by Jake Biondi
“I first need to apologize to you,” Hugo said. “You won’t even realize why, so I want to explain. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Rachel Carson until recently. She told me some horrible things about you and I believed them all, in spite of Jensen’s warnings to never believe a word that comes out of her mouth.”
The three men walked through the nearby gallery as they continued their conversation.
“What did she tell you about me?” Keith asked.
“She told me that you killed her brother and that you were harassing and threatening her.”
Keith laughed. “Me threatening her? Oh, my God. Do you realize how much she harassed and threatened me? Her brother destroyed my relationship with Emmett. He kidnapped and raped Emmett -- and he nearly killed Derek and Cole. Michael shot and killed him to protect the people he was threatening. She blames all of us for that when it was all her brother’s fault plain and simple.”
“I tried to tell him all this,” Jensen added.
“And then she started to seek revenge on all of us. She even blackmailed me into poisoning Emmett and she used Jensen here as part of that plan. She is pure evil.”
“I know that now,” Hugo admitted. “That’s why I wanted to apologize.”
“She has manipulated Hugo to make some bad choices as well. She’s hurt us all.”
“Sounds like it,” Keith agreed.
“And that brings us to why we wanted to meet with you,” Jensen said. “The three of us have all suffered because of that woman. With the exception of maybe Emmett, we three have been impacted the most by her lies and manipulation.”
“So now it’s time that we work together to get the bitch,” Hugo declared.
Keith smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
“Together, we can do this. She has gotten away with way too much. It’s time for justice.”
“We have to be very careful,” Keith said. “We have all been burned by this woman and we don’t want to be again. When we shoot, it’s shoot to kill. We may not get a second chance.”
“Then you’re in?” Jensen asked.
Keith put one of his hands on Jensen’s shoulder and the other on Hugo’s shoulder. “Let’s bring the bitch down once and for all.”
While Jensen, Hugo, and Keith plotted her downfall, Rachel wrapped her arms around Connor’s naked body. She ran her fingers through his hair and ran them down his back and butt, sending shivers through his skinny body.
Kissing her awkwardly, Connor continued to push himself into her, massaging her breasts as he did so. He licked his way down her neck to her tits, sucking on her hard nipples. His breaths grew rapid as he prepared to cum.
Her moans egged him on as her fingers dug into his ass. Spreading her legs, she allowed him to get even deeper as she kissed his shoulders.
With one final push, he came inside of her, grunting as he did so. She held him as his body twitched several times, sending cum inside of her. Then he kissed her one final time and lay down next to her.
“Was that good?” he asked, looking for reassurance.
“Amazing,” she lied, kissing his chest. “So hot.”
“I told you I’d take care of you.”
“You did, baby,” she whispered.
“I took care of that paternity test in the lab, too...just like you asked me to.”
Rachel kissed him again. “I know and I am forever grateful. We will share that secret forever.”
Connor smiled. “Mateo will never know the truth. He’ll always believe he’s the father of your baby.”
“He’s not half the man you are,” Rachel whispered.
“Thank you.”
“And no one will ever know who my baby’s father really is?”
“You and I are the only ones who know the truth. And I’m not telling anyone. So unless you do, the world will never know.”
Rachel smiled and ran her fingers over his chest. “Thank you, baby.”
Connor hopped out of bed. “Be right back.”
Rachel watched Connor go into the bathroom and close the door. Her smile turned to a look of disgust. She got out of bed and walked over to the dresser. Removing the small “C” earring whose partner she lost in the motel room from the drawer, she held it up to the light.
“One disaster averted,” she mumbled. “And now to take care of that bitch Camille.”
Arriving back to his apartment, Keith walked into his bedroom. Reaching into his bureau, he pulled out the box containing his old newspaper clippings. Sitting down on the bed, he put the box onto his lap, opened it, and removed the articles about Michael’s father’s death. One by one, he reviewed each headline.
“Don’t worry, Maureen. No one will ever know the truth...”
At the same time, Patrick was kneeling in the St. Joseph Hospital chapel. Looking up at the face of Jesus on the crucifix above him, Patrick softly prayed aloud.
“Lord, please help me. I’m struggling. Help me find the path I am meant to follow. Don’t abandon me. I beg you for your guidance. Show me the way.” When his prayer concluded, he rose from the kneeler and slowly left the chapel.
He followed the hallway back to his office and entered it, closing the door behind him. Alone inside his office, he took a key from his top desk drawer and used it to unlock the closet door adjacent to the window.
He opened the door cautiously and looked inside at the black shirt and pants hanging inside. He reached into the pocket of the shirt and removed the white clerical collar. Then he ran his fingers over the vestments hanging in the closet next to the shirt and pants.
“Please guide me...”
In California, Camille stood on the west terrace of the Ciancio mansion looking out over the lily pond and fountain. The wide brim on her hat protected her face from the brilliant sun high above.
She pressed a button on her phone and put it to her ear waiting for Mateo to answer her call.
“It’s me.”
“What can I do for you?” Mateo asked.
“I think it’s time to wake Marco up.”
“What are you talking about? All of this is very dangerous and makes me very uncomfortable. I want out.”
“You don’t have a choice, do you? Not unless you want me to tell your family the truth.”
Mateo didn’t respond.
“I didn’t think you would,” Camille said. “I’ll be returning to Chicago soon. I think it’s time to wake Marco up. All my efforts to recover that damn key on my own have failed and Gino is becoming a roadblock to my plans. Marco may actually be of more use to me awake.”
Camille smiled as she considered the next phase of her plan. Life is a precious and unpredictable.
Episode #49
September brings with it a chill that suggests change is coming. It was the start of a brand new academic year at the University of Notre Dame whose campus was chaotic with thousands of students and alumni excited for the first home football game of the season. With the sounds from the marching band echoing throughout the campus and “Touchdown Jesus” looking over the crowds from the front of the library, it was more like a religious experience than a football game.
Cole O’Brien and Jesse Morgan led Derek Mancini and Logan Pryce to the beautiful grotto nestled at the base of the basilica. In spite of the many people at the grotto, the scene was very quiet as people prayed and lit candles.
“Jesse and I came here often as students,” Cole explained. “Any time we were stressed, needed support or just peace and quiet, this was a go-to place.”
“It’s beautiful,” Logan said. Beneath his shirt collar, Logan had some bandages on his neck and shoulder as a result of this recent reconstructive surgery.
“We wanted to share it with you both,” Jesse stated.
“Glad you did,” Derek said. “As much as I hate to admit it, this is such a beautiful campus.”
“Are we making you a convert?”
Derek laughed. “Not a chance. I’m a Wolverine through and through. And
all these alums with their plaid pants make me want to hurl. But this is certainly a special place, I must admit.”
“I can’t believe Hugo is playing for our team,” Cole said.
“In more ways than one,” Jesse joked.
Logan added, “And the tickets he got us? Amazing.”
“It’s the perfect day.”
As the men enjoyed the calm of the grotto, Michael Martinez and Keith Colgan were walking on Notre Dame’s south quad, which was much louder and full of activity. Working their way through the crowd, they stopped at a stand that was grilling bratwurst and sausage.
“Perfect football food,” Michael said as he stopped and bought them each a brat. “Can’t beat it.”
Keith took the sandwich that Michael handed him. “Not exactly the Ritz, but I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Come on, Stormy. Even you have to admit this is a fun day.”
“There certainly is an energetic vibe here. I’ll give you that.”
“Thank you for coming with me today. It means a lot to me.”
“I’d go anywhere with you,” Keith said. “I love our time together.”
“Me, too,” Michael admitted.
Eventually, people from every corner of campus headed toward the stadium for the game. The stadium quickly filled leaving not a single vacant seat.
The game was an exciting one. Mateo Martinez and Joyelle Mancini sat together close to the fifty-yard line with Cole, Derek, Logan, Jesse, Keith, Michael, and Jensen a few rows behind them.
Hugo played hard with the audience cheering his every move. As he led his team to victory, Mateo cheered so much his voice became slightly hoarse. When it was all over and the stadium cleared, Hugo came back out on the field and invited his father and the others to join him on the field.
“I’m so proud of you,” Mateo said, hugging his son. “You were incredible.”
“Great job,” Joyelle added.
Jensen approached Hugo and, without saying a word, embraced him tightly. Their hug lingered and Mateo eyed them curiously.
Then the others stepped over to congratulate Hugo.
Cole pulled out his phone and snapped a few photos, including a few selfies with Jesse and with Derek. The others just took in the view around them – the empty stadium and the campus buildings beyond its walls.
After a while, Hugo returned to the locker room to change and the others left the stadium and headed toward the parking lot.
Later, Jensen and Hugo walked through the north quad of campus as the setting sun cast a pink glow over the area.
“You were amazing today,” Jensen said as they walked.
“Knowing you were here to cheer me on really helped. I’ve missed you since being away here at school.”
“I know,” Jensen said. “I’ve missed you, too. That’s why I was so excited to come today. It wasn’t about the game, it was about seeing you.”
Hugo put his arm around Jensen’s shoulder. “This is not a great place for a gay football player.”
Jensen laughed. “Well, the good news is that you don’t have to worry about meeting someone because you’re already taken…by me.”
“You have nothing to worry about. You’re my guy.”
“At least we get to see each other when you come home next week for the wedding.”
“I know,” Hugo agreed. “That worked out well.”
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be such a great event.”
“Maybe that’ll be us one day?”
Jensen smiled. “Maybe.”
Back in Chicago, David Ciancio was seated at the counter in his kitchen finishing his dinner as Adam Miranda took dessert out of the refrigerator.
“I feel so bad that you’re cooking for me on your day off. I should be cooking for you instead.”
“Naw,” Adam said. “I love to cook. Besides, at the restaurant I don’t really get to cook; I’m too busy running around.”
“Everything was delicious. You’re going to spoil me.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Adam said as he placed the frozen dessert on the counter for them to share. “It’s called semifreddo. Dig in.” Adam sat back down on the stool next to David.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you a question, but there’s no way to ask it tactfully.”
Adam smiled. “It’s me. You don’t have to be tactful.”
“You moved here to try to get Dustin back. What happened when you got here to change your mind?”
“Hmm, not one thing in particular. I guess it was a combination of things. I realized that I shouldn’t be chasing after anyone; I deserve better than that.” Adam took a bite of the dessert. “I also realized that I was chasing after the idea of a relationship more than I was chasing after Dustin in particular. He had already emotionally moved on from me and there was no way to rekindle those feelings and bring his focus back to me.”
“Makes sense,” David said, taking a bite of the semifreddo.
“I guess the bottom line is that I now understand that he’s not the person I thought he was or that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I had plenty of time to mourn our relationship back in Seattle. Arriving here in Chicago and seeing him only confirmed to my heart that it was over.”
“I appreciate you answering that. Now that you and I are getting closer, it was something that has been on my mind.”
“David, my life is an open book, especially to you. Whenever there is something on your mind, just ask.”
“I’m glad you don’t regret moving your life here to Chicago.”
Adam leaned over and kissed David. “If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met you. Things have a way of working out the way they are supposed to. I believe that.”
“I do, too,” David said, kissing Adam again. “I’m glad you’re here and I enjoy our time together.”
“We have many more great times together to look forward to.”
A few days later, Jesse and Logan were waiting in a hospital examination room for Mateo to remove Logan’s bandages. Sitting on the exam table, Logan was dressed in a surgical gown.
“Are you excited?”
“Nervous,” Logan replied.
“Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”
Mateo entered the room and greeted them. “Good afternoon. I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
“Not at all,” Jesse said. “Nice to see you.”
“So how are you doing?” Mateo asked Logan.
“Great, thanks. Just excited to see how the surgery went.”
“Well, let me tell you right off the bat that there may still be some swelling or discoloration. But that will go away with time.”
Logan nodded. “I understand.”
Mateo washed his hands and put on pair of gloves. “Okay, then. Let’s see what’s going on here.” He looked at Logan’s neck and carefully peeled back the bandages. Then he examined the area.
He picked up a small packet from the counter, opened it, and used the material inside to carefully clean Logan’s skin. When he was done, he once again looked closely at Logan’s neck and shoulder.
“Beautiful,” he said softly. “Just beautiful. It’s looking really good.”
“May I see?” Logan asked.
“Of course,” Mateo said, handing Logan a small mirror.
Logan held it up and gazed into it. Slowly, his eyes teared up as he looked at himself in the glass.
“Thank you,” Logan whispered. “Thank you so much.”
Jesse stood up and walked over to Logan to take a look.
“Oh, my God,” Jesse said. “Mateo, it looks incredible.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Logan replied. “It’s like the burns never happened.”
“There is still some minor swelling and redness, but I am very pleased.”
“I am thrilled,” Logan said. “How can I ever thank you enough?”
“Be happy and stay healthy,” Mateo declared. “That’s how to thank me.”
“Of course,” Logan agreed.
“I’ll do my best to keep him smiling,” Jesse added.
“You’re quite a team, you two,” Mateo stated. “Never forget how amazing you are together.”
Jesse gently wrapped his arms around Logan, who continued to look into the mirror.
At the end of Chicago’s Navy Pier, Cole was completing a photo shoot in an area roped off from the public. To the side, Jensen stood next to Hank and watched Cole pose for the camera.
“Look at him,” Jensen said. “He’s a natural. I seem so awkward compared to him.”
“Don’t be silly,” Hank reassured Jensen. “You’re good. When Cole first started, he had a few things to learn, but look at him now.”
“You’ve been with him from the start, eh?”
Hank nodded. “I have. I’m his biggest fan. And he makes my job easy. He looks so great naturally that he needs very little help from me.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be covering me in tons of makeup, enhancing my abs, etc.”
Hank looked at Jensen. “Not really, Jensen. You look great, too. I hardly had to touch you up at all.”
“You’re very kind.”
“Come on, Jensen,” Cole called from the end of the pier. “They want a few shots of us together.”
“Here goes nothing,” Jensen said, rushing over to Cole.
Hank laughed. “You’ll be great.”
And he was. Cole and Jensen took several photos together and then Jensen completed the shoot on his own.
Naked, Justin Mancini came out of the bathroom and walked into his bedroom where Gino Ciancio was already lying in bed. Justin got into bed next to his fiancé and wrapped his arms around him, kissing his chest.
“Hey, handsome,” Justin whispered.
Gino wrapped his arm around Justin. “Hey, babe.”
“You okay?”
“Just thinking about Marco.”
