The Gus Diaries

Part 133

March Madness III
 

For a while things seemed to go from bad to worse. Dad showed Jeff into the suite and guided him to the sofa. He immediately set his sights on me and his brow furrowed. I was clearly not covering my earlier panic very well.

“Gus, what the hell is happening? Your father called and told me to get my ass over here right away. From the looks of it, I’m already too late for whatever’s going on.”

Before I could open my mouth, Pop spoke up, his arm still wrapped around my shoulders. “Jeff, relax. Gus was about to tell us about his meeting with the team captain.”

Jeff scanned the room once again, his gaze lingering on Dad, then Pop, and finally settling on me. He knew something was up and the longer I waited to open my mouth the worse I could see things would turn out. Jeff’s eyes narrowed and his lips rolled inward.

I stared into his eyes. Although I tried, I couldn’t get the words out.

“Dad, Pop, I don’t know what to say, or how to say it.”

“Sonny Boy, Justin and I have had more than our share of misunderstandings over the years. Almost all of them stemmed from one of us being too stubborn, too proud, or too scared to share the truth. It’s not always pretty, but the truth is the only thing that’s important right now.”

Pop stood from the sofa, leaving me with Jeff. He walked over to Dad, wrapping his arms around him. The two looked into each other’s eyes. “I never want words, or the lack of them, to ever get in the way again.”

“Those days are long past. Nothing would ever make either one of us leave. I know that now and won’t forget it.”

“Neither will I.”

My dads clung to one another; their strength gave me the push I needed to be able to confess everything that Rich did and said. I even told them about the kiss and those gross, unwanted touches. I could feel myself getting nauseous again, but took a deep breath to regain my composure.

By the time I finished I could see rage burning in Jeff’s eyes. He was squeezing my hands tightly enough to be almost painful, and then, letting go, he started to stand.

I shook my head. “Please don’t go. I need you here.”

One of his fists curled into a ball, his knuckles reddening. “Gus, I want to beat the crap out of that asshole.”

“I know. So do I.” I looked toward my Dad and Pop for the first time since I had revealed Rich’s actions and threats. Jeff’s anger was reflected in Dad’s eyes. “From the looks of it so does my father.”

Pop’s eyes were wet, filled with unshed tears. “Brian, we have to do something. Rich can’t get away with this kind of behavior. It’s blackmail of the worst kind.”

“I know, Justin. If I wasn’t afraid the wrong person would end up behind bars, I’d set Jeff loose on him with me by his side. Unfortunately, I don’t think that would accomplish anything.”

“Mr. Kinney, Brian, I want to kill him.” Jeff looked at me while he addressed my dad.

“Jeff, if I thought it would help, I’d help you do the deed.” Dad sounded eerily serious.

“Brian.” Pop’s voice sounded choked.

“I still remember what you told me about the Sap after I eventually told you about that night.”

Dad laced his fingers in Pop’s hair. “I said, too bad it’s so many years later, I’d like to give that fucker exactly what he deserves.”

“I’m relieved it was many years later. I didn’t tell you the night it happened because I knew I couldn’t keep you from reacting before thinking.”

“Justin.” Dad drew Pop in, holding him so close they seemed as one. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but it was definitely intense.

Jeff looked directly at Dad.

“Jeff, there was a time I felt exactly as you do at this moment.”

Watching Dad cling to Pop, a shiver ran down my spine. I brushed my fingers over Jeff’s cheek. “It would help if you held me.” I felt like a little kid, but I got my wish. Jeff’s rage seemed to dissipate and his arms instantly embraced me. It felt safe; it felt right.

I rested my head on his shoulder and felt him turn his head toward my fathers.

“So what do we do? I don’t ever want him near Gus again, or me for that matter. And I certainly don’t want to give him the opportunity to get close enough to touch him.”

“We use something this asshole Richie doesn’t have.”

“What’s that, Dad?”

“Our intelligence.”

The four of us were silent, Dad’s strategic words lingering in the air. After a minute passed, Pop quietly whispered. “I love you, Brian.”

“I know, Sunshine. Me too.”

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

The next morning at breakfast I started to put the plan into action. We had strategized and organized at length, although I wasn’t completely convinced it would work. I figured if Dad, Pop, and Jeff were up for it, who was I to argue? I trusted them all completely.

Spotting Rich heading toward the restroom, I made sure to intercept him before he left the restaurant’s dining area. “I noticed you didn’t order too much for breakfast this morning. Are you on some kind of crazy diet?”

Rich smirked. “I didn’t work off nearly as many calories last night as I would have liked.” He winked at me. “I expect to be changing that plan before the day is done.” He looked over my shoulder toward the table where Jeff was talking to my dads, unaware all three of them had one eye on me the entire time. “Did you discuss my very generous proposition with your boyfriend?”

“Of course I did. You didn’t give me much choice.”

“There’s always a choice. It’s just that some choices can lead to far worse outcomes than others. I would imagine choosing a night with me wouldn’t be too bad, now would it?”

“I’d prefer not having to make a choice at all. I told you, Jeff and I are exclusive.”

“And you can both be exclusively mine and exclusively successful on the team. I always keep my word.”

“You’re not leaving us much choice. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Jeff’s chances of becoming captain.”

“Or your chances at having friends, and a successful basketball career, at college.” Rich grinned. I wanted to wipe that grin right off his face but I couldn’t risk screwing everything up.

“Fine. After this afternoon’s game at Madison Square Garden, we’ll meet you at your room.”

“I’ll make sure my roommate isn’t around. We wouldn’t want to be disturbed now, would we? I’m looking forward to advancing both of your college basketball careers, but only after we all enjoy ourselves. This can be a win-win for all of us if you let it, rookie.”

Rich reached over discreetly, running his hand over the front of my jeans. I quickly took a step back. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dad grab Jeff’s arm, keeping him in his seat.

“We’ll be there. I promise it’ll be an afternoon like you’ve never had before.”

“It had better be. I’m guessing between the two of you, I’ll have enough to keep me going until we get back to the good old Pitts. You’re both pretty damn hot.”

I nodded and bit my lip, unwilling to say anything more. I wanted to rip that asshole a new one, as Grandma Deb was known to say from time to time. This was one creep who really deserved it.

After he turned to make his way into the men’s room I let out a deep breath and quickly returned to my table to tell Jeff, Dad, and Pop everything went as smoothly as could be expected, and to reassure Jeff that the prick didn’t touch anything that didn’t belong to him.

Now all we had to do was make sure the plan was carried out, down to the minute. Any screw ups and the whole thing could fall apart before it even started, or worse, Jeff and I would really be left alone for an afternoon with Rich and his sleazy goals.

[TBC]

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