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Yellow Ch. 01

By: Midwestern_Sex_Fiend



"Where is he now?"

"Sleeping. In my bed. He was pretty tired."

"What did you do to the poor man, Susan? My God."

Susan Reimann listened as her pragmatic best friend, Tricia Fields, berated her good-naturedly. This sort of tirade was nothing new when it came to Tricia.

"Nothing," she said innocently.

"Nothing, my ass. What did you and Matt do the rest of the day?"

"You mean after he gave me three love bites? We just went out to lunch and went shopping. Then we came back here, made out and he went to sleep in my bed."

The brunette twenty-two-year-old waitress stretched her legs out on the couch and rubbed absently at her feet. "Yuck, my nail polish is peeling off. You want to come over so we can redo ours together?"

"I have something else in mind," grinned Tricia, running a hand through her dirty blond hair and almost bursting at the idea she was about to suggest.

Susan sat up straight on the couch. Tricia's ideas were usually sexual in nature, and with an incredibly hot and muscular guy sleeping half-nude in her bed, her tone left little room for deviance. Susan was up for anything. Especially if it included Matthew Herring.

"You crawl into bed with him," Tricia said excitedly, her mind already ahead of her words, fantasizing about what she wanted to be done to her. "You get in bed with him, but don't wake him up. Then you gently massage him through his boxers until he either gets hard or he wakes up—he'll probably do them at the same time. Then tell him you want him so bad, like you never wanted him before, and that you will fuck him right then and there. Trust me, he'll want to marry you on the spot."

Susan was laughing so hard that she could barely respond. "Tricia...you are the best friend ever! I never would have thought of such a thing. Only you could have."

"Trust me, it will work." Tricia turned away from the phone so Susan wouldn't hear her stifle a gasp of ecstasy. The decadent suggestion had even turned her on, although she had thought of it first, and she felt her inner muscles clenching and hardening. She was getting aroused by her own idea. God, had it really been so long since she'd had sex? 

Tricia felt dirty all of the sudden, and to relieve the ache, she reached inside her sleeping shorts and rubbed firmly against the outside of her panties, stimulating her clit. The sensation was amazing, and she pulled her hand away with another gasp. "So, are you gonna slip it to him?"

"Like hell I am. This will be the most unforgettable afternoon of his life."

"You'll make it happen. I know you will."

"Me, too. I'll call you back to let you know how it went, okay?"

"I just thought of another idea, Suz."

"What is it?"

Tricia hurriedly whispered her plan into the receiver, and Susan laughed. "Oh, my God, you naughty girl! That is so bad! You have to do it! It'll be hilarious."

"I will, but you better get going, woman, or you'll lose your opportunity."

"I've never lost anything, smart-ass." Then she hung up.

Tricia replaced the receiver and went in search of her vibrator. It was hidden in one of the kitchen drawers. Yanking it out excitedly, she stripped off her shorts while walking to the TV and switched on the illegal channel. Carnal moans and grunts emanated from the fuzzy screen, but that was enough. With a quick head turn, Tricia acknowledged that the front door was, in fact, locked. She threw back her head as she went to work on herself, the buzzing device pressed deep into her skin. Soon, her own screams filled the air.

Back at Susan's house, she hung up the phone and turned to the kitchen doorway. Matt stood there, seeming dazed from sleep, his eyes shining. He wore only boxers, showing off his magnificent chest and developed arms. 

"Hi, sweetie, did you have a nice nap?" Her voice was practically dripping with honey.

"Don't act all sugary with me now." His was closer to a low growl. He seemed irritated.

Matt stood in the doorway, contemplating his ex-girlfriend. They'd had a rocky past together, her reuniting with him whenever her boyfriend at the time dumped her, and then her leaving him for the idiot again. The last time they'd been together, it was set up by their friends and it was at his home in Michigan. She was 15 at the time, and he was 19. 

Now, years later, now that they were finally able to have sex legally, she'd wanted nothing to do with him physically. Oh, sure, they fooled around, but she had always managed to stop before he started to really get going. That damn tease. He'd teach her not to play her games with him. Not this time. Not ever again.

She knows I want her so fucking bad, Matt thought. Just look at her standing there in her halter top and Daisy Dukes. How can she be so beautiful and yet so cruel? Despite his conflicting emotions, he felt himself getting hard, the swelling inside his boxers becoming painfully obvious. He knew without looking, that she could see it, too. God, she was so hot. He tried to edge towards the bathroom, to "take care of business", but she moved faster and put her hand on the door frame so he couldn't move. He squirmed inside.

"You must be so tired. " Her voice took on a seductive tone. "Why don't you sleep with me?"

"Why are you doing this to me?" His voice was getting weak. She smiled.

"You know you want it. I want it, too. Why are you so afraid of being a man now?"

"Stop it. You're confusing me! I just wanted to..."

"Let me make it a little easier for you." 

Her arm came down and she brushed her hand right against the bulge in his boxers. Matt swallowed hard. "You can't hide anything from me, you silly boy. You kept begging me, now you resist me. Why?"

A fiery look suddenly entered his eyes, and he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her up against the cabinet, wildly, out of control. His desire for her took over his momentary confusion, and he put his face right next to hers. "I'm gonna make you beg, bitch," he growled, resolute once again.

"That's more like it..."

"Shut up!" 

He slapped her hard before she could interrupt him again, and he was on her, all over her, kissing her in a million places at once. His fingers groped through her top, pulling it down, and probed her supple breasts. He was kissing her neck and mouth simultaneously, while touching the tips of her breasts lightly, making them stiffen. He moved down and took one in his mouth, sucking on it gently. A whimper escaped her lips. "Oh, Lord, Susan, I don't think I can stop now. I want you so bad. I want to be inside you so bad..."

She clamped a hand over his mouth, and then started kissing him with a crushing force. She thrust her knee between his thighs, rubbing against his rock-hard manhood, while they necked and he continued to suck on her nipples, one by one, until she could take it no more. He ignored her moans at first and continued to flicker his tongue around her hardened nipples, getting more and more excited by the feeling of her leg grating against his dick. He almost shot off in his pants, but held it in somehow.

She was so wet by then that the entire bottom of her shorts was soaked through. Susan cried out and gripped his shoulders hard. Matt himself was about to cum. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up against the counter, nearly tearing her shorts off in a frenzy. He entered her swiftly, and in less than thirty seconds, neither of them could remember where they were. They climaxed around each other, the vibrations from hers setting him off for an extra round. He finished last and collapsed, his skin perspiring heavily, as his head rested against her shoulder. She kept gasping for air. He carried her to the bedroom and dropped her on the bed, smoothing his hands over her bare chest, shuddering at the sight of her exposed body.

They had both climaxed quickly the first time, but Susan wasn't quite done yet. She rubbed herself down south hard and started to moan. "Oh," she gasped. "I need it again, Matt. Please."

"Again?' he teased. "I'm still recovering from this time." When would she ever stop having this power over him, he wondered. He would meet the challenge. He could beat her at her own game, too. Couldn't he?

She rolled over to face him, pressing her finger against his nose. "Don't be such a baby. I thought men were the horniest creatures alive."

"Fine. Give me ten minutes and I'll be ready." 

He went into the bathroom. The second he left her, Susan rolled over and called Tricia on the phone.

"Well? How did it go?"

"It was amazing."

"Great."

"Did you do it yet?"

"No. I'm about to, though."

"Perfect. I have to go; he's coming out of the bathroom. Later."

Susan hung up, looked at the bathroom door and smiled as Matt emerged.

"Who was that, babe?"

"Just my mom. She wanted to know if I could meet her for dinner, but I said I had plans." She rolled over on her side, displaying her bare chest for him to admire.

"Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?"

"Shut up and get on the bed, asshole."

"What do you have in mind now, huh?"

She reached into the nightstand and pulled out a silk bandanna. Fluttering it across her breasts, then into her mouth, she bit a corner of it and gave him her most wild, animalistic, sexiest look. "This," she said simply. He was speechless.

"And I won't take no for an answer."

Yellow Ch. 02



Chapter 2: The Betrayal

Tricia put down the phone and flipped through her address book, stopping at an entry nearly halfway through the pages. She dialed another number and slid further down in the chair. Her masturbation session had been brief enough to prepare her for what lay ahead.

"Hello?"

"Is Susan there?"

"No, this is her friend, Dan. Can I take a message for her?"

"Dan…" She drew the word out coyly. "This wouldn't be Daniel Lemke, would it?"

"Well, yes, it is. What do you want?"

"Nothing…I was just calling to see if Matt had left yet."

"Matt? Her ex?"

"That's the one."

"Oh, man, he better not be at her house right now. That fucking self-righteous bastard—"

"You mean you didn't know he was here?" Her eyes widened in mock innocence.

"No, but…well, thank you. Thanks for telling me." The phone was slammed back down.

Tricia sat back and studied the ceiling, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. It was going perfectly so far, and with any luck she and Susan would have the guys right where they wanted them.

*   *   *   *   * 

Furious, Dan raced out from his house through the garage, grabbing his car keys on the way. He had been close friends with Susan for the past several years, ever since she moved from Michigan, and he remembered very well when she had tearfully told him how badly Matt treated her, wanting to have sex when she wasn't ready for it. Ever since that day, Dan had hated the mysterious Matt with a passion. He'd never met the guy, but he had little desire to, either. However, this was an opportunity he wasn't going to let go.

His eyes narrowed as he waited to back out from the garage. Dan was a good-looking guy, usually level-minded and rational, but today his handsome features were marred by the darkening anger that filled his eyes. After a moment, his initial rage turned to worry. Susan was with Matt. Didn't that mean that she wanted to see him? What if Matt had really changed and become a better person? What if he threatened to come between him and Susan? Dan rubbed his temples wearily and started off towards Susan's house. He loved her, and so many times he came close to telling her how he felt. But each time, something interrupted him, or another guy would come along and steal her from him.

"Not this time," he said firmly, with conviction. He was going in there and confessing his feelings to her, whether Matt was there or not. Nothing was stopping him this time.

*   *   *   *   *

Just then, the doorbell rang. Susan was on top of Matt when it happened, and she had tied him down securely with long scarves to each of the bedposts. Matt tried to rise, alarmed. "Shouldn't we go answer that?"

Susan pushed him back down roughly. "They'll come back. Don't worry. The only thing you need to be concerned with is just how much I am going to blow your mind."

"Come on, honey, please. We can always—"

Susan cut him off with a firm kiss, her mouth grinding against his. She moved back and forth, thrusting her silky tongue into his mouth, tracing his jaw line with it. Matt groaned loudly and arched his body against hers. Susan pulled away and started kissing his neck instead. She bit down on the skin gently, kissing it, massaging it with her tongue and lips. All the while, she was tousling his nipples gently, playing with them, stroking his broad chest. "Oh, Susan….God…that feels great. Don't stop, baby."

"I couldn't stop if I wanted to." She moaned softly, getting him more excited.

She worked her way down his neck, kissing him on the chin first. She flicked her tongue around the base of his neck. He groaned again, his erection becoming quickly obvious. Her hand bumped into it while moving down, and she glanced at it. "Going hard on me already, are we?" He didn't answer.

With her mouth, she kept kissing his chest, slowly teasing and tantalizing him, getting closer to the promised land. He involuntarily tugged at the scarves that held his wrists and ankles in place, but in vain. There was no way he was getting out of those. He didn't think that he could get any harder than he already was. The tension from his groin was becoming almost painful, and he hoped she would give him release soon. 

Once she reached his hips, he held his breath and waited. She decided to tease him just a little more. She purposely avoided taking him into her mouth right away and instead went to licking and biting gently on his testicles. She flicked her tongue right into the space between them, and Matt bellowed in pleasure. Susan then went even further down and started kissing the ultra sensitive stretch of skin right behind the testes. Matt trembled violently. "Jesus, babe, I don't think I can't take much more…don't tease me like this!"

Susan backed up, kneeling between his legs. "Fine. You want it, you got it." Then she lowered her head to his dick, swirling her tongue right around the tip of it, probing into the opening. Matt's head fell back and he cursed some more, softly, getting near the edge. Susan took him deeper into her throat, moving her head up and down, stimulating him as much as possible. Then she pulled away, crawling over him until they were at eye level with each other. She took hold of him and rubbed it gently against her clit, and they both shuddered from the sensation. She guided him inside her at last, her teasing complete, and she rocked back and forth to make him orgasm as she continued to kiss him. Her hand brushed away a trickle of sweat on his forehead. 

Both of them were breathing noisily, passionately. She felt as though her head might explode, and wondered what Tricia was doing in the front hall with Dan. At the moment, though, she didn't care. All she ever wanted and needed, all she could see, was the strong but very much vulnerable man who lay underneath her, quivering. It was the most defining moment of her entire life.

They kissed wildly, frantically, evocative of what the rest of their bodies were doing. The overwhelming sensations took over their minds, as he pressed hard against her sweet hot spot, giving them both an orgasm like they had never known before. It would be a long time before either of them came down.



Yellow Ch. 02



I flipped open my Zippo, sparking it, and brought it to the tip of my cigarette. I inhaled deeply, letting the warm smoke travel through my lungs before letting it come back out in a slow exhale. There is something about cigarettes that make me feel powerful, make me feel like I am the ruler of all things, most of all my life. I live for the day I don't need them anymore.

"Camble?" I heard Mac yelling for me, but I didn't want to answer him just set, I didn't want to break this spell, I needed to feel normal, and with half a cig left, I had time to spare. "Camble, answer me boy."

"Yeah, back here," I called and put the cigarette out in the small ashtray I kept back here. I looked up to watch Mac come through the door. "What's up?" I ask and stand up from floor. 

"You've been back here for a while son, just wondering where you were," he said and put a hand on my shoulder, a way of asking me if I was okay with out saying the words.

"Got lost in the moment, sorry," I said and walked past him to the door. I continued through the room, going for the swinging door that led to the front of the bar that I worked at, and that Mac owned. 

"Cam?" I turned. "Is everything alright?" 

"Mac, it's called depression," I said laughing at the face he made. He hated it when I talked to him like a little kid. "I'll get over it; just give me a few more years."

"Maybe I can't wait a few years, maybe I want you to be happy, maybe I should knock some sense into you," Mac said and pushed me against the bar. The man sitting at it moved his mug quickly and backed up.

"You don't have a say in the way my mind works," I said pushing back. 

"Oh yeah?" Mac pulled back his fist, it was like slow motion. His fist coming toward me slowly, connecting with my right cheek, landing flat on my ass, and knocking over a row of glasses on the shelves kept under the bar. 

"Are you nuts?" the man from before asked.

"Yes," I moaned, rubbing my face. I looked up at Mac; he was standing with his fists up, beckoning me with his hand to get up. I pulled my hand away from my face, and saw blood, probably from my lip. "You suck man," I said and started laughing. 

"Coward," he whispered. I knew he didn't mean it, I knew that he wouldn't have punched me if he wasn't at his wits end. I felt instant pain go through me, not from my face, but from what I had been putting Mac and probably his wife Rhonda, through. 

My laughing soon turned into dry sobs. I sucked at life.

*******

I lay back in the bed of my truck and watched the sun set over the lake behind my small town. There was something about this one spot that I loved so much. There wasn't anything that great about it, but it was great to me, and it was a place that I kept coming back to again and again. To think, to be quite, or to be alone. This time, though, I came to think.

Last year my ex-boyfriend was arrested, hand cuffed right in our front room. Today was the anniversary of that and I couldn't think about anything else. It was like a movie playing in my head from start to finish. From the day we met on. 

I was fourteen, he was twenty-four. He was the son of my fathers football couch. My father had asked him to show me some tips, because I was starting freshmen football that summer. Yeah he'd showed me some tips, but they had nothing to do with football. From day one, I was completely in love with Rick. He'd been so manly, and so kind, he didn't treat me like a kid just because I was younger, and he talked to me like I was his equal. 

When I turned eighteen I told my father that I was gay and that I was moving in with Rick, who lived on the other side of town. I still have scares from that day, from when he beat me so badly I couldn't move for a week. Of course that week was extended to three weeks when Rick got a hold of me. 

He'd been wonderful from day one, and I had been so happy with him, I had thought we would stay together forever. But when he found out that I told my dad about us, he knew that his dad would be the next to find out, so he put me in the hospital to prove to his father he wasn't a fag.

Rick had been sorry afterwards, begging me to come home, to his house, that he wouldn't do anything like that again. For four years he'd been prefect, I had trusted him and I wanted to trust him still, so I went. Over then next six years I went in and out of the hospital more times then I can remember. He had lied, and it did happen again, and I was a fool for trusting him and for staying with him. But I loved him and I thought deep down he loved me, but I was wrong.

The night he was arrested was the same night I put his 12 gauge shotgun to his forehead and told him I was going to kill him. One of the neighbors must of heard us yelling and called the cops, something none of them had down before, and by the time they'd got there, he had me flat on my back and shotgun in my mouth. 

He was charged with attempted murder and he got a life sentence. I haven't seen him since the day I was put on the witness stand, and I pray to God I never do again. But it's hard for me to forget all that happened, and even harder to forget about the first four year when I was so happy, so content, so loved.

The incident between Mac and me earlier that day kind of opened my eyes, I hadn't been in a fight since Rick was carted off to jail, and I couldn't bring myself to fight back. I needed to do something about that, and my life. It needed to get better, and I was the only one that could do that.

*******

Wes had said that Seth must have had a lot on his mind, and that he only forgot to ask me that day. But as the days, and weeks, and then month past, I knew Seth had either totally forgot that he asked me out, or that he had regretted asking me in the first place.

I opted more for the regret side of it when I met his boyfriend. They had been seeing each other for three weeks Brad told me. Brad, that was his name, Seth seemed to go for guys with B names. Brandon, Blake, Bill, Bobby, and now Brad. 

"It's nice to meet you," I said and shook Brad's hand. Really I wanted to bash his perfect face through my computer screen, but my politeness stopped me. "Are you here to meet Seth?"

"Yeah, I wanted to surprise him and take him to lunch," he smiled giving me a flash of his perfectly lined up white teeth. 

I always thought that people's teeth give them a lot of their character. Brad's teeth were all straight and set, teeth you can only get after thousands of dollars worth of dental work, giving him that "holier then thou" look. I'm sure he was a nice person, but I could tell me was looking down at me, and my secretary job. Wes had pretty straight teeth too. He had one tooth, third from the front, that was out of place and slightly pointed. When he gave you this lopsided half grin, you get a flash of it, and I always thought it made him look mischievous, which is his personality to a tee. My teeth, well, I don't know about mine.

"Reed are you on speakerphone?" Seth asked coming out of his office. "Brad, what are you doing here?" Seth's gaze flicked over his boyfriend then to me and back. I couldn't read his eyes.

"I came to take you to lunch lover," Brad wrapped his arms around Seth's waist and leaned in for a kiss. I turned away then, maybe if I didn't see it, it wouldn't hurt.

"Um, okay, let me get my coat," Seth said. When I looked back up they were walking hand in hand to the front door. "Reed, I'll be back in an hour okay?" I didn't say anything and he didn't wait for it. 

I picked up the phone and called my mother.

"Honey what's wrong?" she asked after our hellos.

"I need to find a new job," I said before I burst into tears.

*******

Things where vastly turning black. Every time Brad would show up to take Seth to lunch, which was every day now, more started to fade from my vision. Mom said that I couldn't let something like Seth having a boyfriend get in the way of my job, that I should be a professional. But I didn't think I could last much longer having to deal with Brad's perfect-ness. It was driving me nuts. It wasn't only that he was dating someone who I like very much; it was the fact that he seemed to always have to prove he was better then me every time I saw him.

"That's a nice watch, where did you get it?" Brad had asked the morning I decided I couldn't take it anymore. 

"Oh, thanks. My brother got it for me at a state fair," I smiled. I had seen it, the watch, and fell in love. It had a thick lather band with a silver start sewed in it and a square face. It wasn't usually my taste but I had wanted it so bad Wes asked the woman to wrap it up for me. It was one of the many times I was "between jobs".

"Oh, state fair? That's cute," He flashed me a glimpses of a thick silver Rolex that lay on his wrist. Why the hell would someone pay that much for a watch? You could go to Wall-Mart, buy one for ten dollars, and have it tell time just as well. But, I guess, if I had a lot of money I would buy things like that too. Maybe.

I grabbed at the hair on the back of my head, something I had been doing often lately, and tried to calm my nerves. 

"So, why haven't I met your boyfriend? Doesn't he ever take you to lunch?" I looked up and smiled, trying not to show how much that comment had hurt. Even when I did have a boyfriend, none of them came to take me to lunch. I hated that he gave me another reason to feel unwanted.

"Someone has to watch the place while your out with Seth," I said and tried to ignore him by doing work that I didn't really have.

"I don't think Seth would mind, I could always bring some food here I guess. I must admit I have wanted to try out his desk, if you know what I mean." Brad was evil; I could tell by the way he was laughing at his own joke. I was having a hard time believing he was only joking though.

I stood and walked into Seth's office. He had been on the phone when Brad got here, and seemed to still be on it. Seth took one look at me then told who ever it was that he really needed to go.

"What's wrong?" he asked and moved to me. I put my hands up to stop him; I really didn't want him near me.

"I would really like to get everything out in the open before I leave." I said and leaned up against the door, just in case Brad tried to come in before I was done saying what I had to say. 

"Out in the open?" Seth asked and sat down on his desks top.

"Yeah. See I have liked you sense I first started here. I never thought that you would feel the same way so I just kept my feelings to myself. Then last month you asked me out. Do you know how happy that made me? How totally ecstatic I was that you would want to go on even one date with me?" I brushed my hair out of my face then grabbed some at the back of my neck before continuing. "Then, the next day, you acted like it never happened. And okay yeah, I was hurt, but I guess it was my fault for having gotten my hopes up. But that isn't okay Seth; you can't do that to people. It's wrong to play with peoples emotions as if they don't matter.

"I thought I could deal with this whole you and Brad thing, but I can't. I'm tired of him making me feel like I'm less then him. And I'm tired of watching you with him. I know I should be a grown up, just do my job or whatever, but I can't. I'm quitting, and I'll be done here by the end of the day." 

"I don't know what to say Reed," he said. I looked up to find his eyes at his hands. How about I'm sorry? How about I'll kick Brad to the curb for hurting your feelings? How about I need you to stay? 

"That's okay," was all I could get out. Maybe my politeness had started because I was scared of confrontation. I was scared of what else he was going to say, and saying "its okay" would magically make him not say things I didn't want to hear. "Anyway, Brad's waiting to go to lunch with you and I have to finish some things." I opened the door and come face to face with Brad, who was smiling like the villain he is. "He's all yours," I said and moved back to my deck.

I ignored Seth for the rest of the day, which I'm sure he didn't notice. I made arrangement for one of those temp girls that Seth hated to fill in for me till he could hire someone on permanently. It took most of the day to get all my stuff out of the desk and the rest of the office. After three years stuff does start to pile up though I guess. After I throw out all the useless crap that was only taking up space in the first place, I had a single small box of things to bring home.

It contained only a few things. Toothbrush, day planner, CD's, and other stuff like that. But I did find something that I didn't remember bringing to the office. I had probably done it to show Seth then promptly forgot. 

It was a five by six inch photograph of Seth and me from last thanksgiving. He had joined us at my Grandparent's house for the holiday. We had been walking around the back yard, talking about work, when he stopped under a tree and looked straight up.

"This tree must be really old, it's so big," he said then looked back at me.

"My great-grandmother plated it when she found out that she was going to have my grandpa," I informed and leaned up against the trunk. "I used to come out here a lot and try to clime up it. I can't even reach the branches at my height now; I don't know what I was thinking back then." We laughed. I loved his laugh, so smooth and alive.

"Your hair is getting long again," he said and tucked one of my locks behind my ear and smiling at me with his eyes. It seems that is when the picture was taken, when his fingers had moved across my cheek to move the hair. Wes had to have been a few hundred feet away when taking it, but the quality was so good it looked to only been a few feet. That's what Wes did for a living, by the way, take photographs.

Today I was going to leave a little early. I didn't want to talk to Seth right then, and if we left at the same time words would mostly like be exchanged. 

I placed the picture down in the middle of my desk, along with me keys to the office, and left.  

*******

"How goes the job search?" Dad asked as we loaded up his rented truck with more stuff to bring to the junk yard. I just shook my head.

After Wes and I had left them at my Grandparent's house to finish the cleaning, my mother said it was too hard for her. Grandma had been like another mother to her. Mom had gotten pregnant with Wes at sixteen, and when her father found out he kicked her right to the street. Her mother, all the while, was calling her a dirty slut. Grandma took Mom in, making her and Dad sleep in separate rooms till they got married three weeks later. 

"It hadn't been a shoot gun wedding or anything," Grandma always said when telling me the story. "I asked your father what he wanted to do and he told me "I want to marry her" so I let them do it. They lived with us till he finished college, got a job, and could deal with having to pay for everything. Wes was such a good boy back then." 

After I quit working with Seth, Dad and I got Mom to come back to finish the job. The load we were taking to the junk yard would be the last. The only things left in the house was it's furniture and the boxes of stuff Mom wanted to bring home with her. Which contained pretty much everything my grandparents owned.

"You aren't going to sell the house right?" It had been in our family for three generations now; it would break my heart to see it go to someone else.

"Mom doesn't want to, but I don't really feel like commuting three hours a day for work. Maybe we should rent it out while we decided what to do." This is the perfect time to ask. I knew that it was risky but I had to try.

"Dad, do you think, I can have it?" I said after gathering all my courage.

"Have what?" He was driving. He and Wes are alike in that sense, when you try talking to them while driving. They mumble, ignore, or are really slow on the up take.

"The house Dad, can I have it?" He looked over at me before returning his eyes to the road. 

"Reed, it's a really big house. There was still too much room when your grandparent's, your mom and I, Wes, and all our crap was living there." 

"I know, but I love that house so much, and I don't have anything but you guys and Wes keeping me in the City. It's not like I'm going to get lonely, I already know people in this town. Plus, you know Wes; he'll be out here every other day to check on me. I think it would be a good change for me." That sounded believable. It was all true, mostly.

"Is this because of Seth?" Dad had never been too comfortable with my homosexuality but I knew that he loved me no matter what. Mom had been kicked out of her family's life, she knew the pain that came along with it, so she made it clear from day one that I would always be her son no matter what I did. Dad hadn't gone through it, but he'd been there when she would cry about missing her parents and siblings, and promised her he wouldn't ever do something like that to their children. I don't think they ever expected me to turn out gay, but their rule was still there.

"No," I said and focused on the trees moving by outside. 

"You know, I had always hoped that you would end up with him," Dad said surprising me. We never talked about my love life. "He's a good man, and I knew he could have made you happy. But it's his loss you know? Someday, you are going to find someone that sees how special you are, and they will love you for it." He took his hand off the steering wheel, something I've never seen him do before, and patting my check. "If moving out here is what you want to do, then I'll let you," he smile at me then eclipsed into comfortable silence. 

*******

The first morning that I woke up in the house, everything was bathed in a beautiful yellow tint. Remembering the last time I had seen this color I made my way out to the huge wooden porch, over looking the backyard. I sat down in that same plastic white chair and leaned my arms against the railing. I felt happy for the first time in months. 

This yellow tint felt like a sign, from God maybe, that everything was going to turn out okay. 

I stood and stretched, getting all the kinks out of my muscles. I patted the railing twice.

"Thanks, I needed that."

*******

"So Camble, how you feeling buddy?" Rhonda asked me early one morning.

"Well, thank you." She'd always called me buddy, a fact that I loved, it made me feel like I was really her kid rather then a random person living in her and Mac's house. "How are you?" I sat down at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee.

"Fine, just fine dear... Speaking of fine did you know Emily and Peter's grandson moved into their home?" Emily and Peter Timmy had gone to gone to high school with Mac and Rhonda. They'd stayed friends over the years, and later became mine also. Even now, months after their passing I had urges to go mow their lawn or bring the Sunday paper by. 

"What does that have to do with being fine?" I asked and shook my head.

"Everything, he's a nice piece of ass." I gasped at her and started laughing, shaking the whole table along with me. 

"Rhonda, you're sixty-five years old, you aren't aloud to say that," I said and rubbed a hand across my face, though hearing that from her wasn't that big of a surprise. She and Emily used to have cussing battles at every gathering we had. 

"I think you should go by and see him, I'm sure he's lonely," she said ignoring my comment on her age.

"And I think you should stop trying to set me up," I said standing. She reached over and hugged me tightly to her small frame. 

"You haven't had sex in a while buddy, it's time to get back in the game," she said patting my cheek and handing me the keys to my truck. How the hell did she know that? 

"I'm never telling Mac about my love life again," I mumbled walking out the back door, he had a big mouth. 




Yellow Ch. 02



Rhonda had tried setting me up with ever man that passed through our city since before Rick was arrested, not even taking the time to stop and find out if they were even gay. I doubt this guy she's taking about was gay, just like all the others. 

So what if I hadn't had sex in a year? It was by choose, I wanted something real, sex wasn't as important to me as most people thought. That's what I told people at least. I did miss it though, it was human nature to want sex, and lets just say my right had was one of my best friends as of late.

I drove my old truck into town, needing to pick up a few things for Mac before heading to work. I stopped off at the gas station; we only had the one, and filled up before going inside to grab the paper.

"Camble, good to see you, how are things?" John asked. He'd worked at the gas station so long; the last owner had left it to him in his will, something that John was mighty proud of.

"Good and yourself?" I asked placing the paper on the counter. 

"Fine, hey, Rhonda called here a few minutes ago, asking me to remind you that the Timmy boy lived at the end of this street, whatever that means." I had been reaching for my wallet, about to hand over some change, but what John said stopped me cold.

"Are you serious?" I asked, not being able to help the blush that came over my face.

"Yes, I'm guessing that you know what she meant?" I nodded. "What to fill me in?" John was pretty much my only friend, beside Rhonda and Mac, left in town. He'd been truer to me then I could have ever asked for, and by that fact alone was never able to lie to him, or ignore a direct question. 

"She wants me to have sex or something, and she thinks he'd be more then happy to oblige." I said and dropped the change on top of the paper.

"I see," he said and smiled at me. "And you don't think so?" I shook my head.

"Come on John, you know just as well as I do there isn't a single gay man in this town, so what makes you think one would move in?" John was one of the towns' biggest gossips, he knew everyone's business. I think I was the only one he didn't spread things about. 

"Are you sure?" he asked, making me raise an eyebrow. He knew something, but I wasn't going to ask. Asking would mean I was interested, and I hadn't even met the guy, yet. Plus I kind of like asking people out myself, I'd heard enough blind date horror stories to last me a while. 

"Oh, shut up dick," I said and slipped the paper off the counter, leaving the change, and went out to my truck.

I drove down Timberwork, toward the Timmy house. I don't know what was compelling me to do so, but I did it anyway, with little thought. The house was at the very end of the colt-a-sack, a good three hundred feet from the other houses. I stopped in the middle of the street a ways away, staring, asking myself then why I was doing it.

"Don't be stupid, you don't have a thing to offer him," I said, and turned my truck around, driving back and on to the bar.



Yellow Ch. 03



Chapter 3: The More, The Merrier?

No one was answering the door, so Dan kicked it open. It was unlocked. Amazed, and worried, he barged into the front hall and looked around. There was no sign of Matt anywhere. He must be staying at a hotel, Dan reasoned. He closed the door behind him and ventured into the kitchen. It was spotless. A little bewildered now, Dan went back into the hall, removed his sneakers, and eased into the living room.

The place was empty except for Susan's coat, which was tossed across the sofa. Suddenly a female voice erupted from the corner, startling him.

"Missing something?"

He whirled around to see a blond woman sitting, almost hidden, on the armchair in the corner. She was gorgeous, wearing shorts that showed off her long, slim legs and a belly shirt that barely covered her ample chest. She rose from the chair and walked over to him, rubbing a hand absently across her flat stomach. Her sharp green eyes bore into Dan's, making him uncomfortable. He moved away from her.

"I—I'm just looking for Susan," he stammered, trying not to peer down her shirt at her chest. "I was told that Matt, her ex, was here with her. Where is she?"

The woman chuckled. "You're cute." She reached up to kiss his cheek, but he pushed her away gently.

"Look, lady, I just want to know where Susan is."

"She's in her bedroom. But don't bother looking for her. She and Matt are in the middle of something, if you catch my drift." She smirked at him as he started off to Susan's room.

"Oh, God." He was too late. Crushed and defeated, he went to the nearest chair and slumped down into it. Everything was all fucked up now. Susan surely wouldn't want to hear from him, and Matt was probably going to get after him, anyway.

"Poor baby." The woman settled into his lap, facing him, holding him down firmly with both hands. "You were looking to get with her, weren't you?"

"Listen, I don't know who you are, but please get off me right now. I'm already in love with someone else, and I don't need this—"

"But she doesn't love you back, does she?" The woman stared hard at him. She already knew the answer. Tricia had been over this many times with Susan already.

"Hey, what are you saying?" Incensed, Dan started to throw her off to the side, but she stayed in place. Damn, she was strong.

"I'm saying, I want you for myself." Tricia swooped in, unannounced, and kissed Dan hard on the mouth, startling him. She kissed him almost roughly, intensely, until he responded in kind. Her hands went to work on the belt on his jeans, unbuckling it.

* * * * *

Susan had long since untied Matt and they were lying side by side in her bed together, both naked. Matt had a satisfied lazy grin on his face while Susan was expressionless.

"I love you, Susan," he admitted with a sigh, giving in to her, to the moment. His hand brushed hair from her forehead, tracing an invisible line with his finger. "I love you, too, Matt."

* * * * *

Dan suddenly came to his senses and pushed Tricia away, his face intense and serious. "Get off me, you whore." He stalked towards the kitchen, wiping off his mouth. His jeans had been unbuckled and unzipped, so he kicked them off, not caring how he looked.

Stunned, Tricia sat down on the couch and didn't follow him. She exhaled heavily.

In the kitchen, Dan went searching through the refrigerator and pulled out an unopened bottle of Michelob. He popped it open and took a huge swig, then returned to the living room. Tricia didn't even look at him. He ran a hand through his hair, tired.

"Look, I'm sorry I called you a whore. But you've got to understand, I'm in love with Susan. Now, where is she, really?" "She's upstairs, in her bedroom, like I said." "With Matt, huh?" "Yeah. I guess they're getting back together." Tricia's tone became genuinely sympathetic. "You love her, don't you?" "Of course I do. But I was a shit-head. I never made the right moves on time." "Well, if it's meant to be, it'll happen." "Right," he said sarcastically, taking another sip. He glanced at her. "I mean, thanks."

A man's footsteps were heard coming down the stairs, and Dan sat forward sharply, tensing up again. Susan's lighthearted giggle came right after that. "Oh, Matt, you wouldn't do that...would you?" Matt and Susan rounded the corner into the living room, Susan pulling a bathrobe tightly around her, and they stopped and stared at the other two.

"Oh, my God." Susan's eyes went wide. "Were you two just making out?" "No! No! I came to see you!" Dan bolted off the couch towards her. "Get away from him! Susan, I need to talk to you now!" "Don't even come near her, punk," Matt growled, grabbing a baseball bat that was leaning against the wall. "I swear, I'll break your head open. Who is this nut, Susan?" "It's okay, he's a friend. For Christ's sake, put that bat DOWN!" She grabbed the bat from him and went to push Dan back onto the couch, taking his hand in hers. "Dan, what the hell are you doing here?!"

He stared at her, incredulous. "She told me that Matt was here, so I came over right away, because I wanted to say—" He stopped just in time.

"You wanted to say what?" "I—Susan, I love you! Don't go back to that loser! He's not good enough for you."

Matt grabbed the bat again. "You miserable bastard! Don't tell her what to do." Something inside Dan snapped, and he wrenched the bat out of Matt's startled grip, throwing it aside to the floor. Then he pushed Matt back a foot. "You better watch it, moron."

Matt raised his arm to punch him, but Dan was quicker. He intercepted the haymaker, but then Matt slammed his other fist into Dan's stomach. When Dan bent over, groaning, Matt kicked him in the face. Susan gasped out loud and tried to pull Dan back, but Tricia restrained her, shaking her head no. While Dan was rolling around on the floor, clutching his stomach, Matt picked up the baseball bat again.

"No, Matt! Stop it! That's enough!" Susan broke away from Tricia and made for the bat in his hands. Matt threw her to the side, enraged, and a hush fell over the room.

"Oh, buddy, you asked for it, " Dan growled. "You can knock me around all you want, but you do not lay a hand on her. If you hurt her, I'll hurt you." "You amuse me, buddy." Matt was smirking. "Trying to play the hero even though you're completely fucked up." "You're the fucked up one." Dan grabbed a heavy encyclopedia book from the table and started to swing it at Matt's head, when he suddenly went ashen and crumpled on the floor. Tricia was standing over him, flushed, panting from when she had just kicked him in the groin. This time, Dan didn't get up. He knew it was over. He'd lost her again.

Susan took the encyclopedia from his hand. Her face held no expression. "I think that you should leave, Dan. You're just causing more trouble for everyone."

"Fine. I see how it is." Dan staggered to his feet, biting his lip in pain. He seemed near tears. "I just wanted you to know, I love you. I always have. I just wish..." He slowly put his jeans back on, not looking at any of them.

They were all staring at him now. He didn't finish his sentence, but instead muttered, "I'll see you later." He limped out into the front hall and out the door. No one said anything for the longest time. Tricia picked up the beer bottle and walked into the kitchen to finish it, lost in thought. Susan went to Matt, who wrapped his arms around her as she began to cry. The afternoon faded into darkness and still they didn't move, absorbed in each other.



Yellow Ch. 03



I'd been living in my Grandparent's house for three weeks. I found myself sometimes referring to it as "Weathering Heights" but no one beside Mom and Wes got it. 

"You make the perfect Catherine baby bro," Wes had said when he found me waiting at the end of the drive way for him one night when we had a huge rain storm.

I found a job at the local bookstore, and I was enjoying it as much as I had enjoyed working with Seth. Only I didn't have a crush on any of my coworkers, yet.

Heading to the bar, we only had one, for a beer after work was slowly becoming a ritual for me, though I'd only been in once or twice, usually too tired to drink. I had been happy to see that the biker chick and the old Indian man followed me out to the country. 

"Hello Reed," Mac, the owner, called to me and waved me over one night when I stopped by. 

"Hi," I said and thanked him for the house beer he placed in front of me. 

"How's life down here for you so far?" he wasn't the first person to ask me that today. A few people from around town had dropped by the house earlier to welcome me, it was all nice and good, but I couldn't help but think there was something up I didn't know about.

"Pretty good, how about you?" I asked. He smiled at me and waved around the bar.

"Same as always," he said and turned around, looking for something I guess. He shook his head, and then laughed.

"What?" I asked. I had always hated being left out of things. 

"My good-for-nothing kid is hiding in the back room again." Mac said and went into the back room. It seemed every time I came in this kid was hiding, a fact I found extremely odd.

"Hey Mac, I'm going to head out, see you later," I said and finished the last drops of my beer before leaving. I loved bars in small towns, they had taps. 

I walked out of the door and onto Main Street, my house wasn't far, an easy walk, but I hated walking it. I hated walking altogether anymore, left me to much time to think. 

I was happier here then I had been in the City, but I was lonelier, I missed my family and my old apartment. I knew I'd get over it, but it seemed it would take longer then I'd thought. 

*******

"Camble you coward," Mac said. He'd found me in the back room chain smoking. Reed had come to the bar again tonight. And I, again, had run into the back room upon seeing him walk past the windows outside. 

"Rhonda was right," I said putting out the cigarette I was smoking before lighting another one.

"That's a first," he said and sat down next to me, pulling the cigarette from my hand and taking a drag himself.

"No, I mean, she was really right. He's beautiful, and it's scaring the shit out of me. I want to talk to him, but I don't know how, I would end up saying something totally stupid."

"Camble, you are the smoothest talker this town has seen since Peter Timmy was a boy, don't go saying shit we both know isn't true." I had learned everything I knew about talking to people from Peter, he'd made it like a game, teaching me things for fun, but really in the end, he'd helped mold me into a person I never dreamed I could be.

"Mac, lets just say I am able to talk to him for once and he is gay?" Mac nodded laughing. "Shut up I'm being serious okay? By some great chance he's gay, and he possibly ends up liking me, I have massive amounts of baggage. Most normal people wouldn't want to deal with it, and I don't blame them, but what if he found out? Do you honestly think that he would stick around from very long?"

"God, you're looking for a soul mate, and all Rhonda wanted was for you to get laid," Mac said and stood up. I dropped my head into my hands and laughed. My family is so fucked up. "Listen Cam, I don't know what he wants, I don't even know if he is looking for someone to date, but I do know that he's a good kid. Remember that he's Emily's grandson okay?" 

I nodded and stood also. I made a promise to myself that wouldn't run the next time that I would at least talk to him once. I was never too good at keeping promises to myself though.

*******

"So what you are saying is... you would rather get drunk then talk to me?" Wes asked. He'd called me about the same time I'd gotten home to change clothes.

"No I'm saying that John called and asked me to meet him at the bar at nine, which is about ten minutes from now." I said and sat down on my bed to pull my shoes on. 

"Who the hell is John?" Wes asked his voice loud.

"He owns the gas station." This was getting ridiculous. But I could somewhat understand why Wes was acting so weird. I hadn't seen him in a week, and even though we were brothers, we were best friends too. I never thought that my leaving would affect him so much, but it did, and I was starting to feel guilty. 

"What were you doing at the gas station?" I don't own a car, scared of driving.

"I walk by their everyday Wes, he's just a local being nice, trying to welcome me, don't be mean," I said. I felt like he was getting too jealous, and I didn't know how to fix it. "I'll call you when I get home okay?" Wes mumbled something before saying bye and hanging up.

I walked down the roads toward the bar, hurrying, not wanting to be rude by being late. When I got there, John was no where in sight. I let out a sigh of relieve, I didn't mind that he was late, I was just glad I hadn't kept him waiting. I walked up to the bar and sat in a stool but neither Mac nor his "good-for-nothing" kid was in sight. 

"Hey Mac, you around?" I called out, thinking they were in the back room. "I'm stealing a beer," I said and pulled a mug I knew to be under the bar out, and filled it up from the tap. There were only a few other people in the bar, and they weren't paying much attention to me, which was fine. 

I turned around on my stole and watched the windows, wondering when John would get there. Behind me I heard the door swing and I turned to see a man around my age standing there. 

"Hey, you new?" I asked him, looking for anyone to talk to. He looked up at me somewhat startled before turning around to look at Mac, who'd just came from the back room also and walked over to where I was sitting.

"Nope," he smiling; he'd gotten his composure back fast it seemed. I smiled back and started looking through my pockets for the pack of cigarettes that should be in them somewhere. I had started smoking once I came to the Town; it entertained me more then anything else, I think. I found them, but then I couldn't find my lighter, I had gotten more forgetful since moving it seemed.

"Here," the man said walking toward me and flicked open a Zippo. It had two male symbols intertwined on its front. I looked up into his eyes as he brought the flame close to the tip of my cigarette. I leaned in a little closer to his hand and inhaled through the filter, lighting it.

"Thanks," I said and gave him another smile. That lighter could only mean that he was playing for my team. That or he didn't care that it could give people the wrong idea. It would be just my luck if it was the second of the two. 

"I'm Camble York," he said and stuck out his hand.

"Reed Timmy," I took his hand and almost melted at the feel of his rough callused skin. He smiled at me, like he knew exactly what was going through my head, before letting go.

"So you're Peter and Emily's grandson huh?" he asked, and I watched as his eyes clouded.

"Yeah, I'm living in their house now, down at the end of Timberwork, did you know them?"

"Yeah, everyone did, I'm sorry for your loss." I waved it away.

"Don't worry about it, they had a long happy live, at least they went together. I'm guessing you knew them well?"

"Yeah, I used to cut their grass. Hey you wouldn't be that evil little grandson of theirs would you?" he said laughing, probably remembering stories Grandma had told him.

"No, that would be my brother," he had a really nice smile. His white teeth were straight besides the teeth on either side on his front ones. They were angled out a little, over lapping the front teeth ever so slightly. Really nice smile.

"Then you're the quite one right? You're grandma always said 'you would get along with him famously dear, you two have a lot in common'," his voice had gone up a tone or two trying to sounds like her, making me laugh really hard. I sobered up and found him watching me. "I guess she was right." 

"I guess," I said stupidly, not knowing exactly what he meant and from being at a loss of anything else to say. We stayed like that for a little while, staring at each other, I don't know what was going through his mind, but mine was going nuts. 

Camble York was most definitely gay, gay and gorgeous. This meant probably I had little to no chance with him but fuck it, I was going to try anyway. I deserved a boyfriend just as much as everyone else right? I mean, right? ...Maybe I'll try tomorrow.

"How do you like our town so far?" Camble asked, still smiling. I opened my mouth to answer him, but nothing came out. And that's when I panicked. 

"Um, has John been in tonight, he asked me to meet him here," I said. Camble's eyes widened for a second before he shook his head no. "Oh, well, um" I said and stood. 

"I get off soon if you're looking to hang out with someone," he said the smiling coming back to his face. I could only nod my head. Some how I felt like I'd just stepped into a game everyone was playing, and I didn't care.

"Would you like to have dinner with me?" Yeah just jump right in Reed, smart move. "I don't really know a lot of people here, beside John and Mac," I trailed off stupidly. Note to self: don't talk if you really have nothing to say.

"I would like that a lot Reed." His voice had gone soft. Remembering the last time I made date plans in a bar I made sure he knew I meant tonight. "Yeah, I got that part," he laughed and stroked my arm lightly. When was the last time someone had touched me like that? Two or three month's maybe? I couldn't remember if any of Tim's touches had been that tender though.

"Okay," I said unable to keep the huge smile off my face.

"Let me just make sure everyone has their drinks and then I'll be with you okay?" I nodded. "Finish your beer too." I look down and notice the untouched mug in front of me. I grabbed it and took a few shallows. By the time Camble came back I had finished the last bit. "That's my boy, come on," I followed him outside and then continued down Main, his hand on the small of my back. We made a left onto Timberwork, I noticed the lights at the gas station were out, and followed its curves to my house.

I flicked on the lights as we moved through the house and into the kitchen. I started gathering my courage to ask him what all that in the bar had been about, but I didn't know how to say it with out being rude. 

"What are you hungry for?" I asked right before I felt him place his hands on my hips. He leaned his chest against my back and kissed my neck softly, all thoughts of asking him about John flew from my mind. "I mean beside me?" 

"I don't know what have you got?" He moved away to look through my frig and cabinets. He'd been so warm, so alive, when he was touching me. I was going to fall for this guy, I knew I was. I watched as he opened the frig door, leaning his ass against the island in the middle of the kitchen, and he sifted though it. 

I had just picked this man up at a bar. I talked with him for only ten minutes before inviting him over, was I out of my mind? But he'd said yes and I wasn't uncomfortable with him at all though. I was totally at ease. There was very few times I can remember feeling like this with any of my boyfriends. Wait, did this mean he expected sex? Oh my God. Sex was out of the question. Okay, don't worry about the sex till he brings it up.

It wasn't that I didn't want sex, I did. I wanted it all the time. I'd had sexual encounters before, kind of. Foreplay I guess you would call it, but never full on sex, it scared me, like most of the things in my life. I needed to be ready for it. I was told for as long as I could remember, mostly from Mom and Wes, that sex was a huge step, you don't do it unless you knew you could deal with the after effects. 

Those after effects scared me. Not just the possibilities of disease, but the thought of them not liking me after, or me not liking them, or them just using me for sex, was too much. It all came down to, in every relationship I'd had my fear won out, and I'd never been comfortable enough with the person I was seeing to voice it, and they got tired of me and left me with my virginity still intact. So I always said I had to love someone before I took that step, because in my head I, I knew that I wouldn't love someone that I couldn't trust.

"Hey, you have the stuff to make spaghetti, does that sound good?" he turned from the frig and looked at me.

"Yeah, sounds really good, I think I might have some garlic bread in the freezer too." I moved and stood in front of him to open the freezer, grabbed the bread and showed him.

"Garlic huh? Only if you have mouth wash I can use afterwards," I laughed before nodding. "You're really cute when you do that?"

"What?" I asked suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Laugh," his eyes softened before his lips brushed across mine. He was still leaning against the island so when I pushed closer to him, wanting more then just a peck, he was somewhat ready for my impact. He placed his hands on either side of my face and tilted his head to the side so our lips meet perfectly. He tasted so good, his lips, his tongue, and the way he smelled was driving me into a state of horny I hadn't ever felt.

I pulled back, knowing if we went like that for much longer, my virginity would be out the window, which of course scared me.

"Want to help me make it?" I asked closing the frig and freezer doors.

"You bet."

It took half an hour to get everything cooked and placed on the small table in the kitchen. Through out that whole time he had touched me, caressed me, and kissed me. I didn't feel smothered though; he hadn't done it in excess. A touch on the back, letting me know he was going behind me so I wouldn't run into him if I decided to turn then, or kissing my lips there where the sauce had stayed after I tasted it. 

We ate in comfortable silence, watching each other out of the corner of our eyes, and smiling when we were caught. 

"I like you Reed," Camble said after we had sat down on the blue couch with two beers in front of the TV. I had brought the blue couch with me; I would've missed it to much if I had left it back home.

"I like you too," I said smiling, thought this whole thing seemed serial to me. We hadn't even really talked, we were just together. I did like him, I liked him a whole lot, but I had no idea what lead to it.

"You don't have a boyfriend back in the city do you?" his voice sounded a little rough. I laughed a little, boyfriend, me?

"No, no boyfriend, do you have one?" It suddenly occurred to me that I should have asked before I even brought him here. He was beautiful, thick black hair, blue jade eyes, and tight lean muscles. There was no way that he didn't have someone else. I felt completely stupid.

"No, I don't."

"Really?" 

"Yeah, really," he pulled me closer to him and our lips met. Kissing him was like taking a really hot shower, being totally engulfed in warmth and comfort. He moved me back, so I was lying down on the couch, and moved on top of me. He pulled my legs apart and got between them, my legs instantly went around him to hold him there. He was so heavy above me but I loved it, being pushed down against the couch cushions. "Mm, you're a good kisser," he said when he pulled back. Holding his weight on one elbow, he started pushing my hair from my face, spreading it out above me. 

"You are too," I whispered. 

"Can I see you again?" he asked and moved to kiss my forehead.

"Yeah, that would be great."

"I have to get going," he pulled himself off me and sat up.

"Oh, okay," I didn't want him to see that I was disappointed. I was kind of relieved too; if he would have tried seducing me I knew I would have let him do anything he wanted.

"I'm not the type of person that usually does this you know? I take time to get to know people first, but I just can't keep my hands off you. I would really like to get to know you first, before we go there, if that's okay." he said, like he thought he was messing up by not fucking me right there and then.

"No, that's more then okay." I knew I was blushing, I was getting somewhat embarrassed. 

"Really?"

"Um, yeah, I'd kind of like to wait a while." I looked up to his face and he was smiling. It seemed he was always smiling, and I loved that.

"Reed, I want to start something with you, from what I see of you so far, I think we could have a lot of fun together. But how long is a while though? I can barley keep my hands off you now." I stared at him; I didn't really know how to answer that.

"Three months," I said giggling, hoping we would last that long, but thinking we might not. Hoping, also, I wouldn't be scared if we did last. But I didn't even know this guy, he was more then likely like all the others.

"Two and a half." A guy had never tried to compromise with me about sex before. I've had a few that laughed and told me to stop joking. I've had a few that told me they would wait as long as I needed. I even had a few just ignore it and advance on me anyway... I'd had a hard time getting away from those guys.

"Two and three weeks."

"Okay fine, two months and three weeks from today, your all mine okay?" his eyes here sparkling with humor and lust.

"I'll mark my calendar," I said jokingly, but I knew I would after he left.

"Good, me too," He kissed me again before getting up. "Walk me to the door?" I nodded and followed him to it. "I'm glad you came into the bar tonight Reed."

"I've been meaning to go there more, after work and stuff," I inform and his eyebrows rose.

"No life huh?" he said laughing.

"Hey, you know I'm new in town," I said slapping his ass. 

"Feisty too? Make sure you come in tomorrow, I would really like to see you." He leaned in for a kiss before pulling back abruptly. "Give me your number?" I nod and rattle it off as he programmed it into his cell phone. Then he leaned into kiss me again, this time letting it last for a minute or so he before slipping out the door. I watched him walk down my front path, him turning to wave as he turned onto the street.

"Hey, Camble wait," I said and ran down the walk to meet him. "Um, was what happened in the bar a plan?" I asked.

"What?" he said. It was dark, and I couldn't really see what expression was on his face, but I barreled on anyway.

"I mean, John inviting me over there, him not being there, then you asking me out kind of."

"Truthfully? I have no idea, if it was I wasn't part of it," Camble said and put his arms around me, pulling me closer to him. "I came over here tonight because I wanted to," he said and I nodded. He kissed my cheek then backed away from me slowly. "I'll see you tomorrow okay?" I nodded again glad he wasn't offended that I'd asked and turned back to my house. 

"Oh my God," I yell after returning inside and shutting the door. I knew I was smiling really hard; my cheeks were starting to hurt. I grab the cordless phone on my way upstairs to my bedroom.

"Hello, baby bro," Wes said happily.

"Wes, I met someone," I felt like a school girl talking about her crush on the teacher and I didn't care.

"Really?"

"Yes! Oh my god I like him so much," I squealed.

"Anyone I know?" he doesn't sound too interested and I felt kind of hurt. It was more then likely an act because I'd ditched his call earlier though.

"Maybe, does Camble York ring any bells?"

"Whoa, you like Camble?" Wes said laughing.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Please don't tell me that there is something wrong with him, he's so great and sweet.




Yellow Ch. 03



"Nothing, he's pretty cool, I used to talk to him a lot when he worked at the record store. Tell me what happened?" So I did.

*******

"Rhonda, Mac, guess what?" I yelled as I came through the front door to my home. 

"What dear?" Rhonda called from the kitchen. I jogged over to the door and found them sitting at the table, sipping tea. 

"I met the Timmy's grandson, and he's gay, and he's beautiful, and I think he really likes me," I said jumping around. I never thought this would happen, that I would find someone that I could like so quickly, someone that I could tell liked me too. 

"What did I tell you," Rhonda said and kissed my cheek. Mac smiled at me.

"Is that the boy you left the bar with?" he asked. I glared at him, like he hadn't known. "Oh he is fine, just like you said honey," Mac said and turned his head to laugh. 

"Shut up Mac," Rhonda said. "When are you seeing him again?"

"Tomorrow night, oh my God, what am I going to wear?" I yelled and ran up the stairs. 



Yellow Ch. 04



When I woke up the first thing on my mind was Reed and the way he'd looked while I was kissing him. I rolled over from my side to lie on my back, spreading my arms out over my head and smiled at the ceiling. There was something about Reed that made me feel, for lack of a better word, good. 

I'd been so scared to talking to him, but after the first word, it came easily. His smile was so inviting, and his expressive eyes gave away almost everything he'd been feeling. God please don't let this be a dream. 

I had this urge to jump completely in with him, throw all barriers I had into the wind and let him have everything I had. It was scary, but it was great. After a year of being positive that there wasn't another man for me in the entire world and fated to live alone, he came up out of no where and proved me wrong in an instant. 

I sat up and shook me head. Don't start planning the honeymoon yet Buddy; you don't even know him that well. I smiled, laughing at myself. 

"Rhonda do we have orange juice?" I called down the stairs as I got ready for the day.

"How the hell should I know?" she yelled back. I stopped in the bathroom to wash my hands and face, and then ran my wet fingers through my hair. It was getting kind of long; I didn't know what else to do with it.

"Hello John," the gas station was the first place I went after leaving the house. I needed to know what had happened last night. I was pretty sure that it had been a plan, like Reed had asked, but I needed to know why. I was also slightly offended on Reed's behalf for being stood up.

"What's up?" John said and placed a pack of cigarettes on the counter. I smiled and picked them up before pulling out my wallet. He knew me too well.

"Why don't you just tell me what's up," I said still holding my smile, even thought I wanted to yell at him. 

"You can't be mad at us; you guys had fun last night right?" Us? Fucking Rhonda and Mac. "Look Camble, we didn't do it to be cruel, we want you to be happy. You didn't seem to be gaining much ground on your own with him so we just gave it a nudge. Don't be mad." John took the wallet from my hands, pulled a few dollars out and handed it back. "You better get to work now." I nodded and left.

I loved my family. 

*******

My shift at work seemed to take forever; probably because I wanted to get out of there badly. But really? Did time have to go that slow? Finally it ended at eight o'clock and I headed right over to the bar.

I slowed my pace once it came into view and my heart started to race. What if he didn't mean it? About wanting to see me tonight. What if he'd just said that to be nice? It wouldn't be the first time that a guy had done that. I shook my head and continued forward. Camble wasn't Tim or Seth, or anyone else for that matter, and I couldn't live me life thinking everything was going to end up bad. I deserved more right? Right.

When I got to the bar Camble was busy with other customers so I sat and waited. I lit a cigarette, having remembered my lighter this time, and took a long drag. I watched the low lights play over the different colored glass bottles, trying to keep my mind off a possible blow off from him. There was a mirror hanging behind the cabinet enclosed with liquor. I could see myself in it; I smiled and lowered my head. Maybe I should have gone home and cleaned up first, my hair was a mess.

"Hey baby," Camble said as he placed a mug of house beer in front of me.

"Hi," I cooed, feeling tingly all over, and somewhat stupid for the near freak out earlier.

"Do you have plans for tonight?" he asked hopefully. 

"You tell me."

"Yes, you are going to the movies with me, okay?" I laughed and nodded. Demanding I go with him then asking if it's okay? classic. Yeah, I was totally falling for this guy. 

"What did you want to see?" I took a quick sip of beer before looking around, trying to judge if he was going to be able to leave soon or not.

"I don't know, whatever is on when we get there I guess." He leaned over the bar and took a drag from my cigarette while it was still between my fingers. "There has to be something good," he said shrugging. I smiled at him. Something about this conversation seemed more intimate then last night. It was like we were already a couple who'd been together for years, instead of a day. If counted us as being together already. He called me baby that equaled us a couple, at least in my head. 

"Hey Cam, get this table before you head out," Mac called to him from the other side of the bar. Camble smiled at me before doing as he was told. "How you doing Reed?" Mac asked, taking the place where Camble had just stood.

"I'm doing very well actually, you?" I said hurrying to finish my beer, seeing as how Camble was getting off soon.

"Can't complain, you take good care of my boy alright?" his voice was hushed slightly. I didn't get a chance to answer him before he moved to help another customer.

"I didn't know that Mac was your father," I said once Camble and I made it out of the bar. It had never accrued to me that the "good-for-nothing" kid he'd spoke of before was Camble. 

"He isn't, old football couch, he took me in a while ago. I see him as my father though, he's done better by me then my real father," he smiled at me then took my hand in his and kissed my palm. "You work at the bookstore right?" I nodded, putting what he'd just said about his father in the back of my mind to ask about later.

"How did you know?" He lifted his hand to my chest and pointed to my name tag. Yes, I really should have gone home and cleaned up first. 

"Do you like it there?" 

"Yeah it's okay. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to pull my hair out dealing with customers on the phone though. At my last job all I ever did was answer the phone, I was hoping I would get away from it, but it's following me around." Camble laughed and threw his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

"I'm sorry baby, but work is work." I nodded, sighing dramatically. We came up to the small theater, converted from an old gym, and he motioned me ahead. "Go on; pick out whatever you want to see."

*******

"Reed? Are you asleep?" He didn't answer, so I took that as a yes. He was snuggled close to me, leg thrown over mine, arms pulled up close to his face in fists, breathing softly. He was beautiful. "Where did you come from?" 

In the last two weeks he'd wormed his way so far into my heart; so far I never thought it possible. Memories of Rick and the ten years we spent together were fading, and in their place was Reed. Of his smile, his laugh, his voice. The way he moved, the way he gave everything in himself so freely to me. He was honest and bright, kind and generous. I don't know what I did that made me so great in his eyes, but I was glad he saw something in me that made him like me so much. I should thank John and them one of these days.

"Sleep well baby," I said and kissed his forehead, smiling when he snuggled closer.

*******

Wes came up for the weekend, said he wanted to make sure that Camble was truly worthy of me, even though he'd met him years before.

"Okay where's your lover boy?" Wes asked the moment he put his car into park. 

"He's at work," I said and grabbed his overnight bag, leaving his camera bag for him to bring in. 

"It's Saturday," Wes whined.

"Yes well, some of us work weekends. He'll be here around 8:30 or so," I said trying not to let Wes know how much I wanted to see Camble too. We'd only been seeing each other for two weeks, but that little bit of time had made me so happy. I thought about Camble all the time, dreamed about him. I would be in the middle of a conversation or at the supper market, when I would be struck with remembrance of something he had done. Mostly about the way he'd look at me. I was giddy, an emotion I hadn't felt since childhood.

Last night was the first night he had slept over. Well technically he'd spelt over before, but never in my bed. I'd always asked if he minded staying in another room or on the couch, because I didn't know how I'd deal with him being that close. 

I'd spelt in the same bed with men before, but I hadn't been as attracted to them as I was to Camble. He promised he wouldn't try anything, main reason why I okay it. Not that he kept his word, but it was sweet that he'd said it. After almost an hour of making out and groping he had curled up close to me, pulling my face to his chest, burying his head into me hair and breathed deep. "Sleep baby, I'll be here when you wake up," he had said while stroking me hair till I did fall into sleep.

"Well he better hurry up, you bore me," Wes yelled from the kitchen.

"I love you too, ass," I yelled back. I put his bag in the guest room and made my way back down the stairs. 

"Is this a new beer?" Wes asked when I walked into the kitchen. I'd been drinking the same brand since I was fifteen, which happened to be the same brand Wes drank. Big guess on who got me hooked to it huh? 

"Yeah, it's the bar's house beer. Camble brought me a case of it, I like it better," I said smiling.

"It's smooth, that's for sure." He took another large shallow. "I like it too."

"Good, Mall Rats is coming on soon, want to watch it?"

"Always." Wes and I had always been into Kevin Smith movies, Mall Rats was just our favorite. We were still watching it when Camble showed up. He would always give two rapid knocks before opening the door, when he knew I was going to be there. 

"Ah, the man of the hour," Wes said standing to shake Camble's hand. Camble then moved and kissed my forehead.

"Hello baby."

"Hi," I cooed, and snuggled deeper into the couch happily.

"Camble, if I may?" Wes nodded his head toward the rarely used study. Wes had never really become too friendly with my boyfriend's before. Maybe he felt, as much as I did, that there was something much different about this relationship compared to all my others.

"Sure." With that they moved into the room and shut the door. I felt kind of left out, even if they were going in there to talk about me. If Camble was going to be in my life, though, it was probably a good thing that he had a relationship with my brother.

Twenty minutes later they still hadn't returned from the study. I must have been dozing in an out of sleep because when Camble's cell phone started to vibrate it startled me awake. I hadn't noticed when he set it on the coffee table but that's where it sat, beeping away. 

I picked it up, thinking if it wasn't anyone important I'd just tell him later, but the caller ID read Mac's home phone. Thinking for a second against it I got up and started for the study door.

It was standing ajar about half an inch. If you don't close the doors in the house hard enough they tend to slid open. I moved to open it when something they were saying caught my attention.

"So you haven't told him yet?" Wes asked.

"No, I think it'll freak him out. Wouldn't it freak you out?" Camble asked back.

"I don't know. I honestly have no idea how he is going to react."

"I know that's why I'm kind of scared to tell him. Maybe I should wait a little longer?"

"No, you have to tell him now; he's going to feel like you've been keeping it from him. Which, by the way, you have been. You should have told him in the beginning, jackass." Wes didn't usually talk to people like that, beside me I mean.

"Wes, please, this is hard. I don't want to scare him off. And most people consider two weeks 'the beginning' still, just so you know."

"Face up to it, you're a fucking pussy." Wes didn't usually talk to people like that, beside me I mean. 

I stepped back for a second, knowing that I shouldn't be hearing what I'm hearing. When Camble was ready to tell me whatever it was then he would. But I was dieing to know. I moved closer, then back again. This is the kind of thing people break up with other people for; listening in on conversations, and bugging phones, and private investigators. Okay I was getting cared away. 

"I mean seriously, what do I say? 'Reed, baby, just thought you should know, my last boyfriend was not only ten years older then me but he beat me to almost death more then once'? I don't think so," Camble said, his voice had risen in volume, making it easier for me to hear from the three steps back I'd taken while the battle was going on in my head.

I couldn't help it; I let out a gasp, a pretty loud one. I heard them both stand, but it took a few seconds before Wes opened the door fully. He was gave me a disappointed look.

"Um, your phone went off, I think it was Rhonda, just thought you would want to know," I said handing it to Camble. I couldn't bring myself to look at his face. I knew I'd messed up, invading his privacy like that, even though I'd tried not to. 

"Reed," Camble started but I turned and ran up the stairs, locking myself in my room. I throw myself against the door and sank to the floor, completely upset. I put my hands up to my ears and shut my eyes tight, trying to block out everything that was about to go wrong. My mind going a million miles a minute.

I didn't want to move again. I hate packing. Would it take long? Would Wes help? Wes hates me. I need to learn to drive. Camble. Camble York. I suck. 

I suddenly became aware of someone banging at my bedroom door. I could hear Camble on the other side.

"Please baby, just let me explain, just let me explain it to you," he sounded so close to tears. Explain what? What he had said to Wes, what I'd heard, about his old boyfriend finally clicked in my head. 

Camble was out there, obviously upset because he thought I was upset about him not telling me about his old boyfriend. And I was in here, scared that he was going to leave me because I'd heard it. We are truly an odd pair.

I jumped up, unlocked the door, and swung it open. Camble stood there, looking like a hurt child. I pulled him into my arms, barring my face into the side of his neck.

"Camble, I'm so sorry," I said, just happy that he still wanted to talk to me. "I didn't eavesdrop on purpose."

"No, you don't have to be sorry," he put his arms around my waist. I shook my head. We stood in the hall way like that, holding each other. I chanced a look up at him, and he was smiling, making me giggle. Now I really felt stupid.

Finally I pulled him into my room, shutting the door, and then moved us to the bed. We sat facing each other, legs crossed, in the middle of the bed. Camble whipped his hands down his face; his smile was gone, signaling to me that it was time to get serious. His hands fell into his lap and he stared at then until he was ready to talk, then he looked right into my eyes. 

"Camble," I said before he could start. "You don't have to tell me anything you aren't ready for. I want to be with you, no matter what happened in the past, I like you. When, or if, you are ready, I'll be here." I said, hoping that would make him feel better, or more at ease, or more confident in us.

"I don't know when I'll be ready to talk about this," he said slowly.

"That's okay, there are things I'm not ready to tell you," mostly because I don't want you to laugh at me, I though. "But I will. And it isn't because I don't trust you, and I wouldn't think it's because you don't trust me, but it's hard, you know?" He nodded. "I'll be here when you are ready," I said again, just wanting to make sure he understood. 

"My ex-boyfriend, my only boyfriend beside you, used to beat me," he said, and took hold of my hands. I waited for him to say more but he didn't.

"Okay," I said. Camble looked up at me and his eyes were wet. Seeing him like that upset me more then what he'd said. "I won't ever hit you," I said lamely. What exactly do you say in a situation like that? Camble fell back on the bed, and pulled me next to him. I could feel him smiling against my cheek when he kissed me.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I just didn't know how, I thought you would end up hating me, and I was so scared that you would leave," He said finally. 

It was kind of hard for me hearing Camble like this. He was always so strong and determined. He looked so defeated now though. In the past when guys had shown me their soft side, or their fears I would get really freaked out. I'm so used to being taken care of, I'm the baby in my family, everyone had always treated me like I was fragile, and I guess I was. But now, with Camble's fears on display right in front of me, I wanted to make everything better. Take care of him and hold him and make sure nothing would ever hurt him again.

"I could never hate you," I got out finally. "You. I... you know?" Camble was watching my face, his eye soft as always but full of understanding. I had only been with this man for two weeks, but I knew he understood everything I was trying to tell him, even if it didn't make as much sense coming out of my mouth as it did in my head. I looked into his deep blue eyes and smile. "I think I'm falling for you."

"Thank god," I heard from the door.

"Wes you ass," Camble yelled. Wes burst through the door and jumped on the bed. I glared at him, mad that he'd looked so angry with me for eavesdropping, then went and done it himself.

"I know you probably want to get all freaky now, but you can't, I checked the calendar and you still have like two months before that can happen."

"You really put it on the calendar?" Camble asked laughing.

"Yeah, discreetly, I thought," I grumbled and hugged Camble close to my body. I hoped that Camble opening up to me today would mean we would have more trust in our relationship, that I would be able to tell him things too. It was scary to think about, but I hoped anyway. 

*******

"So."

"So?"

"You love him don't you?" 

"Rhonda," I started but she cut me off. She was standing over me like I was her prey. 

"Go pack you're bags Buddy, I want you out of this house and in his by the end of the week." She said and walked out of the room laughing. I jumped up and followed her.

"Rhonda, I can't just move in with him, I mean isn't there steps to that sort of thing? Usually starting with talking about it?" I said stopping on the porch as she continued to her garden.

"We are talking about it," she said and waved me away.

"No not you and I we, Reed and I we," I said. She was doing this just to piss me off and I knew it, but I also knew that she'd meant what she'd said. It wasn't that I thought she or Mac wanted me out of their house, I think she was mostly trying to rush me into things, because that's how she worked.

"Don't be a baby. Lighten up and have fun."

"Okay, you know what? I'm a grown man, and I'll say what I do. You and Mac and John have had enough fun, now it's time to stop. I am not your play thing, and neither is Reed. He's mine and I won't have you doing something that might hurt him. If I ever move in with him, it'll be because we, he and I, want it, not because you tell me to." I huffed and crossed my arms.

"Okay dear," Rhonda said and nodded. What? No cuss words? No belittlement? 

"You're evil," I said and walked back into the house.

"And you're finally a man," she called back, stopping me in my tracks. I turned around and looked out the door I left open. Rhonda's back was to me, as though the conversation we'd just had hadn't really happened. Her old hands were piling dirt into a pile next to her bent knees on the ground. Her long dyed red hair was down, pulled into a low ponytail. I smiled and continued back through the house. Maybe I was a man, but maybe I had a lot of growing up to do still. 



Yellow Ch. 05



"I will kill you." The unmistakable sound of a shot gun being cocked rang through the small room. 

"You don't have it in you." 

I shot up in bed, breathing hard. I glanced around, still dazed from sleep and my eyes landed on Reed. Resting peacefully, he had a small smile on his perfect face, right next to me. Something about seeing that, a thing I usually loved, pissed me off. I got up and left the room.

I stood in the kitchen for a while, alternating between pacing and sitting on the floor. I felt insane; I felt wrong and stupid and hurt. I leaned against the island, brought my knees up to my chest, and wrapped my arms around them. I felt small and stupid, sitting there in my boxers, with tears begging to be free. I dropped my head to my knees and let them come; I didn't want to hide them anymore and I didn't want to push them back every time they came up. 

"Camble?" My eyes shot up to the ceiling, knowing Reed was still in our room, calling for me. It made me cry harder. He needed me, needed me to be strong and constant, and here I was on the kitchen floor crying because I was scared. 

"Just getting some water," I called back, hoping that would keep him in bed. I stood slowly and went to the cabinet to get a glass. I stood at the sink, letting the cold tap run before I put my face close to the faucet and splashed my face with the cool water. "Get it together Camble; he isn't coming back; ten years in jail means ten years in jail."

"What?" I turned, almost dropping the glass, and found Reed standing at the kitchen door. He looked so cute, too; rubbing his eyes and leaning up against the door frame. His hair was getting longer and the ends where curling, framing his pale face. His eyes were hooded with sleep still, but they were sparkling like always. 

"What?" I asked back, hoping he was still just waking up and didn't hear what I'd said. 

"Who's in jail?" he asked and walked toward me. I backed up against the sink, not knowing what to expect. But, in true Reed fashion, he laid his body against mine and snuggled up with one of his hands holding onto my shoulder and the other limp at his side. I needed that.

"Um, Rick," I said.

"What?" he asked again, leaning his head all the way back to look up into my eyes. "Why?" I didn't know how to answer that. "Because he hit you? He went to jail for it?"

"Because he almost killed me," I said, hoping one day I'd be able to tell him the whole story.

"I'm sorry, Camble," Reed said, and hugged me closer.

"Don't be sorry; it wasn't your fault," I said, and wrapped my arms him. 

"Yeah, but I'm still sorry you went through something like that; it isn't fair." Reed pulled away from me and raised the shirt he was wearing to wipe my face; I hadn't realized it was still wet. Then he grabbed the glass from my hand and filled it with water before turning the tap off. "Come on," he said, pulling my hand to follow him. I smiled and went up the stairs with him. I honestly don't know how I got someone like Reed, but I knew I'd do whatever I could to keep him.

*******

I had just gotten off work and I was supposed to meet Camble at the end of Grape and Main Street so we could walk home together. After that weekend with Wes, Camble had pretty much not left my side, and I loved it. 

That was the weekend I found out how jealous Camble could be. I always kind of suspected he was, from the way he talked about wanting me to be his. I know it was a possessive thing to say, but I did want to be his and he mine. 

Wes talked us into going a few towns over where they had a whole strip of bars and clubs. We had started at one end, and worked our way down. The last one on the strip was a gay bar. Camble had been reluctant to go in, saying someone was going to try and take me from him. I told him to stop being silly. 

We got in and were walking around, looking for a place to dance, when a really hairy topless man grabbed my ass. I gasped, surprised, and turned around to find him smiling at me.

"Want to go home with me, little twink?" Little? Twink? I'm not a twink! Right?

"He's spoken for," Camble growled, moving me behind him. 

"I was just having fun; we could always take him back to my place and make a twink sandwich." The guy's hand moved out to brush my face, making me jerk back, and I knocked into Wes, who in turn moved me behind him also. Once the baby, always the baby, I guess.

"Don't touch him," I'd never heard Camble's voice so harsh. To tell you the truth, it was making me really hot.

"Honey, you need to teach me your tricks, you've got this one wrapped around your little finger," the hairy man informed me. 'It's the other way around' I thought. He walked away but not before saying: "Your twink looks like a whore, anyway," to Camble.


Basically, it ended with Camble breaking the guy's nose, while Wes and I got the car. The three of us drove back home laughing our asses off. Camble had pulled me from the backseat to sit on his lap in the front seat, my back against the door. 

"You don't look like a whore baby; maybe a little twinkish, but not a whore," he said, nuzzling my neck. I really need to look that word up in the gay dictionary. 

"Yeah, yeah," I said, and laid my head against the window, barely controlling the urge to rape him in front of my brother. 

"Reed, look what I got for you." Camble came jogging toward me, holding up a bright blue cell phone, and breaking me out of my trance. I hadn't even realized I'd made it to our meeting spot. 

"Is that new?" I asked, handing the books I was carrying to his waiting hand and took the phone from him. I had picked up a new copy of Wuthering Heights, so that he would also get the joke about the house. It was an abridged copy, because sometimes it's hard to understand. And I got this really huge book about hot rod cars he had been looking at the last time he came to visit me for lunch. 

Yes, my man came and brought me lunch. The first time he did it, I had to go into the back room so he wouldn't see my blush, it made me so happy. I never even told him about what Brad had said that day, or about Brad period, and how I felt like a failure because of it. He just did it, which made it twelve times better.

"Yeah; it matches your couch," he said, laughing at the face I made. "You always complain how it never goes with anything so I got you this to fix it." He was too sweet. "Plus, I like the fact that I can call you whenever I want now," and kind of selfish, but I wouldn't hold that against him. 

"Thank you, Camble."

I leaned into him waiting for my kiss; when none came after a second I looked up to find him staring at something behind me. I turn to look, but there wasn't anything there except a few kids on bikes and an old couple taking a walk. When I looked back at him, a question on my face, he gave me a kiss.

"Let's go home, okay?" I love that he called it home; like it was really his place too. John had called and told me about Rhonda and Camble fighting over her wanting him to move in with me. So I showed up one day when he was at work, and packed up a bunch of his clothes; making the decision for the both of them. Rhonda had laughed, and Camble was somewhat angry that she had won, but soon forgot about it once I pointed out that we would be sharing a bed every night if he lived with me. 

"Yes, let's," I cooed and snuggled into his shoulder as he put his arm around me. Our town is so small; the use of a car would be redundant. I had grown up here; if I needed to go out I took the bus or, if it was too late, I called Wes. Camble had an older truck he'd gotten from Mac for his sixteenth birthday, so he drove us if were going out somewhere far away. I loved these walks, though, when we got off work at the same time and could walk the five blocks back to our house together. 

"What are you thinking about, baby?" Camble asked, smoothing my hair from my face so he could see my eyes.

"About how much I like walking with you; it makes me all mushy inside," I said honestly.

He laughed and kissed me. "You're such a sap."

I giggled happily; I liked being a sap.

"You're my sap though, right?"

I nod.

"Yup, all yours; you're stuck with me." 

*******

"Camble, I want you to meet my mom and dad."

I usually always had the weekend off, and he had it off this week, too, so it would be the perfect time. We could go down, spend a few days there, and then come back late Sunday night. Neither of us went to work until after noon on Monday. 

"Really?" He looked up from Wuthering Heights. He was doing a lot better with it then I had thought he would. Not that I thought he was stupid; but I had trouble understanding everything the first time I read it, so I kind of assumed that he might too. He was almost done with it. 

"Yes." I was scared he would say no.

Mom knew all about him, from what Wes and I had told her. She'd been dieing to meet him from day one, but she didn't like driving out here by herself and my dad was slaving away at work; too tired to go anywhere on the weekends. Mom worked too, but only part time at an art museum. She did setups for the new exhibits and things like that. 

"Really?" he asked again, like I had been joking. I sat down next to him on the blue couch and got really close to his face. 

"Yes really." I leaned in and kissed his lips softly. "Really, really," I said with a kiss break between each word. He pulled me over so I was sitting in his lap, facing him, my legs straddling his. 

"I thought you would never ask."

His smile was huge, showing off his white teeth. I had been thinking a lot about whether or not his teeth fit his personality, and I decided they did; they were playful, almost joyous.

"So, is this weekend okay?"

Camble was rebuilding the old Chevy truck that Mac had giving him. It ran alright, but the body and interior needed a lot of work. For now, that's all he had to drive and I thought it would be fun to take a road trip in it. 

"Oh, this weekend?" his eyes clouded a little, and his smile faded.

"We don't have to; just you usually don't get the weekends off, and we can wait till you get another one if you want." Maybe I should have given him a little more time to get ready. It was Thursday. 

"No, it's not that, I thought . . .," he stopped and looked at me. "This weekend is perfect; I just thought there was something I had to do."

He kissed my lips before lifting me to my feet and walking to the study. I felt like I had missed something. Was there something he had to do? I jogged up the stairs and into our bedroom to look at the calendar I kept on my dresser, hoping maybe he'd written something on it that would give me an idea. 

I picked it up slowly, noticing the small red heart on the bottom corner of Saturday, just two days away. I sat down on the barely made bed and slapped my forehead. I'd totally forgotten, and I was the one who'd written it on the calendar. How could I forget something like that? Had it been two months and three weeks already?

I went back down the stairs; I wanted to tell him I was sorry and that we could plan my parent's visit for another day. But when I got to the study door I heard him on the phone with someone. 

"Yeah, I know its short notice... something came up... could I rebook it for another weekend?... well when's the next time it'll be free?... a month? Are you serious? I can't wait another month... I can't do that... look lady sometimes there are things more important then sex okay?... oh yes, you have a nice day too." he slammed down the phone. "Stupid bed and breakfast bitch."

I backed away from the door, remembering the last time I got caught eavesdropping and went into the kitchen. Now I really felt terrible; he had planned to take me away for the weekend and everything. I was the world's worst boyfriend. 

Camble came up behind me and kissed my neck, I felt him take in a deep breath before exhaling down the back of my shirt, making my whole body shiver. I had this wonderful guy, all to myself, and I was taking him for granted. 

I walked forward toward the island, its top was unusually clean. I turned to look at him while I lifted myself up to sit on it, leaving everything from my thighs down hanging over the edge. I patting my lap, hoping he would get the hint. His eye brows lifted in question but he walked toward me anyway. I spread my knees, fitted him between them, and then wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Have I ever told you how wonderful I think you are?" I asked as I kissed his neck. Usually when we made out I let him take over; he seems to like that. Just then, though, I wanted to touch him. I bit down gently on his neck before sucking at the skin there.

"Mm, Reed." His hands went under my shirt, moving to hold my shoulder blades. I ducked my head, kissing the top of his covered tummy, before pulling off his shirt. I ran my fingers down his chest, and then curled them into his waist band, using it pull him closer. That was all he could take before he wanted control.

Camble grabbed my thighs and pulled me tight against him, forcing us into a deep kiss. I grabbed hold of his hips, grinding myself into him. My hands moved slowly toward the buttons of his jeans, quickly undoing them, and then slipped inside his tight white boxers. He felt huge in my hand. 

I placed one hand behind his neck, grabbing his hair, and I began stroking with the other. He broke the kiss, breathing deep, his forehead against mine, and his eyes gazing at me; they were hooded with pleasure. He felt so good to me; I always wanted to be able to touch him like this.

"God, Reed, I can't, I'm going to . . ." His breath hitched, hot against my lips. I stroked faster wanting him to have the release he was so close to. "Gah!" His voice was harsh; something that happened often when we were intimate. His hands fell from my body and onto the counter pushing hard against it. 

"Go ahead baby," I murmured. His eyes slammed shut as he filled my hand. He let out a moan and went limp against me. I kissed his neck before pulling my hand out of his pants, and licked my finger tips clean. I'd never done that before, never even had the urge to, but everything with Camble just seemed good. And it was good.

"You're great," he breathed, still weak in my arms. 

"You are great too," I said back, nuzzling into his neck. "You want to take a nap?" 

"Maybe," he straightened up and looked at me. "You really need to stop listening in on peoples conversations; it isn't nice." I blushed.

"Okay."

It's not like I ever meant to eavesdrop; it always just happened. I looked up to find him smiling. He slid his hands under my ass and raised me off the island. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, and he carried me up to our room. 

"Sleep," Camble said, and undressed me. 

"So you aren't mad that I heard?" I asked sleepily. I was as drained from our activity as I assumed he was. 

"No; it's fine baby. I just want our first time together to be special." He curled up behind me, pulling me to his chest.

"It would be special in the bathroom of a truck stop." His laugh rumbled against my body. I turned and looked over my shoulder at him. 

"If you say so. I would prefer a bed though, if you don't mind." I nod because beds are nice for sex, I'm told. "Or, on your couch," he said excitedly. "Can we do it on the blue couch?" 

"What, right now?" 

I turned over on my back, and he scooted up my chest so he was laying half on-half off of me. I ran my fingers through his hair as he got comfortable, crossing his arms in front of him and resting his chin on his hands.

"Maybe not now; but soon."

I felt his heart beating calmly in his chest, against my tummy. 

"Come here," I said, pulling at his arms.

He moved up, lifting an arm and wrapping it underneath my neck. His head stayed on my chest, though, with his other hand over my heart. I sighed contently, lifting my arm over my shoulder and intertwining my fingers with his. He moved his head so that he could look at me, smiled, and then snuggled in, falling asleep in seconds.

*******

"We're here," I called into the house as I opened the door. Camble was carrying our bags, so I let him in first. He had been so nervous on the way here that he spent the majority of the drive chain smoking with the radio blasting. He looked calmer on the outside now, but I knew him well enough to know he was still scared they wouldn't like him. No matter how many times I told him that my parents would love him, he didn't believe me. 

"Camble." Mom walked toward us, and right over to him, and gave him a tight hug. "I'm so happy to finally meet you." Hesitantly, Camble brought his hands up around her, hugging back.

"I'm happy to meet you too," he said, smiling at me over her shoulder. 

"Take those bags up to your old room, Reed," Mom said as she walked by, pulling Camble along behind her. They disappeared deeper into the house, leaving me dumbfounded. To tell you the truth, even I was surprised about the way she acted. Mom had always been very friendly with my boyfriends, but never had she openly hugged them, or wanted to speak to them when I wasn't around. Smiling, I grabbed the bags and went up the stairs. 

My room was just as I had left it, which was comforting to me. The walls were blue and covered with posters and pictures of old high school friends. My bed was still made up with the quilt Grandma had made me ten years earlier. I reached under the bed and pulled out an old shoe box. Flipping off the top, I smiled, glad that my parents hadn't found the gay porno that lay inside. I pushed it back to its place and stood up.

I sat down on the edge of the bed and flopped back, spreading my arms out above me. It even smelled the same. 

I didn't want to leave Camble alone for too long, so I stood and moved toward the door. Turning, I noticed something new. There, sitting on my bedside table, was a framed picture. I picked it up, and instantly knew it was one of Wes's. 

It was new, from the weekend that he had spent with Camble and me. Camble was lying on the blue couch, his back pressed up against its back, with me curled up in his arms. We had been napping late Sunday morning, which must have been when Wes took it. I could picture Wes now, standing behind the couch, looking down at us with his camera.

Pulling the photo to my chest, I smiled. Camble and I looked that good together? I gazed at it again, taking in how blue the couch looked, how Camble's skin and my hair glowed bright and healthy. Yeah, we did.

I found Camble and Mom in the kitchen, chatting like old friends. I sat down in his lap and showed him the picture. Mom had to have been the one to put it there; she developed all of Wes's film. I smiled at her.

"Wow," Camble whispered. "Is this one of Wes's?" I had showed him a lot of Wes's work; he'd taken an instant liking to it.

"Yes, isn't it beautiful? When Reed told me he was bringing you here, I framed it so you could take it home."

"We can keep it?" Camble asked happily. He was so cute.

"Of course, silly." My mom was flirting. It used to embarrass me so much when she did that with my or Wes's friends. I had realized, somewhere down the line, she only did it when she really liked someone. Like it was her way of showing that approval. It made me insanely happy this time, watching her flirt with my boyfriend.

*******

"You have the world's greatest parent's, baby," Camble said, yawning. Mom, Dad, Wes, and I took him out sight seeing. He hadn't ever been to the city before, so we spent the whole day showing him all the great places people came to the city to see, and all the even greater places that you don't know of, unless you lived there all your life. 

"Thank you," I said curling up close to him, ready to sleep.

"You love me right?" his voice had changed from sleepy to serious, startling me slightly. I looked up at his face, his deep blue eyes waiting for me.




Yellow Ch. 05



"You know that I do."

"Then please, stay with me always." 

In moments like this, a hundred things go through your mind. I thought about how he always teased me about being sappy, when really it was he who said all the mushy stuff in our relationship. I just happened to slip some in once in a while. I thought about how, when we were curled up in bed, it seemed perfect and loving but half way through the night he would roll away from me to sleep more comfortably. Then, in the morning, he'd roll back before he knew I was awake and pull me back into his arms. I thought about Seth.

"Always," I said and kissed his lips.



Thanks to Richard for the edit.



Yellow Ch. 06



Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thanks to Richard and Jerrie for the edits. 



I burst through the front door, making a point to slam it behind me, before going to the kitchen to find a beer. I twisted off the cap of one, and screamed in pain.

"Mother fucker." That hadn't been a twist off. I throw the cap across the room cussing loudly and then looked at my freshly cut palm and cussed at it. I chugged the whole beer down, getting mostly foam in the process. I grabbed the bottle opener from the drawer before getting another bottle.

"What the hell?" I heard Mac yelling. He came into the kitchen, a baseball bat in hand, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. "Camble?"

"Yeah," I said, willing myself not to yell at him. I was in great need to go off on someone, even if I had spent the last hour over by the lake screaming and cussing at everyone's existence.

"What is the matter with you?" he asked. He hadn't let go of the bat, but he did let it drop to his side. "Where's Reed?"

"Where's Reed? I'll tell you where Reed is; he's at some bar making out with his fucking boyfriend, that's where Reed is." I growled, and drank the rest of my beer. I needed something harder then beer. I opened the cupboard over the frig, hoping Rhonda hadn't finished all the booze they kept at home. 

"What are you talking about?" Mac asked, sitting at the table. I found an unopened bottle of Jack Daniels and brought it, and a shot glass, to the table. I took three shots, one right after the other, before Mac took the bottle away and gave me a stern look. "Cam, you have to talk to me here, okay? I don't understand a single thing coming out of your mouth."

"There we are, sitting in this bar that Reed loves right? We've been there for about a half hour, having some beers, talking, laughing, and just being us right?" Mac nodded and I take the opportunity to steal the bottle back. "So, everything up to that point had been great. His parents were wonderful, and the city really wasn't as bad as I'd always thought it would be, right?" I took another shot, and wiped the back of my hand across my lips.

"Okay," Mac said, urging me on.

"Okay. So this guy walks in. I see him when he walks in, and he's looking for someone. He's looking fucking hard. Then, I guess Reed noticed me looking at the guy and turns to see who it was, and guess what?" I asked laughing. "It's Seth." I started laughing uncontrollably. Because really, looking back, it was all so hilarious; in a not-funny-at-all kind of way.

"Who's Seth?" Mac asked, which made me laugh harder.

"I have no idea," I said, giggling, while I took two more shots. "Reed has never mentioned him, not a single fucking time. And it turns out he's known the guy for years. They were best friends, did you know that? I sure the fuck didn't. And Seth just kept going on and on about missing Reed; how he was so sad when he'd left. And Reed? Fucking Reed just swooned. Like a love sick puppy. Like a big bright eyed love sick puppy. He's never looked at me the way he was looking at Seth." 

"Cam," Mac started, but I cut in because, now that I'm talking, I don't want to stop. 

"So, I'm sitting there for another hour while they 'catch-up', trying to get Reed's attention. Because really, I feel extremely low and he doesn't even notice that I'm just sitting there outside the conversation. Or that I don't have a single idea what they are talking about. And I mean, I could understand a little at first, because he hadn't seen his friend so long, right? But after an hour? Come on; a man doesn't ever have that much ego, or self-confidence left. 

"So finally I just get tired of sitting there. I tell Reed that I'm going to go back to his parent's house, so he and Seth could talk more, right? So I don't have to sit there feeling terrible for no reason. But then, Reed just looks up at me, giving me this look. I can't even explain it; it was like he was scared, or like he was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't really get it." I rubbed the back of my hand across my eyes, willing them to stop tearing up. I took another shot, staring at the empty bottle in front of me.

"Camble?" Mac asked. I looked up at him, realizing I'd been somewhat lost in my thoughts for a minute. I smiled at him and started to peal the label off of the Jack Daniels bottle.

"Stupid me; I sat back down, thinking, well, more like knowing right then that he didn't want me to leave." I pulled a cigarette out of my pack. Usually Rhonda hated it when Mac or I smoked in the kitchen, but I think, just this once, she'd have allowed it. "So Reed and I are sitting there, kind of just staring at each other; then Seth takes it upon himself to ruin everything."

"What did he do?" Mac asked; he was on the edge of his seat.

"He kissed him; just grabbed Reed's face and pulled him to his lips and laid into him good." I took a long drag off my cigarette and brushed the tears off my cheeks again. I didn't think it would have hurt this much; I never though that I would lose Reed so easily. That he would be taken from me right in front of my eyes. "And Reed kissed him back. It was like they'd completely forgotten that I was there." I should have stayed, should've beat the crap out of Seth. I just wasn't expecting it, not from Reed.


"He couldn't; he wouldn't do that. Reed loves you." 

"I think I know what my boyfriend's tongue looks like, and trust me; it was inside Seth's mouth." I bit my bottom lip. 'My boyfriend'? It suddenly hurt to call him that.

"Camble," Mac said and took my hand in his. I look up at him, and the look on his face told me how sad he was for me. I wished that he would have tried to convince me more; tell me that there had to be some reason why it happened. But he didn't. He knew, as well as I did, that the whole situation sucked. 

"I hate that I was just this side trip for him. I hate that it was just fun and games for him. I love him so much, and I thought he loved me too, but now? It feels like everything was a lie between us. This entire time I've been walking around on cloud nine, knowing in my head and in my heart that, without a doubt, Reed loved me just as much as I love him. But, really, he didn't, and it hurts so much to look back and think about all the times we shared." I was rambling. I knew it, but the alcohol had finally gotten to me. "Why am I always part of a one-sided love? Why do I always have to deal with shit like this? Haven't I already had enough? I mean, like my fair share?"

"Camble, I don't really know what to say. But Reed does love you. I think you are taking this too far, and thinking things we both know aren't true."

"I don't know." I dropped my head to the table and felt comfort in the rush of pain to my forehead. I'd been almost completely numb for the last three hours. 

"Get some sleep okay? And call him in the morning. I'm sure there is a reason for all of this, and it would be better if you found out now, rather then later." Mac stood and left me there in the kitchen, alone, where I'd drunk the last of their alcohol.

---------------------------------------------





"You have got to be kidding me," Wes said, pacing in front of me. I was sitting at the end of my bed in my parent's house, watching his feet, Camble's shirt in my hands. "Do you even realize what you've done?" 

"Yes," I mumbled and closed my eyes.

"You have no idea what you've done, you stupid little boy." Wes continued on like I hadn't said a thing. "Camble is probably a wreck, and still you just sit here, staring at the floor. You don't deserve him."

"I know."

"How could you do that? How could you kiss Seth? I mean, how? Do you still have feelings for him? Is that why you did it? Because you thought you might have a chance with him now?"

"No."

"He never wanted you before; what makes you think he would want you now? I mean, Camble loves you; Seth just wants a play thing. This is the craziest thing you've ever done."

"I know."

"You find this great guy, who actually happens to be truly great in a very real way, and what do you do? Make out with someone else, and in front of him. Oh my God, you can't be my brother."

Wes grabbed both of my shoulders and shook me. I look up at him, and smiled faintly. Everything he was telling me, I'd been saying to myself, over and over. And I had no real excuse for why I'd kissed Seth. I know why I did it. But it wasn't a good reason, not one that would make Camble ever come back to me. 

And that reason? To confirm to myself, once and for all, that I didn't want Seth anymore. It had been nice, talking to Seth, like we used to when we were friends. I had really missed our friendship. But he kissed me, and though my first reaction was to pull away, I didn't. I let him kiss me; and I guess I kissed him back. I could see Camble, even though my eyes were closed. I could see his face, his reaction, his pain, and I knew I'd broken his heart. It was selfish of me to try and finally get closure on something that should have been long gone from my head.

All I'd really thought, in the three seconds it took me to make the decision to kiss him back, that, if I could be absolutely sure that I had no more feelings for Seth, then I really could give everything in me to Camble. I know; it was fucking stupid because everything was already Camble's; and it had been since the first time he'd called me baby. 

I didn't give a second thought to the matter though, and I really should have. And I knew I'd fucked up badly. But I had no feelings for Seth what so ever. Well, except for the wanting to kill him feelings. Kissing him was what I'd thought kissing Wes would have been like: totally disgusting.

So now, here I sit, listening to Wes bitch about things I already knew. That I had fucked up; that I was horrible; and that I'd lost Camble. This fucking bites.

"Reed, are you listening to me?"

"No," I said, but Wes continued on anyway.

"You have to go to him and tell him that you're sorry, and that you love him; do something." I shook my head no.

"He doesn't want to talk to me. I've been calling his cell phone all night and most of today; he just doesn't want to see me anymore. And that's okay. It's okay if he stops loving me; I understand." I said, and looked up at Wes, trying to smile, but it was becoming harder and harder. 

"You're a fucking bastard. I'm telling Mom," Wes said, and rushed out of the room.

----------------------------------------------



I couldn't get Wes to drive me home. He wouldn't hear of it, saying he didn't want to be stuck in an enclosed space with me. Dad drove me instead, but he didn't seem to have as big a problem with it as I thought he might. 

"We're going to have to see about getting you a car, son. Mom never uses hers anymore; it's been sitting in the garage for over a year." I nodded. It might be a good idea to finally get a car, and a driver's license. I needed to stop being scared of everything, and I guess that might be a good first step.

"Okay, Dad."

"You know Wes doesn't mean what he says." I nod again. I knew it; no one had to explain the way Wes was to me. This was how he'd always dealt with me. He'd push me around, yell at me and call me names; hoping that it would jump start something in me. It had always worked in the past, but not this time. I didn't think I needed his help. Every mean and hurtful thing that came out of his mouth was true; I couldn't stand up and defend myself. I really didn't deserve Camble; I never had.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Did you like Camble better then Seth?" The last time Dad and I had had a real conversation had been four months earlier. We'd spoken since; I called my parents a lot, but we hadn't really talked, not about anything truly important. 

"Honestly?"

"Yes."

"Yeah; I liked him a whole lot more." I put my face in my hands and started to cry. It was weird, but I hadn't been able to cry until then. The night before, I lay awake replaying everything in my mind while I tried calling Camble. 

Seth's kiss.

"Hey, you've got Camble, call back later Catherine."

Watching Camble walk out.

"Hey, you've got Cam-"

Punching Seth in the face.

"Hey, you've-"

Running after Camble.

"Hey, you've got Camble, call back later Catherine."

Finding his truck gone.

"Hey, You-"

I was devastated by what had happened, but I couldn't cry. Even after hearing his voice mail answering message for the millionth time, which Wes paid him to record as a joke. Of course, it took my father, who'd only talked to Camble for the first time two days ago, to start the crying.

"Oh my God," I whispered. 

"Reed, it will get better. You have just got to talk to him; make him see how sorry you are. I mean, it was only a kiss. Granted it was a fucked up thing to do to a guy, but he'll take your apology." I shook my head no. I honestly didn't believe that Camble would. I'd hurt him way too much. 

----------------------------------------------



"Wes called for you again," Rhonda said when I walked into the kitchen. I groaned; I didn't want to deal with him so early in the morning, let alone ever.

"Reed didn't call though, huh?" I asked, in a way that showed I didn't need an answer, but that I wouldn't mind getting one. I winced inwardly; I was fucking desperate to hear from him. Rhonda just shook her head no.

I wanted him to call; I missed him. I just wanted for him to come to me, begging my forgiveness, declaring his undying love with ring in hand, and saying that I was allowed to kill Seth. 

Okay; maybe not the ring part. I'd always figured that, if a ring came into the mix, I'd be the one giving it. Because Reed seemed more of the type who would like something like that. But it helped to expect extremes; like I could justify wanting him back so badly if he did those things. 

Reed hadn't called though, not once, and it was starting to hurt a lot more not talking to him then it had watching him with his tongue down some other guy's throat. I wished I would have stayed in the city, just so I could have gotten some kind of explanation. Like whether or not we were still a We. I guess him not calling proves that we aren't. 

"Bye," I said to Rhonda as I walked out the door. She pulled me back and gave me a tight hug.

"It'll be okay buddy; I know it will be." I shook my head at her and smiled. She was a silly old woman, always striving to find that silver lining. I loved her for it. 

I decided to walk to work that day. It was sunny and bright, and it made me feel much better than I'd felt in awhile. I passed by people I'd known all my life, each giving me a friendly nod or wave. I smiled and waved back, but it was hard to do; pretending like I was okay to everyone, when really I was dead inside because Reed wasn't there to walk beside to me. 

"Maybe I should just swallow my pride and call him," I said to Mac later that night, when we were closing the bar. 

"You should have done that four days ago. We both know that Reed is weird; he is probably thinking you hate him, and doesn't want to bother you with phone calls." That was really the problem for me, though. If he loved me, wouldn't he make every attempt at trying to get me back? I don't know.

----------------------------------------------



"I don't understand how you haven't seen him once. I mean there are all of two hundred people living here. You have to have run into him at least once over the last few weeks." Wes was storming around my Grandparent's house. Again, I was just sitting there, trying to ignore him.

"I don't leave the house except to go to work. They put me on the late shift, so I'm there from seven at night until like three in the morning," I said, though I'm sure he wasn't listening to me.

"Have you tried calling him?"

"I've called him about a million times." 

"Then call him a million more times," Wes yelled, and that's when I snapped. I'd listened to him, over and over, for the past three weeks. Listened to him call me names; tell me how terrible I am; and I'd finally had it-fucking-enough.

"Wes, stop," I said standing up. "Don't you get it? He doesn't want to talk to me; he doesn't want to see me. Camble wants nothing to do with me. What do you want me to do? What else do you want from me? I hurt him, and there isn't anything I can do to fix it." I was screaming; I knew I was, but I couldn't help it.

"I just can't believe that you two are over. Not because of a stupid kiss."

"Well, hurry up and start believing. The sooner you do, the sooner I can get on with my life."

"You're going to go back to Seth aren't you?" he said, pointed a finger in my face. Again, I couldn't help it. I punched him. I punched my older brother right in the face.

"How dare you accuse me of that; how fucking dare you," I yelled. Then I ran up the stairs and locked myself in my room, leaving Wes on the floor. I threw myself on to the bed and wept into my pillow. It still smelled like Camble. 

---------------------------------------------



"Mr. York?" I turned when my name was called and followed the man in uniform into a room. "Number six," he said, before turning and walking back out the door we'd came through. 

I walked slowly down the line of booths, looking at the people sitting on either side. Most of them were in deep conversation, but a few smiled at me as I passed. I found the number six booth and sat in the chair provided. I looked up and into the eyes of a man I'd once hoped I'd never see again.

"Hey kid." He was smiling, like he was truly happy to see me. Oddly, that made me feel better.

"Hey Rick."



Yellow Ch. 07



Thanks to Jerrie for the edit.

"Camble, what have I done to deserve you gracing me with your presence?" Rick said smiling and setting his hands on the small counter top in front of him.

"Um... you sent a letter saying you wanted to see me," I said slowly. I didn't really know why I'd come, why I'd felt like I had to, just because he'd asked.

"Oh that's right, I did," Rick said and kept on smiling. His smile pissed me off, made me feel like he was laughing at me. 

"If you are just going to smile at me, I'm leaving," I said and stood.

"Damn Kid, sit down," Rick said and stood too. We glared at each other for a few seconds before I slowly sat back down. 

"What do you want Rick?" 

"Two things," he said and shifted around in his chair. "One, I have something that I need to give you, and two, I want to say that I was sorry."

"You're sorry?" I asked.

"Yes, and yeah it probably means nothing to you, but I am sorry, and I needed to let you know that." I stared at him, mouth wide open. This is not what I expected when I read his letter. 

"No, Rick, it does mean a lot to me to hear that from you. Thank you," I said. I was uncomfortable with this, with seeing him again. I had really hoped I never would again. After getting that letter though, I didn't know what to think. Maybe I was just desperate to talk to someone other then Mac and Rhonda and John. 

"Okay," Rick said and stood. I stood too and watched as he left the room. The guard that had brought me into the room, was there again waiting at the door for me. I walked toward him, glancing back at the small stall I'd just been sitting in. It had happened so fast, it was hard to believe that I'd talked to Rick at all.

"Come on Mr. York, we have your things at the front desk," the guard said and walked in front of me, expecting me to follow. When we got to the front desk, he pulled a long envelope from a draw and handed it to me. I looked down at it, my name written across the front. I looked back up at the guard and he was smiling at me. 

I walked out of the building and got into my truck, throwing the envelope across the bench seat and started the car. A couple hours later I was over by the lake behind my town, envelope in one hand, beer in the other. I was drinking a lot more now, if that was obvious. 

I dropped the tail gate, sat down on it heavily, and started opening the seal. I pulled out a packet of paper and started looking through it. It was a deed. It was the deed to Rick's house. The last page of the packet was a letter.

"Dear Camble," it began.

"I'm going to get right to the point here. I did wrong by you, I beat the shit out of you, I called you names, I raped you, and you stuck by me anyway. If it had been happening to me, I would have left, but you stayed. In some ways, I find you noble and loyal, but in other ways, I think you're stupid." It was just like Rick to point out things he knew I didn't want to hear; things he knew I already knew too, things that he knew would hurt my feelings but help me understand all sides of an argument, weather I liked it or not. 

"You loved me, and that's great, knowing that you loved me. Knowing that I held you're heart when you could have given it to anyone. So, now it's my turn to finally give you something back." I closed me eyes, trying to hide the words. How could he expect me to except that house? Too many good memories turned bad, so much love and hurt; I don't think I could go anywhere near that house let alone live there.

"I don't care what you do with the house, if you sell it or burn it down, whatever, just take it. I hope that, in some way, it'll help ease some of the pain I put you through. 

"I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I know better then that, but I am asking that you take this gift. Don't try and send it back to me, because I won't take it. I want you to have it, it's yours. 

"Rick. 

"P.S.: You don't have to be a stranger; it'd be nice seeing each other once in a while, don't you think?"

I throw the papers to the ground, my empty beer bottle went flying into the lake, and I screamed. How dare he tell me I had to just take the house, and then have the fucking gall to turn around and say I should come see him again, like it was the least I could do to show I was grateful for all he'd done for me? No, I don't fucking think so. 

I kicked the papers across the small beach my truck sat in. I was fuming. I felt trapped and stupid. I shouldn't have gone to see him; I don't know why I just up and went the moment he asked me to. I should have fucking thrown the letter away, Rhonda should have thrown it away, rather then handing it over to me like it was nothing. 

But I guess it should have been nothing, I shouldn't be pissed about the way he treated me, if I was truly over it I wouldn't react at all. I slammed the tail gate of me truck up, loathing that I was upset, but still upset because I felt like he'd wronged me all over again.

I didn't need this, not when I was still trying to get over Reed... 

I picked up the dirtied papers, one by one, and got back into my truck. I drove slowly, using the back roads to get back into town. I looked forward, willing my eyes not to look over when I pasted the road that ran along the back of the Timmy's property.

I couldn't help a glace; I wasn't expecting to see him in the back yard though. I slowed a little more and took a better look. Reed was sitting on the swing hanging from the largest tree in the yard. He was holding on to the ropes, his arms stretched over his head slightly. His eyes were down at his feet as he swung the swing a few inches with his toes. 

"Camble, Camble, Camble," Reed said giggling next to my ear. I opened my eyes slowly, still feeling half asleep. 

"Hmm," I mumbled and closed me eyes again, snuggling into his warm body.

"Guess what I found?" he said and moved to lay over me, straddling me hips, and moving his arms under my back to hold onto my shoulders.

"Hmm?" I asked again.

"A swing, will you come and help me put it up?"

"Baby, I'm asleep," I said and kissed his neck, wanting him to stay and go back to sleep with me.

"Please? We can take a nap later." I looked up at him again and smiled. He was such a little kid sometimes. So easily amused by such a simple toy, but I loved the joy Reed radiated when he was like this. Plus, I knew if I helped him now, he would reward me later. 

"Sure baby, let me get dressed," I said and he giggled, again kissing me hard and ran from the room. Two hours later, we had the swing tied high on the top branch of a tree. 

"All those years I've tried climbing this tree, why didn't I ever think of a using a 40 foot latter?" Reed said using his hand to shield the sun as he looked up at the branch. 

"I don't know, maybe your just slow?" I said and he pushed me lightly.

"Hey mister, for that crack you get to push me," Reed said and sat down, glancing over his shoulder to smile at me. I shook my head and walked over to him, leaning down to kiss his cheek and pushed him up into the air. 

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up at the road just as I swerved off it. I steadied the car quickly and got off the gravel shoulder and back onto the real road. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my body, and looked back out the window. I was a little ways down the road from the backyard now, but I could still see Reed. He was standing up next to the swing, eyes toward my truck. I slammed my foot on the gas and sped away. 

It hurt to see Reed looking so lost, but it hurt too just seeing him. I couldn't take that he'd never even called to say he was sorry. At least Rick had done that much. 



*******

"So."

"So?"

"Are you going to keep the house?" 

"Are you insane?" I asked Rhonda and stood from the table. I was always restless anymore, I could never calm down, and I felt like I really was going insane this time.

"I'd keep it if I were you," She said and smiled sweetly.

"Then you can have it," I say and throw the papers onto the counter top, smiling back at her. She stood and picked up the papers and walked passed me.

"That's so sweet of you Camble, thank you." She said and turned, walking up the stairs. I stood there shocked for a minute before I had to laugh. Why I expected anything less from her, I don't know. 

*******

It was late, I wasn't sure of the time, but it was dark outside. I'd just gotten back from work, and I came into the house, finding it as dark as ever. I walked through the halls and rooms, turning on all the lights, hoping that it would help the house feel more like a home again. 

I walked over to the phone to check my messages. It said I had four new ones, but I knew better then to hope any of them was from Camble. I'd given up hope on him ever calling me again.

"Hey Reed, what's up little bro? Mom and Dad want me to come down a pick you up for the weekend, so back your bags; I'll be there Friday morning." I needed to call him back and let him know I couldn't go, I had to work.

"Hello honey, it's Mom, I just wanted to call and see how you were doing, give us a call soon." I shook my head; I'd just called her that morning, what could have changed? Nothing really, a big fat fucking nothing.

"Reed, its Seth. I don't get why you have been avoiding my calls, I mean it was just a kiss, your boy toy can't be that mad-" 

"Bastard," I said as I deleted it.

"Reed? Hi it's Gwenn, I had a few questions about something, could you come back to work?" I picked up the phone and banged it against my forehead, why? I don't know, thought it would help, but it didn't. 

I walked around the house, turning all the lights back off, rubbing my head the whole way. I got to the door and looked back at the darkened house again. 

"I suck at life." 



*******

"Now, tell me again why you can't come?" Wes said. I followed him up the stairs and into my room. He went to the closet and pulled down one of my over night bags.

"I have to work; I told you that yesterday when you called. You don't have to come here and rescue me Wes, I'm fine." I said and pulled the bag away from him. He glared at me and snatched it back.

"Yes I do, and no you're not." Wes said turning to go back to the closet, and started pulling out random garments, half of which weren't even mine.

"Wes, don't," I said and tried to take them from him.

"Reed, you can't just sit here all day and do nothing, you have to get out, you have to so something other then work and sleep."

"No, I don't. I'm not just your little brother anymore Wes, you can't just tell me how I have to live my life. If I want to fucking lay around all day long, so help me, that's what's I'm going to do." I yelled and left the room. 

"I'm not trying to control you Reed, I'm trying to help you," Wes said coming after me.

"No your not," I screamed turning around. "You didn't ask me to come and stay the weekend with you, you told me. You didn't listen to me when I told you that I had to work, which I really do, you just came out here anyway." I breathed in deep, not wanting to scream at Wes anymore. "I don't mind you helping me Wes, you're my brother, I love you. But right now, you have to leave me alone, and wait for me to ask for that help."

"I don't know if I can do that," Wes said, crossing his arms, leaning against the wall.

"Yeah, okay Wes, whatever," I said and walked away from him again. 

*******

"Reed," Mom said smiling when Wes and I walked through the front door. "How are you dear?" 

"I'm fine Mom," I said and gave her a hug. She held on for a few more minutes than normal. I wasn't sure if that was because she hadn't seen me in a month, or if it was because she felt sorry for me. I didn't want her sympathy, I was the one who fucked everything up, if anything she should be calling Camble telling him how sorry she was. Though I'm sure she had. I wondered then if he'd called her back, if she'd gotten through to him where I'd failed.

"Your Father wants to see you, he asked me to send you to find him the moment you get here." I nodded and walked up the stairs toward Dad's study, where you'd be able to find him anytime he wasn't eating or sleeping. 

"Hey, Dad," I said and sat down on the large leather wing back chair. He looked over at me and smiled. 

"There's my boy, how's everything?"

"Okay I guess," I said and smiled. He always made me feel good. My father was the type of man who's always encouraging and loving, there were very few times he'd gotten to the point were he had to yell at me. If I got a D on a test in school, he would say "there's always next time" or "this teacher is stupid, number five and ten are right, ask him to look it over again." I loved him for his ever understand in me.

"Well, I'm not." He said and I sat up a little straighter. "I'm not dying, don't start thinking that." I nodded and sat back against the chair.

"Then what's wrong?" 

"I've been thinking a lot about what happened last month," I looked down at my hands; I didn't want to talk about this. "You love Camble don't you?" I nodded and brushed the tears from my eyes before they could fall and looked at him. 

"I do, you know I do."

"Then, I think you didn't try hard enough to get him back. Yes, I know you called him, but what else? Did you ever go and see him? Did you ever try talking to Mac or Rhonda?" I shook my head. "Why?"

"I was scared; I thought that if I went over there, Camble would refuse to see me. I called him so many times Dad, you have no idea, and he didn't call me back once, he didn't even call to say stop calling," I said.

"You were scared?" he asked and looked away for a second before looking back.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry Reed," Dad said and stood up. I watched as he walked over toward his desk and opened a draw. He lifted a shoebox and brought it over to me. "Read these and tell me if you are still scared," Dad said and walked from the room. 

*******

Henry,

I'm sorry that I am not there to meet you like I said I would, but I've been thinking a lot lately. I thought it might be easier if I tried explaining those thoughts in this letter, instead of in spoken words.

I know how much your parents expect from you. I know that they want you to go to college and marry some successful woman, not a poor farmer's daughter who isn't ever going to do any better than this town. 

More then anything I wish happiness for you, I wish all those dreams you told me about to come true. So please, just go. Forget about me, go away to college like you planed, and be happy. Don't worry about me, don't give me a second thought, just go, and don't look back. 

Good-bye Henry, and believe me when I say this is for the better. 

                   Love, Lily 

      June 16, 1964

Lily, 

Forget you? Just leave and forget you? It would be easier to cut off my own leg then leave you behind. I want you with me, in everything I do, why don't you understand that?

When I told you about my dreams, it wasn't just dreams, I was making plans with you, I want us to go and do those things together. How could I backpack through Europe with out you there to guide me when I get lost? How could I go away to college without you there, making me study? 

When I told you I loved you, when I told you I wanted you and only you, I meant it, I promise you.

Please come and see me tonight, I want to really talk to you about this. I want to make you understand. Please don't just turn away from me like this. I love you Lily, please believe that.

                  Yours, Henry

      June 17, 1964

Henry,

Please Henry just goes. I want you to leave me alone.

                  Lily

      June 20, 1964

Lily,

You should have said that the night we met, and then maybe I'd be able to leave you alone. 

I'm not going to stop Lily, not until I have you again. I'll call you, I'll write you, I'll come to your house and sit on your porch until you agree to be with me. 

You can't fool me Lily, I know how much you love me. 

                  Yours forever,Henry

      June 21, 1964

Henry,

Okay that's it, I've tried to be nice and I tried to be friendly, but this has to stop. So, you want to know why I stopped seeing you.

I'm pregnant, with your child. Now, like I said, you deserve better than this. You have the mind to do it, so go, and do it. 

I'll be fine, just go Henry; go before you get stuck here, hating me. I love you too much to let you do that to yourself.

                  Lily

      July 1, 1964

Lily,

I'm sorry.

                  Henry

     July 2, 1964

*******

"So, you gave Rhonda Rick's house?" Mac asked glaring at me from the other side of the bar.

"Yeah," I said and shrugged.

"Okay," Mac said and drank down half a beer, still staring at me. "I miss you son."

"...I'm sorry."

*******

"What happened next," I said coming into the living room where Mom and Dad were watching TV. 

"What?" Mom asked and turned off the TV. I stared at Dad and set the shoebox down in front of him.

"What happened next?" I asked again. Dad sat back and took a hold of my Mom's hand. "What happened on July Second that made you say 'I'm sorry' and only that?"

"I got scared," Dad said simply and gave me a measuring look. "But I didn't let that stop me, Reed."

"This is bullshit," I yelled. I was furious. They hadn't asked me to come here to see me, at least Dad hadn't. He'd brought me here just so he could show me how wrong I was. Like I didn't already fucking know. Like I didn't already understand that my being scared is what had ruined everything for me my entire life. 

"Honey," Mom started but I shook my head.

"The grand gesture," I said and lifted my arms over my head and turned around. I dropped them on top of me head. "Wes," I yelled up the stairs, flinging my arms out in front of me. "Utter bullshit."

*******

I woke up with a start, hearing a door slam. It couldn't have been any later then six AM. I got up; pulling on the first shirt I say over my boxers. I stumbled down the stairs and found both Rhonda and Mac standing just inside the kitchen, looking out the back door. 

"What is it guys?" I said making them both turn around, giving me glimpse of what they were looking at. I walked slowly forward and out onto the back step. "There's no fucking way." 

"Camble, it's real," Rhonda said, I could hear the smile on her face in her voice. 

There, in our backyard, was Reed's blue couch.