The Dance [Mychyl Kime] - 8. Chapter 8

The next morning, I awoke to the gentle warmth only new love could provide, finding myself enclosed, Jacob laying on one side of me, a peaceful mask of love on his beautiful face, and David on the other side, wearing a similar face. I adjusted slightly, thinking about the recent events and what was happening now, knowing that two different guys liked me, both truly (or so they both said) loving me, and knowing within myself that I would have to choose between them, having one as a close friend and the other as my love... but how could I choose? Jacob was my life's love... all my life, I had only dreamed he could feel for me the way I do for him, and now, I realize that he does, indeed, feel the same for me... yet how could I hurt David, who clearly feels the same way for me that I do for him?

It's often said that there's a special place in your heart for both your first love and whoever you lose your virginity to. I always hoped that, in my case, they would be the same person... but now, I knew better. And to choose between the two, to choose between two people who held the dearest place in my heart, was the hardest thing I ever could do.

Jacob stirred slightly, waking up to find me still lying there next to him, studying his face, finally both aware of our feelings for the other.

"Hey, cutie," he said, a beautiful smile playing on his lips.

"Hey," I responded, feeling myself smile back. "How'd you sleep?"

He stretched in response, yawning softly. "Better than I ever have before, thanks to you... How about you?"

For a moment, I thought about it. OK, more proof that he does feel the same for me. Not that I really needed more proof, but I was happy to see it, nontheless... it made me feel important, special, in a way nothing else ever could. Simply being near him, loved by him, touched my heart in a special way, making everything else unimportant in comparison.

"I slept well," I conceded, "sandwiched between the two of you... except that David kept snoring all night!"

"I heard that," David called from the other side, and he sat up somewhat, dropping his head on my shoulder while Jacob moved even closer to me, wrapping his arms around my body.

~what can I do?~ I pondered, a bit panicked. ~I can't push either of them away... I care for both of them too much to do that... but I can't very well be with them both, now can I? I mean, I want to be with Jacob... but there's no way I could hurt David, no matter what happens. What am I supposed to do? I can't very well be with David, either, and I certainly can't be with them both...~

"Don't worry," David suddenly said, as though he'd been reading my mind. "I know how you and Jacob feel... and although I wish you and I could be, I know better than to hurt you two by making you choose me over him... I couldn't do that, knowing how you two feel about each other..."

I suddenly was confused. "Wait a minute... but if I do this, go out with Jacob, and leave you as only a friend... sure, I mean, I would be happy with Jacob, and I'm sure now that he would be happy with me... but you wouldn't be happy, alone like that, and I'd be hurt thinking you were sad... but there's no way I could be with both of you, and make you both happy..."

Suddenly, Jacob got a devious grin on his face. "Sure you could, Kyle!" he declared, sitting up so quickly, he nearly fell off the bed.

A puzzled look crossed David's face. "How could he do that? I mean, be with both of us?"

"Well... we could be one of those... um, three-way relationships, like on TV and in the movies!"

I nearly burst out laughing. "Most of the time," I tried to explain to Jacob without giggling wildly, "those aren't really relationships... just sex, pure and simple, and I don't really think that's all any of us want... at least, that's not the only thing I want out of a relationship... sure, sex is nice, but love is so much more than just sex..."

David nodded his head. "Hell," he added, "if all I wanted was sex, I've got a hand, same as either of you... more effort on my part, maybe, but that's all I need, if that's all I wanted... but I want something more. Love? I don't know; I've never found love... at least, not with anyone who could love me back, just the same. Maybe that is the answer, and all I need is love, but until I find it, I'm not about to interfere with the only love I've ever seen... and even if it isn't mine, I know that my brother and my best friend are both happy, and that's enough for me..."

With that, he hugged us both at once, crushing us together between his muscular arms. We both moved around, holding each other close inside his embrace, until the peaceful moment was quickly shattered...

"Kids?! We're home!"

We all jumped out of the bed, fixing our clothes and rushing about the room, trying to make it less obvious that all three of us just woke up... in the same bed, that is... while somewhere in the house, moving audibly closer, was their mother and father...

OK, I know I've mentioned this before, but humor me... Jacob and David's parents spend a lot of time out of town on business... in fact, if it wasn't for the guys, they wouldn't have a house at all anymore. They visited the house rarely, only depositing money in the guys' bank account when it started running low, leaving them to their own devices most of the time. However, every now and again, they would stop by the house, not staying for more than a day or two, only long enough to make sure that they
were going to school... and that was about it. Jacob and David had been my friends our whole lives, and I've seen this pattern go on... and on... and ON... since me and David were 12... old enough to stay out of trouble, and to keep Jacob out of trouble... and that's the way it's been, for years now... the parents giving money, stopping by every now and again... and Jacob and David, pretty much free to live their lives however they wanted...

"We're upstairs," Jacob called out, once we were reorganized.

The footsteps led to the room's door, revealing their dad and mom, weary from travel, but otherwise looking in good shape.

"Hey Davey, Jake," their dad started in.

"Hi Kyle," their mom added. "How's school?"

I gave them a rather lackluster tale of what was happening in my life, kinda glossing over the fact that my mom had kicked me out. Suddenly, their dad noticed my stuff, piled up in one corner of the room.

"What's with all this?" he asked, gesturing at my bags.

I couldn't hold it in... I just started crying again, my emotional dams still down from all the tears I'd shed over the previous day, the sobs wracking my body as I futilely struggled to catch my breath. While Jacob was holding me close, trying to get me calmed down, David gave his parents a description of what had happened over the past day or so... how my mom'd disowned me, kicked me out of the house, and now I was all but homeless... hoping to stay there for a bit...

"Of course he can!" his mom interrupted. "You know, Kyle, you're always welcome here... and, well, if you need a place to stay, you're more than welcome to stay in this house... I mean, we have rooms we never use, even when everyone's home, so you can always use one of those rooms..."

Jacob interrupted. "Can he stay in my room?"

Time seemed to stand still for a moment. His parents looked at each other, unspoken words passing between the two of them, for what seemed to be an eternity, while the three of us stood there, waiting for the bomb to drop...

"Well," their mom started, seemingly grasping for the words, "I suppose it'd be fine..."

Jacob's dad interrupted her. "I understand why... I've already heard all the rumors... and before you say anything," he continued, before any of us could say anything, "I fully support you all... whatever makes you happy, I'll support... I don't care what they all think, I think it's wonderful that you're doing what makes you happy..."

I almost couldn't breathe, I was so happy. After all I had went through the day before, I thought no one could accept me for who I am, other than other gay guys... and now, the parents of my best friends... and my surrogate parents, in fact... were willing to accept me for who I am... I started crying again, but this time, my tears were of joy, not pain, shed for those who were willing to believe in who I am, as long as it made me happy...