Trial Of Strength (Book 14)

"RANDY GOES CAVEMAN ON UNCLE MIKE"

Uncle Mike, a father figure to the tribe, wades into the troubled waters of Pablo’s neglect of his sensitive boy Tyler.  But he clashes with tough young Pablo and his dad, the tribe’s gypsy boss Randy.  Mike knows the good and bad sides of Randy, and this is his bad side. In a towering rage. the gypsy’s verbal fight with Mike turns physical and ends badly for Mike – and everyone else.

<><>    A Big Welcome For Uncle Mike & Larry    <><>

The excitement ran high that Uncle Mike and his boy Larry would be visiting the tribe for a whole week. 

Mike, an older man in great shape for a guy in his late fifties, was much loved and respected as a father figure by this clan of lusty men and their boys, especially by their leader Randy.  The rugged gypsy was a law unto himself, except to Uncle Mike, who loved him like a son, flaws and all. Mike was the only man to call Randy boy.

The night before Mike’s arrival, cowboy Charlie said to his boys Vic and Noah, “It’ll be great to see old Mike again.  He always lays down the law and makes sure everyone’s behaving, especially Randy, who he treats as the macho hotheaded son he never had.”

Noah said, “Maybe he can tell Randy how to sort out the problems with his son Pablo.  It looks like Pablo’s not treating his shy boy Tyler too good.  Maybe Pablo needs a bit of discipline from Randy.”

Charlie chuckled.  “Good luck with that one.  Pablo has made himself in the image of his dad Randy – same arrogance, same bouts of rage. Those two are joined at the hip, and Randy lets Pablo get away with everything.”

Vic grinned, “Maybe not when Uncle Mike gets here.  He’ll whip Randy and Pablo into shape.”

That was undoubtedly true, but all was harmony the next day as they all got ready to greet Mike and Larry.  Actually, though, when they arrived, most of the men and boys were at work.  So they went first to the office in the compound, where the young manager Brandon raced forward in his wheelchair, with a big smile.

“Uncle Mike, Larry, it’s great to see you both.  Sorry that most of the guys are still at work but I’ll call Bob and tell him you’re here.”

In the meantime Mike said hello to the office assistants.  Vic and Noah stood up and got hugs from both men.  Noah said, “Sir, our man Charlie is visiting us for a few more days so you’ll get to meet him again.”

“Great timing, eh?” Mike beamed. “That hunky cowboy is always a sight for sore eyes.  And how are you, young Ossie – still enjoying being in charge of payroll?  I know my own payroll is small potatoes compared to your construction company, but when you took it over it was a lifesaver.”

Ossie blushed and smiled.  “My pleasure, sir, I do yours too Larry, though your assistant mechanics seem to come and go like a revolving door.”

Larry gave sigh.  “Tell me about it, dude.  They work for a month or so, then split when they’ve earned enough dough.  The only good one was your Ben.  I’d love him to be permanent but he’d never leave his man, fireman Jason.”

The door burst open and a smiling Bob came in. “Mike, Larry, welcome to L.A. again, so good to see you both.”

Mike beamed, “Come here, you handsome hunk and let me hold that gorgeous body of yours.”  He pulled Bob into a tight man-on-man hug, and Bob said, “Come with me to my office upstairs in our house.  I was about to have afternoon tea, but you both probably want something stronger and I’m sure we can manage that.’’

“Bye, kids,” Larry said, “see ya later”

Bob led them across the garden to what the boys called the Boss House, the home of Bob and Randy. They went into Bob’s office and Mike said, “Don’t let us interrupt your work, Bob.”

“I need the break, Mike.  I’d much rather talk to you than fight with these budget figures that won’t balance.  Will’s gonna bring up tea but I’ll call him and ask him to bring a bottle of Randy’s special Scotch.  I know he would want to share it with you.  Take a seat guys.”

They sat down gratefully. Bob called Will, and in a few minutes he came in with a tea trolley that included a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label from Randy’s private stash.  “Hey Will,” Mike smiled, “cutest redhead in California. Your dad Seth is a lucky man.”

“Thank you, sir, but I think I’m the lucky one.  See you later guys.”

“Such a great kid,” Mike said.

“He’s the best, Mike, and especially happy right now.  His dad, wildman Seth, was going through an inferiority crisis.  Even though he’s now one of the site managers, he couldn’t shed his grungy past – ‘wrong side of the tracks’ and all that.  But cowboy Charlie sorted him out physically, and super-chef Miguel did socially – told him that the rules of etiquette that scared him no longer applied in this day and age.  So Seth and Will are happy as clams at high tide

“So, guys, what exactly brings you to our humble home?”

“Not so humble, I’d say, Bob,” Larry smiled.

Mike sighed. “Well, Bob, you recall my broken leg that brought me here last time, which Doc Chad treated.  It looked like I was gonna lose the lower half, but Chad worked his magic, inserted pins and stuff and not only saved it but made it as good as new.  He warned me to go easy on the leg, not to abuse it.”  He grinned, “But when have I ever obeyed the instructions of a doc or anyone else?  I’m as pig-headed as Randy.”

Bob frowned, “So, your leg having problems again, Mike?”

“Ah, nothing serious, Chad thinks – just inflammation, which is quite common with old codgers like me who don’t obey doctor’s orders.  But he told me to come here so he could check it out and X-ray it.  Wants me to stop here for a week so he can watch how I respond to his treatment and medication – which is why Larry and I are gonna foist ourselves on you guys.”

“No foisting at all,” Bob smiled, “it’s a huge pleasure for us to have your company.  Stay as long as it takes.”

“I’ve left the bar in the care of my assistant manager and his bartender, and Larry’s left his bike repair shop to his assistant – last in a long line of temps.”

Larry grinned ruefully.  “I hope I can trust his one, they come and go.  Like young Ossie just said, my place has a revolving door when it comes to assistants.  I wish I had Ben fulltime, but that ain’t gonna happen ‘cos he’s never gonna leave his gorgeous fireman Jason.  Hell, who would?”

“But enough about us, Bob” Mike said.  Tell us what’s going on here, especially with that big lug Randy.  He staying out of trouble?”

Bob sighed, “You asked a mouthful there, buddy.  I need a slug of whiskey before I answer that one.”

<><>    Mike & Bob Discuss Randy – Of Course    <><>

“OK.  As you guys may have heard on the grapevine, the back-to-back dramas of Charlie and Seth have been sorted out.  They both involved low self esteem – Charlie’s was doubts about his sexual identity; Seth’s was about not fitting in socially.  But Charlie now knows he is one hundred percent straight, and Seth is now totally at ease socially.”

“Which brings us back to Randy eh, Bob?”

“It always seems to, doesn’t it Mike?  There appears to be trouble brewing but I can’t put my finger on it exactly, and I don’t want to pry too deeply as it involves his boy Pablo, and Pablo’s boy Tyler.”

“Sweet, shy young kid, as I recall, who idolizes Pablo. If memory serves me correct, didn’t they meet at our place in Palm Springs?”

“Yeah” Larry laughed, “you might say that Tyler dropped in on us – literally. The kid had spotted Pablo in town, and it was lust at first sight.  Besotted by the handsome shirtless mechanic he followed Pablo home – our home.  We were all chatting under the branches of that big ol’ tree just outside our grounds with long branches that overhung where we were standing.

“Seems Tyler climbed the tree to get a good look at Pablo.  He crawled out on a branch that turned out to be rotten.  It snapped off and Tyler tumbled onto the grass at Pablo’s feet.”

Bob chuckled.  “You have a good memory, Larry.  I was there with Randy, and I can still see the surprise on Pablo’s face that turned into a smile.  He was amused by the kid looking up at him with worship in his eyes. Flattered, Pablo pulled him to his feet, made sure he wasn’t injured and asked him to stick around.  Long story short, Pablo later took him on as his boy.”

Larry excused himself to go visit his pal Finn working in the garden.  Bob and Mike carried on with the topic of Randy and Pablo.

Mike frowned, “Yeah it always surprised me that Pablo took the kid on as his boy.  He didn’t seem the type to have his own boy. I thought at first it might be to boost his ego – proving he was old enough and man enough.  I still think that might be part of it.”

“I agree, Mike. I thought the same thing at the time – not mature enough or stable enough to protect and care for a vulnerable, shy young kid like Tyler.  Though he does seem to love the boy, and Tyler says the sex is great.  Pablo even made him manager of the big mechanics’ parts warehouse.  Tyler loves the job, especially working close to his hero.”

“Sounds good so far.   So, what’s the problem, Bob?”

“That’s just the point, Mike, I’m not sure ... not even sure if there is a problem.  Just a feeling I have.  I watch them sitting next to each other at the tribe’s dinner.  Pablo is as vocal as always, sharing laughs with the other men, but he doesn’t include Tyler in any of that.  He basically ignores Tyler and the poor kid sits there not saying a word.”

“Hmm, what does Randy say about that, Bob?”

“As far as I can tell, not much.  You know Randy, Mike, for him Pablo can do no wrong. Randy should be keeping an eye on Pablo and his treatment of Tyler, but he’s as blind as Pablo is about that.”

Mike sighed.  “Same old story, eh?  You know I love and respect Randy, Bob.  He’s a magnificent leader, sexy as all get out.  I see a lot of me in him when I was his age.  But I sure wouldn’t use him as a model for my own behavior.   Too many flaws, too much anger when he goes caveman.”

“And Pablo does exactly that, Mike, copies Randy in everything so he’s become a younger version of the boss.  Randy is flattered by that, this hunky young mechanic behaving like him, tough dominant, same tendency to fly off the handle.  That dates to that long-ago day when Randy rescued him from the garage he worked at, abused by the Baxter thugs.  And later, when Randy and the cop Mark were captured by the Baxters, and Pablo bravely set them free.”

“Yeah, I understand the bond between them, Bob – so tight that Randy adopted him as his son. But dammit, they should both be taking care of shy young Tyler.  What about Randy’s rule that you never hurt a boy?  Does Randy’s blind spot about Pablo extend to Tyler too?”

“Seems that way, Mike.  Thing is, though, I hesitate to intervene and ask Randy flat out what Pablo’s problem is, ‘cos nothing enrages him more that when I question his handling of his boy.”

“Hmm, yeah, I see that, Bob.  You shouldn’t intervene ... but that won’t stop me.” Mike chuckled.  “I dare to go where angels like you fear to tread.  I’ll poke around a bit tomorrow.  But in the meantime, tell me the good stuff about Randy.”

“Oh, there’s plenty of that, Mike.  You know, of course, that Randy is heading up the remodeling of that disused old building on the grounds of Doc Chad’s hospital, converting it into a wing for pediatric care.  He seems even more energetic than usual – he treats this as a mission for kids who are hurting – goes straight to his heart. 

“And get this, he made a generous gesture of asking Seth to join him as co-manager of the project.  It was the last, much needed boost to Seth’s self-confidence, which Randy knew it would be. Randy wasn’t involved much in the other guys’ efforts to reassure Seth, but then, out of the blue he comes up with this generous act that caps everything.

“I tell you, Mike, those big-hearted gestures are things that makes me fall in love with him all over again.  When I said as much to him he shrugged casually and said, “Nothing to it, I needed a tough construction boss beside me, Seth’s one of the best so I offered him the job.  Simple as that.”

Mike’s eyes got moist. “I know what you mean, Bob, it’s why I love the big lug like the son I never had.  You and I know it wasn’t ‘as simple as that’, as he called it.  It was a calculated gesture designed to help a buddy going through a rough patch.  Randy just didn’t want any big fanfare.”

“Ah, talk of the devil, I hear his truck pulling up now.  I can always tell it’s him by the way he screeches to a halt and slams the door harder than anyone else.  And I recognize the sound of heavy boots clumping up the stairs.  Could only be Randy.”

<><>    Randy & Bob Take Care Of business    <><>

The door burst open and there he stood, larger than life, the subject of their conversation. Coming straight from the construction site, he was wearing his usual work gear of dirt-streaked jeans, heavy muddy work boots and the loose, sweaty tank top hanging over his muscled chest. His grease-smudged chiseled features broke into a gleaming smile.

“Mike, you old rascal, what mischief you been hatching up with my man here?”  Randy pulled the older man into a tight, sweaty hug. Both Mike and Bob had instant hard-ons at the mere sight of the tall, dark gypsy.

Stifled in the muscular arms Mike grinned, “Hey, careful, big guy, my old bones crush easy.”

“Bullshit, dude, your hunky body will last forever.”  Randy pulled away at last and gave Bob the same muscle-crunching treatment.  “As for you, handsome, you better brace yourself.  You know how horny I get after slogging away at work, so your ass is grass.”

“Randy,” Mike chuckled, “is your mind always down in the sexual gutter?”

“Pretty much, dude, its natural home.  And your hot ass ain’t off-limits neither.”

There was a tap on the door and freckle-faced young Will came in carrying a drinks tray.  “Scotch, sirs?”

Randy laughed his deep belly laugh and ruffled Will’s shock of red hair.  “Hey, what’s this, Red, no beer?”

“Special occasion, sir.  I thought I would raid your special stash of Johnnie Walker again.”  Will smiled at Mike. “Just now I forgot to say welcome to the big city, sir.”

“Will, my boy, “Larry and I drove over a hundred miles just to see your smiling face.”

“To quote a Randy phrase, sir, that’s bullshit.  But thanks for saying so.”

“OK, I’m busted, kid.  But I’d still fuck that cute ass except I’m scared of your sexy dad Seth.  Didn’t he just get home from work too, just as hot and horny as this guy?  He’s probably been thinking of your cute ass all the way home.”

“Thanks for reminding me, sir.  Better get home next door to ease the tension in his grimy body.” He set the tray down and beat a hasty retreat.

“Love that kid,” Randy grinned.  “I’d take him for myself except I’m scared too of the new, improved Seth.  Last time we tangled he fought me to a draw and we shook hands.  You’ll see a big difference in him, Mike.  And he’s a great fucking worker.  That’s why I wanted him as my partner on Chad’s new project.”

“Yeah I heard about that.  Damn fine thing you’re doing there, boy.  And how’s that son of yours Pablo?”

Instantly on the alert Randy said, “Why do you ask?”

“No special reason.  Just good manners.”

“Yeah, well he’s doing great,” Randy said in such a curt tone that it brought the topic to a close.

Mike realized that Randy’s defensiveness showed that he knew there were problems but that it was no one else’s business.  Besides, he had caught Randy casting lascivious eyes at Bob.  Mike smiled, “I can see you two have business to attend to, so I’ll leave you alone. Anyway, I have to get ready for when Doc Chad gets home so he can check out the pain in my leg.”

Bob said, “You and Larry are in our big guestroom down the hall, Mike.  It’s all ready, so make yourself at home.”

Mike grinned roguishly, “Have fun guys,” and he left the room.

Randy glared at Bob.  “So what was that about Pablo?  Did you put Mike up to that?”

“Don’t blow your top, Randy.  Mike asked out of politeness.  We discussed what was going on in the tribe and Pablo and Tyler were two of the names that came up, that’s all.”

“Yeah, well that subject is of limits.  Whatever’s going on between Pablo and his kid is my business, so stay out of it.”

“My lips are sealed, big guy.” Bob was happy to change the subject.  “Er, just now you told Mike you were gonna take care of me.  Is that off the agenda too?”

“Hell no.  I just got home after a tough day, so you know I’m gonna fuck you.”

“Er, don’t you mean ‘make love to me?”

“Yeah, that too.  You know sometimes you’re too much of a smartass for your own good and I have to whip your ass to show you who’s boss.” 

Bob loved it when the raging gypsy was in this aggressive mood, and he was longing for Randy to pounce – which he did now. His eyes flashed, he grabbed Bob’s T-shirt and ripped it clear off.  He gazed at Bob’s muscled torso, ran his hands over his pecs and dug his fingers in the hard flesh.  When he twisted his nipples savagely Bob winced, “You’re hurting me.”

“Good, it’s what you need, you arrogant mother fucker.  You’re so fucking gorgeous but you make me mad when you get out of line.  Come here ...”   He grabbed the shreds of Bob’s shirt still hanging round his neck, pulled him close and stared at him with those laser blue eyes.  Then he locked their mouths together hard in a grinding kiss.

Overwhelmed by the stink of sweat and the smell of whisky on his breath, Bob almost lost his load in his pants, but he held back for what he knew was coming.

At last Randy pulled back, and pierced him with those hypnotic eyes.  He knew Bob was his, to do to him whatever he wanted.

He planted his hand on Bob’s chest, shoved hard and Bob fell on his back on the bed.  Barefoot in jeans, Bob was naked to the waist, but Randy soon took care of that. He ripped open Bob’s jeans, yanked them down and tossed them across the room.  Bob’s cock sprang up, stiff as a flagpole, and Randy grinned, “Looks like you want it bad, stud.  He slapped the cock from side to side.  “That what you want?  Tell me what you want, boy or I’ll torture your fucking cock.”

He slapper the cock harder and Bob groaned, “Please, sir, I want you to fuck me in the ass.  I need to feel your cock inside me.”

“You mean this thing?” Randy pulled open his work pants and pulled out his massive cock.  “You mean this weapon that can tame any man, including you, big guy.  Nah, if I shove this in your butt you’ll scream so loud they’ll think I’m killing you.”

“Please, man, I’m begging you.  I need it so bad.  Do anything, gag me, anything.  Please ...”

“Anything, eh?  OK, you asked for it. He picked up the shreds of Bob’s ripped shirt and used them to quickly tie Bob’s wrists to the corner posts of the bed.  Then he pulled off his own sweat-soaked tank, knelt astride him and shoved the shirt in his mouth, gagging him.  “That’ll muffle your screams,” he grinned.  Bob bit down on his gag and Randy’s rancid sweat oozed from it and ran down his throat

Randy got off the bed and paced around the bed shirtless, his breath heaving.  As he paced, his eyes were fixed on the handsome, naked executive, bound and gagged, at his mercy.  The bare-chested gypsy stood at the foot of the bed staring down at him.   His fist was wrapped round his cock, stroking it, as he growled, “Holy shit, that is so fucking beautiful, man.  Let me see you struggle to get free.”

Bob tugged at his bound wrists, his biceps flexed and his muscular body writhed in a futile attempt to escape. His cock oozed precum.  “Fuckin gorgeous”, Randy growled. “Don’t you dare cum, man.  You do that and I’ll split your ass wide open.”

Bob groaned into his gag and lay still, gazing up at Randy stroking his cock.  “OK, stud, you wanted this ... here it comes.”

Randy knelt on the bed, shoved Bob’s legs back roughly ... and plunged his thick rod in his ass.  Bob screamed into his gag and his body jerked again.  The pain of the first attack quickly dissolved into a feeling of ecstasy that suffused his entire body.

Randy grinned, “Damn your ass feels good.  You are the best fuck in the world.  Now the screams are over you won’t need this.”  Randy yanked his sweaty tank out of Bob’s mouth, twisted it like a rope and wrapped it round the back of his captive’s neck.  Holding the two ends with one hand he pulled Bob’s head and shoulders off the bed and held him like that, Bob’s brown eyes staring up at him.

“Yeah, that looks good,” Randy said. “Right where I want you.  He whooped,” Yeaah!”  He held the shirt ends with one hand and pumped his other fist in the air in triumph, riding Bob’s ass just as his brother, cowboy Charlie, rode a bucking stallion at the rodeo.

Dazed, Bob loved the feeling of being totally at the mercy of the jubilant gypsy riding his ass, though he wasn’t sure how long he could hold back his orgasm.  He stared up at the blue eyes penetrating his, and watched the steel in those eyes mellow into a smile. 

Randy gently lowered Bob’s head back on the pillow and the ferocious pounding slowed.  Randy leaned down and said softly.  “You’re magnificent, dude.  I’m fucking crazy about you.  He bent lower, their lips touched and Randy kissed him tenderly, with all the passion but none of the ferocity of before.  This, at last, was making love. The caveman had become a lover.

His cock no longer pounded but caressed Bob’s ass. And his pale blue eyes smiled at him. Randy reached up and quickly united each wrist.  He pulled back on his knees, still fucking. and Bob reached up to stroke his sculpted chest and abs.  “You’re incredible, Randy.  I am so in love with you, and know I always will be.”

“So show me, buddy.  Let me see you cum while I fill you with my juice.  Their eyes never left each other’s as Bob sighed deeply and said softly, “Here it come, Randy ... all for you...”

His cock shuddered and spurted semen with such force that it splashed up on Randy’s chest. “And this is for you, buddy,” Randy smiled and filled his lover’s ass with cum.

As their heartbeats subsided Randy slowly withdrew his cock and fell forward onto his lover.  As they lay in each other’s arms Randy kissed Bob’s cheek and said, “I know I can be a son of a bitch sometimes, but don’t give up on me, dude.”

Bob grinned.  “How could I give on a guy who just gave me the fuck of my life and made me fall in love with him all over again?”

<><>    Finn Shares His Concerns With Bob & Mike    <><>

As the lovers snoozed in each other’s arms, Doctor Chad was returning from his hospital and met Uncle Mike sitting by the pool, nursing a beer.  “Hey, doc, great to see you again, my hero.”

Chad chuckled.  “’Hero’ is going a bit far, Mike, I was just doing my job.  It’s good to see you again too, buddy, though disappointed that you’re having problems with your leg.  I can take a preliminary look at it right now if you lie on this chaise.”

Mark put down his beer with a guilty smile.  “I suppose beer is off limits, eh, doc?”

“How can I say that to a guy who sells the stuff for a living.  Beer’s OK, just not heavy alcohol use that might make you stumble and fall.  Right so let me take a look here.”

Mike lay on a chaise and Chad poked and prodded the leg he had mended so expertly and saved it.  “Twist your foot from side to side, Mike.  Good, now wiggle your toes.  Hmm, feels basically sound to me, no new fractures.  Have you been staying off it as much as you can, like I told you?”

Mike looked shame- faced.  “Chad, I spend much of my day on my feet walking back and forth behind the bar, so I guess you could call that too much.”

“I would Mike.  For a few months at least, give the leg time to heal completely and accept the pins I inserted.  But at least you’re here for a week, so you can rest up a lot.  It looks a little inflamed right now, which is something we expect at first.  I want you to come to my hospital tomorrow afternoon so I can X-ray it to make sure.  In the meantime, keep off it as much as you can – no strenuous activity, no sprinting, and take care not to knock it against furniture.”

Mike grinned, “Chad, my sprinting days were over long ago, so I promise to be a good boy.”

“I’ll see that you are, Mike.  My man Adam is at his airline’s head office in Sydney for a few days so I’ll be having dinner with you guys here.  I just have to go up to my house to get my dog Mollie.  She loves coming here and playing with the boys’ dogs – Pablo’s Billy and Will’s Norman.  In the meantime, if the pain gets worse, don’t be shy about using Brandon’s spare wheelchair. Stay off that leg – no soccer with the dogs or anything.”

Mike laughed.  “Chad, my soccer days are a thing of the past too – even with dogs.”

Dinner that evening was a raucous affair in a celebratory welcome to the always popular Uncle Mike and Larry. When Bob and Randy arrived, (Randy having showered and, wearing a clean T-shirt under orders from Bob) they sat facing Mike and Larry.  Mike grinned slyly. “Have a good nap, boys?”

“The best,” Bob smiled.

Randy said, “This man here is the best fuck in the world, buddy.”

“I’m sure you had a hand in that too, Randy.”

“Not a hand, Mike.  Something bigger than a hand.”

Mike grinned, “Dammit, boy, as soon as you show up I find myself down in the sexual mud with you.”

“Great place to be, old-timer.  You should try it more often.”

The rest of the meal saw more of the same bawdy banter amid much laughter.  But in among all that, Bob and Mike exchanged glances as they watched the interaction between Pablo and his boy Tyler – or more exactly their non-interaction. 

Pablo was being his usual talkative self, trading jokes and playful obscenities with his buddies.  Tyler sat mutely beside him, excluded from the conversation and looking dejected.  Randy laughed along with Pablo, seemingly oblivious that anything was wrong with Tyler.  Miguel’s boy Finn somewhat eased Tyler’s unease.  Sitting facing him he kept up a light conversation to fill in the long gaps between anyone else paying attention to him.

When dinner was over Pablo got up and walked back to the house with Zack, leaving Tyler following lamely behind.  Randy stayed for a word with Chad about their building project, and Finn caught up with Bob and Mike as they walked toward the Boss House.

“Did you see that, sirs?  Tyler is a special friend of mine.  We used to work together gardening before Tyler got the job managing the mechanics’ warehouse.  He’s a sweet, sweet kid ... we even used to make love in the garden sometimes.  And he’s totally devoted to Pablo.  But lately that seems to be a one-way street.”

“I imagine he confides in you a lot, Finn,” Bob said. “So what do you think is going on?

“Yeah, right now I’m the only friend he has.  He’s very unhappy.  You saw how Pablo ignored him at dinner. Well apparently it’s the same at home.  They don’t even make love anymore.  Pablo fucks him only when Pablo’s horny and needs to get his rocks off.  But there’s no love in it.  Tyler says they don’t even kiss ... he feels like Pablo’s fuck boy, and even that not often.”

Bob and Mike frowned at each other, and Mike asked Finn, “Do you know if Randy speaks to Pablo about it?”

“Frankly, sir, I’m not sure if he even knows about it.  You know how he and Pablo are.  Pablo’s his adopted son and models himself on Randy.  He can do no wrong in Randy’s eyes.  There’s that rule that no one else should get involved between a man and his boy.  That goes for Randy and his boy, and Pablo and his.  

“I shouldn’t even be talking to you sirs, but I hate to see Tyler so sad, and I didn’t know what else to do.  You won’t tell anyone I spoke out of turn, will you.”

Of course we won’t Finn,” Mike reassured him.  “You did just the right thing, you’re a real good boy and a loyal friend.  It’s hard for Bob to intervene as he’s Randy’s lover, and if he tried to get involved Randy would go caveman.  But I’m different.  I think of Randy almost as a son, and I can sure lay down the law to a son.”

“But you will be careful, sir, won’t you?  You know how Randy can be when he gets angry.”

“Oh, I’m familiar with the Randy rages, Finn.  But don’t worry.  He wouldn’t hurt me.  Thanks for talking to us, Finn, you did well.  But don’t tell anyone else, ‘cos this kind of thing can snowball and get real ugly.  Just leave everything to me.”

Relieved, Finn thanked them and ran back to the apartment he shared with his man Miguel.”

Bob sighed and looked at Mike.  “Dude, that was good advice Finn gave about upsetting Randy, so go easy.  I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”

“Don’t worry, big guy.  Nothing’s gonna happen to me.”

<><>    Jekyll & Hyde    <><>

Nothing more was said that night, especially not to Randy.  In their guestroom, Mike did share his feelings with Larry, as he did on everything. 

Larry urged the same caution as Finn and Bob had, but Mike said, “Don’t worry, Larry, I’ll take things real easy.  Matter of fact I’ll be seeing Randy tomorrow morning ‘cos he’s asked me to drop by the site of the hospital wing he’s remodeling.  He seems real proud of it and he should be – wants to show it off to me.  I probably won’t even touch on this whole sorry mess.”

And that’s how it turned out the next day.  Larry and Mike had breakfast with the other guys, who came and went, snatching a bite from the buffet table, then off to work.  Larry told Mike he wanted to spend time with Finn in the garden.  They were close buddies as they came from similar backgrounds.”

“Good idea, Larry.  I think Finn needs a friend right now, but don’t get too deep into the whole Tyler situation, though.”

“I could give you the same advice, Mike, but I know you wouldn’t take it.”

“I just wanna help these guys straighten things out as all. That’s what wise old uncles do, right?”

Mike drove over to Chad’s hospital, careful not to press his driving foot too hard on the brake, following Chad’s orders.  When he got there he easily found the new construction wing as it was a hive of activity.  Randy came out to greet him with his dazzling smile.

“Glad you could drop by, Mike.  We got this site up and running in record time and it’s already taking shape.  Let me show you around.”  With obvious pride, and expert construction knowledge, he explained each component of the pediatric wing, demonstrating the special details required for caring for sick kids. 

This was the consummate confident man, sure of his expertise, who Mike had always respected, admired and loved as a son.  No sign of neglect of a youngster here. In fact, at the end of the tour, Mike said.  “Randy, I’m so proud of you.  And the great thing is it all goes along with your well-known love of kids, especially kids who are hurting, as all these young patients will be.”

“Thanks for saying that, Mike.  I like to think it’s true.  Nothing upsets me more than seeing a kid in trouble.   I’ll do anything I can to bring comfort to them.”

Mike thought of Tyler, but he realized this was not hypocrisy on Randy’s part.  All of what he said was true.  Except that, for some reason, he had a blind spot about poor Tyler’s sadness.  Maybe it was because of his love for Pablo, a son who could do no wrong.

Randy was saying, “My boy Pablo services our trucks and heavy equipment.  Matter of fact I have to go over to our main construction site soon to talk to him about our future needs.  You should stop by there too, Mike, after you leave here.  You haven’t seen Pablo’s new parts warehouse yet.  You’ll be impressed, it’s all computerized thanks to Darius’s boy Ryan, the young computer wiz.”

“I’ll do that, Randy.  And I take my hat off to what you’re doing here – such valuable, worthwhile work.  Chad must be thrilled.”

“Seems to be.  But I tell you this, Mike.  I’m doing it not so much for Chad but for the sick kids who’ll be coming through here after our work is finished.”

They hugged goodbye, and Mike got in his car, headed for the warehouse.  As he drove he thought back over everything Randy had said. None of it was false, but he was surprised that, in talking about the warehouse, Randy named Pablo and Ryan, but never mentioned Tyler who was the manager of the warehouse and, by all accounts, doing a great job.  Maybe his blind spot extended to blotting Tyler from his mind.

As he reflected on it he felt sure that, on some level, Randy was aware of Tyler’s problem but didn’t want to confront it if it meant reprimanding Pablo, possibly belittling his own son.  It was similar to the phenomenon where trauma victims block out the event – unable to revisit their pain.

Mike had heard men describe Randy as having a split personally.  On the one side was the much respected and brilliant construction boss he had just left, and whom the ultra-sexy lover Bob idolized.  And on the other side was the fiery caveman who flew into a rage and flung his fists at anyone who got in his way.  Perhaps it was two sides of the same macho coin, one using his strength for good, the other using his dominance for bad.

Who knows, Mike thought.  One thing he was sure of is that, right now, he had to focus on shy young Tyler, the boy who in this case was the one hurting so much.”

<><>    Mike Consoles Tyler    <><>

When Mike got to the construction site and went into the warehouse, he was impressed, as Randy had said he would be.  The spare parts were arranged methodically on shelves, each with a barcode underneath for easy location. 

He looked around the place that seemed to be empty, but then he became aware of a muffled sound coming from the corner.  He walked closer and saw Tyler sitting hunched on the ground arms wrapped round his knees.  And he was sobbing quietly.

Mike said gently, “Hey, Tyler, what’s up, kid?”

Tyler jerked his head up, then scrambled to his feet, wiping the back of his hand across his eyes.  “Sorry, sir, I didn’t hear you come in.  I got some dust in my eyes ...”

Mike grasped his shoulders, held him at arm’s length and smiled, “Hey, kiddo, you can’t fool an old dog like me.  Something’s troubling you ... is it about Pablo?”

“How did you know, sir?”

Mike chuckled, “Like I said, I’m a canny old dog, dude, I have an instinct for these things.  I’m also a good listener, so why don’t you tell me about it?”

Tears welled up again.  “Pablo don’t love me anymore, sir.  I don’t know why, but he’s stopped loving me. But I still love him as much as I ever did.  He’s my whole world, sir.”

“What makes you so sure he doesn’t love you?”

“He don’t pay me no attention, sir, it’s like I’m not there, even when I’m sitting next to him.”

“How is it in bed?”

“Same thing, sir.  He don’t even touch me.  When he does fuck me it’s, it’s kinda mechanical, just ‘cos he’s horny.  He don’t kiss me or anything, just turns his back on me and goes to sleep.  I try not to let him hear me crying, he don’t like that.”

“Have you talked to Randy about this?”

“Oh no, sir, I wouldn’t dare to, Pablo would get mad.  He says I’m his boy so he’ll take care of everything.”

“But he doesn’t, eh?”

“Not really, sir,”

“Well let me take care of it, eh?  First thing you need is a good ol’ Uncle Mike hug.  Come here.”

Tyler willingly fell into Mike’s arms and cried on his shoulder.  Mike held him tight and kissed him on the forehead.

And that’s when Pablo came in.

<><>    Disaster    <><>

“What the fuck?  What’s going on?  You should be working, boy, not fucking around with no old guy.”

Mike whirled round and the terrified Tyler hid behind him. “The ‘old guy’ is trying to give your boy the comfort he needs so bad, ‘cos he sure ain’t getting it from you, dude.  Have you any idea what your kid is going through, the misery you’ve inflicted on him through your neglect?  And don’t clench your fists like that.  I Know it’s your natural reflex but you wouldn’t dare strike me. 

“And don’t you dare take it out on this sweet kid.  You’re gonna stand there and take a tongue lashing from the ‘old guy’ – learn a lesson on what it takes to love and protect a boy, ‘cos’ you clearly don’t have a clue. And you’re sure getting no help from your dad, who’s as callous and arrogant as you are.”

“Don’t you fucking badmouth my dad, asshole, ‘cos I’ll drop you in a heartbeat.”

“No, leave that to me, boy.”  Randy’s voice boomed across the warehouse.  “Lucky I got here when I did and heard you insulting my boy.  I respect you, old man, but this time you’re way out of line.  You do not tell me how to treat my boy and you sure as hell don’t lecture him on how to treat his.  That is off limits to you, man.”

“And to hell with Tyler eh? So much for your bullshit boast of loving and protecting kids, especially those who are hurting.  Well Tyler’s hurting real bad right now because of Pablo’s callous neglect of him.”

Randy sneered, “That ‘sweet kid’ as you call him is a crybaby. This never would have happened without him, he’s the problem.”

In the heat of the moment, no one noticed that Tyler had run back to his corner and was making a quiet but frantic phone call to the only one he could think of – his pal Finn.  Finn was still with Larry, and Tyler whispered “Get over here fast, guys, ‘cos Uncle Mike’s in trouble.”  He cowered in the shadows, prepared to make a run for it if Pablo turned on him next.

But the men were too engrossed in each other to notice Tyler, as their verbal slugfest was escalating.  In his rage Randy had lost all control, and even the normally placid Mike was not ‘going easy’ as he had promised Larry and Bob.  This was Randy’s dark side, the total reverse of the kind, confident man who had made him so proud at the hospital.  His hero’s ugly decent into the dark side disappointed and infuriated the older man.

The two fiery men came dangerously close to blows and even Pablo tried fruitlessly to urge Randy to leave.  But the volume and the anger grew worse. 

“Ya know, Mike. I’m getting sick and tired of you coming here and talking down to me, the guy you claim is like a son to you.  I ain’t your son and you have no fucking right to swagger in here and lecture me on how to treat my boy.”

“Somebody has to.  No one else will ‘cos they’re scared of you.  Well bullies like you don’t scare me.”

“Maybe you should be scared,” Randy snarled, punctuating his words by shoving Mike repeatedly in the chest, forcing him backwards. ‘Cos I am this close to beating the shit out of you ... get? ... get it?”

He shoved harder, Mike staggered back against an empty oil drum behind him ... and crashed to the ground, falling hard on his injured right leg that folded awkwardly under him.  He groaned in pain ... and Randy at last came to his senses.  Aghast at what he had done he stared down at him.  “Fuck ... fuck ... are you OK?”

Randy reached down but Mile held up an arm protectively.  “Don’t you dare fucking touch me, boy.  You come near me and Bob will know that you dropped me and made everything worse.”

The mention of Bob made Randy hesitate and Pablo tugged at his arm. “Better do as he says, sir.”

With difficulty Mike pulled his phone from his pocket and punched the number of Chad’s private cell phone, which he still had.  Doc Chad answered, and Mike groaned. “Thank god you’re there, Chad, this is Mike.  You’re not in surgery or anything are you?”

“Surgery’s over for the day, Mike.  I’m in my office making notes.  What’s happened, you sound terrible.”

“Had an accident, doc, fell hard on my bad leg, in the warehouse at the construction site.”

“Jesus.  OK, take a deep breath and don’t try to move.  I’ll be right over – ten minutes.”

Mike looked up at Randy.  “Doc Chad’s on his way, so you can leave.” Randy hesitated, confused.  Mike persisted.  “In other words Randy, get the fuck out of here and take your boy with you.”

“Better do what he says, Randy.”  That was Larry who had just arrived with Finn.  “I’ll take care of him until the doc arrives and Finn will see to Tyler.”

Pablo tugged at the dazed Randy, and they left the warehouse.  Larry ran over to Mike and knelt beside him.  He pulled his own shirt off, folded it in a bundle and eased it carefully behind Mike’s head.  “I can guess what happened here, sir.  Just lie still, I’m right here with you.”

“Finn,” came a weak voice from the corner.  Finn ran over to the shivering Tyler.  “It was awful, Finn, and it’s all my fault.  Randy said I’m the problem ... all this never would have happened without me.”

“That’s bullshit, kiddo, he didn’t know what he was saying.  Dude, you’re the victim here, not the villain.  I’ll stay with you till the doc gets here for Mike, then I’ll take you to my place.”  He put his arms round Tyler who rested his head on Finn’s chest.

It wasn’t long before Chad came in and went straight over to Mike.  He smiled, “What did I tell you, Mike, about not putting any stress on that leg, you old rascal?”

Mike grinned, “Maybe you should have told Randy too, doc.”

Chad sighed, “So that’s it. OK, I get the picture, dude.  Stay still now while I try to straighten the leg.  Yell if it hurts.”

“Don’t worry, I will, doc.”  But he didn’t need to – he winced a couple of times as Chad gently unbent the leg till it was straight, resting on the ground.  He ripped the pants leg up to the knee and probed carefully. 

“Can’t feel any new fractures, but there are plenty of bruises.  I was gonna X-ray it anyway and now it’s urgent. But I don’t want to move you myself – could just do more damage.  I already called the ambulance, they’ll put you on a stretcher.”  There was a sound of sirens and Chad said, “Good, they’re here.  Larry, go out and direct them in here.”

Larry went out and came back with two paramedics with a stretcher.  They skillfully eased Mike onto it and carried him out.  “I’ll ride with them, Larry.  You wanna come too?”

“Yes please, sir.  Finn, you gonna take care of Tyler?”

“Sure thing, dude.  I’m taking him home with me.”

Pretty soon, the warehouse was as still and quiet as when Mike had first walked in.

<><>    More Bad News    <><>

At the house Pablo went sullenly to his apartment and Randy, still dazed went to his own house in search of Bob.  Bob was at his desk as usual and looked up.  “Randy.  Didn’t expect you home in the middle of the day. You look kinda haggard.  What happened?”

“The worst,” Randy groaned.  “I fucked up bad, real bad.  Help me, buddy.”

Bob picked up his phone and called Will.  “Hey Will. Would you bring up Randy’s Scotch as quickly as possible?”

“On my way, sir.”  In no time he came in with the Scotch and poured two glasses.  Randy looked at him blankly and ruffled his hair.  “Hey, Red.  I love you, kiddo.”

“And I love you too, sir.”

“You won’t when you hear what I’ve done.”  Will looked questioningly at Bob who smiled and nodded, and Will quietly left.

“Have a drink, Randy, and tell me what’s happened.”

Disjointedly, with tears running down his cheeks, Randy stammered out the details.  As usual when their world seemed to be spinning out of control, Bob remained an island of calm.

Just as Randy stopped talking, Bob’s phone rang and he put it on speaker.  It was Finn who said hurriedly, “Sir, just to let you know. Mike’s in an ambulance going to the hospital with Chad and Larry.  I’ve brought Tyler home with me.  I’m going across to the kitchen to get him some food.  Gotta go ...”

“Thanks, Finn.  Keep in touch.”

Bob said, “Good, at least their safe, so the best thing you can do is stay here with me until we get more news.  Hopefully it’ll be good news.”

But it wasn’t.  A few minutes later Finn called again sounding frantic.  “Sir, when I got back from the kitchen Tyler wasn’t there.  He’d scribbled this note on a scrap of paper.  Says, ‘I don’t belong here.  All this was my fault.  Randy said I’m the problem and he’s right.  Gotta go.  Love you Finn’.  

“Tyler’s left home, sir, and I don’t know where he’s gone.”

Randy’s face went ashen and he howled.  “Fuck ... Fuck ... Fuck!”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 

TO BE CONTINUED in “A Trial Of Strength” – Book 14: Chapter 5