Exposed

Exposed: Chapter 28

"Fuck that shower was cold," Brock said, as he ran into the bedroom shivering.

James laughed and said, "I told you to wait. The water heater isn't very big and there's no way it can handle six showers in the morning."

"That's something we need to change," Brock said through chattering teeth.

"Yeah, we should tell Terry to have a look at all the plumbing and electrical while he's rehabbing. It's probably not up to code and what we expect if we plan to spend a lot of time up here."

"Do you seriously think we can be up here a lot when you take over Pierce International?"

"Let me run this by you. I'm thinking we should make my grandparents' cottage our home. I know it's small, but I don't see us hanging around the house a lot. Plus, the estate's recreational facilities are hard to beat."

"You've got that right. I love the gym, and I'm even willing to let you teach me how to play tennis."

"Of course, during the school year, we'll be living with Mom and Aunt Sydney, because it's closer to Columbia and Fordham."

"Oh, come on, the real reason is Betty's cooking," Brock said.

"Hey, I don't see you turning away anything she puts on your plate. It's a good thing you're playing soccer, or you'd be putting on the freshman 15 times 2."

Brock laughed, and James continued, "So when I have to take over the company, the Estate will be our primary residence. We can live in the cottage and entertain in the mansion. However, during the summers, I want to live out here as much as possible."

"That's a long commute to the office," Brock said.

"That's why the office here is going to be fully functional and have secure telecommunications. I want to be able to run the company from out here."

"And that's why you're investing in full-time on-site security," Brock said, as he began to catch on.

"Yes, and I'm hoping that will be Kevin," James said.

"Kevin is a great guy, but I don't think that's why you want him. I wasn't asleep the entire drive up here. I heard him tell you that he's a helicopter pilot. Let me guess, you're going to want Pierce Aviation to buy a chopper."

James smiled and said, "You've got it. There's plenty of space out here to land a helicopter, and the same is true at the Estate. Plus, if I need to be at my office in Manhattan, there's a heliport nearby."

"Do you think Kevin and his family would want to live out here? This would be a pretty big change for them."

"We'll have to see, but this might just be the solution they need."

"The solution they might need if Perry's ex gets the job in Dallas," Brock said with a nod. "Did your Aunt Sydney teach you how to play chess as well?"

"No, she doesn't play chess, but she's a wizard at Bridge."

After Brock finished getting dressed, he and James headed downstairs. Kevin and Perry already had breakfast made, and Trey was eating French toast and sausage.

"Where's Chad?" Brock asked.

Perry said, "He's a typical teenage boy. He likes to sleep in and take long, uninterrupted showers." Everyone laughed except Trey, he had a couple of years until he would get what everyone else thought was so funny.

"I've got to get back to the City," Perry said. "The 48-hour crud has hit the nursing staff hard and the hospital is shorthanded. Since our childcare problem is handled, I said I'd come in this evening."

"Before you leave, do you have a few minutes? I have something I'd like to run by you guys," James said.

"Sure," Perry said.

Kevin told Brock and me about the issues you might face if the boys' mother gets the job in Dallas."

Perry said, "It's no longer `might,' Amanda got the job."

"Well, then let me make an offer," James said and told Kevin and Perry what he'd discussed with Brock earlier."

When James finished, Perry looked at Brock, and said, "It could be a solution, but we have to talk it over with the boys."

"And I'll need to talk to the agency to find out whether they'd even let me take the job. There's language in my contract about being `poached' by clients," Kevin said.

"I'm sure my attorney can work out an arrangement with the agency that is mutually acceptable," James said.

"When do you need an answer?" Kevin asked.

"If you decide to take the position, I'd want you on board before the security system is installed," James said. "Also, if we agree before things get too far down the road, you can have input into the house that will be built."

"Wow," Perry said, "you make it hard to say, no."

"I would rather think of it as making it easy to say, yes," James said with a smile.

After James finished talking with Kevin and Perry, he went to find Brock, who was watching cartoons with Trey.

"Hey, babe," Brock said, "How did it go?"

"I think they're interested. If they pass on it, we'll find someone else."

"True, but you like the idea of having a helicopter at your disposal, don't you?"

"Yes, but sometimes I wonder if my ideas are just stupid, but people go along with them because I have money. I'm going to have to find someone who can call `bullshit' when I propose something insane." James kissed Brock and said, "And that person isn't you because no matter how crazy my ideas are, you're right there with me."

Brock smiled, and said, "You got that right."

Chad finally showed up for breakfast/lunch at 11:30. After a few minutes of teasing Chad, James asked everyone, "Are there any suggestions for this afternoon?"

Kevin said, "I was wondering if anyone would be up for a drive. You know, check out the area."

"I think that would be a great idea," James said. "I was on Google Maps and saw there's a pizza place in Shokan." The mention of pizza had Chad, Trey, and Brock on board with the idea.

James sat in the passenger seat to give Kevin directions, and Brock sat between Chad and Trey in the back seat. When they got to Boiceville, James made sure to point out Onteora Central School to Kevin. "That's the public high school and middle school that anyone living at the cabin would go to."

Kevin smiled, and said, "Oh, so this is a sales pitch trip."

"Maybe a bit."

"Well then let's do a bit of looking around," Kevin said, pulling onto a side street that ran past the school. "This is only a 10 or 15-minute drive from the cabin. Plus, there's no traffic."

"Yes, and just down the road is the supermarket we bought the groceries at," James added.

As they drove around the school campus, Chad noticed the football field, and said, "Look they have football. I wish my school had football."

"I want to play football too," Trey said.

Kevin said, "That's something you're going to have to talk about with your father and mother. Remember, I'm just Uncle Kev."

"Yeah, but you're on our side, right Uncle Kev," Chad said in a pleading voice.

"Oh no, you're not dragging me into this," Kevin said with a chuckle.

"Did your high school have a football team?" Brock asked.

"No, my high school didn't have a team; so, I played club football, Canadian football, not United States football. I refuse to call it American Football since Canadians are also Americans."

What's the difference?" Brock asks.

"Well, to begin with, the Canadian football field is 110 yards long rather than 100, and 65 yards wide rather than 53.3 yards and the end zones are 20 yards deep. Also in Canadian football, there are 12 players on the field rather than 11. As far as rules are concerned, probably the biggest is that there can be multiple players in motion before the snap. As far as the effect on the play, some people argue that Canadian football is faster-paced and more wide-open while US football is more strategic and tactical. I like them both."

"I'll play either kind," Chad said, "I just want to hit someone." The SUV filled with laughter at Chad's declaration.

After driving around the school, they decided to check out the Ashokan Reservoir. The lake was partially frozen and bald eagles were fishing on the open water. It was like some clip from a National Geographic nature video, and they had to stop and watch. Chad and Trey were almost as excited as Brock when an eagle snatched a fish from the water just a few hundred feet from the shoreline.

After another hour of touring and a quick trip to an antique store, it was time for pizza. Hometown Pizza in Shokan wasn't anything fancy, but it was the kind of place where you could get good food, be yourself, and meet the locals.

When they sat down to order, their server introduced himself as Cody. Cody looked like an athlete and was wearing a sweatshirt that said, "Property of Onteora Eagles Athletic Department."

Brock, who never met a jock he couldn't strike up a conversation with, asked what sport he played.

The kid smiled and said, "Football in the Fall, wrestling in the Winter, and Baseball in the Spring and Summer," the kid replied. "You look like you play as well. What sport?"

"Soccer in the Fall and Lacrosse in the Spring," Brock then pointed to James and said, "And, he's a distance swimmer and tennis player. We go to Mill Brook Prep in Massachusetts."

Cody looked at Chad and asked, "Do you play any sports?"

"My brother and I play rec basketball at the Y, and during the summer I play on a baseball team, and Trey is in a swim club. But I really want to play football next year when I start high school."

"Cool, do you live around here? Cody asked.

Kevin decided he'd better take control of the conversation, and said, "No, unfortunately, we live in NYC, so we aren't used to all this fresh air." Cody laughed and Kevin continued, "I was surfing the web and just got a wild hair to come up and check out some property I saw on Zillow."

"Well, this is a great place to live if you find out you like breathing fresh air. Plus, when you start missing the city life, it's an easy trip back to NYC to remember why you left. At least that's what my dad says."

"Your father from New York City," Kevin asked.

"Yep, he was going to celebrate his three-year anniversary on the NYPD 9/11/2001."

"Oh, shit," Kevin said.

"It's okay. He's been lucky so far and hasn't had any bad health stuff, but six months after it happened, he cashed in everything, bought this place, and he and Mom moved up here. My sister and I weren't born yet so we don't have any bad memories, but Mom and Dad only go back to the City when they have to."

A few minutes after Cody left, he was back with an older man, and said, "This is my father. He tells me I shouldn't tell people about his being on the NYPD on 9/11, but I'm so proud of him. He helped pull three people out of the rubble."

"You should absolutely be proud of your father and tell his story," Kevin said. "That was a horrible day and kids who weren't alive or too young to remember need to know what happened."

"Were you in New York?" Cody's father asked Kevin.

"No, I was in the Canadian Air Force and was deployed as part of the U.S.-led coalition that responded to the attack. I flew medical evacuation missions."

"Thank you for your service. My name is Hal. I know there are questions about the politics of the war, but I don't question the motives and valor of the soldiers."

"I appreciate that," Kevin said.

The boys were silent and in awe as the two men shared. When Cody and his father headed back to the kitchen, James saw Hal put his arm around Cody's shoulder and pull him close.

When Cody came around to check if they needed anything else, he said to Chad, "If you guys do find a property you like and decide to move, football practice begins August 10th. We're a small team and could always use another player." To which Chad responded with a big smile.

The pizza was fantastic, and James made a note that Hometown Pizza would definitely be on the list when they came back to the area. When it came time to pay for the pizza James slipped Kevin a $100 bill and said, "There will be less curiosity if you pay. The extra is for the tip. I'm sure you'll know what to say if asked."

When Kevin started the SUV, he looked straight ahead and said, "I told Cody to buy something nice for his father." After they got back to the cabin, Brock suggested walking down to the creek. James, Chad, and Trey were all in, but Kevin said he was going to give Perry a call and see how his drive home went.

Down at the creek, they walked along the bank until they came to a spot of open water flowing around some big rocks. James said, "There are depressions behind those large rocks where swirling water has washed away the creek bed. Granddad caught a lot of trout in this spot. He called it his honey hole. He would bring me here when I was a little kid."

"I want to go fishing," Trey said.

"It's a bit too cold to go wading in the creek this time of year," James said, "but we can for surefire go fishing after school is out. Fresh trout is the best eating."

"Now that's the part of fishing I like," Brock said.

"Me too," added Chad.

Along the creek, there were a variety of animal tracks, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons. There were even some tracks the boys guessed might be foxes. Eventually, the gang came to a tree with a red square nailed to it. James said, "This is the end of the property. There's another marker on another tree on the upstream property line."

Brock looked at his watch. They had been exploring for a little over an hour and it wouldn't be long until sunset, so he suggested they head back to the cabin. When they got there Kevin had hot chocolate waiting.

Brock, Chad, and Trey grabbed their chocolate and headed off to watch a football game. However, James could tell that Kevin wanted to talk. After a bit of polite conversation, Kevin finally asked the question James was expecting,

"Are you serious about what you said about me doing full-time security here and us living here?"

"Absolutely," James said. "I, well Mom, is going to be investing a lot of money out here, and the last thing I want is for it to become a party place for teenagers, a home for squatters, or worse yet, a drug lab when no one is here. At this point in our lives, the cabin is just for fun, but I think in the future, Brock and I will need this place to be a retreat, not a headache."

"It seems like you could get by with a lot cheaper security than hiring me to sit out here and twiddle my thumbs most of the time."

"Come on, you're surely going to do some fishing in addition to twiddling your thumbs," James said, and Kevin chuckled.

Then James continued, "I would also expect some of that concierge service."

"Oh?"

"To start with, have you been out to the Pierce Estate?"

"No, that hasn't been part of any of my assignments."

"Well, the estate has some very large lawns. The kind of lawns someone could land a helicopter on." Kevin's expression suddenly indicated he knew where this was going. "I want to build a facility out here where I can meet with the younger managers of Pierce International on my terms, and without feeling like the old guard, my father's people, are looking over my shoulder and silently critiquing me."

"So where would I fit into this?"

"During the initial stage, you would be in charge of helping select equipment for, and setting up the security system and being our eyes and ears during construction. Brock and I will be in Europe most of the Summer, so whenever the contractor needs something, you'll be the contact person on site. The other thing would be to take care of the basic mowing and upkeep. You and your family will live here in the cabin until the new house is built up at the entrance."

"What about this retreat thing?"

"Right now, we're just looking for property and I'm in no rush. I'm not expecting to do that project until after I graduate from Columbia. Mom and Sydney are running the company and I have no intention of stepping in as CEO one single day before my 25th birthday. However, I will need to start learning about the job before then, so I plan to invite corporate execs and managers out here to tutor me. However, I don't want them hanging around. So that's where you and the helicopter come in. We can have them back in New York in time for dinner and a show, and while there's still time for me to do some fishing, hiking, or whatever."

"I see, so you plan to buy a helicopter."

"Not me, Pierce Aviation will buy it. That's the name of our corporate aviation division. I'll expect you to provide input into which helicopter would serve our needs the best."

"So now for the big question, Kevin said, "Compensation?"

"I will have my attorney Shane O'Claire work out the details. However, what I'm thinking is, I would match your current compensation package plus the house rent free. Also, I would provide you with an SUV and expense account. I see you being my employee, but we would have a contract with the agency to provide the support you'll need and any additional security manpower that may be needed on occasion or when you're on vacation."

"Will Perry have any duties?"

"Nope, He can work if he wants, or just take care of your family, or anything in between."

"Fuck, he will love that. He has talked about looking for something part-time in a doctor's office or working as a substitute nurse. The best part of this is Perry could be a full-time dad."

"When would you want me to start?" Kevin asked.

"As soon as you want," James said. "Give Perry a call and tell him the offer details. I'm not in a rush, but I know you guys have some things to work out for your family. I think we can help each other with this deal."

"Do you mind if I call my boss and let him in on the deal? He's been really good to me and is a friend. I don't want him to feel like I'm leaving him or worse trying to steal a client."

"Absolutely, loyalty and square dealing are very important to me," James said. "Also reassure him that nothing else changes in his contract with Pierce International or the Pierce family."

"Thanks, I'll do that."

While Kevin went to call Perry and his boss, James went to watch football with Brock, Chad, and Trey. When James sat down, Brock said, "I don't know whether Chad would be any good as a player, but he is definitely going to be a good football coach. He could give Weston a run for his money in football trivia and knowledge."

Chad heard Brock and said, "I'll be a great football player because I like to hit."

"I'm not sure you're going to be big enough to play the line, buddy," Brock said. "How are you at the skill positions?"

Trey jumped in and answered, "Chad's fast and he always catches the ball, even those shitty passes Jared Thompson throws." Chad smiled and nodded.

"Well, we need to introduce you to our friend Weston," Brock said. "He's going to play football at the Naval Academy."

"What position does he play? Chad asked.

"At our high school, he's the quarterback, but he thinks he'll be either a tight end or wide receiver in college," Brock said. "I'm betting he plays tight end because he is a beast. He is definitely someone who likes to hit."

"Is he bigger than you?" Trey asked.

"Oh yeah, he's a couple of inches taller, 20 pounds heavier, and is all muscle."

"You're all muscle," Chad said.

Brock raised his shirt and said as he pinched his side, "No, I've got a little bit of baby fat right here I just can't get rid of."

Trey poked Brock's side and said, "Daddy calls that table muscle."

"You've got that right," James said. "I once saw Brock eat an entire chocolate cake by himself."

"I did not! It was a couple of Hostess cupcakes."

"It was a box of Hostess cupcakes!" James said, and all Brock could do was smile and shrug his shoulders.

James and Brock were making tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches when Kevin finally finished talking with Perry and his boss.

"So did you get any clarity?" James asked.

"I think so. Perry is ready to move tomorrow. He's so dreading going in tomorrow because New Year's Eve is one of the trauma unit's worst nights. Perry is very good at his job, which is why he gets New Year's Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, the 4th of July, and Halloween, every year. Steve, the owner of the agency, is happy for me, said he'll work out an arrangement to support me, and said to tell you he's very happy to have your business."

"So, what about you?" Brock asked.

"First, I would do anything so Perry can get a break from the trauma surgery unit. I think he will eventually go back to nursing, but he needs to get some perspective and have time to just be a father. So, everyone is on board except those two," Kevin said pointing in the direction of the great room.

"When are you going to tell them," Brock asked.

"Brock!" James said, "Don't be a buttinsky."

Kevin said, "It's okay. I thought I would test the waters at supper tonight. That way if things don't go well, you two can bail me out. Plus, they love tomato soup and grilled cheese. I don't think they will bolt from the table even if they're upset with me."

So, at supper, Kevin asked, "Boys, what do you think of this place."

"It's cool," Chad said, "I can't believe James and Brock can come out here anytime they want."

"It's not quite like that," James said. "We still both have to finish high school and then go to college. However, we do plan to be out here quite a bit whenever we get the chance."

"Could we come with you sometime?" Trey asked.

"Well," Kevin said hesitantly, "James and Brock have asked if I would like to take care of this place when they aren't here."

"Are you leaving Daddy," Chad said suddenly concerned.

"NO!" Kevin said. "Why would you think that?"

"Billy Day's father got a job in Dallas and left him, his brother, and his mother in New York. Billy said his father just wanted a new family."

"Let's get this straight, I love your Daddy and both of you guys. I'm not moving here without all three of you."

"We're moving?" Trey asked.

"Your Daddy and I are thinking about it, but we need to know what you guys think."

"Where would we live?" Chad asked.

Kevin looked at James, and James said, "At first, you will live here in the cabin. However, a new caretaker's home is going to be built and your family would live there when it's ready."

"Will I have my own room? Chad asked.

"Yes," James said, "You and Trey will each have rooms."

"Where will we go to school," Trey asked.

Kevin smiled and said, "Do you remember that school we saw today? That's where both of you would go if we moved here."

"Can I play football," Chad asked excitedly.

"That's still up to your father and mother," Kevin said.

"Is this because of Mommy getting that job in Dallas," Trey asked.

Kevin took a deep breath and said, "I wish they were telling you this, but yes. That job is a great opportunity for your mother, but she is going to miss you guys a lot and if we live here Daddy won't have to work so much and he can take you to visit her."

"Maybe Daddy won't be so tired and sad either," Trey said.

"That's what I'm hoping," Kevin said.

"When would we move?" Chad asked.

"Your Daddy and I talked about it and we think there are two options. We could wait to move until school is done and you can finish out the year with all your friends, or we could move at Spring Break so you can make some new friends before the start of the Summer. Do you have any ideas?"

"I would rather move at Spring Break," Chad said, "None of my friends are going to the Science and Technology magnet school, so I'll be making new friends anyway. I might as well get a jump start up here. I just hope there's a summer baseball team I can try out for."

"I bet Cody at the Hometown Pizza can tell you," Brock said. "He seems like the kind of guy who would help you get set up with sports and activities."

"What about you little guy," Kevin asked Trey.

"As long as I have Daddy, you, and Chad, I'll be okay," Trey said. "Will James and Brock be here?"

"We have a busy Summer," James said, "but we'll make time to come see you guys. Don't forget, I promised I would go trout fishing with you and show you Granddad's best honey holes."

Trey smiled and nodded.

"So, Spring Break it is," Kevin said, and the boys nodded.

After supper, Kevin called Perry so the boys could talk to him. As they talked, James noticed they became more excited, and Chad even asked if they could move right then. However, there was too much to do, and Perry had to give the hospital notice, so Spring Break was the earliest they could move. However, Kevin and Perry did promise to bring the boys up to do some more exploration and to visit the school.

After tucking the boys into bed, Kevin came back down, gave James and Brock each a big hug, and said, "You have no idea what this opportunity means to us. I was really beginning to worry about Perry. Then when Amanda got the job, I thought...well, I don't know what I thought..." Kevin had to stop and wipe away tears.

"Hey," James said, "I'm the lucky one. Starting with Brock, this has been an amazing year of finding friends and good people I can rely on. It's like a fairy tale where I'm walking alone and finding the people I'll need for whatever tests are down the road. I don't know what those tests will be, but I know I'll have the people I need to meet them."

"You two are going to do great things," Kevin said. "You are the kind of team that can make a real difference in this world. Now I need to go to bed because it doesn't inspire confidence in your security to see him crying like a little baby."

James and Brock each gave Kevin a hug and said goodnight.

When they were alone, Brock gave James a big kiss.

"What was that for?"

"For helping Kevin, Perry, Chad, and Trey. You did a really nice thing."

"First, that wasn't charity," James said, "Kevin will earn his money and this will be one less thing I worry about. Second, this was all because of you."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, if the rustic suite we had in Zurich hadn't made you all wild and horny, I wouldn't have even thought about this place. Then when I saw you sledding with Chad and Trey, I knew I had to figure out how to help Kevin and Perry."

Brock kissed James again and led him to the couch in front of the wood-burning stove. James pulled a quilt over them and they cuddled together and watched the fire.

The next morning, James and Brock were asleep on the couch, still cuddled together. The fire was just embers, but they were plenty warm sharing their body heat under the quilt. However, their peaceful slumber was shattered when Trey jumped onto them and started trying to tickle Brock. Brock easily got the best of Trey, at least until James joined Team Trey.

"Not fair, not fair!" Brock protested. "Two against one, and James knows my ticklish spots." Eventually, Brock got the upper hand and pinned both James and Trey. Once James was immobile, Brock decided it was time to give the traitor a lesson and stuck his tongue in James' ear.

Now it was James' turn to yell, "Ew! Ick!, that is so gross."

All this went on while Kevin stood on the stairs and laughed, finally he said, "I'm going to make breakfast. Is a sausage and egg scramble okay?"

"That sounds great," Brock said.

Kevin started toward the kitchen and then turned to say, "If anyone is interested, it will be about 45 minutes until breakfast will be ready."

James and Brock smiled and headed upstairs. Trey started to follow, but Kevin said, "Trey, I need your help in the kitchen."

Once upstairs, James and Brock stripped off their clothes, grabbed their towels, and ran to the shower. The shower was tight for one person and for two it took a combination of dance and contortion, but they managed.

After showering and brushing their teeth, James and Brock were ready to head back to their room to get dressed. However, when Brock opened the door, Chad stood leaning against the wall, waiting his turn in the shower.

"I hope there's still some hot water left," Chad said with a smirk.

"Brock looked him right in the eye and said, "It was plenty hot for me." The look on Chad's face was priceless and James couldn't help but laugh.

When they got downstairs, Kevin was just getting ready to serve breakfast. Kevin asked, "Do you know if Chad is up?"

"I'm not sure," Brock said, "but his cold shower will take care of that."

Kevin laughed and said, "It's been a while since I've been around teenage jocks. I guess I'll have to get used to that type of `bro banter' now that Chad will be entering high school. It sounds so different as an adult than when I was a kid and saying it."

"I'm sorry," Brock said. "I shouldn't talk about your son like that."

"Don't be silly," Kevin said. "It's just that I've been so careful around the boys and other people. You know, so no one gets the idea that I'm some sort of step-perv."

Brock said, "I forget that it's still sometimes difficult for same-gender couples to be accepted as just regular parents."

"It's not an issue in our neighborhood," Kevin said. "But when we travel, we still can get some crap from ignorant assholes. That's one of the reasons Amanda and Perry want the boys to stay in New York. Plenty of jerks remain here, but they're not as free to be open about it in the Northeast."

"I get that," James said, "They haven't said anything to me yet, but I know there is concern about how it will affect Pierce International operations in the Bible Belt when it's widely known the company CEO in-waiting is gay. That's one of the reasons my security was increased. For some reason, the headline `Wet Behind the Ears, Ivy League, Gay Boy, to take over Pierce International' on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, isn't good public relations."

"Well, if I see that headline, Kevin said, I'll know two things, Rupert Murdoch has completed the transformation of the WSJ into the National Inquirer, and it's time to buy Pierce International stock on the cheap."

James laughed and said, "You're the second person who's told me something like that."

Just then Chad walked in and said, "Fuck, that was a cold shower," and Kevin, James, and Brock laughed.

Before they had gone up to shower, James had thrown a couple of logs on the fire in the wood stove, and they were now blazing away. He added a couple more and figured the room would start to warm up. It would still be sweaters and sweatshirts, but you no longer would see your breath, nor would your fingers turn blue.

Kevin looked at the boys and asked, "Are you sure you want to move up here while it's still winter?"

"Yes!" Chad and Trey said in unison.

"I checked the mid-March to late-April temperatures for this area," Kevin said, "and it still gets down to freezing or near freezing every night."

James said, "I'll call Terry Reeser after the holidays and see if he can do something about getting at least temporary heating in the great room and bedrooms."

"That would be great," Kevin said.

"Could you also get him to put in a bigger water heater?" Chad said with a fake shiver.

There was more laughter and Kevin said, "A couple of cold showers might just be the motivation you need to get going so you can have the first shower."

It was cold and snowy, making it the perfect day to spend indoors watching movies and playing games. James stirred up another batch of dump chili so the guys could eat whenever they were hungry.

While James was cooking, Brock found some cables in the storage closet and figured out how to connect his iPad to the TV so they could watch movies from his Netflix account. Trey wanted to watch Harry Potter and Chad wanted to watch the X-Men. They finally compromised and watched Indiana Jones movies. Only Kevin was old enough to have watched the original three Indiana Jones movies in the theater, and Chad and Trey had never seen them.

While they watched the movies they ate popcorn, peanuts, and pretzels. After the first movie, James was ready to switch from soda pop to beer and asked Brock and Kevin if he could get them one. Chad piped up and said, "I'd like one too?"

James looked at Kevin and he said, "Chad, what's the rule?"

Chad said dejectedly, "No beer until I have to shave at least once a week."

James looked at Brock and said, "Damn boy, I guess I'd better bring you a soda pop, or better yet a glass of milk."

Brock threw a pillow at James and said, "If I'm not man enough for a beer, there are a lot of things I'm not man enough to be doing with you." Kevin nearly busted his gut laughing when James returned with the beer and handed Brock two.

They were in the middle of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," when James looked at his watch and said, "It's three o'clock. We should pause the movie and go get some more firewood."

When they got to the firewood rack, Trey said "Look!" and pointed. What he saw were five deer walking in a line along the edge of the meadow toward the creek. All the guys stopped what they were doing to watch.

"That is something you won't see in the City," Kevin said.

Brock said, "I'm beginning to wonder if we might get snowed in."

"Would you care?" James asked.

"Not until the food runs out," Brock said, "If we have to go all Donner Party, I'll be the first eaten."

"Why do you say that," Kevin asked.

"Because I got the most meat on me."

James slapped Brock's butt and said, "Yeah, this rump roast could keep us fed for a week."

When they got the wood into the cabin and a few more logs on the fire, Kevin said, "Go ahead and start up the movie. I'm going to make some hot cider." When Kevin served the hot cider, it was a hit. It was just the perfect drink for a cold, snowy New Year's Eve.

After `Temple of Doom,' they decided, that as good as Indiana Jones was, they couldn't watch another movie, so 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' would have to wait for New Year's Day. Instead, they decided to play Uno and watch the last half of whatever bowl game was on.

During Uno, Brock made the mistake of sitting between Chad and Trey and both took special delight in dumping dirt on him; however, Brock was his usual easy-going, goofy self. The only time James had ever seen Brock get super competitive was when he played soccer and lacrosse, then he was out for blood and glory. In that way, Brock was very different from James, who had been conditioned to treat even the smallest competition as life and death.

At midnight, they watched the televised Times Square ball drop and popped open the champagne. After taking their first sip, James and Brock kissed, which elicited a chorus of oohs from Kevin and the boys. James and Brock both smiled, and James said, "you're just wishing you had someone to kiss."

"Damn right, I am," Kevin said, "Getting three kissy emojis from Perry is not the same as the real thing." However, Kevin didn't mention what Perry said he wanted to do to him in the message; after all, no kid wants to believe his parents ever have sex.

At a quarter after midnight, Kevin told the boys it was time for bed. Chad and Trey gave an obligatory protest but were more than ready for bed, and Kevin was there as well. When they were alone, James poured Brock and himself another glass of champagne, then he walked over to the bookshelf, and from behind a copy of Moby Dick got two small boxes.

James said, "I know we can't make a public commitment to each other right now, but I would like to make a private commitment to you. Just so you know, Brock Champlain, I plan to spend the rest of my life with you."

Then Brock said, "James Spangler Pierce, I plan to spend the rest of my life with you too."

"I was hoping that would be your response," James said. "So, I went out on a limb and got us each something we can secretly wear near our hearts until we can make that commitment public.

When James opened the box, there was a silver bar pendant on a silver chain. Brock took it and looked at the pendant. On one of the bar's surfaces were his engraved initials, the opposite surface had James' initials, the third surface was blank and the last surface had a date Brock didn't immediately recognize. James could see that Brock didn't get it so he said, "That's the date I found you tied to the library fence. It was a day that changed my life, and although at the time it was probably the worst day of your life, I hope you feel the same as me about what followed."

"I absolutely do," Brock said and kissed James.

When his lips were finally free for talking, James continued, "The blank side is for the happiest day of my life, the day we can publicly declare our commitment to each other." Now it was James' turn to kiss Brock.

Then James pulled Brock's sweatshirt and T-shirt over his head and off. James then hung the chain around Brock's neck. The chain was just long enough so that the bar hung in the cleft formed by Brock's muscular pecs.

Brock did the same to James. The two stood there bare-chested and breathing deeply, finally James said, "Babe, I really want you to make love to me." Brock smiled, took James' hand, and led him upstairs.

I hope you're enjoying "Exposed."

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