Dylan's Sophomore Year

DYLAN'S SOPHOMORE YEAR

Chapter 16

by Donny Mumford

Watching Dodger's pickup turn the corner and drive out of sight, I mumble out loud to myself, 'Huh, how random. Very unexpected concerns from him'. Still staring at the spot where the pickup disappeared, I'm smelling the back of my wrist, a habit that's hard to break, as I'm thinking how it's an understatement saying this was unexpected. It came from so far out of left field I didn't have an inkling it was coming, not a single fucking clue. It's shocking actually, and frankly I've always thought Dodger was more of a lovable wild child than a deep thinker. He's convinced himself that Robby and me are going to screw up our relationship before we're through. I don't agree, of course, but I'm not going to disregard everything he said just because I didn't like hearing it. Dodger was so adamant about everything too, so I'll give it some thought. He even suggested I talk to Chubby and Robby about it. I want to run this by Chubby, but I'm not going to tell Robby. No way do I want to be the cause of then losing their brotherly love over a difference of opinion. Robby could easily misconstrue Dodger's well meaning intentions by thinking Dodger was stabbing him in the back. Talking to Chubby makes sense though, you know, maybe I can't see the trees for the forest where Robby and I are concerned. Um, is that how that saying goes? Anyway, much of what Dodger said seems farfetched on the surface, but maybe that's because it's new to me. Alien concepts for me, ugly and raw initially, but is there some truth in what he says, or should everything be brushed aside because it's ruining my vision of the future? Confusing too because I'm feeling I should be pissed-off at Dodger, but in fact I'm not. I'm taking what Dodger said seriously because who knows Robby better than his brother? No one, that's who.

Hmmm, there's no denying Dodger's sincerity, and he was quite definite about his message. It didn't appear to be a spur of the moment thing on his part at all. He's thought a lot about Robby and me, and he's been thinking about it for awhile now. Or, is it that he's been moodily brooding about this for the past eleven weeks? Dodger being jealous or spiteful wouldn't have entered my mind before, but I suppose I need to consider that possibility too. He actually said he's jealous, but jealous about what? I'm not sure if Dodger meant he's jealous because Robby 'came out' along with me and that left him alone in the closet. Or maybe he meant he's jealous because Robby has me as his boyfriend, or that Robby's the family golden boy, as Dodger put it. Maybe he's jealous because Robby's in college and he's in the Army, or because Robby's moving up in his parent's expanding family business, or because Robby's engaged, or is he jealous because of all these reasons and/or ones I haven't thought of yet? I should have asked him to clarify why he's jealous. Yeah, that's easy to say now, except when he said he's jealous it was like no big deal... like his jealousy was a very minor point. That's how I took it when he said it in passing, but now I wonder if Dodger's jealousy is significant enough that he'd purposely try to sabotage what Robby and I have together? We need to have another talk, Dodger and me, about why he's jealous, and exactly how deep the sense of jealousy goes.

Going inside to the basement, I try rehashing Dodger's main points in my head. Well, obviously he doesn't think Robby's the right life partner for me. He claims Robby and I will need to pretend forever that Robby's something he's not. That's if we're to make our long term relationship work. I don't expect Robby to be a confidently dominant figure in our lives to the extent

some guys I've known are naturally dominant. And it's a good thing he's not that dominant. Still, Robby's ten times more confident now than he was when I first met him, so why wouldn't his confidence and take-charge attitude

continue growing? Dodger claims, when push comes to shove, Robby will always rely on me to decide what to do. Okay, but how many times have we had a 'push comes to shove' situation? They're rare, so if we need to commiserate on a situation on rare occasions, what's so bad about that? That seems to be a good thing to me. Plopping down on the chaise lounge, I think about what those rare situations might be, but it's almost impossible to predict the future, so who the fuck knows what might arise. I'm fully capable of making decisions, although I'd prefer not to... that's the bottom line. Okay, so I need to think about all this with an open mind. Also, the way Dodger described Robby's so-called five year obsession with me is very, um, unusual and a bit odd. When Robby told me he'd had a crush on me for a few years I never thought it was so, um, organized. I mean, how was I to know he's been talking with Dodger every night about his obsession, and doing so for years? The thought of him gauging his progress while planning future strategy is disconcerting. It's a little creepy too, almost like stalking. I assumed it was a crush like I had for him, a passing tweak in the balls occasionally, not an obsession. And then there's Dodger's question about whether Robby's more in love with me or more in love with the concept of fulfilling the fantasy he's had about me. Now that is interesting. They're two separate objectives obviously; I'm real, where the fantasy is a, well it's a fantasy, which isn't real.

Hmmm, when I think back over the three-plus years I've known him, I recall Dodger telling me many times it's him I'll end up with, not Robby. Of course I assumed he was just being his overconfident, free-spirited self and therefore not to be taken seriously. There's no way he knew until recently he'd be joining the Army, so maybe at times he was seriously thinking he and I

would eventually be lovers. I can't deny that it might, at first glance, seem Dodger's the more logical choice for me because he has the attributes I'm looking for in Robby. That's true except for the small matter of me being in love with Robby, not Dodger. And anyway, Dodger just admitted he and me being lovers can't happen because he'll be away for almost all of the next two years. So that leaves me with a big question: if Dodger accepts we're never going to be a 'couple', what's his motive for telling me that Robby's and my plans for the future will be our eventual demise? Is it that he sincerely thinks Robby and I are headed for disaster and he cares about us both so much he's taken the chance of alienating himself in an effort to save us from ourselves? It's petty to think that's his motive. That's gotta be it because what else could it be? In that light Dodger's, um, intervention is admirable, if flawed.

I've got an hour or so before I should leave for the cookout. Wait a fucking minute! Chubby's picking up MJ so how am I suppose to get there, take a cab? Of course not, I'll simply call Robby, he's always dependable. Yeah, but if I'm dependent on him now, how much more dependent will I be on him when we're married? Yeah, but I don't want to carried away here with wild speculations. I can't let myself be influenced by what Dodger said to the degree I'm manufacturing problems in my head that don't exist. Anyway, right now I should be thinking about the homecoming and getting reacquainted with Connor. Now there's a sweet thought. Thinking about Connor makes me smile. It

can also make me sad because of the circumstances of his childhood. That's

changed now that he's in the Army, so I'll think positive thoughts and well wishes for Connor's life going forward. It was reassuring knowing Dodger was there to have Connor's back during basic training, and I'm very happy they'll also be together for their advanced training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. These are the kind of thoughts I should be having today, not worries about the distant future and Dodger's dire predictions of doom. Does it bother me that Dodger said he and Connor have had sex a couple of times? It shouldn't, but I wonder how Connor will handle that. Will he tell me about it, or what? Dodger's created so many questions for me, but few answers.

Hmmm, did those two actually have sex a couple of times? Maybe Dodger was pulling my chain because when or how would they have had an opportunity to do it at basic training? they're living in a barracks with twenty or thirty other guys and under almost constant surveillance. The thought of Dodger fucking my boy, Connor, leaves me feeling a little weird, but they were in a weird situation themselves. I guess it comes down to how Connor feels about

it, not that I expect he'll mention it to me. Obviously I wouldn't embarrass him by mentioning it myself. All I'm sure of is it gave me some peace of mind knowing Connor had Dodger to lean on. If those two did actually have sex together somehow, I'm happy for them. I don't want to see Dodger and me

drifting apart as friends because of whatever relationship he and Connor have developed, or because of what Dodger said to me this afternoon. There's a possibility that could happen though, and that's because of the delicate

nature of his concerns and conclusions, especially where Robby's concerned. I won't let myself resent Dodger. I chose to believe he said what he felt from his heart, and that he has nothing but the best possible motive for saying what he's said. Or am I talking myself into that conclusion? Before his leave ends I need to clarify this jealousy situation he mentioned. That might clarify something. Also I'll discuss all this with Chubby because I need at least one more viewpoint. What if Chubby thinks the same way Dodger does? Or what if Chubby won't tell me how he's truly feeling because he won't want to throw a wet blanket on my happiness? If he thinks like Dodger though, it'll give me pause to rethink things. If he won't be forthcoming about his feelings, I'll insist because I need Chubby's opinion. And, yes, my

thoughts are scrambles and all over the fucking place right now.

Yeah, and something occurred to me a couple of minutes ago that's bothersome. Some niggling thing that reminded me of something Dodger said. Something registered with me like a slap in the face, but now I can't quite put my finger on what it was. It was a passing comment from Dodger who then moved right on to another point and this thought was left behind to torment me. It's been nagging at the back of my brain for awhile now. I'm wandering around the condo aimlessly touching this and that while trying to remember what it was he said. I go over the points Dodger mentioned one by one. Ah ha! I've got it! It's that Robby wants me be a stay at home dad for selfish reasons. Dodger claims that will be Robby's way of effectively keeping me under wraps. I'll be in the house all day taking care of the place, plus the baby, while he's out living a life. Yeah, and fuck shooting pool all day! That'll get boring after awhile, and what about seeing my friends or making new ones? How the hell do I do that if I'm stuck inside all day, every day? Maybe taking care of a baby won't be the breeze it seems either. It could get tedious, as well as boring and repetitive. Will Robby be calling home a couple of nights a week to say he's working late and I shouldn't wait up for him? I won't know if he's working late or, um, something else. Damn that Dodger! He's got me inventing worse case scenarios now. Okay, but it's smart to think about these things before the fact. Robby's the planner, but maybe it wouldn't hurt for me to do a little anticipating and planning myself. If I wanted to nitpick at Robby's plans for us I might suggest getting married at age twenty-one or twenty-two wouldn't be the smartest move we ever made. And neither is having a baby right away if I'm honest about it. It was Dodger's comment about Robby's keeping me from interacting with people, that's what was nagging at the back of my mind. Not that I'd be looking for side-sex necessarily, but what's wrong with once in awhile having some fun flirting, or at least meeting a few new gay guys. How better to prevent that than saddling me with a stay at home dad's responsibilities. That's what's stuck in my craw. Craw? What the fuck's a craw? Oh never mind that, Robby keeping me basically under house arrest bothers me. Wonder why it didn't bother me before? I'm asking myself a shit-load of questions here, but not coming up with any answers.

I've beat myself up about all this enough for now. I need to concentrate on continuing to welcome home Dodger and Connor. I should also be hoping Cory and Connor are enjoying each other's company because they certainly both deserve some happiness in their lives after what they've been through growing up. Oh yeah, I need to get my mind off Dodger and his prophesy of doom to concentrate on the here and now. I'll text Robby about picking me up and we'll get this party started. Hmmm, when we're married I wonder if Robby will say we're a one car family, effectively making it impossible for me to leave the house other than taking the baby, and maybe our dog for walks around the neighborhood. I can see myself nodding at the housewives and talking about the fucking weather. Robby wouldn't be worried about me bopping the housewives, that's for damn sure. What the fuck! I'm right back on this topic again! Jesus, get a grip, Dylan! I text Robby, 'I need a ride, boyfriend,' and he texts back, 'Text me whenever you're ready and I'll come right over. Love you!' Well, that's the other side of the coin: Robby's attentive and reliable, and I sincerely believe he loves me. So what if he also loves seeing his fantasy become real? I don't see how that's a bad thing, I just don't.

Dodger and I showered this afternoon so I only need to wash my face and hands, then I try doing something with my hair. Nothing doing though, Ryan fucked it up so badly Chubby couldn't even save it. It looks better after Chubby did his best, but it's still a haircut warranting a hat. The Merrimack hat is uncomfortable and even though the posse boys' hat is comfortable I don't want to wear it because, well, I just don't. Wonder what Sonny's been up to? Oh God, forget Sonny! This is right now so I'm rustling through my bedroom closet looking for a hat and come up with a Red Sox hat, and it's in good condition. Okay, the hat situation's taken care of. Getting dressed in the usual cool stuff I put on for special occasions, which is another way of saying the stuff Willie's bought me over the years. Dammit, I need to call him and make sure he's okay. How many times am I gonna say that and then not do it? Sitting on the side of my bed I hit his cell number. He answers on the second ring, sounding fine. "Hi ya, Dylan! Man, I miss you! Hey, thanks for calling." I go, "Hi, Willie, um, how's Cornell?" He goes, "Smooth, dude. I love it so far. Get this, my roommate has blond hair and blue eyes. Guess who I pretend he is?" Laughing, I'm like, "I can't imagine. Um, what style haircut did you make him get?" Willie goes, "Ha! Nick's the 'top', Dylan, not me. He doesn't seem to give a damn about haircuts. We're not even doing sub/dom shit. We're just your normal garden variety fuck buddies, that's all. It's cool though, although I don't really see any kind of relationship developing between us beyond our current fuck buddies status. How you doing in the romance department?" I say, "Same as always, me and Robby."

He lets that simmer for a second, then he goes, "Well, you know best, Dylan, I guess. I'm assuming by now Dickers' pretty much got you exactly where he wants you, huh?" How's he think...? I interrupt, asking, "What the fuck do you mean by he's got me where he wants me?" he quickly says, "No offense, Dylan! Take it easy. I'm on your side, dude, remember? I'm just guessing that if you're happy, he's gotta be running your life, right? When I was dominating your ass, that's when you were the happiest. I took total charge of everything, and not just in Key west either, remember the good old days? And like I said, no offense intended at all. You're awesome, and you know what you like, which is some dominance in your life. Nothing wrong with that. Hell, I've been on both ends of that dynamic as you know better than anyone. Oh, and I gotta thank you again for straightening me out. I was fucked-up in Wildwood. You can't imagine how grateful I am to you." Which makes me wonder how come he never calls me, so I'm like, "Gee, glad I could help a great friend like you. Um, how come you never call me?" He says, "Oh Jeez, dude, it's embarrassing for me to admit this, but you're too hot for me, Dylan. When I'm with you all I want to do is keep you captive in my room and never let you out of my sight. I've come to see, with the help of my fucking psychiatrist, that isn't a healthy relationship for either of us." I mutter, "Oh, I'm... ah, what?..." He goes, "Please don't take that the wrong way. It doesn't mean I never want to see you again. God forbid that, Dylan! I want to have dates with you from time to time, but not too often or I'll get that old urge to turn you into my lap dog. Ha ha, that's a gross exaggeration, but you know what I mean. We go way back and you'll always be the main love of my life, but we're not right together, we just aren't. Talking to you right now is giving me a hard-on, ha ha, see what I mean?" I go, "Um, no, but I'd like to see you sometime too." He quickly says, "Maybe over the Thanksgiving break we can get together, although I can't promise anything. I've got to meet, Nick, now. Thanks for calling. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Huh, Willie sounds good although it's like he couldn't get off the phone quick enough. Whatever, I'm glad he's got his shit together. Laying back on my bed, I'm thinking, 'Guess I won't need to work too hard at cutting down on side-sex because one by one my main side-sex partners are beating me to it, and cutting back on me. Or am I being overly dramatic? Dodger's got me in a weird frame of mind, and something Willie said sort of backed up one of

Dodger's points. I don't want to think about it because everything is getting more and more muddled in my head. Okay, the important thing is Willie's doing fine, and that's a load off my mind. Guess I should be proud of myself for helping him. He occupies a strange, but prominent place in my heart. What the hell, he was my first real boyfriend and he loved something about me before anyone else did, except my family. The only person I've had more

adventures other than Willie, is my brother. And yeah, that's true, but I still can't get off the fucking topic of Dodger's conversation. Does Robby want to do what Willie said he wanted to do? Is it Robby's goal to, metaphorically speaking, keep me captive in his room and never let me out of his sight? Lap dog, what the fuck? Dating Willie, after a year or so, I came to the realization he thought of me as his prize possession more than his lover. Is that how Robby subconsciously thinks of me, I'm his prized possession allowing the fantasy he's had from age fifteen to come true. Well, Robby has said any number of times his fantasy is coming true, so I guess that's part of the answer to my own question. Obviously this Dodger stuff is messing' with my head something terribly.

On the balcony I have another cigarette trying to clear my head and get in a 'partying' frame of mind. I'm looking at the little boxes with the leather bracelets. The homecoming gifts for Dodger and Connor, and now I'm thinking I should have gotten something a little more special. Especially since I put on the cards that the gift is from the three roommates. A forty-nine dollar bracelet from three of us seems like kind of a cheap gift. Damn! Maybe I'll go with this: 'It's the thought that counts'. What else can I go with at this point. I'm dressed and ready to go, but hesitant to call Robby for some reason. My cell phone rings. Oh shit! It's Ray Ellis showing on the caller ID. What the fuck does he want? With resignation in my voice, I go, "Hi, Ray, wassup?" He says, "You don't sound too thrilled to hear from me." I say, "No, not at all, Ray, how ya doing?" He says, "That's a little better. Ya know, for being as enthralled with me last summer as you were, kissing my ass and being thrilled to be my boyfriend, there's no way you're treating me like an annoyance now. I know better than that, so drop the act." I roll my eyes... what an asshole he is. I sarcastically mutter, "Oh, please don't get all paranoid on me, Ray." He has the highest opinion of himself of anyone I've ever known. I add, "What can I do for you?" He says, "I wasn't exhibiting paranoia, numbnut's, I was exhibiting confidence from the way you creamed all over me last summer. Check your free dictionary online for paranoia." I mutter, "Yeah, right, I'll do that Ray. Whaddaya want?" He goes, "The reason I called is simple, I wanna find out what weekend you'll be home. I hope it's before Thanksgiving because I need a haircut and my dick is itching to tantalize that awesome ass of yours again, and don't pretend you don't want it." I take a deep breath, then mutter, "Forget your dick, Ray. That's not happening. You dumped me, remember. My fragile ego was crushed and I might never recover." He does a sarcastic chuckle, saying, "Yeah, I'll bet. The word is that I dumped you about ten seconds before you were gonna dump me." I ask, "Who told you that?" and he goes, "A little birdie, it doesn't matter which one. I'm not holding a grudge, so why should you?" I'm like, "Hold a grudge? Shit no, I'm not holding a grudge, Ray, get real." He says, "That's good because you probably could use some hard sex on the side by now." I'm like, "That's a negative, Ray, I'm fine side-sex-wise. You and me are finished with that phase of our lives. As far as the haircut goes, I'm busy this weekend. How 'bout I text you when I'm free and you can tell the posse boys to come over too. I'm looking forward to seeing the guys again." He goes, "Since my posse broke up I don't see much of them myself. I'm mostly concentrating on Maryanne. My bisexual side is missing your ass though." I mumble, "Yeah, that's nice, but I gotta run, Ray. I'll text you." He goes, "See that you do," and he hits the 'end' key on his cell phone so he gets to hang up on me. That weirdo always needs to have the last word. Shaking my head I mutter out loud, "God, what'd I ever see in him?"

Oh well, done my cigarette I flick that sucker, aiming it high over the railing. Oh fuck, it hits the top of the railing, pops up in the air, then just barely misses the railing on its way down to the patio below... hooray! Heh heh, I'm about to pat myself on the back for that awesome cigarette flick when I get a text from Robby. "You ready yet, baby? Just say the word and I'm on my way." Nodding to myself I decide, for tonight at least, the hell with all that stuff Dodger said! Yep, I'm taking my old approach of thinking Robby's sweet, and I am in love with him. There's no reason to think I'm not, but to be fair I'll consider Dodger's concerns later. Tonight I'm pretending he didn't say anything. I want Robby, Dodger, Cory, and Connor to have fun at the cookout, without a care in the world. Chubby and me can take care of ourselves, and MJ is Chubby's problem. The adults who will be there are in their own world anyway, and aren't on my radar screen to worry about right now. Texting Robby back, 'Thanks, Robby. I'm more than ready. Anxious to see you! Love, Dylan'. After checking myself out in the mirror one last time, I pull my Red Sox cap down a little more and go out the front door, then down the steps to be at the curb when Robby pulls up. I can feel myself willing my mood into the positive column, and away from that worrying column that contains all Dodger's negative theories about Robby and me. Why worry right now about something that's merely speculation on Dodger's part. Huh, someone just drove by honking their horn at me. Not sure if I should wave at them or flash them the bird, I do half of each, wondering who it was that honked, and why. Am I the one getting paranoid now? Then Robby drives up and I run over to the driver's side window and lean in for a kiss. Robby puts his hand behind my head and we have a sweet kiss. Grinning at me now, he takes my hat off and tosses it in the little back seat, saying, "You

don't need that, baby." He runs his fingers through my hair, adding, "We're with friends tonight and anyway, everyone's heard about the screwed-up haircut Ryan gave you. Nobody cares 'cause it'd take more than a fucked-up haircut to keep you from looking cool. Get in the car."

Huh, everyone couldn't know about it. I wait until I'm in the pickup before asking, "How would Connor know about this fucked-up haircut?" Robby drives his pickup onto the road, grinning at me, "Your fan club was in full swing this afternoon, that's how." I go, "My fan club, who's that?" He says, "Cory, Connor, and Seth, of course. They all claim to be president of your fa n club.' He chuckles, "And they gave me a headache telling me how awesome you are." I mutter, "Awww, that's nice," then it hits me, "Seth? When did you run into him?" He says, "Dad invited him to the feast tonight. He saw Seth at work and invited him. Seth initially told dad he'd feel out of place since he doesn't actually know Dodger or Connor. That's just what you'd expect Seth to say. Dad told him he was at the going away party, so why not the welcome home party." I go, "That's awesome!" and Robby says, "Yep, and Seth drove over right after you and Dodger left, so he went on my errand with Cory and Connor." I mumble, "It was nice of your dad to invite him." Then I remember what Dodger told me about his parents secret negativity about Robby being gay. I don't think I'll ever feel the way I used to about Mr. and Mrs. Dickers again, not after hearing that. I almost wish I didn't know about it. "Um, Robby, how is your dad? He feeling okay?" Robby says, "He doing good, Dylan. He needs to do rehab three times a week, but overall he survived the accident as well as could be hoped for." Then I have a thought: huh, Seth met Cory, which was one of my objectives this weekend. Maybe something sexy will develop somewhere in that threesome of Cory, Seth, and Connor. Wait a minute, what was the name of Seth date from the matchmaking web site? Ah yes, I got it, Jackie Bradley, like the baseball player. I should ask Seth how things are developing between those two. I ask, "Um, how'd the guys get along with Seth?" He glances over, "Whaddaya mean?" I shrug, "Oh, just that's Seth's a little like you and me used to be. A little shy, ya know." Robby says, "He was fine. Everyone got along great." Hmm, that isn't exactly what I was getting at, but at least they got along. Seth was a bit confrontational when we first met. Probably a defense mechanism to deflect his

shyness. Guess he's over that.

We pull off the main road and are now only a mile from Robby's place. He says, "Oh, by the way, dad want's me attending a long-range strategy meeting next Saturday. Mostly the meeting is about that large condo contract we were awarded recently. I told you about that. It's two years off, but we need to start laying the groundwork now. It'll like double the size of Dickers Landscape and Design. Oh and get this: Dad's changing the name to 'Dickers and Son's Landscape and Design'." I go, "That is so cool, Robby!" He beams, nodding his head, muttering, "Yeah, I knew eventually the company name would include me, but this is sooner then I expected. Dad says we need to change the signage for the expanded company, so we'll combine that with a name change." I go, "Exciting times, huh?" and he's like, "Yeah, I'll say. Um, I'll expect you to come home with me next Friday night of course. We'll leave after last class and you'll eat dinner with us. Dodger will still be home so maybe the three of us can hook up and hang out together after dinner." I say, "Oh, um, sure, you bet." He looks at me, "Thanks, baby," and I ask, "Am I suppose to go to the meeting with you too?" He laughs, "Nooo! Fuck no, ha ha. Dylan, you don't need to give the meeting a thought, baby. Let the head of the household worry about taking care of business." Hmmm, an especially inopportune time for this to come up. I'm a little irked at his condescending attitude, as I ask, "What should I give a thought to, Robby? You know, when you're in your business meeting?" Robby detects something in my tone because he glances over, asking, "Is anything wrong?" Remembering I want this night to go well for Robby and Dodger, as well as the others, I take a deep breath and drop the attitude, saying, "No, Robby, everything's fine. Hey, it was great spending some time with Dodger this afternoon, and I'm excited about having some time to do the same with Connor too." He nods his head, glances at me again, then smiles. "You are so good looking, Dylan, it blows my mind sometimes." That was a subject changer if I've ever heard one. We drive in silence for a minute, then Robby says, "Um, Dylan, maybe you should stick fairly close to me tonight. After all, everyone knows we're boyfriends and, well, I want to show everyone we're tight. Okay, will you do that for me?" Normally Robby talking in that bossy way would give me a boner, or get my dick to move at least. Not so this time and it's because of Dodger's take on Robby and me, and then Willie's offhand comment regarding pretty much the same topic. I'm not sure how I feel right now. Robby looks at me, "Dylan? Did you hear what I said?" Okay, that time my dick did twitch, and I go, "Oh, yeah, Robby. We'll stick together tonight." He nods his head smiling, then mutters, "Thanks, good."

As we approach his house I'm thinking back to when Robby laughed at me for asking if I was going to the business meeting too, like... are you kidding? You go to a business meeting? Well, at least he didn't say. 'You don't need to worry your pretty head about anything as complicated as business', and then suggest I go shopping for some new clothes. Maybe slip me a few twenties, saying, 'Treat yourself, have fun, baby. The meeting might run late tonight so don't wait up for me. Get your beauty rest." Am I acting like a drama queen now? Me? Ha ha, that fucking Dodger put some weird shit in my head. That'll be my new nickname for him: 'that fucking Dodger'. Ha ha, oh man, I gotta get a grip. I'm now thinking, after this exchange Robby and I just had, that Dodger could very well be wrong about Robby needing to pretend he's in charge. Robby seems to be handling the being in charge part pretty fucking well. What I need to do, more than anything else, is decide if it's really what I want. That's the more important aspect of everything Dodger said. It's not 'Can Robby be dominant?' I think he can, but is it what I really want? Maybe I'm the one pretending, and it's not Robby at all.

He parks behind Dodger's pickup, then reaches over to ruffle my hair again, murmuring, "I love you, Dylan." I smile at him, and he goes, "Come on, lets see what the guys are up to." We don't need to go far to see what the guys are up to. As soon as we get out of the truck we hear the music coming from the pool house. Robby grins at me, saying, "Ten bucks says they got that keg tapped already." I feeling a little funny anticipating a reunion with Connor after all this time. Why do I get like this? We're close friends, so what's the problem! Smoothing down my shirt and khaki pants, then running my fingers through my hair, I'm thinking, 'Damn, that Ryan and his shitty haircutting'. Fixing a big smile on my face, I follow Robby in the side door to the pool house. Everyone looks up and says, "Hey, guys, where ya been?" Dodger's pouring cups of light beer and passing them around. Cory and Seth have a cup of beer already, and the one Dodger's pouring now goes to Connor. I'm still feeling the beers Dodger and I had this afternoon. I better watch it or I'll get drunk and say something I'll regret. Seth comes right over to me grinning, and it appears he's going to give me a kiss so I ruffle his hair and turn it into a hug, "Seth, long time no see." He hugs back chuckling, "Yeah, a whole week. Nice to see you too," and another squeeze of my body. Connor's looking over smiling, like always, so I say, "Hey, Connor, don't I get a hug?" and both he and Cory give me a group hug. The top of Cory's hair is right under my nose. He smells good. For something to say, I go, "Jesus, awesome haircut, Cory!" He laughs, "If you think my haircut's awesome you should meet my barber." Robby says, "The Dylan Newman fan club will now come to order." Dodger says, "I'm president," and Robby insinuates himself next to me with his arm going around the back of my neck, as he's saying, "Sorry, boys, but I'm president of Dylan's fan club," and his arm pulls my head over so he can give me a wet kiss on my lips. Then he asks, "Right, Dylan?" My face is so hot and red. Avoiding Robby's awkward question, I ask, "How fucking hot is it in here anyway?" Robby kisses my cheek, muttering, "You're hot, that's for sure. Hot and sexy." Robby's never this demonstrative and everyone looks a little uncomfortable as Dodger gives me a knowing glance. I look away from him, frowning.

Connor's standing close to me staring at me. I grin at him wondering how I could have forgotten how startling his looks are. He's very good looking and now very fit. No more baby fat ring around his belly. Grinning, I mumble,"Nice haircut, soldier." He mutters, "I agree with, Cory. I used to have the most awesome personal barber before I joined the Army. Now my barber sucks." Dodger says, "Roger that, Connor," as he passes me a cup of beer. Dodger's cool, like there's nothing different and we never had that conversation. Robby murmurs to me, "Sit here with me , Dylan," and we sit on one of the benches used to change into swimsuits during the summer. With his arm across my shoulders and his fingers ruffling the hairs at the side of my head, Robby's telling us about the food we can expect tonight. "He goes, "Dad's got a whole tenderloin of beef he's doing on the grill, and because it's Dodger's favorite he's doing -kabobs of chicken livers." Dodger laughs, "He wouldn't fucking dare. I hate any kind of liver." Connor says, "Calves liver's good," and Dodger goes, "No it's not, Connor." Connor blushes, saying, "Oh," and those two share a secret look. Hmmm, maybe I've lost my biggest admirer, Connor, to Dodger. I've seen that same look between Vinnie and Dodger many times. Yeah, where's Vinnie. I ask, Dodger, "Where's Vinnie?" He says, "He's coming . He got grounded for staying out too late with Connor, me, and the stoners last night. He needs to wait until his 'rents take off for the night, then he'll sneak out and be joining us." Connor makes a face, then asks, "He won't get in more trouble will he, Dodger?" Dodger goes, "No more than he got into with me since I've known him. His parents have this idea in their heads that I'm a bad influence on Vinnie. Total hogwash of course, but it's nothing new. Vinnie knows what he wants." Cory's looking at Dodger like he's a rock star, like he's mesmerized by him. What the fuck? "What else we having tonight, bro?" Dodger asks, and Robby lists a lot of yummy foods, way too much for our group. I ask, "How many people will be here?" Robby says, "There are only seven of us guys, and Mary Jo, to start with, but dad gave in and says the stoners can come after everyone's had their first round of food. So there's another half dozen or so right there." Dodger says, "You hope there'll only be a half dozen. You know how word spreads." Robby shrugs, "Who knows how many, but there's also fifteen adult relatives and neighbors too." He goes on to say we need to be careful about drinking, "Nobody better get drunk!" We talked about that, and then Dodger begins telling basic training stories.

We finish our first beer and Robby leans over whispering in my ear, "Get us both another beer, baby, and meet me outside." I'd rather hear the exaggerated stories of basic training life. Dodger's a great story teller omitting no curse words known in the English language, and inventing a few of his own. He's just naturally funny. Everyone's laughing, but I'll see what Robby wants. Carrying two cups of beer, I mutter, "Be right back," and slip outside. Robby says, "Come around to the side, Dylan, lets have some private time. I haven't seen you all day." He takes his beer and I light a cigarette and offer it to Robby. He takes it and as I'm lighting another one, he goes, "Um, did I say something that upset you in the pickup?" I shrug, "No, not really. You were kind of bossy and...,"Robby interrupts, "Are you saying you don't want me taking charge? I mean, it's impossible to be in charge and not be a little bossy." I nod my head because he's right, so I let that go, and say, "Oh yeah, no problem. It's just that you kinda talked down to me about the business meeting thing. Like, I shouldn't worry my pretty head about business, ya know." He frowns, "Pretty head? I never said that, Dylan. Do you want to come to the meeting. If you do, you're welcome." Jesus, he's got me there. That's the last place I want to spend a Saturday. I go, "Um, no, I guess not. It's just the way you said it." He asks, "Said what?" I shake my head, "It's nothing, really!" He goes, "If I do anything to offend you in any way, just tell me and I'll never do it again. Offending you is like the last thing in the world I want to do."I mutter, "I know," feeling like a little kid now. He gives me a one arm hug, "You nut. Are you pulling my chain again?" I go, "Yeah, I guess," and I lean against him feeling a strong sexual attraction to Robby, and to hell with what Dodger said. He just doesn't know how it is between Robby and me. Pressing my body against Robby I look into his eyes grinning, and he asks, "Here? You wanna do it here?" I nod my head as my cock gets firm. Robby shrugs and looks around, then says, "Okay, yeah, but around back." Oh, he's so fucking hot!

I follow him around back where Robby looks around again, then hands me his cup of beer, "Put this some place and drop your pants." He unzips his fly and pulls his stubby fat cock out, pulling on it. Setting the beers on a level rock, I drop my khaki's halfway down my thighs and look at Robby. I'm pulling on my dick, but he reaches over to push my hand away, muttering, "No, Dylan, let me fuck an orgasm out of you. Don't touch yourself, okay?" I nod my head as he points to his limp dick, and shrugs, so I bend over and take it in my mouth. He murmurs, "Yeah, baby, suck my cock." Robby rubs his hands over my back, then his fingers go through my hair as spit drools down from my chin from slurping on Robby's cock. Really getting into it right from the start, I'm wishing I could get down on my knees to do this right. I don't though because there'd be telltale dirt spots, which wouldn't be good. "Mmmm," from Robby, "This is nice, Dylan. Just you and me." Bobbing my head on his hardening cock, and with each bob his cock pushes past my gag reflex area into my throat, then back out, then in again as my cock gets rock hard. I bob my face tight against his jeans, my nose through his fly and pressed to his belly. His familiar sexy scent floods my brain as I moan around his boner, "Oooooh, mmmm." Pulling my head back I pull his nuts though his fly and hungrily lap and suck on his balls, as his saliva-dripping boner moves around my face smearing my own spit everywhere. His boner's sticking straight up next to my nose now as I suck on his balls and then precum oozes out from the slit of his hard cock to drool down the shaft onto my upper lips. Taking my face away, licking at the precum and grabbing my crotch, I'm moaning, "Aaah, I'm gonna cum, Robby." He reaches over and gives my balls a tight squeeze. As I stifle a scream, he murmurs, "I'm so sorry, Dylan, but I know you'd like the climax sensation to last longer than this. You're making me feel so special the way you're so turned-on. We're getting there, aren't we?"

I straighten up with my balls aching as Robby hugs me to him kissing my lips with his boner poking my bare groin. His hands grab my butt cheeks pulling my groin against his and humping gently into me. The pain in my balls fades as does the sensation of climax. My arms go around Robby and hug him to me. He's not pretending, Robby's found his comfort zone finally, and he's sweetly dominant and in charge for real. My lips suck on his as I moan, "Ummm, Robby, I love you so much." He squeezes my buttocks continuing to hump against me gently, murmuring, "It's getting better and better between us, Dylan, and I'm grateful to you for being patient with me and giving me time to grow into the type lover you need me to be. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting there." My forehead's on his shoulder as I hug him against me, inhaling his sexy scent, feeling dreamily submissive to him. It's like floating, feeling safe and taken care of. Such a sexually dreamy state of mind I want it to last forever. Robby says, "I need to fuck you now, baby. I've got a seriously strong urge to fuck you, fuck you until you're totally mine. Oh God, I need this right now. Turn around," and he roughly turns me away from him, slapping my ass hard, "SMACK! SMACK!" I moan as my hand goes back on it's own to rub my stinging ass. Robby pushes my hand away, and the head of his cock presses against my asshole as precum runs down my boner and drips off my nuts. I bend right over and grab my knees with Robby muttering, "Yeah, like that, baby. Take my fat cock up your ass."

He squeezes my butt cheeks and then grabs my hips and pushes his cock all the way up my ass. It burns for the minute he leaves his fat boner inside me and tightly rubs his hand up my sides, then down. He's quietly grunting, "Ump, ump, ooh," then begins steadily fucking my ass, "Slap, slap, slap," and it goes on lusciously for a minute or so. Soft moans from both of us, then Robby asks, "Feeling good, baby?" My heads moving around because nothing feels better than this. I moan, "Uh huh, Robby, mmmm, ooh, Jesus, oh, ooh." He steadily fuck's me for a few more minutes with both of us continuing our quiet moaning and groaning. Fucking outside is so cool! My rectum is a house of pleasure with the sensitive spots screaming sexual pleasure. Feeling my orgasm building I start humping back into his thrust.. I feel my climax building to a crescendo, but too quickly now. Robby's got me so hot with his real, not pretend, dominant manner. Dominant, but loving and considerate and what? Perfect? Is it getting near perfect? He grips my shoulders grunting something I can't make out. Cupping my shoulders now he's pulling me back into his thrusting hips, pounding his cock inside me fast and hard, "SLAP, SLAP, SLAP." It's on me now and my back arches as all the muscles in my body clench. I put a hand over my mouth to quiet my squeal and my hips hump and a tantalizing stream of cum shoots out in an arc, landing with a subtle rustling sound against a shrub. Everything's red in my head as I tremble, my boner's so tight my hips quiver as more cum shoots out. The sensations have my whole body shuddering and then Robby's chest is on my back with him humping against me whining as he fires a stream of cum up my ass. Robby makes strangling noises in his throat as more cum shoots inside me and it's warm and squishy. Awesome buzzing sensations result after my orgasm, sizzle a while, and then quietly fade-out. It's leaves me feeling wonderful and full of love and admiration for Robby.

He's laying limply on my back for a few seconds, then Robby thrusts his cock inside me lazily for another minute before pulling out. He gasps, then mutters, "Dylan, would you suck me off again...?" I turn around, still bent over and slurp his semi-hard cock in my mouth, sucking on it until Robby, murmurs, "Okay, that's good, that's enough," and gently pushes my head away. "Turn around and I'll wipe up the drooling cum from your ass." I do that in a fog of emotions, feeling sexually satisfied and also experiencing a different kind of submissiveness, different than I've ever felt before. It's like the most comfortable feeling as Robby wipes my ass with his handkerchief, murmuring, "What a beautiful ass you have, Dylan." He chuckles, muttering, "Man, I shot a big load of spunk in there, babe, holly shit," and more chuckles. He's in a light mood feeling good after getting laid. I feel good too and strangely attached to Robby, like I'm part of him now. The irony of this situation is that earlier I was thinking about the things Dodger said and wondering how much of it might be true, and now I'm like more attracted to Robby than ever. And I still feel submissive to him even though we've had our extemporaneous sex and he's in this lighthearted mood about all the spunk he poured up my ass. He's acting the opposite of being dominant, he's just playfully goofing around and yet I think he's awesome and my submissiveness remains. This is something new. Robby's my man, ya know. Yeah, that corny thing Ray used to claim he was. If anyone is 'my man' it's Robby. I don't even want to call him Robby now because it sounds childish. I'm gonna call him 'Rob' from now on and hope I don't inadvertently call him 'my man' because he'd laugh at me. This feeling is something totally new, a new step up in our relationship that I need to think about before saying anything about it to Robby.

He slaps my ass lightly, mumbling, "All cleaned up, Dylan. Man, that felt good!" He helps pull my pants up as I straighten-up. Turning around I get my arms around the back of Robby's neck and hug him. He says, "Hey, your face is smeared with spit from my cock." He wipes my face, spits on the handkerchief and wipes some more, murmuring, "A little of my spit to clean off yours. Ha ha, that's nuts, right? I nod my head, still feeling very submissive to him as I hug him with the sides of our faces together. I whisper in his ear, "I loved the way you fucked me, Rob, and the way you take care of me." He mutters, "I'll always take care of you." I pull my head back and look at him, our noses touching, "I'm calling you Rob from now on." He chuckles, kisses me, then says, "Sure, but why?" Oh my God, he's so hot to me. Putting my lips to his ear, pulling his head against mine, I quietly say, "Because you're my man, Rob." He gives me a hug, laughingly saying, "Oh, I got promoted," and he kisses me again, mumbling, "Come on, babe, we better get back inside before they come looking for us." I hug him again, clinging to him. Sounding a little annoyed, he goes, "Okay, okay, you love me. That's awesome, but lets go. Get our beers, Dylan, come on, do what I said." I love that! My dick moves in my underwear as I mutter, "Sure, Rob," and let go of him to adjust my junk, and then pick up our beers. "Here ya go, Rob." he takes the beer, mumbling, "Wait a second, I thought I heard something in front. We'll go all the way around to the other side." I'm staring at his face as dusk begins descending.

Coming around the other side, Robby says, "That was kinda dumb of us, Dylan. There's about a hundred things that could have gone wrong." I mumbling, "Oh, sorry," and he stops, "Oh no, Dylan, I'm not blaming you. I got the hot's for you, babe. It was fun though, wasn't it?" Too loudly I concur, "I'll say." He gives me a funny look just as the outdoor lights come on making us jump. Then Robby chuckles again, and says, "We'll sit on a couple of those chairs around the pool. It'll be like we've been there all the time. Man, I feel good. That was fast, but a good time, eh?" I nod my head as I stare at the pool cover and wonder if there's still water in the pool. We sit down and light cigarettes with Robby gesturing at the chairs scattered in groups here and there, saying, "The guys and I dragged these chairs out of the storage area in the pool house so people will have someplace to sit tonight." I see something new on the other side of the pool, and ask Robby what it is. He goes, "Oh, that's cool. It's an outdoor fire pit that we'll fire up when it gets darker. There's another one over there on the patio. Atmosphere, ya know." I go, "Yeah, cool," and stare at him grinning. He goes, "What?" and I shrug, "I don't know, I'm just feeling great being your boyfriend, that's all." He smiles, "Thanks, Dylan, you make me feel special every day. I love you more than anything I can think of. You've been fabulous about our engagement too, ever since our engagement you've been perfect. There's no one like you, Dylan." I nod my head, muttering, "Thanks, you too. Um, did you have an obsession for me when you were fifteen?" He makes a face, "An obsession? No, why do you ask? I mean, I had a puppy love crush on you because you're the cutest boy I'd ever seen, but you were very much all boy at the same time. You fascinated me and yeah I had a big crush, but I was way too shy to say anything to you."

We smoke silently for a few second as I look around at the lights they've strung above the whole back yard. It really is cool and there's a big banner too, 'WELCOME HOME DODGER AND CONNOR!' It's nice of the Dickers to include Connor. Maybe I'm being too hard on his parents. It must have been a shock learning their eldest son is homosexual. I suppose it's natural to question if it's somehow something they did that caused Robby to be gay. Then, looking back at Robby, and knowing I shouldn't push this, but I'm wicked curious, so I ask, "Did you ever tell Dodger about the crush you, you know, the one you had on me?" He looks at me, frowning, "What the fuck did Dodger tell you this afternoon?" I say, "Dodger? Nothing. You told me you had a crush on me, you know, and you said it was a couple of years so I," and my voice dies out, finishing, "so I thought maybe it was from when you were fifteen." He stares at me with a quizzical expression, so I add, "Dodger didn't tell me that, not exactly in those exact words, I mean." He laughs again, punching me lightly on my shoulder, saying, "You're the worst liar ever, ha ha. Damn, don't ever get in a poker game." Hmm, I better drop this subject. I go, "Do you need any help grilling tonight?" He says, "I think dad and uncle Mark are grilling. The guys and me did all the grunt work today so I think that's all they're looking for me to do." I nod, and he asks, "Dodger didn't say anything to you about me?" I shrug, "Um, ummm, he mentioned you, yeah. You guys are tight." Robby asks, "What'd he say? He's been acting a little different since he came back. Is he upset with me about anything? We didn't even have our, um, personal reunion." I do an elaborate shrug, "Upset? Gee, I didn't get that feeling, not exactly." Before Robby can say anything to that, Dodger comes running out of the pool house chasing Connor. They're both giggling and yelling something. Cory and Seth come out right after them.

Robby gawks at them, then gets up and jogs over. I follow and hear Robby say, "Keep it down, guys. Jeez, dad will think we're drunk already." Dodger's got Connor in a headlock, grinning, "This recruit told a basic training story that was our little secret." He rubs Conner's head, then lets him go. Connor stands close to Dodger grinning at him. We hear, "Get away from my boyfriend, Connor," as that cute, little hot shit Vinnie strides down the driveway. Dodger laughs, saying, "You're in the shit now, Connor." Connor jumps back, laughingly saying, "My bad, Vinnie! Don't hit me." Vinnie's grinning, muttering, "Goddamn recruits." Everyone says 'hi' to Vinnie as I'm thinking, 'Damn, these guys seem like old friends after spending one night cavorting around with Dodger and his stoner friends. I didn't think Connor and Vinnie would instantly relate. Maybe it's that they both have Dodger in common. We all go back in the pool house and more beers are poured as we hear conversation in the driveway, and Dodger says, "The adults are coming, the adults are coming." I say, "What the fuck, are you Paul Revere? Then say, "The redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming." Vinnie says, "What he actually said was, 'The regulars are coming'. Initially, due to misreporting, it was said Paul Revere yelled 'The British are coming.' but they wouldn't have said British..." Dodger says, "Enough with the history lesson, Vinnie. Who gives a fuck what he said?" Vinnie shrugs and Dodger hugs Vinnie's shoulders almost lifting him off his feet.

Dodger says, "Lets see who's coming," so we take our beers and go outside again. We hear a car door slam and around the side of the house comes Chubby without MJ. I wave and then meet Chubby half way for a hug and a quick kiss. "Where's Mary Jo, Chub?" He shrugs, grinning, takes my beer and gulps half of it, then says, "We had a fight and I told her to fuck off." As we're walking toward the rest of the guys everyone has an 'hello' for Chubby with Dodger asking, "Where's the extraterrestrial expert?" Chubby says, "She can't make it tonight." Murmurs like, "Aww, that's too fucking bad, heh heh,"

drift down towards us with Chubby smirking and asking me, "The guys don't love MJ? What the fuck, bro.." I shrug, and ask, "What was the fight about?" Chubby puts his arm across my shoulder, looking at me, "I forget, bro. How you doing?" I have to laugh. It's like nothing bothers Chubby. "She'd be the only girl here anyway, Chub, it's probably best." He's like, "Oh, yeah, that's what the fight was about, but now I probably won't get laid." He's hugging Dodger now, then Connor while saying something that makes them laugh. I love it when Chubby's wherever I am.

As Dodger, Connor, and Chubby exchange greetings. Connor starts to ask Vinnie something, but stops because Mr. Dicker's comes over, "Hi, guys. Sorry to interrupt, but I need to borrow Dodger and Rob. Come on over and say hello to your relatives, boys." They both roll their eyes and groan, but follow their dad. Now Connor asks what he started to ask a minute ago, "Vinnie, how many shots did we do at that bad ass stoner's place?" Vinnie comes over and they huddle laughing about their exploits last night as Seth slides over grinning at me. Chubby joins Cory, Connor, and Vinnie. I'm smiling, so happy to see Cory and Connor socializing so easily. That wasn't how it used to be. This is great to see. To me, Seth quietly says, "I didn't think I'd get a chance to talk to you, Dylan. Rob has you monopolized." I grin at him, "Always time for you, Seth." He looks down, muttering, "I've missed you way more than I thought I would." I grin, "Missed you too, Seth." He blushers, muttering, "Seeing you five or six days a week all summer I got to taking it for granted, now I don't." He stares at me, sucking on his lips and blushing some more. I squeeze the back of his neck, wanting to change the drift of this conversation, so I ask, "How are you managing a full time job, a part time one, and online college courses?" He says, "Okay, but do you think...?"

to be continued... Donny Mumford thinat20@yahoo.com

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I have had two books published that are available on Amazon. Actually one book and one short story. The short story is titled "Concealed Agony - Gay Romance" (and I didn't pick that title.) Read the short story first. And the book is named "Oliver's Wildwood Vacation" They are both about 'Oliver'. You can easily find them by searching for 'Donny Mumford' at the Amazon web site.

And I would appreciate it if you would provide a comment at the site for the stories as well.

Thanks.

Donny Mumford

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