Story Orgy Monday: Even Steven part 12

 

Hello and Happy Monday, Story Orgy enthusiasts! Did you have a good weekend? Mine was busy busy busy! And it ain't over yet...I have lots more to do. Whew! Gimme some Wheaties!

Okay, this week's prompt, Even Steven part 12, is brought to you by...oh...wait...that's not right. Where am I? Oh, yes...yes, this week is my week for a full 1500-word prompt. I fell short by a few inches...erruh...hundred words I mean. But, I think it will serve its purpose. The prompt used to inspire my words is a quote – "I can't protect you from that." And that purty pic? Yay, you guessed it. Story Orgy's very own Princess of the Pics found that. Sure revs my motor, how 'bout you? *grin*

And now, I present to you...

Even Steven part 12

by

JR Boyd

The urgency in Braden's tone of voice was the only thing that disengaged Steven's blind fury. Not even the random outbursts of rhetoric from the gathered guests were enough to stop Steven's mental pain and anguish. As far as Steven was concerned, Antonio would never hurt anyone again. 

By the time Braden had reached Steven, Antonio was lying on the ground choking. Steven's mind was stuck somewhere between the satisfaction of seeing his abductor in pain and regret of him still breathing when Braden called again, forcing him to realize his foot was on Antonio's throat. A final yell from Braden, "Steven!" and he snapped back to reality, quickly drawing his leg back and stepping away. Just in time too. If he hadn't have moved, he would've been brought down by Antonio's reaching arm.  

"Steven, what do you think you're doing, sweetie?" Nora's concern was apparent in her inflection. She stepped forward in an obvious attempt to make peace before things got any worse. She always hated chaos. Why she was with that goon she was with was beyond Steven; but, he didn't hold that against her.

"I'm not sure, Nora." Steven responded, quickly following up with, "All I know is why." Walking around the length of Antonio's body, Steven spoke as if he'd prepared a speech. But, what he had to say was none too nice. Antonio didn't move a muscle. And Steven knew he didn't hurt that thick neck and hard head so much Antonio couldn't get back up. It was humiliation. That's what kept him down.

As Steven commenced to speak his mind, sharing his own embarrassment helped him over the final hump. Steven talked for at least twenty-five minutes, airing out his dirty laundry with his foot planted in the middle of Antonio's back. 

Braden stepped forward, taking Steven's hand. He said, "C'mon, babe," then guided him several yards away from Antonio. The aroma of the meat on the smoker floated on the breeze, reminding Steven of how hungry he was, and how Braden must've also been just as hungry. Steven's mind stopped entertaining the thought of Antonio as quickly as it had started. "We should really be going now." Steven turned to the small crowd with a raised hand, feeling proud as he curled his arm into Braden's awaiting stance.

Steven heard Antonio's taciturn grunts and mumbles as they walked off arm in arm. "I'm so proud of you." Braden said as he leaned in, touching his head to Steven's.  

Unsure of what he'd just accomplished, if anything, Steven slipped his fingers into Braden's back pocket, content in fact that he was tucked securely into Braden's side, and his heart.

***

Braden peered over the rim of the coffee cup, his eyes telling Steven everything he wanted to hear, but nothing that wasn't already known. 

"Steven honey, where have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you for days. Been worried sick. Worried sick I tell ya." Steven's mother walked through the dining room doorway, her finger waving in the air. 

 So, that's where I get it from. Steven cringed at his realization. "Hi, Mom. How're you and Dad?" 

"We're good. Just worried about you, dear."

 "Good afternoon, Mrs. Malone." Braden chimed in, tipping his head for Steven's mother. She has been kissing Braden's forehead since he was knee high to a grasshopper. 

"Worried sick–" 

"Alright, Mom. I'm sorry I didn't call. Please stop saying that. I'm okay." Steven interrupted, his stomach knotting as agitation rattled through his bones. 

"Oh, sweetie. Don't be disconcerted with me for caring." Mrs. Malone walked the long way around the table to greet Steven, her tennis shoes squeaking on the beige linoleum flooring. "You have dark circles under your eyes. You're not taking care of yourself. Braden? Do you know anything–"

"Mom, I did not come by so we could be put on trial. Where's Dad?"

"Don't you be curt with me, young man. You're not too old for me to bend over my knee you know." 

Mrs. Malone thwacked Steven on the back of the head. "I suggest you straighten it up. I didn't raise you to disrespect your mother like you're doing." 

What the hell? She's treating me like a teenager. "I thought maybe we could cook steaks on the grill this evening. Do you and Dad have dinner plans already?" Steven gave his best attempt to salvage the afternoon. 

"He went around the house after walking me to the front door. Oh, there he is." She smiled and waved at Steven's dad through dining room bay window. 

Braden chuckled as Mr. Malone walked by rolling up the garden hose. Not that Steven blamed him. His dad did have the cheesiest smile when he wanted to; his very own trademark. But what stole the show was when Mrs. Malone trotted across the floor yelling, "Yoo hoo," trying to wave down her husband."

"Okay, I've got to ask. Am I on Candid Camera?" Steven said with a breathy whisper. 

"I can protect you from a lot of things; but, I can't protect you from that." Braden snorted then disguised his laughter behind a fake cough. 

Steven waited until his mom closed the back door behind her before saying anything, but then he couldn't help himself. "Okay. What was that? Is she on medication or something?" 

"Your dad didn't look like he was hurting none too much neither." Braden added with a smile, "Which reminds me. Maybe we should freshen up before dinner."  

Steven watched Braden waggle his eyebrows, his eyes hinting with that certain I want you enthusiasm Steven has gotten accustomed to seeing over the years. It didn't take long for Steven to shift gears. 

Within a matter of seconds, Steven had stuck his head out the back door and told his parents he'd be back in a few hours with the steaks to throw on the grill, put the mugs in the sink and was jangling his keys.  

***

Braden unlocked the door to his apartment, put his arm around Steven's waist and guided him inside. With the shutting of the door, all remaining tension had vanished and Steven knew beyond a doubt that he would never be able to refute his love for Braden. His eyes locked with Braden's and the world stood still, silencing everything but the steady heartbeat pounding in his ears. Braden's lips moved to the words I love you as his hands attentively peeled away the pesky material that separated their skin. 

Steven mouthed the words I love you too, closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Braden's smooth chest, breathing in the sweet musky scent of his lover's skin. Steven melted into Braden, letting the moment take him over. Braden's body pressed tightly to his, guiding him to take a step. Steven walked across the living room and down the hall to the bedroom. The heat of Braden's skin against his set Steven on fire as his lover matched Steven's pace step for step, never letting their skin separate. 

Steven made love to Braden three times that afternoon before heading back to his parents' house for dinner. And he'd never been happier than he was then. Judging by the twinkle in Braden's eyes, he hadn't either. Braden emptied three drawers full of clothes onto the bed and said, "Let's go to dinner." 

"I'm ready when you are. But, why did you dump your clothes out all over the bed?" Steven asked. 

Braden said, "So, you'll have a place for yours."

H                                                                                          <<TBC>>

Well? What do you think about all this? I'm still ready to eat! But, I'm sure Steven and Braden got more than their share of chow time *ahem*. 

Wonder what the others wrote about? You can find them here...nice and easy like...c'mon, I'll go with you. CLICK...

Em Woods - http://authoremwoods.com/
Hank Edwards - http://hankedwardsbooks.com/hankerings/

Havan Fellows - http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/

Jade Baiser - http://jade-wetdreams.blogspot.com/

Lee Brazil - http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/

Story Orgy Monday: Even Steven part 11

Hidy hidy, e'erbody! Happy Story Orgy Monday, folks. I hope you all had a big dose of Irish this weekend; or, at least a generous taste *grin*. 

Now, let's talk about prompts for a little bit. Have you all been keeping up with Even Steven? I swear, that story has more twists and turns than a rabbit warren. I have a lil ol' shorty for part eleven. This is my week for a Hook Up. 

Without further delay, here's this week's Story Orgy Monday installment - Even Steven part 11. This week's inspiration is based on the prompt, Write about memories underfoot. And that picture of that purty guy? Yep, you guessed it. Story Orgy's very own Jade Basier. Damn, she has good taste! Gotta love some Jade. 

Okay...here we go. Enjoy!

Even Steven part 11

by

JR Boyd

Steven sat quietly, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Resentment seethed in the pit of his stomach. His heart wrenched at the slightest thought of Anthony. But he had to shut the door to the past. He needed to let go of the shame Antonio had made him feel. The violation poisoning his mind.

"Damn them for letting him out of jail." Steven ranted. Now, I've gotta do what I've gotta do.

Without so much as a glance in Braden's direction, Steven exited the car, shifting in and out of the cars with a fluid like motion. Braden's calls didn't even slow him down. They only drove him faster.

I've just got to.

Each step was a flashback of Steven's living nightmare, memories that circled him like a pack of malign spirits. He went around the side of the house making a beeline for the noise, for Antonio.

He's sitting. This is good.

Apart from a few gasps and a single shriek, not a word was said. Steven stalked up behind Antonio. This was the moment where Steven came to the crossroads in his life, his defining moment.

Steven squeezed tightly, feeling warmth spread like wildfire down his arms, throughout his hands.

"Surprise." Recollections of Antonio's New Year antics burned up the last of Steven's self-control. The longer Steven clenched Antonio's windpipe, the better he felt. Each jaded memory flipped through Steven's mind like a CD changer, discarding the painful memories Antonio left in his wake.

"Steven!"

<<TBC>>

Way to go, Steven! I hope someone was recording that. Talk about memories underfoot...whew! Okay, now for the other SO stories. Ready to see what the others wrote this week? C'mon, let's go. And don't look at me like that. We do this every week. Now click... *chuckles* seriously though, if you want some really good reads, follow the links below.

Em Woods - http://authoremwoods.com/
Hank Edwards - http://hankedwardsbooks.com/hankerings/

Havan Fellows - http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/

Jade Baiser - http://jade-wetdreams.blogspot.com/

Lee Brazil - http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/

Story Orgy Monday: Even Steven part 9

Good morning and Happy Story Orgy Monday! I have a lil ol' shorty short Hook Up for you today. But first, I have two tidbits to share with you. And, guess what! I'm just gonna move this puppy right along *grin*.

Tidbit #1 – Yeah, baby! I'm freakin' stoked about this one. I know, I know...I'm still yapping about it. But it IS another Story Orgy antho. Well, if you haven't heard yet, Story Orgy is going on a Road Trip. I selected my prompt from a whole list of goodies. Much thanks goes out to Story Orgy reader and prompt winner Scot Adams. His suggested prompts jumped right off the screen at me. They are - college student botanist—creek in the middle of woods in Mississippi—creek or woods is haunted - Thanks, buddy! I can't wait to get our story on paper. 

*For more information about Story Orgy or the other winners, you can hop on over to the Story Orgy Blog.

Tidbit #2 – Ha! It's actually two different ones, but who's counting *chuckles*. Okay, real quick...ready? Em Woods' new release Convincing Symon and Lee's Loving Eden. W00t! Now, you have plenty of reading to do hee hee!

Movin' right along...we're ready for part nine of Even Steven. Hey! Are you over there licking your monitor? *sigh* I know. That guy is pretty yummy, huh? We can thank Story Orgy's very own Jade Basier for that slice of Heaven. 

Annnnnnnd...this week's prompt is; well, it's quite interesting actually - In a bit of magic, your character gets to relive one birthday...

Alrighty then...let's do this!

Even Steven part 9

by

JR Boyd 

Steven strained to see the blurry image in front of him. His vision grayed and his head pounded. The smell of dirt was overwhelming, suffocating. "Braden?" Steven mumbled.

"Shhh."

Steven would recognize that hush anywhere. Unable to muster any more energy, Steven closed his eyes and his body went limp.

"Mommy, where is everybody?" Steven said with his nose pressed to the screen door.

"Braden's mom just called, sweetie. They'll be here shortly. Now, stop leaning on that door before the latch comes undone" Steven's mother tied the last balloon, letting it float to the floor.

Steven turned his back to the door, sad eyes behind a pool of tears. "What about Donny, Randy and Nora?"

"Oh, sweetie." Steven's mother knelt, kissing his forehead. "Nora should be here shortly. Don't cry. It hurts mommy to see you cry."

 Crunching of gravel echoed in the driveway and Steven spun around, socks slipping on the freshly waxed floor.

"Don't you get them socks dirty." Steven's mother called out through her laughter.

Steve launched off the front porch as Braden flung open the car door and they both hit the ground running. Steven chased Braden around the yard, laughing so hard his cheeks hurt. “You made it!”

“You thought I wouldn’t?” Braden stopped running.

"I'm right here, Steven, right here." Braden's words were measured, loving, forcing Steven's eyes to open.  Around him lay some rope and inches away Braden's eyes shimmered behind a smiling smudged face.

"What happened?" Steven asked, rubbing his head.

<<TBC>>

Aww...I love those childhood memories. And that Braden boy has always been a cutie I reckon. Mmm...sounds good to me. Get him Steven!

Have you been to the other SO writers' blogs? It's easy peasy to get there. C'mon, I'm going now. We can go together...

Em Woods - http://authoremwoods.com/
Hank Edwards - http://hankedwardsbooks.com/blog/

Havan Fellows - http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/

Jade Baiser - http://jade-wetdreams.blogspot.com/

Lee Brazil - http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/

Story Orgy Monday: Even Steven part 8

Whoo hoo! It's another beautiful Story Orgy Monday! I hope all is well for you out there in your individual worlds. This week I have a full-size treat for you *grinning* . But before peek into Steven's world, let's rehash a little bit of opportunity for you, the Story Orgy enthusiast.
Remember that contest that's still going? Send your ideas for Story Orgy's ROAD TRIP. Here's what you do:

person

(no proper names please—give us a fighting chance *giggles*)

destination

(can be proper or not…hehe)

disaster

(something to throw this road trip in a tizzy…be creative!)

Send your prompt idea (one per person, please) to storyorgy(at)ymail(dot)com…and March 1^st we’ll be picking the prompts that scream our names! Pssst...March 1^st is right around the corner. Don't let it sneak up on you.

Oh! And my muse... Em Woods has another release! Make time to click on over to Total E-Bound to get your copy of Em's latest, "Convincing Symon". You'll be glad you did.

Alright then! Now with that all said and done, are you ready to catch a glimpse at Steven and Braden? If you missed last week's prompt, you will want to go back and catch up. This week's prompt is – Write about a secret revealed.

Even Steven part 8

by

JR Boyd

"Braden, you're my best friend and I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that, right?" Steven's heart lurched into his throat at the thought of what he was going to say. 

Damn it! I should've told him sooner.        

                                                                               

Braden’s stare grew dark. His brows drew close together and his eyes turned stormy. Tension filled the air, constricting Steven's lungs. Steven would've done anything to keep from shattering the safe harbor they’d found with each other in the last few hours. He knew now how deep Braden's love for him ran. Even though the feeling was mutual, Steven simply carried too much shame to accept that it would sustain them through what was to come. 

Braden released a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. "Steven, we're here." His eyes popped open. "Spit it out if it’s that important."

Braden's mild outburst was nothing compared to what was about to happen and Steven couldn't postpone it any longer. The radio playing in the background suddenly changed, startling Steven. And Braden too, judging from the way his head jerked when the music turned into that confusing sound of the rolling dial when trying to find something on the radio.

"Whoever's out there is either bored or they want us to know they're there." Braden glanced around before slapping his hand against the car door, then gave the handle a tug. Quick as a whip, Braden flicked the door open and swooped his hand to the ground, snatching up a stick that had fallen from the nearby elm tree. Braden slammed the door, fished his new knife from his pocket and pulled the longest blade from its two-tone casing. 

Well, I guess my secret will either make or break any chances of me having a future with him. Steven watched Braden slide the knife blade down the stick as wood shavings fell to his floorboard. Smooth strokes left clean wood. Maybe this could be like that, leaving a clean place for them to start.

"He raped me. Antonio fucking raped me, Bray." Steven clamped his trembling bottom lip between his teeth as his eyes welled up with tears. Braden's face looked distorted and blurred until the tears spilled over, restoring his vision. The cold fury on Braden's face made the knots in Steven's stomach tighten more. Steven had only seen that look on Braden's face one time before – when Braden found out that Antonio had roughed him up in the first place. Steven's seventeenth birthday party.  

A clenched jaw and fiery eyes was all Steven could see. Braden's muscles worked overtime as he sat in the passenger seat, silent as a stone. Steven didn't know what was going through his friend's mind, but he did know whatever it was couldn't be good. Especially considering Braden's anger when he'd only thought Steven was not only beaten by Antonio, but raped too. Braden's gaze darted across the dry stretch of land to their right and remained that way until Steven found own gaze drawn to the hill in the not-so-far distance. Nothing there except blue sky. That’s when Steven realized Braden was avoiding looking at him.

"I wanted to tell you. I really did. But, it just hurt too damn much, you know?" The ache in Steven's stomach gave way to nausea. “It’s fucking embarrassing. It shouldn’t have happened to me. I should have been smarter. Faster.” 

"Let's see what that mother fucker does to me." Braden's nostrils flared as he flipped the whittled stick onto the floorboard and closed his knife. 

"No, Braden. There's still more you need to know."Despite Steven's yell, there was no stopping him. Steven called again and again through the car door that Braden left wide open. "We don't have time for this, Braden. Come back!"

But Braden was gone. He’d disappeared into the glare of the sun.

"Damn it to hell!" Braden pounded on the console before flinging the car door open and making a mad dash into the field. I've got to catch him. Can’t let Antonio have him.   

Steven ran, measuring his stride. He had made that mistake last time, and had run out of breath and couldn't go any further. That's how Antonio had caught up with him at the tree beside the road. Even thinking about it pushed Steven's anxiety through roof. He kept running."Braden." Steven called, drawing out the name for as long as he air in his lungs. He crested a small rise, startled that Braden was nowhere in sight. He stopped, bracing his hands on his knees, his breath loud in his ears. 

He took a step toward the farmhouse he could now see in the distance, then pulled up short at a harsh shushing sound to his left. "Who's there? Show your face you oversized muscle head–"

"Over here. Hush up." The breathy undertones scared the hell out of Steven. He jerked his head in the direction of the sound and saw Braden hunkered down in the neglected dry grass from the previous year. 

"Get down. Now." Braden insisted. 

Steven dropped to his knees, heart pounding in his chest. Flashbacks of his abduction flooded his mind. The same smell of parched dirt, the blinding sun, suffocating heat clogging his lungs. Steven bent over, one arm instinctively covering his head.

"Steven. C'mon, snap out of it." The touch of Braden's hand on his shoulder startled Steven. The urgency in his voice worked like smelling salts, snapping Steven back to reality. He opened his eyes to see Braden inches away. 

"I must've blacked–"

"Shh. Listen to me." Braden's finger lay softly on Steven's lips. "I saw Antonio walk across the field. There's a shed right over there. He went in there."

"Braden, that's what I was trying to tell you back at the car. His family practices some sort of dark magic. That's not a shed." Steven turned to point, his eyes fixed on the hill. Blinking back the terrifying memories of his time here, Steven looked back toward the car. "If you've trusted me, ever, you've got to trust me now. We're dealing with more than Antonio here. This land harbors pure evil." 

"What?" Braden's face scrunched in confusion. 

I’m not getting this out right, Steven thought. 

"Steven. Hey, babe. You've got to stay with me. Better yet, stay ahead of me. You seem to be the only one who knows what the hell is going on." 

Braden's patience was obviously running out. But there was only one other thing Steven could think of that would be more detrimental. Steven rose to his feet, guiding Braden to stand with him. With renewed confidence, he replaced his whisper with his normal tone."Braden, there are tunnels all through that hill. That shed is one of the entrances to the underground."

"Like a secret society?" Braden's interest was written all over his face. He wanted to know more.

"You can say that I guess. Don't remember all the details, but I do know I was wanted really bad by Antonio. He found ways to control my body, but I never gave him my heart." 

"But you loved him." Braden said, looking at the hill with Steven, confused.

"No. Not like that. Never like you. And once I learned of his evil family and their rituals, ceremonies or whatever you wanna call them, I wanted away. They're fucked up. That's all I can say." 

"Fucked up, huh?" The brusque voice came from behind him, setting Steven's heartbeat racing. 

"Where did you come from? You sorry piece of shit," Braden growled as he maneuvered his way between Steven and Antonio.

"I have a feeling we're about to find out." Steven muttered under his breath. He scanned the area, looking for any place Antonio could have crawled out of."C'mon. Enough chitchat. This ain't social hour." Antonio chuckled. “Well, I guess it could be.”

"What a fuckin' derelict." Braden shifted slightly closer to Antonio and Steven recognized his fighting posture.

"You won't be sayin' that for long. " Antonio raised the barrel of a shotgun he had hidden at his side. "You too, piss ant." The end of the gun jerked off to the side as Antonio pointed with it. 

"Oh fuck. Don't tell me." Steven took the first steps, sure of what he was about to see. A dark hole in the ground with a large sheet of plywood slid alongside. Steven looked at Antonio. "How in the hell did you tunnel all the way out here? The hill is way over there." 

"Keep movin', pretty boy." Antonio nudged Steven's ass with the gun barrel. 

"Don't touch him, dickhead," Braden said. 

"Ahh, a little bit more that friends are ya?" Antonio was calm. So Steven thought. ”Don’t worry, honey. I’ll make sure you see the whole show this time when I fuck him.” 

Steven decided to focus on what was ahead of him, instead of what was behind him. After 20 paces- he kept count this time - he reached what appeared to be the flooring of a small chamber with a single small entrance in the dirt wall. 

"Don't stop until I say so." Antonio ordered.

"It's dark. I can't see where to go." Steven said. 

"Nice try. Don't act like you've never been here before. Keep going." The commands Antonio kept spouting suffocated Steven even more than the confines of the small cave. 

"Steven?" Braden's uncertainty echoed through Steven’s head. 

"What?" Steven whispered.

"Have you been here before?" Braden's curiosity struck a nerve, sending balls of fire pinging from one synapse to another.

"Shut the fuck up. You'll have a chance to talk soon enough." Antonio's words lingered in the forefront of Steven's mind. 

Soon enough? What the fuck does that mean? Have I been here before? Steven was glad Antonio didn't want any one talking; finally, a minute for Steven to take in his surroundings. There was something burning in his mind, but he couldn't quite figure it out. 

The dark, motionless air smelled of pure earth. The only thing Steven could see was the palest of lights penetrating the blackness, guiding him. But Steven didn't remember this particular tunnel. Though, they probably all looked the same in the dark.

Steven stepped faster and faster as he closed in on the light source, whatever that was. He heard Braden's footsteps hasten behind him. And then a scuffle. Steven didn't have time to say anything. He didn’t even have time to turn around to see what the commotion was. All he could do was watch as the dim glow in the close distance grew dark.  

<<TBC>>>

Hmmm...I sure hope Steven can see the light soon. Sheesh. Now, let's go take a gander at the other Orgy posts...just follow me...

Em Woods - http://authoremwoods.com/
Hank Edwards - http://hankedwardsbooks.com/blog/

Havan Fellows - http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/

Jade Baiser - http://jade-wetdreams.blogspot.com/

Lee Brazil - http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/