Chapter Thirteen - Rick
The drive back to Georgia the next morning was uneventful. I loved driving Grandma’s Porsche and the easy rapport I had with my Grandma. Grandma talked to me about her childhood in Savannah, Georgia, and how she met Grandpa. When we arrived back at their home, Grandma suggested that Keith and I continue on south in Keith’s car so I could visit Georgia Tech. After grabbing a bite to eat, Keith and I piled into his car and started the drive to Atlanta.
Along the way Keith filled me in about his studies at the university and all the things going on around campus. I love talking with Keith. We talk about everything and anything. It is great to have someone I feel comfortable talking to about any subject. We have developed a very close friendship in the short time I have been here.
Keith said, “I have to warn you about my roommate, Rick. He’s a real womanizer! He likes to be with a different girl every weekend. So don’t be surprised if he has a girl at the apartment. He is in the marines as a reservist. He goes once a month to participate in military exercises. His dad was an airline pilot with Delta Airlines until he lost his job. He works as a handyman now. Rick went to high school with me. We both love cars and working on them. He’s in the same program at school as I am.”
“It must be really cool to have a dad as a pilot. It’s too bad that he’s not flying anymore,” I said.
“Yeah, things are pretty tight around their house,” Keith said.
We pulled into the parking lot of his apartment building.
“Grab your stuff and let’s go,” Keith said as he got out of the car popped open the trunk of his Ford Mustang.
We climbed the stairs to his second floor apartment and Keith put the key in the lock and pushed the door open. I stepped into the apartment and looked around. The place was clean and but the furniture was old. The couch and loveseat upholstery was an orange plaid that really was hard on the eyes!
Seeing me look at the furniture, Keith said, “Don’t mind the odd looking furniture. The apartment came already furnished. It looks bad but it’s better than having to find new furniture. It’s late, so let’s get to bed. You can either sleep here on the couch or you can sleep with me. If you sleep with me, you have to promise to keep your hands to yourself, cousin!” He laughed and poked me in the ribs. “I don’t want to be your next boyfriend!”
Keith went into his bedroom and left me standing in the front room. When I didn’t follow him, he poked his head out of the room and said, “Don’t just stand there. Bring your stuff in here and let’s get to bed, cousin.”
Keith quickly stripped down to his underwear and went to brush his teeth and take care of nature’s call. I still hadn’t made up my mind what to do when he returned.
“What are you waiting for? You don’t have to be shy around me. I’m your cousin, remember? I won’t bite you. Besides, you look so much like me, you don’t have to worry about me laughing at you.”
Keith grabbed my tee shirt and pulled it over my head and pushed me toward the bathroom. “Go brush your teeth.”
I did as I was told and returned to Keith’s room. Keith had already gotten into bed and pulled back the covers, inviting me to join him. I pulled off my shorts, leaving my boxer shorts on, and climbed in beside him while Keith turned out the lights. It wasn’t long before I heard Keith’s breathing slow and I knew he was asleep.
I lay awake thinking about everything. I was glad that Keith didn’t hate me and accepts me for who I am. I thought for sure he would hate me when he found out about Ian. I knew he was right about being careful about letting people know I was gay or at least that I thought I was gay. He seemed so serious and concerned when he gave me that warning about winding up dead on some back country road. It just gave me the chills thinking there were people in the world who were so intolerant and hateful towards others. Maybe Keith can help me to get my head on straight. I am in such a mess with what has happened between me and Ian.
I woke up the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee and bacon. I looked over and saw that Keith had already gotten up. I climbed out of bed and walked into the kitchen where Keith was cooking bacon in a skillet.
“Good morning, sleepy head. I figured I’d get some breakfast going and that the smell would wake you up,” Keith said with a smile.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stretched before I sat down at the table. “Yeah, it sure smells good,” I said.
“If you’ll set the table, I will put breakfast on the table. The plates and cups are in the cupboard to the left of the sink and the forks and spoons are in the drawer next to the dishwasher,” Keith said.
I got up and pulled out two plates and the required utensils and put them on the table. Keith brought over the coffee pot and filled our cups and returned the pot to the coffee maker. He put the eggs and bacon on the table with a plate of buttered toast.
“Let’s say grace,” Keith said as he reached across the table to hold my hands. After saying grace, Keith passed me the eggs, “Help yourself to as much as you like. There are more eggs in the fridge.”
Just as I started to eat, the other bedroom door opened and Keith’s roommate came out. I must have looked shocked because he stopped mid-stride and said, “Sorry, I didn’t realize we had company.” I was still staring at him, every inch of him that is….6'2" (188 cm.) and naked as the day he was born. He obviously worked out since every muscle on his body was well defined. Rick looked like he had just stepped off the cover of one of those magazines for men. He just exuded maleness and physical fitness. But most of all he was completely naked! I couldn’t take my eyes off of him!
Keith said, “Rick, let me introduce you to my cousin, Glenn. Glenn, this is Rick.”
Rick stepped over to the table as I got up to shake his hand. “Glad to meet you, Glenn. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I didn’t realize there was anyone else in the apartment. “
“That’s all right. We got in pretty late last night from our grandparents' house. It’s not a problem,” I said, staring into the most gorgeous deep blue eyes I’ve ever seen. It was like I was completely hypnotized by them. He had light brown hair and really dark eyelashes. He had a light carpeting of light brown hair on his chest and in all the usual places. I had just met my dream guy!
Rick continued to the bathroom as Keith pulled me back to my seat at the table and said, “Don’t stare so much. You were kind of obvious you know.”
“You have to admit he’s good looking,” I said, in loud stage whisper.
At that moment, we heard a woman’s voice from Rick’s bedroom. “Rick, where did you go?”
Rick reappeared and went into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
“I told you Rick liked women,” Keith said, reminding me Rick was a very straight guy!
“Yeah, I remember but he looks so “hot” running around the apartment naked!” I said.
“Well, you won’t have any luck with him. He’s strictly a ladies’ man,” Keith replied. “Finish eating so we can take you on a tour of the campus and take in the sights and sounds of the city. Why don’t you get in the shower first while I clean up the dishes?”
“Okay, I promise not to take all of the hot water,” I said. I got up from the table and put my dishes in the sink. I grabbed my toiletries and took a shower. Standing under the hot water, I couldn’t get the image of Rick standing there naked out of head. Man!! Was he fantasy material or what??!!
I must have taken a longer than I thought since Keith opened the door and said, “You promised not to take all of the hot water. Come on! It’s time to get out, cousin.”
“Sorry, Keith. I’m almost done,” I said, as I quickly rinsed off and turned the shower off. I opened the shower curtain to see Keith standing there with a clean towel in his hand.
“Here’s a clean towel. I’ll be out in a few minutes,” Keith said, as he climbed in the shower and turned the water on.
I dried myself off and went back to Keith's bedroom to get dressed. I pulled out a clean tee shirt and boxer shorts. I pulled on the khaki shorts I wore yesterday and put my shoes on. I was sitting on the couch in the front room when Keith came out of the shower. He stood in the doorway drying himself off. I couldn’t help admiring his well-toned muscles and his good looks. I’ve got to get control of myself I thought. I can’t be staring at every guy I see, especially not my cousin! I have just got to get my brain out of the gutter every time I see a good looking guy. Keith went into his room and returned a few minutes later dressed in a tight fitting white tee shirt and khaki shorts with flip flops on his feet. The white tee shirt really set off the nice tan Keith had. He looked like he had stepped out an advertisement for a beach resort with his bright smile, tanned body, and a mischievous look in his eyes.
“Earth to Glenn. Hello, are you okay?” Keith asked. as he waved his hand in front of my face. I must have drifted off into my own thoughts for a minute.
“Sorry, what did you say?” I asked.
“I said, are you ready to go?” Keith asked.
“Sure, I’m ready,” I said.
We left the apartment and went down the stairs to the parking lot. I liked Keith’s car. It was black Ford Mustang with all of the extra features.
“Keith, I love your car,” I said. walking around to the passenger’s side.
“I do to. Mom and Dad gave it to me for graduation. It’s been a great car and the girls love it too,” Keith said, with a laugh. “My girlfriend likes to drive really fast. I sometimes wonder if she likes me or the car better. Kerry should be on campus since she’s going to summer school. I’ll give her a quick call to see if she can meet up for lunch.” Keith pulled his cell out of his pocket and called Kerry.
I listened as he set up a time and place to meet for lunch. “You will just love Kerry,” Keith said. “She is one of the finest human beings on the planet.”
“What does she look like?” I asked.
“She’s tall, almost as tall as me. She has long blond hair and deep blue eyes. She runs track for the school. Kerry loves the beach. Her parents own a beach house near Savannah. We drive out there most weekends during the summer to be with her family.”
“So that’s how come you are so tan,” I said.
“Yeah, we spent last weekend on the beach. Kerry and I like to play beach volleyball. Her mom and dad play as well,” Keith said.
Keith parked the car and we walked to a little café a few blocks from the parking lot. We opened the door and went in and sat down.
“Kerry will be here in a few minutes. She has classes today but she agreed to meet us here before going to class,” Keith said.
Just then the door opened and a beautiful tall, blond woman entered the restaurant. Keith waved her over to the table. He stood up and gave her a quick hug and a kiss, “Kerry, let me introduce you to my cousin, Glenn,” Keith said.
“Glad to meet you!” Kerry said, as she extended her well manicured hand with a welcoming smile.
I shook her hand and replied, “Nice to meet you.”
Kerry had a willowy grace about her and she walked with perfect posture, her back straight and her head held high. You could tell she had been brought up well. She looked me directly in the eyes as she spoke to me in her soft Georgia drawl.
“Keith has told me a little bit about you. I am glad you came to visit us. I know you will just love it here,” she said as she sat down next to Keith.
“Do you want anything, sweetheart?” Keith asked.
“Yes, a bottle of water is all I need right now, thank you,” she said. “Keith says that you are a year younger than us. Is that right?”
“Yes, I just graduated from high school,” I said.
“That is wonderful. My sister, Ruth Ann, just graduated as well. Maybe we can get you two together this weekend. Ruth Ann just loves Keith and will love you, too. You look so much like my Keith Ruth Ann will be ecstatic. She likes to tease me she will take Keith if I ever decide I want to go out with someone else. Now she can have you.”
My face must have had a very surprised look on it because she said, “Have I offended you? I don’t mean to be so forward. My parents would just die if they knew I was trying to be a matchmaker. I can’t help myself sometimes. I do think you and Ruth Ann would make a good looking couple though. Please say you will come out to the beach with us next Saturday?” How could I say no to such a beautiful, charming woman? Wow! No wonder Keith was smitten with her!
Keith came back at that moment and said, “Yes, Kerry, he is coming with me to the beach on Saturday. Has Kerry already told you about Ruth Ann?”
I nodded a quick yes.
“Good, I hope Kerry hasn’t scared you off but I think you will really like Ruth Ann. She is a lot like Kerry but she has dark hair and dark eyes,” Keith said.
“Good, that is settled. I will let mom and dad know we are having company. They like to entertain and won’t mind us bringing you along,” Kerry said with a huge smile.
“Keith, dear, I have to be running along now. Glenn, I am so glad to meet you and I look forward to Saturday,” Kerry said as she kissed Keith and left for her class.
“She is wonderful isn’t she?” Keith asked.
“Yes, she is very beautiful and charming,” I agreed. Keith looked so happy I couldn't help feeling a little pang of jealousy as I watched them interacting with each other. I tried to keep up the facade and pretend that I was happy to there but after seeing Keith and Kerry together I had a very difficult time maintaining the charade.
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