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Rex whipped his book report out of the printer, and stuffed it in his book bag. "Done!" he shouted, to the empty room. "Woo hoo!" 'These things get longer all the time! Pretty soon, they're going to be long enough to be a book; then some junior high school sucker will have to report on the book report Rex Rollins turned in to his English class waaaaay back in 2011.' He turned to the sound of his ringing cell phone. "Of course, it's in the other room," he grumbled. "I'll get it!" he called, to the empty house, as he ran down the hallway and gracefully slid on the living room rug, doing his often practiced imitation of a surfer, while bunching up the Oriental rug ahead of his award winning slide on the polished wood floor. "Mom!" he cried, his voice breaking, as he answered the call. "I miss you! Are you okay? Are you coming back home? Are you angry with me? Did I do something to make you wanna leave? Geez, I hope not." Rex's voice broke. "I . . . I miss you, so much, and the hugs you gave me every day when I came home from school." He sniffed and swiped at his eyes. "Most guys were always talking 'bout what they were gonna do after school. Me . . . I was heading home for one of Mom's patented hugs, and a chocolate chip cookie. You'd always hold me and make everything okay, just by being close. "Dad hugs me now. But . . . but his hugs aren't like yours, y'know, all motherly, and he doesn't smell as good as you." Rex paused. He'd yet to allow his mother to say anything. "Mom? Are you okay? Why're you crying? Did I say something wrong? Geez, I do that all the time. I'm sorry. "Oh . . . okay. Y'sure nothing's wrong? I'll wait a sec. It's just . . . I've never heard you cry before." Rex sat down and waited for his mother to compose herself, swiping at the tears in his own eyes. "No, Dad didn't tell me where he was going; only that he needed to be away for a couple days." Rex's eyes widened. "He's not hurt is he, and you're . . . you're calling me . . . to tell me he's been killed in a car wreck or something?" Rex sniffed, struggling to control his voice, while fighting back tears. "He's been with you? He's okay? F'real? You're not hiding something from me, are you? Why's he with you? "Yeah, he told me you guys were gonna split up. He said you were still good friends n'all, but you both needed t'be free t'do your own thing. He gets choked up every time he talks about you, y'know? Is he right . . . that you're still good friends? Does that mean I'm gonna be able to see you n'stuff?" Rex listened as his mother spoke of she and his father had finalized the divorce. "Oh . . . so, you guys signed the papers. Um . . . Good, I guess." He straightened the rug and wandered around the living room, as his mother spoke to him of her and Steve's separation. "Uh . . . I don't know how I feel about it," he said, responding to her question. "If you're happy, and Dad's happy, and I'm still gonna be able to see you, that's what counts. So . . . um . . . how does it feel, being single again?" He listened as his mother spoke to him of things she wanted to do, and now felt free to attempt. Rex gulped a breath. "So . . . um . . . do you still love me? One . . . one . . ." he hiccoughed. "One of my friend's parents got a divorce, and his mom told him she never wanted to see him again. Is . . . is . . . that how you feel 'bout me?" He plopped down on the sofa, doing his best to not cry, as his mother tried to ease his anxieties. "Y'sure?" he asked. "I mean, you're not telling me everything is okay, just 'cause I'm acting like a baby?" He sniffed and tried to compose himself. "Me? Oh yeah. After hearing your voice, I'm fine. Ornery as ever." He paused, trying to sound like his normal self. "Well, that's not right. I think I'm better than I was. Being here with just Dad has changed the way I look at things. Then, with Jak down in Florida so much. Oops." He stopped speaking, wondering if he'd broken any confidences. He exhaled, in relief. "Oh, Dad told you? Good . . ." he sighed, pleased to hear his mother's laugh. "Then, you're okay with Jak's job? Yeah, he's happy. From the sound of it, he's pretty popular. Geez, I was with him a couple weeks ago . . . No, not down in Florida. I've never been down there, yet. Anyhow, we were in the restaurant at the hotel where he and Keith were staying, and some guys asked for his autograph. It 'bout freaked me out! He didn't seem to think anything of it. And, y'know something? He seems t'me to be the same Jak I've always known. All that money, and signing autographs n'stuff, hasn't gone to his head. In fact, I don't think he's even bought any new clothes since he got the job. Well . . . of course, with that job, you don't have to dress to impress, do you?" His eyes widened. "Oops, again. Geez, I better stop talking. "Are you laughing at me, Mom?" Rex asked. "Oh, yeah, well . . . um . . . okay. So . . . you're not freaking about Jak's job? He told me he's been worried you would be pissed . . . Oh, sorry, 'bout the language. "Oh, yeah, Keith. He's a real nice guy. He and Jak are cool together. Keith's sort'a blond, and looks like one of those California surfer-type guys. He's doing real well in college. Oh, and his mom and dad invited me over the other night, for dinner n'stuff, 'cause'a Dad being away. That was awesome, until his sister decided she . . . um . . . liked me . . . y'know? Finally, I had to yell for help. The girl jumped me, in the living room! She's only fourteen! I thought Jak was the only one in the family that people found irresistible. One thing for sure, I'm not going over there again unless someone puts a leash on her and attaches it to a stake in the back yard! "Yeah, school n'I are getting along fine. My grades are great. Dad n'I are spending lots more time together, just hangin' out, watching television n'stuff. We go out to eat quite a bit, and, when Jak's in town, we get together with him and Keith to do stuff. Dad's joined a gym, so he's there some of the time, and he's working hard, as usual. Me, I'm in school a lot. Jak's doing his thing. He's gone for a few weeks, then's back here for a few, complaining about the cold. So . . . that's about it. "Is your teaching job treating you well? The kids are okay? You're happy? Cool. "Yeah, Mom, I'm sure Jak would love to hear from you. Tell him upfront, though, that you're okay with his job. That'll take a load off his mind. That's prob'ly the main reason you haven't heard from him. He won't lie to you or anyone else about what he does, and he won't apologize. I'm sure he's been afraid of how you would react when you found out. None of us want any more drama than we've already had. Umm . . ." he paused, not wanting to discuss his sister. "Keith's folks were a little . . . not sure . . . about Jak's job, but once they got to know him and saw how great he and Keith are together, they're okay. Keith's sister, Sharon . . . the horny one . . . she's super okay with it. Hmm . . . Somehow I'm not surprised. "Um . . . I . . . I don't know . . . how Keith feels about things. I'm sure he and Jak have talked about it. They must've. I . . . I know being separated as often as they are is hard on Keith. It must be the same for Jak. I know I sure miss him. "Yeah, you're right. He likes what he's doing. I think his job's pretty cool. 'Course I'm just a teenager. I get turned on by anything. Ahem . . . better not go there, huh? Some things I'm not ready to talk about with my mother. Mega-shudder." Rex stretched out and threw a leg over the arm of the sofa, idly running his fingers through the hair on his chest. "The money's really great. That's the reason Jak took the job . . . 'cause'a the money. 'Course it's nice to be having fun while you're earning the big bucks, right? Geez . . . yeah, I get carried away. I know. Still . . . Anyhow, he says the people he works with, the owners of the company n'all, are great guys. I've never met 'em yet. "Yeah, so give him a call. Um . . . is it okay if I call you from time to time? Y'know, just to hear your voice, n'all? Email's okay, but talking to you is way better. I love you, too, Mom. Lots. So does Jak. I'm glad your happy." * * * Steve leaned against the hotel room door, and heaved a sigh, as he ran his fingers through his short hair, then pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to ward off the headache he felt building. 'Damn! I'm glad that's finally over,' he thought, thinking of signing the divorce papers, and the drive through crowded, unfamiliar freeways on his way back to the hotel. 'Of course, it had to be snowing,' he grumbled, to himself. 'It's just as well I hadn't scheduled a flight back home today. I'd probably be cooling my heels at the airport, along with a couple thousand other stranded people. At least I have a bed for the night, and maybe things will have sorted themselves out by tomorrow.' He pushed himself away from the door, draping his coat over a chair, as he walked across the room and stared at the horizontally falling snow. 'I think I am beginning to hate winter,' he groused, then reached for his phone as it beeped, telling him he'd received a text message. "Hey, Dad! Spoke with Mom. Congratulations! Keith's on his way over to pick me up and go someplace to eat. Miss you, lots. I also love you . . . lots. Guess who." Steve smiled. "Love, and miss you, too . . . lots." He stared at the door, then began to undress, deciding to forego dinner. 'I don't feel like being around anyone other than my sons, and that's not going to happen, at least until I get home. All I want to do is lay down and do nothing. 'I've got to stop feeling sorry for myself. After all, things could have been much worse. Rachel and I are still friends, and it sounds as if she's wised-up to Aubrey's antics. Now, all I need to do is get out and meet people.' He grinned. 'Maybe I should let Jak attract them, and then send them over to me. Nah, they'd be disappointed.' He turned off the room light and eased himself onto the edge of the bed, then flopped back, staring at the darkened ceiling. 'Maybe this hypothetical guy wouldn't be too disappointed. After all, I still have most of my hair; I haven't let myself go to seed; I'm employed; and I love sex. Oh, yeah,' he added, 'I love to spend hours and hours holding hands and kissing.' He frowned. 'Do guys still do that sort of thing? Maybe everyone's progressed to something new and exciting. Geez, I hope it's not dancing. I never was a good dancer. Besides, a forty year-old out on a dance floor would be ludicrous.' The phone beeped again. "Hi, Dad. Rex just told me you finalized the divorce. It's a sad thing, but I'm happy you and Mom worked through things without fighting. Heading to bed. Rough day. Love you, Jak." 'Rough day? What could be causing him to have a rough day? His job is to have sex with handsome guys. How rough can that be?' Steve thought a minute. 'If Keith was the problem, I doubt he'd be picking Rex up to go to dinner.' "You okay?" he texted back, and settled in for a response. "Yeah, I'm good. I wanna be home with you, Rex, and Keith. Lonely. I should call Mom. Rex says it's okay. G'night. Love you." 'And I want to be with you,' Steve thought, as he responded. "She'd love a call. She misses you. G'night to you, too." He pressed the send button, then set the phone on the nightstand, closed his eyes, and surrendered himself to sleep, and a dream. "Hey there, Handsome." The warm voice wrapped him in a tender embrace, as much a caress as the sense of the man's hands slowly moving up and down his bare back. He heard himself whimper at the sensuous touch, and the feeling of love it conveyed. 'I'm dreaming,' one small part of his mind realized, before he surrendered to the feeling of the man's warm breath on his neck, as they hugged one another. "Ohhhh, you feel so good," he heard himself murmur. "It's been so long." He tilted his head back, as he felt his dream-lover kiss a line over his neck . . . then his jaw . . . and, finally, his mouth. "How . . . ?" he began, when they parted. "Who?" The voice faded, leaving behind a sense of warmth and contentment. "Don't despair." * * * "Jak! How wonderful! Thank you, thank you for calling." Rachel paused, nearly overcome with her oldest son's greeting. "Oh, sweetheart . . . I love you, too. "Whenever you have a chance, I'd love it if you could come visit . . . just the two of us. Wait! I meant to include your friend, Keith, too. Rex tells me what a fine man he is. I'm sure he realizes how special you are." Rachel paused. "You are, too, special, and, from what your brother tells me, more people than Keith, your father, Rex, and I think so." She laughed, at her son's sputtering attempt at a reply. "Well," she admitted, "all the men in my life are special to me." "Yes, your father told me about your job. Congratulations. I told him how proud I was when I learned you didn't jump into something without first giving it a great deal of thought. I was also pleased you spoke with your father, before taking any action. Thank you, also, for inviting him to go with you to meet the people who're employing you. I'm proud of you. "Yes . . . I understand what it is you do." Rachel heaved a sigh, then laughed. "I must say, it isn't the job I would have ever imagined one of my sons accepting. I fear I'm stuck back in the sixties or seventies, or someplace BC . . . that's . . . before computers. We parents are having to come to grips with today's technology and how that technology has changed society and our loved ones." Rachel laughed. "You're right. Since your father and I finished things up, here, I've been doing quite a bit of thinking about many things. "Yes, I'm pleased, too, that your father and I have gotten through this separation thing and remain the very best of friends. We still do love one another, but our love is different than when we met. We're both free now, to pursue things we might not have been if we'd remained married. Some couples wait until they become bitter enemies before they separate. I'm glad we parted while we still care for one another. "I feared most for your brother. I tried to explain things to him, and he seemed to understand, but . . . one never knows. Rex is an enigma. In one sense, he's wise beyond his years, and, at the same time, he's a fifteen year-old who is, no doubt, struggling with the conflicts those two sides of his personality force on him. "Now . . . tell me all about Keith. Your father and brother think very highly of him. I look forward to meeting him." * * * "Having all these pillows on the bed is no damn good," Keith grumbled, half asleep. 'I'm trying to make it so I feel like I'm in bed with Jak, and all I'm doing is feeling like I'm being crowded out!' He tossed one of the pillows off the bed and kicked another, sending it flying. 'Let's face it, I'm horny!' He rolled over and grabbed his cell phone off the nightstand, as it beeped, signaling an incoming text message. "Just got off the phone with m'mother. Long conversation. Figured you'd already be in bed. Didn't want to wake you. Everything's ultra-cool with her. She's looking forward to meeting you, and I'm looking forward to . . . doing a lot of things with you. See you in a couple days. I love you. J" 'And I love you,' Keith sighed, curling up with his arms around a pillow. * * * "Are you feeling better?" Dave asked, flopping onto a bench across the table from Jak. "I mean, since the little scene I created in the shower? I'm sorry about that. I needed to make you break out of your mood." One corner of his mouth twitched. "I'm not sure whether I helped or not. I like you, Jak. I really, really do. You've become much more to me than merely one of the guys I work with, and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship." "You haven't. You were making me face reality." Jak grinned. "I've never had a sexy naked guy lay things on the line like you did, though. Seeing you naked n'all, sort'a made taking the advice you were dolling out easier to handle." He reached across the table and squeezed Dave's hand. "Thank you for what you did. I'm thinking it helped." "Not sure?" Jak shrugged. "Dave, this relationship-thing would be difficult enough for me, if Keith and I were living in the same city. But, we're not. Then there's this thrown into the equation," he said, vaguely gesturing to the compound. "And, my brother. Rex is great. I don't believe he'd ever do anything to knowingly hurt me. Therefore, I don't believe he would ever try to seduce Keith, and, if he tried, I don't believe Keith would be . . . seducible." "Then, what's the problem?" Another shrug. "I don't know. I guess it's something my brother said. He told me he thought I might be afraid of making a commitment. He wondered if I was sort'a holding back with Keith, secretly thinking about wanting to fool around with the guys down here. "You know about my little jerk off scene with the guys?" Dave nodded. "It'd be tough to keep something that hot from being talked about. Are you afraid what you did might be the first step to having sex with the guys? Do you wish you had, instead of merely shooting a load?" He interrupted himself. "I need t'tell you that each of those guys, right now, is feeling soooo good about themselves, because of you. None of 'em were questioning themselves beforehand, but it is amazing at how you took three already-confident young men and overhauled them, until they're now ready to worship you." Jak flopped back. "That's just what I need . . . worshippers!" He flung himself out of the chair, took a couple steps, then turned back to Dave, who was calmly watching. "I don't know what it is, but how I act in there," he pointed toward the studio, "is not who I really am! It's not an act either . . . exactly." "What are you . . . exactly?" Jak held his arms out to his sides, then dropped them. "When I started work here, I would have been able to tell you. I'm just an average college guy who happened to have caught the eye of a gay porn producer. Now," he sighed. "I don't know, and I think not being able to figure it out is the root of my problems. Before coming down here, I never behaved like Soren. I wasn't timid . . . exactly, but I certainly wasn't the super-confident guy everyone sees on their computer." Dave raised his brows, inviting an explanation. Jak eased himself back into the chair and moistened his lips, seeking to bring order to his thoughts. "Dave, Keith knows the real me. Same with Dad and Rex. They know someone different from Soren. They've only seen that guy when they look at the vids you've made. The Soren character was as much a surprise to them as it was to me." He huffed a laugh. "If anything, Keith is much more like Soren than I am. He's not acting. That's just the way he is. What I do is an act . . . I think. And, if I am . . . acting . . . why am I? And . . . if I'm not acting, where did Soren come from, and what does his existence mean to me, Jak Rollins? "Have I created him because I don't think anyone would be interested in plain 'ol Jak? When I play Soren, he seems real; yet, he is a construct who came into being somewhere between when I jerked off for you, Levi, and Pete, and when I met the guys for the first time. So . . . suddenly, I'm two guys, and I'm wondering which one of 'em is the real me. All this has happened, and I've not been working here for six bleeding months! What kind of person am I going to be at the end of my contract? I'll be so confused I'll probably have left the real me behind, somewhere, and I'll be convinced I'm Soren, or heaven forbid, someone else." He paused, then looked at Dave with a worried expression. "You don't suppose I'm in the early stages of one of those multiple personality-things, do you?" He leaned back and rubbed his eyes. "Geez, I hope not." He leaned forward. "I wonder if there's a test for something like that, or a medicine, or something." Dave smiled, shaking his head. "Do you flip back and forth without any control? Y'know, you're Jak, for a few minutes; then suddenly, Soren, and back? I haven't it." "No, nothing like that's happening. I'm only Soren, down here, when I'm hanging around the other guys. It's like I can't help myself. Jak's not good enough. I have to be something more . . . something different. "It's friggin' hard to keep Jak and Soren separate, sometimes . . . y'know? I don't want to be Soren 24/7; yet, there's a part of me that does. I'm embarrassed by the people who go out of their way to ask for my autograph; yet, a part of me really likes it." He sobered. "How long before I start believing I deserve to have people treat me as if I'm special?" He shook his head. "If that happens, I don't think I'll be the kind of person I'd like to know. Since I don't know how this whole thing started, I don't know what to do to stop it. I don't know if stopping it is even possible. Right now, I feel as if I've jumped into a river and am being carried along, without having any say in the matter. If I don't start to gain some sort of control, soon, I'm afraid of what I'll be when I'm eventually dumped on the river bank. "Will I like myself? Will I be worthy of Keith? What will my father and brother think of me? What will you and Levi think of me? Will I be a person who's so caught up in the image of Soren, I'll have forgotten there's a real person, in here?" he said, tapping himself on the forehead, then the chest, "and that person is not Soren, but Jak?" Dave inhaled deeply, then puffed out his cheeks and exhaled slowly. "The questions you pose can't be answered by anyone but you, Jak. To me, the fact you're even thinking about these things means you do have control." "You made some vids for Levi, didn't you?" Dave nodded. "Yeah, some. Why?" "How'd you handle the transition from star to handling a regular day-job?" Dave laughed. "You're asking the wrong person. Yes, I made some vids, but I was never a star, or had anywhere near the following you do. I'd show up, and do what was asked of me. I had a great time, and I don't think any of the guys I was partnered with were . . . disappointed in my performance; but I, never once, was asked for my autograph. No one ever hounded Levi, asking for me to do an interview. I don't believe anyone ever recognized me when I was away from the studio. I'm a decent enough looking guy. I've got a nice dick; I love sex; and I'm . . . enthusiastic," he added, grinning, "but those things are not enough. "You're all the things I was, plus something I, or no one who's ever worked for Levi, could ever dream of having. I don't know if you'd call it charisma, sex appeal, or what. It doesn't matter. I'm not talking about Soren. I'm talking about you . . . Jak. You created Soren, so, deep down, you are as much that man, as you are Jak. They're both in you; and that's what caught Levi's attention . . . not the run of the mill college guy. "As much as you might wish it, you are not average. Again, I'm not talking about Soren, but . . . you. It wouldn't matter where you were working, those things would still be obvious. They're part of you. You don't have to be naked, with your dick in some guy's butt, to have people recognize, or react to, those qualities. You stand out in a crowd. You're not acting. You just . . . are." Dave sat forward, resting his arms on the edge of the table. "I don't think you should worry too much about the future. The fact that you are worrying, tells me which way things will turn out." Jak snorted. "Yeah, well, I wish you'd tell me, because it's about all I think about." "You will always be Jak. Over time, you will learn how to integrate Soren into your psyche, but, deep down, you will be Jak. Soren is nothing more than a name Levi snatched out of the blue, and pinned on you. It means nothing. The thing I can't answer is whether or not you will come to believe you deserve the attention. "If you stop to think about it, you know what you're experiencing now won't last. Sooner or later, for whatever reason, it will fade and eventually disappear. There'll be a new guy on the block who will be getting everything you once did. People are fickle, always wanting someone and something new to excite them. Right now, you're it. I believe, personally, you'll continue to be it for quite some time. "Rather than worry about all this other stuff, though, maybe you should be thinking about how you're going to handle things when the public's attention has been attracted by someone else. "You're lucky, Jak. You are in love with someone who loves you in return. You have an awesome father and, from the sound of it, a great brother. Treasure those things. Cultivate them. Those are the things which are lasting. The adulation will pass and will become a warm memory. The love of those close to you will endure." * * * "Y'gonna be okay?" Jak leaned on the kitchen counter and watched Levi finish loading the dishwasher. The traditional last day dinner had been wonderful, as usual, and the guys were set to be delivered to the airport. Paul, Jeffrey, and Yuji had retreated to one of the video sets for a bit of last minute fun, leaving Dave to mow the lawn, and Levi and Jak to tend to the kitchen. Levi leaned against the kitchen counter and crossed his arms. "Yes, I'll be okay. I spoke with Pete this morning, and told him how wonderful you've been to Dave and me." Levi smiled. "I used many of the same words with him you used on me, since he's pretty down, too. So, you've helped Pete, also. "Ever since he left, there was this little bit of my mind which wished he'd be able to foist the family business off on someone else and come back. After talking with him, though, I'm convinced such a thing is not going to happen. He was born to be head of the company." Levi smiled. "He's also enjoying putting his mother in her place. If she wanted to run the show, she should never have ordered Pete home. The only reason she did it was to remind him she had power. She didn't really want him home, and was most likely thinking he'd tell her to stuff it, but," Levi barked a laugh. "Well . . . Pete's come home, and she's having to deal with it! Not surprisingly, the first thing he did was to solidify his position and remove any, and all, of her authority." "So . . . since you're pretty sure he's not going to be rejoining you, what about you and Dave?" Levi leaned on the counter opposite Jak. "Dave and I had a talk. Actually, Dave talked. I listened." His mouth twisted into a crooked grin. "I seem to be doing a lot of listening lately, hmm, Mister Rollins? "Dave and I are something between being best friends, and lovers. There's not a name for it. We both realize how our relationship has changed, with Pete's departure. Well . . . that's about all there is to tell. If the perfect parter comes along, for either of us, we have promised one another we'll jump at the chance, knowing we'll have the other's blessing. "Now, enough of me. Dave told me he encouraged you to bring your friend . . . Keith?" Jak nodded, "Down during your next visit. I've scheduled you to be down here during his school's Spring break, so he won't feel constrained by school obligations. "I'm looking forward to meeting him." Levi studied Jak a moment. "You've mentioned he's had difficulty with the idea of you being in sexual situations with the other models. Are you sure he can handle being here, knowing you're having sex in the next room? "As much as I'd like to meet him, I don't want to put him in a position he's going to have difficulty handling. I also don't want to put the other guys in an uncomfortable position, if Keith's having a rough time of it." Jak thought a moment. "He'll do fine. He may be a little intimidated at first, but he's stronger than he realizes. Besides," Jak grinned. "He tends to handle . . . uncomfortable . . . situations, well. He's funny, and can be outrageous. Are you sure the other guys will accept him being here, though? I'd love to have him with me, but, not at the expense of making anyone feel as if I'm getting special treatment." "I think things will be fine. Keith is Dave's and my guest. Who knows? The guys may think he's a prospective model, in addition to being your partner." "As for being a model, I don't think so," Jak laughed. "Now, if my brother was down here, that would be a different story." "Oh?" "Yeah. Rex . . . that's his name. I think I may have already told you that." Levi nodded once. "Anyway, he's super hot, and he's only fifteen. I wouldn't tell him I said so, but I think he'd do really well here." "Do you mind me asking if you both have had sex? Are you bothered by the idea of incest, assuming he'd be over eighteen?" "He and I have jerked off together, a few times, and licked up the results. We've kissed n'stuff, but we've never fucked. We did our masturbation-thing before Keith and I got serious, and, afterward, Keith and Dad were part of the scene." Levi's brows rose. "Your father? When we met, he seemed very accepting, but it surprises me to hear he'd join in the fun with his sons, and one of his son's partner." Levi's eyes twinkled. "I guess my question about your feelings regarding incest has been answered. Was it fun?" "Oh, yes! It was made more fun, for me, because we were in a public steam room, at the hotel where I was staying. I sort of liked the idea that, at any minute, someone could come in and catch the four of us." "Your father and younger brother . . . were they having sex with one another, or were they merely watching you and Keith?" Jak smiled. "You really enjoy hearing about this, don't you?" Levi bowed his head, smiling. "It would seem so." "Well, to answer your question. No, Dad and Rex weren't fucking, or anything, though they did kiss, sharing Keith's load." "Okay, enough!" Levi said. "The whole thing you're describing is super hot. So . . . um . . . " he said, pausing a moment to gather his thoughts, as he flicked a glance at Jak, who was watching him, wearing an amused expression. "So, if Keith's willing to do the things you describe, I doubt he'll freak by being around the guys. "I don't expect you'll be making more than one vid while you and Keith are down here. I have scheduled a few photo shoots, though, both with you alone, and with some of the guys, as well as a couple interviews." Levi paused. "Out of curiosity. Have you ever watched yourself perform?" "Huh? No." Jak made a face. "Sounds sort'a narcissistic to me. I'd probably be critiquing whatever I did, all the while remembering what was going on behind the scenes. Since I started here, I've not watched any of the guys' vids. I don't want to have preconceived notions about them." He grinned. "I sort'a like the idea that they're strangers. "Um . . . why do you ask if I've seen the site?" "Because, you and your vids are prominently featured. You get huge amounts of fan mail, as do Boyd and Daniel. Cody follows close behind. You are the only person I've told about fan mail, but you've probably already figured out that you're, by far and away, the most popular model we have. I've gotten requests from almost everyone, asking if they can "rent" you. "Rent me!" Levi laughed. "That sounds better than loan you out, or something else. Of course, since you're under an exclusive contract, I've declined all offers, other than the interviews you've done. I've never had a model with your following, so all this is new to me." Levi frowned. "Is everything okay? You've sort'a faded out on me." Jak heaved a sigh, squirming slightly, as he thought of what Levi had told him. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm wondering when you might be bringing someone new onboard, though. Maybe you can find a real stud and take some of the pressure off both of us." "Pressure? Are you finding things . . . difficult, here, or . . . away from work?" "No, the only difficulties I'm facing are up here," Jak answered, with a twisted smile, touching his head. When Levi would have questioned him further, he made a dismissive gesture. "Ask Dave. He and I had a long conversation. I'm loving everything I do here. I just wonder how," he gestured vaguely to the surroundings, "being here, and doing what I do, is changing me." * * * Jak hoisted the carry-on bag and followed the other passengers off the plane and down the jetway, into the airport, and immediately broke into a smile. Beyond the people milling about, waiting to board the plane, and a glass security wall, stood a crowd of people, all waiting to greet a loved one. Above everyone's head, three neatly lettered signs, with his name, were pumping up and down. Suddenly, all the troubles weighing on him disappeared. 'The people I love are waiting for me. If Mom could only be here, things would be pretty much perfect.' He shouldered his way through the heavy crowds, skirting the crowd, and saw his father, brother, and lover, all facing the glass wall, craning their necks in hopes of seeing him first. His father seemed mildly embarrassed to be carrying a sign, but gamely went along with the man on either side of him. Rex, never one to be embarrassed by anything, was bouncing up and down, gyrating his hips and knocking into his father, as if inviting him to join in the fun. Keith was frantically pumping his sign, his eyes glued to the glass security wall. Jak smiled. Keith's hair had been trimmed, and had gained new . . . natural . . . highlights. He felt a stirring in his groin, imagining the feel of Keith's naked body lying on top of him as they kissed. He wanted to run to Keith and take him in his arms. Instead, he approached from behind, dropped his bag to the floor, and wrapped his arms around Keith's waist. "Hey, handsome," he said, in a low voice. Keith spun around, his smile lighting the room. "Jak!" He frantically looked around, before thrusting his sign into the hand of a nearby woman. A moment later, he was in Jak's arms. "Ohhhh, I missed you!" he said, as they kissed. "Jak! Jak!" Rex bounced, behaving much like a puppy, anxious to join the hug. "Welcome home!" Somehow the woman was now holding two signs. When she saw Steve looking around, unsure where to stash the sign he was carrying, so he could welcome his son, she smiled and reached for the piece of cardboard, allowing him to join in the celebration. "Oh, guys," Jak said, finally breaking the group hug so he could wipe his eyes. "This is awesome." He caught a glimpse of the nearby woman, and burst out laughing. She'd joined in the spirit of the homecoming, and was waving the signs, seemingly enjoying the looks of her perplexed family, who were not quite sure what to make of her behavior. When she noticed his attention, her smile brightened further. "So you're Jak!" she said, in a voice loud enough to be heard over the general commotion of the airport. "Welcome home!" she beamed. "I feel as if we're almost family." She turned to her relatives, and gestured. "Hey everyone. This is Jak. He's just came home! Let's hear it for Jak!" She thrust the three signs into Steve's hands, and led her bewildered family in a round of applause. "Thank you, ma'am," Jak said, taking one of her hands in both of his. "You and your family have made my day." He surprised her with a quick hug. "Thank you, again," he said, waving his thanks to her family, as Keith and Rex reclaimed him, leaving Steve to add his thanks to his son's. * * * Steve held a finger to his lips, as he and Rex approached the darkened house. "We don't want to disturb the guys," he murmured, as he turned the key in the lock. He eased the front door open and stepped inside, followed by Rex. When he turned, after having locked the door, Rex touched his arm and nodded toward the den, the source of softly playing music. Jak and Keith were slowly moving to some softly playing music, their naked bodies illuminated by a half dozen flickering candles. 'Huh?,' Rex wondered, as he watched his brother rest his head on Keith's shoulder, behaving nothing like the super-confident man he'd grown up with, nor the one he was accustomed to seeing on the Web. 'While we were growing up, he was always so sure of himself. Even when he's a bottom, on those vids, he's aggressive,' Rex thought. 'This is a side of him I've never seen.' Steve touched his son's shoulder, attracting his attention. He held his finger to his lips, urging quiet, then father and son crossed the living room and left the two men in the den to themselves. "Your father and Rex are home," Keith murmured. "They can't have you," Jak said, nuzzling Keith's ear. "You're already taken. They can find their own boyfriends." "Is our being here a problem for them? I mean, we're in their space." "D'you wanna be someplace more . . . private?" Jak teased. "It's not as if you've got anything left to hide," he chuckled, then became serious. "If you'd rather be someplace else, though, we can do it. We only have a few days, however, before we both head South." "Time seems to move so fast whenever you're in town. It seems as if you just got here. Now, you're about to go back." "Taking you with me, this time. I'm looking forward to introducing you to everyone." Jak smiled, as he teased Keith by rubbing the tip of his nose against Keith's. "They're going to be soooo jealous." He backed up slightly and studied his partner. "Are you having second thoughts? I hope not." Keith smiled. "No, no second thoughts. I'm prob'ly more ready to meet everyone than I ever have been. It doesn't mean I'm ready, just more ready. Y'think I'll have problems with any of the guys? Are any of the ones who'll be there . . . prickly . . . or anything? Y'think they'll resent me being there, and give you problems 'cause you're being treated special by being allowed to have me join you? It'd be nice if everyone was real, real mellow." Keith paused. "Ugly and mellow, would be even better." Jak grinned. "Before I answer the question about prickly people, I have to tell you that each time I head back to Florida, it's more tough for me than the time before. You have become a part of me, Keith, and I don't like leaving any parts of me behind." Keith smiled, pleased by the compliment. "Now, about prickly people." "I don't know," Jak answered. "The only guy I've met who's at all . . . prickly . . . is Cody. He tries too hard to be liked, and ends up sort'a weirding-out the guys. They don't know what to make of him. Trouble is, the harder he tries, the more weirded-out they get. So . . . they tend to leave him alone, which makes him feel rejected. The whole thing goes in a circle." "What's so difficult to like about him? Since he's a model, it can't be his looks. Have you . . . worked . . . with him?" "Yeah. In fact, he was the first person I was partnered with. And, I can't see anything about him not to like. He does tend to think he's pretty special. That's prob'ly the main thing I felt. The other guys have been around him longer than I have, so they may be more sensitive to his behavior. He and I have only been down in Florida, at the same time, that one time. Jak slumped into a chair. "It's easy to start thinking you're special, especially when everyone is telling you, you are. It's a real battle, Keith. It'd be very easy to just give in and accept it all. I don't know if the other guys are having the same difficulties I am, but, geez." He shook his head. "Since Cody's trying so hard to be liked, maybe he didn't fight against being told he was special. I don't know. He's been with Levi for quite a while, so he must be doing something right. The website's members must like him. He seemed surprised I was nice to him. Then, Levi partnered us, and he sort'a got a little clingy afterward. I figured it was because I was the only guy who would talk to him. Who knows? He's a nice guy. He's more cute than handsome. Auburn hair, slender . . . nice voice. That's about all I can remember. You've got him beat, in all categories, hands-down."
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