Jon was still smitten with Luke and his feelings only got stronger the better he got to know him. But he never got any indication the attraction might be mutual and decided to err on the side of caution. Jon valued the friendship too much to jeopardize it and risk losing everything. So he kept his feelings for Luke in check, only allowing them to surface in his fantasies.

The Inn - Chapter 2

Summer was in full swing, and the four friends were making the most of it. They had a barbeque almost every Saturday afternoon in the courtyard of Jon's building. Neighbors from all over the complex started to come, bringing all kinds of food and drink. The barbeques had evolved into a community effort, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The men had also joined volleyball teams. Paul and Luke were on one team, Jon and Joe on another. Jon loved it when they played against each other. He never tired of watching Luke, bare-chested, as he leaped into the air or made a diving save. Both teams were fairly evenly matched, and they all played as if their lives depended on it. When the two teams played other teams, they each won much more often than not.

As the days sped by the activities slowed a bit. Labor Day weekend they had their biggest barbeque to date. Jon estimated over a hundred people had shown up. It was a great time and extended well into the night Sunday. In the end, Paul and Luke crashed at Jon's place. Joe walked home since he lived close by.

The following morning Jon slowly regained consciousness. "Oh, God! I so do not want to get up," he thought to himself, not even opening his eyes. Then he became aware of a quiet snoring to his left, but he didn't have any recollection of who it was. He carefully rolled over and saw Paul asleep, his arms wrapped around a pillow. Jon smiled at how cute and peaceful Paul looked. "It could just as easily be Luke," he thought to himself. It wouldn't have mattered. Jon didn't even remember going to bed.

At that moment Jon's cell phone rang. He swung out of bed, glancing at the clock as he went to locate his phone. It was 10:03. Luke was asleep on the couch.

"Hello?" he croaked, not bothering to look at the display.

"Rise and shine, Buttercup!" came Cathy's all-too-cheerful voice.

"Morning. Why are you so perky this early?"

"It's not that early, and I didn't drink like it was the eve of Prohibition yesterday. Now get the gang together and get your asses down here. I've got Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and enough food to feed an army. You've got thirty minutes. Now move!" She didn't wait for an answer.

"Somebody save me from that woman!" Jon groaned, despite the smile on his face.

Luke stirred and opened his eyes. "What's the matter?"

"Cathy. We have thirty minutes to get down there for a little hair of the proverbial dog and breakfast."

"Great! I wouldn't turn down one of Cathy's meals for anything. Who's first in the shower?"

"Go ahead, Luke. I'll call Joe and then see if I can rouse Paul."

"I don't suppose I have time to run home. These clothes reek of barbeque."

"I'll find something for you. We're about the same size. I'll put them on the vanity for you."

"Thanks, guy. I owe you one," said Luke.

Jon picked up his cell and called Joe. He was surprised when Joe answered on the second ring. "This better be good," Joe greeted.

"I'm pretty sure it is. Cathy just called and demanded our presence at her place at 1030 hours. Are you feeling at all human?"

"Barely, but I'll meet you there. Should I bring anything?"

"Just yourself. See you there."

Jon went to his closet and selected a pair of jeans, socks and a shirt for Luke and set them on the vanity. He then headed to the bedroom to awaken Paul. As he passed the bathroom he heard the water stop and the shower curtain sliding. Paul was as he'd left him, still soundly asleep. Jon gently shook his shoulder.

Paul jerked and his eyes opened. "I'm up, dad, I'm up!" he gasped. Jon laughed. "Oh, I'm, uh, oh hi Jon. Where...oh yeah. Mornin' Jon."

"Hey Sleeping Beauty. Time to get your butt out of bed. Cathy is expecting us in about twenty minutes for brunch."

"At this hour?" Paul looked out the window and realized it was a lot later than he had thought. "Okay, I'm awake. Do I have time for a shower?"

"I think Luke is about done, so help yourself. Just make it quick, I still have to shower."

"Gotcha," Paul replied.

Fifteen minutes later they were dressed. The three of them headed down the stairwell, albeit a bit slower than their usual gait. They met Joe in the hall and knocked on Cathy's door. Luke announced, "We're here, and very nearly on time."

Cathy opened the door with a flourish. She looked at each of them and said, "Well, you boys certainly look better than I thought you would. You guys clean up pretty good."

"It's only a facade," Joe said. "On the inside we're going through hell."

"Well, a more deserving bunch I've never seen. There's coffee here on the table, and I'm all set to make Mimosas or Bloodys. What's your pleasure, gents?"

A collective groan was heard from the four men, but Jon, Luke and Paul opted for Bloodys and Joe and Cathy had Mimosas. They also poured themselves coffee.

They all settled down on the two couches. Not too much conversation took place, but within twenty minutes or so all the men were beginning to feel better. Cathy stood up and said, "Let's get this show on the road. I have plenty of food for you guys. Can a couple of you give me a hand?"

Luke and Joe stood and waved Jon and Paul back. There wasn't enough room in the kitchen for everyone. The dining room table soon took on the appearance of a buffet with plates of bacon, sausage links, scrambled eggs, toast and Danish. Once again Cathy had outdone herself. They were all surprised at how hungry they were once they started eating.

Having sated themselves, the guys chatted with Cathy and they all related any new gossip they had heard. Finally Cathy said she had to get ready for a visit from her three teenage nephews. The men offered to help her clean up. "Oh, don't bother. The boys will go through this like a plague of locusts, then I'll get them to do the dishes."

As they left, Cathy gave each a quick hug and kiss. They each started off on their separate ways. Jon offered to drive Luke and Paul home, but they declined saying it was a beautiful day and they needed to work off some calories.

The next two weeks were unusually hectic for Jon. He found himself going in to work an hour early and staying late each day. When he left he went straight home, grabbed whatever was edible in the fridge, and crashed in his bed, only to repeat the routine the next day. His buddies had called a few times to invite him over or out to the bar, but he'd begged off, telling them he was just too worn out.

Finally, by the end of the second week, things were getting under control at work for Jon. It was still a lot busier than usual, but it was falling into place and starting to fit into the routine. Jon was feeling like he was getting his life back. Since it was Friday, he decided to go to The Inn.

He walked in and stopped to say hello or chat with a few people he knew. As he worked his way to the bar, he noticed the guys had a table on the patio so he ordered a drink from Kevin and proceeded outside.

"Hey, stranger. Where have you been hiding?" asked Joe.

"Too much fuckin' work," answered Jon.

"Don't complain," said Paul. "A lot of people wish they had that problem these days."

"I know, and I'm not really complaining. Actually, things look like they'll be okay. It was just the initial surge that was tough. But we got through it, and I think we'll be better for it. So what have I missed since I've been absent?"

"Not much. We've been holding down the fort for you the past couple of weeks. Missy, the cute blonde waitress, went back to college. And Andy, the barback, was promoted to bartender."

"He'll be a good bartender," Jon stated. "Where's Luke?"

"Who knows?" answered Joe. "He's been almost as scarce around here as you, ever since he met what's-her-name."

"What do you mean?" Jon asked.

"Luke went to a party a little over a week ago, and apparently met some chick," replied Paul. "Ever since then it's been like they're joined at the hip. He seems cool with it, I mean he's not ga-ga or anything, but she's like all ape-shit over Luke. We haven't seen much of him since, but he'll probably be here tonight since it's Friday."

Jon felt like he'd been run over by an 18-wheeler. Even though he'd resigned himself to just being good friends with Luke, being slapped in the face, out of the blue, with this news was hard to take. He had always harbored the distant possibility that some day he and Luke would become more than friends. Deep down he knew he should move on, find someone who would care for him and he could love. But for the past six months or so Luke was the only one he truly cared about and felt he could love. Did love.

Jon downed his drink and asked the waitress for another as she passed by. He sank into a chair at the table and kept his head down. He didn't want the other guys to see his face. He was sure his expression would betray him.

The waitress returned with Jon's drink, setting it in front of him. "Three seventy-five, hon," she said. After a few seconds Jon realized she was there.

"Oh, here." He handed her a five. "Keep it."

"Thanks, baby." As she turned, she smiled and winked at Jon. He didn't notice.

Just then Jon spotted Luke walking in the front door. His heart raced and then skipped a beat. Some gal had her arm linked with Luke's, practically glued to his side. As they approached the table Luke looked at Jon and smiled. "Hey, Jon! How have you been?"

"I've been okay. Work is a little hectic but it's good. What have you been up to?"

"Well," Luke began, "Molly here has been keeping me busy. It's starting to cut into my social life." The woman giggled, smiled adoringly at Luke, and burped.

"Oh, excuse moi," she apologized and giggled again.

Molly extended her hand to Jon. "I'm Molly, Luke's girlfriend." She said it as if it were her complete name: "Molly-Luke's-Girlfriend."

Throughout the evening Molly was either sitting on Luke's lap or the arm of his chair with her hands all over him. Jon was doing a slow burn. He couldn't understand how Luke, who could easily have his pick of practically any woman on the planet, could be here with this skinny, homely and gauche broad.

An hour later Jon finally had had enough. He knew he needed to leave before he did or said something for which he'd be sorry. He said good night to everyone and headed out through the bar. Paul noticed that Jon stopped at the bar and ordered another drink, which he downed in two gulps before leaving. Paul was puzzled. Something must have happened to upset Jon, but he couldn't imagine what it might be.

# # #

My thanks to all of you who have taken the time to email me. Suggestions and comments, both good and critical, are appreciated. Email me at:

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