by D. J. Manly
“It’s not a secret. It’s just no one’s business. And how did you know?”
“I heard you,” he said, looking away. “I do live in the same house you know…not that you noticed.”
Anthony sighed.
Jason reached out and touched him. “I’m worried about you, and Anthony, Jesus, since Michael died, you’ve closed me out. I want to help you but…”
“I’m sorry. Stop worrying. I’m all right.” He made a move to go in the house.
“Are you? You say that and yet you’re going to try and find the ones who…”
“Jason, it’s something I have to do, now let me do it my way. Just stay out of it. I’ll be fine.”
Jason followed him into the house. Anthony glanced over his shoulder when he felt Jason move closer. “Jason, don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Jason pressed his body against his, then wrapped his arms around him from behind.
Anthony could feel Jason’s lips on his neck as his hands snaked down to his hips. He almost closed his eyes. It felt good. It felt damn good to have someone’s arms around him.
Jason fumbled with the zipper on his pants, pressing his erection into Anthony’s buttocks.
“Damn, you feel good. Christ, I want you, Anthony. I want you so…”
Anthony’s cock was in Jason’s hand. He swallowed. No. He couldn’t. He couldn’t let this happen. He didn’t feel that way about Jason, and he didn’t want to make it uncomfortable for either one of them to live in this house together.
* * * * *
Michael went up to his room right away, and splashed some cold water on his face. He had no idea what in the hell had possessed him to kiss Anthony. He was going to go downstairs right now and try and explain before Anthony read anything into it.
He took the stairs two at a time, rehearsing in his mind what he would say. He was distraught and that’s why he’d kissed him. It was a friendly kiss, not meant to be construed as sexual in any way. He wanted to say he was sorry. He wanted to explain all the pain and frustration, how much he missed his father, and how much he needed Anthony to help him understand.
Michael stopped suddenly. He could hear two voices, talking low in the hallway, then silence. He rounded the corner quietly, then stood there aghast seeing Jason kissing Anthony passionately. So, that’s how it was, he thought, suddenly wanting to hit something. Instead, he turned around and high-tailed it up the stairs without making a sound.
He paced his room a little, thinking of how charming Anthony could be when he wanted, so convincing and sincere. He was full of shit! All this time Anthony had been fucking Jason right under his nose. To hell with him!
Throwing himself on the bed, he picked up the portable and dialed his friend in New York. “I’m horny, when you going to come out here and take care of that for me?”
“Well, hello to you too, baby,” Evan replied. “What gives?”
“I thought you said that you and Dougie wanted to come out and experience L.A.?”
“We do. Just say the word?”
“How about this weekend?”
“Fine. We’ll hop on a plane. I’ll call Doug.”
“Call me and let me know what flight. I’ll pick you up, and Evan, you’d better be well rested, I intend on using that dick of yours…not to mention that ass.”
He chuckled. “I’ll go to bed early. See you, Mike.”
“See ya, stud.” Michael hung up the phone. Anthony wasn’t the only one who could have some fun in this house.
* * * * *
Jason’s chest was heaving, his eyes looked wild. “You’re going to leave me like this?”
“Leave you like what?” Anthony growled, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. “I said no. Don’t you understand the meaning of the goddamned word? What in hell have you been smoking?”
“I haven’t been smoking anything.”
He attempted to walk past him into the living room but Jason grabbed his arm, trying to kiss him again. Anthony pushed him away. “I said, knock it off!”
“I saw you kissing him in the car. You’ll kiss him, but not me.”
“I didn’t kiss Michael. Please, I can’t deal with this right now, okay? You’re like a brother to me and…”
“I don’t want to be your fucking brother,” he stammered, and stalked off down the hallway. Just as Anthony was going to collapse on the sofa, the phone rang. With a sigh, he picked it up. It was Sandy.
“Hey, babe. How are you doing?”
Anthony ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t think you want to know. How are you?”
They talked for awhile, Sandy telling him how much he’d missed him, and that he wanted to come for a visit, but wouldn’t be able to for awhile. “We have a lot of shows booked.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“I wish you were with us. This new guitarist we have…well…he wasn’t my choice. How are you getting along with Michael?”
“It’s okay.” Jason was more of a problem right now, but he didn’t tell Sandy that. He also didn’t tell him how close the pain still was, and that he couldn’t bring himself to go to the cemetery.
Sandy made small talk for awhile, then, rang off. Anthony heard the longing in his voice. He had nothing to offer him, nothing to offer anyone, except maybe an anonymous stranger in a dark room.
* * * * *
It was after eleven when he finally managed to crawl out of bed only to be faced with a sulking Jason sitting at the table drinking coffee, and a silent Michael who sat reading the entertainment section of The Times. “Just one big happy family,” he mocked, then laughed as he poured some coffee.
“Oh, by the way,” Michael said suddenly, putting down the paper, “two of my friends are coming for a visit from New York today. What room should they use?”
“Ah,” Anthony hesitated, taken aback. “I don’t know. I…”
“You don’t mind, do you?”
“This is your house, too.”
“So? I suppose the one next to my bedroom is okay, not that they’ll actually sleep there?”
Anthony raised an eyebrow. “Sure. You can use more than one if you…”
“We’ll only need one,” he said slyly.
Anthony sipped some coffee out of his cup. He didn’t bother to comment.
“…and since I still haven’t gotten a car, I will need yours to pick them up at the airport, if it’s okay?”
“How long are they staying?”
“I don’t know. We’ll play it by ear.”
“I’ll arrange to get you the money today. How much do you need?”
“Enough to buy a nice car, something sporty and sexy.”
“Yeah, you can use all the help you can get.” Jason snorted over his coffee cup.
“Not all of us can score so close to home,” Michael bit off, causing Anthony’s eyes to widen. “Where are your car keys? I better get going. There’s bound to be some traffic.”
“Hanging up in the hall,” Anthony said absently. “How long are you going to be because…?”
“I should be back by four o’clock, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to have the weekend off.”
“Sure,” Anthony said with a shrug. “I can handle things at the club.”
“Yeah, Impressions wouldn’t appeal to my friends. They’re all male, if you know what I mean?” He shot Jason a look, then left the kitchen.
“What in hell did he mean by that?” Jason growled.
“What in fuck was that about?” Anthony muttered to himself, ignoring Jason.
Jason glanced up at him with bloodshot eyes. “He’s an asshole. And I’m…I’m sorry for last night. I…”
“Forget it,” Anthony said, putting down his cup. “If anyone calls, I’ll be in the exercise room, then, I have to go out for awhile.”ise rnd off.casue.nd walking out of the kitchen. The last thing he needed now was to revive that conversation He walked out of the kitchen, breathing a sigh of relief when Jason didn’t follow him. The last
thing he needed now was to rehash what had happened between them last night.
* * * * *
Evan and Dougie’s plane arrived on time, and Michael was there to greet them. They embraced, made small talk, and Michael took them to the car. Michael had been friends with Evan for a long time, but he didn’t really know much about Dougie except that he was really into three ways, and perpetually horny.
“Wow, this is a great car,” Dougie said.
“It’s not mine. It belongs to the master.”
“Oh.” Dougie laughed, his shoulder-length brown hair shining in the sun. Michael had forgotten how great looking he was. He had a great ass. Evan was blond, and he looked like he belonged here in California. This guy had a cock that didn’t quit.
“Be prepared to make a lot of noise tonight,” Michael said, waiting for the guys to get into the car with their bags before roaring the engine to life.
“Oh, baby,” Evan said, leaning over and kissing Michael’s mouth hotly, “we intend to. What about the master? The hot one you told me about, will he join us, you think?”
“Yeah,” Doug said from the back seat, “have you seen what he’s got to offer yet?”
Michael sucked in some breath. “I don’t think he’ll be joining us.”
“Too bad,” Doug sang. “Evan told me that you think he’s hot.”
“No, I didn’t say that…”
Evan punched Michael in the arm. “Didn’t have to. So, are we going to see some freaks tonight, or what?”
“Freaks?” Michael looked at him, driving into traffic.
“Drag queens at that joint you work at?”
“Oh, no, I’m off…so…”
“Aren’t you going to take us?” Dougie pleaded.
“No,” Michael replied. “I’ll take you to Heaven instead.”
“Umm,” Evan purred. “I bet you will, baby.”
* * * * *
There was no one in the visiting room except for a kid who looked to be around twelve, and a frazzled looking woman in her forties who wore too much makeup. The woman broke into tears every once in awhile, which caused the kid to swear profusely. Anthony stood at the back of the room, waiting. There was no guarantee that the kid would even see him. He had told the guard he was his uncle. Maybe the kid didn’t even have an uncle.
“How are you going to feel when you see him?” Lou had asked him on the way to the juvenile institution. He had dropped by to pick him up as promised around two, with Jason peering at them out the window.
“I don’t know,” Anthony replied, refusing Lou’s offer to accompany him inside. “I have to do this alone.”
“I’ll wait,” he said.
Now Anthony was waiting. Visiting hours were almost over and still that kid hadn’t showed. Anthony checked his watch. Ten minutes left. He paced a bit. The woman in the corner got up to leave. Then he saw this kid hovering uncertainly around the doorway. He was skinny and pockmarked, with mousy brown hair. He glanced at Anthony hesitantly before he walked into the room. “You here for me?” He jabbed his thumb into his chest.
“Are you Jack Monahan?”
“Yeah, but you don’t look like any uncle I’ve ever had, man.”
“I just want to talk to you for a few seconds.” Anthony was surprised at how calm his voice was. Lou had said that this kid had been more of an observer than anything else, but that still didn’t make him any less responsible for what had happened in his eyes.
“About what?” he asked, his gaze shifting around the room.
“About the night of September twenty-third.” Anthony felt something deep inside of him tremble but he fought to keep it out of his voice.
A look of fear crept into the kid’s eyes. “I don’t know what…what…”
“You were there. I know you didn’t actually do anything, but you didn’t try and stop them either. The man is dead, Jack. He was like a father to me.”
Jack looked down at the floor. “I didn’t see…I…”
Anthony didn’t realise he was gripping the kid’s shoulders until he found himself staring into his eyes. “You did see. Who are they? I want their names.” He shook him.
Jack winced, tears sprang to his eyes. “I’m scared. They’ll kill me. They’ll kill…”
“No one is going to hurt you except me right now, you fuck.”
He immediately released him. He turned his back, trying to gain control of the rage which had seized him suddenly. Michael. He could see the blood. He could see him struggling for breath, his broken body on the ground.
Anthony was surprised to see Jack Monahan still standing there when he turned around. He half expected him to hightail it out of there. He met his gaze, his breathing even now. “I know you’re scared.”
A single tear ran down the boy’s cheek. “What in fuck do you want from me? I didn’t kill him, okay. I didn’t…I…”
“They’ll do it again. They’ll beat some other poor guy to death just for having the balls to be who he is. Do you want that?”
He didn’t answer. The guard came in.
“Please,” Anthony pleaded, “one name. He’ll never know it came from you. Please?”
“Time’s up,” the guard said, eyeing Anthony curiously. He walked over to Jack and motioned for him to come.
Jack turned away and started to follow the guard out of the room, then at the door, he turned. He glanced back at Anthony. “One of them is called Bosco. He hangs out at a tavern in South Central called Grancho De Oro.”
Anthony nodded, some air escaping between his teeth.
Lou started the car as soon as Anthony got in. They said nothing until Lou hit the freeway, then Lou asked him what happened.
“One of them is called Bosco. Do you know a tavern in South Central called Grancho De Oro?”
“No, but I’ll find it.”
“Lou, you’ve done enough. If you know where it is, then tell me because…”
“Anthony, I’m better equipped to take care of this.”
“Maybe, but I want to do it. I need to do it.” He glanced out the window.
“What do you intend to do exactly?”
There was silence. He didn’t know how to answer that question.
“You could kill him, then what?”
“I won’t…I mean I don’t…” He sighed.
Lou glanced at him. “I’ll tell you where it is later at Impressions when I find out, but if you decide to follow through with this Anthony, I’m going with you.”
Anthony saw his house come into view. He glanced at Lou but he didn’t say anything. “Thanks for all your help.” He opened the door and got out.
Lou waved at him and drove off.
Jason stood in the hallway when he walked in. “Don’t you think I don’t know who that was.”
“So?”
“So? Anthony.”
“Jason, not now.” He threw up his hands. “Where’s Michael? Is my car back yet?”
“Not yet. Don’t worry; I’ll take you to work.”
“I’m not worried, but I want my fucking car back,” Anthony said, storming into the living room. He picked up the phone and dialed Michael’s cell phone. After four rings, he hung up. “Damn him.”
“What happened with that mob guy? You’re in a foul mood. Anthony, he’s dangerous.”
Anthony waved Jason away and left the room.
Chapter Six
Evan and Doug were impressed with the house, especially with the indoor heated pool. Both of them immediately stripped off their clothes when they saw it and dove in. Michael laughed. He pushed their luggage aside with his foot and pulled his T-shirt over his head. It was almost midnight, and although he’d intended to bring Anthony’s car back around four, Evan insisted they check out a few places first. They ended up touring the gay bars, basically just looking. Looking took time, and before they knew it, it was late. At first he was worried that Anthony would be pissed, then, he shrugged it off. Jason would take Anthony to work anyway.
Evan
and Doug were wrestling around in the warm water now, and Michael pulled off his jeans and underwear. The two men in the water paused, their eyes on Michael. “Baby,” Doug said, wading over to the edge of the pool, “you are so hot.”
“Well, get out of that pool, stud, and show me,” he teased, glancing over at Evan. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had that cock of yours, Evan.”
“Yeah, Evan’s famous cock,” Doug said, running his hand down over Evan’s chest and then gripping his sex under the water.
Evan licked his lips, then, climbed up out of the water, Doug following him.
“Come on,” Michael breathed. “I have the perfect place.”
They left their clothes in a pile on the floor. The three naked men climbed the stairs to the second floor. When Michael led them into the room, Evan whistled, and Doug ran over and threw himself in the middle of the huge, round bed. “Mirrors on the ceiling, I love it,” Evan said, pulling Michael roughly up against him. “The master is kinky.”
“Who are the two studs in the painting?” Doug asked, casually playing with his own cock.
Evan grabbed Michael’s ass and kneaded it with his hands.
Michael shrugged. “Who knows,” he said, pulling Evan’s hair back and kissing his mouth roughly.
Doug sat up on the bed, taking interest. “You guys are going to do a show for me, and you know how kinky I can be.”
“Oh, yeah,” Michael breathed as Evan started to tongue his nipples. “What ’cha want, baby?”
Evan looked over at Doug and grinned.
Doug got up off the bed. “We want a slut to fulfill our every desire. You up for it?” he eyed Michael’s erection.
“Anything you got, baby, I can take,” Michael growled suggestively. Suddenly as Doug reached out and took him by the cock, he had a flashback of the last time the three of them were together. A pleasurable sensation gripped him, and he closed his eyes. He didn’t want to think. He only wanted to feel. He left his eyes closed as Evan moved around behind him and pressed his palm against the small of his back. “Check the drawer for lube,” he told Doug. “We want you nice and greased, baby.”
Michael opened his eyes to see Doug sifting through one of the bureau drawers. “Wow,” he said, “there’s a candy store in here.” He held up lube, then handcuffs, and a cock ring. He threw an array of condoms on the bed, then, laughed. “Whose room is this?”