by GA Hauser
“What are you doing? Don’t wipe your hand on me.”
“I thought you liked my come on you.”
“Wipe it on the damn sheet. It’s already covered.”
Brodie did. “Wanna suck my fingers?”
“Later.” Julian nestled into Brodie’s neck.
“Later.” Brodie echoed, closing his eyes.
~
They showered, washing the remnants of last night’s chocolate insanity off their crotches. Dressed, feeling the boat had settled down, Julian waited for Brodie to get his key and nod he was ready.
“They need to change those sheets,” Julian muttered as he walked down the lengthy corridor.
“They will. I left the spread down showing how messy it was.”
“Gross. Poor maid. She’ll think its shit, not chocolate.”
“Ew, no she won’t. It doesn’t stink. We’ll give her a good tip.” Brodie pushed the elevator button in vain. “Take the stairs. We didn’t run.”
“Okay.” Julian made his way up to the café, dying for a cup of coffee. The moment they passed through the door of the room, the scent of breakfast food smacked into them. Another buffet was spread out where the chocolate had been. Julian licked his lips, loading up on the pancakes and bacon.
“Look, there’s a guy making omelets. Want one?” Brodie asked.
“No. I got enough here. I’ll get us a table.” Julian waited for his nod, moving to the window instinctively. They had docked in Skagway and the rough rocking had subsided completely. A waiter brought over a carafe of coffee. Julian thanked him, turning the two upside down cups right for him to fill. There was already sugar and cream on the table. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure, sir.” He left the full pot behind.
Shaking a packet of sugar into his cup, Julian watched Brodie approaching. Neither of them had shaved and Julian savored the scruffy, manly look of his lover. Once Brodie had begun eating his asparagus and crabmeat omelet, Julian gestured to the window. “It’s still pissing down rain.”
“Forget that. I’m not walking around Alaska in a downpour.” Brodie leaned closer to the thick glass. “Not much to see anyway.”
“I think most people book tours. I bet there are some nice places away from the boat dock.”
“You want to try that again? We always seem to be too late to sign up.”
“I know. I bet everyone has already done it the first day. I’m not that organized.” Julian sipped his cup.
“And the sex is making us stupid.”
Julian caught Brodie’s tongue in his cheek. “Exactly.” After eating in silence a little while, Julian cleared his throat. “What exactly came over us last night?”
Brodie laughed softly, devouring his food.
Refreshing their cups with the carafe, Julian revealed, “I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“Me neither.” Brodie tipped cream into both their cups.
“You ever see that Tom Jones’ movie?”
“You mean the one with Albert Finney?”
“Yeah. I actually thought that food scene was really gross.” Julian turned up his nose.
“It was.” Brodie nudged his plate aside and a waiter took it away. “Thanks.” After he left, Brodie whispered, “The service here is unbelievable.”
“I know. So’s the food.” Julian gobbled his pancakes up.
“Anyway, about the chocolate thing…” Brodie covered his wicked grin with his coffee cup. “Hot or what?”
“Hot. Very hot.” Julian finished eating, dabbing his lip with a napkin. His plate was removed efficiently.
“You going for seconds?”
“You kidding? After the calorie flood last night?” Julian shook his head as if Brodie were nuts. “I ate that whole torte.”
“Yeah. Off my cock. You nut.”
Blushing slightly, Julian whispered, “I have no idea why I did that.”
“Neither do I. But holy shit, what an amazing bout. I’m still in shock.”
Julian rested his cup in its saucer, leaning across the table so he could speak quietly. “Are we sex fiends?”
“Probably.”
“I mean, is it normal?”
Brodie shrugged. “I don’t know. Why? You think the novelty will wear off?”
“Not anytime soon. No way.” Julian reclined in his seat, gazing at the pouring rain. “What the hell are we going to do all day?” When wicked laughter replied, Julian shook his head. “My dick will fall off. We have to slow down.”
“Yeah, right.” Brodie replied.
Marlene and Glenda appeared at their table. “Good morning,” Marlene said cheerfully.
“Hiya.” Brodie smiled.
“The weather sucks. We’re not going to walk around in this.” Glenda shook her head to emphasize her comment.
“Us either,” Julian replied. “Did you already eat?”
“Yeah, we got up early.” Marlene looked back at the food. “Though looking at it makes me hungry again.”
“Isn’t the food amazing?” Glenda asked.
“It is.” Brodie leaned his elbow on the table. “We were just discussing that.”
Julian looked at Brodie quickly. “You mind if they sit down?”
“No.” Brodie scooted back.
They made room for the women to join them. Marlene sat next to Julian and Glenda near Brodie.
“They had a chocolate extravaganza last night,” Brodie hissed wickedly.
Julian instantly felt his face go red.
“I heard that. We considered trying to stay up for it, but we were too tired.” Marlene gazed out of the window solemnly. “Anyway, how was it?”
“Decadent.” Brodie grinned broadly.
“I can imagine.” Glenda sighed. “I’ve probably already put on fifteen pounds during this trip.”
“It’s easy to do,” Brodie replied. “We’re trying to run every morning. But not in this.” He pointed his thumb to the rain.
“They have a well equipped gym,” Marlene offered. “Treadmills, row machines.”
Brodie caught Julian’s gaze. “Interested?”
“Maybe. After I digest breakfast.”
“My guess, because of the weather, it’ll be jammed.” Marlene opened the top of the coffee pot, looking in.
“You want a cup?” Julian asked.
“Yeah, why not.” She stood. “You want one, Glenda?”
“No. I’m coffeed out. Thanks.”
When Marlene left the table, Julian tried to think of something to say in the awkward silence. Both Brodie and Glenda were staring out of the window with blank expressions.
“Formal tonight,” Glenda said, her expression and stare not changing.
“Damn.” Brodie rubbed his face tiredly. “It’s getting old.”
“I don’t mind.” Glenda became silent as Marlene sat back down, tipping the coffee into her cup.
“Sugar?” Julian offered.
“One. Thanks.” Marlene emptied the packet into her mug, stirring it.
“What’s this now? Women?”
Julian fell out of his stupor to see Amelia standing there, arms crossed.
“Here we go.” Brodie shifted uncomfortably in the seat.
“Are you gay or are you straight, Julian?”
“Jesus,” Marlene sneered. “What’s with you?”
“Amelia,” Brodie whined, “give it a fucking rest.”
Glaring at her, Julian snarled, “You already spent almost a thousand dollars of my money. When will your vacuous personality be satisfied? You want a pint of blood?”
“Ew, not your contaminated blood.”
“Get your skinny ass out of here,” Marlene shouted. “Leave the guy alone.”
Amelia’s arms tightened into a knot. “Now you have a lesbian and a gay guy as your bodyguard?”
“Hey!” Marlene shot up, about to clobber her.
Julian grabbed Marlene’s arm to sit her back down. “It isn’t worth it, believe me.”
B
rodie commanded, “What’s that asshole Harry’s last name?”
“What’s it got to do with you?”
“Why? You afraid we’ll laugh at it?” Brodie goaded.
“Laugh? Who cares what you think?”
“Then what is it?”
Julian wondered if she would say it.
“Polkowskie. I’m not embarrassed to be with him. I’m not doing what you’re doing.”
“Polkowskie?” Brodie repeated. “How the hell do you spell that?”
“Brodie,” Julian chided. “Forget it.”
“No!” Brodie puffed up. “What fucking room are you two staying in?”
“I’m not telling you, you stupid queer.”
Glenda flinched.
“Why? You afraid of a wimp like me? You think big-head-Harry can’t take me?”
“Brodie.” Julian shook his head.
“Big head? What’s that supposed to mean?” No one replied. “We’re in a better cabin than yours,” she sneered. “He’s got a window. We’re two levels above your stupid cabin.”
“Really?” Brodie urged. “Number?”
“Screw you.” She walked away.
Brodie nodded. “I think it’s enough. How many Harry Polkowskies can there be on board?”
Marlene asked, “Why do you want to know? You going to punch him out?”
“No. Make him pay. Come on, Julian. Excuse me, ladies, we have something we have to do.”
They stood up, allowing them to slide out.
“See ya later,” Julian waved.
Following Brodie, who was like a man on a mission or perhaps a raging bull, Julian wondered if it was worth it. It was really noble, but growing pointless.
Waiting their turn at the reception desk, Brodie nudged Julian in front of him when their chance came.
“Can I help you?”
Julian rested his elbows on the counter tiredly. “I don’t know if you can.”
As if he was growing impatient, Brodie leaned over to the attendant. “Look, my friend’s ex is racking up some big bills for him on his credit card. We don’t know which room she’s staying in, but we have a name. One of your co-workers said you can send her a letter telling her to use her own credit card.”
“We can try, but it doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll comply.”
“Try.” Brodie’s teeth showed as he snarled.
“What’s the name?”
“Harry Polkowskie.”
“How do you spell that?”
“I have no idea.”
Julian listened, knowing it wasn’t going to work. Amelia could ignore the note and continuing to use his room number.
After a few moments of typing into a computer, the man said, “He’s on the veranda deck.”
“Yes, that’s right. Good.” Brodie nodded.
“What room number was she in?”
Julian gave him his old room number, suddenly having a thought. “Wait. I’m not in that room any longer. Can you just cancel anything attached to that room?”
The man looked back at another attendant.
The second attendant asked, “What’s going on?”
As the men conversed, Julian moaned, “Brodie, forget this. I can’t deal with it anymore.”
“Wanna bet she’s racked up another few hundred?”
Rubbing his forehead in agony, Julian wished the trip would end and he could forget about Amelia spending his money.
The first man sat down in front of them again. “Okay. We’ll put a stop on the card. It should show when the staff try to ring it up on the cash register.”
Julian nodded. “Okay. But can I put my card on another room?”
Brodie shook his head. Don’t worry about it.”
“But…” Julian was about to object when Brodie asked, “What’s his current balance?”
The man clicked at a keyboard. “Twelve hundred twenty-two dollars and fifteen cents.”
“Jesus!” Brodie gasped. “What the hell’s the bitch spending it on?”
“Uh,” the man read the screen, “boutique shop, five hundred; casino, three hundred; massages—”
“Stop.” Julian held up his hand. “I’ve had enough.”
“Well, sir, at least it should stop now. Come back later and check to see if anything else has been added. But the computer should show the room number as invalid.”
“Thank you,” Brodie replied. He put his arm around Julian’s shoulders as they walked to the elevator.
“I feel sick.”
“You should.” Brodie pushed the down button. “I’d make her pay you back.”
Julian sighed sadly. “Yeah, huh? How am I going to do that?”
“You work together at a bank, garnish her wages.”
The elevator opened. They waited for it to empty before they entered. “I somehow feel I deserve this.”
Brodie rattled him roughly by the upper arms. “Cut that shit out.”
As they descended Julian began to feel spent. Dropped off at their level, he scuffed his heels as they made their way down the never-ending corridor. Once Brodie had opened the door, Julian confronted him. “I’m not having you pay my way for the rest of the trip.”
“I don’t mind.” Brodie laid his key on the dresser, looking at the made up bed.
“I do. Forget it, Brodie.”
He moved to it, pulling back the spread. “Good, she changed the sheets.”
Julian dropped down on the chair by the desk. “Brodie, stop ignoring me.”
“I said forget it. You want to quibble over the cost of a few Irish coffees? Give me a fucking break.”
Julian waved his hand at him, too tired to argue. When he looked up, Brodie was standing in front of him. At his touch, Julian rested his forehead against Brodie’s abdomen. Two hands ran through his hair, caressing gently, massaging his scalp. Closing his eyes, Julian let the pressure of his anger slide off his shoulders. Reaching around Brodie’s hips, Julian held him close.
~
Brodie loved the thick, feathery softness of Julian’s brown hair. Using the tips of his fingers, he rubbed through that mane to erase his pain and weariness. From the front of Julian’s forehead to the nape of his neck, Brodie massaged him, feeling Julian grow limp and lean heavily against him. Julian rolled his neck until his cheek was pressing against the flap of Brodie’s zipper. Brodie felt his cock throb under that high cheekbone. He knew Julian did too. He didn’t do it on purpose; it just happened on its own. When it twitched again, Julian looked up at him. Brodie whispered, “Sorry. Can’t help it.”
Julian kissed that bulge.
“You’re not helping by doing that.” Brodie chuckled softly. When Julian seemed to deflate, Brodie suggested, “Why don’t we relax on the bed.”
Nodding, Julian took off his shoes, flopping down on it heavily.
Brodie nudged him over, wrapping his arm around Julian’s shoulders, as Julian rested his head on Brodie’s chest. “You’re still worried about it, aren’t you?”
Julian exhaled a long sigh. “Sorry.”
“What is causing the most anxiety right now?”
“Her telling my parents.”
Considering the reply, Brodie thought about his own parents and his version of that conversation. He had no idea how they would react. It wasn’t something he ever thought he’d have to tell them. “What are your parents like?”
Julian shrugged. “The usual, I suppose.”
“Are they retired?”
“No. They’re not there yet. They’re only in their early fifties. Mom’s a part-time teacher’s aide and Dad is a lawyer.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“One sister, younger.” Julian shifted on Brodie’s chest, settling down again. “How about you?”
“One of each. Older brother, younger sister.”
“What about your parents?”
“Mom’s okay. She’s a homemaker. Dad, on the other hand…maybe cool, maybe not.”
“What?”
Brodie stroked Julian’s hair again. “He’s a lieutenant with the Bellevue police.”
“Great.”
“Uh, yeah, well, you know how it is.” Brodie shivered imagining his father finding out and wondering if he’d get angry.
“Does he know you have a gay friend?”
“He knows of Paden, but he has no idea he’s gay.”
Julian groaned. Brodie felt the vibration in his ribcage. “We’re so screwed.”
“Cut it out, Julian.” Brodie hated that kind of negativity.
As if with a supreme effort, Julian leaned up on his elbows to see Brodie’s face. “A fucking police lieutenant?”
“So? He’s still just a dad. I wonder if your dad being a lawyer is worse.”
Dropping back down again, Julian groaned pathetically.
“Shut up.” Brodie nudged him. “I seriously don’t need this crap right now.”
“You?” Julian choked in a sad laugh. “My ex-girlfriend just ripped me off for twelve hundred bucks.”
“And you didn’t want to stop her. At least now she’s done.”
“When she finds out we cut her off she’ll call my mom. You wait and see.”
“Call her first.”
“Not now. Not while I’m here. I’m not going to call her from a boat and tell her something like that.”
Brodie shrugged. “Then you’re fucked.”
“Exactly.”
Chapter Twelve
After a nap, Julian roused them so they could get some lunch. Feeling lethargic from lying in a dark room for the last two hours, Julian craved light and movement. A slip of paper had been shoved under the cabin door. Formal tonight. Both men let out a weary sigh.
“We really should do something today.”
“Why?” Brodie followed him down the carpeted hall.
“I don’t know. I feel like a slug.”
“I’m ready to finish this cruise. I’m starting to get cabin fever or something.”
“I swear the mixed feelings I have about getting back to reality are making me sick.” Seeing the look on Brodie’s face, Julian regretted it instantly. “I didn’t mean that, I just meant—”
“I know what you meant.” Brodie shoved him to keep walking.
“Where am I going?”
“Food. I don’t care what kind.”
“I’m craving sushi.” Julian began climbing the stairs.
