Up in Arms

Chapter Five

The ultimate strategy Trevor formed to get through the night hinged on two words: staying quiet. He formulated this strategic plan in the first few seconds of Reed’s arrival at Rylie’s apartment. The chiming of the doorbell set his heart racing, and his fair complexion brightened to a deep crimson just knowing Reed was here for him. Trevor absolutely hated his blush. He could never hide his anxiety because his stupid face always gave him away. Chugging the last of his water bottle, Trevor walked through the apartment to the living room, waving his hand in front of his face. He tried to take deep breaths in hopes the pink would leave his cheeks before he rounded the corner, and saw Reed.

“Did Dad get home okay? It was quite a party you had last night,” Trevor heard Reed say to Rylie as he rounded the corner to enter the small living room.

“Yeah, he drove me home and then took my truck. They brought it back this morning. You ducked out early last night. I don’t think you were there more than a minute,” Rylie answered as Trevor slipped into the room.

He dodged eye contact with both of them, and initiated his plan to just stay quiet. He took a seat in an arm chair close to Rylie, taking care not to wrinkle his slacks as he sat.

“Good evening, Trevor. Are you ready?” Reed asked, and Trevor looked up quickly, caught in the middle of running his hands down his pants legs, smoothing the wrinkles free. Trevor saw Reed standing and Rylie rising. Both looked directly at him. Rylie wore a little smirk on his face and Trevor immediately stood in a clumsy movement. After a second, he finally answered, “Ah...sure. Yeah. Yes. I’m ready.”

“We’re out of here, little brother. Enjoy your night with Elise,” Reed said, going for the front door, opening it for Trevor. It was the first of many standoffs between the two men. It wasn’t in Trevor’s nature to go first; he always held the door. He stood back now, waiting for Reed to walk through. Reed did the same, and their gazes finally collided before Trevor could shift his away. Reed’s sexy grin sent goose bumps springing to life across his arms.

“After you, handsome, I insist,” Reed said, with a soft chuckle.

Rylie took the matter into his own hands, and gave Trevor a little shove from behind, pushing him through the open door. Unsure as how to act, Trevor became upset for letting himself get into this situation in the first place. He reaffirmed his oath of the day: he would never drink again. At the end of the porch, Rylie gave him a second push. Trevor immediately saw a need to alter his strategy for the night and added ignoring his best friend to the overall plan. Between all the little shoves and all the expectant looks Rylie threw his way, Trevor became more unnerved than before. If that were even possible. With all those wiggling eyebrows and winks, it was clear his best friend was positive Trevor would be getting laid tonight.

Somewhere between the last step off the porch and Reed’s badass car, Trevor’s clumsiness reached a whole new level. He kept stepping into Reed, brushing up against him, or just flat bumping into him. Kindly, Reed seemed to be doing his best to help him out, never acting as if it were much of a problem.

Trevor absorbed himself with the car parked in front of him to help excuse his actions. It wasn’t hard. Never in his life had he ridden in anything so extravagant. Without thinking, he actually allowed Reed to open his car door and help him inside. Reed’s car was impressive, and Trevor lost himself scanning the instrument panel and all the fancy buttons across the console. He fingered the gearshift and inhaled deeply, appreciating the new car smell as Reed crawled into the driver’s side.

“How long have you had this?” he asked as Reed started the car. The stereo came on, everything lit up on the dashboard, impressing Trevor all the more.

“I got her when I got back into town a few months ago,” Reed said, gripping the stick, sliding the gear in reverse, backing out in one fluid movement. Trevor watched the movement of Reed’s hand, and looked up to meet his gaze. Trevor’s heart slammed hard in his chest. The interior of the car was tight. They were sitting very close to one another. The intensity of Reed’s stare took his breath away. Gathering his thoughts, Trevor averted his head and quickly tried to think of something to say, praying his voice didn’t betray him.

“I’ve never ridden in anything so nice,” he said lamely, turning to look out the front windshield.

“Perhaps we could take her out for a ride before you leave town. There’s a beautiful mountain range close by. I think you may enjoy the scenery,” Reed said, pulling from the apartment complex out into the busy streets.

Trevor could feel the heat from his blush creeping back up his cheeks. He hoped it was dark enough for Reed not to notice. Straightening his slacks, Trevor forced himself to relax. He did a couple of breathing exercises, and leaned back against the seat, placing his arms down along his sides. He never looked back at Reed, and kept his eyes fixed out the front window. Somehow, his left hand landed right on Reed’s hand. Trevor jerked it up and away from the clasp it apparently tried to make on its own accord.

“I’m sorry,” Trevor croaked again, clearing his throat. No way Reed didn’t notice that one. Way to fucking go, Trevor. His eyes darted to Reed’s to see his reaction, but darted away just as quickly as Reed looked at him.

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Reed said, trying to watch both Trevor and the road at the same time. He knew his cheeks were bright red and he tried again to take a deep breath to calm his nerves. He thought about the time ticking away the minutes until this night was over and he would be back in Rylie’s apartment. Reed kept up with a steady stream of chatting, never really requiring him to speak, which was good since Trevor refused to say anything more, for fear of embarrassing himself.