Quarterback Keeper: 32
Pea Ridge
When Joe and Tyler came down for breakfast, Billy was behind the reservations desk and waved.
"Don't you ever go home," Joe joked.
Not much," Billy said. "This is my real job. I just help out in the Sky Bar when someone calls in sick. Do you guys have plans, or are you just going to hole up for the day?"
Tyler said, "My ass couldn't take an entire day of being holed up."
Billy laughed and Joe scolded, "What would Mary think if she heard you talking like that?"
"I don't know what she'd think, but I'm pretty sure she would be laughing her head off."
"Who is Mary," Billy asked.
"That's my mother," Tyler said.
"What does she think of you and Joe?"
"Well, she still thinks of me as her little boy, but she adores Joe. As for our marriage, you should have seen the pride in her eyes when she danced with us at our wedding reception on New Year's Eve," Tyler said.
"You turned your reception into a New Year's eve party. That is so cool," Billy said. "When were you married?""
"Christmas eve," Joe said, "It was just family and close friends."
"That is such a great idea. I might just steal it...if I ever get married."
"I'm sure you'll find the right guy," Tyler said.
"Jason, the guy I've been seeing, is coming tonight for a sleepover. I hate to impose on you guys, but it would be great if I could introduce him to you. He needs to see that it's possible for two guys to make a life together."
"We'd love to meet Jason," Joe said. "Why don't you guys join us for dinner this evening."
"Are you sure?"
Tyler laughed, "Joe is never unsure. Besided, everyone has to eat and it's fun to make new friends."
"I'll check with Jason, and get back with you," Billy said.
"I'm taking Tyler out to Pea Ridge," Joe said, "I don't know what the cell reception is out there, so if you don't get one of us, just keep trying."
After exchanging cell numbers, Joe and Tyler went to get breakfast in the resort's Crystal Dining Room. Tyler went for the War Eagle Buffet. When he came back with a cinnamon pecan waffle, bacon, potatoes, and fruit.
"Hungry?"
"I'm still a boy and need the energy to keep up with my...uh..."
"Were you going to say Daddy?"
Tyler smiled sheepishly, and nodded his head.
Joe reached over and whispered in Tyler's ear, "Eat up sonny because daddy is going to ride you like a rented mule tonight."
Tyler smiled and said, "Yes sir."
Joe ordered Stuffed French Toast: Mascarpone cheese, fresh sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and a side of bacon.
As the two were enjoying their breakfasts and some of the best coffee Joe could remember, Tyler asked, "What's Pea Ridge?"
"What's Pea Ridge!? I'm going to have to get on Anthony about the quality of history teachers NOSU is churning out."
Tyler got defensive, "I know it's a Civil War battle site. I mean what is important about the battle."
"Just bustin' your chops," Joe said. "Pea Ridge doesn't get the coverage of Antietam, Gettysburg, or Vicksburg in the history books, but it was the biggest battle in the Trans-Mississippi West, secured Missouri for the union, and made possible the Union's campaign to gain control of the Mississippi. It's also one of the most complete battlefields in the National Park system."
Joe and Tyler had been driving the Pea Ridge Park Road for 45 minutes. It was snowing, and a dusting of white covered the field. When they reached the Elk Horn Tavern, Joe stopped the truck and the two got out to look around.
"This is what it might have been like during the battle," Joe said. "An early March storm dumped snow and ice in Northern Arkansas. Armies of the time generally avoided Winter Campaigns. Earlier in the War, Burnside's attack at Fredericksburg was in December. Although the humiliation of the Federal was the result of bad leadership, the cold weather made the battle miserable for the ordinary soldier and agonizing for the wounded and dying who spent the night on the battlefield."
Tyler looked at a map of the battle and said, "I'm confused. The Confederates are attacking from the north, and the Federals have their back to the south. Is there a mistake in this map?"
"No, the confederate commander Earl Van Dorn tried to out flank Samuel Curtis' Union army and attack from the rear. The result was a complete disaster. Although Van Dorn had a three-to-two advantage in men and a four-to-three advantage in artillery, he succeeded in totally squandering his advantage."
"His first blunder was to push his men beyond their limits. They were tired, and hungry, but he decided to push them into battle without letting them rest or eat. I suppose when your ass is sitting in a saddle, you lose connection to the reality of the ordinary soldier. Then to make matters worse he decided the supply wagon would slow down the march, so he left the wagons behind. The only rations the confederates had was what they were carrying and they had no tent for shelter. All the ordinary soldier had was a single blanket."
"Shit," Tyler said, "I've played football in sleet before. My fingers were so cold I could barely grab the football. After the game, I couldn't get out of my uniform and pads and into a hot shower fast enough. I was so cold, my cock didn't make an appearance for two days."
Joe laughed, "That's a good way to make the suffering of the soldier's relatable to your students; although you should probably not use the part about your cock going into hibernation."
"Yeah, I don't think even you could save my career after that," Tyler said with a smile.
"Van Dorn's next blunder was splitting his army. He sent General Benjamin McCulloch and his division to flank the Federal on the West, and Van Dorn led the other brigade around the Federal's East flank. McCulloch's brigade was the first to engage and initially sent the Federal gunners running. After the initial engagement McCulloch decided to ride out to reconnoiter and ran into a squad of Illinois infantry who shot him out of the saddle. At first the Confederates didn't know what happened to McCulloch, so it took a bit for the second in command Brigadier General James M. McIntosh to take charge. When he did, he decided to ride out and see what he was facing. He was only two hundred yards from where McCulloch was killed when the boys from Illinois stood up and killed him. Then to make the decapitation of leadership, the third in command, Colonel Louis Hébert, blundered into Federals while leading a charge and was captured. Without leadership, McCulloch's division just melted away and wasn't a factor in the rest of the battle. Van Dorn lost half his army with them engaging in any significant fighting."
"What the fuck were these guys doing out in the open or leading attacks were the enemy could shoot or capture them," Tyler asked in disbelief.
"The Confederates had bad luck with general's reconnoitering the field." Joe said. "Stonewall Jackson was killed by his own men when he rode back into Confederate lines after surveying the battlefield."
"The real action in the battle of Pea Ridge happened around this tavern. On the first day, the Confederated were able to take this ground and Van Dorn made his headquarters here. It looked like the Confederates had the upper hand, but looks were deceiving. The Federals concentrated their forces overnight and soldiers were fed and able to rest. On the other side, the only food the ordinary Confederate soldiers had was what they could scavenge from dead Union soldiers. They had to sleep in the open and worst of all, the ammunition train was lost and they were running out of gunpowder and shot."
"The next day, Curtis, the Union general, had concentrated his artillery on the high ground," Joe pointed toward a rise in the distance. It opened up on the Confederates with a devastating barrage that the Rebs couldn't answer because they were low on ammunition. After two hours of softening up the Gray line, the Federal infantry advanced in one great blue line with drums beating and flags flying. Then Curtis threw his reserves into the battle, and Van Dorn's army was completely routed. The result was Missouri was firmly in the Union and most of Arkasas was emptied of Confederate forces."
"Damn babe," Tyler said, "I learn so much everyday I am with you. I have always liked history, but you have a way of making it real. I don't think I will ever be able to do that."
"Do what?"
"Just tell history like it's a story, rather than a lecture."
"Sure you will. What you have to stop worrying about is the details and concentrate on the narrative. You have to remember, the reason we teach American History is to make them citizens, not historians. The story is the Nation's successes and failures, to be honest about our loftiest goals and our worst shortcomings. It is to create in the next generation what Lincoln said at Gettysburg, the high `resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth'."
Tyler and Joe just stood looking at the battle field in silence as flakes of snow floated to the ground. After a bit, Joe put an arm around Tyler and said, "I tend to get carried away. I guess it's because the educational system since `No Child Left Behind' has focused on literacy and math, and civic education seems to have fallen through the cracks."
"No babe, you're right, we aren't creating the kind of citizens we need for the future of this country. The Civil War was the beginning of real civil rights in this country, and we are still fighting to perfect the guarantee of equality. This war ended slavery, and at the end the Constitution was changed to say that the former slaves were people and citizens. Then women stood up and demanded the right to vote. Along the way other minorities were let in the club. Hell, you and I are here because the 14th Amendment, which was written to give former slaves rights, has been used to give us the right to marry and create a family."
"It's a great story, but it's not fully written," Joe said, "but with what I have seen at Salt Fork High this year, the way the student body and the community have grown more accepting, gives me hope." Then Joe turned to Tyler, looked him in the eye, and said, "and buddy, you are the spark that started it all. When you walked into Salt Fork you changed the school, the sports teams, the faculty, and most of all, you changed me."
Joe and Tyler stood alone in the Pea Ridge Battlefield and kissed. Snowflakes mixed with tears on the lovers' cheeks.
Meeting Jason
As they were leaving the Pea Ridge, Billy called and said that Jason had agreed to supper that night. Joe said, "Meet us in the Crescent Hotel lobby at 6 p.m. Dinner's on me. We're going to the Grotto Wood-Fired Grill, so dress appropriately."
On the way back to the Crescent Hotel, Tyler got a text. When he read it he smiled, and replied.
"Who was that, and what's up with the smile," Joe asked.
"That was Billy. His text said the Grotto Grill is very pricey. I think he's afraid a poor teacher from Oklahoma might have to dip into his retirement savings to pay for dinner."
"What did you say?"
"I told him you inherited a couple of oil wells."
Joe laughed.
Back at the Crescent, Joe said, "We've got four hours before we meet Billy and Jason for dinner. Do you have anything you want to do?"
"I think we should check out that spa tub?"
"I like the way you think,"Joe said.
Tyler filled the tube while Joe called to change dinner reservations from two to four. When he finished, Tyler was already spread out in the tub. "I see you've made yourself at home. Is there room for me in there?" Tyler smiled and pointed between his legs.
Joe stepped into the tub and sat between Tyler's legs. He leaned back and settled into his lover's chest. After a bit, Tyler began to massage Joe's shoulders and arms. "Ummm, that feels so good," Joe said.
Tyler kissed the back of Joe's neck, and said, "You are such a stud."
The newlyweds relished the time alone to simply soak in the hot water. After about an hour, Joe noticed that Tyler's cock was swelling. He smiled and slightly pushed his ass into Tyler's ass. When he did, Joe noticed that Tyler's cock responded. After a few minutes, Joe did it again and again a small twitch. The third time, Tyler asked, "Are your trying to torture me?"
"Maybe."
Tyler wrapped his arms around Joe's waist and pulled him closer. Then Tyler slowly slid his hands up Joe's tight pecs and onto his large hairy pecs. After excruciatingly slow movement, Tyler's fingers found Joe's nipples. He ran a finger around each of the erect tips. Then Tyler gave each nipple a hard pinch. Joe gasped and his cock sprang to attention. In the short time they had been together, Tyler had made a study of Joe's erogenous zones.
Tyler licked the back of Joe's left ear and whispered, "It's time to stop teasing and get down to business. Joe stood up, grabbed a towel, and started to dry himself. When he finished, he looked at Tyler and said "what are you waiting for," then walked into the bedroom.
When Tyler was dried, he walked into the bedroom. Tyler was lying on his back on the bed. He had a ahold of his ankles and his hole was exposed and hungry. Tyler dropped to his knees and drove his tongue into Joe's ass. Soon Joe was moaning and his ass was twitching. Eventually, Joe grabbed Tyler by the ears and pulled him up so they were face to face. Joe's eyes were intense, when he said through clenched teeth, "Stop messing around and show me what that cock can do."
"Yes sir," Tyler said and he slid his thick cock balls deep into Joe's ass.
"Fuuuck...oh fuuuuck yes," groaned Joe. "Show me what you got, stud. Take my ass."
For the next hour, Tyler owned Joe's ass. Tyler's muscular body glistened with sweat and he was breathing hard. "That's it, show me you're a man," Joe taunted. "Show me you can play with the big boys."
"I show you who's a man," Tyler barked and drove his cock hard into Joe's prostate. Joe's eyes rolled back and a thick rope of cum shot onto his chest. Joe continued to cum as Tyler battered his hole. Suddenly, Tyler's entire body tensed and he unloaded deep inside Joe. Tyler's animal brain was in control and the only thing that mattered was breeding Joe's tight man pussy.
Eventually, Tyler sated and his cock slipped from Joe. "Damn babe," Joe said, "I have never seen you dominating."
"I'm sorry. I got carried away."
"Hey, never apologize for making me cum like that. I know I usually take charge, but it is hot to watch you assert your alpha male. It will be interesting the first time we are both in alpha mode at the same time."
"I don't know," Tyler said, "it could be dangerous."
Joe laughed, "Maybe so, but it also might be fun."
At 6 o'clock, Joe and Tyler came down to the Crescent lobby. Tyler spotted Billy sitting next to a college age young man. The two were a study in contrast. Billy was long, slim, and lean. He looked like he belonged in board shorts and flip flops. Even in the dead of winter, he looked like he had a bit of tan.
On the other hand, Jason had the perfect suit body. His limbs, chest, shoulders, and waist were the perfect measurements and proportions for pulling a suit off the rack and wearing it like it was tailored for him. Jason was handsome, but nothing distinguished his face from the thousands of good looking young men on America's college campus', except his eyes. He shared Billy's mischievous blue eyes.
Tyler waved and Billy and Jason got up to introduce themselves. After introductions, Joe said, "I suddenly feel old."
Tyler smiled and said, "He only says that when he is trying to score a back massage. Trust me, there's nothing old about Joe." Then Tyler gave Joe a quick little kiss. Joe noted that Billy smiled at the display of affection, but Jason looked around to see if anyone noticed the gay couple, or more importantly if anyone noticed him with the gay couple."
On the short drive to the Grotto Jason loosened up and flirted with Billy, but as soon as they were in the restaurant, Jason assumed a more circumspect attitude.
When they were seated, the server distributed menus. Billy and Jason looked at the menu and they were noticeably intimidated by the prices and the dishes. Joe casually looked over the menu and Tyler just put the menu on the table without looking at it. After a bit, Joe asked, "Tyler, aren't you going to look at the menu?"
Tyler smiled and said, "Nah, I'll just let you order for me. I never know what to order in a place like this." Then Tyler looked at Billy and Jason and said, "I'm just a jock from a hick town in Oklahoma. So whenever Joe takes me to someplace like this I just get whatever he's having anyway."
Billy put his menu down and said, "I think that's a good idea. I'll do the same...if you don't mind, Joe."
"Me too," Jason said.
"That's fine with me, but no whining if you don't like what I order. Is everyone okay with steak?"
Three heads bobbed in agreement.
When the server came back, Joe said, "Well, the boys decided that daddy would do all the ordering." Tyler, Billy, Janson, and the server laughed.
Joe said, "We'll all have the boneless Ribeye, medium rare. To go with that, we'll have baked potatoes and grilled asparagus. To start with let's go with the Mushroom Brie Bisque. With the starter, bring us each a glass of chilled white wine, and with the main course a bottle of a California Cabernet Sauvignon."
After the server brought the wine. Joe said, "Jason, I'm sorry Tyler and I made you uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable?" Jason said, confused.
"Yes, back at the hotel; when we kissed."
Jason blushed, "I should be the one apologizing. I should be more accepting of gays...of myself. It's just I don't know what to do. Billy told you that my father is an important leader in the Southern Baptist Convention, and finding out his son is gay will kill him, but losing Billy will kill me. I feel caught between the two most important people in my life."
Joe looked at Tyler then said, "Tyler and I have been quite lucky. We have found more acceptance from our families and our community than I ever imagined possible. However, we know that is not true for everyone, even in the world we live in today."
"How did you guys come out?" Billy asked.
"My coming out has been over a lifetime, and is far too lengthy to tell now," Joe said, "but the part you should know is the Joe and Tyler coming out story, and I think Tyler should tell it."
Tyler choked, and asked, "Me? Why me?"
"Because babe, you are the central character in the story. I was following a very safe and predictable plot line until you stepped in and rewrote the entire story."
Tyler laughed, "I would not describe myself as the central character, but I will admit to disrupting Joe's fairy tale life." Tyler began by telling about his first meeting with Joe, how their relationship grew and changed. He told them about being outed on the Salt Fork Fags website. Finally, he told them about how the football team and community responded. "That's our coming out as a couple story." Tyler said.
"I don't know what to say," Jason said. "That's an amazing story." Just then, the server brought their meals.
During dinner, Jason and Billy shared how they met, and how they discovered each other was gay. It happened one evening when two members of their Psych 101 study group didn't show up for a study session.
"We were in a study room on the third floor of the library," Billy said, "...by the way, why does every gay hook up in gay college stories happen on the third floor of the library." Joe, Tyler and Jason laughed. "Anyway, I left my psych book in the dorm, so Jason and I were sharing his book..."
"Billy had just come from playing intramural soccer and the smell of grass and sweat was driving me crazy," Jason said.
"I discovered he was turned on," Billy said, "when I dropped my pencil and had to crawl under the table to retrieve it. Jason's cock was huge and hard. When I got back in my chair, I casually put my hands behind my head and leaned back in the chair. Several times I saw Jason glancing at me wet hairy pits and occasionally inhaling a deep breath. I decided to confirm what I suspected, so I reached under the table and gave his cock a couple of tugs.When he didn't yell or pull back, I had my answer. So, I got up and said, that I needed to go back to my dorm room. I took a couple of steps then said,My roommate went home for the weekend, if you want you can come over.' He did, and we...." Billy looked at Jason.
Jason smiled and said, "...spent the weekend fucking like bunnies in Springtime." Then Jason got serious. "I'd mess around with guys, but always told myself it was just a phase or it would change when I found the right girl, all the things conservative religious boys tell themselves to avoid admitting to being gay. After that weekend, I am under no delusion that I am anything but gay."
"When do your Spring classes begin?" Joe asked Jason.
"In two weeks."
"It sounds like you and Billy need some time away together to really talk," Joe said. "We have a place you can do that if you want."
"I'm not sure I could get off," Billy said.
"Don't worry about that," Tyler said with a smile, "Joe knows the owners of the Crescent Resort. He can get you the time off."
"You know Charles and Mindy Sinclair?"
"Yes, Charles is my cousin," Joe said. "Tyler may have understated things when he said I inherited a couple of oil wells. I also hope you don't hold the fact that Charles is my cousin against me."
Billy laughed, "Oh no, Charles and Mindy are great. They have a real commitment to the Crescent and the staff. I wasn't working there when they bought the place, but the old-timers have told me that the first thing they did was increase wages and give everyone health insurance. When he and Mindy are here, you wouldn't know they are rich with how they joke and interact with the staff."
"It runs in the family," Tyler said.
"Well, if you are interested, we have an apartment in Tulsa you could spend some time at and really talk about what you want. Go out on some dates, and have some fun."
"I like that idea," Jason said. "I think Billy and I need some time to talk things over and to just spend time together."
Joe pulled out a business card and wrote three phone numbers on the back of it and slid it across the table to Billy and Jason. "The top number is my personal cell, the middle number is Tyler's cell, and the bottom number is Michael Sinclair's cell, Charles and Mindy's son. He keeps an eye on our Tulsa apartment when we aren't around. I'll let him know you guys might be using the apartment. Just give him a call and he will have it ready for you."
Jason turned the card over and a concerned look came over his face. "What's the matter?" Tyler asked.
"I didn't know Joe is on the Board of Directors of Sinclair and leading the new alternative energy division of the company."
"Is that a problem?" Joe asked.
"Well, I graduate this Spring with a degree in computer science. I began sending out inquiries last semester for possible jobs. Sinclair Energy was one of the places I contacted." Then Jason quickly turned to Billy and said, "Babe, I'm sorry this is news to you. I haven't had a chance to tell you about this. I promise I won't make any decisions without us talking about it."
Billy squeezed Jason's hand, and said, "Hey, it's alright. This is one of those things we need to talk about during our Tulsa thinkcation."
"Thinkcation," Tyler said to Joe, "I like that. We should do that sometime."
"We can," Joe said, "but all you ever think about is sex."
A devilish smile formed on Tyler's lips, and Billy and Jason laughed. The tension was broken.
"I don't want you to think I'm trying to scam you to get an interview for a job." Jason said.
"Hey, I don't think that is one bit the case," Joe said. "Besides, my name is on that Division for PR reasons. The real head of the Division is Cooper Sinclair, Charles and Mindy's oldest son. If you were really trying to find a backdoor into the company, you would be buttering up Charles. HR is in his area of responsibility."
"You don't need to worry about Joe," Tyler said, "When it comes to business, school, or coaching, he's incorruptible. I on the other hand have no problem with seeing that your application file finds its way onto Cooper's desk."
The server came to clear the dishes and take dessert orders. "I think everyone is old enough to order their own dessert," Joe said with a smile, and then ordered creme brulee and coffee.
"I'll have the same," was said in unison by Tyler, Billy, and Jason.
Joe laughed, and said, "Okay, enough serious talk. What do you want to talk about?"
Jason looked at Billy then said, "sex."
"This is your topic, Professor Simmons, " Joe said. Tyler turned beet red and Jason and Billy laughed uncontrollably.
That night Tyler was using Joe's shoulder for a pillow and playing with his chest hair. "So, what are you thinking about," Joe asked.
"You were so nice to Billy and Jason. I can't believe I am married to such a kind, wise and generous man; oh, and did I mention sexy."
Joe gave Tyler a kiss on the forehead then said, "Babe, you are the one reason I'm this way. Before you came into my life I was a check writer. Sure, I would have done almost anything for Tony and Virginia, Bill, or Jerry. I also think I was there for my students and players, but outside of that group my way of helping was writing checks. Giving money can be a very impersonal thing. You really don't have to have any connection to the recipient, particularly if you donate to "worthwhile organizations."
"Then you came along and pulled me out of my safe place. The deeper I fell in love with you the more connected I felt with everyone around me. It's like your warmth and openness are my relationship catalyst. Does that make sense?"
"I think it does. In the same way, I think you are my confidence catalyst. After my football career went to hell, I didn't know what to do, or if I was good enough to really do anything. Finally admitting I am gay made it even more daunting. I just felt like I was drowning. I don't know if I ever told you this, but one afternoon, I spent an hour in Dr. Kesslinger's office crying. He said he'd fix it. I thought he was just saying that to get a big dumb crybaby jock out of his office, but two days later he introduced me to you. Kesslinger threw me a lifesaver, and it was you."
"We are each other's lifesavers," Joe said.