Chapter 19

The monotony of summer was beginning to gnaw at me, the same four walls of my room closing in with each passing day. The air felt stagnant, heavy with the scent of uneventful days and hidden potential waiting to be unleashed. I needed a change of scenery, a breath of fresh air, and more than anything, I needed to shake things up with Xavier. His presence had a way of turning even the most mundane activities into thrilling escapades, and I found myself craving that spark of excitement he consistently brought into my life.

“Hey, Xavier,” I called out, leaning against the doorframe of my bedroom, where he was sprawled across the floor, engrossed in a game on his phone. The flickering screen cast shadows on his face, accentuating the angles of his cheekbones and the sparkle in his eyes as he absorbed the action.

He glanced up, a smirk playing on his lips as he muted the game. “Depends on what kind of trouble you’re planning on getting us into, Carter.”

I chuckled, crossing my arms over my chest. The prospect of adventure clawed at my insides, begging for release. “Nothing too wild. Just a hike. It’s been forever since we’ve hit the trails.”

Xavier arched an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “A hike, huh? And what would I wear? You see me packing hiking boots?”

I rolled my eyes, a grin spreading across my face. “You can borrow some of my gear. I’ve got plenty to spare. Besides, you won’t need them if you don’t plan to get lost.”

“Your gear, huh?” He paused, pretending to consider it, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks at the thought of him donning my clothes. “And why would you offer up your precious hiking attire?”

I shrugged nonchalantly, even as a thrill ran through me at the thought of him covered in my scent. “What’s mine is yours, Sinclair.”

He laughed, pushed himself up from the floor, and clapped his hands together as if sealing a pact. “Alright, Gideon. You’ve got yourself a deal. But if I end up with blisters, I’m blaming you.”

The morning sun blazed through the windshield as Xavier cranked up the volume on “Dethtrone” by Bad Omens, and I sank into the music, the melodies wrapping around us like a warm embrace. I couldn’t help but join in, our voices blending into a raucous symphony of off-key harmony. Xavier’s fist pumped in the air, his head bobbing to the rhythm as we belted out the lyrics with wild abandon. We were quite the spectacle, two grown-ass men making complete fools of ourselves, but the sense of freedom was intoxicating.

“Dude, turn it up!” Xavier yelled over the music, his eyes gleaming with mischief, and I felt the infectious energy soar between us.

I chuckled, obliging him as I reached for the volume dial. The bass thumped in my chest, the raw energy of the song surging through me, making every nerve ending tingle. We sang at the top of our lungs, not caring who saw us or what they thought. It was just Xavier, me, and the open road—a perfect escape from the stifling reality that awaited us back home.

As we transitioned into “Sail” by AWOLNATION, Xavier’s voice took on a haunting quality, his darker side peeking through the playful exterior. He sang with a passion that hinted at the turmoil beneath the surface, a reminder of the shadows that danced in his eyes when he thought no one was looking. I watched him from the corner of my eye, a twinge of something unnameable stirring within me with each note he sang.

We were a chaotic duet, our voices intertwining as we gave passing cars a show they hadn’t asked for. Horns honked in either encouragement or annoyance—it was hard to tell, and frankly, we didn’t care. This was our moment, a snapshot of unbridled joy amidst the darkness that so often shadowed our lives.

When “Mama” by My Chemical Romance came on, Xavier turned to me with a challenge in his eyes. “You know the words, Carter?”

I rolled my eyes, grinning as I matched his energy. “You’re asking if I know MCR? Please, I’ve got this.”

We launched into the song with a fervor that could only be described as religious. Xavier’s voice was rich and resonant, while mine provided the perfect counterpoint, harmonizing in a way that felt almost… intimate. It was in these moments, lost in the music and the laughter, that I allowed myself to acknowledge just how attracted to him I truly was.

But it wasn’t just about his looks—it was the way he threw himself into every experience, the dark edges of his soul that called to something within me. Xavier was a storm, wild and untamed, and I found myself drawn to the eye of the hurricane, eager to see if I could withstand the tempest.

As the song drew to a close, our voices faded into the hum of the engine, and we were left in a comfortable silence, the echo of our impromptu concert lingering in the air. I glanced over at Xavier, catching him mid-smile, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to slow down.

“What?” he asked, catching my gaze.

I shook my head, the smile still playing on my lips. “Nothing. Just… thanks for this, Xavier.”

He shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. “Anytime, G. Anytime.”