These two series are works of fiction. Any similarities to real life are strictly coincidental. The rights to these two series belong to the author. No reproduction in part or in whole is permitted without the written consent of the author. If you are under 21 (or 18 in some areas), please don't bother reading more and leave. If you are offended by gay college students, please go away. Thanks.

Joe, The Man, Part IV
"No Title"
By Joey E

"Matt, uh, what are you doing?" I asked, with him still leaning over me, and holding me.

"Come on bro, I saw you looking at me in the rec center all those times. I know you want me. But what you probably didn't see, was that I was looking at you too, man. I've wanted you ever since you gave me my long distance code three years ago," he said, softly, but deeply.

I wanted to give in, I really did, but I didn't like where this was headed. I couldn't understand at the time why I didn't like it, but I knew that I was not comfortable in this situation. I broke away from his strong grip. 

"Matt, man, please. As flattering as it is, and believe me, it is, I don't feel right doin' this. Please don't force me to do anything I don't want to do. I mean, yeah, you are beautiful, and probably know it by now, but as much as I'd like to spend a night with you, I shouldn't."

Matt had a look of disappointment, but looked like he understood. He sat on his bed, while I was still standing in front of him.

"God, why am I acting this way?" I asked out loud to myself.

"I'm sorry, Joe....I didn't mean..."

Are you gay?" I asked out of the blue.

"Yeah, man," Matt said, smiling. "But I'm not out, and I intend to keep it that way."

I nodded my head in understanding of his position. "That's cool. I do have to admit, that was sneaky way of getting me alone in your room."

He laughed. 

"But, I do have to go now. You seem like a cool guy, man. You should hang out with me and my friends sometime," I said.

Matt stood up and wrapped his arms around me again. "Sure, but can I have a hug first before you leave?"

"Sure," I said, giving in, and squeezing this muscle man, taking in his scent, which smelled like Irish Spring soap.

"Cool, bud. My number is 6750 man, give me a call sometime," he said as I walked out of his apartment.

I turned back to him and said, "Count on it, man!" He smiled and I left.

As I was walking back to my apartment I was going through thoughts in my head. I was beating myself for not sleeping with this gorgeous hunk, and at the same time wondering why I hadn't. I came up with nothing. I got back to the apartment, no one was home. I was still fuckin' horny and I went to my bedroom. I thought about Matt and his muscles, feeling every inch of his smooth body. I began playing with my cock through my boxers, slowly, and feeling my chest with the other hand. I imagined making out with him, feeling his hot tongue in my mouth. I moved my right hand down to my balls and started playing with them as I stroked faster with my left. It didn't take me long at all to shoot my load. I shot it on to my body (as I do sometimes) and shot it up over my head on to my pillow. It was intense. 

I cleaned up and studied my ass off for my class that I had the next day. I was worn out by 9:30PM and dragged myself into bed and fell right to sleep.

"Joe, the Man," Dan said.

"Dan!" I cried, happy to see him again. He was standing in front of a bright light as he always did in my dreams. "Am I happy to see you!" I said.

"Yeah, I know it. I've been watching you, you know," he said, smiling.

"Yeah, I know. A pretty good mess I've gotten myself into, wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah," he said, laughing. I missed that laugh.

"Well, if you were still here, I wouldn't have to be in this mess at all!"

"Don't start that again, man. I know how you were before you met me. You're going back to your old ways, Joe. That's not good."

"Yeah, I know. I can't help it, dude," I said, starting to tear up. "I'm guarding myself against love, man. I'm so afraid that I will lose someone again, and I don't want to live through that again."

"Joe, that doesn't sound like you at all man! You always lived for today and suffered tomorrow. That was your philosophy man. You told me it. I always liked that about you, Joe." 

"Yeah, well, things happen and then you're changed forever, man!" I retorted.

"Joe, listen to me, and listen to me well!" he said, his expression changing very seriously. "You will survive man. It is okay to let love into your life again. You have at three people who are seriously interested in you and you don't care!"

"Yeah, one of them being your brother!" 

"Well, that's fine with me, dude. I said that before."

"He practically threw himself at me, man! I didn't know what to do, so I turned him down!"

"Yeah, my little bro can be a little mischievous. Okay, so, you've got at least two others who are interested.."

"Who's that?" I asked, not really knowing who it was now.

"Louis."

"Louis?" I asked surprised. "We're happy being friends, dude. There's nothing more between me and him!"

"Don't be too sure. Maybe you're happy being friends, but secretly, he may be thinking something else."

"Oh, that's crazy," I said to Dan. 

"Okay, so maybe I am. But what about Matt?" 

"Matt? What does he have to do with it?"

"I don't know, babe, you're gonna have to figure that one out yourself. My time is running out. I can't stay for much longer, and I don't want to end this arguing."

I snapped out of my anger at him, and looked at him with sadness in my eyes, I could feel the tears welling up inside.

"Dan, man, I love you. Please, don't leave me, I need you."

"Joe, babe, I love you, too. I'll always be here whenever you really need me. Please be careful, though. I only want you to be happy." He said smiling at me, and turned and walked away. 

I woke up and looked at the clock. It was about Midnight. I sat up in my bed, thinking over what Dan had told me. Could Lou really like me more than just a friend? And why did he mention Matt? By this time, my mind was rolling, and I couldn't go back to sleep. However, it was time for Kev's frat party to begin, so I got dressed and went out to the house.

Kevin had invited Sean and Paul to come to his frat party on the Wednesday night. Paul had previous plans, but Sean had none and agreed to go. He was having a good time, playing beer pong in the other room of the basement. For those of you who don't know what beer pong is, I'll try to give a brief explanation. There is a ping pong table and two ping pong balls. And you usually play it with a partner. There are six cups on each side, filled with beer, lined up to form a triangle. The object of the game is to get the ball in the cup, and then your opponent has to drink from the cup. Whoever gets a ball in all the cups wins the game, and the loser has to drink your remaining cups of beer. 

Anyway, Sean was in the other room playing beer pong against two of the frat brothers. He had a nice, attractive female as a playing partner. The two of them had been on the table for about a half hour now, beating two other team of players. They made quite a team together. However, they had drank a pretty good deal of liquor because of the games and were starting to get a little tipsy. But their game was still going strong.

This girl, though Sean to himself, is pretty cute! She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, a cute ass, nice tits, cute face, and a little shorter than Sean at about 5'7". They blew their opponent away and hugged each other on the victory shot that she through. It was obvious to Sean that she liked him. And Sean liked her, to be honest. (Remember, Sean is bisexual). They soon bowed out though, tired of the game and took a break, standing on the side watching other people play. They talked about various things, what year they were, what major they were, the usual. 

Sean got bold a placed his arm around her. She looked into his eyes and smiled. Sean smiled back and held her tightly. They looked at each other again, and the world just stopped. They both started bending in for a kiss, and finally met, releasing tension built up between them.

"Hey, PAUL! What the fuck are you doing here?" screamed out Kev, over the music from behind the bar at the party.

"Hey, Kevin! I got home early so I'd thought I'd drop by!" shouted Paul, walking over to the bar, picking up a beer. He was late coming to the party because he go caught up in a group meeting for class. 

"Cool. Sean is here already, man," Kev said, anticipating what Paul would ask next.

"Cool," Paul answered, taking a sip from the beer. "Not a bad party tonight," Paul said, looking around the basement, which was crowded with new freshman, mostly guys and girls.

"Yeah, man, if you talk with any girls, talk highly of me," Kev said, smiling.

"Of you?" Paul started laughing. "You?" he asked again. 

"Shut the fuck up!" Kev said, smiling. 

Paul walked to the other side of the basement where the game of beer pong was and where Sean and Kate were. 

Sean and Kate were still engrossed by one another, still making out against the wall. 

Paul looked around the room and flinched when he saw Sean hooking up with another person, let alone another woman. Tears came to his eyes. He ran out of there and up the stairs, crashing into someone.

I had made my way over to the frat house, and went directly downstairs to see Kev and hopefully Lou, Paul, or Sean. I never made it, because I was hit on the way down by someone coming up. As soon as I recovered, I saw Paul's face in distress.

"Paul?" I asked. "What's wrong? 

"Everything, Joe. I gotta get out of here," He said, continuing his way up the steps. I followed him out of concern. 

"Man, what's up with you?" I asked him, chasing him. 

He didn't say a word on the way home, but kept walking swiftly and we finally made it back to the apartment. 

I couldn't stand the suspense any longer. We made it to the living room, and I finally asked, "What's up?"

"Fuckin' son of a bitch!" he screamed as he kicked over the coffee table.

"Woah, man. Calm down! Calm down man! What happened?" I asked, sitting down on the couch.

"The fucker was hooking up with a chick tonight at the fuckin' party!" Paul screamed.

I knew the neighbors would be soon complaining about the yelling and noise, or else would be thoroughly amused by the subject. Either way, I didn't want to find out.

"Man, I can't believe this is happening to me! Fuckin' asshole!" he exclaimed, as he punched the wall.

"Dude, dude, please, man. Calm down, before you wreck the apartment."

He went crazy at this point. He took a magazine that was on the coffee table (now on the floor) and ripped the pages. I jumped up, took him in my arms, and restrained him. It was hard to, but I was stronger than him, and I threw him on the couch. He just laid there, rolled up in a ball, crying his heart out. I went over to him and gently put my arms around him, which was hard being that his knees were in my way. I soothed him gently.

"It's okay, Paul," I said, softly as he sobbed. "It's okay, man." I held on to him with all my strength, trying to comfort him. 

He stopped weeping when we heard someone come into the apartment. He didn't push me off him though. By this time, he was sitting up on the couch, with me holding him from the side. 

Justin walked in and was surprised to see what he saw. 

"Hey," He said with a shocked look on his face. 

"Hi, man," I answered. 

"What's up?" he asked, with concern in his face.

Paul opened his eyes and stared at Justin through his tears. He started getting angry again. 

"Fuckin' Sean was hooking up with a girl tonight man!" he cried, falling into my arms again, crying in to my chest, pounding my shoulder with his fist. 

I just gave Justin a don't-worry-about-it look, and motioned for him to leave us alone. He smiled and nodded in understanding. I grabbed Paul's fist and restrained it before he broke my collar bone. 

He finally calmed down again, except for a little gasp every now and then. 

"Joe, I never cared for someone so much in my life," He finally said, looking at me.

I felt pain for this kid. He finally may have gotten his life together and now it was all blown apart again. Sean should've been more careful of that. I mean, I didn't blame him entirely, but he was some of the cause tonight. 

"It sucks, doesn't it?" I said, from experience myself.

He regained his strength and started getting angry again. "I can't believe that son of a bitch....."

"Hey, hey, hey!" I said, interrupting him. "Watch it, that's my boyfriend's brother you're talking about man. B e a little sensitive." I was getting a little annoyed by that point.

"Well, how would you like it if your boyfriend was hooking up with a woman?" he shot back. 

"I wouldn't like it, but then again, my boyfriend wasn't bisexual. Sean is," I said, reminding him. "I thought you were too."

"Oh, don't give me that, man. He knew I had feelings for him," Paul said.

"I don't think he did, man. I think he knew that you liked him, but I don't know if he knew anything more. You guys didn't make a commitment, did you?"

Paul nodded his head no.

"See? He's a freshman, dude. He's young and wild like he's supposed to be, man! Especially since you didn't make any agreements, he thinks he free, and has every right to be," I said.

"Sure, Joe, take on Sean's side." 

"Paul, you're not thinking about this rationally," I said. He had a way of being irrational when he was mad. He really was immature for his age at times. 

"I don't give a fuck about rationality! That fucker hooked up with a chick tonight, man," he screamed. 

I was starting to get irritated myself, as I usually do when I'm consoling Paul. "Paul, man, the world is not coming to an end, dude. I would definitely confront Sean about this, man. Not right now, but tomorrow. And do it nicely, please. If you want your relationship to be more with him, then say so, man. How is he going to know what you want if you don't tell him?" I asked.

I was dead tired by that point, and needed to go to bed. "Now, I'm going to bed."

Justin came out as I was passing his room to go to mine. 

"Stay with him, if you can," I said softly to him. Justin nodded.

Justin came out and saw Paul lying on the couch, eyes watering, cheeks wet and sat down on the other couch. 

"Rough night dude?" Justin asked.

"Yeah," Paul said, sitting up, wiping the tears off his cheeks. 

"Man, you're fucked up," Justin said, smiling at him.

Paul cracked a smile," Yeah I know it."

They talked about little things, Justin making sure that he didn't bring up Sean at all. 

"I once dated a bisexual chick, man," Justin said.

"Really?" 

"Yeah, in high school," he said. "She was hot, man. Everything was going well with us too. I didn't know she was unhappy. I didn't know she was bi, even. One day, we get together and she breaks up with me, man. Next week, I hear she was hooking up with another chick!" 

Paul laughed.

"It's not funny, dude. I was hurt. We went out for about a year before that happened."

Paul stopped laughing. "I'm sorry, man. That must've hurt." 

"Yeah it did," Justin said. "But I got over it."

There was a knock on the front door. "Oh who the hell could this be?" Justin said as he went down the steps to open the door.

"Sean?" Justin asked when he opened it.

"Yeah, man. Is Paul here?" Sean asked, concerned.

"Yeah, he is. But I don't think he wants to see you," Justin countered.

"Yeah I know, but please, I gotta see him, man. I feel so bad!" pleaded Sean.

"Well," Justin said, hesitating to let him in. "Let me check with him first." 

Justin went upstairs, forgetting to shut the door to prevent Sean from coming in. Sean followed Justin up the steps. 

"Paul, someone is hear to see you," Justin said softly, looking at the kid on the sofa.

"I don't want to see anybody," Paul replied, hugging me harder.

"But, Paul it's Sean," Justin said, not knowing whether he should've said it or not. 

"Sean??" screamed Paul, getting up and walking toward the door to the stairways. 

"Yeah, it's me," Sean said, coming out from behind the door.

Paul lunged at him. "Get the hell out of here!" 

Evidently, Sean was ready for this, and stopped Paul from going any further. He pushed into Paul before Paul could push in to him.

"Now, will you listen to me?" screamed Sean.

"No!" said Paul, looking right in Sean's eyes. "I wish you would die!" 

Paul always had a way of putting things that made him sound even younger than he acted.

"Paul, I didn't go home with her, okay! I left her because of you! We gotta talk!" Sean said.

"We have nothing to talk about. You like her, fine! You can have her! Just leave me out of it."

"Would you just shut up and kiss me?" Sean yelled, grabbing Paul.

"No I....umph," Paul protested, never finishing because Sean's mouth was on Paul's.

Paul fought it some, but then gave in. After a long, passionate kiss, Sean spoke up.

"Dude, we have to talk. I mean, I like you, a helluva lot, but remember I am bisexual, man! I'm not gonna stop looking at women."

Paul's face indicated he was not happy at that comment.

"I don't think I can deal with that," Paul finally said.

"I know," Sean said. "But I really like you, dude. I don't want to give you up."

"Well, man. It's either the chicks or me. I'm not going to have it both ways," Paul said, raising his voice.

"Dude, you're fuckin' bisexual too, man! What's up with that?" Sean asked.

"Sean, can't you see man? I'm fuckin' in love with you!" Paul yelled, starting his tears again. "I'm in love with you. I don't want to see anyone else, man."

Sean was shocked to hear this. He went over to Paul, and just held him. 

"Dude, uh, I don't know what to say," Sean said. "I love you too, but I don't know if I'm in love with you, man."

Paul broke the hug and yelled into Sean's face, "Well, then why don't you die?"

Sean was pissed off at that comment. "Paul, do you know how childish you sound?"

"I don't care!" 

"Fine, man, I'm leaving. I can't deal with this tonight, dude."

"Good, get out of here," Paul said. "Go back and fuck that chick!"

"Hey, man, shut the fuck up," Sean said. "I gave up my chance with her to check on you. This is the thanks I get! Thanks a lot, man."

Paul was in tears now, crying into the cushion of the sofa. He looked up at Sean once more and said, "Fuck you!"

Sean blasted out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Justin came back into the room, and sat down next to Paul. 

"Dude, I'm sorry," he said, not knowing what else to say.

"Justin, please, hold me," Paul said, sniffling.

"Paul, man, I can't. I don't like to do that shit man."

Paul started crying again. "Please!"

"Aw, fuck. Should I wake up Joe?" Justin asked, not knowing what else to do.

Just then, Kevin walked into the apartment. He took look one look at Paul and the awkward facial expression Justin had on his face and said, "What the fuck happened now?"

"It's a long story," Justin said.

Sean started walking back to his apartment in a rage. He was thinking about how immature Paul was acting, and was wondering if a relationship could ever work between them, even if he wanted one. Sean didn't think he was wrong in this instance. He didn't commit to Paul, and he was free. What was wrong with what he did? He asked himself.

On his way back to his dorm, he ran into Louis, walking back from the frat house. He tried to put a smile on his face, and started a conversation. 

"Party over?" Sean asked, walking up to him.

"Yeah, it was beat," Lou said. "Wish Joe was there tonight."

"Oh, he was back in the apartment, I was just there."

"Dude, what's wrong? You look pissed, man," Lou said, observing Sean's appearance.

"Yeah, I am," Sean said. "You don't look too well either."

It was true, Lou was not in his usual happy mood, looking rather sad and depressed, walking slowly. 

"Yeah, I'm not either. Have you ever been in love with someone and not have them love you back?" Lou asked Sean, both of them sitting down on a bench, lighting up a cigarette.

Sean laughed a little. "Funny, I was just accused of that tonight by Paul."

"Oh, so that's what happened?" Lou asked, getting the picture.

"Yeah, man, Paul evidently saw me hooking up with a chick at Kev's frat party and went ballistic!" 

"Oh, man, I'd hate to see that."

"Yeah. It was bad, man. I don't want to talk about it, actually," Sean said, looking away from Louis.

"Well, then don't, man."

"What's up, Lou? Tell me what's bothering you," Sean said, turning back.

"Well, man, I don't know if I should be telling you this, but then again, who else can I tell?"

Louis took a deep breath in and said, "I really like Joe, man. I really am interested in him, but I don't think he has the same feelings for me."

"What do you mean?" asked Sean, probing for more information.

"Well, I'd like to ask him out to be my boyfriend, really, but I don't know how to do it. We've discussed this before, he and I, and I don't really think there's much of a chance at all."

"What makes you say that?" asked Sean.

"Well, for one thing, I think he's really still hooked on your late brother, man. He must've been something really special," Lou said, looking up at the stars.

"Jason!" I yelled. 

He turned around, looking for the voice that just called him. I smiled at his cute face and yelled for him again. This time, he saw me, smiled, and came over to where I was standing.

"Hey Joe," he said, carrying the tool bag.

"You working?" I asked him, knowing the answer already.

"Yeah, Dave has me doing some more dorm phones. Don't you ever get sick of them?"

I sighed. "Yeah, but at least it puts you in touch with the students."

He smiled and nodded his head in agreement. "Oh, yeah, it does, man. I just was over in this chick's room. She was hot!"

Damn, I thought to myself. Maybe he is straight after all. I made my exit after that comment, making up some excuse that I need to be at class (which was partly true). 

I walked away from this gorgeous piece of artwork, cursing at myself for thinking there was possibly more than there was to our relationship. I continued my walk passed some of the dorms on-campus on my way to my Film class, which I didn't want to go to. But I went, and I survived the three hour course. It was actually quite interesting and I chatted with some friends in the class. 

After class, I went to work. I walked into the office focusing on something (I'm not quite sure what it was) and ran right into Jason, on his way out. 

"Hey!" Jay said, smiling, recovering from the hit he took. "Watch where you're going!" 

I laughed and apologized.

"You wanna go help me fix this phone?" he asked. "Please? I don't want to walk!" 

I laughed again, and said, "Sure, man!" We grabbed the tools and headed out of the office, zooming right over to the dorm room. He did all the work again, and I was quite impressed with his intuition. 

"Well, what are you doing after work?" I asked him, on the ride back to the office. "I'm gonna eat dinner and then go to Wilson to practice the piano, man," he said.

"Oh, shit, that's right, you are a music major!" I exclaimed, almost forgetting that he told met that already. "I was a music composition major at one point."

"I remember, man. You told me that before," He said smiling at me. "Hey," he said, grabbing my arm. I looked at him.

"Can you jam?"

"I love to jam, of course, with a person who knows what he's doing," I answered. "My best friend in high school and I could spend hours at a time in front of the piano and keyboards, jamming to a large variety of songs from Les Miserables to Pearl Jam," I explained.

"Cool!" he said. "We should do that sometime. What are you doing after work?" 

That question caught me off guard for some reason. Maybe the thrill of him actually wanting to know what I was doing, and the chance that we might get together and hang.

"Uh....going to dinner and I don't know what else," I said, stumbling a little.

"Cool, wanna go to dinner and then we can play together in Wilson?"

"Well, okay, that sounds like a plan," I said, smiling at him, thinking about how adorable and cute he was. 

Sean and Lou had a long talk the previous night, and were really starting to get to know each other better. They had agreed to meet for dinner the next evening. Sean had gotten to the cafeteria first, and saw Lou searching the room, walking in two minutes later. 

"Hey!" Sean said, when Lou came up to him. 

"Hey, Sean!" Lou said, holding out his hand to Sean. They shook hands, put there stuff down on their table, and went into the kitchen to get some grub to eat. 

"So, how have you been, man? Talk to Paul yet?" Lou asked, sitting down at the table with his dinner.

"Nope," Sean said, also sitting down.

"Aw, that's a bummer," Lou said. 

"Yeah, but it's cool. I talked to that chick that I met at the party last night, and smoothed things over with her at least."

"Cool!"

"Have you talked to Joe yet?" Sean asked.

"We talked about not making a commitment. And he agrees. That was two weeks ago though, man, and I'm starting to change my mind.

"Oh, that's bad."

"Yeah, I haven't seen him all day, man. But I made up my mind. I'm gonna take the chance and ask him out," Lou said, determined.

"Good for you, Lou. I hope it works out," Sean said.

By this time, we had gotten to the cafeteria, after working our asses off at work for another hour. It was 5:30 by the time we got there. I was so engrossed in conversation with Jason that I didn't even notice anything around me. That is, until someone grabbed the back of my shirt to make me turn around. 

"Joe!" Sean said, smiling up at me. I smiled back and then saw Lou also. I smiled at him too. 

"Hey," I said to both of them. Jason was following behind me and I introduced them to him. I was not sure if I was mistaken, but Lou didn't seem to appear very happy when I introduced Jason. But, wanting to spend time with Jason alone, we picked our own table to sit at after saying hi to them.
 
 

Sean looked back at Lou when Joe left. 

"Gee, man. Who is that?" Sean asked.

Lou looked up at Sean and said, "Don't know, man. Whoever it is, though, Joe seems to be interested."

Sean could see the jealousy and pain in Lou's eyes. "Man, you gotta make your move soon, dude. You may miss out on something if you don't."

"I know," said Louis, softly.

"So, Jason," I asked the blonde kid sitting across the table from me. "How are your classes going?" 

"Oh, pretty good. I'm taking Music Theory I this semester, a course I haven't had any training in whatsoever. But it's going well. I'm enjoying especially the ear training, since I have perfect pitch...."

"No shit," I interrupted. "You have perfect pitch?" 

"Yeah, man. Why?"

"So do I!" I exclaimed, smiling.

"Really?" he asked, also smiling. "That's totally awesome man!" 

"Hey bud," I heard a deep voice say, interrupting our conversation.

I looked up and there was Matt from yesterday. I choked on what I was chewing, but recovered and smiled up at him.

"Hey, Matt," I said, still in awe by his body. He was wearing a skin tight t-shirt, with cargo shorts and he was absolutely wonderful. I stared at him just a little bit too long. I met Matt's eyes. And stared some more into those green eyes of his. I still had it bad for this kid. 

"How does the phone work?" I asked, finally breaking the trance.

"Oh," he said, quickly after a delayed reaction, caused by him staring at me. "Uh, it works great, man! Thanks!" He said to both of us. 

"You're welcome, man," Jay said. I didn't know if he was picking up what we were transmitting to each other. If he did, he didn't show it.

"Yeah, anytime," I said, smiling. 

"Cool! Well, I gotta go over to my friends, but I'll see you around," he said smiling, keeping his focus on me until he got to his table. I smiled to myself.

"Damn, did you see how that guy was looking at you?" Lou asked me when he was gone.

"No not really, man," I said, pretending to have no clue what he was talking about.

"Dude," he said, smiling. "He was checkin' you out, man! He was giving your whole body a check-out!" 

"What?" I asked, surprised that he didn't see me checking Matt out.
 
 

"Oh great, now who's that over there talking to him?" Lou asked, noticing Matt, the muscle stud talking to Joe.

"Damn, man, you are jealous and suspicious already!" laughed Sean, amused at the fact. "You're not even dating yet and you're already worried!"

"It's not funny, man. I can't help it. I've been having stronger feelings for Joe lately, and I have no idea how or what to do with them. And if that's what Joe likes, then I haven't got a chance," Lou said, shaking his head.

"Dude! Look at me. Now think of me four years older, brown curly hair on the top, a little bit shorter, and just a hair heavier. That's what your competition is man."

"Really? That's what Dan looked like?" Lou asked, with interest.

"Yeah, man. I always get comments that I look like my older brother," Sean said smiling.

"That's cool, man."

"I still think he was trying to check you out man," Jay said, smiling. 

"Whatever, man," I said, awkwardly trying to brush off the comment. I quickly tried to change the subject and it was never brought up again during the dinner. We left before Sean and Lou did, and we went to the music building. Luckily, the choir room (which had two pianos in it) wasn't in use and we slipped in there. 

"What's your favorite kind of music on the piano, Joe?" he asked.

"Ragtime," I said, without any hesitation. "Scott Joplin is the master!" 

"Oh man, I can't play that stuff. I love it, but I can't play it well," he said, playing a chord on the piano. I sat down next to him in front of the grand piano. 

"Aw...well, you're gonna have to play it sooner or later if you hang around me!" I said.

He played me a piece he was assigned for his lesson. We both bitched about the teacher, having had her myself for two years (four semesters). She was a great piano teacher, but she was very closed minded as to what could be played and what couldn't be played on the piano. She was very against ragtime, and I was very for it. I was impressed, to say the least. 

"Now you play," he said, getting up off the bench.

"Okay," I said, getting up off the chair and moving to the bench. "What do you want to hear?"

"Ragtime," he said. 

Needed no further encouragement, I whipped out Maple Leaf Rag on the keys. When I was done, he was thoroughly satisfied. 

"Wow, man! That was awesome!" he said in amazement. 

"Thanks," I said, looking back down at the keys. "Wanna hear something I wrote?"

"Sure!" 

I played him a piano sonatina that I wrote for Theory class a while back. Then I played him other things. He even sang along to some of the songs I played (that weren't mine of course). The next hour flew by really fast. I looked at my watch, realizing I still had homework to do. We left together, with plans to do this again very soon. 

I got back to the apartment, and was surprised to see Lou there, hanging out with Justin, Paul, and Kevin.

"The homo's home!" Kev yelled when I walked in the door.

"I thought he already was," I said, looking at Paul. Paul cringed, but smiled weakly. 

"We gotta teach Paul how to lighten up," I said to Kev, smiling. 

"No, I don't think we do," Paul said, getting up from the couch. 

Lou looked very focused on a thought in his mind as I sat down next to him. 

"Hey Louis," I said, putting my arm around him, just as a friendly gesture. 

"Hey, Joe," He answered. "What's up?"

"Nothin' much man. I was just at Wilson, playing the piano with my new student worker! It was totally awesome man."

We started bull shitting, as we usually do, talking about the University, anything that was on our mind. Pretty soon, I was making eyes at Lou and he seemed to get my message that I found him irresistible. I soon got bored after the thought of sex was thrown in, and got up to go to the kitchen to get a drink. I passed Lou on the way, and affectionately gave him a kiss on the cheek to let him know what I was feeling and what I wanted...He apparently got the message and followed me into the kitchen. As I turned around after I got soda out of the refrigerator, I was greeted to a handsome face and cute body. He looked me in the eyes and kissed me right there, deeply. There was a shriek from the living room. 

"Shut up, Kevin," I said, laughing, breaking the kiss. "You wanna go to my room?" I asked, very softly.

He looked at me and nodded his head. I followed his lead into my bedroom. 

"WAIT!" Kev yelled, jumping up off the couch. "I need shit out of there!" He barged right passed us and got his books and other shit out of our room. 

"If you need anything else, we'll still let you in. But knock first," I joked. Lou chuckled as well.

I closed the door behind me, and faced Lou who was standing alone in the middle of the room. I walked up to him slowly, and stood before him. I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. I heard him exhale, slowly. I closed my eyes as I leaned into him, kissing him on the lips. He grabbed the back of my head, and forced me into a long passionate kiss. He released his hand, and started feeling my neck, down my back, around my ass, and then slowly finding it's way to the front of my shorts. I sighed, as he slowly stroked it.

"Yeah," I said, softly. 

"You like it?"

"Yeah, man..."

"You haven't felt anything yet," he said, smiling, undoing my shorts. His eyes got big as he saw the lump in my boxers, dying to be let out. He grabbed it, gave it a few squeezes and then kissed the tip of it through the boxers. I moaned, softly.

He then got back up, lifting my shirt off, throwing it on the floor. He then pulled me into an embrace, which felt wonderful. I pulled off his shirt, and pulled him into another hug, chest to chest. I felt the heat radiating from his body. He bent down, and started licking my nipples, teasing them, and then he licked his way back up to my neck, where he started sucking, hard.

"No marks," I sighed. 

He paused from what he was doing, and whispered, "Okay." He went back to sucking on my neck, not as hard as before. I withered in pleasure, and fell down onto the bed. I got back up, this time taking control of the situation as I started kissing Lou wildly, with passion. I sucked and licked on his ear lobe, which he seemed to love by the way he was breathing. 

"Oh, Joe," he said, softly. "Damn......."

I continued my search for more areas to lick on his body, moving down his chest and to his six-pack stomach. My hands were in back of him, feeling everything my tongue couldn't. I gently pulled down his sweat shorts, exposing his six inch cock, at full mast and ready to be sucked. I eagerly took it into my mouth and started sucking, hard on it, each time going down further until it was all the way in my mouth. 

"Oh, man, come on, yeah," he said, between his gasps for air, as I gave him a hot blow job. My hand got into it and started massaging his balls, which he really seemed to like. 

He pulled me up with his hands and kissed me and pushed me gently down on to my bed. My cock now really ached to be released from even the lightest restraint, and he pulled off my boxers, exposing my hard cock. I looked down at it, and then looked into Lou's eyes. He never batted an eyelid and went down on me. 

I moaned when he first took it in his mouth. "Aw....yeah," I murmured. 

Damn, he felt so good, so much like Dan. I couldn't help thinking about him, it felt just like him. The way Lou used his hands to caress me, the way he used his tongue on my cock, it all brought back memories of Dan. And I smiled, not speaking a word, but just enjoying the pleasure. 

I opened my eyes, and saw this beautiful stud before me. I was really close to shooting it.

"Lou, man, I'm gonna cum," I said, feeling the pressure build deep with in me. "Oh, yeah, Lou, I'm gonna shoot!"

Lou took my cock out of his mouth and started stroking it. I let out a small whimper and shot a spurt across my chest. The second landed close to the same spot. I shot about three more times, and I closed my eyes for a while. The next thing I know, Lou was jerking off, sitting on top of my crotch, stroking it, looking so intense. Damn, I thought, he looks sexy.

"Oh, yeah, Lou, man. Stroke it," I said, softly, gently stroking his inner thighs.

Lou looked right into my eyes, and said, "Yeah, Joe, man, I'm gonna shoot it!"

He let out a fairly audible moan and shot a load right on to my mouth. I licked my lips, tasting it. All too soon, it was over. I crawled out and got something to clean the mess up and we laid there in my bed, holding each other for a few minutes before we decided to get up and get dressed.

"Well, that was quick," Kev remarked as we walked out. I smiled, Louis blushed. 

"Hey, it may have been quick, but it was absolutely wonderful," I said, kissing Lou on the cheek. He smiled. 

"So, what are you guys a couple yet?" Paul asked.

I laughed. "Nah, man. What ever gave you that idea?" I thought is was funny, the idea of me having a boyfriend again, at that moment. I don't know why I found it funny. I just did. I noticed Lou looking very hurt by my reaction. I immediately felt bad.

"Joe, we need to talk."

I took a deep breath. "Now?"

"Well, now is as good as time as ever," he said, getting up to go out to the balcony for a cigarette I assume. I followed him, wondering what was going through his mind. 

I lit my butt up and took in a deep breath. I exhaled, and faced Lou.

"Okay, man, what's up?" I asked.

"Well, man, it's kinda hard for me to say," he said, almost stumbling over his words. 

"Dude, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned. 

"Nothin' man, it's just that...." I waited for him to continue. "It's just that...I uh..that is....I was...wondering....if you would want to go, uh, go out with me?" 

I looked at him in shock, not expecting this from him at all. 

"Well, I guess you just answered my question," he said quickly, turning away from me.

"Uh, no, dude, man. I'm sorry, Lou, it just took me by surprise, man." I said, looking at the back of him. He was still irresistible. I knew we had discussed this part before, but never resolved anything, and it just totally didn't occur to me that he could've felt something for me. I'm sometimes like that. 

He was still not facing me. I inhaled the smoke (when I word it that way, it doesn't sound too healthy does it?) 

"I don't know what I want," I said, after I exhaled. He turned around and looked at me. I can't explain how much pain I saw in his eyes. 

"Please, Joe, consider it, man," Lou said, putting out his cigarette and going back into the apartment. I did the same.

"Okay, I will think on it," I agreed, knowing that I would have a headache by the end of the night.

He made his exit, and I retired to my room, trying to study for my class the next morning. I thought things through. I didn't even know why I was holding out from Lou. I knew I liked him enough, but there seemed to be something else that was holding me back. Then the face appeared in my brain. Jason. Why was I waiting for him? I didn't even know if he was gay or not. I liked him a lot, even though I didn't know him too well. I also didn't know Lou very well, but I liked him just the same. And then there was Sean.....

I went out to the living room after that thought came into my head, went to the kitchen and headed straight toward the freezer for the vodka that was in it. Surprisingly, the only one in the apartment was Paul. I sat down next to him, after I downed about a shot and a half . 

"What's up, Joe?" he asked, taking his attention away from the TV and shifting it to me.

"Everything man, everything."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I haven't talked to Sean all day today, man. I still can't believe what he did last night," Paul said.

I had to add, "and I can't believe you reacted the way you did last night!"

"Yeah, I know, I was a bit childish. But, sorry, man, that's who I am," Paul said.

"Yeah I know," I replied. 

"So, what's bothering you?" he asked.

"Well, Lou just asked me out. I don't know what's with me, man. I don't know why I didn't agree. The old me would've said sure!"

"You had the best, man. You probably won't settle for anything less."

Paul made good observations when it comes to other people's lives. Although he is extremely opinionated, the judgements he makes are usually right (for other people's lives). He can never follow his own beliefs though.

"Yep, You're probably right. But, I'm really liking this new guy, Jason, a new guy at work. You've met him once I think at the cafeteria. And I don't know why, but I think I'm just waiting for him to say he's gay and that's why I didn't say yes to Lou."

"Ah, I see." Paul said. "Well, man, I don't know what to tell you. You could just come out and tell this new guy that you are gay, and see how reacts, instead of you waiting for him to tell you that he is."

"And you know, I don't even know if he is or not," I added.

"Then you could be waiting for nothing?"

"Exactly," I responded.

"Hmm..Joe this is a tough one."

I don't know why, but I just let out a groan of frustration, got up off the couch, and grabbed the phone. 

"What the hell are you doing?" Paul asked, in surprise.

"I'm gettin' out of here, man," I said, dialing the phone number of an old high school friend who lived in my old home town in PA, who I occasionally go visit. My family moved to South Jersey after I graduated from high school five years ago. (I've never forgiven my parents for making that move...PA is still a much better state in my opinion).

"Hey Eric!" I said, as I recognized the voice on the phone. 

"Hey Joe!" He said, realizing who it was. "How the hell are you?" 

"Well, I need a break from this place. What are you doing this weekend, man?"

"Uh, nothin' in particular. Why? You wanna come up?" he asked.

"Sure do," I said, smiling.

"Cool, well, you have the key to my apartment still, don't you?"

"Yeah," I said. Eric had given me a key to his apartment and told me to use it whenever I was in town, regardless of whether he was there or not, which I have been very grateful of. Over the years, Eric and I have gotten even closer than we were in middle and high school, because of my visits since then.

"Cool! So, when should I be expecting you?"

"Uh, tomorrow afternoon," I said, quickly thinking about my Friday schedule. "Is that okay?"

"Yeah, man. Sounds great. I'll be here, have Friday and Saturday off, so it should work out just fine!"

"Thanks, Eric. I'll see you then."

"Okay, Joe. Talk to you later!"

"Bye," I said. I hung up the phone and sat back down on the couch, next to Paul.

"Wow, that was quick," he said. "Going up to visit friends?"

"Hell yeah, and maybe I can sort some things out when I'm up there!" I said.

"That's good. You always seem to have fun up there."

"Yes I do. And the kicker is, no one knows about me up there. Maybe that's part of the reason why I always have a good time up there. No worries, no problems, just fun and games," I said, remembering the fun times.

I looked at my watch and it was about 11PM. "Well, Paul, I'm gonna call it an early night tonight. I'll talk to you later," I said, getting up and going back to my room to go to bed.

Well, that concludes part IV of Joe The Man. I hope you enjoyed it as always. Please feel free to send me comments at SNJBoy76@aol.com Thanks again for checking out the series!.