The condoms sat on the edge of the dresser for the rest of the evening. Larry’s gaze kept coming back to them—while they ate the pizza, while watching TV, while playing Super Mario World on Thad’s Super Nintendo, which was the only game Geoff’s roommate owned that was two-player. Geoff insisted on being Mario because he wanted to play first, and he said Larry should be Luigi because, “both your names start with L.” But when he realized Luigi jumped farther than Mario, he got miffed and threw down the controller.
“Video games are stupid anyway,” he announced.
Larry smirked. “You’re upset ‘cause I’m winning.”
“Well, I’m not playing anymore.” Geoff kicked the controller off the bed and it clattered onto the floor.
While Larry finished the level he was on, Geoff snuggled up to him. He almo
