Summit Declarations
After our “gay zoo” talk over lunch, we continued along the Trinity Trail toward downtown Fort Worth. At this point the trail was a ribbon of concrete sandwiched between the river on our right and a tall levee on our left. It was obvious we were deep in the Trinity’s floodplain. As we got closer to the skyline, I realized we were approaching the bridge we’d driven over the night before on our way to Joe T’s. What I hadn’t noticed in the dark was that another branch of the Trinity merged with the river just before the bridge.
Instead of taking the bike bridge to follow the combined river east, Corey veered sharply left, following the northbound branch of the river. After a short ride north, we stopped in front of a tall, rectangular concrete monolith jutting up from the floodplain. The structure was stark and imposing, completely out of place against the natural backdrop. I was intrigued. Corey leaned his Trek gently on the grass, and I followed suit.
“Ollie,” he began, with a sheepish, almost shy, grin spreading across his face. “This is totally silly and a huge indulgence for me, but ever since I was a junior in high school and my best friend did this with his girlfriend - and I was crushed, because, well, I had a crush on him - I’ve been wanting to do this with someone special. Will you follow me up?”
He motioned me around to the far side of the structure, where steel bar ‘n’s were embedded in the concrete, forming a ladder all the way to the 20-foot summit. Without hesitation, Corey boldly grabbed the rungs and began climbing. He glanced back at me with a now hopeful smile. Right on cue, my good-boy brain vigilantly whispered: This probably isn’t allowed. But Corey’s expression erased the thought entirely, and I followed him up.
As I crested the concrete summit, it was both awe-inspiring and, I’ll admit, a little anticlimactic at the top. Turns out, it was just an over-glorified storm sewer manhole cover, raised this high to avoid flooding. Still, it offered a stunning, unobstructed view of Fort Worth’s skyline. Picture perfect. As soon as I stood beside Corey, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me with a passion that made my head spin. Then, he tipped his head back and, honest to god, howled. It was deep and primal, and I couldn’t help but smile with amazement. Note to self: I definitely need to learn how to do that.
But Corey wasn’t finished. He turned to face the skyscrapers and stood fast. He took a deep breath then bellowed, at full volume: “I’ve met the pup of my dreams, Oliver Aaron Carson! I want him to always be mine!” As his voice leapt into the open sky, two passing bikers looked up, laughing as they both gave us a thumbs up. Corey doubled over, laughing himself. “That seemed way more romantic when I was 17.”
I smiled, still feeling the sincerity of his declaration. Hey, I was still a teenager for a few more months, and I thought it was incredibly sweet. Without overthinking it, I added my own proclamation: “My Norse God, Corey Rainer, rescued me and gave me a new family! I’m proud to be his pup!” My voice carried over the quiet of the park, and we both dissolved into laughter, standing atop a storm drain and shouting our new love truths to the world.
Naturally, we had to take a few selfies to mark the occasion. Corey’s arm pulled me close as we posed, the city skyline behind us. Of course, at least one shot had to include us kissing. And, well, we might have kissed a little too long for public decency. Oops. I guess I’m still on track to shock a few park-goers today - my bad.
As our selfie kisses ended, a thought struck me. “Um, Corey, I promise not to use it against you anytime soon, but I don’t know your middle name. What is it?”
His smile turned mischievous. “It’s so close to yours, I’m Corey Allan. And if I ever make you mad during an argument, you have every right to use it.” We laughed, and of course, we kissed one last time before starting the climb down.
I’d never thought of myself as being afraid of heights, but stepping back over the edge to descend was definitely scarier than the climb up. My heart was still pounding a bit by the time I was just three rungs from the ground. That’s when Corey grinned and said, “Trust fall! Let go.”
I hesitated, glancing down at him. My head was only about three feet above his, so with a leap of faith, I released the rung and let myself fall backward. He caught me effortlessly, his strong arms wrapping around me like a safety net.
“Corey, you know I weigh 170, and I want to get bigger, right? We might not be able to do this much longer.”
“Hey, I’m 225, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to catch you for decades to come.” His confidence, as always, felt unshakable. I got another kiss for good measure, and I couldn’t help but silently hope for those decades too.
After readjusting my still present, er, enthusiasm to point discreetly under my tank, we continued our ride north before eventually turning back at a major road. We retraced our path through downtown and back into Trinity Park, the scenery just as gorgeous in reverse. As we crossed under I-30 and began paralleling University Drive again, something caught my eye that I’d completely missed earlier.
“Corey, what’s that miniature train bridge for?”
He grinned, clearly pleased by my curiosity. “It’s for a kid’s train ride that goes from the zoo, over the river, into the park, and then loops back. I used to ride it all the time when I was in grade school. It shut down for several years, but they recently reopened it. Now the cool trend is for people my age to ride it and re-live their childhood memories.”
“You know we have to do that soon, right?”
Corey nodded with a playful glint in his eye. “Absolutely!”
Chapter 17: Forest Play Place
We retraced our path over the low water crossing and headed back into our neighborhood. Even though I was still learning the lay of the land, I was pretty sure we’d just passed our house. But I kept following my Norse God - wait! Now my wolf.
After about a mile, the trail veered away from the boulevard and disappeared into what looked like a forest. I blinked, trying to make sense of it. I mean, we’re still surrounded by an established neighborhood, right? There’s no way there can just suddenly be a forest. As I was coaxing my brain to explain things, Corey signaled for us to pull off the trail, right where the trees seemed thickest.
Corey dismounted and stood beside his bike. “Walk your bike and follow me.” I didn’t question it - I just obeyed.
There was a nearly hidden trail winding between the trees, almost like it had been designed to stay secret. The further in we went, the more the world outside faded away. Finally, we emerged into what felt like a room formed entirely by the dense thicket. The greenery wove together to create walls, almost like nature had conspired to hide this magical place.
“This is totally an optical illusion,” Corey explained, his voice low and reverent. “It only works in the spring and summer. There are houses just above and behind us, but it feels private right now.” He leaned his bike against a big tree that framed one side of the “room’s” entrance. I mirrored him, placing my bike against its twin on the left.
Corey turned and lifted his arms, offering me an embrace. Without hesitation, I moved into him, nestling myself into his right side - nuzzling closer to his pit. He must have immediately sensed what I wanted because he smiled and raised his arm, granting my silent wish.
Oh my lurd. Fresh, clean, Corey biking sweat. This had to be exactly what he meant by that “post-workout bliss” scent he mentioned yesterday. I reveled in it, letting the world fall away as his musk filled my senses. My beard caught the scent, and for the first time, I understood completely - yes, this is exactly what beards are for.
He raised my head for a kiss from his pup - one who now carried his scent. And I’m not sure how, but this kiss felt like a brand-new first kiss, without erasing the magic of the ones Corey had already given me. It clearly meant a lot to Corey too.
“Okay, pup,” he said softly, his voice a mix of playfulness and seriousness, “I’m never going to ask you to do anything you aren’t ready for, but if I promise we’re totally safe here, would you be up for a little exploratory fun?”
I couldn’t help but tease him. “There isn’t anything you’re accidentally forgetting to tell me about, is there? No more surprises like, ‘Oops, that’s what a catheter moving through your prostate feels like’?” I attempted my best smirk, even as my cheeks betrayed me with a blush.
He chuckled, his grin both apologetic and mischievous. “I swear, no surprises this time. This is all fun, I promise.” Then he leaned in, his eyes locking with mine in that way that makes me feel both exposed and completely safe. “Now, arms up, my pup. Trust me.”
I did. He immediately lifted my tank top over my head while still taking the time to bask in my sweaty pits. “Remember, I grew up here, I know we’re safe.” I shot him a quizzical look as he pushed my bib straps off of my shoulders and seductively started pulling them down past my thighs. I was exposed to the world. My quizzical look flashed into a look of concern. Corey cupped my cheek and said “I’ve got you pup.” There’s no way I can’t believe him, but he’s pushing it.
He wrapped his hand around my exposed cock and started our kiss. Both our beards had the scent of the other and I was suddenly dizzy and even more hard in Corey’s fist. He stopped to step back as he pulled his tank off over his head and lowered his bibs down as far as mine. He was already hard as well.
We resumed our embrace. Me slowly jacking his leaking cock, him mirroring the same to mine. This might be a little exposed for me, but it’s taking our fun up to yet another level.
Lol, he can obviously still read my mind because he immediately said, “I have a new level we can try. I know you’re not ready for the whole big event yet, but there’s something we can do that’s not quite practicing, but still feels really good for both of us. Trust me?” His face presenting an earnest and excited but still encouraging smile.
The man has me naked in a forest, in the middle of a city neighborhood, with my once again overly earnest cock drooling in his hand, and he’s asking me to trust him even more? Lurd. But, he’s my wolf. I nodded my head.
“Okay Ollie pup, turn around, put your hands on the big tree behind you, and lean forward. I promise, we are not ‘practicing,’ we’re maybe just ‘practicing for practicing.’” And I got a big sweet Corey smile. I think I know where this is going and I think I’m going to like it.
I turned around and leaned into the tree, exposing my playing field to Corey. I felt him move in closer behind me and then I heard him spit and I felt his wet fingers rub my hole and move up. I felt another glob of spit hit and run down my crack. And then Corey solidified his stance and allowed his throbbing cock to return to last night’s sleeping place. Only his cock wasn’t sleepy right now. He leaned his chest over my back and kissed my neck, right behind my ear. Damn! There’s another new level!
My slick playing field was loving its new play mate. “Are you ready pup?” I was already doing my now familiar uncontrollable quivering. Corey took that as a ‘yes.’ He gave me a very sexy growl and playfully nipped my earlobe.
He moved his right arm across my pec, with his hand almost at my neck. His left hand softly landed on my lower abs and then immediately moved south into my blond thicket until it reached my tree. And as he started stroking my cock, he also slowly started humping his across my twitching hole and up my crack.
He whispered in my ear. “You have three jobs my boy. I’m going to start putting more of my weight on you, so please don’t let us fall into the tree.” I nodded. “And you can arch your back and start pushing against me as I thrust between your cheeks. Most importantly, Ollie, just relax and enjoy our new level.” He finished his instructions by moving his hand to my throat and nudging my jaw to turn into his for a kiss. Dayam.
He kept slowly humping my crack and I quickly matched his rhythm and pushed back as instructed. Every time his pole slid over my hole I let out a moan. And those moans pushed my wolf to higher levels of excitement. Only to then be matched by mine. After several euphoric minutes of us climbing ever higher on our new ladder together, we both knew we were approaching the summit.
Our rate hit its maximum speed. His sweaty, furry chest was plastered against my sweaty smooth back. His arms were holding his prey/mate in place. As his hips were furiously humping me like the beast he was. His beard was entangling itself with mine as his face forcefully nudged its way against my cheek over my shoulder. We were both too gone to maintain our kiss. This was a whole new mind-blowing level. I arched my back even more, begging him to keep going.
Between his gritted teeth, Corey growled, “That’s right pup, you’re only reacting the way your body is telling you to.” Nothing this raw and intense can last for long. It was mere moments before I felt his hot seed splatter all over my back. And it was only a few dizzying seconds later when mine shot all over my supporting tree’s trunk.
Corey started kissing my cheek as his embrace returned to a less rib cracking level. “Are you okay Ollie? That got a bit intense.”
“Fuck, Corey, er, sorry, frak! I loved every second of that! Damn! My wolf! That was pure euphoria. And well, I think my new favorite tree might get pregnant.”
Much to my delight, Corey smacked my cheeks again and laughed softly. “If that were possible, this little clearing would probably be the world’s busiest maternity ward by now. Not that Dad and Ted would’ve cared, but back when my classmates started catching up with me in the puberty department, this was my favorite spot to bring them. It just seemed way more forbidden and naughty here than in my bedroom.”
I raised an eyebrow, only half-teasing. I wasn’t absolutely onboard with Corey admitting he was his classmates’ sexual awakening cruise director. “So, what - you waited for your friends to sprout their first pubes, then gave them a private invitation to your enchanted forest hideaway?”
“Pup! That’s not what I meant.” Corey looked genuinely amused. “I wasn’t recruiting! I was just always the guy my friends could talk to when they had questions, or needed advice, or - well - when they were freaking out about things they couldn’t talk to anyone else about. I guess I’ve always been a protector at heart, even back then. And yeah, maybe that meant sharing some no-judgment, no-pressure moments of adolescent discovery.
In case you didn’t get it from ‘Shut your door, Corey,’ I’ve always had a really positive, fun attitude about jacking off. It was nothing to ever be ashamed of. And believe me, it was never anything more serious than some mutual curiosity and a little harmless fun. But hey, that tree has seen a lot of teenage… well, let’s just say history. I guarantee you, though, it’s never been happier than you made it today.”
Corey’s honesty, as always, left me grinning. He had a way of making even the most awkward revelations seem perfectly normal. He had pulled his redemption off like the shining champion I was hoping he really was. I reached for his hand, silently letting him know I wasn’t judging. He accepted my implied apology.
We laughed softly as we adjusted our bibs and slipped back into our tank tops, doing our best to look respectable - or at least as respectable as two guys in cycling shorts could be. Floating from our moment together, the ride back seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, we were coasting up to the front door, my heart still soaring from everything that had just happened in Corey’s secret world.
Chapter 18: Busted
Ted was in the kitchen as we walked through to our bedroom. Before we could even say, “Hey, Ted,” he gave us a fatherly look that clearly said, You two know you aren’t getting away with any of this. Then, turning specifically to Corey, he said with a perfect calmness, “I saw you two ride past the house about 45 minutes ago.” His gaze shifted to me. “I’m guessing Corey showed you his favorite forest play place?” Then back to Corey, “If my favorite co-op student is walking funny, you’re grounded, young man.”
Corey chuckled, effortlessly dodging the accusation. “Hey, that’s not fair! He’s already walking funny because I had to shave his furry butt crack yesterday morning. Besides, we just had good, clean fun. My new pup inspired me to relive my high school days today. It’s been awesome.”
Ted rolled his eyes with the perfect blend of exasperation and affection. “Just please tell me he didn’t howl.”
The moment my face betrayed me, Ted immediately added, “You’re grounded, Corey.” His chuckle was like the cherry on top.
I jumped in to defend my champion. “But I swear, it was downtown on a weirdly tall storm sewer and not in the woods.”
Ted’s grin widened as he looked back at me. “Let me guess - you also now know how long he’s been waiting to stand up there with someone?” I nodded, feeling the warmth of his hand on my back before he sent us on our way.
As we headed to our room, Ted called after us, “Chris should be back from the store in about 30 minutes. We’ve got reservations at Celebrations for 6:30. We figured that’d be another fun restaurant to introduce Ollie to. Now, go get cleaned up. You both smell like bike sweat and sex.”
I turned bright red, my blush practically glowing in the kitchen light. Corey, on the other hand, took it all in stride, flashing me a grin that made my heart flutter.
****
Corey grabbed me the moment we stepped into our room and shut the door behind us. “I like smelling your bike sweat and my cum on you pup,” he admitted with a mischievous grin. “I can’t help it; I guess it makes me feel like I’m marking you as mine.”
I returned his eager kiss, savoring his bold honesty. But as soon as we parted, I quipped, “I think you’re taking this whole ‘wolf’ thing maybe just a little too seriously.” I chuckled, though I immediately contradicted myself by raising my arms, offering my pits to him once more, inviting him to return his muzzle to their damp, blond furriness.
He didn’t hesitate to accept my invitation. “Yep, you smell like mine,” he declared with a satisfied smirk before striding into the bathroom.
I started to strip down - or at least tried to. “Um, Corey? Mr. Wolf, Sir? Your latest scent marker is making my back stick to these bibs. Do you still have that tape glue remover?”
“Just get in the shower, pup,” he called back. “I’ll take care of you.”
Chapter 19: Celebrations - Family Style
Celebrations was a stately restaurant with a timeless charm, nestled on Camp Bowie Boulevard where the street was still paved with bricks. As we walked toward the entrance, Chris, clearly in love with his city, gestured toward the building and said, “This used to be the city ice house. The rails and crossbeams that moved giant blocks of ice are still intact.” His pride in Fort Worth was on full display.
Corey grinned and added, “That’s cool, but Dad’s leaving out the best part. Celebrations serves home-cooking, farm-to-market food, family style. The side dishes are bottomless, and everyone gets their own main course. And here’s the best part - you’re allowed to request seconds. So, the way to play the game is, we each order something we both like, then we swap our refills. It’s like a strategy game for foodies.”
Ted let out a hearty laugh that could have filled the whole restaurant. “Damn Corey, it’s like you’re 15 again. I haven’t seen you this excited about, well, everything, in years.” He turned to me with a twinkle in his eye and added, “I think our Ollie looks good on you.” Then, taking advantage of how closely I was standing next to Corey, he swept us both into one of his big fatherly bear hugs.
The food was incredible. I ordered pot roast, something that until this moment, I wasn’t sure if I would ever be allowed to enjoy again. I tried to ignore the sudden unexpected pangs of homesickness it caused - a flicker of a life I’d lost. But those pangs couldn’t compete with the joy of Corey giving me this amazing day. Our conversation flowed freely, as if we’d been a family all our lives. Well, I guess they really had been. I was just honored and grateful that they were trying their best to make sure I felt like I’d always been a part of it as well.
Right on cue, just as I finished devouring Corey’s second helping of chicken-fried steak, Chris piped up with a teasing grin. “Corey, he’s your puppy - you better make sure he’s fed at least three times a day. It looks like he’s been skipping a few meals.”
I decided it was time to defend myself. “Why does everyone think I’ve been starving just because I was living in a car-condo?” I chuckled, making sure they knew I wasn’t really offended. “I swear, I was doing fine. I was maybe eating a little too much fast food, but I wasn’t wasting away.”
Corey shot me a playful I got you look and jumped in. “And what fast-food place did you hit up most, Ollie?” A wink sealed the setup.
I waved off his obvious ploy, genuinely confused. “Okay, I give up. Dads? What’s the big deal? Why is Corey so concerned about me never having gone to Whataburger yet?”
Ted groaned dramatically, clearly taking the conversation baton. “Oh, Sport, please don’t tell me you’ve been going to McDonald’s this whole time.”
“Um, no sir… mostly Wendy’s?”
Ted sighed with mock exasperation. “We’ll let that slide - this time. But only because you didn’t know better.” He and Corey both broke into laughter.
Chris threw me a rope and leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. “It’s not really that big of a deal, Ollie. But being a regular at Whataburger? Well, it’s one of the fun little ways we Texans measure just how Texan someone really is. And we’re all hoping you’ll want to be very Texan.”
Daww. That did it. I couldn’t stop the big, goofy, blushing smile that took over my face.
Chapter 20: Revelations
Suddenly, I had an assignment again, which made me happy, but I filed it away for later. Instead, I pivoted and changed the subject. “Um, Dads, can we talk about something else Corey mentioned last night?”
Chris and Ted exchanged puzzled looks. Corey stepped in with a sheepish grin. “Okay, fine, I’ll take this one. So, last night when I was helping Ollie through a bad nightmare, I called him ‘my love.’ I’m not taking it back, but I did say we should explain how y’all got together.”
As if it were rehearsed, both dads said in unison, “You’re grounded, Corey.”
Completely unfazed, Corey unabashedly replied, “Dad… Ted… have I ever asked you to tell this story to anyone else before?” His tone, more serious than I’d heard it in the two short days I’d known him, seemed to catch them off guard.
Chris’s expression gentled immediately as he realized his son’s seriousness. “No, you haven’t, Corey. I’m sorry.” He turned to me, his fatherly demeanor warm and reassuring. “Ollie, this doesn’t mean you have to rush into anything, and we seriously don’t expect or want you to. But, here’s how our story goes.”
Ted began, “Chris and I had somehow never crossed paths before. And, even though DFW is a big city, the gay community here feels like a small town. So, when my friend Jeff and his husband Tom told me they wanted to introduce me to ‘a big, tall Chris’ at their party on Saturday, I was skeptical. I was pretty sure I’d already met all the big, tall guys in Dallas and Fort Worth.”
Chris picked up the story with a warm smile. “And I was just as dubious when my friend Tom said I had to meet this ‘muscle boy’ Ted. But I trusted him enough to go. When I arrived, I was hit with a nervous energy I hadn’t felt in years. And the moment Ted walked through the door, I just knew. Even though I’d never seen him before, somehow, I knew he was the one. When Tom and Jeff introduced us, all I could manage was, ‘Hi, I’m Chris.’”
Ted chuckled softly, timing his words perfectly. “And I said, ‘Hi, I’m Ted… and I know.’”
He sighed, giving Chris’s hand a gentle squeeze, and the love between them seemed to fill the room. Even after 20 years, it was clear this story was their favorite to share, and I felt honored to witness it through their memory.
Chris continued, his voice reverent as the recollection came alive. “From that moment on, we were inseparable. We spent the whole party tucked away in a spare bedroom, just talking - pouring out our lives to each other. We followed it with a simple date, mid-week. Then, on Friday, Ted came over to meet little Corey… and, well, he basically never left. By Sunday evening, we were saying ‘I love you,’ and Corey was excitedly introducing Ted as his new uncle to his friends on Monday.”
Ted finished his husband’s thought with a knowing smile. “The point of this tale, Sport, is we’ve always suspected Corey had inherited another one of his father’s best genes. It seems that love at first sight runs in the family. They don’t do long engagements, and when they find the right person, they just… know.”
Chris gently took over the helm, his voice carrying the weight of a father’s pride and care. “Ollie, forgive my fatherly brag, but our Corey, despite his suddenly re-invigorated teenage impulsiveness, is as solid as they come. He’s steady, loyal, and prime husband material. Sure, he’s dated a lot - he attracts plenty of attention - but he’s never been able to settle for anything less than someone with that undeniable spark. And honestly, we’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.
“So, my new son, you need to just keep taking things at your own pace. Letting yourself heal. Enjoy this new life and never feel pressured to commit to anything you’re not ready for. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s okay to let trust build slowly. But if Corey sleepily let it slip that he loves you, it’s because he does. It’s in his nature to be honest about his heart.”
I sat there, my chest feeling impossibly full as I looked at Corey in a whole new light. My protector, my champion, my wolf. Suddenly, I saw him not just as the man who had saved me, but as the man who might be my forever.
Chapter 21: Movie Night
I’m not gonna lie - Corey and I did some serious cuddling in the backseat of Chris’ SUV all the way home. Let me see… I think it was several years ago - or maybe just yesterday morning, sometime around 10:00 - that I had one of my many breakdowns. That particular time, it was because I thought I had fallen for someone who couldn’t possibly feel the same way about me. So, is there such a thing as mental whiplash? I happily just couldn’t bring myself to worry about it at the moment.
When we got back to my house - lol - at 8:30, it was obvious that Corey and I had reached a whole new level of togetherness. Ted decided he needed to break our quickly strengthening spell.
“Okay, you two, I’m going to tell you an important part of the story that Corey doesn’t know: you boys can’t get married until you wake up together and spontaneously start singing the same song. Your song.”
Corey looked as confused as I felt. “Dad! Uncle Ted is confusing me.”
Chris smirked. “We don’t always tell you everything, my boy.” I marveled at how much he sounded like Corey just then.
He continued, “But I swear, Ted and I did - we really did. All we’re saying is, take your time. Listen to each other. Get in sync.” He paused dramatically, and I suddenly realized he was about to pull a classic Corey move. “Also, I think we need to use the theater room. A Quiet Place: Day One is streaming, and I want to see it.”
I swung at the softball this time. “A Quiet Place? Listen to each other? Corey, are our dads always so subtle?”
“Yes!” Corey high-fived me before turning to his dad with his smirk. “Dad, I get to keep him now, right?”
Ted broke in with a grin, “That’s it, y’all are both on popcorn duty.”
I protested, “But… We just ate. Like, a lot.”
Chris rebuked with a playful twinkle in his eye, “What? You’ve never done dinner and a movie before? You still gotta have popcorn. And, Ollie, serious question: we absolutely trust you. Ted and I are going to have an after-dinner, pre-movie martini. Do you want anything? Corey, you know where the alcohol is.”
It was such a casual offer, but it left me momentarily stunned. “Uh, no thanks. I’m good with popcorn and water.”
Corey smiled at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “My boy, let’s make popcorn! Dads, get your drinks ready and queue up the movie.”
We made popcorn the old-fashioned way, in a covered pot with peanut oil and salt - just like my mom’s father used to do with me when I was a kid. It was perfect, nostalgic, and tasted amazing, whether we were hungry or not.
The movie turned out to be surprisingly engaging. Sure, it was technically a ‘horror’ movie, but it became so much more. The four of us ended up snuggled into our respective mates, occasionally clutching hands during the tense moments. But what stuck with me most was how unexpectedly touching the story was. In its own way, it was a left-turn, love-at-first-sight tale at its core. The actors delivered Oscar-worthy performances, and by the end, all of us had shed a few tears.
We laughed about it afterward, teasing each other for getting emotional, but deep down, it was another shared experience that made the night unforgettable. Yet again, I found myself marveling at how impossibly incredible this day had been. I still wasn’t sure it was real.
****
Corey and I made our way to our wing of the grand house, while Chris and Ted headed to theirs. The house had settled into a peaceful quiet, and it felt like the perfect ending to a perfect day. We showered together, even though cramming two big guys into a tub-shower combo made it more awkward than graceful. But the laughter and shared clumsiness made it worth every second.
We were finally back in bed, naked and entwined, we once again became a warm cocoon of comfort and connection. I nuzzled into Corey’s chest before teasing, “I know you were supposed to take me to a new level again tonight, but after our epic bike adventure, I think I’m good with just having your dick resting between my butt cheeks again tonight. Besides, I’ve already got a 3:00 a.m. nightmare penciled in on our calendars. You need to save your strength.”
“Ollie, my boy,” Corey chuckled, his voice a mix of affection and playful mischief. “You’ve only gotten off twice today. Are you sure you won’t have blue balls?”
I playfully elbowed him in the stomach. “Oh, sorry! I must’ve been having a bad dream.”
That earned me an ambush of tickles, and it turns out I’m outrageously ticklish. “Okay, okay, stop!” I begged between gasps of laughter. “I’ll be a good boy… unless you’re hoping for a repeat of last night’s punishment.”
Corey finally relented, giving me a soft kiss as he leaned close. “Pup, you’re gonna get a treat in the morning,” he murmured, his voice low and promising. “Well, at least once you’re awake enough to know it’s me and remember you’re safe.”
As I nestled deeper into Corey’s embrace, hovering on the edge of sleep, a strange and unsettling thought pierced through my contentment. “Corey, my inner monologue just went rogue and took a really dark turn. What if… what if I wake up in the morning back in my Bronco in a Walmart parking lot? Like all of this was just a dream that I don’t get to keep?”
Corey didn’t miss a beat. His arms tightened protectively around me as he whispered, “Okay, first of all, no more Twilight Zone for you, young man. And second, if that ever happened, I’d spend the rest of my life searching for you in every Walmart parking lot in Texas. I’ll never let you go, Ollie. I promise. Goodnight, my pup.”
I felt the soft press of his lips against my temple, a kiss that anchored me, as I drifted into the most peaceful, blissful sleep I’d ever known.
