Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:40:57 -0400 From: jacobmillertex@aol.com Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 22 {Jacob Finding His Way is based on mostly true events in my life. To keep the story interesting for the readers, some events now in the story are fictionalized. As I am writing this story, I am above the age of 21. If you want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This is a love story. Any similarity to any other events, names, or life events is purely accidental. If you are a underage, (according to your state laws as a minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are reading it, stop reading the story. This story cannot be distributed in any way, shape or form without my expressed consent. Give three cheers to my editor! He volunteers his time and talents and is happy to remain in the background. He has figured out that my fingers can't keep up with my thoughts and he fixes things so you readers can have a smoother and more enjoyable read. He has also, just recently, become a consultant on flow and continuity, making sure I don't leave threads dangling. He also puts a dose of extra spice in the love scenes from time to time. End of this Chapter's sermon!} Written by J.P.G. Chapter 22 (TOM'S POINT OF VIEW) As I sat there in the locker room after the game I couldn't believe I didn't stand up for Joey tonight. He is such a cool guy and doesn't deserve what is going on. I am the leader of this team! I need to start to lead. I finished getting dressed and threw my uniform in my locker. As I was walking out the coach stopped me. "Tom I need to talk with you about the team." The coach had a concerned look on his face. "Look I do not care if Joey is gay or straight, I really don't. The boy plays very good football. He is an asset to this team Tom. I know with him on the team we have a good chance on getting to state. Do you know how many times this school has gone to state and won it Tom?" I just stood there and shook my head in the negative to his question. "Believe it or not, we never have gotten to state! This school never has had the chance to play in a state championship. I really believe we have the team, here and now, to do it. We are big and fast and stronger than ever before. If you guys run Joey off, we could be running our chances off on getting to state if you all keep this up. You know you want it as bad as I do. It gives you even a better chance to get scholarships and get out of this half-horse town and become someone. Talk to the guys, Tom. Stand up and lead them since you are the leader on this team." I swallowed really hard as I looked at the coach. "I will do so, coach. I promise." I walked out and headed to my car. We always met at my house to decide what to do for fun. Normally, we had a party to go to. If we didn't, we went and hung out at the local bowling alley. When I arrived at my house the guys were waiting for me. I got out of the car and gathered everyone around me. "Look guys I need to say my peace and then you can speak up." All of the guy's just shook their heads at me. "Joey is a good guy. I know him very well and he doesn't deserve the shit you guys are giving him. Let's get a few things straight. Joey is out there playing with a heart and energy I haven't seen on this team in a very long time. He is doing it in spite of the crap you guys are giving him every day. Could any of you guys play the way he is playing and dealing with the kinda shit you guys are giving him?" They shook their heads no. "Let me say this; I know this guy and he is cool. You assholes need to give him a chance and you'll see it for yourself. We have a really good chance to make it to state with him and without him I don't see how we can make it." They agreed, in their own way. We changed the subject and decided to go and hang out at our normal spot. We loaded up in our cars and trucks and headed off to the bowling alley. As we were driving up that the bowling alley was full. I couldn't believe how many cars were in the parking lot. We all parked and got out. All of us were in a chipper mood due to the win we just had. As we walked into the bowling alley, I saw I huge crowd around a couple of lanes. At first I couldn't see what was going on down there. "Hey guys, let's go down and see what in the world is going on down there." I waved them over in the direction of whatever it was that was going on. We walked down to the alley where all the people were at. Once we got there, I was surprised at what I was seeing. It was a fight in the middle of the bowling alley. Then I noticed it was Joey and his friends in the middle of this fight. They were out numbered but they weren't giving an inch. I looked at the guy's! I didn't have to say a word. We went running right into the fight. I threw off a couple guys from David and started to punch them. Before we knew it, security was there breaking it up. Security threw all of us out of the bowling alley into the parking lot! As we all got outside we stood in our groups. Finally one of the guys from Austin spoke up; "Hey man We've got no beef with you. The problem is with these faggots over there." He pointed to Joey and the guys. "Just walk away and we will take care of our business with them." "Are you stupid or what man? They are our friends and we don't walk away when they are out numbered." I said looking at them with daggers in my eyes. "Look you guys are football players like us. Why in the world would you hang around with these pussies? It's not like they are real men anyways" The same tall guy spoke up again. "First of all, you are screwing with one of our football players. Second of all, they are part of our school and you're not. It looks to me they really didn't need our help anyways. Look at yourselves over there bleeding like a stuck pig! They were kicking your asses. Just walk away and save face or get you're your asses kicked all over this parking lot." I was just staring at them waiting to see if they would dare to make the wrong move. They just gave us a look and walked off. I looked at Joey and the others. I was surprised (and quite pleased) to see what I saw next. The entire football team walked up to them and just patted them on the back and started talking to them. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) As I sat there in the parking lot I was thankful for the first time seeing Tom and the guys. They helped us out tonight and I was thankful. The most surprising thing of it all was the others, sitting there talking to us as if we have been long time friends. Several of them went over to Joey and apologized sincerely. They admitted they were wrong for what they did and they won't do it any more to him. I was amazed when I heard them actually apologize to Joey and I was very happy and just sat there talking to them. We tried to walk back into the bowling alley. The security guards looked at us first, and then let us in. They warned us not to make any more trouble. We went back up to the counter and told the cashier we still wanted to bowl. I got a couple more lanes and paid for the rental of the shoes and balls for the others that wanted to bowl. We stayed there until they closed at two in the morning. Afterwards we went to What-A-Burger [for those of you not familiar, What-A-Burger is a Texas based fast food burger place that is a Texas institution since 1950 and now has locations all over the State ED.] to eat before heading home. After we finished eating we all went our different directions. When Joey and I finally got upstairs to our room and we just wanted to sleep. We were both worn out from the fighting. I was tried from the worrying about Joey and the football team. To top it all off, I still had to get up the next morning to run at Irvin High School. The next morning I dragged myself out of bed. I took a quick cold shower, which didn't work the way I hoped it would. I wasn't as awake as I wanted to be and my morning wood was persisting. I got dressed in my track uniform, tucking my still stiff cock in as much as I could, and headed out. Just like the same in the last meet, I ran in the same four races. I actually beat my own time in the mile and, this time, we didn't need to wait for the photo finish in the team event. We clearly won it hands down against Irvin. We beat this school without question and were on our way to building a good year. We were all happy we won more in this meet than the last. We were seeing the more experience we get as a team in running, the more we are winning. I stayed a while with the team before I headed home. When I got there, I was dead on my feet once again. All I wanted to do is just sleep and be with my Joey. All night I cuddled with Joey in front of the television. I couldn't keep my hands off him or him me. We were in our own little world of Joey and Jacob. I saw Joey eyes closing several times. He was forcing them to stay open. I grabbed his hand and we went upstairs for bed. We crawled into bed together and cuddled. All we did on Sunday was sit there in the house and relaxed all day. Around four, Tom actually came to the door. He went upstairs with David to work to settle their issues. About an hour later, David and Tom came down and sat with us in the television room and joined us watching a movie. As I looked over to them I knew they had talked, but looked and felt as if they didn't settle a thing at all! They sat on the couch together but not together. I suspect that nothing will be totally resolved until either David realizes that Tom will never come out to people and decides he can live with that or that Tom does come out to everyone. This relationship is stuck in the mud and won't go anywhere until one thing or the other happens. Both of them have strong wills and beliefs. This isn't simple or easy, no matter how you look at it. I feel for both of them. They are both being torn. What's really rotten is that neither of them is being hurtful in purpose. On Monday the whole school was alive with the wins in football and in track. It started to look like we were going to have pretty good teams this year. This was the last day I had with Fierro before tomorrow. He was nervous as hell. I told him he had nothing to worry about. I told him to just be himself and remember everything we went over. In order not to make him more nervous, we just ran through a mock board a couple times during lunch. I felt he was ready to go. Major Moore pulled me in to see what our chances were to land a spot on the Brigade Staff. "Sir, I really believe we will not only get on the Brigade Staff, but we have a very good chance of actually winning Brigade Commander." "I am happy to hear this Jake. I know I have put a lot on your shoulders, but you are getting it done. I know the Sergeant Major dropped the mock board a week ago. I wasn't happy about that at all. I warned her; if Fierro gets on Brigade Staff and she doesn't, Fierro using the mock board, She and I will have another talk after Tuesday." Major Moore is the kind of instructor that will allow you to do it your way. But if your way doesn't work, he will rip you a new one. He dismissed me and I headed out to grab something to eat before lunch was over. By Tuesday morning Fierro was more nervous then I had ever seen him before. I took him to the side to speak with him. I wanted to calm his nervous down. "Look, there is really nothing to be nervous about. It's only one more diamond on your shoulder. Plus when you got promoted you didn't even know you were up for the promotion. So, just go in there and remember what we discussed these last couple weeks and you will succeed." "You're right Jacob. They can't be any harder than you and the mock board were on me. If I get it great, if not I am fine with that as well." We walked in the large classroom and saw every Battalion Commander of the Brigade sitting there. This year, the promotion board for Brigade Staff is being held at our school. Every year they choose a different school to host it. Fierro sat down right beside the Sergeant Major. I walked back to the outer office to work on the newsletter. Right as I walked into the outer office, Major Moore and the DAI, Colonel May were walking out of the inner office. Colonel May looked over at me and extended his hand. "Captain Hernandez, I hear a lot of good things about you." We shook hands as he was talking. "I hope to see you on Battalion Staff next year and in front of my Board. What you and Major Moore have done here is great. I like the idea of a Promotion Board and the newsletter. I want to execute both Brigade-wide in all the Battalions. Can I count on you to lead the way?" "Yes Sir! You can count on it. Just let Major Moore know when and we will be ready." I said with a shaky voice. "I want to get the ball moving before the next semester starts this year. So, be ready for me to be calling you, Captain." He stated as he was walking away. He then turned back around at the door of the outer office. "Oh, I also heard you have a few more ideas to make the Battalion better functioning. You and Major Moore execute them and see how they work. I would like to see the idea of sponsors working in order that our cadets don't have to do candy drives every year." Colonel May walked away after that. I just stood there stunned at what he had said. I looked out to the large classroom and couldn't believe what I was seeing. All the Cadet Sergeant Majors and Lieutenant Colonels were just sitting there in the main classroom with their instructors. I walked out to catch up with Joey for breakfast. The morning went by pretty quickly. By lunch time I was hungry as can be. Our seating arrangements at lunch didn't change because we made friends with the football team. They sat where they normally sat and stayed clear of us. We did the same thing as far as they were concerned. We ate in a hurry and headed over to the ROTC building. I was being snoopy and wanting to know how the Promotion Broad was going. When I walked in, we found the large class room the same way it was when we left this morning. I walked over to Fierro to see how it went. "Jake, I really think I have a fighting chance, thanks to you. They were surprised at my knowledge about the procedures. They couldn't trip me up on anything. I was right this morning with what I said. You were rougher then they were." We both laughed at what he said. Right as I was going to answer Fierro I felt someone patting me on my shoulder. I turned around to see who it was. It was Colonel Pigeon from Austin High School. He is the senior instructor of that Battalion. "Jake, my boy! You look very good. I barely recognized you over here. I had to come over here and see if my eyes were playing tricks in my old age." We laughed at the same time shaking hands. "When I first met you in my office I knew you were going to be an asset to my unit. Sadly though, you are an asset to Major Moore's unit." He chuckled at what he just said. "You deserve the Captain rank on your shoulders. I really hope Major Moore puts you on Staff next year. Every time we have meetings at Brigade, all we hear is what the Newman High unit is doing. I come to find out Major Moore has had you execute many if not all the new ideas." "Thank you Sir. I really couldn't have done any of it if Major Moore didn't trust me enough to do it. I am having fun on this ride though." "I can see that, I truly can. I hope you come down to your old unit first when we start executing all the changes you guys have put in effect here. I heard it will be you and others from this Battalion showing us the way." We both shook our heads at that. "Yes Sir, I was just told that this morning. I will be more then proud to represent my Battalion on any endeavor I am asked to do." We just sat there talking about all the things we were doing here at Newman. None of the Battalions hid the way they ran their unit. The only thing they did not give away is their team information. As we were sitting there talking I found the reason everyone was just sitting there was because they were holding for the decision on the promotions. The bell rang right as we were finishing. Colonel Pigeon got up and we shook hands again. The cadets that didn't belong in this class left the building for their fourth period class. Once the final bell rang, all of the visitors stood there in silence. Joey went up front and called the class to attention. He filed them out to the lower parking lot to get attendance. As we were marching down to the lower parking lot, everyone in the classroom from the visiting schools followed. The visiting guests stood to the side as the Company formation. Fierro walked around the outer part of the Company just looking. Roll call was done and Joey completed his attendance sheet. Right when Joey got back into position Major Moore was coming to inspect followed by the visiting instructors and DAI. I stood there watching as Major Moore ran through the inspection of the unit. As the inspection wound down, Major Moore had a smile on his face. It looked like they didn't find much wrong with the unit inspection. We marched back to the building and, as always, Sergeant Haney took over the class. I was sitting in the back when Joey came over to me. "Man, babe I was very nervous! We don't have our DAI inspection for about a month from now. But it felt like it was going on today." He sat down putting his papers on the desk. "How did the Company do Joey? Did we pass the inspection?" "We did great on the inspection. Major Moore only found three things wrong, of which two of them were on one cadet. Then only four questions were missed as well. We did great man." Joey said with a big old smile on his face. As we were sitting there, Colonel May walked up in front of the room. Sergeant Haney turned the class over to him. "I am going to announce here this year's Brigade Staff appointments but first, I would like to say if this Company is like the rest in this Battalion, you guys will pass the DAI inspection with flying colors." We all clapped our hands with what Colonel May said. "I like a lot of what I have been seeing in this unit. You guys are our first Battalion of this Brigade, and you are leading by example." Once again we all clapped with the good news. "Ok, now here is this year's Brigade Staff. The Brigade Command Sergeant Major is being promoted from Bowie High School." As he was calling out the promotions and what school they were being promoted from he was pinning their new rank on their shoulders. As he was getting closer to the Brigade Commander slot, I was feeling bad for Fierro. We lost out on the Command Sergeant Major slot already. I was starting to look like we didn't even get a slot on Brigade Staff. "Now our Brigade Commander this year is being promoted from Newman High School: Cadet Colonel Fierro." We all started clapping at the good news. I looked over at Fierro as he walked up to the front of the room to receive his promotion. Then I looked over at Major Moore and he had a big smile on his face. Fierro saluted Colonel May after he placed his new rank on his shoulders. He turned around to the Brigade Staff. They came to attention and saluted their newly promoted Brigade Commander. Joey got up and walked over to the front of the class. "COM-PANNY ATT-ENTION! PRE-SENT ARMS!" We all saluted not only the new Brigade Staff but our Brigade Commander as well. Once he saluted we all brought down our salute. Joey gave the order to take our seats. Then we all clapped as the Brigade Staff made their way to where they were standing at before. The bell rang and Joey excused the class. As Joey and I were making our way across the street to the main building we talked about what just happened. "I am so happy for Fierro, but there is a problem. This means that Loraine will be promoted back to Battalion Commander. We will have to live under her command and it won't be nice." I said as we were crossing the street. "No lie on that one Jake. Plus she will be going after you with every thing she has. She blames you from the beginning for her loosing Battalion Commander. This is her chance to get even with you." "I never did a thing to her. I don't care what she thinks at all. She did it to herself not me. I dare her to come after me. I will win!" We both just chuckled about it and walked in the building. We went our different directions because this is the only class we don't have together. I am starting to think of dropping this class for another. I am not even getting a chance to sing. As with every Tuesday, I do not go to my track practice. Joey only had Rifle Team practice, but not football. The main reason for that is because we are in uniform. So when the final bell rang, I headed back over to ROTC building. I always take this day to catch up with anything I have fallen behind on. I also want to be there when Joey gets out of practice. I just love being with my Joey. I thought through the day I want tonight to be the night we make love with him in uniform. Man he fills that uniform out just right. He is one handsome son of a gun in it. As I walked in Major Moore was waiting for me. I saw that the class room was empty of our visitors. I walked over to the office to see what he needed. When I walked in Fierro was in there as well as Loraine. As I walked in Fierro looked at me and smiled. He is one happy guy. Then I turned to look at Major Moore. "Ok the reason I had us wait for Jacob is because of what I am about to say. First Jacob I would like to thank you for your help on getting Fierro ready for the board." Major more extended his hand for me to shake. Fierro also came over to me and shook my hand then hugged me. He whispered in my ear: "I owe you for this Jake, thank you man. I am so glad you helped me out." Then Major Moore continued with his talk. "Normally, we promote our XO into the Battalion Commander spot once the Battalion Commander is promoted to Brigade. Loraine you are one of my best officers in the unit. You know why I had to remove you from the Battalion Commander slot. We had to make our decision based on who was getting the Battalion Commander slots of the schools that got Brigade promotions. All of us, of course, gave our XO'S as the ones to be promoted into that slot. Colonel May looked over the records of the XO's before he left and signed off on every promotion. He kept yours to look more into it more closely before he signs it. Don't ask me why he didn't promote you right away like he did the others. I think it is for the same reason we had to put you as XO. Right before he left he asked me for another two cadets records he thought that could handle the Battalion Commander slot. I gave him two more records and he left. As of right now Loraine, you are Acting Battalion Commander until either he signs off on the promotion or tells me he wants another" Major Moore concluded. "Sir, may I ask who are the other two officers you gave for the position?" Loraine finally spoke up with a cracking voice. "Yes Loraine, you deserve that much. The two cadets I suggested are our S-1 and S-3. Jacob the reason I called you in is to let you know there are going to be promotions beyond the Battalion Commander. There will be a new XO or S-1 or S-3 position, and we will need to fill the open slot quickly. We have the DAI inspection two weeks from now. I need to have my Battalion Staff working together along with the Companies." "So what do I do for now Major Moore? Act as if the position is mind until the Colonel signs off on the promotion, Sir!" Loraine questioned. "Right now we do not want to confuse the Battalion once again. If they start to see you as the Battalion Commander and the DAI does't sign off on it, it will be a mess. Right now, you are Acting Battalion Commander, as I have said before." As we walked out of the office Loraine once again was angry. This time though she was angrier then I ever have seen her before. I don't know why the DAI asked for her removal from the Battalion Commander slot in the first place, but it must be bad. Just like Major Moore said, the Colonel signed off on all the rest except her promotion. When Joey and I got home we were alone. Chase was with David at the mall shopping for a gift for Chase's girl friend. I grabbed onto Joey's arms and pulled him upstairs. As we reached our bedroom I whispered to him: "I want to make love to you while you are wearing that uniform. Man I am so damn hot for you right now you won't believe!" I pulled Joey the rest of the way into the room. I closed the door and walked over to Joey. He was standing at the side of the bed. I got close enough to him our chest were touching. I leaned in and started to peck his lips. Then I started going more into deep kissing with him. We both stood there in our ROTC uniforms kissing one another. We broke long enough to take off the bulky blouse (jacket ED) and hung them over the back of the desk chair. I wrapped my hands around Joey's back and pulled him tighter to me. We kept on kissing and I was moving my hands further and further down his back until they were on his butt cheeks. I squeezed each butt cheek as I started kissing him down his neck. I loosened and untied his tie. I slowly started to unbutton his shirt. Once I had the entire shirt unbuttoned, I pulled it off of Joey. He had a white t-shirt that just was hugging his chest. Man my boner got even harder, if that was possible. I felt my way down his shirt as gentle as I could. Once I was at Joey's gold belt buckle I lifted the t-shirt up. As I was lifting his t-shirt up I was kissing every inch of his stomach and chest. I sucked on each nipple and then made my way back to his belly button. I started to licking inside his belly button. Joey had slipped the t-shirt off while I was working on his gorgeous chest and abs. "Oh man Jake that feels so damn good. If you don't stop I will cream my pants!" Joey said in between moans. I started to rub his front side with my right hand as I started kissing back up to Joey's lips. We started kissing one another as I was feeling him up. I stepped back a couple of steps to see my handy work. Joey was so dam hard you were able to see the out line of his dick through his uniform pants. I got onto my knees and started to unzip his pants. I reached in and started to jerk Joey off in his shorts through the fly of his pants. Joey was moaning like crazy and I didn't want to loose his load in his shorts. I pulled my hand out and started to unbuckle his belt. When I unbuttoned his pants, they fell to his ankles. I untied his left shoe and took it off then his right. Then I went back up and pulled down Joey's underwear. Once I pulled down his underwear his dick flew right up and hit him on his stomach. Joey has always been a big guy; he was almost nine and half in length and maybe around four almost five in width. I just started to go down on Joey's dick. I couldn't hold back any longer. "Oh man oh man oh man Jake that feels so damn good. I have missed you to long. Man this feels so damn good!" I kept going up and down on his dick. I still didn't want Joey to shoot. I always liked seeing him shoot when I am inside of him shooting my load. I pushed Joey down onto the bed and pulled off his pants. Then I took off my shirt, t-shirt, pants and underwear in a hurry. All the time I was undressing, Joey had his eyes closed still moaning as he massaged his cock and balls. I went down on him once again when I was naked. I pulled up his legs over my shoulders and started to rim him. Joey was getting so much pleasure out of me rimming him. "Jake I want you to fuck me; please I need to feel you inside of me right now." I grinned as I was rimming Joey's sweet pucker and thought to myself, `no, not quite yet, big boy'. I pushed his butt up higher; his legs lifting off my shoulders. I got my fingers on each side of his pulsing opening and gently pried it wider open. I wanted to get as deep with my tongue as I could. I was hungry for his ass and wanted to tongue fuck him as deep as I could. I kept prying his hole wider open, working my fingers and tongue in deeper and deeper. Joey's moans were growing in intensity and I knew I was giving him pleasure of the finest sort. I wanted his hole totally relaxed so that when I put my cock in him there won't be even a hint of discomfort. I want him to only feel pleasure. I reached over and got the tube of KY as I let Joey's legs drop down slightly and rest on my shoulders once again. I got plenty of the lube on my fingers and started working it into the sweet hole. I slipped my right middle finger inside him to lube him inside. I made sure to run my finger over his g-spot to heighten his passion even more. As I did, Joey was in a frenzy of desire and said; "Jake, NOW...don't wait...I need your cock inside me NOW!" I moved up and lay on top of Joey. I started kissing him on the lips. I could feel the intense heat of his hard cock against my abs. I felt the warmth of the precum that was oozing like a river from his cock. "I know Joey, I have said this so many times, but I am going to say it again. I love you so damn much. I only want you and no one else. I love you Joey!" I started kissing him again. I took the gel out of the night stand and slicked up my dick and put it in Joey's butt. I leaned into Joey and slowly started going into him with my dick. Little by little I sunk into Joey's tight butt. Finally I was completely inside of him as I leaned down and started kissing him again. We kept kissing until I knew he was ready. I started slowly going in and out, and then picked up speed. I looked down at Joey as I was going in and out of him. He has a look of pleasure not hurt in his face. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me down to kiss him. I started pumping faster and Joey was moaning like crazy. "Joey your ass is so damn tight! I love it when I am inside of you! You feel so damn good Joey and you make me want to explode right away!" I just kept going in and out of Joey as he was moaning in pleasure. I knew I was close and if I was close, Joey was too. I tilted Joey's hips up just a bit more and felt my cockhead hitting his prostate! I wanted him to shoot as hard as he ever had! I felt Joey's reaction as he shuddered in pleasure each time my cockhead passed over his sweet spot. I did my best to make sure I was getting nearly head-on contact with his pleasure center. "Joey man I am going to cum! I am about toooooooo..." I just exploded in Joey's butt before I could finish telling him I was about to. As I reached my climax I saw Joey's cock jump a couple of times and then explode all over him and me and the bed. He shot and shot and shot. When he started shooting he clamped down on my cock inside his butt. Every time he does that it makes me cum even more than I was doing. I loved it! When I finished I collapsed right on top of Joey. Both of our chests were touching. I felt his heart beating and as well all of his cum was being smeared all over each of us. Joey wrapped his legs around me making sure my cock didn't slip out yet and pulled my face to his. He started kissing me again. I just love it when I am kissing Joey. "Jake, I love you and only want to be with you and no one else!" We sat there kissing until I got soft and fell out of Joey. I rolled over to his side and we just stayed there, lying right beside each other. We both got up at the same time and headed to the bathroom to take care of after-lovemaking matters. While I got the water in the shower running and adjusted, Joey made the requisite stop at the toilet. We took a quick shower together because we heard the guys downstairs. It sounded like there was more than just David and Chase. As we finished showering and got dressed Joey and I headed downstairs. I was right it was more then just David and Chase. It looked like Tom came down with several of his buddies from the football team. We sat there hanging out in the game room playing pool. We had had fun just sitting there fooling around. We ordered pizza to eat and had cokes to drink. It was almost ten when Tom and the others left. Chase told us that he ran into them at the mall. They asked what we were doing. So I told them we were doing nothing but hanging out at the house. The guys didn't know that we lived on our own and they thought it was cool. So Chase invited them to hang out with us. The next morning at school was a busy one for me. I had track practice before heading over to ROTC and work on the newsletter. The coach nearly ran me into the ground. Once I was done with track practice, I was worn out. I went and had breakfast with the guys. As I was sitting in first period I was called to the principal's office. I looked at Joey wondering what he wanted. This year I have only missed one day of school; a lot better than last year. I headed over to the principal's office. Along the way I was worried about the reason behind him wanting to see me. When I got to his office I was waved in. Right as I walked in, I saw Mr. Anderson and the principal sitting there. Then, I looked to my right and Dr. Whitmore was there. I was so happy to see him. I walked over to him and hugged Dr. Whitmore. Over the last couple of years he has turned out to be a father figure to me as I said many times. He has taken care of me when I was at my worst. I sat down to see the reason I was called. Mr. Anderson started out first. "Jacob the reason I am here today is to give you some good news and some bad. First Alejandro was convicted yesterday on all counts from the jury. But the damn judge threw the conviction out. He felt that the conviction wasn't based on the facts but rather on the jury's feelings for you. The judge declared a mistrial. He also released Alejandro pending our re-filing of the charges. I instantly had Alejandro picked up as he walked out of County. I already recharged him with the same charges. I was able to get no bail and remand to custody due to what he did before." "So what does all this mean for me? Now Alejandro knows it is me that is testifying against him and he is going to come after me" I stated with no small amount of fear in my voice. "Jacob like I told you when I first talked to you about testifying for me: We rounded up a good percentage of his gang. The rest that are left on the street do not want any problems with us. I believe them. But I am not taking any chances right now. I am moving for a quick trial date. I have moved for a different judge to be on the case. Alejandro is locked up and can not get to you. I also placed him in solitary confinement. That way he only talks to guards and has no phone privileges. I have ordered more patrol around the school and your house for the mean time. All need from you is to be reasonably careful. Don't be by yourself whenever you are out and around. Don't go to places you don't know. And, don't let your big heart help someone in need while this court case is pending." "Yes sir, I will do all that. I thought this was finally over. I dared to hope that I didn't have to worry about this guy or his friends anymore. But here I am being thrown into turmoil again." "Don't worry Jacob, we are doing everything we can to protect you. I am aware of what happened the day of your testimony in the court in the parking lot. I have already made arrests based off of the video surveillance footage from the garage. Those guys are in jail as well. If anything else goes wrong, I promise you I will give you any protection you need. I just don't want to disturb your life more then I need to." I agreed with Mr. Anderson and left the office. Dr. Whitmore followed me out to the hallway. He had a worried look on his face. "Jake, please, if you see anything out of the ordinary call the police. Don't be a hero or just shrug it off. Ok?" "I promise you I will do that Dr. Whitmore." "Listen I heard from your principal that you are running track. One day this week I need to talk with your coach. I just want to let him know what to look for in case something goes wrong. I also want to see the training conditions and observe once when you train for track Jacob. I really hope you have the correct conditions in order to run track and not injure yourself. To tell you the truth I really don't want you running track if the conditions aren't right." I looked at him with a sad look on my face. "Are you going to tell the coach to take me off the team Dr. Whitmore?" "No Jake, I am not as long as I find everything is good and as long as the training procedures is correct and you are not being over worked. Plus, I want to be on the sideline for each of your tournaments. Do they say sidelines in track? " "Maybe they say on the field. I really don't the correct terms either!" I smiled at Dr. Whitmore and shook his hand. We made plans for him to talk to the coach tomorrow after school. After I saw Dr. Whitmore off, I walked back to first period class. Through the rest of the class and all morning long Joey kept looking at me wanting to know what was up. He even asked several times but we were interrupted by one person or another. Finally at lunch time, I told Joey what happened. Not only about the court case and how it was thrown out but what happened after court the day I testified. Joey was so mad with me he looked like he wanted to punch me. Once he settled down we went in to eat with the rest of the guys. As we were eating I told the guys what was up. Just like Joey I told them everything. They sat there in their seats quite with their mouth wide open. I didn't even know the football team came in to see if we wanted to hang with them. They heard the whole thing as I was telling the guys. They didn't say a thing but walked out. Everybody was pretty much quiet for the rest of lunch. When Joey and I headed to fourth period he didn't say a word to me. We did the normal things at the beginning of class. Right after Joey did roll call Major Moore called me in to his office. I really didn't feel like talking to him right now. I had Joey mad at me and I just couldn't stand that. Then I had the worry of the pending testimony all over again. I walked into the office after I knocked. I was surprised to see Colonel May there. "Captain Hernandez, the reason I called you in is to let Colonel May speak with you." Major Moore said as he was taking his seat. I turned and looked at Colonel May. Thoughts started going through my head about them knowing and they were going to ask me to step back from the program. "Jacob, don't look so worried you are not in trouble." Colonel May started to say as he leaned on the desk. "I want to talk with you is for several reasons." He went over the stuff I did to get Fierro ready for the board. He thought it was brilliant and wished others would have thought about it as well. Fierro answered every question correctly and drilled perfectly. No other cadet in the past has ever gone in front of the board and done that. He explained to me why he didn't want to promote Loraine to Battalion Commander. She was caught spying on another school's Unarmed Drill Team drills. He really didn't want her as Drill Team Commander either. But that was Major Moore's decision. It is his Battalion to run. But when it comes down to promotions to officers, it is his (the Colonel's) decision. He felt the other two cadets that Major Moore put up for Battalion Commander were more than qualified to be the Battalion Commander. But he was looking at one cadet to fill the slot that is left open with Fierro's promotion to Brigade Staff. "Captain Hernandez, I want it to be you, Sir. I know by getting this promotion this year, you won't be promoted next year by Major Moore. He had planned on putting you on Battalion Staff this year no matter what, then, promote you, next year, to Battalion Commander. I feel you got Fierro ready and get Brigade Commander. I know you will get it next year yourself. You need to be able to run the Battalion and institute the changes you and Major Moore are talking about. Usually when changes come from a lower ranking officer to a higher ranking officer it isn't perceived as a good idea. So, in return, the changes are never put into effect until the lower ranking officer is in the leadership position." I looked over to Major Moore and he was shaking his head in the positive as Colonel May was talking. I wanted to know if this is what he wanted as well. Major Moore must have read my thoughts. "Look, Mr. Hernandez, I need a good and strong Battalion Commander. That is you, Sir. Don't get me wrong I feel bad for the XO, but she made the bed which she is in now. I fought for her to the very end and was able to keep her as my XO and Commander of the Unarmed Drill Team. That is all I can do for her." "So, Captain Hernandez, do you accept the duties and position of the Battalion Commander of the First Battalion of the First Brigade, Sir?" Colonel May asked as he and Major Moore walked up to me. I stood up at attention and answered the Colonel; "I am honored and I do accept the position as Battalion Commander, Sir!" They shook my hand and Major Moore handed me the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; two diamonds, as he shook my hand. "Lieutenant Colonel Hernandez, please sit down with Colonel Fierro and let him know when you can get over to the other schools. We need to get the other Battalions up to par, with this Battalion. You deserve the promotion and should get all the credit for the many changes you have instituted here, in this unit." Colonel May told me as he went back around Sergeant Haney's desk. "Yes Sir I will get with the Brigade Commander and start going to the schools next week, Sir." I said with a big old smile on my face. They excused me from the office. As I walked out I was surprised to see Loraine sitting in the large class room. I walked by her to find out where the company went. As I walked out the door I heard Major Moore ask Loraine to come into his office. I found Joey standing on the wall looking down at his Platoons drilling. I walked up next to him. He looked at me and smiled. "Jake I am not angry with you at all. Just promise me that in the future you tell me everything no matter if you think I will be worried or not!" Joey said with a half smile on his face. "Joey I promise you I will and I am sorry I wasn't totally honest with you this time. I knew on one hand not being open and honest wasn't right, but on the other, I didn't want you worried. If we weren't out here, I would hug you and probably cop a feel too!" "I know you would and I would too" Joey replied with a leering grin. I reached over and squeezed his hand to show my affection. "Joey you won't believe why Major Moore wanted to speak with me about!" "Tell me. Why? Did they pick the new Battalion Commander?" "No fair! You are cheating Joey! Did someone tell you that is why I was called into the office with Major Moore and Colonel May?" "No! I swear no one told me! Colonel May was in the office as well? He normally isn't at a school unless it is for an inspection or a promotion. That means he did sign off on the new Battalion Commander!" "Yes Joey he did and you won't believe who it is!" "Please! Don't tell me it is Loraine! Please, say it isn't true!" Joey nearly cried with angst. I kept on teasing Joey with it and I didn't even hear Sergeant Haney walk up to us as we were talking. "Stop teasing your friend Jake and just tell him who it is!" Sergeant Haney said with a smile. "Hey this isn't fair to me. You both know who it is, you should tell me!" Joey said with his eyes wide open. "Joey, you should shake the hand of your new Battalion Commander. He is standing right beside you." Sergeant Haney said with a chuckle, letting the cat out of the bag! Joey smiled at me and shook my hand. Right then the Company was marching back to class. As Joey caught up to his Company Sergeant Haney told me not to sit in the back. As the class took their seats Sergeant Haney started to address them. "As you know our Battalion Commander got promoted to Brigade Commander. We now have promoted our new Battalion Commander. Please write down on the Battalion Chain of Command, your Battalion Commander is now Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Hernandez." They all looked over at me as they were given the name. They instantly started clapping in support of my promotion. I just stood there thinking how I thought I wasn't going to even get promoted from Drill Sergeant this year. Now I am the FUCKING Battalion Commander! As they clapped Loraine came out of the office followed by Major Moore and Colonel May. Loraine came up to me and shook my hand. I really didn't expect that from her. I really hope we can work together to run the Battalion. When the bell rang, Joey and I did our normal walk to the main building. Once again we separated to get to our fifth period class. The rest of the afternoon I kept looking at the rank Major Moore had placed in my hand. I just couldn't believe I actually got it. As I thought over and over again, I was supposed to come in this year as a Drill Sergeant. All through practice we were practicing hard. This week's competition was going to be a true test of our ability to win track meets. We have been tested in the past, but this test is for endurance because this team we are up against can outlast other runners they have come against so far this year. That is how they have won their meets. After practice I walked over to the ROTC building as normal. When I walked in I found Frierro and the Battalion Staff in a meeting. I was about to walk right back out when Fierro stopped me. Loraine was running the meeting for the Battalion, Fierro was just sitting in. As I went to the back where he was I sat next to him. He leaned in to talk with me. "Congratulations on the promotion to Battalion Commander Jake! I am glad it was you not Loraine taking the helm of the unit." "Do the others know who was up for it and didn't get it?" "No, Jake. That was something Major Moore requested me and Loraine to keep quiet about. As far as the others know is that you beat her and only her." Fierro looked at me as he was talking. I kind of find him very handsome. I know he is straight and has a girlfriend and I have my Joey anyways. I will never cheat on him. I can look but no touching, as they say! "I see the look on your face that you are worried. Don't be Jake! Once I was told about the promotion, I have spoken with the Staff. They were all happy as well it was you and not Loraine. Go up there and take over your meeting Jake!" I got up and walked up front to where Loraine was standing. I was thinking to myself why so many people didn't like her. She is downright rude and full of herself. If she had gotten the promotion, we would have had to listen to her. I wouldn't have liked it, but would have done it. "Ok Loraine thanks you very much for filling in for me while I was out." Before I was able to continue everyone started clapping. "Thank you guys for that. We are having a good start of the year so far. As you know our Brigade Commander came from amongst us here at Newman High!" Everyone started clapping again but this time they stood up and turned around to face Fierro. "So far, we have won all our rifle matches we have been to so far this year. It has been done under the great leadership of Joey Alverez, the Rifle Team Commander. Now we have a very good chance on winning our Drill Meets as well. So as far as our teams are concerned, we are on the right track." I went over with them what I was sure Loraine did. I just touched base with the subject. I didn't want to repeat what they already heard from Loraine. "It looks like the teams are getting out so let me say this and let you go. I am proud to be the Battalion Commander and I will work with the Staff to help make this Battalion the best in the Brigade. Oh, and, from now on, we will hold these meetings still on the same day, but during lunch while the track season is going on." Everyone agreed to that. Plus it was better all the way around. The teams practiced during lunch but it was studying not actual drilling. By having these meetings after school it pulled too many of the members off of the teams for too long of a period of time. (ALEJANDRO'S POINT OF VIEW) I am sitting in this eight by eight cell thinking about the deep shit I am in. The judge threw out the verdict the jury had made. The District Attorney just won't let it go that he has lost. We will be back in court and I know the judge is going to throw out the case. I was called out of the cell for court. I was angrier than before. It was five in the damn morning and I didn't sleep at all last night. I know I will be sitting in a cold holding cell for hours before we actually get into the court room and the breakfast sucks even worse in the holding cells, believe it or not. As I was waiting for court, they had me locked in a separate room from the rest of the others going to court. Right before they pulled us for court, the guard pulled me from the holding cell I was in and put me in with the others. I found several friends there waiting to go to court on their own cases. We sat there talking about what had happened to me. My friends agreed with me being stuck in jail instead of being out in the free after I won the case. They said if things don't go right they could get the word out to get rid of my problem. I told them I would let them know after this hearing. I sat on the bench with the others surrounding me as we waited to be taken to court. I was angry I was still here and I just hoped this court would send me home. The door opened and we were called out by name. Once I was called out of the cell they had me spread my legs. They checked me over again as if I got a hold of something in the cell. Then they shackled me and connected me to the chain of other inmates going down for court. As we moved out of the holding area, we headed to the elevator. As we got on, we all had to face the back of the elevator. We were packed in there like sardines. I wonder if they even cared we might be over the weight capacity of the elevator. Once we got to the bottom, we were escorted through the hall near the kitchen. Going through several doors we reached a long concrete tunnel. It went down then up then down again before it went back up. If the guy in front of you was going faster then you, you were then pulled along like a dog. If the one that was walking in front of you was going slower then you, you would end up stepping on top of the one walking in front of you. We were separated once we reached the courthouse. I was taken down another hallway away from the others. This hallway wasn't the one to my courtroom. I was wondering what was going on. The guard put me in a holding cell and left. A few minutes later my attorney came in to speak with me. "Alex we have a problem. The District Attorney is moving for the judge that is ruled on your case to be removed from the case." "Will he have much luck on doing so?" "The judge we have on your case threw out the verdict of the jury with no legal basis for doing so. Mr. Anderson made his case very well as far as the facts are concerned. That is why I was preparing you for the verdict and the sentence." "I know, but still the judge is assigned to my case. I want that judge back if we are going to go to court again." "I understand what you are saying Alex and I will fight for that on your behalf. Just be prepared just in case it doesn't go our way." Then the door opened and a guard came in and got me. I walked into a courtroom that was set up a little different. It didn't have a jury box for a jury. Where the judge sits there are three seats there instead of one. I looked over and saw the DA sitting there talking to the other attorneys on his staff. I sat down right next to my attorney. Right as I sat down the judge came in. Once the formal proceedings were done; it was off to the races. The District Attorney got right up and straight to work and I was getting angry as he spoke. I know I am no angel, but he is panting me as satin himself. To top it all off the judge was really listening to him. Finally it was my attorney's turn to speak. He did everything he could to dispel the notions the district attorney was putting out there. The judge didn't even take it under consideration. He made his judgment right there. "I have listened to both sides of the argument here today. I received your briefs before I came out here today. I read them and looked at the transcript of the trial. The judge in that case had no right to throw out the verdict of the jury. The jury ruled by the facts of the case. Even if they didn't, that is what the appeals process is for. A judge shouldn't decide a defendant's guilt or innocence after the fact and should never second guess a jury. I really wish, Mr. Garcia, that I had the power to over turn the judge's decision and throw you down a very deep hole and never let you out. What I can do though, is give the District Attorney what he's seeking. I am pulling the case from the court room of Judge Bickerson and placing it into the court of Judge Montoya. Good luck on getting away with the stunts you did with the other court with this judge." He hit the gavel and walked off the bench. I couldn't believe what just happened. This judge couldn't stand the sight of me. I looked over at my attorney as the guard was coming for me. "Alex I will see you in the next couple of days. Be patient and we will get through this." I was handcuffed again and moved back to the main holding cell in county. As I was sitting there, my friends arrived from their court dates. A couple of them were smiling as they came walking over to me. "Hey homey what is the big smile all about man?" I asked. "We both get out sometime today. They threw out our cases due to the lack of evidence the District Attorney's office had." "That's cool homey! I need you to take care of something for me. You know what that something is?" They looked at each other then back to me. "Yes homey we do know what you mean. Your singer needs to silenced; for good this time." "That's correct and it needs to be done soon." The guards came in and took me out first. I was taken back to my damn cell. Although I had a bad court hearing, it will all be taken care of! These guys are good and won't flake out on me and the job that needs to be done. This Jake guy needs to be put out of his misery once and for all. Then I can be set free. (JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW) As I was getting ready for the game, I was actually more nervous this time than last week. The whole team will be looking at me to see if I can do it gain. I really didn't have such a good week of practice either. We arrived at Jefferson High school, which was located kind of in the lower valley of the city. This school gave me the creeps. It was old and run down for being the second oldest school in the district. It is built across from the city hospital and a grave yard on the other side. I could only imagine the ghost stories for this school. We suited up and headed to the field to warm up. The stadium was packed to the fullest it could be. Jacob and the guys arrived as I was making my way to the sidelines. They took their seats as close as they could to the sidelines of our team. Jacob smiled at me and I smiled back. I stood there as the captains dealt with the coin toss. We lost the coin toss, so Jefferson is going to receive. I stood there in awe at the way they were able to move the ball down the field. If you would blink, you would miss it all. They scored right away, within the first two minutes of the game. What this means to us is two things. Every time we are on the field we must score and control the clock. Also we need to send a clear message to them that we can put points on the board just quickly as they did. We need to shut up the home crowd. The coach was thinking the same thing. He put in the play he wanted. It was a daring play, but a play we haven't done yet. We lined up and the ball was hiked. I flew off the line so fast; the guy that was supposed to cover me couldn't catch up. I was about thirty yards out when I turned and caught the ball. There was no one around to catch me. Even their secondary stayed in close coverage. We scored faster then they did. It only took us forty two seconds to match the points they put on the board. The entire stadium went quiet when I got into the in zone. You could here a penny drop in the stadium at that moment. We just showed them we are not a team that's going to be run over this year. We walked off the field with our sideline up in arms. Patting us on the shoulders as we stood watching the special teams kick off! As the first half went on, our defensive line got better on holding their offensive line. By half time we had the lead 21-17. We knew the game was not won by a long shot. When we got back in the second half we dominated the field. All sides of the ball for our team were firing on all fronts. By the time the clock ticked down to the final seconds we did our job. The final score was 45-20. We actually gave Jefferson their first lost of the season and it felt good. On the way back to Newman, we celebrated our win over Jefferson. The home crowd was out of the game from the first time we had the ball and that is what we wanted. I just had fun out there on the field carrying the ball for two hundred and forty two yards and with three of the touch downs that were on the board that night. When we got back to the school and unloaded from the bus, the team went to the locker room. I knew they still were not comfortable with me in the locker room while they showered and changed. They still don't know that I am gay. At least I still haven't confirmed the rumors that have been floating around since my freshman year. But still they cannot get through there heads I won't do anything to them. I headed out and caught up with the guys. Jacob wasn't with them because he needed to get home and get rest for tomorrow's track meet. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) I jumped in my car and headed home after the game. I dropped the guys off at Newman to meet up with the team when they got back. I needed to get home and get ready for the meet in the morning. When I got there I went straight up for a shower and a change of clothes. Once I was clean I walked down and found the house empty. I had no idea where the guys were at. I thought after they met up at the school, they were going to come back here for the evening. I was so tired, so I just went back upstairs, set the alarm for the morning, and went to bed. The next thing I knew the alarm was going off. I got out of bed and was being as quiet as I could so I didn't wake up Joey. I quickly got ready for the track meet and started to leave the room when I noticed Joey wasn't in bed. His side wasn't even slept in last night. I couldn't stick around to find out why but I did check the other rooms. Neither Chase nor David is any where in the house! We had another great track meet that morning. We were at Coronado High School this time. We took the top place in all the running events of the meet. I didn't beat my times but I matched them. The coach was right about them trying to outlast us in the races. We threw it back at them though. If you get enough of lead ahead of whomever you are racing against it doesn't matter how long you can outlast the other runners. Because you then have to make up for the amount you have fallen behind on. Take it from me as the cleanup runner. It is hard to make up ground you've already lost. It takes a lot of energy. I didn't stick around to see what the coach had to say. I needed to get home and find out what was going on. Plus I was dead on my feet. Once I arrived home Joey truck still wasn't in the driveway. Now I am getting nervous about this. Why hasn't Joey come home yet or at least called? I ran into the house to see if Joey left me a message on the answering machine or a note. There was nothing anywhere, again. I grabbed my keys and headed out to Joey's house. I started thinking maybe Joey and the guys went over to his old house for some reason. As I drove up to the house I found Joey's truck in the driveway. Plus there were several other cars I didn't even know parked outside of the house. As I got to the door I used my keys to get in. It was very quiet in the house as I walked into the den. No one was there, so I headed upstairs. I checked the first room and found David sound asleep in there with some random guy. I walked over to the next room and there was Chase asleep with his girlfriend in the bed with him. Wow, I didn't mean to see that at all. Still they look happy together. As I walked to Joey's aunt and uncle's old room, I was worried about what I am about to see. I slowly opened the door and peeked in. There are several figures in the bed asleep. I walked over to the bed to see who was in it. Joey was asleep on the right hand side and two other guys were asleep on the other side. I looked down at Joey and I shook him awake. While he looked up at me, he started to rub his eyes, to adjust to the light. "What is going on here Joey?" Joey looked at me then looked across the bed. "Jake it isn't what you think it is!" I got up from the floor and started to walk out when I heard Joey calling for me. He was more yelling then talking. "Jake I swear it isn't what it looks like. Look I still have my clothes on Jake. PLEASE, PLEASE look Jake!" I turned around and saw Joey standing on the bed still in the clothes he was wearing the day before. He even had his shoes on. He was crying as he stood on the bed looking at me. I couldn't believe how hard he was crying. As I walked over to him, he got off the bed. When I reached him he was still crying, tears rolling down his face. I wiped the tears coming down his face and then I hugged him. We stood there in that hug for a while before Joey or I spoke up. Through his sobs Joey spoke first. "Jakee Iiii sweaaar I wooouldddn'tt chhheat onn youuu, annnd I meaaant it!" "I know you wouldn't cheat on me Joey. It just looked weird walking in here and seeing you in bed with two other guys." We walked out of the room leaving the other guys asleep in the bed. They didn't even move, much less wake up through Joey and me talking. We walked to the den and just sat there in silence. Joey leaned into my chest and went to sleep. I wrapped my arms around him and I went to sleep shortly afterwards. Thinking I need to trust Joey no matter what! When I woke up a couple of hours later, Joey was still asleep. I slowly moved from beneath him and made my way to the bathroom. As I walked out the door to the apartment opened. Several guys and girls walked out of there. There was like five or six of them. Now I see why those guys had fallen asleep up stairs. The apartment was taken already. David had no problem sharing a bed with a guy but Chase did. Plus Chase brought over his girlfriend. That is why all the rooms were taken and Joey shared his room. Soon as the guys walked out of the apartment Joey woke up with the noise. Soon after that the rest of the people from up stairs including Chase, Linda, his girl friend, and David came down. Chase and David were surprised on seeing me there. They right away looked at Joey and then back to me. They walked up to me and the first words out of their mouths were: "Joey didn't cheat on you with those guys in the room. They just got drunk and passed out in his bed." "I know Joey didn't cheat on me. We already talked about what I saw up there." We all walked into the kitchen to find something to eat. Of course there was nothing in the kitchen. We haven't lived in the house for months now. We needed to get this house sold as soon as possible. Once we realized there was nothing in the house to eat, we headed out. We all hung out at the McDonalds and ate. I still had no idea who these people were and to be completely honest and borrow a line from the movie "Gone With the Wind", `quite frankly, I don't give a damn!' Soon after we ate Joey, Chase, David and I headed home. Chase's girlfriend had her own car, so she headed home. Later that afternoon Joey started to explain to me who those guys were. "Look Jake, these guys I really didn't even know. We were hanging at this party Chase knew about. He only knew a couple of the guys. Anyways, when the party broke up Chase invited them to hang at the house. I didn't want them in our house the way they were; all drunk and loud being stupid, so I told Chase we will take them to our old house. They drank some more until they were totally plastered. Before I knew it, they passed out in different areas of the house including my old room. I was tired and I didn't want to leave them in the house alone. So I went to bed without thinking about the way it looked." "I understand Joey and thank you for not letting them come to this house." I got up and hugged Joey and walked into the television room. Chase and David were in there watching a movie. Chase looked up at me and saw I wasn't happy. "Jake I know you are not happy with me. I promise you I will never do that again. I really don't know what I was thinking!" "Chase, you are always welcome in this house as long as you want. You can have girls here in your room and screw them to high heaven. You could even have friends here it doesn't bother neither me nor Joey. But YOU CANNOT have a party in this house or the old one with drunken kids you don't even know! I said glaring at Chase as I spoke. "I understand and again, it will never happen again Jake. I promise." "Then as far as this is concerned it is dropped. You are my best friend Chase I don't want anything to come between us!" "Nothing will ever come between us Jake. I know that for a fact." Chase got up from the couch and came up to me. We hugged, patted each other on the back. Then he went back and sat down to watch the movie. Joey walked in and we sat down in the couch together and watched the movie with the guys. (MR ANDERSON'S POINT OF VIEW) "What is so urgent you called me in on a Sunday afternoon?" Mr. Anderson said to the detective from his office. "Mr. Anderson we were told on Friday that Alejandro Garcia was placed in the holding tank with the rest of the inmates going to court. Several of the inmates there were part of Alejandro's gang and were released on Friday. We found out through inmates that they were talking in code about killing the witness in your case against Alejandro. He was talking to the same inmates that were released on Friday." "Why in the hell am I just now hearing about this, detective?" "It didn't reach my desk until this morning, sir. Right away I sent out units to those inmates' houses. But the addresses we have on file are old. The families don't even live in the apartments or houses anymore." "So what you are telling me is that Jacob Hernandez is now in jeopardy Is that correct detective?" "I really don't know except we cannot find these three individuals right now." "How in the hell did this happen? Alejandro Garcia was supposed to kept away from all the rest of the inmates at all times. How did he get into the general holding cell with the rest of the inmates?" "It was the same guard both times. He pulled Alejandro out of his cell and placed him in the general holding cell. He was the one escorting Alejandro to his court date that day and placed him back into the cell." "I not only want that son of a bitch fired, but arrested as well, damn it!" "I have already done that sir. I just don't know what to charge him with, though." "Charge the creep with conspiracy to commit murder, because that is exactly what he did when he placed Alejandro in the cell with the other inmates. It was listed on all forms and cards that Alejandro is to be kept away from the population." I just couldn't believe this happened. Now Jacob's life could be in danger again. I ordered the detective to set a unit around the clock watching Jacob's every move. I didn't want Jacob to know about it. I just don't want to spook him from testifying. But I will keep him safe at all costs. TO BE CONTINUED... {Here we go again with Alejandro and his willingness to do what ever it takes to get rid of his problems. It boiled down to the judge throwing the verdict of the jury out. Now Alejandro thinks he has another chance at freedom. Do you believe nothing happened between Joey and the other two guys in the bed? Stick around and you will have the answer. Jacob on the other hand is having a lot of good luck this year. It is about time he is. The last two years have been bad for him. But will his luck run out like everyone's does? What is up with the football team? They see Joey could play the game and they really don't know for sure if he is gay or not. So why not just leave it alone with Joey? Plus there is still Tom hanging around looking in from the outside. Will he finally decide to open the door and walk in? There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}