The Long Road Ch. 01

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A gay story: The Long Road Ch. 01 To all of my friends and fans, I apologize for being absent so long, but I’ve been in the process of completely re-writing The Long Road, implementing a number of suggestions I received via feedback from you. There is more background story and character development as you will discover in this and subsequent submissions.

The Long Road, from beginning to end, spans 25 years of the lives of Kyle and Jayson. You will meet new people. Some of you will laugh, some will cry. However you react, it is my sincere wish that you enjoy the story and in some ways connect with the characters as you share their hopes, dreams, anguishes, good times and bad times.

-Jim

Chapter 1

Jay looked up from his computer as he heard the side door close. “Hey, Baby. How was your day?

Kyle dropped into a chair, looking down at the floor, not saying a word, which was highly unusual for the outgoing, happy-go-lucky Kyle. Jay knelt at Kyle’s feet. “What’s wrong, baby?” Kyle looked at Jay, noticeably upset as he handed him a letter.

Mr. Matthews,

This purpose of this letter is to inform you that the school board has decided to terminate your after-school science club due to lack of funds effective immediately.

Please inventory all materials, supplies, books and equipment and have it to me by the end of the week.

A roster of students in the science club needs to be provided to the office no later than Tuesday afternoon so that letters can be sent to the parents of each child participating in the program. Your students are to be informed immediately.

Joe Benson,

Principal

“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry, Baby. I’ve kind of been expecting this since they ran out of money to finish the football stadium, but at the same time hoping I was wrong and that this wouldn’t happen.” Jay put his arms around Kyle, placing his hand on the back of his head and holding him tightly, gently rocking him back and forth. “What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. The club was all that some of these kids had. They really looked forward to it, and it helped a lot of them improve their grades.”

“What about going to the principal and discussing it?”

“It wouldn’t do any good. His motto is jocks rule, all others drool. He’s just been looking for an excuse to shut down any and all non-athletic extra-curricular activities. Now it looks like he’s found one.”

“What about pleading your case to the school board?”

“It’s worth a shot. Also, I can write letters to each kid’s parents. I’m going to fight this.”

“That’s the spirit. Would you like some help with the letters? I’d love to tell the school board off, that bunch of self-serving, self-important hypocrites!”

“Cool. How about you write the letter to the school board while I write the letter to the parents? If I do the school board letter, I’ll probably get fired.”

The next couple of hours passed in relative silence as the two men concentrated on their individual tasks, stopping only for a small bite to eat.

“Why don’t you get changed? I have a surprise for you.” Jay said slyly after they each read and approved the other’s letters.

“Really, and what would that be?” Kyle asked his curiosity piqued.

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it? Now go change into some shorts.”

Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but was immediately admonished. “Go!” Jay commanded as he grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around and gave him a shove towards their bedroom

Kyle went and changed into shorts and a form-fitting tank top, emerging from the bedroom a few minutes later.

Jay’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of the blond Adonis emerging from their bedroom. After all these years, Kyle still had the power to take his breath away.

“Okay, so now will you tell me what the surprise is?”

“Nope, I have to show you.”

“Okay, Jayson, what are you up to?”

“Oh, about six-two” Jay replied, giggling.

Jay’s reply triggered the smart-ass in Kyle. “Gee…I didn’t know they stacked shit that high.”

“Keep it up, smart-ass and you won’t get your surprise.”

“If I don’t get my surprise, you won’t get any tonight.”

Upon hearing this threat, Jay quickly capitulated, even though he knew that, given Kyle’s sexual appetite, it was an empty threat. He was actually anticipating one of their all-night sessions, once Kyle dug into the oysters-on-the-half-shell, which usually drove the perpetually horny Kyle into insatiability.

“You’ll find out.” He held out his hand to Kyle, who took it, their fingers intertwining. “Close your eyes and come with me.” Jay led him out the back door and down the path to their private beach. “Okay, just stand there for a minute and keep your eyes closed.” He lit several tiki torches that surrounded a large blanket spread out on the beach.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

Kyle’s mouth dropped open as he opened his eyes and saw the surprise that Jay had prepared. “Oh, wow!” was all he could say.

Jay took Kyle into his arms. “Kyle, five years ago today was our first date. The past five years have been the best and happiest years of my life.” He said, tears in his eyes. “I can’t imagine what my life would have been without you. I love you so much it hurts.”

Kyle pulled away just far enough so that he could look Jay in the eyes. “I-I don’t know what to say. I’m overwhelmed.” He looked at him for a few more moments then pulled him into a rib-crushing embrace. “You don’t know how much I need this right now.”

All the bitter disappointment and anger he felt over the cancellation of his science club came out in the form of violent trembling. Jay held him tightly, whispering words of love and support in his ear until the trembling stopped. An exhausted Kyle was gently lowered to the ground. A man of very deep feelings and strong emotions, Kyle felt ashamed to have ruined what was supposed to have been a very special evening. “I’m so sorry, honey. You obviously went through a great deal of trouble to prepare all of this and I spoiled it.”

Jay took Kyle’s face in both hands and kissed him tenderly. “You haven’t spoiled anything. Kyle, you are a wonderful, compassionate, caring, loving person. That’s just one of many things I love about you. Another thing I love about you is that you come to me when you’re hurting. That makes me feel loved, wanted and needed, and I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“I love you so much Jay that there are a lot of times that all I can think about is being in your arms. I don’t know what I ever did to make you fall in love with me. Hold me, please.”

“Like you need to ask” Jay said. He took Kyle into his arms as they lay back on the blanket. He held him until they fell asleep safe and secure in each other’s arms.

Kyle awoke about an hour later. Looking at Jay’s sleeping form his heart skipped a couple of beats. Whatever did I do to deserve him? He asked himself, peeking into the cooler. He went through so much trouble to prepare all this. I have to do something to show him how much I love him and appreciate all of this. I know…He gently disentangled himself and quietly slipped away until he was far enough from Jay that he could sprint back to the house, where he went into the garage and took a brightly-wrapped package from its hiding place. I was saving this for his birthday, but I can get him something else.

He returned to the beach just as Jay was stirring. “Where’d you run off to?”

“I just had to get something from the house.”

“What was that?”

“This.” He handed the package to Jay “Happy anniversary of our first date.”

“Wow” he responded, taking the package from him. “I didn’t think you remembered.”

I didn’t, but I’m not going to hurt your feelings by telling you I had forgotten. Oh, what I wanted to do to you the day we first met. Or more accurately, what I wanted you to do to me.

Jay opened the package and his mouth dropped open in disbelief. He gave Kyle a look of total disbelief. Inside the package was a very expensive gold watch that Jay had wanted for a very long time, but couldn’t justify spending the money for it. “I don’t know what to say. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“I take it that you like it.”

“Like it? That’s the understatement of the millennium! How can I ever thank you?”

“Oh, I think you know how.” Kyle said mischievously, lying back and opening his arms. Jay fell into them immediately and kissed him soundly. Making love on the beach under the stars, Kyle forgot all about the events of that day.

Chapter 2

Kyle murmured sleepily as he carefully got out of bed so that he wouldn’t wake his sleeping lover. He threw his robe on and slipped out of the room and into the kitchen where he proceeded to make breakfast.

He slipped quietly back into the bedroom, breakfast tray loaded with delectables. He waved a steaming cup of wassail under Jay’s nose. As the aroma of his favorite holiday beverage slowly registered in his brain, he stretched, yawned and opened his eyes to see Kyle standing before him wearing nothing but a ribbon and bow around his neck. “Now that’s a sight I love waking up to.”

Kyle set the tray down and fell into Jay’s open arms, kissing him tenderly “Merry Christmas honey.”

“Merry Christmas baby” Jay returned the kiss.

Jay reached around Kyle and started squeezing his butt then tried to slip a finger between the cheeks. Much to Jay’s surprise, Kyle pushed his hand away.

“Uh-uh. Breakfast first. You’re going to need the energy.”

“What for” he asked, innocently.

“Eat first then I’ll tell you.” Kyle responded with a look that told Jay that he got the only answer he was going to get for now. He gave in gracefully, sat up and ate the wonderful meal that Kyle had prepared.

The ever-mischievous Kyle lay at the foot of the bed on his back with his feet up against his butt, exposing himself to his boyfriend. Jay glanced up from his tray and couldn’t help but notice the familiar glisten of lubricant spread all over Kyle’s butt. Hmm, I wonder what’s going to happen as soon as I finish breakfast. He said to himself whimsically. He made a big show of eating his breakfast, taking his time and savoring every bite.

As soon as Jay finished the last bite and set the tray aside, Kyle pounced like a hungry, wild animal on its prey. Without any of the usual foreplay, except that which was necessary to make Jay hard, Kyle impaled himself and started bucking wildly.

“Kyle, wait! Stop! I don’t have a condom on.”

Kyle slowed his bucking down, but kept gyrating. “I know. That’s the whole point. You’re going to fill my ass so full of cum that it will take a month to get rid of it all.”

“Kyle, I can’t. It’s not safe.”

“Jay, you and I have been monogamous for over five years. Neither of us do drugs or anything. We get routinely tested and are both negative. I spoke with the clinic, and while they said it’s never a good idea, the chances of my becoming infected are basically zero. Shut up, lay back and enjoy it. I know it’s something you’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve wanted it too. We probably will never bareback again, but this time we’re doing it, if I have to do all the work myself.” He picked up the pace a little. Jay laid his head back, closed his eyes and moaned.

“Oh, my God, this is incredible. You’re so hot. I’ve never felt anything like this before.” He sat up and started sucking on first one then the other of Kyle’s nipples. Kyle reached under Jay’s chin and lifted his face up so that he could kiss him. “Oh, God Kyle, I’m gonna cum. I can’t hold it any longer. Here it comes.”

Kyle slammed down hard and held still as spurt after spurt of Jay’s ball juice shot deep into him. He collapsed on Jay and lay motionless until Jay softened and slipped out of him. He rolled onto his back, eyes closed and smiling. “Thank you.” he simply said.

“That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever felt, but you need to get rid of the cum inside you.”

“Uh-uh. I’m keeping it.”

“Don’t you realize what will happen to you if you do?”

Kyle frowned. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Have you cheated on me?”

“No! Never! I swear I never have and never will. You have my word on that.” Jay immediately replied vehemently.

“Then why are you so concerned and upset?”

Jay was silent for a few minutes before he finally said “I don’t know. I guess it’s because it’s been drilled into my head so many times that unprotected sex guarantees HIV infection.”

Kyle kissed him on the chest between the nipples. “Not in this case. I’ve done my homework. You’re negative. I’m negative. We’ve been monogamous for over five years. It’s okay, baby.”

“Okay, okay. I believe you.”

“Good because as soon as you’re ready we’re going to do it again.”

“Not bareback this time.”

“Well, if you insist. But you can’t say that you didn’t enjoy it.”

“Yes I can say it, but it would be a lie. Sex with you is the most incredible thing in the world. I didn’t think it could be any better until this.”

“But you don’t want to do it again?”

“I don’t want to put you at any risk. You’re my entire life. I’d rather die than see anything happen to you.

Jay stroked Kyle’s chest tenderly, slowly working his way down until he found what he was searching for. He gently stroked Kyle’s hardness causing Kyle to moan low in his throat. Jay heard Kyle’s breathing quicken slightly. He took Kyle into his mouth sucking gently up and down, going further and further down until Kyle was deep in Jay’s throat, Jay’s nose brushing against his public hairs when it finally happened. With a shout, Kyle unleashed a tremendous load down Jay’s throat.

“Wow” was all Kyle could say. Since Kyle remained hard, Jay continued his ministrations until moments later when Kyle delivered a second load, almost as big as the first.

“That’s the first time that’s ever happened.” Kyle said, amazed.

Jay flopped back onto his pillow. “Well, if I wasn’t full before from that awesomely awesome breakfast, I certainly am now.” He said, giggling. He kissed Kyle gently, once again aroused.

Kyle noticed Jay’s arousal. “Cool! Now it’s my turn!!!” He exclaimed gleefully has he rolled over onto his stomach, spread his legs and wiggled his butt sensually. “Come and get it, big boy” Jay put on a condom, rolled over on top of him and they made love a second time.

With a twinge of excitement in his voice Jay informed the love of his life that they should get up and open presents. They had to be at Kyle’s sister’s house in a couple of hours. Having been an only child and with no living relatives, Jay’s heart warmed whenever he thought about the way that Kyle’ sister, brother-in-law, and all of his cousins welcomed him into their family.

After cuddling a few more minutes, the boys reluctantly got up, shaved, showered and got dressed. They made short work out of the pile of presents under the tree, each appreciating the other’s gifts.

With the exception of a handful of gifts intended for others, there remained only one huge gift which Jay seemed not to notice. “Who is that big one for? I don’t remember seeing it before.”

“What does the tag say?”

“It says ‘For the ultimate love of my life’, but it isn’t signed.” Slowly it dawned on him at the package was his. “Wait a minute…Jay you didn’t…..you couldn’t….”

“Open it and see.”

He slowly opened the package as Jay sat on the edge of the couch, anxiously waiting to see Kyle’s reaction.

He froze when he saw the contents of the large, nondescript package.

“I…..” was all he said before he threw himself on Jay, tears flowing in rivers down his cheeks. Inside the box was a brand new portable artist’s easel, a couple of palettes, the biggest kit of paints and brushes he had ever seen, a modeling dummy and numerous other accessories. Several years ago a small fire in the basement that started when the furnace motor shorted out destroyed all of Kyle’s art supplies and equipment, which he never replaced. After the fire he totally lost interest in painting.

“I can’t believe it. I don’t know what to say. How did you manage…?”

“I didn’t. Up until now I didn’t even know what was in the box. I gave the money to Karin and had her get everything. Is it all right? You can take any of it back and exchange it for whatever you want.”

“But why would you spend so much money on a hobby I no longer do?”

“Don’t think I don’t know how devastated you were after the fire and how much you miss painting. I miss watching you paint. I used to sit and watch you for hours. You look so serene, almost angelic, when you’re painting. I miss that. Nor did I miss all the times you’d see something and mutter under your breath how much you wish you could paint it.”

“I don’t know what to say. How can I thank you for this incredible gift?”

“Your facial expression is thanks enough, although a hug and a kiss would be nice.”

Kyle hugged him so tightly that he couldn’t breathe.

“Let me go. I can’t breathe.” Jay gasped. Kyle eased his strangle hold on him, kissed him soundly and started rubbing his crotch. Jay pushed his hand away. “Oh, no you don’t. Keep this up and we’ll never get to your sister’s for lunch on time.”

“Speaking of which, before we go I need your help getting a painting down from the attic.”

“You have paintings in the attic? Won’t the cold ruin them?”

“No. It’s heated.”

“Really, I never knew that. You know, the attic might make a great rec room.”

“Hmm, I never thought of having it made into a rec room.” But I did find another use for it, and wait until you see what that is. Kyle amended to himself.

When they reached the attic stairs, Jay bowed gallantly to Kyle, and with a sweeping arm gesture, indicated that Kyle should go first.

“You first, I insist.”

“You just want to stare at my ass.” Jay accused with a wink.

Kyle snapped his fingers in a gesture of frustration “Damn. You’re onto me.”

“I know all your tricks.” He retorted, giggling. “Well, if I must…” He started up the stairs as Kyle wolf-whistled at him.

It was Jay’s turn to be overwhelmed by the gift that was waiting for him when he opened the door. Kyle had the attic made over into a photography studio, complete with backdrops, lights, furniture and a digital photo editing workstation complete with a printer capable of producing up to 8×10″ photographs.

“I don’t know what to say. This is incredible. I’ve dreamed about this for a very long time, but could never justify spending the money.”

“Just like I could never justify spending the money to replace all of my art stuff.”

Jay’s look of joy suddenly turned into one of bitter disappointment.

“Honey, what’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” Kyle asked, slightly hurt.

Jay took Kyle’s face in both of his hands and kissed him gently. “Baby, I love it. But don’t you remember last summer when my truck got broken into and my camera was stolen?”

Kyle hung his head in apparent shame. “I guess you won’t be able to use that either.” He said, pointing to a cabinet.

“What’s in there?” Jay opened the cabinet doors and just about shit his pants again. Hidden inside was a top-of-the-line digital SLR camera with a flash and a variety of lenses. “BITCH” he exclaimed. “You really had me going.” He pulled Kyle into a fierce embrace, rubbed his crotch against Kyle’s and squeezed his butt.

“Uh, who was it that said we had to hurry up to get over to my sister’s?”

“Screw them.” he exclaimed as he started tearing Kyle’s clothes off.

“No, I thought the idea was to screw me.” Kyle responded with a giggle as he tore Jay’s clothes off and pushed him towards the couch that was along one wall. Afterwards Kyle remarked “This has been one hellacious Christmas morning. We did it three times. Want to go for a fourth?”

Jay glanced at the clock on the wall. “Ah, you want to check the time?”

“Oh shit!” he cried, jumping up and gathering his clothes. “We are supposed to be at Kim and Bryan’s in ten minutes. We’ll never make it.”

He grabbed his cell phone and called his sister. “Hey it’s me. We’re running a little late. We’ll be there in a half hour.”

“Don’t tell me you guys are just getting out of bed.”

“Actually we’ve been up for awhile…”

“Please” she interrupted, “I know you, baby brother. You guys have been having one of your sex marathons.” She accused, giggling.

“Believe it or not we only did it three times this morning.” Kyle replied.

“And you assumed I wanted to know that?” She bantered back.

“Truthfully, we’re up in the attic.”

“How’d Jay like his little surprise?”

“He just about shit his pants when he saw it.”

“Great. I’m glad he liked it.”

“Ask Kyle about his reaction to his surprise.” Jay yelled.

“Yeah, I basically reacted the same way. Karin did a great job picking out everything.”

“So we’ll get to see some more of your fabulous paintings?”

“Fabulous? Not likely. They’d be more along the lines of mediocre. It’s been too long.”

“I don’t think so! You may be a little rusty, but you’ll never be mediocre. Not even when you were first starting out were you that. You have an incredible gift. You need to start using it again.”

“Okay, whatever. What I need to do is get off the phone, otherwise we’ll never make it over there.”

“Okay. See you guys when you get here. Bye.”

“Bye sis.”

Jay started gathering up his new camera and lenses. “Now all I need is something to put everything in.”

“Isn’t a camera bag in there? I could have sworn I got one. Look in that other cabinet.”

Jay opened the other cabinet and was shocked when he looked inside and saw the large supply of photo printing paper and ink cartridges neatly sorted and stocked on the shelves. At the bottom of the cabinet was a brand new leather camera bag. “This is too much.” He cried, tears flowing freely. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all of this.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Kyle replied, giving Jay a hug and a kiss. “I’ll go down and load up the jeep while you get everything together.”

Twenty minutes later they pulled into the driveway at Kim and Bryan’s. The kids came charging up to the jeep, all excited.

“Uncle Kyle! Uncle Jay! Merry Christmas!” they screamed in unison, jumping up and down.

Returning the Christmas wishes, they took turns hugging first one then the other of Kyle’s nephews.

Uncle Jay. How wonderful that sounded to him. He felt a surge of emotion. From day one Kyle’s family had accepted with open arms. Even when he was falsely accused of raping a cocktail waitress shortly after he and Kyle first started dating they stood behind him one-hundred percent.

The twins ran into the house screaming. “THEY’RE HERE!!!!” After relieving Kyle and Jay of the pile of packages, Kyle’s sister and brother-in-law bestowed huge hugs on both boys. As they gathered around the tree, Kyle had Jay recant his surprise when he opened the attic door.

“Kyle asked for my help getting a painting down from the attic. I said something about them getting ruined up there when he said it was heated. All kinds of ideas went through my mind as to what we could do with the space. My first thought was a rec room for parties. He insisted that I go up the stairs ahead of him.” Kyle’s goofy, shit-eating grin grew wider as Jay told the story. “I told him he just wanted to look at my ass. I nearly shit my pants when I opened the door and saw the studio. It was amazing.” He didn’t know that Kim, Bryan, Tommy and Andy had already seen the studio and that Bryan, a professional photographer, had picked everything out. “I couldn’t believe it. Then it dawned on me that I couldn’t use any of it since last summer my camera was stolen out of my truck. All the money I was saving for a new camera went to the art supplies.” Kyle shot Jay a guilt-ridden look. If I had only known… he thought. Jay continued his story. “I was devastated. Here was all of this beautiful, expensive equipment that was going to go to waste. I felt really bad because all of Kyle’s hard-earned money was going to go down the toilet. But this shit-head,” Jay pulled Kyle into a playful headlock, “had all the bases covered.” He lifted the camera. “And I’m willing to bet that you had a lot to do with it, Bryan. Thank you.” Jay said his eyes moist.

“I’m glad you like everything. Pick a weekend when you aren’t busy and I’ll come over and show you how to use everything.” Bryan replied. “But then again, you may not need to. Here, open this.” He handed Jay an envelope.

Jay nearly shit his pants for the third time that day. Inside the envelope were an acceptance letter and a check to cover the full tuition for an online digital photography school. In a state of shock, he handed everything to Kyle, who looked at his sister and brother-in-law in amazement. He knew they liked Jay, but until this moment he didn’t know how much they truly loved him. Jay’s dream of being a photographer was going to come true.

Kim moved over to the couch next to Jay and hugged the stunned man. “I just can’t believe it.”

“What can’t you believe, Jay?”

“I can’t believe that you guys would do all this for me. First Kyle gives me the studio and the camera equipment and now you and Bryan give me this. I don’t know what to say.”

“Jay, this is our way of showing you how much Bryan and I love you and how much we are indebted to you.” Kim replied.

“What could you possibly be indebted to me for?”

“We watched my little brother go though hell with his coming out, then go from one bad relationship to another, none of them lasting more than a couple of months.” Kim answered. “We’ve seen him thrown out of our church and his job applications for teaching positions rejected by school after school because of his sexuality. He struggled with the disappearance and subsequent death of our parents. His life was miserable until you came along.” She started crying. “Since you came into his life five years ago, all of that has changed. I’ve never seen him happier or more at peace with himself. For that we will be forever indebted to you.” She threw her arms around her “brother-in-law” as she called Jay.

He hugged her back. “Believe me, my life sucked big time before Kyle.” He broke the hug and kissed Kyle.

The twins couldn’t stand it any longer. “Get a room, you two. We wanna open our presents.” They chorused.

Kyle looked at his nephews with pride and amazement. At ten years old, they both took a lot of harassment on account of their “Uncle Faggot” as the neighborhood kids called Kyle. The twins harbored no resentment whatsoever towards either Kyle or Jay. Presents and wrapping paper flew everywhere as the twins took over the chore of handing out the presents. Soon all that was left under the tree was an enormous package, which Kyle assumed was for Bryan’s parents who were due to arrive later that day.

“Who is that big package under the tree for, Bryan?” Kim asked, innocently, her eyes sparked mischievously. Noticing the look in her eyes Kyle prepared himself. Here we go again. He thought.

“I don’t know. What does the tag say?”

She went over to the package and read the tag aloud. “For the person who has everything he could wish for except for the one thing he truly needs. Hmm, I wonder what that means.”

“Kyle, you only had one package to open. Why don’t you open it and see what it is.” Bryan replied, trying to keep a straight face.

Kyle looked at Jay, who shook his head, not knowing anything about it. Jay thought it strange that Kyle’s sister and brother-in-law would spend so much money on him, yet not get Kyle anything. He shrugged his shoulders.

Kyle’s mouth dropped open when he saw what was in the package. “How did you guys know I didn’t have any canvases?”

“We didn’t, but that’s the one thing every artist needs.” Bryan replied.

“That reminds me. Jon” he called to the closest nephew “there’s a painting in the back of my jeep. Will you go get it for me?”

Jon returned with a stunningly beautiful waterfall painting that Kyle had done from a picture he took. “This is for you guys to hang in the new addition if you want it.”

“It’s breathtaking, Kyle.” Kim responded. “I don’t think I’ve seen that one before.”

“It’s truly beautiful, Kyle, but it doesn’t belong in the new room where no one can see it. It belongs here.” Bryan took down the painting over the fireplace and replaced it with Kyle’s, which made Kyle’s face turn red with embarrassment.

“Now everyone who visits us will know what a fantabulous artist you are.” Kim said, hugging him.

They had lunch then played board games until it was time to head over to Tommy and Andy’s for a small Christmas night party, where more gifts were exchanged.

Later that night, as they lay in bed Jay remarked “What a day. I’m physically and emotionally exhausted. I still can’t get over the studio.”

“I can’t get over all of the art supplies. It’s been a wonderful Christmas. I can’t tell you how much I love you”

“Yes it has. There are not enough words in the English language to describe how much I love you.” Jay kissed Kyle tenderly.

Kyle snuggled closer to Jay and the boys drifted off to sleep

Chapter 3

A few months later, Kyle’s cell phone rang. “Hey, tall, hung and hopefully horny!

“Not right now, but I’m sure I will be later.” Jay joked. “When you get home, can you come up to the studio?”

“I’m just walking through the door. I’ll be right up.” He hung up, took his shoes off changed quickly in the bedroom then ran up the stairs.

Jay got up from the desk and went over to Kyle as he came through the door and gave him a hug and a kiss. “How was your day?”

“Not so good. I’ve been sick to my stomach and throwing up every day for a couple of weeks now.”

Jay looked at him with concern. “That’s not good. I see that your stomach is bulging a little. You should go see the doctor.”

“I did yesterday.”

“And” Jay prompted.

“He said it was perfectly normal and will pass”

“What do you mean, perfectly normal?”

“Well, do you remember Christmas day when we barebacked and I refused to get rid of the cum you left inside me?”

“Yeah, but what does that have to do with you being sick?” He asked worriedly, a thousand things going through his mind.

“Jay, I’m pregnant.” Kyle said straight-faced but with his eyes twinkling.

Jay grabbed a pillow off the couch and threw it at him. “You shit-head, you had me going!”

Kyle was laughing so hard he could hardly speak. “You…should have….seen the look…on your…face.”

Jay looked at him coldly. “That’s it. I’ve had enough of your practical jokes. No sex for you for a week.” It was Jay’s turn to be the joker.

“We’ll see about that.” Kyle threatened. “Remember that when you have a bad case of blue balls” He rubbed Jay’s crotch teasingly.

“You can’t go long enough for me to get even a slight case of it.” Jay countered. Jay couldn’t either, but he wasn’t going to admit that to Kyle when he was trying to get the upper hand.

“In this case, watch me.” Kyle growled in a serious tone.

“Bitch, I can’t seem to get one up on you, can I?”

“Nope, let’s face it. I’m the pro and you’re the amateur. So how was your day off?”

“I got the grade back on my first composition assignment. It was an A.”

“That’s awesome, Jay. I knew you could do it. You’ve always been a great photographer. You just need to believe in yourself as much as the rest of us believe in you. Can I see the picture?”

“Sure.” He handed Kyle a portfolio full of pictures he’d been taking for his classes.

“Wow! These are really awesome. Have you showed them to Bryan?”

“No. Why, do you think I should?”

“Absolutely, let me give him a call.”

“Hey, Kyle, what’s up?” Bryan answered after glancing at the caller ID display.

“Not much. Listen, are you busy tomorrow?”

“I have an assignment for the paper that’s going to take most of the afternoon, but I’m free tomorrow night. Why? What’s going on?”

“I’ve just seen the pictures Jay’s been taking for his classes and they’re awesome. I’d like for you to see them.”

“I’d love to. How about I come over around seven?”

“Great. See you then.” He hung up. “So what else have you been doing?”

“I’ve been playing around with the editing equipment and came up with what I think is an awesome photograph that I would love to have you make into a painting, if you’re willing.”

“I can try. Where’s the picture,” Kyle asked, his interest piqued.

Looking a little sheepish, Jay produced a photograph of Kyle, a look of deep concentration on his face.

With a puzzled look on his face, Kyle asked “When did you take this?”

“I took it last weekend when you and Tommy were playing Quoridor.”

“Why would you want a painting of a picture of me?””

“Why not?”

“It’s redundant. Why not just blow this picture up?”

“Then I wouldn’t get to see you paint. I love watching you paint. You are so relaxed, yet so intense at the same time. It’s extremely sexy.

“But why take a picture of me? I could paint pretty much anything you wanted.”

“Take a good look at the picture. What do you see?”

“I see me trying to figure out how to avoid getting my ass kicked by Tommy.”

“No, I mean really look at it. Pretend you’re looking at a picture in a magazine, perhaps of a model.”

“Are you trying to compare me to a professional model?” Kyle asked, quizzically.

“No, but that’s not a bad idea. Would you model for me?”

“Naked, I suppose?”

“Well, if you insist…” Jay put his arm around Kyle and squeezed his butt.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish.” Kyle threatened.

Jay reached up and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Who says I can’t finish what I’m starting?”

“Uh, did you forget we’re going to the movies with Tommy, Andy, Karin and Denise? The show starts in an hour.”

Jay stood behind Kyle, pulling him into him and pressing his crotch up against Kyle’s butt while he nuzzled his neck.

“Mmmmm, it’s been a long time since you’ve held me like this.”

“What do you mean, a long time?”

“Jay, when was the last time we made love?”

“Ah, I believe it was last night.”

Kyle reached behind Jay, grabbed his butt with both hands and pulled him in even closer. “It’s been too long.”

“And it’s going to be even longer.”

“Why?”

“Uh, because you’re pregnant and I don’t want to take any chances with the baby until it’s born.”

Kyle suddenly grabbed his abdomen and doubled-over, seemingly in great pain. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” he screamed.

“Kyle, what’s wrong?” Jay asked, deeply concerned at Kyle’s uncharacteristic behavior.

Kyle fell to the floor in the fetal position. He screamed once more and pulled the pillow out of his pants. He rolled onto his back, put the pillow under his head and held out his arms to Jay. “Ok, the baby’s born and I’m no longer pregnant. Now get down here and pound my ass into oblivion.”

“We don’t have enough time.”

“We have enough time for a quickie.” Kyle responded as he pulled his shorts and underwear off. Raising his legs he told Jay “Forget the foreplay, just stick it in me and start pounding.”

“Bitch, you had this planned all along, didn’t you?” Jay responded sliding his pants down to freeing his erection and putting on the condom Kyle handed to him.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kyle said, trying to maintain an air of innocence.

As he inserted himself into the eagerly awaiting body of his lover he asked Kyle if he always went around with lubricant spread all over his butt.

“Of course, how else can I be ready for sex at a moment’s notice? Who wouldn’t want a perfect dick like yours in their ass as often as they can?”

“You’re insatiable!” Jay laughed as he quickly finished. “You know we’re going to be late picking up Tommy and Andy.”

“I called them this afternoon and told them we might be a little late and to meet us at the theater.”

“I’ll bet that not only were they not surprised, but, knowing how you are, probably expected it.” Jay replied as they got up and got dressed.

“Let’s find out.” He called Tommy.

“Kyle. Are you two finished fucking and on your way? We just got here and got your tickets so you guys won’t have to stand in line.”

“How did you know we were having sex?”

“Knowing you as well as I do, I would have been surprised if you weren’t.”

“So you think you know me that well? What would you say if I were to tell you that I was the top and Jay was the bottom and it was the best sex I ever had in my life?”

“I’d say that you were as full of shit as a Thanksgiving turkey.”

“If I told you that you were wrong would you believe me?”

“Not in this lifetime or the next.”

“Okay Tommy, you got me this time. We’ll be there in a few.”

During the short drive to the movie theater, Jay was unusually quiet. “You’re so quiet, Jay. Is something wrong?”

“Your conversation with Tommy got me to thinking. Do you want to top me? I’ve never been a bottom before, and I’m not sure I could.”

As they pulled into a parking spot at the theater and he shut off the jeep, Kyle turned to look at Jay. “Baby, look at me.” Jay turned to face Kyle, who took his face in both of his hands. “The only way I want our bodies to be joined together is by having your dick so far up my ass that it comes out of my mouth. I do not now, nor have I ever had, any desire to be the top. I was just busting Tommy’s chops.”

“Okay. If that is what you really, really wanted, I would try. I can’t say I’d be any good at being a bottom, though. You’re a tough act to follow in that department.”

“Trust me when I say that I can’t get enough of you inside me. In fact…” he let the sentence trail off as he reached over and started rubbing Jay’s crotch. “Shall we go again?”

“Ah, the movie starts in about five minutes. By the time we get our tickets, popcorn and stuff, we’ll have missed the beginning of the movie.”

Kyle gave Jay’s crotch a final rub. “Tommy already has our tickets and I’d bet that Andy has our seats and our food.”

“You’re probably right, but we should go. There’ll be plenty of time later for sex.”

“There’s never enough time for sex with you.” Kyle replied slyly as they got out of Kyle’s jeep and walked to the theater entrance where Tommy was waiting with their tickets.

Jay rolled his eyes. “How did I know you were going to say that?”

“Did you honestly expect me to say anything different? If I could, I’d have you inside me all day and all night, every day.”

“I can believe that. I’ve woken up a number of times to find myself inside you.”

“Of course, your dick is my wobble.”

“That’s something I really didn’t want to know.” Tommy chided them as he handed them their tickets. “Andy has your popcorn and drinks and has saved us seats.”

Kyle stuck his tongue out at Jay. “I told you we had enough time for a quickie. The only thing we’d miss is the previews, which we never watch anyway.”

“Yeah…yeah…yeah…blah…blah…blah. Let’s go and get our seats.” Jay gave Kyle a gentle shove towards the doors.

“Well, it took you guys long enough to get here. What’d you guys do, decide to have a quickie in the parking lot?” Andy pretended to be annoyed.

“I wanted to, but…”

“Kyle, this insatiability of yours is going to kill Jay someday.” Andy interrupted.

“You’ve got a whole lot of room to talk, Andy. You can be just as insatiable at times.” Tommy retorted.

Jay covered his ears. “La…la…la…la…la…la…la… I don’t need to know any of this.”

“Ask Jay how many times he’s come home from work and without any warning would grab me, pull me into the bedroom and screw my brains out. Shit. Half the time we never even made it as far as the bedroom.”

As everyone got comfortable Jay looked over at Andy snuggling up against Tommy. Kyle’s cousin Karin and her lover Denise were doing the same. He sighed with envy and bitter disappointment. If only Kyle could snuggle up to me like that. But it would be my job if anyone saw us.

After the movie they went out for a bite to eat. “You know, I really envy you guys.” Jay commented.

“Why’s that?” Tommy asked.

“I wish Kyle and I could cuddle and hold hands in public like you guys do.” He said, wistfully.

“Why can’t you?”

“It would cost me my job if I were to be seen showing any kind of affection to Kyle.”

“I thought homosexuality was in the government non-discrimination clause.”

“I don’t know if it is or not, but it doesn’t matter. My stupidvisor is so homophobic he’d do anything he could to get rid of me.”

“That really sucks.” Karin said emphatically.

“Oh, believe me, sucks doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel about it. You don’t know how much I wish I could snuggle up to Jay right now, or even hold his hand.” Kyle responded with a deep, sad sigh.

“Believe me, baby, so do I.”

“Have you ever thought about transferring to a different department or field office” Denise inquired.

“I have, but I don’t have any grounds for the request. I can’t tell them that I want to transfer out because my supervisor is creating a hostile working environment. I have no proof. Who do you think the higher-ups are going to believe, a supervisor who’s been with the FBI for almost twenty years, or a lowly field agent who’s only been there nine years?”

“You are not a lowly field agent. You were the one who cracked the case of my parent’s murder. No one else could be bothered to follow the ‘cold lead’ as they called it. You’re case closure rate is higher than most of them, from what you said.”

Jay reached under the table and gave Kyle’s hand a quick, grateful squeeze. “Thanks, baby, but that’s just not enough to go to EEO with.”

“EEO” Karen asked.

“Equal Employment Opportunity, they make sure that the non-discrimination policy is followed and resolve any problems between employees.”

“But surely this would fall under their jurisdiction.” Tommy chimed in.

“It’s a catch-22. If I were out, then I MIGHT be able to file a complaint against him, but I’m not. If I were to come out, then I’d be fired and my security clearance would be revoked. Once a clearance is revoked, it’s damned near impossible to get it reinstated. Having a security clearance revocation on my record would pretty much insure that I’ll never get another law-enforcement job.”

“Really, surely you could do something else rather than deal with that shit.” Denise said.

“It’s all I know. I went into the FBI Academy right after high school. It’s all I ever wanted to do, other than spending as much time with my baby as possible.” He gave Kyle a warm, loving smile, which was immediately returned.”

“Aw, kiss and get it over with.” Karin teased.

Kyle offered his cheek to Jay, tapping it with his finger. Jay looked around the pretty-much deserted all-night diner to make sure they weren’t seen then moved in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. Just as his lips were about to touch his cheek, Kyle quickly and unexpectedly turned his head so that their lips met.

The other two couples decided that this would be a good time to kiss as well.

Later that night as they lay in bed after making love, a very serious look crossed Kyle’s face. “If you’re that unhappy with the FBI, perhaps you should start considering another career.”

Jay looked at him with surprise. “It’s not that I’m unhappy with my job. I love my job. I just don’t like having to hide who I am. It’d be hard to find another job that pays as well, and has the benefits.”

“Baby, I’d rather have you take a lower-paying job and be able to be out than keep a higher-paying job and be unhappy.”

“I know, but that would put an unfair burden on you financially. I can’t do that to you.”

“Just think about it.” Kyle suggested as he snuggled closer.

Jay stroked his hair gently. “I will. I can’t promise anything.”

“Did I ask you for a promise?”

“No, but…”

“But nothing” Kyle interrupted. “I don’t want a promise from you. I just want you to be happy.”

“Okay, baby. Let’s get some sleep.”

Chapter 4

The following evening Bryan arrived to look over Jay’s pictures and was totally amazed by them. “These are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Would you mind if I borrowed these? I’d like to show them to a friend of mine.”

“I guess.” Jay and Bryan spent the evening looking over and discussing each photograph in detail. Kyle grabbed his guitar and provided a soft music background for their discussion.

A couple of days later Jay received a surprise phone call. “Hello?”

“Jayson Williams, please.” An unknown voice said.

“This is Jayson Williams.”

“Hi, Mister Williams, this is Karl Jennings over at the art gallery. May I call you Jayson?”

“Sure.”

“Bryan Clark was here earlier and showed me some of the most astounding photographs I’ve ever seen, and I would like, if you are willing, to showcase some of them in my gallery.”

Jay was momentarily taken aback. This must be a joke. He thought to himself. He checked the caller ID display and indeed, the call originated from the art gallery. “You’re kidding, right? Why would you want to exhibit my pictures?”

“I’m quite serious. As I’m sure Bryan has told you, and even if he hasn’t, you have an amazing eye for detail and your composition is outstanding.”

“Ah, thanks. What would I have to do?”

“Have them enlarged to eleven by seventeen inches and dry-mounted. Drop them off here to me and I’ll have them framed and hung. Who knows, you might even make some money off them.”

“Really, how would I do that?”

“It’s not uncommon for gallery visitors to want to purchase something they like. The gallery will handle the copyrighting of the pictures for your protection, and will also negotiate sales of the photographs for a five-percent commission.”

“Okay, when do you want them by?”

“Can you have them here by Tuesday of next week? The current exhibit closes on Saturday and that will give my staff plenty of time to frame and hang them.”

“Okay, I think I can do that. Which pictures do you want?”

“All of the ones Bryan showed me, if possible, plus five or six more, if you have them.”

“Sure. I’ll get them enlarged and mounted then bring them over by Tuesday.”

“Great, I’ll see you then.”

“Okay.”

An hour later, Kyle came home from parent-teacher conference day. “Hey, baby, how’d the conferences go?”

“They went well. What did you do today?”

“Have you heard of the name Karl Jennings?”

“No, why, who is he?”

“He’s the curator of the art gallery, and, coincidentally, the friend Bryan wanted to show my pictures to.”

“Oh, really” Kyle asked, his interest piqued.

“Yep, He wants to set up and exhibit of my pictures.”

“Jay, that’s absolutely fantabulous! I’m so happy for you. Your dream is finally coming true.” Kyle cried as he pounced on him, giving him a big hug and kiss. “When is the exhibit?”

“It’s the week after next. I have to get the pictures enlarged and mounted and drop them off by Tuesday. He said I might even sell some of them.”

“What can I do to help?”

“You’ve already been a great help by talking me into showing them to Bryan.”

Opening day for Jay’s exhibit finally arrived and Jay was a nervous wreck. He hardly slept a wink the night before. Having never even been in the gallery he was at a complete loss as to what to expect. The curator had assured him that all he had to do was dress nicely and show up. He was such a wreck that Kyle had to pick out his clothes for him. He had come out of the shower and was standing in front of the closet just staring.

Kyle finally decided to do something to help relax him. He took Jay by the hand and led him to the bed, pushing him down into a sitting position. Kissing him gently, he dropped to his knees and pushed Jay’s legs apart. They locked eyes as Kyle took him into his mouth for a slow, sensual blow job. Kyle licked, sucked and nibbled on Jay’s dick and balls until Jay shot a huge load down Kyle’s throat. He collapsed back on the bed and sighed deeply. “Thank you, baby, I guess I really needed that.” Kyle climbed onto the bed and lay down next to him. As he kissed Jay, he shared some of Jay’s creamy white nectar with him, which Jay gulped down greedily, returning the kiss.

“Feel better now?” He asked, breaking the kiss.

“Yeah, I do”

“Good. Let’s get you dressed. You have to be there in a half hour.”

Jay raised his eyebrows quizzically. “I have to be there? Don’t you mean we have to be there?”

“Of course I’m going to be there. Everybody is. But this is your day. Today is totally about you.”

After Jay had dressed, he gathered Kyle in his arms and gave him a slow, deep kiss. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“Whatever you did, keep doing it. We need to get going.”

A hint of Jay’s prior nervousness returned. “Do I look okay?”

“Any more okay and I’m going to start ripping those clothes off and have my wicked way with you. Here. One final touch” Kyle grabbed a bottle of cologne and gave him a couple of squirts. “There. Perfection personified!” He grabbed him by the hand and they drove to the gallery in silence.

They arrived at the gallery a half hour before the opening as they had been instructed, only to find all of the doors locked. After a few minutes of pounding on the main entrance, a guard came up to the door. “I’m sorry, but the gallery doesn’t open for another twenty minutes.”

“Its okay, Alan, let them in. He’s the exhibitor.”

“Sorry.” The guard mumbled as he let them in.

“Mister Jennings, this is my boyfriend, Kyle. Kyle, this is Mister Jennings.”

Karl extended his hand. “Please to meet you, Kyle. Please call me Karl.” They shook hands.

“Same here, Mister Jennings, I mean Karl.”

“Are you ready to see your exhibit, Jayson?”

“You bet!”

“Come this way.” As Karl led them though the gallery, the boys could not believe what they were seeing. All of Jay’s photographs were beautifully framed and hung on the walls with great deliberation as to their location. Jay could not believe that his snapshots, as he called them, were actually on a display and that people were not only going to pay to see them, but perhaps even buy them. The thought was mindboggling. “Here’s the program.” He handed them each a folded pamphlet.

“Provincetown, A Pictorial Essay by Jayson Williams” was printed in an elegant script on the front. Inside, there was a picture of Jayson and a short biography, along with a list of his paintings and a sale price. Jay’s eyes bulged out of their sockets as he saw the pricings. There wasn’t a single on under seven hundred-fifty dollars. “Karl, these prices have been printed wrong. The cheapest painting is seven hundred-fifty dollars. It should be seven dollars and fifty cents.”

“No, the prices are printed correctly. If anything they’re priced a little on the low side.”

Kyle spoke up before Jay could. “You’re kidding right?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Nobody would pay that kind of money for a photograph from a rank amateur.” Jay replied in a self-effacing way.

“You’d be surprise. Actually, there are a couple of photographs I’m considering for my home.”

Jay shot a stunned look at Kyle, who returned an equally stunned look.

A disembodied voice spoke up. “The gallery will be opening in two minutes.”

“This is it. Are you ready?” Karl asked the obviously nervous Jay.

“No, but let’s do it.”

The first people through the door were, not surprisingly, Tommy, Andy and Bryan. Kim was on duty at the hospital and would join them later. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were passed as a ton of people, in Jay’s estimate, wandered through the exhibit, several stopping to talk with Jay about the pictures, several of them asking questions Jay could only respond to with “It just caught my eye, so I took a picture of it.”

Kyle stood by his side, the unmistakable look of extreme pride and love battling for supremacy over his face. After a couple of hours he excused himself and started wandering through the exhibit when a photograph he hadn’t seen before caught his eye. He took a closer look then groaned when he recognized the subject of the photo. It was one of his paintings. As he stared at the photo in disbelief, a museum employee walked up to the photograph and placed a “SOLD” tag on it. “Excuse me, Miss. This photograph has been sold?”

“Yes sir.”

“Can you tell me how much it went for?”

“It went for twenty-seven hundred dollars, sir.”

“Thank you, Miss.” He excused himself and sought out Jay, only to find him talking with Karl, the curator.

“Hey baby. So how do you like the exhibit?”

“Its fine, but I have one question. When did you take a picture of my waterfall painting, and how come I never saw it?”

“I took it the day you gave it to Kim and Bryan. I didn’t know it was in the stack of pictures for the exhibit. I didn’t check it, nor did I check the enlargements. I’m so sorry baby. I would not have used it without your permission. I was just curious to see how a picture of a painting would turn out. I never would have included it without your permission. You know that.”

“Jay, I’m not upset. It just took me by surprise. Normally you show me all of your pictures. Did you know that you just made twenty-seven hundred dollars off of it?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I wouldn’t kid about something like this. Congratulations.” He said, sincerely. “I thought you were only joking about people buying them. So, how does it feel to have made a big chunk of change?”

“I don’t know. It hasn’t happened yet.”

“Ah, baby, it just did. I’m not kidding. Come see for yourself.” He took Jay by the hand and led him to the photograph. Jay’s eyes popped out of his skull when he saw the ‘sold’ tag. A few moments later, the assistant curator approached Jay and handed him a check.

“Here you go, Jayson. Congratulations on your first sale.”

Jay looked at the check. “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake. This check is made out to me. It should be made out to Kyle Matthews.”

“Excuse me?”

“This picture, which was never intended for the exhibit, is of one of his paintings.”

Karl, overhearing the exchange, spoke up. “You painted this, Kyle? It’s breathtaking. You have a great technique.”

“Thanks.” He said quietly, blushing furiously. He hated to be praised or recognized for his ‘doodlings’ as he called them.

Jay turned to Karl and held the check out to him. “Karl, by rights this should be Kyle’s. Actually, it should probably be refunded to the customer. I didn’t have his permission to include it in the exhibit.”

“Hmm, that might be a problem. If the customer paid in cash, we may not know who they are, and they may insist on taking possession of the photograph.

“Karl, I have no problem with it being in the exhibit. What I don’t understand is why anybody would want a photograph of a painting, especially a painting that’s not very good. It’s just doodling.”

Karl turned to Jay. “Is he always this self-effacing?”

“No, usually he’s worse.”

“The truth be known, and I’m violating gallery policies, I’m the one who bought it. It’s very unique. I’ve seen photographs of photographs many times over, but I’ve never seen a photograph of an oil painting. Kyle, by any chance is this painting for sale?”

“No. I gave it to my sister and brother-in-law for a Christmas present.”

“Would you consider doing a commissioned painting for me?”

“Perhaps some other time, but today isn’t about me. It’s about Jay.” He grabbed the check out of Jay’s hand. “I’ll make sure this gets deposited into his account.” He told the curator as he took a pen, wrote “For deposit only” and Jay’s savings account number on the back which he had memorized, as Jay did his, in case of emergencies. There was no way he was going to deposit in into his savings account, nor their joint account. Their individual accounts were Christmas savings accounts into which each of them deposited a small amount each month. The bulk of their salaries went into their joint account. He folded the check and placed it into his wallet. When Jay started to argue that the money was legally his, Kyle countered his argument with “Are you going to give the money from sales of your photographs to each and every subject of your photograph? How are you going to track down the owner of the ocean, the trees, the skies…” he ticked off each point on his fingers. “Regardless of the subject, the photographs are your copyrighted property. Therefore any proceeds from the sales are yours and yours alone.”

“What about your painting?” Jay argued.

“Who’s painting? I don’t see my name on it, nor do I see any copyright notice. How do I know you didn’t just see it hanging somewhere out in the open and just took a picture of it?”

“You know it’s your painting.” Jay replied with a little heat.

“I may have painted it, but I didn’t copyright it. Therefore, you had every legal right to take a picture of it and sell that picture. You’re an FBI Field Agent. You know the law. If it will make you any happier, I’ll sign a release form for you. In fact, I’ll do one better.” He took out his cell phone and activated the voice memo recording. “Karl, stand witness. I, Kyle David Matthews, do hereby grant Jason William Edwards the exclusive right to photograph any painting I have or will produce. Furthermore, I grant him the exclusive right to sell said photographs and use the proceeds as he sees fit.” He turned to Karl. “Karl Jennings, as curator of this Art Gallery, have you witnessed what I just said?”

“I have.”

“There. It’s over and done. No more discussion. You have guests to get back to.”

Jay looked at Kyle with resignation. This was an argument he wasn’t going to win, so it would be in his best interest to concede gracefully. He drew Kyle into a gentle hug. “I love you so much.” He whispered into his ear.

“I love you too. Now get back to your guests.” He broke the hug, turned Jay and gave him a gentle push towards the main part of the exhibit. Grinning at Karl, he followed him and remained by his side until the exhibit closed for the evening.

As the boys sat at their table in an all-you-can-eat buffet one of the other diners approached them. They both stood. “Excuse me, but aren’t you the Jayson Williams who as an exhibit at the art gallery?”

“Yes, ma’am” He replied shyly.

“I’m Tisha Jones, Owner and Managing Editor of ‘About Town’ magazine. I’d like to discuss the possibility of you coming to work with us. Would you be able to stop by my office on Tuesday afternoon?”

“I guess so. What time?”

“Whatever time is convenient for you.”

“Okay sure.”

She handed him her business card. “Here’s the address. See you on Tuesday. Enjoy your meal.” She turned and left as the boys sat back down.

“That’s awesome, Jay. About Town magazine is a huge magazine, and your photographs are going to be in it! I’m so proud of you, baby.”

“Whoa. Put the brakes on, Kyle. There’s no guarantee anything is going to come out of the meeting.”

“Just the fact that the owner of a major magazine is interested in your work is awesomely awesome. We need to celebrate. Let’s head out to the club after dinner.”

“You mean you want to celebrate this without getting your brains fucked out?”

“Of course, but that will come later.” He grinned evilly.

“Okay. Let’s finish up and head for the club.”

The following Tuesday afternoon Jay entered the executive offices of About Town magazine. He approached a secretary. “Hi, I’m Jayson Williams. Tisha asked me to stop by today to see her.

“One moment please.” She picked up the phone and dialed. “Tisha, there’s a Jayson Williams here to see you.”

“Okay, thank you, Pam.” A moment later, Tisha opened the door. “Hi, Jayson, Please, come in and have a seat. Can I get you anything?”

“Some water would be great. Thanks.”

She handed him a bottle of water out of a mini refrigerator. “So, Jayson, how’s the exhibit going?”

“It’s going great.”

“I have to be honest with you. I didn’t just bump into you and your friend at the restaurant the other night. I followed you there.”

“Really, why would you follow me?”

“I saw your exhibit and was very impressed with your talent. I want you to be a part of our team. Would you be interested in working with us?”

“I already have a full-time job with the FBI.”

“Okay, how about freelancing then. We’d pay you two-hundred and fifty dollars for each photograph we use, and you would have the photo credit byline.”

“What would I have to do?”

“Simply do what you have been doing, and quite well I might add. Take pictures and bring them to us. If we use them, we pay you. From time to time we might ask you to take pictures of a specific person, place or event for us. You have a great eye and a lot of talent.”

“It sounds great, but with my job, I may not be able to take the pictures you ask for.”

“Not a problem. All you have to do is let me know that you can’t cover the assignment and we’ll send somebody else. We’d much rather have you, though, whenever you’re available.

“Can I think it over and get back to you in a couple of days?”

“Of course, But don’t take too long. We’re anxious to have you as part of our family.”

“I’ll let you know what my decision is in a couple of days. Thank you for your offer and the water.” He stood, shook hands with Tisha, and left. Upon arriving home he looked around for Kyle but didn’t find him. Strange, his jeep and bike are in the garage. I wonder where he is. He went out the back door and down the path to their private beach where he found Kyle, painting a seascape. The look of intense concentration mixed with complete serenity took Jay’s breath away. How long he stood there and watched him he didn’t know, for time seemed to stand still. Finally, Kyle stood up and started packing up his paints, brushes and palette. He turned around and nearly jumped out of his skin as the sight of Jay startled him. “How long have you been standing there?”

“I don’t know. Awhile, I guess.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t want to disturb you. Watching you paint is one of my favorite things to do. I could do it for hours.”

“How did you meeting go with the magazine lady?”

“Would you believe she offered me a freelance position as a photographer? They’ll pay me two-hundred and fifty bucks a picture. There’re no commitments, and I’ll have my own byline.”

“Are you going to take it?”

“I don’t know. I wanted to talk it over with you first.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I want you to go for it.”

“Are you sure? Between my regular job and assignments for the magazine, we might not see each other as much.”

“Sure we will. When you go on assignment, I’ll go with you as your assistant. I’ll carry your equipment for you so all you have to do is concentrate on taking the pictures.”

Jay wrapped him in a bear hug. “You’re the best. Have I told you how much I love you?”

“No but you can show me.” He kissed Jay tenderly. “I’m so happy for you, Jay. Your dream is coming true at last. You need to call the magazine lady right now and accept the position. The quicker you do, the quicker you can get started doing something you’re passionate about.”

Jay removed one arm from around Kyle, got out his cell phone and the business card and happily told Tisha he would accept the position.

While he was doing so, Kyle got out his cell phone and, glancing at his watch, called Andy. “Hey, guess what? Jay just got a job with About Town Magazine as a photographer.”

“That’s awesome. It’s about time he started using his gift. Now, we just need to get you to do something with yours.”

“I don’t have any gifts to do anything with.”

“BULL-FUCKING-SHIT, KYLE!” Andy yelled so loud Kyle had to jerk the phone away from his ear.

Why, whenever anything good happens for Jay, everyone tries to shift the focus away from Jay and onto me? Kyle thought, his irritation rising. “This isn’t about me. It’s about Jay and how his dream is finally coming true and I resent everyone trying to take his moment away from him.” He replied with more than a little heat in his voice.

“Kyle, calm down. I’m not trying to take anything away from him. I think its way beyond terrific, and I’m going to take out a subscription to the magazine so I don’t miss any of his amazing work. Believe me, if I could afford it, there’s a photograph I would love to buy myself.”

“I’m sorry, Andy. It just seems like whenever Jay becomes the center of attention, people try to shift it away from him and towards me. Like at the gallery. The curator bought a photograph of a waterfall painting I had done and he tried to talk to me about doing a commissioned painting right in front of Jay. I thought it was inappropriate. It was Jay’s time and I don’t want anyone or anything to detract from that.”

“That was never my intention, Kyle. I’m so very happy for Jay, and like I said, I’m subscribing to the magazine so I don’t miss any of his photographs.”

“It’s all good.” Kyle activated his speakerphone and nudged Jay to get his attention. “Which photograph were you interested in?”

“The sunset over the beach photograph. It’s the most beautiful photograph I’ve ever seen. Believe me, if I could afford it, it would have a ‘sold’ tag on it, but according to the program, the starting price bid is two-thousand dollars.”

The boys exchanged glances. Kyle turned off the speakerphone as Jay got out his cell and called the curator. “Karl. It’s Jayson. I have a quick question for you. If I wanted to pull a photo from the gallery and donate it, is that allowed?”

“It is. However, there would be a one-hundred-fifty dollar fee to cover the cost of the framing and hanging.”

“Okay. How would I go about doing it?”

“That depends. Do you want to pull it immediately, or wait until the exhibit closes?”

“I can wait.”

“In that case, all you have to do is let me know which one it is and we’ll put a ‘sold’ tag on it.”

“Okay, cool. I’ll drop by tomorrow and show you the one. Thanks, Karl.” Jay hung up. “Andy’s got himself a photograph. Karl said he’ll put a ‘sold’ tag on it so nobody else will buy it. I just have to pay them a hundred-fifty dollar fee for the framing and hanging, but that’s nothing.”

Kyle pulled him into an embrace. “You’re awesome, baby. Andy told me he was going to subscribe to About Town so he doesn’t miss any of your pictures, which I think is a great idea. I’m going to do the same.” He grinned at Jay’s furious blush.

Two months later, Kyle and Jay knocked on Tommy and Andy’s door. Within moments, the door was opened and Tommy ushered them inside. “Hey guys. What’s up?”

“We have something for you guys.” When Andy joined them, Jay opened the door and retrieved a large package from outside. “Here, open this.” He handed it to Andy.

Tears sprung from Andy’s eyes as he opened the photograph. “I thought this photograph was sold.”

“The art gallery put a ‘sold’ tag on it at my request to prevent anyone else from buying it.” Jay explained.

“Jay, we can’t accept this. It belongs in the art gallery, or on some rich person’s wall.”

“No, it doesn’t. It belongs on your wall. You can accept it, because we’re not giving you guys any choice. You’re only choice you have is where you’re going to put it.”

“But why would you pull a photograph from the exhibit and give it to us when you could easily have sold it for a small fortune.”

“It’s my way of showing you guys our love and appreciation for all the support you’ve given me over the exhibit and the new job. Kyle told me about taking out a subscription to About Town and why you were doing it.”

“It’s nothing, Jay. We believe in you and your gift of photography. We can’t wait to see your photographs in print.”

“Well, you won’t have to wait long. The next edition will have a couple of pictures I took of the Old Stone Church for a historical edition.”

“Fantabulous. I can’t wait to get a copy it. This calls for a celebration, dinner and club on us.”

“That sounds good to us.

After a leisurely meal at their favorite restaurant, Ruby Tuesday’s, the four best friends hit every nightclub in town. Jay got mobbed in one of the clubs by patrons wanting his autograph for, unbeknownst to any of them the latest issue of About Town had a feature article about the exhibit and included a blurb about Jay becoming a photographer for the magazine. The issue even featured a photograph of Jay on the cover. Nobody understood why Jay was being mobbed until one of the ladies at the club presented him a copy of the magazine for him to sign. Jay excused himself and left the club, going to a nearby drug store to get a copy of the magazine. Standing there in the middle of the store, he couldn’t believe what he was reading. He was embarrassed to discover that the issue was a special issue focused solely on him and the exhibit.

When he returned to the club a few minutes later, Kyle asked him, “Where did you go?”

“I went to the drug store and picked up a copy of the magazine.” He held it up. Kyle all but snatched it out of his hand and started looking through it.

“Hey, guys, check this out!” He said to Tommy and Andy. “The entire issue is devoted completely to Jay and the exhibit!” His voice, quivering slightly, was filled with love and pride.

“Where’d you get it?” Tommy asked Jay.

“There’s a drug store two doors down.”

Tommy and Andy ran out the door. “GRAB ONE FOR ME TOO!” Kyle yelled after them.

They returned a few minutes later with about two dozen copies. “We want to make sure everyone gets a copy.” Andy explained. They left the club a few minutes later and found a nearby all-night diner where they sat and read the entire magazine from cover to cover over coffee and pie.

The next day Tommy and Andy happily went from one friend’s house to another, distributing copies of the magazine. After the tenth phone call from their friends, Jay turned his cell phone off. “I’m going to kill those two!”

Kyle was enjoying all the attention Jay was receiving immensely. “You know, someday the shoe might be on the other foot.” Jay said to him, slightly irritated, not knowing that his words were not merely speculative, but also prophetic as well.

Approximately six months after the historical issue hit the news stands that Jay started receiving offers from other magazines as well, all of which he turned down. He was happy with About Town, and being employed fulltime by the FBI, he didn’t want anything to detract from his work for them. He loved the magazine and he loved the people he worked with. They gave the choicest assignments to him, and always understood whenever he had to refuse an assignment because of his regular job. The best part was that most of the assignments were on nights, early evenings and weekends, so Kyle was able to accompany him.

He was surprised when, on one assignment, Tisha joined him. “Jay, I have the latest circulation figures. It seems that, since you’ve joined us, circulation has almost doubled. Advertizing revenues are also increasing. We’re going to have to increase the size of the magazine in order to accommodate all of the requests for advertizing space.”

“Wow! That’s amazing!”

Just then Kyle came rushing up, camera bag over his shoulder and gorilla pod in one hand, which he handed over to Jay. “Here’s your gorilla pod.”

“I see you have yourself an assistant. Hi, I’m Tisha Jones, owner and managing editor of About Town.” She extended her hand to Kyle.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jones. I’m Kyle.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Kyle.” She frowned slightly. “I thought I knew everyone at the magazine. When did you start working for us?” She asked, puzzled.

“I don’t. I’m just helping Jay out.”

She turned to Jay. “May I ask how much you’re paying him?”

“I’m not paying him anything. Kyle is my boyfriend.” Jay responded, a note of nervousness creeping into his voice.

“You don’t say? Well, we can’t have someone accompanying you on assignment that’s not on the payroll.” She turned to Kyle. “First thing Monday morning, stop by my office to fill out some paperwork. As of right now, you are hired as Photographer’s Assistant, which will pay you one hundred dollars per assignment.” She turned to Jay. “That is, if that’s alright with you.”

“I appreciate the offer, Ms. Jones –”

“Tisha” she interrupted.

“Tisha, the thing is, I’m a fulltime school teacher and can’t always accompany Jay on assignments.”

“So you will accompany him — and get paid — on whatever assignments you can. When you’re not available, we’ll have another assistant accompany him. Do we have a deal?” She extended her hand.

Kyle looked at Jay, who nodded. He shook her hand. “We do. I won’t be able to stop by until after school, if that’s alright.”

“That’s fine. Now, what is this ‘gorilla pod’? I’ve never heard of one.”

Jay handed it to her. “It’s a small tripod with flexible legs. It allows you to mount a camera on a fence, tree limb, or pole. Here, I’ll show you.” Using the gorilla pod, he mounted his camera to a nearby tree branch and took a couple of pictures of some swans swimming in a pond which he showed to Tisha.

“So that’s how you got some of the pictures you did. I’m going to have to get a few of these to have on hand for the other staff photographers. Where did you get it?”

“Kyle got it for me.”

“I bought it at a camera shop over on Third Avenue and Columbus Street.”

“Cool. Well, I’ll let you guys get to it. Don’t forget to come by and sign the paperwork. I’ll backdate it to cover the assignments you went on with him. I assume you went on most of them?”

“I only went on the night and weekend assignments.”

“Okay. You guys take care.”

“Bye Tisha!”

“Goodbye, and thank you, Tisha.”

“Well that was unexpected. Welcome aboard, ‘assistant’.”

“Shut up and kiss me!” Kyle growled, and order which Jay was all too eager to obey.

Chapter 5

As soon as Karin walked through the door, she yelled out to her lover, “Honey, I’m home!”

“Hi sweetie, how was your day?” Denise came out of the kitchen and gave her lover a hug and kiss.

“Same shit, different diaper. I was so busy doing everyone else’s work I wasn’t able to get my own done.”

“Have you tried talking to your supervisor about it?”

“She’s the one making me do all this work, but that’s enough about my work. How was your day?”

“It was great. I signed three new accounts today.”

“That’s wonderful, Denise. This calls for a celebration.” Karin cried excitedly.

“What did you have in mind” Denise replied as she snuggled up to Karin on the couch.

“How about dinner and a movie or we can go out dancing, whatever you want.”

“It’s only five o’clock, plenty of time to throw a party together and invite everybody.”

“Why would you want to throw a party on such short notice? It’ll be hard to get people to come.” Karin replied a little confused.

“First, it’s Friday night.”

“That’s my point. Everybody probably has already made plans.”

“Yeah, and I’m betting those plans include watching the season premier of Dante’s Cove.”

“That’s tonight???” Karin asked, excitement creeping into her voice.

“Yep, we could have a premier party.”

“Let’s do it! I’ll go get munchies and some finger food, you call everyone.” Karin grabbed her car keys and ran out the door as Denise starting making phone calls.

“Hey, Jayson, it’s Denise. What are you guys doing tonight?”

“Tommy and Andy are coming over to watch the season premier of Dante’s Cove.”

“You’re plans just changed. You’re coming over here for our premier party.”

“Cool. What time?”

“Any time you want to come over. Can you call Tommy and Andy for me?”

“Sure. Anyone else you want me to call?”

“Can you also call Kim and Bryan? Karin will be back shortly with all the supplies and I need to help her get everything set up.”

“Sure, no problem, see you soon.” He hung up. “KYLE!”

“What Jay?” Kyle came out of the bedroom, fresh from a shower, drying his hair.

“Change of plans. Everyone is invited to a Dante’s Cove season premier party at Denise and Karin’s.”

“And the reason we haven’t left yet is?”

“I need to take a shower. Can you call Tommy or Andy, Kim or Bryan and let them know they’re invited as well?”

“Sure, after I help you with your shower.” Kyle replied as he followed Jay into the master bathroom.

“Ah, no, we’ll never get there in time. Go make the calls while I take a quick shower.”

“At least let me watch.” He begged.

“Out” Jay gave him a playful shove towards the living room.

As everyone got comfortable around the Denise and Karin’s spacious living room, plates full of food and drinks in hand, the conversation turned to a recap of the last season and speculation as to what the new season would bring.

“Poor Kevin and Toby” Kim started the conversation. “They just can’t seem to get it together, can they?”

“I can’t help but wonder if it’s like Adam said when they were under the influence of that love charm. Perhaps he and Toby are supposed to be together. After all, who was the first person by his side when Adam was going through saint withdrawal? Toby” Tommy replied.

“What about Kevin? Does that mean that he’s supposed to be with Ambrosius? That’s just wrong.”

“Not any more wrong than Marco and Kai getting together.” Kyle responded.

“But they’re minor characters. The whole series started around Kevin and Toby. Besides, Kai is a pig. I can’t see Marco staying with him.

“Here’s something to chew on” Bryan piped up. “Ambrosius is pure evil. How’s that going to affect Kevin? Does that mean he’s going to turn evil?”

Karin shuddered visibly. “I don’t even want to think about that. One thing I’m curious about. According to Diana, Ambrosius was supposed to get the Libra power at the solstice in order to restore balance to Tresum…”

“Or not” Jay interrupted, imitating one of the show’s characters.

“The thing is he didn’t get the power. Van did. What’s that all about?”

“Is she a good witch or a bad witch?” Andy interjected with a quote from The Wizard of Oz doing his best Judy Garland imitation.

“She’s Grace’s aspirant, so it could go either way.”

“Was it me, or did Grace mellow towards the end?” Jay asked.

“No, she definitely mellowed. She was crying when she returned the moon to its original color.”

“Ok, it’s starting. Everyone shut up” Denise commanded as the show started.

“Man, I feel so bad for Adam. He’s so in love with Toby he can’t see straight, and Toby doesn’t seem the least bit interested.” Remarked Kim after the show was over and everyone was helping clean up.

“I know what that feels like.” Tommy replied. “During my junior and senior years in high school I had the biggest crush on a guy who wasn’t the least bit interested in me.”

“Really” Andy asked. “Who was that?”

“Nobody you know. He ended up enlisting in the military and was killed overseas during the Persian Gulf War.

“Oh, God, baby. I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I ended up with the man of my dreams.”

“Just like Toby is the man of Adam’s dreams. Now that Kevin is with Bro that leaves the door wide open for Toby and Adam to get together. I think they’d make a great couple.” Bryan commented.

“Did you see the look on Adam’s face when he was rubbing Toby’s shoulders and Toby remarked how glad he was to be done with the ‘whole couples thing’? He was really hurt.” Denise said.

“I’d like to know what’s up with Grace.” Kyle chimed in. “One minute she’s a cast-iron bitch, the next minute she’s as sweet as can be. Look at her reaction over Van’s death. Plus, I think deep down she’s got the hots for Griff. When she first arrived back at the island, was that saint in her hair?”

“Looked like it. I loved it when she walked in on Brit and Elena.”

“And when did Kevin become magical and be able to read the Sun book? How did that come about?”

“Either something happened to him during the Libra solstice, or Bro’s been teaching him. Apparently Tresum is something anyone can learn.

“There’s one thing about Tresum that confuses me.” Jay joined in the conversation. “During one of last season’s episodes, Van told Toby that female energy comes from the moon and water, and male energy comes from the sun and fire. How was it that Griff was able to use both energies to take Diana’s power away from her?”

“It must have something to do with Griff being a representative of the Tresum Council.”

“I’d like to know why Michelle attacked Marco on the beach. Did you see her eyes? They reminded me of Corey’s eyes when Ambrosius first enslaved him in the season 1 finale.”

“You think she’s possessed by Grace or Bro?”

“No. Remember she told Toby that she didn’t want to be anywhere near either one of them.”

“Then who, Griff?

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to wait for the next episode.”

“That new guy, Trevor, I’ve seen him somewhere before, but I can’t figure out where.” Denise said, puzzled.

“That’s Reichen Lehmkuhl. He and his lover won the Amazing Race a few years ago.

“You’re right. I remember now. I didn’t know he was an actor.”

“Maybe not then, but he is now.”

“Well, I know what I’m doing this weekend while Jay’s working.” Kyle said.

“What’s that?” Andy asked.

“I’m going to re-watch all of seasons 1 and 2. Anyone who wants to come over and watch them with me is welcome.”

“How are you going to do that?” Karin asked.

“I have them on DVD.”

“Wow! Where did you find them? I’ve been looking everywhere for them.” Denise asked, excited.

“I ordered them from amazon-dot-com. They come in a boxed set with the un-aired original pilot. ”

“Awesome. I’ll order it tomorrow.”

“I hate to be a buzz kill, but I have to work this weekend, so I need to get going. It’s almost midnight.” Jay said, reluctantly.

“I think we should all call it a night.” Andy said, getting up. “Denise, Karin thank you guys for having us over. I had a great time.”

Jay, Kyle, Tommy, Bryan and Kim all expressed similar sentiments as they all hugged their hosts before departing for their various homes.

Chapter 6

Kyle stood looking out the window at the waves crashing on the beach. The storm that was raging outside seemed like a direct reflection of his inner turmoil.

Where did I go wrong? He asked himself. He felt empty inside. The house felt empty. He turned and started walking through the house. His footsteps resounded in the emptiness. His mind wandered back, back to that day, less than a week ago when he came home early from work and found Jayson having sex with another guy.

I must have done something to drive him into the arms of another man. Did I not love him enough? Did I smother him? What did I do wrong? He collapsed into the nearest chair sobbing. The image of a naked man on top of an equally naked Jayson, thrusting into him over and over again in the middle of the living room, floor was burned deep into his brain.

The one thing that really bothered him about the whole situation was that Jay was never a bottom, which was fine, since Kyle loved being a bottom. Still, there was something about the way Jay just laid there, unmoving while the other guy screwed him. It was like when he’d see a show about a woman getting raped who finally surrendered to the inevitable, as if by submitting it would be over that much sooner.

Was that it? Was he being raped? I highly doubt it. He would have fought tooth and nail, and being that he could bench-press over 400 pounds, not to mention being a brown-belt in Tae Kwon Do, he could have easily overpowered and beat the shit out of his attacker. No, he allowed the sex to take place.

Still, when he pulled the guy off of him, he could have sworn Jay was crying. But that could be from being caught cheating. He stood up and started pacing. “So what do I do now?” he said to no one in particular. Maybe I should have given him the chance to explain. But what explanation could there be he” he wondered. He got out his cell phone and hit the speed-dial button for Jay, but couldn’t bring himself to hit the talk button. He threw the phone on the couch, walked to the sliding glass door and looked out at the beach where the two of them spent many a summer’s day, laying on the beach, taking moonlit walks and making love. “WHY?” He screamed and collapsed on the floor, crying.

Suddenly the phone rang. He looked at it angrily, furious at the intrusion. It rang again and again. Finally the answering machine picked up. “Hi, this is Kyle and Jayson. We’re either not here or we’re involved in something we’re sure you don’t want to know about. Please leave a message and we’ll return your call as soon as we either get home or we’re finished doing whatever it is that we’re doing.” BEEP. I’ve got to change that message. He mentally noted.

“Hey guys, its Tommy. We missed you at the ball game…”

He picked up the phone reluctantly. “Hey.” His voice was a barely audible whisper.

“Kyle? It’s Tommy. We missed you and Jay at the ball game last night.” The sound of Kyle’s voice finally registered. “Are you all right? Has something happened?”

After several false starts, Kyle finally told his best friend what happened. “I came home early the other day and caught Jay being screwed by another guy. I threw him out.”

“Oh, my God, we’ll be right over.” Tommy said before hanging up.

“Andy, Kyle caught Jay cheating on him and threw him out.”

“Holy sheep-shit Batman” Andy responded, total shock coloring his tone. “What in hell could have made Jay do something stupid like that? He’s absolutely crazy about Kyle. It doesn’t make any sense. How could it have happened?”

“I’m sure Kyle’s asking himself the very same questions. But if I know him, he’s blaming himself. We need to get over there and fast. I thought Kyle was kind of out of it the last couple of days, but never in a million years would I have suspected this.”

“After five years, I wouldn’t have suspected it either.”

A few minutes later they arrived at Kyle’s.

“I don’t know what I did wrong. I did my best to please him, both in and out of bed. I even let him handcuff me that one time, even though I was scared and hated every minute of it. The only thing I can think of is that I’m too old, fat or ugly for him.”

Tommy practically choked on his iced tea. “Puh-leeze, you’re what, six-foot-three, two-hundred-twenty-five pounds? That’s no where near being fat. I wish I had your body and your looks. You’re drop-dead gorgeous. Not to mention those painted-on jeans you wear is enough to make even a straight man want to fuck your brains out. You are, always have been and always will be a super-hottie! Besides, twenty-nine is hardly old.”

“Yeah, right” he sighed in disbelief. “I don’t have six-pack abs, or chest hair, I’m blond and blind-as-a-bat without my contacts. I have blue eyes…”

“Gorgeous sea-blue eyes with the longest lashes I’ve ever seen.” Andy interrupted.

Tommy lifted Kyle’s shirt, revealing well-defined abdominal muscles. “And what do you call this?” he asked.

“Whatever,” Kyle continued, ignoring Tommy, slapping his hand away, “and you know what they say about the intelligence level of blonds. I’m a total Twinkie. The guy that was screwing Jay had brown hair, green eyes and even his muscles had muscles. He was everything I’m not.”

“Let’s see…asshole, prick, cock-sucker, dickhead, scumbag, slime ball…yep you’re right. He’s everything you’re not. Look, hon, there’s one thing you absolutely are not, and that’s a Twinkie! It wasn’t your fault. It had nothing to do with you. You didn’t do anything wrong. Jay did. He’s the one who fucked up royally, not you! I know you’re hurting. I – we – are here for you.

Kyle hugged him. “You don’t know how much that means to me.” The tears came again. Finally, Kyle let go of Tommy and fell back against the couch.

“Man, you look exhausted.”

“I haven’t been able to sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Jay getting screwed by that asshole.”

When did you eat last?”

“I don’t remember. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”

Tommy looked over at Andy who already had his cell phone out and was dialing their favorite Chinese delivery restaurant. He ordered everybody’s favorite dish then affixed Kyle with a stern look. “Dinner will be here in a half-hour and you are going to eat every bit of it.” He said in a tone that didn’t allow for any argument. Kyle just looked at him sheepishly and nodded.

“Why don’t you tell me what happened?” Andy asked gently.

Kyle leaned back and was silent for a few moments. Leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, he sighed heavily then began to explain what had happened. “Monday afternoon I got a call from the curator over at the art gallery. He wants to do an exhibit of my paintings.”

“That’s wonderful. When’s the exhibit?”

“In two weeks. Anyway, since I left right after my last class and came home to decide which paintings I wanted to show. I opened the front door and there they were screwing in the middle of the floor. I grabbed the guy around the waist and pulled him off of Jay. He yelled out like it hurt. I hope it did. I literally threw the guy out of the house through the front door, bare-assed naked, and his clothes out the back door. I don’t know how I did it. I was so pissed. Then I called nine-one-one and reported a naked man running around my house.”

Tommy and Andy snickered at the vision of a naked man running around the house looking for his clothes.

“Jay got up in my face and started screaming, something about not knowing what I had just done. I knocked him on his ass, told him to get dressed and get the hell out. After he left I moved all of his stuff out into the garage. All I can say is that I’m so very thankful that my parents left me this house.”

“Did you get his keys?”

“No, but I did change the locks and the code on the alarm system.”

The doorbell rang announcing the arrival of dinner. As the three best friends gathered around the dinner table, the conversation took a slightly different direction.

“So what are you going to do now? If you need anything, money, a shoulder to cry on, whatever, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here for you, but we can’t be unless you let us. Can you manage the expenses of this place by yourself?”

“My parents owned it outright, so there’s no mortgage to worry about. I set aside money from each paycheck to cover the taxes when they’re due. With him gone, the utility bills won’t be as much. Every light in the house won’t be on and there’ll be a lot less hot water used. I’ve got some money tucked away for emergencies, so I think I’ll be okay financially. I really appreciate your offer though. Perhaps, if you guys are not busy after dinner you could do me a small favor?”

“Blow jobs and fucking are out of the question, but other than that, name it.” Tommy replied, tongue-in-cheek.

“Would you help me pick out the paintings for the exhibit? I need fourteen of them.”

“Okay. That would be fun.”

After several hours the selection of over fifty paintings were whittled down to the required fourteen. Kyle said goodnight to his best friends drank some hot chocolate and went to bed. For the first time since the incident, he slept deeply.

Chapter 7

Jayson sat on the park bench, his head in his hands, hot tears burning his cheeks. “Oh, God, what have I done?” His heart broke. “If only I hadn’t taken that fucking job, then I never would have gotten myself into this mess.”

He remembered the day he took the job with the FBI. It was a risk, he knew. If his sexuality had been known, his security clearance would never have been granted and he wouldn’t have the job he loved more than anything in the world. Or used to until Kyle entered his life.

His mind wandered back. Back eight years when he was fresh out of the FBI academy working on his first case, the disappearance of a high-profile federal lawyer and his wife, also a high-profile federal lawyer.

Accompanying the senior field agent to interview the family members of the missing couple, he couldn’t take his eyes of the couple’s son. He was absolutely the hottest guy he had ever seen in his life. He seemed so lost, so vulnerable, so scared that he wanted to take him into his arms and comfort him, but he suspected any moves on his part would be rebuffed. Looking around the living room, there were numerous photos of him with various women. Score one for their side he thought, somewhat disappointed.

Wandering through the house looking for clues as to who might have kidnapped the parents and how, he came across the son’s bedroom. Even though he knew the guy was straight, he couldn’t resist peeking in. The first thing that caught his eye was a shelf full of books. He glanced at the titles. “The Front Runner”…”Daytime Drama”…”Last Summer” and one that really surprised him, “The Joy of Gay Sex.” Puzzled, he continued to look around the room and found a small gay pride rainbow flag on the desk. His heart soared. Obviously the son was gay, and about his age. So how do I proceed? He wondered.

“Looking for something in particular?” A soft, melodic voice came from behind him, startling him.

“I’m sorry. I was looking for the bathroom and walking by the door I noticed the bookshelf.” He said. “You have a very nice collection. I’ve always wanted to read Last Summer. I’ve heard a lot about it.”

“It’s my favorite. Would you like to borrow it?” And screw my brains out while you’re at it. Kyle thought.

What I’d really like is to fuck your brains out. He said to himself. Aloud he said “Yes, I would, if that’s okay with you.”

Kyle got the book and gave it to Jay. “Sure. Here you go.” Giving him an appraising look, eyes lingering momentarily on his crotch, he sat back on the bed in a very provocative position, his posture and facial expression challenging Jay to make a move on him. “Any idea what might have happened to my parents?”

“Not at the moment.” He replied, sitting on the edge of the bed, close, but not too close, and setting the book on the desk. Put the brakes on, Jay. He admonished himself. He had to be careful. This was a federal investigation, and the last thing he needed was to get personally – and romantically – involved with a possible suspect. “But I assure you we’ll do everything we can.” He patted Kyle on the ankle before standing up. “If you don’t mind, I’ll stop by later and pick up the book.”

“Sure.”

“Now if you would be so kind as to point me in the direction of the bathroom…”

“It’s third door on the right.”

“Thanks.” Jay beat a hasty retreat, hoping that Kyle wouldn’t notice his raging hardon. Kyle, on the other hand, had noticed it, and was hoping the hot young FBI Agent would notice his arousal, but apparently he hadn’t. Kyle, you idiot! He’s an FBI Agent investigating the disappearance of your parents, and most likely you’re a possible suspect. Interested or not, he can’t get involved with you until after the investigation. Go take a cold shower or beat off or something. Better, yet, he has to come back this way so give him a glimpse of what could be his if he wants it. He rolled over onto his stomach and spread his legs slightly apart, giving anyone who passed by his room a good view of his butt.

Passing back by the bedroom door, Jay peeked in and saw Kyle lying on his stomach, legs spread as if challenging him to make a move. He looked him over carefully, eyes lingering on his butt. He never saw such tight jeans on a man before. Cursing his growing erection, it took all of his control to keep from lying down on top of him, from caressing him, from making love to him, which is obviously what they both wanted. He wanted him so badly he couldn’t stand it, but he couldn’t make a move for fear of compromising the investigation. However, he could give him his business card. That was innocent enough, perhaps even expected. Maybe after the investigation was over, the son would call him. The possibility that Kyle could have had anything to do with his parents’ disappearance never even entered his mind.

Jay knocked on the door frame. Kyle raised himself to his hands and knees, imitating a stretch, butt high in the air. He slowly lay back down, turned over and sat up, not even trying to hide his erection. There was no point. The gorgeous FBI Agent was most definitely gay. “I must have fallen asleep.”

“I’m sorry to wake you. We’ve finished up here.” Jay entered his room, holding his business card in his outstretched hand. “Here’s my card. If you can think of anything, anything at all, no matter how trivial or unimportant it might seem, please call me.”

Kyle took the business card. An electric shock passed between them as their fingers briefly touched. They locked eyes with each other. “I will. Please call me if you find out anything.” Please call me, period.

“I will let you know as soon as we have any information.” Believe me I most definitely will call you as soon as this investigation is over.” But since Kyle left for college the following month in another state, the call was never made.

Bringing his thoughts back to present time, he pondered his situation. What made things worse was that his immediate supervisor was homophobic to the point of violence. It made his life a living hell. He couldn’t go anywhere with Kyle without looking over his shoulder, let alone be seen in public holding hands, hugging or kissing the man he loved more than life itself. Kyle, who was totally out and didn’t care who knew he was gay, was very understanding of his situation and did his best to help Jay maintain his secret other life. It wasn’t difficult as Kyle was the type that you would never suspect would be gay. He didn’t flame, nor wear outrageous clothing or gay-themed t-shirts, and was very athletic. He didn’t fit any of the stereotypes typically associated with homosexual men. He was careful not to give anyone any reason to suspect that he was gay, so very careful. Then one day he slipped.

His truck was in the shop having new brakes installed, so Kyle had given him a ride to work. After looking around to make sure nobody saw them, he gave Kyle a goodbye kiss, the kiss lingering longer than it should have. One of his co-workers pulled up just as he broke the kiss. They separated quickly, but not quickly enough to avoid being seen. He believed -hoped- that they weren’t seen. He was to find out a few weeks later how wrong he was.

One day at home while checking his personal email, he received a message that was destined to change his life. The anonymous message stated simply:

“I know about you and your secret lover boy. If you don’t want your secret revealed to the entire FBI organization, call the following number at one pm on Friday, May twenty-ninth: 555-1540. Failure to call this number and follow the instructions will result in an FBI investigation into you and your lover.”

His eyes bulged from their sockets as he saw pictures of the two of them kissing, holding hands, and making love on the beach. His throat closed. How did they find out about me and Kyle? That thought occupied his mind for the rest of the week. Finally the appointed time arrived. He dialed the number as instructed. A man’s voice answered.

“Ah Jayson, you’re right on time. I like that. I like you. I bet you’re incredible in bed.”

“You’ll never find out.”

“Oh trust me. I fully intend to, and soon.”

“Fuck you!”

“No, I’m the one who will be fucking you, unless you want your boyfriend to disappear. It would be very easy to arrange his disappearance. Never to be seen or heard from again. His remains would never be found.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Ah, but I would, with one simple phone call.”

Jay sighed, helplessly. Having been in the FBI for almost nine years, he knew how easy it would be to make that threat a reality. This he would never allow to happen.

“What to you want?”

“What I want is to fuck you, pure and simple. I want to shove my dick so far up your ass that it will come out your mouth.”

“When and where?”

“I’ll be at your place two hours from now.”

“There’s one condition. After you finish fucking me, you’ll leave us alone.”

“Well, now that depends on you. If you are as good in bed as I think you are, I may decide I want to fuck you whenever I’m horny, which is most of the time.”

“You fucking bastard!”

A lewd chuckle was heard. “I’ll see you in two hours.”

Two-and-a-half hours later, Kyle walked in on them. He felt the strange man pulled off of him. He laid there crying for a few moments, relieved that the sex was over. He got up and rushed over to Kyle, afraid for him, wanting to explain, but Kyle punched him in the stomach, knocking him to the floor.

What was worse was that Kyle threw him out without giving him a chance to explain. What was he going to do now? Kyle was his entire world, his whole life. He refused to answer or return any of his calls, a sure indication that it was over between them. Five years down the drain. Try as he might, he couldn’t blame him. Kyle had been cheated on before, and Jay swore he would never cheat on him. He loved him too much. But he wasn’t given a choice. Letting the stranger fuck him was the only way to protect him, since he didn’t even know who the guy was. He had the number traced, but it led, not surprisingly, to a payphone. The email message was also a dead end, leading back to an internet café account.

What was he to do? He couldn’t bear the thought of living without him. He got up and started walking. Suddenly several men and a woman jumped out of the bushes and surrounded him.

“We meet at long last” the woman snarled. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Mister Undercover FBI Agent. You just couldn’t leave things alone, could you? You had to stick your nose where it didn’t belong. Because of you, my father and brother are in prison for the rest of their lives.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked, a note of fear creeping into his voice.

“I’m talking about the investigation in to the death of those two lawyers…Michaels….Morehouse…something along those lines.”

“Matthews?”

“That’s them. They led the investigation into my family’s organization and prosecuted my father and brother. They would never have been convicted if it hadn’t been for you. You destroyed my family. Now I’ve destroyed yours. I’m the one who followed you and your lover and took all of those pictures, then passed them onto my cousin, who took more than a slight interest in you.” Her smile was full of satisfied malice, as evil as Jay had even seen on even the most hardened of criminals. “But if you think I’m going to simply rob you of the love of your life, you’re sadly mistaken. I’m going to rob you of everything, including your life.” She nodded to her henchmen. Jay was suddenly restrained by several men as he was stabbed over and over again.

“I will love you forever, Kyle.” Jay said as he lost consciousness.

Chapter 8

Tommy and Andy contemplated the events of the evening as they relaxed at home.

“I wish I knew what to do or say to help him. I know he’s hurting, but…” Tommy said, sadly, shrugging his shoulders to indicate his helplessness.

“I do too. I wonder why Jay did it. He’s so much in love with Kyle that he’s all he could talk about.” Andy responded, puzzled. “I only know of one way to find out.” He grabbed the phone and dialed Jay’s number. “Strange.”

“What’s strange?”

“No answer. His voicemail didn’t pick up. I got a recording saying that the subscriber was temporarily unavailable. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like the sound of it. It’s not like him to just drop off the face of the earth. I hope something hasn’t happened to him.” Tommy said, a note of worry creeping into his voice.

“Well, I’m sure he’ll turn up eventually.”

“I hope so. I’d really like to know what happened. He must have had a very compelling reason for having sex with that guy. He’s not the type to cheat on someone he loves so much, unless he doesn’t love Kyle as much as he says he does.”

“Possibly, but I find that hard it believe. Maybe he’s on a case undercover somewhere.”

“Hmmm, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Wherever he is, I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“You don’t think…” Andy began.

“I’m just thinking worse case scenario. Frankly, I’m more worried about Kyle. I’ve never seen him so distraught. We need to do something to snap him out of this funk he’s in.”

“Got any ideas?”

“I’m clueless. Wait a minute! His birthday is next week. We should plan a surprise party.”

“Good idea.”

Tommy glanced at the shelf full of board and card games in the corner of their apartment. “And I know just what to get him.” He picked up his cell phone and dialed Kim’s number. “Hello?”

“Hey, Kim, it’s Tommy. Andy and I were just sitting here talking about Kyle’s situation and…”

“What situation?” Kim interrupted.

“Yesterday he got home from work early and walked in on Jay having sex with another guy in the middle of the living room floor.”

“You’ve got to be shitting me. Jay? Cheating on Kyle? That’s not possible. I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it. Kyle’s a basket case over it. He’s blaming it all on himself.”

“Damn! I’ve got to head over there.”

“Before you go, let me ask you something. We want to throw him a surprise birthday party. How do you think it will affect him?”

“I don’t know. Let me feel him out and I’ll get back to you.”

“Okay. We’ll plan it, but won’t call anybody until we hear back from you. Thanks, Kim.”

“You’re welcome, Tommy. I’ll call you as soon as I see him. Later.”

“Hasta la pizza!”

Kim called outside to her husband, who was raking the lawn. “Bryan, can you come in for a minute?”

As he came into the house, she indicated that he should sit down. “I just got a call from Tommy. Apparently, yesterday Kyle got home early and found Jay having sex with another guy. According to him, Kyle’s pretty messed up about it.”

“Oh my God, Kim, what in hell could have gotten into Jayson?” He replied, shocked.

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out and ream him a new asshole or three or four. How dare he do that to my little brother?” Big sister protective instincts kicked into high gear. “I’m heading over there to see him. I’ll see you later.”

Shortly thereafter she arrived at Kyle’s. She walked in on him curled up in the fetal position on the couch, staring off into nothingness. She noted the puffiness of his eyes and the dark circles that were starting to form under them. The sight of her normally wild and crazy, fun-loving, animated little brother like this broke her heart into a million pieces. She approached him, softly calling his name. No response. She knelt at his side and put her hand on his arm. “Ky-Ky” she called him by his childhood nickname.

He was up like a shot, wrapping his arms around her and crying huge, wracking sobs. Without letting go of him, she rose up and sat on the couch, holding him tighter. When the tears finally subsided, she gently pushed him away so she could wipe away his tears. “Tommy just told me. Baby brother, I’m so, so, so sorry. What happened? Do you want to talk about it?” He just shook his head. She pulled him closer and rocked him gently, a feeling of total helplessness engulfing her. When they were children, she had always looked after him, being older, rougher and tougher than the almost delicate Kyle until he came into his own. Again, the protective big sister wanted to find and kick the shit out of Jayson. She was so pissed at him for what he did to her beloved little brother she couldn’t see straight. “Where is he now?”

“I don’t know. I threw him out and told him never to return except to get his things out of MY house.”

“Well, God help him if I ever get my hands on him. He will pay dearly for what he’s done to you.”

He pulled away so he could look directly at her. “You’re going to give him the Mickey Myers treatment?” He laughed in spite of himself, referring to the time when he was ten years old and she beat up the neighborhood bully who had given him one too many bloody noses.

“You laughed! Actually, what I have planned for him is a thousand times worse. I’m going to castrate him and have his dick over-stuffed. Then I’m going to shove it up his ass without any lubrication!” This made Kyle laugh even more. “That’s better. We’re all going to help you get through this.”

“That means more to me than you can imagine. I feel so alone.”

“You’re not alone. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call me, Bryan, Tommy, Andy, Denise or Karin and we’ll be here as quickly as we possibly can. You know that. You’ve always dropped everything and come running whenever any of us needed you. Now it’s our turn.”

“Thanks, Kim. Even though I’m so thoroughly pissed at him that I could chew nails and spit out thumbtacks, I miss him terribly.”

“I know you do, sweetie.” She gathered him in her arms again and continued to rock him. A few minutes later, Bryan walked in, sat down and wrapped his arms around Kyle and Kim.

“I’m so sorry you’re going through this, Kyle, but know that you’re not alone.” He said softly to his much loved brother-in-law. “We’ll help you get through this. We’re here for you. Anytime you need us, you call us, night or day, I don’t care. You need us, you call us.”

“Thanks, Bryan, but I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. Nobody can go through what you just did and be okay. Go look at yourself in a mirror and tell me you’re okay.”

“I can’t.”

“My point exactly.”

They all sat silently for about an hour until Kyle relaxed. “You guys don’t need to stay. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“What we have to do is be here for you. Your needs are the most important right now.”

“Seriously, it’s going on midnight. You have the twins to take care of.”

“They’re fine.” Bryan interjected. “My mother is taking care of them. She’s deeply concerned about you. She considers you another son, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know.” He knew she liked and accepted him, but didn’t know she considered him another son.

“Yes, she does. She wants me to find Jayson so she can string him up by his balls and shove a cattle prod up his ass.” Kyle laughed at the mental vision of her tiny body stringing the big guy up and the glee on her face as she hit the button on the cattle prod up his ass. “That’s much, much better.” Kyle laughed until he cried, hugging his hurting sides.

When the laughter subsided he hugged them both. “Thanks. I needed that.” He said, wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes.

“We’re going to head out and let you get some sleep. I meant what I said earlier. You call us anytime day or night if you need anything!”

“Okay, I will.” Kyle hugged his sister and brother-in-law one more time as they left to go home.

The following morning, Kim called Tommy. “I went to see Kyle last night and I think the birthday party is exactly what he needs right now. He needs to be surrounded by family and friends. Bryan and I will take care of the cake and the drinks, if you’ll take care of the decorations.”

“You got it. Let’s plan on everyone getting there around three-thirty.”

“Okay. See you then.”

A few days later…

“Well, I’ve contacted everyone. They’ll be there. If everyone brings what they say they’re bringing, we’ll have more food than we can possibly eat.” Andy said, grinning, returning home from work.

“Cool. I picked up his present today. He’s going to totally flip over it.”

“I hope so, Baby.” Andy bent down and gave him a kiss. “I’d like for the three of us to be alone when we give it to him.”

“Why?” Tommy asked, puzzled.

“If I know him he’s going to want to play as soon as he opens it. He told me his students talk about it all the time and it’s piqued his curiosity.”

“Then it’s perfect.” He got up and walked over to where Andy was standing, looking though the mail. “I have something for you.”

“What’s that?”

He took Andy’s hand and placed it up against his crotch. “This.” He responded, nuzzling Andy’s ear.

Andy moved to place his butt up against Tommy’s crotch and pulled Tommy’s arms around him. “That feels good.” he said, pushing his butt hard against Tommy’s growing erection.

“If you think this feels good, wait until I’m inside you.”

Andy turned around, kissed him hungrily, took him by the hand and led him into the bedroom.

Later, basking in the afterglow, Tommy picked up the phone and dialed.

“Hello?”

“Hey. It’s me. Just wanted to call and see how you are doing.”

“I’m doing okay, I guess. You caught me on the way out the door. Kim and Bryan invited me to dinner.”

“I won’t keep you, then. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Do you need anything?”

“The only thing I need right now is the one thing you can’t give me.”

“What’s that, Kyle?”

“I need the answer to the only question in my mind right now.

“And that is?” Tommy asked, already knowing the answer.

“Why?” whispered Kyle.

“I’m afraid there’s only one person who can answer that question.”

“I know.”

“Have you heard from him?”

“No, and I’m not sure I want to, either.”

“Well, hang in there and have a good time at your sister’s.”

“I will, and thanks for calling.”

“We love you and we’re here for you. Call us anytime, day or night and I mean ANYTIME.”

“Thanks. Give my love to Andy.”

“I will. Bye, Kyle. Talk to you soon.”

“Later.”

Chapter 9

The following week, a weary Kyle returned home from a very long, hard day at work. Within five minutes of arriving home there was a knock on the door. Wonderful he said to himself just what I needed, someone going door-to-door trying to sell stuff or get money for some cause. All attempts to get the school board to reinstate his club were in vain. He pointed out to them that some of the students’ grades had dropped since the cancellation of the club. A member of the school board even had the audacity to blame him for the decline in grades, inferring that he was a totally incompetent teacher. But that wasn’t the only thing on his mind. It would be the first time in five years that nobody was waiting for him at home to wish him a happy birthday. He never felt so alone in his life. He pictured is thirtieth birthday to be a fun-filled evening, ending with a night of really hot sex with Jay. Irritated, he stormed over to the door and threw it open.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY” the crowd of people outside his house screamed. Tommy and Andy stood in the doorway, holding out a large, brightly wrapped package, both with shit-eating grins on their faces. “Well, aren’t you going to let us in?” Andy asked the stunned man.

“O-of course” Kyle stammered in shock as he stood aside. Party guests flowed into his house, bearing food, drink, presents and decorations. Up went the decorations. Food and drink were spread out on the dining room table along with paper plates, cups and plastic utensils. Within a half-hour the party was in full swing. The cloud of depression that hung over him since the day he caught his lover with another man lifted and he was able to enjoy himself fully. The loneliness abated, even if it was just for a few hours.

Several hours later, all of the guests had departed and the house was once again immaculate. Outside of a refrigerator crammed full of food, Pepsi and the unconsumed remains of a huge birthday cake, there was no evidence that a party had ever taken place. The only guests remaining were Tommy and Andy.

He stretched out on the couch, tired but happy. “I can’t thank you guys enough for the party. I really needed it. Are you guys coming to the opening of my exhibit tomorrow?”

“We wouldn’t miss it. You know, you never did open our present.”

“Hmm, I thought I opened them all.” Kyle responded, confused. He sat up and began searching the mountain of gifts on the coffee table for an unopened package.

“We hid it on you. We wanted to be alone with you when you opened it.” Tommy went over to the dining room table, reached under it and pulled out the present. He returned to the living room and handed it to Kyle, who raised his eyebrows questioningly.

He opened the package and looked in. “Wow!” He exclaimed in astonished delight “Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot. My students talk about it all the time like it’s the greatest game on earth. I’ve wanted to try it, but I haven’t been able to find it.”

“I found it in a comic book store. Every Saturday night they play, and the owner said they’d be more than happy to have us join them and teach us how to play.”

“That would be awesome. Let’s do it this Saturday. We can get the whole gang to go.” Andy said, enthusiastically.

“Sounds like a plan.” The three friends spend the rest of the evening reading the rules, opening all of the expansion sets and looking through all of the cards.

Somewhere around eleven Andy yawned and stretched. “I really hate to do this, but we should get going. You must have a ton of shit to do for tomorrow.”

“Not really. Everything is being taken care of by the art gallery. All I have to do is show up and look pretty. Again, I can’t thank you guys enough for the party and the wonderful present. This would have been the first time in over five years that I would have spent my birthday alone.” The tears started flowing. Tommy moved to the couch, gathered Kyle into his arms and let him cry.

“Shh. It will be okay. You will never be alone as long as Andy and I are around.”

Kyle tightened his grip around Tommy’s neck and cried hard. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t handle being alone.” He sobbed.

Tommy looked at Andy helplessly. Andy walked over to the couch and squatted down. He placed a gentle hand on Kyle’s knee. “Would you like us to stay here with you tonight?”

Kyle sniffled then wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry to break down like that.” He said, ashamed. “I can’t ask you guys to do that. It’s too much of an imposition.”

“Bullshit!” Andy exclaimed. “It’s settled. We’re staying. If the situation was reversed, you’d do the same, wouldn’t you?”

Kyle sighed deeply. “Yeah, I would. You guys mean everything to me.” He shuddered and sighed again.

Tommy helped him up. “Let’s get you into bed. He helped Kyle to the master bedroom. Giving him a fierce hug he said goodnight.

Kyle performed his nightly rituals then came back into the living room to set the security alarm clad only in a pair of old gym shorts, which drew wolf-whistles from Tommy and Andy. He stopped, noticing his two closest friends trying to get comfortable on the couch. “What are you guys doing?”

“We’re trying to get comfortable.”

“Hello? There is the guest room.”

“I know. We didn’t want to mess it up by sleeping in the bed.”

“Shit. I don’t care if you have a wild orgy and leave cum and lubricant all over the sheets. It’s a guest room. It’s for guests to sleep in. Get your asses in there. Just please keep the moaning and groaning down to a dull roar!” He winked at them then set the alarm. Seeing that neither man had moved off of the couch, he grabbed them both by the ears and dragged them to the guest room laughing. “Good night and thanks.” He gave each of them a bear hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Good night, Kyle. Sleep well.” Tommy and Andy chorused.

“Good night, my friends.”

Two weeks later, on a Saturday, Kyle was awoken from his nap by the doorbell. He glanced at his watch. Five o’clock. I wonder who that could be. It’s almost dinner time. He dragged himself off the couch and opened the door to reveal Andy. Looking past him he spotted Tommy sitting in his car.

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