This is a work of pure fiction, but based on the author's feelings, beliefs, and in some cases, experience. Come to think of it -- it might not be very pure either! There may be graphic sexual encounters at times between men, so if this offends you, you are invited to retreat. If you are too young or it is otherwise illegal for you to be reading this kind if story, shame on you for reading it - - please stop here. If not, - - ENJOY!
Cast of characters:
Ben Hastings -- That's me!
Bill "Bubba" Hastings -- My Dad
Veronica Hastings -- My Mom.
Reyna -- My Best Friend
Ranj Kumar-- Another friend
Jared -- A football whore.
Rex Majors -- Ranj's roommate.
Everett Majors - Rex's younger brother
Mick and Mack Majors - The twins
Kirby and Wyatt -- the youngest Majors
From Chapter 27:
"Etienne, this is Everett -- my boyfriend." I blushed and so did Everett and Etienne. Etienne immediately walked 2 steps to Everett and warmly shook his hand.
"You're a very lucky boy, Everett." He said. I wondered if Everett caught the `boy' reference.
Immediately, Etienne opened the root beer that dad handed him and he went and sat in the only obviously empty place in the room -- next to Ranj.
Chapter 28:
Even though this was really the only open seat for Etienne, I felt - - uncomfortable with it. Maybe uncomfortable is not the right term. Actually there wasn't enough seating for everyone.
"Mick -- Mack!" Commanded Everett. "You guys can lie on the floor!" He said in typical big brother form. Both boys gave him an f-you look. Then they caught my dad's look, which was a raised eye brow.
They hopped down off their chair and lay on the floor together beside the couch where Ranj and Etienne were sitting. That left room for me and Everett. The chair was cozy for the smaller twins so -- it was more than cozy for us. Everett seemed pleased with this. I looked to see the reaction of the guys on the couch. Jared was in a chair next to us, too.
I needn't have bothered. They were deep in conversation. Dad made sure everyone had something to drink before settling into his chair -- just in time for the opening kickoff.
My dad, Ranj and Etienne were the only ones who cared who was playing who, but none of them -- or the rest of us -- were passionate about either team, so it was a fun game for all of us -- watching, making fun of plays -- or each other -- laughing and yelling when a bad or good play happened.
At half time, Etienne immediately got up and came to me and squatted down. "You look pretty comfortable here with your boyfriend." He had an almost smirky smile when he said it. "Do you wanna wait until after the game to make our calls?"
"Won't it be a little late to make business calls?" Said my dad.
"Maybe, but - "
"That's okay," I said, "we can do it now!" I said. "C'mon, Ev, let's go into the bedroom."
"That's okay, Ben. You guys make your calls. I'll stay here with Ranj and Jared."
As soon as I got up, Jared jumped from his chair into my spot next to Everett. I just shrugged and went to the bedroom with Etienne.
"Man, I am jealous of what you have!" said Etienne as we went into my room. We shut the door to cut out the noise from the other room. He took out his phone and sat on the bed and got out a list, then dialed a number. As he listened to it ring, he looked up to me and patted the bed next to him.
"Hello! Mr. Jonas? I'm Etienne from Exotic Auto Exchange, and -- oh yes -- oh. Well -- okay, when can I call again? I will for sure -- tomorrow night. Thanks!"
Etienne looked up at me, still standing, and again patted the bed. "Sit down, Ben. I want you to hear what the other guy is saying."
I sat. He looked at his list and dialed another number. Faintly, I heard, "Hello?" I leaned closer, and Etienne reached around my shoulder with his free hand and pulled me up next to his face. "Hello -- Mr. Randell?"
"Yes -- this is Chuck Randall. Who - "
"Hi, I'm Etienne from Exotic Auto Exchange. You made an inquiry from our ad in - "
"Ohhh -- yes! I had forgotten! Actually I've slept since then, so, - "
"Oh -- haha! Well what do you think? When would you like to meet with us to let me show you what is available in this area? Oh, not that we are limited to this area, but, - "
"I am very interested, Et -- what is your name?"
"It's French -- Etienne."
"Ah, yes, well, do you have one of those -- oh damn! I can't think of -- er -- um - "
"I can come to you and show you a catalog of what we have -- as far as previously owned vehicles, and of course we can get any new car for you at substantial discounts from the dealers. When can I bring our catalog by, Mr, Randall?"
"How about tomorrow? Will that work?"
"Probably. Let's see, it says you are located in Brentwood. Do I need any kind of code -- is there a gate or anything that I have to know about?"
Oh yes, but you just call my number when you get there, and I'll tell the guard to let you in."
"Excellent. Are you available about 2:00 in the afternoon?"
"That would be fine. Make it easy on yourself, Etienne."
"Well, thank you sir! You are very kind! Oh! I may want to bring a trainee with me. Will that be a problem?" Etienne turned to me with a wide grin, and his lips almost brushed mine. His eyes told me he wanted me to go, and I nodded yes.
"No, no problem at all. But I'm glad you told me -- the guard would tell me there were two in your car. What kind of car will you be driving?"
"It's a sedan sir -- a silver-gray 4 door."
"I see -- well, that's fine. I'll look for you around 2:00."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Randall. I'm sure we will find something that will please you."
"Good bye, Etienne."
"Good bye sir."
Etienne threw his phone in the air and it came down on the bed behind us. "YESS!" He said and he threw his arms around me and hugged me. "Now you will se how fun it is to show men with means the toys that they have always wanted! We better get back to the game, huh?"
"You stay put. I'll go check it out."
He looked at his contact sheet and started to dial another number as I walked out to the living room. Half time was still in full swing, but Dad was gone. "Where'd Dad go?" I asked.
"Uh -- he got a call -- he had to go somewhere." Said Ranj. I don't think Everett even heard me, because he had fallen asleep on Jared. And the twins were intertwined like a couple of teen lovers -- well, duh! "You guys about done in there?" He added.
I looked at Ranj but was more looking through him. I couldn't get the sight of Everett and Jared curled up together out of my mind. It brought another all too familiar sight to my mind. At first I thought Jared was asleep too, but then I noticed that his hand was making circular movements on the back of Everett's neck.
Back in the bedroom, Etienne was animatedly talking to another potential client. He smiled broadly when I came in. He again patted the bed next to him and this time I sat immediately. He let his arm fall on my shoulder and finished up his call, making another appointment, for later in the week. He gave my neck a caressing squeeze.
"It half time over?" He asked.
"Probably -- almost." I said.
When we came back to the living room, Everett was almost curled up on Jared's lap like a cat, snoring softly. I came and stood in front of them and Jared looked up at me, giving me a shrug. I motioned him out of my chair. He pushed Everett off him and got up. Etienne said, "Ranj looks kinda lonely over there, Jared. Why don't you go sit with him?" He did.
That put Etienne sitting next to us. Everett moved over and smiled at me sleepily. I sat down and the front door opened. The twins sprang apart, as my dad walked in from wherever he went. Dad didn't see the twins because there is a small partial wall between the entry and the living room.
We watched the rest of the game. Jared kept making quiet remarks to Everett, and Everett would return something. Not anything significant, but just enough that Etienne gave me a couple curious looks.
After the game, Etienne excused himself, thanking my dad profusely for his hospitality and warmth. I walked him out to his Maserati. "Thank you too, Ben. You have an interesting family to say the least. I mean, I still am super-envious of you. Maybe if I wasn't the only boy my parents had they would have not been so disappointed ... but your parents seem to have dealt with that same situation quite well.
"Anyway -- I loved being in there with you, and I hope that you take me up on my offer to help me out with these referrals. I hope you saw how easy it is to at least get an appointment."
"Oh! I've already made up my mind! I'm gonna do it!"
Etienne's face broke into a huge grin. "Oh, that makes me so very happy! I was worried about breaking in another -- fellow employee to the fact that he would be working with a fag! A lot of guys feel very intimidated."
"Yeah -- like maybe it may be contagious -- or something!" I said.
"And -- I have to say -- your boy is very cute! Seems a little young for you, but -- heh -- I like young guys too!" He grinned. Well, then! We'll start tomorrow, when we go see Mr. Randall. After that, I'll spend some more time with you and your phone approach. It's not hard, but you will feel more comfortable if I'm there a few times. Remember -- you get $25.00 for every call, and half of the sales commissions for the appointments that you set up."
"Set up? Am I -- I mean -- who's going to do the selling once I make the appointments?"
"Oh -- did you want to? I got the idea that you were uncomfortable with - "
"Oh!" I said with an unmistakable sigh of relief. "Okay! That's what I was wondering about."
Etienne extended his hand and I took it. He gave me a very warm handshake -- with both hands -- while pulling me in close to his face. "I think we're going to have a lot of fun working together, Ben! I know I am!" Then he leaned even closer almost touching noses. "See you tomorrow!" He whispered.
"How long have you know Et-yen?" Said Everett, seemingly accusingly, as soon as I got back in to the house and in my rrom.
"I just met him this afternoon. Why?"
"Why did he kiss you before he left?"
"Wha -- at!? I said.
"When? Kiss me? Where did that come from?"
"Just before he left, he shook your hand -- with both of his, then he pulled you in very close and said something and then kissed you! Is that what gay guys do up in Canada?"
"Boy, you have an over-active imagination!"
"What was that if not a kiss?" He repeated, obviously not believing me.
"Omigod!" I said, still not believing what I was hearing. "Um -- let's see if I can remember everything: He said he was glad we met in the McDonalds and said how much fun we were going to have working together, then -- OH! Yes -- he pulled me in almost touching noses and said good bye."
"Said good by -- that's all?"
"Yes, Ev -- sorry to disappoint you, but -- that's all."
"What's that supposed to mean -- `sorry to disappoint you'?"
"Do you really want to discuss this -- now?" I asked.
"Yeah!" he said belligerently. "You bring a guy home right under my nose. He makes passes at you. You take him into your bedroom all alone. What am I SUPPOSED to think?"
"We INVITED you in to the bedroom, Ev!"
"Yeah, but it was obvious that you didn't want me there with you!"
"Maybe in your mind!" I said getting very tired of this exchange. "I told you to come and you -- you -- just never mind! I'm getting tired of defending myself against -- against - "
I turned and left the room, slamming the door. Then I realized -- that's my room. I went back in. "YOU leave! This is my room! And when you want to have a rational conversation - "
"Okay -- boyfriend," he said seething, "let's be rational. You were going to say something else -- I could tell. What was it?"
"<SIGH!> I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but don't say you didn't ask." I said, already tired. "all during the game -- or at least the second half -- you and Jacob kept making comments back and forth, while -- though you sat next to me -- you ignored me. And -- maybe -- that was because I was watching the game. But when we came in from making the calls -- from my bedroom -- and by the way: that's all we did was make calls!"
He still looked belligerent, but maybe was a little remorseful at the same time. "But -- when we came back you were curled up on Jared's lap!"
"I was sleepy." He whined.
"Ev -- you let him fuck you!" I emphasized. "You need to just stay the hell away from him! He obviously still likes you!"
"Oh, come on! We didn't do anything!"
"You don't sleep on another guy's lap -- unless there's something going on, Everett! Consciously or unconsciously."
He crossed his arms and turned away. "Well -- maybe you're right about that. But that didn't give you a reason to - "
" -- to what?"
"to -- to -- do what you did!" He exclaimed.
"I didn't do anything. WE didn't do anything! He DID come on to me at FIRST, but once I told him you were my boyfriend, he stopped. I was completely humiliated by your actions, though. You acted like a -- well! I shouldn't be surprised! You ARE a teenager!"
"You're not THAT much older!" He countered.
"Nope -- I'm not! But I don't act like an idiot, either."
"Don't YOU call me an idiot, ASS HOLE!" he said and this time it was he who stomped out and slammed the door.
My heart was beating hard and fast. I sat down -- no, more like crashed down -- on to my bed. I closed my eyes and felt like crying but no tears came. I was infuriated! Ass hole??!! Where did that come from? Well, I guess I did call him an idiot. Shit! Why do stupid things like this happen? It was stupid and silly -- on both our parts. I started to calm down.
I breathed deep and slowly to clam myself even more. My tears weren't flowing, but my eyes were wet. I stood slowly and walked toward the door. I guess I need to talk to him before - -
I went out and dad looked at me weird. "Is he in his room?" I asked.
"Who -- Everett?" He asked. I nodded. "He made a phone call and then went outside."
I ran to the door, opened it and saw Everett getting into Jared's car again. "Wait!" I yelled. Everett closed the door behind him. I KNOW he heard me. They took off, then stopped. The car slowly backed up in front of the house. I ran to the car and Everett was sitting looking mournfully up at me.
I reached for the door just as it opened. "Can I come with you?"
Everett looked in the direction of where Jared was sitting, then moved over. I slid in beside him. We drove away and down the block, turned the corner -- all in silence. Everett's hands were in his lap and he was looking at them. I covered them with one of mine. A drop of water splashed on the top of my hand.
"Ev -- we can't run off to -- someone else -- whenever we have a disagreement." I looked at Jared. He looked -- guilty.
"I was -- stupid! I didn't know what to do." Said Everett.
"Me too." I said.
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry for calling you an idiot."
"You didn't -- oh. I guess you did." A couple more drops on my hand. He took my hand and wiped off the salty water with his lips, then held it to his face, breathing softly on my wrist hair. "I hate it -- when we fight." He whispered. I don't think Jared heard it.
"Aren't you sorry for something - - ?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry for running away. I'm sorry for not trusting you."
"That's all?" I smiled slightly.
"Yeah - I mean no! I'm just not sure I can grow up as fast as you need me to."
"I meant -- are you sorry you called me - "
"Oh -- yes! I mean -- I didn't mean that! I'm sorry! I'm so stupid and immature!"
"A lot of much more mature people call the ones they loved some pretty bad things -- at least they're supposed to be more mature." I said.
"Believe me, I know! I grew up with one -- my dad!"
"Duh!" said Jared. "Mine too!"
"You two have a lot in common, don't you?" I said. "Sometimes I think I just don't have anything in common with anyone."
"You seemed to get along fine with Et-yen." Said Everett -- but it was not accusing this time.
"Maybe in some ways. But -- his parents actually kicked him out and have disowned him."
"Really?" Said Jared. "He seems to have so much together!"
"That could be because he's almost 30." I said.
"Nuh-uh!" Both boys said together. (Did I say "boys"?)
"That's what you have in common with him!" Said Everett.
"Huh?" I said.
"You're both so much more -- mature." Everett said, and then got a surprised, almost hurt look on his face.
He looked at Jared, who just gave him a queried look and then said, "Well, I'm older than Ben and -- I dunno about this `more mature' thing."
They stared at each other for a moment, then Everett looked at me, seemingly trying to get some confirmation of what he just said. I know he didn't want to hear what I was thinking. At least I think he wouldn't!
Jared drove us back home and I thanked him for coming when Everett was so confused. I didn't even imply that maybe he had his own reasons for coming.
Later that night, after the little boys were asleep, Everett came out to the living room, where I was watching Fox News with Mom and Dad. The twins were on the floor half watching. Everett came and sat next to me. "Are you getting tired of being my dad?" He leaned over and whispered.
I leaned away from him and whispered, "Huh?"
Everett looked over at my parents. "We're going for a walk, Dad." I said
"We'll have some root beer floats when you get back."
"Yesss!" Said the twins.
We walked outside. It was still warm, but the sun was down. The street light glowed on Everett's face, making him look even younger. His cheeks shined. I felt a bolt of lightening go straight through me. I smiled.
"Ben -- I wonder -- you seem more like -- I dunno -- like almost a 2nd dad to me -- or third, if you count your dad. I love the way you teach me stuff. Do you sometimes get tired -- of acting like my dad?"
Wow! I didn't expect that to come out of his mouth! "I -- uh -- I mean -- Well, I guess the more important question is -- do you get tired of me acting like your dad? I didn't know I was." I felt like someone hit me hard in the chest.
"I dunno -- maybe. I mean, I thought I knew so much, but I obviously have so much to learn. I just don't know -- if -- you -- or -- er -- my lover -- or something -- should be the one to teach me."
"What are you asking saying, Ev? What are you saying?"
"Ohhh -- I dunno." He said looking at the ground.
I gently raised his chin with my fingers until he was looking me in the eyes. "Ev -- are you -- trying to -- break up with me?"
Tear's immediately sprang to his eyes. He shook his head. "I guess -- I guess - " he stammered, "Ben, I don't know what -- what -- I am saying. I mean maybe we should -- um - " He shuddered.
"Do you think -- I mean are you wanting to -- take a break -- from me?" I was thunderstruck. I peered into his eyes. It was clear that he hadn't given it much thought, but that the idea sounded right to him. Surprisingly, it felt right to me too. I mean, it hurt - - my ego and -- my sensibility. But -- ever since we decided to be boyfriends, things seemed to happen that got -- in the way of us being really close.
"I dunno." He said, looking away.
I again gently tugged on his chin, aligning our eyes. "Unless -- unless -- you really DO know. Ev, it's okay. You know, it hurts me too. But I feel it - - too."
"You feel what?" he said, looking at me hopefully.
"I fell -- us -- drawing away from each other. I see how you act and react with Jason - "
"And I see how YOU act and react with Et-yen."
"Huh?!" I exclaimed. "I never - "
"I know -- you never did anything with him. But the two of you seem to -- to -- I dunno, be so -- much more -- grown up. I mean you don't act that way with me, but I can see that you like acting more grown up. Don't you?"
"Sigh!" I breathed deeply. "You're right about that." Tears were dripping from both our chins now. "I have to admit -- it's kind of a -- a - "
"Relief?" He said.
"Oh gosh, Ev -- I don't know about -- relief?" I thought about it.
Maybe that's it. Maybe I feel relief when I'm with someone more mature. But -- I feel it with my dad too. Maybe it's just that more mature guys put me -- or us -- at ease -- because they don't have so many hang-ups -- as younger guys have.
"What?" Said Everett. "Your mind is working -- I can see that."
"Oh, I was just thinking about what you said and -- you know -- how older guys affect me."
"Yeah, me too. I get so frustrated sometimes!"
"Huh?" I said. That was almost opposite to what I was thinking!
"I get frustrated because older guys seem to be so -- I dunno -- have it all together -- and I obviously don't! And they don't seem to understand me at all."
"They?" I said. "You mean me?"
"Well - - sometimes."
"I'm sorry if I gave you that impression, Ev. I remember -- what it was like -- and I DO understand. I just don't wanna go back."
"So -- you're okay with -- um -- breaking up?"
"Heh, he haven't gone together very long -- yet. I feel almost silly." I said, tears still flowing.
"Me too." He said, looking as awkward as I felt.
I stepped into him and hugged him. "You'll always be my little brother -- right?" His head went up and down on my chest.
We walked around until our eyes dried, then went back into the house. The twins were gone from the living room, their root beer flaot glasses still on the table. We didn't say anything except g'night to Mom and Dad.
"Don't you want a root beer float?" Mom asked.
"I don't think either of us is very hungry." I said.
We hugged again in the hallway and went to our rooms. I undressed and thought about what just happened. We just broke up, still on good terms.
I thought that wasn't possible! Maybe Everett is more mature than either of us gives him credit for.
I was nearly asleep, when my door quietly opened and closed. Everett knelt by me and said, "I couldn't sleep. Can I get into bed with you?"
"Sure." I said, sleepily.
I opened the covers. It felt good -- comforting -- to feel his bare skin on mine. It gave me wood, even, but we just hugged each other and spooned. He shuddered and whimpered before falling asleep. I stayed awake maybe 2 hours holding him, kind of sad, kind of relieved, kind of happy to be holding the little brother I always wanted.
Notes: Well, this took a turn I didn't expect! I love all your letters of encouragement and your comments, no matter what. Please send them to Steve at stevethomas535@hotmail.com. Thanks and love, Steve
P.S. Don't worry -- this is NOT the end!