March Stephenson

Chapter 8

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

The size was perfect, about half what he has in his workshop, but just as long. I looked over in the corner and he had some barbells, a running machine, and a bench. I suppose this is where he gets his awesome body from. There were also some old petrol bowsers some juke boxes,loads of advertising signs. An old car that hasn't seen a hose for many years, it was hard to see what kind it was, he said he used it for spare parts. The floor was filthy, but the walls and ceilings were in good condition.

"What are you thinking Nicky?"

"A Gym, I could open a gym, all I have to do is spruce this place up, get some insurance and new machines. Sell memberships and watch the money roll in, mostly all I have to do is clean up watch the clients aren't overdoing things, and look in on you every now and then."

"Umm."

He kissed me so hard that I bent back and had to grab his arms to steady myself.

"That was nice." I smiled.

"I will show you nice," He knelt and I thought I was going to get a nice pair of lips on my you know what, but instead he grabbed my shorts and continued the rip that had been started. He then looked and checked I was in my jocks then he stood up.

"That is much better."

"Ron made me change he said the other ones made me look like a slut."

"I will speak to him Nicky, he has no sense of adventure." I laughed.

He placed his hand into the torn shorts and started to grope me.

"What was it you wanted this room for?"

"I want to open a gym."

"That's nice Nicky, all those hot bodies for me to look at."

"Well maybe not then." He started giggling.

"I trust you, go for it and go and see Brenda at the council chambers she will have a copy of the rules and conditions, and tell her yes to the calendar that will guarantee you will get business permits. I won't charge you rent, well not until your make money and it will be nominal."

"I will pay rent, but you have to help me with the machines, I have only ever used the hospital ones and that was to do with my rehabilitation process."

"Nicky, turn around a bit," He has found my ass. I turned and he placed his hand over my buns and rubbed them, you can guess where his finger ended up.

He also mimicked my ear lobe sucking and boy did I ever moan.

It will be a big job and to start with, I have to clean it out.

"The old car carcus do you want to keep it?'

"No, I will get the scrap metal guy in, the rest can go in the shed."

I looked into the shed and it did have some room but he wanted to put his old truck in there too. What he has stored in the room is worth a small fortune and it has to be kept out of the weather. I looked up at the rafters some can go across them, but it's the furniture that needs to be culled. I can't do anything about it until I have the room done. It hit me and I'm thinking I am an idiot, I already have a garage, and we can store his old truck in there.

"March does your old truck still start?"

"Of course, it does, well after I replace a few things it will."

"Can we store it in our garage at home that will give me more room for the garage stuff in your shed? I will empty it and start stacking the stuff we will need to one side, and the rest I will leave it up to you and May to either keep or sell."

He looked at me and smiled.

"You're important, the truck is important, and the rest can go."

"No the signs and old oil cans and the rest are worth big money we can put them on eBay or the appropriate Facebook pages. The furniture I will look through and take some but not all, I doubt we would even fit it all in the cottage."

"Not important Nicky, do what you have to do." He started kissing me again.

"Get those cars done baby leave all this to me."

I started almost immediately, as I looked through the soft drink signs and the gas signs they were all in good nick, and I took many photographs.

I then went back to Mays and made more coffee, then I told her I was opening a gym. She was excited for me or was she excited there will be some hunky men around finally.

"May I need to get rid of some of your furniture, I am thinking I will take what I can but there is still a lot of odds and ends that can be sold."

"Yes Nick, we have left it too long. I was just going to have a huge garage sale. The antique shops won't give us anything near what some of it is worth."

"Is there anything in there that you want to keep?"

"No, I took what I wanted for my place, and like you I didn't cram it in just some memory pieces Nick. I doubt whether March will want anything he has never indicated he wanted to keep a memento. He has dads truck and that's enough for him." She laughed.

"Maybe we will list it on Facebook's marketplace or find a better online store to use."

"So what's your plan?"

"At the moment I don't have one, we are going to store the old truck at home. I need to go and talk to Brenda about the legal's and local rules. Clean it up put carpet down and then buy machines and benches."

"Nicky please don't install a cafe."

"No May water only and if your good to me you can supply it. There are a couple of old drink machines still in there so I will get them checked out."

"They should work."

"Health and safety might require me to get them rewired."

"That's a point, more coffee?"

"Yes please."

I ran home quite easily my arm is behaving itself and I didn't have to compensate for it. Ron had finished for the day and wasn't to be seen, the note said he would lock up and ring us later on. He did a good job and he had cleared everything away the room looked huge without that wall and I could imagine our new farmhouse table sitting in the new space. I grabbed a writing pad and pen and then started making a list of things to do. I will research sale pages later on but I thought May's idea was a good one, stack it out the front and take the best offer on the items. There are weekend tourists that drive all over these hills on the weekend, and I will grab that nice big sideboard, while I'm at it.

I sat at the table and opened my laptop my fingers have a mind of their own sometimes and I accidentally clicked on the entertainment page. His engagement is over and there was talk of Netflix canceling the new season of his show it wasn't as good or well-received as I was led to believe. There was also a bit about him being gay, I guess his new handbag had told them maybe. He knows I wouldn't have talked to anyone about our relationship, I didn't feel sorry for him because he always had the knack of bouncing back bigger and better.

I had learned to read between the lines and the journalist was trying to discredit him, but in this day and age she wasn't doing a very good job of it. I heard a noise as March opened the front door.

"Welcome home." I kissed him. The first thing he did was look at the work Ron had done.

"Great I can start now. I will do this room first, Ron will demolish the wall in the bedroom in the meantime. Nick, I think we should leave the old bathroom until last."

"Yes good idea."

He looked at it some more then he went to shower, he never mentioned swimming but it was a cooler day today. I sat down again at the computer and did some research on Gyms and Gym memberships. If I am lucky to pull a hundred members that will give me some spending money, I will place a daily monthly, or yearly rate on them, but the casuals will probably be my best cash customers.

March came out with a towel wrapped around his awesome body, he went to take the cover off the hot tub and called me.

"I'm ready."

I almost raced to get in with him, the water was a little warmer today. I sat on his knees and started the kissing process my stiff rubbing on his treasure trail, he was nudging me and wanting in. I was pushing my fingers backward through his hair, I know he likes it to be back off his handsome face.

"What have you discovered with the gym Nick?'

"If I get a hundred members it will exist and I will have some cash for out goings, if I get two hundred then I am sweet. I don't know about this area they may want it cheaper but the going rate is normally twenty or thirty a month."

"Why don't you do a wall of old signs and sell them instead of advertising, the proceeds can be reinvested into your business."

"They are yours they came with the garage, you already own them."

"The last person to run that garage was a hoarder, that's why there is so many. And I haven't thought about doing anything with them so I am giving them to you, after all you're doing all the work."

"We will discuss it later." I moaned.

"Well?" I said.

"Well, what?"

"Keep moving."

"I want to stay where I am it's nice and warm."

"Okay, just let me know when your nuts are exploding." I rested my head on his shoulder and nipped at his neck, it didn't take long for him to yell.

"Incoming." He let me know.

We cleaned up and then jumped back in, he held me and I said that Ron did a good job, and the place looks huge already. He said we have to go and order a nice kitchen, he will start demolishing the old one on the weekend.

I can help with that, I'm very good at destroying things and my nail extraction is second to none.

I started to get some of May's pies out of the fridge and for the tenth time this week I told myself I have to go get some food.

"Nicky let's go out, maybe a counter meal or Chinese takeaway, there is a good one up the street."

"Chinese it is, don't tell May but I'm a bit over her pies."

"Her pasties are also nice."

"Now you tell me."

He rattled around in one of the boxes he had bought with him, and surprise surprise a menu was produced.

We ate well and discussed buying the beds and some food, he said a deep freezer would be good then that can sit on the back porch. I agreed, and we made a plan to go to the nearest big town on the weekend. It's a country thing just about everything is kept on the porch, I must be acclimatising because not long ago I wanted everything off it. But to be fair it will sit on the back porch no one sees stuff on there.

No lovemaking tonight he has had his fill, so I got loads of cuddling. When I woke the sun was shining through the window. I never went back to the couch to sleep, not since I met March Stephenson, the bedroom is a lot more welcoming now. He left for work early and said we will go to the pub for tea tonight. I told him I would come into town and make a start on the shed. I had to go see Brenda at the council also. I cleaned up and threw a load of washing on. There was a pair of overalls and I looked at them, oil and a small rip, it won't take him long to get back to being my sexy mechanic again. I tossed them in with plenty of heavy-duty soap then turned it on. It chugged away and I guess it knew its replacement will be here soon because it stopped dead in its tracks. I hadn't noticed but I did later on when I checked it. No sign of life and my wrists ached as I wrung his overalls out by hand. They will have to be washed again properly.

"We go get a new machine tonight Nicky,"

"What about our counter tea?"

"Forgot our date sorry, we go in the morning then, is May doing the wash for you?"

"Yes, thank god,"

I had taken most of the furniture out of the shed, except for the heavy stuff, and put aside the chairs and hall stand I wanted. There were other bedside tables and a couple of wardrobes but had second thoughts when March said we will get some built-ins done in the spare bedrooms and the main bedroom will have the walk-in.

Our big date was at the local pub, May had to be invited and I was surprised at how well set up it was. Poker machines made welcoming noises but I never got hooked on them, although they were always around. We headed for the dining room it was surprising how many people knew May and March and quite a few knew me. The menu was huge, why do they do this to me all the time?

"The steaks are delicious Nicky."

"Veggies or salad?" I asked him.

"Veggies of course."

"Order me that then, medium rare."

"Me too," May said.

While the food was cooking May went to have a small play and March and I looked into each other's eyes.

"Excuse me but can I butt in?"

I looked up, it was Brenda looking down at us.

"Of course Brenda."

"Now boys I need an answer now, we start shooting in a few weeks and I need to slot you both in. Keep in mind you need me for the gym Nicky and March Stephenson you have said no to me too many times, and that gym is going to be good for your business."

"She's blackmailing us March, what do you think?"

"Okay, I will do it." She did a happy dance.

"Me too." I looked at her.

"I guarantee you will get your permit, just come and see me I will give you the safety codes and what you need to be doing."

"Thank you very much Brenda can we buy you dinner?"

"No thank you March, I have a handsome date tonight and I want to be alone with him." I looked over at him, he was no older than sixteen I was sure of it.

"You look surprised Nicky, he is a handsome devil isn't he?"

"Yes, Brenda, very handsome a real heartbreaker."

"He's a handful sometimes, have a good evening and don't forget to come to see me."

She walked away and sat with her young man.

"How the hell does she do it, he's a baby."

"He's also her eldest son." March smiled.

"Bitch." She had me going then. He of course then laughed and the dinners arrived. Bloody hell I had forgotten what country pubs were like, the meat was huge. May arrived back she had no luck tonight the machines are not paying she said.

March and she had no trouble eating their steaks while I took my time, it was almost halfway through when I stopped there is no way I can eat all of it.

"Not hungry Nicky?" May asked.

"I'm full May, I can't eat anymore."

"Do you mind if I have it?"

"Of course not."

She took my plate and March grabbed onto it, I can see where this is going I have the Stephenson children at my table. I grabbed it back and cut the steak in half then moved one bit to March's plate.

"Now eat you two, no arguments, more veggies?"

Dessert arrived less one, mine. I hadn't ordered one, but they watched each other closely and March even had his hand covering the bowl.

It was a relief to get back home although I did have a good night out. March wanted to hot tub it, but I went to bed exhausted and full.

Nothing happened and I slept soundly, but in the morning he was all over me and whatever he wanted, it was urgent. I was only offering one thing in the morning and he was satisfied with that.

He dressed and we ate breakfast, we discussed what we were buying today and he said whatever we bought we will get it all delivered. He cant hook the washing machine up inside because the kitchen isn't done yet, but he can do it on the porch where the old one stands.

"It will be temporary Nicky, we can look at kitchens while we are there."

"Maybe Bunnings they have everything we need and I have to get some new beds."

"There's a store near the big hardware shop I think Nick."

"I might put grans old one in the other bedroom."

"You don't want it for an office?"

"No March, that creates more clutter and I have an idea in mind."

"That is?"

"Put one in the gym, then we both can use it."

"Mine is okay."

"It's a cave, do you ever clean it up?"

"No, most of it I inherited with the garage, I didn't want to throw it out so I pushed it back a bit, I have room."

"All right then, I will look at it."

He grinned, I also know it will be me tossing the old invoices and catalogs out, he just hasn't got the time according to him.

He headed for work, he has an old Rambler coming in for an oil change, and that's all he has for the day. I waited two hours then ran up the street. He was just putting the roller door down when I arrived. I looked into his office and yes it was a mess, he had made a space for himself and a chair and had boxes where he places his old invoices in.

"What's in this box?"

"Nothing at the moment but that's my to-pay box."

"So everything is up to date?"

"Why does that surprise you, Nicky?"

"It doesn't actually March, I was over being surprised with you weeks ago."

His hand snaked into my shorts then I moved onto my knees.

"Now where were we." May had interrupted us the last time I attempted this, so it's unfinished business I had to attend to.

He dropped his overalls and the smell of oil turned me on as I poked at his dick.

He drove carefully towards the bigger town and I played with all the gizmos in his new truck. I managed to work out the GPS and told him I had set it on our destination.

"But I know where I'm going, Nick."

I turned it off.

He drove around some backstreets and at the edge of town he pulled up at a beautiful cottage. It was almost the same as ours but it looked new.

"This is where Jason lives."

"It's impressive March, he's done a great job with it, I love the garden."

"He took a year to do it all and I think it's perfect." I got my phone out and started taking photos.

"We won't call in just yet, we have our business to attend to."

Off we went and three minutes later we pulled into a parking bay at Bunnings. It wasn't busy so we had a choice of where we could store the truck.

We walked in and he grabbed a trolly, then we headed for the white goods department. He took a piece of paper out of his back pocket and looked at it.

"They are all the same size Nicky all we have to do is make sure they are built-in ones not freestanding."

"Are you talking about the dishwashers?"

"Yes, over here." It didn't take him long and within an hour we had bought a dishwasher, washing machine, and a deep freeze. He also said we needed a fridge that makes ice. The one in the house was left by the last tenant and although it worked it's seen better days. I guess that will end up on the porch too.

"Now, what kind of kitchen do you want?"

"A modern one."

"Good." we walked almost the length of the big shed to talk to a very nice young lady who was sitting at a desk.

"Good morning March, Nicky. I hope you are both well?"

"Yes thank you Dianne how is mum?"

"Really good March, she's on her feet again and ready to get back to work."

"Good give her a hug for me."

"Now, you know of Nicky but I will introduce you properly, Dianne this is Nick, and Nick this is an old school friend of mine, Dianne." We shook hands and both giggled, he's so formal.

"What can I help you with today?"

"A new kitchen to start with," He took another piece of paper out of his pocket and it was the plans for the cupboard placement and the white goods.

"When did you do them?"

"Ron did them and dropped them in."

"I see." So he doesn't do any work himself, I suppose once again he's busy.

"Nick, sit with Dianne and plan out a nice kitchen, you will need to pick cupboard facings and colors if you want any." He sat next to me, I stared at him and he said.

"Anytime within the next few minutes will do." He laughed at my face.

"Dianne has he always been like this?"

"Yes Nicky, Ron's measurements will be spot on and all we have to do is work out placements because everything will be along one wall I suggest the sink and power boards be installed into the island bench. Do you want it farmhouse, cottage, modern or contemporary?"

"I haven't thought about it, Dianne," But March has.

"Contemporary, large island bench polished concrete top, white three-pack doors, and a deep farmhouse sink. Cupboards white, bench tops are the same, concrete. Silver taps and knobs. There will be a butler's pantry and we will need much the same style, no need for the fridge to have a place it will go into that room." I once again stared at him, do I know him?

She looked at me and I stuttered and said.

"I want some blue if I can, I like blue."

"Blue splashbacks thank you Dianne, what shade Nicky?" He's quick.

She shoved a color chart in front of me and I pushed my chair back and pointed to the aqua one.

"Very doable Nicky good choice."

I walked over to the taps and started looking at them, but not looking I was pretending I knew all about them. I had no idea how hard organizing a kitchen could be, I thought we would just buy a flat-pack one and March would install it. Another telling sign we were a couple is March, his arms went around me and he kissed my neck and whispered.

"You don't like it, we take some brochures and pick the one you like. We can also look on the net."

"I thought we were going to get a pre-made one, this one is almost the same as I had at the house."

"Then we change it." I turned around and kissed him.

"No, I loved that kitchen so much, and it's not the same, we had more room there, you have done well my handsome mechanic, I love you so much."

"I love you too Nicky, are we done here?"

"Almost, but I want to talk to Dianne before we go."

I walked back to her and apologized.

"I get it Nicky, it's daunting when there are so many kitchens out there and it gets confusing. Can you leave it to me I will send you the finished plan and you can change it anything you want?" She smiled, she wasn't being smart she was trying to help me.

"Do I get my blue?"

"And more Nicky I will run a strip of lights across the top of it, mood lighting." She winked.

"Thank you, I didn't know what I wanted, he's a great designer to have around."

"That he is Nick and Nicky?"

"Mum's the word, he's a dear friend of my family. My mum nursed him back to health when he had some trouble, and when you are ready, you make the announcement." She winked. I hugged her and then took some brochures just to look professional. When we did the big house I didn't have a choice, Matt called in someone to design the bathrooms and kitchens, they cost a small fortune but I loved them so much. Now I have the best man in the world with me I will enjoy them more because they won't be so cold looking, they will be warm.

"Are you okay Nicky?"

"Yes March, I am fine, and thank you."

"I have been thinking about it for a while Nick, the cottage, the area there was no option but to make it contemporary. I must admit I did look at your old home photos and liked the one you did there, but this will be different in a smaller way."

"A butlers pantry?"

"Yes, half the old bathroom all we need in there is a shower, hand basin, and toilet."

"You're right, keep it simple." A strange look came across his face and he said.

"With you Nicky nothing but the best, there's nothing simple about the ideas that are running around in my head because they are for you."

My tears started and I leaned on his shoulder, happy tears are awesome.

"Do you want coffee, we can take a break."

"Yes please."

He started the truck and drove further out where he found a small deserted park. Benches and picnic tables were dotted around a public toilet.

"No one ever comes here Nicky, there's a new one in town but I much prefer this one."

"Coffee?"

"In the back Nick I got May to make us up and picnic." He grinned, and my mouth was on his instantly as I said many thank youse.

He got the basket out and placed some towels on the seats then a table cloth, the thermos of coffee was produced, and a container of sandwiches, and did I spy some cake?

"You did very well my friend, I couldn't have done better if I tried."

"Well I knew you had the marble-type benches in the house so I changed that but the cupboards are the same style."

"I love it and yes the concrete is cottage country."

We ate something and sipped on our coffee, I fought hard to keep my mouth shut about what Dianne had said. I wanted to ask May first, I didn't want to drag any bad memories up for March.

The birds started flying everywhere as we held hands and he said there is a storm coming.

"How do you know that?'

"I can smell it and they are heading for shelter."

"We better go then."

"Beds."

"We do that then we go." I smiled.

We packed up and he put another sandwich in his mouth to eat on the way, he was adorable as he drove us to the bed shop. We purchased two king size and I bought some covers we liked. They will deliver them as soon as they can, another telling sign we were a couple was when he pulled me down on the bed and wanted me to try it. The salesman of course knew us.

"Is everyone in Victoria on that local page?" I asked him.

"No Nicky just the locals. Local means everyone within a fifty-mile radius of our town."

"I see, so when you wanted me to sit on your lap on that bed you were not advertising we are a couple then?"

"Of course not, I just wanted to test the springs." He laughed his head off.

He drove us back into town, it did start raining heavily and had turned cool, I was told it happens randomly up here the sun will be back tomorrow.

We sat under May's verandah and ate the rest of the picnic, she was all smiles when we told her about the kitchen she said it will cost a bomb if we go ahead with the butler's pantry.

"No not really May, Dianne will give us a discount and I can do the benches."

"You can do the benches?" I asked.

"It's concrete Nicky, it's pretty easy to do." I groaned.

"So why don't we get Bunnings to do it?"

"Because it's cheaper if I do it and I like doing that sort of thing."

"Fair enough."

"Did you get everything you needed in town?" May asked.

"Yes just about, we can leave the bathrooms for later, Nicky you need to pick out some tiling."

"No, I'm not doing that," I said.

"Why not?"

"I am leaving it up to you but I do like Mays colors, dark grey and black with stark white cupboards."

"I like that also, and I have some tiles stored somewhere, leftovers from her job."

"Good something cheap at last."

"Not so quick, they are my tiles," May said.

"Not anymore sis, I am storing them." He smiled at her.

"Then I will send you the account when I price them."

"You got them cheap, and I installed that bathroom for nothing, do you want to continue my dear sister?"

If looks could kill, and it was just a game what the hell is she going to do with them?

A car pulled up and March went across the road, he was tinkering under the hood for some time then he filled it with gas. Money was exchanged and he came back smiling.

"See Nicky, not everyone gets free gas." May said.

"I will kick your ass if you mention it again May Stephenson." She giggled her head off.

I looked through the brochures when I got in and sent a picture of the beds and the kitchen that was sort of like ours to mum and dad. I then looked at the local page.

Yes, sightings everywhere and a private message from Jason at long last.

`You should have called in, I was home.'

'Next time, we had a lot to do. And pleased to meet you at last. If I had known you were March's best friend I would have been friendlier I apologize.'

'Don't sweat it Nicky, I couldn't say too much anyway promises and all that.'

`So he spoke to you about me?'

'No Nicky, he spoke to me about someone new in town I figured it was you.'

`What do you want to do about May? I can help.'

`Nothing my friend, she didn't want to know me back then, so I figured it will go nowhere.'

`There was a reason for that.'

`Do tell?'

`She heard a rumor that you and March were lovers, she liked you, but didn't want to get in the way.'

`Lololololololol March and me?'

`Yes.'

`So she liked me after all?'

"Yes very much, and she is still single.'

`I know, March tells me stuff.'

`We will talk when we call in next time, I have just been summoned to the hot tub, lolol.'

'I see, so the rumor is true, bloody rabbits.'

`Talk soon.'

"Nicky, where are you?"

"Coming," I screamed, I dropped my shorts and jocks and met him at the tub stark naked. He wanted me to stand there so he could play with himself, so I posed nicely for him, balls and all the trimmings.

I was finally let in and he pulled me to him, he was still stiff and I got his hands running all over my body. I pushed his hair back and the kissing began in earnest.

"Who were you talking to?"

"Jason."

"Really?"

"He saw us out the front and was disappointed we didn't call in."

"Does he talk to you often?"

"No March, he was just stirring and I didn't know he was your friend back then, I thought he was a stalker. You can read the few messages I got they were all good."

"No need Nicky, I trust you both."

"Why do you go see him anyway, I know you are mates but when do you even make time to get together?"

He stayed silent and his hands stopped touching me. His eyes looked so far away I thought he was going into a trance.

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