FORK IN THE ROAD
Chapter 18
By Scott Turner,
And William Tyler King
If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
-Yogi Berra
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction that occasionally contains rather graphic depictions of sexual activity between consenting adult men. If that's not your cup of tea, or if it is illegal for you to possess or read such material, then please go elsewhere. This story is copyrighted, 2008, and may not be reproduced, reposted or published without the expressed permission of the authors.
I got to write "authors" this time. Very cool. If you're not already reading "Reclaiming Austin," you should remedy that right away. I had planned on writing here that this chapter would satisfy everybody who needed an "Alex and Austin fix," but Billy stole my thunder by posting his latest chapter last week. You folks are lucky. Two doses of the guys from Florida in two weeks. We both hope you enjoy.
They were almost half way between DeLand and Orlando on their way to the Universal Studios theme park. Greg shook his head for about the tenth time. "I still can NOT believe you're wearing that godawful shirt."
Scott looked down and tugged on a button. "I happen to like this shirt, and I'm on vacation dammit! It's the first and only Hawaiian shirt I've ever owned, and it's not like I have a lot of opportunities to wear it around back home."
"How about Halloween?" Greg continued to finger through the Universal pamphlet Scott had picked up. "And, besides, you wouldn't wear that shirt where anyone might actually know you."
"Oh, lighten up. It makes a statement. It says I'm fun.' It says I'm here to have a good time and don't give a flying fuck what anybody else thinks of me.' It says..."
"It says `I'm a freaking tourist, so please overcharge me or mug me or just make fun of me.' You might as well have brought one of those damned foam cheese heads along."
Scott swatted the steering wheel. "Shit! I knew I was forgetting something!"
"So what are those `must see' attractions you were drooling over?"
"First it's Spiderman, a 3-D experience' that's supposed to have us wetting our pants. Then it's Jurassic Park where we'll probably get wet in the luge plunge. Before, after and in between, we can just play it by ear." He glanced to his right. "And I was drooling over you, not the rides. Can't wait to see the heads turn when you get out of the raft thing, all wet in that skin tight ribbed white tee. And I get to signal all the gawkers, he's with me.'"
They were standing in line at the Spiderman ride, too far back in line for Greg's comfort. He checked his watch and looked again at the posted time for the next ride. "You sure we're gonna get in there on time? What happens if we don't?"
Scott nudged him with his arm. "Relax. This is Universal. They know their stuff."
Greg squinted and nodded forward. "Hey. Check out the two up there. Look like a couple to you?"
The two guys were four or five spots ahead of them in the line. One, the blond, was pretty short, maybe five foot five but clearly in great shape. The other was a tall brunette, going over six feet and easily over two hundred very muscular pounds. The little guy wore a white polo and denim shorts that hugged his butt just right. His calves were muscular and nicely defined. Even from the back it was clear that his much larger buddy could have been a model or maybe a stripper. The black tank hugged his tanned torso and the guns he sported were very impressive. His ripped shorts hugged a trim waist, a wonderfully muscular ass and thighs that Greg imagined could pull a train, or crush you in their grip under the right circumstance. They donned matching red A & F caps. They were chatting and laughing, occasionally swatting or otherwise just touching each other as the line slowly moved forward.
Scott watched them for the better part of a minute. "Looks that way to me. They're obviously more than just comfortable or friendly with each other." Then he whispered. "And, if they are, I'd say each one is pretty lucky."
Greg was a little kid coming out of the Spiderman ride. "That was...so...fucking... cool!" He took off his 3-D glasses and handed them to Scott who was wiping his brow and still smiling.
"No shit! I thought I really was gonna pee my pants." Scott set both pairs of glasses in a nearby basket. "Speaking of...I gotta go. Check the map for the Jurassic Park ride and I'll be right back." Greg nodded, took a few steps and leaned against the wall.
After taking care of business, Scott stopped at the sink, shook the water off his hands and grabbed a paper towel. He stopped to gulp some water at the fountain just outside the men's room door and turned to relocate Greg. He ran into the hulk they'd seen in line before the ride, and who had now been standing right behind him. Scott's eyes widened. "Oops! Sorry, man. Didn't know you were there."
Adonis grinned. "No biggie, dude. I guess I kinda snuck up on you." His smile was captivating and his blue eyes were piercing. Scott grinned nervously and stepped around him, but looked over his shoulder as he walked away and marveled at the guy's broad back and wonderful ass.
Greg had the map of the Universal complex held against the wall, and the little blond guy in the white polo was pointing and talking and pointing some more. Greg appeared to be listening and nodding a lot. Scott walked up behind them and asked, "You figure out where we're heading?"
Both guys turned. "Hey! Scott, this is Alex. He's a native and is helping me try to navigate the place."
Alex put out his hand and offered a welcoming smile. "Alex Johnson at your service."
Scott took the handshake and smiled back. "Scott. Scott Turner." He nodded toward Greg. "I hope you have us straightened out so we can get where we're going."
Alex shrugged. "Piece of cake. We're not that far, and as luck has it me and my buddy are going to Jurassic Park next too." Alex looked over Scott's shoulder and waved. "Hey, over here!" Scott and Greg both turned to see the big guy heading their way. "These guys need help. They're from Wisconsin after all and don't know their way around all that well."
The big guy pointed at Scott. "With that shirt, I already guessed you were a tourist. Hope you're enjoying the heat and humidity." He smiled and put out a hand. "Austin Cambell, Floridian since birth"
Alex looked back and forth. "Austin is my, er...roommate. We both took a day off to goof around for a bit." He glanced toward Greg. "Austin, this is Greg...uhm."
"Page. Good to know you, Austin."
Alex pointed a thumb in Scott's direction. "And this is Scott Turner."
Both men smiled and shared a firm handshake. Alex looked up at his buddy. "These guys are heading to Jurassic Park next too. Should we show them the way or leave them to their own devices?"
Austin looked up as if to mull it over. "Oh, what the fuck. Let's be good hosts and bring `em along. I mean we're going that way anyway." Alex motioned and they walked in pairs, Scott next to Alex and Greg next to Austin.
Scott looked to his right. "Day off...from what, Alex?" Austin chuckled. "Day off my ass. He doesn't work days anymore. He told his bitchy cunt of a boss to fuck off and he went to singing and playing his guitar full time. Alex and his group, The Tellers, have their own spot here, The Seattle Scene. They're great! What about you guys?"
Greg chimed in. "I'm a freshman at Madison, and Scott's the big man on campus. He's president of the student government, appointed by the governor to the UW Board of Regents and works in the State Senate. Plus, he's joined at the hip with our majority leader back home and his old man is gonna walk into her senate seat when she becomes Attorney General."
Austin tapped Scott's back. "Holy fuck, Alex, we're not worthy!"
Scott flipped Greg off over his shoulder. "Greg's gonna be the new star on the baseball team. A freshman starting at third base at a Big Ten school. Cat-like speed and a sure arm. He led his high school team to a state championship last year, single-handedly."
Austin's head jerked right. "No shit? I played college ball for three years up at UF."
Greg looked him up and down again. "Pitching, I'd guess. I'll bet you can throw fire and hit the shit out of the ball with those arms. Why only three?"
Alex glanced back and Austin paused. "Long story." He looked at his lover who was still looking over his shoulder. "But it was all for the best. It's all good." Alex beamed and then gestured with his thumb over his shoulder. "He's now a wine distributor, catering to the most sophisticated palates in the southern U.S. Who'da thought a lunk like him could pull off being a wine snob?" Austin swatted his shoulder before Alex pointed out, "And on top of that, he's a hell of a cook!"
Alex held up a hand. "Here we are guys." He looked at them both. "You're gonna get wet if you didn't bring any plastic with you."
Austin reached into his fanny pack and pulled out a couple of large plastic bags. He looked at Alex. "These are big enough to double up, aren't they?"
Alex shrugged. "Hell, yeah. We're trying to be good hosts, right?" He handed his bag to Scott. "Put your shoes and your wallets in here so they won't get wet." He grinned at Scott. "Hate to tell you, buddy, but you're gonna get that prize shirt of yours is gonna get soaked. I always bring an extra shirt and pair of dry socks to change into after the plunge."
Scott frowned. He'd seen some pictures on line of the flume hitting the water after the long drop. "Maybe we won't be sitting in front."
They were.
Scott and Alex were in the front seat, with Greg and Austin right behind. It was a wild screaming ride. At one point, near the end of a dark and dramatic journey through what was supposed to be an abandoned warehouse, the T-Rex roared and lunged at them out of nowhere. Greg actually grabbed Austin's forearm as he shouted, then recoiled with an apology. Austin just grinned. "Don't fuckin' worry, dude. You'll survive. But you'd better hang on now." The next thing they knew they were headed down a steep 500-foot drop into the pool below. They were all soaked and laughing.
Three hours later the foursome had taken in most of Universal's `Island of Adventure.' Scott wrinkled his nose. "You know, if it wasn't for this insane fucking humidity, my shirt would be dry by now."
Alex grinned. "That's why I always bring a spare one."
Greg pointed to the `Hard Rock Café.' "Anybody hungry? I'm starved and need some red meat."
Austin rolled his eyes. "Here we go." Scott and Greg looked perplexed. Austin explained, "We have standing plans for dining when in Orlando, and my friend here is about to try to fucking twist your arms."
Alex's eyes were wide. "Only one place to eat here, as far as I'm concerned. Why don't you guys join us for dinner at Little Saigon?"
Greg's lip curled a bit and his eyebrows confirmed his apprehension. "Like...Asian food?"
Alex nodded enthusiastically. "The best! Better food at better prices than you'll ever get here at the park. It's lighter and healthier than any food you've likely had before, but it's outrageously delicious and addictive. You'll love it!"
Austin looked at Greg with a grin and nodded. "I was pretty leery at first, too, but it really is good stuff, and the service is great. Alex has that staff wrapped around his very little finger." Greg still looked very doubtful, so Austin encouraged him further. "Really, there's red meat on the menu too. But it's not greasy or full of heavy sauces like Chinese food usually is. And there's no raw fish involved like in Japanese food places. You really need to give it a shot."
Thirty minutes later, Scott was driving and Greg was doing his best trying to pout. "You know I don't like Chinese food!"
Scott turned onto Colonial Drive and smirked. "It's not Chinese, it's Vietnamese. Alex and Austin said it was great stuff. Live a little! Expand your horizons."
Greg huffed. "My horizons are wide enough, thank you. Just right in fact. That crap is all seaweed and sprouts and cabbage and shit. I want some red meat."
"And Austin said they had some great beef recipes on the menu. He hardly looks like a vegetarian, and Alex said he's an outstanding cook. The guy knows what he's talking about."
"He also said Alex won't let them eat anywhere else when they're in Orlando, and they both said that he's some kind of martial arts wizard. That little dude could probably kick Austin's ass."
Scott looked across the street. "There it is. Alex said to just look for the big blue underwater mural." He found a place to park, shut off the car and looked at his buddy's slightly sunburned face. "You should have put on more sun block."
"Well, you should have put on a different shirt. Besides, Chinese, Vietnamese, whatever. I don't care if it's Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Cambodian or from fucking Tibet. I'm not going to like it."
Scott mustered up his most serious face. "Look. I'm not cooking tonight. It's been a long and fun day, but I'm beat. I'm not fixing dinner. We haven't eaten out much since we got to Florida and Asian sounds good to me. Plus we have two great guys who've invited us to join them. We can either act like shitty guests, go back to Dale's place and you can do the cooking. Or, you can get that cute ass of yours out of this car and we can go in here and try something new with a couple of very nice, not to mention great looking, guys. Please! I'll bet you'll be surprised."
Greg sighed but one corner of his mouth turned north. "Okay, but only `cuz you know I hate to cook, you said please and you told me my ass is cute." He opened his car door and stepped out.
A very trim and beautiful young woman met them as they entered. "Ah, you must be Scott and, uhm, Greg? Welcome to Little Saigon. My name is Julie."
They looked at each other quizzically, and then back at her. "Uhm, hi Julie, and thanks, but how'd you know who we were?" Greg asked.
She pointed at Scott. "Austin described shirt." She giggled. "Very nice, Scott."
Scott rapped Greg's arm. "See? Aren't you glad I wore it?"
As they followed Julie to the table, Greg gently elbowed him. "Yeah, `cause God knows that without that shirt we never would have been able to find the guys on our own."
They were greeted again by their new friends. Alex handed each of them a menu. Greg opened his and his eyes widened. He elbowed Scott again. "Dude! Look at this stuff. How the hell am I supposed to even know what to order? I'm hungry for some beef. He took a long drink of his water. "I don't have a frickin' clue."
Alex put down his menu and rested his arms on the table. "Don't sweat it, Greg. We already ordered some spring rolls and summer rolls with all the right sauces to start us out."
Austin nodded and leaned to his right. "Greg, like I said before, the first time he dragged me here I was like you. According to Alex, this place is the center of the culinary universe. But he's right. These spring and summer rolls are great. No beef in `em, but you can't go wrong to start a good meal here with them."
They mixed and matched the rolls and Alex talked them through the flavors they'd encounter and the correct application of the fish sauce, peanut and Hoisin sauces. As Scott was biting into a summer roll, `ooohing and aaahing' over the Asian delight, Julie set down a pair of drinks in front of Alex and Austin. She looked up and smiled warmly. "These are a mix of our iced jasmine tea and lemonade. Can I get you gentlemen something?"
Greg and Scott looked at each other, shrugged and nodded. Scott said, "I guess you can bring two more, thanks. These guys seem to know what they're doing."
Julie nodded and smiled politely. She looked down on Alex and patted him on the back. "So good to see you again, Alex. I hope things are going well for you?"
Alex nodded. "Been great! The new coffee house is working out even better than we expected. Good press, good crowds." Alex's group, The Tellers, had recently moved into a new and much larger venue. It provided him with the chance to tell his former boss at the bank to go to hell, and got her fired on a sexual discrimination claim. So now he was full time at The Seattle Scene.
Julie smiled. "Let me know when you're ready to order."
Austin leaned over. "So, what's shakin' in Wisconsin these days?"
Greg shrugged. "Skies the color of the dull side of tin foil. Snow one day, freezing rain and slush the next. But thank God we have a spring break to get away from it for a little attitude adjustment."
"Well, we know Greg's looking for red meat. What are you hungry for Scott?" Alex asked.
"Poultry I think, and maybe some noodles and lots of veggies." He patted his tummy. "I've eaten an awful lot of junk since we left Madison."
Alex waved again at Julie. When she came to the table, he said, "I think we're ready to order." Scott and Greg looked at each other with one of those deer in the headlights' gazes and then both nervously glanced down at their menus again. Expressions of confusion covered them both. Alex smiled. "Relax, guys. I've got this one covered." He nodded toward Greg. "Our friend Greg here will have the grilled beef." He glanced across the table at Greg. "It's the Bun Bo Nuong' on the menu. And bring him the Vietnamese meatballs too." Then he nodded toward Scott. "Scott wants the Com Ga Xao Ran Thop Cam." He looked at the guys. "Sauteed chicken with onion, brocolli, green beans over rice. And the two of them will share the shrimp paste. Austin's going to have the grilled shrimp and charbroiled meatball, and I'll have the But Ga Xao Cha Gio." He explained to their guests, "It's sautéed chicken with spring roll and rice vermicelli."
Greg tilted his head back. "Whoa. I'm impressed."
Alex winked at him and looked back at Julie. "And Austin and me will share the shrimp paste too. Then, we'll have four plates of the thin noodles, and we'll be all set."
Julie smiled and nodded as she collected the menus and turned.
Scott's eyes were wide. "She didn't write a damn thing down!"
Austin snorted. "Julie has, like, this bionic fucking memory. She could probably tell you the first thing I ever ordered here. She's amazing!"
About forty-five minutes later, the empty plates were cleared and the guys were full. "Damn, Austin," Greg shook his head. "I've never been real big on Asian food, but you were right! That was outstanding. Way to go!"
Scott laughed and slapped Greg's thigh. "'Never been real big on Asian food' my ass! Ha!" He looked back at their hosts and cocked his head sideways at his buddy. "He whined all the way over here. But he's right. You guys did good on the chow. This was great!"
Alex waved Julie over again. "Julie, can we please have three hot teas? And Scott professes to be quite a coffee aficionado, so bring him your Vietnamese brew." She nodded and smiled as she picked up the plates and gracefully took her leave.
Alex leaned back and crossed his arms. "So, what're your stories, gentlemen?" Scott and Greg glanced nervously at each other. He leaned back onto the table and raised one hand. "No, wait. Let me guess." He spoke in a hushed tone. "You're very good friends who are sometimes secretly lovers and you're still navigating some uncertain waters. Each of you is hoping that this week away together might help you both come up with some definitive answers."
In the corner of their eyes both Scott and Greg had seen Austin nodding throughout Alex's little summation. Scott was about to speak when Austin interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "You don't have to answer that, dude, but I've been thinking the same thing if it makes a fucking difference." He nodded toward Alex and grinned. "And the little guy's very rarely wrong about such things, even if he did learn his manners in a dog kennel." He glanced sideways and the smile morphed into something of a scowl.
Scott cleared his throat and gulped some water. He looked over at Greg. "Do you want to take this one, or should I?" Just then, the drinks arrived; three small teacups and one large mug with a dark, steaming mocha in it.
Greg put on a subdued smile. "Hell, I'm already out to my sad excuse for a family, and you talk better than I do anyway, so it's your call."
Alex poured three cups of Jasmine tea. Greg sipped his and was pleasantly surprised. It had kind of a fruity, floral flavor that he really liked. Scott lifted the cup of coffee to his lips and sipped. He put the cup down and sat back, wide-eyed. "Whoa! That stuff has a real kick to it. This will have me up for the next week!"
Greg blushed and looked down. Out of the corner of his mouth he whispered, "Nothing wrong with that."
Scott took another sip and wiped his hands on his pants, blushing a little now himself. "Well, I guess you're mostly right, Alex. I'm still trying to figure it all out, and I think Greg is too." Greg nodded. "We've become best friends and frequent lovers and now find ourselves here in Florida getting away from it all."
He paused and reflected for a moment before continuing. "But it's tricky. Greg's been to hell and back in the past few months with his family, but he's doing really well on an athletic scholarship at a Big Ten University. I have a few fairly high profile positions in and around campus, and a dad who's running for the state senate." He grinned. "I guess the term `precarious' doesn't quite do the whole thing justice."
Austin snorted. "Been there, done that guys. I mean, the whole uncertain and precarious thing." He shifted his chair around the corner of the table so he could look at both of them and hold Alex's hand. "But, you can work it out. I mean, fuck! We're the new odd couple." He paused and thought of Mrs. Tremere. "My, ahh, my step-mom gave me some wonderful advice once. She said, `You think too much. God's word is love. Love will find its own way. What else really matters?' He spoke her words in a soft French accent.
Alex tried to lighten it up with a sarcastic grin. "Yeah, like I said, the guy's might look like just another big jock, but he's a hell of a cook! Makes all the difference. It's the real reason I love him."
Greg took Scott's hand under the table and glanced at him, and then looked back at Alex. "So is Scott, and you're right, it does make a difference."
Scott raised his eyebrows and looked at Austin. "Whoa! Maybe you and I should have a cook-off in the kitchen and then you and Greg can go out to a batting cage and square off in front of a pitching machine."
Before Austin could respond, Alex leaned back a bit and reached into his shirt pocket. He looked at Austin. "Got a pen babe?"
Austin pointed to his tank top and shorts. "Where the hell am I gonna carry a pen?"
So Alex flagged down the nearest waitress and borrowed hers, and then he grinned. "I have a great idea. Let me give you my card."
Austin's face froze. "Your card? Since when in hell did you get `a card'?"
Alex stuck out his tongue. "Since yesterday, babe." He brushed his hair off his forehead with more than a little bravado. "I'm a headliner now. It's full time. The place is ours, more or less. I'm booking acts for the club and I need to visit other performers. I need to be able to give folks my contact info and having a card is necessary. It has a certain panache, don't you think?" He grinned his smart-ass grin and handed one to Austin. "Mr. Cambell, my card."
Austin held it and looked down at it, shaking his head and muttering. "Jesus Christ! He has a fucking card now. What in God's name have I helped create?"
Alex took out two more cards and waved his partner away with the pen. "Ignore him, boys. Jealousy does not become him. Green eyes do not work where blue eyes belong. He doesn't have a card...yet." Alex turned both cards over and neatly printed, `Comp. Table for four down front. It'll be in my name." Then he signed it "Alex J."
He held them both out. "Scott, Greg, if you're not doing anything Saturday night, we're doing a show at the new Seattle Scene here in town. These will get you past the line, in the door and to a choice table. I'd love to have you see the show. Don't know if I've ever had a pair of cheese heads in the crowd."
Scott giggled. "Do you know On, Wisconsin?' Who knows, there might just be a couple other Badger fans in the crowd. We'll all raise a little hell if you can do On Wisconsin.'"
"No, and I'm not sure I'll be learning it anytime soon! But, I think we can cover just about anything else you might want to hear."
Austin wrinkled his nose. "You actually went out and got a card,' as in let me give you my card. Jesus!" He looked back at Scott and Greg with a snide smirk. "Next thing he'll be saying shit like `have your people call my people and we'll do lunch.'" He put on a very haughty, snooty tone, much to the amusement of the other three.
Alex shook his head and shrugged. "Not to worry, boys. He'll get over it. But he was absolutely right a minute ago. You can work it out. It's not always easy, but if it's right and it's important you'll find a way to work it out. You guys have known each other for, what...?"
They both thought about it. "About seven months," Greg offered.
Scott glanced over. "With a couple bumps in the road." He shrugged and smiled shyly again. "Like I said, we're still navigating the landscape." He squeezed Greg's hand. "In a lot of ways, we kind of live in different worlds, but yeah, we're trying to work it out."
Austin looked left and beamed, then waved his thumb between he and his partner. "Guys. If this odd couple can work it out, anybody can."
After another half-hour of friendly banter, they split the bill and tip four ways and thanked Julie for the hospitality. They stood on the sidewalk out front saying goodnight, and the handshakes easily and naturally became hugs. Then they went their separate ways.
The following evening, Greg had rifled through Scott's Uncle's CDs and plugged in Cat Stevens. "My cousin used to be a Cat freak. Haven't heard this shit in years, and it was already old the first time I heard it." Scott was laying naked on a sleeping bag on the floor of the screened in porch out back. Greg straddled his hamstrings and kneaded the back of his neck. "Gotta love the microwave for a nice hot oil."
Scott sighed, "Mmmm hhhmmmmm." His forearms were crossed and locked beneath his pillow and he squeezed the cushion up into his left cheek. "So, Nick taught you how to do this, huh?"
Greg smiled ruefully. "He's the best."
Scott smirked. "Maybe someday he could show me..."
Greg smacked his ass. "Not on your everlovin' life. He's not getting his hands on you and your not getting yours on him."
Scott sighed again under the magic of Greg's hands. "Do you miss him?"
Greg paused, and held his breath for a second. "Uhm, honestly? Yeah, I do." He resumed the massage. "We had a lot of fun together. It mostly started by just messing around but by the time we were in our last year of high school, it had become a lot more."
Scott's knowing grin could be heard in his voice. "Sounds familiar."
"Marty?"
"Yyyyyyyyep."
Greg sighed. "With me and Nick, each of us felt special in the company of the other. At least I know that I did, and I'm pretty sure he did too. I tried to make him feel that way anyway. When we both got offered scholarships to different schools, it was bittersweet. Very sweet and very bitter."
Scott cocked his head. "Are you guys still keeping in touch?"
"Now and then, mostly by e-mail. We called each other on our birthdays this year, and he called last week to see if I was going to be home for Easter."
"What'd you tell him?"
"Just that I'd had a big falling out with my dad, and didn't care to spend time with him and Jesse, so I was going to spend the weekend at your place." He sighed. "The rest of the conversation was very short. He sounded kinda jealous actually. Funny. I actually felt kind of guilty after we talked."
Scott perched his chin into the center of the pillow and looked up and out the window. The cypress looked beautiful in the moonlight. "He's a cutie, though I only met him that one time and it was a very brief encounter."
Greg giggled. "And you were pretty fixated on the glob of cum in his hair."
Scott snorted. "Yeah, I was. Can't believe you guys didn't catch that before answering the door." Scott sighed again. "But, he taught you well in massage and you're a good student. When you're done with the neck and arms, don't ignore the lower back and hamstrings. All that rowing today raised hell with my neck and upper back. And the various tasks you demanded from me last night worked my back and thighs pretty hard."
Greg dug his thumbs between Scott's shoulder blades. "You were an animal last night."
"It's what you wanted. Twice. I'm an accommodating guy."
"I wanted it three times, but your snoring kind of squelched the mood." Greg snickered, hummed and muttered, "I'm being followed by a moon shadow. Moon shadow, moon shadow." He swatted Scott lightly on the butt. "You're getting out of shape. A good romp or two and then one afternoon of rowing and you're a wreck."
Scott nodded into the pillow. "But I've got you to make it all better."
Greg lifted his hands and lay down on top of his lover's back, sliding his forearms under Scott's armpits and holding him tight. "And I've got you." He kissed Scott on the ear. "I don't thank you often enough," he whispered.
Scott's right hand wandered around until it found Greg's and their fingers locked. "For what?"
"You helped me break free from Jesse and Dad. You dragged me into counseling. You gave me the best birthday I've ever had and now you've brought me to this wonderful place for a week."
Scott sighed, "And I looked the other way today when you petted that manatee on the snout. Scott felt Greg's quiet laughter on his back and cocked his head around. "Don't laugh, dammit! We're goddamned good and lucky that we didn't get our asses thrown out of there, probably fined and banished from every state park in Florida for life! These people take there manatees seriously."
He got another kiss, this time on the neck. "That was for the manatee. He, or maybe she, appreciated my attention."
Scott sighed under Greg's continuing manipulation of his back muscles. "So, the non-conference games are over. You guys feel ready for the regular season?"
Greg sat up. "Ready? Shit, I've been ready since October!" He squirted some oil into the palm of his hand and rubbed them together before starting on the lower back. "Only two more weeks and we have four non-conference games over six days. Coach Bidwell said he's going to use those games to really check out the underclassmen. I've held my own in practice, I think, but I need to see a curveball coming at me from some stranger, or snag a real opponent's grounder and fire it to first when it really counts. I need this season to go just right." He chuckled. "I want to send the old man a headline or two."
Scott sighed and offered another soft moan under Greg's hands. He tilted his head up a little. "So you want to go back over to Orlando tomorrow night and check out Alex's show? I'll bet he's good on stage."
Greg nodded. "Austin said they have a great ensemble, but that Alex more than holds his own with the guitar going solo. And he said he partners on stage with a big black woman with a voice as huge as Aretha's and an attitude to match. That would be fun."
Scott exhaled again as the flats of Greg's hands ran the length of his back. "Those guys are quite a couple. It'd be fun to see `em again."
Greg snickered and playfully swatted Scott's ass again. "So, which one were you perving over more the other? I couldn't tell."
Scott giggled. "Honest? I wouldn't kick either one out. Alex is very sexy and he seems like a real spitfire. I'll bet he's a demon between the sheets. Austin is cuter than hell and he's like, half puppy and half rock. But I got the vibe that he's pretty much a top so not sure how much we could get done together." He craned his neck around again and winked. "Not that I wouldn't think about givin' it a shot."
Greg was kneading Scott's hamstrings. "Nah. Never happen. Those two were made for each other, and only each other."
After several minutes of silence, Greg sighed. Scott lifted his head. "What's that about?"
"Uhm, the whole baseball thing. I haven't given it much thought since we got here. I said I was ready and excited, but it also scares the hell out of me. I mean, this is the Big Ten, a Division I school and I'm just a fucking freshman. Some days I can't believe I'm with that team, other days I think I must be fucking crazy to think I can cut it."
Scott had started to doze beneath Greg's ministrations, but the discussion of the looming baseball season woke him up completely. "You can do it, Greg. If anybody can prove anything to anybody, you can. You already have." He swatted Greg's thigh to get him to raise his ass and he rolled over onto his back. Greg sat back down on Scott's thighs. Scott reached up and locked his fingers behind Greg's neck and pulled him down for a deep and passionate kiss. "Lay down. Just lay down and let's go to sleep."
Greg rolled off and nestled his chin into the crook of Scott's neck. Within a few minutes, both young men were softly snoring.
The next day they got up early and traveled southeast to Cape Canaveral to visit NASA's home base. Even though he was a history major, Greg was only mildly interested, but Scott was transfixed and kept talking about the history and groundbreaking contributions NASA had made. If nothing else, the trip helped Greg see a different part of Scott, the officious and "professor" parts Marty had joked about, and which were all too apparent now. Since Greg had grumbled about but given into Asian the other night, Scott insisted on an Outback Steak House for dinner and ordered him a thick slab of beef, the kind you're supposed to sink your teeth into.
Afterwards, they followed the directions that the guys had given them to the coffee house. It looked a lot more artsy than either one had expected for a coffee house. It was done up in art deco glass bricks and loud neon colors outside set against a peaceful backdrop of birds of paradise and various types of palm trees. There was a line almost into the very large parking lot, but Scott took a chance and walked up to the bouncer at the front of the line and showed her Alex's business cards. The bouncer, a large black woman, held up the line a moment while she radioed in and talked briefly with the other end. When she'd taken the radio away from her ear she smiled and said, "You may go right in gentlemen. Just bypass the money grabbers in there," she said, referring to the table where another woman was taking the admissions.
Much of the front lobby had been painted an industrial charcoal color; there were a lot of neon signs and decorative flamingos also in neon lights. There were still a few signs up that said, "Welcome to our Grand Opening Celebration!!" The lobby had numerous blooming orchids in it. Small palm trees decorated the more remote areas since the round lobby had no real corners. As they walked in, not knowing where they were going, Austin's head popped out of the next room; he had obviously been watching for Scott and Greg. "Hi guys, welcome to the Seattle Scene." Suddenly a well-dressed young woman with reddish brown hair stepped up and in an amused voice said, "Since when have you started working here?" Austin laughed, "Guilt by association I guess." Then he turned to allow her to see the guests, "Scott, Greg, this is the owner of the Seattle Scene, Henna Kullioris, her husband Jorge's in the lighting booth getting stoned."
Austin escorted the men to the main room, a circular room that focused on a stage with big red curtains pulled closed. The floor was layered in tiers with well-lit strips of lighting around every step up or down. The room was filling up quickly and the crowd was still pouring in.
Greg looked around in awe. "It's a good thing we got those passes, `cuz we'd never have gotten in on our own."
Austin nodded with a huge grin. "Yeah, the place is real popular at the moment. They come to see Alex and Marika, the woman I told you about. Both of them have a lot of fans, and the coffee and food aren't bad either. And soon, they'll have a beer and wine license and then I actually will have a job here.
He led them to a table down front, left of the stage. Several drinks were already there. "We have another couple joining us tonight, they're good friends of Alex's and mine. They're probably back seeing Alex before the show starts. Nice guys, another gay married couple."
"Married?" Scott asked out loud.
"Well, yes and no. You see, the state and feds don't recognize it, but our church, our family and our friends all do, and we treat it as real." Austin spoke in a very matter of fact manner, as if he had this conversation all the time."
"Alex thinks they'll change the law soon so that we'll be allowed to legally marry." Austin added.
Scott's brows arched. "Whoa. Quite a different political environment than in Wisconsin. Outside of Madison and Milwaukee, I can't see that idea going anywhere." He studied Austin for a second and asked, "And what do you think? I mean it's great that you to found each other, but most guys your age are still living in the frat house sucking off their parent's money."
Austin just shrugged. "Yeah, except for the money bit, that's exactly what I was doing, and what a lot of my friends are still doing..." He paused a moment while thinking, "But after meeting Alex, it was like a tsunami just washed over me, changing every part of me, but not like girlfriends try to do. He just gives me all kinds of opportunities. And he doesn't get all bent out of shape if I fuck up." Austin paused a moment before he began blushing, "Actually, he has some very creative ways of punishing me when I've done the big bone-headed crap."
Greg began laughing, "Ohhhh, now I'm intrigued, and I want details."
Austin laughed as Scott gave Greg a look that said, "Yeah? And what gives you the idea I'd let you do whatever it is. Austin's laugh subsided. "Sorry Greg, you need special clearance for that."
"And children, only I can give special permission," a very tall 6'2" black drag queen in 6" stilettos said as she and her very blue-collar boyfriend sat down.
"Natasha, these are Greg Page and Scott Turner. They're on vacation from Wisconsin." Austin said as an introduction then added, "And guys, this is Natasha McVie and her husband Cole." Cole shook their hands and smiled but said nothing.
"My, My, My! Do they grow all you fine young men so big and gorgeous up there?" She put her hand out, limp-wristed for the boys to kiss. "Alex told me he was expecting some hotties from the North Pole, his words not mine, but he didn't do you boys justice," the over the top drag queen said to them. Both were blushing by now and a bit uncomfortable.
Austin looked at her. "Honey, they aren't used to people like you up there, go easy on them."
The very dramatic drag queen smiled and turned on Austin, "Do you mean drag queens or black people?" She asked with a thread of threat in her voice.
"Well, probably either way, but I meant tall and black as a fabuwow, black queen."
She smiled and said "Well, alright then."
Scott looked at Greg then turned to Austin, "A fabu what?" Natasha, Cole and Austin all laughed. Finally, Austin suppressed his laugh so he could explain.
"Alex and his best friend Michael were out at the airport one day so Michael could take him flying. Michael warned Alex to try and not act too queeny, as he worked with these people. So after the flight, Michael sends Alex back to the clubhouse to wait for him to finishing stowing the plane. Well, as Alex is sitting there another pilot tried to be friendly and asked how he liked the flight." At that point, the three natives began laughing again. "So Alex is about to say fabulous' and his brain flashed, TOO GAY' so in the middle of his statement he changed it to `WOW.'"
"So Michael walks in just in time to hear Alex say "Fabuwow" to the poor pilot," Natasha added. "So the gayest phrase ever muttered become part of the local lexicon."
They talked a few more minutes until the lights went down and a round of applause erupted. "I told you they were popular" Austin said to Scott and Greg.
Two spotlights hit the curtain as it was being opened. On the stage, a curvy black woman dressed in an Amethyst purple dress with gold trim stood next to Alex. He wore a shimmering blue shirt that reminded Scott of Austin's eyes. Greg assumed it was silk. A band was situated behind them. Between the two headliners and the band was a pair of very attractive black women adorned in identical gray pearlized dresses. Both were very thin and taller than Alex.
Alex leaned toward the microphone. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and the rest of you who haven't decided which category you belong in yet." Alex said with a wink to Natasha. "This is our third week in the new place. How are you guys liking it so far?"
There was a very loud round of applause and catcalls and whistling. Scott had seen people who could work a room, and this guy had everyone there eating out of his small hand.
"So are there any tourists here this evening?" Scott and Greg both raised their hands and Alex winked at them before turning to another table in the front row, "Put your hand down Joe. Daytona Beach doesn't count. Ocala maybe, but not Daytona." This got a round of laughs before Alex said, "Tonight I am pleased to have two very sexy young men in to see our show, and they are down from the North Pole or somewhere all snowy like that."
Greg who was fully into the mood of the room called out, "Wisconsin!"
To which Scott loudly yelled "Go Badgers!" This got another round of laughs and applause from the audience.
"Make sure to treat them nice folks, Scott will one day be a senator, or governor or maybe President of these United States, and Greg is heading on his way to a professional career in baseball. But keep your hands off them! Austin and I get first dibs!" That got another round of laughs. "Honestly folks, if they're what's passing for a typical Yankee these days, I'm thinking of trading my water skis in for snow skis."
At that point Austin called out, "Tramp!" which got a huge and very loud response from the audience.
"It's not like that baby, I just never thought about going to the North Pole until now," Alex said.
"Honey, you best stay here," Natasha called out, "Otherwise the big guy is gunna think you're an escaped elf from the sweat shops." A round of laughter echoed as Alex gave Natasha a dirty look.
"In honor of our prestigious guests from the great white North, I'm doing two numbers just for them. Maki and Vinda will be helping me while Marika rests her mouth for her next number." So the two very attractive Nubian princesses got on either side of Alex as he was suddenly standing in a yellow spot light that gave his shirt a greenish shimmer. The band began with a soft drum roll and another guy also playing guitar.
"This is a song the Beatles made famous, but that never seems to get the attention of some of their other hits.
Try to see it my way, Do I have to keep on talking till I can't go on? While you see it your way, Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone. We can work it out, We can work it out.
Think of what you're saying. You can get it wrong and still you think that it's alright. Think of what I'm saying, We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night. We can work it out, We can work it out.
Life is very short, and there's no time For fussing and fighting, my friend. I have always thought that it's a crime, So I will ask you once again.
Try to see it my way, Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong. While you see it your way There's a chance that we may fall apart before too long. We can work it out, We can work it out.
Life is very short, and there's no time For fussing and fighting, my friend. I have always thought that it's a crime, So I will ask you once again.
Try to see it my way, Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong. While you see it your way There's a chance that we may fall apart before too long. We can work it out, We can work it out.
The audience broke out in a loud applause and Alex set his guitar aside and took a small bow before introducing Maki and Vinda. Alex then took a plastic cup of what Austin said was a diet Iced Latte.
Alex had sung the main parts with Maki and Vinda sharing vocals and counter harmonies. The back up singers had the slight gospel interpretations that really impressed Scott. It occurred to him that Daisy, his dad's secretary, would have loved it. Their next song was also dedicated to the pair.
"This song sounds like a Beatles song, but it was actually done first by a group called Thunderclap Newman. It's been redone over and over by various groups like the Traveling Wilburries, Tom Petty, And the Lightning Seeds,
Call out the instigator Because there's something in the air We've got to get together sooner or later Because the revolution's here
And you know it's right And you know that it's right We have got to get it together We have got to get it together now
Run through the fields and houses 'Cause there's something in the air We've got to get together sooner or later Because the revolution's here
And you know it's right And you know that it's right We have got to get it together We have got to get it together now
Call out the instigator Because there's something in the air We've got to get together sooner or later Because the revolution's here
And you know it's right And you know that it's right We have got to get it together We have got to get it together
Suddenly, the black woman in purple and gold and stepped up as the applause was dying down following Alex's number. She walked up to the microphone and said, "Leave it to HIM to start a revolution," which got a good laugh.
"Part of the act that draws so many people in, is the banter between those two, so don't think it's mean or anything," Austin said to Scott softly.
So as Marika took over the mike, she stayed on the theme of Beatle or Beatle-like music. She did a fully gospel-styled version of Let it Be. Austin was right, she brought the house down. They did a wonderful version of Hey Jude, with Maki and Vinda. And the whole crew did Here, There, and Everywhere. After it ended the drummer got on his mike and said, in a very sexy Spanish accent, "There will be a 15 minute intermission." And with that the audience cheered and the curtains closed.
"Wow! Oh my ever loving GOD!" Scott blurted out.
Austin beamed. "Only reason I married the squirt."
"That, and you know that half of central Florida woulda hunted you down if you didn't" Natasha added.
Scott and Greg laughed, as Austin added, "No, she's serious. Bears, bikers, drag queens, ex-drug enforcers... Vietnamese Ninja... Even old French women. I'd have been fucked, and not in the good way."
.
"Relax baby, none of us woulda touched you until after Alex had finished with you." Natasha added.
"Nice, so after the Karate Kid kicks me into next week, THEN you'da jumped me?" Before Natasha could answer Alex popped out from a side door near them.
"The waitress will be right over guys. I ordered a drink from the dressing room." Scott and Greg both went over to express their appreciation.
"THAT was unbelievable Alex! I'm beyond stunned. So where can I buy the CD?" Scott asked.
"Alex, that was amazing, you had the audience wrapped around your finger." Greg said as he stepped up to hug Alex. "Absolutely amazing."
Alex smiled and thanked them; he was dripping with sweat as Greg had found out. " Yeah, hugs after I shower, okay?" he said as Scott had stepped forward.
"Did you forget something honey?" Austin asked with a hinting tone.
Suddenly Alex said, "Oh, Shit. I left them back in my dressing room." He told the boys to wait while he ran back stage.
Austin was ordering from the waitress, but Scott laughed at him anyway. "You're all hung up because he has a card, yet you don't even blink when he says he has to go back to HIS dressing room?!?"
Austin smiled, "When they were planning to renovate, Marika told them that she and Alex needed their own dressing rooms, so they have a refurbished janitor's closet that was split in half for them."
After they had finished ordering, the side door opened again and Alex stepped out holding a couple of packages. He handed the top one to Scott and the other to Greg.
"What? After all you've done for us?" Scott said shaking his head. "This is too much."
"Really guys, Thank you, but no more okay?" Greg said, although he was already tearing into the wrapping paper.
"After you open them, Marika said to let her know, she wants to meet you." Alex said ignoring their protests.
In the packages were shirts. Scots had a beautiful fern like or perhaps Palm tree pattern in a sage green over a softer shade of sea foam green. There were shots of yellow and red throughout as well, when he held it up, it was obviously a silk Hawaiian shirt."
"Guys, it's beautiful, really." Scott said amazed.
"Well, if you want to go as a tourist now, you'll at least be a stylish one." Austin said as he beamed. Greg was opening his to find a black silk shirt. It wasn't a Hawaiian design like Scott's.
"You didn't strike me as the Hawaiian shirt type, so I got you a nice silk shirt you can wear out to events. Look close, the reason I chose that one is that there are small colored threads shot throughout the shirt, but they only show in certain angles," Alex said as the drink was delivered.
The men were exchanging hugs when the resplendent Marika Willaims walked over. She had a huge smile as Austin introduced Scott and Greg to her. She wished them a wonderful trip and a safe vacation but then added, "And don't listen to anything that little blond terrorist has to say."
"I am NOT a terrorist!" Alex quipped, to which Greg and Scott joined Marika, Natasha and Austin in saying "Oh yes you are."
Alex just got an evil grin, looked at Austin and said, "YOU are going to pay for that-ALL of it."
"Help?" Austin said as he was laughing.
"Oh please Mister. Mister. You don't want any help. If you did you wouldn'ta said it," Marika said to the table as they all laughed.
The lights began blinking then and Marika said they had to go back stage and get ready for the next set.
In their second set, they did a cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water where Marika did Aretha Franklin's version and Alex did a very Art Garfunkle version that they blended perfectly. They did a few more songs before the lights went out and a blue spot hit Marika as she slid into her version of Son of a Preacher man. The audience knew after the first few notes what was coming and broke into a preemptive applause.
After that set Scott leaned over and asked, "No offense to Alex's talent at all here, but doesn't he feel he gets kind of, blown out of the water by Marika? I mean he's great, but..."
Austin's eyes twinkled. Obviously this had been brought up before. "There's no doubt about where she stands as the star, but everything you see and hear has been planned by Alex. He writes, directs, and plans the entire show. And a lot of it he casts too. For Christmas, he had me and a few male strippers we know, dress in animal skins for his "manger" scene. He's had other singers, other guitarists and even our dog as guest stars. He plans everything, the set ups, even the banter and insults. The smartest business move Henna and Jorge ever made was to put a microphone in his hands and a stage at his discretion."
"Damn" Scott said in admiration, it's a lot like a well-run campaign."
"Or a well-managed baseball team." Greg added.
"Or a marriage." Natasha added.
Austin burst out laughing, "Yeah, as long as you realize you're on his stage and he's the star, everything will work itself out, because he'll make it do so."
As they were talking, a very tired Scott actually nodded off and almost fell out of his seat/
"Sorry guys, no offense. I'm just so beat that even the coffee isn't helping," Scott said through his embarrassment.
Greg looked around the table. "We've been going non-stop since we got here, I think our candidate for the next Governor of the North Pole needs to get some sleep." Scott just nodded in agreement.
"I hate to leave before Alex is done." Scott said.
"It looks like you'd probably fucking sleep through it if you stayed dude. Go home and get some sleep." Austin suggested.
"I have to stay long enough to thank Alex for everything, and the shirt." Scott added as he lifted the shirt to emphasize his point.
Greg nudged him. "Let's just step outside and get a little fresh air, take a stroll through the lot and come back in. Then we can catch Alex at the end of this set and say a proper thanks and goodbye." At the end of the song, they ducked away from the table and made their way to the exit, making sure they still had Alex's card with them to get back in.
Alex and Marika were just finishing the last number of the second set when they returned and reclaimed their seats. Austin pushed a napkin across the table that was full of his handwriting. "I know you have Alex's...CARD...but here's the rest of our contact info. in case you guys ever head this way again." Then he pushed a blank napkin with a pen over. "Jot down the same for you guys. Who knows? Me and the little flea might actually get some time off at the same time and we just might wander north."
Greg smiled widely. "That'd be very cool. We could take you to a Brewers game."
Austin chuckled a bit. "But the Brewers suck these days, don't they? And besides, Alex at a baseball game is iffy at best. He'd be asleep quicker than Scott nearly was tonight."
Just then Alex plopped into the empty chair. "I thought I lost you guys when I saw you head for the door."
Austin came to their rescue. "No, babe. Scott's on the verge of coming down with a coma after a fun-filled week in sunny Florida. They just got up to rejuvenate."
Alex looked at both of the Wisconsinites. "Well, you both look like you've been run around the track a few times, and Scott's eyelids look like they weigh a couple pounds apiece." He faked a serious expression toward Austin. "I do believe they've been working too hard on the late night shift." Then he grinned and winked.
Austin snorted. "No such thing as working too hard on the late night shift." He wiggled his eyebrows and Alex swatted his shoulder.
Then Alex looked back at Greg. "I hope you're driving."
Scott fished the keys out of his pocket and held them up. "He is." He took a deep breath and shook his head. "I...we...just wanted to thank you guys for everything. Universal, Little Saigon, tonight's show, and the shirts. I feel bad that we weren't ready or able to return all the great favors."
Greg nodded. "Ditto. This wouldn't have been half the trip it's been without running into you two." He slid the napkin he'd been scrawling on back at Austin. "We need to keep in touch." He winked at Austin. "Mr. Cambell, Mr. Johnson...our card."
All four laughed as they stood. They exchanged hugs at the table, and those in the audience who noticed applauded. Scott and Greg picked up their boxes and headed for the exit. Austin leaned down and gave Alex a peck on the lips. He smiled down on Alex. "We need to visit Madison one of these days."
Alex grinned. "That'd be waaaay cool. I don't think I've ever seen a real live polar bear. Do ya' think they'd let me pet one?"
Author's Note: Over the past two years and a couple of months, between "Strange Bedfellows" and this little ditty I've written 45 chapters. This one was far and away the most fun. Working with William Tyler King on this chapter was a real treat and a rare privilege. He's a dear friend and a gifted storyteller and artist. Who knows? Maybe we'll do this again some day.
I'll apologize to all of my readers in Florida for allowing Greg to pet the manatee. Billy has made it abundantly clear how abhorrent that is to you good folks. But cut Greg some slack. He's from northern Wisconsin and doesn't know any better. Plus, I think those big jugs of juice the guys brought with them to the park were doctored with a generous dose of vodka. Damned kids!
For the record, there are no polar bears in Wisconsin outside of the zoos. However, we do have plenty of brown and black bears, and both the bald eagle and the wolf population have come back rather nicely. Further, the North Pole is actually thousands of miles to our north, even though the weather forecast for the weekend has us targeted for 6 to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow. It sucks. Look for Chapter 19 in another week or so.
Please send any comments, questions, concerns or critiques to: scotty.13411@hotmail.com, AND to williamtylerking@gmail.com
Be Well!