"You want to meet up?" Steven asked, unable to hide his surprise. He'd spoken to his best friend a few times over the past few months, but was left unable to decide if he was now his 'former' best friend or not.
"Steve, I haven't seen you since a couple of weeks before you started university. You're my best friend. Of course I want to see you."
"I still am?" he asked softly.
"Always... I know I've been shit at communicating lately. It's my fault. I'm sorry."
"No, I could have done more but I've been really busy with course work and, well, my personal life has taken off too."
"I'd love to see you, Steve... I miss you..."
He'd never heard Matthew ever say he'd missed him. He would never have said feeling such things was 'gay' or 'girly', but he'd never been one to express any real emotions either.
"You mean that?" he had to ask.
"Steve... I know the shit you went through and I like to believe I had your back when I could. One thing I always did was respect the shit out of you. Our school was full of meatheads and dickheads. You were the best of us."
He felt Tom squeeze his shoulder, listening into the conversation. He took a deep breath. "When?" he finally asked.
"Where are you living?"
"Further east in the city, south-east of the CBD. I mean, you can come visit where I'm living now if you want?"
"Why not this weekend? Send me the address and I can drive to wherever you are. I just really want to see my best mate for the first time in months."
"I'd love to see you too, Matty," he whispered, needing to wipe his cheeks, feeling foolish like usual whenever his emotions got the better of him. But having spent years repressing everything, now he couldn't stop them even if he'd tried. Add to that, he'd been left thinking Matthew wanted nothing to do with him anymore. To hear he now wanted to see him... "I've missed you too. How about Saturday afternoon? Bring some swimming shorts, we have a pool here, and I'm sure one of my housemates can get the barbecue fired up."
"Something to look forward to. Next Saturday afternoon work for you?"
"It does. I'll see you then."
"I'll see you soon, Steve, Cheerio."
"Bye, Matty."
Disconnecting the call, he had to sit back in his chair and take a deep breath. He hadn't expected any of that when noticing it was Matthew calling. He was expecting another awkward conversation that went nowhere, avoiding the fact Steven had clearly had feelings for him and Matthew... Well, he never let him know where they stood. But he'd clearly been left uncomfortable after all their time together experimenting.
Before Tom could ask, he called Damian. No surprise his young lover answered immediately.
"Hello, cutie."
"Hello yourself, beautiful. Quick question. Would you like to come visit my mother on Friday night?"
Glancing at Tom, he figured it out rather quickly.
"Um... If you're sure."
"I am. One of my best friends is visiting on Saturday. I want to meet him as we've talked about. Mum will take us out, we'll get our hair done, then a pedicure and manicure, nails painted, make-up done properly, and we'll get some clothes. I want some thigh highs and new shoes. I want him to know that I'm not only gay but... I wanted him to fuck me." I noticed Tom's eyes, returning a look to tell him that he not only wanted him to want me, not that he was going to fuck me. "Would you like to do that?"
"I'd love to. We're going to have some much fun, Stevie. Can we buy panties and bras?"
"Whatever you want to wear, beautiful."
"
I'll come to your place after classes on Friday. How will we get to your mother's?
"
"She'll pick us up, it won't be a problem."
"
Okay. I'll get to you place as soon as possible on Friday. See you then, cutie."
"See you later, beautiful."
Hanging up, he then called his mother, delighted to hear from him as usual, and once he explained his plan, she assured him everything would be booked and organised in time for Matthew's arrival. That's when she asked if he knew if he was gay or not. He assured his mother that he liked assumed but had never confirmed to him. He was going to know for sure on Saturday.
"If he was to be interested, would you sleep with him?
"
Steven glanced at Tom, who kissed his cheek, moving his mouth to his other ear. "Like I'm going to stop something that you've wanted for so long, Stevie," Tom said softly.
"I want to, Mum," he whispered, "But I don't think he's even bisexual. I think he was bi-curious, experimented with me, and that's why there's distance now. His curiosity was sated and it wasn't for him."
"Oh, honey, I know how much you miss him. I'm sure he's going to be so happy to see you."
"I hope so."
"I'll be there by late afternoon on Friday, and I'll make sure everyone knows Damian is coming too. I loved those photos of you two together, sweetie. You look so cute together."
"Thanks, Mum. I really like him too."
"Bye, sweetie. Hugs and kisses. I love you so much."