Chapter 2

“There is no perfect, son, let me clear that one thing up for you right here and now; no perfect, but there is your best and from what I see and from what I taste, you are definitely giving it your all, which makes you the best as far as I can tell.”

Leo laughed. “Yeah, well, I don’t know who else thinks that way about it.”

“Your mom would’ve, Leo. She made me promise that you’d go to that school before she died; made me promise you’d get your shot, so why not take it and be the best?”

From the open garage, Leo looked across the street to where the Widow was struggling with the massive hose she had unwound. “Why don’t you go be the best neighbor you can be and help a poor widow out?”

His father nudged his son again. “You’ve read my thoughts. See, I know what I’m good at.” He stood up and handed Leo his empty beer bottle then started walking down their driveway, but stopped and looked back at Leo and said, “Remember, Leo, there is no perfect.”

Leo waved dismissively, but managed to smile at his father before getting up and going inside. He heard his father’s deep voice call out and the tinkle of the Widow’s response. His father was right, he was definitely good at rescuing a damsel in distress.

* * * *

Leo had just started to jerk-off when his father knocked on the bathroom door and called out to him. “Hey, Kiddo, when you’re done with the shower, you wanna share a pizza?”

“Shit.” He looked down at his cock and the warm water cascading off his tired body. “Umm yeah, that’s fine, Dad,” he said a little too loud, water getting in his mouth.

“How about some wings, too?” his father called out.

Leo’s erection had completely disappeared. He sighed, laid his head against the wet tile and said, “Yeah, Dad, whatever.” The tension he had so hoped to release seemed to fall back behind some inner reserve.

By the time he finished washing and got out of the bathroom, his father had gone to get the pizza. Leo threw on some shorts and a T-shirt and padded around barefoot to the couch, where he collapsed without putting the television on. The house was quiet, the fans were going, and it felt pleasantly cool. It had been a long day, his frustrations had boiled over and now, somewhat relaxed, he realized he owed Ollie a phone call and an apology.

Leo was so tired that the thought of having to get up to get the phone felt exhausting; luckily his father rarely returned the cordless to its receiver, which was resting on the cushion beside him. Leo dialed Ollie’s number, laid his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. He knew Ollie would be pissed. This was one of many apologetic phone calls Leo had made to his friend since starting at the academy.

Ollie answered. “Yeah?”

Leo could already hear the anger in his friend’s voice.

“It’s Leo. Man, I’m sorry about earlier. I was a total fucking dick to you.” Leo paused, waiting for Ollie to say something. When Ollie didn’t respond, Leo added, “I’m just batshit over these classes. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Still nothing from Ollie.

Leo opened his eyes and stared at the shadows on the ceiling. He wasn’t sure how much more he could say. “Oliver, come on man, you can’t stay mad at me. I can’t get through this without someone to freak out on.” He tried laughing, but realized it wasn’t funny.

“You really need to chill the fuck out,” Ollie finally said. Leo could still here the edge in his friend’s voice.

“I know, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.” Leo felt his hand reach down and caress his cock and was surprised to find he was getting hard; he needed to cum.

“You always are, Leo,” Ollie replied crisply. “Why can’t it ever be enough with you? I know Hueller said you’re a star, so why can’t that be enough. You’re meringues were perfect—”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Ollie,” Leo cut in. Just the mention of his cooking abilities threatened to bring his earlier frustrations back to life and deflate his cock. Twice in one day, he lost his hard-on. He really was losing it. He wondered if he’d ever get off.

“It’s not about the meringues, it’s something inside,” Leo said as he sat up and was about to say more, but heard his father at the door making a racquet. “I gotta go. You wanna grab breakfast tomorrow before class?” When Ollie didn’t reply, Leo quickly added, “On me.”

“Meet me tomorrow at The Birches,” Ollie said, the cruel edge in his voice finally toned down.