Tom sat on the side of the double bed that Merle kept for company. “This is nice.”

“I’ll have a better place when my house is done. The bathroom is across the hall. The towels are clean. I’ll see if I have an extra toothbrush.”

Tom looked up with those big eyes. “Thank you for saving me.”

“I’m just glad you called.”

“I didn’t know who else to call. I was thinking maybe Billy if I couldn’t get you.” He looked at his hands folded in his lap. “I figured you’d be with Renee.”

“No. We left right after you did, and I came here.”

Tom glanced up quickly and then back down.

Merle swallowed a little too loudly. “I might have some pajama bottoms that will fit you, but they’ll be way too short.”

“That’s okay. I’ll wear my undies.”

“So, uh, sleep well.” He turned and practically raced to his own room before his nobility faded.

Tom stared at his hands some more. Merle sure did want to go back to sleep. I must have bothered him. But I’m still happy he came to get me. I didn’t want to fuck Aaron or even suck his cock like he said.

Tom stood and walked to the bathroom across the hall. He glanced toward the other door just a little way away. That’s where Merle is. Light still showed under the door. Not asleep yet.

No toothbrush. Merle forgot. But Tom found some toothpaste in a drawer and put some on his finger and slid it around. After rinsing, he peed, washed his hands and face, and went back into the bedroom, stripped to his boxer briefs, and hung his jeans and shirt and jacket on hangers in the closet.

He pulled back the covers and found nice white sheets, then crawled in and flipped off the light beside the bed. Wonder if Merle’s asleep? I hope the boys are okay and don’t miss me too much. He almost never left them overnight. Mrs. A. wouldn’t like it if he did it very much. The boys wouldn’t like it either.

He sighed and stretched his hands behind his head. I shouldn’t have said I’d go dancing with Aaron. Why did I do that?

He followed the patterns of headlights streaking across the wall through a gap in the curtains. I like to dance. His lips compressed in a line. I wanted to dance, but not with Aaron. I wanted to dance with Merle. He smiled. I got to and it was rad. Merle’s the best dancer ever.

Oh boy. He shook his head. I really like Merle. I never should’ve said I’d go with Aaron when I wanted to go with Merle. That was dumb. And not very nice. He blew out his breath in a long stream and felt it tickle his chest. But Merle didn’t ask me.

Flipping to his side, he stroked the soft sheets. But maybe Merle wants me to ask him. When I called him, he came right away like—like nobody ever has. What would he do if I just told him?