by D. J. Manly
Published by Mojocastle Press, LLC
Price, Utah
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
The Russos: Episode Ten
ISBN: 1-60180-067-3
Copyright © 2007 D. J. Manly
Cover Art Copyright @ 2007 April Martinez
All rights reserved.
Excluding legitimate review sites and review publications, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
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http://www.mojocastle.com/
Also By D.J. Manly:
Connor's Storm
Melting Ice
The Russos: Digital Soap
Dedication:
To my readers.
The Russos:
Episode Ten
D. J. Manly
Previously on The Russos...
Janet and Mac got married and left on their honeymoon. Angelo had sex with Frank's date while Tony watched.
And Now...Episode Ten of The Russos
Drake walked outside in the garden with his son. He listened while Angelo talked about the position he was in with the band. "Let me help you. I can get you out of this."
"Dad, I signed that contract. I have an obligation. I don't expect you to bail me out all the time as if I was a child."
Drake looked at him. No, Angelo was no longer a child and from the looks of it, he was leaving. His bags were sitting in the hall. He had showered and shaved.
"Are you sure you can't stick around another day?"
Drake placed an arm around his son. "It is your birthday next week."
Angelo shook his head. Dressed in faded blue jeans and a beige T-shirt, he looked almost as elegant as he had yesterday. He pulled his hair back and put an elastic around it. "Dad, I have to be back by tomorrow. My flight is already booked for four this afternoon."
"I wish I had just taken you into the band when you asked me last year. I..."
"Dad," Angelo laughed, "I'm not being tortured. It's just a pain, and I really don't want to leave Mike. I mean...even next year, I don't know. Mike to me is like Mac is to you, you know?"
"I know. Can I get Carter to take you to the airport, at least?"
"Well, I already asked him to take all the gifts back to the house and then take me to the airport later," Angelo grinned.
"You're quick. Why don't we take the private jet out tonight and then you could stay longer?" Drake suggested.
"Because, Dad, the jet is for you guys to use when you tour. Frank will have a fit."
"Screw Frank," Drake laughed. "From what I hear, you came close to screwing him last night...you did his girlfriend?"
Angelo sighed. "Never mind, it was nothing."
"It was something to Tony." Drake met his son's eyes.
Angelo looked away. "I don't want to talk about Tony, okay? God, can't everyone just leave it alone? I want to forget about Tony."
"Pretend like nothing ever happened between you?"
Drake suggested.
"Yeah...just like that," Angelo snapped.
"It will come back to haunt you," Drake told him.
"Probably, but for now, I just want to get as far away from Tony as I can get."
"Is it still that bad?" Drake asked him.
He nodded and looked away.
"I see. I'm sorry. Maybe you could...he wants you. He's in love with you, Angelo."
"I know that."
"Then why don't---"
"Because I can't get past the pain, and God knows I've tried. I'm sorry. It's not going to work out between Tony and me."
"But with time...?" Drake trailed off.
"With time, I'll stop loving him."
"You're stubborn just like I was and you know what, it doesn't stop. Years from now, he may have someone else and you may be with another, but---"
"Dad, don't lecture me. People fall out of love all the time. Tell Tony to...to find...not to wait for me."
"He won't listen." Drake shook his head.
"Well, that's his choice," Angelo returned. "I've got to go, there's Carter now. Bye, Dad."
"Call me," Drake told him.
"Say goodbye to Johnny and Pep for me, okay?" he said, climbing into the limo that was piled high with wedding gifts.
Tony watched Angelo getting into the limo. He saw Drake lift his hand in goodbye. He called his name out the window, but he knew he couldn't hear him.
Tony tore out of the room and raced down the stairs.
He pushed open the front door and came down to the curb just in time to watch the limo disappear around the corner.
His chest heaving from the exertion, Tony looked at Drake. "He's gone, isn't he?"
Drake nodded. "He's gone to take the gifts back to the house, and---"
Tony didn't wait for any more of an explanation.
"Give me the keys to your car!"
Drake fished in his pocket and handed him the keys.
"It's the Corvette," he told him, "but Tony, I wouldn't bother if I were you. He told me to tell you not to wait for him."
Tony turned around as he inserted the key into the car door. "He can't tell me what to do. I'll wait forever for him if I want to. Drake." Tony turned down the window and got into the car. "I'm not giving him up."
He put the key into the ignition and roared down the driveway.
Johnny came outside in a pair of navy sweatpants and a white T-shirt.
"Hey, where's my boy going?" He scratched his head sleepily.
Drake shook his head and looked at Johnny. "After my boy."
"Where is Angelo now?" Johnny looked around.
"He and Carter packed up the wedding gifts and are dropping them off at Janet's before going to airport."
"He has to go back to Arizona right away?"
"He has to be in the studio tomorrow," Drake sighed.
"Why don't you pay off Concord and get him out of that stupid contract?" Johnny shook his head in disgust.
"Angelo won't let me. He signed for a year and he intends to stick it out. I can't help but admire that."
"Admire, my ass. He belongs with the band, and---"
"But he's obligated to Concord, Johnny. Besides, he doesn't want to let his friend Mike down."
"Okay, and what about my son? What in hell is he doing, anyway?"
"Going after what he wants," Drake muttered.
"Has he a hope in hell?" Johnny asked as they walked back inside.
Drake paused. "I don't know."
"You must know something. You talk to your son, don't you? Why in hell don't you ask him?"
"I did," Drake replied, walking out onto the back terrace. "Bring me some coffee, please," he told one of the maids.
"Yes, sir," she replied and scurried off.
Drake sat in one of the lawn chairs. All around him, people were cleaning up. He squinted in the sun. His head ached.
Johnny sat down opposite him. "And?"
"And what?" Drake snapped, irritated suddenly. He was tired of the whole issue.
"And what did he say...about Tony?"
"He said to tell him not to wait around for him. He wanted to put distance between them."
"That doesn't make sense," Johnny demanded.
"Well, I don't know. Ask Angelo, for Christ's sakes," Drake looked around. "Where in hell is that coffee?"
"Here it is. Don't be such
a grouch," Johnny chastised him as the young maid poured them both coffee from a silver serving tray.
"Why would he act like he doesn't care, and still need to put distance between them?" Johnny sat back with his coffee.
"Well, it should be obvious, shouldn't it?" Drake gave Johnny a dumbfounded look. "He's in love with him, but he's too hurt and angry to accept those feelings, so he's trying to get over him."
"That's ridiculous."
"Maybe so, but it's how he feels right now," Drake sighed. "Anyway, stop asking me these things. It's between Tony and Drake. We can't do anything about it. They'll have to work it out."
Johnny shook his head. "They're both so damn stubborn. They'll going to repeat our history."
Drake looked off into the garden. "Let's stop talking about it, okay?" He turned. The sunlight was shining down on Johnny's hair.
Drake put down his coffee cup and stood up. "Come on," he said, reaching out his hand.
Johnny smiled, and took his hand. "Where are we going?"
"Back to bed. I didn't get much sleep last night."
They walked together upstairs. Johnny was laughing.
"What?" Drake asked.
"Well, just that you asked me to accompany you to bed because you need to catch up on your sleep."
"And?" Drake grinned as they went into the bedroom and closed the door.
Johnny pulled Drake into his arms. "I have no intention of letting you sleep."
"Later, then, can I sleep?" He lifted an eyebrow.
Johnny began to pull off Drake's T-shirt. "Sure, if you obey my every command." He kissed his neck, then ran his lips over his chest.
"I could do that," Drake replied as they moved toward the bed. "God, the price a guy has to pay for a little sleep around here," he mumbled as Johnny's mouth covered his.
"I wouldn't care if I ever slept," Johnny sighed, "as long as you were naked in my arms."
Drake unzipped his pants and pulled them off, while Johnny took off his own clothes. Running his fingers over Drake's chest, he moaned a little. "You are so sexy; there should be a law against it."
Drake grabbed Johnny and took him down on the bed with him. "Um, and you could be the jailor."
Johnny laughed as Drake covered his face and chest with kisses. He reached down and hungrily fondled Drake's erect cock. "Will you fuck me every night?"
Johnny murmured against Drake's cheek.
"Maybe," he said coyly, reaching over to the drawer and taking out the lube. Spraying some on his fingers, he applied the cold gel to Johnny's anus, taking him by surprise.
Johnny yelped. "Drake, you...ah...that's cold."
"It will heat up, baby, trust me," Drake drawled as he lifted Johnny's legs over his broad shoulders. "Once I get my cock in there, it will get real hot."
Johnny moaned as Drake teased his entrance with the head of his erection. "Ready?"
"For you, I've always been ready," he said softly.
Drake moaned as he felt his cock being swallowed up inside of Johnny. He closed his eyes and let his head go back as he pushed in deeper. Then, he let go. His hands braced on Johnny's hips, he began to thrust, moving in a way he knew would hit every erogenous zone Johnny possessed. Johnny called out his name and Drake smiled; his entire body in spasm as he came inside of him.
"Oh God, oh God, oh God," Johnny whimpered, drawing Drake down into his arms as he pulled out. "I love you so much."
There were tears on his face. Drake kissed them away, his eyes closing as he snuggled down into his arms. "Um, me too," he said. "Now, let me sleep, eh?"
* * * * * *
Tony pulled Drake's car up to the curb in front of his aunt's house, relieved to see that the limo was parked in the driveway. He got out of the car and walked up to the house.
Carter was just coming out the front door. "Hello, Mr. Russo," he said. "Nice day, isn't it?"
"Yes, Carter," Tony replied.
"If you're looking for the other young Mr. Russo, he's upstairs in his mother's room."
"Thanks, Carter."
"I'll be waiting for him in the car, ready to take him to the airport when he needs me to. I'm just going to read my paper."
"I'll tell him," Tony replied, going inside. He walked down the hallway to his Aunt Janet's bedroom.
Angelo was bent over, piling the scattered, brightly wrapped boxes neatly on one side of the room.
"Carter," he said, "there aren't any more of these damn things, I hope."
"It's not Carter," Tony replied, stepping into the room. "Carter said he'll wait for you in the limo."
Angelo didn't turn around for a few seconds. He knew that voice. He didn't want to look at him. He was only just beginning to feel better, to feel free of him. He took a gulp of air and turned around. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, since you weren't even going to say goodbye, and since I don't know when you're coming home again, I..." Tony began nervously, entwining his fingers and looking at his hands for a minute.
"How did you know I was here? Dad, I suppose."
He clicked his tongue.
Tony looked at him again. "I think we need to really talk to each other. I need to know how you feel. I need to..."
He stopped as Angelo took a step toward him. "I want you to stay away from me. Give me space...room. I don't want to see you now."
"Never?" Tony blinked.
"I didn't say that. I just don't want to be around you now. Tony, however it is that you feel, don't wait for me. Don't think that you and I will ever be..."
"Stop!" Tony told him. "I will always love you. I will wait until you come to your senses."
"Then you're a fool," he replied softly.
"Maybe so, but I realized something only recently. I realized that the reason I came out here to L.A. was not to be united with my father, but it was to meet you. You are my destiny. We belong together. I was just too stupid...too immature to understand that. You know it too. You wouldn't be running away otherwise."
"I'm not running away! I have no choice but to go back to Phoenix. Believe what you want about this destiny crap. The truth is, you used me, and I felt a little too much when I touched you. That's all there is to it."
"I know you signed a contract with Alan Concord, but you might have said goodbye to me today, told me you were..."
"Goodbye, Tony," Angelo said, moving to leave the room.
Tony put out a hand and grabbed his forearm. He stopped. "I will be waiting. There will never be any one else for me."
"Then you better become a priest, my friend," he murmured.
Tony looked him in the eye. "You don't understand. I will never want anyone else as long as I live but you."
"Watch it, Tony, or you'll become your father."
Tony lowered his head. "You can say what you want. You'll never convince me that there is no hope left for us."
"Even if the next time I come home, I'm not alone?"
"I believe in my heart you love me. I don't believe you can just put that love aside. Your father had many relationships over the years, but whose bed did he end up in?"
"Stop comparing us to our fathers."
"It's our destiny to be together."
"Yes, because our fathers are together." Angelo shook his head. "That's where you get your romantic notions, Tony, isn't it?"
The question hung in the air. Tony shook his head.
"The way I feel about you has nothing to do with our fathers, but sometimes history has a strange way of repeating itself."
"Good-bye, Tony," Angelo said, taking a few steps toward the door.
"If you're not afraid," Tony announced, "kiss me good-bye." Tony turned and looked at him.
Angelo shook his head.
"Then you care too much?"
Angelo nodded. "Yes, you're right. I care too much," he said softly, then turned on his heel and walked down the hallway.
Tony ran down the hallway after him, "Angelo?" he called out desperately, "Angelo, wait!"
He
stopped, but didn't turn around.
"I will never stop wanting you," Tony told him, "and if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I will spend my life making it up to you. I promise. Do what you want, but I refuse to stop loving you."
Angelo rushed out the front door and quickly climbed into the back of the limo.
Tony stood on the porch. He couldn't see Angelo behind the smoky windows, but he knew that Angelo could see him. He raised a hand to him.
Angelo didn't look back as Carter backed out of the driveway, nodding to Tony as he drove around the curb. "Nice young man, that Tony," Carter mentioned as they drove.
Angelo sat back and closed his eyes, making a sound in his throat to make Carter think he was agreeing with his comment. He was so very tired all of a sudden, and the thought of going back to Phoenix and to all the conflicts at the studio distressed him. Hell, his whole damn life distressed him, but seeing Tony again distressed him most of all.
He'd had this weekend all worked out. Matt would be with him and he could act as some kind of a buffer, but that idea went to hell. Secondly, he had convinced himself before he left that he was over Tony, and that Tony and his father were involved. But he wasn't over him, and since Dad and Johnny were now together in a real way, Tony's chances of being involved with his Dad were finished.
Oh hell, he wasn't sure of anything anymore. He wasn't sure if Tony had ever been his father's lover, and he wasn't even sure that it mattered.
Maybe he was just a goddamned fool. Why in the hell didn't he just kiss him goodbye when he asked him to? He had wanted to. Why didn't he just walk down the hallway this morning at Dad's place, burst into that room where he slept and take him in his arms and... No, instead, he lay there, not sleeping, thinking about making love to him and knowing that if he crawled into bed beside him, Tony wouldn't have turned him away.
He could have brought all this anguish to an end. He wasn't sure why he didn't. Maybe he wanted to punish him for wanting his father back then. But it was quite clear that Tony didn't want his father anymore. He wanted him.
