River Town Box Set

by Grant C. Holland

  “So is Penny,” piped up Brody.

  “She is, but I can barely keep up with her. She’s crawling everywhere and trying to get into things. A dad’s work is never done.”

  Puck laughed. “That’s the truth.”

  Dak patted the sofa. He said, “Why don’t you come over here and sit for a few minutes. Addie isn’t in a hurry to go home. There’s plenty of space here between me and Brody’s back end there on the floor.”

  Puck collapsed into the center of the sofa. He said, “It was a long day, and you guys are great. You didn’t even mention that I’m an hour late. Rhea said the daughter of one of her friends had her kid kicked out of daycare for being late like this.”

  Brody said, “Late happens, and you let us know. As long as we know and don’t have to worry, it’s fine.”

  “How’s Ross?” asked Dak.

  “You get right to the point, don’t you?”

  “Once or twice I’ve been accused of directness.”

  Brody said, “He was like that as a kid. Dak always sees the important points, and you can’t hide a damn thing from him. Not that I’ve tried.” Puck noticed the dead silence in the room. “At least not since high school.”

  Dak laughed. “That sounds more accurate.” He turned toward Puck and asked, “Have you gone out together again?”

  “No, but he has stopped by a few times to check on Addie.”

  “Only Addie?”

  “Okay, yeah, there might have been a few hugs and a kiss or two. So I guess it’s going well. I’m new to this.”

  “Dating?” asked Brody.

  “Guys.”

  Brody shrugged. “I’m not sure we’re that different from anybody else. Then again I’m not the best guy to give advice on any of this. Dak and I didn’t get around to our first date for about twenty years.”

  “That long?”

  “We were best friends with lust in our hearts, and I guess we were pathetic at communication.”

  Dak said, “Don’t follow our example. It’s much better to listen to our advice.”

  Puck reached out and playfully tugged on Addie’s foot. He asked, “Do you have advice for me? I thought you were hunting for information.”

  “I think you need to get away for a weekend.”

  Brody added, “Oh, damn, that’s a great idea! I should’ve thought of it myself.”

  “A weekend?”

  Dak nodded. “Yep, go off to the Twin Cities, or even Chicago. You need to get away.”

  Puck stared at Addie. “But…”

  “We’ll watch her,” said Brody. “Then, when you get home, maybe we could trade Penny for a few days while Dak takes me away for a weekend.”

  Dak shook his head and sighed.

  Puck asked, “Isn’t it a little early? I mean, fuck, we’ve only had one real date.”

  Dak said, “And many kisses and a lot of hugs. I won’t ask what else you’ve done together. He’s slept at your place. He found your kid a sitter. Is it really that early? You’re both adults. Some guys fuck on the first date.”

  The skin on Puck’s forearms prickled. A weekend away with Ross sounded like a dream come true in one way. In another way, it sounded way too early to be considering anything serious with anyone after Miranda had been gone such a short time. Still, Ross was terrific with Addie. He said, “I didn’t necessarily mean too early for all of those reasons. It hasn’t been very long since…”

  Brody said, “Only you can decide that. Are there other relatives around that are going to be picky about it? Ross is already in Addie’s life. It’s not like something would change radically there.”

  Puck looked at Addie cradled in Dak’s arms and thought about all of the things Ross brought to his life already. The weekend away sounded like it could be fantastic. He shivered when he thought about going to bed together in a hotel room. He hoped that he wouldn’t disappoint Ross. Puck knew the basic mechanics, but he didn’t have any practice with guys.

  “I’ll give that some serious thought. Now, I should head home with Addie.”

  Dak asked, “Do you want to stick around for dinner? Brody made his mom’s chicken casserole. We always have at least twice as much as we can eat. Brody isn’t great with math.”

  “Aw, damn, no. I think I should head home.” Puck thought the dinner sounded great, but his nerves were already frayed, and he wanted to call Ross when he got home. If he didn’t jump on the idea about the weekend right away, he thought he might let the whole idea slip away.

  Dak settled Addie into her carrier resting on the floor near his foot. He said, “Make sure you get her all bundled up. Spring should get here soon, but it’s still chilly out there.”

  As soon as he walked through the front door of his house, Puck felt the goosebumps on his arms again. He ran everything through his head on the drive home, and he decided to call Ross and invite him over. He decided that he could suggest either sharing a late evening pizza or making dinner together the next day. As usual, Addie was sound asleep by the time they got home, and Puck settled her in for the evening knowing should we sleep for at least four or five hours.

  It only took two rings for Ross to answer. “Puck! Is everything okay? Is Addie okay?”

  Ross’s alarm helped Puck relax. He laughed softly and said, “We’re both fine. I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Of course. Go right ahead.”

  “Would you like to come over? I haven’t had dinner yet, and I thought we could hang out and order a pizza, or you could stop by tomorrow for dinner.”

  “Is it okay if I’m eager enough to see you that I’m ready to leave now? I can be there in ten minutes or less.”

  “I hoped that was the case. I’ll see you in a few.”

  After hanging up the phone, Puck hustled around the living room straightening things and putting Addie’s toys away. He was generally a neat and tidy person, but he wanted to make sure that Ross didn’t see any clutter. As he tucked the last toy into a basket in the corner of the living room, Puck thought about the taste of Ross’s lips and shivered.

  Gathering all of his courage, Puck answered the door and wrapped his arms around Ross who wore a winter coat. He shared a kiss and smiled at the frosty cool of Ross’s lips.

  “Oh, wow. I don’t think I’ve ever had a greeting like that. Andrew was never so enthusiastic.”

  Puck said, “I’m trying my best. Like I said, guys are still new to me, but I like you. I know that now.”

  Ross stuffed a hand in his coat pocket and pulled out coupons. “I brought these in case.” He handed them to Puck and peeled off his coat draping it over the back of a chair.

  Strangely, the coupons made the idea of having a relationship with Ross even more real. They were acting like a couple and not just individual people trying to impress each other enough to earn another date.

  “Before we order the pizza, come and sit with me for a minute. I have something to ask you, and I’m afraid I’ll lose my courage if I wait until after I eat.”

  Ross’ eyes opened wide as he sat on the couch. He moved close to Puck and said, “It sounds serious. Are you sure everything is okay.”

  “Everything is great. It was actually a suggestion from Dak and Brody, and I liked the idea.”

  “Well, out with it, then. You’ve got me dying of curiosity now. I want to know.”

  “Would you go with me for a weekend in the Twin Cities? Just the two of us? Dak and Brody offered to take care of Addie, and I think I could use a weekend to relax.”

  Ross’s jaw dropped open. “Umm, well, yeah, of course, I would like to. I think a weekend away is a good thing for you, too after everything you’ve gone through. I feel so honored that you asked me.” Ross reached up and wiped at the corner of his eye.

  Puck shoved his shoulder. “Oh, come on now. Don’t cry on me. This is a good thing.”

  “I know it is, and I cry at really happy things, too. You’ll to have put up with that. I can’t help it. It’s the way I am.”


  16

  Hotel

  As Ross climbed into Puck’s car, he said, “It looks like nothing happened. Did they get the dents pounded out of the side?”

  “They did that and replaced a panel. It was a couple of grand, but the insurance paid it all. I’ll pay it back and then some over the next ten years when I pay my insurance premium.”

  “Aww, but at least you weren’t hurt, and Addie wasn’t with you, so she wasn’t hurt either.” Ross stretched across the seat and gave Puck a quick peck on the cheek. Then he looked in the back seat at the bags piled on either side of Addie’s car seat. “What’s all of that?”

  “It’s the stuff for Addie’s weekend while we’re away. I kept packing things up and telling myself I had it all done, but then I threw something else in just in case, and another just in case, and now she has a lot more luggage than I do. Baby world is a crazy place. My dad says his mom only carried a diaper bag. How was that possible?”

  Ross reached over and ruffled Puck’s hair. “I’m sure Dak and Brody could figure it out if there was something you forgot. After all, they have a baby, too.”

  Dak held the door open for both Puck and Ross as they carried Addie and all of her supplies into the house for the weekend. “Hurry up, guys, it’s cold out there.”

  By the time they dropped everything on the living room floor, Brody was laughing. He reached out and gave both Puck and Ross hugs in turn while Dak took Addie in the carrier. Brody asked, “Did you change your plans? Are you going away for a month? It looks like there’s enough stuff there to take care of Addie for at least six weeks.” Brody turned to Dak and said, “I told you we should add on a room just for baby stuff, and I’m not talking about a nursery.”

  “Man, you know I’m still new to this. I couldn’t decide what I could leave home, so I brought almost everything.”

  Dak shook his head. “Why don’t the two of you get going? I’m sure we can handle everything from here until Sunday night.”

  Puck said, “I need to give Addie a kiss.” He carefully pulled the blankets back from her face and kissed her softly. “Daddy will be back in two days, sweetheart. You be good for Uncle Brody and Uncle Dak. I’m only a couple of hours away if you need me. I can be here right away.”

  Dak put his hand on Puck’s elbow. “Okay, that’s enough. The first time is always the hardest. We’ll call you if anything of any consequence happens, and you have your phone, so you can call us.” Dak glanced over Puck’s shoulder, “Ross, will you get him out of here? I hope you have tissues in the car. Brody was a basket case the first time.”

  “C’mon Puck, let’s go. Addie will be great. This is good practice for when you have to let her live her life later.”

  Puck yelped. “Damn, don’t tell me that!” He pointed at one of the bags. “Her favorite toys are packed right in there. If she starts to cry, play with…”

  Brody said, “We already take care of her during the week. I think we know all the little tricks.”

  “Okay, yeah, but it’s tough.”

  “We know. I wasn’t the only basket case. You should see Dak. It’s painful to see such a big man cry.”

  Ross laughed and tugged on Puck’s elbow again. “Okay, that’s enough. If we don’t get on the road, we’ll be getting to Minneapolis at midnight. Let’s get going.”

  Five minutes after he pulled the car onto the interstate highway, Puck sighed heavily and said, “It’s really hard. I feel almost like I should turn the car around.”

  “Because of Addie?”

  “Yeah, I’ve never been away from her longer than a workday, and definitely not on the weekend.”

  Ross reached across the seat and rubbed his hand on Puck’s thigh. “I know it has to be tough, but there’s nowhere better for her. She is in excellent hands, so let’s concentrate on you and me.”

  Puck took a deep breath. “Damn, that makes me nervous, too.”

  “Yeah? Why?”

  “Because we’re sharing a room, and I bet we’re sharing a bed, and…”

  “Isn’t that exciting?”

  “Fuck, yes, I’m already hard, but I’m nervous, too. I know it won’t all happen like a porn video, but what goes wrong when things go wrong? It sounds fucking embarrassing.”

  Ross rubbed Puck’s thigh kneading at the muscles with his fingertips. He leaned against Puck’s shoulder and said, “Relax. It’s okay. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

  Puck groaned and grabbed Ross’s hand while he kept one hand on the steering wheel. “Fuck, no, I’m sorry, you can’t do that. We’ll end up in the ditch for sure.”

  Ross chuckled softly and pulled his hand back. He asked, “Do you know how damned sexy you are right now?”

  “Well, that’s good, because I don’t feel like it. I feel like the inexperienced country bumpkin on his way to the big city for the weekend. There’s a lump in my throat from missing Addie already, and my jeans are too tight because of you.”

  “It’s like going to Kansas City in Oklahoma.”

  “What?”

  Ross asked, “Don’t you know the musical Oklahoma? I was in it during high school. I was one of the dancing and singing cowboys.”

  “No, the only guys I knew in the musicals in high school probably were gay. Nothing against them, but my buddies would have laughed at me if I sang and danced on stage.”

  “And…?”

  “Oh, God. This is so fucking confusing. Can I say I like you and want to see if I really like you in bed and forget all of those labels?”

  Ross smiled. “No labels are necessary. We’re two guys who dated wanting to see if there’s more. We’re going to have a fun weekend, and I won’t let anything get in the way.”

  “You don’t think I’m a total fool, then?”

  “Like I said, I think you’re sexy as hell. You don’t let being nervous get in your way. That’s amazing. Most guys can’t do that. I can’t wait to get to the hotel.”

  “So, um, let’s change the topic. When’s the last time you were in the cities? I went there to the airport for my honeymoon.” Puck swallowed hard. “But that doesn’t count. In high school, I spent a weekend there with Dad, and we went to a Twins game.”

  Ross said, “It seems like I go every couple of months. I need to go for art supplies, and I like to wander around in cooking stores. I bought one of those spiralizer things the last time I was there.”

  As Puck pulled into the hotel parking lot, Ross said, “The next time we’ll stay downtown. Thanks for letting me pick, but I didn’t want to break the bank for either of us. It’s another fifteen or twenty-minute drive to get downtown. We can do that this evening.”

  Puck stepped out of the car, closing the door behind him and looked up at the ten-story glass-and-steel all suites hotel. “I think this is amazing. Do we have to leave the hotel?”

  “Not if we don’t want to.”

  Checking in was quick and easy. The desk clerk asked if a king-sized bed was okay. Puck started to interrupt, but Ross said, “Yes, that’s great.”

  “And how many room keys, Sir?”

  “One is fine.”

  When the elevator door closed behind them on the way to the seventh floor, Puck asked, “Don’t I get my own key?”

  “We’re sharing it like everything else this weekend. We’re a couple.”

  Puck laughed nervously. “Like we’re sharing the bed.”

  Ross followed Puck into the room and smiled as he heard a series of, “Wows.”

  Puck made his way through the living room space and into the bedroom. He reached a hand down to push on the bed checking the firmness of the mattress just before Ross tackled him from behind.

  Puck landed flat on his back, and Ross scooted up beside him. “I never was good at football. Nobody taught me how to tackle properly.”

  “You did a pretty good job this time.”

  Ross stared down into Puck’s dark brown eyes. “It’s just the two of us now for two whole days. What will we do?”


  Puck smirked and feigned innocence. “Eat…and sleep. Maybe watch TV.”

  Ross tugged at the top button on Puck’s shirt. “I have a lot more than that in mind.”

  “Oh, shit, you don’t waste time, do you?”

  “Hotel rooms make me horny. Didn’t I tell you that? It’s almost a fetish for me. You’re in trouble now.”

  Puck laughed nervously while Ross continued to unbutton his shirt. He whispered, “We’ve never…” His voice trailed off as the desire to see Ross naked swept over him.

  Ross tugged the tails of Puck’s shirt out of his jeans and kissed his lightly hairy chest. Underlining the words with a growling moan, he said, “Even better than I ever imagined.”

  Puck reached out and fumbled for Ross’s buttons. He’d never undressed another guy before. He felt like his fingers were twisting themselves into knots as he fumbled with the buttons. With part of Ross’s smooth flesh exposed, Puck slipped his hand inside and pressed his palm flat against the warm skin. Ross’s pecs were firm and strong. Puck’s heart began to pound in his chest.

  Ross kissed a nipple, swirling his tongue in a circle and then began sucking. He whispered, “I love a furry chest.” While he kissed, his hand worked its way down over Puck’s muscular abs to the top of his jeans. His fingers crawled over the denim before rubbing the hard cock underneath.

  “Oh, damn.” Puck’s breath caught in his throat as Ross’s shirt fell from his shoulders.

  17

  First Time

  Before slipping between the sheets with Puck, Ross had never gone to bed with a man who was a gay sex virgin. He remembered his own first time. It was his senior year in high school, and he felt like he was continually hyperventilating when he was finally able to touch another guy’s body anywhere that he wanted to for the first time.

  Ross lay back on the bed and pushed his jeans down toward his knees letting Puck pull them the rest of the way off. He said, “Condoms are in the right-hand pocket. The lube is in the left.”