than both Paul and I combined. He grew muscles, joined the football team, and got laid a lot. Davey Simmons wasn't a problem ever again. Now Max was the assistant football coach at Roman Glen High School. He'd led the team to two state championships and was reveling in being the town hero. Paul was working at the local paper and was a serious contender for the assistant editor-in-chief position. They were both content in Roman Glen, but I wasn't.
It seemed natural that we'd room together while in college and even after. I was the first to leave our bachelor's nest at twenty-six years old. It was sad, but I was ready. It was time to go. It took us three trips using Paul's brother's van. Even though the weather had cooled considerably, we were still sweaty and funky after hauling the last of my belongings to the second floor apartment.
"How much are you paying us again?” Max asked. We were sitting on the floor in the living room, dressed in sweatpants and t-shirts and chugging bottled water. Before I could answer Max continued, "I don't know 'bout Paul here, but you can repay me by introducing me to this chick roommate of yours and some of her friends."
He winked one blue eye, but I knew he was serious. He was a player, plain and simple. I don't think he'd had a steady girlfriend for more than three or four months and he liked it that way. I just laughed it off and glanced at Paul. He looked at Max, shook his head, and took another swig of his water. We were the best of friends, but even best friends had secrets and we were no exception. Very few people knew that Paul was gay and Max wasn't one of them.
We had been seniors in high school when he told me. I can't say that I was very surprised—not because Paul was flamboyant or behaved "gay" but he didn't date and he didn't seem interested in the normal things guys our age were interested in. Which, at the time, were: girls, getting laid, having sex, and meeting girls. Paul confided in me and I can honestly say my feelings towards him hadn't changed a lick. We couldn't be so sure about Max, and that's why he'd yet to tell him.
Paul's father passed away when we were freshmen in college, and although Paul was heartbroken over the loss, a part of him was glad he never had to tell his father and see the possible rejection that might have come from his confession. He came out to his mother three years ago and she reacted as most mothers would. She was shocked at first, then guilty—wondering if it were something she and his father had done or not done in raising him—then finally accepting and worried. Coming out to his brother Tim had left the relationship cordial, but strained. Even though it was supposedly a kinder and more tolerant time, the nightly news told us differently. Hate crimes were still going on and Roman Glen was a small town. Paul couldn't be sure that his career wouldn't suffer because of his sexuality, so it was easier for him to keep it private… for now. I knew that living with the secret was hard on him and it was just a matter of time before he came out to all his family and friends.
So it wasn't with intentional insensitivity that Max kept running his mouth, just ignorance. He took my silence over wondering if Paul was uncomfortable as reluctance in hooking him up with Chloe or her friends. Well, knowing Max, I should probably say Chloe and her friends.
"Oh come on, Patrick. Unless you plan on hitting it yourself."
"Max..."
"That's it, huh? You plan on sticking it to this roommate chick! Dirty dawg!" Max jumped up and started making obscene hip movements and howling like a wolf. "Ol’ Patrick is gonna be spending more time in the other bedroom. No wonder you're ditching out on us. Patrick's moving in with a piece of ass!"
At that exact moment, Chloe walked in.
Chapter Six
Ground Rules
Chloe
I know he’s not talking about me!
I’d just
It seemed natural that we'd room together while in college and even after. I was the first to leave our bachelor's nest at twenty-six years old. It was sad, but I was ready. It was time to go. It took us three trips using Paul's brother's van. Even though the weather had cooled considerably, we were still sweaty and funky after hauling the last of my belongings to the second floor apartment.
"How much are you paying us again?” Max asked. We were sitting on the floor in the living room, dressed in sweatpants and t-shirts and chugging bottled water. Before I could answer Max continued, "I don't know 'bout Paul here, but you can repay me by introducing me to this chick roommate of yours and some of her friends."
He winked one blue eye, but I knew he was serious. He was a player, plain and simple. I don't think he'd had a steady girlfriend for more than three or four months and he liked it that way. I just laughed it off and glanced at Paul. He looked at Max, shook his head, and took another swig of his water. We were the best of friends, but even best friends had secrets and we were no exception. Very few people knew that Paul was gay and Max wasn't one of them.
We had been seniors in high school when he told me. I can't say that I was very surprised—not because Paul was flamboyant or behaved "gay" but he didn't date and he didn't seem interested in the normal things guys our age were interested in. Which, at the time, were: girls, getting laid, having sex, and meeting girls. Paul confided in me and I can honestly say my feelings towards him hadn't changed a lick. We couldn't be so sure about Max, and that's why he'd yet to tell him.
Paul's father passed away when we were freshmen in college, and although Paul was heartbroken over the loss, a part of him was glad he never had to tell his father and see the possible rejection that might have come from his confession. He came out to his mother three years ago and she reacted as most mothers would. She was shocked at first, then guilty—wondering if it were something she and his father had done or not done in raising him—then finally accepting and worried. Coming out to his brother Tim had left the relationship cordial, but strained. Even though it was supposedly a kinder and more tolerant time, the nightly news told us differently. Hate crimes were still going on and Roman Glen was a small town. Paul couldn't be sure that his career wouldn't suffer because of his sexuality, so it was easier for him to keep it private… for now. I knew that living with the secret was hard on him and it was just a matter of time before he came out to all his family and friends.
So it wasn't with intentional insensitivity that Max kept running his mouth, just ignorance. He took my silence over wondering if Paul was uncomfortable as reluctance in hooking him up with Chloe or her friends. Well, knowing Max, I should probably say Chloe and her friends.
"Oh come on, Patrick. Unless you plan on hitting it yourself."
"Max..."
"That's it, huh? You plan on sticking it to this roommate chick! Dirty dawg!" Max jumped up and started making obscene hip movements and howling like a wolf. "Ol’ Patrick is gonna be spending more time in the other bedroom. No wonder you're ditching out on us. Patrick's moving in with a piece of ass!"
At that exact moment, Chloe walked in.
Chapter Six
Ground Rules
Chloe
I know he’s not talking about me!
I’d just
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