New Experiences
When I got home, the first order of business was animal care, as always. It was an activity I'd come to enjoy - the smell of the barn, the animals' gentle nuzzling as I fed them, and Oreo's occasional unexpected rough tongue on my cheek. It was a constant in my life that I could only describe as joyful, even during rough times.
Finished with the morning tasks, I entered the kitchen and greeted my parents, who were having a late breakfast. Mom smiled at me.
"Sure you don't want more to eat?"
I sat down with them. "Thanks, but the ranch boy special at the roadhouse topped off with a cinnamon roll took care of me for the morning."
Dad smiled knowingly. "Worked up an appetite, did you?"
I smiled back. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Mom had a few schedule updates, as she often did.
"You may recall that your dad has a company conference tomorrow in Boise. We're leaving this afternoon, and since we're invited to a New Year's celebration at the Governor's home, we thought we'd stay through until Wednesday. Will you be okay by yourself for that period of time?"
It was longer than they usually left me alone. That and the issues of the previous week made the question very appropriate.
"It should be no problem. I don't have definite plans right now, but I'll be careful and try not to get into trouble."
She smiled at my use of her two traditional phrases.
"I've asked Coach to keep an eye on you. We'd appreciate you keeping him advised of your activities in the same way you do with your dad and me. Is that okay with you?"
The choice of Coach was interesting. I'd have expected her to make arrangements with Grams and Gramps, but as I thought about it, Coach had two advantages. First, he was already my counselor with respect to current events. Secondly, if I texted him that I was spending the night with Cooter fucking my brains out, which I hoped to do, he wouldn't bat an eye. Grams might not react with the same level of composure.
"I think that's perfect, Mom. Is there anything I need to do around here other than my normal chores?"
"Not that I can think of. There will be food in the refrigerator, but if you want to eat out or get takeout, that will be fine too. Which reminds me of something else."
She went to the living room and came back with a very small wrapped package, which she put in front of me.
"Merry Christmas, Toby. We've had this planned for a while, but because of everything that happened recently, we thought it best to wait until the dust settled. We also wanted to give it to you when only the three of us were here."
I unwrapped the package and opened the box. Inside was a set of keys I recognized. I looked up with a huge grin on my face.
"No fuckin' way!"
Dad laughed. "On paper, the pickup is still mine for legal and insurance reasons, but you no longer need permission to use it. If I need it, I'll ask you."
Tears ran down my cheeks as I jumped up to hug them both.
"Thanks so much. Never in a million years would I have expected this."
Mom smiled. "That makes it even more fun."
I wiped away my tears and smiled at them.
"I don't know how to thank you properly."
Dad smiled at me. "You thank us every day. We're proud of you, Toby - Hot Kid. Being yourself is all the thanks we need."
I couldn't help it. I went to the barn and stood looking at my "new pickup", trying to make it real. I also looked at the four-wheeler and smiled. I barely had my driver's license, and I was a two-car family.
Cooter and I had tentative plans to meet that night, tentative because of my transportation and his work schedule. The first problem was solved, but I was waiting for information on the second. In the meantime I had nothing specific to do, so I spent an hour cleaning up my room and bathroom, and then helping Mom do a post-holiday cleanup of the house.
The sun was shining, and there was no snow to shovel. A closer look revealed wet pavement on the road. I looked at the thermometer, and it said fifty degrees. This happened occasionally. I should take advantage of the weather. That's when I got a text from Andy.
"Polar bear day!"
I was a little confused.
"Explain please."
"Swimming at the quarry at one. Required attendance for all members of the ranch boy club."
"Awesome! Count me in."
I advised Mom and Dad of the plan, and looked at the clock. It was noon. Mom fixed me lunch while I got out my speedo, a towel, and a blanket.
Mom gave me a kiss on the way out the door. "Have a good time."
I grinned excitedly. "I'm sure I will."
I put everything in my pickup and headed for the quarry, for the first time on public roads. When I arrived and parked, I learned this would be more than just a quick swim.
Besides the members of the ranch boy club, Austin and Andy's parents were there with food and drink. A warming fire burned next to the diving rock. Coach and James would serve as lifeguards, and were dressed appropriately in swimwear and long warm-up jackets. Coach was breaking up the residual crust of ice on the pool with a makeshift skimmer.
Six eager adolescent boys stood around in swimwear, wrapped in blankets, waiting for the signal to begin. Even the more reserved and mature Aiden was excited. I quickly joined that group. When Coach was happy with the preparations, we gathered at the edge of the pool. At the sound of Coach's whistle, we all dove in simultaneously.
And we all came up simultaneously screaming. No one lasted more than fifteen seconds. Coach and James were there to help us out and wrap our blankets around us again. We stood by the fire, shivering and chattering happily, drinking cups of hot chocolate. When we'd warmed up, we had to do it again. This time, somewhat acclimated, we stayed in for nearly thirty seconds. After that, the lifeguards stopped the activity. We'd had our fun, and any more could result in hypothermia.
We got dressed and gathered around the fire for cups of hot homemade soup. Then we cooked hot dogs over the fire and toasted marshmallows for dessert, all the time talking animatedly.
I suddenly realized that I'd forgotten entirely about my breakup with Rusty. I looked around, and found him watching me with tears in his eyes and a soft smile on his face. I knew he was quietly remembering the good times we'd experienced there. I smiled back, and then enveloped him in a hug, with a few tears of my own that no one else saw. Then I gave Nate a similar hug. And then there were hugs all around.
The event had been the perfect reunion. The ranch boy club was together again, and all was right with the world.
I took Nate aside for a minute. "How was Jaylen?"
He was surprised. "You were there? I didn't see you."
"I was being a wallflower. You seemed to be havin' a good time."
"I had an awesome time. They're a great bunch of guys."
"And Jaylen?"
"He's a cool guy. He's gonna teach me to be a quarterback."
"So, what was he teachin' you in Matt's bedroom?"
He smiled. "He wanted to show me what it's like takin' a load from a straight guy. Once wasn't enough for me, so he showed me several more times. As long as he keeps fuckin' me like he did last night, I'm more interested in how hard he is than how straight." He grinned happily. "He calls me his favorite fuck-toy, which is exactly what I wanna be. He is so hot."
I laughed. "I'm glad to see you havin' fun. I guess you and Rusty have an open relationship."
His eyes twinkled. "We do. And right now, I've got the better part of that deal."
Somehow, this didn't sound like a guy who had been looking at rings with his boyfriend three days earlier, but that wasn't my problem.
As we cleaned up and everyone prepared to leave, I had a sudden inspiration. I took Coach aside.
"Coach, could you stay so we can talk for a while? I can take you home when we're done."
"Sure. I'll be glad to."
When everyone else had gone, Coach and I sat on my blanket on the diving rock, looking out at the pool. We were quiet for a while, and then I broke the silence.
"Does the name 'Cooter' ring any bells?"
"Yes. He's Shago's friend who works at the roadhouse out north."
I smiled. This would be easier than I'd thought.
"Do you remember an incident at the fair last summer involving a carnival worker and several of us, mostly Jace?"
"Yes, I do."
"That carnival worker is Cooter."
He was quiet for a moment. "Interesting."
"I had a conversation with Cooter. He recalls the incident too, and has a much more innocent explanation than we might expect. Not perfectly innocent, but from my own experience, within the boundaries that you and James set for Jace and that he'd be comfortable with. I feel that Cooter's actions were misinterpreted due to an abuse flashback by Nate and general abuse paranoia. And I think my position is supported by his friendship with Shago."
Coach reflected for a long time on what I'd said before he replied.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I'm developing a relationship with Cooter. Shago introduced us a couple of days ago at the roadhouse, and I spent last night with him, and will again, possibly tonight."
"I see."
"I knew you would."
Coach was silent for a moment. "As I recall - Jace, the supposed victim, was the only one of you unconcerned about Cooter, until the rest of you expressed your misgivings."
"Exactly."
Coach was silent for a while again.
"Toby, you are as sharp as a tack. You amaze me more every day. I was the right person to present this to. I'll have a discreet conversation with Shago, and then an even more discreet conversation with Jace. After that, you and I will talk again. Given what you've told me and what I already know, I believe that by the time anyone else makes the connection, there will be no backlash against either Cooter or yourself."
"Thanks very much, Coach. As always, I knew I could count on you. And thanks for being my chaperone while my parents are in Boise."
Coach smiled softly. "You're welcome, on both counts. Did you have anything else to talk about this afternoon?"
"No, that's all for now."
He stood up. "Let's go home then. It was good of your dad to let you use his pickup today."
I stood up beside him. "My pickup."
"What did you say?"
I grinned. "I received a late Christmas present this morning."
He looked at me with a grin that expressed as much excitement as I'd felt when I opened the box with the keys. Then he gave me a high-five.
"Fuckin' awesome!"
I laughed. "Coach, I've never heard you use that word before."
He smiled. "And you may never hear it again."
I took Coach to his place, and then returned home feeling as though all of my burdens had been lifted. Maybe life would be worth living after all.
It was dusk, and the house was dark. I parked in the driveway - it was mine for the next two days. Going inside, the only evidence of my parents was a note with last-minute instructions. I was on my own, and I'd make sure to have fun but not abuse the sudden freedom.
My phone pinged. It was a text from Cooter.
"My place at nine?"
I thought for a moment. I had to eat somewhere.
"I'll come a little earlier and have dinner."
"Super. Save room for dessert later."
"I always have room for that kind of dessert."
An inspiration hit me. I sent a message to Shago.
"Do you have dinner plans?"
It was a few minutes before he responded.
"No. Do you have an idea?"
"Want to meet me at the roadhouse at eight? My treat."
"Can't turn that down. Mind if I bring a friend?"
"No problem."
"Doing anything later?"
"I have a date with the bartender."
The response was a series of happy faces.
One more message was required, for Coach.
"Hot Kid's schedule: Dinner at eight with Shago at roadhouse. Date at nine with Cooter. Fade to black. Home sometime tomorrow."
The response came soon.
"Thanks for letting me know. Have a good time, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
I laughed out loud. My friendship with my high school coach and teacher was becoming quite out of the ordinary.
Just before eight o'clock, I pulled into the roadhouse parking lot. Shago's pickup was already there. I locked my truck and went inside. Shago was sitting opposite his friend at a table near the bar, and waved at me to join them.
As I approached the table, I identified Shago's friend as Joey. They'd already been served beer. I sat down between them.
"I guess you guys know each other."
Joey smiled at me. "Yes we do."
I looked at Shago and then back at Joey.
"Did he put you up to it?"
Joey chuckled. "No, it was strictly chance. But we've discussed it - in detail."
My face turned red, and both of them laughed.
Joey clapped me on the shoulder. "Think nothing of it, Hot Kid. You made a new friend, and sealed the deal when you offered to let me do it too. You're the coolest fifteen-year-old I know. However, there's one detail you don't know. Shago is my boyfriend."
I looked at the smile on Shago's face, and was suddenly very happy for him. Never had It occurred to me to wonder whether he had a boyfriend - he was always just my friend Shago.
Cooter, the shirtless bartender, brought me a beer without asking what I wanted and then took my order. Eating at the roadhouse could easily become a habit.
Joey restarted the conversation.
"Shago has mentioned you before, but only as Toby. If you weren't going by 'Hot Kid', I might have made the connection. I'm just as glad it worked out this way. If I'd known who you were, I wouldn't have made the offer I did."
I was curious. "So, did he by any chance tell you how he and I met?"
Joey smiled. "In great detail."
I was embarrassed again, and Shago made a comment.
"You shouldn't do things like that if you don't want them talked about."
Cooter brought our food, and we turned our attention to eating. Shago spoke up.
"Has Cooter said anything about your date tonight?"
"Not, really. I figured we were gonna hang out at his place."
Shago chuckled. "That'll come later. First we're going to a barn dance - all four of us."
I evaluated my clothing. "Will my muscle shirt be okay?"
Joey gave me a once over. "More than okay. This isn't your high school prom. You're dressed perfectly."
I had another concern. "I don't know shit about dancing."
Shago smiled. "I knew you'd say that. There will be lots of beginners. We're gonna teach you everything you need to know."
We rode together in Joey's crew-cab pickup. Being otherwise occupied with Cooter in the back seat, I wasn't paying attention, so all I knew was that we ended up at the edge of a small town about ten miles north of the roadhouse.
Although barn dances sometimes still occur in barns, most don't nowadays. This one was in a grange hall, a more typical location. The music reached our ears as soon as we were out of the truck.
Once inside, I got a good look at the musicians. All of them were skilled, but the young fiddle player was fantastic. I smiled. So, besides being a football player, Alan was also a musician.
This was a private event for gays. Many of the participants were teenagers. I was surprised to find so many openly-gay guys in our rural area, particularly young ones, but I soon learned that some came from as far away as Boise.
Cooter led me to the dance floor, and the lessons began. The event had been designed with beginners in mind, so the first dances were simple. Then they went on to more complicated square dances. Within an hour, I could do most of the steps without looking like a clumsy idiot. And in the process, I'd made friends with three boys my age.
As the room became warmer and the dancing more intense, I stripped off my shirt and tossed it onto a chair. It didn't take long for my new friends Jake, Tony, and Shane - Joey's younger brother - to follow my lead and join me dancing as a group.
Around eleven, the musicians took a break. The dancers moved to the end of the room for refreshments. I joined my new friends, and soon we were laughing, joking, and occasionally doing a little friendly touching and groping. I looked for Shago, Joey, and Cooter, and spotted two of them leaning against the wall, grins on their faces, watching me enjoy myself. Cooter was nowhere to be seen.
Shortly after the dancing resumed, Jake and Tony disappeared. Soon, Shane approached me with a smile and a straightforward question.
"Wanna fuck?"
"Sure!"
"Follow me."
Taking me by the hand, he led me out of the dance hall and down a stairway into the basement. Opening a door, he guided me into a storage room, dimly lit by the emergency exit lighting.
Closing the door, Shane waited a few moments for our eyes to adjust to the near-darkness. Then he led me past piles of tables and stacks of chairs to a pair of mattresses on the floor. On one, Jake, now naked, was screwing an equally naked Tony. Jake paused his thrusts briefly and turned towards me.
"Glad you could join us, Hot Kid. Shane needs a partner for the horizontal mambo."
"That's one dance I know how to do."
Tony grinned up from his position on his back. "We'd have done this on the dance floor, but we were afraid we'd get stepped on."
Shane smiled. "It'd be messy if they squeezed jizz out of us."
Jake snickered. "Hot Kid would have cleaned it up with his tongue."
I chuckled. "Sorry, guys. I only take jizz straight from the source."
We all laughed softly at our crude adolescent humor.
I stripped and dropped onto my back. "So, Shane, ya got some boy cream for me?"
A grinning Shane stripped and dropped on top of me - and wasted no time getting started. He'd been at it for a few minutes when a stifled cry from Jake told us he'd blown his wad. Quiet noises and shadowy movements followed as he and Tony swapped positions. Then there was silence, broken only by heavy breathing, an occasional animal grunt of pleasure, and the faint sound of distant dance music.
With excitement made more intense by the risk of being discovered, the four of us spent the better part of an hour swapping sperm with our partners before sneaking back up to the dance hall.
Back upstairs, the dance had ended and the musicians were putting away their instruments. Shago, Joey, and Cooter were putting on their coats, so I did too. Shago looked at me knowingly.
"You and your buddies were gone for quite a while. Did you get lost somewhere?"
I smiled. "Yeah, in a storeroom in the basement. It took us a long time to find our way out."
"And what's your partner total now?"
"I've lost track, but it went up by one."
I turned to Cooter. "And where were you during the intermission?"
He smiled. "Alan knew about that storeroom too, and he invited me to join him there."
It was a good time to learn something I was curious about.
"So, what's your partner total?"
He put a hand on my shoulder. "Hot Kid, how many doesn't matter. In fact, the fewer the better. It's how often they come back for more that counts."
As we traveled back to the roadhouse, I thought about the new experiences of the past week, experiences which had expanded my horizons and lifted me out of sadness and depression. All of those experiences were created by my friends, old and new. I recalled a poem Mom had recited to me years before: Make new friends, but keep the old. Those are silver, these are gold.
I lay face down on Cooter's bed. In the background, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane were playing "In a Sentimental Mood", or so Cooter told me - it was an old recording but new to me.
On his knees, straddling my hips, Cooter was giving me a massage to die for. His strong hands worked their way down from my shoulders to my back, kneading out the kinks. He moved a little lower.
"How did you get this tight? It wasn't from dancing, was it? Or screwing your buddy in the basement?"
I chuckled. "I think the personal and holiday stress of the past week finally caught up with me."
"Are you stressed on the inside too?"
"Very much so."
He chuckled. "We'll work on that later."
"I'm lookin' forward to it."
I paused for a moment.
"On the subject of personal stress, how would you define 'boyfriend'? Since mine is history, I'm tryin' to discover what the next one should be like."
He thought for a few moments.
"A boyfriend is the guy you think about first when you wake up, last before you go to sleep, and all during the day when your mind isn't on something else. He's the one you dream about all night. Even though you've got boy-toys within walking distance, you'd drive a hundred miles in a blizzard just to spend the night with him. How am I doing?"
"Pretty good. So, how do you find this perfect guy?"
"Well, that's the problem. Boyfriends just happen, often when you least expect it. You can look all you want, but it's a waste of time."
"I agree with that. Mine just happened. And then unhappened. So, maybe it's better just to be a boy-toy. No unrealistic expectations."
He paused the massage momentarily. "You sound resentful."
"I don't think so, not any more, just practical and cautious."
He'd worked his way down to my ass cheeks. My body jerked as he ran a finger down my crack and teased my pucker.
"Are you ready for that internal massage now?"
"Oh, yeah!"
One thing I'd already learned about Cooter - where sex was concerned, he wasn't in a hurry. He spent about five minutes massaging me internally with his fingers before he was ready for the main act.
Readjusting himself, he knelt between my legs, pushing them apart with his knees. Leaning forward, he pressed the tip of his pole into the opening he'd created with his fingers. There was no resistance as he slowly slid all the way in.
Resting on his hands, he began to move inside me, never changing his rhythm, increasing my sexual excitement with each stroke, slowly pushing me closer and closer to the edge of paradise...
With a gasp I shot my load into the towel under me. As I came Cooter thrust harder, as if to help me force it out. When I was finished, he stopped.
He paused for a moment before pulling out and leaning over me. Gently, he kissed my neck.
"Was that satisfactory, Hot Kid?"
Completely relaxed, I replied sleepily. "Very satisfactory."
Rolling me onto my back he wadded up the towel and tossed it into the bathroom. Then he lay down beside me and grasped my hand in his. I turned my head.
"Did you cum?"
"No, but I'll make up for it later."
We lay there in silence for several minutes. The music came to an end. I thought Cooter might have gone to sleep until he spoke.
"Hot Kid?"
"Yeah."
"I'd drive a hundred miles in a blizzard just to spend the night with you."
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