Just About Soccer

I finally had some time to update this. Sorry for keeping you waiting -___-

A huge thanks to my great Beta Lukanicus who still doesn't seem to be fed up with all my mistakes *____*
Thanks a lot!


Nediar

_______________________________________
Just About Soccer

Chapter 11

When Craig Finnegan got home from his walk around the lake in the evening, he was surprised to find his wife and daughter playing cards on the couch, in front of the TV. Their giggling somehow made him angry. He looked into the kitchen and found that dinner was not ready. His son, Ray, was not to be found either. This infuriated him the most.

He went back into the living room, tried to keep the threat out of his voice and asked, “By any chance Elena, do you know how much longer Ray’s planning on staying at Samuel's?”

He already had the gloomy suspicion that the boy never actually went there in the first place. His wife had grown a sixth sense when it came to her husband’s moods and tone, so she smiled at Mischa, “Would you go upstairs and prepare the bath? We’ll wash your hair today.”

Mischa looked confused at first but then she simply nodded and went to the bathroom, shooting her dad a last wary glance. Upstairs she turned on the water to fill the bathtub, but when she heard shouts from downstairs the blonde girl did not wonder about it very long. She stopped the water and opened the window. Luckily, there was a tree right in front of it. She climbed onto the windowsill, moved onto the nearest branch and then… she slipped, lost grip and fell.

Mischa rolled over the ground like a cat and finally got up on her aching legs.

“Shit,” she whispered and ran down the street. She had to find her brother. They finally needed his help.

Craig stared at his wife in anger, and again wanted to know where his son was. Now he was sure, that the boy was not at the professor’s place any more. It would not have been like his son to do as he was told.

“I guess he’s still at Samuel’s house, or already on his way home.”

“Oh, you think so? Well, here’s what I think. He never went to Samuel! He was with his cousin and those football freaks the whole day!”

“You can ask him when he comes home or call the professor! He will tell you whether the boy was there! And what is so wrong about him spending the afternoon with friends and Zach? We never said he and Samuel had to talk about the university all day long!”

“So you KNOW he’s not there any more?”

”I don’t know anything, Craig! He didn’t tell me! But would you really rather keep him home, instead of letting him spend his holiday as he wishes?”

“I would rather have that prick locked inside his room!” he shouted.

Craig was surprised he could say it so easily. Until now, he had always been avoiding to say something about his son, especially something negative. Ray was a well-trained sporty young man and the boy might be the only one actually able to threaten him. He had to be careful about how to address his concerns.

“He’s almost nineteen now! How long do you think you can keep things running like that? He’ll realise, eventually!”

“Not if you don’t tell him! And you will NOT drive him against me. Do you get that? He’s got nothing to do with it!”

“You really think he doesn’t see something’s wrong? You shouldn’t have banned him from playing football! That upset him and made him suspicious!”

Craig roughly grabbed her blonde hair and pulled back her head, forcing Elena to look directly at him.

“Will you shut up and leave the boy out of this?”

“You already made that impossible. But, what makes you think you have to present yourself as the successful man you aren’t, in front of your son? You never even told him that you have no job! For three years now!”

Now he lost it. Craig dragged her off the sofa and pushed her to the cold tiled floor. Elena screamed in pain when she landed on the ground and on her arm.

“Craig!”

Ignoring her scream, Craig pulled her up by her shirt and punched her square in the face. The woman screamed again, with less power this time though, and he landed his next hit in her stomach. It sent her stumbling against the wall, where Elena sank to her knees. She pleaded for Ray to be back in time. If it had not been for him, she would have been dead already. Craig considered it impractical to beat her to death while he wanted to keep this crap away from his son. In addition, Elena understood the other message behind it. As soon as Ray would find out, she could say good-bye to this world. Moreover, little Mischa still needed her care. Elena had never wanted Ray to know about this, which was the worst decision she had ever made, apart from marrying Craig Finnegan, of course.

How very pathetic she was. She felt ashamed that she had to hope for Ray to come home for help. She was his mother and supposed to guard him, not the other way round. The boy obviously never had known what meaning he had to her, besides the fact that he was her son.

Ray was pondering about what Brian had said, taking some shortcuts on his way home that actually were a detour when it came to saving time. The way was shorter but the crossroads held him up.

Before the path leading left and towards the back of their holiday house, he saw a tiny figure on the main street running towards him. Ray almost immediately identified her as his sister and now sped up to meet her. Something seemed horribly wrong.

Mischa only told him that daddy had asked mommy about why Ray had not yet returned, and that they then started to yell at each other. She was totally out of breath but happy to have met him so soon.

“I was scared so I ran to look for you.” she finished and with big faithful eyes stared up at her big brother.

Ray could not help a smile. He kissed her cheek and then told her to go to the old lady who lived next door.

“Tell her that your brother sent you and asks her with all politeness to take care of you tonight. I’ll come over tomorrow morning to take you home. And be nice to her, okay?”

He knew that was probably a little too cautious, but you never knew. He had seen the brutality of his dad.

“You don’t want me anymore?” She said it like a question and not a statement.

“I want you to sleep and you can’t do that with mommy and daddy arguing, right? I promise you I’m going to take you home tomorrow morning.”

“Alright,” Mischa was very hesitant to answer.

With a sudden determination Ray said, “Tell the old lady to call the police, okay? Will you do that, princess?”

Mischa’s eyes went wide. “The police? To our house?”

“That’s right, to our house. Can you do that please?”

“Yes! … Wow… That is an important task, right?” she beamed.

“Yupp, very important.” Ray was glad she took it that way. “Okay, get going, Mischa.”

“See you tomorrow, big brother!”

“See you!”

Ray got back on his bike and then turned to take the path leading to the back of the house. There he threw it aside and ran up the stairs.

“…think you have to present yourself as the successful man you aren’t, in front of your son? You never even told him that you have no job! For three years now!”

The voice of his mother reached his ears. Ray quickly got out his keys and unlocked the door.

“Craig!”

The screams of his mother made him shiver in horror and he felt as angry as never before in his entire life. He ran inside.

Crossing the kitchen, he already saw his mother through the door, and she was leaning against the wall at the opposite end of the living room. There she sank to her knees.

There was blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Ray had never seen her looking that weak and vulnerable. For god’s sake, she was his mother! She must not look like that!

When Craig approached her, Ray sneaked inside the room, unnoticed, until he ran towards his dad and jumped at him from behind. The man was caught by surprise and Ray had no problem wrestling him down. Craig wildly waved his arms around in an attempt to get Ray by his collar. He failed.

Keeping his dad pinned to the ground was a little tougher than taking him there. Ray pushed his knees into his stomach and punched him in the face to mute his yelling.

“Shut up asshole!” He punctuated his words with another punch.

Craig struggled and then suddenly reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a jack-knife.
Ray saw it coming too late. He jumped up immediately, which probably prevented worse, but still he suffered a deep cut on his left waist. Craig came to his feet again and wiped the blood from his lips. He stared at his hand, which now was coloured in red, and then glared at his son.

“How dare you! I raised you and this is your thanks?”

“I’ve got more of it!”

“You disappoint me Ray! What have I done to you?”

“What have you done to mom?” It was no question, but an accusation. It needed no answer.

Elena gasped. “Ray!”

“It’s none of your business! That’s a thing between her and me!” shouted Craig.

“Not any more!” his son spat out.

“I’ve always treated you good, boy! Now, don’t ruin this!”

That is when it hit Ray. He grinned widely.

“You’re afraid of me, dad? You’re afraid I could stand up to you. That’s why you always tried to console me.”

“Shut up!”

“Ah, no no. It’s my time to tell you something. Keep your dirty hands off my mother and sister and leave us the hell alone! This place is no longer your home. I’m mortified I didn’t notice earlier and I’m glad I finally came to my senses!”

His mother interrupted him. “Don’t, Ray.” she whispered. “It’s been rough times. He’s doing better and…“

“Excuse me?” he angrily interrupted her. “What I just saw was horrible enough! You're telling me now that he’d been worse?”

“Well… I’m just saying that we can manage this, we…“

“Yeah, right! You keep telling that to yourself! I will not…“

“Ray!” His dad gladly picked up Elena’s words. “It’s true. I’m… doing better. I can hold back and if you help me…“

“SHUT UP!”

Ray was on the verge of tears now. He was not sad but angry. He did not understand how adults could be so very blind and stupid. The thought of the bruises on his sister's legs crossed his mind.

“Shut up! Both of you! Mom, if you want to live this way I cannot stop you, but Mischa will certainly not grow up like this! I’ve seen the bruises on her legs and I can only hope for you,” he turned towards his dad, “that you did nothing even worse to her than beating! Let alone for that I will make you pay!”

Craig stared at him for some seconds and then incredulously asked, “You accuse me of … raping my own daughter?”

“Ray! How dare you?” his mother chimed in.

“I didn’t say that. And it relieves me that you apparently show at least a little common sense there. Anyway, it doesn’t make up for what you did!”

That second his view went blurry and a stinging pain spread through his body. He clasped his hand over his waist and anxiously looked down at it. He must have lost much more blood than he had been aware. A dark red puddle had formed on the floor next to his left foot.

“Ah…”

“Okay, both of you!” Craig shouted, now that he found his son was seriously wounded. “You will listen now! None of this is to be talked about in public. Did you get me? Or I will kill you. And I swear I will! That’s no joke anymore!”

“It never has been. What made you so very bitter? No wait! What made you go nuts?”

“Shut up, Ray!” The old man was waving the knife in his direction.

“I won’t. You’re still afraid of me. This is the first time in my life that I really feel comfortable around you. Because now it’s not you who has me under his control! The situation is reversed now, do you see?” His voice was weaker but still threateningly cold.

“You’re injured, boy! You’ll faint when you lose much more blood!”

“Until then I can defend what’s important to me such as my pride and my sanity. Things you have lost long ago, I guess.”

“Don’t get cocky now. You’re in a worse position than I am!”

Craig made a quick move towards his wife who still leaned against the wall, pulled her up and pressed the knife against her throat.

“Dad!”

“Shut up!”

“What are you trying to achieve with that?”

“I want to make sure you know your place! Don’t go against me again or she… and your beloved sister will suffer!”

“You won’t dare!”

“And I thought you knew me by now…”

“Let her go!”

“What if I don’t?”

“I…“ Ray's vision blurred again.

“Who’s in the position to make demands now, huh?” his dad asked confidently.

At that very second the siren of a police car came closer and moments later they heard tires rolling over the pebbles in front of the house.

Ray faintly grinned. “Me, I guess.”

They heard a knock on the door and Ray tried to sound as scared as possible when he started screaming: “He’s got my mom! Oh my god! Somebody, help us!”

Immediately two officers entered, and Craig turned to face them, still holding on to his wife. She was choking and could only barely breathe.

“Put the knife down,” one of the officers said, pointing his gun at Craig.

They tried to talk to him for about five minutes until Ray had heard enough and silently moved closer behind him. When his dad was shouting at the top of his lungs the brown-haired boy somehow managed to grab his knife-holding hand and pull it away from his mother. She sank to the floor and one officer dragged her away while the other one was helping Ray taking care of the furious man.

When Ray left the hospital, he still was thankful the doctor had let him go. They wanted to keep him in for the night but Ray had refused to stay. No internal organs were hurt, the doctor had explained to him. The cut had been a potential threat to a kidney and the liver but it did not go deep enough. Ray was relieved at that and happily walked out into the dark, his mother by his side. Her hands were still shaky. The sedatives did not seem to work too well.

A police officer waited for them. They had to tell the police what happened and Ray agreed to file charges against his dad, against the will of his mother.

The next day Ray went to get his sister from the old lady and Mischa was glad to see him.

“She’s weird.” was all she told him about her.

Ray thanked the woman about a thousand times and politely declined her offer to come over and help them. Ray forced his mother to call her brother and talk to him. Then he made her call her lawyer at home and ask him to get everything ready for a divorce suit.

Finally, their uncle came over.

“Martin! Gott sei Dank!”

Martin caught her with a surprised grin when she came running towards him. It did not happen very often that she addressed him in their mother tongue. They were from Germany originally, and had moved here when their parents found a new job.

“Elena! Ist alles okay? Warum hast du nie was gesagt? Helen und ich waren entsetzt!”

She just smiled and would not let go of him. Ray grinned at them and then asked his uncle inside.

“No, boy… You’re all coming home with me for the rest of your holidays.”

“Ich kann nicht. Ich muss nach Hause,” Elena shook her head.

Martin looked down at his little sister. “Warum?”

“Could you please stop that? I don’t understand a word!” Ray eyed them exasperatedly.

“Sorry boy. So… Why, Elena?”

“I have to talk to my lawyer. I will get a divorce.”

“I see.” Martin was relieved to hear that.

The rest of the day, they all spent at Martin’s house. In the evening, Elena left for their home. Mischa was happy to hear that she could stay at her aunt and uncle’s house for the rest of the holidays. She would have a room entirely for herself, with no big brother watching TV until late night. Ray ruffled her hair and grinned.

“I know you like it. You were never allowed to stay up that long when you were watching TV with mom.”

“I’m not addicted to TV, that’s the difference between us.” She smiled back at him.

When his mother had left, Ray wanted to talk to Martin. He asked his uncle whether he could stay in the holiday house, and was given permission.

The boy grinned and searched his pocket for his mobile phone. He had to call Brian. After all, he owed the blond an apology.

Chapter 12

Brian had not been able to sleep after his argument with Ray. Instead, he played videogames all night and morning through. In the afternoon, he had finally found some rest.

He almost fell out of bed when his mobile phone rang. Brian cracked one eye open and cursed to the god of time management. Why did people always call when you were sleeping? Where was this stupid thing, anyway? He let himself roll over the edge of the bed and crouched, sheets wrapped around his waist, through the room in search of the little annoying gadget. He found it on his desk. It was Ray.

‘Oh great.’

“Wha.” he murmured.

“Huh?” Ray answered. He did not know whether it was supposed to be a complete sentence.

“What’s up?” Brian managed to say.

“Did I wake you, Bri?”

“Yo…”

“I’m sorry…”

“Nah, never mind…”

“No I mean, I’m sorry… for… my stupid behaviour. You were right. With everything that you said, I was… very… influenced by my… by him.”

Now Brian was wide-awake.

“What happened, Ray?”

“How do you…“

“Your voice, it says everything.” Brian answered the unfinished question.

“Um… let me… tell you when we meet.” Ray’s voice sounded tensed.

“We meet? When did we settle that?”

“I am settling that now!”

“That’s very interesting.” Brian joked.

“Would you mind coming over and… staying with me?” the brunette whispered.

Some seconds of silence.

“The night?” Brian kept the excitement out of his voice. He was taken with the idea, of course. However, at the same time, something felt horribly wrong about the offer.

“The night, the week, the month. Whatever time it takes my mom to get divorced.”

Brian did not understand a word but he was positive about being told soon.

“Um… And what about…“

“We’ll talk later, okay? Hurry and get over here!"

“Okay.”

“And… Brian?”

“Right here.”

“I miss you. I just… I shouldn’t have run off without saying bye properly.”

“Right. But it’s okay.”

An uncertain silence hung between them until Brian said, “I love you. We meet in an hour.”

“Hurry!”


Brian had to take the bike and he needed an hour to get to Ray’s house. He was surprised to find the place empty.

'Sometimes I hate him.' he mused and turned towards his bike. ‘Well, maybe I don’t.’

Ray grinned up at him. He stood between his and Brian’s bike and expectantly looked at his younger boyfriend.

“Hey Brian.”

“Hey Ray.”

Why was this so awkward?

“I’m sorry, Brian!”

Were that tears? Brian could not believe his eyes. There was indeed a tear running down Ray’s cheek.

“I know. Everything’s fine. I’m not angry, I’ve never been!” That was not entirely true, because Brian had been angry. However, he had already almost forgotten about that.

“Thanks…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ll tell you in a second. Let’s just take the bikes to the back of the house."

Brian nodded and they silently walked next to each other.

“Ray?”

Ray looked up when they came to a halt in front of the shed. Brian leaned in and kissed the brunette’s cheek. His skin tasted salty from the tear. Brian was amazed. It really had only been one single tear. Ray mumbled something Brian could not understand.

“What was that?”

“Would you do that again, please?”

Brian smiled softly and kissed him again. “We should go inside, Ray. It’s getting colder.”

Ray frowned and then, silently and with no word wasted, captured the blond’s lips with his own in an intense kiss. It was not lustful or demanding. But, it was sinful. Brian was not able to think about that for long. The only thing on his mind in the next second was that he wanted Ray to touch him in many other ways than ‘just’ with a kiss. The taller one took his time, but when Brian put his hands on Ray’s neck and pulled him closer, he slid his tongue inside the younger one’s mouth and carefully explored. Brian thought he was going to burst with desire and a soft moan escaped his lips.

Ray stopped and smiled at him.

“You’re right. We should go inside.”

“Spoiled sport.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, nothing…”


After Ray had finished telling Brian about what had happened (leaving out the tiny detail that his dad attacked him with a knife) the blond was shocked.

“I… I had a bad feeling about your dad, but I never thought that he was that…“

“You see, I didn’t even have that bad feeling about him.”

“No one’s blaming you! It was you who put an end to this.” The blond now got an idea in which direction Ray’s feelings went.

“I’m blaming myself. I lived with that goddamn asshole and didn’t notice!”

“But he was nice when he was with you! He did a good job as far as his acting skills were concerned.”

“Very helpful. That just means…“

“Nothing, but that he knew you could end it. And you did! Be a little proud of yourself. You said your mom didn’t even want to file charges against him! You did very well there.”

“But it was too late.”

“They’re all alive and well, apart from some bruises and stuff.”

“But…“

“Oh boy, get a grip!”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Okay, baby…“

“That neither. That’s my name for you.”

“You’re just about to send me berserk. Okay then… Let me call you… right. If you don’t stop being depressed I will call you my little pathetic wreck.” Brian widely grinned.

“You’re bad at making up nick names.” Ray shook his head.

“I know.”

“So, if I stopped… being sad…” Ray began.

“Then you’d be…” Brian's features displayed a sudden delight, which Ray had never seen on him before.

“You’re my dream.”

“But I’m real.”

“But for me it’s easier to hold onto dreams, you see? Reality is a beast, but you aren’t, so in consequence there must be something really dream-like about you.”

“That's a strange kind of logic. But if you say so.”

“I do say so!”

“And what do you think will the dream and the dream’s baby do now?” Ray frowned.

“The dream’s baby has some good experience with watching TV.”

“Okay, let’s get something for dinner.” Ray grinned and vanished into the kitchen.

He came back with two plastic boxes.

“I got us sushi,” he explained. “That’s why I wasn’t here before you.”

“I love sushi! How did you know?” Brian happily exclaimed.

Ray made a mental note to thank Zach for his hint.

While watching TV the atmosphere still held some tension. Brian was sensitive enough to notice and felt uncomfortable. He shot Ray a careful sideways glance, some time after finishing his sushi. Maybe Ray would like to talk. Noticing, that the brunette's eyes were fixed on the screen with apparent fascination, he sadly looked away again. They had not touched since the mind-blowing kiss, not even a pat on the back or anything. Their conversation was just as miserable which consisted of comments about the movie and three short nods from Ray. They were watching an action movie. Woohoo, yeah.

Brian sighed heavily. The moment Ray called him he had known that their argument would have consequences. Add a family tragedy to it and you have the perfect gauche situation. Additionally, Ray was the kind of guy who had a really deep connection with his dad that was not to be criticised, even though the boy never forgave his old man taking him from the football club. To Brian, such natural bonds with family members were something unknown and new.

"I still trusted him, all three years through."

Brian had to ponder the sudden, almost inaudible words for some seconds until he understood them. Someone in the movie was screaming. Nevertheless, no one listened.

"Of course you did. He's your dad."

The blond was surprised he had spoken. He never had been one for big words, especially not soothing or helping words. Dealing with the emotional problems of other people was somehow like interfering with the plans of Satan himself. He had something bad in store for every human being and you had better take care of your own. But amazingly he went on.

"Don't blame yourself for what is not your fault!"

Ray smiled sadly. "He had been careful not to cross the line, you know? Now, that I know why, it makes sense. Why he would suddenly stop shouting when he noticed me getting too angry and stuff."

Brian sighed. ‘What now?’ Obviously, this was a dead end and Brian was not good at detours. He sighed again. He had heard enough.

"Damnit, Ray! I don't know what to tell you, okay? I don't know enough about you and your dad and I don't know much about your life, yet, either. All I do know is that I admire you kicking his ass, even though he's your dad. It showed that you are even more adult than your mother. And another thing I know is that I fucking hate to see you like this! So get a grip and tell me one single thing. What would you tell me if positions were reversed?"

Ray pondered the question for several seconds and finally whispered, "I would tell you, you did great and not to feel bad."

"There you go!"

"But…"

The brunette could not voice his objection because Brian attacked him, wrestled him down to the floor and kissed him vehemently. Ray's eyes went wide and suddenly something inside himself lifted a huge weight from his heart - which was probably the weight that now rested on his midsection. Ray smiled and could not help the chuckle.

"How does it feel to be topping, finally?" Ray asked.

Brian stared at him angrily. "Don't you dare making fun of me while I'm trying to get your mind off your problems!"

"You did a good job, so…"

Ray moved upward, forcing Brian to lean back and finally fall over. Then he straddled the blond's lap. "I think I will take back my position, baby."

"Forget about the dream, maybe I'll call you nightmare."

"You like bad dreams, right? I never knew you were that dirty, baby."

"Stop that wannabe talking dirty. You're not good at it." Brian joked.

"But you are?"

"Sure."

"Prove it!"

"Not now." Brian said, moved his hands underneath Ray's shirt and pulled him down into a kiss. His tongue explored Ray's mouth fervently. Nevertheless, in the end he had to submit to the brunette's desires. Okay, he was the baby and it was Ray topping. Not that he minded though. Being seduced by such a talented kisser did not wake the wish inside him to reverse positions.

"Thanks for everything, Bri. I love you."

"I love you, too."

After some time, Brian added with a low whisper, "Seduce me, dream."

And the dream did so, of course.


When Brian was just about to pull off Ray's pants, the telephone rang. They both groaned in anger and Ray struggled to get to his feet. Brian noticed him walking a little shakily.

Ray came back from the phone with a confused grin.

“My mom said she’d talked to professor Birnbom. He said there was an opening at university because another applicant declined it. And if I said yes by tomorrow and submitted my application within the next week, he could persuade the admission staff to give me the spot. My mom said that he’d told her that they wouldn’t let me go once they saw my good grades…”

“That’s great, Ray! But don’t you already have an application written?”

“Yes, I had sent some to other universities. But if I could study here that would be even better!”

“And they’d take you without an interview?”

“Well, I would still have to have the interview; but, it would just be a formality. Due to my good exam results, the Professor said that complications were unlikely...”

Brian smiled up at Ray, then got up from the floor and slowly closed the distance between them. Ray stood motionless and awaited the smaller beauty to come over. When the blond finally laid his arms around him, he could smell the sweet hair shampoo mingled with a scent that was pure Brian. It was something between chocolate and fresh coffee. Ray did not like the taste of coffee but the aroma was wonderful.

“It means you can stay here,” the younger boy whispered with hardly concealed relief.

Aware of his tone, Ray felt pleased at once. Somehow, he felt that this relationship was much more serious than he had thought at first, and much more serious than any he had had before.

When his younger lover pulled back slightly and looked up at him with big, loving eyes Ray lifted his hands, softly laid them on the younger one’s neck and pulled him into a provocative kiss. This time the blond made no attempt to gain dominance; he just let himself be taken away by the light touches of hands on his neck and the rhythm of the tongue in his mouth. Brian slid his arms around Ray’s hips. With soft determination, he pulled him back to the sofa. Ray smiled quietly and followed.

However, in the middle of their touching the brunette got up to clean some dishes, or so he said. Brian had not even gotten as far as undressing his lover.

The blond laid on the sofa for some minutes before he angrily went upstairs to have a shower.

While the water ran down his spine and cooled down his unfulfilled desires, he was trying to figure out what he might have done wrong. They had eaten from plastic take-away boxes, which you just threw away and did not tidy up after eating. This made Brian seriously worry about Ray’s behaviour. Why was he so distant all of a sudden? He did not find an answer to it.

The blond tried to chase away the doubts about Ray’s seriousness for this relationship. Was the older one really in love? After all, until a few days ago, he had not even been convinced of his own sexuality. Was Ray gay or was he bi? He probably was bi. It sent a jolt of distrust through Brian. He would have to compete with boys and girls! Why should Ray be serious about this relationship when he had not had much experience in loving boys? On the other hand, was it fair really to think like that?

When Brian turned off the water and wrapped a towel around his hips, he heard Ray coming up the stairs. He left the bathroom and they met in the hallway.

“Hey, Ray. You got everything cleaned up?”

“Cleaned up? … Oh! Yes, sure! Um… I just…” Ray put his right hand on the back of his head and blushed in embarrassment. “You can go to bed, baby. I’ll just have a quick shower.”

Brian smiled at him. “Alright, hurry.” Then he went into the bedroom.

Ray stared at the door to his room for some time before going to the bathroom. He hoped the blond would fall asleep soon.