Date: Sun, 09 May 1999 01:35:35 EDT From: Eric Case Subject: Myles and Mark 16-18 As in all the other parts to this story, do not read it if you're under 18 (pfft yeah right), it is illegal to view sexually explicit material where you live (you should think about moving), or if you are offended by the prospects of a young man and a young teenager engaging in sexual activity (psychological evaluation required ;). When I started writing this story I never thought I'd be writing up to a part 20 but the story STILL isn't finished with these parts, however I'm going to take some time off from M&M to work on "Through Mark's Eyes" and I'm planning a new project. PLUS I need a bit of a vacation to get some homework done ;) Thanks again to all of you who sent me comments and compliments. I appreciate all of your support! Here are the next parts to the story. Hope y'all like them! You can send any comments/suggestions to eric_case@hotmail.com. Thanks y'all, E.C. ************************************************************** Part 16 We drove along singing songs as we listened to the radio. Mark was really happy and seeing his smile was enough to make anyone happy! When we got to the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership I guess we drew attention to ourselves with what we were driving in. Mark and I walked around the lot outside then went inside while two salesmen followed us around asking if there was anything they could help us with. Eventually Mark said "So what are we gonna get Myles?" "What do you want to get Mark?" I asked looking into his deep blue eyes. "How about a Mustang?" he asked smiling. "What color?" I asked already knowing the answer. "Black of course!" he giggled. We walked across the showroom to where a gorgeous black '97 Mustang Mach III convertible sat with it's roof down. Mark's eyes lit up and his smile spread from ear to ear. I laughed at his goofy expression and asked how he liked it. "How do I like it?!?! It's AWESOME Myles!" One of the salesmen came up behind us. "That little number is quite expensive," he said as Mark jumped over the door into the drivers seat. Mark sat behind the steering wheel turning it slightly from side to side making screeching noises. "Please be careful with the interior!" he said impatiently. "Maybe it would be best if you got out.." "We'll take it, now shut up and let him have his fun," I said still smiling. "You're going to buy it today?" he asked eyes widened slightly. "Well I was planning to." I sad flatly. "Here's my card," I said handing him my platinum no-limit credit card. He took it and invited Mark and I into his office. We sat down and filled out the necessary papers. Mark was bored and was swinging his feet under his chair then started humming quietly to himself. The salesman looked at him impatiently as if he wanted to say 'shut up' but I gave him a look and his eyes only met mine for a second before he looked away. Mark giggled silently trying to be good grinning from ear to ear. He was so darn cute sitting in the chair. "Will you be driving the car home today?" the salesman asked in an ignorant tone. "Look man," I said getting angry now. I had been patient assuming he was having a bad day up until now, but he was taking it too far. "I'm here to buy a car from you. This is how you make your living, but I doubt you're always an ignorant asshole with all your customers, now why don't you do me and Marcus here a favor and shut the fuck up!" I signed the last form as I finished my statement and tossed it across his desk at him. I rarely swear off the football field and this outburst surprised Mark enough that he burst out laughing. The salesman sat there like he had been slapped in the face then got a weird look on his face. He looked at me, then at Mark, then smiled and started laughing. "I'm sorry Mr. Johnson," he said still chuckling. "I'm having an off day today and I've lost two customers already today but that verbal kick to the groin has cooled me down a bit." We all laughed for another minute or two and Mark started in with telling a couple jokes. Then I remembered the question. "Oh yeah," I said. "I won't be taking the car home today. I've just bought a new house and we're buying a couple cars today to put in the garage so we can't drive them back. I'll get a truck to pick up the Mustang by Wednesday next week." "Sounds good then," he said slapping me on the back as we left his office. Mark and I left and headed to the Dodge dealership where we bought a new Dodge Ram. As we got into the gator after this purchase I looked over to Mark and asked him if there was anything else he wanted today. At that moment we saw a Hummer drive across the street in front of us and he looked at me and got a sly grin and raised his left eyebrow. I laughed "a Hummer huh?" He nodded and smiled. We stopped at the dealership that dealt with foreign and not-so-usual cars. This is where one could find the odd Bentley, Austin Martin, Ferrari, and of course.. Hummer! They had a black one sitting in the lot when we arrived and Mark split a huge grin across his face. We were just finished filling out the papers when my cell-phone started ringing. I answered it to hear Laura on the other end with a panic stricken voice. Mark could hear her talking quickly and loud and asked what was wrong. I put my hand on his head for a moment as I listened to Laura then looked down at Mark. He could tell something was wrong and I didn't know how to tell him what it was. "Mark.." I began slowly.. "It's your dad.. he's.. he's had a heart attack Mark." I said seeing his worried look turn to one of pain. "He's okay.. they said he will be okay but we have to go see him," I said trying to ease his concern. We hopped in the Gator and instead of heading straight for the hospital I headed back to the Ford place. The mustang was now outside waiting to be picked up and I stopped in telling the salesman that I was leaving the gator here for a day or two and taking the Mustang now then I tossed him a couple hundred dollars saying "this is for parking." then Mark and I got into the Mustang and headed off. I drove down the highway at about 70 Miles per hour. The limit was 60 but we were in a hurry and the road was nearly empty. Twenty minutes later we were back in East Valley and we quickly made our way to the hospital. When we arrived inside Mark's mother was waiting for us at the front entrance. She lead us up to where Aaron's room was. She had already been in to see him and let Mark go in and stayed back to talk to me. "Myles," she said beginning to tear up. "I just don't know what to do! They said he needs an operation to fix a malformation in his left ventricle whatever THAT means. We need a good heart surgeon but our medical insurance won't pay for the doctor who is the best! I can't lose Aaron I just can't! She said crying into my chest. "It's okay Laura," I said softly holding her. "Everything's gonna be okay. We'll find the best heart surgeon there is and we'll have Aaron home before you know it!" "But that's just it Myles!" she continued more calmly now. "Aaron and I are sinking into debt already with both our incomes put together! He will be off work now and probably won't be able to go back at all and we just can't swing it anymore." "Laura," I said in a more 'matter of fact' way than I intended. "If you guys were having trouble you should have TOLD me!" "I know but we didn't want to take advantage of you!" she said sadly. "Now now.." I was being firm. "There'll be none of that. I'll take care of your bills, and while Aaron is still under the weather you and Mark will stay at my house. There's plenty of room and I could use the company. You guys can move in permanently if you want but for now that's how we will work it. When Aaron gets out of the hospital he can stay at my place too. By then I should have some hired help that can look after him. We will get through this and you're NOT taking advantage of me.." I said tearing up slightly myself which I rarely do. "You, Aaron, and Mark are all the family I HAVE! I asked you before if there was anything I could help you with and you said no. It was just yesterday and you said no!" I was feeling really hurt now. "Why do you guys shut me out like this? Why can't you just let me be a friend to you?" This emotional outburst caught her off guard and she pulled her head back to look up at me. She could see my pain and her look changed from sadness to pity. "I'm sorry Myles.." she began slowly. "You're right.. you are a part of our family now..." she trailed off. "Thank you Myles." she said after a couple seconds as if she was snapping out of a dream. Just then, Mark came out of Aaron's room. He had a little smile on his face. Not his usually bright smile, but seeing that his dad was alive had eased his mind a bit. "Dad wants to see you Myles," he said softly. As I entered the room he sat down with his mom outside. "Hey there," I said quietly looking at Aaron as I reached the foot of his bed. "Myles.." he said almost in a whisper. I sat in the chair up near his face and took his hand. I had flashbacks of the day my family was in the car accident. My brother was killed instantly and my mother died on the way to the hospital. My dad made it through for awhile later and we actually had a chance to talk for a little while before he passed. I had sat next to him just like this.. tears were streaming down my face and I was shaking. My brother and my mom were both dead and my dad was dying. I would be all alone. He told me he loved me and he was sorry. I begged him not to go.. not to leave me squeezing his hand tightly. "I'm scared dad," I told him in a shaky voice. "I know Myles.. I'm so sorry son. I love you so much but there's nothing I can do. I'm fighting Myles, I really am but.." he winced in pain and then gasped out loud and his eyes opened wide. "I love you.." he trailed off as the heart monitor went into it's long squealing sound. Doctors and nurses rushed into the room and started trying to bring him back but in that crushing moment I knew that my world as I had known it was over. With tears in my eyes I signed a bunch of forms. I guess they were certificates of death or something about bodies. I still don't know since I never took the time to read them. I've got copies and still haven't read them. I drove half way home before I I felt sick.. sicker than I've ever felt and when I got out of the car I staggered up the front steps and into the house and headed for the bathroom. I spilled my guts into the toilet and kept wretching for nearly an hour. I couldn't eat or even sleep for days afterwards and by the time the funeral was overwith I was a total wreck. The truck that had killed them was unsafe and was owned by a major shipping company and after the police investigation and trial was over my lawyers told me to sue. We settled out of court for a very large sum of money which I invested quickly. It took me about a year to get my life "back together" and I was still incomplete and alone until Mark came into my life. Sometimes I look at him while he sleeps thanking God for bringing me one of his angels to love and to love me. "Myles.." Aaron said again bringing me back from my thoughts. "Yes Aaron" I said. Something told me everything would be okay and I felt strangely relaxed. We went on to talk about Mark and Laura, and what we would do. What was to happen with the football team and about his operation. As the week went by Laura and Aaron decided to sell their house and move into mine permanently. I was ecstatic. Mark and I would be more discreet now than before since we would be in the same house but it was big enough that we could be noisy when we wanted and not disturb others' sleep. I also had plans drawn up for a club-house and practice field for the football team. The day of Aaron's operation came and was a big success. The doctors said it went even better than they had hoped and they expected Aaron to make a full recovery. Mark and I hadn't done anything all week even though we had been living together and slept in the same bed every night. One morning I was sleeping lightly when I heard the bedroom door open. I had my eyes opened just enough to see out but Laura couldn't tell they were open. She leaned against the side of the doorway and smiled at us watching us "sleeping" soundly together. Mark stirred slightly in his sleep and cuddled into me more and sighed. Then Laura left and closed the door quietly behind her. A couple weeks later Aaron came out of the hospital and was greeted at our house by the junior Marauders. He said hello to all of them and that he was happy to hear that they had continued on their undefeated streak in his absence. They all came in and had some of Aaron's "Welcome home" cake but a little while later he got tired and needed a rest so the players headed home saying welcome back to their coach. When Aaron was asleep in his room, Mark and I headed outside to the pool. Leo, one of my new "servants" was relaxing in a deck chair and jumped to his feet. I told him to relax so he sat back down smiling. He and the two other full-time workers knew about my relationship with Mark and were "kewl" with it. The job interviews had been interesting to say the least but that's another story. Mark and I sat in a couple of chairs at the other end and soaked up some sun for awhile then Mark decided he wanted to go swimming so we headed inside to change. When we entered my room Mark closed the door behind me and gave me a weird look. "Myles.." he said slowly not sure how to begin what he was going to say. "Do you.. still.. do you still like me?" he asked giving me a concerned puppy dog look. "Why do you ask??" I said looking at him surprised at the question. "Just do you?" he asked still with a worried look on his face. I sat down on the bed and held my arms out to him and he came to sit sideways on my lap and put his head on my shoulder. "Mark.. I love you. You're the most important person in the world to me. Why would you think things were any different?" "It's just.. like the last couple of weeks we haven't DONE anything together.." he trailed off but I got his point. "I know baby," I said quietly kissing his forehead. "There's been a lot going on and we haven't been quite as active as we were before I know, but that doesn't mean we don't love each other Mark. Yes sex feels great, but I love to just be with you and hold you as well. I also don't ever want to push you into sex.." "Push me into it?!" he interrupted me giggling. "I've wanted some for WEEKS!!" I could see his hardon in his shorts and I started to massage in through the fabric. "Mmmm," he moaned as he started rocking his hips gently. He jumped up and ran to the door and locked it as he turned imitating the "turn and go" of a defensive back covering a fly pattern. He giggled as he ran back to me and plowed into me knocking me back onto the bed. We laughed and wrestled around on the bed (I was taking it easy of course) and eventually I let him pin me with my hands on each side of my head and him on top of me looking down at me. His smile faded as he got a look of burning desire and leaned in to kiss me. His tongue quickly found it's way into my mouth and he moaned into me. He now had his hands under my arms rubbing my sides gently while I held his head in my hands rubbing his cheeks gently as we kissed for a few minutes. "Mark.." I said pulling back for a moment. "Yeah Myles," he said giving me the most seductive look I had ever seen. "Well I was thinking," I said slowly. "No way! You THINKING?!" he giggled. I laughed with him. "No seriously Mark.. It's just that whenever we have sex I always fuck you and I just don't want this to be a one sided relationship and wondered if you wanted to.. well if you wanted to fuck me." I trailed off. Six months ago I never would have thought I'd be asking a thirteen year old if he wanted a piece of my ass but knew I enjoyed being inside him and thought he might like to feel the same from me. "Really?" he asked beaming. "I almost asked before but I didn't want to like gross you out or anything." he giggled. "You could never gross me out Mark." I said smiling. We stripped off our clothes kissing each other in between then I sucked Mark's cock to get it nice and hard and we put some KY on it. When he was all slicked up he rolled me over onto my stomach and started gently rimming me. He licked tentatively at first then said "hmm doesn't taste like anything.." then he started licking harder and was eventually driving his tongue into my hole. I enjoyed the feeling of his hot little tongue working in and out of my hole. His delicate touch was getting me turned on and a couple minutes later I rolled onto my back and slid to the edge of the bed. I was just at hip level and Mark pressed his hard little cock head against my opening. "Are you ready?" he asked softly. "Yes Mark, I'm ready." I said smiling at him. He pushed forward gently into me not wanting to hurt me and a minute or two later he was all the way in me. I didn't want to tell him to go ahead and put it all in cause he was small enough that it wouldn't hurt but I didn't want to make him self conscious. His cock wasn't all that long but it just reached my prostate and at the angle we were at it was hitting it each time he pushed in. Mark was moaning and speeding up now and he took my thick meat into his hand and started stroking in time with his thrusts. Now I was moaning too and with one last thrust pushed himself into me and began letting his own boy juice fill me. Feeling him shooting inside me and seeing the look on his face combined with his hand sliding quickly up and down me was enough to send me over the edge and I shot all over myself. and the bed. Mark giggled and licked me clean before coming up to kiss me. "Thanks Myles." he whispered into my ear as he nibbled on the lobe. "Thank *you* Mark," I said. We laid and cuddled for a few more minutes then put our swimsuits on and headed back out to the pool. When we got out back we were greeted by Leo with a smile. "Guess you two got hung up for a bit huh?" he asked winking. Mark shot him that million dollar smile and Leo gave us a wink. "I'll go get a couple towels for you guys and tell Eric to get started on lunch." he said and left us to jump into the pool and immediately start engaging in boisterous horse play. You know all the dunking and splashing that is always against the rules? Well it's my pool so there.. :-Þ Eventually we got tired of swimming and headed inside. Eric said lunch would be ready in about twenty minutes as we walked up the stairs. "Try not to spoil your appetites on OTHER things!" he laughed after us. "We won't!" we laughed back. We took a quick shower, washing each other and of course getting ourselves hard then walked back out to my bed. "Myles.. I really enjoyed what we did earlier did you?" he asked. "Yeah Mark, it was nice to make you feel pleasure like that," I answered smiling. His red pouty lips smiled as they said his next line. "I enjoyed it too, but it's been a long time since I got to feel you inside me and that also makes me feel pleasure." He smiled and continued, "do you think you've got enough energy left after that swim to give me a good pounding?" He pulled my towel off of me to see my rising member and added "mmm I'm glad the little general doesn't think so!" then we both burst out into laughter. I laid on my back and Mark stratled my face as I began rimming him. I had to admit that I missed the way he wiggled his hips with delight whenever I did this. He leaned forward to take my hard on into his mouth and he began sucking at it hungrily. He was rocking his hips fast now and moaning loud and I could tell he was really hot already. He rolled off of me and grabbed a pillow putting it under his hips and hoisted his legs into the air exposing his little hole. I wasn't ready to fuck him yet though. I started by licking at his hard cock first, tasting it's length then taking each of his balls into my mouth. Then I licked down to his hole once again and coated a finger with KY and began finger fucking him working three fingers into him and covering his insides. After a minute or so of this treatment he tossed his head back and let out growl as his penis quaked and shot out a few loads of cum onto his stomach. He stayed hard as I mounted him sliding into him in one gentle motion. He was so relaxed from the fingering that he didn't even wince as I entered. "Ohhhh.." he groaned quietly "fuck me Myles.. fill me up, I need you it's been so long!" I decided not to disappoint and began pressing myself in and out of him. I picked up the pace and he was now moaning louder. "Wait wait.." Mark said as he rolled into his stomach with me still inside him and got up on his hands and knees. "Do me hard" he said. I obliged by using more force to drive into him and he rocked his hips and moaned under me. It had been a long time since we had done this and just being inside Mark was nearly enough to put me over the edge. With on last thrust I started cumming inside him in one of the strongest or most forceful orgasms I've ever had. Mark had started spurting just after me and was finished when I was still shooting into him. "Ohhh wooowww.." he said as he felt my hot load gushing into him and with one last shot I finished my load and collapsed onto his back. I didn't want to crush him so I fell to the side dragging him with me. I pulled out gently and he turned in my arms to kiss me again. We laid and cuddled for a few more minutes before we went to eat lunch. ********* Part 17 Over the next couple of weeks Mark and I enjoyed each other more often and although he enjoyed fucking me, he said he liked having me in him more. Aaron was also recovering and getting stronger and was back on the field in time for the playoffs. The Junior Marauders lost one game that season when Mark didn't play. In the previous game the ref had called him for a late hit on the quarterback, and when Mark had argued the point the ref suspended him from the game. I was playing the role of head-coach that day and had to stay composed but at the end of the game I questioned the ref's call at suspending Mark. He hadn't been obnoxious or yelled, or said anything wrong but the ref had taken objection from his call being questioned and tried to brush me off. I guess he didn't know who he was dealing with and when I took it up with the official's association we found out his nephew was the quarterback and he was "removed". Unfortunately these developments didn't take place until two weeks later and since suspension from one game removed eligibility to participate in the next Mark was stuck. Try looking into his big blue eyes when they're streaming tears because "it wasn't fair" and didn't do anything wrong. There was nothing I could say that made sense and I had been through the same thing before so I gave him a hug and told him it would be okay. "Do you believe me Myles?" he asked searching for support. "I saw the play Mark," I said reassuringly. "It was a bone-head call, but it happens sometimes. It's even happened to me before and I turned out okay." I said Smiling. Mark gave me a weak smile then it broadened and he gave me another hug and thanked me We made the playoffs which ran at the same time as my own. Our two teams seemed unbeatable as we rolled through the round one playoffs, then the quarter and semi-finals, then the conference finals beating all the teams by more than 20 points each game and finally it was championship week. Oddly enough our championships were away games in the same city! The Junior Marauders' game was on Friday night and the University team was Saturday afternoon. The Junior Marauders were supposed to drive down Friday afternoon but I felt that our players would be at a disadvantage because we would have to drive for four hours, while our opposition would have a half hour drive. I called parents as well as a hotel and made arrangements. We would drive down on Thursday morning and have the day to relax as well as Friday to have a light practice. We set up sleeping arrangements so that there would be one coach to four players in two rooms. We came up with the assignments and I ended up with Mark (of course), Elliot (the boy we ate breakfast with waaaayy back), Greg. our left outside linebacker, and Bradley our free safety. Brad and Greg would share a room that was adjoined by a double door to the room I would share with Elliot and Mark. When I told Mark about the arrangements, he got really quiet. I asked him what was wrong and he said "why Elliot?" "Sorry?" "Why do we have to share a room with Elliot?" he asked. "Is there a problem with that?" I asked. I didn't know what was wrong. Elliot was a nice kid.. always polite and went out of his way to say hello to us both every time he saw us. "I just wondered if there was a reason why you'd want him with us.." he said uneasily. "Marcus, what's wrong? Tell me and I'll fix it." I said taking him in my arms smoothing his hair with my hand. "N.. nothing Myles, it's okay." He said with an almost shaky voice. I figured it was probably some little argument Mark and Elliot had going or something simple like that. Thursday finally came and our new bus pulled out of the club-house garage. It was one of those nice ones with the raised seats and luggage compartments underneath. It was painted black with white and red stripes, and the Marauders' logo on the sides. No one but myself and Aaron had seen it yet and everyone was impressed. We got it loaded up and I tossed the keys to the Hummer to Aaron. It was still in the garage and had the Marauders' logo added to it's paint job also. "I thought you might like that new car I offered awhile back.. this one's semi-used since I've driven it once or twice." Aaron just gave me a big grin like a kid whose dad has given him the car keys which set me laughing and he joined in. "I guess it'll be a more relaxing drive than I thought! I'll meet you guys at the hotel," he said as he got in and started up the engine. Aaron was in his forty's or fifty's but like the same kind of modern music as people in their teens so it was no surprise when I heard the stereo system turn on and up. We finished loading the bus and climbed in getting organized and seated. We headed out about a half hour later with the TVs showing "The Program" which everyone watched and talked about for the rest of the day. The drive was smooth for the first couple hours, but once we hit the three hour mark, they started getting restless. I wrestling match broke out in the back where I was sitting and it took a minute or two for us to get it under control. I sat with Mark and Elliot in the back going over responsibilities in formations and talking about whatever came into our heads. Mark seemed to be competing with Elliot for my attention and eventually seemed almost desperate to have me listen to him. Elliot was acting nearly the same although a little more relaxed and when we finally got to the hotel I was glad there would be something to distract hem for a couple hours. We got everyone checked into their rooms. Our room had two double beds and a couch. I said I would take the couch and Elliot offered to share a bed with me. Mark looked to me like he was about to cry and I said I would be fine on the couch. Elliot said okay and that he needed a shower. I sat down in a chair at the room's table. Mark sat on his bed and Elliot rooted through his bag for his bottle of shampoo and once he found it he promptly began stripping down on his way to the bathroom. I looked at Mark in disbelief and Elliot turned on his way into the bathroom to give me a sly smile and asked me if I wanted to join him. I said it wouldn't be a good idea and he said "your loss" as he closed the door to behind him and turned the shower on. Mark jumped up and came over to me. "See Myles! That's why I didn't want him sharing a room with us!" he said with tears running down his cheeks. "Don't worry about THAT" I said trying to ease his mind. "I'm not interested in Elliot, you're all I need." "You don't understand Myles. He won't stop at offers! Next thing he'll be touching you while you sleep tonight!" "I can handle myself Mark" I said kissing his forehead. "Don't you worry your adorable little head about anything. I love you, not Elliot. He's an okay kid, but he's not you!" "Yeah but when WE first met, you didn't love me either!" "It was different with you Mark, I was attracted to you. I'm not attracted to Elliot. Something about you drew me to you from day one so relax Mark." "I CANT.. what if I lose you?" "Marcus," I said in an almost stern voice. "Mark I love you," I said more tenderly. "Can't you understand that I don't need anyone else, or want anyone else, or have these kinds of feelings for anyone else. I can't have these feelings for anyone else." "But you're always nice to him like you were to me.." "Maybe that's cause I'm a nice guy," I giggled which caused Mark to finally relax and he cuddled into my chest. "I'm sorry Myles.. I should have known you wouldn't get turned on by Elliot, after all you've got ME.." he was giggling now and a lot more comfortable and relaxed. Mark was still on my lap when Elliot came out of the bathroom. We hadn't noticed the shower shut off and he came out and gave us a huge grin. "Oh hey.. sorry to interrupt!" he laughed. "Mark was a little upset about some stuff," I said plainly. I wasn't going to act guilty for a twelve year old! "Worried he might lose his boyfriend huh?" He said with a knowing smile. I gave him a 'what are you talking about?' look and Mark jumped in with a "not to YOU." and my mouth dropped open at Mark's words. "It's okay Myles.." he said. "Y'all can do your regular thing.. is it okay if I watch though?" "It slipped.." Mark said innocently. "We were talking about you one time and Elliot said he wondered how big you were and I said it without thinkin. It was an accident. I'm sorry." "I haven't told anyone and I won't," Elliot added. "I thought at first you guys just messed around for fun, but I can see it's more than that when I'm around you two. I hope someday I can find someone to be with like that, but for now I'd just settle for some sex!" he laughed. "If you're interested we could all probably do some stuff later." I looked at Elliot standing there with a towel wrapped low around his waist. He was a good looking boy, but that was all he was. I looked at Mark and saw "the one". What more could I possibly want than Mark? I looked back to Elliot and could feel Mark's eyes looking up at me and I could sense he was nervous at what I might answer. "No thanks Elliot. Sex is something that should be shared between people who love each other. I know you LIKE me, but I don't think it's love, and my heart belongs to someone else. Having sex 'just for the fun of it' with you would be wrong. You'll find someone special someday, and you'll be able to share yourself with them knowing that they're that special someone." I guess this was a nicer answer than he was expecting since it sent him into tears. "I hope when I do find MY someone that he's just like you Myles.." he said tears running down his face. "Mark.. would it be okay if I had a hug from Myles.. nothing more I promise, I could just use one right now too." Mark nodded and the three of us shared a hug for a minute then got dressed. We knocked on the room next door when we were all dressed and could hear running feet then the door opened. Greg was still trying to tidy up the water off the floor from whatever they had been doing. Both looked guilty as hell but since they were both dressed the same as they were an hour before I figured it was probably some off the wall game kids played today. (Gee I feel old saying that!) I gave them a big smile and told them to get their shoes on, we were headed downstairs for lunch. We had left home at 8 that morning and it had been 5 hours since then. We had a light snack on the bus and handed out fruit as well but it was time for a MEAL! I was covering all the costs and told everyone to eat up and order as much as they could eat. Well the first lunch's bill was over $250 with the pop, food and ice-cream.. tomorrow they would eat a more balanced meal but today was just a day off to relax. After we finished lunch we headed to the hotel's auditorium where I had lined up a quick show for them. It was a video presentation about attitude and doing the right thing. One of those life lessons videos that has people like pro athletes talk about mistakes they made and how they changed their lives for the better. Then we had a couple of other university coaches in town for the big game come in to talk to them about being winner and playing with class. They really seemed to enjoy it and even the guest speakers thanked me for inviting them. After the presentation it was to the pool where we spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing. It was an indoor pool with a glass roof and the temperature could be set lower than it was outside. We wanted it a little cooler so no one would start dehydrating with out championship tomorrow. I guess the pool was a boy-lovers dream that day. 38 boys aged 11-13 running around shirtless, some wearing bikini bathing-suits. We didn't have any really heavy players on our team either. Our fitness program even had some of the players who had been a little soft around the edges at the beginning turning more solid. I won't say I didn't look at any of them, but it was only with mild interest. I watched Mark the most. Watching his young body cut through the water sending ripples outward. He really was a gorgeous human being. He had an amazing body, the perfect sandy-blonde hair, deep blue eyes. Those thick red lips that so often formed that killer smile I had so come to love.. and he was mine! The best part of all! The most gorgeous kid on the planet was my best friend. We were more than that, but if he changed his mind tomorrow, I could still be happy just having him in my life. We ate dinner at 5:00 and again managed to take a bite out of my wallet. Seeing all the bright, smiling faces as they hungrily ate their steak, ribs, chicken wings, etc. was well worth the small price. We retired to bed that night and I supervised showers (well that they at least went into the bathroom and that the water ran) and then got everyone into bed before I headed to the bathroom to take my shower. I let the water run down me as I washed my hair. My eyes were closed but suddenly I got that "you're being watched" feeling. I put my whole head under the spray to rinse the shampoo from my hair and around my eyes and then opened them part way to see Elliot sitting on the edge of the tub watching me. He was looking me up and down with his mouth part way open. I now had my eyes open all the way and as he looked back up and saw me looking at him watching me he giggled slightly. "Sorry Myles.. I just wanted to take a peek that's all.. you sure are hung!" he said. I could see the tent in his shorts and said "that's okay I guess. Looks like you're not doing too badly yourself over there." which made him giggle more. "You better go get to bed now. You've got a big day ahead!" I said smiling politely hoping he'd leave. This could get awkward if he didn't but thankfully he said "okay Myles, night!" and scampered off to bed. A minute or two later I shut the water of and got out of the shower and dried myself off and got dressed quickly. I left the bathroom and curled up on the couch. I started going over the following day's schedule in my head remembering all the minor details that normal people don't care about. Little things like how long it would take to load the bus with equipment. How much Gatorade would we need, all the little thoughts. I was the team's general manager now since Aaron had been ill. It left him as head coach and he could make all his personnel decisions, but when it came to finances, park space, etc. that was my department and I was good at it. I always got what we needed. Eventually sleep found me and took hold of me. ************ Part 18 The next morning I woke to find myself curled up with Mark on the couch with me. Elliot was sitting at the foot of his bed watching us intently smiling. "You two are so cute," he said smiling widely at us as Mark woke up. "You totally love each other don't you?" "Yes, that's why it would be wrong to get involved with you. You deserve someone who loves you back the same as you love them." I said and Mark nodded his agreement while yawning and stretching out. We all dressed and after waking my charges in the next room up to get dressed we massed our way down to the dining room. We all ate hearty breakfasts of hashbrowns, sausages, and all the other lovely fried food that is bad for you. It was okay, we were on vacation. We were playing the Sutherland Goldminers who had made it into the championship because of another team's disqualification (the Midland Cavaliers had two overage players on their rosters and were disqualified from the playoffs and inner-league charges against their coaches were pending. It wouldn't result in any more than a fine and expulsion from the league but it was enough to get their jerk head coach out of the game). We had defeated Sutherland 38-3 during the season and although we knew an upset was possible, we weren't really worried. The kids would go out and play their game as best they could and we would go home the champions. As countdown to kick-off wound down, we got more and more excited. The coaches were into it as well. We weren't yelling like the kids were, but we knew this was our big day. When the game finally started, we kicked off to them first. Our defense proceeded to pound their offense into a mass of confusion and on the third play of the first quarter, their offense fumbled the ball. Mark recovered it and carried it 15 yards for the touchdown. It was the beginning of the end for Sutherland and their coach came over with five minutes left in the forth quarter and asked if we could tone it down slightly. He wanted to call the game since we were winning it 76-6 and they had no hope of a comeback. We weren't trying to run up the score, but every time we touched the ball we scored a point. He and I discreetly walked over to the time keeper and told him the situation and when we called a time-out, ht spoke to the refs and they called the game with 1:00 left in the forth. To make it more sportsmanlike, they gave us the ball and let us take a knee to let the time run down and with that we won the game, the season, and the championship! It was indeed party time for us, the East Valley Junior Marauders. Playing a 10-1 season with four straight victories in the playoffs was a big deal and other coaches in the league who had come to see congratulated us on a fantastic season. We had done well and our local tv station set up an interview with our quarterback and middle linebacker (Mark). When the host asked them what they most attributed their successful season to David, the quarterback, said that the strong defense helped him get the ball more to put the points on the board. Mark just smiled at me and said his linebacker coach Myles Johnson taught him to play his position and all the extra work he put in with him made all the difference in the world. My heart swelled with pride but I knew I had my big day ahead of me tomorrow also. Our season wasn't as long as Mark's so tomorrow was my big day and I would be ready. I slept soundly in a hotel that my team was staying in. It was coach's orders so they could make sure we made curfew. I slept soundly and awoke the following morning feeling refreshed. I knew this could be my last university football game if I decided not to take my 5th year and I wanted to play my best. I went through the day almost in a daze trying not to get too caught up in anything. When gametime rolled around this time, I looked to the stands and saw those 38 EVJ Marauders in their jerseys screaming and cheering their university team on. We did the usual "through the tunnel" entrance with both teams and I was last coming out. This time I decided not to do my usual jump out but I came out faster this time running then started doing backflips out onto the field. I was really worked up. I don't remember much of the game. I was "in the zone" as the saying goes. I was punishing and on the attack all game. I can remember watching gamefilm later thinking "wow did I do that?" later on. What I remember is my entrance, and my exit. The end of the game. We had the victory secured and as the final seconds ticked off the clock the tears of joy started flowing. I had done it. I had come back, reclaimed my position, dominated the league, AND lead my team to it's third straight championship. When our two teams returned to East Valley two days later we arrived in a parade much like a motorcade of our two busses and drove through mainstreet while cars around us honked horns and cheers went up. The University bus headed to the EVU field house while the EVJ Marauders bus headed to the Jr Marauders clubhouse which was now close to being completely finished. We unloaded the bus and the players smiling happily as the greeted their parents were getting those 'okay we're home.. now I'm tired' looks. Many of them had handshakes and hugs for the coaches as they left thanking us for a great season. I got an extra big hug and thankyou from a certain player with whom Mark and I shared a room over the weekend. Once we had everyone on their ways home. Mark, Aaron, Laura and I hopped onto one of the golf carts in the club-house garage and drove it down the winding path to the garage of the main house. Mark unpacked his clothes by dumping his bag into a dirty laundry hamper and dumping it down the laundry chute. I laughed at the innocence of it. It was something only a young person could get away with, without looking rude. We all retired to our rooms since it was now late.. Aaron with Laura, and Mark with me. Mark had his own room which was adjoining to mine but rarely chose to sleep there. I wasn't about to argue so we cuddled up in my bed. We made some of the most slow passionate love we ever have that night. As we were holding each other drifting off to sleep Mark said "that was really nice.. what you said to Elliot when we were in the hotel room.." "Well it's true Mark. Plus I didn't want to tell him know he doesn't do anything for me, it would be mean." "I just think it was really sweet Mark. It made me feel better too.. safer." I rubbed his cheek with the backs of my fingers and kissed his forehead. "I love you Mark." "I love you Myles.." he said as he nestled his head into the crook of my neck. He draped his right arm over my chest and his right leg between mine and sighed happily as he gave me a gentle squeeze. "Night Myles.." he said. "Sweet dreams little Mark." "Mmm.. I don't need sweet dreams. When I wake up next to you it's better than some dream about it cause it's real!" We both giggled softly at this enjoying our closeness.. our love. A year ago I was alone in the world with little direction. Mark had changed all that. Now I had a purpose. A cause.. someone to live with and someone to live for. Am I a bad person because the love of my life is this 15 year old boy who is laying next to me today? I look over the things we've been through since that day we met up again, and I have to answer no. I would do it all again and I have no regrets. If that makes me a bad person, Then lock me up And throw away the key. No words you say can harm me Because Marcus Davis loves me. ************************** Well that's the end of Parts 16-18. Sorry they took so long in the works but I had a pretty busy week. Also it being the last part for a bit I figured stringing out the release time would make it better.. that whole "anticipation makes the heart grow stronger" thing ;) Like I said, I'm taking a little break. There's a lot more to talk about but for now I'm taking care of "Through Mark's Eyes" I'm also planning a new project which had taken some time under development Hope you've enjoyed reading this series. It was my first and I put a lot of myself into it and I've received so many great words of how people enjoyed it, and even thanks from people for writing it. I'd like to thank all of you once again for your support! Oh and AJ.. yes you.. I meant the words of that dedication. You've made all the difference in the world to me and you have my eternal love and thanks. You too Joshy : ) eric_case@hotmail.com P.S, special thanks to Trey, Derek,, Robbie, JC, Joshy, l23m, Jim, John, David, and everyone else who has sent me comments/suggestions!