Chapter 2 Savoring

• As if he sensed he was being watched, Colton's eyes shifted and locked onto Parker. Just like every time Colton happened to look his way, Parker felt an electric jolt go right to his core. His knees went weak and his salivary glands began working overtime. He swallowed down the excess saliva as he struggled to put one foot in front of the other.
• Colton's gaze burned into him and Parker automatically lowered his eyes. He bit his lip in an attempt to hold in a moan. How embarrassing to be caught staring. Again.
• But Parker couldn't help it. Something about Colton drew the smaller man to him. His crush on the other boy had grown deeper and deeper over the past year. He really needed to get a grip. What started as a crush was bordering on becoming a full-on stalker obsession.
• Once the three guys passed, Parker was able to finally let out a breath and breathe normally.
• He lifted his eyes and watched Colton's retreating back. His eyes drifted down to that perfect, muscular bubble butt. If he thought the summer away would have cooled off his fantasies of the big stud, he was wrong. God, if Colton knew how many times Parker had beat off thinking about him, he'd kick his pervy little ass until nothing but pulp was left.
• He was snapped out of his fantasies when the head cheerleader, Kim Reynolds, walked up to Colton and stepped in his path.
• "Hi, Colton," she said sweetly. She thrust her chest forward, not so subtly, showing off her ample bosom.
• "Hey," Colton said dismissively as he walked past her.
• Parker watched with extreme satisfaction as her face turned red and she turned on her heels and stormed in the opposite direction. The little witch wasn't used to being ignored. Parker loved every second of it.
• Shell nudged Parker's shoulder with her own. "You are such a hateful bitch," she whispered.
• Parker's huge ass grin turned into outright laughs.
• * * *
• After school, Parker headed to the locker room to get changed into his gym clothes. He almost backed out twice, but he did promise Shell that he'd show up.
• Only two other guys auditioned for mascot.
• Parker had to admit to himself that his gymnastics background really helped him. He was able to do cartwheels, handstands and flips. After that, they had to do a simple choreographed dance routine, following one of the cheerleaders.
• Parker was just barely voted in. The cheerleaders seemed to be split. There was Shell's group, who all enthusiastically voted for him. That wench Kim, the head cheerleader, seemed to have something against him right from the start. She gave him a nasty glare from his first step into the gym.
• Of course, Parker knew exactly why she didn't like him.
• The rumors started last year, at the beginning of his junior year, that he was gay. Parker knew exactly who started it. But he didn't deny it. Most people ignored him and left him alone. Unfortunately, not everyone in the school was tolerant of people who they thought were different.
• Kim wanted to go for Donnie, the class clown. He wasn't as athletic as Parker -- not even close. But he was funny. His take on Timo would have been more along the lines of Goofy the dog.
• But in the end, Parker won the vote and became the new school mascot. He was quite proud of himself. Of course, once they tossed the bag containing the costume at him and he looked down at the snarling wolf head, his smile evaporated. Had he actually volunteered to run around in a furry grey wolf costume?
• * * *
• Once cheer practice was over, Shell walked with Parker towards the locker rooms.
• "I'll meet you outside the side door," she said, then jogged past into the girl's locker room.
• Parker rinsed off in the shower, then got changed into his street clothes. He was grateful that he didn't have to wear the wolf uniform during practice. He grabbed his gym bag and the wolf uniform and headed out.
• As he made his way to the locker room entrance, the football team started pouring in from the practice field.
• Seth Forrest purposely knocked him hard with his padded shoulder. "Watch where you're going, fag."
• Parker pressed himself against the wall, getting out of the way. He tried to avoid Seth whenever possible. The big, muscular jock made his life hell. He acted tough and macho, Parker knew from first hand experience that it was all a front.
• Parker snickered to himself at his bad pun.
• Not paying attention to where he was going, he turned the corner and nearly ran straight into Colton.
• "Sorry," Parker mumbled, his eyes instantly dropping to Colton's feet.
• "You're all good, Parker," Colton said, leaning slightly towards Parker's ear. His voice was deep, resonating in his chest and his breath was warm as it floated past Parker's skin.
• As Parker stepped out of the locker room, the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Colton had called him by name.
• Colton Butler knew who he was.
• He closed his eyes and savored the moment.
• "What's got you all grinnin'?" Shell asked.
• Parker looked up at his friend. "Huh? Oh, nothing."
• "See something good in the locker room?"
• "Of course not," he said defensively. "Don't be nasty." He looked around, making sure no one heard. He didn't need to be gay bashed by some jocks who thought he was checking them out.
• "Well, something put a happy face on you."
• "It's nothing," he said as they walked to Shell's car.
• As Shell turned out of the parking lot, she turned down the volume on the stereo. "Hey, what do you want to do for your birthday?" she asked. "Besides Colton Butler."
• Parker rolled his eyes and thought for a moment. "I don't know. It doesn't matter."
• "Okay. Well, how `bout I throw you a little party?"
• "Just a little party, right?"
• "Yeah, sure."
• The grin on Shell's face was his first clue that he was in trouble.
• "Speaking of Colton," Shell said. The look on her face told Parker that she had gossip. "Did you hear about what happened at football camp?"
• "No. What?"
• "Adam was apparently about to faint from heat stroke. While everyone stood around in shock, Colton took charge. He got him cooled down by the time the paramedics arrived. They said he saved Adam's life."
• "Wow."
• Even though he had no right to, Parker felt a sense of pride at hearing about Colton's feats. And he found himself wanting him just a little bit more.
• * * *