’d watched a movie, he’d fallen asleep and then I’d groped him on the couch. “Or we could grab something to eat? If you’re hungry?” I hurried on.
Foster rubbed the back of his neck, averting his eyes. “You know, I think I’m going to turn in for the night,” he said. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
“It’s not even nine,” I responded, then instantly regretted it. I hated the neediness that had crept into my voice. “But I understand,” I continued. “I know you must be tired.” I wasn’t about to mention that I’d seen him napping earlier. “Have a good night, Foster.”
Finally he met my eyes. “You too, Landon. Did you get that paper finished?”
“Finally,” I sighed.
Foster smiled. “Well, now you won’t have that hanging over your head for the rest of the weekend. See you in the morning.”
I watched as he entered his room and closed the door softly behind him. At a loss as to what to do next, I grudgingly returned to my room. All the while I remembered what he’d said to me earlier while I was in his arms: “I just want to be careful with you.”
He was certainly doing that now, I thought, and I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d done wrong. Had I scared him off somehow? Had I made a fool of myself by getting so excited while giving him that massage?
Or was he simply trying to protect me? Maybe he was trying to protect himself, too.
Throwing myself on the bed, I stared at the ceiling, trying to solve the puzzle of what had just happened. It was so damn hard to read Foster sometimes. I couldn’t tell if he was simply being cautious, or if he had absolutely no interest in continuing what we’d begun the night before. I knew he’d insisted that we couldn’t take this any further, but there was no way I was mistaking his attraction for me last night. Not when he’d encouraged me to stroke my cock in front of him, and to come all over his dick.
I knew the upcoming week would be hell for me if I didn’t get an answer to my question. I’d be constantly thinking of Foster while he was over a thousand miles away.
By the time I worked up the nerve to go to his room, an hour had passed. Before I left my own room, I stripped naked, shivering not just from the cool air but also from my excitement and nervousness. This might be the night Foster told me he wanted nothing more to do with me. Or it might be the night he admitted his attraction to me as well.
When I stepped out of my room, I found the house dark and silent, the only illumination provided by a small nightlight in the upstairs hallway. Once I stood before Foster’s door, I didn’t bother knocking; after all, he was supposed to be sleeping. Instead, I slowly turned the knob and eased the door open.
The room was dark, and I could just make out his form beneath the covers. He was lying on the side of the bed farthest from the door, and I thought his back was to me.
I was about to slip into that darkness and join Foster when he turned over in the bed, and I realized he was still awake. “Landon? What’s going on?” he asked quietly, lifting his head to peer at me.
I froze, stark naked as I stood in his doorway. Jesus Christ, what had I been thinking? I felt a nauseating wave of panic roil my stomach. Then I realized I had to go through with this; there was no turning back now. He’d either reject me, or he would allow me into his bed.
I left the door open so a little light could enter the room. Then I approached the bed. “I was cold,” I told him, unable to keep the grin from my voice. “You know how drafty my room can get, being at the corner of the house.”
“Well, it might help if you put some clothes on,” Foster replied wryly, but I could hear him grinning as well.