Exposed: Chapter 7
Tuesday morning, Shane picked James up for breakfast. "I thought it would be in your interest to not arrive at this meeting with your mother and aunt."
"Did you notice that too? They seem to be a thing."
"My concern is what your father will notice. He will be at this meeting and that means a high probability for things to get ugly. If it does, I want you to stay out of it. Do you hear me."
The meeting was being held in the Pierce International board room, and again Chester Dirksen was in charge.
James Sr. and his current mistress were seated on one end of the table and Julia, along with Sydney on the other. Each of them had an attorney beside them. Shane directed James to a seat in the middle of the table, exactly the same number of chairs from each of his parents. He then took a seat next to James, but between him and his father.
Dirksen started the meeting. He said, "The first item of business is to serve notice that James Spangler Pierce Jr. is now an adult in the eyes of of the law, and that he is represented by Shane O'Claire, of Sullivan, O'Claire and Bash."
"The second item of business is to sign and notarize the final agreement. Are all parties prepared to proceed?"
James Sr. said, "Now that my son is finally at one of these meetings. I have some questions to ask him before I sign."
Shane jumped in, and said, "Before that happens I need a moment to confer with my client."
Shane then turned to James and asked, "How are you with this?"
"The way I see it, I will have to answer his questions at some time. So, I might as well get this over with now. Also, I need to find out how to get my stuff from his house."
"Okay, but if it gets hostile, I will stop it." Then Shane said to James Sr., "My client will hear your questions and answer them if he is comfortable doing so. However, before you ask him your questions, when can my client come to claim his personal property."
"Will next weekend work?" James Sr. asked, and James said, "Yes, that will be acceptable."
Shane said, "I will be in contact with your attorney to make arrangements. Please ask your questions."
"Well son, when did you become aware of this deal," James Sr. said with a bite of bitterness.
"I was told Sunday night by Dean Meyers that I was expect in New York for family business. The first indication I had that there would be changes at Pierce International, was a brief conversation I had with mother when I arrived midnight Sunday. I did not know the details of the changes, and I absolutely did not know about the stock redistribution."
James Sr. stared at James unsure of whether to believe him. Senior then looked at Julia and she nodded that their son was telling the truth.
"My next question is about the Pierce family mansion. It is mine to do with as I want; however, you are my son and heir. It is your legacy. Do you want it?"
James thought for a while and then said, "It's not really my style. Though I appreciate its architectural and historical significance. I would rather it be given to a public trust to be used for educational and cultural activities."
"I understand. I think that is a good idea."
"My last question is, will you answer if I call?"
"I don't know. If it's legal, medical, or business, call my attorney. If it's you've decided you want a relationship, who knows, maybe someday I will answer." James Sr. simply sat there knowing the odds of his son ever answering his calls were very remote.
James Sr. looked at Chester Dirksen and said, "I'm ready to sign."
The final act of signing the documents, was in many ways anticlimactic. The lawyers had reduced the story of a failed family to the indifferent text of a legal settlement.
When everyone had signed the agreement and received their copies, James said, "I doubt I will ever see what passes for my family all in the same room ever again. So, I want to make one more declaration, I am gay. Then without looking at either of his parents, he stood up and walked out of the conference room.
When Shane finally caught up with James at the elevator, the emotions were beginning to bubble to the surface. James looked at his attorney and said, "Please Shane, get me out of here."
Shane had already called for the car service driver to meet them at the front door. As the car pulled away, Shane asked, "Where do you what to go?"
"Back to school."
Shane made a couple of calls, and then said "Driver, Mill Brook Academy, Concord, Massachusetts."
James leaned back into the seat and was soon asleep. The next thing he knew, Shane was gently shaking him and telling him to wake up.
"James, we're about thirty minutes from Mill Brook. We are going to stop to eat."
"What time is it?"
"It's a little after 4 in the afternoon. We need to stop and wait for a replacement driver from Boston, so I thought we could get something to eat."
"Good, I am hungry."
"Do you have anything you are particularly wanting?" Shane asked.
"After the last 48 hours, what I really want is tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches."
Shane smiled and said, "Good old comfort food. Fortunately this part of Massachusetts is thick with Panera Bread Bakeries." After Shane located the nearest Panera, the driver dropped them off then went to meet his replacement.
They ordered, found a table, and James said, "I appreciate you seeing me back to Mill Brook, but don't you have other thing you need to be doing?"
"After you made such an impression on my mother, I was informed by her and the other senior partners, that you are my number one priority."
"This may sound weird," Jame said, "but I don't think I am really worth this much of your time."
"I'm going to be honest with you, and I hope this doesn't ruin our relationship, but your signing those documents retaining me as your personal attorney, has the potential to make me one of the highest billing associates at the firm and put me on track to make partner. So keeping you happy is very much worth my time."
"Really? What am I missing?"
"First of all, just dealing with this transfer will generate serious billable. Then, there will be any personal legal issues you may need me to address, real estates, trusts, wills, etc. Plus, if I can convince you to swing your tax filings to the firm, very huge. Also, if I and the firm can demonstrate our value to you, the partners are hoping that when you take over Pierce International, we can pick up some of your corporate work."
"Finally, when word gets out that I am the personal attorney for the future Chairman of Pierce International, well that is good legal cred. I know this all sound very opportunistic of me, but you have really advanced my career. So never feel like you are imposing on me when you make a request, or when I do something you need, like see you get back to school. If you want something just ask. If it's inappropriate or I can't do it, I'll tell you."
"Can I call you Skippy?"
"No!"
James smiled and said, "Thank you for putting me straight the other day. I think I am going to need someone who can tell me what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear."
Their names were called and they picked up their meals from the counter. When they sat back down. James said, "I do have one thing I would like you to begin working on. You remember yesterday when you told me to find someone in the company I can trust and count on."
"Yes, I remember that."
"Well I'd like you to find that person for me."
"Will do," Shane said, and the took out a business card, wrote on the back and handed it to James. "The number on the back is my personal cell phone. If you need anything that can't wait until business hours, just call that number."
"So this is the number I call when I need bailed out of jail at 2 a.m."
"Exactly."
When James got back to Mill Brook, supper was just finishing and students were beginning to return to the dorms. Shane said, "I will get with you over the next couple of days to tell you the arrangements for moving your things."
"I guess I'd better have mom call the school and excuse me to leave campus next weekend."
"Or, you could just sign the paperwork yourself." Shane said.
James laughed, "I suspect the fact that I am now a legal adult isn't going to change Dean Meyers enforcement of the school rules, at least not in my favor."
After goodbyes, James got out of the car. Brock was head back to the dorm and saw him and came over to welcome James back.
"I didn't think you were coming back until tomorrow," Brock said.
"I just needed to see a friendly face."
Brock grinned and pointed to his own face.
"I said friendly, not goofy."
The two walked in together and up the stairs. When they got to the second floor, James said, "Do you have time to chat for a bit."
"Yes, of course."
Once the door to James bedroom was closed, Brock was on James like a duck on a June bug. He may not have mastered the art of the romantic kiss, but when it came to aggressive Frenching, he could hang with the best.
When they finally broke, Jame said, "Damn boy, when did kissing become a martial art."
"Sorry, I guess I got carried away."
"Hey, no need to apologize."
Brock smiled. "I just missed you."
"You mean you missed my lips, my massages, and my hand stroking your cock."
"Of course I missed those, but I missed you--the sarcastic, smart, infuriating, and hot--you." Then Brock gave James another kiss.
"Well, I hate to tell you, but I have to go back to The City next weekend.
"Seriously, why?"
James sat Brock down and filled him in on what had happened the last couple of days, and then explained he was going back next weekend to move from his father's house to his mother's apartment. "My lawyer is making the arrangements, but this will be hard. I and my father haven't gotten along for years. However, as much as I hate him, he is my father, and I feel like I'm losing something. I just don't know what."
"Unless you say no, I am coming with you. I don't want you to do this by yourself."
"Don't get me wrong," James said, "I want...." James paused, before finally having the words to say to Brock. "I want you to be there with me. I really do, but I have to tell you something that might change your mind about wanting to be with me. I came out to my parents and aunt this morning. If you come with me to New York next weekend, they will likely put two and two together, and you know our mothers know each other."
Brock thought for a bit, then said, "Our game this week is on Thursday, and Coach is giving us Friday and the weekend off. I can drive us to New York, drop you off, and then go tell my parents that I am gay."
"Brock, you should really think about that. Are you sure you want to come out. Hell, next week we could be back to hating each other, then what?"
"Then, I will still be gay. You know better than anyone that I am not gay on a whim or because of you. I'm gay because I'm gay. I owe it to my parents and myself to be honest about who I am."
"I understand, but aren't you afraid that once you start telling people, even you parents, it will eventually get back to school?"
"It's already at school, you know, and Kip knows. I trust both of you, I just don't trust myself. I am not going to be able to see you around campus everyday and keep this a secret. I figure I should take control of how I want to come out, rather the school finding out someday when I forgetting myself and giving you a big sloppy kiss in the middle of the cafeteria."
James laughed, "I can relate to that. So do you want to stay with me in New York, or at your place."
"I would like to stay with you...if that's okay with you and your mother."
"It will have to be okay with her. I am pretty sure it's because of her and my aunt that I am `an adult' and in this situation. She owes me."
There is a theory that every 7 minutes an awkward lull occurs in a conversation. James and Brock were at that point. Finally, Brock said, "Do you want me to leave?"
"No, I want you to cuddle with me."
"Huh?"
James stood up, stripped off his clothes and crawled under his blankets. Brock smiled, then stripped off his clothes, turned out the light, and crawled into bed next to James.
James said, "This is just cuddling; no sex."
"Okay, what all is involved in cuddling?" Brock asked"
"Full body contact, massage, exploring each other, kissing, small talk, napping...you know, closeness."
"What if I get a boner?"
"If you don't get a boner, I'm going to be insulted. FYI, handjobs and dry humping are somewhere in between cuddling and sex."
"What does that mean?"
"TBD." James put his head on Brocks chest and signed. Then said, "The person that taught me the Zen of cuddling was Rex."
"What is the Zen of cuddling?"
"He said it was becoming one with another person. It is the process by which the physical, emotional, and spiritual spaces between two people are eliminated. I remember being so angry when he showed up as my au pair. I told him, I didn't need a babysitter, and he could just leave me alone. Then I stomped off to my room, and didn't see him until the next morning."
"When I woke up, I walked into the kitchen to see what was for breakfast. Rex had just finished making the most perfect omelet. Then he sat down and started eating it. I asked where my omelet was, and he said, `I remember being told to fuck off. I think the exact words were: I don't need a babysitter, so you can just leave me alone. So, I am leaving you alone to find your own fucking breakfast.' He then started reading some philosophy of religion text book."
"I ended up eating cereal and toast for the next three mornings while he had those really great smelling omelets. Finally, I swallowed my pride and asked if he would make me one. He said, better yet, I'll teach you how to make your own omelet. Then he said, you know the old saying, `If you give a man an omelet, you make him breakfast for a day. If you teach a man to make an omelet, you teach him he doesn't have to be an entitled asshole dependent on others for his breakfast'."
"What does making an omelet that have to do with cuddling?" Brock asked.
"Patience, my young apprentice, the path to enlightenment is long, but the reward is great."
"I'll enlighten you," Brock said, and began tickling James. However, it wasn't long before tickling gave way to deep kissing and touching. James crawled on top of Brock and began grinding their dick together. "Fuck you are scary big," Brock said as he held both hard cocks in his hand.
"It's long, but not too thick. I've been told it hits all the right spots."
James worked Brock's nipples with his tongue while at the same time introduced him to a new word, frottage. It wasn't long until the space between their bellies was filled with cum. Both Brock and James had big loads and made a huge mess. James kissed Brock and said, "This is when a boy really learns to appreciate a private shower."
I hope you enjoy "Exposed."
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