Loving Conor

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Loving Conor - Chapter 18

I fumbled my phone taking it from my pocket, then tried to steady my hands to push the right numbers. I managed to hit the 9 and 1 before Conor yelled out.

"Wait, B! He didn't do it!"

I rushed over and knelt next to Tom. He was breathing but unresponsive.

"If he didn't do it, then what's wrong?"

"I tackled him off that stool... I didn't mean to hit him so hard."

A cursory check of the room revealed the first aid kit mounted on the wall... something I should have looked for before but didn't. I popped the lid on the box, then popped the ammonia pack under Tom's nose. Tom inhaled deeply, then opened his eyes wide and pushed away from Conor, backing up frantically and gasping for air.

"The fuck, bro!? I think you cracked a rib!"

"I'm sorry, but what the fuck were you thinking?!"

"I wasn't thinking, god damn it! If I could take it back, I would, but it's too fucking late for that!"

As Tom was yelling at Conor, Luke entered the room, followed by Sam.

Luke yelled at Conor. "Damn it, Conor, you promised!"

Sam ran to Tom, yelling, "What the shit is happening?!"

Conor yelled at Luke. "I wasn't trying to hurt him!"

Tom yelled at Conor. "Luke said you were pissed at me, so go ahead and finish what you mother fucking started! I fucking deserve that shit, and I know it, so come on, hit me again!"

Conor yelled back at Tom. "I don't want to hit you, Tom, and nothing is worth taking your life over! I love you... we all love you, and what happened with Luke isn't going to change that! Nothing will!"

Tom looked confused, then looked up at the rope. "Oh, fuck, bro... no, fucking no! The rope is for tonight! You think I was gonna off myself? I'm fucked in the head, but not that fucked in the head!"

"That's exactly what you were doing! I know what I saw!"

Sam started yelling at Conor, Tom started yelling at Sam, Luke started yelling at everyone, and nothing was getting resolved. I used the talent for extremely loud whistling I had inherited from my father to quiet the room.

"We are all understandably excited, but since this is about Tom, let's hear him out."

Calmer heads prevailed as Tom explained himself. "What you saw is me tryin' to figure out how to get that damn dick up there by myself." Tom pointed to a large, penis shaped, object that was sitting on the floor near the entrance. "The rope for a piñata, bro."

"A what?"

"It for Kat's birthday party. He's full of candy and toys from Charles, and heavy as fuck. I would have asked for help but I didn't want to get my dick ripped off."

"I didn't mean... I wasn't really going to..." Conor walked over and wrapped his arms around Tom.

"Ouch!"

"Shit, I'm sorry, Tom."

"Just messing with you. Were you crying for me, bro?"

"Maybe... okay, yes. I care about you."

"I know you do. If you ever need saved, I'll be there to knock you out, too."

"We can help with the pin... dick... thing."

"Sure, but I got business to take care of first."

Tom walked over to Luke. "I'm sorry Little Bro, I should have never come on to you. I fucked up."

Luke's eyebrows wrinkled. "Everyone keeps acting like I had nothing to do with it, but I was there and I know what I did. You can't take all the blame, Tom."

Tom shook his head. "No, I can't take all the blame, but I do take responsibility and I gotta own up. If I tried that shit on you now, would you go for it?"

Luke opened his mouth to say something, then just looked down and shook his head, no.

Sam walked over and hugged her brother. "We already talked about this, Luke. Yeah, it was stupid and irresponsible, but we weren't exactly good examples for you, were we? Tom wouldn't do it again and neither would you, so let's learn and move on, okay?" Luke nodded and buried his head in his sister's shoulder.

Connor looked at the big dick on the ground. "The fuck is a piñata?"

Luke followed with his own question. "The fuck is this room?"

Tom explained the history and make up of piñatas as Conor and I helped hang it up. Luke explored the Red Room, intrigued and imagining the possibilities which was obvious by the growing bulge in his denim shorts. Sam tolerated Luke's curiosity until he sat in the sling and put his legs in the stirrups.

"Time for you to go home, Luke."

Luke casually rocked back and forth. "Um, yeah, about that... my car made the long journey today."

"The long... what are you talking about?"

"It bit the asphalt... met its manufacturer... took a cruise down the gold highway to the big junk yard in the sky..."

"Okay, it died, I got it. I guess you'll be taking the bus then."

"Come on, mom! Can't I stay for Kat's party? I know her too, in case you forgot."

"Stop calling me mom, Luke. You haven't seen Kat in years, and the party is for..."

"Adults? We've already established that I'm not 16 anymore. I won't drink if that's what you're worried about.'

"It's not that. It would just be weird having my little brother around with... you should just go home."

I was just about to let Sam off the hook when Conor beat me too it... a bit less tactful than I had in mind.

"It's the sex, Luke. Just take a look around you."

"You're telling me that people will be having sex at a birthday party?"

Sam quickly clarified the statement. "No, not at the party, but... this is getting awkward. Just go home, please?"

"Well, I can't leave my car in the restaurant parking lot, and it'll be too late for a bus by the time I get it hauled off to... who knows where."

I tapped Sam on the shoulder and led her to the hallway, out of earshot from Luke.

"I'll have to run it past Conor, but Luke could hang with us tonight if he wants. If you're worried about him being here for the event, we can skip it and find something else to do. It's not like we participate anyway."

"I can't ask you to do that, Brandon, you know how late it stays freaky here."

"It's not a problem as long as you're okay running the show without us. Besides, he is an adult now, and a kick to be around."

"Fine, I suppose he can come to the party, just make sure he doesn't see... you know what I mean."

"I do, and don't worry, I'll blindfold him if I have to."

I walked back into the room just in time to catch a stray Frisbee, badly thrown by Luke. A Frisbee wasn't quite the toy I would expect to see in the Red Room, but it was something I had experience with. I spun the disk on my finger, then tossed it behind my back to Conor, inciting a cheer from Luke.

"Damn, B got mad skills!"

If looks could kill... I saw the fleeting glare of jealousy when Luke used Conor's pet name for me. The look passed as quickly as it came, replaced by a smile. I caught up with my Love as he flicked the Frisbee back to the younger man. Before I could mention anything, Conor whispered.

"What would you say about Luke hanging with us tonight?"

I whispered back my conversation with Sam while I watched Luke sneak up behind Conor. What I didn't see was the cat-o-nine tails that popped across Conor's ass cheeks. Luke dropped the whip and fled the scene with Conor on his heels.

Sam paused from her task of helping Tom with decorations and grinned. "Don't look at me..."

"I know. It was my idea, right?"

"Yep. Good luck with that."

I noticed Tom reach around Sam and kiss her neck as I walked from the room. The words Conor spoke echoed in my mind... "There's always hope, Luke..."

Even with the things I had experienced at The House, the concepts of open relationships and free-for-all sex was still fuzzy to me. On one hand, Sam had no qualms about banging a complete stranger. On the other hand, she obviously had issues with her brother seeing her do it... or at least watching him do it. Either way she was bound by some level of shame or guilt, and neither of those lend to openness or freedom. Given our quick engagement, the topic was one that Conor and I hadn't thoroughly discussed, but one that needed to be addressed sooner than later.

I walked into the Common Room to a full blown wrestling match. It was likely not their first skirmish, but the "little squirt" had grown, and Conor had his hands full. It was apparent to me that Luke had spent some time learning grappling skills, which he deftly used to trap one of Conor's arms behind his back and press the side of his face into the rug.

"Say it!"

Connor met my eyes and winked, then proceeded to do a one arm push-up, lifting himself and Luke off the floor. Luke lost his balance and his grip on Conor's arm when Conor twisted his body around. The move was impressive, but Luke grinned when he ended up sitting on Conor's chest, pinning both arms to the floor.

"Ha! I got you! Just give up and say it!"

Conor smiled as his feet appeared under Luke's arms on either side of his body.

"Oh, shi..."

The expletive was cut off as Conor locked his ankles together, putting Luke in a game ending leg vice. Luke's face twisted and changed colors.

"Say it, Luke."

"Ah, fuck... Uncle, damn it!"

"Close enough."

The two stood up and maneuvered through some secret handshake.

"Damn, I thought I'd be able to take you by now."

"Was that Jiu Jitsu?"

"Yeah, I've been taking lessons, but a lot of good it did against you and your damned gymnast flexibility."

"Bullshit, you almost had me."

"Bullshit, you were just toying with me."

"Nah, give yourself more credit."

I noticed Conor's phone buzzing on the floor, then picked it up. "It's Sean, babe."

While Connor walked toward the bar with his phone, Luke changed the topic away from his defeat.

"So where did you learn to use a Frisbee like that?"

"It's just something everyone did when I was younger. We didn't have access to all of the electronic gadgets the kids have now."

"Well you were probably better off without all the video games. I would rather go hiking or surfing, or toss a ball around than blow up pixels any day."

"You're right about that, and it's obvious you don't sit on your ass pushing buttons all the time."

"Um, I hate to ask, but do you think I could get a ride back to my car? I need to do something with it before it's too late or I'll be hitching home."

"I'm more than happy to, but you can hang with us tonight if you want. I've already cleared it with your sister, and she's good with you going to the party, too."

"Yes... I mean, that would be great. Thank you."

Conor returned with a smile on his face.

"How is he?"

"Giddy as a little girl now that he's released from his cell. He won't be back to work for a while, but his doc says he can go out as long as he takes it easy."

"Do you think he's up for being kidnapped?"

"I think he would pay for someone to kidnap him."

"Let's do it then."

"He was just headed to another appointment, so we'll have to find something to do in the meantime."

"That's perfect. We'll use the time to help Luke with his car."

We ran into Sam in the hallway as we were headed to Sweets. "So what are you troublemakers up to?"

Luke shrugged. "From what I gather, we're going to deal with my car, then kidnap a psychotic mental patient who just got out of prison."

Sam looked at me, then Conor, who grinned. "Should be fun, you want to come?"

Sam grinned back, obviously used to the shenanigans. "Yeah, no. I'm trying to cut down on felonies this year, but thanks for the offer."

I drove to the restaurant as Conor told Luke about Sean. It surprised me at first how many details were being given out, then I realized why. Sean's past had been no joke, and all the talk of prison and psychopaths could have unintended consequences. Luke was given just enough information to keep from saying something he would regret. I glanced back at Luke in the rearview mirror, noting the compassion in his expression and a mist in his eyes.

The parking lot was full, except for the two spots on either side of Luke's car, which was convenient and a bit funny. Luke noticed, too, and chuckled. "They think it's contagious. I guess I'll call a scrapyard to come get it."

Though no mechanic, I did have some experience with fixing cars. "Before you do that, pop the hood and let me take a look."

I took a few minutes to check the car, surprised at the difference under the hood compared to the outside. It was obvious that Luke had kept his car properly maintained. The engine was nearly spotless, and all of the fluids and belts checked out except for one. I looked underneath to see a puddle of oil.

"Luke, it looks like a blown filter gasket. If the engine wasn't run too long without oil, we may be able to fix this. When did that clanking sound start?"

"Right down the street, then a red light came on the dash."

"Get anything valuable out and have it towed to The House. I'll text Tom so he can receive it, then I'll see what I can do in the morning."

Luke rummaged through the cab, grabbing a handful of small items, then hesitated before opening the trunk. "Guys... I would rather you didn't see this, but I can't risk leaving it."

We looked inside to see several boxes filled with individual zip bags of socks, jocks, t-shirts, and briefs. Conor snickered. "I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't that."

I chuckled. "You carry a lot of underwear around for someone who doesn't wear it."

Luke looked a bit embarrassed and shook his head. "I know I'll catch shit, but I may as well tell you. This is all for my business."

Conor pulled a package out. None of the items looked new, and the white jockstrap inside the bag was covered in stains. "Do you laundry other people's skivvies, or what?"

"No. I sell them. These are all accounted for and ready to be shipped."

I expected more laughs and jokes from Conor, but he simply asked. "How much?"

"It depends. The items get auctioned off to the highest bidder, but the average for jocks is usually around forty. The briefs are about the same, and the socks and shirts usually go for less, but not always."

Conor put the filthy jock back. "Finish the story while we move these."

"It all started when a guy at the gym offered twenty bucks for my jock. The next week he asked for a pair of briefs and socks for his friends. It wasn't long before I couldn't keep up with the demand. As a business student, I saw the potential and made my own website. It's all about finding and filling a need."

Conor put the last box in my trunk. "So much for poor college student. You must have a thousand dollars of profit in there... and what is that, one month worth of merchandise?"

"One week, actually, but I don't get all the profit. There's no way I can go through this much on my own so I've had to recruit all my friends to help for a cut. I've had a lot of requests for photos and videos of the guys in their gear, but I really don't want to get into the porn industry. I'm working on a way to allow the buyers to negotiate directly with the boys without passing on any personal information. If they want to up the ante by recording themselves jizzing in a jock, it's on their terms."

I noticed Luke wasn't meeting our eyes. "I guess it's kind of a pathetic way to make money, but..."

I put my hand on Luke's shoulder. "It's not pathetic, it's friggin' genius, that's what it is."

Luke finally looked up and smiled. "Well, it'll work for now, but the business model is flawed. There's simply too much demand and too many complications finding people to supply the goods."

Conor closed the trunk. "It's impressive, Luke, and so are you."

Luke blushed. "Stop or you'll make me cry."

After waiting nearly an hour for the tow truck, we grabbed some takeout for lunch and made our way to Sean's house. Sean had apparently just showered and was standing in the kitchen with damp hair and wearing nothing but a towel. Conor yelled out his customary insult...

"Ey, dosser, get some clothes on already!"

Sean had his face buried in the top half of a blender, chugging down what appeared to be a protein shake. He lifted his middle finger, then turned around and dropped his towel, mooning us as he took the last few gulps.

Conor grinned. "I brought company, dipshit."

Had it been me, I would have scrambled for my towel, but Sean pulled the blender away from his mouth and slowly turned back to face us, revealing a white mustache and, well... everything else.

As with most of his physical characteristics, Sean's body contrasted sharply with Conor's... darker skin tone, sleek and less muscular, but still well defined. Two bandages on his right side and some bruising were the only signs of the horrific beating the resilient young man had taken. A thin pelt of black hair covered his chest, then faded over his abs until starting back as a trail to the bushy pubes surrounding his circumcised manhood. Not usually a big fan of body hair, even I couldn't deny the look was attractive on him. When I realized I was staring, I tore my eyes away and met a pair of green eyes above a sly grin.

"Take a picture, B, it'll last longer."

I did my best not to blush, but felt the warmth in my cheeks and knew I had failed in the endeavor.

Conor turned his teasing gaze from me to Luke. I expected an introduction but none came. Looking back and forth between the two, I realized what the delay was about... Sean and Luke were completely transfixed on each other. Sean was still holding the blender a few inches from his face, looking for all the world like a Greek statue with a modern twist. Conor waved his hand in front of Luke's face, but didn't even get a blink, so he turned his attention to Sean.

"Eh, glad eye, this is Luke."

Luke took two steps toward Sean, who looked at the blender as if wondering where it had come from, then set it on the table and took Luke's hand. "Sean... it's a pleasure."

There was no shaking in the handshake, just holding. My mind flew back to the day I met Conor, and I realized what was potentially transpiring between the two. I heard a car tire screech at the same time as Conor yelled out.

"Sean, cop on! Yer ma just pulled in!"

The announcement woke Sean up, but not enough to let go of Luke's hand. Sean took off toward his room... with Luke in tow.

Conor picked up Sean's towel as I asked the question of the day... or at least the hour, given we still had plenty of day left.

"What the hell just happened?"

Conor grabbed my hand. "I don't know, but I'm not waiting here. Let's go!"

I felt like a teenager again as we ran to avoid the moms, hitting Sean's bedroom door as the front door was opening. Somehow my mind already had the pair hard at it on the bed, but I was relieved to see Sean selecting clothes from a drawer while explaining some Irish lingo to Luke.

"To cop on means, um, to get a grip."

Sean turned to Conor as he slipped a pair of briefs and shorts on.

"What's the craic... er... what are we doing?"

"Lunch at the park, then maybe a movie if you're up to it."

"I am, but can I stay with you guys tonight? I swear I'll die if I don't get out of this hole for a time!"

Conor looked my way. I wasn't quite sure which answer he wanted me to give, so I simply smiled and nodded. He turned back to Sean with a bit of hesitation in his answer.

"Aye, but we're short on beds then."

Sean opened the bottom drawer of his dresser, then grimaced and held his ribs as he tried to lift something out. Conor quickly grabbed the package as Sean explained what it was.

"Self-inflating mattress. It's quite comfortable, but a booger to get back in the case."

Everyone turned to the sound of an acoustic guitar strumming sweetly. Luke started to put the instrument down as if he was caught doing something wrong. Sean smiled and pulled another guitar and a notebook from the closet. "Bring it, let's jam."

After introducing Luke to Chloe and Nancy, we managed to make a quick exit, narrowly escaping a fashion show of new outfits Sean had gifted the ladies for taking such good care of him.

Conor drove while I held the containers of food on my lap. The two bucks sat in the back seat with their guitars, whispering in each other's ears and laughing about who knows what. I had to nudge Conor to keep him focused on the road instead of the rearview mirror. I could tell he wasn't completely happy with the situation, and I had a feeling I knew why.

The slightly overcast sky and a soft breeze made for a perfect day to be outside. Conor had chosen a park that was beautiful, somewhat secluded, and nearly empty of people. After locking the guitars in the trunk, we gathered around a wooden table and sorted out burgers and fries that had gone cool and a bit soggy, but no one complained. All the worry and stress of life faded away at that table, and I found myself in a "stop and smell the roses" moment. The banter between Conor and Sean was, as always, laced with subtle smiles and gestures... the soft but purposeful touch of my Love's leg as it pressed against mine... the laughter that so easily rolled from Luke's tongue... the hope in Sean's eyes where there had been despair and pain. I had left my one time home with Julie, not realizing it was no longer a home without her, but in that moment I felt the unmistakable tug on my heartstrings. I was home again... truly, truly, home.

I felt strong fingers on my leg, then turned to an inquisitive look from Conor and answered the question I knew was on his mind.

"I'm just happy, babe."

My answer was acknowledged by the squeeze of my thigh. I reached down and took Conor's hand in mine, then stuffed a fry in my face with the other hand. The move made me realize that Luke and Sean were both only eating with one hand each, Luke with his left, and Sean with his right. An "accidental" drop of my napkin gave me a chance to verify that the two were indeed holding hands. As soon as we were done with our food, I pulled Conor away for a walk.

We made our way through some trees and crossed a trail, then stood at the edge of a pond. I brought up the topic as we tossed breadcrumbs to the ducks.

"You weren't expecting Sean and Luke to connect like that, were you?"

"No, not at all. I had no idea Sean would be interested in a lad."

"It doesn't surprise me. Luke is basically a younger version of you."

I saw Conor reason with the concept, then nod in agreement. "I would say it's too soon for a new relationship, but there was no love in his last one, only pain. Sean was allowing himself to be punished for losing me, and for... something that happened with his father."

I put my arm over Conor's shoulders. "Chloe told me what happened. There's no way around something like that messing with your head."

"That's my concern, B. Luke is sweet and naive, and I would hate to see Sean's past destroy that."

"Well, as his brother, you should talk to Sean. Luke will need to know what he's getting himself into if things start to get serious. Although with you back in his life, it seems Sean is allowing himself to heal."

"Did you say, brother?"

I chuckled and kissed Conor's cheek. "More than friends, no longer lovers, you must be brothers."

Conor narrowed his eyes, but failed to hide his true emotions. "Aye, so you're a poet now? That Geebag, my brother?"

"You're only proving my point."

There was no cue for the kiss that followed... or the hand that snuck between my legs. A muffled moan was the only response I could give as my cock went instantly stiff beneath his fingers. I pulled my face away, already breathing heavily.

"D-don't start what you can't finish, babe."

"Watch me!" I knew the look, and I was absolutely helpless against it. I heard my zipper unzip, then felt the fresh air around my dick as it was pulled through my fly.

"We... we shouldn't..."

Conor dropped to his knees and looked up, but didn't move otherwise. He thought he was making it my choice to keep going or to stop, but there was no denying those pleading greens. His mouth opened as I moved forward and let the head of my cock slide down his wet tongue. I moaned again, feeling the drop of precum as it ejected from my dick slit. Like a wild animal tasting blood, the sweet cream incited Conor's cumlust. Without closing his lips, my Love lifted up, letting my cock drive down his throat.

Though we'd had sex in public before, the park was no nude beach. My subconscious recognized the possible consequences of getting caught, which only served to turn me on and heighten my senses. I made the choice then to close my eyes and go with it.

My Love's fabulous lips closed around the base of my rod, then pulled away and back up again. My hands moved to his head, but were pushed aside. It was obvious who was in charge of the indecent blowjob, and it wasn't me. Once again my cock was engulfed to the hilt. I moaned and my body jerked when I felt his warm tongue on my balls... then sighed as my cock popped from his lips. I heard Conor take a breath before quickly impaling himself on me... then doing something that blew my mind!

As if actually trying to swallow my cock, Conor's throat grabbed ahold of my dick head. My eyes popped open to see his smiling eyes looking back at me. I grunted deep as the swallowing sensation continued to massage my cock, over and over and over. My hands involuntarily moved to his head again as the pressure started to build in my abs, then my balls. Conor's thick hair found its way between my clenched fists when it hit... a sensation like millions of volts of electricity coursed through my body as the first load of cum left my cock. The floodgates opened for the second load, pouring excessive amounts of spunk down his throat. My mind completely scrambled and I lost all awareness of my surroundings, as well as the ability to know up from down. The next thing I knew, I was lying in the grass convulsing with Conor still between my legs. It took a few moments before I could speak again.

"What... what the fuck did you just do to me?"

Conor put my oversensitive cock back in his mouth, then pulled it out with a pop, making my body spasm again. "I'm not sure. I felt like I needed to swallow and just kept going... speaking of going, we should. Three people passed down the trail and the last one pulled her phone out while she was walking away."

I jumped to my feet, tucking my dick back in my pants. "Fuck. There weren't any kids were there?"

"Simmer down, it was just adults. The kids are on school curfew, and I would have stopped if I saw them coming..."

I grabbed Conor's hand to get the hell out of the area. Once we were to the treeline, I slowed and tried to act natural, which I knew only looked unnatural. I realized panic wasn't doing any good so I stopped by a large tree and pulled Conor to me, pressing my lips to his and tasting my cum on his tongue.

"That was amazing, babe."

Conor smiled. "Yeah, I could tell by the amount of spunk you injected in me, not to mention the whole falling down thing. I'll be doing that again for sure."

"No! I mean, I loved it, but maybe save it for special times. I'm fairly certain my heart stopped."

Conor chuckled. "Trust me, it was beating. I could feel it in your..."

The sound of voices got our attention. We snuck from tree to tree until the table was in sight, then saw two uniformed officers talking to Sean and Luke. I peeked over a branch as we hid ourselves, then realized one of the officers was turned in our direction. Conor peered over and put his fingers to his mouth as if to whistle. I freaked out for a moment... then caught myself looking for a bird. As the realistic song chirped from Conor's lips, I peeked over the branch again to see Sean pointing in the opposite direction as we were standing. After a few moments, another "chirping bird" called back, signaling that the coast was clear.

Instead of heading straight to the table, Conor led me through the trees to the parking lot, where Sean and Luke were already waiting in the back seat of Sweets. I took the wheel and slowly drove to the street, trying not to draw attention to ourselves. Of course Sean had something to say about our woodland excursion.

"Boltin' from the shades again, ey chancer?"

Conor reached back and gave Sean a fist bump. "Aye, thanks for keepin' sketch."

Though I wasn't exactly clear what the two had just said, it didn't seem to be the verbal boxing match I had anticipated. However, it was clear they had developed some skill for avoiding arrest, and I knew I was in for a few good stories. Luke seemed to be more stoic than usual. I thought maybe he had been offended by our actions until he finally blurted out.

"Oh! You guys were...!"

Sean filled in the blanks. "Nearly arrested for having a fuck in the park. Some things never..."

Conor fired back, but couldn't keep a straight face. "Shut yer pie-hole, Sean! It was just... a blowjob." The statement was followed by a snort from Luke and a car full of belly laughs.

We had finally calmed down when I pulled into the movie theater parking lot. I had visions of returning the blowjob favor to Conor, and just thinking about it made me hard again. Then I realized I would have to do it sitting next to Luke and Sean, so I decided to postpone the act for later.

In all my years of going to the movies with a group, I couldn't once recall everyone agreeing on what to watch, and this time was proving no different. It had all come down to rock-paper-scissors, with the final round being played by Luke and Conor. I was standing next to Sean and noticed he looked pale.

"Are you okay, Sean?"

"I um... a bit knackered, but I'll be..."

As Sean's knees gave out, I grabbed an arm to hold him up. Luke raced to the other arm, but it was obvious our strategy would only work for a moment. Conor moved behind Sean, then scooped him up in his arms.

Sean was carried across the room to a padded bench, then gently laid down. It was obvious he was conscious since he talked the whole way, but mostly in Gaelic. I checked his pulse as Conor replied in English, "I love you too, brother."

Having determined his heart rate was not too far off normal, I squeezed Sean's finger, noting that it stayed white under his nail instead of returning to pink when I let go. Once again I found myself thankful for the training I had received to take care of Julie.

"He's badly dehydrated."

Luke shot up. "I'll go get some water!"

I grabbed Luke's wrist before he could take off. "Not water, find a sports drink. He needs electrolytes."

Ignoring the curses from disgruntled customers, Luke forced his way to the front of the line. Less than a minute later, he was back with the blue liquid, which was promptly put to Sean's lips.

"Slow, Luke. Only a little at a time or he'll toss it back up."

It wasn't long before Sean was arguing with both Luke and Conor about going to the hospital. All three boys finally turned to me, apparently to make the final call.

"Well, I'm no doctor but I think you'll be fine with some rest. Your body is exerting most of its energy trying to heal itself, and you pushed a bit too hard. Maybe we should take this party home and chill for a while."

Sean stood up, still a bit unsteady on his feet, prompting Conor and Luke to grab his arms again. Instead of complaining, Sean stood tall and grinned. "Let's go pretty boys."

As we pulled up to The House, we saw Luke's car parked out front. I noticed right off that it had new tires, then saw two legs sticking out from underneath. I stopped to let Luke hop out, then decided to park partially up the side driveway when Sean followed, still holding Luke's hand.

Tom wormed his way out from under the car holding a rag. "Sup, guys?"

It took a moment for Tom to recognize Sean. "Damn, dude, it's good to see you on your feet. You were mighty fucked up the last time I saw you. You're Sean, right?"

Sean smiled and held his hand out. "Aye, an' you're Tom."

"Yeah, man. No hard feelings for the first time we met, right? I was just..."

"You were just takin' care of Conor, so no... no hard feelings."

Tom turned to Luke and smiled. "She got new kicks, fresh oil, and a new filter. She's ready for the road."

"You're amazing, Tom, but I can't let you pay for all that. How did you even get it done so fast?"

"A guy I know has a mobile rig. We got a sweet deal on the rubber and free labor to put `em on. You can pay me back whenever, bro, no hurry."

Luke pulled his wallet out, handing Tom some cash. "I was already saving for the tires, so I might have enough."

"Nah, that's too much, bro." Tom handed Luke a few bills back. "Should be enough to take your new boyfriend out."

"Boyfriend? Oh, we're just friends."

"Whatever you say, little bro. I gotta get cleaned up... Oh, and Kat is looking for you. Better watch out, Medusa is hungry."

Tom had closed the door behind him, leaving a confused look on Luke's face. "Medusa... what?"

Conor smiled a sly grin. "You've not seen Kat's tattoo then?"

Luke shook his head.

"I'll tell you later, but I would advise against asking her about it. We wouldn't want you turned to stone now, would we?"

Conor led the two boys in the front door while I finished parking Sweets in the back. I had intended on helping with any setup, but discovered it was already done when I walked into the Common Room to find a table full of virtual reality headsets, and three silly looking young men with goggles on.

Sean reached out to touch something that wasn't there. "It looks so real. What's yours, Luke?"

"I don't know yet, but something is... Wait, it's a dragon! It just grabbed me and carried me away. I think it's going to eat me... holy shit, it has a huge dick! Nope, definitely not going to eat me... Oh my God I'm being raped!"

Luke pulled his headset off. "That was... cool and extremely disturbing at the same time. What do you see, Sean?"

"No dragons here, but I can tell you what it's like to be in a merrow... um, mer-people orgy. Conor?"

"I've always wanted to fly, so I picked gliding over the Grand Canyon."

"There was a selection? I could have avoided future nightmares about horny dragons if I would have known."

"Sorry, Luke, that's my bad. I'm the one who rented these so I knew about the selector button on the side."

Conor pulled his set off. "Oh, hey B. You want to try?"

"Maybe Later. I think our Merman is floundering. Let's get him settled and get Luke to the party."

Luke grabbed Sean's hand. "That's okay, I would rather stay with Sean... er... you guys. Just show me where your room is and I'll go tell Kat happy birthday and meet you there."

After sending Luke to find Kat, we got Sean in the room then grabbed his stuff from the car. Once we returned, my mind picked up on the fact that something in Conor's room was different. It wasn't until he flicked on the blue lights that I realized what it was. The erotic photos had been exchanged with the photos he took of us.

"You put them up! When did you have time for that?"

"While you were talking with Sam... but you say that like you knew about them."

"Oh... I... I saw them when I stole your pillow. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spoil your surprise."

"Were you surprised when you saw them?"

"I was, and they motivated me not to give up. I really love them, babe."

"Then it's all good, B."

We got Sean vertical on the bed then made a couple trips through The House, gathering items for our little party. I snagged one of the card tables and four folding chairs, then filled a styrofoam chest with ice and cold drinks. Conor brought back six large pillows and a box of board games.

We all sat staring. The thing made no sound as it blossomed like a giant white flower... larger and larger until it was finally done.

Sean smiled. "Try it guys."

We both put a hand on the now flat object, pushing down as if unsure it would hold us before climbing on.

Conor looked as surprised as I was. "Damn, it's more comfortable than mine."

"I told you."

After pushing the mattress against a wall, Conor covered it with an extra sheet and blanket, then added the six pillows.

"All set. Now all we need is Luk..."

A wide eyed Luke burst through the door, then closed and locked it behind him. After the trouble with Eve and what happened to Sean, my heart skipped a beat, imagining the worst, but Conor just laughed...

"You saw it, didn't you?"

Luke nodded. "I decided to stay for the piñata. It was fun, so I stayed a bit longer. Kat... Kat cornered me...."

Conor chuckled again. "I warned you not to ask her."

"I... I knew it was a tattoo, but Medusa... her mouth... it was Kat's vagina!"

I held it in as best as I could, noting Conor did the same, until Sean asked...

"Did ya touch it?"

Laughter boiled out, ultimately enticing Luke to smack us with a pillow, starting a three-way pillow fight. Sean tried to join in which ended the brawl, much to his annoyance.

To make up for spoiling his good time, Sean was allowed to pick from a pile of games that Conor had pulled from the event stash, taking care to remove the games that required players to engage in sexual acts. Sean selected a game called "Nothing but the Truth", which seemed to be a version of Truth or Dare without the dare. The rules were simple - pick a card from a dispenser, read it out loud, then answer the question or questions for points. Each card was worth one point with the possibility to earn or lose more points. A warning on the box read "Adult Content".

Conor volunteered, reading his card first. "Share something sexual about yourself that no other player knows. Gain three points if it's extremely revealing or embarrassing. Lose five points if the other players think it's boring."

"Let's see... okay I got it. I wanked off at school..."

Sean yelled out, "Boring! Minus five!"

Conor followed up. "Let me finish, snot wad! Mrs. O'Sullivan sent me to fetch her tea. She was being an even bigger bitch than normal, so... I squirted a load in her cream."

Sean chuckled. "Aye, that manky wagon deserved it. Max points then."

Running clockwise around the table, Luke read his question next. "Reveal the last dirty thought you remember having. Gain five points if it concerns another player. Lose five points for lying about not having dirty thoughts."

Luke's jaw dropped open. "Shit, seriously?"

Sean nudged Luke. "C'mon, spill it."

Luke shook his head. "Fine... I... I was wondering what the tea would taste like."

After a short round of laughter, both Sean and I confessed the same thought, then Sean picked his card.

"Spit or Swallow? Gain five points if you confess you've done it. Lose ten points for refusing to answer the question."

Sean laughed. "I suppose a straight lad would be hard pressed with this card. Of course I've done it, and I'll say swallow. Next."

I picked my card... and wished I hadn't. "Nope. Just dock 10 points for me."

Conor tried to grab the card, so I put it behind my back, only to have Sean's quick hand swipe it. To his credit, he didn't read it aloud, but Luke snagged it next, which put it back in Conor's reach and in his hand before Luke could read it.

I watched Conor read the card to himself before handing it back to me. "I won't judge you, B. Go ahead."

"You'll wonder what it is if I don't so... I guess."

"Describe the dirty thought you just had about another player other than a partner. Gain six points if the person would be willing to do it. Lose 10 points for lying about not having the dirty thought."

I hesitated, but couldn't handle everyone staring at me. "Shit, okay... I was wondering what Sean's chest hair feels like... there, I said it. Next!"

Of course no one was going to leave it at that. With the cat out of the bag, Sean lifted his t-shirt and grinned.

I shook my head. "I don't have to do it to get the points."

Luke blurted out, "I will!" then reached a hand over and announced, "It's soft."

Conor chuckled. "That's it? You probably have the cleanest dirty thoughts in the room." then stood and took my hand. "It's not like you're going to have sex with him. Come on, I'll do it with you."

A moment later and we were all petting Sean like a puppy... until the awkwardness caught up and laughter filled the room again. We ended the game without proclaiming a winner since we had only gone one of four rounds and I refused to answer any more questions. We all grabbed a drink from the cooler, with Sean moaning about only having sodas and not any Guinness. Luke and Sean sat together on Sean's mattress with guitars on their laps, while Conor and I sat on the bed.

Sean smiled at Conor. "Remember the song?"

Conor smiled back. "Word for word. It never leaves my mind."

Sean sang the first line while Conor picked up the second, then the two voices combined in amazing harmony.

"Two Lads O' Dublin"

"One dark and one fair"

"If you saw one"

"I bet you saw the pair"

"Two lads O' Dublin"

"If you see `em comin'"

"Mind yer yoke"

"Don't be a dope"

"You'd best head out the door"

"Oh, Two lads O' Dublin"

"There ain't no use in runnin'"

"`cause you can bet with no regret that they'll be back for more."

"Mind your yoke"

"It ain't no joke."

"`cause they'll be back for more!"

At the last verse, Sean handed Luke his notebook which apparently had the chords in it, then started the song over adding in the guitars. We all ran through the song at least four times together. As Conor and Sean sang, I could almost see the memories dancing in their mirthful eyes.

The two boys laughed, then explained that they had been labeled mischief makers and had written the song about themselves when they were kids. Luke turned a page of the notebook, then started playing another song he announced as "The Last Sunrise". Sean quickly put his hand in front of the page.

"Not that one, Luke."

Luke just nodded, but Conor wasn't about to drop it. "Don't listen to him, Luke. Keep playing."

Sean took the notebook back. "I would rather he didn't, arse wipe."

Conor's tone softened. "Please? I heard the first verse. I know it's about us."

Sean relented. "Aye, but it's not a merry tune, and I don't have the heart to sing it." then handed the notebook back to Luke. "Your voice is better for it anyway. Go ahead."

Luke cleared his throat, then started with the title again, "The Last Sunrise".

"We tossed our coin from the Ha'penny Bridge."

"You held my hand and we made a wish."

"Not for silver or gold."

"Nor for glory or fame."

"But forever, together, we would remain."

"We loved all night, your sweet lips on mine."

"Your green eyes at Sunrise, they ever did shine."

"But Two Lads O' Dublin were never meant to be."

"They didn't understand, so they took you from me."

"That coin lies in darkness in River Liffey, and the last Sunrise has left with thee."

"And Two Lads O' Dublin were never meant to be."

"The last Sunrise left with thee."

Silence hung thick in the air, and not an eye was dry. Conor climbed down and wrapped his arms around Sean and they both wept together, not out of sadness, but healing. Life had dealt them an unfair hand, but they had made it through... maybe not as they had expected, but they were together again, free to make their own choices and find happiness.

Luke finally broke the melancholy mood by singing the first song again. The song was followed by stories of rogue youth conning drunk adults out of their coin, which eventually gave the two enough buy bicycles. Conor told how they would stick playing cards in their spokes, making their bikes sound like motorcycles, which Luke and I thought was hilarious since we had both done the same thing. Late evenings of playing "Rounders" in the streets reminded Luke and I of playing stickball, which was usually followed by not-so-cunning excuses for being late for dinner. It seemed that kids were kids no matter what part of the world they came from.

After more songs were sung, more stories told, and leftover birthday cake demolished, we finally succumbed to the late hour. Conor and I sat at the table playing Rummy, while Luke and Sean lounged on the mattress, holding hands and whispering with their faces tantalizingly close.

The anticipation was driving me nuts, so I started volley of secret text messages with Conor...

"What are they waiting for, babe?"

"IDK... for the stars to align? They're ridiculously cute together though."

"Yes they are. Maybe for us to go to bed?"

"Nah, they're oblivious to anything but each other."

"Maybe they're trying not to rush things."

Conor just raised an eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, you're right. They've got it as bad as we did... still do :)"

"Knowing Sean, he's waiting for Luke to go first."

"That's it, and Luke is waiting for Sean."

"You know what else?"

"What, babe?"

"I love you, and Rummy."

"Shit! I love you, too."

Conor got up and pushed willing faces together. Eyes closed, lips locked and tongues snaked out as the light was switched off.

I felt his bare skin as he pressed his body into mine, then reached for his face and kissed his sweet lips. Unlike before, there was no need for urgency in our kiss, only tenderness and love. The sound of a waistband popping against bare skin and a giggle came from below... with slurping and hushed moaning quick to follow.

Knowing there was no sleep in our near future, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and sent one more message to my Love.

"I believe I owe you a blowjob."

To be continued...