The Exam

Chapter thirty-five Monday Aug 5

Monday morning was cloudy and muggy when Billy finally tore himself out of bed. He had been awake since six worried how this day would go. He staggered downstairs but no one was up yet. He started to make some coffee and sneak a cup before his mom could come downstairs and give him shit about it.

He got a few sips in when he dad came down.

"You're up early. Can't wait huh?" Joe mumbled a bit groggy. He poured himself a cup looking at Billy's coffee.

"Wait for what?" Billy asked, already on high alert.

"The big day! You finally get your pool."

"Oh yeah" he was in the clear "that's if they finish today..."

"Well this has taken long enough don't you think?" and damn if Billy didn't get a strange feeling like his dad was testing his reactions after all.

"Yeah I guess they've been here a long time. We bust the budget yet?"

"We're getting close. Another day or two and your cut starts to evaporate."

"Maybe we better talk to Gus today" Billy looked at his dad over the cup "you gonna be around?"

"Might be a good idea if I come back for lunch don't you think?" Joe asked, raising his eyebrows enough for Billy to catch it.

"Lunch?" Billy then remembered what Hank had said "yeah that's a good idea.

We can talk to Gus together and see what's left."

"You don't mind?" Joe was still giving him the look.

"Why would I mind?"

"Well y'know how you've been the...Boss."

Billy had a distinctly bad feeling about how the word sounded but he couldn't let on "hey dad at this point I could use some help. I know I been kinda...running things but now it's time to 'plug it in' like, and I don't know anything about how all the pumps and shit work."

"Bill watch the language" Joe said "your mom would have a fit. And finish your coffee before she comes down here. You know she doesn't like you drinking."

"Geez it's not like it's booze or anything."

"Well she still thinks you're a boy" Joe batted his head a few times "she doesn't know about how much a man you are already... if you get my meaning Bill."

Billy began to suspect his dad was onto some stuff but didn't want to press it. Instead he finished the coffee and sat down to cereal and juice. So when his mom joined them he looked the perfect picture of youthful innocence.

"You two are early today" she started to make them all some "real" breakfast.

"Big day Cath. The pool should be just about done when you get home."

"I'm working here today"she said "at least for most of the morning. If he calls I'll have to run but I don't expect that til the afternoon."

Billy saw the situation veer sharply now with one maybe both of the parents home. Hank was right; today had to be very different.

"Great mom" he said trying to look convincing "then you help with lunch for a change."

"IF I'm home young man" she said "from what your father said you've been handling things just fine without me."

"I get by" was all he would let on.

The crew showed up a little before eight. Billy quickly singled out Gus and told him the rents were going to be home today and he needed to talk to him about what the day would be. Gus got the picture fast and hailed Joe before he left. The three sat down and went over the plans. As it turned out Gus indeed had gotten all the supplies Hank had been worrying about. But even with Billy helping the four could not finish it in one day.

"Gus we were hoping to start filling tonight. Billy has been nagging me all weekend long to go swimming" Joe said giving a look to Billy. Billy went along with it "yeah I really had my hopes up..."

"What about that guy who helped out on Friday" Billy finally added "can't he help?"

"He's a tile-terrazzo guy. We need a plumber or electrician."

Hank came over "what about that guy from Bendix?"

Billy gave him a hard look and walked away. Gus looked around "bad blood?"

"Naw I just gave him a ribbing Friday and guess he didn't get over it yet" Hank could see the doubt in Gus's face. It was a start. But Gus could see Billy was staying far away from Hank regardless.

"You mean John? The guy who helped us at the Miller job?"

"Yeah he still free?"

"How much this gonna cost extra?" Joe asked looking at Gus.

"I can get him for less than a hundred" Gus said "he owes me big time."

"For what?"

"Long story."

"Well give'm a call then."

Gus went back to the truck and called the office. He jotted down the number and gave John's cell a call. As it turned out John was between jobs and could use the work. Without any haggling Gus got him to agree.

Gus went back to Joe and Hank "we're in luck. John's between jobs. He'll get this thing up and running in no time."

"Great" Joe said "well I gotta run but my wife Cath's gonna be around most of the morning. You need anything, Billy will help. Where'd he go?"

"Right here" Billy said coming out the door "had to get rid of some of the coffee."

"Billy we got somebody joining the crew today so help him out as you can as well. Gus here says that if all goes well you can finish up today."

"Fine by me" Billy said looking around, first to Ger who was keeping to himself a lot, and Hank who was getting boxes off the truck too busy to look his way "fine."

"Okay Billy you're in charge" Joe said. Billy noticed he didn't say boss.

"Okay dad I'll call if I need anything. And besides mom's home" he said giving a look to Gus.

"How about you help Hank set up?" Gus said as Joe started to leave.

"Look like he's doin fine by himself" Billy said to Gus "I'll help you for a while."

"What you mad at him for?" Gus asked but regretted it as soon as he did.

"Just don't like guys who break promises, is all."

"Promises?"

"Guess you forget too. Remember..." he lowered his voice looking back to the kitchen door "Friday?"

"Do I!" Gus said winking.

"Yeah didn't mean to work you guys so hard - "

"No complaints from me boss" another wink.

"Well somebody chickened out and didn't show up later like he was supposed to" Billy nodded at Hank.

"Billy if you don't want him here today -"

"NO!" Billy just about shouted. Both Ger and Hank looked up fast "no I don't mean that. Hank can stay. It's just well... the project's coming to an end and..."

"We'd make it up to you but..." and he nodded at the kitchen.

"But you can't" Billy tried to look hurt and disappointed, biting his lip to keep from smiling.

"Tell ya what boss" Gus said "if we finish up early maybe we can cut some hours off the bill..."

"It'd be better if you didn't have to. And make it up" Billy gave him a side look "another way."

"Don't get me worked up here kid" Gus said crouching down to open a box "you know how I get."

"Me too" Billy said crouching beside him "we better stay down here til we're presentable y'know?" and he gave him a wink.

"Kid you're alright. Too bad that Hank doesn't see it that way."

"Well I guess not everyone's into this stuff" Billy was laying it on thick "unlike you and me."

"And Ger" Gus nodded over at him but he didn't hear. What? Gus knew about Ger? So Billy's brain went back to recombining possibilities and situations. While he was working it out he tried,

"Only if HE gets to play the boss!"

They both laughed loud enough for the other two to look up. Hank gave Billy a strange look and Billy looked back with the slightest nod. Hank relaxed.

A half hour later another truck pulled into the driveway. A very burly hispanic guy, roughly Hank's age, his tee-shirt pulled tight by his barrel chest and almost pulling free from his pants losing the battle with his paunch. His arms and shoulders strained at the openings as he got out and came over to where Gus and Billy were unpacking motors and plastic pipes.

"Hey Gus!" he shouted out "looks like you braking the bank here!" as he saw the set-up and the equipment.

"Hey John this is Billy. Billy, John." and they shook hands. Billy gave him a good look up and down, fuck if he can't take a joke, he thought. John stood there, his cap shading his eyes. He had a round friendly face, big brown eyes, round nose and a faint moustache starting to grow on his upper lip. But Billy's eyes kept returning to John's jeans, maybe a size or two too small, like the t-shirt. A lot of it was just chubbiness, but Billy liked the way the zipper was straining to keep that fly closed. Man, he thought, if he makes any sudden moves the damn thing might split in two for sure!

"It's really Juan but 'Huestro' here likes to call me John" Juan's eyes were not going below Billy's neck "it's an old joke."

"Well John -- Juan glad you could make it. You gonna help us with this?"

"John here's the best pool man in town" Gus said "and I thought he'd enjoy setting this one up."

"Mano you got the top of the line here Gus. This is all Simmons ain't it?"

"More or less" Gus looked a bit proud of himself.

"Are you saying this stuff's expensive?" Billy looked around getting a bit worried now.

"It ain't cheap kid."

"John this is the boss here. His dad left him in charge so don't be giving him a hard time."

"It's okay Juan. Gus's the one giving me a hard time now."

"Okay Guillermo you the boss. But I'm the expert so don't tell me how to do this" Juan's dark eyes burned into Billy.

"Not a chance Juan. I don't know shit about this stuff. You just tell me how to help but the show's all yours."

Juan looked at him hard, then a smile appeared beneath that moustache"thanks boss. Now let's see if you got everything."

They got to work and Billy did his best to stay out of the way. After doing some fetching and lifting they shooed him away and got to the more intricate work. Billy went inside to get something to drink. His mom was not around.

"Hey mom!" he yelled looking through the house.

"I'm in here" came her voice from the den, her work room. She was up to her elbows in papers and boxes.

"Mom I thought you were almost finished."

"I am" she said looking a bit dazed "just want to make sure I have everything in case he calls."

"Need help?"

"Get me something to drink."

"Iced tea?"

"Perfect."

So now he was in the way inside and outside. Well at least he didn't have to worry about what was happening with the guys. Ger seemed a bit relieved there would be no repeat of Friday. And it seemed like Gus was buying the line about Hank. He busied himself with the iced tea for his mom and then made another batch for the guys. When he went back outside he realized how hot and humid it was getting even though it was getting more overcast.

He brought the drinks out and talked to Gus "gonna rain now? Is that gonna mess up the work?"

"Naw we're fine for that. Last week woulda meant lost time but now we'll be fine. Just making sure all the electrical work is finished and covered however. Don't wanna shock anyone today" he said pulling off his shirt "don't worry boss. The rest stays on." Gus took a long drink and immediately he started to bead up. Ger and Hank also finished their drinks and went back to work, and damn if Hank didn't also lose his shirt. John looked around and almost started to pull at his t-shirt, now soaked with sweat and free of those tight pants, but went back to his work after mopping his face with front. Billy got a good look at the firm hairless belly. As for Ger, well he would bake before he took anything off.

Maybe they were not completely respectable, Billy thought, but if they stayed fully clothed in this heat it might look more suspicious. Hell, who knows.

As it got closer to noon Billy found his mom again.

"You want me to make lunch?" he asked the back of her head.

"Could you Billy?" she responded a bit distracted "I'm afraid that-" and the phone rang. They looked at each other before she answered it. It was what she was expecting. Before she finished the call Billy went back to the kitchen and started throwing together a quick to-go lunch for her as well as sandwiches and potato salad for the crew. She would be gone in fifteen.

As he got the potatoes boiling she came into the kitchen "I'm sorry, you want me to do that?"

"I'm cool" he said "I can boil potatoes it's no biggie."

"Well if you need help..."

"I'm fine. You gotta go? There's some yogurt and salad in the bag for you if you need it-"

"Billy what would I do... I just knew he'd call before lunch."

"Need help?"

"No" she said giving him a peck on the cheek "you're really being nice lately. Your dad been hard or you?" but Billy kept his back to her "And it just seems that you got everything under control. Your dad was right about you."

"What way?" Billy almost dropped a fork.

"He said you were grown-up enough to handle things and looking at you" Billy juggling pots and toasting bread like a circus performer "I must admit he was right."

"You didn't think I could?"

"Well I'm glad I underestimated you."

"Gee thanks for the vote of confidence" he looked at her and then smiled.

"Sorry" she said ruffling his hair. He hated that.

"I gotta run now. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine" he said draining the hot potatoes in the sink, water flying everywhere "just don't bother me when I'm cooking!" which was her line.

"Okay you win. Your dad'll be home any minute and he can help if you need it."

"Yeah, dad in the kitchen..." both knowing what a disaster that would be.

"Okay you're right. Bye Bill" and with another peck she was gone.

Billy finished the sandwiches and put them and the warm potatoes in the frig to chill. He went back outside afraid to find them all butt naked but they were as before.

"Fuck it's hot out here" he said finding Juan. Juan just nodded but watched him as Billy tore off his shirt.

"You mind if I too?" Juan said pulling at the bottom of his t-shirt, again that round smooth belly.

"Hell Juan you don't need my permission."

So Juan pulled off his sweat-soaked top and tossed it over a box. Billy could not help but notice John's dark hairless chest, big pecs like his teammate Jorge and the same large brown nipples but one of his nipples had a goddamn piercing! Billy remembered the first one, on that guy Mark at the doc's. And now number two. Man what is this, an epdemic?

John noticed Billy staring at it "my girlfriend talked me into it" he said playing with it "all the chicks dig it" and as he toyed with it Billy could see the nipple harden.

"A lot of guys do it?" Billy asked.

"I know I do" Juan answered, not the response Billy was expecting. Maybe a language barrier? Billy didn't think so.

"Scool" was all Billy would say. Before Juan could say anything else they heard a car pull up. Joe was home.

Juan went back to what he was doing, a bit nervously Billy thought.

Joe walked up to him "How's it going boss?"

"We're doing real good here thanks to the guys and especially Juan here" Juan looked up and nodded as Joe went over and shook his hand "he's supervising the final installation and doing a good job of it too. I just hope we finish before the rain-"

"Or the heat gets us" Gus added coming over to them.

"Billy working you hard?" Joe asked not looking at Billy. Gus blinked twice and tried not to look surprised.

"Naw he's been inside all morning" Gus gulped recovering "helping his mom."

"Really Bill?"

"She was finishing up so I just stayed outa her hair. Actually she just left."

"Say when she'd be back?"

"Not really" Billy could not remember when she mentioned, but she seemed to have taken a lot with her.

"Well don't count on her till supper" Joe added, now looking at Billy.

"Well I gotta go finish lunch. You sticking around dad?" and Billy headed inside glad to cool off.

"For a while" Joe said "I gotta talk with Gus a bit."

"Right now?" Gus said maybe a bit nervous.

"Naw after we have some food. How long Billy?" Joe shouted to the kitchen.

"Gimme fifteen" came the answer.

"Fine" Joe turned to the guys "you guys wanna break for lunch in fifteen minutes?"

"Well we brought our own lunches" Hank said.

"I'm sure Billy can take care of all of you" Joe said looking at Gus "you too Juan."

"Are you sure it's all right?" Juan looked back and forth to Gus.

"Of course you're having lunch with us" Joe added "you need my help with anything before we break?"

"Yes help me here" so Juan and Joe went over to the filter assembly and put some finishing touches on the connections John had been sweating over.

After twenty minutes Billy came out with the sandwiches and the potato salad looking good enough to eat. He set everything down on the porch and went back in for more drinks. As the guys started to mill around helping themselves Juan said "thank your mother for this."

Gus interrupted "Billy made this, right boss?"

"Hell it's just sandwiches and some potato salad."

"It that right?" Juan said "well you gonna make someone a good wife some day."

They all started to laugh except Billy and Hank who gave each other a ghastly look. No one caught it except Joe who was going along with it.

After they had settled in for a while Gus said "I been drinking this tea all morning. Joe think it'd be okay if I-"

"Upstairs bathroom just got cleaned. Mom'd have a fit" Billy added real fast before his dad could say anything. Joe gave him a strange look and then said "here let me show you. We got another downstairs" and the two went inside.

The four continued to eat making little comments but Ger kept looking between Billy and Hank trying to figure out why they were ignoring each other. Juan was happy to dig into seconds.

"So what's up Joe?" Gus said letting himself be steered downstairs.

"Nothing much" he said following him down the stairs to the half-finished bathroom. Another Joe project stalled half-way "just wanted to see where we stood with the bill. How much we over now?"

"We're not over."

"What about the fourth guy Juan?"

"Like I said he'll add less than a hundred."

"For the whole day?"

"Right" and Gus was making his way quickly to the toilet already pulling his fly down.

"So we're not going over budget?" Joe stayed put, just standing there watching Gus piss.

"Hell no between the time saved with Billy helping and Craig-"

"Who's Craig?"

"Oh, he helped out on Friday with the tile work-" Gus was letting the stream hit the bowl loudly feeling Joe's eyes on him hot.

"How much did that cost us?"

"Only seventy. He also... owed me a favor" Gus started to milk his cock aiming the stream a bit.

"Lot a people owe you favors" Joe's eyes zooming in on what Gus' hand was doing.

"I got friends" he said finishing but not hurrying to put it away.

"Looks like it."

"Comes from doing good work" Gus had taken his hand away letting his cock hang free.

"You do good work?"

"We do whatever we gotta do. Whatever we're told. We got a reputation here" Gus looked down at himself his dick hanging out and maybe swelling just a bit.

"Whatever you're told?"

"You're the boss."

"And you keep your mouth shut?" Joe was looking down at Gus' cock weighing the risk.

"If you want it shut, it stays shut. You want it open?" and Gus opened his mouth looking at Joe's crotch.

"Gus you say a word about this" but Joe started to reach down to his fly.

"You wanna see how tight I can keep my mouth shut? You give me the word boss. Just gimme the word."

"Go for it!" and Gus dropped to his knees and started to open Joe's fly. He started to take off Joe's pants entirely when Joe stopped him.

"Boss?"

Joe hesitated and then said "do it."

Gus unbuckled Joe's belt and then pulled down his pants and shorts. Underneath was the smooth shaved crotch and Joe's quickly hardening cock. A soft "goddamn" came from Gus before his mouth plunged down on the head and then slid down the full length. Joe grabbed Gus' head and started to fuck his mouth hard. After a few minutes Joe started to pant and then pulled Gus' head off his dick.

"Let me finish ya boss" Gus said almost hurt.

"That's right I'm the boss."

"Yessir."

"So stand up" Joe said holding his cock tight letting himself come down from the brink.

Gus stood up, his now fully hard cock sticking straight out.

"Get outa those pants and anything underneath. Now!"

Gus snapped them both off in one quick motion and stood there, his stubby cock swollen and red.

"Now let's see how you keep your mouth shut" and Joe leaned down and took the head in his mouth. Gus gave a sharp hiss but did not say a damn word. It only took Gus a couple of minutes before he started gasping and pulling Joe away.

"You close?" but Gus just nodded.

"Okay turn around and grab the wall."

Gus did not say a word but turned around and leaned forward, his butt thrust back, expecting the fuck he knew was coming. Joe spit onto his dick and lined it up.

"Not one word Gus. Make the boss real happy now" and he found the hole with his finger and wet it, feeling it open to him. He put the head of his dick there and as he leaned forward he felt Gus lean back onto his cock taking it all in.

"Damn Gus, you really letting me fuck you..." but Gus just nodded.

"You like that? You like my dick up your butt?" again Gus nodded.

"You gonna let me shoot inside your hole? You gonna let me cream in you? You gonna let me do that?" and in answer Gus started to squeeze and milk Joe's cock with his ass muscles.

"Damn that feels like nothing I imagined" he started a very slow rocking out and in. But Gus started to push himself back onto Joe harder and harder doing everything he could to fuck himself with that big thing in his butt, pushing himself back again and again feeling it bang into his prostate knowing it wouldn't take much more and he'd shoot.

"Not so much, I'm real close" Joe groaned, stopping his thrusts. He reached around and took Gus' cock in his hand "the boss wants you to cum while he jacks you. Think you can do that? You gonna let the boss jack you off?" but Gus could already feel himself close just the touch of Joe's hand was getting him. He nodded as he felt Joe start a slow back and forth stroking.

"Man, an uncut cock. I never felt one like this" but he got into a good rhythm pulling the skin back and forth, playing with the head. He heard Gus start to gasp. He took his hand away and spit into it, getting it nice and slick and started to jack him again, now the wet hand sliding easily back and forth over the exposed head. Gus gave a loud gasp and Joe felt the head swell as several quicks shots came out and hit the floor in front of them.

Joe felt the ass muscles contract around his cock and that was it.

"I'm cumming Gus. I'm cumming in your butt!" and shot hard and deep into him, the spasms of Gus' orgasm still gripping his cock and milking every last drop from him. Finally he had to pull out, his whole cock very sensitive.

"Damn Gus that was unbelievable."

"Wow Joe you can do that anytime you want! You are a mean fucker!"

"Well not one word of this Gus. I mean it!"

"Not a whisper. But I better get back out there before Billy gets suspicious."

"Why Billy?" Joe said suddenly.

"I think you got a good idea" Gus said pulling his pants on "we both got a good reason to keep our traps zipped, am I right?"

"Don't think I don't know about Friday" Joe whispered, but not mean.

"I thought you came home early. That was you at the window wasn't it?"

"You saw?"

"You beating off watching your kid up my butt? Yeah I saw, but the others, naw, not where they were standing. But yeah Joe, you were caught."

"So we keep out mouths shut."

"Like a bank vault" Gus headed upstairs two at a time, leaving Joe to get himself together.

Joe looked at himself in the mirror and shook his head. You are in deep now bud, he thought.