Chapter 8 – Chapter 8

Part Eight

Susan and I were getting married in Vail the first weekend of August. I wanted Mace to be my best man, but I was not sure how Susan would react to the idea.

I never found out. When I floated the balloon past Mace, he popped it, turning me down flat. For a long time, I did not think he would even come to the wedding. Ultimately, he did, bringing the guy he had been seeing – Juan – with him.

They were at dinner Friday night, both in linen suits, Mace's dark blue and Juan's cream. They made a stunning couple, Mace, blond and bright, next to Juan, dark and brooding.

Susan was eager to meet Mace. She wanted to meet the guy who had tempted me to the other side of the mountain. He was the only one about whom she knew.

We were at the bar. The four of us stood awkwardly together. I was between Mace and Susan, and Mace was between Juan and me. I was impressed by the irony of the positioning.

Susan wrestled the moment to the ground. She took Mace's hand in hers, looked him straight in the eyes, and introduced herself.

"John has told me all about you," she assured him. I had, and I had told Mace I had.

She then introduced herself to Juan, who seemed very uncomfortable. I understood. He knew no one. He was confronting the love of Mace's life. He was, I was certain, at a wedding he thought should not be happening.

"Tell me, Mace," I heard Susan whisper. "What did you love most about John?"

"It's do, not did," Mace corrected her. "And, I'm not sure there's any one thing. But, what I remember most is how he reacted when I told him how my sister had died. It was all kindness, no pity. And, he also reminded me to enjoy myself. I had not for a very long time. What about you? What do you love most about him?"

I was interested in her answer. I had never asked her the question.

"I want to shock you and say something bawdy like 'how his cum tastes.' But, you'd know I was lying. It's not tasty. So, I'll be honest. I most love his eyes. They're beautiful and revelatory. They tell you what he's thinking. They betray him when he lies."

Uh oh, I thought to myself, as I wondered if she was correct. I doubted she was. I had told Mace a lot of lies, and he had never called any of them out out.

Susan and I needed to circulate. I also wanted to get her away from Mace. And, I needed to get myself away from Mace. When I was near him, I was not to be trusted.

Midway through dinner, I noticed Mace heading to the bathroom. Without thinking, I excused myself and followed him.

When I entered, Mace was over the sink, washing his hands. I caught his eye in the mirror, and he said "Hey you" as he grabbed a towel and turned around.

"Hey yourself," I said. I wanted to kiss him, so I did. Lightly. When I pulled back, he tossed his towel gently in my face and moved toward the door. I put my hand on it and wrapped my left arm around his chest.

"Josie, what are you doing?" he asked.

"I do not know. But, I would like to kiss you again. For real."

He turned around, took my face in his, and kissed me hard on the mouth. He tried to keep his mouth closed, but I would not allow it. I forced my tongue into his mouth, and we kissed like we had, once upon a time.

When we finally parted, I told him my room number and suggested he join me later, when the rest of the world was asleep. His only response was to tell me to stay in the bathroom until my dick was no longer hard.

He was engrossed with Juan as I glided back through the room. Susan greeted my return with a raised eyebrow. I smiled at her and put my hand on hers.

She leaned into me. "Mace looked flushed when he returned from the bathroom."

"We had an awkward encounter. He is opposed to this marriage. He thinks I am being unfair to you."

"Are you?"

"No."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes. Are you?"

"Yes. I'd be nervous if there had been others. But, I understand how one person can take you away. I had a friend like that in college. I had never had a lesbian thought, but I often thought of her when I masturbated. I'd have had sex with her if she had wanted."

I was troubled. I had lied to her about "no others." Apparently, she had not seen the lie in my eyes.

"Plus," she added. "You're either faithful or you're not. It doesn't matter to me if you cheat with a man or a woman. It matters to me if you cheat. You promised you wouldn't. So don't."

Mace did not knock on my door that night. I assumed and hoped he could just not get away.

In my mind's eye, I saw him fucking Juan as I masturbated. Juan was under him, his dark, hairy legs pinned to his chest by Mace's thick, alabaster arms. I came hard as Mace fucked him like an animal, powerful and raw.