Find Me in July (Mesa Boys)

Chapter 4

four

T roy sat at the table off the kitchen, looking down at his yellow plastic plate filled with roasted chicken, vegetable medley and a baked potato. He hated the vegetable medley. Why did Mom always have to make that?

“So, did you boys have fun out on the lake today?” His father held his fork and knife over his plate, gazing at him.

“Sure.” They’d had fun in more ways than one. Warmth filled Troy’s chest as he thought on the day, the closeness he’d shared with Jessie. Their friendship was even better than before. He ate a bite of chicken.

“Meet any girls out there?” Donna smirked at him and adjusted her brown halter top.

Troy narrowed his eyes. “As a matter of fact, we did. The girls I told you about yesterday were there.”

Donna straightened in her chair, across from him. “Oh. Did Jessie like them?” She lowered a brow.

Troy stuffed a bite of chicken in his mouth. “Not really.” He glanced at her.

Donna grinned and dug into her baked potato. “Good. I think we should all play monopoly tonight.”

Mark shoveled food into his mouth and lifted his head. “Right on.”

“I think that’s a fantastic idea, Donna.” His mother grinned, then sipped some coke from a clear glass and tugged on her white blouse.

Troy slumped his shoulders. That was it. They were stuck playing Monopoly with the siblings. Not like he needed to get high again today. Once was enough. “Sure, I’ll see if Jessie and Nate want to come over.”

“Nate is already coming over.” Mark cut into a chicken leg.

“Then I’ll ask Jessie over.” He had to find some excuses to get out of the house over the next few days before he got stuck with his siblings all summer. He didn’t want a repeat of last year. The van. He focused on his father. “Hey, Dad, Jess and I want to go to the drive-in over in Pequot Lakes one night and take the van. Would you let us?” He fingered the paper napkin in his lap.

His father tented his fingers over his plate and pursed his lips. “Sure, as long as you take Donna and Mark.”

Donna’s eyes lit up and she swallowed her food.

Troy dropped his mouth open, lowering his brows. “But, Dad, we sort of had other plans.” He glanced at Donna, then lowered his voice, leaning toward his father. “You know, with girls .” It was a lie, but one that might get him the van without his annoying sister and brother.

His father lifted his brows. “Oh...” He looked at Troy’s mother.

His mother huffed. “Absolutely not.” She lifted her fork at Troy. “I know what you’re up to, young man.”

Troy scoffed. Maybe he shouldn’t have mentioned chicks. “Mom...”

“Did you invite those chicks from the boat?” Donna pressed her lips together.

Troy leered at her. “None of your business.” Damn, she was annoying. Always in his shit. He shook his head, pushing food around his plate.

His father chuckled. “Come on, Karen. He is twenty-one. He’s a man now. We should let him do what he wants.”

Troy glanced at his father, then his mother. Please listen to him, Mom.

Mark watched them all with wide eyes.

His mother huffed. “All right. You can have it after the fourth.”

Troy freed a long exhale and smiled at his mother. “Thanks, Mom.” He couldn’t wait to tell Jessie.

A knock sounded at the door.

Troy jumped from the kitchen table, now cleared from dinner and set up with the Monopoly game. “I’ll get it.” He strode to the door and opened it.

Jessie stood on the cement entry, showing off his chest and shoulder muscles in a white, sleeveless t-shirt. His cut-off jean shorts rested over narrow hips, his hand sitting on Nate’s shoulder. He offered Troy a wide smile. “Hi.”

Troy’s heart skipped. He took Jessie in from head to toe. He looked different. He’s kind of a fox. Why had he never noticed that before?

Nate, his dark hair cut short, his wide, brown eyes searching the room, said, “Where’s Mark?”

“He’s at the table,” Troy said, focusing on Jessie.

Nate brushed past him.

Jessie held Troy’s gaze, then gave him a shy smile. “What are you staring at?

Troy licked his lips and grinned. “Uh, you.” His face flushed. It sort of felt like he was flirting. No, only a bit of fun between friends. He cleared his throat, then stepped aside. “Come in.”

Jessie walked inside, keeping his gaze affixed on Troy. He stopped, grabbed Troy’s arm, and whispered in his ear. “You can stare all you want, but don’t touch.” He snickered.

The shimmer of breath against Troy’s ear quivered over his spine. Jessie’s giving it right back. He smirked. They could have some fun with this fake flirting thing.

Jessie strolled to the table.

Troy gaped, gulping hard at the gentle sway of Jessie’s hips and the tight ass under the body-hugging shorts. He breathed in deeply. Wait, what was going on? These were weird... feelings? Urges? What were they? Was it because of what had happened today? Maybe the scene at the marina, or the joint jerk-off session? He shook it off. Maybe everything that happened was making him think too much.

Jessie sat at the table opposite Nate and Mark, while Donna sat at the head.

Donna rested her chin in her hands, beaming at Jessie. “Hi, Jessie. You’re looking tough.” She gave him the once over.

As Jessie hung his head, his face flushed. “Thanks.”

Troy took a seat beside Jessie and flashed his eyes at Donna. “Jesus, Donna, chill.” He picked up his colorful paper money and counted it. “We ready?” He looked around the table. Everyone’s money was properly laid out and their tokens set up on the Go square in the corner. They’d played this game so many times, everyone already had their set tokens. No need to argue over them. Jessie was always the dog. That’s so cute. He grinned at Jessie.

“What?” Jessie gave Troy a sly smile, then slapped his thigh. He lifted his dark brows.

He came close to Jessie’s ear and whispered, “Just staring...” He moved his leg to rest against Jessie’s.

Damn, this could be fun. And no one would know but the two of them.

Jessie dropped his head and gave it a slow shake.

“What the hell are you two going on about? Donna glared at them. “Are we going to play, or what?”

“Roll the dice,” Troy scoffed, focusing on Donna. Annoying.

Donna rolled the dice. They skipped across the table and landed. She moved her token, an iron, and stopped on Oriental Avenue . “I’ll buy it.” She plucked her money out from under the edge of the board.

Mark and Nate whispered to each other, pointing at the board, then Mark went through the real estate cards.

As the game wore on, one hour turned into two, and Troy’s patience thinned. He scanned around him. Where were Mom and Dad? His focus caught on the window in the main room, looking over the wooden porch facing the lake.

The silhouette of his parents and Jessie’s parents showed through the window, sitting at an iron patio table, the scene bathed in golden porch light.

“I’m done.” Troy threw his real estate cards on the table. This game could go on all night.

“Aw...” Mark and Nate said in unison.

Nate huffed. “What are we going to do now?”

Donna’s eyes lit up. “I know. How about truth or dare? She gazed at Jessie, biting her lip.

Troy’s glance caught on Jessie’s. “I don’t know. We’re not in high school anymore.” She was not only annoying, but immature.

Jessie placed his hand on Troy’s thigh. “Might be fun.” He smirked.

Troy glanced at the hand on his thigh, then smiled. “Okay, but only if we have some beer.” He jumped from the table and went to the kitchen, then opened the refrigerator. Beers lined the inside wall of the door. He took two out.

“Get one for me, too. I’m old enough now,” Donna said.

“Fine.” Troy slid another beer off the shelf, then returned to the table and handed them out.

Jessie opened his and took a gulp. “I was wondering when you were going to bring out the beer.”

Troy chuckled. “I figured we had plenty at the lake today.”

“Okay, one of you chug one down, so we can use the can.” Donna cleared the Monopoly game from the table.

Mark lifted his hand. “What about us? Can we have one?”

“No. Mom will kill me.” Troy shook his head.

Mark crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine.”

Jessie lifted the beer can to his lips and swigged the whole thing down, then slapped it to the table. “There.” He set it on its side. “Should I start?”

Donna grinned. “Yeah, go ahead.”

Jessie spun the can. It twirled on the tabletop and landed with the opening at Troy.

Heat flushed Troy’s face. This could be bad if he picked truth. What if Jessie asked if he’d seen him with Gary at the marina? He lifted a brow at Jessie. “Dare.”

Jessie tapped his fingers on his lips, then smirked. “Run around the table in your underwear.” He chuckled.

“Dude.” He cocked his head. Figured he’d pick that. He stood up and shimmied off his t-shirt, then unfastened his jean shorts.

“Barf.” Donna made a gagging sound.

Nate chuckled. “You have to do it.”

Jessie curled a finger at Troy, beckoning him to come close, a sly smile on his mouth.

Troy bent over, putting his ear at Jessie’s lips.

“My turn to stare,” Jessie whispered and waggled his brows.

Warmth crept up his spine. Whatever they were doing, he liked it. He turned his head, brushing his lips against Jessie’s cheek. “There’s plenty to stare at.”

Jessie’s breath caught. “I should have dared you to streak, then” He adjusted his shorts.

“Too late now.” Troy smirked and straightened, then dropped his jean shorts and kicked them off his legs, baring his white underwear. Thankfully, he was barefoot. He lifted his arms in the air and yelled, flailing his arms, ran around the table, then dropped down in his chair.

The room filled with snickers and laughter, Nate and Mark doubled over.

Troy panted and chuckled. “Happy now?” He watched Jessie giggle, wiping his eyes.

“I almost creamed my jeans, man.” Jessie held his arms around his waist, laughing.

“Uh-huh.” The joke wasn’t lost on him. He glanced at Jessie’s groin, the shorts more filled out than usual.

Jessie came close, whispering. “Like what you see?”

“Yeah.” He ticked his chin up, curling the corner of his mouth. They should probably stop this. Their siblings were around. But he didn’t want to. He stood and skimmed his shorts up his legs, fastened them, and put his shirt on. “Okay, my turn.” He spun the beer can. It twisted and stopped with the opening at Donna.

Her eyes widened. “Troy, I am not running around naked.”

“Who wants to see that?” Troy crinkled his nose.

Nate’s face reddened and he hung his head.

Jessie pointed at his brother. “Apparently Nate does. Look at him.”

Donna dropped her jaw open.

Mark peered at Nate. “Dude, that’s my sister.” He curled his lip.

“So? She’s not my sister.” Nate grinned at Donna.

“No way.” She glared at Troy. “Truth.”

“Okay.” What should he ask her? If he asked about who she had a crush on, that was too easy. Wait a minute... a sex question. “Have you ever had... anal sex?” He sniggered. If she said yes, he was going to laugh so hard. “You have to tell the truth, Donna.”

She pursed her lips, glanced at Jessie, then huffed. “No, that’s gross. Only fags do that.”

Nate and Mark snickered, and Nate said, “Yeah, fags.”

Troy wrinkled his brows. He hadn’t even thought of that. He clenched his jaw and focused on Jessie.

Jessie’s smile vanished and he slapped his hand to the table, then stood up, and ambled to the refrigerator. “Need another beer.”

What if Jessie was gay? He would have anal sex. Holy shit. Jessie looked upset. Troy stood and met him at the refrigerator. He whispered, “Hey.”

Jessie rubbed his eyes, then turned around and flashed a grin at Troy. “What?”

Troy studied him. He seemed okay. “Nothing.” He followed Jessie to the table and they both sat down, Troy sitting sideways to face him.

“So, I get to go next.” Donna rested her hand on the beer can, her chin in her other hand, propped up with her elbow.

“Go.” Troy fixated on Jessie.

Jessie gulped his beer.

The can twisted and the opening landed on Jessie.

Jessie sighed, then smiled at Donna. “Dare.”

She licked her lips, grinning from ear to ear. “I dare you to kiss me.”

Mark and Nate snickered, covering their mouths with their hands.

It was as if a hot poker jabbed him in the chest. “Donna!” Troy stood up. “That’s not cool.”

“Oh, come on, Troy. I’m an adult now, and he’s your best friend. Cut the protective big brother crap.” Donna scoffed at him.

“Don’t worry, Troy. I’ll be gentle.” Jessie snickered and grabbed Troy’s forearm, tugging him into his chair. “Chill, man.”

“Oh, yeah?” She looked Jessie over, her eyes twinkling. “You don’t have to be gentle.”

“If you say so.” Jessie slid his chair close to hers, leaned in and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, then licked his lips and placed long, deep kisses over her mouth.

They think I’m being protective of Donna? Troy gulped through the dryness in his throat. His chest ached. His gut churned. He stared, unable to look away. He couldn’t watch this. Why couldn’t he watch this? What was going on inside him? It had nothing to do with Donna and everything to do with Jessie. He fisted his hands. “Okay, enough. It was supposed to be a kiss, not make-out city.” He sounded angrier than he should be. He needed to calm down.

As they parted, Donna sighed. A faint grin spread over her lips.

Jessie smirked at Troy. “What’s the matter, man? You really don’t like me kissing your sister?”

Troy glared at Donna, then at Jessie. “No. I think we’re done with this game.”

Mark groaned. “But we didn’t even get to play.”

“Yeah,” Nate said.

Troy lifted his chin at them. “Too bad, family fun time is over.” He grabbed his beer and stood up. “Jess, let’s go chill outside.” He tilted his head at the door.

Jessie lifted up, beer in hand. “Sure.” He followed Troy out the door of the cabin.

Troy walked to the van and leaned his back against it, crossing his bare feet. He needed to cool off. He surveyed the trees and foliage around the cabin, cast in shadow, outlined by the lone streetlight. “Guess what?”

Jessie sipped his beer and grinned. “What?”

“I got us this van for the drive-in the day after the fourth. Just the two of us, no one else to bother us.” Troy smiled, then furrowed his brows. That didn’t come out quite as he’d intended, given the situation.

Jessie placed his hand on the van, next to Troy’s head and came close, a coy grin spreading his lips, taking him in. “You did, huh?” He gazed into his eyes, then to his lips. “You bringing that skin mag?”

Good to see the fake flirting game is still on. “I could. You horny?” Troy focused on his lips, his breath quickening. His sister had kissed those lips.

“I’m always horny.” Jessie came closer, his tongue running a circle around his mouth, his breathing heavy.

What’s going on? His heart thumped in his ears. Heat shivered over his body. He had to stop this flirting thing before it went too far. “Uh, J-Jess.” He placed his hand on Jessie’s chest.

Jessie sighed, hung his head, and turned around. “I’m sorry I kissed Donna.”

“What?” Where the hell had that come from? He bumped off the van and stepped to face Jessie, taking a swig of beer. “Why?”

Jessie wrinkled his brows. “Dude, you seemed pissed.”

“I was, kinda. But not at you.” He looked around them. Could anyone see or hear them? No one in sight.

“Then what were you pissed about? You didn’t want her to kiss me ?” He lifted his brows, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

Yes. He stared at the ground, his focus darting over dirt and grass patches his brows furrowed. He didn’t want anyone kissing Jessie or Jessie kissing anyone but maybe him. Did that fucker Gary kiss him before—Shit, why am I thinking about kissing Jessie? He was getting too confused by all of it.

“Troy?”

He took Jessie in, the outline of him shining in the streetlight, the dark hair framing his face, the large, blue eyes gazing at him so intently, the generous lips. He couldn’t tell him how confused he was. That would make things worse. Jessie had asked him not to freak out at the lake. He wouldn’t do that to him. He sighed. “I don’t know. I’m just tired from being out on the lake all day.”

Jessie’s mouth went slack. “Okay. Maybe it’s time to go to bed. We’re meeting Gary at The Commander tomorrow at one, remember.” He drank the rest of his beer down.

“Yeah.” Fucking Gary. Troy grinned through his teeth.

“Okay, well.” Jessie hooked his arms around Troy’s shoulders, hugging him.

Troy widened his eyes. His heart pounded. Why is my heart beating so fast? He wrapped his arms around Jessie’s waist.

“Goodnight. I sure missed you, man.” Jessie squeezed him, bowing his head a moment, then released him and walked off toward his cabin.

Troy watched him leave, the front of his body tingling from the brief hug. He had a lot of thinking to do, and he had to be ready to face Gary tomorrow.

Troy sat at the kitchen table in the cabin, eating a ham and cheese sandwich. He looked at Donna. Should he invite her to the bar today? Would that be helpful or create more problems?

Donna glanced at him, drinking milk, her half-eaten sandwich resting on her plate. She set the milk down. “What?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.” He bit into his sandwich. If he brought her, then there would be two of them to keep Gary from being too chummy with Jessie. If he didn’t, then maybe he’d be able to spend more time with Jessie, or maybe not. He furrowed his brows. It was more important to keep Gary away. “Hey, Donna.”

She chewed, then swallowed a bite of sandwich. “What now?”

He fingered his plate. “How would you like to go shoot some pool and have a few drinks over at that new bar with Jessie and I?”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, would I.” She edged the table with her chest. “When?”

He knew it. “We’re meeting a friend of Jessie’s at one, so we have to leave in a few minutes.”

She pouted. “Aw... I need to fix my hair and make-up first.” She rose from the table and brought her plate to the sink, then downed her milk and set the glass on the counter. “I’ll be right back.” She jogged down the hallway.

He snickered. That was easy. She didn’t even ask if Jessie’s friend was a dude or a chick. He ate the rest of his sandwich, finished his milk, then brought his dishes to the sink. As he finished washing everything, Donna sauntered out from the hallway, dramatic eye make-up rimming her eyes and curls at the bottom of her hair.

“Ready.” She gave him a wide smile, her hands entwined behind her back, swaying.

“Okay.” With a chuckle, he shook his head. Jessie was in trouble now. Having her along would be perfect. “Let’s go.”

He followed her out the door, then through the weedy area to Jessie’s blue Trans Am.

Jessie stepped out from front door of his cabin, tugging a gray Budweiser t-shirt over his cut-off jean shorts. “Hi.” He glanced from Donna to Troy.

She waved at him. “Hi, Jessie.”

Jessie pinched his lips as he strode to him. He leaned to his ear, whispering, “Why is she here?”

Troy smirked. In a low voice, he said, “She wanted to come.”

Jessie stared at him, wrinkling his brow. “Why?”

Troy shrugged. Jessie was not happy. Too bad . “Why not?”

Jessie looked at him a moment more, then huffed and clenched his jaw. “Fine.” He walked to the car and got in.

“Donna, sit in the back.” This would work. Troy opened the passenger door, then flipped the seat forward.

She climbed into the back seat, grinning, then tapped Jessie on the shoulder. “I can’t wait to play some pool with you guys.”

“Yeah.” Jessie glanced at Troy, then frowned.

Troy slid into the passenger seat and closed the car door. “Let’s go.”

Jessie started the car, hit the button on the cassette deck, and The Grand Illusion by Styx rang out. He gunned the car and peeled out.