This is a work of fiction - names and places are elements of fiction.
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Cards in the Deck - Ryan Brevard 2
So from March to May Bradley and I had smooth sailing. It had really turned out to be a rewarding experience. I was busy with school and had not met Greg again, although we do text. He is a very intriguing guy. Now that school winds down in a month, and just on the heels of my trip to Dallas for the wedding, Bradley says we are going to have to part ways for the summer. He was gentle about it and I believe him when he says he hates doing it but he thinks that keeping us afloat while dealing with his parents over the summer will be too much. If they get wind of our relationship, he would be in deep trouble. I don't know what all that entails but, as I told you in the previous chapter, they literally have Jesus hanging in their foyer.
So, it's great that I'm about to fly to Dallas because I can really use some time with Ben to sort this out. My temper has flared because I have always been so hesitant to let people get close to avoid the let down, and no sooner than I let Bradley get close, here comes the let down!
I boarded the plane from NOVA (Northern Virginia) to Dallas with some apprehension. Don't think this is going to be easy. I kept the "lost virginity" initiative from Ben because I didn't want to discuss it on the phone. Now that time has gone by, it seemed like an easy thing to avoid. Yes, we text almost every day but he has his hands full getting ready for the weekend. I really don't want to hurt his feelings but I think it will be inevitable. I hope he will get past it quickly so we can assess the rest of the situation. I only have a day with him and Quinn before the family descends on Dallas. There will be no quiet time after that. There is also the matter of Quinn being the one to give me instructions on how to execute the "bottom" plan. He kept that a secret too. Wow, it's all so tangled!
The plane landed soundly at DFW and after collecting my suitcase at baggage claim, I head for the door and he pulls up and waves me over to his new Volvo XC40 suv.
"Wow," I said as I climbed in. "This is nice!" I said taking in the new car feel.
"Missed you, youngin'" he says with a big smile.
"You too, girl," I respond. He whops my head and pulls off.
I tell him what has been going on and he whistles through his teeth.
"Well, get with him after dinner," he suggests. "He will take the discretion badly but may get over it, especially, if there is something bigger on the horizon. While he wants to know everything going on, he really wants to be put to use," Quinn explains.
Adjusting to city life was taking some time for Ben. He was unaware what his previous life and patterns really consisted of until moving to a new city. He was asked to join the Board of a gay youth shelter and enjoyed that. He was also working as a contractor digitizing billing and invoices for a small, local owned company. He filled me in on the job at Christie's which he was absolutely loving. He would take courses over the summer to complete his degree. There were only two courses and Auburn was willing to accept them to get him through.
We pulled into the drive and my nerves jumped on end. Quinn told me to relax.
"Enjoy the homecoming," he said. "Ben is going to be thrilled to see you!"
He took me around to the front door and we entered. It was such a different place than the Alabama house. The ceilings were lower. It was a fresher scent. The sound did not echo so much. He was standing there in the living room behind the leather sofa.
"Hey Ben," I shouted at him. I moved quickly down the stairs into the living and he met me with a grand hug. I gave him a big kiss, to which he responded too. Quinn came up behind me, which is where I really liked him to, cough cough, and we all hugged. For as much as I used to think this was crap, I now miss it so much.
"Oh my God," said Ben, "you don't know how glad I am to see you!"
"Me too," I said. "You all ready to become an old married thing?" I asked.
"We had trouble finding heels big enough for Quinn's feet," he said, laughing hard. Quinn was not laughing hard. He was blank faced.
"Let me show you the walker we found for old Ben," Quinn said. "It's out in the garage!" I cracked up laughing. They showed me around the house. The kitchen was in good order, new appliances had brightened it up. The small den off the kitchen was now Quinn's home office. Ben used the main study off the front door. The dining room was complete with an antique mahogany table Quinn got at auction at Christies.
"Wait til you see what's hanging in your room," Quinn hinted. I ran down the hall to what was set up as a room for me and there was a very old lithograph of one Thomas Jefferson's original buildings on the University of Virginia's campus. It was incredible. The detail, the markings, were all very technical.
"Where did you get it?" I asked.
"Duh! I work for the best auction house in America," he responded.
"We are going to be keeping an eye on Quinn," said Ben. "He has an eye for all things awesome. Thinks we need to rebuild Brevard House here in Dallas!" he exclaimed.
Ben looked really good. He was going to the gym and had his hair cut very nice. He looked very urban and very chic. I liked this look a lot. I feared he was getting old out here but maybe he had been ready for city life.
So the schedule included dinner tonight at some foodie place where they had befriended the chef. Tomorrow I could swim and hang out. The families were coming in starting in the morning but they were staying at the hotel where the ceremony was taking place. Cocktail hour Friday evening in the backyard and dinner at some other place off Turtle Creek. Ben said there was a surprise for me for tomorrow night but wouldn't elaborate. If you ever want to get under skin, tell me there is a surprise. The wedding was at 6 Saturday with dinner and dancing afterwards. The invite list turned out to be larger than thought. There were some local folks, the family, and some were traveling here for the event. Quinn and Ben were leaving for their honeymoon first thing Sunday morning and we would all return home. You know how Brevards like their schedules!
As I went back outside to get my suitcase out of the car, the boy next door waved and I waved back. If he was any indication what Dallas boys were like, I might like it here a lot. Quinn said he was a very nice guy, had helped them move things around several times. His name was Tyson. I would meet him again tomorrow.
I showered and changed clothes and we headed to dinner. The place was very cool. Ben asked me if I had heard from Jack Haig lately.
"Asshole," I said. "He hasn't responded to my texts lately," I said. Quinn laughed.
"It's because he was under orders not to," said Ben. "Ready for your surprise?" he asked.
"What?" I demanded.
"Jack and his parents will be here for the wedding," he said.
"WHAT!" I yelled a bit too loudly. "How could he keep that from me?"
"We thought it would be a fun surprise. I told his mother to have him hold off from you," Ben said laughing. "You get to see him tomorrow night after the family dinner. They are doing some touring around during the day.
"That is so amazing!" I exclaimed. I really was so excited I couldn't contain myself. A weekend with Jack. Hmmm! "He's friends with Corbin and Nate Babcock. Corbin plays baseball too," I told them. I was a bit jealous. I told them how Jack had hung out at Brevard House with them. He said he acted real cool, bragging about how he had been there before. He said they were renovating some of the rooms. The kitchen and family room wing were being combined into one big room. The east wing rooms were being redone for their grandmother who was coming to live with them in June. That was all the changes for now.
"Ryan," said Ben, "there is something else we want to talk to you about," Ben said. I was terrified. Didn't know what was coming.
"I had given thought to my Best Man for the wedding," Ben continued.
"Erin, of course," I responded.
"Well, I thought the same thing since he's my oldest friend. However, he thinks he's a bit old to be best manning so he said he would defer to you, if you wanted to be it," Ben said.
"What? You are asking me to be your best man? Wow, that's cool," I said. "What about Erin?"
"He said he would be my Best Man in Waiting behind you."
"What do I do?" I asked.
"Make sure I have my shit together throughout the day and stand by my side during the ceremony. Make sure I don't faint or anything," Ben said. We all got a laugh out of that.
"Sure, Ben. That's awesome. Since "best man" completely describes me, I will be happy to do it!"
"Damn youngin," said Quinn.
"Who is your best man?" I asked Quinn.
"Well, that's another matter," said Quinn. "Adam West is going to be mine," he said quietly.
"What!" I exclaimed again. "The Adam West?" I said laughing.
"Don't be rude," Ben said. "We are all good there. He's Quinn's oldest friend as well," he said.
"Oh I don't mean to be rude. I think it's really incredible. I mean Adam has played an important role for you both. I'm glad your `community' is back together," I responded. Yeah, it was awkward in my mind. Ben's ex, Quinn's oldest friend, serving as Quinn's Best Man in the wedding for the two?. This wedding was surely going to be like a soap opera. They should film this shit. No telling what all will transpire!
When we got home, Ben poured some scotch at the bar and I leapt in to get this over with. I asked Ben if we could go out by the pool and talk. He opened the doors and we headed out.
He said, as he put his arm around me, "I surely am glad to have you here again. You look good, Ryan. I think you grew an inch and I'm noticing you've filled out some," Ben commented.
"Bradley has me going to the school gym and eating healthy despite the food they serve us," I said with some laughter.
"Listen,. Ben, about Bradley, I have two things to tell you. One is historic and the other is a problem. Will you be ok with both?" I asked.
"Sure," he said. "Let me have it!" he replied.
:First, I lost my virginity to Bradley. We did it at his family farm while his parents were away. Second..."
"Hold up. When did this happen?" Ben asked.
"Back in March."
"March? It's May and I'm just hearing about this? What's up with that?"
"I didn't want to talk about it on the phone and I didn't know where it was going. I thought it would be more celebratory than it has become," I said with some trepidation.
"Well it's a little hard for me to process something that happened three months ago. I mean, something as special as all that and I find out about it three months later. I have to tell you, I'm disappointed. And this isn't the first time is it?" he asked with a hot temper. Just then Quinn came out.
"Everything ok?" he asked.
"Did you know about this?" asked Ben.
"Know about what?" Quinn said.
"I started not to tell you at all!" I blurted out. "I knew it was going to be like this," I said. Quinn started making clicking noises. I knew he was telling me I was on the wrong path with that line.
"What's the second part of this story?" Ben asked impatiently.
"Bradley is telling me we have to break up because he can't deal with me and his parents through the summer. He's afraid of getting outed," I said sadly.
"Well maybe it was only meant to last a season. As I have found, nothing lasts forever!" he yelled and went into the house and stormed off to his room. I was left standing there looking at Quinn. "What a damn mess!" I said and I stormed into the house to go to my room. I hit my foot on the edge of the couch and yelled "Oh fuck!" as I stumbled down the hall to my room.
I texted Bradley to see how he was doing. He was having a quiet night. I texted Jack and told him he was an asshole for not telling me he was coming. I got a "LMAO" response. Really, I was so glad I would get to see him. Hopefully no such drama as what I just experienced.
Around 11:30 as I was about to go to sleep, I got another text from Ben. "Awake?"
"Yeah"
"Come" was all said.
I got out of bed and went to Ben and Quinn's room. I walked to the end of the big king size bed and crawled in between them, like I used to do.
"Ryan," Ben said softly. "I want to apologize for that nonsense on the patio tonight. I was completely wrong to act that way. It was shameful," he said almost in a whisper.
I rolled onto my side and looked into his face. "I'm sorry too Ben. I have not crossed into the world where I tell everything the minute it happens. Being away from you causes my notification system to soften."
"I understand," he said.
"No, probably not," I responded. "I have always, all my life, done what I needed to do with little guidance and not much response from anyone. I have to get used to there being someone there for me as I get into newer and bigger things," I said. Quinn rolled onto his side and wrapped his arms around me. Ben squeezed in close too. We huddled like that for a minute.
"About Bradley," Ben continued, "was it good for you?" he asked.
"Yes, it was terrific. He did it just right and has done so again and again since then. I really like him but I am wondering if I should fight for it or let it go."
"Only you can decide that. If there is a way, make it happen. Invite him to visit you at home. See if he can get away for a weekend and go to Busch Gardens. Do things that look innocent," Ben suggested.
"They have a painting of Jesus hanging in their foyer," I said. There was quiet until Quinn started giggling. Then Ben started giggling and soon we were all cracking up. I took my phone from the end of the bed and showed them the pic I took. It was all howls after that. Not that anyone was intending to be disrespectful to the Lord, but, a portrait hanging in the foyer...I mean, c'mon, it was funny.
"Ryan, look," Ben continued, "we have experienced a lot with you in a short period of time. And despite the resemblance thing going on between us, I want you to know that I love you like you were my own son. I want to feel what you feel and anything I can do to help you, ANYTHING, is at your disposal. I can't make you tell me things in real time but I promise to do what I can when I learn of your progress. Is that ok?" he asked so sincerely. I saw his eyes blur and mine almost did.
"Yes, of course. And I feel the same way, cousin. I wish I had many years to grow up around you and could have spent summers at Brevard House. We would have been amazing, don't you think?" I asked.
"Oh yes, don't think I haven't imagined it often," Ben said.
"I haven't considered it at all," said Quinn. "Babysitting you would have been a nightmare," he said jokingly. We all laughed again because that part would have been true!
I snuggled between my two dads, cousins, lovers, whatever they were, and started to drift off. I was very tired. I believe Quinn grabbed the ceiling fan remote because the ceiling fan took off like an airplane propeller causing my hair to blow. He didn't want it to get hot with all of us piled up in one bed and we all cracked up again. This time, when he hugged me tight, I could feel his hardness behind me. "We do love you," he whispered in my ear. Fuck, it did things to me to know I turned him on. I wouldn't cum this time. I had learned self control but I was hard right there with him just as I knew Ben was too. 3 stiffs, lying in the bed. LMAO like Jack's text read. That would be the last night I would spend in bed with those two. I was getting too big, too old, and I had too many interests elsewhere. I think they knew I had outgrown them because they never said a word about it.
So, without detailing every event on Friday, the family all arrived at different times throughout the morning. By late afternoon, everyone had checked into the hotel and had Ubered over to the house. The caterers had come and set up the bar and light appetizers in the backyard around the pool. . Everyone was festive. The air was cool and fresh, not as hot as we thought it would be. Two Mercedes transports were parked out front ready to take us all to dinner at 6:30.
Once we were seated at the restaurant, there were announcements from everyone. Grandfather (James Brevard) was retiring. He was selling his partnership in the law firm in October. Aunt Margo, Ben's mother, was coming out of retirement. The director of the Florida State Treasury had asked her to come in and sort some operational issues they were having with public deposits. Not sure what all that was about but she was beaming. She was not a lady who enjoyed sitting around doing nothing. She had fangs again. I knew she was excited. Brandon gave an update on his progress with the family history. He really took his role seriously and was moving along. Emma, his sister, had been helping him with the photos, cropping and dating and what not. Everyone was pleased. My part in the history hadn't started. I would be sorting out the general ledgers over the summer to get the financials put into spreadsheets. We wanted to timestamp the money - income and expenses - over time to evaluate the wealth. Given my new breakup status, I would certainly have some free time. If all worked out, I would be doing this work here in Dallas if I can stay with Ben and Quinn for the summer.
Ben and Quinn shared information about how the wedding would proceed tomorrow evening. Wedding at 5, dinner at 6, party at 8. That's all we needed to know at the moment. And speaking of moments, I was just finishing my steak when, yes, Jack and his parents walked in. Yeah!!! It was Jack. Most everyone remembered Julia and her husband from the christmas party. They had come to pick me up. Jack and I were getting to spend the rest of the evening together. I almost knocked my chair over trying to get out from behind the table.
"Hey," Jack said coolly.
"Hey," I said back, not knowing how stupid my grin must've looked.
Julia wished everyone a good night and we headed out to the hotel. Jack said they planned on having drinks at the bar. I believe that Ben and Quinn would be joining them after the family dispersed. Jack and I were going to be wondering around. There were shops and stores all around and people were wondering around, probably having had dinner.
Jack and I talked. He told me more about Corbin and Nate Babcock. Their family had purchased our family's estate in Alabama. Corbin played varsity baseball with Jack. Nate was more into soccer. Jack had hung out with them at the house which made me insanely jealous. Both of being able to hang out the house and the fact they could hang out whenever they wanted. Not like this - just special occasions. Still, I admired how relaxed and friendly Jack was to me. No mention of the Christmas kiss and I didn't push it. The evening was just awesome the way it was. As the stores started closing down, he walked back to the hotel. Just as I expected, Ben and Quinn were sitting at the bar with Julia and Charles. I know Ben is a little homesick so folks from back home would be appealing. They looked to be having a good time.
We walked into the bar. "Hey guys," I said from behind them. They all spun around and gave us a hello.
"How are you, Jack?" Ben asked.
"I'm doing good, Ben. How is life in the big city?" he asked back.
"It's going ok. Getting through this weekend is first priority then we'll settle down again," Ben quipped. Julia laughed.
"I've been to the house," said Jack. "The Babcocks have been real nice. They like being involved."
"Let's catch up tomorrow evening and compare notes on the house. Is that ok?" asked Ben.
"You got it. They are making changes but nothing you would disapprove of," Jack said. Ben smiled. "You all going to hang out around here?" asked Charles. "It's getting late out and we don't want you on the street."
"We're heading upstairs to watch some tv," said Jack.
"That's good," said Julia. "We'll see you later." That was our dismissal. We headed upstairs to Jack's room.
We entered and flipped on the tv. Not much on but late night talk shows. We walked over to the french doors and walked out onto a balcony. We could overlook some of downtown Dallas which was very cool. Some of the buildings had light shows. I don't see much of this in Virginia.
Jack asked me to tell about Bradley. I told him much of what had transpired. I didn't go into detail about how we fucked but I was honest about the experience. He seemed to process the information fairly and didn't grimace or act like it was disgusting. I'm not sure how straight people take gay sex talk yet but he was cool. I asked if he had his eye on anyone, especially with the summer months approaching.
"Not there yet," he said. "We'll see what pops up when we start hanging out without school and stuff," Jack said. He reiterated some of our Christmas conversation, that he hadn't gotten to the point of wanting to pop some girl he didn't like or care about. He was texting with a girl but they hadn't met up yet for a date.
"You know Ryan, I feel like I don't have much of a voice back home. It's like, "the more I play and less I say", the happier everyone is. No one ever asks what I care about," he said as he looked out on the city. The fact is he had a beautiful voice and he was thoughtful. Not sure why that's how things were.
I told him, "whatever your voice feels, you should tell them, Jack. You're probably not wrong, and you might enlighten someone. Just don't hold back," I said. "I like listening to you. If I thought you were full of crap, I would say so," and he laughed.
"You're the one that's full of crap," he said back to me. "How honest are you with people?" he asked.
"I have been dreadfully honest at times and have pissed off some people. I have started being more careful because I don't it to come down to `what did the GAY guy just say?" He nodded in agreement. "But otherwise, I tell people what I think. It doesn't usually come with any problems."
"You know, it seems that the things most people don't give a fuck about are the things you like mos about me. It's strange," he said. "You have the makings to be my absolute best friend!" he concluded.
"Jack, you have 100 things that make you great and I can list 90 of them right now. The fact you can spend an evening standing out on a balcony with me and not worry about what you're missing with other people, is top on the list," I said.
"I know what you're after, Ryan," he said with his eyes squinted. "You are really good at easing into it, aren't you?" he asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said with nervous laughter. Surely he wasn't going to let me kiss a second time.
"You can have one," he said. "You can get it now or you can wait until tomorrow night. Your choice but you just once is all you get," he said with some serious and some teasing tone.
Standing out there on the balcony, overlooking the city, and Jack looking so amazing in the reflective light, I said, "Now." He turned toward me and I put my hands on his shoulders and leaned in for the kiss. I gave him one too. With just a slight tilt of my head, I got a good taste of his lips and just a touch of tongue. It lasted not quite a minute but was long enough to stir all of my feelings. I pulled back to not overstay my welcome.
"Is it terrible?" I asked.
"Not really. Not something I feel natural about but it's not bad. I'm glad your face is smooth," he said laughing.
"May not seem like much but it's a world event for me. Thank you. And yes, I should be your best friend because we are about as honest with each other as two guys can be." I headed through the door. I knew Ben was going to be texting soon to head back to Highland Park so we said our good nights and went back downstairs. You know, of course, I am going to suck his cock one day. And not just to say I sucked one, but to suck his. To give him the best I got.
Prepare yourselves. The wedding is tomorrow. What a day it's going to be.