Trials and Triumphs II
By: Morris Henderson
(Copyright 2012 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
 

Chapter 3
IF ONLY...

Mike and Eric spent the afternoon wandering through the park, thoroughly enjoying the time together while chatting as though they were old friends.  They had taken an instant liking for each other (after Eric overcame his embarrassment at being discovered naked in the lake) and their rapport steadily increased throughout the day.  Eric was captivated by Mike’s amiable personality and quick wit.  Mike was impressed with Eric’s good-natured character and keen interest in the beauty and wonder of the outdoors.  Each admired the other’s physical fitness although Eric’s favorable opinion of Mike’s body was influenced by his yearning for physical intimacy.

At one point, Mike said, “I’m afraid I have to be on my way.  It’s only about sixty miles but the traffic is likely to be bad and I’d like to be home before dark.  Before I leave, though, I have to tell you it’s been wonderful having your company.” 

Eric had given a lot of thought to parting company and dreaded it.  But he had formed an idea earlier and expressed it by saying, “You said you didn’t have any commitments until tomorrow night.  Why don’t we have dinner at the lodge and you can stay here tonight.  Tomorrow, after breakfast, we can go for a bike ride or even go horseback riding.  If you leave after lunch will you have time to get home for your appointment?”

“I’d like to, Eric.  I would enjoy spending more time with you.  But they’re always booked solid on weekends and I doubt they have a room available.”

“I have a room,” Eric replied.  “That is if you don’t mind sharing a king size bed.”

Eric couldn’t interpret the look on Mike’s face.  Was it merely surprise?  Was he only evaluating the option of staying in the park longer than he had planned?  Or was he reluctant to get into bed with another guy?  He had a girlfriend.  That much was certain.  He had mentioned her several times.  But was he homophobic to the point of avoiding the slightest hint of ‘perverted’ behavior?  Mike’s delay in responding was only momentary but it seemed extraordinarily long to Eric.

“It’s tempting, Eric.  But I don’t want to disrupt your weekend more than I already have.”

Eric was relieved that it was not a flat refusal of the offer.  But it was clear that more persuasion would be needed.  “First of all, you didn’t disrupt my weekend.  Quite the opposite.  Having your company made it far more enjoyable.  For that reason, I’d like to spend more time with you tomorrow.  But if you really need to get home today, I would understand.”

The next thing Mike said gave Eric’s spirits a huge lift.  “I’ve enjoyed it also.  I’ve always come here by myself and it was nice.  But it’s so much better with pleasant company.  So here’s my answer.  I’ll stay ... but on one condition.  I know the room cost you a pretty penny and the meals here are not cheap.  So dinner and breakfast are on me.”

“Terrific!” Eric exclaimed.  “You made my day with the tour of the park but you’ve just capped it by staying a while longer.”

Mike burst out laughing, which worried Eric who asked, “What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, pal.  But your excitement was over the top.  I had a flashback to when my nephew got the model train he wanted for Christmas.  He was so excited that he almost wet his pants.  His parents — my brother and his wife — were, of course, very pleased that he liked it.  Matter of fact, I’m pleased that you like the idea of my staying an extra day.”

Eric chuckled and replied, “I’m not a little kid.  And you’re not a model train.  But yes, I AM very happy that you’re staying.”

<><><><><> 

They went up to Eric’s room to freshen up for dinner.  Mike worried that he didn’t have his shaving kit or a change of clothes.  “Don’t worry about it,” Eric said.  “This is certainly not a formal place.  Most of the people in the restaurant will be in casual clothes.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Mike conceded.  But tomorrow I’m going to have a face full of stubble.”

“If it will make you feel better, Mike, I’ll skip shaving.  We’ll be a pair.”

They both laughed.  Eric said, “It just occurred to me that before meeting you it had been a long time since I laughed so often.  I thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome.  But I’m not ready to try my luck at comedy clubs.”

Because the restaurant was crowded and service was slow and because they lingered over their dinner, it was late when they returned to Eric’s room.

“If you don’t mind,” Mike said, “I’d like to make a phone call.  If Laura calls me and I’m not home, she’ll be worried.”

“Go right ahead,” Eric said.  “While you’re doing that, I’m going to take a shower.  There are plenty of bath towels if you want to shower after me.”

Eric took a quick shower but the thought of sharing a bed with Mike resulted in wishing it was for more than a night’s sleep.  His imagination created a fantasy in which he and his new friend made passionate love before yielding to the need for sleep.  The reality of the situation — the impossibility of anything happening between them — short-circuited his wishful thinking.  He turned off the shower, dried himself, and slipped on a fresh pair of boxers.  As he exited the bathroom, Mike, who was still on the phone, looked up and ended the call by saying, “Love ya, Larry.  See ya tomorrow.”

Mike’s abruptness in ending the call was a mild surprise but Eric was mystified by what he heard.  Mike had said he wanted to phone his girlfriend, Laura.  But he had said, ‘Love ya, Larry’.  Had he heard it clearly?  If so, who was Larry?  Or was it Mike’s mistake to use the wrong name?  If so, it was very uncharacteristic of him.

Mike noticed Eric’s puzzled expression and recalled saying ‘Larry’.  So he explained, “Laura wasn’t home so I called my brother to relay the message.”  He grinned and asked, “Did you leave some hot water for me?  I probably smell like a wild animal.”

“Plenty,” Eric replied.

“Plenty of water or plenty of smell?” Mike laughed.

Eric crawled into bed.  Rather than bemoaning the fact that there would be no sex with his new friend, his thoughts lingered on the Larry-Laura mystery.  Mike’s quick explanation that he called his brother was plausible.  And it was supported by the fact that he didn’t take time to come up with a lie for an excuse.  However, his startled expression and suddenly hanging up the phone suggested that he had been caught doing something wrong.  What could that be?  The only logical answer was that he was not talking to his brother but to his BOYFRIEND.  Did he have a lover?  Was he, in fact, gay?  That would be good news except for the possibility that Mike was in a committed, monogamous relationship with another guy.  But then again....  Larry might be just a boyfriend.  Mike might be free to have sex with other guys.  If so, perhaps there was a chance of having sex with him tonight.  OR NOT!  If he goes to bed with anyone available, wouldn’t that mean real trouble for a long-term relationship?  And disqualify him to be the lifelong partner that Eric wanted?

All the speculation and ‘what-ifs’ put Eric’s mind in turmoil.  Just then, Mike emerged from the bathroom.  Completely naked!  He got into the other side of the bed.  The havoc in Eric’s thoughts intensified with the very sexy, nude guy beside him ... a guy who had a girlfriend and was therefore straight ... or had a boyfriend and was gay but concealing his interests.

“You don’t snore, do you?” Mike asked in his typical joking manner.

“Don’t know,” Eric replied.  “How would I know if I’m asleep and can’t hear it?”  It was a lame joke and he was afraid it sounded sarcastic so he added, “If I do, just punch me in the ribs to shut me up.”

Mike laughed heartily.

“What’s so funny?” Eric asked.

“I just remembered what my dad told me once.  Mom complained about his snoring so he said there was a cure for that and told her, ‘Just roll me over on my back so my balls cover my ass hole to cut off the draft.’  She was so offended that he had to spend that night on the couch!”

Eric laughed, which reduced his tension somewhat.  They exchanged ‘good nights’ and Mike turned off the bedside lamp.

Mysteries and confusions kept Eric awake for a long time after his bed partner’s deep breathing signaled he was asleep.  Was Mike gay?  Did he have a lover?  Was he promiscuous?  Or was he straight?  And unavailable?  How could he continue the friendship?  Could he hope to be his life-long lover?

<><><><><> 

Eric awoke before Mike and lay there thinking of what might have been ... and of whether he would be able to spend time with his new friend sometime soon.  He had abandoned the hope of having Mike as a lover.  There were zero signs of his being gay but an abundance of clues that he was straight.  Still, he enjoyed Mike’s company and wanted to spend more time with him.  But there was a significant problem: a full-time job and a part-time job helping Grant left virtually no time for socializing.

Eventually, the pressure in his bladder forced him to get out of bed and visit the bathroom.  He did so quietly so as not to disturb Mike.  When he returned to the bedroom Mike was still asleep.  He slipped carefully back into bed, hoping his friend would awake soon so they could spend at least part of the day together.

Several minutes later, Mike stirred and rolled over on his side toward Eric.  Mike was either still asleep or in that foggy period between deep sleep and wakefulness.  He draped an arm across Eric’s chest and a leg atop Eric’s.  He could feel Mike’s morning hard-on brushing against his hip.  The astonished young man didn’t know what to do.  The press of warm flesh against his body was both delightful and frightening.  He had longed for such contact since shortly after meeting his new friend.  His wish had come true but not in the way he had hoped.  The bodily contact caused Eric’s cock to inflate.  But he didn’t dare move and wake his friend because it would be an embarrassment to the obviously straight hunk if he woke up and realized he was cuddling with an aroused guy.

Eric decided on an action that would solve the problem.  He would quickly get out of bed, rush to the bathroom to hide his erection, and pretend that the pressing need to piss forced him to move in haste.  Jumping out from under Mike would surely awaken him and he would find himself alone in the bed with only a very brief glimpse of Eric’s backside disappearing into the bathroom.

Before he had a chance to escape from the awkward situation, however, he felt Mike’s hand drift downward and grasp his hard-on through the fabric of his boxers.  Simultaneously, Mike mumbled, “Good morning, Larry.”

Although it was almost inaudible, it was clear enough that there could be no mistake — the name he heard was Larry and not Laura.  The conclusion was inescapable.  Mike thought he was in bed with Larry.  Larry was not his brother but his gay lover!

Eric’s befuddled mind coped with the shocking turn of events.  He felt his cock being fondled and heard Mike say, “Looks like you’re ready for some fun.”

Getting no reply, Mike opened his eyes and looked up at Eric’s face.  “SHIT!” he exclaimed loudly and immediately withdrew and sat up.  Without making eye contact, he said mournfully, “I’m sorry, Eric.  Please forgive me.”

“Who’s Larry?” Eric demanded.

Mike paused for a long time before answering.  He had to think of a way to explain himself.  There was no other choice than to be honest.  “He’s my partner.  We’re gay.  We love each other.  It’s not uncommon that we have sex when we wake up.  I wasn’t fully awake and I thought you were Larry.  Please forgive me.  You’re probably thinking that I’m some sort of pervert because I’m homosexual.  If you knew that yesterday, you would never have asked me to stay.  You would never have been so friendly.  I enjoyed your company, Eric.  But please believe me.  I would never have done what I just did if I knew at the time what I was doing ... that is, if I realized I was not at home with Larry.  I’ll get dressed and leave.  I’m sure you don’t want to pal around with a queer.”

Without waiting for a response, Mike got out of bed.

“Get back here!” Eric commanded.  “I listened to your story.  Now you’re going to listen to mine!”  A very puzzled Mike sat on the edge of the bed as Eric continued, “You think I hate gays?  Not so!  Because I’m gay also.  To tell the truth, I was attracted to you from the moment I saw you.  At first it was a sexual attraction.  But as we spent time together, I grew to like you as a person.  I still wanted to have sex with you but I became convinced that you were straight.  Your frequent mention of Laura was the strongest evidence.  So here’s the bottom line, my friend ... and I’d like to continue having you as a friend ... I will still feel lust for your body but I’ll never act on that lust now that I know you’re in a committed relationship.  How about it?  Can we be just friends?”

Mike’s look of surprise bordered on disbelief.  “I’ll be damned,” he said.  “Both of us craved to have each other but neither of us dared to reveal his secret.  But now the secret’s out and we’re free to do what we want.  And what I want is to crawl all over your magnificent body, to have you do the same to me, and to have one helluva hot time.”

It was Eric’s turn to be surprised.  Without thinking, he asked, “How could you be willing to have casual sex with someone you’ve just met?  Seems to me that violates the trust that ought to exist in a meaningful relationship with Larry.”

“Not really,” Mike grinned.  “Let me explain something.  I’ve been evasive about my job.  The truth is I work for an escort service.  That’s a fancy way of saying I’m a male prostitute.  Business men visiting Dallas ... or even a lot who live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area ... are willing to pay for a quickie or even the whole night with a young man.  Larry works for the same company.  That’s how we met.  We both have sex with countless men ... and occasionally with women.  But it doesn’t affect how we feel about each other in the least.  So if you and I have a little fun in bed, it’s not going to damage my love for Larry.  Or his love for me.  Will I tell him about it?  Of course.  Will he care?  No.  That’s how strong our love is for each other.”  Mike paused to gauge Eric’s reaction but a necessity caused him to say, “Right now, you’ll have to excuse me. Nature calls.  In the meantime, think about it.  We’ll both get what we want.  With no harm done.”

Mike made a dash for the bathroom, leaving Eric to absorb the totally unexpected situation and to decide whether or not to agree to his friend’s request.

To be continued...

My thanks to Iatia for his consistently meticulous editing and for his continuing encouragement.

Posted:09/07/12