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Class Reunion Ch. 01

By: Ken Nitsua



Revised version copyright 2006 by the author.

Author's note: this is the fourth of the "Steelman Tales," but not, strictly speaking, a sequel to the previous three, though Jon Evans and Kevin Kuehlwasser play important roles in the story. It stands on its own without the others; those who have read the earlier tales may enjoy finding out a bit more about Kevin in particular. Best, KN

PROLOGUE

He had been wrong about what he would feel when he stepped back onto the campus of his alma mater. Steelman College was a place where Lucas Boatright had mostly been unhappy. He hadn't fully realized this until he had left the place well behind him, and his real life and career had begun.

At forty-one years of age, by most standards, Lucas was a success--not a man of extraordinary physical beauty, but fit and attractive; not fantastically rich, but comfortably off; not world-famous, but well-known in certain circles for his regular writing appearances in a national publication. Yet he had never shaken off the sense that there was unfinished business in his life.

He was returning to Steelman for his twenty-year class reunion to try and come to terms with events that had almost destroyed him. He had wondered about the wisdom of such a venture. Perhaps it was better to leave old wounds alone. On the other hand, he had a few years back weathered the loss of a beloved partner to the prolonged and painful illness that had taken so many of them, and that still cast its long shadow. Having survived that, the prospect of revisiting his college haunts, and the ghosts that inhabited them, no longer seemed so daunting. When the literature had begun arriving about Steelman's Homecoming celebrations, this time he had responded, and now here he was.

He had worried that returning would depress him, but to his surprise his spirits lifted as he walked on the academic mall on that sunny Friday afternoon in late October. The campus had changed in appearance. Many new buildings were up, bright and majestic, all white limestone, glass and steel. Lucas was especially impressed at the sight of the new Student Union building. The old Union, now torn down, had been the place where he had spent many hours as a reporter for the school paper, the Steelman Banner. The Banner. Lucas chuckled as the memories came back. How he had sweated blood in service to that rag, how seriously they all had taken their journalistic mission. He didn't suppose he would see Josephine Scott, his senior-year editor, this weekend, since she had not been a member of the same graduating class. He would love to know what she was doing now. As much as he had wanted to throttle her sometimes, she had, after all, unintentionally been responsible for bringing him and Will DuBarry together.

Then again, had he known how that was going to turn out, he might have done the evil deed then and there.

PART ONE

"What do you mean, I have to interview the swimmer?" Lucas complained. "I'm not the sports reporter around here. Where's Brant anyway?"

"Lucas," Josephine explained, with exaggerated patience. "You know as well as I do that Brant is about to flunk out. He has taken a leave of absence from the Banner until he can get his academic shit together. That leaves you as our best reporter, and best writer. Ergo, you interview Will DuBarry."

They were in the office of the Steelman College campus newspaper, a cramped, uncomfortable set of cubicles in a room just off the first-floor atrium of the Student Union building. Lucas sighed. Josephine—never Jo or Josie—could be, and frequently was, maddening--where did she get off using words like "ergo," anyway?--but he knew she was right. Their staff this year was pathetic, and there was no one else who could do the interview. Josephine had run for and been elected editor though she was only a sophomore--none of the upperclassmen vying for the chair last spring had been remotely qualified. Lucas had not run, though by virtue of his three continuous years on the staff he was virtually entitled to the editorship. He couldn't face the long hours, the deadlines, the responsibility, all of which she had shouldered. So it was poetic justice that he, senior reporter, now had to take orders from an underclassman.

"Anyway," Josephine was saying, "It really is a story, you know. Steelman has never been in the running for a Southern Athletic Conference title in swimming until this year. And it's all due to DuBarry transferring here last year and single-handedly re-energizing the team. Besides, Boatright," she added, her patronizing tone returning, "it'll do you good to have to interview a jock. You're such an intellectual snob, you think they all talk in monosyllables."

Lucas thought about giving her the finger, but stopped himself. He knew that Josephine was as hard on herself as she was on others. It was her one saving grace. She also had a disconcerting habit of halfway perceiving truths about him he would rather not have admitted. The thought of being face to face with Will DuBarry did make Lucas uneasy, though not because he was arrogant about his mental abilities. The truth was, he had no idea how he was going to remain coherent, let alone coolly objective, around someone whose physical being took his breath away.

Lucas had realized in high school that he was gay. He had heard of the shattering trauma such self-discovery could involve, the depression, the suicide attempts. His own moment of truth, in contrast, had been arrived at with a mental shrug. Already shunned and scorned for his "geekiness" and "weirdness," tagged with the dreaded label of "nerd," he remembered exactly what he had thought at the time: oh well, one more thing they'll hate me for.

At Steelman, there was no immediate danger of anyone discovering and condemning the social preferences of Lucas Boatright, since he had no social life. He filled his time with his studies, working at the Banner and, quietly and inconspicuously, working out. One good thing about going to college here was that physical education was a requirement, so the classes were filled with students as uncoordinated and awkward as he felt himself to be. He had always liked the water, though he had never been fast enough to qualify for any team. Swim conditioning and Lucas, therefore, were made for each other, and he happily put in his required miles per week, giving himself yet another reason not to talk to other people.

After three years of this diligent training, Lucas, though he did not know it, cut an attractive figure at the pool, goggles temporarily replacing his heavy, awkward eyeglasses, his slim, toned body clad only in a brief Speedo. His dark hair, luxuriant on his head and sparse on his chest, contrasted effectively with his very fair skin. He never thought of himself as anything but ugly, however, and was lost in admiration of those he considered far more attractive. For Lucas, the ultimate treat was a glimpse of the elite users of the natatorium--the Steelman men's swim team.

He had gone one morning to the pool at eight o'clock to swim laps. During the competitive season the team held early morning workouts, and would finish at that time. It must have been on a Tuesday or Thursday, since he didn't have classes on those days that semester. Lucas often slipped into the pool area a few minutes early to watch the last few minutes of practice, admiring the grace and speed of the swimmers, so different from his own dogged stroking. He was mesmerized by the broad-shouldered, slim-hipped, muscular male bodies that paraded before him in dizzying array. When they got wet, the dark blue Speedos the team members wore clung to their buttocks and emphasized the cracks of their asses. In front they left equally little to the imagination, revealing rather than concealing what was underneath. Lucas frequently had to wait a few moments after the signal had been given for lap swimmers to enter the pool, until his erection diminished enough that he could stand without embarrassment.

Although the pool had been cleared on this particular morning as Lucas entered, one swimmer continued to move up and down one of the center lanes, freestyling smoothly. Not knowing quite what was going on, Lucas claimed a lane next to the one occupied by the lone team member and sat with his legs in the pool. After a minute or two the straggler stopped swimming. His head emerged from the water and he propped himself at the edge on folded arms, breathing hard. After a minute, he pulled off his goggles, and Lucas found himself looking into a pair of brilliant blue eyes.

"Hey," the stranger said.

Lucas felt shyness envelop him. No one on an athletic team had ever taken any notice of him in his life. He forced himself to nod. The other boy now removed his latex cap. Blond hair emerged, clipped very short and darkened by the water. Lucas searched desperately for something else to say.

"Good workout?" he managed, groaning inwardly at the stupidity of the remark.

Amazingly, the swimmer smiled. "Yeah, not bad," he replied. He hoisted himself out of the water with long sinewy arms, turned and sat at the pool edge next to Luke, still breathing hard. Lucas couldn't believe his good fortune. Not only was he sitting next to a tall, handsome, and, he couldn't help noticing, nearly naked athlete, this Greek god inexplicably seemed to think it was worth his while to converse with him.

The stranger sat a few moments longer, then he stood up. "Well, better hit the shower. Have a good swim, buddy."

Lucas raised a hand wordlessly, then stared unabashedly at the V-shape of the swimmer's retreating form, the long graceful legs, the glutes working in the tight trunks. He suddenly realized that lap swimmers were splashing in every lane except the one he was claiming, and pushed down his goggles and slipped into the water. He felt it begin to cool his burning cheeks and shrink the uncomfortable fullness in his swimsuit.

That was his first meeting with Will DuBarry, whose name he didn't find out until later. Lucas replayed the encounter in his mind repeatedly for days afterward. The swimmer belonged to one of the Steelman fraternities and wasn't enrolled in any of his classes, so Lucas had to content himself with occasional glimpses, either at the pool, or at a distance on campus. It had been sheer luck that he taken a few extra laps that day. Lucas hoped they would meet in that fashion again, but the fates were against him. Either he would get to the pool a little late and the team would either be already gone, or, if he arrived early, the swimmer he sought would finish on time, and leave among a crowd of his teammates, talking loudly and horsing around.

One day near the end of the semester Lucas went to the pool for an afternoon swim. When he entered the men's locker room, he heard the shower going. He stripped and pulled on his trunks, got his goggles and banged his locker shut, and headed toward the lavatory to take a leak before getting in. The shower stalls adjoined the washroom area, and as he stood at the urinal the sound of rushing water stopped. Lucas couldn't help turning slightly to see who emerged.

His heart leaped as he saw that it was the swimmer he had met, holding a towel and a bottle of shampoo, gloriously naked. Lucas' eyes swiftly took in the chiseled pectoral muscles and the perfectly formed ridges on the swimmer's stomach. Lower down he caught a glimpse of dark blond pubes, round tight balls, and a long ropy cock that dangled entrancingly between his legs. He was rubbing his short hair dry. As he wiped his ears he looked up and saw Lucas. "Hey, it's my swimmer bud," he said, smiling. "What's up, guy?"

Lucas hastily stuffed himself back in, though he hadn't started peeing. He was blushing furiously at having been caught checking another man's body out, but the object of his lust appeared not to notice. His friendliness was unforced, relaxed.

"I see you around here all the time, don't I? Why aren't you on the team?"

Despite himself, Lucas smiled at the thought. "Have you ever seen me swim? You'd know why I'm not on the team."

"Well, I think it's great that you work out. By the way, I'm Will DuBarry." He stuck out his hand. Lucas shook it, feeling giddy as he allowed himself to look into the blue eyes, clear as the waters of the pool. He said his name.

Will raised his eyebrows. "Lucas, what a cool name."

"Cool?" Lucas hadn't ever thought of his name that way.

"It's just that you don't run into many Lucases these days. Do they call you something for short? Luke, maybe?" Lucas shook his head.

Will tapped his arm, as if that decided it. "Well, that's what I'm going to call you. Got to get to dinner. See you later, Luke my man." He picked up his shampoo, slung the towel over his shoulder and walked toward his locker, whistling.

Lucas slipped into one of the lavatory stalls. He loosened the drawstring of his Speedos, pulled out his own already half-hard cock, and began to stroke it. He thought of Will, standing naked, only a few feet away, toweling the water off of his body.

Lucas sat on the toilet and began to jack off in earnest, pushing his trunks below his knees. He closed his eyes and imagined himself standing in front of that perfect form, running his hand over Will's chest. He imagined leaning forward, touching his tongue to a firm pink nipple, catching the faint sharp scent of chlorine on the smooth skin. In his fantasy he saw himself kneeling, his mouth opening wider...

A muffled groan escaped his throat as the orgasm shook his body. His cock came to life in his hand and he heard soft splashes as it dropped his load into the bowl. It was long moments before Lucas was able to open his eyes. Looking down between his trembling legs, he saw the white plumes and drops of his cum floating in the water below, lit by the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights.

He started with fright as someone knocked loudly on the stall door. "Luke?" boomed Will's voice.

"Jesus!" Lucas cried.

"Hey man, didn't mean to scare you, but I thought I heard something. You're not sick or anything, are you?" Will asked, concerned.

After a moment, Lucas managed to reply. "Thanks, but I'm okay, really." He stood hurriedly, readjusted his trunks and grabbed his goggles. His heart was still pounding, both from his recent climax and now the shock of near-discovery. He flushed the toilet, and the roar of the water helped him regain his composure. Finally, he pushed the stall door open. Will stood outside, now dressed, looking at him quizzically.

"You sure now?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Lucas answered brusquely, brushing past him. "I'll see you later." He was still shaking as he walked toward the entrance to the pool. As soon as he got through the door, he collapsed against the wall and laughed. It had been a close call.

He didn't talk to Will for a long while after that. Final exams were soon upon them, followed by the Christmas break. When they returned from the holidays, Lucas found that looking at the swim team had lost its charms—he was only interested in seeing one team member. Just catching a glimpse of Will at a distance on campus, striding with his long legs to class or to practice, was enough to make Lucas' face flush, his palms sweat, his heart race. Aghast at the effect the swimmer was having on him, Lucas started going to the pool at different times, to be sure not to see him--then fell into a deep depression, longing for the sight of the amiable athlete in his Speedos. Since he had never allowed himself to get emotionally close to a fellow human being, Lucas did not realize that, at age twenty-one, he was in the throes of his first serious crush. The summer after his junior year, working back in his small Texas hometown, was bleak and cheerless. First semester senior year was worse. He began to think about graduation with mixed anticipation and dread. He would be gone from this place and could put all of this inner turmoil behind him--but he might never see Will again.

So, early that January, when his irritating editor at the Steelman Banner threw him the assignment that would have gone to the absent sports reporter, Lucas' blustering reluctance was at once genuine and completely false. A part of him sang with joy at the thought that he at last had a reason to get close to, to hold a deep conversation with the object of his fevered affections. Another, equally insistent part warned that he was getting in over his head. He raced home from the meeting with Josephine and immediately looked up Will's number in the Steelman directory. It was two days before he worked up the courage to pick up the phone and dial it.

A strange male voice answered, barking, "Sigma." Lucas said nothing, puzzled. The voice repeated, irritably, "Sigma House." Lucas realized he had reached a fraternity house, probably a hall phone. He identified himself and asked for Will.

"I'll check and see if he's around," the voice said. The receiver was laid down with a clatter and he heard the unknown frat member shouting in the distance, "Hey! DuBarry! Phone!"

There was silence for long moments, and Lucas started to lose his nerve. He was debating whether or not to hang up when suddenly Will's voice sounded in his ear. "Hello?"

Lucas took a deep breath. "This is Lucas Boatright."

"Who?"

He tried again. "Lucas. From the pool. Luke."

"Oh yeah, how are you doing?" Will responded, his voice warming. "What's up, buddy?"

Haltingly, Lucas explained the reason for his call. There was a silence, then Will said, "So--you want to invade my privacy, eh, Luke? Didn't know you were one of those tabloid types."

Lucas, mortified, began a weak protest when the other boy laughed. "Just giving you a hard time, guy. Sure we can talk. When do you want to do it?"

Late the next afternoon Will and Lucas sat at a table in the almost deserted snack bar of the Student Union. Lucas had bought cups of coffee for Will and himself. On the table were also a small recorder and a sheet of paper, on which Lucas had printed out his questions.

His subject answered the standard questions good-naturedly. How had he gotten started in swimming? Who were his role models? How did he feel when he set a national high school record? As the interview progressed Lucas began to relax. He found himself genuinely curious about Will, who by rights should have been on scholarship in some major swimming program, UCLA or UT, but who had in fact left the latter school after two years. He decided to take a chance and depart from his prepared questions.

"Will, why did you transfer to Steelman?" he asked. "You were doing great on the team at UT--people couldn't understand it when you left."

There was a silence, the first time Will had not immediately responded to one of his questions. Lucas looked up and saw that his subject's smile had taken on a distinct edge. "You had to ask that, didn't you, Luke?" he said.

Lucas persisted, though he was puzzled at Will's reaction. "Well, the fact is Steelman is incredibly lucky to have an athlete like you--not to be sarcastic or anything, but some of us are wondering what we did to deserve the honor."

Will reached out and pressed the "stop" button on Lucas' recorder. Lucas, thinking that he was about to break off the interview, began to speak rapidly. "Will, I'm sorry if I offended you with the question. I'll withdraw it, but please, I'd like to go on--"

Will held up a hand and shook his head. "Luke, I'm not mad, and I'm not leaving. You're a nice guy and I like you. It's just that I'd like certain things to be off the record, ok?"

Lucas nodded, mystified but also thrilled. The object of his worshipful fantasies had paid him a compliment, and what was more, was about to confide some secret. The interview was progressing beyond his wildest dreams.



Class Reunion Ch. 01



Will lowered his eyes and bit his lip as he hesitated. The momentary uncertainty in his face, so different from his usual confidence, only increased his charm. At last he spoke.

"I flunked out of UT," he said, without ceremony.

This was totally unexpected. Lucas could only say, "What?" as if he had not heard correctly.

"Well, that's not quite it. My grades got too low to stay on the team. I wasn't the top guy there--as you can imagine, they have a lot of depth. So I lost my scholarship."

"But--Will, Steelman's not exactly a cakewalk either, as far as academics are concerned. How are you managing?"

Will grinned mirthlessly. "You know, Luke, you're pretty good at this. I came to Steelman because Wojchowski--that's Joe, the swimming coach, recruited me. He'd heard that I was leaving UT. He knew I had academic problems and went to bat to get me admitted. He even wrangled me a scholarship. But there were conditions."

"What conditions?"

"I was admitted on probation. I could stay here, and swim on scholarship, as long as I maintained a certain GPA. Well, my grades came in from the fall semester and the news wasn't good. Luke, I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I am in big trouble."

"How bad?"

"Unless I can make all passing grades on my next progress report coming up in a couple of weeks, I won't be allowed to compete. I'll be pulled from the roster for the conference championship meet, and maybe lose my financial aid on top of that. You might not have much of a story, after all, bud," Will concluded, with an ironic smile.

"Haven't you been able to get any help? Tutoring, or something?"

Will sighed. "Actually, I'm not doing too bad in the math and science classes--I've always liked that kind of stuff. I can't write the papers in English and history, Luke. There is a writing center here but I can't go because of practices. Besides, everyone there is so busy--I wouldn't ever get enough help."

The words were out of Lucas' mouth before he could stop them. "I could help you with your papers."

Will blinked, surprised. "You could?"

It was too late to turn back. Lucas plunged ahead. "I write all the time. I could read your papers, catch your mistakes, make suggestions. You know, help you without actually writing them for you."

Will grinned. "Why don't you just do that? Write them for me? Sorry, just kidding, man. But you don't know what you're getting into. I'm really terrible, Luke. We're talking about hours of your time, man. Are you sure?"

"Sure, I like editing. I'm a journalist, remember? It'll be educational for me too, to talk about this stuff with someone."

And I'll get to spend hours just being near you.

Will was looking at him with a new respect. "Luke, you're something else." Suddenly, Lucas jumped as a hand was placed on his knee underneath the table. "Do you want me to, like pay you for doing this or anything?"

Lucas gave him what he hoped was a magnanimous smile. "Nope. Just buy me the next cup of coffee, or something."

His new friend was beaming. "Great. When can we get together?"

PART TWO

"Yo! Lucas!" Lucas wheeled around at the sound of the familiar voice. Will was walking rapidly toward him, holding a slip of paper in his hand. His face was somber and Lucas' heart sank. He knew the swimmer must have received his academic progress report. 

It had been several weeks since the interview in the snack bar. Lucas had helped Will polish and turn in two major papers, one for English and the other for history. It had taken many hours and one grueling all-night session in the lounge of Will's fraternity house, but the papers had been finished and handed in on time. There had been nothing to do but wait for them to be turned back.

The fact that Will had his report meant he had to have gotten the paper grades. Lucas hoped against hope that their work hadn't been in vain, but the expression on his friend's face was not promising.

Will stopped in front of him, still looking grim. "What happened, Will?" Lucas said, by now thoroughly apprehensive.

In an instant, the tall athlete's face burst into a dazzling smile. "English, B! History, B minus! Not honor roll stuff, but good enough to keep swimming. And it's all thanks to you, Luke my man." In the next instant Lucas' breath was squeezed from his body as Will wrapped him in a bear hug.

He managed to extricate himself. His heart was thudding with joy at the embrace, but he tried to sound stern as he said, "You jerk, you were bullshitting me with that long face, weren't you?"

Will punched him on the arm. "Guilty as charged, Your Honor!" He laughed, and the sound was music to Lucas' ears. "And you fell for it. Boy, did you look worried."

"Yeah, you fooled me all right. Congratulations, man, that's great. Now all you have to do is win the conference title."

"That'll be a snap compared to what I've been through these past weeks. Luke," Will added, his tone changing, "I know what you've done for me. I owe you big time, man."

Lucas looked down, blushing. He stammered, "It--it was nothing. Glad to do it."

Will said, "Listen, Jenny and I are going out to celebrate tonight at Thai Spice. You want to come along?"

Jenny was Jenny Taylor, Will's girlfriend. Lucas shook his head. "Nope, that's okay. You guys ought to be alone."

"You sure?"

"Real sure."

"Well, okay. But listen, I'd like to do something for you, Luke. You've been great."

Lucas smiled. "You can buy me a cup of coffee in the snack bar."

Will grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "I'll do more than that. Just let me think about exactly what. Got to go, my man. See you soon, and thanks again."

Lucas watched him go, his heart full of happiness and longing so intertwined he couldn't tell which was which. At last he turned and headed to class.

Late that night he was aroused from sleep by his ringing phone. He stumbled to the wall in the darkness and picked up the receiver. "Hello?" he mumbled.

"Luke?" said Will's voice.

"Hey," Lucas said, wondering why Will was calling him at this hour. "What's up?"

"Sorry to wake you up man, but I really need to talk to someone. Could I come by?"

"Well--sure." Lucas was puzzled. He had resigned himself to the thought that Will would most likely be happily entertaining Jenny in his bed tonight. He wondered if that had happened already, but then why would the swimmer want to talk to him?

About fifteen minutes later there was a heavy knock at his door. Lucas opened it and Will came in, dressed in jeans and T-shirt. He was breathing hard and Lucas detected a scent of alcohol on his breath.

"Are you okay, Will?"

Will sat down heavily on Lucas' hastily made bed. He said nothing for a moment, then burst out, "Women! They can be such bitches."

"Something happen with Jenny?"

Will said passionately, "She didn't have a clue about why we were celebrating. Here I was feeling all up about my grades, and the entire evening she's complaining about how I haven't been spending any time with her. Well, you know and I know that every moment I haven't been going to class or team practice, we've been working on those damn papers."

Lucas nodded.

"So, finally I try and calm her down, I say, baby, sorry I haven't been around for a while, but I'm available tonight for whatever you want." He grinned briefly. "You know, tried to up the temperature a bit. By this time, we're back in my room, and you know what she said? She started making cracks about you and me, how we were so buddy-buddy. She said she could understand if her competition was another woman, but she couldn't deal with any bisexual or queer nonsense. She was calling me a fag, Luke!"

Dismay filled Lucas' heart, but he kept a mask of sympathy on his face. "That's terrible, man. You know she's dead wrong about that."

"Of course she's wrong! I told her to cut the crap, she didn't have veto power over my friends. Well, that made her furious and she stormed out. I hate to say it, but we may just be finito, my man."

Lucas' lip trembled as he struggled with Will's last statement. "Will... I'd understand if you didn't want to hang out with me so much, now that the papers are done. I mean, I don't want to make trouble between you and Jenny..."

Will laughed. "No, no, Luke, you don't get it. I'm talking about Jenny and me being finished. I never realized how small-minded and possessive she was. Hell, I'll spend time with whoever I want to. And that includes you for sure, guy."

Lucas stared, the black sadness that had begun to descend on him still struggling to turn into joy. "Really?"

Will said firmly, "You've done tons more for me than she ever has. You've kept me on the team, kept me on scholarship. She's not going to cut me off from my friends."

Lucas was weak with relief. For a dreadful moment he had thought Will was going to end their friendship. He wanted to kneel before this god, this model of male beauty who was also a decent human being.

Will sighed and fell back onto the bed. "I'll tell you Luke, there is one drawback to all this. I WAS hoping to get some from Jenny tonight. I've been one stressed out dude, as you know. Now I'm so keyed up I don't know what to do."

He stared at the ceiling and continued, "It isn't even the sex so much--though she's pretty good at that--but that girl sure does give a nice backrub afterward. Just sends me right off to sleep."

His inner struggle at that moment was so intense Lucas thought he might go insane. He opened his mouth, not knowing what words would emerge, and said:

"I'm not very good at it--but I could give you one. A backrub, I mean."

Will raised his head and stared at Lucas. "You want to give me a backrub?"

Lucas stumbled on. "I--don't have any training, but I've gotten massages." This much was true. He tried to smile, and said, "I have a pretty good idea of what's relaxing--at least to me." Losing his nerve, he said, "I know, it's a weird idea. Forget I said anything."

Will was looking at him strangely. "I didn't say no, Lucas." He sat up and pulled his T-shirt up over his head, and Lucas caught his breath at the sight of his bare torso, something he had rarely seen lately. Dropping his clothing onto the floor, Will turned over onto his stomach on the bed, positioning his arms above his head. "Go to it, man."

Scarcely daring to believe his good fortune, Lucas moved toward the bed. There was a bottle of hand lotion on a built-in shelf above his desk. He took it with him and, sitting to one side of Will on the bed, squeezed some out into one of his palms. Hesitantly he spread it onto the warm skin of Will's back, savoring his first contact with the hard muscle. Will drew in his breath and Lucas saw him smile. "Whew, that stuff's cold," his friend said.

"It'll warm up," Lucas answered, as he rubbed the lotion into Will's back. As he began to work on the swimmer's neck and shoulders, Will sighed and shifted on the bed.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked anxiously.

"Feels great," Will murmured.

Emboldened, Lucas let his hands rove lower down Will's back. He could feel the heat from the body beneath him, and caught a faint, intoxicating whiff of Will's personal scent mingled with the cologne he was wearing. Lucas was getting acutely uncomfortable leaning to one side over Will, and at last he asked, "Is it okay if I straddle your legs?"

"Sure, man," came the reply.

Lucas became aware that his cock begun to fill out and grow in the boxer shorts he was wearing. He hoped desperately that Will wouldn't look up and see it. On an impulse, he got up, walked over and snapped off the overhead light, leaving his room lit only by a small desk lamp. He thought that might reduce the chances of embarrassment, as long as he didn't accidentally make contact in the wrong place.

He heard Will moving behind him and turned. His friend was sitting up, pulling off his sneakers and socks. As Lucas watched, astonished, he stripped off his jeans, leaving himself clad only in a pair of bikini briefs. Will looked up and grinned. "What's the matter, never seen a naked guy before? It's hot in here, I just wanted to get a little more comfortable." He got back in position.

"S-sure," Lucas said, though he was now more nervous than ever. He mounted the bed and gingerly lowered himself onto Will's legs. Despite his discomfort, he found that he could work more easily in this position. Soon he was massaging Will's entire back with vigor. An occasional grunt of pleasure emerged from the body beneath him.

At last, Lucas stopped, wiping his brow. His exertions had made him work up a sweat and he was breathing rapidly. He had been so engrossed in his work, even his erection had gone down.

Will looked over his shoulder up at him. "Why'd you stop, Luke?"

"Well," Lucas said, "that's about all I can do on your back."

"Shoot, you mean that's all? It felt so good, man. You're really good at this."

Lucas felt his face getting hot again and he looked away. "Thanks." He was once again acutely aware of Will's undressed form, as close to him as it had ever been. He got off of Will's legs and perched on the edge of the bed, carefully avoiding contact.

Will turned over onto his back and stretched. Lucas shot a surreptitious look at his friend's lanky body. The front of his underwear showed a definite swelling. As if reading his mind, Will said, "Know what, man, that made me hornier. Don't know if I can get into my jeans now."

Lucas said nothing.

"Luke?" Will said quietly.

"What?"

"I've heard that those massage guys will, like take care of a guy's needs. That true?"

Lucas swallowed once, then said, "Uh--I've heard that too."

"Ever have a masseuse do that to you?"

A memory rose in Lucas' mind: lying on his back, naked and horny in the dimly lit back bedroom of a small apartment somewhere in Austin, and the quiet voice of the muscular, friendly man, who had caressed his body with long, sensual strokes--Randy, that had been his name--Randy asking, "You want me to take care of it, Lucas?"

"Yes," Lucas said.

"Would you--take care of it for me, man?"

Lucas looked at Will. His friend was gazing at him, straightforward and unsmiling. He licked his dry lips. "Okay," he said.

Will smiled. "Thanks, Luke, I really appreciate this." He hooked his thumbs under the waistband of his briefs and pushed them downward. His cock came into view, erect and pointing toward his navel, then a swift movement of his long legs and Will was nude. He grinned at Lucas. "That's better."

Lucas thought he could cum right then and there. He was afraid to stare too openly at Will's erection but couldn't tear his eyes away from it, fascinated by the long, straight, veined shaft capped with the flaring darker head, rising majestically toward Will's navel; the balls hanging heavily in their sack; everything surrounded by a thatch of dark blond hair. As if in a trance he found the bottle of hand lotion and squeezed it into his palm, then hesitated.

"What are you waiting for, man?" Will's urgent voice said.

"You said it was cold," he said, automatically.

Will smiled again. "So fucking considerate."

Finally Lucas let his hand descend to the organ that Will had offered to him. He grasped the shaft and moistened it with the lubricant. His fingers touched every inch of the hot, hard flesh.

Will sighed with pleasure. "Man, that feels great."

He moved his hand up and down Will's penis, passing his thumb over the sensitive glans and feeling the precum leaking freely from the opening in front. He tried to vary his strokes in the way that he remembered Randy doing to him, taking his other hand and pulling very gently down on Will's balls.

Will's body began to writhe and twist. "God, Luke, that's great man...stroke it. Jack that thing, man. Mmm, yeah..." His reaction drove Lucas to a fever pitch of excitement. By now, his own cock was as stiff as Will's but he wasn't even thinking about it, all his efforts concentrated on pleasuring his friend. He increased the pace of his strokes.

Will moaned and jerked on the bed. "Oh man, I'm going to cum...Aw, shit!" His voice dissolved into wordless shouts and groans as his cock began to throb, releasing spurt after spurt of thick whitish fluid over Lucas' hand and across the swimmer's body. At last, the flood began to abate, and Lucas reluctantly released his hold.

Will's eyes were closed, his chest heaving, one arm covering his face as if in shame. Lucas gazed anxiously at him. He knew that something out of the ordinary had happened. Will's reaction now that his needs had been satisfied might very well be guilt, and disgust at the person who had satisfied them.

Will dropped his arm. Blue eyes met his. There was an instant of unbearable suspense, then relief flooded through Lucas as his friend smiled, a bit shakily.

"Zowie," Will said. "I made a mess."

"I'll clean you up," Lucas said, getting a towel draped over a nearby chair. He wiped the cum carefully off of Will's body, hesitantly cleaning his cock as well, which by now was softening a bit. It gave him a pang to touch it--it might be his last chance.

Lucas wiped himself off, got up and stuffed the towel in a duffel bag he kept for laundry. He didn't return to the bed but instead sat in a nearby chair. Will lay on the bed, his hands under his head, staring at the ceiling. He turned toward Lucas and smiled again. Lucas returned the smile tentatively, still wondering exactly what Will thought of the events that had just transpired.

"Doing okay?" he asked.

"Great," Will replied. Lucas breathed easier. Apparently his friend was not going to run out in guilt and confusion, or turn on Lucas for having done something "queer" to him. Will seemed to find no contradiction at all between what he had condemned Jenny for saying earlier in the evening and what they had just done. Lucas didn't know why not, but at the moment he was content not to stir things up.

"Aren't you cold?" he asked.

"A bit," Will replied.

"You could get under the covers," Lucas suggested.

Will chuckled. "I'd be off in la-la land in a flash, guy. Then where would you sleep?"

With you, Lucas wanted to say, but said instead, "I could sack out on the floor. It's no problem."

Will shook his head. "I can't kick you out of your own bed, Luke. Listen, it's really late. I'd better go." He sat up and picked up his underwear. Lucas watched mournfully as Will got dressed. Finally his friend stood up. "Thanks, man. I needed that."

Lucas forced a smile. "Not a problem." He didn't know what he expected from Will at that moment, but the hearty clap on his shoulder that he got was distinctly disappointing.

"See you soon, Luke, okay? `Nite."

He was gone. Lucas stood, silent and still, for a long moment. Then with a sigh, he turned toward his bed, so recently vacated by the man of his dreams. As he crossed the room, his eye fell on his laundry bag. He could see one end of the towel with which he had wiped Will's body. He went and drew it out. It was sticky and the sharp odor of semen assailed his nostrils. He carried it back to the bed and laid it on the spread. His cock stood rigid, painfully nudging the front of his boxers. He stripped them off along with his T-shirt, flinging the clothes away. Taking his cock in one hand he knelt by the bed, putting his face down to the towel as he began to masturbate, drinking in the scent of Will. He saw a large gob of fluid on the terrycloth. In mingled fascination and revulsion he put his lips to the spot, took Will's cum in his mouth, tasted the salty bitter flavor...

With a choked sound Lucas fell forward as he let go of his load in hot splashes onto the linoleum floor. As his climax passed and he began to breathe more slowly, waves of misery washed over him. How had he gotten himself in this mess? He buried his face in the bedspread, crumpling the cum-stained towel with his free hand, his other still grasping his pulsating, unsatisfied cock. He tried to cry but the tears would not come.




Class Reunion Ch. 01



TO BE CONTINUED...



Class Reunion Ch. 02



Revised version copyright 2006 by the author.

PART THREE

Lucas did not see Will for more than a week after that late-night visit. He thought that it was just as well, as he was not only shaken but still puzzled by the encounter. The semester marched on toward spring break, and a succession of sunny and pleasant days lifted his spirits. He busied himself in his work and tried not to dwell on his confusion.

Inevitably, there came the day when, walking to class, he saw the tall figure of his friend approaching him across the main mall in the center of campus. He began to tremble with nervousness. What would he do or say? What if Will ignored him, or, worse, changed direction when he saw him coming? He put his head down and continued walking.

"Boatright!"

Lucas stopped at the sound of Will's commanding voice. He raised his head. At least, Will was speaking to him. He raised his hand tentatively. "Hey, Will."

"You ignoring me?" Will demanded.

"N-no, I just didn't see you. How have you been?"

"All right. Where have you been hiding yourself, man?"

"Nowhere. Been pretty busy with classes, the paper, you know. Congratulations on the conference championship. That's really great."

Will smiled, "Thanks, man. Couldn't have done it without you." He continued, musingly, "It sure is good to have a few days' break from practices. I've got to catch up on my studying, but I haven't been very motivated. Not the same without you around, guy."

"Well," Lucas said, embarrassed as always by compliments, especially from Will, "Let me know if you need any more help. You and Jenny doing okay?" he asked, feeling daring.

A snort of contempt escaped Will's lips. "Let's just say we're on hiatus until certain women rethink their attitudes."

"Will, if I've been the cause of any trouble between you two, I'm sorry."

Will shook his head in dismissal. "It's not you, man, believe me. Listen, what are you up to today?"

"Well, I've got a class this afternoon, but that's about it. Why?"

Will said, with a glint in his eye, "Want to take an early weekend? Since it got so nice out, I've been wanting to drive to the lake, but I can't find anyone to go with me. Today's the perfect day to go. How about it?"

Lucas shook his head. " I don't know..."

"Aw, come on, Luke," Will said. "Live a little. You'll love it out there, especially if you're used to swimming in that dull old pool."

Lucas looked at Will, and succumbed again to his charms. "Okay."

"Good man! I'll meet you at the Sigma parking lot in half an hour, okay? Bring a towel and some water if you want. I have sunscreen and I'll bring some beer. We can kick back, relax a bit."

"I'll need to bring my suit too, right?"

Will grinned. "Hell no, I'm taking you to the nude beach."

He walked away, leaving Lucas staring after him, open-mouthed.

"It's okay, Luke," Will explained as they sped in his Ford Explorer out into the hills west of town. "You don't have to get naked if you don't want to. It's clothing optional."

"I've never skinny-dipped in my life," Lucas confessed.

His friend grinned. "Well, you don't know what you've been missing, especially out at the lake. I had to drag Jen out there kicking and screaming the first time. Now she loves it." His face darkened. "Or loved it, maybe I should say."

Lucas tried to be generous. "You and Jenny will work it out, I'm sure."

"Well, maybe. Anyhow, let's not worry about her today. It's too nice out to spoil it."

The large parking lot by the lake was almost empty--there were not many sunbathers here on a weekday morning, even Friday. They got out of the car with their duffel bags, the beer cooler and a large inflatable raft that Will had brought. Lucas said doubtfully, "Are we going to able to take all of this?"

Will said, "Sure, I've done it lots of times. Come on."

The lake was a man-made one, created by a dam now many decades old. It was not surrounded by sandy beach, but craggy rocks on which stands of scrub cedar grew, sloping precipitously down to the water. The trick, as Lucas discovered, was to find a flat one suitably close to the shore. They followed the one paved path for quite a distance. Lucas was beginning to wonder just how far they would walk when Will said, "Let's climb down here."

They clambered down the uneven terrain, taking care not to slip. At last Lucas saw what Will had been aiming for, a wide, sunny ledge next to and just a few feet above the water, the ideal spot for the two of them to stretch out.

"This is great," Lucas said. He was beginning to enjoy himself.

Will smiled back at him over his shoulder. "It's hard to get this spot, but it's the best."

They reached the ledge and stood for a moment, catching their breaths. Will reached into his duffel bag, took his beach towel out and spread it on the ledge. Lucas followed suit. He saw Will pull his T-shirt off and tried not to think of what was coming next. Sure enough, the athlete kicked his sneakers off, then unfastened his cutoffs and let them fall. He stood naked on the ledge, leaning back and stretching his arms out, his face turned toward the sun. "Ah, the perfect day," Will said.

He turned his back to Lucas and bent down, smoothing out the towel. Lucas felt his cock jump as he got a full view of Will's butt, the cheeks spread just enough that he could glimpse the sparse hair in the crack, and maybe even the darker skin of his asshole. He turned away hastily and concentrated on fixing his own spot on the ledge. He then slipped his own shirt off, but kept his shorts and shoes on.

"Luke?" Lucas turned and saw that Will was extending a plastic bottle toward him. "Would you?" He sat with his back to Lucas on his towel. Lucas obliged, thinking of the recent night he had done something very similar, and what had happened later. He didn't think anything like that was going to occur today. The thought both relieved and disappointed him.

When he had finished, Will stretched out his hand and said, "Turn around and I'll do yours." Lucas sat obediently down, glad that Will couldn't see his face. The touch of Will's strong hand on his back filled him with a joy quite beyond anything sexual. All too soon it was over and Will was busy covering the rest of his own body. Lucas averted his eyes as his hand descended toward his crotch, but was forced to look up when Will said, "Luke?"

"What?" Lucas asked. Will was applying the lotion to his cock in a businesslike manner.

"If you decide to take it all off, don't forget to put sunscreen everywhere. A sunburned dick can really cramp your style, take it from me."

Lucas snorted to cover his nerves. "Not much style to cramp here."

Will laughed. "You're such a stick in the mud." He pulled out a pair of sunglasses and put them on, then lay back on his towel.

Lucas sat with his arms wrapped around his knees. It was extremely pleasant out, a breeze keeping the sun from becoming too hot. A few figures, some clothed, some not, dotted the rocks around them. If he looked out across the lake, he could see a few distant sailboats.

After a while Will stirred and got up, removing his shades. "I'm going to take a dip," he said. He stepped to the water's edge and dove in, stroking smoothly away from the shore. He looked to Lucas like some classic statue come to life. At that moment he loved Will so much that it was almost a physical pain. He watched him swim further and further out until he reached a line of safety markers that had been placed in the water. His head was now a distant dot, bobbing among the buoys. Lucas strained to keep him in his vision, an irrational fear that Will might drown gripping him. At last, he saw the swimmer turn back toward the shore, and sighed with relief.

When he got close enough to the ledge to see Lucas, Will shouted, "You coming in? The water's great. Bring the float with you."

"Okay," Lucas replied. He took his glasses off and put them carefully in his duffel bag. He stood and slipped his shorts off. He was wearing his pool Speedos underneath. Carrying the float down the rocks, he slipped into the water with it and swam out to where Will was. They clung to either side of the mattress, facing each other.

Will was breathing rapidly from his exertions. "It's great, isn't it? Aren't you glad you cut your journalism class?"

"Yes," Lucas said. Out here at this moment, in the cool water, feeling the breeze and sun on his face and having Will all to himself, he was as happy as he had ever been in his life.

A wicked grin appeared on Will's face. "We need to loosen you up, Luke my boy," he said.

"What do you mean?" Lucas asked, apprehensive. In answer, Will's head disappeared as he dived beneath the float. A second later, strong arms grabbed his legs underneath the water. Lucas felt his suit being tugged downward. "Hey!" he shouted, letting go of the raft. His head slipped underwater as he tried to stop Will from stripping him. When he emerged, coughing and sputtering, it was a second before he saw Will some distance away toward the shore, holding his trunks triumphantly aloft. He was laughing.

"You asshole!" Lucas shouted, treading water. He was embarrassed as much as annoyed, not least because his excitement at feeling Will's hands around his lower body had made him hard. He could swear that he had felt a hand grab his cock for an instant.

"Come and get it if you can, Luke," Will said. "But first get the raft."

Lucas turned and saw the float drifting a good distance away. He struck out in pursuit. The water passing between his legs and over his unencumbered body felt silky, and wonderfully sensual. Reaching the float, he grabbed its edge and began to push it back toward shore, frog kicking himself forward.

As he approached their rock, he saw his trunks in a wet heap on the ledge. Will had climbed out, put on his sunglasses again and opened a beer. As Lucas neared him, his friend raised the can in ironic salute. "Here's to your first skinny-dip," he said.

Lucas tried and failed to stay annoyed. "You are such a jerk," he said, nevertheless.

Will chuckled. "Lighten up, Luke. Doesn't it feel good without a suit?"

"Yeah," Lucas admitted. It felt very good. Being naked and seeing Will in the same state was getting him aroused again. He was very glad that his lower half was still invisible under the water.

By now he was near the shore, and found he could stand on the uneven bottom and still keep his head and shoulders above water. He rested, keeping the raft floating sideways in front of him. His cock was still semi-hard and he wondered how long he would have to stay there.

As if to tease him, Will said, "Why don't you climb out and have a beer with me?"

Lucas shook his head.

"Okay, I'll bring one to you." Will flipped the top off of a second can, and holding both, skillfully maneuvered his way down to the water and slipped in, striding toward Lucas, who was very glad that the raft was between them. Will reached the float and extended his arm across it to Lucas, offering him the fresh can.

"Thanks," Lucas said weakly, taking it. He didn't really want the beer, but took a token sip. Will's being so close, yet so untouchable was driving him crazy. He had the distinct sense that his friend knew, and was playing some sort of game. He wished it would end.

"You know, Luke, you look much better without your glasses," Will said.

"Really? Thanks," Lucas said absently, unable to think of anything other than his rapidly hardening cock.

"Why don't you get out of the water now and drink your beer?"

"Maybe in a minute," Lucas said desperately.

The wicked grin he had seen earlier reappeared on Will's face. "I bet you've got a hardon, don't you? I bet skinny-dipping's made you horny."

Lucas began to say something, then gasped as he felt a hand grasp his cock and begin to stroke it, slowly and teasingly. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"Checking to see if I'm right," Will chuckled. "I see I am."

"DuBarry," Lucas hissed, "There are people around."

"Relax, guy," Will said, continuing his underwater hand job. "No one can see. No one will know, unless you tell them. We're just two buddies, having a beer."

Lucas stared into the dark lenses of Will's sunglasses. He didn't protest further--the exquisite pleasure, and the excitement of doing it outdoors in public, were taking him past all thought of caution. His friend smiled as he saw the effect he was having. "Just relax, Luke," he said softly. "Let Uncle Will take care of you." He backed away as Lucas tried to reach for his cock, shaking his head. "Don't worry about me--this one's for you."

There was nothing Lucas could do but stand, shoulder deep in the water, holding his beer, and let Will manipulate him to orgasm. Soon, his breathing deepened into harsh gasps. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, his hand tightening convulsively around the can, as his cock came to life in the hand grasping it, ejecting warm spurts into the cool waters of the lake.

"Good man," Will whispered. "I felt you cum. Feed those fish some protein."

A short bark of laughter escaped from Lucas. "DuBarry, you are crazy."

"Guilty as charged, Your Honor," the swimmer smiled. "And you love it."

"Can you get out of here before we both get arrested?" Lucas demanded.

Will stuck out his lip in a mock pout. "So that's the thanks I get for getting you a beer, and getting you off?"

Lucas laughed again in spite of himself, still trying to catch his breath. "You are something else."

Will grinned. "I'm going for another swim. Take my beer back, will you?" He added in a stage whisper, "I can't show myself right now either." He flung his sunglasses onto the raft and splashed off, leaving Lucas trying to hold on to the float with a beer can in each hand.

PART FOUR

They didn't say much on the trip home. Occasionally Will smiled at him with the same glint in his eye he had had all day. Whatever had been started wasn't over yet. All that had happened between them so far could be written off as horseplay, two buddies helping each other out, getting their rocks off. But it seemed to Lucas that Will was pulling him along on some journey of exploration, and he was powerless to resist.

When they got back to the campus, Will headed toward the gym parking lot. "I think I'm going to get cleaned up here. You want to come with?"

They entered the gym, which was almost deserted. When they reached the men's locker room, Lucas started to push open the door, but Will shook his head. "Not here." He kept walking down the hallway until they reached another door with a sign that said, "Faculty/Staff Lockers." Will pulled out his key ring and unlocked it, then pushed it open and went inside. Lucas followed.

They went in and the door clicked shut behind them. "Coach Joe gave me a locker here," he said. Not all of them were taken by the athletic staff, and it's more secure here. Cleaner and more private too," he grinned.

Lucas nodded, not knowing what to say. His mouth was dry with excitement.

Will reached his locker and opened the combination lock. He quickly stripped off his clothes and got a fresh towel and shampoo out. He looked at Lucas, who was standing uncertainly, and said, "You can just leave your stuff on the bench, guy. I'll give you another towel if you want."

Lucas shook his head. "It's okay." He felt as if this were his last chance to turn back from the unknown. His desire for Will was overpowering him, but still he hesitated, held back by some mysterious apprehension. Later he would think how prophetic that feeling had been.

Will grinned at him. "Well, I'm going in. Don't stand there all day." He entered the shower stall and Lucas heard the water go on.

He sighed and took the plunge, taking his clothes off. His cock jutted out, half erect. Still feeling modest, he wrapped a towel around himself and headed for the shower.

He poked his head in and saw that the shower area was much smaller than the one in the main men's locker room. There were only four shower heads, two on each side. Will was standing at the far one on the left. He turned, and Lucas saw that his cock was swollen as well.

"Come on in, the water's fine. Hang up your towel." Will's smile broadened a bit as he saw his obvious excitement, but he said nothing as Lucas stepped to the shower next to him and turned it on.

He began to soap himself, keeping his back to Will, very aware of his body near his own. He was not surprised but drew in his breath sharply nevertheless as he felt a hand on his back, then two.

"Don't turn around," Will said, "I'm washing your back." His touch was as comforting as earlier in the day and he leaned his weight back, ever so slightly.

Suddenly the hands were in front of him and Will was pulling him into an embrace. Lucas closed his eyes as he felt himself surrounded by strong arms, his back pressing against the smooth, taut skin of his friend's chest and stomach. Lower down, he felt a hard cylinder of flesh pressing against his backside.

Will leaned his head down close to his own and whispered, "How are you doing?"

Lucas nodded wordlessly, lost in the pleasure of being in Will's arms. A last wave of anxiety rose in him and he turned, looking up into his friend's blue eyes, set now in a face so tender and serious that it almost robbed him of speech. Still, Lucas made one weak attempt. "Will, why..."

Will pressed fingers against his lips and shook his head. "Don't talk. Don't ask questions, Luke. Just go with the flow, man."

"What if someone comes in?"

Will shook his head. "There's a security system. If someone opens the door, a buzzer sounds inside the shower. So we'll have plenty of warning. But no one comes in here late on a Friday afternoon. We have this place to ourselves, buddy," he said, and leaned down and put his lips to Lucas' mouth. Whatever resistance Lucas might have had left dissolved. His arms went around Will's body as his own mouth opened and welcomed the hot urgency of his friend's tongue. They kissed for long moments, their mouths grinding and pressing against one another.

When they broke apart, Will said, "Luke, you are hot."

Lucas let his hands rove over the hard pectoral muscles he had only been able to look at until now. He bent slightly and took one of the erect nipples in his mouth and was rewarded by a gasp. "Oh, yeah, man, feels good," Will whispered. As he continued to lick and nibble at the hard nub of flesh, Lucas took Will's cock in his right hand. After a moment, he knelt on the wet tile floor and took it into his mouth.

He had never given a man a blowjob before, but it was as if he had always known what to do as he slipped the rod of flesh down his throat, tasting the salty fluid that was leaking from the head. As he slid back and forth, flicking his tongue around the head, he grasped the base of Will's cock tightly with one hand. The other continued to fondle one of the swimmer's nipples.

Will's hands grasped Lucas' shoulders as he moaned softly with pleasure. After a while he bent, took Lucas' head in his hands and lifted him to his feet, kissing him again. Will whispered, "You're a fabulous cocksucker."

Lucas smiled. "Easy with a cock like yours."

"Damn, you looked hot squatting down, your butt cheeks spread like that. Wonder if your ass feels as good as your mouth?" Lucas gasped as he felt a finger invade the private area between his cheeks, pushing into his hole. "I want to fuck you."

At that moment Lucas would have died for Will. He nodded.

"Luke, you ever done it before?" Of course he hadn't.

Will paused. "Well, it's not so easy the first time, especially standing up. Let's get out. I'll show you a good way to start."

By now all Lucas wanted was to be with Will for as long as possible, to do anything for this beautiful man who, unbelievably, wanted him too. He followed Will back out into the locker room, staring at his cock, swinging before him in full erection. He wondered whether it was going to be possible to get it inside him.




Class Reunion Ch. 02



Will opened his locker, grinning at Lucas over his shoulder. "I even have the right equipment," he said, pulling out a wrapped condom and tearing it open. Lucas watched, fascinated, as he unrolled it and sheathed his cock. Will then took the bottle of sunscreen they had used earlier and peered at the label. "Hmm, no oil...Good, this should work."

He quickly greased himself up, then sat on the narrow wooden bench that ran the length of the aisle between the lockers, one leg on either side.

"Come over here and turn around, buddy. I'll get you ready." Expert fingers slipped inside his hole. Lucas closed his eyes with pleasure.

"Okay, you're good to go. Now turn and face me. Straddle the bench."

Will took his wrist and gently pulled him nearer, until Lucas was over his legs and his jutting cock. "Hang onto my shoulders and bend your knees. I'll make sure it gets to the right place." He chuckled.

Lucas bent his knees, grasping Will's shoulders as instructed. He felt Will's hand beneath him, guiding his dick to his slick hole. He felt the blunt head against the opening and hesitated.

"That's it, Luke, you're almost there. Don't stop now," Will said urgently. One hand pushed gently but firmly down on his shoulder. His thighs were tired and he had no choice but to keep going. Suddenly pain surged through his body as the head of Will's cock broke through the ring of his sphincter muscles and slid inside him. Lucas cried out and tried to lift himself off.

Will's hand prevented his escape. "Shh, relax, buddy," Will said. "Just hold it there for a moment and it won't hurt so bad." Sure enough, in a moment the pain receded.

"Better?" Lucas nodded, trying to smile. Guided by Will's hands on his hips, he let himself descend once again, feeling inch after inch of the hard flesh penetrate him. Past a certain point, a wave of pleasure rose from his lower body that he had never felt before, and his mouth opened in a soft moan. Will smiled. "You feel that, don't you? That's your prostate."

At last Lucas felt his buttocks against Will's thighs and knew that he had taken it all. He wanted to laugh for joy at his accomplishment. Will's arms encircled him and he was enveloped by his friend's hard, strong presence, possessed by the relentless pole of flesh, invading and claiming places in his body never before opened to another.

Will thrust upward, causing a surge of sensation as his cock moved past the sensitive places inside Lucas' body. "Mmm, your ass feels so good, man. Ride my cock. Use it." Lucas did as he was told, gazing into Will's face, the eyes unfocused, the jaw slack with pleasure.

Will said, "I can see us in the mirror over there, my cock in your hole, sliding in and out of your ass. Damn that's hot." They exchanged a kiss. "This is great, isn't it?"

Lucas had no words to describe his feelings. He nodded.

"Lean back," Will said. Supported by his hand, Lucas tipped his body backward until he was lying on the narrow bench, his legs in the air, bent almost double underneath his friend. Now Will began to fuck him in earnest, his eyes locked on Lucas' face, scrutinizing every expression. He slowly withdrew and then rammed his cock back in hard, smiling as Lucas gasped. He teased him, varying the pace and variety of his motions until Lucas writhed with pleasure. "Fuck me, Will. Make it last forever," Lucas whispered, as they broke from another kiss, warm and exquisitely tender.

"Don't think I can last much longer, guy, you're too fucking hot," Will replied as he began to drill Lucas, his hips going into overdrive. "Oh god, yeah...fucking tight ass...going to fill it up with my load, Luke, oh yeah, oh...OH!" Will shouted. He gave one last tremendous thrust. Lucas felt his cock throbbing as it buried itself in his hole up to the root, and knew that it was spewing cum into the rubber.

As his climax receded, Will opened his eyes and grinned, still thrusting. "Your turn," he said, seizing Lucas' cock and beginning to jack it with rapid hard strokes. Lucas felt his own orgasm gather quickly. He groaned helplessly, eyes screwed shut, as cum shot out of his tortured organ in hot splashes across his chest and stomach. His head thrashed from side to side. The climaxes that he had given himself, even the one that Will had drawn out of him in the waters of the lake, were nothing compared to the volcano that erupted in him now. Nothing had prepared him for the ecstasy of cumming with another man's cock inside him.

As he slowly came back to consciousness and reason, Lucas opened his eyes. Will was holding his shoulders, looking down at him with the same grave and tender expression. "You okay, buddy?"

Lucas nodded. He wanted to say so much to Will, but no words came.

Will said, "The first time can be hard. I just wanted to make sure I didn't hurt you or anything."

Lucas found his voice. "That was the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Will smiled and kissed him lightly. "Glad you enjoyed it. We'd better get cleaned up."

At the entrance to his room, after Will had driven him back to his dorm, Lucas turned to his friend for the last time that extraordinary day. He looked at Will's face. The strange sweetness he had seen earlier was gone, and in its place Lucas saw the usual brilliant smile. He already missed the closeness they had shared in the small locker room. He reached out and embraced Will, who hugged him back for a moment before pulling away, saying, "Someone might see us."

Lucas said, "Thanks, Will."

Will replied, clapping him on his upper arm, "Don't mention it. It was fun, Luke. Talk to you soon, okay?" He turned and disappeared down the nearby stairwell. Lucas stood by his door for a long time before he went in.

The next week was the last before spring break, and Lucas was swamped with midterm exams and papers. He was not too busy to wonder absently where Will was, and how he was doing with his own studies. Thursday night before spring break he called the swimmer's frat house. He had no idea what he would say to Will--he just wanted to hear his voice.

"Oh, he left this afternoon," the voice who answered the hall phone told him.

Lucas said, surprised, "Really? I thought he had class on Friday."

The voice laughed. "No one here stays around for the last day of class before break, man. He and Jenny are probably on South Padre right now."

Lucas thanked him and hung up the phone, a hollow feeling spreading inside him. So Will and Jenny were back together again. He should be glad for Will's sake--but why was he sad, and jealous? Why hadn't Will said goodbye before he left?

His apprehension increased when classes resumed after break. He saw Will in the distance one afternoon. He was sure his friend saw him too, but the next time he looked, Will was walking rapidly in the other direction. He saw him once or twice more that week, but both times the swimmer was with a crowd of his fraternity buddies, and once also with Jenny. Lucas could swear he was avoiding catching his eye.

Gloom and a terrible fear gripped him. Somehow he had displeased Will. What had he done?

Finally he got his chance, when he saw Will coming toward him alone one afternoon. Before the other boy saw him, Lucas called out. "Will!"

"Hey, what's up?" There was no welcome in the tall blond's face, only a cool distance.

Lucas didn't notice, glad that they were finally talking. "I haven't seen you in ages. How are you doing? How was your spring break?"

"Oh, fine." Will's eyes roved over his shoulder. "Listen, guy, I've got to be somewhere right now."

"Is there some problem between us? Have I done something wrong?" Lucas wanted desperately to recapture what they had so briefly shared.

Something flickered in Will's eye then as he shook his head. "No, Luke, it's not you. Listen, this isn't a good time to talk, really."

"Then when?" Lucas was not going to let him go without a struggle. "Just talk to me, Will, please."

Will sighed. "Okay, I'll come by tonight, late, all right? Got to go." Lucas watched him walk away, somewhat relieved.

That evening, he tried to study in his room but got very little done. As it got later and later Lucas began to despair. Sometime after eleven o'clock, just as he was on the verge of giving up and going to bed, there was a tap on the door. Lucas flung it open and felt a surge of joy and relief when he saw that it was Will. "Hey. Thought you weren't going to make it."

"I said I was going to be late," Will said brusquely as he came in. His eyes did not meet Lucas'.

"You're right," Lucas said, trying to be conciliatory. "I'm just glad you're here. Want something to drink, a Coke?"

Will shook his head. "I can't stay long. Jenny's waiting for me."

"I hear you guys got back together. That's great."

"Yep. We've decided to get married, you know."

Lucas tried to hide his dismay. "Congratulations. When?"

"As soon as we can after graduation. Listen, Lucas," Will said heavily, "We do need to talk. I've had a lot on my mind."

"Such as what, Will?" Lucas said evenly, though he was filled with dread at what he might hear.

Will looked uncomfortable. "That stuff that happened between us a few weeks ago--well, I just wanted to make sure we were on the same wavelength about that."

Lucas felt an icy hand grip his heart. "What do you mean?"

The swimmer shifted in his chair, finally looking Lucas in the eye. "It was just, you know, fooling around. We were both horny, experimenting, helping each other out. That's all it was, Luke."

As Lucas remained silent, Will pressed on, dropping his gaze again. "I know I'm not gay. I love Jenny and we're going to get married. I think it's important that you and I, like, move on too. That's all I have to say."

Much later, Lucas would wonder if it might have been better had he smiled, nodded, agreed, closed the matter forever. Perhaps if he had been older and more cynical about the ways in which people could deceive themselves, he would have had the strength to write Will off; he might have left his lover, deep in denial, to stifle in the confines of the closet he had made for himself.

At that moment, though, Lucas was not wise and hardened. He was young and vulnerable. The person he loved had, without ceremony, denied and dismissed the feelings he knew existed between them. The anguish of loss gave Lucas the courage to bare his soul. Keeping his voice steady with an effort, he said:

"It's not that way for me, Will."

Will looked up, alarm in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Surprising even himself, Lucas looked Will in the eye as he said, "I'm gay. I wasn't experimenting. Everything we did I'd do again. Will DuBarry, I love you."

Will half raised his hand, as if Lucas had tried to strike him. "No, Lucas. It can't ever happen again." He paused, then stood up. "I've got to go. I don't think we'd better see or talk to each other any more."

Hot tears welled in Lucas' eyes and spilled down his cheeks. He despised himself for his weakness but could not stop. "Will, please."

His eyes on the floor, Will shook his head.

Lucas' voice broke. "Please. You've been the best friend I've ever had, Will--the only friend. Don't take that away from me."

"I've got to go," Will repeated, dully. He started toward the door. Lucas, by now crying openly, grabbed his arm as he walked by.

"Let go," Will said, but Lucas would not release his grip. Will began to pry the clutching fingers off, one by one. He finally got Lucas' hand off and shoved him, hard. He fell to the floor, sobbing.

"Look at you," Will said, his voice pained and desperate. "Carrying on like some nelly queen. Get away from me, faggot." He opened the door and ran out, slamming it behind him. Running footsteps faded away. A few moments later an outside door thudded shut far below.

Lucas got up, turned out the lights and crawled into bed. Burying his face in his pillow, he cried in the darkness, until at last he fell into a heavy, dreamless sleep.

BE CONTINUED



Class Reunion Ch. 03



Newly revised version copyright 2006 by the author.

PART FIVE

Lucas awoke late the next morning. He had no idea what time it was until he looked at his clock, which said half-past nine. He had missed breakfast and half his Shakespeare class. Despite the long hours he had slept, he felt unutterably tired and sad. After a moment he remembered why.

During the succeeding days, which gradually stretched to a week, then two, Lucas wondered if he were physically ill. He was so fatigued he could barely drag himself out of bed in the morning, yet at night he would spend hours tossing and turning, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. He stopped going to the pool, stopped exercising altogether. He thought that he might gain weight as a result, but he didn't, because he also had no appetite.

For the first time he also lost interest in his classes. He skipped sessions for no particular reason, and sat silent, not participating, when he did go. He missed the deadline for turning in a paper for the Shakespeare class, and didn't really care.

Josephine, his editor at the Banner, asked to meet with him one day. Lucas was sure that she was going to nag him about an article he hadn't turned in, but instead she asked, "Lucas, have you been sick?"

He shook his head.

"You look really awful," Josephine said. Lucas noted with a distant amusement how strained her voice sounded, as if sympathy were not an emotion it was used to conveying.

"I know you want that article. I'll get it done," he said, every word a great effort.

"Lucas, if you're not up to it, I can get Eric," his editor said, referring to another reporter on the Banner staff.

"No!" Lucas said, momentarily goaded into energy by the thought of Eric, whom he considered a hack, getting his hands on his story. "Look, thanks for your concern, but it'll get done." He sank again into lethargy, staring at his hands in his lap.

Josephine looked doubtful. "Okay. You need to have it in by tomorrow morning to get it in this week's edition."

Lucas nodded, and left. As he walked out of the Student Union, he saw his Shakespeare professor, Dr. Jonathan Evans, coming toward him. He had skipped the class that morning as well. Just his luck he should run into his instructor now, but he didn't have the energy to avoid the encounter.

"Mr. Boatright? I missed you in class this morning." Lucas liked Dr. Evans, a tall, dark-haired man with an angular, striking face and sharply intelligent brown eyes.

Lucas sighed. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. I wasn't sick or anything. I just didn't feel up to it."

His professor looked thoughtful. "This is not a usual attitude with you, Lucas. You also haven't turned in the paper that was due last week."

"I don't have any excuse for that either. I know it's too late, I'll just take the F on it."

By now his instructor looked genuinely concerned. "Lucas," he said, "Could I talk with you a moment?"

They sat in the large foyer just inside the main entrance. "Lucas," Evans said, "I don't make it a habit to pry into the private lives of my students. But I'm worried about you. Has something happened?"

Lucas discovered at that moment he could still feel emotion, because a surge of grief welled in him, and he blinked back tears. As much as he liked his instructor, he felt unable to confide the secret sorrow that was tormenting him. After a moment, he said, "It's not important, really. I'll get over it. I'm sorry about the way I've been acting lately. Thanks for your concern, Dr. Evans."

Jonathan Evans persisted. "I also don't make it a habit to compare students in a class, but I will say this. You're one of the best in there. Actually, you're one of the best I've had in quite a while. That's why I'm worried. I don't want to see you go down because of whatever's bothering you. Is there any way I can help?"

Lucas said, "Can I still try and do the paper?"

"If you feel you can. It's Wednesday, and the paper's a week late. I could give you until Monday, but no longer. Is that fair?"

Lucas nodded.

"And try and make it to class, okay? Remember, class participation is factored into your grade too."

He forced a smile as the professor fell into his customary didactic manner. "Got it, sir. And thanks for your understanding."

Evans rose, and laid a friendly hand on Lucas' shoulder. "Lucas, feel free to call or stop by if you need to talk."

Lucas nodded. "Thanks, Dr. Evans."

He sat back, staring into space. His spirits, lifted briefly by Evans' concern, relapsed into the black hopelessness that now marked his existence. Another student walked by. He smiled and nodded without speaking. Lucas barely returned the greeting. He recognized the boy who occupied the other single room in his hall--what was his name? Kevin, that was it. He recalled that Kevin was a campus activist of some sort. Lucas had seen him mentioned in Banner articles, though he had never himself had any contact with him.

That night, he sat in front of the computer in his room. With a start, he realized that he had not written or done anything else for twenty minutes, and it was now almost midnight. He had somehow managed to finish the Banner article, though even in his current apathy he cringed at the perfunctory way he had accomplished the task. Still, it was done, and he e-mailed it to Josephine. But the essay for the Shakespeare class had stymied him. Reading the texts, with their flowery, eloquent meditations on the subject of love, simply brought memories of Will flooding back.

Whoever had said that stuff about how it was better to have loved and lost was full of shit. Better that he had never seen Will's smile, never argued and laughed with him while they hammered out his writing assignments. Better that he had never known Will's strength, never seen the tenderness on his face as the handsome athlete had taken both his body and his peace of mind.

"You should be writing this crap down," Lucas said out loud. He felt a helpless rage at the funk he was in, from such an unworthy cause. Why the hell couldn't he snap out of it? Suddenly the small room was stifling. He pushed his chair back and walked out into the hall.

He headed for the stairs, but his feet somehow carried him up rather than down. At the top, after ascending one floor, a metal door opened out to the roof. A stern sign warned against using it, but students had long ago discovered that there was no alarm, and the door could be propped open for re-entry. Consequently, the roof had become a favorite hangout on pleasant nights for a quick smoke, whether of tobacco or other substances. Other, less solitary activities also took place there, most often up against the walls of a square concrete block which housed electrical and cooling systems.

The door opened readily when Lucas pushed on it. He carefully propped it ajar with the cinder block someone had thoughtfully provided for that purpose, then stepped out onto the rough, unfinished surface of the roof. There was justification for the warning given, as there was no guardrail around most of the perimeter. But yet another attraction was the spectacular view of the campus, especially when lit at night. The illuminated buildings, surrounded by dark masses of trees, connected by the luminous threads of concrete walkways edged with lamps, drew Lucas' attention, as morose as he was. He walked close to the edge and gazed across at the tall tower of the campus chapel.

He tried to clear his mind, breathe in the night air and take in the sight. Lucas wondered what Will would have thought of this view, if he had ever had the chance to bring him up here. They had done so little together, beyond the interview, studying and the one trip to the lake, and...

The image of the chapel tower blurred in his field of vision. Will's wicked grin, his graceful form slicing through the water, his voice whispering encouragement, his caressing hand, his thrusting hips--the images crowded in and overwhelmed his defenses. Lucas wiped away the tears, but they continued to fall. He stared again at the chapel, ablaze with light in ironic contrast to his grief. He stepped to the very edge of the roof and looked down at the ground four stories below. What if he just stepped off? Would the pain stop? His right foot slid forward as he watched it, fascinated. He lifted it into the air, over the edge.

Suddenly running footsteps sounded behind him. As Lucas started to turn, a pair of arms circled his chest from behind and dragged him back. Whoever had taken hold of him overbalanced and fell heavily backward, taking Lucas with him. His unknown rescuer's body cushioned his fall, but Lucas heard a cry of pain as the person underneath him hit the hard surface. They lay there for a moment, gasping for air.

Lucas struggled to his feet and turned around to see who had grabbed him. He had to peer closely in the dim light to make out the other person's features. "What did you do that for?" he demanded.

"What were you doing so close to the edge?" a masculine voice retorted. "One slip and you would have gone over, idiot." Lucas finally recognized Kevin, who lived across the hall and whom he had seen earlier that day.

The other boy sat up and began brushing himself off. "Are you hurt?" Lucas said, his mind momentarily taken off his own problems.

"Actually, I don't think so, thanks," Kevin said, "Maybe a scrape or two. Don't worry, I'm not going to sue you," he added, with a wry grin.

Lucas said, "I guess I was a little reckless there."

Kevin snorted. "A little?" He peered at Lucas. "Hey, man, it's none of my business, but--you look kind of crazed. What's going on?"

For a moment Lucas stared. Then he laughed. "Crazed? Guess I am."

By now Kevin was on his feet. "Listen, Lucas--it's Lucas, right? You don't look good. I don't think I should let you stay out here."

Momentarily defiant, Lucas said, "So what are you going to do, drag me back inside?"

"Well," Kevin said with a slight smile, "I got a pretty good start. But why don't we just walk the rest of the way? I got some beer back in the room. I don't know about you, but I need a drink."

They walked down the steps in silence. When they got to his door, Kevin turned to Lucas and said, "Seriously, come on in for a minute and chill out."

Lucas opened his mouth to refuse, but then thought of the long sleepless night that lay ahead. He shrugged and said, "Okay."

He refused the beer Kevin offered. Kevin opened a Guinness for himself and they sat, not speaking. Lucas looked at his new acquaintance more closely. He was slightly shorter than Lucas and slender, with straight blond hair and a pleasant, open face. His large, slate-gray eyes were his best feature. Kevin noticed his scrutiny.

"So do I pass inspection?" he said.

"You don't look like a football tackle," Lucas observed.

Kevin grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment. Kind of surprised myself there. I saw the situation and reacted. And," he said, more soberly, "I read it right, didn't I?"

Lucas dropped his gaze, unable to answer. He wondered himself at the momentary delirium that had gripped him back on the roof.

Kevin continued, "Look, I don't really know you, but...Lucas, this is a dorm, you know? It's hard not to hear things, especially if you're trying to sleep, and people are arguing across the hall."

Lucas felt his cheeks burning. He was overcome with shame at the thought that someone had overheard that painful confrontation.

"And, I have a lot of nerve saying this, but, well, I might be in a better position than some people to know what you're going through."

Lucas raised his head. His gaze fell on a poster on the wall behind Kevin. It was a blowup of an ad for Abercrombie and Fitch, showing two muscular, shirtless, cavorting young men. Lucas remembered the exact nature of Kevin's activism. He had given a speech one day the previous year on the front steps of the Union building, about tolerance, dignity and being gay.

He looked at Kevin again, and nodded slowly.

Kevin said quietly, "This is going to sound so corny, Lucas. But trust me, things will get better. Jumping off Rainer Hall won't solve anything. It'll just make a big mess and the school will send your folks a bill to clean it up."

Lucas gaped, shocked at Kevin's audacious humor. Kevin stared back, deadpan. Ragged laughter burst from Lucas, and increased in pitch until he was hysterical, tears running down his cheeks. Suddenly he began to cry in earnest. Kevin came to him, knelt by his chair, and held him as his grief spilled out in long, rending sobs.

He began to quiet down, still shaken with sniffles and hiccups. Lucas took off his wet glasses and tried to wipe his tears. He managed to say to Kevin, "I hope that's an old shirt."

Kevin chuckled. "It is. Here, blow your nose on it," and took it off and handed it to Lucas.

Lucas found himself laughing yet again. Careening between extremes of emotion was making him dizzy. "You are something else," he said.

"I'll take that as a compliment too," Kevin said. "And I'm serious about the shirt."

Obediently Lucas folded the brown polo shirt and held it to his face. It was warm and had a discreet, pleasant hint of cologne. As he put it down in his lap, he saw Kevin kneeling in front of him, bare-chested, in khaki shorts. His body was compact and toned, not rippled with muscle like Will's, a line of hair highlighting the central ridge of his abdomen.

Lucas met Kevin's gaze, the gray eyes warm and somber. The intimacy of the situation suddenly struck him--his face buried in the clothing of another man, an attractive one, who had just undressed and handed it to him. For the first time in weeks a wave of sensual feeling rose in him. Kevin raised a hand and gently began to stroke Lucas' left cheek and ear. "Is this all right?" he asked.

Lucas nodded, turning toward the caressing hand and kissing it. Kevin grasped his head, pulling his face forward. Their lips met, and parted.

"You're very handsome," Kevin said.

The warmth in Lucas' body hardened into lust. He kissed Kevin again, pressing forward urgently until he tumbled off the chair on which he was sitting. His weight pushed Kevin back onto the floor beneath him. Lucas stretched out on top of the other boy, his mouth still ardently exploring Kevin's.

When they broke apart, Kevin said, "This is great, but my back's cold. Want to get in bed?"

They lay on the small bed and kissed some more. Lucas fumbled with Kevin's shorts. He felt hands loosening his own clothes, sliding his underwear off and releasing his erection. Abruptly Kevin's head was in his crotch, his mouth engulfing his cock. Lucas gasped and closed his eyes, running his hands through the blond hair. He was afraid he would cum too quickly, so after a few moments he urged Kevin off with his hands.

"What's the matter?" his partner asked, "Am I hurting you?"

"No," Lucas replied, "It feels great. It's just that it's my first time."

"You've never done it with a guy before?"

"You're the second one," Lucas confessed, "and the other guy didn't suck me."

"Well, he was a fool," Kevin grinned. "You have a great cock. I'll go slower." He bent down and resumed his labors, moving more slowly, using plenty of spit, teasing the head with his tongue until Lucas cried out with pleasure.

Kevin looked up at him. "Getting close again? I'll quit. I want this baby somewhere else." He kept stroking Lucas lightly with his hand. "I suppose you've never fucked a guy either?"

Lucas shook his head, and Kevin said, leering slightly, "Well, it's not hard for the one doing the fucking. Just lie there a moment while I get the stuff." He got up and opened a drawer in a nearby desk and took out a condom and a small bottle. Kevin turned and came toward the bed again, his own cock jutting stiffly in front of him. He leaned down and kissed Lucas again before tearing open the foil package and unrolling the rubber over his cock. He slickened Lucas' hooded cock, then held the bottle out toward Lucas, who took it, not quite sure what to do.

"I'd love it if you'd lube me up, guy," Kevin said. He got down on all fours next to Lucas on the narrow bed, facing away from him. Lucas squeezed some of the thick, cold gel onto his fingers and tentatively touched them to the cleft between Kevin's cheeks. He heard the other boy's intake of breath. His index finger found the opening and pushed in. Kevin's head snapped upward. "Nice," he breathed. Emboldened, Lucas wormed his way in with two fingers, marveling at the softness of the flesh inside. Kevin reached under his body and began to masturbate himself. "Do it to me, buddy," he urged.

Lucas rose and turned so that he was kneeling behind Kevin. He gazed at his muscled back and shoulders, tapering down to the small, shapely butt being offered to him. He placed his cock against Kevin's asshole. One push of his hips and the head slid in, too fast. "Ow!" Kevin cried.

"Oh God, I'm sorry," Lucas said, pulling out, mortified at having hurt him.

Kevin turned, smiling despite the pain. "Not to worry, guy. It just went in a little fast, that's all. Let me rest a minute and we'll try it again. Take it slow, okay?"

Lucas got into position again, pressing forward more carefully. Kevin gasped as he entered this time but did not cry out. Lucas watched his latex-covered shaft disappear between the spread cheeks, felt the smooth heat of Kevin's rectum. His partner moaned softly. "Are you okay?" Lucas asked.

"Great," Kevin replied. "Don't stop. Make me take it all."

Lucas pushed until his pubic bone was pressed against Kevin's cheeks and he could go no further.

"Christ," Kevin breathed, "That is fine." He began to stroke himself again. "Fuck me now, buddy." Lucas obediently began to move his cock in and out. "How does it look?" Kevin asked.

Lucas grasped Kevin's hips and gazed downward at his dick disappearing between the cheeks. The sight of it sliding in and out was undeniably hot. He began to step up the pace of his thrusts.

"Oh yes," Kevin's voice came from underneath him. "That's it, do it harder, man. Fuck that ass. Your big dick feels good in me."

Lucas leaned down until his head was just behind Kevin's and began to pump even faster.

"Uh huh," Kevin said. "Fuck that ass. Pump those hips. Ram it in. Use my hole, hot stud." The dirty talk excited Lucas past all restraint. He was now hammering Kevin's hole, shoving him forward on the bed with each pounding thrust. His breath began to come in ragged gasps. "I'm going to shoot," he said, next to Kevin's ear.

"Do it guy, I'll cum with you," Kevin said, his hand moving faster and faster on his own dick. "Oh yes-getting there-oh yeah, gonna blow my load, OH YEAH!" His words dissolved into shouts. Lucas felt the ring of sphincter muscles clutch his cock, throbbing as the orgasm shook Kevin's body. The sensation sent him over the edge. He gasped out air in loud grunts as he in turn emptied himself into the rubber, finally collapsing onto Kevin's back.

They stayed joined together for long moments. Lucas raised himself and looked at the man he had conquered, head bowed in submission, and dimly understood the triumph and contempt Will must have felt as he took him. Depression threatened him again at the thought. He pulled out of Kevin's body and lay back on the bed.

Kevin turned, smiling back at Lucas. He reached down to the floor, grabbing the shirt that he had offered to Lucas, and used it to blot up the cum on the bedspread. He grimaced. "I may have to throw this thing in the trash."

Lucas smiled weakly.

Kevin said, "I think I'll finish my beer." He dropped the shirt and padded naked over to where he had left the bottle, took a swig, then returned to the bed. He sat on the edge and offered it to Lucas. "Want some now? You've got to be thirsty after all that exercise."




Class Reunion Ch. 03



Lucas shook his head.

Kevin looked thoughtfully down at him, taking another swallow. "Lucas, whatever it is, don't sweat it." When Lucas stayed silent, he laid a hand on his chest. "Feel like telling me what happened?"

Lucas looked up into Kevin's friendly face, opened his mouth, and found himself pouring out his tale. He told him everything, omitting only details that would reveal Will's identity. When he finished, Kevin said, "You sure fell in love with a prize asshole."

Despite everything, Lucas felt compelled to defend Will. "He's not like that. I think he's just confused."

"Well, good riddance. And you've haven't outed the bastard? You're a classy guy, Lucas. Better than the jerk deserves."

Lucas sighed heavily, "I never felt so miserable in my life. I was thinking about doing something drastic up there on the roof tonight. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't seen me."

Kevin was silent for a moment, then said, with the wry grin that Lucas had seen before, "You know--it wasn't just a coincidence that I was up there. I followed you."

"You did?"

"I told you I overheard your, uh, breakup with Mr. BMOC. I felt bad for you, really. But I knew it wasn't any of my business. Tonight, I saw you go up to the roof and finally got the nerve to go up there too. I thought I could strike up a conversation, draw you out. I had no idea things would get so dramatic--or end up like this, beyond my wildest dreams," he said, his eyes soft despite his lighthearted tone.

"Kevin," Lucas began, then stopped. Confused thoughts, laced with guilt, still whirled through his mind.

"Lucas," Kevin said, "I know what you're thinking. Look, I know this might be a one-shot deal, and that's cool. I'm just glad I met you and could help you out. You sure look a lot better than you did an hour ago."

"You saved my life."

"And got a great fuck in return," Kevin said, sticking his tongue out playfully. "What more could Steelman's ranking queer activist want?"

Lucas laughed again at his friend's distinctive humor. "You are something else."

"So, Lucas," Kevin said, kissing him once more, "are you. Would you do me the honor of sleeping in my bed tonight?"

Lucas said, "Sure--if you want. There's a really stupid question I want to ask you, though."

"Shoot."

"What's your last name?"

"Kuehlwasser. I know, it's weird. Means "cool water" in German. And yours is something long too--Broadbent?"

"Boatright."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Boatright."

Lucas shook his head. "I can't believe I had sex with someone and didn't even know their last name."

Kevin threw back his head and roared. "Welcome to the gay world, Lucas Boatright."

PART SIX

Lucas wondered if students could get to the roof of Rainer Hall nowadays. The dormitory where he had lived his senior year still stood, now one of the oldest buildings on campus. Probably they had long since fixed the door so that people couldn't sneak up there, which would be too bad. He had an urge to walk inside, go up that staircase and check it out. Perhaps later, if he got the chance.

He didn't know if Kevin Kuehlwasser would be here this weekend. It was a pity they had lost touch. Lucas was still grateful to him for having reached out when he needed help badly. They never slept together again, but Kevin remained friendly. In fact, he became Lucas' first real friend at Steelman.

"There's no point in having a relationship now anyway, Lucas," he said one day, toward the end of the semester, when they were eating lunch together. "Two weeks and we're all out of here, right?"

"If you really loved someone, you could find a way to keep in touch," Lucas said.

"In your case, you should erase a certain someone permanently from the memory circuits," Kevin observed. "Mr. Swimmer Hunk sure does parade that girlfriend of his about." He had managed to wheedle Will's name out of Lucas.

"Well," Lucas said wryly, drinking his Diet Coke, "It looks like I was the one who convinced him hetero was the way to go." He was finding it easier to talk about Will these days, though not without a pang each time he did so. "Maybe you could make him see the light."

"Ha, not likely," Kevin snorted. "I'm not as cute as you are. Besides, he's not my type. I go for older men."

"Like who?"

"Like that Shakespeare professor of yours. Hot number."

"Dr. Evans?" Lucas tried to grasp the idea. "Really?"

"Oh yeah. Don't you think he's handsome? And if his dick is as big as his brain..."

Lucas spewed the sip of soda he had just taken. "You are bad." Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he added, "I just can't imagine our profs, you know, having sex lives."

Kevin hooted. "Lucas, you're so innocent. Your noble Dr. Evans had something pretty serious going on with some German instructor my freshman year. They were together all the time."

Lucas shook his head. "I must have been totally blind. What else have I missed these four years?"

Kevin smiled. "Someday we'll look back on college and wonder just what we did learn."

On Commencement day, as the graduating seniors gathered together in the basketball court in the gym, capped and gowned, to await the processional, Kevin sought him out.

"Congratulations, dude," he said, embracing Lucas. "We survived."

"Thanks to you," Lucas replied. Kevin made a dismissive gesture.

"Nah. See you afterward?"

"Sure."

But the attentions of his proud parents and other relatives, accepting congratulations from classmates and professors attending the ceremony, posing for pictures, all this had prevented him from seeing Kevin again. Lucas did catch a glimpse of him standing alone by the gymnasium door as he and his own family were departing. Kevin looked forlorn and Lucas almost went over to speak to him. At that moment, though, Dr. Evans, his Shakespeare instructor, came up to Kevin and shook his hand, and the opportunity passed. That had been the last time he had seen his classmate; he had received a few e-mails from Kevin in California, then they had drifted apart. Yes, it would be good to see him once more.

Will DuBarry had also been at Commencement, of course, as handsome as ever in his cap and gown. Lucas' psyche had finally dealt with the pain by shutting down where Will was concerned. He didn't remember feeling anything, though he had known this was probably going to be the last time he would see the man who had been, so briefly, his first lover.

He had managed to speak to Will after the ceremony, seeking him out in the crowd. The athlete was surrounded by relatives and friends, his fiancée next to him. Lucas tapped him on the shoulder as he chatted with some visitors. Will turned and Lucas stuck out his hand.

"Congratulations, Will," he said.

Will momentarily looked uncertain, as if he were worried that Lucas might cause a scene. Then he took the hand offered and shook it, offering a conventional smile. "Thanks. You too."

There was nothing more to say. Lucas started to walk away, when Will called out, "Lucas?"

He turned. Will hesitated, then said, "Thanks again for the help, you know, the papers."

Lucas nodded. That was the last he had seen of Will. He had heard through the grapevine that he had married Jenny and settled somewhere in the area, working for one of the high-tech corporations in Austin.

He came back to the present with a start, and realized that his steps, late on this Friday afternoon, had taken him to the gymnasium, which had had a shiny new wing added to it. He walked through the bright hallways, trying to find the pool. The old part of the building was surprisingly unchanged. He saw the door that said "Men's Faculty/Staff Lockers," the small locker room where he and Will had made love so long ago. Emotion began to stir within him at the memory of that magical day. He tried the door but it was locked, as it had been twenty years ago. He wanted very much to see the inside, compare it with the images burned into his mind.

"Can I help you?" a voice said behind him.

Lucas turned, startled. "Hello. I'm back for an alumni reunion. I used to spend quite a lot of time around here, I guess I wanted to see the old place again."

The man who had addressed him raised his eyebrows. "Seems to me there are more interesting sights on campus than an old locker room." He was about Lucas' height, perhaps twelve or fifteen years older, athletically built, with gray hair cut in a short buzz, and a goatee. His chest filled out the Steelman College T-shirt he was wearing above snug dark blue shorts.

"Yeah, I know it's weird," Lucas said, abashed. He couldn't, of course, explain the exact nature of his attraction to this particular place.

The man shrugged. "If you really want to see it, I have a key."

"Is it okay?" Lucas asked.

"Sure, why not." He stepped to the locker room door and turned a key in the lock. They went inside. The room was warm and smelled of bleach. It looked exactly as Lucas remembered it, right down to the dark green of the lockers and the glaring fluorescent lighting. Lucas paused at the shower entrance, staring into the darkness, lost in memories.

He realized that the man who had let him in must be wondering what in the world was going on. He turned to him and tried to explain. "I used to work out a lot when I was here," Lucas said, "Mostly swimming."

The man in shorts looked closely at him. "Were you on the team?"

"No," Lucas replied, "I wasn't that good. Very serious, but not good," he chuckled. "I did have--a friend who was on the team, though."

"And who would that have been? I probably know him, I coached the men's swim team for years. My name's Joe Wojchowski." He extended his hand.

Lucas shook it as he said his own name. "You don't coach the team any more, Mr. Wojchowski?"

"Call me Joe. Actually, I still do, but I'm not officially a coach, I'm what they call a club sport advisor," Wojchowski said, grimacing. "The faculty voted to get rid of athletic scholarships eight years ago. Killed a lot of team sports."

"Really, that's too bad."

"Well, yes and no. I don't miss the stress and pressure of competition, but I miss having really good athletes to coach. There were some great ones around here in those days. I have some pictures back in my office, if you have a minute. Maybe we can find one of your buddy. What did you say his name was?"

They were back out in the hall before Lucas said, "Will. Will DuBarry."

Joe Wojchowski's eyes lit up. "DuBarry! He was probably the greatest freestyler I've ever coached here. Yeah, I definitely do have stuff on him. The two years he was here were the best the swim team ever had. Here's my office. Come on in."

They entered a small, utilitarian room with cinder block walls. The coach's desk, a couple of chairs, and a massage table on the right side, against the wall, seemed more than ample furniture. There was a door at the back that opened out onto the pool deck, and a window next to it through which the blue water of the pool was visible. Shelves on the walls held trophies, framed photos and other memorabilia.

Wojchowski pulled up a chair for Lucas. "Have a seat." He drew the Venetian blind down over the window and went behind his desk, opening a drawer and rummaging around. "I have some scrapbooks here." He pulled out a thick black three-ring binder and brought it to Lucas. "This probably has something. It's from the late 90s, early 2000s."

Lucas opened it and began to flip through its pages. Sure enough, in a moment he saw an article from the Austin paper about Will, headlined: "Former UT Swimmer Sparks Steelman Aquatics." It was illustrated with a color photo, now faded, of Will, smiling up from the water at the edge of the Steelman pool. He turned the page and paused in surprise. There was his own interview with Will from the Banner--he hadn't seen the actual article in many years. "I wrote this," he said.

"No kidding," Joe said. "Turn the page, there's more."

Something in his voice made Lucas glance up. Joe was standing by his shoulder, smiling enigmatically. He did as he was told, and his mouth fell open.

It was a full-page color photo of Will, climbing out of the Steelman pool, grasping the metal railings of the pool stepladder. He was wearing a red bikini that was even skimpier than the team Speedos--in fact, it left very little to the imagination. He was staring at the camera, unsmiling and with a decidedly provocative expression.

"What the heck is this?" Lucas asked. Suddenly it seemed warm in Joe's office. He felt a trickle of sweat run down his back inside his shirt. His breathing came rapidly and his stiffening cock pressed uncomfortably against his underwear.

"Let's just say, that wasn't taken for the local paper," Joe chuckled. "Some photographer from Austin took that shot. Pretty hot, isn't it?"

Lucas nodded, his eyes glued to the picture.

"Will said he had it done for his girlfriend, and he wanted me to have a copy too. Oh, he was a handsome devil, that one. Shameless flirt. He knew how crazy I was about him and he was teasing me."

Looking up at Joe again, Lucas saw the bulge that had appeared in the front of his shorts. Joe gazed steadily back at him. Lucas realized he was being cruised. He found he didn't mind.

"Were you one of his guys?" Joe said, very quietly.

Lucas was surprised, though not as much as he thought he would be. "Were there lots of guys?" he countered.

Joe nodded. "It was a game for him, Lucas. He had an uncanny way of reading people, guys and girls. He saw through me right away, even though I always rode him hard, made him do extra laps, you name it. One day, he came on to me here in the office. I was younger then, and not bad looking, if I do say so myself. I told him I'd kick him off the team if he tried that again. He laughed in my face. He knew I couldn't afford to lose him. I dropped the act, told him it would be bad for team morale. He said, you don't know what you're missing, Coach. Cocky bastard. Yeah, I wanted him. Bad."

The coach looked down at his tented shorts and chuckled. "Looks like I still do."

Lucas reached out his hand and stroked the bulge. "So you never did it with him?"

Joe shook his head, massaging Lucas' shoulder. "Don't know how I found the strength. I used to lie awake at night and think about the guys he was doing, the ones he'd take to that locker room we were in. I'd think about how lucky they were. When I saw you there just now, and you said you knew him, I put two and two together. You're not the only one who's come back over the years, Lucas."

He took the scrapbook from Lucas and put it down on his desk, still open to Will's photograph. He raised Lucas to his feet and began to run his rough hands over the front of his body. "That DuBarry always did know how to pick 'em."

"I'd say the same about you, coach," Lucas replied, smiling into Joe's eyes. He unfastened Joe's shorts, letting them fall to the floor. The coach wore a jockstrap underneath. Lucas caressed the pouch, then bent and began to wet it with his mouth, until it was soaked with his spit and Joe's precum and he could see the outline of Joe's penis through the wet cloth. He grasped the leg straps running across Joe's butt and pulled the strap down. The cock flopped out, thick, dark, circumcised, fluid dripping from its tip. Lucas lapped it up with his tongue before taking the entire length in his mouth, burying his nose in the coarse fragrant hair of Joe's crotch. He reached down and released his own dick from the confines of his clothing, starting to jack himself off as he continued to suck Joe.

"Feels good, fella," Joe whispered. Then, after a moment, he said, "Lucas? You did do it with him, didn't you?"

"Mm hmm," Lucas mumbled, his mouth still full of cock.

Abruptly Joe pulled Lucas to his feet and kissed his mouth, hard. "Tell me about it," he pleaded. "I want to know what it was like, making it with that stud. Talk to me while I do you." He in turn knelt and took Lucas into his mouth.

Lucas placed his hands on Joe's shoulders. He closed his eyes and remembered.

"His cock was long and straight," he said. "Seven inches for sure. Flaring mushroom head. Lots of veins on the shaft."

An encouraging noise came from Joe, who was feverishly stroking his own cock as well.

"Round tight balls underneath. Not much hair, but what there was was soft, darker than the hair on his head. He smelled like chlorine. Go figure," Lucas laughed softly.

"His body--well, you know what his body was like, Joe," he continued, as waves of pleasure rose from his crotch and coursed through him. "Can you imagine running your hands over those sculpted pecs, those six-pack abs? I got to do that."

Another moan from the kneeling man in front of him.

"He had great nipples, very sensitive. He moaned when I licked and chewed on them."

Joe let go of his cock, saying, "Oh fuck, this is hot, fella. Tell me more. Did he fuck you with that pole?" He stripped off his T-shirt, revealing a muscular chest covered with graying hair, with just a hint of a stomach underneath.

Lucas, his pants and underwear already down around his ankles, unbuttoned his shirt, baring his chest. Joe repeated urgently, "Talk to me, man," and engulfed his cock again.

"Yeah, he fucked me in that locker room, Joe," Lucas said, through gritted teeth. He didn't think he could hold out much longer. "First he greased that rod of his and made me sit on it, ride it up and down like a fencepost. Then he put me on my back and started ramming it in like a piston. He shot his load deep in my hot tight ass, Joe. I felt his cock throbbing as he came."

Joe by now was sliding back and forth frantically on Lucas' raging hardon. A stream of moans and whimpers rose from his throat. Lucas gripped his shoulders as he felt his climax gathering.

"He took my cock then, and jacked me until I came, he was still inside me, and oh god, it was good, Joe, it was the best thing I'd ever felt, I fucking blew my brains out through my dick, coach, oh god, oh FUCK, FUCKING CUMMING, JOE--"

Lucas' hands tightened convulsively on the coach's gray buzzed head as he pumped his load into Joe's mouth. Muffled cries changed to a hoarse triumphant shout as the coach abruptly let go of Lucas' spurting cock.

"Oh fuck, that's hot!" he cried. "Cum in my face, man!"

As the remainder of Lucas' cum splattered across his face and beard, Joe's tongue snaked out of his mouth, trying to catch as much as it could. His head was thrown back, his face a picture of ecstasy as his own thick cock shot its load onto the cold tile floor.

They were finished. Joe opened his eyes and smiled up at Lucas. "Thanks," he said simply.

"Thank you," Lucas replied, catching his breath. He was astonished at how vivid the memories of Will had been, evoked by Joe's photograph.

Joe picked up his discarded T-shirt and cleaned his face and the floor. He stood and kissed Lucas gently. "I can see why Will went for you."

Lucas looked away, his mood darkening. "He was a fucking asshole." He began to rearrange his disheveled clothing.

"You're not the first one to say that, Lucas, believe me," Joe said, as he dressed himself. "I had a good-looking, macho athlete crying like a baby in this office over him. He broke a lot of hearts," he said, closing the scrapbook and putting it away.

He paused, then said, "Something happened to him a few months before graduation. He cut out all the messing around, got engaged, got real uptight. I think Jenny, his fiancee, gave him an ultimatum. He wanted to marry into that family badly. They were high-tech people, rolling in money. I heard he got what he wanted. Will usually did."

"And didn't care who he stepped on to get it," Lucas said bitterly.

Joe said, "Lucas, I'm not saying he didn't treat you badly, but it's been a long time. Why not let it go?"




Class Reunion Ch. 03



Lucas replied, haltingly, "I think I could--if I could just talk to him one more time. Hear it from him, why he acted the way he did."

"Well, you may get that chance. He's going to be at the reunion dinner tomorrow."

Lucas' heart leaped. "Really?"

Joe smiled. "He called and left a message on my voice mail. Wanted to talk over old times. We'll see if he actually shows. I'm sure a lot of other people will be after him too," he said, squeezing Lucas' shoulder. "Funny thing, he's lived less than fifty miles away all these years, and this is the first time he's ever wanted to see me since he left. Maybe something's up."

He opened the door of the office. "Anyway, he's not coming in until tomorrow afternoon. You want to go get a bite to eat, if you don't have any other plans?"

Lucas smiled. "Sure, why not?"

Joe beamed. "Great. Just let me stop by the locker room and get another shirt on our way out." He lowered his voice and winked. "You can show me exactly where you did the evil deed."

Lucas laughed as they left the room. "Now look who's obsessed with the past."

TO BE CONTINUED...



Class Reunion Ch. 04



Newly revised version copyright 2006 by the author.

PART SEVEN

Lucas returned to his hotel room late that night, having not only spent dinner but the rest of the evening with Joe. After the meal at a nearby restaurant Joe had invited him back to his house. The wistful expression in his eyes as he had made the offer, as if he were not really expecting an affirmative reply, touched Lucas--something about the coach reminded him of Patrick, his dead partner.

They had kissed and embraced in the living room of Joe's small house near campus, and gone quickly to his bed. Joe had been an ardent and playful lover, burrowing into Lucas' armpit with his wiry hair and grinning at his ticklish laughter. He had taken Lucas bluntly, almost roughly from behind, driving hard into him while he had reached under and stroked his cock. Joe had grunted in satisfaction as Lucas cried out, spilling his seed into the hand that had drawn his orgasm. He had cum himself then, his breath hot against Lucas' straining back and neck.

"That was nice," Joe said afterward, as they lay in bed, drowsy and content, still loosely linked together. "I haven't had a visitor in a long time. You've made an old man very happy."

Lucas kissed him. "I didn't come here to do that. I came here because I wanted your hot body."

Joe chuckled. "You're sweet to say that. Now, if only Will would show up at my office tomorrow and say his offer was still good, this would be a Homecoming for the record books."

"Maybe he's gotten bald and fat," Lucas suggested.

"I doubt it. He was too vain about his looks--he wouldn't have let himself go."

"You're probably right," Lucas said, running his hand through the thatch of hair on Joe's chest. "Listen to us. Twenty years and we're still talking about him. He'd just love it, the bastard."

"Do you hate him, Lucas?"

"I don't know, Joe. I do know I want to see him again. I hope he'll at least talk to me if I do." "And I hope you'll work things out. You're a fine young man, Lucas. I've had a great time tonight," Joe said, as he took him in his arms again. Lucas smiled.

"Not so young anymore. For the record, I didn't think once about Will tonight until you mentioned him just now, Joe. Unlike this afternoon."

A throaty chuckle rumbled from Joe's chest next to his ear. "Do you know, in all my years here, that's the first time I've ever messed around in my office? I have him to thank for that, I guess."

Lucas said, half amused, half rueful, "Same old Will, getting sane people to do insane things. Even if it's just his picture. Scan a copy and send it to me, would you, Joe?"

He thought about what he had said the following evening as he walked in the twilight toward the new Student Union building. Was this an insane thing he was doing? What did he hope to accomplish, if by chance he did meet Will again?

Lucas found his old shyness returning as he entered the festive, bustling foyer, brightly lit and crowded with alumni and current members of the campus community. He had been almost a recluse during much of his college career, and had known few people well in his class. He worried that he might have no one to talk to.

Whatever his misgivings, he had come too far to turn back. He walked up the main staircase, toward the ballroom reserved for the twentieth-year class reunion. At the entrance he paused, scanning the crowd for any face that seemed in the least familiar.

He saw a tall, distinguished-looking man, in his early sixties perhaps, with salt-and-pepper hair and a mustache. As Lucas scrutinized him further, he realized with a start that it was his old English instructor, Jonathan Evans. Wondering exactly what he was doing here, but glad that he could greet at least one person, he went toward him.

Evans was with a companion, a slender man about Lucas' height and age, blond and bearded. Lucas thought him attractive, and vaguely familiar also. Both were holding punch glasses and talking. As he approached, the professor turned, and Lucas felt the sharp scrutiny of his brown eyes, not in the least dimmed by the passage of two decades.

Again shyness threatened to overcome him, but with an effort he extended his hand. "Dr. Evans? I wonder if you remember me. I'm Lucas Boatright, class of oh-two."

He need not have worried. "Lucas!" boomed Evans, taking his hand and shaking it vigrously. "Of course I remember you. Freshman Composition, Journalism and Shakespeare. A most distinguished student, and now a most distinguished journalist."

"Thank you sir, what a memory," Lucas said, pleased.

"I do want to thank you again for finally turning in that Shakespeare paper, too," Evans added, frowning in mock reproach. Lucas blushed, wishing his professor's memory were a little fuzzier. "No doubt you are more conscientious about meeting deadlines in your current profession."

"Well," Lucas admitted, "I still pull all-nighters, if you want to know the truth. You know my work, Dr. Evans?"

"Of course, Lucas! And do call me Jon. I read your column in the Advocate religiously. I enjoy it far more than most of what I have to read now."

Emboldened by the praise, Lucas tried a joke. "Your students' papers are that bad?"

Jonathan Evans laughed. "Lucas, alas, I am not teaching these days. If it only were student papers I was reading. I always enjoyed them, even the late ones. That's why I remember your Shakespeare paper. It was the only assignment you ever turned in late. Now Kevin here, he never turned in a paper on time, did you?"

This was addressed to his companion, who laughed good-naturedly. "Jon, you'll never let me live that down. How are you, Lucas? It's been a long time," the bearded man said, offering his hand.

Lucas shook it and looked into clear gray eyes. Recognition snapped into place. "My god, it's Kevin Kuehlwasser, isn't it?" In a flash he comprehended the relationship of the two men standing before him. It seemed Kevin, like Will, had gotten what he wanted.

Jonathan Evans was saying, "Kevin, I ought to be going to the class of '97. Where is that, do you recall?"

"I think it's the Rose Ballroom, Jon. Upstairs," Kevin said. "Check the schedule in your pocket. Here, let me have your punch glass."

"You're not coming with me?"

"I'm going to the coffeehouse at eight, remember? Besides, Lucas and I have some catching up to do." Kevin turned to Lucas and explained, "Jon's having a busy weekend. He has to put in an appearance at all the big reunions, since he's now Acting Provost of Steelman."

"Really? Congratulations, sir," Lucas said.

Evans shook his head dismissively. "Believe me, Lucas, I'd much rather be teaching handsome, intelligent young men like yourself. And women too, for that matter. Good to see you. Okay, Kevin, meet you at the pass, whenever that may be."

As he moved off Kevin turned to Lucas and shook his head. "He's twenty-two years older than I am, and I can't keep up. How are you really, Lucas?" he asked, warmly. "Let me put this stuff down and give you a proper hug." He suited the actions to the words. "You're looking great. Looks like life's been treating you well."

"It's good to see you too, Kevin. I wondered if you would be here," Lucas said, as they embraced. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at first."

"It's this beard. Jon's been nagging me to shave it off. I grew it because people around here who didn't know about us kept thinking I was his son," Kevin laughed, with a bit of an edge.

"So how long have you all been together?"

"Twenty years. This is kind of an anniversary party for us."

"But--" Lucas was confused. "I thought you went out to grad school at Berkeley. I got a couple of e-mails from you there."

"I did, but I came back after a semester," Kevin said. "You see, Jon and I got together right after school ended. Graduation night, in fact. We lived together all summer, then I went off to California, but I missed him too much. He must have felt the same, because he e-mailed me that fall and asked me to come back. We've been together ever since."

"That's so sweet," Lucas said. "But tell me, Kevin--I mean, it's great that Jon's been appointed to such an important post, but it can't be all that easy for you."

The wry expression he remembered crossed his friend's face. "Lucas, it's never been easy for me, or for us. Listen, I'd love to tell you all about it, but I've got to be somewhere myself in a few minutes. LEGAL's having their reunion at the Coffeehouse."

"What's LEGAL?"

"Lesbian/Gay Action League of Steelman. We're in a separate building, so that if someone tries to blow us up, we'll be the only ones incinerated. That's a joke, I hope," Kevin said, grimacing.

Lucas, disappointed, said, "I've hardly seen you."

Kevin said, "I have an idea. You just got here, right? Have yourself some dinner--the buffet is great--and meet me by the foyer entrance in about an hour, around nine. We'll go someplace quiet and talk. How's that sound?"

Brightening, Lucas said, "Great. Now that I know I'll have you to talk to, it won't be so bad here by myself."

Kevin said, quietly, "You may have someone else to talk to tonight."

Excitement rose quickly in Lucas. "You mean--"

Kevin nodded. "I saw Will DuBarry on campus earlier this afternoon. I haven't seen him here yet, but I assume he's back for the reunion. Have you talked to him at all since we graduated?"

Lucas shook his head. "Never."

"Well, I wanted to tell you so it wouldn't be a total shock if you did run into him. Just FYI. Listen, I'm late. See you around nine, okay?" Kevin said, patting Lucas on his shoulder. He started to walk away, then turned and added, "For what it's worth, he ain't getting any uglier."

Lucas stood, vibrant with nervous anticipation. So Will was here, as he had hoped and feared. The time had arrived, the ball was in his court. After a while, he calmed down slightly. Will might come at any time, or not come at all. He took Kevin's suggestion and went to the buffet. Filling a plate and getting himself a drink, he took his food to a table, one of many that had been set up in the ballroom. It was empty when he claimed it, but in a few minutes, a woman whom he didn't know, also holding a plate, stopped and asked if she could sit there. She was a Steelman graduate as well. They exchanged names and pretended to remember each other. They chatted as they ate and Lucas realized to his amusement that she was trying to pick him up. First Joe, now this pleasant and pretty female--he seemed to be much more of a social success as a graduate than he ever had been as a student. While he was talking, trying to think of a way to let her down gently, he glanced toward the entrance and his voice faded in mid-sentence.

Kevin had been absolutely right. It was not that Will DuBarry looked the same as he had twenty years ago. Time had, if anything, added distinction to his youthful good looks. The few lines on his face enhanced the square strength of his jaw, the charm of his smile; his body, still tight and athletic, had gained mass, so that it filled out the expensive suit he wore impressively. His blond hair was unchanged, and shone above the dark blue, pinstriped fabric of his jacket. He was the very picture of the college athlete and fraternity boy made good.

"Is something the matter?" his companion asked. He had forgotten her name.

Lucas replied, not looking at her, "No, I just saw someone I know. Will you excuse me?" He got up from the table as if in a trance and began to walk toward Will. The former star swimmer was with a group of other men, perhaps old fraternity buddies or teammates. He turned as Lucas drew nearer, and their eyes met.

Lucas saw the flash of recognition in Will's face, saw him raise his hand in greeting, open his mouth to speak. At that instant his nerve failed him. He increased his pace, walked rapidly past the group and out the doorway of the ballroom.

Lucas did not stop walking until he had gone downstairs, through the foyer and out the door of the building. At last he paused on the sidewalk, flushed and sweating. He was filled with disgust. He had waited twenty years, flown halfway across the country, and what had he done when the moment was at hand? He had run away. Coward.

He wanted to turn and go back upstairs, make another attempt, but pride prevented him from retracing his steps. At length, his inner turmoil propelled him into motion. He began walking, not caring in which direction he went.

"Lucas!"

He recognized the voice instantly, though he had not heard it for twenty years. He turned and there was Will, striding toward him. Lucas stopped and waited. He had been given a second chance. No matter what the consequences, he would take it.

"Why did you run away just now?" Will asked, stopping in front of him. Up close, he was no ghost. His physical presence hit Lucas like a blow. It was a moment before he could answer.

"Hello, Will," he finally managed. "Just being silly, I guess. I wasn't sure you'd want to talk to me."

"I don't blame you for thinking that. But I do. How are you? It's been so long. You're looking great." Will extended his hand.

"Thanks, so are you," Lucas replied, shaking it.

"I saw Coach Joe this afternoon and he told me he saw you." Lucas wondered just how much Joe had told Will about their unexpected encounter. "Lucas, I was thrilled to hear that you were back. I've thought about you a lot lately. Called the alumni office here to find out how to reach you, in fact."

Lucas was taken by surprise. "Really? Why?"

Will looked down and bit his lip, exactly the way he remembered him doing at that interview so long ago. "It's a long story, Lucas. I'd like to tell it to you, if you'll listen to me."

Lucas had an eerie sense of deja vu. Will had told him a secret twenty years ago, and begun the chain of events that had ended with his heart being broken. Now, here he was, again offering a revelation. He felt himself being swayed by Will's charm, more potent than ever, and sudden anger rose in him.

"Why should I listen to anything you have to say?" he asked coolly.

Will's mouth tightened and he nodded, as if he had expected that reaction. "There isn't a reason in the world. But would you anyway?" he added, flashing the old smile.

Lucas began to weaken. "I'm supposed to meet somebody else soon. I don't know how long we'll be."

"No problem," Will answered immediately. "I can give you my Austin number and you can call me afterward at home. Please say you will, Luke," he concluded, his face alight with eager appeal.

Hearing Will call him by the nickname that only he and Patrick had ever been allowed to use dissolved all remaining resistance. "Okay," Lucas said.

"Great! Let me give you my number. Do you have a car here?"

A few minutes later Lucas sat on a wooden bench near the entrance of the Union building, where he had agreed to meet Kevin. He mulled over the conversation with Will. He realized that he had anticipated a cool, perhaps even hostile attitude on the part of his former friend. Instead, Will had been friendly and eager to talk. Why?

Lucas realized, with a guilty start, that he had hardly thought of Kevin since seeing Will--Kevin, who had given him far more than Will ever had. As if in response to his unspoken thoughts, his friend appeared at that moment, coming toward him on the path.

Kevin raised a hand in greeting. "Hello! Been waiting long?"

"No," Lucas lied. "How was the reunion?"

"Fun," Kevin said. "Shall we?"

Impulsively, Lucas said, "I have a crazy idea."

"I love crazy ideas. Shoot."

"Do you think," Lucas said, "That people can still get up to the roof of Rainer Hall?"

Kevin raised his eyebrows. "You know, I don't know. It's possible. That building's such a wreck now. You know they're planning to tear it down and build a new dorm next year?"

"Really? Then it may be our last chance. Let's go see," Lucas urged.

Kevin shrugged, smiling. "Why not?" As they began to stroll across campus, he asked, without ceremony, "So, did you see him?"

"Yes."

"And? C'mon, don't keep this girl in suspense," Kevin pleaded jokingly.

"Well," Lucas said, "He invited me to his house."

"Are you going?"

A pause, then Lucas nodded. "Yes."

Kevin looked at him a long moment, then shook his head and sighed. "I don't know, Lucas. You sure you know what you're getting into?"

Lucas said, impatient, "Kevin, I'm not the fool I was twenty years ago. I can handle it."

"Well, okay. I hope you get an explanation for those terrible things he said."

Lucas said grimly, "Believe me, I'm going to ask for one."

They reached the front door of Rainer Hall and went in. Lucas noted the grimy carpet and peeling paint on the walls as they mounted the main stairway. At the landing of the fourth floor, where they had both lived, Kevin glanced at Lucas. "Here goes nothing," he said, and climbed the last set of stairs to the roof, Lucas following.

The metal door at the top was now badly rusted. Lucas' heart sank when he saw that it was shut tightly. Kevin looked at Lucas. "We've come this far, might as well at least try it."

Kevin took hold of the knob and turned, pushing. The door swung open easily. They exchanged looks of surprised delight. "Well, what do you know?" Kevin said. Stepping through the opening they found themselves out on the roof. A cool evening breeze tickled their faces.

"This is great," Lucas said as the two men walked carefully to the edge and looked out over the campus. The many new buildings made the view even more lustrous than he remembered it. They stood in silence for long moments. Finally Kevin turned to Lucas and smiled.

"This is where we met."

Lucas nodded. He thought back to the night Kevin had rescued him and taken him back to his room, where they had made love for the first and only time. He looked at his friend now and found desire welling up, mingled with gratitude and affection.

Kevin dropped his gaze and shuffled his feet in the gravel. After a moment, he said, "I have a confession to make, Lucas."

"What?"

"I'm jealous."

Lucas' heart leaped. "Why?"

"Well, here you are, footloose and forty, about to go off for a reunion with a handsome ex-lover. Makes my life seem pretty dull."

Lucas was not sure where this was leading. He said, choosing his words carefully, "I'm the one who should be jealous of you, Kevin. You found your true love and lived happily ever after."

Kevin snorted. "It's not quite like a fairy tale, guy--at least not that kind." He gazed out at the lighted spire of the chapel, unchanged among the transformations on campus. "I do love Jon. Even now I look at him and get weak in the knees. He's so handsome, so brilliant."

"I could tell."

"We've had rough times, but we got through them. And we're damn happy.''

Lucas nodded.

"But--standing here I can't help thinking about that night with you twenty years ago. How sweet it was."

Lucas was silent, not trusting himself to speak. Kevin looked at him, his eyes luminous in the dim light. "You may think you're older and tougher now. But I look at you, Lucas, and I see that same kid I pulled away from the edge of this roof. The one who still loves his blond swimmer."

A lump rose in Lucas' throat. He could not argue.

"So even though every cell in my body wants to have its wicked way with you, I'm not going to try anything."

Lucas found his voice. "I'm glad--for Jon's sake. Because... I wouldn't turn you down."

Kevin's eyes shone more brightly. "You're damn sweet. But tell the truth--when it was over, you'd still head for his place, wouldn't you?"

Lucas said, in a low voice, "Yes." He reached out and touched Kevin's shoulder. Suddenly he found himself caught in a tight embrace. He kissed Kevin's cheek as he hugged him back. "I'm sorry."

Kevin held him a moment longer, then turned away. "Don't be sorry. I'd do the same." A pause, then he turned back to Lucas, the familiar wry grin on his face. "I want a full report."




Class Reunion Ch. 04



Lucas laughed. "You'll get one, I promise."

At that moment he saw movement on one of the paths on the ground below--someone was walking rapidly away from the Student Union, in their general direction. After a moment Lucas recognized the tall figure of Jonathan Evans. He said to Kevin, "Dr. Evans--Jon seems to be leaving the party."

Kevin looked. "Damn, he's probably looking for me. We'd better get back."

They descended the stairs quickly and walked out the front entrance. The provost was still some distance away. He saw them, raising a hand in greeting as he strode toward the pair.

"There you are," Evans said. "Thought you all might still be at the LEGAL reunion. Went over there to see if the building was still standing."

"Nope, no bombs," Kevin laughed. "Lucas and I have been checking out our old stomping grounds."

His partner nodded. "That's right, you both used to live here. Great view from the roof."

Lucas asked, surprised, "You've been up there, sir?"

"Certainly. Kevin showed me soon after we met. I had no idea our students could do such things. That's where he met you, isn't it?"

"That's right." Lucas wondered how much Jonathan Evans already knew about their friendship. He looked at Kevin, walking beside them, uncharacteristically silent. He decided to let it rest.

"I hope you've enjoyed the reunion, Lucas."

This he could answer without reserve. "Seeing you and Kevin, sir, made it all worth it."

Evans smiled, pleased. "The pleasure's been ours, Lucas. Right, Kevin?"

They reached the lot where Lucas had parked his car. "Heading out early tomorrow?" his former professor asked, as he shook Lucas' hand.

"Not until the afternoon. I'm actually going to visit one more friend tonight."

"I see. Well, have a safe journey."

Lucas turned to his former classmate. "Goodbye, Kevin."

Kevin took his hand in both of his. Their eyes met in a meaningful glance. "Goodbye, Lucas. Don't stay away so long next time."

Lucas smiled. "I promise I'll keep in touch."

He watched the two of them walk away, talking in low voices. Lucas saw Jon Evans' hand come up and rest on Kevin's shoulder, lightly, familiarly. A lump rose in his throat. Yes, Kevin was the luckier of the two of them. Lucas hoped he knew that.

He got into his car and started the engine. There was little chance he would ever feel the same contentment, but it was time to fight, and maybe subdue, one demon that had haunted his life. Or was it an angel that the guy had wrestled in the Bible story? At the moment he couldn't remember.

PART EIGHT

An hour later Lucas drove through quiet streets southwest of the city. Will's hurried but clear directions over the phone had taken him to a new subdivision, built over what used to be rolling, undeveloped ranchland.

At last, after opening an automatic gate with the security code Will had given him, he stopped in front of an imposing house, built on the side of a hill, overlooking a valley. Lights from other houses standing on the opposite side twinkled behind it. He stepped to the lighted entryway and rang the doorbell.

Will answered almost immediately, smiling in greeting. "Hey, come on in," he said. He had changed out of his suit, into a blue shirt and jeans. He ushered Lucas into the front hall The impression of wealth and luxury he had obtained outside increased. Lucas wondered idly where Will's family was. He hadn't seen any sign of a wife or children at the reunion.

"Would you like something to drink?" Will asked. He headed toward the built-in bar in the living room, and Lucas took in the sight of his broad shoulders, his small butt perfectly encased by his faded jeans. He found himself wondering what Will might look like under those clothes now, and pushed the thought away with an effort.

Will brought Lucas the glass of Perrier he had requested and a Scotch for himself. "Have a seat," he said, and Lucas sat down on a large white couch. Will perched on a seat opposite him and sipped his drink. For a moment they sat in silence.

At last Will spoke. "Luke, thanks for coming by tonight."

Lucas nodded.

Will opened his mouth as if to add something, then closed it and seemed abruptly to change his tack. "So, what have you been doing with yourself?" he asked.

"Well," Lucas said slowly, "I live in L.A. now. I'm a contributing editor for The Advocate, you know, the gay newsmagazine?"

Will nodded. "Sure. Pretty impressive. You've done well, Luke."

Where was this heading? "Not as well as you," he replied, gesturing in a way that was meant to take in their surroundings. "This is--wonderful."

A shrug from Will. "It's just stuff. Lucas, are you...with someone now?"

Vaguely irritated at the suddenly personal question, Lucas said, "Actually, no. I had a partner but he died a few years ago, of AIDS."

A shadow that he did not quite comprehend passed over Will's face. "That's tough. Are you, like, okay yourself?"

Lucas laughed shortly. "Yeah, I'm negative if that's what you mean. If you mean psychically, well, you don't get over something like that in a hurry."

"It must have been pretty terrible."

Somehow Will's sympathy increased his annoyance. "Yes and no. Sure, it was hard to watch someone you love get sick and die. But Patrick was a great guy. He finally got me to see that not everyone was going to cut loose and run away, stab you in the back after you had given them everything. It took me a long while to learn that." Lucas stopped, shocked at the bitterness that had come welling up. He had not meant to say such things.

Will stared at the glass he held. Finally he said, "I deserved that, Luke."

Lucas said nothing.

"Since you came, could you at least listen to what I have to say?" Another pause, then Will pressed on. "I was a fool. Of course I wasn't going to change by telling myself to cut you loose and just live a normal life. I was scared, Luke. Scared to death about the feelings I had for you."

Lucas quickly looked at Will, momentarily startled by his admission. Then anger rose again and he said, relentlessly, "So you chose. You chose your normal life. Even though you broke my heart."

Will nodded heavily, resigned. He set his glass down. "You still hate me for what I did, don't you? What can I say, Luke? I'm sorry. Sorrier than you'll ever know. How can I get you to see that?"

Lucas felt as if he had turned to ice. No warmth, no tenderness would ever penetrate his soul again. He heard the angry, bitter words spill out, powerless to stop them. "Is that why you asked me to come here tonight? Fuck you. You used me up and threw me away twenty years ago, Will. You think there's anything left for you inside me now? I don't care whether you live or die."

He paused, breathing hard. Will's gaze had not wavered. Now he said, his voice flat and toneless, "Is that really true, Lucas?"

His rage receded, and shame began to take its place. Lucas sat silent as the conflicting emotions churned inside of him.

"I've got something to show you. Stay there."

Abruptly Will stood and walked from the room. Lucas thought about leaving. But his curiosity had been roused despite himself. He waited.

After a few moments Will returned, carrying something in his hand. He tossed the object at him, startling Lucas. It rattled as it fell into his lap.

Lucas looked down. He saw a plastic bottle of pills that looked somehow familiar. Swiftly he picked it up and glanced at the label. He raised his face to Will, stunned.

"Patrick took these. Will, are you--"

The other man nodded, his face grim. "Positive? You guessed it."

"How--how long?"

Will shrugged. "Who knows, really? A year, maybe. Thank god I found out from an anonymous test, so my insurance company doesn't know about it. I had to tell my wife, though. That was bad." He snorted. "Jenny knew about me and guys. We had an understanding. But AIDS wasn't in the agreement. She took the kids and left."

He sat on the couch, his eyes boring into Lucas. "Happy now? I got what I deserved, right?"

Lucas shook his head. "Jesus Christ. No one deserves this."

A short laugh from Will. "Wait, it gets better. She's suing me for divorce and custody. Says I'm an unfit father, that I've betrayed her and my children by my perverted thoughts and actions.

"She's threatening to spread the news too. So far nobody knows--I'm paying for the meds out of my own pocket so it won't go on my insurance. But if enough people find out I could lose my job."

"I'm sorry, Will. Really sorry."

Suddenly Will's sarcastic veneer crumbled. Swiftly he brushed a hand across his eyes. "I'm at the end of my rope. I've got no one to turn to. Except you. I've thought about you so much over the past few months, Luke. That night when I was so horrible to you. How you stood up to me and said that you loved me. I've fucked up my life and I'm going to die soon. I know it's way too late, but I still wanted to try to make things right. That's all."

He fell silent, his head bowed in his hands. They sat, frozen, for long moments, no sound audible in the room except Will's agitated breathing.

Slowly Lucas laid a hand on the other man's shoulder. Will looked up, his face a hard mask again. "So you feel sorry for me now? Save your pity. I don't want it."

Lucas shook his head. Very softly, he said, "Will you take my love instead?"

Will's mouth opened, but no sound came out. His eyes filled with tears. Lucas moved forward and gathered him into his arms as Will began to sob softly on his shoulder.

"It's the truth, Will," he said. "When I saw you tonight you took my breath away. The same way you did twenty years ago."

He rocked Will, comforting him.

"I thought about not coming. I thought about walking out just now. But I couldn't do it."

Will let out a long sigh against his shoulder, then raised his head, smiling through his tears. "Jesus, I'm a wreck."

Lucas gazed at his idol. The frozen lump inside him had melted. Overwhelming tenderness flooded his soul. "You're not. You're perfect."

Will's face clouded. "The hell I am. I'm poisonous, Luke. Better go before I infect you."

Lucas took Will's face in his hands and kissed him full on the mouth, hard. "I'm not going."

Will's gaze was steady, challenging. "Your last chance, Boatright."

Lucas began to unbutton the other man's shirt. He glanced downward and his hands stopped. "When the heck did you grow all this hair?"

Will laughed so hard Lucas was nonplused. "What's so damn funny?"

"Sorry," Will said, regaining his composure. "Guy, I used to shave it off. Remember I was a competitive swimmer? I just let it grow now."

"Duh, do I feel stupid, or what," Lucas said, abashed. He tucked a hand into the opening. "What else don't I know about you?"

"Come in the bedroom and find out."

They embraced on the bed, one dim lamp illuminating their urgent bodies. Lucas found that Will's chest was not as perfectly chiseled as he remembered it, but broader, more massive and bronzed. He moved down past the still flat stomach and reached the long, straight cock he remembered, pointing tautly toward Will's navel. He gave it a few strokes with his mouth, then looked up, apologetically. Will nodded, understanding.

"I'm sorry," Lucas said.

"It's okay. Come up here." Strong hands pulled him upward. He felt first Will's tongue, then his mouth on his erection. Fingers pulled at his nipples. Lucas closed his eyes and let the pleasure wash over him. After a few moments Will let go.

"There's rubbers and lube in the night table next to the bed," he said.

"Will, I don't know--"

Will shook his head. "No, Luke. They're for you. I want you to fuck me."

"You sure?"

The smile broadened. "Don't you think it's about time?"

As he slid his sheathed cock into Will, lying on his back with his legs in the air, the taller man gasped. Lucas paused a moment, then continued a slow, relentless penetration. Will's head fell back onto the mattress, his mouth open. "Oh Christ," he said. 

Carried away with joy, Lucas stretched out full length, bending Will double as he drove into him. They came together, shouting and groaning in unison. Lucas collapsed onto the body beneath him, Will's ejaculate sticky between them, gluing them together. The sharp odor of cum mingled with the scent of their sweat. Lucas turned and buried his face in Will's neck as their breathing slowly returned to normal.

They lay beside each other on the now disheveled bed. Will reached over and laid a hand on Lucas' chest.

"Stay," he said.

Lucas nodded. "My plane doesn't take off until late afternoon. I'll have to leave in time to get back to my hotel and pack up, though."

Will shook his head, his expression serious. "You know what I mean. Stay with me, Luke. I need you."

Lucas sighed. "You know I can't."

Will looked at the ceiling. "You mean you won't. I guess I understand, really. You've already buried one lover. Why should I ask you to bury another?"

"Damn it, don't talk like that."

"It's true, isn't it?"

"No, it's not. You can afford the best care. You could live for decades. It's not that simple. I live a thousand miles away, I have a job, a nice apartment, good friends, a life."

Will's gaze was thoughtful. "And I'm not worth throwing all that away for? You're probably right. What if I just gave it all up and came with you?"

Taken aback, Lucas asked, "You would do that?"

"Yes, I would."

Lucas lay silent. His first love was offering him the chance to start over, to correct what had gone so terribly wrong. He should have been feeling pure joy. Instead, doubt assailed him.

"Are you sure, Will? What about Jenny? She's going to play it up for all it's worth, her husband running off with the queer magazine writer."

Will's jaw was set. "Let her."

"What about your kids, then? Have you told them everything? Bet your wife's told them plenty. She's talking to her lawyers. What are your chances of getting custody, or even seeing them, if you're living the homosexual lifestyle, as they'll undoubtedly refer to it?"

Silence.

"Lucas, I love you. Why are you doing this?"

Lucas looked at Will's stricken face. "Will," he said more gently, "Too much time has passed, too much has happened. We can't go back and start over."

Will sat up, and Lucas drew in his breath. Seeing the broad, muscular expanse of his back and shoulders still sent a shiver through him.

"So is this goodbye, Lucas?"

Lucas grasped his shoulder. "No. You're not getting away from me again, Will DuBarry. You'll see me again, I promise. Many times."

Will turned and smiled, somewhat unsteadily. "Guess I'll have to settle for that."

Lucas sat up and embraced him from behind. Will bent his head down and kissed his hand. "Thanks, Luke. For coming back."

Lucas felt his throat tighten as he pressed his face into the back of Will's neck. So much had happened to them both, so much sorrow, so much love given to others. Time could not be forgotten, nor ignored, he thought. But maybe for one night, at least, it could be kept at bay.

EPILOGUE

His apartment was warm, dusty and silent. Lucas stepped into his living room, feeling as if he had been away years rather than a few days. As always, his eye first went to the shelf on which stood the modest gray urn that held Patrick's ashes. He sat on his couch and leaned back, eyes closed, filled with memories of both the recent and distant past.

Finally, he roused himself and carried his bag to the bedroom. He had shut down his computer and unplugged it before he left. He powered up the machine and logged on.

His "In" box was clogged, of course. Swiftly his eye scanned the list, and he smiled as he caught sight of some new addresses among the e-mails. He sat and began to scroll down the list, selecting and opening messages.

Dear Lucas:

It was an absolute delight to see you at Homecoming. Jon was very happy you came too. He wishes he could have talked longer to you. So, frankly, do I. Please come back, and soon. Maybe as a distinguished alum--certainly as a friend.

Love,

Kevin

***

Lucas:

It's Monday and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. First to run into you and to have such a wonderful time with a wonderful man. I guess you did see Will at the reunion. You know he came to see me Saturday morning? I was floored. He apologized to me, said he was sorry he was such a prick and gave me so much grief. Can you believe that? Oh that devil. He's as gorgeous as ever. Now I'm in love again. I have a feeling he's already spoken for, though . Keep in touch, will you?

Joe

P.S. Here's the pic you asked me for. Enjoy.

***

Luke:

What can I say. I'm still thinking about the short time we had together. You always were the one who could give me what I wanted and needed. Only my stupid fault I couldn't see that twenty years ago. Thanks for coming back, and forgiving me, and still loving me. I feel like now I can face whatever might come down knowing you're there somewhere, in my corner. Someday you just might open the door and find me on your doorstep. Consider yourself warned. I'm sending a picture until you see the real thing again. 

Much love,

Will

***

He opened the two attached files, smiling as the one from Joe filled the screen. The muscled blond stud in the red bikini gazed out at him. Good guy, Joe. He'd understood.

He gazed at the computer with more curiosity as he opened the file from Will. It was a portrait, taken recently. Will faced the camera dressed in coat and tie, his expression serious, his eyes clear. The closeup revealed lines on his face etched in more deeply than Lucas remembered.

He arranged the images side by side on his computer screen: Will then, Will now. His first love was no longer a ghost, but a real person, part of his life again, however large or small. He had gone to his college reunion to confront the past, and he had found a new future instead. No doubt he would encounter both joy and sorrow on the road ahead. Lucas couldn't wait to start the journey.

END