Summer of '08 Ch. 02

The afternoon matinees rolled into the first evening shows as crowded waves of people shifted through the building, filling the air with a buzz of anticipation in the lineup to hand over their tickets, or a mix of emotions in the line to the exit. The people leaving Wall-E looked much happier than the ones leaving Indiana Jones, but the crowd became noticeably sour when The Happening ended.

Landon and Rebecca showed up for their shifts on the cleaning crew, which freed up Jason to float around wherever he was needed. He felt like a proper manager, delegating tasks and watching from the balcony overlooking the atrium. It was a great vantage point to keep an eye on the crowds; it was also where the storage closet was, so he could fetch extra paper towels to refill the bathrooms.

Wesley was on the concession with Iris because, despite having a shitty attitude towards Jason's authority, he could flip a switch and be the most charming employee when the public was watching. If they ever started collecting tips, he would dominate. He could do a wrist flick with the popcorn buckets to spin and mix it in the air between adding pumps of butter and extra salt. Children lining up for candy would laugh as he juggled bags of sour patch kids, and somehow he managed to flirt with their parents in a way that only made everyone laugh.

Jason tore the last few tickets for the 6:30 showing of The Love Guru when Darlene returned and beckoned him to follow her to the breakroom.

She was reading Griffin's application form when Jason entered. She held it up and asked, "Did you meet him?"

Jason nodded, "Uh, yes, he was looking for a summer job."

"What did you think?"

He had incredibly beautiful green eyes, and there was a weird feeling that they would get along well even though they barely spoke, and there was also a deep jealous anger that rose up when Wesley had put his arm around Griffin's shoulder. A dozen thoughts fought for attention in Jason's mind, but he managed to focus and say, "He seemed good."

Darlene nodded and handed the application form over and said, "Hire him. We'll need all the help we can get."

Jason took the piece of paper and his eyes went straight to the contact information. He had Griffin's number in his hand. Also a full name, Griffin Ostlund. Was he Nordic? He had a slender, European face, so it made sense. And his bright eyes had been like something out of a celtic fairy tale.

"... so that's going to be a lot of responsibility," Darlene finished saying something and Jason looked up to her as she said, "Can you handle it?"

Handle? What? He'd been thinking of Griffin's eyes and wasn't listening. Now Darlene was looking at him, expecting him to say something, so he just nodded and said, "Of course."

She looked impressed. Maybe he'd dodged a bullet.

"I don't think I'd have been as confident at your age, but I appreciate it. I'll need a reliable team leader for the big night."

Big night?

Darlene continued, "They said some event coordinators would be in touch to plan the details, so we've got a month to staff up and get ready. I'm going to be focused on getting the renovations finished."

Renovations?

"And we're going to hire security for the red carpet," she continued, "but the event coordinators are supposed to be able to help with that."

Red carpet?

"So, what do you think?" She asked.

"Are we having a premiere?"

Darlene's withering looks were famous at the Multiplex. She had once reduced a staff member to tears with her silent response to the question, "How did they train the dinosaurs to act in Jurassic Park?" Jason had been on Darlene's side on that one, but this was his first time on the receiving end of the look and he deflated like a untied balloon.

"Sorry," he said, "It's been a long day."

Her expression softened and she said, "Of course, sorry. Yes, we'll be hosting a premiere. But we can talk about it tomorrow."

"What's the movie?"

She thought for a second, "I forgot to ask."

Under a dim pink sky, Jason left the theatre carrying his backpack over one shoulder. His tie was folded up in his locker, and he had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his black shirt, but the warm mountain air still made him sweat. He would have to start bringing a pair of shorts if he wanted to survive his walks home the rest of the summer.

He followed the sidewalk around the parking lot to a bike path that ran parallel to the mall and highway. The near-silence blanketed the noises still ringing in his ear from the theatre: arcade machines and crying children begging for candy. Outside there was only a distant hum of traffic and the mix of evening bird calls and wind through the trees.

"Did the warden let you out early for good behaviour?" The cigarette butt on Wesley's lips glowed red. He tossed it on to the path as he stepped out of the shadow of the trees to crush it. His black shirt was completely unbuttoned and untucked, showing off his smooth torso again.

Jason gripped his backpack strap a little tighter. "What are you doing here?"

"I just got off. Off work, I mean," Wesley winked and stepped closer. "Of course, I'm down to get off in other ways if you're looking."

He was too tired to keep bantering with Wesley when he wasn't being paid for it, so Jason just shook his head and said, "Goodnight Wesley," and turned to walk down the path.

Quick footsteps followed and Wesley fell in step beside him.

They walked together in silence as the path curved down the slope behind the mall and reconnected with the main road that looped around this side of town. It was a sleepy mountain community, just starting to bustle with the summer tourist season. Hotels that had been full during the winter ski season and empty for the muddy spring season were starting to fill up again. People come from all over the world to hike the mountains, try white water rafting, and then realize they aren't fit enough for either so they spend their days drinking craft beer on rented patios.

Jason kept expecting Wesley to say something or to turn a different direction, but he just walked along, bumping their shoulders together on every second step. It was just like him to use silence the same way he used flirting: trying to get under Jason's skin. Finally Jason asked, "Why are you following me?"

Wesley looked innocent, "I'm just walking home. Maybe you're following me."

"Where do you live?"

"Elmwoods."

Jason stopped walking, "I live in Elmwoods."

Westley kept walking, "Yeah, I know."

Jason jogged to catch up.

"Since when do we live in the same neighbourhood?"

"Since last year."

"I didn't know that."

Wesley smirked, "Yeah I can tell."

The road went into a tunnel while the path turned into wooden stairs running down a tree-lined slope into Aciman park. They were at the bottom of the stairs, into the forest path before Jason realized where they were: Wesley's supposed hookup spot. He hesitated at the bottom of the stairs and a few steps ahead Wesley turned back when he noticed.

He put his hands on his hips, spreading his open shirt a bit wider. The picture of gay confidence. He watched Jason's eyes move down his bare skin, and he smirked as said, "I didn't think you liked me that way, bossman."

"That story you told today, about your shirt. It was bullshit, right?"

Wesley laughed and said, "Oh my god, thank you! I almost forgot!" He glanced around at the quiet trees and stepped off the path, searching behind a thick pine. A moment later, Wesley stepped back out and unfurled the infamous orange tank top. It was thin and long, and across the front was the streak of dried cum.

Before Jason could say anything Wesley tossed the shirt in his face and cackled as Jason backed away and threw it off.

"I don't lie as much as you seem to think," said Wesley as he leaned over to pick up the shirt again. And then without even glancing around to make sure they were still alone, Wesley shrugged off his black dress shirt and slipped the orange tank top over his head. The thin straps and deep collar showed off his bare shoulders and the middle of his chest. It was long enough that it reached below his crotch, and as he spun around to show it off, the loose arm holes revealed half his ribs.

"It's cute, right?" Wesley asked.

Jason bit his tongue and walked past Wesley to hide his blushing face. The confident way Wesley could strip off in front of others, or wear such a revealing top, made Jason's head spin.

"Hey, wait up," Wesley called. He put a bare arm around Jason's shoulders as he fell into step beside him and whispered, "I don't suppose you'd like to add another load to the design?"

They stopped walking. Jason's heart knocked against his chest and he tried to control the buzz of thoughts that suddenly filled his head. "I... I don't like, I mean-- I don't think of you that way."

Wesley laughed again, letting his arm fall off Jason's shoulder as he stepped in front of him, their noses inches apart, "I'm not asking you to marry me, Jason. I'm just asking if you want your dick sucked."

"But what about... I mean, I thought you were interested in Griffin?"

"Yeah, I think I'll have him ride me on a pool floaty. What do you think? Can you imagine that little twink bouncing on my cock in the water?" Something in Jason's expresion made Wesley stop and ask, "What? How were you imagining fucking him?"

"I wasn't imagining that."

"But you want to, right?"

"Maybe, yeah, someday. I have to ask him out first."

Wesley rolled his eyes in disgust, "Jesus Christ, you're such a fucking hetero-wannabe. Why don't you just go back in the closet and get a girlfriend if you want to follow so many rules."

"They aren't rules, it's just--"

"No, they are rules. Stupid fucking rules made by no-sex-before-marriage conservative fucks to scare people into hating sex."

"I don't hate sex."

"But you don't have sex."

"I just haven't met the right guy."

Wesley rolled his eyes and cursed, "Jesus fucking Christ," as he reached a hand behind Jason's head and pressed his lips to Jason's.

The kiss was so sudden, Jason couldn't think fast enough to respond. He was overwhelmed by the feeling of Wesley's warm breath, the tang of smoke on his saliva, and the texture of his tongue as it spread Jason's lips and slipped inside. Then, as fast as it came, it went. Wesley stepped away and threw his arms out and said, "You see? You just made out with a hot guy, and you didn't have to buy me dinner first."

The tingle of the kiss remained on Jason's lips as he found his voice again and asked, "Why did you do that?"

Wesley shrugged, "Someone had to. You've got to snap out of that heteronormative thinking. You treat every little milestone like a monumental fucking moment and you'll miss out on having any fun." He moved a step closer and tapped a finger against Jason's forehead, "You're gay. That means you're supposed to be happy."

The sun was gone behind the mountains and cool streetlight filtered down on them through the leaves from the street above. It highlighted Wesley's bare shoulders against the dark forest. He edged closer to Jason so they were close enough to kiss again and whispered, "So, do you want a blowjob or not?"

"Here?"

"Why not?"

"What if someone comes by?"

Wesley smiled, "Is that a yes?"

Jason looked around. They were still alone in the woods. In the distance behind them a few cars had passed on the road, but nothing was making much noise apart from Jason's pounding heart. Then, as he looked back to Wesley, they were suddenly kissing again.

Wesley pushed him back against a tree, a protective hand on the back of Jason's head. He sent a shiver up Jason's spine by reaching his other hand up under Jason's shirt and resting them on his bare hip.

No one had touched Jason like this before. There had been an awkward bathroom makeout session at a party once, with a girl who tasted like garlic, but that had only helped him confirm he was gay. And there was the party last week. Wesley had been there. Jason had mostly avoided him as every time they were in a conversation together Wesley had pushed the topic towards sex, as usual. But now they were making out in the woods and Wesley was unbuttoning Jason's pants.

He gasped as Wesley's fingers slid between his skin and his underwear and tugged his clothing down a few inches. The naked skin of his butt touched tree bark and he looked around again to double check they weren't being watched.

"Don't worry," said Wesley, "there's no one else here this time of night." He watched Jason's eyes go wide as Wesley slid to his knees and revealed Jason's cock to the warm night air, "But if there were, it would be a pretty hot show."

Jason's cock was hard and it popped up as it came free of his underwear. The smooth round head hit Wesley in the nose and he chuckled and pulled back to examine it.

"You were holding out on me," said Wesley, smiling, and then he wrapped the fingers of his right hand around the shaft and wrapped his lips around the soft head.

Jason gasped as the warm, wet, sensation of an eager mouth on his cock for the first time showed him what all the fuss was about. Every molecule of the surface of his dick lit up with sensation as Wesley's lips slipped further down and his tongue explored, and then Jason felt his cock head bump against the roof of Wesley's mouth, but he kept going. With delicate, steady progress, Wesley opened his throat and took Jason's cock all the way until his nose touched Jason's stomach.

"Holy fuck," Jason muttered.

With expert ease, Wesley retreated back up the shaft until only Jason's cockhead remained in his mouth, and then he opened his lips and let it rest on his tongue as he looked up at Jason and winked.

Kneeling beneath him in his cumstained shirt, Wesley was the spitting image of a twink model Jason had seen once in a fashion magazine, knees apart, sitting on his heels, his naked chest barely hidden by the thin tank top. It was the photo Jason imagined as he quietly jerked off in bed, alone, at night.

As Wesley swallowed and stroked and sucked the most remarkable sensations out of Jason's cock, Jason tried to remember the reasons he had been so hesitant to have sex. All the attractive boys he had seen at parties and never spoken to. It was fear. He had been afraid to make a move in case they had been straight and angry at the idea of a gay boy being interested in them. But as Wesley sucked him closer to the best orgasm in his life, Jason thought those straight boys didn't know what they were missing out on.

The quiet forest made every moan and grunt echo in Jason's ears. He tried to keep his breathing under control, but each stroke of Wesley's mouth made him gasp. He put his hands on Wesley's head to keep steady and shivered again as Wesley slipped his hands up Jason's chest.

He couldn't last long like this.

Wesley seemed to read his mind because he looked up at Jason with impish eyes and sucked harder and faster.

Jason gasped out, "I'm close!"

And Wesley pulled away with the smack of his lips on Jason's cock as he stroked the saliva-slick shaft.

Jason watched in awe as his cock twitched, sending electric pulses through his body and spurts across Wesley's face. Cum splattered his hair and nose, painted his open lips and tongue, and dripped down on the orange tank top to join the dry cum of the tattooed stranger.

Wesley licked what cum his tongue could reach and swallowed with a smile, and then he stood and brought their faces together again.

Jason's senses swirled with the flavour of himself on Wesley's tongue, and the smell of sweat and semen in the air. The kiss was quick, just a taste, and Wesley backed away and smiled and said, "Goodnight, bossman." And with that he turned to continue down the path.

"Wait, where are you going?" Jason scrambled to pull up his clothes. He picked up his bag where it had fallen and jogged to catch up.

"I'm going home."

"But is that it?"

"What, did you want to fuck me too? I'm not saying I'm against the idea, but that's pretty forward for you, bossman."

"What? No, I mean, that's interesting, but, don't you want, I mean--"

Wesley scoffed and mimicked him, "that's interesting!" He stopped and put a hand on Jason's shoulder. "Dude, chill. It was just a blowjob, not a marriage certificate. We could do it again sometime if you want, but for now I've got KD to eat and American Idol to laugh at."

Jason wasn't sure what to say, but his body was still buzzing with adrenaline. And the sight of his cum on Wesley's shirt wasn't helping.

Wesley smiled and gently slapped his cheek, and said, "Welcome to joys of gay sex, bossman." And then he turned and walked out of the park.