Out of the Blue 2
Legal Disclaimers: This is a work of fictin andnot meant to imply anything about the characters involved. Personality or sexuality wise. If you are under legal age or if this is illegal in your place of dwelling turn back now. Since you are still here continue with the story.
Out of the Blue
Chapter 2
Neo
I awoke the next morning early. The sun was not even up when I was. I looked over at Howie snuggled up to me and tried to remember how everything happened. I really needed to talk to Kevin again. I slipped myself out of the sleeping bag and walked downstairs to the bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I was going to take a shower but I was not sure how much hot water was left in the tank. Damn electric heater. I was just coming out of the bathroom when Kevin was walking in.
"Oh, good morning, you're up early," Kevin said to me.
"I know, just thinking," I told him.
"About Howie?" he asked.
"Yeah, I mean, I mean..." I started.
"You mean that you are falling head over heals in love with someone that you barely know and is five years older than you?" Kevin asked.
"Exactly," I said flatly.
"If you are falling in love so much tell me what it is that is making you fall in love," Kevin said bluntly.
"Fuck you Kev," I said to him.
"Look, I just want to make sure that you two are going to be making the right decision if you ever try to hook up," Kevin said.
"It is not just one thing, it is everything about him. His kindness, his shyness, his eyes," I said to Kevin.
"Brad, you know that I am not going to feel comfortable with this until I see it working," Kevin said
"You will never see it working unless you give us a chance," I said flatly.
"Look, you and Howie are both like family to me and if something happened I do not want either of you to get hurt or me to get stuck in the middle," Kevin said. "I am not going to be able to go along with this."
"Sorry Kevin, things happened last night, and we do not need your approval, but it would be nice to have," I said to him. Before he could say something back I turned and headed up the stairs to my bedroom. Howie was still asleep in the sleeping bag. I lay down next to him but I did not want to climb back in it. I laid my head on his chest and just lay there rubbing his stomach. I do not know how long I was there, but I was expecting Kevin to come up stairs to try to talk me out of it. I felt a hand slowly start to rub my head. I looked up and smiled when I saw Howie smiling down at me.
"I was afraid that it was all a dream last night," Howie said looking me in the eye.
"I was too," I said before giving him a quick kiss on the lips. I laid my head back on his stomach when I hear footsteps come up my stairs.
"Hi Kevin," I said before I saw the person.
"Hi, good Howie, you are awake," Kevin said while sitting on my bed.
"Yeah, so?" Howie asked.
"I want to know what the fuck you guys think that you are doing?" Kevin said in total anger and disgust. I looked at Howie for a moment and he looked at me.
"Let's just say we are giving it a chance," I said to him.
"I can't let you guys do that," Kevin said, his tone becoming more pathetic.
"Kevin, come on, we are like family, what is wrong with me and Brad being together?" Howie asked.
"That is just it, you guys are like my family. I have known both of you for a long time and I do not know what I would be able to do if one of you were hurt by the other, and I do not want to be stuck in the middle if something does happen," Kevin said.
"Kevin, come here a minute," I said getting up and walking down the stairs. Kevin was right behind me. As soon as we were out of earshot I started talking to him. "Kevin, Ever since Stephen, all I have wanted is someone that I can love. When I first met Howie I figured he would be nothing more than a friend. But in the brief time that I have known him I have felt feelings for him far, far stronger than I have for any person I have known. I understand if you don't want us to get hurt, but we are adults. We can handle a bad relationship, lord knows we had enough of them in Orlando," I said ending with a laugh. Kevin smiled at that comment.
"Okay, but if something happens..." Kevin said.
"Nothing is going to happen," I said.
"What Kevin?" Howie said angrily.
"I wash my hands in the whole ordeal. If you guys want to do it, then by all means do it," Kevin said, no sooner did he finish than all of us busted out laughing.
"Thanks, I think, you know that sounded really bad?" Howie asked.
"Now I do," Kevin said blushing.
"Go put the coffee on the stove," I said to him. He nodded his head and walked down the stairs.
"I don't know what it is about you," Howie said to me as I was grabbing clean clothes out of my closet.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well for starters you are the first person the change bull-headed Kevin's mind so fast, and secondly for some reason I think I am falling in love with you," Howie said. He had lowered his voice so much I could barely hear the last part. I was not sure if I got it right so I did not want to act on it. I had grabbed some clothes for Howie too, they would be a little, a lot long on him but at least they were clean. I tossed the clothes to Howie and walked downstairs to change. I quickly threw the clothes on and walked back upstairs to the bedroom. Howie was just tying his shoes when I walked in.
"You know Kevin is going to have a hard time dealing with this," Howie said to me.
"I know, but are you going to, do you think that what we are doing is right?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I do," Howie said walking over to me.
"Then who gives a flying fuck what Kevin thinks," I said giving Howie a kiss. "What do you think the rest of the guys are going to say about this?" I asked.
"Well, let's go find out," Howie said taking my hand and walking for the stairs.
"Wait, are you sure you want to tell them?" I asked stopping Howie.
"Yeah, I would rather be able to be with you these two weeks than hiding it around the guys," Howie said. I nodded and we walked down the stairs together. We got to the bottom landing and saw Nick, AJ and Brian sitting in the living room.
"Morning," I said to everyone.
"G'morning," Nick and Brian said.
"Hey, does anyone know what is wrong with Kev?" AJ asked. Howie and I looked at each other and nodded.
"Well?" Nick asked.
"It's us, we are seeing each other," Howie said.
"Oh, okay," Nick and AJ said in unison.
"Here we go again," Brian said rolling his eyes and laughing.
"Where did Kevin go?" I asked.
"I don't know, he grabbed his coat and stormed out of the house," AJ said.
"Fuck, I better go talk to him," I said to Howie giving him a quick kiss, grabbing my coat and running out the door. Kevin was no where in sight; I looked at the ground and quickly found his footsteps. They wrapped around the house and went back into the woods. I kept following them until I saw Kevin in the distance. "Kevin," I yelled. He never stopped. I started running right for him yelling to him with each step. I got up behind him, put my arm on his shoulder and started to talk to him. He ignored everything I was saying and started walking faster. "Fine Kevin, you want to be an ass about this well so can I," I said to him. He shrugged his shoulders and kept walking. I swung my foot out and knocked his leg out from under him. He went flying face first into a snowdrift. He immediatley jumped up and grabbed the collar of my shirt.
"What the fuck?" Kevin asked.
"You want to be an ass, well so can I," I said as he drew his fist back. "If you want to hit me go ahead."
"I just can't take it right now," Kevin said dropping his fist.
"Kevin, what the hell is wrong with me and Howie?" I asked.
"Nothing, I mean..." he started but stopped.
"Kevin, if this is going to upset you this much then I will talk to Howie and we will end it," I said. It hurt me to say it but I did not want to loose my friendship with Kevin.
"No, I don't want you to do that, but I don't know, I can just feel something bad is going to happen because of this," Kevin said sinking down to the ground. I sat down next to him and put my arm around his shoulder.
"I know what it is," I said quietly.
"What?" Kevin asked.
"I know that you and Howie are good friends, and now after three years we are becoming great friends again. You are afraid that if Howie and I work out that we are going to forget about you, that's it, isn't it?" I asked him. He just sat there staring at the snow.
"Yeah, I guess that it is," Kevin said somewhat scared.
"You have nothing to worry about Kevin, I love you like my brother, hell you are my brother and I'm sure that Howie feels the same, there will be nothing coming between us," I said to him while pulling him into a hug.
"Thanks," Kevin said.
"No problem, now lets get inside," I told him.
"Yeah, my ass is freezing," he said to me.
"I could always warm it up for you," I said to him.
"Pervert," he said giving me a slight shove.
"Always," I said smacking his ass.
"Mother fucker, that hurt," he said.
"Yeah, but I bet you don't feel it cold anymore," I said smiling.
"True, but I will still kick your ass for it," Kevin said shoving me into the backdoor.
"Yeah, right, old man," I said to him.
"That's it," he said grabbing me and throwing me into the snow.
"Oh yeah," I started while pulling myself to my feet, "Well, never wear breakaways when you are fighting." With that I grabbed his pants and pulled. They broke away instantaneously and Kevin was standing in the snow in his Backstreet Boy boxer shorts. He was taken by surprise so I had a chance to run around the house. I ran in the front door slammed it shut and dead bolted it. I did the same to the back door and the door to the garage. I still had Kevin's pants in my hands.
"What the hell are you doing?" Brian asked me. I smiled and held up Kevin's pants. Everyone started to laugh when we heard a pounding on the front door. Everyone ran to the window to see Kevin standing on the porch in nothing but his boxer's shoes and shorts. This caused everyone to laugh louder. I knocked on the window and held his pants up to it. He looked and flipped me off.
"Open the damn door," he yelled from outside. I shook my head no until I saw my mother's car pulling into the driveway. I threw the pants into a corner and jumped onto the couch. I motioned for the rest of the guys to do the same. Nick and AJ jumped on the love seat, Howie sat on the foot of the couch and Brian took the chair. We just started talking to each other when my mom and Kevin walked in the house.
"Hey, where have you been Kev, and where the hell are your pants?" I asked him.
"Fuck you," he said looking for his pants.
"Um, no," Howie said from the foot of the couch. I looked down at him and smiled, he did the same.
"Glad you are back mom," I said while jumping up from the couch. I walked over to the corner and picked up Kevin's pants. "These what you are looking for Kev?" I asked. "You really need to work on that sleep walking problem." The guys all started cracking up again.
"You boys are all crazy," my mom said before she walked upstairs.
"We know," Kevin and I said in unison.
"Now, you are going to pay for that little stunt," Kevin said coming towards me.
"Um, would someone like to help here?" I asked.
"No," from AJ and Nick.
"You got yourself into it," Brian said laughing and rolling his eyes. I looked to Howie with puppy-dog eyes. He rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling. I turned back to Kevin who was coming closer to me. I ran around him feeling his arm hit me as he grabbed for me. I ran up the stairs and into my bedroom. I slammed the door and locked it. I went up the short flight of stairs and jumped onto my bed. I had just laid down when I heard someone knocking.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It's me," Howie said from the door.
"Is Kev there?"
"No,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I just want to be with you for a little while." Howie sounded sincere so I opened the door. I was actually expecting Kevin to come rushing in but he did not. I let Howie in and closed the door. The instant he was in I grabbed his hand and we walked up the steps. We laid down on my bed and just stared at each other. I felt his hand rest on my stomach and our lips meet. I felt his tongue probe my mouth and trace every part of it. I pushed his back and did the same to him. I felt his hand lower to my crotch and start to rub. I took his hand into mine. This caused Howie to break our kiss and look at me. "What?" he asked.
"We can't this is only the third day we have known each other," I said sadly. He looked down for a minute then looked up at me and smiled. I met his lips with mine and we resumed our kissing. After almost a half an hour of kissing we broke and got comfortable on the bed. Howie laid his head on the pillow and I laid my head on his chest. I was listening to his heartbeat and slowly rubbing his stomach. I loved the firm yet soft feeling of his well-shaped stomach. I was just drifting off to sleep when I heard a ringing. I jerked my head up to see that Howie was asleep. I tried to trace the ringing sound but it kept sounding like it was coming from his crotch. "Howie, wake up, your pants are ringing," I said to him while shaking him.
"Huh?" he asked.
"Your pants are ringing," I said to him.
"Oh," Howie said. He reached in is pocket and pulled out the worlds smallest cellphone. It was not more than three inches long when folded. He pulled out the antennae and flipped it open. "Hello? Yeah. We fell asleep. Okay. No, shut the fuck up Kev," is all I heard.
"What was that?" I asked.
"Brad, your mom says dinner is ready and they could not get our attention," Howie said.
"So that was what the shut the fuck up part was about?" I asked.
"Yeah, we really should go downstairs." He said.
"I know," I said getting off of the bed. I took his hand and we walked down the stairs together. We got to the living room when Howie tried to drop my hand. I gave it a hard squeeze and did not let go. We walked in the dining room and saw that there were two chairs right next to each other. We sat down in them and soon our plates were being passed around and being heaped with food. We ate our meal with my mom doing most of the talking.
"I sorta had a feeling that you two would work out," mom said out loud.
"Huh?" I asked.
"It is obvious that something was going to be going on with you two," she said.
"You found us out," Howie said leaning over to give me a slight kiss. I quickly returned the kiss then returned to my seat.
"I'm just happy that Brad finally found someone," my mom said, " Aren't you Kev?" Kevin's face tensed up but he managed to mutter a yes. Dinner went well except for the awkwardness of Kevin. We were just clearing the table when we heard a low buzzing sound then the lights jumped on.
"About time," I said. I got some sort of agreement from all of the guys. We put the dishes in the dishwasher then everyone but my mom went into the living room.
"By the way Howie, management called, they want us in Chicago first thing in the morning," Kevin said smiling somewhat.
"Okay," is all Howie said. Him and I were sitting on the love seat together. We all made idle chitchat during the night. It was about 11 o'clock when we all went to our rooms. Howie immediatley plopped onto the bed. I followed him after I removed my shoes shirt and pants. I always slept in my boxers and undershirt. I crawled into the bed next to Howie and started to take off his shirt. I pulled it over his head and threw it on the ground. He kicked off his shoes and took off his pants. We both pulled the blankets up and lay there admiring each other.
"Do you think we are moving too fast?" Howie asked. I was somewhat shocked by this. I lay there thinking a moment before I responded.
"It has all happened so suddenly, but if this is right I don't think that we have gone too fast at all," I said giving him a kiss on the neck. He let out a breath then snuggled into the bed. I rested my head on his chest and felt his arm go behind me. We lay there until we fell asleep.
* * *
The time that Howie and I had together was all too short. Between them being in Chicago and me doing all the paperwork to join my mothers law firm we had very few hours together. Still we made the most of it. I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with Howie. That is why the day that they all had to leave was so hard. I woke up early that morning. I mean 4 am early. The Limo was not going to pick them up until eleven so I wanted to have all the time I could with Howie. I slid myself out from under Howie's arm and went downstairs to the bathroom. I came back upstairs to find Howie sitting up in the bed.
"Did I wake you?" I asked him.
"No, it just felt weird without you here with me," he said. I smiled and leaned in for a very hot and passionate kiss. "What time is it?" he asked.
"Four a.m." I said to him.
"Oh, wow, why so early?" he asked.
"I just woke up, go back to bed baby," I told him. He shook his head no but slid down under the blankets so that his head was just sticking out. I snuggled down next to him and slowly started to stroke his hair. He was soon fast asleep. I continued laying there just staring at him when suddenly my watch started beeping. I looked at it and saw that it was already 8 a.m. I knew I had to wake Howie up. I slowly pushed myself up a little bit and started to kiss his neck. Almost instantaneously I saw the blankets tent up and he started to moan. I realized that I had found a good spot. I moved off of his neck and to his chin and all the way to his mouth. I planted a kiss on his lips, I felt them part ever so slightly but I took the opportunity. I slowly pushed my tongue in his mouth and explored every part of it. Suddenly I felt myself being pushed-over. I felt Howie's hand start to massage my back as his raging hard on ground into my know hardening member as our tongues danced with each other. Reluctantly Howie pulled himself off of me. The blanket fell off and I could see Howie's throbbing nine inches jutting out of the slit in his boxers. I smiled and gave it a gentle squeeze. He looked down at me then rolled over on his back. He leaned over the side of the bed and pulled something out. It was a small box; I opened the box to find a cellphone identical to Howie's. I gave him a weird look.
"This way we can always talk to each other. No matter where we are," Howie said. I smiled, set the phone down and kissed him deeply.
"I didn't get you anything," I said to him.
"You don't need to."
"I want to,"
"Well too late now." He jumped out of bed and I started to giggle. His erection was still hanging out of the slit of his boxers; he blushed and quickly tucked it under the elastic band. He grabbed some clothes out of his suitcase and got dressed. I did the same and soon we were heading down the stairs hand in hand and suitcases in hand. Everyone else was down there by the time we got there. We had just set the suitcases down when we heard a soft honking sound. Kevin looked out the window.
"Limo's here," he said. I looked at my watch and gasped. It had been three hours but it seemed like three minutes. I felt Howie's arms wrap around me. I did the same and we were soon embraced in a deep kiss. His tongue fought with mine as to who hard first entry. I won and started to passionately rub my tongue against his. I felt his hardon start to come back. I felt his tongue explore my mouth and felt my cock start to get hard. Our kiss finally broke and I could see tears in Howie's eyes.
"I love you Howie," I said.
"I love you two, I'll call you as soon as we get to the airport," Howie said. I nodded and gave him one last kiss before he walked out the door. I watched him get in the Limo. I waved to it as it pulled out of the driveway. I knew that it would be almost two months before I could see him again. I had a hard time dealing with it. I went straight up to my bedroom. I grabbed the phone and my swim trunks. I threw them on and ran down stairs. I set down the phone and jumped in the pool. I just kept doing laps. I did not want to cry. I figured that if I was swimming I could say it was water and not tears. I was being stupid. I had come up for air when I heard a ringing. I jumped out of the pool and ran to the phone. I flipped it open and pressed the power button.
"Howie!" I exclaimed.
"Brad," he said. "We are going to be taking off now, I just wanted to say I love you and I will miss you,"
"Me too, I love you Howie, bye," I said reluctantly.
"Bye," he said. Then all I got was dead air. I smiled, the phone call may have been simple and rushed but somehow I knew he really meant it. I grabbed a towel and dried off. I took the phone and walked upstairs. My mom was no where in sight. I pressed the play button on the memo recorder.
"Honey, there was an emergency at the office, Mr. Sutherlands wife tried to kill him again, so he finally wants to get divorced, I should be back tonight or tomorrow and if I am not, Mrs. Sutherland is trying to kill me again. Love you," and then the machine clicked off. I had to laugh at the whole situation. Once a week Mrs. Sutherland tried to kill Mr. Sutherland but it never worked, then he would file for divorce, she would apologize and they would be back together for the next month. If it were a really bad month Mrs. Sutherland would always try to kill whoever was on the divorce case with the vegetable peeler that she tried using on her husband. It was a big joke around the office. I had just stopped the tape when the phone rang. I looked at Caller ID and saw that it was Gina.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hey, what are you up to, I haven't seen you in the last three weeks," she said. I thought for a second and remembered hers and Brandy's trip to florida.
"Yeah, I guess it has been a while, so what are you up to?" she asked.
"Not much," I wanted to tell her the whole story but I knew I couldn't, for Howie's sake.
"Well Bran and I want to know if you want to come over and spark up, our treat, call it a welcome home party!" she said into the phone.
"Yeah, why not, but I don't think I will be smoking, you know I am trying to quit," I said to her.
"Yeah, but we are still trying to make you straight, and that ain't going to happen either," she laughed. I had to laugh to.
"I'll be over in about five minutes," I said and hung up the phone. I threw my shoes on and went out to the car. I started it and drove off. It was a five minute drive, down the street and make a left, then a right, then back up. Even Gina and her family have to back up to get to their house. it is so far back and the driveway is so small everyone always misses it. The drive up the driveway took about two minutes. I got to the house and knew exactly where they would be. I walked around to the back of the house and opened the basement doors. I walked down the steps and went to the tool bench. I pulled it out along with the fake panel and saw Gina and Brandy rolling a joint.
"Still using the old room?" I asked.
"Yeah, why not," Gina said.
"Hey sexy," Brandy said getting up to give me my hug and kiss.
"So you gonna do this with us or what?" Gina asked.
"It sounds like you already have," I told her.
"It is all the smoke that was trapped in here from last time," she laughed. I just rolled my eyes at her.
"I'll take a few hits," I said sighing.
"Giving into peer pressure again?" Someone asked from behind me.
"Yeah, I guess I am." I said turning to see Gina's brother standing behind me.
"So why did not one invite me to this little smoking circle?" he asked.
"You got your own, but come ayways," Gina said.
"Only if it is on Brad," he said. I had almost forgotten that Josh had the biggest crush on me. I would not have a thing to do with him. he totally repulsed me.
"No thanks, I already have a man," I said.
"Who?" Brandy asked.
"I can't tell you," I said.
"Why?" Gina asked.
"Hey, if you guys would have called a couple hours ago you would have met him." I said smugly.
"Whatever," Josh said somewhat hurt.
"Remember, cough and you take a shot," Brandy said laughing and ouring four shot glasses with whatever ungoldy concotion was in her bottle.
"I got to drive, I really don't think I should be doing this," I said.
"To late," Gina said shoving the joint in my hand. I looked for a second then decided to take a hit off of it. I took the hit and passed it. it had been a long time since the last time I sparked that I started to cough. Brandy started to laugh so I dropped my shoulders and grabbed the shot glass. I took it all and quickly swallowed it before I could taste it. Time passed really slowly. I got to the point where I didn't even think about taking a hit and that is when I fell. I got totally blown. I was drunk and stoned off my ass. I knew that Brandy and Gina weren't at all stoned. I new they were hitting it softly just so they could stay sober and have me blown but I did not care. It felt good to unwind and not think. Not think about anything. It was a couple of minutes before I remembered about Howie. I started to smile. The next thing I remember is waking up in the living room with a pain in my chest. I looked down and saw that I was shirtless. That wasnot the only thing I saw. I saw a small silver ring hanging out of my right nipple and tattoo of a flame around my nipple. I jumped up and gasped. Then I felt the hangover coming on. I did not know when that happened. All of the sudden my thoughts transferred to Howie. Would he like it or would he totally hate it.? I kept asking until I heard the doorbell ringing. . I slowly opened the door trying to hide my nearly naked body. I saw two uniformed police officers standing there.
"Is this the Jenkins residence?" one of them asked.
"Yes, what seems to be the problem?" I asked.
"I'm terribly sorry to be bringing you this news in such away, but there is never a better way." The other cop said.
"Out with it, what is wrong?" I demanded. I feared the worst and I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes when I saw Mr. Hutchings, my mom's boss step out from behind these guys.
"Brad, I am sorry, last night we called your mom for the Sutherland case. She went to go see Mr. Sutherland in the hospital when Mrs. Sutherland jumped out in front of her car on the top of the parking garage. She swerved out of the way but instead of hitting the break she hit the gas and..." he started. I felt myself fall to the floor. The tears were swelling up in my eyes and they came pouring down my face. I felt Mr. Hutchings pull me to my feet.
"We need you to come down to the station for some questions," one of the cops said.
"Yeah, fine, let me get dressed," I said slamming the door. I walked solemnly up the stairs to my room. Crying the whole way. I got dressed and soon met the cops downstairs. I got into their car and realized that I had stopped crying. I felt a heavy weight on my body, almost a squeezing, but I was no longer crying, I did not even feel bad about it. I was mentally kicking myself for being selfish. My mother was dead, my father was dead, and my brother was no where to be found. That is when I realized what had happened. I had totally lost it. The police went through the typical questions and finally gave me my mother's personal effects, and then they drove me home. I walked in the house, opened the envelope and dumped it on the coffee table. I sat down on the couch and just stared at it. I heard the cell phone faintly in the background. I knew I should answer it, because it was Howie and he would get worried, but all I could do was stare at a wallet, a watch, and a locket that had a picture of my brother father, my grandparents, and me. I had no one to go to, and I had no one to tell. I had officially snapped. I just sat there all night long thinking about everything, everything I had ever done with my mother, and everything my mother had always done for me. Then I thought about how this little pile of jewelry was all I had left of my mother. I broke down and started to cry again. I sat there all night crying and staring. My cell phone would ring every 15 minutes but I could never bring myself to answer it. I could not talk to Howie. I wanted to be strong in front of Howie and I knew that I would not be able to do that. I sat there all day the next day. That day not thoughts went through my head except for all the memories I had. The memories that I had to hold onto and. The memories that would never come back. I felt like my body was made of lead. Every time I tried to move I felt like I was too heavy to move. Every time I succeeded in moving I felt guilty about trying to leave my mother. It was not until almost midnight that night that I forced myself to answer the phone and talk to Howie.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Brad, are you okay? Where have you been?" Howie screamed into the phone.
"Yes, I have been home," I said showing no change in my voice. I was flat.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Howie asked finally sensing that something was wrong.
"She's dead" I all I said.
"Who?" Howie asked with extreme urgency in his voice.
"Mom," I said. I broke down crying as soon as I said it. I heard Howie gasp and the phone hit the floor. I heard running around the phone and finally someone picks it up.
"Brad?" Kevin's voice asked.
"She's dead," I said still staring at the pile on the coffee table.
"Brad, I am so sorry," Kevin said. I could tell that he was trying to be strong but I could hear his voice quiver. I totally lost it when I realized Kevin was not able to handle it. I dropped the phone, curled up into a ball and started to cry. I heard a muffled yelling coming from the phone but I felt so sick I could not move. The only movement that I was able to do was having my body quivering. I cried myself to sleep. I dreamt a strange dream. I was walking through a plain white room. No shapes or anything like that. The only things in this room were the people I loved and every time I got close to one of them another would disappear. The first person I went to was an old friend from Orlando and my dad disappeared. I then went to Kevin and my mom disappeared. I walked over to Howie and the room and everyone in it disappeared. I was in a different room but I was cramped. I tried to move my hands but they were pinned between my chest and he ceiling of the room I was in. In fact every part of my body was pressed against the ceiling. That is when I realized that I was in a coffin. I started to scream but no one could hear me.
I woke up with a snap and heard my scream echo throughout the house. I had broken into a cold sweat and just lay on the couch shivering. It was about 6 am. I just lay there shivering then crying then shivering. I knew that I was losing my mind. I had finally fallen back to sleep. I slept for a long time. It was dark when I woke up again. I lay there thinking and remembering. Then I remembered about the cell phone. I hung it up and dropped it down on the coffee table. I curled up again thinking about the funeral. It was the day after tomorrow. Then after that I had to take care of everything. Seeing as Steve and I were the only living heirs we would get everything. It just seemed unreal. I then started thinking about this house. It was a big house and now I was alone. That is when it hit me. I truly was alone. I had Howie but I had no one to hold when I needed them. I truly loved Howie but it was not the same without him there. I started crying again thinking about the loneliness that was now my life. I desperately needed someone to hold. Someone that I could cry on, but all I had was the couch. I woke up again but this time I had a blanket. I thought for a second that it was all a dream but then I saw the pile on the coffee table. I started to cry again until I heard voices in the kitchen. I was too weak to move so I just lay there. I started to smile as soon as I heard Howie's voice. I wanted to move, I wanted to yell, I wanted to cry, I wanted to sleep. Instead I just lay there smiling. I then saw Howie come walking into the room. He had a cup of coffee in his hand and sat down on the chair.
"Come lay with me," I said softly looking at him. He jumped up setting his mug down and came to my side.
"Baby, I'm so sorry," he said.
"Don't be, I'm not, I only cried because she is not here. It was the end of something and the start of something better. I am happy for her," I said and started to cry again. I scooted over on the couch and pulled Howie in with me. I rested my head on his chest just listening, thinking, and smelling his scent. I was surprised that he was here but I almost expected it. I was smiling as I fell back asleep. I awoke the next morning to find Howie gone. I jumped and looked around. I saw his bags and relaxed a little. I heard the voices in the kitchen.
"I'm worried Kev," Howie said.
"Why?" he asked.
"He seemed weird, I think he can't handle everything all at once. I am staying here for as long as it takes." Howie said. I smiled at the thought of having Howie all to myself.
"Remember that we are needed back in just under a week?" Kevin asked.
"I don't give a flying fuck," Howie said hotly. I figured that it was time I intervene. I walked up behind Howie and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I slowly nuzzled his neck.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" I asked him quietly.
"Yeah, did I?" he asked back.
"You're here aren't you," I said taking the chair next to him.
"So how are you holding up?" Kevin asked.
"Great, not a thing wrong," I said.
"But what about your mom?" he asked.
"She is in a better place," I said flatly. Howie gave Kevin a weird look and the subject was dropped.
"So when is the funeral?" Howie asked softly.
"Tomorrow, when do you have to leave?" I asked.
"Whenever you get tired of me," Howie said sweetly. I heard Kevin clear his throat and saw him give Howie a weird look. Howie just rolled his eyes.
"I am so glad you are here," I said,
"You had me so worried when you dropped the phone, I had to come to make sure that you were all right," Howie said.
"I love you," I said staring him in the eyes. That day was a blur of last minute arrangements that I had to O.K. I was never able to get in touch with Steve. I wanted to kill him but on the other hand I did not want to lose him. The night finally came and Howie and I drudged up to our bedroom. We quickly got ready for bed then crawled in, in our usual positions. I had my head on his chest and he was rubbing my back. He did not wear an undershirt tonight and I enjoyed the feeling of his warm skin against my face. I loved the feeling of his well-defined stomach. I ran my fingers over the light dusting of hair and smiled. I still had my shirt on and had forgotten about my skin designs. I was in heaven, until the morning came.
I got dressed for the funeral about 8 o'clock; the funeral was at ten. Kevin and Howie were quickly dressed and we soon were on the way to the funeral home. I had to drive considering no one knew where they were going. I just stared ahead not showing any emotion. We pulled into the funeral home at 9:30. It was a small service. It was me, Kevin, Howie, and a few people from mom's office. The service was short but nice. I did not cry. I just stared ahead to the side of the casket. I smiled when I realized the risk Howie was taking when he took my hand in his.
We went to and left the cemetery. I was glad that everything was over. I missed my mom but I knew she was better off. I drove home but made a stop on the way at the office. I told Mr. Hutchings that I wanted my mom's desk left the way it was because when my contract was finalized that is the desk I wanted. He agreed and promised not to move a thing. "I guess she finally won," I said as I was walking out the door of Mr. Hutchings office.
"What was that?" Mr. Hutchings asked.
"Mrs. Sutherland, no one is going to be stupid enough to take another case against her, she won," I said and then walked away. I knew Mr. Hutchings was thinking the same thing at one point or another. I got back in the car and drove home. I got home to find a bunch of documents on the fax machine. I grabbed them and sat down at the table.
"What are you reading?" Howie asked.
"Legal documents, I am selling the house, and this is for the title search. This other one is the clause in the will saying that if Steve is not found in thirty days his part of the inheritance goes into a trust fund for one of my ma's favorite charities, and this one is..." I started. I started crying once I read it. Howie grabbed it and read the ten simple words. "In Hawaii with Adrianna. I won't be back, love Steve." At the bottom there was a picture of him and Adrianna. The number the fax was sent from was a blocked number so it was all pound signs. I stopped crying almost instantly and shrugged. I took the paper from Howie, folded it up and put it in my wallet. It was all I had left of my family. I was not going to lose it. "I know you have to be back in a couple of days," I said to Howie,
"No, I can take as much time as possible," he said.
"I wish that were true but I heard you and Kev talking," I said.
"I wish you could stay. I am going to pack everything up and put it in storage. Then I am going to sell the house," I said I hoped that I would not feel as empty when I did not have this big house alone.
"Brad, I want you to move to Orlando with me. Once you get all the legal shit done I want you to live with me. I have a plane ticket all ready. Just call the airport and tell them the day." Howie said with a tear rolling down his cheek. We can leave the day after tomorrow. I will have Mr. Hutchings clear everything up. I just need everything packed and put into storage. As soon as I said that I grabbed the phone off of the charger and called for a mover. They said they would be out the next morning. I thanked them and hung up the phone. I silently walked into the garage and got some boxes. I started to walk up the stairs to my room. Howie was right behind me. Together we had everything in my room packed in about three hours using a total of three boxes. It took so long because everything I saw brought back memories. We were having the boxes of my stuff sent to Howie's house. We went downstairs to the kitchen. Kevin was already cooking dinner. I grabbed the phone and called Mr. Hutchings. I explained everything to him and he promised to take care of everything. I faxed the documents to him and disconnected the fax line. I had just hung up with Mr. Hutchings when Kevin set a plate full of food in front of me. I picked at it, not saying much during dinner. I was not hungry so I just picked. I answered a question if someone asked but I did not put much thought or effort into it.
"Howie and I stripped down to our sleeping clothes and climbed into bed. I threw myself on him, buried my head in his neck. He had a shirt on but I tugged at it and eventually pulled it off. I did not know what he was thinking but I did not care. I wanted his warm skin against my face. I lay with my head buried into his neck and started to cry. I was literally bawling.
"Are you okay?" Howie asked with genuine concern.
"No," was all I was able to choke out. I felt Howie pull me into a hug and I just tightened my grip on him. I never wanted to leave this position. My life was as full as it was going to get ever again and I never wanted to risk losing it.
"Calm down, everything is going to be all right," Howie said.
"I barely saw here since dad died. She had promised that she would take this spring off so we could spend time. She never made it. I spent so little time with her. She was always doing something else." I cried. I felt myself starting to gasp for breath. I just continued to lie there until I fell asleep.
I awoke lying on top of Howie squeezing him tightly and I felt myself being squeezed back. I rolled off of him trying not to wake him up but it did not work.
"You had me scared last night," Howie said.
"I'm sorry," I said kissing his neck.
"I never thought that I could fall in love so fast," Howie said to me.
"I know," is all I said? I heard the doorbell ring and got out of bed to get it. I figured that it was just the movers. I was right. I let them in the house and told them what I wanted. Then I went back upstairs. I did not care to supervise them. I probably would not be seeing any of this stuff again. I climbed back in bed with Howie and started to kiss his neck again. I laid my head on his chest rubbing his stomach, getting lower and lower with each stroke. I felt his thick bush with the tips of my fingers before I heard Kevin bounding up the steps.
"Hope I was not interrupting something, but the movers told me to get out of their way," Kevin said sitting on the floor by the bed.
"No, we weren't doing anything," Howie said. I could tell the falseness in his voice. I reached down and gave his semi-hard dick a squeeze then mouthed the word Home to him. He smiled and started to stroke my head.
"So where are you going since you are selling the house?" Kevin asked. I looked at Howie.
"He is going to be moving in with me," Howie said sternly.
"Oh, okay," Kevin said. We all made idle chatter until the movers came up there.
"I guess we are finished," one of the guys said.
"Okay, go to this address and he will tell you what to do next," I said giving them Mr. Hutchings address.
"We can leave tonight," I said to Howie.
"Are you sure?" Howie asked. I nodded my head. Howie and Kevin both smiled. Howie called the airport on his cellphone. "There is a flight leaving in an hour, can we make it?" Howie asked.
"If we leave now," I said jumping out of bed and grabbing my clothes from last night. I threw the clothes on and grabbed my luggage. The three of us carried downstairs and set it in the living room. The house was totally bare except for one picture that was on the fireplace mantle. It was a picture of my mom my dad, my brother, and me. I grabbed it and slid it into my suitcase. I went out to the garage and we all threw our luggage in the back of my Durango. I started the engine and we pulled out. I drove to the airport in total silence, reflecting on the life I was leaving and thinking about the life that I was going to start.