Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 18:23:09 -0500
From: bright lite <brightlite52@hotmail.com>
Subject: Jase 'n' Zach, Chapter 10

Copyright 2001.  Disclaimer:

a) The following story is a work of fiction, and the rights of this
series belong to its author.

b) If you are breaking one or more of your local laws by reading this,
don't read any further! And,

c) Whoof!  It's been a long couple of weeks.  I keep writing, but just
hadn't felt like anything was ready to send in.  Hope you continue to enjoy
the story, I feel guilty if I make anyone wait too long. . .thanks again
for your encouragement!


Chapter 10--Those Aren't Pillows. . .

	I slept soundly, or at least nothing woke me until the alarm went
off; Jase was in his usual position, one arm underneath my neck, and the
other two across my chest, his erection pressed firmly into--

	Wait a minute.  I reached out to hit the alarm, then brought my
hand back to feel the pair of arms across my chest. Following the smaller
of the two over my shoulder, I realized that we were in pretty much the
same position as when we fell asleep, only Eric's head was tucked down into
the small of my back.  Eric was very hard, his erection impressive if my
backside was any judge, and I let the moment drag itself out while I
figured out my next move.  It could only be taken as a compliment, I
decided, and I was willing to bet that Jase was hard too, only maybe he had
the decency to put his hand in between the two of them.  At least mine was
facing away, and not quite so obvious.

	A light kiss touched the middle of my back and one of the hands
caressed my chest briefly before the arm it was attached to hugged me
tight.  Better not get too comfortable, I thought, and I lifted both of
their arms slightly so I could roll onto my back and let my erection
subside.  Eric put his face into my shoulder and let out a
contented-sounding sigh.

	"You guys really are something, you know?"

	  He murmured this almost too soft for me to hear.  Jase turned
away to face the other direction and the bed rocked as he flopped over.  I
reached to touch his back, to let him know I was there; he put a hand up to
hold mine in place as we rested for another minute.

	Eric spoke quietly.  "Zach?"

	"Yeah Eric?"

	"Sorry about the stiffie. . .I , um, well, it happens.  A lot."

	I chuckled, as I thought about how I had momentarily mistaken him
for Jase.  "We're no different . . . although I have to admit that I
thought Jase had gone up a size or two."

	Jase spoke up from his side of the bed.  "Not even funny."  His
hand tugged mine over and down to where his erection threatened to poke out
of his boxers.  I pulled my hand back, laughing, and crossed both arms
behind my head.

	"Talk about a side-by-side comparison. . ."

	Eric scooted up a little higher on the pillows and turned slightly
in Jase's direction, pushing my elbow out of the way and forcing me to drop
that arm to my side to make room.

	"Hey Jase," he said.

	"What."

	"That WAS your thumb poking me a minute ago, wasn't it?"  He looked
back at me, grinning, then lifted the cover while pretending to check out
Jase.

	Jase snatched the covers back, pulling them tightly around himself
in sudden prudishness.  "Very, VERY funny, Eric.  And stop snickering Zach,
I hear you."

	I fought hard to keep my voice normal.  "It's ok, sweetie, I like
you just the way you are."

	"Oh, that's it--now you're gonna get it."  He rolled over and threw
himself across us both while wrapping an arm around each of our necks.  We
struggled, twisting in the covers and laughing as each of us fought for
dominance.  Finally Jase got me pinned underneath him as Eric rolled off
the bed and stood up, tugging his boxers back onto his hips.  Jase loomed
over me, pinning me with his weight and holding my wrists above my head.
Out of nowhere, Pugsley jumped onto the bed and rubbed his head into my
armpit while Jase held me down.

	It was no use; I couldn't budge an inch as Eric leaned over and
used both hands to tickle me mercilessly.  I held my breath and squeezed my
eyes shut, trying not to laugh, but it came out in a stuttering gasp as I
begged for mercy.

	"Stop, I--ahhh, I give up!"

	After a few moments more, they let go, and I hugged my now
sensitive ribs, just in case the reprieve was temporary.  Jase got off me
and out of bed then held out his hand; I accepted it warily and stood to
look him in the eye.  I leaned in for a quick kiss while Eric made
smooching sounds behind me.

	Jase leaned around me.  "What's the matter, you jealous?"

	"Nope.  Especially now that I've seen you guys first thing in the
morning.  And, I gotta tell you, it ain't a pretty sight."

	While Jase laughed, I took advantage and pinned him up against the
dresser, digging my fingers into any available ticklish spot.  Jase fought
me in turn, and we struggled playfully while Eric dressed.  As he went
downstairs to start work, I looked up from the headlock Jase had me in to
caution him.

	"Don't mess with Kara until she's had her coffee. . .she stays
crabby until after her third cup."

	"Check."

	Leaning around the doorframe, I spoke to Eric's disappearing back.
"And make sure you wipe off the chairs and tables after hosing everything
down. . ."

	Jase was checking himself in the mirror, and I saw him adjust
himself more than once, possibly looking just the slightest bit worried.
It was kind of cute, so I went over to him and put my chin on his shoulder
and my arms around his waist.  He met my eyes in the mirror and leaned back
into me with a sheepish grin.

	"It's not really that small next to Eric's, is it?"

	I snorted.  "Get real.  You could line up a million penises in a
row, and I'd still pick yours first."  "And," I paused for emphasis, "it
just so happens that it's attached to the brightest, cutest, most
all-around likeable guy on the planet."

	He turned around so he faced me.  "Really, Zach?  You know, I
didn't hear you complaining when you thought his was mi--mmm."  Putting my
hands in his back pockets, I pulled him close and closed my lips over his
to smother any further nonsense.  When the kiss ended, Jase took my hand as
we walked to the door of the bedroom.  "You're one-in-a-million to me too,
Zach."

	He brought the hand up to his lips and kissed my fingers softly.
"One-in-a-million."

	Once downstairs, we went about our usual chores; Kara met my glance
and held it questioningly, raising one eyebrow for a little longer than
necessary to make her point.  I just smiled and rolled my eyes, shaking my
head negatively.  I knew what she was thinking, and I didn't think it was
fair.  It was going to be a long morning.

	By mid-day, the lunch crowd had populated a large portion of the
outdoor area and we stayed busy shuttling the orders out the door.
Weekends were always busier; Eric and Jesse had to split up the work
between the inside and outside seats, keeping the tables cleared while also
delivering food.  That left Kara and I taking orders, and Jase and Sam
working the preparation.

	A few familiar faces dotted the tables, although it was a stranger
that caught my eye.  It was a young man, sitting alone near the door to the
patio with a backpack and a pair of skates next to him on the floor.  He
must have been skating the bayfront, I thought, judging by the way he was
dressed; we weren't all that far away, and he must have just skated over
for lunch.  As Eric passed him on his way to the kitchen, the guy watched
him over the top of his book, only looking down when Eric came back headed
the other direction.  Interesting--was he checking Eric out?

	Eric wasn't giving him more than a passing glance that I could see,
but the more I watched, the more I decided I was right.  Whenever Jesse
walked past, the guy didn't even look up.  He had long since finished his
sandwich, and was nursing a bottle of water as he read.  I started a mental
checklist.

	Possibly on the short side, though it was hard to tell since he was
sitting down.  Defined muscles, but not built; he wore sandals on feet that
were in neat proportion to the rest of him.  Dark blonde hair, fading
towards lighter on the ends and neatly cut although somewhat windblown at
the moment.  Cute?  Absolutely.  I started wondering what his personality
was like.  Well, only one way to find out.  The crowd had begun to thin,
and I took the opportunity to carry another bottle of water over to his
table.  He looked up in surprise as I set the bottle down.

	"You looked like you could use another, and it's on the house.  My
name's Zach by the way."

	"Um, thanks--I'm Chris."  He held out his hand and we shook.

	"Been skating this morning?"

	"Yeah," he smiled and set his book down.  "I was on the way home
and almost walked past, but then thought it looked like a cool place to
eat."

	"You live on the island, too?"

	"Not too far."  He waved vaguely down the street.  "What about
you?"

	"Upstairs, actually."

	"Oh, that's neat.  Don't have to travel far to work, huh?"  Chris
grinned, and I decided I liked the guy.

	"Nope, sure don't."

	We talked for a few minutes, interrupted occasionally by the patio
door opening and closing as Eric came and went.  Chris kept glancing at
Eric as we spoke.  The conversation turned towards work, and I pointed out
Kara and Jase, who waved at us from behind the counter.

	"Can I ask you something?"  He hesitated, then leaned forward and
spoke a little softer.  "What's the name of the guy working the patio?"

	"His name?"

	"Yeah, he seems familiar, and I thought maybe I knew him from high
school."

	"It's Eric."

	"Eric. . .?  Thanks."  With perfect timing, the door opened again
and Eric brushed past us, carrying an armload of trays.  Carrying several
orders on his way back from the kitchen, he made a face at us as if the
food he was holding weighed a ton.  We both laughed, and Chris offered to
help.

	"Nah, I got it, thanks."  Eric hooked the door with his toe and
went out.

	Chris looked at his watch, then leaned down and grabbed his
backpack and skates as he got up.  "Hey, Zach--thanks again for the water."

	I held out my hand once more, and we shook a little longer this
time.  "You're welcome, stop back again anytime; we'll be here."

	"Thanks, I will."

	He took one last look at Eric through the side windows on his way
out, and I whistled happily as I cleared his table and made my way back to
the kitchen.