strength My life at the Mountain House

[Psuace]

Reposting as it was lost due to the site reverted back to Jan 2022.  

This is a continuation of my story from the Story Verse 2021 - My time at the Mountain House.

 

I glance down at my ringing phone and see Nona is calling me.  It’s 3pm on a Thursday, I wonder what could be up?  I answer, “Hey Nona, everything ok?”

She responds in the most loving way she knows, even if she’s still a bit authoritative with me, even though I’m 30 and stand 6’3” and weigh 230 lbs., “I’ll need you back at the cabin to do some cleanup work.  We have a guest coming in tomorrow and staying for the next month.”

I want to groan, but the caretaker’s job is my main source of income.  “Ok, I’ll be back in a few hours.  Just need to finish a few things for the Carpenters in their backyard.”  And some stuff in Mr. Carpenter’s bedroom, which is something I don’t let on to Nona, for fear of having her pull my skin off layer by layer.

“Well, don’t be too late.  I saw some trees on the east path which need to be thinned.”  Her way of telling me to be home sooner rather than later. 

“Yes, Nona.”

We hang up and I toss my phone on the bed.  I look down over my fur covered pecs to watch Mr. Carpenter as he keeps bobbing his red-head and full lips on and off my stiff cock.  His soft lips and well lubricated mouth allow my ample cock room to slide in and out of him with ease. I keep a nice even breath going and moan, “God, that feels so good PJ.”  I feel his fingers dig into my glutes in response.  I softly grab the sides of his head and pull him off me, knowing he’ll be upset, but I have to get moving or endure the wrath of Nona.  My unit slaps into my hardened furry abs.  He looks up with saddened eyes.  I pull him up to a standing position, all 5’7” of it.  I put my hand behind his head, lean down, and kiss him.  He wraps his hands around my back, pulls our bodies together, trapping our raging cocks, and fervently kisses me back.  I hear him moan with pleasure.  I put my left hand on his right buttock, gently grab hold, bend my knees, then easily lift him up.  I’m standing and he is resting in the palm of my hand, still kissing me as if nothing has changed.  His 150lb weight is kind of light for me and I know he gets a kick out this.  I can feel his rigid cock grinding against my cobblestone abs.  I feel pre-cum leaking from both of us and coating both our bodies.

I feel his right hand go to my partially flexed left bicep and start to massage and feel it up.  I flex it for him, and he groans again.  He wraps his legs around my waist and his left arm around my right shoulder.  He’s getting close, as am I. 

I tense my body and move my right hand to his other ass cheek.  Once I grab him, I lift him up a bit more and start to nibble my way down his face, then his neck, to his ultra-sensitive left nipple. He unwraps his legs and lets them dangle outside my wide thighs. He stiffens as I lap at it and then use my tongue to coat it with copious amounts of saliva.  His bare chest is a nice change from my hirsute chest.   I begin to suck on his petit pert nipple and rake my tongue over it some more.   I feel him put both his hands behind my head and pull it closer.  I allow him to do this and continue my ministrations. 

He lets out a loud moan and his body stiffens in my arms.  His hips jerk forward and upward, his cock between my pecs.  I feel his load explode out of him and cover my hairy chest.  I flex my pecs and squeeze his still exploding cock in the valley.  He groans loader and tries to fuck my pecs.  I help him out by lifting and lowering him a few times.  I feel another, softer load dribble out and coat me.  He softens and his body starts to go limp.  I carefully set him on the bed.

I still have a raging erection, purple head, with veins crawling all over the shaft.  PJ looks at me with sleepy eyes.  I grasp my unit and give it a couple of quick jerks.  My load quickly travels up and out of me, covering PJ from neck to bellybutton.  He flinches as each shot hits him.  I grunt loudly with the last load and shake my unit to make sure every last drop is out.  He weakly smiles at me and I wink back to him.  I lean down, over his small frame, and proceed to lick my cum off him.  My warm moist tongue covers his body with renewed moisture, and I feel his body shiver with excitement.  

I lean over his body, move toward his face and whisper to him, as his eyes shutter shut, “I’ll stop out next week and we can have some more fun.”  He gently pats my arm as his eyes shut and he falls into a deep, restful sleep. I lightly kiss him, clean his cum off me, quickly get dressed, squeezing into my black mesh t-shirt and gym shorts, and head downstairs. 

I walk down the hall to the back door and head to the backyard.  I head directly to the rock PJ’s mom wanted moved.  It’s about 7 ft long and 3 ft wide.  It’s been sitting in their garden for a few years, and she has grown bored with it.  I have a wheelbarrow next to it so I can wheel it out to my truck for disposal.  I put my hand on the rock and quietly says, “It’s just you and me, and I’m still horned up, so you don’t stand a chance.”  My semi-hard unit banging against my leg thru my boxer briefs. I walk around it again, looking for the handholds I had seen earlier.  Once I find them, I squat down.  I feel my thigh muscles explode and sense blood rushing to them for the upcoming show.  I pull on the long end of the rock, moving it to a 45-degree-angle, then quick move my body so I am under it.  I let the weight rest on my flexed chest and shoulder.  I wrap my arms around the rock.  I hug the rock to me and feel my biceps and triceps expand to their full size.  I slowly push with my legs and move the rock to a standing position.  I tighten my grip, inhale deeply, then tense my entire body. I start to stand up, pulling the rock with me.  It feels heavier than it looks.  I make sure to use my legs, not my back, as I stand.  Once I’m up, I laugh to myself and think, ‘It’s not that heavy.’ I squat down a bit, then explode upward, releasing the rock a bit.  I catch it again higher on my body.  It’s just high enough that I push up and rest it on my broad left shoulder. I glance at the wheelbarrow and think, why waste a good leg workout.  I carry the rock on one shoulder and the wheelbarrow in my free hand to my pickup.  I put the wheelbarrow down and with my free hand, open the rear gate.  I squat down and let the rock roll off and into the bed.  It makes and awful noise as it rolls and comes to rest.  I get in the bed, maneuver it to one side of the bed, and secure it with some straps. 

I start my drive back from town to the cabin, or estate, whichever people want to call it.  The rock will look nice in one of the gardens there.

I think of my time with PJ and a few other guys in town.  If Nona only knew.  I’d be dead.  Happy, but dead.   Leading the life of a straight man for her but sneaking off to have fun behind her back with other men, seems sacrilegious.

I’m gay and have been at peace with it for many years. My parents have been coming to terms with it for a few years.  Nona and Pappy, when he was alive, had a harder time with it.  I sat them down individually and gently explained what it meant to me.  Telling them I liked guys over girls seemed like a slap in their faces.  Nona took it especially hard as I am the oldest grandson.  She patted my arm a few times like my being gay was something that would pass, like a cold or the flu. 

Dad said to let it go and not to worry about them.  It was a lot for them to take in and I was the prized grandson, tall, dark, and handsome. It was something incongruous to them.

When Pappy passed a few years ago, it was decided for me that I’d be the one who went to help Nona on the estate, even though I may have had plans of my own.  Then it was dad’s turn to sit me down and gently explain how being the caretaker at the cabin was something I was obligated to do.  He took me to a nice restaurant in town, one where I had to put on a dress shirt and pants, not a t-shirt and gym shorts.  He explained over a few beers that Pappy and Nona had been fixtures at the cabin, which I had known, and it was expected that the Fisher family would take care of the property.

He talked and I listened, thinking to myself, ‘I’m 25 years old.  I’ve already put my college degree on hold to participate in bodybuilding and fitness contests, and now he wants me to put it off even longer, to help in this family business, of which I know very little about.’ 

He could see the hesitation and frustration building.  “Jake,” he said calmly, “I realize this is not the direction you saw your life taking.” I glance up at him with a knowing look, “but, you have already had some many wonderful and exciting experiences for a man your age.”  I smile knowing he is right. He holds up both hands and proceeds to list my accomplishments.  “One, all state wrestler; two, holds high school record for bench press and squat; three, holds high school record for unassisted quarterback tackles at 45; four, youngest under 20 body-builder to win first place in his weight class; five, only under 20 body-builder to win the overall at the same competition; six, first 22-year-old to win Fitness champ for his class; seven, then win the overall Fitness champ at the same competition.”  I tense my left bicep and feel the softball sized muscle expand the sleeve of my long-sleeved blue striped Oxford shirt.  I smile, he sees it and smiles back. “You do know your mother and I are very proud of what you’ve done.  We knew from the moment you picked up your first barbell and curled it, that you had innate talent which would allow you to go far in whatever dream you wanted to pursue, be it sports, body-building, or fitness.” 

I think back to all the events and sports I participated in and remember seeing my whole family there to watch me.  Mom, dad, my younger siblings, all 4 of them at that point, and Nona and Pappy.  I had my own cheering section.  Even when I decided to stop pursuing bodybuilding because I did not want to get into steroids, they were behind me all the way.

I sigh, knowing, short of me leaving the area, this is something I’m going to do.  I whisper, “Ok.” 

Dad breaks into a sad smile.  He puts his right hand on top of my left one and quietly says, “Thank you Jake.  This means a lot to your mom and me.  Nona will be happy too.” I glance up at him with a crooked smile, “Well, in her own way.”  I chuckle and so does he.  He finishes by saying, “I’m sure Pappy would be proud of you too.” I feel him squeeze my hand.

I take a chance and ask, “May I ask one or two things?”  He nods.  “I still need my freedom.”  He has a questioning look on his face.  “I get that I’ll have to live on the estate with Nona, but I still want to live my life, dad.  I’m a grown man.  I want to be able to do things, go places, meet people…”  I let the last part linger, hoping he knows what I mean.

“Jake, I’m on your side for everything you just said.”  He smiles and winks to me.  I blush.  “I’ll speak with Nona and your mom.  It won’t be easy, but I’ll do my best.”  I nod in appreciation. “Your mom and I have one request of you.”  I cower at what it may be. “We want you to get your college degree.” I exhale with relief. He sees it and says, “The caretaker job pays pretty well, and you should be able to take a few courses every semester.  We don’t care how long you take, or what you get it in, just please get that degree.  It will help you in ways you can’t imagine.”  I nod.  “Also, with the experiences you’ve already had, and what you’ll pick up from working at the estate, it will give you a solid footing for your future.”

Dinner arrives and we both start to eat.  I have a medium T-bone steak with a baked sweet potato, and dad has salmon with broccoli.  Between bites he says, “We do not expect you to spend the rest of your life at the estate, unless you want to,” He glances at me with a raised eyebrow, but I don’t give any hint back, “But stay until Nona retires or until Steve or Connor are able to help out.”  My next two younger brothers, identical twins, but different as night and day, at least to me.

I roll my eyes.  He sees it and slyly smiles, knowing where I’m coming from.

I roll up to the gate of the estate, enter the code, wait for the gate to open, then drive my 1999 Ford F150 up to the caretaker’s house and park next to Nona’s Jeep Cherokee. 

I leave the rock where it is and enter the house thru the garage.  I peel off my work boots and socks and slip into a pair of comfortable slippers I leave there.  Nona is in the kitchen, at the table reading over an email on her computer.  I’m guessing it has the details for the guest arriving tomorrow.

She looks up, sees my dirty t-shirt and shorts, and says, “Can you thin out the Maple saplings before dusk tonight.  They are on the east path about 100 yards from the house and 20 yards off the path.”  She looks back down at her computer and makes some notes on a pad next to her.  As I turn to go, she flatly asks, “How did things go at Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter’s?  Were you able to remove the rock as they requested?”

I quietly say, “Yes, Nona.”  I see her nod without looking at me. “I brought the rock back with me as I think you’ll be able to find a spot for it in one of the gardens.”

She turns to me.  “I will.”  She turns back.  The conversation is over.

I head back to the garage, pull my work boots back on and then get head out to my John Deer tractor.  I start it up and head up the driveway.  I branch off onto one of the paths, go the spot on the path where I think she is talking about and park.  I quickly make my way to the glen of Maple saplings.  I see the clump of about 30 young trees and wonder how Nona would ever find them? 

I put the thought out my head and walk the area to determine the best and quickest course of action.  I jog back to my tractor, grab a roll of tape and a shovel.  I head back to the trees as dusk encroaches the area.  I quickly mark 10 to 15 saplings.  I double check to make sure there is room for me to get them out of the ground without disturbing the other trees too much.

I find one of the smaller ones and get a firm grip on the trunk.  It’s only 5-inches in circumference, so my hands easily fit around it.  I shake the tree a bit to see how sturdy it is.  It’s pretty flimsy.  I squat down, plant my feet in the soft ground, inhale, and start to lift.  As I exhale, I tighten my grip. The tree shakes and the roots start to emerge from the ground.  As I finish my exhale, I take a breath to clear my lungs.  I squat down again and take another deep breath.  I grab the tree a bit lower.  As I exhale again, I grip and lift.  The tree shakes even more.  The roots break free of the ground and dirt sprays everywhere.  I toss the tree to the side, clap my hands on my legs to get the dirt off me and think, ‘one down.’ 

I glance at the sky, then my watch.  I don’t have much sunlight left.  I move to the next tree, pull it out just as easily, and move on.  Half an hour later, it is too dark, and I stop.  I’ve taken out 6 trees and have another 9 or so to go.  I leave the ones I’ve already pulled out where they are and head back to my tractor.

I head back to the house.  I enter thru the garage again and see Nona is still at the computer.  I smell dinner in the oven.  I make my way to the back stairs and head up to my bedroom.  I take a quick shower and come back down in a pair of sweats and a long sleeve t-shirt.

I help set the table and move the food to it.  As we sit, she takes my hand in hers.  We say grace.  I allow her to take first helping of everything, chicken, rice, and steamed carrots with orange glaze.  I patiently wait for her to finish, then fill my plate.  She knows what I like and don’t like and is mindful of my diet.  She never forces me to eat anything I don’t like, but gently hints I should try new things.

There is music playing softly for ambiance.  It is some of her favorite 60’s artists.  I must admit, some of the songs are really good and I don’t mind listening to it.

She leads off the conversation, “Mrs. Carpenter called to say, ‘thank you’. She appreciates your removing the rock.  She wondered if you’ll be free at some point to come back and help fill in the hole.”  She glances over to me.

I finish chewing the piece of chicken before responding.  “Yes, I would be happy to.”  I think to myself, ‘As if I have a choice.’

“I thought as much and already told her so.”  I roll my eyes in my head.  “The young gentleman will be here tomorrow, probably in the late afternoon, or early evening.  His name is Cole.  He will be here for a month.”

I pause and look to her.  I ask, “By himself?  That is a bit unusual.”

She nods in agreement. “They did not send too much information, just that this is a last-minute reservation.  They were very sorry for the short notice.”  I know where this is headed.  “I’ll be at the house tomorrow to prepare one of the bedrooms.  I have made out a grocery list.  Please head to town and gather the items.”

“Yes Nona.”

“When you’re done with that, please make sure the pool and workout room are tidied up.”  I nod and I chew on some carrots.  “Were you able to remove all the saplings?”  It comes out more of a statement than a question.

“Unfortunately, not.  I ran out of light.”  I see her glance at me.  “I’ll finish up tomorrow after I have done the other things.”  She nods.

We finish dinner.  I clear the table, put the left-over in containers, and wash the dishes.  I set the dishes on the counter to dry.  I head upstairs to do some course work.  I’m taking a 2^nd level Business management course and a 3^rd level Horticulture class at the local college.  The management class is pretty straightforward while the Hort class has a lot of Latin terms I have to remember.  An hour later I emerge from my room, head downstairs and grab an apple and banana for my snack.  I see Nona has shut off the lights and headed to her room.  I grab my phone and walk outside. 

It's a gorgeous night. The night air still has a little bite to it, but that disappear soon as we head into late spring and early summer.  I walk over the driveway and onto a path leading to one of the ponds on the property.  A few years ago, with the owner’s and Nona’s blessing I put a bench at one of them and cut out a sitting area facing south.  On a clear night like tonight, you can watch the stars and moon make their trek across the sky.  As I walk to it, the creatures of the night go quiet as I approach and start up their calls after I pass. Crickets, owls, frogs, toads, a few mice, and other assorted animals wander the grounds.  I get to the pond; the frogs and crickets go silent.  I sit on the bench and tilt my head backwards, to crack my neck.  As the vertebra crack, I feel any tension I had slip away. 

I watch the stars and my brain begins to wander. It’s been 5 years since dad asked me, or rather let me know, I’d be helping out here.  Has it been so bad?  Eh, not really.  Nona tries her best, but she has not come around to me being gay.  She doesn’t bring it up, nor does she stop me from doing what I like to do.  I think she’s hard on me as a way to compensate, her version of tough love.  I’ve seen her with my brothers and sisters and she’s more loving with them, smiling and hugs for everyone.

I hate sneaking off to meet up with guys, like PJ.  I mean, he’s great, but he’s 8 years younger than I am.  Heck, he’s Rose’s age.  God, I feel old. But, without Rose meeting him in a bar one night, I would have never met him.  She called me the night she met him and gushed about how cute he was and that he and I would be perfect together.  She sent me a photo of him, and I thought, yeah, he’s cute, a bit on the small side for my tastes, but one or two dates wouldn’t hurt.  I wasn’t dating anyone seriously, so why not. We went out a few times, then he asked me to come over to his place for dinner.  I got embarrassed and he saw it.  He put his small, freckled hand on top of my monster fist and said, “Jake, you never have to be afraid of who you are with me, or my family.”  I sighed at the thought of being accepted for who I am.  He saw my hesitation and continued, “My parents accept who I am, and I’ve brought many other friends over.  It’ll be fine.”  I smiled weakly and nodded.  I went home and called mom and let her know, so there wouldn’t be a huge surprise when word got out that I was on a date with PJ Carpenter.  She quickly and quietly said, “You need to tell Nona.  She’s good friends with PJ’s grandmother and you don’t want her to hear it from some old gossip in town.”  I groaned out loud. Mom laughed and said, “Welcome to being an adult and having the difficult conversations.”  I chuckle and say, “I thought I already had it with her…”  The conversation did not go swimmingly well to say the least.  Nona’s final statement to me went something like, “Jacob Daniel Fisher the third, I cannot stop you from seeing who you want to see.”  There was no emotion in it.  No, ‘I’m happy you met someone, or you’re going to dinner where?’  I sighed and went and had a great time with PJ and his family.  They accepted me for who I was and gave me some confidence to continue see PJ without any interference. Nona let it go.  PJ and I had our fun, but we both realized the age difference was going to be an issue.  He was still in college and partying it up, while I am working on the estate and going to night classes.  We still meet up, like today, and have a great time.  His parents are very supportive of me and send work my way, regardless of my relationship with PJ. 

Maybe I should have another conversation with dad.  I’m going to be graduating this year and want to know if there are plans in place to have someone take over for me.  I start to think about what I want to do after I do graduate.  I need to start sending out job applications or completing them online.  Need to get my name and face out there, and not just around town, but farther away.  Small town life is nice, but there are more opportunities in larger cities.  What would that life be like?  I’ve barely left the town I was born in, much less lived someplace else. I mean, my bodybuilding and fitness competitions took me to some different cities across the area, but I’ve never traveled west past the Mississippi or south past the Mason-Dixon line.  Maybe small-town life is what I’m made for, but I’ll never know unless I try something else.

I come out of my thoughts and see the moon is high in the night sky.  I see some bats chasing their dinners and hear the crickets and frogs singing their songs.  There are lightening bugs all around me.  I take a deep breath and feel my long sleeve shirt expand and stretch across my chest.  I flex my arms a few times to get the blood flowing again.  I slowly stand and stretch my arms over my head and begin my walk back to the house.  On the way, I check my messages and see PJ sent me one thanking me for today.  I send him a smiley face back and smile to myself. 

I enter the house through the garage, lock up all the doors and head up to bed.  I lay in bed thinking again, would life in the big city be right for me?  I doze off.

Friday morning comes and I wake to the smell of eggs and bacon.  I quickly change into my work clothes and head down.  Nona has a plate ready for me and once I sit down, she lets me know she’s going to the house to get things ready.  It’s about 9am.  I nod and say, “I will head into town and get the grocery shopping done.  Is there anything you need while I am there?” 

“Not today, thank you.  Please don’t dawdle.  You will need to clean up the exercise room and pool before Mr. Cole arrives, and please remember to clear away the trees.”  I nod, not letting on my feeling of being treated like a 5-year-old.

She takes off.

I get in my pickup and start for town.  I call dad.  He picks up on the first ring, “What’s she done now?”  he asks with exasperation.

“Oh, you know, same old, same old.”  I say wearily.  “Can we meet for dinner tonight, just you, mom, and I?”  I sound like I’m begging or whining, but I’m not.

“Of course.  You want to come here or meet in town someplace?”

“Can we meet at your place?  Will the others be there?” 

“Steve and Connor will be at work, Rose and Jen (my other twin siblings) should be on dates, but Tiny…”

I suddenly hear Tim yell in the background, “I’m right here dad.”

Dad continues, “Oh, my bad, Timothy Mark Fisher will be here as well, grounded for the night at this point.”  I laugh to myself.  Tim is the youngest of the 6 of us.  He’s 23 years younger than I am, which makes him 7.  Definitely the surprise baby.  Rose and Jen are 22 and Steve and Connor are 26.  “But otherwise, we’re good.”

“Thanks.  Say 6ish?”

“I’ll let your mom know.”

I get to the store and quickly make my way thru, making sure to get the specific items on the list.  Made the mistake once of getting a similar item, and then having to drive back to get the correct one.  I pick up one two items for myself and pay for them separately.  I make sure they go into a different bag.   On the way home, I get some gas, stop for a quick bite to eat, then head back.  On the way back, I call Nona and let her know.  I ask if I should bring the groceries right to the main house.  She says yes. I get back at 12:30. I run into the house and put my bag from the store in my bedroom, then put all the groceries into my tractor and drive to the house.  I carry the groceries in and hear a vacuum running upstairs.  I put the bags on the counter and put any frozen or cold items in the fridge. 

I walk out to the pool area and see it needs to be cleaned and swept.  I move to the exercise room and start to clean and dust.  I wipe off the weights and make sure everything is in its proper place.  As I move items, I get a quick workout in.  A few sets of curls, squats, and deadlifts.  Nobody needs to know, and it helps alleviate some of my stress.  I check the linen closet and see there is full supply of towels for the workout room and the pool. 

I move to the pool supply hut, pull out a skimmer, the pool vacuum, and get started.  I get all the leaves off the surface, then submerge the vacuum and begin.  It’s a nice day out, so I strip off my t-shirt and get some sun.  The heat feels good on my muscles.  I close my eyes as the vacuuming motion is repetitive. I’ve done this often enough; I could do it in my sleep.  45 minutes later I’m done.  I pack up all the gear then pull out a straw broom and sweep the entire pool area.  I make sure to pull out any weeds that have started to grow between the brick pavers.  I wipe down all the furniture and make sure no bees have built nests in the area.  I double check the propane tank for the gas grill is at least ¾ full and then make sure the grills do not have any caked-on fat from the last guest. 

I toss my shirt back on and head to the flower garden on the side of the house and do a spot check of the walkway to make sure there are no bird droppings on it.  I get a hose and spray down the pavers, refill the birdbath, then water the plants and clean the bench.  I glance at my watch and see it’s getting close to 4. 

As I’m packing up the hose and brushes, Nona comes around the corner with her scissors.  She glances around making sure everything is satisfactory.  She walks over to the Peonies and cuts a few of them, then goes to the Irises and does the same.   I stand silently, waiting to see if my work passes her inspection.  As she’s leaving, she pats me on the arm and says, “Looks good Jake.  Thank you.”  I breathe a sigh of relief. 

I mention carefully, “I’m heading to mom and dads for dinner tonight.  I am going to clear out the remaining saplings right now, but may need to finish tomorrow morning, if that would be, ok?”

She pauses and without turning around replies, “Ok.”

I finish cleaning up the area, then quickly head to my tractor and down to the trees.  I see my pile from yesterday and move to the next marked tree.  I squat down, get a firm grip, feel my legs and chest expand, then quickly push up.  The tree comes out without hesitation.  Dirt sprays my workpants and shoes.  I work out my anger and frustration on the remaining trees.  When I’m done, I realize I’m sweating profusely and there’s a tear in my t-shirt.  I also have a cut on my right forearm. Not too bad, but I will wash it off and put a band-aid on it.

I glance at my watch and see it’s 5ish.  I head back to the trail, get in my tractor and head back.  I wash up, get into a decent pair of shorts and a nicer t-shirt. I head down to the kitchen and see Nona has made her dinner and is eating it while reading a book.  “I pulled all the trees out and will remove them from the area first thing tomorrow.”  She nods.  “I shouldn’t be too late tonight.”  She nods again.

I quickly head out. It’s a 30-minute drive.  The orange sun is low in the sky and dusk will hit us soon.  As I drive thru town, I see a dark red Volvo driving slowly thru town in the opposite direction.  I glance at the driver and see a cute blonde behind the wheel.  I wonder if he’s the guest.  We don’t see too many upscale cars around here, so I’m 80% sure he is the guest. 

I get to my parents and as I enter, Tiny springs from behind the door and grabs me around my midsection in an attempt to tackle me.  Tiny is all of 50-lbs soaking wet, with a head of curly dark hair and eyes which match mine.  His chances are slim he’d ever do it, but I play along and fall to the ground, making sure he lands on top of me.  He puts his hands on my chest to hold me down.  I act surprised and say, “Whoa there Tiny.  Glad to see mom and dad have you here to tackle any would-be burglars.”

His eyes go wide, and a huge toothy smile is on his face.  He looks across the room to dad and joyfully says, “See dad, I knew if I worked out, I’d be able to take Monster down.”  He rolls off me and I stand up, putting my left arm around him and bringing him in for a hug. He hugs me fiercely, his face buried in my chest.  We release and he excitedly says, “Monster, I’m getting bigger.” My eyes go wide.  “I’ve put on 2-lbs in the past 2 weeks.”  He flexes his bicep for me to see. 

I carefully put my hand on it and pretend squeeze it.  I ease up when I feel his muscle.  I whistle and say, “Tiny, you’ll be as big as me in no time.  I hope mom has enough food in the house to feed you.” 

His eyes get bigger at my praise, and he gives me a high-five.  “I gotta go tell mom to get more food cuz there’s a second monster in the house.”  He goes into a most-muscular pose and growls at me.  I drop into one too, put my head against his and we growl together. 

He runs off to the kitchen and I go sit next to dad.  He’s got a smile on his face.  “He misses you.”  I nod, realizing I miss him as well.

“I’ll try to stop by more, maybe come over and workout with him.”  I exhale deeply. 

Dad sees it and gets right to the point.  “What’s up?”  I look at him with misty eyes.  “Come on Jake, it can’t be all that bad, can it?”  I shrug my shoulders. 

I hesitate and start to stumble over my words.  They start out as a whisper, “I just cannot seem to please her, no matter how hard I try, or what I do.  She’s always…indifferent to me…like…I’m the hired help, not her grandson…”  Dad puts a hand on my knee.  “Ever since I told her I was gay; she’s been like this.  You know, you’ve seen it.” He nods in agreement. “I can’t change who I am, and I want to be happy, but she makes everything…I dunno know…feel…or maybe…”  I sniffle back a tear, realizing how much sadness I have inside me.  I wipe my face on my sleeve, then look to dad, “Maybe it’s time for me to leave the estate and let someone else help her.” 

He sighs and sits back in his chair. 

Of course, this is the moment when Tiny comes bounding out the kitchen with a huge grin.  He runs across the room and leaps at me from 5 feet away.  I think, ‘oh fuck’.  I jump up and catch him mid-air, then allow his momentum to carry us back a few steps.   I hold him out at arm’s length, his toothy grin, and floppy hair a wild mess.

Mom steps out of the kitchen, sees me holding him, and exclaims, “Timothy Mark, get yourself back in this kitchen right now.  How many times have we told you not to jump at Jake?  What if he wasn’t paying attention?  You could have been seriously hurt.”

“Awe mom, I knew the Monster was watching.  Besides, he’s never dropped me before.”  Mom just shakes her head in frustration.

I pull him to me and wrap my left arm under his butt.  I tickle him with my right hand, and he squirms, trying to get free.  I quietly say, “Dude, I had you, you know that, right?”  He’s got a huge grin and shakes his head up and down.  “But we need to play it cool in the house.”  I wink at him.  “I’ll bring you up to the estate at some point and we can play in the pool, just the two of us.”

He shouts, “Cool. Will you throw me in like you did the other times?”  Dad looks over with a raised eyebrow. I shake my head from side to side at him.  He frowns at me. 

I put him down and he runs back to the kitchen.  Mom looks at me with exasperation.  “Dinner in 5.  I’ll try to control Tiny for you.”

“Well Jake…you’re almost 30, a grown man.  You have the right to do what you want.  Your mom and I are very grateful you’ve stayed there to help.  Your grandmother does appreciate it, despite her not showing it very much.”  I raise an eyebrow and look at him.  “When we talk, she does mention all the hard work you put and how much of a relief it is to have you there, as opposed to a stranger.”

I rasp out, “Funny, it never seems that way to me.” He sighs and shrugs his shoulders.  “Maybe if she let on a little, to me,” I touch my chest, “that she appreciates my help, maybe I wouldn’t have to come to you to hear it second-hand.”  I let out a deep breath.  I gather my thoughts for a moment, then say, “Still, when I get my degree, this fall, I want to try something different.”

He nods and says, “I’ve already brought this up to her and to Steve and Connor to see if either of them would be interested.”  My eyes perk up. “Jake, I just tossed the idea out, nothing formal or anything.”

“Oh…did either of them give you any kind of sign, one way or the other?”  He shakes his head no.

Mom pokes her head in and says dinner is ready.  We go into the dining room, and I see Tiny has put his place right next to mine and he is waiting for me.  I sit next to him and gently poke him with my right index finger.  He giggles and squirms, then pokes me back.  I giggle as well.

We pass around the food and talk about everything except the issue I’m having with Nona.  She dotes on Tiny, and I don’t want him to hear anything bad about her.  Tiny starts to gobble his food down and I put my hand on his wrist and gently say, “Slow down buddy.  Eating quickly won’t get you bigger, sooner.”  He looks at me mid-chew and nods.  He slows down.  Dinner is fantastic.  Roast pork loin with gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli (for Tiny), carrots (for me), rolls, and some applesauce with cinnamon (for both of us).  Tiny talks about his pee-wee football league.  I’ve been to a few of his games, but he begs me to come to the one this weekend.  “I’ll try Tiny, but we have a guest coming in this weekend and I have some work I need to finish up.” 

His face darkens a bit with sadness. Mom sees this and immediately says, “Tim, I bet Steve and Connor can make your game.  It’ll be great to have them both there.  They love watching you play too.” 

He sighs and says, “I guess so.”

She says, “Tim, you know Jake always tries to make your games.  Please don’t be upset if he misses one or two.”

“Ok.”  He says gloomily.

“Listen Tiny, I’ll try really hard to make it.  When is the game?”

He perks up and gleefully says, “Tomorrow at 5.”

“Ok, I will try to make.”  We fist bump.  Mom smiles at me.

After dinner mom sends Tiny off to read a book in his room, which is my old room.  The three of us sit in the living room again and talk.  She says to me, “Jake, she loves you in her own way.” I nod slowly knowing she’s right, but it still hurts that she won’t give an inch to acknowledge it.

I explain what I did today and how she reacted, including the part where she said I did a nice job. Dad exuberantly says, “Well there you go.”  I don’t know if he’s kidding or not.  I look at him sideways and I see a small smile creep across his face. 

I broach a tough subject for my parents, “What happens when I meet a guy I like?”  They fidget a bit, but not as much as when I first came out to the family. I gently say, “See, you do it too.  You’re still not completely comfortable with me being gay, are you?” They hesitate again.  “This is why I don’t talk about guys I see.  I can hardly bring them back to the house.  I have no idea how Nona would react, what she’d say, or if she’d even let them in.”

Dad puts his hands up for me to calm down.  He says, “Jake, yes, it’s still a bit tough for us, but we love you with all our hearts and support you in anything you do and will love and support you with the person you choose to be with.”  I feel a ‘but’ coming.  “Your grandmother is from a different time.  She tries to understand, but she sees her 6’3’ grandson who played football, wrestled, did bodybuilding, and fitness competitions, and there’s a disconnect.”  I know what’s coming.  “She thinks all gay men are effeminate.” 

I roll my eyes, probably a bit too much.  Mom sees it and scolds me, “Jake, that’s not fair.”

I blurt out, “It’s not fair to me. She has watched me grow up.  She knows who I am, but I have to walk on eggshells around her because it might upset her to see me kiss a man I like.” I feel a tear roll down my face.  They look at each other, knowing I’m right.

I sit back in the couch and run my hands thru my hair.  I take a few deep breaths to calm down.  I see them looking at each other.  My eyes dart back and forth. 

Dad carefully says, “Jake, you’re a grown man.  It’s going to be hard, but you need to sit down with Nona and get everything out in the open.” I think, ‘Oh, boy.’  “It won’t be easy for you, but you need to tell how you feel, about everything…not just that you don’t feel appreciated for the work you do, but also about your being gay and how she ignores it.”  I look up to meet his gaze and I open my mouth.  He immediately says, “No, you need to do this on your own.”

“Ok, but you may need to put an air mattress in my room upstairs for when she kicks me out.”  I crack half a smile.  Mom weakly smiles, but dad has an ear-to-ear grin.  I check my watch and say, “I need to get back. Tomorrow is going to be a full day.”  We all stand.  Mom goes to the stairwell and calls up to Tiny, letting him know I’m leaving. 

He comes bounding down the steps and makes a b-line to me. I’m ready for him this time. He jumps at the last second and I catch him in both arms.  I haul him in for a hug and he wraps both his arms around my neck and crawls up my body.  I just stand there and keep my hands close to his body to catch him if he slips.  He’s done this a thousand times before, but I’m always careful with him.  Once he gets tired, I pull him off me and hold him off the ground.  “Ok, Tiny.  I need to get back.  I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.  I need to get it all done so I can come to your game.”  I big smile comes across his face.  “I’ll try to stop by one-night next week and we can work out in the basement.  Gotta get you into monster form if you’re going to rule the field like I did.” I flex my left arm and he puts both hands around it and I let go of him.  He dangles from muscle for a few seconds.  I lower my arm as he slides off.

He hugs me again and says, “That’d be great Monster.”  He flexes his arms and goes into another most muscular pose and growls. I mimic him and put our foreheads together again.   By the end, we’re both laughing.

I move to the door, say my final good nights and head out.  I’m still smiling as I pull onto the estate and up to the house.  The main house has a few lights on, so I guess he has arrived.  I’m tempted to drive up and see if there is a Volvo there.  I decide against it. I’ll find out soon enough.  All the lights are off in our house.  I parked and quietly enter thru a side door.  I make sure everything locked up and head to bed with thoughts of Tiny playing football in my head. 

I wake Saturday morning to bright sunlight streaming thru my dark green curtains.  They are partially open, and the windows are cracked as well.  A warm breeze filter thru.  I roll out of bed, grab a quick shower, and brush my teeth.  I head down and see Nona is at the computer, reading an article. 

“I’m heading up to the house to finish cleaning up the saplings.  I then will head up to the lower meadow to trim some trees which have become overgrown.”  She nods with approval.  “Oh, Tim has a pee-wee game this afternoon around 5.  He asked me to come watch.”  I look for any sign from her.  “I told him I had work to do but would try to make it.”

“That sounds nice.  I may drive over as well.  I have not seen Timothy for a while.”  She looks back down at her computer and I take it as a sign to get to work. 

I grab a couple apples and a banana and head out.  I drive toward the area where the trees are waiting for me, but realize I need to empty the trailer.  It has some logs in it from previous jobs.  I go the work shed on the far side of the property and dump everything out.  10 minutes later I’m heading back.  It’s still a gorgeous day.  The sun is climbing, and the air is heating up. I have my cap on to keep the sun off my head.  I smile again at the thought of Tiny on the football field.  I know he’ll try to put on a show if he sees me there.

As I near the area with the trees, I park on the path again and head into them.  I see a few more which should be pulled out.  I mark them and start to pull them out.  I’ve got 3 done when I hear a voice call out to me, “Hello.”  I turn toward the voice and realize it’s the guy staying at the house.  I head his way and call back, “Hello there.”  I’m still in the trees and cannot see him, but his voice is sexy, but a bit tentative.  I guess that’s to be expected. 

He calls again, “Hello?  My name is Cole.  I’m staying at the cabin.”

I see him thru the trees, even though he doesn’t see me yet.  Man-oh-man, he’s cute.  My height looks about my age, but definitely lighter.  Blonde hair, trim body, sweat dripping down from his face.  I feel a swelling in my groin.  I pause to adjust my workpants, so it doesn’t show.  I call back, “Oh. Hello Mr. Cole.  My name is Mr. Fisher.  I’m the caretaker for the property.”  He sees me and I see him pause to take me in.  I slow my walk, so he can get a good look.  I wonder, ‘Is he gay?’  From the way he’s staring at me…maybe…, but a lot of guys give me the once over the first time they see me.  Almost like, is this guy for real?  I approach and pull off a work glove.

We make some small talk, and he keeps checking me out.  I nonchalantly check him out as well.  He has a bit of a pouch, but it’s COVID season, who doesn’t have one.  Arms, not too bad, could use some toning.  Nice legs and thighs.  Chest, eh, he just needs to hit the gym a bit more frequently.  But those dark blue eyes, damn.  I could get lost in those.  I feel a stirring down below.  Uh-oh, the pregnant pause.  What do I say?  I keep looking at him.  He breaks the silence and says he has to head out.  I stumble over my words and say, “I’ll be up at the cabin later today, if you need help with anything.”  I think, ‘Oh fuck, he may think I’m coming onto him. Dammit. Not want I want to do on his first day here.”  He heads out and I get a real good look at his shapely ass.  Man, he better be gay.  I need me some of that.  My unit pushes hard against my workpants.  He wants out in the worst way. 

I quickly head back to the work area and my brain goes into auto mode.  There’s no stopping it now.  I put my work glove back on and rip some branches off some trees.  I need to get a pump in my arms and chest.  Need to get my body right to the edge.  My biceps flex, muscles coil underneath the paper-thin skin.  I feel blood rushing thru them.  My chest is heaving, sweat is coating my t-shirt.  I squat down in front of a larger tree, one which is not marked for removal, but my needs are urgent.  I wrap my arms around the 3-foot circumference trunk, pull my body to it and whisper, “Sorry little maple, but you’re a means to an end.”  I grip it tightly, push my legs into the ground, and thrust upward as quickly as I can.  My unit rubs against the trunk thru my pants.  Lightening shoots down my body.  I pull the tree from the ground with ease.  I twist my body and quickly turn back and toss the tree 10 feet away.  It crashes into other trees, some of them snapping.  I growl and feel my unit pulsing.  I rip off my gloves, undo and pull my pants and boxers down, and pull out my engorged unit. 

It's throbbing due to the stimulation of rubbing against my pants, then the tree.  I grasp it with my left hand, putting my right hand behind my head.  My right bicep flexed, stretching the material of my t-shirt to the limits.  I close my eyes and start a slow jerk, hoping to draw out the pleasure, but knowing won’t be able to.  I think of Cole and his sexy blonde hair, dark blue eyes, and whatever present he’s hiding under his shorts.  My hips buck forward. My fist angerly bangs into my groin and lower abs, turning me on that much more.

My movements quicken.  I turn my head and lick my bicep.  I sniff my sweaty, smelly pit.  I lick the sweat off my arm.  I imagine PJ’s mouth on my unit and my hands holding his mouth to my groin.  He swallows me as best he can, but gags.  I relax my hold a bit.  I look down and it is now Cole’s mouth on me.  My chest heaves and I thrust two more times, then blow my load.  I contain my roar, for fear of being heard.  Cum shoots out and covers the leaves, dirt, and grass in front of me.  A few droplets end up on my shirt and pants.  I scoop them off and lick them off my fingers. 

I lean against a tree and take a few cleansing breaths and scan the area to make sure there’s no one around.  Yeah, if Nona had seen me going to town, I’d definitely be staying at mom and dads.  I let out a laugh and pull up my boxers and pants.  I stuff my still semi-rigid unit into them.  I think to myself, I can get a second round later today, after Tiny’s game. 

I pull my gloves back on and start to move the saplings to my tractor.  Some are too long to fit so I find a sturdy tree at the path’s edge, wrap one around it, brace my body by putting a leg on the tree trunk, then pull, using my shoulders to pull backwards.  My chest expands again and my legs swell.  The tree bends and then suddenly snaps.  I release the pressure and let it fall to the ground.  I grab another, then the last one.  I put them all in the trailer, then go back for more.  I get everything loaded and head back to the work shed. 

On the way back to the lower meadow I decide to check on Cole to see how he’s doing.  I stop below the pool deck and walk up.  I see him asleep on a lounge chair. A book on Yoga is beside the chair, having fallen out of his hand.  I quietly say, “Mr. Cole.”  He stirs, but does not wake.  Man, he’s a good-looking guy.  I check him out again and see his legs are decent sized as well.  His chest is bigger than I thought.  “Mr. Cole, are you awake?”  He slowly wakes and squints.  I am between the sun and him. 

He starts to get up, apologizing for having dozed off.  I think, ‘Dude, I could watch you sleep all day.’ He stumbles as he gets off the chair. I lunge to him and grasp his elbow, steading him.  “Are you alright?” I guide him to the chair at the table and we sit.  I gently chastise him for not warming down and at one point he looks at me and gives it right back by saying, “Yes sir, Sargent Fisher.”  I wink, now knowing he has a sense of humor. 

We continue to talk and asks if the ‘Mrs. Fisher’ is my wife.  I laugh to myself and think, ‘Yeah, got a surprise for you Cole.’  I explain the situation as he listens to every word, nodding and soaking it all in.  He is very polite and doesn’t pry into my life.  I hold back as well.  

We continue to talk and then I see it.  Nona at the French doors, watching us.  As she opens the doors, I immediately stand, knowing she’s about to reprimand me in front of Cole. 

With the same authority as always, she says to me, “Jake, I believe you have some trees to trim in the lower meadow.  I think you have taken up enough of Mr. Cole’s time.” 

I quietly respond, “Yes, Nona.”  I turn to leave, but say one thing, hoping he gets my message, “Please remember to fully stretch before and after each jog.  It would not do you any good to be laid up while you were here.”  He looks at me with a slightly confused look, but it slowly changes to one of understanding. 

I head down to my tractor and then to the lower meadow.  I am frustrated with myself for getting caught up in the moment with Cole. He just seems like a nice normal guy.  I now know he’s gay.  He may not have said it outright, but the tell-tale signs are there.  When I put my arms behind my head and casually flexed my biceps, he practically drooled onto his shirt.  I think if I had bounced them a few times, he would have cum in his tented shorts.  Yeah, I caught that, even though he tried to hide it well.

I spend the rest of the afternoon pumping my arms by ripping off tree branches.  It’s so much quicker than having to use a saw and cut them off.  It’s also a great workout. 

I see some logs on the path.  I squat down and get my leg workout in.  Lifting them, then pressing them overhead.  I feel a sweat starting again and it feels good.  I see some larger rocks and decide to get some bench presses in.  I find a nice large one, lay on the dry path, and proceed to press it.  I guess its weight to be around 200-lbs.  Pretty light, but I need to go with the weights on hand. 

I finish my workout, brush the dirt and debris off my shirt and pants.  I haul the limbs back to the work shed, then head home.  It’s about 4 and I have just enough time to get a shower and drive to Tiny’s game. 

Once at the game, I see my parents in the stands.  I wave and go to join them.  I see Tiny in his uniform.  He turns, sees me, and waves.  I wave back and he flexes his arm.  I flex mine and I see him flex harder, trying to mimic me. I wave for him to turn around and listen to his coach. 

Mom says, “I’m so glad you made it.”  I nod in response.  “Steve is on his way.  Connor got held up at work but may be here later.” 

“What about Rose and Jen?”  Mom just rolls her eyes.  “I see.”  She laughs.  My sisters have lived with 3 protective older brothers, all their lives; one who could seriously hurt one of their boyfriends if they stepped out of line.  They are trying to break free.  Rose and I are close. She tells me everything.  Jen and I are…well…we get along.  She gets along better with Connor.  From the way they gossip with each other, you’d think they were twins with each other, and not their actual twin.  I pull my phone out and shoot Rose a note, asking if she’ll be here.  A few minutes later she responds with a ‘maybe’.  I send her a frustrated emoji.  I write back, “Could you be here for Tiny?  He misses us.”  She immediately writes back saying, “Don’t play the Tiny card with me, Monster.  He misses you. I see him enough.” She adds an “LOL” to let me know she’s joking.  I send a winking emoji back.  She does the same.

Mom asks, “Well, is Rose coming?”

“Maybe.”

“That means no.”

“Not necessarily.”  I wink at her. 

Dad leans over and ask, “How did your day go.”  He’s not being too obvious. 

“Fine.  I got scolded for sitting and talking to the new guest.”  He frowns.  I just shrug my shoulders.  “She may come to the game.”  His eyes go wide.

The game starts and we cheer Tiny on.  He plays running back and defensive lineman.  There are just not enough kids in the area to have a full team.  Heck, I had to play offense, defense, and special teams in high school. The game is exciting, and he makes some really nice plays, including a run for a touchdown.

At the beginning of the second half, Nona, Steve, and Rose show up.  Nona sits on the far side of dad, and they chit-chat.  Gratefully I cannot hear their conversation.  Steve squeezes in between Mom and I and they start to talk.  Rose and I wink at each other and laugh.  We half watch the game and half gossip with each other.

She outright asks, “How are things with PJ?” I give her a sly smile.  She puts her hand over her mouth and giggles.  “I knew it.”

“Honestly though Rose, he’s too young for me.” She cocks an eye at me with a ‘what are you talking about meaning’.  I calmly say, “I’m 30, he’s 22.”

“So?”

I whisper, “I think I want to start thinking about settling down, meeting ‘Mr. Right.”

Her eyes go wide again, “PJ could be him.”

“He’s still into partying and going out.”  She nods with a smile.  “Me, not so much.”

“Stop being a fuddy-duddy, Monster.”  I look at her.  “Just because you’re a few years older, doesn’t matter, especially if you’re both, you know…”  she elbows me in the ribs.

I turn to watch Tiny on defense try to crash thru the O-Line.  He’s too small.  I cringe and say, “I need to get him stronger.  He’s too small.”

Rose says, “He’s fine. He’ll grow into his size, just like you did.”

I off handily say, “There’s a new guest at the house.”  She looks at me with her ‘do-tell’ eyes.  “He’s kind of cute.”  Her smile gets bigger.  “I’m 90% sure he plays for my team.”  She grabs my right forearm and squeezes.

She slyly cocks her head outward and looks down toward Nona and dad.  I don’t.  She asks, “Does she know?” I shake my head no.  She nods.

“Rose, when I say he’s kind of cute, he’s cute.  Blonde hair, dark blue eyes, pretty nice body, and he was checking me out too.”  Now I feel like I’m 15.  She squeezes harder and her bites her lower lip with her upper teeth.  I hold up a finger and caution her, “I’m going to go slow with him.  See what his story is and let it play out.”  She nods her head vigorously, her dark curls bouncing around her face.

The crowd raises a cheer.  We turn to see Tiny scampering down the field with the ball in his hands.  He scores another touchdown and Rose says, “You ready for a ‘mountain climber’ after the game?”  She nudges me again. I laugh knowing Tiny will be all over me and want to ride my shoulders off the field.

“He’s playing well.  He deserves it.”

The game ends with our team winning.  Tiny played really well and I carried him off the field on my shoulders.  We all head back to Mom and Dads for some dinner.  Nona and I casually talk with each other.   She sits next to Tiny at dinner and heaps praise on his game saying he will be a star someday.

Tiny, with a huge smile on his face, innocently says, “Just like Monster, right?”

She holds her smile, pats him on his arm, and says, “Maybe even better.”  Tiny’s eyes go wide and his toothy grim comes out.  He looks over to me and smiles.  I wink to him. 

Dinner continues and finishes.  We stand around and talk, breaking off into groups of two or three.  Tiny wanders around trying to get involved, but not having any luck. I feel bad for him as he doesn’t have a sibling even close to his age.  Hell, I could be his dad.

Tiny comes up to me and tugs on my shirt and heads to the basement door.  I follow and we sneak down.  I crouch down so we are eye level.  I put my fist up and we bump.  I say to him with confidence, “You played well today Tiny.  I’m very proud of you.”  He smiles.  I put a finger up and say, “But we need to work on your strength for when you are crashing the O-line when you’re on defense.”  He nods, with a look of discouragement on his face. He knows what I’m talking about.  “It won’t be too hard buddy.” I put my left hand on his little right shoulder and softly squeeze.  “We just need to strengthen your legs and core so you can push your way thru their O-line.  I’ll come up with some easy exercises you can do.  I’ll stop over in a few days, and we can do some stuff together, ok?” 

He nods and leans into me and says, “Thanks, Monster.”  He kind of looks at me and I know he wants to ask a question, which is why he wanted to come down here, but is hesitant.  His eyes are darting from side to side, then down to the floor. 

I move my left hand to under his chin and lift it up. I quietly ask, “What’s up Tim?”  He looks into my eyes with a sadness.  “You know you can ask me anything.”

He’s still hesitant.  “Why…how come…are you and Nona arguing?”  He shifts his gaze to the far wall. I sigh.  “I mean…you guys never seem to talk to each other…if you do…well…don’t you love her?  Doesn’t she love you?”  He sniffles back a tear. 

I think to myself, ‘Oh shit.’  I need to get mom and dad here and into this conversation right now. I carefully say, “Oh, come on Tiny…you’re just imagining things.  Nona and I get along fine.”  He looks at me with suspicion in his young green eyes.  “We didn’t say a lot here, because we’re always talking to each other at home.”  Ok, so I lied to him, so sue me.  My 7-year brother doesn’t need to know the truth.   I pick him up and toss him over my shoulder.  “Ok buddy, it’s your bedtime and I have to get back home to come up a plan to turn you into the next great Monster of the family and football field.”  He’s laughing and giggling as we head up the steps.

I shoo him up the steps to his room so he can get ready for bed.  I find mom and dad talking with Rose.  I see Nona and Steve on the patio talking.  I gather the three of them into the living room and lay out what Tiny just said to me.  Rose’s eyes go wide, mom shakes her head in disbelief, and dad sighs.  “I lied to him.”  I sigh.  “I had to, and I feel awful.”  Rose rubs my arm to comfort me. I look at them and say, “I’ll have my talk with her this week to get everything out in the open.”  They all nod in agreement.

Tiny comes back down ten minutes later. He’s in his PJ’s and is ready for bed.  I give him a big hug and fist bump.  He heads back up after saying goodnight to everyone.  I head out soon after. 

Rose and I text as I drive home. She wants to be sure I’m ok.  I say I am.  She sends back a questioning emoji. I laugh and write back, ‘Ok, so probably not, but the talk with Nona is something I have to do.’

‘Want me to be there?’

‘No, then it would look like we’re ganging up on her.’

‘Ok…Love you.’

“Love you too.’

I get back to the house, grab an apple and head to my room.  I close the door and put my earbuds in to listen to some music.  I grab a piece of paper and sketch out a plan for Tiny.  It’s basically some cardio work to build his stamina, and some exercises where he walks around with some weights in his hands.  I go online and look up some other stuff and when I finish, I have about 10 different things for him to do.  I break it down into chunks he will be able to handle.  I see headlights dance off my ceiling, letting me know Nona is back.

I hear her come up the back stairs a few minutes later and go directly to her room. 

Sunday morning.  Not much on the work plate today.  May head to town to get a proper workout at the gym. I get changed into my gym gear and head down for breakfast.  Nona is there with a plate for me.  I say thank you and start to eat.

“Jake, before you head to the gym, would you mind heading to the house and clearing some limbs off the trees by the dining room patio.  I noticed some were overgrown and crowding the area.  It shouldn’t take you more than an hour.  You can have the rest of the day to yourself once that is done.”  I look up and she is looking at me with a smile on her face.  She and dad must have talked.

“Yes, I can definitely do that.”  I say with positivity.

“Thank you.  I’m going to do a few things around here, then head up to see if Mr. Cole needs anything.”

“Ok.”

I quickly get changed.  Drive my tractor up to the house.  I spy Cole running down a different path, away from the house.  He’ll be gone for probably half an hour. That will give me time to get the limbs down.  I check the house and spy his grocery list on the table.  I pull my phone out and take a picture and send it to Nona with a note.  “He left this on the counter.  Everything else is in order.  I don’t think you need to come up.”  I put the list in my pocket.

A minute later she responds, “Thank you. It does save me a trip.  I’m going to head into town to get the items he is asking for.  I’ll be gone for about an hour and a half.”  I send back a thumbs up emoji.

I head out to the dining room patio and open the doors.  I stretch my body while I check out the area. The trees back here are mainly firs with some Maples, Poplars, and Birches mixed in.  The firs are fine even though the limbs are long and extend onto the patio in spots.  I see a few poplars are overgrown and the branches are drooping into other trees.  I work my way into the trees, thru the firs, then make sure the Poplar tree branch I pull out will not leave a gap.  I grip the branch, stiffen my body, then rip off a branch, carry it out, checking to make sure the area is still secluded.  I drop the branch, then get another.  I continue until I have several branches on the patio.  The area looks much better.  Some light is now filtering thru the trees, but the area is still secluded.  I begin to haul the branches to my trailer.  When I get the last ones out, I walk to the far side of the house and see Cole resting in the flower garden.

We strike up a conversation.  I ask about his leg.  He says it’s fine.  His blushes as he asks an off the wall question, “The welcome note your grandmother left said you give massages?”  My face lights up.  He says some other stuff, but I ignore it. 

“I think I can squeeze you in.  Are you looking for a therapeutic massage or deep tissue?”  I think to myself, ‘Do you want me to be clinical or sexual?’ 

He says, “I think a deep tissue would do the trick.”

I smile, thinking, ‘Sexual it is.’  We agree to meet in an hour.  I have a hard-on forming.

I rush back to the house, notice that Nona is gone, head upstairs, and get a shower.  I brush my teeth again, gargle again, and put on a fresh coat of deodorant.  My hard-on is still there. I also put on a hint of body spray. I grab a backpack with my massage kit and head to the kitchen and see I still have 20 minutes. I grab an apple and sit at the table.  I calm myself down by eating it slowly.  When I’m done, I head out to the tractor and slowly drive up.

I get there and walk thru the flower garden, hoping he’d be waiting for me there.  He isn’t.  When I round the corner and enter the pool area, I see him sitting in a chair. Blonde hair slicked back and still a bit wet, cargo pants and nice fitting tee.  My unit jumps.  I call out, “Hey Cole, right on time.”  He doesn’t turn to look at me right away.  When he does, his blue eyes dance with excitement.  He takes a long look at my body.  He’s undressing me with his eyes.  I pause, inflate my chest slowly, and partially flex my arms.  He looks at my legs, which have been under work pants the other times he’s seen me. 

I bust him for checking me out, then proceed to do the same thing to him.  He only winks at me.  We head into the room.  I close and lock the door, so we are not disturbed. I also close the window shades and blinds.  I set up the table and pat the table.  He jumps on.  I start to probe him for obvious signs of injuries and issues where I may need to go easy.  I ask questions as I go along, and he responds.  I can feel him still checking me out.  I hit his waist and see his shorts are partially tented.  I ask him to take his shirt off.  I scan his chest.  Not too bad.  I can see he hasn’t been to a gym for a while.  I ask him to raise his right arm. He does.  I poke and prod to see if there are any issues with his shoulders. I coyly take a deep inhale of his armpit, but only smell fresh deodorant.  I finish and ask, “Swimmer, runner, or gymnast?”

He says runner and swimmer.

I decide to ask why he’s here.  He’s in decent shape, not married, no side fling, if doesn’t make sense.

He starts talking.  He leads off by saying he’s gay, but I realize it’s not the main focus of his story.  COVID took a toll on him.  He still has his job, but the stress he’s under is enormous.  The threat of losing his job is almost daily.  Add to that a non-existent sex life, no quality gym time, and a poor diet, and I can see why he snapped and lost it.  I console him without being judgmental.  Everyone’s life went to shit, in some form, due to COVID. 

I start to think, there are people out there who are in worse situations than I am.  Cole seems to be one of them. I think, maybe I should back off and let him get his head screwed back on properly.  I look at him and see a loneliness, a need for someone to be there for him, maybe just be a friend.  I decide to go slow and see what happens.  I offer to help him with his exercise plan.  He accepts. 

I clap my hands together and say, “Drop your shorts and get on the table, face down.”  He’s taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovers when he watches my peal out of my t-shirt.

We get down to it and I start to work him over.  We chit-chat as I move along.  He probes me about the social scene and if I get away much.  I can tell he’s trying to figure out if I’m gay or not.  He’s actually pretty good at being subtle.  It’s time to see where we both stand.  I tell him to take off his boxers so I can massage his lower back without getting them all oily.  He’s hesitant but slips them down.  He gets them below his hips, then I take over and pull them off. 

Man, what a nice ass.  My mouth starts to water, and I fight the urge to bend over and nibble on him.  I take breath and decide, ‘what’s good for the goose…’.  I drop my gym short, toss them into his line of sight, then slip my dark blue posers off and flick them toward the head of the table, hopefully letting him know where I stand. 

I don’t wait for a reaction.  I get back to it.  I knead his muscle like I’m kneading dough.  I work steadily and firmly.  I try one more thing, just to be sure.  As I massage his glutes, I pull them apart and very casually slide my index along his crack.  He stiffens for a moment then relaxes. 

I keep at it for another 15 minutes, just working him over.  Muscles get pulled and twisted.  He groans with pain, then pleasure.  I keep staring at his lightly tanned body and think, we could have some fun together.  About my height and age, a bit lighter than I am, but there aren’t too many 230-lb 30-year-olds out there.  My unit rises a bit, but I look off to the far wall and take a few cleansing breaths to make it subside.

I move to the head of the table and work his back from his shoulders down to his waist.  I lean over his body and my sweaty chest it practically on top of him.  His skin is also warm and has sheen from the mixture of oil, my sweat, and his sweat.  I really want to take a lick, just for a taste.  Then it happens.  My semi-hard unit bumps the side of his head.  I know he notices.  I can feel him move his head.  He wants to see what’s going on down below.  I work my way back up his body, lifting my body off his as I go.  I get to his neck and boom; he lifts his head to readjust, and I see him peek.

He casually adjusts his midsection, to allow blood to flow to his hopefully hardening cock. 

After a few minutes, I tell him to flip over.  Now it’s my turn to inspect the goods.  I check him out and do everything I can to keep blood from flowing south.  I sense he’s checking me out too.  I inhale and let my chest expand.  My abs come into relief and my nipples become hard and extend out thru my hairy chest. 

I see him shut his eyes.  I’ve been there before.  One way to stay soft, don’t look and think of other things. 

I get to work.  Since we both seem to be on the same page with what we like, I’m going to probe some more.  I work over his legs, then climb up on the table.  I am hovering over him, my body pressing into his.  My face just inches from his.  My unit bumping his balls.  He’s still soft.  I take it another step and let my fingers play with his hairless balls, then go just an inch south and stroke his taint.  Boom, erection city. I start to get hard as well.  I do his other leg and when I’m on top of him, he opens his beautiful blue eyes.  His sadness is less.  Now there is excitement, anticipation, desire, conflict.  I quietly say, “Hey.”, but keep working.  I allow my fingers to trace down his body and into his groin area.  I massage his inner leg and his unit goes to a stiff 45-degrees.  I think, ‘There we go.  Show time.’

I get off the table and stand to the side with my body just in reach of his arm.  He takes my balls into his left hand and gently rolls them around.  I massage his chest and abs, and when I get to his lower abs, I massage the area and ‘accidently’ bump his unit more often than not.  I see him watching me work and his eyes are trained on my chest and arms.  I think, ‘Nice, a muscle lover.’  I flex my chest and arms as pre-cum seeps out of him. 

He plays with my balls, then stops, then starts again by rubbing his middle finger along my length. He wraps his hand around me.  I sigh to myself. He starts jerking me, nice and slow. 

I do the same to him.  My hands work as a team.  My right is jerking him, my left is down by his balls, massaging and rubbing his taint and hole.  He moans he is going to cum.  I slow, then yank him three times, and push my finger into his hole.  Cum explodes out of him, covering his heaving chest, from sternum to bellybutton.

He finishes, then realizes he has a death grip on me.  I laugh.  He eases his hold but continues to jerk me.  I grip the sides of the table as I get closer.  My body tenses and I unleash a torrent into his left thigh as I let loose a growl. 

I smile, ask how it was, and turn to get some towels, squeezing my ass-cheeks for his viewing pleasure.  He cleans himself off, then reaches to soak up my cum.  I stop him and say, “I’ve got this.” I squat down, easily pull his body to the edge of the table, then lick my cum off him.  Not sure why, but I love the taste of my own cum.  I will lick it off other guys just so they don’t wipe it off with a towel.  The warm, salty taste sliding down my throat makes the journey feel complete. 

I crack his back and we start to make out.  His lips are so soft and warm.  I get on top of him, he takes my hat off. Our bodies are mashed together.  We pause and decide to take our adventure up to his room.  We quickly get changed and head across the patio.  I’m staring at his cute ass when he stops suddenly.  I bang into him.  He says he saw Nona in the kitchen.  I think, ‘Fuck.’ 

Cole thinks quickly and shoos me back into the pool house to wait for him to get rid of Nona.  I know her too well.  She’ll come out here to clean up.  I quickly strip the table, grab all the towels and push everything into my bag.  I put a clean sheet on the table. I sneak out of the building and go along the side of the house to the Dining room doors. I know they are unlocked, because I unlocked them earlier.  I slip in and hear them talking.  I make my way to the front staircase and up the bedrooms.  I find Coles and toss my bag into a corner and get onto his bed. 

I relax my body and start to cool down.  I hear him come up and watch him stand in the doorway, but he doesn’t see me.  He’s listening intensely to the downstairs.  I hear the French doors open and shut. Cole leaves the door and wanders to a different room.  I follow.  I hear him softly say, “I’m so sorry Jake.  I didn’t want you to get into trouble.” I get choked up.  He’s only thinking about me, not the trouble he could possibly get into.

I gather myself and say, “Please, this isn’t my first time doing this.”  He nearly jumps out of his skin.  I explain how I got here and see he’s surprised, but not upset.  We go back to his room and make out for the next hour.  Just kissing and touching, getting to know each other.  His skin is softer than I realized and the way he touches me, is almost like he’s afraid, but doesn’t want to be.  He wants my permission to feel my muscles, to have me flex for him.

I decide it’s time to put all our cards on the table.  I ask him to meet me at the pond around 11.  He agrees. 

As I get dressed, he turns away.  I calmly say to him, “You know Cole.  It’s ok to want to look at me.  I think we’re past the ‘is he gay or not’ question, and you obviously like guys with muscles.”  We chit-chat for another minute, then I take off. 

I get to my tractor and head to the upper ridge.  Need to get some brush cleared away and make it look like I did work today.  After an hour, I’m sweaty again and thinking of Cole.  He seemed more relaxed just sitting and talking.  We seem to get along.  I like his company.  He’s different.  Yeah, he’s got a thing for my body, but when we talk, it’s natural, almost like I’m talking with Rose.  He’s not pretending or acting, he’s just a guy who wants to get to know me.  I compare him to PJ.  PJ is all about the sex.  Not that I’m complaining, but I’d like to actually talk to guy about something other than the size of my arms or cock.  I mean, I’ll show off my strength if it will help get me laid, but I’d rather just roll around on a nice fluffy comforter and see where it leads. 

I realize I’m staring at the afternoon sun and how clear the sky is.  I take it as a sign.  I decide to have my talk with Nona, today, right now. 

I drive back and park in the driveway.  Her Jeep is there.  I go in thru the garage and remove my shoes and socks.  She’s sitting on a stool at the kitchen island, looking at a cookbook.  She sees me come in and gives me a smile.  She’s definitely trying.

I scratch the back of my neck with my hand, feeling my dark sweaty wavy hair.  I stumble over my words and ask, “Um…Nona…Do you have a minute for a talk?”

She turns her head to me and says, “Yes, Jake, what’s on your mind?”

Where do I start?  My mind goes in a hundred different directions.  I want to get it out there, but not be a jerk about it.  She sees me thinking and raises an eyebrow.  I quietly ask, “Nona, are we okay?”

“What do you mean, Jake?”  She turns on her stool and faces me.

I put my hands lightly on the island and say, “Um, are you happy I’m here…working with you?  Would you rather it was someone else?” I look at her, then away.

“Jake.” She says it in a way that she wants me to look at her.  I do.  “Sweetie, you know I love you and want you here with me.  The work you do for me is invaluable.”  She reaches her hand for mine.  I tentatively extend mine.

I cautiously say, “But…it never seems like you do…”  She looks at me.  “I try my hardest and” Now for the tough part, “You barely acknowledge it.  Maybe a ‘thank you’ here or there, or a ‘nice job’, but you always seem…act as if…I’m the hired help, not your grandson.”

She pulls her hand back. She quietly says, “Oh.”  We look at each other and there is a sadness in the room now.  “I didn’t think I was coming across that way.”

“But from my perspective you are.”  Now it’s all coming out. “No matter how hard I try, it seems like you try to find fault.  Like the Maple saplings in the glen off the path.  I know they took a bit longer to remove, but I don’t know what the rush was.  You acted like they had to be removed as soon as possible.  Nobody ever goes off the path, and if they do, not twenty yards to that spot.”  I find I’m waving my hands in the air.  “And when I said I couldn’t get it done in the day or two you indicated, you acted like I had disappointed you and couldn’t do my job.”

“And Friday, when I went to town to get the groceries, you asked that I ‘not dawdle’.”  I look at her with a confused face.  “I knew I had to get back and had to clean the pool and exercise room.  I’ve done it before.  It just seems patronizing for you to have to tell me.”  I take a heavy sign, out of breath and shaking.  I wait for her rebuttal.

She patiently says, “Jake, I know you know what the job entails, the work involved, the hours it takes to do certain things, but sometimes you seem a bit distracted.”  I consider her point.  “Why did it take you all afternoon to remove the rock from the Carpenter’s garden?”  She raises an eyebrow at me, and I think ‘Here it comes’.  “I know it probably took you all of 2 minutes to lift that rock up and carry it back to your truck,” she waves her hand at my body, “but you spent the afternoon there and only came home when I called.”  I blush.  “And I have my answer.”  I blush even more. “The estate, and keeping the grounds up, are my main responsibility and because you are helping me, they are yours too.”  I nod, conceding her point.  “The side jobs you get, and that I help you get to earn money, reflect on me as to how reliable you are.  If you take all day to remove a rock, when it should take 10 minutes, people will start to look elsewhere.”  Another raised eyebrow at me.

Now she’s skirting my other issue.  I tentatively say, “Ok, I will be more cognizant of the time when I work jobs in town.” She nods. “But this brings me to my second issue.”  She stares right into my green eyes, piercing them with a look that makes me afraid to say what I need to say.  I take another breath, then let it out, “You’re embarrassed that I’m gay.”

She sternly says, “Jacob Daniel Fisher, how dare you presume to know what I think or how I feel about your being a homosexual.”

“Then can you please tell me, so I have an idea.” I croak out. It sounds mean. “I am afraid to tell you anything about the guys I meet, or introduce you to someone I think you might like because you…” I lose my words as some tears flood into my eyes.  I wipe my face on my shirt and try to compose myself. 

She grabs a tissue and dabs her eyes as well.  She softly says, “Jake…I know you’re…gay…and I want the best for you in everything you do, but…I’m…it’s just…”  She turns away blots more tears from her eyes.  She also dabs her nose as she sniffles.

I wait a minute and gently say back, “Nona, I’ve been out for years.  The whole town knows.”  I wave my arms wide. “If someone doesn’t know, I’m sure there’s some gossip willing to tell them.”  She looks up to me with sad eyes.  I question her, “Is that it?  You think people look down at you…at our family because I’m gay?” She tries to keep her head steady, but I have my answer.  I quietly and sternly say, “I’ve got news for you and anyone else who feels that way,” I boldly say, “I’ve been with enough of the men in this town to fill a piece of paper, every line, front and back.” 

She gasps at my proclamation. “Jacob!” She says forcefully.

“No, Nona!”  I say right back to her.  “I will not let anyone in this small town,” I jab my right index finger into the palm of my left hand, “cause you embarrassment or make you feel lesser because of who I am.”  I look at her, trying to read her face.  “I bet I know one or two of your friends who are giving you grief…”  She looks at me and narrows her eyes.  “You can tell Mrs. Sullivan that her grandsons…”

She interrupts me, pounding her hand on the island, “Stop it.”

My face feels flushed.  My legs are weary.  I look off to the far wall and compose myself.  I walk to the sink and get a glass of water. I fill a second one for her and put it next to her. 

After a few minutes, I calmly say, “I wish I could apologize for being gay, but Nona, it’s who I am.  I just hope you can come to terms with it.”  I put my hand on the counter, within reach of hers. 

She reaches out and pats my hand.  “Trust me Jake, I try every day.  Some days are easier than others.”

The tension eases in the room. My breathing becomes regular again.

“Thank you.  I’ll take that.”  I smile to her, and she smiles back.  “Um, two other things.  Nothing as dramatic as all that.”  I wave my hands in the air and she chuckles. I hesitantly say, “Um, Tiny knows there’s something going on between us.”  She looks right me with serious eyes and her hand goes to her mouth. “Yesterday, when he and I went into the basement, he asked if we were, ok?”  I pause, then say, “Nona, I lied and said everything was fine, when it isn’t, or wasn’t…”  Her eyes darken.  “I have never lied to Tiny, and it ate me up.”  I feel a tear in my eye again. “We need to make this better.”  I wave my hand between the two of us.  “If not for our sake, then for his.  I don’t want him to think we don’t like each other, and I’m guessing you feel the same way.” 

She nods her head vigorously up and down and dabs another tear from her eye.  “We’ve already started.”  She reaches for my hand, and I take hers.  “What was the other thing?”

“Oh, Cole is gay.” 

Her mouth opens, then shuts.  I think to myself, ‘It’s a start.’

“It’s been two days, but he and I are getting along.  He’s a nice guy, Nona.”  I pause to let her take in what I’ve said.  “He’s had a really rough time at work.”  She looks at me.  “Stress from COVID and work caused him to snap one day.  From the way he tells it, he pulled no punches.  His boss sent him here to relax and get himself back together.”  She nods with understanding.  “He’s asked me for my help with an exercise plan.  I want to help him.”

She nods again, acquiescing.

Last item on my agenda, then I need to hit the gym, “He and I are going to meet at the pond tonight to talk.”  She looks at me with concern.  “He needs a friend to listen to him and help him work thru his problems.”

She softly says, “Ok, Jake.  If you think it’s best, I agree.”

She reaches her hand out again. I take it and say, “Thank you.”

As I turn to walk up the back stairs, she calls to me, “Jake, if you’re interested, Mr. Watson asked if you could help them pack up their house this week.  They’re moving west and need some help getting the larger items into the rental trucks.  I’m not sure how many days it will take.”

I pause and consider the offer.  Definitely good money probably won’t take more than a day or so.  I could spend the evenings with mom, dad, and Tiny.  I turn and say, “Yes, I’d be happy to help.  I’ll call dad to see if I can stay with them.  They live a few minutes from the Watsons. It’ll save me a lot of travel time every day…unless you need me to come back?”

“No.  That’s fine.  If I need you, I can give you a call.”

I smile warmly to her. “Great.  I’m going to hit the gym for a few hours, then be back later.  No need to make dinner for me or wait up.”  I head up the steps and once in my room, make a quick call to dad. 

He picks up on the second ring, “Uh-oh…”

I laugh and say, “No, no.  We actually just talked and started to clear the air.”  I hear him sigh with relief.  “What I was calling for, was, would it be ok if I stayed with you guys for a few nights this week? Nona got me a side job helping the Watson’s pack up for their move, and I figured it would be easier for me to stay with you as you’re only 5 minutes from their place.”

“If you’re sure that’s the reason.”  There is a heavy dose of skepticism in his voice.

“Dad, trust me.  Also, it’ll allow me to spend time with Tiny and keep him out of your hair for a while.  I can get him working on his new exercise plan.”

I can see him nodding in agreement, “Yeah, your mother would appreciate that.  I’ll let her know.  When do you expect to be here?”

“Tomorrow at some point, after I finish at their place.” I pause and add, “Don’t tell Tiny.  Let it be a surprise.”

Dad chuckles and says, “Your decision.”  We talk for another few minutes then hang up.  I get changed in my gym clothes, then head to the gym.  It’s not too far away and has a nice variety of machines.  Also, the eye candy isn’t too bad.  Most of the guys there, ok, all of them, know who I am, and that I’m gay, so unless I’m on the prowl, they’re safe from my advances.  I laugh when I think about it.  I probably have been with most of the gay guys who are members there. 

I bound back down the steps and out the garage to my pickup.  I make it to town quickly and find the gym is not too crowded for an early Sunday evening.

I decide to do a legs workout and see there is an open half rack.  I set the bar, get a warmup weight loaded on it and then spend the next 10 minutes warming up.  I don’t want to pull a muscle by diving into my workout without a proper warmup.  I bend and twist and contort my body, making sure all my muscles and joints are nice and loose.  I pop my ear buds in, put on some load grunge rock, shake the bar a few times, and get to it.  Squats, 135 for 10-rep, 225 for 10 reps, 315 for 10 reps.  Take a break, get a drink, cool down.  Walk around the cardio machines, see what talent is in the building tonight.  Eh, not a whole lot.  I nod to some people I know and then head back. 

Up the weight to 405, put on my weight belt, then do a set of 10.  Felt pretty easy.  I take a minute break, then do it again.  I toss 25’s on each side, shake the bar again, slip under the bar, get into my stance, and knock out 5 reps.  The bar clangs back onto the rack.  I duck under and out.  Sweat is rolling down my cheeks into my skintight light blue mesh t-shirt.  The sweat stains make it obvious I’m working out.  I loosen the belt, grab my water bottle, and take a long chug of water.  I pull the 25’s and put 45’s on.  495. I walk out of the weight room and look for a trainer.  I’m big, strong, but not dumb.  I know to have a spotter on hand for this weight.  I see Dean, the trainer on duty and ask if he can spot me. 

He laughs and says, “Really, Monster?  Aren’t you the one who spots everyone else?” We chuckle and he pats me on the shoulder as we walk back.  We chit-chat and catch up on the local gossip. 

I pop the ear buds back in, twist the bar a few times, get into position under the bar, steady my feet and knees, then push up with my legs.  The bar lifts off the rack.  I take a step back, position my feet shoulder width apart, tilt my head upward, then slowly lower my body.  I feel my ass and hips flare out.  My thighs lower to become parallel with the ground.  I hold for half a second, then exert pressure thru my legs to lift me up.  I can feel the muscles scream with pain as blood rushes in.  I stand, exhale, and as I inhale, I descend again.  Same motion down and up.  I do it a total of 5 times.  As I stand on the fifth rep, Dean is right behind me, his hands at my waist, to help guide the bar back onto the rack.  It clangs loudly.  The rack rocks a bit forward and back. I turn, nod, and we fist bump. 

I un-rack all but one plate on each side of the bar.  I lift the bar off the rack and move it to the floor so I can start dead lifts.  I toss another plate on each side.  Warm-up weight of 225.  I rip thru 10 reps, then increase the weight to 315 for 10 reps.  405 for 10.  I check the mirror in front of me to make sure my stance is still shoulder width wide.  I also glance at the wall mirror to the side, to make sure I’m keeping my back straight and chest pushed forward thru the whole motion.  I don’t want to roll my shoulders and back forward.  This would lead to me lifting with my lower back, and not my legs.   

My workout continues for another hour or so.  Deadlifts to Seated incline presses to seated Abductor and Adductor presses.  When I waddle to the locker room at the end, my legs feel like jelly, but the pump keeps my spirits up.   I get to my locker, strip, grab a towel, and head to the largest shower stall I can find.  I turn the water on, get in, and let it warm up while it cascades over my sweaty body.  I slowly turn in a circle, making sure my whole body gets wet.  I lather up and hit as much of my body as I possibly can.  I usually have someone to get my back, but not today, but maybe tonight. 

The thought of meeting up with Cole relaxes me.  To just sit, talk, and listen and not have to worry about being judged or having to explain myself to someone else, is a novelty in this small town.  Quite a few people want to be in everyone’s business and if you don’t let them in, they are happy enough to make up stuff about you. I open my eyes to find my left fist is clenched.  I turn the water off, take a deep breath and flex my hand to relax it. I look at the tiled wall, see Cole smiling back at me and start to sprout a woody.  I let it grow to full size, then take some more cleansing breaths to help it fade. 

I step out of the shower to dry off.  I get changed and head out.  I pull into the local diner about 15 minutes before closing time.  They know me, so it’s just about acceptable.  I ask for my usual, and make it ‘to-go’.  Rhonda is working the register and sighs with relief.  I laugh and say, “Ronnie, I’m going with ‘to-go’ tonight so you can get home at a decent hour.”  I wink to her.  She just shakes her head. 

She yells to the guys in the back, “Monster special, to go.”

I hear them yell back, “Monster special to go, got it. Be about ten minutes big guy.”

I yell back, “Thanks Carl.  Sorry for being a bit late today.”

“You’re fine Monster.” He calls back. 

I pay and leave a generous tip.  I sit at the counter, pull my phone out and start playing some games to pass the time.  I shoot Rose a text and let her know what my plans are for the week and if she’ll be around.  She asks how things are going with Nona.  I let her know we talked and started to clear the air.  She sends a heart emoji back and says we’ll talk one night.  I send her a thumb’s up.  I’m knee deep in Toon Blast when Ronnie calls to me and says my food is ready.  I immediately turn my phone off and collect my bag.  I give her a wink and yell ‘thanks’ to Carl.  He yells back and I head out.

I sit in my truck, open the brown paper bag and can smell the Bacon double cheeseburger with American cheese.  I smell the A1 sauce on it.  A side order of fries with Old Bay seasoning, and a large side order of Cole slaw. 

Then I see it, the shake, my shake, the one named for me, a ‘Monster shake’.  A vanilla milkshake with Oreos, chocolate sauce, and fudge.  My mouth waters as I see it.  I get even more excited when I see they gave me another cup with the leftovers from the blender.  I pull out the smaller cup, grab a spoon, pull the lid off, and slowly stick the spoon in.  My eyes mist over.  I pull the spoon out and it is covered with Oreo bits, fudge, and chocolate.  My excitement builds as I bring it to my mouth.  I hold it in front of me and stick my tongue out to lick the goodness off the spoon.  I’m in heaven.  No other way to describe it.  It’s just thick enough to stick to the spoon, but once I start to lick it, it melts in my mouth, and slides down my throat, cooling me off.

I close my eyes and sigh.

I roll down the windows as I drive to the park a few minutes away.  The warm evening breeze thru the windows feels nice, calming.

I sit by myself at a picnic table in the fading light and savor the meal.  Talk about a cheat meal, this is it.  My treat to myself. 

A few people walk by, some families, some couples.  I nod to a few I know.  They nod back, allowing me to eat in peace.  I toss my trash but carry the side cup back to my truck.  Just enough left for the ride home. 

I check the time and see there is plenty.  I drive slowly thru town, then back to the estate.  I park, finish the shake, then put the cup in the trash.  I notice Nona’s lights are still on.  I see I have an hour or so before I’m to meet Cole but decide to head to the pond now.  It’s such a gorgeous night, why not enjoy it. 

I walk to the pond and am just a bit disappointed he’s not already there.  He probably won’t be here til 11, so he’ll be right on time.  I guess he’s conditioned to follow a schedule and be on time, but never too early or, God forbid, a few minutes late.  I chuckle, thinking that’s city life. 

I sit at the bench, stretch my arms out of the length of it and let my head fall backward and relax.  I feel some bones crack in my neck and upper back.  I stick my legs out in front of me and twist my ankles from side to side and hear the bones crack there as well.  I do some light seated stretches and then just let my body relax.  Stress leaves bit by bit.

After a while I hear Cole walking towards me.  Well, I don’t really hear him, but I hear the frogs, crickets, and other night creatures go silent as he walks past them.   He softly touches my shoulder.  I turn, smile, and pat the spot next to me.  He looks calm and refreshed.  He sits and I wrap my right arm over his neck to his right shoulder.  I grasp his body and pull him toward me.  He leans to me and our heads touch.  He sets his left hand on my right thigh.  I feel warmth in his hand as he softly touches my skin, letting his fingers wander over the muscles. 

After a while, I softly ask, “Better?”, knowing he may have questions to ask, but knowing they can wait and that he needs this time to just sit and enjoy the view of the night sky.

He quietly murmurs, “Yes.”  He is unwinding, but it will take time.  This is just a small first step. 

“Good.”  I kiss the top of his head lightly. I hug him to me again and release. 

He asks a final question with some sleepiness in his voice, “How did you know?” I squeeze him again and let his body slowly sink into mine. Our breathing comes into sync.  I doze for a bit. So does Cole.  I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.  Just an alarm I had set so I wouldn’t spend the whole night out here, as I have in the past. 

Cole is still asleep.  I carefully get up, scoop him up and carry him back to the house.  After my leg workout, a nice easy bicep workout feels nice.  His 175-lb body feels nice and fits comfortably in my arms. 

He wakes about ¾ of the way back.  I shush him when he says he can walk. 

We make it back, have more fun sex, then fall asleep together. 

My phone buzzes around 6.  I slip out of bed, straighten up the room, make sure Cole is covered up and go to the kitchen.  I grab a banana and an apple. I check over his exercise routine.  It looks comprehensive, but I find one or two things that would work better for him.  I make notations on his sheet.   I jot a quick note to him letting him know I will be away for a few days and why.  I add some humor at the end, which I’m sure he’ll enjoy. 

I walk back to the caretaker’s house, go up to my room, grab a shower, then pack for my stay in town.  It’s pretty easy for me to pack.  I’ve done it several times.  Once everything is ready to go, I head down to the kitchen.  I’m surprised Nona is not up yet.  I make a quick breakfast for both of us.  I eat mine while watching the news and weather.  I see a storm may roll thru towards the end of the week.  I make a mental note.  I jot some notes on a pad of my plans for the week, staying with mom and dad, helping Tiny, helping the Watson’s pack.  I add a few other miscellaneous items, like working out on my own, meeting with Rose, and checking on PJ. 

I think back to my night with Cole and how relaxing it was.  It felt great to be with a guy who just wanted to sit and watch the moon pass by, without the pressure to have sex.  Granted, we had sex, great sex, but I’m pretty sure if we hadn’t done anything, he would have fine with that.  I remember he’s still trying to work thru his issues and maybe me being away for a few days will allow him to make some real progress with them. 

I carry my bags to my truck, make one last trip into the house to make sure I didn’t forget anything – oops, need my books and notebooks for school, then leave Nona a note about breakfast, and head out.  It is about 8:30. Plenty of time for me to get to the Watsons. 

When I get there, the moving truck has not yet arrived, but I see Mr. Watson and his son, Patrick, moving some crates to the yard.  I park down the street and walk back.  I greet them and we get started.  Patrick is a few years older than Tiny, and wants to be helpful.  I let him know I appreciate it, but that it will be easier for me to move some of the larger items by myself.  His dad nods and agrees. 

The truck arrives around 10 and by then, we have moved quite a bit of stuff to spots which make it easy for us to load up the truck. 

It’s 2pm and we’re all sweating.  Mr. Watson remarks how there are so many boxes, more than he imagined.  I laugh and agree with him.  The first truck is pretty well packed up.  The driver takes off to the new place, 7 states away.  Mrs. Watson and their other sons, Lou and Davis are already on their way there and will meet the truck at the new place.  We continue to move boxes and furniture to the now empty first floor and garage.

It hits 3:30 and Mr. Watson tells me he’s tired and done for the day.  I say I can move some more boxes on my own and he waves me off, telling me to enjoy what remains of the day.  I thank him and make sure tomorrow morning at the same time is correct.  He wearily nods yes.  I smile, clap him on the back, and chuckle.  Patrick and I high-five and I take off. 

 I send a quick note to mom letting her know I’m done.  She quickly replies and says Tiny is at a friend’s house til dinner.  I decide to hit the gym for a quick session and warm down.  I let her know I’ll be over around 6.  She shoots back a thumbs up. 

6pm later, I pull into the driveway in a fresh t-shirt, baseball cap, and wet hair.  I pull my bags out and head around back to avoid Tiny trying to tackle me again.  I slip in the back door and see mom at the stove.  She turns, sees me slip in, and grins.  She nods her head to the living room, and I catch a glimpse of Tiny on the sofa reading a book, but with an eye on the door.  He knows I’m coming.  The kid always knows when I’m in the area.  It’s his 6^th sense.

I silently move from room to room, making sure to not step on the creaking hardwood boards.  After 30 years, I know which ones create the most noise.  I tip-toe (Yes, a 6’3”, 230-lb man can tip-toe) to the sofa, but out of his view.  I slowly lower my hands to his bare ankles and am about to grab him when he casually says, “Hey Monster.”  He’s not even looking at me.  I nearly jump back, like I was hit with a live wire.

“Dude, how did you know?” I ask with complete confusion in my voice.

He turns, smiles his knowing smile, and winks at me.  I give up.

I decide to grab his ankles anyway.  I haul him off the sofa and hold him upside down for a minute.  I laughingly say, “I’m going to shake the answer of you…How did you know I was there…” I gently jostle him up and down.

He’s giggling the whole time.  I stop jiggling him, toss him up, catch him at his waist, and spin up right-side up.  I hold him at eye level, and he still just winks at me. 

He calmly says, “We’ve all got our talents Monster…I just know when one of you guys is here.”  I just shake my head again and set him down.  He gives me a huge hug and asks, “How long are you staying?  Just for dinner again?”  I nod ‘no’ and his eyes light up.  “Over night?”  I shrug my shoulders and his face brightens.  He runs into the kitchen, and I see him look for my bags.  He spots them and comes back and excitedly says, “A few days?”  I nod yes.  He hugs me again. 

I squat down so we are eye level again and calmly explain, “Listen big man, I’m helping the Watson’s pack their moving trucks, so I won’t be here during the day,” He frowns a bit, “But I’ll be here in the evenings.”  His face lights up.  I hold up a finger to calm him again.  “I do have some schoolwork to do one night, but after that, you and I are hitting the gym in town and the one downstairs, ok?”  He impatiently nods yes. 

We take my bags upstairs into his room, now our room.  I find the air mattress and hook up the fan to inflate it.  We make small talk and tells me all about football practice and the books he’s reading.  My parents did one thing right with the 6 of us.  We all had to be always reading a book of some sort, either for school or for pleasure.  They didn’t really care what it was, but it could not be a comic book.  Consequently, we have a room full of paperback and hardback books.  Rose, Jen, and Tiny are the beneficiaries of Steve, Colin, and my reading tastes.  Suffice to say, Tiny is enjoying the Louis L’Amour westerns more than Jen and Rose did.

At Tiny’s insistence we get my stuff unpacked then head back down.  Dinner is on the table, and I see two extra plates, besides mine.  Then I hear the voices.  Rose is in the kitchen with mom.  Yapping away and gossiping about who knows what.  I peek my head in, she sees me, but keeps talking.  I wink and so does she.  I turn back the dining room and there is Connor.  Ever the silent stalker.  Right behind me.  I nearly jump out of my skin.  I narrow my eyes at him and hold up a finger.  I point it at him and quietly say, “One day CK (Connor Keith), you’re going to do that and I’m going to unwittingly take a swing at you.  Two hits…” 

Tiny chimes in from his spot at the table, “Me hitting you, you hitting the floor.” 

I look past CK and nod to him.  “Got that right Tiny.”  I give him a thumbs up.  He returns it to me. 

I look back at CK and see him grinning at me.  In a brotherly tone he asks, “How’ve you been Monster?  Sorry I missed you over the weekend. Had junk to do.”  I eye him up. 

One thing the five of us have with each other is a bullshit sensor. Tiny doesn’t have it yet, or if he does, he isn’t saying so. I eye him up and don’t see him fidgeting, so he’s probably being honest.  I wrap my muscular arm around his neck and lead him to the table.  He sits opposite me. “Well, you know CK, living the dream life at the estate.  Rolling hills, heated swimming pool, exercise room, fully prepared meals, steady paycheck.  What else could a man want?”  I know he’s got a comeback, but I shift my eyes to Tiny and back, so he knows to censor his remarks.

He politely says, “My dream life has sand and drinks in it and is a bit further south and east.” 

We both laugh and Tiny has a confused look on his face. I put my arm around his shoulder, lean down and say, “CK was never a fan of the chilly weather.  He likes the beach.”  Tiny nods in understanding.  I wink to CK with appreciation.  He nods back.

Dinner comes and goes.  Everyone is very talkative.

Afterwards, Tiny, CK, and I head to the basement.  I pull out the routine I created for Tiny and show him.  I made it easy for him to understand.  I have pictures of the exercises he needs to do, how much weight to use, the number of reps, and the number of sets.   He eyes it up, looking over it a few times.  His face scrunches a few times and I know those are exercises he doesn’t want to do.  I squat down and say in a low, patient voice, “Tiny, you need to do the ones you don’t like as much as the ones you do like.  Trust me, I had a bunch of exercises I didn’t want to do when I was getting big, but I did them and you see how it turned out.”  I slowly rise to my full height, and he watches me. 

He huffs a bit but finally says, “Ok.”  He looks up to CK and asks, “Can you help me when he’s not here?”

CK immediately says, “Of course little man.  I need to do some of those too, so you don’t get bigger than me.”  He has a huge grin on his face and winks to Tiny, who laughs. 

I announce, “Ok, let’s get started.  We’ll just run thru some of the basics, so you’ll know the proper way to do each exercise.”  Tiny nods. 

We spend the next hour going thru the workout.  We take our time and I make sure they are both on the same page with motion, movement, and muscles worked.  At the end, Tiny looks wiped out, but in a good way.  He wants to do some more, but I let him know we’ve done enough.  I promise to take him to the gym tomorrow. 

We head back upstairs, and I see Jen has joined us for dessert.  We sit back down at the dinner table and have some warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Afterwards CK heads back to his apartment and mom takes Tiny up to get him ready for bed.  She’s really doing it so Rose, Jen, dad, and I can talk.

I rehash my conversation with Nona, including the ugly details.  They listen in silence and nod now and then.  I finish and Jen comments, “Wow Jake, you really didn’t pull any punches.  Is that why you’re here tonight?”  The last part comes out just a bit to sarcastic.

I open my mouth to rebuke her, but Rose beats me to it.  In her normal forthright fashion she says, “Jen, join us once in a while for a meal and you’d be caught up on what’s happening in everyone’s lives.” Eyes flare, eyebrows raise, I cower a bit at the impending maelstrom.

Dad sees the tension rise and immediately jumps in with his patient but stern voice, “Girls, enough.”  They each take a breath and look at him.  “Tim is right upstairs, and he doesn’t need to hear you two going at it.”  Jen opens her mouth, but dad’s hand comes up. She shuts it.  “Jen, what Rose said is partially correct.”  Jen’s face goes a shade paler. “You’ve been MIA for bit and may not have all the facts with what’s going on between Jake and Nona.  It came to a boiling point, and he had to get everything out in the open.  Now that it is, they can begin to figure what’s next.” 

Jen takes another breath, puts her hand on top of mine and says, “Sorry Jake, I did not know it had gotten that bad.”  I nod with appreciation. 

We continue the conversation and I let it slip about the guest at the house and his situation.  All eyes focus on me, and I see Rose wink. “Ok, Cole, the guest, is gay…and we slept together.”  I see dad’s eyebrow raise just the slightest bit.  Jen has an enormous grin and Rose just shakes her head.  I defend myself by saying, “It was consensual…and I think…I like him…” Eyebrows go higher, questions are forming in their heads.  I cut them all off by saying, “I’m going slow.  He’s a really nice guy and I don’t want to screw it up.  I told Nona he’s gay and that I’m helping him out with his exercises and talking to him about his issues,” I say the next part sternly, “but nothing else.”  I look directly at Jen. She nods with understanding.

Mom and Tiny come back downstairs.  We finish cleaning up and talking.  Everyone heads to bed.  I climb onto the air mattress and stretch out.  My feet hang over the edge, the mattress sinks due to my weight, and the pillows are not that comfortable, but I’m home, in my old room.  I’m good.  I stare at the ceiling and hear Tiny quietly say, “I’m glad you’re here Jake, even if it’s only for a few days.” 

I respond just as quietly, “I’m glad I’m here too Tim.”  I hear his bed creak. I feel my mattress sink a bit, then sense him next to me.  I carefully turn over and feel him move right next to me.  His little body snuggles up to me.  His dark floppy curly hair against my side.  He drapes his left arm over my chest.  I carefully put my left arm around his body and corral him to me.  He mumbles thanks, then quickly drowses off.  I lay there thinking about my problems, then think of Cole’s, then feel Tim’s chest expand and contract as he breathes.  I guess I really don’t have it too bad.  I smile and think of all the positives in my life.  I drift off.

Tuesday morning comes all too soon.  Tiny is still next to me, his body splayed out, with legs and arms all over the place.  I find I’ve been pushed to the edge of the air mattress, and he’s taken up most of it.  Blankets are strewn and his body is half covered.  I slowly roll off, making sure to not wake him.  I pad to the bathroom with all my toiletries and a change of clothes.  I take a quick shower.  I head downstairs and see mom is making breakfast for me and dad. 

She looks at me and says, “He slept with you, didn’t he?”  I nod.  “He misses you.” 

“I know.”  I take a sip of juice. “I hope this week will help.”  She nods back to me.  I offer, “I could take him back to the estate once Cole leaves and get him out of your hair for a bit.” 

“That’s a nice offer Jake, but are you sure you’re ready for him full time like that?”  I know what she means.  I shrug my shoulders.  She continues, “He’s a handful even when he’s not hyped up.”  We continue to talk about it and decide a simple overnight trip to start would be best.  If it goes well, we can extend it. 

I head out before anyone else comes down.  I head to the Watson’s and put in another full day of packing up and moving boxes and furniture.  We get done in the blistering heat and realize the house is three quarters done.  We decide a few hours tomorrow morning and we should be done.  I head back to my parents, get Tiny and head to the gym. 

The guys see us walk in and make the usual comments, “Whoa, Tiny brought his Monster to the gym.  Go easy on him little man.  He’s kind of old now.”  Tim looks up to me with a grin on his face.  I put my hand on his shoulder and gently squeeze.  We get changed and I explain to him what we’ll be doing, so we’re on the same page.  I also let him know he cannot get any weights without me being there to help him.  It’s not a gym rule, but it’s my rule with him, for his own safety.  He understands and agrees. 

We start our workout and I walk him thru some easy body weight exercises he can do.  We do a few sets of push-ups.  He does six or seven each time, then I do twenty each time with him on my back for some extra weight.  I hear him giggling the whole time.   We move to pull-ups.  I lift him to the bar, put my hands under his feet, and help him as he does three or four.  I give him praise for his effort to give him confidence to continue to do them.  I have him get on my back like I’m giving him a piggy-back ride and then tell him to wrap his arms around my neck.  I do my sets with his extra weight.  Dean is standing off to the side, watching Tiny in case he loses his grip. 

The rest of the workout goes well, and he seems to enjoy being at the gym.  A lot of my friends make an effort to come over and talk to him, making him feel welcome.  By the end, he’s chatting away with some of the guys, telling them how he’s getting bigger, and will probably be bigger than me at some point.  The guys play along and say he’s got a real good shot at it. 

We grab a quick shower then head to the diner to get dinner for the family.  Mom mentioned it would be just the 4 of us so I told her I’d get dinner.  I place the order then we sit and chat.  Ronnie fawns over Tiny and gives him a mini-Monster shake.  The diner is busy, but they’re really quick with take-out orders.  We get ours and pile back into the pick-up and drive home.  We make small talk and I ask how his reading is going.  Does he like the Westerns?  He shrugs his shoulders and says, they all seem the same.  I carefully say, “Yeah, I thought so too when I was your age, but after a while you will see the differences in the characters.  Once that happens, you’ll want to re-read some of them.”

I glance over and see he’s a bit skeptical.  He says, “Ok, if you say so.”

We get home.  There are plates on the table waiting for us.  I unpack the food and put it on the serving platters.  We sit, say Grace, and eat.  Mom and dad ask Tiny how he liked the gym.  His eyes light up and he goes thru every exercise we did and tells them how much he really like them or didn’t like them.

Afterwards, I grab my schoolbooks and head to the screened in porch.  I sit and start to read.  Tiny comes out, in his PJ’s, sits right against me with his book, and reads quietly.  I make notes and highlight items.  I see him watch me and look at the pad I’m writing on.  After an hour I see dad poke his head out, raise any eyebrow, and nod at Tiny.  He’s asking if he’s bugging me.  I nod ‘no’ and he winks and walks away. Half an hour later, I glance down and see he’s fallen asleep.  The book has fallen into his lap.  I gently move my arms to cradle his body.  I slowly stand and walk him up to our room.  I put him on his bed and pull a sheet over him. 

I go back down, finish my reading, say goodnight, and head up.  I quickly change and get on the mattress.  I realize how exhausting the day was, between helping the Watson’s and watching Tiny for a few hours.  I nod off fairly quickly. 

I wake Wednesday morning and feel Tiny is next to me again.  He’s face down with his right arm draped over my neck.  I untangle myself from him, leave him on the air mattress and get ready for the day. 

Another quick breakfast, then I’m out the door. A few hours to finish up at the Watsons, get paid, then I’m off to see PJ.  I decide to meet him in the park.  If we met at his place, I know what would happen. 

He’s already there and wearing a nice skintight white t-shirt and dark blue mesh gym shorts.   His perky nipples are visible thru his shirt.  My unit stirs, but I keep it under control.  I’m in shorts and a sweaty dark green mesh t-shirt.  My hair is a mess under my ballcap, and I know I stink to high heaven. 

I walk up to him, lean down, and give him a kiss.  I say, “Hey sexy, how are you?”  His sultry eyes investigate mine and he winks. “So, how’ve you been?”

“Missing my muscle stud.”  He says coyly. I blush, knowing he means it.  The time we spent together was great, and not just the sex.  He’s such a sweet guy, but I know I’m doing the right thing.  “So, what are you thinking about?”  I glance up.  “You look like you were a million miles away.”  He half smiles at me and reaches his left hand out for my right.  I look at his hand, and tentatively put mine over his, then gently rub his soft skin with my thumb.  I glance back up.  My face gives away my feelings.  He frowns a bit.  “Jake?”  I take a deep breath.  I open my mouth, but he pulls his hand back slowly and says, “Don’t say it.  I want to remember the happy times we had.”

“Please…” I say quietly.  I look into his light green eyes, hoping he’ll give me one minute to explain.  He nods ever so slightly.  “You’re wonderful…your family is great.  Rose was right.  You are an awesome person and so much fun to be with…”

“But…”  I look at him again and feel my stomach twist.

“I…want…to…find someone…my age.” The last part comes out as a whisper. I gain a bit of confidence and say, “PJ, I’m thirty.  I need to find someone who shares my interests,” he smiles at me, and I know why, “besides sex…”  He frowns a bit. “Not that we don’t have common interests…it’s just…I feel you’re a bit young for me.  You still want to go clubbing and drinking,” I look away and say, “but…I…don’t.  I’m sorry.”

“Jake.”  I look into his eyes again.  I see a bit of pain, but more solace for me.  “Monster.  I love that nickname.  It’s so right for you, but not in the way you think I mean it.  If that makes sense?” I nod. “You have been wonderful to me as well.  I have enjoyed every minute we’ve spent with each other.  Yes, Rose was right.  You are one of the nicest, most gentle people in this small town.”  I blush again.  “I just hope ‘Mr. Right’ comes along quickly for you.  You deserve to be happy.  I’m just sorry, I’m not the one.”  He puts his hand back within my reach.  I put mine over top and gently squeeze.  “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m just a call away.”  I smile at him.

“Same for you.”  I get up, walk around the table, lean down, cup his head, and kiss him again.  I muss his red-hair and say, “Love you, Red.”

He puts his hand on my chest, which I flex involuntarily, and says, “Love you too, Monster.”  I head back to my truck, breathing easier.  I call Rose and let her know what I did, knowing PJ will be talking to her at some point.  She offers to come over tonight if I need to talk.  I let her know I should be good.  The rest of the day is pretty normal.  Gym, dinner, workout with Tiny in the basement, schoolwork, then bed.

Thursday finds me at loose ends.  Tiny is in bed with me when I wake.  I lay still and wait for him to wake.  When he wakes up and finds me still in bed, he rolls over, climbs onto my chest, puts his hands on my pecs, and says, “I knew you’d still be here today.”

“And, how did you know that?”

“Monster, like I said, I can tell when one of you guys are around.”  I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Well, Tiny, I’m free most of the day.  What are your plans?”  I already know but want him to say it.

“I have my reading to do, some exercising, practice, then…I dunno, hanging out with you?”

“Ok.  I think I can squeeze you in for some bro time.”  I reach up and begin to tickle him.  He starts to giggle and squirm, trying to get out of my reach.  His arms and legs flail around, but his kicks don’t really hurt.  After a few minutes, I slow down, and he stops laughing.  We get up, get cleaned up, then head to breakfast.  Nona sends me a note saying she is going to her friend Helen’s house for the weekend and would I be able to come home tomorrow in case Cole needs anything.  I write back immediately and say I will be back in the morning.

The day goes as planned.  The quality time with Tiny was great.  We hit the gym, then the zoo, and finally the bookstore.  I told him to find a few books he would be interested in reading.  Anything at all.  He wandered around for a while.  I didn’t follow him but made sure I knew where he was at all times.  He’s old enough to know not to wander off, but young enough to be distracted easily.  After fifteen minutes, he finds me and has three books in his hands, The Swiss Family Robinson, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and Alice in Wonderland.  I think to myself, ‘the kid had got taste.’  We walk up and I pay for the books and for a couple magazines I had found. 

We head back home for dinner.  Mom has a buffet set out and I see a stack of plates, which means only one thing, everyone is going to be here.  We show her and dad the books we bought.  They approve.  We head up to the room and he puts them on his bookshelf.  I start to pack a few things into my bags, just to remind him I’m leaving in the morning.  We talk about the day and the week, and he says he had a lot of fun and really enjoyed having me over.  My heart melts.  I wish I could be here more often, but we both know that isn’t possible.  He says out of the blue, “CK and Steven are here.”  I glance down at him.  He smiles to me.  I hear the front door open and shut.  I can hear the twins laughing about something as they walk past the steps. 

I wonder what’s up with my brother.  I let it go.  We head down and a few minutes later Jen and Rose make their appearance.

We sit at the table, say Grace, then form a line to get dinner.  I go last, as always.  Tiny is right in front of me, and watches what I get and tries to get the same.  I nod, but make sure he doesn’t get as much as I do.  

Dinner is a raucous event.  There are 7 different conversations going on, with everyone involved in more than one, at any given moment.  Rose is sitting to my right and Tiny is on my left.  Rose is quietly asking me about PJ and Cole, while Tiny is talking to me and CK about the exercise routine.  We’ve all grown accustomed to the way dinner works.  No one is left out and everyone makes an effort to talk to everyone else. 

Once the meal is over, the kids get to clean up while mom and dad relax on patio.  They come in after a bit and say it’s started to sprinkle.  I turn the TV on and flip to the weather station.  I see a storm is moving in and there will be heavy rain over night.  I think about going home tonight, but decide I need to spend one last evening with the family. 

At some point, someone pulls a game out, and we spend the next few hours laughing our way thru Pictionary. The party breaks up around 9 and all the twins leave.  Tiny heads up to get changed, and I head to the patio.  The rain has stopped, but I know this is temporary.  I sit for a while.  Tiny comes out and crawls into my lap and we look for constellations.  I find a few and point them out.  He finds some as well.  I see him yawn and stretch his body.  I wrap my arms around him and make sure he’s warm.  He dozes, then nods off. I carry him up to his bed. 

I lay on the air mattress and think of seeing Cole in the morning.  I hope his week went well.  I hope he needs another massage.  With Nona being away, we won’t have to worry about sneaking around.  A smile comes over my face.  I nod off.

I wake to Tiny shaking my shoulder.  He’s whispering kind of loudly, but right into my ear, “Jake...Monster…you need to get up.”  He shakes me again and I’m fully awake.

“What’s up Tim?  It’s got to be early.  Why are you up?  Did you have a bad dream?”  I’m still a bit groggy.

“No, no, no.  Jake, it rained a lot last night.”  He says with a nervously distraught voice.

“I know buddy, I heard it too.”  I’m speaking softly, trying to calm him down.

“Jake, you need to get back to the estate.”  Now he’s worried.

“What?”  I’m fully awake and am sitting up.  He’s right next to me, almost in my lap.  His hands are shaking.  I put mine over his and hold them firmly.  “Why do I need to get back?  Did something happen to Nona? 

“No, no, no.  She’s fine…It’s just…there’s something wrong up there…”  I stare at him.  “I saw it in my dream.  It rained a lot.”  He’s rambling but insistent. 

I climb off the mattress and start shoving clothes into my bags.  He helps, as much as he can.  I say to him, “Go into the bathroom and get all my stuff.  Be careful with the razor.  Put it all in my carrying case and bring it back.”  He nods and heads off.  I finish packing and grab my books and magazines.  As I’m heading downstairs, dad pops his head out of his room and asks what’s up.  I jerk my head to the downstairs, and he follows.  I quickly explain what Tiny said.  “I want to get back to make sure Nona is ok, if she’s still there.  If she’s fine, then I need to make sure Cole is ok.”  He nods.  “I don’t know where Tiny gets these feelings from, but he’s rarely wrong.”  Dad raises an eyebrow at me.  “He knew Steve and CK were here before they came into the house last night.  We were up in our room.  I didn’t even hear their car pull up, but he knew.” Dad just shrugs his shoulders.  Tiny is coming down the steps with my bathroom bag.  I shove it into one of the others, then head to the door.  I squat down and say to Tiny, “Man, I hope you’re wrong this time, but I will let you know if anything has happened.”  He vigorously shakes his head.  I give him a big hug, then one to dad and I’m off.

I think on my way home, I know people who’ve had prophetic dreams, but could Tim be like that?  Today was the first time he was really upset and anxious about what he saw.  It’s still early and the rain is still falling, but not as hard as it was overnight. 

By the time I get back to the estate, the rain has stopped, and the clouds have broken.  The sun is starting to stream thru.  I breathe a sigh of relief.  I park at the house, unpack my stuff, and jump in my tractor and head up to catch Cole. 

When I get to the house, he’s not there.  I make quick run thru the house to make sure, but he’s out. I check the paths and see his footprints on a path leading up the slope behind the house.  He’ll be a while.  I head back to the house and finish unpacking.  I throw a load of laundry in and sit to have breakfast.  I flip the TV on catch some news and the weather.  The radar shows another storm just over the mountains.  I figure it will be here soon.  I make sure the house is closed up and head back up to the main house.  I check it again, but Cole has not gotten back yet. 

I hear the first rumbles of thunder just over the treetops.  The sound is deep and full.  Another rumble, the sky grows dark.  The house shakes, windows rattle.  The storm comes over the top of the hills.  The rain starts, hitting the roof and sides of the house like pebbles on a tin roof.  This continues for a few minutes.

A flash of lightning, more thunder, then the main body makes it over.  The winds pick up and the thunder shakes the house again.  I hear branches whipping against the siding and the windows.  Leaves and debris litter the pool area.  A few branches have snapped off and are on the patio. 

My mind flashes to Cole.  I hope he’s found a safe spot to ride out the storm.  I check my phone and see there is still quite a large cell heading my way.  Nothing for me to do at this point but wait for it to end.

Time slows to a crawl.  The storm in intense, one of the worst in a long while.  I sit by the French doors in the living room and watch the rain pelt the windows and patio.  It’s coming down in sheets, or as Nona would say, ‘It’s raining cats and dogs.’.  I hear a new sound.  I can’t quite place it.  It sounds like a locomotive, or a heavily laden dump truck passing by.  I move to the upper floor and look out the windows.  I spot it out the front window.  It’s a mudslide.  It must have started at the near the top of the ridge.  There is quite a bit of debris in it. I see branches, small rocks, and other plants.  The initial wave passes, and I start to worry as it is heading down the path where Cole might be, based on the path he took. 

I continue to watch then realize I’m clutching the wood frame to the window.  My knuckles are white, and my fingers are flexed.  I can see the tendons thru my skin.  I release my hand and take a few cleansing breaths.  I close my eyes and hope he is ok, wherever he is. 

Ten minutes later, the mudslide has passed, the noise has lessened, and the rain is starting to abate.  I take a chance and go downstairs and out the front door.  My tractor is parked right there.  I get in and start down the driveway.  There is a lot of debris, so I go slower than I’d like.  I find the path Cole is most likely on and turn off the driveway and onto it.  It’s a mess.  It looks like this is the direction the mudslide took.

I follow it for a what seems like forever, but it’s only a few hundred yards.  I’m swiveling my head from side to side.  The rain is still lightly falling.  I spot him, off to my right.  He’s against a large rock.  I think, ‘Oh fuck, he’s in bad shape.’  He looks like he got caught in the debris of the slide.  He’s shivering uncontrollably.  I get as close to him as I can without getting the tractor bogged down in mud.  I move to him and scoop him up.  He’s freezing.  I need to get him back to the house and into a warm bath.  Hyperthermia is probably setting in.  I slide him onto the bench seat of the tractor, get in, wrap my arm around him to make sure he doesn’t slide off, and start back.

It takes even longer to get back.  Once back, I get him upstairs, into a warm shower, then the tub.  I make sure I’m with him the whole time, sharing my body’s heat.  He keeps saying he’s fine, but he does not realize the extent of danger he’s in due to his exposure.  He’s also lost all sense of time.  It’s early afternoon now.  He still thinks it’s the morning. 

I get him out of the tub and to the bed.  I climb in next to him and meditate a bit to ease my rapidly beating heart.  It slows.  Cole’s breathing slows as well.  He drifts off.  I drift, but not completely to sleep. 

I suddenly feel him twisting and thrashing around.  I wake and take him in my arms, to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself.  He eventually wakes and says he had a bad dream.  I get him some Advil and we talk, mainly so he can relax and calm down.  I need to take stock and see if he has a concussion or any more signs of hyperthermia.  I think I got him into warm water quick enough. 

After talking for a while, we have sex.  I think he wants to thank me for saving him.  I just don’t want to exhaust him.   As we go at it, I continually watch him for any signs of problems.  He seems to be fine.  He gets me off, then I return the favor.

We fall back to sleep.

I wake and sense he’s not in bed.  I slowly roll over and see he’s gone.  I look toward the bathroom and see the light is off.  I get out of bed and look toward the window.  The sun is in the east.  We slept the night.  I hope it helped him.  I move to the hallway and hear and smell breakfast being prepared.  I wander down, still naked. 

There’s Cole, moving around the kitchen, making breakfast, and not worried about yesterday.  I scratch my balls as I walk to him. He sees me, smiles, and I embrace him.  We kiss.  Just his touch causes my unit to expand.  I struggle to keep myself calm.  Not sure what it is about Cole but being around him is having an effect on me.  I’m not complaining, it’s just something I haven’t felt in a while, and I need to be sure of myself before I open myself to him.

I get dressed, we have breakfast, and he finally gets around to asking me about my body.  I know he’s wanted to since we first met on the path, but I’m sure he’s taking it slow too.  He also has a bunch of other things to work out so, my body may not be the first thing on his mind, but…maybe it is. 

His blue eyes penetrate me and make me feel comfortable, at ease.  Our talk feels natural, not forced.  His questions are ones that make me think.  Why did I stop bodybuilding, why am I still here, is school important to me?  Questions I’ve asked myself, but never seriously thought about, or really answered.

**

Like they say, time flies when you’re having fun.  Cole and I are getting closer.  We’ve spent quite a bit of time together over the past few weeks.  The sex is great, obviously, but our talks are better.  He’s opened up to me and shared his life, his ups and down, failures and triumphs.  He’s honest and wears his scars as badges.  His life has not been easy, but he’s always made the best of what he’s been given.  Covid really did shatter him.  His solid foundation was shaken, and it crumbled.  He tried to press thru the challenges, but the stress got to him.  He snapped.  I can now see the ‘why’ behind him losing it. 

We talk…I support him and offer as much mental help as he’ll take.  I won’t say he’s hesitant to accept it, but I think he thinks he needs to work thru his issues on his own.  Based on his exercise plan, I know he does a lot of yoga and meditation. 

He seems to get a bit better day by day.  I can really see the ‘real’ Cole coming thru.  He’s so nice and funny.  He’s got a great smile and every time he sees me, I get a warm feeling deep down inside of me. 

I’ve talked about my family and the issues I’ve had and gotten thru, including the ones with Nona.  He listens and absorbs every word.  Even better, he remembers, and brings up details I’ve mentioned in passing and makes whole conversations out of them.  He’s interested in me, not just my body.

**

It’s a Tuesday morning.  I’m having breakfast with Nona.  She’s outlining my work week.  She has a list of items that need tending to.  I listen and think I can take Cole with me on some of them.  Get him away from the house and farther out onto the property.  Let him see just how expansive this place is.

She pauses and looks up at me.  “Did you get the last item, Jake?”

“Yes Nona.  The lower meadow needs to be cut and the streambed dredged.”  She nods.  I say without hesitation, “I would like you, me, and Cole to have dinner tonight, together.” She looks up.  Her eyes pierce mine and I can see her studying me.  She has questions, but is thinking of how to ask them.

I beat her to the punch.  “Cole and I have grown close over the past few weeks.  We talk almost every day that I am here.  We meet up, workout, have meals together…”  I pause. She raises an eyebrow.  “We’ve slept together…”  She tilts her head slightly, registering what I’ve said, but still trying to process it, “…on several occasions.”  Ok, her eyes get just a bit wider.  “It’s been consensual.”

She slowly says, “That was not my concern Jake…”  Now it’s my turn to try to read her.  She’s not flinching.  “…What happens when he leaves?  Where will that leave you?”  Good question.  Where will it leave me?  I hadn’t thought about it too much.  “My concern is for you, sweetie.  I understand you and Cole get along, but he won’t be here forever, and I need to be sure you will be ok when he leaves.”  I nod slowly.  She reaches her tiny hand to my enormous mitt, covers it, and says, “Yes Jake, I’d enjoy having dinner with you and Cole.”  My eyes light up.  “I can make a lasagna, if that would be, ok?”

I smile, knowing how wonderful her cooking is.  I say with excitement in my voice, “Yes, that would be perfect.”  I put my other hand on top of hers and gently squeeze.

On my way to the lower meadow, I stop by the house and see Cole on the patio.  He’s mediating.  I hate to interrupt him, but I have to.  I walk up behind him as quietly as I can, and he pulls a Tiny on me and out of the blue says, “Hey sexy.”  I almost fall backward over a chair.  He turns, opens his eyes, and winks at me.

“How did you know I was here.  Your eyes were shut, and you were facing the other way!?!” 

He calmly asks, “Jake, you’re what 6’3”?”  I nod, “You really are not the silent ninja you think you are.” I scrunch my face, realizing Tiny can probably hear me across the house.  I make peace with it.  “So, what’s up big guy?  Shouldn’t you be in town making extra cash for school?” 

I wave him off and say, “Plenty of time for that later.”  I see his face fall just a bit. “Cole,” I wave my hand between us and say, “Our time together has become more important.”  He sighs with a bit of frustration.  “Those jobs will always be there.  You…on the other hand…well…you won’t always be here.  I want to make the most of the time we have…”  He gives me a warm smile and stands up.  He closes the gap between us.  We hug, then kiss, and start to get frisky.  I pull away and he looks into my eyes, wondering why.  “I have a bit of work to do today in the lower meadow…and…” I hesitate, but just spill it, “…I was wondering if you’d have dinner tonight with Nona and I?” 

His eyes widen….to the point where the whites completely surround his blue iris’.  I put a hand on his forearm to steady him and say with as much positivity as I can, “It won’t be that bad.”  His eyes narrow.  I tentatively says, “Um…well, I kind of told her about us.”  He nearly faints.  He knees buckle, but I quickly grab him by his lats and support him. 

He stammers, “Why, Jake?”  He’s upset and it shows.  He moves to a chair, and I sit right next to him. 

I put a hand on his thigh.  I squeeze softly and rub his leg.  “She starting to come around to who I am.  You’re important to me.  I want you and her to at least try to get along.”  He eyes me up with suspicion. “She’s making a lasagna.”  His eyes glaze over.  He’s in, I know it.

“Well…”  I wink at him and squeeze his thigh a bit harder.  I see him starting to pitch a tent.  “I…guess…I can give it a go…”

“Awe dude, you’re the best!”  I jump up, pick him up from his chair, swing him around and bring him in for another kiss.  This one lasts a bit longer and I start to expand as well. 

I offer to take him with me today as I do my chores, but he wants to stay here and finish his meditating. I’m kind of let down and he sees it. He comes in and gives me a big hug and says, “Jake, I really do appreciate your help, and the offer to spend the day with you is something I would normally jump at, but today…today, I really want to put some time into my meditating and yoga.” I nod, knowing he is thinking about his own wellbeing first and I must accept that.  I lean over and we kiss.  I reach my arm around his back and run my hand up and down as a sign of affection.  He puts his left hand on my chest, which I flex, and he gropes the muscle.  Now it’s his turn to pull away.  He pats my chest and asks, “What time is dinner and what can I bring?”

“Sixish, and nothing, unless you really want to bring something.”  He nods.  “Nona cooks for an army, so anything you bring, you may be taking home as leftovers.”  I wink and he laughs.  We kiss again and I take off.

The day speeds by.  I’m so excited and nervous for dinner.  I send Rose a text and let her know what’s going to happen.  She immediately calls me, and we talk for twenty minutes.  She’s full of hope for me and says she’ll be sending positive vibes my way all night.  I call dad and let him know as well.  He’s happy but is also hesitant.  I explain we’ve been making progress and I want her to get to know Cole. He asks if Cole is okay with having a meal with her.  I rehash our conversation and I hear him grunt.  He wishes me luck and asks that I let him know how it goes.  I promise to call him.

I get home around 5 and take a nice long hot shower.  I trim up my beard and make sure to wear a nice pair of pants and shirt.  I make my way to the kitchen and Nona is there, bustling around, checking pots and pans and the oven.  She’s dressed up too.  I start to clean up some of the dirty pots and utensils.  She walks behind me and pats my back.  She then rubs her hand up and down, like I did with Cole.  No words pass between us, but an enormous amount of love is passed.  

The doorbell rings at 5:55. I almost jump out of my skin.  It’s been forever since we’ve had a guest in the house.  I walk down the hall to the front door and open it.  There he is.  Dressed in tan slacks and a Navy-Blue polo.  He’s also wearing penny loafers.  His hair is still the slightest bit damp, and I can smell his deodorant.  Old Spice.  I inhale deeply and smile as I exhale.  I reach my hand out to him and he takes it.  I pull him to me and softly kiss him.  He has a casserole dish with him.  I can feel the heat from it.  I look down and he proudly says, “My Brussels Sprouts recipe.”  I continue to smile, but think, ‘oh God, why that vegetable?’  He sees my look, pats me on the arm, and says, “Don’t worry, I won’t make you eat them, but…if you don’t try them, I may be too busy over the next few days and won’t have any openings for ‘Jake time’.”  He pats my arm again and walks past me and down the hall to the kitchen.

I sulk.  Then turn and follow his shapely ass.  I let out a low whistle and I know he hears it because he clenches his ass just before he enters the kitchen. 

Dinner goes well.  Nona is on her best behavior and seems to warm to Cole.  They make jokes at my expense.  I let it pass.  Nona tells a few stories from when I was a kid.  Cole listens to every word with rapt attention.  He glances at me every so often and winks.  Nona sees it but doesn’t say a word.  I try some of the sprouts.  They both watch me like a hawk and take note of every twitch in my eyes and face.  I must admit, they aren’t that bad.  They are soft, but not mushy.  He added some bacon and quite a bit of garlic.  There is also some cheese and a light sprinkling of breadcrumbs.  Nona asks for the recipe, and he recites it from memory.  She quickly jots it down and thanks him.

We finish dinner and clean up. 

I walk him to the door.  He’s got a bag of leftovers.  As we stand there, I run my fingers thru his lengthening hair.  I curl some of it around my fingers.  He puts his free hand on my forearm.  We kiss again. I whisper, “Pond?  11ish?”  He nods ever so slightly and is off walking into the twilight.  I smile to myself and see I’ve sprouted a boner.  I stand there for a few minutes, just enjoying the sensation.

I close the door, move the living room, turn on a light and send a quick text to both Rose and dad and let them know dinner was a success. I walk back to the kitchen and Nona sees me enter with my big smile. 

She says, “Jake, you’re right, Cole is a very nice gentleman.  I can see why you like him.”  She walks up to me and takes my hands in hers. She wants to say something but holds back.  She shakes our hands and leans up to give me a kiss.  She looks at the remaining dishes and says, “They can wait.”

She winks at me and nods toward the house.  I smile broadly to her, race up the back steps, get changed as fast as I can, and jog up to the house.  I run around the side of the house to the patio and see Cole sitting on a lounge chair, watching the stars.  He sees me and looks surprised.  He starts to rise from the chair. 

I move to him, swoop down, and sweep him up into my arms.  I kiss him.  He puts his hands around my neck and kisses me back.  His warm soft lips pressing against mine.  Warm air passes between us.  His tongue invades my mouth and runs along my teeth.  My soft beard against his clean-shaven face.  I sprout a boner in no-time.  I move to the French doors and enter the house.  I carry him to his bedroom and lay him on the bed. 

I strip.  He watches and admires my body.  He gets off the bed and takes his clothes off as well.  We come together.  Our bodies merge.  The heat between us is intense.  His hands wander over my body, front, back, sides…touching, caressing, raking my skin.  My hands are draped over his shoulders and hanging down his back.  I’m enjoying his ministrations. 

He backs up to the bed and sits on the edge.  He pulls me down on top of him as he lays back.  My body covers his. My hair is moist with sweat.  He wraps his arms around my back and pulls me completely on him.  He squirms a bit, spreading my sweat over his skin.  I hear him hum with pleasure. 

He pulls my head down so it is next to his.  His warm breath invades my left ear.  I feel his coarse tongue lap at my earlobe.  He strikes a sensitive nerve, and my unit goes steel hard.  It is pinned between our bodies, but he can feel it grow.  He growls, a low hungry noise.  He squeezes me harder.  I let my complete weight fall on to his body.  We sink lower into the mattress.  He hums again and whispers, “You ready?” 

I lean up slightly, turn so we are facing each other, lean back down, kiss him passionately.

When we come up for air, I slide off the bed, reach into the pocket of my pants and pull out a condom.  As I slip it on, Cole turns over and sticks his shapely ass into the air, offering himself up to me.  I push my nose into his smooth ass crack and lick at his hole.  I deposit spit there and use my tongue to move it around.  I put my index finger on his hole and gently push.  I slip into him.  I put my face right next to my finger and lick at his hole as I piston my finger in and out.  He’s moaning with pleasure.  I hook my finger upward and pull back, caressing the upper edge of his insides.  I release and he relaxes a bit.  I push my middle finger in and expand his hole slowly.  I put my face between my fingers and use my tongue to push more spit into him.  I then piston my fingers in and out, making sure to coat his insides.

When I feel he is lubed up enough, I pull my fingers out, move away from his hole, and gently slap his lily-white ass. He grunts.  I slap him again, a bit harder.  Another grunt.  He turns his head and I see a sly smile on his face.  My unit bounces and slaps my rock-hard abs a few times. 

I quickly flip him onto his back.  He raises his legs to his chest. I position myself at his hole and slowly enter him.  There’s not an ounce of pain showing on his face.  He accepts my presence without question or fear.  I push all the way in and bottom out.  He lets out a low grunt but has a smile on his face.  I lean between his legs and lower my hirsute chest to his hairless one.  I thrust my hips forward to make sure I stay in him. His legs wrap around my tight waist, and he locks his ankles together. 

I start my motion, slowly at first, then I pick up the tempo. Pretty soon I’m going all out, and my balls are slapping his ass cheeks with every push.  He’s grunting and moaning with each shove.  Our lips are locked together, and he exhales right into my mouth every time I push in. 

His hands are wrapped around my lats, and I can feel he is clasping one wrist with the other. 

His body is attached to mine. I could probably pry him off, but I don’t want to.  The feeling is wonderful.  I decide to show off for him.  I scoot backwards to the end of the bed.  I slowly lean up, pulling his body with me.  I feel him tighten his grip with his arms and legs.  I whisper in his left ear, “You have no idea how strong I really am, do you?”  He grunts in response.  I tease him, “I could pick you up with one hand, shove my middle finger into your ass, plow your ass while standing up, make you cum in my mouth, and not even break a sweat doing it.”  I savagely push upward as I’m now standing.  His full 175lbs clinging to my sweaty body.  I release my hands from his back, spread them out the sides, break our kiss and order him, “Look at my arms, Cole.”  I see his eyes glance from side to side, looking at them.  Muscles not even flexed, but there are veins crawling all over them.  The hair is soaked with sweat.  The skin is a deep dark brown due to the blood flowing thru them.  A small sign of fear passes over his face.  I tense my unit and pull it, and him, closer to my body.  His steel pipe is pinned between us and is leaking pre-cum freely.

For my next order to him, I say, “Now, release your legs.”  I feel him slowly untangle his ankles.  His legs fall, and more weight is transferred to his ass, and he sinks lower on my stiff unit.  We lean in for a kiss.  Last item on the agenda.  I growl, “Take your hands off my neck.”  Now I see a real sense of panic come over him.  I lean back a bit and order him, “Let go of my neck, now.” His hands come off me like he touched a hot stove.  His full weight is now on my unit.  The thrill of feeling him on me excites me.  My unit jumps, and he feels it.  He smiles and relaxes a bit.

I order him, “Put your hands on my pecs.” He quickly does so.  I knew I’d only have to say that once.  He starts to grope me.  I tighten them, making them hairy steel plates.  “Yeah, that’s right, feel the power of your muscle man.  Holding you up with only his steel pipe in your ass.”  He fidgets and squirms a bit, sinking a bit lower on me.  I thrust my hips upward and his body slides up and down with ease.  “Keep squeezing those pecs…oh yeah…just like that…twist those nipples…just like you did before… Oh yeah, harder…harder…come on sexy, you can’t hurt me…pretend you’re trying to open a beer bottle...Oh yeah, there you go…That’s how you do it.”  His fingers pinch my nipples, and he savagely tugs, trying to pull them off my chest.  I stand there and enjoy the sensation.  He’s good, really good. 

I buck my hips again and he moans deeply.  My veiny unit plunged deep inside of him.  I squat down, ass to the grass, as they say, then quickly stand up.  His thin muscular body slides up my long thick pole.  My mushroom capped head the only thing keeping him from flying off me.  Gravity takes over and he slides back down.  His ass hits the base of my unit, and he grunts.  He has a smile a mile wide on his face.  His eyes flutter open and shut.  His fingers and hands roam my chest and arms, sliding over the sweat covered muscles.  Veins and striations show on my paper-thin skin like roads on a map. 

His hands reach for my shoulders.  He latches on and moves his body closer to mine.  His weight rests on my upper chest.  He’s quite light when I think about it.  The weight my chest has endured during bench presses makes this feel like a cake walk.  His smooth skin on my hairy pecs excites me.  I feel pre-cum percolate up my unit and fill the tip of the condom.  He must feel it as well.  His smile becomes warmer, and he twists his waist, creating friction between our bodies. 

His face nears mine.  He bends his elbows and closes the gap.  Our lips meet.  He applies soft pressure with his moist lips. The tip of his tongue just breaks the seal of his lips, and it momentarily caresses mine.  An electric shock passes thru my body.  The hair on my arms feels like it’s standing up.  A chill runs down my spine.  I move to kiss him harder, but he inches away, keeping our lips just barely touching.  His tongue flashes out again and rubs my bottom lip.  His warm saliva coats my lip, another shock, just as invigorating as the first passes thru me. 

I wrap my arms around his back and tenderly press his body to mine, bringing our lips together with more force.  He acquiesces. His hands move to the back of my head, and he pulls us together even more.  He ravages my face with his tongue.  His strong fingers pull on my dark hair and twist it around his digits.  His kisses become longer and passionate.  Time passes without us knowing.  His hands continue to massage my hair and head.  My hands run up and down his back, feeling his muscles, and the broadness of his lats, which I had not noticed before. 

I feel his ass squeeze my unit.  I buck my hips again and the friction is incredible.  He’s bringing me to the edge.  I grasp his lats in my hands.  I pull his body away from mine.  He lets out a soft whimper. I look him in the eyes and wink with a knowing smile.  He smiles back and gives me a wink. 

I turn my back the bed and slowly sit on the edge.  I scoot my way back to the middle, keeping him attached to me.  Once there, I release his lats, lay down, and spread my arms out to the sides.   My body is open to him.  He smiles and sucks in a breath of air. 

His hands immediately move to my chest.  He puts them on me, palms down.  I quickly realize he’s only doing it for support.  He lifts his ass up a few inches, withdrawing my unit from him.  When my tip is about to break free, he shoves his body downward.  He impales himself on me.  He lets loose a loud grunt.  He does it again, then again.  On his fourth shove, I thrust my hips upward to meet him.  Our bodies smack together.  His dick slams into my cobblestone abs.  Cum comes flying out of him, spraying in all directions.  Thick ropes cover the hair on my chest and abs.  A stream laces across my face.  His unit bounces off my body, smacking into his.  Another line paints his lower abs. 

He lets his body settle onto my midsection as sweat pours off his face and body.  Warm droplets fall onto me.  I caress his thighs and run my fingers across his taut abs.  He hums.  I scoop some of his cum off him and move it to my lips.  I lick my fingers and taste his sweetness.  Warm and goopy, just like mine.  I savor his flavor as it slides down my throat.

He watches me then reaches down to my hairy chest, scraps some cum from my hairs, brings it to his lips.  He tentatively tastes, then smiles and sticks his fingers into his mouth.  I see his tongue maneuver around them pulling the cum off.  I watch as his Adams apple bobs, and he swallows. 

He puts his hands back on my chest and leans down.  Our lips meet. I can taste the cum remaining on his lips.  I run my tongue over them and lick it off.  I feel him put his hands on the sides of my head and hold us together. 

I relish in his kisses and tenderness. We don’t fight for alpha position.  We take turns being in charge or being submissive.  I can tell he likes it when I take control.  I put my hands on his lats and slide them up and down, feeling his warm body. 

My cock is still a steel pipe in his ass.  Every so often he moves his ass from side to side, keeping me hard.  He pushes upright, twists my nipples softly, and squeezes his ass, sending shock waves throughout my body.  He lifts his ass up, then slowly lowers it, bottoming out.  I shiver.  He does it again.  I want to grab his waist and take over, but realize he knows what he’s doing.  On the shove downward, he opens his ass just a bit more and I slip in that much more.  He clamps shut, trapping me in him.  He violently moves his ass from side to side, trying to snap my unit from my body.  I clench my teeth and close my eyes.  The feeling is outrageous.  Every nerve on my unit and in my midsection is tingling. 

I can feel my load building.  I feel him lift quickly and slam down.  My brain goes into overload and a shock, rockets down my spine to my balls.  I grunt.  My body jerks as I cum, lifting my hips off the bed, and Cole with them.  I feel his hands back on my tightened chest for stability.  I jerk again and his body is lifted upward. He tightens his ass as slides up and down my pole.  I shiver again and buck.  My final loads shoots into the condom.  I feel the tip expand. 

I open my eyes to see a sweaty Cole with a huge grin on his face.  He puts his left hand on my right cheek and gently caresses it.  I feel sweat drip off my body as well.  My chest, legs, and arms are slick.  He lifts his ass off my softening unit and lifts his leg off me as well.  He lies next to me with his face turned toward my body.  I put my right arm under his head.  He nuzzles my chest and laps at the hairs.  His fingers twist and softly tug at my chest and ab hairs.  He lets his fingers slide over my body, taking in everything.

His legs slide against mine; our feet and toes intermingle with each other.  His breathing slows, but he doesn’t fall asleep.  He continues to caress me.  I do the same to him.

After 15 minutes of just relaxing, he pushes himself upright, smiles at me and nods to the shower.  I nod back.  I roll off the bed, take his hand into mine and we walk into his bathroom.

We’re both up early the next morning.

We have breakfast and agree to meet for dinner.  I have some work to do and I’m sure Cole wants some alone time to workout and meditate.  I kiss him softly as I leave, my hand lingers in his.  His warm smile makes my heart ache as I walk down the driveway to my house.  I’m sure Nona is waiting with questions.

I enter thru the garage, and she is in the kitchen, finishing her breakfast.  I see a list of chores on the counter.  I pick it up and scan over it.  Nothing too strenuous. 

She politely asks, “How is Cole?”  I glance up from the list and see she has the barest of smiles on her face. 

I happily say, “He’s wonderful.” Then it just comes out of my mouth, “I think I want him to stay…with me.”  Her eyes go just the slightest bit wider.  “I think he’s the one.”  Now her eyes narrow.  “Yes, he’s got his flaws and imperfections.  Yes, I’ve only known him a month.  But we’ve shared so much.  He’s opened up to me about a lot of stuff and I’ve done the same with him.”  Her eyes widen, guessing I talked about our issues.  “We still have a lot of ground to cover, but Nona, I think he cares about me as well.”  She smiles a genuine smile.  “When we talk, it’s natural.  They’re regular conversations.  He asks questions about me,” I tap my chest and feel the warmth spreading as I talk about him. “And he honestly cares about what I say and how I feel.  I feel the same way with him.”

She walks the short distance to me, opens her arms, and I move in for her hug.  Her boney arms wrap around my waist, and I feel her pull us together.  Her head is just below my pecs.  “Oh, sweetie.  I’m so happy for you.”  Her voice does not have a condescending tone, or a disapproving nature.  I feel tears well up in my eyes.  She sniffles.  We hold the hug a bit longer.  We separate and she pats my chest.  “Your chores can wait if you’d like to be with him now…”

I almost fall over at her offer, but resist.  “No, I have work to do, and I know he has plans for the day.”  She nods. “I’m going to have dinner with him tonight.”  She smiles again.  “I have the whole day to figure out how to ask him to stay.”  I chuckle softly. 

She pats my forearm and says, “I’m sure however you ask, it will be perfect.” 

We hug again and I head upstairs to get changed into my work clothes.  I send Rose a text and tell her my plans.  My phone rings immediately.  The first thing out of her mouth is, “No way…”  Twenty minutes later I agree to her meeting Cole before anyone else.

The day flies by, or drags, depending on what I’m thinking about.  I’ve had a persistent erection and have done everything I can think of to remain calm.  Cole’s face is constantly in my thoughts.  His lengthening blonde hair, dark blue eyes, and taut body keep me distracted. 

I grab a tree branch off the ground, wrap it around a sturdy tree, and use my arm and shoulders to pull it backward, snapping it in half.  My unit pulses.  I find a large tree trunk, one of the largest I’ve seen in a while, and squat down, grab it and lift it up.  I figure it weighs around 300 lbs.  My arms flex and I hold it against my body. My stiff unit presses against my pant leg.  I can feel it rubbing the coarse bark, stimulating me. I can feel my load building but want to hold off.  I groan loudly and heave the trunk to the side.  It crashes into some smaller trees, knocking them over.  It rolls to a stop against a large rock.  I take a few heavy cleansing breaths and squat down.  I close my eyes and realize this day may be longer than I anticipated.  As I calm down, my unit fades. 

I get back to work.  I spend the next few hours cleaning a stream bed of debris and making sure there are no dams to stem its flow. 

Next, I move to the lower meadow and clear a new path.  There are small trees to clear and rocks to dig up.  I make good progress.  I check the time and realize it’s later than I thought.  I pack up and drive back to the house.  Nona is out for the day.  I quickly shower and put on a bathing suit, flip-flops, and a tight-fitting t-shirt.  Oh, yeah, can’t forget the baseball hat.  I give myself the once over in the mirror and nod.  I take a deep breath, inflating my chest.  The shirt stretches to its limit.

I head downstairs and out through the garage.  I hop into the tractor and head up to the house.  It’s late afternoon.  The sun is still shining brightly, but a bit lower in the sky.  Not a cloud around.  I get to the house, park the tractor, and walk around the side, through the garden. 

There he is, sitting by the pool. Legs in the water, gently kicking.  Small waves dance from one end and back.  His arms are stretched behind him, palms on the still warm pavers, supporting his body as he leans back.  He’s smiling as he watches the sun set. 

As I approach, he says, “Hey Jake.”  I stop, wondering how he knew I was there.  “I heard your tractor.” He turns and has a smile on his tanned face.  I walk to him, kick off my flip flops and sit next to him, putting my legs into the warm water.  He leans over and we kiss.  Soft, gentle.  His puts his left hand on my back and I put my right hand on his left thigh.  I squeeze tenderly.  He moves his hand in circles on my back.  We break our kiss and I strip off my t-shirt.  I slide into the pool and sink beneath the surface.  I open my eyes and watch him watch me.  He’s still smiling.  I swim up to him, break the surface between his legs and stand up.  My face is the same level as his.  We kiss again.  I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him closer. 

He puts a hand on my chest to stop me.  I hesitate and break our kiss.  I look him in the eyes and see a slight sadness. I hop up on the ledge next to him again.  We start to talk. He’s thinking about work and having to go back next week.  He asks why I’m not off getting side jobs to make money for college.  I brush him off as gently as I can.  “Plenty of time for that later.” He sighs.  I rub his leg and with all seriousness say, “Cole, hasn’t this past month showed you that money isn’t everything?”  I spread my arms to the valley in front of us.  He looks out at the setting sun.  It’s orange, red, and yellow tendrils of light bathing the valley below us and the trees around us. 

This is it, my time to step up to the plate and be a man.  I look forward so I don’t hesitate, “I would never think to tell someone what is best for them, but in this case, I think I’m going to make an exception.” We turn to each other.  I can feel my eyes are twinkling. “Over this past month, I think we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well,” He cocks an eyebrow at me with a sarcastic smile. I smile back saying, “besides the sex, which is outstanding, but, I mean, you’ve shared your whole life with me, which I doubt you’ve done to anyone where you work?”

“Jake…” He interrupts me, but I can tell what he wants to say is stuck in his head.

I reach my right hand over and put it on his cheek.  I quietly ask, “Will you stay here…with me?”  He gives me the smallest grin, then closes his eyes.  He’s analyzing it, I know he is.  After a moment I say, “Stop overthinking it.”  He opens his eyes and looks at me. I continue, “Yes, our sex is great, but I think…no, I know we’ve got something here.”  I move my hand between us, touching his leg gently. “I know it…and you know it as well.”  He’s sighs again. “Cole, were you nervous when you got your job 9 years ago?”  He nods yes, “Did the nervousness go away right away, or did it take time?” He shrugs knowing what I’m talking about.  He looks away again and closes his eyes.  I give him his space.  I’ve made my case. It’s up to him.  My heart races.  My left hand is balled into a fist as I wait. 

I tear comes out of his eye and rolls down his cheek.  I think, ‘Oh, no…please don’t say no…”

He opens his eyes, straightens his back, turns to me, and says “Yes.”

I want to pick him up and carry him around the pool area.  I want to scream with joy and tell the world.  Instead, I lean over and give him a kiss, deep and passionate. He closes his eyes again.  He opens them after a minute, sees me still right here kissing him, and he smiles.  I think to myself, ‘Our new life together just started.’

[DawnFire98]

The love, the muscle, the drama -UGH! So good! A wonderful story! ❤

[Psuace]

Cole and Jake part 3.  

Jake’s point of view

We break the kiss but entwine our fingers.  His slender fingers fit nicely between my thick digits. I squeeze gently and he rubs his thumb along the side of my hand.  I quietly ask, “Can I make a quick phone call?”

He raises an eyebrow.  I say with exasperation, “Yes Cole, I have a cell phone. I’m not as much of a hillbilly as you may think I am.” 

He giggles, kisses me, and says, “I never thought you were.  It’s just so weird.  I mean, I’ve spent the past month without a phone, computer, or anything connected to the outside world electronically, and here you are with a cell phone wanting to make a call right after I said I’d stay here with you.”  He raises his eyebrow again with his questioning look.

I acquiesce. “Fine.” I pout. “Yes, I’ve told other people about us.”  He smiles a bit.  “My sister Rose has been my biggest supporter since I came out.  She’s always trying to hook me up with some guy she knows or met.”  His eyes light up as he thinks about what I said.  

“Oh, I’ve got to meet her.”  He laughs.  “How soon can she be here?” 

I can’t tell if he’s joking or being serious.  I pause and stare at him.  “Um…are you serious?” I stammer.

“Of course, big guy.  If you’ve got a sister like that, I gotta meet her.”

Now it’s my turn to smile.  I get up from the pool ledge, go to where I put my towel down, and retrieve my phone.  I call Rose and she picks up before it even rings on my end.  She excitedly asks, “Well?”

I play it cool and say, “It’s a go.”  I glance over to Cole who has gotten up from the pool and walked over to me.  I put my hand out and he takes it. 

“I’ll be there in twenty.”

“Bring Tiny.” I say proudly.

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Be there in thirty. Are you at the big house?”

“Yup.  Have Tiny bring a bathing suit too.”

“On our way.”

I hang up and look to Cole who is confused.  “We call my youngest brother, Tim, Tiny because he’s so much younger than the rest of us.”  He nods in understanding, but I’m not sure if he means it or not. 

I need to go slow with introducing him to the family.  Rose will be easy, same with Tiny.  The others, Jen and CK, may take some time.  They’re fine with me being gay and out, but meeting my boyfriends has not always been the smoothest.  They’re not rude or anything, it’s just they need to meet and talk to the guy and warm up to him.

Cole has wrapped his fingers in mine and his warm digits feel nice.  I squeeze softly and he moves closer to me.  We kiss.  Lip to lip, my hand on the nape of his neck, loosely holding him to me.  He doesn’t struggle or try to pull away.  We stand on the warm pavers, in our drying bathing suits, letting the sun warm our bodies.  I feel his left hand move to my ass and give it a rough squeeze.  I smile through our kiss. I put my left hand on the small of his back and pull his body closer.  He moans.  I feel him grind his hips against mine. I can feel his erection start its ascent.  Mine tingles as well. 

I feel his right hand slowly make its way up my left side, over my hip, along my abs, to my chest.  He pinches my left nipple tenderly, through my coarse dark hair. I groan with pleasure and feel pre-cum percolate up my rod.  I let his ministrations go on for a few minutes.  I feel my load build, as I’m sure his is as well. 

At probably the worst time possible, I move my right hand between us, put is on his chest, and start to push him away.  He tries to keep our kiss going, but I break it.  He looks at me with dark blue puppy dog eyes.  I wink and say, “We can finish later, I promise.”  He sighs and takes a step back.  I admire his taught body, and run the fingers of my right hand down his smooth chest, over his abs, to the top of his bathing suit.  I softly massage the scant blonde hair he has there, and pull on the top of his bathing suit.  He sucks in his abdomen and I glance down and see the tip of his rock-hard unit.  The bulbous head is moist with pre-cum just staring back at me. 

I try to pull him closer to renew our kissing, but he puts his right hand back on my chest and quietly says, “Later, when they’re gone.”  He winks at me and takes another step back.  I groan, knowing it’s my own damn fault. 

He walks to the lounge chair, picks up his yellow and blue striped t-shirt.  He squeezes into it.  I grab my dark green tank and slip it on too.  We move to the table and sit.  We make small talk for the next few minutes.  Our hands keeping in contact and we rub our thumbs together. 

After a bit he gets up and walks toward the house.  “Let me get some snacks together.  Is there anything Tim and Rose don’t like?”

I shrug my shoulders and say, “Not really.  Tiny will eat whatever is in front of him.  Rose, she’s a girl, so she can be picky.”  He rolls his eyes at me. “Throw anything on a plate, it’ll be fine.”  He nods and walks away.  I stare at his tight, shapely ass.

He opens the French doors and walks down the steps into the sunken great room, then up the steps on the far side.  I watch him easily move around the kitchen, opening cabinets and drawers as if he’d lived here for years, not just a month.  He finds a platter, pours some crackers on it.  Next comes some fruit and cheese.  He disappears into the pantry and comes back with a box of something.  I cannot make it out from where I’m sitting.  He dumps it into bowl. He grabs some glasses and fills them with ice. 

I faintly hear a car door open and slam shut.  I stand and walk to the end of the patio, to the edge of the house Rose and Tiny will be coming around.  I can hear Rose quietly tell him, “Tiny, you need to be on your best behavior when you meet Monster’s friend, ok?”

Tiny’s high-pitched voice comes back, a bit louder, “Come on Rose, I know.  Mom already let me know I need to behave.”  They come around the corner and Tiny sees me.  A huge smile crosses his face and he makes a bee line for me, dropping his backpack and towel along the way. His curly brown hair flying in all directions, he jumps at the last second into my waiting arms.  His thin arms wrap around my neck and his head is right next to mine giving me a huge hug. I pat him on the back a few times. Rose winks at me and I wink back.  I grab Tiny by his lats and gently pry him off my body.  I easily hold his 50-pound body at arm’s length and excitedly say, “Tiny, what’s up big man.  It’s been a whole 2 days since I’ve seen you.”  He starts to eagerly tell me about football and the books he’s reading.  He rambles on and I nod every so often. 

From the corner of my eye, I see Cole standing at the French doors with the platter of snacks.  I nod to him and he comes out.  He puts the platter on the table and looks at me.  He’s tentative and wants me to be in charge. I softly interrupt Tiny and set him down, “Tim, I’d like you and Rose to meet my friend, Cole Patterson.”

Rose walks right over to him, eyeing him up the whole way, extends her hand, and in a friendly upbeat voice says, “Hi Cole, very nice to meet you.”  She winks at him as they shake hands.  His posture eases a bit.  He smiles back. 

Tim is standing right in front of me, my left arm draped over his left shoulder.  His little hand around my muscular forearm.  I glance down and can tell he’s staring at Cole in a weird way.  Something’s up.  I look over to see Rose and Cole in a conversation, both are smiling and let out the occasional laugh.  I kneel down, spin Tiny around, and quietly ask, “What’s up buddy?  Two minutes ago, you were chattering away, but now, you’re as quiet as a church mouse?”  I rub his back a few times.

He leans in so his mouth is right next to my right ear and faintly says, “He was in my dream a few weeks ago when the storm hit.”  I pull back, look into his dark green eyes, which are shifting left and right with nervousness. He rasps, “Monster, I know it was him.  He’s got the white hair and blue eyes.”

I tenderly rub his back again to calm him.  “Tim, you didn’t say you saw anyone in your dream, you only said I had to get back here because something was wrong.  Are you sure it was Cole you saw?” He nods his head up down vigorously. I try to ease his nervousness by saying, “Well, Cole is ok from the storm.” 

Tim slowly turns his head to look at Cole.  He turns to face me again, and I ask, “Is there something else, Tim?”  He scrunches his shoulders up.  “You know you can tell me anything, right?”  He nods slowly. “Bro’s don’t keep secrets from each other…”

He tries to slyly look at Cole again.  He turns to me and confidently says, “He’s the one.”   Not sure what he means, but before I can ask, he turns around and walks to Cole and Rose.  I stay where I’m at and just watch.  Tiny walks right up to Cole and politely says, “I’m Tim, but you can call me Tiny, everyone does.” 

Cole gets down on one knee, extends his hand, and says, “It’s very nice to meet you, Tiny.  You can call me Cole.”  They shake and I see Rose wink at me again.  I stand up, breathe a sigh of relief and walk to the table for a snack.

Tiny and Cole move to a lounge chair and sit on it to talk.  Rose comes over to me, grabs a cracker, and with a smile says, “He’s nice.”  She rubs her left hand on my right bicep. I let out a deep sigh and feel some relief wash over my body.  I think to myself, ‘Two down, six to go.’

We all have some snacks.  Tiny kicks off his flip-flops and tugs at my arm.  “Pool time Monster.”  He tugs again and I look over to Cole.  He has a wide grin on his face and nods ever so slightly.  Rose has a grin as well.  I stand, purposely face Cole and strip off my t-shirt nice and slow, flexing every muscle as I do it.  When I’m done, I bounce my pecs a few times and toss my shirt to him.  It hits him in his face, stunning him, and bringing him out of his stare. 

Rose laughingly says, “Always the show-off, Monster.”

Tiny tugs on my arm again and says with some urgency, “Come on….”  I acquiesce and let him lead me to the pool.  We head to the deep end and he starts to climb up my body.  When we’re chest to chest, he looks me in the eyes with a huge smile and confidently says, “Ready!”

I turn toward the pool, step to the edge, wrap my huge arms around his small body, take a gulp of air and make sure he does the same, then step off the edge into the warm water.  The water encompasses us, warm and refreshing.  I let our bodies sink to the bottom.  I open my eyes to watch Tiny.  I find him staring back at me with squirrel like cheeks, full of air.  I few bubbles escape his mouth.  His hair is floating around his face and with the sun behind him, giving his face a halo effect as the light filters thru.  I smile to myself, thinking how lucky with both are. 

After what seems like forever, but is only about 10 seconds, he taps my arm, letting me he wants up.  I stand up and our heads break the surface.  His hair immediately falls, plastering his face.  His eyes are covered.  He starts to giggle and shakes his head from side to side.  His dark green eyes come back into view. 

He squirms in my arms, turning his body around so he is facing outward.  Knowing what he wants, I hold him up by his bottom as he maneuvers around.  Once he’s set, I gently grab him by his lats.  He announces, "Ready for takeoff.” 

I count down, “Three, two, one.”  His body stiffens and I toss him a few feet into the air and let him fall back into the water.  He’s only a foot or two away from me, but I quickly plunge my arm into the water and feel him grab it.  I pull him up gently.  He still has a grin. 

We get back into position and he turns his head and with all the seriousness a 7 year can muster, says, “Monster, I know you’re holding back because Rose and Cole are here, but I want to go higher.  I’ll be fine.”

I stifle a laugh and reply, “Just remember, you asked for it.”  I can feel his grin.  His body stiffens again.  I count down and throw him higher.  He lets out an excited yell all the way up and down.  As he falls, he quickly pulls his legs under him and lands with a nice cannonball.  Water slashes me, but I make sure not to lose sight of him.  When I stick my arm in the water, he grabs it and pulls himself up.  He has his ‘do it again’ look on his face. 

We continue to play around for another ten minutes.  I notice Cole and Rose have moved and are now sitting on the edge with their legs in the water.  I corral Tiny to the shallow end and tell him to play there.  I wade over to Cole and Rose and stand next to Cole.  I put my right hand his left thigh and softly caress it.  I keep one eye on Tiny. 

Cole puts left hand on top of him and our fingers intwine.  I smile to him and he returns it.  Rose interrupts the moment with her usual forwardness, “You two want to be alone?”

Cole laughs and I blush. Cole quietly says, “No, we’re good.”  He grips my hand a bit more.

“So, what were you two gossiping about over there?”

Rose sarcastically says, “You, d’uh.”  She winks at me.  “Cole was telling me his life story.  Much more interesting than anyone from around here.”  She pats his right thigh with her left hand.  Now it’s Cole’s turn to blush.

We talk for another few minutes, then I feel water being splashed at me from behind.  Both Rose and Cole have grins on their faces. 

I wink to them. quickly turn, spot Tiny a few feet away, and dive toward him, with my arms spread wide.  I create a wave of water and it splashes him.  I dive under the water, open my eyes, swim to Tiny, grab his body to mine, and push off the bottom of the pool.  I launch our bodies out of the water.  He starts screaming with joy. I twist so my back hits the water as we come down.  We go under again.

I stand up and raise us out of the water.  Tiny starts laughing again.  “That was awesome.” 

I walk us to the edge where Cole and Rose are.  From the mouths of babes, I hear Tiny say, “Can you throw Rose in the air like you did me?” 

Rose lets out a hearty laugh and quickly says, “Not if he knows what’s good for him.”

Tiny pleads, “Aw, come on Rose, you’re at the pool, have some fun.”

“Maybe later, but Monster is not throwing me around like he did you.”

“How about you, Cole?”

Cole hesitantly responds, “I may be a little big for your brother to pick up.”  I smile inwardly as we both know that’s not true. 

Tiny quickly replies, “Nay, he can do it.  He’s really strong.”  Cole nods with a slight grin on his face.  “He’s picked up really big rocks with no problem.  I’m sure he can pick you up, right Monster?”

Rose cuts in and lightly says, “Tiny, don’t put Jake on the spot like that.”  Tiny grows frustrated at her comment.  “I’m sure Cole knows Jake is strong.  There’s no need for him to show off.”

We spend the next hour in and around the pool.  Tiny has me toss him around a few more times.  Cole gets in and we play Marco Polo for a while.  Tiny seems to have endless energy. 

After a while, I notice he is starting to slow down.  I suggest we get out for a bit and have some snacks.  He grudgingly agrees.  As we eat, I mention dinner and ask what everyone would like.  Tiny quickly says, “A Monster special and shake.”  Cole raises an eyebrow.  Rose raises her hand to second the idea. 

I quickly explain to Cole what it is and I see his eyes glaze over.  He says, “I’m up for it.  It just means an extra work out tomorrow for me.”  We all laugh. 

I take control and tell everyone to get showers and get changed.  “Tiny and I will shower in the exercise room.  Rose and Cole can shower in the house.  Be ready in twenty minutes.  Is that enough time Rose?”  I add with sarcasm. 

“Funny Jake.  I’ll be ready before you.” I let Cole know to dress casually.

True to form, she is ready and waiting on the patio as Tiny and I emerge from the exercise room.  Tiny is still chattering away.  Cole appears a minute later in a nice pair of khakis and a dark blue t-shirt which seems to be a bit small on him.  Rose takes a look and lets out a low whistle.  I quickly say, “He’s taken Rose.  And he plays for my team, not yours.”  I then admire my boyfriend’s body through his shirt and mentally strip it off him.  Cole announces he’s driving.  We pile into his burgundy Volvo and head out.  Plenty of conversation fills the car on the drive to the diner.  Cole has many questions about how I got a special and a shake named after me.  I let Rose do the honors of explaining. 

Cole is in tears of laughter as we arrive.  Then I spot it.  My parent’s car in the parking lot.  I turn to Rose and she shrugs her shoulders.  I don’t know if I’m upset with her or relieved that she took the initiative and invited them.  We enter and I see Steve is here as well.  We approach the table and Cole is right beside me.  I put my hand in his and gently squeeze, letting him know it will be okay.  Introductions are made.  Mom and dad get up and shake his hand.  We sit and Cole is to my left and Tiny to my right.  I put my left hand on Cole’s thigh and give him another squeeze.  Steve is to Cole’s left and start to engage him in conversation: what does he do, does he like it, what’s his family like.  Mom and dad sit quietly and listen.  They don’t interrupt or ask questions. 

Rhonda comes over with menus and lets us know what the specials are.  She spies Cole, glances to me, and gives me a wink.  It does not go unnoticed by Cole.  I squeeze his thigh again.  Cole asks what is good and everyone chimes in with their suggestions, including Tiny. 

I order the Monster special and a shake.  Cole goes for the same.  Everyone else gets their favorites. We continue to talk while we wait for the food.  Mom asks Tiny how the pool was and he exuberantly tells how we jumped in together, swam around, and played Marco Polo.  He expertly leaves out the part of me throwing him in the air several times.

The food arrives and the table goes quiet as we eat.  I hear Cole moan with satisfaction as he savers the burger.  He takes his first spoonful of the shake and I feel his knee knock into mine as a sign.

After we’re most of the way done, the conversation starts up again.  Cole asks my parents what it was like raising 6 kids.  They laugh.  Mom says, “Well, we had plenty of practice with the first 5, so the last one has been a breeze.”  She looks to Tiny and winks.  He has a proud grin.  More family questions, some from my parents, some from Cole. 

Then I feel it.  Tiny’s head against my right bicep.  His eyes have shut.  I nod to dad who sees it and nods back.  Ronnie comes over with the bill and Cole reaches for it, insisting he wants to pay.  My parents protest, but I catch their eyes and wink, letting them know it’s ok.  I know Cole’s got some money, probably more than I realize, but I think this is his way of showing his gratification to my family for accepting him.

As we leave the diner, I carry Tiny out to my parent’s car and carefully secure his seatbelt.  After I shut the door, dad says, “He’s going to be upset he didn’t get to spend the night with you.”

“I know.  Cole is leaving in a few days to go back to the city and settle his affairs.  I kind of want to spend these last few days with him.”  Dad nods in understanding.  “Plus, I need to speak to Nona about Cole.  I have to let her know he’s staying and see how she reacts.”

He puts his hand on my bicep and says, “Jake, I’m sure she’ll be ok with it.”  I grin slightly.  “She knows you like him and is probably waiting for you to tell her your intentions.”  I frown a bit.  “Just be honest with her.  That’s all she wants from you.”

“Ok.”  I say quietly.

Rose, Cole, and I drive back to the estate.  The conversation has lagged and I find myself staring out the window watching the town go by.  I wonder if I’m making the right decision.  I feel his warm hand on my leg.  He runs it up and down a few times and my fears recede.

Back at the house, Rose says her goodbyes and takes off. 

We’re alone.  We go to the pool area and sit on the lounge chairs, just watching the stars and moon. After a bit, Cole says, “You know what would be nice?”

I have a thousand answers, all which involve a bed and some lube, but say, “Huh?”

“A walk to the pond and spending some time listening to nature.”  A smile comes across my face. I stand, reach my hand to him, and pull him up from his chair.  I pull him in for a kiss.  My neatly trimmed beard meets his smooth skin.  We come into an embrace and kiss.  Long and slow.  Warm moist lips meet and stay together.  I put my hand on the small of his back and gently move it in small circles.  He drapes his left arm over my shoulder and around my neck, letting me know he doesn’t want me to leave him. 

My unit starts to tingle.  He shifts his legs, moving one between mine and the other to the outside.  He moves his body closer.  I can feel his woody.  I increase the pressure of my hand on his back.  Our bodies come together.  I can feel the heat from his.  We’re stilling kissing, now more passionately.  My tongue invades his mouth.  He exhales his warm breath and I suck it in.  I feel his tongue maneuver around mine, wetting it and wrestling with it.  After a few more minutes, we come up for air.  He takes a half step back, but puts his right hand on my left bicep and gently massages it. 

I quietly ask, “Still want to head down to the pond?” Hoping not.  “It’s a long walk down and back.  We’ll miss some good ‘fun’ time.”  I see him shake his head ‘no’, and smile.  I smile back, pull him back to me and give him another kiss.  I break it suddenly, squat down, put him on my shoulder, stand up, and walk into the house and up the stairs. 

He doesn’t resist.  I do hear him humming the whole way up.  In his bedroom, I squat down and he stands up.  I rise and we come back together into a kiss.  This one is shorter.  I feel his hands working on the belt for my shorts.  The tension around my waist loosens and I feel him undo the button and pull the zipper down.  I wiggle my hips and the shorts fall to the floor.  Then I feel his warm hands on my hips.  He grabs the sides to my dark blue posers and gently shoves them down. I make sure my unit does not get snagged as the posers slide down.  I grab the bottom of my polo and start to pull it up.  We briefly break our kiss as I pull it over my head. 

I am now naked in front of the man I love.  He smiles when he sees my chest expand as I inhale.  He puts his warm left hand on my right pec and tenderly plays with the dark hair covering it.  His fingers roll around and curl the hair, tugging every so often.  The pad of his thumb crosses my nipple and I shudder.  It crosses back and I put my hands on his ass and squeeze, like I’m testing the freshness of some cantaloupes.  He groans at the pressure.  I feel him smile thru our kiss.  I squeeze a bit harder.  His hips buck into mine.  I can feel his unit yearn for release.  I decide to oblige it. 

I move my hands from his ass to the front of his khakis and work on his belt. He sucks in his tight abs and I release the belt.  While still kissing him, I expertly undo the button and zipper and push the shorts down.  He grabs his boxer briefs and pushes them down. 

His hands move to my hair and he runs his fingers thru the lengthening dark hair.  I move my hands to the bottom of his polo and slowly pull it upward.  We break our kiss for a moment and then the shirt comes off. 

I take a step back to admire my man.  Dark blue eyes, shaggy blonde hair, smooth chest, with pecs starting to swell with muscle.  Tightening abs and a freshly shaved crotch.  My fingers lightly trace from his pecs to his thighs.  He smiles at me as I get lost in his gaze.  I feel his warm hands wander over my body.  His touch is light but assured.  His fingers caress my hairy forearms, caressing the coiled muscles just below the skin surface. His smile widens.  I feel his unit bump my leg.  My unit responds. 

His left hand moves to my right.  Our fingers come together.  I squeeze, he winks at me.  He takes two steps backward to the bed and sits. I come closer and he lays back onto the bed.  He is flat on it, but his unit is sticking straight up.  I smile a crooked smile and wink to him.  He chuckles lowly. 

I kneel on the floor and spread his legs.  He does not resist.  His hairless balls are in front of me.  I lick my lips and close the distance.  I smell his musk.  It’s intoxicating.  I drink it and let it wash over me.  My dick flexes again and I feel some pre-cum escape. As my lips touch his balls, I sense his body relaxes, muscles release all anxiety, and I hear him sigh. 

I lick his balls lightly.  The feeling of his smooth ball sack in my mouth makes my body shiver with excitement.  I coat them with saliva and gently roll them around.  I feel his hands back on my head, coaxing me to move closer, take more of him into my mouth.  I try.  He moans with appreciation.  My tongue dips a bit further south and runs across the smooth area between his balls and hole.  He moans deeper.  I feel his body shudder.  I make my final move and rub my left thumb around his hole. 

He clenches and relaxes at my touch.  I lick my thumb and continue.  After a few minutes, when he used to my presence, I put my digit at his hole and push with steady pressure.  It’s not like we haven’t done this before, but the fact that it feels like the first time, every time, makes it more sensual.  My thumb presses in.  He exhales deeply as I push deeper into him.  I wiggle my finger up and down, creating space.  He starts to squirm.  I put my right arm over his lower abdomen, but under his unit, flex my bicep, and pin his body down to the mattress. 

My thumb goes further in, my tongue continues to lap at his ball sack, and my flexed arm is holding him still.  He is moaning loudly and constantly.  I glance up to see his upper body shaking and twitching.  I slip my index finger into his hole and stretch the opening.  His voice goes silent. 

I bend my right arm, encompassing his unit in the crux of my inner elbow.  I squeeze and flex my bicep, trapping his unit.  He starts moaning again.  I slowly lift my arm and lower it, jerking him off. 

I take another look up his body and see his chest is heaving.  His arms are tangled in the sheets, grasping them and holding them in his fists.  His knuckles are white. 

I make my final play.  I squeeze my bicep again and pump the muscle, milking his unit.  I suck both his balls into my mouth and let my tongue completely coat them with saliva.  Finally, I pull my thumb out and push my index finger completely into him.  I swirl it around.  His body convulses.  His hips jerk upward as his balls tighten. I can feel the cum leave his balls and travel the long distance up his unit.

It explodes out of him.  The first volley coats from his upper chest to his upper abs.  The next two shots cover his abs and the final shot dribbles out and slides down onto my arm.

I feel my unit start to spasm as well.  I quickly stand, releasing my bicep and pulling my finger out of him.  I stand over his sweaty body and jerk myself.  Three savage yanks are all it takes. Cum flows out of me, like water from a pressurized fire hose.  I douse his body with even more cum. 

After I finish, I shake my unit to make sure it’s all out.  I look down and see his tired eyes smiling back at me.  I scan his cum covered body and involuntarily lick my lips.  He knows what’s about to happen. 

I climb on the bed, over top of him.  I carefully lean down and kiss him on the lips.  I quietly ask, “Ready?”  He nods.  I spin around and move so my legs are on either side of his head and my unit is right above his mouth.  I feel his warm tongue lap at my piss slit. 

While he milks me for more, I lean over his taut muscular body and start to lick up our pooled cum.  My tongue scoops up globs of it and I slurp it down. I moan at the warm saltiness as I swallow.  My tongue rakes over his body, gathering more.  My hands are at his sides, holding him steady.  I see his unit is climbing back to full mast, albeit slower than I’d hoped. 

My man is worn out.  It’s been a long day.  I quickly finish.  I feel he is only softly suckling me, so I pull off him and carefully spin around so our bodies are chest to chest.  I lay on him, but quickly slide off to one side, wrapping an arm to his body and pulling him up. We’re both on our sides, but facing each other. 

I lean in for a ‘thank you’ kiss.  He eagerly gives me one.  His raises his arm and puts it over my waist and pulls our bodies together.  We continue to kiss softly as we both fade out.

 

Cole’s point of view

It’s Monday morning about 5:45am.  I turn over on my king-sized Sealy Posturepedic firm mattress.  The dark yellow comforter tangled between our legs.  Jake’s left arm, or ham hock, is draped over my chest.  He’s face down on his pillow, breathing deeply.  I lay and watch him.  A content smile comes across my face.

I think, ‘The man I fell in love with is with me, in my apartment.’  I sigh and softly play with his tangled dark hair. 

Our drive back yesterday had just a bit of drama.  Five hours of the two of us talking.  His strong left hand on my right thigh as I drove.  I few squeezes of compassion here and there as I talked about my life in the city and how bad it had gotten.  He knows this already from our talks while I stayed at the mountain house, but he lets me get it out.  When my emotions and feelings for my job come boiling to the surface, he would suggest I pull over and take a break to calm down. 

Once back in the city, I found a parking space in the underground garage of my building.  We lugged up my suitcases and his one bag.  We weren’t sure how long we’d be here, so he packed enough for a week.  It was mid-afternoon once we got settled and unpacked.  He called his parents to let them know we’d arrived safely.  He also called Nona to let her know.  I suggested we take a walk so I could show him around.  His face lit up and he got into a comfortable pair of Asics.  I threw on a pair Nike’s and a grey mesh t-shirt.  He had on his dark blue Doctor Who t-shirt, which is now my favorite of his. 

We headed out of the building and wandered up the block.  I pointed out the good restaurants; the Chinese place, the Vietnamese to-go store, and the Indian supermarket.  I also take him to the Italian store a block away. I bought us a pair of Cannoli’s and some 2% milk.  We went to the park.  It was such a gorgeous day with high clouds, temps in the 70’s, and low humidity.  We sat at a picnic table.  He nibbled at the cannoli, testing it out.  Once he tasted the rich ricotta cheese filing and mini-chocolate chips, his eyes lit up and I see them mist over, just a bit.  I know he wants to scarf it down in two bites, but he holds back and savors each of the three bites.  I smile and laugh to myself. 

I know I’m not much better.  It only took me four bites.  When I’m done, I see Jake wink at me and reach his left hand to my face with a napkin.  He gently wiped some powdered sugar off my cheek. I take ahold of his hand and kiss his thumb.

We continued our journey.  I would point out what I think or points of interest, and he smiled and nodded.  We get to another park and he grabs my hand.  I turn and see him nod back towards my apartment.  He gives me a sly wink.  I grin like a little kid and we walk back.  Of course, ‘walk back’ is the nice way of describing it.  He grabbed my hand and pulled me there, expertly weaving around other pedestrians on the sidewalk.  He bumped only a few people and was more than gracious in his apologies.  I also think most people saw his 6’3”, 230lb body and decided to let it go.

We climb the steps to the front door.  As I unlock the entrance door and walk thru, I feel him spin me around.  He’s got a fire in his eyes.  He leans in for a quick kiss, then squats down, grabs me around the waist, and stands up.  He politely says, “No offense Cole, but you walk too slow.  It’ll take us too long to climb the steps.  Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”  He gently pats my ass. 

I cautiously say, “Um…Jake…it’s 6 flights up…”

“I know.  But I missed leg day today, so this will kind of make up for it.  Hang on.”

He takes the steps, two at a time.  We’re rounding curves and climbing faster than I ever had.  We get to my floor and he walks us to the door.  He squats back down and I lean up, off his back.  I do a quick squat and reach my hand into my shorts to rearrange my growing member.  He looks down at it and quips, “Don’t worry about that, those shorts will be off you before the door shuts behind us.” 

I go to full mast and he smiles his wicked smile.  I fumble with the keys, but quickly get the door open.  He pushes us and closes it behind us.  I start to drop my shorts as he turns to throw the deadbolt and other assorted locks I have on the door. 

When he turns back, my shorts and boxer briefs are on the floor.  His face lights up and I say, “You were right.” I move into his waiting arms.  My unit rubbing his shorts.  I can feel his unit quickly grow as well.  I grab his t-shirt and lift it over his head. I use both hands and pull his face to mine.  We kiss, long and deep.  He moves his hands to my ass and I feel him squeeze.  My hands wander over his hirsute chest and abs.  He moans into my mouth, warm air flooding in.  I catch a faint cannoli aroma. 

I giggle.  His hands get friskier, squeezing my ass checks then working their way up my back. He encompasses me in his wide strong arms and pulls me tight to him, our kisses becoming more intense. I rub my unit up and down his leg.  The friction against his rock-hard thigh and the hair covering it intensifies my arousal.  He moans into my mouth again and his grip becomes a bit tighter.

Then I hear it, the microwave beeper, or is the oven alarm?  My eyes open slowly and I see it’s my alarm clock.  It’s flashing 6am.  I groan and pull a pillow over my head, trying to block out the noise.  I feel Jakes’s hand wander over my chest, softly touching my pecs and abs.  He quietly says, “Morning.” I take the pillow off my face and turn to him.  We kiss and I put my hand on his bearded cheek.  I rub his strong jawline.  He smiles at me.  His hand continues to wander over my chest as he asks, “Are you ready for today?”  I shrug my shoulders. 

I’m not sure how Chuck will react to me giving him my resignation after being off for a month.  He was generous in giving me the time and getting me access to the mountain house. Now I get to go in and say, ‘Hey Chuck, I’m back.  Great time at the mountain house.  I met a guy and we’re going to live together up there. And by the way, I quit.  Thanks for everything.’  I groan to myself and close my eyes, wishing the day were over and that I could lay in bed with Jake and make the bed squeal as we rocked it all day. I begin to feel emotions which have been dormant for a month start to well up.  I remember my mediation training.  I relax, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths.  I calm down.

I open them, glance over to Jake and see him eyeing me up.  “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

He asks, “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?  I can wait in the lobby?”

I pat his chest.  “Thank you for the offer.  I thought about it again, and yeah, if you wouldn’t mind being there, I’d appreciate it.”

His big goofy country boy smile comes over his face.  His dark green eyes light up and he leans over again and gives me another kiss.

“Like I said, I don’t know how long I’ll be.  If it’s going to be a few hours, I’ll shoot you a note and you can wander the area.  There’s a great Sub shop up the block.”  He smiles and nods.  As he turns over to get out of bed, I grab his bicep and pull him back down.  He turns and I give him another kiss.  “Thank you, Jake.  Knowing you’re going to be there for me means a lot.”  He winks at me and smiles.

We get ready.  I dress in one of my Zanetti navy blue pin-stripe two button slim fit cotton suits.  It hadn’t fit me for the last few months, but now, it’s a bit loose around the waist and tight around the chest.  I enjoy the feel.  I find a crisp white shirt and pull out a Traveler Collection Paisley & Herringbone tie which matches the suit.  I pull on some dark blue argyle socks, then slip into my Moretti plain toe dress Chukka boots.  I slip on a nice thin leather belt and check myself in the mirror.  My hair is still a bit long and shaggy, but I like the look.  I trimmed up what little facial hair I have and spritz on some Sauvage Eau de Toilette spray.

I turn and check my back and hear Jake’s sexy low whistle from the bathroom door.  He’s standing there in a towel hanging loosely around his waist. I think if he hiccupped it would fall off.  His dark wavy hair is slicked back over his head, but one or two tendrils hang down into his face.  I watch his eyes give me the once over and he nods with approval.  He compliments me with, “You clean up nicely.”  I blush.  “Don’t be embarrassed Cole.  I knew you were a good-looking man, but seeing you now…man, I wish…”  his voice tapers off and he turns back into the bathroom. 

I think he blushed or misted up.  I walk to the door, but don’t open it.  I say just loud enough for him to hear, “I’ll be in the kitchen getting some fruit for breakfast.”  I walk away and let him have time to himself. 

As I’m slicing up some bananas and strawberries Jake comes into the kitchen.  He’s wearing blue jeans and a black mesh t-shirt under a bright yellow button-down Oxford, which is not buttoned.  He’s got on his signature baseball cap, turned backwards.  He flashes me a smile and moves to my side to help me with the fruit.  I put my left hand on his back and rub.  He leans his big body to mine and we come together. 

We hold it for a moment and I take the chance to sarcastically say, “Don’t get any ideas of finding a better looking, more muscular man, while you’re waiting for me Fischer.  I know where you live.”  I softly hip-check him. 

He grunts and says back, “I’m not the one you need to be worried about. Once your co-workers get a look at you, I may be the one left without a boyfriend…”  His voice fades away.

“Not a chance.”  I can sense his anxiety.  I turn to him and spin him to face me.  I kiss him, put my hands around his neck, and pull us together.  “Trust me Jake, I’m not going anywhere without you.”  We separate and he looks into my blue eyes.  I pull my left hand back and run it along his cheek.  “Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here.  You sav…”  My voice trails off and I blink away some tears.  I turn away and stare at the green and white tiled wall behind the counter.  I see the tiles, but they fade in and out as I lose myself in my thoughts.  ‘Am I up for this?’ ‘What happens next?’ ‘What happens if Jake and I break up?’

I distantly hear his soft voice, “You’re overthinking it again.  Come back to me.”  I take a deep breath, hold it for a count of four and slowly exhale. I do it again, then one last time.  I feel his hand on my shoulder, steading me.  I open my eyes and see my hands are on the granite countertop spread out.  They are quivering ever so slightly.  I steel myself and they stop. 

We sit and eat breakfast.  We make some small talk, but both of us are nervous about today. Not sure who is more nervous.  When we’re done, dishes into the sink, I grab my satchel, and out the door we go. We maneuver thru the Monday morning throng to the subway.  I’m back in my own environment.  I take Jake’s hand and lead him thru the crowds.  I’m not as polite as he was yesterday, but then, no else is either.  We crowd onto the subway.  We stand chest to chest.  I smile and wink at him.  His hand slips behind my back and pulls me to him, in a protective manner.  We lightly kiss.  Nobody notices, or if they do, they don’t care.  We’re in our own little world. 

I hear our stop called.  I break our kiss and nudge Jake to the door. The doors open and there’s a rush of people to exit the car.  I have a firm grip on his hand and lead him out.  Up the steps into the morning light and skyscrapers.  Sunlight is reflecting off the plate glass windows of the buildings.  At some points, it briefly blinds me, but my route to the office is hard-wired into my brain.  I could do it blindfolded.  End of the block, wait for the light, cross, hang a left, down the block, hang a right, and there it is.  The office.  All 75 floors. 

I stop and look up.  It’s been so long.  The muted green windows and steel plate façade goes from the ground floor to the top.  The company name is in the Franklin Gothic font.  I only know because I asked someone.  The letters are in gold, to contrast the green and steel gray around it.  Jake lets out a whistle.  I turn, half smile, and jerk my head to the front entrance. 

The lobby is a two-story open atrium design.  There are tall palm trees in three corners with low shrubs around the bases. There are flowering plants in pots as well. The furniture is comfortable modern, meaning, brushed stainless steel with pillows from Williams Sonoma. The tile is Italian marble and has a green vein running thru it to match the exterior.  Along the far wall is reception area.  There are 5 receptionists this morning.  Each one has a line of people 3 deep.  It would appear, the companies in the building have a full schedule of meetings for the day.  My company occupies the top 25 floors, and multiple others have the remaining. 

We get into line and wait. Jake is looking around with wonder in his eyes.  He turns to me and whispers, “All the money spent on this lobby could feed a small village for a year or so.” I shrug, knowing he is probably right.   We both chuckle. 

We get to the desk.  I request a guest pass and Jake fills out the appropriate forms.  He’s given a day pass.  We head to the elevators and walk to the bank which go to the top 25 floors.  He eyes me up.  I explain, “It cuts down on stopping at every floor.  This way we bypass everyone else.”  He shakes his head.  We enter with a bunch of other employees.  Both women and men eye Jake up.  I stand a little closer.

I see a couple co-workers and we smile at each other.  I put my hand in Jake’s and he gently squeezes. The elevator starts its ascent.  I’m used to the quick acceleration, but it takes him by surprise.  We rocket up to the 50^th floor and we slow to a stop.  A few people get off.  We jump another 5 floors and I move to the exit.  He follows.  As the doors open, we exit. 

I pause when I step out.  Jake squeezes again, but I’m lost in my thoughts.  I’m back.  It’s been a month, but it seems like yesterday when I left.  My gaze slowly moves from left to right.  Nothing seems to have changed.  I wouldn’t expect any major changes, but it looks the exact same.  I start the walk to my cube.  It’s automatic.  Left out of the elevator, past the break room, bathrooms, and conference room 4.  Make a right into the first aisle of cubes and go 8 cubes down.  There it is.  I see a banner and some balloons.  The banner says, “Welcome back Cole!”  Chuck’s handy work, I’m sure.  I smile and turn to Jake.  He’s got a smile on his face too. 

We get to my 5 x 5 cube and I look at it.  Just as I left it, but I look at it as if it’s the first time.  Overhead cabinet shut, but full of binders with Process guides and Code manuals.  My desk takes up two sides with my HP laptop computer in the corner.  My HP M22f 21.5” FHD dual monitors right above it on a shelf.  The yellow, pink, and light purple sticky notes still attached. My cup of pens and pencils to the right of the computer.  Then my phone and headset.  I pull out my Herman Miller Aeron black chair and sit.  I glance at the pictures I have spread around.  There’s one of my family in a silver frame, which I had given to my grandmother years ago as a birthday present, but was given back to me when she passed away.  Another of me at the beach with a bunch of friends.  I sigh.  I’m back. 

I hear Jake say, “It’s you.  I can tell just by looking at it.”  I grunt and chuckle.

I stand again and turn to him.  I jerk my head to the left and we walk toward Chuck’s office.  His door is open and I can see him at his desk thru the glass.  I pause at the door and gently rap on the door.  He looks up and a huge smile comes across his face.  He quickly stands and comes around his desk and right to me.  “Cole Patterson!”  I smile to him.  His open arms encompass me in a hug.  It feels good.  I hug him back.  “I’m so happy you’re back.” I close my eyes and let the emotion of his statement wash over me. His hands clap my back and he releases me.  We face each other.  He gives me the once over and says, “You look good.  The mountain house treated you well.”  I smile to myself and think, ‘You’re about to find out how well.’  Chuck sees Jake and puts his hand out.  “I’m Chuck Lord, Cole’s boss.”

Jake with the smoothness of silk and with his low deep voice says, “Very nice to meet you, I’m Jake Fischer.” They shake hands.  I watch them eye each other up. 

Chuck offers seats to both of us and closes the door.  He lowers the blinds for some privacy.  He pulls his chair from behind his desk and moves it out to the front. I take my suit jacket off and we sit in a triangle and he excitedly asks, ‘Well, how was it?  Lobster and filet every night?  Pinot or Chardonnay? You look like you lost some weight.  I hope it wasn’t salads for every meal?  How were there views?  It must have been beautiful this time of year.”  He bombards me with more questions.  I patiently wait for his to pause.

“It was really nice.”  Is about all I can say.  He looks at me stunned, but it quickly fades as he realizes there’s more for me to tell.  I give him the cliff notes version of my time there.  I leave Jake out for now.  Chuck smiles and nods.  I can see he’s really happy for me and the turn-around I’ve made.  When I’m done, his eyes quickly dart to Jake and back to me.  I smile a shy, embarrassed smile.  I feel Jake’s left hand on my right shoulder.  He squeezes and I sit up a bit straighter.  I plunge in and say, “Jake is my boyfriend.”  Chuck’s eyes get a bit wider, dart to Jake, then back to me.  I see a tiny knowing smile creep across his face.  “He is the caretaker at the estate and helped me in so many ways.  I doubt I’d be here today without his help.”  Eyes back to Jake, then to me.  His smile gets wider.  I sigh, “The third day, if you must know.”

He slaps his hands on his legs, laughs, and says, “I knew it!”  I roll my eyes and hear Jake laugh as well. I turn to him and he just shrugs his boulder shoulders.  I look back to Chuck.   He looks at Jake and says, “Last time I was up, your grandfather was the caretaker.  Did he retire?”

Jake says, “Pappy passed away about 5 years ago.  I came on board to help out Nona.” 

“I’m very sorry.  Your grandfather was such a nice gentleman.  Always polite and willing to help or do anything we needed.  If I remember correctly, your grandmother is a real spitfire.”  I choke out a laugh and hear Jake chuckle too. 

“Yeah, Nona is her own person, to say the least.”  Now it’s my turn to put my right hand on his left thigh and squeeze. 

Chuck senses the elephant in the room and asks Jake, “Are you moving to the city to be with Cole?”

I shuffle my feet a bit and Jake stammers, “Well…”

I speak up before it gets too awkward, “Jake, would you mind waiting for me at my desk?”  Chuck looks at me, then Jake, then back to me.  Not much gets past him.  Jake stands, shakes Chuck’s hand and leaves, shutting the door as he goes.

Chuck waits what seems like forever, but finally asks, “So, is this your way of turning in your notice?”  I glance at him.  He’s not being mean, nor does he seem angry.  He’s just asking.  I have to respect him and be honest. 

I look him in the eyes and say, “Yes.  But I want to give you proper notice.  I’m not looking to leave today or anything.  I want to properly write up my resignation and give you proper notice.”  He nods with appreciation.  “Also, I want to thank you for giving me the time off.  I will pay any expenses incurred.” 

He waves me off.  “Cole, that place just sits empty for 6 to 7 months out of the year.  It’s basically a tax write off for the company.”  I sigh, but still feel some obligation to reimburse the company, or at least Chuck. He continues, “What you can do to repay me is not leave.” I open my mouth to protest, but he puts his hand up. I shut my mouth and let him continue. “I can see you really like Jake.  Given your taste in men, he suits you.”  I fidget just a bit, but know he’s right. “I’m guessing you’re going to move in with him back there after you leave?”  I hesitantly nod ‘yes’, even though we hadn’t gotten that far.  He rubs his chin and looks me in the eyes again, “Just a question, but do you still like your work, or are you looking to get out of it and do something else?”

I think for a minute and Chuck does not rush me.  I slowly say, “I do still like what I do, but given the wear and tear on my body and spirit, I’m not sure I want to do it long term.  I found a sense of calm and peacefulness there.  And being with Jake, he’s shown me so much else.  I’ve never been to a small town, believe it or not.  But being with him and watching him around the town and the people there, and listening to his dreams and what he wants from life, its’ opened a door in my head which was there, but hidden…if that makes sense?”

Chuck puts his hands on my shoulders and says with honest eyes, “More than you will ever know Cole.” I let out a sigh.  I look to the floor and take a few deep breaths.  “Cole,” I look up and see the same smile from a month ago.  He’s got a plan he wants to share.  “How about this?  Don’t turn in your resignation.  How about I let you work remotely?”  I eye him up.  “You can move up there, live with Jake, get your new life started, but continue to work for us.”

I roll the idea around in my head.  Kind of like it, but really want to get out of this job at some point.  I say, “I’m grateful…” and go quiet.

“But?”

I sigh.  “Like I said, I do like my job, but I don’t want to have another breakdown.”  It sounds like a cop-out, but it’s the truth. “I think if I continued doing this for much longer, I’d be back in here after another melt down.”  He laughs and so do I.

I look at him and see the wheels turning.  He really wants me to stay.  I get it.  I’m his number one employee, the guy who brings in and retains the best clients.  The firm has made a lot of money from and for my clients.  If I walk, they may walk too. 

I remember back to my yoga and meditation work.  I need to come first. But I cannot hang Chuck out to dry, that’s not in my nature. I counter offer and ask, “How about this?  I work two weeks here, getting back up to speed and touching base with my clients. Then I work remotely for the next month and a half?”  He raises an eyebrow considering it. “This way, when I’m here, I can sit with the people who are going to take over my client base, and when I’m remote, I can still answer questions they have.”

He walks back around his desk, taking his chair with him.  He sits and looks at me.  He gets a pen out and pulls out a piece of paper.  He points the pen at me and with absolutely no maliciousness says, “I had high hopes for you Cole.  I was hoping you’d be sitting here,” he spreads his hands over his desk. “Within the next year or so…but I get it.  You need to put your life first.” I smile and sigh.  “That’s one of the things a stay at the mountain house can do.  It shows you how you should be living your life.” I nod in agreement, although Jake played a major part in it.  “We could sit here and haggle over the time frame and specifics, but I trust you. I’ll write up your plan, print it out, and bring it out for you to sign.  I’ll then scan it to an email and file it.  Sound good?” 

I quietly say, “Yes.”  I look him in eyes and again say, “Thank you.”  He smiles and winks to me.  I stand, extend my hand, and we shake.

He excitedly says, “Now, let’s go talk to your hunk of a boyfriend.  I’ve got a lot of questions to ask while I have the chance.”  We both laugh and head out onto the floor. 

As we near my desk, I see quite a crowd has gathered and Jake is standing there, talking to everyone.  He’s got his winning smile on and doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by the overly flirtatious Carrie’s hand draped over his left forearm. I call out to her with a bit of sarcasm, “Hands off my man Carrie.”  I wink to her and she laughs it off. 

She’s in a coal-colored suit with a pink blouse.  Her red hair (dyed) is pulled back in a ponytail and her sultry brown eyes can scan a room in seconds and spot every single man.  She comes over to me, gives me a hug, and whispers, “Missed you sexy.”  She leans back, looks me over, nods, gives me a kiss, and says, “Mr. Muscles over there got you back into shape.  I like it.”  Another quick kiss. I’d blush, but I’m used to her.  She puts her hand around my tie and coils it around and says, “I’d ask for the details, but…I know you…”  She glances at Jake again and quietly says to me, “Very good taste Cole, very good indeed.”  She lets go of the tie, pats me on the chest, spins around, slips her arm into mine and, leads me back to the crowd.  Chuck has cornered Jake in my cube and is peppering him with more questions.  I can only imagine what. I sigh and see Jake look over to me and wink.  I smile.  I decide to rescue him. 

I clear my throat and say, “Err, Chuck, as much as I’d like to spend the day watching everyone ogle my boyfriend, I think I need to get to work.”  I raise an eyebrow to him. 

He nods in agreement.  He loudly announces, “Ok everyone.  Cole is breaking up his own Welcome back party.  Something about work to do.  No idea where he gets thoughts like this.”  There is a general round of laughter.  He looks to me with a questioning look and I know what he wants to say.  I ever so slightly nod yes.  Carrie sees it and grips my arm.  “I have more news on this bright Monday morning.”  I stand up a bit straighter, let go of her hand, move to be closer to Jake, and take his hand in mine.  “As happy as we all are to see Cole back with us, unfortunately it’s only for a short period of time.”  People gasp and all eyes turn to me.  Jake’s grip becomes a bit stronger, supporting me.  I take a few deep breaths.  I catch Carrie’s eyes and she winks.  “He has decided to start a new life outside the city.”  I hear people murmur.  “He will be in the office for the next two weeks, reviewing clients’ files with the associates who are taking them over, then he will be working remotely for the next month and a half, cleaning up files and being available for any questions.”  More murmuring.  Chuck raises his arms and people quiet down. “Before everyone starts asking, I have not decided who is getting which clients.  Don’t bother asking Cole, he also doesn’t know.” 

People hang around for another few minutes, chatting, then disperse until it’s just Chuck, Carrie, Jake, and myself.  We make some small talk.  I check my watch and realize I need to get signed on and actually get some work done.  I turn to Jake and say, “Can I walk you to the elevators?” 

Carrie jumps in and announces, “I’ve got this Cole.”  She wiggles her fingers at my computer and continues, “You get signed on and do some work.  I’ll escort your boyfriend to the elevator and give him some sites to see while you toil away.”  She sidles up the Jake and slips her arm into his.  He takes it in stride.  He leans over to me, gives me a kiss on the cheek and says, “I’ll call you in a while, make sure you’re ok.”  I kiss him back and watch as they walk away.  Her hips swaying and bumping Jake just for my viewing pleasure. 

As I continue to watch, I distantly hear Chuck sarcastically say, “You better check on him tonight.  She can straighten limp spaghetti…” 

I turn and jokingly say, “Don’t I know it.”  We both laugh. 

The day speeds by.  Jake sends me a few photos of sites he’s visited.  I call him at lunch and we meet up.  We have a good laugh about the morning.  He says Carrie is really nice.  I choke on my salad, but agree.  At quitting time, he meets me in the lobby and we make our way back to my apartment.  The subway is just as crowded. When we get off, I lead us to a small grocery store.  I get a few items, enough for us to make dinner and lunches.  After dinner, we hit the gym for a quick workout.  I buy a bunch of guest passes for Jake to use and I fill out the paperwork to cancel my membership in two weeks. 

That settled, we head back.  It’s 10, but I feel like it’s 2am.  My body is tired.  We change into our bed clothes.  Me in PJ’s and him in a t-shirt and gym shorts, for now.  Jake prefers to sleep naked. I get my suit out for tomorrow and have everything ready to go.  We move sit on the couch and start to cuddle.  His right arm over and around my shoulder, cradling my body to his.  I can feel his beard on the top of my head.  He sniffs my shampoo and body spray.  I run my left hand along his right thigh and play with his hairy muscular leg. I quietly say, “You know, Carrie has a thing for you.”  He grunts.  “If we were straight and I were a woman, I think she and I would have come to blows today the way she fawned over you and pawed you like a piece of meat.” 

That makes him laugh out loud.  He calms down and says, “I’d pay to see that.”  I laugh.  “I think she’d take you down too.”

“I dunno.  I can hold my own in a fight.”

“Nay, you’re way to nice.  She’s a fighter.  She’s got a bag of tricks and I’m pretty sure she isn’t afraid to use them, if she wants to.”  I nod in agreement.

“Then I glad you play for my team, or should I say, ‘Our team’.”  I feel him kiss my head.

He quietly says, “I’m glad you do too.  Love you, Cole.”  I rug his leg in response.

I yawn a minute later and feel my eye lids lower.  Before I completely fall asleep, I get up and wander down the short hall to the bed.  Jake follows, his right hand in my left.  I check my alarm and climb onto the bed.  I watch Jake strip and climb in next to me.  He slides over and is right next to me.  I turn onto my right side and feel him move to spoon me.  His enormous left arm comes over my body.  I lift my left arm and he slips it under it.  His hand rests on my chest.  He tenderly pulls me back into his warm chest.  His head is near mine.  Our breathing comes into sync.  We fade out.

 

Jake’s point of view

Cole’s alarm goes off Tuesday morning.  I’m already awake, but don’t disturb him.  He was so tired yesterday after work, our quick gym trip, and then sitting on the sofa.  I let him have every extra minute of rest. 

He slowly wakes.  I play with his messy blonde hair.  It’s gotten really shaggy.  I like it.  He rolls over and we kiss good morning.  His right hand comes to rest on my bare chest.  He lets it rest there, feeling my heart beat.  He almost nods off again, but I ask, “Want to shower first?  I can wait until you leave to take mine.” 

He pulls on my chest hair, suddenly awake.  In a half angry tone, he says, “Not funny Jake.” 

I chuckle and say, “But true.”  He half-heartily punches my chest, then rolls over to his side of the bed and gets up.  I lay there and watch him.  The yellow comforter strewn on the bed.  My naked body partially covered.  He turns, takes a look, then quickly turns away and heads to his small bathroom.  I call after him when he shuts the door, “No beating off without me.”  I hear a muffed response, but cannot make out what he says.  I lay back and stare at the ceiling.  When he’s done and getting dressed, I toss on some shorts and a t-shirt and use the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a leak. 

We move to the kitchen.  As he starts to make his lunch, I make our breakfast.  We move around his small kitchen with ease.  Neither of us getting in the way of the other. The layout is a simple galley style.  Sink, stove, fridge on one side, cabinets and washer on the other.  There’s not a whole lot of countertop space, but we share and make the best of it. 

Once everything is prepared, we sit to eat.  I let him know I want to hit the gym this morning and will then walk around in the afternoon.  I’ll stop by the store and get more food for the rest of the week.  I ask if he wants anything special. He’s staring at me with a slight smile on his face.  I gaze into his dark blue eyes and smile back.  I tentatively ask, “Is there anything you’d like me to start packing?”  He raises an eyebrow.  “Cole, two weeks will fly by.”  He faces now has a questioning look.  “Trust me, I won’t do everything today, but if we wait until the end, we’ll be scrambling.”  He nods in agreement as he takes a bite of a strawberry.  “How about I go find some boxes?  I can check with some local stores.” 

He laughs and says, “We could just go buy some.”

“Nah, easier to get them from stores.  They throw away so many every day, taking a few off their hands won’t hurt.”  He shrugs ok.  “I won’t pack anything without you, but if you want me to toss some stuff, shoot me texts during the day and I can get that stuff together in one place for you to take a look at.”

“How did you become so organized?”

“I have 5 siblings and manage an estate with a strict grandmother.  Being organized is hard-wired into my brain.”  We both laugh.  I stretch my arms upward and my t-shirt rises up. My hairy abs come into view.  I see Cole lick his lips involuntarily.  I smile and wink at him. 

He checks his Movado watch and lets out a curse.  He’s up, grabs his lunch, kisses me, and heads out.  He calls back, “Love you.  Text me.  Don’t get arrested or cause a scene at the gym.  I still want to use it for the next two weeks.”

“Love you too.” I say as the door shuts.  I hear his feet on the wooden floor boards as they hurry to the steps.  I move to the window and watch for him to emerge.  He does a few minutes later.  He hurries down the block to the subway entrance. 

I wait for him to disappear then turn and head back to the kitchen.  I quickly clean up and put the washed dishes into the drying rack.  I move to the bathroom, take a quick shower, then get dressed for the gym.  I pack my gym bag and carry it to the front door.  I grab a pencil and paper and make a list of things I’d like to get done today.  Top of the list is hit the gym, then boxes, stores, call home, clean, and get stuff ready to be tossed.

I put the list into a side pocket of my gym bag and head out.  I lock the door, then double check it.  As I walk to the steps, I mentally take a photo of the width of the hallway and stairwell.  Will his furniture fit or will we need the elevator?  Do we need help?  Should I call Steve and CK?  Mental note to run it past Cole. 

I get to the ground floor and as I exit, I nearly run over a younger guy coming into the entry way.  With a quick glance, I can see he’s probably in his mid-twenties, slim to thin, wiry brown hair, Maui Jim sunglasses with polarized lens.  He’s wearing a loose-fitting white t-shirt with sweat stains and baggy black mesh shorts, which are probably a size too big for him.  He’s got a few days of scrub on his lean face and I see sweat on his forehead.  He’s got earbuds in and I can just hear the music of Linkin Park coming from them.  He stands about 5’10”, maybe a buck sixty soaking wet.

I quickly sidestep him, but he actually moves in the same direction.  We come together and bump bodies.  I quickly move my hands to his shoulders and grab him to make sure I don’t knock him down. His hands move just as fast and grab my forearms.  I feel some strength in them.  We separate and I say, “Sorry.  You, ok?”

He moves his left hand to his shorts, clicks an unseen button and the music stops.  He pulls a bud out, slides his sunglasses to the top of his head, and says, “I’m good, buddy.  Sorry.  I’d ask if you’re ok, but you look like a solid guy.”  He gives me a quick once over.  “You new?  Never seen you before?” 

“Just staying with a friend for a bit.”  I don’t want to get too talkative.  Not sure who Cole knows and how friendly he is with other people in the building.

“Cool. I’ll see ya ‘round.”  And with that, he’s off.  He gets to the steps and heads up, two at a time.  I glance as his ass and notice it’s as thin as the rest of him, but his legs have some muscle to them. 

I head out of the building, down to the sidewalk, and slowly look around to get my bearings.  I pull my phone out, click on the map and start walking toward the gym.  It’s a few blocks away, but it’s such a nice day out, with the sunlight streaming through the breaks in the buildings, that I take my time and check out some of the stores.  I pass quite a few delis and eateries, a couple clothes stores, and one or two shuttered stores, with chain link guard fencing pulled down.  A few of them have ‘for sale’ signs on them.  I notice the neighborhood gets a little darker and dirtier the further I get from Cole’s apartment.  Something I had not noticed last night. 

I get to the gym and show them my pass.  The guy at the front desk gives me a quick once over and nods his head toward the back.  I wander thru the gym floor to the locker room.  I lock my phone and bag in a locker and just take my headphones, water bottle, and towel with me to back to the floor. 

I put on some Cage the Elephant and wander the floor, getting to know the set up.  Given it is midmorning, most of the early crowd has thinned out and gone to work.  Most of the machines are free.  I decide to go for a chest day.  I spot the one decline bench and see it’s free.  I walk over, put my towel on the bar and start to stretch.  I take my time and make sure to work the kinks out of my shoulders and upper arms.  I also stretch my legs, just in case I have some time to get in some leg work.  I toss some 45’s on the bar, adjust the foot holds and lay back.  I make sure the bench is square with the ceiling and lift the bar off the rack.  It feels good.  I press out ten reps and re-rack.  I toss another 45 on each side and push out another 10 reps.  I find some 25’s and put them on.  5 reps. I begin to feel warm and can feel some sweat forming on my body.  I take a quick break, get some water, then back to it. Another 25 on each side and do reps to failure.  I jump up, pull a 25 off each side and go to failure again.  I pull off the other 25’s and rep to failure.  Next, a pair of 45’s come off.  As I lay back down, I feel warm sweat drip into my right eye.  I wipe it away, take a deep breath and push out 15 reps.  I’m exhausted.  I rest for a bit, then go for my last set.  I work my way thru 10 reps, then start to slow quite a bit.  As I hit the 12^th rep, I realize I’m done.  I slowly press the bar up and re-rack.  It clangs noisily onto the rack.  My lower chest is on fire.  Breathing hurts just a bit, which tells me I’m doing something right.  I close my eyes and let my body cool off for a second.  When I open them, I lean up, grab the towel and wipe my face and head.  I grab my water bottle and take a long drink. 

As I cool off, I scan the room for an adjustable bench.  I find a pair in a different room.  I see a bunch of the free weights here too.  I go back to the other bench, wipe it down, then grab my towel and head back.  I pull a pair of 50lb dumb-bells off the rack and put them on the floor next to the bench.  I then grab some 25s.  I check the bench, adjust the back to a 30-degree angle and lie on it.  I glance at the ceiling to make sure I’m squared up.  I grab the 50s and start to do presses.  A set of 10 to warm up.  I set the weights down as gently as a I can, but they still thump on the floor.  I grab the 25s and chest fly’s, keeping my elbows slightly bent.  From memory, I’m here for four sets.  Fly’s won’t change, but the presses will.  First set of presses, both at the same time.   Second set, raise both, but only left arm does the motion.  Right arm stays stationary.  Third set, reverse:  Right arm moves, left arm stationary.  Final set, alternate raising the arms, doing each side for 10 reps, making it 20 overall.  I also up the weight each set, from 50 to 60 to 70 to 85.  Last set leaves me gassed, but I can definitely feel my muscles working.

Another quick water break, then change the music to some Kings of Leon.  Wipe the bench and head to the machines.  I spot a Cybex Eagle Chest press machine and come to realize, this gym, for being in a bad area, has some money to toss around if they have this quality of machines in it. Cole’s monthly fee must be quite high.  I toss a pair of 45’s on each side, adjust the seat, make sure I’m square with the fall wall, and begin.  Music is pumping in my ears and the set is flowing.  I’m in my own little world.  I think of Cole, his cute blue eyes and shaggy blonde hair.  His attempt to grow facial hair, just to impress me.  I laugh to myself and a smile comes across my face. I wonder what he’ll do once we move back to the mountains and he finishes his job here.  We talked about it vaguely, but I don’t think he has concrete plans.  I finish the set, add 25s to each side and start the next.  My conversation with Nona about him living with us, at least for a bit, was not outright rejected, but I could tell she had some reservations.  Maybe he could rent a small apartment near the estate.  I know there are a few in the area.  But what would he do for a job?  Not sure he’s cut out to work as a caretaker with me.  Also, he knows I want to leave the caretaker job once I graduate.  Finish the set, pull the 25s, put on 45s.  For that matter, what am I going to do?  There are not too many Property Management firms in town, but not really a need for more than the one or two we have.  What happens if I get a job in a different town, would Cole follow me?  I’m guessing he would since he’s leaving his life here to be with me.  But would that be fair?  I guess that’s something else we need to talk about. 

Then I feel the sweat from my forehead trickle down into my right eye.  I stop my set, grab my towel and dab it.  Then I wipe my head and realize I’m really sweating.  I check the machine and see I’ve got 3 – 45s one each side and a pair of 35s.  I was really in my own world. 

I start to strip the weights when a member comes up, shorter guy, big upper body, but kind of weak in the leg department.  Curly black hair with a few strands of grey, clean shaven.  Looks to be in his 40’s somewhere.  He reaches his bear claw of a hand out. I pop an ear bud and extend my hand too.  “Riley.” He says in a deep voice.

“Jake.” He nods.

“You’re Cole’s friend.” More of a statement than a question.  I nod.  “I saw you in here with him yesterday.” Not sure where this is headed, so I keep a straight face.  “We had a thing a while ago.  Nice kid.  Lots of fun to be with.”  I think to myself, ‘Three days in the city and already meeting the ‘ex’s.  I’m going to have fun with him tonight.’ I turn my attention back to Riley as he continues to talk.  “…broke up way before Covid hit.  I guess we were looking for different things.” I nod. “How did you meet him?  He left suddenly and without a word to anyone and then reappears last night with you.”  He gives me another look over. 

I politely say, “You’ll really need to speak with Cole about why he left.  It’s not my place to discuss his personal life.”  I smile a gentle smile to let him know I’m not giving out any more info.  His eyes just stare at me with a look of ‘you’re his new boyfriend, aren’t you?’ I want to get on with my workout, so I politely say, “I’ll let Cole know I ran into you and that you were asking for him.”  I extend my hand and say, “Very nice to meet you, Riley.”

We shake and he decides to do a test of strength.  He grips my hand and squeezes.  I let him have his fun.  When he thinks he’s impressed me, I squeeze back.  His eyes get a bit wider as he feels the pressure. We release and I stare at him.  He nods and moves off.

The rest of my workout has new energy.  Cole is at the forefront of my mind.  I picture his smooth taut muscular body next to me in bed, stretched out, with a leg entangled with one of mine. His right arm over my left shoulder, holding our bodies together.  Our lips mashed into each other with a drop of saliva seeping out.  I come out of my daydream and realize my workout is pretty much over. 

I’m covered in sweat, have a half a woody, and can only see Cole. I head back to the locker room and open my locker. I check my phone and see a few messages.  They can wait for a bit.  I strip and grab my towel.  I find the largest shower stall and turn the water to hot.  As it heats up, I head to the bathroom and take a quick leak.  I get back to the shower, get in, and close the door.  I want to take a long, slow, enjoyable shower, but know I have things to do, so I make it a quick one.  Done in 10, dried off, and dressed in clean street clothes.  I sit and take a look at the messages.  First one from Cole. He misses me, is swamped at work, but can think of a few things I can toss.  He’s sent a photo of a list of stuff and where it is in the apartment.  Next message is from Rose asking how things are.  I send a quick reply and keep it PG.  Last message from Cole.  He’s going to check out selling some furniture online, but asks if we’d able to take some back to the mountains so he can furnish a small apartment.  I smile to myself and think, ‘Great minds…’   I check my watch and see it’s almost his lunch time. I send a note asking that he call me when he’s at lunch and we can talk about his notes. I immediately get a ‘thumbs up’ emoji back with a winking smiley face.

I head out of the locker room and see Riley on the far side of the gym, continuing his workout.  He doesn’t see me and I don’t to try to talk to him.  I’m sure I’ll see him again over the next two weeks.  I head out into the bright late morning sun and head back toward to the apartment.  I pull out my phone and map a local shop to grab some lunch.  I find a sub shop about halfway home that looks decent. 

I get there, walk into to the smell of baking bread, fresh cut meats, and an array of spices.  I inhale deeply and feel I’ve made the right choice as a smile comes over my face.  I also see there is a line and I can understand why.  I dutifully get in line, look at the menu board and see quite a few options.  I narrow if down to three.  I tap the women in front of me and quietly say, “Excuse me.”  She turns, looks up from her phone, and takes a step back when she looks up my body from chest to head.  I put on my most disarming smile, so as not to frighten her.  She smiles back and takes a breath. I continue, “I was wondering if you could make a suggestion on which subs are the best.  It’s’ my first time here”

She’s an older woman, probably in her sixties.  Graying hair styled nicely.  She’s wearing a pair of slacks and a bright green blouse.  Her arm reaches out and takes ahold of my forearm as she says, “My, you certainly are a big boy.”  We both smile.  “Now sweetie, I’m sure you’ll like everything the shop has to offer,” she pats my arm, “I know I do, but if want my top choices,” I nod, “Then go with the Meatball grinder, the Turkey sub on toasted whole wheat with provolone, or the Roast beef on sourdough with creamy horseradish sauce.”  I smile again.  “All three are wonderful and Tony has got this down to a science.”  She gives me a wink.

I thank her and she turns sound.  Two that she mentioned were on my list, so that helps. Soon it’s my turn to order.  I go with the Turkey on whole wheat. I get the roll toasted, no oil or mayo.  I ask for extra lettuce and tomatoes. The kid taking my order, Zeke, by his nametag, is half staring at my size, and just nods.  He punches a few keys on the register.  He asks if I want a beverage.  I ask for a water.  He nods.  He rings me up and gives me the bill.  I’m a bit shocked, but hold my composure.  I remember, I’m in the city and it cost more.  I hand him a twenty and he gives me my change.  I slide down the line and watch my sandwich get made.  It’s pretty quick, and the lady was right, they have it down to a science.  Five minutes later, I’m back on the sidewalk, heading toward a park. 

I feel my phone ring.  I pull it out and see its Cole.  I pick up and say, “Hey Cole.  How’s work today?”  I hear him groan.  I decide to rub it in a bit more.  “It’s such a nice day out.  I just got a sub from Tony’s, near the gym.  It smells great.”

“Listen Fischer,” I think, ‘Yes! I’ve hit a nerve’.  “Enjoy your lunch because I’m going to work your butt off this afternoon with an updated list of things for you to do.”  I laugh to myself.  “Sending the list now.”  My phone beeps as the text comes thru.  I take a look and agree, it’s quite a bit work.  Now it’s his turn to rub it in a bit, “Not so cheerful now, are Mr. Muscles?”  I laugh to myself again.

I play along and say, “It’s a nice little list, Patterson, but I bet I can have it done by the time you get home, in addition to the other chores I have to do for you…”  I let it hang in the air to see if he takes the bait.  I know he will, because he’s Cole.

“Deal.  I’ve got thoughts in my head as to what I’m going to do to you, as the winner.  Make sure you’re limber and fully stretched out.”  I roar with laughter into the phone.  People at other tables look up and in my direction. 

“Oh, don’t you worry.  I’ve already been to the gym, but you haven’t.”  I hear him curse.  “But I’m sure I can stretch you out very nicely.” He sighs heavily.   We talk for a few more minutes, then hang up.  I eat my sub, enjoying every bite.

I start to head back and, on the way, stop into a few stores to see if they have empty boxes they’re tossing, which I can grab.  I end up with six boxes, which I’ve collapsed.  I get back to the apartment.  I look at his list, and start to locate the items.  Some are obvious.  A pile of magazines on the coffee table, some knick-knacks he doesn’t want any more. 

Then I see it, the photo of him and Riley on an end table.  I pick up the plastic frame and take a closer look.  Cole looks very happy.  Big smile, deep tan, arm around Riley’s waist, holding him close.  Riley’s arm is around Cole’s waist as well.  A twinge of jealously hits me, but I quickly dispel it.  I know he had boyfriends prior to meeting me, just as I did, but he’s never met any of mine.  I’ve met Riley.  I won’t say I don’t like him, but just something about him seems a bit off.  What happens when we’re back in the mountains and we run into PJ at the diner, or Lucas at the gym.  Will Cole feel a twinge of jealously like I am?  I guess tonight is as good a night as ever to have the ex’s conversation.

I put the photo down and continue to get the items on Cole’s list.  Over the next few hours, I get all the items on the lists in bags or boxes.  His small living room is now crowded.  I don’t want to take anything out until he has a chance to take a last look at it.  I walk thru the rooms and see there may be quite a bit of furniture to haul out.  I grab my phone and shoot a text to Steve.  He calls me back in a few minutes.

“Yo Monster, how’s city life?” Cheerful as ever. “You and the Colester getting settled?”

“Hey Steve.  Things are going well.” I boringly say, “Yes, Cole and I are getting settled.  We’re also having fantastic sex.” I throw the jab out, just to make him squirm.

“Eww…TMI Jake, TMI” He lets out a hearty laugh, as do I.

“Bro, the reason I wanted to talk.  What are you and CK up to this weekend and next?”  I pause to let him think.  “Would you be able to come down and help us take some of Cole’s furniture back home?” I can hear his brain churning.  “It may take two weekends, and I’d like to get a jump on it, if possible.”

He asks, “How much we talking about?  His apartment can’t be that big, can it?” 

I glance around and take a quick mental inventory. “There’s more than you’d think.  We’re going to try to get rid of as much as possible, but I know there’s going to be a lot of boxes coming back with us.”  I hear him grunt.  I lay on the sarcasm, “I’d rent a van or small box truck, but figure I can save the money as I have two strong younger brothers who’d be willing to help out their generous older brother.” 

Steve roars again with laughter.  I grin on my side.  “Well, when you put it like that, my time is your money.”  I groan at the thought of what this will cost me, besides money.  “I’m sure I can wrangle CK into coming once I lay it out to him.”

I questioningly say, “Thank you?”

He assuredly says, “Anytime Monster, anytime.”  I sigh with relief.  “Once you and Colester get an idea of what’s coming back, shoot me a note.  CK and I can be down there Friday, from midday on.”

“Thanks Steve, appreciate it.  Will be in touch.”  We hang up. 

I sit on the sofa and close my eyes.  I think to myself ‘Nona will need to be my next call.’  I wonder if I can put if off for another day.  I know she and I have made progress, but I don’t want to jeopardize it by asking if Cole can stay with us.   I let my thoughts continue to wander and drift off thinking of Cole.

 

Cole’s point of view.

I trudge home in the warm late afternoon sun.  The subway was crowded, again, and everyone seemed to be on edge.  Work, while it’s getting easier getting back into the swing of things, is getting harder as I am preparing to leave.  I am making detailed notations on my cases, so the next person understands the clients and what their expectations are.  Some are straight forward, a few lines of notes, others take longer as the client has very specific needs or wishes. I’m about a quarter of the way done.  This is in addition to reviewing the files with the handler.  Chuck sent out a note today listing who gets which clients.  I Very quickly noticed Cassie got the picks of the litter.  I’m sure others noticed it as well.  I’m not upset; knowing she is one of the best and knows how to schmooze with the best of them. 

I climb the steps to my apartment building and see Johnny coming out.  He’s decked out in tan shorts, a blue and red patterned shirt, and stylish slip-on shoes.  His wiry brown hair slicked back and his ever-present Maui Jim sunglasses on his head.  I call out to him, “Johnny, dude, how they hanging?”  He’s like the brother I always wanted, but didn’t get. 

“Cole, my man.” We bro-hug.  “When you get back?  Missed you.”  I can see he’s being honest as usual. 

“Yeah, sorry.”  I feel a pang of guilt.  I left in such a hurry that I sent him a quick text and was gone. “I got back a few days ago.  Right back to work too.” 

He frowns and then laughs at me.  “Always making the money.  Dude, you need a break.”  I smile weakly.  He sees it and a look of concern comes over his face.  “Cole, you, ok?”  I shrug. He slips his arm over my shoulder and pulls me close.  “Listen, I was headed out to meet up some friends, but can cancel and hang with you.”  I look into his brown eyes and see nothing but concern. 

“Well…I do need to talk to you.  I’m making some changes and want to talk to you about it.”  He’s nodding his head in agreement.  “I don’t want to keep you though.”  He waves it off. “Meet me at my place in like 20 minutes.  I gotta get out of this suit and do one or two things.”

“Sure thing.”  We both turn to go into the building.  He looks to me and with a crooked smile says, “Dude, there’s a new guy in the building…and I think he’s the type you’d look at twice.”  I raise an eyebrow.  “Now, I’m not much of judge of what gay guys like, but I know you like muscle guys based on Riley and a few of your past boyfriends, so this guy is definitely your type.”  My brain immediately registers that he’s met Jake. “Big, dark wavy hair, muscles everywhere…” He trails off.  I smile to myself and decide to surprise him with Jake. We are inside and heading up the steps.  He gets off at the fourth floor.  He confirms, “Twenty minutes.”  I nod and smile again.

I get to my floor, open the door, and see Jake sound asleep on the sofa.  Boxes are everywhere.  Shelves have been emptied, clutter is gone, replaced by more boxes.  I smile and walk to him.  I pull off his baseball hat and softly run my fingers thru his wavy brown hair.  There’s a bit of sweat on it and I can smell that he’s been at hard at work.  I lean down and kiss his forehead.  He stirs, but does not wake.  I move to the bedroom and quickly get changed.  I hit bathroom and run a wet warm wash cloth over my face, neck, and arms to get the day’s grime off me.  I check the clock and see I have ten minutes.  I go back to the living room and sit next to sleeping beauty.  I put my right hand on his left leg and gently squeeze.  He doesn’t move.  His leg feels like granite, which could be why.  I rub his leg and call his name, “Jake.”  I go a bit louder, “Jake.”  I shake his shoulder and that does the trick.  He slowly opens his green eyes and looks around.  I move my hand back to his leg and run it thru his hair thigh.  I smile to him and he smiles back.  “Have a nice nap?”  He nods and leans over.  We kiss.  His right hand moves to the back of my head and he pulls us closer. The kiss becomes deeper, longer, more passionate.  I see him start to bulge a bit out of the corner of my eye.  I break the kiss, much to his dismay.  I pat him on the leg and say, “We’re going to have company soon.  I need you up, cleaned up, and ready.”  He groans, but nods. 

“May I ask who?”  His voice becomes excited as he asks, “Is it Carrie?  I’d love to talk to her about you.  Find out all your secrets.”  A wicked smile crosses his face.

I emphatically say, “No, not Carrie.”  I get up and attempt to pull him up.  He lets his weight hold him down.  He tugs on my arm and I resist falling into his lap.  “Come on, Jake. Play time after our guest leaves, I promise.”  I smile and wink to him.  His grin becomes wider.  He jumps up, scoops me up, kisses me, and carries me to the bedroom.  He sets me down and starts to get changed. I stand and watch my boyfriend strip and then get into new clothes. 

We head back out to the kitchen and I grab some water.  A few minutes later there is a knock at the door.  I make like I’m busy and innocently ask, “Jake, can you get that please.”

“Sure sexy.”  He walks to the door and I turn to watch the fun.   Not sure who I feel worse for Jake or Johnny. 

He opens the door and I can see Johnny standing there.  He looks up from his phone and sees Jake. He gives him the once over and looks at the door again to make sure he’s at the right apartment.  Jake on the other hand, has let his jaw drop.  I know he wants to say something, but the words aren’t coming out.  I walk up behind him, put my left arm around his muscular waist, look to Johnny and say, “Hey, right on time.”  He looks to me, then back to Jake, then to me.  “I think you’ve already met my boyfriend, Jake?”

They both turn to me as I continue to smile.

We spend the next hour talking, laughing, having a few beers.  Jake and Johnny get along very well.  I go thru what happened over the past month, why I left, where I was, how I met Jake, and what my plans are.  Johnny’s face drops when he hears I’m leaving.  I try to make it easier, by saying, “You’re more than welcome to come visit, once we get a place.”  I see Jake turn to look at me with a smile.  He leans over and kisses my cheek. 

“Well Cole.  I’m just happy you’re happy.  I know you were having a hard time for a while.”  He glances to Jake, who is smiling at the inherent friendship Johnny and I have.  “I’m def sorry to see you go.  Now I gotta find a new drinking buddy.  Who’s going to watch the stinking Mets with me?”  We all laugh. 

“I’ll be back every now and then to visit my friends.”  His face brightens. 

The conversation comes to an end.  Johnny gets up, we hug, he shakes Jake’s hand.  Jake pulls him into a hug and profusely thanks him for being a friend to me.  I mist up. 

After he leaves and the door shuts, I turn to Jake, see him smiling at me as he says, “I like him. He’s a nice guy.  I can see how you two are friends.”  I smile back and nod. “So…is he single…straight…dating?”

I sigh and say, “He’s a city guy. No way he’d move to the mountains to be with Rose.”  Jake feigns ignorance and my suggestion.  “Big guy, you’re about as opaque as a glass window…”  I pat his solid chest as I walk by him to the bedroom.  He turns to watch me go.  About half way there, I drop my shorts.  I continue to walk and feel the floor boards creak as his 230lb body comes rumbling after me.

Next thing I know, I’m on my back, on my bed, with Jake looming over me, a serious look on his face.  He lowers his body and growls as our lips meet.  I feel an electric shock rush thru my body.  I shiver.  His body is on top of me, encompassing me. His arms are at my sides, holding me down, but I don’t feel trapped.  The kiss continues.  Warmth from his body penetrates mine.  He allows my tongue into his mouth. I probe and explore.  He enjoys it.  I feel his unit expand in his shorts.  Mine does too.  He pushes off me and rolls to a side.  He puts his right hand in my left and we interlock our fingers.  He squeezes.  I run my thumb over the top of his hand.  I hear him sigh.

He quietly says, “Before we have more fantastic sex, can I ask you something?”  I grunt ok.  “I met an ex of yours today at the gym.”  I groan, knowing it was Riley.  I can feel the bed shift as he rolls onto his side to look at me.  “So…how serious were you?  He asked for you.  I think he was concerned?  I think he was more upset that he saw me with you...”  He voices fades away. 

This should be interesting.  I hesitate, close my eyes and think about how to say what I want to say.  I feel Jake’s fingers run along my thigh to ease my stress.  I open my eyes, turn to him and slowly start off. “Yes, Riley is an ex of mine.  Were we serious?  Yeah, for a while we were.  We had a good time.” I smile remembering our time together.  “I think he liked me more than I liked him, if that makes any sense?”  I hear Jake grunt.  “When we were together, we enjoyed each other’s company, but as you saw, he’s a bit older than I am…and…well, we just wanted different things.”  Jake nods knowingly.  He’s been there.  “We broke it off before Covid hit, but we’re still friendly.  I see him at the gym and we talk.  He took Covid a bit more seriously than I did.  He wouldn’t come over, go to the gym, or anything.”  I sigh thinking that if we had stayed together, my life probably would not have gotten so bad.  But then, I probably would not have met Jake. 

I turn to Jake and give him a kiss.  He continues to rub my thigh gently. 

He softly says, “I saw the picture of the two of you in the living room.” 

Now it’s my turn to sigh. I kiss him again and say, “Yeah, I liked him.  I kept the photo as a reminder of the good times we had.”  His fingers pause, then continue.  “Jake…” He looks into my blue eyes, and I into his dark green ones.  “I love you now.”  I move my right hand to caress his bearded jawline.  I kiss him again.  “Riley is my past, you are my now, and hopefully my future.” 

He smiles and moves to kiss me.  It’s long and slow and drawn out.  No jostling for the alpha spot.  Just a tender, loving kiss.  His way of letting me know he loves me too.  We break and he hesitantly says, “You do know, you’ll eventually meet some of my ex’s, right?” 

I smile an evil smile and sarcastically say, “It’s one thing I’ve been waiting for.”  I wink at him and he smiles.  “Just think of the dirt I can get you, Fischer.”  He just shakes his head as he moves in for another kiss.  I feel his left hand move from my thigh to my ass.  He roughly cups me and easily moves my body closer to him.  I continue to caress his beard.  We start to kiss more passionately.  He starts to roll on top of me again.  I let his weight sink me deeper into the bed.  I can feel our units re-expanding in our boxer briefs. Our kisses are long, wet, warm, and memorable.  I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders and try to link my fingers together.  My hands just barely touch. 

His hairy chest rubs against my smooth skinned one.  My nipples become erect, although they are not sensitive, unlike his.  I wiggle my body a bit and his nipples push through his chest hair.  He growls through our kiss as he becomes more excited.  Our units are stretching our briefs to their limits.  I feel mine becoming moist as pre-cum escapes me.  I wiggle under him again and his growls become more intense.  I feel him tighten his body and his hard muscles trap me.  Now it’s my turn to groan. 

He chuckles and eases the tension.  As I get my breath back, he squeezes again.  I free my legs and wrap them around his tight waist, locking my body to his.  I feel sweat start to form on my body as I heat up.  I squeeze my legs tighter and try to interlock my hands again.  He moans and starts to roll over, bringing me along with him.  I quickly unlock my legs, but keep my arms around his back. 

Once he’s on his back, it’s my turn to squeeze him.  I try and succeed to a degree, but he giggles through our kiss.  He breaks the kiss and quietly says, “This is how you do it, sexy man.”  He releases my body, I pull my arms from behind his back, put them on his chest, push myself upright.  I let my weight settle on his midsection.  If it bothers him, he doesn’t let on.  He pushes himself upright, scoots us to the edge of the bed, cups my ass with his beefy hands, and proceeds to stand up.  We kiss lightly as I put my arms over his boulder shoulders.  He giggles again and says, “If only Tiny could see us now.”  I laugh as well remember Tiny’s comment in the pool about Jake picking me up. 

He tightens his grip, flexes his biceps, and easily moves my body up and down his.  I groan at the stimulation.  My hard as steel unit is stretching my boxes as it rubs against his hirsute cobblestone abs. We continue to kiss softly, lips bouncing off each other. My arms over his shoulders, holding our heads close.

I feel another spurt of pre-cum seep out and coat my briefs.  It feels like it’s soaking wet. I groan as I feel my load build.  Jake quickly turns to face the bed.  He leans over to drop me onto it.  I release his body as he releases mine.  My legs hang over the end. He stands, grabs my boxers and literally rips them off me.  My unit springs to attention.  His eyes get big when he sees the bulbous purplish head, just waiting for him.  He involuntarily runs his tongue over his lips and smiles.  He rips off his boxers and I see his engorged unit bounce up and smack his abs.  I smile.  He lowers his body, spreads my legs, and grabs my unit in his left hand.  He moves his mouth to the tip and I feel his warm breath on my unit as he heavily exhales.  I close my eyes and let him do his thing, which he does very well. 

I feel his tongue gently run up my unit from my hairless balls to head. He coats me with saliva.  He does it again, then a third time.  He bangs me on his cheek, making sure I stay hard, as if I’d go soft with this monster muscle man fulfilling my fantasies. More warm air, then I feel his lips cover my head.  Again, he is gentle and soft.  More saliva.  It runs down the sides, out of his mouth, and onto my pelvis.  He starts to bob up and down.  Slowly at first, taking his time.  He closes his lips, creating a body-hugging seal on me.  I shiver and put my hands on the comforter, knowing I’ll be gripping it very soon. I feel my body tighten as his machinations send stimuli throughout my body.  Every part starts to tingle. 

He quickens his pace. More saliva coats me, sliding down, but not out.  He expertly uses his tongue to move the moisture all around my unit, making sure all 8 inches are completely soaked.  He moans with pleasure as he continues to bob.  His tongue lingers under the cap of my head, electrifying the clump of nerves in the area.  I feel his right hand slip under my ass.  He cups me and easily lifts my ass up a few inches, allowing him to go deeper.  My unit hits the back of his throat.  He pushes a bit harder and I slide further into him.  My head hits his uvula.  He gags, but does not let up.  I moan and my body twists at the sensation and stimulus.  I realize my hands have gripped the yellow comforter and have twisted it.

He slowly lowers my body to the bed, but does not come off me.  He resumes his bobbing.  I feel his thumb at my hole.  I relax as much as possible. He senses what I’m doing for him.  He rubs his finger along and around the area.  I relax some more at his touch.  He dips into me, gently, but quickly.  Air catches in my throat as he enters.  I take a few quick breaths to relax.  He lets his thumb sit.  After I’ve relaxed, he starts bobbing his head again, and adds his thumb into the game.  He pushes in and pulls out.  When it’s in, he moves it in circles, loosening the area.  He goes deeper and the circles become larger. After a few minutes, he pulls his finger out, and a take deep breath to relax. 

He continues to bob.  He’s moving pretty quickly now and saliva is leaking out, spilling onto my pelvis, then the bedsheets.  I feel his index finger at my hole.  Same as before, he takes it slow then pops it in.  I gasp, take a breath, then relax. 

I feel my load building and pat him on his shoulder, my signal to him.  He tightens his seal around my unit, starts to piston his finger in and out of me, and then I feel it.  He lightly rakes the teeth of his lower jaw along the underside of my unit, from balls upward.  I groan loudly, then buck my hips. My unit hits the back his mouth, and cum explodes out of me.  I let out a scream, which I pray the neighbors don’t hear, but don’t care if they do.  I buck upward three more times. Cum erupts from me and Jake takes every drop.  I feel his tongue working overtime to scoop up the goop.  He swallows all he can.  A few globs escape and leak onto my pelvis.  He takes his mouth off my unit, pulls his finger out of my ass, and proceeds to lick the remaining cum off my body.  His rough tongue running along my smooth body sends shock waves thru me.  I’d perk up again, but it’s a bit soon. 

Jake puts his hands on the sides of the bed, pushes his body up, and looks down at me with a goofy smile.  His hairy chest is beating and his face is flushed, but he has a huge grin.  I smile back at him and nod.  He winks, stands up, and then I see it.  His unit is at full mast and pre-cum is dripping from the slit of the red head. He turns to the dresser to reach for a condom, but I quietly say, “No longer needed.”  He turns back to me with a quizzical look on his face.  I smile and nod. His smile becomes bigger and his unit bounces up and smacks his abs. He moves toward me.  I lift my legs, hook the palms of my hands under my knees, and pull my legs to my chest.  He lets out a breath of warm air and positions his tip at my hole.  As gently as he always is, he enters me.  We’re both lubricated, so extra lube is not needed.  He slides in and it feels like a hand entering leather glove. I finally get to feel all the veins covering his unit without a condom separating us.  I feel them pulse and throb as he continues to push in.  I close my eyes and sigh.  I think to myself, ‘My man.  The one who loves me for me, and does not expect me to be anyone but me.’  I feel him start to pull out, then push back in.  I relax my body as much as possible and let him work his magic. 

I feel warm droplets of sweat hit my body.  Then I feel him put his arms on the bed, by my sides, as he lowers his body over mine.  I can feel the heat coming off him.  I release my legs and let them slide down his sweat slickened body to his waist.  I wrap my legs around him again and feel him tighten his body. 

He picks up the pace and his thrusts have more urgency.  I hear him start to grunt.  I open my eyes and see him hovering right above me.  Sweat covers his body, face is flushed, his hair is matted to his body, accentuating his muscles.  The meat of his pecs, the fullness of his biceps, and horseshoe curve of his triceps, all on display. I reach up and grab his triceps.  I use them to pull my body down the bed and allow him to enter me that much more. 

His grunts become erratic.  His thrusts more intense.  He leans down.  We are face to face.  A drop of sweat falls from the tip of his nose on my cheek.  He extends his tongue and laps it up.  He moves to kiss me again.  He pushes his lips to mine.  His tongue violently enters my mouth and he takes command.  He probes, pushes, and deposits saliva like he’s marking his territory. 

Then I feel it.  His load travels up his pipe and explodes out of him and into me.  He bucks his hips forward, smashing into my pelvis. He breaks our kiss and buries his head in the comforter.  He lets out a yell.  His hips buck forward again, then again.  His final push is not as forceful as the first one, but there is still power behind it.  He collapses onto me.  His strength used up.  I wrap my arms around his body and hug him to me.  His sweaty sex smell arouses me, but his 230lb body keeps me from getting hard.

We lay for a period of time.  It could be 5 minutes; it could be 5 hours.  I don’t care. Jake is here with me.

I feel his unit soften and slide out of me.  I feel some of his cum also escape my hole.  ‘And this is why I have such a large laundry bill.’  I laugh to myself.  He rolls off me and my body begins to cool off. 

After a few more minutes, I get up, move to the bathroom, soak a washcloth in warm water, and wipe my body down.  Jake comes in a minute a later and does the same. We both throw on some shorts and t-shirts and head to the kitchen.  We make a salad and toss in some chicken.  As we sit to eat, he tells me what he did today and that Steve and CK will be down on Friday to pick up some furniture to take back.  I pause eating, and he notices.  He asks, “Is that ok?  I thought it would be a good idea to move some stuff back this weekend so we’re not cramming stuff into the cars next weekend.”  I think for a minute.  He quickly says, “I can call them and put a hold on it, if you’d rather?”

“No…no. It’s a great idea…It’s just…I guess, this is really happening…”  I stare into space and think about it.  I feel his warm hand cover mine.  ‘I’m moving the mountains.  It’s happening.’  I continue, “I guess it’s starting to hit me.  When I got home and saw all the boxes and stuff, it felt like I was just cleaning up the place.  But with your brothers coming down, I’m quitting my job, and moving…”  my voice fades.

I hear him softly say, “Remember Cole, you’re doing this for your own wellbeing.”  I nod in agreement.  I close my eyes, take a deep cleansing breath, open my opens, look to Jake, and say with self-assurance, “Let them come.  I’m doing this, Fisher. Moving to the mountains to be with the man I love.”  His smile gets wider.  His grip on my hand a bit firmer in a show of support.  He winks to me and I wink back.

The rest of the week flies by, or drags, depending on the day. 

It’s Friday, and Chuck has allowed me to take off at lunch to pack.  I get back to the apartment and see Steve and his mirror image in my living room.  Both guys are pretty big, by normal standards, but compared to Jake, they’re small.  Both seem to be about 5’11”, close to 200lbs.  Tight t-shirts and thick quads let me know they workout too.  As I do my double take, Jake sees it and jokingly says, “I know they’re twins, but in about 2 minutes you’ll realize they are as different as day and night.”  I crack a smile and relax.  Jake walks over to them, put his right hand on one and says, “Steve.” Then his left hand on the other and says, “CK.”  I decide to remember them by the shirts they’re wearing.    Steve has a grey mesh shirt on and CK has a dark green one.   I reach my hand out and shakes are done all around. 

I quickly get changed and when I re-enter the living room, Jake is giving out assignments and orders.  We determined quite a bit of the furniture can go back now.  We’ll keep the sofa, bed, and a table or two, but everything else goes up or goes out.  He says, “Boxes last.” He points to the kitchen table, chairs, living room furniture, which we put tape on, and indicates which bedroom items are going.  Steve and CK nod and start moving around, picking up chairs and walking out.  I checked with the building manager, explained what was up, and asked about getting the elevator key.  They were ok with it as long as we didn’t allow any residents to use it. We take the first load down to the garage area.  Gratefully, it is secured, so no one can wander in off the street. Jake leads us to two pickup trucks parked in the visitor spots.  I let him to the heavy lifting and organizing in the bed.   He easily maneuvers the arm chairs around in the bed and puts blankets over them.  Next come straps to hold them down.  We make another trip, then a third.  Then it happens.  The elevator breaks down.  Gratefully we were not in it.  It just would not go back up.  I call the super and let him know.  He sighs and says, he’ll be over to take a look at it. 

I let the guys know.  I think I’m more upset than they are.  As we start up to the 6^th floor, we get to talking.  I find out the twins both graduated community college and have jobs in town.  They live together in an apartment and hit the same gym as Jake, but not as frequently or intensely as he does.  Steve has a girlfriend, Jane.  CK is liking his bachelor life.  I ask if they ever pretended to be the other for fun.  They look at each other and smile.  I have my answer.  Jake just shakes his head.  He says, “It worked once or twice, but like I said, after you know them, you can easily tell them apart.”

I retort, “To you and your family maybe, but for the rest of us…” I wave my hand at them, “I see two big guys with floppy dark hair, dark green eyes, who are carbon copies.”  They all grunt and chuckle.

They ask about my family.  Not that I didn’t hold back from Jake, but it never really took center stage while I was at the mountain house.  I explain that my parents are still alive, retired, and live just outside Philadelphia.  I have an older sister, Michelle, who is married with two sons, Thomas age 5 and Caleb age 8.   They also live in the Philly area.  I have a younger brother, Zander, yes short for Alexander, who is 5 years younger than I am.  He’s single and a carpenter. 

The rest of the afternoon moves quickly.  We get quite a few boxes of clothes into the beds of the trucks.  Not like I’ll need all my suits and winter clothes this time of year.  Once everything is secured, they throw a tarp over the beds to keep prying eyes out.  We head back up and I let them know we’re going out for dinner to a local restaurant.  I indicate they should probably get showered, but the dress code is casual.  As we take turns in the bathroom, I call down to Johnny and ask if he wants to join us.  He's free and does.  Dinner is a good time.  Johnny fits right in and gets along well with Steve and CK.

Saturday morning.  I take everyone out to a local coffee house for breakfast.  We hit the gym and get more than a few looks, ogles, and stares.  Riley is not there.  I think to myself, ‘I need to call and talk to him before I leave’.  I pull my phone out and make a note to myself.  Back to the apartment.  The boys pack up and take off.  I thank them profusely, but they laugh it off.  Steve says, “Don’t worry Cole, Monster will get our bill.”  He winks at me and everyone smiles.

Then it’s just Jake and I, and my sofa.  We snuggle, cuddle, and relax.  He reclines and I climb on top of him.  We softly kiss. I run my fingers over his shirtless, hairy chest, feeling the muscles beneath his skin.  He playfully flexes for me and I tweak his nipples.  He lets out a low moan.  He runs his fingers thru my messy hair, twisting his fingers, curling the hair.  He tugs softly, letting his bicep expand and contract with the motion.  We move to the bedroom and spend the next few hours exploring each other.  Cum is released, moans are loud, and gallons of sweat soak the sheets.

Suddenly it’s Thursday.  The apartment is now mostly boxes.  What we didn’t box up, we took the local donation center. That was a couple trips one evening.  I look around and this is it.  After tomorrow, I’m a country boy.  All be it, with a burgundy Volvo and Movado watch, but a county boy.  I look over to Jake and think, it’s worth it.  I walk up behind him, pull him into a hug, and inhale his sexy musk.  Chuck and Carrie have organized a Happy Hour for me at a local bar.  Jake and Johnny are there.  Steve and CK show up as well. Most of the team is there and a few other people from the office I’ve gotten to know.  Stories are told, tears are shed, laughter is in the air.  Jake is by my side, holding my hand, squeezing softly to let me know he is there for me.  Carrie steals him away for a while and I spend time talking with Chuck.  He’s relaxed and comfortable with my leaving. 

He drapes an arm over my shoulder leads me to a quiet corner and we sit at a table for two.  He’s not drunk, but he’s had a drink or three.  He looks me in the eyes and I see a tear form.  I break the mood and jokingly say, “Come on boss, I’m not gone yet.”

“Maybe not…but to me you are.”  He cracks a sad smile.  “Cole, it’s been nine years you’ve been here.” I nod slowly realizing my tenure. “Man, I am so sorry for everything you went thru this past year.  I wish I could have done more for you…helped you…before…”  he fades off. 

I feel a tear in my eye. I gather myself and steadily say, “Chuck, you’ve done more for me than most people.  Your guidance at work, your friendship, both at work and outside will not be forgotten.”  I take a breath to relax.  “If I had only listened to you when you said I was losing control…but then…who knows what would have happened.”  He nods slowly. I look off into the distance, “Your generosity giving me the time off…”  I let the statement linger, as we both know what it meant.  I look back at him and whisper, “Meeting Jake…my time there…saved me…I’m sorry I’m leaving…”  He puts his hand on top of mine.  I sniffle back another tear.

“Cole Patterson, I wish only the best for you, and for you and Jake.”  A long moment passes.  I take a few deep breaths to help keep control.  “May I ask what your plans are after you’re done here?”  He spreads his arms wide.

I coyly say, “Besides lots of sex with my man?”  He scrunches his face in mock disgust. “I’m putting out some feelers in the area.” He nods.  “It’s actually a nice town and I’m sure I can find something to do.  Once Jake finishes his degree in the fall, we may start a small property management firm.” 

He smiles and pats my hand.  “I knew you wouldn’t stay still for very long.”  I smile back.

He jerks his head back toward the group and we rejoin them.  A minute later Jake reappears from a side room with Carrie still on his arm.  Chuck gives me a look and I smile.  Carrie slides up to me, wraps her hand around my bicep, and squeezes.  She moves closer and whispers, “Very nice Cole.  Jake told me you’d worked out quite a bit up there.” I smile with gratitude.  “But your man has got you beat.”  She pats my chest and winks at Jake, who smiles uncomfortably.  I grin and wink at him, letting him know it’s fine.  Carrie moves away and corners Johnny.  He’s a pro at this and plays her just as well as she plays him.

The night progresses.  More people come and go.  I have just one or two more drinks, not enough to get drunk, but just enough to let me loosen up a bit.  Jake is keeping a close eye on me.  If he’s not around, then Steve or CK are by my side.

Friday morning comes all too early.  Chuck let me know last night to take my time.  I do.  I arrive around 10.  I finish packing up my desk as I will still need some of my stuff for the next 6 weeks.  More tears are shed, mostly by me.  My monitors and laptop are being shipped to Nona’s house along with some company manuals.  Co-workers stop by and wish me well.

After everything is done. I stop by Chuck’s office and Carrie is with him.  I poke my head in and he waves me in.  I sit and slouch.  “Comfy?” He asks with a bit of sarcasm. 

“Very, thank you.” 

He smiles and shakes his head from side to side.  Carrie just grins.  “You know…there’s still time to change your mind…”  his voice fades. 

I smile and confidently say, “I’m good to go.”  His smile waivers.  “You’ve still got me for another 6 weeks.”  He smiles weakly.  “I’ll be on all the zoom calls and still attend meetings…just from my new home…with Jake…in…the…country…”

Carrie stands, walks to me, and I stand too. She puts her hands on my shoulders and lets them slip down to my biceps.  “Well sexy, I am very happy for you.  Jake is great and I’m sure you two will have a wonderful life together.”  She comes closer and gives me a kiss on the cheek.  I give her a big hug and hear her sniffle back a tear.   We separate and she smiles again.

Chuck comes over, we hug, and I say, “I gotta run.  If I don’t, you’re going to need more tissues.”  We all laugh.  I back out of the office and head back to my desk. I get my boxes and carry them to the elevator.  As I descend, I feel another tear roll down my cheek.   

 

Jake’s point of view.

I’m standing at the window waiting for Cole.  He called to say he’d left his office.  I could hear the sadness in his voice. Steve, CK, and I finished packing the pickups and Cole’s car while he was at the office.  They took off a bit ago.  I’ll give them a call when we leave. 

I turn and look around the apartment.  Just a few scraps of paper and dust bunnies on the floor.  As I look around, I begin to think, ‘Could I live in the city?  The past two weeks haven’t been too bad.’  But then I realize, it’s only been two weeks.  ‘How would I be after two months, or six months?’  A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts.  I walk to answer it and realize it only takes me three steps.  I look thru the peep hold and see Johnny.  I open the door.  He smiles broadly to me.  “Hey Johnny, what’s up?”

“Just came by to see Cole off.  Guess he’s not back from the office yet?”

I shake my head.  “You want to come in and wait?  I know he wants to see you before we head out.”

“Yeah man, that’d be great, thanks.”  He comes in and takes a look around and has the same look I probably did.  I hear him whistle. “Different when there’s no furniture.  Not sure if it seems larger or smaller.”  I grunt in agreement. 

We move to the kitchen and lean against the counters and make small talk.  I ask if he has a girlfriend and a smile comes over his face.  “Not right now, but I’ve heard you have a couple sisters…who are identical twins?”  I roll my eyes. Cole beat me to him.  “Dude, it’s all good.  Remember, Cole and I have been friends, almost brothers for years now.”  He’s got me there.  “He mentioned your sister Rose.”  I nod.  “Now, I’m not much of a country boy.  I was born and raised here, but that’s not to say, if I met the right woman…I might consider moving.”  A slight smile comes over my face, then his. 

We hear the footsteps in the hallway, a key in the lock, and the door opens.  Cole is there with a couple boxes.  I walk over and take them from him and put them on the counter.  I turn around and give him a big hug and kiss.  It’s only been a few hours, but I know they’ve been rough for him.  After we part, Johnny comes over and gives him a hug too. 

I head to the now empty bedroom to give them some space.  It’ll be tough for both of them.  A few minutes later I hear Cole call my name.  I head out and see some puffy eyes.  I corral Cole into a gentle hug.  Johnny’s standing there with equally puffy eyes. 

He speaks up through a cracked voice, “Cole, don’t be a stranger.  You know where I live and you’re always welcome to use my spare bedroom.”  Cole laughs.  Johnny turns to me and with seriousness in his voice says, “You take good care of my brother.”  I nod.  “I don’t want to have to come up there and mess you up if I hear he’s being mistreated.”  He puffs out his thin chest and breaks into a warm smile. 

I lean over and pull him in with us.  “I would expect nothing less from you.” 

We pick up Cole’s work boxes, the last remaining boxes in the apartment and head out.  We take the stairs.  Johnny gets off at the fourth floor.  One last hug for both of us.  Cole is quiet the rest of the way down.  I clear my throat and say, “You can always Zoom or Skype with him.”

“I know.”  He says quietly.  “It’s just different.”  I nod in agreement.  “Being able to walk down to his apartment, knock, and walk in…I guess I took it for granted, until now.”

We reach the car, stow the last few items, and get ready.  I put my hand out and he automatically gives me the keys.  He won’t be in any shape to do the 4-hour drive. 

**

The drive went better than I thought it would.  Once we cleared the city and were driving along the Northway, he seemed better. He became chatty and talked about how he and Johnny met and some the adventures they had.  We both laughed.  I put my right hand on his left thigh and gave him a soft squeeze.  He put his hand on top of mine and meshed our fingers together.  We stayed like that for most of the trip.

We arrived back to the mountain house around 4pm and I can see Steve and CK have already unloaded their pickups and put the furniture in the garage.  Their trucks were still there as is Nona’s Jeep. 

We skip unloading the car and walk in thru the garage.  I can hear Nona in the kitchen talking with the guys.  Just a light-hearted conversation.  As we walk in, they pause, see us, and there are smiles all around.  Nona comes up to me, gives me a quick hug, then moves to Cole and gives him a longer one.  She whispers in his ear, but I do not hear what is said.  They break the hug, she puts her hands on his forearms and warmly says, “Welcome back.”  He smiles. “It’s only been two weeks, but I have missed both of you.” 

I narrow my eyes at her and she waves me off with her fingers, and gives me a wink. 

She turns back to Cole, grabs his arms again and continues, “Cole, I’ve set up one of the guest rooms upstairs for you.  Now, I know you’ll want to go looking for a place of your own, but until that happens, you are welcome to stay here.”  This is her way of saying, ‘Stay as long as you like, but don’t overstay.’  I catch his eye and wink to him. 

“Thank you, Mrs. Fischer.  That is very generous of you.” 

“Oh, and you can stop calling me Mrs. Fischer.”  A look of questionable relief comes over his face.  “You’re practically family, call me Nona.”  I catch my breath.  She turns to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing Nona.”  She nods succinctly.

“Now, you two get cleaned up.  That was a long ride and I’m sure you could both use a quick shower to clean the road off you.”  Steve and CK both let out a giggle.  “Also, we’re having guests for dinner, besides these two jokers.”  She waves her hand at the twins. “So, you have about an hour to get ready.”  Cole looks at his watch.

We head up.  We find the room she set up for him and see his boxes of clothes and sundries on the floor and bed.  I say I’ll get the first shower.  I give him a quick kiss and drape my arm over his shoulder. “You ready to meet the whole family, Patterson?”  He smiles.  “Good, cuz you’re about the see how we Fischer’s welcome people into the fold.”  He kisses me and swats my ass.  I turn to leave and see him start opening boxes looking for a change of clothes. 

I take a nice quick hot shower and when I open the curtain, he’s standing there in his birthday suit, just looking at me with a smile.  I wink at him and both our erections move northward.  I grab a towel and drape it over my shoulders.  He moves to me and we kiss.  I stammer, “Right now is probabblyyy not the best time for this…”  He raises an eyebrow at me as places his right hand on my lower abs and softly caresses my damp hair.  I groan with pleasure and my eyes roll upward.  His hand maneuvers a bit further south and I feel him grasp me.  I groan again.  I gently, but firmly put my left hand on his right and pull him off me.  Now he lets out a groan, but not with pleasure.  I lean to kiss him, but he moves backward to avoid me.  I whisper to him, “11pm at the pond?”  A coy smile comes over his face.  He gives me the slightest nod. I release his hand.  He slowly drags it up my body from my abs to my pecs.  He fingers find my nipple, and he twists it with just enough force to make me want to groan again. 

I move around him, wrap the towel around my waist, and back out of the bathroom, keeping one eye on him.  I pull the door shut and breath a deep sigh of relief that we stopped when we did.  Another minute and downstairs would have gotten an earful.

I head to my room and quickly slip on a pair of boxer briefs, a pair shorts, a nicer t-shirt, and some flip-flops.  I forgo my baseball cap and towel dry my hair, then run my fingers thru it.  I head downstairs and see no one else has arrived.  Steve and CK are in the sunroom enjoying a beverage and some snacks.  I sidle up to Nona, lean down, give her a kiss on her cheek, and say, “Thank you for welcoming Cole back and letting him stay with us until he gets settled.” 

She pats my muscular forearm with her bony but firm hand and replies, “Jacob, of course Cole is welcome here.”  She leans to me and gives me a kiss back.

I ask, “What can I do to help?” Then loudly say, “Because it looks like Steve and CK are all tuckered out from the trip and cannot be bothered to help you…”

CK glances over, rolls his eyes, and sarcastically says, “Really Monster? You think we didn’t ask Nona if she needed help?  Do you actually think she’d allow us to sit here if there was stuff to be done?” I consider his point and give him a slight nod as an apology.  I move around the kitchen, checking pots and pans, moving dirty items to the sink, and start to do some cleaning up. 

A few minutes later I hear the stairway floorboards creak and Cole comes down the steps dressed in comfortable tan shorts, a light green polo and sandals.  He stands beside me and grabs a towel to dry the clean dishes and utensils.  Then I hear it, a car in the driveway. I pause what I’m doing and look to Cole.  I nod and put a smile on my face.  He half smiles back.  I wrap a hand around his waist and pull him close to me.  The laundry room door opens and Rose and Jen enter.  They’re gossiping to each other as only sisters can do. Rose sees me first and walks right to me, arms open wide and a huge smile on her face.  She hugs me and welcomes me back.  She turns to Cole and does the same.  I hear her say to him, “Welcome to the family.”  She kisses his cheek and takes a step back. 

Jen comes to me and also gives me a hug and kiss.  We turn to Cole and he has a confused look on his face.  I patiently say, “Yes Cole, you know Jen and Rose are identical twins, just like CK and Steve.  But just like them, after five minutes, you’ll be able to tell them apart as well.”  He just shakes his head with defeat.  The girls move off to say hi to Nona and the boys.  I whisper to Cole, “You’ll be fine.  Just spend some time with Jen and you’ll see she’s nothing like Rose.”

“You say that now…”  He lets out a cautious laugh. 

We return to washing and drying when I hear another car pull up.  A door quickly opens and slams shut.  I hear little feet on the driveway, into the garage, up the two steps, then the door bursts open, and Tiny makes a bee line for me.  His floppy hair bouncing with each step.  He’s got on a child’s sized Dr. Who t-shirt, which I bought him, a pair of tan shorts, and flip-flops.  His smile is infectious.  His green eyes ablaze with excitement.  From 3 feet away he launches himself at me.  I’m ready and catch him in both hands. I hold him in my outstretched arms and give him a wink.  “How’ve you been Tiny?  Miss me?”  He’s laughing and squirming in my arms, but I keep a firm grip so he doesn’t slip out.  I carefully pull him to me and his little arms immediately wrap around my neck. 

He hugs my fiercely and excitedly says, “I gotta tell you about my football game, Monster.  I tackled the quarterback all by myself.” 

I pull him away from my body and hold him at arm’s length again, and say, “That’s great little man. I’m so happy for you.”  I set him down and spin him to face Cole.  I squat down next to him and calmly say, “You remember my friend, Cole, don’t you?”

He astonishes me by impatiently saying, “Yes Monster.  I remember Cole.”  He then turns and whispers to me, “He’s the one.”  I’m still not sure what he means by this, but I let it pass.  Cole squats down and extends his arm to Tiny.  They shake and he moves to give him a hug as well. I hear him whisper to Cole, “You’re the one.”  Cole looks to me and I shrug my shoulders.  We all stand and see mom and dad have come in.  Tiny wanders off to say hi to everyone else. 

Dad comes up to us, shakes our hands and says, “Sorry if this is a bit much on your first day back, but Nona was insistent we have a family dinner to welcome you guys back.” 

Mom adds, “Cole, Nona said she set up a room for you here…but if you feel cramped or uncomfortable, you are more than welcome to come stay with us until you get settled.”  He smiles and nods with gratitude.  “You’ll just have to share a bathroom with our last little monster.”  We all chuckle. 

Everyone mingles for another half hour.  Nona announces dinner is ready and we line up for the buffet.  She insists Cole go first and I give him a wink that it’s fine.  He goes thru the line and takes a little bit of everything.  Nona stops him before he grabs his silverware.  “Cole.”  He freezes as if he’s done something wrong.  “What did I say earlier?”  Deer in headlights.  “You’re family now.”  Still not moving a muscle. She walks to him, takes his plate, and starts putting more food on it. “If you don’t get it now, you won’t have a chance to get seconds.”  He cracks the barest of smiles.  I have an ear-to-ear grin as do Rose and dad.  Steve and CK are impatiently waiting in line, but back away as Nona come toward them.  “You see these vultures behind you…” She nods to the twins. “If I let them go first, I’d be out of food before it was my turn.”  She turns to them and gives them a sideways glance.  They feign being hurt by her comment.

Cole calmly says, “Yes Ma’am…”  She snaps her head to face him and raises an eyebrow, “I mean ‘Nona’.”  She nods curtly, hands his full plate back to him and smiles.  He heads off to the dining room and by the time I get there, having been the last in line, I see Rose on one side of him and Steve on the other.  Tiny is directly across from him and the only empty seat is at the end of the table next to mom and dad.

Mom leans over and quietly asks, “You ready to share your new boyfriend with the family?”

“Not sure I have much of a choice.”

She replies, “You always have a choice.”  I pause to consider her statement.  “But, seeing as he decided to move here to be with you, I think he may be a keeper.”  I feel her hand on my forearm and she gives me a gentle squeeze.  She quietly says, “After everyone is settled, we’ll have the two of you over for a smaller dinner.  Just the four of us.”  I turn to look at her and she immediately knows why.  “Your dad and I just want to talk to you guys, nothing serious, just no extra prying eyes or ears.”  She looks at me then glances around the table.  I catch her drift.  I nod ‘ok’.

I turn my attention back to my boyfriend and see he’s being peppered with questions from all sides.  Jen and CK are mainly just listening.  Rose and Steve keep the conversation light and informal.  Tiny just keeps looking at him then me, then back to him.  I really want to find out what he means when he says Cole is ‘the one’.  Nona is at the other end of the table, glancing around to make sure there is plenty of food, but I can tell she is listening and taking mental notes.

Dinner ends, dessert and game time comes and goes.  Tiny wiggles a promise from me to come to his next football game.  Rose corners Cole and gets him to agree to a lunch date in town so she can show him around.  I start to protest, but she defiantly says, “Monster, you’ve been away for two weeks, I’m sure Nona has a backlog of work for you to do, isn’t that right Nona?”  We all glance to her and she has one of her knowing looks.  I sigh, knowing I’ve lost the battle, but feel comfortable letting Rose take Cole around.

The family departs.  Nona, Cole, and I sit in the sunroom and watch the stars get brighter.  I let Nona know Cole and I will do the remainder of cleaning, if she wants to head up.  She easily catches my not-so-subtle way of saying we want to be alone, and grabs her laptop and book.

After we hear her door shut, we look at each other.  I move to sit next to him on the red and yellow floral print sofa.  I wrap my right arm over his shoulders and pull him a bit closer to me.  His breathing has slowed from earlier.  I quietly ask, “Are you ok?”  he nods yes.  “Sorry for the ambush.”

He says, “It’s fine.  I kind of expected a dinner like this at some point, but the first day back kind of threw me.”  I squeeze his shoulder a bit.  “I like your family.”  I smile to myself. “And you’re right.  I can now tell Steve from CK and Jen from Rose.”  I chuckle. 

I glance at the clock on the cable box and say, “Well, if you’re not too tired, we could head to the pond now?” He puts his left hand on my right thigh and squeezes the muscle.  He then pats it and stands up.  He turns and extends his hand to me.  I take it and pull myself out of the couch.  We come together and kiss.  Slow and warm.  He wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me close.  I do the same. 

He says, “You know…” We kiss, “It’s different…” another kiss, “Not being at the big house anymore…” Kiss again. “Not sure how I feel about it…”   A longer kiss.  I pull us into a hug, break the kiss, and put my head on his shoulder.  I run my fingers thru his hair and massage his scalp.  He hums and runs his hands up and down my back a few times.  He pats me.  We separate, but join hands.  We head to the pond.

We take our time.  It’s such a perfect night out. Clear sky, plenty of stars and the moon is still below the horizon.  As we walk the path, I see I’ll have to mow it soon.  I’m sure that’s on a list somewhere.  Crickets, owls, and frogs, all sing their songs in the warm night.  They grow silent as we pass, but start again after we’re a few feet beyond them.  He quietly says, “I never realized how much I missed…Or better yet…how much I grew used to the sounds of the country.”  I squeeze his hand. He squeezes mine back.  I hear him sigh.  “I’m glad I’m back.”

My heart melts.  I quietly say, “I’m glad you’re back too.”  He pauses, as do I.  I turn to face him.  He puts his hands on either side of my face, gently caresses my beard, then pulls me in for a soft kiss. 

We make it to the bench.  We sit, with me to his left.  He puts his head on my shoulder again and we just look out over the valley before us. 

 

Cole’s point of view.

We sit and watch the night grow deeper.  The stars become brighter.  The moon starts its ascent and arcs over us from left to right.  It’s not a full moon, but it’s close.  Besides the owls, frogs, and crickets, I hear other nocturnal animals scramble around, looking for their dinner.  Jake’s right arm is around my shoulder, holding me close, but his fingers are also softly rubbing my bicep.  I yawn. 

I put my left hand on his thigh and squeeze.  His muscle is dense, his skin is hairy, but soft.  I play with the hairs and curl them around my fingers.  I feel his hand pause in caressing my bicep.  He withdraws it and moves it between us.  He starts to rub my leg as well.  I start to tingle, just from his touch. 

I turn to face him and see him looking at me.  His dark green eyes shining in the moonlight.  His dark hair has grown out to almost become a floppy mess.  Tendrils of hair now hang forward over his forehead, down to his eyes.  I carefully brush them aside and he smiles.  We move to kiss. 

Our lips touch.  His are moist and warm.  He applies pressure and I feel his hand squeeze my leg a bit firmer.  I do the same.  I close my eyes and let my mind wander as I enjoy this moment with the man I’ve fallen in love with.  I feel his left hand on the back of my head.  He pulls us a bit closer and ensures our kiss is not broken. 

I move my right hand to his chest and find his left nipple thru his t-shirt.  I give it a gentle tug. I hear him moan thru our kiss.  I tug a bit more and his right hand squeezes my leg again. 

My unit is half mast and rising quickly.  Unfortunately, it’s trapped, between my thigh and shorts.  I feel Jake’s fingers brush against it and hear him chuckle.  He then purposefully kisses me harder, pushing warm air into my mouth.  I breath it in and let it fill my lungs.  His warmth spreads throughout my body, sending shivers to my extremities. 

I quickly twist my body around, standing briefly, then sitting in his firm lap.  My legs splayed over the sides of his thighs.  My right hand still attached to his left nipple.  I twist it a bit and grind my ass into his shorts.  I can feel his engorged unit just below the surface of his shorts.  It too, is straining to for release.  Now it’s my turn to chuckle at my muscular boyfriend.  I break our kiss, lean to his right ear and whisper, “Seems like little Jake wants to come out and play.”  I grind him again.

He pushes me back a few inches, looks me squarely in the eyes, and flatly responds, “First of all, there is no part of me called, or considered ‘Little Jake’.” I chuckle. “Secondly, how can you be sure he wants to come out?”  I grind my ass again and flex my ass cheeks around growing erection. He chokes out a reply, “…oh…Ok, yeah…little Jake wants to come out…”  He quickly moves his hands to my lats, plants his feet on the ground, and simply stands, hauling me up with him.  I feel like Tiny in his strong arms, being held at arm’s length from him, with my feet dangling a few inches off the ground.  I put my hands on his biceps to steady and balance my weight.  I cop a feel and can sense his arms aren’t flexed.  My weight really doesn’t cause him a problem.  He slowly draws me towards him.  I reach my right hand for his left nipple again.  I grab ahold, thru his t-shirt, and gently play with it.  Nothing too rough, just getting him warmed up.  He sighs at the feeling and pulls me closer.  He cranes his neck to me and we kiss.  He leaves enough space for my hand to continue its work.  I reach me left hand for his right nipple and start to work it over as well.  

He pauses our kiss and says, “You know, if you can’t find a new job in your current line of work, expert nipple twister is something you may want to consider adding to your resume.  It may really work in your favor during a job interview.”  I see him wink at me and I let out a laugh.  I pat his arms, he sets me down, and puts his beefy arms around my neck and nuzzles my ear.  We stand for a few minutes just enjoying the night and the feel of each other.

We sit again and watch the moon continue its arc over us.  The nighttime noises are soothing to my soul.  I close my eyes and let calmness surround me.  I can sense Jake is doing the same. 

After a few minutes, I open my eyes and turn to see him watching me.  I wink to him. He smiles.  I twist around again, prop my feet up on the bench, and lay my head on his right thigh.  I stare straight up.  I see his shelf chest sticking out, but beyond that, stars.  The sky is full of them.  Some are bright, some are dim, a few seem to twinkle.  Jake puts his left hand into my hair and beings to massage my scalp.  He moves his right hand to my abs and plays with my t-shirt, moving it around.  I know what he wants, and I want it too, but he needs to work for his prize. 

I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths.  My chest expands and contracts.  Nothing like his, but not too shabby.  His right hand moves south and a feel his fingers pull my shirt up a bit.  His fingers slip under my shorts and underwear.  They make their way further south and bump into my flaccid unit.  I keep breathing to stay soft.  I suck in some air, contracting my abs, creating more space for his hand.  He realizes this and decides he’s had enough foreplay. He withdraws his hand, expertly undoes the one button on my shorts, lowers the zipper, pushes my underwear down, and exposes my unit to the warm night air.

He wastes no time and taking ahold of me and starts to softly jerk me.  I try to foil him and stay soft, but I feel him lower his head to mine and he starts to kiss me on the lips.  Full and forceful, warm and moist.  His tongue dips into my mouth and deposits some saliva. I slurp it down.  We continue to kiss and then I realize I’m at full mast.  I break the kiss, open my eyes, and whisper, “That was a dirty trick.”

He chuckles and says, “You don’t seem TOO upset about it.”  He jerks me a bit harder.  I let out a low groan.  

I move my right hand to his right arm and run it over his hairy forearm, then up to his massive bicep.  I can feel it getting a workout.  The muscle expands and contracts with his movements.  I wrap my fingers around the largest past of the muscle and tighten my hold.  I can feel blood pumping thru the veins and arteries.  I feel the muscle fibers stretch then recoil.  I close my eyes again and let the excitement in my body run its course. 

As I grip his arm more forcefully and urgently, he pumps my unit with equal force and urgency.  His bicep becomes rock hard, his grip on me makes it feels like we are glued together, but his kisses are now soft and loving.  Then he does it. Three quick, almost painful jerks of my unit, like he is trying to pull my unit off me.  His hand moves from ball sac to mushroom head in a smooth motion.  His grip tightens to the point that it feels like he is crushing my cock, but the sensation running thru my body overrides any feeling of pain. On the third pull, I groan loudly and grip his bicep with my right hand and the bench with my left.  He lifts his head from our kiss and turns to watch. 

My back arcs, my legs tremble, and cum erupts out of me.  Four thick ropes coat my t-shirt from neckline to abs. 

His grip eases as does mine.  After I’m spent, I take a few deep breaths then move my hand to my shirt.  I coat my fingers with my cum.  I move my hand up towards his mouth.  He takes hold of my hand and starts to lick my fingers with abandon.  His rough tongue covers every inch and he inspects my hand when he’s done to make sure he has not missed any. 

After a few minutes to cool and calm down, I get off the bench, move between his legs and rub his semi-hard cock thru his shorts.  He spreads his arms on the back of the bench, leans his head back, and has a smile on his face.  I continue to work him over and his unit quickly comes to full mast.  I unbutton his shorts, tug them down his legs, and pull his boxer briefs down as well.  His manhood it sticking straight up, like it knows what is about to happen to it.

I grab it with my left hand and put my right hand on his left thigh.  I start to jerk him, slowly at first.  I hear Jake hum with contentment. I inch my way forward, separate his muscular legs as best I’m able, then lower my mouth to his mushroom head.  He’s warm and there is a bulb of pre-cum at his slit.  I wet my tongue and let is slide up unit from ball sac to the head.  I encase his bulbous head in my mouth and slurp the pre-cum out of him.  I hear him sigh.  I take my mouth off him and continue to jerk him. 

I massage his left leg with my right hand, playing with the hair on his legs and his ball sac.  I cup his balls and softly roll them around in my hand.  Every so often I tug at them, pulling them away from his body, then letting them fall out of my hand.  I watch them swing down and pull his unit forward a bit.

After a few minutes of play time, Jake sarcastically says, “If you’re done playing with my dick and balls Patterson, could you please get to work.”

I give it right back to him and say, “You had your fun Fischer, now it’s my turn.  You just keep watching the moon and stars big guy.” I hear him ‘humph’ at me.

I decide to put him out of his misery.  I move closer to him, separate his legs more, then release my hold on his unit.  It bobs left and right.  I watch it, mesmerized by the movement.  When it comes to center, I quickly put my warm moist mouth on it and swallow him half way down.  I feel his body tense in response.  I let saliva flood my mouth and I use my tongue to swirl it around his unit, coating it completely.  Excess spills from my mouth and trickles down the sides of his remaining, exposed unit, then into the gnarl of dark pubic hairs at his scrotum.

I start to bob up and down, using his legs as a sturdy base.  I get up on my knees to give me a better angle to swallow him.  As I continue my movements, I go further down on his 8” iron rod.  It’s warm and I can feel the veins crawling around it.  I get a good rhythm going and am enjoying feeling up his legs at the same time.  With time and patience, I am able to work my way down his unit and am now face planting against his lower abs with every downward motion.  I gag once or twice, but continue. 

Every third of fourth trip down, I hold and make sure to lubricate him as much as I can.  Excess spit leaks out and his balls are now soaked.  I move my left hand from his leg and put it near his hole.  It is also wet.  I gently tap at his hole with my index finger, then start to swirl my finger at the entrance.  Once he loosens up enough, I slide my finger in.  He’s tight, but loose enough for me to start to slowly piston in and out of him. 

I time the movement of my finger with the bobbing of my head.  When my head is planted against his taut abs, my finger is completely pushed in.  As I raise my head, I slowly pull my finger out, but not completely. 

I continue this for a few minutes, then I hear Jake grunt.  It’s low animalist grunt and echoes around us.  The night critters go silent for a moment.  They start their music again, but another grunt quiets them.  Then I feel it.  Jake puts both his massive hands on my head, albeit tenderly, and starts to force me down.  His hands slide to the sides of my head and I let him do his thing, not that I can stop my muscular boyfriend, especially in the position I in.  His fingers massage my scalp again, but then I feel the pressure.  He pulls my head up, then forces me down.  Slowly at first, but he quickly speeds up the motion.

Pretty soon, I’m bobbing and poking him like there’s no tomorrow.  He’s grunting continuously and he suddenly releases my head.  He chokes out, “Cumming.” 

I go down on him one last time.  I plaster my face against his body and continue to piston my finger in and out of him.  I feel his hands on my head again, but this time, they are there to keep me steady. 

He cums. His hips buck a bit, but he has enough control of his body so he doesn’t slam up and cause his unit to jab into the back of my throat.  I feel his warm juice coat the back of my throat.  I gulp and swallow as much as I can, but start to gag.  He immediately lets go of my head.  I raise up a bit.  He’s still cumming. I relax, breath thru my nose, then resume swallowing. 

After what seems like forever, his release subsides. I pull my finger from his ass, lift my head from his softening unit, and sit back on my hunches.  I look up into his dark green eyes and see contentment.  He winks at me and leans forward.  He puts his hands on the sides of my face and pulls me into a kiss.  He laps at the cum on my face and tries to lick any I have left in my mouth. I giggle at him and say, “What? Mine was not enough?  Need to have your own as well?”  He shrugs his shoulders and smiles as he licks his lips. 

He stands, pulls up his briefs and shorts, then extends a hand to me.  I take it and he easily pulls me up.  I pull up my shorts and extend my left hand to him.  He takes it and we start the walk back to the house.  I say, “I think I’m going to enjoy living here with you Fischer.”

He replies with a mild bit of sarcasm, “Yeah, I think you will too.”  He squeezes my hand, then maneuvers his body and quickly scoops me up into is strong muscular arms.  I look him in the eyes, and he says, “What I missed my arm workout today.”  I sigh.  “You’re about the right weight.”  He starts to curl me. 

I swing my arm around his shoulder, close my eyes, and enjoy the ride home.  

 

[Wrestlejock646]

I can't believe I missed this the first time around. A heartfelt, unfortunately belated, thanks for this amazing story!  Definitely deserves a huge bump!