Chapter 8: Gareth
Oh God. My head feels like someone’s using it as a snare drum. My migraine is in a full gallop now and my eyes hurt. Thank God for Axel. The doctor said I didn’t break anything, but I have deep bruises on my hip and elbow. I squeezed my eyes shut and thought about what happened.
Axel had saved my life again.
The faint scar on my arm reminds me of the night of the fateful car wreck. I’m starting to think I have no luck with cars.
“Hey.”
I pry my eyes open and see two Axels in the doorway. Damn, they both look good. Barely a scratch on them.
“Are you okay?” I ask, closing my eyes. As much as I’m enjoying this particular double vision, I hope it’s gone when I open my eyes again. Yeah. One Axel. More than enough, though.
“Yup. Tuck and roll.” Axel winks and smiles.
“What the heck was going on out there just now?”
“Paul showed up.”
I sigh and close my eyes again.
“Let me guess. You two got into it?”
“Noooo! We played strip poker.”
“Axel…” I opened my eyes and he was right next to the bed. “It can’t be Paul. You just don’t understand.”
“Make me understand, then.”
“The night of the car wreck, I was hungry and whining about how I wanted to stop somewhere for food. We were all tired, you know? But Paul took the next exit so we could stop at my favorite burger joint. If we had just kept going, we would have missed the logging truck. Paul made sure the paramedics got to me first, Axel. He made sure Ransom and I were taken care of.”
“I can’t help it, Gareth. Instinct tells me it’s him.”
“Guess I’ll have to change your mind then.”
“Ha. Good luck with that.”
“How’s Mac?”
“He’s fine. He’d survive a nuclear blast. Just cockroaches and Mac left after the big mushroom cloud.”
“Thank you. I know I keep saying that, but you keep saving my life.”
“And I always will, Gareth.”
I know I’m blushing, but I can’t seem to stop. Axel makes my hands sweaty and my heart race and he doesn’t even have to touch me to do it. I’d never had anyone other than Ransom be so protective of me. I hope we can still be together after all this shit is done because he’s the perfect guy for me.
“What are you thinking?”
“That I hope we resolve this quickly because no hanky panky with you sounds like a nightmare.”
Axel chuckled deep in his throat and my dick hardened. What the hell? I’ve never reacted to a man as I do to him. He came closer and leaned over the bed; his lips brushed mine softly and I nearly swooned.
“I’ll find out who is behind this, Gareth. I swear it.”
I nodded and a throat cleared behind us. Axel stepped aside and I noticed my doctor standing by the door, grinning, clipboard in hand.
“You are cleared to leave, Gareth. Take it easy on that hip.”
“Thanks, doc.”
I winced as Axel helped me off the bed. I was beyond sore all over. The worst part was that the adrenaline was wearing off.
Axel wrapped a big arm around my waist and we headed for the waiting room. As we got closer, I could hear Ransom and Paul talking softly. Paul’s eyes met mine and he rushed over, arms outstretched.
Axel stepped in front of me and Paul slid to a stop.
“Move, Goliath,” Paul snapped.
“Fuck you.”
“Could we just…?” I moved carefully between them and gave Paul a tentative smile. “Maybe this can wait for tomorrow, Paul?”
“Are you okay?” Paul asked me.
“Sore with a couple bruises, but I’m alive.”
“Breakfast tomorrow? All of us?” Paul took a look around the room at the rest of the guys.
“You got it.” Ransom nodded.
“I want waffles!” Axel smiled toothily in the manner of a crocodile trying to get a second helping of kayaker.
“Gareth,” Paul began.
“Whatever the problem is between you and Axel, you’ll need to work it out. He’s not going anywhere.”
“Fine.” Paul spun on his heel and stormed out.
“Well, that escalated quickly,” Harley joked.
“Are you ready to go?” Axel asked me quietly.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I just want to sleep for about twelve hours.”
“Okay. We’ll meet you for breakfast. I’ll text and let you know where.” Ransom hugged me carefully. “Love you, Munchkin.”
Getting back to the treehouse didn’t take long. I was so tired, I fell asleep in the car. Before I knew it, we were home.
Home.
With Axel.
He helped me out of my clothes and settled me comfortably into bed. He walked to the couch and fell onto it, placing his hands behind his head.
“Really? You’re going to sleep over there?”
“I can’t trust myself with you.”
I smiled and carefully propped myself up on my good elbow. “It’s because I’m irresistible.”
“You’re something all right,” Axel chuckled. He sobered and eyed me seriously. “How are you really? Do you need some pain meds?”
“No. The doc gave me some aspirin. You know me and drugs.”
“Yes, no more sleeping pills for you. If you need help falling asleep, just jack off.”
“Will you watch?” I joked.
“Yes.”
The look in his eyes was feral and my dick immediately popped out of my boxers. I slipped a hand under the sheet and grabbed my dick, stroking it slowly, my eyes never leaving Axel’s.
He rolled to his side, his eyes watching my every movement.
“Let me see,” he ordered quietly.
I pulled the sheet down and exposed my hard, leaking cock, gliding my hand up and down.
“Get the lube; slick yourself up.” Axel slid a hand into his own pants and I groaned at the sight.
I grabbed the tube of lube and popped the cap, pouring the liquid over the head of my dick. Axel licked his lips as he watched my hand. I watched his as he watched mine. He unzipped his jeans and pulled them down to his upper thighs. Adjusting his position on the couch, I got a full view of his gorgeous dick. The head flared, seeping precome onto Axel’s fingers. I tightened my grip on my cock and grabbed my balls, squeezing them with every glide of Axel’s hand. I could almost feel his dick sliding into my tight ass. Damn, I wanted him so fucking bad it hurt! Whimpers and moans filled the room as we watched each other jack off. Axel’s face was one of intense concentration as he watched me jack off with a hungry look in his eyes.
“I want to taste you so bad,” Axel barely whispered.
“Axel, I want you to fuck me!” I rasped.
Axel’s head flew back and ropes of ejaculate launched from his prick, covering his toned abs. The sight had me spurting all over my hand and stomach. My head fell forward as I tried to catch my breath. I inhaled through my nose slowly as my orgasm ebbed away.
I didn’t even realize Axel had moved until a washcloth appeared in front of my face. Axel knelt on the floor and slapped his hand over mine. He leaned in and kissed me slowly. I opened up immediately as his tongue sought mine. He backed off slowly and brought his hand to his mouth. My mouth dropped open as he licked my cum from his fingers.
“Fuck,” he rasped. “Just as I thought — you taste so fucking sweet, Gareth!”
He seemed to compose himself and smiled, backing away from the bed. I cleaned myself up and took the washcloth back to the bathroom. When I re-entered my room, Axel was on his back on the couch. He took my hand as I walked by.
“Did you mean what you said?”
“Yes. I want you.”
“Then let’s get this done.”
Morning came way too soon. I propped at the kitchen table sipping my coffee and looking through some of the letters I’d brought home. I never realized how much good I had done by coming out until I read some of the letters. My chest ached as I read the more poignant ones. They told of kids kicked out by their parents, but able to survive because they knew there was nothing wrong with them. I wanted to help these kids. Ever since I came out, I’d been trying to do just that.
I wanted to do more.
Axel padded out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. I couldn’t help the smile that formed as he poured a cup of coffee. He was shirtless and in shorts.
That should be illegal.
“Morning.” He grinned.
“Hey.” I smiled.
Axel joined me at the table and picked up one of the letters. He glanced at me with a cocked eyebrow. “You have that look.”
“What look is that?”
“The one that says I’m going to be busy again making sure you stay safe.”
“I think I want to go visit one of the LGBT homes in town. You know — the ones that house kids who have been kicked out of their homes?”
“Gareth, you can’t help everyone.”
“But if I can help even one kid, I’ll sleep better at night. I’ll feel like I’m doing something for people besides just making music.”
“Making music does help people, Gareth. I was there at your concert; I could see the excitement, the elation when you guys played. You have no idea how much you might have changed someone’s life.” Axel peered into my eyes and sighed. “We’re doing this, aren’t we?”
“Yep.” I nodded. “Please?”
“Okay. Let’s get breakfast out of the way and then we’ll make plans to visit one of them. Pick one so I can get the layout of the place.”
“Do you really think —”
“That’s necessary?” Axel finished for me. “Yes, I do. On this I will not back down.”
“Okay.”
~*~
Breakfast consisted of me talking to Ransom about my plans. He was on board; in fact, the whole band was on board. Even Paul wanted to go with us, much to Axel’s dismay. I wanted Axel to see Paul the way I did. He was a constant in our life, someone I knew I could count on for anything.
I eyed him covertly out of the corner of my eye. Paul was uneasy, but I’m sure that had a lot to do with the death glares he was getting from Axel. I knew he wouldn’t hurt Ransom or me.
“Gareth?”
I turned to find Axel smiling at me. “Yes?”
“I asked if you wanted to take that to go. We need to head out now if we’re going to be back before dark.”
“Sure.”
“Should we go in separate cars?” Ransom asked.
“Yes.” Axel answered immediately, staring a hole through Paul.
“Okay. Well, let’s hit the road.”
As soon as we opened the door, loud cheers met our ears. I stood shocked as an entire room of kids held up Skull Blasters posters and signed pictures. In seconds, a sea of arms reached for me. I searched for Axel and found him off to the side, smiling. The director of the house stepped up and extended a hand to me.
“Hello, I’m Gene Robbins, head of the Pride House. Thank you all so much for coming!”
“Glad to be here.” I shook his hand firmly.
“Why don’t you guys follow me? I’ll take you on a tour.”
Axel fell into step behind me as we took a tour of the house. It reminded me of camp in some ways as the bedrooms had rows of twin bunk beds. All the kids had their own private little space for their belongings, and art covered the walls.
“We’re getting more and more kids every year.” Gene shook his head sadly.
“We’ll help all we can” Paul spoke up.
“How about you help get lunch started?” Gene asked.
“I’d be happy to help,” I offered.
We ended up in the kitchen and Gene handed me a large bag of potatoes and two peelers. I threw one to Axel and grinned.
“You should be good at this, right?”
“I can peel two to your one.”
“You’re on, Sailor.”
Axel blinked at me in surprise and I smiled.
“What?”
“No reference to my height? Just, ‘Sailor’? I’m so disappointed in you.” Axel smiled.
“Come on, get over here.”
While the rest of the guys made salad and browned beef in large pans, Axel and I were in fierce competition to peel potatoes. I had an advantage; I was addicted to hash browns as a kid and peeled potatoes faster than most people peel. I bet I could break records when I was in munchie mode. Axel seemed surprised at first and then shocked as I peeled three to his two. We were neck and neck after a while, our bowls filling up with freshly peeled potatoes.
“You’d think you were getting a prize at the end of this,” Ransom chuckled.
“I am,” I shot back. “Bragging rights.”
I threw my last potato in the bowl seconds before Axel. He reclined in the chair and wiped his forehead. I chuckled at the look on his face. Even with the scars, Axel was beautiful.
“Damn.” Axel glanced up at me. “You’re fast.”
“You can get him to do anything if you promise him hash browns.” Ransom mussed my hair.
“Is that right?” Axel grinned at me wickedly.
“Oh hell.” Ransom sighed.
“Don’t forget tater tots,” Jinx called out from across the room.
I shot him an evil glare and smiled. Axel picked up our bowls and took them to the pot on the stove. I stood next to him and cut them into slices.
“Really? Potatoes?” Axel seemed skeptical.
“We had them a lot because they were cheap. Besides.” I smiled up at him. “Irish.”
“Yes. The Irish eat a lot of potatoes.”
“Are you Irish?”
“No. Scottish.” Axel leaned into me and nuzzled my hair with his nose.
“I’ll let it slide.”
We stood in a line as the kids came down for lunch. Axel and I heaped out mashed potatoes as the rest of the guys served up sloppy joes. The kids were excited to see us there and we ended up sitting in the middle of the room at our own table answering questions as we ate. I felt good, as if I was doing something that mattered. I loved playing and I love my brother, but I was still trying to adjust to the touring life. Axel leaned into my ear.
“Look at them smiling.”
“I know!” I felt giddy inside seeing all those smiling faces.
“Um, Mr. Wolf? Is it true what the news said? That someone is sending you nasty letters?” one of the kids asked.
“Yes. I’m sure a lot of you know that not everyone agrees with whom we choose to love. What I can tell you is that I’m not going to back down. I’m not going to keep my mouth shut because someone doesn’t agree with who I am. I refuse to hide anymore and I am so proud of all of you for being brave enough to voice who you are and what you want.”
“How will you stay safe?” another one asked.
“That’s what I’m here for,” Axel announced. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to Gareth.”
“Are you his bodyguard?” a teenage boy asked.
“I sure am.” Axel winked at the kids.
“Boy, you sure are lucky, Mr. Wolf!” another kid shouted from the back of the room.
“You don’t have to tell me,” I laughed.
~*~
We stayed for most of the afternoon. The guys really seemed to be enjoying themselves and Axel had his own little groupies by the time we left. Axel confided in the kids that he was also gay, which surprised all of them. I think it also helped them a lot to know that someone such as Axel preferred men. By the time we got back to Flagstaff, I was exhausted. The sun was beginning to set and I just wanted to crash. Axel did a check of the treehouse before allowing me in. More than once, he tried to convince me to stay in a hotel, but I wasn’t going to change my whole life because some asshole didn’t understand my preferences. I showered and fell into bed. Axel was already on the couch, grinning at me.
“What?”
“You were good today. Those kids look up to you.”
“They look up to you, too. It’s not often you hear of a gay SEAL,” I pointed out.
“Take the compliment, Gareth. Get some sleep, okay?”
“Yep. Thanks for today, Axel.”
“No problem.”
~*~
My eyes flew open and my nose started twitching so fast I looked like a rabbit. I sat up and took a frantic look around the room. Something was off and Axel was gone. He came barreling through my bedroom door and grabbed my hand.
“Move it!” he barked.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your treehouse is on fire!”
“What?!”
I didn’t get a chance to say anything else. Axel pulled me toward the front door.
“Wait!” I shouted.
“We don’t have time! This side could be consumed in a second!”
“There’s a sprinkler system attached under the deck! It covers the entire girth of the tree!”
I could see Axel wrestling with what to do. I shook him loose and ran.
“Gareth!”
I sped across the living room to the panel in the kitchen. I flipped the switch and immediately heard the sprinkler system engage. A call went out to the police the moment I flipped the switch, and my phone rang seconds later. Axel was back in the house as I stared down the escape hatch; water cascaded along the tree trunks.
“That’s it!” Axel yelled. “You’re coming with me.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”