by Zane Menzy
“It’ll probably just be Mum being nosey.” Keegan went to walk past his crumpled jeans that housed the ringing phone.
“Don’t be so mean. She probably misses you,” Garth said. “I know I would.”
The phone kept buzzing. He didn’t want to answer it; he just wanted to stand next to Garth naked under the hot shower.
“Answer it, blondie. Talk to your mum. I’ll get the shower warmed up for us.” He gave a flirty wink and left the room.
Keegan sighed. He knelt down, fished through his jeans pocket and answered the call, “Hello.”
A slight pause drifted down the line until a deep voice spoke, “Keegan, buddy. Fuck, I’ve missed your voice.”
Keegan froze, the phone nearly slipping through his fingers. “Liam?”
“Yeah, man,” said Keegan’s estranged mate. “Is now a good time to talk? Or are you busy?”
Keegan looked towards the ensuite where he could faintly hear Garth singing—horrendously—in the shower. He grimaced, hating himself for what he was about to say. “Now’s fine. I’m not busy.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Liam had said it was important he be there at 12.30 p.m. on the dot.
“Yeah, really important we catch up,” Liam had said. “I have a few things to ask you that I can’t say over the phone.” The fact he needed to meet to ask questions felt ominous.
The hotel Liam was staying at was a dull white building on a skinny steep street that walking up was not dissimilar to climbing ladder-like stairs. The burn of the walk on already tired legs took a backseat to the conundrum of what the hell do you say to the person whose bed you soiled with cum and scandal. Looking the guy in the eyes was going to be hard, but it had to be done. You can’t run away from life’s problems, eventually they will catch up with you and sometimes it was better to meet them head-on sooner rather than later.
The glass doors of the complex opened and suddenly the cool summer breeze brushing his body vanished and was replaced with the artificial coolness of air-conditioning. In the centre of the lobby were two shiny elevators leading to the rooms above. On the left-hand side was a small reception desk, whoever was manning it was missing in action. Directly across from the reception were two green couches either side of a tall fish tank. Liam said that he would be waiting by the fish tank to let him in.
But surprise, surprise. There was no Liam. Fuck sake!
As if this whole “catch up” wasn’t bad enough, being stood up was just adding salt to the wounds. For someone who had been so fucking adamant you be there by 12.30 on the dot, then surely, Liam himself would make sure he was there at the exact time.
Sitting, waiting on the couch like a loitering dropkick was embarrassing and in a way degrading. It felt like Liam had control of the situation by running late. Almost like he had done this on purpose. But then he did have control, he could afford to be degrading because he knew secrets—he knew about the video.
He was on the verge of screaming after ten minutes of waiting and watching the fish swim in dizzy circles appearing just as bored as he was. Finally, the elevator made a buzzing sound.
Someone’s coming down!
The doors opened and there was Liam, looking summery in a red singlet and white shorts. His face erupted with a smile and he crossed the lobby over to the green couches.
“Sorry man, I totally forgot about the time.” Liam put his hand out for a friendly shake. “It’s good to see you again.” He nodded like he was unsure of what else to say. “Come with me.” Liam motioned towards the lift. They walked over and Liam pushed the button, letting them inside the small metal box. The lift hummed its way up twelve floors before they got out and walked to the end of a well-lit hallway.
Liam stopped outside the room numbered 1221. He slotted his room card in the lock and pushed the door open. They were only two steps inside when it felt like the twilight zone had swallowed them.
What the fuck is Liam playing at?
Already sat at a kitchen table in the tiny apartment, sipping on a can of coke was Keegan.
“Damon!” Keegan said, frowning. He put his drink down, scrambling to his feet. “Wh-What are you doing here?”
Damon turned to Liam and scowled. “I want to ask Liam the same question.” He could tell by the shock radiating from Keegan’s face that the boy had no idea what was going on, but Damon was old enough to know the shit-eating grin on Liam’s face had a menacing quality. Whatever the reason was for luring them both here, it was not innocent.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Sunday mornings were meant to be about resting and sleeping in. Not this Sunday morning. Jason’s wedding was to take place next weekend and Matt still had a long list of things to do before the backyard was transformed into the crazy dream wedding Jason had envisioned.
Matt had woken early and come down stairs where he had hidden in the kitchen, reading the news on his laptop. He had been sitting on a stool by the kitchen bench, closest to the back door, just in case he had to make an emergency exit at the sound of Keegan and Garth coming into the room. He knew this was ridiculous, feeling unwelcome in your own home, but he wasn’t ready to face the music.
Last night had been humiliating. Utterly humiliating. Any inroads he had made with his son were surely broken and ruined after being busted ramming his tongue down Damon’s throat.
What were we thinking?
Matt knew they should have been more careful, less reckless.
Damon had been so warm, so inviting with the kiss. It felt like they were sealing a future together. A future where they were more than just friends. What had seemed crazy and unthinkable suddenly felt entirely possible. Matt had loved Damon for years. They were best mates. Loving him or any close friend was inevitable. But this love transcended mere friendship, it carried a sexual energy that was only now being unleashed and realised. He didn’t just love his best mate, he was in love with his best mate.
Matt also found himself accepting that this wasn’t just a case of gay for you. Damon was the one he loved but in the back of his mind he secretly knew that he had always had a thing for guys. Especially guys like Damon Harris. Men who carried a natural confidence with them wherever they went; men who could walk into a room and own it with their mere presence. Matt was turned on by this strength especially when it came with equally strong arms and legs, and chiselled chests he could lay into and feel protected by.
He found himself wondering why he had never ventured down the same-sex path again since his teens. Dating women was easier, he guessed. He was attracted to them and nobody asked questions. Life was easier when people didn’t question you. Dating a guy would have been problematic— just like being caught kissing one by your own son.
“What am I going to do,” Matt groaned to himself. He got up from his seat and wandered to the espresso machine to make his second coffee of the day. He panicked when he heard a scramble of feet yomping down the stairs, he was about to dart out the door and hide in the garden but the sound of the front door swinging open and shutting calmed him down.
They’ve gone out!
Matt wiped his brow, relief settling him.
It wasn’t just questions coming from Keegan that Matt was trying to avoid, it was his own questions he had for his son. Finding out Keegan was gay had been a twist he had not seen coming. Matt had always assumed his boy was straight. A good-looking lad who chased after girls. That wasn’t the case of the chase. Instead, Keegan was a good-looking lad who pursued other guys and was dating—Matt assumed—a shaggy-haired unemployed mechanic. Not the catch of the century in Matt’s books. He felt bad for thinking this. Garth seemed a nice enough guy but he had a roughness to him that made Matt feel his son could do better.
Matt promised himself that he would have a talk with his son when he and Garth got back home. He would let Keegan ask any questions he may have about Matt being with Damon, and in turn, Matt would assure Keegan he loved him no matter what. It seemed cheesy but he felt it needed to be said
.
He finished making his coffee then went and sat at the kitchen table, bringing up a fresh web page on his lap top and typed in my son has just come out. He hoped he could find some pointers to help guide him. Matt knew that his own way of approaching things would be fuddled.
He had barely finished his cup of coffee when the front door swung open again.
Damn it! You were meant to be gone longer than that.
Matt clasped his hands together, trying to brace himself for the uncomfortable father-son moment that was fast approaching the kitchen.
Here they come...
Matt took a quick breath and looked up with a friendly smile about to greet his son. “Oh… it’s only you.”
“Gee. Nice to see you too, Matty Pie,” Jason said. He went and took a seat beside Matt.
“Sorry. I was just expecting you to be Keegan.” Matt offered a friendly smile. “Fancy a coffee?”
Jason waved his hand, shaking his head. “Not for me, girl.”
“Boy,” Matt said pointlessly. “What do I owe this Sunday morning pleasure?”
“Will and my shit-dribbling sister—love her to pieces—wanted to go to the museum so I fibbed and said I had already made plans with you.”
“Why would you not go with them? I’ve heard they have great exhibits on at the moment.”
“If I wanted to go see old shit dug up from archaeological dig sites, I’d call up some of my exes.” Jason smirked. “And also, Will is a fucking nightmare in anything like a museum or art gallery. He just goes on and on and on about what it is he knows about whatever is on display.”
“Bit painful, is he?”
“Like a fist without lube.” Jason laughed, his eyes flicked over at the lap top and the search results on the screen.
Matt quickly slammed the laptop shut. “Not for your eyes I’m afraid.”
“Still a big porn fan I see,” Jason teased.
“Nope” Matt rolled his tongue in his mouth. He tried to come up with a believable lie. “I was just looking up stuff to do with your wedding. Gift ideas.” He nodded, pleased with such a good fib.
“Aww, that’s so nice of you Matty,” Jason purred. “I’ve always wanted a gay son.”
Matt threw his head back and groaned. “So you saw it.”
“Gotta be quicker than that to stop my beady little eyes.” Jason saw the filthy look Matt was giving him. “And don’t worry. I already knew.”
“You what? You know Keegan is gay?”
“Well, I do now.”
Matt gasped, his heart booming, worried he had just outed his son by accident.
Jason turned with a titter and said, “I’m just pulling your tits, Matty. Yes, I already knew.”
“But how?” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Is your gaydar that good?”
Jason extended his hand out admiring his painted nails. “Whilst I do claim to have the most finely tuned gaydar in the greater Sydney area, it failed to detect Keegan’s thirst for...” He dropped his hand down and looked across at Matt. “I only know because I bumped into him and Garth at the gay bar… kissing.”
“You did!” Matt shook his head and lowered his voice, “Like I’m not against Keegan being gay—obviously—but I’m not too keen on him and Garth together.” He cleared his throat. “Does that make me a bad person?”
“Not at all. It makes you an arsehole, not a bad person. Besides, you’re just being a dad, looking out for your little girl.”
“Boy,” Matt groaned again.
“Anyway, I wouldn’t worry. Garth and Keegan aren’t together. They’re just friends.”
“But they kissed in front of me last night.”
“Did they?” Jason’s eyes became playful. “Interesting.”
“Yep. Me and Damon were… were sitting having a drink in the lounge and they walked in and just started kissing. And I’m not talking about some little kiss. This was full-on tonsil-tennis stuff.”
“Hmm. At the bar, Keegan admitted to being gay, but Garth insisted he was straight. I did wonder if the shaggy-haired stud wasn’t quite as unbendable as he claimed to be.” Jason rested into the back of his chair. “But he’s pretty cute, though. In his own weird way.”
“I don’t care what he looks like, I just think Keegan needs someone who has more direction. Not a mechanic turned bartender turned jobless twenty-something who doesn’t seem to own a single pair of pants without rips in them.”
Jason laughed. “Have you listened to yourself?”
“What?” Matt said defensively.
“You are sounding like a complete bloody snob.”
“I can’t help that. I just want what’s best for Keegan.”
“Yes, but no need to forget where you came from, Matty Pie. You may have this gorgeous house, a great job and more money than sense, but it doesn’t change the fact that you and me are still poverty peak trash—and I say that with pride.”
“Meaning?”
“Do you remember how much you hated the way people judged you around here back then? How they made assumptions based on how you dressed and which street you lived on.”
“That’s a bit different.”
“It’s not really. You’re jumping to a conclusion without giving him a chance. Garth may not be working now—and yes he would benefit from buying some new clothes—but that doesn’t mean he will always be without a job.”
“True,” Matt mumbled.
“Anyway, you should be more worried about Keegan not having a job. I saw how much cash he had on him the other night. You can’t keep giving him so much money like that.”
“He’s hard up.”
“Yeah, so give him twenty bucks. Not hundreds,” Jason replied. “If you wanna be giving out that kind of cash then you should be giving it to some cracked out bitch on a street corner working hard for her money.”
“You, you mean.”
“Touché, Matty pie, touché.”
Matt went back to Jason’s original point. “I feel bad for Keegan though. I was never around when he was growing up and it feels good to give him money. Sort of like payback for being such a shit father.”
“You aren’t doing him any favours by doing that. You need to sit down with him and help him decide what he wants to do. With everything he has going on right now, I think he needs someone to help him find his way.”
“What do you mean, everything he has going on”
Jason looked away briefly. “Nothing. I just mean it isn’t easy at that age. You remember what it was like.”
Matt sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I’m always right.” Jason smiled.
“Right about what?” Fired a voice.
Matt glanced over Jason’s shoulder and saw his father walking in. “Nothing, Dad. We’re just talking about Keegan.”
“Did ya just find out he’s a fan of the pole?” His father smirked.
“You knew too?” Matt cried. “How the hell did you know?”
“I dropped by the other day and I couldn’t find you anywhere down here so I went looking upstairs and I came across Keegan and his pal having… an intimate moment shall we say.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “That explains why I have two bottles missing from the liquor cabinet upstairs.”
His father shot back a guilty grin.
“You need to stop barging into people’s rooms. You did that enough to me as a kid.”
“Don’t get angry at me,” his father responded. “You should have been smarter and learnt not to get caught playing with yaself so bloody much.”
Jason laughed. “Was Matty bad for that?”
“Was he what! Couldn’t leave his bloody pecker alone after he knew how to use it. Mind you, I think the worst time was when I walked in on him in bed with Damon.”
Jason covered his mouth and giggled. “That is priceless.”
Matt began to blush.
“My heart broke a little that day,” His father said in a contemplative sigh.
Jaso
n’s shoulders pricked up, getting defensive. “Because your son was in bed with another boy?”
“No. Not that. I don’t care where he dips his wick,” His father said honestly. “It was the way they were laying together. It was obvious poor Damon had been the one doing all the work while Matthew laid there like a log.” His father burst out in laughter. “Yep. Couldn’t believe I’d raised such a dud root.”
Jason flicked Matt on the shoulder and joined in with the laughter. “Yeah, I’d be ashamed of that too, Glen.”
“Okay, thanks for dragging up some of the finer moments of my past, Dad.” Matt rubbed his face that was burning with blush. “Before I ask you to leave, why are you here?”
His father smiled hopefully. “I was wondering if I could borrow your car for the day. I’ve got a date with Aroha and I wanted to impress her.”
“Whose Aroha?” Jason asked.
“A fine-looking wahine who’s just started working down at the tavern. She has invited me and some of the other punters around to her place for afternoon tea.”
“It isn’t exactly a date then is it,” Matt said.
“I am sort of hoping if I turn up in your car she might think I have money and then it might become one.”
“Okay. Keys are hanging up by the door. Just don’t be gone all day and night.”
His father walked over and patted him on the back. “Thanks, son. I promise not to break her.” He began to walk off. “And I won’t break the car either.” He roared with laughter at his own joke and disappeared.
“I love your dad,” Jason said, smiling.
“Yeah. Embarrassing as, but he’s pretty cool.”
Jason’s smile turned into a questioning grin. “You never told me that he busted you and Damon together.”
“Didn’t I?” Matt answered, knowing damn well he hadn’t.
“I still find it funny how you and him fooled around together.”
“Yeah.” Matt smiled.
“You two would have made such a hot couple.”
“Do you think so?”
“Definitely.” Jason’s eyes looked foggy with a fantasy. “Damon would make a hot couple with whoever he was with.”