Blood Sport By James
Disclaimer
If it's illegal for you to read stories concerning sexual/romantic situations between teenaged boys, or if you're offended by this type of material, then please leave now. Also, please remember to donate to Nifty so these stories can remain free to the public.
Thanks to my editor K. who's editing, corrections and suggestions have made this story really amazing. I always appreciate your help and feed-back. Thank you.
Finally, if you like this story and haven't done this already, invite my E-mail address jamesheady1985@gmail.com to what you tell it is going to be a night at a popular opera. Once it accepts, drive them to the building you tell them it's going to be at, but only then as you enter the place let them know that you're there to see a concert put on by the rapper Lil Tecca instead.
Blood Sport
Chapter Four
The Visit
Danny
Saturday of that weekend was dark and rainy. We mainly stayed home all day, save for when Kelven and I went out to get food for that night's dinner. He would be staying for dinner that evening, and we let him pick what would be on the menu. He decided on fried chicken, baked potatoes and corn. We all agreed that it sounded good, and I agreed to go with him when he offered. Jason would be staying back watching TV in my room while Mom and Martha hung out in the living room, watching whatever it was they were interested in.
Once on the road, Kelven pulled out, and we had some music playing. Driving along, we talked for a bit about how much we were looking forward to that night's dinner. Soon though we were at the store, and I offered to get out and help Kelven.
"I won't be long actually, so you can hang in here," he offered.
"Thanks," I answered.
Exiting the car, I watched as Kelven entered the store. The play list he had on was still playing, and as I listened, I paid close attention to the words of the current song. Looking at the screen of the music player, I saw that it was the song After Rain by the singer Dermot Kennedy.
I listened intently, and when the song got to the part where he sang about lighting lanterns and causing demons to disperse, my thoughts immediately turned to Josh and our time together the night before. I leaned back listening to the rest of the song while continuing to think about Josh. I found myself really wishing that he was there next to me in that moment! I also was starting to seriously wonder if I was experiencing my first crush.
0000
Josh
Josh sat in the guest room of his Aunt Lisa's house. They arrived at the house a little after 12:00 P.M. that afternoon, and had been on the road for the last two hours. Josh was glad to eventually get out of the car after all the sitting, and fortunately the music he, Connor and Kate had been listening to helped with Josh being able to enjoy himself.
Once at the house, they all visited for a while, and Josh got to hold Lisa's new baby. It was a boy she named Jonathan. They also had lunch, then relaxed in the living room for a bit afterwards. Soon though, Josh excused himself to go to the guest room he picked while staying there.
It was there now where Josh sat listening to music on his music player, and he happened to be listening to the same song as was Danny back in Sangger. As he sat there listening, Josh immediately thought of Danny, and he couldn't stop wishing that the two of them could be beside each other right now. He thought about how nice Danny had been to him the night before, and he especially loved how Danny took time to listen to everything he said. Josh also thought about how when he was talking to Danny, that Danny was acting like Josh was truly the only one there, and that he was hanging on Josh's every word. No one had been that nice to Josh before, except for the one guy he thought he could trust before he came to live with Kate and Connor.
Josh immediately gave his head a shake. No, he wouldn't think about "Him". "He", hadn't really been his friend at all. Josh wished, and not for the first time, about how he could have seen it before it was too late. His friend Kayla saw it. She had tried to warn him, hadn't she? Josh wished he had listened. If he had, then maybe he wouldn't have been put through all that trauma happened only a few short months ago. Josh gave his head another shake, then after the song ended, he decided to check Facebook. He hadn't had a chance to do that all day yet, and he was anxious to post about how the trip was going so far.
Opening up the Facebook App, Josh checked his notifications, and smiled widely as he saw a new friend request. He saw that it was from Daniel Evans. Tapping on it, he saw the name, then opened up the profile. He saw Daniel's picture, and it was Danny from the night before. He figured that that's who it was, but he wasn't used to thinking of Danny as Daniel.
Josh began looking through Danny's profile, and he read the short bio at the beginning of the page.
"Just your usual teenaged boy here who loves all things Metal Music, as well as long walks in the woods, hanging out with friends and helping out in the community. Feel free to add me!"
Josh moved down to the area where Danny's posts were. The first one he saw was from earlier that morning. It was posted around 9:30 A.M. Josh looked at it, then tapped on it. It showed a picture of a guy with a rather attractive face, and a caption written by Danny.
"Sorry Greyson Chance, but you're second on my crush list. Ari Koivunen is No. One now!"
Josh read that caption again, then a third time.
"Was it true!" Josh wondered. "Did that mean that Danny actually was gay, or was it a joke?"
Josh went to the next post. It was from the day before, and had been put up at 3:30 P.M. It showed a picture of a large section of forest, and another caption from Danny.
"Nice place for a cabin to be, I'd live here no problem. Yes, my future boyfriend will be absolutely welcome when I find him that is."
Josh smiled. It must be true! He really hoped that Danny was gay like him. He wanted to know someone else who was. It was hard being in a world that almost always seemed like it was filled by nothing but straight people all the time!
Backing out of the post, Josh went back up to where the Accept Button was, and he just as quickly tapped on it. He then tapped like on the two posts he had just read. Looking for a moment, he removed the Likes, and selected the Red Heart sign. Going to the next post, he checked it out. It was a video, and he read the caption attached before tapping on it. The caption read: "Trying our hand at performing the song Luxtos. We'll see if we're as good as when Eluveitie does it."
The video began, and it showed a room which looked like a basement. There were five people in view of the camera, and Josh was pleased to see that Danny was on the far right. He was holding a Bass Guitar, and the guy to his left was holding what looked like a regular electric guitar. A little further to the left of that boy was a girl with an instrument Josh hadn't seen before. A little further back was a tall black-haired guy with another electric guitar, and Josh remembered him as Jason from the night before. A few feet away from him on his left sat a small boy behind a drum kit.
Just then another person came into view to stand beside the girl, and it was another guy who held a violin in the position one does when getting ready to play.
"Okay Noah," Danny said turning to face the boy with the first electric guitar. "You wanted us to do this song so bad, and if we fuck it up, it's your fault."
They all laughed, then Jason looked over at Danny.
"You shouldn't have a problem with it," Jason replied. "We're only performing a Metal song that's about 90% in English, and the other couple of lines are in a language that's been dead for only the last several million years, right?"
"I always love your moral support Jason," Danny shot back.
"You're welcome," Jason replied.
"Okay, I'm ready," Danny said. "What about you Noah?"
"Yeah," Noah replied. "Let's do this."
"Are you ready Emily?" Noah asked the girl with the unknown instrument in her hands.
"Yeah," she replied. "What about you Cory?"
She turned to the boy with the violin in his hands at the ready position.
"I'm ready," he answered.
Noah counted down, and the girl named Emily raised the instrument to her mouth, Cory moved his hand with the bow so he could start playing, and the song began.
Josh watched as the first couple of notes played, then Cory, Emily and Noah began singing. Josh listened intently, but he couldn't make out any of what was being said. This must have been what Jason meant about the part of the song not being in English.
Soon the other instruments kicked in, and after another moment of the instrumentation, Danny began with the harsh vocals. Josh watched totally surprised as he heard Danny's delivery. He did the usual low guttural growls, then going from those to a loud scream for a couple of the other verses, then the clean vocals from Cory, Emily and Noah came in for the pre-chorus. They continued singing for what Josh guessed was the chorus, and Danny did the harsh vocals as accompaniment. He kept up the low growls, then as the last of the chorus finished, he went back to the raspy scream, and right into the second verse with this continuous alternating pattern to his vocals.
There was a solo for the instruments in which mainly the violin, Emily's instrument and Noah's as well as Jason's guitars could be heard. Josh liked what the drummer had been doing throughout the song as well. He noticed how the drummer looked like he was only 5-1 if even that, but it was hard to say since he was seated. He also looked like he was of Chinese descent or something similar. Whatever the case, for someone that small, he was really going at the drums and putting them through their paces.
Soon they arrived back at the pre-chorus with just Emily singing the non-English language, then everyone else came back in to join her. After the chorus was sung once more, the song ended, and everyone paused for a moment to get drinks of whatever they had in their bottles.
"Good job on the Uilleann Pipes Emily," Danny said, turning to glance at her, then he looked towards the camera again.
"Thanks," she answered. "I'm definitely finding them easier to play now. It looks like the practice is paying off."
"I agree," Jason said.
After that the video ended, Josh backed out and moved to the comments. There were several saying how amazing they were, and others saying that they really did a good job. Josh tapped on the Comment Button, then typed.
"You guys really were amazing! I totally loved how you guys sounded, and this is coming from someone who doesn't listen to much Metal like that."
After tapping on the Red Heart button, Josh backed out then returned to the home page of the Facebook App. Just then he heard his mom calling him for dinner. He set down his phone, then went to join everyone in the kitchen.
0000
Danny
Looking up, I saw Kelven walking back to the car. His arms were full of groceries, and I held up a hand. Getting out of the car, I rushed around to where he stood. I took the bags, drinks and a couple of plastic containers that I figured were from the bakery. After loading them in the trunk, I slammed it shut then returned to the passenger side where I got back in.
"That didn't take too long," I said.
"No, I was able to find everything really well," Kelven replied as he backed out of the parking lot.
Just then I heard my phone chime, and I took it from the console where it was sitting. I saw that I had five notifications. I hadn't even heard the phone, as I was so deep in thought while thinking about Josh. I opened the notifications area, and saw that they were all from Facebook. Smiling widely, I looked through them.
I saw that the first few were where Josh hearted a few of my posts, then where he commented on the post of the video my friends and I put up of us covering the song Luxtos by Eluveitie. That had been several days ago, and I was still amazed we got through it all in that one take. I then saw the notification where it said that Josh accepted my friend request. I smiled even wider, then replied back to Josh's comment about the video.
Daniel Evans: "Josh, thanks for that. I really appreciate your complements. I'm still surprised we did as good with as it as we did. We practiced it about three times over the course of a few days leading up to that final day, so that must have paid off. Thanks for accepting my friend request by the way. I can't wait to see you this up-coming Monday! Talk soon!"
I then without thinking, added a couple of Smiling Face with Hugging Hand signs, then put my phone down.
I told Kelven about what I had just been doing on Facebook.
"It sounds like you really are excited to become good friends with Josh," he said looking over at me as we rode along.
"I really am," I replied.
"He seems really nice," Kelven responded. "He did seem closed off starting out last night when we all first met though."
"He does have Autism so that's part of it," I explained. "That's why we eventually went to the gazebo after finishing our ice cream. It was quieter there."
"I understand," he answered. "I really do hope you guys become close friends."
"Thanks," I said, then looked up as we neared the house and began pulling into the garage.
"No problem, Danny," he said shutting off the car. "You know you always have my support, and you always will."
"I know," I answered touching his arm for a moment, then looking down at the scar on the outside of my right hand once more. "You sure were there for me when I needed you the most not too long ago. You showed up when it counted, and I want you to know that I haven't forgotten that. I never will."
"I'm glad I was able to help," Kelven said as we hugged for a long moment. "I know you were in a lot of pain back then, and I was really scared for you. I'm just glad you're doing a lot better now."
"So am I," I responded as I held on to him a little tighter, then just rested my head on his shoulder for a moment before we separated.
Exiting the car, we got the groceries, then I carried a couple of the bags into the house. Kelven got the other stuff, and we went into the house after I made sure the garage was locked up.
Dinner that evening was really good! It was really nice to be there with my sister, our mom, Jason and Kelven. We talked and laughed together, and I knew then that this was the family in which I truly belonged. As I sat there, I didn't even give the man who donated the sperm a second thought, for he was just that, the guy who provided his part of the genetic material which created me, then my sister. Kelven of course was like my older brother as I mentioned. After a great deal of struggle, I had discovered that I had no choice but to come to some sort of terms with the fact that our dad would never be there for us.
So, as we all sat there, I focused on how safe and loved I felt with everyone as we spent time together around the dinner table that evening. Eventually we finished up, and I helped with the dishes. Jason cleaned off the table, and Martha helped by drying. Once that was done, we all went to visit in the living room for a bit before going off to do our own activities for the rest of the night.
The rest of the weekend went by fast, and it was now Monday. Getting through school was long as well as slow. I felt like the hours were dragging by, but soon the bell for the last class sounded. Everyone began packing up, and I walked out after the last couple of kids exited. I was really happy that there was little homework, and what small amount there was, I was able to complete in Study Hall a couple of hours before. There were no tests coming up, so I was free for the evening! I then thought of my up-coming visit with Josh, and that brightened my mood even more!
Once back home, I visited with Martha and my mom for a bit, then said hi to Kelven when he came out of the living room. Once back in my room though, I pulled out my phone and got on Facebook. Pulling up Josh's profile, I checked to see if he posted anything that day. There was one post where it showed him standing outside and the post had been from three hours ago. I checked the caption, and read it.
"This would make a really nice friend to have."
The picture showed Josh, and he was holding a small animal in his arms. I looked closer, and it looked like either a small squirrel, or a black colored rat. Going to the comments, there was one from Josh, and I read it.
"He's a Chinchilla whose name is Randal. Randal is about a year old. He's really cute!"
I put a red heart on Josh's post, then on his comment. I added my own comment.
"Randal really is cute, and I'm sure he loves you holding him."
I went back to the photo, then zoomed in on Josh's face to get a closer view of him. Sitting there, I gazed long and intently at his lovely youthful face that almost looked effeminate as well as still rather boyish. It was clean-shaven, and his eyes were bright as well as happy. I could have gazed into them for hours!
Suddenly I heard a couple of taps at my opened bedroom door. I jumped, almost dropping the phone.
"Sorry, I just wanted to see how you were doing in our warm and cozy little love nest, Baby Cakes," Jason said in a higher girly voice.
"Oh, you again," I responded in a mock annoyed tone, then we laughed as Jason came in to sit down. "Oh, and you don't ever call me Baby Cakes again. I've always hated that name."
I said that last part as we laughed harder. He never called me that, not seriously nor in a joking manner until now. Fortunately, no one else ever addressed me as that either, but that didn't change the fact that, joking aside, I always hated that name.
"Oh, come on Danny, you know you love it," he said smiling, then flopping back on my bed.
"So since you came home with me, I'm guessing that your parents are still gone?" I said. "When will you be going back home tonight?"
"Probably around 8:00 P.M.," he replied. "They won't be home until 10:00 P.M., but my ass will be in bed by then, so it's fine. Yeah, my mom told me and your mom last night when she called that they would be home late last night, but that was around 5:00 P.M."
"Yeah, then of course your dad called around 8:00 P.M. a couple of hours later, saying that they were staying the night where they were," I said.
"I figured they'd pull something like that," he said. "When I talked to my dad earlier today during lunch break, he said that we'd do something this up-coming weekend though. I hope he's serious."
"Me too," I said deeply concerned now. "I never really have understood what they do on the many times they leave you. I mean, I know they go out partying, but other parents do that, and don't leave their kid with other people as often as your parents do with you. Obviously, we love having you here, but I'm starting to really worry about what's going on with your parents that they're gone this much."
"There is the fact that my dad has business all over the state that takes him away from home for several days at a time," Jason responded, and I heard the defensiveness he was trying to hide. "Him and my mom just aren't the type to have many quiet evenings at home that much."
"I see," I said, then worked to change the subject.
Truthfully, I was disgusted at Jason's parents, and though he might not have noticed, I would see when his dad would put him down in front of us when we went to their house to pick him up for the weekend, as well as how his dad would also make jokes at his expense in front of us. They were mainly jokes about how Jason really needed to pick it up with the girls, and how people might get the idea about him not being right if he continued to be without a date or girlfriend. I figured that this was what was the root of Jason's sometimes off-color jokes and things he'd say about girls and his shallow-minded view of them. As I thought about it more, I was starting to think there was more to Jason than I had been seeing.
Putting that out of my mind though, I told him that I'd be back from Josh's house around 9:30 P.M.
"Good, and I do hope you guys have a really nice time together," Jason said turning on his side to face me.
"Thanks, and I'm sure we will," I answered.
Soon it was time for me to leave, and I hugged Jason as he sat down in the guest room to watch something on his phone. Going into the living room, I said goodbye to Martha and Mom.
"I'll pick you up at the usual time," she said as Kelven and I walked towards the front door of the house.
"Okay, sounds good," I replied.
Kelven would be driving me there so we would have time to talk and spend a few minutes together.
Once in the car, Kelven reminded me that I could pick the music play list this time, and I pulled up some stuff by Eluveitie. He announced that it was a good choice, then we drove off.
"So what are your plans for the evening?" I asked. "I haven't heard much about your social life outside of you being there with and for us most of the time."
"Nothing much really going on tonight," Kelven answered. "It's been quiet lately as well. That's how I like it."
"I'm surprised you haven't started dating," I said, looking at him. "I mean, none of us would feel like you were abandoning us if you started seeing someone. I'm sure there's some guy out there for you."
He didn't say much about dating as far as his own life went, and a lot of the time when I attempted to bring it up even in a casual way, I could practically hear the doors, windows and reinforced metal doors slam shut on that subject.
Watching his face this time around, it didn't have that hard look like most of the other times, but he still looked uncomfortable.
"I'm still just waiting for the one," he said. "You remember when you finally came out to me, and said that you didn't want to follow the usual crowd where hooking up was concerned and similar stuff. That's how it is with me as well."
"You've explained that before," I replied. "Honestly, I feel like you never like it when I bring up your dating life. I hope you don't think I'm trying to push or anything like that."
"I don't think that Danny," he said, putting a hand on my arm and looking over at me. "I know you care, and maybe someday I'll date, but it's not high on my list of things to do currently."
"Okay, I understand," I said as we neared Josh's house.
Pulling up to the driveway, I exited the car, and Kelven got out and fell into step along-side me. Walking up to the front door, I knocked and as I stood there I inspected the window in the center of the door.
It was a stained-glass window that was in the form of a nature picture. It was a patch of trees in a wooded area with a blue stream at the bottom, and a cloudless blue sky above. It was truly beautiful!
My mind was brought back to where I stood when I saw the door open, and Kate stood there with Josh coming up beside her.
"Hi Danny, it's really good to see you again!" she said then reached out.
I hugged her and she returned the embrace, then I shook Josh's hand. They both said hi to Kelven, and after thanking him for bringing me over, he and I hugged then said goodbye to one another. I then walked into the house, really glad to be back with my new friend once again!
As I walked along side Josh, he and Kate showed me around the house. There was the really large kitchen in which we stood, and off of it was an equally large living room with two couches and two recliners and a TV facing them at the other end of the room. Returning to the kitchen, we went straight through and into a hallway. Connor's room was the first door on the right, and the communal restroom was next to it.
Across from Connor's room was a guestroom, then a couple of steps down from that was Josh's room. Kate's room was all the way at the end of the hallway. Returning to the kitchen, we turned to the right and walked a few steps. In front of me was a sliding glass door that led out onto a large wooden deck on which two rocking chairs sat at opposite ends. Josh walked with me out on to the deck, and I saw that straight ahead was a set of steps. They led down into the yard, and we descended them.
Looking back for a moment, I saw Kate and Connor standing in the doorway watching us. Josh pointed, and I looked at the vast woods that stretched out before us as far as the eye could see, and beyond. Trees stood tall, and the forest was filled with the singing of birds and sounds of various other animals. Hearing a sound to my left, I turned my head and saw a small white rabbit running across the grass. It slowed as if sensing it was being watched, then it stopped and looked right at me. It stared for a few more seconds before running off again. There were also several blue birds sitting on a branch in one of the trees directly in front of me. Looking up for a moment, I saw several deer that walked through the grass going past us.
As we stood there, I was now noticing how quiet it was, even with all the nature surrounding us with all its noises. I could have stayed here forever, and I then turned to look at Josh who was watching me. At that moment, I knew I could have stayed there for the rest of my life!
"This really is a nice place to be," Josh said putting a hand on my shoulder and looking directly at me. "I really love it back here."
"I'm definitely falling in love with this area as well!" I answered turning to face him.
I turned, and now Josh and I were standing directly in front of each other. Our eyes met, and we stood there gazing into one another's eyes for what felt like forever. After a moment, Josh surprised me by throwing his arms around my torso, and holding on tightly. His head came up to the middle of my chest, and he looked up at me as I looked down into his lovely face, which by now had a huge smile on it.
"Thanks for coming to visit me tonight Danny Evans!" he said, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him ,not ever wanting to separate from him any time soon.
"You're welcome!" I answered, as he rested his head on my chest face turned to the side.
Looking down, I could see the top of his head. His hair looked extremely thick and I loved its thick black appearance! I also loved the smell of his hair. It smelled of some sort of herbal shampoo, and its smell was having a really profound effect on me!
As we stood there holding each other, time seemed to stand still. It also felt like we were the only ones there. I didn't notice Kate, nor Connor, or the sounds of any cars driving pass the house. It was just Josh and I standing there in a world all our own! I was also starting to feel the strong feel of attraction to my new friend, and to say that it was strong is really an under-statement. It was intense, more intense than I had ever felt for any boy I found cute! I thought Josh was handsome from the moment I met him, but it was now at this point when I felt that strong, intense then all-consuming desire for him. It was definitely a physical desire, but I could also feel the romantic desire to be there holding him, cuddling and feeling his arms around me as well!
I wasn't all the way hard, but I could feel that beginning thickness at the base of my cock, and I knew that I'd be all the way erect here quickly if I didn't do something. I didn't want Josh feeling that, and it possibly scaring him. That was the last thing I wanted for my new friend.
With what seemed like iron-hard strength, I brought myself back to where we physically were, and I let go of Josh.
"We should probably go back in," I said. "It's definitely cold out here."
Now that I was back on the ground again, I did notice that while it had been rather cold when I first got there to Josh's house, the temperature actually felt a bit colder at this point.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Josh said as we turned towards the steps then went back up them to go back into the house.
0000
Kate and Connor had retreated into the house, going further back into the kitchen when Josh and Danny got to the bottom of the steps. They both did see them hug, but didn't watch the whole thing. They did look up a couple of times as they continued with dinner preparations though, and they saw the two boys still holding on to one another.
Kate stood there as she held the meat she had been seasoning while watching Danny with his arms around Josh. She could read everything well enough so that a neon sign wouldn't be needed, and Kate knew that Danny was interested in Josh. As she watched Josh, she saw that he clearly felt the same way.
Over the last couple of days since that Friday when first meeting, Josh had talked about Danny several times while with Kate, and he said how good of friends he hoped he and Danny Evans could become. She figured that he was getting interested in Danny, and possibly viewing him as a crush.
On one hand, Kate wanted Josh to be happy with a boyfriend, but given that what had happened to Josh was only several months behind him, she worried about him being too trusting as well, that deep trusting way possibly leading him into something that could be either as bad or worse than what came before. As Kate stood there watching Danny, then Josh again, she hoped that if more than friendship was to be, that Danny would be the one for him.
Connor had been watching intently, and he was hoping mostly the same things as was Kate. Unlike Kate though, he focused more on the protection side in terms of if anything went wrong. When Danny let go of Josh, Connor watched even more intently as they began climbing the steps again. He stared hard at Danny as he held Josh's hand as they went up the last step.
"If he hurts him in any way what-so-ever, I'll make him pay," Connor thought. "I won't let happen to Josh happen again if this guy ends up being like that other Bastard!"
Connor turned back to the potatoes he was preparing, and listened as the two boys came back into the kitchen as Josh closed then locked the door. Connor then focused on letting the hardness in his face and in his mind go away. He didn't want anyone thinking he was having a problem, and he really did want to give Josh's new friend a chance.
0000
Danny
Entering the house once again, Josh and I set the table when Kate asked if we could get it taken care of. After asking if they needed anymore help, she let Josh as well as I know that everything else was under control. Josh then asked if I wanted to see his room, and I agreed. Taking me by the hand, he led me to where it was.
Josh's room was really nice. I took in the bookshelf with several books on most of the shelves, as well as his bed along with a couple of comfortable chairs across from the side of the bed. On the walls, there were a couple of nature photos that were almost poster-sized. The one on the left was of a large forest where several birds, deer and a few rabbits stood. The one on the right was of a snow-covered mountain range. The sky was a deep blue and a small house sat off in the distance, with smoke rising from the top where a fire clearly was burning in a fireplace from within. Those pictures were above the bed on the wall right across from me as I stood in the doorway.
"I really like your room," I said.
"Thanks," Josh said as he took my hand gently tugging it in the direction of his bed.
I followed him and we sat down next to each other. He scooted much closer to me, much more than he had been on Friday even when he had sat a little closer towards the end of our time together. Turning my head to the right, I saw him looking directly at me and his head was close to mine as if he was trying to take in every detail of my face.
Our eyes locked for a long moment, and Josh stared deeply into mine, much more than the first time we met. I stared back, and I was lost in his gaze! After another moment though, Josh broke eye contact then stood. He went over to where his music player sat connected to his speakers. Asking me if I wanted to hear any music, I agreed. He put on what he said was a random playlist, and then he was back beside me.
I listened for a moment, and the song from Saturday afternoon started playing. It was the song by Dermot Kennedy called After Rain. I smiled, and Josh looked back returning my smile.
"I heard this song this past Saturday when I was out with Kelven getting groceries," I said as I scooted closer to Josh.
He quickly moved his hand taking hold of mine, and holding on not tight, but firmly.
"I heard it at one point that day as well!" he said. "I really like it!"
"So do I!" I replied.
"I really like the part where he sings about demons leaving when the lanterns are lit," Josh went on.
"Yeah, that's definitely an amazing line!" I answered in agreement.
"I think it caught my attention really well, because I know what it's like to go through extremely dark times," Josh said. "What about you Danny Evans, do you know what that's like?"
"Yeah, I totally know what it's like to go through really bad times," I answered. "Then to go through the times when everything is alright again. There's a lot of relief when it's all over, and you can start living your life again."
"Yeah, I understand what you mean, but me living my life with a lot of happiness really began when I came to live with Kate and Connor a few months ago," Josh explained. "Well, you being in my life now definitely has brought me even more joy, so that's totally something I'm truly happy about!"
"Me too," I answered. "I'm really enjoying getting to know you. I want us to get to know each other really well."
"I really want that too," he responded.
A silence settled over us as the music continued playing. Josh moved so that he was up against me, but not so pressed against me that it was uncomfortable. Without realizing I was going to do it, I gently put my arm around him, and he leaned his head against my shoulder for a couple of moments. I really wanted to put my other arm around him to hold him in both my arms, but thought better of it. I worried if that would scare him or not. Soon though, we broke apart when we heard a spoon tapping hard against a pot from the kitchen.
"Good thing we weren't asleep," Josh said looking at me.
"Yeah, I agree," I answered.
"So what else do you have going on for the week?" he asked, still looking at me.
"Aside from school, I have Youth Group at my church on Wednesday, practice with the guys and girl I do music with and not much afterwards," I replied. "What about you? What else do you have going on for this week?"
"Not much," he answered. "I have a few classes over the next couple of days, then I'm off Friday and for the weekend."
"That sounds good," I said.
I suddenly remembered the picture on Josh's Facebook profile of him holding the chinchilla. I asked him about Randal at that moment.
"We have some time in the afternoon after lunch at our school that's basically a sensory break," Josh explained. "One of the things some of the kids do is spend time with a few animals they have in a small room next to the school. They have Randal the chinchilla, a dog named Steven and a little white rabbit named Snow. I'm sure you can guess why that is."
I smiled.
"Yeah, that makes sense," I said. "Have you petted the other animals much aside from Randal?"
"Some of the time," he answered. "Spending time with them usually helps me calm down if I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. They also help me to continue staying calm. That's one of my favorite times of the day when I'm at the school."
"I'm really glad you enjoy it," I said.
"Thanks, me too," he answered.
Soon it was time for us to eat. Kate called us into the kitchen after a few more minutes and I sat down across from where Kate was just getting seated. Josh sat down beside me, and I waited while Connor and Kate made sure all the food was organized on the table.
We were having steak, mashed potatoes, corn and there was also Key Lime Pie for dessert. I immediately thanked Kate for the dinner after taking a bite of the steak. I also thanked her for having me over that evening.
"You're welcome, Danny, and I'm really glad you were able to come," she replied.
"I'm definitely glad you came," Josh added.
"Me too," I said looking over at him.
As we ate, I told everyone more about myself, as well as my family.
"What about your dad?" Kate asked.
I paused for a moment unsure what to say next, then I cleared my throat struggling to keep the anger out of my voice.
"Honestly Kate, I really don't know what to say where Brad is concerned," I answered. "That might sound unusual, and probably disrespectful me calling my dad by his first name, but that's really all he is to me, aside from his half of the genetic material that helped create Martha and I. He was really cold towards all of us while he was living with us, and when he left us, that really made me lose any love or respect for him I might have still had. He left when I was 11. It was right after an argument he and our mom were having."
I struggled to keep my voice even, but I could feel my face growing flushed.
"Martha blamed herself for the first six months he had been gone. She has various physical disabilities, and she feared that Brad left because of her. I had my own reasons for believing that I was the reason he left. I struggled with that for a long time, and it was really hard and painful to get through."
"I truly am sorry Danny," Kate said looking at me intently, and there was definite sadness in her gaze. "Whatever happened with Brad, it's really upsetting to know that he walked out on what sounds like a really amazing family, and he's absolutely missing out on seeing the kind young man you clearly are."
"I felt my face blush even more now, but not from anger. What she said really touched me, and I was glad to hear Kate say all that.
"Thank you," I said looking directly at her. "That truly means a lot to hear you say that!"
"I really do mean every word Danny," she responded. "From what I've seen of you Friday, and this evening, you're someone who's really kind, caring and loving. I know Josh really thinks a lot of you."
"I feel the same way about him as well," I said, putting a hand on Josh's shoulder for a moment. "You're really nice too Josh."
"Thanks," he replied as he finished the last piece of steak on his plate.
"I agree with our mom," Connor said. "I can definitely see how nice and warm you are. I really do hope to get to know you more as you and Josh continue hanging out together."
"Thanks, I feel the same way," I answered.
We had a little more food, and after dessert I knew I wouldn't need to eat anymore that night. Thanking Kate once more, I took my plate over to the sink where she said I could set it. Everyone else did the same, and after helping to clean up, I made sure the table was cleared and cleaned off. Once all that was completed, Josh let us know he was off to get his shower done, and I went into the living room with Kate while Connor went back to check on Josh. He said he would check to make sure if he needed help with his shower or not.
Soon Josh returned dressed in a blue t-shirt and flannel sleeping shorts. He sat down beside me as Kate and I looked to see what was on TV. After settling on the news, Josh asked if I wanted to go back to his room again. He said he'd give his mom some time alone to watch the evening news. Looking at my watch, I saw that it was almost 7:00 P.M., and I couldn't believe how fast the time was going.
Entering Josh's room again, he sat down on his bed, and I joined him. We had music on again, and Josh scooted up close to me like he had before. He motioned at my arm, then at his shoulders. I put my arm around him once again, and he snuggled against me more firmly.
"Can you keep your arm around me for a while?" he asked looking up at me.
"Yeah, I'd love to," I said softly.
"Good, that makes me feel safe when you do that," he responded. "I wish you could be here to do that all the time. I mean, I still don't know everything about you, but I do feel like I can trust you."
"I feel the same way," I answered. "I feel like I can trust you as well, and I wish I didn't have to go later on."
"I'm just glad we have our time together right now though," Josh went on. "Would you like to visit me sometime this weekend coming up?"
"I'd love that," I answered smiling.
"What if the weather is really bad though?" he asked. "I know they think we might get a lot of rain and maybe even snow."
"I'm sure we can find something to do inside that will keep us both entertained," I replied.
"That sounds good," Josh said.
"Yeah, it really does," I went on. "I can text my mom now since we're talking about it, then ask your mom if it's alright to get together this weekend."
I did so, and my mom agreed. Kate agreed as well, and we asked Josh if he wanted to try coming over to my house and either staying for Saturday afternoon, or for the weekend.
"I'd like to come over for the day on Saturday!" Josh said excitedly, and his hands were now rapidly flapping up and down. I hadn't seen him do that before, and I smiled at the motions.
"Okay, that sounds really good!" I replied, and it was all set.
Kate said she'd bring Josh over around on Saturday at 11:00 A.M. if that wasn't too early. I said it was fine, and Mom agreed. After telling her I'd see her in a little while, we ended the Facetime call. I smiled as I thought about Josh and I being together once again!
After almost an hour, I saw Josh's eyelids getting heavy. He was trying to stay sitting up, but his head kept lowering down towards his chest. I smiled, and moved letting him know that he could lay down if he wanted. Checking the time, I saw that it was almost time for me to go. It was 9:05 P.M. My mom would be here in about 20 minutes. I let Josh know this, and he got up to go and brush his teeth. He then went out to let his mom and Connor know he was ready to get to bed.
They came into the room, and I stood so he could get into bed. Pulling up the covers, Josh snuggled his stuffed dog Ronny. I sat down beside him and turned my upper body to face him as I lightly stroked his hair. Kate and Connor said goodnight to him, then I moved so they could hug him. Josh then asked if I could stay with him as he fell asleep which didn't seem like it would be too far off. I agreed, and sat back down turning to face him again.
I returned to lightly stroking his hair, and Kate along with Connor left the room. Josh's eyes closed, and soon he was fast asleep.
As I sat there watching him, I had to resist really intensely, the urge to lean down and kiss him on the forehead. He was so cute and truly adorable! Just then I heard a car pull up, and I gently stood up and shut off the bedside lamp along with the overhead light. Looking back at my new best friend for a moment, I then smiled and exited his bedroom, gently closing the door as I walked through the house to greet my mom to go back home for the evening.
Author's Notes
So there you have it for Josh and Danny's visit. They also have something to look forward to for the up-coming weekend, and I hope you guys enjoy how it all turns out. They'll get to know more about each other, and Danny will open up more to Josh about some of the things he had been through. I hope everyone likes how that goes.
All that being said, I hope you're all having a good evening, and that you guys are doing well. I'll see everyone in Chapter Five.