Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2021 01:56:18 +0000 (UTC)
From: rw6789@aol.com
Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 566  by Rob Williams

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 566 by Rob Williams

Chapter 566 – "ACTION HERO MELTDOWN"

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Sexy, muscled action-hero Grady has a meltdown under filming pressure. He
sobs to his Italian lover, "I can't do it anymore, Mario. I'm quitting the
movie, going away." The tribe's boss Randy finds Grady's boy Brian sobbing,
scared he'll be dumped. "Don't worry, kid, I'll take care of this crap."
The savage gypsy growls at Grady. "This is fucking bullshit, man. I know
what you need."

______________________________________________________________________

<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>

The trip to the lake had been wildly successful.

The warring lovers Zack and Miguel, their relationship near to collapse,
had driven up there in a stone-faced, hostile silence in a last-ditch
effort to heal their formerly passionate love affair.  The frost had
thawed, hostility banished and the passion was back stronger than ever.

Ranger Pete had helped bring about the transformation. In an explosive
climax to purge Zack's guilt, he had been spit-roasted by the two men –
butt-fucked by Miguel and face-fucked by Pete.  When it was over Pete
smiled, "Congratulations, guys. Welcome back to the real world."

The reunited lovers went off for a run along the lake shore while Pete
pulled out his phone and called his boy Brandon. Brandon had recently
phoned to tell him that his boyfriend Brian wanted him to go and spend the
night with him at the Grady House.  Brian was the boy of the action
movie-star Grady and his Italian lover Mario at their sprawling estate in
the Hollywood Hills.

Pete had willingly agreed, as he would be spending the night at the lake
with Zack and Miguel.  Now he called Brandon back to relate to him the wild
events by the lake he had just lived through. "I told the guys it was a bit
over-the-top, but it'll sure make you the star of the show at the Grady
House tonight when you tell them.

"You're right, sir, it's awesome.  The guys will lap it up, especially
Grady.  Because of his celebrity, the fans and paparazzi and all, he don't
leave the house much, so he's always hungry for gossip of the tribe.
Usually he's the last to know, poor guy, but this time he'll be the first.

"And from what Brian tells me Grady needs something like that to take him
out of himself.  Mario said he's been working so hard on his movie –
weekends, night shoots – that he's totally exhausted.  Nervous
exhaustion has wiped him out apparently, and Mario's real worried about
him. Fortunately the movie shoot is on hiatus for a week and Mario said the
break came just in time, as he's in a bad way emotionally."

Pete said, "Sounds like this story is just the thing to help the poor guy
forget his own movie for a while and lose himself in a whole different
one."

"That's it exactly, sir.  Grady loves stuff like this and this story is a
humdinger – drama, fights, lust, fantasy, a master/slave climax, the
works.  Mario says tonight's dinner is just a small family affair to help
Grady ... no fuss, no muss.  And it'll be great to spend the night with
Brian.  Of course, I'll miss you, sir.  When will you be home?"

"Tomorrow after work – I'll be counting the minutes.  So enjoy yourself
and take care of Grady. He's a great guy and under a lot of pressure.  And
knock `em dead with that story, kiddo."

"I'm planning on it – can't fail.  I love you, sir."

========= Chapter 566 =========

<><> WORRIES ABOUT GRADY <><>

Soon after Brandon ended his call with Pete, Bob came into the office, as
he did frequently to check on the young office staff.  "Hey, guys.
Everything ticking over nicely?"

"Yes thank you, sir," the boys replied in chorus – Ryan, Noah and Vic.
Brandon didn't look up from his computer until Bob said, "And how about
you, Mr. Manager, everything under control?

Brandon looked up and smiled.  "Sorry, sir, I was engrossed in something.
OK, you have my undivided attention."

"I don't want to interrupt your work, Brandon, but you had told me you were
going up to see Brian at the Grady House this evening and wondered if you
wanted to get away early."

"Maybe half an hour early, thank you sir. Tell the truth, I'm a little
concerned about what's going on up there with Grady.  You probably heard
that he's got the week off as his movie has a production hiatus for a week,
and Brian said it's a good thing too.  Seems Mario is real concerned about
Grady's mental state.  He's been working flat out for weeks and he's
starting to crack under the pressure."

"Yeah," Bob frowned.  "You know, I've had a feeling something was up.  I go
up there often for money meetings with Mario, and I've noticed a difference
in Grady.  He's still friendly, of course, but he's been looking kind of
vacant, disoriented.  You know he's always has that mischievous sparkle in
his eye.  Well it's gone.  I've seen him staring into the distance like
he's miles away."

"Yes, sir. He's usually the life and soul of the party up there, but Brian
said he's gone real quiet."

"I'm surprised it hasn't happened before," Bob said. "I can only imagine
the pressure he's under, carrying that whole movie.  He sets the tone on
the set and keeps everyone smiling, despite the stress he's feeling inside.
And he's been doing it almost non-stop for several years – first the
Tarzan movies and now this `Hunter' lifeguard movie that'll probably become
a franchise."

"Trouble is, sir, I'm sure he doesn't let on to the studio that he's under
such strain.  You know him, he keeps up that energy until he gets home and
then falls into Mario's arms.  But Brian said he's never seen it this bad.
I'm worried for Brian too, `cos he worships Grady."

"Brandon, I don't want to interfere right now, but do me a favor and keep
me posted about what you find up there.  Apart from loving the guy, and
Mario, I'm in charge of their finances and investments, and Grady is key to
that.  He's the center of everything – the guys up there are like
planets circling his sun."

"One thing I can do, sir, is keep Grady entertained with the gossip he
loves.  Pete has updated me on what's been happening with Zack and Miguel
up at the lake, and it's a terrific story."

"Yeah, I gather they've totally buried the hatchet – and not in each
other's back," Bob chuckled.

"That's right, sir, more in love with ever.  Pete said when he gets back
he'll tell the whole story to Eddie, and he'll announce it to the world."
Brandon laughed.  "He said Eddie will probably make a big-budget movie of
it and sell tickets.  He'll exaggerate the whole thing so you guys will get
the technicolor version.  But I want to tell Grady so he'll be the first to
know."

"Good," Bob smiled, "he'll get a kick out of that and it might take him out
of himself.  Er, one other thing, kiddo.  Take special care of Brian.  He
has this really special relationship with Grady, they spend hours together
laughing and kidding around.  But with Grady in this depression Brian must
be taking it very hard and feel lost himself."

"Don't worry, sir, I know how to make Brian happy.  But Grady's a whole
`nother problem and the guy I feel sorry for is Mario.  He lives for Grady,
he's his whole world."

"Yeah, I'll call Mario tomorrow just to check on him.  Look, the office is
pretty quiet right now and you've got it humming along nicely.  So if you
want to take tomorrow off and stay up there with Brian, that would be fine
with me.  I'll cover for you here."  He raised his voice to the other three
boys.  "Hey guys, how'd you like to have me as your boss tomorrow?"

"Yes please, sir," they chanted happily.

"See Brandon," Bob grinned, "it's a deal.  And while you're there, if you
need any help whatever, be sure to call me or Pete.  We've got your back,
kiddo."

<><> Brian Opens Up to Brandon <><>

A bit later Brandon did a last check with his three employees to make sure
they could cope in his absence, and left the office early.  He called Brian
to alert him he was on his way and drove up the winding road to the top of
the hill.  He turned off on the private road with dense, high hedges all
along to shield the house and grounds from prying eyes.

When he reached the big solid gates he didn't even have to buzz the
intercom as Brian's voice came on right away.  "Hello, dude, I was watching
for you."  The gates swung silently open and he drove in and saw Brian's
wheelchair racing toward him.

Brandon lowered his own wheelchair from his handicap-equipped truck and
swung himself into it.  He leaned over and hugged Brian, who said.  "Dude,
am I glad to see you. The atmosphere's like a morgue up here and the
silence is getting me down.  Come to the kitchen.  Danny's just made some
tea."

In the kitchen, the good-looking young blond chef and house-manager Danny
leaned down and hugged Brandon, and they all sat round the kitchen table,
spread with tea and sandwiches.  "So, guys, what's the latest?" Brandon
asked.

Danny sighed as he poured the tea.  "Same old, same old, Brandon.  It's
been coming on for a couple weeks now, though Grady's tried to keep up a
cheerful faηade.  But now that he has this week's break from work it's
like he's exhaled and given in to the stress.  There's no more need for the
cheerful faηade so he's dropped it and crawled into his shell.  We're
doing everything we can to support him and Mario, who's under a lot of
strain, poor guy."

"Wow, I hate to hear that, Danny.  Sounds like dinner's gonna be a gloomy
affair."

"Well, we're trying to avoid that.  It was Mario's idea to have dinner with
just us guys.  Him and Grady have been cooped up in their room ever since
Grady got home this morning from his final night-shoot.  He's been working
flat out for weeks, and now he's spent most of the day in bed.

"But Mario says it's bad for him to just pull the covers over his head and
hibernate.  He's insisted that they both come down for a quiet dinner with
us as a way to beat his depression.  Otherwise, Mario says, he'll wither
away and fall into a bottomless pit of despair.  So it's up to us to think
of a way to liven him up."

Brandon smiled.  "And that's where I might be able to help. I've got the
perfect tool – gossip."

Danny chuckled, "You mean the Zack/Miguel saga.  Damn, that story's been
going on for so long and kept the gossip mill churning, and now we hear
from Bob they might be back together – with a lot of help from your man,
Ranger Pete."

"Damn straight," Brandon grinned.  "He told me the whole story, and it's
wild – just like a porn flick.  And I have Pete's permission to pass it
on to you guys."

Brian said, "And if anything can rouse Grady from his funk, a good dose of
hot gossip can."

Danny perked up at the news.  "So listen guys, it's a nice warm evening so
I thought we'd set up the dinner table outdoors, under Grady's favorite
tree.  Let's try to make it special for the guys."

The boys left Danny to cook, loaded up their tray tables with plates,
glasses and napkins, and wheeled themselves out to the garden.  As they
worked, Brandon asked, "So how are you doing in all this mess, kiddo?"

"Me, oh I'm fine ..."  But his voice cracked.

"No you're not, dude, you can't fool me.  This is me, Brandon.  I can read
you like a book.  So level with me."

"Suddenly tears started to flow.  "It's been awful, Brandon.  You know how
Grady used to love to curl up in bed with me and I'd spill the gossip and
his eyes would sparkle and he'd ask me questions and we'd laugh like crazy.
That hasn't happened for days.  When Grady gets home he doesn't say much,
but I can see the hurt in his eyes.  And he goes to his room and shuts the
door.  Do you think I've done something wrong and upset him, Brandon?"

Brandon reached over and grabbed his hand.  "No, kiddo, you mustn't blame
yourself.  Grady's suffering from overwork, something I've been through
myself.  But I know he still loves you as much as ever ... he's just
hurting too much right now to show it.  So let's do what Danny said and try
to make this meal as lively as we can and show Grady how much we love him.

"OK, Brandon.  And you will sleep with me tonight, won't you, `cos Grady
won't want me?"

"Of course I will, dude, that's why I'm, here.  And Bob said I can stay up
here all day tomorrow if you want me to."

Brian brightened and wiped his eyes.  "Would you really?  I would love to
have you here all day.  That makes me feel a whole lot better.  OK, so
let's make this table look nice for the guys."

<><> BRANDON TELLS HIS STORY <><>

When dinner was ready the boys were lined up in a row by the table, waiting
for Mario and Grady to appear.  Danny stood, almost at attention, between
Brian and Brandon in their wheelchairs.  Danny frowned.  "No, this isn't
right, dudes – too formal.  Mario said relaxed, casual."  So the boys
wheeled their chairs up to the table and Danny sat opposite them.

They tried not to look nervous as their tension would communicate itself
and make a strained situation even worse.

When the men finally arrived Mario dispelled any awkwardness with a beaming
smile and open arms as he greeted Brandon.  "Ciao bambino, so good to see
you, it's been too long.  He bent down and kissed him, while Grady knelt
beside Brian and said, "Long time no see, kiddo.  My fault, I fear."  He
pressed his cheek against Brian's for long seconds.

"And my other favorite boy, Brandon.  Great to see you, dude, you'll be
good company for Brian who I've neglected a bit lately."

They took their places at table. Mario was casually dressed, with his usual
Italian flair and Grady wore his usual baggy shorts with a smart blue
T-shirt.  The boys guessed, correctly, that Mario had persuaded him to
change out of his usual frayed old tank, so as not to look too disheveled.

But in contrast to Mario's welcoming sparkle Grady looked subdued, the
light gone from his eyes, and he seemed to be making an effort to look
cheerful.  But as they sat down he perked up a little and grinned at
Brandon, with of a hint of his old merriment.  "I hope you come loaded up
with gossip for us, Brandon.  Living like hermits up here, we hear only
tantalizing snippets of tribe news to whet out appetites.

"Oh I've got a humdinger of a story to tell you, sir.  Pete is up at the
lake in the Angelus Forest with Zack and Pete."

"Ah yes, the famous bust-up between those to gorgeous hunks.  Have they
made up at last?"

"They have, sir and it's a wild story, it's got everything.  Like I said to
Pete, it's got lust, punishment, humiliation, a spit-roast and master/slave
climax."

"Oooh, just what the doctor ordered, kiddo."

"And we will hear it subito, amico," Mario said, as soon as Danny has
brought out the food.  Here he comes now."  Danny had left the table and
now returned with the food cart.  He passed out plates of food, poured the
wine and sat down.

"Delizioso," Mario said, inhaling the aroma of the food.  "And now,
Brandon, if you can eat and talk at the same time, tell us our story before
Grady explodes with curiosity."

And so Brandon launched into the saga of Zack and Miguel, from their frosty
drive up to the lake right through to the spit-roast climax.  Grady hung on
his every word and interrupted with frequent questions, wanting more detail
and color.  As the story unfolded his eyes widened and he seemed almost
like his old self, with the old sparkle.

"Wow," he said, "that was an epic, dude.  Way over the top."

"That's what Pete said, sir, when Miguel asked him what he thought of their
`final act of punishment and retribution'?  Pete told him it was a bit over
the top, like one of those scenery-chewing last acts that brings down the
curtain."

Grady chuckled.  "He got that right.  Damn I wish I'd been up there to see
it.  But, you know, I've been working so hard lately, Brandon.  I can't go
anywhere, not even a day off `cos the pressure's on at the studio and we're
behind schedule and ... and ..."

He trailed off, the sparkle was gone and he stared down blankly at his
untouched food.  Mario squeezed his hand and covered for him.  "So,
bambino, you told us that when Eddie gets the story he will make it into a
movie and sell tickets." Mario laughed.  "So when may we see the tickets go
on sale?  We will buy out the whole front row."

"You know Eddie, sir.  As soon as Pete gets home Eddie will pump him for
information and it'll be all over the grapevine in minutes."  Brandon and
the others made a valiant attempt at up-beat small talk, and even Grady
made a few stabs at it, but it was clear his heart wasn't in it.  The
strain began to tell and the meal was collapsing under its own weight.

They ate quickly and when Danny asked, "Coffee, sirs?" Mario smiled. "Thank
you Danny, but I think not.  Grady and I are tired so we'll go up to our
room.  Mille grazie for a delicious dinner, and to you, boys, for your
company.  Brandon, your story was sensational, I can't wait for the movie.
Come on, amico, bedtime."

Grady stood up and smiled weakly. "'Night, guys.  Sorry for being a bit of
a wet blanket ... not usually such a party pooper ... it's just ..."  He
shrugged, Mario took his arm and they went into the house.

"See what we mean, Brandon?" Brian sighed.  "A real downer."

"Yeah, pretty bleak.  Let's hope Mario can weave some of the old magic."

As they started to clear the table Brian's call phone rang and Danny said,
"Oh, that'll be Tommy at the gate.  Brian glanced at his phone and pressed
the button to open the gate.  Danny got up and ran to meet his lover and
they hugged.

"Good," Brian said.  "Danny's taken all this as hard as I have and I didn't
want him to be alone.  Tommy will take care of him."

"As I will take care of you, kid," Brandon smiled.

"Hey, guys," said the young blond gymnast.  "How's things?"

"No better, Tommy, as I'm sure Danny's told you.  I'm glad you're here."

"Yeah, my boss Doc Steve said I should come here and stay as long as
necessary to lend support.  He's real worried by what he's hearing about
Grady and said he'll step in when the time's right.  Grady used to be a
patient of Steve's way back when he was still a model.  And even now he's
this great big star he consults Steve from time to time when he needs to
decompress.  So the doc already knows some of the issues."

"But in the meantime," Danny grinned, "will you take me to bed, handsome?"

"Nothing I'd like better, buddy."

They decided to leave the table cleanup for tomorrow and both couples made
their way into the house, and to bed.  And peace, of a kind, descended on
the Grady House.

<><> "ALL I WANT – ALL I NEED" <><>

However, peace in the master bedroom took longer.  When Mario and Grady had
left the dinner table they walked silently up to their room.  As they
undressed, the usually self-assured Italian was nervous, unsure what would
come next and how he would handle it.  When they got into bed Grady kissed
Mario on the cheek and said weakly, "G'night. I love you, dude."

Then he turned his back on Mario and lay on his side.  Mario was not sure
whether to leave him alone or wrap his arms round him.  As he hesitated he
saw Grady's shoulders move, then his whole body shake.  Then he heard the
sobs, faint at first but growing into loud, uncontrollable heartrending
sobs.

Tenderly, Mario put his arm over him and said softly, "I'm here, amore.
I'm here with you."

Grady spun over and faced him, tears streaming from panicked eyes.  "I
can't do it, Mario.  I can't do it anymore.  I'm quitting the film, going
away somewhere.  Will you come with me?  Please, say you will ... please,
buddy ..."

"Sshh, of course I'll be with you, Grady, whatever happens.  How could I
ever leave you, amore?  You're my whole life."

Grady's panic lessened but he couldn't stop sobbing.  "We'll chuck it all
in, dude, leave all this behind ... I can't go back to the studio, I can't
... fuck the movie business, the stardom, the attention, the non-stop work,
the pressure to perform, on- and off-screen.  It's been going on for so
long ... first Tarzan and now Hunter. I hate it, all of it.

"Mario, you and I deserve a normal life where we can go out together, go to
restaurants without everyone looking at me, paparazzi round the door
waiting for me to leave.

"Dammit, it's not fair to you, buddy.  Hell, when we walk down the street
we walk apart so we won't have our picture taken together.  If we're
together in too many pictures they'd start to ask questions and you'd have
the paparazzi trailing you, and your life would be shot, like mine is."

Grady," Mario smiled, "I can handle all that, I know how to fade into the
background.  I treat it like a game, not being pictured with you.  And we
still have our private life."

"Yeah, imprisoned in this house.  But if I quit the movie and never go back
it'll all die down and we can live like regular folks.  I don't need to
work ... Bob said we've already got so much money we can live comfortably
on that for the rest of our lives."

A manic look came to his eyes and Mario let him rave on.  "Tell you what,
we'll ... we'll move into my little old house on Laurel Canyon, that's the
thing.  We can take Brian and Danny with us too and we'll all live there
together, how's that sound?  And ... and we'll go on vacation, and sit on a
beach where there are no fucking cameras, no director telling me what to do
... no `this way Grady ... almost got it ... one more take, and another,
and another and ...'"

Sobs choked his words and he held onto Mario like a drowning man, choking
and clutching a life belt.  When he got his breath back he spoke more
calmly, planning the whole thing, and his determined tone was even more
scary to Mario.

"But here's the deal, we've gotta do it now, dude, `cos you know what?  I
heard they're starting the advanced publicity already, and we're only
halfway through principal photography, for god's sake.  There'll be TV ads,
online, and billboards saying stuff like `Here's Hunter' `Get Ready for
Hunter', that kinda bullshit.  That's me – Hunter. But if I quit the
movie now they won't be able to use my picture, will they?

"What d'you think, dude?  Will you still love me if I'm not a movie-star
anymore?"

Grady, mi amore.  I wouldn't care if you were the janitor sweeping the
studio floor, I would still love you, will always love you."  He kissed his
cheek.  "It's you I love ..." he kissed him again ... "and this ..."  and
again ... "and especially this ..." he kissed him on the lips, long and
hard.

When at last Mario pulled away Grady said frantically, "Make love to me,
dude, that's what I need.  Make love to me ... please, buddy ..."

"Of course I will, amore, but only if you calm down.  I don't want to make
love to a wild, hyperactive monkey swinging from the trees.  Making love to
Tarzan swinging from the vines was bad enough."

At last Grady laughed.  Manically at first, but then softening to his
familiar warm smile.  "I guess I have been raving on, eh dude?  But I meant
it, Mario, every word.  Make love to me like it'll be when we're regular
folk – just two ordinary guys in love."

"Grady," Mario smiled, "You would never be an ordinary guy even if you were
sweeping the studio floors.  But I'll do my best.  So be quiet and let me
take charge."

"Aye-aye sir."  The panic faded and the tears that still filled his eyes
were tears of love.

Mario pulled him tight and bathed his face with kisses again, then got to
his knees and smiled down at him.  He ran his hands lightly over Grady's
virile square-cut features, his neck, the contours of his torso, down his
long sex waist, and stroked his ripped abs.  "So, make love to this?"
Well, I'll do my best.  The secret is to find which part of this gorgeous
body turns you on the most.  Now what would that be, I wonder?"

"Quit teasing me, dude, you know exactly what I want.  Starts with b and
ends in two t's."

Mario frowned.  "Hm ... batt ... bratt .. bitt ...?

"Butt!  Butt-fuck me, man.  Shove your dick in my ass."

Mario smiled.  "Well, I've had more eloquent invitations, but as you insist
..."

Mario spat on his palms and rubbed them together, then stroked his already
stiff cock.  He pushed Grady's legs back, leaned forward between them and
pressed his wet cock against his ass.  Grady reached up and pressed his
palms on Mario's chest.  "You're so beautiful, Mario.  In all these crazy
years, with all the praise and adoring fans, all I ever really wanted was
you ... this ... making love to you ... feeling you inside me."

"Oh," Mario smiled, "you mean like this?"  Gently he eased the head of his
cock inside Grady and pushed it gently all the way until it came to rest in
the soft warm depths of his ass.  Grady's eyes glazed over and he sighed,
"That's it amico.  That's all I ever wanted.  I could stay like this always
and be happy.  I could leave that other messy world and live in our little
world, just you and me for ever and ever.  Fuck me, dude.  Please ..."

"Be my pleasure, you gorgeous man.  My gorgeous man."  Mario pulled slowly
back, then drove in again, feeling his lover's ass rise up to meet him and
squeeze round his cock.  They were in perfect harmony like this, gazing
into each other's eyes, lost in them, lost in their private world free of
pain and panic, no more work and worry, just two men in love.

"Doesn't matter where we are, Grady .. which town, which house ... as long
as we can leave our troubles behind and be together like this."

"I wanna be your prisoner, Mario, tied up, at your mercy."  Grady stretched
his arms up to the corner bedposts as if roped to them.  "My little life
will come down to this, tied to the bed, alone in a little room, waiting
for you to come home and fuck me, again and again.  No people, no crowds,
just a forgotten man, enslaved, known only to you. My idea of heaven."

Mario sensed that Grady was skidding off track again into his own fantasy
land, cut off from the world that scared him, and Mario needed to steer him
back to reality. He leaned forward, pinned his lover's wrists to the bed
and smiled.

"So here we are, amico, just you and me making love.  I don't need to tie
you up, you're already my captive and I yours.  Hey, you recall those times
when you're in a crowd of fans signing pictures, and you glance over at me
watching and waiting?  In that quick glance we are as close together as we
are now, in our own world that no one else can see.  Even keeping our
distance when we walk along a street, we are together, and nobody knows but
us."

"God you feel so good inside me.  Never leave me, Mario.  I need you so
much ... you're all I need.  Fuck me, man, make me cum ... let me feel your
juice deep in my ass."

"Of course, I will, amore, like I always do, and always will do."

Their eyes made love as the pace intensified.  Tears flowed down Grady's
face once more, his emotions out of control again, confused emotions born
of fear, exhaustion and overwhelming love for the handsome Italian.

"I'm going to cum inside you, Grady, because I love you ... I love you
... I love you ... aaahh," he sighed, as his semen flooded Grady's ass, and
Grady erupted in a spontaneous, hands-free orgasm that at long last purged
his mind of its demons and, for a while at least, gave him rest.

In a few minutes he was asleep in Mario's arms.

<><> BOB & RANDY JOIN THE GROUP <><>

They stayed in bed late next morning, each of them pondering last night's
fraught conversation.

"Mario," Grady said at last, "I'm sorry I got kind of emotional last night,
all that blubbing and stuff, but I really meant everything I said."

"I know you did, Grady.  But there's one thing I would ask – that we
don't tell anyone else for now until you take the next steps.  Let's just
have a nice quiet Sunday, maybe even invite someone to brunch, like Bob and
Randy, say.  Will you do that for me?"

"OK, dude.  I don't wanna upset Brian and Danny any more than necessary."
Grady's voice got louder and more determined.  "But I won't back down.  I'm
gonna quit the movie.  We'll sell this place and have a normal, quiet life
for once."

There was a knock on the door.  It opened wide and Brian wheeled himself
in, with their breakfast tray on the tray table of his wheelchair.
"Bambino," Mario smiled, "how nice of you."  He leaned over and pulled the
tray onto the bed.

"Good morning, sirs," Brian said, looking pointedly at Grady.

"Hi, kiddo.  Breakfast in bed, that's real good of you."  It was far from
the effusive greeting Grady used to give him and Brian's eyes got moist,
brimming with tears.

"Anything wrong, Brian?  How are Brandon and Danny?  Did Tommy come up last
night?"

"Yes, sir.  He spent the night with Danny.  Er, I better get back and help
them prep for brunch."

He turned and wheeled quickly from the room. Grady frowned, "That was weird
don't you think?"

"Si, amico.  I think he was holding back tears.  He's probably upset
because you're feeling sad.  He's devoted to you and hates to see you
hurting.  Don't worry, I'll talk to him later.  We should eat up and get
down to the boys or they'll start imagining all kinds of things."

The phone rang, Mario looked at it and said, "It's Bob.  Buongiorno, mi
amico, come stai?

"I'm well, thanks, Mario.  I hope I haven't woken you up."

"No, no, I'm here with Grady having breakfast in bed.  I'll put you on
speaker."

"Hey, buddy," Grady said.

"Good morning, Grady.  Look, I don't want to interrupt your breakfast, but
I was going through your financials and I have a few questions and
suggestions.  I know Sunday's an odd day for a business meeting but I'm
free all day and I was wondering ..."

"Of course, you should come up here," Mario said, a bit too eagerly, which
was not lost on Bob.  "We'd love to see you.  As a matter of fact we were
just saying that you and Randy should come for brunch.  It's just us and
the boys, real casual."

"We'd love to, Mario, and Randy is giving me a thumbs up here.  Only thing
is when he hears the word casual he takes that as not having to wear a
shirt."

"All the better," Grady said.

"So, around noon?" Bob said.  "Looking forward to seeing you guys."

When Mario and Grady got dressed and went down to the garden all four boys
were busy setting up tables for a buffet brunch.  Mario said, "Bob and
Randy will be joining us, guys.  Thank you for coming, Tommy, and talking
care of Danny."

"No problem, sir.  I always know how to take care of my man," Tommy
laughed, putting his arm round Danny and making him blush.

And that was pretty much it for levity.  Sunday was always a day for
relaxation, but the light-hearted chatter that usually filled the air was
missing today.  Instead the boys busied themselves with brunch preparations
and Grady and Mario sat at a small table under Grady's favorite tree,
drinking coffee, exchanging only a casual word or two.

It was something of a relief when the gate buzzer sounded.  Bob and Randy
had driven up in Bob's Mercedes and they heard Brian's voice on the
intercom.  "Hello, sirs.  Welcome to the Grady House."

As the gate swung open Randy said, "Was that Brian?  Didn't sound like him.
He usually has that laugh in his voice."

"Yeah, did sound sort of flat.  Oh well, we'll soon find out what's up."

And it didn't take long.  They felt the heavy atmosphere as soon as they
got out of the car, Bob wearing shorts and a casual short-sleeve shirt
unbuttoned halfway down his chest, Randy in jeans and a black V-neck
T-shirt that clung to his muscular torso.  "Hm," Randy grunted.  "Not
exactly a Sunday brunch mood.  More like a funeral."

But Mario was his usual effusive self, though even he had an edge to his
voice when he said, Benvenuto, signori.  Just in time."  As they followed
him Randy whispered to Bob, "What did that mean?  Just in time for what
– to stop them killing each other?"

Bob nudged him in the ribs and they greeted the boys with hugs.  Randy
flashed his seductive smile at Tommy.  "Hey, gorgeous, how's it hanging?"

"Do you wanna find out, sir?" Tommy replied roguishly, with a wink at
Danny.  Randy lunged at him but Tommy held up a defensive arm and backed
up.  "Just kidding, sir."

The men bent and hugged Brandon and Brian, but Randy felt a reticence in
Brian, who quickly resumed his work.  Mario asked the men to join him and
Grady for coffee and they chatted for a while, mostly about the
reconciliation of Zack and Miguel.

"Damn stupid row they had over nothing," Randy huffed. "Prob'ly one of them
left the top off the toothpaste. Dumbass waste of time.  I should a' banged
their heads together, knocked some sense into them.  But I hear Ranger Pete
pretty much did that up at the lake, eh Brandon?" as the boy passed by the
table.

"So I hear, sir.  He's gonna tell Eddie when he gets home and you know what
that means.  Pete said he'll probably make a movie of it and sell tickets."

"That little burst of laughter cleared the air, but Grady wasn't taking
much part in the conversation and soon excused himself.  "You know, guys, I
still haven't woken up properly yet, even with all this caffeine inside me.
Think I'll go for a swim."  He got up abruptly, went over to the pool,
stripped naked and dived in."

Randy grinned, "I guess that's my cue to go and check out the perimeter to
make sure the security is all in place – no gaps."  He always did an
inspection every time he came here.  "I'll be back in time for the chow.

Mario smiled at Bob with a sigh.  "I'm glad to have time alone with you
Bob, because ..."

"I know, Mario.  So tell me what's going on with Grady."

Another deep sigh.  "It's bad, Bob, not just overwork.  This time he's
snapped and ...  we said we wouldn't tell anyone yet, but I can tell you.
He's absolutely determined to quit the movie."

"No, he couldn't do that."

"That's the problem, amico.  He knows that and it makes him feel trapped.
So he wants to rebel, says he's going to chuck it all in – the movie,
the career, the stardom, paparazzi, fans.  He feels stifled, wants to sell
up here, move into his little Laurel Canyon house with me and live what he
calls a normal life."

"Wow, that bad, uh?  Poor guy.  Well, like I've always told you,
financially you could do that.  He's made enough money that you can live
very comfortably on your investments.  But, Mario, it's unthinkable.  First
thing would be a breach-of-contract suit by the studio.  And even if they
could replace him, which I doubt, they'd have to re-shoot all the scenes
he's in so far, and he's in most of them.  Hugely expensive."

"I know, Bob, I've been over and over all that in my mind.  Trouble is, the
public doesn't want to just go see a lifeguard move.  They pay to go see
Grady in a lifeguard movie.  And here at home I'm really worried about the
painful effect this is having on Brian and Danny, although they don't know
what I've just told you.  I just found out last night.  Bob, I have no idea
what to do."

"Mario, I might as well tell you that before I came here I phoned Doc Steve
as he's had many shrink sessions with Grady over the years.  He'll gladly
get involved when Grady's ready to talk, but Grady has to want it.

"In the meantime, Steve said that many therapists would advise complete
rest for a few weeks, but he disagrees.  He would recommend some stimulus,
a big jolt to shake him out of this funk he's in, this feeling of being
trapped by his career and his fame.  It would be like shock therapy."

Mario smiled.  "Bob, we don't exactly have an electric chair on the
premises."

Bob frowned, deep in thought.  "Well no ... not exactly ... but ..."

<><> "CAN YOU HELP, SIR?"  <><>

Meanwhile, as he made his rounds checking the security, Randy was thinking
about Grady's problems.  Another stupid mess, he thought, just like Zack
and Miguel.  He just needs someone to knock some sense into him.  Suddenly
Randy heard a sound that disturbed him.  Behind some bushes he saw Brian
sitting in his wheelchair ... sobbing.

"Hey, kiddo.  What's this all about?"

Brian jerked his head up and clumsily tried to wipe his eyes on his sleeve.
"Nothing, sir."

"Don't look like `nothing' to me, dude."  Randy pulled up a garden bench
and sat facing Brian knee-to-knee and held his hands.  "Something to do
with Grady, I bet.  Come on, dude, tell me.  You don't want me to smack it
out of you, do you?"

"No thank you, sir," Brian smiled weakly through his tears.  "It's just
that ... this morning when I took Grady and Mario's breakfast up, before I
opened the door I heard them talking.  And ..." he choked up.  "... and
Grady was saying he's gonna quit the movie, sell this house and move away
with Mario and live a quiet life."

"Ah, he said that did he?"

"But sir, I love Grady, I'm his boy.  I love him not because he's a big ol'
movie star but because he's ... well ... Grady.  But I don't think he likes
me anymore, I mean he's real cold.  I'm scared, sir, that he'll stop loving
me."  Sobs engulfed him again and Randy squeezed his hands.

"Listen to me kiddo.  Grady still loves you, I'm sure of that.  He's just
going through a tough time right now.  I've done the same to my boy Pablo.
When I get real mad I treat him like shit, but we make up later and I fuck
him and he loves that.  And by the way, all this stuff about Grady quitting
the movie business?  Bullshit, all bullshit."

"Really, sir?  Can you help, sir?  The boys all say you can do anything.
Can you?"

"I'm dunno about `anything', kid, but I sure as hell can handle this crap.
Leave it with me, kiddo, and I promise everything's gonna come right.  Now
let's get back to the party, `cos I'm starved."

Brian wheeled himself alongside Randy, feeling a whole lot better.

<><> EDDIE'S STUPENDOUS NEWS <><>

Around the brunch table there was a certain air of expectancy, as if
something had changed.  They all knew that Bob had had a heart-to-heart
with Mario, and that Randy had talked to Brian, as they had seen them come
back together.  The clouds hadn't cleared by any means, but some of them
thought they could glimpse a patch of blue, though they had no idea what it
was.

A surprising event kicked things off.  The gate intercom and camera were
connected with Brian's cell phone and it buzzed.  He looked at the screen
and said, "It's Eddie."  He smiled at Randy, feeling much more cheerful.
"Er, who is it?  Do you have an appointment?"

"Dude, it's me, Eddie."

"I don't see you on the list, sir.  You need an appointment."

"Dude, stop assing around and let me in.  I've got stupendous news."

"Well, if you put it like that ..."  Brian pressed a button on his phone,
the gates swung open and Eddie's truck barreled in.  He shot out of it, not
stopping to close the door, raced up to them ... and hugged Grady.  "Thank
you, sir, thank you, thank you ... you've made me the proudest guy on the
planet.  Just take a look at this guys."

He passed his phone round and they all looked at a picture – of a
billboard, with Grady on it.  "It's my picture ... mine," Eddie gushed.
"See, they've started the advanced publicity already and this is the first
billboard.  I was driving along the Sunset Strip, looked up and saw it
... my picture of Grady.  I nearly wrecked the car.

"Sir, you remember in the first week of filming when you fell off your
surfboard and the director yelled cut, but I didn't cut? I kept on shooting
and when you surfaced in the water you were laughing like crazy and you
shook your head, spraying water ... and I got it.  That's the shot.

"The director loved it, it's why he gave me a job.  He said they might even
use it under the opening credits ... you know, the audience's first shot of
the lifeguard captain, Hunter.  And now they've used it on the billboard
... look here at the words ... `Get Ready for Hunter'.  It's my shot, and I
owe it all to you, sir.  I can't wait to get back to work next week, sir
... I can't wait."

Eddie was so excited he kept showing the picture to the boys, while the men
looked at Grady.  He was frowning, confused, his mind went blank.  He got
up from the table and stumbled away through the bushes."

Mario started to rise but Bob grabbed his wrist, restrained him and nodded
to Randy, who jumped to his feet growling, "Fuck this noise.  Fucking
bullshit bunch o' crap.  I'll take care of this." And he strode off through
the bushes.

<><> RANDY TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS <><>

Randy had to walk quite a distance through the grounds before coming across
Grady, sitting on the ground slumped back against a tree, his head sagging
down.  Hearing footsteps he looked up and stared dazedly at Randy.

Randy looked down coldly at him. "Huh, feeling pretty sorry for yourself
eh, buddy?  Funny, you're the second one I've come across today.  A while
ago I found a young kid sitting in his wheelchair, all alone, sobbing to
himself.  A sight like that tears my heart out, so I sat with him and made
him tell me his troubles.

"Seems he's crazy in love with a guy who used to love him a lot, but who's
gone cold on him.  The kid thinks the guy don't love him anymore.  Even
worse, he overheard his hero saying he's gonna give up his job, sell his
house and move away.  The kid thinks he'll be dumped, left all alone `cos
the guy won't need him anymore."

Tears came to Grady's eyes as Randy continued.

"And what about the other kid who's cooked and faithfully taken care of you
since day one? Guess he'll be out too.  Matter of fact I can predict a few
other young guys who are gonna have the rug pulled out from under them.

"That kid who just came bouncing in, his face sparkling like a Christmas
tree, practically peeing his pants with excitement.  He'd been driving
along Sunset Boulevard and suddenly saw his own work, a picture he had
taken, on one of those huge billboards.  He made a beeline for you and
hugged you, gushing his thanks to you for getting him the best job in the
world.  Said he can't wait to get back to work next week ... can't wait."

Randy sighed.  "Looks like he's gonna have a long wait `cos next week he
won't have a job to go back to.  He'll probably wind up in tears like the
other kid.

"Mark's boy Jamie too, the surfer who also thinks he's landed the best job
in the world.  Well he's shit outa' luck too, kicked to the curb like the
others, and all the other hundreds of guys and gals who also think they've
landed the job of a lifetime, even those who start their day at five am and
don't leave until the shoot wraps.  All of them out on their ear `cos one
guy couldn't stand the pressure of work and took a hike."

"Randy stop, please.  I don't wanna hurt any of those guys, but you don't
understand the pressure."

Randy's eyes blazed.  "I don't?  Don't understand the pressure of work?"

He paced round Grady, clenching and unclenching his fists.  "Let me tell
you about another guy – me as a matter of fact.  Some years ago I was a
humble day laborer, moving from job to job, looking for work.  Then I met
Bob, who became the love of my life, and together we sweat blood to build
our own construction company that's grown real big, employs dozens of
workers and, incidentally, supports a whole tribe of men and boys.

"And I don't understand the pressure?!  I run that fucking company, sweat,
fret and fight every day to keep it going, `cos if I bail out the whole
thing would likely go down the tubes and the guys who depended on me would
feel betrayed, like that kid in the wheelchair does.  And I don't
understand the fucking pressure?!

"Fuck you, man.  Everyone has pressure at work, from the guy who sweeps the
floors in the basement to the big boss in the corner office.  But they show
up every day.  They don't have the luxury of slinking away to Laurel
fucking Canyon and hiding from the world."

"Randy, please, I ..."

"You know my brother Steve, the shrink who's treated you before?  Bob
called him and he's ready to help.  But in the meantime he said you don't
need rest, to wallow in your own misery.  What you need is stimulus, a big
jolt to shake you out of the funk you're in.

"So, boy, while the other guys are pussyfooting around talking the problem
to death, I'm the only guy can give you that shock therapy in the only
language you understand.  I promised that sweet kid Brian that I'd fix this
and make everything come right.  He seems to think I can solve everything.
I dunno about that, but I can sure as hell fix this.

"I don't know shit about your movie business but I sure know about this
tribe, and when I see a guy making one of those boys cry he answers to me.
Do I make myself clear, boy?"

"You mean you're gonna fuck me?"

"What the hell do you fucking think I'm gonna do, boy, wipe your ass for
you? And this won't be one of those polite, please-fuck-me-sir fucks that
you like so much.  Usually in a case like this I'd use my fists to knock
sense into a guy, but don't wanna bust up that million-dollar face.  And
I've got a better weapon for you.  This!"

Randy ripped open his jeans and yanked out his monster cock.  "Look
familiar, dude? It should."

"Please don't hurt me, Randy."

"Don't hurt you?" Randy bellowed.  "Like you hurt that sweet kid and made
him cry?  Like you were gonna hurt Eddie and Jamie and all the others you
don't give a shit about?"  Randy ripped off his T-shirt and Grady trembled
as he stared up at the bare-chested gypsy, like a raging bull pawing the
ground.

Randy bent down, grabbed Grady's ankles and dragged him away from the tree
across the ground on his back.  He grabbed his T-shirt in his fist and
ripped it clear off.  He did the same to his thin shorts, then his sneakers
and flung them angrily into the bushes.  Towering over the frightened man
he growled, "That's how I like my victims – butt naked – gives me a
clear shot at their ass."

He dropped to his knees and knelt between Grady's legs.  He grabbed his
ankles and pulled his legs up high, exposing his helpless ass.  "You know
me, man, no foreplay.  Think of the tongue-lashing you just got as
foreplay.  This is the real thing."

His massive cock drove hard in Grady's ass and down the chute as the
muscled action-hero bucked and writhed, and his screams filled the still
air.  "Please Randy, have mercy on me."

"Shut the fuck up, stud."  He plunged in deep again ... "that's for young
Brian."  And again ... "That one's for Eddie." And again ... "and that's
for your pal Jamie.  How many more were you gonna throw out of work?
Hundreds?  OK, let's get to work here."

The fuck was brutal.  Grady clawed up in a desperate attempt to push Randy
away, but Randy clasped his wrists and pinned them down on the ground above
his head.  "You know me better than that, dude.  You're mine.  Right now I
own you and your sorry ass.  Come on, man, you always enjoy a good fuck.
This one though?  Maybe not so much."

At first the onslaught was intense pain as the battering-ram tortured his
ass.  But as he looked up at the rugged gypsy face – the long shaggy
hair, the stubbled jaw and, mostly, those piercing blue eyes – Grady
slowly felt himself drawn into the magnetic sexuality of this savage man,
as he had so often before.  His lust fought with the pain, even as he
begged for release.

"Please, sir, have mercy.  I'll do anything you say.  I won't quit my job,
I'll work hard, and I'll make it up to Brian and the other guys.  I love
that kid, of course I do.  I never meant to hurt him. Please, sir, I can't
take any more ... I can't."

But the eyes staring down at him became hypnotic.  Grady heard his own
pleading words grow fainter.  All he saw was the swarthy face, all he
wanted was this wild man to consume him, fuck his ass ... harder ... harder
... aaagh!"

Grady's cock erupted in a spontaneous orgasm, shooting streams of jizz over
his heaving body and splashing on his agonized face.  But the euphoria he
felt didn't last ... he waited for the pile-driving shaft to pull out of
his ass – but it didn't.  The implacable assault continued and Grady
screamed, "I just shot my load, sir.  Please stop.  It hurts so bad.  I'm
done, sir."

Randy growled, "I'll tell you when you're done, man.  You're done when I
see you shoot another load while I drill your fucking ass."

The terrified eyes stared desperately at the merciless gypsy.  "I can't,
sir.  I just came.  How can I ...  aaagh ... you're torturing my ass, sir
... I beg you ..."

Randy bent down and stifled Grady's pleas with a grinding kiss.  When he
pulled back he released one of Grady's hands.  "I'll let you jerk off this
time.  Dude, you could never resist me ... you'll do anything I order you.
Right?"

"Yes, sir," Grady said, stroking his own cock.

"So you're gonna forget all this fucking bullshit, all the sobbing
self-pity, and do what I tell you.  You're gonna think about the other
guys, you're gonna love them, as they all love you.  You're gonna go back
to work and do your fucking job, which I happen to know you love, in spite
of all your bullshit bellyaching."

"Yes, sir.  I promise."

"Good.  And now you're gonna cum again for me while I bust my load in your
shattered ass.  Look at me, dude, look at my eyes ... you know you have to
obey me, don't you?"

"Yes, sir."  The pain faded, everything faded except the hypnotic voice and
the swarthy, seductive face staring down at him.  Grady knew he had to obey
the man, knew he had to cum, and he pounded his cock while the gypsy
pounded his ass, harder and deeper until ...

"Aaagh."  He saw the gypsy's muscles flex, heard him roar as his head flew
back and his massive cock erupted in his ass.  The broken man was only
dimly aware of his own cock spilling a second load of juice over him as
darkness enveloped him and his head fell limply to one side.

<><> "THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY" <><>

Minutes later, as he slowly regained consciousness, Grady was faintly aware
of something moving over his face.  It was Randy's finger, tracing the
contours of his chiseled features. He was lying beside Grady, smiling.  His
deep voice was gentle now, the harshness gone.

"Such a gorgeous man.  Dude, you have so much going for you beside your
stunning looks.  You've got the most gorgeous man ever to come out of Italy
to spend the rest of your life with. You got that sweet kid who's nuts
about you, and you laugh and have fun together.  You've got this beautiful
house, and you're an international fucking movie star.  Don't sound too
shabby to me, dude.

"And most important – most important – you got a tribe of terrific
men and boys who've got your back whatever happens.

"Yeah, so I guess that celebrity bullshit does get a bit heavy sometimes,
but we've all got a price to pay for the good stuff.  So rest up and have
fun on your week off, then go charm them at the studio – and the rest of
the world.  And if you ever have a meltdown like this again, you come
straight to me.  My shrink brother can go deep and talk your ass off.  Me,
I'm a guy who fucks ass ... I just get right down to business."

"Yeah, Randy, I noticed."

"So, buddy, are we OK?  Are you OK?"

"Never better, Randy.  Except for a ravaged ass."

"Good.  Punishment fits the crime.  You've been a pain in the ass and now
you've got one."

Randy jumped to his feet, picked up Grady's ragged clothes from the bushes
and flung them down at him.  "Take your time, stud.  Pull yourself
together, put your clothes on, what's left of them, then come join the
others.  I don't know about you but I'm fucking starved."

As he strode away Grady said, "Randy ... I love you, man."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's what they all say."

<><> HE'S BACK!  <><>

When Randy appeared from the bushes, zipping up his pants, the men and boys
at the table looked up expectantly.  They had heard the shouts and screams
and were anxious.  But when they saw the arrogant smile on the shirtless
man's face they knew everything was OK."

Randy went straight to Brian and sat next to him.  "So, kiddo, I promised
you I'd make everything come right and I did."

Brian's eyes opened wide.  "Really, sir?"

"Yeah, really.  You'll have the old Grady back again, good as new –
except for a sore ass – ready to pull you into bed and dish the dirt
with you."  He ruffled Brian's hair.  "And the next time something happens
to make you unhappy, you call me right away and I'll take care of it, OK?"

"Definitely, sir.  Thank you, sir."  As Randy stood up, Brian said.  "I
love you, sir."

Bob smiled and rolled his eyes at Mario.  "Another one.  Everyone's in love
with Randy."

"Naturalmente, amico," Mario chuckled.  "You and I included."

There was a rustle of bushes, everyone looked up and there was Grady –
in unlaced sneakers and ragged shorts, the shreds of his T-shirt thrown
over his shoulder.  His bare chest and face were streaked with semen.

He stared at them ... his eyes sparkled ... and his handsome face lit up
with that dazzling smile they had not seen for a while.

He spread his arms wide and laughed, "Get Ready for Hunter, guys.  He's
back!"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 567


Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter turned you on, and I
welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in
planning future chapters.  E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com.

ALSO, I invite you to visit my own Web-site www.atrialofstrength.com. You
can read the whole story, with extras including pictures and biographies of
all the characters.

AND DON'T FORGET – IF YOU ENJOY THESE STORIES, PLEASE DONATE to this
site.  Nifty needs your donations to provide these thousands of wonderful
stories.  So please go to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html and donate
what you can.  All the other writers and I thank you.