Rough Boys Ch. 13

"I thought I'd see if I could help Bill recoup his loss on these."

Abe looked at him quizzically.

"I'm going to turn these all into loaves of banana bread."

"Really? That's a nice idea—a lot of work though. Are you sure?"

"I'll make as many loaves as I can. It's the least I can do for disappointing Bill. I'll need a bunch of ingredients though."

"I'll be happy to go to the store for you. I was going to go this evening anyway to shop for your party."

"I've decided to make lasagna for the party—is that okay?"

"That sounds great."

"I made a list this morning. Let me add the baking ingredients to it. Do you have any bread pans?"

Six hours later, Ty, covered head to toe with flour, observed the fruits of his labors.

Sixteen perfect loaves of banana bread were arrayed along the counter in various stages of cooling. One loaf lay on the cutting board, half demolished. It was delicious. Ty was exhausted, but Abe was proud of him, and he was happy.

****

Ty had fallen into the habit of waking up when Abe did, which meant early. The morning of his party he woke up instantly excited. He chatted animatedly with Abe during breakfast, nailing down details.

He was planning to put the lasagna together and then deliver the banana bread to Bill. His sister was due to arrive at the bus station at four ten, so he would pick her up on the way back from Bill's. Once home he would put the lasagna in the oven and make the salad and garlic bread. They had told everyone to come over around six.

Ty's enthusiasm was catching—or maybe Abe was excited on his own. The big man was all smiles. Ty couldn't help but stare at him and wonder if this perfect specimen of man would ever be interested in someone like him.

"I'll call you on my break, Ty. Have a great morning," Abe said as he headed for the door.

Abe had been calling Ty on all his breaks, just to chat for a few minutes. At first this bothered Ty; he knew Abe didn't trust him. But after a few days it just seemed that Abe liked talking to him. He always looked forward to Abe's calls too.

After Abe left, Ty went in search of the laptop; he had found a good lasagna recipe online. The laptop was not next to the couch where Abe usually kept it, but he located it shortly in Abe's bedroom next to the bed.

Ty sat down on the bed and opened up the machine. Abe was a trusting sort and didn't password-protect his login. It automatically opened up to where Abe had left it last, and Ty's eyes widened in shock.

"Holy shit!" he said aloud.

He stared at the full-screen image before him. A large, muscular black man was feeding his huge cock into the ass of a small, thin blond man. The photo was taken from the side and slightly behind the bigger man, showing off his sculpted back and shoulders and his perfect round ass, but still at an angle where you could see his massive cock. The white boy was kneeling on a chair with his legs spread wide, his face in profile. He looked so much smaller than the black man that Ty couldn't help but examine the photo carefully to make sure it was real. It was. And the blond didn't look like he was in pain—he looked like he was in bliss.

Ty suddenly realized that he was painfully hard.

As he was kicking his lounge pants off, he noticed a hand towel on the floor. He picked it up and smelled it. It smelled like sex and Abe. Ty moaned, overcome with lust. He lay back on the bed, laptop forgotten as he jacked himself fast and furiously. He'd let the towel drop near his head and he turned his face and took a whiff. The musky scent of Abe pushed him over the edge and long ropes of white cum painted his chest and stomach as a strangled cry came out of his throat.

Fuck!

He cleaned himself off with the towel and then leaned against the headboard, pulling the computer back onto his lap. He stared at the photo a few minutes longer and then clicked backward. It turned out there was a whole series of still photographs of the same pair together. Ty started at the beginning, where they were both fully clothed and the blond was straddling the black's lap while their tongues battled.

Wow!

The photos were professional and artistic. Both the black man and the young blond were very attractive. Ty couldn't help making a comparison between the black in the photos and Abe. Ty decided Abe was bigger and in even better shape than the man in the photos.

By the time he got back to the photo of the black man sliding his cock into the blond, Ty was panting and shaking as he pulled himself off yet again.

He lay quietly calming down from his second orgasm. What is it about living with Abe that is making me insatiable?

Abe had obviously been using the Internet for stroke-off material. The idea of Abe lying in this same bed getting himself off almost had Ty trying again. Instead he pulled the laptop back onto his lap and finished looking at the series of photos, this time with more detachment.

Ty hadn't given much thought to anal sex before. He had been in denial about his sexuality for so long, that when he fantasized about sex, it usually involved some anonymous person sucking him off—never anal sex.

Thinking about anal sex immediately brought to mind the rape. He'd tried hard to bury that experience. I need to bring that up with Stephanie, he thought. He shuddered as he remembered the extreme pain. He examined the expression on the blond's face again, flipping through several of the pictures.

Not pain, he decided.

Still he could not imagine trying it. He wondered if he would ever get used to the idea and if it would be possible to have a real relationship with a man that didn't involve any anal sex. Just the thought of someone forcing his penis into his ass had him trembling with fear. Still ... the photos were intriguing and the blond looked like he was enjoying himself very much. Impossible!

He pushed these thoughts aside and focused instead on the business of the day. He dropped the towel back on the floor from where he had picked it up as he headed for the shower.

Making two pans of lasagna and wrapping sixteen loaves of banana bread in plastic took up most of the rest of his morning. After lunch he cleaned the apartment. It wasn't too messy, but he spent some time in the bathroom and picked up in Abe's bedroom—including the hand towel.

At two o'clock he piled the loaves of banana bread back into the crate and called Abe to let him know he was leaving.

Carrying the crate full of banana bread was almost as tiring as carrying the crate full of bananas had been. And the afternoon was sweltering. By the time he made it to Bill's shop he was covered with a sheen of sweat. His exertion and discomfort helped to keep his mind off the upcoming conflict with the shop owner.

As it turned out, Bill wasn't mad.

Bill had felt terribly guilty about Ty. Over and over he had chastised himself for not helping the boy more. I should have let him stay in the shop—it wouldn't have been nothin' to set up a cot for the kid in the backroom. Hell, I could have taken him home with me. Sheila would have loved him. Instead I left him to fend for himself alone on the streets. Is it any wonder he was turned on to drugs?

But his natural mistrust had dictated his behavior. He had been afraid to trust Ty enough to help him. He was sure that he hadn't been doing drugs when he first started working for him. He was convinced that his own cold attitude had contributed to Ty's drug use, and guilt had been tearing him up inside.

When Tika told him that Ty had come by and that he seemed to be doing better, Bill was immensely relieved. He even had a smile for Ty when the youth walked in the door.

When he saw that Ty had made banana bread for him to sell, he was delighted.

"You're clean now?" he queried, looking Ty up and down. He looked good—healthier than Bill had ever seen him.

"Yes sir," Ty replied, proudly showing Bill his arms.

****

Abe was nervous. What was I thinking? Ty's sister. My sister. Ty isn't even out yet. Hell, he's not even admitting to himself he's gay. His sister is probably just as brainwashed against gay as Ty was. This could be a disaster.

He finished taping up the last streamer and stood back to look at the results of his effort. It looked good. Red, blue and yellow streamers crisscrossed the room, punctuated by matching balloons. A Happy Birthday banner hung over the kitchen counter. It looked like a party.

He took a deep breath and blew it out. He wished he for a beer.

Glancing at his watch he realized that Ty should be back anytime with Jeanie in tow. He set out paper plates and napkins. He was just finishing picking up the garbage from his decorating spree when he heard someone at the front door.

He swung it wide to find Ty just ready to put his key in the lock. He and Jeanie were laughing about something. A huge smile burst across Abe's face. It's so great to hear Ty laugh.

"Wow, Abe!" Ty entered the room and looked around. "This looks great! Thank you!"

Jeanie beamed up at him. "Hi Abe."

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good! Ty got a job!"

Abe whirled to look at Ty. "You got your old job back?"

"No, not exactly. Bill's already hired someone to replace me for stocking the shelves, but he still needs help with his computer. It's only a few hours a week, but he's going to pay me twelve dollars an hour."

"That's wonderful, Ty! Congratulations!"

Ty was feeling really good—a little nervous about the party but, overall, exuberant. He ran to take a quick shower.

He had finished getting dressed and had just gotten started on the salad when someone knocked. Jeanie joined him in the kitchen while Abe answered the door.

"Abe!" Kate set a large bag down on the floor, swung herself into his strong arms, and planted a big kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, Katy, how are ya?" Abe was all smiles.

"I'm doin' great! The cake needs to go into the freezer." She picked up the bag she'd deposited on the floor. "There's Ty! Happy Birthday!" She waltzed into the kitchen, giving him a one-armed hug as she carefully held the bag in her other arm.

Ty hugged her back tentatively. Kate seemed to fill the room with her presence. He wasn't sure he'd ever met anyone so ... exuberant—except for maybe Tommy. And Kaeden was close. Ooh boy! In a little while this party is going to be rockin' even though we only invited five people.

Kate pulled a large sheet cake out of the bag and, one-handed, started shuffling things around in the freezer.

"Here, let me," Abe stepped up behind her to make room in the freezer. The kitchen was suddenly very crowded. He took the cake from her and found a spot for it.

"That's perfect—thanks Katy!" Abe said, noting that the chocolate ice-cream cake was emblazoned with "Fabtabulous 18^th Birthday Ty!"

"What do I owe you?"

"Nothing. It's my birthday present for Ty. I didn't know what else to get him, so I'm buying the cake." That, and it cost a fortune I know you can't really afford, she added to herself. "Happy Birthday, Ty!" she said again, grinning at him.

"Uh ... thanks!" Ty smiled at her. "Kate, this is my sister, Jeanie."

"Hello, sister Jeanie!" Kate gave her a big hug.

"Uh ... hi."

Jeanie blushed shyly and Abe smirked. His sister blushes as much as he does.

"Let's get out of their hair and let them cook," Abe said, leading Kate out to the couch. He sat down with her.

"So, he's really eighteen?" she asked quietly.

"He is now," Abe replied. He could hear Ty and his sister carrying on an animated conversation in the kitchen. As long as they kept their voices down, he and Kate wouldn't be overheard.

"He looks ... a little different than before."

Abe clenched his jaw, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Yes, he's grown up some."

"He does look a little older—I guess kids that age change quickly. He's also skinnier."

Abe swallowed his irritation, but couldn't help but reply defensively, "He's been living on the street. He wasn't eating regularly."

"How are you doing, Abe?" She peered at him closely.

How am I doing? He posed the question to himself first, knowing that his sister would not be satisfied with anything less than the truth.

Finding Ty was simultaneously the best and worst experience in my entire life.

I can't say that!

"I'm ... I'm good."

She looked at him skeptically.

"It hasn't been easy. But ... it's getting better. I'm really happy I found him, Kate."

Just then Ty and his sister both burst out laughing about something.

"He's happier," Kate observed. "And his sister couldn't be cuter. They seem pretty close."

"Yeah, I think so." Abe agreed with all of the above.

A rap sounded on the door and Ty beat Abe to answering it. Tommy, Kaeden and Dani all poured in. Even though there was plenty of room in the apartment it suddenly seemed crowded. Hugs, introductions and smiles filled the room.

"Yeow!" Tommy cried, his voice high-pitched, "Look at you!" He circled around Abe, letting his fingers drift along Abe's torso, touching his chest and then running them across his broad back and finally coming to rest on his chest again.

"You are one fi-i-ne piece of man flesh! I could just eat you up!"

Abe grinned at Tommy, then cut his eyes over to Ty, worried that he would be upset that the femme was being so flamboyant in front of his sister. Ty did look upset, but for a different reason. He looked at the hand that Tommy still rested on Abe's chest and shot Tommy a look that could have struck him dead if he'd noticed it.

Abe smirked, but stepped back half a step. "I'm not on the menu today."

"What a shame!" Tommy made a noise in the back of his throat that was half appreciation, half protest for being denied. "You look absolutely delicious." He could not stop himself from reaching out to feel Abe's bicep. "Muscles to die for!"

"Ahem! Abe, can you help me in the kitchen for a sec?" Ty's voice sounded slightly strained.

Abe suppressed his shit-eating grin. "Sure, Ty."

As he joined Ty behind the counter, he glanced quickly at both Kate and Jeanie. Kate was trying hard not to burst out laughing. Jeanie's eyes were as big as saucers as they roved back and forth between Tommy and Kaeden.

Tommy and Kaeden were their usual femme selves.

Tommy was wearing hot-pink polyester hip-huggers with a gold chain belt. The ensemble looked like it came right out of the sixties. His button-down shirt was made from a very shiny, pale pink material and was so tight Abe didn't think he could get it completely buttoned—which may or may not have been the reason it was open almost to his navel. As usual, he was also wearing several gold chains, huge hoop earrings which complemented his 'fro, and kohl around his eyes.

Kaeden was glammed up with purple eye shadow and eyeliner, long false lashes, and shiny berry lips. His clothes were simple today—tight white skinny jeans and a purple sequined tank top—but his purple strappy sandals had six-inch heels.

"What do you need?" Abe asked Ty, wondering if he really wanted help in the kitchen or if it was just a ruse to pull him away from Tommy.

"Can you make sure everyone gets a drink, please?" Ty smiled at him sweetly.

Abe's heart melted. "Of course."

The evening progressed merrily. There was never a lull in the conversation and there was plenty of laughter all around. There were, however, a few awkward moments.

While they were all sitting in the living area, plates on their laps, enjoying their salad and lasagna, Dani brought up a dangerous subject.

"You all remember Sean's friend Tim?"

Kaeden murmured his assent while Ty froze for a fraction of a second. Even his heart seemed to stop beating.

Dani paused, observing Ty.

Ty was sure he looked like a deer in the headlights. He mentally shook himself and tried to pull it together. He managed to refrain from glancing at Abe. Dani can't possibly know what happened—but he'll figure it out if I don't chill.

"Uh, yeah. I remember him." Only too well, the fucking bastard.

Dani was looking at him curiously, but he continued. "He and a friend of his were jumped in an alley last week. They got the shit beat out of them."

"Oh, that's awful!" Tommy cried.

Ty fought very hard to sound casually concerned. "Are they okay?"

"His friend is fine—just got his arm broken. Tim is still in serious condition. He's not going to die, but they're not sure if he'll ever walk again."

At this statement, Ty couldn't help but glance at Abe. His face looked drawn and maybe just a little greenish.

"Oh, poor Tim!" Kaeden exclaimed.

Ty saw Abe's expression harden.

Ty swallowed. "Wow! That's ... uh ... rough."

"They're transferring him to a sanitarium for intensive physical therapy. It looks like it's going to be a long time before he fully recovers—if he ever does."

"Oh my god! I hope he's doing okay," Kaeden said.

Ty was almost afraid to ask the next question. "Do they have any idea who beat them up—or why?"

"No. The bastards got away clean. It's unbelievable that someone would do something like that for no reason."

Ty was having a hard time wasting sympathy on Tim. "There was probably a reason. Tim was into some pretty heavy shit. Likely it was a drug deal gone bad. Sooner or later something like that is bound to happen if you run with those sorts of people."

"Tim is claiming it was random violence. The police are still investigating," Dani said.

"Tim's not going to fess up to the police that it was drug-related." It was drug-related. If it hadn't been for the drugs, none of that nightmare would have happened.

"Maybe," Dani conceded.

"Hey anyone need something else to drink?" Abe asked, standing up and picking up a few empty plates that were sitting on the coffee table.

There were a few requests. Gathering more empties, Ty followed Abe into the kitchen.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, laying a hand on the big man's arm.

"Yeah, you?"

"I'm fine. You're not feeling the need to turn yourself in are you?"

"Fuck no!" Abe tossed his head and growled low in his throat. "He took something from you. I took something from him. We're even ... or at least as even as anyone gets with this sort of thing."

"Good!" Ty met Abe's eye and the look that passed between them was intense.

"Hey!" Jeanie interrupted coming up to the counter. "Is it present time yet? I can't wait for you to open mine!"

"What'd you get me, sis?" Ty grinned.

"You'll have to open it, silly!" She went to her overnight bag that she'd left in a corner of the living area and pulled out a brightly wrapped, lumpy package. She set it on the end of the counter next to a few other gifts.

Everyone else drifted in from the living area to perch on a kitchen stool or stand around and watch Ty open his gifts. He opened the one from Jeanie first.

"Pepe!" he exclaimed pulling a furry, pale-yellow stuffed dog out of the wrapping. "God, I haven't seen him in years! Wherever did you find him?"

"He was in mom's sewing basket. I fixed him for you."

"So you did," Ty said, turning the stuffed animal over in his hands. The dog had been his constant companion when he was little. He was a little worse for the wear and Ty remembered that he'd lost both eyes and one of his ears and his stuffing was starting to come out on one leg. Now he had handsome black button eyes. His ear had been sewn back on, his leg had been repaired, and he looked like he was freshly washed.

"He was my favorite stuffed animal from when I was little," he explained to the small gathering. "My dad took him away from me when I was about six. He said I was too old for stuffed animals."