The Company - 3. Arrowhead Lodge

When we got home from church, we all packed light for the camp. I loaded the big Coleman cooler in the back of the van.

As the guys were getting their act together, I called Fred Henderson, who owned a nearby farm and was part of the hunting club that used Arrowhead Lodge and the land surrounding it. The hunting there was all over winter, but the hunting club kept the roads open and looked after the place. As it turned out, I got him. He was barbecuing and had just sat down after a standing over a hot grill.

He said that no one in the clubs had asked to use the place, but warned me that his nephew and friends were camping out near the lake. They wouldn’t be anywhere near the lodge, since Lee Henderson was a dedicated fisherman and the lake was over a mile away.

I looked around the pantry for useful things to bring, and my eyes landed on four bottles of excellent sangria. The box had been a Christmas gift and had stayed in the cool pantry, so I put two bottles in the van.

I took the van for a quick grocery run and got enough soft drinks, chips, hot dogs and burger makings to feed a swarm, and iced it all down in the cooler. Some things would be at the lodge, but I wasn’t sure exactly what. I was pretty confident that we had what we needed for a day or two.

When I got back to the house, Jeb’s jeep was parked by Chris and Frank’s trucks. I skipped going in the garage and parked where we could have easy access to load the van.

I left Jeb and the boys loading their stuff in the van and went upstairs to grab my overnight bag and ran right into Frank wearing nothing but a bright red Speedo in front of the mirror.

I was struck speechless and stood there in slack-jawed admiration of his… assets.

He grinned at me and said, “You like?”

I could only nod. My brain was short-circuited and I could only drool.

“If I’m going to have to wear these things, so are you.”

I went over to the dresser and dropped the board shorts and boxers I was wearing and slipped on the matching Speedos. I slipped off the shirt I was wearing and for a moment, we just stood there looking at each other.

Chris stuck his head in the door and his eyes widened. He said, “Damn, that’s hot.”

I said, “Too hot for the road. We’ll wear board shorts over them. How did you like Tony in them?”

He shook his head, “If we were wearing that, nobody could pay attention to drive.”

Frank and I pulled on board shorts and old concert t-shirts. As we were finishing up, Frank asked, “Would it be OK to take a few joints?”

I said, “I don’t mind. This is a break before we get down to serious business next week. I might even help you with that.”

In a few minutes, we had overnight bags and were headed downstairs. We met Chris and Tony in the kitchen and were out the back door where Jeb and the boys were waiting.

By two-thirty, we were on the highway north. As I knew it was a long way and a long time to dinner, I stopped at Taco Joe's on exit 59.

It was a big purple place that has been repurposed to be a cross between a Truck Stop, good Mexican Restaurant and a convenience store. It was a really cool place and I tended to stop off there every time I passed that way because the owner made the best tacos I knew of.

Twenty-one tacos and seven sodas later, we were on our way again. A little less than an hour later, I took the exit that led to Arrowhead Lodge.

Fifteen minutes off the highway, things changed. Instead of the old-growth forest, this part of the country was flat with ragged undergrowth; lots of ancient downed trees and just a few new trees sprouting up through the wreckage. Thirty years after it happened, there was still sheet metal in the surviving trees.

Brandon asked, “What happened here?”

I said, “In 1955 an F5 tornado raised this tiny town to the ground and killed forty-four people.”

I pulled over to the memorial on the side of the road and got out. It had recently been tended. The weeds were cut down, and the new flowers sat in front of the marker.

I walked up to it and put my fingers on the grandpa who I had been named for. It was quiet, and I felt hands touching me as they saw the names and understood. Half of the names on the marker were Shepherds with Hendersons, Johnsons and Porters.

I said, “This happened before I was born. I never got to meet any of them. There’s a lesson here for worth knowing for anyone: love the people you love because it can end so fast. I’m sorry. Maybe you get why I rarely ever come here. It never fails to shake me up.”

I looked around and saw the love and concern in my new family and smiled. “I love you guys. Now, forget the past. Our business is tomorrow. Let’s go have fun.”

Wan smiles greeted me and we got rolling again. Fifteen minutes later, the van pulled up to the gate of Arrowhead Lodge. Chris volunteered to open the padlock and pull the gate. Once we were through, he closed it and locked up behind us. We trundled over an old gravel road the last quarter mile and were finally there.

The lodge was once a two-story home and barn. I wasn’t sure who had built it, but, it had to be one of the three big extended families in the area. I pulled up to the side of the house, let the crew unload while I took the keys and opened the place up.

The interior was comfortable, but far from luxurious. There was a lot of American Indian themed memorabilia on the walls, like collectors boxes of arrowheads and head dresses. Numerous Indian mounds speckled the map almost at random in the area. Kids in the families had been collecting the leftover stuff for generations. I suppose an archaeologist would probably get bent out of shape over that, but it was collect them or see them get plowed under.

For a moment there I saw ghosts in the old place. My Dad, Mom, my brother: and then a hand touched me. I started and saw that it was Frank with concern in his eyes.

He hugged me and said, “That Memorial got to you.”

“Yeah. It did. It always does. It takes me a few minutes to get back in the moment.”

He held me tight and said, “Jesus, Tim. I can’t imagine why you would ever want to come here.”

“After sundown, I’ll show you what makes this place so magical.”

We unloaded the van and got food in the kitchen and our bags in the rooms. The air conditioner chugged away and had the house cooling, but it was an uphill battle.

The rest of that afternoon we did a lot of nothing. We talked, laughed, hugged and just relaxed. With no phones, no TV, no bustle; it’s like we had stepped out of the world. There were no demands on our time or anywhere to be.

 

I slipped away to prepare the magical place I had promised Frank. I found the old bag of candles that my older brother had used to show me the wonder of the place. In the pantry off the kitchen, I found a small playmate cooler. I put the two bottles of sangria in it with some ice.

I took them down to the grotto. I had to cut a few blackberry vines that were encroaching on the path, but the old place was still there with the laughing gurgle of the waterfall.

As the shadows lengthened, I grilled hot dogs for the crew and got everyone fed.

When it was about an hour from sunset, I said, “Who wants to see the grotto?”

Jeb said, “I’m for that.”

Chris and Brandon assented.

I said, “Is everyone ready?

The assembled group said, “Hell yeah.”

I said, “Grab a towel, some flip-flops, get in the uniform of the day and meet back here in 5 minutes.”

Toby asked, “Uniform of the day?”

Jeb laughed and said, “Speedo.”

Toby’s eyes brightened as he scurried off to his room.

The group had shaken off the darkness of the ruins. Now it was just green and peaceful place and began to get in the spirit of things. They rushed off to their rooms to prepare.

The group soon began to form, all in Speedo, and I almost stopped to gawk. Frank threw me a towel and I stripped out of my board shorts and shirt right there on the spot.

I said, “Ready guys?”

Tony said, “Yes, Godfather.”

There were chuckles and some of them sounded a little nervous about this odd ceremony.

I said, “Follow me.”

We went a short way across a meadow behind the house as the shadows of late afternoon lengthened into dusk. The woods we entered were like a tunnel of green, now in deep shade but, there were gasps as the grotto came into view.

A couple of hundred years ago, a powerful earthquake struck the Mississippi River Valley called the New Madrid Quake. There were no geologists at the time to gauge how powerful it was. The consensus was that it was a 7.5 with numerous powerful aftershocks. Aftershocks continued into the next year or even longer by some accounts. There were reports of shaking and damage from Georgia to Texas.

The State university geologists believe the grotto was formed by a shift caused by that quake that made the lower part fall at least twenty feet. The warm spring that fed the creek and the waterfall had almost two hundred years to form the grotto and the crystals in the underlying stone and minerals deposited there were stunning shades of azure, yellow, green and sparkling onyx.

The action of the stream had undermined the hard, rocky top layer and washed out the sandy soil underneath. It resulted in a waterfall into a pool about twenty feet around that fed a stream and a hollow, sandy area that shaped like a bell about thirty feet into the side of the hill.

I lighted the candles and began placing them. By the time I had all twelve in place their light was amplified by the crystals giving the grotto a warm, sparkling glow.

Over the years, my ancestors had placed stones in a circle behind the pool for sitting. I put my towel down on one of the ring of smooth, flat rocks and said, “Join me.”

One by one, the guys came into the grotto. It was a remarkable sight as the sun retreated and the millions of faceted crystals picked up the lights of the candles.

Frank took a seat on the rock beside me and asked, “There aren’t any snakes in here?”

I replied, “No. Do you smell that touch of Sulfur in the air? This is a hot spring. Snakes and mosquitoes avoid it like the plague.”

Chris and Tony settled on the rocks on my left and Jeb, Toby and Brandon settled on the other side of Frank. We formed a circle behind the pool.

Toby had his feet in the water and said, “This water feels good. It’s not too hot and not to cold. It’s just right.”

Chris said, “I’ve heard that hot springs are supposed to have healing powers that are good for you. People come from all over to the hots springs in Arkansas.”

The groups chattered about the beauty of the place for a few minutes, but they seemed to know that I had something in mind.

I said to the group, “There was a reason beyond my personal enjoyment for me asking everyone to wear nothing but Speedos and flip-flops.” Grins and chuckles came from around the circle.

“As near naked as we all are, there’s nothing hidden between us. I have a game in mind that I’ve seen small units in the military play that they call a team building exercise. It helps the team members get to know each other. Be warned: the questions start out easy, but they get harder. Oh, and with each answer, you take a sip of this.”

I pulled one of the bottles of sangria out of the little cooler.

Tony recognized it on sight and said, “Yes, Godfather. I’m in.”

Jeb said, “Me too.”

There was general agreement and I said, “OK. I’ll start. The question is: What is something you are grateful for? My answer is the first time I saw Frank. I couldn’t get him out of my head. I just knew that I wanted to see him again.”

I passed the bottle to Frank, and he said, “I’m grateful for Tim. I didn’t know what being loved could feel like until he showed me. Oh, and this stuff is delicious.”

Frank passed the bottle to Jeb. He said, “I’m grateful to have friends. I didn’t even know how lonely I really was until I met you guys.” He took a sip and said, “Oh! It really is good.”

Jeb passed the bottle to Brandon, who said, “I’m grateful to Jeb. When he holds me and kisses me, I feel… I’m not sure what I feel, but it’s great.” He took a sip.

Brandon passed the bottle to Toby who said, “I’m grateful that Dad knows I’m gay, accepts it and I don’t have to sneak around anymore.” He took a sip and passed the bottle to Chris.

Chris said, “I’m grateful for Tim taking Tony in and treating him like family.” He took a sip and passed it to Tony.

Tony said, “I’m grateful that Chris is back in my life and I love sangria!” He took a sip and passed the bottle to back to me.”

I took the bottle back and said, “Next question, and this one is harder: what are you proud of about yourself? I’m proud that I’ve got you people around me.” I took a swig; it really was good, and passed the bottle to Frank.

Frank considered the question and said, “That is a hard one. I didn’t like myself much a few days ago. All I did was get high and cruise until I met a man who saw more in me than a just a piece of meat. I’m proud of the person I’m becoming.” Frank took a swig, passed it to Jeb, and I put my hand on Frank’s arm.

Jeb said, “It is a hard one. Like Frank, I didn’t like myself much a little while ago but, I was smart enough to trust Frank and take the opportunity to get to know some damn good people.” He took a sip and handed the bottle to Brandon.

Brandon was quiet for a moment and said, “I’m proud that I’m not a basket case because my crack whore mother rented me out to perverts.” As soon as he said it, Toby and Jeb put their hands on his shoulder. He took a sip of the bottle and passed it to Toby.

I interrupted the sequence and asked, “Is that the first time you’ve talked about it?”

Brandon said, “I told my favorite teacher. The Child Welfare took me away from Mom and I had to talk to a counselor. I was in foster care for a few months and one day they introduced me to the Rankin’s. We hit it off from the start. I’m way better off now with Sam and Toby… and you guys.”

Tony stood up from his spot, walked over, hugged Brandon and whispered something in his ear. Brandon nodded and hugged Tony back. He walked back to his spot by Chris, took his hand and sat.

Toby looked at the bottle thoughtfully for a moment. Introspection was not one of his strengths. Finally, he said, “After what Brandon said, this sounds silly, but I’m proud of my ability with art. If I see something, I can draw or paint it, almost like a photograph.” He took a sip and passed the bottle to Chris.

Chris looked at the bottle and said, “I’m proud of my ability to read other people. I knew that Tim was someone who was real and cared about me within just a few minutes of first meeting him.” Chris took a sip and handed the bottle to Tony.

Tony said, “I’m proud that I found the courage to walk away from the abuse and misery and find my way back to Chris.” He took a sip and handed the bottle to me.

I took the bottle and said, “That one was heavier than I thought it was going to be. Now I’m going to give you a fun one. Pick someone in the group you really like other than your partner, go hug them and tell them why you like them. Then have a drink and pass it on.”

I stood and walked over to a surprised Jeb. He stood and we hugged. I said, “Yesterday I saw how good you were to Toby and Brandon. I saw the care you took when you belted them into your jeep, I knew that I was going to like you.”

He smiled and blushed a bit in the reflected candlelight and said, “It’s not hard at all to love those two. The challenge is keeping up.” I hugged him again and returned to my seat and had a sip from the bottle.

Frank stood up and made a beeline for Toby, who he pulled to his feet, hugged and said, “You’re more mischief than a swarm of raccoons. It’s a good thing that you’re so cute.”

Toby giggled, and genuine laughter filled the grotto. Frank returned to his place, took a sip and handed the bottle to Jeb.

Jeb got up without hesitation and came to me and hugged me fiercely. He said, “You care…” and choked on a sob.

I held on to his embrace and said quietly in his ear, “Yes. I do, Jeb. You’ll never have to be alone again.” On hearing what I said, he twitched, tightened his hug and looked back at me smiling. He returned to his spot in the circle, took a small drink from the bottle, and handed it to Brandon.

Brandon stood, turned to Toby and said, “I love my little brother. Every day is fun with him. And trouble, but mostly fun.” Then to my astonishment, they grabbed each other’s right hand in an over hand grip, rubbed noses like Eskimos and smacked each other on the butt with their left hand. The two brothers laughed as we watched their strange ritual in slack jawed amazement as Brandon took a swig and handed the bottle to Toby.

Toby made a bee-line for Jeb, who had the bend down to hug him and said, “Jeb is so nice that I didn’t know what to think at first. Lots of older boys are mean and play tricks on me. It took me a while to figure out that was Jeb being Jeb, and I love him for it.” Toby planted a kiss on Jeb that would have made Hollywood envious, returned to his spot, had a swig and passed the bottle to Chris.

Chris stood and approached Frank, helped him stand and then hugged him. “You’re my best friend, and you helped me though bad times even when I wasn’t capable of giving back. I’ll always love you for that.” They hugged, lingered there for a moment, and Chris returned to his seat. He took a sip from the bottle and handed it to Tony.

Tony went back to Brandon, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. He said, “You were braver than I was, kiddo. We both had to learn that it only gets better when you fight back.” Tony returned to his seat and handed me the bottle.

I took the bottle and said, “That was fun. Let’s do it again, but this time pick someone else.”

I stood and walked over to Brandon. I took his hands, helped him up and gave him a big hug. I whispered in his ear, “I think I know where the tactical smarts came from for Toby’s little ambush yesterday.” He giggled and where his Speedo touched my thigh, it was rigid.

As he was seated, I said to the group, “Brandon may be quiet and a little shy, but I can tell that he’s really sharp.”

I stepped back to my spot, had a sip and handed the bottle to Frank.

Frank stood and walked over to Jeb, helped him up and pulled him into a hug that made my cock twitch. The classical beauty of them together in an embrace should have been on a Greek urn or something. Frank held him out at arm’s length and said, “It’s been fantastic getting to know you better.”

Jeb said, “You too. I’m thrilled you came to get me yesterday. I’ve had more fun in the last couple of days that I have this whole year.”

Frank took a drink and handed the bottle to Jeb, who sat it down and walked over to Toby.

Jeb embraced Toby, whispered in his ear and kissed him tenderly. Toby wasn’t having it and kissed back with fiery passion. When they broke the kiss, Jeb looked a little surprised. He sat, took a swig, and then passed the bottle to Brandon.

Brandon stood, helped Jeb up, gave him another huge kiss and lingered body to body. As Jeb sat, his poor Speedos were bulging. Brandon took a sip and handed the bottle to Toby.

Toby went over to Jeb, helped him up and planted another huge lingering kiss on Jeb. He walked back to his place and took a sip from the bottle and handed it to Chris.

Chris got up and came over to me. He helped me up and we embraced. He kissed me gently and said, “Thanks for all you’ve done. I’m different today and in a much better place because of you.”

I stroked his hair and said, “You’re welcome.” The body to body contact between me and Chris made my cock take notice.

Chris returned to his spot, took a swig of the bottle and handed it to Tony. He walked over and embraced me, speaking quietly in my ear, “You taught me to trust again. I love you for it and always will.”

He took the last swig from the bottle, saluted and said, “This is a dead soldier. He met his end with gallantry, and I salute him.”

I said, “All right, guys. That was fun, but I think the mosquitoes are getting brave enough to get though the Sulfur fumes. Let’s head back inside.”

We put out the candles and began to head back to the house.

Frank followed close on my heels, and soon the procession was in retreat.

Jeb came by me and said, “After getting hugged and kissed by all these fine guys, I can’t wait to go back to the grotto.”

Toby and Brandon followed him close, arm in arm discussing their next mischief no doubt.

As the group passed, Frank caught up to me and said, “Hey, it’s my turn.” He gave me a full-body hug and kiss that made my senses tingle, and grind our Speedo bound cocks together.

Jeb said, “Hey, look back at the grotto.”

The air had cooled and the warm water in the grotto was causing fog to roll out. I looked up, and the stars had disappeared as some clouds had rolled in, cooling the air.

I said, “Looks like some rain might come in later.”

Chris said, “Hey, look over there.”

There was a light off in the distance. As I focused on it, I could see something about a mile in the distance. It looked like a tent. It was only visible because there was a light inside it. I said, “That may be Henderson’s nephew and friends. He warned me that they were camping out here somewhere. If the weather gets bad, I might run over and invite them to the lodge.”

Tony asked, “Won’t that cramp our style?”

I shrugged and said, “We put on board shorts, be discrete, and it’s all good. I was just hoping that we wouldn’t have to.”

We made it back to the lodge and everyone disbursed.

Frank asked, “Where did everybody go?”

I grinned and said, “After the sangria and the fun and games, they might be wanting a little nookie.”

Frank took one finger, hooked it in the front of my Speedo and lead me back to our room.

As we made our way back, we passed Tony and Chris’s closed door and heard bed springs squeaking. Frank smiled as we passed Jeb, Toby and Brandon’s room. Apparently they had been in such a hurry that they didn’t get the door closed, and they were having their typical noisy, happy sex.

Frank took a peek as we passed, must have liked what he saw. Frank’s cock twitched and grew in his Speedo as he stood there transfixed, watching.

I got behind him and rubbed my cock up and down his butt crack, and reached around to rub his cock. He ground against me and his cock became fully engaged, expanding past the restraining Speedo. I assumed that Frank was really getting hot watching Jeb, and I was getting really hot watching Frank.

From inside the room I heard happy moans and Frank got more and more excited. Pre-cum was running down his cock.

I peeked over Frank’s shoulder and saw that Jeb was having a grand time. That was it. Frank backed away from the door and as I stood, I could see Brandon looking right at the door smiling.

We were in our room in seconds, but instead of closing the door tightly, I left it just like the door to the boy’s room.

I dropped my Speedos to my ankles, and 69ed with Frank. He got on my cock like a thing possessed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement behind the crack in the door. Weird. I was getting as huge a charge out of knowing I had an audience as Frank had watching. It turned me on, thinking seeing us in action was giving them a charge. I did not know I had a dash of exhibitionism.

Well, if someone is watching, why not give them a great show? I picked up Frank and impaled his pucker with my tongue. I swirled it around, jammed it in deep, and twisted my head left and right. Frank made a strangled cry and came powerfully, making a huge mess on my chest.

At the same time, Frank had me in the zone. His excitement translated to my excitement. He went down to lick my balls and hit my hot spot right where the shaft and the scrotum come together. I grunted, twitched and shot a wad that flew through the air and off the bed. Frank was back on me instantly, and then three miscreants fell through the door.

Frank was mortified, but didn’t stop his work.

I motioned for the three voyeurs to come inside and close the door. They were all boned up in their Speedos. In fact, Jeb’s cum cannon was poking two inches above his Speedo waistband.

“You aren’t in trouble. I believe in fair play. When we were headed back here to do what you guys were already doing, we took a peek, and it really turned Frank on. So, when we came back here, I returned the favor.”

Jeb said in a quavering voice, “That was hot as hell.”

Frank said, “When I saw you, I got so turned on I thought I was going to nut on the spot.”

I asked, “Jeb, by the looks of it, you didn’t quite finish.”

He nodded.

“Why don’t you guys go back to your room and finish poor Jeb there? It looks like he’s hurting.” Jeb blushed scarlet as Toby led Jeb back to their room with a finger in his Speedo.

When they left, Frank said, “Well, that was different.”

“I learned a couple of things about myself I didn’t know. Voyeurism is a mild turn on but, knowing someone was watching pushed me over the top.”

Frank said, “I didn’t know seeing someone else doing it would be such a turn on.”

“It probably wouldn’t work for just anybody. We know and have a connection to these guys so, and you’ve still got a case of the hornies for Jeb.”

Frank sighed and said, “Guilty.”

I sat down and put an arm around Frank and said, “I completely understand. He’s hotter than August, sweeter than a puppy, and easy on the eyes. I’m not jealous.”

Frank put his head on my shoulder and said, “Would you like to share a joint?”

I raised an eyebrow and said, “Yeah, but I need to hold my baby for a while and recharge.”

Frank smiled that megawatt smile that melted my heart. We lay still and quiet for a while and shared a Mountain Dew. We didn’t exactly take a nap, but somehow an hour and fifteen minutes vanished.

 

I didn’t want weed around Toby and Brandon, so we took it outside. God knows they had enough issues to deal with. As we headed outside to burn a joint, Frank listened at Chris and Tony’s door and then knocked.

Chris opened it and Frank asked, “You and Tony want to burn one?”

“Hell yeah!”

“Come on, we’re going out back.”

The four of us went through the house and out through the screened in back porch. When we got outside, there were clouds, but I could see stars. Maybe it wouldn’t rain. Nature hadn’t made up its mind yet.

We walked out into the dark and Frank said, “Let’s play a game. When you take a hit, hug and kiss whoever you pass it to.”

Everyone agreed that sounded like fun. Frank lit the joint, got it burning good, took a hit, held it and handed it to me.

We embraced and lingered there for a moment. Feeling Frank’s body against mine was way better than weed in my book. When we kissed, he exhaled, and I got the leftover from his hit. I felt him against me and didn’t want to let go, but the joint was burning and people were waiting.

I took my hit, held it and passed it to Chris. I embraced Chris and did the same trick Frank had just shown me. As I kissed him, I passed him the hit. We lingered there for a moment, and I could feel Chris’s cock harden. Reluctantly, I broke the embrace and handed him the joint.

There was just enough of the joint that everyone got to hug and kiss each other twice, which would have been a fine game with or without the joint.

Out there in the dark, I made out with Frank and Tony and Chris did the same. None of us really needed the little buzz of weed in our systems, but it didn’t hurt.

Frank and I both grew aroused as we ground into each other. I kissed his chest and licked his nipples as he ground into me.

Someone said, “Now switch.”

I found myself making out with a very passionate Tony. As we were both aroused, our cocks had escaped the bonds of our Speedos waistband and ground together exquisitely. I reached behind him and felt that hard, smooth ass, and we ground our cocks together.

Just as it was getting good, I think it was Chris who said switch. I wasn’t sure and didn’t care as Chris was in my arms. Our cocks met in a gracious, happy greeting as we ground them together. This was a fun game, but I didn’t want to let go of Chris, as the pre-cum on both of our cocks felt so good rubbing against one another.

Before I knew it, Frank and Tony were at our sides. They left us standing together kissing, but pulled us apart— Frank going down on me and Tony going down on Chris. As they sucked our cocks, Chris and I kissed passionately. It didn’t take too long.

Now it was Tony and Frank’s turn but, we fooled them. I pushed Chris to Frank and I went down on Tony. They were a little surprised at the change, but they took it in stride. In fact, it made the whole festivity step up a notch.

I’d only been with Tony once, but he had a nice cock. As I sucked on it, I gently massaged his balls. It was like a fever rush when I looked out the corner of my eye and saw Chris on Frank’s cock. The sight energized me to new heights, and I took Tony deep, licking his balls on the down stroke.

Frank made that cute little sound that he makes when he’s about to cum and I tasted a wash of pre-cum from Tony. His knees shook, and his hips involuntarily thrust, and I heard Frank cry as he climaxed. In a matter of a few seconds, Tony came.

The four of us stood together in the dark night, holding each other in post orgasmic euphoria, but we couldn’t stay long. Mosquitoes found our too bare skins and forced us to retreat into the house.

I broke out some chips and soda to quell the munchies, and we all got that tiny post-orgasmic-while-high urge to take a nap.

 

 

We chatted for a few minutes and I told them if the weather showed signs it was turning bad, I might hike out to the tent we saw to see if my cousins wanted to come out of the storm. Frank put on some board shorts over his Speedos and followed me into the kitchen.

After munchies, Chris and Tony retreated to their room for a nap.

Frank and I went out to the screen room ad parked in the big, oversized Shea’s lounge chair.

Frank said, “Thank you for that. Chris was great.”

“I enjoyed a taste of Tony. I’m not sure high was a great time to decide to try swapping, but damned if it wasn’t fun. I really did it because Chris wanted to show you some appreciation. He’s got a sweet spot for you.”

Frank laughed and said, “Baby, you're one big sweet spot.”

I said, “I don’t mind sharing a little as long you come back to me. I want you to have fun.”

We held each other arm and arm and Frank said, “I’ve got a confession. Jeb is on my mind.”

“I can see why. He’s taller and way better hung than most college freshmen. He’s well on his way to being a major stud. You want to do anything about it?”

He shrugged in my arms and said, “Would it hurt us?”

I asked, “Did it bug you to see Jeb with Brandon and Toby?”

Frank replied, “No, I love them. If anything, I got off on seeing them having a good time.”

“My point exactly. But about Jeb, if we let him in to play, we’re going to have real trouble keeping Brandon and Toby at arm’s length.”

Frank sighed and said, “I took him to my apartment a few times, but freaked out when I found out he was only 15.”

“To tell the truth, the first day when we met, when I saw you go into the bathroom with him and knew what you guys were up to, it gave me a hard on just thinking about it. They just don’t make porn that good.”

Frank looked at me and said, “So you wouldn’t care?”

I said, “As long as it’s in our circle, I might even like to play. You’re twenty, I’m twenty-four. We’ve both still got a lot to learn and experience, but be sure of this: I’m in love with you, Frank. You will always be first.”

Frank took my hand and kissed me long enough to make me hard again.

We lay there in the dark holding each other for a while until Frank said he wanted to lie down and rest, but to wake him up after a while. I looked into the boy’s room and Jeb and Brandon were napping. So were Chris and Tony.

 

I wondered what had become of Toby. I found him out in the living room sitting at a table under a bright lamp, sketching away. He was so focused that he didn’t hear my approach, and when I looked over his shoulder I could easily tell that his subjects were Brandon blowing Jeb, who was at or near orgasm.

I said, “Damn, Toby. You really are quite the artist.”

He was startled and said, “People don’t usually get to see this sketchbook. It’s ummm…”

I chuckled and said, “Your own special memories?”

He said, “Yeah. Many people would think that was bad but, to me, it’s beautiful.”

“Me too Toby. You’re even more special than I thought.”

He said, “Thanks. Want to have a look?”

I said, “This is your special book. Are you sure?”

He smiled and said, “After tonight, there are no secrets between us. Here, let’s get on the couch, so I can spread it out.”

We moved to a couch with a coffee table in front of it. He sat the sketchbook down on the table, and he sat in front of it. He said, “Almost everything about me is in here.”

He opened to this first drawing. It was done in charcoals, and it was stunning. It was an angel faced boy asleep on a bed with the sun coming through the window. He was slight of build and had the long bone of youth. It was so detailed that you could even see ribs.

I said, “Toby, this is beautiful.”

Toby sniffed and said, “Yeah, he was. He used to be my best friend until I ran him off being such a horn dog.”

“I’m sorry, Toby. What happened?”

“At first, he really liked blow jobs. We would trade them, you know. It was fun. Then he didn’t want to be my friend anymore because he said I was turning him into a faggot.”

“Awe Toby. I’m so sorry about that.”

He flipped the page and there was a younger version of Brandon in a canoe.

I said, “So I take it that Saturday wasn’t you first pre-dawn canoe ride with Brandon?”

Toby giggled and said, “Can I take the fifth on that one?”

I rubbed his back and said, “Sure.”

The next page was a man who looked to be in his forties. I did not know him, but I had damn sure seen him at the park. I never saw him trick with anybody, but I always figured he was cruising. Toby said, “You’ve seen him before. He’s at the park a lot.”

“Yeah, I have.”

“He’s the one who first lured me into the bushes.”

The sketch was easily good enough to identify the guy.

“Here’s another.”

He flipped to a guy who was a really persistent, pesky troll at the park. Most people left when he showed up because he just wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“He cornered me and Lance in the bathroom and felt us up. We tricked him into thinking we would blow him and ran when his pants were down.”

He flipped the page again and there was another boy, a little older than Toby. He was a taller than Toby and had some muscle, but his face was striking. I’d seen him riding his bike in the park. “This is Lance. He’s uhhh, …kind of hot.”

“Toby, you are really talented to be able to do this.”

He flipped to another drawing of a guy I definitely knew. I’d gone to high school with him. Circle jerks, smoking joints, we even hooked up a few times but, I found him a little disappointing. Emphasis on the little. I said, “I know this guy. That’s Andrew Lawrence.”

Toby nodded and said, “I really like being with him. He’s really nice to me. He was sort of the reason I was so confused when you and the others wouldn’t do anything.”

“I think I understand. Adults are really inconsistent and confuse the hell out of you. I want to see more of this, but I need to take a walk.”

Toby yawned and said, “I’m getting sleepy. I want to, but I think I’d go to sleep.”

“Here, let’s put your special folder up.”

Toby put his sketchbooks and supplies into the folio he kept it in and parked it on the table.

I held my arms out and Toby got a sly grin on his face. He jumped into my arms and wrapped his legs around me. I put my left forearm under his behind and took a walk outside. We walked around out in the pasture and the only lights were from the house.

I looked up at the sky and all I could really see was dark.

Toby giggled in my ear, “Frank won’t get mad at me for humping you, will he?”

“He was more surprised than angry. Anyway, It’s too dark to see. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“It was Brandon’s idea, wasn’t it.”

Toby paused and said, “Brandon is so smart it scares me sometimes. It was also his idea to leave the door cracked. Where I’m a horny hound, he’s a horny fox. Tim, Could I ask you something?”

“Sure Toby.”

“Can I feel your muscles?”

“Sure.”

In the dark, I felt his hands range over my arms and chest. I also felt him harden against me and one of his legs pressed against my cock. His breathing got ragged, and I could feel his excitement growing.

He whispered in my ear, “I’d really like to have you, Tim. You make me so horny.”

I held him and said, “Silly boy. Can’t you tell that you’ve already got me? I promised before a priest that I would protect and guide you. I’m not going to be like the other adults that drive you crazy with inconsistency.”

I could tell that Toby was getting very hot and bothered in my arms, and it did affect me. His leg was rubbing against my cock, causing it to harden.

I said, “Calm down, Toby” but it was already too late.

His cock had escaped the Speedo and was rubbing against my bare abs.

I lightly popped him on his Speedo bare bottom to let him know that he was going too far, and he gasped. I hadn’t popped him that hard.

I popped him on the seat again, and he moaned and twitched and ground his cock into my abs.

I didn’t understand.

I popped him harder, and he gasped and came on my abs.

I had heard of but never met any boys who liked to be spanked. It was entirely new to me.

As I stood there holding Toby as his cum ran down my abs, I spoke softly in his ear, “Toby, are you a bad boy who needs to be spanked sometimes?”

He gasped, “Yes daddy, I’m a bad boy. So is my brother. We both need to be spanked hard and often.”

I said, “I can do that for you from time to time. It will be private and just between us. I’ll never humiliate you in front of others, nor will I ever do any actual harm. It’s not sex. It will always be gentle, loving correction.”

Hearing that, Toby squealed and kissed my ear, wiggling with excitement in my arms.

I held him close and spoke softly in his ear, “Brandon likes this too?”

Toby whispered back, “Yes. He likes it a lot. Some man used to play the game with him. He really likes it. It makes him super-hot.”

“How would Brandon like it?”

Toby wiggled a bit and said, “He would like it just like this or over your knee. If you put him over your knee, pull his pants down. That cranks him up.”

I carried Toby back to the house, which was quiet and sleepy. We slipped into the front bath to clean up, and I could finally see how much he had actually gotten on me.

I whispered to him, “For a little guy, that was a lot.”

He giggled and said, “In the game, I’m supposed to lick it up.”

“Maybe next time. Are you ready for bed?”

“No, I have to pee and so do you.”

I grinned at his bold play and decided to reward it.

As we stood over the tank and taking a leak, I asked, “What makes humping me like that so hot to you?’

Toby looked at me dumbfounded and said, “You don’t know?”

I shrugged.

He grinned and said, “Two big reasons. First— because it’s you: a young, hot guy with muscles on his muscles, hot, gay, sweet, earnest and a loving daddy. You’re a gay boy’s wet dream. Any gay boy would trade a nut to be with you. Did you know that the kids that cruise the park call you that hot guy?”

I put away my fun gear and flushed the toilet. “I didn’t know that. I didn’t really know that kids cruised, but there were always kids on bikes. What’s the second reason?”

Toby said, “Your abs. They are hot and perfect, I could climb them like a ladder: firm and textured and warm. It’s my favorite part of you to look at.”

“I see.”

I lowered the toilet lid, so I could sit down with my knees spread, and beckoned Toby to come closer. He did, and I hugged him, realizing that the little horn dog had put his crotch right into my own.

I said, “You’ve got that hot guy. Now, what do you do with him?”

He grinned, came close and whispered something truly decadent in my ear.

I raised an eyebrow and asked, “Where did you hear about that!?”

He chuckled and said, “You aren’t the only one who reads.”

I picked him up, and he melted into my arms. I whispered in his ear, “Are you having fun?”

He whispered back, “Yes, but I think I might need another spanking tomorrow.”

I walked him into the boys’ room, where Brandon was sleeping, but Jed was missing. I parked Toby beside Brandon and did a walk around the house.

Jeb and Frank were sound asleep on the bed. They were side by side with head’s on pillows facing each other like they had been talking. There was a faint aroma of weed in the air.

I walked down to Chris and Tony’s room and heard snoring.

Satisfied that all was well, I went out to the screen room and sat in a big oversized Shea’s lounge. The night had cooled a bit and a breeze had picked up out of the Southwest.

 

As I sat enjoying the evening cool, I heard a door open and close and the sound of someone approaching. It was Brandon but, he was still sleepy. I beckoned for him to sit beside me. He did and put his head on my shoulder. He whispered in my ear, “I’ve been a bad, bad boy, daddy. I need to be spanked.”

“What did you do that was so wrong?”

“I planned the ambush in your room. Then today I left our door cracked, and then I peeked at you and Frank.”

I stroked his hair and said, “Those aren’t the actions of a bad boy. Those were the actions of an intelligent horny boy.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Mad? No. You keep things lively. I’m just beginning to realize how smart you are, Brandon. I’m sorry that in all the hoopla, I haven’t been able to give you the attention you deserve. You are something special.”

Brandon sounded puzzled and asked, “You don’t want to play the game?”

I said, “Oh sure. We can play the game if you really want to, but I want you to know the difference between what I really feel and the game.”

Brandon snuggled in and said, “Thank you, daddy. I really like the game.”

I hugged him and said, “Now for the part that really will get you spanked: you had a bet with Toby to see how far you could get with me.”

He twitched when I said that and asked, “How did you know?”

“You are smart but, you aren’t the only one that’s smart. I guessed based on your past actions and how hard Toby pushed me. You are very sly, and they don’t hand that trait out at the country fair. We have to be cautious, Brandon. We can’t do what we would really like but, if some Child Protective types or cops ask if you have sex with the adults, you can truthfully answer no and if you act inappropriately you get punished. In this case, it’s a spanking and, if the way it affected Toby is any guide, you like that a lot.”

Brandon chuckled and said, “You’re pretty sly yourself.” He ran his hand over my chest and arms, “It’s so frustrating being a kid. I like men; big, strong, manly men with big muscles and big cocks. The men I’d like to be with won’t, and the ones that will are just so… Ewww.”

I stroked his hair and said, “You won’t be a kid forever. In four years, you’ll graduate. In another three, you’ll be twenty-one. When I look at you, I see way more than an attractive teenager. I see great potential in you, and I’ll help you get there. That’s the kind of daddy you deserve, Brandon.”

Brandon hugged me with all his might. I hugged him back and kissed his forehead. He was quiet for a moment, ran his hand down my chest and said, “You’re all that and hot too. I lucked up falling out of our canoe.”

“I lucked up pulling you out of the lake, even covered in mud.”

Brandon said sheepishly, “If we don’t play the game, what else would we do?”

“Funny you should mention that.”

I scooped him on the Shea’s, reached over and put my tongue in his belly button and blew a raspberry. I got him giggling and having fun being the center of my attention. I tickled him, hugged him, and showed him that you didn’t have to score to have a good time.

We laughed. We told corny jokes. We had a lot of physical contact because that’s what he needed.

Of course, he kept accidentally running into my crotch, and he poked me in the ear so bad with that dangerous weapon in his Speedo, I thought I was bleeding. I wore him out having good clean fun.

When I laid him down to go to sleep by his brother, he was smiling.

 

I wandered around the house checking on things. There was a strong smell of weed outside Tony and Chris’s room, and by the sound of it; they were having a great time.

Finally, I wandered quietly back to my room and looked inside. Frank had rolled flat on his back and Jeb’s back was to me. He was gently massaging Frank’s hard cock through the Speedo fabric with predictable results. Frank was fully hard and protruding four full inches above the waistline.

He leaned over and licked the exposed shaft, and Frank moaned. He reached over and gently caressed Frank’s balls and licked the part above the waist line. Frank groaned and shifted, causing more of that beautiful cock to slide up and out of the Speedo.

I stepped back to watch and heard Frank groan and saw Jeb go for it. He took as much of Frank’s cock as he could in his mouth. Frank groaned my name. That was sweet. Jeb sucked on it a few time. Jeb leaned back from it, admiring the view, and it stood there throbbing.

Jeb apparently decided. He stood up from the bed, moved to close the door, and came eye to eye with me. He was busted, and he knew it, standing there hard as a rock with most of his big cock standing up out of his Speedo. I put one finger to my lips to indicate silence. Then I used the same finger to indicate that he should follow me.

I went out the backdoor to the screen porch to the oversized Shea’s lounge and patted the seat beside me.

He followed me outside and said, “I’m so sorry. I’ll leave if you want me too.”

I said, “Nonsense. I was hoping to spend some time with you on this retreat. With everyone else asleep now is a great time.”

“Please, sir, I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

“Anything?”

“Anything. I love you guys and love being around you. I don’t want to screw it up.”

“OK. Lay on your stomach right here.”

He instantly complied. I started massaging his back and said, “I know you and Frank have a history. The day I saw you two go in the restroom at the park gave me a hard on just thinking about the two of you together. You’re both hot as hell.”

He asked, “How come you never stopped in for a quickie?”

“I could tell you were under aged. Don’t think that I wasn’t tempted. It was Frank’s idea to hook you up with Toby and Brandon.”

“Thanks for that. I always wanted little brothers.”

“They love you. I was afraid those two little horn dogs would wear you out.”

He chuckled and said, “For little guys, those two are hot as fire. When we first got together in your sauna, I lost count how many times they came. And they’re kinky. They get incredibly hot when you spank them. When I spent the night at their house, Toby woke me up, blowing me the next morning.”

“Is he good at that?”

“Both of them are.”

“Are you feeling better? Over your panic?”

“Yeah, a lot better. Your hands are magic.”

“It’s a skill I worked on.”

I made it to Jeb’s lower back and found a kink. He moaned like he was cumming as I worked it out.

I got to his butt and he said stop, and he sat up, big throbbing boner and all.

Jeb said, “I’m so horny it hurts. I lay there and watched Frank bone up and twitch in his sleep for hours”

I chuckled and said, “Yeah, it is quite hypnotic.”

“You must be pretty good. All he talked about is you awake or asleep.”

I sat next to him on the big lounger, put a cushion in my lap and laid him down on it. He was a little awkward with the affection at first, and then he relaxed right into it.

I said, “I love Frank. It makes me hard just thinking about him sometimes, so I know what you mean. We talked about you. He told me he still likes you and asked if we might invite you in some time.”

“Invite me in?”

“To sleep with us. So, would you like to?”

“Really?”

“Really. The only problem is that I think the wine and the joint he smoked have him down for the count, and you’re in this condition.” I indicated the big purple cock head standing above the waistline of his Speedo. He definitely needed a jock.

I said, “I think I have the solution to our throbbing boner problems that’ll be fun and keep us out of trouble.”

“Please! I’m hurting for it.”

“It’s simple. Go get your overnight bag. I’ll get mine. Meet me at the stairs.”

None of us had elected to take a room upstairs, but I knew just the one. The big upstairs master bedroom was in the south-eastern corner of the house. It had a big bathroom with a walk in shower with a sliding glass door. It was the biggest bedroom in the house with a king-sized bed, and a balcony.

When he arrived, he looked disappointed and asked, “A cold shower?”

I said, “No. It’ll be hot enough. Let me get the water ready.”

I started the water, got it just right and said, “Come on in.”

Jeb stepped out of his Speedos and I dropped mine as we got in the shower.

I said, “Jeb, I know you didn’t grow up with brothers or other guys close to you. You missed some cool masculine bonding stuff. I’m going to help you with that. I’m going to wash you. When I’m done, you’re going to wash me.”

I got some soap and a sponge and started washing his back. It wasn’t fast or slow. Just at a normal pace to get the job done right. I went over his butt and the backs of his legs. He started slow, but he liked it. He was enjoying the touch and the feeling of intimacy.

I finished his back and started on his front. He was a little ticklish, but I calmly worked the soapy wash rag over everything that needed it. His cock and balls sure acted like they needed it. He moaned like he was in heaven. I got him to balance against me and I washed his feet. Judging from was poked in the side, he liked that too.

I pulled out my shampoo and said, “There’s nothing wrong with the shampoo you’re using, but it lacks a little something that makes hair softer. I rubbed some into his scalp, enjoying the body contact in reaching up to get to his head. Our soapy cocks came into contact and he giggled.

I said, “You enjoying this, Jeb?”

He said, “Yeah, but it’s making me even hornier than I was.”

“Good. When you do get off, it’ll be even better.”

He smiled at that but was coming even closer and the body contact was more and longer.

I took a little of the shampoo and applied it to his pubes. “Body hair is course and can be rough, prickly and uncomfortable. This shampoo has a hair softener in it. Put some of this where your hair is coming in rough, let it sit for a few moments, it’ll be a lot softer. OK, you’re all soaped up. Now do me.”

Jeb wasn’t used to close physical intimate contact with males. For a gay person, that sounds like a contradiction, but it’s really common. If you don’t grow up around other men and boys and have close physical contact, you miss out on something. It’s not sexual. You’re just not used to it. Jeb was only just now becoming used to it, with the close physical intimate contact with Toby and Brandon.

He began soaping me up and wacked me in the backside with that artillery piece he carries around between his legs. He came around to do my front. He gave my arms and chest a good going over. As he had to reach, there was a lot of contact between wet, soapy flesh. He knelt to do my cock and balls, and for a moment, he sat transfixed looking at my dick. He very slowly worked the soapy sponge under my balls and got my cock soapy and gave it a few pulls.

Then he finished my legs and feet as I held on to the shower bar. He stood up and began to work the shampoo into my scalp, our cocks were in direct contact. He moaned and said, “Oh God, this is hot.”

We stayed like that for too long, but really enjoyed it. He got a little of the shampoo and rubbed it into my pubes, lingering there.

When he was done, he stood up and said, “Now what?”

I replied, “We need to stay here a few minutes and let the softening agent do it work, and then rinse off.”

As we stood, we were drawn together like gravity. The feel of soapy flesh on soapy flesh was spectacular. We embraced and stood together, savoring the feel of our bodies together.

I asked, “What have we learned today?”

Jeb said, “That if you ever invite me to take a shower, the answer is yes.”

“That’s fair, but not quite the point I was driving at: something's are a lot more fun when someone else does it for you.” Then I whistled a bar of the Beatles With a Little Help From my Friends.

I could actually see the light turn on inside his head.

He said, “OK. I get it. But could we stay together like this for a while? This is heaven.”

“We can’t for too long. We don’t want the soap to dry, and there’s only so much hot water. Tomorrow, some time, you and the boys should come up and try this. You guys can do all the things we’re tempted to do.”

He laughed and said, “We’ll try that. They’ll love it.”

We stayed together, enjoying the togetherness, grinding against each other until he couldn’t take it anymore. He started and I followed his lead. I noticed that he was deliberately going slow to enjoy it.

I reached behind him and rubbed his back and behind. He put his left hand on my shoulder. He was learning how to pace and judge things based on the reactions of his partner, and his partner was coming along nicely.

We came just about the time the hot water ran out. Luckily, in was summer, so we didn’t freeze. We helped each other towel off, and I was amazed at how quickly and well Jeb adjusted to being in close contact. He didn’t just want it. He needed it and ate it up.

We both ditched the Speedo for boxers. It’s fun for a while, but loses its charm after a while.

I said, “Thanks for that, Jeb. I needed that as much as you did.”

He said, “I’ve wanted to get closer to you for a while now. I just didn’t think you would let me.”

“I have a hard time saying no to people I love, Jeb. You’re one of them.” I leaned over and kissed him. He put an arm over my shoulder, and we held the kiss. “Besides, what happens in showers, stays in the showers or goes down the drain.”

Jeb chuckled and said, “I like hugging you. It feels great.”

“I like hugging you too. I think it surprises you sometimes, but you seem to dig it.”

“My parents, they aren’t huggers and I hardly ever see them. I have a butler and a housekeeper. You gave me family and I love you for it. I love you even more that you didn’t throw me out for perving on Frank, invited me to your bed and helping me with my problem.”

“You’re worth it, Jeb. You’ve helped me with a few problems too, and you have done well. Part of the reason I absolutely had to nut was how hard Toby and Brandon hit on me. I love them, but jeez, that’s hard. Let’s go to bed, I’m really ready to crash after that. I stood and helped Jeb up.

This time, he surprised me with a hug and asked, “Can we finish that massage sometime? It was great until it almost made me cum.”

“Yeah, it’s a good thing we set that bomb off in the shower. That would have been a big mess on the Shea’s. I’ll finish up your back and legs right now.”

I laid Jeb down on the big bed and did his lower back, glutes and legs. Touch is a powerful thing with some people, and Jeb absorbed every bit of it like he needed it, wanted it and would have stayed as long as I was willing to give him that affection. After the massage, I just held him for a few minutes.

I gave his as much pure affection as I could stay awake for. We eventually went downstairs and went to bed with Jeb sleeping in the middle.

 

My night, or morning, was not quite over. Sometime in the wee hours, a distressed looking Brandon woke me up. I slipped out of bed and followed him into the hall.

He said, “Toby isn’t feeling good, and I’m worried about him.”

I rushed into the boy's room and knelt by the bed. The light in the bathroom was on, and the door was cracked to provide a night light. Toby was holding his stomach, which appeared to be a little bloated.

I said, “You got a stomach ache, Toby?”

“Yeah, it hurts.”

“Can I see?”

“Uh-huh.”

I reached over to his stomach and gently probed it. The appendix area was not tender to the touch, but there were so many other things that could be wrong. I kept probing his abdomen area very gently and suddenly Toby farted like a Clydesdale. Gas pains can be wicked sometimes. ER docs often call them a fart attack because some people mistake them for chest pains.

I didn’t laugh, and neither did Brandon. The look of relief on Toby’s face told me at once he was feeling a lot better.

I put my arms around him in a hug and kissed his forehead.

He reached out and touched the tear that was rolling down my cheek. “Why are you crying, Tim?”

“I love you, little stinker. When you laugh, I laugh. When you smile, I smile. When you hurt, I hurt. That goes for you too, Brandon. It’s too early to get up. Why don’t you two get a little more rest.”

Toby rolled over and hugged his pillow. I pulled the sheet over him and I think he went right to sleep.

I turned and Brandon was standing there with his arms out like he wanted me to pick his up. I opened my arms and he jumped into them. I caught him and wrapped him in a hug. He whispered in my ear, “I didn’t know for sure at first, but now I am. You couldn’t fake that look on your face when I told you Toby was sick. You really do love us.”

I didn’t answer. I just gave him a gentle squeeze and kissed his cheek. I took him to the other side of the bed and pulled the sheet over him. I stroked his back and kissed his head.

When I turned to go out the door, Frank was standing there. We moved down the hall, where he gave me the sweetest kiss ever.

He said, “I’m sorry, Jeb and I went to sleep in our bed. That joint and wine did me in.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Jeb and I talked last night. He was in the middle because I planned for you to have him for breakfast in the morning.”

Frank’s eyes widened.