The Gus Diaries

Part 132

March Madness II
 

The first couple of days of the trip were complete bliss! Jeff and I spent our days and evenings with the CMU team watching basketball, eating hot dogs, and talking strategy for next year. Everything seemed to be perfect.

Our nights were spent in each other’s arms. Like I said, pure bliss!

Rich seemed to have backed off. Until tonight that is. I should never make any assumptions; they always seem to get me into trouble.

Earlier this evening, the coaches arranged for all of us to have dinner at an Italian restaurant a few blocks from Madison Square Garden. They had a room set aside for our entire group, including my dads, although they were doing their best to stay in the background. Dad and Pop could write the book on chaperoning without invading their kid’s space.

The food was great and we all ate our fill. Before we left to head back to the hotel, Rich stood up to make some announcements regarding team planning.

“I know some of you have plans to go out tonight with the coaches. Have a great time.”

Some of the guys on the team cheered. Although the guys seemed overly rowdy at times, everyone was careful not to drink any alcohol, something that would result in immediate expulsion from the team. Just being in New York City gave all the guys a natural buzz. Some had never been to a city bigger than Pittsburgh.

“I hope all of you have a great time. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Rich snorted and the guys all laughed along. “While you goons are out, I’d like to take the opportunity to meet with the new kids. Four of you joined this trip and I’d like to get to know you better, and discuss some team strategies back at the hotel.” Rich scanned the room, making eye contact with each of the incoming freshman, including me.

“Meet me in my room in about an hour.”

I gripped Jeff’s hand under the table. He and I were hoping to get out alone and just take a walk through Times Square together. Looks like we’d have to wait.

Jeff leaned close and whispered in my ear. “It’s okay, Newbie. You and I can enjoy each other’s company after your meeting.”

“Do you think it’s okay for me to go to his room?” Ever since Jeff shared his concerns about Rich I’d been careful not to get too close to him.

“You’ll be there with three other guys. It should be fine. Just come to our room when the meeting’s over. I’ll be waiting.” Jeff grinned. I loved imagining all the different ways he might be waiting for me.

“Can’t wait.”

Jeff was right; there was no reason to worry, as long as this was just a meeting it was no big deal. I was overreacting.

Soon after we returned to the hotel, everyone started going their separate ways. The coaches were taking a huge group of guys out to the movies and then for dessert afterwards. When my dads entered the elevator with us I asked them, “What are you doing tonight?”

“Sonny Boy, I believe we have a responsibility as chaperones to stay in the hotel since the rest of the grown-ups are going out to play with the children.”

“Very funny, Dad. Does this mean you and Pop are going to make it an early night?”

“I said we’ll be in our room. I never said anything about making it an early night.”

Pop grinned.

“Justin and I plan to make the most of our lovely suite.” Dad stuck his tongue in his cheek and turned toward Pop. “Isn’t that right, Sunshine?”

“Who am I to argue when you’re taking your chaperoning responsibilities so seriously.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh my God! You guys are--”

“Amazing! At least that’s what Justin’s always telling me.”

Thank goodness the elevator arrived at our floor and I was saved from any more of my Dad’s gross innuendos.

After dropping my jacket off at the room, I kissed Jeff good-bye and went to Rich’s room at the far end of the hallway. His roommate had gone out with the coaches so it was Rich, me, and three other new guys.

“Welcome, rookies. I’ve been looking at your stats and I think you’ll all be an asset to the Tartans, as long as you stay focused. We’re hoping to have a great year and with all the talent we have we’re hoping to get the attention of the NCAA selection panel next year.”

Rich seemed all gung-ho and was definitely doing just what a captain should, giving us some great goals for our first year with the team. It wasn’t a particularly enlightening meeting, but I did get to know the other new guys a little better and started feeling more comfortable with Rich.

“Do any of you have any questions about what’ll be expected of you starting this summer at practices and training?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“Good.” We all stood, getting ready to leave. “Oh, by the way, how many of you are captains of your high school teams?”

I was the only one who said, “I am.”

“Okay, Gus. I’d like you to stay a few minutes so I can talk to you about your own team strategies.”

Shit!

The other guys left. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of being left alone with Rich, but something told me this wasn’t just a strategy session.

After the door closed behind my fellow incoming freshmen, I glared at Rich. “You know all our team stats. You know I’m the only one who’s currently a captain. Why make such a big deal out of it?”

“Maybe I wanted the other boys to know who gets the respect around this team. Captains wield a lot of power. Haven’t you heard?” Rich wore a half grin.

“I try to be fair to everyone on my team.”

“Doesn’t being captain give you an edge? I’m sure it did when it came to getting your place on this team for next year.”

Rich guided me back into the center of the room and had me sit on the edge of one of the beds. He sat opposite me on the desk chair.

“I think your boyfriend wants to be captain of this team. I can certainly help him in that department. My word would mean a lot.”

“Jeff would make a great captain. The coaches, and the rest of the team, will figure that out without your help.”

“You’re probably right, but I have the power to bad mouth him too, and that would change everything.”

“I see.” I wasn’t sure what Rich wanted, at least not yet, but I decided to just come out with my suspicions. “Jeff thinks you like him as more than a friend.” I paused briefly. “Are you gay?”

“Let’s just say I don’t believe in defining who I am for anyone. If I find a woman attractive I’ll go for her; same for a man.”

“So you’re bi?”

“Like I said, kid, I don’t define myself. If I want something, or someone, I go for it.”

“What if they don’t want you?”

“Gus, haven’t you already figured it out?” Rich moved to sit next to me on the edge of the bed. I kept my feet planted on the ground trying to figure out what he was doing. I thought about taking the seat he vacated. “I’m captain of the CMU basketball team. No one turns me down. It wouldn’t be good for their image.”

“Jeff turned you down.”

“Jeff is merely postponing the inevitable, but I’m willing to compromise.” He patted my shoulder. His hand was warm; too warm.

“What kind of compromise?”

“You’re the hottest thing to come into view in years. From the looks of your father, you’ll only get hotter and sexier with age. Have you ever considered a threesome with your boyfriend and one other?”

“Threesome? No, Jeff and I are exclusive. We decided that a long time ago.”

“You can’t imagine what you’re missing. Besides, adding me to the mix would do wonders for not only your basketball career, but it would give Jeff a huge leg-up, so to speak, on the fast track to captain.”

I wanted to put him off so I briefly pretended to consider his offer. “I have to talk to Jeff about it. I don’t speak for him.” I inched along the edge of the bed as far as I could before falling off.

Rich grabbed me, crashing his lips against mine. I didn’t know what to do. He’s captain of the team. But I definitely did not want him touching me.

He had an uncomfortably tight hold on me, digging his fingers into the small of my back and his other hand holding my head in place, not letting me move. I tried to turn my head away, but it wasn’t working.

He pressed his tongue into my mouth as I tried to push him away. It tasted wrong. Everything was wrong. I thought about biting his tongue and then he suddenly pulled away.

“Now that you’ve had a taste of the best, pass on the message to your boyfriend. You can both go far if I get what I want, and I’m happy to share.”

I ran for the door. Before I opened it, he called after me. “Remember, I have the power to make or break your reputation at CMU even before you arrive. As I said, it can be great, or it can be a disaster. Your choice -- make it the right one.”

Bolting out of the room, I slammed the door. I could hear Rich laughing as I left. My stomach was in knots and I felt like I was going to throw up. I couldn’t let Jeff see me like this. I wasn’t sure what he’d do. The last thing I wanted was for him to beat the crap out of Rich and then get thrown off the team or out of school... or even worse -- arrested.

I did the only thing that made sense. I ran down the hall and knocked on my dads’ door.

At first no one answered and I wondered if they’d changed their minds and had gone down to the bar for a drink or out for the evening. My feet were frozen and I kept knocking.

Pop eventually answered, his hair totally messed and only wearing sweatpants. I bet I know what they were doing.

“Gus, what are you doing here?” Pop quickly looked me up and down. I may have been shaking. “Are you okay? You look sick.”

That was all it took. I flew past him, ran to the bathroom, and threw up the contents of my stomach. After splashing water on my face and taking a swig of mouthwash, I walked into the main room of the suite. Dad and Pop were seated on the sofa.

“Sonny Boy, normally I would be very irritated about having my evening so rudely interrupted, but if you’re sick that’s good enough reason for me.”

“I’m not sick.”

“May I remind you, you just puked up your entire dinner.”

“I’m not sick as in the flu. I’m-- I don’t know what to do.”

“Is everything okay?” Pop stood up, guiding me to the sofa to sit between him and Dad. “Did something happen with Jeff?”

I covered my face with my hands. “Oh shit! Jeff. He doesn’t know where I am.”

“Gus, tell us what the fuck is going on!” Dad’s escalating concern was evident in the tone of his voice.

“I don’t know what happened, but I think Rich, the team captain, sort of started to force himself on me. Then he threatened me. He told me if I didn’t make sure Jeff and I agreed to a threesome with him, he’d make our lives a disaster on, and off, the team at CMU.”

“Fuck!” Dad bolted off the sofa and started pacing.

Pop wrapped his arms around me. They felt so good. His voice was soft and comforting. “Gus, tell us exactly what happened.”

Dad added, “And don’t leave anything out.” He picked up his cell phone.

I looked up at him. “Who are you calling?”

“Jeff. Don’t leave him in the dark.” He looked at Pop. “Never leave your partner in the dark.”

I nodded, leaning further into Pop’s warm embrace. Feeling him hold me, I was safe.

[TBC]

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