Happy Monday, everybody! I hope this morning found you safe and well. Story Orgy is here to make sure you get your week started off right.
But first, it's time for your weekly Story Orgy tidbits:
Tidbit #1:
The Story Orgy Goddess, brilliant writer and my amazing muse, Em Woods, is part of a scorching anthology titled His Hero, available from
Total E-Bound. You'll be glad you did. Her story, "Only Sam," is about a firefighter; and things get really heated up when he meets the owner of a restaurant. Can you say man in uniform...erm...toting a hose? Mmm... okay, moving right along.
Tidbit #2:
Your Story Orgy writers are up for an award and we need your help! We'd just love it if you would show your support and click on over to
Dawn Roberto's reading nook and vote for our Breathless Press anthology,
Word Play in the LRC Loop's Best of 2011 Contest!
Tidbit #3:
And did you make your way over to Breathless Press to download Lee Brazil's most recent tale, The Librarian? It was released on January 6th. Click here to get it now. You know what I always say – You'll be glad you did!
Tidbit #4:
I saved this tidbit for last. I want you to pay very close attention. Don't come to me next week saying I didn't tell you so. So, listen up *ahem*. Next week, your Story Orgy writers have something very special planned. We don't want to just spend the morning with you; we want to spend the whole DAY with you! Why? Well, let's just say it has something to do with our very first posts as a group. Think you know what it is? You'll want to check in right here on my site first thing next Monday morning to find out, and that's all you're going to get from me.
And once again, our exquisite beauty this week was contributed Story Orgy's very own by Jade Baiser. Pssst...I call her my princess *wiggles eyebrows*.
Alrighty! Whew! I think we managed to make it through all the good news and special announcements. I sure hope I didn't forget anything. Okay, on with the post. As you know, I alternate between long and short. Well, this week is a full length for me! Wait, did I say that right? Drop me a comment and let me know if you need any clarification.
And this week's Story Orgy prompt is: Something has been mail ordered and is going to be delivered today...what is it? what is it for? What happens?
Are you ready to see where the story goes with this? Remember, last week was a shorty. Feel free to go back and read it if you need to *wink*
Even Steven part 4
Steven saw his brother through the window of the coffee shop as he slammed on his brakes and laid on his horn. "I know that backpack anywhere."
"Where? I don't see him!" Braden's voice cracked with his excitement.
"Right there." Steven pointed. "Behind that tacky yellow paint that reads, A whole lot o' coffee pot."
"Ah. He must've heard you. Here he comes and he's running. Antonio's right behind him."
"Son of a bitch. What a fucking night." Steven rested his foot half on the brake pedal and half on the gas.
Danny jerked the rear car door open and dove into the back seat. “Go, go, go!”
Steven took off so fast the door slammed shut. Braden rolled down his window and yelled, "Fuck off, prick!"
"You tell him, baby." Steven couldn’t help but smile.
It didn't take long for Danny to chime in from the back seat. "Tell him hell. Get as far away from that psycho fucker as possible. You know that bastard said he's going to kill us all?"
"Just fuckin' great! Happy fuckin' New Ye-" Steven gripped the steering wheel harder.
"Steven, just calm down. We can call the cops or something." Braden's attempt at rational thinking was quickly shot down.
"Yeah, about that. He said you don't wanna do that. He supposedly has somebody you care about, Steven." Danny's voice teetered on the edge of concern being pissed off.
"Hostage?" Steven spoke to Danny's eyes framed in the rearview mirror.
"That's what he said." Danny spoke back.
"Who the fuck could he possibly have?” Steven slapped the steering wheel with the heel of his hand. "Okay. First things first. I'm taking you home, Danny. Don't tell mom or dad anything about this. I don't want them to worry."
"Don't worry? How am I supposed to–"
Danny's words stopped short when Steven narrowed his eyes and glared at him in the rear view mirror. Shaking his head and tossing his hands in the air, Danny mumbled, "Whatever. You’re the one that’s gonna be in an assload of trouble."
"C'mon, guys. Now's not the time for a sibling fall out. And, Danny, it would be a good idea if you kept your phone handy. Now, are there any more clues Antonio may have dropped while he was harassing you?" Braden slapped the dashboard as he looked over his shoulder.
"Actually, he did mention something weird. He said that Steven must keep his promise, or else."
"Or else what?" Steven peered into the mirror again.
"Well, that was when he said he's gonna kill us all."
"Like hell he is." Braden's words were clipped, unforgiving.
Steven drew a deep breath, remembering the text message USPS he'd received the day before. He still hadn't made it by his parents' place to pick up his package. "Hey, Danny. We're almost home. Do me a favor when we get there. Run inside for me? There should be package for me on the console table by the front door."
"Sure thing."
Steven turned the radio on low, trying to find some sort of distraction. If only for a few minutes. Braden and Danny didn't seem to mind the peace either. After several stop lights and a few turns with no sign of Antonio, Steven reached his parents' house. He turned his lights off and pulled into the drive. The sun was kissing the horizon in the distance, giving hope to a new day. Steven put the car in park and waited as Danny ran inside.
Danny didn't waste any time inside. Their parents had been putting their deliveries in the same place since the boys were old enough to get mail. He jogged toward the car, stopping short several feet. With a swift under throw, Danny sent the package spiraling through the air and Steven caught the small box through the window with ease.
Steven nodded his appreciation and put his car in reverse. "Thanks, bro."
Danny pointed at him, worry aging his youthful face by ten years at least, "Be careful." Then he turned and trotted back to the house, his shoulders hunched.
Steven turned to Braden and flashed an optimistic smile, putting his arm across the back of the seat – across Braden’s broad shoulders. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the regular way anyone would back up their car. While he was busy thinking, busy plotting how to steal another kiss, busy trying not to think of Antonio…Braden did it for him. All in one move.
Steven's knee locked as his foot pressed hard against the brakes, jerking the car to a stop. His breath was stolen by Braden's full lips, a perfect fit for Steven's eager mouth. All reserve was lost at that very moment. Steven knew he had to do what was necessary. And from the look in Braden's eyes as they parted, Steven could tell he knew it too. He put the car in park right then and there.
Stopped half in the driveway and half in the street, Steven white-knuckled the steering wheel. "Braden?"
"Yeah?"
Steven felt as though Braden's eyes could see right through him. All the way to his very soul. He swallowed hard, trying to force the lump from his throat. "This is serious stuff. And I completely understand if you–"
"What? Just tell me, Steven. What's wrong?"
Steven turned and cupped Braden's cheek, peering deep into his adoring eyes. "Nothing's wrong. Not a single thing." With the tick-tock of Antonio’s threat in the back of his mind, he realized he had to get moving. “Braden, I have something for you and I want to give it to you now. I wanted to give it to you on Valentine's Day, but I figured you could use a little pick me up right about now. You know, with my drama and all."
Braden's cheeks turned four shades of red. An interesting contrast against the backdrop made up of the paleness of the streetlight and the graduating warmth that spread out across the morning sky, Steven thought. He took Braden's hand, placed the box in the palm and looked deeply into his eyes. "I don't know if you have this one or not. I don't think you do. I can always exchange it. It's the one–"
Braden pressed his finger to Steven's lips. "Shh. You're doing that rambling thing again." His smile was no surprise. Steven has always gotten nervous during special moments. If Braden never said anything back in elementary school, Steven might not have ever known Braden liked him too. That's when they decided to be best friends for life.
Steven noticed that the sky was getting lighter as the rising sun brought on the new day. "Well, are you going to open it?"
Braden flashed a wide smile and tore into shipping box, only to have a smaller box slide out. Steven read Braden's lips as he read the box to himself.
Old Timer.
"A new knife for my collection. Thanks, Steven!" Braden slid the new knife from the box and rubbed it with his thumb. "And it's one I don't have yet!"
"Yes!" Steven fist pumped the air in triumph. "You have so many. I didn't know if you had that one or not."
Braden grasped Steven’s shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. "You're amazing. I couldn't ask for a better friend."
Steven tilted his head, pinning Braden's hand to his shoulder. "That's just it. We have been friends for a long time. I know we've played and kissed; but, I love you, Braden."
"Steven, I–"
Steven straightened his head and put his finger to Braden's lips. "It's my turn this time."
Braden closed his eyes and gave slight a nod.
Steven drew a deep breath and blurted his thoughts. "I have been planning to talk with you on Valentine's Day. But, that seems so far away all of a sudden. Antonio's bullshit has really got me thinking. I want more than just your friendship."
"I get the point, Steven." Braden's seriousness faded away as his smile broke the tension. "I've been thinking the same thing, but didn't want to risk ruining our friendship."
"Nothing could tear you away from me, Braden. Nothing."
Braden's lips locked with Steven's and they shared the same breath for what seemed like an eternity. But, given the way Steven felt at that moment, eternity wouldn't even be long enough.
Honk!
"You're still parked in the middle of the street!" Braden nearly busted a gut he laughed so hard.
"I think we may have a pissed off hamster on our hands." Steven chuckled and pulled the car back up into the drive so that the other car could pass.
Once the car stopped, Braden planted a kiss on the side of Steven's face and lightly slapped his thigh. "Let's go find Antonio and get your friend back. What d'ya say?"
Steven glanced at the sun as it peeked over the roof of his parents' house. "I think I know just where to start."
Steven shifted the car into reverse and eased out into the street again.
<<TBC>>
Sheesh! Those boys are having one helluva night. I hope they get some sleep soon. Now, let's go see what the other SO writer's came up with for their prompt this week. I don't mind going with you. Just follow me...and don't forget to meet me where next week?
HERE!
When?
First thing in the morning! *chuckles*
Now, let's go see the others... Click
