I guessed Kyle must've been running late or something 'cause he wasn't at the train station in the morning. We normally caught the same train to work. Later that day, I found out from Carol that he and Steph had had an argument on the phone. Oh, well... they could sort out their own domestics.
South Africa
Part 80
Job number two. I was just about to leave home to work at the pizza restaurant when Kyle arrived.
"Hey."
"Hey, Kyle... I'm just about to go to work."
"Yeah, I know. I'm on my way to Steph's. Just had a really shit day, so I wanted to see you."
"What's up? Why shitty?"
"Just downers. I got trashed last night. My dad's pissed at me. My boss is pissed at me. And I found a joint in Wingnut's pocket."
"You scratching around in his pockets now?"
"No, no... it fell out when he took off his shorts before going for a swim."
"You gonna stress about it now?"
"Not really... but he lied about it... kinda got to me."
"That why you got trashed?"
"I got trashed 'cause everyone was out last night, and I was on my ownsome. Went to Corners to play pool... nobody was there. Got into a hassle with the barman 'cause I was giving some dude shit... can't even remember what it was about. Can't even remember what I was drinking. Then Wingnut saw me totally ratfaced when I got home. A fine fucking example I am."
"Drinking on your own is way, no-fucking good, bro."
"It's not too bad. Gave me time to try and think about us."
"Us?"
"You and me."
"Whoa! Check the time, dude. I've gotta move."
"Saved by the bell, huh?"
"Why?"
"You don't want me to get into a heavy convo, obviously."
"I've gotta get to work, Kyle. We can chat some other time."
"When?"
"Whenever. You guys coming into the restaurant tonight?"
"Yep."
"Cool. See ya, buddy."
My job at the pizza restaurant and my job at the yacht company were like chalk and cheese. There I was in my uniform, waiting tables and giving everybody smiles. Then I was shirtless, sanding down yachts in the hot sun, and working my butt off. The yacht company had also given me an opportunity to meet some interesting people, one of whom had made me a pretty awesome proposition.
When Kyle, Steph, and Carol arrived, they ordered pizza. Steph looked happy, so I assumed that she and Kyle had patched things up. After eating, they hung around 'til I'd finished work, then we all walked home together.
"Hey, Mark? Can I hang with you for a little while after we drop the girls off? I just need to chat."
"I'm gonna be with Carol for a while, Kyle. Can we chat tomorrow or later this week?"
"Yeah... sure."
Sometimes I felt like I was being pulled in three different directions. Kyle was pulling one way, Carol another, and shitforbrains another... like some kinda triangle. Things at home weren't good, and they never would be while shitforbrains was living there. It wasn't something I discussed with Kyle or Carol, though. It would only cause more drama, and I had enough fucking drama on my hands as it was.
During my school days, I could work off the stress in the gym, sparring with Kyle. These days, I guessed I was lucky to have the job at the yacht company. All that hard, physical work helped to ease the tension. And I was getting paid for it!
I arrived home from Carol's pretty late... well, early, depending on what you figured 2am was. I was down to my boxers, and getting ready for bed, when I heard a familiar voice at the window.
"Hey, Mark."
"Hey? What are you still doing up?"
"Just come from Steph's. Took a chance you'd be home."
"Just got back from Carol's. So what's up?"
"Nothing," he shrugged. "Just wanted to say goodnight... and I love ya."
"Same. See you on the train in the morning?"
"Yeah... see ya."
"See ya, Kyle. Thanks for stopping by."
"Cool, man. Bye."
Dammit. When that guy had a problem, he could never hide it. His bottom lip looked like it'd been stepped on. "Hey, you OK, Kyle?"
"Not really."
I jumped out the window, and the two of us sat side by side on the grass. "So, what's wrong?"
"I'm not sure. I think about us a lot."
"So what's the prob?"
"I get the downers when I don't see you for a whole day."
"Me, too, Kyle. You're the best friend I've got. But we've both got lives to get on with, huh?"
"I know that. But I worry about what will happen in the future."
"Like what?"
"Us... you going your way, and me going mine, and maybe us losing contact."
"I don't think that'll happen, Kyle. Even if I go to Joburg or somewhere, it'll never happen."
"Why do you say that? Joburg, I mean."
"No particular reason. Just that there's a dude who came down to the yacht yard, and he's offered me a job earning twice what I'm being paid here... working on boat building up there."
"And?"
"And nothing. I told him I'd think about it. My living expenses will be paid for, so it's not like I'd have to pay for accommodation or anything."
By that stage, Kyle was a sniveling wreck. "How's that?"
"Oh, fuck, Kyle. Don't do that! If it wasn't for you and Carol I'd have fuck all to think about, and I'd just pack up and go. It's not that easy."
"But you're thinking about it," he sniffled.
"I have to, Kyle."
"So where will you stay?"
"I could stay with my dad, but that would go sour in days. This dude's got a spare room in his house. He lives alone, but he's out travelling most of the time. Fucking hell, Kyle! Stop that!"
"I can't help it," he sobbed. "I can't fucking stand the idea of you not being here."
"Hey, I'm like ET, Kyle," I said as I pressed a finger to his chest. "I'll be right here."
"I couldn't even handle one day without seeing you, and I got into deep shit. What's gonna happen now?"
"Hey, you'll get yourself into shit anyway... you've never needed help before."
"I love you so damn much."
"And I love you, buddy. That's why I can't just get up and go."
"Yeah... but I don't want you to say that you couldn't do something you wanted just 'cause of me."
"It's not like that. If I need to do something that will take me away, I'll tell you first."
"I don't wanna know about it, though."
"Then I'll have to go without telling you."
"Then I'll have to hunt you down and kill you."
"You?" I laughed, then thought about it. "Yeah... I guess you would."
My laugh seemed to perk Kyle up a bit, and gave him an excuse to put his hand on the inside of my thigh. His fingers gradually worked their way up to my crotch.
"You're cold," he remarked.
"Yeah... the air's nippy."
"Wanna go back to bed?"
"Nah... let's sit out here a while... I can handle it." Then I put my hand on his leg, and gave it a gentle, comforting rub, while his hand found my hardening cock and massaged its length.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking our private thoughts, before it dawned on me that I had a job to go to in the morning. And so did he.
I wrapped my arms around my bud, and pulled him close. "Guess we'd better get some shut-eye, Kyle."
"When I get home, and go to bed, I'm gonna jack, and think about you," he said softly as he returned my hug.
"Don't worry, Kyle. OK? I love ya, buddy. And, hey, I'll probably go to bed now and do the same."
After climbing through the window, and getting into bed, I laid there on my back while stroking my boner, wishing it was Kyle's hand. But I wasn't really in the mood to jack off. I had way too much on my mind.
As I saw it, my number one priority was to get away from shitforbrains. The asshole had been making my life a fucking misery for years. If it hadn't been for Kyle and Carol, it would've been unbearable. The Joburg offer seemed to be the ideal opportunity to get away from the crap at home. But was it ideal? Nope. Not really. Gaining freedom meant losing regular contact with Kyle and Carol. Was that what I wanted? Nope. I loved them both, and I also loved my mom. How the fuck was I gonna solve this problem? It was impossible!
On the train next morning, both Kyle and I were in a good mood, talking about total shit, and laughing our tits off. Our chat the previous night seemed to have lightened the load somewhat... probably gave us both a chance to get certain stuff off our chests. It hadn't solved our problems, but at least our problems had been shared.
All day at work, I was thinking about Kyle, and how much he loved me. Hey, there was no fucking doubt about that. He went to pieces when I mentioned the Joburg offer. And I loved him. No doubt about that either. Our common history was less than two years old, but it was crammed full of meaningful events. It was like twenty years concertinaed into two.
By late afternoon, I'd made up my mind. Kyle and I were gonna spend the night together. I phoned Carol, and she said it was cool 'cause she and Steph would go see a "chick flick" together. Then I phoned Kyle from the yacht club, and told him to meet me at my place. The two of us would go to Wipeout to play some pool.
"What then?"
"We'll think of something."
"I already have."
"You're a fucking disgrace, Kyle."
"Yeah, I know."
While we were playing pool, two other guys formed a pair and asked if we'd like to play teams. Whichever team won would buy the drinks. Sure, no problem. Kyle and I didn't have to buy a drink all night. We totally demolished those guys game after game, and they were getting more and more pissed off with us as they brought more drinks to the table. Kyle's and my laughing and boasting didn't improve their disposition either. I'd make a big deal of every shot, and rile the fuckers as I rubbed it in. All part of my competitive nature.
After we'd gotten back to my place, I shoved some leftover lasagne in the micro. We'd both had quite a bit to drink, but the vibe was totally awesome. Every now and then, I'd poke a finger into Kyle's gut and diss him about something or other.
"Hey," I laughed, "we make an awesome pair, bro. Fucked those guys over good."
"They must think we're hustlers or something."
"You're the hustler," I grinned as I shoved a finger in his gut.
"Hey, if you wanna touch my stomach, just say so and I'll take off my shirt."
"When I see guys take off their shirt, it's normally to do battle."Copyright © 2001 All rights reserved. mrbstories
