thought about it he turned to Billy and said, “It’s been fun, but I feel like going out somewhere for dinner. Would you like to go with me?”

Billy seemed a little shocked. “Reece…are you asking me out…you know…like on a date?”

It was his turn to be shocked. “Uh…yeah… I think I am. I have to warn you though; I’ve never been on a date with a guy. I’ve messed around with a number but it never included dinner first.”

Billy turned beet red again, “Well, I can’t promise I’ll fool around with you afterward, don’t wanna seem easy. But if you behave yourself you might get a kiss goodnight.” And then turned an even deeper shade of red.

“I’ll settle for that.” And Billy kind of floated off. As they started cleaning up, he thought that maybe that wasn’t a good idea. It was obvious to everyone that Ian and Billy had been sleeping together. They weren’t obvious, everyone just knew.”

He saw his mother standing there looking at him. “What’s on you’re mind, sweetheart?”

“Nothing.”

“Reece, child, a mother knows when something’s wrong with one of her babies. You don’t have to say anything, but I will guarantee you that what’s actually going on up there…” she touched his forehead with her finger, “Isn’t nearly as awful as what’s going on in here.” And then she touched her own.

They giggled and she put her arm around him and they touched foreheads.

“Mama, I’ve done something I maybe shouldn’t have.”

“Did you pee in Ian’s pool?”

“He might prefer that…I kind of asked Billy out to dinner.”

“Well that doesn’t seem so bad…”

“Sort of a dinner date…”

“Honey…that’s not so bad either. Billy’s not the one for Ian, and they both know it. I’m sure they are having some great sex, but I think they are just getting some stuff out of their system that’s maybe been there a long time before they realized it.” She put her arm around him and squeezed him tight. “The three of you have been through some awful times here lately and some good ones, too. Ya’ll just keep being mindful of each other, respect each other’s feelings and everything will work out just fine.”

Tippy smiled. “I won’t wait up for you, and I’ll have Inez change the sheets on your bed, just in case.”

“Mom!”

“What? You think you’ll stay over here? Help me get this garbage bag out.” He held the can while she pulled. “That’s probably a better idea. More privacy…”

“Mom!”

“Do you have condoms?”

“We’re having dinner, not snogging each other.”

“Well, you never know. In case you haven’t noticed you are both some pretty hot guys…”

“Okay, we are not talking about this any more….”

45 minutes later, Billy was sitting with his arms wrapped around Reece’s waist and biking back up to a restaurant that Reece hoped Billy would enjoy. Billy looked hot, ignorant of the appreciate eyes that looked him over. Reece was aware of them, but it was more keenly aware that he seemed to be the only one in the world when it came to Billy.

Before he ordered, Billy asked is this okay with you? Like watching him devour a steak was going to turn him