Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez Page A

I’d better not.”
    Kyle shrugged and returned to the magazine.
    “Okay,” Nelson said. “I’ll ask. When you jack off, who do you think of?”
    Kyle looked up at him. “I don’t know. I think about a lot of people—guys in magazines … Jason.” Nelson waved that idea aside and ventured forth, bracing himself. “Do you ever think of me?” Kyle gave Nelson a mystified look. “Why would I think of you?”
    Nelson’s heart sank. His whole body sank. It had been a stupid question.
    Kyle watched him. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You’re my best friend, Nelson. I mean, you don’t think of me, do you?”
    “No,” Nelson lied, and quickly pulled his shirt back on. “It’s just that you said you think I have a nice body.” Kyle shrugged. “So? I’m gay. I like guys’ bodies.” He returned his attention to the Honcho.
    Nelson sat down and lit a cigarette, studying Kyle and considering the conversation. Kyle wasn’t interested in him, but if he liked guys’
    bodies, maybe they could still have sex. It didn’t have to mean anything. A fter all, he wasn’t even convinced that he was in love with Kyle.
    He was definitely horny, though. No one needed to persuade him of that.
    “Well, then,” he said cautiously, “if you like guys’ bodies … maybe we should try it sometime.” Kyle glanced up. “Try what?”
    Nelson exhaled a stream of smoke. “You know …” He couldn’t finish. The whole idea was stupid. If Kyle wanted to have sex with him, they would have done it by now. He flicked his ashes. “Forget it.”
    Kyle returned to the magazine. “Look at this guy.”
    Nelson didn’t want to look at the guy. He was sorry he’d ever shown Kyle the stupid magazine. He leaned over and grabbed it.
    “Hey,” Kyle protested. “What are you doing? I was looking at it.”
    “It’s my magazine.”
    “Fine!” Kyle fumed. “You’ve probably slobbered over it a thousand times anyway.” Nelson ignored him, pretending to study the magazine. Out of corner of his eye he saw Kyle sneak a hand into his crotch and rearrange his underwear.
    “What’s with you lately? You seem so weird.” Kyle glanced at his watch. “Poop, it’s almost eleven o’clock.” Nelson knew it was time to leave, even though he didn’t want to go. He closed the magazine. “What are you doing tomorrow?” Kyle yawned. “It’s my mom’s birthday, remember? We’re going to my grandmom’s. Want to come?”
    “Sure,” Nelson replied. Kyle’s grandmom had a horse farm, and they always had a great time there. He tossed the magazine back to Kyle. “Here. It might help take your mind off Mademoiselle Jason.”
    Kyle caught the magazine, staring in surprise. “You mean it? I better not. What if my mom finds it?” Nelson laughed. “That would be an original way to come out.”
    Kyle smirked. “Yeah, right.” He dropped the magazine into his nightstand.

    When Nelson got home, he walked his dog around the block, then trudged upstairs and undressed for bed. He looked once more at the photo of Kyle’s bright, gleaming smile before turning off the light. Wrapping the covers around himself, he imagined slow dancing at homecoming, his arms around Kyle.

CHAPTER 7
    Jason pinned the homecoming corsage onto Debra’s white satin evening dress. In spite of all the confusing shit going on, he still thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world. She patted him on the lapel and pecked him a kiss. “There, you look perfect.” They sat with Corey and Cindy at their usual lunch table and watched couples dance beneath the mirrored ball twirling in the decorated cafeteria. Jason felt the buzz from the vodka and Pepsi they’d drunk in the parking lot. He began to sing to Debra, changing the lyrics of the love song that was playing to include her name. When he finished, Corey and Cindy applauded him. He stood and took a bow. Debra wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “That’s the first time you’ve sung to me