Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2015 19:05:25 -0600
From: Max Millan <maxmillan2576@hotmail.com>
Subject: Blissful Paradise II: Allotted Time Chapter 6: Night Lights

Blissful Paradise
(Allotted Time)

Night Lights
by
Max Millan

The job of a university cop in a small college town is pretty much routine
for the most part. If not for occasional calls for domestic violence, rowdy
neighbors, elicit drug use and the tricky case of rape, most of Shane and
Collin's work day are spent driving around the campus in their cruiser,
looking for someone suspicious or stopping students flying through one of
the roads inside the campus. A good six or seven months have passed, except
for the unfriendly report from a supposed concern neighbor several weeks ago
downtown that , Shane has been writing speeding tickets most of the time.
Even Collin who's been in the force for three years cannot recall any
situation where he did more than interviewing people. For many people, it
would be considered a blessing that nothing harrowing ever happen to them.
But that's the life of a campus police. Shane is not complaining but still
itching for some more challenge.

"Jeez, how are you able to survive this job?" Shane told Collin.

"Not even a full year and you are already complaining," Collin replies.

"Don't you think it gets boring sometimes."

"It does but better than getting shot at or anything."

"True," Shane agreed. "Have you ever investigated anything?"

"No, detectives normally does that. It's very seldom they let regular
officer do the investigation."

"So writing ticket is all we do?"

"What do you expect? We ain't no TV cops."

"We should become a detective," Shane suggested in jest.

"Why? If you're serious about it, the school is accredited by the state."

"Do they offer a criminology degree here?"

"I dunno. You can ask HR."

The searing sun of the late afternoon has now been replaced by just warm
wind of the slowly dying daylight. Once again bringing in the musty smell of
the marshes. Then, one by one, the stadium lights turn on. The stadium is
slowly filling up with spectators waiting for a miracle from the home team
which, as Collin predicted, suffered more loses as the football season
progresses. The roads around the stadium are lined with more cars from
visitors outside the town. It's the homecoming game when many alumni and
their families make their visit to the school to enjoy the sound of butting
helmets and constant movement of the players on the field. Shane and Collin
are busy driving back and forth making sure that no one is taking advantage
of the many unattended vehicles along the road. When everything seem to be
in order, the two make their way inside stadium. Because of the sudden
influx of people, many officers were drafted for guarding duty that night.
By the home team exit gate, the parade of former players is starting to form
which draws Shane attention. He is drawn like in a trance. Without a word to
his partner, he just walks to the bleacher overlooking the exit the gate.
One by one, he looks the faces of the younger participants hoping to see
someone familiar. The disappointment on his face when the group where he
expected someone he knew is just a measly collection of people he doesn't
recognize did not escape Collin.

"Did you find anyone you used to know?" Collin asked.

"No," Shane replies without hiding his disappointment.

"Were you really expecting them to be here?"

"Not really, just wishful thinking I guess."

"Anyone special?"

"You can say that."

"He-he," Collin chuckles.

Shane gave his partner the most appropriate response, the middle finger.

The night's pageantry is well on the way. The speaker is busy announcing
some highlights about the people on the field. Lead by the quarterback, the
representatives from Reed, Matt and Shawn winning team make their way on the
field which draw the most cheers. The energy of the crowd continued to the
game and fed the home team into a squeaker win over their rival. When the
lights of the stadium go out, the only thing that remain are tire tracks on
the grassy sides of the roads. The loud stadium descended to almost
nothingness. The chirping of the crickets replaces the loud speaker. The two
officers are now back to their usual task of apprehending traffic violators
and hoping to catch some drunk drivers. The festivities create small events
around the campus from your regular students parties to the packed frat
houses who are busy entertaining their big shot alumni.

"So how's the wife?" Shane asks Collin as they stalk one of the gasoline
stations looking for underage drinkers.

"Two more weeks. We're just waiting now."

"Have you guys pick a name yet?"

"My wife probably has one already picked out. She thinks I give terrible
names."

"Someone probably has high hope for you, naming you Collin."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you know that your name is a slang for Mr. Perfect."

"Really?"

"Let's see, very intelligent . . . questionable. Extremely good-looking . .
. so, so. Very athletic . . . maybe . . . " Shane pinches his partner side
"improving in that area. Talented . . . again questionable," Shane lists the
qualities of what a Collin should have.

"Fuck you," the corporal says. "Are you saying that I'm a talentless moron?"
he complains.

"Don't complain to me. I didn't make that up."

"Screw you."

"OK, OK. Good-looking . . . yes. Happy now?"

Collin learning the meaning of his name seems a little prouder of himself.

"LOL, don't get your name get in your head now."

"Intelligent, good looking and talented. I have no complain about that."

After a little more bantering, they decide to enter the convenience store.
There presence inside will be a much better way to deter underage drinkers
from trying to purchase alcohol. It's also a good place to hear how the
campus is buzzing.

"How's the business?" Shane asks the cashier.

"Good," the cashier replies who's now accustomed to officers visiting his
establishment.

"Heard anything interesting?"

"Just rumors."

"What about?"

"Some students were just talking about a rumor going around the place. They
said there's a rapist stalking the dark area by the library. Did anyone
report anything?"

"Not that I know of," Collin responds.

"I figured it's just a rumor."

The next day, the chief called everyone for a meeting. The rumor has spread
throughout the campus. Rumor or not the administration is not taking any
chances. The university president instructed the chief to have a man
available during the night to monitor the areas around the library. The two
younger officers find themselves passing around safety flyers to students
leaving the library. Many students are anxious about the rumor. The rumor
had grown taller as the days go by. The culprit somehow had shaved himself
clean to avoid any evidence that he puts his victim to sleep and uses condom
when he does his dirty deeds. Shane and Collin once again spend the rest of
their night shift by the library exit, telling girls not to walk alone and
avoid the dark shortcuts. It took about a week before the rumor died down,
and the campus reverted back to complacency.

"I'm glad that was over," Collin says while he slurps on his cold slushy
treat.

"I know, right? That was crazy," Shane agrees.

"I guess you're on your own today. I'm taking the old lady for a check up."

"I'm sure I can manage without you."

"Don't do anything stupid."

"As if I'm the one with that problem."

"Are you sure you're not going to miss your good looking, intelligent and
talented partner protecting you?"

"I'm sure I can live a day without seeing your ugly mug."

Collin finishes his meal. Shane is also about done. The aches of the day's
workout have subsided. The two go on their separate ways from their favorite
after workout fastfood restaurant. Collin goes home to his wife and Shane
goes back to his place to prepare for his coming shift. To Shane's delight
he is instructed to work in the office for the meantime and help out with
the game later.

The leaves have turned to darker shade of green. Few more weeks and the old
leaves will eventually turn to another color signaling the end of summer.
Under the almost cloudless sky of the dwindling sunlight, the stadium
speaker is blaring as the announcer introduces the teams. It is almost the
mid-season. Even with the team's terrible record, the place is packed and
loud and even louder when the team makes their mad dash to the field. Their
win last week have given the place a jolt of energy. Like a swarm of insects
in a warm night, this slow sleepy town buzzes like no other. Something
amazing happens, the college stadium is overflowing even the hillside on one
side of the field is covered with people having a picnic under the afternoon
sun waiting for tonight's game. The brightest lights in the night attract
the residents like moths. Shane finds a spot behind the home team. It is
almost like what he remembers how things were, almost.

The game starts and home team runs to take their position on the field to
defend. The scrambling player's faces turn to people who look familiar as
the memories from years ago starts filtering into his mind. Matthew Sawyer
and Shawn Daugherty are on the field. Shane rubs his eyes, but the faces
remain. He must be kidding himself again. But he is finding it hard to
ignore. Shawn closes his eyes and just listens to the crowd, to the sound of
the game, and to the shouts coming from over eager players on the sideline.
Coach Fox's familiar voice draws him back to the time that he misses.

It was a lazy day in the recruitment office. He closed shop early and walked
to the stadium to watch the game in progress. He showed his school ID, and
the gate guards let him in. He looked around and found an empty seat behind
a loud bunch of kids cheering incessantly someone's name almost non-stop.
>From there, he watched the home team ran around the visiting team. The game
ended and Shane decided to stay for a bit to avoid the stampede of people
getting out of the stadium. One guy from the loud group named Mike was
handing out flyers for his band show that night. Shane accepted the flier
when Mike handed him one. What the heck, he said. He might as well check it
out. He was never a fun of yuppies, so he called kids like Mike who tried to
look cool with their guitar and songs about some unknown ills in the world.

The place happened to be one of the bars close to the recruitment office. He
could crash in the office after if he needed to. He changed to his civilian
shirt, jeans and flip-flops, so he would blend in with the crowd. Mike's
band turned out to be decent with their cover of alternative rock songs. The
place suddenly was loud when some of the football players finally showed up.
There was Reed, followed by Shawn, Matt and his best friend Joe. In tow, was
the rest of the loud group from the game, a girl name Ashley, Tim and his
girlfriend, and a Japanese student named Daisuke. People that he met later
on. Shane was by the bar area most of the night when he felt someone's
bumping into him in that crowded place. It was Reed talking to the his
friends about many pitchers should he get. When Reed turned around, he hit
Shane's arm and spilled his beer. Reed was very apologetic and offered to
get him a fresh bottle of beer. Shane was slightly annoyed by it, but the
offer of a new beer was good enough for him to let the transgression
slipped. Shane continued on listening to the band and sometimes sing along
with them. The crowd grew thin as the night went on. The students moved on
to their next stop of the night. Then the band wrapped up their set. He saw
Shawn and Matt talking to Mike. Reed was back in the bar paying for their
tab.

"We have a party in our apartment," Reed told him.

"More booze?" Shane replied.

"All you can drink for five bucks."

The idea interested him, "I'll check it out. Where at?"

"The complex just across the street. I'm Reed by the way."

"Shane at your service," he responded.

The place was not hard to find. Several players proudly wearing their
varsity jacket were in front of the apartment talking to one another loudly
as they welcome everyone who came in the apartment. He walked towards the
apartment, but met with silence when he got to the entrance. His demeanor
and his white sidewall haircut told them that he wasn't a regular student,
so they let him in without any incident. Shane looked around inside to see
what was going on. When he noticed that people went directly outside through
the back door then came back with a cup of beer in their hand, he knew where
to go.

"Five bucks, buddy" Shawn was manning the keg collecting money and
dispensing beer.

Shane forked a five dollar bill and handed it to him.

"Here you go soldier boy," Shane said handing him the plastic cup filled
with foaming beer.

"Thanks," Shane said.

With his cup in hand, he decided to stay outside. There were other people in
the patio, so it wasn't as awkward. The ever outgoing Shawn noticed that he
was alone, and the football star struck a conversation with him.

"What up soldier? Afraid of regular folks?" Shawn joked.

"Not really, just my first time attending this kind of party," Shane
replied.

"I'm Shawn by the way, master of the apartment."

"I'm Shane."

"How did you know that I'm in the service?"

"No one tucked in their shirt anymore. The haircut is hard to miss too."

"You got me."

"How did you ended up here?"

"Reed invited me."

"Oh, he is my roommate."

"Look like your party is popular."

"Yeah, we got a lot of fans. Ha-ha," Shawn said laughing.

"I guess you two play in the team."

"Guilty as charged. The best in the business."

Shawn looked around to see if there were more people coming for beer cup.
"C'mon let's go in and meet some people. Just refill your cup when you run
out."

Shane was feeling out of place while Shawn seemed to be in his element. He
was mingling with everyone. Then the two finally made their way back to the
front where Reed was talking to the other players.

"Reed, I found your boy Shane," Shawn told his roommate.

"Glad you made it," Reed greeted Shane. "I'm sorry about your beer," he
added still apologizing from earlier.

"No problem."

Reed introduced him to the other players. Shane was starting to feel at
ease. He told them that he was in the Army and also attending the school.
They laughed when he told them that he worked at the recruitment office
which seemed to be the go to place for students who found college as a dead
end for them. Except for the influx of patriotic young men after the
terrorist attack, their comment were mostly true which was something that he
both despise and love. Yes, many students walked into the office when
college was no longer an option for many different reasons, but on the other
hand, the Army was offering them another chance.

"You can hang out with us when you're around town," Reed said.

"That's great," Shane was amazed on how fast he was accepted in.

Shawn dragged him back to the apartment and started introducing him to some
people making sure that everyone knew that he was in the Army. Shane was
reveling on the attention. The night went on. Shane was happily in the
company of Reed and Shawn. From then on, Shane became Reed and Shawn's buddy
outside of the football team. Later on, Shane would be one of the people
that dropped by at the apartment for light drinking and chatting. Between
Reed's own set of friends and Shawn's, the apartment became a place to meet.

When the recruitment office was going slow, Shane would close the office a
little early. The neighboring Air Force and Navy offices were already
closed. The two other offices were only open half-day. It was only because
of his school schedule that he had to open longer. After changing to
civilian clothes, he would make a short trek to the apartment to check
what's going on and to find out if there was anything special going on.
Inside the apartment was Matt and some other people that he saw during one
of Reed and Shawn's party sipping some beer and debating the game that just
finished.

"Sup Shane," Shawn greeted him. "I guess, you already met these people
before," he added.

"Not me," Matt interjected.

"I'm Shane."

"I'm Matt." Matt was another friend that he met in the university but went
out with some people he knew from his home town.

Shane was a little curious as to why Matt only shows up from time to time
during the after hour party, "I've seen you with Reed and Shawn the other
night. How come you didn't come to the party?"

"We are not cool enough," Shawn butted in.

Matt gave Shawn the finger.

"I guess, you are in the team too?" It wasn't really hard to tell. Matt was
the same size as Shawn. Reed was big being a linebacker, however, Matt and
Shawn were bigger as the team's ministers of defense as they were known. The
two were probably pushing 260-280 lbs and standing about 6 foot three. Shawn
was slightly shorter. Matt who had a proclivity to wear cargo pants and
tight shirt sported a well-toned body compared to your usual football player
playing the same position who were often big and fat. Shawn was the almost
the same way if not for slight stomach bump. Shane thought that it made
Shawn look more like regular guy.

"Yeah," Matt said. "And the loud crazy guys behind the team were my friends.
We go to Mike's house for after hours."

"Why don't you guys just come here and party?"

"He likes hanging out with his boyfriend Joe," Shawn joked. Joe was Matt's
dorm roommate. They came from the same town just like Shawn and Reed. Matt
was a true-blue country folk. Reed and Shawn were a little bit urbanized who
grew up in one of the fastest growing metropolis in the country. Shane was
sort of everything being someone who grew up in Florida then moved up North
then back to the South.

"What? Is Reed not giving you some good lovin'?" Matt countered. "We are
spreading people. Some people that go here also go to Mike's," Matt continue
after shutting down Shawn.

Reed handed Shane a can of beer. Shane looked around for some sitting and
chose to sit in between Matt and Shawn, but he stood up.

"What's wrong?" Shawn asked.

"Damn, I felt so small between you two," Shane replied.

"Don't worry. We're gentle," Shawn joked.

For most regular nights after school that's how it went in the apartment.
Reed and Shawn were popular. It was only during the few weeks of the
football season when Shane learned how specially popular they were. They
hooked up, or more like hook-ups land on their lap. They got their fair
share of the benefits of being star players. Shane had seen many
walk-of-shames in the morning when he crashed on Reed and Shane's couch
after night of partying and he's off the next day.

Shawn was always the first to get up in the morning. He liked his cereal in
the morning before going back his room and catch some more sleep.

"Someone got lucky last night," Shane told the still sleepy Shawn.

"Reed turn last night," Shawn said.

"What do you mean Reed's turn?"

"She's going to be suckin' on my dick next time," Shawn answered naughtily.

"What did you do last night?"

"Whacked off. We leave our bedroom door open,"

"No threesome?"

"Nah, plenty of that already," Shawn answered casually as he rummaged though
the cabinet for some cereal. Any empty box was left on the kitchen counter
for whoever was not lazy enough to take it out to the trashcan outside.
"I've known Reed since high school. He is a year older though."

"You hungry? There are eggs and bacon if you want breakfast," Shawn offered.

"I'm fine. Thanks though," Shane politely declining Shawn's offer.

"You guys seem to be popular with girls around here."

"Yeah, one of the benefits of being in the varsity team. Ha-ha."

"Must be fun having a constant supply of blow jobs," Shane jokes.

"LOL. True. We even get proposals from fanboys."

"Fanboys?"

"Jock chasers. We get a lot of them waiting on the wing," Shawn answered
chuckling.

Shawn finished his cereal and told Shane that he was going back to his bed
to catch some more sleep. On his drive back to his place that morning, Shane
was smiling thinking about the last bit of their conversation. The sound of
'fanboy' bothered him for some reason though. Well, he admitted he wouldn't
have mind going in bed with either Reed or Shawn. Since his reassignment, he
hadn't really given it a thought. Although he sometimes missed the special
arrangement he had with his buddy Sgt. Jackson McQuibin who was still in his
old base determined to make a career out of the Army.

One afternoon in the recruitment office, Shane was busy filing some papers.
He had two local boys picked up an application and a current student turned
in one. That was busy by Shane's standard.

"I need to pick up an application form?" he heard from the guy who just
walked in the office.

When he looked up to point at the application forms, he said, "fuck you"
after recognizing who walked in.

"Is that how you recruit people?" Shawn said laughing.

"What are you doing here?" Shane said.

"I just wanna see where you work."

"You can't hang out here."

"Shane, sitting on a nice leather seat, filling up pa-pppeeer," Shawn said
sounding like that annoying office guy in Saturday Night Live.

"What you want?"

"We are going to a birthday party tonight? You wanna come?"

"Depends on the time," Shane replied.

"About eight, not an all-nighter, so you should be fine."

"I have no civilian clothes with me."

"What's wrong with your uniform?"

"I don't like wearing it when mingling with civilian folks."

"Shush, just wear a flip-flop or something," Shawn said dismissing Shane's
excuse.

"I don't know."

"You're lost," Shawn said as he waved goodbye.

Shane debated for a bit, but decided to go with them anyway. A quick trip to
the nearby mall for a shirt and new pairs of flip-flops and he was ready for
the night. At the corner of the street, Reed and Shawn were already waiting.
Their destination was the frat house just two blocks away from their
apartment complex.

When the Shane recognized the location he couldn't help but ask why Reed and
Shawn were attending a frat party.

"I think it's Reed's fanboy birthday," Shawn laughing.

"Don't give me that. You were the one he was begging to come," Reed said.

"Yeah, after emphasizing that you come too," Shawn countered.

"Do you know the guy?" Shane asked.

"He's in our class. You might have seen him in our party. He's one of the
regulars," Reed said.

"He's your buddy then," Shane commented.

"Nah, just someone we know. He's cool," Shawn answered and buzzed the door.

Like your stereotypical frat party, there were two guys checking if they
were invited but just let them in when the they recognized the two football
players. They didn't say any word about Shane being with them.

"Let's get this over with," Reed said who was obviously not too keen on
staying longer.

The living room was littered with young men talking to themselves as if they
didn't want to be bothered. The seating area was occupied by the lucky ones
with their girlfriends clinging tightly as if they found the most desirable
catch in the campus. They made their way to the kitchen and relieved to see
people who were actually partying. The birthday boy saw them and immediately
ran to their direction with his girlfriend in tow and gleefully introduced
her to Reed and Shawn. Shane intently stayed out of the mix being just a
hanger on for the night.

"LOL, that dude was acting like he was giving away his girlfriend to you,"
Shane said laughing once they found the keg. Reed was naughtily laughing
with his response. Something told Shane that his comment might not be far
from truth.

"Cool, free beer," Shawn said after being given a plastic cup without
forking five bucks.

"One of the very few benefits of being invited to a frat party, I guess,"
Reed said shrugging his shoulder.

"Someone's not happy to be here," Shane said after recognizing Reed's
distaste of the atmosphere inside the big fraternity house.

"He's the jock equivalent of these snotty kids," Shawn joked.

"Fuck you" was Reed's response to his friend funny comment.

The three friends found a corner for themselves just watching the other
students walk in and out of the kitchen. Once again the birthday boy saw
them and was really happy that they showed up. Shawn introduced Shane to
him, "this is Shane."

"You work at the recruitment office," the boy blurted out.

"LOL, yeah," Shane replied in amazement.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing. It's normally not the first thing I hear."

Then the birthday boy was dragged away by another group of party goers.

"What the heck. Is he spying on you?" Reed said.

"Or maybe, he wants to suck your dick?" Shawn butted in.

"He is your fanboy, remember," Shane teased the two.

"He is Reed's," Shawn said.

"I bet he suck dick real good," Reed joked.

"You should try him, Reed." Shawn responded as if the comment was nothing.

"Is that a first-hand knowledge?" Reed replied.

Shane, who was no longer estranged to such kind of talks, was still amazed
at the exchange between Reed and Shawn. They must have forgotten that he was
with them, he thought. But Shane was interrupted from his own thoughts when
Shawn asked him, "you guys are also popular lately, I bet you get quite a
few propositions."

Although he was already sure about himself Shane was still cautious around
people, but for some reason, he joined in the joke, "a few."

"Is that like one or two?" Shawn said.

"Or a few hundreds," Reed added.

"That will be nightmare," Shane replied.

After several cups of beer, the three had enough of the place. Reed went
ahead and looked for the birthday boy to tell him that they were leaving.
Waiting by the entrance, Shane asked where was Reed.

"He's up there," Shawn said pointing at Reed at the second level talking to
the celebrant while the other residents of the establishment were looking.
By the look of things, they must had been happy to see Reed. Some of this
kids were practicing their future life it seemed like. Getting their place
in society and around are people that will just enhanced their standing even
further.

Shane still wanted to drive home, so he was a little anxious to get going.
It was still a good two hour drive to his home closer to the base.  "Well,
I'm going home," Shane bade farewell.

"Let's wait for Reed," Shawn suggested.

"What's taking him so long?" Shane asked.

"The birthday boy probably wants to blow a big candle," Shawn joked while
trying to wave at Reed.

Shane just laughed because of how Shawn made fun of the poor birthday boy.
"I thought you know the guy," Shane said.

"Not really. I just see him around when we throw a party. Never talked to
him that much."

"You don't like the guy?"

"Nothing against the dude, just not the kind of people I wanna hang out
with."

"What's wrong with the guy?"

"His full of it."

"Too preppy?"

"Not that. It seems like guys like him don't care as if someone else will
fix things for themselves."

Reed finally finished saying his goodbye. "They want us to attend their
foundation party or something."

"Nice," Shawn said.

"What's that all about?" Shane asked.

"It's normally organized by their alumni and some of them will probably
attend. They'll have better drink selection."

"Well, I'm headed home." Shane told Reed and Shawn.

"You sure. You can always crash in our apartment."

"I need to do some house work tomorrow."

"I thought live you in the base," Shawn said.

"No, they allowed me to live off base."

"Cool. We can visit then and trash your house," Reed interjected.

"Your welcome to visit. Remember it's an over two hour drive."

The three walked back and parted ways when Reed and Shawn reached their
apartment complex. Shane continued on to his pickup parked by the
recruitment office. On his way home, Shane passed by the 24-hour store and
had a changed of mind. It was just a routine house work nothing really
urgent. He went inside the store and sent Reed a text message that "he is
crashing in their apartment." He was done picking up cheap but decent
clothes for tomorrow's class when he received Reed's response.

"That's cool," Reed's message said.

"See you guys in bit, just run to the store quick." Shane didn't like
wearing his uniform when attending his classes.

Reed and Shawn were playing video games when Shane arrived at the apartment
and were extra competitive with their can of beer by their feet.

"What's up with you two?"

"Betting on something," Shawn said and pointed at the fridge for some cold
beer.

Shane smiled because of the familiarity of what he was seeing. It was
something he heard before and wondered what they were playing for.

"Betting on what?"

"On who is going to entertain the birthday boy," Reed said.

"What the heck?" Shane blurted out in amazement.

"Blame Reed," Shawn said. Apparently the boy was someone they already
figured way back. Reed's accidentally agreed for the boy to visit the
apartment when he was talking to him upstairs.

"What did you say?" Shane asked.

"Nothing really, I just said we are going back to the apartment to continue
drinking," Reed said. The boy apparently joked about joining and Reed said
yes.

"And?"

Shawn showed the message on his phone. "I'm joining your party for a bit.
:)"

"LOL, why does he have your phone number?" Shane asked.

"Yeah Shawn, why does he have your number?" Reed joked.

"Dunno, I might have given it to him," Shawn replied looking also confused.

"So who ever lose has to man up?"

"Pretty much," Shawn said.

"So he is ditching his own party to be here?"

"The boy wants to blow a big candle," Shawn repeated his earlier comment.

"And I thought you were joking."

"I was," Shawn said.

Shane sat by the kitchen table. The only available seating in the apartment
except for the full size couch already occupied by his two buddies who were
duking it out with a game of virtual professional football. The two were
busy with their game as if nothing unusual was going to happen. His mind
went off for a bit grinning all the while. What can he say? It's not so
surprising. Reed, who was a bulky looking guy by any standard, looked cut
but not overly ripped. His closely cropped hair and the constant four
o'clock shadow on his face made him look intimidating to approach, but his
impeccable smile showed his friendly side. Shawn, just like his personality,
looked a little more laid back. Even his towering frame of neat mix of
muscle and fat was not enough to hide his very approachable nature. His
slightly longer hair that he combed flat to his head and brushed up the
front lead to a well trimmed facial hair made him looked like an extra large
kid. He acted like a big kid anyway. It suited him being someone who moved
fast for his size. Shane thought was interrupted by a loud cheer.

"I'm the king," Shawn cheered triumphantly and Reed was slump on the couch
saying the f-word over and over again.

"Man up, Reed," Shane said adding insult to the injury.

"Bullshit," Reed said.

"Hey Reed, enjoy." Shawn said.

Not a moment passes and they hear knock on the door.

"He's here, Reed." Shawn said opening the door. There stood the smiling
birthday boy in his brand name shirt and cargo pants with his hair still
nicely styled spiked in the middle. The kid was looking good. He probably
stood about five-nine, wide shoulder, and a body that must have seen some
late childhood sport experience.

"Come on in," Shawn welcomed the boy.

Shane offered him a beer, "here to warm things up."

The kid accepted the beer and sat down on the couch. The room went silent
for a bit. Shane took the chance to break the ice.

"How is your party?"

"OK," the kid said.

"Won't they look for you?"

"Nah, they probably think I'm in my room."

"With your girl?"

"Yeah."

Reed stood up and climbed upstairs to his bedroom. Shawn gave the boy the
signal to follow. The kid was smiling as he climbed the stairs.

"Give him a good one," Shane told the kid.

"I will," the kid answered with a wink.

Shawn and Shane were laughing once they hear the sound of a closing door.

"Someone gonna have his knob turned and polished," Shane said.

"The kid's gonna have a hard time taking on Reed," Shawn said.

"He's got a big one?" Shane asked.

"About 8 inches of thick man meat."

The two each opened a can of beer and sat on the couch.

"Are you gonna have yours polish too?" Shane asked.

"Not sure, Reed might wore out the kid. Why, you want yours suck?" Shawn
said.

"Nah, just wondering why you two are very casual about it."

"Oh that, we both have experience."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm out bi. I think Reed just gets the itch from time to time."

"You're out?" Shane repeated what Shawn said. It still amazed him when
someone admits it specially for people like Shawn whose life revolved around
one of the sports that gives a lot of importance to masculinity.

"Yeah, just my close friends though, . . . and my mom."

"Oh."

"How about you? Any experience with another guy going down on you."

"Yeah, a couple of times," Shane answered conservatively.

"LOL, isn't that a no-no in the service?"

"Yeah, but stick hundreds of horny young guys together and something is
bound to happen."

"Ha-ha."

"Well I'm bi too. Married and divorced then found the joy of male bonding.
Ha-ha"

"Welcome to the club," Shawn said gleefully.

"Thank you, sir."

The two shared a cheer about their common interest. They opened another can
of beer still waiting on Reed.

"Reed is taking his sweet time," Shane commented.

"Oh, he doesn't like quick ones. Give it at least 45 minutes."

"How about you?" Shane asked.

"Even longer or multiple times," Shawn replied.

The conversation between them was starting to have an effect on both of
them. Their hands were now busy rubbing their crotch in the open. Shane
would give Shawn's crotch a look from time to time as they continued with
their conversation about Reed and the boy upstairs.

"LOL, the boy will have an aching jaw after," Shawn kept joking.

"How big are you, Shawn?" Shane asked out of nowhere.

"Average," Shawn replied grinning.

"Bullshit," Shane said.

"You wanna see?" Shawn offered.

"Yeah," Shane replied without any hesitation.

Shawn undid his shorts and pulled down on his underwear to reveal his
hardening uncut dick.

"That didn't take you long."

"I'm a little bit of a show off," Shawn said chuckling whose manhood was
fully erect in no time.

"Average. That's a monster," Shane commented when he saw Shawn's dick was
like him, big.

"It's only 8 inches just on the thick side," Shawn replied slapping his cock
to the palm of his hand. "Now your turn," Shawn instructed Shane.

Shane had no other option but to comply. He unbuckled belt, undid his
cammies and pull down on his undies like Shawn to reveal his own manhood.
Once it's out and the blood started flowing freely, his dick was in full
mast without even touching it.

"Not bad," Shawn said. "You're the same size as Reed," he added.

"Now, I don't feel too bad after seeing yours," Shane joked.

Their quick comparison was cut off when they heard a door opening and voices
from upstairs percolated down the apartment. The two quickly composed
themselves. The creaking sound of someone going down the stairs meant that
the two were done. First was the boy followed by Reed with a grin painted on
his face. The boy didn't stay long after he was done blowing his special
birthday candle. He said that he needed to go back to his house party.

"Good one?" Shawn asked when the boy left the apartment.

"I told you that guy looked like he can suck dick," was Reed's response.

"Good one then."

"Yeah," Reed said as he sat on the kitchen opening a can of beer.

"You looked exhausted?" Shane commented.

"I think he blown me dry."

"Shane wants to hear how it went down," Shawn said pretending that Shane
made the comment. He looked at Shane direction to see the soldier making the
"What? Me?" face. Honestly, the two didn't really talk about such things,
maybe a few quick jabs. It came natural to them now. Reed was a little
plastered and also looked at the sergeant and confirmed that it was just
Shawn coaxing him when he caught the look on Shane's face.

"He's cool," Shawn assured his roommate.

Shane gave him a smile to also let him know that what happened was something
the soldier was not disapproving of.

"Well, well. I know my roommate will be a happy bastard," Reed teased his
friend.

"Come on, details," Shawn insisted.

Reed started describing what happened. Although he looked like he was not up
for it, he was actually in good spirit and waiting for the birthday boy as
he lay in the middle of his bed still in his clothes. He was going to make
the boy take off any piece clothes that he fancied to be removed.

"Ha-ha," Shawn laughed at the idea of his friend being unwrapped like a
gift.

The boy crawled in between his legs and reached over and started massaging
his crotch. He asked the boy if that was what he was looking for and boy
said yes. The boy continued to feel Reed up and down feeling the straining
cock hidden behind the shorts that hugged the big man's lower body and
strong looking thighs. Reed helped the eager a little boy by raising his
knees to loosen up the his shorts. The boy found his shaft and adjusted it
so it laid on it's side. Reed was enjoying the feeling of another man's hand
tracing the length of his cock. When he let out a moan, the boy looked at
him as if asking for his permission to let him have a closer at it. Reed
told the boy that he could unzip his fly, letting the boy slipped a hand
into his shorts as he maintained a naughty gaze on what's going on down
below. Then the boy fished out his cock and let the head peek out of the
underwear. A sheepish smile formed in the boy face as he surveyed the uncut
dick in front of him. He continued on running his hand up and down Reed's
shaft. "Wanna lick it," Reed encouraged the boy which the boy
enthusiastically followed with his hands now exploring Reed's body. Reed
propped himself and the boy helped him out of his shirt, revealing his broad
chest and flat stomach. "Damn, you're hot," the boy commented.

Then his pants was off too as the boy got closer to finally having what he
came for, leaving Reed just in his bright white boxers. Reed put his right
hand over the boy head guiding him to run his mouth over the length of his
cock. "Does that feel good for you?" the boy asked. "Yeah, you're doing
good," Reed replied and a deep breathe came from the big man.

"Wow, you really were taking your time," Shawn interrupted his friend's
narration.

"Not me, it was all him," Reed replied.

But the boy could no longer wait and pulled Reed's boxers. Then he put the
hard meat in his hand and gave it a few strokes. He propped himself on four
and took the head in his mouth. "Mmm, that feels good," Reed said. He threw
his head back waiting for the boy's full assault on his throbbing cock.

He felt the boy wrapping his arms around his thighs and gently settled his
hands on Reed's flat stomach, caressing it while he worked the head of big
man's
cock. The boy adjusted himself with his mouth directly on the waiting cock
and took it all in. "Fuck yeah!" Reed grunted when he felt his cock deep
inside the boy's throat. Then the boy started to slowly bob his head up and
down. Reed was appreciatively moaning and saying "suck that cock" in between
his moans and grunts. The boy knew that he was now in control and took the
big dick all the way in his mouth again. "Aaah," was Reed's response every
time the boy went all the way down. Then the boy went to town, giving Reed a
good blow job. The big man was moaning and sighing as he savored the
non-stop pleasure from the over eager boy who only came up once to ask him
if he could also take his dick out, so he could jack off. Reed saw no
problem with it, but put his hands over the boy's head to let him know that
his dick was the boy's main concern.

Soon, the boy was jerking Reed to completion on his face. After the boy had
received his gift, he asked Reed if he could unload his seed on him. Reed
was accommodating enough to let him do it after receiving an excellent blow
job. Then the boy let it fly all over the big man's waiting abs.

"You've done good," Reed complemented the boy. He went to the bathroom and
fetched his towel and wiped himself then threw it at the boy to wipe his own
face.

"You OK?" Reed asked.

"I'm good," the boy replied with a wide smile on his face.

"Thanks, that was great," Reed complemented him again.

"No, thank you. I've been waiting for this for quite a while now."

Reed just grinned.

"I was actually hoping for some good humping."

Reed, once again, just gave the boy a grin. The two put their clothes back
on and went down the stairs.

When Reed finished his story, Shane said, "so are you guys still going to
bet on who is doing the guy?"