by: Tyler Peel

© 2007 by the author

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

Chapter 41
New Year’s Eve

"Could you puuulheeeeeeeeeeeze pick another ring tone for that stupid phone of yours?" Derek asked from a semi-comatose state.

"I think I can find some German Opera music if you think that'd be a better option," Tyler said smiling as he rolled out of bed and put his feet on the cold floor.

"AHHHHHHHH!" Tyler yelled.

"What's wrong?" Derek said instantly sitting up wide-awake. "Tyler, are you okay?"

"The floor is ice cold! The fire must have gone out." Tyler said.

"Shit... and I thought it was something serious." Derek said flopping back down, face first into his pillow. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Fine, no dizziness or anything," Tyler said.

"Good... have a nice drive into Lake Placid!" Derek said, chuckling.

"What a great boyfriend you are. See if I bring you any McDonald's breakfast!" Tyler said putting his socks on.

"Doesn't matter... we will all have frozen to death by the time you get back. If YOU don't get the fire going again pretty quick," Derek mumbled.

Tyler walked out of the bedroom and threw two logs onto the hot embers inside the wood stove and then filled the kettle with water. After brushing his teeth he checked the time. It was only 4:47 a.m., so he began making a grocery list.

"First, we need a coffee machine! Second, we need coffee...," Tyler said out loud to an empty room.

"Abbey, where are you when I need you? It's lonely in the morning without you," he said. "Might as well get Matt up." The kettle began whistling and Tyler poured hot water into two mugs with Folger's singles coffee bags.

Tyler quietly opened Jeff's bedroom door and smiled at what he saw. Jeff was laying half on Matt's chest. Matt had his arms around Jeff and both guys had the hint of a smile on their faces. Tyler slipped back into his own room and got his digital camera from his backpack. He took two pictures of Matt and Jeff without the flash on. He then returned to his bedroom, put the camera away and pulled out a clean pair of boxers for Matt to wear.

Tyler bent down and kissed Matt's forehead. Matt's eyes opened immediately to see Tyler staring down at him. Matt grinned and then blinked. Tyler gave him a quick kiss on the lips and whispered, "Morning."

"Mmmmmmm," Matt said, closing his eyes again. "This place definitely has the best alarm clock around!" he added grinning.

"Would you tell Derek that sometime?" Tyler asked smiling. "It's almost five and the coffee is ready.

"Could you wake me up again in five minutes... and then keep waking me every two minutes for the rest of the day?" Matt asked, stretching his arms out and yawning.

"Get yer lazy ski buns out of bed!" Tyler said standing up. "By the way I brought you a pair of my boxers to wear."

"Sweet! Thanks. I hope they're from last night?" Matt joked.

"Didn't wear any last night!" Tyler asked winking at him. "Do you want a sweatshirt to wear?"

"T-shirt would be fine, and thanks," Matt said, extricating himself from Jeff. Tyler went back into his room and got him a t-shirt and a sweatshirt to wear for work. "It's way too cold out there for just a t-shirt, Matt."

"How do you like your coffee?" Tyler whispered, as he tossed the clothes on to the bed.

"Wow... the service just gets better and better," Matt said grinning at Tyler as he sat on the bed with a fully extended erection. "Cream and no sugar please. By the way, do you need any help with the 'cream,' Tyler?"

Tyler snorted then walked back to the kitchen while Matt went to pee.

Tyler tapped on the bathroom door.

"C'mon in...," Matt said standing over the toilet as he emptied his bladder.

"Deodorant is there and if you want you can use my toothbrush, it's the purple one!" Tyler said setting Matt's coffee down on the vanity.

Tyler was writing out a grocery list when a half empty mug of coffee was set down beside him and two arms circled his torso. "Thanks for last night!" Matt said hugging Tyler.

"Did we have sex?" Tyler joked. "Because I gotta tell you if we did it wasn't very good... I don't remember a damn thing!"

"You know what I mean. I can't remember having that much fun in a long time. It was so calm and relaxed and fun and...," Matt began.

"And you were the centre of attention!" Tyler laughed.

"Yeah, that was kind of cool too! By the way that black marker has barely faded," Matt said laughing.

"According to Kyle you need someone with an acid tongue like his to suck the ink off!" Tyler said, turning to face Matt. Matt roared with laughter as he sat down on the bar stool beside him.

"He is a little hawtie... irritating at times but still a fun guy!" Matt said.

"How did things go with Chris? If you don't mind my asking?" Tyler said.

"Not at all," Matt said lowering his voice. "If I were you I'd ask the same thing. Despite my total hatred of my obnoxious little brother, I still always keep an eye on him," Matt said sipping on his coffee. "I asked Chris to make a fantasy of mine come true!" Tyler raised his eyebrows.

"Hang on!" Matt said in a whisper. "I redirected the shower head over the top of us and told him that I had this fantasy about kissing him in the rain," Tyler snorted his coffee. "So I kissed him and that was all it took to calm him down. There was no sex or anything even close," Matt said grinning.

"You are good, Matt! I am in absolute awe! I wish I had thought of that with Kyle," Tyler said.

"I've been in that situation before. You work with what you've got at the time. I never want to take the chance of making someone feel rejected. You never know if they're suicidal or something," Matt said.

"Word!" Tyler said, gulping down the last of his mug of coffee.

"Good coffee Ty!" Matt said, grinning broadly. "But I think it would have been even better with some of YOUR 'special' cream."

"So what about your brother? Are you going to invite him over tonight?" Tyler asked.

"Do I have to?" Matt said winking.

"Nope, but he is your brother, and everyone will behave with Luke and Casey here," Tyler said.

"Right... Luke! I almost forgot! Derek told me in no uncertain terms that I had to buy some peanut butter for him. What should I get for Casey?" Matt asked.

"Same thing and it's sweet of you to include Casey," Tyler said.

"What do you want me to bring tonight?" Matt asked.

"Just you and your brother, and I guess some boxers!" Tyler said laughing.

"Right! I will get these cleaned and back to you!" Matt said.

"Don't worry about it. Keep them as a souvenir to remember the really great sex we DIDN'T have!" Tyler said and Matt laughed.

"Let's get going!" Tyler said.

"Yeah it's already quarter after five!" Matt said.

Tyler had Matt at the Chalet by 5:35 a.m.

"Thanks for everything Tyler and thank you for the ride!" Matt said.

"I was coming into town anyway to do a McDonald's run," Tyler said.

"Sweet! I wish you had told me before now, I would have asked you stop by there on the drive up. It's too far out of town for us to go to," Matt said.

"Tell me what you want and I will bring it back for you?" Tyler asked.

"No, that's okay. I appreciate the offer but I couldn't ask you to do that," Matt said.

"Matt, honestly, it's not a problem and I will be driving back by here anyway. Just tell me what you want and do you want something for your brother as well?" Tyler asked.

"Hey look, there's Jesse!" Matt said pointing towards a guy in a red and yellow ski jacket. Jessie was glumly trudging through the parking lot kicking chunks of ice and snow at parked vehicles.

"He sure looks angry about something," Tyler said.

"He is angry and probably more than usual because I didn't come back last night," Matt said.

"You didn't tell your little brother that you were going to be away?" Tyler asked.

"He NEVER tells me, Tyler. In the week and half we've been here he's disappeared three nights without saying a single word. He's 18 and it's time he grew up," Matt said.

"Just remember you can't expect Jesse to act any better toward you than you act toward him," Tyler said.

"Yeah... I know but he's a hopeless case," Matt said.

"Call him over," Tyler said, and Matt looked at him.

"You're crazy!" Matt said as he put the window down. "Hey Jesse!!!!!!!" Matt yelled. The long blond haired guy wearing a American flag toque turned around and walked over to the Jeep.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Jesse demanded to know.

"Out!" Matt said glaring at him. "Jesse, this is Tyler!"

Jesse bent down to look at Tyler and his extended hand. Jesse nodded gruffly with no intention of touching Tyler's hand.

"You could have told me you weren't coming home last night!" Jesse said.

"Since when did you start caring? You never call me when you stay elsewhere!" Matt said.

Tyler decided he had better change the topic. "Hey, Jesse, I'm doing a McDonald's breakfast run. Is there anything you want?" Tyler asked.

"I don't have any money," Jesse said looking down at the snow-covered pavement.

"I wasn't asking for money. I asked if you wanted anything. I'm getting food for your brother so it isn't a problem to bring something back for you," Tyler said smiling.

"Get me two sausage McMuffins, a couple of hash browns, and a breakfast burrito with hot sauce... and a large chocolate shake," Jesse ordered.

"What do you want Matt?" Tyler asked Matt who was shaking his head with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Ty! He's just a rude little shit." Matt said. "I will have two sausage McMuffins with egg please and one hash brown... please and thanks!"

"No problem! I will be right back," Tyler said as Matt got out of the Jeep.

"You didn't have to be rude to my friend, Jesse," Matt said as they walked towards the Chalet.

"Who fucking cares if some fag wants to buy me breakfast?" Jesse said opening the door to the Chalet and letting it close in Matt's face.

Matt grabbed Jesse's coat from behind and spun him around. "You listen and listen good! Tyler is my friend -- not a 'fag' -- and even if he is gay that isn't any concern of yours!" Matt yelled.

"Did you get your ass pasted last night?" Jesse asked laughing at him.

"No, and that isn't any of your concern either. Tyler and his family had offered an invitation for you to join me tonight at their cottage for New Year's Eve but you can forget it! Stay in the room and watch TV alone!" Matt said pushing him away.

"I already have plans!!!" Jesse yelled at him and Matt stopped and turned around.

"What plans?" Matt asked.

"Like... like... like I'm going to tell you!" Jesse shot back.

"One, you don't have any friends here. Two, everyone who's met you hates you. And, three, you've gone through all the girls who are stupid enough to sleep with you. So shut the fuck up!" Matt said undoing his coat and walking away. Jesse flipped Matt the bird as he walked away.

Matt stood by the window watching for Tyler's Jeep when Jesse came up beside him. "It's your lucky day!" Jesse said.

"Oh goody for me. What now?" Matt asked in a resigned tone.

"I'm booked to assist you today!" Jesse said enjoying the moment.

"That's not even funny. Go book yourself with some other sucker!" Matt said.

"I tried... believe me! Obviously someone hates me enough to stick me with you!" Jesse said looking out the window.

"I'll fix that right now!" Matt said walking back to the reception counter.

Tyler pulled up in his Jeep and Jesse walked outside. Tyler got out and handed Jesse two bags and a chocolate shake.

"The shake machine at McDonald's was down so I stopped by a restaurant and got them to make one to go," Tyler said smiling.

"Thanks," Jesse said as he grabbed the two bags and the shake. Tyler watched as Jesse walked back towards the Chalet. Jesse dropped the chocolate shake in a garbage can next to the front door as he entered. He looked back to see Tyler watching him.

"Faggot wants my ass!" he said to himself.

"Why did you throw your drink out?" Matt said standing at the window.

"It wasn't from McDonald's! The fag can't even get instructions right. It's a wonder how guys like you even find a piece of ass to fuck?" Jesse said tossing one bag at his brother.

"Sooooo... you had a little talk with our boss about the booking schedule, huh?" Matt asked Jesse. Jesse froze for a moment and then kept walking.

Tyler opened the cottage door quietly so as not to wake anyone. He left the McDonald's bags on the counter along with a bag of fresh cinnamon buns from a local donut shop. Tyler worked away at his grocery list for a little while longer then hid the bag of cinnamon buns with a smile before heading back to his room and stripping naked. He lifted the covers and slid back into bed.

It appeared that Derek hadn't moved an inch since Tyler got up. He slowly ran his hand up and down Derek's back.

"Oh... yeah... I'd know that hand anywhere... you got rid of Tyler so we can be alone, huh, Matt?" Derek asked and started laughing even before Tyler could slap his ass.

"Owwwwwww!" Derek said. "Ummm... do that again... it sort of felt good!"

"If you're enjoying it then I'm not doing it again after what you just said," Tyler told Derek.

"Hehehe... works every time!" Derek chuckled.

<Slap>

"Owwww! I have to learn when to shut up!" Derek said rolling over. "I love you, Tyler Peel!" he added.

"Oh God... morning breath! Christ, Derek! Can't you suck on a mint or something before you speak in the morning?" Tyler asked waving his hand in front of his face.

"Or something!" Derek said grinning. "I'll get up and brush my teeth and be right back!"

"No way. We are finally alone and everyone is asleep!" Tyler said and then paused to wink at Derek.

"Now if you had explained this to me two months ago I would be up every morning before you!" Derek said laughing. Tyler started kissing Derek.

"You know... wincing every time I exhale is kind of not helping the moment come together!" Derek said.

"I'll plug my nose 'til I get use to it!" Tyler said grinning. "Now shut up and make love to me!"

"All righty then!" Derek said rolling over on top of Tyler.

<Tap, tap, tap and their bedroom door opened>

"Morning, guys!" Kyle said with Chris' head appearing over his right shoulder.

"Whom did you piss off in a previous life?" Derek asked of Tyler. Tyler snorted and pushed Derek off to his left side. He pulled back the covers and the two naked boys crawled in.

"Bad Karma, eh!" Tyler said grinning.

"Kyle, crawl over to Derek's side please! We'll put you guys in the middle," Tyler said.

"Well that about ends that...," Derek said sulking and Tyler just shook his head in disgust.

"How come I have to lie next to Derek?" Kyle whined.

"Because Chris wants to feel me up and he can't reach me from way over there!" Tyler said. Chris snickered.

"It's okay Kyle... just knowing you love me is enough to keep me warm at night!" Derek said sarcastically.

"Oh God, Derek! Go brush your teeth! Your breath smells worse than your farts!" Kyle complained.

Derek looked at Tyler feigning disgust!

"He's got a point, Babe!" Tyler said as Derek got up and left the room slamming the door behind him. Tyler wrapped his arms around Chris' back and tapped his chest three times. Chris responded.

"What about me?" Kyle asked.

"I think someone brought you breakfast from McDonalds!" Tyler mumbled with his eyes shut.

"Sweeeeeet!" Kyle said standing up on the bed and jumping over Tyler and Chris on to the floor.

"Works every time!" Tyler said. "Now I get you alone for a few minutes."

"Sweeeeeet!" Chris said laughing.

"I love you Chris. I'm sorry this isn't turning out the way we planned but nothing ever does. I'm just happy I get to spend a few minutes alone with you. I'm going to miss you guys next week when you start school and we have to go back to Philly," Tyler said.

"I love you so much, Ty. I can't believe how lucky I am to be in your arms!" Chris said.

"I was thinking the same thing, Christopher," Tyler said, kissing the back of Chris' head.

Kyle ran back into the bedroom with his mouth full yelling, "Guys! We've got burritos for breakfast!!!" Chris quickly jumped up and crawled over Tyler to get out of bed.

"Sweet!" Chris said following Kyle down the hallway into the kitchen.

Tyler pulled Derek's pillow into his arms and hugged it. "You still love me, Mr. Pillow, don't you?" Tyler got up and joined Derek, Kyle, and Chris in the kitchen. He opened one of the cupboards and pulled out an automated juicer.

"Derek, can you tell me why you have a juicer but no coffee machine?" Tyler asked.

"Cause mom went on a health kick a few years ago and bought one. When she found out how much fruit you needed to make juice she never used it again," Derek said, as he stuffed a breakfast burrito into his mouth.

"Let's see what we get from two cases of tiny mandarin oranges?" Tyler said and began peeling and feeding them into the whirring machine. "Do you guys want to go wake the others up so you can get out on the mountain for some more skiing?" Tyler asked Chris and Kyle.

"Let's take them breakfast in bed!" Chris suggested.

"Let's not Chris... I don't want to have to clean up the mess!" Derek said.

"You get Jeff and Matt up and I will wake Danny and Cody!" Kyle told Chris.

"Ummm..., Kyle, Matt is at work already," Tyler said.

"Huh? Oh, right he had to be in by 6 a.m. so I guess that kills my theory about the breakfast fairy!" Kyle said laughing and Chris fisted him. Derek snorted.

"Maybe not Kyle..., you might be on to something!" Derek said laughing, and Tyler threw some orange peels at him.

"Give me ten push-ups RIGHT NOW!" Derek ordered and started laughing.

Kyle quietly opened the bedroom door and saw Cody's front facing him and Danny spooned up behind him. Kyle walked around the bed and pulled down the covers to take a good, close look at Danny's butt. Kyle grinned and softly kissed Danny's left cheek. He pulled his head away in time for Danny's arm to leave Cody's chest and reach down and scratch his butt where Kyle had kissed. Kyle kissed Danny's cheek again and Danny reached down to scratch a second time. Kyle was in pain from holding back his laughter.

He leaned over the bed and looked down to see if Danny's cock was inside Cody or just resting in his butt crack but they were too close together for him to know for sure. Kyle dropped his boxers and carefully got into bed behind Danny. He pulled the covers back up sliding his arm around Danny and placed it on his chest. Danny sighed. Kyle began nibbling on Danny's left shoulder blade while his own erection began to grow up Danny's back.

Danny opened his eyes to see the back of Cody's head. He then felt the twitch of a growing penis against his lower back. "What the fuck?" he asked out loud and turned his head to see Kyle grinning.

"Morning, Daniel!" Kyle said.

"Is that your cock up my ass or do I have to take a very teeny, tiny dump this morning?" Danny said and then winked.

"Fucktard!" Kyle said laughing. "I'm supposed to wake you guys up."

Danny rolled around to hug and hold Kyle. "As far as wake up calls go, you are definitely my favourite!" Danny said giving Kyle a kiss. "Now move out of the way I need to drain the main vein!"

"What about, Cody?" Kyle asked.

"Good luck getting him up... again!" Danny said laughing. Kyle made a quiet snort.

"Oh Cody?" Danny said softly rubbing Cody's arm.

"Mmmmmph" Cody mumbled.

"How would you like a nice warm cock up your ass?" Danny whispered in his ear.

"Mmmmmm," Cody moaned half asleep.

"Good, I have to go to the washroom!" Danny said, kissing Cody's shoulder.

As Danny rolled over Kyle to get out of bed he said, "All yours," and winked before he left the room.

Kyle moved into Danny's position and pushed his erection between Cody's butt cheeks. He put his arm around Cody and pulled his chest backwards towards his own.

"Morning, guys," Danny said walking naked and erect into the kitchen.

"I see you dressed for breakfast," Tyler said blandly.

"Yes I did. I'm wearing my birthday suit!" Danny said grinning.

"Freshly squoozen orange juice!" Tyler announced handing Danny a glass.

"Squoozen?" Danny asked.

"Right! Squoozen!" Tyler said grinning.

"Just set it down. I don't want to have any liquids in my hand in case I spill something." Danny said taking hold of Tyler's right arm and staring at his watch.

Tyler and Derek looked at each other and wondered what he was talking about.

"Is there a problem Danny?" Derek asked.

"Not for me..., Kyle is waking a sleeping Cody up. Should be about... Five. Four. Three. Two. One. ... Negative One, negative two, negative...," Danny counted.

"KYLE ANDERSON!!!!!!!!!!! You little assmite!!!!!!" Cody screamed. Derek snorted into his coffee. Derek, Danny, and Tyler could hear Kyle laughing and then footsteps running out of one bedroom into another with the sound of a door slam. Followed almost immediately by a loud banging on a door.

"Come out here you little bastard so I can kill you like a man!" Cody yelled and Kyle continued laughing.

"You gotta hide me!" Kyle said catching his breath standing on the other side of the door from Cody in Jeff's bedroom.

"Not with that thing sticking out at me!" Jeff said laughing from his bed.

Cody stormed off naked into the kitchen to find the three boys in tears from laughing.

"You guys knew about this?" Cody feigned anger. Tyler and Derek pointed to Danny!

"I do believe you were set up!" Derek said.

"You fucktard!" Cody said laughing. "Kyle!!!!!!!!" Cody yelled. "You're off the hook... for now!" Everyone laughed.

Tyler caught Cody's eye and winked at him. "So... Cody, between the four of us... how was it with Kyle?" Tyler gave Cody an evil smirk when Danny wasn't looking.

"Well... just between us... the kid fucking rocks! He's a powerhouse in cock department! It was the most amazing... I mean I've never had feelings like that ever in my life... it was the most...," Cody began.

"Shut the fuck up, Cody!" Danny said. "I don't want to know this!" he said sulking.

Tyler and Cody burst into laughter and Derek joined them when he realized what was going on.

"YOU and YOU are so dead!!!!!!!!" Danny said pointing at Cody and Tyler. "That's not even funny!"

"Not to you but maybe it is to us!" Cody said smirking.

"I apologize. I am sorry for what I did!" Danny said as he got off the bar stool and wrapped his arms around Cody.

"I'm not..., oooooooooooh, that Kyle," Cody said, and then burst into laughter. Derek snorted into his coffee again.

"I know where I'm not wanted..., I'm going to go have a shower," Danny mumbled.

"Hey Danny?" Tyler asked still laughing.

"Wot?" Danny said turning around with his orange juice in hand.

"I got you cinnamon buns this morning!" Tyler said holding up the bag.

"At least somebody loves me!!!!!!!" Danny said, as he grabbed the entire bag of cinnamon buns out of Tyler's hand and stormed off to the washroom.

Kyle heard the door shut and opened Jeff's bedroom door to peek out. Cody shoved the door open and pushed Kyle onto the bed on top of Jeff and Chris who were quietly snuggling under the covers. Cody jumped on top of all of them and began tickling Kyle.

"I love you Kyle!" Cody said kissing him. "And I love you guys too!" Cody said giving Jeff and Chris a kiss as well. "C'mon Kyle... we've got revenge to take on Danny!" Cody said, winking, as he pulled Kyle up off the bed and out into the hallway.

"Get dressed as fast as you can come back to my room!" Cody said. Kyle looked at him strangely.

"Go!" Cody yelled. Kyle returned fully dressed and Cody pulled him into the room and shut the door.

"What's going on?" Kyle asked.

"Sit on the bed beside me and do as I say!" Cody asked and Kyle sat down beside him. Cody got up and tied a sock around the doorknob. He purposely left the sock pointing straight up.

"Bounce with me in time!" Cody said and they lightly bounced up and down on the bed. <squeak, squeak, squeak...>

"You're not going to do what I think I you are going to do?" Kyle asked grinning.

"Okay, then we won't!" Cody said standing up. Kyle pulled him back down.

"No, it's brilliant, I just wish I had thought of it first!" Kyle said laughing.

"Who's going to be on top?" Cody asked.

"Me of course!" Kyle said. "It plays into what was happening earlier!" Cody agreed.

<Danny turned the shower off>

Cody put his finger to his mouth and began bouncing. Kyle joined in realizing that Danny could clearly hear everything in the bathroom.

"Oh God... oh God!" Cody said exhaling deeply with every breath.

"Yaaaah, you like that, bitch, don't ya?" Kyle said and slapped the back of his hand to make it sound like he'd slapped Cody's ass. Cody covered his mouth to hide his laughter.

"Hurry up Kyle..., Danny will be out of the shower shortly," Cody said as they continued to bounce in sync.

"I'm gonna cum ... any moment now, Cody!" Kyle said, panting.

"Jack me off, Kyle.... Fuck, you are good!" Cody said.

"You're a good bitch... taking every inch!" Kyle said.

"You know it!" Cody said.

"Clench that muscle for me. Make Daddy cum in your ass!" Kyle said putting a pillow to his mouth. They both heard some noises in the bathroom and then silence.

"C'mon Kyle... finish me before Danny gets back" Cody said. Kyle pointed to the doorknob and they both saw it slowly turn to the right.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, I'm cumming!!!!!!!!" Cody yelled.

"Oh, oh, me too!!!!!!!!!!!" Kyle said as they bounced together.

The door pushed open so fast it hit Cody's foot. Danny came into the room with rage in his eyes to see Kyle and Cody fully dressed bouncing on the bed.

"YOU! YOU! YOU! Fucking assholes!!!!!!!!!" Danny yelled as Cody and Kyle fell back on the bed laughing.

"Look! Danny's all boned up! Hahahaha..." Kyle said laughing and Danny jumped on him. Cody pulled Danny off of him and he and Kyle got on top of Danny and started kissing him.

"You want to play with the big boys Danny you better come prepared!" Cody said winking at him. Danny's eyes were still wide open from the shock of the joke they had played on him.

"If this wasn't so funny I would hate you guys more than I do right now!" Danny said.

"Danny, we both love you and would never hurt you... unless we ran out of lube!" Kyle said and Danny rolled his eyes.

"I knew you guys were faking, by the way...," Danny said glaring at the two of them.

"You did not!" Cody said.

"Yes I did and you can't prove otherwise!" Danny said lying underneath the two of them with his arms crossed.

"Actually we can prove it! Kyle, go stand outside the door and close it. Then slowly turn the doorknob for Danny to see!" Cody asked. The moment the door was closed Danny knew he had been beat.

"I hate you!" Danny said.

"Really?" Cody asked grinning.

"No... I love you but that was a mean joke to play on me!" Danny said as Kyle opened the door and came back in.

"And what you did to me wasn't?" Cody asked.

"I'm sorry...," Danny said.

"I'm not!" Cody said laughing. "You deserved it and it was funny but never forget that I love you more than anything or anyone on this planet."

Danny just stared at him in silence.

"Okay, I am sorry. I never wanted to hurt you or even see you hurt. Will you forgive me?" Cody asked.

"Only if you go grab the bag of cinnamon buns I left in the bathroom!" Danny said.

"You're shittin me right?" Cody asked and Kyle started laughing. Danny glared at the two of them and they both stopped smirking. Cody got off of Danny went to the bathroom.

Kyle kissed Danny and apologized.

"Tis okay... I just have to remind Cody every so often who is boss around here!" Danny yelled so Cody could hear as he winked at Kyle.

"Last call for breakfast, coffee, and orange juice!" Tyler yelled.

"So what are we doing today?" Derek asked Tyler as everyone gathered around and devoured McDonald's and cinnamon buns.

"I assumed you are going skiing? I am going shopping. I need to prepare food for tonight," Tyler said.

"What's it like to have a mommy, a wife, and a porn star all rolled up into one?" Danny asked Derek.

"Daniel! Picture this... a naked guy riding a ski lift up the mountain with his ass frozen to the seat!" Tyler said.

"And Danny... a guy whose mom irons his underwear isn't exactly one to talk?" Cody said.

Danny raised his index finger up in the air and opened his mouth but nothing came out. Cody grinned at Tyler. Tyler smiled back.

"I'll bet you guys didn't know that on cold winter mornings Danny's mom would warm his underwear on the woodstove?" Cody said and the room erupted in laughter.

Tyler opened the freezer and pulled out a frozen pair of Scooby Doo boxers and handed them to Danny. "Here ya go, Danny!" Tyler said. More laughter.

Danny tapped the frozen solid boxers on the kitchen counter. "This is so seriously fucked up!" Danny said laughing.

"Okay guys... everyone remember that we have Luke, Casey, and Tyler here tonight, so you have be on your best behaviour!" Derek said. Tyler raised one eyebrow at Derek. Derek winked.

"It's almost eight o'clock so let's get going and Tyler and I will pick up anyone who wants to go to Luke and Casey's game at 11 a.m. sharp!" Derek said.

"You're not skiing?" Tyler asked.

"Are you kidding? What if you fall down? Besides, I would rather spend three hours alone with you in a grocery store than be out on a ski hill without you," Derek said.

"Christ... no more cinnamon buns there's already too much sugar in here now!" Danny said holding his stomach.

"What are you guys doing up already?" Larry asked as he entered the common area of their hotel room.

"Watching TV... what does it look like?" Luke said shaking his head.

"Why don't you boys get dressed and the three of us will go have breakfast?" Larry asked.

"Where's Mom?" Luke asked.

"She's not feeling well... might have a touch of the flu!" Larry said.

"That time of the month?" Luke asked grinning.

"NO!" Larry yelled. "Don't be rude, Lucas! Mom is actually barfing her guts out in the bathroom right now."

"Ewwwwwwww" Luke and Casey said laughing as they headed into their room to get dressed.

Tyler and Derek decided to take both vehicles but would leave the Jeep at the Ski Resort in case of an emergency. The Van would give them more room for groceries and shopping. Kyle insisted on riding with Tyler and he insisted on riding alone with Tyler.

"I need to make a quick stop in town if that's okay?" Kyle asked.

"Sure. You may want to phone your brother and tell him that we have to make a stop in town so he doesn't worry that something happened to us," Tyler suggested, handing Kyle his cell phone.

"He already knows I need to stop in town," Kyle said giving no more clues as to why.

Kyle and Tyler stopped at a Hall Mark Gold Crown store. Kyle insisted that he be allowed to go in alone.

"Kyle!" Tyler yelled from the Jeep.

"What?" Kyle asked. Tyler handed him fifty dollars. Kyle smiled.

Kyle returned with a bag that was stapled shut and he quietly threw it in the back of the Jeep.

"Here's your change and thanks!" Kyle said as they pulled out back on to the road.

"Tis okay... you keep it. Do you have enough money for snacks for you and Chris?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah, we'll be fine." Kyle said. Kyle reached over and grabbed Tyler's right hand and held it. Tyler squeezed it three times. Kyle squeezed back three times.

"Charlie John's Store...," Tyler mused aloud.

"What's that?" Kyle asked.

"Everything I'm looking for in one stop shopping!" Tyler said.

"What do you need to buy?" Kyle asked.

"A coffee machine and some groceries," Tyler said.

"You're going to make something special for tonight aren't you?" Kyle asked smiling.

"I'm gonna try!" Tyler said.

"What is it?" Kyle asked.

"I can't tell," Tyler said winking at him.

"Please!!!!!!!!" Kyle whined.

"It obviously has to have peanut butter and chocolate in it right?" Tyler asked.

"I guess...," Kyle said.

"Well, what do you want?" Tyler asked.

"Raspberry pie!" Kyle said.

"I can't make a pie in time for tonight, Kyle," Tyler said.

"Just buy one!" Kyle suggested.

"I'd better buy two... with Danny around," Tyler said.

"Word! I hope he isn't still mad about this morning?" Kyle asked.

"He'll be fine. He has to learn that if you are going to dish it out then you better be able to take it," Tyler said, pulling into the Chalet parking lot.

Tyler pulled up three spaces away from Derek and parked the vehicle.

"You know that I love you, huh, Ty?" Kyle asked.

"Of course I do, Kyle. Just as much as I love you," Tyler said squeezing his hand.

"I'm really sorry about what I said to you," Kyle said lowering his head.

"It's over with Kyle so don't worry about it. Just remember that I love you more than life itself and I do love my life right now!" Tyler said leaning over and kissing Kyle's cheek.

"There they are! Who's the guy in the red and yellow ski jacket?" Kyle asked pointing over to all of the guys.

"That's Matt's brother Jesse, but Kyle, listen carefully. He already hates me and I only said hello to him. Matt said they barely speak since he told Jesse he was gay. I would lay really low around him and I would warn the others as well!" Tyler said holding on to Kyle's arm.

"It'll be fine Ty! I won Matt over right?" Kyle said grinning.

"Kyle. I said I was no longer going to warn you in advance and you pleaded with me not to stop. Now I am warning you in advance and you don't want to heed my advice?" Tyler asked.

"He's that bad?" Kyle asked.

"When I dropped Matt off I went to McDonald's and picked up food for the two of them and Jesse wanted a chocolate shake. McDonald's shake machine was down and I went and got him a chocolate shake from the bakery. He looked at the shake and threw it in the garbage without trying it... right in front of me!" Tyler said.

"Wow... he really is a fucktard huh?" Kyle asked.

"You can't win everyone over and you can't make everyone accept the gay lifestyle Kyle. The only thing I am sure of is that he is one angry guy and you would be wise not to push anything with him," Tyler said.

"Okay... and thanks for explaining this so I don't fuck up another friendship like I did with you," Kyle said.

"You haven't fucked anything up. Now go and have fun. Be sure to be back at eleven ready to go!" Tyler said handing Kyle the keys to his Jeep.

Kyle locked up Tyler's Jeep then ran off to grab his skis and ski boots while Tyler waited by the Van for Derek to return.

"You weren't coming over?" Derek asked as he returned the Van.

"Ummm... no! Got my fill this morning," Tyler said.

"Where are we going shopping?" Derek asked.

"Would it make you happy if I said we might be able to do it all by going to just one store?" Tyler teased.

"Damn right it would! What's the store called?" Derek asked.

"Charlie John's store. It's a bakery, grocery, and hardware store all in one!" Tyler said.

Once inside the store Tyler sent Derek off to go find a coffee machine and told him to join him back at the bakery.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?" Tyler asked an older lady behind the counter.

"Yes Sir, how may I help you?" She said.

"Hi Greta, I'm Tyler," he said reading her nametag. "I need two raspberry pies, precooked if possible but what I really need is an idea on making some sort of dessert with chocolate and peanut butter in it," he told Greta

"Hmmm... a man after my own heart. How many people do you need to feed?" Greta asked.

"Assume ten, but it could be more!" Tyler said.

"How good are you in the kitchen?" Greta asked.

"Better than I am in the bedroom!" Tyler said and Greta covered her mouth as she laughed out loud. "I'm sorry, that was rude, I apologize!"

"No, it was funny! You're obviously not from around here!" Greta joked.

"I'm from Toronto via Philly and Baltimore." Tyler said.

"My, you do get around!" Greta teased. "Okay, here's an idea for you." She said setting down her chocolate filled squeeze bottle. "Have you ever made cooked vanilla pudding?"

"Ummm... no but I am sure it isn't much different from making lemon pie filling." Tyler said.

"Exactly... so you buy about three cooked vanilla pudding mixes and when the recipe calls for adding cold milk you also need to add one tablespoon of cornstarch for each package of vanilla. Then you need to add a little better than one cup of smooth peanut butter to the entire mixture." Greta said.

"So the cornstarch will help to balance the addition of the peanut butter and ensure the pudding still sets?" Tyler asked.

"Exactly. Now do you want to kick it up another notch?" Greta said winking.

"Do I???" Tyler said grinning.

"Buy some chocolate pre-made shells to hold the pudding in and what I'd do is take about ¼ of the vanilla-peanut butter pudding and add some melted chocolate chips to it and then swirl it into the pudding after you have put it in the shells!" Greta said.

"That's sooooooo cool!" Tyler said. "What are you making?"

"I'm writing out chocolate '2006's' to put on cakes!" Greta said.

"Could I buy 20 of them and maybe a plastic squeeze bottle?" Tyler asked.

"Absolutely, but I will need a few minutes to make up another twenty!" Greta said.

"No problem, I have shopping to do and when I come back I will grab the two pies as well. Do you sell cinnamon buns by the way?" Tyler asked.

"We have something better. We have cinnamon swirls with broasted pecans and a secret vanilla icing on top," Greta proudly told Tyler.

"Broasted?" Tyler asked.

"Yes, they are broiled and roasted! We get them from...," Greta began.

"Dear God please don't be...," Tyler moaned, rubbing his forehead.

"BMK Nuttery in Philadelphia!" Greta said.

"I think I feel faint...," Tyler said.

"Do you know Bret?" Greta asked. "He delivers the nuts himself! In fact he's here in Lake Placid skiing for the week."

"Please tell me he wasn't wearing his peanut costume?" Tyler asked.

"No, this year he came dressed as a squirrel! It was so cute! We all got our pictures taken with him," Greta boasted.

"He usually drops in a few times while he is here. Do you want me to let him know you were here?" Greta asked.

"NO! I mean no thank you, Greta!" Tyler said trying to smile. "Do you stock anything unusual in peanut butter?" he asked.

"No, but if you go to the Farmer's Market two blocks that way you can buy authentic Georgia Peanut Butter and it's in these cute little peanut shaped jars." Greta said, pointing eastward.

"I could kiss you, Greta!" Tyler said winking.

"I don't think we have a company policy against that?" Greta teased.

"I'll be right back as soon as I get the other groceries, Greta," Tyler said smiling.

Tyler finished grocery shopping for New Year's Eve and for making breakfast the next morning. He looked everywhere in the grocery section for Derek but couldn't find him so he pushed his shopping cart into the hardware side of the store. There was Derek standing with two employees and the store manager all discussing the pros and cons of various coffee machines.

"Where the hell have you been?" Tyler said and Derek turned around.

"Oh Ty, this is James, and this is Bill, and this is the store manager, Jefferson John!" Tyler shook hands with all three guys.

"We were trying to figure out the best coffee machine for the price," Derek said smiling.

Tyler looked at the shelves of coffee makers and pulled a Cuisinart 600 off the shelf and set it under the cart. "Let's go!" Tyler said.

"You can't just pull a coffee machine off the shelf and say 'lets go'!" Derek said and James, Bill, and Jefferson nodded in agreement.

"No wonder why women secretly rule the world! If we were stuck out in the woods freezing you guys would argue about what type of saw to use to cut wood to make a fire!" Tyler said, shaking his head.

"Actually the best saw is either a DeWalt or a Shark brand saw!" Bill said.

"Agreed!" James added.

"Most definitely though the new Stanley line up is pretty damn fine and still American made!" Jefferson said pointing his finger at Bill and James.

"Uh huh!" Bill said.

"That's true!" James said nodding.

"Guys! Guys! Hold up a second!" Derek said. "I still want to know how and why you selected that particular coffee machine, Tyler," he asked and Jefferson, Bill, and James all nodded their agreement.

"It's a grind and brew system so you can use pre-ground coffee or fresh beans! It has a digital timer, thermal carafe to keep the coffee warm, permanent coffee filter so we aren't wasting paper and hurting the environment. Not to mention a 3-year warranty," Tyler said. James, Bill, and Jefferson all nodded their approval.

"Woo, woo! Hold up! How did you know all of that?" Derek asked crossing his arms and leaning against the display shelf.

"When you're a King you have to know these things!" Tyler said, in an English accent. Jefferson started laughing.

"What's the average wing-speed of a sparrow carrying a two pound coconut?" Jefferson asked in an English accent.

"African or European sparrow?" Tyler asked.

"I... I... I don't know?" Jefferson said and then added "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Tyler, James, Jefferson, and Bill all burst into laughter. Derek glared at all of them.

"Nice try, Ty, but you still didn't answer my question! He does that a lot!" Derek said glaring at him.

"I might have done a little research on the internet...," Tyler said, turning around and pushing the cart back towards the grocery part of the store.

"How many hours!!!!!!!!" Derek yelled and Tyler held up three fingers without turning around. All four started laughing.

"Does your friend want a job here?" Jefferson asked.

"I wish! Thanks for your help, guys," Derek said turning to run after Tyler. The manager and two employees laughed.

Derek caught up to Tyler and said, "You're such an asshole sometimes!"

"And you like my asshole, if I recall," Tyler said, keeping the lead with the cart in front of him.

"Word! So where are we going now?" Derek asked.

"We have to pick up the two pies and the chocolate '2006' wafers that Greta is making for me!" Tyler said.

"Huh?" Derek asked.

"Exactly!" Tyler said, as he approached Greta.

"Welcome back, Tyler, did you find everything you needed?" Greta asked.

"I did indeed!" Tyler said smiling.

"Geez... you're on a first name basis with her, too," Derek moaned.

"Here, try this and tell me what you think," Greta said, handing Tyler a chocolate 'Tyler' on waxed paper.

"Wow! Here, Derek, try half!" Tyler said breaking it in two.

"Crap! This is excellent!" Derek said moaning.

"Mmmmm hmmmm," Tyler added.

"Good, I'm glad you like it Tyler. I used some raspberry puree and wrote 'Happy New Year 2006' on your two raspberry pies," Greta said smiling.

"You are the best, Greta!" Tyler said and went around behind the counter and gave her a hug and kiss. Tyler piled the two pies and the box of chocolate 2006's on top of the cart.

"It's only 8:30. Where to now?" Derek asked.

"Farmer's Market... two blocks that way!" Tyler said pointing.

"Yes, Masta...," Derek joked.

"Are you pissed at me?" Tyler asked.

"No, not at all. I like watching you play Suzie Homemaker!" Derek said. "If we can just find a French maid's costume that fits you then life will be perfect!"

"You are weird. Funny, but very, very weird!"

Tyler returned with two large peanut butter shaped jars and said in his fake English accent, "Take me home, James!" Derek looked at him for second and then drove off back to the cottage.

"What?" Tyler asked.

"Tyler, Luke has enough peanut butter. You don't need to buy him more!" Derek said.

"They're not from us! It's for Matt to give Luke and Casey." Tyler said.

"He is going to be soooo Luke approved now!" Derek said and Tyler grinned.

By 10:50 a.m. Tyler, with Derek's help, had the peanut butter vanilla pudding made and deposited in 24 large chocolate shells with a peanut butter chocolate swirl in the centre. Derek looked after placing the chocolate 2006 centerpieces on the now cooled, filled shells while Tyler worked on preparing shrimp skewers, four-cheese spinach dip, garlic bread with cheese and heat 'n serve veggie and meat won tons with a spicy plum sauce.

"We're short four chocolate 2006 thingy's!" Derek said.

"That's okay. We'll have four to sample then!" Tyler said.

"I'm going to sample one right now!" Derek said picking one up and biting into the side of it. "Mmmmmm... Luke is so going to love you for this!" he said.

"Love us you mean and you're supposed to you use a spoon to eat one of those," Tyler said.

"Sorry, I only spoon in bed," Derek said, and Tyler rolled his eyes.

"Where are we going to store these?" Tyler asked.

"You know... I was just thinking that these would have been even better if we'd put a Reese Peanut Butter cup at the bottom of each shell!" Derek said.

"We can stick one in each if there are enough left after Luke and Casey's game. Now where are we going to store these? They have to stay cool!" Tyler asked.

"We'll just put them in the fridge downstairs," Derek said smiling.

"Sweet! I didn't know you had another fridge here," Tyler said, as they each began carrying covered trays of filled shells each to the basement.

As they climbed back up the stairs Derek asked, "You realize that there are only going to be 10 of us?"

"And don't forget Luke and Casey," Tyler said.

"I did count them!" Derek said and Tyler stared at him.

"Ooooh right! Maybe we should make some more when we get back tonight?" Derek joked.

"Let's go and get our family?" Tyler said.

"You really are into this family shit, huh?" Derek asked.

Tyler turned and put his arms around Derek. "No Derek, I am into you and you only. The family is just an added bonus!" Tyler kissed Derek.

"You're such a liar!" Derek said laughing.

"That too!" Tyler said winking as they put their coats and boots on.

When Derek pulled into the parking lot they immediately spotted Jesse, Kyle, and Chris standing off by a tree together.

"I wonder what they are doing over there," Derek asked.

"Stringing the little bastard up to a tree maybe...," Tyler said.

They watched unnoticed as Kyle lifted a cigarette in his left hand up to his mouth and took a long haul. He then appeared to cough a little.

"That little fucker is smoking!" Derek yelled from inside the Van.

"Duh!" Tyler said laughing. "Didn't you ever smoke, Derek?"

"No! Well..., only at some parties because I thought it was cool." Derek said.

"He's 14 Derek. He has to go through it," Tyler said.

"He's about to go through it right now!" Derek said angrily, getting ready to climb out of the van. "Dad would fucking kill him if he knew!"

Tyler grabbed Derek's arm and said, "Derek, let me handle it okay? Kyle still needs to learn in his own way. Don't go shitting on him and make him do it more just to defy you!"

"Fine, I'll go get the others and you handle those two idiots!" Derek snarled as he yanked his arm out of Tyler's hand.

Derek opened his door and paused. "Hey, Ty, did you ever smoke?"

"Always... when drinking! I would find it hard to have a beer and not have a cigarette with it!" Tyler said. Derek furrowed his brow as he stared at Tyler.

"Hey, Derek, don't slam your door when you get out so I can surprise them," Tyler said smiling.

"You're actually enjoying this aren't you?" Derek asked.

"I'm enjoying your reaction more than seeing Kyle and Chris smoke a cigarette!" Tyler said laughing.

Derek walked behind the parked vehicles up to the Chalet while Tyler moved slowly towards Kyle and Chris staying behind parked cars on their side of the parking lot. Tyler got to about 50 feet and just stood there watching.

Jesse spotted Tyler first and said, "Oh fuck... the faggot is here!" Kyle turned around with the cigarette in his mouth and found himself looking straight at Tyler. Chris dropped his by his side and casually stepped on it to extinguish it. Kyle stared started choking as he dropped his cigarette.

"Guys, it's time to go! Kyle can I have my keys?" Tyler asked.

Kyle was still coughing when Chris answered on his behalf. "Danny has them. They're in the Chalet."

"Go get your skis and poles guys and meet back at the Van," Tyler said turning around giggling to himself. "I so enjoyed that!" he thought.

"Hey guys!" Tyler said smiling as he joined the group inside the Chalet.

"Hey, Ty?" Matt said. "Thanks for breakfast this morning. That was the best breakfast I've had since I arrived here!"

"Glad to help you out!" Tyler said. "Is everyone ready to head to Luke's hockey game?"

"It's all good!" Danny said handing Tyler his keys.

Matt pulled Tyler aside and said, "I'm really sorry about Jesse this morning."

"It's really okay, Matt. He's full of hate and I am getting use to people like that in this world."

"Don't worry I won't be bringing him along tonight!" Matt said.

"I think you should? At least invite him. He seems to getting along with Kyle and Chris really well," Tyler said.

"Yeah... but they've been playing it very straight all day," Matt said.

"That's because I told them too. No point in upsetting Jesse," Tyler said.

"He's still not invited!" Matt said.

"He's your brother Matt. He likely won't come anyway but at least offer him the invite! Have you got a phone number so that I can call you when we are on our way back from Greenwich?" Tyler asked.

"Give me your cell phone Tyler and I will punch the number in?" Matt asked. "What do you want the name to be in the memory?

"What's your email address?" Tyler asked.

"skierhottie@hotmail.com." Matt said laughing.

"Somehow that seems so right for you?" Tyler pondered and Matt laughed. "Just type in skierhottie and I will know who it is!"

As everyone was piling into the Van, Derek pulled Kyle aside and said, "You and Chris can ride with Tyler so you don't stink up the Van!" Kyle fumed and stormed off to the Jeep with Chris in tow.

As Tyler approached the Jeep he saw the Van speeding out of the parking lot. Kyle was staring at the departing vehicle with his arms crossed.

"Uh oh... why did I leave Derek alone?" Tyler said to himself.

"What's the problem?" Tyler asked Kyle, knowing full well why he and Chris were waiting at the Jeep.

"Why the fuck did you say anything to Derek!!!" Kyle yelled as Tyler unlocked the door.

"I didn't say anything to Derek so don't get snotty with me!" Tyler shot back.

"Right!" Kyle said and he climbed into the back seat leaving Chris to sit up front.

"Did you have fun skiing, Chris?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah, it was a blast. Jesse took me part way up one of the hills and we skied down together. It was kind of scary but a lot of fun. Matt gave him shit though for taking me up there though," Chris whined.

"Matt knows his stuff, Chris," Tyler said.

Tyler looked in his rear-view mirror at Kyle and Kyle caught his eyes and gave Tyler the finger! Tyler pulled off the highway and put the Jeep in park and turned the hazard lights on. He looked over at Chris and said, "Get out of the Jeep for a moment, Chris."

Chris didn't know what to do and turned to look at Kyle. Kyle wouldn't look at either of them so Chris knew right away that this had nothing to do with him. Tyler was out of the Jeep before Chris could get his door open. Tyler helped Chris out and flipped down the seat. He scared the crap out of Kyle when he grabbed his ski jacket and yanked him out of the Jeep.

Tyler used two hands to grip Kyle's jacket and lifted him in the air and hold him against the side of the Jeep.

"Listen closely, Kyle! I didn't say a single word to Derek. He saw you guys smoking long before I ever noticed. He wanted to rip you a new asshole! I stopped him and said I would handle it! <Pause> Are we clear now?" Tyler said shaking him a couple of times. Kyle nodded with his eyes bugging out and Chris' eyes as well.

Tyler let go of Kyle and he dropped to the ground landing on his feet. "If I do something wrong you can call me every name in the book and flip me the bird all the way to Hell but you better make damn sure you've got your facts straight!" Tyler said with rage in his eyes. Kyle was tearing up.

"Get in the Jeep... both of you!" Tyler said and he walked back around to get in the driver's side. Kyle and Chris were back inside the Jeep with their door closed before Tyler could even put his hand on the driver's side door handle.

When they arrived back at the cottage Tyler told Chris to go get Derek and only Derek! Chris ran across the driveway and down the deck to the back door.

"Get out!" Tyler said and Kyle hauled his ass out of the Jeep. Tyler pulled out Kyle's bag from the Hall Mark store and tossed it over to him. Derek came running out with his jacket on.

"What's the problem?" Derek asked.

"Tell Kyle exactly what happened and what was said from the moment we pulled into the Chalet!" Tyler yelled at Derek. Derek took a step back seeing the rage in Tyler's eyes.

"I saw you standing under the tree with Chris and that fucktard smoking! I wanted to rip you apart limb by limb! Just think about what Dad would say after all Grandpa's gone through from his smoking! You're damn lucky that Tyler stopped me because you'd be going home in pieces right now!" Derek said, and tears began to flow down Kyle's cheeks.

"When I went into the Chalet to get my keys from Danny did I talk to you at all?" Tyler asked.

"No, you were doing something with your cell phone talking with Matt." Derek said. "What's this about?"

"Kyle thinks I told you about his smoking," Tyler said, glaring at Kyle.

"Tyler never said a word to me, Kyle. He saved your ass by keeping me from snapping pictures of you to give to Dad and letting HIM handle you!" Derek yelled at Kyle.

Tyler walked away towards the cottage without looking back. When he got to the door he stopped, turned around, and walked back to Derek and Kyle.

"Derek! Go inside! This is over!" Tyler said but Derek ignored Tyler.

"Derek!!!!" Tyler yelled and Derek stopped talking. "Go inside the cottage!"

Derek turned and walked away leaving Tyler and Kyle alone.

"For what it's worth -- regardless of the fact that you don't hear much of what I tell you or try to teach you -- I just want to remind you that I love you more than I can even say. Just because I get angry with you doesn't change how much I love you. Do you understand?" Tyler asked in an harsh tone.

Kyle nodded his head up and down as tears streamed down his face. Tyler put his arm around Kyle's shoulder and walked him back to the cottage. "There's about 12 hours left to the year so let's all try to end it on a high note?" Tyler asked walking into the cottage ahead of Kyle.

"Saddle up, boys. We ride to Greenwich in five minutes!" Derek yelled all through the cottage.

"Why are we leaving so soon?" Danny asked as he munched on a cinnamon bun.

"Well, it could take up to three hours to drive from here to Greenwich and we'll want to stop and get drive thru somewhere," Derek said.

As Tyler walked past Danny he grabbed the cinnamon bun out of his hand from behind. "What the.... What are you doing?" Danny whined as Tyler ate up the rest of his cinnamon bun.

Tyler opened up a box on the counter to reveal a dozen Cinnamon Pecan swirls with broasted pecans and 'secret' vanilla icing. "Holy Shit! Cinnamon buns!" Danny said with drool running down his mouth.

"No, Danny, they are cinnamon swirls! Would you like to be the first to try one?" Tyler asked.

"No!" Danny said looking up and across the counter at Tyler. Tyler and Derek looked at each other strangely.

"Huh?" Derek asked.

Danny grabbed the box out of Tyler's hand. "I want to be the first to eat the entire box!" Danny said grinning with a mouth full of cinnamon swirl.

"Did I ever tell you guys about me and Danny's one month anniversary?" Cody asked.

"No?" Tyler asked.

"Don't think so!" Derek added.

"Don't you dare!" Danny said.

"Now you have to after hearing Danny complain!" Derek said, grinning.

"I double dare ya!" Tyler added. "So now you have to tell us!"

"It's a real short story. I got all these cinnamon candles to burn in my dorm room. I thought it would turn him on, ya know? Wrong! It made him so hungry that we had to take the bus downtown to Brewed Awakenings for cinnamon buns!" Cody said laughing.

"Hey!" Danny said with a mouthful of cinnamon swirl. "That wasn't the only bun I ate that night!"

"Ewwwwww," Derek and Tyler said, and then laughed.

"Let's get the fuck out of here!" Derek said. "Ty, have you got your oranges, peanut butter cups, skates, stick, hockey jersey, cup, and condoms?"

"Condoms?" Tyler asked.

"Hey, the game could get cancelled!" Derek said winking.

Everyone was backed up at the door getting boots and coats on. Tyler assigned everyone something to carry out to the Van. Tyler stood behind Kyle and put his arms around him and kissed him. He then squeezed Kyle's tummy three times and Kyle squeezed Tyler's hand three times but no words were exchanged.

The boys stopped for gas and food along the way. They went into a Wendy's to eat and Tyler got Jeff's help in talking to Chris, which forced Kyle into the conversation. By the time they reached Greenwich, Conn., everyone was relaxed again and ready to watch a hockey game. They lined up and paid three dollars each to get in.

"Oh thank goodness, you boys made it!" Linda yelled with a big smile.

Tyler spotted Jim and went over to say hello, "Hey, Jim!"

"Tyler! Are you here to Coach?" Jim teased.

"I wish. Where is the Coach?" Tyler asked.

"Right over there. Want me to introduce you?" Jim asked.

"Sure, if you don't mind," Tyler said.

Tyler met the Coach and asked permission to go into the dressing room and rouse the troops for battle! The Coach thanked him for his help on Thanksgiving Day weekend and gave him full power to do whatever he felt needed to be done. Tyler borrowed his whistle and he brought Danny and Cody along to assist. He explained to them how to rotate between them in throwing the oranges.

"Just follow my lead!" Tyler said. "Shades on!" He said and all three put their shades on. As they headed towards the dressing room parents were trying to stop Tyler and talk to him, but he explained politely that his services were needed elsewhere.

Jim got all the parents out of the dressing room ahead of Tyler's entrance without any of the boys knowing what was going on.

Tyler slammed the door open making a loud enough noise to catch everyone's attention. "GENTLEMEN!!!!" Tyler yelled and all the boys started laughing.

"You! What's your name?" Tyler yelled.

"Luke Anderson!" Luke said standing at attention and Cody threw an orange at Luke's hand. All the boys started laughing.

"You! What's your name?" Tyler called.

"Greg Anderson!" Greg said standing up at attention and Danny threw him an orange.

"You want to feel my bicep again Greg?" Tyler asked lowering his shades enough to wink at him. The entire hockey team roared with "Oooooohs."

"Greg gets two oranges because he is a good sport..., and because he made it through the Anderson Christmas party without puking his guts from all the alcohol he drank!" Tyler said smiling at Greg. Half of the team started asking him about how much he drank.

"I want everyone to know that Greg is NOT an alcoholic! Alcoholics go to meetings," Tyler said and everyone laughed. "Okay everyone please settle down? First, I am just teasing Greg because he is mature enough to take it! He is not a heavy drinker and you all should be cautious when drinking! ...Because the hangovers are A KILLER!" Tyler said holding his temples and everyone laughed.

"Second, may I introduce all star Centre and Forward Cody Conners of the Drexel Dragons hockey team?" Tyler said and everyone clapped.

"And in this corner... we have Daniel Armitage, goalie for the Drexel Dragons and someone who deserves most of the credit for us being in first place!" Tyler said and everyone clapped.

"Danny and Cody I would like you to meet the following all star players for Baltimore! Starting at the door we have Casey, Luke, Nino, Evan, Adam, Tim, Calder one of our goalies, Jeff, John, Toby, Calvin, Patrick our other goalie, Paul, Jesse, Kip, Peter, Alex, and... where's Seth?"

"He's in the Caribbean!" Kip said.

"Wow... he's good! He remembered all of our names!" John whispered to Toby.

Cody and Danny began firing oranges at each of the players as fast as they could.

"Which is where we all should be!" Tyler said. "What happens if you leave an orange peel on the ground?"

"20 push-ups!!!" they all yelled.

"No!" Tyler said. "Danny eats them and they get stuck in his throat and we have to take him to the hospital." Everyone laughed.

"On behalf of the Drexel Dragon hockey team we want to wish you the best of luck in your final game! You won't need it, of course, because you guys have the talent and are the best team on the planet... as long as you????" Tyler asked holding his hand up to his ear.

"Play as a team!" About half of the boys yelled.

"Sorry I didn't hear a team response?" Tyler asked.

"PLAY AS A TEAM!" they all said in unison.

"Now Calder and Patrick you have a rare opportunity to chat it up with a future NHL goalie here. So don't waste any time asking him stupid questions. Ask for pointers and tips and listen closely! All forwards and centres can hit up Cody on any questions they might have and Cody might even give you guys a few tips. All defensemen... well... you guys are just screwed!" Tyler said grinning and boys laughed.

"If you have any questions then I am will do my best to help. Last three important things to say! ONE! After the game is over you guys are invited as our treat for all the pizza you can eat. Except Luke!" Tyler said sticking his finger down his throat and holding his tummy. Casey laughed the loudest. "The rest of you get my point... TWO! When the game is over I have a special treat for you guys and I imagine you can guess what it is?" Tyler said and they all got excited yelling Reese Peanut Butter Cups.

"Oh yeah..., and I got you guys the deep dish ones this time!" Tyler said, and they all laughed.

"THREE!!!! Play as a team and you will likely win and most importantly of all... have fun! If it isn't fun it's not worth playing hockey. Good luck guys!" Tyler said, and he, Cody, and Danny got a round of applause.

Cody dropped his case of oranges on the ground and hurried over to Casey. As he checked his skate laces he squeezed the back of Casey's leg three times.

"Me too!" Casey said smiling.

"I'll be your biggest fan watching tonight!" Cody said and Casey grinned.

"How's my Pookster doing?" Tyler asked.

"Great now! Thanks for coming!" Luke smiled.

"I wouldn't have missed it for all the peanut butter in the world!" Tyler said winking at him.

Twenty minutes later when the Coach entered the dressing room the entire team was huddled into three separate masses. Cody was using the chalkboard to show them a couple of plays. Danny was going through his warm up routine to make sure the goalies were both ready. Tyler worked with the five defensemen on skating backwards and protecting their line.

"Boys, it's time to go!" the Coach said and everyone went back to their bench.

"Good luck guys and remember that we don't want you to shame the other team! If you are five goals up then just keep control of the puck," Tyler said, and the boys all giggled.

"Thanks guys for your help!" Tyler said to Danny and Cody.

"That was a blast, Ty!" Danny said grinning.

"They're going to kick ass!" Cody said smiling.

The three boys posed for a few pictures and then joined Larry, Linda, Derek, Kyle, Chris, and Jeff in the stands. People who had heard of the Drexel Dragons because they were in first place came over to meet the three. When the game started Tyler, Derek, Cody, and Danny walked down to stand behind the Baltimore bench to cheer the team on and get away from the fans.

The announcer came on over the speaker system and said, "Greenwich Minor Hockey Association proudly welcomes everyone to the Dorothy Hamill Arena and the final game in the Minor Peewee Tournament between hosts Greenwich Bulldogs <loud applause> and the visiting Baltimore Stars. Would everyone please stand for our National Anthem?

As the pre-recorded anthem began to play Tyler placed his right hand over his heart as Danny, Cody, and Derek had done. It was Tyler's first time hearing the anthem played while being in the crowd. He was moved by the passion and respect every American citizen in the arena showed. Some had tears in their eyes, the fiercely proud were smiling, and everyone sang whether they could hold a note or not. This new experience saddened Tyler because it showed how much Canadians take what they have for granted in comparison. When the music stopped Tyler was the one wiping his eyes.

The Captains of each team were called to centre ice where they exchanged handshakes and gifts. Paul handed the Captain of the Bulldogs a bag of star pins with red, white, and blue stripes running through them. The Bulldog's Captain gave Paul a bag of miniature hockey sticks with 'Greenwich 2005' written on them.

The puck was dropped and the game began! The Bulldogs scored first on Calder with a three-on-one.

"Guys! Tighten it up and stay in your positions!" Tyler yelled down to them. "Force them to play your game not the other way around. Calvin and Jeff don't be afraid to go into the corners!" he told them. Danny slipped down to the side of the bench and talked with Patrick about each of the Bulldog players and how to study their approach and learn from it.

"Watch carefully Patrick, those two can only make wrist shots so there's no need to go high unless they're near your crease," Danny said.

Halfway through the first period the Stars had calmed down and were now hungry to tie the game up while the Bulldogs figured they had already won the game.

"Luke, Casey, Greg, and Joel!" Tyler said and they all looked up behind them at him.

"Numbers 7, 9, and 14 are all bigger than you guys but they can't skate backwards! Pass the puck, use the boards, and count on your teammates to retrieve the puck. Watch their goalie as well... he always drops to the ice so fake your first shot or shoot high!" Tyler told them.

The next line-up change happened with only two minutes left in the first period. Toby took a pass off the boards from Casey. He came in on the Bulldog's goalie at an angle and faked his first shot. The goalie dropped to the ice and Toby tipped it over top of him into the net. The Coach turned around and looked at Tyler. The Stars and their fans went crazy.

At the beginning of the second period only the Stars changed goalies and Patrick came out. Casey won the drop and stick handled the puck to Luke. Luke broke away being chased by two Bulldogs but one of them stole the puck from Luke. As the Bulldog player laughed at Luke while skating around behind his own net Casey came through and stole the puck back. Casey passed it to Joel who passed it to Luke who passed it to Adam. Adam took a shot and it rebounded off the goalies stick to hit Luke in the chest. The puck fell to the ground and Luke's slap shop made it in the net before the goalie could get back up. The Stars fans went crazy!

Tyler, Derek, Cody, and Danny were joined by Jeff, Kyle, and Chris behind the Stars' bench. When Luke scored they began a rousing cheer of " Pea - nut - but - ter! Pea - nut - but - ter!" All of the Stars' players and fans laughed while the Bulldog fans just figured they were obviously strange... being almost from the south and all.

As Luke got back to the bench, all the brothers reached down to slap his helmet. The Bulldogs returned in the dying minutes of the second period putting six shots on Patrick but none of them were even close to going in the net.

Halfway through the third period the Bulldogs got a three man breakaway during a fumbled line change on the Stars' bench. It was the fourth shot on goal that went in because Patrick fell blocking the third shot. Adding insult to injury, the Stars took a penalty for too many players on the ice.

"Guys?" Tyler said to the entire bench. "You've got just under nine minutes of work to take home the championship! How bad do you want it?"

<Assorted mumbles from the now tiring Stars>

"Guys? HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?" Tyler yelled.

The referee blew his whistle. "Jesse, Evan, Paul, and Casey! Get out there and kill that penalty!" Tyler said and the four went to work. The Coach looked at Tyler again but said nothing.

While the four spent the next two minutes fighting off the penalty Tyler stepped down to where Danny had been and said, "Listen guys! No tripping, no high sticking, no screw-ups! You guys are the better team. Now show the Bulldogs how you play as a team and then you can show them how you win as a team!"

The Stars got fired up again from Tyler's pep talk.

"Keep your position, play as a team, and take advantage of their mistakes!" Tyler said, and gave them a group wink.

"Who's up at the next line change?" The Coach asked.

"Calvin, Joel, Luke, Jeff, and Tim since he took the team penalty." Tyler said and boys were all smiling at finally having clear coaching direction. "Calvin, let Calder know we are pulling him at the next line change so he and Patrick get equal playing time!" Tyler added.

There was just over four minutes left when the Bulldogs had a three-on-two breakaway. The long slap shot coming at Patrick caught him by surprise and he deflected it right through the legs of an equally surprised Bulldog player where the puck found its way to Kip. Kip raced alone with the puck towards the Bulldog's goalie. The Bulldog goalie tightened his stance and raised his glove hand. Kip's shot off of the goalie's stick deflected straight up in the air and landed behind the net. He skated around to the back of the net and stopped. The goalie looked both ways and Kip came around his right side and tapped the puck in for his first goal ever! The bench cleared completely as the team rushed to pile on top of Kip. The referee blew his whistle again and the team quickly returned to their bench pending a warning by the referee of a coming penalty. The Bulldog's Coach began screaming at the ref to give them a penalty.

The ref and the Bulldog's coach were arguing and Luke skated up to the two of them. They both stopped talking and looked at Luke. Luke took the puck from the referee's hand and said, "That was Kip's first ever goal! Give us a penalty if you want but you can't take away how important this is to Kip!" The referee winked at Luke and Luke skated away and handed the puck to Kip. Most of the audience who listened in on the argument gave Kip and Luke a loud round of applause.

"Okay guys! You've got the game if you stick together! The Coach is likely to pull his goalie but try not to score on them!" Tyler said. They all gave him a funny look.

"Guys! You've already won. There is no need to humiliate them! Just keep the puck away. You've only got three minutes left so dig deep and find the energy to finish the job and you will then have the strength to hold up that trophy!" Tyler said. The boys all nodded in agreement.

The Bulldog's Coach did pull the goalie once they had control of the puck. Adam recovered the puck and skated down taking a wide shot on the goal that rebounded and was picked up by a Bulldog but they couldn't break through the Stars' defensive line. With less than a minute to play the Bulldogs had become resigned to their fate of a second place win. The Stars had three more chances to score but the shots were all wide of the goalie less net. When the game was over all of the players jumped over the bench to congratulate and pile on top of Patrick except for Paul.

Tyler climbed down and sat beside him. Paul snarled at him.

"What's a matter, Paul?" Tyler asked.

"You! I could have had two more goals?" Paul said.

"You could have had three more goals but even if one had scored their goalie would have been put back in," Tyler said.

"So why did you stop us from scoring more goals?" Paul said, almost in tears.

"Paul, you're the team Captain. You already have more goals than the next two best players on your team. This is Kip's moment to shine! It's his first goal ever and it was in the final of one of many hockey tournaments to come. Between you and me, we both know Kip isn't going to play in the NHL. You, on the other hand, have great potential! You're the Captain and that is a very serious position to hold. You have to lead your team and help them work as a team. It's you that has to compliment everyone's play in public and correct your team's mistakes in private. That is what being a leader is about. That is what being a team Captain is all about," Tyler said, but Paul didn't say anything.

"Do you remember your first goal?" Tyler asked.

"No... I think I was five when I got it," Paul said.

"Now think about Kip! How long has he waited for his first goal and how long will it be until he gets his next goal?" Tyler said and Paul nodded. "You're a great leader, Paul, and a very gifted hockey player, but remember that a lot of responsibility comes with that gift. Your team will only be as good as you lead them. If you publicly make this Kip's day then you can bet the rest of the team will work harder in the hope that you'll do the same for them in the future!" Paul smiled.

"Luke was pretty damn funny out there with the referee, eh?" Tyler said and Paul laughed.

"Luke should be Captain! That was something a Captain should do!" Paul said feeling sorry for himself.

"I don't think so Paul... I think you are the best choice for Captain because you are smart enough to know that you don't know everything and wise enough to learn! Besides, if Luke was Captain, you'd all have to keep peanut butter in your cups!" Tyler said, and Paul almost fell off the bench laughing.

"This is YOUR team. Now get out there and celebrate with them and let them know how proud you are of them!" Tyler said patting Paul's helmet. Paul jumped the bench and joined the rest of his team.

"You're good!" Danny said looking down over Tyler. Tyler looked up to see Derek, Cody, and Danny looking down at him. "Someone go get the Peanut Butter Cups please!" Tyler asked.

The two teams lined up to shake hands and when they finished the third place team from Burlington, Vermont came out on the ice as well. White third place ribbons and small plaques were presented to each of the players from Burlington. Then the Greenwich Minor Hockey Association presented the home team Bulldogs with red second place ribbons and plaques. Paul started clapping and the rest of the Stars joined in. Finally they presented the first place Baltimore Stars with first place blue ribbons and plaques. Everyone clapped and cheered.

The President of the Greenwich Minor Hockey Association came out to a table holding a large trophy and a large plaque.

Speaking into a portable microphone he said, "Thank you players, coaches, parents, and fans for making this a wonderful tournament! Can I have the Captain of the Baltimore Stars come over?"

Paul grabbed and ultimately dragged a protesting Kip to the table with him.

"On behalf of GMA I am proud to present to you with the Championship trophy for our Minor Peewee Hockey tournament 2005! Congratulations!" He said shaking hands with Paul and then Kip. He picked up the trophy and Paul pushed Kip up to receive it.

"Hold it up!" Paul said to Kip. Kip held it up and the team went wild cheering.

"Now do you have any words you would like to say?" He asked the two boys.

Paul grabbed the microphone and said, "Yes Sir. On behalf of the Baltimore Stars we would like to thank the GMA for hosting this tournament. It was an honour to play the host team in the final. You guys may have lost this game but we want you to know that you guys kick butt!" The Bulldogs began cheering and the audience started laughing. "We look forward to defending our championship next year. We'll welcome you guys to Baltimore any time!" Everyone applauded.

Paul began to hand the microphone back to the President of the GMA but then took it back. "Sir, if I may?" Paul began and the man nodded his approval. Paul put his arm around Kip's shoulder. "Today was Kip's first ever goal, and not just any goal but the winning goal and we are all very proud of him!" Paul handed back the microphone and the entire arena gave Kip a standing ovation with deafening applause. Kip was crying from the shock of the attention as players from all three teams congratulated Kip on his first goal.

As the three teams exited the ice the parents applauded all of their efforts. Inside the dressing room it was pandemonium. Cody and Danny returned with two boxes of Reese Peanut Butter Cups. They gave them to the assistant coach, Jeff, to hand out.

"Aren't you guys coming in to celebrate?" Jeff asked.

Everyone heard the chants of "Kip! Kip! Kip! Kip!" that were coming from inside the dressing room.

"Nah... this is a private team thing! We get to see them when we all go out to dinner," Tyler said. "And you'd better be joining us for crowd control!"

The entire Anderson family gathered together outside the Stars' dressing room waiting for their two boys to come out.

"Are you feeling all right mom?" Tyler asked.

"Oh yes, I'm fine... I had a touch of the flu this morning but I feel better now," Linda said. "Unless you're going to tell me that you aren't taking Luke and Casey back with you?" she asked winking.

"No Ma'am, I want them with us for New Year's Eve!" Tyler said smiling.

"Good!" Linda said. "Well, I don't mean good good, just good!"

"I understand. Are you joining us for pizza?" Derek asked.

"Ah...," Linda said looking at Larry.

"Umm...," Larry said and the boys all started laughing.

"Maybe we should go and get their luggage before we do anything else?" Tyler suggested winking at Derek, Cody, and Danny.

"We brought it with us!" Linda said.

"It's in the Van... I'll go get it right now in fact!" Larry said.

"Y'all seem in a might big hurry to rid yourselves of those two younguns," Danny drawled.

"After you spend 48 hours in the same room with them you can get back to me about it!" Larry said. <Multiple snorts> "By the way, Tyler, I got that package you requested!" Larry added.

"Why don't we go move the bags?" Tyler said grinning.

"Where are we going for pizza?" Derek asked.

"Bazzi's pizza! It's on Main Street" Tyler said.

"Is it any good?" Danny asked.

"They make their own crust and more importantly they can seat 40 people together!" Tyler said.

"Good point!" Cody said grinning.

Larry and Tyler left to go move Luke and Casey's suitcases from one van to the other. The parents were finally allowed into the dressing room to see their kids all covered in chocolate peanut butter smiles.

When Tyler and Larry returned both boys had dressed and left the dressing room. Linda had her arms around Luke and Cody was holding Casey in his arms.

"Great game guys! I'm so proud of you!" Tyler said, giving Luke a kiss and then Casey.

"We knew we would kick their ass!" Luke boasted. Casey rolled his eyes.

"Nice goal, Luke!" Tyler said.

"All in a day's work!" Luke said.

"Can we leave him here with you guys?" Tyler asked and Luke curled his lip and growled at Tyler.

Cody asked for Tyler's cell phone and then scanned down through the list to find Anderson-home. He clicked send and handed the phone to Casey. Casey stuck his finger in his left ear and began a conversation with his Mom telling her all about the game, his goal, and the trophy.

Tyler went over to Paul and whispered in his ear, "Nice work Paul! You're a class act!" Paul smiled.

"Kipster!!!!!!" Tyler said laughing and Kip began to blush one shade darker.

Tyler put his fist out and they knocked hands. "Way to go, dude! Most Valuable Player of the tournament too!" Tyler said smiling. "Can I rub your head for good luck?" he asked, and Kip's parents started laughing.

"Kip, I wanted to ask a favour of you if I could?" Tyler said.

"Sure?" Kip said wide-eyed.

"Well two things actually. Could I have my picture taken with you?" Tyler said. Kip's mouth dropped open.

"Me?" Kip said.

"I don't see anyone else here named Kip!" Tyler said and Kip's parents started laughing. Tyler handed Kip's parents his camera and he borrowed the trophy for Kip to hold. Tyler knelt down on one knee and put his right arm around Kip. <Snap>

"Hold that position guys!" Kip's father said. "I want one of the two of you as well!" <Snap>

"Can you do me one more favour Kip?" Tyler asked.

"Sure..." Kip said still glassy eyed staring at Tyler.

"You're coming to our game in Baltimore in February right?" Tyler asked.

"You bet!" Kip said.

"Well everyone is pairing up and I was wondering if you would be my partner for the dinner afterwards?" Tyler asked.

"Really? Me? Don't you want a good player?" Kip asked.

"Nope, I want a great player with a lot of heart!" Tyler said smiling.

"Mom! Dad! Can Tyler be my partner for the dinner in February?" Kip asked jumping up and down and almost dropping the trophy.

"Absolutely, dear!" Kip's mom said.

"I'll buy the dinner, you bring the beer!" Tyler said winking at Kip who grinned.

"Are you happy?" Tyler asked, and Kip's parents started laughing.

"I can't believe today even happened," Kip said.

"Enjoy the moment Kip. You should be proud and the first goal is something that everyone remembers! Just know that you did yours with more style and meaning than 99% of all hockey players out here," Tyler said as he messed his hair. "I'll see you at Bazzi's Pizza in about 15 minutes okay?"

"Uh huh!" Kip said.

"We have 24 hours alone in the Presidential Suite... what should we do?" Larry mused as he and Linda walked back to their Van.

"Can we stop and buy some dill pickles?" Linda asked and Larry stopped and looked at her.

"Maybe we could get some peanut butter to go on them as well? No, wait, we don't have to buy some because I keep a jar for Luke in the glove box," Linda said, laughing while Larry stared ahead in shock.

Everyone gathered at Bazzi's Pizza for dinner. They set up four long tables in two rows. Tyler, Derek, Cody, Danny, Jeff, Kyle, Chris, and Coach Jeff divided themselves up to make sure that every player had one of them beside them. Tyler was in between Kip and Paul, Danny was between Calder and Patrick, and Cody made sure that he was beside Casey. They all dined on three different types of pizza and Parmesan bread sticks along with several jugs of root beer and Coca-Cola. The staff then brought out bowls of ice cream with a hidden chocolate brownie underneath and a lit sparkler in the centre. This was definitely the highlight of the meal for the Stars!

Many of the parents ate there as well but happily off in a corner without their kids. When the meal was over Coach Jeff escorted four of the boys back to the hotel where he would chaperone them until their parents picked them up.

"This is good!" Derek said looking at his watch.

"What's good?" Jeff asked, from directly behind him.

"The time! It isn't even 6:30 p.m. and we are on the road!" Derek said.

Danny sat across from Derek in the front passenger seat. Cody, Casey, and Jeff made up the first bench seat with Tyler and Luke behind them. Kyle and Chris were snuggling in the back seat.

"Cody?" Tyler called.

"Wot?" Cody asked turning around and grinning over the sleeping Casey tucked under his arm.

"Have you got my cell phone?" Tyler asked.

"No," Cody said.

"No?" Tyler asked glaring at him.

"Casey has it!" Cody said grinning.

"I need it please!" Tyler said. Cody reached into Casey's coat pocket and pulled it out without waking him.

"Thanks. Derek, do you want to pick up Matt and Jesse on the way to the cottage or go back and get them afterwards?" Tyler asked. Kyle and Chris perked up to listen.

"Jesse's coming over?" Chris whispered and Kyle shrugged his shoulders.

"Shit...," Derek moaned loud enough for everyone to hear.

Tyler didn't respond and they rode in silence for another 20 minutes before Derek said, "I guess you might as well call him so we don't have to go back out."

Tyler dialed Matt's number.

"Hey, Ty?" Matt said answering the phone.

"How did you know it was me?" Tyler asked.

"Mom and Dad already called to wish us a Happy New Year, which meant it was either work or you!" Matt said.

"Are you ready to be picked up?" Tyler asked.

"How long?" Matt asked.

"Derek, how long until we reach Lake Placid?" Tyler asked.

"About 50 minutes I guess plus a stop for gas." Derek said.

"About an hour Matt. Where do we pick you up?" Tyler asked.

"Just go to the Chalet and we'll be there. It will be easier for you guys that way," Matt said.

"We'll be there?" Tyler asked.

"Apparently so. Go figure," Matt said.

"I assume you are not free to talk right now?" Tyler asked.

"You assume correct!" Matt said laughing.

"Sounds like you're watching a hockey game?" Tyler said.

"You are correct again!" Matt said.

"Okay, we'll see you guys soon!" Tyler said.

"Great, and thanks!" Matt said hanging up the phone.

When they stopped for gas everyone got out to stretch their legs and use the washroom. Tyler made a quick phone call to Matt.

"What up, bitches?" Jesse said answering the phone.

"Is Matt there?" Tyler asked.

"MATT!!" Jesse yelled. "Your little fag is on the phone," he said loud enough for Tyler to hear but not Matt.

"Hey?" Matt said.

"Hey Matt, it's Ty. I couldn't talk before."

"You sound like you're outside. Are you at the Chalet already?" Matt asked.

"No, we are fuelling up! Up in the loft in the top left hand dresser drawer are two unusual peanut shaped jars of Peanut Butter for you to give to Luke and Casey that I got from the Farmer's Market in Lake Placid." Tyler said.

"Shit I forgot about that! Ah... Ty that is so sweet of you! Thanks tons for saving me," Matt said.

"This way you can just put your stuff up there and pull them out like you brought them yourself! Gotta run. Hugs Matt!" Tyler said closing his phone.

"Hugs to you too!" Matt said to a dial tone and hung up.

When the boys pulled up to the Chalet they were surprised by the filled parking lot. Matt waved them down with Jesse standing behind him looking disgruntled. As they climbed inside Matt spotted Luke immediately.

"Luke!" Matt yelled with a big smile.

"Matt?" Luke said and he unbuckled his seatbelt to give Matt a hug.

"Holy crap, have you ever grown!" Matt said. Luke giggled. Matt looked up to see Chris and Kyle sitting in the back row and he crawled behind and sat next to Chris.

Jesse stuck his head in and could see by the two roof lights that the only spot in which he could sit were next to Tyler and Luke.

"Great," he said in disgust to no one in particular. Jesse sat down next to Luke and Luke told him to buckle up. Jesse glared at him and then put his seatbelt on.

Tyler reached over top of Luke and put his arm around him and pulled him closer.

"Isn't he a little young for you?" Jesse asked glaring at him. Tyler ignored the comment and Matt slapped the back of Jesse's head.

"So you ski too?" Luke asked looking up at Jesse.

"Uh huh... I'm a ski instructor actually!" Jesse said.

"Whoa! Cool! So you're like Matt, then?" Luke asked.

"Not exactly...," Jesse said.

"Do you go to University?" Luke asked.

"No... I'm taking a year off to find myself," Jesse said. Tyler made a quiet snort.

"Are you married?" Luke asked.

"No. You ask a lot of questions don't you?" Jesse said, as he pulled out a cigarette and a lighter.

"No smoking in the Van, Jesse!" Tyler said. "You can smoke when you get to the cottage but only outside."

"You smoke? Ewwwwwwww!" Luke said.

Before anything else happened Matt interrupted and asked, "Hey Luke, how did your tournament go?"

"We won and I scored a goal!" Luke boasted.

"Great job, Luke!" Matt said and things became very quiet for the last five minutes of the journey home.

As they disembarked from the Van, Derek spun Jesse around and quietly said, "If you ever give Kyle or Chris a cigarette again you won't have lips left to hold another smoke!"

"Right...," Jesse said and Derek turned around grabbed Jesse's coat.

"I suggest you ask anyone here what I did to a guy named Paul with a baseball bat!" Derek said and pushed Jesse a step backwards.

Tyler walked up to the garage and opened the door. He placed a package on the workbench and walked out to see that Jesse was the only one still outside and he was smoking a cigarette.

"I suppose cigarettes are the only thing you don't put in your mouth?" Jesse said, smirking as Tyler walked by.

"I really don't know what your problem is with me because I don't even know you! Do anything to hurt, offend, or upset Kyle, Chris, Luke, or Casey and I will tear your face off!" Tyler said and walked away.

As Tyler walked down the steps to the cottage he saw all the lights come on and heard the hot tub start up.

Jesse walked into the cottage and removed his boots but only because he saw everyone else's there on the floor. He pulled off his toque and coat to reveal his curly blond hair. Wearing a Sean John sweater and baggy blue jeans he walked into the living room and everyone went silent.

"Jesse, why don't you put your stuff upstairs in the loft?" Tyler suggested. "We have R. C. Cola, OJ, ginger ale, or milk. What would you like?"

"Coke please," Jesse said attempting a stare down with Tyler but he wouldn't have any part of it. Tyler handed him an R. C. Cola.

As Jesse climbed the stairs he heard Luke and Casey yelling and screaming. When he reached the top of the stairs he could see Luke and Casey hugging and kissing Matt on top of the bed. When he dropped his backpack on the floor they all became quiet and Luke and Casey left for downstairs.

"No one is forcing you to be here. You and I are invited guests so grow up and act like a man for once!" Matt said passing by him to go downstairs.

"Well... one of us is a man anyway...," Jesse said. Matt paused on the second step down and then continued downstairs.

"Look what Matt gave us!!!!!!!" Casey said to Cody holding up the peanut shaped jar.

"Whoa! How cool is that? If I didn't know better I would think Matt is trying to take my place," Cody teased.

"That's never gonna happen!" Casey said putting his arms around Cody's neck and hugging him. Danny watched this from his bar stool in the kitchen.

"Is somebody losing his boyfriend to another guy?" Tyler whispered to Danny as he spread olive oil over sliced French bread.

"Shut up," Danny said quietly without taking his eyes off of Cody and Casey.

"Mom would always say, 'I see a green-eyed monster'!" Derek said and Tyler snorted.

"Are you sure that wasn't your infected penis?" Danny asked and Tyler snorted.

"Luke!" Tyler called and Luke came running into the kitchen. "Can I have a kiss?" Tyler bent down and Luke kissed him. "Ah... sweet you made my whole day!"

"Whatever! Gimmie a dollah!" Luke said. Tyler pulled out a one-dollar bill and handed it to him.

"What's the dollar for?" Tyler asked.

"The kiss!" Luke said and Tyler's eyes opened wide.

"Don't complain! The rate goes up after midnight!" Luke said laughing.

"Can you do me a little favour?" Tyler asked.

"Yup!" Luke said.

"Why don't you and Casey put on a DVD and maybe you can drag Jesse downstairs? He doesn't really know any of us so he is kind of shy and maybe you can work your magic on him?" Tyler asked.

Luke held out his hand. Tyler kissed him and said, "We'll call it even." Luke faked an angry growl and ran upstairs to the loft.

"Whatcha doin?" Luke asked.

"Nothing." Jesse said sitting on the bed drinking his R.C. Cola.

"We're gonna watch The Matrix! Come watch it with us!" Luke said smiling.

"No thanks, I just want to be alone," Jesse said.

"Noooooo!" Luke said throwing his arms around Jesse's neck and hugging him. Jesse didn't know what to do but he gently put his arms around Luke feeling very uncomfortable doing so.

"It won't be any fun if you're up here alone. Please!!!!!!!!!" Luke begged.

Luke released himself from Jesse and Jesse let go. Luke took hold of Jesse's left hand and pulled him up. Luke stared into Jesse's eyes with a big smile and Jesse smiled back.

"You look lonely," Luke said and wrapped his arms around Jesse again.

Jesse looked down at Luke and said, "You think so, huh?"

"Yeah," Luke said, hugging Jesse as tight as he could.

Jesse closed his eyes and enjoyed a hug for the first time in several years. "Maybe you're right... maybe you're right...," Jesse said quietly.

Luke and Jesse heard the guitars playing and Luke dragged Jesse downstairs. They both sat on bar stools leaning back on the counter.

"Hey Jeff do you know the song 'Feminine Hygiene?' Tyler asked grinning.

"Ummm... NO!" Jeff said, laughing as they strummed and tuned their guitars. "But I think I would like to learn it!"

"Hey, Ty!" Derek called from the kitchen. "Do you really think you should be singing a song like that with Luke, Casey, and Jesse in the room?"

Everyone laughed except Luke, Casey, and Jesse.

"Okay let's try another song! Any requests?" Tyler asked.

"Something upbeat!" Danny said.

"What about 'Live' by the band Crush?" Jeff suggested.

"Yeah that's a great song... remind me again though!" Tyler asked.

"So your Tyler also plays guitar?" Jesse asked Luke.

"He can sing too! He even does Elmer Fudd!" Luke said giggling and Jesse smiled at him and sighed.

"Is there anything that he can't do?" Jesse asked sarcastically.

"Not that I know of! He can cook, he's an amazing skater, he can draw better than anyone I've ever seen, and he's currently the best hockey player in the AHL! He's smart too!" Luke said, nodding his head up and down.

Jesse nodded his head up and down and grinned.

"You don't like him, do you?" Luke asked quietly.

"What makes you say that?" Jesse asked.

"I can tell!" Luke said. Jesse turned towards Luke and messed his hair and smiled at him. Jesse then noticed that Derek was leaning on the counter right behind the two of them and heard every word. Jesse looked behind him at Derek and saw a cold-faced stare coming at him.

"You'd be the first to not like him! I don't know anyone who doesn't!" Luke added.

"Okay, got it now!" Tyler said and Jeff and Tyler began playing.

"You're singing!" Jeff laughed.

"You're helping!" Tyler shot back.

<Tyler sings> "People say I'm crazy... I'm starting to believe them.
I'll throw it all away for something I don't know.
I haven't lived my life yet start to live my life right now.
And I need a way of achieving and I got a way of achieving now."

<Tyler and Jeff sing. Tyler stares at Jesse> "I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna behave I just wanna live.
Who gave you the right to come down on me? I just wanna live."

<Tyler sings> "People wanna know all the stories and I wish I could help them.
So I'll break the chain of rumours that ruin all.
And I don't know what love is how about I know what love is now?
And I need something to believe in I got something to believe in now!"

<Everyone sings except Jesse> "I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna behave I just wanna live.
Who gave you the right to come down on me? I just wanna live.
Wanna live, live, live."

<Tyler and Jeff sing> "And I don't know what love is, how about I know what love is now?
And I need something to believe in I got something to believe in now And I don't know what love is, how about I know what love is now?
Now..."

<Everyone sings except Jesse. Tyler gives Jesse a cold stare> "No, I don't wanna fight I don't wanna behave I just wanna live.
Who gave you the right to come down on me? I just wanna live!"

"ALL RIGHT!!!!!!" Danny yelled and began clapping!

"That was great Jeff!" Matt said.

"Do we all have to run and grab a chair to sit on now?" Jesse asked to no one in particular. Derek slammed his can of R.C. down on the counter making Jesse flinch.

"My brother is a great singer; too bad he is so shy!" Chris said teasing Jeff.

"Who wants to play Monopoly?" Luke asked.

"Yea!" Casey chimed in.

"Kyle?" Luke asked. Kyle made a face and Derek shook his head.

"What do you say, Chris?" Kyle asked.

"If you can all stand losing to me then fine!" Chris said grinning.

"Great!" Luke said. "We've got Casey, me, Jesse, Chris, and Kyle. This will be a good game!" Luke said jumping up and pulling Jesse along with him. Jesse looked at Derek and Derek grinned.

"How's the food coming?" Danny asked and Derek just shook his head.

"Need some help?" Tyler asked.

"No thanks. I'm fine. Play me a song!" Derek said winking at him.

Luke made Jesse sit next him at the table. "See... if we sit here we get to see everything going on!" Luke whispered. Kyle and Chris sat facing the lake and opposite Luke and Jesse while Casey was at the end of the table between Luke and Kyle.

"I wanna be the car this time!" Casey said.

"Nope!" Luke said. "Jesse is our guest and he gets to choose first."

"I want the car then!" Jesse said and everyone in the room exchanged glances. Kyle and Chris gave each other a look as well.

"Roll to see who goes first!" Kyle said.

"Jesse gets to go first!" Luke ordered. Kyle shot the die at Jesse hitting him in the chest. Jesse rolled and the game began.

"How about 'One Love' by Blue?" Tyler suggested.

Jeff gave Tyler a strange look and said, "Are you sure?" Tyler nodded.

<Tyler sings looking at Derek>

It's kinda funny, how life can change, can flip 180 in a matter of days.
Sometimes love works in mysterious ways.
One day you wake up, gone without a trace.
I refuse to give up, I refuse to give in (no) you're my everything.
I don't wanna give up, I don't wanna give in (oh) so everybody sing.

<Tyler and Jeff sing. Luke raises his hands up over his head and moves to the music. Everyone at the table laughs>

One love for the mother's pride, one love for the times we cried, One love gotta stay alive, I will survive.
One love for the city streets, one love for the hip-hop beats One love, oh I do believe one love is all we need.

<Tyler sings with Jeff>

Late at night I'm still wide-awake. Think this is far more than I can take.
I thought my heart could never break (never break)
Now I know that's one big mistake!
I refuse to give up; I refuse to give in (oh oh)
You're my everything!(That's right, c'mon)
I don't wanna give up; I don't wanna give in (oh no)

<Everybody's sings except Jesse! (Jeff)>

One love for the mother's pride, one love for the times we cried,
One love gotta stay alive (Ooooohhhhhhh!) I will survive.
One love for the city streets, one love for the hip-hop beats
One love (one love) Oh I do believe one love is all we need.
(That's right)

<Tyler and Jeff sing>

Baby just love me, love me, love me
Baby just hold me, hold me, hold me
Ooooohhhhhhh love me, love me, love me (oh yeah) One love

Baby just love me, love me, love me (love me)
Baby just hold me, hold me, hold me
Ooooohhhhhhh love me, love me, love me (oh)

(Tyler and Jeff sing acappella)

One love for the mother's pride, one love for the times we cry
One love gotta stay alive (ohhhhhhh) I will survive.
One love for the city streets, one love (one love) for the hip-hop
beats
One love (one love) oh I do believe one love is all we need.

One love for the mother's pride (Ooooooo oh oh oh)
One love for the times we cry, one love gotta stay alive (ooh yeah)
I will survive.

<Everyone sings but Jesse>

One love (one love) for the city streets, one love (one loooooove yeah)
for the hip-hop beats. One love oh I do believe one love is all we need.

They all laughed and clapped except Jesse who was fuming at the interruptions and his inability to win at Monopoly.

Derek set out one of two hot dishes of four-cheese spinach dip with Nacho chips and deep-fried pita wedges at the open end of the table between Jesse and Kyle.

"Who's winning?" Derek asked.

"Not me!" Jesse moaned.

"I am of course, stupid question, fugly!" Luke said grinning and Jesse laughed over that. Derek wasn't amused by his laughter and stared him down. Jesse dipped a pita wedge into the dip and began devouring the contents of the dish.

"Are you going to share with anyone else?" Kyle asked glaring at him.

"Dig in!" Jesse said but didn't take his hand off of the plate holding the hot dish. Chris lightly kicked Kyle under the table.

"Some others might like to try Tyler's spinach dip as well!" Kyle said.

"Tyler makes his own secret sauce for it!" Chris added, kicking Kyle under the table. Kyle snorted

"Tyler made this?" Jesse asked. Kyle and Chris nodded and Jesse pushed the dish away refusing to eat any more of it.

"Luke... would you get us some drinks please?" Kyle asked staring at Jesse.

Luke got up and when he left the table Kyle said, "You got a problem with Ty?" Kyle asked.

"I hate fags!" Jesse said in a low voice.

Kyle leaned forward and asked in a low voice, "So you hate Tyler, Derek, Danny, Cody, Chris and me then, eh?" Casey looked at Jesse and made a face but Jesse didn't notice.

Luke returned to the table with five R.C. Colas and the conversation ended but the glares didn't. Jesse went in full attack mode trying to defeat Kyle and making light jabs at him in the process. Kyle's fists were clenched and Chris reached under the table and held Kyle's hand down.

"You landed on my hotel!" Casey said excitedly. "You owe me $1500.00. Pay up!"

Kyle and Chris both burst into laughter.

"Here I'll loan you the money," Luke said.

"Luke! You can't loan money! Jesse's out of the game!" Kyle said and Luke glared at Kyle.

"I quit anyway!" Jesse said getting up and pushing the board so everyone's pieces moved all over the game board. "I'm goin outside for a smoke!" Jesse left the table and went back to the door to get his coat.

"He's our guest, Kyle; you could've let him play!" Luke growled.

"Why are you sticking up for that asshole? He hates Tyler!" Kyle asked.

"I quit!" Luke said and left the table to get his coat and go be outside with Jesse.

"What's his fucking problem? Oops. Sorry, Casey," Kyle said smiling.

"It's okay. I don't know why Luke is being nice to Jesse either. He sort of scares me," Casey said, getting up and heading over to sit with Cody while Kyle and Chris put the game pieces away.

Kyle looked out the window and saw Jesse leaning on the railing and Luke talking to him.

"C'mon back inside Jesse! We'll play a new game!" Luke said trying to appease Jesse.

"No thanks, Squirt. This place sucks. I should have stayed back at the lodge. At least there I would have had some beer to drink," Jesse said staring out at the frozen lake.

"Dad keeps beer in the fridge but we're not allowed to touch it," Luke said.

"Do you always do everything your daddy tells you too?" Jesse asked, laughing at Luke.

"Not always... but then I usually get grounded or the principal calls my parents," Luke moaned.

"Been there, done that, Squirt!" Jesse said laughing.

"C'mon back in!" Luke whined pulling on Jesse's coat.

"No!" Jesse said.

"Aaah... please! We'll watch The Matrix. It will be fun. I can do all of the moves," Luke said still pulling on Jesse's coat.

"I said no!" Jesse yelled and Luke released Jesse's coat.

<Silence>

"Please!" Luke began again.

"No!" Jesse said louder this time.

Luke began pulling on Jesse's coat smiling and said, "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon..." trying to get Jesse to come back inside.

Jesse put his hand on Luke's forehead and pushed him away causing Luke to fall backwards onto the deck.

Kyle saw Jesse push Luke and was out the door in his sock feet before the chair he was sitting on hit the floor. The sound of the falling chair caused all the boys to look over and see Kyle running out the door.

Jesse saw Kyle coming at him and he threw his cigarette over the railing. Before he could even put his hands up to defend himself Kyle had jumped over Luke and pushed Jesse to the deck. Kyle reached under Jesse's back and pulled his right hand around flipping him on to his stomach.

"Like to hit little kids, you fucker????" Kyle screamed. Kyle took his free left hand and grabbed a handful of Jesse's blond hair and lifted his head and banged it back down into the wood deck. "How does that feel?" Kyle screamed.

Tyler was the first one out the door pushing past Chris. It took him almost 15 seconds to pull Kyle off of Jesse. "LET GO, Kyle!" Tyler yelled finally getting Kyle off Jesse and pushing him into Cody's arms.

"What the hell is going on out here?" Derek yelled.

"Jesse just pushed Luke to the ground," Kyle yelled as Cody held him from getting free. "I'm gonna tear him a new asshole!" he screamed and struggled to get away from Cody.

"Cody, take Kyle inside! Everyone else back in the cottage too." Tyler said as he lifted Jesse up without any effort. Everyone went back inside except Matt. Tyler slammed a dazed and confused Jesse into the window. "You want a fight! You got it!" Tyler said hauling Jesse away by his coat along the deck.

"I can walk, faggot!" Jesse said as Tyler dragged him up the walkway to the driveway and into the garage.

"Not for long... so enjoy it!" Tyler said coldly.

When they got inside of the garage Tyler forcibly sat Jesse down on one of the snowmobiles opposite the workbench. Jesse wouldn't look up at him. He wiped his nose and saw blood on his hand.

"I'm gonna have that little asshole charged!" Jesse said standing up.

Tyler pushed him back down without much effort. "Good idea Jesse! You just assaulted an 11 year old and Kyle came to his defense. You obviously don't have two brain cells to rub together!" Tyler said handing him some paper towels. "Wipe your blood up before you dirty the floor," Tyler yelled.

"Fuck you, faggot!" Jesse said and Tyler pulled the paper towels out of his hand.

"Never mind...I'll need these to clean the floor of what's left of you when I'm done." Tyler yelled. "Now why the fuck would you push a little boy around? Especially one who for some strange and unknown reason actually seems to like you?" Tyler asked.

"He's just an irritating little shit like you!" Jesse said looking up with blood running out of his nose.

"Stand up!" Tyler yelled and Jesse wouldn't look at him.

"I said, stand up!!!!!!" Tyler yelled again. Jesse still didn't move.

Tyler grabbed him and stood him up. Tyler backed up and hit the bench. The package from Larry fell over. Tyler turned to stop it from rolling off.

Tyler walked up in front of Jesse and yelled, "Go ahead and hit me! Take one good shot at the faggot! It's the only one you're going to get so go ahead and hit me!" Jesse just stood there.

"C'mon Jesse. You hate me cause I'm gay! You know all the gay things I've done to you! C'mon... hit me!" Tyler yelled taunting him. Jesse still didn't move. Matt quietly approached the garage staying out of sight.

"Is your ass still sore from all those times I fucked you or is it simply that you can't deal with your own gay feelings?" Tyler asked. Jesse looked down at the ground.

"C'mon, Jesse, you want to hit me! You already hate me even though we've never met. Maybe you'd like to tie me up to a fence and defecate on me and then throw some rocks at me and leave me to die?" Tyler yelled, with his voice getting deeper.

"After all, you're the REAL man! I'm just a sissy faggot! So hit me!" Tyler yelled and gave Jesse a light push. Jesse took a step back.

Tyler took two steps forward and stood less than a foot away from Jesse. "C'mon, Jesse, you know you have to rid the world of people like me! I'm the disease and you're the cure! Take a shot. Go ahead, I won't even hit you back!" Tyler said, giving Jesse another push. Matt moved so he could watch and make sure his brother didn't get any more than he deserved.

"Do it, Jesse! You know you want to! You want to hit me for all the things I've done to you. After all, I am the cause of all of your problems," Tyler said and Jesse looked up and began to get angry.

"That's the look I want to see!" Tyler said giving Jesse another poke.

<Poke> <Poke> <Poke>

"Be a real man, Jesse, and just give me what I deserve. What you've always wanted to give to every fag you've ever come across. Get that anger out of you!" Tyler said.

"Go away!" Jesse said.

"No! Punch me! Hit me! You're not afraid that one little FAGGOT is going to hurt you now are you?" Tyler said.

"GO AWAY!" Jesse yelled. "Leave me alone!"

"I'm not going anywhere and neither are you! Here you are stuck in God's country with a cottage full of faggots! How does it feel Jesse? You know we're all watching you waiting for you to let your guard down so we can get at your cock! C'mon, here's your chance to beat the fucking crap out of a faggot and know that you will never be charged!" Tyler said and poked him again.

The next poke Tyler tried to make Jesse pushed his hand away.

"That felt good, didn't it Jesse?" Tyler asked. "Maybe you hate 'dem niggers too? And don't forget that all women are second-class to men like you! Make your type proud Jesse! Do it for the real men of this world!" Tyler said and faked a poke that Jesse tried to block and then connected with a real poke to Jesse's chest.

Jesse took both hands and pushed Tyler a step back. "Ooooooooooh... bet that felt good deep down inside didn't it, Jesse! I'm a fair guy but that was just a lame assed attempt at a push by a wussy straight guy. I won't even count it. Now take your first and last shot! Come on... prove to me that you're a real man and not just a faggot-assed pussy? Come on Jesse, prove to me that you got a cock between your legs and not a cunt?" Tyler taunted and poked him again. Tyler started laughing at him and then Jesse's rage began to grow.

"C'mon, straight boy! Kick this faggot's ass because you know you can and you know I deserve it just for being gay!" Tyler said laughing at him.

"Stop laughing!" Jesse said getting angry.

"Awwwwwwww... is the faggot's laughing gonna make you cry Jesse? I thought you were a REAL man!" Tyler said. Jesse finally broke and lunged wildly at Tyler. Tyler blocked Jesse's swing and then Jesse found himself pushed back away from Tyler.

"I keep telling you, I can't hit you until you hit me Jesse! That didn't count either! You have to hit me ONCE before I can hit you!" Tyler said laughing at him. Matt clued in to what Tyler was doing and took a deep breath.

"C'mon, Jesse! One shot! Just one shot!" Tyler pleaded gesturing with both hands to egg Jesse on to punch him. Jesse lunged again at Tyler and Tyler held him as he tried to punch but failed. Jesse tried another swing and the palm of Tyler's hand blocked it.

"Look at that Jesse... the best you've got is being blocked by a weak and sissy faggot??? What does that make you?" Tyler said inches from his face. "I could kiss you right now and you probably still couldn't hit me!" Tyler said.

"Stop it!" Jesse yelled and began slapping at Tyler's face and chest.

"Stop it!" Jesse yelled as the rage took over. Tears began to flow down his cheeks.

"Don't fight it, Jesse! Let it out, you know I deserve it!" Tyler said and Jesse could feel his breath on his face. Matt walked into view

"Stop it! You're not supposed to do that!" Jesse yelled and Tyler looked at him and then at Matt.

Matt approached Jesse with tears running down his face.

Jesse started slapping and punching at Matt but the hits grew weaker and weaker with every second.

"You're supposed to be my friend!" Jesse yelled as he hit at Matt.

"You're my Coach, my teacher!" Jesse screamed as the tears rolled down.

"You're not supposed to hurt kids... you're not supposed to hurt me!!!!" Jesse wailed and screamed to a point that his words could barely be made out.

"You said I was your friend!!!!!!" Jesse yelled and the tears turned to sobs.

Matt pulled Jesse tight into the circle of his arms and said softly into his ear. "It's okay Jesse. No one is going to hurt you again." Jesse went limp against Matt as Tyler stepped back.

Matt rubbed the back of Jesse's head as he cried. "It's okay Jesse. This is your big brother, this is Matt, and not your teacher... you're safe! I promise you!" Jesse squeezed Matt tighter and Matt knew that Jesse was hearing his words.

"I'm sorry...," Jesse whispered through his tears and sobs.

"No, Jesse, you don't need to be sorry. You don't need to hold it in anymore. I love you and I always have. You're not just my blood brother; you are my brother by choice! There are people who love you and want to help you and we will get you the help you need. Do you understand?" Matt asked. Jesse nodded his head very rapidly through his tears.

"Listen, Jesse." Matt said holding him. "Understand right now that you are not at fault! You did what everyone is taught to do. You trusted someone who abused that trust. Some who commits acts like that on a kid is the one with the problem and they can be gay or straight. Do you understand?" Matt asked. Jesse nodded again. Tyler began wiping his own eyes.

"No one here is going to hurt you! We all love you! I know you have no reason to trust anyone at the moment -- even me -- but I promise you that no one here is going to hurt you! Do you understand?" Matt asked a third time as Jesse's crying began to slow.

"I know. I'm sorry," Jesse said.

"I'm not. Even though you don't realize it, you trusted Tyler and me enough to tell us what is really wrong. I can't even fathom how horrible it has been to go through that but to hold all of this in is beyond my comprehension. I'm so sorry, Jesse. No one should ever have to go through what you did all by yourself. I'm so sorry and I wish I could make it all go away. You're my brother Jesse, and I love you," Matt said, softly still holding Jesse close. Jesse slumped into Matt's arms.

"I know... me too," Jesse said.

"Feeling a little bit better?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah... a lot actually," Jesse said sniffing and wiping his eyes while giving a slight smile.

"I want to tell you how special you are to me and maybe you need open up and try to let me be there for you? I swear to you that I'll always fight to protect you, Jesse," Matt asked pulling Jesse away a little. Jesse looked at Matt to see tears streaming down his face.

Jesse burst into tears and stepped back into Matt's arms. Tyler walked over to the bench and grabbed the paper towels. He put a fist full in Jesse's hand. Tyler reached back behind himself to set the roll of paper towels back on the bench and slipping in some snow fell backwards onto it instead. The package from Larry rolled down to the end of the bench and off the edge.

"Nooooooooo!" Tyler yelled with one hand reaching out.

*BANG!*

The noise was like a gun shot going off. The three could see the foaming bubbles of a bottle of Champagne flowing out on to the floor. Matt started laughing and Jesse joined in. Tyler gave a loud sigh.

Everyone in the cottage came running out thinking that a gun had been fired.

"Oh my GOD!!!!!!!" Danny screamed like a little girl with a high-pitched voice. "Tyler's been shot!"

Matt and Jesse really started laughing and Tyler joined in. All the boys looked at the growing puddle of bubbly liquid.

"Nice call, dumbass!" Cody said, slapping Danny on the arm.

"So that was the secret package, huh, Ty?" Derek said.

Matt whispered something into Jesse's ear.

"Luke?" Jesse said through his tears.

"Derek would you go make up an ice pack for Jesse please?" Tyler asked.

"Sure!" Derek said running back to the cottage.

Luke walked up to Jesse but kept his distance.

"It's okay, Luke!" Matt said with his arm around Jesse.

"Luke, I'm sorry for shoving you and for how I treated you. I should have listened to you!" Jesse said sniffling.

Luke came up and put his arms around Jesse. Everyone watched as Jesse squeezed his eyes shut tight and held Luke.

"Brothers fight now and then," Luke said.

"Brothers?" Jesse mumbled.

"Yeah... you're our brother didn't you know that?" Luke said and Jesse cried so deeply that his body began shaking.

"C'mon inside. It will be midnight soon and we want all of our brothers together," Luke said smiling at him. Luke took Jesse's right hand in his and pulled him up on to his feet and then put his arm around Jesse's waist.

"Luke?" Tyler said. "Jesse needs a little time alone with Matt right now so let's all go inside and you guys can go up to the loft for a bit." Jesse and Matt nodded.

As they all walked back to the cottage Tyler said to Jesse and Matt. "I'm coming to get you guys just before midnight! All of us brothers are celebrating a new year together!" Tyler said. Jesse reached out to Tyler's hand and Tyler squeezed it three times.

Matt and Jesse headed upstairs to the loft. Tyler pulled Kyle into his bedroom and put his arms around him. Kyle closed his eyes and leaned into Tyler's chest.

"I'm so proud of you, Kyle. You define what being a brother really is!" Tyler said, and Kyle tightened his grip around Tyler.

"I guess I have to apologize to Derek now...," Kyle moaned.

"What for?" Tyler asked pulling him away.

"He was right about defending Kathy from Paul," Kyle said with a slight smile.

Tyler laughed and pulled him back into his arms and said, "If I have to apologize that's the kind of apology I want to be making."

Cody sat down on the sectional and Casey plopped himself into Cody's lap. They both saw Danny staring at them and then look away from a bar stool at the kitchen.

"I don't think Danny likes me," Casey whispered into Cody's ear.

"No Casey, Danny does like you." Cody said smiling. "Do you like Danny?"

"Yeah... I think so. I don't really know him." Casey said.

"Why don't you get to know him?" Cody asked.

"I guess...," Casey moaned.

"I can assure you it has nothing to do with you. He might be feeling a little jealous of the time we are spending together but Danny has me all year long and I hardly ever get to see my favourite little guy in the whole world!" Cody said giving Casey a squeeze. Casey looked up at Cody and smiled.

"K...," Casey said still not believing him.

"I'll tell ya what Casey. Next time we are all sitting down or if we go into the hot tub tonight why don't you sit beside Danny and talk to him?" Cody asked.

"Maybe...," Casey said, and Cody gave him another encouraging squeeze.

"I love you Casey." Cody whispered in his ear. Casey placed his hands on top of Cody's hands and squeezed him three times.

"Are you okay, Pukey?" Derek asked Luke as he waited for his banana peanut butter rollups to be finished.

"Yeah... why wouldn't I be?" Luke said as he carefully watched Derek spread the peanut butter. "More peanut butter please!" Luke requested.

"If I put any more on it won't roll up!" Derek said.

"Tyler puts more than that on it," Luke said.

Derek rolled his eyes at Jeff and Danny as they watched him.

"Tyler cuts the crusts off too!" Luke said.

"Why don't you get Tyler to...," Derek began.

"Ahem" Danny said grinning. Derek took a sharp bread knife out of the drawer and began cutting the crusts off.

"How thick would you like it cut?" Derek asked Luke, while staring at a laughing Jeff and Danny.

"This thick!" Luke said holding his thumb and finger together.

"As thick as Danny's...," Derek began.

"Ahem" Jeff said laughing.

"As thick as what?" Luke asked.

"Ummm Danny's brain!" Derek said grinning as he handed Luke the plate.

Luke grabbed two R.C. Colas out of the fridge and took everything upstairs to the loft.

As he climbed the last few steps he spied Jesse and Matt lying on the bed talking softly. Matt had his arms around Jesse holding him. He could see that Jesse had been crying. When Jesse spotted Luke he quickly wiped his eyes.

"Hi guys!" Luke said with a big smile and Jesse smiled back. "I got Derek to make you guys some peanut butter banana rollups! They're not as good as the way Tyler makes them but he is busy with Kyle." Luke said setting everything down on the nightstand beside the bed.

Luke climbed up on the bed on all fours and leaned down and gave Jesse a kiss on the lips.

"What's that for?" Jesse asked smiling.

"So you don't forget that we all love you!" Luke said. Jesse grabbed Luke and pulled him into a hug so he wouldn't see the tears start to flow again.

"How did I get so lucky as to have someone like you in my life, Luke?" Jesse asked.

"You've got Matt and Tyler. I'm nothing compared to them!" Luke said into Jesse's chest.

"You're everything to me!" Jesse said and Matt rubbed Jesse's left arm. "I don't even know how you can forgive me for what I did?"

"What would holding it in and getting angry about it solve? Tyler says that anger is nothing more than a poison that runs through your veins and eats you up from the inside out!" Luke said.

"Your Tyler is a pretty smart guy!" Jesse said.

"Our Tyler! He's yours too!" Luke told him.

"Maybe...," Jesse said.

"No maybes about it! He's the one that told me to spend some time with you because he said you are shy! He knows good people and he wouldn't let me near anyone who wasn't good," Luke said.

"Come to think of it, Tyler was the one who insisted you come here tonight, Jesse. I gotta be honest, little bro..., I didn't even want to invite you!" Matt added.

"It's so nice to be loved by my only brother!" Jesse joked and laughed.

"You still don't get it do you?" Luke asked sitting up.

"Get what?" Jesse asked wiping his eyes again.

"We're all your brothers and you are our brother as well!" Luke said.

"I think I'm starting to understand, Luke," Jesse said.

"Good! We don't need any more tards in the family. Kyle and Derek are enough!" Luke said, and Jesse and Matt burst into laughter.

"So who are actual blood brothers here?" Jesse asked.

"Good question! I haven't even figured all of that out. I know Tyler is adopted," Matt said.

"My real brothers are Kyle and Derek. Tyler was adopted on Christmas Day by my family because his whole family died in a car accident last July," Luke began.

"Really?" Jesse asked.

"Oh shit!" Matt said. "Umm... sorry, Luke, didn't mean to swear!" Luke waved Matt off and Matt snickered.

"Cody and Danny are boyfriends and dorm mates of Derek and Tyler and obviously Tyler is Derek's boyfriend. Kyle's boyfriend is Chris and Jeff is Chris' brother who has a girlfriend that couldn't come up to the cottage," Luke said.

"And Casey?" Matt asked.

"Casey is my best friend. He and his mom live with us in Baltimore. His Mom's boyfriend tried to kill his Mom!" Luke said making a sour face. "And Derek beat the crap out of him with a baseball bat!" Luke said proudly.

"Yeah... I believe he mentioned something about that," Jesse said wishing he could forget that.

"It's a funny family. Tyler has no family, Jeff and Chris's Mom is dead, Cody's Mom and sister died in a car accident, and Casey has never even seen his Dad," Luke said.

"A lot of people have had a rough start in life," Matt said.

"Nobody's ever alone unless they want to be but why would anyone want to be alone when you could have me?" Luke asked with a big grin. Jesse and Matt pulled Luke in between the two of them and started tickling him.

"I love you guys!" Luke said.

"I love you too, Luke!" Jesse said seriously.

"Ahem" Matt said grinning at Jesse.

Jesse paused for a second and then looked over at Matt and said, "I love you too Matt! I'm sorry for the way I've acted."

"It's understandable, Jesse, and you've got no need to apologize. But in the future please come and talk to me instead of taking it out on me," Matt asked.

"Oh man... I've still got to apologize to everyone," Jesse sighed.

"Nah... it's all cool. We're your brothers so we know you can be an assmite at times!" Luke said laughing and Jesse put him into a headlock. Luke screamed and laughed.

Casey came running up the stairs to make sure his best friend was okay. He stopped at the edge of the bed and saw the three of them wrestling and he jumped on the bed and joined in. Casey pushed Luke in between Jesse and Matt and snuggled up to Jesse resting his head down on Jesse's chest and putting his arm around his waist. Jesse put his arm around Casey's back and held him tight.

Casey looked over at Matt and Luke wrestling and slid himself up to whisper in Jesse's ear. "Are you all better now?" Casey asked with his eyes wide open.

"I'm a little better. Thanks for asking Casey," Jesse whispered back into Casey's ear.

"Do you need some help?" Casey asked quietly.

"I'm already getting some help," Jesse said winking at him.

"How's the help?" Casey asked.

"The help is... helping!" Jesse said with a big grin. Casey leaned in and kissed his cheek and then hugged him tightly around the neck.

"I would have given you $1500.00 too!" Casey said in Jesse's ear.

"Thanks Casey, but what you just gave me is worth a million times more," Jesse said holding Casey tight.

"Okay guys... now why don't you scoot out of here. Jesse and I have a couple of things to talk about if we are going to make it downstairs for midnight," Matt said.

"I hate to tell you this, big brother, but the party is up here!" Jesse said smiling.

"Jesse!" Matt said seriously.

"Okay... guys we'll be down in a bit!" Jesse said getting a hug and kiss from both Casey and Luke.

"We'll be in the hot tub outside so you can join us there!" Luke said.

"Sorry Luke, I didn't bring any swim trunks," Jesse said.

"Duh! We all go naked here! Nobody wears a swim suit!" Luke said.

"Maybe I'll pass this time, Luke!" Jesse said.

"Fine then... you won't be able to help me make fun of Matt's tiny dick!" Luke said laughing and ran down the stairs before Matt could catch him.

"So what do you think of your new family?" Matt asked.

"Is this for real? This is like some kind of fantasy... or nightmare come true? I'm not really sure," Jesse said, smiling.

"I assure it is more like a dream come true. It's nice to see you smile again," Matt said.

"It feels like this huge weight's been lifted off of my chest," Jesse said.

"Tell me what you want to do tonight? Do you want to stay here or do you want to go back to our place?" Matt asked.

"I really don't want to go downstairs and face any of them after what I did," Jesse said, rolling on his side away from Matt.

"If you feel that way, Jesse, then we'll head back but I think you're missing out on everything Luke just tried to tell you. You're family now! They love you and they want you here. They're all leaving Monday morning and who knows if and when we will see them again. Don't you want the opportunity to get to know them while you can?" Matt asked.

"I really do but I'm too embarrassed," Jesse said.

<Tap, tap, tap> on the bottom stairway railing.

"C'mon up," Matt yelled.

"Hey...," Kyle said holding an ice pack.

"Hey." Jesse said.

"I... ummm... just wanted to bring you a fresh ice pack," Kyle said not looking at Jesse.

"Thanks, but it's all good now. The blood has stopped flowing out my nose and now it's running to my head," Jesse said, and Kyle and Matt started laughing.

"Ummm... I just wanted to apologize for what I did and tell you that I am sorry," Kyle said as he swirled his left foot around in a circle on the floor.

"Can you leave us alone for a minute, Matt?" Jesse asked.

"Sure... I have to pee anyway." Matt said getting off the bed and going downstairs.

Jesse sat up on the bed and crossed his legs underneath him. Kyle watched and when Jesse was finished he pointed to a spot on the bed in front of him. Kyle sat down.

<10 seconds of silence>

Jesse reached over to the nightstand and picked up the plate of peanut butter rollups and offered them to Kyle.

"Thanks but no. Peanut butter is Luke's thing," Kyle said laughing.

"Yeah... well... the hospitality is great here but the room service is limited," Jesse said and they both started laughing. "Kyle, I'm sorry about how I acted and if I were in your place I would have pounded me a lot harder than what you did."

"It's okay, shit happens! We move on or as Tyler says we move forward," Kyle said.

"How does my face look?" Jesse asked as he gently touched his nose to make sure nothing was broken.

"I sure wouldn't kick you out of bed!" Kyle said smiling and then he turned away.

"I'll take that as a compliment!" Jesse said.

"Believe me it was!" Kyle said nervously. "You wouldn't know that you were kissing the deck outside," Kyle said, and winked.

"I know that you can never forgive me for what I did but I hope you realize that I am sincerely sorry," Jesse said.

"That's what I was going to say," Kyle said, not looking directly at Jesse.

"Thanks Kyle. That means a lot. I'm new here and just beginning to learn," Jesse said, staring at the bed.

"Can I have your hand?" Kyle asked looking into Jesse's eyes.

Jesse flinched

"I'm not going to kiss you or anything. I know you're straight and don't like guys!" Kyle said defensively. Jesse grinned and shook his head and then held out his hand.

Kyle took Jesse's right hand in his and reached into his pocket and pulled something out but kept it hidden in his fist. "There's a tradition that Tyler, Derek, Cody, and Danny started just before Christmas." Kyle said and he turned Jesse's hand over.

Kyle opened his hand to display his bracelet. He undid the latch on it and put it around Jesse's wrist. "This is mine. We have to go back to Philly to get one made up with your name on it. When we have it and one for Matt as well, we will send them to you and you can then send mine back to me," Kyle said releasing Jesse's hand.

"Fratres in Aeternum?" Jesse asked.

"It basically translates as 'brothers forever'," Kyle said.

Tears began trickling down Jesse's face. He turned it over and read all of the names on the back of it. "I can't take this from you," Jesse said wiping his eyes.

"You're not getting it to keep. It's just to have to remind you that you are not alone until yours arrives. I was kind of hoping that when you feel down you might look at it and think of me. Well... think of good things about me," Kyle said smiling.

"Why are you guys being so nice to me?" Jessie asked, starting to cry.

"Because you're our brother and we love you," Kyle said.

"Christ... Kyle, you're like four years younger than me and like a million years wiser!" Jesse said, wiping his eyes and sniffling.

"I've just had a little more time to experience the Tyler effect!" Kyle said smiling. "There is a dark side of the bracelet though!"

"What's that?" Jesse said, still trying to stop the tears.

"You're stuck with us for life!" Kyle said, tearing up.

Jesse started to laugh and cry at the same time. He pulled Kyle in for a hug and Kyle tapped him three times and that made Jesse cry even more.

"I don't deserved to be loved Kyle because of the way I have acted," Jesse said still holding Kyle tight.

"Nobody is deserving of love. It's something you earn and we all think you are worth it," Kyle said, as Jesse sobbed.

"I'm sorry...," Jesse said letting go of Kyle. "I've never cried this much in my life."

"I cry all the time. Feels good don't it?" Kyle asked smiling.

"Mmmm hmmm!" Jesse said wiping his eyes on his sleeve.

Kyle and Jesse could hear Casey, Luke, Danny, Cody, and Jeff going outside to the hot tub.

"Everyone wants you downstairs for midnight except me...," Kyle said grinning and Jesse looked up at him.

"Huh?" Jesse mumbled not understanding.

"I just want to see you naked in the hot tub!" Kyle said and Jesse fell backwards on the bed laughing. He looked up at Kyle and held his arm out with the bracelet on. Kyle took his hand and pulled him up. "Just think... you can go home and tell all of your friends that you spent midnight naked in a hot tub with nine other guys!" Jesse started laughing again.

"I better get down there but always remember that you are never to take that bracelet off until yours arrives!" Kyle said and Jesse nodded.

"And Jesse?" Kyle said. Jesse looked up. "If you lose this bracelet remember that it is only a bracelet. What's real is how much everyone loves you," Kyle said.

Kyle started to get up off the bed and Jesse grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. Jesse leaned forward to Kyle and kissed him solidly on the lips. Kyle put his hand on the back of Jesse's head and they both closed their eyes.

When the kiss ended Jesse said, "I'm starting to learn that it doesn't matter who kisses you as long as the love behind it is real." Kyle smiled and winked.

"How did it go?" Chris asked.

"Good! Really good... at least I think it did?" Kyle said.

"Did he accept the bracelet?" Chris asked.

"Yup. I think Tyler's right. It will give him something to take his mind off all he has gone through when the times get tough and he feels he is all alone," Kyle said.

Tyler walked over to Kyle and Chris. "How did it go?" Tyler asked.

"Really well!" Kyle said grinning.

"Good! Can I talk to you guys for a moment alone?" Tyler asked and Kyle and Chris looked at each other.

"Derek... Kyle, Chris, and me are going to the garage to clean up the mess!" Tyler said.

"And have an orgy?" Derek asked laughing.

"No... not until after you are asleep!" Tyler said not waiting for a response.

Tyler got out a shovel and opened up a garbage can. He scrapped up the now frozen Champagne and put it in the garbage can. When the mess was cleaned up he told them both to sit down. Kyle and Chris looked at each other with concern.

"You guys are not in any trouble but I want to clarify something about what happened today," Tyler began.

"About Jesse?" Kyle asked.

"No. Can you guess what this is about?" Tyler asked.

<Pause>

"Smoking..." Chris said without looking up.

"No, but you are really warm... no pun intended! It isn't about smoking but it is about you guys hiding it from me. I'm your friend at minimum and your brother at best. I'm not going to lecture you on the health risks of smoking. What I have a problem with is you guys hiding it. Unless you are put under my care by your parents I really can't do anything more than advise you on things," Tyler said.

"If you want to light up a cigarette right now then all I will tell you is to move out of the garage because of chemicals and gasoline. If you want to go and smoke weed with your friends then I have no right to stop you but you can be damn sure you're not going to be operating any equipment or vehicles or be around Luke and Casey. If you guys feel you need to hide what you're doing from me then it is going to change our relationship. I don't expect you guys to tell me everything but don't waste my time or yours denying what you are seen doing. You don't need to explain why you are smoking or even if you are going to continue to smoke. That isn't my business but I suggest you both think seriously about your relationship with me. The reason we are having this discussion out here is that it isn't my right to bring it up in front of our family. Like when Kyle got mad at me thinking I told Derek that you guys were smoking. It's a two-way street and that's all I have to say on the subject," Tyler said and walked out of the garage and back towards the cottage.

"Ty!" Chris yelled and Tyler turned around.

"Yup?" Tyler said.

"Did you ever smoke?" Chris asked.

"Yup. I actually like one when I have a beer," Tyler said.

"I've never seen you drink," Chris said.

"No you haven't because I haven't had a drink for five months with the exception of some wine at dinner when it's a special occasion," Tyler said.

"So you smoke so why can't we?" Kyle asked.

"You can't smoke because you are not of age and I never said you couldn't smoke anyway! Don't twist my words around Kyle. I'm not lying to you guys about the fact that I have smoked and still might and I expect the same in return," Tyler said and turned to go back to the cottage.

"Where are dumb and dumber?" Derek joked.

"They're in the garage I think" Tyler said.

"What were you actually doing out there?" Derek asked.

"I'd really rather not tell you unless you insist," Tyler said.

"Why is that?" Derek asked.

"Because you don't hide your anger well and what I said to them would be wasted if you started giving nasty looks at them," Tyler said.

"Well... why don't you test me and see if I pass?" Derek teased.

"It was about smoking." Tyler said and Derek's face cringed.

"That's the look I'm talking about!" Tyler said laughing.

"Sorry. You're right... as usual." Derek said. "So what did you say to them?" Tyler gave Derek a funny look.

"I told them that they can smoke if they want to but they're not to hide it from me or pretend they're not doing something when they get caught," Tyler said.

"What the fuck? You told them they could smoke?" Derek asked.

"This is why we don't have these discussions, Derek!" Tyler said.

Derek gave him an 'offended by the implication' look.

"I used to smoke and still do when I have a beer. I simply like it," Tyler said. Derek made a face of shock and disgust.

"Hold up, Saint Derek! Speaking as a guy who's been caught smoking and given the lecture I can tell you it didn't work. Defiance beat out common sense so I wanted to take a different approach. The more you tell them they can't the more they will want to do it," Tyler said, and Derek pondered what Tyler had said to Kyle and Chris.

"Derek? If they ever get into some sort of problem that is much more serious than smoking don't you want them to have someone they can go to and seek help rather than ending up like Jesse?" Tyler asked

"Sorry, Ty, I will try to do better!" Derek said

"And I will try not to drink beer around you!" Tyler said walking off laughing to himself.

"Fucker!!" Derek said laughing.

Tyler grabbed both his cell phone and Derek's and took them out to the hot tub. "Guys there are only 20 minutes left till midnight. Luke and Casey call your Moms!" Tyler said handing the phone to Cody and telling him that Linda and Larry's hotel room is listed under 'hotel' in his directory.

Tyler then handed Derek's cell phone to Danny and told him to call his parents and Grandmother! "Yes, Daddy!" Danny teased.

"When you are done, Danny, give the phone to Jeff so he can call Ashlea!" Tyler said.

"Why would anyone want to call a girl?" Danny mused, as he dialed.

"Danny, would you have remembered to phone your Mom if I hadn't reminded you?" Tyler asked, and Danny snarled at him and then smiled. "Luke, send Mom and Dad our love!"

"Ty?" Jeff called.

"Yeah, Babe?" Tyler said smiling at him.

"Tell lover boy to haul his ass out here so he can talk to Dad and Kathy as well!" Jeff said winking.

Tyler walked around the side deck and up towards the driveway. He called out for Chris and Chris came out of the garage.

"Yeah?" Chris asked.

"It's 20 minutes to midnight and Jeff is calling your Dad. He said to tell you to get down here and get on the phone with him. Chris ran down the steps passing Tyler.

Tyler walked to the garage where he found Kyle sitting on the snowmobile slumped over.

"You coming in?" Tyler asked bending down in front of him. Tyler gently lifted Kyle's head with one finger to see tears running down his face.

"Have you tried that no more tears shampoo? It really works!" Tyler said trying to get a smile out of Kyle. Kyle threw his arms and Tyler and hugged him tight.

"How would you like to be my first?" Tyler asked, Kyle and his eyes bugged out and he smiled.

"The first person I say Happy New Year to!" Tyler said laughing.

"You're pure evil!" Kyle said smiling as he wiped his eyes on his coat

"I love you Kyle, Happy New Year. I hope it is the best year yet!" Tyler said and kissed Kyle on the lips.

"You know of all the great things about your body I have to say that you are the best kisser ever!" Kyle said, wiping his lips.

"Let's go celebrate our family together," Tyler said, lifting Kyle up with him.

Walking back down the driveway, each with one arm around each other Kyle said, "Do you know how much I love you?" Kyle asked.

"If it's half as much as I love you then it's pretty damn big!" Tyler said kissing the top of his forehead.

Everyone was in the hot tub with the exception of Tyler, Kyle, Matt, and Jesse.

At Kyle's special request he got to undress Tyler.

"Kyle! That's not how you remove boxers!" Tyler said shaking his head.

"I wanted to make sure nothing fell out when I removed them!" Kyle said grinning as he pulled them down. "Would you like me to wash your cock before you go in the hot tub?" Kyle asked and Tyler removed Kyle's hand.

"This is the problem... You're given and inch and you take a foot!" Tyler said.

"I do not! I would only take eight inches!" Kyle said laughing and he held out his hand to fist with Tyler who was trying to control his laughter.

"Okay... that was funny... but not really!" Tyler said.

"How do you know that I can take a whole foot anyway?" Kyle asked.

"Get the hell out and into the tub!" Tyler said pushing Kyle forward. "Help me grab ten R.C. Cola' for midnight," he asked.

"What? No champagne!" Kyle said winking.

"I'm going to get your brother's baseball bat and feed you forty-two inches!" Tyler said, handing Kyle cold sodas from the fridge.

"Where's Jesse?" Tyler called to Matt coming down the stairs.

"He's too shy!" Matt said holding his hands out.

"FUCK OFF MATT!" Jesse yelled and everyone laughed.

"Here, Matt, take out this bag of cold sodas but don't let anybody have one until midnight.

"Jesse!!!!!" Tyler called from the bottom of the stairs.

"What?" Jesse asked.

"Haul your naked ass down here or we're coming up to get you!" Tyler said and Kyle covered his mouth to silence his laughter.

<No response>

"Don't make me send Kyle up there!!!!!" Tyler said and they both heard Jesse laugh.

"He's naked and horny right now!" Tyler yelled.

"Exactly when am I not naked and horny?" Kyle asked.

"Word!" Tyler said.

<Still no response>

"Okay, naked or not... you soon will be!" Tyler said. "Let's go Kyle!"

"Hang on Ty! Let me go up alone!" Kyle asked.

"We just want Jesse down here we don't want him having a three hour orgasm!" Tyler said and Jesse laughed. Kyle ran up the stairs

"What happened to your dick?" Jesse asked.

"Oh... we all got tattooed last night!" Kyle said laughing.

"You guys really need a better tat artist!" Jesse said sitting naked with a towel around his waist.

"C'mon, lets go!" Kyle said holding his hand for Jesse.

"I can't...," Jesse said. "You guys go ahead without me!"

"No!" Kyle said.

"Yes!" Jesse said.

"What's the problem?" Kyle asked.

"Ummm.... Well... you see I'm not gay but...," Jesse said fumbling for the right words.

"What????" Kyle yelled.

"I bone up around other guys!" Jesse said softly.

"What? That's it?" I bone up when the Sears catalogue arrives!" Kyle said, and Jesse started laughing. Kyle could see he was definitely tenting in his towel.

"Okay, I've got a solution!" Kyle said whispering in Jesse's ear.

"Noooooooo!!!!!" Jesse said.

"You don't have a choice! Either you come with me downstairs or you cum with me right here!" Kyle said winking.

"You're rock hard now!" Jesse said.

"So your eyes work... of course I'm rock hard! I'm thinking about kissing you!" Kyle said.

"Really?" Jesse asked softly.

"Really, really!" Kyle said. "So we do it my way and I promise if you feel that anyone is even directing attention at your cock then I will... let you plow my ass tonight!" Kyle said winking.

"You want everyone to plow your ass!" Jesse said.

"What's your point?" Kyle asked grinning. Kyle crawled on the bed. "You need to start trusting someone sometime! Let me earn your trust here. I promise you not a word will be said about your erection if you follow my plan," Kyle said. "I'm so sure of it... if I'm wrong you can keep my bracelet even after you get yours!"

"Six minutes guys!" Tyler yelled up.

"Thanks Ty! We'll only do it twice!" Kyle yelled down the stairs. Kyle leaned in and kissed Jesse. "Jesse? Please!"

Jesse stood up and Kyle removed his towel and threw it over Jesse's shoulder. They walked down the stairs with Kyle's hand wrapped around Jesse's erection. The moment Jesse saw Tyler naked Kyle could feel Jesse's girth increase in size.

"Kyle you perv! Leave Jesse alone!" Tyler said laughing and shaking his head.

"Told ya!" Kyle whispered.

They almost walked the full distance to the hot tub before everyone else noticed them.

A chorus of "Kyle! Kyle you're such a perv! Jesus Kyle, can't you keep your hands off the fresh meat!" Everyone was laughing and Casey was covering his face from embarrassment. Kyle told everyone to move and he guided Jesse down into the centre of the hot tub. When they got down to their necks in water Kyle took Jesse's hand and squeezed it three times. Jesse squeezed Kyle's hand back three times.

"Make room, boys!" Tyler said, stepping into the water with a bag full of cold R.C. Colas.

Tyler sat down and Luke moved on to his lap. Casey sat on Cody's lap next to Danny so everyone could be under the water.

Luke stood up exposing his tiny erection and grabbed the marker and handed it to Tyler.

"What?" Tyler asked.

"You need to write something on me," Luke ordered.

"Like hell I do!" Tyler said and everyone laughed.

"We voted and elected you Ty... since you weren't here!" Danny said. "They're feeling left out!"

"Life's tough Luke... get a helmet!" Tyler said and Luke made a face at him.

"I'll do it!" Casey announced and went over to Luke. "What should I write?" More laughter. Tyler whispered in Casey's ear and Casey started laughing.

"Wot?" Luke asked.

"Nothing!" Tyler said laughing.

"Well what's written on yours?" Luke demanded to know.

"The complete works of William Shakespeare!" Derek said and everyone laughed.

"Three minutes guys!" Jeff announced looking at his watch.

"Go for it Casey!" Tyler said.

Luke stood up and worked himself up to his full potential. "What are you all lookin' at?" Luke yelled. Everyone laughed.

"It would be bigger if we had chicks here!" Luke said staring everyone down.

Jeff fisted Luke.

"That tickles Casey!" Luke said.

"Hold still!" Casey ordered. "Done!"

"What's it say Luke?" Derek asked.

"It says 'GOT PB?" with a question mark!" Luke said and everyone began laughing.

"You've got to do me!" Casey demanded.

"Ooooooooh!" Everyone teased.

"Pervs!" Casey said.

"Hey Luke, no writing 'Luke rules'!" Kyle said laughing.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Luke said and winked. Luke began writing. "I think I need to put the rest on the underside!" Luke said winking.

"You da man Casey!" Cody teased.

When Luke finished Danny asked, "Okay, tell us what it says?"

Casey covered his privates up and went over to show Danny only.

"How come Danny gets a private peep show?" Cody asked and Casey winked at him.

"Oh My God, that is too funny!" Danny said pulling Casey into a hug.

"Tell us?" Jeff asked.

"It says 'girls only'!" Danny managed to choke out between fits of laughter.

"Ninety seconds guys!" Jeff yelled.

"What about Jesse!" Luke said and Jesse turned beet red.

"I can handle that!" Kyle said and everyone 'booed' Kyle.

"C'mon Jesse stand up and face me!" Kyle said.

Jesse stood up covering himself and Kyle wrote on him. As Kyle wrote Jesse relaxed and took his hands away from covering Kyle's writing. When Kyle finished Jesse looked down and screamed with laughter.

"Oh shit! This has to be good!" Danny said all excited.

Kyle looked Jesse in the eye and said, "Show them!"

Jesse looked at him and Kyle nodded.

Jesse removed his hands and turned a complete circle.

"What's it say?" Matt asked.

"Property of KA and CC," Chris said, laughing the loudest.

"10... 9... 8..." Jeff began, Jesse ducked down back under the water grinning.

"7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..." Everyone counted together.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!" They all screamed and opened their sodas as fireworks began across the lake.

Tyler picked up Luke and kissed him and told him he loved him and then they grabbed on to Matt for a three-way hug. Derek and Jeff hugged and kissed. Cody picked up Casey and Danny joined them in a three-way hug. Casey transferred his arms and legs to Danny and squeezed him tight.

Casey whispered in Danny's ear. "I love you!" Danny squeezed him tight and spun him around once. "I love you too, Casey!"

Chris on one side of Jesse and Kyle on the other jumped on Jesse and hugged and kissed him. "Welcome home, Jesse!" Kyle said and Chris added, "Welcome to the family... as the newest brother you get to do the breakfast dishes!" Jesse was laughing and crying between hugs and kisses.

Everyone rotated around to wish the best of the season and year ahead. Tyler was the last one to hug to Jesse. "I love you Jesse, welcome to the family... this will always be your home as long as you want it to be!" Tyler said tearing up. They parted a few inches to look at each other. Jesse couldn't speak as the tears flowed. He pulled Tyler into him as tight as he could.

Luke tapped on both of their sides. They parted and looked down.

"My turn!" Luke said looking angrily at them with his arm's crossed. Jesse bent down to Luke's level. Luke put his hands on each side of Jesse's face. "Don't cry, Jesse!"

"I think they're what are called tears of joy, Luke!" Jesse said, wiping his eyes.

"Could you be a little sadder then?" Luke asked with a straight face. Everyone laughed.

"Hey, guys! Why don't we all go inside and sit by the fire? Derek and I made something special to eat!" Tyler said and Danny jumped up with Casey in his arms and climbed out.

"Last one in gets NOTHING to eat! Muwahahaha!!!!!" Danny said laughing and then ran for the patio door with a laughing Casey clinging to him.

Tyler climbed out first and then gave Luke a hand up and out.

"Nice cock, Pookster!" Tyler said grinning.

"Don't all the girls know it!" Luke said.

Tyler extended his hand out to Jesse. "I can climb out okay!" Jesse said.

"Sometimes it's wiser to accept a helping hand so you don't fall!" Tyler said looking at him.

"I might pull you down here with me!" Jesse said.

"If you do we'll help each other up!" Tyler said showing a slight grin.

"What if neither of us can get up?" Jesse said playing Tyler's game.

"Then we have a cottage full of brothers who will come to our rescue and help us get back on our feet!" Tyler said. Jesse looked at Tyler's hand and saw the bracelet. He slowly reached out and accepted Tyler's hand. Tyler pulled him up and out of the hot tub.

"Thanks... for the lift!" Jesse said winking.

"Thanks for trusting your brothers!" Tyler said still holding his hand.

Jesse blinked a couple of times and then looked at Tyler.

"Happy New Year Jesse! It's going to be a better a year for you and for me!" Tyler said pulling him into a light hug.

"What makes you think it's going to be better for either of us?" Jesse asked.

"It will be better for you because you've already begun the process of healing. For me it will be a better year because you'll be in my life now," Tyler said with a serious look.

"You really believe that?" Jesse said with a half laugh.

"I already believed in you before I met you. Now you just have to learn to believe in yourself and see all the great things I see!" Tyler said. "Now I'm freezing so help me close this up so we can get back inside!"

"I'd kind of like to get back in for a bit but I'm also getting hungry!" Jesse said as he helped Tyler pull the cover over and turn the temperature setting down.

"Maybe tomorrow you and I could go for a ride on one of the snowmobiles?" Tyler asked.

"Kewl! We never get any snow in Seattle. It's all in the mountains and whatever does fall is gone a day later." Jesse said as they walked inside.

"Tell me you made coffee, Derek?" Tyler yelled as he shivered.

"It's almost 12:30 a.m. Ty!" Derek said.

"Mmmmake... coffffffeeeee!" Tyler said between chattering teeth.

"I'd drink some as well!" Jesse said drying off.

"Let's go over to the fireplace where it is warmer." Tyler said grabbing his towel.

Danny was sitting in the center of the sectional, in the corner with Casey on his lap and Cody right next to them when he said to Cody, "Now that is a Norman Rockwell picture!"

Cody looked over to see a naked Jesse and Tyler standing in front of the fire with a glowing aura following the shape of their bodies.

"How about we get Casey and Luke into some jammies?" Danny suggested!

"I don't wanna go to bed!" Casey protested.

"No Casey, not to bed, just getting ready for bed!" Danny said.

"Did you know Danny has plaid jammies?" Cody said to Casey teasing Danny.

"Really?" Casey asked and Danny gave Cody the evil eye.

Danny got up and picked up Casey and carried him off to his bedroom.

Tyler came up from the basement carrying a tray of the chocolate peanut butter pudding cups they had made earlier.

"Shouldn't everyone be putting some clothes on?" Tyler asked of all of them in the living room. Everyone sighed and grumbled and went to put on boxers.

"Want me to grab some boxers for you, Ty?" Derek asked.

"Sure, and some socks too... but you can stay naked!" Tyler said grinning.

Luke and Casey came running out of the bedroom wearing pyjama bottoms and socks only. "What did you make?" Luke asked.

"Derek and I made chocolate peanut butter pudding cups!" Tyler said, beaming with pride.

"Is that a chocolate shell?" Casey asked.

"It is!" Tyler said as he began putting them on dessert plates. As everyone came back into the room they all stopped to coo over the dessert.

Danny came back into the room with a filled plastic bag. "Hey, Ty?" Danny called.

"Yup?" Tyler asked as he stirred his pot of homemade hot chocolate. When he looked over at Danny he burst into laughter. Tyler's laugh made everyone in the living room look over and then they all started laughing.

"Oh my God!" Tyler began. "I so want one of those!"

"COOL!" Luke and Casey said running over to get a closer look at Danny's pyjamas.

"Where on earth did you find a one piece pair of pyjamas with feet... in a cow print?" Matt asked.

"Iowa! Where else?" Danny said proudly turning a complete circle to model his jammies.

"It's required to wear when you live there!" Jeff added, with a grin to Danny's glare.

"It's got pockets!" Luke said.

"Whoa!" Casey added.

Danny handed Tyler the plastic bag and bent down to talk quietly to Luke and Casey. "Wanna know a secret about these jammies?"

"Sure!" Luke said touching the soft flannel material and Casey just nodded his head.

"I cut out the pockets so I could scratch when needed!" Danny said and winked. Luke and Casey laughed hysterically.

"Oh geez... I forgot about these!" Tyler said. "Danny why don't you give them to the boys?"

"Me? It was your idea," Danny said.

"I think you're more suitably dressed to hand them out... sort of like the Christmas cow?" Tyler said laughing.

"Oh be...Jesus!" Derek said walking into the living room. "The kink factor in this house just broke new levels!"

"You better believe it!" Danny said winking. "Okay! Luke, Casey, Kyle, and Chris. Sit down guys! Are you sure you don't want to do this Tyler?" Danny asked.

"It's a gift from the four of us." Tyler mumbled so only Danny and Derek could hear.

"With everything else that has gone on this week we forgot that we brought you guys something from Iowa!" Danny began.

"YEA!!!!!!" Luke and Casey screamed and all the other guys laughed. Chris and Kyle sat up and focused on what they were getting.

Danny opened up the bag and peeked inside. He sorted them so that he could give Luke and Casey theirs first. He pulled two shirts out in individual clear plastic bags and handed them to each of them. Everyone could see that they were cow print shirts.

Luke and Casey tore open the bags and held out their shirts to read what was on them. "Hahahaha...," they both laughed.

"Tell everyone what they say on them!" Danny said grinning.

"My brother went to Iowa and all I got was this shirt that makes me look like a cow!" Luke read aloud. Matt and Jesse laughed loudest. Luke and Casey put their shirts on immediately and modeled them for everyone. They got a small round of applause that was overshadowed by the laughter.

"Now for you bigger boys...," Danny said as he winked at Chris and Kyle. He pulled out two larger sweatshirts and gave them to Chris and Kyle.

Chris flipped the shirt upside down to read what it said through the plastic. "My brother went to Iowa and all I got was this shirt and now everyone wants to milk me!" Chris read aloud barely getting the words out, as he was laughing so hard. Kyle had his sweatshirt on before Chris finished reading what it said.

Kyle was the first to jump up and kiss and hug Danny and Cody. He whispered in Jesse's ear, "YOU can milk me later!" Matt heard him and elbowed Jesse. Chris, Casey, and Luke all went to thank Tyler and Derek.

Derek came back into the living room with mugs of hot chocolate, coffee, and R.C. cola. Tyler followed with a tray of desserts. One of the desserts also had a cinnamon bun on the side and Tyler put it in Danny's hand.

"Oh Wow! I thought we were all out of these? Danny asked.

"We are but I saved one and put it in the freezer so it wouldn't go bad. I thought you'd like to start off the New Year with a cinnamon bun!" Tyler said giving Danny a kiss on the top of his head.

Danny was almost going to cry when Cody asked, "Please tell me you are not going to become emotional over a cinnamon bun?" Danny got up with his dessert and went back into the kitchen. He took a knife out of the drawer and sliced it in half. When he came back he put one half on Matt's plate and the other half on Jesse's plate. Tyler, Derek, and Cody exchanged looks of shock and horror.

"Are you all right, Danny?" Derek asked.

"Yeah... why wouldn't I be?" Danny said sitting back down and lifting his chocolate '2006' out of his pudding and eating it.

"Ummm... are you sick? You just gave up your last cinnamon bun to Matt and Jesse," Cody said, holding his hand to Danny's forehead to feel his temperature. Danny snarled and pushed Cody's hand away.

"Damn... this is the best cinnamon bun I've ever eaten!" Matt said and Jesse agreed. "Are these special cinnamon buns?" Matt asked.

"Just to Danny!" Tyler said grinning.

For the first time since being there Jesse actually became animated by saying "Oh oh oh.... Geez that was incredible," Jesse said as he licked each of his fingers.

"I can see why these mean so much to you. Thanks for sharing that Danny!" Matt said as he swallowed the last remnants of his bun.

"No problem. I'm glad you got to experience them. Sorry I didn't save more for you!" Danny said apologetically.

Tyler's mouth dropped open and Derek and Cody exchanged glances.

"What?" Danny asked.

"Ummm, Daniel...," Tyler began, "It's not exactly like you to share food is it?"

"It's my New Year's resolution! To share rather than take," Danny said.

"Now you are really scaring me!" Cody said.

"How's the pudding Luke?" Tyler asked.

"Best ever! I love you again!" Luke said and everyone laughed.

"I didn't know you had stopped loving me," Tyler sad, as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Well you didn't exactly offer me your chocolate '2006' to eat!" Luke said grinning.

Tyler stopped chewing and looked at Luke. Luke started laughing. Tyler walked over to Luke and Luke tucked his knees up under his chin and backed himself deep into the sofa.

"Uh oh! Someone's in trouble!" Jeff teased.

Tyler stood over Luke and stuck his spoon into his pudding and lifted out the '2006' and fed it directly to Luke's mouth. Luke grinned from ear-to-ear.

"What about me?" Casey teased.

"There are two more on the tray!" Tyler said putting a spoonful of pudding in his mouth. Luke and Casey ran to the kitchen almost knocking Tyler over and each grabbed the last two remaining puddings.

"What about me?" Derek whined and then laughed.

"I'll feed you some 'pudding' later!" Tyler said with his mouth full.

"I want to hear everyone else's resolutions!" Danny asked.

"Luke?" Danny asked.

"Eat peanut butter every day!" Luke said not looking up from his pudding cup.

"I think you're supposed to resolve to do something new each day!" Derek said.

"Casey?" Danny asked.

Before Casey could answer Luke spoke on his behalf. "Casey's going to work at being more like me!" <A round of snorts and giggles filled the room>

"Good answer Casey... I think?" Danny said, laughing, and Luke twitched his nose at Danny.

"Tyler?" Danny asked.

"I'm going to work on being more like Luke!" Tyler said and then burst into laughter. "No, seriously... I'm going to work harder at learning to listen so I don't prejudge others!"

"Derek?" Danny asked.

"Control my temper so I that don't overreact!" Derek said and Kyle jumped at the opportunity to say, "Yeah, right!"

"Shut up Kyle!!!!!! You wanna make something of it? Right here... right now!" Derek yelled and then stopped and smiled.

"Right... Jeff?" Danny asked and everyone laughed at Derek.

"I'm going to work at being more like every one of my brothers here!" Jeff said.

"Good answer, Jeff!" Danny said. "By the way that answer is now taken! No copycats please! Codylicious?" Danny asked, grinning.

"I'm going to work at being more comfortable with myself. I love every one of you guys and I've been missing out by sitting on the sidelines. So really... I'm going to be more like Luke and Casey!" Cody said.

"Good answer!" Luke mumbled with a mouthful of chocolate shell.

"Kyle?" Danny asked.

Kyle wouldn't look at anyone. "I'm going to try to stop doing things that I end up needing to apologize for. Tyler said to me when we first met that words are very powerful tools. It's so easy to tear someone apart or stick the knife in and you can apologize but if you repeat what you did then your words mean nothing," Kyle said.

Tyler, Derek, Jeff, Matt, Danny, and Cody breathed a collective "Whoa!"

"Chris?" Danny asked.

Chris slid his hand into Kyle's and said, "I'm going to work at learning not take what I have for granted. I love everyone here in this room, and that includes you, Jesse, even though we don't know each other that well. I've been given so much from everyone here, but what I wanted the most I got -- that is having my brother back and I never want to lose him again," he said with tears running down his face. Jeff quickly came over and hugged Chris and squeezed him three times.

"Damn! These are getting better each time! I'm sure glad I went first!" Danny joked. "Jesse? No pressure now!"

Jesse paused for a moment to think about what he wanted to say. "Tyler said something to me when we were outside and Kyle said something to me earlier. Tyler told me that I had to learn to love myself. I didn't understand it right then but I realize that I hated me more than anyone else in the world. I'm going to learn to accept me for who I am. Kyle taught me and proved that I can depend on and trust my family here. Geez... it sounds weird to say but feels really great to call you guy's family? Anyway, my other goal for the year is give back to you guys what you've given to me. I hope you know that I will try to be there for any of you if you need me," Jesse said looking down at the floor.

Jesse was immediately smothered in hugs and kisses from everyone and when the room cleared Luke was still on his lap resting his tired eyes on his chest.

"Bring it home, Matt!" Danny said.

"I don't think I can! I just want to be more like my brother!" Matt said smiling at Jesse.

"You brought it home!" Derek said smiling.

"Time to get these guys to bed!" Danny said picking up Casey. "Are you coming to help, Cody?"

"Nah... you can handle it!" Cody said and gave Casey a kiss goodnight from Danny's shoulder. Casey smiled and winked at Cody. Cody winked back.

"I'll check in on you soon!" Cody said, squeezing Casey's finger three times.

"Where's everyone sleeping?" Jeff asked and secretly grinned at Matt.

"We're sleeping with Jesse!" Kyle said speaking on behalf of Chris and himself. Jesse grinned. "If you say it's okay, of course?"

"Do I have a choice?" Jesse asked laughing.

"You do... and you probably want to spend the night with Matt but you've got all year to do that!" Kyle said, sitting down beside Jesse and taking his hand.

Jesse looked at Matt and asked, "Is that okay with you?"

"You don't need my permission but if you need me in the middle of the night will you come and get me?" Matt asked and Jesse nodded.

Jesse, Kyle, and Chris said goodnight to everyone and headed upstairs to the loft for bed. Danny came out and said quietly to Tyler and Derek. "Casey wants to sleep with me and Cody tonight. What do I do?"

"He can sleep anywhere he wants I guess?" Derek said.

"What about Luke?" Tyler asked.

"What about him? Derek asked and then realized what Tyler meant. "Shit," Tyler grinned.

"Luke, would you like to sleep with me and Tyler tonight?" Derek asked.

"Seriously?" Luke asked. "Is there room in the bed for the four of us?"

"Four of us?" Derek asked and Tyler elbowed him and mouthed the word 'Mango'.

"Sure there's room for you and Mango... if not, Tyler can sleep on the floor," Derek said smirking at Tyler.

"Am I really going to sleep with a guy wearing a cow suit with the feet in?" Cody asked Tyler and Derek.

"Think of it this way, Cody; it's good material for Dr. Reynolds!" Tyler said laughing.

"Moo!" Danny said and snarled.

Kyle came back downstairs and picked up a half-asleep Luke off of the sectional sofa and carried him down to his bedroom.

"Kyle!" Tyler called. "He's sleeping with us tonight! Kyle nodded and turned to the room across the hall from his own.

Kyle laid Luke down and then went to Luke's suitcase and got Mango out and put him in Luke's arms. Luke sighed and smiled.

"Are you okay, Luke?" Kyle whispered.

"Yeah," Luke said.

"Okay, I just wanted to make sure you were okay after all that happened tonight," Kyle said and gave Luke a kiss on the forehead and got up to leave.

"Kyle?" Luke called.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for tonight. You're my hero!" Luke said smiling.

Kyle came back and leaned down on the bed and said, "Funny thing Luke... you're my hero as well!"

Kyle stopped in the living room long enough to say good night to everyone and ran upstairs to the loft to be with Chris and Jesse.

Kyle crawled in on the right side of the bed next to Jesse and worked his way under Jesse's left arm and rested his head on Jesse's chest. Kyle was staring directly at Chris who was lying in the same position on the opposite side. Chris looked at Kyle and then down at Jesse's tent and back at Kyle. Chris grinned.

Kyle looked down and then back at Chris and gently shook his head 'no'. Chris nodded and Kyle winked at him.

"What's going on?" Jesse asked and Chris snorted.

"Nothing important," Kyle said.

"Now you've got me curious," Jesse asked.

"You really want to know?" Kyle asked and Chris gave Kyle a look of terror.

"Please," Jesse said.

Kyle looked at Chris and said, "We... <Chris smiled and breathed a sigh of relief> were thinking of having some fun with you but decided not to."

"Oh?" Jesse said not know how to react.

"Jesse." Kyle said sitting up and looking at him. "Right now the only thing that is important is that you feel safe and know that we really love you a lot more than we love your body... though you're a total hawtie on our list!"

"Ah... I'm really feeling pretty good right now, Kyle!" Jesse said smiling.

"And in the morning we want you to still feel this good! We would rather never see you naked again and have you as our brother for life than do anything that you might not be ready for and chance losing your trust in us," Kyle said.

"Thanks, guys," Jesse said. "I guess I was sort of feeling that I owe you something for all the shit I've caused."

"You don't owe us anything, Jesse. I just hope we earn your love." Kyle said.

"You guys already have!" Jesse said, and Chris reached behind him and turned out the light.

"Guys, I've been up since before five this morning. I have to bed down!" Tyler said.

"I've been up since five this morning and taught skiing all day!" Matt moaned and smiled.

"You win Matt, get to bed!" Tyler said giving him a hug.

"What do I win?" Matt asked winking.

"Jeff!" Tyler said and Jeff began blushing.

"We're off to bed too!" Danny said speaking on his and Cody's behalf. Tyler began laughing.

"What's so funny?" Danny asked.

"Anything and everything you say or do while wearing cow pyjamas!" Tyler said laughing and Derek snorted.

"Night, guys!" Derek said giving them each a hug.

"Happy New Year, guys!" Tyler said to both of them.

Danny closed the door behind himself and Cody crawled over Casey to the far side of the bed. Danny got into bed and each of them lay on the arms facing each other with Casey in between them hugging his Kraft Teddy Bear. Cody leaned down and kissed Casey's forehead and then looked up at Danny.

"I'm sorry," Danny said.

"For what?" Cody asked feeling confused.

"For being jealous of your friendship with Casey." Danny said.

"Oh... it wasn't a big deal. I knew Casey would win you over like he won me over," Cody said.

"I'm still sorry for being an ass," Danny said.

"You're not an ass. I just hope you get to experience the happiness I have in loving Casey," Cody said.

"Doesn't that scare you?" Danny asked.

"No... it terrifies me!" Cody said and Danny grinned. "There's so much responsibility. I'm afraid I might mislead him or say a bad word in front of him," Cody said.

"But there's a lot of good too?" Danny asked.

"Yeah but it comes with a price! Not that I mind the price. I find myself worrying about him all the time. I was terrified he was going to get hurt on the ice. I wonder if he's had enough to eat, did he brush his teeth, is he having nightmares... I would definitely be the typical overly protective parent!" Cody said smiling.

"That's one of the things I love about you. You are everything I wish I was," Danny said.

"I heard Casey tell you he loved you in the hot tub?" Cody said winking.

"Yeah... that was so cool. I almost burst into tears," Danny said.

"Been there, done that! Maybe you will understand if I said to you that I love Casey more than anyone on this planet and that isn't taking away my love for you," Cody warned.

"Yeah, I do understand and I actually love you more for it. It's helped me to understand my Mom as well. You were right about those things you said about my Mom," Danny mused.

"There's nothing more pure, innocent, and fragile than when an 11-year old looks in your eyes and says he loves you!" Cody said as he watched Casey sleep.

"You're going to make a great Mom someday, Cody!" Danny teased.

"I hope so!" Cody said and Danny was a bit taken aback by his comment. Cody looked over at Danny to see him staring off in the distance and Cody figured that his comment might have hurt Danny. "Let's move Casey into the wall here so he can't fall out!" Cody said. Danny moved out of the bed to give Cody room to crawl over and moved Casey in further but to his surprise Cody got out of the bed as well.

"Go on!" Cody said.

"What?" Danny asked.

"Go move Casey in. Put your right hand carefully his neck and shoulder blades to support his head and your left hand under his knees and slide him over," Cody said.

"I can't do that. I might wake him or hurt him!" Danny protested.

"No you won't because you love him!" Cody said kissing Danny's cheek. Danny got on the bed on his knees and did as instructed and then placed his bear back in Casey's arms. Danny looked back at Cody with a big grin. Cody smiled and winked at Danny.

Danny crawled back out of bed and held the covers open for Cody to get in. "You get in Danny. I'll sleep on the outside," Cody said.

"Are you sure?" Danny asked.

"Danny... there's enough love to go around! Get in and wrap your arms around the sweetest boy in the world! Show him what unconditional love is all about!" Cody said and Danny smiled at Cody and crawled in and then pulled Casey into his arms.

"Giving love is much more satisfying than receiving it!" Cody said as he crawled into bed and put his arms around Danny. "Damn, do your jammies ever feel... kinky?" Cody said laughing.

"I love you, Cody, thank you for putting up with me and loving me," Danny said.

"I love you too Daniel Armitage," Cody said kissing the back of Danny's head.

Matt closed Jeff's bedroom door behind him. Jeff seemed to fidget around and appear uncomfortable with Matt in the room.

"Should I maybe just sleep in the other room?" Matt asked.

"NO!" Jeff said not looking at him. Matt sat down on the bed but didn't remove his boxers.

"Is something wrong Jeff? Maybe last night...," Matt said with his voice trailing off.

"No, Matt. It's not about last night," Jeff said.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Matt asked.

"I called Ashlea tonight to wish her a Happy New Year and she was at a party," Jeff said.

"I don't really understand what you are saying, but I am sure you didn't expect her to stay at home while you're out on a guys skiing trip?" Matt asked.

"No, not at all. I knew she was going to go to a party. It's just that it almost seemed like I interrupted her...," Jeff said with his voice trailing off.

"Don't go jumping to conclusions, Jeff!" Matt said.

"I'm... not," Jeff said, with his head hung down low.

"Look, I'm going to sleep on the sofa tonight." Matt said getting up.

Jeff grabbed his arm and held it. "Please don't go. It's not just that I don't want to be alone, but I also want YOU to be here with me," he pleaded. "I hardly slept last night because of the way you held me Matt. I've never been held that way before. I never slept before feeling so safe and content," Jeff said and Matt smiled.

"Jeff, we're both leaving on Monday! Even if you were bi, and I didn't already have a boyfriend, it just can't work long distance and I don't want to lose you as a brother," Matt said.

"No, I don't want to fuck anything up between us. It's not a gay or straight thing. I'm not even sure I can explain it. It's just us. It's you and me. I've never felt loved this way before. I'm not in love with you but I think I love you more than I've ever loved anyone before. I can't explain it," Jeff said putting his head down into his hands.

"I think you just explained what I've been feeling inside. Kinda like a secret best friend with benefits?" Matt said grinning and Jeff lifted his head and smiled.

"Let's get some sleep, Jeff. I really need to hold you in my arms," Matt said.

"I need you to hold me," Jeff said. "Geez... I don't even know what I am thinking or feeling, all I know is that I love you."

"Jeff you are definitely straight with an open mind about love! You're going to make a great husband and an even better father! In a week's time I hope you think of me as your best friend because I already feel that way about you." Matt said.

Jeff stood up and hugged Matt. Matt reached over and turned out the light. They crawled into bed and went to sleep in each other's arms.

"So... we are finally alone!" Derek said putting his arms around a half asleep Tyler.

"Derek, I really need sleep?" Tyler said.

"Get to bed. I will add a couple of logs to the fire, turn out the lights and make sure all the doors are locked," Derek said.

"Thanks." Tyler said stumbling down the hallway to their bedroom. Luke was already asleep on the far side of the bed so Tyler crawled into the middle.

Derek finished his duties and crawled into bed. He snuggled up close to Tyler and said, "I love you Ty, Happy New Year."

"Love you too, Babe. Happy New Year," Tyler said.

<15 minutes pass>

"Mooooooo, mooooooo!" Danny said and everyone sleeping on the main floor started laughing hysterically. "You assmite! You said they would all be asleep!"

<More laughter from the other rooms>

Cody snorted.

To be continued...

 

tylerpeel@tickiestories.us

Posted: 01/16/2009