Twice the Hands to Hold

Chapter 2: Thursday-1

Chapter 2: Thursday

Matt

The school paper’s old computer wheezed as Matt waited for it to shut down. He ran a hand over it as though to soothe the transition. “It’s okay, baby. Go to sleep.” The journalism department’s hardware was insanely outdated, but he’d just about heard enough “no budget” speeches to last him a lifetime. Somehow sports teams had brand spanking new gear every year. No budget constraints were mentioned then. He gathered his things and moved to the door and hit the lights on his way out. His day had been going great, getting his brother out the door with even a few minutes to spare. Now his excitement was building over spending Friday in West Hollywood with his friends. Of course school work and extracurricular activities were already weighing heavily on him but he would manage. Only thing left to do was to figure out a ride for tomorrow to get them to WeHo and back.

He locked the door to the journalism center and hoisted his book bag over his shoulder, and as usual he smiled at the thought of his friends. It was so obvious to Matt that Marty had it hard for Lexie, but the girl was oblivious. The hall was rapidly filling with students lost in their own worlds, just trying to make it through another day. Other students ran into each other, then into him and no one cared. He sighed and made his way down the corridor. Lexie secretly pined for his brother, but he didn’t want to dwell on that for too long. Didn’t she crush on him by extension, then?

Lexie had been pretty nonchalant about the crush up to now, though. The only reason he knew anything about it is because he understood his friend so goddamn well. He’d noticed the furtive glances, the complete rapture of her attention whenever Brian joined their conversations. He shook his head and made his way down the hall.

Thank God Brian could be empty headed about a lot of things and hadn’t picked up on the signals. The problem he had with them hooking up wasn’t so much that they would hook up, but what would happen after they hooked up. Matt adjusted the heavy book bag over his shoulder and continued down the hall to homeroom. He’d gone over this enough times in his head already when he acknowledged his friend’s crush wasn’t a fading interest. Since Lexie was already vested, any type of hookup between the two of them would not just be a casual thing for her, say what she might on the subject. But it would be for Brian. Casual is exactly what he is, and what he does…all that he does. And it wouldn’t be fair to her. It wouldn’t be good for their friendship if he had to choose between Lexie and his allegiance to his brother. Because Matt was far too aware that no matter what—or whom in his life—his brother would always take precedence.

Before he made the turn into his homeroom hall, a mop of blond hair entered his peripheral vision. Matt’s eyes darted to the confident swagger of the boy approaching him with downcast eyes. The swimmer’s build and the sun-kissed hair left no doubt as to the identity of the guy. It seemed like this was the only guy he’d met whose hair just did what it wanted, but he still worked the hell out of it nonetheless. Matt took a deep breath and made the decision to approach, feigning as much confidence as he could muster.

“Sterling, is it?”

Soulful green eyes rose to meet Matt’s open expression. “James, actually.”

“James. That goes better with Sterling. I bet you’re relieved about that.” Matt silently groaned. It had gone okay until he went and got lame on the guy.

Instead of shooting him down for his lame attempt at a joke, James’ face held a hint of a smile. “I’ve heard it all, over the years, so I’m not bothered by the awkwardness of my name.”

“I’m Matt. I edit the school paper.” Charm obviously didn’t work for Matt.

“Congratulations, I guess,” James said after a moment.

Matt smiled in relief after recognizing James’ own awkward attempt at a joke and breathed easier.

“I’m walking to homeroom at the end of the hall,” James said. “Walk with me?”

Matt fell in line, mind racing to catch up to the conversation.

“Do you like it here so far?”

“Hard to say.” James rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m only onto my second day.”

This guy was so polite, the product of years of exclusive prep schooling, no doubt.

“Although,” he leaned in conspiratorially, “it’s already an improvement over my previous school. But if you quote me on that, I’ll deny it until the day I die.”

“Did you not leave your previous school on good terms?”

“You really are a reporter, aren’t you?” James eyed him for a second too long. “I don’t know. It’s more real here, I suppose.”

Welcome to the other ninety-nine percent. “Should we be offended?” He smiled.

“Hardly. Believe me. It’s nothing but a compliment.”

Matt stopped as James slowed down and approached his homeroom.

“Not that I didn’t enjoy this impromptu interview, Matt,” James said, “but this is my homeroom.”

Matt scrambled. “What I really wanted to do,” he said, seeing his window sliding shut, “is set up a time for an in depth interview, if you’re up for that.”

“I figured you would.” Somehow the spark had left James’ eyes after Matt made his request.

“The school is really interested in getting to know you,” Matt hoped he sounded convincing in not letting his real interest show. “Maybe you’d be up for a few action shots of you in your natural element? It would make a great front cover story. You’re pretty big news around here,” Matt rushed, beating a dead horse, apparently. “Prep school, Olympics-bound super athlete transferring to Santa Monica’s finest.”

For a moment a glimpse of the previous spark entered James’ eyes. “Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?” He smiled. “If you wanted to take lascivious photos of me in the water, all you needed to do was ask.”

Matt’s mouth shot open in a would-be denial that was cut short.

“Meet me at my house. Noon. Saturday.”

Matt could only nod. Then, “I don’t have your address, though.”

“I’m sure your investigative skills won’t let that stand in your way.”

Was he flirting? He didn’t dare get his hopes up.

“And don’t worry,” James continued, “I have a huge…Olympics-sized…swimming pool.” James slipped into the classroom.

Goddamn.