Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 20:00:05 +0200
From: Egan e2 <egan44@gmail.com>
Subject: My Night with Joe - Part 8 "Coming of Age"

Hi again everyone.

This is the EIGHTH installment in the series "My Night with Joe" called
"Coming of Age".

Please drop me an email (egan44@gmail.com) with comments and let me know
what you think.
They will be greatly appreciated. I try respond to every email.

This is an erotic gay story about two guys and involves themes of a sexual
nature, so if that offends you or you are not old enough to read this, then
hit the "back" button and please leave now!

I hope you enjoy it,
Egan Sheridan

***

My Night with Joe - Part 8: "Coming of Age"


Hangover is a bitch!

The high-pitched telephone that was screaming on the kitchen counter was
easily comparable to a jackhammer being drilled directly into my skull. I
had to force my eyes open, as they felt heavier than gold bars.

"Ooowwwh", I groaned.

"Please shut that fucken thing up!" moaned a groggy sounding Bradley, from
somewhere in the room.

"What the... ," complained Joe, as I heard him moving slowly from the floor
next to me.

As my eyes adjusted to the light starting to break through the slits in the
window blinds and in into the room, I saw a naked Joe stumbling towards the
kitchen counter, still half a sleep, and obviously fully hung over. I looked
at the couch at right angles to mine, and saw Bradley lying on his back, and
his head buried under a sofa cushion that he was holding tightly over his
head and ears.

"Yeah,"said Joe in a half comatose voice, as the shrieking sound died.

"Thank God!" said Bradley, and tossed the cushion off onto the floor.

I looked at Joe, as he squinted his eyes and lifted his head, looking at the
clock. It was 08:30am. Damn, we had simply passed out last night after our
threesome. What a threesome! I smiled, as I looked at Bradley, who seemed to
have fallen asleep again. The combination of swelling jaw and hangover
quickly removed my smile. What a night before. Hectic, but well worth it.

"When? ... Yeah, OK .... Just give me half an hour and I'll be there," said
Joe, rolling his eyes, as he put the phone down.

"And now?" I asked.

Bradley, still lying motionless and eyes closed, made a Shhhhh noise.

"Work shit. Some truck drove into the building next to the store. Not too
much damage, but apparently I need to sign some insurance papers and help
sort it out. They can't get hold of Ronald."

SHHHHH!

"Unlucky," I cringed, knowing how shit he was feeling.

Joe walked towards me slowly, and smiled, as he walked past to the room.

"Hey, you got a shiner, China," I smiled back.

"Don't remind me," he said, raising his hand to his eye, as he disappeared
into the room.

As Joe showered, I closed my eyes and slept lightly. I was awakened with a
bit of a fright, as he put his hand on my chest. I was surprised to see that
he had already shaved and was fully dressed. He looked quite a bit better
than before (except for the fully clothed part).

"Sorry, dude. Gotta go now. I left the headache pills on the counter."

"OK, thanks."

"Why don't you get in the bed? It is much warmer in there than out here. And
I don't know how long I am gonna be; so make yourself at home."

"I'm lying naked on your couch aren't I?" I smiled.

He smiled back, as he kissed me on the forehead.

"See you later."

"Later."

Joe walked over to Brad, who was still in the same position on his back, one
leg hanging off the sofa.

"Brad," he said softly, touching his arm.

"Huh?" Brad jumped, opening his eyes slightly.

"Go lie in the bed; it's cold out here."

"hu-uh, I'm fine here," he replied, closing his eyes again.

"OK. Pain pills on the counter."

"`kay," he murmured.

Joe smiled, and ran his hand over Bradley's arm, as he left to fetch his car
keys from the counter, and walked to the door. I managed a half wave, as Joe
winked at me, closing the door softly, as he left.

Just then, I realized that Joe was right. It was quite cold. I reluctantly
pulled myself up and headed to the kitchen. After taking two headache pills
and drinking water like it was the last I would ever have, I dragged my half
dead body across the lounge. As I walked past Brad, I somehow managed to
admire his sexy naked, snoring body, as it draped over the sofa. How awesome
that I was fucked by that guy last night! Too tired to think any more, I got
to the bed, opened the inviting covers, and got in and lay on my side,
pulling the covers up tightly to my neck. After a few minutes, I was
sleeping.

---

I was awakened by movement in the bed. As I turned to look behind me, I saw
Bradley turning to get into the bed, too.

"Morning... Mind if I join you? It is fucken cold out there," he said,
looking very tired, but extremely cute, with his morning hair standing up
everywhere, and the two plasters on his face.

"Morning. Don't mind at all."

He got in and cuddled up to me closely, spooning me from behind.

"Hmmm. You are nice and warm," he said, as he rubbed his right leg and hand
on the right side of my body, trying to warm himself up.

"Your feet are freezing!" I noted.

"That's why I need you to warm me up!" he said, as he got a cold shiver,
giving me one in return.

I smiled, as he hugged tightly against my entire body. His right hand was
draped over my chest. Within a few minutes, our combined body heat was
warming each other up, as we lay there, naked, under the covers. His naked
soft penis was pressed tightly against my ass; it felt great! There was
nothing sexual about it at that moment, as we were both too tired and
hungover to even think of sex. We fell asleep together, as I heard Bradley
breathing heavily right behind me. It was comforting, and made me sleep even
more soundly.

---

Finally opening my eyes, I looked over at the clock on the wall, and it read
11:30 am. I felt much better than before, except I just had a shit taste in
my mouth from the alcohol. I needed to brush my teeth. Bradley was now lying
on his back, and was also awake, obviously warm now.

"Hey, sleepy head," he said.

"Hey, Brad," I smiled.

"That was the best sleep I have had in ages. Those pills work wonders, too.
I feel quite a bit better, but still slightly hungover. My face is a little
tender, too," he smiled, feeling it.

"Don't worry; the fight didn't damage those good looks you have."

"Thanks."

I smiled, as I rolled onto my back and stretched, yawning in the process.
Brad followed, with a loud yawn of his own.

"How long have you been awake?" I asked.

"Not too long. Just enjoying lying in."

I opened the covers and sat up, and looked down at myself. My worked penis
lay tired between my legs, and I had some dried `Joe' sperm clumping up some
of my chest hairs.

"I need to go shower. I stink," I admitted.

"Don't worry; I stink, too," he smiled.

"And I desperately need to brush my teeth."

"Yeah, me, too... Last night was fun," he suddenly said, staring straight
ahead at the wall, obviously thinking of everything that had happened.

I smiled, looking down at the sheets. "Yeah, it was... A lot of fun!"

I looked over at him, smiled, and got up to go piss and brush my teeth. As I
finished, I smiled into the mirror, showing off my pearly whites to myself.
Much better! As I got into the shower, and was going to turn on the hot
water tap, Bradley walked in and stopped me.

"I am going to pour a nice warm bath for me now. Don't you want to join me
in there rather than shower? I always enjoy bathing, more than showering.
Don't know why. Always have."

I thought for a second. What did he have on his mind? Did I really want to
do anything with Brad while Joe was not here?

"Joe hates a bath. He only showers... I haven't shared a bath with someone
in ages.... Please join me, Jay," he said, sincerely.

"Yeah, OK. What the hell. Why not?" I smiled. He looked so cute standing
there, and he asked so nicely. How could I say no? As he leaned over the
bath to put the plug in, I looked at his perfect ass. Last night was great,
I thought, as a whole host of naughty images ran though my mind, while I
recalled everything about it. My cock thickened slightly, as it hung between
my legs. After opening the hot water tap, Bradley smiled, as he walked past
me and started to brush his teeth. Catching a glimpse of me in the mirror,
he winked, as I returned it with a grin.

"Much better," he said, as he finished, and walked past me again. His cut
penis was a bit thicker than mine. I had not looked at him properly
yesterday, during all the drunken action; and watching this sexy man walk
around me naked, thinking that just last night I had sucked that cock, and
was fucked by it, was making me feel very horny. I started to get an slight
erection. As Bradley felt the water to make sure that it was not too hot, he
turned around and looked at me and grinned, as he looked at my slowly rising
cock.

"Sorry. Can't help it," I said, slightly embarrassed.

"Don't be sorry. I was also trying not to look at you too much... `Cause I
am starting to feel quite horny, too. We are sexy men, Jays. It is only
natural," he joked, as I could see he had started to get an erection, too.

Brad climbed into the bath and gestured that I join him. I did, and slowly
sat down in the water, crossing my legs. Brad did the same, facing towards
me. He looked at me, and took a sponge, lathered it up with some shower gel,
and rubbed it over my chest, and started to wash me. It felt really good,
and I just let him have access to wherever he wanted to clean me.
Eventually, I took the sponge and started to wash him in return. He moaned
softly, and then turned around to allow easy access for me to wash his back.
He seemed to love that, as he sat forward and held his ankles, closing his
eyes in the process. I uncrossed my legs and stretched them forward on
either side of Brad, as he sat in front of me, while I continued to wash his
back. I eventually put the sponge down, and started to rub his back, giving
him a wet massage. I really enjoyed giving him what he wanted like that. He
had a bruise on his left side, which he sustained while falling into an
overturned chair backrest in the fight last night. I rubbed it lightly for
him, and he seemed very grateful.

Finally, he sighed and said: "Ahhh... That was awesome. Thanks Jays. I
needed that,", as he leaned back and lay against me. I leaned back against
the back of the bath to support us, and enjoyed having him lie in between my
legs, as he rested up against my chest in the warm water, placing his hands
and arms on my hairy legs on either side of him. He rested his head back
against my shoulder, and to the left of my neck. I put my cheek against his,
and placed my hands on his chest. I looked down at his body. It was perfect!
Looked wonderful in the water, too. He stretched his right leg out of the
water, and rested his foot on the side of the bath. One of the most perfect
looking male feet I had ever seen! It was a strange feeling, holding another
man, apart from Joe, so sensually like this. Although it was very erotic, I
did not have a raging boner anymore. I looked down at Brad, and his boner
had subsided, too. I started to scratch his chest softly, and simply enjoyed
the moment of what seemed like male bonding.

"Joe was right," I whispered into his ear.

"About what," he said, closing his eyes.

"You are very quiet and almost shy when you are hungover"

"Haha. Yeah, we definitely drank way too much last night."

"I thought I was going to have to beat you off me with a stick when I got
into this bath with you," I laughed.

"Naa. I tease Joe a lot, but that is why I pushed the threesome. Going it
alone with you almost feels like cheating on him," he smiled. "Poor Joe. Had
to leave so early this morning. Shit one."

I looked at him and paused for a second, thinking about what he just said.

He continued sincerely. "You are one lucky guy, Jason."

That statement confirmed what I was thinking. "My God, Bradley. You have
fallen in love with Joe," I said softly.

Brad was silent, as my hand stopped scratching him.

After a pause, he thoughtfully said, "Falling... in love with him, is
probably a better term...."

I felt my heart sinking slowly. Was Joe falling for Brad, too?

"Not that you have anything to worry about, Jay. It is a one-way road. That
is why I say you are lucky. He loves you so much. All he does is talk about
you all the time. I mean, he is so happy now that you are here this weekend.
SO happy. He is almost a different person. Joe and I get along very well,
but it is not that kind of relationship like you and he have. Nothing like
it. I think he kinda sees me more like a brother, if you know what I mean."

I felt my heart rising again, as I restarted to softly scratch his chest
again. "I know what you mean. You are very special to him, though; he told
me so, and I can see it in the way he interacts with you," I said
truthfully.

"I know. But it is different. We are too different to ever be a couple. But
he looks after me well. Always looking out for me. You saw that in the fight
yesterday. He was there in a second. He will never fall for someone like me,
though. Yes, we have sex, but... I mean, you ... you are his soulmate. He
has said that on numerous occasions. Especially when he is drunk. That is
when you know he is telling the truth! You should know."

I did, but said nothing. I was feeling really sorry for this poor kid in my
arms. Here he was pouring out his inner most thoughts to me about the man
that he wanted for himself, but only I truly had. It was a cruel situation
for Bradley. But I did not honestly think Joe would be able to love Brad the
way he loved me. Yes, he cared deeply for Brad; that much was certain, but
Brad was right, when he said it was more in a brotherly sort of way. Apart
from the fact that they had occasional sex, that is.

I hugged Brad softly. "You will find a guy... or girl. Someone closer to
your age, too. That person is out there, waiting for you, I am certain"

Brad said nothing for a while, as we just lay there.

"Joe really is a special person, isn't he?" I noted, more thinking out aloud
than anything else, and actually appreciating how lucky I was that he was my
best friend and lover.

Bradley nodded.

"I am moving out of here soon," Bradley suddenly said.

"Moving out?" I asked, surprised.

"The more I am around him, the stronger I feel about him," he continued.

"Does Joe know?"

"Not yet... but I care too much for Joe to jeopardize anything for him. What
you and he have. I can't be around him all the time like this. I am really
falling in love with him. And it is killing me."

"Joe will be sad," I honestly said. "When did you decide to move out?"

"Right now. I didn't care for you before Friday. In fact, I didn't really
like you. I think it was jealousy, maybe. But after seeing you guys
together, and the way Joe responds to you... And the way you care so deeply
for him. After spending this insanely short amount of time with you, I feel
like I know you so damn well. And that is purely because of everything that
Joe has said about you. And it is all true. You are special, Jason. For Joe
to love you the way he does, you must be. And... Well, it has totally
changed my perception of you. And the situation. You guys deserve each
other... And I... Well... I need to move on... again...."

Bradley sighed heavily, and said nothing for a few more minutes. I sensed
his sadness was deeply rooted. He must love Joe so damn much. I wanted to
say something to comfort the poor guy, but words failed me.

"Do you know it is my twenty first birthday in three week's time?" he asked,
in a sad, quiet tone.

I was just about to get excited and use that statement to try and help
change the mood into a happy one, when Brad continued: "And you guys are the
closest thing to family that I have left."

I stopped in my `tracks'. "What do you mean?"

After a long pause, he quietly stated: "Two years ago... my dad, mom, and my
older brother - all were killed in a car accident. They won't even be here
to see my twenty first birthday. How shit is that? Nothing ever works out
for me...."

The he gave another deep sigh, and I could almost feel the weight of the
world on his shoulders.

"Jesus, Brad! I am so sorry... I really am," I said, feeling absolutely
gutted for the poor guy. I then hugged him gently, not knowing what else to
say. He put his left hand up and held my right forearm tightly, and sniffed
softly. He was starting to cry. I felt a balloon expanding inside my chest,
as I felt so sorry for him. Tears started to well up in my eyes, and I put
my head closer to his cheek and held him as tightly as I could. He then just
started to let it all out, as he started to sob. It was heartbreaking. I let
him cry, and said nothing. This kid had issues. I wondered if Joe knew about
his family? Joe never said anything to me before. Never mind that. He needed
someone now, and I was there for him. I didn't know what else to say, but I
felt that the way he was holding my arm as he sobbed, me holding him like
that, was all that he needed at that moment. And that is what I gave him. A
tear started to roll from my left eye, and landed on his soft shoulder, as I
cried for him silently. As his body shook from the crying, I lifted my left
hand and placed it on the side of his face, trying to give him as much
comfort as I could. He carried on until he had no more tears left, and,
after he calmed down, we lay there for a long while, saying nothing. I felt
that he needed that. And I was happy that he had confided in me.

---

After we got out of the cooling water, we got dressed warmly, saying nothing
while doing so. As we walked out of the room, I asked Brad if he wanted a
warm cup of coffee. He accepted. I switched on the kettle, and as I stood in
the kitchen, he jumped up onto the kitchen counter and sat on the corner,
eyes still a little red...partly from hangover, but mostly from tears. He
softly tapped his sneaker heal against the cupboard door, fiddling with his
fingers, looking a little sheepish. I crossed my arms and leaned against the
counter, looking at him, listening to the kettle slowly starting to warm up.

I could see he felt embarrassed about crying in front of me. "I'm listening.
What is on your mind right now?"

He paused for a second: "You didn't come all this way just to have to hear
me whining about shit."

"True. But it is not shit that you are whining about now, is it? It is
serious. And I want you to know that I am here for you."

The kettle boiled, and I turned around to make us coffee.

"Milk? And how much sugar?" I asked.

"Yes, and three."

"Sweet white boy," I joked.

He laughed, as I handed him the warm cup.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

"No, I mean `thank you' for listening to me earlier. I think I really needed
that."

"Anytime. And I think you did, too."

"I must say that I surprised myself. Emotion got the better of me."

"Yeah... It does that sometimes. Some more than others. And with your 'I am
Brad, I can handle everything, all the time' attitude, I think you are the
kind that doesn't like it when it does. Am I right?" I smiled, as we walked
over to the lounge, sitting down on the sofas that were our beds last night.

"Yeah," he smiled

"Well, then, I am glad this happened. Do you at least feel a little better?"

"It's like a weight has been lifted."

"Good. You don't talk to Joe much about stuff like that, do you?"

"No. Since we met, he has only known me as the `Loudspeaker', as he would
put it. A guy has a reputation to uphold, you know?" he chuckled.

I smiled, and took a sip of my coffee.

"Besides, he has enough on his plate. I don't want to bother him with any of
my issues... Sorry, not that I mean you don't... I just...."

"I know what you mean...," I interrupted. "I want you to know something,
Bradley. I am going to give you my cell number, once I leave tomorrow. And
if there is anything...and I mean ANYTHING, that you need to talk to someone
about, you just give me a call. Anytime. If you don't, I will be pissed off.
You hear? Promise me!"

"Jay, I don't want to be a bother... I can..."

"Promise me!"

He looked at me sincerely: "OK, I promise"

"No need to feel embarrassed speaking about your feelings to me, now. I have
seen your 'touchy feely' side! So you can't hide that shit from me."

"My feminine side," he suddenly laughed.

"Yes... Your bitch side!" I laughed back.

"HEY! I fucked YOU, remember! I was the man last night!" he laughed loudly.

I burst out laughing: "And what a man you were!"

"Thank you, Jason. I honestly appreciate you listening. With me being so
extroverted, as I am, everyone thinks that I have no issues. So it is
difficult to make a deep connection with people."

"Everyone needs someone to listen to their problems. You needed to talk
about what happened. It must have been very difficult. And yeah, you need to
have a look at how you conduct yourself around others. It is cool and all,
but, damn, you can be quite over the top sometimes, `Loudspeaker'!"

"Yeah, you are right. After my family died, I got out of hand a bit. So they
assigned me a shrink. I was told by her that it was a defense mechanism of
some kind."

"And what did you say to that?"

"I asked her if she wanted to go out with me?"

I smiled: "She was probably right, you know?"

He nodded, and sipped his coffee.

"So... Your twenty first birthday, you say!" I said, trying to lighten the
mood.

"Yep. The big two-one."

"Awesome. Does Joe know?"

"Not yet. Whenever I thought about it, I felt kinda down, so I didn't bring
it up at all."

"Because of the family situation. I get why...," I nodded.

"But, don't worry about it. Because your family WILL be there. Joe and I
will be there. We are your family now."

"What?" he said, eyes lighting up "You will fly back here for it?"

"Yeah, I will... But only on one condition!" I said, making the plans on the
spot.

"Anything."

"We have one fuck of a party! We invite all your med school friends, and go
wild. It must be one that you remember... forever!"

"How did you know I was in med school?" he asked, surprised.

"Joe talks about you more than you think, you know," I smiled.

He smiled back, and shot out his right hand: "It is a deal!"

I grabbed his hand, and we shook vigorously on it, Brad grinning from ear to
ear.

Brad got up and took my empty cup, and walked over to the kitchen. "So, Joe
talks about me, huh?"

"Yep, he does," I smiled.

"But he got it wrong! I ain't in med school."

"Huh?" I said, confused.

"Yet! I am writing entry exams one week before my twenty first birthday...
how sucky is that!? Hell, I don't even know if I am going to pass."

"Oh, that does suck!" I agreed.

"Before my dad passed, he wanted desperately for me to become a doctor. I
didn't care much for the idea, to be honest, but after the accident, I kinda
thought it would be a worth-while cause. And sort of honor his memory, too.
It is not like I had any plans for myself, so I decided to go for it. I was
left a decent sum of money when they left, so I can afford it, unlike many
other young people. So I can't blow the opportunity, now can I? So here I
am... Doctor wannabe. But, shit! So far, it is difficult."

"Good for you. Without sounding like an old cliche, nothing worth fighting
for is easy, so give it all you got."

"I will! And no worries about sounding like an old cliche.... You ARE old.
It fits you fine; thirty something!" he smiled. "And if I pass, and get into
med school, I am gonna be the best damn doctor anyone has ever seen!"

"And one of the sexiest, don't forget," I grinned, pointing at him as he
stood leaning against the counter top, hands interlocked.

"Of course!" he laughed.

"And fuck you for the age comment!" I laughed back.

We both laughed.

"I am glad we chatted like this," he finally said, as he walked over to the
lounge again.

"Me, too."

"And by the way, please don't tell Joe about what happened today... and
about my family. I don't want him to pity me. And you know he will... then
when he hears that I am moving out, he will try to convince me to stay. And
to be honest, not much convincing would be needed."

"Yeah, but are you sure you..."

"I'm sure. I have never been so sure about anything."

"OK, I won't say anything," I said, after a pause, not convinced it was the
right choice.

"I promised you that I would call if I needed to talk to someone, and I
will... But you have to promise me one thing, too."

"Hmmm... sounds dangerous," I said suspiciously, in a joking way.

"I am serious," he said, sitting forward, staring at me.

"What is it?"

"Listen carefully to me when I say this: Joe is madly in love with you. You
are madly in love with Joe. If there was ever two people who deserve each
other, as well as a full happy life together, it is you two. 'Soul mates'.
That term is overused these days, I know... but in you guys case, it is more
relevant than anything I have ever seen."

I stared at him.

He continued: "Joe needs you. And I believe you need Joe. If this thing that
you guys have doesn't pan out, and you end up with other people, or alone,
it will be the greatest tragedy ever! I am moving out because I KNOW in my
heart that I am not the man for Joe. I love him enough to not jeopardize his
happiness. You know who that man is, Jason. You know!"

I looked down at the table, breaking his stare, trying to process everything
Brad was saying, knowing it was true, but battling internal, conflicting
feelings.

"And now to the promise...," he said, as I looked up at him again.

"Promise me that you will at least CONSIDER coming out of the closet and
being his life partner. Be with Joe... for good. Not just for one or two
weekends a year. Because, no matter how strong love is between two people...
people can't wait forever, and he, or you, will eventually have to move on."

He was one hundred percent right. It was the decision I had been fighting
with ever since that first night in the pool. It was the one answer I didn't
have yet.

"And THAT, Jason... That is what regrets are made of. You don't want
regrets. I regret not being able to tell my father that I am becoming a
doctor, before it was too late. When he was alive, I fought him all the way
about it. Now, every day, I WISH I could tell him... but I can't. Don't let
you and Joe get to the point where you finally want to be with him forever,
but it is too late. Make that decision, Jason. Make it before it is made for
you..."

We said nothing for about twenty seconds, as I trembled.

Then Brad took my right hand in his. "Promise me you will at least consider
that..."

After another long pause, finally, the words slowly broke free from my
mouth: "I promise..."

Bradley smiled lightly, nodded, leaned forward, and hugged me.
I realized at that moment that Bradley was wiser than his age and demeanor
portrayed him.


To be continued...

***
End of the Part 8, "Coming of Age".

Look out for Part 9 coming soon: "Party People"

***

Please drop me some comments (egan44@gmail.com)... They keep me going! I
feel like I lose momentum if I don't get any! LOL
As always, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it (Thanks to Jere for
editing).
Until the next chapter,
Egan Sheridan