Two Sides of the Same Coin (53 page)

“Yeah, oh yeah. Fuck me, Jeffy, my ass is yours.”

“Damn right it is.” I remembered something he’d said a few days ago, so I slapped his ass hard. I left a red hand mark on it. The red made the blond fur on his ass more visible. He clenched down real hard and thrust back on me. He stood up, arched his back, and turned the upper part of his body back toward me for a kiss.

“Christ, Jeffy, that’s hot. It feels great.” I kissed him, gently this time and contrasted it with another slap on his ass. He was so excited, he was clenching down hard and squirming all around. Having watched him all night in those tight leather pants, I was getting close. I slapped his ass again and thrust in hard. All of a sudden, he began moaning into me and pushing back hard. Both his hands were back holding me. I realized he was shooting without even touching his cock. That was so hot, it caused me to cum right then and there. I held him tight and gently lowered both of us to the floor. I felt totally relaxed and drained, and he was lying in my arms all limp and satisfied. Finally, he broke the silence.

“You were right, Jeffy; Wolverine really did fuck Gambit good. Who’da thought we’d both get so horned up from these costumes.”

“It’s not only the costumes, buddy, it’s us. You’re the handsomest, sexiest, most incredible man I ever saw.”

“Thanks, Jeff.” He snuggled back into me. I gently kissed and nuzzled the back of his neck. I realized I was gettin’ hard again. He realized it, too, since he was pushing his ass against me.

“Hey, buddy, let’s get outta this stuff and head upstairs. I wanna fuck you again, nice and slow and easy, show ya what ya mean to me.”

“You read my mind. I want more of ya.” We shucked the costumes pretty quickly. He grabbed the condoms and lube, and we headed upstairs for a nice gentle round two.

Chapter Twenty-One

S
ATURDAY
dawned cold and clear. I reckoned we’d have snow by Thanksgiving. Mike and I were lying in bed all cuddled up and talking. We’d both had a great time at the party last night. Mary Grace’s ceremony was interesting. We both thought it was real sweet of her to try to do what she could to help us. The costumes we wore were fun, and led to two play sessions last night and one this morning.” I was really relaxed and sated. Mike was all cuddled up against me.

“Jeffy, I was thinkin’. Remember how I told you I never finished high school?”

“I do.”

“I want to get my GED.”

“That’s great! I think that’s a really smart move.”

“I started thinkin’ about it when you were talkin’ about me bein’ your right-hand man with the dudes and the runnin’ of the ranch. I reckon that I could be a lot more help with a few more skills under my belt.”

“Buddy, I like what ya got under your belt just fine. All kiddin’ aside though, I really think that is a great idea. There’s never anythin’ wrong with wantin’ to better yourself.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate the support. I was thinkin’ of goin’ on afterwards and takin’ some classes at Wenatchee Community College. I’ve always been interested in photography, and I thought of takin’ some hotel and restaurant management-type classes. Then I could really contribute to the ranch.”

“You already contribute. I just hope you’re doin’ this for you and not because you think it makes a difference to me.”

“It makes a difference to me. You keep tellin’ me I’m somethin’ special and all that, and maybe if I felt a bit better about myself, it would be easier for me to believe. I know I can do well in school, I just never had the chance.”

“I reckon that’s a great idea, Mike.”

“I also reckon that since we’re in this for the long haul, I wanna have some skills that complement yours. Nothin’ wrong with makin’ a good team stronger.”

“You really are somethin’, you know that, bud? I reckon they broke the mold when they made you.” I realized once again just how lucky I was to have this man curled up beside me and with me every day.

“Mike, it’s really good you think on stuff like gettin’ ahead, and all that. It’s a time of big changes for ya, bustin’ outta the closet, gettin’ a partner, you’re bound to want to spread your wings a bit.”

“It’s not only bein’ out and havin’ a partner, Jeffy, it’s havin’ a real good friend, a best friend. I ain’t never had a good friend before.”

“I’m honored I’m the first; you about ready to get some coffee and breakfast?”

“Yeah, is oatmeal okay? It sounds good to me now.”

“Fine by me.” We jumped outta bed and pulled on our socks and long handles. It was cold in the house. I reckoned it had been below freezin’ last night. As Mike headed for the stairs, I stopped him.

“Hey, gimme a hug.” He did. As his head rested against mine, I whispered in his ear, “You’re the best thing ever to happen to me. Don’t ever forget I said that.” We headed on downstairs and got the coffee and oatmeal on. Just as we were sittin’ down to eat, there was a knock on the door. It was Smitty and Josh.

“Are you guys up for a workout today? I’d like to join you if you are, and so would Josh.” Josh didn’t look too enthused.

“You sure about this, Josh?”

“Renee’s been pushin’ me pretty hard.”

“Just try it for a month. If ya still don’t like it, tell her; can’t hurt to go along with her once in a while.”

“Reckon not.”

Smitty turned to him. “You were right.” Josh smirked.

“Right about what?”

“About the two of you runnin’ around half-dressed all the time.”

“Hey, this is a lot less revealin’ than that costume from last night.”

“You’re spot on there.” We made plans for a workout at ten; that would give us a bit of time to let breakfast settle.

“Hey, buddy, don’t forget, Mark, the ranger from Winslett, is supposed to come over this evenin’. We invited him over for dinner.”

“Any ideas on what to make?”

“I was thinking about puttin’ a chuck roast in the slow cooker and makin’ shredded beef. We can add some chiles and spices, and have it for taco meat. Then we can put out tortillas, taco and burrito fixins, and rice and beans, and we should be all set.”

“Okay, and he’s bringin’ the beer, so we’re fine.”

“
S
MITTY
, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“What’s that, Mike?” The three of us were sittin’ in the hot tub after a long workout. I’d suggested to Josh that he join us, but he and Renee were going out for an early dinner, and then she was headin’ back to Seattle. I had been kinda surprised when Smitty had asked if he could join us in the hot tub. I always think that straight guys are uncomfortable around gay guys, but I reckon it really depends on the guy. Smitty was nothing if not self-assured.

“I’ve heard that straight guys are always checkin’ each other out below the belt. Is that true?”

Smitty laughed. “There’s some truth to it. But I think it’s kinda like checkin’ out the competition or maybe assuring yourself, I’m normal, or I’m bigger, or whatever.”

“Well then, do you notice if another guy is good lookin’?”

“Lemme answer that this way, Mike. Do you notice if women you see are good looking?”

“Of course I do. There’s just no sexual feelings, so sometimes I’ll think a girl with a nice smile or pleasant face is real good lookin’, even if she’s real skinny, or chunky, or whatever.”

“It’s the same with guys noticing other guys.”

“You don’t mind me askin’ this stuff, do ya?”

“Not at all. I know the answers ’cause my little brother asked me a lot of the same questions.”

“That’s right, I remember you tellin’ us your brother is gay.” I looked at Smitty.

“Yep. We were always close, and it didn’t bother me. Our parents had some issues with it, but they try their best to be understanding.”

“He’s out and okay though?”

“For the most part he is, Jeff. But he does have some issues. He sleeps around a lot because he has some self-esteem problems. Like a lotta folks, he confuses sex and love.”

“That’s not uncommon.”

“No, it’s not. It just seems to me like a shallow way to try and deal with it.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Are you from a small town, Smitty?” I asked.

“Yep, a fairly small town in Texas.”

“Well, both Mike and I can tell ya, it’s not easy growin’ up gay in a small town. I was lucky. I had support from family and friends, Mike didn’t.”

“Mike, you didn’t turn into the whore of Babylon though, did ya?”

“No, but when I did do anything, it was always anonymous, and I’d feel guilty for weeks afterward.”

“What happened to make you so well-adjusted then?”

“Jeffy; he’s still workin’ on me, though.”

“Hell, I should have my brother meet you two. I can try to be there for him, and listen to him, and help him, but bein’ straight, it only goes so far. Maybe he needs some good gay role models.”

“Well, invite him over anytime.”

“I’ll have to do that. He’s livin’ in Seattle. Maybe I’ll invite him for the holidays or somethin’.”

“Did ya have a good workout, Smitty?”

“I did; I bet I’m gonna be pretty sore tomorrow though.”

“Maybe. I really feel for Josh, though. He insisted he try and do the same weight as me and Mike. He’s not gonna be able to move tomorrow.”

“I wonder if he’s gonna keep it up.”

“Ya never know. With Renee pullin’ his chain, maybe.”

“Hey, Smitty, how’d you get into cowboyin’? Did you do it in Texas?”

“We had a small ranch, so I did some. Mostly what I’m doin’ is tryin’ to put my fancy journalism degree to work and write a book about the modern American cowboy.”

“Really? That’s interestin’. I don’t use my degree all too much other than doin’ the books and taxes for the ranch.”

“It actually is interesting, Jeff. Did you know that historically about a third of cowboys were black, and another third Latino? Still have a fair amount of Latino cowboys, but other than that, it’s changed a lot. Now it’s mostly kids outta college for a few years or during the summer that cowboy. Hell, as you two know, there are open and out gay cowboys. That never coulda happened a hundred and twenty years ago.”

“I’ve heard lots of gay authors claim that quite a few cowboys were gay.”

“Really, Jeffy?”

“Really, Mike. Granted it’s mostly gay authors sayin’ that.”

“Do you reckon it’s true?”

“I dunno. Part of me would like to think it is. Another part of me thinks it was just a different world back then. Folks just didn’t think about others bein’ gay then, and most gay men got married and played on the side. Old-time cowboys used to sleep together to keep warm, or dance together since there were few women. I reckon some of ’em did fool around; in some cases I bet they were gay, and in others I bet it was just because it was available. What do you think, Smitty?”

“From the research I done, I’d agree with you.”

“That’s real interestin’. Jeffy, Smitty, do you guys have anythin’ I can read about gay men and women in the old West?”

“I don’t, but you could do a search on Amazon.com.”

“That’s a good idea, Jeff; I don’t have any of my books with me,” Smitty said. “Not to change the subject or anything, but you guys gonna work out tomorrow?”

“I reckon so. Mike and I are tryin’ to get ready for cross country skiin’ this winter. Ain’t that right, buddy?”

“It sure is. Remember though, tomorrow Sandy said we’re havin’ a party here.”

“Thanks for remindin’ me. We gotta make Sandy real happy, right Smitty?”

“She’s a real nice lady.” He was gettin’ a bit red.

“What should we make to eat?”

“How about I do the cookin’, Jeffy? I could make chicken and sausage gumbo; we could get some French bread to have with it, rice and potato salad.”

“Potato salad?”

“You gotta have potato salad with gumbo. Sometimes we even serve the gumbo over it.”

“I’ll leave that to the authentic Cajuns then.”

“Do you guys mind if I work out with ya tomorrow again?”

“No problem, Smitty.”

“Well then, I’m off. Mind if I borrow the towel?” He had just stepped outta the hot tub and dried off. The towel was now around his waist.

“Sure.”

“Okay, see ya later. I think I’m gonna have dinner at One Eyed Jack’s.”

“That wouldn’t have anythin’ to do with the fact that Sandy’s workin’ tonight, would it?”

“She’s a real nice lady, guys.”

“That she is. Enjoy your dinner.” He walked out carrying his gym clothes and wrapped in the towel. Mike looked at me after Smitty left.

“He’s a real nice guy, Jeff. He didn’t seem freaked out to work out with us or even be nekkid in the hot tub with us.”

“He’s secure in himself. I really believe that guys who are scared of gays either are big closet cases themselves, are so insecure in their masculinity that someone who expresses who they are differently is a threat, or they’re so small-minded they are afraid of stuff they can’t understand.”

“Makes sense.”

“Mike, I was wonderin’, you like to travel?”

“Ain’t had much of a chance. I’ve never even been on an airplane.”

“After the costume party, I was thinkin’ it might be fun to go to Mardi Gras next year in New Orleans. We could wear our X-men costumes.”

“I heard it’s a great city. My old man was always carryin’ on about it bein’ sin city and Sodom in the swamp. I reckon with that kind of recommendation from him, it’s gotta be good.”

“That’s right, your background is from that area.”

“Yeah, it would be nice to see it. So, Jeffy, is this like a honeymoon?” He was smiling at me, but I could tell he was serious.

“Hell, Mike, you proposin’ to me?” All of a sudden, he got a sheepish look on his face. I decided to continue. “If ya are, the answer is yes. If not, I reckon I’m askin’ you.”

“You already know the answer.”

“Let’s get outta the hot tub, bud. I’m gonna melt.” We stepped out of the hot tub and toweled off.

Mike grinned at me as we headed upstairs. “Jeffy?”

“What, bud?”

“Can I suck your dick? I just was thinkin’ about you kickin’ back and me doin’ the work. I wanna make you feel good.”

“Well, ya made me feel real good this mornin’, but I ain’t gonna say no to a blowjob from the handsomest man on earth.” My cock was already startin’ to rise. He reached over and fondled my balls. He gave me a deep kiss.