Envisioning my mother singing Kermit the Frog's Rainbow Connection cheered me up. On the inside, I was nothing more than an eight-year-old boy. For the past week, I'd been listening to the song until I was back to my "bubbly self," as Memphis put it.

It wasn't just the Rainbow Connection that cheered me up. While Levi's words may have contributed to my recent bout of depression (i.e. asking me how my parents died), he also lifted me out of it. We often texted each other and had breakfast together in between the many rehearsals. Sometimes we went out; other times I made him breakfast at the house. I didn't care what Aunt Ruth said. She didn't want to hear that Levi was more than a tenant.

Tonight I looked forward to going out for Chinese food. I hadn't had a good scorpion bowl in a long time. By now, I should have been used to seeing Levi, but I still stressed over what to wear as if I needed to make a good impression when I knew he already liked me. I decided on a purple button down shirt and dark blue skinny jeans.

After one knock, Levi opened his door, dressed in a gray henley sweater and jeans, his wavy hair flopping over the left side of his face and over his glasses.

"Wow... you look... you look beautiful," Levi said.

"Shut up," I said, rubbing my burning cheeks as if that would make the redness disappear. "You ready?"

"Yeah," he said, locking his apartment door.

"You don't look so bad yourself."

Music was always a topic of conversation. In only a week, I'd make my premier in front of three hundred people near the Berklee University campus. I bet the place would be filled with Berklee students and alumni.

Three days after the concert, I was heading into a music studio with the band to record a few songs. They also planned on shooting a music video with the help of Memphis's girlfriend who majored in video production. She was responsible for most of the videos, with the exception of Levi's instructional videos. He did those himself.

Over dinner, Levi stuck to beer while I divulged on a scorpion bowl that was more than enough alcohol for two people. As we ate and drank, Levi told me all about the history of his band and their trials and tribulations over the years. Part of the reason Levi lived in his sister's basement was because he traveled a lot with the band while also going to school. Convinced Imperfect was on the brink of their big break, Levi resented their former friend and frontman for abandoning them. Each band member fell into a funk and they barely spoke to each other for months.

"How do you know I won't ditch you guys, too?" I asked.

"I don't know," he responded. "I hope you don't. You're a better singer than Dominic."

Dominic Sanchez was their former lead singer who transitioned from Indie rock to pop music. I didn't follow pop music, so I hadn't heard of him. Apparently, he was considered an up and coming star and had scored some radio time.

Feeling pretty good after a scorpion bowl, I asked Levi to drive my car home. He had only had one beer all night. I wasn't ready to say goodnight... and neither was Levi.

"Come in for a drink," he said. "You don't have to worry about driving home. You only live a few feet away."

Without hesitation, I went with him. While Levi opened a bottle of wine, I searched through his record collection, settling on Otis Reading.

As Try a Little Tenderness started, I sat on the couch and accepted the glass of red wine. Between the scorpion bowl, wine, and Otis Reading, I was relaxed and comfortable, relieved that Levi made the first move, scooting closer to me. His knee bounced against mine as he brought his arm around my waist. Every part of my body wanted him. The temptation was too great. I put my glass down and kissed his mouth.

"Is this what you wanted?" I asked.

He smiled, returning my kiss.

"I take that as a yes," I said against his lips.

In the middle of some heavy duty kissing, Levi took off his glasses and threw them across the room. With my tongue deep in his mouth, I reached up his shirt, something I'd normally do with a girl.

But this wasn't a girl, and I felt strangely comfortable with him. As I rubbed his nipples with my palms, he unbuttoned my shirt. So far, nothing felt awkward about this make-out session, and I didn't feel like fleeing like I usually did. The alcohol probably had something to do with it.

"Give me a hickey," I said as he kissed my neck.

"You're nuts," he laughed.

"Come on. Do it," I said.

He complied with my request, sucking my neck. He planted kisses all along my collarbone, occasionally sucking, probably leaving more than one hickey. With my shirt completely opened, he kissed my chest, making his way to my stomach. I undid my jeans and pushed them down to my thighs. Never shy, I stood up to remove my jeans and underwear. Levi smiled, laughing—maybe a little bit nervous—as I shrugged off my shirt. Naked, I sat back down on the couch.

"I've never met anyone like you," he said, cupping his chin in my hands. I kissed him as his hand explored my naked body. Levi broke away from me and scooted down my body.

Yes... Inhaling, I grasped clumps of his hair, pushing him down on me. His eyes peered up at me as his lips consumed me.

"How are you doing that?" I asked, genuinely curious.

I withdrew my fingers, lying back on the couch, my chest heaving in and out. His hands slid up my chest. On the verge, I couldn't look anymore and draped my arm over my eyes.

"I'm gonna come," I warned him. Girls hated it when I did it without warning. My back arched as my body jerked, climaxing in Levi's mouth. He let me finish in his mouth. "Oh, wow..."

My body shuddered as Levi released me. He hovered over me, bringing his lips back to mine. In between kisses, I pulled his shirt over his head. It was his turn.

"I've never done it before," I said, running my hands down his bare back. "I wanna try."

I pushed him off me to undo his jeans. He stood up to push his jeans and underwear down. Kneeling on the floor, I pulled them all the way off. I'd never gone this far with a guy.

"I'm used to girls," I said, tracing his shaft with my fingers. "I always wanted to lick a dick... to suck a dick. I'm sorry. Am I embarrassing you?"

"No," he said, swallowing hard.

I gagged as I attempted to do what he did to me.

"Just relax," he said, stroking the back of my head. "I gagged my first time, too." His ass lifted off the couch as I sucked. Judging by his moans, I must have been doing something right.

Eager for more, I sat on his lap, hugging and kissing him.

"Do you wish I was a woman?" he asked as I kissed his neck.

"What?"

"Are you thinking of women right now?"

"No. I've just never gone this far with a man. Relax, Levi, I'm not thinking of women."Women were the farthest thing from my mind. I was all about Levi. "I'll let you fuck me if you want."

"I don't want you to let me do anything."

"I want you to," I said, kneeling upright. "I really, really want you to."

"I'm not prepared. Are you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You don't carry condoms and lube on you, do you?"

"No," I laughed against his neck. "I'll finish you off then."

I jumped off his lap and knelt between his legs again, finishing him off in my hand. I licked his stomach clean.

"I like the taste," I said. "I've never done that before."

"You did a good job," he said. "I've never known anyone like you... someone who looks and talks like you."

"Do I repulse you?" I asked, sitting beside him again.

"What?" he laughed. "No. You're incredible. I'd rather be with someone honest like you than someone who pretends to be someone they're not. You don't hide who you are."

Uncomfortable with so many compliments, I looked away from Levi, touching myself subconsciously.

"I always wanted to play the banjo," I said, which had nothing to do with anything.

"Oh, yeah? I bet you could learn."

"My mother used to play the Rainbow Connection when I was feeling sad. She didn't play the banjo, either. She played it on guitar."

As I got up to fetch one of Levi's guitars, Levi held a pillow over his lap, covering himself. I turned off Otis Reading to play the song that cheered me up this week.

"A naked man has never serenaded me before," he said as I started to play.

Levi's eyes remained on mine the whole time,  his hand resting on my knee.

"I haven't heard that song in years," he said.

"Did your mother sing it to you, too?"

"No," he said. "My mother didn't sing."

"But you can sing, right? Wanna sing something with me?"

"It's a little late for that," he said, stroking my back. "Maybe another time."

"Promise?"

"I promise," he said and kissed me.

"I'm gonna hold you to it," I said, returning the guitar to its spot against the wall.

Amused with his shyness, I grabbed the pillow from his lap and flung it across the room. I swung his legs onto the couch and pounced on top of him. Lying on top of him, I pressed my naked body against his. He dug his fingers into my ass as I ground against him. I was so ready to fuck him, holding his long legs around my waist.

"Please don't stop," he whispered.

"I think I'm drunk," I said.

"You're not that drunk," he said.

"I think I better go before I do something really stupid."

"Yeah," he swallowed hard, disappointment strewn over his face.

I slowly got off him and reached for my clothes on the floor. As I got dressed, Levi slipped his shorts back on.

"I had fun tonight," I said and kissed his cheek. If I kissed his mouth, I probably wouldn't have left.