This is a fictional story. It is based on many experiences and fantasies of the author. If you are only into graphic sex, it may not appeal to your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you're in the right place. There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this offends you or if you are legally too young to be here, you are cordially invited to press your back button. If not – ENJOY!
Chapter 31
As much as I dearly wanted it to work out - of course not any more than my mom wanted it to – and even as much as my dad may have tried to accept me "as I am" I could see that living at home with my parents was not going to work out after the first week.
Ren hadn't really gotten everything moved into the Smith's when I decided it would be better to have a little distance between my dad and me. Mom agreed easily.
This was one of those rare times when my dad had to "go along" with what my mom said. Actually after our initial talk a few weeks earlier, those times were not as rare as they used to be.
I asked Ren if I could rent his place furnished – which relieved him of having to deal with all the extra furnishings when he moved to the Smith's. At first I felt somewhat put out that I was not the one to stay with the Smith's, especially when I first moved into the duplex. But I soon learned that having my own place had quite a few benefits.
Number one was ... more privacy! On the on hand, I missed the meals with the Smiths, but on the other, I felt I had a bit more autonomy where I knew no one might be expecting me, and could not see not only my comings and goings, but all my visitors as well. Yeah – especially that! But I knew I would miss the Smiths.
I also learned quickly that I was as welcome as ever, any time I wanted to go over there and – of course Etta prepared everyone even before I decided to show up! What I couldn't do was to take anyone (other than Ren) over there. Not that they would mind, but, well, you know!
I was studying and my phone rang. I didn't bother with a landline, only my iPhone. Of course I knew his ring tone. "Leeeeve a message!" I said.
"Crap! Came a quick rejoinder.
"KIDDING!" I said, giggling.
"You suck"!
"You wish!"
"I KNOW!"
"Well – you got me there! I'm studying tho'. What's up?"
"What're you – oh! Dang!
"It'll be better in a few months, when you go back to school."
"Nuh-uh! It'll be worse, `cuz then we'll both be studying and hardly ever see each other."
"It won't be so bad." I said. "We'll just have to plan our days better. "
"But you go to UC and I have to go to the JC – at least next semester!" He whined.
With his money and Jake Smith's influence, he could have gone to UCSB too, except that he needed to retake the classes he'd dropped last year and got F's on, to expunge those from his record.
"It will help to teach you patience, Grasshopper," I said, a clear reference to the old "Kung Foo" TV show that both our dad's liked. "How about this: It's only 7:00 PM. I can finish my stuff here and I'll come there at 8:30. That should be enough time for me to finish."
"Lennie!" He whined. "Why can't I come over there?" At my expression, he said, "Oh alright. I don't need any patience; you seem to have all of it! See you at 8;30!"
I could plainly hear the pout in his voice. Even though Ren was still so much more wealthy than I, it felt different – good – to at least be independent and know my own mind. "I love you, Baby!" I said.
"I know," he said almost forlornly.
"Um," I started, using my sexy voice, "I don't have a class `til 10, and it may be too late to come home tonight - Do you think I can spend the night there?"
"YESS!"
Poor Rennie. With my newly achieved independent status – even though it was due to Ren's love for me – I set the pace for our `"new" relationship. He was aware that I had decided that what I learned with Tommy was a great idea for us as well. Well – REN didn't think it was great, but he could at least see the logic in it. Sex was off limits until we were "more sure" that it wasn't sex that we were in love with. Well – I knew, but he deserved to as well. At least that's how I thought I saw it.
He had been through a lot, but – I believed he still had a bit of a problem with immaturity. Of course I was not much older than he, by only days actually, but even with all his turmoil, he still had a way to go to – catch up – with me – if that's the right expression, and – if I was reading it right at that moment. Maybe it had more to do with the fact that he never was left wanting, as I was, and so --- had a kind of entitlement thing going on. Or maybe that was just my own view of it(?)
Officially, we're not exclusive. But – neither has found anyone else we want to date – yet. I don't think he wants to at all, but maybe if I find someone – which if nothing changes - I surely will once school starts – he may feel differently about it. I have not told him, and I hope he hasn't yet guessed, but I'm really waiting for him to grow up some more. While he was indulging himself, I had so much more life "life-ing" me, at least until he pretty much made me independent as well, but I had learned so much in the time I was on my own.
I really was almost finished with the research I needed, but I just didn't want Ren to get the idea that I was at his disposal any time, night or day.
"I thought you'd never get here!" Said Rennie, as he opened the door for me.
"I'm 15 minutes early, Kiddo!" I said, grinning, and pecked his cheek.
"I know," he whined, with his lower lip protruding, "I just get bored sometimes!"
"I seem to remember something your dad said to you when – "
"Yeah, I know! If I'm bored, then I must be boring!"
"Well, I'm here now!" I said, beckoning with my arms. He flew into them and we kissed more like we liked each other!
"But we're not alone!"
"Wha-aat? Who -- ?"
Luke – Seth's Luke – is down in the big house. He's – "
There was a gentle knock on the door. He popped his head in. "Is it safe to come in?"
"LUKE!!" I exuded. He nearly jumped to me and hugged me tightly.
He looked at Ren. "Is this the tall geek I used to see you with?" He chuckled. "Lennie, you have - omigosh – filled out – and in all the right places. You look great!"
Rennie had a decided pout on his face. "Oh, Ren, I didn't mean you didn't look good – it's just that - " When Luke blushes, the pink cheeks on his dark skin does something to anyone paying attention. " - er – you have always looked good! Oh shit I'm just digging myself in deeper!" He cried.
"It's okay," Rennie said, "You're right. I haven't much changed – well except for some love handles trying to form on my sides – but Len has – Len's grown up. I hope he can wait for me to catch up!"
My heart swelled within me – along with hope and maybe another place on my anatomy. I hope I'm still – um – "cute" – as Rennie is. But I really do feel – older or – maybe more (it somehow seems so lame!) mature. My DAD is mature! Uncle Jake is mature. Maybe "more grown up" is better? I dunno! Maybe it's all bullshit!
"So Ren," started Luke, "I was in such a hurry to get down to see Etta that I didn't give you a chance to give me a proper greeting!"
Ren looked at me. I nodded. He took Luke in his arms – Ren's only 1 1/2 " taller – Ren lay his head on Luke's shoulder, his face in his neck – and vice versa. I think I may have heard a shared sigh – or moan there between them. I suppressed my involuntary feeling of jealousy. Was it because Luke didn't hug me like that, or because it was Ren he was hugging? Probably a little of both. Well, they are a better match, size-wise.
"So Luke – um - what brings you to L.A.?" I said nervously.
I need to fly to the Islands – there's a board meeting. I'm not usually needed – at least there in person – but my sis wants me there. I also wanted to talk to Uncle Jake and his attorney. Apparently there is some kind of shenanigans going on – something about a hostile takeover of our shares in the airline.
"Wow – are you worried?" I asked.
"Not on my account. I'm pretty well fixed for life, but my sis – well she could retire rich as far as that is concerned – but she likes being part of the business.
"What's it gonna take?" Asked Ren.
"Some quick maneuvering – and maybe some fast cash."
"How much?" Asked Ren.
Luke looked at Ren – and then me - and frowned – like he was thinking – and I guess he decided there was no reason he couldn't trust us. He shrugged his shoulders. "If we can't finagle a pretty shrewd maneuver, we may need to come up with a bill and a half."
"You're talking 1.5 billion?"
"That's about it."
"What if Len and I could come up with it for you?"
"Hmm – not too sure if we – er they – want mainland money."
"You mean – haole money?" I asked. A haole, besides being Luke's pet name for Seth, - is a non-Hawaiian.
Luke looked embarrassed. Ren was looking questioningly between us, "A haole is a non-Hawaiian." Said Luke with chagrin awash on his face.
Ignoring that, Ren said, "What would be worse – losing the airline – or accepting a `loan' from a howly – or whatever that is?"
"Where could you obtain – er – "
"Talk to Uncle Jake's attorney. I – er – we can come up with it."
"It couldn't be a loan – you'd have to invest in – but – er – it would not be a problem to me, but – "
"Well let us know if we can help." Said Ren.
I felt like a dog watching a Ping-Pong game. In the first place, obviously – to me – Ren could "come up with it" on his own. Secondly, is he thinking of us as "we"? And thirdly – I saw Ren's dad in that whole exchange. Maybe he IS growing up?
After Luke went down to the main house, I looked at Rennie – half questioningly and half like – you got some big balls including me in that! And another part of me was very proud of him and felt approvingly toward him. He was just sort of holding his breath – to see how I reacted to all of it.
"Whaddaya think?" He said. Before I could say anything, he continued, "Of course if you don't wanna go with it, I can do it all, but – " he was talking almost faster than I could listen. "Len, I KNOW you have not spent more than $45,000 a month, and that is what your money is making! It's not like we're GIVING it to him – that is if he – or they – want – or will let us – participate. You started with 5 million, and you accumulate 45,000 and some change, every month. You still have the 5 mil – and that can be your share. I'd do the rest. Other than your car, I'll bet you have not spent more than the "some change" left over above the 45,000! This is like any investment – it will pay back in dividends more than you can ever spend!"
"Do you really believe that the airline will generate 10% like it is now?" I asked. It didn't pass my attention that he didn't resort to any special nicknames for me. He can't pretend to be acting more mature – can he? "Ren, you're thinking of investing a sizable chunk of your fortune, that's for sure. But you're asking me to invest ALL of mine! As it is it's diversified in several places. To me that's a lot safer."
"Well, you have a point, but the other airline went belly-up. They are the only operating airline flying ouside the islands. I don't think – "
"Ren," I said slowly, and thought a minute. He started to talk again and I put my hand up to halt his fast talk. I slowly continued, "Ren – I'm happy that you want to come to Luke's aid, and I surely can't think of any reason why you shouldn't. My part, if I did what you're suggesting, would be such a small part of it, - The only thing I can see in it is it's a way for us to be participating in it together. And I do love you for it, "
"How about if you invest the same percentage of your funds as I am?"
"Think about it, Ren. That wouldn't be much more than a month's interest from my accounts – really! AND they still may not even let us do it." I took a big breath. I looked at the floor, to let him know not to interrupt my thought process. "Now – Rennie – Babe – I love you so much!" At that his countenance seemed to lift and glow. I actually don't have anyone else I even WANT at the moment. Here's the deal: I WANT YOU!" Tears came to his eyes. "And – I still think that we should – for now – not be doing anything that puts us together' long term. Baby, I want that more than anything I've ever wanted." Tears now sprung from my eyes. This is SOOO hard! "I'm going to have to please ask you to – take this at MY time table. I still am deeply wounded from – from past stuff'. I know it may not make any logical sense (thank you very much, Mr. Spock!) but I really fear that my heart cannot take another wound – at least yet. "Please - ?"
After a great sigh and him maybe stifling a sob(?) , he said, "Okay – I think I finally get it. I repeat – I want NO ONE but you, Leonard Kirk, and I will wait for you – your timetable. If you feel that you need to date more people, that's okay. I won't say that it won't kill me, but – I won't date. I AM planning to go back and ace those classes I failed. I believe that I have learned some hard – but valuable – lessons. After acing the classes I screwed up in, I am planning to go to – UCSB – don't wanna get too far from my – um – you – and – at least for now, will be studying metallurgy. I just want to reiterate one thing: I love only you! If you need more time to make sure I can `keep it in my pants', then I guess I don't blame you. But don't expect me to just go away and watch from afar. I want you and you're my number one reason for living right now!"
Tears sprang from my eyes and I grabbed him and held him like he was my personal teddy bear. "Ren, that's all I can ask. And – for the record – I've just decided something: I won't be dating anyone else either. Baby, my heart is hurting for 2 reasons: First, I love you and want to be only with you – for all my life, but second, my body gets a sick feeling because I have not yet learned to trust you. And – I'd like to ask one more thing of you."
After looking deeply into my eyes, like he was searching for something there, he said, "You know that you can ask anything and if it's within my power, you will have it!"
"I'm so sorry, Ren, but because of my sick heart – sick from trusting you in the past and being devastated – I'd ask that you move from where you are. It – oh Rennie, it makes me cry that I need to say this, but with you living with the Smiths, you don't have the freedom to do what you – erm – might do otherwise. I HAVE to know you can do it on your own." I hated myself for even asking it!
"O – okay." He said, with tears in his eyes. Of course that brought my own tears out too, because I knew why he was hurting. "And I won't drink, do drugs – anything to weaken my resolve."
"That would be your call. I think it's smart though – I'm not even sure that I would be able to be strong if I was weakened by chemicals." I said. "And – I will move back in with the Smiths. They would be sad with both of us gone."
"Yeah, huh?" He said.
"So - - - now that I feel like shit – and I doubt you feel much better – would you please be my date for a wonderful romantic dinner at an expensive restaurant – of my choice?" I said, then, "But wait – first I want a hug and as delicious a kiss as we can muster. Would that be something you could give me?" I asked.
He fell into my arms and we kissed and hugged until we both felt somewhat better and felt – one another's reason for being – thumping!
"I think it's too late to go to a nice place – it's after nine." He said, pouting.
"Then let's go to Denney's and sit way back in a corner and pretend it's an expensive restaurant!"
"Dutch treat?" He quipped.
"Nope – I asked YOU – I pay!"
"You asked me to go to an expensive restaurant! This isn't the same. You owe me one!"
"Okay – you win – Dutch treat it is! I said. Already I am feeling better about this!
We knocked on Luke's door. "C'min!"
I opened his door and asked if he wanted to go to Denney's with us for a late supper – or 4th meal, as they say it.
"Great idea! I just got off the phone with Seth – he says hi – and I don't feel like being alone at the moment."
We had fun, laughing and kidding with Luke, and we all ate greasy, grilled sandwiches, then topped it off with 3 gargantuan banana splits! Then it hit me for the first time: Here we were – 3 multi-millionaires, eating at Denneys! I laughed out loud. "What?" they said in unison.
"Oh, nothing!"
"You can't get away with that!"
"I feel like a fool now – it really is silly!"
"Look – are we buds, or what?" Said Luke. Not waiting for an answer, he said, "You can tell us – me – anything."
After turning crimson – as only a pasty white freckled boy can do, I said, "I just feel like an idiot. I was laughing when I realized that here we were 3 multi-millionaires, eating at Denneys!"
Luke looked over at Ren and said – "Ah, these nouveau riche!" and winked at me as I pouted. "Lenny, if you remember, I was a beggar when Chris and Craig brought me over here from Hawaii. Believe me - I get it! And besides, I like Denney's! Sometimes a body just craves grease!"
When we got home, I remembered what Luke said about not wanting to be alone. "When are you flying out, Luke?"
"Auntie Lindy is taking me to the L.A. airport tomorrow morning."
"Well then – you are staying with us tonight."
"Yeah, I wasn't planning to stay down in the main house. I'll be in the far bedroom. You guys need your - "
"No – you're gonna stay in our bedroom – all night."
"Len – I'm just not into that - "
"We're not doing anything! "
"Huh?"
"Yeah, he's rationing it out to me!" Ren said in mock disgust. (I think!)
"Ren and I are – going slow – this time – and not getting confused – with sex."
"Yeah," said Ren, "You can come in and keep us honest!"
"You guys are something else!"
The next morning we all went to breakfast at 7:00. Etta greeted us with, "You know – Dere's allus left overs in the kitchen! You don' need to go out in da middle of da night ta eat!" Then she sniffed.
"You know we love you Etta!" said Luke.
After we saw Luke down to Uncle Jakes SUV, on the way back up to the flat, I said, "I think that we should go shopping!"
"Huh?"
"I've just made a major decision – for me. I hope that you agree."
"What?"
"You're a regular one word wonder this morning!"
"Huh?"
"Now you're playing with me!"
"Well, you're the one talking from out of the blue!"
"I know! And you're so cute when you're confused!"
He stopped midway up the stairs and crossed his arms. "I know you are, but what am I? Listen, Mr. Brainiac, I know that you're mentally gifted, but I'm not stupid." He pouted. "You are talking off the wall, you know!?"
"Please don't be offended, Sweetheart." As soon as I called him that, he got a suspicious look. I led him the rest of the way into the flat. "I was wondering if you would like to go with me to that mall just east of the hospital?"
"If – if you want. What's there that you want to buy?" He said still bewildered.
"Isn't that the mall where you bought my original ring?"
"Ye – es?"
"I was hoping that we could find – well – some matching rings."
"Er – um – well, yeah. Um – you mean like – friendship rings?" He brightened.
"Something like that."
"Does this mean you have changed your mind and want to go steady?" He said gingerly.
"Maybe more like – engagement rings - - maybe?"
His face went blank, then his eyes got red and then tears filled them both. He looked almost scared that maybe he heard me wrong.
"It'll need to be a long engagement, Babe, but – I think I wanna try it." I said, smiling.
"You – you really mean it?"
"Rennie, I love you so much it hurts to hold it in as I have been. I have decided that withholding love has to be wrong. And even though it's a risk, what is life other than one risk after another. My dad told me a long time ago that even though it's scary, risk brings value. We've risked a few times already – and seemingly lost something each time, but – all I know is that I love you more right now that ever before – so something must have gone right!"
"Omigosh!" He steeped away a pace.
"What?" I asked, smirking.
"Did you just ask me to marry you?" He exuded.
My smile widened and I laughed. "I believe I did!" I said.
Ren jumped up into my arms and wrapped his legs around me. For the first time, it didn't almost knock me over. I pulled him as close to me and we buried our faces in each other's necks. He pulled his head back and said – "Accepted!" And he kissed me deeply, with more passion than I'd expected ... at first.
Oh! I kissed him back! He started to drag me to the bedroom. I stopped and took a deep breath. "Let's wait til we get our rings – okay?" I said apologetically.
He pouted for exactly a half second and kissed me on the nose, then squeezed my package and hugged me again. He sprang out of my arms to the floor and said, "Last one to the car is a rotten banana!"
"Banana?" I said.
"Sorry, it was the first thing that popped into my head – for some strange reason!
"Which car?" I asked, giggling.
"You asked me – you should drive!"
We went to the jewelry store and picked out matching titanium and gold rings with seven channel-set alternating diamonds and (Sapphire for me and rubies for Ren) across the brushed top. The salesman looked extremely happy as we kissed in the store and then as we walked out, I spied the ear studs and stopped.
"What?" He asked.
"What would you think about getting ear studs to match each others colored stones – like Rob and Denny have?"
"YESS!" He exuded with a grin.
"It won't be a problem that my stud will match Rob's, will it?"
"Would that be an issue for you?" He asked.
"N-no?"
"Take off your ring." He said. I did while he took his off. He took mine and gave me his. They were the same size, so he put mine on. I followed suit and he said, "That should work!"
"Do you need to be legally married?" I said.
"You mean go to another state to get married? Naw! We can have all the legal rights we want without doing that, already. I don't see the big deal."
"Good! Me neither."
I drove us to our flat, pulled him out back, overlooking the ocean, and, looking intently into his eyes said, "Ren, you're my everything! I promise to love and cherish you, and always be yours, forever!"
He said, "I love you and ... ditto!"
We kissed deeply. We heard a horn blast from a passing boat way down below. We turned and waved, then he pulled me back into the flat and we consummated our promises until we passed out. We woke up in time for dinner and – of course – Etta had a special dinner, served in the dining room, without us saying anything to anyone else.
"To whom do we owe thanks for this special dinner?" Asked Uncle Jake.
"Dese boys just eloped!" Said Etta with her ever-knowing, Mona Lisa smile.
"You even set out champagne glasses!" Said Carrie.
"Etta know!" said Etta.
Uncle Jake turned around to the wine cooler behind him, got out some champagne and started to pour it into the glasses. Etta quickly went to the fridge and came back with sparkling cider. "Dis is for da boys!"
"They're old enough to drink!" I argued Carrie.
"We don't drink alcohol." I explained.
"How - " started Rennie.
And we all said in unison, "Etta know!"
Notes: Happily ever after!