Diary of a Baker's Son 2

Protein Bars & Something About a Daddy

Daniel Elijah Sanderfer

Blue Cottage Publishing

Copyright © 2020 Daniel Elijah Sanderfer

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: Daniel Elijah Sanderfer
Cover photo by: Christo Anestev
Printed in the United States of America

To Larry. This book wouldn't have happened without your help and advice.

So remember when we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone...

Fast Car, Tracy Chapman.

PROLOGUE

Oh, hello there! “J.P. say hi.”

“Hi.”

He’s too preoccupied with something on his phone right now, so I guess I will do the talking.

Jeffrey’s mom, Dana peeks in the door.

“Boy’s we have company!”

“I know mom, I was talking to them.”

Dana turns around.

“Say hi to the readers, mom.”

“Hello!”

“You know this is supposed to be Roger’s story right?”

“Yes mom, but I feel like we should at least give the readers some kind of recap.”

“Don’t you think they would rather hear the recap from Roger than you?”

“Please, these people love me. I’ll have you know we’re a best seller. Right J.P.?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Isn’t he adorable?”

“Yes, he is, but don’t take up too much time.

This is Roger’s story.”

“Yes, mom.”

“I’m off to fix dinner. Would you like anything?”

“Nope, we’re good.”

“Hi readers, do you need anything?”

“They’re fine, mom.”

“Okay then, y’all make yourselves at home!”

Dana exits

Now, where was I? Oh yeah. So, the last time you heard from us was in Diary of a Baker’s Son, available on Amazon.

“Smooth Jeffrey.”

Jeffrey sticks his tongue out at J.P.

Anyways, the last time you saw us was around the holidays. I was feeling a little butt hurt, because I wanted J.P. to take things to the next level. A minor argument, followed by a talk with his dad, and we reconciled our differences. I said I was going to focus on being me, and that’s what I’ve been doing. Now, J.P. and I couldn’t be better. “Right J.P.?”

“Right-o!”

“What are you watching?”

“Funny videos on YouTube.”

"Sigh. Do you see what I have to deal with? I swear? If he wasn’t so adorable I’d consider a life of celibacy.”

“Ha, fat chance! You like to masturbate too much to be celibate.”

“Oh my god! Shut up J.P.”

Jeffrey throws a pillow J.P.’s direction.

“You throw like a girl!”

“Can’t you see I’m trying to do something here? I think you owe the readers an apology for all these interruptions.”

“Sorry readers.”

Now, let’s fast forward a little. J.P.’s dad took us to the riverfront for New Years and it was amazing. We watched the fireworks as they painted the night sky in shimmers of light. I’ll never forget being huddled up under a blanket with J.P. while mom and Roger sat next to us in the grass.

The rest of January was very cold and it snowed a couple of times. J.P. and I got to go sledding but we crashed into a briar patch just behind his house and got all scratched up, that’s when we decided it was best for us to stay inside and drink hot chocolate by the fire.

February was nice. It was J.P.’s and my first Valentine’s Day. He bought me a giant bear with some of the money he made at the bakery and dressed it up in one of his hoodies so I could always be close to him on the nights he can’t come over.

March and April went by in a flash, and now that the country is in lockdown due to a horrible virus we’re laying low until this is over. J.P. and I were scheduled to graduate in June, but right now we’re unsure if there’s going to be a graduation, or prom. I was so looking forward to prom with J.P.. Mom says worst case scenario we’ll throw a makeshift prom at the bakery.

Oh yeah, the bakery. Since the state went into lockdown, we had to get creative to keep the money coming in. Our pies extravaganza event during Thanksgiving made us a huge hit locally and thankfully, our loyal customers were determined to get their fix of sweetness even during a lockdown. That’s why we started a no contact carry out service.

Here’s how it works. Mom makes a menu and I post it on our social media pages. Our customers can call in their order and either J.P. or I will bring it right out to their car, neat huh? We tried to do a drive-thru, but unfortunately, I kept slamming my fingers in the window. Now mom says she or J.P. are the only ones allowed to use it.

It’s not funny! Alright, alright, let’s Segway this conversation elsewhere. I’m sure you’re expecting to hear from Roger now. “J.P., do you want to tell the readers what’s been happening with your dad?”

“Sure!”

J.P. shifts to the bed and takes his place next to Jeffrey.

Okay, so in case you don’t remember, my dad was having a mid-life crisis in the last book. He realized he’s attracted to guys as well as girls, but lately he’s been leaning more towards guys. I found out while Jeffrey and I were getting more acquainted that Van Wishnevski came by our house one night to challenge me for Jeffrey’s love.

Ever since he found out Jeffrey and I were an item, he’d been ruthlessly bullying us at school. Well, the fact he turned up at my house was obvious proof that he was jealous.  But, he had his chance with Jeffrey and he screwed it up.

J.P. kisses Jeffrey possessively.

Anyways, it turns out that was just the beginning of a series of bad events in Van’s life. Everyone knows that Van never knew his parents and had been living with a foster family all through high school. But they are less than classy people. They’re the type of folks who just do it for the money, rather than to help out a kid.

Somehow his foster parents found out that he was having a sexual relationship with a coworker at the twenty-hour burger place up the street, a much older coworker. Anyways, they filed a complaint with the restaurant and the burger place ended up firing the guy. Well, to make matters worse, a bunch of Van’s football buddies found out about it from Francine Worley, the girl who works the cash register there.

A few days later, the whole school knew about it and decided to make him a target for some cruel and unusual pranks. Ironically, the pranks were the same kind of cruel and unusual kind he used to pull on Jeffrey and me with his football buddies. We’ve never been the type to hold a grudge and tried reaching out to him, but he just pushed us away like he did everyone else.

Apparently my dad gave him our number and he’s been calling the house from time to time to talk to my dad, but I’ve been getting suspicious that there’s something more going on between them than just a man helping a troubled boy. I try not to be nosy but it’s my job to make sure dad doesn’t get hurt. I’m sure you remember that he was always attracted to broken people, that’s how he and my mom met.

I guess I’m just worried that he’ll get attached to some boy and that boy will up and break his heart. I mean, we are just as emotional as girls and half the time we don’t even know what we want until we get it. I know he’s a grown man, but deep inside I know he’s still that lonely boy he was back in high school.

DIARY OF A BAKER’S SON 2

DANIEL ELIJAH SANDERFER

CHAPTER ONE

A CALL FOR HELP

Roger

It was the middle of the night when the phone rang. It was Friday and earlier in the evening I’d watched J.P. graduate with the love of his life Jeffrey. Jeffrey’s mom and I cheered them on from the audience as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas.

J.P. was spending the night at Jeffrey’s.  My phone rang and when I answered, I could hear someone crying on the other end of the line, “Mr. Richards I need your help.”

I sat up in bed and mumbled, “Van?”

He sniffled, “Yes sir.”

“Where are you?” I replied.

He whimpered, “I’m sitting at a bus stop next to the school.”

I checked the clock on the bedside table, it was a quarter past midnight. “What’s going on buddy? It’s after midnight.”

He sobbed, “My foster parents kicked me out. They said I was nineteen and had my diploma,” he took a deep breath, “and that I was on my own now.”

A few hours earlier, I’d watched him cross the stage to get his diploma. There was no one there to cheer him on. No one waiting to hug him as he stepped off stage. No one taking pictures for the family album. It was just him, all alone. I stood and offered him a robust hoot of encouragement, while Dana applauded.

We both knew him well. She of course knew him because of Jeffrey’s crush before J.P. and I moved to town and I knew him from the night he showed up at my door wanting to challenge J.P. to a fight for Jeffrey’s love.

I shifted to the end of the bed and slipped on my sandals. “Don’t move! I’m coming to get you.”

He suppressed another sob, “Can we stay on the phone until you get here? I’m scared.”

“Sure buddy,” I said softly as I slipped my jacket on over my pajamas.

The school wasn’t far from my house. I could see him holding his knees and rocking back and forth when I pulled up. He had a garbage bag sitting next to him. His hair was disheveled and his eyes were tired.

I rolled down the window, “Van!’

He lifted his eyes and a faint smile graced his lips as he stood. He grabbed the trash bag next to him and jumped into the car. “What’s in the bag?” I asked.

He wiped his nose on the sleeve of his hoodie, “Everything I was able to carry.”

I bit my lip in an attempt to keep from getting emotional as I stretched out my hand and took his, “Did you have dinner?”

He mumbled, “Didn’t get the chance to.”

I squeezed my eyes together and sighed, “Alright, I’m going to bring you to the house. We’ll grab some burgers on the way.”

He mumbled again, “I’m sorry to wake you up but I didn’t know who else to call.”

I turned to him, “If you’ll recall, there wasn’t any expiration date on that call I said you could make. The last time we talked I told you to call me anytime you needed something.”

He was silent as I drove up the street to the twenty-four-hour burger place. “What would you like?”

He looked like a little boy as he lifted his eyes and replied, “I-I dunno.”

I patted his knee, “How about the eat your feelings special?”

He smiled at me, “What’s that?”

I sighed, “A double cheesy combo meal.”

“How would you know that?”

I grinned, “Trust me, when you’ve been single as long as I have you have to find certain ways to fill the void.”

He mumbled, “That’s not really healthy is it?”

I shrugged, “No, but when you feel like crap you’re not really worried about calories.”

After placing our order and parking we dug in. In between bites, I asked, “Hey didn’t you used to work here?”

He nodded, “I still do.”

I could tell he wasn’t really in the mood to talk so I continued eating while he stared blankly ahead and nibbled on his fries. In the back of mind, I was trying to figure out something comforting I could say or do, but I was drawing a blank.

Finally, I opted to do something I’d just recently started doing with J.P. again. When his mom was alive and she didn’t want to talk, I’d just turn on the radio and let the music do the talking for us. J.P. was just like her. I’d usually find that after a little bit, he would open up and tell me what was on his mind.

I’m a little out of touch with what kind of music modern kids listen to. J.P. isn’t any help; he won’t listen to anything new. Just the same old songs his mom used to play on her CD player and those were from the early 2000’s. “Want to listen to some music?” I offered.

He perked up a little, “Yea, that would be great actually.”

“Alright then.”

I kept a Linkin Park CD in the car because they had always been one of my favorite bands to listen to with Regina. She was a devoted rock fan and before J.P. was born, she would drag me to every music festival that came to town.

Van closed his eyes as the beginning rifts of Somewhere I Belong started to play. A moment passed before he mumbled, “This is my favorite song.”

I met his gaze and smiled, “No way.”

He nodded and I replied, “That was my wife’s favorite song.”

A few more moments passed while we finished eating before he spoke, “I thought you and J.P. lived alone.”

“We do.”

“Where’s your wife?”

The question always made my heart ache. “She passed away a few years ago.”

He bowed his head, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay sport, she’s in a better place now.”

He nodded, “So, why did your foster parents decide to throw you out now?”

He took a ragged breath, “I knew it was coming. They’d been saying for a while that I should have enough money saved by now to get a place of my own. I guess, in their mind, now that I have my diploma that I somehow should be a responsible adult.”

I tried to suppress my anger as I replied, “For God sakes, you’ve just finished high school. It takes time to get on your feet.”

“That’s what I tried to tell them,” he shouted.

I shook my head, “People these days. Have you thought about going to college?”

He shook his head, “What’s the point?”

“Well, what about sports? Have you thought about trying out for the big leagues?”

“Sports were just something to keep me busy, so I didn’t have to deal with life.” He met my gaze with tears in his eyes, “Now that school is over I have all this time left and I just don’t know what to do with it.”

I licked my lips and lowered my eyes, “Well, maybe you just need someone to show you the ropes and teach how to be a responsible adult.”

He placed his hand on top of mine and our eyes met as he cocked his head to the side, “Like a daddy?”

At that moment he looked so vulnerable and broken. Vulnerability and brokenness had always been my kryptonite. It’s what had attracted me to Regina. She too had needed someone responsible to take care of her, to hold her and let her know that everything was going to be okay. Snapshots of us holding hands flickered in my mind, prompting me to shake my head in an attempt to snap out of the spell Van was casting on me.

I knew that’s what he wanted. He wanted someone to hold him and tell him that everything was going to be okay.  I quickly pulled my hand away and started the car. “We better get to the house, so we can get you settled.”

He grabbed my arm, “Mr. Richards. wait!”

I froze in place. I couldn’t look at him, because if I did I knew it would escalate things. I was already so turned on that my cock was ready to bust through my pants. He whimpered, “Please Mr. Richards, ever since I was a little boy I always dreamed about having a real daddy. I need someone to teach me how to be a man because I don’t how to.”

I closed my eyes, “I can’t. I feel like I’d just be taking advantage of your vulnerable state of mind.”

He moved in close and shouted, “Please, I don’t know how to be an adult and I can’t make it on my own.”

Silence lingered as he gripped my bicep and begged, “Please, I’ll do anything.”

“Anything,” I growled as I turned to him.

He moved in closer. His lips were open and I could feel his breath hitting my mouth. “Anything,” he whispered.

I gripped the back of his neck and forced a kiss on those lips; those pouty, succulent, lips I’d wanted ever since he showed up at my front door drunk. He gripped my collar and whimpered as I held it until we couldn’t breathe.

As we separated, we stared at one another and panted like animals. Some switch had been triggered and I knew we’d never be able to go back to the way things used to be. I growled, “Look what you’ve done. You’ve made me compromise my principles and for what?”

He fired back, “You knew this would happen eventually. I’ve wanted you inside me since the day we met, and for that, you only have yourself to blame.”

I snarled, “You don’t have any idea what you’re asking for boy!”

He gnashed his teeth, “I can take it daddy.”

Silently, I shifted the car in gear and sped to the house. The tension between us could be cut with a knife. Once we were there, we bolted from the car and to the house. I quickly unlocked the door and scanned our surroundings before grabbing his shirt, “Get in!”

He leaned against the closed door as I tossed my keys on the entryway table and hung my jacket on the coat tree. As I turned around he was staring at me with puppy dog eyes. I was halfway disgusted with myself as I said, “You know I’m old enough to be your father.”

“Just the way I like it,” he hissed.

“Bloody fucking hell,” I shouted as I dove onto him. His hand slipped into the front of my pants as I nibbled away at his neck. Little moans of pleasure escaped his mouth in between sighs of, “Oh yeah…take me daddy…”

I pulled away for a minute and whispered, “You taste so fucking good.”

He hummed with delight as I went back to munching his neck. The feeling of his hand on my cock was driving me insane. It’d been so long since I’d felt anyone’s hand on it besides mine.

He laughed through his nose, “You’re wet daddy…am I making you wet?”

I didn’t respond. I just growled and lifted him off the floor. He raised his legs and wrapped them around my waist as I carried him to the sofa. I stripped off my shirt as he lifted his hips and unzipped then unbuttoned his jeans. Before he could slide them down, I yanked them from the ends of his feet and tossed them to the side.

He raised up and stripped away his shirt while I slid down my pants, then we tossed them into the growing pile of our discarded clothing. I smirked, “You’re not wearing underwear.”

He bit his bottom lip, “I never wear underwear.”

“Son of a bitch,” I grunted then collapsed on top of him.

I could feel his fingers digging into my back as we kissed. I could feel his cock pawing at the front of my jockstrap. I shifted my hand and started stroking his cock as he whimpered into my mouth.

“You want to come baby boy?”

“Yes, please daddy!”

“Say it again,” I snarled.

“Please daddy.”

“Oh, fuck yeah!”

I kissed my way down to his cock. It was glistening with eager need. I flicked the tip with my tongue and he moaned with delight. His body convulsed a few times as I descended and started to slowly work the head with my lips.

I’d waited my whole life for this and couldn’t suppress the smile I felt forming on my lips as I pulled up and glanced at him. His body was squirming around like a nympho, so I took the opportunity to tease him further by slowing the pace I was jerking him. He whined, “Faster daddy, faster!”

I chuckled, “Mmm maybe daddy’s not ready for you to come yet.”

His hands folded to his head and he shouted, his voice with dripping with agonized frustration, “Come on daddy, please let me come. I’m so close!”

I sped up a little, but just as I felt his muscles tense up and his breathing grow labored, I slowed down again. This time he roared, “Let me come damnit! I want to come!”

I snarled, “Ask don’t demand!”

He whimpered with defeat. I could tell by his expression that he now knew who was in charge. He may have been able to get things in the past by being a brat but it wasn’t going to get him anywhere with me. Finally, he licked his lips and lowered his tone, “Can I please come now daddy?”

I flashed him a sadistic grin. His eyes were locked with mine as my pace quickened and his mouth fell open. “You getting close baby boy?”

He nodded and his breathing escalated. Now, the question was do I dare stop again or do I let him have the satisfaction of an orgasm at last? It was all too easy, at any second I could stop and teach him another lesson or I could be nice and let him finally come.

He moaned, “Daddy, I’m close.”

He was begging at this point, “Please daddy, please don’t stop, please let me come!”

He ran his fingers through his hair, then down his jawline before biting his fist. He lifted his hips then moaned. I shouted, “Give it to daddy!”

Release.

It felt so good to know I made him feel so good. Once he’d caught his breath he asked, “Can I help you get off?”

I shook my head and stood, “I’m good, I should probably get some sleep. I have some calls to make for work tomorrow.”

He stared at me for a moment before turning his gaze to the floor. I could tell he wanted to ask me something else, so I sat back down and placed my hand on his knee, “Is everything alright, Van?”

He nodded and mumbled, “Yeah, I was just wondering if maybe I could join you in your room?”

I thought about it for a moment and shook my head, “I don’t think that’s a good idea at the moment.”

He looked a little offended as he replied, “It’s okay. I was just feeling a little insecure and thought it would be nice to have a daddy to hold on to this first night.”

I swallowed hard. It was everything I could do to keep from saying, “Sure!” But I didn’t. It had been years since I’d shared my bed with anyone and I wasn’t about to make an exception for Van, even though his broken boy demeanor was fucking irresistible right now.

Silence lingered between us for a moment longer, then finally I managed to say, “As much as I would like for you too, I think we better wait on that for now. You’ve already made me compromise my principles once tonight and I think we should get to know each other better before we start sharing a bed.”

He looked a little disappointed as he sat up on the couch, reached for his shirt, then mumbled, “I understand.”

I hated to see him upset but I wasn’t about to let this go any further than it already had. Intimacy for me takes time, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been with anyone. I could already feel the guilt kicking in that we’d thrown caution to the wind so quickly. What the hell is wrong with me? Vulnerability is my aphrodisiac. How could I say no to those pouty lips begging me to help him?

Was this a sign of things to come? I don’t know, but once I told Van goodnight and he settled in on the couch with the TV remote, I made the walk of shame upstairs to my bedroom.

Ever since J.P. convinced me to write that letter to Regina I haven’t been able to stop. Every night I sit at my desk and write down my thoughts for the day. Sometimes they fill up a page, other times I just write down that I made it through another day.

Tonight, I filled up a page…

Dear Diary/Journal

I watched my son graduate from high school today. It left me with all these emotions that I don’t quite know how to process. I talked to Dana about them for a little bit but she just told me she was in same boat. Here we are at the prime of our lives, her without a husband, and I without a wife.

Our boys are growing up so fast and it feels like the harder I try to hold on the quicker they slip away and I’m not ready to be alone just yet. Sure, J.P. and I have had our differences since Regina died, but he’s always been here. What am I going to do when he’s not here anymore?

To make matters worse, I find myself in a strange relationship with a boy the same age as my son. I can’t shake this feeling that it’s somehow wrong for me to feel the way I do about boys his age. It’s like I want to be their daddy, even though I’m not and seeing them happy is what makes me happy.

For instance, I had sex for the first time in a long time tonight. A very very long time, but I didn’t finish. He did though, and now I have this strange feeling, a mixture of guilt and pleasure. A while ago, when J.P. first found out that I was interested in guys he’d told me that there were boys who were only interested in older men.

I did some research and found out that the same goes for older men, there are some who prefer the company of boys and not just for sex. They take them in, teach them about life and living, and sometimes they develop a relationship that turns romantic over time.

I’m not sure what I’m looking for yet, but I did learn something tonight. I liked the fact that Van called me for help and I really liked the fact that I was able to make him come. So, the question is now, does that make me a daddy or just some perverted old guy that gets off on boys getting off?

Van

The TV droned in the background, some mundane old sitcom from yesteryear. I sighed as I gazed up at the ceiling with my hands behind my head. I was lost in thoughts of Roger and wondering what he was doing in the room just above me.

I could hear his feet shuffle on the hardwood floors overhead. I suddenly realized I forgot to thank him for taking me in on such short notice. There was something so different about Roger than any of the other guys I’d  met, a certain refined quality that’d make any boy long for him to be their dad. I rolled over and whispered, “I wish he would have been my dad.”

Of course, that would have made our earlier encounter a little awkward at best. He didn’t even want my help to get him off. What guy doesn’t want a quick BJ if he can get it? Apparently Roger. Still, there was something different about him. This wasn’t just sex; it was as if this moment had been building up for some time.

Maybe something happened between us the night I showed up here drunk? I just wish I could remember. There was just something so comfortable and familiar about him. I lifted my shirt to take a sniff. That cologne, the smell of him was all around me like a happy memory.

It made it that much harder to fall asleep. I was already chasing thoughts inside my head of what I’m going to do with my life. Now, I was desperately trying to remember if something in fact did happen between us that night.

All I had to go on were blurry snapshots in my mind. A still frame and familiar feeling of his body close to me. A flash of his lips being close to mine. A hazy mirage of my hands gripping his collar, then darkness.

A few times, I thought about sneaking upstairs to climb in bed with Roger, even though he didn’t think it was a good idea. I closed my eyes and shook my head in an attempt to make the memories go away. I hate feeling this way. I’ve never needed anyone before and now I find myself at the mercy of this super-hot daddy and I just don’t know what to do about it yet.

CHAPTER TWO

A LESSON TO LEARN

Roger

In the morning, I awoke to the sound of my alarm chiming on the nightstand. I sat up and slid on my sandals before making my way downstairs to get some coffee. Van was sleeping on the couch and I couldn’t resist pulling the covers back up on him. They must have slid off sometime during the night.

As I did, I stared at him for a moment before running my fingers down the side of his face. I whispered to myself, “Such a beautiful boy.”

I quickly pulled away and tried to direct my thoughts elsewhere. Coffee, I needed coffee and then I’d do my morning workout. As the coffee brewed, I made my way outside to fetch the newspaper. I could see the bakery was already open across the street.

I smiled as I watched J.P. and Jefferey horse playing through the window. Dana emerged from behind them with her hands on her hips and I shook my head. I knew that expression well, they’d took their playing a little too far and either broke something or were about to.

With my paper in hand, I closed the door and glanced to the living room to check on Van. He had changed positions and pulled the cover over top of his head. Poor little guy must have been exhausted. There’s no telling how long he sat out there last night before calling me to come get him.

In the kitchen, I poured myself a cup and pondered for a moment while flipping through the paper. Van emerged in the doorway rubbing his eyes. “Morning,” I said.

He replied with a yawn, “Good morning.”

He glanced around for a moment as if he were trying to remember how he got here and what happened. He slumped a little and sighed, “Oh yeah, that’s right, the guardians kicked me out last night.”

I met his gaze as he crossed the room and took a seat across from me at the kitchen table. “What,” he smirked.

I shook my head, “Nothing, just looking at you. Want some coffee or oatmeal?”

He perked up a little, “Is it that fancy oatmeal I had the last time I was here.”

“Yep,” I said as I stood up and made my way to the cabinet. As I fixed him a bowl, he asked, “So, what do adults do every day? I mean, besides work and stuff.”

I threw the bowl of oatmeal in the microwave and leaned against the counter, “Well, I usually start my morning by reading the paper and checking the stocks while I drink some coffee. Sometimes I have breakfast but most of the time I just sit here and try to wake up a little bit before going to do my morning workout.”

“Morning workout?”

I flexed my arm and he blushed, “Yeah, I work out once in the morning, then at night before I go to bed.”

He bit his bottom lip, “Maybe I can join you?”

I crossed the room and placed my fingers under his chin to direct his attention at me, “You can’t keep up with me little boy.”

He squinted, "Oh yes I can, old man.”

I met his squint with one of my own and fired back, “Oh, I see how it’s going to be. A little friendly competition then?”

“You’re on!” He sneered.

“Get your ass up then, let’s go!”

He jumped, “Alright, then followed me to my home gym out in the garage.”

He glanced around in awe, “Woah, you have more equipment than the gym at school.”

I started stacking the weights on the bench, “School gyms are for pubescent boys who haven’t built the muscle mass I have yet. Lay down!”

Van

I lied down on the bench and waited for his instructions. He positioned himself at the top and glanced down at me. I couldn’t help the fact that I was so turned on by him standing over top of me in those tight workout shorts with his balls just inches from my face.

His voice was authoritative as he said, “I’ll spot you.”

“Okay,” I mumbled dryly.

I gripped the bar and he lowered it to my chest. “Ten reps, let’s go!”

“One,” I pushed up with all my might while he guided me.

“Two, pick up the pace!”

I could already feel every muscle in my arms begging to stop.

“Three…”

“Four...”

“Five…”

I started to moan and whimper as sweat rolled down my brow. I could see his shorts getting tighter with each labored moan that erupted from me.

“You getting off on watching this daddy?”

He growled, “You just pay attention to what you’re doing there boy.”

I panted and met his eyes with a lusty gaze. “You like seeing your boy all hot and sweaty?”

Suddenly he stopped, “That’s enough of this, let’s try something else.”

I sat up and shrugged, “Okay, whatever you’d like.”

He crossed the room to a basket in the corner and tossed me some boxing gloves. “Here, put these on!” He barked.

He slid on a pair while I put on mine. We circled one another for a moment before I pounced; clipping him on the jaw. He paused for a moment and adjusted himself. We circled again and he met my gaze with a challenging squint, “You might be quick but winning takes strategy.”

I swung and I missed. This time he seized the opportunity to let me have it. Bop! Bop! He teased me, “You leave yourself open, you’re gonna get bopped.”

I was getting angrier by the second as I kept trying to get in a punch but missed. All the effort I was putting in had taken my breath away and I called for a time out. He approached and tousled my hair, “You see what I mean about strategy. You can’t just go about life taking pot shots and hoping you’ll hit something. You have to plan your moves and strike when the time is right.”

It was a lesson wrapped in a game and for the first time in my life I absorbed what he was saying like a sponge. He interrupted my train of thought, “You got your second wind yet?”

I frowned at him, “I’m good if you are.”

He beckoned me, “Show me what you got then.”

“Ugh!” I swung and missed again. This time he snatched my arm and held it behind me. I could feel his breath hit my ear as he said, “Did you listen to anything I just said?”

I tried to break free from his grip, but he just tightened it and snarled, “The first step to becoming a man is understanding defeat. Defeat doesn’t mean you’ve lost the battle. It just means you didn’t plan the fight before going in.”

I nodded silently before he spun me around and pressed his body tightly against mine, “You got a good head on your shoulders, kid, if you’ll just learn how to listen to your teachers.”

I snarled at him, “That’s what my teachers always used to say in school and I hated it!”

He gnashed his teeth at me, “Well, maybe they said it so much because you wouldn’t listen!”

“Fuck you,” I shouted.

He replied by forcing a kiss on my lips, a kiss so hard it made me stumble back against the wall and my lips burn from the impact. Then he lifted my arms and pinned me by the wrists as he moved to my neck and bit down.

He released his grip and I began pounding his back with my fists, “Stop! I fucking hate you!”

But he didn’t stop, he kept munching away at that tender spot on my neck until all the will to fight his advances were drained from me. I closed my eyes and a moan escaped me as he descended to his knees and pulled down on the front of my shorts.

Meeting my gaze, he hissed, “Are you turned on by this, little boy?”

“So what if I am?” I quipped.

He leaned in and traced the outline of my cock with his tongue. I stared down at him, halfway disgusted and halfway turned on by his arrogance. He pulled away and glanced up at me as he said, “Well, what the hell are you waiting on? Whip it out and let daddy suck that cock.”

I did as he said and let it wave in his face. He flicked my slit with his tongue before latching onto the head with his lips. My head drifted back and I groaned with pleasure.

He took that as the signal to go down. He was balls deep when I decided to grip the back of his head and hold him onto it for a minute. “Fuck!” I shouted as I released him.

A string of spit bridged my penis and his lips. He stared at me lustfully for a minute, slowly jacking my cock before diving back in. “Feels so good,” I moaned as he bobbed back and forth for a few minutes before pulling away again.

“Come for me,” he growled.

“Make me!” I fired back.

He dove back on me and began furiously sucking me. I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d be able to prolong this. Having him want it so bad was hot as hell. Then it occurred to me, he liked getting me off. There must have been something about achieving that state of orgasmic bliss that made him feel accomplished.

So, once I’d busted my nut I decided to test my theory. He pulled away and swallowed as he stared up at me with those dark, mysterious, eyes. I placed my hands on his shoulders and flirtatiously swirled my finger on his bicep, “Can I help you now?”

He rose to his feet and tousled my hair, “Not right now, kid, I have to put on a shirt and tie for a Zoom conference. You’re welcome to stay down here and work out or whatever.”

As he turned to walk away, I started to say something but I couldn’t find the words. I’d never met anyone who was solely focused on satisfying my needs above his own. I knew he had to be horny. I could see how hard he got when we screwed around but why didn’t he want me to help him?

I sat down on the weight bench and glanced around, lost in my thoughts, while he tended to whatever he needed to do for work upstairs. I’ve always believed that no one does anything for anyone else for free.

As drunk as I was the night I showed up to challenge J.P. for Jeffrey’s love, I’ll never forget the selfless way he tended to me and there was something cool about the way he refused me that night. He wasn’t like other guys I’d been with.

That’s like coach. We’d screwed around a few times, but he only wanted me when I was winning. The times I needed someone the most, like after we lost a game, he wanted nothing to do with me. He always told me sex was a reward not a gift and no one wanted a loser.

What he didn’t know was that I had always been a loser. What difference did it make whether I won a game for him or not? The difference was, winning was all that mattered to him. He only cared about his own selfish desires rather than the boys who played for him.

They had some nerve to treat me the way they did when they found out I had been screwing around with Wally at the burger joint. I can’t tell you the number of times I’d seen them walking out of coach’s office pulling at their cocks or tugging at their ass. Shit, I knew for a fact that coach had every jock on that team at least once, some of us two or three times.

He was always a sleazy old prick anyway. I used to catch him watching us during practice all the time and playing with himself through the pocket of his dockers. To be honest, he was the true definition of a pedophile. But none of us had the balls to report him in fear that he’d cut us from the team. What does it matter now?

He’ll have a whole new group of victims this summer. It’s funny how important high school things are in the moment they’re happening. Then, when its all over, all that matters is what college you’re going to or, what profession you’re going to pursue.

In the real world, no one cares how many winning touchdowns you scored for the team or who you went to prom with. All that matters now is what you’re going to do with your life. I for one still have no idea.

A year or two ago, I would have told you I was going to be a player for a winning NFL team. But now, I find myself questioning everything. What’s the point in having a career or a life if I don’t have anyone to share it with?

Six months ago, when Roger and J.P. moved to town I was doing fine. But when I saw everyone around me coupling up at school, I started to panic. I guess, I’d always thought I could get by without anyone to call my own. That’s why I turned Jeffrey down to begin with. I had my reputation to keep up and the last thing I needed was someone expecting things from me that I just couldn’t give.

To make things worse, I always did like him, a lot in fact. He’s funny and cute and about one of the sweetest boys you’d ever meet. But to protect my reputation I told him I wasn’t gay. A lot of good that did me when everything I’d worked so hard to build came crashing down around me in the end.

In the back of my mind, I figured he and I would still be single when we graduated. My original plan was to go after him when we were done with school and we didn’t have the judgmental eyes of our peers gawking at us.

But I quickly learned that you can’t put people on a shelf and expect them to stay. There are reasons people don’t stay where they are, the main thing is people need to feel loved, they need to feel appreciated, they need some kind of purpose to make life worth living.

Then J.P. came in and saw Jeffrey in all his glorious, clumsy, beauty and swept him off his feet. Oh, isn’t that just the way life is though? John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

I’ve spent my whole life alone, with no real place to call home, no mom and dad to come home to and show my certificate of achievements to. No one’s ever cared what I did or didn’t do, whether it was good or bad. So, what’s the point in planning a life if there’s no one around to tell when things go right or wrong?

Our principal said at the graduation ceremony, "That we should seize the day and seize life. The world is a blank novel just waiting for us to write our story on the pages inside."

But right now, the only dreams and aspirations I have are to get through this thing called life, alive. I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t have dreams of being anyone anymore. I just want to be somebody’s someone. That someone that they are happy to see when I get home from work. That someone who they sit and watch TV with after a long day, then we go to bed and hold onto each other until we fall asleep. That someone they can say, “He’s mine, and I’m proud of him.”

Is wanting someone to love and for someone to love me back too much to ask for? Are my aspirations so hard to achieve? Is there something so flawed with my personality that it somehow disallows me from being loved? Furthermore, is it so wrong for me to pursue a relationship with a man old enough to be my dad?

What is age anyway, but a number that just signifies the moment when you came into this world? Physically, I may be nineteen. But mentally I’ve obtained wisdom beyond my years from living rough and doesn’t that count for something? Only time will tell. For now, all I know is when I’m with Roger I feel all those things I said I wanted and more. I feel like someone.

CHAPTER THREE

SOMETHING CHANGES

Van

After an hour or so, Roger came back downstairs in his boxer shorts, unfurling his tie, “Well, that was fun!” He mumbled as he plopped down on the couch next to me.

I turned to him and flashed him a half-smile, “How was work?”

His lips twitched into a smile and I quipped, “What?”

He shook his head and closed his eyes, “No one’s asked me that since Regina was alive.”

I shrugged, “You’re a hard-working man, I figure it gets frustrating sometimes, especially when you’re working with money and numbers.”

He continued to stare at me warmly before taking my hand and lacing his fingers with mine. I stared at them intertwined and couldn’t help but think it was nice to have contact with another human.

He mumbled, “Oh, you don’t want to hear about my boring job.”

I raised a brow, “We all need someone to talk to sometimes and vent our frustrations. You’d do the same for me.”

He turned his gaze out the window across from us and sighed, “I don’t even know where to begin. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a normal conversation with someone about life and work and things of that nature.”

I shook his hand reassuringly, “Just start at the beginning. It’s not like we have anything better to do with this new life of social distancing and all.”

He tilted his head to the side and mumbled, “Well…”

Roger

I must have talked to Van for hours about my job, how I started in the financial industry, and why I inevitably chose it as my profession. He listened with wide-eyed wonder and hung on to every detail. Occasionally, he even added to the conversation with his views and asked questions when he didn’t understand something.

By the time I’d finished rambling it was near lunchtime. He didn’t say a word, but I could hear his stomach growling every so often. He would shift and try to hide the awkwardness of the moment, which I found to be adorable. There was so much more to him than just a pretty face protected by a hard outer appearance.

Before we decided on what to do about lunch, I decided to call over to the bakery and check on J.P. He’d made such a fuss about not getting to see Jeffrey during lockdown that Dana and I worked out an agreement where the boys could stay together at her house until this thing passed. It was good training for when he went off to college and I would have to be all alone in this big house.

At the time, I didn’t expect Van to walk back into my life and I was still feeling pretty guilty about jumping his bones first thing last night. There was obviously some kind of sexual tension lingering between us, from the night he showed up at my house drunk, that needed to be worked out before we could discover if there was something more between us than just physical attraction. I’d find out soon enough.

Over the next few weeks, we fell into a routine. There was something beautiful blooming between us that neither of us knew in the beginning. He was still sleeping on the sofa and living out of his backpacks. But every night after work he would sneak up to my room and slip under the covers with me. I can’t tell you how nice it was to be so close and feel the warmth coming from the other side of the bed.

Every once in a while we’d make passionate love but I still wasn’t able to come with him yet. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Even my journal entries failed to help me solve the mystery of why I couldn’t achieve a climax with him. Maybe there’s something unresolved in my soul that wouldn’t let me shatter the mental block that was impairing me?

Whatever it may be is starting to get to me. It’s no secret that I want him and that I’m attracted to him. Once we’ve finished for the night, he always tells me that it’s okay, that just being close to him is nice. But I know he has to wonder why a man as fit and healthy as I am can’t achieve a simple orgasm.

Van

It had become my mission to get Roger off. I was starting to fall hard for him, but how can I expect to keep a man like him if I can’t get him off? Sex isn’t everything, but it is when you’re falling in love. I needed reassurance that I was doing this right. Living together was teaching me a lot about him.

Like, he’s a morning person and I’m not. He likes watching CSPAN and CNN and I like watching ESPN. He likes watching sports too, but I guess part of growing together is learning that it’s okay if we don’t share the same interests twenty-four-seven. There’s a delicate balance and once I understood that people can live together and still be separate individuals while together, then I was okay.

At first, I tried my best to watch everything he watched and try to immolate him. But after a few arguments he convinced me that it was okay for me not to like all the same things he does. It’s hard, you know? I never had anyone to teach me that different is okay.

The only thing I ever saw in foster care were grown people living two separate lives and I never wanted to be like them. I’ve always associated distance as the cause for most fights that broke out in places where I’ve lived.  So, it’s going to take time for me to get over that.  Like Roger said, maybe I’m just a needy a person who tries to act like he’s not?

Roger

One day, after our morning workout and daily work meeting I came downstairs to find Van sprawled out on the sofa. He was watching TV and eating a protein bar. I watched him for a moment, admiring the features of his beautiful body before running back upstairs to grab my camera.

From the bottom of the stairs, I snapped a picture of him. His t-shirt was hiked up just enough to see his belly button and then sun was shining just perfectly through the blinds to highlight the delicate contours of his face.

He turned to me and smirked, “What’d you do?”

I grinned and replied, “Hold it right there, don’t move!”

He stared at me with a curious expression as I snapped a couple of more pictures of him with only subtle differences. Once I was finished, I glanced down and flipped through them with a smile. He stood and approached me.

I lifted my gaze, “Wanna see?”

I turned the camera toward him and his eyes lit up with intrigue, “Are those the pictures you just took of me?”

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” I sighed.

He mumbled, “They are, but I’m not.”

He turned away, prompting me to lift my hand and place my fingers under his chin. “Hey,” I mumbled.

He turned his gaze back to me as I shifted my hand. With my palm on his cheek I traced his lips with my thumb before leaning in. He was staring at me with those little boy eyes that desperately sought a daddy’s approval. I could see his insecurity; I could see the anticipation of my next move.

He gripped my wrist and stood on the tips of his toes as I exhaled, “You. Are. Beautiful.”

“Roger?” He whispered.

“Yeah,” I moaned as I licked my lips.

He continued, “I know we’ve just been kind of taking things slow but I was wondering.”

He paused and glanced away before turning his gaze back to me again, “Well, you’re single and lonely and I am too.”

My lips trembled as I scanned his body. I could see his chest rise and fall with each shallow breath. He diverted his eyes again as I pleaded, “If you’re planning on asking me something, then get on with it, because I think I already know what it is.”

He whimpered, “Then what’s the answer?”

I smashed my lips tightly against is. His body caved into mine as I shoved my tongue inside his mouth. He met mine with his and dug his fingers into my back. I pulled away and grunted, “Upstairs. Now!”

He took my hand and we raced to the master bedroom. Once inside, he tore my shirt open, sending buttons flying across the room like bullets in a war-zone. I threw my head back and roared, “Oh fuck yeah!”

Something had happened. We had become animals, primitive and wild animals with only one goal. We were slaves to our unspoken desires but in a moment they had all come out like a volcanic eruption. I shoved him down on the bed and stripped off my clothes. He did the same, and once there was nothing to keep our skin from touching, I collapsed on top of him.

He pushed me to the side and got the upper hand. I taunted him, “What are you gonna do, little boy? You think you’ve got what it takes to get daddy off?”

He reached behind his ass and gripped my cock. His eyes never left mine as he stroked it. I was huffing like a raging bull with each slide of his delicate hand. “You really want this cum, don’t you boy?”

He nodded and bit his bottom lip as he poised it at his hole. My mouth and eyes were open in shock. This was happening. It would be my first time being inside someone in years. I couldn’t handle the sensation as he began to descend upon my shaft and I closed my eyes.

Upon full insertion, my eyes popped open to meet his gaze. His expression was distorted with pleasure and a whimper escaped him, “You’re so big, daddy!”

I began to work his hole; slow and steady at first, but not for long. It just felt too good. His hands were glued to my chest for stability. They were busy exploring my thick chest of hair. Occasionally, his nimble fingers would graze my nipples and it was like someone hitting the gas on a car speeding down a country highway.

My pace accelerated and his breath grew quick and short as his sweet ass clapped like applause with the rhythm of my fucking. Finally, I could feel it. I took a deep breath and it took me a little higher. At this point he was moaning like a nympho.

I growled, “You’re my boy, aren’t you?”

“Yes, daddy,” he whined.

“That’s right,” I snarled.

“You’re my boy now. You just wait till I bust this nut in your ass.”

“Give it to me,” he pleaded.

That pouty tone was all I needed to send me over the top. I raised up and wrapped my arms around him. He met my lips as he continued to ride me to the finish line. I roared, “Here it comes! Here it fucking comes!”

He rested his forehead against mine and wrapped his arms tightly around my neck. A series of moans followed by low growls commenced then subsided as fast as they came. He hummed with delight as all the love I had repressed for years released inside of him and simultaneously shattered whatever it was that had preventing me from loving him the way I should be.

He laid on top of me for a moment before raising up, “That was amazing!”

I tousled his hair, “Do you know how long it has been since I’ve done that.”

He chuckled and rolled to the side, “I think I have an idea judging by how wet I feel inside.”

I covered my face and let out a booming laugh, “Leave it to you to make me feel embarrassed about coming inside of you.”

He made his way to the bathroom off the bedroom, “There’s nothing to be embarrassed or feel guilty about. We’re both adults and we can do whatever we want.”

As he stepped back out and tossed me a hand towel he smiled, “I take it the answer to my question is yes?”

I lifted a brow and met his gaze, “Ya think?”

He shook his head and crossed the room to get back in bed. Then he sighed, “awesome,” as he climbed up next to me and curled into a little ball. I just lay there for a moment with a goofy smile as I rubbed his skin and mumbled, “Dear Diary, I guess I have a boyfriend.”

CHAPTER FOUR

A LITTLE JEALOUSY

Roger

Van and I spent the rest of the night snuggled up together in bed. I must say it was nice to roll over and wrap my body around his, and he says the bed sure is a lot more comfortable than the couch. Isn’t it beautiful what can come between two people who seemingly have nothing in common.

I can honestly say I never thought I’d end up in a relationship with someone a year older than my son. Which brings me to the next bridge I have to cross. Over the past few days, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell J.P. and furthermore how he’s going to take it.

Van says we don’t have to say anything right now, but I just can’t hide something like this from J.P. I mean, I’ve been living with Van now for over a month and everyday I try to find a way to tell J.P. but the words elude me. I know deep in my heart he wants me to be happy, but I’m literally involved with a boy who used to pick on him and his boyfriend.

I’ve learned that Van was just scared and trying to protect a reputation that he never had to begin with. In the end, it didn’t matter because when his classmates and teammates found out about his secret, they just treated him the way he used to treat J.P. and Jeffrey.

I think we get angry when we want something we can’t have because we’re worried what society will think of us. Then, when we can’t get it, we take those frustrations out on those around us. Just like when J.P. caught me browsing guys on a dating website.

I felt so guilty because a widowed father is not supposed to be looking for romance. I thought that part of my life was over when Regina died. Then life sent me a lonely, vulnerable, boy who needed someone to love him as badly as I needed someone to love, and just in time for my son to start a life of his own.

Sometimes I stare at Van and wish I would have met him sooner. I regret that he didn’t have a good life like my son did. I regret that everyone he knew used him for their own personal gain or pleasure. I regret that there are so many guys out there just like him. Why is it that life blesses some and punishes others?

I don’t know the answer to that question and I doubt I ever will. In the meantime, I just hope J.P. will understand why I need Van just as much as he needs me. There’s still so much life to live and I don’t want to spend all that time alone. I’m grateful he found his person, the other half of his soul, but when all is said in done I still have to keep living my life even after he had moved on.

J.P.

I stared blankly out the window while Jeffrey hummed happily next to me and cleaned the counter. The morning rush had just finished and everything was covered in sugar-coated sticky.

Ever since I started working with him at the bakery, my life has felt so complete. I wouldn’t trade our busy mornings and flirtatious exchanges for anything in the world. You know how young lovers are, they always have to be touching and kissing and playing around even when there’s important things to do.

With the country still on lockdown, we’ve gotten to spend even more time together because although we had enrolled in college for the fall semester, all the classes were going to be done via zoom video conference. It’d been over a month since I last saw my dad at graduation and I was starting to fell bad about leaving him at home all alone.

Since I’d met Jeffrey, we’d gotten closer than we’d been in years so I knew he could get just as depressed and lonely as I used to. We normally talk on the phone everyday but he always seems to be in a rush to get off anymore.              Sometimes, I worry that he’s taking this alone time to explore his newfound sexuality. The last thing I want is for him to catch feelings or something worse by playing around with guys. He had a long wait to get to the buffet and I just hope he doesn’t pig out and regret it later.

Jeffrey’s voice interrupted my train of thought, “J.P.?”

“Huh,” I said as I shook my head and met his gaze.

“I said, is everything okay?”

I nodded and smiled, “Yeah, I’m just worried about dad.”

He tilted his head, “Well, he’s just across the street. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you popped in to check on him.”

“Really,” I replied with a tinge of hope in voice.

Jeffrey nodded and smiled, “Of course not! However, you might want to call first in case he’s working.”

“Good idea,” I said as I pointed at him.

He batted his eyelashes and pursed his lips. I promptly kissed them and made my way to the phone. He went back to wiping counter as I dialed the number and let it ring.

At first, there was no answer. Then, his labored voice came over the line, “This is Roger!”

“Hi dad!”

He paused, “Oh, hi son, what’s up?”

I mumbled, “Nothing much, I was just worried about you.”

“Well, everything’s fine. Stop worrying about everything all the time.”

Silence lingered for a moment before I asked, “Do you think I could stop by when we’re done at the bakery. Maybe we can visit and order a pizza or something?”

He hesitated and stuttered, “I-I would love for you to but I’m kind of busy at the moment.”

I could hear someone laughing in the background and my lips formed a frown, “Who’s there with you?”

He hesitated again, “No one, it’s just the TV. I was just on a conference call with some of the people from work.”

“Oh,” I replied with tinge of disappointment in my voice.

His tone changed, “Listen buddy, we’ll get together real soon and hang out, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I have to get back to work, but don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine.”

“Okay, love you too,” I said again with an irritated tone before hanging up the phone.

I marched back to the front of the bakery where Dana and Jeffrey were finish up the last few tasks they needed to do before closing.

Jeffrey smiled at me from a nearby table, “So, how did it go?”

I huffed as I plopped down next to him, “Not good, someone is there with him and he wouldn’t tell me who it was.”

Dana added as she counted the money for the back deposit, “Maybe he just has a lunch date with someone?”

I glanced her direction and mumbled, “No, it’s not that. I could have sworn I heard Van Wishnevski in the background, laughing and carrying on.”

Jeffrey arched his brow, “Van Wishnevski?”

I sighed, “You know, ever since he showed up at the house that night trying to fight me for your love, he and dad have been getting really close. Also, I could have sworn I saw him grabbing the mail the other day when the mail lady came by.”

Dana turned to us with a confused expression, “Isn’t he just a year older than you boys.”

Jeffrey chimed in, “Yes, and just before graduation he got picked on something fierce because apparently he was having a relationship with a co-worker.”

Dana fired back, “Like you have room to talk!”

Jeffrey blushed and shrunk down a little in his seat before biting his lip and turning to me, “Well, I’ve lost all credibility in this conversation. Care to propose a theory?”

I thought for a moment, “As a matter of fact I would,” I turned to Jeffrey with a sickened expression, “I think my dad may be playing the field with Van.”

Dana waved in dismissal, “Oh, don’t be silly. I’ve talked to your father lots of times and he’s never mentioned anything about being interested in Van. As I said, he’s only a year older than you and your pops is way too starchy to fall for some little blue-eyed jock with a daddy complex.”

Jeffrey erupted in giggle as he turned to me, “Oh my gosh, how funny would it be though? Your new step parent would be Van Wishnevski! He’d probably make you do sprints and try to teach you how to play football.”

I shuddered at the thought and quickly grabbed my backpack, “I’ve got to get to the bottom of this. Here we are in a global pandemic and he’s over there living with that little germ, Van!”

“J.P.?” Dana stood as she called to me, “Look sweetie, your father is a grown man capable of making his own decisions. Even if there’s something going on between Van and him, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to confront him. He has a lot of complicated emotions he needs to work through.”

I stood with my hand poised on the door for a moment before replying, “Look Ms. D, I’m not going to lose my cool or anything. I just need to know what’s going on. He’s already broke Jeffrey’s heart in the past. I can’t let Van hurt my dad; his heart just can’t take it.”

Dana nodded and tossed up her hands, “I understand where you’re coming from. All I’m saying is if you go over there, at least try to keep a cool head and an open mind.”

I nodded as Jeffrey ran to the door, “We’ll wait a few minute for you, in case things don’t go as planned.”

I smiled and stretched out my hand to fix a cowlick on his head, “Have I told you lately that you’re the best boyfriend in the world?”

He smiled and flashed me a smug grin, “Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it.”

I shook my head and kissed his cheek before running to the end of the parking lot and check both ways before crossing the street. Once I was at the door, I hesitated for a moment before knocking. Then I took a deep breath, “I can do this. I just need to be assertive. Roger is my dad and I have a right to know who he’s involved with.”

I knocked and waited for a moment. Finally, the door flung open and a surprised Van stood before me wearing a shocked expression. I was just as shocked as he was. My suspicions had been immediately confirmed.

I could hear dad shouting from around the corner, “Who is it babe?”

Van cleared his throat, “It’s your son, J.P.”

I heard dad growl, “Oh shit, well, let him in!”

Van opened the door and looked a little shy, “Hi J.P.”

“Van,” I said dryly.

An awkward silence lingered between us for a moment before he mumbled, “Your dad was just working out, he should be here in just a moment.”

Dad emerged from around the corner with a towel draped around his neck and a bottle of water in his hand, “Hey little buddy, what brings you over here?”

I frowned, “Well, I was worried you’d get depressed from being all alone over here but I see you have company, so I’ll just go back with Jeffrey and Ms. D.”

As I turned to leave, dad shouted, “J.P. wait!”

I turned around slowly and crossed my arms. Van stood next to dad, tracing the floor nervously with his foot as dad continued speaking, “Look, I didn’t want you to find out like this. I was waiting for the right time to tell you that…”

“To tell me what,” I quipped.

His voice fell to a mumble, “That Van and I are in a romantic relationship.”

“Is that all?” I snarled.

Dad’s hand gestured toward the couch, “Why don’t you sit down on the couch for a minute so we can talk about this?”

“What’s there to talk about?” I shouted.

“I can see you’ve already replaced me and it’s only been a couple of months.”

Dad raised his hand in attempt to deescalate the situation, “Son, I’m not trying to replace you. Where would you get an idea like that from?”

I exploded, “I was never the son you wanted to begin with and all it took was a little time apart before you decided to replace me.”

Dad shouted in reply, “Now, you just hold it right there, mister. You’re not going to talk to me like that.”

I met his gaze. My eyes were fire from the anger seeping from inside me. He continued, “Van is my boyfriend, not some kind of substitute for a son.”

I turned my anger toward him, “And you, you never had a dad of your own. So, the second you got the chance, you swooped in for the kill.”

Van remained silent as his mouth fell open from shock. He looked on the verge of tears as he turned to dad, “He’s lying.”

Roger nodded at him, “Go have a seat in the living room, sport. He’s just emotional and taking out his anger on everyone else.”

“Sport?” I said with tear-filled eyes.

Dad sighed, “It’s just a word J.P.”

“It’s not just word. It’s our word. It’s what you used to call me.”

I turned away and pawed at my eyes as tears began to fall. Dad reached out his hand to touch me and I jerked away, “Don’t you touch me!”

“J.P.” Dad shouted with emotion in his voice.

I met his gaze as he continued, “I love you, son. I thought of all the people in this world you would understand my relationship with a guy.”

I mumbled with gritted teeth, “It’s not about that and you know it?”

“Then what’s this all about, son?”

“This isn’t right and you know it!” I whispered.

I gestured with my hand, “He’s only a year older than I am, dad.”

He turned away with a pained expression, “And just what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Can’t you see he’s just using you? He’s nineteen, he doesn’t know anything about what it means to love someone!”

Dad met my gaze and tried to suppress his anger, “Mighty bold for someone like you to say he’s too young to know what love is.”

I stiffened my upper lip and we stared in silence before I turned away and took off running across the street to the bakery.

Roger

I took off running after him, but stopped at the edge of the yard, “J.P.!...J.P.! You get back here right now so we can sort this out.”

He stood across the road from me and shook his head, “What for? You don’t need me anymore. Have a nice life with your little boyfriend!”

“J.P. wait!” I shouted again as I attempted to cross the road. But every time I did, another car would speed past me. Finally, I decided that I couldn’t get to him without risking my life and went back to my side of the highway.

He just continued staring at me coldly before I cried out, “J.P. please don’t do this, I love you and you’re the only family I’ve got left.”

He didn’t reply. He just turned away and ran back inside the bakery.

I fell to my knees and stared numbly at the bakery before Van came outside and wrapped his arms around me. I buried my head in his neck and sobbed, “Baby, I’ve just lost my son. How am I supposed to make it in this world without him?”

Van mumbled, “Don’t worry baby, he’ll come around when he’s had a chance to think about things and calm down.”

We separated and Van helped me up from the ground. Somehow, I’d found myself between love and hate. In just a short time, I’d managed to fall in love again while at the same time, losing my son. Even if it was just temporary, it was ripping my heart out.

Van and I spent the rest of the day muddling through our routine of working out, dinner, then TV. Once he’d fallen asleep, I got out of bed and went to write in my journal; it had been a while since my last entry. Isn’t it funny how love consumes your life once you decide to finally let it in? I turned to a blank page, took out my pen, then began.

Dear Journal,

I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve gotten a chance to talk to you. Life has been a whirlwind of emotions lately; some good, some bad. In my last entry, I told you I had a boyfriend now. His name is Van, but what I didn’t tell you is that he’s only a year older than my son, J.P. and they went to school together.

Today, I got a call from J.P. He said that he was worried about me and wanted to come over and hang out. But Van and I were busy working out at the time and I figured whatever emotions he was going though; Jeffrey was there to help him.

I should have known that the call wasn’t just to ask me if he could come over. He had already made up his mind that he was coming over to check up on me. Anyways, when he did, Van answered the door and well, you saw how things played out.

If I wasn’t already feeling guilty before our argument, now I’m just overwhelmed with all these questions. Am I being selfish by continuing to let myself fall in love with Van, when I should be helping him decide what he wants to do with his life?

Furthermore, how could J.P. jump to the conclusion that I was somehow replacing him with Van? He’s my son and I love him with all of my heart. When he hurts, I hurt. The last thing I ever wanted him to think was that he was somehow being replaced.

If I had my choice, I’d have him stay my weird little EMO boy forever. But I know we all grow up and move on. It’s the sign that I was successful in raising a kid on my own. Still, how can he expect me to just go on with my life all alone? To make matters worse, I don’t think I can see my life without Van in it.

But how’s a father supposed to choose between a boy who is own flesh and blood son and a boy whose become like one to me?

CHAPTER FIVE

A SATISFYING RECONCILIATION

Jeffrey

“J.P. what’s wrong?” I shouted as he stormed into the bakery with tears sliding down his face.

Mom joined us and added, “Oh no, I take it things didn’t go well with you dad.”

J.P. whined, “He’s shacked up with Van and to make things worse, they look like they’ve gotten close.”

I wrapped my arms around him and whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

He pulled away and shouted, “He’s replaced me! I’ve only been away for a month and he’s already replaced me.”

Mom approached us and gestured to a nearby table, “Okay boys, we need to have a grown up conversation.”

J.P. sniffled and tried to compose himself as we settled in at the table across from mom. “Take my hands,” she said to J.P.

He did as she said and met her gaze. She sighed, “Listen, J.P. You’re a man now and we can’t deal with things by crying and burning bridges like we did when we were teenagers.”

He bit his bottom lip as she continued, “Now, I know that it can be a little unsettling to see your dad dating again, especially with someone that’s only a year older than yourself.”

She turned her gaze to me, “Nineteen?”

I nodded and she rolled her eyes, “What I’d give to find a younger man who’d want me?”

“Mother!” I quipped.

She bit her tongue and winked at me as I sank down in my chair about to die from embarrassment. She turned her gaze back to J.P. “Now, what you have to realize is that your father is a grown man and he can make his own decisions. Just because he’s dating again doesn’t mean he’s trying to replace you, understand?”

J.P. nodded half-heartedly as she continued, “Now, don’t you think you overreacted just a little bit?”

She stared at him expectantly for a moment before he mumbled, “Maybe.”

She pursed her lips and continued staring at him, “Okay, I overreacted!”

She smiled with approval, “See, now was that so hard.”

“Yes,” he grunted.

“Listen boys, nobody said life was easy and as we get older, we have to deal with a lot of things we don’t like. I can honestly say, if I was in your position, I’d be a little weirded-out too.”

J.P. perked up a little, “Really.”

“Most definitely.” Mom replied.

Silence lingered for a moment before she spoke again, “Can I share something personal with you boys?”

J.P. and I glanced at each other oddly for a moment before replying in unison, “Okay?”

She smiled, “When you’re married to someone for a long time, you love them with all of your heart and you desire to do intimate things with them. Well, when we lose that person, those desires don’t go away.

Now, some of us never desire to be with anyone again after that person passes on or leaves us. I’m one of those people. However, Roger is not. He was dealt a difficult hand, raising a child isn’t easy. Us girls have a certain knack for it, but guys don’t.”

She turned her focus to J.P. “Your father is a very special man, but he’s also a very lonely man who I consider a great friend. When we met, we even toyed with the idea of dating, but I’m not his type. You see, I’m a very independent woman and your father needs to feel like he’s needed; Van fulfills that need. Is any of this making sense?”

J.P. nodded as mom stood and grabbed her purse off the counter. “Well, I don’t know about you two but I’m ready for lunch and a nap!”

My stomach growled at the suggestion, prompting J.P.’s eyes to widen at me. “What?” I said, “I’m hungry.”

J.P. shook his head, “You're always hungry.”

I shrugged, “What’s life if you can’t enjoy it?”

J.P. turned his gaze out the window as he mumbled, “So, when do you think is a good time for me to call and apologize to dad?”

Mom added as she turned off the lights and jerked her head for us to follow, “I’d give him some time and call this evening once things have had the chance to cool down a little between you guys.”

J.P.

Later that night, I managed call and talk to dad. Things were still pretty raw between us but I did tell him that I was sorry for what I said and that I understood that he wasn’t trying to replace me.

He sounded a little better by the end of our call but I could still tell there was something bothering him. I hoped I hadn’t messed anything between him and Van because I genuinely wanted him to be happy, and if Van made him happy then who was I to get in the way of their relationship.. I had too many things going on in my own life with Jeffrey to worry about who my father was dating.

As Ms. D said, he has a lot of life left to live and I couldn’t possibly expect him to continue being alone. This was the moment in our relationship where I needed to grow up and be his friend. I’ll always need a dad but he’d done his job as a father and made a good life for us.

Now, as I set my sites on my own hopes and dreams, I could sense the torch was being passed from him to Jeffrey. It still weirds me out that his boyfriend is only a year older than I am, but eventually time will ease the tension between Van and me and I will grow to accept him as part of our family.

Roger

A few days had passed since mine and J.P.’s confrontation and I was feeling better about our relationship. Once again, he had surprised me and shown me how mature he could be when given the time to think about his decisions.

I had my suspicions that Dana played some part in his coming to terms with things but I couldn’t be certain. Whatever had happened, I was happy to have my son back in my life. The thought of living without seeing him graduate college and getting married was tearing me up inside.

It’s like reading a book and never getting to see how the story ends. The regret and wondering of what could have been tears you up inside and I spent too many years dwelling on what could have been after Regina died.

Meanwhile, as time goes by and the summer comes to an end I know Van and I have some big decisions to make about his own lives. He’s sort of been taking it easy and getting used to a life he never had prior to us meeting. All the while, he and I are falling madly in love.

We have so much in common for there to be such a gap between our ages. But whenever I’m with him I feel young again. From watching sports on TV and debating calls that the referees make, to silent breakfasts with stolen glances across the table, he makes me feel alive again.

Everything isn’t perfect all the time, we have our disagreements but I take those moments to teach him. He’ll always be Van, stubborn and defiant as the day is long, but I hope overtime he learns to trust that I have his best interests in mind.

He’s always been used and thrown away by everyone in his life except me. He just doesn’t know how to relax and enjoy when things are going great. It probably doesn’t help that I’m as stubborn as him. Just like with J.P. I’ve never been good with words and expressing my feelings.

The trick is turning that angst into passion and that’s one thing we’re great at. One moment we could be shouting our lungs out at each other, then the next we’ve got each other pinned against the wall and making passionate love.

College classes start soon and I desperately want to see him make something of himself. I want to help him achieve things he never thought were possible, but at the same time I don’t want him to leave me to go off to school.

Being a father, and being a daddy are a lot alike. We want what’s best for our boys, even if it hurts in the end. I knew the conversation had been coming for a while now and I dreaded it. I was bracing myself for him to say he was going to leave and go off to school.

I knew he would come back to visit on breaks, but my selfish heart wanted him desperately to just stay here with me. It was a problem I hadn’t accounted for when I fell in love with a younger man. Whereas I had already lived most of my life, his was just beginning.

We’d ordered takeout from one of our favorite steakhouses in town and sat silently eating our meal when he turned his gaze to me, “Baby?” he said numbly.

“Yeah?”

I chewed mechanically and stared blankly ahead as he continued, “I think I’ve decided where I want to go to college.”

I flashed him a brave smile, “Oh? Where?”

He sat his fork down and mumbled, “It’s a little far from here and I was wondering if you’d help me go up there before classes start to meet with my instructors and everything.”

I took a drink of wine and replied dryly, “Of course I will.”

He continued, “I know we were hoping this moment wouldn’t have came so soon with us having such a good thing going on here.”

“Yeah,” I replied solemnly.”

“But I think it’s for the best.”

I took another gulp of wine to brace myself as he reached out his hand. I took it, but I couldn’t look him in the eye. I was dying inside and wishing we had more time.

He took a deep breath, “That’s why I’ve decided to take classes online. That way, I can stay here with you and you can help me with my work.”

I had my head in my hands and lifted my gaze to meet his. A huge smile formed on my lips as I said, “Are you shitting me, boy?”

He grinned, that mischievous little grin he gave me when he did something naughty or bad and remained silent. I jumped up from the table and ran around to where he was sitting.

He stood to meet me and I shoved his face into my chest, “Don’t you ever play with my emotions like that again, you little shit.”

We separated and our lips met in a kiss. As he pulled away, he turned his gaze to my chest and rubbed my pecs as he mumbled, “How could you think I would ever leave you. You’re like the father I never had.”

He lifted his eyes and whispered, “I love you, and I can’t see my future as a man without you in it.”

My lips quivered as I shoved his head into my chest again and sobbed, “I love you too, Van and I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you taught this lonely daddy’s heart how to love again.

TEN

YEARS

LATER

Roger

Isn’t it funny how time flies? I’m sitting here at J.P. and Jeffrey’s wedding. Van is sitting next to me and he’s every bit as gorgeous as he was ten years ago. Dana is sitting on the other side of him and he’s trying to help her fix the mascara running down her cheeks.

J.P. is standing tall in all black and I can’t help but remember all that we’ve been through over time. He and Jeffrey graduated from Sullivan University, the same college his mom went to. They both ended up getting degrees in culinary arts.

Dana is semi-retired now and made the boys co-owners of Dana’s Delicious Danishes. They’ve since changed the name to Dana & Son’s Gourmet Bakery to better represent the products they serve

Van graduated from college with a degree in general studies. He attended a community college to get a degree in fitness and nutrition. He’s now the coach at the high school he and the boys went to. His team won the state championship his first year as couch and they’ve remained undefeated every year since.

I’m still working in finances and we both share the same house, right across from the bakery.  J.P. and Jeffrey bought a house out in the country not far from here. Van and I turned J.P.’s old room into our gym and moved all the fitness equipment up there.

I’m trying my best to keep my emotions in check as J.P. keeps glancing at me with that same insecure smile he used to have when he was just a boy. It’s nice to know that all the bad blood between us eventually resolved itself when he realized Van really did love me.

Van turns to me, “You doing okay, baby?”

“Yeah,” I smile as I grip his hand and thumb the ring I gave him a little over a year ago. We’re engaged to be married next spring and for the life of me I never thought I’d get married again, especially to a man.

They eventually found a vaccine for the Covid-19 outbreak, but a lot of people had to die before they did. Looking back now, I didn’t think it was possible for the world to change for the better, but it did.

It taught us as humans to appreciate each other and to love without limits. Most of the people who died were the poor unfortunate souls who were convinced it was just a simple flu or didn’t think social distancing was important to save lives.

The president who was overseeing the country at that time has long since died and much like the many other dictators in history, no one speaks of him with respect. It’s amazing to think that we survived a global pandemic, a series of horrible wars, and the crash of the world economy, but here we are.

An usher came up behind me, “Mr. Richards, it’s time.”

I gave Van a kiss, he fixed my tie, then I made my way to the back of the procession. Jeffrey and J.P. asked if I would walk Jeffrey down the isle since his dad wasn’t with us. The boys had reserved a special seat for Sgt. Towler up front with us and Dana placed his military jacket, picture, and urn in it.

I waited nervously as Jeffrey finally emerged in all white. “Wow,” I gushed as he smiled at me and I offered my arm to him.

He met my gaze, “You don’t know how much I appreciate this, Mr. Richards.”

I waved in dismissal, “It’s my pleasure. Now, take it easy out there and don’t trip. Just keep your eyes on J.P. and everything will be okay.”

To my surprise, he threw his arms around my neck and mumbled, “I just wish dad could have been here to see us get married.”

I lowered my chin onto his shoulder, “He is, buddy. He’s with us in spirit and I’m sure he would have been just as proud as I am right now.”

Jeffrey pulled away and I pulled out my handkerchief to wipe away his tears, “Hey, none of that. If you start then I will and I’ve been really good about keeping my emotions in check.”

Jeffrey took a deep breath and nodded quickly, “I guess we better do this.”

I nodded and we positioned ourselves behind the flower girls and bridesmaids. The bridesmaids were a group of girls and guys that J.P. and Jamie went to college with and who hung out at the bakery.

Van

Dana whispered to me, “Look Van, here they come!”

We turned around as Jeffrey emerged in a white tuxedo. Roger was on his arm and beaming proudly as the music started to play. Dana stood and snapped a few pictures of them on her phone as they began to walk toward J.P. I noticed Roger was starting to tear up and reached up a couple of times to wipe away a few rogue tears.

I smiled, soon he and I would be getting married and just like J.P. and Jeffrey, we would get our happily ever after too. We’d opted for just a small outdoor wedding with those closest to us. I, of course, don’t have any family of my own but Roger, J.P., Jeffrey, and Dana have become the family I never had.

It’s all too weird to think of J.P. and Jeffrey as my stepson and son in law so we just call each other by our names and ignore that little side note. Love is love and age is just a number so it doesn’t really matter anymore that I’m only a year older than J.P, and Jeffrey.

Sometimes I wonder if Dana will ever get married again, but she’s made it clear on numerous occasions that she’s happy being alone and looks forward to growing old so she can be that outspoken, crazy, old woman that everyone talk about. I can’t help but smile thinking about it because she’s kind of always been that way.

The reverend stood before J.P. and Jeffrey and addressed the congregation, “We have gathered here today to join these men in holy matrimony.”

Roger eased in next to me and watched the ceremony with an emotional expression. I held his hand tightly and glanced at him a few times when I heard a sniffle. Never had I seen a greater father than him and sometimes my heart aches to have had one like him. But in a way I do.

Over the years, we’ve weathered a lot of storms and he’s taught me a lot about life, just the way I’d asked him to do that lonely night so long ago when he picked me up after I was kicked out by my foster parents. I really do love him and can’t imagine where I would be if he hadn’t come and rescued me.

Roger

I kept telling myself, in my mind, that I wouldn’t cry but I was finding it more difficult by the second as the boys finished their vows. The reverend lifted his gaze and smiled, “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husbands. You may now kiss!”

J.P. took Jeffrey into his arms and bent him back. Time seemed to move in slow motion as the people around us cheered and applauded. I was smiling then I felt it coming like the sudden rush of wind before a storm. I lifted my hand and touched my cheek as I whimpered, “Damn.”

Dana stretched out a tissue to me with mascara running down her cheeks. I took it and glanced back at them. J.P. met my gaze and mouthed the words, “I love you.”

I gripped my chest and mouthed them back to him as he turned his focus back to Jeffrey. I bowed my head and sobbed as Van rubbed my back, “Aw, baby, why are you crying?”

“I’m just so happy,” I sobbed.

Dana whimpered, “I think I know.”

I met her gaze with tear-filled eyes as I whispered, “Our little boys are all grown up.”

“Yep,” she nodded and reached out to take my hand.

Van pointed up, “What’s that?”

We turned our gaze toward the sky as a lone black object floated by. Dana squinted, “It’s a lone black balloon!”

I smiled and shook my head as I whispered, “I’m glad you could make it, Reggie.”

Van turned to me with a confused expression, “But what does it mean?”

I sighed, “Nothing anymore, just a lonely soul passing through.”

Jeffrey

I watched as J.P. smiled and waved at our friends and family before scooping me into his arms and running down the aisle. Mom and Roger had paid for us to go to Paris for our honeymoon and after the reception, we were headed straight to the airport.

At the reception, mom gave me a new diary as my wedding gift, so I could chronicle all the adventures J.P. and I share. I must say, when I started keeping a diary all those years ago I never thought they would amount to anything but just an outlet for my teenage angst.

But what they became were precious memories, they are pieces of history and special moments captured on delicate pages for all time; each and every one of them are like the rings of an ancient tree chronicling the random musings and voice of a baker’s son. In the spring, the following year J.P.’s dad married Van and he retired from the financial industry.

THE END

EPILOGUE

“Oh, hello readers!”

J.P. enters the room.

“Say hi to the readers, J.P.!”

“Hi!”

J.P. turns his focus to Jeffrey who is scrolling away on his phone.

“What are you up to?”

J.P. takes a seat next to Jeffrey on a vintage floral sofa in the office of their home.

“I was just looking at new recipes for various Long John fillings.”

J.P. looks shocked.

“You can’t change the recipe! The cream filled long johns are my favorite.”

Jeffrey smirks at J.P.

“Oh, trust me, I’m not. I’m just looking at other things that might be good to stuff them with, like strawberry preserves or cherries.”

J.P. cozies up to Jeffrey and meets his gaze.

“If you recall the day we met, what did I order the first time dad and I came into the bakery?”

Jeffrey blushes and turns away as he mumbles.

“A chocolate cream-filled long john.”

J.P. moves in closer and diverts Jeffrey’s gaze back to him. Their lips are only inches apart.

“It seems that if I’m remembering things correctly, you got turned on when I sucked the cream out of the end.”

“I did not!”

“Did so! You kept edging toward the non-see-through part of the counter so I couldn’t tell.”

Jeffrey blushes and turns away.

“So, what if I did?”

J.P. wiggles his eyebrows

“I know something cream-filled I’d like to suck right now.”

“J.P. the readers are watching. We can’t play find the cannoli right now!”

J.P. and Jefferey turn toward you and wave awkwardly.

J.P. mumbles to Jefferey.

“How do we get rid of them?”

Jeffrey still staring at you, “He didn’t mean that! We love our readers!

“Hello!”

“Who was that?”

J.P. mumbles to Jeffrey

Jeffrey smiles, “It’s Daniel, you know Daniel Sanderfer!”

J.P. looks confused

“You know I could have given Jeffrey to Van if I’d wanted to.”

J.P.’s eyes widen

“Oh, that Daniel Sanderfer, why didn’t you say so?”

“Hi, J.P. and Jeffrey!”

“Hi, Daniel!”

“I have the answer to your question if you two can quit fooling around for a second.”

Jeffrey asks, “What question?”

“On how to end the story so you two can go play find the cannoli!”

J.P. perks up, “I’m all ears, boss man.”

“You know J.P. I was just sitting here thinking about everything that has happened since you and your father walked into the bakery all those years ago. Say Jeffrey, hasn’t there been something on your mind the past couple of days?”

“Oh yeah!”

Jeffrey turns to J.P.

“Do you think your dad will be okay with retirement, he really seemed to enjoy his work?

J.P. waves in dismissal “Oh, he’ll be fine. He’s got Van now and they stay very active. Worst case scenario, if he gets bored, we can have him come work at the bakery.”

Jeffrey wraps his arms around J.P.’s neck and their lips meet in a kiss.

“I love you so much, J.P.”

“I love you more.”

“No, I love you more, sport!”

“Sport, that’s dad’s word for me! You’re going to have to pick a different one.”

“Okay, just playing around.”

J.P. smiles, “You can call me anything you want with lips as sweet as yours.”

“Aw J.P., now I’m all horny too.”

Jeffrey turns to you

“Say goodnight, J.P.”

“Goodnight J.P.”

“You’re so goofy!”

**

Well then, I guess since the boys cut us out of the scene, there’s nothing left for me to say but thanks for reading! Goodnight!