CHAPTER 9
Mark woke up the next morning with the moment's confusion that comes from sleeping in a different bed. He quickly realized where he was, and why Brad was not lying beside him. He jumped up and began to get ready to face the day. He felt himself shaking at the prospect of facing the world he grew up in as a gay guy.
He began to think while he was in the shower. He and his dad had told his brothers last night. His older brother Rick shocked them by saying he wasn't surprised. He told them he had suspected it for a few years, but just never said anything. He had graduated from college a year earlier and was doing well as an insurance salesman. He had taken a lot of psychology classes in school, which though not within his business major, had really been and asset to him in his sales career. He really helped his dad to deal with his feelings on the matter. John, his younger brother was a little harder to talk to. He was still in high school and had always looked up to his older brothers tremendously. He was afraid of what the other kids were going to say when they found out about it. Rick took him in the other room and talked to him at length, and while Mark and his dad had no idea what he said to him, he came back with a whole new outlook on the situation, which Mark was thankful for.
Next, Mark thought of the task that lay before him and Brad today. What would happen was anybody's guess. Mark shuddered as he stepped out of the shower with that thought. He quickly dressed and went downstairs and found Brad sitting up on the sofa watching television. Mark walked in and kissed him. Just then Rick walked in dressed only in his gym shorts.
"Damn, dudes, I didn't know I was interrupting something," he laughed.
"You weren't," Mark said, while Brad just turned red.
"Its ok dude, don't freak out," Rick told Brad. "I'm cool with it, but I don't think Mom, Dad and John are ready for that shit yet, so I think I would keep that to private quarters."
"You are probably right," Mark said.
"I know I am right. I am always right. Also, since I will be staying at my place tonight, Brad can use my bedroom so that he doesn't have to sleep on the sofa for three weeks."
"Thanks Rick, you sure that's ok?" Brad asked.
"Sure, just as long as there are no peter tracks in it," Rick laughed.
"You think you are so funny. I am going to convert you," Mark said.
"I doubt it! Hey, why don't you come and take a run with me. We haven't spent any time together in a while."
"Ok, is it alright for Brad to come with us?"
"Sure."
"Nah, I think I am just going to pass on that and go straight to a shower."
"Ok, but you are missing 20 minutes of watching the two hottest bodies in town getting sweaty together," Rick grinned.
"I better not. You are so hot that I might be too overcome and have to rape you in the woods," Brad said, thinking just how hot he really was. Rick was the spitting image of his brother though shorter and slightly darker hair.
"Ok boys, yall have fun. I'm gonna hit the shower."
"There are towels in the closet -- just grab one."
After Mark and Rick were jogging down the street, Mark said, "Rick, I really appreciate what you did last night. You really helped Dad and John to deal with it. You just don't know how much I appreciate the support all of you have given us."
"That's what I am here for. That and kicking your ass when you need it."
"Yeah, I was kind of afraid that's what you were planning to do when we told you."
They stopped at their normal turn around spot, and Mark grabbed Rick into a hug. "I don't tell you guys enough how much I love you. I hope you know that. Please help me take care of Brad. I think he is going to need it especially tonight after we talk to his dad. I just know it is going to go bad, in part because of how much Brad hates him. Please stay another night here. Tomorrow is Sunday so we won't keep you from work."
"Ok, but you can't rape me or anything."
"You are my brother, I can rape you or do whatever I want to."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Rick, I am concerned about something else. I don't think Brad is going to need to sleep alone tonight after talking to his dad. He already feels alone in the world, but Dad doesn't want he and I to share a room."
"I'll tell you what. The three of us can just fall asleep watching television in the den. Then we will all be together, but you won't have slept together. Plus, you will have a really hot chaperone."
"Don't kid yourself."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you are pushing it, buster."
"Thanks Rick, you don't know how much I have worried about this weekend."
"Well don't. No matter how much shit I give you, you need to know you can count on your big brother to take care of you. I'm the only one allowed to give you shit."
Mark just grinned and hugged his brother again.
"Come on, we need to get back."
When they got back, Mark took a shower and he and Brad were walking out the door to make the visit to Brad's father's house when Rick stopped them. "Why don't you guys meet me at Sarah's after you get through."
"I don't know that we are going to feel a lot like going out in public after this excursion," Mark said.
"That's fine. I should have figured that anyway. Why don't you two just meet me here and I will get us something to eat and bring it here. My treat."
"You don't have to do that, Rick," Mark said.
"I know I don't, but I want to."
"Thanks Rick, I really appreciate all of your support," Brad said.
"Don't worry about it. Just make sure you take good care of my little brother," Rick said as he grabbed Brad into a quick hug.
When they were in the truck, Brad looked over at Mark and said, "I have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I just know something we aren't expecting is going to happen, and it terrifies me."
"Maybe what we won't expect is that he will be cool with it."
"Nah, that's not what is going to happen."
"I can hope, can't I?"
"Wishful thinking. I hope he will be somewhat sober. That's why I wanted to go as early as possible. I am terrified of him when he is drunk."
"Brad, I am here with you. No matter what. I love you, and so does my family. No matter what."
"Thanks, Mark, I couldn't do this alone."
The two boys embraced on the bench seat of the pickup before they got out. Brad's father lived in one side of an old duplex that sat on Main Street, in a part of town comprised mostly of rental houses. His brother, a lawyer in town rented the house to him, though he seldom received his rent payments. He really had tried to do his part to help his brother, and to be involved in Brad's life. Unfortunately he had his own life and, while Brad thought of him as a good person, he seldom saw him. They walked up the steps and knocked on the door. They heard footsteps then a loud noise followed by cursing. A few minutes later the door opened, and there stood Brad's father. He was in his early forties and still an attractive fellow, though he looked very worn. Mark thought to himself just where Brad's share of gene's came from.
"Brad! How are you? I'm surprised to see you. You don't come to see me that often."
"I'm fine, Dad. how are you?"
"Pretty good, except for that damn table I tripped over," he said, pointing to an overturned table in the living room.
"Wow, that's some trip. You know Mark, right?" Brad was so embarrassed, though relieved that his father appeared to be in one of his more sober moments.
"Yeah, your parents own Lee's Jewelry, right?"
"Yes sir."
"Well come on in, do you want something to drink? I am glad to see you, Brad. I just don't see you often enough. I kept meaning to get up to Athens to see you this year, but I just never was able to make it."
Somehow, Brad's father had managed to keep his driver's license, though Brad was never sure how. He still had the very same Buick he had when Brad was born, so it was possible for him to drive to Athens.
"I am fine," Mark said.
"I think I could stand some water," Brad said nervously.
His dad went into the kitchen to get it, and Mark gently massaged Brad's back before his dad came into the room.
Brad took a few gulps of the water and then said, "Dad, the reason I came here today is to tell you something. I need to tell you I am gay."
"You are fucking what?"
"I am gay. I am in love with a man."
"You fucking fag, I know you aren't gay because my son can't be gay."
"Your fucking son, huh? Well, let me give you a news flash, you have been one hell of a fucking father and a great damn role model for me-- Drunk all the damn time, getting into bar fights, getting into fights everywhere. You have been a fucking embarrassment to me my whole life. You are more than welcome to say I am not your son, because you haven't been anything even close to fucking resembling a dad, you drunk fucking asshole."
Mr. Jones jumped up and started to push Brad. Brad jumped up and pushed him down. As he hit the floor, Brad shouted, "You might have been able to hit me when I was a kid, but if you try it now, I'm gonna kick your ass, you fucker."
"Brad, you need to get out of here now!" Mark said angrily.
"And who the hell are you, his fucking bodyguard?"
"No, sir, I am in love with Brad, and if you have a problem with it, I will kick your ass again after Brad finishes with it."
"Get the hell outta my fucking house. I don't want no damn fags in my house. Get your queer asses out and don't fucking come back!"
As his father was starting to get up, Brad pushed him down, hard enough for him to fall back onto the carpeted floor. Then he said, "Go to hell! I never want to see you again, you fucking asswipe."
Brad grabbed Mark by the arm and stormed out of the house. They got into the truck and tears were running down Brad's face. Mark drove with his arm around Brad who was bawling uncontrollably into Mark's shoulder by this point. When they reached Mark's house, they sat in the truck a while and just looked into each other's eyes. Brad knew he was ok. He knew his dad was going to react like that, but it really hurt to have it actually happen. Brad was afraid that would be the last time he would ever see the man. It was weird, but as much as he hated the guy, he also felt some sort of connection to him-- one that he felt had been broken this morning. They got out of the truck as they saw Rick drive up beside them.
"Hey guys, how did it go?" Rick asked.
Brad just began to cry again.
Mark responded, "Not real good, but we lived to tell about it, so I guess it was ok."
Rick handed the bag he was holding to Mark, and reached around Brad and hugged him right there under the carport. They spent the rest of the day talking and just spending time together with Rick and John. Their parents were at the store all day. They all watched movies in the Living room, and as Rick had planned, they slept there as well. Brad and Mark slept together on one sofa while Rick was on the love seat. John had the best position. He was kicked back in the recliner. Mrs. Lee walked into the room the next morning and just laughed at the four boys passed out in there. Rick was the first one up and his mother told him that they didn't need to try to make church because they had been through a lot. She also added that they might not feel comfortable doing it. She told Rick not to wake them until they came around on their own and that she would see them when they got back from church.
Sunday was a quiet day. They all ate together in the big dining room at the front of the Lee house. Brad was made to feel really comfortable there. Rick started to gather his things to go back to his place. He only lived on the other side of the county, so it wasn't a huge ordeal. He told the family goodbye and headed home.
Mark went to talk to his Mom. "Mom, I need to talk to you about something."
"What now?" She joked.
"Well, its Brad. I'm worried about him."
"Because of his family?"
"Yes. He handled rejection by his mom and step dad ok, but when we told his real father, he just fell apart after the confrontation."
"Confrontation? You didn't tell me about that."
Mark told her all about the events of the previous day. It really got to her. "That poor boy, he really has no family but you, does he?"
"No, and you and dad have treated him so good since all of this happened, I know he really appreciates it."
"You know, I really could tell when he worked for us that his home life was not what his mom tried to make it seem, but I had no idea how bad it really was. That just goes to show you that money doesn't solve all of your problems."
"Money?"
"You didn't know?"
"Know what?"
"Brad's mom got quite a fortune when her parents were killed in that accident. Not only did she get the estate, and life insurance, but they say she got several million dollars in a settlement with the insurance company."
"I didn't know anything about that. The only thing Brad has ever mentioned about it his grandparents were killed in an accident while they were on vacation. I already knew that, and I have never asked him more about it because it seemed to upset him a lot. I think he was really close to his grandmother. He mentions her a lot."
"Well, what happened was a freak accident, but it was really stupid of the construction company. They were stopped while a crew was working on a bridge in widening a road to four lanes. Brad's grandparents were in their car which happened to be the first in the line of stopped traffic. It was early in the morning, and the construction company had raised a heavy piece of equipment the way they do to keep people from stealing it. When the crew got there, the crane operator started up to move it, and turning the crane to where it needed to be, he passed over their car. Apparently, the cable broke, came unhooked, or the operator screwed up, but it dropped right on top of them. They were killed instantly. Brad's mom was their only child, and she sued the company and the state. She acted devastated for the courts, but it seemed the one who was really suffering but getting no attention was Brad. That was a few years ago, right before Brad started to work with us. That's one reason I told your dad to hire him over the other kid who applied the same day. I knew he really needed somewhere to go and someone who cared about him. I really can't lie to you, Mark, I love Brad, but his mother is really shallow."
"Mom, I never knew all of that. I also never knew Brad's mom was like that, but I learned Friday afternoon. When Brad told her he was gay, she didn't worry at all about him. She was most concerned about how it would look to her friends. She asked him how he could do that to her. TO HER! I know you don't like that I am gay very much, but I really appreciate the support you have given me and Brad. I didn't realize how luck I am to have you and Dad. I am also glad that you decided to hire him because I might never have found him if you hadn't. I hope you don't regret that."
"Mark, you are right, I am not comfortable with you being gay, but I will work through it with time. I know that you are what you are because of you, and I would hope that you would not make a decision like this just to get at me. As for whether I am sorry we hired Brad, not on your life. Not only was he a model employee, but I am truly glad you found him. I suspect you would have been gay with or without him, and I am very glad you are committed to him rather than running around Athens the way I hear about. I just hope you and Brad realize that you are going to have a much harder life ahead of you because of this."
"We do, but I think we can get through it together."
"Well, as long as you know, then that's ok, and I'll do what I can to support you."
"Thanks, Mom. Actually what I needed to talk to you about is that harder time Brad and I are going to have to deal with."
"What do you mean?"
"I think we need to go back to Athens tomorrow. This is such a small town that I know that people are going to freak, and I can deal with it. After what happened with his family, I think Brad needs some time to get himself together before we are put in the spotlight."
"I was really looking forward to having you here on your vacation," Mrs. Lee said disappointed.
"Well, we have three weeks off, I was kind of hoping that we could come back on Friday and maybe start the vacation over."
"I suppose that would be ok, I would really like you to stay here, but you are an adult now. If you think you need to get away from here, then I don't need to try to make you stay. Have you talked to Brad about this?"
"No, but I am sure he won't argue with the idea. I thought about just telling him I needed to go and talk to a professor about a class, but I don't like the idea of lying to him."
"Plus you are terrible at it."
"I think I must be pretty good at it."
"Why is that?"
"I have been living one for the past few years, and it feels unbelievably good to be honest."
"That must have been terrible," she said with a tear in her eye.
"It was, but it was really weird, I didn't realize it was a lie for so long."
"Hmm, I don't know about that. I am glad you are turning over this new leaf of honesty." She paused a moment. "Mark, do you think it would be ok if I talked to Brad alone about how he is doing? I really feel bad for him and I think he needs a mother's talk right now. I think I am the closest he's going to get right now."
"Yeah, he is napping in Rick's room now. I'm sure he would like to talk to you."
She left Mark's room, and walked down the hall to Rick's room. Mark sat on his bed and listened to the country music playing on the radio, and thought to himself how lucky he was.
Mrs. Lee knocked on the door. She heard a sleepy come in. She opened the door and walked in. She sat down on the bed and said, "Hey Brad, a little early for bed isn't it?"
"I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I'm sorry."
"There is no need to apologize. I understand why you didn't."
Brad was sitting up in bed with his back against the headboard. Mrs. Lee slid over beside him and put her arm around him, and asked, "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Brad said in a shaky voice she knew meant he was anything but fine.
"I know this has to be terribly hard for you to deal with. You know I am glad Mark found you. I think he made a good choice," she said quietly.
Brad just began to cry. He told her that his whole family hated him in short breaths as he cried. She just held him. Finally when he was able to speak again, he said, "My grandma, she must be ashamed of me."
"I doubt that. Not if she is the lady you loved so much. I knew her, but not that well. But, I have heard you talk about her so many times at the store, I feel like I know her well."
"You really think she wouldn't hate me too?"
"I am sure she wouldn't."
"Why does everyone else?"
"I don't."
"But."
She cut him off, "But nothing, some people have a really hard time learning how to deal with things. Some people never do, some people can. That's the way the world is. Your family may just take some time to accept things, and it is possible they never will accept it. You have to deal with that possibility, but you have to be true to yourself, and deal with this on your own. It may be hard, and you will encounter people who hate you for it. You can't really do anything to change them. You just have to learn the best way to react to them and try to not let it get to you. I talked to Mark a few minutes ago, and he may be mad at me for telling you this, but he suggested that you and he go back to Athens this week and let you get yourself back together. You can come back on Friday and start your vacation over. I didn't think it was a really good idea, but the more I think about it, the more I think it might be the best thing. I don't really think you are ready to face people around here who already know you are gay now. I would love for you to stay here so I could take care of you, but I know that if you stay here this week, you will have to stay around the house and just feel miserable. I think if you take some time and get yourself back together, you will be a little better prepared for that. Just remember people can be cruel, and often they are cruel to others to hide their own inadequacies. I know it is hard, but try to feel sorry for them rather than get mad at them or hurt by their hate."
"I guess that's ok, but I don't know about people picking on me, I have not ever been one to back down from a confrontation."
"Just remember, hate breeds hate. The only way to stop it from multiplying is to meet it with love. You have a lot of love in you. Use it to the best of your abilities, and help Mark to as well. You are both going to have to learn patience and understanding. It comes with age and experience, but if you open yourselves to it, then you will learn it a whole lot quicker."
"I'll do what I can," Brad said, clearly unsure of himself.
"Why don't you get cleaned up and you and Mark can help me cook supper."
Brad went down the hall and got Mark, and they did go downstairs and help Mrs. Lee cook supper. They had a good time doing it, and had a very enjoyable evening. They packed their bags on Sunday night, and told Mark's parents and John they were leaving early in the morning and would be back on Friday.
CHAPTER 10
They got up very early and were back at to Athens by 8:30. As they drove into the city, Mark asked Brad, "Well we are back, whatcha wanna do?"
"I am hungry. Lets go downtown and get a bite to eat."
"Great minds think alike. That's exactly what I was thinking."
They found a spot on Clayton Street, which wasn't hard this early on a Monday morning when no classes were scheduled. They put a quarter into the parking meter, and walked around the block to get some breakfast. They both felt a relief as they walked down a street far away from the problems they had left back home. They felt at home. They were in a much larger place with a much greater sense of anonymity. They ate their breakfast of eggs bacon pancakes and grits, washed down with a pitcher of sweet tea. They might be gay, but they were still country boys. After they left the restaurant, they decided to walk around downtown for a while. Not much was open. Several places were closed while school was out. It was really a neat feeling walking around with nobody on the street. The place is normally crawling with people no matter what time of day it is. Even College Avenue had only a few people on it. They went to the places where their classes were held and thought how amazing it was to see virtually no one around those buildings. It was an experience both of them thoroughly enjoyed. They jumped into the truck 15 minutes after the meter had expired, but drove off just before the meter maid made her way down that side of the street. They rode out to the mall, and wandered around there a while. It was good to just be away from the cares of everyday life. By one o'clock, the two guys were hungry again. This time they ate a little more sensibly, and both had an excellent sandwich from a local deli. Mark drove back to the apartment. They realized they had not even gone by there on their travels that morning, and had a laugh about it. Mark pulled in beside Brad's pickup in the deserted parking lot. They gathered their things and went into the house. They went into their bedroom and pulled one another into an embrace.
"It is really good to be home, Mark. Thank you."
"No, Brad, thank you for loving me enough to put yourself through this."
"You know, Mark, when we started this whole thing, I really thought your parents were going to be the ones to freak out. I really just thought mine wouldn't give a shit what I did."
"Well, I think we both learned a lot this weekend. I think I learned that I love you even more than I did last week."
"I love you too," Brad said.
They busied themselves with unpacking and straightening the apartment which was a disaster. In anticipation of things to come, the roommates had left right after finals and didn't clean anything. After cleaning up, they went to the grocery store near their apartment and came back with enough food for the week. They knew they couldn't afford to eat out every day, but stopped off on the way back from the store and got a hamburger for supper anyway. When everything was put up in the kitchen and ate their burgers, they watched television together for a while. They sat on the sofa with each other and were content to just be in one another's company.
At 9:30, Mark said, "I think that both of us could stand to get some sleep. Lets go."
With that the lovers both got up and went into their bedroom.
"Damn, you stink. I think you need a shower before bed," Brad said.
"Well, you are just going to have to make me, aren't you?"
"I guess so."
With that, Brad pushed Mark into the bathroom and stripped him down, and then himself. Mark stepped into the shower with Brad right behind him. They stood under the water in a passionate embrace. Mark took the soap and lovingly washed Brad's entire body, paying special attention to his cock. When he was done, he said, "Let me just make sure I got you clean enough." He knelt down and tasted Brad's cock.
When he took his mouth off, Brad looked down at him and asked, "Clean enough?"
"I don't think so, I need to do some special cleaning," Mark said with a glimmer in his eye. With that, he began to really pleasure Brad with his mouth. He looked up at Brad's perfectly formed torso, his naturally tanned skin was glistening in the spray. His washboard abs were staring Mark in the face. He his hands were exploring that familiar territory as he sucked. Mark moved his hands up and down Brad's perfectly formed hairy legs. He then began to fondle Brad's balls. As he felt them start to tense up, he grabbed Brad's perfect ass and sucked with all his might. He was quickly rewarded with Brad's sweet seed. Brad cried out as he came, "Oh Mark!"
When he came down from his orgasm, Brad in turn took the soap and started with Mark's body, repeating the same steps Mark had done. When he tested Mark's cock for cleanliness, Mark asked, "Clean enough?"
"I think it is," Brad replied.
"It is? Are you sure?" Mark asked.
"I am sure that it is clean enough to fuck my ass."
"Are you sure?" Mark asked, shocked. Brad had never asked him to fuck him before, and he had never wanted to press the issue. Mark was happy to be sucked off and let Brad fuck him, if that is what Brad was comfortable with.
"I am sure. I love you, and I want you to make me yours."
"I love you, Brad. Let's do this right," Mark said, shutting off the shower.
They dried each other off and went into the bedroom. Mark reached into the drawer beside the bed and pulled out some lube and a condom. Brad was on his back looking up at his lover while Mark put some lube on his finger and began to explore Brad's waiting hole. He began to suck Brad's now hard again cock as he slowly and deliberately explored Brad with his fingers. Eventually he had three of his fingers in, and he removed his mouth from Brad's cock and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"If it hurts, you let me know and I will stop."
"It is going to hurt, and I don't care. I want you inside me."
Mark reached for the condom, but Brad stopped him. "That's not necessary is it? I trust you completely."
Mark stood by the bed and spread some lube on his dick and began to press the head against Brad's tight hole which was right on the edge of the bed. Mark felt the head of his dick slip into Brad's anus. He almost cried when he saw the look of pain on Brad's face. He froze. "Are you ok, Brad?"
"Yeah, I am fine." Brad panted.
"I'm going to stop here. Let me know when you are ready, or we can stop now if you want."
"It hurts like hell but you are worth it, buddy."
"Thanks. You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"Ok, I am ready. Just go ahead and cram it all the way in and get this over with."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"Just go ahead. Fuck me, please."
"Ok but you let me know and I will stop."
"Ok."
Mark, at Brad's insistence pushed his cock in to the hilt in one hard stroke. Brad cried out in pain.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes, please fuck me," Brad said with tears running down his face.
"Just take a minute to get used to it," Mark said. "You will enjoy it a lot more that way."
Mark gently massaged Brad's beautiful tanned torso. He felt his six pack abs and his perfect chest. He massaged each nipple and then moved his hand down his abs and felt the light treasure trail that led to Brad's perfect cock.
"If you are ready, I am going to start slowly."
"I think I am ready."
Mark began to gently move ever so slowly in and out of Brad's hole. He gradually sped up as he could tell Brad was not hurting as much anymore. They moved from a slow gentle rhythm into a fast pace. Brad began to cry out to Mark to fuck him harder, and Mark complied. After a few minutes, Mark's pace got fast and irregular. He shouted "I'm cuming." And shot his load inside of Brad. As Brad felt the first spurt of Mark's cum in him, he began to cum without touching himself. Mark pulled out of Brad and got onto the bed with him. He pulled him up to his pillow and kissed him passionately. They just lay there with Brad's sticky cum between them and enjoyed each other.
"Thank you," Brad said.
"No, thank you. I love you so much," Mark said.
"I love you too. I have missed sleeping next to you so much this weekend."
"I have too."
With that, the two lovers fell asleep in each other's arms.
Ok guys, this is the end of this part. I hope you enjoyed it. In the next part there is going to be an interesting twist in the story. I hope you will keep reading. As always, please email me. For those who already have, thanks and I hope to hear from you again. You don't know how much I enjoy reading emails from readers. I try my best to respond to all of my emails as promptly as possible. Thanks again for reading. Special thanks goes to eagle42scecp for help in the editing process. He is the co-author of Tanner and Robert (in the incest section) a good story of its own.