The Gus Diaries

Part 50

Back to School
 

The first couple of days back at school were crazy. I wasn’t used to such a busy schedule. I was just glad that Uncle Michael said I could take the first two weeks off to get back into the rhythm of the routine.

My favorite time of day was when basketball practice was over and Jeff and I were able to leave school together.

My birthday was still fresh on my mind -- the words we spoke and the things we did were as clear as could be. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night for the rest of my life. I may be just 15, but when I’m with Jeff I feel like I know where my life will lead... at least my personal life.

On the third day of school, last Thursday, the school paper had its first meeting. Each of us reintroduced ourselves and reiterated our responsibilities so there would be no mistaking who had what job to do.

As we were going around the room, another student ran in. “Sorry I’m late. The school administration is still trying to figure out how to fix my schedule.”

“No problem, Jeremy. Have a seat and join us.” Mr. Clark, the faculty advisor jumped right in to calm the flustered guy. “Well, staff, I’d like to introduce all of you to a new transfer from Allegheny High, Jeremy Connors. He was the sports editor at their paper and will be working closely with our sports editor as he’ll be writing a column about athletes in our school, throughout the year.”

We found out that Jeremy was a junior and had been taking all honors classes. Last year he had a falling out with some students that led to him being hospitalized. I kind of freaked out thinking how awful that must have been for him and his family, especially remembering Pop’s high school experiences here at St. James. It was good to know that my St. James wasn’t the St. James of 15 years ago.

All of us received our first assignments and the names of the reporters working under us if we were editors. It was strange thinking that I’d be scrutinizing someone else’s work and deciding what stays and what goes. I was also expected to write a news related editorial at least once a month depending on what was happening in our school, in the city and even in the country.

When the meeting broke up I started to head over to the Liberty Diner to meet Jeff. We had one day off from basketball practice each week, and this week Thursday was our day off, so Jeff took some extra hours at the diner and I was going to join him for dinner.

“Hey, Gus.” I was barely on the sidewalk outside school when I heard the new kid calling me.

“Yeah, Jeremy. What’s up? I have to get going.”

“Where are you heading? I’ll walk with you.”

I questioned whether I was ready to tell this virtual stranger I was gay, but since it was no secret in the school I figured, what the hell. “I’m heading over to meet my boyfriend. He works at the Liberty Diner.”

“I love that place, especially the hot waiters.” He started walking alongside me. “In fact some days after school I used to go there, order just a soda and do my homework, since the view was pretty fucking good.”

“You knew I was gay?”

He nodded, “While I know you’re some uber-athlete on the basketball team, it’s also common knowledge that you’re Jeff Martin’s other half.”

I laughed, “So do you have another half?”

“I did but we broke up after I got the shit beat out of me for being a fag. My boyfriend was still in the closet and after that display he planned to stay there until he graduated.”

“That sucks.”

We walked in silence for a while. “How tight are you and Jeff? Maybe I can interview you both for my column. Hot, gay couple makes it big in the basketball world. That would be eye-catching.”

“It might be eye-catching but Jeff and I prefer to have our merits in any area judged and viewed individually. We’re a couple, not Siamese twins.”

Jeremy chuckled and then rubbed his hand on my shoulder. “Gotcha. You want to be respected for who you are, not who you are as a couple.”

I pulled slightly away from him, “I simply want to be respected. I’d venture to guess that Jeff feels the same way.”

“You two must make one hot ticket when you’re off the court.”

I stopped and turned to look at Jeremy. “Look, I think you’re pretty good-looking.”

“That’s always a good sign.” He smiled and then touched my arm again.

“I’m not finished.” I took a slight breath. “I think you’re good looking, but I’m not interested.”

“Not interested at all or not interested because of the ball and chain.”

“I don’t have a ball and chain and I’m definitely not interested at all.” He lowered his face. “I like you. You’re a nice guy, but I’m really involved with Jeff and we’re exclusive.”

“You don’t fuck around or fool around at all.”

“No, and we both like it that way.”

“I hope you really know what you’re doing. Some of the hottest guys in the Pitts are always cruising your boyfriend. He’s the biggest hit at the diner. Someone is always trying to pinch him, grope him or get him to agree to go out with him.”

Now I was beginning to lose my patience, “Well, that’s part of the game if he wants to get big tips. If he’s rude to those guys he wouldn’t make nearly as much money.”

“Then he must be loaded, because he’s fucking friendly whenever I’ve seen him.”

We finally reached the diner. I was getting extremely annoyed with the direction this conversation was taking and if I was honest with myself, a bit jealous too, although there was nothing to be jealous of.

When we walked in Jeff was at the other end of the diner. Four guys were betting on how long Jeff’s cock was. This was an unpleasant turn of events, especially right after all that babbling from Jeremy.

“Gus, cool down. You look like you’re about to spit fire at those guys and your boyfriend.” He took my arm and gently led me to another booth. My eyes never left the interaction taking place at the other table. I had no idea that Jeremy was actually rubbing my back. If I had I would have moved away. “Relax, you’re the hottest guy in here now, anyway.”

Jeff had been watching us as I had been watching those assholes bet on his dick size. He left that table and started moving towards me and Jeremy. I suddenly realized what was happening and got between Jeff and Jeremy as Jeff was lifting his arm to punch Jeremy.

I caught his arm.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I was totally shocked by Jeff’s reaction.

“You’re asking me that. What the fuck were you doing? If you need a massage we’ll go find a legitimate masseuse. Who the fuck is he?”

That’s when I realized what Jeff must have seen. “Calm down, this is a new guy on the St. Jamesian. He just transferred from Allegheny.”

“Well, he looked like he wanted to work on more than the fucking school paper.”

I was getting really pissed off but tried to remember how I felt when all those guys were bidding on MY boyfriend’s dick size. I took a deep breath, “I know how it looks but he just wanted to calm me down, because I was about to go over there and ruin what would probably end up as your biggest tip of the day.”

Jeremy stood in the background. “Look, Jeff, I’m Jeremy, I write a sports column,” then he actually stepped out from behind me. “I tried to make a play for your boyfriend and HE made sure I knew that you two were exclusive.”

“So why the fuck were you touching him.”

“He was fucking furious at those guys who were one step from checking your dick out personally, and to be honest Gus is hard to resist.”

I was blown away by what I was hearing. Other than some lame passes at the comic book shop, no one had ever said shit like that about me.

Jeff clearly did not like what he was hearing, “Well, for the record, we are exclusive, as in a duo, never to add a third.”

“You can’t fault a guy for trying.”

“I can if he continues to try after he’s told to fuck off.”

“Gus didn’t ask me to fuck off. In fact, he didn’t stop me at all.”

That was it. “Wait a god-damned minute -- both of you. Gus is in the room. See me. I can speak for myself.”

They both stood there in shock and before either had a chance to interrupt I continued. “Now hear this loud and clear, Jeremy, you can try all you want but I love Jeff -- and my Dad taught me a long time ago that that’s a word you don’t throw around lightly. So keep your hands to yourself unless it’s a totally platonic gesture, like a fucking handshake.” I took a deep breath. “And you. You know how much I fucking love you. No one else in the fucking city of Pittsburgh, hell, in the fucking world compares. So don’t go all crazy, macho on me. I’m yours and you know it so don’t get into trouble and start randomly punching people who give me attention. I can take care of myself.”

I had no idea how loud I’d gotten but it must have been pretty fucking loud. The rest of the customers and staff in the entire diner were silent and then Jeff grabbed me by the waist, and drew me up against him very hard and kissed me like it was the last day on earth.

I was so fucking dazed I nearly fainted. Next thing we both knew the entire diner was giving us a standing ovation. I felt myself blushing, Jeff kissed me again and I could hear Jeremy joining the applause and laughing from behind us.

“Hey you two,” shit Grandma Deb came out of the kitchen, “no one here is paying for a floor show, especially one that’s X-rated so take it outside or end it now. I suggest ending it now ‘cause Jeff has 15 minutes until his shift is over.” She cracked her gum and cuffed me on the back of the head.

“So what’s the deal, Jeff?” One of the guys from the back table was waving a lot of cash in the air. “If we get a size, you get half the winnings.”

To keep the peace between us I knew Jeff would tell them to fuck off or that it was none of their business so I covered his mouth with my hand and yelled across the diner, “Nine and half inches cut, and plenty thick too.”

Jeff stared at me and one of the other guys at the table yelled out, “I won.”

“Go get your cash. You’re treating tonight.” Then I gave Jeff a hard and fast kiss, with just enough tongue to get his attention and make him want more later.

“You’re fucking amazing.”

“You bet your ass I am and don’t you ever forget it.”

“Same to you, Newbie, same to you.” He kissed me quickly and went to get his cash and finish clearing their table.

I invited Jeremy to sit opposite us. “You’re one lucky fuck, you know that.”

“I know.” I smirked.

“But he’s even luckier. He’d better keep a good eye on you. You’re the hottest guy I’ve ever seen.” He tilted his head and smiled at me.

I suddenly had the feeling that this wasn’t the last time I would be avoiding Jeremy’s passes. I just hoped that he would get the message MUCH sooner than later.

When Jeff joined us, sliding in next to me, he leaned in and whispered, “I love you, Gus, and don’t you ever fucking forget it. I don’t trust this new friend.”

I nodded to Jeff and kissed him on the cheek while whispering back, “I hear you and I’ll be careful.”

We had dinner but I had the feeling this wouldn’t be the last time Jeff and I would be dealing with Jeremy Connors, sports columnist.
 

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