The Summer at Cedar Cinemas, Part 2 of 2

Chapter 23a: A Familiar Routine, A Growing Feeling

The night air was cool and thick with the scent of outdoor smells and pavement, a familiar contrast as Bryan stepped out of the theater and into the soft glow of the streetlights. The parking lot was mostly empty now, save for a few lingering cars and the quiet hum of crickets somewhere in the distance.

Tonight marked the four-week anniversary of their relationship.

Four glorious, fun-filled, food-filled weeks.
In that time, Bryan and Jared had revisited their evening conversations alone in their respective beds. Jared, nibbling. Bryan, playfully encouraging.

“Hey, what are you doing right now?” Bryan had asked, breathless, a hand gripping the girthy mast between his thighs. His phone on speaker, low. Just loud enough to hear Jared’s dulcet voice.

“You know…” Jared said, teasingly. Bryan’s hand busied itself, stroking himself root to tip languidly as he heard the scrape of a metal fork on an aluminum pie plate and the crunch and chew of that beautiful, fuller mouth on the other end of the call.

“Tell me again anyway. I’m having a senior moment.” Bryan said, signing as an near-orgasm shivered through his body. He ceased touching his body and death-gripped his bedsheets avoiding the wave of ejaculate that threatened to spill from his body too soon. Blessedly, the moment passed.

Jared chuckled, “Bryan—there’s nothing ‘senior’ about you…Well now, let’s see. Somehow, I’ve managed to pack away two boxes of Entenmann’s donuts into this body—while avoiding any powdered mess, I might add. And now…well, can you guess what pie I am eating?”

Bryan giggled and nuzzled his chin closer to his phone, propped beside him on his pillow. They had decided early on to do their sex talks audio only, using their imaginations to fill in the blanks. “Hmm…could it be another peach cobbler? Perhaps apple? Certainly not pumpkin!” Bryan curled his toes, grinning as his erection pulsed with want, aching to be touched once again.

“Would you break up with me if I said I’d slid into the Pumpkin Spice craze a little early?” Bryan heard him chew and swallow.

“Hmm, I might make you perform a penitent act.” Bryan rolled over, his hand trailing itself from between his thighs and snaking its way along his torso, grazing his stomach and circling one naked breast. His room once again smelled of him. Sweet, luxurious.

“Such as?”

“Well, for starters, you can pick me up after my shift tomorrow night.”

Jared scoffed, “I’ve been doing that for a while now.”

“And?”

“And, while your car is being dutifully fixed by your dad, I will happily be your chauffeur to and from said job. Now, what else?”

“Maybe you can come and pick me up with a whole pie already inside you?”

The air held a pregnant pause before Bryan heard Jared groan on the other end.

Bryan grinned and bit a nail. Their conversation quickly devolved into a sultry then explicit nature as it often did, leaving Bryan 40 minutes later, exhausted, sweaty and aching for Jared’s bigger, fuller body.

++++++

Bryan’s reliable Corolla had finally shown signs of weakness by stalling on him in the parking lot one evening. Jared had been there that evening and gave him a boost. Bryan barely got home even with Jared following him. As it was, Jared needed to boost him twice more on the ride home and when Bryan finally pulled into the driveway, his car sputtered, coughed and died on the spot.

The second Jared pulled into the driveway behind him, Bryan could already see the porch light flicker on, followed by the creak of the front door opening.

His father, Mark, stood in the entryway, arms crossed, an unmistakable grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You boys are late. Everything okay, or did you take the…scenic route?”

Bryan felt his face blush. “Ugh, dad. Gross. No. The flippin’ car died. Twice.” He held up two fingers and waggled them.

Mark looked from his son to Jared, who had pulled in behind Bryan’s car. Evidently, the conversation was loud enough to hear, for Jared nodded and also held up two fingers. At the sight of Jared, Mark’s face lit up.

“Hey—I won’t ruin the score of tonight’s game,” he called out, “but you should check the highlights. Go M-E-T-S!”

Bryan turned toward Jared just in time to catch the way his face lit up, his entire expression shifting into genuine enthusiasm. He rolled down his window, flashing Mark a big thumbs-up.

“Appreciate the heads-up!” Jared called back. “I’ll check it when I get home. Oh—and you might want to check Bryan’s car. It did some weird stuff on the drive home, died twice. Well three times, if you count just now. I followed him home to make sure he made it.”

Mark furrowed his brow, “Huh.” He walked over and motioned for Bryan to pop the hood. Jared turned off his vehicle and went out to help. Bryan got out of the car and stood back, letting the men diagnose the problem.

After a few minutes, Mark had given his official opinion on the matter as, ‘one potential expensive pain in the ass’. Bryan had a moment of panic, wondering how he’d be getting to work and back in future, but providence intervened.

“Bryan, you might have to call work and let them know you’ll have to change your schedule while I sort this out. Could be a few days.” Mark had said, hands on hips.

“No, he doesn’t. I have an idea that might work, if you support it.” Jared had offered to pick Bryan up and drop him off.

“Damn nice of you to do that, Jared.” Mark had said.

“Just doing my part, sir.” He watched while Mark closed the hood of the Corolla with a little more force than necessary, likely out of automotive frustration.

Mark had waived him off and asked to be called by his Christian name thereafter.

“Right you are, Mark.” Jared had replied.

He and Jared had begun to talk about baseball and Bryan rolled his eyes. Bryan gave Jared a peck on the cheek and went inside, hands over his ears, making the two men laugh, as his father wolf-whistled to his retreating back.

At the front door entrance, Bryan turned back to Jared, lingering a beat longer than necessary.

Jared and his father were still standing next to his car, clearly talking baseball. There was an ease between them, something unspoken but understood.

“Night, J,” He murmured, calling out to him as he observed his father mimic swinging a baseball bat.

Jared’s lips quirked into a smile as his eyes met his. “Night, B.”

++++++

But that had been three weeks ago.

Tonight, Jared was already waiting for him, his Toyota RAV4 parked in its usual spot near the side entrance. The headlights cast a golden hue over the pavement, and the second he slid into the passenger seat, Bryan felt it—that comfortable, effortless warmth that always settled over him whenever he was around him.

Jared had one hand lazily draped over the steering wheel, the other tapping absently against his thigh as he flicked his gaze toward Bryan. “Long night?”

Bryan let out a dramatic sigh, leaning his head back against the seat. “You have no idea. A kid spilled an entire slushie down his own shirt, and instead of telling his parents, he just sat there in sticky misery for the whole movie.”

Jared let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Brave.”

“Right? Erin had to go in there and basically peel him off the seat. I swear, that woman has the patience of a saint.”

Jared chuckled, shifting the car into gear as he pulled out of the lot. “Sounds like I missed all the action.”

Bryan smirked, watching him out of the corner of his eye. His eye slid to Jared’s stomach, which had become positively bulbous. Their late nights of sex talk while Jared ate had begun to take their toll on his physique and Bryan didn’t mind one bit. His eyes sparkled as he took in the seatbelt, stretched over Jared’s stomach, sinking into its domed surface. They hit a pothole as Jared navigated the parking lot and his stomach jiggled in the most delicious way. Bryan wondered if he’d kept to his word and already had a pie inside him, which had been his usual request when he’d offered to pick him up after a shift.

“Do I detect Eau du Apple this evening?” Bryan said, his eyes flicking from Jared’s stomach to his face. He had his eyes on the road, but when it was safe, he looked at Bryan.

“And the winner gets a prize.”

Bryan grinned and cozied up to him, one hand resting contently on his warm stomach. He looked up at him. “And what do I win?”

Jared looked down at him, one eyebrow raised. “What prize would you like?”

Bryan pursed his lips and furrowed his brow in mock consideration all the while allowing his hand to circle and probe Jared’s stomach. “Let me get back to you on that one.”

Bryan felt him shiver and Jared’s belly tightened reflexively before relaxing, softly once more into the palm of his hand. Bryan kept it there as the car ran down the slow miles, his fingers melting into Jared’s softer stomach.

This had become routine now—Jared picking him up after his shifts, driving him home, smelling of some delicious baked good, lingering in the car with their easy banter and lingering glances. What had started as an occasional favor had somehow turned into a habit neither of them questioned. Bryan’s car had been fixed within a few days. Jared knew this, as he had helped Mark repair it one afternoon, but the invitation to drive his son was not revoked—a privilege they took polite advantage of…

The soft hum of the engine filled the cozy silence as Jared and Bryan drove down the quiet, tree-lined streets. The glow of the streetlights washed over them in a rhythmic pattern, making Bryan feel a sense of calm mixed with a flutter of excitement. He reached forward to turn the heat down, but remained cozied up to Jared.

Jared’s hand rested on the gear shift, strong and steady, just inches away from Bryan’s thigh. His pulse quickened a little.

Bryan glanced over at him, his lips curling into a soft smile. The warm glow from the dashboard lit up Jared’s face—his jawline relaxed, his eyes focused on the road, but there was a quiet contentment there. Bryan could tell he was feeling it too. That same buzz of energy crackling between them.

As yet, they had not sex, though technically Bryan counted each of their evening escapades as the nearest thing. He appreciated that, when they were together, Jared had not forced the issue or brought it up in innuendos. Bryan had been ready to give his body to Jared weeks ago, but somehow, he had not found the perfect moment to share his love for him. Yet.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Bryan murmured, his voice soft but playful. He traced his fingers from Jared’s belly lightly and over to his own thigh, more to calm his nerves than anything.

Jared glanced over, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Just enjoying the view,” he murmured, his eyes flicking toward Bryan before returning to the road. His tone was warm, but there was an undertone of something deeper—something that made Bryan’s stomach flutter.

“Uh-huh.” Bryan leaned back into his seat, giving him a teasing side glance. “Or maybe,” he said, dragging the word out, “you’re just thinking about what you’re gonna eat after you drop me off, when you get home.”

Jared’s laugh filled the car, rich and easy. “Busted.” He gave him a lopsided grin.

“What can I say? A man’s gotta eat.”

“You’ve been doing a lot of that lately.”

Jared smiled, his tongue brushed around his lips reflexively, like his mouth was remembering the last delicious thing he ate.

Bryan’s heart gave a little flip. That smile. That easy confidence. He loved how comfortable he was in his own skin—and with him.

“Well…” Bryan tilted his head, his gaze lingering on Jared a moment longer. “What have you been eating lately? You know…” Bryan bit his lip, his tone taking on a more playful lilt. “I’ve noticed… you’re looking a little… bigger.” He initiated the ritual, the one they fell into so easily.

Bryan’s eyes flicked down, taking in the way Jared’s shirt stretched just a little tighter across his chest and stomach. The thought made his cheeks flush. Jared’s body was changing—filling out in ways that only made him more irresistible.

Jared’s eyebrows raised, but that cheeky grin was back. He played along. “Oh, you noticed, huh?”

“Hard not to,” Bryan murmured, his fingers lightly trailing along the seam of his work pants. “I mean… I might have been a little distracted lately.”

Jared chuckled softly, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—something that sent heat coursing through him.

“Yeah?” Jared’s voice was quieter now, lower. “I guess I’ve been… indulging a bit.”

Bryan’s heart pounded in his chest. “For me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, but the way he said it carried weight.

Jared’s hand finally left the gear shift and found Bryan’s thigh, his fingers brushing lightly, sending a spark of warmth straight through him. “You could say that.” Jared’s eyes met his for a moment, and the look he gave him made his breath hitch. “I’ve just been… comfortable lately. Happier. And maybe that’s made me a little hungrier.”

Bryan’s cheeks flushed, but his smile was unstoppable. His heart felt like it was ready to burst. Jared was opening up to him, letting him see the real him—the vulnerable side. And Bryan loved every bit of it.

“I love that,” Bryan whispered, his hand covering Jared’s and giving it a squeeze. Bryan’s thumb brushed gently along the back of Jared’s hand. “I love… that you feel that way. With me.”

The silence that settled between them wasn’t awkward—it was charged, full of unspoken emotions.

“I could pull over,” Jared murmured, his voice laced with something that made Bryan’s skin tingle. He moved his hand so that his thumb brushed gently over Bryan’s knee, making him shiver.

Bryan’s breath caught. “Yeah,” he breathed, his pulse pounding in his ears. “I think… I’d like that.”

Jared didn’t need to be told twice. He guided the car gently to the side of the road, pulling into a quiet spot just off the main street where the glow of the streetlights barely touched them. The engine’s low hum faded into silence, and suddenly, the world felt smaller—just the two of them in their own little cocoon.

Bryan turned in his seat, facing him fully now. His eyes traced the curve of his jaw, the fullness of his cheeks, and the slight stretch of his shirt where it hugged his middle. His fingers twitched with the urge to explore, to feel Jared beneath his touch.

“I’ve been thinking about this,” Bryan murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Me too,” Jared replied, his gaze dropping to Bryan’s lips.

The space between them disappeared as Jared leaned in, his lips brushing Bryan’s in a kiss that started soft but quickly deepened. Bryan melted into him, his fingers threading into his hair as his body pressed closer.

Bryan’s heart pounded as he felt the solid warmth of Jared beneath his hands. His fingers traced the curve of his stomach, his touch light but lingering. He loved the way Jared felt—soft yet strong, his body a reflection of the comfort and happiness they shared.

“God, I love everything about you,” Bryan whispered against his lips, his fingers trailing lower. He fumbled, then found Jared’s seatbelt. He unlatched it. Jared did the same for him.

Jared’s breath hitched, and he pulled back just enough to look at Bryan, his eyes full of adoration. “I feel the same.”

They stayed there, tangled in each other’s warmth, the world beyond the car fading away. Every touch, every kiss spoke volumes about the connection they had—deeper than words, built on trust, comfort, and a desire that burned brighter with every passing moment.

The inside of Jared’s car was warm and quiet, their breaths mingling in the space between them. Bryan’s heart pounded as his fingers traced slow, deliberate patterns over Jared’s chest. Even through his shirt, he could feel the solidness of him—the heat radiating from his skin, the way his body seemed to mold against him.

“Can I?” Bryan’s voice was a whisper, his eyes searched Jared’s. His fingers toyed with the hem of his shirt, anticipation buzzing beneath his skin.

Jared’s gaze softened, his lips curling into that familiar, boyish grin that made Bryan’s stomach flip. “Of course,” he murmured, his voice low and full of warmth. His eyes never left Bryan’s as he leaned back slightly against the car seat, giving him all the space he needed.

Bryan’s breath caught as his fingers slipped beneath the fabric, lifting it slowly, almost reverently. His fingertips grazed along the soft curve of Jared’s belly first, and his pulse quickened. His skin was warm and inviting beneath his touch, and Bryan couldn’t help but bite his lip as he pulled the shirt higher, revealing more of him.

Bryan’s eyes took him in—the gentle swell of his chest, the subtle curve of his love handles, and the soft, expansive roundness of his belly. God—that belly. Jared was bigger now, fuller—and every inch of him made Bryan’s heart swell.

“You…” Bryan’s voice caught in his throat, and a slow, admiring smile tugged at his lips. “You look amazing.”