Brad and Elliott

BRAD POV



I wake up with images of Eli and me in various sexual positions playing through my mind and am not the least bit surprised to find myself hard. I stay on my back and my hand travels lower to get rid of the not-so-little problem when I hear a clanging sound from the kitchen.



I freeze in fear and look around the room for something to use as a weapon, but am unsuccessful in finding anything… like I'd use one anyway. I get out of bed and slowly walk to my bedroom door. I open it quietly and pad softly to the end of the hallway. I peek around the corner to look at the kitchen only to see Eli standing over the stove in what he wore the night before, looking very comfortable and cooking what smells like breakfast.



I pull back and lean against the hallway wall, trying to recall last night's events. I remember coming home with Eli, him undressing me, and me making an attempt at undressing him. I wonder if we did anything, and I'm surprised to find myself not all that worried if I did.



My eyes snap open just as Eli rounds the corner and nearly walks into me.



"Fuck!" His hand goes over his chest and when he finally slows his erratic breathing, he speaks. "What are you doing up?"



"What do you mean?"



"You looked dead to the world a few minutes ago. In fact, I was just going back to wake you up."



I can literally feel my mind trying to piece together the puzzle. From all the evidence, it appears that Eli and I had sex last night. He's here in last night's clothes, cooking breakfast. But I don't remember anything after me getting undressed. Fuck, if I had sex I'd like to remember, especially sex with Eli.

"Um…yeah…I just woke up."



"Well breakfast is ready. Come on and eat." His smile is almost too bright for this early in the morning. I go sit down at the kitchen table, and Eli's really outdone himself. He's made omelets, toast, and bacon. And on the center of the table is a plate of lemon bars.



I think I may be falling in love.



"I thought you might like them. I went out to get them this morning. Sort of a thank you. I really do appreciate last night Brad. I'm really glad you came."



That can be interpreted in so many different ways, but I'll assume he's talking about the art show.

"I really don't think I was of much use last night, getting trashed and all. I hardly remember anything that happened." I throw that out there in hopes that he'll tell me exactly what happened last night.

"Well," and just before he says anything someone starts knocking on the door. He hops up to answer it as I try to think of who could be visiting this early. I finally remember I had plans with my mother just as Eli opens the door.



No, this is not happening.



I run up behind Eli, but I'm too late. The door is already open and my mother is walking in. When she looks me over, I realize I'm just wearing boxers and that this whole situation looks really bad. She steps into the apartment and, at my silence, Eli takes it upon himself to make introductions.



"Hi, you must be Mrs. Keith. I see where Brad gets his good looks. I'm Eli." They shake hands and I'm surprised to see my mother blush at Eli's lame compliment.



"Oh he's a keeper Bradley." I swear to god she winks at me when she says it.

"That's what I keep telling him."



"Bradley, why don't you get dressed while Eli and I talk."



I really don't want to leave them alone, but I can't sit around half-naked either.



XXXXXXXXXX



I walk back into the living room to find Eli and my mother on the couch laughing and eating what looks to be my lemon bars, but I calm down when I see there's still plenty left.



"You know Eli, these lemon bars are almost as good as my own. I used to make them for Bradley when he was a little boy and I wanted him to do something."



"Really? I'll have to remember that."



"Seriously Eli, give him a lemon bar and he'll do anything."



And for a second I'm embarrassed, but I then realize Eli had probably figured out that little fact when he convinced me to go to the gallery with him by waving a few lemon bars in my face. Hey, every man's got a weakness. I wonder what Eli's is…



"Bradley!" I snap out of my thoughts at the sound of my mother's slightly peeved tone.



"Yeah?" I know I sound a little dazed and out of it, not my normal coherent self at all.



"I was just asking why you haven't told me about this lovely boy before." Eli almost preens at the compliment. "Well, you're both coming to dinner next Friday. It'll give your father a chance to meet your new boyfriend."



I really don't have the energy to explain the whole "not my boyfriend" thing, so I just manage an eye roll. She slips back into conversation with Eli, and I sit back and kind of zone out, using the opportunity to ponder my current situation.



I haven't been in a relationship in a long time, a very long time. I've kind of gotten used to being alone. I like being alone. But now, it's obvious that Eli is very interested in me, although I’m not sure what for. Maybe he's just looking for a good time, but maybe he wants some kind of relationship. I can't imagine him actually wanting a relationship though. He's young. He should be out there enjoying his youth with people his own age. But I can't really deny my feelings either. I'm definitely attracted to him physically, and I also like spending time with him. He's a sweet guy, pushy, but sweet nonetheless.



I'm pulled out of my thoughts by my mother. She's standing up and walking toward the door. "Bradley, I'll see you and Eli next Friday at 6:00 for dinner."



"Yes, mother." She walks out and I look toward Eli. I guess I'll just take this slowly, one step at a time. I mean, it's not like we've even been on a real date yet.



"Brad, would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?"