Cloverleaf : Chapter Two

Part One : Sown

August 12, 2019 ▫ Pon De Lon Court Motel ▫ Walton, Kentucky

As daylight began to creep under the shoddy motel curtain, they lay exhausted in tangled sheets, asleep in each other’s arms.

When Karl woke up, he snuck out of bed, threw on his jeans and t-shirt, and bought coffee and doughnuts at the 7-Eleven.

Ben was on his phone when Karl got back to the room. After he hung up, he told Karl that Bo was on his way to the motel to look at the truck. When Ben saw Bo pull into the parking lot, he turned to Karl and said, “Why don’t you wait in the room.” Ben was good at making a question not a question.

Twenty minutes later, Ben walked back into the room. “Bo said it’s the fuel pump. He can fix it, but somebody must have yanked the starter relay out of the truck while we were asleep last night. He’s got to drive up to Cincinnati to get the part, and he won’t be back until late this afternoon. So I’m gonna stay here another night.”

“Oh.” Karl wondered where he stood in all of this now. He said “I,” not “we.”

“There’s a Greyhound station in Cincinnati. Bo said he’d drive you there. I’ll pay for your ticket.”

“No. Thanks, but I told you I can take care of myself.”

There was a long pause, then Ben said, “Or you could hang around here with me, and then tomorrow—”

“Yes!” Karl didn’t wait for Ben to finish. “Tomorrow’s fine, I mean.”

“Okay. Good. There’s a lake near here that we can walk to. More like a big pond, but it’s dope, and there’s nobody around. We can pack a lunch and go swimming.”

They grabbed a couple of towels from the room, left the truck keys for Bo in the motel office, and bought sandwiches and Cokes from the 7-Eleven. Ben led the way across a field and through a thicket of evergreens. They came out of the woods to a small lake surrounded by tall birch and oak trees. Ben was right. The semis on I-75 hummed in the distance, but there was not another soul to be seen.

Karl kicked off his shoes, yelling, “Last one in is a rotten egg!” They shucked off their clothes and ran naked into the water, laughing and screaming like boys. Dragonflies circled their heads, keeping watch while they swam into each other’s arms, playing like river otters, wrestling, and tossing each other over their heads into the water. Ben used to roughhouse like this with his brothers when they were younger, but it had been a long time since he’d felt this goofy kind of happiness.

When they finally stumbled out of the water, Ben sat between Karl’s legs at the lake’s edge. He felt cared for, embraced in Karl’s arms with the warmth of Karl’s naked body against his back.

“Do you think I wanted something to happen with Bo last night?”

Karl hesitated. “Yes.” He wished it weren’t true.

“You and me, we’re just…no strings, right? It seems like your feelings are getting hurt.”

Karl stood up and pulled on his briefs. “You think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”

“Whoa. What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Your mechanic friend, or whatever he is, thinks I’m some wide-eyed plowboy. Seems you do, too. I get it. You’re out of my league.”

“I think it’s the other way around, Karl. But look, sometimes you’ve got to let things happen. You should want that. I do. But nothing was gonna happen with Bo last night.”

“Because I was there. I told you I can take care of myself. Like you said, things change whether we want them to or not. I just wanted a lift to Cleveland, but then you happened. I mean, this happened.”

Ben didn’t say anything; he just stared at the lake. The silence hurt Karl’s ears. Ben pulled on his clothes. “We should get back.”

Bo was sitting on the tailgate of Ben’s truck when Karl and Ben arrived at the motel.

“What do I owe you, Bo?”

“How about you meet me at The Roost later, and you can buy me a beer. I need to go home and take my mom to the store first.” Bo sniffed under his arm. “And I need a shower.” Bo gripped Ben by the nape of his neck and shoved Ben’s face into his armpit. “Or you and me could go inside and rub-a-dub-dub right now.”

Ben jerked his head away. “No.”

Bo turned to walk to his truck, sneering at Karl. “Think you can run with the big dogs?”

Karl grabbed Bo by the arm and spun him around. “You want to find out?”

Ben pulled Karl back. “What are you doing?” He kept his grip on Karl’s sleeve and turned to Bo. “We’ll meet you there at ten.”

Bo jumped in his truck and looked back at Karl with an oily smile. “Olízni můj kretén.”

▫ ▫ ▫

The Roost was a beer joint with a disco ball and a gay bartender. When Ben and Karl walked in, Bo was sitting at the bar laughing with the bartender. The place was empty except for the four of them. The stench of cigarettes and spilled beer hung in the air over four red Naugahyde booths and a dimly lit pool table. Maroon 5’s “Sugar” was playing from a speaker hanging in the corner over a pinball machine graffitied with “Pinball Wizz.”

Ben walked to the bar and fist-bumped a stockier red-headed version of himself standing behind the bar. “Hey, man. Andy, this is Karl.”

Andy leered at Karl and gripped his hand. “Now I see why Bo’s been growlin’ about the two of yous for the past half hour.”

Bo wedged himself between Karl and Ben. “Let’s move this to a booth, guys. You too, Andy. And bring four shots with you.”

At the booth, Bo pushed in next to Ben and put his arm around his shoulder. Ben was apprehensive about throwing Bo and Karl together. They didn’t have much in common except two different versions of him.

Bo’s eyes locked on Karl. “I don’t know why Ben brought you along or what you’re doin’ here. You’re probably gonna wish you’d’ve let me drive you to the bus station this morning. If I were you—”

“You’re not,” Ben cut Bo off.

Karl muttered under his breath, “But you’re probably gonna wish you were.”

“For Chrissake, put your dicks away. Both of yous.” Andy slid out of the booth. “I’m gonna grab us some beers.”

“You remember how much fun you, me, and Andy had the last time you were here, Ben?” Bo reached into his shirt pocket and slapped four white tablets onto the table. “Have you ever done ecstasy, Karl?”

“No.”

Ben pushed the pills back to Bo. “And he’s not going to.”

“But I’d like to.”

Ben nudged Bo out of the booth. “C’mere, Karl.”

Karl followed Ben into the men’s room.

“I know where this is headed,” Ben said. “We should go.”

“Didn’t you tell me that I should let things happen? That I should want that?”

Ben studied Karl to be sure. “Yeah, I did. I guess if it’s gonna happen, I’d rather it happen with me. But if you’re not okay with anything, you need to let me know. And no more alcohol. You’ll get sick.”

Andy was locking up the place when they walked out of the bathroom. He winked at Karl and said, “Closed. Private party.” Ben took the two tablets Bo left on the table, placed one on Karl’s tongue, and swallowed the other.

“You shoot pool, Karl?” Bo tossed him a stick. “Nine-ball. Two outta three.”

“I’ve only played a few times.”

Bo racked up the balls. “Andy’s a shark. He’ll teach you what you need to know. You and Andy against Ben and me.”

When it was Karl’s turn to shoot, he fouled on the break. “Sorry, Andy.”

“It don’t matter. C’mere. I’ll show you.” Andy put a ball on the table, leaned over Karl, and curled their hands together around the cue stick. The ecstasy was beginning to kick in, and Andy’s touch felt electric on Karl’s skin when Andy slipped his fingers under the waistband of Karl’s jeans.

Ben leaned against the wall, smiling at Karl. “Take your shot, Andy.”

Someone put on music. Karl closed his eyes; he felt amorous and uninhibited. Ben lifted Karl’s arms, pulled off his shirt, then took off his own. They were incandescent and reckless, dancing to Dua Lipa’s “One Kiss” like sparks flying from a fire. Skin on skin, grinding, sweating, eight hell-bent hands taunting and exploring each other’s bodies. The music rolled over Karl, but he was no longer conscious of it. He opened his eyes and searched for Ben. He found him half-hidden in the shadows, tangled up with Bo. Andy grabbed Karl by the scruff of his neck and jabbed his wet tongue between Karl’s teeth. His kiss tasted of sweet chewing tobacco.

Ben pulled away from Bo when he saw Karl struggling to put on his t-shirt. He followed Karl into the dingy men’s room and stood him in front of the urinal. “Are you okay? Do you want to leave?”

“Yeah. No. I feel great. You wanna shake it for me?”

Ben smiled and smacked Karl’s ass. “Maybe later.”

As Karl walked out of the bathroom, Andy grabbed him by the waist of his jeans, tugging him to the pool table. Karl looked over his shoulder and saw Bo pull Ben into a back room and kick the door closed. “What’re we doing? What about Ben and Bo?”

“Don’t worry about it. We won’t be seeing them for a while.” Andy leaned against the pool table and unbuttoned his fly. He was scruffy, and his eyes were blue like Ben’s. There was a patch of copper fur on his chest, sparse and soft like Ben’s. The light bouncing off the mirror ball flew across his naked skin like shards of glass. “You and me are gonna fuck. That’s what we’re doin’.” Andy slipped another hit of molly into Karl’s mouth and yanked his jeans down.

▫ ▫ ▫

Bo kicked the door closed behind them.

“I shouldn’t leave Karl alone,” Ben said.

“Don’t worry about Captain America. Andy’s lookin’ after him.” Bo pressed Ben against the wall and smashed their mouths together, opening Ben’s jeans with one hand and pressing his other hand to the back of Ben’s head. “Get in there,” he growled, pushing Ben’s face into his sweaty armpit, ripe from dancing. Bo’s stink went right to Ben’s dick. Bo’s hand was down the back of Ben’s jeans, his meaty fingers teasing Ben’s hole.

Bo kicked off his boots, worked his belt loose, and shoved his jeans down, kicking them aside. He pushed Ben onto the mattress that Andy kept in the back room and pulled Ben’s jeans off. He climbed on top of Ben, wrapping his hands around his wrists, pinning him to the bed. He pushed his tongue into Ben’s willing mouth, kissing him possessively, slowly moving down to Ben’s neck, sucking and biting, licking down Ben’s torso, claiming every inch of Ben’s skin that his lips touched.

Ben’s swollen cock was dripping precum. “Look how much you’re leaking for me.” Bo ran his tongue up and down the shaft, “I better lick some of this milk up.” Ben was moaning even louder than before, lifting his hips and pumping Bo’s mouth, twisting his fingers into Bo’s hair, begging him for more.

Bo pushed Ben’s legs back and licked his balls, down his taint. nuzzling his nose into Ben’s crack and inhaling deeply. “You can fuck whoever you want, but your ass is never gonna belong to anyone but me.” Bo licked around Ben’s hole, then drove his tongue in. He ate Ben’s ass like a starving man, insatiable and possessive.

Bo looked up at Ben. His thick, coarse beard, wet and sticky. “I’m the only one who knows what you need, Ben. Just don’t make me work for it just to give it to you.”

“What are you talking about?”

▫ ▫ ▫

It was almost one in the morning, but Karl wasn’t thinking about the time. And he’d stopped thinking about Ben. He was angry. Ben had abandoned him so he could be with Bo. Maybe it was the drugs, and maybe Bo and Ben planned this all along, but none of it mattered now. He was caught up in it, and even though Andy was crude and rough, Karl wanted Andy as much as Andy wanted him. He was flying from the ecstasy and consumed by lust and the weight of Andy’s body pounding into him, fucking him for the second time.

Ben’s voice thundered from across the room. “You’re pathetic!” Karl opened his eyes and saw Ben pulling his pants back on. “Let’s go, Karl. I’m not leaving you here.”

Karl didn’t understand what was happening. He pulled on his jeans and t-shirt, grabbed his socks and shoes, and ran out of the bar after him. “I’m sorry, Ben. I thought you wanted—”

“Just get in the truck, Karl.”

The drive back to the motel was frosty and silent until Ben blurted out, “It was Bo that jacked the starter relay out of my truck to keep me here another night. I should have known.”

“Oh.” Karl paused. “You and Bo are still—”

“No. Bo’s just a bad habit. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Neither of them said so, but they were glad to be back in their shabby motel room. Ben pulled off his shirt and said, “Let’s take a shower and ride out the rest of this X.”

They toweled off and climbed into bed. Their bodies burrowed against each other’s, consumed by dopamine and their nakedness. Ben’s hands coiled around the soft, white mounds of Karl’s buttocks, his fingers digging, pulling him in. The ecstasy turned debauched thoughts into demanding whispers. They were oblivious to the thin knocking on the door until it pounded.

“Ben? It’s Bohuslav.”

“Go away, Bo.”

“I’ve got Karl’s wallet.”

Ben got up, pulled on his briefs, and opened the door.

“Can I come in? Please? I got something to say…to both of you.”

Ben let Bo in and climbed back on the bed next to Karl.

“This must have fallen out of your pocket.” Bo held Karl’s wallet in his hand. “I’m sorry I fucked with your truck, Ben. And I’m sorry about tonight, Karl. I thought if you and Andy—”

Karl, still pie-eyed from the ecstasy, interrupted Bo. “There’s nothing about tonight to be sorry for.”

Ben looked suspiciously at Bo. “Not yet anyway.”

Karl saw how Ben and Bo looked at each other. There was something unfinished and undeniable between them. It made him jealous and excited at the same time. “Stay.” He wasn’t sure if he said it because of the ecstasy or because he needed to see what was between Ben and Bo. Whatever it was, he wanted to be in it.

Ben started to protest until Karl interrupted him. “You should let things happen. Isn’t that what you told me?”

Bo pulled off his shirt. “You’re outnumbered, Ben. I’m gonna take a shower.”

As soon as Bo was out of the room, Ben wrapped himself around Karl and said, “Eight.”

“Nine.” Karl’s mouth curled into a playful smile. “Andy.”

“Yeah, I saw. Sorry I spoiled that for you.” Karl thought Ben sounded a little jealous.

Bo walked out, dried himself, and climbed on the bed between them, side by side by side. They tumbled over and under each other, locking together like rutting stags, sparring over a mouth or cock or ass to possess.

▫ ▫ ▫

It was early morning, and Karl felt himself sobering. He got up and looked out the window. “What time is it? Can we…y’know…finish pretty soon?”

“You just need a little more hydration and inspiration.” Bo got up, tossed Karl a bottle of water, and fished a bottle of poppers out of his jeans. Bo took a whiff of the poppers, then put the bottle to Karl’s nose. The rush consumed Karl. The sex turned selfish and possessive. Karl reached for Ben, but Bo pushed his hand away.

They were all sweating like pigs now. Ben was straddling Bo, fucking himself on Bo’s thick, veined 8” while Bo stroked Ben’s cock. “So fuckin’ hard for me.” Bo milked out a creamy pearl of precum on his finger and fed it to Ben. “You love taking my big dick, don’t you, Ben?”

Ben moaned. “Shut the fuck up.” Bo dug his fingers into Ben’s waist and thrust his hips up, fucking Ben brutally. Bo took what he thought belonged to him. He was Ben’s addiction. Ben begged Bo to keep fucking him and finish what he’d started in the back room at the bar. Their bodies heaved and pushed Karl under. Their voices were commanding and cruel, and the words jumbled in Karl’s ears as he stood up. Sweat rolled down his face and chest, and then the air left his body.

▫ ▫ ▫

Ben picked Karl up and put him on the bed. “I’m gonna call 911.”

“Jesus. Chill, dude! He’s okay. I gave him some G earlier. He just got overheated.”

“Goddammit, Bo! What the fuck is wrong with you?”

When Karl opened his eyes, Ben was holding him and wiping his face with a cold towel.

“What happened?”

“You passed out. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I think so. Where’s Bo?”

“He’s in the shower. You puked on him.”

“I’m sorry, Ben.”

Bo walked back into the room. “How fuckin’ sweet. You spew on me and apologize to Ben. Are we gonna finish this, or are you gonna be a pussy, Karl?”

Ben threw Bo’s clothes at him. “Get the fuck outta here.”

Bo got dressed without a word and moved to the door. His hand froze on the door handle. He turned to Ben and said, “You belong with me, Ben. This is bullshit!” Then he walked out.

The door shut behind Bo.

“None of this would’ve happened if you’d just left it alone, Karl.”

“I didn’t… mean…”

Ben shook his head. “Don’t.”

Ben helped Karl into the shower, then tucked him into bed.

“Go to sleep. I’ll be right back.”

Ben closed the bathroom door behind him and braced his hands on the sink.

He stared at himself for a second, jaw tight. He could still see Karl on the floor.

“Fuck!”

He turned on the shower and stepped under it, bracing his hands against the tile as the water poured over him.

Karl woke up when Ben crawled into bed. “I’m sorry.”

Ben nuzzled Karl’s ear and whispered, “Shhh. Go back to sleep.” He wrapped his arm around Karl and pulled him close. Karl grabbed hold of it and fell back asleep.

A few hours later, Karl opened his eyes to bright daylight coming into the room between the curtains. Ben’s arm was still around him.

“Are you okay, Karl?”

Karl murmured, “I’m hungry.”

Ben nudged his chin into Karl’s shoulder and said, “Let’s get outta here.” They splashed water on their faces, brushed their teeth, and dressed. Karl watched the motel disappear in the side-view mirror as they drove away.

“I don’t think I’ll be coming back here, Ben.”

Ben knew himself well enough that he couldn’t say the same. “There’s a Bob Evans up ahead.” Ben pulled in and turned off the ignition. “Karl….”

Karl threw open the truck door and jumped out. “I already know. You don’t need to say it again.”

Ben followed Karl to the door. “Grab us a table. I’ll be right back. I left my phone in the truck. If the waitress comes by, just order me the same as you’re having.”

Karl found a table and gave the waitress their order. It seemed like Ben was gone a long time, and Karl was beginning to worry, but Ben came back just as the waitress brought their food.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I had to make a call. Good, you ordered pancakes.”

“You like pancakes? I make the best pancakes you’ll ever eat.”

“Oh, yeah? Well then, Karl Buehler, you’re the man of my dreams.”

There was an awkward silence between them after Ben saw what he’d said register on Karl’s face.

After they finished, Ben sat back, stretched, yawned, and rubbed his belly. “What did you mean when you said you already know? Know what? I only wanted to tell you I’m sorry. Last night shouldn’t have happened.”

“But it did, and I’m the one who started it. I was trying to be…” Karl started to say more like you, but he stopped himself and said, “something I’m not.”

“That’s what the phone call was about. A buddy of mine—”

“No. I like you a lot, Ben. But no buddies…or Bo’s.”

“My best friend and his wife own a sweet B&B in Sandusky. I called him to see if one of the guest cottages was available for tonight, and it is. I was hoping we, just you and me, could spend tonight together. Alone.”

“Oh.”

“Unless you’re in a hurry to get to Cleveland. I understand if—”

“I’m not. Yeah. I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”

“Good. I already told Danny we’d be there around eight o’clock. It’s a four-hour drive from here, so we’d better get back on the road.”

They both went for the check at the same time, but Karl grabbed it first and grinned at Ben. “I got it.” After Karl paid the check, they got back in the truck, stopped for gas, and headed to Sandusky.

Chapter Three Coming Sunday