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-DurtyRiter
The Man with the Jeep
Chapter 53
John slowly stirred awake.
Spending yesterday with Andrew had been so relaxing. It was nice not to have to have a plan and two or three contingencies lined up just in case. It was sheer joy just to make a simple breakfast, talkÑeven if it was about things he'd rather forgetÑand then putter the day away. The days he didn't have to leave the house were always a pleasure, and it recharged his batteries. And to do that with Andrew made it all the better. It gave him renewed hope that this could be the future for them.
He knew Andrew hadn't finished micro-analyzing everything he shared with him as he inevitably would, but at least he hadn't run away screaming. Yet. John would answer the inevitable questions as they came honestly and without ambiguity. He was determined to make sure their relationship was grounded on a solid foundation without any lies that could erode it down the line. If it was too much for Andrew, John would rather find out sooner than later.
He opened his eyes to look at the sleeping man beside him. In peaceful slumber, all the worries that he had such a hard time letting go of while he was awake were erased from his visage. He had to admit he was smitten with this adorable guy. And he was as lovely on the inside as he was on the outside.
Before Andrew, he had been losing hope that he would find someone to bond with for the rest of his life. Most people were decent folks, but so many guys were like he used to be: egocentric, shallow, and/or carrying so much baggage they couldn't move. At this point in his life, he found it incredibly disappointing that so many people were stuck within their own paradigms. Not because they were evil or selfish, but more because they were unwilling to look outside themselves and challenge their own suppositions.
He was done with that himself and didn't feel like he could honestly connect with anyone who wasn't on the same page.
But here in this humble, kind, and curious soul lying across from him, he was pretty sure he'd found someone who could.
Sure, he had shortcomings like everyone else, but this was someone who wasn't afraid to consider something just because it didn't instantly fit in with what he already knew. Or thought he knew.
Watching him sleep was captivating. All the lines of worry and tension that were on constant call while he was awake were absent now. His pale hair was getting a little long, and some fell across his forehead. The combination made him look notably younger than he was. In this state, he could pass for a 19-year-old if he wanted to. John wouldn't apply the overused term "glow" to describe what radiated from Andrew, but "soft" fit the bill nicely. It was endearing, and John was absolutely certain he wasn't the only one who thought so.
Andrew, being Andrew, might never see his own attractiveness, but it wouldn't be due to a lack of John's effort to get him to see it, he promised silently to himself.
He drew his arm out of the covers to check the time.
7:36am.
If the birthday party for Andrew's brother started at 10, he'd have to get going now or they would chance being late.
Slowly and carefully so as not to disturb Andrew and let him get a little more sleep, John crawled out of bed and padded downstairs.
He used the toilet and was instantly justified in his insistence on getting the quietest one he could find as he flushed. He doubted Andrew wouldn't hear it, but at least it wouldn't be a jolt from dreamland.
He donned some clean boxers and started some coffee brewing before putting some water on to boil for hot cereal. He pulled out a couple plates and placed a banana and half a grapefruit on each one.
He was reaching up to grab the box of oats from the cabinet when he felt Andrew's arms wrap around his waist.
"Good morning," he said softly in John's ear.
"Mmm! Good morning to you! How did you sleep?"
"Really well, thanks."
"Excellent! Is oatmeal okay with you for breakfast?"
"Anything is fine," Andrew assured him.
"Cool," John replied. "It'll be ready in just a few minutes."
"Okay," said Andrew, pulling away. "I'm going to hit the bathroom first."
"Just don't hit it too hard!"
Andrew groaned as he walked. "It might be too early."
"Sorry!" responded John lightly.
A few minutes later, Andrew returned, wearing his underwear and a t-shirt.
"Know what?" John asked him.
"What?" responded Andrew guardedly.
"You are so handsome!"
Andrew blushed awkwardly. "I haven't showered yet..."
"It doesn't matter," John asserted. "You still look amazing."
"Thanks," mumbled Andrew.
"If you want to have a seat, breakfast is served! Would you like some coffee?"
"I usually don't, but maybe I will today."
"No problem! Would you like cream or sugar?"
"Definitely," Andrew answered boldly.
"No straight up black brew for you, huh?"
"Never. If I have to drink it, it's going to have to be doctored up until the taste of coffee is gone."
"I forget how crabby you can be in the morning," John said with a grin. "Just hand me the mug already."
"Here you are, good sir," John said with an overdone smile as he presented the steaming mug with a grand flourish.
"Thanks," Andrew replied shortly. But John could see the effort it took for him not to laugh at his antics.
"I figure we can have some breakfast and then head over for your brother's birthday together, if that sounds good to you," John offered.
"I didn't really plan on staying the night, so I didn't bring anything with me," Andrew began doubtfully. "I should probably go home first and get ready there."
"I probably have what you need right here," John suggested.
"I doubt it," came the reply. "I need to shave, and I didn't bring deodorant, a toothbrush, or clean clothes."
"I have shaving stuff, a stash of toothbrushes, and some spray deodorant." He offered. "I know you prefer the sticks, but it'll do in a pinch, right?"
"And the clothes?" Andrew challenged.
"Surely I have something that will work even if it's not quite as tailored as you like."
"Hmm. We'll see."
Truthfully, John was a little surprised at Andrew's crankiness. He hadn't been cranky before, but John took it as a good sign and chalked it up to Andrew letting his guard down a little more.
It wasn't long before breakfast was finished and cleared, and the boys had cleaned themselves up with a shower and (in Andrew's case) a shave.
John led Andrew to his closet under the stairs to help him find something to wear. While it was true that John was notably beefier than Andrew, some of his stuff was too small for him to wear anymore but too sentimental to donate to a shelter. Together, they rummaged through them and found enough to dress Andrew.
He ended up with a loosely fitting light gray sweater over a white compression shirt that didn't compress anything at all on his slim frame and some faded old jeans that used to be black but had faded to patchy dark gray. The light patches emphasized certain bulging parts of John's body, which clearly made Andrew hesitant to wear them, but he was eventually won over with John's coaxing. Likewise, Andrew was not a fan of wearing boxers, so he eschewed John's trademark shorts for the only other option available: a jockstrap.
Just because they didn't have time to mess around didn't mean they weren't responding to spending the morning together in their underwear and then showering together. They were both half-hard all morning. And while Andrew was forcing his equipment into the containment of the jock, John watched the straps tighten and frame his tidy butt as he worked.
John was more than half hard by now and hoping he wouldn't distract Andrew and make them late to the party. He hated being late.
He was relieved when Andrew began to don the jeans, hoping for a little visual respite to ebb his excitement. But even while he convinced Andrew they were fine and not too suggestive, his own cock told a different story. Andrew looked downright amazing in John's clothes.
He somehow managed to hide all this from Andrew, which was good because he didn't want Andrew to ever feel self-conscious. But in the meantime, John was pretty worked up.
He decided to wear heavier jeans himself in an effort to help restrain his wayward tool. It kind of worked as he resolutely avoided looking at Andrew in his jeans and thought of other things.
They were soon walking the dim halls, down the worn stairs, and climbing into John's old BMW. John had just started to back out when Andrew surprised him with a question.
"You have a bike too?"
"Yeah," John answered as he maneuvered the little convertible under and through yet another arch toward the exit. "It used to be my dad's, until Mom made him get rid of it. She always hated it.
"Actually, not always. She thought it was sexy when they first met. She used to love to ride around with him on it. But once they started having kids, she wouldn't let him ride anymore because it was too dangerous and she wanted to make sure he'd still be around to help her raise us. Of course she had a valid point, but he couldn't bear to part with it, so he stashed it at a buddy's place.
"Eventually the buddy decided to move to Palm Springs and Dad had to find a new place for it. I was in the service then, so I took it off his hands. Bikes are great when you're in the military. We never talk about it when Mom is around though. She'd probably go ballistic on us both. I don't ride much anymore, and it needs an overhaul anyway, so it just sits there really.
"Now, wanna tell me where we are going, or shall we spend the rest of the day here in the driveway?" "Oh! Yeah!"
Andrew gave him the address, and John headed out.
"Your dad still loves it?"
"Loves what?"
"The bike!"
"Oh yeah! He'll always love it!"
"I don't mean to pry, but how old is your dad?"
"He's getting up there."
"Can he still drive?"
"Oh sure! Why do you ask?"
"Maybe it's time to fix it up and give it back to him."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, if your mom's big thing was having him around to be a dad, he's done that, hasn't he?"
"Yeah," answered John slowly.
"If that was the big reason, maybe she'll have a different opinion on the bike now."
"I suppose it's possible."
"And it's not like you ride it anymore either, apparently. If it were me, I'd get that thing as spiffed up as I could and give it back to him on their anniversary so they could re-live some good memories. Who knows? Maybe they'll join the Hell's Angels and become a hardcore biker couple."
"I don't know about that," John laughed. "But that is a very good idea!"
"Thank you."
"Speaking of families and good ideas, is there anything you want from me for this visit?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is there some particular way you want me to be? Topics to avoid? Things I should know? I've heard conservative families can be tough for gay couples."
"I suppose that's true, but no, just be yourself. I used to try to tell guys what to say and not say and it was just too much and not real, so it just ended up being an awkward mess. I trust you."
Again, John was impressed with Andrew. For all his tendency to want to stay in control of everything, he seemed to be learning he could let go. And when that was applied to something he knew Andrew valued highly like family, that said volumes.
"Thank you."
"For what?" Andrew asked quizzically.
"For trusting me. I mean it: I appreciate that."
"Of course, you're welcome! If you start talking about our sex life, though, I will probably die."
"I will never do that," promised John with a laugh.
"Then we're good," asserted Andrew.
"Just so I remember correctly, your mom and dad are still married and getting along, right?"
"More or less at least, yes."
"And you have one sister who is married and has three kids. I think the youngest is like five, right?"
"Yeah!" confirmed a surprised Andrew. "How did you know she was five?"
"You said the last one was just starting school, so I just did the math."
"Oh."
"And I'm pretty sure your sister is the middle child because she's older than your brother, but I think you are the oldest."
"Yeah."
"Is your brother dating someone?"
"I don't know," Andrew admitted sheepishly. "I stopped asking because it's like he has a different girlfriend every time. I've only met a few of them, but I can't remember any of them, to be honest."
"It's all good. Just making sure I've done my homework."
"I'm impressed, though now that I think of it, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You seem to remember everything."
"I try," John said. "Plus, I've had very real training."
"Really? Like in school? ÐOh! Like in the Marines!"
"Yeah, like that," laughed John.
"I'm dating Jason Bourne!"
Too close to home. John didn't reply to that and hoped he didn't show a reaction. Andrew's guess was more accurate than he knew.
In a quick effort to change the subject, John asked Andrew about his nieces and/or nephews.
Seemingly oblivious to the deflection, Andrew happily answered.
"Like you surmised, there are three of them.
"Emma is the oldest, and she's nine. She's very much the big sister and probably doesn't let the other two forget it, though she's not quite as bossy as most her age.
"Then comes Dalton, who just turned seven. He loves Legos and cars and a rotating cast of monsters or superheroes. I think King Kong is his latest fad, but that may have changed in the last few weeks, hahaha.
"The five-year-old is Taylor, and she is sharp as a whip! She loves adventure in all its forms and can hold her own with the other two in just about anything. I can see her becoming Lara Croft in the future."
"Well well! She must be quite the character!"
"Oh, she is," confirmed Andrew.
"And you think the whole family will be there today?"
"Definitely."
"Are you nervous?"
"You mean about them meeting you?"
"Yeah."
"A little bit," Andrew admitted. "But also confident. I think you can get along with anyone."
"I try," laughed John. "It makes life so much better!"
"It does," chuckled Andrew.
"Do I get a crash course on names too? I only know Emma, Dalton, and Taylor so far."
"Oh yeah!" exclaimed Andrew sheepishly. "My mom's name is Gail and my dad's is Rick."
"Not Dick?"
"Absolutely not! Only Rick. Don't try Dicky, Ricky, or RichardÑjust Rick."
"Okay, okay," laughed John. "Rick it is. Though I might call him sir."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Andrew do a double take glance in his direction, clearly not sure how John meant that.
"As a gesture of respect, Captain Paranoid. Nothing more, I promise."
"OkayÉ" acknowledged Andrew. "Anyway, my sister's name is Grace, and my younger brother is Thomas."
"And your brother-in-law?"
"Roger."
"Simple enough," John said. "Thanks for the preview. That'll help a lot."
"You're welcome."
"And I think we're about there, right?"
Andrew looked around and nodded.
"You know how I said I was only a bit nervous earlier?"
"Yeah..."
"All of a sudden, I'm way more nervous."
John quickly pulled the car over to the curb and turned to Andrew.
"Give me your hands."
Andrew obeyed.
"Now look me in the eye."
He did.
"We will be fine," he said earnestly. "I won't do anything to embarrass you. You have told me about your family and your upbringing. I respect that and I understand at least most of what that means. Your family sounds like wonderful people who love you. I'm sure they only want what's best for you, right?"
Andrew nodded.
"That means they will be studying me and not you. I can handle that. You can let go and be yourself. I think I know you pretty well by now and I'm sure they do too. We all love you and if all else fails, we will have that in common. We will be fine."
Andrew nodded.
"Now tell me."
"What?"
"Tell me we will be fine."
"But what if-Ñ"
"Nope!" John cut him off. The next four words I want to hear you say are `we will be fine.'"
Andrew paused before replying. "We will be fine."
"I don't believe you."
"What?" asked a suddenly agitated Andrew.
"Make me believe you."
"How..."
"Nope!" John cut in again. "Those are not the words! Tell me the right words and make me believe you when you say them."
Recognition dawned in Andrew's eyes. "We will be fine," he said.
"I almost believe you," John said. "Try it again."
"We will be fine."
John quirked an eyebrow at Andrew.
"We will be fine!"
John smiled.
Andrew surprised him by saying it again, this time with assertion: "We WILL be fine!"
"Yes, we will," John replied. "Always," he added.
He could see the swell of confidence in Andrew's demeanor as it all sunk in. Finally! It was exciting to see, and John earnestly hoped it was there for good.
John pulled back into the street and went the last couple blocks until he pulled up to a welcoming farm-style house.
He turned off the car and looked at Andrew again.
"I think this is going to be great."
"I think so too!" Andrew said without equivocation.
John could burst he was so proud of Andrew right now.
John glanced at his watch: 9:58. Perfect.
They walked up the driveway and to the front door.
"Here we go," said John with a wink as Andrew turned the knob and opened the door.
What happens next? Tell me your thoughts!
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DurtyRiter@protonmail.com