by Zane Menzy
The dark-haired stud was never short of female attention and Keegan figured maybe Liam had finally met someone he liked for more than just one night. Someone he was hiding and keeping all to himself.
Still, it was strange that New Year’s Eve had been and gone and Liam had been a complete no show. He was supposed to have joined Keegan and the gang for a night in town but text Skippy to cancel. Tony too had cancelled, saying he was unwell, which left Keegan and Skippy to face the celebration as a twosome. When they realises it was just the two of them they quickly ditched the idea of town, replacing it for a night of online gaming at Keegan’s house.
The ditching of town was probably a good thing, Keegan thought. He couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t bump into the scraggly Garth who could quite easily bring up Keegan’s failed gay flirt. Damon was right though, if Garth ever told anyone, all Keegan ad to do was deny it. There was no proof he had asked for a kiss.
Why did I even want to kiss him anyway? It’s Liam I like. And maybe Damon?
Liam was the object of his desire, but Damon was a different sort of desire. The vain thirty-something was basically Liam in twenty years—which was a good thing for Liam because Damon still looked smokin’ hot. Both men were similar in height and physique, nudging six feet with muscular and lean bodies. Sure, Liam had black hair and blue eyes while Damon’s hair was brown and his eyes green but they both shared cocky attitudes and looks that demanded attention. Keegan imagined that they were like yummy dishes on a cooking show. Liam was the spicy ingredients needed to begin the recipe and Damon would be the finished product where the host would point and say, “Here’s one I prepared earlier.”
Keegan looked up and could see the road sign for Tony’s street. He picked up his feet’s pace and excitedly made his way to join his mates. When Tony’s house came into view and Keegan saw Liam’s car parked on the road, he let his Damon daydreams get replaced with his lust for Liam.
Keegan walked up the concrete path to the entrance of Tony’s home but before he knocked he heard Skippy’s voice bellow, “He’s here.” Keegan dropped his hand from knocking, opened the door and walked inside. He found his friends all lazing about in the lounge. Tony and Skippy sat on the floor in front of the boxed game waiting to be opened while Liam appeared sat at the end of the couch, slouched over the arm rest. His muscly pale arms conveniently on full display in the blue singlet hanging loose from his body.
“Hey guys,” Keegan greeted. He went and sat beside Liam.
“What a surprise he went to sit there,” Skippy said.
Keegan shook his head. “What?”
“Nothing,” Skippy said. “It’s just funny that you chose to sit beside Liam.”
Keegan narrowed his eyes and tilted his head in confusion. “Umm, I sat here because it’s a couch. You floor dwellers may not know this but couches were built to be sat on.”
Tony laughed and whacked Skippy’s shoulder. “He sure told you, didn’t he?”
“Yep. Keegan’s the one in charge,” Skippy said.
Liam groaned aloud and appeared to lean farther away from him.
Keegan stared at his best mate wondering what was up. “Is everything okay?”
“Yep,” Liam said frostily.
“Okay,” Keegan mumbled.
Liam stood up and looked down at Tony. “Is it okay if I grab a drink?”
“Help yourself,” Tony answered.
“Quick keep your arse to the wall now that Keegan’s here,” Skippy blurted.
Liam dismissed the comment by pulling the finger at the tall Australian and walked off to get a drink.
“That’s a fucking random thing to say,” Keegan muttered. The room carried a weird vibe. He felt like he had walked in on a secret meeting.
“Sorry, bro, I don’t mean to be rude,” Skippy said loudly. “We just know that you’re an arse man.”
Keegan laughed more out of nervous politeness than finding the comment funny. “Actually, I’m more a legs man than anything.”
“I bet,” Skippy snorted. “Me personally. Tits and pussy.”
Keegan darted his eyes to the side, smiling. “Good to know.”
“What about my legs, Keegan?” Skippy stretched out his long legs, rubbing them with his hands. “Do they pass the test?”
“What the fuck are you on, dipshit.” Keegan laughed. “No Skippy. They don’t.” Secretly Keegan did think his tall friend had nice legs but he wasn’t about to state that fact.
Tony chuckled. “Anyway, Keegan, what colour did you want to be?”
“Pink,” Skippy blurted. “Poofs love pink.” He gave Keegan a wicked glare.
“What the fuck is your problem, Skippy?” Keegan’s eyes shifted uneasily.
“No problem,” Skippy replied, blinking. “I think Liam’s the one who has the problem. Not us.” He burst out laughing again.
“Okay does one of you want to tell me what is so funny cos the joke is flying over my head like a fucking fighter jet at the moment.” Keegan stared them down, demanding an answer.
“We’re only teasing, Keegan,” Tony said, catching his breath. “Honestly we don’t mind that you’re gay. It’s all good.”
Keegan shot his back straight. “I’m not gay!”
“Uh, yes you are,” Skippy said patronisingly. “You like to skewer dudes arses like a kebab stick.”
“Piss off,” Keegan gruffed.
“Videos don’t lie.” Skippy beamed a foul smile.
Keegan rolled his eyes once he realised what they were going on about. “Don’t be giving me shit about that. That video was Liam’s idea.”
Liam’s deep voice startled him, “They aren’t talking about that video, Keegan.”
Keegan turned to find Liam standing behind him. “Wh-what video are you talking about?” He asked, trickling out an innocent tone. “We only made one.”
“Look it isn’t a big deal. You’re still our mate. We don’t care what you do,” Tony said, sounding diplomatic.
“Yeah, bro. We don’t care if you’re a fag,” Skippy added cruelly.
“Just tell me what video your talking about,” Keegan snarled. He felt his skin begin to crawl.
“The video of you fucking your uncle,” Skippy said, sounding almost gleeful.
“Damon isn’t his uncle,” Liam corrected.
“Damon?” Keegan shivered. “What the hell are you talking about. I haven’t made a video with Damon. That’s just gross!”
Liam pulled his phone out his pocket and fiddled with the screen before showing Keegan. “This video.”
It was hard to see at first under the dim light in the video but slowly he made out what it was. The single worst fucking thing imaginable. On camera was him and Damon both buck naked, fucking wildly atop of Liam’s bed. Damon’s voice pleading, “Harder, boss, harder.”
Skippy burst into hysterics. “Fuck man that is the funniest shit ever.” He shook his head in disbelief. “You got some good moves there, Boss.” He stared blatantly at Keegan’s crotch. “And a huge fucking cock apparently.” He fell into fits of laughter again.
Keegan couldn’t move. His palms started sweating and it felt like the entire world had collapsed in his gut. He placed a hand to his mouth and raced out of the room ‘till he found the bathroom. He crashed on to his knees and retched into the toilet bowl. He heaved up again and again as he felt dizzy from the social Armageddon unfolding around him. He spat out the last drops of vomit, huffing and puffing. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he muttered to himself.
Tap, tap.
“Keegan. You okay?” It was Liam.
“Go away,” Keegan mumbled.
“I’m coming in,” Liam said.
“I don’t want to see you.” Keegan punched the floor. “Why would you do that to me.”
Liam pushed the door open and poked his head in. He looked down at Keegan as if he were viewing a diseased lab rat. “Keegan, I didn’t film you on purpose. I had the webcam on ‘cos I had been live streaming earlier that day. I
just forgot to turn it off.”
Keegan’s vision misted with rage. “You’re telling me that that video is on the world wide fucking web?”
Liam dropped his eyes to the floor. “Yeah…sorry.”
Keegan slapped his face and groaned. “You’ve fucking ruined my life, Liam. How could you?”
“It’s not my fault,” Liam said defensively. “No one told you to fuck Damon and leave cum all through my sheets.”
Keegan’s lip quivered as an avalanche of stress bulldozed his body.
“Sorry,” Liam mumbled. “I’m not mad at you about it. I’m just—” Liam stopped.
“Just what, Liam?” Keegan glared up at his best mate who appeared reluctant to give an answer. Suddenly Tony and Skippy both appeared behind him. All three staring down like they were viewing a zoo animal.
“I’m just sort of creeped out that you have this huge crush on me and never said anything,” Liam said. “It’s kinda deceitful ya know. Like all the times we hung out I thought it was innocent, but you just wanted to get off with me.”
Keegan shook his head. “I’m not some rapist, Liam.”
“You raped that dude’s arse by the looks,” Skippy said, grinning.
“Fuck up, Skippy,” Liam muttered, elbowing his tall friend. He looked back down at Keegan. “And I ain’t saying you’re a rapist. I just… .” He paused. “Don’t know if I can trust you at the moment.”
Keegan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He scrambled to his feet. “Fuck this.” He shoved his way through his mates and marched towards the lounge and front door. He needed air and he needed to be as far away from them all as possible.
Tony chased after him, catching up in the front yard and grabbed his shoulder. “Keegan. Don’t go. It’s not that big of a deal. We don’t care if your gay. I know I don’t.”
Keegan flicked Tony’s hand away and stared back at the flushed freckle-faced boy. “What do you mean it isn’t a big deal?” He looked up at the sky as if the answers were painted in the clouds. “There is a fucking video of me porking my father’s best mate all over the internet and you all think it’s a big fucking joke.”
Tony’s face softened. “We don’t think it’s a joke. Come inside. Skippy is just being Skippy and Liam will calm down. He is just in shock.”
Keegan blinked away tears and shook his head. “Nope. No fucking way. I have to go.” He turned around and bolted. Running for his life. He didn’t stop running till he ran out of breath. He hunched over gasping for air and clutched his side that ached with stitch. With a trembling hand, he pulled his phone out and dialled the only person he could speak to for help.
Damon.
Chapter Fifteen
The café was packed. Every table was taken and it was flooded with noise. Any other occasion Damon would be annoyed to see his favourite lunch spot so filled but today he was relieved to see it teeming with people. He was about to have lunch with the only woman who scared him as much as inspired him. The only person who might be able to help him.
Jenna. His mum.
Jenna didn’t suffer fools and she didn’t mince her words if you were brave—or stupid—enough to ask for her opinion. Normally Damon would know better than to ask the feisty baby boomer for her take on his personal life but with what Keegan had told him on the phone last night, he didn’t have a choice. He didn’t know what to do and he hoped like hell Jenna did.
Jenna wasn’t like most mothers. For starters, she didn’t let Damon call her mum. She was Jenna and had been since he was a teenager when she decided she didn’t like the sound of being referred to as mum ‘cos she thought it made her sound terribly old. Even now in her early sixties the rule applied. A plus side to her age denial was she never hounded him for not having any children yet. Most childless bachelors his age would be hounded relentlessly by pesky parents desperate for grandchildren. Not Jenna.
One thing most people didn’t realise about his haughty mother was she knew she had her faults. She may have made a point of convincing people she was inwardly perfect whilst trying to look like a woman half her age—a vanity he had inherited—but underneath her shiny shell, Jenna was real and she knew how to protect that side of herself so no one would ever see her cracks. Her vulnerability. She was ferociously brilliant, Damon thought.
Jenna had made her own share of mistakes in her past—including one similar to the issue Damon was now facing—but had fought hard to correct them. After divorcing his father, Jenna had moved back to her home town in the Bay of Islands where she had fallen into a career in real estate and became what she had always wanted. A success. She had used her sharp wit and attractive looks to her advantage and before long became the top residential agent in the region, amassing a more than comfortable lifestyle without the aid of Damon’s wealthy father.
During her time up north Jenna had met a new man, Keith Dunbar. He was completely different in every way to Damon’s gawky professional father. Keith was a foul mouthed, rum swigging, car painter who thought the world of Jenna and treated her like a queen. Damon liked seeing this. His mother deserved nothing less and it was obvious she expected nothing less. After Keith sold his business, the pair—just last year—relocated to Auckland where Jenna worked part-time for a real estate firm on the North Shore while Keith enjoyed his retirement playing at home like a big kid building model planes that he would take out and fly at the park on weekends.
Damon flicked his eyes towards the entrance awaiting Jenna’s arrival, tapping his foot uncontrollable under the table. He wiped his brow, telling himself to remain calm. He just had to go through the motions of asking how she was. How was Keith? How was work going? She would then ask similar mindless questions. It was then that he could approach the subject of Keegan.
A light gust of wind flew inside the café, Damon looked over to view his impeccably dressed mother walking in with dark sunglasses covering half her face. It was sunny outside but Damon suspected the tinted eye shields were designed to hide wrinkles more than block out the sun. Jenna soon spotted him and offered a light friendly flick of her wrist as a wave. She sauntered over as if the café were her runway and sat down to join him.
“How are you, Damon,” she asked curtly, removing her eyewear, placing them in her leather handbag. Her elegant perfume swirled across the table, digging its way into his nostrils.
“Really well. And you?” Damon looked around for a staff member to come take their order.
“I’m good as can be expected for a woman married to a ten-year-old boy trapped in the body of a pensioner.” Jenna sighed dramatically. “You wouldn’t believe what your idiot step-father has gone and done.”
Damon shrugged.
“He went and adopted a bloody dog.”
Damon curled his lips into a grin. “Okay. Why is that a problem? Surely you would love to walk around with a little fluff ball in your handbag like all the other ritzy ladies.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “Why on earth would you think I would want to carry something around that would just crap everywhere in my handbag.” Jenna shook her head. “Women like that have issues, I tell you.” She narrowed her eyes and whispered, “And for the record this beast wouldn’t fit in my hand bag. It’s a bloody Doberman!”
“A Doberman. Why did he get a big breed like that?”
“Apparently, it is a suitably manly dog for a manly man,” Jenna said with a smearing of sarcasm.
“Oh boy.”
“Yes. Oh boy alright. I told him he won’t be so manly once we chop his nuts off.”
Damon laughed. “You’re gonna chop Keith’s nuts off?”
Jenna shook her head. “No, the dogs. I chopped Keith’s off years ago.” She chortled. “That’s what I carry around in my handbag.”
Damon nodded, smiling.
Jenna drummed her manicured nails across the table. She squinted her eyes, honing her gaze on Damon. “When are you going to tell me what’s wrong.”
Damon flinched. “What do you mean what’s wrong?�
��
“Well, you never ring me up for lunch and since I sat down you haven’t stopped tapping your foot or twitching around like you’ve been tasered.” She gave a clipped nod. “Now spill.”
“Okay firstly, I do invite you out for lunch.”
Jenna’s stare became harder.
“Okay. I don’t invite you out for lunch as often as I would like,” Damon sputtered. “And maybe I am just tapping and twitching cos I’m excited to see my mum.”
“Don’t try that one.” She dropped her angry face, replacing it with a softer look and very cautiously asked, “Am I about to become a grandmother?”
Damon shook his head. “No.”
Her body loosened. “Thank god for that. I was worried how well I could feign excitement.”
“Gee, Jenna. Don’t overdose on your maternal instinct.”
“I can assure you that has never been a problem.” She touched his arm. “If something’s wrong, you can tell me what it is.”
Damon knew this. He looked around at the crowded establishment and lowered his voice. “Okay before I tell you, please remember that we are in the middle of a very busy café so people will hear you if you flip your lid.”
Jenna gave him a pointed stare. “This is sounding ominous.”
“Yeah. It’s kinda bad I guess you could say.” Damon scratched his neck, flicking his eyes to the menu on the table. He was scared to look at her while he told her his dilemma.
“For god sake, Damon, tell me before I’m dead and buried will you.”
“You know Matty has a son, right?”
“Karina’s boys? I thought they had moved back to London.”
“They have. I mean his other son. His real son.”
“Oh, yes. Kieran.”
“Keegan,” Damon corrected.
“That’s the one. I’ve only met him once when he was about twelve or thirteen when you had him and his mother visiting on holiday. But gosh what a handsome wee thing.”
“He isn’t so wee anymore,” Damon said. “He’s eighteen.”
“Breaking hearts all over town I imagine.”
Damon shook his head trying to remain focused. “Anyway, I umm did something stupid. Like really fucking stupid.”