Chapter Fourteen: No Turning Back
I was glad we were meeting Howie and AJ. The fun to come would keep my mind off of the following day, when I would receive my test results. Funny how this has slipped everyone’s minds. Everyone except Michael.
“So, what time is your appointment?” He was driving under my instructions. For one he was independent, as I have already mentioned. Two, Kevin had informed him that I was the worst driver in the world. Nonsense. I had never been in a wreck. I had made a few passengers scream, and once I forced a pedestrian to leap onto the hood of a nearby car, but it’s not like I had ever killed anyone.
“Eleven. Turn here.”
“That’s good. I don’t have any plans until the afternoon.”
“You’re going with me?”
“Sure. You know, just in case the guys remember it will look good.” Good point. “And I am a medical student.”
“So, what you’re saying is you are spying for Kevin?”
“Nick, I’m not spying for Kevin. I’m making him jealous that someone else is involved with your problems.” Oh, yea. Funny how I forgot that, it being my idea.
“OK. There it is!” My mouth was dry. I was a bit nervous for several reasons. Mike had informed me that Kevin had left a number with AJ (Michael might not be a spy, but he had good spies) “just in case”, so anything that happened today would be reported back to Mr. In Charge. That alone would have had me on edge. The clothes were just icing on the cake.
We had gone the gay doublement twin route again. We wore khaki shorts, sneakers, and colored tees. Mine was blue, Michael’s red. We looked enough alike but still managed to “express our individuality”. According to the book Cladius lent Michael this was important in keeping a relationship fresh.
To top off these pressures the shorts had a hidden agenda. They left knees in the open. The plan was knees and mine were knocking.
“It’ll be fine, Nick.” Mike shot me that smile again. “Just watch for a funny moment, a joke or something, or a chance to lean over to get something that requires placing one of our hands on the other’s knee. Just once, that’s all we need.” Easy for you to say. You have spit.
Michael parked and we retrieved the basket from the trunk. Howie was in charge of diving equipment, AJ the drinks and raise your hand if you are surprised. I had agreed to bring food. Michael said this was perfect as it played into our plans. I had no idea what that meant. I only know that Michael had left the house for two hours and returned with a basket of “goodies”.
I found the dock and the yacht. AJ wasn’t kidding. It was the biggest, most luxgerous I had ever seen. As we walked up the gangplank I had the impression that Michael was, no pun intended, in the same boat.
“Holy Mother of God!” I hope Howie isn’t in earshot.
“Nick!” AJ had heard us step on the deck. “Hey man, how are you doing? And how’s Mannnnnnnnkle. Michael!” Good save there AJ. No one noticed.
“I’m fine, bro. How’s it hanging?” I knew I had blown AJ’s mind when the “in” joke went right by him.
“Welcome aboard.” AJ sounded like I had before puberty. Maybe he had a cold. Good thing Michael is a med. student.
“Where should I put this?” I knew Michael was referring to the picnic basket, but AJ’s eyes where glued to the other hand, which at the moment happened to be on the small of my back.
“KITCHEN.” AJ sounded like he had something caught in his throat. No worry, Michael new rescue breathing.
“Thanks.” Michael shot me that bright smile. If I hang out with him much longer I’ll need sunglasses.
As we walked past AJ he turned and threw me another smile. I knew it was an “eat shit and die” smile. AJ seemed to think it was a “I’m going to take Nick below and strip him and play hide the summer sausage” smile.
“NICK.” AJ fastened onto my arm. “Hey Mike, why don’t you take the food below? I need to talk to Nicky for a moment.”
“Sure - I’ll see y’all in a minute.” Michael gave my shoulder a quick squeeze and disappeared below.
“So?” I got ya where I want ya, now I’m gonna freak ya.
“Weeeellllll....I heard from Kevin.”
“Only five days into his honeymoon? Is that good?” It didn’t sound good to me.
“Just for a minute. He told me to chec....I mean to ask how everyone was doing.” Yea. Right.
“Let’s go help Mike.”
“Let’s talk here.”
“Why? Is there something about Kevin’s honeymoon Mike can’t hear?” And chances are if the answer is yes I don’t want to know myself.
“You know man, he’s not family.” I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Someone has to hold Kevin’s end up while he’s away.
“I mean he’s not one of us .... you know. One of the five.”
“The five? Are we a cult now?”
“NO. Nick, damn it! What I mean to say ...”
“Nick!”
“Hey Howie!”
“Come on up front! The girls are waiting. Where’s Mandy?”
“Hi Howie!”
“Mike.” The look on Howie’s face was priceless. “It’s Mike.” He turned to look at us as if for guidance. “It’s Mike.”
“We know who he is, Howie.” I thought I would help him out. He’s basically a good guy.
“Yes. Mike. Good.” Howie nodded his head as if to convince himself that all was well. “Howie and AJ and Mike and Nick.” Maybe he had a brain tumor.
“Let’s go up front.” Good suggestion AJ.
“Hey girls, Nick’s here!”
“Hey Nick! Let’s get this show on the....Mike?” How rude. I’m fairly sure the only thing Mike was planning on having on him was me, and that’s just pretend.
“Hey Amanda, Maggie. Nice to see you again.” He gave both girls a quick kiss on the cheek. A good tactic as 1) it must have looked gay because Howie’s mouth was having major trouble closing and 2) it gave AJ time to recover - which may not be all good.
“I thought he was bringing Mandy.” Maggie was not one for tact.
“Well, Michael has been visiting ...”
“You?” It seemed AJ needed a bit more recovery time.
“No. My pugs. I told him about Houston and he flew all the way to Florida just to meet him.” Take that you tackless tattooed person.
“Well,” Michael possessed quite a bit of tact. Too damn much, if you ask me. “Where are we going?”
I could see the answer in Howie’s eyes. To hell. Straight to hell, do not pass go do not collect $200 dollars.
“Just out a mile or two. Howie’s got the diving place all picked out.”
“Great! Let’s go!” And so, as we sailed to the east (it was the only way to sail. West would have taken us onto dry land.) AJ, Howie, Amanda and Maggie were obviously playing a game of “don’t mention Mike and Nick in the same breath until we figure out what’s going on.” Unknown to them Michael and I were also playing, and a dangerous game it was. Unsure how to proceed we let the other’s determine the flow of conversation. No bother, if a situation didn’t present itself soon we had a marvelous backup. Everyone would get hungry, sooner or later. And I had that old feeling that once the picnic basket was broken into there would be no turning back.
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