Twisted (34 page)

Just then the captain announced we were beginning our descent into Phoenix. Mike looked out the window. He’d never been to Arizona before. “Wow, it looks awful barren and brown.”

“It is the desert, buddy. It only looks like that though. The desert is really beautiful up close.”

“I’m just happy to be seein’ it.”

“And I’m happy that you’re seein’ it with me.” He squeezed my hand again and beamed at me.

I
T
WAS
a warm seventy-five degrees with practically no humidity. We got a rental car and headed off to the host hotel. There are actually two host hotels, one near the rodeo grounds in South Phoenix and one near the bars in Central Phoenix. I’d opted for the one in South Phoenix. It’s being close to the rodeo grounds outweighed being close to the bars. I reckoned we’d have to be up at about six thirty to get to the rodeo grounds in time to buck.

Mike was looking all around and commenting on the sparseness of vegetation. We got to the hotel and checked in. Mike was shocked by the number of gay men and women at the hotel, and most of them were all duded up. I’ve been active in the rodeo circuit long enough that quite a few folks know me. I got a good share of hellos. I made sure I introduced Mike as my partner, and every time he found his boots real interestin’, I’d put my arm around him.

One thing I did notice was there was quite a bit more security around than normal. In fact, Mike even commented on it. “Jeffy, is Phoenix really unfriendly to gay folks? I’m seein’ a lot of security officers around.”

We headed up to our room. It was nice, with a balcony overlooking the pool and a big king-sized bed. Mike was reading over the rodeo handout, which showed all the events happening this weekend, connected with the rodeo.

“Now I understand the security. Look here in the handout, Jeff. It says that although the West Coast Cutter has not struck in Phoenix, the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association wants you to be safe, so has contracted extra security.”

“Shit, Mike, it seems we can’t get away from that maniac, wherever we go.”

“Yeah, but ain’t it a good thing they’re tryin’?”

“I reckon so.”

Hey, Jeffy, it says here there’s a pool party goin’ on now. I reckon that’s why there’s all the folks by the pool. Were you gonna go down there?”

“No, we’re gonna go down there.”

“I didn’t pack my swimsuit.”

“I packed it for ya.”

He got a big grin on his face. “Thanks! So let’s get dressed and go down.” We shucked our clothes in record time. I rummaged in my suitcase and got out our suits. I handed Mike his and took a good long look at him naked.

“You are gorgeous, you know that, cowboy?”

“Reckon that makes two of us.”

“Ya know, buddy, I seen you bare-assed every day for almost six months now, and I still can’t help but admirin’ the view.”

“We’re in the same boat there.”

“Let’s get these skimpy things on and get down to the pool. I keep lookin’ at you, and I ain’t gonna be able to get into this.” He laughed and we got into our suits and then threw on our jeans, boots, tank tops, and Stetsons. We grabbed some towels and headed down to the pool. Once there, we got two chairs and stripped down to our Speedos.

“I feel like I’m on display, Jeffy. There’s sure a hell of a lot of guys lookin’ at us.”

“You’re the one that bought these suits, buddy. I reckon that even if we were dressed in board shorts, we’d have an audience. You’re mighty easy on the eyes, and I reckon, I ain’t too bad.” Just then I heard a familiar voice.

“Jeffrey, Michael, hello!” It was Robert, my ex-boyfriend. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mike stiffen.

“Hey, Robert. You been here long?”

“I just arrived this afternoon. How are you two?”

“Fair to middlin’.” Before I could even ask about him, Mike jumped in.

“I’m happy as a steer in new grass. How are you doin’, Rob?”

“I’m doing well, Michael, and it’s Robert.”

“That’s what I said.”

“So things are still going well?”

I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I answered. “They sure are.” He sighed and looked at Mike, then at me.

“I’m happy for you two. Now that I’ve gotten over the pain and the shock of your breaking up with me, I can see you two are much better suited for one another than you and I were, Jeffrey. Just looking at you two, I can tell you’re very happy. Besides, Michael, Jeffrey obviously adores you. I could never get him to wear something that skimpy in public.” I almost laughed out loud. I ain’t modest in any way, shape, or form. In fact Robert used to always nag me about walking around the house bare-assed or in my underwear. A couple times we had gone to secluded beaches, and if there were others there sunbathing in the buff, I would if I wanted to and had no problems with it.

“He does look awful fine, don’t he, Rob?”

“Robert. And he does. So do you.”

“Thanks, and that’s what I said.” Just then a waiter came by and asked us if we’d like anything to drink. Mike and I answered, “Bud,” in unison.

Robert laughed. “You two really do see eye to eye. Are you both competing?”

“We are. We’re actually doing the team ropin’ and wild drag race together.”

“I’ll be cheering you on.”

“Thanks. What have you been up to, Robert?”

“Just working. I guess I lead a boring life.”

Mike looked at him. “You’re always welcome to come and visit us, Robert. And this time, no son-of-a-bitch stew or major hot sauce.” Mike was referring to the time Robert came up to the ranch right after my dad died. He and the cowboys, particularly Mike, had taken an immediate dislike to one another. Mike made a cowboy dish called son-of-a-bitch stew. It’s the liver, kidneys, tripe, heart, and marrow gut of a beef with lean meat and lots of red chile. The other cowboys put some super-hot hot sauce in Robert’s food.

“Thanks, Michael. I think I’m going to walk around and see who’s here. I know the San Francisco contingent was asking about you, Jeff. I’m sure they will be happy to see you again. Janet was asking about you also. She really read me the riot act when I told her you’d dumped me.”

I sighed. “I don’t reckon you were exactly dumped, Robert. Anyway, it’ll be nice to see Janet. She’s a real nice lady.”

“See you two later.” He walked away.

Mike looked at me. “Who’s Janet?”

“She’s this really nice straight lady from outside San Francisco. She’s married and likes country and Western stuff, rodeo, and shit kickin’, and her husband doesn’t. She goes to all the gay rodeos, and he’s fine with it.”

“That’s really nice.”

I drained my beer and looked at him. “You ready for a swim, cowboy?”

“Hell yeah, I love to swim.” We stood up and walked to the edge of the pool. We both dove in. I surfaced and began my clumsy desert-boy stroke to the other side of the pool. Although the valley is wooded where we live, most of it is desert. I learned how to swim in the river, stock tanks, and the few lakes close by. It wasn’t a regular thing though. Mike, on the other hand, knew what he was doing. He surfaced and began a graceful breaststroke which carried him across the pool much quicker than I was able to swim. He looked like a dolphin, gliding effortlessly through the water. I caught up to him as he rested, holding on to the edge of the pool. I grabbed the side with one arm and slid the other around him. We shared a chlorine-tinged kiss.

“I gotta be able to do somethin’ better than you, Jeffy.”

“It ain’t a competition, buddy. There’s a lot you do better than me. It complements me. And what I do better than you complements you. That’s why we’re such a good team.” We kissed again. I heard a few catcalls and whistles from the guys around the pool. Mike smiled at me and pushed his hips against me. We were both hard.

“We’re gonna have to stay in the pool a while.”

“You reckon so?”

He laughed. “I do.” We started swimming around, splashing each other and just having a nice time. After about a half an hour, we both climbed out and headed back to our chairs. The waiter came around and Mike ordered us two more beers. I’d just been lying back enjoying the warm sunshine. I watched Mike and the waiter. The waiter kept staring at my crotch. Mike looked at me and laughed. I looked down. When I’d gotten hard it had pulled the waistband of my Speedo down in front. About an inch of black hair showed above the waistband. I was still half hard. In the wet Speedo, I might as well have been naked.

“You’re puttin’ on a real nice show there, Jeffy.” I looked at him. He was half hard too. He was so furry it was hard to tell if the hair I could see was belly hair or his pubes. He quickly reached down and pulled up the waistband.

I laughed. “You’re the one that bought these.”

Just then the waiter returned with our beers. “Here you go, guys. Are you just visiting, or are you competing in the rodeo?”

“We’re competing,” I answered while Mike fumbled in his wallet.

He stuck out his hand. “My name’s Gabe.”

“Howdy, Gabe, well met. I’m Mike and this here’s my partner, Jeff.”

“Nice to meet you guys. Um… are you guys going out later?”

“I reckon we’ll hit Charlie’s for a little close dancin’.” He tore his eyes away from my crotch long enough to stammer out an invitation.

“Um… uh… maybe I could meet you at Charlie’s. We could come back here. I’d really love to be in the middle of a cowboy sandwich.” He kept looking at my crotch. Mike’s mouth was hanging open. He was new to gay culture.

“Gabe, thanks for the invite, and that’s a nice compliment, but Mike and I are monogamous.”

His face fell. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He looked over at Mike and Mike’s crotch. “Maybe, if I run into you at Charlie’s, you two could save me a dance?”

Mike stammered now. “Uh, sure.” Gabe smiled at both of us and then went to see if anyone else needed something.

Mike looked at me. “I can’t believe he asked that. Ain’t it obvious we’re together?”

“It is, but a lot of gay couples have open relationships.”

Mike looked stricken. “He couldn’t keep his eyes off your basket.”

“He was lookin’ at you too, bud. Should I have handled the situation different?” He thought a minute. I reached over and took his hand.

“No. You told him we’re partners and monogamous right away. I just can’t believe he’d assume we was available.”

“Mike, for a lot of gay guys, sex is like a game or a sport. Then there’s others like us for whom it’s a real special thing that ya only share with someone ya really love and who you’re committed to. Look at it this way. I ain’t tooting our horns or anything, but we’re both good-lookin’, we’re in good shape, it’s obvious we’re both hung, and we’re real cowboys, we ain’t twinks or all feminine. A lot of these guys fantasize about men like us. They don’t know we’re exclusive unless they ask. Way ya gotta look at it is that it’s a compliment to us both.” I squeezed his hand.

“You’re right. This is all new to me, and sometimes gay culture can be different.” He changed the subject. “What time do we gotta do the contestant registration?” I looked at my watch.

“It started a half an hour ago. Wanna go, get dressed, register, and then have dinner? I reckon afterward we can go dancin’, and we can come back here, and I can show you just how special you are.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He smiled at me. We pulled on our jeans, socks, and boots and headed back to our room.

“
L
OOK
here, Jeffy! They got calf fries on the menu!” Mike and I were in the Stockyards Restaurant in Phoenix. I’d heard it had great steaks. The fact it had calf fries put it a few notches higher in my book.

“That’ll hit the spot. What are you thinkin’ on orderin’?”

“T-bone steak rare, with a baked potato, and a salad with ranch dressing.”

“How’d you read my mind like that, Mike?”

“Great minds think alike.” The waiter came and took our order. Mike and I both had beers, and Mike asked for two orders of calf fries. The waiter brought the beers, and I took a swig.

Mike looked at me. “Jeff,” he began uncertainly. “Are guys gonna be comin’ on to you all weekend?” I stopped at that one. I reckoned they’d probably come on to us both. For a second I thought maybe I should just say no. I couldn’t lie to Mike, though.

“I reckon we’re both gonna have to listen to some come-on lines and invitations this weekend.”

“Oh…. Are you tempted at all?”

“Not one bit. The only one temptin’ me is you. What about you?”

“I notice some of the guys are real good-lookin’.” He was looking at his beer bottle.

“Holy hell, Mike, you know what that means?”

He gave me a stricken look. His answer was just a whisper. “No….”

“It means you’re a normal guy, and you’re alive. Hell, buddy, I’d be more worried if you didn’t notice the handsome men around. ’Course you’re gonna notice these studs, and you’ll get all revved up by lookin’ at ’em. Then we’re gonna go back to the room together, you’re gonna be all hot and bothered, and I’m gonna reap the benefits. I’ll fuck your socks off, and then fuck ya again into next week. After that we’ll fall asleep all cuddled up and wake up and do each other again. Then when we’re at the rodeo, I’m gonna be lookin’ at you and thankin’ my lucky stars you’re with me. I reckon the whole thing’s gonna go both ways.”

“I musta been a saint in a previous life to deserve you, Jeffy.”

“I am pretty wonderful, ain’t I?”

“Cocky bastard.”

“Yeah, Mike, but I’m your cocky bastard.” We grinned at each other. The waiter brought the calf fries, and we dug in. Our dinner was great. Most cowboys—including Mike and I—love calf fries, the beers were cold, and the steaks were cooked just right.

After dinner I smiled at Mike. “You about ready to head over to Charlie’s, Mike?”

“Yeah, hey Jeff? You gonna dance with a lot of different folks?”

“I was hopin’ to dance with my friend Janet, who I mentioned to you before.”

“Okay. Do you think she’ll dance with me too?”

“Yep. She’s real friendly. And remember that guy Gabe asked us to save him a dance.”

His face fell. “Oh.”

“You don’t want me dancin’ with nobody else?” I stared at him.