After the kiss, which seemed to go on forever, Logan finally broke for air. “Holy shit!”
“How was that for being ‘The Man?’” Channing struggled to catch his own breath.
“Do it again.” Logan stared at Channing hungrily.
Channing obliged; only this time, he slipped his hand to Logan’s crotch and squeezed, causing Logan’s eyes to go wide. Logan gasped, then slid his hand up Channing’s shirt. Channing did the same, rubbing his hands against Logan’s chest. The heavy breathing and moaning increased as both of them explored each other’s torsos with their hands. Quickly losing control, Channing pushed Logan’s head to the side and buried his lips in his neck, and began sucking, slowly moving up to nibble on his ear.
Logan moaned. “Damn…Chan.”
About that time, the porch light came on. Logan saw it first and tried to push Channing back.
“Chan. The…porch…light-” He tried to speak as Channing squeezed his nipple with his fingers.
“Who cares?” Channing continued sucking and kissing Logan’s neck like a starved man, running his fingers through Logan’s hair, pulling the rubber band out, and massaging the beautiful curls. “God, you smell good!” He said as he grabbed a handful of the ebony strands, pressed them against his nose and breathed in deeply. He reveled in the intoxicating smell of the Axe shampoo, before continuing his mission to cover every inch of Logan’s neck with kisses.
Logan moaned in pleasure and gently tried pushing Channing away. “Chan. Your parents are going to see us. You have to stop.”
He sucked in a breath as Channing’s lips touched a sensitive spot just below his ear.
“Let them!” Channing continued, unabated.
“Chan.” Logan breathed, finally managing to push him away. “You have to stop.”
Channing leaned back and gave him a disappointed look.
“Fuck, Chan!” Logan said, his eyes as big as saucers. “What the hell was that?”
Channing’s face dropped, realizing he had let years of sexual frustration manifest itself in a lip-mauling of his date.
“Oh, fuck, Logan. I’m so sorry.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what got into me.”
Channing stared at Logan, scared that he had been too aggressive with this hot guy who had only admitted to him recently that he was, in fact, gay.
Logan hesitated a moment before he began laughing. “Dude. Are you sure you’re only fourteen?”
Channing gave him a confused look. “Yeah. Why?”
“It’s just…I’ve never had anyone do that before. I mean, I have, but not like that.”
Channing stared at Logan; his face tight with worry that he’d gone too far. “I’m so sorry, Logan. Was it too much?”
“No!” Logan said quickly. “It was great! It’s just I didn’t think you were so…aggressive.”
“I think the more appropriate word is ‘horny.’” Channing shrugged.
Logan let out a boisterous “Ha!” and turned to him. “You’re something else you know it?”
“Am I?” Channing smiled.
Logan’s expression became more serious. “Listen, Chan. I’ve thought about this…and…I’m ready to come out.”
Taken aback, Channing said the first thing that popped in his head. “Are you sure about this, Logan?”
Logan hesitated for a moment. “I…think so.”
“Listen, Logan. It’s a huge step. You need to consider this carefully,” Channing wanted to be encouraging, but realistic. “Once you’re out, there’s no going back. Will your parents accept it?”
“It’s just…my Dad, I don’t know.' Logan hesitated.
“Logan,” Channing grabbed his hand, “if you’re not sure, then it might be better for you to wait until—"
Channing stopped as the expression of confusion and uncertainty on Logan’s face caused him to reconsider his suggestion to wait until college. He started thinking of his birth father, who had forced him into living a life in the closet because of his own fear of disappointing him. The lie that denied him happiness in his former life, and led to depression so deep he came within moments of ending that life. This isn’t right for me to tell Logan he should keep his secret if he’s ready to be his true self. I’d be the world’s biggest hypocrite, he thought to himself and turned to Logan with resolve.
“Do it, Logan. If you feel like you’re ready, tell him. Don’t live a lie for the rest of your life just to please your father. You need to be true to yourself. You know me, Cam, and even Mom and Dad have your back.”
Logan nodded. “I know. It’s time, but I want to tell Cam first.”
“Okay.” Channing reached over and squeezed his hand. “Why don’t you tell him tomorrow when he’s over helping remodel my room? I think this is a conversation you want to have in person, and I’ll be there if you need me.”
“Okay.” Logan gave him a nervous nod.
Channing leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know,” Logan said, the worry etched on his face.
Channing rubbed the back of Logan’s head and smiled. “I had fun tonight.”
“Me too.” The corners of Logan’s mouth slowly lifted.
About that time, the porch light started blinking. Channing looked out the window.
“I think they’re trying to tell me to come in.” He chuckled.
“Yeah,” Logan said, turning to look towards the house.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” Channing ran his hand up Logan’s arm.
“Okay.” Logan leaned in to kiss Channing one last time before Channing grabbed Maynard and exited the truck.
Entering the house, Channing found Tommy milling around the door while Kathy busied herself reading on the sofa.
“What were you guys doing out there?” Tommy seemed uneasy.
“Just talking,” Channing answered somberly.
“Is there something wrong?” Kathy looked up from her book.
“No.” Channing stopped himself. “Yes, actually there is. Can we talk?”
“This doesn’t sound good.” Tommy’s brow furrowed as he followed Channing into the living room. “Did something happen tonight, buddy?”
“Yeah.” Channing hesitated but decided being straightforward was best. “Logan is gay, too.”
There was a moment of silence.
Tommy put two and two together. “So, tonight wasn’t just two buddies hanging out, was it?”
“No. Logan asked me out on a date,” Channing admitted.
“Isn’t that weird to you?” Tommy asked.
"What do you mean?” Channing raised his brow.
“I mean, you’re a fifty-year-old in a fourteen-year-old's body dating a seventeen-year-old boy,” Tommy said.
Channing squeezed his eyebrows together and pursed his lips. “Dad—"
Tommy, realizing his mistake, quickly moved to correct himself. “I’m sorry, Channing. That wasn’t fair of me. You’re no longer Brandon Daniels. I’m just concerned about the age difference between a fourteen-year-old and a seventeen-year-old like any…parent would be.”
“It’s okay. Believe me, I was concerned, too. And we talked about it, but Logan doesn’t see me as a fourteen-year-old. He says I act older, which kinda makes sense if you think about it.” He shrugged.
“Except for the times when you go out and get shit-faced or steal youth potions,” Tommy affixed him with a stare, “or sneak around with Corbin, smoking cigarettes.”
Channing’s jaw dropped. “How—"
Tommy interrupted. “Did you know the security camera on the corner of the house captures a tiny bit of the area behind the garden shed?” Tommy pressed his thumb and index finger together and raised an eyebrow. “You’re grounded for a week, by the way.”
“Shit,” Channing grumbled.
“You said there was something wrong?” Kathy got them back on the topic at hand.
“Oh. Yeah, Mom.” Channing’s thoughts on his groundin
g were interrupted. “Logan is about to come out, and he’s worried about his father’s reaction.”
“You think his father might go as far as getting physical?” Kathy asked worriedly.
“I don’t know. I don’t think he would go that far from the way Logan talks, but,” Channing shrugged, “with what little I know about him, he and Brandon’s father would have a lot in common.”
Tommy’s face contorted in anger at the mere mention of Brandon’s father. “What do you need for us to do?”
“I just wanted you guys to know, I mean…if Logan needs help.”
“Of course,” Kathy said without hesitation.
“I’ll go over and kick his father’s ass if I need to. Just say the word.” Tommy said.
“No, Tom. You will go over and talk to him and explain to him there’s nothing wrong with having a gay son.” Kathy scolded.
“I prefer the ass kicking,” Tommy grunted.
“Me too.” Channing smiled.
“Guys.” Kathy shook her head. “We will be civil, and if Logan needs help, we will help him.”
“Yes, ma’am.” They replied in unison.
Channing stood up, yawned, and stretched. “Oh. Please don’t act like you know when he’s over here tomorrow. At least until he tells Cam.”
“Our lips are sealed.” Kathy agreed.
“I do have to know one thing,” Tommy said, pointing at the big red dog with that pouting face that was set in the chair. “What the hell is that?”
Channing chuckled. “Logan won it and gave it to me. We went to the fair instead of the movies.”
“I’m sure you looked very manly carrying that thing around all night.” Tommy laughed.
“Nah,” Channing shrugged with a smile, “I won Logan a big pink stuffed rabbit and stuck him with it all night.”
“Nice job.” Tommy held out his fist, which Channing bumped.
“Boys. I swear.” Kathy smiled and shook her head.
Chapter Ten
Saturday morning, the family was up by eight o’clock to start work on Channing’s new room. Kathy prepared a large breakfast for everyone consisting of pancakes, bacon, eggs, hash browns, and biscuits and gravy. Channing put on a plain white ribbed tank-top and a pair of old paint-splattered shorts he found in his closet that once belonged to Tommy’s nephew. The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Channing, who had just sat down to drink his morning cup of coffee, jumped up from the table and ran to the door.
Opening it, Channing took in the site of Corbin wearing brown overalls on top of a long-sleeve flannel shirt with brown work boots and a ski-toboggan complete with straps tied under his chin.
“Oh my, God. Dude!” He laughed hysterically as Corbin stood expressionlessly, clearly not amused. “What the hell?”
He glanced over Corbin’s shoulder and gave a quick wave to Mrs. Mitchell, who happily waved back before driving away.
“I’m allergic to paint,” Corbin said in a low voice as he loosened the straps of his ski-cap.
“Allergic to paint? Who the hell is allergic to paint?” Channing continued laughing.
“I am. Dumbass.” Corbin stared. “Just be glad I’m here. Mom wouldn’t let me come unless I came dressed like this.”
“I guess you’ll be ready if there’s a freak blizzard, and we need someone to take the dog sled into town for supplies.” Channing teased as he checked out Corbin’s shit-kickers.
“Shut up!” Corbin pushed Channing aside and entered. Sniffing the air, his mouth began to water.
“Mmm…bacon.” He said, the smell drawing him towards the kitchen.
Channing fell in behind Corbin as they walked into the kitchen. Tommy sat at the table, cutting up his omelet while Kathy laid a fresh plate full of bacon next to it.
Tommy raised his head, his eyes widening at the sight of a bundled-up Corbin.
“You hitting the slopes there, Corb?” He smiled.
Corbin groaned, jerked off his cap, and stuffed it in the front of his overalls as he stomped to the table, plopping down in the seat next to Tommy.
“He’s allergic to paint.” Channing laughed as he fell into his own chair once more.
“Allergic to paint?” Kathy asked as she retrieved a plate of eggs from the counter.
“Yeah.” Corbin picked up the plate of bacon and raked several pieces onto his plate using his hand. “Something in house paint makes me break out in a rash all over, I can’t let any of it get on my skin.”
“You’ll have a heat stroke painting in that.” Tommy pointed towards Corbin’s thick overalls. “Maybe you should help me build the bookshelves in the garage. You’re not allergic to sawdust, are you?”
“Nah.” Corbin shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth. “Sawdust is okay.”
The sound of footsteps entering the room caused everyone to look up.
“Hey, guys.” Cam greeted them. “Looks like we’re just in time.”
Channing’s eyes immediately focused on the long-haired Adonis in a pair of old tan overalls with no shirt underneath standing next to his son. The right shoulder strap was frayed and broken, revealing Logan’s entire right pec, causing Channing’s mouth to water for something other than food.
“Hey, Logan.” He greeted him with a big grin on his face, feeling himself getting hard at the sight of Logan’s exposed nipple.
“Hey,” Logan replied, resisting the temptation to wink.
“There’s plenty for everyone.” Kathy waved them over.
As Logan sat down in the chair next to Channing, his elbow brushed against Channing’s arm.
Channing leaned over and whispered. “You wore that on purpose. Didn’t you?”
“Whatever do you mean?” Logan smiled innocently. “It’s Arizona, it’s hot.”
Cam sat down next to Tommy and reached for the plate of scrambled eggs. “Planning on chopping some wood there, Corb?”
"I thought he was bringing back the Grunge look.” Logan grabbed a biscuit.
“Har! Har!” Corbin reached for the orange juice.
“Did I ever tell you guys that I saw Nirvana in concert in ‘91?” Tommy jumped in on the conversation.
“No way! You saw Kurt Cobain in his prime?” Logan’s face lit up. “How far from the stage were you?”
“Front row,” Channing answered as he grabbed for the gravy. “He slung his sweat on us when he banged out to Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
“We?” Logan laughed.
“I mean, Dad.” Channing quickly corrected himself. “He told me this story a couple of weeks ago.” Channing stopped and looked over at Corbin, whose fork was halfway to his mouth, his eyes wide.
“Nirvana rocks!” Logan proclaimed. “I grew up listening to them. My dad was a big fan.”
“That’s back when music was actually good.” Tommy took a bite of his omelet.
“So says the old man.” Channing looked at Tommy with a mischievous grin.
Tommy gave him the evil eye. “You want two weeks on that grounding…little boy?”
“Sorry, sorry.” Channing laughed as he took a sip of his coffee and glanced at Corbin, who shook with laughter as he chewed his bite of egg.
“You don’t look a day over thirty, Mr. Burkhart,” Corbin said.
“Nice save there, Corb.” Cam chuckled, glancing at Tommy, who had broken into a smile.
“Just for that, Corbin, I won’t tell your parents about you smoking since you and Channing have officially given up that habit,” Tommy said causally.
“Ummm…" Corbin looked at Channing with wide eyes.
“Security cameras.” Channing shrugged as he applied butter to his biscuit.
Corbin’s face dropped. “Yes, sir. I have.” He grumbled.
After a big breakfast, Tommy and Corbin headed to the garage to build shelves, while Logan, Cam, and Channing headed to the former guest room to transform it from a floral Hell to a cool teenage heaven.
“So, where do we start?” Channing clapped his hands toge
ther as his eyes surveyed the room.
“I think clearing out the furniture first, then pulling down this old lady wallpaper,” Cam suggested.
“No problem.” Channing flexed his bicep playfully. “Time to bring out the big guns.”
Logan wrapped his hand around Channing’s bicep and squeezed, causing him to feel a bit weak in the knees. “You’ve been lifting more weights.”
“Look who’s talking.” Channing reached over and rubbed his hand on Logan’s exposed pec, feeling the muscles in it contract from the touch.
Cam gave Channing a curious look. “Okaaay. What color we painting the room, Chan?”
“Midnight blue,” Channing answered.
“Cool,” Replied Cam. “That’s funny. That was my dad’s favorite color. He painted his office midnight blue.”
Channing thought quickly. “That’s where I got the idea. I liked how it looked in your dad’s office.” He stared at the dozen or so boxes of Brandon Daniels’ things stacked along one wall. “I can’t wait to get all his stuff set up in here.” He said, already having a vision of how he wanted all the DVDs on the bottom shelves and the action figures on the top.
“Sounds cool. Oh, I have his Doctor Who autograph collection in a binder at home. I had forgotten about it that day we were over there and saved it just before the house sold.” Cam said as he stared at the boxes. “Remind me to give it to you next time you’re over.”
“Oh.” Channing’s face fell for a brief moment when Cam mentioned the house had sold. Memories of Cam running around the house when he was small briefly ran through his head. “Who bought it?”
“An African-American family is all I know.” Cam shrugged. “At least now, my college is paid for.”
“Just how much money did you get in all, dude?” Logan’s curiosity piqued.
Channing knew exactly how much money his son inherited and how he now stood before a seventeen-year-old multi-millionaire. Even without the money Channing’s ex-wife had tied up in court, which he had hopefully resolved thanks to his phishing skills, his son would be set.
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