I was walking to my car after football practice when I heard a scream out beyond the parking lot. I ran out onto the football field and found Jack Philips holding Shayne, our towel boy, with his arms pinned behind his back. Wyatt was in front, punching Shayne in the stomach.

"He's not gonna help you, faggot," said Jack, loosening his grip for a moment to smack him in the head.

"Yeah, queer," said Wyatt. "You think Bryce appreciates you drooling over his dick any more than we do? Huh?"

"That's right, faggot," said Jack, kicking him in the ribs. "You're just a useless little faggot."

His eyes pleaded with me. A small trickle of blood was running from the corner of his mouth.

If the guys were just beating him up because they were pissed off at him or something, I could've stopped them with a word. That's the power of the Alpha Male, and with Paxton safely under control, I was it. Shayne was a queer, though, and everyone knew it. I couldn't defend him.

"Shayne, being a fag is your business, but you're a dumb fuck, you know that," I said. "You check us all out while you're handing out towels. What did you think was going to happen? I'm surprised you haven't had your ass kicked before this."

"I'll tell the coach they did this to me," he said, "and I'll tell him you didn't help me, Bryce."

"Don't threaten me, you little fag! You tell Coach and I'll fuck you up myself. Besides, you think Coach Benson would do anything to me for not standing up for a worthless little cocksucker, do you? Maybe I should go back in and tell Coach you're a fag. He'd kick your ass out in a flash."

"Now, just take what you've got coming to you like a man, little fag, and maybe the boys will go easy on you. It looks to me like they're almost finished. If I was you, I'd keep my eyes to myself from now on, unless you get off on a good beating."

I went on my way, leaving Jack and Wyatt to their fun. Yeah, I know what you're thinking; I should have stood up for Shayne, because he's one of my own, right? Well, as far as I'm concerned, he created his own problems. If he couldn't keep his eyes to himself, he would just have to pay the price. Besides, if I went around sticking up for queers, I'd lose everything I had real fast and probably end up like that Oliver kid. Rumor had it that Paxton was involved with that, but I guess no one would ever know the truth. My only concern was to keep it from happening to me.

I shuddered when I thought about what had happened to Oliver Triplett. He'd been murdered a few months before. He'd been severely beaten, then lynched not far from the high school. The rumor had been that he was gay, although he had never been out, and didn't act gay or anything. Whoever had committed the crime had never been caught, and there were not even any reported suspects. Not that the cops really gave a shit about some faggot being killed. Hell, if the truth were known, most of the people in this town probably weren't all that upset either.

I went straight to work and found Carson there. He didn't look as if he'd been ill to me. He was positively glowing.

"Yeah, you really look like you're in pain. You look more like you just got laid."

"Well, I'm glad you showed up for work, otherwise I might have had to skip a workout."

"It was just a joke. Anyway, I think Jack and her really do have something going. You should have seen his face when the guys were kidding him about it."

The usual after school crowd was in. The sound of clanking weight plates and the whir of exercise bikes and treadmills filled the air. I looked around at the buff boys working out and felt a stirring in my jeans at the sight of flexing biceps and pecs. This was the perfect job for a gay boy like me, heaven on earth.

Wyatt came in about half past eight and hit the machines. He was as dedicated to working out as I was. Someone who braved the risks of steroids had to be. I wondered how he could afford them. I'd heard they were expensive. That was another reason to avoid them. I needed a new car, and I wasn't about to waste valuable funds on something stupid. Besides, I wanted to know that I and I alone was responsible for my body. Every time I looked in the mirror and flexed, I knew it was all me. If I did steroids, I'd have to share the limelight, and Bryce isn't big on sharing.

Wyatt liked to work out shirtless. Most of us build guys did. Wearing a shirt was wiser, it kept the muscles warm, but it just didn't seem right to be all buff and cover up the body I'd carved out with such great effort. He probably felt the same way, even though he'd cheated with steroids.

He might have taken a shortcut, but he still looked fine. His pecs were nicely shaped with a fine undercut, and his abs had great definition. He had beautifully muscled arms as well. I wished I had some way of telling if guys like him were hetro, bi, or gay. I could imagine some damn hot times with a guy like him. I grinned. I was going to thoroughly enjoy my time with Paxton and Wyatt after closing.

Paxton didn't come until nearly ten. He looked anxious and fearful, as did Wyatt by that time. I had a nervous feeling in the pit of my own stomach. I had everything set up, but now that it was coming down to it, I feared something might go wrong. What I was about to do to them would change everything and raise the stakes considerably. I reminded myself it was necessary, however. Paxton and Wyatt were probably wise enough to cut off the steroids. Once they did so, it was just a matter of time before all traces of them left their systems. Once that happened, I'd have nothing on them. It would be my word against theirs. I had to keep that from happening. Besides, there was a definite edge of excitement to what was about to go down.

I locked the doors at ten, left my prey alone for a moment, then returned and escorted them into the locker room. They looked about nervously. Wyatt swallowed hard.

"Stand here," I said, pointing to a spot on one side of the locker room. They followed my directions. "Now, take off your clothes," I ordered.

Paxton pulled off his shirt, revealing his magnificent, steroid induced torso. Wyatt followed suit. I feigned boredom as they stripped. There was no need for them to know how much I was enjoying the show. Rather, it was critical to keep them from discovering just how intensely it excited me to watch them peel off their clothes. Wyatt was hot, and Paxton hotter. I'd wanted Paxton since I was old enough to have pubes. Most of my fantasies revolved around him. I had to use all my self-control to keep my arousal from becoming obvious.

Once naked, I let them stand there for a moment. They looked vulnerable and ill at ease as they never had in the locker room at school. When you're built, appearing in public naked, at least within the confines of a locker room, holds no terror. Instead, it's a chance to show the world what you've got. This situation was totally different. Paxton and Wyatt's eyes betrayed the edge of terror that coursed through their bodies.

"What?" asked Paxton loudly. "No fucking way am I kissing a guy. What are you, some kind of fag?"

I took two quick steps toward him and belted him in the mouth. For a moment, he tensed ready to hurl himself at me, but then he remembered who was in control.

"If you ever call me a faggot again, I'll beat you senseless," I said, putting as much menace as possible into my voice, and, believe me, I'm capable of a shit load of menace.

"Sorry, I'm sorry," he said quickly, attempting to placate me. "It's just that… kiss him?"

They looked at each other, awkwardly drew together and kissed quickly on the lips.

"Okay, now do it right. Kiss each other as you would a girl, or a boy if one of you is gay."

They drew together again, wrapped their arms around each other, and kissed deeply and passionately. When they drew apart, they were both partly aroused.

They both turned a bit rosy. I had little doubt they were both straight, but making out tended to get teenage boys excited. I'd popped some massive boners while making out with girls, and I was most certainly gay. I reveled in Paxton's and Wyatt's sudden discomfort. I knew they were experiencing just the tiniest doubt about their sexual orientation. It was just what they deserved.

They each shot me a look of anger, which I ignored. I was in control, and what they thought of the situation was irrelevant.

"Now, each of you are going to blow the other. You both look like you could use some relief. Who wants to go first?"

"You don't have a choice," I said. "Or rather I should say your only choice is who goes first."

"I told you how things were. You've chosen to defy me, so it's time to end this. I'm turning you in."

He stepped up to Wyatt and got down on his knees in front of him. I almost couldn't believe it when he really did as he was told. My heart beat faster, and my breath quickened. I actually had to look away part of the time to keep from becoming to excited.

He nodded without removing his lips. I stood there and watched the hottest scene I'd ever witnessed in my life.

After Wyatt moaned and his entire body shuddered with release, Paxton stood and Wyatt took his place. Paxton's level of excitement was obvious. I knew it would fuck with his mind. Wyatt got to work quickly; no doubt he wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. Luckily for him, Paxton didn't take nearly as long to lose control. His loud moan soon filled the locker room. I watched as his entire body tensed and flexed. Wyatt dashed to his feet the second Paxton was done. They both looked properly humbled.

I walked over to a locker with a door that was slightly ajar, opened it, and pulled out my video camera.

"If you two continue to do as I say, nothing at all." I let the implications hang in the air. "I told you, I'm always one step ahead of you. My guess is that having failed to intimidate me, you've both ceased using steroids. Your plan is to clear them out of your systems, then turn on me." I held the tape up. "I have this now, so even if threats of turning you in won't keep you in line, this will. I'm sure neither of you would want your friends and family to get a look at what you just did."

If looks could kill, I would've been dead, but they both wisely remained silently.

"You can leave now, Wyatt. Paxton, you stay here. We've got some things to discuss."

I escorted Wyatt from the locker room and let him out the front door, relocking it once he was outside. I returned to Paxton.

He was seething with anger, but I knew I was safe. If he could have gotten away with it, I'm sure he would have jumped me in an attempt to get the tape. He knew I had the goods on him, however, and that I'd protected myself. If I hadn't taken steps to ensure my safety, he might well have killed me to silence me forever, but if I turned up dead or went missing, his steroid use would be immediately revealed. I had him cornered and he knew it.

"This part is just between you and me," I said. "We'll call it a demonstration of your submission. Get on your knees."

"You're going to do for me what you just did for Wyatt. I could use a little relief, and I want to make sure you know who's boss."

I grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him to his knees. I pulled out my dick and he got to work. He had no choice and we both knew it. It was my first sex with another guy. More than a few girls had done what he was doing for me, but this… this was a first.

I wasn't excited at the beginning. I'd willed myself to calm down so he would have no clue as to how much I wanted what was happening or how much I'd fantasized about it. He thought it was nothing but a show of dominance, and only I knew it was much, much more.

When I got close, I grabbed his head and wouldn't let him pull away. I made him take it. It was the most intense feeling I'd ever experienced in my life. It wasn't just the orgasm; it was the sense of power and control. I knew I could grow to like it. The fringe benefits of controlling Paxton were many and rewarding. He looked completely humiliated as he climbed to his feet and dressed. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

He followed me as I shut off the lights. I led him outside, then locked the door.

We went our separate ways. I'd feigned disinterest when he and Wyatt were following my orders, but the tape in my hands was my greatest treasure, and not just because it would allow me to control them. I'd dreamed about watching a couple of my teammates get it on and now I could do so again and again. I'd have to make copies or I'd probably wear the tape out before the end of the week. Before I made copies, I'd edit it to erase any hint of my presence and of reluctance on their part. When I was done editing, it would look as if Paxton and Wyatt went at it of their own free will. I felt a heady rush of power as I slipped the tape into my jacket and walked home.

I was late, but mom didn't say anything when I walked through the door. I sometimes had to stay late to clean up, so it wasn't out of the ordinary for me to get home a bit after eleven. She was sitting and watching TV. I felt kind of sorry for her. She didn't have much of a life and never went out. She worked at the library, but that could hardly be considered going out. My dad had run out on us two years before. He found himself an eighteen-year-old girl, if you can believe it! She was younger than my sister! It was a real blow to mom's ego. I wished she would start dating someone, but apparently, she couldn't find anyone of interest.

I was a bit shocked to hear the cheerful tone of her voice, but I was pleased to see her happy.

She shut off the TV and the living room lights as I made my way to the kitchen. I guzzled some milk from the carton, then went to my room.

It was just mom and me at home. My older sister, Janelle, got herself knocked up not long after dad left. Her timing couldn't have been worse. She had a big fight with mom and took off. I had a nephew, but I'd never seen him. We didn't even know where she was for a month, but then she called. She wouldn't talk to mom, but she told me she was living in California.

Her and I had always gotten along pretty well. That's probably what kept her from completely disappearing. She'd call once a month or so, always speaking to me instead of mom. That was fine with mom for several months, but mom began to soften. About six months ago, I became Bryce the diplomatic when mom asked if Janelle would talk to her. Once they started talking again, pretty much all was forgiven. Janelle was even supposed to come home for Christmas. I hoped it would happen. I'd missed her.

I took the tape out of my jacket and carefully hid it in my secret place, under a loose floor board near my bed. I was dying to have a look, but it was late and I had homework.

I'd did most of my homework at the gym, so I finished up in about half an hour, then climbed into bed. I was completely relaxed. I always felt that way after sex, and tonight one of my fantasies had come true, two of them actually; first watching Paxton and Wyatt together, then watching Paxton on his knees in front of me. He wasn't half bad for someone who'd obviously never done it before. He didn't know it yet, but he was going to get plenty of practice.

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Secrets

by Victor Thomas

Chapter 4