Struggling Forward - 17. The Bash

Struggling Forward

The Bash:

Blu and Kyle were quietly laying in bed, Blu laying with his head on Kyle’s chest. Kyle was playing with Blu’s hair with his free hand, the other wrapped around Blu.

“I spoke with Jared last night, he and James should be here tomorrow morning. I told him we have finals, but James has a key,” Blu murmured into Kyle’s chest.

“I really miss him, it’s like after all this time I have you and him in my life, I feel complete,” Kyle kissed Blu’s forehead.

“Yeah, I get it,” Blu said, “since it’s Sunday, can we just lay here and watch a movie, then when shithead gets home from work after lunch, we’ll get his room ready. Then after that, I guess we better hit the books for finals this week.”

“I think it’s funny you, Jared, and I are all three going to be teachers, I just don’t think I could teach choir, I’m definitely not a singer people would run if they heard me sing,” Kyle cringed, “Wanna hear me sing?”

“You’re kidding right, I hear you every morning in the shower, Blondie, it’s really not that… good,” Blu chuckled then kissed Kyle’s chest before laying his head back down. “I was thinking, about the wedding you should have Jared and Kaleb, I’ve got Davis, but I’ll ask Christopher too, to stand up for me. The only reason he wasn’t in the first place was that it would have been uneven.”

“You don’t think Mom and Nan will mind last minute changes? Mom’s getting more nervous by the day,” Kyle said questioningly.

“We can take two guys for tux fittings, Blondie,” Blu mused, “it won’t be a burden to her at all.”

“I appreciate you letting me include Jared. I’m sure he will love being a part of our day,” Kyle beamed with pure happiness as he thought about the most important people in his life were being a part of their wedding day.

Blu played with the hair of Kyle’s happy trail, teasing him, “I’m going to ask one last time, and then I’ll let this go. Are you okay with your folks sentencing?”

“They deserve what they got,” Kyle paused thinking, “Gram and Gramps didn’t deserve to die, I’m mad that Rudolph and Penelope took them from Jared.”

“M’kay, Blondie, put the television on. I want to watch the rest of the episode of ‘Republic of Doyle,’ we were watching before you decided to have sexy time in the middle of it because you were ‘bored.’

Kyle chuckled as he flipped the television on, “You didn’t seem to mind as I recall you moaned enough that Kaleb and Davis got in the mood and done their own moaning.”

Blu lifted himself up and glared at Kyle, “I couldn’t hear the tv over them, and they were in the damn laundry room. Thank god they have agreed to knock that on the head now that Jared is moving in.”

Khan came into the room carrying in a different shoe of Kaleb’s the tongue had already been chewed off, “Khan, Uncle Kaleb is gonna be pissed he left the last one slide because you were a baby,” Khan stretched out across the entire bottom of the bed growling while he continued ripping the shoe apart.

*****

Jared: Just arrived, could have warned me about the horse.

Blu: The horse's name is Khan, don’t leave your shoes lying around – just saying.

“Your brother is here, Blondie,” Blu said showing him the text messages as they were eating a quick bite at the Union Center before Blu’s next exam, and Kyle went off to the library to cram for tomorrows final and wait for Blu.

As the boys met up after Blu’s exam Kyle was giddy to the point he reminded Blu of Kaleb, “I can’t wait to see Jared, Do you think his trip was ok? I hope Jared enjoyed the flight, What are we doing tonight? Should we take him out to eat? When should we take him and Chris to get their tux…”

Blu pulled Kyle to a stop, “Blondie, take a breath. You’ve gone all Kaleb on me,” he waited for Kyle to settle before continuing. He brushed his lips gently against Kyle’s, “We are going to go home, you can greet your brother, then we’ll call the girls and Christopher, and we’ll take him to Rim Job. Our savings are almost wiped out, and it’s all we can afford, I’m assuming Jared isn’t faring much better in the finance department with the move, school fees, and what not. James has a date, which he’s kind of being evasive about who it is,” Blu said distractedly.

“Fucking Fags,” some dweeb coughed as he walked by.

Kyle stopped and turned around, “You’re just jealous my fiancée gets more than you ever will.”

The guy turned back to have a go at Kyle, rethought his actions when he realized how big Kyle was in comparison to him. Blu snickered, “Yeah, run along twink.”

“Hey buddy,” Kyle yelled out, “We’re getting married soon. Do you want an invitation?” The kid held his middle finger up as he walked away.

“Okay, so Rim Job, yes?” Blu was still snickering.

“Sounds good but the kids will be awake,” Kyle joked, “You’ll have to keep the moaning down.”

Blu rolled his eyes and headed off to the car.

The boys got home, Kyle stopped in the doorway to give Khan a little bit of love before he tossed his backpack on his desk. Kyle went upstairs searching for Jared who was sitting on his bed. “Hey, Jared, missed you man,” Kyle said from the doorway.

“I missed you guys too. It was weird saying goodbye to you after the trial,” Jared said anxiously.

“What’s on your mind, Jared? I know something is rattling around in there,” Kyle walked into the room sitting by his twin.

Jared made a face that was more of a how do you know shit like that, “Well… What do I do if I mess up here and you guys don’t want me around no more?”

“Dammit Jared we’ve talked about that with you, even Blu and Davis told you. You’re stuck with us family takes care of family,” Kyle wrapped an arm around Jared, “Got it?”

“Mhmm,” Jared mumbled.

“Good,” Kyle smiled, “How did you like Khan?”

Jared laughed, “I think he might think I’m you, but he buried his nose in my crotch that’s pretty disgusting.”

Blu knocked on the open door as he waltzed in, “Hey, Goose, how was the flight?”

Jared shrugged his shoulders, “Goose huh? Cute, asshole, the layover sucked, the food in the airport might be from the 1950’s it was pretty bad,” he said sarcastically.

“Eeek, sorry about that, your gonna love the shitheads cooking then. Don’t ever tell Kaleb I said this, but his stuff is fucking awesome,” Blu giggled, “okay now tell us who is James going on a date with?”

Jared fidgeted with a loose thread on his pants, “Umm… he’s kinda meeting his significant other. He’s relocating to Boston to be closer to James, they’ve been together for about twelve years.”

Blu glared at Kyle, “How did you not know this?”

“Babe, there’s a lot of things I didn’t know about,” Kyle shrugged his shoulders acceptingly.

“True enough, come on let’s go save water,” Blu smirked, “Jared jump in the shower before the bunnies get in there or there’ll be no hot water left. We are going out to a place we go to regularly, it’s full of college kids, the food is good as well as cheap. We’ll introduce you to the girls Charlie and Liv, you’ll love them and Topher will probably bring Red. Right, Blondie!

Kyle laughed, “Jared don’t get between Blu when he tries to get a hug from Steph, Blu and Chris have a competition going for hugs.” Jared smiled at the bantering.

“Race ya, first one there gets a BJ,” Blu said quickly taking off.

“Cheater,” Kyle stood up tearing off his clothes as he headed out of Jared’s room. Jared stared at his brother chuckling to himself, ‘we really are identical,’ Jared thought to himself.

*****

The group headed to Rim Job, Jared stood outside shifting his feet back and forth filled with anxiety about meeting Liv and Charlie. “Kyle, What are they like? Are they gonna like me? I can just go back home,” Jared said worriedly chewing on his thumbnail.

Blu stepped around Kyle, “You have nothing to be worried about the girls are easy going and laid back, if anything they will go out of their way… YES! Red’s here,” Blu shoved Jared aside and headed for her.

Kyle shook his head as he caught Jared who stumbled off balance, “Told ya,” Kyle chuckled, “He’s competitive over hugs with Steph.”

“No shit,” Jared said his hand covering his mouth, “Oops, I meant kidding.”

Kyle laughed, “Come on Jared, let's go inside, once Blu is done fighting Chris over Steph they will be in.”

Kyle threw his arm over Jared’s shoulder as they walked in the door. Kyle spotted the girls sitting at a few tables they had pulled together, Charlie was waving making a spectacle of herself until she seen two Kyle’s? The brothers walked over to the table Charlie had a bewildered look on her face. “Um… Kyle?” Charlie scratched her head.

Kyle smiled, “Girls, I guess by the puzzled look on your faces you wanna know who this guy is,” Kyle flicked his head toward Jared, “It seems Rudolph and Penelope decided neither of us needed to know our twin brother. Girls this is Jared,” Kyle introduced each of the girls.

“Hi, nice to meet you,” Jared said with a shy smile.

“Oh, he’s adorable. What happened to you, Kyle?” Charlie said as waved her hand in Kyle’s face to hush him, “How long are you in town for?”

“Uh, forever?” Jared gave her a weird look.

“Kyle Remington,” Charlie gave him the look, “Why didn’t you tell us you have a twin, and he moved here?”

“If you recall, my life has been anything but normal for a while now,” Kyle said apologetically.

Liv pulled Charlie into her chair and kissed her to end the inquisition Jared’s eyes widened at the girls, “Oh please, I’m allowed to kiss my girlfriend cutie.” She motioned the boys to sit down, “Where is Blu?”

“Competing with Chris for hugs with Steph, I think he might actually win today,” Kyle grinned as he watched his fiancée and his friends walk in. Chris was red-faced and glaring at Blu as they walked to the table.

Chris pulled out a chair for Steph to sit down, “Kyle, can’t you put a leash on Blu?” Chris sat down wrapping his arm around Steph’s shoulders, “I can’t even hug my own girlfriend.”

“I don’t think…” Kyle was starting to respond to Chris’s request but Blu cut him off.

“Oh boo hoo, ya big baby,” Blu bitched, “you hug her all the time, I’m assuming anyway,” he shrugged and sat down, he looked at Kyle, “I’m thirsty, Blondie.”

“Babe, be patient the waitress will be over shortly,” Kyle kissed Blu’s cheek.

“What’s up Jared?” Chris nodded, “Blu you’d be pissed if I groped Kyle, give me a break man,” Chris sat down between Jared and Steph.

“Meh, go for it, it will be the highlight of his day, he didn’t get none this morning,” Blu laughed it off, but ‘yeah, don’t grope Kyle,’ he thought, “and I didn’t grope her,” he tilted his head, “I don’t think.” Blu waved his hand indicating to Steph’s body, “she has all them girly bits anyway, I wouldn’t even know where to start groping. I don’t have a user manual for that… that… stuff.”

“Ugh,” Chris threw his hands up in defeat, “Kyle is it always like this with brothers?”

“Yep, pretty much. Jared is just to quiet to argue, give him a bit to adjust to Kaleb,” Kyle smiled at his brother.

“Speaking of Kaleb and Davis, where are they?” Chris asked as he looked around.

“Does this place have a laundry room?” Blu asked sarcastically, slinging his arm around the back of Kyle’s chair possessively.

Just then two hunky looking policemen walked over to the table pulling out handcuffs yanking Blu and Kyle’s hands behind their backs securing them tightly as they pulled the boys to their feet. Some cheesy porno sounding music came across the sound system. Jared’s eyes grew in size as the men slid the boy's chairs out to the center of the dance floor, shoving the boys back into them, and started giving them a lap dance.

“Uh… oh, shit…” Jared stammered.

Kaleb stood up on the stage with a shit eating grin, Nan standing beside him shouting, “Ooooh baby, take it off!”

Kyle rolled his eyes, “You’re so dead Kaleb,” yelling over to his brother as the dancer ground his pelvis into Kyle’s lap getting his attention, “This isn’t funny guys.”

“I don’t know, Blondie,” Blu said smiling, his eyes running over the guy who was twerking in front of him as he ripped his pants off. Then looked over at Kyle, the smile falling from his face, “Hey, rent-a-cop, paws where I can see em’ and keep your nightstick away from him,” Blu growled.

Jared shifted in his chair, “You heard him, get away from my brother,” he said defensively. Jared stood up, never really being a physical person he wasn’t sure how to fight or what to do.

Chris stood up placing a hand on Jared’s shoulder, “It’s alright man, he’s fine, this is just their bachelor party.” Jared relaxed a little sitting down staring at the guy hovering over Kyle.

Once the music died out the dancers removed the handcuffs, Kaleb and Nan walked over sitting down at the table. Davis came over with a tray of non-alcoholic beverages placing them on the table.

Blu and Kyle shook the hands of the dancers after deciding to just go with the flow – after the guy got out of Kyle’s lap. They struck up a conversation with them as they collected their outfits. They were married, in graduate school working their way through. They really were genuinely nice guys, the one even apologized to Blu for touching Kyle. Jared still continued watching the dancers, to make sure they weren’t bothering Kyle.

Kaleb took one of the beverages Davis brought over and urged the others to get one. He raised his glass to make a toast, “I’ve been really blessed to have the best brothers in the world, today I want to say I’m pretty damn lucky to be gaining another brother, welcome to the family Blu, to family,” Kaleb raised his drink.

Jared smiled as the group all responded saying, “To family.”

“We are already family, Shithead, but thanks,’ Blu said before clinking glasses with Kaleb and putting his arm around his shoulder.

Nan was over at the bar throwing down Tequila shots when the Judge walked in catching her getting a little touchy feely with the bartender.

“Pumpkin, let me pay the bill, and we are getting out of here,” Steven placed two hundred dollars on the bar, “That should cover anything she was drinking and the group over there,” Steven pointed to Kyle and Blu’s table, the bartender nodded. Steven and Nan stopped by the kid's table, “I covered your bill guys, congratulations, I need to get my girl home before she does something crazy,” the Judge smiled at the group.

“You get your beauty rest Nan,” Blu winked at his Nan.

“You know it grandbaby,” she winked back at Blu her tongue hanging out to the side of her mouth playfully.

“Gross,” Davis muttered.

“Ride that man,” Charlie shouted out.

“Oh, I will be,” Nan called back sauntering away with her new beau, her hand in the air waving goodbye.

Kaleb laughed, “Blu we are definitely getting a Pappy.”

Blu chuckled, “It would seem so,” he let out a laugh, “I hope he has an adventurous side.”

The group sat and shared gossip, joking around, having a good time until the bar closed. As the family stood up to get ready to head home, Kyle put his arm around Jared, “I wanted to know if you would be willing to stand up for me at the wedding with Kaleb.”

Jared’s eyes filled with tears, “I’d be honored to do that for you,” Kyle gave Jared a quick hug and a smile before releasing his hold.

“Topher,” Blu called out, trying to stop Christopher so he could catch up.

“NO! You hugged Steph enough for the night,” Chris waved his hand in the air while Steph and he were tyring to make a hasty escape.

“Such a big baby,” Blu shook his head looking at Steph, “I actually wanted to ask you something.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Chris said sarcastically.

“Dick,” Blu chuckled, “I was wondering if you would stand up for me with Davis at the wedding?”

Chris threw his arms around Blu hugging him, “I would love to, what do I need to do?”

“We just need to rent a tux and get it fitted, other than that, your ugly mug is all I need.”

“Just tell me when and where I’ll be there,” Chris smiled releasing Blu from the hug, “Uh… can we not discuss me hugging you?”

Blu had a glint of mischief in his eye, and nodded, “Sure, but first an experiment. Red, hug Topher.”

Chris wrapped her in a hug laying one hell of a kiss on her in the process, “See I know how to hug her and more,” His chest puffed up.

Blu threw back his head and laughed, “You straight boys, always trying to prove something, anyway, Red, now hug me,” Blu waved his hand around, “but none of that kissy-face stuff, cos’ you know… girls have cooties and all that.”

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” Chris glared at Blu, “If you even try to kiss her Kyle is gonna need to get my foot surgically removed from your skinny ass.”

“Promises, promises,” Blu sniped, then held his arms our for Steph.

“Go ahead or he won’t let us go home,” Chris whined while staring at Blu.

Blu snuggled the crap out of Steph without groping her, “So Red, who gives a better hug, and don’t take into account all that slobbering he did on ya.”

“Well… hmm…” Steph looked at Chris and back to Blu twirling a lock of her hair around her finger, “I gotta say my baby is,” Chris stuck his tongue out at Blu.

“You have a baby?” Blu said with mock excitement.

“ME! Doofus,” Chris smiled wrapping an arm around Steph’s shoulders, “Thanks for asking me to be a part of the wedding, Blu.”

“You’re family Topher,” Blu gently tapped his shoulder, “Good luck on your final tomorrow.”

“Ugh, ya, I’ll need it my professor hates me,” Chris and Steph started to walk off, “Good luck to you guys too bro, later.”

*****

The weekend finally arrived, finals were over for the year. Early Saturday afternoon the boys loaded up in the SUV with the wedding party and headed off to get fitted for their tuxedo’s.

Once they were inside Spiffy Biff’s Tuxedos they were helped by Biff himself, he was extremely short, very skinny, and could do a great impersonation of a twig. Biff had his measuring tape out dragging Blu over in front of a floor to ceiling mirror, he did a few measurements and returned shortly with a standard tuxedo. Biff Handed the tux to Blu, “Here try this on I want to make sure what I’ve measured fits correctly once you all done we discuss color options, cummerbunds, ties and various accessories. Just step behind the curtain, off you go,” he said clapping his hands.

“No, no, my fiancée and I already have our tuxedo’s. You did them about a month ago remember, Blu Waters,” Blu pointed over at Kyle with Jared as they looked in the mirror, “Kyle Remington, my fiancée, you told us you were happy to see young men in such love,” Blu said the latter imitating the man's accent.

“Oh my goodness,” Biff slapped his hand against his forehead, “Ya… I remember the adorable blonde. Okay, so what are we doing today?”

“You need to fit Kyle’s brother, and Christopher with a tux we’ve added two groomsmen,” and about the tux for Kaleb Remington,” Blu had the man look up the booking under Kaleb’s name, “Yes that one,” then Blu gave the man instructions of the changes to the booking, “I’ll pay the extra, no worries.” Blu pulled out his credit card and gave it Biff.

“You’re certain you want to do this?” Biff asked snickering.

“Yes, definitely. My wedding day right?”

“Absolutely, if I might make a suggestion how about a nice rainbow cummerbund to pop?” Biff chuckled.

Blu shrugged a shoulder, “If you think that would be best, I can’t stop you,” Blu snickered as he walked off, pleased with himself. Then he had a thought, “that shithead is actually gonna want to wear that damn rainbow cummerbund all day. Probably like a fucking sash!”

Jared went to be fitted first, to say Biff enjoy the first adorable blonde, the second made him drool. Biff may have been a bit too hands-on in the measurement department. Jared staggered back over to Kyle and Blu a bright shade of pink as he glanced over his shoulder, “Uh… umm… hmmm… he sure is thorough with his measurements,” Jared stammered.

Kyle laughed at how flustered Jared was, “Let me guess his hands were like yellow pages commercial, his fingers done the walking,” Jared nodded his head.

Chris came back over after his fitting, “Uh, I... he has to be gay.” Chris’s voice became higher pitched, “He grabbed my package and complimented me.”

“Ok guys one sec I need to speak to Biff a second,” Kyle walked over to Biff.

Biff looked a little worried when Kyle walked over staring down at him, “Can I help you, Mr. Remington?”

“Yeah, first hands off my brother in the future,” Kyle said and Biff gulped nodding, “Second, I need a matching bow tie for my Great Dane and a cummerbund make it an adult size should fit perfectly.”

Biff walked over to the computer placing the additional order in the computer, “That’ll be thirty-five dollars.” Kyle handed him his debit card, Biff slid the receipt to Kyle who signed it and took his copy walking back to his family.

“Now we can get outta here,” Kyle said with a smile, “Oh, Jared Biff will never do that again to you.”

“Thanks,” Jared said as they headed out, “You know I can defend myself, but thanks, Kyle.”