Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2022 17:53:21 +0000 From: Bill Drake Subject: Naval Tradition Revised 35 Naval Tradition REVISED EDITION Bill Drake (billdrake@hotmail.com) with Corporal Cody NOTICE: THE FOLLOWING IS FOR ADULTS ONLY. It is gay erotic fiction explicitly depicting sexual acts between men, including male relatives. If that offends or disturbs you, read no further. Thanks to all the great work that the Nifty Archive does and the writers it publishes. Please consider supporting them with a donation. This is the revised and retconned version of Naval Tradition, told in chronological order. While the overall story is the same, there is lot of new content here (and some of the old parts didn't make the cut in this version). This revision has been a collaboration with fellow writer Corporal Cody. My thanks to him for his considerable contributions to and inspiration for this version. Feel free to drop a line if you enjoy it: billdrake@hotmail.com. I hope to have a (free) ebook version at the end of this, so you can let me know if you want to be on the mailing list for that. PART FIVE: LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT Chapter Thirty-Five Charlottesville and Lake Anna, late Spring 2005 My time with Dad in Baltimore left me surprisingly relaxed and in a good mood for the next couple of weeks. I'd enjoyed an incredible experience with him, and I was happy to know I'd given him an incredible experience, too. But I also knew that I could have that kind of intense, taboo sex and live my regular life. Dad shipped off by mid-April, and we talked on the phone the night before. I apologized for not being able to see him off, but Dad reminded me that my studies and baseball were more important. We didn't discuss sex or the recent developments between us, but we didn't have to. It was something we were both trying to enjoy without it impairing our father-son relationship. For now, I was a son talking to his dad before he was deployed for six months. I'd miss him as a son, and worry about him, and I knew he'd miss home. I found dealing with the closet particularly tough that spring, especially when it came to the talk around girls and relationships. My party hookup with Ashley Powers in the fall had bought me some breathing room, but it had been two years since my sham relationship with Kristen Alford. A couple of times I'd sort of fibbed and suggested I'd gotten laid without actually naming a woman. But lately, the guys on the team had been asking when I was going to get a girlfriend. I was definitely the odd man out for not bragging about a sex life or having much of a dating history. So, yeah, for the second time in college, I dated a woman. This time, I didn't go into it with the lame idea of playing straight long term. But the opportunity arose, and I took it. I had an international business class that Spring semester which ended up being one of my favorites, since it had us making hypothetical business plans. But mostly, it was because I ended up being paired with Sarah McConnell. I tended to have mostly guy friends. I still do. I guess it comes with the territory of being an athlete. Or maybe growing up with only brothers. I mean, I was friends with women in class or hanging out at parties, but none of my close friends were women. Sarah was an exception, though, a total hoot. Like hysterically funny and kind of brash. She was conventionally pretty but didn't wear a ton of makeup like a lot of girls I knew. She had long blonde hair that she usually had tied up in a ponytail or she let fall naturally around her shoulders; a shade of lighter blonde to my dirty blond hair color. She was much shorter than my 6'3" with a curvy but athletic figure. And she was crazy smart. She studied Spanish and Latin American Studies, and was going off to Argentina in the summer for some study program before she started grad school. I figured she must have had David as a professor, but of course I didn't ask. I was lucky to be paired up with her for our final project. I even said as much as we finished up our project in her off-campus apartment dining room one Wednesday night in late April. I had come over after an afternoon game and a quick dinner, so I was still dressed in my usual "jock" attire: athletic shorts, UVA baseball hoodie and faded ballcap. "I gotta say you're saving my ass, Sarah," I said after a couple hours of work as she popped open a cold beer and set it down on the table in front of me between our open textbooks. She settled in her chair in a comfortable position, pulling her barefoot up on her seat as she sipped from her gin and tonic. She was dressed in light colored lounge wear, her hair up in a messy ponytail as she swept her straight bangs behind her ear. "Oh, I see through you, Jim McGrath," she almost giggled. I froze, mortified, feeling discovered. "What do you mean?" I stammered. I looked at her and tried to play it cool. "You put on this dumb jock act, but you're smarter than most of the class," she replied. I laughed, relieved that she hadn't sussed out that I was gay. "So you think I'm acting?" I asked coyly. She nodded. "Oh, I KNOW you're acting. I have no idea why, but you do." I spoke slowly, choosing my words deliberately. "Maybe... I just want to fit in." "And here I thought it was your way of getting the girls." I caught her stare. The way she looked at me, I knew it. Sarah wanted me. I'd had girls flirt with me at parties, and it usually put up my defenses. But those girls usually had a sense of overeagerness. With Sarah, it felt more relaxed. Maybe it was my teammates' prodding questions in the back of my head, but I went with it. I leaned in, and her glossed lips tilt towards mine. Our kiss was almost chaste, but maybe that's what girls expect anyway, I don't know. It wasn't exciting like kissing a guy, but it wasn't bad either. Kind of nice, actually. I did it again and we went further with it. "I've been sending signals for a month, Jim," she laughed as we broke. I leaned back in my seat. I couldn't tell her I was gay, but I said, "I gotta be honest Sarah, between baseball and school, I don't think I have it in me to date anyone right now. I know that sounds lame." "Jim... I'm not looking to date. I leave in a month. Just thought it would be fun to connect, you know?" I won't go into all the details, but I had a fling with Sarah. My third time with a woman since high school, and my last. I enjoyed the novelty of it in a way, but mostly I was relieved to be able to take a girl to parties and to have Sarah show up at a couple of our games. She was as convenient of a beard for me as Kristen was, but somehow, I didn't feel like a heel for dating Sarah. She was relaxed about sex, and I felt like we were friends, too. In fact, we stayed friends after. And, yes, eventually - years later - I told her I was gay. But for now, we had an end-of-school-year fling that in its own strange way was emotionally satisfying, even if it didn't push my buttons sexually. ***** May went by quickly enough, and soon it was Final Exercises, which is what UVA calls graduation. I got a kick out of seeing Holt's bulky football build in a blazer and tie, all dressed up for his graduation. His wispy brown hair was never what I called styled, but today he had it combed and gelled neatly in place. His parents and younger sister were in town, and they took me, Scott, and Holt out for an Italian dinner to celebrate after the ceremony. Over the last semester, I'd been hanging out more with Charlie and Scott, now that I was out to both of them. And it was great to see them interact as more of a couple lately. Not always lovey-dovey but... I don't know, almost intimate with one another, close emotionally as well as physically. I could see it in the looks they shared as well as their body language. Scott seemed to always be close to Charlie, touching or holding him in some way. And Charlie seemed to love the attention. They usually stayed over at Scott's, but a couple of times when Scott slept at our place, I could clearly hear the guys fucking down the hall. I gathered Scott was a verbal top and Holt seemed to match him in intensity. You think it might be weird, I suppose, but after my and Charlie's history I was glad to see my buddy happy and fulfilled - in the sack and out. Now Scott Underwood, wearing his Sunday navy suit, fresh haircut, slicked back hair, and clean shave, was acting all polite as he made small talk with Mr. and Mrs. Holt. I could see that Scott was still a little nervous, almost like a teenager picking up his date on prom night. But I think being an ex-UVA football star helped out a bit as football was a big topic of the evening. Charlie had experienced a lot of tension with his family, particularly after he came out to them last year. There had been several bumpy months and some arguments, but the Holts had made a lot of progress in accepting Charlie. And even if there was no explicit mention or acknowledgment of Scott as Charlie's boyfriend, I could tell his parents were happy to see their son happy. I think the fact that Charlie had a job and a career lined up after graduation helped a bit, too. I couldn't help but see Holt in a different light as he sat between me and his boyfriend, telling this family about his new job with Scott. He was moving on. Now officially no longer a college student, he seemed to act more grown up, too. It was a selfish thought, but it was starting to sink in how much I'd relied on Holt over the last few years, and I was starting to feel a little sad to see him go. I might still have a year of college ahead of me, but Holt's graduation felt like the unofficial end to the carefree fun. We wrapped up around 8 o'clock, and his parents bid us goodbye just outside the restaurant. "You gentlemen go have fun," Mrs. Holt said with a gentle kiss on Charlie's cheek as she hugged him. "But be safe." "Yes, mom," Charlie replied in a deferential tone, almost like he was ten years younger than his 22 years. "We will." Holt was invited to a little farewell get-together for the football seniors at one of the local bars later that night. But in the meantime, the three of us settled back at my and Holt's place. Scott and Charlie took off their suit coats and were loosening their ties as they plopped down on the couch together, while I came out from my room with a wrapped box. "Happy graduation, buddy," I said, offering Charlie the gift. "I'm gonna miss you like hell." "I'm not moving anywhere, McGrath," Charlie said, taking the box. "You know what I mean," I said as I took a seat in the single-seater. Holt was already in the process of moving out. I'd be getting a new roommate this summer, my buddy and teammate, Kyle Avery, now a rising junior. "Just don't be a stranger now that you're all settled down." "Fuck you, McGrath," Charlie winked with a grin, but I also noticed Scott smile to himself, his beefy arm resting across Charlie's shoulder affectionately. He liked the idea that he'd bagged this young football stud, all right. "Hot damn!" Holt exclaimed as he opened my present and pulled out a nice bottle of bourbon. "You're the best Jim." "I think this calls for a toast," Scott said. I went to fetch a few shot glasses from the kitchen. They'd gotten a lot of use these last couple of years. Charlie sniffed the liquor from the end of the bottle to savor its nose, then poured us each a generous shot. We clinked and knocked them back. "Whoo!" Holt whooped. "Class of `05!" "OK, next round is for sipping," I said, taking the bottle and pouring out three more. "I wanna taste it." I led the toast this time. "To new beginnings," I said. "I'm amazed at what you two got going on. It's awesome." We clinked and sipped the whiskey. "Damn, McGrath, you're not gonna go all sappy on me, are ya?" Holt joked. "Can't have that," Scott teased, squeezing his boyfriend's shoulder. He was particularly touchy feely that evening, and I got the sense he was aching to fuck Charlie bad, maybe in his old room one last time. Holt gave him a brief kiss then looked over at me. "My boyfriend looks pretty fucking hot in a suit, doesn't he?" He did, but I gave a simple reply that they were a cute couple. "So, McGrath..." Holt asked with a smirk. "Still dating that girl?" Scott looked at me a little surprised but didn't say anything. Normally I would have been apologetic or conflicted, but instead I just shrugged my shoulders. "We're not dating exactly. Just a fling. Sarah leaves Tuesday." Holt had gone out with girls some early in college, so I knew he wasn't giving me a hard time, not really, but he seemed to enjoy razzing me. Only his expression got more serious. "You tell Avery you're into dudes?" I shook my head. "I can't, man. Can't take that risk." Kyle and I got along great, but the gay thing was something I didn't feel I could share with him. "Come on, Jim," Holt urged. "Next year's gonna suck if you don't." I had thought of that, too. My sex life was already sporadic, and it was about to take a bigger hit. "Man, I just can't." Scott looked on, clearly not wanting to get in the middle of our debate, but also showing some real sympathy. "Ease up, Charlie," he finally urged his boyfriend with a squeeze of the shoulder. "You know this shit is hard." Holt stopped and reflected for a second. "Yeah. You do what you gotta do, McGrath. I just don't like seeing you unhappy." He took a sip of bourbon. "At the very least you should come to the lake with us next week." Scott had organized a week at Lake Anna as a graduation gift to Holt and to celebrate his graduation. He'd rented a big house and there would be a few of Scott's friends there. Scott mentioned there was a pull-out bed for me if I wanted to join for any part of the week. Regionals were next weekend, but I probably had a few free days after. Yet so far, I hadn't committed to going. Scott guessed the reason why. "You should come, Jim," he said. "You don't have to be out... I'll tell everyone you're Charlie's straight roommate. No reason they need to know you're gay." "I guess," I said. Then, increasingly into the idea, I added, "I mean, it does sound like an awesome time." **** The next week was a blur. I spent a final evening with Sarah before she moved out and drove home for a couple of weeks before heading to Argentina. I felt all sorts of mixed feelings: relief she was going, a sense I'd miss her, and gratitude to have her friendship. The following morning, the team was heading down to Jacksonville for the ACC tournament. The Cavs were eliminated in the end, but we'd have another tournament the following weekend. I was tired and moody when I got back home to the apartment, and I considered begging off the lake trip. A few days to myself might be a welcome thing. But I felt like I'd sort of promised Charlie I'd go. So I packed up my car and drove the hour out to Lake Anna. I was pleasantly lost in thought as I drove up. It was Memorial Day, and it had me thinking of all the sacrifices our servicemen were making, even as the radio ads I was hearing touted another Memorial Day sale. I worried what I'd do if something ever happened to Dad, Jack, or to my brother Matt. I thought of the pair of Dad's dogtags that were still hanging above my desk, and I realized the occasion made me miss Dad even more. There were the complications of his and my relationship lately, but at my core, I was like a lot of military kids, I suppose. Proud as hell of my father, yet acutely feeling his absence when he was at sea. Some of that got easier as I got older, and I now had an independent life. But on that day, I was missing him and thinking of him. It was small roads there for much of the way, but finally I got to see where Scott and Holt had run off to days before. Scott had rented a pretty big place - a two-story, wood house with big windows and a large back deck that spanned the length of the house. We'd be pretty secluded, with a private landing and a walkway down to the dock on the edge of the water. The minute I got there, I was glad I came. It was perfect lake weather, already hot and sultry, a preview of June Virginia weather to kick off the summer. The slight breeze and the relative quiet made me realize I'd not really had a break all semester. I entered the house, only to hear that everyone was out on the back deck. I dropped my bag off in one of the corners of the common area and made my way back outside through the open double glass doors. There were about six half-naked guys hanging out on the deck. All of them in swim attire - board shorts or swimming trunks, sunglasses, ball caps, and flip flops. Half of them looked a little wet from being in the water. They were all laughing as they talked and sat in one of the Adirondack chairs or stood leaned up against the deck railing, each with a drink in their hands. It was hard not to stare at all the bare skin and chest hair on display. Charlie was there at the back of the group, sitting next to Scott in damp board shorts as they both reclined back in a couple of outdoor lounge chairs. I don't think I fully realized till then just how much my friend had slimmed down. Some of it was no longer having to bulk up for football, but I wouldn't be surprised if dating Scott gave Holt extra motivation to look his best. He still was a beefy guy, strong and big, but his shirtless, still mostly smooth, figure was definitely trimmer. He looked good. Sitting next to Charlie, Scott was similarly attired in a pair of trunks and a UVA football cap. He carried a little bit of a belly, but on him it felt proportionate to his height and muscle. I'd come across the term "bear," and I wasn't sure Scott fit the definition. He was clean shaven with just a bit of a day's stubble and had more of a beer belly than a gut. But he was burly and hairy, for sure - hairier than Holt, with a mat of curling brown fur on his muscled chest and hard beer belly. "Jim!" Scott said as he was the first to notice me standing just outside the open doors. "The man of the hour!" I gathered the guys had been drinking much of the afternoon, but I liked Scott Underwood's buzzed friendliness. "Charlie, get your friend a beer, why don't ya?" Holt got up and gave his boyfriend a silent caricatured salute before leaning over to the cooler to fetch me a frosty can. He walked across the deck as I stepped out to meet him. "Here McGrath," he said, handing it to me with a grin. "Glad you could make it." He quickly slapped me on the shoulder as a brotherly gesture. "Thanks Holt," I said, immediately cracking open the beer and swigging down a nice gulp. "Guys," Scott announced as he sat up in his chair. "This is Charlie's former roommate, Jim. He's straight, so try not to give the guy too hard a time." I worried Scott might be laying on the ruse a bit too thick, but the four other guys there all nodded and said hello. The only problem was that I immediately recognized one of them. It was the military guy I'd had the bad online hookup session with last summer. It took me a second to remember his name, but it came to me. Sam. Early 30s, noticeably shorter than my 6'3" height, short brown hair cut in a tight fade, blue-gray eyes, and a slight sunburn on his cute, clean-shaven face. He didn't have a big or beefy build, he was just really fucking fit. I will admit, he was still looking good. Slender yet compactly muscular body that looked amazing in just a pair of shorts. As we locked eyes, I instantly worried he'd say something, but he just gave me a knowing grin as he nodded and said hello with the others. "Lesseee..." Scott said as he made introductions. "Jeff, Will, Sam, and Ryan. There'll be a quiz at the end of the night." I laughed as I introduced myself, trying to hide the sudden nervousness at seeing Sam again out the blue. Of all the guys Scott was friends with... But I nodded and tried to focus on Scott's other friends. I'm generally good with names, but I knew it might take me a reminder for a couple of them. I gathered Jeff and Will were a couple, and Ryan was single. But it sounded like a few more guys would be joining tomorrow. Sam's presence aside, after a while it actually felt fun and relaxing to be around a bunch of gay guys for a change. I tried not to look too relaxed after Scott told them I was straight. And I tried not to stare too much at some of the guys. There was Sam, of course, who was hot but whose presence kept me on edge. On the other hand, Ryan pushed my buttons too, physically. Probably 40, and very handsome. While not perfectly toned, he had a nice hunky body that I appreciated on older men. I enjoyed my beer, changed into my swim trunks, and then followed the guys to take a swim in the lake. It was a real ego boost to see several of the guys' eyes on my body as I rejoined them on the deck to dry off. I knew my workouts and physical conditioning had paid dividends, and it was nice to reap the reward. Since I was the most sober one here, I volunteered to man the grill as the rest of the gang cracked open another round of beers. "You sure you got this, McGrath?" Charlie asked as he brought out a plate of prepared uncooked hamburgers, as well as some grilling utensils. "I'm good, man," I said with a smirk. I was still shirtless in just my drying trunks, flip flops, and Orioles cap. Charlie patted me on the shoulder. "You're the best, man." I could tell my buddy was more than a little buzzed himself, and I noticed him eye up Scott from across the deck. Holt had stepped away from the grill when Sam ambled up, an extra beer in his hand. "Here, you seem behind in the count." He smiled with a flirty friendliness. "Thanks," I said, still feeling cautious around this man as I took the offered can. His voice got quieter. "Listen, man, I'm not gonna say anything. It's cool." "I appreciate it," I replied, giving him a slight smile as I tended to the grilling meat. "Least I could do after last time. I guess I kind of blew it." "No hard feelings," I said, giving him a friendly look. "But yeah, you did." I don't know why I was feeling so cheeky, but I was beginning to feel more relaxed around him. Maybe it was the lake, the end of the school year, or simply just the beer. And I will admit, Sam was still hot as fuck. Up close, his body looked both lean and muscular. I was reminded why I wanted to hook up with him in the first place. He gave me a playful, sad puppy expression, then that bright smile returned. "So... your buddy Charlie know you're into guys?" At that point I guess Sam didn't know if I was gay or just fooled around. I nodded. "Yeah, he and Scott do. It's just - I'm on the UVA baseball team and can't have word getting out." "Got it," Sam said with a glint in his eye. "Same thing with the military," he said, pointing up to his high-fade haircut. "Probably best to tell `em you're straight. These guys would devour you like wolves." I chuckled. I had been mentally comparing myself to the other guys, and next to Sam, I definitely had the most defined and clear muscle definition. My arms were solid and well proportioned, and my chest and abs were dusted with fine blond hairs. Sam's compliment should have made me self-conscious, but instead I felt a quiet satisfaction. "I thought Will and Jeff were boyfriends," I said. Sam nodded, looking back across the deck to the guys chatting half-naked around the beer cooler. "They are. But I'm pretty sure they play with others." That caught me off guard. By that point I had barely encountered any gay couples, and in general the idea of an open relationship was a new one for me. Though, I did think back to one of my early hookups, where a guy called up his boyfriend as I sucked his dick in a Richmond hotel room. Sam paused. Even as he sort of helped me with the grilling, he gave me a full look up and down with his unashamed blue-gray eyes. He took a long swig of beer. "I gotta admit, you're making me wish me and my boyfriend had an arrangement." "Is the boyfriend new?" I asked, and realized immediately that probably sounded like an accusation, but I was just curious. But Sam didn't seem to take any offense, though, just nodding and replying, "Yeah. We started going out last fall.... No regrets, for real. But man, I just felt I needed to tell you you're one crazy hot dude. And to apologize to you." "It's all good," I said. I leaned in a little bit. "And thanks. You're pretty good looking, too," I practically whispered. I had to admit that the military aspect to Sam only made him hotter. The man got a surprised but lusty grin. "Shit.... I better go... if I wanna be a good boy." "All right," I said. I tried not to be too flirty, since I didn't want to tease a taken guy. But I was glad we'd had this conversation and cleared the air. **** The alcohol caught up with me as the evening wore on. Not in a bad way, but I was getting majorly buzzed, drunk even. It was a real fun time, and I realized this lake trip was the perfect antidote to what had been a busy, and at times, emotional semester. Now that summer was here, I felt instantly more relaxed. But as the sun went down and the guys grew more buzzed, Sam was right: with my half-naked body on display, I was getting a lot of attention. As we hung out on the deck, Jeff and Will kept making flirty comments about having a real-life jock there, at which point Holt chimed with a playful belly laugh. "Dude, McGrath's not the only jock here." Holt could get a little loud when he was drunk. "He's fresh meat," Jeff teased back. "And plus, you're taken." "Damn right, he's taken," Scott announced, wrapping a beefy arm around Charlie's slimmed-down waist, pulling the ex-jock's semi-naked body toward him with a playful affection. "I'm not fresh anything," I objected, keeping up my straight-boy fiction. I adjusted my posture as I leaned back on the railing, crossing my ankles and resting my elbow on the rail. It was at that moment that I wished I hadn't drunk so much, because that was when I looked across the deck from under the bill of my ball cap and caught Ryan's gaze, taking a slow sip of beer as he sat in one of the Adirondack chairs across from me in just his square-cut trunks. He hadn't been making flirty comments like Will or Jeff, but damn his penetrating eye contact was even more direct than it had been all day. Like a wolf eyeing up its next meal. I'd been aware of his attention all evening, but now I let my own gaze return his, and I felt a thrill of energy flow through my body. It was like that first hookup I had with an older man, back in high school, when he told me about the "look" guys had when they were interested. Ryan definitely had that look. Problem was, I did too, no matter how much I tried to hide it. Ryan wasn't as insanely masculine as some of the guys I'd had sex with up to that point. But he was an incredibly handsome guy in his early 40s - kind of gym fit and well-groomed. His gray-flecked dark hair was cut close on the sides but kind of styled and longer on top. But it was his eyes that caught my attention, brown eyes that seemed to penetrate my defenses. There was something about him that reminded me of David, the professor I'd had a fling with, only Ryan was taller and less of an endomorph with more of a regular build. I snuck glances his way from under my cap, scoping out the man's body, which had a little bit of normal padding but a firm core and nice rounded upper body muscle, nicely covered in a trimmed mat of dark body hair. His dark pair of square cut trunks showed off knotted, hairy legs, the legs of a cyclist or runner. Ryan didn't make a move until dusk became night. He'd made another drink in his plastic cup and instead of going back to his seat he casually walked over and stood along the deck railing, right next to me. It was a cloudy humid night, and there was only the dim light coming from the house, spilling out of the large bay windows. His gaze was on me again and I felt nervous, but I was pretty sure none of the guys noticed anything between me and Ryan. After drinking all day, Charlie was now in full-on Holt mode, animated in telling some anecdote about a really bad date one of his old teammates had. The rest of the guys were eating it up. Then I felt it. Ryan's hand confidently touched the small of my back. I was grateful now that neither of us were wearing a shirt. I could feel his hand against my bare skin, his fingers tracing up and down the lat muscle and along my spine. After a couple of months since I'd made it with a man, the physical contact felt amazing. Ryan kept his attention forward, cool as a cucumber. But his fingers were now tracing a wider circle up and along my back, sending goosebumps along my flesh. Tentatively, I reached behind and along the deck railing, matching Ryan's posture. Slowly, I made contact with his warm back, letting my rougher hand slide up higher and along his shoulder blades. It was exciting to feel a man's skin and muscle again, but the real turn on was the way his fingers kind of squeezed my lat muscle in response, a silent signal that he was grateful I was returning his advances. Scott stood up and Ryan cautiously removed his hand. I adjusted my stance, too. "I think it's time for another dip in the lake," Scott announced, adjusting his trunks around what looked like a substantial package. Maybe I shouldn't have scoped out my friend's boyfriend like that - and Scott was my friend, too - but I was in a weird, wound-up state. "What do you say, fellas?" he asked the group. In contrast to Holt's gregariousness, Scott at first struck me as quieter in nature, but at times like this - buzzed from day drinking and surrounded by friends - he seemed just as outgoing as his younger, life-of-the-party boyfriend. Not to be outdone, Holt bounded up and practically jumped off the deck steps. "Last one in!" he cried, already dashing down the walkway to the dock. Scott grinned and started chasing him. Sam laughed and stood up, polishing off the last of his light beer. "All right, you heard the man," he said, then trotted down after the two. Jeff and Will looked over at me and Ryan as they got up. "You coming fellas?" I paused, holding up my mostly full can of beer. "In a minute," I said. "I'm gonna put away the stuff from dinner." We'd eaten on paper plates, but there were assorted plates to clean, on the deck and in the kitchen, and some food that needed to be put in the fridge. Given the inebriated state of the other guys, I had a feeling it might not get done if I didn't do it. "I'll help," Ryan offered quickly. "Be down in a minute," he said to Jeff and Will. As the other guys went down to the dock, I gathered up the stuff that most needed to be brought in. Ryan grabbed some items too, and held the door open for me. Our eyes flitted in connection for a second, but I anxiously broke eye contact as I walked into the kitchen and set things beside the sink. Ryan leaned up against the counter next to me, watching as I prepped the food for the fridge. He had a smirk on his face, but his tone was quiet as he probed what I was thinking. He leaned in. "You're not so straight, are you, Jim?" he said, with a slight drunken slur. "Um, no," I replied, feeling half anxious and half horny. God, I was getting so turned on, and my defenses were down, big time. "You must think I'm silly," I said. Ryan chuckled and shook his head. "I think you're fucking hot." I couldn't resist any more. I set what I was doing on the counter and faced him. Slowly I reached out and touched his chest. It was firm and warm, and the trimmed dark hairs were surprisingly soft against my palm and fingers. I'd only been having sex with Sarah for the past month or so, but this was a real-life older man in front of me, and I loved how marvelously different Ryan's body felt in comparison. It wasn't perfect, but at that moment, I decided I preferred it to even Sam's more toned body. I looked up and saw that expectant look on Ryan's face. He wanted a kiss. I wanted to kiss him, too. I stepped in even closer, and reached one hand tentatively around his waist. Ryan reached up, gripping the bill of my ball cap and pulling it off my head, revealing my short and clean summer haircut - buzzed on the sides with a bit of wavy length on top. Ryan tossed my cap onto the counter behind us as I tilted my head slightly to the left and slowly leaned in. We were matched in height and it felt like electricity when our lips finally touched. Softly at first, our mouths parted to allow our beer-ladened tongues to swap. My grip on his waist tightened as I felt his hands and arms slide across my back. Our chests came together as my lips locked around his, feeding him my tongue as I ground my growing hardon against his groin. God, I loved making out with a man. "Why don't we go to my room?" he hissed as we finally broke the connection. With arms and hands still on each other, I gave a look over, out onto the deck. Now empty, with the guys down swimming. Maybe they'd figure it out.... fuck it, I decided. Sam already knew I was into guys. And now Ryan did. What was two more? I turned my attention back to this forty-something man in my grasp and nodded. We silently made our way upstairs to the bedroom Ryan had claimed as his. It was in the back, in the shaded part of the house, so the air conditioning made it feel really cool, almost cold. Ryan shut the door and turned on a small light in the room before I followed him towards the bed. As he turned to face me, Ryan undid his square-cut trunks with a playful urgency and slid them down those amazingly thick legs. He was now naked as he stepped out of them, and already his dick was plumping up into a nice, respectably sized, cut tool that hung asymmetrically to the right from a neatly trimmed bush of matching dark hair. I don't know if Ryan felt an urgency to fool around before the other guys noticed our absence. Maybe he was just horny. But I fed off that urgency too, as I quickly removed my own trunks, swiftly untying the drawstring knot before shucking them down my thighs and letting my now hard dong fall free. I stood naked in front of him. Ryan's eyes widened. "Holy shit, you're hung," he said with an excitement evident in his voice. "Fucking jackpot!" I smiled and felt my dick firm up even more under his gaze. "You like it?" I asked, stating the obvious. I gave my shaft a long smooth tug, accentuating my girthy, 8-inch length in my fist. He stepped back and sat down on the bed behind him, his hands beckoning me closer. "Fuck yes, I like it," he said. "Bring that huge dick here." I stepped closer to him as his hands came up to grip my hips and pull my groin closer to his face. I could feel his breath along my genitals, blowing down and across my rigid length. My hands swung at my sides, letting the man take in my cock. Ryan's eyes were riveted to my junk, and my eyes followed his gaze as I took in his forty-something handsomeness. I could feel his breath against my balls as he leaned in. I watched my cock twitch at the stimulation. I was getting full-on rigid now. It wasn't quite a quickie, but we didn't extend the foreplay either. Right away, Ryan began taking me into his mouth, his lips wrapping around the head before sucking down my length. Hungrily, moaning excitedly. I could see that my girth was already a bit of a challenge for him, but he seemed determined to take me. He fisted the base with one hand, stroking the remaining inches as he worked the top half of my cock, his tongue cradling the underside as he sucked at the fat shaft. Soon, I could feel the tip of my dick slowly dipping to the back of his throat with each bob of his head. Ryan mostly focused on my cock but would pause to look up at me with those penetrating brown eyes. I gently held his head and ran my fingers running through his dark, styled hair. "Suck me," I groaned under my breath, loving the feel of his hot, suctioning mouth working my meat as I gently thrust into his face. What's more, the man loved my dick and that lust turned me on. I had an older guy blowing me. Not Bulldozer-level skills, but Ryan knew his way around a cock. Gradually his steady bobs grew into a full-on deep throat. My legs trembled as I felt his throat finally open up to take the head and soon the shaft. Fuck, I missed this. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back, my fingers gripping his hair. I let out a low moan as Ryan just held me in his throat, letting me feel his esophagus clench around the head and shaft. He went deeper and gripped my hips again, pulling my groin into his face until I felt his nose and breath in my pubes. I got the sense I was a challenge for Ryan, but he wanted to conquer the task of swallowing a dick of my length and width. I patted his head appreciatively. "Fuck!" I growled. "Suck my dick, man." I was too drunk for imaginative sex talk. And probably too drunk to come quickly. Ryan was gonna have to work for this one. He tried, for sure. I'd had better cocksuckers before and since, but I don't think I met a guy so abandoned and into it. Wet, sloppy head that signaled his desire. Maybe his attraction to me had been building all afternoon, like mine had for him. Finally, he slurped his spit back into his mouth as he pulled off my now shining-wet dick. Looking up he shook his head in disbelief. "Tell me you're gonna fuck me with this thing." Reaching up, he traced his fingers along my ball sac then gripped the base of my stalk. I got the sense he was feeling me out, seeing if I'd do anal. I grinned down at him. "I'm gonna fuck you with that thing," I joked in response, but with an assertive edge. I shuddered to think I'd be the talk of the group here, but it would be worth it for this hot session with Ryan. My words elicited a deep growl from him as he leaned in, my still solid and slick cock now resting across his face as he started licking my testicles. "Damn..." he grunted, "Even your balls are big." I gripped his head and pulled his lips back. He watched me as I stepped to the side and got onto the bed behind him. Following suit, Ryan slid onto the bed as well and reclined next to me. Both of us on our sides, facing each other, I wrapped my arm around his hip, my hand on his ass as I pulled his warm, firm body into mine. "Come here," I growled drunkenly. We kissed again, with a lot more lust than technique. Ryan seemed into that. I was at that moment, too. Particularly as I felt his hardon battle against mine as our thighs and calves writhed together. Ryan seemed frustrated as he pulled back. "Fuck... I gotta get the lube." I let him go as he rolled off the bed. I watched him strut over to his overnight bag and pull out a toiletries kit. Unzipping it, he got a small sized bottle of lubricant, as well as a familiar brown bottle. "Didn't think I'd have a chance to use these," he said, holding up the poppers. "But damn I'm gonna need them for sure." This guy reminded me so much of David, my professor fuck buddy. A hot older man, into bottoming and not ashamed to show how into sex he was. I sat up as he handed me the bottle of lube and crawled back onto the bed. He got on all fours, head towards the headboard as he settled on his elbows among the pillows and arched his back, spread his knees, and presented his ass. I grinned at his eagerness, he was a man who knew what he wanted, and how he wanted it. I squirted a good deal of cool liquid down my fat stick, lubing it up in my fist as I got in place behind him. I think Ryan thought I was gonna go right into fucking, but instead I crouched down and with my free hand, pulled his magnificent ass cheeks apart. Even if his body wasn't perfect, that ass was. Round and firm, with just the amount of give that I liked as I dug into it with my fingers. A middle-aged man's ass, for sure. As I pried his mostly smooth cheek open, I found his cleft was forested with thick dark hair, barely concealing his smooth, crinkled pucker. I dove right in. "Oh God, yes, man," Ryan growled in surprise. He spread his legs even wider. My tongue lashed out and lapped at his furry cleft before I circled my oral muscle right into the entrance of his hole. "Eat me out," Ryan moaned. One of his hands reached back, gripping his other meaty cheek next to my face and pried himself open even more. I groaned as I nuzzled my face deeper into his furry trench. It had been nearly a year since I'd fucked and even longer since I'd rimmed a guy. I had to think back to realize Brian, the ex-Navy man in Norfolk, was the last man I'd eaten out. Now, feasting on Ryan's warm, furry hole, I knew I missed this, a lot. The more I licked his pucker, the more I got into it, furiously pressing my tongue against his ring in fluttering drill-like motions. That drove the 40-something dude wild. "Oh FUCK, man!" he cried and humped his ass back against my face and jaw. Ryan's hole opened up even more, allowing me to slide a bit more of my tongue into his warm chute. If any of the guys were back in the house, they'd definitely hear us. That didn't deter me though. I'd been on the receiving end of some stelar rimjobs, Jack... and Dad. And I was determined to give Ryan the same treatment as I dug my tongue into his spasming hole. I could have gone long and hard at munching that daddy hole, but I had to be inside him. I pulled my tongue from Ryan's now wet loosened hole and gave it one last lick as I leaned back up onto my knees. The man looked ready. That juicy fuckhole was now glistening, surrounded by spit-soaked hairs as it puckered up at me, showing me just a glimpse of Ryan's deep pink insides. I fisted my lubed cock, holding his ass open as I guided the drooling head of my prick to his now spit-wet entrance. I felt the hot wetness of his ring as Ryan unscrewed the poppers and took a whiff, then another on his other nostril. Within a second, I could feel Ryan pushing out with his anal muscles, his hole almost sucking at the tip with a slow pulse, inviting me to push right in. "Give it to me, Jim... Fuck, I need that cock," he begged with a moan. Maybe some guys don't like a dude that needy or slutty, but after an evening of sexual tension, it thrilled me as I pawed his ass cheek, holding him open as I nudged my way in. I felt and watched his sphincter stretch wide open to accept the fat head of my dick. Ryan let out a higher moan as I pressed in enough to anchor my erection in his anus, but not pushing in much. God, Ryan's insides were snug and his hole somehow looked obscenely stretched around my thick shaft. I heard Ryan taking a couple more deep whiffs. I slid my hands up to caress his waist as I could almost see the reddening of his pale skin along his muscled back. My cock pressed in a little more, maybe impatient but I was trying to feel out when Ryan was ready for more. "Oh yeah," he hissed with a relaxing exhale, his voice surprisingly deeper despite the almost whiny neediness. "I'm good to go you hung fucker." I grinned as I fed off his more assertive talk. My baseball hands gripped his gently padded waist as I flexed my hips as a good solid three inches of thick, college athlete, cock pushed right into his warm fluttering insides. "Fuck yes," Ryan urged as he deepened the arch in his back. "Deeper, man." I slid my hands down and took hold of his hips, pulling that ass back and powering in. Not all the way in, but close. I grunted at the sensation of sliding into the man, feeling my cock spear into his guts. Ryan groaned helplessly. He must have felt pretty damn full. As it was, I could feel his smooth ass walls clinging, almost clenching rhythmically to my dick. I gripped his hips harder and felt my mind and body get into the full excitement of the fuck. My times with Sarah gave me a renewed appreciation of anal sex with a man. It was more aggressive and the sensations different. I loved it. I pulled back and thrust in. And then again. Looking down, I could see the flared cock head pull at the stretched ring of Ryan's chute. Ryan was getting into his own crazed headspace now, his voice neither low nor high, just excited. I thrust back into him. I plunged in and out, feeling the tightness recede a little. Ryan took a couple more whiffs and then I felt his ass just open up for me, completely. I leaned forward for leverage and started nailing him with quick, deep thrusts. Ryan's moans were louder in response, and they fed my athletic fuck. I was back in the saddle, fucking a man. Ryan could take it, too. I filled him repeatedly with the jock cock he craved, and the man began backing his ass into each of my thrusts. I went harder and faster into him, the cool air filling with rhythmic slaps against his sweaty ass. The pleasure pulsed in my dick. I'd almost forgot how good an ass feels, and Ryan's was incredible. I gripped his hips, pulling the man back against my cock roughly now as I just rode out the sensations, which were matched by the psychological thrill of seeing this hot older guy on all fours, taking me like a pro. "Damn," I hissed through ragged breaths as I enjoyed the sight of my cock plunging into his furry daddy hole. "You gonna cum?" Ryan asked urgently, turning his head back while bucking against me even more steadily now. Like he wanted to milk out my load with the sleeve of his ass. Already I could feel my orgasm stirring in my swinging nuts, building up at the base of my dick. A few more more thrusts, and I'd be seeding his hole. "Oh yeah," I said, my breath getting shorter. "So close." I worried about my lack of staying power, but already Ryan was reaching down between his legs and furiously stroking off. "Fuck me... gimme that load, man," he begged as his hole once again clenched around my thrusting prick. I was so close as I plowed back into him, giving him a deep fuck as I could feel my balls tighten with each thrust, ready to blow. He beat me there, letting out several loud wordless grunts as he came. "Fuck!" I cried and had that deep kind of orgasm that you only get when fucking a guy. My vision even faded a little as my nuts finished pumping heavily into Ryan's insides. My chest was heaving, heavy with breath as I recovered. I leaned down and gave a soft kiss against the back of Ryan's now sweaty neck before slowly withdrawing, feeling my softening cock slide out of his beaten hole. We both grunted as my dick finally plopped out. "That was incredible," I said in almost a goofy tone of appreciation as Ryan collapsed onto his stomach in front of me. He rolled onto his back and sat up and smiled. "Wow, I'll admit you know what you're doing for a young guy. Fuck, my ass is gonna be sore for a while." I watched as he rolled off the bed and onto his feet "Sorry," I said with sudden concern, still kneeling on the bed as I scratched my neck. I guess I might have gone a bit too rough on the guy. He shook his head as he picked up the poppers and lube. "I wouldn't have it any other way." As my senses came back to me, I wondered how long we'd been at it. Probably not as long as I feared. This had been a quickie after all. "Think the guys noticed us gone?" Ryan just shrugged. I could tell he wasn't concerned. "You can go on down there. I'll finish cleaning up." I nodded. I would have loved to have just spent the evening and night in bed with Ryan. Part of me just thought of saying fuck it. Let the others know. Only Ryan's mood seemed to be changing now that he'd gotten his rocks off. More standoffish. I got up off the bed and gathered my trunks, slowly put them on and gave Ryan's naked body one last look before he slid his own trunks back on. "Thanks again, man," I said. "I think I needed that." He looked up and gave me a friendly smile, but just replied, "Go on, Jim." It was completely dark when I stepped out onto the deck and made my way down to the lake and jumped into the water. The guys were close to shore having some friendly debate about something or other. I joined in and just enjoyed the relaxation of the lake water and the company of like-minded guys. Even when Ryan came down, looking still very hot, shirtless and in his trunks, I was feeling laid back now. Almost tired. When I got out of the water, Holt handed me another beer. "You're behind McGrath," he said. **** I felt thrilled at the sexual connection I'd made with Ryan. Maybe a little nervous, too. But the only sex I'd been having recently was with Sarah, and it made me feel really alive to have sex with a guy again. Particularly an older guy like Ryan. I guess I was surprised that the next day Ryan acted normal. No flirtation, no special attention to me. I tried not to let it get to me. After all, I was at the lake and having fun. I swam and lounged about on the deck. I held off on the beer, but around 4 o'clock, as a few of the guys were napping from their day drinking, I popped a bottle open and walked down to the water's edge. I sat at the edge of the deck, my feet dipping in the water as I took in the scenery. It wasn't the ocean, but this was nice. Maybe I had some of the McGrath Navy genes in me - that love of water. That sense of being home next to it. I thought of Dad out at sea. Maybe I wouldn't love the water so much then if I had to look at it for weeks on end. Far from home. I'd never really left the area since we moved to Virginia from San Diego all those years ago. Part of me would like to see more, but maybe I was scared of getting out of my comfort zone. I suddenly missed Dad and thought of him, probably somewhere in the Indian Ocean according to his recent emails. I had a flash of our night in Baltimore - me on my stomach, my ass presented to him as Dad fucked me with his massive uncut tool, giving me what I had asked from him. I still shuddered to think of how rough the sex was, and how I loved it. Dad. Sex. I didn't know how my father and I would deal with things in the future. I knew I had to mature and find a normal sex life. But I also knew I'd have sex with Dad when and if the chance arose again. I was getting lost in thought when I heard footsteps coming down the path. I turned to see Holt walking toward me with an open bottle of his own. He was also still in his trunks along with a slim fitting t-shirt that showed off his trimmed down bulk and his more defined muscles. His wispy, bed-heady, brown hair signaled that he'd just gotten up from a good nap as well. Holt and I had our own weird sexual history, but at heart we were just good friends. I could sense that he and Scott were having a lot of hot and heavy sex this week. It was just something I could read in my buddy's mood, like intuition. I was glad for him. "How you doing, McGrath?" he said as he plopped himself down next to me. "Having a good time?" "Oh yeah," I replied. "You seem off today," he observed. "Everything OK?" I sighed and slowly shrugged. "I dunno, Holt. I may have fooled around with one of Scott's friends." I didn't know if I should admit it, but this was Holt I was talking to. Charlie grinned. "And what's wrong with that?" I could tell he very much wanted to ask who it was but was restraining himself. "I guess I don't know how to deal with the aftermath. I'm pretty lousy at playing straight," I replied. Charlie nodded. He kind of got my dilemma, even if he was in a different mental space now. "I can't guarantee things are gonna be fine, Jim. But they probably are." He gave my knee a friendly pat. "Who are these guys gonna tell that you know?" He had me there. "You're probably right." "So..." he said. "It was Ryan, wasn't it?" he asked as a sly smile formed on his lips. I nodded. Guilty. Holt got a sympathetic expression on his face. "So maybe I shouldn't tell you that he just left. Headed back to DC." "I don't know if that's good news or bad news," I said wryly. I don't know why it bothered me, but it kinda did. Charlie shook his head. "Damn you are a romantic, buddy. At least I hope the sex was good." I gave him a smirk. "Yeah, it was. Maybe a little better than good, actually." "Yeah?" Holt laughed knowingly. "Must be in the water... Scott's been off the charts horny ever since we got up here." "You're probably not complaining, Holt," I said teasingly. This was the return of our old dynamic, of confiding in one another, even when it came to our sex lives. "No, not complaining," Charlie laughed. "I don't know if I should say this, but my guy's a frickin' powerhouse in the sack. And I'm here for it." He looked pleased with himself. We clinked beers, like two frat dudes boasting about a conquest. But as his boisterous smile faded, Charlie seemed like he wanted to open up to me. I had a feeling he was pretty buzzed already. "It's crazy, Jim. Scott will just..." his voice dropped in volume as his words got cruder, "you know... fuck me hard... and then after..." Holt's voice regained its normal tone, "the guy just wants to hold me, you know cuddle or spoon or whatever. It kind of freaks me out, but I like it, you know." I laughed. "That's how it should be, Holt. It's awesome, really." "Well, it's a first for me," Charlie boasted, like he was a kid proud of eating his spinach for the first time. We talked for a bit, and I relished the one-on-one time with Charlie. I wasn't sure how much we'd see each other now that Charlie had graduated and was living with Scott. I told him as much. "We'll make time to see each other, McGrath," he said. "It'll be different now for sure." I nodded as he bumped my shoulder with his. He was still my best friend, and I felt a little sad that our college years together were now over. "So, Charlie..." I said. "I gotta ask something. I notice that it's all Scott's friends here." He got what I was bringing up. "They're my friends too, now, but yeah. I guess being more open with Scott... I gotta leave some of my other life behind me." I was so used to Holt being the easygoing one that his admission caught me off guard. Charlie examined my reaction and continued. "Maybe I've been a dick with you about Avery. You don't gotta make the same decisions I make." I exhaled. This was so tough, because I could see how much happier my friend was. But I also couldn't imagine myself happier for giving up baseball and my baseball buddies. "Yeah," I said. I wasn't articulate, but with Holt I didn't need to be. Charlie got a reassuring smile. "I'm just real glad you came up here, Jim. It's nice to see you let loose for a bit." "I'm glad too, Holt," I said. **** After the drama with Ryan on Monday, the next day was pretty low key. I even brought a book for some down time. My unrequited grad-student crush from last year, Ben Feldman, had gotten me into reading history books, and I worried some of the guys might razz me for reading one out on the deck. But no one batted an eye. There was a sleepy, partied-out mood all afternoon, until around 6, when we all found ourselves out on the deck, sitting in a few of the many Adirondack chairs and cracking open a new round of beers. A few more guys started showing up. A new guy named Greg and military Sam's college-aged boyfriend, Clayton, drove up from Charlottesville. Another couple, Kelvin and Anthony, from Richmond, and finally Steven from DC. Steven was a former UVA teammate of Scott's, and I think he really was straight. But it was wild how he quickly bonded with me, like we were the only outsiders, especially as we had to field bitchy barbs tossed our way as some of the guys seemed to enjoy making us a little uncomfortable. There were 9 of us in that 5-bedroom lake house, men ranging from my 21 years to Kelvin and Anthony, who were in their mid-40s. It was fun and a different kind of male bonding than I'd experienced before. Maybe some of what made it different was that I was attracted to some of the guys. A lot of the guys, actually, but in varying degrees. Out of all the guys, it was Greg who caught my eye, though. Shorter than me, he stood at about 5'11" with a compact muscular build, more gym-honed than athletic. His voice was friendly and laid back, almost like a frat boy, though he didn't quite fit the look. Maybe because he looked like he was a few years older than the typical college student. "Hi... Greg," he said simply as he introduced himself, looking up at me as he shook my hand and smiled enough to show off his dimples. The most apparent part of his appearance was his short copper-red hair and bright green eyes. I smiled back politely before Steve pulled me back into another conversation. I guess after the thing with Ryan, I wasn't too eager to even give Greg much extra eye contact. But I did glance over his way throughout the evening when I thought no one was looking. He was wearing some cargo shorts and a snug fire department T-shirt, with sandals. But there was something about his red hair that caught and kept my attention - the not-quite military short buzz on top and the fine soft hairs that covered his muscled forearms and knotted legs. Just as Scott and Steven finished the last batch of hot dogs on the grill, the wind picked up and it was clear we were going to get a thunderstorm pretty soon. We all helped get everything inside. We barely made it before the heavens opened up and the rain was bouncing off the wood deck in an almost sleet-like heaviness. I was nursing a buzz but also taking it easier than the day before. It was a fun time, all of us crowded in the living area, just talking and joking around as we sipped our beers and chowed on hot dogs. The weather calmed down, and around 9 the new arrivals decided they wanted to go down and take a dip in the lake. "I didn't drive all the way the fuck up here to sit inside," Kelvin said as he took off his shirt. "Please, bitch," Will rolled his eyes. "It's what, an hour for you?" "Almost two with traffic," Anthony said defensively. "Whatever. The rain's pretty much stopped. I love a lake after the rain." From across the couch, I noticed Greg was getting up to join them, going to change into trunks and fetch a towel. Sam and Clayton were coming too, and Steven. Jeff and Will begged off, saying they were tired after a weekend of partying. Scott and Charlie did as well, though noticing Scott's clearly more physical affection with Holt all evening, I suspected they were just looking for a chance to have sex again. Anthony was right: after a hot day, the water felt great, noticeably cooler than earlier and the air had a wonderful humid coolness as we treaded water in the dimness of the light coming from the house deck. There were six of us, swimming and talking some. Mostly it was me and Steven talking sports, while Sam, Clayton and Greg chatted, and Anthony and Kelvin kind of made out softly off to the side. I felt like I didn't have the knack for small talk with a guy like Steven outside of football. In his mid-30s, he seemed very career focused and talked about some of his work in real estate. I don't know if I found it interesting, but he was an easy guy to talk to and I mostly just asked questions and listened. In another circumstance I'd probably be really into his body - nice and thick and very much an ex-athlete's build kept up and showing just the right amount of hair. Instead, my gaze was drawn repeatedly to Greg, who just looked spectacular shirtless now that he'd hoisted himself out of the water and sat on the dock. His creamy muscled skin was smoother and showed just a dusting of that fine dark-copper hair matted down from the lake water that still clung to him. "I'm pruning up," Steven finally said, swimming over to the dock. "Probably time for me to head in." "Cool," I said. "I'm gonna stay out here a little longer." I watched Steven get out and indeed, the man had a seriously amazing bod, especially from the back. Rippled upper back meeting flared lats and, below, a meaty ass that filled out his damp trunks. I had to shake my head at how out of control my libido was. I'd gotten off big time with Ryan, and here I was lusting after about every guy here. I looked over and noticed Anthony and Kelvin had gone. I swam over to where the remaining guys were, and as I approached Greg slid back into the water. "Hey Jim," Sam greeted. For a guy who had low-key flirted with me the day before, he was acting normal with me. That was cool, he and Clayton were actually a cute couple, matched in size and height, though Clayton seemed like a college guy to me, or maybe just graduated. "So, you're from C'ville?" Clayton asked. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm a student at the University." "I don't think I've seen you around," he said, and I knew what he meant. I could see a certain look on Sam's face, like he was about to intercede on my behalf, but I spoke up first. "I'm not out, actually. I keep a pretty low profile." I looked over at Greg. I think my ulterior motive for being honest was letting him know I was also gay. I had no idea if anything could even happen between us. I should know better than to have another fling here in the cabin, considering how my one with Ryan had gone. But I was definitely attracted to this guy, and the possibility was in the back of my mind. The red-headed guy now seemed encouraged enough to give me a half smile. "Maybe for the best," Greg said. "Sometimes it feels like we live in an overgrown small town." "Oh, it's not that bad," Sam objected with a laugh. "Oh, right," Clayton chuckled. "That's just because you like the college boys." "Come on," Sam said, with a combination of annoyance and embarrassment. "I'm not complaining," his boyfriend added. "Works in my favor. I'm just saying..." The two kissed with a playful peck. Then again. "Speaking of liking the college boys," Sam said in a deep voice that was almost a whisper, though both Greg and I could clearly overhear. "Why don't we go back to our room for a little fun." He clearly wasn't self-conscious around me, or Greg for that matter, and I got the feeling he was a little buzzed. Clayton gave a soft giggle and nodded. It was wild to see guys so open about sex, and it was also a little out of my comfort zone. But I liked it. I was glad I'd come up to the lake for the weekend. The guys said goodnight and that left just me and Greg. We swam a little longer in silence then eventually got out. As we grabbed our towels and dried off, I was worried this was the end of the evening as walked back towards the house in nothing but our trunks. It was probably almost 11. Only when we got up to the house, Greg didn't make any move to go inside. He gave me an open look. "Feel like having another drink out here, Jim?" he asked. "It's a great evening," he said as he glanced around. The lake shimmered with the moon's reflection and we could hear the crickets and cicadas arounds us. I nodded and watched as his amazingly muscled body leaned over to fish into the cooler for some beer. "Only a few left," he noted. "You guys are party animals." "Yeah, pretty much," I chuckled, plopping down in an Adirondack chair and watching Greg do the same in one turned toward me. I was very glad he didn't put a shirt back on. He was just that beautiful to look at. A younger body than I often went for, but fuller and meatier than a lot of college guys. It was a nice combo. In the back deck flood light, I could make out the twinkle in his green eyes better. Those eyes seemed to be taking me in, showing clear interest. Maybe he was thinking the same thing and was glad I was half-naked and bared for his visual inspection. Still, even while there was clear interest and sparks flowing between us, we just talked. About anything and everything. It turns out Greg was 26 and worked as an EMT and had been in Charlottesville since moving there for college. I asked him a bunch of questions about his job, and how he liked it. "I actually wanted to do this, ever since I was little," he said with an almost embarrassed grin. "It has some tough days for sure, and the hours take some getting used to. But I got only another half a year left on my paramedic training, so I guess I'm in this for the long haul," he said with a disarming smile. "Congratulations, man," I said, clinking my beer can with his. "That's awesome." "Thanks," he said. Greg in turn asked me about baseball and my plans after college. I tried to give him the short answer, but as I talked, I worried I was giving him the long version instead. He seemed interested anyway. Greg wasn't much of a sports guy, though he followed tennis, at least for the major tournaments. But he let me drone on about the Orioles and the differences between college ball and professional and how hard it was to make it through the minor leagues. The conversation kept coming. We talked about boring stuff, we talked about music and our favorite Charlottesville bars. Greg reminded me a lot of my buddies like Rick. Funny, but mostly laid back. I think I got so caught up I didn't realize how late it was getting. But as Greg came back out after going in to take a piss, he seemed surprised, too. "It's 1 o'clock," he said, sitting back down. We kind of paused, and I wondered if it was going to happen. The other guys were long asleep and if Greg and I had sex no one would know, unless Greg told them. I laughed nervously as our eyes caught each other's. Greg laughed, too. "So, Jim..." he said. "Can I ask you out on a date some time?" That caught me by surprise. "A date?" I repeated as my mind tried to register the possibility. Greg nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I know you're not really out, but we can just grab a casual bite out, or maybe drinks at that bar you were telling me about. I just... well, I'd just like to get to know you better." A giddy rush swept over me. Something about Greg's combination of confidence and modesty won me over big time. "Yeah, I'd like that," I replied. "I'd like it a lot." That brought out Greg's perfect smile and those fucking dimples. "Cool," he said. "Give me your number before you head back and we'll find a time." I actually had to head back the next day to get back to practice and my regular workouts. Our tournament was in Oregon at the end of the week. "I will," I said as I returned his smile. The guy smirked, and I half thought we were gonna kiss right then and there. But he pushed himself up out of the chair and stood up. "I'm so looking forward to it." "Me, too," I said. I thought of standing up too, but I knew if I did, I wouldn't be able to hold back stepping up to him and kissing him. Maybe that's what I should have done, but it was like Greg knew we should save it, save that first kiss. "God, you're so fucking good looking," he said, shaking his head in disbelief and smiling as he gave me one more glance over with his eyes. "All right, good night, Jim." I bid him good night as well and watched him walk inside.