Waiting for Colton

Waiting for Colton By Drew Hunt

Published by JMS Books LLC Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2011 Drew Hunt ISBN 978-1-61152-051-4

Cover Photo Credit: James Steidl Used under a Standard Royalty-Free License. Cover Design: J.M. Snyder All Rights Reserved WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Published in the United States of America. ****

Waiting For Colton By Drew Hunt For all those who believe that love is eternal. “Colt? Colt?” Dennis called out. Everything around him was blackness. “Colt?” he asked again, but with less confidence. Where the hell was he? Was he dead, was this Hell? Why did he think he was dead? He couldn’t answer that. Maybe old Father Jenkins was right and homosexuals were cast into the flames of eternal damnation when they died. But if this was Hell, where were the flames, the red hot pitch forks, the screams…? It wasn’t hot like Hell, but wasn’t cold either. Maybe seventy degrees. Hell was surely hotter than that. Dennis stamped his foot. The ground—or whatever it was—felt solid. He bent down to feel. It was smooth, like stone or glass, but not cold. Sniffing, he couldn’t detect any odors. Had he lost his sense of smell? Raising his right arm, he sniffed his pits. “Yuck!” Nope, he hadn’t lost his sense of smell. So he could feel and smell. What was left? Taste. Dennis licked at his skin. Yep, he could add taste to the list. He’d heard himself when he spoke, so he added hearing, as well. He couldn’t see, however. Was he blind? Dennis shuddered at that thought. “Come on, Colt, stop fuckin’ around. Turn the lights back on!” But Dennis didn’t think Colt had been with him when…when…what was the last thing he’d been doing? Dennis sat down on a conveniently located stone, which was as black as everything else in this…whatever it was. What was the last thing he could remember? “Yes, of course!” Dennis shouted. Then, feeling bashful making so much noise in this…wherever it was place, he continued in a lower voice. “I’d gone to Sears.” Colt had said they needed a new filter for the ice maker and Dennis had volunteered to go into town to get one. He didn’t exactly have the best sense of direction in the world, however, 1

and must have gotten turned around somewhere and had ended up in an unfamiliar part of town. Seeing a florist on the corner and remembering Colt’s birthday was coming up, Dennis had decided to go inside to get some ideas about what to get his man for the big day. He’d told himself he’d ask for directions to the department store while he was in there. The next thing Dennis remembered, he had been standing on the corner, a bouquet of lavender lilacs in his hand. He thought hard about what had happened then. Yes, he’d stepped off the curb. The lights hadn’t been against him, had they? He remembered hearing a squeal of tires and a scream, but he didn’t think it could have been him. He wasn’t a screamer. Well…he would admit to the occasional whimper when Colt’s huge hose of a dick was doing what it did best. Dennis rubbed his hands together; there were no flowers. “Where’d they go?” He took his pulse—yep, it was there. He wasn’t dead. So where was he? After a while he got up from the rock and started walking. Where, he didn’t know, but doing something was better than doing nothing, right? Dennis lost all sense of time, not that he’d had a particularly firm grasp on it to start with. Once he had put something on the stove, then got distracted by one of his characters…and the next thing he knew, the smoke detector was screaming at him and the fire department knocking on his door. That was how he’d met Colt. The man, all six feet four inches of amazingly strong, wide body, was standing on his stoop, hand raised to pound on the door again. “Colt! Oh, God, I miss you. Where are you?” Dennis swallowed. “Where am I?” The fire had quickly been extinguished, but Dennis’s kitchen had been a wreck. Colton, in what Dennis would soon come to recognize as his take-charge voice, had told Dennis to stay out of the kitchen. He promised to be back at the end of his shift with take-out. Even after the repairs had been completed—by Colton in his off-duty hours—they had continued to see each other regularly. 2

One day Colton had asked Dennis if he wanted to move in with him. Colt posed the question as more of a plea to save fire department resources; Colt could better keep an eye on Dennis if they were living under the same roof. Dennis hadn’t been fooled. The two of them had enjoyed a strong connection from the start. Colton was a natural-born protector and leader, while Dennis felt most comfortable being protected and led. Eventually, after more walking and a good deal more resting, Dennis saw a light up ahead. He wasn’t blind! Dennis felt drawn to the light and, picking up speed, ran toward it. “Whoa there, young man, what’s the hurry?” a bearded old-timer asked. “Oh, God!” Dennis panted, out of breath. “No, not quite,” the old man chuckled. “No, I mean…” Dennis swallowed. “St. Peter?” he asked, wiping his sweaty brow. The man’s lined face broke into a grin. “Right the second time. Did the pearly gates behind me give me away?” Only then did Dennis notice the source of the light was a set of impossibly tall railings. “Uh, I guess.” St. Peter shook his head. “Mr. Irvine, I presume. We’ve been expecting you for some time. Did you get lost?” Dennis nodded, embarrassment mixing with a depressing sense of finality. He really was dead…for real. St. Peter unlocked the gates and opened them, beckoning him to enter. Dennis swallowed. “Am I allowed to come in?” He remembered the old priest at St. Mary the Divine shouting at the kids in the Sunday school classes he was forced to attend as a boy that sinners, Muslims, and homosexuals weren’t allowed admittance to Heaven. “Of course you may enter,” St. Peter said. “We don’t bar anyone.” Ha! Hear that, Father Jenkins? Dennis thought, passing through the gates. Dennis turned back. “Um, what happens next? I’ve, uh, sort of not done this before.” 3

St. Peter rolled his eyes. “Another comedian.” Dennis shrugged. He often used comedy to disguise his shortcomings. It was better to intentionally make someone laugh than to have them do so because he’d accidentally fucked up. “You’ve been assigned a guide,” St. Peter told him. “Huh?” “Don’t keep him waiting.” Dennis was confused. “Where do I find this guide guy?” “He would normally be here to greet you. All guides meet their charges here.” St. Peter swept his hand across a swath of darkness. “But because you were delayed, and we couldn’t predict when you would show up—” “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. My mom always said I’d be late for my own funeral. Guess she wouldn’t be surprised at me not being on time to get to Heaven, either.” “A wise woman, your mother. But being late is of little consequence, really.” “Uh, thanks.” Dennis didn’t feel overly reassured. “Brett will be at practice, I expect. You’ll be able to catch up with him there.” Brett? Practice? Dennis wondered. Brett must be his guide. But as for practice, Dennis didn’t like the sound of that. Hadn’t this Brett guy got whatever it was he did right yet? “Go on now.” St. Peter seemed to be getting impatient with him. “You’ve wasted enough time already. You need to find Brett.” “Where?” Dennis opened his palms and looked about him at the solid black void. “Just go. You will find him. Have faith.” Dennis shrugged and began walking. “I feel like Alice when she fell down that rabbit hole,” he muttered. Dennis felt his wrist. He wasn’t wearing the watch Colt had given him for their first anniversary. Not that he could have seen it in the total blackness. However, the gift of the wristwatch hadn’t improved his timekeeping any. Colt had gotten into the habit of telling Dennis they were expected at a certain place an hour before they were actually due. Even then, Dennis was often late. 4

“Colt, oh, Colt, I miss you.” Dennis sniffed back tears. Turning a corner—though how he knew it was a corner in the total blackness, he wasn’t sure—he suddenly found himself in a meadow. It was daytime. Dennis whirled around, but couldn’t see where he’d just come from. The sun wasn’t overly bright, but sufficient to momentarily blind him. Rubbing his eyes and turning back around, he almost collided with a young man running toward him. “Sorry.” Dennis stepped back. The youth…no, man…was stunning. Tall, blond, curly hair, wide shoulders, solid build. What are you doing, Irvine? Dennis castigated himself. Checking out other dudes in Heaven when you’ve only just left Colton? The man smiled a dazzling, straight, white-toothed smile and held out a large paw to shake. “You must be Dennis. I’ve been expecting you.” “Uh.” Dennis held out his hand. The man took it and shook it warmly. “I guess you would be Brett.” Jeez, the guy was built, and strong! “That’s me. I’m your guide.” Brett let go of Dennis’s hand. “This is all, uh, new to me. I don’t know what I’m…” Brett smiled. “That’s why you got me. There aren’t many rules up here—folks are generally pretty good.” Dennis shrugged; he guessed people would behave themselves in Heaven. “Sorry I wasn’t there to greet you. Normally we get advance warning of when folks are due to pass over, but you didn’t show up when you were supposed to.” “Yeah, I got lost.” Brett looked astonished. “Lost? How?” Then, seeing the distress that must have been on Dennis’s face, he continued, “It’s okay, man. You’re here now, that’s all that matters.” “I’d rather be with Colt.” Tears began to form in Dennis’s eyes. “I loved him. He was my life.” “I know, man. It’s totally cool.” Brett put a massive arm around Dennis and gave him a one-armed hug. “But you shouldn’t talk in the past tense. You still love Colton, and I know he still loves you.” 5

Dennis wasn’t sure how Brett could know this, but he was too mentally wrung out to pursue it. “Come on, let’s get settled in and I’ll explain a few things.” As they walked, the scene around them slowly changed. Soon they were in a street. Dennis stopped. “What?” “This was one of the things I was going to tell you about.” “Creepy.” Brett shrugged. “You get used to it.” Dennis wasn’t so sure about that. The street looked remarkably like the main street of the small town where Dennis had grown up. People walked along the sidewalks, and went in and out of stores. It all looked so normal, so familiar. Dennis began to relax. Even the drug store on the corner bore a striking resemblance to the one where he’d gotten sodas at the fountain after school. “Odd, really,” Brett said. “Up here we don’t have to eat or drink, but we can if we want to.” “Oh,” Dennis said, not knowing what else he could say. “You’re bunking in with me in my dorm room.” Looking over at Brett, Dennis didn’t think that would be too much of a hardship. “My roommate moved out at the end of last semester, so there’s a vacancy.” “Oh, right.” Curiouser and curiouser. Were they going to attend the Mad Hatter’s tea party next? Dennis wondered. “Sorry I wasn’t there to greet you,” Brett repeated. “I was at practice.” This was the second time someone had mentioned practice. “I see.” Though Dennis didn’t. What was practice? What were they practicing? Was Heaven like a college campus? Turning another corner—Heaven seemed to have a lot of corners—Dennis realized they were indeed walking onto a college campus. “Yeah, coach wants us at our best for the next game.” Dennis stopped and turned to Brett. “I don’t understand. What game? What coach?” Brett gave him an exasperated look. “Wow, you really are 6

clueless. And I thought you were supposed to be really smart, with a whole shelf full of children’s books you’d written.” How did he know what Dennis did—had done—for a living? Dennis thought he was getting a headache, then realized he was dead and dead people couldn’t get headaches. “Hello, new guy here, remember? Think of me as a freshman from a really small town or something.” “Oh, yeah, sorry. I forget. You’re my first guide assignment. Please promise me you won’t tell Gabriel I goofed.” “Gabriel?” “The Archangel Gabriel.” “Oh. Uh, no, I won’t tell him nothing, uh, anything.” Shit, he was already starting to sound like that freshman. “Thanks, dude.” Brett gave Dennis another one-armed hug. “Coach and the game?” Dennis reminded. “Sorry. Coach Schembechler and football.” “What?” Dennis stopped walking again. “Bo Schembechler is here?” “You’re not as dumb as I thought.” Brett grinned at him. “‘Course he’s here. He’s our head coach.” Dennis couldn’t believe it. “Uh, is it football season?” Dennis tried to remember. It was—had been—spring on Earth. “This is Heaven,” Brett said as if speaking to a child. “It’s always football season.” “Oh.” “Come on, I’ll show you to our room. We’ve got a lot to talk about.” You’re not wrong there, bud, Dennis thought, picking up the pace, unable to resist staring at Brett’s firm muscular ass in the tight, faded blue jeans he was wearing. “Quit looking at my ass!” Brett said over his shoulder. But the wide grin on his face let Dennis know he wasn’t mad at him. “Sorry.” And he was. He shouldn’t be checking out other guys’ asses when he’d only just left Colton’s. “Colt.” Dennis blinked rapidly. Dennis must have stopped walking because Brett had to turn around and walk back to him. “Hey, man. It’s okay. You’re 7

bound to miss him. I still miss my Gavin.” “Huh?” Dennis sniffed and wiped away his tears with his sleeve. “My boyfriend. I had a brain aneurism during a game. He—Gavin, I mean—was on the other team. Someone tackled me…not Gavin…and click. I was dead…and he’s still alive.” “Sorry.” Brett shrugged. “I’ve gotten used to it. Don’t mean I like it any. But I know me and him will be together again…when it’s his time to pass over.” Dennis had a shit load of questions, chief among them was, ”You’re gay?” Brett smiled. “Yeah, I’m as queer as a three dollar bill.” Could this guy read minds? Dennis wondered. “No, Dennis, I can’t read minds.” Dennis’s mouth dropped open. Brett laughed. “You’ve just got a really open face. You wear your heart on your sleeve.” “Colt used to tell me that.” Dennis felt tears threatening again. “Sorry, dude. You okay?” Dennis nodded. “Good, ‘cause we’re really gonna be late if we keep on stopping.” Late for what? Dennis wondered, but didn’t ask. They entered a large building, went up a flight of stairs, walked along hallways—some lit, others not. They turned corners, then more corners. “Here we are, home sweet home,” Brett said, stopping at a door and opening it. It hadn’t been locked. Dennis entered. It was a typical dorm room, not too dissimilar from the one he’d had in college. He noticed the closets on one wall. “Yours is the far one.” Brett told him. “But I didn’t bring any luggage or anything.” Brett gave him that look again. Dennis realized he’d made another stupid comment. “Take a look inside.” Dennis strolled over to the white-painted door and pulled it 8

open. It squeaked, just like the one in his old dorm room had. Inside, the racks and shelves were full of new clothes. Everything looked new, stylish…expensive. “Hope they fit. Your file was pretty detailed about your sizes and everything, but sometimes they get shit like that wrong.” File? Dennis wondered, but realized that was another question for later. “You’ll probably want to shower after your long journey.” Brett flopped onto his bed and picked up a textbook, opening it seemingly at a random page. “I’ll just get on with some study while you change. I promise I won’t peek,” he said, staring openly at Dennis over the top of the book. “You’ve got the textbook upside down.” “Uh,” Brett looked down, blushed, and turned the book around. “Seriously, nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen. You’re still grieving over your Colton, and I miss my Gavin.” Brett lowered his blond head to his book. Dennis started to disrobe. “Uh, Brett, where’s the bathroom?” Brett looked up at Dennis, who stood there in black boxers and matching socks. “Out the door, second on the right.” “Thanks.” “There are clean towels in the bottom drawer of your dresser.” Dennis went over to the piece of furniture and bent to open the drawer. Brett whistled. “Nice ass!” Dennis blushed. Rooming with Brett sure wouldn’t be boring. **** In the shower, Dennis looked down at his limp dick. Would he ever feel like having sex again? Without Colton he didn’t think so, or were the rules in Heaven different? He’d have to ask Brett, although how one would bring up such a personal subject, Dennis didn’t know. 9

Because Colton worked shifts, they hadn’t been able to sleep together every night. On those lonely nights Colton spent at the firehouse, Dennis would jerk off to mental images of his man…in or out of uniform. Drying off and putting on a clean pair of Calvin Kline briefs—Brett sure had good taste in underwear—Dennis was just about to leave the bathroom when he heard a fanfare of trumpets. It wasn’t overly loud, quite pleasant really. Opening the door, he saw a number of guys—mostly jocks from the looks of them—walk briskly down the hallway. Not knowing what was going on, Dennis made his way against the flow back to his room. “Get dressed,” Brett said, pushing a pile of clothes into his arms. “What’s going on?” Dennis asked. “New arrivals.” “Huh?” Dennis continued to stand there. “Dress. I’ll explain on the way.” Dennis did as he was told, more confused than ever. Wasn’t Heaven supposed to be a really relaxed place with angels floating around on clouds and stuff? He hadn’t seen a single cloud since arriving. Nor any angels for that matter. Though hadn’t Brett said something about Gabriel? As they hustled along the hallway and down a couple of flights of stairs—hadn’t they only come up one flight earlier?— they emerged onto the campus. “We’ll have to take a short-cut,” Brett said, grasping Dennis’s arm and pulling him into an alleyway Dennis hadn’t noticed before. Despite being in good shape, Dennis was panting. Brett, athlete that he was, hadn’t even broken into a sweat. Dennis wondered if there were gymnasiums in Heaven and, if so, how did one get a membership? “We’ll have to get you enrolled in the college gym,” Brett said, pulling Dennis along. How does he do that? Dennis thought, wondering again how Brett seemed to be able to read his mind. 10

They turned a couple of corners, then a couple more. Whoever designed this place, God, presumably, Dennis thought, sure likes corners. They emerged, Dennis out of breath, into blackness. “Shit, not this non-place again,” Dennis said. Soon the pearly gates loomed ahead, illuminating everything around them. Brett stopped and Dennis stumbled. Everywhere, for as far as Dennis could see—and probably a lot farther—were thousands, no, millions, of people. Dennis had never seen so many. Brett put out a hand and caught him. “We can stay here; we’re just spectators for this one.” “Huh?” Dennis panted. “What’s goin’ on?” “New arrivals,” Brett repeated. Noticing the lack of comprehension that must have been on Dennis’s face, he continued, “People who are just passing over.” Just for a moment Dennis wondered…hoped Colton would be coming. Brett squeezed Dennis’s arm. “It’s not his time yet. We’ll be told ahead anyway when it is.” Part of Dennis felt disappointed, and another part realized he was being selfish. Colton was still young. He had most of his life ahead of him. Dennis shook himself. He couldn’t wish Colt dead. That was wrong on so many levels. Despite being quite a distance away, Dennis could clearly see St. Peter opening the gates to admit a crowd of people. There were even more people this side of the gates waiting, Dennis assumed, to welcome the new arrivals. The newcomers poured through the gates in an orderly fashion, each greeted by someone on the heavenly side. Dennis sensed rather than knew most were being welcomed by relatives, but some were strangers. Dennis wondered why no one from his family had been chosen to be his guide. Was it because he was gay? “You’re thinking too much,” Brett nudged him. Some of the people coming through the gates were children, a few so young they crawled. Most heartbreaking of all 11

were babies that seemed to float through the gates in tiny crystal cribs. Dennis turned away, tears in his eyes. “I know.” Brett pulled Dennis’s head onto his wide shoulder. “It’s not easy seeing the little ones.” Dennis sniffed. “They’ve not had a chance at life.” “Ours isn’t to ask the reason why they were called. There’s a special facility for the babies, another for the young kids. They’ll all be loved and taken care of now they’re here.” Dennis knew he had to look back at the procession of new arrivals; it sort of felt important somehow. “This is one of the few rules I told you about. Everyone, unless they’ve got a good reason not to attend, has to be here to watch the newcomers arrive.” Most of those coming through the gates now were old, many infirm. Dennis didn’t feel overly sad people like this had been called. It was right that their time had come. A few were in large crystal cots that floated along much like the baby cribs had done earlier. Obviously the occupants of these conveyances were too sick to cross over under their own steam. “There’s a special facility for the old and sick, too. They’ll be made better and then will join the rest of us soon,” Brett said. Dennis nodded. Clearly he had a lot to learn. Of great surprise was the procession of animals that began once most of the people had come through. They also had humans there to greet them. “Wow.” “I know,” Brett said, “My priest always told me animals didn’t have souls, so didn’t go to Heaven.” “Mine, too,” Dennis whispered. Dennis wanted to go seek out Father Jenkins and tell him he’d been wrong all those years ago. But then a strange sensation of love seemed to wash over him. Somehow he just knew revenge and bad feelings weren’t a part of Heaven. He let out a breath, and then inhaled, feeling calm and serene. ****

12

That night in their darkened dorm room, before going to sleep, Dennis bombarded Brett with a shit-load of questions, not all of which his roomie could answer. Dennis was reassured, however, that none of his relatives hated him for being gay. Brett had been chosen, or rather had been prompted to volunteer to be his guide, but Brett couldn’t really explain why. “There’s a lot none of us know,” Brett explained. “The most common phrase up here is, ‘you have to have faith.’ And most of us do. You’d go mad trying to figure it all out otherwise. There’s this guy called Einstein in the psych facility. He said he’d work it all out and tell everyone the answers. They have to keep the poor guy sedated most of the time now, ‘cause he just raves and tries to climb the drapes if they don’t.” “Wow.” Dennis yawned. “Time for sleep,” Brett said across the couple of feet that separated their two beds. “Yeah.” Dennis yawned again, wondering why he was so tired. After all, wasn’t he dead? His last thought before drifting off was of Colton, and how much he loved him…would always love him. **** Life—if what existed in Heaven could be described as life—settled into a routine for Dennis and Brett. It soon became apparent why it’d been arranged for them to room together. Brett needed an older male role model in his life to steady him, and Dennis—who hadn’t realized up until then had needed a son— was able to provide that stability. Even though both men were gay, they quickly realized there was no sexual attraction between the two of them. One evening they tried jerking off, each on their respective beds with the lights off. But it was a disaster. Dennis couldn’t get hard, and Brett—who admitted he had managed an erection—said it was like trying to make out with a teacher or someone watching. After that night, Brett asked Dennis if he would mind calling him ‘son,’ something Dennis was more than happy to do, 13

and after learning Brett’s parents were still living, he told Brett if he wanted to call him ‘Pop,’ he wouldn’t mind. **** Dennis attended all of Brett’s football games, even the practices and scrimmages. Okay, it didn’t harm anything that he got to see plenty of gorgeous beefcake plowing up and down the field. And the view in the locker room… Dennis soon banished himself from there; he felt guilty dishonoring Colton’s memory. Coach Schembechler was feared by some of his team but adored by all of them. Dennis—who had never really had a thing for older men—kind of had a hero worship going on for the guy. This, too, made him feel guilty at betraying Colton’s memory. The number of cold showers he took increased to such a level that, during one of their many nighttime talks, Brett tried to assure Dennis his feelings were to be expected and he shouldn’t worry. “Do people have sex in Heaven?” Dennis inquired, immediately regretting the question. He was grateful for the darkness that hid his embarrassment. “Sure, they do,” Brett chuckled. “Haven’t you heard the squeaking bedsprings, the moans and squeals as you walk down the halls?” Dennis admitted he had. “Not everyone is waiting for someone,” Brett said quietly, no doubt thinking about Gavin. “And even those who are waiting take lovers in the meantime. Sometimes more than one. It’s not frowned upon.” “You haven’t taken any lovers, though?” Dennis heard Brett sigh. “No. I’m too in love with Gavin to want to. But I know he’d understand if that’s what I chose to do.” Dennis wondered what Colton would think. When they had become a couple, the question of monogamy had barely been discussed. Both agreed they just wanted the other, and that was that. Did that still hold true? Was Colton having sex down there? Had Barry, Dennis’s best friend and sometime pursuer of Colton, managed to get his feet—and other things— 14

under Colton’s table? As for Dennis himself, he couldn’t imagine taking anyone else as a lover. Colton was it for him. **** Dennis didn’t know how long he’d been in Heaven—time seemed to work differently in the afterlife—when they received a visitor. Brett, whose bed was closest to the door, opened it, bowed low, and muttered, “Welcome, beloved Angel.” Dennis thought Brett was pulling a prank or something until he heard a beautiful melodious voice reply, “Thank you, Brett. May I enter? I have news.” Brett bowed again. Dennis, who’d been stretched across his bed reading an old copy of Sports Illustrated—it took a good couple of months for issues to make it up to Heaven—rose to his feet, knowing unconsciously he had to be on his best behavior. A man—Dennis wondered if it really was a man—floated into their small dorm room, lighting it up with a soft silver glow, even though the angel himself didn’t seem to give off any light. Dennis bowed. “Welcome, Gabriel.” How did he know this was Gabriel? “I trust you are all settled in, and that Brett has been of help to you?” The angel’s wings fluttered, and Dennis had to quash an urge to reach out and touch the soft feathers. “Uh, yes, sir. I am, and he has.” The angel smiled, increasing the intensity of light in the room. “Excellent. I knew you two would be a good pairing. We don’t always get it right the first time, despite our supposed angelic infallibility.” Dennis had no answer to that, and as Gabriel continued speaking, Dennis guessed he wasn’t expected to answer. “The next new intake will be of interest to you, Mr. Irvine.” “Oh?” Dennis’s heart beat faster. It surely couldn’t be Colt. How long had he been here? Gabriel raised a hand. “No, it isn’t Mr. Smith.” Dennis was awash of mixed emotions. “It is your dog,” The angel unrolled a scroll. “Ah, yes, 15

Roxanne. It is her time.” Dennis found himself sitting on the bed, Brett immediately at his side, asking if he was okay. Dennis’s only concern was for Colton, and how he must be feeling at losing their canine companion. Colt loved that little beagle so much. Although Rox belonged to both of them, she seemed to stick closest to Colton whenever he was around. “You can collect any necessary items from the pet store,” Gabriel was continuing. “Although, as she’s quite an old dog— and in poor health—she will need to spend a little time in the veterinary facility before she can be released to you.” “Oh,” Dennis said. “Uh, sorry. I…” He attempted to rise, but Gabriel waved him to remain seated. “This is your first active receiving, I understand perfectly. Although more will follow for you eventually. I shall leave you both to prepare.” With that, Gabriel vanished in a flash of light, leaving behind a faint smell of roses. “What did he mean by his last comment?” Brett shrugged. “Maybe you’ve got relatives or friends due to pass over soon? I don’t know. Ours is not to reason why, remember?” **** Gabriel was as good as his word. The next time the trumpets sounded, Roxanne was there with all the other pets passing over. For the first time Dennis, with Brett at his side, was near the front of the crowd waiting to receive their loved ones. When Roxanne spotted Dennis, she hobbled toward him, clearly in pain. Dennis’s eyes filled with tears, which Roxanne kissed away when he went to his knees to greet her. Dennis’s tears flowed even harder when he buried his face in Roxanne’s neck and could smell the woods that were close to the cottage he and Colton had purchased within a year of first meeting. “Our woods!” Dennis continued to sob into Roxanne’s neck. On the days Colton wasn’t at the firehouse, the two of 16

them, plus Roxanne, would go on long walks. Dennis also remembered the many hours sitting in front of the fire, Roxanne at their feet, while they watched TV, or read, or just sat in silence, enjoying being together. “Oh, Rox. I miss him…miss him so much,” Dennis gasped. “Pop,” Dennis felt Brett put a hand on his shoulder. “We need to get her to the vet facility. She’s real sick.” Brett was right. Knowing Roxanne couldn’t walk far, Dennis picked her up. She weighed so little, her frame thin and wasted. Dennis had no idea where they were going; he just followed Brett as they turned corner after corner. Eventually they arrived at a large brick building. Entering, they were greeted by a kind-looking woman in green scrubs who offered to take Roxanne from Dennis. “Please take good care of her. She’s real important to me, to Colton…” Dennis couldn’t say any more. Brett pulled him into a hug and rubbed his back, all the while making soothing noises. “Up here all animals receive the best possible care. You’ll know when you can collect her,” the woman said. Brett tried to lead Dennis away, but Dennis had to say one last goodbye to Roxanne before they parted. “Be a brave girl, Rox. Daddy Dennis loves you. Daddy Colton loves you, too.” **** Before Dennis knew it, they received word that Roxanne was well enough to be discharged. It hadn’t seemed long at all, but Dennis was getting used to how time worked differently in the afterlife. Yet, having thought that, it seemed hours before Brett finished classes for the day and they could go to the vet place. Dennis couldn’t imagine being a student for the rest of eternity, but Brett seemed to enjoy it. Dennis had found himself a job tending the flowers in one of the many parks that surrounded campus. It was still creative like being a children’s author had been, but he’d wanted a change, and when the job at the park had come up, he’d accepted it. Watching things grow and seeing 17

people’s appreciation of his efforts made him feel useful. Dennis couldn’t believe the transformation Roxanne had undergone. She was lively, her coat glossy, her nose cold and wet, and her body had filled out. “She looks,” Dennis said through a fresh set of tears, “like…well…like when we first got her.” Brett said, “That’s to be expected.” “Huh?” Dennis looked up at his surrogate son from his kneeling position. “When animals—and people— pass over, they resume the age they were when they were happiest.” Dennis hadn’t felt himself get younger when he’d arrived. Then he realized he’d passed over at the time when he’d been happiest. Happy with Colton. More tears flowed, Roxanne kissing them away. “Come on, we’ll show Roxanne her new home,” Brett said, helping Dennis to his feet. An excited Roxanne danced around the pair of them, eager to be off on her next adventure. **** The evening was spent reminiscing, Dennis telling his son more about the ten years he and Colton had lived together. Brett shared more of his past with Gavin. Unlike Dennis, he and Gavin hadn’t lived together, but planned to just as soon as both finished at their respective colleges. “Will you ever actually finish your degree?” Dennis asked. Brett was studying equine science. Dennis knew the man would make a fine horse vet one day. “When Gavin passes over I’ll graduate, and we’ll get a house together somewhere.” Dennis wondered what would happen to Brett once he and Colton were reunited. Surely Brett wouldn’t stay in the dorm, comfortable though it was. Dennis looked around their room, now even more cramped with Roxanne’s things in it. Far from seeming incongruous having a dog in a dorm room, it actually felt right, as if it were meant to be. 18

“But that won’t be for a while yet,” Brett said quietly, speaking for the both of them, Dennis was sure. **** Time passed before Gabriel paid them another visit. Again Dennis hoped the archangel had news of Colton, but then reminded himself Colt arriving now would mean he’d had a shortened life on Earth, and Dennis didn’t want that. Colt was an excellent firefighter, an inspiring leader of his crew. Dennis knew Colt’s work down on Earth wasn’t finished yet. Gabriel told Dennis his dad was due to pass over, but he hadn’t been chosen to receive him—that task had been allocated to Dennis’s grandmother, a woman Dennis couldn’t remember on Earth. She had passed over when Dennis was a baby. He’d met her a couple of times in the park where he worked, but no special bond had resulted. Dennis and Brett watched from atop the hill overlooking the pearly gates as the tide of humanity and animalia streamed through. It seemed an especially long procession this time. Dennis didn’t know why, and was too afraid to ask. “Sometimes it just happens,” Brett said, touching his elbow. Dennis gave his son a grateful smile, still a little weirded out by how the young man could tell what he was thinking. Eventually his dad shuffled through the gates, blind—if the white walking cane was any indication—and was warmly hugged by Dennis’s grandmother. Dennis wanted to go down and meet his dad, but Brett said it was better to wait until he had been ‘regenerated.’ **** It seemed as though no time at all had passed before they were standing on the hill again watching as Dennis’s mom passed into the heavenly realm, met by her husband. Dennis enjoyed seeing his parents again, and they continued to meet occasionally, but as he hadn’t been overly close to his parents in 19

life, it seemed this state of affairs was to continue in Heaven. Neither parent had news of Colton, much to Dennis’s disappointment. As time went by, more and more of Dennis’s relatives crossed over. Each time, Dennis would ask them if they had news of Colton. However, as Dennis and Colton had lived so far up north, few of Dennis’s relatives knew him or had kept in touch with him. Barry’s arrival was a surprise. Or had time marched on that much down on Earth? He looked to be in his early sixties, though Dennis had never been much good at guessing ages. Barry had put on a lot of weight, though. “Good to see you, bud,” Dennis greeted his best friend. “Wow, never thought folks like us would end up in Heaven,” Barry said, looking around at his featureless surroundings. “This is just the greeting area. Things are a lot different when you turn corners,” Dennis told him. “What corners?” Barry looked around again. Dennis just smiled. He couldn’t wait any longer and asked if Barry had news of Colton. Dennis hoped he’d be able to deal with the answer if Barry… “He’s good.” “And?” Dennis wanted more. “I don’t see much of him.” That was a relief. Brett tapped Dennis on his elbow; the guy knew where Dennis was going. “Colt’s retired from the fire department now, of course,” Barry added. Had so much time passed? “How is he?” “Still missing you.” At first Dennis was pleased, and then sadness began to creep in. He hated the idea that Colt had been in mourning all these years. “I tried to bring him out of himself, but he wasn’t interested.” “I bet!” Dennis had known since the first day Barry and 20

Colton met that Barry lusted over Colt. Though while Dennis had been alive, Barry had had the decency to keep his desires to himself. Brett kicked Dennis’s shin. “We’ve gotta go,” he said, pulling at Dennis’s arm. “Roxanne needs her walk.” “Roxanne?” Barry asked. “Yeah. It’s complicated,” Dennis said. “We’ll have to get together over coffee or something sometime.” “Colton waited for you. I see you didn’t wait for him,” Barry said, eyeing Brett. Barry’s parting shot had Dennis halting in his tracks. “There’s nothing between Dennis and me other than a father and son friendship,” Brett said, getting in Barry’s face. Dennis had never seen Brett get angry before; Heaven just wasn’t that sort of place. “Ha, incest games is it now?” Barry growled. “Is that what goes on up here?” There was a flash of light, and instantly they were surrounded by angels. Even Dennis, who now counted himself as something of a veteran in afterworldly affairs, had never seen such a show of winged strength. Barry was instantly quieted and led away. The angels disappeared just as quickly as they had appeared. “They’ll heal him in the regenerative facility,” Brett said, squeezing Dennis’s shoulder. “He’s carrying a lot of bitterness.” “Yeah.” Dennis knew he had to find a quiet space— maybe the park—to process all the new information about Colton. **** Life—or rather, afterlife—continued, and it soon became obvious to Dennis that whenever Gabriel visited, it was always because of a friend or relative of Dennis’s was passing over, never someone Brett knew. At first Dennis thought this was because Brett’s friends would be young like Brett himself had been when he passed over, but surely the guy had 21

grandparents, elderly aunts, and so on? Although Dennis and Brett still talked, they rarely held lengthy and in-depth discussions just before going to sleep like they used to. There was no need. Each was so attuned to the other, they could go for some time without actually speaking, neither feeling the silence was uncomfortable. One night, however, after Dennis had pondered the lack of arrivals for his surrogate son, he finally broached the subject. “My folks disowned me when I came out.” Why didn’t Dennis know this before? Then he realized he hadn’t asked. What type of selfish prick did that make him? “Pop, don’t. I never brought it up, and the times you did, I would deflect the conversation.” Thinking about it lying there in his twin bed, Dennis realized that was true. He had asked, and Brett had given vague answers, then turned the conversation back to Dennis. “But what happens when your folks pass over? Will Gabriel tell you?” “He already has. They’re already here.” “What?” Dennis certainly hadn’t met them. He’d have known, wouldn’t he? “Gabriel came to me when you were at work. I was excused from that greeting.” Dennis remembered now. It had been a while ago. Brett had claimed coach had needed him for something or other, and he’d been excused from observing the new arrivals. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Dennis heard the rustling of bedclothes from across the room, then felt his own being lifted. “Can I sleep with you tonight, Pop?” “Uh, sure.” Dennis guessed it’d be all right. He knew he had no sexual feelings for his son, despite him being one of the best built jocks on campus, with both girls and guys swooning over him. “When I asked you to call me ‘Pop,’ you said your folks were still alive.” “They were alive at that point.” Brett snuggled closer. There wasn’t much room in a twin bed when sharing with a two22

hundred fifty pound athlete. “You could have told me when they passed.” Dennis wasn’t sure if he was angry, sad, or just… “I know I could’ve. But I didn’t want what we had to change. I know it will when Colton passes over, but until then…” Dennis rubbed his son’s broad, muscular back. What total fools his folks were to reject such a beautiful, kind, loving man. “Have you met them over on this side?” “Briefly. There was no anger anymore, but I just don’t feel a connection to them, and they don’t feel one to me. They’re over in another section, and our paths don’t cross. They agreed to observe the new arrivals from a different spot than what we use.” “Oh, son.” Dennis kissed Brett’s cheek. “If I’d have known, I could have been there for you, helped you.” “Dad,” Brett swallowed, “can I call you that?” Dennis nodded and sniffed back a tear. “I’d be honored.” “Dad, you’ve been here for me. Every step of the way. I couldn’t have asked for a better father than you.” Dennis choked up. Then he remembered something Brett had said earlier. “Nothing will change when Colton passes over. You’re my son. You’ll always be my son.” Dennis felt the man’s huge shoulders shaking. “I love you, Brett. It might not be the same type of love I have for Colt, but I don’t love you any less.” That night marked a deepening in Dennis and Brett’s relationship. They talked more, touched more, but things never became sexual…it just wasn’t what they were about. Dennis still carried a torch for Colton, and he knew Gavin was the only man for Brett. **** Dennis was only vaguely aware of birds singing in the trees outside their window. He guessed it was almost time to get up. A knock came at the door. As usual, Brett answered. Dennis wondered who it could be. They didn’t get that many visitors, preferring to keep mostly to themselves. 23

“Welcome, beloved Angel.” Who’s passing over now? Dennis wondered, getting to his feet. Roxanne had already gone to say hello to Gabriel, who had come in and was petting her. Dennis stood and gave a bow. “Welcome, beloved Angel.” “The day is at hand.” Gabriel spread his wings as much as the small room would allow. “Huh?” Dennis was still half-asleep. “Mr. Smith will be passing over soon.” At first Dennis couldn’t process the archangel’s words. “My Mr. Smith? Colton?” he asked, not allowing himself to hope. The light in the room brightened. “Yes, your Colton Smith.” He didn’t think he could faint, not in his non-living form. However, the next thing he was aware of was coming to, staring up at the tiled ceiling, a dog kissing him, a concerned son and bemused archangel looking down at him. “You okay, Dad?” “Uh, give me a minute.” Dennis reached up and checked his head for bumps, then realized he couldn’t get injured, so decided to fake scratching his head as if giving the impression he was thinking. He fooled no one. Brett helped Dennis sit on the bed. Dennis wanted to stand out of respect to Gabriel, but the archangel signaled him to remain seated. “What do I do?” Dennis asked. He remembered—he could hardly forget—Brett saying once Colton passed over, they would get a house. Would Dennis have to employ a builder? An architect, contact the power company? Did Heaven have a power company? “There will be time for you to consider all the details while Mr. Smith undergoes regeneration.” Colt, his beautiful Colt, was sick. Why else would he need to go to the regeneration facility? “Dad, it’s okay. Colton will be quite old now.” “Yes,” Gabriel confirmed. “But he will heal quickly. He has a loving spirit.” “You know Colton?” 24

“I have watched over him during his earthly existence, just as I watch over all of God’s creations.” “Oh.” Dennis was lost for anything else to say. Before leaving, the archangel bent and kissed Dennis’s forehead, filling Dennis with warmth and serenity. **** “Dad, settle down, will ya?” Brett said. Dennis was pacing the floor of their small dorm room, impatiently waiting for the trumpets to sound. Why wouldn’t the damn trumpets sound? Roxanne, too, must have picked up on Dennis’s excitement because she also began walking up and down. Brett threw his hands in the air and told them both to settle down. Dennis decided to go for a walk. Maybe a stroll in his beloved park would soothe him. Roxanne insisted on going along, too. When she’d first arrived, Dennis had been leery of having her go with him to work, and indeed the first couple of times she had tried to be helpful by digging holes, but alas her efforts had resulted in her excavating the bulbs he’d only recently planted. But things had soon settled down and Roxanne would stretch out in the sun while Dennis tended the plants. “Oh, girl, he’s finally coming,” Dennis said, lowering himself to the ground. Roxanne licked his face. Dennis closed his eyes and buried his head in Roxanne’s fur. Even though it had been decades since he’d last seen Colt, he could still remember every detail of his handsome face, his strong body, his unique smell. Then Dennis realized the Colton who would walk through the pearly gates would be old, possibly sick. Dennis shook his head. It didn’t matter to him. He loved Colton, period. And soon enough the regeneration facility would work its usual magic and…. The trumpets sounded. Dennis was on his feet racing for the rendezvous point before the fanfare had finished. Dennis wanted, needed, to be on the front row of the welcoming group. 25

Roxanne remained by his side. But where was Brett? He needed his son with him; he wanted Colton to meet him. “Dad, thought I’d find you here,” a familiar voice said from behind Dennis, who had been looking in the wrong direction for Brett. “He’s coming. Colton’s coming,” Dennis said, accepting the hug his son offered. “I know.” Did Brett sound down? Dennis almost missed it in his excitement. “Son.” Dennis cupped Brett’s face, rubbing his thumbs along the man’s high cheekbones. “Remember, I love you. Colton will love you.” Brett’s hug tightened, almost crushing the bones in Dennis’s chest. They heard St. Peter opening the gates and pulling them wide open. Dennis scanned the crowd of new arrivals, first—as always—came the newborn babies in their gliding crystal cots, then the crawling babies, the toddlers and then young children. It never got any easier to see such a sight. As the age of the people passing through increased, so did Dennis’s anxiety. Would Colton recognize him? Would he recognize Colton? The crowd of newcomers began to thin, and were soon outnumbered by the animals, but still no Colton. Dennis began to despair. Had Gabriel got it wrong? Was Colton clinging to life? Could he have…? Roxanne—who had patiently sat at Brett and Dennis’s side throughout—suddenly leapt to her feet and raced off into the crowd of newcomers. Dennis spotted Colton just as Roxanne reached him. His Colt was old, his face heavily lined, his hair snowy white, and he walked with a pronounced limp. But it was definitely Colton…his Colton. The man was carrying a German Shepherd dog who Dennis assumed was too sick to walk himself. “That’s why he was held back,” Brett said. “He was helping another less fortunate creature.” Dennis nodded. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, 26

he said, “That’s just like him.” Dennis could barely see through a fresh wave of tears pouring down his face. “Oh, Colt, Colt!” he moaned and made hurried, if unsteady, progress toward his man. “Dennis!” An old, thin, cracked voice called out. Dennis finally made it to Colton. “Yes, love, it’s me. I’m here, I waited for you!” Someone took the dog from Colton’s arms, and finally there was nothing between the two long-lost lovers. For the longest time they just stared at each other, not daring to touch. Roxanne yipped. Colton slowly bent to pet her. “Hey, girl,” he said. Then, looking back up at Dennis, his blue eyes just the same as Dennis remembered them, he asked, “You got Roxanne?” “Yes, ever since she passed over. Oh, Colt!” Dennis couldn’t wait any longer. He launched himself at his man and hugged him fiercely. “I can’t believe it! You’re finally here!” “I love you.” The two stood motionless for the longest time, Dennis just breathing in his man’s smell. It was beyond wonderful having Colt back in his arms. “Wow, Heaven,” Colt said, finally loosening their hug and looking around. “Didn’t think us queers were allowed in.” Dennis well remembered his first time in this place and what St. Peter had told him. “We’re all allowed.” Colton held Dennis at arm’s length and examined him critically. “You haven’t changed at all. You’re still the Dennis I remember, but I’m old, sick…I….” Dennis pulled Colton into another hug and kissed him in front of God, the angels, and everyone. “It’s okay. I’ve got a lot to tell you, but I promise, Colt, it’ll all be okay now you’re finally here.” “I love you, Dennis,” Colton was crying just as hard as Dennis. “I never stopped believing in our love.” “Me, either.” Dennis heard a polite cough from his right. “Oh, Colt, this is Brett, he’s, uh—” “Your lover,” Colton said quietly. “No, Colt, no.” Dennis held Colton more tightly. “Brett is my son.” 27

“Son? I didn’t know you—” “Foster son…surrogate son.” “Pleased to finally meet you, sir.” Brett held out a hand and Dennis loosened his grip enough for Colton to free an arm. “I’ve heard so much about you, I feel as though I already know you.” Colton chuckled. “Dennis could always talk at length about anything, no matter how trivial.” “You are not trivial!” Dennis protested. Colton looked exhausted. His eyes were puffy with dark rings under them. His cheeks were sunken, and—hugging him— Dennis could feel that the man was just skin and bone. “Oh, Colt.” “Maybe we should get you to the regeneration facility,” Brett suggested. “Huh?” Colton asked. “That’s one of the many things I need to tell you about. Can you walk, or do you need a cot or something?” “Is it far?” “Not too far,” Dennis said. “If we go slow, I should be able to manage.” However, it soon became apparent Colton was weaker than he admitted. Despite his emaciated state, Colton was still too heavy for Dennis, who offered to go and find a floating cot or chair. Brett, however, came to the rescue and, with Colton’s permission, picked him up and carried him the rest of the way to the facility. **** As Dennis had expected, the wait for Colton to be regenerated was impossible. He ended up planting bulbs upside down, and accidentally lopping off the tops of trees instead of merely pruning them. He would have gone back to the dorm room knowing he was useless at work, but feared he’d be even more useless there. Choosing what sort of home he and Colton should live in was remarkably easy. The angel in charge of such things showed Dennis several drawings, one of which so closely 28

resembled the cottage he and Colton had loved that even though he knew he should consult Colt over the choice, he went ahead and told the angel to start the building process. Later that day, back in the dorm room, Dennis showed Brett the plans. “Heck, that’s a lot of trees,” his son observed. “I know.” Dennis recalled the many times he’d walked through the woods hand-in-hand with Colt, Roxanne running ahead of them, then doubling back to race toward them again. “You so deserve this,” Brett said quietly. Dennis swallowed. “Yeah.” Then, looking at the wistful expression on his son’s face, said, “You and Gavin will have something just as nice, I’m sure.” “Yeah, I know, but…” The man lapsed into silence. Dennis’s joy at being reunited with Colton was tempered by the fact that Brett would now be alone. He had thought about offering him the spare room in the cottage, but knew he couldn’t make such decisions without Colton. **** “It’s snowing! Wow.” Colton said from the bedroom window. “Yeah, great isn’t it?” Dennis came up behind his man, put his arms around him and began kissing his neck. “Looks like Christmas, doesn’t it?” The snow settling on the bare branches of the deciduous trees and clinging to the needles of the evergreens created a scene which looked just like it had back on Earth at Christmastime. It was Colton’s first day out of the regeneration facility. Amazingly their cottage was ready, so Dennis had packed his belongings from the dorm and moved in. Someone—Dennis guessed it was Brett—had been clothes shopping, and in Colton’s side of the closets in the master bedroom he’d found rack upon rack of clothing. Pulling out a few shirts and pairs of pants, Dennis had known they’d fit Colton, and best of all, he’d look great in them. 29

“I didn’t think there’d be snow in Heaven.” Colton whispered, pulling Dennis out of his memories. Pressing himself against his man’s broad muscular back, Dennis said, “I’ve learned you can have anything you want in Heaven.” He kissed Colton’s neck, “If you want it hard enough. And I’m hard for you.” Dennis mashed his crotch against Colton’s firm, high, ass cheeks. The regeneration had brought Colton back to full health; he looked exactly as he had that first day Colton had stood on Dennis’s stoop in full turn-out gear. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, strong, firm legs. Colton turned in the circle of Dennis’s arms. They kissed. “This place is amazing,” Colton looked up at the beamed ceiling. “It’s almost the same as our cottage.” “Yeah.” “I sold it, you know.” “Really? Why?” “It held too many memories of you…of us. I waited until Rox died, then sold the place and moved into town.” No one had told Dennis any of this. But knowing would have only upset him, so he silently blessed his friends for keeping that piece of information to themselves. They made their way to the bed, discarding their clothing as they went. Even the bed was an almost perfect facsimile of the one that had been in the master bedroom in the cottage back on Earth. “I love you, Dennis Irvine. Now and always.” “‘I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life!— and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.’” Dennis kissed him. “And God did choose.” “He sure did.” Colt returned the kiss. When they were both still living, Dennis had often quoted poetry to his firefighter. Now they were dead, he had access to a huge collection of books in the college library, as well as to the people who actually wrote those books. Dennis planned to spend eternity telling his Colton in every way possible just how much he was loved. 30

Dennis ran a hand up Colton’s strong right arm, then across his shoulder and along his chest, playing for a while in the rich pelt of soft, dark hair. Dennis knew even though they would spend the rest of time together, he could never get enough of his Colton. They moved together like a well-choreographed ballet. It was as if fifty-some years hadn’t elapsed. Dennis sensed Colton wanted inside of him, and Dennis was all for that. But then Colton paused. “Do we need condoms?” Dennis shook his head. “I haven’t been with anyone since you, and besides, we can’t get sick in Heaven.” Colton smiled. “I haven’t been with anyone, either.” Something in Dennis’s chest eased. They resumed their kissing while Colton worked to open Dennis up. Brett had even stocked the nightstands with lube. Dennis would have to bring up the subject of Brett coming to live with them, but not yet. He had his man’s lovemaking to concentrate on. “You’re so tight,” Colton said, when he’d bottomed out in Dennis’s ass. The feel of Colton back home where he belonged had Dennis blinking away tears. “I’m hurting you.” Colton made to withdraw. “No!” Dennis pressed his heels to Colt’s butt. “They’re happy tears.” Colton started to move inside him, slowly at first, but steadily building in power. The man still had the same ability to move Dennis, the same skill to bring him close to the edge, then ease off and bring him back to the top again. “Oh, Colt, yeah!” Colton hadn’t forgotten where Dennis’s prostate was. His man loved him, and loved him hard. They weren’t in a hurry, but Dennis wanted, needed, to cum, knowing there’d be an eternity of other climaxes he could savor. “Can’t wait any longer, babe,” Colton said after kissing him. “Me, either. Need you, Colt. Been too long without you.” “Yeah, babe. Sure has.” 31

Colton picked up the pace and pounded Dennis’s ass into the mattress. Dennis couldn’t hold back—he didn’t want to. Without touching himself, he shot four long squirts of juice, the first arching high and splatting the wooden headboard. “Wow, don’t remember you doin’ that before.” Colton panted before giving one final thrust and freezing in place, his dick buried to the root up Dennis’s still quivering ass. “Yeah! Oh, yeah!” Colton’s arms gave out and he flopped on top of Dennis. After catching their breaths, the two men kissed. Colton—still hard—remained inside Dennis’s chute. “God, babe. I could go again.” Colt sounded incredulous. “Maybe they rejuvenated you more than we thought.” Then he remembered his own feat of spermicidal ballistics. Whatever the cause, Dennis was grateful. If possible, they enjoyed round two more than round one. Colton took his time and, not being anxious to race to the finish, Dennis languished in the loving his man gave, doing his best to return as much pleasure as Colton was giving to him. Finally they were sated; Colt laid his magnificent sweaty body next to Dennis’s. Dennis reached for and squeezed Colt’s hand. “You were worth waiting for.” THE END

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ABOUT DREW HUNT Having read all the decent free fiction on the net Drew could find, he set out to try his hand at writing something himself. Fed up reading about characters who were super-wealthy, impossibly handsome, and incredibly well-endowed, Drew determined to make his characters real and believable. Drew lives a quiet life in the north of England with his cat. Someday he hopes to meet the kind of man he writes about.

ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC Founded in 2010, JMS Books LLC is owned and operated by author J.M. Snyder. We publish a variety of genres, including gay erotic romance, fantasy, young adult, poetry, and nonfiction. We are an invitation-only small press. Short stories and novellas are available as e-books and compiled into single-author print anthologies, while any story over 30k in length is available in both print and e-book formats. Visit us at jms-books.com for more information on our latest releases!

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