“Hold still,” Titus whispered in my ear as he pressed his body closer to mine.

I nodded as my heart pounded. He guided my hands into the water. We leaned forward and slipped them along either side of the salmon.

“Ready?” said Titus as he kissed my cheek.

My hand flinched, and the fish was gone. 

“Sorry.” 

“You’ll get it next time.” His arms dropped around my waist.

My body shuddered again, and I gave him a weak smile.

“Is this too much?”

I shook my head. “I get nervous around you.”

“Hmm….” He left me standing there and went to sit on the bank. 

“It’s not like that,” I exclaimed, rubbing my arm. 

He shrugged with a smile. “It’s fine, Aden.”

Walking over to him, I sat on the overhanging bank and pulled my feet out of the water. “I’ve always felt a little weird around you.”

“Aden.” He shot me a sideways glance.

“Just listen for a second, alright?”

Titus flopped back onto the grass and put his arm over his eyes.

“See, this is why.” I motioned to his exposed chest. “You’re half-naked all the time and—” I shook my head.

“And?” He peeked out from under his arm.

I shrugged and picked at the dirt under my fingernails. “You have a nice body.”

With a smirk, Titus grabbed me and pinned me to the ground. My hands were pressed firmly against his pecs. 

“Titus! I just said this kind of stuff makes me nervous.”

He smiled and kissed my cheek. “You’re allowed to touch.”

I swallowed hard as he lifted his body so I could.

“Consider it research.” Titus winked at me. “You are trying to decide if you’re gay or maybe bi, right?”

I glared at him. “Jackass.” I tried to push him off.

Titus didn't move and placed a forearm on either side of my head. “Go on.”

“This whole thing is weird,” I muttered as my eyes roamed his torso. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Why not?” He shifted his weight to one arm and brushed a stray piece of hair off my forehead. 

“Fine, since you insist, then I’ll do it.”

Taking a deep breath, I ran my hands down his pecs to his abs. My fingers traced the indent of each one. His body was beautiful. Every muscle was so defined, better than even Chris. He clenched his abs, and I felt my face heat up. 

Titus gave me that cheesy smile. “Like?”

I shoved him back, and he rolled off.

“Shut up.” I sat up and stared at the water. 

“Can I have my turn now?”

My mouth dropped open. Titus grinned.

“No.” I snatched my jacket, which was sitting by my shoes, and put it on. “We already know you’re gay.” I zipped it up and started to put on my shoes. “Besides, I don’t want anyone catching us.”

Titus groaned and sprawled out across the ground. “Who cares? We’ll just say we’re friends with benefits.”

I pressed my wet foot against his side. 

Titus jumped. “Why do you always do that?” He wiped the dirt off.

“Because you deserve it.” I finished putting on my shoes. “And we are not friends with benefits.” Standing, I brushed off my pants.

Titus rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

I took out my new phone and checked the time. “My dad will be here soon. We’d better get going.”

Titus threw his head back dramatically. “Your dad ruins everything.”

I laughed at his pathetic display. “He’s kind of being a responsible parent and taking me home.”

Titus shrugged. “Still, he could give us a couple more hours.”

“He might.” I started walking down the trail to the campground.

“Really?” Titus jogged to my side.

“Yeah, but you’ll have to ask him first.”

Grabbing my wrist, Titus swung me around. He wrapped me up in his arms. “Why can’t you?”

I squirmed a little. “Because I’d have to tell him why.” I looked off into the trees. “And I don’t want to. Not yet.”

Titus kissed the side of my head. “Take your time.”

We walked along the path with our hands entwined behind Titus’s back. 

“I’m not going to be here Thursday.”

“Why?” Titus frowned. 

“Chris is back for a week before he heads off to the next thing he has going on, and he’s having a party. My dad said I could have the day off in case my friends wanted to do something. I don’t think he will. He hasn’t even called me. I got a text about the party, and it wasn’t even from him.”

Titus squeezed my hand. “I don’t like him.”

“He’s my friend, Titus. We’ve been friends since kindergarten.”

“From the first or second time around?” he asked.

“Second…” I muttered.

“I still don’t like him. After everything you’ve told me about him, the guy sounds like an ass.”

I tried to free my hand, but Titus wouldn’t let go. 

“Stop it.” I pried at his fingers.

He yanked me to him. “Someone who would hate you for being who you are is not your friend.”

“I’m still trying to figure out if this is who I am.”

Titus let go and shoved his hands in his pocket. He started down the trail without me.

“You can come if you want.”

He stopped and looked back at me.

“Chris never really knows all the people who go to his parties. Random people show up all the time. I could give you his address, and you could come if you want.”

“Do you really want a gay at your party?”

My shoulders sagged, but I nodded. “I do. I want you there.”

Titus smiled. “Alright. I’ll go.”