Hi guys! I'm SO sorry that it's been so long since I posted here. I've been terribly busy on some mainstream projects of my own as well as school. It took around 3 months, but finally, here's the next installment. I hope you enjoy!
Part TWO--Installment TWO
Upon my arrival home that night, I informed Dalton, and Brian that Chris would be joining us to celebrate the holidays up in the mountains. They didn’t seem to care, but Dalton told me he didn’t know how on earth they were going to be able to squeeze another person into the already full bedrooms up at Lisa’s Parent’s winter lodge. Brian countered with snide remarks about how he could just snuggle up in bed with me.
The next morning, we helping the limo driver put all our bags into the back of the car.
I was wearing my favorite sweater, tan cashmere with a high collar. I’d neglected to get my hair cut the past couple of weeks, and it was now starting to push itself down towards my shoulders. I needed to get a haircut soon, I was starting to look like a cave man. My hair was straight from the roots to about 3 inches, then it started to curl. It was weird; I’d never seen anything like it. First order of business when we get off of the plane—go get a haircut.
“How cold is it?” Brian was walking down the stairs of the front porch rubbing his arms. His black hair was shining with a fresh coat of gel.
“When I watched the news this morning, they said it was about 5 degrees outside, but it’s going to be colder up in the mountains. I’d guess about -2, or-3.” Dalton answered.
“Fucking kill me..” Brian said. He disappeared into the limo.
“Thank you.” The driver said, closing the trunk with much effort.
“Sure man.” Dalton stood beside me. “Where’s lover boy?” he smiled, flashing his white teeth. His brown hair was hidden by a floppy ski cap, and his tan complexion looked rosy with the glow from his loud red jacket.
“On his way.” I said, looking up from my phone. “There he is now.”
The taxi I’d sent to pick up Chris was creeping up the driveway.
“Can we get a move on?!” Brian yelled from inside the limo. The door was still open.
I walked over to the taxi. “Hi!” he stepped out. He was at least 3 or 4 inches taller than me. We hugged, he was warm.
“Where are your bags?” I asked.
“Right here.” He pulled out a white duffle bag.
“Excuse me sir, can you get the other bags out of the trunk?” I said.
The taxi driver grumbled, and started to step out.
“No, Zach, that’s it.”
“What? You do know we’ll be there for at least a week?”
“Yeah, this is all I need.” He said.
His modesty threw me for a loop, it was something new, and attractive.
“Well. Come along!” I said. I was happy to have him coming with me.
I crawled into the limo first, Brian was at the opposite end with a blanket, Dalton was on the side rummaging through the mini bar. Chris and I sat at the back.
“Guys this is Chris.”
Brian looked up from a large book, and nodded, looking over his glasses. Dalton said a mumbled nice to meet you through a mouth full of food.
Chris nodded, he had a nervous smile on his face, but his crystal eyes showed confidence.
The first few minute of the car ride boasted awkward silence. Until Brian broke the silence.
“Well, you’ll never guess who I just got a text from.” He smiled.
“Who?” Dalton asked.
“Rachel, she’s trying to fly in from England, and she may be bringing Brent with her.”
I got a queasy feeling in my stomach, Brent and I had ended on…amicable terms, but that didn’t mean I was supposed to jump at the chance to spend my Christmas holidays with him. As far as I was concerned, there was absolutely no reason why we needed to be in contact at all. I’d resolved not to let it affect me, because I was over him, and there was no reason why I should let it bother me.
“Well, how nice.” I said, flashing my eyes out the window.
“Nice?” Brian echoed in bewilderment. “Who’d have thought..” he trailed off when Dalton looked at him.
It was clear I didn’t want to talk about it.
“So, Chris. Where are you from?”
“Well, I was born in New Mexico, but I grew up in New York.”
“Oh New York. Nice, Manhattan?” Brian asked. “We have a house in Manhattan.”
“Not quite. Buffalo.” He said.
“Buffalo? And is that a nice place to live?” Brian went on.
“I’d say so. It’s one of those big-little towns.”
“Pardon?”
“You know, a big area, but it has the feel of a small town.”
“Oh, how interesting,” Brian put his book down next to him, and took of his glasses. “What are the people around there—“
Dalton cut him off.
“So Chris, are you into any sports?”
“I ran track all four years of high school, and I play in a basketball league down at the gym every week.”
“Really? Are the players good down there?”
“Mediocre.”
“Hm, I was thinking about joining. I haven’t had to time to work out nearly as much since I moved here, and I hate JUST being in the gym.” He said.
“Come down anytime! We still have 5 open slots. You’d probably fit right in.”
“Thanks man.”
We were pulling up to the access gate of the airport. My parents had sent the jet back down here for us, and rented out a hangar to have it housed.
The car rumbled with the loud sounds or planes taking off and landing.
“I wonder how long this flight is going to take.” Brian wondered out loud
“About 3 hours.” I said.
“Are we flying into Aspen, or Denver?”
“Aspen! Aspen would be another 3 hours away from Denver, and the jet is small enough into their terminal.” I said.
“We’re flying in a jet?” Chris chimed in.
“Is there any other way?” asked Brian without looking up, he had resumed reading his book.
“Yes, it’s just easier.” I said, trying to sound modest, although I don’t know how MODEST, you can sound when your family owns 2 private jets.
The door next to me opened.
“We’re here.” The short limo driver was shivering in his suit. Snow was beginning to fall lightly.
I stepped out onto the pavement. The wind whipped around my face and gave me a deep chill. The plane had been rolled out of the hangar. It was rather large, but the bigger the better right? In more ways than one.
“Mr. DeRochmont.” A muscular middle aged man greeted me as I walked up to the plane.
“Ross—“
“ROSS!” Brian cut me off. “So good to see you!” they shook hands. “You’re flying us today?
“Sure am.” He smiled a toothy grin. He was sort of attractive. He had been once, that was for sure, but it seemed to have faded a bit as he aged.
“How’s the wife?” Brian asked as we walked up the steps of the drop-down door.
“Fine. Pregnant.” He beamed.
“Really? What is that child number 5?”
“Yes. Hopefully a boy this time.” He looked hopeful.
“Best wishes.” Brian patted him on the back.
There was a flight attendant waiting by the door.
“Well hello there.” Dalton rushed forward. “Name’s Dalton.”
“My name’s Heather.” She said with a smile. Dalton’s eyes seemed to be focused on her chest, which showed the tops of large pushing breasts.
I could see it in his eyes. Dalton was already working on getting her into bed, and with three hours he could probably accomplish it. Of course my mother would be outraged to know that an employee of hers was acting in such a way, but Caroline wasn’t here.
“When’s take off?” Brian asked as he threw his coat over a couch.
“Now.” Heather turned around, as the man named Ross walked in towards the cockpit.
“The flight is sually about 3 ½ hours,” he said. “But I think I can have you there in 2.”
“Safely?” I said with a nervous smile.
“Of course!” he nodded in my direction, and disappeared into the cockpit. Within 10 minutes we were up in the air.
We had been on the plane for about an hour and a half.
“That’s…89…97..120.” Brian said. “I win.”
“Dammit!” I threw down the cards. “This is the 5th time.”
“Give it up Zach, you’ll never beat me at Rummy, or any card game for that matter.” He smirked.
Chris laughed. “I think he’s right.”
“Well, someone has some common sense around here.” He said.
I heard laughing. “Cozy?” I yelled across the plane to where Dalton and Heather were sitting having an warm conversation.
“Hey girl.” Brian waved. “How about some drinks?”
“We’re talking.” Dalton sneered.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware talking to you was her job, or god knows what else.”
Heather looked shocked.
“Don’t be a dick.” I said. “I’ll get the drinks.”
I kicked off my shoes and got up. My toes sunk into the soft carpeting of the floor.
There wasn’t much in the fridge. A half empty bottle of Chardonnay and some flavored water.
“Jesus.”
I got them both and pulled down some shot glasses.
“Which one?”
“Water, thanks.” Brian answered.
I chucked it at him.
Dalton and Heather got up and passed through a door which he slammed shut. There was giggling then laughing, then quiet.
“Slut.” Brian muttered.
Chris looked surprised, but I ignored him.
“Care to take some shots?” I smiled and shook the bottle.
“Sure.” Chris got up and walked over, he seemed taller than usual, his hair was ruffled up and sticking out from an earlier nap.
I poured the glasses.
He went to take a swing.
“1…2…3” we swallowed.
The sweet liquid tickled my throat as it went down. I would have preferred something stronger…but beggars can’t be choosers and Brian took the last water.
Four shots later I was starting to feel the ease of the Chardonnay.
“1…2…3” I swallowed it, and sprung up with a kiss this time.
He kisses back; it was loose and surprised, yet urgent. Sweet.
“Oh not y’all too.” Brian said.
“Jealous?” I smiled.
“Disgusted.” He shot back with a laugh.
I could tell that Chris had yet to grasp Brian’s sense of humor, and he seemed insulted.
“Don’t mind him,” I said.
There was a banging on the wall, and distant moaning.
We all looked towards the room Dalton and Heather were in, the only room that was separate from the communal area besides the cockpit.
“He’s not…” I said with a smile.
“She—she’s that easy?” Chris said. “I could tell.” He waved his hand and fell down.
I walked over to the cabinet to put the empty glasses back up, and a party popper rolled out. You know one of the ones with the confetti in it, that makes all the noise when you pull the string?
I tossed it to the side, the banging on the wall started again, and the moaning got louder.
“Wow.” I muttered.
Then I got an idea. I ran and picked up the popper.
Brian saw the expression on my face from the table.
“Do it!” He said. “You have got to do it.”
“Shh!”
I crept up to the door.
I could hear what was going on in clarity.
“Fuck. You’re good.” Dalton half-moaned. There was a pounding noise.
“Harder, harder…”
Oh my goodness I thought. It’s really happening.
I twisted the knob, but didn’t push it open yet. Then I let go.
“Brian! You come and open the door for me, I’ll set the popper off.” He came up behind me and twisted the knob.
“You say when.”
Dalton sounding like he was getting close. I recognized how much deeper his voice got as he reached his climax.
“Mhmmm. Don’t you fucking stop. Oh ohhhhh.”
“Now!”
Brian shoved the door open.
“WHAT’S going on?!” I yelled as I ran in and pulled the popper.
Dalton had Heather bent over the side of the bed as he pounded away, she looked back and screamed. His pants were around his ankles, her uniform was strewn across the floor.
“Oh fuck! I’m cumming.”
The popper popped, as Dalton pulled out, and squirted his load all over her back. She was still screaming.
Confetti rained down everywhere.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Dalton’s ass clenched as he turned around Brian and I keeled over in laughter and gave each other a high-five as we slammed the door.
“Fuckers!” Dalton yelled through the door.
I couldn’t stop laughing. Brian was slamming his hand over the table.
“Y’all are crazy.” Chris looked up from a writing tablet.
After we had regained our composure we sat on the couch waiting for Dalton and Heather to come out and take the walk of shame.
The door opened. Heather walked out with a tight expression on her face. Her uniform was wrinkled, and the vest unbuttoned.
“Have fun?” Brian snickered.
Her head jerked and she shot him a look. He didn’t back off, and stared her down until she disappeared into the cockpit.
Dalton walked out. He had put his pants back on, but remained shirtless.
“Strange thing…I remember you being in less clothes last time we saw each other.” I said trying not to laugh.
“Fuck you Zach. You to B.” He glared.
“Aww c’mon Dalton.” I said mocking disappointment. “You can’t be mad at us.”
He smirked. “Whatever.”
Heather emerged from the cockpit and quickly disappeared back into the infamous room. Dalton glanced behind her.
“How was it?”
“Good until you interrupted us.” He said.
A voice came over the intercom. “Folks, we’re about 5 minutes out. Please take your seats, we’re beginning descent.”
I looked out one of the circular windows. The snowcapped mountains of Aspen greeted us. I could see the large dwellings that were ski resorts and lodges. I wondered what the house would be like. Given my mother’s track-record for travel, probably something far too big and far exceeding our needs. Nowhere near modest.
“This should be an interesting trip.” Brian smirked as he resumed his book.
We were met by a car at the mini-terminal. Another Limo, with a note “Compliments of Caroline DeRochmont.”
The drive uphill was beautiful and rich with scenery as we reached higher into the mountains. The cabins got larger and larger—they began to turn into mansions and estates. The gates got higher, and the houses situated farther back from the street. Yep, this was definitely the doing of my mother. The driver made a left turn and approached black gates that twisted into iron flowers and leaves. He muttered something into the call box and the gates creaked open. We drove down a long path of trees that canopied over the street and they opened up to reveal a monster of a house, that stretched quite far both left and right.
“Oh Caroline.” Brian said to no one in particular. “You have outdone yourself this time.”
“Would you expect anything less?” I asked.
“Not at all.” Dalton and Brian answered in unison.
Chris looked on in awe.
The door opened. I stepped out first. The doors swung open as I approached the steps.
“My baby!” my mother pulled me into the warmth and wrapped her hands around me. This was the first time I’d seen here since Thanksgiving: only 3 weeks to be honest, but an eternity to a mother who fawned over her children relentlessly.
“Hey mom.” I kissed her on the cheek.
I looked around. The room was painted in warm cream colors and there was a large marble staircase that reaches up towards a glass window in the roof.
Normally one expects a winter cabin to be warm, and small, with wood furniture. This foyer was done all in brownish marble with varying shades of cream, orange, and brown wall-papers.
“Yes and as I was saying….we’ll need more chairs in the tv room, for when we watch the ball drop on New Year’s eve.” My father walked out, and looked up. “Thanks you Michael.” He waved his hand.
“My boy!” he walked briskly towards me and grabbed my hand. What I took as a handshake resulted in him yanking me into a brisk embrace. “Welcome” he said.
“Dalton. Brian.” He said.
“Who is this?” My mother’s voice rang throughout the room/
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I rushed forward. “This is my friend Christopher. He goes to Notre Dame as well. He’s a Junior there.”
She looked him up and down. As if analyzing him. Then a smile broke across her face. “Well it’s nice to meet you, Christopher.” Whether it was genuine or not, I’m not sure.
“Make yourselves at home boys. We’ll be eating dinner when everyone else gets here. Sylvia, take them to their rooms please.”
“Follow me—“
“Nevermind. I’ll take them. I’d like to tell them about the set up.”
We made our way up the stairs.
“I purposely had the house divided into two halves when it was built. One for us, and one for the kids. There are 17 bedrooms, 12 on one side, and 5 on the other. Along with 26 bathrooms divided evenly. It’s about 59,000 square feet; which is bigger than the one back home. Our biggest one yet.”
We passed down a long hall with nature scene paintings, and bright lamps on the walls.
“There are 10 adjoining rooms down this wing.” She was saying. “8 bedrooms and 2 common roosm, with a sitting room across the hall. Zach, yours is the first. Lisa is in the second. Dalton I suggest you go to the fourth, Brian will have the third. Lisa’s boyfriend Kevin will be in the fifth, and Christopher you take the 6th, the 7th and 8th rooms are for anyone else who decides tos how up, as I know you all so often do without informing me so I can make the necessary accommodations.”
“Thanks mom.”
She smiled. “I’ll send Sylvia up to get y’all for dinner. If you haven’t gone out. There’s a resort just down the road you know. I saw some college kids down there on the way in.”
She turned and walked back the way she came.
I pushed into my room. The heavy white door swung out to reveal a large, dark green painted walls with wood furniture. The fact the room itself was the size of a small cabin made it all the better. This was the cozy vacation in Aspen I had been looking forward to.
I dropped my bag onto the floor, and plopped down on the bed. Remembering Brian’s words… “This should be interesting.”
