Edd Interrupted
Chapter 10 - Junior Year: Christmas
Kevin wasn’t necessarily spoiled in Double D’s summation. It was just
that he was an only child, his parents were well off, and they figured
they could buy him a condo near campus since his scholarship was paying
his tuition. And his condo was very, very nice.
It was on the seventh floor of a handsome, gray stone building. Kevin’s
campus was visible in the distance, much bigger than Double D’s. It
was three bedrooms, two baths, with floor to ceiling windows in the
living room, adjoining kitchen, and master bedroom. It was strikingly
modern with straight, clean lines of black and white. The floors were a
glossy granite tile that squeaked when Double D stepped inside wearing
his wet sneakers. He stepped out of them and shivered when his warm
feet met the frigid floor.
“What do you think?” Kevin asked when he shut the front door behind
them.
“It’s very handsome. It isn’t what I pictured when . . .”
“My mom has nice taste. They wanted a vacation home up here anyway.”
“Will they be joining us?” Double D felt a heavy stone of dread at the
prospect of Kevin’s parents knowing about this awkward relationship they
had.
“Like hell. I’m not stupid. They’re cruising Mexico.”
The dread eased, but it left a minor ache. “Oh.”
“What about your parents?”
“Peach Creek.”
“Why aren’t you at home with them?”
Because I wanted to be here with you. “They didn’t offer and I didn’t
ask.”
He grunted and stretched, ran both hands through his hair. “Are you
hungry or what?”
Cautiously, Double D stepped into the wide open living space. While the
lines of décor were clean, Kevin’s clutter made the place look
comfortably lived in. There were a few books and things on the kitchen
table, sweatshirts were draped over the stools against the bar counter
that separated the kitchen from the living room. Video games and
controllers were scattered across the living room rug. And there was
Kevin, sitting on the back of the leather sectional. A lap top sat on
the coffee table.
“You can make yourself comfortable, you know.”
Double D sighed and stood beside Kevin, leaning forward against the
couch, fingers sliding across the black leather. “Do you ever feel like
you’re still twelve years old? And any moment, Eddy will burst into
the room and Ed will pluck you up and drag you away?”
Kevin was frowning when he turned to study that somber profile. “No.”
“You never feel adulthood is surreal?”
“No.”
“I’m the only one?”
“Probably.”
When the dork sighed forlornly, Kevin gave in and grabbed his arm,
maneuvering him until Double D was standing between his knees, fidgeting
with the hem of Kevin’s sweatshirt. “You need to chill out,” he
murmured and pulled him forward even more until he was leaning against
Kevin’s chest, head on his shoulder. His black hat smelled like fabric
softener and shampoo. In a gesture that felt entirely natural, Kevin
wrapped his arms around him and held him firmly. It didn’t feel awkward
comforting him. Just like comforting a girl, really.
“You think too much.”
“I can’t help the way I feel.”
“Like you’re pre-pubescent?”
“I haven’t accomplished anything yet. I don’t have a job, or . . .
published a paper or made a great discovery--”
“You’re fucking twenty one! What the hell did you expect from
yourself?”
“I’m nineteen.”
“Wait, seriously?”
“Late birthday. And I skipped fourth grade.”
“And you don’t think that’s an accomplishment?”
“Not particularly.”
“Well, it is. And stop expecting so damn much. You’re brilliant, but
you don’t rush stuff. You never did. Even when we were kids.”
Without anything to say, Double D hugged Kevin’s waist and lost himself
in the spicy musk of his cologne. Two weeks alone with Kevin. It was
exciting and frightening. What would they do? What would they talk
about? What did this mean for them?
He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping they never figured it out.