Something Like Thunder (Something Like, #6)

by Jay Bell

Kelly was drunk in the most wonderful way possible. He kept laughing and speaking in funny voices, asking the same questions over and over after forgetting the answers. He stumbled out onto the wooden patio of their hotel suite that overlooked the ocean but offered a hot tub in case they were feeling lazy. Kelly obviously did, because he started ripping off his clothes, at one point spinning around dangerously while battling with his shirt. “Easy now,” Nathaniel said, grabbing him by the shoulders. He’d decided to remain sober, mostly because of situations such as these. “You’ve had enough brushes with water tonight, don’t you think?” “Nope. Hot tub. Right now.” When Kelly struggled with his shirt again, Nathaniel helped him take it off. Then Kelly started messing with his shorts. “All of it?” Nathaniel asked. Kelly’s nod was exaggerated. “Naked. You too.” He was feeling silly rather than horny because he wasn’t hard when Nathaniel helped him out of his underwear. That’s more than he could say for himself as he stripped down, but Kelly was too distracted to notice as they both slipped into the tub. Kelly sighed, as if feeling relief, which raised a question Nathaniel finally felt brave enough to ask. Funny how alcohol could summon courage for the person drinking, and also for those who remained sober. He could ask anything he wanted and there was a fair chance Kelly wouldn’t remember later. “Does it hurt?” Kelly looked at him, struggling to focus, but the question seemed t...