Unnecessary Roughness by G.A. Hauser

as the lecture began.
     
    Kyle sat in class trying to pay attention. He kept scribbling C.A.W . over and over again in the margins of his notebook. The back massage. The incident when Connor was watching him in the shower. Should he try something? No. Yes. No. Would he blow it? No. He had to wait for Connor to do it. Was Connor sending him some kind of signal when he gave him a massage? That was a signal, wasn’t it?
    “Mr. Baker?”
    In anguish Kyle raised his head quickly at the professor’s voice. He swallowed nervously and took a peek around. The class was waiting for his answer. “Could you repeat the question, please?” Kyle asked meekly.
     
    Connor packed his books and left the hall for his lunch break. The sun was filtered through a layer of clouds. He closed his jacket and headed to the Bruin café to buy a sandwich.
    “Connor!”
    He turned over his left shoulder to find Hannah catching up to him.
    “Hey, handsome.”
    “Hey.” He smiled and received her peck on the cheek.
    “You headed to lunch?”
    “Yes, you headed to work?”
    “Yup. Walk me there?”
    “Sure.” He figured a veggie burger was just as good as a sandwich.
    She held his hand and they strolled briskly across the campus. “I’m glad I caught up to you. Do you ever turn your cell phone on or check your messages?”
    “No. I’m too busy with classes and lacrosse. Sorry.” He smiled to soften the blow.
    “What are you doing tonight?”
    “I was planning on staying in and studying or hitting the library computer. Why?”
    “No reason. I just wanted to see you. Should we plan something for the weekend?”
    When they came to a cross street, he hit the walk button a few times as they waited for the signal to change. “Uh, can I get back to you?”
    “I suppose. You got plans?”
    “I was thinking of stopping home. Just for a few hours to see my mom. I have a game on Saturday, but it’s scheduled for ten.”
    She laughed at him.
    When the light changed he walked across the street. “What?”
    “A mama’s boy? I never would have guessed that.”
    At the nasty comment Connor took deep insult. He shook off her hand and replied, “Yeah, okay. What-fucking-ever.”
    “I’m teasing. Where’s home? I assume it’s local.”
    “It’s just a two hour drive. Too local.” Connor suddenly had second thoughts about eating at the noisy sports bar, wanting to read his textbook.
    “You want a veggie burger and a beer?” She entered the bar.
    “No beer. Not when I still have an afternoon of classes. But I wouldn’t mind a veggie burger.” He held the door open for her and followed her in.
     
    Kyle searched around campus for Connor. He had forgotten to ask Connor for his schedule to see if they overlapped classes, as if it may seem odd like he was being clingy.
    After searching the café and the library, he had a thought. Hannah. He checked the time and wondered if it would seem like he was following Connor around. Well, shit, he could just pass by. He didn’t have to go in if he found him.
    Kyle walked to the sports bar at a good pace and pressed his nose against the glass front. There was his roommate, sitting by himself. Kyle didn’t give it a second thought. He opened the door and stood behind him. Connor had an open book in front of him and a burger minus three bites.
    Kyle reached over his shoulder and stole one of his french fries from his plate. Connor glanced up, realized it was him, and scolded, “Hey!”
    “Hey back.” Kyle sat across the table from him. “Where’s Hannah?”
    “Working. You eat yet?”
    “No.” Kyle ate another one of his fries.
    When Connor caught Hannah’s eye, he waved her over. “Meat man is here.” He nodded to Kyle.
    “Got any raw cow? Bloody?” Without a second thought, Kyle drank from Connor’s glass as well.
    “Yech, raw cow.” Connor crinkled his nose. “Give him some vegetables. He needs the roughage.”
    Hannah began laughing. “Kyle, what do you want, really?”
    Oh? You