Chapter 10
After the message that Noah left, I quickly hurried about and got my clothes changed and, no sooner did I get them changed, the door bell rang and its Kevin right on time. I greeted Kevin with a handshake and invited him in. I noticed that Kevin was still wearing the same pair of Wranglers that he had on earlier but, not the same shirt, this time he had on a red button down, western style shirt and, I must admit that he looked even hotter in this shirt than the blue one he had on earlier.
Not only did he look hot but, the cologne he was wearing smelt good too. I don't know if it was the Stetson or the Aqua di Gio that he was wearing but, whatever it was it was sure causing all of my cognitive thought to suddenly go right out the door not to mention I had all I could do to keep my hormones under control and, not rip every stitch of clothing off of his handsome body and have my way with him.
Kevin commented on what a nice house I have and I thanked him. Kevin asked about the age of the house. I told him that it was built in 1926 and sits on 3 acres of property. I offered Kevin a tour of the house and he accepted the offer. During the tour, Kevin was really impressed with how big the house is and how much property there is. Kevin commented on how well I did for myself by having such a huge house and all. I asked Kevin's house and he said that it's no where near as nice as what I have but, he did say that his house was built in 2000 has 3 bedrooms, in the ground pool and, it overlooks the mountains.
Kevin offered me a beer, I thanked him for the offer and told him that I have a non-alcoholic beer for me, and then I noticed a disappointed look on Kevin's face after I said that. I told Kevin that I had a bit of a drinking problem at one time but, I can still have a good time even without getting drunk and, yes I still remember the parties and especially getting drunk and passing out at my Grandmother's cottage, that put a smile on Kevin's face. I told Kevin that the pizza will be here in about 30 minutes so; we made our way into the family room to get comfortable. I wasn't really sure how I felt about having Kevin here in my house after all these years, I mean on one hand, I was happy as hell to actually have him here but, on the other hand, I was not so sure about this and, was wondering if this was a good idea or not.
I asked Kevin if there was any change in his dad's condition since earlier today and, Kevin said no, there was none then, Kevin suggested that we not talk about his dad and his family just for the evening and, just talk about anything else but that and, I fully understood his request. We made small talk for a while and talked about the happenings here in Oakdale. I could tell that Kevin wanted to say something but, was having a hard time finding the right words when finally I asked him what was on his mind. Kevin said, since you asked what I would like to talk about, how about we talk about us. I really didn't know why Kevin wanted to talk about us because there never was an "us" before, unless, Kevin is trying to tell me something, and that all could be.
I noticed that Kevin's beer was empty and, my beer was empty as well so, I went to the kitchen to grab us another beer. While I was getting our beers, I noticed that Kevin was glancing out in the sunroom and, saw that the hot tub was on. When I came back into the family room, I asked Kevin if he would like to go into the hot tub for a little while and, to my surprise, he accepted my offer. However, Kevin didn't bring a swimsuit with him so; I told him that I have a swimsuit that he can borrow. We both went to change and, then met up in the sunroom. I forgot just how good looking Kevin is without his shirt on and how really good he looked in the swimsuit he was wearing it was really showing off his package quite well too, I might add and, of course, I was taking notice of that.
Just as quick as I got into the hot tub, the door bell rang and it was pizza delivery guy. Aww…damn, I thought to myself I really wanted to be in the hot tub a little bit longer before the pizza came and, just to get even more of a look at Kevin just to see how much his physique has changed over the years. But, after 2 rings of the door bell, I had to get the door. I told Kevin that the pizza is here and, I'll be right back. I could tell that Kevin must have been starting to check me out after I got out of the hot tub hmm…I wonder what he was thinking. Once I came back, I do believe that he was really starting to check me out too. I think that he must have done some noticing of his own too, perhaps.
I asked Kevin if was starting to relax now that he was in the hot tub and, he said ye, indeed but, there is just one more thing that would really relax me even more and, that is a back rub just like you gave me when we were younger, do you remember that? I had to think about what he was asking me and, then it came to me, the shoulder rub that I gave him and, my dad caught me doing that but, never said anything to me about it. So, I went ahead and gave him a back rub. I don't know if it was doing Kevin much good but, it was starting to make me feel both nervous and, excited because it had been a really long time since I had been in an intimate situation with a man and, I wasn't sure that I was ready.
I only rubbed Kevin's back for a few moments when I suggested that we have pizza now of course, Kevin didn't want to move from the hot tub and who could blame him, after all he was nice and comfortable in the hot tub not to mention getting a back rub just like old times. So, out of the hot tub we went to have pizza then, I asked Kevin what more he wanted to know about me and, to my surprise he wanted to know if I was seeing anybody I told Kevin that I wasn't seeing anybody at the moment and, I asked Kevin if he was seeing anybody at the moment and, he too said no, he wasn't either but, I could tell that Kevin wouldn't mind being in a relationship with me if it were to happen but, if it does happen, I think that I would like to things slow.
Kevin asked if I have ever heard from Noah, I told him that he is coming back to Oakdale this Sumer to teach a film making class at Oakdale U. and, he made mention about quite possibly wanting to get together while he is here. After I told Kevin that, I became slightly disappointed with the fact that Noah will be here. Kevin wondered why I had such a disappointed look on my face and, I told Kevin about some of the problems that Noah and I had which lead up to our break up. I also told Kevin that since Noah went to California, he's been back to Oakdale only a couple of times and, the last time that he was here which was last year, we had a fight which resulted in Noah going back to California earlier than he anticipated. Kevin fully understood why I was disappointed. Right after I told Kevin about Noah, Kevin apologized about what Noah had put me through, Kevin also said that Noah should have had his ass kicked over his shoulders for the shit that he put me though and, I agreed with Kevin on all counts.
A few moments later, I looked right into Kevin's eyes and, told him that I like him and, have liked him for a very long time. I also told him that I really started to like him even more once he came back to Oakdale. I told him that I know we lost contact with each other after he transferred from Oakdale U. to University of Illinois and, even before that we weren't really all that close anymore but, I told him, I am hoping to make up for all that lost time by getting to know each other all over again. I could tell that Kevin was quite impressed by what I had said and, I think that he had his own "confession" that he wanted to make too. Then, Kevin finally said that he likes me as well and, has liked me for a very long time. Ever since he has been back in Oakdale, he had been hoping that he would eventually run into me to maybe rekindle our friendship that we once had.
Kevin said that right after I came out to him, he didn't fully understand what being gay actually meant until he had his first romantic encounter with a guy when he lived in Springfield. Kevin commented that he sort of knew about the gay lifestyle when we were both at Oakdale U. but, that he was afraid to ask me more about it for fear of his friends finding out that he was good friends with a homo because after all, Kevin's reputation of being a jock was on the line. I told Kevin that I thought that since the days of college, we have both done some growing up, I continued on by saying who would ever think that, my once best friend would ever turn out to be gay. Kevin said that he couldn't ever imagine it either. I asked Kevin when he finally came out to his parents and, he told me that he came out to them 2 years ago when he came home for Christmas. I asked how his parents took the news and, Kevin told me that, his mom took it pretty well but, his dad on the other hand, not quite as well received but, he did finally accept it.
While we were eating pizza and sharing stories, Kevin's phone rang. When Kevin heard it, his face turned white from its golden Arizona tan. Kevin ran over to his jeans, pulled out his phone and recognized the number; it was his sister's number. While Kevin was on the phone, all I could hear was "Oh Shit and, I'll be right there". Right after that, I knew that his dad took a turn for the worst. Kevin looked at me and told me what I already knew about his dad and, that he needed to get to the hospital a.s.a.p. I told Kevin that he was in no shape to be driving there and, he agreed with me. Kevin then asked if I would take him to the hospital and, I said that I would take him. We both changed clothes and made a mad dash to the hospital.
While on our way to the hospital, I wanted to hold Kevin's hand to show my support for him then Kevin said that it was okay for me to hold his hand. Then Kevin said in a soft voice, thanks Luke; I really appreciate this more than you will ever know. After Kevin said that, I said to him I want to support you in any way I can and feel close to you. I also told Kevin not to worry about his car that it will be fine at my house. Before we reached the hospital, Kevin thanked me again for having him over for the evening reminiscing and getting reacquainted once again. I told Kevin that I really enjoyed having him over and, that we should do it again soon, Kevin agreed. Once we reached the hospital, I asked Kevin if he wanted me to go up with him Kevin said that he would like that very much. Kevin walked slightly ahead of me and with good reason, and then I noticed that Kevin dropped something from his back pocket of his jeans Kevin realized that his room key from the Lakeview had fallen out of his pocket. We both bent down to pick it up at the same time and, when we both came back up, I really wanted to kiss Kevin right there but, I didn't think that the timing was right. But, as our eyes met, I could tell that Kevin wanted to kiss me too. Kevin had a bit of a blushed look on his face and said that he has to see his dad. I suggested to Kevin that I stay behind and just let him be with his family but, Kevin insisted that I be right there. So, I was with Kevin's family whether I wanted to be there or not.
While I was with Kevin and his family, I was thinking back to when I was going through this sort of thing with Reid and, I had all I could do not to go run and hide but, I knew that wouldn't do me any good because I need to be here for Kevin and his family. Yes, we had lost contact with each other over the years but, maybe this is a way for us to reconnect with each other. I reached an emotional overload at this point that I had to tell Kevin that I needed to let him be with his family and that if he needed anything, I would be in my office. Kevin once again, thanked me for everything and for just being there. I then told him that I would be praying for him and his family and, Kevin thanked me for that.
As I was sitting in my office drinking my tea, I was looking at the last picture of Reid and I that we had taken and, I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to that last vacation we took to Martha's Vineyard that year. Even though, Reid wasn't feeling well enough to travel that far, I felt that it would do us some good to get away for a while. The thought of the trip to Martha's Vineyard really put a smile on my face when I remember telling Reid that it's really too bad that we aren't residents of Massachusetts because they allow same sex marriage and, it would be nice to have our vows renewed. All at once, Reid said to me, well, I do know that we have an Anniversary coming up and, I haven't had a chance to buy you anything and, I also know that you haven't had a chance to buy me anything so, why don't we give a gift to each other by having our vows renewed? I was so surprised by what Reid had suggested so, I made a few phone calls to set up the arrangements and, I found a United Church of Christ pastor who would be more than honored to perform a renewal of vows for us. Even though, the service was simple, it brought back so many memories knowing that on that day, we both looked deep into each others eyes and renewed or love for each other.
While I was still thinking about that day, I heard a knock on my door, I walked over to the door, opened it and there stood Kevin with tears down his face and, I realized what that meant. I didn't ask any questions and, let his emotions speak for themselves.