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A Stepbrother's Desire - Josh and Tyson 42
Kyle and I had met several times since our initial meeting, trying to grab a few minutes after work where we could. I had developed a strong empathy for him given that I understood how devastating it was to be pulled from your game, in our case, football. We had discussed some of the issues and the one big issue that stood out was that, you don't just wake up one morning in your junior year and decide you're going to be a quarterback. Ok, we can pick up football teammates who want to play linebacker and who can run and catch. But to be the leader quarterbacking requires, that's developed over years. You're dreaming of that day long before it comes. I hadn't really thought of it like that but it was true. I did believe that he had taken this "self-imposed" exile too far. I mentioned on a couple of occasions that we really needed to move his homecoming along. He was softening and I knew I would break through soon. Ty has totally accused me of crushing on Kyle, which may be true to a small degree, but I liked being his friend. It was really cool that out of all his previous relationships, he liked me.
It was early on a Saturday morning and I had finished mowing the grass. I had to get it done before going to work. I'm sure the neighbors would have something to say about a lawnmower sounding off at 7:30 am! I stepped in to grab breakfast so that I could go to work. Ty was sitting at the table biting into a slice of toast.
"Oh, sorry?" I snapped. "I hope I didn't interrupt everyone's lovely Saturday morning breakfast!" I barked, taking a hand towel to wipe my forehead of sweat. While it was still very cool out, that yard took some effort. If you did it right, you could get it done in an hour which I was able to do. If you were messy it could go on longer than that.
"Was that aimed at me?" Ty said.
"Well, I don't know how all this got done before me but I can't run the yard and work this part time job every Saturday. I could use some help."
"Josh, dear, you're doing great," mom said, handing me a plate of scrambled eggs. "Don't bark at Ty about it."
"I hate doing yard work," Ty said. "You could have figured that out last Fall," he said.
"Still, something would be appreciated," I said.
"Ah," interrupted Bill, coming down the back stairs. "I see we are in "brotherly" fashion this morning," and he kissed mom and took a seat at the table. She put a breakfast plate in front of him and poured him coffee.
"Don't worry about Ty, Josh," he said. "I am very well aware that Ty hates grass but he will have some responsibilities that will help you out."
"What does that mean?" Ty asked. I was amazed. The little fucker didn't have a shred of guilt about sticking me with the yard work.
"It means the flower beds are a mess. The weeds are about to take over. I think "the parents", isn't that what you call us behind closed doors?" and I had to chuckle. We were so busted. Bill continues, "I think we would appreciate you spending some time each week pulling the weeds out. They will get under control once you get them up from the roots. It's supposed to be a nice Spring and the yard, well, we're part of the community remember. Each household has to keep up its appearance. Ok? Thanks," he said. Ty gave me the raised eyebrow look and I smirked and ate some eggs.
On the part time job, I found my breaking point. It was a gruelling Saturday with cars covered in pollen. After about three cars, you start to feel it. The same thing over and over. Roof, windshield, hood, sides, etc. Always working your way down so the dirt and pollen travel downward as well. I wasn't the only one who felt it because some of the other guys were feeling it too. There came a point where we got out of hand and still feeling like a newbie, I wound up in a position where I had to defend myself.
"You missed a spot!" a guy named Carter yelled out, pointing to a spot on the door of my last car. He was a really cool guy. He had a pretty girlfriend and had been doing this job part time for a long time. He worked at the grocery store full time but life in the city is expensive so he basically worked two jobs. The one thing, the absolute thing, a car washer wants to hear is "you missed a spot!" and that unraveled my nerves.
"Show me!" I barked. I walked over to where he stood and he was pointing to a tiny little spot on the door no bigger than a thumbprint
"Seriously? You gonna call that out in front of everyone? That the best you can do?" I quipped.
"Hey guys," Carter rang out. "Y'all better come stand witness to this!" and everyone gathered around.
"So Josh, it's time you got broken in," he said with a sneer. "It's not the size of the spot that matters. It's the fact there is one at all!" he said, giving me one of those silly movie looks. He was definitely working the crowd. "And there are consequences which we have all agreed to. You see, a "spot" could lead to dings and dings cost us money so we're going to address it so that it doesn't happen again. Got it?" And then he took his towel and started spinning it until it tightly wound. Ok, I know this little game. I hadn't spent 6 years in a locker room not knowing what was coming.
"Jenkins," he yelled. "Why don't you take his other side!" and Jenkins stepped over to me, winding up his towel. So the one thing I knew that they didn't, is with regular towel beatings, you don't need to expend a lot of energy winding the towel up. That was for show. If you wanted to whip someone with a towel, the action came from a strong risk movement and precise aim and a mildly damp towel.
Just as they were about to launch their towels at me, I drew my own back and "WHACK!" my towel popped Carter in his upper thigh, causing him to jump back. I turned to Jenkins just in time to catch a towel strike to my left pec. It was a slight sting and with a backwards flip of my wrist, my towel gave a crisp smack to his forearm, causing him to spin around once. The guys were laughing so hard that if a train had come by you would not have heard it.
"Sorry guys if I stepped out of line in your little attack but, well, I'm experienced!" I barked with a laugh. "Unless there is anything to discuss, I think we should move on!" I said. Carter dropped his towel and started doing a "worship" act uttering "hummm, hummm" and the guys were shouting.
"Warner, man, I wished I had your skills when I first started because they left whelps on me when I missed my first spot!" and he gave my arm a couple of tugs. "Good job, dude," and everyone eased back to their cars. My nerves were shaken because I wasn't sure if I was in the clear but it seemed for now I was.
"I'm gonna tell them not to hire anymore high school jocks!" exclaimed Carter. "They're no fun!" he said, giving me a wink and moving back to his vehicle. So it seemed I had passed a little test. Ok, it was a bit of fun. I was so glad I hadn't lost my precision when it came to locker room activities. It wasn't so much at Brumfield but out at Chatham County High School, in a locker room filled with guys like Diesel Gray, well it was survival of the fittest. And then I was reminded of my last encounter with Diesel. Having tried to push it from my mind, it suddenly took on new life. I thought about that conversation during the washing of an entire next vehicle.
As I clocked out that afternoon with just a few minutes to get to the basketball game, which, with only two remaining and a possible undefeated season, I grabbed the phone out. I entered Diesel's number and texted: <two car washers tried to take me down with their towels. One guy got a shot off but I took both of them down in Diesel fashion. Might sound stupid but it gave me some memories. I hope you're good. J>. I left it at that and headed to the game. There was a party after the game that we were all looking forward to.
The game got off to a slow start. Ty, Tristan, Ricky, Jack, Bryce and myself were all sitting on a row of bleachers. Lisa was sitting in front of Bryce and he had her locked between his knees. She was beaming and I could tell she was very happy. That kind of public display of affection meant a lot to her. Ginny was in front of me. I didn't lock her between my knees because she would have thought that was silly. So did I! It took some time before the points starting racking up. The bleachers were almost full, as the possibility of an undefeated season grew stronger. First it was Brumfield then it was the other team then Brumfield made several shots in a row and took the lead. Just about at halftime, my phone bleeped and I took a look and saw that it was Diesel, replying to my message. I was actually terrified to see what he said. "Errr," I said to myself. I opened the screen.
<Josh man, that's funny as shit. We were masters of the towel! Dude, there are a dozen things I wished I had done differently during our conversation and I regret most of it. Truth is I dont care if youre gay bi silly or stupid. You will never be a fag and i hope you know what im sayin. What i was upset about is how much i missed your stupid, shapely, ass LOL. Nothing in this town was the same after you left. You took everything with you. You and your mom. But im glad you told me what you did. Hopefully we can have some of that talk over again. I miss you brother!> and having read this, my face turned red, I could feel it. Ty, who had been watching me yelled over Ricky "hey Josh! What does that say?" I handed him the phone to let him read the thread. He looked so intent then he put his hand over his mouth. He shook his head then looked up at me. "Oh Josh," he mouthed. I nodded because I was about to fall apart. Without thinking, he reached over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. It was his way of reaching out to me. He handed the phone back to me and I showed it to Bryce. He smiled, knowing how important this message was to me. He too gripped my shoulder. I didn't think anything of it then a voice, a familiar and despicable voice was heard from behind us.
"Hey Josh! Josh!" Brett Winter yelled. We turned and he was sitting four rows behind us with some guys I didn't know. They were giggling. "Y'all are so cute, so lubby dubby!" he yelled over the spectators between us. I was stunned, pissed, and floored all at the same time. I stood from my seat and was about to address him when Bryce jumped up, causing Lisa and Ginny to turn around.
"Why don't you mind your own fucking business you moron! Go home before I dribble your meddling ass down the court!" Bryce yelled. Brett's prisspot friends made surprise faces and Brett just kept on grinning. He took his seat and didn't say anything to us the rest of the game.
"Fuck him," Bryce said. :"What is up with him?" he asked.
"He's clearly disturbed," Lisa said. "I hope this doesn't escalate," and she made one of those motherly faces. She was right on both points, however. He was nuts and nothing we did seemed to deter him. The confrontation was coming, I could feel it.
As we headed toward the end of the game, Jason had the ball and did a smooth dribble up the court. He passed it to Brass, Number 22 and he swooshed the ball into the hoop.
"Smack, he's running the game!" shouted Tristan while everyone was cheering.
And just at the last play, and with only a two point lead, Jason again dribbled the ball across the court, paying attention to no one on the court. It was him and the ball. I got tingly because I knew this moment, had lived it. Just when the defensive thought he was going to pass to Brass again, Jordan did not do so. Instead, he crouched in a thoughtful position and lobbed the ball gently and gracefully into the air. It went directly toward it's intended target - the hoop. "Swoosh" and the ball was in and the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the game. The crowd roared.
"Damn, he's good," said Bryce.
"Definitely!" I said.
The game ended with a Brumfield victory and this meant with one game left in the season, we could be looking at a championship. I knew what was in Jordan's mind. This was his senior year and it was his final season. He had been recruited by several big schools and all we had heard was that Clemson was coming in fast and hard. To score a championship in your senior year is every athlete's dream and he was on his way to achieving his. And given how he played during this game, he wasn't taking any prisoners!
The party out in the West End was amazing. We migrated as a group through the rooms and out into the yard. There was a lot of beer and everyone was just pumped about the basketball season. Jordan made his appearance and gladly accepted the cheers and accolades. His little entourage trailed behind him and they looked like stars, well gangstas, well gangsta stars. Yeah that was it. Ty ran to him as soon as he saw him. Jordan gave him a hug and I knew Ty was telling him how awesome he was on the court. I could almost hear Ty saying something like , "you're going all the way friend, just like I knew you would!" Would be so typical of Ty.
I got another beep on my phone. I wasn't expecting anyone and I sure as hell wasn't expecting what I saw. A picture of Ty from last Fall, yes you know already, that picture of Ty in the tennis skirt. I took a deep breath and shuttered when I saw Brett's message. <Came across this recently. Is this what stirred up all the trouble? I didn't think it was funny> I was shaking and I crushed the beer can in my hand. I looked around and no one was with me, well none of my circle. I needed someone. Anger was coursing through my body at an unmeasurable rate. Then Bryce came around. I showed him the phone. His eyes popped wide open.
"Holy fucker in Hell! Where did he get this?" he said, looking at me with disbelief.
"Hell if I know but it's on now. I mean, Bryce, it's on. I don't care what his intentions were. He is going to feel something he hasn't experienced before," I said in a whisper. Bryce nodded and said, "and I will help you." We headed up the yard to catch Ty while he was with Jordan and low and behold, guess who strolled out into the yard. Brett and a couple of those guys from the game. Ty looked at me with surprise as my face distorted. I shouted out at him, given he had not seen me yet.
"And now you die Brett Fucking Winter" and I moved toward him. He froze, obviously surprised that I was there. Bryce yelled, "gonna be a short visit for you mother fucker!" Brett grabbed his friends by their sleeves and ran back toward the house. Bryce and I stumbled over some innocent bystanders. Brett and his group hurried to the door. They were almost through the door when I got his sleeve.
"What the hell is this you pecker?" shoving my phone in his face. "Did you honestly think this was a good idea?" Bryce drew his arm back and was about to throw the first blow when someone grabbed him from behind. It was Jordan who had followed us back to the house.
"Not now, man. Not here," Jordan said in a low, slippery voice. "What's this about?" and I showed the text to Jordan who went from 0 to 60 faster than a Mercedes SL350 AMG!
"What the hell kind of shit is this?" he roared. Brett and his friends leapt through the door as soon as some people exited through it. I tried to grab him again but he got through fast. By the time we got to the front door, Brett and his friends were jumping into a car. There was a lot of stirring about, intrigued by what was going on. Bryce and I went back to the rear of the house where Ty was huddled with our friends, while Jordan stood in a guard position.
"What the fuck?" slurred Jrdan.
"He has a thing for me and a problem in his head," I said. "I thought it would go away on its own but it appears to be getting worse," I said.
"He's fucking crazy," announced Bryce.
"Distrubed," said Lisa.
"You need me to initiate some problem solving here, Josh, man?" Jordan whispered to me.
"Naw, but thanks. Let me handle it," I said. "He took a stab at Ty and that's personal to me."
"Just remember dude, things don't go off as planned. I don't want you any more trouble, Warner. Don't need you draining the juice from my winning season, get me?" and I laughed. Oh how I wished I was close enough to him to make a joke on that draining the juice thing but I didn't feel equipped for that.
"Thanks man, I hear you. But I would risk a lot for Ty. I will sort him out later and if I need backup, you and Bryce," and he patted my shoulder and walked away, giving Ty a one armed hug on the way out back.
"Josh," said Ty, pulling at my coat sleeve. "What just happened?" I showed him the pic Brett sent. His eyes squeezed shut in disgust.
"Hey babe," I said, putting my arms around him. "He didn't blast it. It was a stab at me. I'm gonna handle it," and he looked up into my face. "And if I can't, Jordan said he will. God help Brett is all I can say," and he squeezed his arms tight around me. As we all felt the party had ended for us, we headed out back to our cars. Bryce took Lisa home and the rest of the crew piled into my car. We dropped Jack and Tristan off at Tristan's and Ty and I headed home.
The parents were surprised to see us home earlier than expected.
"Great game!" said Bill. "I think they're going all the way," he said, from his chair. Ty went and fell into the couch beside my mom. She patted his leg then when she saw his face, she asked what was wrong. He pointed to me. I showed her the phone. She gasped.
"Where did that come from? Who would pull that out of a hat after so long?" she demanded. I told her about Brett and the other picture he had sent. I told her I thought he was nuts but Ty told them how crazy he was at his previous two schools. They had all known each other years ago but Brett's family was really snobby and very peculiar and had put him in the private schools to ensure he got the perfect education. He had consistently fucked it up for them by getting kicked out. Ty thought that their denial of his problems was going to be their undoing because he was obviously out of his mind. Mom agreed.
"Do you need me to intervene, honey? I'm not afraid of his parents."
"And you don't need to be, dear. I know Stanley Winter and he's all show. Unfortunately, a talk with them would bring no benefit. Can we leave it?" asked Bill, "or do we need to talk to someone?"
"Let's leave it for now. I"m going to talk to him on Monday and at least let him know that Ty is off limits. If he has a problem with me, either put it on the table or blow off!" I said.
"That's fair, Josh. Please, though, no trouble. Please," he pleaded. "And by the way, Josh, thanks for taking care of the lawn this morning. It looks amazing. Great start for the season," Bill added.
"No problem, dad. I won't fuss again since I'm technically working off some "expenses." and mom smiled at me. That kind of stuff went a long way in our new norm.
"Mom, I'm gonna be honest with you," Ty said sheepishly. "I'm going to stay with Josh tonight. I don't want to be alone and well, it's not for the reason you think. That pic thing really upset me," he said. She squeezed his shoulder.
"I think that's ok, Ty but don't let this get you down. I know it's upsetting and I'm very disappointed someone would do something so cruel," Mom said.
"I agree, Ty," said Bill. "This does not fall on deaf ears, son. If this matter escalates, we will get involved but if you think..."
"I'm going to take care of it," I said. "Come on, Ty. Let's turn in. It's been a long day," and he got up from the sofa and followed me upstairs. Ty went into his room and changed his clothes. He came into my room after brushing his teeth in the bathroom.
"I know I smelled like beer when I climbed into your mom's lap," Ty laughed.
"She knows, silly, that we have some beer. I don't think we were drunk or anything. She would have called us out if we appeared drunk," I said, crawling into the bed. Ty crawled in beside me.
"That was brave of you to tell them you were staying with me," I said.
"I was surprised they didn't say anything," Ty said. As we were laying there, it crossed my mind to roll him onto his back but I didn't feel it at that moment.
"It's funny the one time we get a pass to sleep together, we don't feel like fucking," I said.
"And it's not because I don't want you. That pic makes me feel shitty," Ty said.
"I know and it stirs up a lot of fucking memories for me. I'm just glad that you're safe in my arms this time, Ty. I can never explain to you what a fucking terrible experience that was for me, not knowing where you were. Scared the shit out of me," I said and Ty laughed.
"What are you going to do to Brett?" Ty asked.
"I don't know because he better hope I get to him before Jordan stumbles across him. Jordan would run his ass down in an alley," I said, thinking how true that could be.
"It just pisses me off that he has everybody getting riled up about this. What does he hope to accomplish?" Ty asked in a raised voice.
"I don't know. I don't know this kind of crazy. But, can we change the subject?" I asked.
"Please do," Ty said.
"That text from Diesel. With everything going on, it almost fell off my radar."
"That was special, Josh. That was truly special. What made you write to him?" I told Ty what happened at work and the team acting up with the drying towels. He laughed at the scene. I explained how the towel whips reminded me of the locker room and that I just felt like jabbing Diesel Gray with a good memory.
"Josh, that was perfect. It probably got to him. I'm glad you did that. I think you can revisit things with him and perhaps save your long friendship," Ty suggested.
"That's what I intend to do. My conversations with Kyle and his self imposed exile have made me think. When I tell him going off to school with all your friends behind you is important, well it's important for me too. That's what I want to tell Diesel."
"You're exactly right," Ty said. "Oh I got a text today too," Ty said. "With everything going on, it fell off MY radar." He reached over and picked up his phone and showed me a pic of Caleb and Micah, taking a selfie, cheek to cheek. It was really cute. I was impressed.
"Another one of your accomplishments, Mr. Warner," laughed Ty. I took the phone from him and lifted it up over our heads.
"Let's pay them back, babe," I said. He leaned his face against mine and we smiled and I took the pic of us lying together. Ty hit Send and the pic went off to our friends Caleb and Micah.
"That made me feel good, Josh," Ty said. He leaned his face over mine and kissed me, which, yeah, got me hard really fast but I wasn't thinking with that body party tonight. Tonight, I just wanted to keep Ty safe and warm and not let him dwell on the skirt pic.
Now what happened at ten minutes after 5 in the morning was another story. It's that feeling you get when you wake up with someone attached to you, much like what it felt like when I woke up with Jack last weekend. The breath, the breathing, the wet, pouty lips just inches from your face. Ty looked up at me groggily and even though it was dark, I could see the sleep in his eyes. He kissed me and I sucked his bottom lip in between my lips. I tongued his mouth and made a sloppy wet ring around his mouth. He climbed on top of me. He shot a dab of lube into his hand and smeared it on me. With no words or sounds, he lowered himself onto me, impaling his ass on my rock hard dick. He eased up and down slowly. He picked up the pace. I grabbed his cock and stroked him. He brushed my hand away and took his cock into his own hand. He leaned forward and kissed me and I began thrusting. Then he stopped me from doing that and began riding on me, back and forth, quickly, just bouncing up and down occasionally. I wanted to scream out. His head was thrown back and his hair fell down the back of his neck. This didn't go on very long before I felt that burn then I unleashed inside him. It must have been a big cum because I pulsated several times. He kept riding and blasted a big load on my chest, causing me to laugh a little.
"Wow! That was hot!" I whispered.
"I know," Ty said, settling down on top of me. He climbed off slowly and went to the bathroom to get a towel. He wiped me dry and cuddled back in with me.
"Why does it seem the hottest sex is usually the shortest?" I asked.
"Google it Dr. Phil," he chuckled. "Probably because it's unplanned, maybe "all-natural." I accepted that.
"Whatever it was, it was amazing!" I said. He lobbed his tongue in my ear giving me a jolt and I wrapped my arm around him. We were back to sleep in minutes. To ensure we were all pressed and clean before the parents got up, we took showers and got dressed and went downstairs. Ty put some sausage patties in the pan and I broke a bunch of eggs. We put together a couple of large omelettes and when Mom came down, she was all smiles.
"Thank you boys! Breakfast smells wonderful," and I handed her a cup of coffee. Bill came down in pressed khakis and a sweater.
"Gracious, we could get used to this kind of service," he said.
"Oddly you think we did it to impress you but it was completely by accident!" I said. "Ty just started and we improvised." Ty swatted me with the towel.
"Way to ruin a good thing. We could have gotten mileage out of impressing them!" Ty barked, causing Bill to laugh.
"Oh I'm impressed alright. Everybody ok after last night?" he asked. We shrugged it off feeling it wasn't such a big deal in the morning. That afternoon we went out for lunch and I found some out of the way pizza place we had never been to. The pizza was really good. You can never judge a pizza place by its looks, you know. I was driving the family in mom's car and I recognized the road. I felt like it was pulling me. It was the road I traveled down on my evening of being "on the run."
"Where are we headed, Josh? Seems you know where you're going," said Bill, casually from the back seat. I didn't respond but just kept driving. Fifteen minutes into the drive, I found what I was looking for. It was Hampstead Flea Market, that humongous flea market that had impressed me so much. Ty's eyes widened.
"Oh my God," he said with a shrill voice. "This looks amazing!" in an even higher pitch voice.
"Hmm," said mom. "This looks fun. How ever did you find it, Josh?" she asked. I jerked my head toward her and shot her a look.
"Oh, I see," she said. "Well park the car so we can explore!" she demanded. We entered the place and Ty looked at mom and asked which way should they go first. They headed toward the right. Bill looked at me with squinted eyes.
"Is this your idea of fun?" he asked. I broke out laughing at his "straight faced" look. There were few actors who could pull off such a look. It made me laugh so hard. .
"No, not really," I said, continuing to laugh. I really haven't laughed this hard since the time he and Ty got stomach bugs in Asheville.
"Well why did you..."
"Sometimes you have to let them have it, Dad. You should know by now," and he chuckled.
"You are more correct than you even know. You seem rather wise in this arena. Why don't you and I find us the sports and golf place and see what they have," he suggested. Passing by a concession stand, he ordered a coffee and we found some cool sports and golf stuff. We had a good time nonetheless looking at the vintage stuff. There was one moment we thought we saw mom cruise by but we weren't sure. She and Ty were off in Wonderland. I told Bill how I had found this place on my adventure and he didn't say much. He found a mounted gold plated golf ball issued by a club that he was familiar with. He thought it would make an interesting gift for one of his clients. He snatched it up and as we sat on a bench waiting for Ty and mom, he expressed his concern to me that the really big case he would be working on was coming on the heels of him being considered for partner in the law firm. I think mom had mentioned it to me but I didn't pay attention. Listening to Bill, I realized this was the highest honor. And while a partnership wouldn't hinge on one case, especially after fifteen years of service to the firm, you wanted that championship win to be the one they remembered when the votes were cast. I completely got that point, expressing the likeness to Jordan's undefeated season before agreeing to a college contract.
"You're right on point, Josh. Sometimes the last thing you did is all they remember. That fuels my concerns over reputational matters so I hope you see. You will be in a place one day where you hope they only remember the best things you did," he said, nodding to me. He said the case was going to be a difficult one. There were lots of mistakes made by the client and how to get him out of tax trouble was going to be a huge endeavor. He was talking in a very thoughtful tone so I knew it worried him. I told him I was glad he was out with us and not tucked away in the office or in his study. He should use this time to clear his head.
"That's good advice, Josh. Hadn't thought of that. Spending time with you all today is good, has been good. Thank you."
When we did find Ty and Mom, they had a shopping cart.
"Gracious," said Bill, sounding concerned. But this wasn't shopping at the mall. This was a flea market. Four bags and $115 later, we left the flea market.
"Oh yeah!" Ty exclaimed as we put the bags carefully in the back of the wagon. "The store is back in business. I bet, and I will research later, that this is easily $500 worth of stuff online, cleaned, and presented well," he said with a satisfied voice.
"Those pearls are mine, Ty. Don't you list them," mom laughed as she climbed into the backseat. We headed home and Bill told Mom about our conversation and my suggestion that today should be a head clearing event for him. It was really nice to be out like this.
"When Josh gets it right..." mom said.
"`When' being the big question!" snapped Ty, causing everyone to laugh. I gave him a look and he cracked up. I only wished I could have replicated Bill's look from earlier.
Sunday night was quiet and we caught up on Season 2 of Yellowstone. Ty and I plotted against Brett, trying to decide an appropriate message to unsettle him. If he wanted to play that game, Ty and I were surely up to the challenge. It took some back and forth, and Ty scribing possibilities. This is what I texted to Brett. <Brett, Sending that pic was rude, not sure that's what you intended. It has upset a number of people and thought to warn you, Monday might be a tough day for you. Please do not text me or send anymore images to my phone. Thanks> and the message was sent.
Monday morning I looked for Brett but did not see him. Bryce found me and asked if I had seen the little shit as he hadn't either. No one had. I concluded that maybe he called in sick. Well, I walked into Keith, I mean Mr's Burch's second period literature class and he handed me a note that asked me to come see Principal Dillard. "Oh fuck," I thought.
"What's this about, do you know?" I asked Mr. Burch.
"Well if you're concerned, it has to be something involving something!" and he laughed.
"Fuck," I whispered to him as I turned and walked back out of class. The walk to Dillard's office in the main building was excruciating. I approached his secretary and she greeted me and indicated I should go on in.
I tapped the door, "Principal Dillard?" I said, quietly.
"Josh, come on in and take a seat," he stood pointing to a chair across from his desk. I sat.
"How are things, Josh?" he asked.
"Going fine. School's good and the basketball team is amazing. Everyone's having a good time," I said.
"The team is doing well. We are all very proud and pleased," he said.
"Things ok at home?"
"Yes sir. All quiet there."
"Any problems you wish to relay to me?"
"No sir, not that I can think of."
"Josh, I'm going to conduct this interview without parental supervision," he said, as if he was doing me a favor. "If there comes a point where you do not wish to continue, we will stop and pick back up with your parents. Ok?" I could only nod because my stomach dropped into my left ankle. "Holy fuck!" I thought to myself.
"Josh, there seems to be some things transpiring between you and Brett Winter. I am unclear of the details as I am meeting with his parents this afternoon. I wanted to get the lay of the land prior to that meeting."
"What is their problem?" I asked, not understanding why they would be complaining.
"Mr. Winter has filed a harassment charge against you, suggesting you have insulted, bullied, and or threatened him. He indicates he is terrified to return to school." I was plastered to my chair. Principal Dillard leaned over his desk, "Josh, while I have a hard time believing you would do this unprovoked, I am aware that you have quite a temper when you are..."
"Provoked?" I asked.
"Well yes. These are serious charges so from this moment on, I only want the facts. Your personal opinions are not warranted."
"OK," I stuttered. I heard his door open and the secretary came in and sat at the conference room table.
"Taking notes," he said. "That's all." My heart was beating so fast. I didn't know if I could still breathe.
"So Josh, please tell me what started the dialogue between you and Mr. Winter."
"Well, I met him at a Christmas Party. He seemed nice enough but I was warned by a friend, by a trusted friend, that he might not, well, keep our secret. He had a sticky past at his other schools. So I was just friendly but I moved on."
"Ok, and what transpired next?" he asked.
"I was sick, the day, well, you know the day that things got crazy at home? Well I got sick to my stomach and was in the bathroom, um, well, I was throwing up. Sorry if that's disgusting. He came in and tried to assist me with wet paper towels and what not. It was a very nice gesture and he seemed very sincere. Ty and Tristan came and helped me to my locker and then I left school, if you remember."
"Yes, I have that day documented well. I was unaware of Mr. Winter's involvement."
"He really only stumbled across me but it seems that's when he started feeling like I owed him something or I was obligated..."
"No, no Josh. Those are feelings. Let's stick to the facts."
"They are fact even if they sound like feelings but I will go on. And Principal Dillard, let me say, off the record, its always this moment in the movies when the guy doesn't tell what he should and things only get worse. I'm going to give you everything because I have done nothing wrong. Are you ready?"
"Yes! That's what I want to hear!"
"So, he tried talking to me in the hall but honestly, I had a lot on my mind with what just happened at home. Even after that settled down, I started a part time job and between that and homework, I don't have a lot of time. I told Brett I wasn't in the market for new friends because I didn't have much time. I knew about the crap he pulled at this last school and I couldn't afford to get wrapped up with him. You know?"
"You might think that, I shouldn't comment," Principal Dillard said.
"So then he started in on Ginny asking if he could hang out with us and why I didn't like him," blah blah blah. I filled in Principal Dillard until we got to picture time.
"So last weekend, I was out to dinner with my friends and I get this text from him," and I showed him the phone. His eyes widened. "Feelings or not, I was unclear what the intent of this was but Ty and I were unsettled. Maybe it was innocent, I don't know."
"What was your response?" I showed him my text back.
"Fair enough," he replied.
"I showed this to our friends and they were not happy. Last Monday, we were gathered in the main hall discussing it when he walked by and said we looked the cast from Riverdale or some stupid show. We let that pass and said nothing to him.""
"Good Josh. You're doing well. Your recollection of events is appreciated." So I explained the basketball game and the confrontation with Bryce, after Brett made his snide remarks. It was at the party when I received the pic of Ty that caused the biggest confrontation. I showed him my phone and what Brett had sent.
"Good lord, where did he get that?"
"I don't know but you can bet your ass II was really upset. It's one thing to take a stab at me but you know me well enough to know that taking a stab at Ty, well, that's trouble. And, to be specific, Jordan Rose was there and he was very upset at the situation. In fact, he asked if he could "have a go" at Brett and I told him to stay out. He's riding too big a wave to fuck things up now!" I said, with excitement.
"Language, sir," he said.
"I apologize. I'm feeling anger again, sir. So, we did try to pull him into a confrontation and he was lucky he got away before we laid into him. I'm being honest with you about that. No one got any punches off but it was a close call, Principal Dillard."
"Thank you, Josh. Again, you're doing great. Was that the end of this event?"
"No sir, I decided to create some unsettling events in return so I sent a response to him last night and this is what it said," and I showed him the text. He read it carefully.
"It's ominous but not specific enough for interpretation. You're clever," he said, resting his chin on his hand.
"This is where we are now and I don't understand how his parents think I'm at fault for this thing. It's been him from the start!" I said, almost shouting. Principal Dillard looked out the side window of his office for a moment. I quietened down.
"Josh, I am well schooled in the study of progressive events, meaning..."
"Things going from bad to worse?"
"Yes, well said. And I see a pattern here where the situation is escalating. I wish I had known sooner."
"To tell you the beginning stuff would have been nothing more than tattling. I guess sometimes you hope the problem goes away on its own. This one is not going away and I don't understand why he's so hung up on me!"
"You aren't the only one he's "hung up on" and I shouldn't have told you that but there are some issues here Josh. I think that all levels of..."
"Caution? Yeah I get that. I have been very careful not to "put a toe out of line. Is that what you said to Ty and me, that last time?" I asked. Principal Dillard chuckled in his posh way.
"You are finishing my sentences for me, Josh."
"I have been doing that lately. Seems since I cleared my head, my focus is dead on. I can't help it and I'm sorry."
"No, don't be sorry and yes, that's what I warned you not to do. Your focus is very specific and impressive. If I had to speak to your parents, it would only be flattering. But Josh, I need to warn you here..."
"He's unstable and unpredictable. Leave it alone as best we can because he will try to turn anything we do against us. There, is that what you were going to say?''
"Would you like to conduct the interview? Because, I'm concluding the interview at this moment with no more questions. Can you send all of those texts and pics to Janice's school phone so that I can have them on record?"
"Am I in trouble? Should I call Bill?"
"No sir, I don't think you're in trouble with the school. I think we need to proceed carefully with the Winter family."
"I hear they are two steps to useless when it comes to dealing with his problems," I said.
"You are well informed, Josh. Now please, head back to your class and this conversation is absolutely confidential. Any mention of it elsewhere except to your parents will constitute an expulsion. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir," I said.
"Please shut the door behind you and thank you, Josh."
Where was the fucking oxygen tank when you needed one.