“I have hope things will go that way. Natasha’s a strong woman, but fair.”

  “I’d better go check on my boy,” I said. “My boy… I like the way that sounds.”

  “It does have a nice ring to it.”

  I plopped myself next to Chip on the brightly colored bean bag chair.

  “Are you enjoying the book?” I said.

  “Yes, Sir. I have the other ones in the series but this one is brand new.”

  “You want it?”

  “I don’t have my money. Daddy—my other daddy is holding my allowance. I made ten whole dollars helping him and Grandma pull weeds and take out the garbage.”

  “Wow, you’re almost rich,” I said. Chip giggled. “Let me take a quick look at that book a second.” After Chip handed me the book I checked the price in the corner. “This book is only six dollars and fifty cents. I’ll lend you the money and you can pay me back later. That way you’ll be able to buy this book and still have enough left over to get me an ice cream cone.”

  “OK, Daddy. What kind of ice cream do you want?”

  I couldn’t resist giving him a big hug for the last comment. We then walked up to the register, paid for the book and left the store with Leticia. When I stopped to look in a shop window, Leticia nudged my shoulder and pointed toward Chip who was walking in front of us. His head was bobbing up and down and he was walking crooked.

  “He’s falling asleep,” Leticia said in my ear. “This has been a long day for a five-year-old.”

  Taking two steps up to Chip, I swooped him up. While still holding the bag which contained his new book, he put his skinny arms around my neck. He tried to hold his head up but lost that battle. The minute his head hit my shoulder, he dropped his bag and his flip-flops fell off his feet. Leticia picked up the bag and the flip-flops, and put them in the bag she held containing our other purchases.

  “He’s out cold,” Leticia said, then chuckled.

  We went back to the inn and I tucked Chip into the bed he was using in Leticia’s room. He stirred for a second but went right back to sleep. Something was on my mind, so I caught Leticia’s attention and motioned to the door. She followed me outside.

  “What are you thinking about, Layton?”

  “It’s an idea I want to pass by you,” I said. “Something I want to try… provided there’s no chance it can go horribly wrong.”

  Chapter 37

  Mystery Man Layton

  “YOU’RE BEING VERY mysterious,” Leticia said. “What’s on your mind?”

  “We’ve talked about this Diony effect, and how Forrest has had to hold on to stay in control of his emotions and not give into whatever’s happening inside him. On some level it’s the same thing all of us who have been exposed to the Diony effect have had to do.”

  “True,” Leticia said.

  “What happens if instead of expelling everything through use of the blue cure, Forrest gives in—just a bit?”

  “It’s an interesting idea and one that has been tried by some of our people.”

  “How did it work out?” I said.

  “It all depended on the people involved. A male and female team in the organization tried what you suggested. When all was said and done they both required stitches, one had a broken arm, and the other a broken leg. And the man’s back looked like he’d been clawed at by a wild bear.”

  “Geez,” I said.

  “There was also another team comprised of one heterosexual man, and one homosexual man,” Leticia said. “They were both young, strong, and rugged.”

  “Did they end up with severe injuries?”

  “No. There were no long fingernails to worry about, and on some level they both maintained a certain degree of self-control. The heterosexual man was a bit sore the next day, but he survived.” She tried to hold it in, but a smile escaped her lips. “It’s really not a funny situation, but it’s just us talking and you’re not working for me right now.”

  “True,” I said. “Were the two men friends beforehand. There must’ve been some sort of feelings between them in order for the Diony effect to have taken hold.”

  “They’d become the best of friends while working as field agents. The heterosexual man had just gone through a bad breakup with his fiancée and was questioning himself and his feelings toward his male teammate.”

  “How did things end between them?” I said.

  “Well, we were able to convince both men to attend several counseling sessions to deal with the feelings they’d encountered. Two years later they were still the best of friends, so much so that they were best men at each others nuptials.”

  “Did the straight guy marry a woman?”

  “I did refer to him as the heterosexual man. The homosexual man married another homosexual man,” Leticia said, then grinned. “The Diony effect won’t turn a man who’s one-hundred-percent heterosexual into a homosexual or vice-versa. But, I’m sure you know that quite a large segment of the population falls somewhere in between gay and straight.”

  “Is that segment really that large?” I said.

  “It all depends on how you look at it,” Leticia said. “There are men who consider themselves completely straight who might have a strong admiration for a leading actor or athlete—in a sort of hero worship way. They may even find said actor or athlete attractive on some level. That alone would provide an opening for the Diony effect.”

  “So two guys who work together and have a mutual respect and strong friendship could be drawn together.”

  “Remember, one of the men was gay. Both men were rather attractive and there were a lot of factors that contributed to what happened between them.”

  “I’m glad they’re still friends,” I said.

  “Did I mention they’re godfathers to each other’s children? Obviously the gay couple used a surrogate. Layton, you do realize that if Forrest gives into his feelings he’ll need a willing partner. He can’t be alone dealing with things or he could hurt himself.”

  “We wouldn’t want that happening,” I said, lost in thought.

  “It can’t be Alex since he’s already taken the cure,” Leticia said. “And to be honest, as strong as he is, I’m not sure he could handle it physically.”

  “He’s strong,” I said.

  “I know he is, but he’s not like you and Forrest. He hasn’t experienced the things you and Forrest have or known the side of life you two have seen. He traveled, but as a rich man who’s been protected by a lot not just because of his money, but because of his position in his former family. The brooding intensity inside Forrest doesn’t exist in Alex. Neither does the hard, brutal strength that you can call up as needed because of your military background.”

  “Shit,” I said. “I’m beginning to regret ever mentioning the idea.”

  “It’s not a bad one, especially since I believe you and Forrest are evenly matched on a lot of levels,” Leticia said.

  “It would be intense,” I said.

  “I don’t doubt it,” Leticia said. “If you aren’t already sexually versatile, you would be by the end of things.”

  I laughed loudly. “You do have a sweet way of putting things, Leticia. I’m versatile, so is Forrest. Quite frankly, I’ve done things since meeting Forrest—with Forrest, that I’ve never done before. I’m not sure what’s left to do.”

  “And how badly does that worry you… if at all.”

  “I have concerns,” I said. “But I’m intrigued… maybe even excited… and a little scared.”

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “Getting lost in all of it… maybe being swayed to the dark side,” I said.

  “You can’t look at it that way because that’s not the truth of things,” Leticia said.

  “What is then?”

  “There is a lot of lust involved but that comes from a root base of attraction, maybe even love. The stronger the root, the stronger the effect. But all of it really goes back to your feelings. They’re only dark if you have a dark soul. The Diony effect only magnifies what’s already there on some level.”

  “To the point of needing stitches or a cast,” I said. “What might happen between me and Forrest? Can you tell me that? No sugar-coating it.”

  “Alright then, since you asked so nicely. I think the two of you will have the most intense sex you’ve ever had in your lives. You may fight each other for the alpha male position and things could get quite heated there.”

  “Is that when the stitches and broken bones come into play?”

  “You are a born leader, Layton Shayne. And as such I don’t think you feel the need to be the alpha male in the group. Sometimes an alpha male and a leader can coexist in a group. Instinctually, you’ll know what to do.”

  “Do I need to worry about Forrest’s emotional state?”

  “You should keep watch over his and your own emotions because of your backgrounds. Forrest was harshly treated by his two ex lovers and you had a situation that ended badly with your ex. Those feelings will resurface if you both give into the Diony effect.”

  “How?” I said. “I can’t imagine Forrest and I sitting around crying on the bed.”

  “I can only guess about what might happen,” Leticia said. “The fact that both of you lost lovers might make you want desperately to hold onto each other in some meaningful way.”

  “Not in a suicide pact type of way, I hope.”

  “No. The worst thing that could happen is a strong bout of possessiveness and the desire on one person’s part to own the other.”

  “But knowing that ahead of time might help us deal with it,” I said.

  “Yes, but by dealing with it you’re not giving into it like you wanted to do,” Leticia said.

  “Is it worth it in the end? Does it make taking the cure easier?”

  “I’m told that it helps those who have been directly effected by a Diony a great deal.”

  “Am I allowed to ask your opinion?” I said.

  “You’re a grown man, you’re allowed to ask whatever you want,” Leticia said. “And as a grown woman I’m allowed to refuse to give my opinion.”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “In this case I’ll give it,” Leticia said. “Tell Forrest everything we’ve talked about, so there are no surprises. It’s important that you both allow yourselves to feel the love as well as the lust… and I do believe there is a real and true love between you Forrest, and Alex. Then—and this is important. I would set the alarm on the bedside clock to go off in an hour. Don’t lose sight of that clock. Give into as much as you want, but don’t lose sight of the clock. It’ll keep you grounded and help you find your way back. That’s an order, soldier.” She smiled and I smiled back. “Everything will work out fine.”

  “Alex needs to know all this, too,” I said.

  “Yes,” Leticia said. “It helps to have honesty in a relationship, especially one comprising of three people.”

  “I never imagined I’d be in a threesome like this,” I said.

  “I thought it was every man’s fantasy to be in a threesome.”

  “Sexually for kicks is one thing, but setting up a home with two other people—”

  “Five other people, Layton. You forgot Charity, Linus, and Chip.”

  I leaned against the wall exasperated. “It’s crazy but it doesn’t feel bad, wrong, or immoral.”

  “Only God can judge and he looks at the heart,” Leticia said.

  “Thank you for saying that,” I said, then stood straight again. “I guess you’ll be having dinner with Chip and Alex. I’m sure Forrest will want to come down and check on Chip before you leave.”

  “Probably,” She patted my shoulder. “Relax about tonight. There’s nothing that says giving in can’t be enjoyable between people in love.”

  I WENT BACK to my room, locked the door behind me, and walked into the bathroom. Forrest and Alex were almost in the exact positions I’d seen them in earlier.

  “We need to talk, guys,” I said. “Actually I need to talk and you two need to listen.”

  When I explained everything I’d discussed with Leticia, Alex responded by vomiting in the bucket and letting loose a noisy shit.

  “Well that’s what Alex thinks of things,” I said, and laughed. The others joined in my laughter. Poor Alex vomited again and I walked next to him and rubbed his back. “We only have to go through this once, remember that.”

  “If giving into the Diony shit will spare both of you some of what I’m going through then I say go for it,” Alex said.

  “And it would just be for an hour,” I said.

  “A lot of crazy things can happen in an hour,” Forrest said.

  Chapter 38

  The Wait

  “OH, DAMN,” I SAID. “I meant to bring you some soda. Leticia said it would help.”

  “Leticia brought some cans when she came up earlier,” Forrest said. “I’ll get some more sodas and ice after I check on Chip.”

  “He was wiped out and is fast asleep,” I said.

  “It’s only three in the afternoon now,” Forrest said. “Go take a nap, Layton. I’ll wake you in an hour and go see Chip then.”

  “OK,” I said, suddenly feeling tired. I walked out of the bathroom, kicked off my flip-flops, pulled of my shirt along with the rest of my clothes and lay naked on top of the bed.

  “What a picture,” Forrest said.

  “Oh yeah,” Alex said, then vomited again.

  Soft kisses trailing down my spine woke me up from a sound sleep. I sat up and Forrest kissed me.

  “Your turn, you lucky bastard,” Forrest said. “The worst of it is over… Alex is doing a lot better. He’s not throwing up or shitting as much anymore.”

  “Good,” I said. “Thank you, Forrest, for taking care of our guy.”

  “You’re both my guys,” Forrest said.

  “I’m glad you’re finally starting to realize that,” I said

  “Don’t try and sweet talk your way out of holding the bucket for Alex,” Forrest said. “I just dumped the most recent contents in the shower and rinsed it and the shower. You’re starting with a clean slate.”

  And who could ask for anything more,” I said, then jumped out of bed, pulled on my underwear, got a T-shirt out of the drawer, put it on and walked into the bathroom. “Say hi to Chip for me.”

  “I will,” Forrest said.

  “Bucket,” Alex said.

  I held the bucket in front of him so he could vomit and I heard Forrest lock the door as he left. After pushing Alex’s hair back, I kissed his forehead.

  “You look better than this morning,” I said.

  “Thanks,” Alex said and farted. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Just wait until it’s you sitting here, Layton Shayne.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “Farts make me laugh.”

  “Be glad you weren’t here when I started this ordeal,” Alex said. “The odor alone would’ve made you gag. Layton?”

  “Yes.”

  “This morning, while you were gone, Forrest and I made love.”

  “I figured you would,” I said.

  “It wasn’t just sex. You have time to rinse the bucket out in the shower. I’m not vomiting as much.” He talked while I dumped the contents of the bucket then rinsed it. “It was incredible Layton… just as incredible as the first time we all did it.”

  “Oh, I see what you’re getting at,” I said.

  “Nothing has changed since I took the cure, except the feelings of anxiousness and desperation. The confusion and everything else is gone. We really do love Forrest.”

  “I haven’t taken the cure yet, but if you still love Forrest I know I will,” I smiled. “So just how incredible was it with you and Forrest all alone.”

  Alex chuckled and shit at the same time. “Sorry about that,” Alex said.

  “We all gotta shit sometime,” I said, then winked at him. “I’m guessing you won’t be bottoming anytime soon.” I chuckled and Alex gave me his mean look before laughing.

  “No I won’t be bottoming anytime soon, thankfully I got to do it beforehand.”

  “Really,” I said, and smiled. “‘Do tell.”

  Alex giggled. “He was so gentle at first, Layton. All his concern was for me and making me happy. Forrest told me I didn’t need to feel like I had to prove myself all the time and to just let myself be loved.” He reached out and grabbed the front of my briefs. “You’re getting hard.”

  “Of course I am. Seeing and hearing about how good Forrest is to you gives me an instant boner.”

  “Forrest started off in such a gentle way but ended up passionate. It was just like we were at the court… only it was just him and me. We did miss you, Layton.”

  “But the sex was still just as good without me, right?”

  “No,” Alex said. “It was good and we enjoyed ourselves enough that I came, but it wasn’t ‘just as good’ because you weren’t with us. And believe it or not, you really were missed.”

  “I believe it and it even makes me feel good to hear you say it.”

  ALEX HAD NEED of the bucket several more times, but when five o’clock rolled around he felt suddenly better. I helped him clean up, then walked him to the bed so he could take a nap before dinner.

  Forrest returned with soda, ice, and saltine crackers. I walked up to him and whispered.

  “Alex just fell asleep. Why don’t you join him for a short nap?”

  “OK, wake me in an hour.”

  I watched Alex and Forrest sleeping for most of that hour, while thinking about what would happen between me and Forrest. Maybe we wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything. Letting go and putting down defensive walls you’d built up to protect yourself weren’t easy things to do. Forrest had been fighting what was going on inside him for at least a year, probably longer. Before waking them I took a long soothing shower. After drying, I walked naked to the bed, slowly pulled back the sheet covering their naked bodies, and got in by their feet. Resisting the urge to kiss their toes, I made my way upward and put both their cocks in my mouth. Alex giggled, but Forrest mumbled for me not to stop.

 

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