Between the Brothers

CHAPTER 20: DEFINED

There's a moment in life we all hope for. We all aim to reach it. It's that moment when we finally get everything we've hoped for, prayed for, or worked for. It's all right there staring you in the face. I never thought about what would happen next when you finally had it in front of you.

Do you simply take it and run off into the sunset, living happily ever after, like in a Disney movie? Or is there more? What if you freeze? Does the opportunity pass you by and never come back?

I had it all facing me. My gallery was open, my podcast was successful, and I was happy and no longer bound by my past. The only thing missing was romance and love. Now, here they were on my opening night, singing to me. Yet the only thing I could think about doing was running away.

"Son," my dad called to me.

I could feel everyone in the room staring at me. Then, there were the eyes of the two brothers who had stolen my heart. Ryan's big eyes were full of hope and longing. He was longing for me.

Then there was Cameron's eyes. The eyes that had broken my heart. They were filled with desire and compassion. How could I trust those eyes again? I wanted to trust. I needed to trust.

Cameron said, "I know I broke your heart, and for that, I'm sorry. Please let us put it back together."

My heart was already put back together. He was too late. I didn't need him like I needed him before. I didn't need either one of them, to be honest. I was whole again.

"Come back to me, beautiful," Ryan called out.

I switched my focus to Ryan. My gorgeous, kind, caring, and selfless cowboy looked deep into my eyes. He didn't say anything else. The quietness between us sucked me into his orbit. It was in his quietness I found warmth, safety, and, above all, love.

It clicked! I didn't need them, and that was how I knew I could be with them. I wanted them instead, and that gave me strength, confidence, and courage. I diverted my eyes back to Cameron.

He stood there fully exposed, emotionally. It was remarkable and beautiful. I could see his growth, and I wanted to see more and know more. I was ready to love.

"If you want me. You have to catch me, I playfully said.

The two brothers looked at each other with confusion. I turned and ran for the exit door. Then I heard my mother yell.

"Don't just stand there. Chase him!"

I ran outside and began to run down the street. As I ran, I could hear the loud music playing. Someone was blasting Ed Sheeran's "Castle on the Hill." I looked back, and my heart burst with joy when I saw they were both chasing me and smiling.

Hearing the music in my ears, I couldn't help but get lost in a fantasy. A fantasy that had the chance to become a reality. I could see myself running through a field of Cherry Trees in bloom with both brothers by my side. The world was at my feet, and I had both of them on my arms. Late-night pillow fights and sex till dawn seemed possible. I could see us in a Porsche with the top down driving along the coast, the wind in our hair and love in our hearts.

I ran for nearly two blocks when I felt a strong grip on my arm. I knew that touch. It was Cameron. He spun me around. Both brothers were breathing hard but happy to have caught me. No one was happier than me, though. I had success, and now I had them to share it with. Most importantly, I had love.

"We caught you," Ryan said out of breath.

"Took you long enough," I playfully responded.

"Now what," he asked.

Cameron, in his true form, took the lead and went for what he wanted. He kissed me with his entire heart and soul. My knees went weak as his lips touched mine. Two years later, the man could still make me feel like a high school girl. Damn!

"I love you, Mar," he said with sparkling eyes.

"I love you too, Cam."

I extended my hand to Ryan and pulled him to me. Ryan had this way of just being himself that made me forget about everything. He was a treasure that I had almost lost, and I was forever grateful that I didn't.

I said, "I'll never hurt you again. You're my cowboy."

He rested his forehead against mine. We held each other's hands. For a moment, we didn't say anything.

He softly said, "You have the rest of our lives to show me just how much you'll never hurt me again."

I liked the sound of spending forever with them, so with those words, our lips met. As we kissed, I felt his passion for me. He was on fire inside. I freed one hand and reached for Cameron. I pulled him into the kiss, and we all exchanged our first three-way kiss. It felt like we were on fire. The world could watch us burn, and it wouldn't matter as long as we were burning together.

AUTUMN

Ryan had been nagging us for weeks to do it. We gave him a hard time, but there was no way we weren't going to do it. The fall was his favorite season, and now that we were doing it, I could see why he loved it.

We were walking through the trees, taking in the New England scenic route of fall foliage. The various colors of the leaves were spectacular. It was like seeing a whole new world through the same eyes but with a different outlook.

Cameron and I walked side by side as Ryan walked ahead of us, taking in the splendor of nature. The wind started blowing, and leaves began to rain down on us. Ryan stood in the middle of the clearing with his arms stretched out, spinning around in slow motion. He looked happy and beautiful.

Smiling, Ryan asked, "Aren't you guys glad we came? It's beautiful, right?"

I responded with, "You're beautiful, and this is pretty great."

Cameron took my hand. I looked at him, and he smiled at me. We ran hand in hand over to Ryan, and then we all huddled together and moved in a circle, smiling and laughing as nature and her splendor bathed us in life. Something about being outside in such wonder made me take a moment to reflect on everything I had in my life and how I never wanted to let any of it go.

"Will you guys be my boyfriends," I asked.

Ryan laughed, "Aren't we already?"

"Shit, I thought we were. This whole time, I could have been out dating other people," Cameron said playfully.

I tackled him to the ground onto the pile of leaves. Ryan jumped on my backside. We lay like that under the sun, wrapped in the breeze, and surrounded by the colorful leaves for the whole afternoon.

"I'll be both your boyfriends if you both will be mine," said Cameron as he stroked my face.

"You're my boyfriends, "Ryan said as he kissed my neck.

My heart melted, and I smiled and said, "I'm the happiest I've ever been because I have two incredible boyfriends."

WINTER

Fall may have been Ryan's favorite season, but winter was mine. Winter brought Christmas, and that was by far my favorite holiday. It was always a joyous and festive time, and being with Ryan and Cameron made it all the more joyous.

As we walked through the neighborhood, I admired the lights and decorations on each house for the holiday. I made it my business to point out which ones I thought were the best. The three of us moved in sync, dressed in winter white like damn snowmen.

Randomly, Cameron said, "I think we should buy a house so you can decorate for Christmas, Mar."

Ryan and I stopped walking. We turned and looked at Cameron. His face was serious. He was serious about it. I hadn't expected him to say that.

Ryan asked him, "Are you sure about that?"

Cameron thought for a second and then responded with, "Life is short, you know, and we're all in love here. So yeah. I'm serious!"

"You don't think it's too soon," I asked.

"No. We're end game. I don't want to be scared about the three of us anymore," Cameron said as he placed his gloved hand on my cheek lovingly.

I stammered, "O-o-ok."

"Yeah," he asked.

"Yeah," I said with a smile as bright as the Christmas lights.

"Yeah," Ryan asked. He needed to make sure I was sure.

I turned to him and replied, "Yeah." He could see the truth in my eyes, and that relaxed him.

Ryan smiled, "Okay, I definitely have to get a career now."

I chuckled, "You're in the military."

"I want to be closer to home and you two always. If we're going to build a family, I want to be there. I don't want to miss anything."

"Then let's get you a career," I said.

Cameron shouted, "In the meantime, I'm making a snow Angel."

He fell backward into the snow and started to make a snow Angel. Ryan wrapped his arms around me from behind. He pulled close and tight and rested his chin on my shoulder. The feel of his body and heat melted the ice that I felt from the cold.

In my ear, he said, "White looks good on you.

I smiled and replied, "I know!"

I ran over and fell on top of Cameron. He pretended to be in pain, but I quickly hushed him with a kiss. Ryan fell on my backside, and we all started to laugh. Those were the moments that defined us the most.

Cameron strained, "You fuckers are trying to crush me."

Ryan quickly said, "Every night!"

SPRING

With spring comes a change of things. My grandmother would say, "April showers bring May flowers!" We found ourselves arguing about the silliest of things. We couldn't decide on paint colors, themes, or where to have dinner.

We were in the living room of the house we purchased, painting. She was a fixer-upper. Ryan hated it. Cameron loved it, and oddly enough, for some reason, I loved it as well. I could see the beauty waiting to be unleashed. Ryan said it was because I always wanted to see some good in even the worst people.

We were painting in silence. We had been arguing so much that we just preferred to keep quiet around one another. The silence, though, was worse than the fighting and arguing. At least then, we knew what the other one was thinking.

I bent down to dip my brush back in some paint. A mouse ran across the room. I screamed like a little girl and shouted, "Mouse." The two of them turned at the same time, and in some kind of way, Cameron's paintbrush ran across Ryan's face.

"Got damn it, Cameron," he shouted.

"It was an accident!" Cameron said with a slightly elevated voice.

Ryan didn't believe him. He let it be known by saying, "Accident, my ass!"

Cameron hissed, "Oh, calm down, Ry! Stop being such a bitch all the time."

"Calm down?" That was not the best way to get Ryan to calm down when he was upset.

Cameron turned his back. Ryan politely picked up the can of paint. Ryan had a hack for being petty when he wanted to be.

"How's this for calm bitch baby," he asked as he poured all the paint over Cameron's head.

He dropped the empty paint bucket on the floor. I couldn't believe my eyes. Cameron slowly turned around. He was in complete shock, for the most part, I think. He looked like a melted marshmallow, and for some reason, I found that hilarious. I tried to keep from laughing, but it just came out.

"You think this is funny? I'm covered in white paint, and you're laughing, Mar."

"It matches your skin, though," I said with a laugh that made Ryan chuckle as well.

"Let's paint you a white face then," he said as he came near me with the paintbrush.

"Don't put that in my hair, Cameron," I said with a lack of firmness.

"It's in mine, Marcus!" His voice was loud and thunderous almost.

I ran, and he chased after me. I didn't get far before I felt it hit me in my back. He had splattered me with the other can of paint. Of course, it got in my dreads. Yes, I was upset, but it was also funny.

"Well, the paint is gone, and we have rodents. I hope you two are happy," Ryan said bitterly.

Cameron yelled, "Give it a rest, Ryan!"

"Don't yell at him, Cameron! You can get your point across without raising your voice." We were all being snippy with one another.

Ryan snapped at me, "I don't need you to defend, Marcus!"

"Fine," I snapped back.

"Fine," he said back at me.

"Okay then, Ryan! No need to keep saying it." I was not willing to let him have the last word.

We all took a seat without saying anything. Time passed us by, and the longer we sat there, the more annoying it all became.

Ryan said, "I'm stressed out. I have two more years in the Navy. They sent me orders. I'm going to Asia this summer for six months. What if you realize you don't need me while I'm overseas? I'm scared you guys won't love me anymore, romantically."

"Two years we all weren't together, and we never stopped loving each other. We aren't going anywhere. We are stuck together in this relationship till the end of time," I said.

Cameron smiled at Ryan and said, "We love you, Ry. The two of you made a deal all those years ago that it was all three of us or nothing at all. You'll be gone, but still be a part of this. Don't think for one second we won't miss you or long for you. Nothing will change between us. NEVER! Ya hear?"

Cameron had grown and matured so much. Hearing him be so vulnerable like that with Ryan was such a powerful turn-on. It made me love him even more, and I didn't think such a thing was possible to feel.

"Nothing will change," I seconded. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

Cameron then said, "I was gonna wait and say something, but I guess now's as good a time as any. I picked a name for the river I found. I'm calling it The Camari (Kuh-Mah-Re) River.

"Camari," Ryan asked, dumbfounded.

Cameron nodded his head, "Yeah, for Cam, Mar, & Ry. Camari River."

We then understood. It was all our nicknames combined together to form one word. It was the most beautiful gesture he could done.

SUMMER

Summer had arrived, and it was Cameron's favorite time and season of the year. Our home renovation was moving along just fine. The three of us were thriving in our relationship. It was going along better than most people would have thought. Ryan was going to be leaving for Asia for six months soon, and that was a bit scary.

We had done all we could to reassure him that nothing would change between us.

Despite our words, I knew he was worried. I was also concerned that he would go out there and find someone else. Fears were real and present, but love gave me the strength and courage to believe in us and know he was coming back to what the three of us had built.

I was sitting on the sand watching Cameron surf. We had all taken a vacation to a tropical hideaway. Ryan came and took a seat next to me. We exchanged glances. We searched each other's eyes, looking for hidden truths.

"I'm coming back to you guys," he said.

"I know. Doesn't mean I don't want you to go," I said back to him.

"Marcus, you and Cameron are my life. I can't explain it, but I feel things for you that scare me and excite me. I want to marry you. I want you to always be mine. You don't have to say anything right now. I just want you to know where my heart and my mind are at."

I couldn't find any words. Ryan and I were connected in a way that was terrifying and uplifting. I also had this deep, passionate connection with Cameron. No words could ever be enough to explain. Ryan pulled me into a kiss. Our lips found each other like magnets. As we kissed, his hands moved down the front of my chest, sending jolts of electricity through my body.

He pulled my swim trunks down and took my cock into his mouth. His lips felt amazing and deeply sensual. My breathing grew deep, and I closed my eyes and let him have his way with my dick. He took his tongue and rolled it around the length of my shaft before sucking on the head only. His mouth was like a warm home that I loved to visit.

"Fuck, Ry. It feels so good," I moaned out.

"Call me cowboy, baby," he said as he took my cock deeper down his throat.

"Cowboy," I uttered in total bliss. He had me feeling like the happiest man alive.

He swallowed me down to the base. His index finger ran along my taint and then between my cheeks. My heart felt like it was fluttering. He moved up and down the length of my shaft faster. Ryan knew his way around a cock. He especially knew his way around mine.

"Am I invited to the party," came Cameron's voice.

When I opened my eyes, Cameron was standing there fully naked. The glow of the sun had wrapped around him, making him appear like a god. His cock was fully aroused, and he was pinching on his perfect pink nipples and giving me those "come fuck me" eyes. Those eye fucks always made me wet and horny. Ryan pulled off my cock, causing it to make a pop noise.

"Always invited, big brother," Ryan said in a sultry tone.

Ryan and I crawled over to Cameron. Ryan took hold of Cam's cock first and sucked the head of it. He pulled off the cock, and then I took it into my mouth. I sucked on it, taking it down to the base. I then passed it back to Ryan. Ryan put it back in his mouth. As Ryan moved his head back and forth on Cam's massive cock I moved under him and began to lick his balls. Cameron let out a mighty moan.

Cameron hissed, "Fuck yeah. Lick my balls, baby."

Ryan and I shared a nasty kiss, and then we both started to slurp and slob all over Cameron's cock. Our tongue traveled up his inner thigh and along his huge and heavy balls. He moaned and ran his fingers through our hair. Both of us took a side of his shaft, opened our mouths, and stuck out our tongues. Cameron moved his hips like he was fucking. His shaft moved back and forth across our lips and tongues.

Each time he moved, it caused him to let out a sensual and passionate moan. His cock was turning purple from all the attention it was getting. He was in paradise, and it felt good knowing we were making him feel that way. As we took care of him, Ryan got naked; his own hard cock was already turning red.

"I want you both to lay next to one another," Cameron instructed.

We obeyed him and waited for him to give his next command. As we lay, we looked at one another and kissed again. Our tongues found their way into each other's mouths. Then I felt something I hadn't expected. Cameron took my cock in his mouth. He had only ever sucked my cock on one other occasion and never again, and that was before he ever got to fuck me. We had sucked each other off in the woods once.

I had forgotten what his lips felt like wrapped around my cock. He handled my dick with care and attention. I began to moan in Ryan's mouth. Cameron moved his head up and down for several minutes, making me see stars. His tongue moved across the head of my cock, and his lips worked my pole. In return, my tongue fucked Ryan's tongue. Our hands explored each other's bodies.

Cameron moved from my cock and then quickly took Ryan's throbbing member into his mouth. Ryan let out a loud gasp. I moved between Cameron's legs and took his member back into my mouth. I stroked and sucked him as he ate Ryan's beauty of a dick.

"Fuck Ry, that's a lot of precum. Taste good, little brother," he said.

I almost blew my load hearing him talk like that. Cameron was so into it. I hadn't expected him to be so thorough and so turned on. His cock was throbbing in my mouth from how excited and turned on he was. I thought I was going to choke on his cock. He was leaking so much precum into my mouth.

"Give me your cock, Mar," he said.

I moved back to Ryan's side. Cam stroked both our cocks, and then he took mine back into his mouth. I pulled Ryan into another kiss. The hot sun beaming on us set me ablaze on the outside. The pleasure of Cameron's oral skills set me on fire on the inside. He alternated between both our hard dicks, never leaving one alone for too long.

"Cam, that's so fucking hot," Ryan moaned.

He sat up and kissed us both. His tongue danced with both of our mouths. Cameron rolled me on my stomach in the white sand. Ryan grabbed my left ass cheek and pulled it open. My pulsing hole was completely exposed. Cameron stuck his tongue inside my ass. He started to eat me out. He pushed his tongue deep inside of me and refused to pull it out. I let out a loud moan.

"Pussy tastes so sweet, Marcus," he said between licks and slaps on my ass.