Chapter 17
Jeff
I applauded as Randy finished his tale. “Very good. I especially like the kinky bondage sex.”
He snorted. “The foreman didn’t. He thought he was going to top.”
“Do we have time for another tale?” Doug asked.
Randy shook his head. “I don’t know about you three, but I’m pooped. The spirit may be willing, but the flesh has had it for tonight. Besides, tomorrow looks as if it might be a long day, so we’re going to need a good night’s sleep. Don’t worry about clearing stuff away. I’ll do that. You can all go to bed.”
“Aw, thanks, Mom .” Travis stood, and Doug joined him. “What time should we show our faces in the morning? Seeing as the first extra guest won’t be here until ten-ish.”
“Whenever you like. I’ll be up early, so I’ll put the coffee on. Breakfast will be a help-yourself deal as usual. I’ve got eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausage, mushrooms, cereal, toast, bagels, pancakes, you name it.”
“Can I have all that on one plate?” Doug grinned. “With syrup?”
“Sure, but when you have a heart attack, you can drive yourself to the emergency room.” Randy snickered. “And since when do you eat such a hearty breakfast?”
“Hey, it sounds as if I’m going to be busy.” His eyes gleamed. “Gotta keep my strength up.” He paused. “Guys… you’re really okay with this? I mean, sharing tales of us fucking some guy’s brains out is one thing— watching each other do it is another. And I couldn’t help but notice that not one of us has said ‘Hey, I don’t wanna watch you guys fuck.’ So if you do feel that way, now’s your chance to get it out into the open.”
“As opposed to letting it all hang out tomorrow?” Travis said with a chuckle. “Quit worrying. We already said if one of us isn’t up for it, that’s okay. Besides, it isn’t as if we’re going to be fucking each other, right?” He paused. “We’re not, are we? Because much as I love you guys, I so don’t want to do that.”
I laughed. “I think we’ve established we all have a type, and none of us fit into it. Your ass is safe, Princess.”
He flipped me the finger. “And on that note, I’m going to bed.”
I waited until Travis and Doug had disappeared from view. “I’ll help you clear,” I told Randy.
“You don’t have to do that,” he remonstrated.
“No, I don’t, but I want to.”
We went to work in the kitchen, covering and wrapping the leftovers before depositing them in the fridge. Randy loaded the dishwasher and I wiped down all the countertops. Then I collected all the glasses from the porch. The grill was the last thing to be cleaned.
“Okay, that looks better.” Randy cast a longing glance at the bottle of cognac.
“Want a nightcap? I’ll join you.”
He beamed. “That’d be great.”
The fire pit hadn’t given up the ghost entirely, so we sat by it, warming our hands. Lights twinkled around the edge of the lake: we weren’t the only ones who hadn’t gone to bed yet.
Randy sipped his cognac and stared into the dying flames. “Brandon sounds as though he’s a handful.”
I chuckled. “He’s that, all right.” When no further comments came forth, I glanced at him. “What’s on your mind?”
“Don’t you want to settle down one day?”
I bit my lip. “You mean monogamy?” I shook my head. “Uh-uh. I’m happy the way I am.”
“Yeah, you’re happy fucking as many guys as you can. Why settle for one when you can have hundreds, maybe thousands?”
I blinked. “Oh, to have the stamina.” I studied him for a moment. “Okay, let’s get one thing clear. Let’s say I meet someone, and we’re good together, but we both want to continue fucking other guys. What I feel for him isn’t any less of a big deal. Sex is the necessity in life, right? We fuck because that’s what our bodies are urging us to do. But that isn’t what connects us to someone. Sure, in the heat of the moment, maybe, but that doesn’t last, does it? I’m talking about connections that don’t need binding ties.” I gave him a sympathetic glance. “Some people are cut out for monogamy, others aren’t. I’m in the latter group, that’s all. If you wanted to settle down, marry, I would never tell you you’re wrong.” I smiled. “You’re just different. And it’s okay to be different.”
Randy finished his drink. “I think I’m ready for bed now.” He stood.
I joined him, and on impulse I gave him a hug.
He stared at me when I released him. “What was that for?”
“Because I felt like it. And because you keep inviting us back.”
Randy chuckled. “You’re my best friends. And after more than two decades, that’s saying something.” He glanced at the fire pit. “It’s almost out.”
I snickered. “And tomorrow is already looking as if it’s going to bring its own kind of heat.”
Randy
The patio doors were open, and the night air cooled my warm body.
And tomorrow night there’ll be someone else in this bed.
I didn’t bring guys to the cabin. I kept my hook-ups limited to the coast. This was my sanctuary, my slice of heaven where I could chill, swim, and enjoy the peace of the place.
My phone vibrated on the nightstand, and I grabbed it. I smiled when I saw the message.
You asleep yet?
I clicked on Call . “No, but you should be. You have a long drive tomorrow.”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
I chuckled. “I say a lot of things. Which bit in particular?”
“Maybe I should talk to my dad. About me being gay, I mean.”
I stuffed a pillow behind my head. “You’re not ready to tell him about me, then?”
“Not yet. I want him to get used to the idea of a gay son first. Then I’ll work up to it.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
There was a pause. “I’ll make comments about older hot guys. Let him see couples with an age gap, so he knows it isn’t unusual.”
I smiled. “Sounds to me as if you’re going to a lot of trouble to make this easy for him.”
“Of course. This is important.” He paused. “ You’re important.”
His words sent warmth surging through me, but what came to mind was what Jeff had said down by the jetty.
“When you get here, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have said before now.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It is, but in a good way. It’s just not a conversation for over the phone, okay?”
“Okay.” He paused. “Where are you?”
“In my bed. Well, more like on it.”
“That’s cool. I can see you in my head.” I could tell he was smiling. “Do you have to leave on Sunday? Couldn’t you work from there for a few days? I could bring my books. We could have a week at the lake, just the two of us.”
And when was the last time I took a week’s vacation?
“I love that idea. Pack a bag for the week. I’ve got clothes here. But bring my messenger bag and laptop with you. Everything I need is in there.”
“Got it.” Another pause. “You know what’s so good about this call? We can both hear the water.”
I got out of bed and went out onto the balcony. “You’re right.” Water lapped the shore below. “Bring your swim briefs. We’ll go swimming in the lake.”
He laughed. “I was bringing them anyway for the weekend.” He went quiet, and I thought I’d lost him for a moment. “Hey, Randy? I…”
He was gone again.
“Logan? You still there? What is it?”
“Nothing that can’t wait until I see you face to face. Good night.”
“Night.” I hung up.
A week with Logan sounded like heaven.
Jeff’s right. Logan needs to know what he means to me.
And I knew the perfect time to get him alone—when my buddies would be otherwise occupied.