Vibe Bar Patio

The day was a Friday. The time was 6 o'clock. A black Tesla driven by a youthful dark-haired dude let me out at Vibe Bar + Patio on Lorain Ave then went on his way. Still bashful about coming out, I looked in both directions satisfying myself that I would not meet anyone who knows me.

Having recently graduated college, I am employed at Cleveland Clinic in Radiology. I mingle freely with nurses, some of whom probably suspect that I'm gay.

The popular gay haunt was not yet crowded, but the evening was still young. I had no doubt that more patrons would come through its door before long.

I took a seat at a slatted rectangular table outside on the walled patio and gazed at my environment. Potted plants called to mind flower gardens at the home of my youth. The tall red picket fence and the lattice with bushes against it gave the area a nice touch.

A few minutes elapsed. Conversations had been taking place at nearby tables while I sat by myself.

I would not be alone for much longer. Little did I know that a stranger was about to change my life.

Looking over my beer mug at a strikingly handsome man, I became aroused. I didn't want him noticing that yet. Light-brown hair framed a diamond-shaped face. Blue eyes, a straight nose and thin lips made him my near twin.

I want him.

I gestured him to sit across from me and we fell into easy conversation. We talked about books, school days, current incidents and past incidents. He had my undivided attention.

"I'm not out," I said, finally, after a few minutes.

"How old are you?"

"23, and you," I inquired.

"35," he replied.

How much experience does he have? Were they relationships or just hookups?

I opened up.

"I dated girls when I was in high school at Mentor high. Tricia and I were together for a few months."

"And you guys broke up because you came out to her," he inquired.

I shook my head and gave a reply.

"We broke up because I told her it didn't feel right."

He gave a silent nod.

A second passed then he spoke.

"Shelly is the closest thing to a girlfriend for me. She's just the sweetest girl."

"Do you guys talk about relationships?"

"We have," he replied.

"How did you meet her?"

"Through my sister," he replied. "They're besties."

"Is your sister lesbian?"

"No," he replied, shaking his head.

I awoke early Saturday morning under the blanket in his kingsize bed. After responding to nature's call I sauntered still naked to the livingroom where our clothes were strewn about the floor.

Paul joined me on the sofa within a few minutes. His gaze locked onto my lap watching me make slow openhanded upward strokes.

"Stroke it dude," he teased.

I turned my head to the right giving him a smile.

"No sense in wasting the boner I woke up with," I quipped.

"No sense in that," he quipped back.

"I need coffee," I said, trying to suppress a yawn.

"Go make up the bed. I'll start a pot of coffee."

We took a minute and a few seconds to get dressed in the livingroom. Afterward, I went to make the bed as though we were roomies.

As we sipped our coffee at the counter thoughts of how to get myself home occupied my mind.

Meanwhile we fell into easy conversation, this time about family and growing up.

I was surprised to learn that, like me, he grew up in Mentor.

"I'll drive you home."

Great. Now he gets to see my street address.

My apartment no longer felt lonely, even though I was still the only occupant. Maybe I should come out. Should I start with my brother Larry?

Larry Caruso, age 27, had been my closest friend growing up. We had our fights, but then all siblings fight. If I could feel comfortable coming out to anyone, it's him.

At 11 a.m. I placed the call. It rang twice before he appeared.

"Stevie, what's happening little bro?"

"I don't know how to say this.'

"Say what?"

"I met someone."

"What's her name?"

"It's a 'him'."

Larry's mouth went agape.

I nodded.

"Listen I'm OK with it. I just never took you for a gay."

"It's a desire that's been growing for a long time, like years."

"What do you guys talk about? Is he into Ru Paul and effeminate?"

"No nothing like that," I replied. "He played high school shortstop."

"A lot of those guys lift weights. Does he weight lift?"

"Yes he does," I replied.

The chemistry between me and Paul Kenwood just felt right.

"How long have you guys been seeing each other?"

"Since last week," I lied.

I could not admit to already having slept with him after knowing him for just a few hours.

"Mom and dad always hoped you'd settle down with a girl, and give them grandkids"

"That's not going to happen."

"They'll be disappointed but they will get over it."

"Tell Lynne I said hi"

Lynne Mathews, my brother's long time girlfriend, is another friend to whom I can speak about this matter. Over the years we've talked often, though always trivial subjects, never about anything private.

"I'm going to propose to her."

"Great, I wish you well with that. I hope she says 'yes'."

"Thanks bro."

With that, I ended the call. Minutes later my phone rang again. This time it was Paul. Once again we fell into easy conversation. We chatted about sports, motorcycles, rollerblading just to name a few topics.

"You couldn't put me on a motorcycle. They're not safe."

"They're safe," Paul countered. "The rider just has to not be stupid or reckless."

"You mean like the bikies I see on the freeway weaving in and out of traffic?"

"Yah those idiots," said Paul.

As the days passed our friendship grew. Conversations with Paul seemed to last longer.

A sexual fantasy had taken control of my behavior much later that night. By 9 o'clock I was lying naked on my bed. My clothes lay on the bedroom floor. My hand closed around the 5.5 inch s haft. Bent on ejaculating, I rubbed rapidly pulling the foreskin over the pink head and backward.

I want you Paul Kenwood. This act would be so much better if it was your cock, not my own.

The mental image of putting my feet on his shoulders inviting his thick cock to slide in and out kept me busy masturbating.

So what if he's twelve years older than me. Age means nothing.

Besides that, his muscular physique is sexy as all outdoors.

The workdays passed quickly. I had little time between patients. Focusing on my work helped keep my mind off Paul.

Even so, at lunch Friday I let slip that I have a boyfriend.

Jackie Lane, an x-ray tech whom I've known superficially since the start of my employment, gave me a sideways glance.

I thought nothing of it.

Before my shift ended I sent Paul a text.

"Let's grab a pizza this afternoon. I'm off at 3."

He texted me back. "Yup"

We came face to face between the two cars parked in front of my favorite pizza shop. He puled me into a kiss that tasted of coffee and promise. When we broke apart after several seconds I realized that what we have feels so right.

We sauntered toward the eatery, our hands entwined.

"I just came out at work," I said, looking at him across the table.

"How was the reaction?"

"It was at lunch. There was just me and one other tech, Jacqueline Lane. She didn't comment."