(Pictured above, from top left clockwise: Master Lucien, Master Garrison, Master Saber and Master Baird)

Chapter 19 New Year's Absolutions

Chris

I sigh as I close my locker and walk out of the locker room. After almost getting banned from attending the New Year's Eve party by Master Matthias, it feels good to be at the club. Thank God Lane talked to Master Matthias and I was allowed to come tonight. Lane sure has Master Matthias wrapped around his finger. Whatever, time for me to get laid. I know exactly who I want too, well I know the men I want. There are four of them and holy shit are they all fucking amazing in bed...or on a table, or up against the wall, or standing up in the middle of the room. Point is, they're sex gods.

"Christopher," a deep voice calls out and I freeze in place.

"Master Matthias, how can I help you, Sir?" I ask politely, while keeping my eyes down knowing he's still very well pissed at me and I'm not trying to push him.

"You didn't think I'd let you off the hook without a punishment, did you?" He asks, crossing his thick arms over his chest.

"Um, well kind of," I admit sheepishly and he scoffs.

"Well you thought wrong," Lane says and I glance up to see him smirking as he stands next to Master Matthias. I have the urge to roll my eyes at him, but stop myself just in time. I think I've pushed things far enough for now, so I just give him a blank look.

"I said you were allowed to attend the event tonight, I never said you were not to be punished. Follow me," Master Matthias demands before turning and stalking down the hall.

Lane winks at me before rushing to his Dominant's side as I follow them silently. Crap, this isn't how I planned the night starting out. A punishment, I can handle that. This will delay my plans to get with Master Lucien, Master Garrison and Master Saber along with his brother Master Baird, the Freaky Foursome as they're known around the club. I follow them down to the dungeon and scan the main area that has a few submissives on stage presenting themselves in hopes to have a Dominant choose them to play with for the night. Master Matthias knows where he's going and my heart races when I notice he's going to a certain playroom.

"Lucien," He calls and all chatter stops.

"Matthias, this is a surprise. What can I do for you?" Master Lucien asks politely as Master Matthias blocks my view with his large build.

"Take care of him, he's to be punished and I really don't want to waste my time on someone like him tonight," he replies and grabs my arm before pushing me forward so I go stumbling straight into Master Lucien's arms.

"Christopher, why am I not surprised." Master Lucien sighs as he drops his hands from my shoulders so I'm left standing in between him and Master Matthias with Lane to his side.

"What did the brat do this time?" Master Garrison asks while standing just behind Master Lucien and gives me a look full of sadistic promise and I drop my eyes down as my cock starts to swell.

"He encouraged underage drinking at a party he was throwing and let it get out of control without care of what happened to others, many of who happen to be submissives here at my club," Master Matthias states and I mentally wince as Master Saber and Master Baird appear while giving me disappointed looks.

Jesus fucking Christ, what is it? National point out everything Chris did wrong day? Assholes. I do roll my eyes this time and zone out as they talk while glancing around the room I've been in many times before. It's then I notice the two twinks kneeling naked. Their lips are swollen, hair ruffled and bodies marked with red lines. My eyes narrow, they were getting played with. Damn it, the four are taken for the night. Who am I going to have play with me then?

"Christopher, I expect you to answer when I ask you a question!" Master Matthias barks out and my eyes widen.

"U-uh, can you repeat that Sir?" I ask with a nervous chuckle and Lane face palms as the four chuckle.

"Yes I can, but no, I won't. Since you decided you didn't want to pay attention, your punishment will be a surprise. Let this be a warning, a punishment by Master Lucien or these three wouldn't even scratch the surface of what I will do to you if you ever put any of my boys in harm's way again. Do you understand me?" He asks, his face inches from mine and his green eyes blazing in rage and I swallow nervously.

"Y-y-yes Master Matthias, I understand," I mumble meekly and he gives me one last glare before turning and stalking out of the room.

"Damn, with how angry he is I'll be crippled when I wake up. Thanks Chris, I'm not even being sarcastic," Lane laughs softly but Master Matthias' blazing eyes pop into mind and I can't find it in me to laugh with him.

"LANE!" Master Matthias bellows out and Lane sighs.

"Gotta go before Daddy pops a vein, have fun Chris. Goodnight gentlemen," Lane smirks while waving.

"Goodnight," the four nod in respect as Lane leaves the room and we fall into a tense silence.

"Strip," Master Lucien demands and I'm naked within seconds.

"You never seem to learn Christopher, such a naughty brat," Master Garrison growls while gripping my hair and pushing me down to my knees.

"Suck him," Master Saber demands and I take Master Garrison's cock into my mouth.

"You two, get out," Master Baird barks out and I hear the two twinks rushing out of the room.

"Matthias thinks a punishment by me is nothing," Master Lucien chuckles as Master Garrison grips my head and rams himself down my throat making me gag." Let's show him how little he knows of what I can do to damage a boy's spirit, eh?" he adds while crouching next to me with a sadistic glint in his eyes as I hollow my cheeks and suck hard causing Master Garrison to grunt.

"Enough Garrison, the boy is getting pleasure from this. He's to be punished, not rewarded for his stupid and pathetic behavior," Master Saber sighs and I whimper as Master Garrison steps back, his thick cock leaving my mouth with a wet pop.

"Get up," Master Lucien whispers while rising to his full height and I quickly get to my feet.

"Argh!" I yelp as a hand grips the back of my neck and roughly digs in as I get lead across the room.

"My punishments are nothing? Bullshit!" Master Lucien roars and I flinch back as he turns to face me with a crazed smile on his lips. "I'll leave you so broken nobody can put you back together again but me. That'll show him."

My eyes widen as his hand wraps around my neck and he slams my back into the wall. His hand tightens around my neck causing my cock to fill out quickly and a strangled moan escapes me. His other hand swings down and I screech in pain as he smacks my erect cock making pain shoot through me down to my fucking toes. I gasp and claw at his hand as my vision begins to blur and I start to feel lightheaded. My eyes go over his shoulder and through my blurred vision I see Master Garrison and Master Baird watching with smirks as Master Saber watches with a blank expression.

"Let's see how long you can go before I break you," Master Lucien whispers in my ear as black dots begin to appear.

His hand disappears and I crumple to my knees gasping for air. My eyes water as my lungs burn with each gasping breath. I don't dare look up, but when a hand grips my hair and pulls me to my feet, I risk a glance up. Master Baird smirks at me, his eyes practically glowing with malice and threats. The look makes me moan, knowing whatever they have planned, it's going to hurt so good. Within a minute, my hands are bound above my head to the cuffs hanging from the grid. A blindfold is tied around my head and a ball gag shoved into my mouth to take away my voice.

"Fuck, I haven't punished anyone in a while. I almost forgot how exciting it is!" I hear Master Garrison mutter while a drawer slams shut.

"You punished that slut just last night Garrison," Master Baird barks out a laugh as I feel hands glide up my sides.

"You've been a bad boy Christopher," Master Saber whispers in my ear as his hands glide down to my cock and I wince when he slaps it quickly.

"It's time for your punishment to begin. Do me one favor, understand?"

I nod in understand, wanting to know what favor I can do for him.

"Scream for me," he chuckles in my ear sadistically causing my heart to falter before racing.

I feel his body heat disappear and stand there, shaking in anticipation. Music suddenly starts playing and the footsteps that I was listening for disappear under the music. Closer by Nine Inch Nails pounds through the room and I choke on a gasp as my back arches. Pain explodes on my ass after a stunned second and I let out a scream as the whip bites into me again. I flinch away as what feels like a cat-o-nine slices through the air and embeds into my thigh before disappearing a second later. I get pelted from all sides. Tears course down my face as I scream my lungs out. Despite the pain raining down on me, the need to cum is killing me and causing my stomach to ache. Fucking cock ring, it's the only thing keeping me from release.

"AHHHHH!" I throw my head back and scream as loud as I can around the gag as I feel the cane rip the skin off my ass.

My knees crumple beneath me and I hang limply from my chained hands. Soon, I can feel what I know is blood trickling down my left leg. My hands are suddenly free and I land in a heap on the cold concrete floor of the playroom. Strong arms pick me up before I feel the soft cool sheets of the bed on my front. I'm left blindfolded and gagged, not knowing why until I feel them holding me down. I don't struggle, not until I feel my ass burning. Alcohol, I think as a burning sensation floods my body and I thrash around trying to get away from the burning.

"Christopher, the more you move the harder I will press into the cut! I am trying to clean this before it gets infected so stay fucking still!" Master Saber barks out and my body freezes.

"You're lucky he's even cleaning it. If it were me, I'd wait until after your punishment was over to clean your wounds. But Saber has a gentle soul," Master Baird sneers as if disgusted by his brother's compassion.

It doesn't take long for the burning to dull to a throb and it doesn't take long for the punishment I thought was over to resume. I'm shackled down on the metal table, the cold metal against my flushed and heated skin causes shivers to rake through my body. I can hear the Doms muttering to each other as the ball gag stays shoved in my mouth and the blindfold covers my eyes. My hands curl into fists as I hear drawers opening and closing. I can feel myself trembling slightly, both in anticipation and slight fear. I've never seen Master Lucien so angered as he looked before I was blindfolded. He's always been so controlled, but the look in his eyes was of a man who lost his shit. I jump slightly when I feel a hand touch me.

"Shh brat, you're okay," Master Saber whispers and he pets me softly making me relax slightly.

"He won't be for long," I hear Master Baird chuckle and I tense all over again.

"I know," Master Saber snickers as I feel more than hear him step back.

"Tell me Christopher, how do you feel about electroshock?" Master Lucien asks with a chuckle before I hear a zapping sound. "Oh that's right, you can't talk."

I mumble around the ball gag while pulling at the restraints. I've never done electroshock play. It's not my thing but it's not on my list of hard limits. I close my eyes beneath the blindfold and try to calm my racing heart. Their hands are all over me, rubbing something into my sore and surely bruised skin. The feeling causes me to moan, I love the feel of their calloused hands all over me. A hand wraps around my cock and starts stroking making my eyes roll back but I let out a scream that's muffled by the ball gag as they ram a plug into my ass without warning. Tears spring to my eyes at the painful intrusion and the burn that follows it.

"Let's get started yeah?" Master Lucien says and I can hear the taunting tone in his voice.

I flinch slightly when I feel them sticking stuff to me. My brows furrow in confusion at what they could be, they're cold though. My head swerves from side to side trying to get a listen of where they are. The first shock comes without warning. My back arches off the table and I want to scream but I find I can't. My body convulses with the repeated shocks and I find the strength to scream. Pain is flying through my body, from my toes to my fingertips. My toes curl as my muscles lock up. It all hurts. 

My eyes roll back as I fall limp onto the table again after what feels like hours of getting shocked. Shivers rake through my body as small shocks still travel through me.

"Damn, that was so fucking sexy," Master Garrison growls as the blindfold is ripped off.

I blink quickly, the light blinding me for a few seconds. When my vision clears up, I'm staring at a smirking Master Lucien. I gaze up at him, tired and feeling as weak as ever. I don't even have the strength to look away. His hands wrap around my throat as he straddles me. My eyes widen slightly as he starts to squeeze. Tears spring to my eyes as I lie there, tied down I can't even try to fight him off and a strong part of me doesn't want to. I've never been this hard before in my life. God, I just want him to fuck me into next month. Dots cloud my vision as I smile around the ball gag. These four...so sexy...s...o...perfect.

"Lucien stop, before you kill him!" I hear Master Saber growl before Master Lucien's weight disappears and I hear a crash next to the table.

"Saber," Master Lucien sneers as I'm released from my restraints and the ball gag is removed. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

"That's enough Lucien!" Master Saber shouts as he picks me up bridal style and my head falls onto his shoulder weakly. "You're angered by what Matthias said but that does not mean you can lose your control and completely disregard the submissive's safety! You tortured the boy and I said nothing, I joined in, but you practically choked him to death! Get your head out of your ass and lick your wounds on your own time but not when you have a submissive under your care!" Master Saber says angrily and I hear none of them respond.

"Baird, go get water and snacks. Now!" Master Saber barks out and I hear not just one, but three pairs of footsteps leave the room.

"M-Master S-s..." I gasp, my throat begging me to stop.

"Quiet brat! You need to learn when to shut up," He grumbles while laying me on the bed. "Don't worry, nothing else will be done to you tonight."

I try to relax and as I let myself drift off I remember a conversation I had with Master Clark a few weeks ago when he was telling me I needed to figure out what I wanted. He also told me he cared about me and I've been avoiding him since. Maybe I need to start figuring out why.

Ashton

Stupid. This is so stupid. Why am I doing this? Ugh, this was not in the plans for tonight. My eyes drift around the floor, mildly surprised by how packed it is. Well, I guess shit goes down on New Year's Eve which warrants a trip to the hospital. My toes curl in my boots and I rock back on my heels as I stand there feeling uncomfortably out of place. I groan as I turn around and leave the same way I came in. This is stupid, I shouldn't be here. I need food. When I step into the cafeteria, it's not as packed as I'd assumed which is good, I can get food faster. I step up to the register and buy a sandwich with some chips before finding an empty table.

As I eat, I think of why I'm here. It's all Sean's fault.  After the phone call with Gideon, that lasted longer than a few minutes after us wishing each other a happy New Year, he thought it'd be a great idea to drag me to the hospital. So now, as I'm supposed to be looking for the sexy Dominant, instead I'm sitting eating a dull sandwich as Sean waits in his truck. What did he expect anyways? That I come here and then what? Declare my undying love for Gideon? Pfft right, like that will ever happen. Ugh, this sandwich really sucks.

Once I finish eating, I toss the wrappers in the trash and contemplate just leaving and saying I couldn't find him. A part of me wants to do just that so I start walking towards the exit. But, a larger part of me wants to see Gideon so I stop and look towards the elevator. I haven't seen him in a few days, it wouldn't do any harm to see him. I guess, it wouldn't hurt. A sigh escapes me again, this is so much more complicated than it has to be. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I climb onto the elevator and press the button for the 4th floor which is the floor Gideon told me he worked on. He probably thinks I don't even remember since he just said it in a brief conversation we had. I remember a lot of pointless things though.

"Can I help you?" A nurse asks when I stop at the desk.

"I'm looking for Gideon," I reply making his brows furrow.

"Gideon...?" He trails off while raising a brow.

"Um..." I mumble while mentally cursing because I don't know his last name.

"Ashton?" I hear and look over my shoulder to see Gideon walking over with a worried frown.

"Dr. Callaway," the nurse says making Gideon's eyes flick over to him before they snap back to me.

"What are you doing here?" He asks curiously as his eyes scan me from head to toe.

"I'm fine," I mumble making his shoulders relax slightly.

"Dr. Callaway...is this the Gideon you were looking for?" The nurse asks and I keep my indifferent mask on as Gideon looks down at me with a raised brow.

"Yes, thank you," I tell the nurse before looking at Gideon again. "May I talk to you in private for a minute?"

"Of course," he replies and he presses his hand to the small of my back before motioning down the hall. "We can talk in my office."

"Great," I say and we walk there in a comfortable silence amiss the busy floor.

Gideon Callaway, it flows well. I peek up at him from the corner of my eyes but his face is blank. I notice a few nurses giving us curious glances as we pass them but Gideon doesn't seem to care. I really don't care either. When we step into a room, I look around his office. It's nice, warm browns and relaxing creams. He has a lot, and I mean a lot, of little kid drawings framed and hung on the walls. My eyes scan the room quickly before I turn to him as he closes the door.

"What are you doing here Ashton? Not that I mind, this is a very welcome surprise a-" He starts but I grab his face and press my lips to his.

I close my eyes quickly as he kisses me back with no hesitation. I step forward and pin him back to the door as his hands grip my hips. My heart pounds in my chest as he turns us around and slams me into the wall. A gasp escapes me as he pins me to the wall with his hips, letting me feel the growing bulge in his scrubs. His hands fist my hair as his tongue plunges into my mouth. It takes no time for him to completely dominate my mouth and his kiss leaves me weak in the knees. My hands tightly grasp his white doctor's coat as our tongues continue tangling together.

"You have no idea how badly I want to fuck you over my desk," he growls into my mouth and I moan as he grinds his erection into mine.

"Master Gideon," I pant as he bites down on my neck, hard. "Fuck!"

"Dr. Callaway, please call extension 4590, Dr. Callaway please call extension 4590."

We break away from each other slowly. He rests his forehead against mine as we both try to catch our breaths. My eyes slowly open to find Gideon already watching me. His eyes, up close, have to be the most stunning pair of eyes I've seen. His lips press against mine again, slowly and softly. I practically melt into the kiss but all too soon he steps back. I stay leaning against the wall as he walks over to his desk and picks up the phone. I focus on calming my racing heart instead of his conversation.

"Ashton," he calls and I look over at him after making sure to hide away my emotions. "I have to get back to work. Was there something you needed?" He asks after walking over and his hand caresses my cheek as his thumb brushes over my bottom lip.

"No, I just wanted to see you," I shrug and he smiles.

"I'm glad I got to see you, it's been the highlight of my night," he replies before pulling me into his arms and hugging me tightly.

"Oh we're hugging," I groan and awkwardly pat his back making him laugh.

"I'm going to pick you up tomorrow night, I'll take you to dinner," he says as he pulls back and we leave his office.

"I can't, I'm actually going back home tomorrow. Well, today really," I mumble since it's almost 2 in the morning.

"Oh," he sighs while rubbing his chin. "Well, when you get back, we'll have dinner. I won't take no for an answer Ashton."

"I wasn't going to say no," I grumble making him laugh again and his laugh causes a smile to pull at my lips.

"Good, well I'll talk to you soon. How did you get here?" He asks, a worried and protective look entering his eyes.

"My friend was the one that drove me, he's waiting for me downstairs," I answer causing him to nod slowly.

"Message me when you get back to your dorm, I want to know you made it safely," he demands before grabbing my face and kissing me quickly.

"Um, y-yeah I will," I mumble as my face turns red at all the people gawking. "Bye."

"Hey Ashton!" He calls out when I'm halfway down the hall and I stop before looking back. "You're cute when you blush."

"Oh my god!" I groan and rush down the hall as his loud laughter echoes in my ears.

"Sooo, how did it go?" Sean asks as I climb into his warm truck and I shrug while looking out the window.

"Okay," I reply making him groan as he pulls out of the parking spot.

"Just 'okay'?" He probes and I bite my lip to keep from smiling.

"More than okay, way more," I whisper while resting my head on the window and closing my eyes.

"Yessss!" He cheers causing the smile to break out and I press my fingers to my lips.

Yeah, way more than okay.

Tommy

"Payton, why don't you come to breakfast with Casey and I?" I ask as I get dressed after taking a long hot shower. Payton had just given me a quick rundown of last night. What concerns me is the detached way he told the story. It's like overnight he steeled away all his feelings. He isn't sad or angry, at least one of which I expected.

"No thanks Tommy, I want to sleep in. I'll just grab something later down the street," he replies as he fluffs up his pillows and rolls over to go back to sleep.

"Come on Pay, I know Casey will want to make sure you're okay."

"Then tell him I am, and thank him for picking me up last night. I'll thank him in person next time I see him."

"But are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Tommy," he sighs. "I promise. It was just fucked up, yes. But it's not a big deal. Remy never made any promises, it was a one night thing, he was as surprised as anyone when that guy showed up."

"He should have told you he had a sub back home," I object.

"Maybe, but it's no big deal. I'm already over it."

"Will you tell Master Matthias?"

"No! And you won't either Tommy...and please ask Master Casey not to say anything. Master Matthias will think I'm not ready to be a sub if he finds out what happened. I don't want him to know...I freaked out."

"Payton..."

"Promise me Tommy! Please!" he pleads.

I let out a big sigh, but Payton's my best friend, I can't let him down. "I can't promise anything for Casey, I can tell him you asked, but there's no way I can tell him not to. I won't say anything unless Master Matthias asks me directly. You know I can't lie if he asks."

"I know Tommy. If he asks, I'll tell him, but maybe he won't. It can all blow over. Remy's gone to New York by now and then back to France in a few days. I just don't want to deal with it anymore. I'm just going to focus on a fresh start. It's a new year and I'm going to keep moving forward."

I give him a reassuring smile. "So, what do some of those plans include? Anyone in particular?"

"I don't know...I have a few people in mind, but we'll see."

My phone chirps and I look down and see a message that Casey is in the parking lot. "Okay Pay, last chance. Casey's here."

"Go," he says as he waves me off, "I need a few more hours of sleep."

"Okay, get some shut eye, I'll bring back some muffins or something in case you haven't had any breakfast by the time I get back. I don't know if we're doing anything after though..."

"I'm fine Tommo, just go."

I run over and give Payton a kiss on the temple since he's rolled over to face the wall. "Love you Pay," I call as I run out the door.

"Love you too T!"

As I walk out of the dorm I see Casey getting out of his car. He gives me a big smile as he meets me half way, pulling me into his arms. One of his hands reaches around to my lower back and the other behind my neck and before I can even say hello his lips are on mine and I'm pressed up against his chest.

"Mmmm," he growls. "I missed you last night."

"I know, me too...sorry about that."

"It's okay. You're a good friend. How is Payton this morning?"

"He's...I guess he's fine, but it may just be a show. I'm not sure. He can be really stoic...pushing his emotions down and not dealing with them. Oh...he said to say thank you for picking him up."

"Maybe he'll open up more once he's had a chance to process it. Matthias will probably talk to him about it as well, he'll make sure Payton deals with it properly."

"That's another thing, he doesn't want us telling Master Matthias." I looked down not sure what Casey would think of that. He was quiet for a few minutes thinking.

"Payton is a member of his club, Remington is his cousin and it happened at his house. You don't think he has a right to know?"

"I don't know Casey...he thinks Master Matthias will question if he should be a sub."

"I don't think he'll do that. He may keep more of an eye on him and limit the Doms he can interact with until he's ready, but he won't take back his membership." We reach a stoplight and Casey turns to me. "We won't be at the club until the weekend, let's give Payton a few days. But I have a responsibility to tell Matthias."

"Yes, Sir...I understand," I reply. Casey smiles. Was it because I called him Sir? I don't know, but when he pulls me over for another heated kiss I decide I'll call him Sir a lot more often and not just at the club. I wonder when we'll have our first scene. Maybe I'll ask him later. I don't want to come off pushy though.

"What's on your mind pet?" he asks and I blush. "I can see those gears moving."

"I was just wondering when our first scene might be...I'm excited for it."

Casey gives me a broad smile. "I won't make you wait too long."

Payton

I try to clear my head as I lay staring at the wall, taking deep even breaths, concentrating on not thinking about anything. It's not easy. Thinking about not thinking. I reach over and trace the bumps and indents in the painted cement wall. Running my fingertip over it, following the line between blocks. Cement can keep the big bad wolf out, but it doesn't mean he still can't hurt you.

I pick up my kindle. Gay werewolf romances always make me feel better and my favorite author is starting another one. I bring up her page to see if she started it yet. 'Hmm... Savage Desires, read it. Brotherly Desires, read it...damn! Protective Desires isn't posted yet!'

Wouldn't it be so much easier if you knew who you should be with because you had a mating bond? I let myself daydream for a while, imagining walking across campus and a big sexy hunk walks up. Looks at me deep in my eyes as he sniffs the air around me and then grabs my bare arm. "Mate!" he growls. Of course , I'd play all hard to get at first. Make him work for it. Maybe run away in confusion. Werewolves love a chase. So that could be mucho sexy! I'd be human so I'd be confused about what's going on at first. No! I'd want to have some kind of power, but not be a werewolf. Hmm...I'd have like some magic power but I don't really know about it because I was brought up by humans, but when something threatens my mate I shake and this power emanates from my hands and I can move things or lift up the rogue and throw them aside. And...and my mate is an Alpha! (of course) and all these other werewolves who want to be his mate are all jealous and try to beat me up, but I throw my power at them and they get all pissed, but leave me alone. Then I'll finally accept my Alpha mate and...

<<knock knock knock>> "Payton!"

<<knock knock knock>> "Payton!"

<<knock knock knock>> "Payton!"

"Ohhhh," I groan. It's Lane. "Lane," I whine, "I was just getting to the good part!" I let out a growl and sit up. Maybe I can pretend I didn't hear him. I wonder if he just heard me?

"Payton! I just heard you, open the door!"

Damn!

I scramble out of bed and shuffle over to the door. As soon as I turn the handle he flies into the room. "How come you didn't answer your phone!"

He looks me up and down and I turn to glance in Tommy's mirror. My hair is sticking up in every direction. I'm wearing an old pair of grey sweat pants, a ripped 'Fairfield Stags' men's soccer team T-shirt, which I got from my idol when I was a teenager. Rob Murphy. His family lived next door and he played soccer at Fairfield University which wasn't too far from where I grew up. He was about 8 years older than me and whenever he was home I followed him around like a puppy. He was really nice and taught me how to play soccer and when he graduated and was moving out west, I went to say goodbye to him as he was packing his stuff and he threw me one of his team shirts. He was my first real crush. It was actually that crush which made me realize I was gay when I was about 12 or 13. He wasn't unfortunately, but at that time he was way too old for me and I didn't care. He always gave me time and attention which was all I needed from anyone.

Unfortunately, the first day I proudly wore the shirt to school, some asshole guys kept calling out 'Fairfield Fags' and me not wanting to draw attention to myself, put on a sweatshirt from my locker over it and never wore it out in public again. I hadn't even noticed I'd put it on last night. It's faded and ripped, but the cotton is really soft, and it seemed, over the years, that whenever I was sad, upset or sick, I'd pull it out and put it on. It was like my comfort. My equivalent to a kid's blanket or favorite teddy.

"You look like shit!" Lane remarks and I glare at him.

"Nice to see you too!" I look behind him and thankfully he's alone. I have a feeling why he's here and I'm not ready for Master Matthias' inquisition yet. I have no idea what Lane knows though. They weren't home when I left...I'm actually curious what he knows and what happened after...or am I. Maybe I don't want to know.

"I've been calling you all morning!"

"Sorry, I turned my phone off last night."

"Speaking of last night, what the fuck happened?" he blurts out, flopping down on my nice warm bed and making himself comfortable. I was hoping I could get rid of him quickly and crawl back under my covers but as he flings his shoes off onto the floor I realize that hope is dwindling.

"Nothing. What'd you do? Wait...I don't want to know." I look around and wonder if I should sit across the room on Tommy's bed, or roll over one of our, not all that comfortable, desk chairs.

"Come here Payton," Lane says. He moves onto his side against the wall leaving ample room next to him. He pats the bed. "Come talk to me." I let out a sigh and walk over, lying down next to him on my back and stare up at the ceiling.

"Really," I say as I turn to look at him. He's up on an elbow, resting his head on his hand staring at me intently. "Nothing happened."

"I thought I heard that you left the club with Remy."

I don't say anything, just look at him with as little emotion as possible. I want to hear what he has to say. When I don't respond, he goes for the direct approach.

"Did you leave with Remy last night?"

Damn! I can't lie to Lane. Especially now that our friendship was back on track after the whole Matthias quandary.

"Yes, I left with him, but nothing happened." I look at Lane and now he's playing the waiting game.  Maybe he took Psych 101 too.   "We, uh. We went to your house for a little while, but then I called Tommy and he came and picked me up."

"Why did you leave?"

"I...ah, it was late and I wanted to sleep in my own bed...it was probably about 1-ish?"

"Did something happen, did he hurt you...did...were you upset when you left?"

"He didn't hurt me, but it was just time to go. I was fine when..." Don't lie to Lane. "I was a little upset when I left, but I'm fine now. I realized it was no big deal."

"Why exactly did you leave?"

He definitely sounded like he knew something, but was trying to get me to say it. I let out another heavy sigh and tried to roll onto my side facing away, but he quickly rolled me until I was facing him. Damn him and his stupid height and muscles!

"You can tell me boo. You can tell me anything." Damn him and his soft look and sincere, swoon worthy greenish/grey eyes!  I wonder if those are contacts or his real eye color?

"Will you tell Master Matthias?"

"I can't promise that I won't. It depends on what happened."

"You promise you won't be mad?"

"I promise I won't be mad at you Pay."

"Not at me or Master Remy?"

"I can't promise that."

I guess telling an edited version wouldn't be lying. "We were just hanging out...don't roll your eyes Lane!"

"Wait!" he interrupts, "Are you still a virgin? Oh my god! Payton!"

"I'm still a virgin!" Fingers don't count, right? I squirm slightly and I can still feel where his fingers explored. No pain, but I can definitely notice what we did do. "Anyway...we were just, ah...talking...you know...nothing really...and ahh..."

"Talking?"

"Well, maybe a little more...but then his um...this guy from France showed up." I braced myself...for...I don't know what.

"Fabien." Lane states unenthusiastically.

"You knew about him? Why...why didn't you tell me!" I almost shout.

"Pay, Payton, I didn't know about him until this morning."

"They left though, they've gone to New York?"

"Yes."

"Tell me what happened, how did you meet him."

Lane doesn't say a thing at first and looks conflicted.

"I told you the truth, please tell me everything. I'm fine. I can take it."

"Come on Lane," I urge when he doesn't say anything. He lets out a sigh.

"Okay, but Matthias told me he wants you to come in and see him this week. He wants to talk to you, as the head Dom."

I'm sure I look scared because he quickly reassures me.

"You're not in any trouble, he just wants to make sure you're okay and talk about what happened. He's pissed at Remy."

"He shouldn't be. It wasn't like he lead me on, it was just...you know, I'm a free sub and we just got together for the night."

"And his submissive from France showed up, how inconvenient," Lane mutters angrily.

"Yeah. It sucked. I won't lie about that. Last night was supposed to be different, but it wasn't and there are plenty of hot 'free' Doms at the club. But tell me what happened when you got home," I urge. "Tell me, tell me, tell me Lane!" I whine and screech obnoxiously and laugh to show him I'm fine. Luckily, he doesn't seem to notice it was forced laughter.

"Okay, okay. Shut the fuck up and I'll tell you." He clamps a hand over my mouth until he's sure I won't pierce his eardrums anymore. "So, Daddy took me back to the playroom after the midnight toasts and he bent me ov..."

"Skip to when you got home," I plead.

"Okay. We didn't get home until about 4 this morning because we...because." He stops and smiles while I nod in thanks. "Daddy carried me in because I could hardly walk..."

I clear my throat and he gives me a goofy grin. Lane. I shake my head.

"I heard noises from the guest room...I have to be honest, I thought you two were inside fucking like bunnies with the grunts and groans I heard. I was about to yell 'Go Payton," but Daddy wouldn't let me. He did look a little pissed off though, so good thing it wasn't you. We went to bed and I slept for about 3 hours and some noise downstairs woke me up and then I had to pee and couldn't fall back asleep and I was thirsty too, so after I peed I went downstairs to get a water bottle because there were none left in the mini-fridge we keep in the room."

"You keep a mini-fridge in your bedroom?" I ask, trying to keep my face from showing how I was really feeling at the news that he fucked his sub after I left. I guess he just wanted to get laid, didn't matter who.

"Well yeah! So I see Remy's luggage in the hallway and I remember that he said he arranged to have a car come to pick him up at the butt crack of dawn and then they were going to swing by and get his mother on the way to the airport. Who the hell books an early morning flight on New Year's Day! So I wanted to see if you were going to stay or...okay, mostly I just wanted to see if you could still walk."

"Remy comes out, dressed and ready and calls out something in French, so me, being me, I yell out, 'Payton, get your fat little de-virginized ass out here brother!' I run to the kitchen to grab my phone so I can take pictures for the guys. 'Payton, the morning after'. So when this tall, skinny French looking guy walks out...well, you can imagine my surprise. Remy looked like he was about to piss his pants and the guy, looks me up and down...you know, probably because I was naked. And he gives me this creepy smile and introduces himself. All like, 'I'm Fah-by-enn. Eeees a pleashuhr to mak your ah-quentence'. Don't worry, I wasn't fooled by his 'look at me I'm so sexy accent'."

"What'd you do?"

"I was surprised so I yelled for Daddy. Matthias comes running down the stairs...his fat dick and balls bouncing, it was a beautiful sight....anyway...Remy introduced Fabien, the driver knocked on the door to tell him he was here, but Daddy didn't let him run off before explaining who Fabien was. Remy kept telling him he would call him later to explain, and, 'it's not what you think'. How is, 'Fabien is my submissive', not what you think? It's not like we didn't hear them fucking like animals when we got home. He said 'it's different at my club'. Daddy was fuming, but I held him back and just told Remy to go and to call later to explain, but Daddy said 'don't bother'...so I don't know what's going to happen. Do you know what he meant by that?"

"No clue. How different can it be? He said Fabien was his submissive, that's all I need to know."

"He did ask me to make sure you were okay before he closed the door. He said, 'tell Payton I will call him to explain, please Lane, and make sure he's okay. And he looked...sad...concerned."

"Eh, he can stuff his concern up his ass," I grumble. "He should have told me. But I don't care. Let's stop talking about it. I just want to put it behind me."

"Did he call you?"

"I don't know, once I was in Casey's car with Tommy I turned my phone off. I haven't turned it back on yet. But if he does, I'm just going to block him. I don't need to be dragged into his sub drama. He's gone anyway."

"Oh Paypay," Lane coos as he pulls me into a hug. "Daddy will find you just the right Dom. He won't let anything like this happen again."

"I was worried he'd kick me out of the club," I admit.

"No fucking way! It's not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. Daddy told him you were new to the lifestyle and to be careful, Remy fucked up, not you! He feels really bad because it was his own cousin...and it happened under his watch. He feels like he should have protected you better."

"Pfff," I scoff. "I'm not a baby. I can take care of myself. Tell him I don't blame him at all, cousin or no cousin. I'm fine." My stomach growls loudly as a retort to my half-truth and I feel myself blush.

"Come on, let's go get something to eat," Lane suggests. "I have an hour or two before I have to meet Daddy at the club. He went in to catch up on some work. I'll even treat!"

"You will?" I ask in mock surprise.

"Well, no. Daddy will," he says with a huge grin. "I've got his credit card!" he adds as he pulls it out of his pocket. "Don't worry, he gave it to me."

"Oh, okay. In that case!"

I throw on some clothes and grab my keys, phone and wallet before following Lane out of the dorm. I may have lost a chance to lose my virginity to a hot French Dom, but having breakfast with my good friend Lane doesn't seem like a bad consolation prize. I pick up my step and grin up at him happily. "Awww Pay," he says throwing an arm over my shoulders.

We walk across the quad and I feel pretty good about myself again.

"Payton! Hey Payton, wait up!" I hear from behind us. I turn and look back. Brody is running across the grass.

"Hey Brody. Happy New Year. You know Lane?"

"Yeah, hi Lane," he says, smiling at my friend who looks at him impassively. Then he looks back at me. "I just got back to town. How were your holidays?"

"They were good, yours?"

"You know...did the family thing. They were fine," he replies with a shrug.

"We were just on our way," Lane says, but I notice doesn't invite him to come with us.

"Yeah, sorry. I'll call you later Payton. There's a party Wednesday night, celebrate the start of the semester. Maybe you want to come with?"

"I don't know, maybe."

"I'll call you," Brody yells as he jogs away towards his dorm.

"Be careful at those parties," Lane says. His tone is surprisingly serious.

"Don't worry, I probably won't go.  Loud college keggers full of drunk sloppy jocks.  I'm not into that scene...and I'm still recovering from Chris' party."

Lane smiles and lets out a quiet chuckle as I'm sure he remembers the more embarrassing moments at Chris'.   I blush and pull him back towards the direction of his car as my stomach growls in hunger again.