Disclaimers: Please see chapter 1 for all disclaimers. If you shouldn't be here, you should leave, or at least don't stay too long.
A special note of gratitude goes to three men who have been my rock during some trying times in the last couple of weeks. Scott, Terry, and Cy. Thank you so much for being my friends. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your love.
Tim and Joey had quickly whisked Stephen away and out of the courthouse. This was hard on Stephen as he was still weak, but he had insisted on going to the courtroom today. No matter what Danny thought of Stephen, Stephen knew that Susan was watching what Stephen had done for her and her brother, and Stephen felt a warmth inside him letting him know that he had done the right thing. There would be time later for a reconciliation with Danny.
Chapter 42
Tim helped Stephen settle into the passenger side of Joey's car as Joey pulled it up to the passenger zone in front of the courthouse. They had been late to the courtroom. Joey had suggested Stephen would need some rest after the stress of appearing before the judge, and they needed time to pack for a short trip. Tim was impressed by Joey's thinking, and was willing to do anything to help the two men to get away. Joey thought everyone would come looking for them at their house, so he wanted to get out of town for a couple of days. Tim said he would provide the smokescreen to make everyone forgot them for a few days. When they were ready, they could come home to see the family.
In their discussion, Tim was quick to tell Joey, "I don't want to know where you are going. There is nothing here Katie and I can't take care of, and you can call us if you need anything. That way, the family can't harass us to find out where you are. We'll honestly say we don't know."
As Joey pulled away from the courthouse curb, Claire, Adam, and Katie walked out the front door. They were waiting for Danny's release from custody. Walking up to Tim, all three wrapped their arms around him, thanking him for saving Danny from what might have happened.
"Don't thank me," Tim began. "It was Stephen who said he was determined to keep Danny from the possibility of being roomed for a few years with someone named Bubba." This broke everyone up.
Claire kissed Tim. "Thank you anyway. I know you had something to do with this." She smiled. "From now on, you will always be welcomed at our house and you will always be a member of our family."
Tim returned the smile. "That reminds me. There was another reason we were late."
There on the sidewalk, in the middle of downtown, Tim reached into his pocket. He turned to Katie and dropped to one knee. "I have never been a conventional person, Katie, but that has made for an interesting life. This may not seem like the most romantic setting, but with family here, I think it's right. If you say yes, we can just go back inside and do what we need to do. Katie Parker, will you marry me?"
The squealing echoed off of the buildings for blocks. Everyone's head spun to look at the courthouse, seeing what the fuss was about. Everyone could only see a brawl had broken out, with a man and a woman wrestling on the ground.
No, wait. That was Katie leaping on to Tim, covering him with hugs and kisses. Adam and Claire were unable to help Tim as the were both doubled up laughing. Somehow, as strange as this seemed to most people, Adam and Claire thought it was perfectly suitable for Katie. The wrestling ended with Katie laying on top of Tim. Thankfully. Tim was not one to be throwing boners on city streets but for some reason, his marriage proposal was giving him one hell of a hard on. Katie could feel what was going on under her and decided laying there until he had regained his composure would be a good idea.
Tim looked up at Katie. "I'll take that as a yes..."
Joey accelerated onto the freeway. He turned on the radio so they would not be sitting in total silence. He didn't feel a need for a conversation. Stephen was staring out the window, watching the houses and office parks zip by as the car headed north. He was lost in his thoughts, and Joey respected his space. As much as they loved each other, they did not need to constantly smother each other.
Stephen finally broke the silence. "You haven't said where we are going. Do you even know?"
Joey nodded. "I know exactly where we are headed. I want to take you to some place quiet, where we will not be disturbed. I think you will like it, I hope you will be comfortable. We can stay as long as you need, although I might have to leave you a little so I can go to my classes. You know, school stops for nothing."
Stephen gasped. "Damn, I'm sorry Joey. I forgot you have school. Are you missing anything? My boy will not miss classes on my account. If you can't go to school, you can't play."
Joey cut him off. "Don't you sit here telling me I can't play. I'll be damned if I can't play. I will play and I will do what I have to do to get to play. Do not stop me from playing. I will not be restrained."
Stephen laughed. "You've made your point. You go to class and when you come back, we will do what you want."
The silence returned to the car. They drove along the coastline. Stephen sat and reflected back on the last time he drove this road. He remembered how depressed he was, how miserable his life felt. Then he looked at the young man sitting beside him, steering the car, totally focused on the road ahead. What a handsome man. What an intelligent man. Stephen closed his eyes and a blanket of warmth surrounded him as he realized just how lucky he had become to find love for the second time.
Seconds after he closed his eyes, the wheels of the car screeched, a car horn blew, and Stephen felt the car shift and begin to skid. He grabbed for something to hold on to. His mind flashed on a photo he didn't want to see again. One he had seen in the newspapers three years ago. One showing the mangled wreckage that once had been his car. And he thought, "No, not again."
Joey screamed as a car flew by him on his left, "Asshole!" Joey slowed the car down, letting the other driver race to wherever he was going, possibly hell. Quietly, he said under his breath, "Sorry, dad. Are you okay? I saw him coming, but he wasn't going to give me the chance to get out of the way."
Stephen released his breath. "Yeah, I'm all right. Are we there yet?"
Joey laughed. "Who are you, Greg or Glenn? You know, in the hospital Jeff told me he had never had as much trouble with the twins as he had with you. He's right, you know. And I am so happy you are my problem. I hope forever."
"As long as you'll have me, babe."
They turned into a motel parking lot. The sign outside looked familiar. "Ocean Beach Manor." Stephen's jaw dropped. "Here?"
"Yep. No one will bother us. And I know of this quiet little beach where we can sit on a blanket and look at the ocean."
They walked in to register. Joey signed for the room. The man behind the counter stared at the two men, as if he was trying to place the familiar faces, but just couldn't quite figure out where he had seen them before. He couldn't put two and two together and get the picture of the two men who months before openly kissed and hugged in the parking lot of the motel. If he had remembered, he would have also remembered the ruckus it had caused with the patrons who observed everything from the lobby of the hotel. Some cursed and spoke negatively of what they were viewing and some spoke of the love between a father and a son. No one ever knew who was right and who was wrong.
Joey said, "Go open the room. I'll get the suitcases and meet you there."
Stephen walked around the corner of the building. The first door was their room. Their room. The same one. He unlocked the door, entered and laid down on the bed. He waited for Joey.
Joey followed a minute later. He set the suitcases inside the door and kicked the door shut with the heel of his foot. The lock clicked loudly, sealing them off from the world and trapping them in their prison of love. Joey looked at the man he loved laying on the bed. His eyes trailed from the smile on Stephen's face down to the growth enlarging behind the zipper of Stephen's pants. Joey reflected the smile. This was the fantasy he wanted. When he wanted safety and love, he thought of this room. But his thoughts were of a room. In a little while, he would have an even better memory to keep for the times when he needed it.
He walked over to the bed, and bending down, began to unbuckle the belt of Stephen's pants. He grazed his hand over the rod that lay just beneath it, teasing it gently and feeling for the pulsing as it grew. He unbuttoned the pants and pulled the zipper. Stephen lifted his hips for Joey to pull the slacks off. The shoes were kicked onto the floor and the pants followed at the foot of the bed. Joey leaned up to kiss Stephen and said, "One second."
He walked to the window and pulled the curtains tight. The room was pitch black, but Joey knew the lay of the room. He could find anything in this room, no matter how dark. He crossed the room and flipped on the bathroom light, leaving enough of a crack in the door to let the light filter in.
He climbed into bed, kneeling next to Stephen. His fingers began with the cuffs of the shirt and then, moving to the bottom of Stephen's shirt, taking one button at a time, unlocking them to reveal the only body that drove him wild. He pushed the shirt off Stephen's shoulders as Stephen cooperated silently with every move Joey made. Soon, Stephen lay in the bed in only his underwear. Joey kissed his lips and began working his way down Stephen's body, kissing and sucking his nipples until they stood tall and hard. He nipped at them to draw moans and gasps from Stephen. His tongue then slurped from nipple to nipple, matting down the hairs laying between the two towers rising from Stephen's chest. With those wet, he changed his tongue's direction, beginning down the trail towards the pool in the middle of Stephen's stomach Joey could swim in forever. Sometimes there was even a puddle in that pool, one Joey would love to suck out, emptying the pool for Joey to refill with his mouth.
Joey continued south, bypassing the column standing tall, to go to the nut sack that lay below. He paid generous attention to those eggs, matting any hairs laying there and sucking each ball gently for a minute. Stephen was very slowly becoming a quivering bowl of jelly, the sensations making him beg for more. Joey moved between Stephen's legs, spreading them so he could lay between them and still look into the face that displayed the pleasure Joey was creating.
Then Joey did something he had never done before. Why he did this, he wasn't sure. It wasn't what he particularly liked; Stephen had never done it to him. But he was inspired to try. He began licking up and down the crack of Stephen's ass. Joey feared this would ruin the moment if it didn't taste right, but he discovered he enjoyed the scents and the feel in his mouth. He continued pressing further until he came to the pink opening of Stephen's body. He ran his tongue around it. This brought another louder moan from deep inside of Stephen. Joey was sure everyone passing in front of the room could hear. And you know what? He didn't care.
Finally Stephen pleaded, "Joey, I can't take it anymore. I'm going to scream. Make love to me. I need your dick in me now."
Joey crawled up the bed as Stephen pulled up his legs. Joey was pleased he had made Stephen wet enough they wouldn't be using the lube this time. He plunged in quite easily, and as he struck Stephen's prostate, another groan came roaring out of both of them. Joey sunk all the way in and settled there, the way both of them wanted it. One thing both of them especially loved was the feeling of the other's balls on their cheeks, not pounding them, but rather tickling them, letting them know they were as close as they could be.
Stephen was beside himself, "Please, Joey, fill me up. I need to feel you explode in me. Please, baby, come for me."
Joey could not refuse Stephen. A few short strokes and Stephen got what he wanted. When Joey had recovered, he rolled over next to Stephen. "Now I need to know how much you want me. Get the lube, I don't want you to wait."
But Stephen wanted to wait. He lubed Joey and slid in as easily as Joey had. Then he began assaulting Joey's nut, causing more groaning from both of them. Stephen smiled, watching his young man thrash beneath him until Stephen couldn't hold back. He filled his lover and collapsed on him, their lips meeting as Stephen landed. They would be happy for a while. They moved into their favorite position and quickly fell asleep in the dark room.
Chapter 43
They awoke after their nap and put on jackets. They walked out to the beach. The wind was briskly blowing in off the ocean and the overcast skies added to the eerie aura. They had the whole beach to themselves. Only occasionally would a jogger, bundled against the wind, pass near them. They spread their blanket on the sand. Stephen sat facing the waves. He noticed they were churning higher than they did several months ago when he last set foot on this beach. He patted the blanket next to him, indicating he wanted Joey to sit right by his side. Joey smiled at Stephen and shook his head.
"No. I don't want to sit there." He grabbed the inside of Stephen's knees, pushing them apart. He pushed them up until Stephen's feet were flat on the blanket. He sat between Stephen's legs, resting his head on Stephen's chest. Stephen pushed him forward and pulled Joey's hood down so at least some part of their skin could be in contact. Joey rested his head back against Stephen. Stephen ran his hand through Joey's hair, stroking him gently several times before putting his hands on Joey's shoulders, petting him there as well. Joey turned his head back as he had done once before and gently kissed Stephen on the cheek. They both smiled at each other and Stephen kissed Joey's cheek back. This time there was be no embarrassment or excuses. This time they would do it right.
They sat on the beach until finally Joey turned to Stephen and said, "Let's go inside. Any longer out here and my balls will freeze and fall off."
"Can't have that happen. Those are mine and I'm taking good care of them." Stephen laughed, and then shoved Joey into the sand. They stood up and folded the blanket, shaking sand everywhere. They stood for a few more minutes until they both shivered from the cold. "Let's go inside and get warm," Stephen suggested.
They walked across the sand, holding hands under the blanket. They were still a little self conscience about displaying their affections in public, especially since Stephen had the scars on his face to remind them of the possible consequences, even when they hadn't display their affections in front of anyone.
They entered the room, stripped their clothing, and showered together. Joey could not keep his hands off of Stephen's body. He was so much in love.
Stephen just threw his hands up, "I don't know what to do about you anymore."
Joey grinned. "Why don't you just give up and go lie on the bed."
Stephen grabbed a towel and dried himself. He stepped into the bedroom to dress. He opened his suitcase and a photograph fell out. He picked it up, and the emotions running through his mind caused him to fall back onto the bed. He looked lovingly at it.
Joey walked into the room from his shower and saw what was in Stephen's hands. He knelt next to Stephen, wrapping his arm around him. "What's wrong?"
"I didn't ask how you found this picture."
Joey quietly answered. "The night you were in the hospital, Donna took me to their house to get some clothes and some rest. I couldn't fall asleep. I was flopping around on the bed when my hand felt this behind the mattress.
I pulled it out to look at it. I was looking at it when Jeff called saying you were awake."
Stephen was curious. "Why did you bring it home?"
Joey was almost whispering. "When I saw this picture, I was so upset, I though it was a picture of you and me."
Stephen wrapped his arm around Joey. "How could you think it was us?"
"I have a skateboard just like that one. It's somewhere at the house. It's probably the one thing I regret not getting when we packed my things."
Stephen looked at the picture once more. A devious smile broke on his face.
"Let's go get it!"
Joey looked at Stephen suspiciously. "I don't think we should go there. What if we run into Jim."
"He should still be at work. We'll grab the board and get out of there."
"No. I don't want either of us hurt. You are worth more than a billion skateboards to me. Even that one."
Stephen was firm. "I love you and I said I would get you anything you want.
It is important to me to get this. Let's go."
Stephen grabbed the car keys and started walking out the door. Joey could not let him drive, not with only one eye. "All right. We can drive by. But you have to promise me, no crazy stuff."
They got in the car. Joey's old house was only a couple of blocks from Ocean Manor. They could have walked to it on a good day. But today, Joey wanted a fast getaway. They drove down the old street. Joey was nervous, flinching at every movement he saw in the corner of his eye. They approached the house. Stephen was determined.
"Look. His truck isn't there. Let's get out."
Joey knew there was no choice. He would go with Stephen, only because he knew the places the board might be. Get in and out, the faster, the better.
They walked around the side of the house to the garage door. Stephen turned the handle and it opened. Joey knew it would. They never locked that door in all the years he lived there.
They crept into the garage. Ruth's car was the only car fitting in the garage now. Boxes filled the other half of the two-car structure. Joey looked around, over where the tools and garden supplies were kept. That was his best guess. Usually, when the boys left their stuff laying around, it could be found in a pile in the corner.
Stephen was at the far end of the garage, searching around the washer and dryer. He didn't see the board, but came across a couple of dusty boxes labeled "Joey's". He looked on the top of the box and found a photo album. One picture stuck out of the book. He picked up the book and opened it to the page where the picture lay askew. He looked and couldn't believe his eyes.
There stood Joey with his dad. They stood in front of a hand-written sign reading "Happy Fifth Birthday." Matthew was crouched next to the little boy with his arm around him. Joey had the brightest smile on his face. He was wearing a red tank top jersey with matching shorts. He was holding a skateboard that had a big red ribbon on it. It was slightly tilted so you could see the bottom of the board. It had a decal of the Tasmanian Devil. Stephen shook his head in disbelief. He knew who was in the picture, but he would have sworn it was a copy of the one sitting in the motel room two blocks away. A few things were different. Now he knew why Joey had brought that picture home from Jeff and Donna's house. He slipped the picture into his jacket pocket and continued his search for the skateboard Joey held in that picture.
Joey found it. It was under some rakes and shovels. Joey figured it hadn't been moved in months based on the spider webs covered the wheels and bottom.
He moved a rake, but the tools were like a pile of pick-up-sticks. It knocked over a shovel, making a loud bang. From the house, a voice called out, "Who's out there."
Joey freed the board from the pile. It took a few seconds as ropes and cords were tangled with everything else. He wanted to get out as fast as possible, but knew he had to lead Stephen out so he wouldn't be hurt. As he stood up to walk to Stephen, the door to the house flew open. Whoever was coming out could not see Stephen because of the car and could only see Joey's back.
A woman screamed, "Get out of here before I call the cops."
"Mom. Don't."
"Joey? Joey! Oh, my baby, is it really you?"
"Yeah, mom. Stephen and I came back for something I left behind."
Joey ran to his mom. He looked in her eyes for a moment, then gave her a hug. Ruth was stunned by Joey's appearance. He hadn't really grown much. But this was not the child who a few months ago had walked out of her life for the love of another man. Because he was so sure of himself, he didn't look like that scared little boy. She would not admit it, but she didn't recognize her own son.
"Oh, you look so handsome. How have you been?"
"Mom, I'm doing fine." Joey remembered he was scared to be here. "Where's Jim?"
"He'll be gone until late. He's been working a lot of overtime lately."
"Is it safe to stay for a few minutes?"
"Yes, honey. Come inside. I want to see you. Where's, uh, Stephen?"
"I'll get him. He's over by the washing machine."
Joey walked around to Stephen. He was relaxing with the knowledge his step father would not be home. He had not planned for this to happen, but he was so grateful it did. He took Stephen's hand and led him into the house.
Ruth looked at Stephen's face. She held her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her shock. "What happened?"
Stephen was not going to tell Ruth many details. "I had an accident over the weekend. Joey brought me up here to get away for a few days. He didn't want to come here. I admit that I pushed him into coming to the house. I wanted to get something from here for him. It was important, and I want the best of everything for him."
"A skateboard?" Ruth asked, looking at what Joey held. She thought it to be an odd request.
"Mom, this skateboard has a special meaning. It's a long story and I don't want to get into it now."
"Okay." Ruth let it go. "How have you been honey? Are you working?" She glanced warily at Stephen. "Is he taking care of you?"
Joey smiled. "Mom, I couldn't be happier. I'm in college and Stephen won't let me work during the school year. Only in the summer. He is the most wonderful man I ever met." This made Stephen blush. "Mom, I really do love him. There's no one else for me."
The phone rang. Ruth let go of Joey for the first time. She turned away from the boys to answer the phone. Stephen looked around. The last time he was here, there wasn't any time for sightseeing. As far as he could see, there were no pictures of Joey anywhere. It was as if he had been erased from this house. Stephen's heart broke, knowing what it meant.
The phone call was brief. Ruth frowned, tears coming to her eyes. "That was Jim. He's on his way home. You better leave."
Joey nodded and looked at Stephen. He hugged his mom. "Please try to call me," he begged. "Come on, Stephen. Let's go out the front door."
They walked out to the car. Joey helped Stephen in and placed the skateboard on the back seat. He hurried around to the driver's side. Before he climbed in, he looked back at his mother standing in the doorway. He could see the tears running down her face. Somehow, he knew this would be the last time he would see her. He waved quickly and got in the car. The engine turned over and they drove away.