Straight Up

by J. S. Finley

  “Sad. I pushed you away, and I’m sorry. I never should have hit you. In the last email I wrote but didn’t send, I finally admitted I wanted you.”

  Brent gave him a sweet kiss. “It’s okay. We’re together now, and I’m not letting you go.”

  Jake stepped close to Brent and rested his head on his lover’s broad shoulders. It felt good being with him. He had someone to look after, someone to love. “You’ve been so good to me.”

  “You’re a good man, Jake. You deserve to be happy.”

  They stayed together for a long moment, hugging and kissing. It felt right being with Jake. After a long moment, Brent leaned back, holding Jake’s head so their gazes met. Warmth filled Jake.

  “Surviving the war left deep scars on both of us, but with you, those scars go away. I need you forever.”

  Jake’s heart filled with hope. “I’ll be yours, because you heal me.”

  Being with Brent was the best decision he’d ever made. Back in the cabin, he’d feared what being with a man would mean, but now it didn’t matter. He was in love with Brent and no laws or discrimination could change how he felt. He had a man who loved him, which was more than he’d ever thought he would have.

  17

  Despite the lustful looks Chris and Will shot at Jake, Brent liked the couple. When Jake told them why he’d been fired from his job, they both wanted to get revenge. Will was planning on slashing Jake’s ex-boss’s tires until Jake told them it wasn’t worth it. It was obvious to Brent both men had a soft spot for Jake

  “So what are you going to do?” Chris asked Jake.

  “I’m helping Brent a little, but I’m also opening up a computer compliance consulting firm.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Will laughed and kissed Chris on the head. “You do realize compliance is what I do for the CDC, right Chris?”

  “Wait, what?” Chris turned to stare at his husband. His eyebrows were high and his mouth was open.

  “Chris never pays attention to what I do. I work for the Centers for Disease Control, making sure their computers are up to government specs.”

  “Wow, that’s exactly what I’m looking to do. Well, not for the CDC, but with government contractors.”

  “It’s a lucrative field. We don’t have too many consultants, you know, because it’s the CDC, but I’ll keep you in mind,” Will said.

  Brent squeezed Jake’s shoulder. “See, you’ll be okay.”

  Will and Chris shot him and Jake another round of lust filled gazes. Brent pulled Jake close, and Chris rolled his eyes.

  Other than the lusty looks, it was nice hanging out with other gay guys who were relaxed and weren’t into the party scene. It was one of the reasons he’d had such a hard time in Tampa. He couldn’t find guys who weren’t party animals.

  After dinner, they were sitting around a fire pit outside sipping wine. The atmosphere was relaxed, and he understood why Jake liked Will and Chris so much.

  “So Brent,” Chris started. “We were wondering, were you two together in the military?”

  Brent shook his head. “No, we didn’t figure out we were supposed to be together until a couple of months ago.”

  “I bet when you got together it was hot,” Will said.

  Jake laughed and reached out, taking Brent’s hand. “It was hot, but sweet too. Brent is very nice and kind.”

  Brent leaned close and kissed Jake’s cheek. “This guy is the sweet one. We were in the Tennessee mountains, hot tubbing and I got out and was freezing. He took me to bed and got me warm.”

  “He forgot to say he was totally naked,” Jake added.

  “Holy shit, that is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.” Chris reached out and took Will’s hand.

  Will fanned his face. “Oh God, had you two kissed before then?”

  “No,” Jake said. “I pulled him into bed and held him.”

  “Tell me you at least kissed once you had him in bed,” Will whined.

  Brent threw back his head and laughed. “You want us to kiss and tell?”

  “Please,” Chris and Will said together.

  Jake stood and pulled Brent to standing. “It’s been great having dinner with you two. Thank you. I think it’s time we head home. Maybe next time I’ll tell you the story of how I convinced him to be mine.”

  “Damn, this is better than a movie,” Chris said.

  “I can’t wait,” Will added.

  Brent closed the distance between him and Jake and laid a hot kiss on him. Both Will and Chris gasped then moaned as Brent played up the kiss, running one hand down Jake’s body to his ass, squeezing before giving him a good thrust.

  “Oh man, you two are so freaking hot,” Will said.

  Brent pulled out of the kiss and rested his forehead against Jake’s. He could feel Jake’s cock growing hard against his stiff rod. Maybe he shouldn’t tease Chris and Will this way, but he wanted Jake now.

  “Damn, that was a hot kiss,” Jake whispered.

  “Wait until we get home.” Brent stood tall and reached down, taking Jake’s hand.

  Chris’ lips were stretched wide in a smile. “Oh, I’m going to be thinking of your kiss for a while.”

  Will plastered his body against Chris’. “You two have a fun evening; I know we will.”

  They all laughed, and Brent understood exactly what he meant. When Chris and Will hugged Jake, he swore both of them reached down and grabbed Jake’s butt cheeks. He didn’t say anything, but was thinking they should keep their hands to themselves. Jake was hot, but the man was all his.

  Once in the privacy of their own apartment, Brent pushed Jake up against the door. Jake tugged at the zipper of his jeans, and pulled them open, shoving them halfway down his thighs.

  “I need you to fuck me,” Jake said.

  “Yes,” Brent hissed. He pulled off his clothes and found a condom by the couch. He rolled it on, spread some lube, then lined up, pressing Jake against the door. “You know I love you.”

  “Yes. I know you’re the only man for me, and I love you too.”

  “I’m the only one who gets this.” Brent slid in, and Jake arched against him, taking him deep.

  “Oh fuck, Brent,” Jake gasped.

  He could feel Jake’s heartbeat as they stilled, waiting for Jake to adjust to his cock. He loved Jake more than he’d ever loved another. He clung to Jake as he started to move, making love, showing him exactly how much he meant.

  Once they started rocking, Jake seemed almost desperate in his movements. He was wild, demanding. When they finished, Jake turned, his lips seeking out Brent’s.

  “Thank you,” Jake said against his mouth.

  “That was awesome.”

  “You’re my everything, Brent. I can’t ever lose you.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good, because if you do, I’m going with you.”

  Brent helped Jake clean up before guiding him to their bed where he held him all night long. As Jake drifted off to sleep, his breathing evening out, Brent thought about how amazing he’d made his life. They were more than a convenient couple; this was his heart, his soul, and he could never leave without losing a huge piece of himself.

  Their life, though exciting, fell into a pattern of work, coffee, sex, and sleep interrupted by morning jogs, and sometimes cake and movies. Jake had set up another Skype call with the guys for two days after their meal with Will and Chris. Brent was looking forward to talking to the guys. When Jake broke the news he’d been fired, the guys were ready to go to war.

  “It’s fine. Really. I’m fine and I’m happy,” Jake said.

  “But they fired you for being gay,” Clay said. “That’s wrong.”

  “It’s legal.” Jake shook his head and shrugged. “There isn’t anything I can do about it. They have the right to fire me if they want. I’m good though. Things are looking up.”

  The rest of the guys grumbled, but they all agreed there wasn’t much Jake could do. Brent was proud of Jake.
He was taking the loss of his job well. Jake seemed to be looking forward to his future. After two hours of chatting with their crew, Jake said he felt better.

  Life got even better a few days later when Jake got a contract with a huge company. He would be verifying their compliance on security programs in relation to their contracts with the government. It was a huge contract, and it meant he wouldn’t have to look for a job for about six months.

  They started looking for a new place to live but weren’t happy with the options. He mentioned their housing issue on another Skype call with the guys, and Thomas chimed in.

  “Move here. It’s nice, on the beach, and you can find housing for cheap.”

  Jake looked at Brent and shrugged. “We should.”

  Brent’s stomach twisted. “I don’t know. I lived in Tampa, and it wasn’t what I thought it would be.”

  Clay piped up. “I’m headed to visit Thomas next week. Come down and we can see how the city feels.”

  “Oh yes. I have a few extra days of vacation,” Mike said. “I might want to come down for the weekend.”

  “I’m not being left out,” Lane added. “I’ll be there too.”

  “Wow, this is going to be awesome,” Thomas said.

  Brent took Jake’s hand and nodded. Jake’s smile made his heart thump wildly. They were going on another vacation together.

  “We’ll be there,” Jake said.

  Brent leaned in and kissed Jake’s cheek. “Thank you.”

  Jake smiled. “Thank you. You’re the one who has made my life better.” Jake’s lips slid over his, and the rest of the guys on the call started hollering.

  “Yeah,” Thomas called out.

  “So hot,” Clay said.

  Someone ripped out a wolf whistle, and Jake pulled away, his cheeks flaming.

  Brent chuckled and stood. “We’ll see you all in Florida. Right now, I’ve got a man I need to take care of.”

  The guys all laughed, and Lane said he would forward the info about the trip to them once he figured their accommodations out. Brent ended the call and tugged Jake to standing. Jake took Brent’s hand, weaving their fingers together. The connection was perfect, like they belonged together. Jake led him to the bedroom, and he followed, happy he had someone who understood him. Jake had his confidence back, which brought joy to Brent. Jake had made him the happiest man alive, and he wanted to give Jake the same feeling.

  Once in the bedroom, they stripped and Jake pushed him to the center of the bed where he stretched out. Jake stood beside the bed, his smile wide.

  “You’re the best,” Jake said.

  “So are you. I love you.” A thrill twisted through him, bringing goose bumps to his arms. This was exactly where he wanted to be. Maybe his displeasure with Tampa had more to do with the fact Jake wasn’t there. Moving to Daytona could be exactly what they both needed.

  Jake dropped to the mattress and cupped Brent’s cheek. “We’ll make it together.”

  “We will. Together, you’re what I need. My life is always better when I’m with you,” Brent whispered before he pushed Jake to his back, making sure he never forgot how special he was.

  I’m sending this email!

  Brent,

  I love you. I’m not afraid any longer, and I’m sending this email. I should have told you before, but now you know you’re the one. I don’t know where we’ll end up living, but I’m willing to try Daytona, or anywhere. As long as I’m with you.

  Love Jake.

  The End

  About the Author

  I don’t know what I’m doing writing a book, but this is it. I hope you enjoy Straight Up. It’s not at all what I thought it would be when I first started writing. It’s been fun.

  What about me? I’m boring. I read a lot, but I don’t really do much else. I do like to people watch. People are funny. They do silly things. I once watched a guy walk from a store to a kiosk in the mall then back to the store and back to the kiosk. He did it four times before he finally left the area. Why? These are the things I wonder about.

  jsfinleyauthor

  authorjsfinley@gmail.com