Exposed

Exposed: Chapter 33

It had been four days since James and Brock had been together, and, to a teenage boy, that's a long time not to cum. So, when James finally arrived at Mill Brook in the late afternoon for the resumption of classes after the break, Brock was wild with lust.

"What took you so long!" Brock said when James walked into the room. "Fuck, I don't care."

Brock began ripping James' clothes off of him. Normally James would have said, "Slow down, we've got plenty of time," but he was too busy ripping Brock's clothes off to offer such platitudes, and soon the boys were fucking each other's brains out.

Brock was the first to pop and as James wanted, it was like uncorking a bottle of victory champagne. Cum shot over Brock's head and landed on the headboard. The sight and the feeling of Brock's hole clenching onto his cock was too much for James, and he too exploded.

When they caught their breath, Brock declared they still had three more days of fucking to make up for; however, they only made up for two more before they were too spent to try again. So, they held each other and contentedly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, the choice came down to another round of sex or breakfast; the boys made the smart choice and went to breakfast. When they walked into the cafeteria, it was clear that Kip, Weston, Lance, and Malik had already been sharing stories about their Spring Break adventure. So, when James sat down with the J.V. Guppies they were full of questions. He told them all about the trip, except for the dance club. One of the guys asked, "So, when are you going to take us?" There was a chorus of yesses. James laughed and said, "I'm not taking underage prep school brats to the Canary Islands. However, I will make a deal with you guys. If you keep working hard and improving, I will get you guys tickets to the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament and host you for a weekend at the Pierce Estate." Everyone looked at the Guppy table when it burst into cheers.

After breakfast, James headed for the library, and Mr Gregg was just unlocking the doors. "So young Mr. Pierce, how was your Spring Break?"

"It was fun. We had a great time."

"I would think so. You and Mr. Champlain seemed quite the hit on the dance floor."

"Huh?"

"From what I hear you and Brock are the two most handsome and badass superheroes on the planet."

"Shit, how did you find out."

"I have a friend that covers Broadway for the New York Post. He told me someone sent them a link to a social media post, and they are trying to verify if that is really you in the photo. He wanted me to confirm it was you and Brock."

"What did you say?"

"I told him that even if that was you in the photo, professional and personal ethics would prevent me from commenting. He wasn't happy, so I think I lost my tickets to the theatre this Summer."

James smiled and said, "Not if you take me up on the offer I, my mother, and my aunt made you earlier this year."

Gregg smiled and said, "Oh, good. I was hoping that was still on the table. Yes, I would love to take you up on that offer. It will be good to get back to New York. And between you and me, the incoming crop of boys look like hellions."

James laughed and said, "You say that about every new class."

"True, but I also won't have you here to help me deal with the pimple-faced demons."

James laughed and said, "I'm sure you thought that of me when I first arrived."

"I don't ever remember you having pimples," Gregg said with a wink.

Mr. Gregg went to his office to write his letter of resignation to be effective that day after graduation, and James started reshelving books. There were a lot of books to reshelve because Sophomore and Senior research papers were due before Spring Break, and everyone was returning their resources.

James was reshelving American History books when Matt found him. "What's up, Matt," James asked with a smile.

"Gill told our father that he's gay."

"How did that go?" James asked softly.

"Not good, but it could have been worse. I can't go to Colorado this summer, but Gill can still come to see me. Mom is being shitty about everything, so Dad, Gill, and I are going to spend a week somewhere. He's not happy about Gill, but he told Mom he wasn't abandoning his son, and he wasn't going to let her keep me from seeing my brother."

"Well, you should be very thankful that your dad is going to try."

"I am. I think Mom would be okay too, but she won't go against anything my grandfather says. He is just so religious and conservative. I love him, but I hate to go to his church and hear some of the things he preaches. I know Mom can't believe all of that, but she won't say anything to him, and I sure as hell won't. He's gotten worse since Grandma died. She softened him, but now he's so bitter and judgmental."

James just listened to Matt. The kid wasn't looking for answers or explanations. He just needed to tell someone how he was feeling, and James had a kind face and willing ears.

That afternoon at practice, the varsity tennis players gathered around James, and they weren't looking so happy. James smiled and said, "What's up guys?"

Tristan said, "I guess we're feeling a bit slighted, and we're wondering if we did anything wrong."

"Hey, if this is about the JV and the U.S. Open, I....."

"No, it's not that," Tristan said, but then added, "Well maybe a little. It's just that you don't sit with us, we don't hang together, we don't really know you. It feels like you've written us off. We know that the only team that's been worse than tennis the last couple of years is the condoms, but really, what gives?"

James was quiet for a bit then said, "Guys, I'm so sorry. It was not my intent to snub you. I just didn't want to impose myself more than I already have. I guess I don't feel like I've earned the right yet to be a part of the varsity."

"Seriously? You're bullshitting us." Aaron Dryden said. "You're the best player on the team, probably in the entire league, and you don't think you fit in with the varsity."

"It's not an issue of can I play varsity," James said. "It's just that I don't feel like I've paid my dues. I haven't gone through the system. I didn't start on JV and work my way up. I didn't have to take shit from the upperclassmen."

Now the group laughed, and Tristan said, "Okay, let's just clear the air. First Pierce, you would never have played JV. As a freshman, you would have been on varsity. Second, you are right, you didn't have to put up with the shit from the varsity team. So, we're going to fix that. After the meet tomorrow, you're going to be initiated into the varsity."

"Of fuck," James said, and there was more laughter.

After practice, Tristan grabbed James for a talk with the coach about the next day's tennis meet. When they got to the cafeteria, James saw that the JV and Varsity were all mixed up. Tristan said, "The guys decided we needed to break down the Varsity/JV division. So, Mondays and Wednesdays Aaron is in charge of tennis table seating."

James noticed that Aaron had left practice early. What he was doing was getting a bag of blue and red marbles and a blue and red flag. He put a flag on each of the tables the tennis team usually sat at. After getting their food, the players would draw a marble to see which of the tables they would sit at and eat. Although they didn't know it in the beginning, other teams soon started doing the same thing on what became known as Marble Days.

After supper, James went back to his room to read. The lacrosse team had their first game of the season, and it was away. James hated missing it, but with the first tennis meet the next day, he couldn't miss practice. So, he did the next best thing, he pulled up the lacrosse Twitter feed. During the game, one of the managers was in charge of posting scores and highlights. The game was close, but Brock gave the Trojans the lead at the end of the first half, and they held on to it for the rest of the game.

When Brock dragged himself into their room, James could see that the Twitter updates might be giving the scores and highlights, but it wasn't conveying the punishment Brock was taking. James helped Brock take off his clothes and climb into the shower.

"Aren't you going to shower with me?" Brock asked.

"I still have a chapter to read before tomorrow," James said.

"Please."

How could James say no? So, he stripped off his clothes and climbed into the shower. As he began to wash Brock's sore body, James said, "You know, your teammates have to do this for themselves."

"It's not my fault they don't have a boyfriend with magic fingers."

After James got Brock cleaned and dried, he put him in bed. Covered him up and turned out the lights.

The next morning Brock was sore but happy, and he wanted to celebrate. "Come on babe. Just one quick little victory fuck," Brock pleaded.

"Perhaps in your self-centered world lacrosse is the only sport that matters, but I have a meet tonight." The look on Brock's face told James that his comment didn't come off as teasing. "Shit, babe I didn't mean it like that. I am so sorry."

"I guess I can settle for an apology fuck," Brock said.

James laughed, kissed him, and said, "Tonight babe, I'll make it up to you."

"We can celebrate both our wins," Brock said.

"If things go right, I'll be celebrating a doubles and singles win," James said.

"Yeah, I don't think it's fair that you can get two wins and never get a single bruise."

"I told you; you should have learned to play tennis."

"I could have, but then what good would these be?" Brock said as he flexed his muscles. `Damn the boy was sexy,' James thought as he grabbed his book bag to escape before his willpower completely disappeared.

As James was ready to open the door, Brock said, "You'd better get your sexy ass back here as soon as the meet is over."

James stopped and said, "Oh, about that..."

After James told Brock he was being "initiated into the varsity' after the meet. Brock said, "Well, you just tell them that everything between your belly button and the top of your kneecaps belongs to me, and I won't be forgiving of anyone who messes with my stuff."

James just laughed and went to breakfast. He wasn't worried about the initiation. Long gone were the days of brutal hazing of underclassmen and new members of the teams. The Mill Brook Board of Directors got scared when a sister school made the news for some truly sadistic hazing rituals, including something called `The Butt Cracker." Freshmen on the football team were required to clench a Ritz cracker between their butt cheeks and then walk a gauntlet of towel-popping upperclassmen. If they dropped the cracker, they had to eat it.

The negative publicity and lawsuits drove the school into bankruptcy, and it was forced to close. The problem is that schools like Mill Brook depended on tradition as part of their pitch to parents. So, a policy was created to define the difference between hazing' and initiation.' Hazing was basically anything that "inflicted physical, psychological, and/or emotional trauma." Initiations on the other hand were "fun and promoted camaraderie." Although there were no doubt times when the line blurred between hazing and initiations, the coaches and team captains were pretty quick to shut down any activity that violated the policy.

The morning went by quickly and after lunch, the tennis team loaded up and headed to the Winchester Tennis Club. Brock wanted to go to the meet, but the limited seating in the facility was reserved for parents. James promised to text him how he was doing.

At 2:30, James sent Brock a text: Tristan and I won first match in straight sets. Next team won't be so easy."

James 3:30: Dropped first set. Finally pulled our heads out. Won 2-1. On to singles.

James 5:25: Won first singles pretty easily. Next guy is good. Will be a challenge. Guppies reporting hearing complaints I'm a ringer."

James 6:40: Won 6-3, 5-6, 6-4. Made me work for it.

Brock replied: Great! Can't wait to celebrate.

James: Just don't start without me!

Brock: LOL Not a chance.

Since the team wouldn't be back in time for supper, Coach Jenks called in an order to Nick's Pizza. Nick's was the closest pizza joint to Mill Brook and the school had an account and a standard order there. All Jenks had to do was call in the number, the team, and the ETA and Nick's knew what to do. The best part was that they already had tables set up and the pizzas were in the oven. So, by the time the teams arrived and got their sodas, the pizza was coming to the table.

When all the guys were seated Coach Jenks stood up and asked for everyone's attention. He said, "I'm so proud of this team. You have worked your tails off and it shows. This is the first time since I've been the tennis coach that we haven't finished last in the opening Winchester Quad. In fact, we finished second, and only 5 points behind St. Regis Prep."

The team cheered.

Jenks continued, "I know that some of the coaches from other teams were grumbling about us bringing in a ringer." The guys started chanting "Jim Bo, Jim Bo, Jim Bo." "James" didn't fit the rhythm of the chant, and since he didn't like Jimmy, James was stuck with Jim Bo.

Jenks smiled as he tried to calm the team. Then he said, "I'm not going to lie, James gave us a lot of points, but each and every varsity player contributed points to that finish." (More cheers). "Also since JV is an exhibition, we don't keep official team scores, but every coach knows what the score would have been, and the JVers, you made a statement. You would have been second as well." (More cheers)

Jenks then said, "Tristan you're the team captain. Do you have anything to say?"

Tristan stood up and said, "I want to echo Coach's praise of our team effort and spirit. I was truly proud to be a Mill Brook Trojan today. On a personal note, I want to thank James for being my doubles partner. As many of you know, Emery Watson, my doubles partner, graduated last year. So, I wasn't sure what would happen this season. But I think that not only will I have a great season, but I might also even get some college looks. So, thanks, James." (More cheers.)

While James appreciated Tristan's words, it did stir up a feeling that he had stepped on someone's chance to play doubles with Tristan. He happened to be sitting next to one of the #2 doubles players, and he leaned over and said, "Jerod, I'm glad Tristan likes me as his partner, but I feel like I stole a chance for either you or Sammy to be his partner."

Jerod said, "Don't think of it that way. Sammy and I have been doubles partners since we were freshmen, and either of us would have played with Tristan if Coach told us to. But we're really looking at next year when we'll be seniors. Also, like Tristan, we are hoping that a few college coaches give Mill Brook a look because you're on the team."

"I hope I don't disappoint everyone."

"You won't." Jerod said, "However, I do have one request."

"What's that?"

"The juniors on varsity want to be included in the U.S. Open field trip."

James smiled and said, "Of course, I wouldn't think of hosting those hellions without the team captains along to keep them in line." Now it was Jerod's turn to smile.

After the team had their fill of pizza, it was back to Mill Brook. The varsity initiation was more of a chance for the junior and senior tennis players to drink. So, the first task was for James to score some alcohol. Although an underage student buying alcohol was probably a violation of the hazing code, it was hardly a challenge for a senior at Mill Brook. So, James showed up for his initiation with a couple of cases of beer.

The second challenge was to bake a cake. The initiation was being held in an unused shed at the far end of the athletic complex. Although the shed had lights and electricity, there wasn't anything like a pantry, fridge, or oven. However, there was a table with a tarp covering it. When the tarp was removed, James saw a variety of ingredients that might be turned into something resembling a cake, a can of frosting, an empty #10 can, and an Easy Bake oven. Missing were any mixing and measuring utensils. On the table was also a jar of pickle relish, a can of pork 'n' beans, and a tin of sardines. He was told that one of these three items had to be in the cake and another in the frosting. He was also told that he and three varsity players of his choosing would share the cake when it was finished.

James immediately knew he wasn't using the sardines. So, he opened the can of beans, drained the liquid, and started mashing them with his hand and adding brown sugar. As he was mashing the beans, James said, "I hope I remembered to wash my hands after my post-supper shit." Tristan was in the middle of a swig of beer when James said that, and he blew beer through his nose. Sammy yelled, "Tristan just got a Bud Light nasal douche."

"Pierce, you're going to pay for that," Tristan yelled as he both laughed and tried to clear his nose at the same time.

James had watched Betty in the kitchen often enough to know the basic ingredients of a cake, but he had no idea as to their proportions. He was going to have to eyeball it. After he got what looked like cake batter, he scooped it into the tiny pan of the Easy Bake oven. After the "cake" was in the oven, James opened the pickle relish, dumped the liquid, and then used both hands to squeeze out as much juice as possible. Then he wrapped the relish in paper towels and set it aside.

While they waited for the cake to bake, Tristan said, "It's time for your last challenge. "You have to tell us the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you at Mill Brook."

James blushed a little and thought about making something up; however, he decided, in for a penny, in for a pound. "Okay, but if I find out this story got outside of this room, I'm gonna kick the ass of everyone here just to make sure I got the asshole who snitched."

`It was my freshman year, and we were doing the President's Physical Fitness Test. The stupid test wasn't required anymore, but Coach Sour Krause wasn't going to change his lesson plans for his last year of teaching. Anyway, I was doing sit-ups, when I had a coregasm."

"What the hell is a coregasm?" Jerod asked.

"It's an orgasm that's the result of straining the abs and pelvic muscles."

"Has anyone else had one of these coregasms?" Jerod asked.

Two guys raised their hands, and Jerod said, "Fuck, why haven't I had one, and how do I get one? Hell, I might even get a six-pack if there was a happy ending involved." The guys burst into laughter and a couple even tried doing sit-ups.

The timer on the Easy Bake Oven went ding, and James went to take the cake out. It looked surprisingly edible. Once the cake was cool, James frosted it, and then sprinkled the dried relish on top like little pieces of candy.

James cut the cake into four wedges and handed pieces to Tristan, Jerod, and Sammy, then he picked up his piece. They all took a bite together, and Sammy said, "It's not my favorite thing, but it's not terrible." All of the rest of the varsity had to try a bite and no one vomited.

After the cake, Tristan said, "Okay, Pierce do you feel like a varsity player now?"

James smiled, and said, "In a funny way, I do."

"Good, now let's celebrate our first win." The boys cheered and real snack food and another case of beer appeared.

When James walked into their room, Brock said with a tone of disapproval "You're drunk."

"Nope, just happy."

James then grabbed a peppermint lifesaver from his dresser, popped it in his mouth, and started stripping off his clothes. Brock just sat on his desk chair with his arms crossed, and not smiling. Finally, James was down to just his athletic briefs. He slowly lowered them while Brock stoically watched. When they were finally off, James brought them to his face and sniffed them.

"Ummm. I played four matches in these today, and boy do they have a musk." James walked over the Brock and draped the briefs over his face. Brock couldn't resist inhaling. James leaned close to Brock's ear and said, "I'm going to take a shower and wash that stink away."

Brock grabbed James around the waist and pulled him down onto his lap. Brock kissed the back of James' neck and said, "You're not taking a shower until my nose and tongue are finished with you."

"And my cock?"

"Yes, and your cock." Brock said with a growl.

As it turned out, James didn't get to shower until morning. When the alarm went off, he rolled over kissed Brock, and said, "I'm sorry I was drunk last night. Do you forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me?"

"For what?" James asked.

"For being a stupid, jealous prick. I guess I was jealous that you were having fun without me."

James kissed Brock again and said, "Look babe, we can and will have fun when we are not together. We have to allow each other to have space to have friends and interests that don't involve both of us. We can both have fun together and separately. Right?"

Brock nodded.

"Just remember, there's one kind of fun we only have together," James said as he took hold of Brock's cock.

Brock moaned, and then said, "Aren't you going to miss your first class?"

"I'm feeling a bit lovesick. Besides, it's art, and I'm so far ahead of the class that I could miss the rest of the Semester and still get an A."

"Sweet! You know I'm feeling a little feverish myself."

An hour and a half later, James was trying to eat a granola bar as he ran to get to his A.P. English class on time. James slid into his seat just as the bell rang to start class. Malik looked over and said, "You must have been sprinting to get to class."

"Yeah, the alarm didn't go off and we overslept."

"I don't know about the alarm," Malik smiled and then added, "but you sure as hell weren't asleep."

James turned 50 shades of red. Mercifully class started so James could focus on something other than the smirk on Malik's face. When the bell rang to end class, James looked at Malik and asked, "How?"

"This morning, I came to see if I could borrow your A.P. English notes, but... let's just say you might want to stuff a sock in Brock's mouth." James laughed. While no one had said anything, he figured it wasn't the first time someone on the hall had heard Brock's `call of the wild'.

At lunch, James, Brock, Kip, Lance, Mr. Gregg, Coach Montoya, and Headmaster Gates met with the team from Bradley Shipping and Logistics for a final walkthrough of Troy and the handover of the keys.

"I'm in complete awe of what you've accomplished," Gates said. "The Mill Brook committee and the team from Bradley have gone above and beyond my wildest expectations. The Trojan Wars will be extra special this year, not only because of this facility but because of the leadership shown by these four boys. What I'm most impressed with is how they turned a conflict into a friendship." Jame thought to himself, `Damn, Gates finally said something worth remembering.'

Of course, no one was more excited than Mr. Gregg. He loved history, tradition, and the theatre, and Troy more than anything else at Mill Brook represented those three loves. He was particularly pleased with the technical improvements to the venue. Gates also liked the new sound, lights, and video capabilities, not so much for their ability to enhance the Trojan Games, but for the value they added to renting Troy out for weddings and other events during the Summer.

They were walking back to the campus when James' phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and saw it was Kendra. James answered it, and Kendra said, "Well, your source was right the Post is working on a story about "the two most handsome and badass superheroes on the planet."

"Seriously Kendra, how long will you keep calling us that?"

Kendra laughed, saying, "Probably until the press gives you another moniker. Anyway, a reporter called and asked for a comment."

"What did you tell them?"

"I know we talked about saying you and Brock came to the aid of someone in trouble; however, I got the feeling they don't have any identifiable source or corroboration, and I didn't want to give them any. So, I told them since you have no `official title or responsibility' it would be inappropriate for the company to comment. That was a bit of subterfuge. However, since you won't be officially on the Board of Directors until it meets next September, we figured it wasn't technically a lie. Anyway, I pointed them to Raheem for comment, so if you haven't gotten a call from him, expect one."

"Have my mother and aunt told you about this VP of Hospitality and Entertainment thing they have cooked up?

"Yes, but again you're not officially in that position until the Board of Directors rubber stamps the creation of that new division and appoints you as VP at their next meeting."

"Oh, so I can vote to block being named VP of H&E?"

"You could, if you hadn't given your mother your proxy until you join the Board of Directors. Which isn't until... oh yeah, next September."

James laughed and said, "You and I are going to have an interesting dynamic."

"One last thing before I hang up and let Raheem have his shot at you," Kendra said. "The PR Department would like to have a team-building retreat at that resort in the Canary Islands. And... since they think we're pals, they assigned me to ask the soon-to-be-named VP of the yet-to-be-created division of Hospitality and Entertainment to green light it."

James laughed, "So we're pals now, are we? I guess I do owe you a couple, and at the rate I'm going I'd better not let them pile up. I'll give Axella and Sydney a call and see what I actually have the authority to do."

"Thanks," Kendra said and hung up.

As soon as the call ended, James' phone rang again, this time it was Raheem. "Mr. Pierce, do you know why I am calling you?"

"Could it be about the NY Post story?"

"Yes, so Kendra must have already filled you in." Raheem said.

"Only so much as to say Pierce International was disowning me until next September. I hope Mom and Aunt Sydney don't disown me as well."

"I know the person who handles your mother and aunt's PR, and when the Post called her for a comment, she told them that you are an adult, and it would be highly inappropriate for your mother or aunt to comment on your private life. So, with the company, your mother, and your aunt declining to comment, it comes down to what you want to say."

"I don't know," James said, "With tennis, the end of school, and life, I'm too busy to think about this right now."

"Good, that's what we'll say."

"Huh?"

"We'll tell them that you are involved in too many end-of-school activities and focusing on finishing your classes and don't have the time or focus to comment at this time but you'll be happy to sit down with them after graduation for an interview."

"I don't see how that helps. It just delays their story."

"Kendra and I both believe they don't have much of a story."

"She told me that," James said.

"So, I'll dangle an interview in front of them to see whether they would rather have something substantial or a shaky, flash-in-the-pan page 6 story."

"I get what you're thinking, it's just that I didn't want my first interview to be with the Post."

"I didn't say they would get the first interview. I said they would get an interview. Your first magazine interview is going to be with New York Magazine."

"I like that, but won't it piss off the Post to be served leftovers?

"Probably, but if you and Brock agree, I plan to offer them three days in London with the two of you."

"Seriously Raheem, that's crazy."

"No, hear me out. First, we'll have time to prep the two of you. Second, we'll have more control of the narrative because it will be about two boys in London having fun rather than a stark interview loaded with gotcha questions. Let's face it, one of your biggest advantages is that the two of you are incredibly photogenic. Third, the two of you are charming. A two-hour interview might not win the reporter over, but after three days, he or she will be eating out of your hands."

"Okay, this is your area of expertise. My reputation is in your hands."

They chatted for a bit longer, and then James said he needed to get to class. Again, James had to run to get to Calculus class. When he sat down Weston showed him a DM from Issa Jackson. - Saw your boys James and Brock's dance video. They're pretty good. Maybe you should ask them for lessons. -

James almost busted out laughing, which he did when Weston showed him his reply. - Seriously Dad, you're telling your black son to get dancing tips from two of the whitest boys I know? They're so white they make Wonder Bread look like pumpernickel. -

Tennis practice was now on the courts at Mill Brook. It was warm enough to play outdoors most days. And calling off practice for the few unbearable days was not going to hurt the team. James loved getting some sun. He was spoiled by his week in the Canaries. Since they had played a ton of tennis the previous day, practice was short and light.

The tennis team was already finishing supper when the lacrosse team entered the cafeteria. James decided to grab a second dessert and a cup of coffee and sit with Brock. However, when he sat down between Brock and Kip he said, "Phew, you guys stink. Look you're curdling my butterscotch pudding." Brock and Kip both lifted their arms closest the James to give him a good blast of eud de sweat. "Ewww, gag a maggot!" James yelled and everyone laughed. James had a good time mixing with the lacrosse team, something he would have never imagined possible a year before.

James noticed that the field sports team had, for want of a better word, an earthy quality about them. Not just because of the way they smelled or the fact they were often covered in dirt, but also in the way the players interacted. Their jokes and language had a more robust quality. They reminded him of the way Carl Sandburg described Chicago:

Hog Butcher for the World, Tool maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders:

He supposed it came from engaging in hard physical activity to achieve a common purpose: the way that soldiers, sailors, or laborers, do. It wasn't his world, but knowing Brock, Kip, and Weston had given him insight and appreciation for that world. James knew that while he and Brock shared their hearts and souls, Brock shared his spirit with Kip and Weston. James was okay with that.

When they got back to their room Brock took a shower. When he was dry and dressed, James slammed his book shut and said, "I'm tired of studying. Let's play video games." Brock was all in. However, before they sat down in their gaming chairs, James opened their room door. The open door was an invitation for anyone who wanted to come in and visit. Soon, their room was overflowing with boys and filled with laughter.

The rest of the week seemed to just fly by and out of nowhere it was Saturday. Saturday the tennis team and the lacrosse team were both at home, so James' Mom, Aunt, and Brock's parents decided to come for the games. They arrived late afternoon on Friday. They picked the boys up after practice and took them to dinner at a local steakhouse.

James and Brock expected a lecture about Spring Break; instead, it was a pleasant talk about the things they saw and did. Aunt Sydney said, "It's been a while since I've been to the Canary Island resort. I think we should go."

"Yes, that would be a great idea," Julia said. "And Florence and Nelson, you have to join us."

Nelson was about to say he was too busy, but Florence said, "Nelson, your partners can handle things for a few days, we're going." She then turned to Julia, "Thank you for the invitation. We accept." Nelson shrugged and everyone laughed. Brock and James were happy to see their families getting along.

After dinner, the boys were dropped off at the dorm. They spent some time horsing around and chatting with the other guys, before calling it a night. When the door closed, Brock kissed James and the two went to bed. It felt odd not to spend some time messing around, but with James having a tennis match in the morning and Brock a lacrosse game in the afternoon, sleep took priority for a change.

The next morning at breakfast, Tristan said, "Boys, I'm not going to kid you, Roger Williams Prep is the best tennis team in their state, and probably in all of New England. The last three years they've come up here and kicked our asses. We're the underdogs again this year, but we're not poodles. We're not going to give up and let the big dogs fuck us without a fight. Win, lose, or draw, I expect every one of you to fight like a junkyard dog, because we're not their bitches anymore." The team cheered.

Coach Jenks then stood up and said, "Wow there's nothing I can add to that other than to say let's go bite their asses." This time the guys switched from cheers to barking and then headed to the tennis locker room.

After warmups, the team gathered around Tristan and began to cheer, T-R-O-J-A-N-S, T-R-O-J-A-N-S, T-R-O-J-A-N-S, Fight! Then the team started barking.

Jeremy Somerset, the coach of Roger Williams Prep and a stick-up-his-ass traditionalist, hollered, "Coach Jenks, this is tennis, not football!" Then Jenks hollered back, "This is high school tennis, not Wimbledon," and growled like a dog. The Mill Brook players burst into laughter, and so did the Mill Brook spectators. Even some of the Roger Williams players had to fight not to laugh.

When doubles play started Tristan was playing at a level even he couldn't believe. The longer the games and sets went the more frustrated the Roger Williams players became, and the more confidence Tristan gained. James and Tristan lost the first set, which featured amazingly long volleys, in a tiebreak. As usual, James' game was near flawless and as they changed sides he said to Tristan, "They're finished."

James was right, Tristan looked at him and smiled. During the second set, James and Tristan wore their opponents out. James and Tristan were better conditioned, and James was particularly good at making the other team cover long distances for a return. In the end, James and Tristan won the second set.

The Roger Williams coach tore into his players during the break between the second and third sets. Somerset's tirade did nothing to motivate his players, it broke them. During the third set, the team from Roger Williams collapsed. They started making stupid mistakes, then they started sniping at each other. James and Tristan coasted to an easy win in the third set and won the match. James and Tristan's match was the last to finish, so everyone was watching them. The Mill Brook team and fans went crazy when Tristan served an ace for the win. No one was cheering louder than Brock, Kip, Weston, and Lance.

In the break between doubles and singles, Jenks was full of praise for the boys. While only James and Tristan won their match, doubles 2, 3, and 4 had played hard and smart against better players, so there was no shame in their losses.

In singles, James faced a player who hadn't played doubles so he was fresh. James knew Weldon Roth and hated his guts. He'd played against Weldon in club tennis and the two were evenly matched. Weldon was a cocky asshole, and while the Roths weren't as wealthy as the Pierces, they were politically powerful. There were three Roths in the New York legislature, one, in the U.S. House, and Weldon's grandfather had been a governor and U.S. senator.

When James met Roth at the net, Weldon said, "You look gassed, Spangler, oh sorry Pierce. You should have left something in the tank for me."

"Don't worry Weldon, I have plenty in the tank for you."

"So, if you're so confident, how about a wager?"

"How much?" James shot back.

"Since money means nothing to either of us, how about the loser buys a full-page, color ad in the New York Times weekend edition acknowledging the winner as the superior player."

"You're on," James said through clenched teeth and shook Weldon's hand.

As he walked back to start the first set, James was kicking himself for letting Weldon goad him into a stupid bet. James could hear his father saying, "What did I tell you about letting your anger and ego do the talking?" A year ago, that bet would have only cost James the humiliation of asking his father for $300,000 for the ad and enduring a two-hour lecture. Then James was basking in blissful anonymity. However, now he was known, and worse, people would see this rash bet as a sign of immaturity and bad judgment. Not something to give investors confidence in a future CEO.

James had first serve, and just as he tossed the ball in the air, he heard his Dad say, "Why are you giving up before you've even started the game? You're a Pierce, act like it."

James had no idea whether it was his Dad talking to him or just his subconscious playing mind games. Whichever, it lit a fire in James, and he smoked the first serve. Suddenly any fatigue James had was gone. Adrenaline and determination were pulsing through his body like high-octane aviation fuel. James' game plan was simple: go for the quick kill and avoid long volleys; don't waste energy chasing shots you can't return; and above all, win in two sets. James also knew Weldon's Achilles heal. Weldon didn't just want to win, he wanted to look cool doing it. Early on James hit a couple of really impressive shots and Brock and the boys did the rest. Soon they were going crazy on routine shots, and it was breaking Weldon's concentration.

Somerset threw a fit and demanded that the Mill Brook Athletic Director put an end to the loud cheering, which he by rule, had to do. So, the boys switched to three synchronic rhythmic claps, and soon they were joined by other students and even some parents. Somerset again complained, but this time the A.D. said that the rulebook allowed clapping. Somerset stormed off.

The Roger Williams JV tried their own warfare of distraction, but James was unflappable. When the A.D. asked James whether he should put a stop to the effort to distract him. He simply said loud enough for Weldon and Somerset to hear, "No, I hadn't noticed them."

Weldon soon became more focused on trying to hit shots to silence the crowd, than hit shots to win points. James won the first set 6-4. Roth fell apart in the second set and James won 6-2. The minute he won the match, exhaustion hit James like a freight train. Tristan grabbed James and helped him off the court.

Julia and Sydney hurried over to see if James was okay. James smiled and said, "Yeah, nothing a burger, fries, and a Coke won't cure."

"Whatever you want," Julia said. "Go get changed."

"Can Tristan come with us?" James said. "His parents had a wedding to go to today and couldn't be here for the meet."

"Absolutely," Julia said. "Nelson and Florence are eating in the cafeteria with the lacrosse team and the other parents."

It only took James and Tristan 15 minutes to run through the shower and change. Then they were back and ready to eat. Tristan couldn't stop talking about how great it was to play with James.

Julia said, "Don't give James all the credit. You played a great doubles game as well, and you took your singles opponent to three sets. I thought for a minute you were going to get him."

"Thanks," Tristan said, "Roger Williams is so deep that their doubles players don't play singles. Roger Williams is actually in Providence, Rhode Island, so we don't have to worry about them for league or state play. The two schools started playing each other in tennis back when private schools weren't able to join the state athletic associations. The schools even have a special exemption to play each other so they can keep the `tradition.' Although I don't think getting your ass kicked every year is a tradition worth continuing."

James laughed and said, "Neither do I."

Sydney said, "Tristen, you might feel differently when I tell you that there were a couple of college coaches sitting behind us who were there to scout Roger Williams. They asked if I knew who you guys were, and I gave them your names. I told them that James was committed to Columbia, but I didn't know about you."

Tristan's eyes lit up like Christmas lights, "Really, do you know what schools?"

Sydney said, "One was from Babson College, but I'm not sure of the other."

"The other guy had a notebook with Middlebury on it," Julia said.

Tristan was over the top with excitement, and James gave him a high five.

When they finished eating, Julia asked if James or Tristan had anything they needed or wanted to do. James said, "I want to go back to the dorm and take a real shower and drink a gallon of Gatorade. My legs are beginning to cramp." Tristan agreed. Julia said that she and Sydney wanted to walk around and do a little shopping, so the driver would take the boys back to Mill Brook. She also told James that she and Sydney would be sitting with the Champlains at the lacrosse game.

Back in the room, James took a couple of aspirin, drank a bottle of Gatorade, and got in the shower. The hot water felt good, but it would have felt better if Brock was there to massage his shoulders and back.

About half an hour before the lacrosse game was to start, James decided to head to the field. There weren't many people there yet; however, the guys from the nerd table were already in their usual place. James knew what they were doing. It was a nerd tradition to get to the game early, sit at the top of the stands, share a joint, and make fun of the jocks. They also would bet on who would get the first penalty, who would get pulled off the field for making a dumb mistake, who would be the first to score, and who would be the first to scratch his balls once the game started.

James made his way up to the group, and Caleb Grayson said, "What do you think you're doing Spangler? You know the rules, no jocks allowed."

"Come on guys," James pleaded, "I'm still the same anti-jock anarchist as I've always been."

"Don't you have a couple of State championship medals that say otherwise?" Caleb asked in an accusing tone.

"Yeah," Gavin Barnes said, "And you're on the tennis team."

"You all know that the jocks don't think swimming and tennis are real sports."

"True," Caleb said, `but rumor has it you've been fraternizing with one of the biggest jock-holes at Mill Brook." The guys burst into laughter at the double entendre.

James blushed ever so slightly, but then said, "You can't kick me out of the club for a little indiscretion."

"Brock Champlain isn't a little indiscretion," Caleb said. "Plus, you haven't sat at the nerd table in over three weeks," Gavin said, so we went ahead and gave your seat to a new member." Griffith Everly, a goofy naive sophomore raised his hand.

"Okay, you've made your point," James said and started to walk away, but Caleb and Gavin grabbed him and pulled him down between them.

"We're just giving you some shit, Spangler. We can't kick a founding member of the `Pissed at the World Society' out of the group," Gavin teased. "Our only rule is that you're James Spangler in the meetings, that James Pierce guy is too popular and flashy to be in the club."

It felt good to be with his old antisocial group. While James loved Brock and was buds with Kip, Weston, and Lance; these guys were his comrades in arms. Together they had railed against the Mill Brook system and James would never forget them.

Gage McHenry tapped James on the shoulder, "James, are you going to be at Game Club tomorrow? I haven't received your RSVP."

"Shit, I completely forgot. Is it too late?"

"Nah, I figured you'd be there, and you'd be bringing Brock."

"Is that okay?" James asked.

"Yeah, I bought extra beer for you and ordered extra pizza for Brock."

James smiled and nodded.

For Brock this particular lacrosse game wasn't just a game, it was personal. Mill Brook was playing the Revere School Minutemen, the team that had tied Brock naked to the library fence. Several Minutemen lacrosse players, including Steven Thad, had also played soccer. Thad and Brock had been rivals their entire high school careers, and no love was lost between them. Thad was standing with two of his buddies when he saw Brock, and he yelled, "Hey Champlain, you know what I heard the other day?"

"I don't know, was it that your daddy was really a red-ass baboon?" Brock said.

"Not even close. I heard you're a fucking fairy. So does that make those tiny things hanging between your legs your Tinkerballs?" Thad and his sidekicks laughed like `Tinkerballs' was the funniest thing since the whoopee cushion.

Just then Kip and Weston jogged up. Weston said, "Geez Thad, that was the weakest punk-ass dis I've ever heard."

"It's not any lamer than your boy calling my Dad a red-ass baboon."

"Damn Brock, you called his daddy that? Why are you hating on red-ass baboons?"

Thad wanted to respond, but his buddies were just like hyenas, willing to harass a lion, but giving space when the pride shows up. As Thad walked away, Kip hollered, "Hey Thad, are you wearing a cup today." Thad turned and Kip gave him a big grin.

"What was that?" Brock asked.

"Just planting a thought in that pile of shit he calls a brain. It's hard to play your best when you're worried about taking a rip to the nuts."

When the game started, Weston handled the face-off. He won control and flipped the ball to Brock. Brock went on the attack and Thad was out for blood. He took dead aim at the center of Brock's chest intending to bust him up, but Brock gave a fake and a side-step, and Thad missed completely. Brock cut through the Minutemen's defense like a hot knife through warm butter. The goalie didn't have a chance when Brock got his entire body into a rip to the top corner of the goal. The Mill Brook fans yelled, "Cheddar!" as Brock raised his stick in celebration. He'd just one-man flexed on the Minutemen defense. However, while Brock had his arms up, Thad blindsided him in the ribs.

Brock hit the turf like a sack of wet cement. Immediately the athletic trainer and student assistants ran to check on Brock, while the coaches of both teams rushed onto the field to get control of their players. James looked to where Brock's parents were, and he saw they were standing, and Nelson had his arms around Florence. James rushed to where they were, and he could see how upset Florence was. Nelson said to James, "Go down to the fence and see if you can get any information. James had just reached the fence when the trainer helped Brock to his feet. There was loud applause as Brock limped off the field.

Dean Meyers saw James and waved him over. "Are Brock's parents here?"

"Yes," and James pointed to them.

"Run up and tell them that Brock seems to be okay, but the trainer wants Brock taken to the hospital for an X-ray. See if they want to take him, or if they want us to call an ambulance."

Julia was already calling the driver to meet them at the entrance to the lacrosse field. James and Nelson went down to the sidelines to get Brock. The athletic trainer helped them get Brock to the car. Fortunately, Julia had requested a large SUV, so there was plenty of room for Brock. Julia gave the driver the address of the hospital that the athletic trainer suggested. Then said she and Sydney would wait for him to return and pick them up. Florence, Nelson, and James rode with Brock to the hospital emergency room. When they got to the hospital James ran in and found a nurse and a wheelchair. Fortunately, the emergency room was not busy, so a doctor was able to see Brock pretty quickly.

Not knowing how badly Brock might be hurt, the trainer had not removed Brock's shoulder/chest pads. So, the first task was to get Brock back to the exam room and get his gear removed. James stayed with Florence in the waiting room, while Nelson went with Brock.

When Florence and James found a place to sit down, she said, "You'd think that with a son like Brock, I'd be used to sitting in emergency waiting rooms. Fortunately, he's tough as nails and most of the trips to the ER were just so the doctor could tell us we have a tank and not a boy."

"Actually," Florence continued, "the only emergency room visit that was a real emergency was when his appendix burst. Brock was six, and we were getting ready to go to Florida for vacation. Brock was afraid if he were sick, we wouldn't go, and he had his heart set on Disney World. So, he tried to tough it out and not tell us. In the middle of the night, he was burning up and couldn't stand the pain, and finally told us. We rushed him to the emergency room, and they took him straight into surgery."

"So, I guess he didn't get to go to Disney World after all." James said.

"No, we rescheduled for a month later. That's the advantage of Nelson being a senior partner in his architectural firm. We have the cutest photo of Brock showing Mickey Mouse his scar. He hates it, but it's so adorable."

James kept Florence distracted until his mother and aunt arrived and took over. Florence asked James to try to find out what was happening with Brock. When James asked for information at the nurses' station, the nurse asked if he was a relative.

"No, I'm Brock's roommate at Mill Brook and his mother asked if I would see if there was any word about what was happening."

The nurse looked at Florence, who nodded, so the nurse said, "He just finished being x-rayed. We're waiting for the radiologist to look at it, and then Dr. Shamir will decide the next steps. If Mrs. Champlain wants to see her son, he's in exam room three with Mr. Champlain."

Florence got up to go see Brock then turned around and said, "James, you'd better come too since you will probably be the person helping him." When they got in the exam room Brock was sitting shirtless on the exam table and his arm was in a sling. Brock's side had an angry red spot where Thad drilled him, but Brock was smiling. He was one tough S.O.B.

When Dr. Shamir walked into the room, he introduced himself, then said, "The good news is that there are no broken or cracked ribs. The bad news is you're going to have a considerable amount of pain for a while."

Florence asked why Brock's arm was in a sling. Shamir said, "There's nothing wrong with Brock's arm. The sling helps support the arm and reduce strain that could irritate the bruised area."

Brock's first question was, "When can I get back on the field, it's feeling pretty good already?"

Dr. Shamir said, "When a doctor. writes you a release to play. I'll send your doctor the X-ray and my notes. You need to see him or her on Monday. The reason you're feeling `pretty good' is we've given you some pretty strong pain medication. I know I haven't given you much of an answer to your question. So, this is what I will say. Neither I nor the radiologist saw any structural damage: no broken or cracked ribs, no muscle or tendon tears. If your doctor concurs then what will determine when you return will largely be determined by how much pain you're in. No doctor would send you onto a lacrosse field under the influence of the medication we just gave you. Also, we can protect your side from another hit, but we can't protect you from the pain of breathing. When you think you're ready, sprint the length of the field a couple of times. If you can handle heavy breathing, you're probably ready."

Dr. Shamir asked who Brock's doctor was, and Nelson said, "She's in New York, so when he's at school, he sees someone at the clinic Mill Brook contracts with for health services."

"Great, I know that clinic and will send them the X-ray, my notes, and what we've talked about. Now I'll send in a nurse to give you some instructions and get you released."

The nurse's instructions were pretty basic: pain management, prescriptions, instructions about avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity, icing to keep the swelling down, and the importance of deep breathing to avoid pulmonary problems. She then asked who would be helping Brock, and James raised his hand. Then she said, "Brock might need help with bathing and dressing for a couple of days, are you comfortable with that?"

Brock almost laughed when James said, "I can handle that."

When Brock's parents went to take care of the dismissal paperwork, James said, "You have a female doctor. Isn't that a bit awkward when she tells you to turn your head and cough?"

"Hell yes, that's why, after my freshman year, I got my sports physicals at the Mill Brook clinic rather than over the Summer in New York."

When they finally got back to Mill Brook, Florence didn't want to leave, but they had obligations the next day and there was nothing she could do. So, she gave Brock a very gentle hug and kiss then got into the car with Julia and Sydney. Nelson told Brock to do what the doctor said and to call after meeting with the doctor on Monday. He then turned to James and said, "Florence and I are counting on you to tell us the truth about how Brock is doing because we know this lummox would lie through his teeth if it would get him on the lacrosse field."

"Absolutely," James said.

Then Nelson also gave Brock a gentle hug and said goodbye.

The car was just pulling out of the parking lot when they heard Kip yell, "Hey, there's Brock," and the Lacrosse team came running over. James stepped in front of Brock to make sure none of them lost their minds and decided to give Brock a big bro hug.

"Are you alright," Weston asked.

"Yeah, nothing was broken, just a little boo-boo," Brock said.

Kip looked at James who rolled his eyes and said, "We'll see how he feels when the pain medication starts wearing off."

"Let's talk about something important," Brock said. "Did we win?"

"We killed them," Weston said. "The final score was 13-2. Thad was ejected from the game, and they never seemed to get over it."

"Yeah," Kip added, "Their coach chewed Thad's ass all the way off the field."

After chatting more, someone made Brock laugh, and he winced. James said, "Okay, big guy, we need to get you to the room to take your pain meds and ice your `little boo-boo'."

When James got Brock into the room, he moaned and almost collapsed. James caught him and helped him into a chair.

James got him a bottle of water and his pain medicine. Brock took it and seemed to slump in the chair. Brock still wore his jersey, and James said, "Let's get this off of you." Then he gently began lifting it up and over Brock's head, and then off the arm in the sling. However, as careful as James was, he could tell that Brock was in real pain.

After the jersey was off, James got an ice pack out of the fridge and put it gently on the bruise. He told Brock to hold it there, while he wrapped an ace bandage around Brock to keep it in place.

"It's not very tight," Brock said.

"It's not supposed to be. We want you to be able to take deep breaths, so your lungs don't build up fluids."

"How am I going to sleep?" Brock said with concern.

"I'm going downstairs to get some more pillows. The information the nurse gave us said it may help you to sleep if your head and shoulders are elevated." James decided not to mention that Brock would also be sleeping alone, at least until the worst of the pain was past.

Before going downstairs, James asked Kip if he could keep Brock company for a while. Then he went to see Mr. Gregg about pillows. Gregg asked how Brock was doing, and James said, "Playing at being tough, but I know he's in a lot of pain. I came to see if I could get a couple of more pillows for him."

"Absolutely," and he took James to the linen closet.

As they were getting additional pillows Michael walked in. It was his day off and he had just been briefed on what had happened. "How's Brock doing," he asked.

"He's putting on a good show of it, but it's got to be killing him. They've given him some pretty strong pain meds. On Monday he's going to see the doctor at the clinic for a follow-up check."

"Do you want me to drive the two of you to the doctor," Michael asked.

"I don't know if the school will excuse me from classes to go with him," James said.

"I just excused you," Mr. Gregg said.

"You can do that? James asked.

"On paper, I'm the dorm parent, so yes. Plus, I know that Dean Meyers wouldn't want Brock going by himself. Also, it might make Brock more comfortable if you guys moved down here. Of course, the guest room only has a queen-sized bed. So, you'd have to share if you're okay with that," Gregg said innocently.

James fought off the smile and said, "I'll see what Brock says, but I agree he'd be more comfortable."

"Good, I'm going to watch a little TV, and then turn in. I believe you have a magic key that will open the door to room 107. I'll get Brock a key in the morning."

Michael looked at James and said, "Magic key?" He then explained that the master library key was also a master dorm key.

"So, you can get into my apartment?" Michael said with concern.

"No, the apartments aren't keyed to any master. Mr. Gregg saw to that. He doesn't want the administration snooping through his stuff or anyone stealing his whiskey."

Michael smiled. He'd gotten to know Gregg and realized he wasn't much for following `dumb rules.'

When James told Brock about the alternate bedroom Brock wanted to check it out. Then when he saw it he said, "Fuck, if I have known we'd get this room, I'd have got hurt earlier."

"I don't think it's ours for the rest of the year. It's just until you heal."

Brock smiled and said, "It might take a while."

"That's fine with me, but I think there are some guys on the lacrosse team counting on you being back and in shape before the state playoffs."

"Yeah," Brock said.

What made the room so great was it was handicapped-accessible. It was almost twice the size of the upstairs room, and it had an oversized shower. Also, for ease of access and safety, one set of windows had been removed and replaced with a door that opened onto a small patio. Few students knew about the patio because it was on the back of the building and screened by shrubs and a tall private fence that was locked when the room wasn't in use.

James went back upstairs to get what he and Brock would need that evening and in the morning. He could get the rest of what they needed the next day. Kip saw James gathering up clothes, toiletries, and his and Brock's computers." He got concerned and asked if everything was okay. James told him about the room switch and Kip came along to check it out and to check on Brock. He helped James carry some of the belonging being transported. When Kip saw the room, he had to call Weston and Lance, and soon James and Brock were hosting an open house.

Finally, Kip said, "Okay everyone. Brock needs to get some rest."

When everyone was gone, James asked, "Are you ready to go to bed?"

"I'm hungry," Brock said, and James realized he was also feeling the need for some food. He looked at his watch and said, "Let me see if Michael will take us to the Donut Hole Cafe." James walked down to Michael's apartment and knocked on the door. When Michael answered, all he was wearing were pajama bottoms.

"Oh sorry, you're ready for bed," James said apologetically.

"No, I was just being comfortable. What do you need?"

"Brock and I missed supper, and we were wondering if you would take us to the Donut Hole, but you're..."

"Nonsense, the Donut Hole sounds good. Just let me change and I'll be ready."

While most students couldn't leave campus after curfew without being picked up by a parent and getting permission from the dean, Michael was authorized to take James and Brock off campus whenever "necessary." All Michael had to do was text Dean Meyers when they left and returned. Julia had given the boys and Michael strict instructions not to abuse "this special arrangement" with the Mill Brook administration. Michael figured feeding two hungry teenage boys constituted a legitimate use of the privilege.

The Donut Hole Cafe was the only late-night place to eat within a 20-minute drive of Mill Brook, so it usually had enough business to keep Cherry, the waitress, and Bobby, the cook, busy. It wasn't unusual to see a local police officer, a state trooper, or a fire company sitting at the counter or one of the tables. Also, the area around Mill Brook was only a thirty-minute commute to several Boston area hospitals and a lot of third-shift nurses and doctors would stop by on their way to and from work.

The Donut Hole was quirky. It had started as just a donut shop but eventually grew into a local institution. It was famous for three things: First, doing crazy things with donuts, like the glazed-donut garlic toast that came with the house spaghetti. Second, they served a full Irish breakfast and all-you-can-eat mint chocolate donuts on St. Patrick's Day. Third, the Donut Hole was the sponsor and promoter of William Dawes Day, April 18. William Dawes was the other rider who set out from Boston to warn the minutemen that the "British are coming."

Most people have no idea who Dawes was because his name was less poetic than Paul Revere. However, one of the events at Dawes Days was the recitation by a Revolutionary War re-enactor of "The Midnight Ride of William Dawes," written by Helen F. Moore in 1896.

I am a wandering, bitter shade, Never of me was a hero made; Poets have never sung my praise, Nobody crowned my brow with bays; And if you ask me the fatal cause, I answer only, "My name was Dawes"

James knew all about William Dawes and Dawes Day because his seventh-grade social studies teacher thought it would be a good field trip for the class. Plus, everyone got donuts with white frosting and red and blue sprinkles. What better way to waste a day at an expensive prep school?

After they ordered James said, "I have some good news. Aunt Sydney is letting us use her London apartment this Summer. It's pretty amazing. You can look up the Thames and see Parliament. It's very modern and well, a bit over the top. But that's Aunt Sydney."

"My first question is whether I get my own room," Michael said. "Because I'm not sharing a bed with you two."

"That hurts my feelings," Brock said.

"Yes, Michael you get your own room, and your own bathroom," James said. "There are actually five bedrooms in this place, so we have plenty of room for guests."

"I know your family lives on a completely different plane than mine," Brock said, "but why did Sydney need such a big place?"

"When she bought it, she planned on making that her home. She and my father weren't getting along, and she and my mother weren't together yet. Also, Sydney likes to entertain and throw big parties. Now that her plans have changed, she's said she should sell it, but she likes it too much. I think for her and Mom London has become a second home and a place where they aren't as much in the public eye. Kind of like the cabin is going to be for us."

"How is the cabin project coming along," Michael asked.

"I talked to Kevin last week, and I know he, Perry, and the boys are loving living out there. The boys have adjusted to the move better than either he or Perry expected."

"That's good to hear," Michael said.

"Kevin and Perry sent me some house plans they found online that they liked, so I forwarded them to the architect to use as a starting point. The architect also sent Brock and me preliminary sketches of the barn conversion. We made some notes and sent them back. As for the cabin itself, nothing can be done there until Kevin and Perry's house is finished and they move."

"Any news about my new digs," Michael said.

"You kinda threw a wrench into my plans when you said you didn't want to share a bed with Brock and me." Brock started to laugh and then winched. "Are you okay," James asked.

"Yeah, just a little reminder that I need to find a graduation gift for Steven Thad. Maybe a box or scorpions or a rabid pit bull."

"Anyway Michael, to answer your question. Mom has let the New York building leasing agent know she wants an apartment on one of the upper floors when one becomes available. She said the leasing agent thinks there will be one opening in early May. That should give you time to move before we leave for London."

"Well, my cheating whore of an ex has no idea what she is going to miss out on," Michael said bitterly.

After eating they headed back to Mill Brook so Brock could take his pain medication and get some rest. James arranged pillows on the bed to create an incline to elevate Brock's head and chest. Next, he helped Brock undress and get into bed. James had just finished undressing; and was about ready to crawl into bed, when Brock said, "James."

"Yes?"

"How are we going to have sex?"

"Like two porcupines ... very carefully," James said and kissed Brock. Then James added, "But that's something we'll figure out tomorrow. Now you need to sleep," and he turned out the lights.

I hope you're enjoying "Exposed."

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