I have been informed that it would be a good idea to state a few warning comments. There may be graphic sexual scenes between men in this story, so please, if this offends you, or it is illegal or you are underaged to read such, stop here and hit your "back" button. If it is okay with you, read on and enjoy.
Chapter 17 left us with the following: "Don't go!" Rob said. "Please stay with me tonight!" I tugged on Craig's neck and he understood. He climbed and positioned himself on top, astride of both of us, and we commenced a 3-way hug goodnight, Craig's face between Rob's and mine. Then he climbed over the other side of Rob, retrieved the blanket and sheet which we had thrown to the floor, and then climbed in on the other side of Rob, and we all three spooned, with Rob in the middle.
We fell asleep like that, with Rob's lips caressing my neck, his hand on my chest. I thought to myself, "That won't be the last time this happens!"
The next morning before we said our good byes, Jake and Colin got a moment alone with Craig and me. "What in the world were you guys doing last night?
It sounded so hot! It was hard to determine, but I thought I counted three of you screaming!"
"Oh, Jakey! I said! "I didn't want to bother you guys!"
"NO!" Colin protested. "It's alright. We were just about asleep when we heard your - your `noises'. It started us going on our 'seconds'! And the second time was the best we ever did!"
I replied, "Happy Honeymoon!"
Chapter 18
We left Sunday morning so we could get back home and at least do some homework. Halloween was coming up, and Craig and I talked about going to an open party at a park. It was a gay area referred to as, "The Rainbow Club."
It was not a club at all, but rather a place where gays meet in the park. We heard about it from a guy at school, who was in one of Craig's classes. I mentioned it to Carrie.
"No WAY!" she said, with so much urgency, I wondered why. "That's where Jakey caught his HIV. Stay away from that place!"
"Wo!" I said, "How -" at the sight of her face, I said, "Never mind."
"You can go with me and Rob to the School costume affair. It's -"
"What!?" You are going with Rob?" I asked. "How did you get him to ask you?"
"I didn't! I asked him." She smiled sweetly. "I hope he doesn't think I'm to pushy."
"No, you don't!" I retorted. "And yes, he does!"
"Too bad!" she said. "If he wants to be with me, he'll just have to get used to it. I can't change for him or anyone else."
"You could try."
"Yeah, and I might do it for awhile. Actually I have. But later on when we got closer, I went back to my more natural ways, and he hated it! But this was a guy who was very domineering. Rob is - so naturally sweet and not domineering. If he can take my guff, then maybe we can work something out."
"Maybe." I said.
"Tell me, cuz!" she said. "You know Rob probably better than anyone else. Do you think he's bi - or even gay?"
"I'm pretty sure he likes girls. As to if he's bi, I can't say. I - I can't tell you why, but - but I have reason to wonder."
"Why, Mr. sexy?" she said. "Did you already seduce him?"
"Not exactly."
"What? Was it his idea?"
"Look, Carrie, I told you I can't tell you. Just be satisfied that I have no knowledge of his ever touching another guy! Okay?"
Well, so I stretched the truth just a little! Rob didn't actually do anything sexual WITH us!
"So is it a date then?" she said.
"Huh?"
"A little focus here! Do you and Craig wanna go to the costume party with us?"
"Let me talk to Craig." I said. "I want to go, so - probably!"
"Carrie REALLY wants us to go, so Rob will feel more comfortable." I said to Craig.
"Well, I'm just not too sure that I am ready for this."
"Hey! I know what you are saying! I am not even sure I am ready to make our thing public."
"It's more than making it public, Dude. It's - well I guess that's exactly what it is! It's telling the whole world, `HEY! I'm GAY!' I'm just not too sure that -"
"We can go stag! Everyone knows you and Rob and I are room mates. And besides, no one who will be there, cares! They wouldn't -"
"I don't want to take that chance - I just don't."
"Craig, I want to tell you, I don't think I will ever be one to shout to the world what my sexual preference is. It's none of their business. But it will get very old, keeping it a secret. There were a few who knew about me in Berkeley, and -"
"Berkeley is not Santa Barbara! And you are not me! We have discussed this before and you agreed that we would gravitate to the safe side. Whoever is not ready - has veto power." Craig was adamant. "That would be me. I love you, but -"
"Listen to you! What kind of love says, `I love you but'? Craig, I love you. Period! I am so in love with you! And I am so proud of you! You are everything anyone would want in a friend - and a sweetheart." I said. Craig looked helpless. I continued, "Look, do you think you can keep your hands off me for the entire evening? I think I could do that. We would be doing it for Rob and for my cousin."
"You think you could? I can't imagine that would be very much fun! But for Rob, - I guess I would do almost anything."
"Sure you can - WE can!" I encouraged. "And we can make an early evening of it, if we want. I think once Rob gets into the swing of what's going on, he won't even notice if we leave."
"Well, Okay then."
"Well, don't sound so damned enthusiastic about it!"
"But how come," Rob said, "you can't ride with me?"
"In the first place, we want to go separately. Besides that - DUDE! This is a date - for you! She didn't ask you because she just can't get another date! She is a senior and she is very - hot! And by the way - so are YOU!"
"GOD! Is he ever!" Craig added. Rob blushed. "Will you ever get over that?"
"What?" Rob said.
"Blushing so easily!"
"I hope not!" I said. "He is one of the cutest guys I've ever seen with his red face - even under all that green makeup! Oh put your lower lip back in, Mr. Studly!" I said to Craig. "You will always be the cutest over all - to me. Except, maybe when Rob blushes!" And I kissed Rob on the cheek. Craig stuck his tongue out at me.
"Heh!" Rob said, "now your lips are all green!"
There was a great costume shop not too far away from us. Rob was going as the Incredible Hulk. Hee hee! Try as he might, he could not get himself ugly enough! I went as "Rambo" and Craig was dressed as the most delicious sailor I ever saw! "Why did you have to look so good?!" I asked him. And I have to keep my hands OFF you?"
"Touch me, Matie, and I'll shiver your timber!" Craig said.
"OOO! That could be a good thing!" I answered.
Rob said, "I think I'm gonna puke!"
"Yeah," Craig said, "You just hold that thought until tonight as you try to synchronize your wank to our rhythm! Must be tough being such a horny virgin!" Rob didn't even blush!
We headed out to the cars. "Hey!" Rob siad. "You guys are driving separately - even from each other?"
"We may be the only stags there. We don't want to arrive together."
"Oh."
As it turned out we were two among MANY stags there, mostly girls! There was one cute girl, Abby, that would not leave Craig alone. The girls kept tapping other girls on the shoulder, to break into his dance. She kept returning. I was actually feeling a little jealous! There's something about a man in uniform - especially a sailor - ESPECIALLY Craig! We had plenty to drink. After awhile the other girls gave up and Abby was way too drunk, rubbing herself all over Craig. He still liked girls. I knew that. But he was miserable!
I took pity on him and tapped his shoulder, to relieve him. I guess she didn't like Rambo. She walked away, leaving Craig and I on the dance floor together! Craig grabbed me and started to dance with me. I protested. He put his hand on my butt and pulled me in closer. The others were howling! I whispered, "Hey! You're kind of overdoing it! Don't you think they may wonder?"
Problem was , in my own alcohol-liberated state, I only thought I was whispering. Two people close by said, almost in unison, "Wonder - about what?"
Craig looked at me like he was a caged animal! He pushed me away with enough force to knock me down. "Get away from me, FAG!" he yelled, so everyone within two blocks cold hear it. I was not quick enough to make it into a joke, as I may have if I was sober. I later rehearsed it over and over in my head - what I COULD have done. I just sat there, stunned. Craig returned to his newfound friend - Abby. They left together a few minutes later. I was at a loss. I looked at Carrie and Rob, and they looked as bewildered as I felt. When the party was winding down, Rob asked me to Denny's with Carrie and him. I was numb. I just went with them. I had to come back later to pick up my car.
Denny's was the only all night diner nearby, so we often found ourselves there. We went in and it was full of collegiates, winding down. I immediately saw Craig and Abby sitting amongst a few others - friends of hers, I assumed. Rob and Carrie and I just had a soft drink and headed home. Rob escorted Carrie to the big house, while I headed for our place. I unlocked the door. The light was on. I was sure I had turned it off before we left. I walked into our bedroom. I stopped cold when I saw it! They hadn't even taken the time or care to remake the bed!
I turned off the lights and went and lay on the couch. Rob came in. Seeing me on the couch, "What's up, Chris?"
"I wish I knew." I really felt numb. I didn't know how I should feel. Numb. "I really wish I knew!"
Rob didn't know what to say to me. He felt as helpless as I. "You going to, be alright, Dude?" he asked.
"I don't even know what that means." I replied.
Rob sat on the floor and cradled my torso gently. "I'm so sorry Dude. Do you want to come in with me tonight?"
"Naw. Thanks! I'm going to wait for him here."
"Okay. Hey! He was drunk. We all were. It'll be okay in the morning."
"Yeah - I hope so."
He was about to close his door. "You sure you don't want to - come sleep with me tonight."
"Rob, you know I do! But I want to be here when he comes home. I don't want him to find me in your bed."
"Yeah, I guess. Maybe I should stay with you, here."
"Just go to bed. I'll be alright."
"G'night." He said as he disappeared into his room. "I love you." He didn't close the door.
I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to sleep. It wasn't really very long before I heard the key in the door. He needn't have bothered. It wasn't locked. He very quietly opened the door. He didn't see me on the couch until he flipped the light on.
"OH! You're awake."
"Yeah."
He headed into our room and flipped that light on. He stopped. I think he then remembered he forgot to make the bed. He turned and looked at me. He knew I knew. And he knew I knew he knew I knew! His eyes filled with tears. "What?" I said.
"I don't know."
"You don't know."
"No."
"What don't you know!"
"Chris, I am so confused! But -"
"But?"
"I am still pretty fucked up. Can we put off this discussion until tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
I could hear he was getting undressed, and I could hear when he got into bed. Then I could hear as he got back up again. He padded out and sat down in front of me. "Please come to bed - please?" I got up, and he went in and held open the sheet for me. I climbed in. He followed and spooned me. I felt cold. Then I heard motion in the other room. Then Rob came in, and climbed in behind Craig. He put his giant arm around both of us. As if to try to hold us together.
Chapter notes: This was a total surprise and shock to me! When I write, I AM Chris. I adore Rob. And I LOVE Craig! I want to tell you that I know where this is going - but I don't! It is like a living, breathing thing, almost apart from me. Life is not a big party, all smiles and laughs. So neither is my story. If you have comments, complain or exult, but don't bother to try to affect the outcome. Please mention "Chris" in the subject box, and send it to s4d@hotmail.com.