A man of few words, Joe is a hard-working farmhand who likes his simple, uncomplicated life. Ed is satisfied with his existence as an auto mechanic, but thrilled when an unexpected development in his life allows him to help Joe realize a dream.<br><br>It forces them, however, to reevaluate the casual, undefined nature of their relationship. They’re too macho to speak of love, and neither would acknowledge he doesn’t really mind when it’s his turn to bottom. When life throws them a curve ball, and the rules of their game get old, Ed tries to take every aspect of their relationship up a notch. Can Joe adapt to the open sentimentality Ed’s injecting into their relationship, let alone the new spice in their bedroom activities?<br><br>NOTE: This is a previously published story that has been rewritten, expanded, and re-edited.

Cultivating Love

“Thanks for making my father happy. I’m glad he had you.”


When Bill left, Joe and Ed walked into the kitchen. Joe sighed. What a day it had been for breaking into new territories with each other. Lord, the stuff he was learning about himself these past few days.


Ed lingered in the bathroom, feeling oddly reluctant to join Joe in bed. He now blamed his earlier determination to inject more emotion into their relationship on an afterglow high that was now smothered by the embarrassment of his later emotional outbursts. What had gotten into him, crying on Joe’s shoulder like a big baby? Joe’s face had been inscrutable after Bill left. Ed couldn’t decide whether Joe was gloating at clearly winning the battle to turn him into the consummate bottom-boy, or covering his distaste for the whole sordid, emotional mess.


Another splash of cold water did nothing to correct the puffy redness around his eyes. He squared his shoulders and made his way to their bedroom.


Chapter 16