Bringing Home Danny (34 page)

“
Yeah, they have great
ass
ets,” TJ said, with a mischievous grin.
 

Ricky grinned back.

"No, I'm not kidding. Have you checked them out?"

"I must admit, I have noticed."

"They are all muscle - hard as boulders. You can punch them and they won't move."

Ricky chuckled. "I don't think I'll be giving
that
a try."

"Can't say as I blame you - especially with Mitch. He doesn't put up with much fooling around. I once tried to get his attention by jumping on him while he was reading the sports page. He trapped me between his legs, scissoring me 'til he finished the entire paper!"

Ricky was holding his side from laughing so hard at the image TJ produced in his head. "You have to stop, my ribs are still sore!"

"Sorry," TJ said, taking on a more serious tone. "The truth is, they are great guys. I can always count on them to take care of things, to take care of me. They've been great about Danny, too. I couldn't ask for anything better."

“
All of you guys have been wonderful to me. I've never felt so safe and protected. I can't imagine dating someone new, and not be constantly comparing him to all of you. It's hard to think anyone could measure up. Anyways, I don't think I'll be dating for some time.”
 

“
Well, if you wait around, Danny will be old enough to start dating soon.”
 

Ricky laughed softly. “Maybe I'll do that. He really is a cute kid."

"He's more than cute. He's actually pretty cool, once you get to know him. When he is not being shy or caustic, he can be very witty. He's extremely sensitive, though. He's not had an easy life. I hope when he starts to date, that he can meet someone like you."

"That's kind of you to say. I'd actually consider it, if I thought he'd be interested. He's been a little prickly around me. I don't think he likes me too much anymore.”

“
Don't take it personally. He's been sulking for the past year. He takes teenage moodiness to the highest level. Whoever he starts dating is going to have to have a strong backbone to put up with his temperament, and three overly protective guardians.”
 

“
He's lucky to have all of you.”
 

“
We like having him around.”
 

Ricky was quiet for a moment, and then commented wistfully, “It's nice, you know, at your place. I'm going to miss everyone when I leave.”

“
I thought we were going out to cheer you up and get your mind off your troubles. Come on, let's dance,” TJ said, grabbing his hand.
 

Ricky was rather shy on the dance floor, and TJ stayed close trying to encourage him to loosen up. It wasn't until he noticed other men starting to crowd by that he took Ricky by the wrist, and pulled him into an embrace. The music changed to something softer, and they began to slow dance. Ricky relaxed in TJ's arms, grateful not to have to deal with the overtures of gyrating strangers.

“
You're a good dancer when you're not so tense. You have good rhythm.”
 

“
I should, I've been studying music my whole life,” Ricky said humbly.
 

TJ smiled, took his hand, and spun him around. Ricky laughed out loud, and TJ couldn't help but bend him back for a deep dip. When he scooped him back up, Ricky threw his arms around TJ's neck to catch his breath.

"Sorry, I got carried away. I hope I didn't hurt your ribs."

Ricky's bright smile lit up his face. "No, I feel great. Best I've felt in a long time."

TJ drew Ricky close against his body and held him tight. His erection reached out and made contact with Ricky's - his body responding before his mind had time to react. TJ gently caressed Ricky's face with the back of his hand. He knew he needed to stop
himself if he didn't want to do something he would regret. “What do you say we go get a drink?” he asked breathlessly.

*****

As everyone made extra efforts to help Ricky build back his self-esteem, Danny began pushing limits a little at a time. He started by coming in ten minutes late, and then by leaving and asking permission later, to finally outright lying about his where he's been. On the last day of school, Danny chose not to mention that classes were being let out early. He rode his bike to the city university so he did not have count on TJ for a ride home. After class, he went to a common area to meet up with some of his classmates.

“
Are you waiting here for your big brother?” a tall redheaded girl asked him.
 

“
Who?”
 

“
That gorgeous blond I keep seeing you with.” She had been waiting for an opportunity to meet him.
 

“
No. I go to school here,” Danny said defensively.
 

“
How old are you?”
 

 
“
Why? How old do you think I am?” Danny hated that people always seemed to
be asking him that question.
 

“
Um, fifteen?”
 

“
Man, I'm sorry I asked.”
 

“
Why? How old are you?”
 

“
I'll be eighteen in November.”
 

“
So you're only seventeen,” she said, as if that proved her point.
 

“
So? How old are you?”
 

“
Nineteen.”
 

“
That's not much older.”
 

“
I guess not. You're cute," she said, twirling her hair. "We're having a party at my sorority house. Do you want to come?”
 

Danny blushed, but quickly recovered. “When is it?”

“
It's getting started now.”
 

“
I'll think about it.”
 

“
Why? Do you have to ask permission?”
 

“
No. I'm kinda busy,” Danny bristled, annoyed that her assumption was right.
 

“
With what? School is practically out,” she persisted.
 

Sheila wasn't exactly his type. It didn't matter; she was pretty enough, and it had been a while since he had sex with someone. He thought about approaching Ethan, the only openly gay guy at school he knew. He just couldn't bring himself to do it. Danny left a message at home saying he was going for a long ride on his bike after school, and then turned off his phone. He would forget about the men he lived with for the time being, and concentrate instead on being an adolescent with unmet needs.

Danny followed Sheila to the sorority house, and began to make out with her as soon as he got there. He kept looking around at others couples who were doing the same thing, and found he couldn't keep his eyes off the guys. He caught the attention of a slick upperclassman with his arms around two sorority girls. The boy smiled and winked confidently, reminding him of TJ. Danny smiled back, and proceeded to unhook Sheila's bra.

 
By early evening, Danny had consumed a lot of alcohol. Later that night, he was wasted. He was there a lot longer than he had planned. He knew there was no way he was going to be able to get home on his own. He called TJ.
 

“
Hey, Jay!” Danny shouted a little too loudly into his phone.
 

“
Danny, where are you, and why are you screaming in my ear?”
 

“
Uh...I'm at a friend's house.”
 

“
Who's?”
 

“
Nobody you know.”
 

“
Danny, I know everybody you know. Why is it so noisy there?”
 

“
You don't know
everybody
I know. I have a life of my own.”
 

“
Just tell me where you are so I can pick you up.”
 

 
Danny gave the address to the sorority house, and slipped the phone back into his pocket. He thought it would be a good idea to get fresh air before TJ arrived, but he had a difficult time finding his feet, much less the door.
 

“
Danny, your big brother's here,” Sheila called from the front room twenty minutes later. “Hey, aren't you Ricky?” she asked, after a double take. “Can I get you two a drink?”
 

“
No, just the little brother if you don't mind,” TJ said abruptly.
 

“
Ricky, what are you doing here?” Danny asked, stumbling towards him. “Oh shit!” he exclaimed, as he saw TJ's angry face.
 

TJ seized Danny by the arm without waiting for an explanation, and dragged him to the car without saying a word.

Danny hiccupped. “Thanks. Was' the hurry? Don't you wan-n-n-a s-stay a l-l-little longer?” he slurred, trying to add some levity to the grim situation.

“
You know you're getting spanked when we get home,” TJ informed him, after shoving him into the car.
 

Danny sunk into his seat and glowered at the back of TJ's head. It had not escaped him that he was in for a serious punishment, and he didn't think it was necessary for TJ to announce it in front of Ricky. 

*****

Antonio was both furious and relieved when TJ called to say he was on the way home with Danny after retrieving him drunk from a party.

“
Go to bed. We'll wait to discuss this in the morning,” Antonio said, while helping Danny up the stairs.
 

“
Where's Mitch?” Danny asked, afraid to reach the top step and find him there.
 

“
He went out searching for you when you didn't come home in time for dinner.”
 

“
Oh, shit,” Danny groaned.
 

“
Oh shit is right. I suggest you brush your teeth and get in bed. You don't want to be awake when he gets back.”
 

Antonio stood close by to supervise as Danny swayed to stay up right. He stumbled taking off his pants. Antonio caught him before he fell, and helped him into bed. Danny had a difficult night due to the alcohol and the anxiety about the punishment yet to come. Antonio and Mitch took turns staying with him throughout the night making sure he didn't get sick, and comforting him through his nightmares.

*****

With his head pounding and his stomach nauseous, Danny was forced wash down a couple of aspirins with a large glass of apple juice. Slightly dizzy when he got up, Antonio helped to guide him to the bathroom. After relieving himself, Danny splashed water on his face, and shuffled back to bed. While he was making his way under the covers, Antonio placed a bottle of water, a banana and a piece of toast on his bedside table. Danny tolerated a few bites of toast at Antonio's insistence. He was left with the parting words, “You need to get hydrated if you want to feel better. I'll be checking on you later.”

Danny quickly fell back to sleep. He was awoken later in the afternoon when Antonio reentered his room. He sat at the foot of his bed looking grim. “Don't bother getting out of bed just yet.”

Danny sat up, pulling his blanket to chin.

“
Are you feeling better?”
 

“
A little.”
 

“
Do you have any idea how dangerous your behavior was last night?”
 

Danny moaned.

“
Answer me.”
 

Zoning in on the paddle Antonio placed beside the bed, Danny sucked in his bottom lip, and made a sorrowful face.

“
Don't even try that with me. I am very disappointed in you.”
 

“
It was the last day of class. Everybody was celebrating.”
 

“
Are you everybody?”
 

“
No.”
 

“
Do you know what is expected of you?”
 

“
Yes, sir.”
 

“
We allowed you to take college classes with the understanding you are still only seventeen, and will be treated as such. What goes on at the college campus does not concern you beyond the few elective courses we have agreed you could take.”
 

“
I know, but it was just a little get together. I called and left a message.”
 

“
It was a party, and you knew we weren't going to be home to answer the phone.”
 

“
Everybody's been so busy lately. I didn't think anyone would care, or even notice I was gone.”
 

“
Daniel Christopher, you know that is not an acceptable answer. We always have time for you. Even if we have been preoccupied lately, that is no excuse to try and take advantage of our distraction by breaking the rules.”
 

“
The rules are stupid. People my age go to parties and drink once in a while.”
 

“
People your age die of alcohol poisoning.”
 

“
I didn't drink
that
much.”
 

“
No? Were you not intoxicated when TJ picked you up?”
 

“
Yeah, but only a little.”
 

Antonio shook his head. “Did you lie about what you were doing because you knew you would not be allowed to go?”

Danny grimaced as the memory of the previous night came flooding back.