Hell Week,  Chapter 6
Rated NC 17

It was Tuesday, the second day of Hell Week, and Brian sat on the sidelines watching Gus in the group of kids who were practicing throwing the ball.  So far, Gus and two other boys seemed to have the best arms in the group.  Gus had a slight advantage over them because he was taller and better able to see over the crowd of kids to spot the wide receiver.  The coaches had not made any decisions yet as to who would be the quarterback, but Brian was pretty sure they would pick Gus.  He seemed to be made for that position.    

Justin sat beside Brian, sketch pad on his lap, filling in the details on a drawing he had started yesterday.  His eyes were focused on the colors and subtle shades he was trying to incorporate into the sketch.  He noticed nothing of the interplay between the kids and the coaches.  He only saw the whole scene through the lens of an artist, not someone who knew the game.  He had never been interested in sports, and other than the encounter he’d had with Chris Hobbs in the equipment room at St. James Academy, he had no real knowledge of football.   

Brian on the other hand knew the game well.  He knew what to watch for and was able to judge the teaching and evaluate the players.  He had spoken to a few of the coaches after practice, interested in hearing what they had to say about Gus.  So far there had been many compliments about Gus’ arm, his stamina and intensity on the field, and his ability to multi-task which was an important quality in a quarterback.  

Brian’s antennae were also picking up a not-too-subtle message of condescension towards him, because he was gay, and therefore in the coach’s opinion, unable to understand the sport.  Brian was used to this kind of message from the straight world; he just never expected to find it here in Canada.  He’d heard for years how Canada was so Gay friendly and what a big difference it was living here, but he was picking up the familiar signals that straight people gave off everywhere.  The signals that said if you were gay, you couldn’t know much about sports.  Because, if you were gay, all you thought about was your Netherworld where fucking and primping were the primary concerns.

It was ridiculous, really, that many people equated being gay with being mentally disabled in some way.  It was always interesting to Brian when this happened, especially in the business world.  Some of his happiest memories involved seeing the look of surprise on the faces of his business rivals who were stunned into silence when they realized that the ‘gay’ advertising exec was ten times smarter and more talented, and made off with every account he sought.  <i>There are only two kinds of straight people; the ones who hate you to your face, and the ones who hate you behind your back.</i> This had always been Brian’s opinion and had not varied much through the years.   

But what concerned him right now was that his presence might negatively affect anyone’s opinion of Gus.  He knew that people were talking about him and Justin.  After that first kiss on day one of practice, they had become the couple to watch.  It was hard not to notice them.  

They were both very attractive, beautiful some might say.  Brian knew he was aging remarkably well; he could easily pass for someone in his mid-thirties, despite being almost forty-four years old.  He was still slim and all the years of going to the gym with the guys showed in his build.  There was not one ounce of fat on him, and even from a distance, you could see the cut of muscle distinctly outlined across his back and arms.  Justin, of course, was in his prime, still looking years younger than his actual thirty-two.  They both had full heads of hair, Justin’s blond and worn long, the way Brian liked it.  The rays of the sun bounced off the blondness, making him shine and seem almost ethereal at certain angles.  Brian’s shock of dark hair was thick and healthy, made for running your fingers through, which Justin did constantly.  No matter where they went, people stared; women, as well as men.  They couldn’t help it.  Now, with Gus added to the mix, they were without a doubt, three very attractive people that drew attention wherever they went.    

Most of this attention was positive, but there were a few that looked at them as if they were insects under a microscope.  Rosedale was a primarily straight neighborhood, and Brian was sensing a lot of speculation as to what he and Justin were really like, and whether they would fit in.  He was used to this, he’d been dealing with it all his life and it didn’t bother him in the least bit.  What he wanted to prevent, though, was anyone talking about Gus or changing their opinion of him because his fathers were gay and visible for the first time.  This was something that he worried about and he was constantly looking for signs that it could possibly be happening.  

Gus had not mentioned anything to either Justin or himself, but he was such an innocent in many ways, trusting and seeing the good in people all the time, he wouldn’t be able to see anything like that unless it was shoved in his face.  So far, he hadn’t mentioned anything about anyone being weird or saying anything insulting to him.  Nonetheless, Brian kept his eyes open and watchful for anything untoward.  He supposed he was just being paranoid and a little too protective, but right now, he felt this was his job.    

They had received numerous invitations to attend gatherings after practice.  Impromptu pizza parties or barbeques were regular occurrences and all three of them were always asked to come along.  Many of the fathers liked to get together to rehash things they had seen at practice and speculate about who would be playing in what position.  A few mothers seemed very interested in their kid’s future positions as well, and Brian had noticed several of them walking up to the coaches on the sidelines asking questions.  One lady in particular seemed a bit too interested, in Brian’s opinion, constantly interrupting while the Coach was talking and generally being a pest.  He wasn’t sure who her son was but he was pretty sure they would find out soon enough.  

So far he and Justin had not attended any of the after practice gatherings, preferring to watch and wait before making any commitments.  The only thing they had promised to do at this point was help with the upcoming programs, and chaperone for the Saturday night dance. Even that was more than he had bargained for. 

Midway through the practice the kids were given a ‘water break’ and Gus came over to have a few sips of the Gatorade that they had packed for him.  

“Hey Gus,” Justin said, looking up from his drawing, “how’s it going?”

“Good.  I really like the quarterback position.”  He took a swig of the Gatorade and shook his head to knock some of the sweat off.  Justin handed Gus a face towel so he could dry off.

“You think they’ll pick me to play that spot Dad?”

“If they have any brains they will,” Brian replied. 

“I don’t know,” Gus answered.  “I’ve never done this before.  Maybe they’ll go with someone who played quarterback on the Pee Wee level.”

“That’s possible,” Brian replied.  “But I think at this point most of you are on the same level playing field and they’ll go with the kid who has the most potential.  Which would be you,” he said looking at his son.  

“That would be awesome,” Gus replied, with a grin on his face.

As they sat, several cheerleaders started coming their way, also on their breaks, and therefore able to mingle with the players without serious reprimands from the coaches.

“Oh boy,” Brian said.  “Here come the Squeelies.”

“Brian,” Justin said, “why do you keep calling them that?”

“I’ve always called them that, Sunshine.  Because, that’s all they do when they’re in a group.  They get together and squeal, always drove me crazy when I was in school.  Watch and see for yourself,” he said.

Gus moved away from Brian and Justin when the girls came up to him. Sure enough, the three of them started speaking in really high voices, giggling and flirting, making nonsensical small talk and generally checking Gus out.

“Christ,” Justin said in a low voice, so that only Brian could hear,   “They’re cruising him, as if this were the back room at Babylon. Look at that one girl, Brian, the blonde.  She’s all over him, like a fucking pole dancer.”

“Settle down, Sunshine, they’re just checking out the merchandise.”  

“But they’re only fourteen and fifteen!  Watching this is giving me hives,” Justin said.

“Yeah, well get used to it.  Gus is a good looking boy.  Remember what I was doing when I was fifteen?  This is only the beginning,” Brian said, smiling to himself.  

“He’s not you Brian.  Does he even know how to be safe?” Justin asked.

“Huh?”

“Brian,” Justin said, shocked, “I can’t believe you’re looking at me like that!  You mean to tell me you haven’t had a talk with him yet about safe sex?”

“I’m sure Mel or Linds have already done that,” Brian replied defensively.

“I doubt it,” Justin answered.  “Besides, what would they know about condoms and dicks anyhow?  They haven’t seen a real live one in years.”

“Alright, already, shut the fuck up!  I’ll talk to him in the next few days.  Christ, Sunshine, you are such a drama queen.”

“I may be queening, but if you don’t get on this, Brian, you’re going to be a grandfather way too young!  I thought that you took care of this a long time ago.  You, of all people!  I’ve never known anyone more neurotic than you are about condoms; you still make us wear the damn things even though we’ve been monogamous for years.”

“Yeah, well better safe than sorry, I’ve always said.”

He looked over at Justin, smiled and said, “Maybe we’ll have a condom burning party one of these days, Sunshine, and forego them all together.  On the other hand, I don’t think you can burn rubber, can you?”

“No,” Justin replied, trying not to laugh, “With the amount of stock we have, we’d just upset the ozone layer and create an environmental disaster.”

“Maybe I’ll just have it all shipped here so Gus will have a lifetime supply!”

Laughing out loud, Justin took his sketch pad and playfully whacked Brian’s leg.

“Don’t make promises you know you won’t keep, Brian.  And stop looking at me like that; it’s making me hard and we can’t do a thing about it.”  

“If you care to take a little walk with me, I would be happy to relieve you of the problem,” Brian said in his most seductive voice.

Justin groaned and looked the other way.  “Stop it Brian, or I’ll embarrass myself.”

Brian laughed and pulled Justin over and kissed him full on the mouth.

Just then the whistle blew and the kids went back to their respective groups to continue with the practice.  The coach had Gus throwing balls to several boys who were trying out for the wide receiver position.  One of them was Austin, Gus’ best friend, a pretty decent runner and catcher from what Brian observed.  It would be nice if they both got the spots they were trying out for.  They would be a good team, important in their own way and not having to out-do each other.  

Brian’s thoughts were interrupted by Lisa Ryan, who walked up to them with her ever-present team book in hand.

“Hey, guys, how’s it going?”

“Good,” Justin answered.  “What’s up?”

“We’re having a get together tomorrow night at the Gentry home.  We’d love it if you three would come?”

Justin looked at Brian and saw him nod.  “That will be great, Lisa.  Is there anything you’d like us to bring?”

“Bring any cut of meat that you’d like to barbeque, enough for the three of you.  We have other families bringing the drinks and all the other stuff.  Also, if you’d like to bring a side dish, a salad or casserole, that would be great.”

“Okay,” Justin answered.

“See you tomorrow,” Lisa replied perkily, turning to make her way down the line to the next parent group.

“Are you sure about that, Brian?  I thought you wanted to stay away from parties at this point.”

“Yeah, I know what I said.  I’m re-thinking that.  I don’t want them to think we’re anti-social, even though I’m sure we’ll be bored out of our minds.”

“I’m sure Gus will be happy we’re going,” Justin replied.

“I know, Sunshine.  Why do you think I said, yes?  I’ll just have a few beers when I get there.  I know we won’t fit in, but hopefully I’ll have enough of a buzz on me that I won’t care.” 

When practice was finally over, they made their way out to the car.  They decided to stop at a Thai restaurant on the way home so they wouldn’t have to cook.  Even though Justin enjoyed cooking, Brian didn’t expect him to do it every day, and all three of them loved Thai, so tonight would be a ‘take out’ night.  It had been an interesting two days and only promised to get more so.  Brian had hired a cleaning lady to come in every day, because he couldn’t be bothered with any of that and he didn’t want Justin to either.  The house was finally getting to the point where he was comfortable and the last thing he wanted to do was clean house.  He had never done it before and wasn’t about to start now.  

As they walked through the door they heard the house phone ringing.  Gus grabbed it before anyone else could and spoke into the phone.

“Hello.”

Brian and Justin watched as Gus’ face turned red and he said, “Hi, Ashley.”

Justin looked at Brian and said softly, “Here we go, ready or not.”  

TBC