Chapter 344 – So Many Personal Problems – Major Trouble With Jerome
The news about Trent and Jerome’s relationship about to blow up, as reported from Allen, who heard it from George and Doug, disturbed me. However, I was worn out listening to Peter’s confusing testimony about his and Terry’s relationship. I didn’t have any mental energy, or any further facts, for my brain to process anything about Trent at the moment. I had the love of my life in my arms and I was tired. Jake and I cuddled as we fell asleep.
Monday morning came too early, as it always did. I woke up with a nightmare, thinking I was holding onto Peter, who was telling me that Jake and Terry ran off together, so Peter and I could be together for the rest of our lives. I could tell by the feel of someone’s wonderful morning wood, a penis I knew all too well, that Jake was still beside me. Still, I was in a cold sweat. Jake reached out and stretched his arms, then cuddled me some more.
“Babe, you’re all wet. What’s happening?” Jake asked, sleepily.
“Nothing, Babe. Just had a nightmare and woke up in a cold sweat,” I replied. “It’s nothing. We have a few more minutes to sleep yet. I am going to hug you, though. Can’t seem to get enough of you lately,” I confessed. He chuckled.
“What was the nightmare about? Did I do something weird to you?” he asked concerned. I kissed him on the back of his neck.
“No, you only loved me. I’m good now,” I assured him, as I reached down to his penis, lovingly stroking it a few times.
“Oooo, I like how you love me too,” he replied sleepily. I drew his arm over me and held his hand. We got a few more minutes of shuteye until the alarm went off.
Morning showers were always fun and invigorating, with the shower we had and the group of guys that showered together, which was more exciting than the plumbing. Dustin was back, and gave Jake and me a full on-naked hug and kiss. Damn, he felt hot, his naked body up against mine when he kissed and hugged me. As drained as my balls were from the night before, I could have almost fucked him. Brady and Zach gave us morning naked hugs also, as did Allen and OBB. Allen jumped in my arms and wrapped his legs around my waist, his asshole so close to my cock, he was making me hard.
“Did you think anything more about what I told you about Trent and Jerome last night?” he asked, then kissed me tenderly on the lips, as OBB watched on.
“Yeh, about that. Thanks for laying that on me right before I went to bed. I had a nightmare about that last night thanks to you,” I chided.
“No shit! How cool. Did it involve ridding ourselves of Jerome somehow?” he asked, as I let him slide down my torso and legs, his ass rubbing my cock and balls as I did. “Ooooo, that felt hot, Josh. If you’d been a little bit stiffer, I could have fucked myself with your cock. Kind of like we used to start off the old days when we lived in the dorm,” he said smiling. I kissed him on the forehead, and smiled.
“Yes, we did. Many a day we started off with a hot fuck. But, I’ll bet you just got through fucking OBB, if I was to guess,” I replied.
“How would you know something like that?” he asked curiously.
“By the string of cum leaking from your cock,” I said, as I whipped some of it up with a couple of fingers and put it to my mouth. “Yep, definitely yours. I’d know that ball juice taste anywhere,” I chided. Allen laughed, shaking his head.
“So what’s the story on Jerome? What has he done now?” I asked.
“Not sure, but George and Doug said that Trent was pretty pissed at Jerome, and Trent was going to talk to you about him,” Allen replied.
“Why doesn’t he talk to Eric, if it involves working together. Eric is the manager, not me,” I told Allen, as he washed my balls and cock for me, like he had the night before. I washed his ass crack for him, getting him a little hard in the process. “Boner check,” I said and grabbed his semi. “Almost. Getting there,” I chided, as I massaged his cute cock to full mast.
“Fuck, Josh. You get me hard just looking at you. Playing with your balls sends me over the top every time,” he said, then jacked my cock to full mast.
“Okay, I get it. Back to Jerome. What the fuck am I supposed to do about him. I can’t kick him out of Trent’s apartment,” I explained. Allen smiled.
“Trent wants to talk to you, because you and Andy were successful in running his ass off before. I think he pretty much wants to rid himself of Jerome, like you and Andy did. I guess he needs some advice as to what you guys did back when,” Allen told me, while he was massaging my asshole with his soapy finger.
“I’m very clean there, thanks to you, Allen,” I told him with a big smile. He smiled back then kissed me, leaving me again for OBB.
“What’s Allen up to now?” Jake asked me, as he had been fondled all over by OBB, while Allen was working me over.
“I think these two miss us, Jake. We haven’t paid them much attention lately, and I guess they’re letting us know what we’re missing,” I replied. Jake shook his head smiling.
Jake and I saw Phil in Stat class. He had to ask how the wrestling contest went. We told him, it was quite a spectacle. He said he could believe that from the way Ross and Wally talked about it. He wanted to know how those two really did, believing their explanation of events was pure bullshit. Jake and I laughed. We told him it was kind of intense the way they went after one another, but Wally finally got the best of Ross. Phil said to hear Ross talk, he let Wally win. Jake and I shook our heads, telling Phil it looked to be legit and Ross was, once again, letting his ego show. Phil said Ross had plenty of that to show also. One could certainly understand that.
“Those two were acting pretty strange yesterday. They looked worn out. Said they had a couple of hot chics on Saturday night after the match. I think they were both drunk and just imagined that. Where the hell were they going to pick up chics in a gay bar. The chics were probably gay guys knowing those two,” Phil remarked, chuckling. I shrugged my shoulders.
“They had plenty to drink before they left us, so who knows where they went afterwards or what they found,” I remarked. Phil shook his head.
“Next weekend we have an away game, Josh. We won’t be back in time to dance on Gay Night. Hope that doesn’t create a problem,” Phil informed me.
“Hey, we’ll take you when we can get you. Up until a couple of weeks ago, it was just you anyway, until you got the other four to join in,” I reminded him.
“I guess that’s right, now that you mention it. It seems like Ross and Wally have been there all along for some reason. Oh well. I’m sure you can find a couple of other guys to fill in for us. We do have a great time when we hang out there and perform. We can be there Wednesday night for Ladies’ Night. Wouldn’t want to miss that opportunity to get laid afterwards,” Phil said, winking at me. “I’m sure Wally and Ross will be up for that big time.” Although Phil might be sure they’d be up to getting laid by some hot chics, Jake and I knew what they really wanted.
After class we went to the SU to meet up with Trevor, Andy, and Thad before Marketing. We filled them in on the strange discussion I had with Peter. Although they were just starting to get to know Terry, they were shocked at what Peter had to say. At this point they chose not to believe Peter, only because they didn’t know him and automatically considered him the bad guy in the relationship. While I told them, initially, I had the same opinion, I wasn’t so sure after talking to Peter.
“What kind of dude doesn’t want to fuck his lover?” Trevor asked. “That’s just bullshit.”
“Who knows what the reasons are, if there are any at all. We don’t know that for sure,” I added.
“I’ve known Terry for almost two years now. We’ve been partners together on the gymnastics team. He has my back and I have his in all the events we do. He’s never let me down, always there to spot me and protect me in any way he can. I have to believe he’s telling us the truth, Josh,” Jake commented. “I thought a lot about that last night, after we kind of proved to each other our love could withstand anything,” he said smiling.
“Good grief, did you fuck Josh’s brains out again?” Trevor asked. Jake smiled. “One of these days, you’re going to have to do that to me again. Damn, that cock of yours is so hot, and those pecs with your perky nipples just slay me,” Trevor added, making Jake blush.
“Anyway, I thought about it. I know Terry too well, and I have to believe he wouldn’t bullshit us. You guys saw him. He was really hurt last week. He couldn’t hardly function. We all saw the horrible shit that Peter texted him. Are those the kind of things you text to someone you desperately want to make up with? No, I have to believe that Peter’s fucking with us, probably because we helped Terry. Terry came to us for help, and we stood by him and helped him. We all saw how happy he was hanging with us for the last few days. He and Riley hit if off great too. Ty likes him. I have to believe Peter’s to blame, but who can say for sure. I’ll talk to him today and tell him what Peter told you about Terry being the love of his life. If Terry thinks there’d be a shred of something to get them back together again, I know he’d give it his all. I just don’t see it happening.”
“That’s probably the best idea. I hate to say it, but would it do any good if we met with them and mediated some kind of settlement or closure, so at least they don’t hate each other for the rest of their lives?” I asked, Jake. Jake didn’t know what to think.
“Are you sure you want to get involved in this one? We kind of understood the Jim and Drey situation, because it wasn’t a case of lying or cheating. Their problem was totally different, one liking girls and one liking boys. This is a tough one. Who’s telling the truth? Not sure we want to get in the middle of this one, Josh. Might want to let them work it out themselves,” he suggested.
“You’re probably right. Like you, I kind of think Terry is being more truthful than Peter, but he sounded very sincere last night and totally heartbroken over what happened. I just hate the fact, they can’t talk it out,” I replied.
“That’s because you’re one of the most caring people in the world, Joshua. You can’t help but care. That’s what we all love about you,” Jake told me.
“I don’t know, I kind of liked Josh’s ass and dick, myself,” Trevor chided. The rest of them gave him a dirty look. “Well, you all do too. Admit it,” he jested. Andy threw a wadded up napkin at him.
“Be serious, Trev. This is some serious stuff with some good friends,” Andy told him.
“I’m sorry, I do care about it. I was just trying to provide some comic relief to this glum subject. Why can’t guys just get along?” he asked. I had to agree with him on that.
“On other matters, I’m supposed to hear from Trent today on his problems with Jerome, as if none of us expected that to happen,” I told the group.
“Oh, fuck, let me fuck the boy over. It’d be my distinct pleasure to fuck Jerome and then throw him the hell out for good,” Trevor said, seriously.
“Easy, Trev. We don’t know what he’s done just yet, other than they kind of got in a fight during the wrestling contest,” Andy replied. Trevor gave him a weird look.
“Well, I do know how abusive he was to you, and that’s all I need to know to pulverize the stupid prick,” Trevor responded.
“That was a long time ago. Josh and I ditched the guy way back when. I don’t even want to think about those days in high school when I thought he was the only guy I could ever love. Boy was I wrong on that one,” Andy admitted.
“You picked the right two this time,” Trevor said, boldly, pounding his chest. Andy looked at him and smiled.
“Yes, and I don’t want you to have to get mixed up in Jerome and Trent’s bullshit. Let them duke it out,” Andy suggested.
“I don’t have any idea what their beef is with one another, and I’m not planning on getting involved in that anyway, shape or form. Allen said the George and Doug were concerned it was going to cause problems for the bar, and we needed to nip it in the bud before it happened. I just hope there is sufficient reason, other than their personal life problems, to let Jerome go and never see him again. Why is it that the assholes never go away and leave you alone?” I asked the group.
“Still, if he gives you any shit at all, I’m here for you, Josh. Would love to stick some dynamite up that asshole’s ass and blow it to smitherines. No loss there. Although, Andy said he did have a nice dick,” Trevor added.
“Trevor! No dick is that great that one has to endure someone like Jerome’s abusiveness,” Andy stated. We all had to agree.
It was time to go to Marketing and see our favorite professor. Trevor went sailing into the classroom first and tickled Ty from behind. Ty laughed. “Gees, Trevor, almost didn’t recognize you out of your red bikini briefs with all that pubic hair sticking out,” Ty told him, making us all laugh.
“Damn, Ty, did it turn you on any, because I can show you my blue ones today if you want to see them now,” Trevor teased, as he started to push down his jeans to give Ty a look.
“No, no, that’s okay, Trev. No need to see anything like that today, but thank you anyway,” he said smiling. “You guys are the craziest guys I’ve ever worked with. Your friend Terry is tame compared to you guys,” Ty stated.
“You need to spend more time with me, Ty. I can show you things that will excite you,” Trevor teased. Ty looked concerned, but then smiled.
“I’m sure you could show me more than I cared to see, Trevor, but I think I need to work more on my thesis, than your monkey business,” Ty replied. Luckily, we were the only ones in the classroom at the time. “My associate and me spent the greater part of yesterday working on some of the framework of the thesis. It’s starting to come along nicely now. I learn more every time I work with you guys. Saturday night was something else, I have to say. It got kind of crazy, and the sales went through the roof. What’s next on the agenda to drive more sales?” Ty asked.
“Not sure, but I think Allen, our quasi bent marketing director, is planning an ‘underwear only’ party, where all the customers have to check their clothes at the door and only wear their underwear. They can stay clothed if they want to, but everyone is encouraged to wear just their underwear. I have to admit, it does sound a little crazy, and I can only imagine there will be a lot of customers we don’t want to see in their underwear, but if it generates sales, hey, we can try it out,” I replied.
“OMG. Where do you guys come up with these ideas? Do you have to be gay to think these things up?” Ty asked. We all laughed.
“Everyone wears underwear, Ty. Well, at least they should. Doesn’t take a gay guy to come up with wearing just underwear. A lot of straight guys go commando out there, because he feels good. Haven’t you ever gone commando?” Trevor asked him. Ty looked embarrassed.
“Ah, maybe a couple of times, when I ran out of clean underwear. I was nervous the whole day, always listening to that voice in your head from your mother, about always wearing clean underwear in case you had an accident. Hell, what would it be like if you were going commando? That ought to shake things up a little, although these days, almost anything goes,” Ty replied.
“We should market ‘Accidental Underwear’, an emergency pouch you can keep in your car, in case you end up in an accident,” Trevor suggested.
“I think I was riding a bike at the time, Trevor. I think I was on campus and got drunk over a weekend and didn’t do laundry, so Monday morning, it was commando time,” Ty replied.
“You weren’t wearing shorts were you? Nothing fell out you didn’t want out, did it?” Trevor asked, making us laugh. Ty shook his head laughing at Trevor.
“No, luckily I didn’t have anything long enough to fall out, I guess I could say,” Ty said embarrassingly, then laughed. We all laughed at his humor. Humm, I kind of thought otherwise though, having had his penis in my hand and jacked him off before, but that wasn’t for Trevor to know right now. Ty shot me a cute look, concerned I might say something, but I remained silent, which I was sure he appreciated. I felt closer to him now, more than ever before, because we had a secret to keep, just between us.
“Wish, I’d have that problem, but somehow I ended up with a big dick and, sometimes, I just can’t keep it under control,” Trevor boasted. Ty shook his head at Trevor.
“It’s all that pubic hair you can’t keep under control, Trev. Let’s be honest,” Andy reminded him. Ty laughed along with the rest of us.
“So, anyway, my associate and I made some real progress yesterday in setting up a system to chart the successes of the CNB, based on the entertainment value for one thing and then food, drink and last, but not least, hospitality,” Ty informed us.
“Your associate. Isn’t his name Bret?” I asked. Ty looked at me strangely.
“Yes, his name is Bret,” Ty replied, somewhat perplexed at my question.
“Why don’t you just call him Bret and not refer to him as your ‘associate’?” I asked. Ty looked perplexed.
“Not sure why I don’t use his name. I guess I just thought no one knew his name, but would know who I was talking about if I said, my associate,” he answered. I smiled at him.
“I’m sure he’s a great guy. Let’s call him by his name. I think he deserves that respect,” I announced to Ty’s curiosity.
“By all means. Bret it is,” he said, looking at me, wondering why I made an issue out of his name.
“We’d love to meet this guy sometime, Ty. You need to bring him in and introduce him to all of us, unless, of course you’re embarrassed working with us gay guys,” I told him. He looked hurt.
“Josh, no, that’s not it at all. I’ve just been taking notes, gathering information and then he and I sit down and process it all. I’m not embarrassed about you guys at all. You’ve turned into great friends, and I’ve really grown to care about you guys and all. I love working with you. I’ll definitely bring my associate, sorry, Bret, in to meet you guys. I know he’ll really enjoy meeting all of you. Even you, Trevor,” Ty added, making us laugh.
“Good, I’ll wear my red bikinis again, and let my pubes stick out for you and him. Make sure you both wear something tight so I can see what you’re packing down there between those hot legs of yours,” Trevor requested. Ty shook his head and laughed.
“Not sure that will go over that well with him, Trevor. He’s not shy like you are,” Ty chided.
“Trevor shy? Uh, you’ve got the wrong guy, professor,” Andy told him. Maybe Bret might be, but Trevor, not on your life.” The classroom was starting to fill up with our classmates, so the informal discussion had to end. I think Ty was somewhat relieved to end this conversation. It was getting a little too personal for his comfort.
We said our goodbyes after class. He said he’d see us in class Wednesday, and be at the bar to help Wednesday night. I suggested he might bring Bret on Wednesday night for Ladies’ night, instead of Saturday for Gay Night, just in case he might be a little homophobic. Ty said he hoped he would be fine with it all, but he hadn’t really discussed the gay lifestyle with him yet. That sent a signal, that I needed to process. Why would an independent analysis of marketing not mention or discuss in detail the gay side of the business it was designed for. I could understand the marketing premises, of what he was trying to show, being gender neutral, such as ‘give people what turns them on and they will buy’, but surely Ty had to be telling Bret all the antics and fun that was going on at the CNB. Was he really that scared or concerned about telling him? I felt the need to have a discussion about what was going on in Ty’s mind, this fooling around in the showers with Jake and me. Then, not discussing with Bret the gay side of the business. There was something going on with Ty, and my mind wanted to know what it was.
Jake, Thad and I walked back to the bar after class for lunch. Thad hit the office to look at the previous night’s receipts and to do payroll for the week. I checked my e-mail in the office. I had one from Will, telling me the flight back in the 310 was smooth and the lights were beautiful to see in the dark. He said he and James talked to Dale some, who seemed to be a great kid, and would take great care of the 310 for us. Then he said he had a wonderful time this weekend, and loved Jake and me for making him feel so special and loved. Made my heart warm to read his message. I had another note from Tom telling me he and James had a wonderful few hours with us, and wished it had been longer. He said he was going to let Jake and I know when they had a trip to Florida, where he had room for the two of us, so we could go down to Key West and check on Greer and Sven. He didn’t mention Samuel. I guess when we thought about it, Samuel wasn’t our dearest friend just yet, but Greer loved him, which was all that mattered. I cracked a smile reading Tom’s e-mail, as he added how wonderful my cock felt in his ass, a feeling he would not soon forget. I sent him an e-mail back telling him the feeling was mutual, but maybe we shouldn’t be talking about things like that in e-mails for someone to read out of context at some future date, possibly during an inquiry of sorts. Then I put a smiley face to it, and hit send. I was sure he’d get a kick out of that one.
There was a knock at the door, then the door opened. It was Trent. “Can I talk to you a minute?” Trent asked me, seemingly very nervous and concerned. My heart dropped, dreading this conversation I was about to have with him. I nodded for him to come in. He looked over at Thad, who barely looked up to see him.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked, not offering to remove Thad for his conversation with me.
“Is it okay to talk to you with Thad here?” Trent asked. At this point, I was irritated.
“Well, unless you’re going to be talking about doing something illegal or murdering Thad, I guess it should be okay, unless you’re afraid to have a witness for what you’re going to tell me,” I replied, in a rather cynical way. Trent looked over at Thad, who didn’t appear to be listening, but I knew was totally into hearing what Trent was going to tell me, having heard our discussion about him and Jerome at the SU this morning, and having once really cared about Trent and been his lover for several weeks. It was probably not the best thing to have Thad there, but I really wasn’t up to listening to Trent whine without someone to back me up.
“Josh, I need your advice on something very personal,” he started to say, then looked over at Thad again. I ignored that action and just stared at him.
“Go on. What do you need?” I asked. Trent looked very uncomfortable.
“Uh, you may have noticed Jerome and I aren’t getting along very well,” he stated, rather sheepishly. I tried not to smile, knowing full well this would happen.
“Doesn’t surprise me. I tried to warn you that Jerome is a user and an abuser, Trent. For the life of me, I don’t know what you saw in him,” I stated, honestly and stared him in the eyes. I could tell he was very uncomfortable.
“I know, you did try to warn me, and like so many other times, I should have listened to you. He’s an ass, Josh. He’s a real asshole. I can’t stand him anymore. There were a few rough patches starting off, but I was lonely and felt ostracized by all you guys, and well, it just felt nice to have someone show an interest in me for a change, since none of you guys wanted to have anything to do with me anymore. Let’s face it, Josh, I feel like I’m in prison here. I have to work here, report to you guys, wear this watch thing which records my constant whereabouts. Then on top of that, even though I have to be under watch constantly here with you guys, I feel like I’m not wanted and you guys would be happy if I just disappeared. I might be happy to do that for you all, if I just could, but I can’t. I’m trapped in this place to be miserable. I’m going crazy, Josh. I just am. I thought Jerome would help, someone willing to take a chance on me and might even care about me. The sex is good. I can’t complain about that, except it’s getting out of hand, with Jerome’s demands. I can’t even enjoy sex anymore. I’m miserable in my job. People hate the fact I’m here and alive. I thought I could at least escape being hated at the job when I go home and have some peace, but now I can’t even have that. I’d be better off dead, if the truth were known,” he said, starting to cry, putting his head down in his hands and sobbing. Thad surprised us both and brought over the box of tissues. Trent thanked him for it, then he went back to his desk and started working again, as if nothing was going on. I wanted to laugh, but Trent was getting to me. We all used to care about him, and now he was really hurting, and reaching out for help.
“Trent, man is the architect of his own destiny. We make choices, some good, some bad, that fortunately, or unfortunately, shape our own destiny. We pray for the wisdom to make the right choices in our lives, to better ourselves and our loved ones. I’m not going to tell you, I told you so, but you have to start making better choices, Trent. Unfortunately, you’ve been on a loosing streak for some time, when you were on a winning streak before. Well, at least we thought you were. We didn’t know all the crap you had going on with X, and you wouldn’t let us help you then. There again, another bad choice,” I told him.
“Josh, I know what you’re saying is true. I believe you with all my heart, but I’m telling you, I am so depressed and unhappy, I don’t care if I live or die anymore. I need help. I never thought I’d ever have to admit that, but I need help in the worst way. I can’t go on living like this. I just can’t. I hate more than anything, having to come in here and beg you, of all people, for help. But, could you please help me somehow before I lose it all” he asked urgently. I really felt bad for him at this point. I couldn’t imagine getting to the point where life was so bad, you didn’t care if you lived or died. Like Trent or not, that wasn’t right. No one with past friends around, deserved that type of treatment, to the point the guy wanted to end his life. He didn’t say he wanted to end his life, but he was close to saying it, I could tell.
“Trent, whether you chose to believe it or not, we all do care about you. If we didn’t, you’d be in jail in Phoenix today. We spent a lot of money and pressured a lot of people who thought we were crazy. That guy over there,” I said, referring to Thad, “who you think hates you, because you threw him out of your life and wouldn’t let him help you when you needed his help the most, actually loved you enough to do what he had to do to save you. He was the driving force behind your rescue. You really do owe him your life. I know you’ve apologized to him several times and he’s accepted it, but I also know he still hurts at the thought of this life you’re enduring at the moment,” I said, looking over at Thad, who was now using some tissues himself, unable to contain his emotions for the one guy he once loved, to be hurting so bad. That upset Trent even more. Now they both were sobbing. Even I felt a little moved, but still frustrated with having to deal with other’s personal issues.
“Okay, how can we help you regain your self esteem and get you to a happier place in your life, Trent?” I asked. “Thad, get over here and help me with this. Thad slowing came over, rubbing the tears from his eyes. He picked Trent up and hugged him tightly. They both cried in each other’s arms, telling each other how sorry they were. Hell, I was shedding tears watching the two of them. I got up and hugged them both in a three-way hug. We finally got our emotions somewhat under control and released one another, sitting back down together, the three of us holding hands.
“We’re running a multi-million-dollar corporation here, and we can’t seem to get through a personnel interview without crying. What the fuck is wrong with us?” I asked. We all kind of wiped our tears, then chuckled.
“Maybe we care too much?” Thad suggested. I hugged him.
“Thank God, we do, Thad. You should be grateful for that also, Trent,” I told him.
“I am grateful, guys. For the first time in months, someone showed me they actually cared about me instead of despising me. I can’t tell you what a wonderful feeling that is. I feel so much better already, but nothing has really changed, other than you guys actually showed me you cared,” Trent shared with us.
“Well, we need to change that. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll all try. I think we just kind of forgot about you somehow, not really meaning to, but not really interested in you at the moment with everything else going on in the business and our personal lives. Didn’t mean to ignore you or forget you, but it kind of happened. We all need to make an effort to be more caring when it comes to you, possibly involve you more in what we do, that sort of thing,” I offered.
“Oh, I can’t tell you how much that means to me, guys. I’ve never stopped caring about you. I know in my heart you had to care about me, or you wouldn’t have saved me. That meant a lot, but I feel like I’ve been in prison, more like solitary confinement, since I’ve been back. It’s like I had leprosy or something, AIDS, whatever. I was the scourge of the earth or something. I can’t tell you how lonely I’ve been. It hurt real bad,” Trent said, starting to tear up again. “I lost the only man that truly loved me, which damn near killed me, but I know it was all my fault. Still, that in itself is traumatic. I got shot after I was thrown in to a form of human trafficking. I got rescued by friends that didn’t want to have anything to do with me once they rescued me. I hope you can understand some of the hurt I feel. Not that I didn’t deserve most of it, but guys, I can’t go on living like this. I just can’t,” Trent said, getting emotional again. I could definitely see his point. I’d be a basket case too, if it was me.
“Okay, so we’ll try to incorporate you more into the flow of friendship around here, and make you feel wanted and needed. You are needed, Trent. You do a good job for us, and the customers like you also. You do play an important role in servicing our customers, just so you know. You get high marks for that. Now, what do we need to do about Jerome?” I asked.
“I need and want him out of my life, guys. He’s horrible, and is trying to control me with everything I do. He’s a terrible person, just evil,” Trent said, with fear in his eyes.
“Kick his ass out and that will be the end of the story,” I suggested. “It’s not like that didn’t work with Thad when you threw him to the curb. Looks to me like you have some experience in that area,” I commented, but upset him to hear that. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that, but, truthfully, tell him it’s over and to get the hell out,” I suggested.
“It’s not that easy, Josh. He’s threatened me big time, kind of like blackmailing me,” Trent said, almost embarrassed to say it.
“Blackmailing you? How?” I asked, confused. “Did you do something else wrong?”
“No, nothing like that at all. He said if I ever tried to get rid of him, he’d turn me into the cops as an unstable person that needed to be confined to the state for my and everyone else’s protection,” Trent explained.
“Wait, you’re losing us here. What the heck does that mean?” I asked, curiously.
“He said he would tell law enforcement that I was a danger to myself and he had stopped me many times from trying to hurt myself and trying to hurt him. He cites my deep depression for my life’s situation, which he nailed down almost to the letter. I mean, everyone knows I am totally depressed, but it’s not from just here, it’s from living with an evil control freak. He’s hit me before and told me if I tell anyone, he’ll tell everyone he was just defending himself against my aggressive behavior. He even cited the wrestling match last Saturday night, where we went to fist fighting, as an example of my unstable dangerous behavior, noting that everyone in the club saw me get aggressive. I did get aggressive, and may have started it, but he provoked that on purpose, just to frame me and get more control over me. I can’t win, guys. He’s got me by the balls. I don’t know how to end this without destroying my life even more,” he said, desperate for answers. Now I really felt bad about the situation.
“Hang in there a second. Let me go get Jordan. He has to be out there having lunch with Buzz. Give me a second,” I said, then went to find Jordan. I told Jordan I needed to see him in the office for an important matter. Jordan rolled his eyes and told Buzz he’d be back soon. Jordan was not happy, when he saw Trent in the office with Thad, presumably talking to the Thad and me.
“Good grief. What kind of trouble have we gotten ourselves into now?” he asked, somewhat frustrated. We all explained Trent’s plight to him, which only pissed him off more with Jerome.
“We need to nail that little fucker,” Jordan said, ready to put the gloves on. “Have you told Conner anything about any of this in your Friday meetings with him?” Jordan asked. Trent lowered his head.
“No, I was afraid to because of what Jerome might do to me,” he confessed. Jordan shook his head.
“That doesn’t help the situation at all. I think we need a restraining order against him. The apartment is in Trent’s name only, is that correct?” Jordan asked. Trent said that nothing had changed there, and it remained in his name even while he was in Phoenix, dealing with that mess. Jordan said that was good, because Jerome couldn’t claim joint ownership of the lease. Jordan was thinking like a lawyer, but I wanted him to think like a hit man. I wanted to bust Jerome’s ass so bad.
“You know what’s going to happen if Trent swears out a restraining order, Jord. Jerome’s going to make good on his threat to take Trent down, and possibly have him committed. How do we stop that or counteract it?” I asked.
“See if you can get Conner over here and we have a conversation with him. He’ll need to grill Trent here, but we’ll be here to help defend him. Josh, you have firsthand knowledge of what Jerome’s abusiveness really is. See if Andy can attest to his abusiveness also. That would be a big help. Hell, Conner can even give Trent and Jerome a lie detector test. I’m sure Jerome would run from that interview,” Jordan suggested. I picked up the phone and called Conner. Although he was happy to talk to me, I told him I needed him for police business. I told him it involved Trent and we needed his help. Although he seemed upset, I assured him it was good help we needed this time. He said he’d be right over. Ten minutes later, he arrived.
We explained everything in detail to Conner, including the abusiveness of Jerome and the set up that took place Saturday night, which Conner was a witness to, he and Neal being there to watch the matches that night. Conner reminded Trent that he witnessed Trent throw the first punch. Trent told him he couldn’t help himself, and couldn’t hold back any longer. He showed Conner some bruises on his arms and back where Jerome had hit him when they got home that night, as a payback for Trent trying to deck him. Then he threatened Trent again. Conner could see how Jerome had set Trent up, and mentioned that it was pretty fool proof. If the rest of us didn’t know what he was up to, he could damn well get away with it, and Trent’s life, most likely, ruined. We asked his advice as to what to do. Conner asked if he could borrow Trent for a couple of hours and take him to the station. He said he’d put together a restraining order and find a judge to sign it. Jordan asked if he needed any help. Conner reminded Jordan he was a corporate lawyer, not a criminal lawyer. Jordan agreed, but said he knew a good one. Conner admitted he certainly did, using the one that we used to get Trent out of trouble in Phoenix, but this wasn’t that complicated, and certainly not worth the huge expense Jordan’s past associate would charge. Jordan let it go, trusting Conner’s instincts.
As Conner and Trent were leaving to go to the station, Trent hugged all of us again, and thanked us for our help. He said he finally realized we really did care. We assured him we did, and we’d see him through this. He seemed so relieved to be in the care of Conner now, and back in the graces of his friends. Although he looked helpless and forlorn, leaving with Conner at the time, we knew he was in the best hands he could possibly be in.
“Lunch anyone?” Jordan asked, after Conner left with Trent. I took him up on his offer, although Buzz and Jake had finished lunch by the time we got back to the table. Jake had taken the liberty of ordering me a hamburger which was almost cold, but still edible and necessary, as Thad and I had to leave for Accounting class in the very near future. We still had time to fill Jake and Buzz in on Trent’s problem. They were both blown away, as were we.
I joined Thad to go to Accounting, hopefully to meet up with Ken beforehand, but realizing we would only make it there by the skin of our teeth before the bell rang. “Josh, I ran into the kitchen to grab a sandwich. Doug had some made up to order, but told me to take one and he’d make another one for the order. He saved me. Jerome was there pissing and moaning about everything. He’s not a nice guy, that’s for sure,” Thad told me. “He was wanting to know where my ex lover ways, as he hadn’t picked up an order he placed and the stuff was turning to shit, in his words. I told him I’d try to find him. Then he told me no one really gave a shit about anything around here, and we all ought to be fired or just close the fucking place up. I told him he was free to leave anytime, and with an attitude like that, we really didn’t need him around. He threatened me then, telling me, just try to fire him and he’d bring down all hell on this place. I’m telling you the guy is a whacko,” Thad explained, as we practically ran to class. I was really torqued now, wanting to do physical harm to Jerome in the worst way. We made it to class with 30 seconds to spare. Ken was totally shocked we were almost late. At the end of class, he asked us what was going on. We told him we’d fill him in later, but we had to get back quickly. I know we left him completely shocked and in the dark, but we did need to get back and find out what was going on.
When we got back, I told Eric, Jerome had threatened to rain hell down on our bar if we tried to fire him. Eric said that was it, it was finally time for Jerome to go. I filled Eric in on what Conner and Trent were working on. Eric said we couldn’t wait for that to happen as George and Doug could be in danger and also, Jerome might just try to burn down the building. I could see his point, but wasn’t quite sure what to do at the moment. Eric said he was going to the kitchen. I told him to be careful, as Trent considered Jerome to be dangerous. Thad and I stood at the door, as Eric went in.
“What’s all this bullshit I hear going on with you this afternoon, Jerome?” Eric asked him, getting in his face.
“Everything is bullshit here. You of all people should know that. These faggots don’t know how to run a decent business. You’re straight. Open your eyes, Eric. You’re the token straight guy in management. Got to have one of them just to satisfy equal employment,” Jerome mocked.
“What the fuck, dude. You’re a homosexual too. Why would you mock homosexuals? What difference does sexual preference make anyway? We’re all equal here. You’re not treated any different than anyone else. We all have a job to do here and we do it together. So, what’s got your dick in a knot?” Eric asked, getting in Jerome’s face. Eric was not afraid of Jerome, because was much larger than the spindly assed Jerome, and well trained in wrestling.
“You and all the rest of the shitass people that run this place. Where’s Trent? What have you done with him? He’s missing and you need to find him. Someone’s done something to him,” Jerome shouted at Eric.
“Trent’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with him. He just needed some time off to take care of a few things. He’ll be back, but then that’s none of your business, is it?” Eric shouted back in Jerome’s face.
“What the fuck, dude? I know what’s going on here. You and your faggot friends are conspiring against me with Trent. That’s what’s going on here. But, you know, you can play your little games all you want, because I can beat all your asses, so just try to take me down. It ain’t going to be pretty for any of you,” Jerome threatened. “I’ll own this place.”
“Okay, we’ve had enough of you, Jerome. Get the fuck out and right now. You’re done. You have no right to talk to any of us like that and threaten any of us that work here. You’re creating a workplace disturbance and you need to leave. We’ll let you know if you need to come back, once we investigate what happened here, but I wouldn’t count on it. Right now, you need to leave to diffuse the situation,” Eric told him. Jerome was seething, red in the face, getting angrier by the minute.
“Fuck you, faggot lover. Make me leave. Go ahead, put a hand on me,” Jerome warned.
“I won’t but the cops will,” Eric told him, rather calmly, I thought. Eric stood there while Jerome refused to budge. I whispered to Thad to call Conner and tell him we were at a standoff with Jerome, and it could get ugly. Thad took off.
“Go ahead and call them. You won’t like what you find out when I tell them all the things I have to tell them about this place, and how you faggots run it,” Jerome threatened. I could see Eric wanted to strangle the guy, but he remained calm. Then Eric made a sudden dash towards Jerome. Jerome threw a punch, but Eric defended it, then took Jerome down in a choke hold. Jerome screamed for Eric to let him go, cussing him right and left. Eric held on, not letting him out of his famous wrestling hold. He made sure Jerome could breathe, but he held him where he couldn’t move.
Thad came back, telling me that Conner was in court with Trent, trying to get the restraining order. He asked for Neal and Neal sent two uniforms to handle the situation. Shortly, they came running in the door and took Jerome into custody, handcuffing him.
“That faggot lover tried to kill me. He tried to choke me to death,” Jerome shouted. “Arrest his ass, not mine,” Jerome pleaded. The cops stopped for a moment.
“Okay, exactly what did happen here?” one of the officers, that normally worked security here, asked.
“I asked him to leave nicely and he refused. I told him I’d have him removed by the police if he didn’t leave on his own. He threatened me, called me names. We were about to have a workplace violence situation on our hands. He grabbed for a knife and before he could get it, I lunged for him and he tried to slug me. Then I took him down in a choke hold, and secured him until you guys got here,” Eric told them.
“I didn’t go for a knife. He’s lying,” Jerome hollered.
“Yes, you did, you asshole,” George spoke up and said. “It’s right behind where Jerome was standing. Sure enough, there was a knife there. The officers took a picture of the scene, then escorted Jerome out of the building and down to police headquarters. We all drew a big sigh of relief.
“Need a beer?” I asked Eric. He hugged me. “You are one brave dude, faggot lover,” I chided. Eric laughed.
“Gotta love you guys, Josh. I didn’t see the knife, but I wouldn’t admit that to anyone. I’m glad George saw there was one there. I learned in wrestling, if you make a very sudden move in a tense situation, you almost always get a defensive reaction from the other guy. I did just that. Got a hit for my actions, making him throw the first punch, but I took the bastard down. Damn, that felt good to put a choke hold on that asshole. Good riddens. George, I owe you one, brother,” Eric hollered to George, who was huddled up with Doug through all the excitement. They were greatly relieved to have Jerome gone.
I reminded Eric, this was Monday and he was off today, so why was he here. He told me, he just happened to be here checking on things, but it looked like he was meant to be here to handle this explosive situation. “Aren’t you exhausted from all this?” I asked him.
“Josh, it’s not as intense as a regular wrestling match. It was one move. Didn’t take much to get that asshole under control. He’s all mouth and no substance. I could have ripped his balls off and fed them to him. Come on. It takes a bigger man than him to give me any challenge,” Eric replied, smiling. I hugged him, then told him to go home and get some rest. He told me to call him if I needed him. He did have a class later this evening he had to attend. I patted his hot ass as he left, getting him to turn around and smile at me.
Allen and Zach hadn’t seen the commotion, but were blown away when I told them about it on the way to swim practice. They both thought, ridding ourselves of Jerome, was the right move. They were in awe of what Eric did to take him down. When we got to the natatorium and changed into our trunks, I filled Andy in on the situation. Ethan and Aiden were totally shocked also.
“Can you believe Jerome, that asshole, Josh? I don’t know why I ever got mixed up with him in the first place, but it seems like he’s gotten considerably worse than what he was when we ditched him,” Andy remarked.
“Do you think it has anything to do with getting revenge on you and me?” I asked Andy, to the surprise of Ethan, Aiden, Zach and Allen, although Allen had been around when Andy and I first got together, not that he was paying much attention to my boyfriends during his prudish, homophobic stage.
“Possibly, but I think it’s more his nature. Let’s face it, the guy’s a prick, a pure, unadulterated prick. Enough said,” Andy replied to the chuckle of Ethan, Aiden and Zach. Andy gave them a strange look. “You guys were subjected to his abuse, like I was. Looks like Trent may have got the worst of what he had to offer. Gotta love Eric for taking the asshole down. Now, if Conner will just lock him up for a few years, the world will be a better place. He’ll have fun in jail, no doubt. Maybe he’ll get abused and get a taste of what he’s used to dishing out,” Andy commented.
“Let’s just hope our nightmare is over,” I told Andy, who agreed wholeheartedly. “Hey, guys, on another matter, we need to do a better job being a friend to Trent. The boy has been through hell, some of which he created himself, but living with Jerome was torturous, and he’s at his wits end. I swear he was almost suicidal. I’m still thinking of taking him to counseling with Dr. Wayne, the doc who treated Dawson. Trent broke down at lunch, just before the outbreak with Jerome, and told me his life was a living hell. I have to believe it was. One of the issues that hurt him the most, was he felt like we didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore, one of the reasons he was vulnerable to someone like Jerome. I know we were pissed at him for the way he treated Thad, but, in a way, he was really trying to protect Thad from X. We were mainly pissed at him, because he didn’t let us know what was going on, so we could have helped him, and possibly spare him the torture he went through. He was too scared to let us help, it seems. At any rate, that’s all behind him now, and we need to reach out to him to see if we can make his life a little happier these days. Getting rid of Jerome is a big step, but now he has no one again. He needs us, guys. He really needs some friends. I don’t expect you to have sex with him, unless you’re inclined to for the right reasons, but can we at least be civil to him and make him feel part of the team?” I asked for their support.
“You’re right. We really did kind of diss him. We got him out of trouble, then put him on a shelf and forgot him. Not really our style for helping brothers, guys,” Andy chimed in. I gave Andy a side hug. “We really need to do better. I’ll get Trevor and Ash to help with this also.” Allen said he and OBB would try to do some things with him and get him more involved in the entertainment side of the bar. That sounded like a good idea, to help make him feel part of the team. Aiden and Ethan didn’t really know him all that well, just from the stories we told about him, which were mainly negative for the last several months.
“Not to change the subject, but are we working out tonight? I could sure use it,” Aiden asked.
“You just want to get your asshole fucked, is what you’re after,” Zach chided, making Aiden grin. “Not like Brady and I didn’t offer the other night, but no, you wanted to have Josh be your first. You just had to have Josh’s cock up your ass first,” Zach continued to razz him.
“So, I have my standards, but their starting to weaken after the last time I spent the night with you and Brady,” Aiden told Zach, who was smiling from ear to ear.
“We could throw you in with Allen and OBB. They’d have a great time with you and make you feel wonderful,” Zach offered. Aiden looked like he was considering the idea.
“Why don’t you find a girl to fuck first, Aiden, just to see if you might like that better. It’s just weird having a dick up your ass and sticking another guy’s dick in your mouth. It’s not natural,” Ethan suggested, making a contorted face, when he said ‘dick in your mouth’.
“Says the guy that stuck his fingers up my ass and had Dustin stick his fingers up your ass, Ethan. Must have been something there you liked about it,” Aiden replied, seriously.
“Well, it is interesting and different from normal sex. Sometimes experimenting a little can be fun, but in the long run, it may not be what you need or want,” Ethan told him. Aiden shook his head at him.
“Speak for yourself, Ethan. I’m gay. Get it. I love dick, both in my mouth, my dick in someone else’s mouth, ass, whatever, and I’m sure as hell going to like a dick up my ass. You might not like it, or think it’s decent, but I think it’s great. I’m pretty sure, I won’t ever be able to get enough of it, once I finally get Josh to cooperate and take my cherry,” Aiden said emphatically. “Go ahead and lick those fish smelling pussies and pander to those bitches and their demands. I want to hang out with real guys who know how to really satisfy one another, the way we were meant to be,” Aiden added. A part of me wanted to say, you go, Aiden, but I didn’t want to alienate Ethan either.
“You act like what I like is in the minority or something, when most men prefer women to men when it comes to sex,” Ethan replied.
“Ethan, in our world, which you seem to have embedded yourself in, you are the minority. We’re guys that love one another, cherish being together and physically satisfy one another to the point we are so intimate and close, we’re inseparable,” Zach chimed in.
“Okay, guys. Don’t beat up on the straight guy. We love him too. Remember that. He’s our brother also, and we love him just as much, just not having sex with him,” I chimed in, trying to keep Ethan from thinking he was being alienated by the rest of us. “We do love you, Ethan, just not physically. But you have our hearts and our brotherhood,” I assured him.
“What’s wrong with me physically?” he asked concerned.
“Nothing at all. You’re a hot looking guy, and I’m sure you’re going to break a lot of women’s hearts out there. It’s just, as far as us guys are concerned, you’re off limits, because you don’t like the physical connection the rest of us have,” I explained.
“Josh, I don’t want to be left out. You can’t leave me out,” Ethan almost demanded.
“We’re not leaving you out of anything, when it comes to the business or friendship, Ethan, just our beds, which is where you told us you didn’t like to be. The rest of our relationship with you, is the same as with anyone else in the group. That’s all. We love you and always will. We respect you for the feelings you have towards women, just like we respect Eric. We love him too. He even likes blow jobs from time to time when he showers with us, so he might be a little more intimate with us, than possibly you, but we love you both just the same,” I assured him.
“I like blowjobs too,” he replied. We all gave him a blank stare. “I don’t mind if you guys suck my cock sometime, just not all the time. I don’t want to get to the point where I like it better with you guys than I do with my girlfriend. That wouldn’t be too good,” Ethan informed us. We gave him another blank stare.
“I suggest, if that’s the case, you not have us give you blowjobs then, as I damn sure believe you will always like ours better than you do any girl’s and probably get hooked to the point you won’t like theirs. Better you stay straight and not cross over the line,” I advised. “Again, we’ll love you just the same.”
“You guys make it so difficult for me, a straight guy, who loves to suck on tits, and eat and fuck pussy, to love you and feel loved by you. It’s frustrating at times,” Ethan replied. Again, we gave him a look of cluelessness, as to what he meant by any of what he said.
“Aren’t we supposed to be practicing swimming now anyway? How did we ever get into this weird conversation?” I asked, motioning them towards the pools and the rest of the squad.
“Well are we working out tonight or what, and if we are, what are the possibilities of me
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Wow! You two are digging really deep! I find that awesome! I'd like to hear more from Thanatos and Brian, too. I'm also kinda wondering what happened to xander and Vince, and a few others that used to chime in once in awhile. Bouncing impressions and ideas off of each other isn't quite like showering together, butt it sure as heck is another great benefit of experiencing this amazing story! I'm hoping that others will take a moment to pipe up! 
