Chapter 38 South Beach

Chris

"Sweet!" I shout as I unlock the door to our hotel suite.

I carry my luggage in and the guys follow behind me. Without waiting for any of them, I go into a bedroom and toss my stuff onto the bed before walking over to the windows. I push the curtains open and slide open the door, stepping out onto the balcony. The view has to be the best view we could have possibly gotten. Tai and Ashton join me and Tai squeals causing Ashton to sigh as he leans down on the railing. We all stare out at the beautiful view of the packed beach where we're going to be spending most of our days before we go partying at night. Like I said, Sweet!

"So you three in here and us three in the other?" Lane asks making me look back to see him, Tommy and Payton.

"Um, yeah sure if that's okay with everyone." I shrug and the guys all nod with shrugs.

"Is anyone else hungry, or is it just me?" Ashton groans while clutching at his loudly grumbling stomach making me smirk.

I pat his shoulder, "for once no, it's not just you. I can go for a bite to eat."

"Why don't we have lunch at one of the restaurants right off the beach?" Tai suggests. "We can go in trunks and just head to the sand and sun right after."

"Sounds like a good plan," Lane mumbles while checking his ringing phone. "We should change and head out soon."

"Matthias?" I ask, but he shakes his head and answers the phone.

"Hey Denny," Lane answers making me nod. "Yes, we're all alive and no we haven't done anything illegal."

Yet, I think to myself.

"He reminds me of you Tommy," I snicker and Tommy frowns, "such a worry wart."

"I'm not!" He scoffs as we all head back inside and I close the balcony doors behind me.

After we all change into our swimsuits, we grab our beach towels and Tai packs them into his large beach bag along with sunscreen, baby oil, bug spray and more shit that I'm sure won't be used. We all climb into the elevator down to the ground floor and Lane asks the hotel concierge which restaurant by the beach is the best and doesn't have too long of a wait time. After a few minutes of discussion, we decide to head to a Cuban restaurant called Havana that's supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Miami. It's a few blocks from the beach, but it'll be good because we can walk off our lunch before hitting the waves. The walk to Havana is full of laughs and plans on what we're gonna do tonight, nobody knows yet but we'll probably hit up some clubs.

"This place is Cuban?" I ask when we walk in and are seated at a table where there is a booth along the wall and chairs on the other side of the table.

"Yeah, why?" Payton asks while scanning the menu already.

"Isn't that a Puerto Rican flag?" I point at the flag hanging on the wall.

"No, that's a Cuban flag. The Puerto Rican flag has red and white stripes with the blue triangle. Cuban has white and blue stripes with the red triangle," Lane explains making me hum.

"Same shit." I shrug making him glare.

"No the fuck it's not! Two different flags, two different countries!" He snaps and I raise my hands.

"Alright damn, don't shoot me," I grumble as he huffs and turns to his menu.

I look at Ashton who shakes his head like I'm an idiot before turning back to his menu. It was a simple mistake, no need to bite my head off. When the waitress comes over for our drink orders, we also give her our food orders. We all decide to go with the classic Cuban sandwiches. Ashton and Lane order two though, like the fat asses they are. I have no idea how they both are able to finish two sandwiches because I had to force myself to finish one. That was the biggest sandwich I have ever had in my life. Covering my mouth, I burp loudly making people at other tables turn to look and I shrug.

"Let's get going," I sigh while patting my full stomach.

We all split the bill and head to the beach. On the way, Lane rushes into a surf shop and rents a surfboard. He tries convinces each us to get a board too, saying that he'll teach us how to surf. Apparently he taught Master Matthias a few months back. We all exchange glances and Payton is surprisingly the first to agree. We all walk out of the shop with a surfboard and make it to the beach about ten minutes later. It's packed to hell, but Tommy is able to find a nice free spot where we set up. I stick my board into the hot sand as Ashton and Tai spread the large blanket out. The corners get pinned down with our sandals and we strip out of our clothes. Before we can even say anything Lane, in his little speedo, is running towards the water with the surfboard over his head.

"Lane, wait up!" Payton shouts before grabbing his board and racing after him.

"What the hell?" I shrug and grab mine before following after them.

Lane tells us to tie the strap around our ankles before we paddle out further into the water. Waves are already coming in, but we just float over them since they don't fully form this far out. I stare into the water as Lane explains what we're supposed to do. This water is so fucking clear, it's amazing. My eyes snap open when Lane says he's going to show us and for us to back up. We paddle our way closer to shore as he waits for a wave.

"I didn't know Lane could surf," Tai says as Lane starts paddling when he obviously sees a wave he wants.

"Me neither, but he has to be good if he taught Master Matthias," I reply making them all nod.

"RIDE THAT SHIT LANE!" Ashton randomly shouts as Lane pushes up when the wave gets larger.

"Holy shit, he expects us to do that?" Payton questions worriedly as we watch Lane race the wave before it crashes down.

The first one to agree, the first one to worry, yet the one that was able to stand up for the longest. Payton's sailor side came out during this little surfing expedition and he got the hang of it quickly. He was right along Lane as they caught every wave possible. Tai's ability to balance himself and strong legs from dancing helped him and Tommy's a skateboarder so he got it pretty quickly as well. Ashton and I are inept at surfing, crashing every time we stood up. We couldn't even stay up long enough to catch a wave, so we retreated back to shore to save ourselves from further embarrassment.

"Wanna go grab a drink? We didn't bring any with us," Ashton sighs when we reach our stuff, "maybe grab some snacks too."

I nod while tossing the board by the blanket, "Sounds good. Let's go."

We walk over to a one of those restaurants that's really just a kitchen and serves food out the small window. We buy six water bottles and a walk over to another store to buy a cooler, ice and Ashton grabs two bags of Doritos, the Spicy Sweet Chili ones he likes and Cool Ranch which are Payton's favorite since he doesn't like spicy things. Tossing the water bottles into the cooler, we make our way back to the beach and when we get there, Tommy and Tai are laid out on the blanket. I look out at the water and see that Lane and Payton are still out there surfing. Hearing a panicked 'watch out', I look over and duck just in time to prevent getting whacked in the face with a volleyball.

"Holy shit, that was close!" I gasp while picking up the volleyball as two girls, boobs bouncing around, run up to us.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry about that, are you guys alright?" The brunette asks worriedly.

"All good." I smile at her and hold out the ball.

She smiles while taking the ball back, "I'm glad! Sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble at all," Lane says while showing up with Payton right behind him. "Isn't that right Chris?"

"Yeah, it's totally fine. I ducked in time." I chuckle as she exchanges a glance with her blonde friend.

"Hey, we're having a party tonight. Why don't you guys come by, we can make it up to you." She smiles flirtatiously and bites her lip.

"Sure!" I agree quickly before the guys can disagree.

"Cool!" She beams and I type the address and her name into my phone. "See you later, party starts at eight."

"Dude, she totally wants your dick and that's the only reason she invited you. Why did you agree?" Tai asks while turning onto his stomach.

"I'm not gonna fuck with her, but a party is a party. I made no promises about anything other than showing up." I smirk while tossing my phone into the air and catching it.

"I guess we found out what we're gonna do tonight," Ashton chuckles while opening his water. "There's water there for you guys, drink up before we die."

"Thanks!" The guys all say before each grabbing a bottle.

"To a good day and an even better night. To getting fucked up!" I lift my water bottle.

"Um, I really don't think we should get fucked up," Tommy frets making me roll my eyes.

"Tommy, relax. We're at South Beach during our Spring Break. We're supposed to get fucked up and go crazy. Stop being a worry wart, you're like a mother hen not wanting to let her chicks leave the coop," I reply and his eyes narrow before he sighs heavily.

"Whatever," he grumbles as I smirk.

"Once again, to getting fucked up!" I say and the guys all whoop while nodding.

"To getting fucked up!" They all cheer as we smash our bottles together then chug most of it.

------

Tommy

We've been in South Beach for three days now, been to about 18 parties, 6 clubs...staying out until 4:00 in the morning, which is okay because we're on vacation, sleeping until noon and then hitting the beach until we've lined up more parties to go to.

The guys are drinking booze like it's water, well, not Lane so much, but Chris, Tai and Payton and even Ashton has been letting loose and joining in. Thank god everything is within walking distance.

It wasn't enough that we lost Ashton at Disney World last weekend, even though he says he wasn't lost because he knew where he was the whole time. In the last three days, Chris cut his foot on some glass, we lost Ash again - a few times, Payton wandered off at a club and when we finally found him he was sitting on some old biker dude's lap looking very nervous. The guy was a total bear, and I happen to know that Payton isn't into really hairy guys, and he had a bunch of friends there so it took a lot of careful negotiations to extricate Pay from the guy's grasp. Tai almost got hit by a car when we were walking back to the hotel one night and he decided he needed to dance in the middle of the street in his underwear. I had to pull Lane off of a guy who made a comment about his pink shirt...

I've had to follow Payton around making sure he kept reapplying sunblock so he doesn't get a sunburn. A bad sunburn is a fast way to ruin a vacation. I even found a spray on that doesn't feel greasy because he hates the feeling of greasy sunblock on his skin.

I keep reminding everyone to stay hydrated and all I do is get called names; nag, mother hen, worry wart. I've really had enough.

"Tommy, Payton just went into the water without putting on the waterproof sunblock, and Lane keeps picking on me, I think he needs a time out," Chris says as he plops down on the beach towel next to me. We'd just set up our spot for the day and already it's starting. I stare out at the water and ignore him. Close quarters with 5 other guys is not easy and it's really starting to grate on me. If I hear Chris fart or burp one more time I'm going to lose it. I'm sick of Payton following Lane around like a puppy dog, he's my best friend and we haven't spent any time together, Ashton's either eating or texting Master Gideon, Tai hogs the bathroom making sure every hair is perfect even though we're going to the beach and he'll be jumping in the water anyway.  Lane...well...fuck. Lane is too perfect. It's so sickening!

"Tommy, did you see where Ashton went? I don't see him anywhere? Did you tell him we need to figure out our plan for the day? Maybe he got lost again." Chris asks.

"You know what, I don't give a shit. I'm sure y'all can manage on your own, you don't need me to watch over y'all or be a nag...I've had enough, I need a break, none of you want to do what I want to do anyway, so I'll just go and do it on my own. Fuck it! I'm going shopping and you can...you can...suck lemons!" I yell and look at Chris who's staring at me with wide eyes.

I grab my bag and stand up.  I hear Tai calling something from the water, but I keep going, marching down the beach towards the street.

"I don't think it's a bad thing to care about my friends," I shout at no one since they're all far behind. Fine, let them take care of themselves. They don't need me, I don't need them, I'm going to do something I want to do...Berkeley told me there were some really good shops down this way. Hmm...she's really cool; maybe I'll see if she wants to do some shopping, she did give me her number, even after I told her I was gay.

We'd met Berkeley and her twin sister Kennedy at a party two nights ago and then they came out clubbing with us last night. Two gorgeous blondes and they said they had more fun hanging out with us than the straight guys from their school who followed her group of sorority sisters down from South Carolina.

Berkeley, Tai and I bonded over fashion and Kennedy took a liking to Chris since they're both into computers and techy stuff. Lane stayed away from them because he said he always had a thing for twins before he met Matthias and he didn't want to get himself into any trouble. Payton said pretty girls make him nervous and Ashton...well, Ashton doesn't talk to anyone new unless they're handing him a menu and telling him the specials of the day.

I text Berkeley and she replies right away, she'll meet me at the coffee shop on Crescent in half an hour. I smile to myself because I'm half a block from Cup-a-Joe and a Caramel Latte would hit the spot just about now.

It's pretty busy, but I get my Latte and a fruit tart (no pun intended) and just as I'm walking out the door a group is leaving one of the small tables on their patio, so I score the prime people watching spot and set my stuff down.

"I thought I might find you here."

I turn around and see a smiling Tai.

"Listen bae," he says, "I totally get what you were saying, but if you think about it, I didn't make fun of you once, I like that you take care of us...and you and me, we're shopping buddies. How could you even think of hitting boutique street without me? Me!? Besides...look!"

He's holding up the gold card his parents gave him. "My parents must be feeling guilty, they told me to get whatever I want while I'm down here. I say we see if we can find out the limit on this baby."

"Berkeley's coming too, it's like a reverse 3's Company," I say.

Tai's shoulders relax and his smile doubles. "You can even be the blonde one," he says as he grabs a chair, "I'll be the dorky one...but just this one time."

"But she's such a ditz, I know, we can be Brian, Michael and Lindsay..."

"I'm Brian!" We both shout at once and start laughing.

"Um...do you know...did Pay put on his sunblock?" I ask because I can't help it.

"Yeah, Lane did his back for him and he's wearing a hat too. They're going surfing again so he's wearing one of those surf shirts he got that block UV rays. Chris and Ashton were going for a walk down the beach to see how far the shore goes; they have their phones, wallets and money for a cab if they're too tired to walk back."

"Okay, good...um, not that I care."

"I'm gonna run in and get an Ice Cap, I'll be right back."

While Tai is inside I text Casey to see how he's doing. He's been working hard all week and I feel bad I'm not there to make him dinner or rubbing his shoulders.

Casey: Hi baby, I'm good, but I miss u lots, can't wait to see you.

Tommy: I miss u 2! Just today, tomorrow then we drive back Saturday. Do u want me 2 bring u back anything special?

Casey: Just u baby

Tommy: Awwww, what will u do with me when I get back?

Casey: Tie u up so u can't leave again, then ravage u til all you can do is scream my name

Tommy: Is that a promise?

Casey: It's a solemn vow, a covenant

Tommy: Okay, I can't wait!

Casey: What are u up to 2day?

Tommy: Tai n I r shopping, Lane n Pay surfing, Chris n Ash went for a walk. Big party 2night

Casey: Ok baby, just be safe

Tommy: I always am babe

Casey: I know, 1 of the many reasons I luv u

Tommy: I luv u 2

Casey: I have 2 get back into this meeting, ttyl?

Tommy: 4 sure, xxoo

Casey: xxoo

"Texting Casey?" Tai asks as he gets back to the table with 3 drinks and 3 scones. "I got stuff for Berkeley and Kennedy," he explains.

"I'm not sure if Kenny's coming, Berk didn't say."

"Well, if she doesn't I'll eat her stuff."

"Perfect timing," I say as both girls walk up.

"Hey guys, I convinced Kenny to come."

"She can be Melanie," Tai says and I can see his mind working. "No, that would be weird; you'll just have to be Justin, no Emmet."

"What?" Kennedy asks.

"Don't worry about it," I laugh, "Just a TV show we're obsessed with."

"Ahh, I don't watch a lot of TV."

"I got you guys some Ice Caps and Scones, sit down and let's figure out a shopping plan."

"Thanks Tai, I need one, it's so much hotter away from the water, I feel like I'm going to melt," Berkeley says.

"I know, I forgot a hair tie and it's making my neck sweat," I say as I feel trickles roll down into my shirt. Yuck!

"Here, I have an extra one," she says, digging into her purse.

"Thank god!"

"The perils of long hair," Kennedy muses. "I'm getting mine cut as soon as I can."

"Why? Your hair is beautiful!" Tai says and I agree. Both Kennedy and Berkeley have super long, blonde hair.

"I don't know, I need a change I guess. We've had long hair since we were little."

"Are you cutting yours too Berk?"

"No, just Ken."

"And hopefully people will stop mistaking us for each other," Kennedy adds. "I'm really sick of it, for once I just want to be seen as me, not one of the twins, no offense Berk."

"None taken," her sister says with a smile.

Twenty minutes later we have a plan and we set off to one of the trendy clothing stores that Berkeley loves.

------

Tai

"You look great Tai," Tommy says as I put the final touch on my hair. I've got one of my new outfits on and I have to admit...I wear it best.

"What are you laughing about?" he asks.

"Nothing, just the right side of my brain telling the left side how hot I am." I give him a grin before sashaying out of the bathroom. I look Tommy up and down and adjust my tight pants. Is it bad to get a semi from looking at one of your friends?

"The guys are meeting us down at the outdoor bar," Tommy tells me. "They said they didn't want to make us feel rushed." While he's brushing out his hair I find my shoes.

"I'm glad you guys talked it out and made up. Though they were kind of being dicks that last few days, you had every right to get mad."

"Eh, I was also being over-sensitive. I miss Casey and I guess I distracted myself by becoming the group house mom. I don't blame them. But tonight, I'm not going to worry about anyone. Just like they said, I'm going to let loose and have fun. Someone else can make sure we get home safely. Berkeley said the party at Coral Beach is like the biggest one of Spring Break. They mix pina coladas and rum punch by the barrel full." I step into the bathroom doorway and he's scowling at his hair. "Fuck it, I'm putting it in a ponytail."

"Just be careful, that stuff sneaks up on ya. I went to a frat party once where they threw in so much shit everyone was tripping off it."

"Now Tai, don't be a worry wart. We're gonna have fun tonight. Come on bro, let's go find the boys. This is our last big party night. Tomorrow night we have to take it easy for the drive back on Saturday, so I've got some catching up to do!"

--------

Payton

"Should we wake them up?"

As I float through the fog I hear a familiar voice. Lane I think. Ow. My head hurts and feels like it's full of lead. I hear another voice, but I can't move. Like my head is slowly waking up, but my body is lagging behind. I wonder who else is up...I wonder if I care...I want to go back to sleep.

It feels hot and there's someone lying next to me...come to think of it, someone is on the other side too and that's why I'm so warm...and sweaty and sticky. Gross. I hate being stuck in the middle.

"I don't know." 

It sounds like Tai.

"They look so cute...like a pile of puppies. I wonder if they realize they all slept in the same bed last night."

Lane is snickering and I can't help but wonder what he's talking about? I hear a clicking...sounds like a camera on a phone.

"Jeez, I'm glad I woke up before you started that," Tai says. "Where did you sleep then?"

"I had the bed in the other room all to myself...well...until I got lonely and came in here and climbed in with you guys."

Tai laughs. "How the hell was that even comfortable?"

"You guys were so shitfaced, to get you all home I had to make you hold hands like a line of pre-schoolers on a field trip, and once we got back here...well, this happened."

Tai swears under his breath. "Okay man, I'm going to take a shower."

"Should I wake them up?" Lane asks again.

"Before you wake up Tommy I need some pain reliever for my head. I have a feeling once he gets up and looks in the mirror there's either going to be crying or yelling," Tai says with a groan, "and my head feels like it's about to split anyway."

"Yeah...maybe we should just let him sleep. I'm not sure if he even remembers doing that last night."

"He was pretty drunk..."

"He was fucking shit faced! I've never seen him like that before, but there was no stopping him."

"I think it was good for him, you know, let loose, stop worrying about everyone, but..."

I feel like I should open my eyes and ask what they're talking about, but I just want to roll on my side and try to sleep a bit longer, let the fog work its way out of my head. I struggle to roll myself over while half asleep, but then a jolt of pain wakes me up. I lie on my side as pain jolts through my body, eyes clamped shut, not daring to move. God I hate hangovers.

"I think Payton's starting to wake up. I wonder if he remembers..."

"Or Ashton...he never drinks like that."

"What do you think he'll do?"

"It's too late to worry about that now. Do you think Master Gideon will punish him?"

"For all the times Ash has called him, he probably already knows, maybe he got permission first."

"I can't see Ashton asking permission for anything...he's a sub, but...when it comes to most things, he's too...Hard-headed."

"In some ways. He just likes to be in control of his life, of his own destiny, submitting is a form of control for him."

"It takes a lot of fucking control to submit sometimes."

"But it feels so damn good."

"Totally."

"Fucking amazing..."

"Mhm big boy, that ain't no lie! Neither is the fact that I stink, I'm taking a shower, do what you want with the boys."

I hear Tai walk off and the bathroom door close and Lane humming to himself.

"Ow!" 

Fuck! I open my eyes and Tommy, who I happen to be facing, rolls over and hits me in the chest with one of his lanky and 'hard as fuck' elbows. He mumbles an apology and that's when I see it.

"Tommy, holy hell!" I blurt out.

"Wha..." His eyes stay closed but he's on his side facing me as if we're having a tête a tête. Only there is something very different about his tête. The fact that he's naked...oh...and I'm naked too, what the fuck, is totally superseded by what I'm seeing.

"Tommy wake up!" I insist.

"I'm awake Pay...I'm awa..."

"No Tommy, really. Wake the fuck up."

"Shut the fuck up you guys, I'm trying to sleep." Chris is grumbling behind me and I look over my shoulder. What the fuck, he's naked too and Ashton is on the other side of him eyes closed and hanging off the bed...THUMP.

"Fucking A Chris!" Ashton growls.

I hear that clicking again and look up. Lane's got his damn phone pointing at us and he's snapping pictures with a big grin on his face.

"LANE!!" We all yell at once.

"FUCK!!" We all yell together as the pain slices through our heads from the first scream.

"Holy Shit! What the fuck Tommy?" Chris says, thankfully not as loud and then starts snickering.

"What! I didn't do anything, why are y'all bugging me, I just need a little more sleep."

"Um...Tommy..." Ashton says quietly and we all look at him as he peeks up over the bed from where he sits on the floor.

"What Ash?" Tommy whines.

"I think you should go look in a mirror," he says simply.

"Pay," Tommy says crossly looking back at me, "did you put lipstick all over my face like that time in High School?"

I shake my head no, I wish it were only that.

"And why are we all naked?" Tommy adds. "And...Payton...what did you do?"

"Huh?" I follow Tommy's eyes which are staring at my chest.

"Oh my god Payton!" Chris laughs.

I look down. "Oh holy fuck." Now I know what was hurting before when Tommy rolled against me.

"Who did that to my nipples?"

I go to touch one of the piercings and wince. "Oh my god, is that blood?" I see a little drop of dried blood on one side of one of the little hoops, wow, small hoops with simple steel balls. I hear a strange whimper and realize it came from me.

"They actually look pretty cool," Chris says and I look up at him, realizing that Tommy's situation is temporarily forgotten.

"I'm glad you think so," I say pointing to his left nipple.

"Holy shit!" he says looking down.

"How come both mine are done and just one of yours?" I complain.

"Maybe I'm smarter," he says with a smirk.

"Guys...guys...somebody get Tommy a mirror," Ashton says, leaning his head tiredly on the side of the bed.

Tommy quickly hops off the bed on his own and goes running into the bathroom where we can hear the shower running. I hear a surprised shriek from Tai as Tommy startles him and then an even louder shriek from Tommy. Well, it's really several shrieks that don't stop until Lanegoes in to console him.

"I really hope none of us did that to him," I mutter.

"I don't think so, it looks pretty good and if we were so tanked we don't remember, I think he probably would have lost an ear," Ashton deadpans.

"This is so hot," Chris says, completely enthralled by his piercing, which reminds me of my own.

I look down. "They are pretty sexy," I admit and then realize that Tommy is freaking out in the bathroom. "I'd better go help with Tommy."

I get up and look around for something to put on, spotting a pair of my briefs under a table. I know they're mine because I'm the only one with bright orange mesh briefs.

"Why the fuck did we all sleep in the same bed?" Chris grouses. "And why are we all naked?"

"Some questions you just don't want answers to," Ashton sighs. "Has anyone seen my phone? I want to see if I have any messages from Gideon."

Before I head to the bathroom I glance back at Ashton as he leans heavily onto the bed to stand up, his eyes closed and a painful look on his face. He hardly ever drinks much so I'm sure he's not used to the caliber of hangover we're all experiencing. I admire his sexy ass for a moment as he stands and stretches. He's got a killer body. As he turns around I prepare myself for an even better view when I spot something I didn't expect.

"Ash...."

Before I can continue his hand wanders down and then his eyes follow as he feels the bandage on the right side of his ribcage.

"What the..."

I walk over, "Ashton, did you get hurt last night?"

"The fuck if I remember," he mumbles as he picks at a corner of the large bandage.

Lane comes out of the bathroom with a sniffling Tommy. "What's wrong?"

"We think Ashton got hurt last night," I say pointing to his bandage. Lane nods with a knowing smile.

"Okay everyone," Lane says loudly, getting our attention. "All I want to say is that I tried talking sense into each of you guys last night since I was the only person remotely close to being sober, even though by remote I mean, not at all...but none of you would have it so I don't want anyone blaming me."

"We don't blame you," I say, "I kinda like these and there's no way I could have done it sober."

"I know right," Chris adds.

"Easy for you guys to say," Tommy mutters.

I look up at my best friend. "To be totally honest," I begin, "it looks good! I mean, totally different than you've looked in a long time, but I like it."

"That's what I told him," Lane says.

"Kind of preppy, but hot," Tai calls out from where he's leaning against the bathroom door in a towel.

"Casey's going to hate it," Tommy whispers sadly.

"No, he's not!" Lane says firmly. "He'll love it, besides, he doesn't love you for your hair, he loves you for you."

"That's right Tommy," I agree.

"You look more twink-like, he'll probably love it," Chris says in his normal obtuse manner.

"Thanks Chris," Tommy replies sarcastically, glaring at him.

"What'd I say?" He shrugs his shoulders and then turns to Ashton.

"Now we need to figure out what's under that bandage. Any hints Lane?"

"Nope, but let me get a wet washcloth in case the bandage gets stuck."

Lane runs into the bathroom while we all crowd around Ashton. He lets out a big sigh and begins peeling the bandage.

"Holy fuck!" he says, but I can't tell if that's a good holy fuck or a bad holy fuck...and fuck if we hadn't turned into a bunch of sailors the way we'd been cursing since we woke up, but between the hangovers and the surprises we had to wake up to, nobody could blame us. Good thing there are no Doms here.

Doms. Oh my...I wonder what Gideon will think....and Casey, and Clarke...I looked back at Tai. So far I hadn't heard any surprised screams from him.

"I think it's cute...I mean, cool. Cool and sweet..." Tommy says as he looks at Ashton's tattoo with a smile.

Chris leans down close, "Pawwww..."

"Pawsitively Purrfect," Ashton tells him.

"What does it mean?" Tai asks.

"I...um...well...when me and my sister used to play Vet when I was a kid, that's what I named my Veterinary Clinic. She was the customer and she'd bring in our cats or dogs, or her hamster, my turtle..." He blushes bright red at the detail of his childhood.

"You used to play Vet? That's so sweet," Tommy says in an "aww" voice.

"They did a great job on the dog and cat...whoever did the tattoo," I say as I lean down and look at it more closely. "It looks really good...I wonder if it hurt, do you remember? I kind of want a tattoo now."

"I have no fucking clue," Ashton mutters.

"I wonder what Master Gideon will think of it," Tai ponders and Ashton tries to keep his expression as blank as possible, but I think I see a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

"I'm sure he'll love it," I blurt out. "He totally will, he loves animals too."

Ashton just nods resolutely. After Tommy puts on some shorts he walks over to the couch and flops down with a loud sigh, dropping his face into his hands. Ashton has gone to take a shower while Lane googles proper aftercare for tattoos and nipple piercings.

I go and sit down next to Tommy.

"It's a good summer cut, you know you always complain about your hair being too hot in the summer."

No response.

"It really does look good. You look really handsome."

Nothing.

"Think of the money you'll save on hair products!"

Tommy startles me by sitting up quickly. "Tai...what about you? Did you get anything done? Another tattoo?"

"Nope," he replies but looks away.

"Really? I feel like you would have been the first one in line," Tommy says.

"Nuh uh. Not me." Tai doesn't make eye contact with anyone as he rifles through his suitcase pulling out clothes.

"You're hiding something, fess up," Chris orders.

"I'm not!"

"Then why did your voice just go up like 2 octaves."

"It didn't," he replies, his voice still sounding off.

"Tai...you can tell us," Tommy pushes and Tai looks over at Lane, who is smirking.

"Oh my god...." I yell, "did you get your penis pierced?!" I honestly don't know why that popped into my head.

"Bingo," Lane whispers and looks back at his small laptop where he's been rifling through different pages and shouting out what we need to do to care for our new 'attributes'.

"Really?"

"Shut up! No! I'm not keeping it, I took it out!" Tai huffs and starts throwing things back in his bag.

"Before we could see it?" I ask.

"D'uh! I'm not showing everyone my dick!"

"We've seen it like a hundred times at the club," Tommy reminds him, "along with everyone else there, many of whom are complete strangers."

"That's different," he mutters.

"So where exactly?" I ask, "and did it hurt?"

Tai just rolls his eyes. "Do you think if I was sober enough to remember I'd have done it?"

"Well, drinking lowers your inhibitions, but you're still you, so part of you wanted to do it," I counter.

"I'm going to go get some food," he says instead of answering and picks up his wallet, a room key and leaves.

"Get us something too," Lane yells before he closes the door.

"I wonder if he really took it out?" I whisper to Tommy.

"I bet he didn't," he says with a smile and Lane chuckles from across the room.

"Is that my phone?" Ashton calls from the bathroom as someone's phone goes off. He comes out in his towel and we all start moving stuff to find the phone.

"It's mine," I yell when I find my Samsung galaxy under a pillow. "Ugh, it's my dad." I let it go to voicemail, but a minute later it starts ringing again.

"Hi Dad, sorry, I didn't get to the phone in time before," I lie.

Twenty minutes later, after hanging up I look around at the guys who have been watching me carefully.

"My Dad's Aunt died, I barely knew her, but they want me to fly home so we can go to the funeral as a family." I want to be annoyed, angry even, but I feel guilty. After all, she was still family. But to be honest, I don't like big family things, weddings, funerals, christenings...I never feel comfortable around my family and all they do is ask me annoying questions the whole time and then I get to hear about all the wonderful things my cousins are doing and I end up feeling so out of place that my theories of swapped babies at the hospital seem more and more likely. Except that I have my mother's red hair, just like my brother too. Ugh.

"When do you have to leave?"

"They've booked a flight out of Miami this afternoon, he's emailing me the details, it leaves around 2."

"I'll drop you off at the airport," Lane offers.

"Thanks." I stand up and begin packing my bag.

"At least she held off until the end of the trip," Chris observes, "and you miss the drive back tomorrow. I wouldn't mind flying instead of driving."

"You'll have to rework the driving schedule," I say.

"It's fine, we'll work it out Pay," Tommy says.

"After Tai gets back with some food, we need to go to a pharmacy and get the stuff you'll need for your nips," Lane says, "I've made a list of what you all need."

"Thanks Laney," I say wandering over to where he's sitting, a pen and paper sitting next to the laptop. He pulls me into his lap and I rest my head on top of his as he squeezes me around the middle. I let out a sad sigh.

"Awww, it's okay Paypay. You'll be back in Chicago in no time. Just keep your chin up and don't let your family get to you."

"I wish you guys could come with me," I say, sounding pathetic even to my ears.

"Okay, we love you," Chris chimes in on his way to the bathroom with a towel, "but not enough to deal with your uptight family."

I let out a chuckle as Tommy comes over and ruffles my hair affectionately and Ashton pats my shoulder.

These guys are my family by choice, I think to myself. You can't help who you're related to, the family you're born into, but you sure can choose who you want in your day to day life, and in that regard, I'm the luckiest guy in the world.