Second Wind

If you are under age, or live in an area where reading stories that include sex between males is illegal, or if you’re not into this type of story, please leave. This is a story of love between two men. As such there is some sex but it is really more about their relationship. If you're into romance, I hope this story pleases you.

I'd like to thank my friends in the Nifty Six for their support and encouragement, especially Tim for his advice and his editing assistance. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at NJMcMick@yahoo.com.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ben

All day Monday at work I was thinking about James, wondering how he was going to make out talking to Jared at school. At the end of the day, I picked up Connor and got home just before James. I didn't want to jump on him as soon as he walked in the door so I held back for a few minutes, chatting about nothing much.

"So, did you see Jared today?" I asked as casually as possible.

"Only for a few minutes in the cafeteria. I didn't get a chance to talk to him because Cookie was there."

"You didn't tell her about the kiss, then?"

"No, I figured that's between Jared and me for now. She's been teasing me enough about going to the movies with him, referring to him as my boyfriend."

"It's probably a good idea not to mention the kiss to anyone. Even if you knew for sure that he was gay you wouldn't want to out him."

"I was thinking the same thing, except since everybody already knows I'm gay won't they assume he is too if he hangs out with me?"

"Maybe if they already suspected him, but otherwise I don’t see why people would think that everyone who talks to you is gay. They don't think that of Cookie, do they?"

"No, but she's a girl."

"Well, there's nothing you can do about what other people think. If it doesn't bother Jared it shouldn't bother you."

"I guess, though he did seem kind of nervous when he stopped by our table today. I'm gonna have to try to bump into him when we're both alone. I would have liked to talk to him after school but I had my therapy appointment."

"How's that going now that you've cut down to once a week?"

"Good. I'm not sure I need it at all anymore. Talking to you and Uncle Joey is just as good as talking to Dr. Miranda."

"That's great to hear, James. Good that you're doing so well and really good that you're comfortable talking to us. Joey loves you very much and you've become very special to me."

He blushed. "Yeah, you're pretty cool, too."

For the next few days I didn't question James about Jared. I figured he'd tell me when he had something to say. I didn't want to appear too anxious or inquisitive. Thursday afternoon I got in from work and was surprised to see James and a very hot blond boy on opposite ends of the couch in the family room.

"Hey Ben, this is my friend, Jared Winters. Jared, this is Ben Donnelly. He's my Uncle Joey's partner, so that sorta makes him my uncle, too."

"Cool. Hi, Mr. Donnelly, nice to meet you." He got to his feet and held out his hand. I set Connor down on the floor and shook hands with him, trying not to get lost in his awesome blue eyes, as James had described them.

"Please call me Ben. It's good to meet you, too. I saw you at the mall a few weeks ago and both James and Cookie have had good things to say about you."

He blushed and sat down again. Connor climbed up on the couch next to him.

"Thanks, and who is this?"

"That's my little cuz, Connor."

James got up, helped Connor get his jacket off and put it away in the closet. I left the boys and went to my room to change. When I came back I noticed the guys each had about half a glass of soda so I poured myself some seltzer and some juice for Connor. While I was doing that Joey came in from work so I poured a glass of seltzer for him as well. I heard James making the introductions. When I went into the family room, set the glasses down and kissed Joey. I turned and noticed Jared was gawking at us.

"You'll get used to that if you hang around here much, Jared. They're a couple of horndogs who are all over each other all the time."

"And you wouldn't have it any other way, would you, James?"

"Nah, I'm happy for you, Uncle Joey. Besides, you're a pretty hot couple."

Jared still looked a little uncomfortable, though he couldn't take his eyes off Joey and me. Joey picked up Connor, looked at me and nodded down the hall. We excused ourselves and went to our bedroom.

"What's up, Joe? Something you want to discuss?"

"No, I just wanted to leave the two of them alone without saying so. They don't need a couple of chaperones. So what's going on with them?"

"I don’t know. We'll have to wait until Jared leaves to ask James, but it looks like everything is good."

We played with Connor for a while and then it was time to start dinner, so we went back to the kitchen.

"Would you like to stay and eat with us, Jared?"

"Uh, thanks, Joey, but my parents are expecting me. I should be going."

I offered to give him a ride home and James went with me, As soon as we dropped him off at his house I was all over James.

"So what's going on? Is he gay?"

"Wait until we get home, Ben. I don’t want to have to go through the whole story twice. You know Uncle Joey's gonna want to hear everything, too."

"You are a real tease, James. I hope you're not teasing Jared like this."

It was only a two-minute ride home so I didn't have long to wait. Joey dropped everything when we walked in and we sat James down for the story.

"I don’t really have much news for you, guys. Basically, he said he's not sure if he's gay or not, but he likes me and wants to be friends."

"Not sure? But he kissed you."

"Yeah, he said he'd wanted to do that all evening but he wasn't sure how I'd react. Then when I pulled away he thought he'd screwed up. That's why he was nervous Monday. Plus, like I said, he's not even sure if he's gay, so he's a little confused."

"It sounds like he's gay but having trouble coming to terms with it. Or maybe he really is just curious. What do you think about it, James?"

"I'm not sure, Uncle Joey. I do like him a lot, aside from how hot he is. I think I'd like to be friends with him even if that's as far as it goes. If he's straight and just curious, I could handle just being friends, but if he wants to fool around, just kind of experiment, you know, I'm not sure I could do that. I mean, I'd love to fool around with him, but if he's just gonna stop at some point 'cause he's had enough and his curiosity's been satisfied, I don’t think I could take that."

"So you're saying that you don’t want him to use you to figure himself out even if it means having some fun along the way?" I knew all about teen hormones and how horny you could be at that age.

"Yeah. I don’t think he'd use me on purpose, but if he's confused he might not look at it like that. If he's gay and wants to go out with me, you know, like be boyfriends, that's different. I'm not sure I'm ready for that either but that's the kind of thing I'd like to try." He hesitated a minute. "And he's sooo hot, isn't he?"

Joey and I both agreed that Jared certainly was a hottie. James seemed to be handling the situation pretty well and we didn't want him to obsess about it so we dropped the subject and moved on to other things. Later that night as Joey and I were getting ready for bed we talked a little more about it. We were both concerned that James might not be ready for this, whether the situation with Jared turned out to be a tease or a relationship, but there really wasn't much we could do about it other than be there for James.

"You'll have to admit that the thought of James and Jared making it sure is hot, Joey."

"Hey, the only Napoli you're supposed to be thinking about like that is this one right here."

"You know I'm constantly thinking about you that way, babe."

I went into the bathroom for a few minutes before coming back for what I was hoping would be some 'quality time' with my very own hot Napoli. When I returned Joey was naked, sitting on the corner of the foot of our bed, slowly stroking his thick piece of meat, a devilish look in his eye. He crooked a finger in my direction, indicating he wanted me to come toward him. No problem there. As I approached he spread his legs and I stepped in between them. I could tell from the sheen that he'd apparently lubed up his cock and he kept lightly stroking it. He leaned toward me and flicked his tongue at the head of my cock, which had started swelling as soon as I'd entered the room.

He sucked me for several minutes, one hand playing with my balls, the other with my hole. Finally he pulled his mouth off my dick and pushed me back a bit, drawing his legs together. He then grabbed my cock as if it were a handle and used it to pull me back toward him. This time I was straddling his legs, standing over his thighs. He sucked me again for a few minutes and then sat up, using the hand with a finger up my ass to pull me tight against him, my throbbing dick pressed against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and reached up, putting his hands on my shoulders from the back and exerted some downward pressure.

"Sit, babe. Sit on it."

No dummy, I got the idea immediately. As I lowered myself, I reached behind me for his cock. I held it upright until it was nestled in the crack of my ass, then I rotated my hips a bit, letting it go deeper rubbing around my pucker until the head was lodged against my slightly relaxed hole. I kept pushing just a bit, working it until the head had opened me a bit more and was inside my ring. Joey tilted his head up as I looked down into his eyes. Then I took a deep breath and as I let it out, in one smooth movement I sat down, completely impaling myself on his thick rod. I kissed him, swirling my tongue around his mouth as I moved my hips around his lap, feeling his dick rearrange my insides.

I pulled my mouth off him and he gasped, "God, you are so tight and hot inside. I almost came just entering you."

"You ain't seen nothing yet, Joey."

With that I slowly lifted up until just his head was still gripped by my butt and then lowered myself onto him again. I repeated that motion over and over again, picking up speed each time. In no time I was ramming myself down onto him with all my might while he thrust himself up into me as hard as he could. I was riding a bucking bronco, my very own Italian stallion, and I was loving every second of it. Each thrust down pressed against my prostate, forcing precum up out of my dick, oozing down over my shaft, which was sliding against Joey's abs and chest. Our moans, groans, gasps and grunts were punctuated by my cries of "Fuck me!" and "Harder!" and Joey's shouts of "Take it!" and Ride me!" We were both totally out of control and I don’t know how long we kept at it. At last I felt like my whole body was going to explode. I felt the familiar tightening up in my balls and my head was so sensitive I felt like screaming, then my dick began erupting, shooting geyser after geyser of hot cum between us. I clamped my ring down tight on Joey and he exploded inside me. I continued to ride him, milking every last drop out of him. He finally fell over backwards onto the bed and I collapsed on top of him, panting, trying to catch my breath. We just lay there for a long while, recuperating from our exertion. I lifted my head off his chest and looked down into his eyes.

He smiled up at me and I grinned down at him. "So, are you going to write the note for his algebra teacher or should I?"

Joey

I don’t know what got into me but when Ben started undressing for bed he just turned me on so much more than usual. I just had to have him in the worst way and I had an idea what way I wanted that to be. After all of the tension of the last several weeks things were settling down but for some reason I was feeling very aggressive, so I decided to try something that would let me act out but would also leave Ben in control of just how rough things got. Apparently he was feeling just as rambunctious as I was and it was a pretty wild ride for both of us.

I wasn't worried about waking up Connor. He was across the hall with a closed door in between us. Besides, he was used to being around my family, which meant he could sleep though an earthquake. James was another story. I really didn't want to tease him, especially now that he might be starting to date someone, but he was getting used to the nighttime noises from our room and he only jokingly complained. I figured if he didn't like it he could always put on his headphones and turn up his music. Of course, once Ben and I got into it I completely forgot anyone else even existed. All of my thoughts were on Ben.

After we were able to catch our breath we crawled up from the foot of the bed where all of the action had been, pulled the comforter over ourselves and were asleep in no time. I was usually awake before the alarm went off but the next morning it felt like it was still the middle of the night when the radio started blasting us. I got up, took care of things in the bathroom and then checked on Connor. He was sleeping soundly so I and turned on the coffeemaker and went back to the bedroom, started the shower running and then dragged Ben out of bed. He didn't wake up until we were in the shower, but then, that was the most important part anyway.

Ben offered to get Connor up so I rapped on James' door and went into the kitchen to start breakfast. Ben brought Connor in as I was putting the scrambled eggs and sausage on plates. He strapped Connor into his high chair just as James came into the room. The two of them ate in silence for a few minutes, James sipping his orange juice, Ben his coffee. It was amazing how similar they were when it came to waking up. Ben finally seemed to come to life but James was quiet until we were nearly done.

"Do you guys have any idea how hard it is for me to be in that room next to you at night? And I do mean hard."

"We're sorry about that. I had a feeling we might get a little rambunctious last night but Ben and I both completely lost control. I know we joke about it a lot but we'll try to be more considerate from now on."

"I don’t really mind, most of the time. It can be really hot, you know. Last night I got off twice just listening. But this morning my dick was a little sore from pulling on it so much."

"Whoa, too much information, James."

"Like you have the right to talk, Ben." He cleared his throat and did a pretty good imitation of Ben. "Ooh, fuck me, Joey! Harder, deeper. Yeah, plug that hole!"

Ben blushed. I think I did, too.

"Okay, James, you've made your point. Ben and I will be quieter in the future."

"Yeah, I'll believe that when I hear it. Or rather, don’t hear it."

"So, let's change the subject. What would you like to do for your birthday, James?"

"I dunno. I hadn't really thought about it."

"You've got a birthday coming up? When?" I hadn't mentioned James' birthday to Ben.

"Next Saturday, a week from tomorrow."

"Ah, sweet sixteen. We should definitely do something special for you. What do you think, Joey?"

"I was thinking maybe a small dinner party, the immediate family and a couple of friends. Or maybe you'd like a real party with just your friends. Do either of those options sound good to you, James?"

"They both sound pretty impossible. If you're talking about my parents there's no way they'd come here. And I don’t have enough friends at school to have a real party. A party with just a handful of kids would be pretty lame."

He looked pretty glum. I'd hoped that talking about his birthday would start his day off with something to look forward to, but it was having the opposite effect.

"Maybe you're right about your father, but I think your mother would come and bring your sisters and brother. And now that my mother and I are speaking again your grandparents would be here. We could invite Cookie and Jared, too, if you like. And anyone else. It's up to you."

"Well, maybe Dad would let Roseanne and Toni come, but there's no way he'd let Mom bring Mike."

"I'll talk to your mother about it. Maybe I can get somewhere with your father, too."

"Yeah, good luck. I'll ask Cookie and Jared."

Friday night James had Cookie and Jared over for the evening so Ben and I took advantage of the situation and went to the movies. James babysat Connor and Cookie chaperoned James and Jared. It worked out all around. When we got home the guys were sitting on the floor, leaning against the couch playing a video game. Cookie was in a chair reading a magazine. She looked up.

"You had a call, Ben."

"Yeah, who was it?"

"James took the message." She nodded at the TV. "You'll have to wait until one of them destroys the other."

The guys were both totally mesmerized by the game so I went to check on Connor while Ben went into the kitchen and poured us a couple of glasses of wine. When I got back, Ben handed me a glass and we went back into the family room. The game had ended.

"So who called, James?"

"Oh, right. It was your father. Who's Lori?"

"My step-mother. What did Dad have to say?"

He looked puzzled. "Your step-mother? I must have misunderstood something, then. He said she had a baby, a girl named Megan. Everybody's doing fine and he'll call you tomorrow. Does that make sense to you? Maybe he meant someone else."

Ben whooped. "No, that makes perfect sense, James. Lori is around my age. She was due next week. So I've got a baby sister now. That's so weird but so great."

I gave him a hug and a kiss. "I can't wait to see her. When do you think we can go into the city?"

"Maybe next week. I'll have to ask Dad tomorrow."

We left the kids to their fun and went into the bedroom to watch TV. A little after eleven Ben gave Cookie and Jared a ride home. I thought that James would probably go along but he stayed behind. When the others had left he went to the bathroom for a minute and then came back and sat on the couch with me.

"You looked like you were having fun tonight, James."

"Yeah, I was. I'm used to hanging out with Cookie, but it was great having Jared over, too."

"Any further indication about what's going on in his head?"

"No, but that's okay for now. The three of us are having a good time and this way I'm getting to know him better." He was quiet for a minute. "Is sex really that good, Uncle Joey?"

"Well, yeah, sex can be very good. Look, I know we apologized this morning, but I'm really sorry Ben and I have been so noisy lately. It's very rude of us."

"That's okay, I really don’t mind, well, most of the time, anyway. It's just that sometimes I get so frustrated and I wonder what I'm missing."

"I'm not an expert, James, but I can tell you that sex between two people who love each other can be fantastic. But it's more than just the physical sensations, some of which I'm sure you're not missing out on." He blushed as I went on. "For me the best part is being able to express the love that Ben and I feel for each other, of being able to be a part of each other in every way. There's a feeling of pure joy when we're together in bed. It bubbles over into an excitement that's just impossible to contain sometimes."

"So sex and love together is what makes it so good?"

"I sure think so. I know lots of people have sex with people they don’t love and enjoy it. Ben has done quite a bit of that in the past, but I'm sure he'd agree with me that when you're with someone you love it's infinitely better."

"So if it turns out that Jared is gay and he wants to do it, you think I should say no?"

"That's a decision you're going to have to make yourself. I don’t think you should have sex until you're ready and only you will know when that is. You also have to decide what's important to you, if you want to explore sex or wait for love."

"I'm really not sure about any of that. But there's no rush, I guess. I can wait until I figure it out."

"Just remember, James, Ben and I can't make these decisions for you but we're always here if you want to talk things over."

'Yeah, I know. You guys are the greatest."

In the spring, Saturdays were always our busiest day at the nursery and the next day was no exception, even though it was raining. People still shopped for things they could plant once the weather cleared up. A little after lunchtime I ran into Vinnie in the greenhouse. I wanted to talk to Rita about the dinner for James but I decided it wouldn't hurt to approach Vinnie as well. I told him my idea about having the family over for a small celebration.

"No fuckin' way, bro. My family is not going to that house."

"But it's your son's birthday. He's had a really rough time this year and he deserves to celebrate a little. I'm sure you wouldn't have a good time but can't you try to put up with us for a little while just for him?"

"If he wants a celebration he can listen to me and come home. Right now I can't see celebrating this decision he's made about his life and I'm not letting my other kids near you guys."

"For God's sake, Vin, you can't believe they'd be in any danger around us."

He gave me a disgusted look. "Of course not, Joey. I'm not stupid. I know you and know you're not into kids that way. And I'll take your word for it that your boyfriend isn't either. That isn't what bothers me. I just don’t want my kids seeing you two together, thinking that that's a normal way to live."

"The whole family knows that Ben and I are a couple. Keeping your kids away from us isn't keeping it a secret. All you're doing is hurting them and James by not allowing them all to be together."

"They're together when James stops by the house after school. If they want more than that, it's up to James. He knows my conditions for coming home for good."

He turned and stalked off. I watched him go, wondering when he was going to ease up. I thought about the story Rick told us at the bowling tournament. I really wanted to discuss that with Vinnie but I didn't know how to bring it up. It's not like he and I had many conversations and they were always tense and abrupt. And I wasn't even sure what it would accomplish telling him I knew about Rick.

His response to the idea of James' birthday party was pretty much what I expected so I wasn't discouraged. I was still going to talk to Rita. She was on our side and I knew she'd want to be involved with any birthday plans. Later in the afternoon I called her from the office and told her what I had in mind.

"I really appreciate you thinking of James and taking care of him this way, Joey. I've been trying to think of some way of observing James birthday and all I could come up with was asking your parents to host something. You know, holding it on neutral territory. But even that would be pretty tense."

"Yeah, anytime you put Vinnie in the same building as Ben, James and me it isn't going to be pretty. I don’t think that's going to happen anytime soon no matter where we have the party." I told her about Vinnie's reaction to my invitation.

"Don’t you worry about him. I'll work something out. I probably can't force him to attend but I'll definitely be there with the kids."

Maybe she'd made some strides standing up to Vinnie lately but I still wasn't sure she was going to convince him and I said so.

"Between dating and marriage I've known Vinnie well over twenty years, Joey. While I've allowed him to walk all over me far too often, I do know how to get what I want when I have to. I'll be at the dinner, you can count on that."

To be continued.