THE RANCH JOURNALS

Boys to men

2011-12-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

He never had much desire for college, but once he was offered football scholarships, he gave it some thought. It wasn't the idea of going back to school that aroused his interests, it was the chance to play football.

Offers came from three small colleges in the Midwest: southern Illinois, Cincinnati and someplace in rural Indiana. He didn't own a computer, so after work one night, he brought a cold six-pack over to Brook's trailer to use his. Casey could check out these colleges and answer any offers he like using email, something he never tried.
Brook lived in battered, 60'-style, aqua blue trailer home parked on three acres. He was renting it from a man he worked for real cheap. It was located close to work and he could even hunt right outside his back door.

"So, ya gotta' think 'bout this a minute, buddy. Remember, you're gonna have to live in one of these places for a while."

Brook was trying to keep Casey from relocating out of town. Out of the four friends, Ryan had already accepted a big time football scholarship at the University of Arizona and Lance announced his plans to join the Marines. The original foursome -- who'd grown up together in a small, rural Idaho town near the Kaniksu National Forest -- would be splintered apart. With summer nearing an end, everything seemed to be moving too fast for the boys. Life started to seem lonely and surreal. After all, the boys had just graduated from high school 3 months ago and each one had celebrated their eighteenth birthday; they were now legally men, but with little direction and not much in the way of parents or adults to guide them.

"I'm serious, Case. Ya have to ask yourself, 'am I gonna be able to hunt for elk in the woods?' Certainly not in downtown Cleveland. I don't know, maybe in the corn stalks of Indiana and Southern Illinois you might find mule deer on that flatland." Casey laughed as he tipped back a cold, 16 ounce Rainier.

"And are you gonna be able to fish for Cut-throat or German Browns in the most peaceful and beautiful mountain streams in the US? And then there's no more midnight runs to the ocean!" The boys beamed at each other and clacked their beer cans together recalling the great memories of sharing the driving duties so that they could travel non-stop, straight into Washington State to spend a few days fishing for Chinook salmon from all points on the Pugent Sound.

Brook didn't have any football options or an appetite for the military. But he had the skills as a horse trainer and managed to build up a local reputation -- and enough customers for private lessons and breaking green horses -- to eek out a decent living without leaving his home.

Casey had a decent job at the feed store and made enough money to live comfortably. And better yet, now that he was graduated from high school, the family owned business he's worked at since he was 15, had offered him full-time employment.

The following weekend, the four boys decided to party it up a bit since it was the last Saturday night before Ryan left for college. Lance still had a few weeks before he had to report to boot camp in North Carolina. It was probably the last time they'd ever be able to raise hell together for quite some time, or maybe ever.

The boys drove to Hayden, a town that was about 50 miles from where they lived. They found a crappy little bar that Brook's dad used to hang out at before he died of lung cancer. The bartender only asked Lance for ID, then after studying it for what seemed like a long time, he handed it back and asked them what they were going to be drinking.

They all sat at a small table nursing draft beers and discussed -- under their breath -- why every man who entered the bar was staring at them and seemed to be looking for a fight.

"They're probably wondering what the fuck four strangers are doing at their bar on a Saturday night." Casey answered guarding his face with a beer can as if one of them at the bar might be able to read his lips.

"Yea, let's buy a few sixers to go and get the fuck out of here, what d'ya say?"

The boys all agreed and everyone reached into their Wrangler jeans and piled up a wad of crinkled bills on the table. Casey counted the cash, determined that they had enough money for a case, and went over to the bar and bought Hamms tall boys. Lance gave one of the guys a real long look as they headed out the door.

"So where to?" asked Brook as they all piled into Lance's jeep.

"Let's head back towards town," he said as he put the Jeep into fourth and sped down the dark, cold highway into their side of the planet. Once they reached a logging road near the high school, Lance parked the rig and they all jumped out. Leaning against the trees in the pitch darkness, Casey and Ryan talked about college football with Brook weighing-in periodically. As they pounded down beer after beer, the topics skipped around from hunting, work, plans for the future, and girls. Ryan did hid usual to rub in the fact that he was a football star and dominated the conversation before Brook could finally squeeze in and challenge him. It was lies that both boys tried to pass. As anyone knew, the pickings were pretty damn slim in this tiny timber and ranching town. There were only so many girls and even fewer good looking ones. The stories that were told, arrived from embellished adventures that supposedly happened while sneaking out to neighboring towns. It was difficult to check the validity of, so they were free to embellish.

Casey would occasionally call their bluff, "look, you ain't screwing no fuckin' rich-bitch from Spokane! Give me a fucking break here!" they all laughed at Ryan and tossed empty beer cans his direction.

"You're probably sucking some gay dudes cock over there anyway!"

"Fuck you asshole!" Ryan shot back. Brook looked down at the ground, not wanting to make any eye contact with his pals when they talked like this. He was very nervous about any of them getting any idea about what he thought about in his private moments. He often thought about leaving this small, one-horse town. Maybe heading to Seattle where he could experiment. But it was here that he had developed so many good customers in the horse training filed. What could he possible do in Seattle or even Portand to make a living? He often thought about heading over to Boise, but was afraid someone might see him coming out of a bar and word would spread like wildfire. If that were to happen, he'd be ruined. Nothing unordinary was happening on this typical Saturday night drunk-talk from the four pals. Lance was getting exceptionally drunk and kept poking at Ryan, accusing him of harboring gay temptations.

"I wonder if any of those dudes on your football team are queers?"

"Who the fuck knows and who the fuck cares!" Ryan answered him getting angry.

"Come on guys," Casey broke in, getting uncomfortable with the level of joking.

"Hey, I ain't gay-bashing," Lance testified trying to set the record straight. "But I ain't against no queers. Now that the Marines are letting gays serve, I might finally get my dick sucked! These fucking bitches around here are too prissy for that!" The boys laughed nervously. Brook remembered the many times that the four buddies would go skinny dipping on hot summer days in Frog Lake. For days later the images of Ryan's well-defined chest, Casey's buff naked ass cheeks and Lance's swinging cock would dominate his thoughts.

The boys finished drinking and with a good buzz going, jumped into the Jeep and cut threw the back roads hoping to avoid running into a sheriff's deputy. After dropping Ryan off at his parents house, each of the boys embraced him and wished him well. They all knew this was probably the last time they'd all be together like this, probably for years to come.

Lance partied like hell, for the remaining weeks before he was to leave for boot camp. His drunk and abusive stepfather had kicked him out of the house just before he was to leave. The final days were ugly and the sheriff's deputy -- after responding to a domestic disturbance call -- suggested Lance find another place to stay until he left for boot camp. Without many choices, he asked Brook if he could stay at his trailer. Brook figured it couldn't hurt, since he'd be gone soon.

"Hope I'm doing the right thing," Lance blurted out to Casey and Brook one night as they both sat in front of the TV screen watching a football game.

"You having second thoughts?" Casey asked him, eyes glued to the TV.

"Naaa, just...I don't know. It's six years, man, but I guess now that they repelled that DADT law..." At first Casey didn't realize what he had said. Then before he spoke, Lance interrupted him, "I mean it's just, you know a long time."

"Dude, what's 'don't-ask-don't-tell' have to do with anything?" Casey suddenly turned to Lance, somewhat alarmed.

"I...I don't know why I said that...never mind." Lance got up and stumbled over to the refrigerator, opened the door and grabbed two more cold beers and tossed one over to Brook. Casey had long suspected that Brook was harboring something. He always got along with him the best and was hoping that he could spend a little time with him now that Ryan was gone. But with Lance there for another week, he'd just have to wait.

"So, where am I sleeping?" Lance belched, looking up at Brook.
"Maybe you guys should sleep together," Casey couldn't believe he had said that.
"Just kiddin', don't get all shitty." Brook's eyes were glued to the TV set, frightened with fear. Lance laughed and fed the flames.
"Not a problem with me! 'Sides, Brook has an adorable ass!"
"Fuck you!" Brook shot back, trying to give off the image that he was disgusted by this kind of talk.
"That's it, I'm out of here," Casey got up and made for the door.
"Suit yerself, You'll miss out on all the fun! Me and Brook is gonna touch pee-pees, once we get REAL drunk, right Brook?" Brook kept his eyes straight ahead, trying desperately not to make contact with Lance. Was he serious? If not, he could find himself in great danger for making any advances. It was really hard to tell. All the while he knew Lance, he'd never acted like this.
"See you guys tomorrow," Casey said as he got up and made his way to the door. He realized he had left his cellphone on the ledge of the window. Conveniently, this would give him a great excuse to come back for it.
Eventually the football game had ended and they were now watching cage fighting.
"Kind of reminds ya of human cock fighting," Lance remarked. "Damn, those fuckers are buff!"
The two fighters delivered a continual stream of kicks and punches inside the fenced-in ring, ring, competing for an Ultimate Fighting trophy. Brook tested the waters by casually mentioning how Lance's body compared with the fighters on TV.
"Dude, you are looking like one of those fighters. You been working out?"
"Fuck yea," Lance answered while looking down at his abs. As he looked back up at Brook, he ran the tip of his fingers over his abs to check for muscle. "No way do I want to get my ask kicked in boot camp like those other suckers. I'm going to be in shape and ready from day one!"
Lance was always in the best of shape among the four-some of friends. Growing up, he always thought they were jealous of him. Now his body was looking cut and tight, but not massive. Even though Casey was always lifting weights, he never got as ripped as Lance. There was no question, with his bright blue eyes, tight-cropped hair and handsome, rugged face, he looked the part of a rugged ultimate fighter, he was a terribly sexy guy.

Looking around the dumpy little trailer, there was little opportunity for Lance to lay his head. The simple furnishings bore the resemblance of a young bachelor's place. In front of a small TV set, an old recliner with the marks of the years of slumbering; a swatch of silver duct tape on the arm served to keep inside stuffing from falling out. A wooden vegetable crate acted as coffee table and an old wooden rocker sat to the other side of the crate. Inside the tiny bedroom which opened up to the living room sat a single mattress on an iron frame.

"Don't have any other sheets or anything," he paused as Lance looked around the room looking for some sign of a tolerable night's sleep. "I guess you can sleep in my bed."

"Thanks pal." Lance smiled and playfully slapped his pal on his back as he made his way into the bedroom. "Dude, I hate to do this to you..."

"Naa, hey, it's the least I could do for my best friend," Brook interrupted. "...besides, you're a future Marine whose going to be defending this county."

"Best friend?" Lance smiled as he removed his t-shirt. "Likewise here pal." As he dropped his body on the bed, the springs made several squeaky sounds.

"Nosey! Good thing you ain't got any close neighbors. They'd be pounding the walls every time you was screwing on this thing!" Lance seemed as if he only made that remark to see what type of reaction he'd receive. Brook laughed nervously while fidgeting with hands. He tried hard not to make eye contact with Lance as he followed him into the bedroom.
"You getting much action?
"Ah, you know, slim pickings 'round these parts. I get what I can." They both laughed, before Lance's voice took on a serious tone.
"Hey, listen man, I like to sleep naked. You OK with that?" This made Brook stop his fidgeting and look directly at him.

Casey had driven about a mile away from the trailer, onto the highway when he decided he'd turn around and go back. There wasn't any traffic on the two-lane highway. The stars were scattered across the rural sky. He slowed down and went over in his mind just how he'd set it all up. He couldn't just pull up to the house and startle Brook and Lance. If they were actually doing something, he would be unable to catch them. Instead he decided to drive back to the turn off down to Brook's trailer. It was a choppy, potholed, dirt road that went back about a mile or so to where the trailer stood in a vast prairie of scrub grass and pine. He would get within a walking distance before pulling over and turning the engine off. He would then say that he had engine trouble and discovered he left his cell phone back at the trailer. Hopefully he could just sneak up and peer into the window and maybe see them naked. He has no idea if either one of them were really dropping sexual hints, but it sure sounded like that. Regardless, Casey had become so horny this past summer, he could barely contain himself. Once he turned eighteen, he moved in with a couple guys who worked on the local ranches. Both were older guys; one a sloppy redneck, they other an incredible stud. He secretly hoped he could somehow catch the man coming out of the shower, but he was usually up very early and didn't return from work till way after Casey was fast asleep. The only chance Casey had to masturbate was when neither one was how and he was safely in his room. But that was rare and very dangerous. He new that photos of naked men were available on the internet, but since he didn't own a computer he was unable to browse. The situation made him ghastly horny.
"I hope ya don't mind that I sleep in the raw." Lance asked very casually. Brooks looked confused.

"In the nude, man, I sleep naked." Lance spoke as if he were trying to wake Casey up from a strange nap.
"I can't sleep with shit wrapped around my body; too constraining. Are you cool with that?"
Brook did his best to look unsurprised. But in reality, he was not expecting this situation. He was nervous and excited at the same time. He tried changing the subject.

"Yea, it's fine. So... boot camp is, where, South Carolina?"
"North Carolina, " Lance answered methodically. "Camp Lejune, North Carolina." He was leaning back on the bed looking very relaxed with his hands behind his head. He slipped his thumbs into the elastic band on the inside of his briefs and slowly began pulling them down. Past his hips his knees and finally below his ankles. He kicked them off to the side and breathed a deep sigh.
"Wow, you've got some real six packs there," Brook said, standing in the doorway.

"I do a thousand sit-ups a day, dude; seriously."

"I just can't seem to get past 50," Brook remarked, somewhat disappointed. "It ain't that I can't do 'em, it's just that my back starts hurting. I must be doing something wrong."

"Yea, you have to go only half way. Let your muscles do the work, not your back. Here, let me see how you're doing them." Lance set his beer can down and walked over to Casey who had found the courage to ditch his jeans and was wearing only his underwear and t-shirt. His beer-buzz was intense. He got down on the floor and started doing some clumsy sit-ups to show Lance.

"Dude, no way. You are putting way too much strain on your back." Brook looked up at Lance; he was standing directly over him, his cock dangling above.

"You have to bend your knees and put all the pressure on your abs. Here, I'll show you." He reached his hand down and gave Brook a lift up on his feet before dragging his fingertips over Brook's abs and commenting, "Not too bad yourself, dude, not too bad at all. You just have to increase reps and do them the right way. OK, watch me."

Lance laid down on the carpeted floor and began doing perfect sit-ups.

"Watch me now, see how my knees are bent and how my hand is slightly behind my head? I'm letting all the pressure go to a six inch area in my abs."

Brook stood with his back against and admired Lance's matted hair. Lance, like him, had grown up on a working ranch and all the beef and brawn came from working horses and cattle not from a city gym. He watched the way Lance's nude ass curved under his knees, how his balls hung down and scraped the carpet. Soon, Brook's erection was pronounced enough to sport an outline from under his underwear.

"Yea, you just keep going and counting..." Lance said as he noticed Brook's erection was growing.

"So, you think you can do that? C'mon down here and try try it?"

The night air was cold and crisp. After he closed the door and shut off the headlight's, Casey put his hands in the pocket of his jean jacket to stay warm, pulled his cowboy hat low over his eyes and started walking down the dirt road, his boots stumbling over the uneven, gravel road. He walked briskly till he reached the trailer. There were no other homes for a good mile or so. The lights were on in the back bedroom. He cautiously moved through the chain link gate and was careful not to let the metal latch clank down on the pole. He walked in the shadows until he came around the back of the place. From the distance, he looked into the bedroom but couldn't see them. His heart raced wondering if they were one the bed. Suddenly, he saw Lance get up from the floor and walked over to Brook; it was clear now, he could see Lance naked. Why were they working out nude? Then he saw Brook get up and stand in front of him. Even Casey could tell from the distance outside in the dark that he had an erection.

Brook attempted to change the subject, "Yea. I'l try that tomorrow, I know what you mean now."

"Tomorrow my ass, I want to see you try it so I know that you have it down. C'mon, lay down and give me some proper sit-ups."

"Ah, I'm good, I'll get to it tomorrow."

"What's the problem, you've got something that you don't want me to see?"
From outside, Casey could not hear them, but he could certainly tell there was an intense exchange. Casey felt butterflies in his stomach as he slowly worked his way behind the garbage cans. He was now getting an erection of his own.
Desperately wanting to just change the subject and be done with this sit-up thing, Brook was hoping that the embarrassment would make his erection would go limp; but instead it just grew that much harder.

"No, you ain't going anywhere until you do fifty sit-ups," Lance said moving right up in his face. The smell of his body made Brook's already tight erection tingle

"All right, all right," Brook agreed and motioned back down to the carpet. "Jesus, you gonna be a drill sarge or what?"

"Thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven, good, good..." Lance was holding down Brook's feet, his eyes fixed on the erection hat seemed to grow longer, fatter and harder.

"Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty! Great job." Lance playfully slapped Brook's abs and held out his fist. He removed his arm from behind his head, bumped him back, then leaned back down and closed his eyes. As he did, CaCasey'sey's grabbed the hem of his underwear and yanked them down around his ankles.
   "Hey, what the fuck!"
   Brook fought him, but Lance was far too strong and overpowered him. Once he had removed the briefs he tossed them outside the bedroom door into the living room.
"Hey, you fucker!"
Lance's hearty laugh was good-natured. He playfully pointed at Casey's erection, trying to embarrass him.
"You motherfucker, you!" Lance held him down with a knee on his chest, his own naked cock was bouncing around excitedly. With his right fist he grabbed Brook's cock like a gear shift and motioned it around as if he were driving a sports car.
"Waaaaaa, thrum, thum, first, second third!"

   Outside the window, Casey struggled to see what was going on inside. He moved closer to the window and using an old rusty pail, he turned if over and stepped up to love inside. He was just in time to see them both of his buddies lying naked on the floor.

"Well, look at that monster pee-pee will ya?" Lance poked fun at Brook. When he realized that Brook was embarrassed, he changed his tome.
"C'mon, just relax, it's OK." Lance's voice was low, soft, assuring and steady.
"I didn't mean to razz ya about your erection dude, you know?"
Lance's voice soothed him and made him immediately feel comfortable. He leaned back on the wall staring at Lance with his pretty, soft brown eyes.
"You should actually be proud of that, you have a nice erection, dude!"
He held out his fist as Brook smiled cautiously and bumped him back. For a few moments a lengthy silence lingered in the air between them.
"Mind if I ask you something," Lance asked. The tone of his voice was beginning to arouse Brook in an odd way he wasn't sure how to handle.
"What's making this so erect, dude?" As Lance pointed to Brook's cock, a tiny, glistening sliver of pearly liquid popped out of his penis head and slithered down his stiff pole.
"I don't know," shrugged Brook. "It's...ah, I don't know. Probably because I've never just hung around with my clothes off."
"Hung around? Dude, you ain't hangin', your at complete attention!" Lance laughed loudly. "Ah, just messin' with ya man. Hey, you gotta admit, it feels pretty fucking good to be sporting a big, proud one now, don't it?"
"Hell ya!" Brook proclaimed, finally smiling. Another long silence. He kept feeling that Lance was working up to something. It was frightening, yet fresh and exciting.
"You like blow jobs?" Lance finally asked. He was on all fours, leaning over Brook, their lips uncomfortably close, with Brook's penis brushing against Lance's tight abs. His naked ass bent over pointing towards the window where Casey secretly was watching through. Lance's dangling balls was perfectly framed by his two incredible buns.
Still standing on the bucket, Casey quietly unbuckled his belt, unzipped his zipper and quietly pulled down his jeans and lowered his undies so he could play with his own erection. He squeezed his pole at the base and pumped his fist harder and harder while he watched Lance and Brook.
"I...don't... know, I've never had one," Brook answered without looking at Lance. He
"Really? You serious?"
"Yea, I just... I dunno, just never had one, that's all!" Brook leaned back against the wall with his erection waving in the air. He was completely nude, wearing nothing but his sneakers.
"Well, then, you probably ain't never kissed a man before, either," Lanced asked boldly, he was fascinated with the image of Brook jacking off in front of him.
"S'cuse me," Brook answered. "Like, you talkin' 'bout gay shit?"
Lance laughed, "no dude, I mean sexy shit, manly shit!" Brook's hair was messed up, with ends flung in all different directions. Both guys sported sexy, shabby stubble. Suddenly, Lance leaned in and brushed his own lips across Brook's, then focused his gaze on his friend for a few seconds. Brook's instincts ran parallel knowing they were thinking the same.
"Dude, we're friends, man. We really shouldn't be doing this," Brook whispered with a lump in his throat. His mind whirled; he was scared and also aroused at the same time.
In the meantime, Casey's eyes were fixed on his two boyhood friends as he watched their buff, tough naked bodies through the window outside perched on an old dairy bucket. He felt he shaft of his hot, pulsating cock under his fingertips. He opened his athletic thighs, closed his eyes and pounded away at his own cock. Soft, slippery semen oozed out from the slit in his penis. He imagined him self inside next to those two man butts. He opened his eyes and watched as Lance and Brook braved-out a meeting where both of their well-formed erections met.

"Let's touch pee-pees!" Lance's smiled faded to an intense look of exotic love. Brook let his inhibitions go and released himself not having any idea where this would all lead. He felt his spine initial tingle as there cocks met and slithered around like two eels making love. Brook closed his eyes and felt as if he were suspended in time, he slowly walked backwards as Lance led him to the bed and slowly laid him back like an empty dress.

Casey watched through the outside window at his two buddies playing with each others naked bodies, their penises writhing in sexual ecstasy like an exotic animal. Slowly he lowered his pants to the ground and felt the cold wind on his naked ass, his erection throwing heat into the frigid fall air. He wanted to catch them, yet he didn't want to alarm them and therefore stop. Instead, he pulled his jeans all the way down and stood outside the window and he masturbated, slowly, watching the as they made love. It seemed just like all the nightly dreams he dreamt and the just like all the day dreams he induced. It was now happening right in front of him, before his own eyes. The deep, secrets he held inside the erotic crevasse of his wild mind. And it even seemed as if it were all happening in slow motion just like his dreams. Brook's tender ass was even cuter than he'd imagined and Lance's cock was even bigger and prouder than he'd ever thought. He wondered if he could be part of it, if he could actually enter his dream? But how? If he were to go inside he would certainly startle them. But maybe they would welcome him, maybe he could even arrange it so that they caught him. Then he decided that he be better to just stay outside and enjoy it from a safe distance. This way he could decide tomorrow how he could get closer.

Lance stood over Brook and thrashed his erection at Brook's like they were swashbucklers having a sword fight. Lance's fist held his own cock from the base and slapped it hard against Brook's cock as he laid back and laughed deliriously.
"Take that, you rustler," the cock's slapped against with the sound cracking the walls of the old trailer. Lance stood over Brook, who was lying on the bed, the window just a few feet away where Casey watched the scene unfold. He was just barely out of sight. If Lance chose to, he could look slightly to his right and without much effort, detect Casey glaring back at him. Maybe he should expose himself. After all, if he were to be discovered, maybe Lance would be so sexually aroused and soaring in a fit of erotic prowess that he'd demand Casey to bend over on the bed while Lance slap his cock into his own ass while Brook be told to wait.
The look in Lance's eyes were of out-of-control homo-erotic fit. He was certainly not to be stopped. Maybe he was so far out of it that Casey could just enter the room and be ordered to undress without as much as a word. If he was going to do it, the time was now. But just as he was preparing to step down he saw Lance pull Brook up and on his knees. Slowly, Lance moved closer until both men's lips met. Suddenly it was quiet, He watched as they kissed for a long time. It wasn't so much a furious, stammering sexual romping kiss, no; this was a tender, soft kiss of two lovers.

The shadows in the trailer bedroom were long and grey. In the heat of romance, they hadn't time to turn on a light. It wasn't so dark that they couldn't see, just dark enough to throw cold, charcoal shadows across their naked, buff bodies. And Lance pulled his lover up from the bed and took his hand and led him to the other end of the room. He backed him against the wall and holding his cock, he planted a manly kiss, like a great lover from an old silent film on Brook's sweet lips. This kiss was explosive, raucous, wet and deep. He held Brook's arm of over his head as if he were arresting him and with his other hand, stroked his ceramic-like cock low and sweet. Brook closed his eyes and cupped Lance's rock-hard ass while slipping his fingertips into the crack of his ass.
Casey wanted to blow it all right there, but he pulled back and watched in awe as both men's naked, brawny bodies slowly pushed against the cheap plaster wall of the run-down trailer room. Lance's ass repeated a figure eight while he pushed his cock deeper into Brook's abs. Eventually he stopped and like a school boy, led his new lover-boy away from the cardboard wall and towards the bed. There, he lured him into turning over and relaxing on the messy bed.
Casey was enthralled as Brook obliged Lance's every move as if he were some kind of buff, Aztec slave boy being led away to a homo-erotic sacrifice. For a moment, Casey stopped masturbating and just leaned his ear close enough to the cheap window glass as Lance called the shots. It was apparent that he had done this all before. Casey was very aroused how stern, but gentle he was. Lance was confident, his mind was working like a wild stud mustang fighting for as much sex as he could muster.
"Lay down on the bed, on yer elbows and knees, with your ass in the air."
"Wha...what for? Wha, why lance? What are you doing?" Brook looked back over his shoulder at Lance whose calloused, big hands griped at his thighs and was fixing and planting the frightened boy into position.
"You have a sweet, little asshole buddy. Would you like me to eat you?" he suggested smiling.
"You, you mean um...what, what are you thinking about doing man?" Lance was now clearly taking a delight in knowing that Brook was frightened.
"Thinking about?" Lance laughed loudly and then slapped Brook's ass cheek hard enough for his eyes to well up bit. He looked worried as he wiped a tear away. Lance lowered his voice and whispered, "I'm gonna lower my mouth down to your ass, and eat it for a while. Don't be surprised if you giggle."
As he started to lick Brook's asshole, Casey was stung with an insatiable feeling of wild, erotic lust. Brooks closed his eyes and giggled like a young girl as Lance went from a slow tongue-tip tasting, swirling along the outer edge of his butt, to a slurping motion and finally a full mouth, wild beast-eating feast of his lover's tender virgin ass.

"Jesus, oh shit!" Brook moaned and gasped as Lance's mouth and jaw continued to work away. His arms eventually weakened and gave way from under the weight of his numb body. Meanwhile, Casey's eyes were just inches away, staring from the other side of the of the frigid glass window pane.
After watching a surreal, homoerotic dream before his every eyes for what seemed almost an hour, the brisk fall evening had finally taken its toll on his bare naked ass. He lowered himself down below the view of the window and quickly pounded out an orgasm with the sounds of his pals whining and moaning just overt a couple of arms lengths away without their knowledge. Once he completed, he pulled up his pants and slowly rose to take another look inside the window. It was that last time he would see Lance.

It was a full military funeral with all the honors. As the boys had hoped, even Ryan showed up. He was now a well known college football hero and even a candidate for the Hiseman trophy. The boys sat next to each other, as red-eyed women moved casseroles and large plates of sliced meats around on the antique table. Casey felt guilty as he watched the many Marine officers and enlisted men move around the room dressed in their dress blues. As people lined up with clean plates and silverware in hand, to serve themselves the vast amount of food that had been brought to Lance's funeral, Casey waved off his chance of being invited to be among the first in line and instead moved outside to catch some fresh air.
As he made his way over to the patio and eased his body down on a chair next to several pots of blooming flowers, he heard a voice behind him.
"I was surprised to see Ryan here." It was Brook; he had followed Casey outside.
"You ain't hungry either?"
"Na, I'll let all those Marines eat first," Brook said while leaning against an old oak tree.
"Why would you be so surprised to see Ryan here, we was all friends, ya know," Casey answered before putting the glass of scotch to his lips.
"Yea, I know, it's just what the news said about Lance an' all."
"You mean that Lance was gay?"
"Well, yea. Just think that with Ryan being a big time All-American football star, he wouldn't want that kind of exposure." Casey looked up at Brook who seemed to be wanting to ask him something.
"Well, that's why we made sure there was to be no media here for Ryan."
"You think it bothers him?"
"Awe, come on man, Lance his his friend, he's our friend. It doesn't matter that he's gay!" There was a tension in Casey's voice.
"I didn't mean to imply that..."
"Then what did you mean?" Brook walked over to Casey and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it in a negative way, I'm just, well..." Casey noticed there were tears welling up in Brook's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Brook. Shit man, I didn't want to make you feel bad!" He got up from the chair and placed his hand on the back of Brook's head and roughed up his hair in a playful way. "C'mon pal, sit down. You want to talk about it?" Both boys stared at each other for a long time in silence.
"Oh, God, if only I could." He wiped the tears away using the back of his sleeve. He smiled and grabbed the glass of scotch away from Casey and took a long sip.
"You want me to get you a drink?"
"Na...I mean yea, don't leave yet."
"Sure. Here, just finish mine; I've had plenty." They looked at each other again in silence. The mummer of the crowd grew respectfully louder in the distance as the food and drink started to help drown the mournful emotions of Lance's friends.
"Look, I am your friend you know that. We are all hurting, you can talk to me about anything."
"Anything?" Brook asked as he looked up and stared directly at Casey.
"Fuck yea, man!"

"Ya know, Lance had dreams about getting killed over there. It was like he had PTSD, only before going to battle. He would have dreams, bad ones. I used to wake him up and he would be sweating and frightened." Brook looked deeply in Casey's eyes, "It was a good thing I was there with him."
"Yea, he stayed here for a couple weeks before he left. Did you actually run to his bed when he was screaming?"
"My feet never hit the floor," he said grinning. "We slept together, you know." He studied Casey, waiting for a reaction.
"I know, man."
"I mean, we were in bed together, every night."
"I get that, Brook."
"I mean, well, the only time we actually slept together was when we weren't having sex." He stared again back at Casey in silence; it felt good finally getting this off his chest. But little did he know that Casey had seen it all through the window one night. And not only did he see it, he was aroused by it.
"You are not shocked?" Casey smiled back.
"No man, I could tell."
"Really? Jesus, what gave us away? Does anyone else know in this one-horse town?"
"No, no. I... ah..." He paused for a long moment. Was this the time to tell Brook that he watched them have sex, even masturbated to them? Should he tell him that he too is attracted to men. Should he tell Brook that he has been attracted to him since they were boyhood pals? Maybe they can just both say their good-byes and leave this town, for good. Together.
"No, I ah, I knew it from Lance." He immediately felt a profound surge of guilt. He lied.
"What? Are you serious?"
"He loved you, I know that."
"Really?" Suddenly he could see the tears welling up inside Brook's eyes once again. How could he tell Brook how he felt? This just wasn't about him, it was all about Lance and Brook. This was a very important time and he certainly wasn't about to be selfish and destroy this moment in Brook's life, even if it was finally an opportunity to come out. Brook was vulnerable and it was probably a very good probability that if he spilled his guts, he could be lying next to Brook's naked body tonight. But it wouldn't be right, it would be all for himself. It would just confuse Brook at his time of mourning; he just couldn't take advantage of this situation, even if he could finally be with the boy he'd secretly always loved and even lose his virginity tonight.
"You are an awesome friend, Casey; thank you." He stared into could his stunning, blue eyes.
"No, you are an awesome friend; more than you'll ever know." Brook wrapped his arms around him and buried his head against his stout chest. Casey could smell the alluring scent of Brook's hair and that same intoxicating body fragrance that has sparked his fascinations since the early days of his youth and when he realized just what he meant to Casey. As they pulled back, he savored, perhaps, the last opportunity to be this close and stare at his sexy friend. Brook's hair was tousled in all directions. For a fleeting moment, he considered throwing all caution to the wind and kissing him. How often, throughout the years, had he lied alone at night imagining just what it would be like to kiss him. Then, just as he started to lose control of his reasoning, just as the sparkle of Brook's beautiful eyes began to disorient him and just as the glisten of Brook's plump, tasty lips began to make him feel dizzy, he heard a familiar voice in the distance growing closer.
"Hey, you guys, c'mon and eat before all the food is gone!" As Ryan approached them, he carried a heaping mound of turkey breast, meatloaf, potatoes and vegetables on a plate.
"You guys haven't eaten yet, c'mon! This food is delicious and going fast. Damn I miss home cookin'!" With his free arm he wrapped it around Brook's shoulder and moved in between the boys. He had no clue of anything that may have transpired.
"Hey you guys are my pals, I really miss ya!"
"We miss you too buddy!" Brook said as his eyes widened and he put his arm around the big buff frame of the college football star.
"C'mon back to the house guys, let's eat and have another drink. I wasn't interrupting anything was I?"
"Naa," proclaimed Casey, "Your timing was perfect! Just as perfect as when you throw those awesome 20 yard passes and hit a receiver point blank!"
The three men laughed as they wandered past the old horse barn, through the vegetable garden and to the back door of the kitchen.

THE TALBOT RANCH

2011-04-24T00:22:00.001-06:00

"I need a good, tough man ta help me locate stranded cows near the Lost River range!" When Price was looking for a cowhand, he just drove out to the local feed store on a busy Saturday morning, stood on the creaky, old wooden floor and yelled out what he wanted so that the local ranchers would hear. He was a primitive guy who little regard for formalities.
But it turned out to be much more effective and direct than a newspaper ad and the internet he had no interest in using.
"I'll guarantee a man enough work till spring. If he's real useful, he could stay on through summer, but I ain't making no promises." Price wasn't a large man, but he was incredibly strong, buff and a ferocious fighter. In his twenties and early thirties, he rode bulls with the Professional Rodeo Association and did well enough to earn a three World Championship in Las Vegas. The belt buckle he wore everyday was a reminder to all men.
"I got a man I could spare ya, Price."
"I'll pass yer offer, Luke. You ain't got nuthin' but farm boys over on yer place. I've seen walk around with music plugs in their ears, no thanks! Jus' like I said, I need a strong cowboy." Price was often rude, brutal and fearlessly direct.
The man who was offering spoke from behind a row of brand new, fresh leathered saddles that were set up for display. Other cowboys looked down to the floor or away in embarrassment for the poor fool. Once more, no man dared take too long a look in Price's direction. He had a mean eye and didn't take kindly to any lengthy glances. Any long glance was viewed as a challenge, of course he never backed down from a challenge. Price wasn't an easy guy to be around and had very few friends which suited him just fine. His sprawling ranch ran the length between two mountain ranges east to west, and the distance from one river the the other, north to south. No one was quite sure how much property he owned, but within the past 5 years he made three purchases of no less than 1200 acres and owned quite a bit before those purchases.
He had little use for socializing and the only time he came to town was when he need supplies or to pickup one of his boys who had gone into one of the taverns, got drunk and got into a fight. While most ranchers discouraged their men from drinking and fighting, Price felt a man needed to throw his fists around every now and then just to keep up his toughness. He took pride knowing that all his ranch hands were the best fighters around. No one disputed that, however, some quietly disputed whether his cowboys were the best riders around or not.
"Is that it? Guessin' ain't none of you men know of any cowboys looking for a job?" He stood there cocky and defiant with one boot perched on top of a bag of oats, both thumbs dug in behind that big silver belt buckle reminding all those men just who they were dealing with. A brazen grin spread across his whiskered, handsome face. There were about a dozen guys milling around, carrying coffee cups and doing their best not to challenge Price.
"Awright, you enjoy yer fancy-ass coffee," he laughed to himself and then pulled out a wad of one hundred dollar bills, dropped a few on the counter while the clerk nervously rang him up and handed him back his change.
"I'll bring my truck 'round the back. I want it loaded all up while I head across the street to the hardware store." He looked the store clerk straight in the eye and asked very slowly, "You ain't gonna have any kinda' problem getting my rig loaded up while I'm over there now, are ya?"
"No sir, we'll have it loaded up."
"Good man, I'll be back in about 15." His boot heels clacked against the old, rickety wooden floor slates as he moved across the room. "Ya'll got any good cowboys, send 'em over to my ranch, got that guys?" The bells on the front door clanged as he opened it and walked out. Most of the men in the room wanted to make some kind of comment about him after he left, but no one dared. A few made eye contact with each other, then moved on.

Brandon was tough, buff and a talented wrestler who grew up working on a Kansas farm. He went on dates to simply to deflect any ideas that he might be gay. Although he never had sex with a man, the truth was, he really had no interest in women. As long as he could recall, he loved men's bodies and loved to wrestle them.
After a year in college, he realized he didn't want to be a student and yearned to go back to work in the outdoors again. Extremely handsome and very quiet, he kept his secret to himself and never told a soul. He would certainly miss wrestling because it was the only chance he had to be close to another man's body. But now at least, he would be free to try and find another man who might want to do what he wanted so badly to try. Almost every moment of every day he fantasized about sex with another man. He wanted something more than just showering with them after a wrestling meet. He wanted to find a good looking man who might agree to get naked with him. He wanted to touch him, hold him, maybe try kissing; even be open to doing sexual things together.
He left University of Iowa and drove out west, clear over to Idaho to see an old friend of his father's. When he arrived the man hobbled down the steps of the ranch house while his wife stood inside the front door wiping her hands on her apron.
"Dang-blasted, look at you Brandon! Gee-willikers, I ain't see you since you was a toe-headed boy riding goats at Pee-Wee Rodeo at the county fair!" The big man smiled and held out his massive, calloused hand. Brandon bypassed and gave the tough old man a bear hug.
"Dad always spoke well 'bout you Mr. Nelson," Brandon whispered into the man's ear as the two released each other.
"Aw, now call me Don for geez-sakes," he said, showing a little embarrassment. "Look at you boy, you're in fine shape." The big man stepped back and admired Brandon's big, athletic build. "Your aunt Ida says you was a college rass-ler. I know you did well in high school back there in Kansas."
"One year, was all the college I wanted. I liked wrestling, just didn't care much for college."
The big man took off his ball cap with the chainsaw logo and scratched his head. "Yea, I don't blame ya son, I was never much fer book-learning ma-self; gotta be working with my hands." He heard his wife clear her throat from the top of the big porch. "Oh, yea, you remember May Dee, ma wife?"
"Bring that young boy in here now Mr. Nelson, it's cold out there!" she said playfully from behind the screen door.
"Oh, geez, c'mon in. I hope you haven't had dinner yet?"
"I don't want to put you through no trouble." The two men climbed the stairs and made a beeline to the front door where the smell of pot roast was wafting through the screen and into the frigid air.

After dinner, Brandon got right to the point, "Any other farms or ranches needing a good hand round these parts?"
"Well, lemmie see here." He took off the cap and scratched his head again. Things will be starting to pickup a bit in the spring. I can use you then and in the meantime if you want to do a few things around here, We'll give ya room and board till ya git on yer feet. Oh, I'm sure May Dee won't mind."
As she got up to gather the dishes from the table, she smiled directly at Brandon, "We'd love to have you here. Come spring, Don will put you to work."
"That's awfully nice of you folks an' I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I'm wanting to get busy right away. Maybe do some cowboy work. Ya see, I'm used to working real hard to stay in competitive form for the wrestling team. Fact is I'll get soft and lazy sitting around eating all this great food that your wife is cooking." He smiled at her as she blushed.
The old man studied him for a moment, than offered, "Well, I actually do know about a man who is looking for a cowboy to pull strats out of snow drifts till spring. He'll fire ya if he loses so much as one head of cattle. He's a tough, mean bastard an' he likes his ranch hands rough and ready."
"I can work for anybody, John an' I love working hard!"
"Yea, I know it Brandon." He took off his cap again and scratched his head.
"Is it full time cowboy work?"
"Oh yea, but I am reluctant to give you his number, 'cause you'll never forgive me!"
"You talking about Price Talbot?" his wife shouted from over the sound of the dish water filling up the sink.
"Yup. He was shouting out at the feed store today."
"Sounds like a character," Brandon smiled.
May Dee walked into the dinning room wiping her hands on her apron and looked Brandon square in the eye, "I would not describe him that way. No, I would describe him as a very mean man." She gazed narrowly at Brandon and then went back into the kitchen to finish up the dishes.
"Well, I have to back my wife up on that, son." He moved closer to Brandon's ear and whispered, "He's a bastard!"
"I heard that Mr. Nelson! Ought'ta be ashamed using that kind of language 'round the boy."
It took some work, but he finally convinced the old man to get him in touch with Price Talbot. Brandon used his cellphone and called him the next day.
"Mr. Talbot, name's Brandon Laramie. Don Nelson says you're looking for a skilled cowboy to handle some winter work."
"Where ya from boy?"

"Kansas, sir. Grew up working on farms and ranches most of my life."

"I don't need no farm hands, boy. I need real cowboys who can rope and ride, you understand me boy?"
"Yes sir. And that's what I do."
"What the hell you doin' in Idaho?"
"Well, with all due respect, looking for a job, sir."
"Wha', there's no jobs in Kansas?"
"Well, I was in Iowa, wrestling for the University of Iowa. Just had my fill with collge sir, wanted to get back outside and work with my hands."
"Yea, hmmm. College boy," he snickered. "Well, I'll tell ya boy. The last thing I want is some smart-ass college kid coming up to my spread an' tellin' me how ta run my goddamn ranch!"
"Yes sir," replied Brandon. He was then silent, waiting for Price to speak.
"So, now, who told you I was lookin' fer a cowboy?"
"Don Nelson."
"Oh, yea, that crazy-ass farmer over by Clear Creek?" Price snickered again in the phone.
"He was a good friend of my pa's," answered Brandon confidently.
"Well, if you want a job, boy, go on down to the feed store at noon today and I'll meet ya there. I don't want strangers up at my ranch. That's about I'll I can promise ya right now. "
"I understand Mr. Price and I will be there today."
"Yea, is that all ya want, boy?"
"Yes sir, see you later."
Brandon hung up the phone and walked over to the feed barn where Don was busy tending to his milk cows. "I'm looking for the feed store. He didn't give me any name."
"That be Krammer's Feeds, owned by Ned and his his wife Darlene. Price only calls it the 'feed store.' They're wonderful folks. Ned gets a little nervous around Price; he has a way of certainly intimidating just about any man, let alone those laid back, easy going kinda' guys like Ned."
"Well, we'll see about that. I'm planning on meeting him over there today at noon. You were right, he's a tough customer," Brandon smiled. "But it ain't nothin' I can't handle. I ain't looking for nothing but a good, honest day's work."
"Well, that's certainly the right attitude, son. You know gosh-dang well I wish ya nothing but the best."

Brandon drove clear over the Saw Tooth Mountains till he reached a small town south of Challis. He drove slowly down through Main Street till the very end, then turned his pickup into a parking lot where there was a huge brown building with a large hay barn and small grain silo. The lot was just about loaded full with pickup trucks and flat beds. He drove clear around to the back where there was a two-truck loading dock. Don told Brandon that Price always parked his big Dodge Ram diesel there, as if it were his own private parking spot. Apparently nobody, including the owner -- ever challenged him about it. He also told him not to be surprised if Price showed up with one or two other guys just for intimidation purposes.
Brandon parked his rig, then hopped up on the loading dock and went in through the back door where it was busy with ranchers and cowboys moving bags of feed around with hand trucks, drinking coffee and talking shop. Brandon walked over to where a small group of cowboys were gathered. As he approached, two of them turned to glance over their shoulders at him. They were wearing worn, faded Wranglers that formed perfectly to their buff, shapely asses, he thought to himself.
"Anyone here seen Price Talbot?" as Brandon spoke, all three men sized him up.
"Can't say we have, not yet; he'll probably be here at some point."
He could tell they were sizing up how muscular he was. He worked hard to have such an incredible body and loved showing it off. He often fantasized, when handsome men looked at him, that one day, one of those men just might be the man that asks him to get naked. He imagined that was probably how it happened. The fact was, he surely didn't know any man who was gay and in these small towns, certainly couldn't start asking around.
"Well, I'm a little bit early, I guess." he said glancing at the clock on the wall with a seed corn logo from the 1970's printed on it.
"Name's Brandon Laramie." He held out his hand and prepared to lock gripes with each one.
"Why, you must be Don Nelson's friend," the man with the trimmed mustache and wonderfully kind browns eyes said to him as they shook hands.
"Yes, I am."
"Glad to meet you! I'm Colt, this here's Jace," Brandon turned and took Jace's extended hand. Like Colt, he looked handsome and rugged, perhaps, also in his early 30's. He had clear, blue eyes and a classic cowboy mustache that completely covered his mouth. With his chiseled jaw and high cheekbones framed under a worn straw Stetson he looked as if he walked right out of a classic western movie.
"I'm Cutter." The last guy had his back towards Brandon, but once he turned around and put his hand out and introduced himself, Brandon was caught off-guard by his mesmerizing, ice blue eyes. His classically handsome face was incredibly remarkable; he looked like one of those models for a Ralph Loren western clothes.
"Hear you were a professional wrestler?" Cutter asked him. For a fleeting moment he could barely think. Cutter was such a beautiful man, that his looks were distracting him. He knew he would have to learn to control his thoughts. He'd just arrived and with so many gorgeous men around, it was far too dangerous if anyone would suspect him to be gay.

"No, I wasn't a professional. Gee, word gets around these parts mighty fast," he said good-naturedly. All three men laughed, "Yup, you're gonna learn quick that a secret won't last long around this little town. Word to the wise, watch what you get into!" Jace laughed. He looked like old black and white photos he had seen of a young Paul Newman.

"Awright, guys, I'll remember that for sure." Just then a big Dodge pickup sped into one of the two spaces in the loading dock. All the men stopped smiling.
"Well, buddy, there's the guy you're waiting for," Jace pointed. As the passenger door opened, a cocky young cowboy emerged who was chewing gum, wearing a black cowboy hat, boots and an arrogant smirk across his face. From the drivers side door, a man in his early 50's sporting a three-day beard with a neatly trimmed neckline, emerged. With a beefcake physique and Wranglers that were ironed with a perfect regulation crease down the center of each leg, he looked more like like a brawny Marine Lieutenant who had taken a little war-time off so that he could work around his ranch for the weekend.
Brandon watched him step away from the loading dock area and over to the side of the building where Ponderosa Pines came from atop the mountains in the distance, clear into town. His face serious, stern; his steel, cobalt blue eyes seemed able to slice through steel as if they were lasers. Price Talbot surly looked every bit intimidating as he sounded on the phone.
Both man climbed the stairs up to the store level. As they passed the men who were gathered, Brandon stepped up and extended his hand.
"Brandon Laramie, I'm here to see you at noon Mr. Talbot."
Price stood back and looked him over before he accepted his handshake. His partner stood next to him snapping his gum and smirking.
"Hey Brandon, it was nice to meet ya," Cutter said as the three men politely turned away. "Good luck to you," Jace added.
"Hey, yea, hope I see you guys, around." He turned and faced Price who was staring him down.
"So what do you want from me, boy?"
"Well, as I mentioned on the phone, I'd like a shot at that job you have open."
"What kind of experience you got," as Price questioned him, the other guy was chewing his gum loudly and grinning with his arms crossed at his chest.
"I've trained horses, green broke 'em, cut, roped, branded, did it all, sir."
"Yea, well how 'bout working in the cold? Need a man to head up to the Lost River range and keep a herd of cows I got up there out of the snow drifts, icy river water, two maybe three weeks at a time." He studied Brandon closely, squinting. "Will you be able to stay out there for a few weeks without whining? I've had other pussies out there pissin' an bell-aching 'bout being too fuckin' cold. I'll tell ya right now, I have no tolerance for that pansy-ass shit." The other man laughed a little too long and too loudly.
"As long as I have food and shelter, I'm fine."
"Yea? Well I got an old cabin and plenty of grub. Woodstove, but you'll have to chop your own damn firewood. Sure as hell ain't choppin' wood for a grown man." Again, the other man laughed hard.
"So when can I start?"
Price and his partner laughed as if they'd just took the last dollar from some poor sucker in a poker game.
"Sheeeeee-it! You think I'm gonna put you out there on one of my expensive cutting horses before I can check you out?"
" Well no, I mean..."
"You think I'm some kinda' dumbshit?" Price asked Brandon as if he were a child he was punishing.
"Absolutely not, sir."
"Be a big mistake if you thought that, boy," Price seemed to be challenging him, but Brandon wasn't about to be intimidated by any man, including Price. He wasn't about to back down on him, but he also didn't want to appear to be arrogant.
"Look sir, I'm just looking for some good, honest cowboy work. That's all. I ain't here to get involved with making judgements about another man, I just come to work."
Price studied him again long and in silence, then spoke. "Good answer, boy. Good answer. So, you said you was from Kansas, huh? What were you doing in Iowa then?"
"Went to college," Brandon wondered if he had forgotten all these details he'd already told him earlier on the phone or if he was just sizing up the story to see if it all squared with what he'd already been telling him. "I just wasn't interested in going to college anymore."
"So yer a college boy, heh?" Price's sidekick thought this was pretty funny and made a condescending facial expression.
"Well, not exactly. I was there on a wrestling scholarship. To tell you the truth, I was really only interested in college for the sports."
"Rass-ling, heh? You mean that stuff were ya'll throw chairs around the ring at one another and beat yer chests and dance around with leotards on?" This brought out another big howl from the other man.
"Ah, not really. I believe you might be referring to World Wrestling; most of that stuff is staged, fake. We did collegiate wrestling. A match was usually over with in less than five minuets."
"Any good at it?"
Suddenly the other man spoke for the first time, "If he had a scholarship, he must've been pretty good, Mr. Talbot."

Price's eyes shot back at him like a laser guided missile, "Don't second guess me, you hear boy? Don't do it!" Price moved closer to the other man and jabbed his stout, leathered index finger into the man's breastbone with enough force to push him back on his heels.
"Yes, sir, I'm sorry Mr. Talbot!" The other man went from arrogant and cocksure to apologetic and contrite immediately.
Price then turned back to speak to Brandon. "Well, you sure look like your in shape, but I'm gonna have to see you in action. How about you coming up to my property tomorrow and let me see what you've got; hear me boy?"
"Indeed, I'll be there, thanks for the great opportunity, sir!"
"That's all I got ta say to you. Make damn sure you are at my horse barn at 5 a.m. sharp! Rhett here is our Trail Boss, he'll give you directions. If yer late, then just better just turn around and go back home, 'cause I don't tolerate that shit." Price ignored Brandon's extended hand, instead turned around and walked away. The other man introduced himself as Rhett, then blurted out directions for Brandon.
"Don't forget to turn at the Rural Route sign off of 20. It's right when you start coming down from the summit of the mountain, allright?" He looked at Brandon with a little more respect.
"Thanks pal," Brandon slapped him on the shoulder.
"Yea, good luck. Look, Price is the toughest man I know. He'll treat 'cha right if you break yer ass for him, for sure!
"The ranch is awesome, you'll be totally blown away. Hopefully it'll all work out for ya."
"Yea, I'm hoping for it. I ain't blowin' my own horn here, but I'm a pretty good rider. Mr. Talbot should be fine with my abilities."
"Well you better be better than 'pretty good' 'cause that there ranch is loaded with damn good cowboys. Boss don't hire nothin' but the best!" He smiled at Brandon using the arrogant act he was playing a few moments ago. "O.K. now, you want to come up the road for exactly 12.5 miles, ya see?The horse barn will be the first building you'll see, on he left."
"Is that where the ranch hands live?"
"Naa, it ain't that bad!" he laughed heartedly again. "The ranch hands have two different quarters father up the road. There's a barracks and then a few miles up from that, there's a nice ranch house. It's for us top tier cowboys. We have our own rooms, a chef who does our cooking, some big flat screen T.V.'s too. He takes good care of us.
"So where does Mr. Talbot live?"
"His house is way the hell up on top of the hill. You can see that big 'ol mansion sitting up atop of that hill for miles around. Being invited up there is like being invited to the White House! Only a chosen few have ever been invited to Mr. Talbot's mansion. It's another 12 miles up there."
"Have you ever been invited?"
"Nope, as a matter of fact, the only one around here that's been up there is Kendall. He's in charge of about 45 ranch maintenance guys who all live in the barracks. His first year he did such a great job with those guys that Mr. Talbot invited him to stay the night up there on Christmas. We tried to get some details out of him but all he would tell us is that it's an awesome home and that he had one of the greatest evenings of his life."
"Wow! Do you know anything about the job that I'm hopping to get?"
"Oh, you won't even be out there on the ranch. They'll put you clear over near the mountains. Deep in the woods in a nice little cabin. It's all very accommodating and the place will be stocked with great food. Like I told ya, you work hard for Mr. Talbot, he'll take real good care of you!"
"Sounds great! Well, thanks Rhett. I gotta some chores done for Mr. Nelson and hit the rack real early tonight so I can get out there first thing at daybreak! I really want to impress him badly!"
"Oh, you're already well on your way to impressing him; I can see that in his eyes. And that's no small task, buddy, believe me! If you're just half the cowboy as you were the wrestler we've all been hearing 'bout, then you'll be sittin' real good!" If you can really ride, you'll get the job, I'm here to tell ya that fer sure!"
Brandon helped the old man with some chores in the barn, had another home cooked meal with the Nelsons and went to bed just before eight p.m. He wanted to get up at three, so he could give himself plenty of time to drive. The snowy dirt road turned just as Rhett had promised. As his pickup turned into a parking area, there were already about the same amount of pickups that were at the feed store. He walked through the big doors and about a dozen cowboys were all busy with tack or feeding the horses. Some were cleaning stalls, others were unloaded bags of feed from the back of a pickup. Two or three cattle dogs stayed close by. Brandon quickly noticed that the men called him Mr. Talbot, Sir or Boss. He was told that the term 'Boss' was reserved only for his favorite guys, the ones who had been around the ranch the longest. If was settled that he would have to choose between calling him Mr. Talbot or Sir, at least for now.
As Brandon climbed onto a cutting horse, he was told to pick the three calves with bulls eyes painted on their backs, from the dozen or so that were gathered in a large corral, and move only across the corral and into a small pen without any of the others going in. Brandon completed the task within half the allowed time. Seated at the bleachers seats that were set up at the end of the pen, Price motioned for him do do it again. Apparently he was so impressed with Brandon's speed and skill, that he wanted to watch it all over.
Then he walked over, looked Brandon square in the eye, "You want to come to work for me 'er what?"
"Yes sir!" Brandon said seated calmly in the saddle.
"Good, Rhett here will give you the lowdown." Price extended his hand for the first time to Brandon who accepted it eagerly. His gripe was almost painful, thought Brandon. He had the strongest handshake of any man he'd ever shake hand with.

Rhett was Price's right hand man. He was given certain responsibilities and pretty much carried himself in the same no-nonsense way that Price did and was also ruggedly handsome. As he explained Brandon's living situation, he spoke very directly and instructional. He looked directly into his eyes as he spoke, but lowered them twice, smiling, while he seemed to be looking at Brandon's lips. This was a tremendous turn on for Brandon, but he was careful reading something into the situation that was probably false. Now that he was hired, he certainly didn't want show any hint to these guys!
He was shown to his room, where he would spend a couple of days before Rhett would saddle up with him and take him to the cabin where'd he'd be staying.
"We'll give you a nice room, because you're gonna be roughing it big time where you're going!" Rhett smiled standing in the doorway as Brandon laid his pack down.
"Gee, thanks." Brandon sat on the bed and took off his denim jacket.
"They say you were a wrestler in college 'er something?"
"Yea, did OK?"
"Heard you were a high school state champ back in Kansas," Rhett said while inviting himself to sit down on the bed beside Brandon.
"Yea, that's how I got the scholarship to college."
"So this isn't that TV wrestling is it?"
"No, not sure exactly what you mean, but this wrestling is like Olympic wrestling."
"Yea, like with that tight suit and all," Brandon laughed along with him.
"Well, ya what we where is pretty tight, but it ain't no leotard."
"But you can definitely see yer ass cheeks and your cock clear as a bell through those things," as he spoke, he looked down again at Brandon's lips. It sent a wonderful feeling through his body, it was very exciting to Brandon.
"Well yea, now that you mention it."
"I like Ultimate Fighting, where a man uses his fists, feet, whatever. Usually just wears workout pants, ya know. That leotard shit's kinda of faggy."
"Got no choice." Brandon said as he tried to look unaffected by Rhett's homophobic undertones.
"I never played any sports, I was too busy doing bull riding," Rhett bragged. "Still keep me in pretty damn good shape, huh?" He raised his arms and flexed his biceps.
"Yea, you look in pretty good shape."
"Not like you, damn you must have been working out constantly?"
"Pretty much, that's why I want to get back to work before I get soft."

For the next two days, he would shadow Rhett and learn the system the way Price wanted it. Then they would ride to the cabin on the third day. As he laid in his room at night, he imagined the other men inside the house sleeping. He wondered if they slept in their briefs or if they slept naked. The very first night, Brandon stripped off all his clothes and couldn't wait to slip under the warm flannel sheets and thick wool Indian blankets. He grabbed his tooth brush and a bath towel and wrapped it around his waist. He opened the door of his room and walked down to the end of the hall. As he quietly walked the hall, he noticed some of the men's doors were left ajar with lights turned off. He could see the outlines of their bodies while they lie in bed. When he reached the bathroom, it was locked and he could hear the water running in the shower. Another man poked his head out of his room and told him there was another bathroom upstairs where Rhett's bedroom was. This building housed about a dozen of Prices most important and most skillful riders. Those who had been on the ranch longest and where at the top of Price's pay scale had rooms on the top floor.
He climbed the staircase and walked by the bedroom doors till he reached the end of the hall. Once there, he noticed that bathroom was also occupied. A bedroom door next to the bathroom was open and he could hear Rhett saying something to him. He poked his head in the door as a dim light was on, his door slightly ajar.
"Brandon, c'mon an' use my bathroom. I have one right in my bedroom here." He was rather stunned to find Rhett lying on his bed completely nude. His body was so beautiful and sexy, Brandon had to turn away quickly; he was anxious that he would develop a hard on. It would be horrible, he thought, if his erection where to pop out from under the towel.
"Go ahead and make yourself at home," he spoke without glancing back at Brandon; he appeared quite comfortable with his bare ass fully exposed while a small TV sat on a desk nearby. The sound was mute, with a football game playing.

"Those bathrooms down the halls seem pretty popular around this time of night," Brandon spoke while moving across the floor. He was trying to be as unconcerned as possible with Rhett's lack of modesty. The tiny bathroom had a very small shower, a toilet and sink. Rhett continued talking and so he didn't want to be rude and close the door. While standing in front of the sink brushing his teeth, he turned his head slightly and was greeted with a perfect view of Rhett's beefy, buff ass. He admired how Rhett's balls where displayed between his big thighs. Knowing how dangerous it was if Rhett were to look back over his shoulder and catch him starring, he causiously made quick, but precious glances while the water ran in the sink.
"Are you checking out my naked ass you fucking faggot?" Suddenly Brandon's heart was in his throat. He turned his head back to the sink and wondered how it was possible that Rhett knew he was watching. Few a moment he said nothing and silently kept brushing his teeth while his brain worked in a frantic state trying to find a way out of the predicament. He decided to just pretend he didn't hear him. He gathered himself up and turned off the water, then walked over to the bathroom door.
"What, you talking to me?"
Rhett turned around and looked over his shoulder, "Are you checking out my ass you fuckin' queer?"
"Look, I got no interest in your ass partner," he tried to be as staunch as possible, however it was hard seeing as Rhett had perhaps one of the hottest asses he'd ever seen on a man.
"You saying I ain't got a hot enough ass?" Rhett answered back, laughing.
"Let's just change the subject," Brandon sighed, realizing he was just playing around with him and didn't actually know that he was in fact admiring his beefy, backside.
"I was jus' kiddin' ya pal. Glad ta see you have a good sense of humor; you'll need it around here."
"So, who gets to sleep upstairs?" Brandon asked.
Rhett pushed himself up and laid on his side with his head resting on his hand. "Upstairs is reserved for the trail boss, that's me. Also Kendall and Wesley sleep up here. The rest of the "A" crew sleep downstairs."
"Is that al the hands you have?"
"Hell no, there's another 2,500 hundred acres in the Lost River Range. There's a whole 'nother crew that handles that herd. There's a big boarding house up the road another 10 miles where the rest of the guys stay. It don't look this this! They get bunks and it's all laid out like a dorm. Wesley used to be the cook for them but they teased him so bad that we moved him over here."
"Teased him?" Brandon asked curiously.
"Oh, shit man, once they hid all the clothes he owned in the hay loft! He was forced to run around up there stark-assed naked, crawling up and down the loft ladders diggin' his underwear out of the hay bales! We laughed our fuckin' asses off for weeks over that one! Another time we replaced all his underwear with girls panties!" Rhett laughed loudly recalling the fond memories, while unconsciously scratching his balls. Brandon smiled, halfheartedly. "Not that it really mattered, he wore these damn undies that already looked like gils panties to begin with!"
"So, whose in charge?"
"I am in charge of all the ranch hands in the house, Kendall is in charge of all the hands in the barracks, as we call it. You'll met him probably tomorrow. He rode up yesterday to the cabin where you're gonna be staying and stocked it with supplies. Then there's little Wesley, our cook. You'll meet him tomorrow too. Those two couldn't be more opposite!" While Rhett turned to position himself on his side with his cock fully exposed, Brandon felt the urge to sit down on the bed beside him, but instead, shifted his weight from on leg to the other, and tightened the towel hanging around his naked frame.
"How so?"
"Kendall is a big, tough stud who is the best cowboy on the property, period. No bullshit kind of guy, ya know? He and I are the boss's right hand men. Oh, by the way, you will call him Mr. Talbot or sir, but never boss. You're gonna have to be here a while before you're allowed to call him that; he'll let you know. None of the guys at the bunk house can call him boss. Anyway, Wesley is a skinny, pretty boy, ya know? Certainly worthless on the back of a horse. But he's an incredible chef, I will give him that. And he keeps house for us and certainly keeps us all well fed."

"Does he cook for Mr. Talbot too?"
"No, he's got his own chef up there, but we ain't met him. Welsey hopes that one day he'll get the call to move up to Mr. Talbot's mansion and be exclusive to him. Personally, I don't think that'll ever happen. He's too faggy for Bossman."
"Faggy?" asked Brandon.
"Yea, a little light in the sneakers, if ya know what I mean," he laughed and made a limp-wrist gesture. "Boss gets uncomfortable with guys like that being around him. He likes all his men to be manly, macho, tough, even his cooks."
"Well, hopefully I won't disappoint him."
"Shit, buddy, don't be foolish! You ain't no fuckin' fag!"
"Well, I'm off to hit the hay. Thanks for letting me use you bathroom," Brandon said as he returned a smile.
"Hey, no problem, buddy. Jus' c'mon up here tomorrow morning if ya need ta shower; that way you won't have ta deal with waiting to get into the shower. I think we're gonna get along pretty good!" They said their goodnights as Brandon turned around and walked downstairs to his room.
The next day, Brandon was up early and on horseback well before sunrise. He was going to ride with Rhett out to check in on a herd close by. There were about 500 head, clustered on the valley floor between to peaks. Price had ordered Rhett to take him out and see how he handled himself on horseback.
The big doors of the horse barn remained closed to keep snow from piling up inside. Still, each man's breath was visible in the barn light under the glow of the long fluorescent tube lights which hung on the barn rafters overhead. Up until the new year, the weather had been mild. But going into the second week of the new year, temperatures had dropped to below freezing. It had just started to snow two hours before sunrise. Inside the barn, men were busy feeding horses and saddling up to head out. There was no small talk, Price Talbot discouraged idle chit-chat while on his dime.
"Hopefully you have yourself good, warm gear like gloves and whatnot. It's gets damn cold out there," Rhett cautioned.
"Yea, I'm good. Kansas winters aren't very kind to a man working outdoors either," Brandoned smiled. As they were preparing to walk their horses out through the barn doors, Price walked in carry a hot cup of coffee.
"Ready to go to work?"
"Yes I am sir," Brandon answered.
"Good mornin' Boss," Rhett said, looking surprised to see him in the barn. "Didn't know you were gonna be up here this mornin'."
"Yea, well I want to make damn sure our new boy gets off to on the right foot." From the look on Price's face, he looked as though he was ready to go to work hours ago.
"You bet, sir. Just gettin' the cobwebs out," as Rhett spoke, Price interrupted him.
"You leave your cobwebs in your nice, warm little bed. This here's man's work and you need to be wide awake when you walk into this barn."
"Indeed, sir," Rhett seemed caught off guard by the scolding.
""You know where you're headin'?"
"Yes, sir. We're gonna check on the herd between Lemhi and Borah."
"Take a head count while you're out there, I wanna know if we need to out out looking for strays." He turned to address Brandon. "This is what you'll be doin' for a livin' right now, boy. You won't be workin' with this herd, but you'll be takin' a constant head count, makin' sure all my cattle is safe and secure."
"Yes, sir. I'm ready to go to work, sir."

"OK, get the hell out of my barn and go to work; I ain't payin' you boys to chit-chat!" With that, Price signaled to another ranch hand to open the large barn doors and cracked Brandon's horse on the ass. He darted out into the flying snow.
After a half hour ride on horseback, through a small climb and back down into a wide open valley, they saw the herd gathering close to shield away the freezing winds.
"I want you to get out there in the creek beds and in the woods and bring all the strays into this group here," Rhett yelled out over the frigid, howling breeze. "I'll keep them together here."
"With that, Brandon was off. He worked fast and furious, find four strays immediately hung up in a drift below. He circled his horse around several times and spooked them up the hill and into the group. He moved quickly up and down the creek where icy waters rolled fast over river rock and where the snow had piled up knee-level all along the banks. Two more strays were on the other side of the rushing waters; he blasted right through the drifts and into the waters, chasing them back towards the canyon walls. He found a trail and pushed them through a thicket of Alder. When he reached the top he could see Rhett at a distance slowly circling the small herd. He whistled wildly and dug in his spurs as he pushed those two strays from the creek along with two more he'd picked up on the trail his way down. Rhett looked up as he saw all five animals rushing towards them. He dropped them in the group, circled around and headed back up the canyon trail as Rhett gave him a thumbs up with leather, gloved hand.
After a few hours, Brandon pulled up alongside Rhett. He was breathing heavy, his cheeks and nose bright red. "It's beautiful out here!"
"Damn, you are one hell-of-a cowboy!" Rhett said enthusiastically. Boss is gonna be really happy with you.
"How many we got in there?"
"Forty-one when we rode in, looks like you picked up another twenty-four! Damn, good job. Let's move 'em back towards the ranch house; there's another herd back that way an' I want to get 'em together."
The men slowly merged the small herd back into a larger herd situated near a corral back at the house where the men stayed. "we're gonna leave 'em here for a week before we rotate another herd back in," Rhett explained. Two riders came up to greet them.
"This here's Riley and Kendall," Rhett said, as he introduced them. "Guys, this is Brandon and he's one killer, fuckin' cowboy!"
"Pleased to meet you guys," Brandon said as he pulled off his gloved hand and gave a hard, firm handshake to each of them. "You must be the 'barracks boss.'"
"That's right," Kendall answered. He was yet another gorgeous, buff, young cowhand, thought Brandon. Price only hired cowboys who were well-built, strong men; they were also all handsome and he wondered if that was just a coincidence.
"What's the difference between the barracks guys and the guys at the house?" asked Brandon.
"Well, the house guys are better cowboys and better lookin'." Rhett said laughing.
"The barracks guys are used for all around maintenance, while the house guys are strictly working with cattle," Kendall explained.
"Plus, we get paid more," laughed Rhett. "They're the bottom guys!"
The dinning room was filled with all the men as Welsey scurried around making sure that all the food was on the table in a timely manner. He was thin and pretty, just as Rhett explained. He worked very hard and seemed to enjoy his job. From what Brandon could tell, he also enjoyed being around all the men like he did. After he had cleaned up all the dishes and was finishing the kitchen, Brandon wandered into the kitchen to visit with him.
"I just wanted to tell you that dinner was awesome," Brandon complimented.

"Well, thank you Brandon." Welsey tossed the hand towel a table, then jumped up on the sink counter to sit down. "Hear you were a hot wrestler."
"Did OK." He admired Wesley's high cheek bones and full lips. "Do these guys treat you OK here?"
"Yea," he laughed. "Sometimes they get carried away with the games, but boys will be boys!"
"I heard about that."
"Oh, yea?" He quickly looked up, his sky blue eyes twinkled in the kitchen light. "Which one?" he laughed, somewhat embarrassed.
"Oh, never mind."
"You are probably referring to the girls panties! I don't know what they told you, but I was not running around wearing girls panties! He tried to look stern, but he couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Anyway, it was really nice to meet you."
"You too, Brandon. Good luck." Their eyes stayed glued to each other's until Brandon had turned and left the kitchen.
The second day, there was more stays to pick up. Only the word of Brandon's incredible skills brought a crowd out to see him work. This time they rode a bit south, in the foot hills of the Pioneer Mountains. A larger herd was gathered on a huge meadow of frozen clover. These cattle had no desire to move anywhere, even in the winter with snow, they could dig into the frosty ground and enjoy thatches of wild clover grass. The ride was extremely easy. Low lying pastures stretched out miles under the shadow of snowcapped peaks.
When they arrived, several other cowboys from the house were held up waiting to see the show. Even Price Talbot was there, situated high on a plateau overlooking the valley for a perfect seat.
"Looks like I have a crowd," Brandon said as he scanned the horizon. There were perhaps a dozen riders stationed around the hills waiting to see this kid work cattle.
"Yea, I kinda' bragged you up a bit," Rhett smiled. "We don't really have strays, these cattle wanna stay right here an' eat forever. Here's what I want you to do. I had Kendall ride out here earlier and wrap red bandannas around the horns of 3 young bulls. Your job is to cut them out of the herd an' get 'er down within 15 minutes.
"Piece of cake, my pal!" Brandon took off on full gallop across the field and gained speed. He figured this would add a little drama for the boys watching. He cross about ten acres before he slowed down. He didn't want to spook any cattle. From a cantor he moved around the outside of the herd and immediately spotted two. He quickly shuffled them out and noticed the third in the middle of the pack. he headed straight at him, pushing him right behind the other two. As they attempted to veer off left or right, he kept flanking them cutting his horse from side to side keeping them heading forward and not turning. About half way through the valley, he broke out again to a full gallop and delivered the three head to a waiting Rhett. "You are incredible pal!" He yelled.
"What's my time," Brandon responded out of breath.
"Six, thirty! It's gotta be a record." As Brandon flew by, he gave him a high five.
Brandon held up and noticed all the riders in the distance descending down from their perches and heading for him. One by one, the men congratulated him. Finally Price rode up and everyone remained quiet.
"You are one stud-cowboy!" Price held up right next to him and slapped him on the back.
"Thank you sir."
"I certainly scored big. Now you guys got some catchin' up to do!" Price warned the others.
"OK boys, tonight is Brandon's last night here, he's going up to the cabin to watch the Lost River herd. It's also Kendall's twenty-second birthday party tonight, so I have some good stuff planned. I have Wesley getting fillet beef ready for the grill and we'll be sippin' some of the best Tennessee Bourbon money can buy." Immediately a round of cheers went up and most of the men acknowledge by thanking Price.
"Awright, boys, git yer work down an' I'll see you for dinner!" All the men split up with Price and Kendall going off one direction, and Brandon and Rhett another and the rest of the boys heading back towards the house.

The steaks were the finest, served with huge bowls of salad, baked potatoes and chocolate mouse desert. After dinner as Wesley worked to clean up the dinning room and kitchen, Price Talbot broke out 3 bottles of Gentlemen Jack Danieals whisky, it was their finest and most expensive whiskey. Fine crystal glasses and Cuban cigars were handed out. Within minutes every man had a glass in his hand and were chatting it up over the sound of George Strait that was being blasted on the stereo speakers. Some of the men went out onto the deck in the cold night air to smoke. A frozen moon hung overhead, illuminating the snow peaked mountains.
Price made his way to each man, toasting and spending time with them. It was well before ten p.m. before he told the boys to make sure they all play nice together, then jumped into his big rig and drove up the hill. After he left, whiskey started flowing and was being consumed at a rapid rate. At one point, one of the guys went into the kitchen and threw Wesley over his shoulder, then went around to each of the guys who gave him whack on his ass, demanding him to say which one of them had the strongest ass crack. It was apparent that they were spanking him with a solid hand good, yet Welsey didn't look frightened and actually seemed to enjoy it. They gave him shots and even one extremely drunk ranch hand lobbied to take off Wesley's pants and spank him bare-assed. Although he seemed very excited about that idea, he was more afraid of that idea and quickly knocked that down. There were also a couple guys who had pulled each other's shirts off and were stumbling around trying to fight each other wearing nothing but Wranglers and boots. Everyone seemed way to drunk to notice that Brandon was admiring their but were too drunk to even fight.
Danny was approached by some of the guy that he's yet to meet who introduced themselves and complimented him on his riding skills. When he looked at the wall clock, it was almost midnight. It seemed like a test that Price was putting on his men, he thought. Which one's could hold their liquor and be able to show up at 5 a.m. to go to work in the morning? He figured the one's who didn't make it or were late, were out of a job. It was true, only the toughest and most skilled cowboys worked for Price Talbot.
As he walked through the dinning room, two drunk cowboys were leaning on each other. One was trying to help the other into his bedroom. Brandon was grateful that he didn't go overboard and drink too much tonight. Three shots of great bourbon made him feel real good, anymore would make it too difficult to get up the next day. But it seemed some guys just never learned. He offered to help get the real drunk cowboy to bed.
"C'mon, you get one side, I'll get the other," he offered. They moved slowly down the hall as the guy in the middle kept laughing and telling them both to promise they weren't gonna throw him in a cold shower.
"'Cause if'n you try, I'll whup both yer asses!"
"Shut your mouth Devon, you best be lucky we're even helping ya ta bed," his drunk buddy slurred.
"You'd better git yer ass up early tomorrow, 'casue your know Mr. Talbot will fire us clear as shit!
"Yea, I know, jus' git me ta bed, partner." They dropped him on the on his bed and pulled off his boots. Before they turned around he was asleep. With that, Brandon said goodnight and walked out the door and down the hall into his room. he pulled off his own boots ands socks, then unbuckled his jeans and slide them off. Tomorrow was the day he'd ride out to the cabin. He was told he'd be there about three weeks, then be relieved for a few days by Rhett. They'd rotate back and he'd ride back out to stay another three weeks. He pulled his t-shirt over his head and slipped his underwear past his knees and let them drop to his ankles. The only thing he loved more than being naked in his room, was if he had one of those guys with him. Rhett or Kendall would be his first choice. They were the hottest in a pool of handsome cowboys. He just couldn't get the image of Rhett's naked ass off his mind.
He was looking forward to getting out in the wilderness all alone in the cabin. Perhaps it was a good thins as well. If he stayed any longer around here, he'd almost certainly be 'out-ted.' His third choice was Wesley. It was almost certain that he was gay and loved all the teasing the guys gave him; even if most of it was bordered mean-spirited. Although he wasn't the big, buff guys that Brandon liked, he was very cute. Could he be the first? With Kendall and Rhett certainly not gay, if would really be his only shot. Then suddenly he caught himself. Attempting to have sex with any men on Price Talbot's ranch would be a horrible mistake. Not only would be lose his job, but he'd certainly have to fight his way out, plus he'd have to keep on moving. Once folks in town found out, including Don and May Dee, it would be real disappointing.
Like the night before, he gathered up his tooth brush and tooth paste, wrapped the towel around his waste and headed for the door. Since Rhett had offered the use of his private bathroom, maybe he should just head straight upstairs.

Out in the halls, everything was silent. Things had quieted down and it seemed certain that all men were fast asleep, trying to get as much as they could get before the 5 a.m. bell. He moved around the corner and started up the staircase, but paused a moment to gaze out the window at a frozen, full winter moon. Putting a hand on the railing, he prepared to ascend the staircase to the top floor. Glancing to the top of the staircase, he was just in time to see two men standing there embracing. Apparently, they did not see him standing in the darkness. He continued backing up into the shadows, slowly. His heart raced so fast he could hardly catch his breath. It was as if he were in a bizarre fantasy or day dream. The two men were Rhett and Kendall. They were embracing and kissing very passionately like lovers. Rhett was completely naked and had a full blown erection which was pointing upwards and wedged in between both of them. Kendall was shirtless, still wearing his jeans. He watched as Rhett opened them up and pried his hand into them. The adrenaline thumped in his throat as he watched Rhett unpack Kendall's massive erection and massage it rub it and stroke it under the dim, staircase light.

As he saddled up his horse and packed up his supplies in preparation for the ride out to the cabin, his mind was occupied with the image of Rhett and Kendall at the top of the stairs the night before. Frozen in the shadows, he was afraid of being caught either by them or another ranch hand who might have happened to have walked by and possibly seen him standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring at two naked men making at the top while the rest of the house was sleeping. Either way, it wasn't good for him.

About nine hours later, he was still mesmerized by those images. For just a moment, after those two men had gone inside the bedroom, he contemplated climbing the stairs and knocking on the door. He would ask Rhett if he could use the bathroom, just like he had offered. He watched till they stopped kissing. They turned and walked through the bedroom door, grasping each other's erected poles in each fist as if they were given gifts to take to bed with them. This was the most erotic thing that has ever happened his entire life. Maybe what was happening behind those bedroom doors, was what he could only imagine his whole life long. But in the end, he was frightened. Frightened that he would get caught and that it would certainly cost him his job and his reputation. It would be an awful way to come out to the world.

The next morning as he saddled his horse in the frigid morning air, he stopped for a moment and watched the bustle of cowboys busily working all around him. They were saddling horses, cleaning horse stalls, feeding, shoeing and stacking hay. All this at a time when most folks are still in bed. The the floor of the barn was bathed in cold sunshine as it leaked threw the open windows of the horse stalls. This was life on a working cattle ranch and he loved it.

He thought again about Rhett and Kendall. Why were they were so bold in the hallway? Even if they are the only ones living upstairs, anybody can walk by like he did. Maybe it was the thrill of being caught that drove their excitement? Maybe they knew he was standing right there watching him. This was getting complicated.

"Morning cowboy! How'd ya sleep last night?" Brandon was startled and didn't hear Rhett come up behind him.

"Hey there, ah, great, great, an' you?"

"Slept hard as a rock; always do out here in God's country!" Rhett was smiling from ear to ear. "Well, it's almost four-fifteen. We need to get cuttin' cowboy. I wanna make it over the pass before noon. Supposed to be a big ass snow storm head in higher elevation. Wanna make sure I get you delivered safe an' sound." His smile was kind and sexy, thought Brandon.

"We got an extra rider coming with us?" he asked, noticing Rhett leading another horse out from the paddock and tying him next to the other two horses which were already saddled.

"Nope, jus' me an' you. There's a gelding here; it's an extra horse for you."

They followed a trail that led them through the pass and up on top of the ridge. It was if the sun had hidden itself behind those craggy hills, waiting till they arrived. Once they held up on top of the ridge, looking down on a sprawling valley floor, they watched as the sun rose above them. The breath from them and their horses billowing in the nippy morning air.

Just as Rhett hoped to do, they reached the cabin about noon. Located in the foothill between two peaks, it was a simple one room cabin with a wood stove, bed and an out house in the back. The snow started coming down pretty good just as they arrived, so they chopped about a cord of wood and bulit a nice fire.

"You'll wanna keep that fire going damn near all day and night," Rhett warned. "When you go out in the morning tending cattle, stoke that thing up and close the door to the stove tight. When you get back, why you'll have a nice, warm cabin and you'll be ready to cook."

"Sounds like you've been here before."

"Oh yea, I've worked out here in the dead of winter, jus' like you are for two months straight. IF you can do well out here, Mr. Talbot will take notice. If you can round all most of his brands before spring, he'll be impressed."

Once they got a fire going, Rhett showed him the map on the wall. "You'll see where Mr. Talbot's property runs. Pretty big stretch. Beautiful country out here. I'll stay tonight and saddle up in the morning." Rhett showed him where all the food and supplies were kept, then they settled down for a dinner of boiled potatoes, chili and a few shots of whisky.

"Hey, I wanted to ask you if you came up to my bedroom to use the bathroom last night? I fell asleep and forgot you were coming." Rhett took a sip and squinted at him as they sat across from each other in front of the wood stove.

His brain spun as he was blindsided by the question. He remained cool inside as he scrambled for an answer. "Ah, no I actually used the bathroom downstairs."

"Sorry 'bout that. So you didn't come up to m room? "Cause Wesley made a comment that he's seen you by the stairs last night."

"Oh, ah, yea, but I turned and went into the other bathroom."

"So I must have already been in my room?"

He hated lying, and he really wanted to tell Rhett how turned on he was actually seeing two buff guys kiss. He wanted to tell him how he was aroused by seeing Rhett's beautiful, buff body and when he and Kendall started to rub their erections together, he was almost to the point of orgasm himself. He wanted to ask him so many questions about how it felt! But it was best to remain secret about it. After all, it may be something they surely don't want anyone to know about, especially Price Talbot!

The time seemed to pass quickly. He was content working by in the peace and beauty of the mountains all alone. When he was lucky, he was able to snag a grouse or rabbit to cook on the trust wood stove. When Rhett arrived three week later, he was glad to see him.

"How's life at the house?"

"Same ol', same ol'," Rhett smiled. "Looking forward to sleep in a nice warm bed again?"

"Well sure, but I like it out here, too!"

"You'll be back out here before winter is over." They loaded up their gear and saddled the horses. He brought another cowboy to take over while Brandon was at the house. He quietly got himself comfortable and Brandon as Rhett rode back to the ranch.

It was great to eat home cooked food again and stay in a nice bed. Rhett had switched Brandon to room closer to the downstairs bathroom. After dinner, when all the guys had left, he walked into the kitchen to visit with Wesley. During dinner he found himself catching a glimpse of Wesley's cute little behind. It wasn't the big, beefy ass he usually thought about, it was more like a piece of candy.

"So, you had a nice time alone up there?" Wesley asked while loading the dishwasher.

"Yea, gets a little lonely."

"Yea, I'd get lonely!"

"Hey, I was meaning to ask you, no big thing, but the night before I left, you mentioned that you'd seen me by the staircase. I didn't see you."

"I should have never said anything," Welsey looked shaken.

"Hey it's no big deal."

"The truth is, Brandon, I was kind of lurking," his plump lips and small hips made him appear impish. "Do you know why?"

"I'm not sure," Brandon answered, somewhat regretted he'd open the can of worms.

"Maybe it's because of what we both saw?" Wesley stopped and stared right at Brandon.

"Do they carry on much?"

"Yes, well, kind of."

"Do the other guy's know?"

Wesley had a mischievous grin on his face, like a sexy little elf. "I'm not sure. But they know I know, for sure, if you understand what I mean?"

"I'm not the brightest light in the house."

"I have joined them," Wesley whispered closely to his ear.

"You have...?"

"Shhhhh! Didn't they look hot?" he said as he clutched Brandon's bulging bicep tightly and got on his tip-toes to whisper into his ear, "They both took off all my clothes tehn took turns spanking me over their knees! Then they turned me over and licked my little butt till I came!" As he giggled, Brandon realized that the longer he listened to such an erotic story without objecting, the more was admitting to Welsey that he also found it sexy. In a way, he was finally coming out and it felt great.

"Yea, wow, I'l bet you had fun?"

"Oh God, it was exhilarating! Do you like your ass rimmed?"

"Ah, yea, sure," Brandon was embarrassed but turned on at the same time. Suddenly Price Talbot came unannounced into the kitchen.

"Good evenin' guys," it was the first time Brandon had seen Price speak in a pleasant fashion. Both he and Welsey quickly changed their demeanor and bid their greetings back to him. They both silently felt like grade school boys who had been chatting about sex right before the headmaster arrived unexpectedly. There was an uncomfortable silence between them before price continued the conversation.

"You guys getting to know one another?"

"Yes, sir. It's good to have a home cooked meal again,"

"Well you deserve it, cowboy. Your numbers show that you've found another 20 head for the brand that we had written off. That's money saved for then ranch, good job." Price pated Brandon on the arm then walked out though the same swinging kitchen door that he arrived in.

"Wow, Boss very seldom does that!"

"What do you mean?" Brandon asked Wesley, not having any idea what he was talking about.

"Telling a cowboy that he did a good job. That's something he just expects. He certainly likes you!"

Later that night, he digested all what had happened in just one night. For the first time in his life, he actually discussed man-sex with another man; but what was even more shocking to him was that he discussed this with Welsey as if he assume Brandon was gay. This worried him and seemed to complicate his situation. Brandon hated complex situations; he love life to be just as simple as possible. Would Wesley tell Kendall and Rhett what they had discussed in the kitchen? Would it leak out to the other guys? And what about Price's sudden kitchen visit extending his encouragement. God forbid if this ever got out to him. He was sure Price would fire him, but also the embarrassment eould be too much to bare. He was growing very fond of Price and wanted him to be very proud of Brandon all the way from what he did in the saddle to how he handled himself at the ranch. Worried and stressed out, he just decided to go to bed early and just sleep on it.

The next day he was up before sunrise, ready to drive cattle in a herd nearby. They spent the day moving the herd closer to creek and was back before dinner. As he sat there with all his fellow ranch hands, he noticed that every one was of those cowboys were nice to look at. As he watched them passing food, smiling and joking, he realized how lucky he was. He enjoyed being around them all, they were sexy and he often found himself dreaming about discovering Rhett and Kendall naked and together again, only this time the temptation would be to walk in on them and perhaps play dumb. He even found himself getting turned on by pretty, little Welsey. Sure, he wasn't the tough, buff cowboy with large, powerful, Wrangker-clad, ass cheeks he was so fond of, but the thought of having Welsey walk in on him, while he was naked, was becoming enormously erotic and something he was scheming to do. He'd seen how Welsey looked at him, how he clutched his huge biceps while conversing with him, how he moved close to him and how sweet Wesley's body smelled from the body soaps, the colognes and the shampoos he used. There was an underground of something powerfully erotic going on and he was getting very excited.

That night, he was approached by Rhett, "Hey Brandon, we're gonna' send you back out to watch the herd near the cabin, can you be ready to go Saturday mornin'?

"Yea, sure. Ready and willin'."

"Great. C'mon upstairs later, I have a map I want to give you that shows some better detail. Price thinks there are some more cattle held up around the other creek."

"Yea, what time?"

"Ah, ya know, after dinner, before you go to bed."

"Sure."

It all sounded kind of strange, he thought. Why would he need a new map and why could Rhett just give it to him? Later that night, he finished dinner and decided to head upstairs as Rhett had asked. He came across Wesley as he got up the the top of the stairs.

"Hey, Rhett had some map he wanted me to give you."

"Oh, well he told me to come up to his room and get it."

"Yea, well he gave it to me," Wesley looked back at Rhett's bedroom door that was at the end of the hall. "He's kind of busy now." Then Welsey smiled and lowered his eyes to Brandon's waist. "How 'bout I just bring it up to you later?"

"Yea, OK. I'm going to take a shower then. I'll be back in my room in about 20 minuets or so."

"Taking a shower, huh?" Welsey smiled. "I heard we're supposed to conserve hot water, so, I'll be up there to jump in with you."

The remark caught Brandon off-guard. "Oh, yea, OK."

"I'm jus' kiddin'." Wesley reached in and grabbed Brandon's arm. "You're so easily fooled!" Brandon's face turned beat red as he grappled for words.

"Well, I mean...ah, if that's what we are supposed ta do, I mean..."

"Damn, you are so cute!" Brandon could feel his cock grow inside his cotton briefs.

"Oh, I am embarrassing you. I'll bring it up later," then he winked and walked down the stairs. When he got to the bottom he turned and looked up at Brandon. "So, see ya later," he smiled, then put his finger to his lips. "Oh, I think you might wannna close Rhett's door if ya don't mind, but, Shhhhh. Be real quiet." He giggled and scampered off. Brandon took this as a temptation he couldn't resist. When he reached the end of the hall, he could hear moaning and other very erotic sounds coming from Rhett's bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, so he stepped slowly towards it, then peered inside. Immediately his heart raced and his brain spun wildly. There was Rhett wearing his Wranglers and no shirt, kissing one of the other cowboys that Brandon had seen at the dinner table and in the barn. He was extremely well built and many times Brandon had snuck a peek at his buns; they were large and beefy. He assumed that he was doing squats with large amounts of weight. It was the only way that he could develop such massive, muscle ass buns like that. But now he was nude! Brandon, now frozen in his tracks, was watching them kissing passionately while Rhett's hands were all over those beautiful ass cheeks. With the cowboy's back towards him, Brandon had a perfect view through the opening in the door. Never in his life had he seen a man, man-handle another man's naked ass, although in his many fantasies, it looked just like that! Suddenly, they stopped kissing as Rhett looked up at him. The cowboy turned his head and looked at Brandon. He was mortified.

"Ah, sorry guys, I...ah you mentioned I should get a map from you, I'm sorry..."

"Go see Wesley, didn't he tell you he had it?" Brandon didn't know how to answer that question so he avoided it.

"Yea, I'll run down there right now..."

"Close the door, would ya?" As Brandon slowly closed the door, the cowboy smiled at him making no attempt to hide his beautiful nude ass. In fact they bought remained embraced, not embarrassed whatsoever.

As he walked down the stairs, he thought how strange it had seemed that they did not to care in the slightest about him seeing them. It was similar to the night he saw Rhett and Kendall at the top of the stairs; only he was certain they didn't see him.

He had trouble with his erection in the shower. It had grown rock solid and as he soaped his body, he couldn't help but lather it and stroke it thinking of what he had just saw. The more he did, the harder it was for him to come; this was something that had never happened to him before. So he rinsed himself off, wrapped a towel around his waist and headed back to his room. He waded up his jeans and shirt and held it in front of his erection so he could make it down the hall without anyone seeing him. Getting caught, he would run the risk of massive embarrassment.

Once inside the privacy of his own room, he let the towel drop and stood in the mirror admiring what he saw. He loved his strong ass, he figured it was even nicer than the cowboy that was with Rhett. He loved his body but he wanted someone else to see it, touch it even play with it. Then there was a knock at the door.

"Brandon, are you there? I have that map for you." It was Wesley, for a moment he contemplated going to the door, naked. He was so excited at the very thought of seeing the look on Wesley's face as he stood there infront him him, stark naked.

"Yea, I'm coming, hold on." He swallowed hard and walked towards the door.

Then as he put his hand on the door handle, he heard something startle him; he could hear Wesley talking to someone else.

"This is Price, you awright, Brandon?" Quickly he turned back away from the door and scurried to look for his pants. His big cock lowered itself quickly along with the pit in his stomach. Once he had his jeans on, zipped and buttoned, he throw a t-shirt over his massive chest and then finally made it to the door.

"Hey, sorry guys," he said to Wesley and Price who stood there. Price was holding a saddle bag, while Wesley was holding the map. He could feel his erection had deflated and lay discreetly in his pants, soft and subtle.

"Mind if we come in?" Price asked as he barged his way inside. He tossed the bag on the bed and motioned for Welsey to drop the map.

"OK, cowboy, you'll be heading back to the cabin in the mornin', ya got that?"

"Why yes, sir."

"Mow then, have you noticed any strange behavior around here?" As Price spoke to him, he looked straight into his eyes. Brandon tried to return the stare, but could see Wesley behind Price, subtly motioning for him to be cautious, he tried not to let his eyes wander behind Price's steely stare.

"I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure I no what you mean."

For the longest time Price starred at him without saying a word. It seemed as though he was trying to determine if Brandon was lying to him. Brandon had no idea of what he should say. Then when it appeared he was satisfied with Brandon's response, Price looked back at Wesley.

"I will not tolerate any faggot shit under my roof, is that clear?" \

"Of course sir, I, I am only here to work, sir."

"I know you are, you're a good kid." He turned again to look at Brandon,"Both of you boys are. I am not talking about you boys. There is something going on here and I want to know about it. Don't be afraid to tell me, OK?"

"Yes, sir." They both answered in a positive cadence.

"If that shit is going on in this house, I want you to tell me about it, immediately!" His stern stare was cold and callus. "This is a house for men." He paused a moment, then switched the subject. I have some stuff here you'll need in this bag, here's the map of the creek. You'll need it when you go looking for stranded cattle, got it?"

"I do sir, of course." Brandon answered.

"Great then, lights out, you ride out in the morning at 5 a.m. You, get into the kitchen and make sure that place is spotless." Yes sir," Welsey answered back. It looked like the fear of God had been installed in the boy.