Cards on the Table - 17. Chapter 17 Opening a New Deck

Cards on the Table

Chapter 17

Michael and Kendall continued to sit in the den after Carson headed off to get some rest. Kendall was quietly introspective, his partner’s presence providing him with the stability and support he’d come to rely on, to help him assimilate all the emotions running through him. Michael’s thumb gently stroked the hand clasped in his, showing he was content to let Kendall take all the time he needed. Kendall knew he understood his partner’s dilemma.

In Kendall’s rattled mind, it would have almost been easier to handle the volatile, angry man he’d expected to encounter, rather than this shocking new version of the father he’d learned to resent so many years ago. He knew he should be relieved, even thankful, but it was taking a real leap for him to get there. Disbelief was warring with what he’d seen and heard with his own eyes and ears. Carson Dooley, the prick, had thrown his son for a loop when he’d shown a compellingly different side. It was difficult to integrate this new projection of a man with the one he’d known his whole life. The revelations about his grandfather had been startling. All of it had been.

Sighing, Kendall thought about what Michael had just told him. It was downright shocking to think his mother had intended to leave his father… was actually going to choose her son over her husband. Things must have gotten pretty bad during his absence from the Dooley fold. His mother had obviously suffered from Kendall’s exclusion from her life, and he couldn’t allow that to happen again. His resigned acceptance of his father’s rejection had been so total, it caused Kendall to mentally close off from his mother as well. He thought her constant support of Carson throughout Kendall’s journey towards adulthood would continue in the same vein it always had. It was now apparent he’d been wrong, and he was feeling guilty about it. Another sigh got Michael’s attention.

“Are you okay, Babe?”

“My mom has had a very tough time, and it wasn’t fair.”

“Yes, she has… but I hope you’re not thinking it’s your fault?” It wasn't hard to see where Kendall’s mind was headed.

“It is in a way, though… I let what happened with my dad interfere with my relationship with my mom, and I didn’t even think about it… what it might have been doing to her, and I feel bad about that. It's kind of like I abandoned her, you know?"

“Kendall, please don’t do this. I like your mom a lot, but she took a while to get where she is now, and you know it’s true; it didn’t happen overnight, but she has come a long way from the days when she supported your dad blindly. It took losing contact with her son to give her the strength she needed, and that took time. You and your mom didn’t have a relationship because of your dad, not because of you. You start blaming yourself and you’re going to piss me off.” Michael reached up and took Kendall’s head in both hands, turning his head towards him, and leaning their foreheads together. “Beating yourself up over something you had no control over, isn’t going to serve any purpose. It’s a clean slate for you and Agnes, starting today, and that’s all that matters, okay? If you can let some stuff go, maybe it can be a clean slate for you and Carson too? I know it won’t be easy, but I think it’s important for you to make the attempt… if you can get there, great, and if you can’t, you’ll at least know you gave it a shot." His words had the desired effect on his partner as the slight tension Kendall was holding, left his body.

“Thank God you’re here, Sunshine. You’re right… about the whole thing. I can’t dwell on something I can’t change, and my mom was in a tough situation, caught between the two of us, so it’s not right to blame her for what’s happened. It does no good to blame me either, so all we can do is move forward. I can see that, thanks to you. I have to be thankful my mom has changed, and that my dad appears to be trying. So what do we do now?” Kendall knew he could count on Michael to keep him on the right track.

“Well for starters, we need to talk about us staying here. I figure you’re probably worried about me, and whether I’ll be comfortable with it, right?” Michael gave him a knowing look.

“Yeah, of course I am. You come first with me… always. We have our own hotel room already booked and paid for, and this has been a tough day for you… and for me, so I think we should tell my mom we’re going to stay at the hotel for now. I think it’s for the best. We can still visit them during the day, and it there’s any drama, this is a way to escape it; if Carson becomes Carson again, you don’t need to deal with all the bullshit that can come with it. We should go tell her now before she starts making us supper or something.”

“Dammit, you have to stop worrying about me or you are going to piss me off. Do you really think I can’t handle any drama that may come up? Carson Dooley doesn’t bother me in the least, and you can’t tell Agnes we’re not going to stay here. That will really hurt her, and you know it’s true. She’s floundering right now and she needs you. We talked quite a bit when you and your dad were in here, and she’s a very fragile woman underneath all that toughness she showed earlier. Doing that almost broke her.” Michael’s voice softened. “I love that you want to put me first, so trust me when I say staying here is putting me first. You need this too, and that is the most important thing to me… this is about you and your mom, and it’s about your dad too. From what I just saw, he needs you just as much as she does. He wants to try, and he can’t do that if you’re not here. You’re like the glue that’s necessary to hold them together right now, and I will be more than fine as long as we get to sleep together. That’s enough for me... to make me comfortable and happy. Trust me on this.”

“You know I love you, right?”

“I don’t have a single doubt, and I kind of like you too,” Michael teased.

“Really… that’s too bad, because I don’t sleep with a guy that just likes me… and I certainly don’t touch their penis, so it looks like you’re out of luck. You’ve sealed your own fate.”

Michael’s pout was hilarious, and it took every ounce of Kendall’s control not to laugh. “Aww, Babe, don’t be like that. You know how I feel about you.”

“Not if you don’t tell me, I don’t.” Kendall was trying his best to look serious.

“I love you with all my heart and soul, and I will feel this way forever.” Leaning in, he caught Kendall’s lips with his, and they shared one of those special kisses that reaffirmed an unbreakable bond neither one had doubts about.

“That’s more like it, Sunshine. I knew you had it in you.”

“Does that mean you’ll touch my penis now, Babe?”

A trembling Agnes Dooley was both relieved and anxious to see Kendall and Michael making their way down the hallway from the den. Kendall’s concern for Michael on his crutches caused a small smile to break through the blanket of fear that covered her. She knew love when she saw it, and these two men were definitely in love. She was struck by how beautiful her son and his partner were, and quietly allowed herself to rejoice in that feeling of pride that can take a mother back to when their child was first born… when the pride first appeared. She was on pins and needles about the outcome of Kendall’s talk with his father, afraid to know what transpired, because she knew her life would change drastically if Carson had let her down again. She would leave the very ill man she still loved deeply. If her husband forced a choice on her, it would be her son she would choose this time. Agnes Dooley saw things clearer now than she ever had before, and she wouldn’t waste the second chance her son was giving her. “Is everything okay, Kendall? Did the man act the fool again?”

Kendall could sense his mother was at a breaking point. He heard the quiver in her small-sounding voice. Michael had been so right about the fragile state that struggled to hide beneath the surface. He could have made a huge mistake because of his concern for Michael. Turning quickly to his amazing guy, he whispered a thank you, which he knew was understood immediately; Michael acknowledged it with a smile that said he would always be there for Kendall.

“Everything’s fine. Dad made Michael and I feel welcome here, and he said he has no issue with us as partners. I’m a little confused right now, but he seems to have changed… a lot. Did he not say anything to you about our talk?”

“Oh, Kendall... I am so happy it went well. He just told me he hoped you believed him, and that he had a lot of things to make up for, to you and me; then he went straight to bed.” His mother’s remarks caused Kendall to look at Michael with a raised eyebrow.

“Maybe you’re right about him, Sunshine?”

“Of course I'm right. Aren’t I always?” The smug look on Michael’s face made Agnes laugh, and the boys could see the tension that was thrumming through her, begin to dissipate

“Don’t encourage the man, Mom… his head is big enough already.” The twinkle in Michael’s eyes at Kendall’s words put fear into Kendall’s heart about what Michael might say in front of his mother, so he shot him a warning look. Michael just continued to smirk, finally laughing at Kendall’s discomfort. They knew each other so well.

“So, we’ve decided we’re going to stay here instead of the hotel, and we’ll take the guest room, but we need to go back to the hotel at the Calgary airport and get our bags. We left them in our room before we came here.”

“Oh, thank you, thank both of you. That makes me so happy. Do you think you can get a refund for your room though? I don’t want to see you lose any money.”

Leave it to his mother to worry about such a thing. It brought Kendall happiness to feel like he had his mother back again, and he let himself bask in her concern for him. The way her face lit up, when he told her their decision to stay at the house, made him aware of what he’d been missing. He was capable of giving his mother joy during a really tough time, and she deserved all the support he could give her. The satisfaction of providing that for her was something he deserved as well.

“Don’t worry about the money, Mom. I left it open-ended to re-book each day because I wasn’t sure if we’d be staying, so they can only charge us for the one night, and that’s not a problem.” He glanced over at Michael before continuing. “We may stay there for a couple of hours or so, and have a nap and a clean-up before we come back though. It’s been a busy couple of days and I am feeling very tired, and Michael really needs to rest his knee for a while.” Michael was watching Kendall intently but Kendall deliberately ignored him.

“I understand, dear; you boys take your time. I may have a little lie-down myself. How about a late supper… around eight or so. I made some of that shallow pan lasagna you always used to bug me for. You could call me when you’re leaving to come back, and I can put it in the oven. It only takes about forty minutes. I’ll crisp the edges the way you like.”

“I haven’t had that in ages… that would be good! We’ll head out now, and you can have a chance to relax. I know you’re under a lot of stress, but we’re here for you. You can relax a little more now. We’re going to be here for both you and Dad, okay?”

“Och, my wee lad. It means so much to me that you’ve forgiven me for not supporting you more. I used to find it so hard to stand up to Carson, but not anymore. Being the dutiful wife cost me way too much. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve lost your only child.”

Her eyes were glistening again, and Kendall wrapped her up in a big hug, letting her have her little cry, feeling the occasional tremor ripple through her. He released his mom when she’d gotten back in control of her emotions, leaning down to kiss the top of her head in a gesture of reassurance and love. Smiling at that, Agnes turned to Michael and held out her arms to him, and he pulled her into the same reinforcing kind of hug.

“What I said to you earlier, you can count on. No matter what happens, Kendall and I will be there for you. We will make sure you are an important part of our lives. And just know that your husband tried hard today, and now there’s hope you will get your wish for your family.”

Once again, Kendall was in awe of his partner… his capacity to understand what Agnes needed to hear, and Kendall knew he meant every word; it filled him with a special kind of joy he could only get from Michael Aceto.

“Thank you, dear Michael. I am so happy you’re part of our family now.” Looking from one to the other with a heart-warming smile on her stress-lined face, she gave Michael a look of approval, like she could see with certainty he was the right one for her son. “Okay, off you go, my wee lads. The quicker you go, the quicker you’ll be back.”

Back in the rental car, with a beaming but tired-looking Agnes waving from the doorway, Kendall backed out of the driveway. He liked that Michael’s steady improvement, and enough room in the front of the big SUV, allowed for him to sit beside Kendall again. He reached for his hand as soon as they were headed down the road towards Calgary.

“How’s your knee? Are you comfortable?”

“It feels good... almost normal. I don’t think it’s going to be much longer. I really don’t.”

“Don’t you dare push it. I know how you get, so promise me you won’t.” Kendall shot Michael a forbidding look that said he would brook no argument, and Michael just sighed.

“Jeez, I already promised you so please stop being a mother hen. I swear on your ass, I will be careful, and I won’t take any chances till the therapist says otherwise, okay?”

“You’re swearing on my ass?” Kendall looked surprised at this new expression. “Why would you swear on my ass?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You always swear on something that’s special to you, like one of the things you care about the most… and for me, that’s your mighty fine ass,” he said with a smirk.

Kendall had to laugh at his partner's one track mind. “Fair enough. I can live with that,” he agreed, giving Michael a rather smug smile of his own.

“Babe?”

“Yeah?”

“Why do you want to nap at the hotel? We could just go back and nap at your parents’ house, and then you wouldn’t have to drive when you woke up. Wouldn’t that be better for you… be more relaxing?”

“I was thinking of a better way to relax, because I thought you wanted me to touch your penis, but if you’ve changed your mind, then we can just go straight back to the house?” Kendall waited for the slightly delayed reaction, staring straight ahead.

“What? Seriously? No fucking way! I haven’t changed my mind, and I will never change my mind about you touching my penis, not ever. I didn’t think you’d be in any kind of mood for some of my good loving after what you’ve been through, but I’m liking the way you're thinking.”

Kendall started laughing. “Michael, you’re not the only horn-dog in this relationship, you know? Let’s forget my family drama for now; I want you all the fucking time, and when your knee is back to one hundred per cent, I’m gonna prove it to you... and right now, I am one horny dude.”

“Oh fuck, me too. I want you so bad, I’m getting hard right now.”

“I’m halfway there too, but I have to drive so you’ve got to behave till we get there.” He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows at the man who was his world. Michael’s expressive face showed his anticipation; he was grinning from ear to ear.

A half-hour later, they were in the hotel room shower, soaping away all traces of the travel grime from their busy morning. Kendall had requested a walk-in shower as opposed to the shower/tub combo, but he had neglected to ask for a bench for Michael to sit on, so they made short work of their shower, and headed to the bed with insistently eager erections bouncing in front of them.

Kendall marveled all over again at how incredibly gorgeous his man was, and found himself driven by a compulsion to worship him. He proceeded to order Michael to lay on his back, and Michael willingly did as he was told.

First, Kendall attacked his mouth with a ferocity that had Michael reeling from the passion of it. He cursed his knee, because he had a real strong urge to take some control from Kendall, but his physical limitation left him with no choice but to be compliant under the onslaught of Kendall’s demanding lips and tongue… not that he was complaining. When Kendall attacked his nipples, Michael had to fight to not put any pressure on his knee by rising up with the sheer power of the sensations. Instead he whimpered and writhed and accepted the jolts of pleasure that continually ran through him from head to toe. He was so fucking turned on by Kendall’s aggressive attention to his body that his cock was experiencing a delicious, almost painful ache, the head already generously coated with precum. When Kendall moved his attack to Michael’s navel, his arousal climbed even higher. Michael had never considered his belly button an erogenous zone before but Kendall was showing him it was indeed a well of nerve endings that connected straight to his weeping, throbbing dick. Kendall’s hand on his cock, keeping it out of the way while he worked on his navel, was driving Michael crazy.

“Babe, please?”

“What, Michael, please what?”

“I need something, Babe, please?” he groaned out.

“Is it my mouth on your cock… is that what you’re asking for?” Kendall rose up to look in Michael’s lust-filled eyes, very happy he was the reason Michael was in such an enraptured, almost disjointed state, with raw passion nakedly exposed on his handsome face.

“Yeah, but I gotta have you too. Please? I want to feel you, and suck you, and taste your ass while you suck on me. Can we do that? I really need you… please?” he pleaded.

Kendall was tempted to continue his torture but Michael’s desire to participate was written all over him, and he couldn’t deny his partner, especially when Michael’s dedicated worship of his ass felt so fucking amazing. He shifted around to give Michael his gift and heard and felt his sigh of contentment as warm breath caressed his exposed hole. The breath was followed by the slippery stroke of Michael’s tongue and Kendall purred his approval. Damn, Michael was so good at this. As his tongue worked its slow, steady invasion techniques, gripping hands softened and began to lovingly massage his ass.

Kendall picked up his own considerable gift off of Michael’s hairy, ridged stomach and wasted no time slurping up the clear fluid running from the fat cockhead. Kendall lived for this. This big dick belonged to him, as part of the man it was attached to. His man. He had become very accomplished in a short period of time, and he now knew how to keep Michael on edge… when to back off to prolong the pleasure for both of them. What Michael was doing to his ass was making it hard to concentrate, and when he moved down to Kendall’s balls he groaned into the cock in his mouth, making it jerk at the vibration. He attacked Michael’s length in earnest, figuring they were both too desperate for this to be a marathon.

All thoughts of edging Michael along went out the window now that Michael was performing his own brand of magic, so Kendall increased his attempts to deep throat the thick cock bumping his tonsils. Using what he had learned, his throat opened up to accommodate the full length of Michael’s dick. Kendall settled into a rhythm despite the distraction of the working over Michael was giving his ass, his cock, and his balls. He had launched his own attack on Kendall and it was effective in bringing Kendall quickly to the edge.

When Michael settled on his cock, Kendall shifted to give him easier access and Michael responded by increasing his speed and suction. Kendall knew he had little time so he sank all the way down on Michael’s pulsating cock, demanding his reward. Up and down incursions into his throat gave him what he craved, and Michael unloaded with incredible force, accompanied by a groan that reverberated through Kendall’s cock. The taste of Michael’s cum was all Kendall needed to return the favor to a determined Michael, and with his own muffled groan, he let loose a torrent of cum into Michael’s mouth that he had no hope of catching entirely; it was a veritable flood downward. It spilled out the sides of Michael’s receptive mouth as Kendall’s own mouth managed to capture Michael’s entire load, swallowing quickly and savoring every ounce of it. Spinning around, once he was sure he had it all, he assisted Michael’s valiant attempt by licking what remained of his own load, from Michael’s very-pleased-with-himself face. He let Michael taste their shared offerings in a deep and tender kiss.

That goofy grin Kendall loved so much, spilled across Michael’s countenance. “Babe, that was awesome. You fucking drained me completely. You’ve gotten so good at that. I don’t know if I’ll ever get hard again. Some of my brains might have shot out that time.”

“I hope not,” Kendall grinned. “You don’t have any to spare.” He sighed in contentment as he snuggled in to his completely sated man.

“I had enough brains to snag you and that’s all that matters to me.” The sleepiness in his voice was apparent to Kendall.

“That’s all that matters to me too. I don’t know who snagged who, but you just fucking rocked my world again. That was fucking unbelievable,” a yawn escaping him. “The things you do to my ass… it sends me to another planet.”

“There’s a lot more I want to do to your ass,” Michael murmured as he pulled Kendall closer.

“I want that too. I don’t expect it’ll be easy, but I want you that way, inside me,” Kendall confessed to a sleepy Michael.

Michael woke up a bit at that, realizing the importance of this conversation. “You know I want you the same way, don’t you? Inside me, I mean? This partnership is equal in every way, Babe.”

“I wasn’t totally sure, but I’m glad to hear you say that because the thought of being inside you, making love to you, well, it would be a dream come true. Ah, Michael? I thought you said you didn’t think you’d get hard again?”

“That’s what the thought of you being inside me does… and that’s my job, Babe… to make all your dreams come true. That’s one job I’m looking forward to.” Sleep claimed both exhausted but satisfied men as they settled into this new level of understanding. It didn’t get any better than this.