After much consideration I have decided to do a prequel to Now or Never. Field of Blooms is going to tell the back story of Austin and Eric starting with the summer before they enter their senior year of high school and ending where Now and Never starts off.
I would like to thank my dearest friend Ti for everything she has done for me. She is more than a Beta reader/Editor; she is my friend and confidant that I will forever hold dear to my heart. She has given me words of encouragement and every so often a kick in the butt to keep on writing. I want to thank her from the bottom of heart for looking over my work and being able to see inside me head and for a wonderful friendship I am glad to have.
All my stories are long, full of detail and dialog. So if you are looking for a quick read then this is not a story that's for you. This is a gay romance story so if that is not your cup of tea then turn away now. This chapter is the founding brick for this series of Now or Never so there is going to be a lot of plot building. Everyone in this story is 18 years or older and any likeness to any persons, places, or events is strictly coincidental. Now sit back, relax, grab a drink and enjoy the first chapter of Field of Blooms: The Beginning.
This story takes place in the summer of 2007 in a little town called Upper Deerfield, New Jersey.
It was the second week of June and school had just let out for the summer. The summer heat was in full blast and by eight in the morning the temperature had already reached eighty-eight. Austin, still being used to getting up early for school, had already gotten most of his chores done by the time his mom called around eleven.
"Hey Austin."
"Hi mom. How's work?" Austin asked as he poured a glass of cold water.
"It's very busy but I wanted to call and make sure that you are doing okay. The heat index today is supposed to be over one-hundred and ten."
"I had seen that on the news this morning. I have almost all my chores done and the only thing left to do is vacuum the pool."
"You can do that later in the day when it's cooler. It's too hot out and I don't want you to get heat stroke."
"Are you sure? It wouldn't take me long at all."
"I'm sure Austin. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and try to stay out of the sun."
"I will mom, I promise. Oh did you and dad talk about me going to that party tonight?"
"Yes we did. We think you are old enough to go. Austin, just please be careful."
"Thanks mom you guys are the greatest." Austin said as he hung up the phone.
The party Austin was going to was thrown by Eric Mason. The Mason family was very rich and predominate in the community; Eric was the most popular guy in the school. All the girls wanted him and guys wanted to be him. Austin was kind of surprised when Eric had invited him, even though they had been secretly dating for the past six months. Austin was out but Eric was not and with his status in the community he wasn't ready to make the grand exit out of the closet. At first Austin was hesitant about dating someone who was so deep into the closet but he really liked Eric and wanted to give it a try. Granted Eric's looks was what really caught Austin's eye at first. Eric was a football player for the school team and he stood 6'2" with broad shoulders, dark auburn hair, silvery grey eyes and a perfectly chiseled body that would make any guy jealous. Eric seemed like a hard ass in school but he was always nice to Austin anytime their paths crossed.
Even though his mother told him not to vacuum the pool, Austin would have felt bad going to the party and not finishing all his chores. He should have listened to her because soon after he started the heat became too much for him and he started to get dizzy but, not so wisely, soldiered on until the job was done. As he walked up the steps he could feel the world start to spin and just as he thought he was going to pass out he flopped on his bed. He turned his fan on, closed his eyes and let the humming of the fan blades calm him. It must have relaxed him more than he realized because when he opened his eyes he saw that it was much later in the day. He looked over at the clock and noticed it was almost four and the party was to start at six. Since Austin didn't have a car and his parents had to work late he was going to have to ride his bike. Austin knew that it would take him about a half hour to get there and he still needed to bathe and pick out clothes. After a quick shower he tried to figure out what to wear. He had never been to one of Eric's parties and wasn't sure what would be considered appropriate attire. Even though it was a pool party he didn't know if he should wear his bathing suit there or bring it and change into it later. He figured it would be easier if he just wore it. So he slipped on his red and white striped suit, white tank top and his favorite pair of red converse high tops. As he was walking out the door he left his parents a note letting them know he wouldn't be too late and that he did vacuum the pool.
It was only a few minutes into his ride that the sweat started dripping from Austin's forehead, so much for looking nice for Eric he thought as he peddled on. Relief washed over him as he turned onto Eric's road. Only five more minutes and he would be there. As he rode up to the driveway he noticed it was already lined with nice expensive cars and SUVs'. He really felt out of place as he walked his twelve speed past a few Mercedes and BMW's. After he propped his bike up he knocked on the door and waited, and waited. He knocked again. This time Mrs. Mason answered the door.
"What do you want?" She asked as she gave Austin a disgusted look.
"Hello Mrs. Mason. Eric invited me to the party.
She rolled her eyes. "It's around back, but you are not walking though my house. You are all sweaty and dirty."
"Sorry I had to ride my bike here." Austin said as he took a step back.
"I don't care." She said as she closed the door in his face.
Austin thought for a moment maybe he would just get back on his bike and go home but, before he could do anything, Eric came walking around the corner.
"Where do you think you are going?" He asked as he walked over to Austin.
Eric looked amazing. His tan skin looked perfect under a sheer white button down shirt paired with cream colored shorts and a pair of brown Calvin Klein flips flops. He had run some product through his hair giving it that messy but not too messy look.
"I've changed my mind. I don't think I should have come." Austin said as he started walking back to his bike.
"Why not?" Eric said as he stopped him flashing his perfect smile.
"Because this isn't the type of party I belong at."
Eric gave a confused looked.
"Eric, look at these cars and then look at what I have." Austin pointed to his bike.
"Austin it's a very nice bike." Eric tried to reassure him.
"Yeah but it's not a Benz or Beamer." Austin replied in a fake snooty voice.
"Why do you care so much about what other people drive? I didn't think you were all about material things."
"I'm not but I'm sure everyone is going to think I'm hanging out with you for your money."
"Does it really matter what everyone else thinks?" Eric asked as he placed his hand on Austin's shoulder.
Austin rolled his eyes. "No."
"Okay then. Come on and let's have a good time." Eric said as he started walking around the house towards the gate.
Just before they entered the gate leading to the backyard, Eric grabbed Austin, pushed him up against the wall and landed a passionate kiss on him. The heat of the kiss and the risk of being caught sent shivers down Austin's spine, causing his member to slowly wake up.
"Eric, stop before I get fully hard." Austin said as he broke the kiss.
Eric reached down and grabbed Austin's semi-erect cock. "Mmm. I'm going to have a taste of that before the night is over."
Austin loved when Eric would take control; nothing turned him on more. Austin had to fix himself before he entered the pool area. The last thing he needed was to walk into the party with a noticeable erection. Things were in full swing we he entered the backyard. There were people already in the water, lounging on pool floats while others were walking around with plates of food and red solo cups. As Austin looked around he noticed everyone else's attire, he was the only one who had on a red bathing suit. He was a little embarrassed feeling like he was sticking out like a sore thumb. Eric must have sensed it because he told Austin that he looked great and not to worry.
They both walked over to the buffet table to get something to eat and when Eric's jock friends came over, Austin slipped off to the side. Austin decided to play it low key and not hang around Eric too much. The last thing he wanted was anyone to start rumors that the queer was trying to seduce Eric. He found an empty chair and took his food over. From his safe vantage point, he watched the party goers as he ate some bland macaroni and cheese. For being a richy-rich party Austin expected the food to taste a lot better. Whenever his family had a BBQ his dad would always man the grill and everyone would bring a side of homemade food. He sat thinking that he couldn't wait for their 4
th
of July BBQ and hoped Eric would come.
While he was scanning the crowd he noticed Jennifer McCloud walk through the gate and his heart began to race. Jennifer was Eric's latest girlfriend. A small part of Austin had hoped that she wasn't going to show up but the rest of him knew better. He watched as she made her way over to Eric and wrap her bronzed, skinny arms around him. Austin's stomach sank as he watched her kiss him, Eric obviously had no intention of pulling back. Witnessing that little display, he had lost his appetite and Austin threw his food away. It was only moments before that Eric had him pressed up against a wall and was making out, but now he was watching him kiss that snooty, stuck-up Jennifer who had about as much personality as a snail.
Austin walked over to the drink table and poured some kind of red punch into a red solo cup. He glanced over and saw that Jennifer was still hanging all over Eric. "That slut," he thought to himself as he took a drink. The punch wasn't as bland as the food but it could have been way better. He needed something to calm him down. While he was glaring at Jennifer, wishing she would just shrivel up and blow away, a tall brunette girl walked over to him and introduced herself.
"Hi, I'm Becka." She said clearly trying to flirt with him.
"Hi, I'm Austin. Nice to meet you." He said, oblivious to her flirtatious attempts.
"I haven't seen you at these parties before. Are you new to the neighborhood?"
"I'm not from this neighborhood. I live over on Seeley road."
"Oh." Becka said realizing that Austin was from the country. "Well are you having a good time?"
"Just grand." Austin replied with a sarcastic smile.
"Is your last name Montgomery?"
"Yes it is. Why?" Austin asked trying not to sound cold.
"Oh so you are the one who's the queer!"
Austin broke his gaze and glared at Becka. "Yes that's right I'm the big queer that everyone talks about."
"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to offend you. I guess there really is no nice way to say you're the gay guy everyone talks about."
"I'm sure they call me a lot worse names than queer."
"People can be dumb and cruel. Don't let it bother you. To be honest if you didn't tell me I wouldn't know. You don't come across as gay at all. I mean you don't even really sound it. You have a little lisp but nothing that shouts hey I'm gay." She smiled.
"I think I'll take that as a compliment." Austin smiled.
