"Come on hon, it's been over six weeks," Glenn said as he waited in bed with a hard-on."
"I'll be right back," Kyle said nervously.
When he did come back, Kyle was carrying the heart monitor machine. Glenn moaned as sat up so Kyle could put the sensors on him.
"Kyle, do we relay need to do this. We have made love a dozen times since the incident and I'm still alive."
"Thanks to these machines," Kyle said as he patted the top of the heart monitor.
"Kyle? I know you are still scared but we need to move on. It's affecting our sex life."
"Sorry Glenn, but it would just kill me if us making love hurt you again," Kyle said, the sadness showing in his face.
"I understand." Glenn gave up.
With great care so as not to get tangles in the wires, the two of them made love. It was while Glenn was fucking that the power went out.
"Glenn, you ok?" Kyle said panicked.
"I'm more than ok?" Glenn laughed as he kept on pounding.
"But the machines?" Kyle asked as he tried to find them in the darkness.
"Fuck the machines. Kyle do you 'really' want us to stop just because of a fuse?"
It might have been that Glenn was really fucking him hard, it might have been that it felt good not to hear the beeping of the machines but Kyle decided not to protest. He heard the sound of Glenn ripping off the patches. Soon Glenn was lying on top of him, kissing Kyle's face and neck while he really went at it with Kyle's ass.
When Glenn finally cummed inside his lover he let out a deep satisfying moan. Glenn had to admit all the exercise had help build up his stamina. He was barely winded. "That was wonderful my love," Glenn said as he kissed Kyle gently on the lips.
"You haven't been this passionate in years," Kyle said amazed.
"I take it that you liked sex without the machine." Glenn grinned.
"Uhmmmm?" Kyle stalled, not wanting to admit that he had been wrong.
"It's ok, babe? but tomorrow that machine goes back to the hospital," Glenn said firmly.
"But?" Kyle wanted to protest.
"Kyle? I want to love you fully, not have to stop each time my heart rate jumps. For that not to happen I would have to stop loving you as just being with you sends my heart racing."
"I just don't want you to die."
"Yes, but you also want me to live and the only way I know how to live is by loving you."
"I understand. The machine will go back tomorrow," Kyle relented.
"Good? now I'm going to see what is wrong with the power. You stay here." Glenn grinned as he got out of the bed and headed out.
Glenn walked through the dark house with a satisfied grin on his face. Getting rid of the heart monitor had not really been for himself but for Kyle. With all the beeping and flashing lights, Kyle could not escape his fears of loving Glenn to death. The power outage was just the thing Kyle needed to get over it.
"Ok Tad, you can turn the lights back on," Glenn called out into the dark garage.
"Just one second," Tad grunted.
"Ok?" Glenn waited. The fuse box was near the basement stairs so he did not want to take the risk of tripping but after a while, when the power did not go back on and the grunting and moaning were only getting louder, he made his way carefully over to the fuse box, feeling his way till he touched the metal case and flipped the switches back on. This flooded the room with light that blinded Glenn for a second but when he could see again he almost fell down the stairs in laughter.
On the hood of Kyle's car was Richard with a sock stuffed in his mouth, fucking him was Tad while he still had his workout clothes on. "Having fun you two?" Glenn laughed.
"Just breaking my boy in!" Tad grinned as he kept on fucking.
"Your boy?" Glenn asked.
"Yep? he is a decade younger than me, he is my bottom, and still learning the ropes, so yes I would say he is my boy? aren't you, Rich?"
Glenn saw that Richard shook his head yes.
"That's my boy!"
Glenn had to agree that Richard, after loosing 40 pounds of fat and gaining a lot of lean muscle did look boyish. Of course Tad had added to that image by taking Richard shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, and the Gap, remaking Richard into a 34-year-old college frat boy.
With a final push, Tad deposited his seed deep inside Richards bowls. Tad then took the sock out of Richard's mouth and raised him up for a kiss. "How is my boy doing?"
"Real good," Richard sighed.
"Kiss?" Tad asked as he moved his lips inches from Richard's.
"Kiss," Richard agreed as he planted a light peck on Tad's lips.
"Kiss," Richard said again as he returned the kiss but much harder, with Tad wrapping his arm around Richard's waist so he could lower him back down on the hood of the car.
Seeing that the two of them were just getting started again, Glenn went back into the house where he found Terry reading a book.
"Are the two of them having fun?" Terry asked, not looking up from her page.
"Yes?" Glenn replied nervous.
"Good." Terry smiled, putting the book down to face Glenn.
"Good?" Glenn asked, surprised.
"Yes? I want Richard to be happy."
"But he is cheating on you."
"No? I gave him permission to have his fun with Tad."
"That does not hurt you?"
"Nothing compared to when I gave Josh to Robert."
"But Terry you deserve to be happy," Glenn said concerned as he took a seat next to her.
"And I am? you have no idea how boring Richard was in bed before Tad broke him in. Richard use to act like touching me was committing a sin. Now, he is very adventuresome."
"But you don't worry about him leaving you?"
"Oh no? that is one of Tad's rules. He never breaks couples up, but he has told me that he is really taken with my husband. Best client he has had in years."
"Best how?"
"Oh come on, Glenn, you know what Tad is?"
"No I don't?"
"He is a Dom? as in dominatrix? a master only that he achieves with personality and presence what others do with leather and whips. How else is he able to get you and Kyle to work your asses off while living off celery sticks."
"I see your point," Glenn agreed. Tad was sort of a GQ bully.
"And my husband is submissive," Terry added.
"Richard? nah he is just a little shy."
"Come on, Glenn? His best friend offered him a job in San Diego and turned it down because he was afraid I would have asked to stay for the kids. He didn't even bother asking me. For the holidays when it comes time to visit family he agrees to see whomever I want. I have to pick his family over mine or else he would never see them."
"Ok? so he does not have the strongest backbone in the world."
"No he doesn't, but Tad is giving him one."
"By treating him like a college kid?"
"Yes?it's really very simple? Richard is like a child looking for approval. Tad gives him that approval whenever my husband does what Tad tells him to do. Tad's approval gives him the self-confidence to make love to me in bed, to talk to his friend in San Diego about the job, to be happy with himself."
"So? Tad has been good for your marriage. What if Richard decides he wants to leave you for another man."
"Tad and I are working on that one." Terry smiled mysteriously.
"What do you mean?" Glenn said suspicious.
"Let's just say that Richard is not the only one cheating with Tad."
"OH MY GOSH!" Glenn exclaimed as his gray eyebrows shot up.
Andrew woke up feeling at peace. His head was nestled between Robert's head and shoulder. Josh had his own head resting on Andrew's chest. Both men had their arms protectively around Andrew.
Andrew let out a deep sigh of relief. He had expected Thanksgiving dinner to turn into a shouting match instead he had ended up in bed with both Robert and Josh, not for sex but for comfort.
It felt good to be back in his old room with everything but the bed the same. This is where he belonged. Not necessarily in bed with Josh and Robert but with his family. Yet? Andrew did not want to be alone. He did not want to have his sex life end with the pity cuddle from Josh and whatever pleasure Andrew could gain from his own two hands. He needed a sex partner and Edward was not the type of person he would want to bring into the family.
That was secondary to the fact that Andrew didn't really love Edward. He and Josh had been given an invitation to attend a dinner of high power gay men. Josh had missed it to go on his annual trip to the lake with Robert and the boys. Andrew knew he should have gone down with Josh but he was feeling a little peeved. The lake house belonged to Robert and he ran it like it was his. Robert set the schedule, planned the meals, determined who did what. It was also the place where Robert and Josh let down some of their barriers when it came to how they felt about each other.
So Andrew had stayed home and gone to the dinner party. It was a mixture of the rich and cute. Andrew, having worked nearly as hard as Josh in keeping his body in shape, was a little of both and so attracted the college age toy boys and the better looking rich business men as well. For Andrew it was a change of pace? being the desirable one in the room. He felt he had to work hard for Josh's attention so it felt good to not have to do anything to be the center of attention here.
Edward had not been blind to the attention Andrew attracted and soon took him in hand, introducing Andrew to many of the same people who attended his sex parties. Edward invited him to the next one, which was coming up soon.
It had been the second week of Josh and the kids being gone at the lake that Andrew had enough of just jacking off alone in bed. He went to Edward's party and he did have sex with the many men available there, including Vale and Edward.
That had begun his downward spiral. Edward introduced him to more men than Andrew could remember the names of. Sex, once a form of expressing love to Josh, was now just a mindless activity he did to forget that Robert had first place in Josh's heart. Andrew did feel guilty for cheating, but his only solution for it was to sleep with more men. He had become a sex addict. Instead of drugs, alcohol, or psychotherapy he had turned to fucking men to forget his pain.
But just like anything else taken into excess, it had led to his downfall. Andrew knew that Edward liked him only because he felt he had found a kindred spirit? a wealthy middle-aged, yet hot guy who seemed to enjoy sex as much as he did.
To be honest Andrew had enjoyed himself. The sex had been great. The freedom to sleep with whoever he wanted had been good as well but as a form of life style it was crappy. Waking up more days than not with a hangover and in bed with Edward plus several other men left him with an empty feeling inside. It had been good to enjoy himself for once but the guilt of feeling he was doing nothing productive, nothing to move himself into the type of loving relationship he had always wanted, had given him a bad attitude that he had taken out on Greg.
Now Andrew had choices to make: stay with Edward for the sex or move back home and try to repair the damage he had caused to everyone, especially his son.
"Morning Andrew," Robert said as he kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey?" Andrew said as he tried to clear his mind of depressing thoughts.
"Come on, let's let Josh sleep in. He did cook for all of us last night," Robert said as he slipped out of the sheets.
"OK?" Andrew said as he joined Robert. He could sense a talk coming.
Handing Andrew one of his spare bathrobes as he put one on himself, Robert led Andrew downstairs to the library.
"Rumor as it that you have some info about the trouble David is in," Robert said once he took a seat.
"Yes? I might," Andrew agreed.
"Well? what is it."
"I? I found an army knife in the toilet in Scott's bathroom."
"Well, finding a knife in the toilet is a little suspicious but why do you think it is linked to the murder?"
"I don't know? Maybe because of the fight Scott and his father had that night."
"Tell me about it."
"I, Edward, Vale and a few of the house boys?"
"House boys?" Robert said with raised eyebrows.
"Yes Robert? I've been a little slutty lately. I think I've more than paid the price for it."
"I'd say you have," Robert agreed. What could be worse than getting AIDS as a result of indiscretion?
"Scott came back home? very angry but not with Edward at first but with Vale. He accused him of sleeping with one of his patients. That was the first time I learned that Vale had AIDS."
"I see? continue," Robert sighed.
"Vale just laughed his head off and left the table. Scott tried to follow but was stopped by his father, fists were thrown and Scott left, with his father on the ground with a bruised lip."
"You slept with Vale?"
"Yes? I got myself tested the next week. Edward kept on telling me he was not infected, but I pushed him to get tested. I swear Edward knew he was infected, but as long as a doctor did not tell him he was he could keep on pretending. I feel sorry for the house boys? I'm sure they are infected as well."
"Have you warned them?" Robert asked.
"No? and before you yell at me about that it is a complex issue. The boys know if they come out positive they would most likely get kicked out of the house. Knowing Edward, he would blame them instead of Vale for his infection. As long as the boys don't know they are infected they have a roof over their heads."
"And slowly dying when they should be getting treatment," Robert said bitterly
"Yes?" Andrew admitted.
"Tell them," Robert said sternly. There was no hiding that it was an order than a request.
"I will? Edward will kick me out of the house though."
"Fine? move back here. I also want you to find housing, medical treatment, and consoling for those boys who want it."
"That will cost me a fortune!" Andrew exclaimed.
"I know? I also know you are good for it."
"Fine? but I hope you know I'm also a victim here."
"Barely? yes, you were tricked by Edward and Vale, but you were just fooling yourself if you thought living there would not have its risks."
"I know? that is my fault, but those kids?"
"Did you sleep with most of them?"
"Yes," Andrew admitted.
"Then you have some responsibility. Look? just enlighten them that they need to get tested and tell them you will help them regardless of the results. Some of them will be like Edward and stick their heads in the sand, but one or two might really want your help and if you ever want to lessen the guilt I know you are feeling, you will give them that help."
"Ok?"
"So back to the knife and argument. Do you have the knife on you?"
"Yes. It's in the car."
"Good? we can give it the forensic experts we hired to see if it is really the murder weapon."
"Ok," Andrew sighed.
"Now tell me. How did Scott know that Vale had AIDS and you or Edward did not?"
"I don't know."
"Then let's find out. Go get the knife and come back here," Robert said as he got up and left.
Andrew left for his cold car and pick up the box he had the knife in before heading back into the warm house. Ten minutes passed before Robert returned with a sleepy Scott in tow. Andrew wanted to leave but he knew that Robert wanted him to stay.
"What's up?" Scott said as he took a seat.
"Show him," Robert said looking at Andrew.
"I found this hidden in the tank of your toilet," Andrew said as he opened the box with the knife.
"Looks like one of the knives me and my father collect," Scott dismissed.
"Why was it hidden in your toilet?" Robert asked.
"I don't know? I would not have hidden it there."
"Is it your knife or your father's?"
Scott picked up the large knife and examined it before putting it back. "It's mine but that doesn't mean anything, all the knives are kept in the den, both mine and my father's."
"So anyone could have access to it?" Robert asked.
"No? they are kept in a locked case. Someone would need one of the keys."
"Ok? let's change topic. Tell me about the night of the murder. You and David both left early. David has told us his story. What is yours?"
"I went home. Picked up a few things and then?"
"You and your dad got into a fight," Andrew finished.
"Yes, but we always fight," Scott dismissed.
"About AIDS?" Andrew pressed.
"Ok? so I've know for some time that Vale has AIDS? so what."
"Tell us how you knew?" Robert asked.
"Hey? that's confidential info," Scott said evasively.
"Scott? stop fooling around. David is in some serious trouble and if this knife does turn out to be the murder weapon you are in trouble as well."
"It's not the murder weapon," Scott brushed off.
"How do you know that?" Andrew said angrily.
"I?" Scott could not finish.
"Scott? help us," Robert almost begged, getting out of his seat.
"Ok? I'll tell you, but you have to keep it a secret."
"Alright," Robert said taking his seat again.
"I bought a few skeleton keys off the internet. You know the kind the police have. I've used it to get in and out of the house all the time."
"Continue," Robert encouraged.
"The one of the rooms I love breaking into was Vale's office. He keeps all the files on his patients in there. It's funny reading the sarcastic comments he writes down about them. Ok? "
"Yes," Robert replied to show he understood so far.
"One of those files turned out to be Thomas's. Can you believe that? Thomas was one of Vale's patients. So I read his file and you know what I found out?" Scott giggled.
"No? tell us," Robert said getting tired of how Scott was dragging things out.
"The two of them were screwing around. I mean I knew that Vale had been fired for having sex with one of his patients I just didn't know he went after guys my own age."
"Damn," Robert sighed as he began to put the pieces together. "So Thomas got AIDS from Vale."
"I didn't know that Thomas was infected till I learned at Glenn's house."
"Then how did you know that Vale was infected?"
"Well, besides checking on his files I also peaked into his meds closet. You know the one where he keeps all the free samples the drug companies hand out. I sometimes took a zanax or two to get a buzz"
"Ok? so we now know we need to get you to drug counseling's and you found AIDS meds in the closet."
"Hey, I'm trying to help you out," Scott whined.
"And we will help you out as well," Robert replied unsympathetically.
"But how do you know that Vale was taking the meds?" Andrew asked.
"Because I know that none of his patients had AIDS. I read their charts after all. I noticed that the supply would go up and down as if they were being consumed and replaced. My guess is that Vale was using them on himself."
"He might have also given them to Thomas," Robert added. "His parents didn't know he had AIDS."
"That is something we can also prove. The drugs showed up during forensics. If they are the same ones Vale has in his drug closet we can prove that Vale knew about Thomas's condition and was treating it," Andrew said excitedly.
"I think I see what happened," Robert said as he began to put the pieces together. "After you found out that Thomas had AIDS you went to confront Vale about it? yes?"
"Yes" Scott replied. "It was the only thing that made sense. Why would a psychiatrist have AIDS meds in the first place? I suspected that Vale was using it on himself. I also knew that Vale was fucking Thomas so when I learned that Thomas also had AIDS I knew who to blame."
"Ok so you go home and accuse Vale of infecting Thomas? Vale must not have been happy with that."
"Of course not? he was not only having sex with a kid but also his patient. He would be screwed if that ever was found out," Scott suddenly realized.
"Could Vale have obtained the keys to the knife case?" Robert asked, remaining calm.
"Getting my dad's pants off was a specialty of Vale's. Yeah, I would have to say getting the key would have been easy for him."
"The cuts on Thomas's body have been described as almost medical in precision. That is why the police have been investigating every doctor David had contact with to see if David witnessed any surgeries. Vale is a psychiatrist, but I would not be surprised if he did a ER or surgery rotation some time in his training." Robert grinned as he felt himself building a case around Vale.
"It would be good if he did," Andrew agreed.
"So Vale killed Thomas to prevent him from telling anyone about their relationship," Scott said, amazed.
"Looks like it. It all depends if this knife is really the murder weapon," Robert said as he held the sharp blade.
"This is going to ruin my dad," Scott said when the implications of this coming out hit him.
The week that the forensics team had the knife was the most stressful the house had ever been. The ringing of the phone sent such panic in everyone that Josh had to eventually call his investigation team and ask him to not call only his office. Still, whenever Josh came home from work he would be barraged by questions.
So as not to create suspicion, Andrew agreed to stay with Edward till things were known one way or the other. Still, Andrew could not hide his distaste for Vale but the members of the house easily explained that away as Vale was being more smug than usual. Nothing would have made Andrew happier than telling everyone in the house that Vale had infected all of them with AIDS but he had to wait till he could move back home.
In preparation for this, Andrew had his son's things moved to Josh's house. This not only made Greg happy, but Vale and Edward as well, as they had never cared for Andrew son's squeamish personality.
David though suffered the worst. It was his fate that was at stake. If he could name Vale as the killer he could even hope to get off all charges. Josh warned that it would not be easy though. Thomas's parents were convinced that David took part in their son's murder and they wanted him to face some punishment.
The first good news to come out of the revelation of Vale's past with Thomas was that Eric knew who to concentrate on. After staying up for three days with no sleep Eric brought over a large stack of papers, which were complex, but hinted that Vale had sent the messages to Thomas and David telling them to go to the soccer field. The connection was that Vale's credit card was used as a deposit at two different internet cafes and while aliases had been used in attempt to hide their origin, the text messages that both David and Thomas received originated from computers in those cafes.
So that mystery seemed to be solved. On further questioning Scott admitted that he had read about Thomas's relationship with David in the file Vale kept on Thomas. Robert now suspected that when Scott had accused Vale of infecting Thomas, Vale had quickly guessed that David must have just found out the same as well. Robert found what Vale did disgusting, but he had to agree the man had a quick mind. How else could he have arranged the murder of Thomas and framing David for the crime in a matter of hours?
It was late Friday night and the family was huddled in the den waiting for Josh to return. Even Robert did not know where he was as his calls to Josh's cell phone went unanswered. Around seven, Josh did call and asked Scott to join him at his law firm. Three more hours passed with no additional news so when the front door finally opened everyone jumped and went to see if it was Josh.
Josh was there but he was not alone. Standing next to him were two police investigators, Scott, and the District Attorney.
"Uncle Josh?" David asked worried.
Josh let out a deep sigh before speaking with a small smile?"It was the murder weapon."
"Yes!" David jumped up and down in excitement
"With the rest of the evidence we have gathered the DA now believes that Vale was the killer. He has been arrested and held without bail," Josh added as David, now crying went to his father and hugged him.
"Thomas's family has been told but so far they don't believe it yet," the DA spoke up. "They still want us to press murder charges against you, lad, but with what we know there is little chance of it standing up in court. The charge of making violent threats though will stand. I'm sorry. Thomas's family has been lobbying hard with the government to see you punished."
"I did make those calls and I'm ready to be punished for them."
"That is why I'm going to offer you a deal. If they can't get the murder charge to stick to you they want you to face the maximum sentence on the lesser charge. I'm offering you three months jail and two years probation. I'm also offering you complete immunity to the murder charge so that if Vale tries to pin the crime on you, you will be safe. If you don't take a deal you will face a hostile jury pool and could face three to six years."
Having a clue to how Vale's mind worked. None of the family would be surprised if Vale already had a story that would pin the blame on David. "I accept your deal," David said without a moments thought.
"Your sentencing will just be a formality. The judge has already agreed to the deal. I was also able to get him to delay sentencing until January 5th so you can spend Christmas with your family."
"Thanks."
"Where can we sign the papers?" the DA asked.
"In the library," Josh said as he led the way.
While the whole family watched, David and the DA signed the plea agreement and immunity deal. The DA and the two investigators then left the house so that the family could be alone.
"It's over?" Mike sighed as he hugged his son close to him.
"I'm so sorry, dad," David cried.
"Why?" Mike said as he looked into his son's gray eyes.
"I should have never made those phone calls."
"You were angry. We were all angry. What you did was irresponsible but you stood up and took responsibility for it. If Thomas had not been killed, you would have gotten off with probation. It's Vale's fault."
While David continued to rest against his father's body, Nathan came up from behind David and wrapped his arms around him. David let go of his dad and turned to face Nathan before kissing him on each cheek gently.
"I need to be alone with Nate right now," David excused himself as he pulled Nathan away.
"Use my bedroom," Greg offered.
"No? we're going to our old room. The room we shared for years," Nathan said with a squeeze of David's hand.
Once the two of them were out of sight, Mike went over to Josh and pulled him into a bear hug. "Thank you Josh," Mike wept.
"What for?" Josh asked confused.
"For letting your son be with mine."
"I never told him he couldn't," Josh said as he patted Mike on the back.
"I know, but all you had to tell Nathan was that you disapprove and he would have listened to you. Thank you."
"I felt uncomfortable at first, but after I saw Nate look at David like I do Robert, I knew I could not interfere."
On hearing his name mentioned, Robert joined the hug, wrapping his arms around both Josh and Mike. Soon Patrick added his hug as well. Scott grabbed hold of Greg in a tight squeeze; Jeff and Jeremy leaned against each other with happy smiles on their faces. This left Philip, but that did not remain for long. Josh saw him standing all alone with his arm's crossed looking lonely, so Josh let go with one of his hands and used it to wave Philip over. At first Philip shook his head no, but when Josh smiled and kept on waving Philip could not help but grin and join them.
"You're family, Philip. No reason for you to be alone," Josh told him when he wrapped an arm around Philip.
"Yes?yes? dad," Philip said as he felt his eyes water. He was finally part of the family he had wanted to be a part of since Josh had been his softball coach. It was a tight fit, but he was able to wrap both arms around Josh's waist while he cried on the shorter man's shoulder.
"I wish I could adopt you." Josh smiled as he held Philip close.
"I want you to adopt me," Philip whimpered. "I want to be David, Nate's, and Greg's brother. I want you and Robert to be my parents."
"Then we will just have to do something about that." Robert grinned as he kissed the top of Philip's head.
All this family closeness was very healing after a week of stress and worrying, but it could not last. With knocking on the front door, everyone let their arms fall down to their sides.
Josh, not knowing who could be coming at this hour, left to see who was at the door. What he found in front of him took him aback. Standing in the cold were three college age boys who looked nervous. In the background Andrews Mercedes SUV was in sight, but as soon as Josh opened the front door it started to drive off.
"Can I help you?" Josh asked, not sure what to make of these strangers at his door.
"Andrew brought us here. Is it true that he, Vale, and Edward all have AIDS?" a scared voice asked.
Now realizing who these boy had to be, Josh got out of the way, letting them enter the house. "Why did Andrew drive off?" Josh asked as all three men came in.
"He went to get more of our stuff. Edward's place is now a graveyard," a boy with peroxide blond hair explained.
"Yeah? word is getting out. Edward paid us each a grand and told all of us to leave his house. I think he is going into hiding. The phone was ringing off the hook," a guy with short dark brown hair and remarkable violet eyes added.
"Are you all the boys who lived there?" Robert asked as he came in the entryway.
"No? this is less than half of us. Edward's favorite went off with Edward to the airport. Three others are staying around to see if anyone comes back. Those are the ones who have been around for a while. We are mostly the new guys, except for Aiden. He was Vale's fav," the peroxide blond explained, pointing to the guy with violet eyes.
"Shut up!" Aidanshouted back as he tried to make himself invisible.
"Hey, that's enough of that!" Josh jumped in. "Regardless of who was the fav of who, you are all in the same boat. All of you are homeless and afraid you have been infected," Josh nearly shouted, which received grumbles in return.
"What are we going to do?" a guy with a military cut, natural blond hair said, panicked.
"Calm down, Justin," Aidansaid as he tried to hug the frightened young man.
"No? you fucked me! You probably infected me."
"Andrew also fucked you. He could have as well," Aidansaid sternly while he still tried to comfort him.
"Justin was Andrew's fav," the peroxide blond whispered to Josh.
"You are just a gossip hound, aren't you," Josh said with distaste.
"Hey, just trying to help," the guy said as he stepped back from Josh.
"We know the other guys' names, but what is yours?" Robert asked.
"Oliver Staples." The guy grinned as he offered his hand to Robert. Robert did not take it.
"Well, until Andrew gets back ya'll will have to wait in the den."
"Fine with me," Aidangrunted as he picked up his bags.
"I hope you have some grub for us," Oliver replied as he followed Robert to the den.
"Are you ok?" Josh asked Justin, who still looked very upset.
"No I'm not? I got kicked out of the military for being gay. I think I find a chance of a lifetime when I met Edward, only to get AIDS. I have no money. No education. No future? I'm screwed."
"I'm sorry, Justin. We will try to help you."
"Help? Edward offered to help and look where it got me."
Remembering how Oliver had said that Justin was Andrew's favorite, Josh decided to play that card. "Do you trust Andrew?" he asked.
"Yes? that is why I agreed to come here."
"Andrew and I are very close. He would want me to help you."
"Do you have AIDS?" Justin asked.
"No? Andrew and I were together before he met Edward."
"Why did he leave you? or did you leave him?"
"We sort of left each other," was the only way Josh could explain it.
"Unlucky him to get hooked up with Edward and get AIDS."
"Yes, but he's coming back home where he belongs." Josh smiled as he led Justin to the den.
"Would my life have been so fucked up if I had been straight?" Justin felt he had to ask.
"Being gay is never easy, but we still have choices to make and they make all the difference."
"All I have made lately have been wrong choices," Justin agreed.
"Come on, let's get some food into you. No more worrying till tomorrow."
"OK?" Justin sighed as he tried to put today behind him.