Excerpt: Later, Skater: On Tour

Monday, June 8, 2009
11:30AM

Casper,

Man what a raccuous weekend I just had! It was so jam packed, I couldn't even tear myself away for a minute to type. I disconnected the Connexus sync for now since it doesn't work here in Tokyo. What a terrible time for that to happen too cause I got some fucking fantastic news for those back home. Since they probably didn't stay up until the butt crack of dawn to watch it on ESPN 3. Ha! Ha!

Wait, wait. I should probably start with Saturday. I mean, that was key to all of this happening.

Saturday, I rested. Hey! Back in Sunday School Mr. Weenis --PENIS!-- taught us that God made the world in six days and then he rested. I imagine he'd have rested more if he'd just taken that plane ride from LA to Tokyo. Seriously, I crashed and crashed hard most of the day. I hear the jet lag going the other way is even worse!

I didn't wake up until my stomach started rumbling and I started to smell some strong thick aromas in the room. That, and cigarette smoke. After I opened my eyes, I saw David had a tray of some kind of terayaki stir fry on my side of the nightstand. His tray was already mostly empty and he kept thumping ashes into what little remained.

"Oh gross." I muttered. "You drink, you flirt with little Japanese schoolgirls..." Pushing the covers off me, I sit up and look at the British guy I'd gained a lot of disdain for rather recently. "You do growth hormone AND you smoke?"

Suddenly, I was having to dodge a thrown pillow, "Shuttup about one of those, mate. You want the whole world to hear you?"
I just kind of stared. Did I want the whole world to hear me? Or was I just trying to make it the monster I thought it was so I wouldn't really want to ask him for a second chance at the stuff. I stupidly apologize, "Sorry." Then, eyeing my possible meal again, "Is that for me?"

"It can be. I kinda thought you might sleep all the way until we hit the bus in the morning. You already missed the call for the practice run." David put the cigarette back to his lips and looked to me from where he'd been watching some television. The sound was down, but the colors and frantic movements of the people on screen were distracting.

More so was how much I'd rather have his lips wrapped about a part of me. Hence, even when I took my tray of food, broke apart the chopsticks, and clumsily started plucking at items, I kept looking at David. I hadn't even heard what he said, but I think he said I missed practice. And I had. All the more reason to...

"Still, when should I have known you smoked? Never seen you do that before."

David crushed it out, and laughed a little, "When did you become my mum, Ghost?"

"I'm not trying to be."

"Why did you go running off back in Los Angeles and then go and nearly throw away your oppertunity? I scare you that much?" I wanted to interrupt him, but he kept talking, "Was it San Diego? When I buggared you in the bathroom at Moonstone? That get you all bothered?"

I kept fiddling with the chopsticks, unable to really even pick up a piece of brocolli very well. David jumped up where he had been reclined in his own bed, came over to mine, and plucked the sticks out of my hands. One of the jagged edges splintered off into index finger. I winced, "Ow!"
"Oh sorry, mate. Look, like this." And in spite of his spastic actions before, he held the chopsticks in his own hand as if trying to show me how to use them. I didn't understand.

"So... you do remember us doing that." I swallowed. I took back the chopsticks he offered. I wanted to inspect the damage done to my finger, but I didn't wanna look like a pussy any more than I thought I already did to David.

"Fuck yeah I do. Best tour shag in years." There was a sparkle in his eye, but I don't think it meant what I'd wanted it to.

"And that means, like, what exactly?" Even though I knew I was saying the exact things I knew he didn't want to hear, I heard myself saying them anyway.

"I told you back in LA what it meant. Been looking for a mate like you for a while. I'll be number one, you just make sure you stay number two and we'll run the whole thing together." One of his hands came up and rubbed my back a bit. I hadn't even bothered taking off my clothes to sleep.

After chewing on both what he had to say and some of the stir fry he'd got for me, I shoved the tray back onto the nightstand. I turned to look at him, and sure enough, Casper, I told him I'd do it.

I was in last place in the rankings.
I missed practice.
I still felt jet lagged.
And... I could make as many excuses as you'd have pages, Ollie, but considering you're a document on my lap top with as many as I need, I think we both know what it really boiled down to:

I wanted David Orchard and this was how he was offering himself.

That night, after we'd took a few hours to explore the surrounding neighboorhood, we returned to our hotel room. I laughed about how all the Japanese seemed to really think I was some sort of supernatural being with powers. He sneered, but seemed focused on what we'd decided.

He sat down on his bed, and after going to the restroom, I joined him. Before he produced the small box, I reached for his hands. They were quite cold, and he jerked a little when I went to interlace my fingers with his.

"Hey, hey, chill." I said quietly.

When David did look at me and kept his eyes there, because often he'd immedately look elsewhere, I wasn't sure I liked what I saw. The color seemed violent and harsh. I wondered if this was him or just what we were about to do.

"I'm not asking you for much," my voice seemed so insignificant and meek. I wished I'd more strength or control over its tone, but I seem so powerless when it comes to him.

"Wh-- What are you asking for, Ghost?"

"Reciprication."

"Recipri..." David started, but then added, a bit of spark to his words, "Ghost, I don't get it. Are you asking to fuck me?"

I know I smiled. I probably smiled as devilishly as he had a time or two during our previous encounters like this one.

"No, Ghost. I ain't a poof. I'll give it to you if you like, but there's no way you're having me." He seemed to soften a touch when I obviously wilted. I released his hands, "It's not about that anyway. This is about giving you the means to not just perform the tricks but to excell at them. You do this tonight, and I swear, I swear to you, Ghost, you'll be top five tomorrow. You will have the best run of your entire life and you will feel elation." He retrieved the small box while continuing to smother me in hope and charm, "Elation and joy. People will talking about you. Girls... or... erm, boys will want your picture, or an autograph, or to just touch you."

I laughed a little, a hand coming up to cover my face that was blushing intensly.

"Hell, if you do this, and you promise me, you absolutely have to promise me, you'll make sure you don't get first place, then I'll consider, now hear me out, Ghost..." David was laughing now. "I said consider, giving you a BJ too."

What a charmingly wicked temptor he was...

I didn't say I promise. In fact, I didn't say anything at all about the offer. I just turned, crawled along his bed, and sprawled out as comfortable as I could make myself appear to be.