Better Than Beginnings: A Better Than Good Short Story Collection (Better Than Stories Book 5) Read online

  I guided my gloved cock to his entrance and pushed. Fuck, he was warm, inside and out. I struggled against the urge to take and plunder, but Aaron obviously had other things in mind.

  “Matt, fuck me. Hard. I want it. Please.”

  I plunged in, watching my dick disappear inside him. My hands resting on his hips, I pulled out and did it again. I set a slower rhythm to start and steadily increased the pace. I moved my hands up to his shoulders and fucked him hard. Sweat poured from both of us as we moved together, Aaron arching his back and thrusting himself to meet me stroke for stroke until my tempo faltered as my orgasm approached. Wave upon wave overtook me, and Aaron was right behind me. His cum spurted over his fingers and onto his chest. I showered his neck and shoulders with kisses until he stopped shaking.

  We were quiet in the aftermath, as though we were reluctant to let the real world in. I pulled out of him, disposed of the condom, and returned to bed with a towel and a wet washcloth. Aaron hadn’t moved. I gently used the washcloth to clean him and the towel to wipe sweat from my forehead and chest, urging Aaron to lie down away from the wet spot so I could clean that too. He laughed, but he was fussy about stuff like that, so I knew he appreciated the gesture.

  Aaron burrowed into my side and rested his head on my chest when I lay down again. I felt completely physically and emotionally wrung-out. I wasn’t sure where the emotional part was coming from, but I decided not to question it. I closed my eyes and just…relaxed.

  I must have dozed off for a few minutes. I woke up when the bed shifted like someone was bouncing beside me. Aaron rolled into my arms and kissed my forehead, cheeks, and chin.

  “Where’d you go?”

  “I had to snuff out all the candles before I burnt the place down.” He snuggled closer into my side.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “The candles, you.” I kissed the end of his nose and smiled down at him, willing him to understand how he made me feel.

  “You’re welcome. I waited forever,” he sighed dramatically.

  “Sorry. It took them that long to finally leave.”

  “That’s okay. You like having your family around. Did you have a good visit?” He laid his forearms on my chest and was looking up at me through the dark fringe of wayward hair drifting into his eyes. I brushed the strands away and let my hand linger on his cheek. I loved that I had the right to touch him this way.

  “Yeah, it was great. But I strongly believe that anything over two or three days is pushing it when it comes to family time.”

  “Like fish. After three days, it’s no good.”

  I laughed softly in agreement.

  “I have another present for you.” His voice was a whisper. “I mean, other than me.” He shifted himself off my chest and walked naked to the other side of the bed to reach for something on his dresser bureau. With a shy smile, he handed me a red envelope.

  “It’s nothing, really. Kind of stupid, but I think you might like it. If you don’t, you can probably give it to your brother or something. Actually, I can just give it to my brother…”

  I stared at him, willing him to stop his nervous banter with himself.

  “Are you giving it away, or should I open it?”

  “Open it. Just…if you don’t want to go…”

  I opened the envelope, which contained premium seating for a Baltimore Orioles ball game in two weeks. I’m a Pirates fan naturally, but moreover, I’m a baseball fan. The gesture was heartfelt and sweet. I looked at him curiously. I had learned that Aaron communicated in a variety of ways. Tickets to a baseball game near his hometown probably meant something other than the simple giving of tickets to a sporting event I would enjoy.

  “Wow. Thank you. This is awesome.”

  “You might not like them. I don’t know this stuff. I asked Peter ’cause he knows about these things and he thought it was a great idea. Then I asked my brother. He loves baseball. He actually helped me get them. If you don’t want to go, he’ll probably take them for you. If you want to, maybe go, though, um, you could take your friend Dave or Curt or…”

  “You.” I lifted his chin with a steady hand, silently demanding he look at me. He complied, but the fidgeting in his hands, which moved a mile a minute when he talked normally, went into overdrive. He couldn’t still the nervous movement, so I took his hands into my own, willing him to calm down.

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t you want to take the other ticket? It looks like these are decent seats.”

  “They’re fucking fantastic seats.” He seriously put a hand on his hip when he said that too. “But…”

  “But what? Don’t you like baseball? It’s the great American pastime. And it’s fun to go to games, you know. Even if you don’t watch the play on the field, the people-watching is entertaining. The food is good too, and you can get a drink. Alcohol, I mean.”

  Geez, it’s a good thing I didn’t go into sales, I thought to myself. Aaron looked far from convinced. Which begged the question, why gift it to me if he wasn’t going to come with me? I couldn’t figure it out and I was too tired to try, so I just asked.

  “Well…” Aaron plucked his fingers on the comforter nervously.

  “I’m waiting…”

  “Look, the game is in Baltimore and I know you like baseball, so…”

  “I get that part. What is it you’re leaving out?”

  “Iwantyoutomeetmyfamily.” It came out as a single word, so I ran it through my brain a couple of times and came up with what I thought the translation would be. I was still incredulous, but I had to ask.

  “You want me to meet your family?”

  “Well, if you were going to the game anyway, we could stop over and, um…I’m sorry, Matt. Bad idea. Fuck. I should have picked a closer team. There’s one in DC, right? Here, just give me the envelope. I’ll exchange it.” He reached over to grab it from me, but I swiped it away from him and held it above my head.

  “Okay, let me get this straight. Back off, baby. I’m asking the questions now. Got it?”

  He nodded and looked a little miserable. I could not figure this man out for the life of me.

  “So. You bought me this very excellent gift. Two tickets with okay seats…”

  “Prime seats!” Aaron’s eyebrows lifted comically and he folded his arms indignantly, but at least now he was looking at me.

  “Sorry, prime seats, a great game in your hometown. And you want me to meet your family too.”

  He nodded cautiously.

  “I accept. Thank you. And I’m really looking forward to meeting your family.” I leaned over, intending to kiss his mouth, but he moved suddenly and I got his ear instead.

  “You want to meet my family? You want to go to a baseball game with me?”

  “Yes. What am I missing here? I’m terrible at guessing, Aar. Can you just lay it all out there for me? Please?”

  He shook his head as if puzzling something over. Sitting cross-legged and naked, he explained. Or tried to.

  “You know when you said you want to be out, and then you said maybe you should just tell your family while they were here for your graduation? I said not to say anything yet, because your graduation should stand on its own…”

  “I know all that.”

  “I’m kind of an asshole. I know you like baseball, and I was going to get you local team tickets, but I kept thinking. I thought, what if we got one family out of the way? They will be easy. Trust me when I say, they will love you. So we go say hi to the Mendez clan, then go to the baseball game. Win-win.”

  “I like it and I’m looking forward to it. What I don’t understand is why you’re an asshole for getting the tickets and introducing me to your family. Explain.”

  “It totally puts you on the spot! Who in their right mind would want to go to a baseball game with me? The theater, yes. The opening of a fabulous boutique, absolutely. A baseball game? Hello? Or should I say, hell no? I really don’t think I need to go any further w
ith that explanation. But the same goes with my family. If you aren’t really ready to meet them, I’m okay with waiting until you are. No pressure.” His hands finally stopped, and he looked at me as if willing me to understand his reasoning. It was a bit convoluted, but I think I got it.

  “So, you’re assuming I’ll think you aren’t, what’s your word again…butch…enough for baseball? And that I’m possibly not ready or maybe even committed enough to us to want to meet your parents? Is that it?”

  “Well, I stand by the first one, but the second one sounds bad. Yes, though, that’s the gist.”

  “I love you. In fact, I adore you too. Just the fact that you’re willing to go to a sporting event at all with me is pretty damn cool. That’s how I see it. And I’m looking forward to meeting your family too. No more doubts, okay?”

  He jumped at me suddenly, flinging his arms around my neck in a tight hug. I pressed kisses in his hair and on his cheeks, holding him closely to me.

  For such a big talker, Aaron was very vulnerable at times. I found myself wanting to shield him from his unpleasant thoughts and insecurities. I was touched when I thought about him waiting in the wings to congratulate me earlier in the day, letting me know he was there and he was proud of me.

  This wasn’t where I had imagined I would be a year ago when I’d considered my impending graduation. But here I was, a law school graduate with a super-hot boyfriend, not girlfriend. A totally different path if I was ready. And I had decided I was ready.

  2

  Better Than Meeting the Family

  Part 1-

  We drove from DC to Baltimore on a Saturday morning. The weather was gorgeous with blue skies and bright sunshine, a mild seventy degrees. A perfect day for an Orioles game and a barbeque. We were expected around eleven. Aaron wanted me to meet his parents before his brother, sisters, and their families arrived. I was nervous as fuck.

  I tried to play it cool, but I barely ate that morning, which definitely wasn’t like me. Aaron laughed and said it was just as well because there would be more food there than I could possibly eat. He said it was best to save my appetite since his mom always made enough food to feed an army. Then he reassured me for the hundredth time that I had nothing to worry about. They were gonna love me.

  “You keep saying that. How do you know?” I asked, giving him a sideways glance.

  Aaron wore a fitted black T-shirt, denim shorts, and a sexy pair of designer sunglasses. The black shirt, he informed me earlier, was his nod to the Orioles colors. When I told him they were orange and black, he made a face. “Orange? I don’t think so.” Fuck, he was hot. I swallowed hard and turned my attention to the road. He was far too distracting.

  “Because you’re macho.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “I’m Puerto Rican, sweetheart. Very machismo. Well, I’m not, but the men in my family are. I am an oddity. Especially to my dad. He doesn’t get me, and he never will. You’re easy. He understands guys like you, and that’s why he’ll love you.”

  “That doesn’t really help.”

  “You can talk about things he likes…baseball, football, hockey. Do I need to keep going?”

  “You know, I think you are guilty of reverse discrimination. Curt’s gay. He likes sports too. Being gay or bi and enjoying sports aren’t mutually exclusive.”

  “I know, but not everyone else does. My dad doesn’t, that’s for sure. He thinks men who like men all act a certain way. You’ll surprise him. In a good way.”

  “So, you’re saying he’ll like me because I like sports? That seems a little too simple.”

  “It is too simple, but it’s also true. My dad likes sports and baseball is his favorite. I told you, he coached my brother’s Little League teams. It’s always been a way for them to bond. I’ve never had that with my dad. I’m not the son he wanted, but he has Paul, so it’s okay.”

  “That sounds really awful.”

  “It’s real life, Matty. I don’t feel sorry for myself. I’m just stating a fact. I’m too ‘gay’ for my dad. He doesn’t get me. My mom is sweet. I may confuse her, but she goes along with it. My sisters adore me, and my brother is cool. But you’re a regular guy. They’ll love you.” He gave me one of his beautiful smiles, satisfied he’d made his point.

  I understood what he was saying, but I didn’t like it. And I had a bad feeling I wasn’t going to like Mr. Mendez at all.

  We pulled up in front of a two-story red brick house with a sloping green lawn. Wide steps built into the hill led the way to the front porch. It was a charming home, and I turned to say as much to Aaron, but he’d jumped out of the car and was already running up the steps like a maniac. I followed at a more casual pace and kept my gaze on his ass until he reached the top step and yelled something in Spanish. I glanced up just as he twirled a tiny raven-haired woman in a circle. She laughed, then kissed him repeatedly and hugged him close. When she released him, Aaron turned to me with a flourish.

  “Mama, I want you to meet Matt. Matt, this is my mother, Rosa.”

  Wow, Aaron looked a lot like his mom. He had her coloring and petite frame. Rosa Mendez was much shorter though…maybe five one. Her dark hair was cut in a stylish bob that suited her small, pretty features and olive skin. Her beautiful hazel eyes twinkled with humor and kindness. Like Aaron’s.

  “I am very pleased to meet you. Welcome.” She smiled widely, squeezing my hands in greeting.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Mendez. It’s a pleasure to meet you too. Thank you for having me. Gracias.”

  Aaron snickered. “Muy bien, Matty.”

  His mom must have reprimanded him, in Spanish of course, because he replied “Lo siento” quietly and made a zipped-lip motion. I understood a limited amount of Spanish, but I was getting better. I mouthed, Sorry at Aaron who grinned and gave a slight nod.

  “You may call me Rosa, por favor. Are you hungry?”

  Rosa took my arm and led me inside. In a lot of ways, the Mendez home reminded me of my own parents’ house. The decor was different, but the welcoming vibe was the same. There were warm colors on the walls and furnishings and family photos everywhere. On every available surface, actually. I wanted to stop to check them out, but Rosa was too fast. She led me through a formal living area into the great room. A comfortable-looking sectional and two armchairs faced an enormous flat-screen television. I glanced at the photos on the side tables before turning toward the kitchen. It was huge. I noted the vegetables strewn all over the massive wood-topped island and the colorful tiles behind the large pots on the cooktop. Whatever was happening in there smelled amazing.

  Rosa walked around the island. She said something to Aaron in Spanish as she tied an apron around her waist and picked up a large chopping knife. Aaron walked over to the huge refrigerator and grabbed a couple of water bottles and handed one to me.

  “Gracias,” I replied.

  “Look at you, Matty. He’s been practicing his español, Mama,” he teased, chuckling when I scowled. He kept his gaze glued on mine but waited for his mother to turn around before running his fingers down my forearm. “Where’s Papa?”

  “At the market. He’ll be back soon. Matt, do you want something other than water? Aaron, offer more to drink. There is soda or maybe beer if you want?”

  Aaron rolled his eyes, then winced when his mom smacked him upside the head. “Honey, do you want something other than water to drink?”

  “No, thanks. This is good,” I said, turning to Rosa. “Your home is beautiful.”

  “Thank you. We have lived here many years now.” She chopped quickly as she spoke. “All my children were raised here.”

  I spotted an older family photo on a console table near the sofa and went to take a closer look.

  Aaron gasped. “Oh, my God! I should have come earlier and banished all these horrible old pictures. Some of these are a million years old. Matty’s going to break up with me and tell everyone what a dorky kid I was. How will I ever show my face i
n DC again?”

  Rosa and I shared a look and chuckled. I rubbed the back of his neck and squeezed his shoulder. I didn’t know what the rules were here. I wasn’t going to stick my tongue down his throat, but I couldn’t resist him. I dropped my hand and swallowed hard when the kitchen door swung open.

  “Hola, Papa. Come meet my boyfriend.”

  I gulped. My palms were instantly sweaty. I was so damn nervous, it wasn’t funny. I pasted a smile on my face and swallowed hard as Aaron’s father walked into the kitchen, setting a bag of groceries on the island. We gave each other a quick once-over. I had no idea how I measured up, but Aaron’s dad had a pleasant face with a ruddy complexion, piercing brown eyes, and thick dark hair liberally streaked with gray. He was roughly Aaron’s height, which meant I had a good five inches on him.

  “Matty, this is my father, Roberto. Papa, this is Matt, my boyfriend.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Mendez,” I said extending my hand.

  Aaron made a face at me behind his dad’s back. No doubt he was trying to get me to relax, I mused as he came to stand beside me, hooking his finger in my belt loop.

  So…here’s the thing about Aaron. He was always very affectionate. Small public displays, like entwining his fingers with mine while we stood in line at the market or slipping his hand in my pocket while we walked in our neighborhood, were second nature to him. But I thought he might be more reserved around his traditional and religious father. He wasn’t. In fact, Aaron’s voice took on a higher more effeminate note when he introduced me to his dad. I was just Matt to his mom, but his boyfriend to his dad. And he said the “bf” word twice. Like a subtly passive-aggressive affirmation that he was queer…in case anyone forgot.