The following fictional narrative involves sexually-explicit erotic events between men. If you shouldn't be reading this, don't read it.
In the world of this story, the characters hardly ever use condoms. In the real world, you should care enough about yourself and others to always practice safe sex.
The author retains all rights. No reproductions or links to other sites are allowed without the author's consent.
On July 22, Patrick Young posted the final chapter of a remarkable story, "Clay" (Beginnings). This is an account of Clay's odyssey, which is not merely sexual, though it is that surely; Clays grows intellectually and spiritually during these fourteen chapters as well. Congratulations, Patrick!
Tom W., my patient, hardworking editor, wrote David's account of the party near the end of this chapter. Thanks, Tommy, for ALL you do. Thanks as always to Mickey, Evan, Patrick, and Ash.
Timmead88@yahoo.com Chapter 24: Reprise
The breakfasts at Tim and Cedric's house had continued to evolve. None of the three was happy with the two runners eating before they had showered, so, since Max lived only three doors down the street, he went home and showered. Tim showered at his place. Then Max came back to eat breakfast with Cedric and Tim. Cedric always managed to put a hot breakfast on the table just as the two runners, clean but with damp hair, appeared in the kitchen.
Early in the week before Labor Day, the three were eating blueberry pancakes with sausage patties.
"Mmm! Max moaned. "Ced, I've done nothing to deserve this, but it's heaven, man. Thanks for including me in your spoiling Tim like this."
"Spoilage, indeed, Ced. This is sinfully good, lover," Tim said.
"Aww, shucks! "'Tweren't nothin," Ced replied, grinning.
"Hey, guys," Max said. "I'm reluctant to bring up my recent lapse of judgment, but were you as intrigued by the fling Chaz had with David as I am?"
"What do you mean?" Ced asked.
"He probably means he thinks David sounds like a sizzler," Tim explained.
Ced and Max both chuckled.
"Oh, man, now I understand," Cedric exclaimed. "Can you imagine those silk pants? And he's a red-head. You know I have the hots for a redhead already, but that long red hair and those pants! Whooee! Old Chaz must have been over the moon."
Tim took Cedric's hand. "Remember, babe, that Chaz left David behind because he wanted to be with Trey."
"Well, yeah, I understand that. And not to put down my brother Trey, but I'd still like to at least get a look at that David guy."
"Down, boy!" Tim laughed.
"Guys," Max said, "I'm with Cedric. I've fantasized about David ever since I read Chaz's journal. In fact . . ." He made jacking motions with his hand.
Ced opened his eyes wide and looked shocked. "Father, I'm surprised at you. Don't tell me that you pull your pud!"
Tim laughed again. "Cedric, you thought Max was doing more than that not so long ago."
"Oh, remind me again of what an ass I was, why don't you?" Ced grinned to show he had been joking.
"Well, anyway," Max said, "I wouldn't mind a few hours in bed with David."
"Didn't Chaz say David had gone to California?" Ced asked.
"Yeah," Tim replied, "it said in the journal he was going out there."
Max sighed and then grinned. "Oh, well, a guy can dream."
Tim got up and refilled their coffee cups.
"So, Max, will you be able to be at Chaz and Trey's party this weekend?"
"Wouldn't miss it!"
Chaz and Trey had decided to have a party at their place on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, with the same people who had been at the party the night Steve was attacked -- except that Steve would be there this time.
"That reminds me," Tim said. "Trey and Chaz are going to Cincinnati Wednesday. They were supposed to have gone down for the weekend, but they've changed their plans because of the party."
"Yep," Ced replied, "that's what they told me."
"But what's going to happen to Steve?" Tim asked.
"Maybe he's going along?" Max suggested.
"I don't think he's able to spend that much time in a car yet," Tim said. "Why don't we ask him here?"
"Cool. He really shouldn't go back to his own place as long as the cops haven't made an arrest, even when he's able to be by himself again."
Max looked pensive for a moment. "You know, I hadn't even thought of that. Those guys might try to jump him again. He really shouldn't be alone, should he?"
"No way," Ced replied. "The only problem is that he still has trouble with stairs. If he came here, he'd have to sleep on our couch in the living room, and I don't know how comfortable he'd be there."
"My new couch pulls out into a sofa. Why couldn't Steve stay with me?"
"Cool!" Ced exclaimed.
"Whoa, guys," Tim said. "Steve doesn't know Max very well. Maybe he'd be uncomfortable being with Max." Then he looked at his old friend. "No offense, Maxie, I just know that Steve's a little shy."
Ced chuckled. "Well, he's had to get over some of that quickly! I hear Trey has been helping him in the shower."
Max giggled. "Trey could help me in the shower anytime."
"Down, horndog! Ced's right. You are one randy priest! Let's call over there and see what they have in mind for Steve while they're gone. We'll see what Steve thinks about staying with you. If that won't do, he'll have to stay with us -- and he'll be most welcome."
"Sounds like a plan." Max rose to leave. "Thanks, Ced, for another one of your wonderful breakfasts. You've done enough penance, you know. You don't have to keep fixing breakfast for me."
"Max, I'm fixing for Timmy and me anyway. It's no trouble." Ced looked at Tim. "And both of us enjoy having you here. So you just keep on coming whenever you can, OK?"
Max hugged Ced, then Tim. "OK, guys, that's an offer I can't turn down. So, please tell Steve he's welcome to stay with me this week."
He looked at Ced and Tim standing there, arms around each other, smiling at him.
"I love you both. Bye."
That same morning, Francis and Rodney were driving west on route 10 toward Oberlin. They were about to begin their final year. Rodney had an appointment with his organ professor, and Francis planned to spend some time at the Co-op, the college bookstore.
Rodney broke the silence. "Hey, hunk. Did you ever call Ced to see how that guy was that was attacked the night of their party?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry I forgot to tell you. He had some cracked ribs and bruises. He's out of the hospital now, staying with Chaz and Trey for a while. Seems he's still awfully sore and can't do much for himself."
"Did they ever catch the guys who did that to him?"
"No. Ced explained to me that they all know who did it, but that there's just no evidence against them except Steve's say-so."
"That sucks!"
"You got that right, baby. By the way, I also asked my old buddy about his weird behavior the evening of the party. We were right. He was jealous of Father Max. Apparently Trey and Chaz both got on Tim's case about it. Seems Tim had no idea he was making Ced jealous. He took Ced out to dinner at the best restaurant in town, there were flowers waiting on the doorstep when they got home, and then they had a night of beautiful sex. So Ced has forgiven him. He even says he's getting to like Max."
Rodney put his hand on the back of Francis's head. "I think I'll make you jealous. I'd love to get that kind of apology. That's very romantic."
"You want flowers, babe? I'll buy you fucking flowers! I'll take you to a nice restaurant. And I'll be happy to fuck you silly. But don't you go trying to make me jealous!"
Rodney laughed. "OK, it's a deal. But I'm going to hold you to it."
"Oh, I almost forgot. It's too bad we have to go to your folks' place this Saturday. Chaz and Trey are having a repeat of the party, but at their apartment this time. They've invited the same people who were at Ced's place that night, plus, of course, Steve, the guy who was mugged."
"Wish they'd invite that Geoff Benton. He's cute. But he no doubt has his usual gig at Nighttown."
"I SAID, white meat, that you don't want to make me jealous," Francis replied, grinning.
"Well, I can probably handle my mother. All I have to do is stick out my lower lip like a little kid pouting, and she'll do anything I want."
Francis chuckled. "I know, babe. It works on me all the time."
"No way!" Rodney said indignantly, "I never do that to you."
"Yeah, right! But seriously, man, we can go to your folks' Sunday or Monday. Let's try to get to the party with the guys Saturday."
"I'm sure that won't be a problem," Rodney said, smiling.
TIM:
After Max left, I helped Cedric clean up the kitchen.
Ced chuckled.
"What?" I asked.
"Your old buddy seems to have the hots for a guy he's never seen."
I laughed and said, "I think you're right. But you've got to admit, Chaz's description of the sex he and David had was powerfully erotic. And that dream! If I hadn't had a pretty remarkable dream or two lately, I wouldn't have believed Chaz could have dreamed of the guy before David showed up in real life. Anyway, I wouldn't mind getting a look at the fabulous David myself."
Ced grabbed me and pulled me close. "Shit, man. Now I gotta be jealous of Max AND David? And what's this about a funny dream?"
"Well, stud, now that you're talking jealousy again, I'm almost afraid to tell you. But I had a dream of Trey and me earlier this summer. The weird thing is that he had almost the same dream."
"Oh, that. Yeah, he told me about it. You haven't had that dream again, have you," he asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"No, just the one time. Now, will you relax? Be confident. Be comfortable. Know that I love your black ass and nobody else's?" I put my arms around Cedric's chest and squeezed.
Cedric grabbed me by putting one hand on each of my globes and pulled me up into a kiss.
When we broke, both breathless, Cedric grinned. "I think I need some reassurance. What say we take this to the bedroom?"
As we turned to go, I swatted Ced on the ass and said, "You don't need reassurance. You're just perpetually horny."
Ced put his hand on my ass, middle finger poking into my crack, and said, "Whatever works, little stud, whatever works."
It didn't take long for us to shed the shorts and tee shirts we had pulled on after our morning showers. I pushed him down onto the still-unmade bed.
He often managed to take my breath away. There he lay, Sneaky upright and waving at me. He smiled beautifully as he said, "I need a lot of reassurance, daddy. You wouldn't fuck me if you didn't love me, would you?"
"Baby, any guy standing where I am who wouldn't fuck you would have to be a eunuch -- or straight!"
He laughed. "Well, I know you're not a eunuch. And Junior seems pretty interested. I want him in me, please. NOW, please, daddy."
"You slut! You don't even want any foreplay? Can't I eat your ass for a while first?"
"Well, since you put it like that . . . NO, babe, just fuck me."
I laughed as he handed me the WET. "Cedric, you are a slut. What have I done to you?"
"What you haven't done since sometime before midnight is fuck me. Now, I need a refresher, a reminder of last night."
I got Junior well slicked up. Then I squirted a batch on his pucker, which he was presenting impatiently to me, his knees drawn back to his shoulders.. I worked in a finger, then two.
"That's plenty, hon. I'm ready."
I put the tip of my cock, which was not only covered with lube but by now also oozing out plenty of its own juice, against his pucker. I barely applied any pressure when Junior was consumed by Ced's hungry hole. Maybe one of the advantages of having a smaller than average tool is that you are less likely to hurt your lover. On the other hand, I often worried that I wasn't big enough to satisfy him.
The feelings emanating from my cock and spreading through my body made me forget my worry, as did Ced's running commentary.
"Oh, yes, Timmy, yes, baby, that's what I want. Fuck me hard, man, hard. Ride me!"
I didn't need any encouragement, pumping away with abandon. After a while, feeling I was getting close to coming, I stopped pumping and leaned over on top of Ced. I began to suck one of his nipples. He raised his head up and stuck his tongue out. I touched it with the tip of my tongue. We dueled that way for a while. Then he grinned at me and said, "What's the matter old man, have I worn you out?"
For that I bit his nip before I rose back up and began to bang in and out.
"Hey, for somebody who's almost twenty-seven, you're still pretty good. After a rest, that is."
I shut him up by reaching down and grabbing his hard, leaking cock. I jacked him as I pumped, alternating a series of tantalizingly slow insertions and retractions with some fast and furious ones. The speed of my hand on his cock matched the speed of my hip movements.
Five years does make a difference, as I'm discovering. Long before I wanted him to, he had shot all over his chest and abs. There was also a trickle down my fingers.
That did it for me, and I came, shuddering as I emptied my seed into him. When I had my wits about me again, I realized that at some point he had wrapped his legs around my waist. I leaned forward, resting my weight on my hands. We kissed. Then I straightened up and just looked at him.
"You know, my love, perhaps the most beautiful sight I've ever seen is right here in front of me. I love to look at you. And when you have drops of liquid pearl all over your gorgeous skin, it takes my breath away!"
"Timmy, you're shitting me. It's just cum on my belly, man."
"No, Cedric. I'm perfectly serious. It's truly beautiful. I'd like to have a picture that just showed your torso covered with nice pearly cum drops."
He giggled. "Sorry, lover, that ain't gonna happen. Now, hand me a towel or something so I can clean this up."
"Huh uh!" I said, as I leaned down and licked it all up.
PHILIP:
I'm aggressive, abrasive, some say cocky. But I've never been predatory. I've not been with as many men in three years of college as some of my detractors claim. In fact, since Joseph and I split up just after Christmas, there's been nobody. Not even any one-night stands.
When I saw Geoff diving at a swim meet last winter, I sprang immediate wood. I mean, it's hard not to get stiff (or difficult not to get hard), when you are looking at all those perfect bodies. But Geoff had something else. He's about my height, but he carries himself differently. There's a grace about the way he moves that makes him different. His body, of course, is perfect. Maybe because I'm dark myself, I've always been attracted to those very pale blonds. Whatever it was, I had the serious hots for the guy from the moment I saw him for the first time. I didn't tell Geoff that when I met him in the cafeteria that day. I said I had seen him dive. I didn't tell him I had gone to all the rest of the home swim meets last season just so I could sit there and watch him perform and fantasize about him.
Then when I saw the ad in the university newspaper that he had a jazz trio and that they were going to perform one Sunday afternoon at Butler Hall, I had to go. Imagine, here's this gorgeous guy who just happens to be a jazz pianist, playing my favorite kind of music. Too good to be true. He would probably be terrible.
But he wasn't. They weren't. The Geoff Benton Trio is good enough that he doesn't have to go to grad school and study physics or econ, or whatever it is. I think they could be bigtime with the right representation.
I'm getting ahead of my story. When I saw Geoff that day at the cafeteria, sitting there eating his lunch all alone, that pale, curly hair of his like a halo, I felt my cock begin to swell. So, a little bulge in the jeans never hurt. I wasn't going to screw up this opportunity. I wanted to drag him back to my apartment and fuck the daylights out of him. But I wasn't going to blow this, so I managed to stay cool. Just wanted to introduce myself, suggest that he come to an SGA meeting sometime, see how he reacted.
He seemed quiet, shy at first, but he opened up as we talked. My gaydar was giving me positive signals, and then he actually told me he was gay just before we parted. I know he was checking out my butt as I walked away from that table. I'd have to take this slowly, carefully. I thought I could get seriously interested in Mr. Geoff Benton. Hey, who was I kidding? I'd jacked off with images in my mind of that tall, pale, body since last winter. And I meant to have him. For the first time, I realized I was smitten. `How about that?' I thought.
STEVE:
When Chaz and Trey told me they needed to go to see Chaz's family in Cincinnati for a couple of days the week before Labor Day weekend, I said that was cool. I thought I was able to survive on my own back at my place.
"No way, dude," Chaz said. "You know you can't even bend over. Hell, man, you still have trouble putting your own socks on."
"Well, Chaz, I could just wear sandals until my ribs finish healing. I'm sure not gonna keep you guys from going to see your folks, especially since you've both been so good to me."
"Steve," Trey said, looking pretty serious, "we haven't wanted to mention this, but we don't think you should be alone for a while."
"Why?"
"There hasn't been an arrest yet in your case. So long as those thugs are out there on the streets, you may not be safe. They know you told Sgt. Ibrahim about them, so they may be planning to attack you again."
"Surely they wouldn't have the nerve to do that. They must know what I told the police. If anything happened to me, Ibrahim would be on them right away."
"Do you want to risk another attack, just in case you're wrong?"
He had a point. "Well, no, I guess not. What do you think I should do?"
"Look, buddy, don't think Trey and I are trying to run your life for you. We just feel bad that we need to be away. You know you're welcome to stay here while we're gone. But that wouldn't help with the sock problem. Besides, I don't imagine those jerks know where you are, but if they found out, it would still be better if you weren't alone."
"Yeah, I see what you're saying. So what do we do?"
Trey grinned at me and said, "Steve, you have two invitations. Tim and Ced have offered you the couch in their living room. There's a downstairs bathroom, so you wouldn't have to climb stairs. But they admit the couch might be a little cramped and uncomfortable."
"I think I could manage that for a night or two."
"Well, there's an alternative. Max Hewitt has invited you to stay with him. His place is almost identical to Ced's, and the sofa in his living room makes into a bed. He says it's new, has a good mattress, and is pretty comfortable because he was sleeping on it when he first got to town until he got a bed."
"Max Hewitt? Who's he? Oh, you mean that priest?"
"Yeah, Tim's best friend. You met him once when he was at the hospital to see you."
Ohmygod! Now I was faced with having my professor or a priest or Ced Jones help me put on my socks and maybe pick up the soap if I dropped it in the shower. I sure as hell wasn't going to let any of them wash me. I'd manage that on my own somehow.
Trey grinned. "The food would be a lot better with Tim and Ced. I hear Max isn't much of a cook. Either place would be safe. I don't think the hoods would have any way of knowing where you were. The only thing is, Max has to be away some in the daytime because of his job."
Then something occurred to me. "But what about the privacy thing? I mean Tim and Ced might not want a house guest when they, well, you know."
Chaz laughed, and Trey joined him. "Hey, Steve, having you here hasn't bothered Tiger and me when we wanted to, `well, you know.'"
I blushed, and they laughed at that.
"Besides," Trey said, "at their place you'd be downstairs, not just across the hall. So I don't think you need to worry about it."
Chaz got an evil grin on his face. "Oh, I don't know, babe. I hear those two fuck all over the house. Steve might get an eyeful."
I was really blushing by that time, and Trey noticed it. "Chaz, I think we are embarrassing our straight buddy here with all the gay talk. Let's cool it."
Relieved, I took a deep breath.
"Do you think Father Max meant it when he said I could stay there?"
Trey looked me in the eye and said, "Trust me, Steve. He did. He's a good man. He may also enjoy having some company."
"Well, again, no offense, but I'd have some time alone if I stayed with him. And I think I need that. But he'd be there mornings and evenings if I needed help with something."
"Oh," Trey said, "St. Peter's isn't that far away. I'll bet he'd come home at lunchtime, too."
"That sounds good then. But I'd like to call him and talk with him myself. I don't feel right about you guys always making arrangements for me."
"Cool," Chaz said.
TREY:
Chaz and I were supposed to have gone to his folks' place for the Labor Day weekend. Since we got the idea for the party, he called and asked his mom if we could come for a couple of nights during the week. She was probably unhappy, but she said that would be fine.
Oh, by the way, just for the record: Chaz reminded me one day after he got back to our apartment about the meat loaf thing and said he'd get his sweet revenge for that when he was ready, and I should be worried. I have no doubt the big guy will extract suitable vengeance when he gets around to it.
So, back to the story. On Wednesday of that week, after taking Steve to Max Hewitt's place, we jumped in my Lexus (at my insistence --- it IS more comfortable and fun than the Tahoe) and headed for points south. We left about 10:00 and had lunch near Columbus.
As we drove down I-71, I brought up something that had been on my mind. "Chaz, I'm wondering about the sleeping arrangements at your folks' place."
"We sleep together at our apartment, why shouldn't we sleep together at my folks' house?"
"Well, big guy, think about it. We don't exactly want to rub your parents' faces in it, do we? Maybe I should just stay in the guest room as I always do."
"Damn, Tiger, two nights with no sex? I don't know whether I can take that or not."
I grinned at him. "How about a late night visit?"
"That'd be better than nothing, I suppose. I just don't see why they shouldn't accept the fact that we're together."
"Accepting it and being comfortable with us sleeping together under their roof are two different things, stud. I feel uncomfortable about this. They've known me as your roommate and friend for three years. Now you're asking them to accept me as your lover."
He was quiet for a while, obviously chewing on that one.
"Yeah, well, OK. I don't like it, but I guess you're right. But one of us is gonna sneak into the other's room, for sure!"
We arrived in Indian Hills about 2:00. His mom and dad were both waiting for us. Mr. Greeley had taken the afternoon off. I suppose being the owner of the whole chain of Greeley dealerships in Cincinnati, he could take off whenever he wanted to. Anyway, they greeted us warmly. They had always been great to me, and I didn't sense any difference now that they knew Chaz was bi, gay, or whatever we are and that he and I were lovers.
"Boys," Ma Greeley said after she had hugged us, "I've made up both beds, so, Trey, you can put your things in the guest room or in Chaz's room. I wasn't sure which you two would want."
Chaz hugged his mother again and, with a big grin on his face, said, "Thanks Ma!"
So much for my worries. We put our bags in Chaz's room, used the john, washed up, and went downstairs.
Ma Greeley poured us iced tea, brought out a plate of freshly baked cookies, and we all sat in the shade on their patio and visited. They wanted to know about Cedric and Mark, and we filled them in on both of them. Apparently Chaz had already told them about Ced and Tim, for they asked about Tim, too. In fact, they had a lot of questions about him. We had to reassure them that Tim wasn't some old letch who'd corrupted Cedric.
"Ma, we've all known Ced was gay since freshman year. I've told you that," Chaz said. "If anybody corrupted anybody, it was Ced. Tim was engaged to a girl named Amy when Ced and Trey first met him."
"I don't think we even want to hear all about that, son," Mr. Greeley said.
"As for Tim's being an OLD letch, we were all at a restaurant this summer, and he was the only one that got carded. He's twenty six and looks younger than we do," I said.
Charles sniggered and said, "Yup!"
"But he's a professor, isn't he, and a doctor? Do you really call him `Tim?'" Chaz's mother asked.
I couldn't help chuckling at Chaz's answer: "Yeah, Ma, we do. Trey and I both feel like we know Tim real well. Besides, he's living with our brother Ced, and it would be pretty awkward to call him Dr. Mead all the time. Unless we were taking a course with him."
"He's my faculty advisor, you know," I said. "When we're in a class or some other academic setting, I call him Dr. Mead. But otherwise, he's just Tim."
"That sounds like a very interesting group you guys have gathered around you," Chaz's dad said.
"Oh, yeah, Dad, it is that for sure," Chaz said.
As the afternoon lengthened into evening, Mr. Greeley served us drinks, after which we had a wonderful dinner of lamb chops (Chaz's mom remembered that I love them), salad, and baked potatoes.
After Mr. Greeley had said grace, Chaz looked at his mother and then at me. "Gee, Ma, I was expecting meat loaf." All of us roared.
"Charles, dear, I'll never fix you meatloaf again. That's a promise. But you know who to thank for all the meat loaf, don't you?" she asked, winking at me.
"Yeah, Ma," he said, giving me a wicked smile, "I do, and I'll be sure he gets properly thanked."
About 8:00 we excused ourselves and went to a tavern where they served a brand of local beer Chaz liked and where he hoped to find some of his friends. We hadn't been there long when he nudged me and looked toward the door. Coming in were a girl with red hair and a guy who looked like a hippie. He had granny glasses, a calico-type shirt, and long hair. His jeans were faded and so thin you could spit through them.
I looked at Chaz to see if I could get a clue why he had nudged me. He stood up and beckoned them over to our booth.
"Hey, Dawn, remember me?"
"Chaz Greeley, how could I ever forget you?"
They hugged. Then she introduced her friend Calvin. Trey introduced me as his roomie from the university (I wasn't sure how I felt about that), and we all shook hands. They declined to sit with us, saying they were meeting friends, but they did linger a few minutes so Dawn and Chaz could catch up a bit.
Just as they were about to leave, Dawn said, "Oh, by the way, David's home. I'm sure he'd love to see you." She looked directly at me. Then she said, "Well, I'll tell him I ran into you. Maybe you two can get together while you're in town."
Chaz gulped. "Yeah, Dawn, say `hi' to ole David for me."
I've seldom seen my big lover at a total loss for words before, but he seemed that way at the moment.
My own first reaction to the possibility of seeing David was not one of jealousy. I think deep down I was grateful to David for showing Chaz the ropes. Certainly the big guy was a better lover after the thing with David than before. So I was more amused than anything else by Chaz's obvious discomfort.
"What are you grinning at, Withers?" he asked with a little smile on his face.
"You, of course."
"What?"
"Because you are embarrassed at the idea of seeing David again while I'm here."
"Who made you a mind reader?"
"Hey, it's a no brainer. But you don't need to be embarrassed, you know. I'm really hoping we do see David. I'm dying to meet him. After reading your journal, I can't wait."
He looked worried. "Dammit, Tiger, you're messing with my head. First I was worried that you'd be jealous of David, and now you make me think you want to get it on with him."
"Dufus, take a big drink of your beer. Right now. Go on. Do it."
His stein was about a third full and he chugged that. Then, after burping, he looked expectantly at me.
"Now, relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. Of course I'm curious about David. But I believe you when you tell me what you and he had was a one-night stand. I think I know you pretty well, Greeley, and I believe you when you tell me I'm your guy. Just keep your hands off David, or I'll cut your balls off."
He burst out laughing at that. I refilled his mug from the pitcher on the table in front of us, and we talked about other things.
It was about 11:00 when we got back. The senior Greeleys had gone to bed. "Feel like a swim," Chaz asked.
"Shit. I forgot to bring my speedos."
"You've got a whole locker full of the damned things, but you forgot to bring a pair with you?"
"Yeah. Sorry babe."
He grinned. "To tell the truth, that's fine with me. Now we can go skinny-dipping."
"But --"
"The old folks are upstairs in bed. Their bedroom is on the front of the house. They'll never know." He was naked before I knew what was happening. Who was I to spoil the party? So I got naked, and we both slid into the pool, not wanting to disturb either his folks or the neighbors by splashing too loud.
We didn't actually swim much. We spent most of the time in the water rubbing our boners against each other's bodies. And then I got an idea.
"You know, big guy, even if we do sleep together, we can't do much else because of your parents being so close by."
He sighed. `Yeah, I suppose you're right." Then he looked at me. "You got something in mind?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. You sit on the edge of the pool and dangle those beautiful big feet in the water."
He went to the edge and did as I asked. "Now, hunk, spread your legs just a little more."
He got the idea, grinned, and said "Like this?"
"Exactly like that," I said, as I began to take his hard dick in my mouth. I knew we couldn't be seen from the neighbors' yards, and I prayed that no one was looking out one of the Greeley's upstairs windows. But there was something particularly exciting about blowing my stud in the out of doors. He must have felt that, too, for it didn't take him long to come.
When I had swallowed all his seed and cleaned up his big cock, he slid into the water, put a hand on either side of my waist, and set me up on the pool's edge. "Your turn, Henry Lee!"
As he sucked, he was running his hands all over my body, rubbing my nipples, stroking my thighs, driving me crazy. It was especially exciting because I knew I had to be quiet.
I grabbed his hair and tilted his head so he had to look up at me. He never let my cock out of his mouth, though. "Lover, unless you want your folks and the whole neighborhood to know how good that feels, you'd better ease off on the stroking part."
He winked and went back to give all of his attention to my throbbing tool. It didn't take long after that for me to come.
It gets hot and very humid in the Ohio Valley in July, and that night was typical. The night air was still warm on our wet bodies as we got out of the pool. I felt incredibly alive. As Chaz handed me a towel, I hugged him tight.
"Uh, thanks, Tiger, but what's that for?"
"That's because I love you, studly, and I am very happy right now."
He squeezed me hard and said, "Yeah, I know, babe. Me too."
We slept until 9:00 the next morning. Chaz's dad had already left for work when we got up. Mrs. Greeley had gone to the supermarket for some last-minute things, but she had left us a note that there was o.j. in the fridge, pecan rolls from Greater's, a famous local bakery, and coffee in the maker. All we had to do was turn it on.
After breakfast Chaz said he wanted to look for some new clothes for the upcoming fall semester, so we jumped in the Lexus and went to the Kenwood Mall to shop.
We had been there a couple of hours, I suppose, and Chaz had a couple of shopping bags of stuff. I had picked up a few items, too, and was also carrying a shopping bag. We'd even bought matching pairs of Nautica jeans. Is that silly, or what?
As we were walking through the mall, window-shopping and people watching, a quiet voice behind us said, "Chaz? Is that you?"
We both turned around to see who it was. There was David! I knew him instantly from Chaz's description. Chaz had described him as 5'8", but he was my height at 5'10". I think everybody probably looks short to Chaz. He did indeed have the great blue eyes and suckable lips that Chaz described, too. He was a real stud, solid, not a bit fat, but, well, sturdy, as Chaz said. His red hair, though, was pulled back into a ponytail. All in all, very sexy.
There was the usual hugging and back slapping that guys go through, and then Chaz remembered to introduce me.
"David Taylor, this is my, uh, er, friend, Trey Withers."
David laughed and shook my hand. "Trey, I'm glad to know Chaz's uh, er, friend."
I chuckled at that while Chaz stood there looking embarrassed.
"Chaz," David went on, "It's good to see you, man. Dawnie told me that she'd bumped into you last night, but I never thought I'd run into you here. What are you guys up to? Want grab something to eat at the food court and catch up a little?"
Chaz still looked a little shell-shocked, so I said, "Yeah, David. Let's do that. I know the big one here has questions for you if he can just think of them. And I confess I've been eager to get to know you, too."
David looked at me and grinned. He knew very well what Chaz's "uh, er, friend" was.
The three of us got burgers, fries, and sodas and found a table off by itself. Chaz, who had finally regained his speech, explained to David that we were now something more than roomies. David just sat there and grinned. Chaz told him that we were here visiting his parents until the next day, Friday, when we had to get back to campus because we were throwing a party Saturday night. Then he asked David what he'd been up to.
"Well, you knew I was going to California. That was just a little present I gave myself. You see, I finished my MS in Information Systems at Miami of Ohio in June, and I thought I deserved some time off."
"Congratulations, David, " I said. "What's next for you?"
"I've got a great job as an account exec with a big database company. I'm going to be based in the Cleveland area, but I'll be traveling a lot. Actually, if I can get to Hopkins International airport conveniently or even to the Akron-Canton airport, I can go wherever I need to go, and it won't matter much where in that general area I live. As a matter of fact, I'm going to be up there over the weekend. I have a workshop in downtown Cleveland tomorrow and Saturday morning. Then I thought I might just stick around and do some exploring."
Chaz looked at me, and I nodded. "David, if you're free Saturday evening, why don't you come to our party? There are a couple of our friends who would like to meet you, I think."
I struggled not to laugh, thinking that David might be shocked if he knew why Tim and Ced would be eager to meet him. Then, I thought, the David in Chaz's journal wouldn't be shocked by much of anything.
"Well, guys, I had planned to check out the Flats Saturday night, but your party sounds like fun, and I can do the Flats anytime. You tell me how to get there and when you want me, and I'll be there. Maybe I'll just get a room near the campus and use it as my home base while I'm up there."
Chaz looked at me with great relief on his face. I knew what he was thinking. He was glad he didn't have to offer to let David stay with us. In view of their torrid if brief relationship, that might have been awkward, though I think it would have bothered Chaz more than it did David or me.
We chatted a little longer when David said, "Well guys, I've got to go. Mom's waiting for me to bring some stuff for our get-together with the relatives tonight, so I'd better get moving."
I gave David our address and phone number, explained how to find us, and told him the party would start about 7:00 or whenever he wanted to get there.
"Uh, David," Chaz said, "give Sammy a hug for me, OK?"
David winked at him. "You got it, Chaz!"
That afternoon, Chaz's Aunt Ethel and Uncle John came over. We all swam. (I had picked up yet another swim suit, something black, less revealing than speedos, at the mall earlier.) We had drinks by the pool, and then the two women began to bring food to a big table poolside. Chaz and I helped. We had big, thick, succulent, butterfly pork chops done on the grille, new potatoes, fresh green beans, and corn on the cob.
At one point as we were carrying things, Aunt Ethel said, "Charles, dear, I was going to bring some of that meat loaf you love, but your mother said that I shouldn't do that because we were having steak."
Chaz and I both nearly choked trying not to laugh. He gave me an evil look as he said, "Aunt Ethel, you're such a sweetie! I guess I'll just have to make do with a pork chop this evening."
She reached up, patted him on the cheek, and went on with what she was doing.
He turned to me and said, "So help me, Withers, I'll get you for that." He grinned. "Be afraid, be very afraid!"
Mr. Greeley lit the patio torches, and we left all the other lights off, to discourage mosquitoes. We all sat in chaises and gabbed.
At one point I heard Chaz explaining to his dad and Uncle John that he had decided he wanted to major in recreation. That was news to me.
"I know it sounds like something you'd only do if you were legally blonde, but it's a good program," he was explaining. "See, I've been thinking. I'd like to work in the administration of programs for kids, say, like with the local parks system. The College of Physical Education at the U has a program like that, and I'm going to transfer into it."
"Son, I like it! I had no idea you were thinking about something like that, but it sounds great."
"Well, dad, there's only one snag. I may not be able to get all the requirements in and still graduate in June."
"Chaz, that's no problem. I'm just happy you've found something that really turns you on, and I can tell from your face that this idea has really caught your imagination. Leave the money part to me, OK?"
Chaz got up, went over, leaned down, and gave his dad a kiss on top the head. That was so tender. The Chaz Greeley I had roomed with for three years would never have done that. I decided that I really did love the new Chaz Greeley.
That night, because of our fear of making noise, all we did was suck each other off, but it was long, and slow, and sweet.
The next morning, Chaz's dad decided to go to work late so he could stick around and say goodbye to us. After a huge breakfast, we threw our bags and our purchases from the previous day into the back of the Lexus, got and gave hugs all around, and headed north, back up I-71.
DAVID:
It was only twenty past seven when I steered my redV Vette into the street where Chaz and Trey lived. Hey, nobody arrives on time for a party, and I was earlier than I usually would have been. But in all this hustle what with the workshop this morning and exploring the town -- read: looking for someplace to live -- I'd had no time for lunch. I just hoped the food would be good. Probably it would, that Trey guy had seemed, well, sophisticated? More so than Chaz who still seemed like a country boy to me.
But not as much as back in June. At first I had been determined to keep my hands off him -- and feeling sorry about it, `cause, wow, he was a substantial piece of man! I don't like feeling I'm corrupting innocent guys. But there had been one look we had exchanged that had told me he knew what he was doing, what he wanted. Back then he wanted me. I guess it was those turquoise silk pants. I had worn them to shock him, and to tease him. And to make him an offer -- of myself.
I never had thought he'd take me up on it, but he did, and right then I'd known there was more to Chaz Greeley than met the eye. Still, he was not the right guy for me. I really don't go for the country boy type; I want my men a little more polished. But one prerogative he had met perfectly. I absolutely love it when they are taller than me. Call me kinky, but being made to feel helpless, at the mercy of somebody stronger is one major turn-on.
Useless to dwell on that anyway. Now he was with Trey and seemed to be very happy. No wonder. I wouldn't have minded Trey myself. Not that I was looking for someone. I was totally content to be free. Relationships are so confining! Oh mother earth, here I was waxing philosophical while my stomach was grumbling! Where was that address, dammit?
Oh, there. Well, this was nice. Rather upscale even. My hopes for good food were rising! I parked my red pride and joy on the lot, grabbed my backpack and the bottle of Zin I'd brought, adjusted my pony-tail one last time, and strode toward the building. I was wearing pretty normal clothing. Jeans, sandals, an off-white shirt of handpicked Egyptian cotton which brought out the tan I had acquired in California. Not my usual party outfit. Rather tame...
Trey had made one remark that had awakened my attention. He had said, "There are a couple of our friends who'd like to meet you," or something like that. I wondered whether Chaz had not only told Trey about the night we spent together, but other friends of theirs had heard about me too. And maybe now some party guests even expected a flaming queen in harem pants. Since I wasn't going there to seduce anybody, but to get to know interesting people, as I was sure Chaz's friends were, I had dressed "normal." The only thing that was even remotely unorthodox was the silver ring in my left nip, but I didn't think anybody could see it through my shirt.
I reached the entrance of the building, rang, and was buzzed in. The number of Trey and Chaz's apartment began with a three, so I took the elevator to the third floor. The door of the apartment stood open, I could hear soft jazz playing and people talking. Seemed the party was well on the way. Nobody was at the door, so I just knocked and went in. There was a small hallway which opened into a spacious living room. On my left was a coat closet, where I deposited my backpack. Suddenly the door next to the closet opened. Two people appeared, one really good-looking chocolate-colored guy, easily as tall as I was, and a smaller guy, a redhead, but his hair was dark, more auburn than mine. And he had much paler skin that I do. When he saw me, he started to blush. As I looked closer they both seemed a bit disheveled. They'd obviously been up to something in that other room.
"Hi, I'm David. I met Chaz this summer in Cincinnati."
Why were they suddenly grinning like loons? Guess they were the friends Trey had mentioned. Damn, what had Chaz told them?
"Hi, I'm Ced," the colored guy said, visibly trying to tune his grinning down, "and this is my friend, Tim." Tim nodded at me, and casually put an arm around Ced's waist so there could be no doubt about what kind of relationship they were having. Hey, who am I? The evil man-snatcher? Well, maybe the little guy was worried his lover might leave him for someone hunkier? Uggh, relationships! They just suck! I don't need that kind of trouble.
"Come on, David," Tim said, "Let's find our hosts."
"Do that, " his partner said, "and I'll get us drinks from the kitchen. David, want one, too?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"Beer or wine?"
"Beer, please."
Ced preceded us through the living room and went over to the open kitchen. Tim and I followed more slowly. "Tim, may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why were you two grinning like that when I introduced myself?" Okay, maybe I shouldn't have asked him that -- if the reason was the one I suspected. The poor guy blushed again. But he appeared neither nervous nor intimidated.
"Well, that's a question Chaz should answer probably. On the other hand, I had my fingers in it, too. You see, one evening last spring I suggested that the guys should write a diary about their summers. Chaz was the only one who did it."
He hesitated.
"You don't need to say more," I interrupted him. "It was pretty detailed and you all read it?"
He nodded. Oh man! Seemed my fame was preceding me. I must say I found this increasingly funny.
"No wonder you thought you had to keep a hand on your boyfriend," I said to Tim. "No need to worry though, I don't mess with guys who're taken."
At first I thought I had offended him, he gave me such a strange look. Then he smiled. "Not even you could make me doubt Ced." Intense green eyes zeroed in on mine, and I knew he'd told me the truth. There was a lot of power in that glance! Another friend of Chaz who'd turned out to be a very special guy. I acknowledged his point with a smile and a nod.
"Hey guys, you looking for me?" a voice sounded from slightly above. Chaz. I turned around.
"Hi, Chaz."
"Hey, David. Glad you could make it!"
We shook hands, but that felt somehow inadequate to me, so I thought `What the hell!' and drew him into a short hug. Afterward I saw Trey had come to join us, but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, he smiled at me in a rather mischievous way. So I gave him a hug, too, and he hugged me right back. I thought I was going to like Trey! Then Chaz said, "I have to tell you something, David."
"Is it about that journal of yours?" I inquired.
"Uh, yes."
"I've already heard about that. Just tell me who all you showed it to."
"Well, Trey, of course. Then Tim. I don't know if Ced has read it yet?"
"I did! And I really liked it, Chaz. You surprised me there a lot! Here, David, your beer."
He handed me a bottle of Heinekens.
"Thanks, Ced. Are those all the ones who've read the diary?" I asked.
"No," Tim answered. "There's another guy, a good friend of mine, Max. He read it too."
"Is he here?" I asked.
"Not yet. But he's coming, together with our friend Steve. He..."
At that point Tim was interrupted. Two guys came in. One was about 6' with straight brown hair and generally a dark complexion, the other was of Tim's height, but of a heavier build, and from the looks of him another country boy like Chaz, just a smaller version. Lots of brown, wavy hair and a ruddy skin. At their entrance everybody started clapping their hands. I didn't know why they did it, but joined in anyway. When they came in, I saw that the taller one moved rather slowly and painfully. Guess he was recovering from some kind of accident, hence the applause.
"What happened to him?" I asked.
"He was mugged," Tim said. "To be more precise, some guys thought Steve was a pedophile. What really happened was that he saved a little girl from drowning in the municipal pool, and from then on was the hero of a bunch of kids. He gets along with them really well, but he's certainly no pedo!"
"And the other guy's his -- uh, friend?"
"Ah, no. Steve isn't gay, if you mean that. He's just living with Max at the moment because we don't want him to stay alone. The guys who mugged him aren't caught yet. He was staying with Trey and Chaz, but they went to Cincinnati this week, so Max took him in."
Aha. So that was Max. I looked at him closer. He had something very innocent about him and I just knew that that wasn't the right kind of guy for me. Innocent and small -- no way. Didn't matter. I wasn't really looking anyway.
We had walked over to them, including a couple I hadn't talked to yet. We all were introduced to each other, and I learned that the couple were Mark and Lori. Then Max and I were shaking hands. I saw into his brown eyes and, oh, they were soulful and warm. Like bittersweet chocolate. I noticed I had been holding his hand longer than necessary while we looked at each other. And I noticed I started getting hard. Shit. My hand felt as if it had gotten burned, and I tore it from his more forcefully than necessary. I think we both blinked. Wow! That was the most major case of animal magnetism I'd ever experienced! And with that choirboy! I'd better stay away from him. He could be dangerous, pure poison.
So I turned to Steve and chatted a little bit with him. We spoke shortly about the attack on him, but he obviously didn't want to dwell on it, so I asked him about his major and he explained that he was going to be a pedriatic nurse. I thought that fitted well with the story Tim had told me about him. Just then Lori and Mark approached us. Lori, who can be pretty direct, as I know now, asked Steve if he had a girlfriend, and when he said no, she said there was a girl Trey and Ced knew who'd be interested in double-dating with Steve, Mark and Lori. Steve seemed quite surprised. I had the impression he didn't even know Mark and Lori that well. Anyway, he said something like "sure, why not."
At this party, everybody was fussing over Steve. He didn't get only his dates fixed up - they had him also propped up in a comfortable chair, got him beer, and plates filled with delicious-looking tidbits from the buffet whose location I hadn't made out yet. At that sight my stomach grumbled audibly.
"Hey, that sounds bloody bad. I'm quite hungry, too. Wanna go to the fleshpots with me?" That was of course Lori speaking. Now that she spoke to me directly, I noticed that she had a lovely voice, a bit smoky and just a hint of an accent I couldn't quite place.
Anyway, I agreed wholeheartedly. "Yes, please, let's hit the buffet. I'm starving." She took me by the elbow and directed me toward the kitchen. We found the buffet arranged there on a huge oak table. It all looked scrumptious. Way better than I ever would have expected at a student party. Obviously Chaz and Trey had used a caterer. The only thing lacking would have been a melting ice Bambi. No, really. Such things exist. The first time I saw it (at a party thrown by Microsoft) they were fishing for promising grad students.
Lori and I filled our plates. She seems to have a healthy appetite, but nonetheless she's nice and trim. Probably has a ragin' metabolism. I told her so. She agreed that it was very likely. Then she giggled, and I asked "What's the matter?" She proceeded to tell me about a party she'd been to with friends back in Germany (aha!), and they'd been wondering what metabolism was. She had suggested it was something like the speed your body was running at. Somebody had fetched a dictionary and they had looked up Metabolismus. The entry read "a twentieth century architectural style popular in Japan." Well, they'd laughed their asses off at that (her words, not mine -- her English is very colorful). I guess you had to be there.
"Come on, let's see if we can get a place at the coffee table," she said, already nibbling on a chicken wing, and we went over to where her boyfriend was sitting on a couch facing Steve's chair. Lori sat down beside him, and waved at me to settle on the other couch. Hardly looking, I complied and found myself side by side with Max. Our thighs touched, I felt that current again between us, and again I started to bone up. Hot damn! I wondered if he felt it, too. But when I looked at him, his gaze was directed down toward the bottle in his hands. While I was eating I heard with half an ear Lori going over the details for that double-date. I don't think I did the wonderful food justice, cause all my attention was on the guy to my left. For the second time that evening, I thought What the hell!' and spoke to him. "Are you a student, too?"
"No", he croaked. Then he cleared his throat. "No," he repeated, now in a warm baritone voice with a sexy timbre. "I'm not a student any more. Tim and I are a bit older than the rest here. I'm the new curate at St. Peter's, and Tim is Ced's and Trey's lit professor."
A preacher! No, he said "curate." He must be a priest! Now that didn't surprise me that much, but Tim being a lit prof did. He looked so young! Then I remembered his powerful aura I had experienced earlier, and suddenly I was sure that he had to be a hell of a teacher.
"Don't take it personally, but I don't care much for institutionalized religion," I said to Max.
"Well, you don't have to have religion to be ethical," Max responded, and had me right by the horns with that one. I just had to strike back.
"And? How about your ethics?"
He directed his gaze downward again, fidgeting with the bottle of Heineken.
"Sorry, " I said, "I was just joking around. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
"No, it's okay. It's just that I've indeed acted against my ethics lately. And -- it concerned you, kind of." His hands had to be sweaty, `cause he set the bottle on the table and wiped them on his caramel-colored jeans. I couldn't help noticing the powerful muscles in his thighs as he did that, and my hard-on got still harder. I was grateful for that baggy cotton shirt which covered all my sins neatly.
Max carried on. "You know about Chaz's journal?" I nodded.
"Yes, I do. And I know you've read it, too. That diary really caused some ripples," I commented.
"I wasn't supposed to read it. It slipped between some papers of Tim's he gave me to read. When I saw it, I knew what it was, but I couldn't resist the temptation. So I read it. David, I'm sorry about that." He really seemed upset.
"Relax, Max," I said. He smiled a little when I said that, but I went on. "I'm completely OK with it. I just hope you were too."
Again he seemed a bit agitated.
"I'm not a prude, you know. I was OK with it, as you put it. More than OK, actually." When he said those last words, his voice was kind of husky. It went right to my groin. He couldn't mean that, could he? Oh, fuck, what was happening to me? I had to get away from that man, and rapidamente, too. I was just going to jump up when I heard Lori talking to me.
"David, I've been wondering what kind of material your shirt is made of. Is it some kind of cotton?"
Trust a woman to notice such a thing. I explained the handpicked/unbleached thing to her, and we chatted a while about clothes in general and natural fibres in special. But I always was conscious of the man at my side. Sometimes when he bent toward the coffee table to get his beer, our knees touched. Just slight, innocent touches. But every single one shook me up a little bit more. When I couldn't stand it any longer, I stood up and went in search of Chaz.
Just then two newcomers appeared in the hallway. One blond, rather thin, about 6' or a little less, not very spectacular, but the other one -- oh my! 6'2", built, and black. Cornrows, lots of piercings. Looking like the meanest motherfucker on earth, except for the open, friendly smile on his face. Those two were greeted enthusiastically by Ced and Tim.
"Oh man," I moaned quietly to myself. But someone had heard me.
"He's taken. They're a couple. And besides, he's a religion major going to attend a Methodist seminary, he told me."
Max, who else?
"Sweet bleeding Jesus," I groaned, "I think I'm gonna get religion."
I left Max to chat with the foursome and followed up on my intention of talking to Chaz. I told him about Sammy, who would be moving up to high school after this summer, together with his friend Matt.
"Hey, where's he going to?" Chaz asked.
"Wyatt High."
"Oh, I know that one. My old basketball coach went there as a p.e. teacher. His name's Don Rimsky. But he was always interested in track, too. Sammy could do worse than with him."
I said I'd tell him so. The evening went on, and I couldn't help noticing what a great group of friends Chaz and Trey had brought together here. Later, lying in bed in my hotel room I thought that I'd really like to get to know them better. The only drawback was the boy-priest, who'd had me hard and drooling all evening. I'd kept reminding myself he was not my type, but to no avail. Maybe I should just have a fling with him and be done with it. A kind of exorcism. But he didn't seem to be a guy for one night stands, and I was pretty sure I'd have them all on my ass if I did anything to hurt him. Hurt him? Jeez, I didn't want to hurt him! He looked vulnerable and innocent already. Much too sweet a guy to ever want to hurt!
`David Taylor! Stop it right there!' Uggh, my inner voice! Better get my mind on something else!
STEVE:
Max and I were almost the last to arrive at the party. It took me a while to get ready, even with Max's patient help. It was slow going out to the car, getting into the car, getting out of the car and up to Trey and Chaz's apartment. When we came in, everyone applauded, and I wanted to sink into the floor. Like I was some kind of hero, when all I'd done was get beaten up.
Chaz and Trey came over and shook my hand. "Let's get the guest of honor to a chair," Trey said. So, with much ado, they took me to an easy chair where I was more or less parked for the evening. But they took care of me, bringing me food and beer even after I had had more of both than I needed.
Everyone came over to chat with me for a while, even Ced's friends Rodney and Francis after they got there.
A guy I hadn't met caught my attention. I used to watch a tv program called "The Sentinel." One of the characters was a guy named Blair, a "guide," and this David looked just like him. Oh, David has red hair, and Blair's was darker, but otherwise they were almost identical. He stood out in that crowd, because he had long hair which he wore in a pony tail, and he was wearing this cream-colored shirt that was soft and baggy. I thought he looked a little like a pirate, but he seemed to be really nice.
David came over and talked with me for a while. He said he had heard what happened to me and thought that was terrible. He said he hoped the guys who did it were caught soon. Then he asked me about my major. I told him that I was a year behind all these other guys, just starting my junior year, and I told him about wanting to be a pediatric nurse. He said he thought that was a terrific idea and asked me a little about the requirements and how long it would take to get my BS and RNs. Nice guy.
I had met Mark before but never felt as if I knew him very well, so I was glad when he and his girlfriend Lori, who's gorgeous by the way, came over to talk with me. Lori asked if I had a girlfriend. Since Leah and I kind of broke off, I said no.
"Well, Steve, these are all nice boys. But if you would like to double date with Mark and me sometime, I even know the girl for you. She was in the lit class you attended with Trey and Ced. Her name's Rebecca Stein. I imagine you could do with some straight companionship soon, yes?"
"Lori, these guys are a super bunch. I can't tell you how great they've all been to me -- long before I was attacked, even. But, yeah, I'd like some female companionship, and I remember Becky. I think it would be cool for the four of us to do something together."
"Okay then. I'll see that I get her telephone number, and when she comes back to campus I'll set something up."
I had no doubt that she would, too. Lori seemed to be a sort of take-charge kind of person. Mark just sat there grinning as if he knew what kind of a prize he had. Didn't get a chance to talk much with Mark, but I knew he's been Ced's best friend since they were freshmen, and I was glad that I'd get to know him better after the fall term began.
I'd gotten to know Max a lot better during those days when I'd been staying with him. He managed to give me my space, not hovering or anything, but always to be attentive. We had some interesting talks. One of the first things he did was come out to me. He said he didn't broadcast that he was gay, but that they knew at the church when they hired him. He said he was telling me because he didn't want me to be there under any misconceptions. I was surprised. I would never have figured he was gay. I almost blurted out something about everybody I knew being gay these days, but I caught myself in time. What I did say was that his being gay didn't make any difference, that he was just the newest in a bunch of great people in my life who happened to be gay. Nice save, huh?
Trey and Chaz's apartment was a lot bigger and nicer than mine, but with all the people, it was crowded. This was a gregarious group, obviously. The decibel level kept getting higher and higher as the evening went on. Stationary as I was, I could sit and watch everyone else. Like I said, they were nice about not leaving me out. But once in a while, I could just people watch. It was fascinating. These were talkers. No wallflowers here except for me, maybe. No one stayed in any one place for long. It was a fluid, shifting, moving group and they visited, laughed, joked. It was also a touchy-feely group, with lots of hands on shoulders, arms around waists, pats on the back (and occasionally the tush). It occurred to me that these people loved each other. I'd never experienced anything like it before. And I felt grateful for being included.
Once I was a little troubled. I looked over at Max, sitting on a sofa next to the David guy. Both of them looked grim. Or that's what I thought at first. Then it seemed to me that both were embarrassed about something. Later, when Ced's friend Francis and his boyfriend arrived, I saw Max saying something to David. David actually moaned, but I couldn't hear if he said anything. What was with that? I decided I'd push my budding friendship with Max a little and ask when I got the chance.
On the way home in his car, I said, "So, Max, great party. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."
"Yeah, Steve, those are super people. I'm glad you got to see them all. I'm sorry, though, for what happened to you so that we had to have a reprise of the party."
"Well, thanks, Max. I still think it was great of Chaz and Trey to do that. And," I said, watching him closely, "we got to meet David, who wasn't at the first party."
"Hey, that's right," he said.
"So, Max, what did you think of David?"
"Oh, I enjoyed meeting him. He seems to be a sort of a free spirit, don't you think?"
Now that was a cop-out if I ever heard one, but I didn't think I had better press the issue.
MAX:
Well, that, as they say, was a bust.
David was even more gorgeous than Chaz had described him. There's that hot bod, of course. But he has this sweet face. When he looks at you, he has such a caring expression on his face. Beautiful eyes, very soulful. And his lips! I'd love to suck on them, or have them sucking on me, somewhere, anywhere.
I don't suppose I was expecting turquoise pants this time, but he did manage, with his loose-fitting light cotton shirt, to look more bohemian than anyone else at the party. I know bohemian is an old-fashioned word, but he looked a little like the stereotype of an artist. I was disappointed he had his hair in a pony tail, but he mentioned that he'd be wearing it that way when he was at work. I wondered why he didn't let it down for the party but was too tongue-tied to ask.
I watched David, discreetly I hope, all evening. He mixed easily with the group, and I suspect he managed to get some chatting done with everybody there. He obviously is out-going, fun-loving, and, with just about everybody, charming. He was the center of all eyes, for sure. People seemed to seek him out, almost as if they were getting in line to meet the fabulous David. (That seems is if I were jealous or something. I didn't mean that. He WAS fabulous.)
I had been so taken with him when I read Chaz's journal, I was afraid that he'd turn out to be disappointing. But, in the flesh, he took my breath away. And my speech too, if the truth be known. I was so turned on by him I couldn't make conversation comfortably. And when he sat next to me on the sofa, I practically jumped every time our knees or hips touched. I got an immediate hardon, and then I had to sit with my hands and my beer in my lap to hide it. And he'd look over and smile. He didn't say much. He found a lot to say to just about everybody else there, but he didn't say much to me.
Obviously David didn't like me. I'm used to people being put off by my being a priest, but, though David made a point of telling me he wasn't religious, I don't think that was it. I have to admit, however, I said something stupid in reply to that comment, something about ethics. Shows what was on my mind. He accepted it gracefully, and then didn't have much to say after that.
Maybe he finds me boring. Too old? David is a couple of years older than Cedric and his friends, maybe three years younger than Tim and me, but that is no reason why he wouldn't have been friendly, is it?
Oh, of course. Why didn't I think of it sooner? It's the height thing. But then, isn't it always? I'm short. I've had the feeling all my life that tall people just look over my head and don't see me.
So, again, I'm left with the conclusion that he just didn't find me very interesting. Oh, well, if La Divina wants me to have a mate, She will provide . . .
[Look for chapter 4 of "Out of the Night" in the Adult Friends section in about a week. Another chapter of the "Tim" saga should appear in the usual places about a week after that. --T.M.]