Bradley James

by C. E. Wilson

  “I think Uncle Bradley spoils him a little too. You played with him in the pool the whole time he was in there. I think you’re going to be a great dad for our kids.”

  “You never did say if you had any brothers and sisters. I don’t remember you being with a brother or anything.”

  “I have a brother that is two years older than me and a sister that is two years younger than me. They will all be at the house today. They are all anxious to meet the love of my life.”

  ‘I’m the love of your life?”

  “I told you that already. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I don’t expect you to say it until you mean it, but I don’t have a problem telling you that I love you and mean every word of it.”

  “I like you a lot, but I can’t say I love you just yet. I’m sure it won’t be long before I can say I do, babe. I want you in a relationship, I know that for sure. I want us to be together in the best ways. I just need you to know that I have never had sex with a guy or a girl. I don’t even know how to do anything.”

  “Well, we are going to have to read up on that. I don’t know anything about it either. I haven’t had sex with anyone. I was trying to save myself for my husband to be the first one. We can do that if you want to. I don’t want to get married until we get out of college then I want a wedding and put a ring on your finger.”

  “I’m pretty sure I want the same thing. I just hope your parents like me and lets you stay with me. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Well, we’re about to find out. That’s my house there. Don’t worry. My parents are going to love you.”

  They pulled into the driveway and Cade parked next to a big Lexus. He grinned. “That’s Mom’s little car. She thinks it's small and wants to get a bigger one.”

  Bradley shook his head. His mother had the same car as Cade’s mother. Cade got Bradley’s hand, and they walked into the house. Cade pulled him toward the back of the house. They went into the dining room, and Cade’s family was sitting around the table talking. They all stopped and stared at Cade and Bradley. Cade said, “Mom, Dad, this is Bradley James, my boyfriend. Bradley this is my mom, Alice and my dad, George. That’s my brother Link and my sister Selena.”

  Cade’s mom and dad got up and came around the table. Alice hugged Bradley and kissed him on the cheek. His dad shook hands with him, and then Link and Selena both welcomed him to the house. Link smiled at Cade and gave a quick nod. Bradley didn’t know if that meant he approved or what that was all about. He would have to ask Cade later.

  Alice said, “Bradley, please have a seat anywhere, dear. Selena and Link come and help me bring the food out. We will have lunch and talk with Bradley while we eat.”

  They all went into the kitchen, and George smiled at Bradley. “Cade tells us that you’re also going to Penn State to be an engineer. Is that just so you can spend time with Cade?”

  “No sir, I have wanted to be an engineer since I was a little fellow. I didn’t even know that Cade wanted to be an engineer as well. I had a bad crush on him but never talked to him until he rescued me.”

  “Oh, I thought you two had been together since we moved here.”

  “No sir, not until yesterday. I didn’t even know until yesterday that he was gay, and he didn’t know until then that I was also gay.”

  “Speaking of gay. Cade tells me that Dr. John Willis is your brother’s husband. Is this true?”

  “Yes sir, John’s my brother in law. Do you know him?”

  “Yes, I do. He’s my cardiologist. He’s a fine doctor. I didn’t know he was gay until Cade told me.”

  “He’s an excellent doctor. He saved my dad’s life. He did open heart surgery on Dad, and he came through it just fine.”

  “What does your dad do for a living?”

  Cade said, “Dad, I think that’s enough of the questions. Bradley came to meet you and Mom, not be questioned like he committed some crime. His dad is well to do, so leave it be. They even have a pool in the back of the house.”

  Bradley squeezed his hand. “I don’t mind Cade. My dad is a financial advisor. He has some pretty important clients, and he makes a great deal of money. He’s down to earth though. You would never guess that he’s loaded.”

  “We would like to meet them sometime. Maybe we could have a BBQ here or something and invite your whole family over and see if we can get along.”

  “Sure, just let me know when. I’m sure Mom and Dad will meet you and Mrs. Maxwell.”

  By that time all the food was on the table, and they started passing dishes around the table. When all plates were filled, they began to eat and talk.

  Chapter 8

  After lunch, Cade asked Bradley if he wanted to go for a drive. Bradley readily agreed. They said goodbye to Cade’s family and got in Cade’s truck. He drove for a while and finally pulled into a park. He parked the truck then went around and opened Bradley’s door and helped him out. Bradley chuckled. “Do you think I’m your girlfriend that you have to open the door for?”

  “No, you’re too manly to be a girlfriend. I want a man for a boyfriend, and you’re that man. I was just being nice but won’t do that again. It was silly.”

  “No, Cade it was nice. Thank you. What are we doing here?”

  “I thought we could take a walk around the park and maybe find a secluded spot to do some serious kissing.”

  “Ahh, a man after my own heart. Yes, I could do with some serious kissing. I also want to talk to you. We can talk as we walk through and save our kissing time for just that.”

  “Sure babe, what do you want to talk about?”

  “Well when we move in together at college, are we going to share a room or have separate rooms?”

  “I would like to share a room, but you know if we do what that will lead to. I don’t know babe, what do you want to do?”

  “Well if we share an apartment, I don’t really think it will matter if we are in two rooms or just one. I think we’ll end up sharing a room. I know we both wanted to wait until we were married, but you’re the man I’m going to marry so what difference does it make?”

  “I agree so we can get a two-bedroom and share one room and then maybe get another roommate. I think we would do well to get a girl as a roommate that way neither of us will be attracted to her. What do you think?”

  Bradley frowned. “If we were to get a male roommate, you would be attracted to him?”

  “Not at all. I know who I want. I was worried you would be attracted to him, and I would lose you. I only want you, Bradley.”

  “I don’t roll that way. If I am with you, then I’m only with you. I don’t cheat and don’t want a man that will. If you have any idea that you might cheat on me, then you need to tell me now, because this will end if I catch you in that situation.”

  Cade smiled and put his arm around Bradley. “I am so happy to hear that babe. I love you, and I would never anything like that. I would not take the chance of losing a great guy like you for a few minutes with a stranger.”

  They walked for a while and found a secluded bench, and they sat down and started kissing. Bradley pulled back so he could catch his breath. “Oh Cade, that was the best kisses I have ever had. How did you learn to kiss like that?”

  “The internet. You can learn anything on the internet.”

  Bradley was shocked. “How do you learn to kiss on the internet? What site did you use?”

  “I was joking babe. I dated girls. One of them knew a lot more than I wanted to know, and I had to make up a story to get away from her. She was ready to go all the way, and I had no desire to go there with her. I dropped her off at home. She was a good kisser, though. I guess from experience.”

  “Well, I’m glad you got away from her. I think I would even be jealous of a girl. At least if she was kissing you.”

  “No one touches these lips but you from now on. I’m serious, babe. I only want you and will only let you kiss me.”

  “I’m trying to decide if I like your kisse
s. I guess you better kiss me again and make sure I like it.” Bradley grinned at Cade.

  “I can do that.” He pulled Bradley closer to him and started kissing him again.

  Soon they got up and started walking back to the truck while holding hands. When they got to the truck, Cade gave Bradley a kiss and left him in front of the truck. Bradley chuckled and walked to the passenger side of the truck and got in. Cade started the truck and headed toward Bradley’s house.

  When they arrived, Bradley asked Cade, “Since I ate lunch with you and your family, how about eating dinner with my family and me?”

  “Are you sure your mom isn’t going to get upset without advance notice?”

  “No, she always makes extra in case Clayton and John show up, or Cathy and her boyfriend show up. She won’t care if you are here. You’re her hero for saving me.”

  “I hate to say this babe, but I saved you for me, not for your mom.”

  “Yeah well, she doesn’t need to know that. Just play like you had her in mind when you saved me. She will feel really close to you. Of course, that might not be a good thing. My mom is a little spacey, sometimes. Truth is she’s spacey all the time.”

  “Aww, now babe I like your mom. She’s lovely.”

  Bradley laughed. “You haven’t seen her when she has lost her car keys, and they are in her hand. She hunts all over the place and Dad, and I just let her look for a while before we tell her they’re in her hand.”

  Cade laughed. “When we get old and lose our keys, I am going to remember that and let you look for a while before I tell you where they are.”

  “I bet you would do that too, wouldn’t you?” Bradley laughed.

  Cade reached over and squeezed Bradley’s hand. “No love, I would tell you right away. I would not laugh at you. I promise.”

  “So, are you going to have dinner with us?”

  “Yes, it will let me spend more time with you. I think I’ll spend a lot of time with you until we leave for college then I plan on spending all my time with you except when we are in classes.”

  “We’re going for the same degree, so maybe we can be in the same classes. That would be cool. We can compare notes and maybe learn somethings that we missed in class if we both have notes.”

  “Great idea, babe. Let’s register for our classes together so we can make sure that we can get in the same ones.”

  “Yeah, that sounds great.”

  They pulled into Bradley’s driveway, and Cade parked. He noticed another car in the driveway that was not there the last time he was here. “Hey Bradley, whose car is that? If your parents have company, I can go on home.”

  “That’s Cathy’s car. Come on, I want you to meet her. I don’t know if her boyfriend is with her or not, but she’s pretty cool. He’s an idiot, and we can hope that he isn’t here.”

  They walked into the house and heard laughing and talking coming from the dining room. They walked in, and Cathy was by herself, and that made Bradley happy. Her boyfriend thought he was better than anyone else and made you feel like trash when he was around. He put his arm around Cade and said, “Cathy, this is Cade Maxwell, my boyfriend. Cade this is my sister Cathy James.”

  Cade said, “It's nice to meet you, Cathy. Bradley talks a lot about you.”

  Cathy smiled at him. “It’s good to meet you too, Cade. Mom and Dad have been filling me in on what you did for Bradley. Thank you so much. We couldn’t stand to lose our little brother.”

  “You’re very welcome, Cathy. I would do anything for Bradley and his family.”

  Cathy turned to Bradley. “You and Clay will be happy to know you don’t have to put up with Roger anymore. We broke up, and I feel so free. He tried to control me, and I hated it.”

  “Well, sis, I’m glad you broke up with him. He was a freak. Always telling you who you could talk to and what to wear. I’m sure you do feel free. Mom, Cade is staying for dinner. We’re going out on the back deck. If you need anything just let me know.”

  “Thank you, son, but I think I can make dinner by myself. You know Cade is always welcome at our house and table.”

  “I know Mom, but he was worried about it.”

  “Cade, you are always welcome. I always make extra, so feel free to come to eat with us often.”

  “Thank you. I sure will.”

  Bradley pulled Cade out to the back deck. They sat in the chairs around the pool. Bradley asked, “Hey do you want to go over to Clayton and John’s house? I want to see if we can make arrangements to go to John’s cabin in the mountains for a weekend before we start school. I think it would be fun.”

  “Would John and Clayton go too? I wouldn’t feel right if they weren’t with us.”

  “Yeah, they would have to go. John wouldn’t just give us a key. Clayton said it is beautiful up there, and on the back deck they have a beautiful view of a valley and mountain.”

  “So, would we share a room, or does he have enough rooms for both of us?”

  “There is plenty of rooms available. It used to be a hunting lodge. Did you want to share a room, or each could have their own a room?”

  “I’m not sure if we will be ready for that step or not. I mean I am, but you don’t even know if you will love me and I don’t want something that should go to your husband.”

  “You already know that’s going to be you. I have no doubts about that. I think you’re the hottest guy I have ever seen. I would kill for you.”

  “Well I don’t need that done so just fall in love with me, and I’ll be happy.”

  “It's not going to take much to get there. I really like you a lot. Love isn’t far behind.”

  “If you don’t mind babe, I would rather wait until it catches up with us. I would just feel better to know that you love me the first time.”

  “I understand and agree. We can still go to the mountain for the weekend. It will be nice to get away.”

  Cade said, “Yes, I agree and want to go. We can go to your brother’s house after we have dinner. I would like to see Jacob again. He is a cute little boy.”

  After they had dinner, they went to Clayton and John’s house. Bradley made the suggestion of going to the cabin in the mountains for a weekend before they had to leave for Penn State and both John and Clayton were excited about it. They made plans for the next weekend.

  The next Friday afternoon at five, Bradley picked up Cade at his house. He had a back seat in the truck full of groceries and a bag of clothes. Cade put his clothes in the back seat too, and they took off for Clayton’s house. They parked in the driveway and waited on them to get home from work. When Clayton pulled in, he smiled at Bradley and Cade. “Why didn’t you go into the house. Sharon is in there with Jacob?”

  “Oh, I didn’t know she stayed in your house while you were at work. I figured she took Jacob to her house.”

  “No, John and I decided we didn’t want Jacob’s routine disrupted and this way he can be at home and play with his toys and nap in his own bed.”

  “It probably makes him feel safer to be home.”

  “Yes, it does. Are you two ready to leave for the mountains? All I have to do is put the bags and the food in the car, and we are ready as soon as John gets home.”

  They went into the house and Jacob came running in the foyer. “Daddy, me and Sharon packed my suitcase, and I have all new clothes in there from Grandma. She brought them over today and gave them to me so I would look cute at the cabin.”

  “Oh, she did? We are going to have a long talk with Grandma about her shopping trips.”

  Bradley and Cade helped Clayton load the groceries and bags in the Lincoln, and when they were finished, John pulled in. They loaded up and headed toward the mountains and were at the cabin before dark.

  Chapter 9

  Cade couldn’t get over how beautiful the cabin was. He told Bradley, “If he considers this a cabin, what does he consider a mansion?”

  “I don’t know Cade. I thought the same when I saw it. I thought it was just a larg
e cabin with maybe four bedrooms or something. I know he said it was a hunting lodge, but wow this is elegant for a cabin.”

  “I wouldn’t mind getting married here. This is just beautiful. Would you like to get married in a place like this?”

  “Babe, we have four years to decide where to get married. I would honestly like to get married at John’s parent's house. They have a back deck as big as this cabin. They have two huge grills that John’s dad doesn’t let anyone touch but him. He can make a great BBQ. That’s where John and Clayton got married, and the food was awesome. I think we could probably talk them into letting us get married there if you want to.”

  “Well, like you said we have four years before we can get married anyway so we will discuss it later. Let’s go check out the back deck. I want to see the view.”

  They walked out to the back deck, and it was breathtaking. It had a beautiful valley with a lake in the middle of it and then a mountain across from the cabin. Cade stood behind Bradley with his arms around him and holding him against his chest. “Oh, Honey, this is awesome here. I love this. When we get married, we are going to look for a cabin up here for our weekends. Wouldn’t you like that Bradley? I think we could have some good times up here.”

  “Yeah, I’m on board with that. I would like for us to design the house and make all the plans then get someone to build it for us. One with three bedrooms, not a dozen. Just enough for our family to come up here and unwind.”

  “I want a hot tub facing this view. I can see us now. Putting the kids to bed and sitting out here in the hot tub. It would be so nice for us to sit in a hot tub and relax.”

  “We are making a lot of plans for a couple that only got together a week ago.”