The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities are entirely fortuitous. The story may contain profanity and references to gay sex. If such content offends you please leave now. The author retains all rights to the story. Do not copy or use without written authority from the author. Write Bobby at this address with your comments.

Along the Way 10

Brett wasn't holding me when I awoke the next morning. In fact, he wasn't even in the room. I crawled out of bed and went downstairs. He was standing on one leg out on the balcony with his arms above his head and hands together like he was praying. The only thing he's wearing is his swim trunks. Not wanting to disturb him, I quietly padded my way to a lounge chair. For the next several minutes I just sat and watched Brett do his, um, stretching I guess would be the right word. But after a while, I got kind of bored and hungry so I started to walk inside.

"Don't go," Brett said softly. "It's nice having you out here."

"I don't want to disturb you." I stated quietly, still trying not to disturb him.

Brett chuckled. "Tanner, you're anything but a disruption." He turned to face me and smiled. "How'd you sleep?"

"After last night? I slept like an angel."

"Last night was amazing, Tanner. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it was to me."

I walked up to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head on his shoulder. He held me in his arms, whispering to me little things like beautiful and sexy and stunning. I could only giggle and blush when he said those things to me.

Our relationship after last night had definitely grown a lot. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it just feels like we are so incredibly close now. It feels like nothing in the entire world could ruin us. Then again, with my luck our relationship could come to a crashing halt any second. It's best not to think like that, however, you must know by now that I'm not entirely the most highly self-esteemed individual.

"So, what are we gonna do today?" I asked him.

"Well, I was hoping you'd want to just hang around the pool today. I feel like just relaxing." Brett said.

I inhaled deeply, taking in the intoxicating scent that was being emitted from his silk soft skin. The smell of him sent chills down my spine and made my heart flutter. He must've known that I was getting worked up because he slid a hand inside my boxers and massaged my butt. Sure, it was kind of awkward at first, but eventually it began very soothing.

"Yeah, that'd be fine." I sighed happily. "One of the plus sides is I get to see you mostly naked."

"Mmm, you can see me completely naked if you want to." Brett said in a deeper voice. I could feel his hardening cock against my own.

I pulled back from him. "Not right now, Brett."

"Okay," he said, putting up his hands in defense. "Go change into your suit and we'll get some breakfast before we swim."

The entire time we were swimming, Brett and I would grab at each other in places most people wouldn't care to know about. I got so worked up at one point I actually started to jack off in the pool. Brett helped me out a little bit, but I knew when to stop. Don't worry, I didn't cum in the pool. Around three o'clock, Brett told me he wanted to go back up to the room to take a nap.

I took a quick shower just to wash all the chlorine off my body. When I walked back into the bedroom, Brett was already sleeping. Sleep was the furthest thing from my mind, though. So, instead of lying next to him, the TV seemed like a much more suitable buddy.

A couple of hours passed by before my wonderful boyfriend stumbled down the stairs. He sleepily plopped down beside me, laying his head on my shoulder.

"Want dinner? I'm starving." Brett groaned.

"Sure," I replied. "What are we gonna have?"

"Well, I wanna go to the Tropicana to eat at the Garden Café."

Brett got in the shower, and then dressed for dinner. When we got to the restaurant, I was immediately floored by the overall design of the place. It was bright and tropical, but kind of odd in a way. The food was good, though. Brett had some kind of huge meat thing whereas I had a sandwich. After we finished eating, the two of us walked back to the MGM. The two hotels were virtually right across the street from each other after all.

"We have a few more things to do before we leave Vegas." Brett said. "The next two days should finish them off."

"Oh boy, I can't wait!" I said excitedly. I grabbed his hand and kissed it. Ever since we got into Vegas, I haven't worried about who sees me being gay. Brett's confidence is transferring to me.

"Yeah, well, I think you'll really like what we-" Suddenly, a bright light flashed in front of us. "What the hell!?"

"Ha!" a man shouted. "I knew I saw you here!"

Once my eyes were back to normal, I saw the guy who took the picture. Brett seemed confused as to who he is.

"Who the hell are you?" Brett asked.

"I go by James, but that isn't the important thing right now, Mr. Malcolm. The important thing is that I've finally found you with your boyfriend and I have the picture to prove it."

Brett's color in his face went straight to white. He looked completely fearful. "You're a paparazzi."

"That's right," James smugly said. "And the picture of you two holding hands will be on the front page of every single newspaper by morning." The arrogance of this guy was practically oozing from his pores. "And then everyone will know that the President's son is gay!"

People around us started to stop and whisper. Within seconds, there was a large crowd surrounding the two of us. I began to get extremely nervous and Brett knew it. He grabbed me by the wrist and shoved our way through the crowd of people. We ran all the way into the hotel lobby, but it didn't matter how fast we were running because the massive crowd was almost right behind us. Luckily, there was an elevator that was just beginning to shut. Brett and I jumped in, fighting for our breath. He pushed a random floor level, then looked over at me.

"That's not our floor, Brett." I panted.

"I know, but if we go directly to our floor, then everyone will know. We'll have to switch elevators. How fast can you pack? It's too dangerous to stay here now." Brett was absolutely panicked. I've never seen him so worked up over something before.

"I'll be packed up and ready to go in seconds." I sighed.

"I'm so sorry, Tanner. I promise you that we'll finish this vacation sometime soon, okay?"

"Okay," I said sadly.

The two of us packed quickly. Brett called the front desk and told them to bring the truck up and to check us out. After that was taken care of, we went down to the lobby. Brett was constantly searching the mass of people for any signs of recognition. He was completely paranoid about this, not that I can blame him though. He threw our luggage in the back and sped off from the hotel.

A few minutes out of Vegas, Brett called his father, putting him on speakerphone.

"Hi, dad," Brett chuckled nervously.

"Oh, God, what have you done now?" his dad asked. I can't believe he just assumed something was wrong even if Brett did sound completely guilty of something.

"Well, Tanner and I kind of ran into a paparazzi." Brett said. "And he kind of took a picture of us while we were...um...holding hands."

"Oh, my God," his dad sighed. "Brett, go straight to the airport. Your mother and I will be waiting for you."

"All right, dad," he responded. "We're already on our way."

"Oh, and Brett?"

"Yeah, dad?"

"Don't worry about speeding. Get here as fast as you can." His dad hung up, leaving a worried Brett even more worried.

For the most part of the drive, neither of us spoke to each other. I was worried about what his dad might do to me. He might ban me from seeing Brett now that this has happened. Brett on the other hand is probably more worried about what's gonna happen to his dad. Something like this could definitely ruin his term. If he wants to run for a second term even, his chances are now probably very minimal.

I screw everything up. What if I just screwed the President's life? Who in the world has the privilege to say that?

"Tanner, what are you thinking about?" Brett asked me.

"Just about how I've screwed everything up." I muttered.

"What?" Brett asked. "What have you screwed up?"

"Everything. Our vacation. Your dads' terms. Maybe our relationship." Tears burned in my eyes, trying to force their way down my cheeks.

Brett slammed the brakes on and pulled off the highway. He shut the truck off and dropped the keys onto the floor.

"I swear to God, Tanner, if you blame yourself anymore so help me I will... I don't know what I'll do, but you have to stop. None of this is your fault!" Brett loudly said.

"Yes, it is, Brett!" I shouted. "I'm the idiot who grabbed your hand, and kissed it nonetheless. And now those pictures could possibly ruin you and your family's lives!" I shouted. Tears were burning in my eyes just waiting to come streaming down my cheeks.

"Tanner," he started softly, "this is not your fault, okay?"

"Right, Brett," I said unconvincingly. I dropped my head because I could feel the tears begin to slide down my face.

"Babe, you have to stop blaming yourself for things that you have no control over. That paparazzi would've snapped pictures of us regardless. The only difference is that we were holding hands. You weren't holding my hand. We were holding hands. I don't care what might happen because of those pictures. Our relationship definitely isn't at stake here."

I sniffled, "Really?"

"Yes, really," Brett sighed. "I don't understand how you can even begin to think that our relationship is at stake."

"I screw everything up, Brett. Even you have to at least admit a little bit that I do."

"Not once have I seen you screw anything up. How could you think that of yourself?"

"I just do, Brett. I screw everything in my life up. I screwed my mom up, I've now screwed your family up, and I'm screwing my life up."

"Wait a minute," Brett scoffed. "How did you screw your mom up?"

"If I wouldn't have been born she would have a much better life. She'd be living with someone great who could give her whatever she wants. Since she has me, though, she doesn't have that opportunity. If I was never born-"

"Tanner, shut up!" Brett screamed. He grabbed me and shook me hard. "Why the fuck can't you get it through your head!? I fucking love you no matter what!"

"Let go of me," I whined, scared out of my mind.

"Not until I hear you say the words, 'I am important.'" Brett was so angry it was almost unbelievable. His grip on me was starting to hurt.

"I-I am," I whispered.

"I am what?"

"I am important," A warm feeling started to build deep inside of me.

"Say it again," Brett ordered.

"I am important,"

"Again,"

"I am important!" I shouted this time.

Brett smiled faintly. "Good," He inserted the key back into the ignition and off we went.

An hour after that incident, Brett said that he needed to get some gas. I took the opportunity to go to the bathroom while he was pumping. I finished using the restroom and began washing my hands. All of a sudden, a scruffy looking teenager walked out of a stall with a burly man behind him. My mind raced as to what was going on right beside me. The boy and I made eye contact. He gave me a weak smile and a wink.

Strangely enough, I know how that kid feels. That feeling of having to do what you have to do to stay alive in today's world. I've never had to perform sexual acts for money, but I have stolen food before. There aren't really any morals while having to fend for yourself so stealing some food didn't ever put too much of a guilt trip on me.

"Hey," I called out to him just as he was leaving the bathroom. He turned around and walked closer to me. "Take this." I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a twenty.

"What do you want for twenty? For such a small price I usually just do hand jobs, but for you I, thinking a blow job because you are way too cute."

The boy began to feel me up, but I quickly stopped him. "Wait a minute. I have a boyfriend."

"Then why're you giving me this twenty?" he quizzically asked.

"I'm just giving it to you." I said.

"I can't just take this money. I have to earn the money. Unless I get to blow you, then take the money back."

"Well, you're going to have to take it because with me you won't be earning it." The boy hesitated for a moment, but stuffed the twenty in a pocket. "My name is Tanner by the way."

"I'm, um, Sam."

"Sam, I know how you feel having to do whatever to stay alive. Before my boyfriend came along I wasn't exactly on the streets, but I might as well have been."

"You don't know me so you can't really give me a motivational speech. But you are right about one thing, I do what I have to to survive." Sam said smugly. "It was nice meeting you, Tanner."

"Hey!" I said loudly. Sam turned around ready to defend himself. Instead of telling him how rude he is, I decided to just hug him. When I latched onto him, Sam instantly tensed up. It wasn't until I nuzzled my head into his neck did he wrap his arms around me. "Just have some faith, Sam. Things could work out a lot sooner than you think." I released him from my grasp, then walked out of the bathroom.

Brett was leaning against the truck staring at me when I was walking out. I saw Sam walk out of the bathroom as I was getting in the truck. He looked pretty happy from what I could tell. He was staring at me and smiling, waving good-bye.

Back on the highway, Brett was driving as fast as ever. He kept glancing over at me every once in a while. I think he could be feeling guilty over what happened earlier. Honestly, I'm kind of uncomfortable with him right now. He seriously scared the living daylights out of me.

"Hey, Tanner?" Brett said. "I'm really sorry about what I did earlier. I was way out of line for grabbing you like that, but you just really struck a nerve with me when you said you shouldn't have even been born." Brett reached out and grabbed my hand.

I looked over at him and barely smiled. "Thanks,"

"That's it? Come on, Tanner, I know you have to think more than that. Let me have it. I know I was a jerk and insensitive so let me have it."

"You really scared me, Brett. I've never seen you so mad, and you were mad at me."

"I wasn't mad at you. I was mad at what you said. And I'm just really sorry. Do you forgive me?" Brett gave me a very sad face and flushed his eyes.

I chuckled, "Yes, I forgive you."

"Yay," Brett beamed. "Come here." He lifted the center console and patted his leg. I stretched out and rested my head in his lap.

Only one hour later, we arrived at Ontario airport. Police led us through straight to the tarmac where Air Force One was waiting for us. Just as Brett shut the truck off, his parents walked out of the plane with an angry look plastered on both of their faces.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Well everyone, I hope you all liked chapter ten! As always, feel free to write me at the e-mail address given atop every single chapter. Also feel free to join my group by clicking this link: Shades of Wisteria.

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