Green Eyed Monster

Chapter 1

Summer of 2021 was coming to a close. It was just after seven in the morning of the Edna’s Treasures huge Labor Day weekend party, when Emmett Honeycutt entered the cottage. Many of the family had already come up to the lane the previous day. The B&B was filled as were the spare rooms in Rachel’s house. Molly and her little family were in residence in her cottage while Hunter and Nick shared the RV with Debbie and Carl. Ted and Allen were staying at Emmett’s for the weekend. Danny and Riley would be coming from their tollhouse cottage, and more family was expected to drive in from Pittsburgh.

The lane was going to be overflowing with friends and family.

All the ‘cooks’ had arrived early to lend a hand in the preparations bringing with them salads of all varieties, and many desserts. Brian, of course as expected, had the sole pleasure of being the master of the grills!

“Helllooo!” Brian heard coming from the vicinity of the sun porch. Brian and Justin were still enjoying the comfort of their big bed. Brian groaned, rolled over and tried to bury his head into Justin’s side. Justin snorted out a laugh.

“He warned you he was going to be here early,” Justin stated wisely.

“I’ll kill the son of a bi...”

“No you won’t. He has everything and everyone organized for this weekend. He’s been invaluable to us. All you have to do is smile, give out hugs and kisses, and grill. Besides, you love him.” Justin felt Brian snort.

“Emphasis on the grilling part,” Brian mumbled as he kissed Justin’s flank then nuzzled an arm pit, savoring the masculine scent of his spouse.

“Stop it, Bri, that tickles,” Justin softly giggled. Brian’s nose was rooting around the fine hairs of Justin’s underarm, his warm breath was tickling Justin.

“I like you better without deodorant,” Brian purred as he licked and nibbled the tender skin.

“You’re a freak, you know that. You like it when I stink?” Justin was squirming to get away and yet getting turned on at the same time.

“I like the way you smell. I like the way you smell when you’re fresh from the shower. I like the way you smell after you’ve been painting all day. And I especially like the way you smell after we’ve fucked all night long,” Brian murmured in his low breathy tones.

Justin’s dick grew very hard. “Fuck me,” he demanded.

“My pleasure,” Brian growled.

Emmett was soon forgotten.

“You know they’re probably wondering where we are,” Justin said after he caught his breath. Their lovemaking was hard and fast, just like he wanted it.

“No they’re not. They know exactly where we are and what we’re doing,” Brian said smugly.

“And that doesn’t bother you?” Justin turned his head to look at Brian.

“Nope, O Ye of Short Memory and Stature,” Brian quipped. “We used to fuck in the backroom of Babylon for all of Pittsburgh to see.”

“Just the gay half, but I get your point.”

“Yes, you did.” Brian waggled his eyebrows at his awful pun while Justin groaned and rolled his eyes.

“Come on, the old fairy made coffee and I can use some,” Brian said, sniffing the air before he grabbed Justin’s hand as they got up. “I may like how you smell but the rest of the world won’t,” Brian observed as they walked into their bathroom.

“Like you don’t stink,” Justin grumbled.

“Nope, I have a manly smell,” Brian declared as he turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature.

“Yeah, just like bullshit,” Justin stated as he pushed Brian under the spray.

 

*****
 

“Auntie Emm!” Bree squealed as she ran from her room and into the porch to greet one of her most favorite people in the whole world.

“Miss Bree, I do declare you get prettier and taller every day,” Emmett squeed as he scooped her up into his arms for a hug. Bree rained kisses onto his face as they both laughed. Bree was still petite but she liked hearing that she was growing up.

“What time does the party start?” Bree asked from Emmett’s arms.

“Around one. Most of the food is ready. Your Dada will do the important part.”

“He likes to grill,” Bree whispered as if it was a great secret.

“Yes, he does,” Emmett whispered back. He knew that through all the grumbling Brian did about grilling up a storm for the family, the man did take pride in it. And besides, whatever Brian did grill, tasted wonderful.

“Is the garden all ready?”

“Yes, Miss Bree. Everyone helped to set up the tables and chairs,” Emmett pronounced as he slid open the porch door and stepped out into the main garden.

Tables of varying sizes were placed strategically throughout the gardens in various nooks. They had set up a couple of long tables under the arbor that connected Brian’s garden to the greenhouse. The arbor offered a shady respite to whoever wanted to remain outside but out of the direct sun. They even set up a few tables in the greenhouse close to the pond. The B&B cottage yard had its own set of tables and chairs as well.

The whole lane was ready for one massive invasion of family and friends.

“Have you had your breakfast yet?” Emmett asked as he turned to go back inside.

“Not yet. My daddies aren’t awake,” Bree explained.

“Well then, let’s start breakfast, shall we?” Emmett asked as he carried Bree toward the kitchen. Emmett smiled fondly at Brian and Justin’s closed door as they passed, hearing soft giggling emanating from behind the thick door. Emmett was happy for his friends who had come home well rested from their time in Florida. He then let out a soft giggle himself.

“What’s funny, Auntie Emm?” Bree asked as Emmett set her down on one of the stools at the counter.

“Just imagining your Dada when he finally comes out of his room. He’ll growl and grumble like an old bear, until he has his first cup of coffee,” Emmett laughed.

“Then you better have it ready!” Bree wisely recommended.

“You are so right, Miss Bree!” Emmett immediately started the coffeemaker then began to fix breakfast for the denizens of Edna’s Treasures.

Emmett decided on a light breakfast since there would be food in abundance for the rest of the day. So he set out some fruit cups, sections of muffins and toast. When the aroma of freshly brewed coffee hit the other side of the cottage, John and Bobby were quick to come in to get their first cup.

“Good morning, Patrick,” Bree sing-songed with a smile.

“Good morning, Bree,” Patrick mumbled, not quite awake, as he sat at the table. A bowl of cereal and a glass of juice miraculously appeared in front of his face. He slowly came to life as he began to eat.

“Where are they?” Bobby asked around a piece of muffin. John waved his hand toward the hall. Bobby nodded, no other explanation was necessary.

Everyone ate in companionable silence while waiting for Brian and Justin to emerge from their room.

“Good morning!” Justin cheerfully announced as he entered the kitchen. His face was flushed from his shower and with the glow of his early morning activities. He received greetings and kisses from everyone as he sat next to Bree. Emmett handed him a mug of coffee and a fruit cup.

“Coffee!” Brian grumbled with a stern expression that no one believed. A large mug was placed in his hands and he was shooed toward the table. Brian pecked his daughter’s head before he sat and began to inhale his coffee. “Ah, better,” he said as the coffee’s magic began to take effect.

“Are you human now, Dada?” Bree asked with humor.

“Yes, I am,” Brian declared as he took a slice of toast and stole a few berries from Justin’s fruit cup.

“Get your own,” Justin said as he moved his fruit cup away from the thief.

“It’s nice to share,” both Bree and Brian declared with not so innocent smiles.

“Not when I’m hungry,” Justin stated succinctly as he chowed down. The occupants of the kitchen laughed at the antics. As breakfast resumed, the conversation revolved around the menu for the day, the guests and...

“GUUUUSSSSS!” Bree shouted as she heard the Jeep pull up in the driveway. “GUUUSSS!” she shouted again as she burst out of the front door of Edna’s Treasures.

“Hey, short stuff,” Gus said with a big grin as he caught the little whirlwind who hurled herself at him. Bree kissed all over his face making Gus laugh out loud.

The rest of the people who were in the kitchen followed Bree outside to welcome Gus home. After a long round of hugs and kisses, everyone started filing back into the house. Bree still clung to Gus.

“Bree, I need to unload the car,” Gus said gently.

“Can’t you do that later?” Bree asked with a coy smile. “I missed you.”

“Bree…”

“I’ll help you with it later,” Brian volunteered. “Come on in and have something to eat. Emmett’s cooking up a storm.”

“So what else is new?” Gus laughed. “I never go hungry when I come home.”

“Especially not on a Labor Day extravaganza weekend.”

“Definitely not,” Gus agreed.

“Hi, you guys,” a female voice called from the lane.

“Hey, Cindy,” Brian replied as he saw Rachel’s daughter walking towards them. “Good to see you again.”

“Cindy!” Bree yelled, leaping out of Gus’ arms and running towards the girl. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“I’ll join you in a minute, Pop,” Gus said as Brian headed for the house. “I want to get a couple of things out of the Jeep.”

“Okay,” Brian said as he disappeared into the house.

“Hi, Bree,” Cindy said as she bent down and caught Bree in a big hug. “It has been a long time. I’ve been really busy with school, and with my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” Bree asked as she suddenly noted the young man who had been walking the lane with Cindy.

“Bree, this is Brett, my boyfriend,” Cindy said with a smile.

“Nice to meet you, Bree,” Brett said.

“Hi,” Bree replied sizing up this new person. She wasn’t sure she liked someone who would take up Cindy’s time. “Can we do manicures while you’re here, Cindy?” Bree asked, dismissing Brett and turning her attention back to one of her favorite people. “It’s so much fun and Ashley will be here and maybe Michelle can do it too and JR and Candy.”

“I think we might be able to arrange that,” Cindy smiled. “Do you know what color you want?”

As the girls were discussing nail polish colors, Brett walked over to the Jeep. “Nice wheels,” he said.

Gus stopped rummaging in the back of the Jeep and looked up. His gaydar started to ping immediately. “Thanks. I like it,” Gus replied.

“I’m Brett.”

“Hi, Brett. I’m Gus.”

Brett extended his hand and Gus shook it. Brett held on for just a second too long.

“Um, I need to get inside,” Gus said pulling his hand away. He grabbed a suitcase out of the Jeep and headed into the house.

“Brett, are you ready to go? I promised to help mom with the salad,” Cindy said. Bree followed her brother into the house, now that she had her plans with Cindy arranged. She gave Brett a cursory wave as she passed by.

 

*****
 

“Hi, Uncle Bobby, what are you doing over here?” Cindy asked.

“Can’t I visit my nieces and my sister?” Bobby asked with a smile.

“You forgot Dad.”

“And your Dad.”

“Of course, you can. I just thought you’d be busy helping Uncle Brian,” Cindy said. She was tearing up lettuce to make a huge tossed salad.

“Where is everybody?” Bobby asked.

“Mom and Dad wanted to scope out Brett, so they took him for a walk down to the stream.”

“And you left him to fend for himself?” Bobby asked with a wink.

“He’s a big boy.”

“Are you and Brett serious?” Bobby asked his face sobering.

“I don’t know. Maybe. I’m not sure.”

“Bringing him here to face this huge family,” Bobby said with a shake of his head, “is taking a big risk if you are.”

“I warned him it wouldn’t be easy,” Cindy responded.

“And he still wanted to come?”

“Yep. I think he really likes me. He was really interested in how many gay people would be here. I think he’s wondering if there will be an orgy or something.”

Bobby chuckled. “Did you tell him how old most of us are? Our orgy days are over.”

“Not everybody’s old,” Cindy refuted. “Brett just met Gus. And there’s Hunter and Nick.”

“And the rest of us old fogeys,” Bobby laughed.

“You’re not so old, and most of you are still hot,” Cindy said with a grin.

“Thanks, but getting back to my question, you said Brett likes you. Is that all?”

“I like him too, but I don’t know if I’m ready for anything else,” Cindy said uncertainly.

“But he might be.”

Cindy shrugged. “Michelle said I should take my time, so I plan to. But I do really like him. We’ve gone to some plays and movies and museums.”

“Really?”

“You sound surprised,” Cindy said with a frown.

“Not many guys his age are into plays and museums.”

“We do other stuff too.”

“What about romance?”

“Some of the dates were romantic,” Cindy defended herself.

“Okay, okay,” Bobby said noting the annoyed tone of voice coming from his niece. This might be a topic best left for another time.

“What can I do to help you?”

“Wash that other head of romaine,” Cindy said.

Bobby could tell she was not pleased with him.

 

*****
 

“What are you doing out here, Gus?” Brian asked as he entered the greenhouse and walked towards the back where he could see Gus sitting near the koi pond.

“Um, just thinking, Pop,” Gus replied non-committally as he looked up at his father.

Brian frowned. “It’s not like you to be anti-social.”

“I’m not anti-social, I just felt like some time by myself.”

“Is that not the definition of anti-social?” Brian asked with his crooked grin. Gus thought for a moment and then grinned back. “There’s a whole lane full of people who will be very happy to see you.”

“Yeah,” Gus agreed. “But there’s one person who won’t be here.”

“You mean Ray.”

“Yeah.”

“How come he’s not here? He knows he has an open invitation.”

“He has some work to do for his father. It seems they’re having a really good real estate season. Houses are selling like crazy. That’s why Ken and Simon couldn’t come. Ray thought he should stay and help his dad.”

“This has happened before, Gus, and you weren’t bummed like you are today.”

“I know, but I miss him.”

Brian raised an eyebrow. “We do have things called phones, you know.”

“I know, but … it’s not the same.”

“A little phone sex might help,” Brian said with a grin and a waggle of his eyebrows.

“Trust you to think of that.”

Brian frowned. “Tell me what’s really going on,” Brian said. His words were firm but kind.

“I probably shouldn’t say anything.”

“Gus!” Brian was getting tired of this cat and mouse conversation. “Just spill.”

“You saw Cindy’s boyfriend outside?” Gus asked.

“Yeah, but I didn’t pay much attention.”

“He came over to the Jeep while Bree was talking to Cindy.”

“So…?” Brian made a gesture like – get the fuck on with it.

Gus drew in a deep breath. “As soon as I saw him, my gaydar started pinging.”

“What?”

“I’m not kidding … immediately.”

“Fuck.”

“And there’s more.”

“What?” Brian demanded.

“He held out his hand for me to shake, and then … he held on just that moment too long.”

“And you were interested,” Brian surmised aloud.

Gus’ mouth dropped open. He shook his head, but then he said, “Yeah, he’s a good looking guy…”

“And Ray’s a couple hundred miles away.”

“I know I shouldn’t be thinking such things,” Gus said sadly. “I do love Ray.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Brian said finally sitting down on the edge of the pond so that he was eye to eye with his son. “Thinking something is one thing, acting on it is something else.”

“I have no intention of acting on it,” Gus said adamantly.

“Good. Not only would that affect Ray, but think what it would do to Cindy.”

“I don’t want to hurt either of them.”

“Make sure you don’t.”

“But…”

“What?”

“Should I tell Cindy?”

Brian looked thoughtful for a minute. “Let’s not be hasty. She brought this Brent here, so there must be more to their relationship than a casual fling.”

“I thought so too, and his name is Brett,” Gus said with a grin. “If there is more to it then shouldn’t she be warned?”

“If he’s on the down low then we’ll have to speak up,” Brian said after some consideration. “But let’s wait and see how it all washes out. Maybe we won’t have to say anything at all.”

“Thanks, Pop,” Gus said reaching over and pulling his father into a hug.

“I didn’t do anything,” Brian protested, but he was pleased that Gus thought he had helped.

“You always know when something’s upsetting one of us. And you give good advice.”

“Yeah, good advice,” Brian scoffed. “People love to be told not to do anything.”

“Exactly!” Gus said with a laugh. “It’s so much easier than actually having to speak up.”

Brian scowled at his son. “Don’t you have a phone call to make?” he asked standing up and heading for the exit to the greenhouse.

Gus smiled at his father and then pulled out his cell phone to call Ray.
 

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