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20

 

I woke the next morning and texted Lance to see if he would be interested in joining Mike and me for a night out.

"Want to go dancing this weekend? I'd like you to join us."

"Us?"

"Mike, obviously."

"He wants to spend time with me? I would feel like a third wheel."

"Come have fun with us."

"What if I wanted to dance with you? Would he mind?"

"I think he'd love it."

"Text me details."

After a shower, I dressed and entered the kitchen. No one was there. I had a simple bowl of cereal. There were blueberries in the fridge, so I sprinkled a few in. As I sat there at the kitchen table, I had no idea what I would say to Mom. I didn't feel as angry as last night, but all was not forgiven. For now.

I could hear someone walking down the hall.

"Am I forgiven yet?" Mom's voice said quietly walking up behind me.

Ugghh!

"No."

"I see. Trent, I only ..."

"I know why you did it, Mom, and I'm trying to understand that ... it was because you cared about me. But the behind-my-back thing, the fact that you think I'm not smart enough thing, the lack of trust thing ... it hurts. That doesn't go away in one night."

"I respect your feelings. And, yes, I totally care about you."

"I'm going to spend one night with Mike this weekend. I hope you're okay with that. It's my decision. It's a holiday weekend, so I might spend two."

Mom walked over to refill her hot tea.

"Did you not want to spend any of the holiday here?"

"I'll be home Monday. After the holiday I plan to get serious about resumes and interviews. Did you all wish to do anything?"

"I thought maybe we could all go to a movie."

"That would be fine," I replied. "Does Dad ever ask about my plans?"

"Ask? No. I just let him know if you will be here or not."

"You can tell him I'm spending time with a friend before the job search. You can even mention Lance's name as I'll probably see him too."

"Hmm."

"I'm sorry you can't be completely honest with Dad. I'll tell him eventually. Soon. But seeing how you reacted, he'll just hit the roof."

"Well, my reaction was more toward Michael being older and a former teacher, not that you were ..." She stopped.

"Gay? You can say it, Mom. I'm gay."

She didn't say anything. She placed her tea in the microwave for 30 seconds.

"You seem very comfortable with it. Have you always known?" She turned to look at me for an answer.

The microwave beeped and she removed her cup.

"I didn't know what I was. For the longest time, I thought I was like every other kid. Then everyone started dating girls, and I ... just wasn't interested. I figured it would `hit me later,'" I put in air quotes. "Once I got to college, I just noticed ... men. I liked looking at men. I ignored it, I rejected it, I tried to convince myself that I wasn't gay. I was miserable. I was a wreck. I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone. I figured they would make fun of me or judge me or reject me. I was afraid of losing my friends. I was such a mess that while we practiced at Jerome Hawkins High School, I went to see Mike ... Professor Terry. He always was a calm, supportive voice all those years ago. I figured I could talk to him."

"Did you know he was ...?"

"Gay. Gay, Mom. No. No, I didn't. I thought maybe he could be, but that wasn't why I talked to him. Well, maybe a little of it was. But he's just ... a great man. Of all my teachers in my whole life, he was the most caring. I'm sure I was ... just sort of ... blunt, I guess. He could have kicked me out or said to talk to a counselor, but he was just willing to listen. He offered to let me talk after school and after that night, we just became friends."

"Friends."

"We both admit we developed feelings for each other too quickly. Had it been some schoolkid crush, I think it would have passed. But we like each other. We love each other. It surprised us, so we called ... put it on hold until school was out. He wanted to make sure I was sure. He thought I might want someone my own age."

"You aren't interested in anyone your age?"

"It's not that. I probably could be. If it had worked out that way, sure. But I fell in love with Mike. I'm now out of school; we're two adults — so we'll see where it goes."

"He seems to think you are in a committed relationship. Is that how you feel?"

"Absolutely. We love each other. I'm happier than I've ever been before."

"I suppose that's something a mother should like to hear."

"So, do you?"

"It's not exactly how I pictured it all working out as you grew up, but am I glad you're happy? Yes, of course I am."

"Progress."

I put my bowl in the dishwasher.

"I'm going to make chicken salad for lunch before I head to work. Is that fine?"

"Yeah, of course. I love your chicken salad."

I stood silent for a minute.

"What would you think if I entered The Showcase?"

"Really!!? I'd love it, of course."

"I've been thinking about it. I might outline it some more this afternoon. Until I get an actual job, it can keep me busy."

"I think it's wonderful. What's it about?"

"I can't tell you any of that yet. I'm still developing."

"Well, I'm glad."

 

—

 

I texted Mike that I would be there later but would spend dinner with family first. I planned to be with him tonight and Saturday and come home Sunday afternoon. That would give Mike a little free time if he needed to get other things done.

I let Lance know that tomorrow night was dancing night.

May 22

Heading to Mike's for a couple days. I feel things are better with Mom. Listening is a good thing. Time heals all wounds, as they say. Hopefully she just feels better about it. About us. About me.

 

—

 

I showed up at Mike's at 8 o'clock. I updated him on my talk with Mom. He is wonderfully understanding.

We moved to the couch. I wanted to show sincere interest in Mike's work, so I let him do a lot of talking. I had him tell me how school was starting to wind down. With the holiday, next week was only four days. The final three days were in June, followed by a required workday. It was all less than two weeks. Hopefully, I would eventually be getting a job, but having much more free time in the summer sounded fantastic.

We would leave for Robert's lake house on the 4th. It should be a nice getaway to ease into summer.

I had carried in a bottled water with me. Now finished, I took it to the recycling bin in his kitchen. Mike was finishing a glass of wine.

"I said I'd cook you dinner next Tuesday. Do you prefer anything?" I asked.

"I'm pretty easy to please. Fish or chicken would be my first choice. That should be easy to work around," Mike said, joining me.

"Sure. I'll work at finding something to impress you."

"Just having someone cook for me is impressive."

"When you were with Ethan, who did most of the cooking?"

"Ohhh, we both shared responsibilities fairly well. We split cooking. He did more of the indoor cleaning; I did more of the yard. Now it's all me."

"For now."

"I'd like to do something. Excuse me a minute."

Mike went into the bedroom for a couple minutes, then returned.

"I'm enjoying our conversation. I just want to change the venue."

He took my hand and led me to the bedroom. He grabbed a candle, lit it and carried it into the bathroom. In the darkness I could hear water running.

"Get undressed," he said.

"All the way undressed?"

"As in naked, yes."

I did so. He watched me take all my clothes off. Both of us standing, he kissed me and fondled my dick. He then pulled me by my anatomy into the bathroom. He had a bubble bath running with the candle sitting at the corner of the counter.

"It's hot, but ease into the water. I'll be right back."

I stuck a foot in the water. It was quite warm, borderline hot. Slowly, a few inches at a time, I lowered myself into the bubbly water. I leaned back. It felt soothing.

Mike entered the bathroom completely naked holding two glasses of wine. I wasn't drinking much these days, but I didn't want to ruin the mood. Mike's penis hung beautifully in the candlelight. He placed my wine glass at the corner of the tub. He put his at the opposite corner and stepped into the other end.

"Oooo, that's really hot."

"I'm used to it."

Mike turned off the water. He lowered his ass into the water. As the water surrounded his crotch, he sharply inhaled, but then moved further in. Our legs were spread so we fit between them. Just our chests and a bit of our knees were exposed above the bubbles. When we sat still we could hear the crackle of suds popping.

"Is this okay?" he asked. "Too dorky?"

"I think it is wonderful."

We leaned into the middle for a quick kiss. Before reclining he reached down to feel my cock. It was hard.

"Your first bubble bath with a man, I assume?" he said.

"My first bubble bath since I was six, I think."

We both took a sip of wine. He followed with a larger drink. We sat in silence for a moment.

"I didn't think you could get more beautiful, but you are so handsome in this light," he told me.

"Flatterer," I said with a smile.

I leaned forward. So did he, and we kissed again. As our lips merged, both of us reached into the suds to fondle the other within the water. Both of us had stiff erections. We gently pulled and stroked as we kissed. Our free arms wrapped around the other, dripping warm water down our backs.

"Come over to my side," I requested.

He mocked the motions of a swimmer for a moment then reached for his glass to move it. He took a sip and then placed it near mine. He turned to position his body against me. Leaning back, his head rested on my shoulder. I put my arms around his chest and held him close. My fingers teased the hair on his chest. He couldn't help but feel my hard-on poke at the crack of his ass.

We both sighed as he let his weight collapse into my frame. Dorky or not, I couldn't imagine anything more romantic.

"This is nice," I whispered into his ear.

"I'm glad you think so," he said back softly. "I rather like it myself."

One of my hands continued to massage his chest. The other ventured down to find his erection again. Down through the suds, my grip toyed with his hardened flesh. I bobbed his balls below the water. His shoulders, his hair, his anatomy, his chest — he was completely masculine to me in the purest form. I wondered how I was lucky enough to be in this scenario — the perfect man, naked, in my arms, in candlelight.

"I love you," I gently whispered in his ear.

"I love you more."

He sipped wine. His glass looked emptier than mine. I released his dick and reached for my glass. I took a big sip. I took another. Setting the glass down, I found his right hand. I placed my hand on top of it. I let my fingers slightly lock into his. Mike placed his head closer to mine. I took his hand and moved it back to his cock. Both of us wrapped our fingers around it. Slowly and gently we stroked it. It was delicate, but a slow rhythm below the water. He let out a light sigh and then hummed a quiet moan.

Mike's left hand reached around him to grasp my dick. He held it tight. We both started stroking his erection harder. The soapiness of the water made things slick.

We didn't say much. Together we serviced his manly feature. He moaned softly. For minutes our arms were in sync while the candle flickered soft light on our bodies. His fist on my cock tightened. Mike increased the tempo on our strokes. His breathing became louder.

"You are so sexy to me right now," I whispered in his ear.

"Oh, Trent. I'm so glad you're here."

Our two hands stroked harder. It was strong enough to make sounds in the water. He moaned a little louder.

Mike switched positions on our hands. My grip was now touching the skin while he gripped my hand from on top. I was now in control, and he let me work the erection at a rapid pace. This was quieter than the intimacy we usually had, but still incredibly arousing. Mike's body language in my embrace conveyed as much as words. The way his hips started to thrust, the way his chest heaved, the way his neck arched back — I was doing a good job of pleasuring his crotch. He continued to softly moan for what seemed like hours but was just mere minutes. I was lost in his stimulation. Hearing him tenderly utter gratification in the darkness was like being transported to heaven. My rod was throbbing in his grip. He repositioned it to where it poked his ass crack. So much of our skin was merged, both above the water and below. His breathing got huge and started to stutter.

"Oh baby," he softly said. "Oh yeah. Oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah."

He grunted and his body lurched. I knew he was shooting cum into the water. I jerked harder. His body was writhing in his orgasm. I held him tight. My fist started at the bottom and pounded his shaft while I worked the last drop of his cum out of his cock. After tensing and shuddering in his climax, his body relaxed and melted into mine.

"Wow," he gently said. "Wow."

We didn't move. My hand stayed gripped around his dick. We reclined in peace.

"Did I mention I love you?" I whispered into his ear.

"Did I mention I love you more?" he returned.

I reluctantly released his cock, which was now still long, but no longer firm. I took both arms and wrapped them around his chest. I pulled him to me tight, almost as if I was squeezing the breath out of him. As I pulled him a couple inches closer to me, my cock slipped under his ass, drawing a line of my entire length down his crack. Even with the awkward position, I was still exceptionally hard. The romantic setting was intoxicating.

I released one of my arms and reached for the wine.

"How long have you had this planned?" I softly asked.

"I saw a bath accessories store in the mall the other night when we were there. I got the idea and picked up a bottle of bubble bath yesterday."

"You get an A+" I said. "Love the fragrance too."

"Yeah, I love anything vanilla."

I took another sip and sat the glass down. My hand submerged back into the water and ever-so-gently caressed his balls. After fondling them, I lightly cupped my hand around them and just held them.

"You are the most beautiful man I've ever been with, Trent," he said, staring at the far wall in a glaze.

I started to say, "I've seen Ethan, so I know that isn't true" but that was the night of ... Detrell. Mike didn't know I had seen him on the street.

"I'm sure that isn't true. I imagine Ethan was quite handsome."

"He was. Very. But you are beautiful in ways he wasn't."

"Hmm. I'll leave the details to my imagination."

"You're gorgeous. You know that. But you are so beautiful as a person ... as a whole ... on the inside. I hope I conveyed that to your mother. You and I never would have gone further than — God, please let me forget that locker room! — if I didn't see something in you. I've been happy before, but you make me happy in ways I wasn't before."

That was deep. It was a lot of compliments. It was wonderful to hear but left me mystified.

"I can't imagine what I'm doing. I'm not trying to be anything. I'm just me."

"Which is why you are so amazing."

I made both my arms wrap around him again. I kissed the back of his neck.

"God, I'm lucky to have found you," I whispered. "You somehow make me feel amazing. I know I'm not, but together we are pretty awesome."

I hadn't opened up to him about the incident with Detrell. He accepted my evening with Lance, but Detrell was altogether different. I had made so many mistakes that night. I was so naïve. Would Mike look down on me for being so stupid? Would I be damaged goods?

I shook those thoughts from my head and let my fingers run through his chest hair. My cock started to throb. His words made me want to penetrate his ass and come inside him. I wasn't feeling lust. I felt true love for this man.

"We're kind of losing the heat of the water. Should we get out?" I asked.

"I suppose. Let me dry off, and I'll go get you a fresh towel."

He stood on the bathmat and dried off. I stood in the tub, wondering if there were any droplets of his cum swirling in the water and slightly adhering to my body. Mike finished drying and sarcastically hung his towel on my hard-on.

"I'll be right back."

Seconds later he had a lush towel in hand. He handed it to me and removed his towel from my erection.

"These towels are nice," I noted.

"Yeah. I got them in the split. Some friends gave them to Ethan and me when we moved in."

"What do you miss about him?" I asked hanging both our towels.

"Eh, let's not talk about him."

We briefly checked ourselves out in the mirror.

"I know it is kind of early, but can we just move to the bed?" I asked grabbing both glasses of wine.

"Sure."

I placed a glass on each of our nightstands. We slipped partially under the sheets, propping a pillow behind our backs so that we could sit up. My cock now flopped to the side. His wasn't big anymore. He let the sheet cover his crotch. I pulled it back, letting him know I liked to see it no matter what its size.

"You don't avoid talking about Ethan because you think it makes me uncomfortable, do you?" I asked him.

"A little. Yeah. And it also brings to mind the mistakes we made. Mistakes I made."

Mike moved his arm behind me and pulled me into his side.

"Thank you for seeing past my flaws," he said.

"I think you're perfect."

"Ha. Far from. I can really feel down on myself sometimes for being a bonehead."

"Like?"

"Like getting so drunk in a bar that my new, young boyfriend has to bring me home."

"That's nothing," I said.

"It isn't nothing if you are the older one. God! You came to me for advice, for counsel, for someone to listen — and I jumped in the shower with you. I'm a horrible role model."

"Michael Terry! I don't need you to be a role model. That wasn't what I was looking for. I needed a confidant, a friend ... someone who would understand the real me. You did all of that — and a whole lot more. Somehow you managed to fall in love with this clueless kid."

We embraced and kissed.

"I sure did," he said.

He took a sip of wine, and then moved his head down to my waist. I wasn't hard, but I'm always long. His tongue traced from the bottom of my cock to the tip of the head. He drew lines of saliva with his tongue down every inch. Then he wrapped his mouth around my organ and swallowed it whole. It took no time for it to be as hard as a baseball bat.

"Ohhhh," I released, as he sucked my rod. "That's so nice."

He got to his hands and knees without taking his mouth off my cock. I watched him swallow my shaft up and down in the candlelight. His blowjobs were so skilled. As he pleasured me orally, I loved watching him consume me but also loved seeing his dick get hard again. It had only been 20 minutes, if that, but Mike was fully erect while he slurped on my beam.

"Honey, that feels so good."

He slurped on my cock for another few minutes and then stopped. He leaned over to the drawer and pulled out the lube. I was a bit confused. With him already having come, I didn't know what he had in mind. He dripped lube on my cock. I inhaled at the cool touch. Then his hand groped my flesh sliding the slick liquid all around my pole. Using his thumb and forefinger, he started masturbating my hard-on. He slid his created ring up and down my hardened wood. I couldn't help but groan. It felt good.

"Oh, Mike, my cock feels incredible."

The slickness of the lube and the ring of his fingers made it feel like I was sliding in and out of his ass. I surprised myself by how loud I got. I was moaning and growling and groaning. His strokes on my cock sent waves of pleasure deep into my crotch. The stimulation was off the charts. He played my dick like an instrument. It pulsated and throbbed in his care. My flesh was on fire, which warmed the liquid encasing my erection.

Seconds of exhilaration became minutes. His slickened handiwork worked my cock into a frenzy. I found his hair with one hand and gripped fingers into it. My other arm reached back for the headboard. My moaning became louder even. It was screaming at that point. My crotch was thrusting my dick into his pounding grasp.

"Oh, Mike. I'm so close. Jerk me harder!"

He did. He lowered his head to my belly, and I released the hair from his scalp. I felt my orgasm rise within my groin. I looked down to watch myself explode.

"UNNHHH! Ohhh! I'm coming. I'm coming."

My first stream went partially in Mike's mouth, and some landed on my chest, which dripped on his face. He continued to jerk my cock and the second stream went straight into his mouth. He moaned with the direct hit. He aimed my cock perfectly to take the following shots of cum. The last spasms dripped from my cock to my navel and a bit on his chin. I was spent but he kept pulling my hard-on making sure the pleasure of the event was experienced to the fullest.

"Whew!" I exclaimed, catching my breath.

He reached for a towel in the drawer. He wiped the remaining lube from my cock and any splashes of cum from my chest. Mike leaned over to kiss me. I licked the cum off his cheek with my tongue and shared it with his tongue. We kissed again. He wiped any remaining stickiness from his face.

"That was pretty awesome, Professor."

"Ugh. Please don't refer to me like that," he said, walking to the bathroom. "I'm still trying to block the whole teacher/student dynamic from my mind."

He ran warm water on part of the towel and came back. After wiping his face, he returned to my body to make sure it was cleaned. Then he took the towel back away to the bathroom.

Mike took a drink of wine and then slid into the sheets. He pulled his pillow down so that he was completely flat. I took a drink, then joined him. In no time, we were in each other's arms.

"When you came in the tub, I thought that would be our sex for tonight. I wasn't expecting ... that."

"What kind of amazing, perfect boyfriend would I be if I didn't take care of you?"

"Boy, did you."

We squeezed each other tight. The candlelight continued to flicker. We turned toward each other. For a moment we just stared into each other's eyes. Then we kissed. We kissed for a long time.

I placed my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. My fingers teased the hair on his chest.

"Will sex be like this all the time? It can't be phenomenal forever, right? This isn't normal, is it?"

"Ah, my young apprentice. As I said before, who says we're normal?"

We chuckled.

Mike added, "But, no. I would have to assume all couples slow down in the passion department. Do you picture your parents screaming in bed right now?

"Gah!! I don't picture my parents having sex at all. Gross. Yeah. I guess. But man. Sex with you is waaaaay better than I thought it ever would be. It's a shame I didn't start having sex sooner."

"I'm so glad you didn't," he said.

I pulled back from his body.

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

He looked deep into my eyes.

"If you had sex years ago, you wouldn't have walked into my classroom. You wouldn't be in my arms. I'm being selfish. I want you. I'm glad you're mine. Just mine. All mine."

"What a good answer," I said, returning my tight embrace around his body.

"You'd be out dancing with Ash or Lance or somebody..."

As our eyes adjusted, the candlelight made the room seem brighter than it probably was. We were content to hold each other. The warmth of his skin was magical. In all my college years, when I would fantasize about being with a man — when I allowed myself — it was always the sex. It wasn't the before or after, only the sex. I had no idea how everything — the whole package — made it so much better. We held each other in silence. I was wondering if Mike might drift off, but he would occasionally run his hand down my back, so I knew he was awake.

"You said you made mistakes with Ethan. Can you talk about it?" I asked.

"Eh, it's in the past."

"It's okay if you don't want to share. You don't have to tell me everything. You're entitled to having sec... private things."

"Yeah. They're not secrets. But I don't want you to think I hide things from you. I will always, always be honest with you, Trent."

I momentarily thought about Detrell. It's not that I had lied about that night. I just hadn't disclosed it. I was the one keeping secrets.

"Ethan and I were hot and heavy for a few weeks. I was in the market to buy a house before we started seeing each other. I had decided on this house and at the last minute, we bought it together. More my money, but he still put in some. We moved in together after just over a month of seeing each other. It was too fast. That must be a thing with me, huh? We loved each other, but in the long run, it was too soon to really move in together. Look at Matt and Ali. Granted, they're younger, but you just don't get married or move in after a month."

"I guess," I replied.

"We would occasionally argue, but overall, we were good. In time, we saw what each other really needed or was looking for was a little different than what each of us wanted. As we became aware of these differences, we kind of grew apart a little. Had we not rushed into it, we wouldn't have had the financial mess to deal with when we decided to split. We just rushed it. It was a shame."

My arms gripped him tighter.

"That was sweet of you to open up. Tell me if I ever pry too much."

"So far, there is no `too much' to where you're concerned," he said, squeezing me tighter. "I can't get enough of Trent Kyriazi."

Who wouldn't want to hear those words? Is this what I had been missing all those years? Had I ended up with someone else, would I feel this level of happiness? Love can't be the same with every person, can it? I had to admit that I was fucking lucky.

I took my last gulp of wine and climbed out of the sheets. I went to my overnight bag and pulled out my toiletry kit. Mike finished his wine and joined me in the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Enough candlelight entered to where we could see the tube of toothpaste. As we brushed, we noticed each other's dick slightly swinging in the candlelight. Mike's is nice. Not as long as mine but still masculine and handsome. He could have no dick at all, and I'd love him just as much. I just didn't know how I got so lucky.

 

—

 

Saturday was awesome. The two of us just enjoyed being a couple, lounging around the house. We left the television off and just enjoyed coffee and making breakfast.

I waited to see which boxers Mike would choose. I made a point to bring five pair hoping for a match. I watched him pull a pair out of the drawer before going into the kitchen to make coffee. When I joined him in a matching pair, the two of us just beamed. Our smiles were juvenile, but also "us." He pulled me to him and kissed me. Then he tended to simple food and coffee.

We spent the whole morning in just our boxers, glancing at our laptops and making simple conversation. I loved being a couple.

We grabbed lunch at Jake's and saw a matinee. He indulged me to go to the latest superhero flick, as I knew my parents wouldn't on Monday. He actually enjoyed it more than he thought he would, but I had to answer some questions that would have been clearer if he'd seen the earlier films.

I texted Lance a time we would pick him up that evening. He replied that he was looking forward to it.

Mike said he was going to grab a quick nap. I told him that was fine.

 

May 23

As Mike grabs some sleep before our night out, it allows me to focus for a few minutes.

Our time together is so euphoric, I just can't imagine it staying this way forever. He's my first. Does it stay this way forever? It hasn't for him in his past relationships. I slightly worry that it will hit us in the weeks or months ahead.

But for right now — right now — he makes me feel so special. I'm happier than I've ever been. He seems perfect for me. He supports me, he makes me feel proud of myself, he exceeds my fantasies sexually — he's EVERYTHING to me.

From his past, he's hesitant to rush things. We seem to be moving at a good pace, the right pace. I'm okay with everything. Except my living situation. The distance is getting old. I'm not sure of the solution.

 

Mike slept for about 45 minutes. When he came out of the bedroom, he noticed the journal on the table. He went over and touched it with his fingers.

"I'm so glad you use this," he said.

"Yeah. It lets me put thoughts on paper. I hope it's okay to say I'd like it to be private."

"Absolutely. I totally respect that. I didn't have any intentions to look inside."

"Thanks. If I came off defensive, I didn't mean to. You gave that to me to put my personal thoughts down, so I have."

"Right."

"By the way," I added. "I've started some notes in it too. I think I'm going to submit something for The Showcase."

"Yea!! I'm delighted! I have the utmost confidence it will be superb."

"You're my boyfriend. You have to say that."

Mike walked over and hugged me.

"I'm your biggest fan," he said.

He kissed me on the cheek with a big smooch.

For dinner we made an Asian stir-fry together. It was loaded with veggies, so it seemed healthy.

We were meeting Lance at 9, so following dinner I suggested a run. Mike said if we allowed dinner to settle for about an hour, he'd be up for it. That let us do that and still have time to shower.

The afternoon had been warm. Summer felt like it was about to arrive. But as the sun started to set, the evening felt really comfortable. Not that that didn't stop us from working up a sweat.

When we got back to the house, we didn't have a lot of time.

"We're short on time, should we shower together or separate?" I asked.

"To know you are in there without me is a knife in my back. If you let me join you, I promise to behave," he said with a smile.

"Perfect."

We tried our best, but we were both so in love that we couldn't help but get a little playful lathering each other's bodies — and cocks — while we cleaned up. While we both got hard as rocks, we restrained ourselves from going too far. A little kissing was understandable.

We dried off, spruced up and prepared to get dressed.

"I have something for you," he said.

"What's this?" I asked, taking a gift bag from his hand.

"It's a little something. A small token to celebrate our reunion."

I opened the bag and pulled out two shirts. They were beautiful.

"I thought you'd enjoy wearing these when we go dancing. I think they'd look good in a club."

"I do too. I love them. I'll wear one tonight. Which, I assume, is why you are giving me them now."

"I thought you'd look sexy in them."

"Well, thanks, hon'."

I gave him a kiss. Between the first and second kiss, he mumbled, "Although you would look sexy in a cardboard box." I barely understood him as our lips were pressed together.

As we drove to Lance's apartment, I mentioned some recent discussions Lance and I had in the past days. Lance seemed hesitant to admit he was gay, but that is all Mike has really seen him as.

"Everyone needs their own time," Mike stated. "You needed a few years to come to terms."

"I suppose, but he ... has sex with men routinely! What is there left to figure out?"

"By definition he seems to be very bisexual. Maybe that's what he wants to be."

"He's never been to a gay club before. I'm sure he's afraid. I was. I think this will be good for him. Hopefully, we can loosen him up."

"A looser Lance. Hmm. Is that a good idea ..." Mike said with a joking chuckle.

We arrived at his place a little before 9. Lance let us in, seeming very happy to see us. He hugged Mike in a squeezing bear hug and gave him a big smooch on the cheek. I'm sure Mike was less than wild about that. Lance did the same for me.

"I'm so glad to see you guys. I never thought I would feel sort of lonely having the apartment to myself, but I kind of do."

"Well, good," Mike said. "We're looking forward to spending the evening with you."

Lance went to the fridge to offer us a beer. We both declined.

"I'm not driving, right?" he said, popping a can.

It was clear we would be sitting around for a brief time for him to drink it we assumed.

Lance was polite to make small talk about Mike winding down his school year. I was pleased listening to the two of them talk. I'm glad they were getting to know each other better, particularly with their clothes on. I loved both these men very much in very different ways.

Eventually we made it to the car. As we drove into the neighborhood, we noticed parking was more challenging.

"It's still fairly early, but it is a Saturday," Mike said.

I saw him look at Indigo through the windshield. I hadn't even seen it since the night with Detrell. I felt Lance put a hand on my shoulder. He let me know he was there. He had my back. Mike had gotten drunk at Indigo. He probably was embarrassed by it too.

"How about Cosmic Thing tonight? It's more retro. Is that okay?" Mike asked.

We both agreed anything was fine, but I'm glad we didn't return to Indigo. I just didn't want a cloud to hang over the night. It took a couple minutes, but we found a place to park.

The décor was fun. Pink flamingos, mannequins, silver gloves, vinyl records. The dance floor had a lot of cube platforms and mirrors.

"I like it!" I told Mike over the pulsing music.

He offered to buy us drinks.

"How do you feel? Are you okay being here?" I asked Lance while the two of us were alone.

"I guess. I'm intrigued. It looks fun. It's a little scary with just a room full of gay men. I mean, hello, I've been around them for months, but it always seems more ... private, more personal. I'm just fooling around. This ... seems more like I'm a part of it. Not sure how I feel about it."

Lance's eyes scanned the crowd. "Are you ever worried someone from school might see you here?" he asked.

"What do I care? I came out to the whole team, remember?"

"Oh. Right." He continued to look in every corner. Finally he felt like he didn't know anyone. "I just wouldn't want anyone to see me here and assume I was gay."

I loved Lance, but he could be infuriating.

Mike returned with our drinks. Most of the music was familiar to all three of us. Dance versions of things we all knew from the radio was fun. There were a few people on the dance floor, but it wasn't crowded. At 11 o'clock, the lights dimmed more, and it was considerably darker. Our eyes adjusted and the lighting on the dance floor became more festive.

Mike held me from behind. I was in his arms, and I in turn held his arms in front of me. We gently swayed to the music playing. He unbuttoned one of my shirt buttons and let his hand slide inside, gently feeling my chest. We moved a little more to the music. Lance moved ever so slightly. Mike pushed his crotch into my ass. I could feel he was erect even through his jeans. I moved one of my hands behind me to grope it. He kissed me on the neck. I turned and we kissed deeply. We let our hands roam over each other as our lips melded in the darkened club.

"You two are making me hard. Please behave," Lance joked from across the cocktail table.

We laughed. Mike let go of me and went over to hug Lance. I chuckled. Mike started swaying with Lance with the music. Lance smiled at me. Then his face looked shocked as Mike unexpectedly grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the dance floor.

"Wait ..." Lance tried to argue.

It was too late. The two of them were in the thick of people on the floor. I had fun watching. It was hot to see Mike dance and fun to see Lance panic. He looked at me across the room and I nodded, holding up my beer.

After a couple songs, Lance loosened up and seemed to be enjoying himself on the dance floor. When they returned, he was all smiles.

"Thanks for that," I said to Mike.

"That was fun," Lance said to him.

Lance went over to kiss Mike on the cheek.

We stayed at the table for a song or two. Then Lance totally reacted to a song starting to play.

"Oooo. Mike, is it okay if I dance with Trent?"

"Be my guest."

I kissed Mike before heading to the dance floor with Lance. We danced a couple songs, and Lance seemed to be having a grand time. Fortunately, if he was dancing, he was drinking less. We headed back to the table, and I wrapped my arms back around Mike.

I was surprised to hear a slow song play. Many people left the floor. I felt Mike grab my hand. He pulled me out there and we danced our first slow song together. I loved it. It was "Endless Love" by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey. We were close to a couple mirrors, and I could see our reflection, which made it even more romantic. We kissed deeply as we gently swayed. I could see Lance watching us from the table. The song ended, and we walked back.

"You're so lucky," Lance said.

"What?" Mike asked.

"You two are so lucky. You've found each other. In so many ways, the two of you shouldn't work, but you make it work. You're so lucky. And you're both hotter than hell."

After a couple hours, we both felt we had danced — and drank — enough. I wasn't drinking much since the night with Detrell, Mike was afraid of getting drunk again, but Lance still had a few. Mike confirmed he was okay enough to drive and we headed back.

"That was fun. Thank you for including me guys. That was sweet." Lance paused. "Feel free to come on in if you'd like to have a three-way again."

"That's the alcohol talking," Mike said, giving Lance a quick peck on the cheek.

"Maybe. But that will probably always be a standing invitation," Lance said, looking rather buzzed. "You guys are as hot as fuck."

"Good night, buddy," I said giving Lance a hug and quick kiss to the cheek. He turned and told me he loved me.

I gave him a small peck on the lips.

"Love you, too, buddy. Good night."

I hoped that was okay with Mike. I wondered if he would say anything once back in the car. Out on the open road, he started the conversation.

"That was fun. I enjoyed it," he said.

"Me too. I love our time together but doing something with friends — or friend — is nice. Hopefully, we can do it from time to time."

"I'm still not sure what to make of Lance. Like you, I think he is drinking too much."

"He's put on a few pounds too!" I remarked.

"Yeah. He's cute in a naïve way. You two are sweet. Not many friends can tell each other that they love them."

"I don't know how Lance and I became so close these last couple months. I used to think he was pretty arrogant. But I feel he has my back. We can say anything to each other."

"I hope you feel that way about me," Mike said. "You do, don't you?"

"Yes, of course."

"I'm here for you 100 percent, Trent. I'm all in."

That was ever-so-slightly awkward. Neither of us were defensive, but I wondered if Mike had an edge to his comment. I do feel like I can say anything to him, but Lance and I are different.

"I'm beat," Mike said as we pulled into the driveway.

"Me too."

It didn't take long for us to prepare for bed. We both brushed our teeth. As we re-entered the bedroom, we both stripped naked and slid into the sheets. We turned out the lights and kissed.

I moved into Mike's arms, and he held me. Neither of us moved. Within minutes we were asleep. It was the first night we spent together where we did not have sex.

 

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