Chapter 18

Charlie’s a practical joker, always looking for a laugh—on the trip up into the mountains, he taped a sign to the back of their SUV that read I’m being kidnapped! Call 911!No one realized it was there until a state trooper pulled them off the interstate, and Donnie couldn’t stop giggling as he tried to convince the officer that he wasn’t being held against his will. He’s a few weeks shy of eighteen, enamored with his brother and half in love with the frat boys, every single one, but Charlie makes him laugh and he follows the guy around like a puppy but he can’t help it. The fact that Charlie’s suddenly decided to join him in his tent, even if this turns out to be one of his jokes, makes Donnie so hard he rolls on his stomach to hide his sudden erection.

For several moments, they lie side by side and listen to each other breathe. Finally unable to lie still any longer, Donnie whispers, “Charlie?”