Two Different Roads

Accidentally In Love

"You tear the top right off my head..."
"Pete, it's too early for that caterwawling," Mike protested as he slipped from Ellen's room in the same clothes he'd worn the day before, jeans wrinkled, shirt untucked. He was also pretty sure he was sporting at least one fairly prominent love bite.
Peter stared him up and down with amusement. "Why Mr. Nesmith, you look like you got screwed, blew, and tatooed."
"Hush, you'll wake up Ellen."
"Can't have that. I'm sure she needs her rest after you got done with her. Didn't take you long to get her back in bed did it?"
Mike said nothing but couldn't contain a mischievous grin.
"Hey, as long as you don't do anything to hurt her, I'm happy for you. And you're definitely less grouchy when you get laid."
"This ain't that."
"Just kidding-I know you're crazy about her."
"This just may be the one," he sang as he poured himself some coffee from the fresh pot Peter had made. It became a duet:

"All men must have someone, have someone
Who would never take advantage
Of a love bright as the sun
Someone to understand them
And you just may be the one

All men must have someone, have someone
Who would never take for granted
All the pleasures and the fun
Someone to stand beside them
And you just may be the one

I saw when you walked by
The love light in your eye
I knew I must try
To win you more than just a friend
I'm starting near the end
And here I go again..."
Ellen stumbled from the bedroom in a fluffy robe, frowning at the impromptu concert, sank down upon the couch with a grimace. "Someone get me some coffee."
"Late night Dear?" Peter asked as he poured.
"I feel like I have a hangover."
"Jet lag is a bitch. But then I hear a night with Nez can make a girl nauseous too."
Ellen gave him a disapproving stare.
"I didn't say a word, Babe, honest."
"No he didn't, but he has this certain look whenever he gets some. He might as well be wearing a sign," he smirked.
"Peter I'm warning you..."
The tall Texan crossed the living room, sat beside her, taking her hand proprietary. "Don't listen to him. He has a big mouth."
"Michael, I never thought you were a monk."
"So, what do you want to do today?" We've got the whole weekend, and then I can take you to see Bob on Monday," he said, changing the subject.
"Actually I think I'd just like to curl up and try to recover from that long plane ride."
"We could do that."
"We?"
"If you don't mind."
They shared a knowing look. "I don't, but I doubt you'll let me get much actual rest."
"Rest is highly overrated. What I have in mind is much more fun," he said and to her infinite surprise, actually kissed her in front of his roommate.
Peter coughed loudly. "I can think of a lot of things I'd rather watch than you two swapping spit."
Mike colored in embarrassment. "OK, Pete, I get it. Why don't you start frying up some eggs, and I'll make with the bacon and toast."

II
It was now Sunday. They'd barely left the bed the entire weekend. Just that morning, Ellen had awakened to Mike's arms around her and his already very lively erection trying to tease its way stealthily between her thighs.
Not that she minded. Her desire for him was nearly as great as his passion for HER seemed to be. They couldn't get enough of each other.
The only downside was that it was becoming significantly more difficult to pretend what they were sharing was merely fantastic sex. Neither had yet actually said the momentous four-letter word starting with L and ending with E, but it seemed inevitable that it would eventually be uttered by one of them sooner rather than later.
Ellen was already quite certain Mike FELT it even if he HADN'T told her, and she was only too aware of her own burgeoning emotions. She adored him just as much as she had the first time if not more. Wrapped in his arms she felt protected from every horror in the world. She trusted him as well in a way she'd never felt she could trust John. Mike appeared steadfast, loyal, his love unwavering, true. She sensed that this was a man who once he'd given his heart did so completely without reservation. He would be hers forever if she wanted him to be.
All at once that word didn't seem so intimidating. Only time would tell where this was headed, but this time she was already beginning to feel as if she was prepared to travel down any road Mike might choose by his side.

III
Sunday evening-a knock at the bedroom door. "Hey you two, dinner is ready."
No response. "I know you're still alive in there 'cause of all the noise you're making, so why don't you give it a rest for a bit and take in some food before you pass out from hunger and exhaustion."
"Go away Shotgun."
"OK I give up, but don't say I didn't warn you."
Peter sat down at the table across from their other roommate. "Well you've got to admire the dedication I suppose."
"Speak for yourself. I'm just envious of the sheer STAMINA he must have to keep at it this long. But then if I had a woman who looked like that I don't think I could keep my hands off her either. Our Nez is one lucky SOB."
"That he is my friend."

The song Peter is singing when Mike comes out of the bedroom is his own song "You Tear The Top Right Off My Head." The song they duet on is of course Nez's "You Just May Be The One."