Copyright 2001.
a) The following story is a work of fiction, and the rights of this series belong to its author.
b) If you are breaking one or more of your local laws by reading this, don't read any further! And,
c) Thanks to all again for the continued interest in the story, I don't get a lot of feedback on it, but what I do get has been enthusiastic, so it's neat to see the story has proven as interesting for a few of you to read as it has been for me to write it! A lot has happened to me since the last time I wrote-hence the delay between chapters--but I have a feeling it will continue and we'll all see some more of Jase, Zach, Eric, and the ever-crabby (but not so mean) sister, Kara, as they go about the ordinary business of life.
Chapter 11-Danger Boy
Interestingly enough, Eric hadn't paid much attention to the new arrival on the scene- namely one eligible cutie going by the name of `Chris' with an altogether obvious interest in him. I may not be the oldest or wisest person on the planet (as Jase is fond of pointing out), but this definitely had potential. I had a strong certainty that the guy would be back again sometime, so for the moment I decided to just watch and see.
Jase nudged me in the ribs. "So, who was that?"
"That," and I paused for emphasis, "could be either the best thing that ever happened to Eric, or the worst."
"Huh?"
"Well, the way I see it, Eric has never dated anyone before, right?"
"And?"
"Do you remember the first person you fell for?"
"A real person, or do comic book superheros count?" He flashed me a quick smile.
"Get serious. Do you remember how well everything went that first time?"
Jase thought for a moment, wiping the counter idly, then glanced at Eric as he passed through. "Er, well, as I recall, it didn't-but, in the long run, everything did. I just didn't know what I wanted at first."
"Ok, so you see what I'm driving at. I'm not saying Eric is going to go through the same things necessarily, but he's got a lot of learning to do in that department. We all did. I mean, look at what he did to impress me, that night on the fire escape. . .?"
Jase twisted the rag around his hand. "Well, it was a little weird his trying to sneak an orchid into your collection on the roof that night, and all of us thinking we were getting robbed. I know what you're saying, but everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes they're huge and foolish. It's a part of life."
"Yeah, but that's something you do when you're, oh, I don't know, fifteen maybe? Eric is nineteen, and for all practical purposes an adult. His dating maturity has a lot of catching up to do."
"Well, you're the one that wanted a child to take care of, looks like you got your wish. He ducked as I tried to swat him. "Look, Zach--it'll be ok, just let nature do the work for you. You think too much, sometimes."
Kara chose that moment to interject. "The subject of conversation, is. . .?
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"It's Eric-looks like he's got an admirer of his own."
Jase had decided to spill the beans to Kara, and nothing would do but to tell all.
"Wait, let me get this straight. His name is Chris?"
"Uh yeah, is that a problem?"
"Only if he becomes a fixture around here . . .I don't want him turning up every time I yell for my son."
Jase leaned over her shoulder. "Don't worry, none of us listens anyway. Besides, Eric hasn't even looked twice at him yet."
"Drama." It sounded like an ominous prediction the way Kara said it. "Just what we all needed in our busy, busy lives. Less talk and more work is what we really need, and when that boy starts dating we'll all have to take turns holding his hand. I just hope he's smart enough not to jump into that Chris guy's pants right off the bat, who knows where that guy's been."
Kara's ingrained dissatisfaction with men in general and trademark pessimism comes out more frequently than we like, but considering where she's been, it makes sense. Basically, her tirade for Eric really meant she cared, and I felt a certain empathy for each and every future suitor. Kara does a great job mothering all of us and rarely fails to give us the right advice at the right time, whether we want it or not. Usually not. This is why I typically avoid certain subjects, but Jase enjoys egging her on sometimes.
"Ok, everybody hush, here he comes." I'm sure we must have looked suspicious, but if Eric noticed he didn't say.
I caught up with them later that afternoon as they finished with their workout; I know Jase would appreciate it if I participated, if for no other reason than my general health, but he bugs me much less now that Eric's around. It's a win-win situation for me.
Shirts were off and both guy's torsos shone in the sunlight. It was a nice contrast, one light and the other tan, and I felt a sudden flush that had less to do with the heat than with the view. Eric started flicking me with his shirt, and I twisted and Jase in front of me as my shield. Keeping a grip was tough, as Jase was slippery with sweat, and I wrinkled my nose at them both.
"I've often wondered what `teen spirit' smelled like, I guess now I know."
Eric flicked his wrist again, grinning, only this time his aim went terribly awry and he caught Jase right in the nuts. As Jase doubled over, gasping, Eric dropped his shirt and begged forgiveness, a look of shock plastered across his face.
"Well, this is what happens when you start horsing around--does it hurt much babe?" I patted his back, my own testicles smarting a little in sympathy and suddenly drawn up tight.
"Ahhhh, I just gotta work it off, ok?" He clutched himself, gently rubbing, his eyes shut and teeth clenched in pain, while I kneeled next to him and rubbed his back. Eric stood there shifting from foot to foot, torn between wanting to help and wanting to stay beyond reach.
"Hey, you know I didn't mean it Jase." Sympathy won out as Eric squatted down next to me and put a hand on Jase's back too in support. In a blur of motion, Jase whipped his arm around, toppling Eric over backwards, and, while Eric was struggling to get up, grabbed his shorts by the waistband and yanked hard.
I put a hand over my eyes in mock horror, but even so the afterimage of the obviously not-so- little man in all his sweaty, youthful glory was etched on my eyballs. Whoof. I have a feeling some guy is going to be very happy when Eric gets naked that first time.
Jase was bent over again, laughing, albeit at a safe distance from the indignant Eric, who had gotten his pants mostly up again and was adjusting things. I gave him a `watch this' look and walked over to Jase; taking up a position next to him I knew I could catch him completely by surprise by pulling the same trick on him. He never saw it coming as I whipped his trunks to his ankles. What I didn't expect, and while Eric and I were doing high fives, was Jase simply stepping out of the shorts and tossing them over one shoulder, as he walked to the swing and sat down.
Scratching himself, Jase spread his legs wide and leaned his head back. "Ahh, just feel that breeze."
Eric was doing his best not to get caught looking, but finally gave up and I realized the joke had been on me all along. I trust Jase completely, but he did a lot of what could only be described as `locker room humor' which I think is what you must get when you put enough testosterone in the same vicinity. I wasn't going to go about flashing anyone, Eric was like a younger brother, and there was a lot of shared intimacy and affection between us all these days.
Although, when Eric stripped off his shorts, too, I felt it necessary to protest. "Uh, guys-are we tanning in the nude or are you just going to do something manly like piss on our roof while checking each other out?"
"No need to measure, I know I don't compete with that-but you on the other hand. . ." He trailed off, and gave me his wickedest grin.
"C'mon Zach, make me proud."
"I certainly will not." I put one hand on my hip and, pointing the other at Jase, shot him one of my sister's finest disapproving looks. "And you, Danger Boy, you need to put your shorts back on."
"Ok, ok." He bent over to pick up his shorts and grinned at me from between his legs. You know, Zach, you were the one that pantsed me, I was really starting to have hope for you when you pulled my shorts off. It wouldn't hurt to let your hair down once and awhile, it feels great."
"Whatever. Now you go get cleaned up, I'm going to water plants, and Eric-we'll see you tomorrow. With pants."
They walked away still flicking shirts at each other, but right when they got to the door, I gave them a shout. There, in the shade under the arbor, I dropped my pants just low enough to expose my butt as I wagged it back and forth at them. Jase was right, it did feel good. With a hearty round of clapping and catcalls ringing out behind me, I smiled and pulled up my zipper with a satisfying tug.