For those readers who don't speak the Queen's English like what I do, you need to be made aware that in the UK, a truck is also called a lorry and sometimes a wagon.
This story is fiction, it didn't happen, the people aren't real. The story is copyright, all rights are reserved. The reader may not copy, re-publish or redistribute without prior written permission.
Don't read if you're not supposed to. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!
I humbly dedicate this story to Carey, Dave, Dawn, Dick and Matt. You guys mean the world to me.
Trucker And Pup
by Drew Hunt (drew.hunt@blueyonder.co.uk)
Chapter 4
"What've you got yourself into?" Peter asked as he wrapped a grateful Kevin up in a hug. "You wear your heart on your sleeve way too much."
"I know. Anyway come in, come in."
Kevin ushered his two friends inside. Pete was slight of build; Kevin was always amazed at how much nervous energy the guy seemed to pack into such a thin frame. All this was in total contrast to his boyfriend. Terry was, well, the best term to describe him was 'Big'. Kevin looked up at Terry's pleasant, affable face, resting as it did on a pair of impossibly wide shoulders. "How you doing, big guy?"
Kevin was treated to a broad lazy smile. "I'm fine, thanks. But you seem to be having a spot of bother."
Kevin sighed. "Well, yes and no."
"It's too soon, love. You shouldn't have gotten yourself romantically involved with this, um, Joey guy, it's only been 4 months since we rescued you from that bastard," Pete said beginning to rise out of the armchair which he'd only just sat in. Kevin signalled to him that he should remain in place.
"Yeah, but I didn't have much choice in the matter."
"How do you mean?" Peter said, fidgeting.
"Oh," Kevin sighed heavily "Well Joey kind of just swept me off my feet last Friday night." 'Had it only been Friday?' he thought. He then went on to bring his two friends up to speed on what had happened since that night. "Oh sorry." Kevin snapped out of his dreaming, "I haven't offered you a drink." He moved to his tiny kitchen area.
"Got any biscuits?" Terry rumbled from his seat on Kevin's unmade bed. Kevin realised that the place was a mess.
"We only had lunch less than two hours ago." Peter said.
"If he wants a biscuit, then he can have one. Would you like me to make you a sandwich? Joey took me to the supermarket this morning, so I stocked up." Kevin wondered if all his conversations were to involve Joey in some way or other.
Peter sighed, "You'll never lose any weight if you keep eating between meals."
"Oh, leave him alone. If you're hungry, Terry, I'll feed you."
"Thanks, I could murder a sandwich. We only had a salad." Kevin was treated to a wide grin, which lit up Terry's rather plain face.
'I'd make sure you never went hungry if you were mine', Kevin thought sadly as he prepared a round of sandwiches. He realised he was being unfair, Peter and Terry were very happy despite their bickering. Terry was good for Peter, slowing and calming him down; equally the outgoing Peter had a positive effect on the rather introverted Terry.
The three friends spent the afternoon together talking over old times, though Peter pumped as much information about Joey out of Kevin as he could. Peter had tried a number of times to get Kevin to come out with them, Kevin always refusing, saying that he was waiting in for Joey, but as the time began to pass, he became more and more despondent at Joey's non-arrival.
Looking up from the wooden stool he'd been sitting on - Kevin had insisted that his guests had the more comfortable seating - he sighed. It was now dark outside. Maybe he should have gone out after all. Terry's stomach gave out a rumble. "Listen, you two get off home."
"Come with us, we'll pick up a take-away or something. It'll be a treat for Terry." The latter rubbed his hands.
"Joey said he'd call round and we'd eat at his place. I think he wanted me to spend the night with him."
"Oh? You've only known the man for just over three days. Don't you think you're rushing it?"
Kevin wished he hadn't let that last bit slip out.
"It just seems like things are moving very quickly, maybe too quickly. I don't want you to get hurt. You are one of life's givers, love. I'm just worried that this new guy will take and not give you anything back in return."
"I know. But what can I do? I'm in love with him. I think I scared him off when I told him this morning."
"Maybe that's why he hasn't shown up,."
Kevin's eyes' filled with tears. Secretly he'd feared this happening all afternoon.
"That's enough." Terry said lifting his bulk from the bed and walking over to Peter. "You've been getting at him all afternoon. Now look what you've done." He wrapped himself around Kevin's smaller body and cradled him like a mother protecting her young. When Terry gave you a hug, you knew you were being hugged. Kevin attempted to put his arms around Terry's middle, but he couldn't get his hands to meet. He just laid his head on Terry's ample upper chest and tried to absorb some strength from the huge man. He felt safe and protected; Peter was a lucky bastard and no mistake.
Terry's stomach gave out another rumble, as Kevin was so close it sounded rather loud, the noise made him giggle. "Go on, you two get off home and get some food into here before you waste away."
"Ha, that'll never happen," Peter said.
"We can just as easily ring up for something to be delivered here." Terry said not letting go of Kevin. The latter wasn't complaining.
"Why not?" Pete asked. "And don't give me any shit about you waiting for him to .come round. You'll be hungry too."
Kevin had to concede that Joey probably wasn't going to come now. "There's a menu for a Chinese take away in the drawer under the phone. They're about the best round here."
"Good, I like Chinese." Terry's rich, warm voice sent vibrations into Kevin's body.
Once Peter had consulted the menu and determined what everyone wanted, he went up to the phone. "Um, what's this white stuff on the receiver?"
Kevin, who had moved away from Terry, wished he hadn't. He wanted to bury his head in the man's chest out of embarrassment. He'd forgotten to clean the phone after his difficulties with the suppository.
* * * * *
Arriving at his uncle's house, Joey was annoyed to discover that no one had bothered to get the shelving materials. "How do you expect me to build them for you, when there's no brackets or wood?"
"We thought you'd have all that kind of thing," his mother said.
Looking down at her from his position standing on a chair, measuring tape in hand, he asked, "Ma, I've got a motorbike. Where the he. . . um, heck would I put the stuff?"
"Joey!" Margaret said nodding in Simon's direction. "Young ears. Anyway I don't know why you have to ride that bike. It's so dangerous. I can't sleep at night with the worry that you'll end up in a road accident or something. Oy, every time I hear an ambulance going past." Margaret put a hand to her chest and sighed dramatically.
Joey had heard the speech many times before, he knew what was coming next,
"Now take Peter Rosenthal, he's got a nice sensible car. He doesn't make his mother worry."
Joey sighed, he'd been right. There was no point in trying to tell her that Peter's car was the sort only a wimpy mother's boy would drive. "Give me the keys to your car, and I'll go down to the DIY superstore and get what I need."
Margaret hesitated. "You'll be careful, won't you? There's a couple of dangerous corners that you've got to watch out for."
Joey sighed. "I drive a lorry for a living." He realised as soon as the words had left his mouth that he'd said the wrong thing. His mother didn't approve of his job. He gritted his teeth as he listened to how much of a disappointment he was to her, and how she'd wanted him to become a doctor, lawyer or whatever it was. It seemed to change each time she made the speech.
"Ma, car keys? They'll be shutting in a couple of hours." Joey managed to get out when Margaret stopped to draw breath.
"Can I come with you, Uncle Joey?" the nine-year-old Simon asked.
"Sure. You can help me carry the stuff," Joey said ruffling Simon's hair.
"He's only nine, Joey, you be careful," Margaret said.
Joey groaned. He thought it best to escape before he said something he shouldn't. "Come on then, Champ. Let's go." Joey managed to get out of the house without further incident. He loved spending time with his nephew; the boy was always full of questions, sometimes embarrassing ones. Joey remembered once being asked why his willy got hard. Joey told Simon to ask his mother.
The youngster had pulled a face. "I can't ask mum guy stuff!"
Joey laughed. It couldn't be easy for the kid growing up without a male role model around the place.
"You had your dinner yet?" Joey asked Simon when the pair had exited the car.
"Yeah, grandma brought round some leftovers."
Joey chuckled. "Any room in your tummy for a cheese burger?"
"Yeah." Simon treated his uncle to a broad grin.
"Thought you might." Joey slung a protective arm around his nephews shoulder, and the two walked across the car park to McDonalds.
Remembering that he was going to eat with Kevin later, Joey didn't have much, he wasn't overly fond of burgers anyway.
As Simon ate his food, he peppered his uncle with questions, and observations about things he'd done at school the previous week, his classmates, and what his mother was up to. Joey was touched that Simon felt comfortable enough with him to confide his innermost thoughts, Joey knew that when he was that age, he didn't have an adult man whom he could talk to.
As they walked around the DIY store, Simon kept asking what this or that was used for. Joey was starting to get a bit impatient, Simon must have realised this, and apologised. "Sorry, Uncle Joey, mum tells me off for asking questions all the time. She got really mad with me in the supermarket last week when I asked what something was for."
"Oh, what was it?"
"Erm, Tamp, yeah Tampax. She went really red and told me that it wasn't for little boys."
Joey couldn't help laughing out loud. He could picture his up tight sister trying to field that one. "Well they're what ladies use. Um, trust me, love, you don't wanna know the details." As a gay man, the thought of vaginas and menstruation turned his stomach.
"Woman's stuff, yuck. I don't like girls."
Joey smiled. "You'll probably change your mind when you get a bit older." 'Least ways I hope you do.' "Now, can you get me a box of screws? Yeah, those ones," Joey said when Simon had his hand over the correct ones. "We need some raw plugs as well."
Their purchases made, the two left the store, and Joey took a few minutes trying to fit the long planks of wood into his mother's Peugeot.
"Can we stop off at the park, Uncle Joey?"
"We've got to get all this stuff back to your uncle's."
"Please, just for a bit? It's boring at Uncle Jacob's. He's no fun, not like you."
The little shit knew which buttons to press. "Okay, but only for ten minutes. I've got stuff on later today."
"Thanks, you're the bestest uncle in the world." Joey was treated to a wide grin.
If Joey thought he'd be allowed to just sit on a park bench while Simon played on the swings, he was very much mistaken. "Push me, please. Make it go really high." Simon encouraged. Joey had held back, he didn't want to frighten the kid by pushing too hard. Simon let out a loud whoop when Joey had given the swing a hard shove. "Yeah, higher, Uncle Joey, make it go higher," Simon's excited and unbroken voice encouraged.
"That's high enough," Joey shouted as the swing almost became parallel to the ground at the end of its arc. 'Carole would skin me alive if he fell off.' Joey shuddered at the thought. And when she'd finished with him, he'd have to face his mother.
After a quarter of an hour, Joey stopped pushing the swing. "Come on, we better be going."
"Can't I have a few more minutes? Please?"
"Well, okay, but do you wanna have a go on something else?" 'Something a bit less strenuous,' he thought.
"Okay, then." Simon jumped from the swing as it was still in motion. Joey's heart stopped momentarily. But Simon landed on his feet and ran round the corner out of sight. Joey quickly followed, needing to keep his nephew in sight. He wondered why he was being so paternal. When he was a kid, Joey thought nothing of going to the park either by himself or with a group of mates. He couldn't ever remember having an adult in tow.
"Uncle Joey, this is Tim and Bobby, they're my best friends from school." Simon said once Joey had rounded the corner and discovered his nephew talking to a couple of lads his own age. Turning back to his friends, Simon said with a note of pride, "This is my Uncle Joey, he's really cool."
Joey knew that there was no greater accolade that could be bestowed on him. "Hi guys."
"Um, hello," Tim said very shyly. "Simon's told us a lot about you."
"Oh? Bet he hasn't told you that I'm really strict with him and if he gets his homework wrong he has to bend over my knee?"
Tim paled.
"Uncle Joey, stop it. He's teasing you. Remember I said he was always joking around? He's just like a big teddy bear, I can twist him round my little finger when I want to."
"Com'ere!" Joey said grabbing the wriggling boy, up-ending him and delivering a playful slap to his bottom.
"Put me down, you big bully." Simon said laughing.
The other two boys seemed wary and backed away. Joey did as he was asked, he stood Simon in front of him and wrapped his arms around his nephew's upper chest. Simon leaned into the embrace.
"Will you push us on the roundabout, Uncle Joey?"
"Only for a couple of minutes. Your grandma will be calling the police to come and get us if we don't go back to Jacob's soon."
"Yeah, she probably would." Simon broke from Joey's tight hug and raced to the wooden roundabout, the other boys following along behind.
"Come on Uncle Joey, we haven't got long!" Simon said once he and his friends had situated themselves.
"Cheeky bugger," Joey said breaking out into a jog.
"Make it go faster. Come on, put some welly into it." Simon screeched out. The roundabout was going fast enough for Joey's liking. But he thought he'd better comply.
The adventure playground rang with the delighted screams of preadolescent boys having a good time. Joey stood back and watched, a contented smile playing on his lips. He loved being around kids, and they seemed to like him too. His smile faded a little when he realised that as a gay man, he'd never be able to have a son of his own.
After the boys had been spun around for about ten minutes, Joey grabbed one of the ride's handlebars and brought the roundabout to a stop. Ignoring the groans of protest, Joey insisted that they had to go.
"Will you carry me, Uncle Joey, I'm really tired." Simon pleaded.
"Rubbish, it's me who's tired, what with all the stuff you've had me doing."
"It's not easy at your age, is it?"
"Come 'ere ya little bugger."
Joey chased after his giggling nephew. Once he'd caught up with him, he rugby tackled the boy to the grass. "What were you saying about me being old?" Joey said in a mock threatening voice as he began to tickle Simon's ribs.
"Geroff, I'll pee myself," Simon said through his laughter.
Not wanting to have to explain why his nephew was wearing wet pants, Joey stopped his tickling. He got to his feet and slung Simon over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. "Now be a good boy and say bye-bye to your little play mates."
"Err", Simon wriggled. "See ya tomorrow at school, guys."
"Yeah, bye Simon, bye mister, um. . ."
"Goldman, but you can call me Uncle Joey if you like."
Joey was treated to two broad grins. Spinning round a couple of times much to Simon's delight, Joey made for the car.
Once he was set back on the ground at the passenger side of the car, Simon treated Joey to a big hug. "Thanks, Uncle Joey, Tim and Bobby were dead impressed. They'll be real jealous of me now."
Joey wore a broad grin for the rest of the journey back to Jacob's house. His happy mood soon dissipated along with that of Simon's when they saw Carole's car parked in the driveway.
"Shit, mum's here."
"Simon!" Joey admonished.
"Well, she'll make sure I won't have any more fun now."
"Cheer up, kiddo, it isn't that bad." Joey knew he wouldn't be able to stand living with his sister and her constant nagging.
"It's not fair. I wish I could come and live with you instead of her."
"She's your mother, so you've got to stay with her till you're grown up."
"Humph!" Simon sat in the car, not showing any sign of wanting to get out.
"Come on, you can give me a hand getting these shelves into the house. Maybe your mum will let you stay and help me put them up.
Simon's sad expression brightened considerably.
As soon as they entered the house, Carole intercepted them. "You've got grass stains on your new trousers. You'll never have anything decent. Come on, we're already late." Turning a disapproving gaze at her brother, she continued. "Where have you been with him? Mother said that you were only going out to get some shelving."
"I took him to the park, you know, to have some fun, remember what that is?" Carole had very successfully ruined what had been a happy afternoon.
"Come on, Simon," Carole said ignoring Joey's barbed comment.
"Uncle Joey said I could stay and help him put the shelves up."
"I've got to get home, there's all the housework to do. That pile of ironing won't do itself, and you'll be the first to complain if I send you to school in wrinkled clothes."
"But mum, I promised Uncle Joey."
"Feh, It's all right for you, you don't have to run a house, a job and look after a whining kid."
Joey struggled to keep a lid on his temper. "I'll drop him off later, so you'll be able to do your bloody ironing without interruption."
"Fine." Carole said brushing passed them.
"There is no way that my grandson is going on that death-trap of yours." Why did his mother always choose to stick her oar in at the wrong time?
Carole sighed. "He'll just have to come home with me, then. Come on, let's go."
Simon looked beseechingly up at Joey.
"Ma, can you take our Simon home in your car later?"
"I've got to be going, I've left Mrs Slivovitz looking after your dad, and I've been gone longer than I said I would."
"Please Uncle Joey, it'd be great riding on your bike."
"I wish you could, champ, but I don't have a helmet that'd fit you, and your grandma's right, it wouldn't really be safe anyway.."
Joey thought Simon would burst into tears.
"Well, I suppose I can come back to get you once I've put your granddad to bed. But it'll mean you having to stay here for a few hours." Margaret told her grandson whose expression rapidly brightened.
"That's okay, Uncle Joey will stay with me, won't you Uncle Joey?"
"Um, I've got to be somewhere later," Joey said thinking of Kevin. When he saw the corners of Simon's mouth beginning to droop he knew he couldn't let the kid down. Though Simon wouldn't come to any harm staying alone with Jacob, Joey knew that the old man would start to worry. Ever since he'd been liberated from the concentration camps of Nazi Germany at the end of the war, Jacob had had numerous bouts of mental illness. "But I suppose I can hang around till you get back, ma, but please try not to be too long."
"You know your father, if he's in one of his moods, there's no telling when I'll be able to get him settled."
Although Henry Goldman had suffered a debilitating stroke about five years earlier, Joey always found it hard to feel sorry for the man's predicament. He'd made his adolescent life a living hell. Henry was a vegetable, doing little more than sitting in an armchair all-day and dribbling. Joey shuddered, determined that he wouldn't end his days like that.
"Okay, Ma, don't worry, I'll stay here until you get back."
"Thanks, Uncle Joey." Simon treated his uncle to a hug.
Carole just sniffed before leaving the house, Margaret following her out.
* * * * * *
The afternoon had been great, if long, Joey concluded as he straddled his bike after waving off his nephew. Simon had been eager to please, always seeming to know the right screw, raw plug or whatever to hand over. Joey had looked down a number of times as he worked, to see his nephew's expression of total concentration. Joey had given him a running commentary on his actions, Simon butting in with the odd intelligent question. The lad had been totally wowed as he watched the bubble move along the spirit level calling out to Joey when it was in the centre. Joey had to admit it had been useful having an extra pair of hands and eyes around to hold up the other end of a shelf, or pick up a dropped screw. But through it all, Joey had worried about Kevin sitting alone waiting for him. He wished he'd had the man's phone number so he could let him know that he'd be late.
Riding through the darkened streets, Joey hoped that Kevin wouldn't be too distressed at his protracted absence. The closer he got to Kevin's the more determined he became to tell the smaller man of his true feelings towards him. He'd been a total prick earlier when he'd remained silent after Kevin's declaration of love. Joey promised himself that as soon as Kevin opened the door, he was going to pick him up - he realised how much he enjoyed carrying the slight frame of his lover around - he'd lay the biggest, sloppiest kiss on him, then tell him that he loved him. That decision made, Joey's mind was eased, and he could concentrate more on his driving.
Deciding that he'd not be away from his bike for long, Joey removed his crash helmet and tucked it under his arm. He took the stairs two at a time, his heart beginning to race. Pausing for breath outside the door, Joey at first thought about knocking loudly, but opted for a gentle knock instead. It only took a few seconds for Kevin to answer. Joey opened his arms and advanced on Kevin. He'd just lifted him up, when he saw someone sitting in Kevin's only armchair. "Sorry, Pu. . . um, Kevin, I didn't know you'd have company."
"Uh yeah," Kevin said, sounding a little breathless. Joey set the man back on his feet. "This is my best mate Peter, and his, um, partner, Terry."
Joey turned to see a huge gorilla of a man rise from the bed. If the groaning of the mattress springs were to be believed, the bed was grateful to be relieved of its burden. Though Terry seemed harmless enough, Joey was somewhat wary; he held out a hand in greeting, which the big man took with surprising gentleness.
"Pleased to meet ya. Kevin's been telling us a lot about you."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Terry smiled, his face could never be described as handsome, but his smile seemed to warm the whole room, Joey couldn't help but smile along with him. The two were still holding hands. Terry didn't seem eager to let go.
"Look, we'll be off now." Peter said rising from his chair.
"Okay, thanks for, um, well, thanks for coming round."
"That's okay."
Staring right at Joey, Terry tilted his head towards the door. "A quick word?"
"Um, sure." Joey, despite his air of bravado, was secretly a little concerned. Though the guy wasn't in tiptop shape, he'd still be able to inflict some serious damage if he had a mind to.
Pulling the door closed, Terry looked down kindly at Joey, few men had the size advantage to be able to do that. "Kevin's our friend," he said simply.
Joey thought Terry had finished speaking, and was about to reply, when Peter piped up. "Has he told you about Cal?"
Ah, so that was where this was heading. Joey nodded. "Yes."
"Well, it's taken him a long time to get over him. Fact is, he's still hurting."
"Yeah, he's said."
"Look, what we're saying is," Peter said, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Kevin's a really great guy, we hope you'll treat him right."
"Uh huh." Joey was totally unused to speaking openly about his love life.
"A word to the wise. You hurt him, and he," Peter pointed to Terry, "will hurt you. "
Joey nodded stupidly. "Uh, what we do together, well it's between us."
Terry shifted, and began to look more menacing.
"That's true up to a point." Peter said. "Look we're sure you're a good bloke and all that, but Cal almost did for Kev, and I'll be buggered if I'm gonna let the first bloke who gets close to him fuck him over."
"I. . . I." Joey wondered if he could take the two of them on. Peter looked as though a stiff wind would blow him over, but Terry was a different kettle of fish. Fortunately sense prevailed. Joey realised that the two men were just doing their bit to watch out for their friend, he could live with, even admire that.
Joey saw the door open, Kevin peeked his head out. "What's going on?"
"Nothing, Pup, honestly." Joey put a hand on Kevin's shoulder and turned back to the dynamic duo. "But even though I've not known him long, I. . . well I think a lot about him." This was not the time to declare his true feelings.
Peter smiled, as did his sidekick. "Right then, we're off," Peter said to Kevin.
He treated Joey to a relatively friendly glance, before turning away, his oversized bodyguard following along obediently behind.
Joey let out a breath. "Fuck,."
"Sorry about that," Kevin said leading Joey into his flat.
"Sor right, Pup. It was kinda cute in a way. They think a lot about you."
"Yeah, there's been times. . . " Kevin didn't finish his sentence, But Joey could guess what he would have said. "Missed me?"
"Oh, Sir, you've no idea."
Joey bent his head, and treated Kevin to a soft, closed mouth kiss. "Sorry it took so long, family obligations, you know."
Kevin sighed. "I thought it'd be something like that." Joey sensed that there was more, he was pretty sure what it was, but the encounter with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee had blown his previous intentions to smithereens.
"You hungry? Uncle Jacob doesn't follow the family tradition of feeding his guests till they're too wide to get out of the door. So I'm starved. "
"Um," Kevin looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry, Sir, but I thought you weren't gonna come, and Terry and Peter were hungry, and..."
Joey put a finger under Kevin's chin, raising it. His actions served to silence Kevin. "Sor right, I was a lot longer than I said I'd be. Go and pack a few things in an overnight bag, and we'll be off." This was Joey's way of telling Kevin that he was staying overnight. Kevin didn't seem to object.
"Sir?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, um, you've got a few things in the fridge back at your place, all that stuff your mother brought round."
Joey groaned.
"Well I don't really know anything about Jewish cuisine, but I'm not too bad in the kitchen. It seems a shame to let all that food go to waste. Would you let me cook you something?"
Joey smiled, he really liked the idea. "You got a deal, Pup."
It only took Kevin a couple of minutes to gather up some clothing and put it in a bag. He was about to reach for his toothbrush when Joey stopped him.
"I've still got that new one you used last time. You might as well have that one now." Joey hoped that Kevin would grasp the significance behind the gesture. The couple of swallows, Kevin had to do, seemed to prove that he understood.
"Come on then, let's be having you," Joey said opening the door.
* * * * *
Joey sat himself at his kitchen table and watched Kevin work. The smaller man had delved into the refrigerator and pulled out a couple of boned breasts of lamb, then after removing a few items from the larder, he set to work. The smells that began to be created made Joey's stomach rumble. Not able to stand it any longer, he asked, "Pup, what you making?"
"Oh, uh, I remember seeing a chef on the telly making this the other day. He said it was kosher."
"You know I don't really stick to that."
"Yeah, but. . . well it sounded good anyway."
"Certainly smells good. What is it?"
"Oh, sorry. It's lamb with apricot stuffing. I was lucky that you had all the ingredients."
"That's my mother's doing. I couldn't tell you half the things in those cupboards."
When everything was in the oven, Kevin made to sit on the stool next to Joey. But the bigger man was having none of that. As he'd sat there watching Kevin make a meal for him, Joey became more and more convinced that he had to confess his true feelings. Seizing the moment, Joey took hold of Kevin's wrist, and guided him to stand between his spread knees. Joey looked up, wiped a strand of hair from Kevin's sweaty brow and opened his mouth. "Pup, this afternoon, um, just before I left for my Uncle Jacob's."
"Sorry, Sir. I. . .I. . ."
"Hush." Joey put a finger to Kevin's lips. "I've never said this before to another man." Joey swallowed, "This isn't easy, but it needs to be said. Pup, I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I'm very much in love with you, too."
It was fascinating to watch the various expressions as they flittered across Kevin's face. First came shock, then surprise, which was swiftly followed by joy, and finally came disbelief. "You mean? Um, no, please Sir, please it's not fair if you don't really. . ." Kevin was cut off by Joey pulling Kevin's face towards him and kissing his lips tenderly. Joey could feel the smaller man's knees beginning to weaken, so he wrapped his arms around him to steady his descent. Kevin's small frame began to shake with emotion; he buried his head in Joey's shoulder in an effort to hide his tears. Joey alternately stroked Kevin's hair, marvelling at its fineness, and rubbed his back. "There, there. It's okay, Pup. It's okay. I'm so sorry I freaked out on you earlier. You really took me by surprise, you know. But I should have told you back then how I felt. It wasn't fair of me to leave like that. All the time I was away from you I kept going over and over it in my head, wishing I'd have said something."
Eventually Kevin lifted his head, and asked, "You sure? I mean I'm, well I'm not very. . . "
Joey shook his head. "I've never been surer of anything in my life. Pup, you're kind, you're gentle, and so god damned cute." Kevin began to redden. "You've stolen my heart, you honestly have. How could I not love you? Now give me one of your smiles.."
Joey reached over for the roll of absorbent kitchen paper and dabbed at Kevin's puffy eyes. "Big blow," he said as he held the paper over Kevin's nose.
Joey then lifted up his lover and sat him on his knee. Kevin shifted round until they were chest to chest, he wrapped his arms around the bigger man and laid his head on his shoulder. Neither man spoke. Joey couldn't believe how wonderful it was to hold a lover in the true sense of the word. He was amazed to learn that he wasn't hard; this wasn't about sex. It was about love. Joey knew he'd never loved anyone before Kevin. He honestly never thought that cupid's arrow would get him. What was happening? He wasn't the settling down sort, but here in his warm, pleasant smelling kitchen, with the most precious man in the world cuddled up against him, Joey knew he'd finally found true happiness.
To be continued.
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