7

Spencer Cypress

Graham was drunk beyond what I could imagine. I wasn't sure why he drank so much even though he said he would look after me tonight. Instead, I was the one putting him in the passenger seat.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Carola Laurel asked me. She had helped me carry the massive Graham to the parking lot since everyone else was way too drunk.

"Yeah, I think he'll be fine." I replied.

"I guess Graham didn't warn you that he sometimes drinks until he passes out." She awkwardly said.

"No kidding." I said. I put on his seatbelt. My face was close to Graham's. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

When I got out of the car, I saw Carola looking at me. She had a slight blush on her face. It was most likely the alcohol.

"Uh, Spencer. I had a great time getting to know you tonight. I was wondering if you might want to get a meal with me sometime." She said, her eyes looking down.

I closed the passenger side door. "Ah, I appreciate the gesture, Carola. You're a nice woman. But I'm not really looking to date. Also, I don't swing that day." I told her.

Carola let out a huffed breath. "I understand. My sister is a lesbian."

"Why did you tell me that?" I asked. Her face became redder.

"No reason. I just wanted to let you know that I'm fine with it!" She replied. Before I could add something to it, she gave me a farewell before running back into the bar.

While that was nice, I then turned to look at the drunk man in the car. He looked quite peaceful in his sleep.

"Let's get you home, big boy." I said. I managed to get the keys and drive us back home. Graham kept sleeping.

"Spencer?" I heard him say. "Aren't you drunk too?" He asked.

"I can handle my alcohol, unlike you, as I can see." I replied. Graham leaned his head back. I felt his large hand land on my thigh.

He let out a small chuckle. I turned and saw Graham, his eyes open and looking out the window.

"Can you stop the car?" I heard him ask. I parked on the side of the road where there was nothing but fields of crops.

There was nothing around us. The silence was amplified by the chirping of crickets and the faint humming of the utility poles.

"Do you have to throw up, Graham? Let me find a bag or something." I said. I began to search through the glove compartments until Graham grabbed my face with his hand.

"Silly city boy." He slurred. He forced my head out the window to look up. "The stars. They're pretty."

I looked up at what he was showing me. I hadn't gotten the chance to look at the stars. At night, I retreated to my room until dawn. But tonight, I finally had the chance to see the night sky. And it wasn't interrupted by the light pollution from the city. I could see stars.

"It is pretty." I said in awe. Graham had let my face go and placed his hands back on my lap. I was too intrigued by the sky to notice Graham had leaned closer.

It wasn't until I felt a slight warmth on my face that I turned and was face to face with Graham. Red and bright was how I could describe his face. He looked at me with his blue eyes that pierced through me.

"Graham. Sit back." I told him.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked bluntly. I leaned back from shock.

"You're drunk, Graham. I don't want to take advantage of you. And you should sit back, and we can get you home." I told him. I tried placing my hand on his chest and pushing him back, but he wouldn't move.

"Just one kiss, city boy. Grant me that. Let me get it over with." he asked with full desperation. He looked like a love-sick child that had just discovered what it means to love.

"One kiss only, Graham." I told him. "And I'll do it because I know you'll forget it by tomorrow."

I leaned in and placed a quick peck on his lips.

"That's it?" He asked. "No fair! Meanie!" He whined.

"Well, what do you want? Something straight out of the Notebook? Want me to be Rachel McAdams and you can be Ryan Gosling?" I asked him.

"I want a kiss. Kiss me, Spencer!" He said. I rolled my eyes before placing my hand behind his head and bringing him in.

Unlike the kiss before, I put effort into this. I moved my lips until Graham also started to move his. For a man who had never kissed another man before, he seemed quite skilled. But his urgency and hunger overpowered me. I leaned back onto my seat as he pinned me in my seat.

"Graham," I gasped out. His lips had moved to my neck. "Graham. Calm down, big guy." I said. He pulled away. His eyes were glossy.

"Did I hurt you, Spencer?" He asked.

"No, not at all. Just tone it down. I'm not going to disappear." I told him. He nodded and sat back in his seat.

I sat back up and looked at him. He played with his fingers while looking down.

"All better?" I asked him. He nodded solemnly. I found it adorable how one minute he was demanding and the next was embarrassed.

I turned on the car and drove back home. And yet, during the entire drive, my lips felt like they were on fire. As if Graham was still kissing me.

Getting home proved to be difficult once again. Graham had gone to sleep, and I used all my strength to lift him up and move him inside the house. Juniper greeted me as he ran around the house energetically.

Graham was somewhat helpful as he at least climbed up the stairs and showed me where his room was. I noticed his house was similar to mine with a few differences.

After placing Mr. Hunk in his bed, I took off his shoes and shirt. When I went to charge his phone, I noticed he had received several texts from a contact named Sis.

Graham! When you get this message, text me back!

Mom and dad are bitching again and want us to come to their house for the 4th of July.

I know it was wrong of me to snoop. I knew Graham had family from the conversations I had with his friends. But based on the texts, I was able to gather that they must not be close.

Good luck! Hope you and that hot neighbor of yours are able to get closer!

Night night, little bro!

Well, this proves that they are talking about me. I mean, is there another hot guy that lives across from Graham? No, I don't think so.

I looked at a sleeping Graham as he breathed in and out in his sleep. He wore a white tank top that showed off his well-defined muscles. I placed my fingers on his biceps and traced along.

Juniper let out a small bark. He had laid in his bed that was on the foot of Graham's bed.

"Sorry, I'll stop touching him." I replied.

And yet, I didn't. I placed my palm on his left pec. In his sleep, Graham brought his hand to grab my wrist.

"Don't leave..." He muttered.

"Let go, Graham." I replied. He listened. But I could've sworn I saw him smirk. "Goodnight, Graham." I said to him.

Before leaving, I pet Juniper before exiting out the front door and going to my house.

As I entered inside, I opened my laptop and read a few emails I left out. The standard hate mail and spam. I knew it was his doing. I know he used my email and signed me up for all types of things.

Thank goodness I made a new email for actual business. This is where I scanned all I needed.

My phone began ringing. I saw who it was and wondered why my lawyer was calling me at this time.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Spencer. You still awake?" He asked.

"Nah. I'm actually sleeping and answered you." I replied.

He chuckled. "Sorry. That was stupid of me to ask. Anyways, I know this is late, but I got an email a few minutes ago."

"From who?" I asked.

"It's from a woman named Amelda Sherman. Does that ring a bell?" He asked.

I quickly typed on my old email and searched using her name. As I read the email, the pieces began to come together.

"Yeah, I do." I muttered.

"Who is she?" My lawyer asked.

"She used to work under him. She quit suddenly even though she was one of the best workers. And afterwards, the company made sure to try and blacklist her from the industry." I explained.

I felt my hands begin to shake. I looked at the email in front of me which had the clear instructions sent from the top which banned any current employees from speaking with Amelda.

"What happened to her afterwards?"

My breath became ragged. "I think she moved to the Bay Area to look for another job since no one would hire her. But why did she email you?" I then asked.

My lawyer was quiet for a moment until he said, "Because she wants to speak to you."

I could already imagine what the conversation would be about. I let my lawyer know that I would accept a meeting with her and to arrange it. I also let him know to give her my new email so we can be in contact directly.

When I ended the phone call, I began to feel strangely lonely. I looked around me and saw how dark the house was.

"Spencer. Come here." A voice called out. "Be a good boy and don't say a word."

I knew I was hallucinating. He was speaking to me but only in my head. I covered my ears and leaned forward while shutting my eyes.

I wish Graham was here with me. Because I needed someone to save me from myself.