by Jake Biondi
“I’m close,” David whispered.
“I am, too,” Adam said, tightening himself around David.
David made a few final thrusts. Then he withdrew his dick, pulling off the condom and spewing all over Adam’s stomach and chest. He groaned as several ropes of cum landed on Adam, who grabbed his own cock to stroke it.
Before David had finished ejaculating, Adam erupted, mixing his sticky, white seed with David’s. He tried to catch his breath as his body twitched with pleasure.
David looked down at Adam’s body and smiled. “You’re a mess.”
“That was hot,” Adam said, pulling him toward him and holding him tight. “Thank you.”
David kissed Adam. “No, thank you, handsome. You are amazing.”
David rested on top of Adam for a moment before getting up and inviting Adam into the shower with him.
The next day, as David and Adam woke up wrapped around each other, Cole rolled out of his own bed, pulled on some shorts, and walked into the living room where Jesse was packing a large box.
“Morning, bro,” Jesse said. “There’s fresh coffee if you want it.”
Cole ran his hands through his hair. “Do I look like I need it?”
“Let’s just say it’s a good thing the wedding is tomorrow and not today.”
Cole smiled, “Thanks.”
“I can’t believe this is our last full day together,” Jesse said, putting some items into the box in front of him. “After living together all through college and this past year, this is it.”
Cole pulled a bottle of water from the fridge. “You make it sound like one of us is dying. We’ll still be living close by and see each other all the time.”
“Can’t I be sentimental for just a moment?”
“You? Sentimental? Where’s the real Jesse and what have you done with him?”
Jesse closed the box and walked over to Cole who was sitting at the kitchen counter.
“Cole, you’re getting married tomorrow. That’s huge.”
“I know. Thankfully, my hangover is making me forget how nervous I am.”
“Don’t be nervous. Derek loves you. Everything is going to be great.”
“Thanks, best man.”
“We’ll always be brothers,” Jesse said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Cole stated. “Would never have made it this far without you next to me.”
“Well, I’m not going anywhere and I’m counting on you remaining by my side, too.”
Cole hugged Jesse. “Derek is having Justin and Emmett stay with him tonight. Sort of a brothers’ slumber party on the night before the weddings. So you and I have the whole day together.”
“Perfect,” Jesse said. “Then let’s make it a fun, special one.”
“Packing?”
“Naw, the packing can wait. Let’s just enjoy our last day as roommates together.”
While Cole and Jesse reminisced, Keith arrived at Shepherd’s Farm, a community for people with developmental disabilities in the suburbs far west of Chicago. He drove under the huge sign welcoming guests to the property and continued on to the parking area. He parked his car and walked to the main entrance which was marked by a large, red awning.
Once inside the main building lobby, Keith registered at the security desk.
“I’m here to see Maureen Colgan.”
The woman behind the front desk smiled upon recognizing Keith. “Good to see you. We haven’t seen you in so long.”
“I’m sorry. You know how time gets away from you.”
“I do,” the woman replied. “Especially around here. Maureen will be thrilled to see you. She’s in the courtyard on her work break from the restaurant.”
“Thank you.”
Keith headed down the hallway and out into the courtyard. Filled with flowers, trees, and a fountain, the courtyard was a lovely place for residents and their guests to socialize or relax.
Off in the corner at a small table under a tree sat Keith’s sister, who was working on a small puzzle. He watched her for a moment and then approached her. When she looked up from the puzzle and saw him, her face lit up. She stood up from the chair and stretched out her arms to Keith, who rushed over and hugged her tightly.
“I’ve missed you,” Maureen repeated several times. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” Keith told her. “I’m sorry it’s been so long, but I’m always here for you. Always.”
At the same time, Rachel was pacing in her hotel room while talking on the phone.
“Camille is in town for the wedding, so you need to be very discreet and very careful. I got you access to her suite. Do exactly as I instructed and do it quickly.” Rachel paused and then added, “Perfect. Let me know when it’s done.”
Putting her phone down on the nearby counter, Rachel heard someone pounding on her door.
“Who it is?” she asked as she opened the door to find Hugo standing in the hallway. “Hugo? What are you doing here?”
Hugo walked past her into the room. “We need to talk.”
Rachel closed the door. “I’m not sure we have anything left to talk about.”
“I think we do,” Hugo said firmly. “Sit down.” When Rachel ignored his order, Hugo repeated himself more loudly. “I said sit down!”
“Okay, okay,” Rachel said, walking over to a chair and sitting. “What has gotten into you? You’re acting like a crazy man.”
“The key word there is ‘man.’ I’m not a dumb boy you can just fuck and then fuck over. I’m a man.”
“You’ve proven that in the sack over and over again. I never said you weren’t.”
“So I’m calling the shots now. I want you to stay away from my family and my friends and me. In fact, I want you to get out of Chicago.”
Rachel laughed. “Give me a break. I live here.”
“No, you have just nested here like a rat. You’re not from Chicago and you need to return to wherever you came from before you decided to come here and wreak havoc on innocent people.”
“Innocent people? Are you high or something? These ‘innocent’ people killed my brother and have tried to abuse me.”
“No! No! Your brother went to jail for trafficking drugs. When he got out, he kidnapped and raped Emmett and tried to kill Derek and Cole.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve been listening to those people’s lies.”
“Actually, for the first time, I know the truth -- the truth about the ugly, immoral person that you are. You even blackmailed Keith into poisoning Emmett to get your hands on Marco’s company. Well, your reign of terror is over.”
Rachel stood up. “I’m not going to sit here and listen to this.”
“It’s the truth. And now you’re either going to leave town or suffer the consequences of your actions. Just go and leave us all alone.”
“You better watch it, Hugo. You’re on thin ice. Don’t you realize that I could destroy you, too?”
“Bring it on. You have nothing on me.”
“Really? Since you’re all about ‘truth’ tonight, here’s the truth: you drove that car that nearly killed Jensen and Keith. You were trying to kill Keith to protect me but Jensen, your dear boyfriend, got in the way, didn’t he? Could you imagine what your dear Uncle Michael would do if he knew this information? And what if Jensen knew? You’d lose him forever and what a shame that would be. True love down the drain.”
Hugo stood silently in front of Rachel.
“You’re wondering how I know that. Oh, I have known all along.”
Hugo laughed. “Actually, I’m glad you brought that up.” Hugo reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out some folded papers, which he handed to Rachel. “Take a look at these. They’re copies, by the way. Not originals. I have the originals locked away.”
Rachel looked at the papers and then looked up at Hugo. “What the hell did you do?”
“I may be young, but I’m no fool. With the help of a friend, I rented that car i
n your name. All the documents associated with the car that I used to run down Keith that night are in your name. You have no proof against me, but I have plenty of proof against you.”
“You little bastard.”
Hugo continued. “Here’s the difference between you and me. I have a heart. I have no intention of sharing those documents with the police or anyone else...if you leave my family and friends alone and just get the hell out of Chicago. That’s all I ask. It’s simple.”
Rachel smiled. “I gotta hand it to you, Hugo. I underestimated you. This took brains and balls, so cheers to you.”
“I take no pride in what I have done. Just get out of here so none of us ever has to see you again.”
Hugo turned around and headed to the door.
“You’d never actually use these papers against me.”
He turned around to face her again. “Wouldn’t I?”
“No, you wouldn’t, Hugo. Because you’d never want your child to be born in prison.”
Hugo looked at her curiously. “What did you say?”
“This child I’m carrying...it’s yours. You’re going to be a father.”
“You’re lying, as usual.”
“I have the DNA test results to prove it. This baby is not your father’s, it’s yours. So, before you threaten me again, just ask yourself if you want your son or daughter born in jail.”
“You bitch,” Hugo said and then left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Rachel looked at the documents once more and threw them across the room. Then she picked up her phone and dialed a number.
“Hello, it’s Rachel. I have a story for your paper that will have it flying off the shelves.” She paused for a moment and then added, “The headline? Notre Dame’s star quarterback is gay.”
In St. Louis, Jacqueline sat in the nursery in her home rocking in the chair near the window. Alone, she softly hummed a lullaby.
When she finished the song, she got up and walked over to the crib. She reached into it and picked up a small, pink teddy bear. She cradled it in her arms for a moment and then returned it to the crib.
“I’ll be bringing you home tomorrow, Lucy. Then you’ll be home with Mommy where you belong.”
At the same time, Patrick returned to his apartment after the bachelor party. He opened the door and stepped inside only to find all the lights in the living room on.
Seated in an armchair was a young, handsome man dressed in the red robes of a Catholic cardinal. He stood up when Patrick entered.
“Hello, Patrick.”
“Cardinal Armani. What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“You used to call me Franco,” the man replied, adjusting the red cap on his head. “I had business in Chicago and thought it was time we talked.” He extended his hand and Patrick knelt down to kiss the red stone on his large ring.
“Obviously, I wasn’t expecting you.”
Franco ran his hand across Patrick’s cheek and then helped him up from his knee. He walked to the window and looked outside. “When you requested a sabbatical, I granted it under the condition that you would remain in communication with me so I could understand the progress of your thinking. You haven’t returned any of my calls.”
“I’m sorry. I have been enjoying my time here working with patients and really making a difference.”
“You make a difference for people as a priest as well. God works through you. You have a bright future ahead of you in the church. Look at me, I’m not much older than you and have risen through the ranks. I know in my heart that you may rise even more quickly than I.”
“I’m struggling, Franco. You know that. I have prayed long and hard, but the right path hasn’t yet been revealed to me.”
“You must choose, Patrick. And your time is running out.”
Not far from Patrick’s apartment, Mateo and Joyelle were lying in his bed. Both naked, their bodies were intertwined. He held her close, her head resting on his chest.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” Mateo asked her.
“I’m happy for them, truly.”
“I thought maybe you were thinking about your wedding to Derek.”
“I was...a little. It was a really special night. But that was then and this is now. I’m sure the ceremony tomorrow will be lovely. And with Emmett officiating? He’ll do a fantastic job, I’m sure.”
“I guess it’s nice that somehow everyone in their family is involved.”
“I’m glad Gino asked David to be his best man. David’s a great guy and I know how important it is to him to connect with his half-brothers. And Emmett is over the moon about being best man for both Justin and Derek as well as serving as minister.”
“Do you think you’ll ever get married again?”
Joyelle smiled. “Do you think you’ll ever get married for the first time?”
Mateo replied by kissing her deeply.
Suddenly, Joyelle yelled out in pain. “Mateo! Mateo!” She reached down toward her abdomen
“What is it? Where’s the pain?”
Joyelle bent over. “I think it’s time. I’m going into labor.”
As Mateo rushed Joyelle to the hospital, Camille and Marco were seated at a small table in his new hotel room.
“You look more like your old self today. Are you feeling better?”
“Strong and feisty,” Marco joked. “Thank you for this suite, by the way. It’s much more comfortable than that clinic room I was in for so long.”
“I’m just glad we were able to get you in here without anyone seeing you.”
“No one knows I’m here in Chicago. No one even knows I’m alive.”
“Besides Mateo and me.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m sure you understand the urgency of our situation. The wedding is tomorrow. We have to stop it.”
Marco got up from the table and walked over to the window. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Camille looked panicked. “What are you talking about? If that marriage occurs, Justin gets legal access to everything.”
“Maybe,” Marco said. “And maybe not. I have an idea. I think we should actually let the wedding occur.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’ll just have to trust me on this one. I’m going to teach my brother and his would-be husband a lesson they will never forget.”
As Camille pondered Marco’s statement, Hank poured Rob another glass of wine in his living room. Sitting on the sofa in Hank’s apartment, the two men shared a kiss and then sipped more wine from their glasses.
“Thank you for inviting me over tonight,” Rob said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you…at the party and here.”
Hank laughed. “I’m not so sure we’ve talked as much about me tonight as about Cole.”
“Well, he’s a fascinating man and you work with him. That seems so exciting to me.”
“It is,” Hank agreed. “And I’m very lucky, but I’d love to learn more about you, too.”
Rob kissed Hank again, this time more passionately. “Baby, I do want to learn more about you, too. Of course, I do.” Rob leaned forward, pushing Hank onto his back against the arm of the sofa. “You are so handsome.”
Hank wrapped his arms around Rob and kissed him deeply. “You’re the cute one.”
“Do you know where they are honeymooning? Cole and Derek?”
“They aren’t, really. Cole has a crazy travel schedule coming up with the launch of the fall line. So Derek’s brother David arranged for them to stay at the Waldorf for the night in one of its huge suites.”
“Interesting. You’re going to the wedding tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“I am,” Hank replied, kissing Rob again.
“It’s at the Ciancio penthouse, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s going to be a small ceremony. Dinner catered by Emmett’s restaurant, some musicians, dancing. I’m sure it will be beautiful.”
“Will Michael
Martinez be there?”
“Who?” Hank asked.
“Michael Martinez.”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“What will Cole be wearing?”
“A tuxedo, I think.”
“Tell me,” Rob said, putting more of his weight on top of Hank.
“I don’t know for sure,” Hank said, struggling to push Rob off of him. “I haven’t seen it.”
Rob ran his hands up Hank’s shirt to his neck. “What about Derek?” Rob kissed Hank hard on the mouth again.
“I don’t know,” Hank said. “Rob, take it easy.”
“You love him, don’t you?”
“Who?”
“Cole,” Rob said. “You love him, don’t you?”
“No, he’s my friend. I work with him, that’s all.”
Rob wrapped his hands tightly around Hank’s neck. “He’s mine!”
Hank struggled to get free of Rob’s grip. “You’re hurting me.”
“You can’t take Cole from me!” Rob squeezed Hank’s neck with all his might. “Derek can’t take Cole from me!” Rob repositioned himself on the sofa to pin Hank down. “Michael can’t lock me up again!”
Hank kicked his legs and tried to push Rob off of him, but Rob resisted. The veins in Hank’s neck bulged and his face grew redder as he gasped for breath, struggling to get free.
“Cole is mine! Mine!” Rob gritted his teeth as he strangled Hank, his grip getting tighter and tighter. He jerked Hank’s neck as he squeezed it more. Hank’s eyes bulged as his face turned purple.
Eventually, Hank’s kicking and struggling slowed. His body relaxed as did his hold on Rob’s arms. Finally, life left him and he lay lifeless on the couch, his eyes still wide open.
Looking down at Hank’s dead body, Rob mumbled, “Cole is mine.”
He stood up from the sofa and wiped his mouth. Reaching down toward the table, he picked up his glass of wine and chugged it down. Then he walked to the door, turned off the lights, and left the apartment. September brings with it a chill that suggests change is coming.
