Playing Both Sides

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The next day, Joel arrived early at the meeting spot, leaned his bike against a pole, and wandered between the dozens of shiny used cars, dreaming of any of them being his. A breeze stirred the array of colorful banners, and the sun warmed without burning. He kept checking down the boulevard, hoping Ken didn’t forget or decide against their ride. Right on time, Ken peddled up wearing a yellow and black backpack that gave the semblance of a bumblebee.

Joel grinned. “Hey, nice backpack.”

Ken’s smile flattened.

“I’m serious. I wasn’t being sarcastic. Yellow is my favorite color.” He squeezed Ken’s arm. He wasn’t going to confess pink was really his favored color.

Ken’s grin returned. “Sorry. I grew up around mean sarcasm.” He tilted his head toward his pack. “I have sandwiches, soda, and some chocolate cake. My boss is so cool.”

“He sounds neat, like Dio, the guy I live with. He’s an angel who goes around helping others.”

Ken lifted an eyebrow. “Let’s get going.”

“Which way?”

“To Stevens Creek Reservoir. A very cool and peaceful place in the foothills. It’s far from the city and is like a different world.”

They pedaled west along Steven’s Creek Boulevard, a wide business road. When traffic allowed, they rode side-by-side, making frequent eye contact.

Ken queried, “So tell me about Dio.”

Joel smiled at the mention of Dio’s name. “I’ve had some rough times. Dio saved me. My parents used me for a punching bag, mentally and physically.”

Traffic made them drop to single file. Joel kept checking to be sure Ken stayed behind him. He hoped he hadn’t scared him off by revealing his history. The road widened, and Ken pulled alongside.

“Okay, go on.”

“Sorry to lay that heavy s**t on you about the abuse. Sorry.” Joel chastised himself for saying sorry so much.

“It’s cool. Go on.”

“I left home at sixteen. The beatings and hate got to me. I told a bus agent how much money I had and asked what big city could I get to. He said San Jose, so here I am. I had no money and slept wherever I could: in parks, underpasses, and sometimes ate out of restaurant dumpsters.” He chewed his lower lip again and took a breath. “I began to hang out in a secluded men’s room of a mall. I got up the nerve to offer a guy a blowjob for twenty bucks. I was desperate. He asked how old I was. I said seventeen. He gave me the money in his pocket, ninety-five dollars, but refused the blowjob. It was Dio, and he told me to stop whoring myself.”

Ken blinked and stared. His mouth stood open.

Joel cranked his head at Ken and gave an embarrassed smile.

“Tell me more about Dio.”

“I tried to give the money back, and he wouldn’t take it. I said I’d flush it down the toilet.”

“No, tell me you didn’t!” Ken said.

“No, he said that I was being stupid on top of hungry and homeless. Normally, I’d punch someone who said that, but his eyes seemed to have me hypnotized, and his words were nurturing. They oozed love, or friendship, or something. I froze, too proud to do anything.” A lump formed in Joel’s throat.

They locked eyes. Ken turned his head forward. “Look out!”

A car cut in front of them into a shopping center. Both of them jammed on their brakes, missing a collision by inches. Anger and hate erupted inside Joel. He stood on the pedals pumping hard, following the car into the center.

“You f*****g asshole.”

The driver parked and got out, clearly unaware of Ken and Joel’s presence, which deepened Joel’s rage. He dropped his bike and jumped in front of the man, tall and average build.

“You f*****g asshole. You almost hit us.”

The man stepped back. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

Joel waved his arms. “We’re on bikes. You turned in front of us and almost hit us, you f*****g asshole.”

The man face stiffened. “Get the hell away from me.”

Ken stepped between them. “Joel, cool it.”

Ken’s hands on Joel’s shoulders and a tiny smile subdued Joel’s rage. He took a breath, dropping his forehead, for a few seconds, on Ken’s shoulder.

Ken continued, “Relax, he missed us. I’m sure he didn’t cut us off on purpose. Come on, I want lunch.”

The man calmed. “I didn’t see you guys, I’m sorry. I was worrying about work.”

Joel moaned. “Yeah, okay, I’m sorry I got so mad.” He picked up his bike and waited for Ken, upset at his outburst. Dio wouldn’t approve, and he hated disappointing him.

Ken and the guy exchanged a few words, with the guy innocently holding his hands up as though apologizing. Then he handed Ken some money. Joel had Ken’s bike standing, waiting for him.

“Hey, Ken, thanks. Uh, I’m sorry. I have a temper. It’s been a while since it went off like that.” He looked around and down. “You don’t have to hang out with me.”

Ken pulled their foreheads together. “You’re my friend. The guy gave me a hundred dollars for us to share.” He gave half to Joel and motioned for him to follow.

They made it back to the boulevard and, two miles later, turned onto a two-lane, country road. Ken kept returning his gaze to Joel, pleasing him. They rode side-by-side.

Ken queried, “So, you met Dio in the restroom, he gave you money, but declined the blowjob. Then what?” Ken’s voice rose in excitement, which soothed Joel that someone was taking an interest in him.

“Dio walked me to a restaurant in the mall for lunch. He made me tell him my life story. I never open up to strangers, but I did with him. There was this aura or something about him.” Their peddling became casual. “Just like you, Ken. Besides Dio, you’re the only one I’m telling this stuff to.”

Ken smiled and pointed left to a small reservoir and grassy patch with picnic tables. “Over there. I’m hungry. Go on.”

“Dio wanted to take me to a homeless teen house. I told him I’d stay on the streets.”

They dropped their bikes in the grass and found a shaded picnic table. Ken lowered his backpack and passed out the food.

“Finish telling me about Dio.”

“I asked him what his history was. He said his family life had been shitty, and he joined the military at eighteen. He had a bad temper, got in trouble, went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he hated to see me take the same rocky path he did. Then he announced I was going home with him. Just like something from a movie. I’ve stayed with him two years. I helped him fix up a house he inherited from his grandmother, and he made me stay in school. He’s helping me control my temper and to like myself, and—” Joel stopped himself. “I’m talking too much, sorry. What’s your story?”

Ken frowned. “Poor, almost homeless. My mom ran out years ago. They only married cuz they got pregnant with me. My dad is not really a father. We never got along. He hit me, sometimes a few times, sometimes a real beating. The insults and sarcasm got to me. Last summer, he accepted a job out of state and said for me to take care of myself. He left some money in a bank account.” His jaw clenched as he took a huge bite out of his sandwich. “The money’s almost gone even though I’m careful.”

Joel moaned.

Ken whispered, “You offered Dio a blow job in the men’s room. Are you gay or were you desperate?”

Joel chortled. “I’m gay, of course. Isn’t it obvious?”

Ken gazed toward the sky. “Duh, no. Should it be?”

“I just figured everyone knew.”

They finished the food.

Ken brushed the thick hair from Joel’s forehead. “Oh, there it is, tattooed on you. Your hair covered it.”

They laughed. Ken began to withdraw his hand, and Joel held it.

“Are you gay?”

Ken looked away.

Joel guided Ken’s hand back to his forehead. “I liked that you touched me. I hope you’re gay.” His c**k grew. Joel stared at Ken’s eyes, but Ken looked around before returning the gaze.

Ken feathered his fingers over Joel’s face as the sun shifted and warmed them. “I might be a little gay.” Ken swallowed, making his prominent Adam’s apple bounce. Joel thought even that simple act seemed sexy. Ken whispered, “I’m a virgin.”

Joel pulled Ken into a hug, kissed his cheek, and entangled their legs. Ken returned the cheek kiss. Their lips nearly met, but Ken turned away, his face reddening. A man, woman, and three kids rushed from a car in the parking lot, frolicking toward the guys. With the magic of the moment broken, Ken and Joel stood, gathered their stuff, and rode off, pointing things out to each other and trading jokes, often sexually laced. Joel checked Ken out whenever he thought he could get away with it, from his slender legs, cute ass, and up to his perfect neck, and boyish, smooth face. Everything about Ken appealed to Joel.