Mr. Anonymous - 13. It's the end of the world as we know it...

Chapter 13

The announcer drew the room’s attention to the first bachelor on the auction block. Percy’s eyes continued to scan the crowd for Max. He wasn’t in his seat beside Rocket. There was no way he would have left without saying goodbye.

Disappointment edged in on what was turning out to be the worst night of Percy’s life. Nervously rocking back and forth from foot to foot, he wondered where Max could be. Suddenly the back door opened, letting in a sliver of light.

When Percy saw Max slip quietly through the opening, returning to the museum, a long sigh of relief blew through Percy’s tense lips. Trying to steady the pounding of his heart, Percy couldn’t stop the silly grin that swept across his face at the sight of his new boyfriend.

Max had that effect on him. Just one look from the man and Percy was ready to swoon. Thank goodness Max was a specially trained emergency worker because Percy might need some CPR before this night was over.

Holding his hand to his face, mimicking a cell phone, Max mouthed a single word. “Work!”

Percy cocked an eyebrow, questioning him without having to say a word. Max shook his head letting Percy know that he turned down their request to come in.

As Max made his way to the table, he playfully winked at Percy. His boyfriend was standing on stage with a bevy of handsome men, but Percy was the sexiest man among them.

“Let’s open the bidding at—”

“One thousand dollars!” Someone shouted from the crowd, followed by a round of laughter.

“Good one, Milly, but better luck next year, darling. I’ll pay two thousand dollars for Mr. Wilt.”

These women were rich and they weren’t sparing any expense at trying to snag an evening with one of Mrs. Knight’s gorgeous, hand-picked hunks.

“Calm down, ladies,” the announcer ribbed the women good-naturedly. “We have more than one eligible bachelor. If you don’t win Mr. Wilt, you still have several more chances tonight.”

This brought another round of giggles and cheers from the crowd.

A flush of embarrassment crept up Mr. Wilt’s pale cheeks, which dimpled even further when he tried to hide his smile. The guy was adorable and the women went crazy over him, increasing the bidding until the closing figure was close to ten thousand dollars.

The frenzy was palpable. These women were here for one reason, to win a date. They were all incredibly wealthy as they tried to outbid the previous offer. The good-natured bidding continued for the next several bachelors, until the announcer reached Ashton Barlow.

The price quickly doubled, then tripled, leaving the arrogant asshole grinning at the crowd like a schoolboy. Percy wanted to knock the smug look off his handsome face. Ashton was reveling in the attention as the women continued fighting over him, the bid soaring higher than it did for any of the other men.

“Now, ladies,” the announcer struck the closing bid, “remember you only get your man for one evening. You don’t get to keep him.” The crowd erupted in laughter.

These ladies knew the rules. All of the dates were arranged by Mrs. Knight and ranged from dinner and dancing, to a ballet or symphony, or even a private art viewing at one of the cities many museums, all on the arm of one of the most eligible bachelors in town.

Just two more guys, then it would be Percy’s turn. He wanted to get this over with so he could get out of here. He wanted to wrap Max in his arms and feel the comfort and warmth of his waiting touch. This night had tried his patience and he was ready to go home.

“Mr. Giannopoulos is our next handsome bachelor of the evening.” The announcer smiled as several women started the bidding before he had announced the opening price. It didn’t matter since they bickered and quickly drove the amount up.

Ashton frowned listening to Percy fetching more money than him.

“I bid one hundred thousand dollars!”

A hush fell over the crowd. People whispered, wondering if they had heard correctly. The buzz started as the female voice shouted again. “One hundred thousand dollars for one night with Mr. Giannopoulos!”

The crowd went crazy. The announcer glanced at Mrs. Knight, who was now standing, trying to see who had place this unbelievable bid.

Alexandria Barlow stood in the center of the room, hands on her narrow hips, daring anyone to challenge her. A smile curled around Mrs. Knight’s lips as she looked back to the announcer before nodding her silvery head. With a slam of his gavel, the bidding was over. Percy was wrong. This wasn’t the worst night of his life. That was still to come.

* * * *

“What the hell just happened back there?” Max questioned Percy as soon as they climbed into the back of the cab.

“I don’t know—”

“You don’t know? That’s bullshit, Percy. Don’t play dumb with me. That woman just paid a hundred thousand dollars for one night with you—”

“God, Max,” Percy cut him off, “you make it sound like I’m a freaking prostitute. Nobody actually fucks these women who bid on them. It’s just for charity. Lonely old women get a night on the town with a good-looking young man…that’s all.”

Max’s sharp green eyes narrowed in on him. “Jeez, she looked really good for being an old hag.”

“Well, not her but most of them are old enough to be my grandmother.” Percy shook. He didn’t want to fight with Max.

“So, you’ve never met that girl before?” Max waited while Percy ran his trembling fingers through his hair before rubbing his fingers over his face.

“Yes, I’ve met her—”

“Did you fuck her, too?”

Percy recoiled as if he’d been punched. “Oh God no! She’s a repulsive bitch.”

“Then why you? Why didn’t she just go gaga over that blond dude like everyone else?”

“Because he’s her brother…”

Max pushed Percy away from him. Pain shot across Percy’s chest. Percy didn’t know if it was from the fear of losing Max or where he’d hit the injuries that were almost healed.

“You fucked her brother, didn’t you? What happened to Mr. Scared-Of-Anyone-Finding-Out? Mr. Never-In-My-Home-Town? So, Mr. Anonymous was all just a lie?”

Max tried to open the door when the cab rolled to a stop at a red light. Percy pulled him back inside with tears lacing his eyes. “No, it’s not what you think. Yes, I had a meaningless fling with him in Mexico over a year ago, but I’ve already told you everything. Never in a million years would I have guessed screwing some random guy on vacation, that he would turn out to be from the same city as me or that I’d ever run into him again when I got back home.”

There was genuine fear in Percy’s voice. Max suddenly wrapped his arms around him, crushing Percy to him. He held Percy as the trembling slowly subsided. “I love you, Max, and I would never do anything to hurt you. You’ve got to believe me.”

Thank goodness Max believed him. “So, what are you going to do about this woman?”

Percy gave him a sexy smile. “A very public date with lots of people around…she would be crazy to try anything too scandalous. Besides, once I have all the details, you can miraculously show up…what a coincidence meeting you here, Mr. Parker!”

Max laughed and shook his head. Percy was confident everything would work itself out and more importantly, he needed Max to trust him.

* * * *

The limo driver stopped the big car and shut off the engine. The dark tint made it hard to see under the darkness of night, so Percy lowered the window. The building looked more like a private home than an exclusive country club.

It was still incredibly huge, but where were the valets waiting to park the cars or the waitresses flitting around trying to catch some rich man’s eye? All the people were missing too.

Percy glanced at the invitation. What about the live band? There should be music filling the night air instead of the defining sound of silence. The driver opened his door. Climbing out of the car, Percy hesitated. Maybe the man had driven him to the wrong location.

“Excuse me.” When Percy turned around to check the address with the driver, the limo quickly pulled away.

“Wait!” He shouted at the disappearing taillights. “I think you dropped me off at the wrong place.”

“No, he hasn’t.” That voice washed over him like ice water, prickling his skin, making every nerve stand on end.

Whirling around to face Alexandria, Percy snarled at the wench, standing there smiling at him. “What the fuck are you trying to pull?”

Her red satin robe hung loose, barely covering her silicone-plumped breasts, but her naked center was fully exposed. Percy rolled his eyes at her vain attempt to seduce him. He had enough. Turning and stomping towards the long driveway, Percy pulled his cell phone from his jacket to call a cab when it dawned on him, he didn’t know where the hell he was.

“Fuck,” Percy mumbled under his breath. He was in the middle of nowhere. There weren’t even any surrounding homes. As much as he hated it, Percy was going to have to ask Alexandria for the address.

“Percy darling come inside?” Percy bristled when he heard his name on Ashton’s lips.

What was this jackwagon doing here? Had his sister invited him along for the show? Did she really think Percy was going to just let them walk all over him?

Spinning on his heels, Percy almost stumbled when he saw the twins standing in the doorway of their home. They were wrapped in each other’s arms. Flesh pressed together, fingers roaming similar skin. The same red lips smiled at Percy.

“I’m not going to tell you again, so why don’t you do as you’re told and move this little party inside.” Ashton’s lips dipped down, pulling one of Alexandria’s hard nipples into his mouth. The woman gasped. She should have been repulsed like Percy was, but she was enjoying it.

Percy fought the bile rising in the back of his throat. “You know what? You two deserve each other, so have fun!” With that Percy turned, following the path the limo just took.

They both started to laugh, but that still didn’t stop him from walking away. “I hope you enjoy next week’s edition of Gossip Around the Town. There’s a special article about gay men trying to fit into a straight world—”

“Fuck you, Ashton,” Percy called over his shoulder as he continued to walk. He might not know where he was, but Percy would keep walking until he did and the more distance he put between himself and the twins, the better.

“Do you care there’s an exclusive interview with a local businessman, who finally admits that he’s been lying to everyone. It’s really heart touching.” Ashton faked a sob.

Percy stopped and clutched his hands into fists. Ashton was threatening to out him to the entire world. Percy wasn’t ready for this, but he wasn’t going to give in to their blackmail.

“Oh, did I forget to tell you there are pictures, too?” Ashton tried his hardest to bait Percy.

The question hung in the air.

Pivoting on his toes, Percy glared at them. “So, either I stay here and let you two privately violate me or you’re going to publicly humiliate me? I think I’d rather face a lynch mob than spend another second with the two of you.”

* * * *

Max pulled Percy away from the door before he could knock. “Are you sure about this?” he asked, wrapping Percy in his arms. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. Your mom is never going to read a piece of trash like that horrible magazine.”

Nuzzling into the comfort of the embrace, Percy knew Max was right, but he was more worried about someone else seeing it and telling her before he had a chance to explain himself.

The twins were smart, they buried the article on page nine, which would still be enough to cause a stir in this town, but it wasn’t front page news. It was conniving and callous, they could always issue a retraction later, but what good would it do?

The damage would already be done.

“I know, babe. I’ve been thinking about it and it’s time I told her. I want her to meet you and I can’t do one without the other, so, before I lose my nerve, I just need to go in there and be honest with her.”

Before Percy had a chance to knock on the front door, it swung open. Orelle stepped out into the darkness and saw Percy and Max on her front porch in an embrace. A deep frown crossed her face.

“My dear boy, are you all right?” Orelle was very overprotective of her only child.

She had yelled at Percy for not calling her immediately after the accident a few weeks ago, and now she couldn’t hide her fear that something else has happened to her son.

Percy recognized the fear in her dark eyes. “No, Mom, I’m fine.” Stepping away from Max, he held out his arms for a hug in which she lovingly embraced him.

“Okay then, why don’t you and your friend come inside. It’s cold out here.” She ushered both of them inside Percy’s childhood home.

The house smelled wonderful. A couple of times, Percy had fumbled around in his kitchen trying to prepare a few Greek dishes for Max to try, but he could never made anything that smelled as good as his mother’s cooking. His mouth started watering at the thought of an authentic Greek meal.

“Percy,” his mother frowned at him, “are you going to introduce your friend?”

Two nights ago when Percy called her and asked if he could bring a guest over for dinner, she was buzzing with excitement; now she was suddenly very solemn, making him nervous and unsure.

Growing up, his family never really talked about sex. It was his grandfather who had the old birds-and-bees conversation with him. Basically, he told Percy don’t do it, but if he was going to do it, just be careful. That was it, short and to the point.

It had been almost two years since the old man passed away from a heart attack, yet Percy never missed him more than he did now. He was always the driving force behind everything Percy did. His grandfather was strict when it came to maintaining good grades. He wanted more for his grandson than the life of a construction foreman. The man gave up everything to put Percy through college and even loaned Percy all his savings to start a business. He was glad his grandfather lived long enough to see his success and enjoy some of the comforts of his profits.

“Mom, this is Maxwell Parker.”

Orelle smiled warmly at him, “Nice to meet you, Maxwell.”

“Mom?” Percy’s voice cracked as the question hung in the air. “Mom…” He began again. “Max is…Max is…”

His mother’s eyes nervously darted between them as she waited for Percy to finish what he was trying to say.

“Max-is-my-boyfriend.” He rushed to finally get the words out into the open.

Percy had been dreading this moment since the first time he got an erection while thinking about another boy when he was thirteen years old. The attraction was overpowering. There was no doubt he liked guys, but he never imagined a day when he would be openly admitting to his mother that he was gay.

The house was silent.

Nobody moved. All of the normal sounds of conversation were gone. Percy didn’t even breathe as the deafening silence roared in his ears. His palms began to sweat and he suddenly felt nauseous.

Waiting for her to respond to this sudden news was like a million daggers to Percy’s heart. He loved his mother more than anything and he really couldn’t imagine his life without her.

“Your boyfriend?” Orelle quietly asked.

“Yes, Mama,” Percy nodded his head, looking into her dark familiar eyes, the same eyes that stared back at him when he looked at himself in the mirror.

“How long have you two been dating?” Her attention switched to Max.

Max swallowed before he answered. “Percy and I have been dating for a few months now.”

Her gaze snapped back to her son. “Why haven’t you brought Max over before now, Percy Liander Giannopoulos?”

Percy winced at her using his full name while Max smirked with the new piece of information.

“Well,” she continued, “are you ashamed of your home, your family, of where you come from?”

He saw the hurt in her eyes. “No, Mama, never. I was scared you would be upset with me, I know how much you wanted me to settle down with a nice Greek girl…”

Percy glanced over at Max with his shaggy auburn hair and amazing green eyes, “…but I fell in love with a wonderful Irish boy, instead.”

Orelle stepped closer. She had to reach up to pat both of their cheeks. “My child, I’ve only wanted you to be happy. If I had known…” She didn’t have to finish. Percy knew she wouldn’t have tried all those times to set him up on dates and constantly dropped hints about who would make him a good wife.

Percy gave her a kiss on her cheek. “I know, Mama.”

“Can you at least cook?” She raised an eyebrow, giving Max that same lopsided grin Percy always used to melt his heart.

Letting out a chuckle, Max said, “Well, I’m better than Percy.”

“Oh my heavens, that’s not saying much. You come with me.” She laced her arm through Max’s and turned him towards the kitchen. “And you, Percy, go set the dining room table. Use the good silverware too, tonight is a night for celebrating.”

Orelle winked at her only child as she stole his boyfriend away to help her finish up dinner in the kitchen.

* * * *

Boxes were stacked everywhere, floor to ceiling; there wasn’t a single spot without a brown cardboard box occupying the space. One stack near the center teetered and started to fall.

“Damn it!” Max muttered as the avalanche of cardboard continued. As they fell, he braced for the sound of breaking glass, which thankfully never came.

Percy poked his head out of the kitchen and frowned.

“Any luck?”

“No,” Max growled, glancing around at their disorganized mess. “It didn’t look like we had that much stuff when we were packing it all up, but now…” He glanced around with an exasperated look. “We are going to have to get rid of some stuff.”

Wading through cardboard to help Max, Percy patted his butt as he squeezed through the narrow space behind him. “We can start going through it after we find the coffee cups. The pot’s almost finished brewing and I’m dying without my morning coffee.”

“Well, the cups are still missing, but I did manage to find some soup bowls.”

Percy considered it and laughed. “It’ll have to do for now.”

Glancing around their new apartment, Percy whistled low at the amount of stuff they still had to do. Max had another week until he had to report for duty at his new job. Percy shook his head. He should be at the new office right now, but work would have to wait until tomorrow.

The rescue team Max worked for had put the word out when they found out he was relocating, and within days several offers came pouring in. Max had his pick of whichever ambulance company he wanted to work for in the new city.

When Percy announced his decision to take over the southeast region, he was nervous about handing over the reins to Rocket to run home base on her own, but everything was already set up and established there, unlike here where everything was brand new and he would be starting from scratch.

The choice of location was a no brainer. Warmer weather was definitely the main attraction, but Percy knew he would have to spend a lot of time traveling to their other new locations too. For now, this would be home. As long as Max was there beside him, home could be anywhere.

Thinking about work, family and friends, Rocket’s special going away present had Percy suppressing a chuckle. She had slaved over the surprise advertisement for nearly two weeks before she would let anyone see it. Safe sex was currently a hot topic in the city since there had been another outbreak of Chlamydia last month, so doing a public awareness campaign was perfectly normal.

Percy still wished he could have seen the looks on Ashton and Alexandria’s faces when they saw themselves in an ad for preventing sexually transmitted diseases, especially when Rocket added in fine, lime-green print on the bottom of the page that sex between siblings was against the law in all fifty states.

“Percy!” Max’s voice raised an octave, jarring Percy from his thoughts. When Max picked up a box much smaller than the others, a huge smile spread over his face.

Peering over his shoulder, Percy tried to see what Max was so giddy about.

“I can’t believe you never opened it.” Max spun around to face him, holding the box he had left for him at the Naughty Revelations store.

Percy had put it away, waiting for a good time for them to open it together, but after he had the man of his dreams already in his arms, nothing else mattered.

Handing the box to Percy, Max suddenly blushed. The sight of pink flushing Max’s cheeks make Percy a little lightheaded. He was so sexy. If just the thought of the contents inside were enough to make his boyfriend blush, what was he going to do once they actually opened the darn thing?

Percy shook the box and listened. “Pornos? Furry handcuffs? Oh, I know! It’s a nine-inch glow-in-the-dark dildo so we can play hide-and-go-seek tonight with the lights out?”

Max laughed. “Just open it, already.”

Ripping the brown paper wrapping, Percy tore into the box. He smiled as he pulled out several of the contents and then suddenly stopped. Tucked behind the rainbow dildo, the leather cockrings, and a long strand of shiny glass anal beads were pictures of Max.

Percy stood there holding the cockshots Max had sent to him over the internet; however, these were full-length, glossy photographs showing Max from his beautiful face to his cute toes. Percy smiled remembering his reaction the first time he saw them and then he noticed beside the pictures was a coffee cup from the Jumping Java.

Max nervously chewed on his lip as he watched Percy stare at the array of contents. “I know it’s crazy, Percy, but that first day, when I crashed into you at the coffee shop, I just couldn’t get you off my mind. When I paid the girl at Naughty Revelations to let me leave this box at her store, I never thought in a million years you would be the man picking it up. I wished and hoped and prayed for it to be you, but I never thought I would ever get this lucky!”

Percy sighed, ready to interrupt Max, but he held up his finger for Percy to wait.

“I even had a plan B just in case Binx asked about the cup. I was going to tell him it was an open invitation to meet for coffee at the Jumping Java whenever he was ready to take that next step.”

Percy set the pictures and the cup back in the box with the sex toys and pulled Max into his arms. He buried his fingers in the mass of sleep-mussed curls and pulled their faces closer. “I’m the lucky one, Maxwell Parker. I have found the man of my dreams.”

Their lips met, tentatively at first, but a hunger grew that had them tumbling to the floor between the boxes. “Looks like we aren’t going to need those coffee cups for a while,” Max growled.

“The coffee can wait, but this,” Percy pressed his swollen cock against Max as he leaned in to continue nibbling on his lips between breathless kisses, “This, Mr. Maxthemagnificent, this can’t wait!”

THE END