Valor on the Move

“Impressive comeback, I’ll grant you that. But let’s see what the rest of the frames have in store.”

What they had in store was resounding defeat, and when the game was over, Shane shook his head. “All right, you win this round.”

Rafa pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Just in time for lasagna. Hope you’re hungry.”

“Always.”

As he changed his shoes, Rafa glanced up at Shane. “Hey, where did you go to college?”

“UCLA.”

“What did you major in?”

“English. I always liked reading, and I needed a degree to join the service.”

“Cool. What’s your favorite book?”

“The Hunt for Red October.”

Rafa’s face lit up. “Really? Most people would say something totally old and pretentious.”

Chuckling, Shane shrugged. “I’ve certainly enjoyed my fair share of literature, but for sheer pleasure, it’s Clancy’s earlier work. What’s yours?”

“Well, usually I’d say The Grapes of Wrath. I mean, I have to say something American, and I do think it’s a good book. But for pure reading enjoyment? Harry Potter.” He laughed and ducked his head as if he was expecting Shane to mock him.

“Which one in particular? I’m partial to number four.”

Springing to his feet, Rafa grinned. “Me too! The Triwizard Tournament is the best. The whole maze sequence was so amazing. Uh, excuse the pun.”

Shane found himself laughing, which felt…damn it, it felt good. “And the graveyard scene was a gut punch. I really need to reread the whole series.”

“Yeah, me too. We should read them together.” He waved his hand, his smile fading. “I mean…not actually together. We should just both reread them. Although I guess we shouldn’t be talking about books anyway.” He turned off the lane. “But now I need to know: least favorite book.”

“Anything by James Joyce aside from The Dead. I know they say Ulysses is genius, but I’m a fan of punctuation.”

“Oh my God, right? I only had to read a few chapters for my English historical survey class, and it was torture. I just do not see the genius.”

“I don’t think anyone does, but they’re too afraid to admit it.”

“Exactly!” Rafa exclaimed. As Shane opened the door, Rafa flicked the lights and paused in the shadows. “Hey, do you think you’ll ever try surfing again?”

The thought simultaneously filled him with a swell of joy and the heavy drag of grief. He hadn’t been in California since the funeral. Not that he couldn’t surf in other places, but for some reason surfing was all tied up in the fire, lost in the ashes. “I don’t think so.”

“But you never know, right?”

“I’m not much of an optimist.”

Rafa smiled then, sad and sweet. “That’s okay. I’ll be one for you.”

Shane followed as Rafa headed to the stairs, trying to banish the wave of happiness that filled his chest.

Chapter Seven

After dipping his finger in the jar of pomade, Rafa went after the rogue curl over his ear, cursing at it under his breath. “Stay put, damn you.”

Of course it wouldn’t, and it really didn’t matter anyway since it would be dark. And it’s not as if Shane would care what his hair looked like. Maybe he should just have another shower and let it curl naturally. Frowning at himself in the bathroom mirror, Rafa imagined it.

Ch-ch-ch-Chia.

He snapped off the bathroom light and grabbed his burgundy hoodie. It had been a little cooler that day, and he might need it down by the water. He zipped it over his tee and hesitated. Maybe he should wear nicer clothes like usual. He hoped they wouldn’t encounter anyone, but what if they did?

So what if you do? No one will care, you freak. And Shane’s seen you in your boxers. What does it matter?

The thought of being in his underwear in front of Shane predictably made his dick swell, even if there’d been nothing sexual about it. Checking his watch, Rafa considered jerking off before going downstairs—it wouldn’t take much—but it was almost midnight.

He laced his sneakers and then picked up his knapsack before taking the back staircase down. As he reached the main floor, his heart skipped. Shane stood in the hallway glancing at his watch. He frowned.

“Everything all right? I was just going to come up.”

“Yeah. I actually wanted to do something different tonight. Go for a walk.”

Shane’s frown deepened. “Okay. On the grounds?”

“By the river, actually. The Potomac,” he added. He winced internally. No shit.

“By the Memorials?”

“No. Farther upstream. It’s not too far, though. Shouldn’t be anyone there this time of night. Or morning, I guess.”

Shane was still frowning. “Why do you want to go to the river in the middle of the night?”

“The moon’s almost full, and there’s this cool little waterfall. It’s peaceful. I don’t know. I just want to go.” Rafa suddenly felt foolish with the picnic he’d carefully packed in his knapsack. He’d been planning for it all day as if he and Shane were going out on a date, and it was ridiculous. Irritation flashed through him. “I’m allowed to go where I want. I’m not a prisoner.”