Naked

By Edward Petty

Andy and Jason are longtime friends, but Andy has a secret. Will Andy's telling it break their seemingly inseparable bond? The truth comes out in Naked.

ISBN 1-59431-118-8 Novella/ Gay/ Literary

Cover Art by Maggie Dix

Also available in HTML and RTF formats.



Chapter 1

Andrew Carrington and I were friends, and nothing could weaken our bond. I think his so-called "news" only made it stronger. He looked like Michelangelo Buonarroti's David while he sat for me that afternoon. He spoke to me while I painted him. There was a strange parallel to his nudity and how naked his words made him seem then.

"I dreaded telling you this, Jason," he said. "I guess I was afraid of your reaction. It's never easy to say you're dying."

I didn't know how to take this at first. Andrew was a prankster, and he loved to test people's gullibility. "Stop kidding me, Andy," I said. "This is no time for you to joke -- especially about something like that."

"I'm not," he said. "Honestly. I don't think I could joke about being HIV-positive."

I almost dropped the paintbrush then. The paint I used for his eyes streaked across his chest before I could steady my shaking hand. "How?" I asked him. "How long have you known?"

"I guess one of the condoms E used broke," he said. "You know he's the only guy I've ever had sex with, and we're usually safe. I shouldn't've kept it from you for almost four months. I haven't toldhim yet, either."

E was Evan. I also knew him as Mister E. I didn't know much about him yet. He and Andy'd only been seeing each other off and on for about a year. "You're damned right," I said. "I don't know why you waited so long."

"I didn't know how you'd deal with it," he said. "We've known each other for almost forever, and I couldn't risk losing our friendship now. I need your emotional support."

"You'll always have it," I said. "I've told too many secrets to you from our sleepovers until now. I wouldn't turn my back on you, Andy. You might use it all against me." I smiled. "Over 16 yearsmust mean something to you. You can tell me anything, and in confidence."

"Really?" he asked me. I nodded. "It can't hurt me to bare my soulto you then since I've already bared my body." He laughed.

"Spill out your guts to me, Sexy!" I said and smiled.

"Okay, how's this for honesty?" he asked me. "I've found it hard to say a lot to you. I'm not as open as you. I have nothing to losenow, though. Brace yourself for the truth."

"Can the dramatics, Andrew," I said. "What's up?"

He sat there reclined on the settee, and his sprawling beauty was breathtaking with every inch of it in perfect symmetry. He seemed about to tell me his secret then hesitated. I guess he was mustering up courage.

He finally let out a deep breath and said, "I'm in love with you, Jason. I have been since high school." He immediately bowed his head and looked down at the Oriental rug. He was embarrassed.