FROM JP Episode 21: The Smile: 

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        It took the rest of the morning, but JP and Matt soon returned to their normal routine. Matt went over to his house for their daily workout and then they went running in a nearby park. The whole world felt different now that Matt had come out to his mom. She may only have been one person, but somehow, the weight on his shoulders was far easier to carry. Not only that, but it gave him another person to talk to. Although it would be awkward at first, eventually Matt knew that she would always be there for him.

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          Once Matt and JP arrived at Burke Lake Park near JP's house, they found Andrew, Mike and Carrie waiting for them in the parking lot.

           "Nice truck Andrew," JP said, admiring the sleek lines of Andrew's blue Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab.

          "Thanks JP," Andrew said, putting down the hood after refilling the window washer fluid. "My mom bought it for me on my 17th birthday last fall."

           "Wow, your mom just bought you a brand-new truck?" JP asked in astonishment. "I got my brother's old car as a hand-me-down!" He pointed to the green GTO behind him.

          "Actually, this is a four year old truck JP, and I pay my mom monthly for it," Andrew informed JP. "She raised me to work for everything I have, including this body." He noticed JP smirking and added, "Now, we came here to work out our bodies, not just our mouths."

          "That's right Andrew; how are you at running laps?" JP asked him. "There are a few miles of trails that go around this lake and through the woods. Matt and I tried them out a week ago and we got quite a good workout that day."

         "You got a better workout than me JP, since you kept running for two more hours after I ran out of breath," Matt reminded him with an irritated look.

        "Yeah Matt, but now I've found someone who can keep up with me," JP said, with a hint of his old cocky attitude. 

        "Yeah JP, I shouldn't have any trouble keeping up with you, thanks to my long legs," Andrew predicted with a cocky smirk. He turned around and asked, "Are you coming with us Mike and Carrie?"

         Carrie was about to answer, but her jaw dropped in astonishment as Andrew peeled off his skintight t-shirt. JP and Matt stared at Andrew's massively muscled torso in awe and more than a little fear, while Mike grinned with pride at how big and ripped his best friend and mentor was. 

        "Yeah we are Andrew, but I guess we should follow your lead and take off our t-shirts as well," Mike said, peeling off his skintight t-shirt with a lot of effort. His cocky grin disguised the effort, making it look like he was peeling it off slowly to show off his massive muscles for his friends. "There, that feels better," he added, as the slight breeze blew against his skin. He turned around to see Matt and JP staring at him with open mouths. "What's the matter guys: scared of my guns?" he asked, flexing his massive biceps. "I can assure you that they don't fire blanks!"

         Andrew laughed at his protege's silly joke, while JP and Matt's looks of fear turned slowly into small grins. "Don't be scared guys; even though this is the first time you've seen our massive muscles in full daylight," Andrew advised them. He stepped forward to lay a massive hand on JP's shoulder, who only kept himself from recoiling in fear to look strong and fearless for Matt's sake. "We're all friends here, so you have nothing to worry about JP."

        "I'm not worried Andrew," JP bluffed, even though he knew Andrew could see the fear in his eyes. "I'm actually glad that you're a lot bigger than Ryan. If he was here and saw who my new friend was, he'd never make a dumb comment to me ever again!"

        "Don't tell him we're friends JP; if I go on a recruiting visit to Virginia Tech in the fall, I want to surprise him with that," Andrew ordered him.

 

"What makes you think you'll see Ryan on your recruiting visit?" JP asked, as he took off his t-shirt. He grinned smugly at Matt's look of lust and Carrie's look of astonishment. "Take off your t-shirt Matt; show off that body you've earned this summer."

 

"The recruiting visits I'm going on this summer will be hosted by RedShirt Freshman, so I'm sure that Ryan will fill the same role this fall," Andrew replied in answer to JP's question.

 

JP nodded in understanding and then Carrie said, "I won't take off my t-shirt like you guys did, but I'll certainly enjoy the view of your muscles."

 

"Just the view of my muscles Carrie," Andrew warned her with an angry glare. "I hate repeating myself, but just in case no one got the message last night: you're my girlfriend and no one else's!" He turned to glare at the other three guys and growled, "Has everyone got that message loud and clear?"

 

"Yes Andrew," Mike replied, since JP and Matt were too scared to speak. He had an idea to ease the tension and asked, "Hey Andrew, what do you call chest muscles on a rough ocean?" 

 

"Just tell us Mike," Andrew sighed with a small grin, knowing that Mike was about to tell one of his silly puns.

 

"Bouncing pecs," Mike replied with a big grin as he bounced his chest muscles. 

 

"Good one Mike; my turn," Andrew said, as JP led them to the start of the trail around the lake. "What do you call arms that are lethal weapons?"

 

"I have no idea Andrew," Mike replied.

 

"Loaded guns," Andrew replied with a cocky smirk as he flexed his massive biceps.

 

Everyone laughed as they started running down the trail.

 

"Okay one more," Mike promised. "How do you wash your clothes when there's no washing machine handy?"

 

"Use the lake?" JP guessed, pointing off to their left through the trees.

 

"Nope, you use washboard abs," Mike replied, pointing to his six-pack. 

 

Everyone laughed once again, shaking their heads at the silly but cocky puns of Andrew and Mike. For their part, Andrew and Mike were glad that their jokes had put everyone at ease, especially since they had seen Andrew's bad temper up close a few minutes before.

 

Andrew and Mike let JP and Matt lead the way down the trail, while Carrie followed behind them. As they ran, Andrew tried to think of a way he could let JP and Matt know that he knew their secret. He realized that only Mike could keep up with him, but then he also realized that Mike and Matt had spent a lot of time together with Carrie the night before. So Andrew just had to come up with an excuse to get JP alone, and Matt's earlier comment about being left alone while JP ran for two more hours popped up in his head.

 

So, once Matt gets tired, then Mike and Carrie will wait with him back near the cars for JP and myself, Andrew realized. Then I can see just how far JP can run, since he won't be holding himself back to keep Matt from feeling bad.

 

"So JP, will we take the trail all the way around the lake?" Andrew asked.

 

"Only if you can keep up with me Andrew," JP teased him.

 

"I wouldn't worry about Andrew keeping up with you, but I won't be able to JP," Matt reminded him.

 

"Well, I'm not slowing down for you Matt; I have to keep in shape for wrestling next year," JP reminded him with a frown.

 

"If Matt and Carrie get tired, I'll go back with them to the main part of the park," Mike offered, not letting on that he, like Andrew, would be able to keep up with JP.

 

"Thanks man, I'd appreciate that," Andrew said gratefully, pleased that he would soon be able to speak to JP alone. "You keep them company like you did last night and if any jerks try to start anything with Carrie, all you'll have to do is stand up to scare them away." Mike grinned at that idea and Andrew added, "I'm trusting you to keep an eye on Carrie when I'm not around Mike, as long as you don't try anything with her!"

 

"Don't worry Andrew, I'll protect her; I won't harrass her," Mike assured his big friend. A scary look of anger appeared on his face as he added, "But if anyone tries to harrass her, we'll see how they like seeing my huge muscles up close and personal!"

 

Hopefully they won't like it like Matt would, JP thought suddenly with a smirk on his face. As he jogged effortlessly through the woods with Andrew and Mike beside him, he thought about how lucky he was to be spending this summer with his friends. Too bad Ryan couldn't be here, he thought to himself with a pang of regret. But perhaps Andrew's idea about revealing his friendship with me if he sees Ryan this fall will help me get back my relationship with my true big brother.

 

"Hey JP, who is that Nick guy you were talking about just before we met last night?" Andrew asked him suddenly.

 

"He's Chrissy's brother; you know: the girl you were about to save from those college jerks until I stepped in," JP replied. "I don't know if I thanked you for that yet."

 

"Yeah you did JP, right after you asked me if I wanted a piece of you," Andrew reminded him with a steely glare. "That wasn't very nice, since I was ready to defend Chrissy from those two jerks before you got there."

 

"Sorry about that Andrew; I guess my mind was just clouded by rage," JP apologized.

 

"Yeah, deflected rage at your big brother Ryan," Andrew snapped, still mad about JP's rudeness when they'd first met. "If you ever want to take me on JP, I'm right here!"

 

"No thanks Andrew; at least not for real," JP assured him. "Your neck's so thick I don't think I could get my arm around it! And even if I could, it looks so hard and muscular I'd have no luck trying to choke you out!"

 

"Keep that in mind Big Guy, just in case you think you're all that and then some," Andrew reminded him with a cocky smirk.

 

"Shut up Andrew!" JP laughed, throwing a punch at his big friend. Andrew still had his face turned towards him and JP's fist accidentally made contact with Andrew's jaw with a loud smack. "OWWW!" JP yelled, shaking out his sore hand. "I think I hurt myself!"

 

"I didn't feel a thing," Andrew bragged. "Was that your best shot?" he asked, as they stopped at one of the path junctions.

 

"No man," JP replied, massaging his sore hand. "But this is!"

 

He suddenly lunged at Andrew, trying to pull his head down to get him in a chokehold. It seemed to be working at first, but then Andrew grabbed JP by the legs and hoisted him over his shoulders, breaking JP's grip on his neck in the process. Then Andrew grinned and extended his arms, holding JP up above his head with no effort.

 

"Hold on tight JP; up and down you go!" Andrew laughed, as he began effortlessly shoulder-pressing JP. "Let me know when you've had enough!"

 

After a couple of minutes of being embarrassed, JP quietly said, "Okay, that's enough Andrew. Put me down please."

 

"Sure man, since you asked me nicely," Andrew said agreeably. He let JP down to his shoulders and then lowered him gently down to the ground. "There you go Big Guy: I put you down. Are you happy now?"

 

"Yeah I am Andrew; thanks," JP said gratefully, feeling embarrassed that Andrew had so thoroughly dominated him.

 

"Hey JP, how much can you bench?" Andrew asked him.

 

"350," JP immediately replied, though it didn't seem as impressive as it had earlier in the week.

 

"Good, then you should be able to bench-press me," Andrew realized. "I only weigh 305 so it should be easy for you."

 

JP chuckled at Andrew saying that he 'only' weighed 305 pounds. "How do you do that Andrew?" JP asked in wonder.

 

"Do what JP?" Andrew asked, as they jogged down a side path to look for a patch of grass to perform the human bench-press.

 

"How do you make me feel better with just a few words?" JP asked him seriously. "Ryan would have tossed me to the ground and then kicked me in the gut for good measure!"

 

"I've had lots of practice mentoring little guys like you," Andrew replied, missing JP's look of anger. "As for your brother, are you sure he'd fight dirty like that?"

 

"You don't know him like I do Andrew; in fact, you've never even met him!" JP snapped. "So believe me when I tell you: if I ever get him in a chokehold, I won't let up until I choke him out!"

 

"I believe you JP," Andrew said seriously, as they entered a small grassy clearing in the woods. As their friends followed them onto the grass, Andrew added, "Get the digital camera ready Mike: I think we're about to witness history!"

 

"Are you sure about this Andrew; won't you find in embarrassing being bench-pressed by someone who you outweigh by over 100 pounds?" JP asked him seriously.

 

"I'm trying to make you feel better by showing you how strong you really are, and how you have nothing to fear from me," Andrew assured him. He motioned JP to lie down and added, "As long as you don't hit me in the groin by accident, everything will be fine."

 

Carrie burst out laughing and Andrew shot a quick glare at her to keep her quiet, so that JP wouldn't figure out that they knew about him and Matt.

 

JP lay down on the grass and extended his arms. Andrew carefully positioned himself lengthwise so JP's hands were on his chest and thighs.

 

"Okay JP: let's go," Andrew said. "How many reps do you think you can do?"

 

"I'll go for five reps," JP replied, slowly lowering Andrew down to his chest. He raised his arms with some effort, slowly lifting Andrew up until his arms locked at full extension. "So far so good Andrew: let's go for two!" JP yelled in excitement. He bench-pressed Andrew four more times before he had to signal Andrew to stand up. "Whew! That was a great chest workout Andrew!" JP panted, accepting Andrew's outstretched hand which pulled him to his feet effortlessly.

 

"I knew you could do it JP," Andrew congratulated him, slapping him gently on the shoulder. "Good job Big Guy."

 

"Thanks Andrew," JP said, smiling gratefully up at his mentor. "Can we start running again?"

 

"After you shoulder-press me JP, just to be sure that you can handle a big guy like me," Andrew replied. "You do know how to pick someone up in a fireman's carry, don't you?"

 

"Yeah, my dad taught me," JP replied, screwing up his face in determination. He was nervous about shoulder-pressing over 300 pounds, but then he remembered that he had just bench-pressed that same amount: five times! And I have my whole body to help me this time, so it should be easy! he suddenly realized. "Bring it on Andrew: I'm ready!"

 

"That's it Big Guy," Andrew said, stepping closer and bending down so that JP could grab his legs and free arm. "Let's see what you've got! Go for ten reps!"

 

JP grabbed Andrew around the legs and slowly straightened up, getting Andrew squarely across his shoulders. Then he adjusted his grip and began shoulder-pressing Andrew up and down. He grinned as he performed the first five reps easily, noticing Mike and Matt taking his picture. The next five reps were more difficult, but JP just gritted his teeth in determination and forced himself through them. Then he carefully let Andrew back down to the ground again; panting and massaging his sore chest and shoulders.

 

"Great job JP," Andrew congratulated him, shaking his hand instead of slapping his sore shoulder. "I knew you could do it!" JP grinned as he tried to catch his breath. Andrew motioned the others back to the trail and stepped closer to JP until he was looming over him. He bent down so that only JP could hear him and whispered, "Now you know that you can take on Ryan with no problem, so don't worry about him JP."

 

"Thanks Andrew, I owe you Big Guy," JP said gratefully, now that he had his breath back. As they jogged back onto the path, he added, "You're a really great mentor."

 

"I've had lots of practice JP and I'd be glad to pass on some tips so that you'll be ready to mentor Nick in about six weeks," Andrew offered.

 

"That would be great Andrew, because Nick won't be the only wrestling hopeful I'll be mentoring at wrestling camp next month," JP said gratefully.

 

"Well, I do know how to mentor two guys at once: I did it with my teammates Ralph and Connor two years ago," Andrew said modestly. He smiled as he remembered developing his two proteges into star football players by Grade 11. "Since they will be the Starting Quarterback and Wide Receiver respectively this season, it seems I did alright."

 

"Wow Andrew, that's really impressive," JP congratulated his huge friend. "What about Mike here? Did you train him as well?"

 

"Yeah man, before high school started," Andrew replied with a smug grin. He turned to Mike and ordered him, "Tell JP how small you were when I first started training you almost seven years ago."

 

"5 foot even and 80 pounds," Mike replied sheepishly, feeling embarrassed that he had ever been that small.

 

"You were about the same size as Nick is now," JP realized, glad that Chrissy had told him her brother's stats. "And look at you now: 305 pounds of solid muscle!"

 

"And I stand at 6 foot 6, so I loom over you just like Andrew does," Mike chuckled. He lifted JP up by his waist, even as they were still jogging down the path. "I'm the big man in this group, and don't you forget it!"

 

JP's eyes narrowed in anger and he was about to punch Mike in the face when Andrew said, "Put him down Mike; I let him shoulder-press me to make him feel better and you're ruining it by lifting him up like a rag doll!"

 

Mike stopped jogging, set JP down and went to ruffle his hair, but JP knocked his arm away swiftly.

 

"Don't even think of trying to touch me without my permission man, or I'll rip your arm off!" he growled in fury.

 

"Whoa JP, calm down!" Andrew urged him, clamping a massive hand on JP's sore shoulder to hold him back as he lunged at Mike. JP winced and Andrew switched his iron grip to his arm instead. "Sorry about that man, but don't start anything with Mike: he's just as strong as I am and he could wipe the floor with you!"

 

JP glared at Andrew over his shoulder, realizing that all of Andrew's efforts to make him feel better had just been ruined.

 

"I think it's time I take Carrie and Matt back to the parking lot," Mike suggested with an arrogant grin. "You and JP run some more until he calms down Andrew."

 

"Good idea Mike; see you later," Andrew said, looking very serious. Mike's grin faded and led Matt and Carrie back down the trail, but not before giving JP one last smirk over his shoulder. Andrew frowned and shook his head until Mike's smirk vanished and then turned around to see JP glaring at him with clenched fists. "Go ahead and punch me JP," Andrew sighed. "I deserve it for not stopping Mike in time."

 

JP hesitated suddenly; no longer wanting to punch Andrew now that he had his permission and slightly afraid of making his huge friend angry.

 

"No it's okay Andrew," JP assured him, letting out a huge sigh and unclenching his fists. "It's kind of my fault, not just Mike's. To me, he was acting just like Ryan and I projected my anger onto him."

 

"Yeah you did JP and it wouldn't have ended well if you had tried to rip Mike's arm off," Andrew warned him. "Even if you had got a grip on his arm, he would have just lifted you off the ground effortlessly and given you an F-Five or something."

 

"Just like Brock Lesnar would," JP realized with sudden understanding. "You never told me that you were a wrestling fan Andrew."

 

"You never asked, but I know some wrestling moves too," Andrew said soberly. He looked at his watch and added, "But we've gotten way off topic and while we are alone now, it didn't happen the way I wanted it to."

 

"Why do you want to be alone with me Andrew?" JP asked, feeling slightly nervous that he was suddenly alone in the woods with such a huge muscular guy.

 

"Not for any bad reason JP, so don't worry," Andrew assured him with a gentle smile. JP let out a sigh of relief and the fear slowly left his face. "You don't have to act so tough all the time JP; I know you're scared of how huge and strong I am," Andrew said, letting the smile fade from his face.

 

"Yes I am Andrew; you told me yesterday that you could bench 800 pounds!" JP shouted in astonishment. "Is that a one rep max or a working weight?"

 

"It's a one rep max and that is the literal truth because I haven't been able to do it again," Andrew replied. As they began jogging down the path again, he added, "My working weight is about 700 pounds for five reps."

 

"That's over twice your weight Andrew and four times mine!" JP shouted in astonishment. "That's why your arms are so big!"

 

"Yeah I was really happy the day my pythons got bigger than the Hulkster's," Andrew laughed. He flexed a massive bicep and kissed it softly before saying, "These puppies are sick but they don't need a vet!"

 

"But anyone who gets in their way is going to need a hospital!" JP predicted, laughing at the cocky smirk on Andrew's face.

 

"Thanks JP, I wasn't sure how to finish that," Andrew said gratefully.

 

"No problem Big Guy," JP said, patting Andrew on the shoulder.

 

"That's 'Huge Guy' to you, Little Man," Andrew growled in mock fury. When he saw JP's eyes narrow in anger, he laughed and assured him, "I was just kidding man: you've got to learn how to take a joke!"

 

"I know that Andrew, but I was just reminded of Ryan once again," JP sighed in frustration.

 

"You're obsessed with your brother JP, but there's someone else you should be thinking about instead of him," Andrew advised him, recognizing his opening. When JP looked at him questioningly, Andrew added, "I'm talking about Matt; it's obvious that you love him man."

 

"Yeah, just like a big brother, which Ryan should have been," JP stated, hoping that Andrew hadn't seen Matt staring at him longingly during the fireworks the night before. "He's really filled a void in my life."

 

"Just like Carrie did for me when we fell in love," Andrew said, finally deciding to state the obvious. JP's jaw dropped and a look of panic suddenly appeared in his eyes. "Don't worry man, I'm not grossed out or anything; don't forget: my country legalized same-sex marriage two years ago," Andrew assured him.

 

"It's not that Andrew, but thanks for not being weirded-out," JP said gratefully. "It's just that Matt came out to his mom this morning about him and me dating and though she had already figured it out, it was still a big shock for her. She's the only one who knows; I haven't even come out to my parents yet."

 

"And I can't imagine that you'd ever come out to Ryan," Andrew realized, unable to even imagine how violent Ryan's reaction would be if he found out that his little brother was gay. "My lips are sealed man; I won't tell anyone, because Carrie already figured it out."

 

"Do you think now that Matt's come out to his mom, he's going to tell Mike?" JP asked with a worried look on his face.

 

"I don't think so and Carrie won't either, since she waited until she was alone with me to tell me she knew about you and Matt," Andrew assured him. "But you might want to take Matt aside later and let him know that Carrie and I know about you two," he added. "It's only fair to him."

 

"That's a good idea Andrew; thanks for thinking of that," JP said gratefully. 

 

As they got close to the parking lot, he reached up to Andrew's massive shoulder and squeezed it gently. "You're a really great guy Andrew and I'm glad that you have agreed to be my Honorary Big Brother."

 

"I'll always be here for you JP and even for your protégé Nick, once I get to meet him of course," Andrew said.

 

"Once I get to meet him in mid-August, I'll introduce you to him when we meet again," JP promised him. As they jogged within view of their friends, he asked Andrew, "Have we talked enough for one afternoon Big Guy? Are you ready for some football and Frisbee now?"

 

"Yeah man; I have my Miami football in my backpack and I think I see Matt holding your Navy Frisbee," Andrew replied. "But before we begin, I think you and Mike should apologize to each other, so that there won't be any more trouble between you two."

 

"Good idea man," JP said, switching back into the Cocky Jock he pretended to be when he was in a crowd. He stepped right up to Mike, no longer intimidated by his huge size, and held out his hand. "I'm sorry I got so mad at you earlier Mike: I was just projecting angry thoughts about my brother Ryan onto you."

 

"Apology accepted JP," Mike assured him, gripping JP's hand gently in his huge meaty paw. "I owe you an apology as well, for acting just like Ryan probably does."

 

"He hasn't put his hands on me for years, but he does act superior to me, just like you did earlier," JP realized. "But I accept your apology Mike and I can tell that you're not embarrassed to apologize to someone you outweigh by over 100 pounds of solid muscle!"

 

"130 pounds to be exact, but who's counting?" Mike asked rhetorically with a cocky smirk.

 

"Funny man!" JP laughed, taking his Navy Frisbee out of his bag and throwing it at Mike's head.

 

His eyes widened as Mike caught it quickly, with just one hand, and then fired it quickly back at JP. JP had to do a cartwheel to catch it, but the force of the throw knocked him off his feet. Mike started laughing but then his eyes widened as JP quickly rolled through the fall and back to his feet.

 

"Most impressive Big Guy," Mike commended him. "I can see why you're such a threat on the wrestling mat."

 

"Yeah man," JP said with a cocky smirk. "You may have caught me off guard before, but just try to lift me off the ground again! Next time I'll be ready for you!"

 

"I'm sure you will JP," Mike assured him with an encouraging grin. "I can see why you're a District Finalist and next season you'll win Districts and then the State Championship in high school wrestling!"

 

JP grinned with gratitude as he threw the Navy Frisbee back to Mike and their friends smiled in relief: pleased that JP's obsession with his brother Ryan was slowly fading into the background, at least for the time being.