The Sons of Ipswich: Tyler's Secret

The Sons of Ipswich: Tyler’s Secret

Chapter 3

Music blared from the old jukebox in the corner of Nicky’s bar; Caleb and Sarah were dancing while Pogue and Kate sat at a table having yet another spat. Reid and Tyler were at their usual pool table playing a game against each other. Tyler watched as Reid made a perfect bank shot and groaned.

“Suck on that, bee-atch,” Reid crowed. Tyler couldn’t help but smirk at his friend’s comment… if only he knew what images that conjured.

“That was lucky, you dick,” said Tyler, lifting his cue and smiling. He knew just as well as Reid that luck had nothing to do with his friend’s natural prowess – Reid was a genius at pool, even without his powers.

“Like hell it was. Let’s see you do better.”

Tyler grinned and bent over the table, resting his hand against the rail as he positioned his cue. He was just about to make a shot when someone shoved him hard against the table.

“Shit!”

“Oops, sorry, your ass was in my way.”

Tyler spun around and glared at Aaron Bael, who was smirking as he kept walking passed them.

“That fucker!” Reid spat, starting after him.

“No, forget it. No more fights, remember?” said Tyler, putting a hand on Reid’s shoulder.

“But he did that on purpose!”

Tyler allowed a small smile, and said in a fake-serious voice, “I appreciate you trying to defend my honor, but I’m fine. Really.”

Reid spared a glance at Aaron, then said, “Yeah, alright. But if he tries something else, you’re not stopping me."

“My hero,” said Tyler with a smile. Even though he sounded sarcastic, his face betrayed his pleasure while a warm fluttering feeling took place in his chest.

Reid turned and smirked at him, then let his eyes drift to a rather voluptuous girl bending over to make a shot at the next pool table, her low-necked shirt providing an eyeful. Tyler couldn’t help it – his face fell in disappointment and he turned to the pool table again, his lips pinched tightly together. God, what was so interesting about breasts? They were just fat and milk glands – nothing sexy about that. Tyler was so busy pouting that he didn’t notice Reid watching him out of the corner of his eye, his trademark smirk growing.

*          *          *

            “So, how long have you liked dick?” asked Reid casually, turning the page of a sports magazine as he reclined on his bed.

            “What!” Tyler yelled, shooting up into a sitting position on his own bed.

            “I said,” said Reid slowly, as though he was speaking to a small child. “How long have you liked dick?”

            “What – what are you talking about?”

            Reid rolled his eyes. “Don’t play dumb with me, baby boy – although you do it so well.”

            Tyler glared at him. “I’m not dumb – just because I don’t talk my ass off like you –”

            “Ah-ah-ah, no changing the subject.” Reid got up off his bed and carried the magazine over to Tyler. He sat down on the edge, and Tyler, who was already extremely uncomfortable, tensed up even more and scooted to the headboard.

            “Tell me, Ty… who’s hotter? Him, or him?” Reid asked, pointing at a large picture of two soccer players.

           “Neither!” said Tyler angrily. “I don’t like guys, how am I supposed to know?”

            “Oh, c’mon. Look, I’ll go first. I think this one’s hotter.”

            “Really? I think he’s kind of – wait, what!” Tyler shouted.

            Reid laughed and threw the magazine across the room. “So who’s hotter, Ty? Me or Caleb?”

            “I can’t believe this,” said Tyler, pressing himself to his headboard.

            “If you say Caleb, I’ll kick your ass,” said Tyler with a laugh.

            “I – I don’t like guys, Reid.”

            “You can’t lie to me, Tyler. C’mon, you’re my best friend. You think I don’t know my best friend?”

            “I think you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

            Reid stared at him. “I think you’ve been acting fucked up lately. You freak out whenever Aaron says anything gay. You don’t play the underwear game anymore. Or the bra game –”

            “Just because I don’t want to play that stupid game with you and Pogue anymore doesn’t mean I’m fucking gay!”

            Reid waved his hand as if that fact was irrelevant. “Look, dude, I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me if you like dick. As long as it’s not Caleb’s. That would be sick….”

            Tyler stared at him. “You – you really think I’m gay….”

            Reid gave him his classic ‘yeah-I’m-guilty-so-what’ shrug.

            “Why?”

            “I told you why.”

            “But –”

            “You thought you were hiding it so well, didn’t you?”

            “Shut up!” Tyler yelled, kicking a leg out. Reid grabbed his foot and pushed it back down.

            “I also know you’ve been looking at me lately.”

            Tyler stared, shocked to his core; he felt as though he could hear the blood pounding through his veins, and his breath froze in his lungs.

            “Hey, don’t sweat it, bro. I know I’m hot,” said Reid with a cocky smirk, reaching up and patting Tyler’s thigh. Tyler didn’t move.

            “So I was thinking,” Reid continued, still with that haughty grin on his face. “You’ve been so tense lately…I mean, damn! You need to get laid, son!”

            Tyler swallowed harshly, wishing the bed would swallow him whole.

            “And then I noticed you checking me out – and I thought, ‘hey, might as well help the kid out’, right?”

            Tyler bit his lip and took a shuddering breath. Was Reid really saying what he thought he was saying?

            “So how ‘bout it?”

            “H-how ‘bout what?” asked Tyler, so quietly that he could barely hear himself.

            “How ‘bout I get you off?” Reid asked, his damn grin still on his face.

            “What?” Tyler had meant to shout, or at least sound angry – but he barely managed to get the word out.

            “Yeah. I’ll get you off. A hand-job. Just so you can relax, man. You’re way too wound up.”

            “I – I don’t think that’s a good idea, Reid,” Tyler whispered, even though his dick seemed quite agreeable to the idea. Reid seemed to have noticed too. Just seeing Reid look down at him made him feel light-headed.

            “C’mon, man. It’s obvious that you want it,” said Reid, staring pointedly at Tyler’s tented sweatpants.

            “Shut up,” Tyler whispered, closing his eyes.

            Reid rolled his eyes. “Dude, you’re being a fucking girl about it – this doesn’t have to mean anything – no big deal. Just a guy helping another guy out.”

            Tyler’s eyes flew open. ‘Just a guy helping another guy out?’

            “Get out,” said Tyler softly, staring at the ceiling.

            “What?” asked Reid, confusion entering his voice.

            “I said, ‘get out’. Now," said Tyler in a much louder, stronger voice.

            “Dude – don’t do this to me again.”

            “Fine, I’ll leave,” said Tyler angrily, pushing himself off of his bed and grabbing his backpack.

            “Tyler – what the fuck, man – I’m offering you a fucking hand-job that I know you want, and you’re just picking up and leaving?”

            “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m doing,” said Tyler, stuffing his toothbrush and toothpaste into his backpack along with a shirt and boxers.

            “Why? Okay, okay, I take it back. You’re not gay, now sit down and talk to me –”

            “No!” Tyler shouted, his eyes flaring. Reid stepped back when he saw the tell-tale fire race across his friend’s irises. Tyler took a deep breath and headed for the door.

            “Then what?” asked Reid, looking completely confused. His wide, panic-filled eyes made Tyler stop and stare. He rarely saw Reid look like that.

            “If you’re not gay – then what is this?” Reid looked lost.

            Tyler swallowed. He couldn’t lie anymore, it was too tiring. “No – it’s not that – you’re right. I am…gay,” Tyler said, his voice dwindling to a whisper.

            Reid’s panicked eyes softened, and he straightened up, some of his confidence coming back. “So why are you so pissed?”

            Tyler shook his head and grabbed the door knob. “I’m staying with Pogue tonight. Don’t call me.” He succeeded in opening the door, but Reid suddenly blocked his path, his eyes boring into Tyler’s.

            “What are you so pissed about, if it’s true?”

            Tyler swallowed – it was now or never. Oh, God, what if Reid hated him forever?

            “I don’t want you to ‘help me out’, Reid.”

            “Okay, fine, then who –”

            “No, it’s….” Tyler stared at the floor. Then he whispered, full of fear, and yet relief, “I want more than that.”

            There was an unnatural silence from his friend, and Tyler looked up to see Reid staring at him, as though he was seeing him for the first time. It made Tyler want to cry, and he whispered a hurried, “I’m sorry,” before pushing past him and out the door.

TBC. Hope you like.