Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:47:14 -0800 (PST) From: Todd Carlos Subject: The Paper Boy Grows Up, Chapter 1 I was in the backyard doing my best to get it ready for the summer. It was already late spring so I'd taken the day off to give my yard the much needed TLC it required. I was pulling up weeds from the border along the back fence and considering the wisdom of hiring a landscaper. I'd plugged my iPod into the home sound system so it played over the speakers on the back patio while I worked. The sound of the doorbell took me so much by surprise that I jumped when it interrupted the tunes and chimed a couple times. For a split second the thought ran through my head that maybe it was my ex, Mike, and my heart beat even harder. Then I realized it was the middle of the day, a work day, and that we'd been broken up for almost eight months. And Mike would never show up without calling first, not that he'd ever come back since he moved his stuff out. The realization that it wasn't Mike and that for a tiny second I'd almost wished that it was him left me angry. I simply wondered who would be at my door and felt annoyed to be interrupted. Pushing up to my feet I headed for the open patio door and wiped my bare feet on the rug before entering and heading for the foyer. I only had a pair of loose gym shorts on, having ditched my t-shirt to get some sun. I considered going back for it but I heard the chimes break into the music again and felt pissed all over. Whoever it was would just have to deal. I threw back the door, expecting some sort of preacher or door-to-door salesman. I was totally shocked to see a really hot young guy standing there fidgeting on my front stoop. He was wearing cargo shorts and a fitted white Affliction t-shirt that showed off his big arms and tight stomach. He was easily my height, six feet, or a couple inches taller considering the small step up between the front porch and the entryway. He looked vaguely familiar as I gave him the once over, trying to place where I'd seen this stud before. About twenty, I knew that I knew him from somewhere. He flashed a white smile at me and reached out his hand. "Hey, Mister Johnson! How're you doing?" Okay, obviously he knew me but I still couldn't place him so I stuck out my hand with a quizzical expression on my face. We shook and he gave me back a strong grip, still looking vaguely uncertain. "It's me, Jim... er, Jimmy. I used to deliver your paper?" Realization hit suddenly and I couldn't match the kid he'd been with this hottie standing before me. He'd been just a kid when Mike and I got the place, maybe fifteen, and he'd delivered our paper for three years. I'd never forget the day he'd come up and given us his sales pitch as we were unloading groceries that first weekend in our new home. He'd been pretty sure of himself for a kid and sweet talked Mike into a yearlong subscription. "Wow, Jimmy, I didn't even recognize you. Come on in. How've you been? How are your folks?" I led him to the kitchen and looked over my shoulder. "They're good, thanks. Me too, just getting ready for the summer. Actually, that's why I'm here. Sorry to bug you." We were in the kitchen now and he was looking around, checking it out. "No problem. I took the day off to catch up on some yard work and stuff. I need a break anyway. How can I help you?" "Well, I was actually looking for Mr. Holloway. Is he around?" It was like a gut-punch, hearing Mike's surname. My knuckles tightened on the countertop where I was holding it and I thought I might be sick. "He's not here, Jimmy." I gritted the words out between my clenched teeth. I'd just assumed the neighbors would figure out what had happened. Mike and I had never interacted with them socially though I knew their names and faces. I'd figured that when Mike quit coming home every day they would put two and two together. "Oh. I was just walking by and heard the music, thought I'd take a chance. Sorry I bothered you. Should I come back later? When will he be home?" I guessed Jimmy was oblivious to my reaction. I crossed to the fridge and pulled out a beer, then another. I opened the first and took a long swallow as I walked back to the island where Jimmy was standing. "No, Jimmy, I mean Mr. Holloway... Mike doesn't live here anymore." I handed the second beer to him and finished mine off. I thought `fuck it' and went back for a second beer. Mike and I had never come out to our neighbors or anything. We just moved in and cohabitated, letting them assume what they would. We'd never had any problems and I had always figured that everyone just ignored us since we were pretty quiet and kept to ourselves. "Oh, um, I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to bother or upset you." The silence stretched as I came back to the island and opened my second beer. Jimmy followed suit and we both took long drinks. Finally the silence became uncomfortable and I looked up at Jimmy who looked guilty and chagrined. "It's okay, he's hasn't lived here for about eight months. It's... well, it's a long story you probably don't want to hear. Maybe I can help you out?" "No, it's all good, Mr. Johnson. I'll get out of your hair. Shit, I'm really sorry." He put down his half-finished beer and turned toward the hall. "Jimmy, it really is okay. And you can stop apologizing. I'm a big guy, I can handle it. Tell me what's going on. Maybe I can still help you out somehow." "It's just that my internship for the summer fell through. The firm I was going to work at went under. When I was walking by and heard the music, I remembered that article about Mr. Holloway winning that award? For that building he designed in Texas a few years ago? I'm studying to be an architect and I thought maybe they were looking for help at his firm." I remembered that fucking award and the party Mike's firm had thrown. I'd gone, of course, and acted like the good little husband. I'd been so proud of him that night. The thought made me sick. I caught Jimmy's eye and I could see the hope there. "It's just that this year will be my senior year and I don't have any practical experience. I moved home for the summer and gave up my apartment. I'm afraid I'll be stuck working at the supermarket and spending every night with Mom and Dad. That would suck." I guess he could tell I was mulling it over as he continued, "If there was any way you could help me out I would really appreciate it." He finished his beer while I looked down, studying the tile on the counter, and thinking things over. The hell of it was that I could call Mike and maybe help Jimmy out. It would just be hard as fuck to do it. "I'll see what I can do. Write down your number and I'll let you know." I retrieved some paper and pen for him, finishing my second beer as he scratched out the digits. "Oh man, Mr. Johnson. I really appreciate this. You don't even understand how much my life would suck." "Call me Tony. You're not fifteen anymore. And I'm not making any promises, but maybe I can do something for you." "Hell yeah. Whatever you can do would be awesome. Thanks again, Mr. Joh... Tony. Call me anytime, seriously." It was my turn to follow him as he let himself out, grinning ear to ear. I leaned my head against the closed door and thought about calling Mike. I had to admit to myself that part of the reason I'd told Jimmy I'd help out was so I'd have an excuse to call Mike and hear his voice again. God, my head was so fucked up. Mike and I started dating in college. We'd hit it off quickly and it was practically love at first sight. A couple years after we graduated my grandparents died in a car accident and left me their house. Mike and I were pretty serious by then, both of us working and still going to school. Although I was crushed at the loss we decided to move into the house together. We used some money my grandparents had left me to remodel the house, Mike drawing up the plans, so I wouldn't have to be reminded of my loving Nana and Papa every time I came home. When the work was done we moved in and tried for happily ever after. Seven years later I was thirty-one and newly single. I still had the house, Mike never made any claims on it, and was reminded of the man I'd loved every time I walked in the door. Thudding my head a few times against that damn door, I resolved to get the phone call over with immediately or I knew I never would. *** Mike was surprised to hear from me but I cut right to the chase. I didn't want him to ever think that I missed him or wanted to hear his voice. I explained Jimmy's situation to him and asked if there was anything he could do. He said he'd look into it and I ended the call as quickly as possible. I grabbed another beer and headed out to the back patio, easing onto a lounge chair. I tried not to let it happen but thoughts of Mike filtered into my head. I remembered the first day we'd moved into this house and Mike's mission to have sex in every room. We'd been so happy. Then I thought of the day he'd torn my world out from under me. I'd had a long day at work and I was mentally exhausted, getting home later than usual. I found Mike in the basement we'd converted into a gym. He was working out and I admired the view from the stairs while he finished his reps. Mike is a beautiful man. My height, with dark hair and eyes, he has a perpetual tan and an amazing body. Usually we worked out together and we were both in great shape, always pushing one another to stay healthy. He wasn't wearing a shirt, just a brief pair of running-shorts. The hair on his chest and stomach gleamed with the sweat he'd gotten from working out. He must have already been on the treadmill. The holidays were coming and I knew he wanted to make sure he didn't gain any weight. The pressure of the day faded as I watched him. Loosening my tie, I began to undress as I finished coming down the stairs. I was down to my socks and underwear when I knelt in front of him on the weight bench. He did one more rep and sat up to watch me as I eased down his shorts. He wasn't wearing anything underneath and I leaned forward to smell his balls before licking and sucking them. His dick started to firm up and I reached up to pull at it. When he was hard I pulled off his balls with a pop and steered his cock to my mouth. I'd long ago mastered the art of sucking this particular cock and swallowed him whole. I let my throat massage the head of his shaft for a few minutes before I pulled off to lick the whole length up and down. Taking him back in my mouth I set up an easy rhythm, going deep on every stroke. When he moaned I broke off and stood quickly. Pushing my boxers down I stepped out of them and leered at Mike. He gave me a hard look. I spit a couple of times into my hand and reached around to rub my wet fingers against my hole. Using my other hand to pull one of my ass cheeks open I pushed my finger inside. "Baby, I need you to fuck me. I had the worst day and I want it bad." I was grinding my hips and working a second finger into my ass, trying to put on a show for Mike as I spoke. Slowly he stood up, his shorts around his ankles. His dick had started to wilt so I used my sexiest voice, "Bend me over right here and shove your cock in. Fuck the lube, I'm wet enough. Come on." I really did want him to fuck me, even dry. That might even make it hotter. "Tony, we need to talk." I'd known the man intimately for almost ten years. As soon as I heard the words, the tone of his voice, the way he said my name I knew what had happened. I didn't need to wonder or guess. Somehow I just knew what was coming. I felt my ears grow hot with anger and embarrassment. I pulled my fingers out of my ass and gaped at him. I don't know where it came from, I probably couldn't do it again if I tried, but in the heat of the moment I walked right up to him and kneed him in the stomach in one fluid movement. He collapsed to his knees; I'd knocked the wind out of him. "Who, Mike? Who'd you fuck?" My insides felt like they were going to tumble out but my voice came out low and menacing. In that moment I wanted to kill him. We'd been together and monogamous for years, we'd stopped using condoms a long time ago. We'd made a promise that if one of us ever slipped and had sex with another guy we'd fess up before we did anything risky with each other. I just hadn't thought it was possible that one of us would cheat. Mike was still trying to gasp in some air when I ran up the stairs. I packed a bag and left before he could confront me. I went to a hotel for the night. The next day I heard the whole sad story from Mike without killing him. I made it clear that it was over between us and I knew it was my anger talking but I didn't care. He packed some stuff and moved into an apartment his company owned that same day. By the time I cooled down and was ready for Mike to try and win me back it was his turn to be angry. His brothers helped him move all his shit out while I was at work one day. I came home to a mostly empty house and broke down. The first couple months I worked from home a lot, called in sick frequently and got drunk almost every day. I was miserable. Eventually I realized Mike wasn't coming back and moved on. I worked out religiously, went vegetarian and hardly drank any alcohol at all. It was the hardest thing I'd ever done but I was finally starting to feel better when Jimmy showed up at my door. Now eight months later I was waiting for Mike to call me back while I sat on what used to be our patio and drank my fourth beer. I could only hope that maybe Jimmy would get what he wanted. Mike called me back pretty quickly and told me that he might be able to do something. He told me to have Jimmy email him his resume. I didn't linger on the phone and went into the kitchen to find Jimmy's number. I called him and he answered on the first ring. I told him what Mike had said and gave him Mike's work email. He thanked me profusely but I was depressed, annoyed and almost drunk so I said `no problem' and hung up. Deciding I couldn't let this get me down I went back to my yard work, with the rest of the six- pack in hand. I went at it with a vengeance, letting go of all my frustrations. I turned up the music and finished off the beer. A couple hours later I felt much better, having gotten a lot of the work done. And I was still pretty buzzed. I grabbed another beer from the fridge on my way to the bathroom. It was time for a shower and some dinner. I'd just barely finished rinsing the soap from my body when I heard the doorbell. I turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and headed for the front door. I was toweling off and trying to guess who it might be. I wrapped the towel around my waist and pulled open the door. It was Jimmy again. At least this time I recognized him, how could I not. I was still slightly shocked that he'd turned into such a hunky guy. "Hey, Mr. Johnson. I mean Tony." His smile was plastered all over his face as he spoke, "I just heard from Mr. Holloway. I got a paid internship and I start tomorrow. I had to come over and thank you. I can't believe this is all working out for me. I really owe you, let me take you out to dinner or something." "Come on, Jimmy." I held the door open wider and waved him in. "There's more beer in the fridge if you want one. I'll go put on some clothes and I'll be right back." We split up as I made my way back to the bedroom and I heard him opening the refrigerator. I pulled on some jeans and an old t- shirt. When I got to the kitchen he was sipping at a beer and studying the pictures on the fridge. "Hey Jimmy. Good news, huh?" I walked close by him and opened the fridge to get another beer. I could smell him up close and he smelled really good. After I'd opened the drink and took a swig I looked over at him. He was still grinning like a kid. "It's so awesome. I still can't believe it. I owe you big time. I was going to see if you wanted help with the yard work, but I can see you got it all done. It looks good. Maybe I could take you out for dinner or something. I wanna celebrate, you know?" "Jimmy, you don't have to celebrate with me. I didn't do all that much and I guess you should really be thanking Mike. It's all good. I'm sure you have a ton of friends you'd rather go share the good news with. I was just going to make myself some dinner, anyway." "No, man, it's not like that. Most of my friends aren't even around, it's too early. And I know how much it must have cost you to do what you did. Calling your ex with a favor? I don't think I'd do that for my own mom." We both sort of chuckled and some of the tension left me. "Yeah, well, Mike's not a bad guy. And it wasn't all his fault. Really I don't even want to talk about it or I might start crying on your shoulder. You want some of this chili?" I'd made a big thing of vegetarian chili that morning and left it in the crockpot to cook all day. It smelled wonderful as I stirred it, making sure the beans were cooked through. "Um, sure, thanks. It smells good, dude." I ladled out bowls for us and set them on the counter at the island. I got out the silverware, some cheese for topping and some corn tortillas I popped into the microwave to warm up. Jimmy grabbed us each another beer and we sat across from each other. I was buzzed enough and Jimmy was excited enough that conversation flowed easily between us as we ate. I learned that Jimmy was twenty years old, had a girlfriend who was spending the summer in Paris for school and he had a real passion for architecture. He talked about college and his friends a lot. It brought back some good memories of my own college days. Eventually the talk turned to me and Mike. I gave Jimmy the brief version: Mike's betrayal and both of our pettiness in resolving the situation. "Do you miss him?" He looked at me from under his lashes, probably sensing my vulnerability as he asked. "Not so much anymore. It was tough at first but I guess I've gotten used to being alone. Really I miss the physical part more. It's hard to go from having someone in bed with you every night to a total drought. You know?" "Yeah, tell me about it. Jen's gone for the summer and I'm feeling it. We agreed to stay committed but it's harder than I would have expected. I go to the gym a lot, you know, working out my frustration. And there's always the right hand, but that gets old quick." "Oh, for sure. I work out a lot too. And it helps me sleep better." "I can tell. You're in really good shape." "Um, thanks. So are you." A tense silence lapsed where I don't think either of us knew what to say. Jimmy stared down into his empty bowl and I could tell he was thinking really hard. I watched him, admiring his dark good looks. He had long eyelashes that made his eyes look so pretty. His t-shirt was stretched taut across his chest, showing off his musculature. He'd grown up really good. When he looked up he caught me staring and I felt a blush creep over my cheeks. I picked up our bowls and brought them to the sink. "You want anymore, Jimmy?" "Nah, thanks though. I'm stuffed, man. That was really good, Tony. Thanks for feeding me." "No problem." I grabbed a beer on my way back and held up a second in invitation. Jimmy shook his head no and I put it back, then opened mine. I tilted my head back and took a long swallow. "I've heard that gay guys give better head than women." I nearly choked on the beer and some flew out of my mouth. I sputtered out, "Wh-what?" Jimmy had stood and was coming around the island. His eyes were hard with intent as he spoke. "I just figured maybe we could help each other out. If you like sucking cock, I've got one. I've been pretty hard up the last few weeks and I could use some relief. And I still owe you. Maybe it could be my way of saying thanks, or whatever." I could feel that my face was totally flushed. I couldn't help glancing down at his package. He smiled when I met his eyes again. I was so uncertain, I couldn't move or think. He advanced on me and put one hand on my shoulder. "It doesn't have to be a big deal, Tony. Just two guys helping each other out. If you're not into it, just say so." He was giving me an out but the pressure from his hand increased and I found myself sinking down onto my knees. Maybe it was all the beer I'd been drinking but I couldn't come up with any reason not to do this. Or maybe it was the fact that I hadn't had sex with anyone since Mike and my dick was thinking for me. I reached up to open his shorts but it was hard because my hands were shaking so much. He pushed them out of the way and undid his own belt and buttons. The shorts slid to the ground and I got an upclose view of his plaid boxers. I used one hand to rub over the muscles in his stomach as I used the other to pull his boxers down. His pubes were trimmed very short as the waistband uncovered them. When it was finally uncovered his dick hung low and plump. I stared at it for a minute and felt the t-shirt over my hands disappear. I looked up to watch him pull it off. His body was as perfect as I'd suspected. Smooth and rippling with muscles, beautiful now that it was revealed. I ran my hands up to his nipples and rubbed them as I met his eyes. He grinned down at me, "You're gonna have to get it hard, man." I leaned in and pulled his soft cock into my mouth. It got hard quickly as I sucked and licked at it. I backed off to suck at the head and run my tongue into the slit. When he was fully rigid I pulled back to check it out. God, he was hung big. Way bigger than Mike's eight inches, and thicker too. I pumped on it with my left hand, sliding with all the spit I'd left on it. I looked up and found his eyes closed, his brows pulled together. I figured he was probably imagining I was his girlfriend or something. I decided right then that I would do everything I could to blow his mind and suck his cock better than any woman could. I wanted to remind him that it was a guy swinging on his dick. I dove down on his cock and forced the head into my throat. I'd always been good at deep- throating and I was proud of it. But as his crown pushed past the tight muscles and popped through it tested the limits of my ability to control my gag reflex. He moaned so loud it echoed off the kitchen walls. It made me hotter and I pushed more of his cock into my mouth. My own dick was hard as a rock in my loose jeans. I licked all along the underside of the shaft and used one hand to fondle his big balls. I used the other hand to rub at my own dick. Pulling off to catch a breath, I licked and sucked at his sac. Getting off on the scent of his crotch and tasting the remnants of sweat on the velvety skin. He must've shaved them. I got back onto his cock and held the thick base in a tight grip as I re-wet the head and shaft. I found it easier to swallow him on the next try and forced it in until my nose was buried in his short hairs. He put his hands on my head, then, and started guiding me. I let him do it for a little while, loosening the pressure of my lips and giving up any suction. When we hit the end of one of his long strokes, only the head inside my mouth, I looked up at him. He was staring back at me, watching me. "Take your shirt off." He let go of my head long enough for me to pull it off. "You look good on my cock, man," he said as he fisted his hand in the hair at the back of my head. He pulled me back onto his cock. He tried to fuck my face but I growled in my throat. The vibration must have felt good `cause he sighed but his hand relaxed in my hair. I gripped his hips in each hand and held him still while I gave him long, steady slides into me mouth. I peeked up and he was still watching me under those long lashes. "You can take your dick out. I don't mind, Tony. It makes me hot to know that you get off on blowing me like that." I moaned around the mouthful and opened my jeans one-handed. I'd gotten as used to his big cock as I was going to get, it was still a tight fit but a bit easier. I really started giving it to him. I sucked hard on each upstroke and cradled the bottom of his cock hard with my tongue on each downstroke. His cock was flowing in and out of my mouth and throat each time and I had to really concentrate to not cough or choke. My eyes were watering and I kept them shut tight. Just as my jaw was starting to really ache he started cumming. He held my head in both hands and fucked his dick into my mouth. I almost lost it with the skull-fuck he was giving me until he started shooting. Then I was coming, barely getting my hand on my dick. I swallowed every drop of his big load as I shot all over his shorts and underwear, the kitchen floor. He held me impaled to the hilt as the last tremors shook his body and his cock slowly softened. I pulled back some and sucked any residual cum out of the head and he gave a full body shudder. "Fuck, that was amazing. The best BJ I've ever gotten. Thanks, man." I let his cock out and smiled up at him. He used his thumb to wipe some of the tears off my cheek. "No, thank you. That was awesome. You've got an amazing dick. So big, shit, I can't believe I took it." I couldn't help but reach up and hold it as I spoke. "No one has ever taken it like that. Not all the way. Most girls won't even go down on me." I used my t-shirt to wipe as much of my cum off his shorts as I could. He mumbled a thanks before reaching down to pull them up. I stood and tucked my dick away. "I better get going. My mom's gonna think I got lost. Thanks again, Tony. I really appreciate everything you've done for me." I walked him to the door and turned on the outside light. I waved at him when he turned and saw me still standing there from halfway down the block. I went straight to bed and passed out from the sex and booze, feeling better than I had in eight months.