Read Heaven Can't Wait for Free Online Page A

made a move or anything, at least not since that one gentle thumb swipe on the bed when Kevin had fallen asleep (aka, the thumb swipe that launched a thousand fantasies). But Kevin was sure he sometimes saw something in Chuck’s eyes—a spark, a heat of desire so dense Kevin could practically feel the touch of it on his skin. It was always gone before he could be sure. And sometimes Chuck’s deep voice would go low and sultry when they were talking, each in his own bed. It sounded intimate in a way that made Kevin instantly hard and made him want to say, Oh please, Chuck, just take me right now!
    God! Kevin was probably just seeing what he wanted to see, what he desperately wanted to see. Chuck couldn’t possibly like him like that. He was just bored being stuck in the room and Kevin was the only live human being in the vicinity, the only toy in the toy box, as it were. Chuck would leave him behind as soon as he was better and could run off again with his real friends. Kevin couldn’t get his hopes up, couldn’t be lulled into doing something that would show Chuck how he felt and make the situation ten times more awkward.
    He really didn’t want to be the queer who had come on to his straight roommate and then had to live with the shame of that till school ended.
    Kevin got his coffee, grabbed a table, and opened up his laptop. He paused. The way the overhead lights reflected off the black surface of the laptop screen made it practically a mirror. Kevin stared at his face critically. Did Chuck think he was okay looking? Kevin hadn’t had the money or the time to get his hair cut lately and his white-blond hair was long and soft around his face. He bit his lips, making them red. Fortunately, his skin was clearing up, thanks to Clearly Beautiful . He looked pretty good—for him. He looked decent if you liked thin, effeminate, prettyish gay twinks.
    Kevin sighed.
    “Is this the little shit?”
    The words were low and dangerous—and close. Kevin looked up to see a guy standing at his table, a big guy. He didn’t look friendly.
    “Pardon?” Kevin said in his best polite voice.
    “Come on, Simon. It’s no big deal.”
    Kevin noticed the tech guy he’d seen there before, John. He looked worried.
    “Hey,” Kevin said to John. “Is something wrong?”
    “Yeah, pretty boy. Something’s very fucking wrong.” Simon grabbed Kevin’s T-shirt and pulled him upright with seemingly no effort. The look on his face was murderous, and Kevin suddenly realized the situation was bad, really bad.
    He felt a wave of fear. “I don’t understand.”
    “Simon, leave it alone! I told you, I’ll just tell him no. Jesus Christ, you don’t have to go all caveman!” This was John. Yet Kevin, whose eyes darted at him pleadingly, didn’t think John looked angry. In fact, he seemed flattered.
    “I don’t…. I didn’t do anything,” Kevin tried, unable to grasp exactly what was going on. Sure, that one day his pen had rolled over to John’s table and they’d exchange a few words, but seriously? He was going to get his ass kicked for that?
    “Give me your phone.” Simon tossed the order over his shoulder to John.
    John dug a phone out of his pocket and handed it to Simon with a roll of his eyes. He gave Kevin an apologetic look.
    Simon held it up. On the screen was a message. I really think UR hot. Meet me at the coffee shop. U can b my cream. Kevin.
    Kevin’s mouth dropped open in horror. “That… that’s disgusting!”
    “No shit, pencil neck! In case it’s not clear, John is my boyfriend, and the only cream you’ll be getting tonight or any other night in this place is me creamin’ your ass.”
    “But I didn’t send it. Wait! I can prove it.”
    Kevin was practically on his tiptoes, being held up by his shirt in Simon’s beefy hands. Simon narrowed his eyes as Kevin reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out his phone. “I swear… see?”
    He punched the phone on and then went to messages .
    And