Backbacking with the Boys – Part 6

Everyone in this story is 18+

Brussels:

“Relax,” Asher chuckled. “Not judging—just surprised. You two really thought I wouldn’t notice?” Then Brady came back to the hostel room, cutting our conversation short.

There I was, a bit stressed about Asher finding out about me and Cameron, but he seemed pretty chill about it. Either way, we decided to make the most of our day in Brussels. So, I did what most guys our age would do—we headed straight to a bar.

And now, at the bar, he seemed in good spirits, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Three girls at once, huh?” I muttered to Asher, nodding toward Brady, who was smack in the middle of his admirers, laughing loud enough to turn a few heads nearby.

Asher shook his head, smirking. “Only Brady. The man’s his own spectacle.”

I took a sip, glancing back at Brady as he gestured animatedly, the girls around him practically hanging onto his every word. “Think he’ll make it through the night with them?”

Asher laughed, giving me a sideways glance. “He’ll manage. I’m just not up for it tonight. Too much of a scene.”

“Not in the mood to compete?” I teased, nudging him.

He rolled his eyes, chuckling. “Please. Let him have his spotlight. Besides, I’d rather kick back for once.” He raised his glass, gesturing between us. “Better company here anyway.”

I grinned, clinking my glass with his. “Cheers to laying low.”

Across the bar, Brady caught our eyes and flashed a triumphant thumbs-up, clearly in his element. Asher and I just exchanged amused glances, happy to watch the show from the sidelines.

A few minutes later, Brady swaggered back over, looking as pleased as ever. “Boys, tonight might be the night,” he announced, grinning ear to ear. “I might actually get my first foursome!”

Asher raised an eyebrow. “Three girls, huh? And here I thought you’d set the bar high already.”

Brady laughed. “Two of them have a hotel room nearby. They invited me over for an afterparty. And hey,” he glanced around, “I could probably get you guys in if you want.”

Cameron shook his head, chuckling. “Thanks, but I think we’ll pass. Hostel calls.” “Yeah, us too!” Asher and I shouted in unison, our voices raised over the thumping music.

“Suit yourselves,” Brady replied with a shrug, clearly unfazed.

“Just don’t forget—be back by one tomorrow,” Cameron reminded him, tapping his watch. “We’ve got a train to Amsterdam, and I’m not hauling your hungover ass there.”

Brady waved him off. “Relax. I’ll be there. Probably. Maybe.” He grinned, giving us a thumbs-up before heading off.

As he disappeared into the crowd, Asher turned to me, rolling his eyes. “Think he’ll make it back on time?”

I laughed. “We have to wait and see.”

With that, we gathered our things and started walking toward the hostel, leaving Brady to his night of adventure.

Back at the hostel, Asher took one look around and shook his head, a faint grimace crossing his face. “Absolutely atrocious,” he muttered, eyeing the faded wallpaper and creaky bunk beds with barely concealed disgust. “It’s like a prison cell.”

“A prison cell with lots of charm,” I joked, but he was already distracted, rummaging through his bag.

As he pulled off his shirt, I suddenly caught sight of him undressing down to his tight black boxers, his lean, athletic frame standing out against the dim light of the room. Despite his complaints, he seemed in surprisingly good spirits—his usual sharp, sarcastic self, but somehow more relaxed.

“Maybe you’re warming up to the ‘authentic’ hostel experience?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He shot me a look, smirking as he folded his clothes neatly. “Let’s not get carried away. I’m only enduring it for the company.” He gave a playful nudge before flopping down onto the bed, making himself as comfortable as possible given the conditions.

“Guess we’ll make do,” I said, grinning as I settled into my own bunk, catching his amused expression from across the room.

I took a breath, glancing between Asher and Cameron. “So… you knowing about me and Cameron. Does it, uh… bother you?” I asked, finally addressing the elephant in the room.

Asher just raised an eyebrow, then chuckled, leaning back on his bunk. “Bother me? Hardly. Thing is, after all, even though Brits hate to admit it, I am European—and we’re not so caught up with labels like you lot.”

Cameron’s eyes widened, curiosity sparking. “Oh yeah?”

Asher smirked, giving us both a playful look. “I mean, I went to boarding school, after all. You see a lot of things there. Hell, maybe I even joined in a time or two.”

Cameron laughed, looking visibly relieved. “Well, I’m glad you’re not one to judge.”

“Judge?” Asher scoffed, shaking his head. “People are people. Life’s too short to get worked up over what two mates do in their spare time.” He grinned, nudging me with his elbow. “If anything, it makes things a bit more interesting, don’t you think?”

Cameron, who was quickly shedding his “sweet angel” image and embracing his newfound sex-crazed teenager, freshly 18, grinned and said something that made both Asher and me jump a little. “This is almost like a boarding school, isn’t it?” he smirked, glancing between us. “Wanna relive some memories with us?”

Asher raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he broke into a slow, amused smile. “Well, now… I didn’t expect that from you, Cam,” Asher said, his smile turning sly. “But I have to admit, it could be fun. What do you think, Dan?”

I gulped, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty knot in my stomach, unsure of how to respond.