Chapter twenty-seven Friday Aug 2
Jeff was just getting out of the shower when his brother yelled "Hey shithead phone!"
"I'm in the fuckin shower! take a message."
"It's Hank and he says he gotta talk to ya. Like now jerkboy."
"Okay I'll be right there" and he threw on a bathrobe and went to the phone "Hey bud."
"Hey stud. Got bad news."
"What happened? Still can't get a hold of Moose?"
"No I finally got through to the Mooseman and made him promise to stay put til we got there."
"So what?"
"Billy backed out."
"Shit!"
"Yeah exactly."
"He say why?"
"Somethin bout the work going on with the pool they're putting in and he hadda meet one of the guys."
"You don't think Billy's in trouble?"
"Naw he sounds cool. But kinda weird. Like somethin's up and he won't say what. You ready yet?"
"Get over here. I'll be ready in five."
"Make it three" and within a matter of seconds he heard the kitchen door bell. Shit, Hank musta been on his cell from the back yard. He heard someone let him in and as he was putting on his socks and shoes, Hank came in the bedroom.
"You weren't kidding were you?" Jeff said trying to find a shirt.
"Hell no S-Boy" Hank's nickname when Stud Boy might give the wrong idea "get yer clothes on I don't want Moose giving us the slip."
"Can I comb my hair at least?" he said throwing a polo shirt over his head, his wet hair sticking up everywhere.
"You're fine. We gotta roll."
The two trampled through the house with brief exchanges to the family as they left. Once they were in the car, Hank gave Jeff's thigh a good squeeze "you're looking good stud."
"Thanks bud, none too shabby yourself."
"Okay, Billy can't make it-"
"Damn I really needed him there. He coulda explained more about what the doc's up to and all. I know Moose woulda listened to him. And Billy's small enough he wouldn't've felt threatened or embarrassed in front of him. Hey aren't we goin to Moose's--" Jeff said when Hank didn't turn down Calumet.
"Gotta pick up Ernie first."
"Ernie? Ernie Olson? Why Ernie?"
"He's been calling me all week! I think he's really freaked about Moose. And Moose won't call him back. Ernie's really jumpin!"
"Ernie's MAD at Moose?"
"Just the opposite. Don't say anything Jeff" Hank said quietly "I know I can trust you."
"Damn straight."
"I think Ernie's... y'know... I don't thing he's mad at Moose. It's worse than that. If anything I think he's like the opposite of mad at Moose, like he thinks Moose is now mad at him, or even ready to KILL him, and Ernie's well... Ernie really wants to see Moose if you get my drift."
"You think Ernie's...?"
"Yeah, I think Ernie's startin to realize he's gotta lotta shit to sort our concerning the Moose but doesn't have the first clue how t'deal with it or even how to deal with himself, or how Moose might react. I think Ernie's really upside down inside out right now."
"We gotta help him. He our teammate. Shit he's our bud."
"That's why we're bringing him along to spring the Moose from I hate to think what" Hank said pulling up in front of Ernie's place. Ernie was already outside waiting for them. Before the car came to a full stop Ernie was getting in the back seat.
"Hey Hank, Jeff" Ernie said. Both could see how very nervous and beet red in the face he was.
"Olson how're ya doin?" Jeff said reaching behind knocking fists. As he suspected Ernie's hands were hot and wet "haven't seen you since...y'know."
"Yeah" was all Ernie would say.
"Look Olson" Jeff continued "you don't gotta be all upset about what went down that day. All the guys went through it and as far as I hear none the worse for wear-"
"Yeah but, shit" Ernie said looking out the window avoiding eye contact "now how am I gonna face..."
"The guys? Hell most of they are just putting it outa their minds. There might be a few asshole comments but nothin you can't handle Olson."
"But they didn't..."
"Didn't what?"
"Forget it" and he continued looking out the window.
"Look Ern" but Ernie wouldn't look at him "look at me, I mean it Ernie, look at me!" and he finally did sheepishly "you did nothing to be ashamed about. You acted like a good team player and a good friend. To all of us!" and then Jeff looked very carefully at him "and especially to Moose!"
"Shit Walker don't rub my face in-"
"I mean it Ernie. I am dead serious here. I am, Hank and I both, are your buds. Don't you ever forget that! You've been beating yourself up ever since it happened but you gotta stop it. Stop it now!"
"I dunno-"
"Or we'll do it for ya" Hank cut in as he turned off the ignition. Ernie had started to smile a bit. That quickly faded when he saw that they were in front of Moose's place.
"I don't know if I can go through with this now. He's gonna fuckin kill me!" Ernie said, his face in his hands.
"Okay Olson I'm gonna spell it out. Very clearly" Hank said turning around to face him "It's like this. Right now Moose is suffering big time. You know how embarrassed and confused you are right now. Well he's feeling that ten times worse, a hundred times worse-"
"Don't you think I know that?"
"I know you do. Hell, that's part of why you feel so bad. That's why you don't want to face him-"
"Please Hank."
"And that's why you'd do anything now TO see him-"
"Fuck-"
"It's cool Ern" Jeff said "your... your predicament y'might say.... well it ain't no mystery to Hank and me here. You're with friends who understand okay?"
"Please don't say-"
"Olson, will you get it though your thick skull. We're your friends. We've all been through something together. Like we all survived a goddamn war. We're like blood brothers now-"
"You mean you won't-"
"And that's why we need your help okay?"
"I'd y'know... do anything for-"
"Ernie" Hank reached out and put his hand to Ernie's face, feeling the heat of his cheek "we know what you're going through right now. We both know you'd help out the big lug. But remember he's in a lot of pain right now. He needs our help okay?"
"Okay" Ernie said quietly.
"Okay?" Hank said louder.
"Okay!" Ernie looked up, a look of determination setting his jaw.
"Okay! I'll go up and see if he stuck around like he promised. Probably not a good idea if we all went in" Hank said getting out of the car. He went up to the door and rang the bell.
"Jeff you okay with all this? You okay with me-"
"Ernie you're fine. We're buds and teammates and you can stop worrying goddamnit."
"What about Hank?"
"Hank's okay with you too."
"I mean you and Hank."
"What about us?"
"You two friends?"
"Fuck yeah we're friends."
"No" Ernie lowered his voice "I mean 'friends'."
Jeff got quiet for a second "we all gotta trust each other."
"Damn that's not what I meant. I would never do or say anything. Hell I'm the one-"
"Ern a lot of things have been happening. I'm still getting used to stuff.
Hank has been..." Jeff hesitated for a second "well he's been a better friend than I deserve. Sometimes I don't know what I did to earn his loyalty. Sometimes I think he'd do anything I ask, I'm afraid-"
"Because of how he feels about you Jeff" Ernie said almost whispering.
"Shuttup Ern!" Jeff yelled back a knee-jerk reaction. But he knew Ernie was right. He didn't think he had to worry about Ernie saying anything.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you angry-"
"I ain't angry" he said angrily.
"Hell you should be lucky. Hank should be lucky too, knowing he gets to be around..." and Ernie trailed off.
Jeff turned around and saw how upset Ernie was. Damn and double damn, that's why he was so freaked out about being here. Hank was right. Ernie was nuts about the Moose.
"Ernie just pull it together bud" and turning saw Hank starting back to the car and, sure enough, a few steps behind him was Moose! "I mean it, you keep it together. But it might not be the best idea to let on right now how you feel about the lug. Just give Moose a lot of slack promise me."
"You ain't mad?"
"Promise me or I will get mad."
"Geez, okay I promise."
Ten seconds later, the back door opened and Moose started to get in. When he saw Ernie sitting there he hesitated, but when Ernie scooted over he said "Olson what the fuck you doin here? You gonna give me shit too?"
"Moose get in!" Ernie said "been tryin' to reach you all week but couldn't get a hold of you."
Hank got in the car and started the engine leaving as fast as the car could go without bringing down the cops.
"Moose here thought we should go somewhere. He didn't want us messing up his place" he said, and then over his shoulder "so where to Moose?"
"Fuck, how about the goddamn moon. Somewhere nobody, I mean NObody knows us."
"Moose you don't need to be avoiding EVERY body" Ernie quickly added "at least not your buds."
"I ain't got no buds no more" Moose said bitterly "so why you guys all hot to see me tonight..."
"Cause it's Friday night and that's what buds do shithead!" Jeff turned around.
"So I'm a shithead now Walker!" and he started to slap him upside the head a couple of times.
"Hey knock it off!" Jeff said laughing "pick on somebody your own size."
"Yeah hit me if ya feel like hittin someone" Ernie said punching him in the shoulder. His fist started to hurt immediately.
"Don't give me a reason to make you more pissed at me" Moose said not punching back.
"Why the fuck should I be pissed at you Moose" Ernie said "if anything you should be pissed at me."
"Yeah right" Moose said a bit peeved.
"That's why you weren't calling me back all week? Cause you were pissed at me right?"
"Fuck no Olson" Moose said not a little impatient "you think I wanted to talk to anyone? And why anyone in their right mind wants to talk to me..."
"Okay" Hank said still heading down the same street "we're no Einsteins here but we can all figure out everyone's still talking to everyone and nobody is upset with nobody y'got it?"
"Fuck" was the best Moose could get out.
"Don't know where that is, boss" Hank chuckled "is that on the Moon or can we drive there?"
"Jenkins you're such a bonehead" which was Moose's own style of compliment, like when someone did a move at practice he didn't think was totally lame. It was his code word for someone who got him to laugh. He wasn't laughing but they could tell he was getting less upset. By maybe a half a degree.
"Well bonehead here's only got so much gas so if you got a destination in mind-"
"Anywhere, just outa this fucked up town for a while."
"Outa town it is boss" and Hank headed for the freeway.
"So how come you're here" Moose said to Ernie.
"Hey I hadda get outa the house too" Ernie said, not going into details.
"Aren't we gonna get Herms?" Moose said when he saw where Hank was heading "You said he was supposed to be here. I gotta beat a few answers outa that little asshole."
"He couldn't make it" Jeff put in "he and his dad are putting in a pool-"
"You mean like last year?" Moose laughed.
"No for real this time" Hank said "they hired guys and everything. It should be finished in a week or so, I guess. That's where Billy is tonight."
"Where? in the pool?" Moose was loosening up. Face down I'm hopin.
"No Moose, goin over stuff with one of the guys."
"Say what?" Moose wouldn't a thought twice about a comment like that before, but now his brain started to twist and wring out the slightest comment, looking for the smallest hint of something nasty or suspicious.
"They put Billy in charge of the friggin project from the way he tells it" Hank tried to back-pedal a bit "and they gotta sort out some of the final details."
"On a Friday night?" Moose had real specific suspicions now.
"Yeah, Billy's in a big hurry to get it finished" Hank bluffed "and he owes his dad some money or something" he lied.
"Still sounds kinda odd if y'know what I mean" Moose grumbled.
"So where are we going?" Ernie tried to change the subject.
"Moose?"
"Fuck don't ask me."
"Moose you been to the new Connor Arcade yet?" Ernie knew Moose was a sucker for video games "hear they got the new Auto 5000-"
"Forreal?"
"Real" Ernie knew he had him now "Hank?"
"Hey that's out by Pl****th. I only got so much gas."
"My turn" Ernie said passing a twenty up to Jeff.
"You sure?" Jeff said.
"Never more" and Ernie felt like he might survive the night after all.
It was a good forty miles west to Pl****th. Hank waited until they were out of town before he found a gas station. He had plenty of gas as both he and Jeff could tell, but he wanted to give Ernie a chance to do something. And he suspected that Moose might like this "taking care" of him for a while. He was right. The farther they drove the more Moose relaxed until by the time they got to the new mall he was dishing the shit almost like normal.
They walked in like they owned the place. When most of the other guys saw Moose they gave him a wide berth. They were far enough out of their circle they did not run into anyone they knew. Moose even got to confront some kid almost his size who finally had the sense to back down. Both Hank and Jeff gave him shit for acting the bully, but they both knew he was eating it up like candy. When they finally got onto the new Auto 5000 he and Ernie got into a fierce competition. Ernie had enough brains not to let Moose win - with a look from Hank thrown in for good measure - or he might get suspicious. They both could tell the Moose radar was on high alert.
"I'm gonna KICK YOUR ASS Olson" Moose said as his car burst into flames smashing into the wall.
"Yeah you and who else?" Ernie said, happier than a puppy in mud.
"If I didn't want to mess you up before I sure do now" and he started wrestling him outa the booth. Jeff knew they were horsing around but the security guards didn't see things that way. They got themselves escorted to the door.
"You happy now?" Ernie punched Moose in the shoulder forgetting the pain again, cursing himself "you got us thrown out."
"You're the one ya sore loser" Moose punched him back but not hard.
"Me the loser? I beat you by five hundred points" and Ernie started to grab him around the neck. It would have been comical in any other circumstance.
"I had ya til ya cheated on the last turn" and Moose put him in a bearhug -- no competition.
"Let him go Moose" Jeff said laughing "we need him next year."
"Yeah, keep him outa the hospital big guy."
But Moose and Ernie showed no signs of breaking the hold. If anything Ernie was returning the hold with comparable intensity. But they both started feeling something warm and physical happening and Moose broke the hold fast. He had a weird feeling that Ernie was pressing a firmness against him.
"Don't wanna kill ya kid" Moose said "I'll leave that for South" referring to that perennial arch-nemesis team. The bogeymen from across town.
"Okay now where?" Hank looked at Ernie.
"Shit I'm starved" Ernie broke in, second guessing Moose "this big lug squeezed about thirty pounds outa me."
"You mean all that cheatin catches up witcha" Moose said punching Ernie in his waist a couple of times, and by accident letting a couple of punches hit him in the crotch. Damn he was right. Ernie had something solid in his jeans.
"Hey low blow" Hank said "just for that you can do the dishes."
"Ain't no dishes where we're goin bonehead" Moose said "back in the car."
"Where to?" they said, the car leaving the mall parking area.
"There's a rib place near here down off 57. My treat now."
"You're on" Hank said "point the way."
After getting lost more than once they found the place they thought Moose was making up. It was a bit fancier than they were expecting but Moose seemed right at home as he led them in the front door. After they were seated, a guy came over and slapped Moose on the back.
"Mark you big galloot!" he said "what brings you here?"
"Hey Mort how's business" Moose said actually happy to see him. Or more accurate to say very happy Mort was not looking at him like he was not looking at a Ten Most Wanter Poster come to life. Moose looked at Mort's face scrutinizing it for any tell-tale giveaway. Hank and Jeff looked at each other totally dumbfounded. They know each other? The last thing they thought Moose wanted was to see someone who'd recognize him!
"Busier and busier" Mort said and looked around the table "who're your friends?"
"Sorry" Moose said still smiling "this is Hank and Jeff, and this scrawny ghost is my good bud Ernie" they started shaking hands, Ernie not sure whether to be pissed or blushing so he did both "and this is Mort, Mort... well y'know his last name, he's my crazy cousin."
They shook hands all round, totally freaked. Cousin? Moose had a cousin?
"Thought you were gonna sell this place" Moose continued "and move back south."
"Wanted to, but things just keep snowballing. Got three now."
"All rib places?"
"Two are. The other's more... well I'll tell ya about it some time. Let's just say it's different."
"But doing okay?"
"Better than okay. It's a goddamn goldmine pardon the language. But I don't wanna keep you and your... friends. Harry?" Mort said calling the waiter "this table's on me tonight."
"C'mon Mort you don't have to-"
"Naw it's good to see ya. We don't see as much of you as we would like. Beth'd like to see you soon."
"I'll call her tomorrow promise."
"Good. Well we'll get together soon" Mort said grabbing his shoulder "soon."
"Thanks again Mort."
"Man Moose you never told me you had relatives in the restaurant business" Hank said maybe a little impressed.
"Honest guys. I thought he sold this place a long time ago. I dragged you here to see how it looked now" he lowered his voice and looked at the three "the last thing I expected was to run into goddamn relatives at a time like this."
"C'mon Moose, he couldn't have been happier to see you" Ernie said "you guys were good friends?"
"Not for the last couple of years. Not since he got busy with all of this" waving his hand.
"Well you regret coming here? We can still leave if you're nervous-"
"Fuck no. Mort and I were good buds" and Moose went to a whisper "besides it's kinda good t'know he don't know..."
"How would he" Hank said "you gotta realize it's not something everyone's gonna be painting on billboards!"
"Funny! You guys don't hafta be the one havin t'crawl under a rock" Moose looked down at his lap.
"Moose we're in this together" Ernie said "we were all involved. Nobody feels less guilty than you... y'know, think you should-"
"Up to tonite I didn't know if I could ever show my face again in public" Moose said both quietly and angrily.
"Well look at you" Hank said "you're out with your buds. We sure as hell ain't ashamed to be seen with you. Hell even your cousin's happy to see you."
"I guess..."
"Enough of this shit I'm hungry" Jeff said and they called Harry over and ordered.
They settled into their meals not talking much but it seemed like the worst of the storm had passed. They even got Harry to bring them a beer or two but Hank said no thanks, I'm in training. They laughed but saw his point.
They made a final brave play to get the check but Harry finally gave them one with a total of two dollars. Moose left a big tip and then they filed back to the car leaving Moose to say a final goodbye to his cousin.
When he joined them at last, they started the usual "okay now where?"
Ernie came up with the idea they go back into town and find a way to sneak into the quarry. Hank said, no bad idea, but I know another place, a better place.
They drove the forty miles back to town and heading in the general direction of the quarry. Instead of turning in at the entrance, Hank drove another mile or so and pulled into a dirt road.
"Where the hell is this?" Ernie said getting a bit nervous.
"There's an area behind the quarry that's also wooded where the river cuts through before the quarry."
"Private property bud" Moose said way ahead of them.
"Private property it is" Hank said getting out and retrieving some blankets from the trunk.
"Whose is this?" Jeff said also in the dark.
"Let's say someone who owes me a favor or two" but not telling them whose land it was. It was his grandfather's on his mom's side. They seldom used it, since it was part of some conservancy or reserve from what Hank could figure out. He and his mom would go out there once a month or so to make sure it wasn't being ruined or trashed by vandals. Now he got to play vandal.
"You sure it's cool?" Moose said "the last thing I need now is the law."
"It's cool Moose" Hank said "the worst we gotta worry about are some garter snakes."
"Shit I HATE snakes" Moose yelled so loud it almost set off the car alarm. He then regretted it looking at the others's expressions.
"Don't worry big guy "Jeff said "your secret's safe with us."
They followed Hank down a path, in deep darkness stumbling and swearing as they went. After five minutes of going in circles, or so it felt, they came to a clearing and Hank shushed them and pointed.
They looked and saw the river right in front of them, shining and barely moving. Then they looked again following his gesture, and saw a large bird standing by the shore.
"Damn what is it?" Ernie whispered.
"A crane or heron I guess" Hank whispered back.
"Damn thing's six feet tall" Moose whispered a bit spooked.
"It's okay" Hank said "they eat snakes."
"Fuck you bonehead" Moose said, but he was starting to enjoy the quiet after the big meal and the forbidden beer - or two - didn't hurt.
They looked around and saw how deserted the area was. It was quiet and for all purposes they were where Moose needed to be. On the moon.
"Hank can I go in?" Ernie asked not sure about the conditions.
"I guess so. Just don't scare the locals" he said pointing at their six-foot guardian.
Ernie started to peel off his jacket and shirt. In the gloom they could barely make out his silhouette but as their eyes adjusted they could see more clearly, his pale skin reflecting the light off the water. He unzipped his pants and as casually as he could pulled down his shorts and naked waded into the water up to his waist.
As quiet as he was the heron spread its wings and with barely a rustle flew off.
"Sorry" Ernie said from the river "but man it's great in here" and he dunked down until he was under water. He came up after a moment and shook his head.
"How is it?" Jeff asked, starting to take off his shirt.
"A little cool but not bad. But the water's real clean here. No weeds or anything."
"Good enough for me" and Jeff also stripped down and naked waded in. He got to his thighs and did a shallow dive coming up near Ernie.
"Moose you goin in?" Hank said already down to his shorts. He could tell Moose was having trouble looking at them getting out of their clothes.. When he pulled down his boxers, Moose tried to look away but Hank guessed he was sneaking a look anyways.
"C'mon big guy it's great" Hank said coming up for air "it's awesome."
"I dunno..." Moose was hesitating not taking anything off.
"You got nothin to be shy about bud" Ernie tried to encourage him "it's just us."
"I really dunno..." but Moose got to his feet.
"I'll make a bet with ya" Ernie continued.
"No bets... no more goddamn bets."
"No seriously. Five bucks if you don't think it feels great once you get in..."
"Make it ten."
"Deal" and Ernie watched as Moose gradually started to shuck out of his clothes. When he got to his briefs he turned away from the guys and once he was naked almost walked backwards into the water. It was too dark to make out details but he squatted down in the water as soon as he could.
"Damn" came from him when he had dunked himself and come back up for air.
"Told you it was great" Ernie said.
"You didn't tell me how warm it was" Moose was trying to sound angry "you liars said it was cold. Shit it's like bathwater out here."
"The river's shallow here. It warms up early and stays warm all summer. It's a little secret so if you fuckheadss know what's good for you..." Hank joked.
"We got lots of secrets so far" Ernie said, trying not to look at Moose.
"That's for sure" Moose said surprising himself, not reacting like he thought he would.
"So where's my ten bucks Moose?" Ernie half-yelled at him.
"I'll give you ten bucks" and he dove under and torpedoed Ernie. He went under like he'd been hit by a great white. After a moment or two Ernie was jettisoned almost clear out of the water with Moose right behind him. He grabbed him on the way down and they wrestled back under.
"No fair Moose" Ernie sputtered out half-drowned, but not breaking the hold until he felt himself rubbing against Moose's belly. He was too close to the warmth of Moose's torso and getting too much of a reaction. He tried to break away but Moose kept grabbing him and wrestling him under. Ernie finally broke free but could not wade back to shore. Once the water level got below his pubes his hard would be visible, even in the darkness. When he saw Moose come at him again he dove away and headed for shore trying to stay under as long as possible. When the bottom came up to meet him he knew he only had two or three feet of depth left. He tried crouching as he waded back to land.
"Had enough?" Moose said, the water up to his neck. He must have been sitting on the bottom.
"Some bud you are tryin to drown me" Ernie said in a way he hoped Moose would not take the wrong way.
"You still owe me ten bucks" Moose said not moving.
"Okay you two" Hank said "enough of your arguing. Jeff and me gonna swim down to the fence and back. When we come back we don't wanna hear any more fighting" Hank gave Jeff a wink and the two went off downstream.
"I don't wanna have to fish you two outa here tomorrow" Moose said a bit worried "if you're not back in fifteen minutes."
"They're fine" Ernie said collapsing onto the blanket throwing some clothes into his lap.
"Had enough?"
"Yeah come out before ya drown" Ernie said "you're too big to rescue."
"That's okay, I'll sit here a while."
"What's the matter? You can't still be mad at me?" Ernie said but was nervous he might know the reason.
"Fuck no."
"C'mon it's just me Moose" Ernie said his voice lowering "you ain't got nothin to be worried about."
"Damn" Moose said almost to himself and started to make his way to shore. When he got to the point that he had to stand up he said "sure is dark out here." He started to stand up and clear the water. Even in the bad light Ernie could make out that Moose was doing everything he could to cover himself with his paws. As he he got to shore he was walking backwards again.
"Here, Hank left some towels" and Ernie stood up and went down to him holding one. He knew that once he stood up Moose would be able to see his own hardon. Moment of truth.
"Thanks Ern" Moose reached out for the towel.
"No I'll do it" Ernie said and started to rub it over his shoulders as Moose tried to turn away.
"No!" Moose jumped like he'd been electrocuted.
"What?"
But Moose just grabbed the towel and wrapped it around himself, backing away from Ernie.
"C'mon Moose it's me remember?"
"Yeah Olson I remember all too well" and Ernie heard the same tone of voice
when Moose first got in the car.
"You ain't mad at me again are you?"
"Stop tryin to be my friend will you!"
"Moose I am your friend!"
"Well" Moose slugged him in the shoulder "just gimme some slack okay?"
"It's cool" Ernie said, rubbing his shoulder. Either because it was dark and Moose was wide of the mark or because he wasn't as mad as he was trying to sound, the blow was little more than a graze "it's what buds are for."
"Yeah well I thought I didn't have any buds" Moose started to shiver in spite of the warmth of the night.
"Well you got buds" Ernie said, and then almost to himself"maybe some more than others."
"Meaning?" Moose half turned towards him.
"Meaning some buds would do just about anything to be buds with you..."
"Like who?"
"I dunno..." Ernie was keeping his face away from Moose but could feel the heat radiating from him in spite of his shivering.
"Man, Ernie, trust me y'really don't wanna be my bud..." Moose said getting to his feet and walking away from him. He found the blanket in the dark and plunked down.
"Sorry y'feel that way, but I'm still yer bud" but Ernie got up as well giving up trying to hide his hardon, standing right in front of Moose.
"Damn it Ernie" Moose looked around him trying to see where Jeff and Hank were "you don't gotta be... you don't haveta.. Just pretend you don't know me!" and Moose started to try to find his clothes.
"Damnit Moose don 't leave" and Ernie lunged in the general direction of Moose. He came down hard on Moose's left hip and tried to pin him down. Fat chance.
"Olson get offa me!" Moose easily peeled him off and tried to find his shorts "just tell'm I hadta leave--"
But Ernie got a better grip and threw himself down on top of the big guy. They fell together and rollled over and over, until Moose was pressed down on Ernie's front, their crotches smashed together. In the struggle Ernie's towel had gotten lost but Moose's briefs were still on, although a bit bunched in back. Ernie started to slam his hard dick up into Moose guessing that either Moose would feel it and break the hold, or else...? What? It was a moment of truth for both of them. As Ernie hoped Moose was not in a big hurry to break the hold until he felt Moose also start to harden. Then Moose was off him in a flash.
"Fuck you Olson" Moose broke away but Ernie was right back at him , grabbing him in the best bearhug he could manage in his condition.
"Moose..." Ernie was breathing hard and his voice was cracking "I'd do anything for ya--"
"Then leave me the fuck alone!" Moose continued to struggle but Ernie countered twice more, both of them getting sweaty and slick.
"Can't do that" Ernie grunted "anything but that."
"GodDAMN!" Moose lurched, throwing Ernie several feet off him as he jumped up. Ernie let out a scream as he landed on his side. But Moose was on his feet and running!