The cruise is winding down, and it's the last night on board the ship. Time to party hearty in this week's episode of Moving Forward. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Denver and Dustin were waiting for them when they arrived in
the dining salon.
“Good thing you sent us in first,” Denver commented as they
took their seats around the table. “Look at this place. It’s packed.”
“Guess everyone had the same idea we did,” Lee said.
Wall-to-wall men. Testosterone filled the air in abundance.
“Last night to get laid,” Dustin quipped, and everyone
laughed.
Every table was decorated with a centerpiece consisting of the
same beautiful flowers Marshall remembered seeing on the islands, in brilliant
shades of red and orange and purple, and each bouquet bore the familiar Gay
Pride flag. A fitting end to his first gay cruise.
A server appeared, and they all ordered beer and appetizers,
followed by more beer and thick steaks and crispy fries. Dessert was a coconut
Panna Cotta with mango and sweet whipped cream. Everything was done to
perfection.
Afterward, they walked up to the deck for a last look at the
ocean by moonlight. Marshall found himself standing next to Dustin. Lee and
Denver were engrossed in conversation farther down the rail. They stood
together in a companionable silence. Marshall was trying to decide which he
wanted to do more—find one of the night clubs and dance, or get Lee naked as
soon as possible.
He was surprised Dustin wasn’t taking advantage of the night
to find a partner. Men were being less than subtle in their propositions. The
only way to avoid being asked to go to bed was to appear as if you were already
taken. And sometimes that didn’t help, especially for those men whose philosophy
was the more the merrier. Marshall knew he’d never be one of those guys. He was
happy being one of two.
Laughter filled the air as men eagerly hooked up for this
final night at sea.
“If you want to…” Marshall was trying to be delicate. He
didn’t want Dustin to think he was trying to get rid of him, just wanted to let
him know he’d understand if Dustin wanted to hook up with someone.
“If I want to what?” Dustin gave him a perplexed look.
So much for subtlety.
“Um, you know.” Marshall shrugged. “I thought maybe… for
your last night…”He turned away, watching the moonbeams dance across the water,
in case he’d embarrassed Dustin with his question.
“Oh.”
Marshall held his breath, in anticipation of either an
explosion or an argument… or worse. He was surprised to hear a low chuckle from
Dustin. He glanced back at him.
“Yeah, I don’t blame you for thinking that, but honestly,
I’m not interested in a one-night stand.”
Before Marshall could say anything,
Dustin quickly added, “And I’m not going to hit on you again, honest.”
That was a comforting thought.
“No, I get it, I really do,” Dustin continued,”But that
doesn’t mean I don’t want the same thing you and Lee have. And I’m not going to
find it by hanging out in bars. I bet you didn’t meet Lee in a bar, did you?”
Marshall shook his head. “No, I sure didn’t.” Not that he
was about to admit how they really did meet. That was and always would be none
of Dustin’s business.
“Maybe moving to Tucker Falls will help. At least I hope so.
Are you guys from Texas originally?”
“No, Georgia,” Marshall replied. “We just ended up in
Texas.”
“Great place to live. I just need to find my own place in
it, you know?”
Marshall nodded. “Yeah, I can understand that. Oh, don’t let
me forget to give you my email address.”
“I won’t forget,” Dustin promised. “You know something?”
“What’s that?” Marshall asked.
“Lee’s a damn lucky man.”
“And Lee knows it.”
Marshall heard Lee’s voice at the same time he felt his arm
around his waist, the brush of his lips across his head.
He couldn’t help but tingle at Lee’s touch.
“You’re both lucky,” Dustin said.
“Amen to that,” Denver agreed. He stood beside Dustin,
grinning at Marshall and Lee.
“Hey cuz, want to get a last drink or two?” Dustin
suggested.
“Sounds good to me. You guys coming?” he asked Marshall and
Lee.
Lee pressed more tightly against Marshall’s back, and
Marshall knew damn well the decision was his to make, and that Lee wouldn’t
squawk either way.
“I think we’ll catch up to you in the morning,” Marshall
said.
“Sounds like a plan. Want to catch breakfast here or
Galveston?”
“How about Galveston? We can meet you and get off the ship
together.”
“Okay, just text me in the morning. G’night, guys. C’mon,
Dust.”
“Night,” Dustin said, following his cousin.
“See you in the morning,” Lee said, as Marshall turned to
face him. “I take it you don’t want to go to the bar?”
“Nope. Hot tub, cold drinks and you sounds like the perfect
way to spend our last night,” Marshall said.
Lee grinned. “Then let’s do it.”
to be continued
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