Well, Family Weekend Can Suck It （17）

Beginning of November

"Rook, you gotta pull over."

"Again?" Ryan yelled. "Hayes, you're gonna have to calm the hell down with that thing."

"What do you want me to do, cut it the fuck off?" Hayes snapped. "I haven't gotten hard in months with the exception of, like, two times."

"Well, you're for sure making up for it now. "

"You know, Rook. I thought you'd be happy for me."

"I was happy for you when I sucked it the first two times, Hayes. My lips are gonna fall off."

Hayes adjusted his pants in the passenger seat and sat back, crossing his arms and sighing.

After finding out that Ryan had been hit on at Ryler, he'd made an appointment with his urologist to see if there was some underlying medical issue as to why he was having trouble. Having thoroughly examined him, the doctor was adamant that it was stress related.

"You've got a lot on your plate, a lot that you're dealing with right now. It's not surprising that it's manifesting this way, especially since you're getting older now…"

"Alright, Doc. Seriously, calm down with that shit. I'm fuckin' 42, not 82."

"Yes, but your testosterone levels begin to drop at age 30, and by age 40, they begin to drop even more. Also, being a former opioid addict doesn't help, then combine that with a ton of stress, and…" The doctor had motioned toward Hayes.

"So, what are we suggesting here, exactly?"

He'd recommended Hayes first try a series of natural attempts to remedy the problem. These included a type of counseling known as psychodynamic therapy, which was intended to address a subconscious problem in order to identify the root cause. Meditation and yoga were also suggested, and though Hayes was willing to give yoga a shot, having done it when he was in recovery, he'd suggested that the doctor could " fuck off with that meditation bullshit. "

His doctor had also written him a prescription for "boner pills", as Hayes so eloquently referred to them. "I only want you to use these as a last resort. I really believe this is psychological with you, and I think using these without first addressing the cause of this issue will be detrimental rather than helpful, considering your history with addiction."

So, Hayes had given it the old college try.

He'd gone to his psychodynamic therapy sessions, where he'd discovered that, as expected, the root cause was a coagulation of stressors that had formed basically The Avengers of troubles: the demands of running the business, the constant battle of waking up every single day fighting the urge to get high and drunk, the grief of losing three of his best friends, and JT fucking DiMara.

He'd also started doing yoga nightly with Ryan, which had actually helped increase the mobility in his shoulder.

After a few weeks, he'd been able to get hard for a bit, but right on cue, another stressor thrust itself into the mix: performance anxiety. As soon as he and Ryan would get things going, he'd get inside his own head and…down she went.

"Rook, if you wanna divorce me, or if you need to fuck around on me, I get it. I won't blame you," he'd told him sadly one night as he slunk to the edge of the bed and buried his head in his hands.

In seconds, Ryan was right behind him, wrapping him in his arms. "Why would you even talk like that? We'll get through this. I said I'd wait as long as it takes and I wasn't kidding. Hayes, if we never have sex again, I'm still gonna be here for you. I'm not going anywhere, OK?"

Hayes wiped his eyes, then clutched his husband's hands and held them firmly against his chest, silent for a few moments before breaking the silence. "If you do decide to cheat, which again, I won't blame you for, it probably won't be with Matt."

"And why's that?" Ryan had asked, playing along with his dramatic ass husband.

"Because the other day, we were talkin' about the kids, and I may or may not have casually mentioned to him that if he ever made a pass at my husband again, I'd break his fuckin' neck, stuff his lifeless body into a hockey bag, and toss him in the dumpster where he belongs."

Ryan had blinked a few times, then smiled, kissing the back of Hayes's neck. "That's…really sweet, baby. A little psychotic, but sweet, nonetheless. This, um, would also explain why he won't even make eye contact with me anymore."

"I wanna do this without drugs," Hayes had said quietly, a few tears escaping his eyes. "You know I don't even like takin' a fuckin' Advil, Rook."

"Baby, it's not even remotely the same, OK? If you feel like you need to take them, then take them. If you wanna wait, then wait. Either way, I'm gonna be right here."

And he'd waited as long as he could. Over the past few days, he'd been able to jerk off, only once to completion, after which he couldn't believe the obscene amount of cum that had exited his body.

But, since they were going to Penn State to visit JT for Family Weekend, and since staying in hotels always made the two of them ravenous for each other, he figured he'd give the "boner pills" a shot.

This, as it'd turned out, was a big mistake.

Having popped one about three hours prior, while on the flight from Tampa to Philadelphia, he was fully bricked up by the time they hit the tarmac. "Rook," he'd whispered excitedly as they grabbed their luggage from the overhead compartment. "Look at this fuckin' shit!"

And Ryan, the same Ryan who'd never once in his life been able to turn down his husband's cock, instantly began plotting where they could sneak off so he could take care of it for him. Within seven minutes of being off the plane, Ryan was riding Hayes's dick in the VIP lounge bathroom at the Philadelphia International Airport, resulting in one of the most intense, mind-blowing orgasms Hayes had ever experienced.

But his boner quickly returned and became the houseguest that wouldn't leave.

A half hour into their over three-hour drive out to State College, Ryan had pulled over to blow him, and then once again at the one-hour, forty-three-minute marker.

Now, Hayes was asking him to pull over once more, and Ryan was having none of it. "You're gonna have to smack it or wait until we get to the hotel. I'm not stopping again."

"Well, you're no fun," Hayes mumbled, scrolling through his phone. "Alright, so it says here to see a doctor if your dick's hard for more than four hours. I'm right on the cusp of that shit, Rook."

"I think that's like, if it stays hard that whole time. Yours is kinda coming and going. I think you're fine."

"Yeah, it's comin' alright," Hayes quipped, noticing that he had a text from JT.

J: Practice until 7. Meet you guys for dinner at 830. Lionne & 1855 Lounge. Made reservations for 5.

H: 5? Bringing some friends?

J: Something like that.

???

"You look insanely beautiful," JT told Audrey, as he leaned against the door and watched intently as she fixed her makeup in her bathroom mirror and restyled her hair about five times.

"Thank you," she said, smiling at him. "Alright, that's as good as it's gonna get." She turned off the bathroom light and headed over to the closet to grab her coat and her car keys, which she dangled in front of JT's face. "Thank God for low-mileage leases."

The two exited the apartment, where they ran into Jess getting off the elevator. "And where are you two lovebirds headed?" she said, holding the door open for them.

"Actually, we're…heading to dinner," Audrey said shyly. "With JT's dads and Ryk."

Jess shrieked, then let go of the door so she could fling her arms around Audrey. "I am so fucking proud of you, babe," she whispered into her ear. "Is it the first time?"

Audrey shook her head. "Ryker and I shared a muffin at Starbucks a few times this week, and I actually cooked dinner for all three of us two nights ago and even ate some of it. It's…the first time I'm going out for dinner in a really long time though, around all those people. And I'm meeting Ryan and Ty. So, you know, no pressure."

Jess let go of her, then pressed the elevator button for them seeing as the door had closed and it had left their floor. "You good? Did you prepare?"

"Yep. Looked at the menu a zillion times. I know exactly what I'm going to order. I think I'm more nervous about meeting them, honestly."

"Don't be," JT said, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind her and resting his head on her shoulder. "They're going to love you just as much as I do."

"Oh, my gosh. This fucking kid , Aud," Jess swooned, holding her hand over her heart. "You better keep him around."

"I think I will," she said, making a beeline for the door as it opened so they didn't miss it again.

"Hey," JT said, walking backwards toward the elevator and pointing at Jess. "Don't forget. Post-game skate tomorrow. You're coming, right?"

"Against my better judgment, yes. I haven't skated in years."

"There'll be plenty of guys there who'd love to help you out," he yelled, as the doors closed.

"Trust me, she will definitely take advantage of that," Audrey said, as they rode the elevator down to the ground floor and made their way out to her brand new, red Honda Civic.

"So, do you love it yet?" JT asked, as she started it up and they headed to the Nittany Lion Inn to meet the guys for dinner.

"Beyond love it," she gushed, petting the steering wheel gently. "It's still crazy to me that he did this."

"Yeah. Crazy," JT said quietly.

"But I guess that's his way of making amends for being a cheating sleazebag. Hope he's not waiting for me to thank him, because it ain't happening. Also, it's nice to not have to walk everywhere in 25-degree weather, or spend a third of my income on Uber."

The "this" she was referring to was the payment in full of the remaining seven months of her apartment lease, totaling just over $7000. When she'd gone to make her rent payment last month, she was informed that someone had paid it off through May. After getting over the initial shock, she immediately knew.

Evan Verdano.

It had to be Evan.

She'd asked repeatedly for details as to who'd paid the balance and was constantly met with the same answer: they had no idea.

Either way, things were looking up for Audrey. She was in a relationship where, despite the fact that she was sharing him with another man, she actually felt valued , her finances were coming together, and, with the help of her therapist, she was at a place where she was finally able to eat in front of other people again.

"JT," she said, as they pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and she parked the car. "I want you to know something."

"Yeah? Is it that you're sorry you leased this tiny ass car that your very tall boyfriend can hardly squeeze into?" he teased. "First a Mirage, and now this clown car?"

"I'm serious."

He reached a hand to the back of her head and leaned his face over toward hers. "What's up, gorgeous?"

"I, uh, never expected in a million years that I'd be where I am right now. I mean, with you and with Ryk. But I want you to know that I'm…happy. Like, for the first time in a very long time, I'm fucking happy , Jacob. You…I don't know if you understand just how special you are. It makes all the sense in the world that you wouldn't just be loved by one person. You…you deserve all the love this world has to offer you, baby."

JT pressed his forehead against his girlfriend's, sliding a hand up her thigh. "Does this mean you, maybe…I don't know. Maybe you might be in love with me now?"

Her breath hitched, his fingers toying with the hem of her thong. "Well, JT, if I'm not , then I don't know if I'm even capable of being in love . "

He pulled his hand away abruptly, leaving her panting. "Good to know. Now, let's go meet my gay adopted dads."

"You…fucking tease! " she scolded, slapping him lightly, then getting out of the car and holding his hand as they walked into the hotel.

"So, listen. Ty is…well, he's Ty. Ry is a giant fucking golden retriever. You'll absolutely love him. Everyone does. Ty is just…he's…" JT fumbled over his words.

"Can I guess which one you're more like?" she teased, as they made their way into the restaurant.

"Aud, if I didn't know better, I'd swear Ty was my dad. We're…the exact same fucking person. It's insane."

"How…I mean, how did you end up with Ryan and Ty? They're so much younger than your mom was."

She knew.

She'd read Ryan's memoir, Breaking Ryan Baylor and put the pieces together, knowing that even though names had been replaced, the older female roommate was almost certainly JT's mom. And, for a bit, she had a similar relationship going on with both Ryan and Ty as she and Ryker currently had going on with JT.

She wasn't sure if he knew though, so she tried to tread lightly.

"Honestly," JT said, spotting the guys sitting at a table with Ryker and motioning to them. "I've never really asked, and I kinda don't wanna know. I know what my gut tells me, and it's…whatever. They've done right by me is all I can say. They've absolutely done right by me. And Ty might be a fucking dick sometimes, but I really do love them both."

As JT and Audrey approached the table, Ryan and Hayes both stood, taking turns hugging Amara's son before he sat down next to Ryker, leaned over, and kissed him on the lips. " Missed you," he whispered.

"It's been an hour," Ryker replied, holding onto JT's hand under the table.

"That's one hour too long." JT looked over at Ryan and Hayes, who both remained standing and looked cautiously at each other, then at JT. "I see you've met my boyfriend. I'd like to introduce you to my tutor and girlfriend, Audrey Winston."

"It's an absolute pleasure to meet you," Audrey said, extending her hand across the table to shake Ryan's, then Hayes's. "JT has only the most amazing things to say about you both."

"Well, we all know that's a fuckin' lie," Hayes said with a wink, as they took a seat. "Ms. Winston, I just wanted to…"

"Audrey," she corrected him, as JT grabbed her hand under the table with his free one. "Please. Ms. Winston is my mom, and we don't exactly get along."

"Fine. Audrey . I just wanted to thank you for the work you're doing with JT and for gettin' him the help he needs. It's…what you did for him, helpin' him get diagnosed? It's fuckin' amazing."

She blushed. "JT learns a bit differently, but he's absolutely brilliant. Now, we just have to get him to a place where he understands that."

He turned his head and kissed her on the lips, side-eyeing Hayes and Ryan as he did so to see their reactions, which didn't disappoint. "I'm getting there, babe. Mostly thanks to you. So, uh," he said, turning his attention toward the guys. "How was your flight and drive? You had a busy day of traveling, huh?"

Ryan and Hayes shot each other a look, then nodded. "Yeah, it was certainly busy, alright," Ryan said, punching Hayes's leg under the table. "Kinda can't wait to go to bed, honestly."

They made small talk for a bit, when JT noticed Audrey's hand was trembling as the server approached and leaned into her ear. "You don't need to be nervous. Fight it. You'll order, you'll eat, and everything is gonna be fine. You can do this. You trust me?"

She nodded, squeezing his hand.

He'd been right.

She'd ordered an unsweetened iced tea and a salad, dressing on the side, and when it came to the table, she ate most of it. She constantly scanned the dining room, but no one was watching, and neither JT nor Ryker made a big deal out of it, just allowed her to do her thing.

And she'd done it.

Once everyone finished eating and ordered coffee, Ryan attempted to strike up a conversation with Ryker. "So, Ryker, do you have family coming in for Family Weekend, too?"

"Nah. So, my mom died a few years ago, and my dad is on a cruise right now with his new girlfriend, who just so happens to be about four years older than me."

"Oh. I'm…sorry," Ryan said softly.

"Don't be," Ryker said. "I'm used to doing things on my own ever since she died. My dad…he didn't handle her death well, so he's doing what he needs to do to keep it together. I don't always approve, but I certainly understand it."

"I did everything myself, too, kid," Hayes chimed in. "Builds character. Oh, by the way," he addressed JT. "I have the paperwork for you to sign for that money you wanted to take out…"

JT cut him off quickly with a slashing motion to the throat.

"What? Somethin' I said?"

"Can I…can we? Over there?" JT asked, standing up an d motioning toward the doorway. "I'll be back," he said to Audrey and Ryker before leaving the restaurant with Hayes and entering into one of the common areas of the hotel, where they had a seat on a couch.

"What the fuck did I do this time?" Hayes asked, annoyed.

"I just think it's tacky to talk about money in front of everyone like that."

"Whatever, sorry. I didn't think it was a big deal. What'd you need it for, anyway? Five grand is a sizable chunk of change, kid. Please fuckin' tell me you're not in trouble again."

"No, I'm not in trouble again. I just…I needed it, OK? And I'd appreciate it if that could be the end of it."

"Well, you only gotta worry about it for another month or so, because when you turn 21, it's all yours. Then you're welcome to blow right the fuck through all of it if you wanna, OK?"

JT's leg bounced as he felt his eye beginning to twitch. "You're…impossible to talk to. You know that?"

"Yeah, and you're a real fuckin' peach," Hayes shot back. "Speaking of trouble," he said, motioning toward the restaurant, "what the hell is goin' on with all that in there?"

"All what , exactly?" JT asked, staring directly at Hayes, knowing damn well what he was referring to, but playing dumb.

"You know what."

"Say it."

"JT, I'm not…"

"No, go ahead and say it!" he yelled, standing up and raking his hands through his hair. "You don't think there could possibly be one person who gives a shit about me, let alone two. Right? I mean, honestly, who's gonna care about some mouthy, dumb little fuck up?"

Hayes noticed some heads turning in their direction. "Sit down, JT. And lower your fuckin' voice."

He did.

"All that shit you just said? That's how you feel, not me. And as for who's gonna care about some mouthy, dumb little fuck up?" He motioned toward the restaurant. "Ask Ryan. ‘Cause he's cared about this mouthy, dumb little fuck up for over 20 years now. You need to ease up on yourself, kid. That's not what I'm sayin' at all."

"Then what are you saying?"

"JT, I'm sayin' that in there…has the potential to get complicated, OK? When there's more than one person, and feelings like that are involved? It can get…really complicated. Trust me." Hayes sighed, knowing all too well the drama that came with it. "You're still young, JT. You're 20. You don't know what you want yet…"

JT scoffed, crossing his arms and bouncing his leg wildly. "That's rich, coming from you."

"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?"

"How old were you when you fell in love with Ryan?"

Hayes rolled his eyes. "Twenty."

"And you married him when you were how old?"

"Twenty-two."

"Then you ," JT leaned in toward Hayes, lowering his voice and pointing a finger at him, "don't get to tell me shit. "

With that, he got up and stormed back into the restaurant. As he approached the table, he noticed Audrey was smirking and Ryan had a glazed over look on his face, trying desperately to follow along as Ryker prattled on about the ins and outs of theoretical astrophysics.

"...and so, what we do is we use mathematical models and analyze them in an attempt to understand astrophysical phenomena. We draw on different areas of physics, like general relativity, nuclear and atomic physics. Our work is geared to help explain the observations made…"

"Hey, sorry to cut this riveting lecture short, Nerd, but I'm heading out."

Ryan stood up. "What happened? Is everything…"

"Ry, it's fine. You know how me and him do." JT approached Ryan and gave him a quick hug. "I'll see you at the game tomorrow. I love you."

Ryan spotted Audrey pulling out her credit card from her purse. "Don't worry about the bill, sweetie. We got it. I love you, too, JT."

Audrey and Ryker both stood up, shook hands with Ryan, thanked him for dinner, then followed JT, who'd already left the restaurant. They passed Hayes on the way out, stopping to shake his hand briefly as he made his way back to the table.

"Hayes?" Ryan asked cautiously.

"Don't," he warned.

"Excuse me. Don't ‘don't' me. What the hell happened?"

They both sat back down, Hayes grabbing onto Ryan's hand, then taking a sip of his coffee. "You're fuckin' sexy when you assert your dominance with me, you know that?"

"Great. What happened?"

"I just…warned him about that. About how complicated that can get. No one knows that better than us, Rook."

"Baby? Don't you think it's possible that he's capable of making his own decisions?"

"Rook, have you met JT?"

"He's growing up, Hayes. He's matured a lot over these past few months. And not for nothing, those two are two of the sweetest people on Earth."

"Yeah, well, that's all fine and good, Rook. But we've seen how that kid handles heartbreak, and it ain't well. And that ? Ends no other way but in heartbreak."

"Why? Because it did for us?"

"We weren't able to make it work, Rook."

Ryan reached up to Hayes's cheek, turning it to face his own. "We weren't able to make it work because it's always been you and me. Just you and me. And if it wasn't for us trying and failing? We wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation right now."

"So, what? We just let him fail?"

"Precisely," Ryan said, leaning in for a quick kiss as the server dropped the check off.

"He's been through so much, Rook. I just wanna…" Hayes trailed off, sadly.

"I know you wanna, but you can't protect him from everything, baby. He has to figure things out for himself. And maybe…maybe he makes it work, maybe they make it work. You know?" Ryan scanned the bill, placed his credit card in the book, and handed it back to the server who took it away. "You, uh, didn't mention anything to him about…"

"Fuck no, I didn't," Hayes interrupted. "Not even ready for the shitstorm that would cause."

"Good. That's probably not a conversation to have on Family Weekend."

"Well, Family Weekend can suck it."

Ryan signed the receipt and they both got up from the table. "And so can you when we get upstairs. After all I did for you today, I do believe it's my turn now."