Page 140 of The Friend Scheme

“Unless you want to help?”

He nods and grins. “Turn around.”

I hand him the sunscreen. He puts it onto my back. I close my eyes for a second as he rubs. The skin-to-skin contact, it’s blissful. Once he’s done, he turns around and I put sunscreen on his back.

He’s so broad, and I love how he feels with the sunscreen on him.

He’s so slick.

“Am I good?” he asks.

“Yep. All safe.”

“Awesome.” He takes a step away. “Race you to the water?”

“You’re on.”

We both tear off, sprinting toward the ocean.

Jason and I are sitting on a bench in front of the path to the beach. There isn’t a cloud in sight.

It’s been another perfect day.

I don’t want to leave.

I don’t want to go back to Florida.

I’d stay here forever if I could.

We’re listening to his playlist, with one earbud each, and he hashis arm around me. His songs are all fast-paced and electronic. So, not my usual thing, but I’m into it, because he likes it.

He smells like salt, and he’s so warm. I can feel it even through his shirt. His stare is fixed on the horizon. This close, I can see his jawline is just starting to show signs of honey-brown stubble. It’s lighter than the hair on his head. I’m jealous, because it looks even, and my facial hair is still so patchy.

He rubs my arm. I nestle against him.

It’s time.

Or, it’s close enough for me. The song we were listening to ends.

I notice he’s shaking.

“Hey,” I say. “What’s up?”

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

I move a little away from him. “Like, actually, or…”

He leans forward, and starts breathing deeply. He’s hunched over, and his shoulders are raised.

I don’t know what to do.

He turns to face me. He’s gone so pale. “Listen, Matt.”

“Yeah?”

“I know you said you were going to talk about your family.”

Oh fuck.