Chapter 17
The summer was everything Reggie could’ve hoped it would be. They spent time with their friends, and made it to every one of Carlos’s summer league baseball games. Two weeks before school was set to start for Reggie and Julie, they had to get ready to say goodbye. The two of them found an apartment near the school that Reggie could afford with what was left of their mother’s life insurance, and they paid up until they’d be done with the program. It was gonna be their last night, and Reggie had made a decision. Since they were leaving in the morning for Valencia, and Nick was leaving to start training for the lacrosse team at Stanford, Reggie wanted to make their last night together special. They wanted to have sex. But honestly? They were terrified.
“I still think you’re panicking over nothing.” Luke said, earning him a slap from Alex.
“Be nice, asshole.” His boyfriend muttered as the other just giggled.
“Willie, what do you think?” Reggie asked nervously.
“Honestly, I think Luke is right. Nick loves you, and it’s not like he’s ever done it before either. And even if he had, he’s not gonna compare you to someone else. You shouldn’t stress over how it’ll go, especially if you do want it want to happen. Nick won’t because he’ll think you’re just doing it for him.”
“You’re right. Holy shit, you’re right.” Reggie ran their hand through their hair. It had gotten a little longer since they joined the high school. “I don’t want to make him feel like that.”
“So, just breath.” Willie said with a smile.
Later that day, Reggie was still feeling restless. Nick’s dads were out of town for a conference, and had said their goodbyes before they left, wishing everyone luck. Reggie and Nick agreed to spend their last night together at his house, so they could spend as much time as they wanted together. Reggie needed to leave soon, it was close to five. They got into their car, already packed with everything they and their sister were taking to school so they didn’t have to do it in the morning. They had their overnight bag in the passenger seat, and they packed condoms and lube in case they worked up the courage like they planned. Nick was waiting outside when they pulled in, beaming as he pulled them in for a kiss. “Hey, babe. I’ve missed you.”
Some of the tension eased out of Reggie, this was who they loved. “I just saw you two days ago, how are you gonna survive at Stanford?”
“A lot of video calls.” Nick smiled, grabbing their bag and pulling them into the house. They made inside jokes and watched stupid movies as they ate dinner, Reggie never realized Nick could cook. They cuddled on Nick’s bed, watching another movie on his laptop when Reggie felt like they had to ask.
“Hey, baby?”
“What’s up?” Nick asked, pausing the movie and turning to look at his partner.
“Does it bother you that we haven’t had sex yet?”
Nick’s brow furrowed, “What do you mean?”
“I...honestly, I don’t know. We’ve been dating for what? Eight months?”
“Nine, tomorrow.” Nick answered and Reggie sighed.
“I’m just wondering if that’s something you want, baby. Up until now, we’ve never really talked about it. And since it’s our last night together for a while, I think we should.”
Nick cocked his head to the side, “Babe, sex isn’t important. If you don’t want it, then I don’t care about it.” Reggie knew that. Whenever they were making out, Nick always let Reggie set how far they would go.
“What if...what if I want to?”
“Do you? Or do you want to because you think I need you to want to?”
Reggie huffed a short laugh, “Willie said that if I couldn’t keep myself from panicking that you would say that.” Reggie took Nick’s hands in theirs, “I’ve always been afraid of being with someone, because not everyone understands who I am. But with you, I’m not afraid. I’m nervous, obviously, but I’m not afraid. So, I do want this. If you do.”
Nick nodded, a thoughtful expression settling over his beautiful features, “If you think you want to, then we can try it. And if you decide it’s not for you, then you tell me, okay? We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“I love you, Nick. So much.”
“I love you, too, babe.”
Reggie leaned into Nick after he set his computer aside, pressing their lips to his. It started awkward, and they both felt it. After a few minutes, the two of them started cracking up, relieving the tension. Reggie started to relax, enjoying more of Nick’s affection. They pulled their shirt off, and their boyfriend leaned down, brushing his lips over the scars that still littered their chest in lighter shades of pink than before. It took hours before they finished and fell asleep curled around one another.