by A. E. Wasp
Benny took the shells carefully. “That’s perfect, Zoe. They’ll make a beautiful necklace for our merman, don’t you think?”
She nodded solemnly. She couldn’t be more than six, and Benny suddenly missed Jasmine terribly. “We have to bring Jazz here one day,” he said to Mikey.
Mikey stopped dribbling wet sand onto the top of one of the turrets. “Definitely. Is it bad to say I kind of wish she was here now?”
Benny smiled at him. “No. I was just missing her, too. She’s pretty durn cute.”
Zoe’s parents walked up to the castle. They were on vacation from North Dakota and in no hurry to return to their frigid winter. “Sorry to break up the party, guys, but we need to get back to the hotel and get ready for dinner.”
Mikey looked up, alarmed. “What time is it?”
Zoe’s dad Fred, a bigger, blonder version of her with a with a hell of a sunburn, checked his watch. “Coming on four. But some of us need a little nap before dinner. And by some of us, I mean me.”
“Oh, crap.” Benny jumped up. “We gotta go, too. We have reservations, and I need my beauty sleep, too.”
“Bye, Benny and Mikey, I hope you have fun!” Zoe waved as her parents led her away.
Mikey stood up, brushing the sand off his knees. “Ok, kiddos. We gotta pack it in. I officially turn the castle over to you.”
The kids jumped and screamed happily. By the time Mikey and Benny had walked ten steps and turned back for one last look at the ocean, they had already started enthusiastically jumping on and knocking down the walls.
“Sandcastles, a lesson in impermanent,” Mikey intoned.
“A lesson in the destructiveness of kids.” Benny turned back again. “Looks like fun. We should have done that.”
“Next time.” Mikey pulled his shorts and t-shirt out of the bag and put them on over his bathing suit.
Benny shook his head. “It’s a crime to cover that. Just a crime.”
“You’re a horn dog.”
“I’m a healthy young man in the prime of my life. I have needs.” Benny put his hand to his chest and tried to look sincere.
“You need a smack on the ass.”
“Yeah, I do.” He turned his bottom towards Mikey. Mikey swatted it obligingly.
“Come on. Let’s get back to the room. We’ll see what we can do about your ‘needs.’”
Benny gave a fist pump and a silent yes. He grabbed Mikey’s hand and pulled him up the street.
The hot water stung where it hit Benny’s sunburn, but it felt too good on his muscles to care. The bathroom door opened, and Mikey came in completely naked. “That’s what I like to see,” he commented as Mikey headed to the shower.
“Then you’re going to love this.” He opened the glass door and stepped in.
Benny hummed appreciatively and reached for him. They held each other, kissing deeply as the water ran down Benny’s back. Mikey maneuvered Benny until he faced the wall, back to Mikey. “Did you wash yet?”
“No,” Mike said, eyes closed, hands braced against the wall in anticipation. “Was waiting for you.”
“Good plan.” Mikey grabbed the soap and lathered up his hands. He ran them up and down Benny’s broad back, loving the feel of the muscles under the skin. Benny groaned in appreciation as Mikey rubbed his thumbs hard on his neck where Benny carried a lot of tension.
He growled as Mikey’s hands roamed lower, flitting across his nipples and down his abs. Mikey stepped back to let the water reach Benny again, getting him nice and wet, then pressed up against Benny from behind, the bar of soap in his hand. “That sand just gets everywhere, doesn’t it?” He reached down for Benny’s cock, which was already doing its best to reach up for him.
Benny’s bucked forward as Mikey stroked up and down with both hands, going hard and fast right from the start. “Holy shit,” Benny panted. His hand slid down the glass wall. Mikey moved one of his hands between their bodies, slipping it between Benny’s ass cheeks. “Sand everywhere.” He made sure to thoroughly clean the most sensitive areas, then pressed his hard cock deep against Benny.
Benny pressed back against him, rubbing up and down, thrusting into Mikey’s hand. “God, baby. It feels so good. Don’t stop.”
It did feel good, almost good enough to make Mikey change his plan. Almost. He bent down and kissed Benny’s shoulder, licking the water that pooled in the hollow of his neck. Benny’s hand clamped down on Mikey’s head holding him in place. “Let me rinse you off,” Mikey said softly into Benny’s ear. He abruptly released Benny’s cock and spun him to face while the water while he was still dazed.
“Did you wash your hair?” Mikey asked as he rinsed the drying soap off Benny.
“Yeah,” Benny replied. He writhed under Mikey’s hands, trying to get them back where he really wanted them.
“Good.” Mikey turned Benny to face him and kissed him hard while backing him up to the door. With one last grab to Benny’s ass – it was hard to resist – he pushed Benny out the door, shutting it in his confused face. “Because I have to wash mine, and you know how long it takes to dry.”
“But, what about?” Benny gestured at his prominent erection.
Mikey laughed at his forlorn expression. “After dinner. If you’re good.”
Benny’s mouth hung open. “Are you serious?”
Mikey reached for the tea tree shampoo and began to massage it into his dreadlocks. “You’ll survive. Anticipation is good for the soul.”
“Bad for my dick,” Benny muttered, grabbing a towel off the rack. “You’re a bad man.”
Mikey laughed. “Just go lay down. I promise I’ll make it up to you after dinner.”
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
Benny was asleep by the time Mikey came out of the bathroom gently toweling his hair. He kissed him lightly on the cheek before going out on the balcony to let the sun help dry his locs.
chapter fourteen - jacket and tie required
As the sun set over the ocean, the taxi dropped them in front of a stylishly elegant hotel. The doorman opened the car door for them and waited while they paid the driver. When they mentioned they had dinner reservations, he guided them through a subtly expensive lobby full of thick carpets, darks wood, and elegantly dressed couples speaking softly to each other. A pianist played jazz standards at a grand piano.
Benny straightened the tie he had borrowed from Mikey and tugged at his black sports jacket. Kevin had assured him that his darkest blue jeans and almost new cowboy boots would be just fine, but looking at the handsome men in their designer suits, he felt like a twelve-year-old at the wedding of a distant relative. Mikey’s hold on his hand was the only thing keeping him from bolting out the door.
Mikey, of course, looked amazing. He had on Benny’s favorite of his going to court lawyering suits. The dark gray one with lighter gray pinstripes. A white shirt with a silvery gray tie completed his outfit. He’d rolled and braided hair back to wrap around his head and drape down one shoulder.
The Maître d’Hôtel smiled as they approached. “Mr. Quintaña and Mr. Washington. Lovely of you to join us. Your table is ready.” The man matched his restaurant, his chestnut hair the same color as the wood, his tuxedo as understated and elegant as the décor. He guided them between the tables, leading them to a curved booth with a high back. Lit by a red-shaded candle on the table and matching wall sconces, the booth almost qualified as a private room.
“Here you go, gentlemen. Your waiter will be with you shortly. Enjoy your meal.” He handed them their menu and left, shoes making no sound on the thick carpet.
Benny gave a low whistle at the prices on the menu. “Mr. Seaton paid for this, right?”
“Um, hum,” Mikey’s eyes widened as he took in the ever more expensive dinner options.
“I have got to find out how he made his money, and then do whatever that was.” Benny frowned at the menu. “I don’t suppose he ordered for us, did he? I don’t know what half these things are.”
>
“No such luck.”
When the waiter came, another handsome young man named Luiz, they played it safe and ordered the steak and ice teas.
“Do you think they hire ugly people here?” Benny whispered. The room lent itself to whispering.
“I don’t think there are any ugly people here who aren’t tourists,” Mikey whispered back.
“Seriously.”
“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind the high back of the booth. Two older men stepped into view. A white man with gray hair and silver-framed glasses who reminded Benny of Mikey’s boss, and an older African-American man with salt and pepper hair and smile lines around his eyes.
“Hello,” Mikey said.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” the white man said.
“Not sorry enough not to do it,” joked the other man.
“Hush, you. I’m Matthew, and this is my husband, Joshua. We saw you come in and we just had to talk to you, and not just because you are a beautiful couple. We had to know, why are you here?”
“Well, it’s our honeymoon.” Benny held up their clasped hands to show the rings.
“Oh, that is marvelous. But that doesn’t explain why you are here.” Matthew waved a hand, encompassing the whole dark, serious restaurant. He rolled his bright blue eyes, voice rise and falling expressively.
“This is a very boring place for two such handsome and young men. This city is full of gorgeous, lively restaurants on the beach, with the lights and music and gorgeous boys wearing almost nothing. This place is a tomb where old queens go to eat and not speak to their spouses while fantasizing about taking a waiter home.”
Mikey looked scandalized, but Joshua laughed and slapped Matthew lightly on the shoulder. “You are such a drama queen. If you feel that way, why do we eat here every night?”
“I like the tuna. Besides, you never know. I might get to go home with a waiter yet. Just you wait!”
“Good luck with that. Let me know ahead of time, and I’ll make sure you get your five minutes alone.”
Benny and Mikey both laughed.
“My boss, Kevin Seaton, arranged this for us as a wedding present. He actually paid for pretty much this whole honeymoon.” Mikey explained. “I still can’t believe it.”
Matt looked thoughtful. “Kevin Seaton. Is he about my age? White hair. Married to that funny Italian man. Tony? Vinny?”
“Yes. Vincent. Do you know them?”
Matthew nodded. Josh looked confused. “You remember,” Matt said. “We went on that dinner cruise with them? He made all that money in real estate and bought a restaurant or something in the wilds of Colorado?”
“Oh yes. They were lovely. They are here quite often,” Joshua said.
“That’s them,” Benny confirmed. “And they are both awesome.”
“Well, please send them our regards. And that explains why you’re here. You might as well enjoy it. The food is delicious. I would get you some champagne, but it looks like you aren’t drinking tonight.”
“No, I don’t drink,” Benny answered.
“Neither does Joshua. Do you like tea?”
Benny nodded, a little confused. “Sure. Who doesn’t?”
“Let me show you something.” Matthew signaled for a waiter who appeared as if by magic. “Can you bring me some of the white jasmine sparkling tea?”
“Of course, sir.” The waiter was very handsome with a smooth voice and white teeth. Benny bet he got a lot of tips from the old men and women. The average age of the place had to be over fifty.
The waiter bowed before scurrying elegantly away. Benny was reminded of Sebastian the crab from the movie he and Jasmine had watched a few weeks ago, and he bit back a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Mikey asked.
Benny shook his head. “His daughter is named Jasmine,” he said to change the subject.
“Oh, you have a daughter? How lovely! How old is she?”
“She five.”
“Going on sixteen,” Mikey added.
“Can we see a photo?”
Mikey’s eyes lit up, and he pulled out his phone.
“You sure you know what you’re asking?” Benny said.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make you look at photos of our pug, Lily,” Josh assured him.
“Please. Sit,” Mikey slid deeper into the curved booth, making room for the men.
The waiter returned with a bottle in an ice bucket and four champagne flutes. He sat one glass down in front of each person. “May I?” He displayed the bottle in both hands.
“Please,” Josh answered.
No one spoke until the glasses were filled. “Shall I bring your plates over here, Mr. Gillian?”
“No thank you, Luiz. We are almost done. One quick toast for these handsome honeymooners and we’ll leave them alone.”
“Very well.”
“Go ahead, try it,” Matthew urged them. “It’s a sparkling tea. I quite like it, and they keep it on hand for Josh and me.”
Benny tasted it. “Delicious.”
“Isn’t it? And don’t let Luiz’s flair for the dramatic intimidate you. You can get it a Whole Foods for about ten dollars a bottle back home. I find it makes an excellent addition to any celebration. Like this one!” He lifted his glass in a toast. The other men mirrored them. “To our new friends – I don’t even know your names!”
“I’m Benito, Benny. And he’s Michael.”
“Mikey. And this is Jasmine.” He held out the phone, and Matt took it, flicking slowly through the photos.
“Oh, she’s lovely. She looks just like you! And you, Benny, it seems like you are in almost all of these pictures.” He turned the phone so Benny could see. It was one of his favorites, from their first family date at the reservoir. Jasmine, in her pink bathing suit with the hearts on it, sat on a paddleboard in front of Benny. It was hard to judge whose smile was bigger.
“She stole my heart; I admit it.”
“I keep thinking she would love it here,” Mikey confessed. “I almost feel guilty being here without her.”
“Please,” Matt scoffed. “She’s five. She has her whole life to go places and do things. Enjoy this. Take time for yourself.” He drained his glass, and then stood up, reaching for Joshua. “Come on, Joshua. Let’s leave these two newlyweds alone.”
Joshua stood up. “He’s right, you know. Go out. Go dance your feet off. Walk around the Zona Romantica. It’s a beautiful night to be young and in love. “
Matt put his arm around Joshua. “It’s always a beautiful night to be young and in love.”
Joshua kissed his cheek. “Being old and in love isn’t too bad, either. Can I take you home with me?”
“Not after that five-minute crack.”
Joshua smiled. “So prove me wrong, old man.”
“That’s my signal to leave. It was lovely to meet you.” Matthew dug around in his suit pocket and pulled out a card. “Here. If you’re ever in San Francisco, please look us up. We would love to take you out to dinner.” They left, arm and arm.
“That’s going to be us one day,” Benny said, watching them leave.
“If we’re lucky,” Mikey agreed.
chapter fifteen - on the edge of glory
After dinner, they took the taxi back to the Zona Romantica. The night breezes caressed their faces and music spilled from lighted doorways into the narrow cobblestoned streets. They held hands, never worrying once what people would think. Every corner they turned, someone smiled at them.
They were young and in love and Benny couldn’t believe this was his life. It felt like the first time he’d been able to breathe in months. “We’re on our honeymoon. Together. You and I. We’re married. If the football team could see us now,” Benny said.
“If Clark Hanson could see us now,” Mikey clarified. “Actually, I’d like that. Show him I won.”
“Yeah, baby. You won my heart.” Benny yanked him in for a one-armed hug, narrowly avoiding being run into by three drunk guys running do
wn the street, yelling and laughing. “Did you ever in a million years think this would happen?”
“Never.” Mikey laughs. “I would have punched anyone who’d even hinted at it.”
“That’s homophobic,” Benny said with mock outrage.
“Well, you are kinda gay.”
“Totally gay,” Benny agreed, reaching up to pull Mikey in for a kiss. “Luckily for me, you’re kinda bi.” He smiled as he stepped back. “Life is strange, man. I think I’m going to give up trying to predict what happens next because if you had asked me pretty much at any point in my life where I saw myself in the next year, I would have been one hundred percent wrong.”
“Oh, I know that feeling.” Mikey stopped walking and pulled Benny into the doorway of a closed shop. A brick archway and a small step made the perfect niche for them to snuggle into. Mikey flipped them, so Benny’s back was against the door. He leaned in close, resting his forehead against Benny’s. “I love you.”
Benny’s hands tightened around Mikey’s arms, and he can’t help rubbing up and down on the hard muscle. He wanted to say it back because he did love Mikey. He loved him so much it scared him. The whole thing was just ridiculous. Hobbs, New Mexico’s golden boy Michael Washington couldn’t be in love with him. But he was. Benny had a hard time grasping all the implications of that, so he tried not to think about it.
Mikey was the sun, illuminating everything in Benny’s dark little life but too bright to look at directly. The love he felt for Mikey and Jasmine was a huge, beautiful thing that lived in Benny’s chest, but somehow it felt so fragile, so new. If he talked too loudly about it or touched it, it could break, and then Benny might die.
“Hey.” Mikey tipped Benny’s head up with a finger under his chin. “You with me?”
Benny nodded. He opened his mouth to say he was great; everything was perfect. What came out was, “What if I screw it up?”
“Screw up what, exactly?”
“Everything. Being married. Being what you need me to be. What Jasmine needs.” He clutched at his heart, just the thought of letting Jasmine down was an actual pain inside him. “Oh, God. What if I let Jasmine down? I’m such a fuck up. I’ve fucked up everything I’ve ever tried to do. You know that. You’ve seen. How can you love me? How can you trust me with your daughter?” Benny couldn’t catch his breath.