Daniel's Story

"Hey Daniel look."

I looked up from my lunch and looked in the direction my best friend Lucy nodded towards. It was our boss Jason Williams. He is the head of our office. I worked at a call center helping people with their health insurance. It was nice pay in my position but it was tough because my boss was an asshole. Having my best friend Lucy working with me made the job better.

"He looks just as upset as usual. Looks like today's gonna be a rough day for us."

"For us? He hardly ever even messes with you. He's always giving me such a hard time." I said.

"He probably likes you." She giggled.

"Definitely not. He's straight and he gives me such dirty looks a lot of the time. Not that I'd even consider it with how big of an asshole he is."

My boss Jason was about 5'11" with a thin but muscular build, clean-shaven, and slicked back jet black hair. He wasn't bad looking really. Me, I'm 23 years old and about 5'10" and a little chubby. I'm a pretty shy guy for the most part but if I get to know you I'm not so bad.

"Well hopefully he doesn't mess with you today," Lucy said as she finished up her lunch.

"Are you Kevin and Jacob still going out tonight?" I asked her.

"Yea. So are you coming with us? Jacob and his girlfriend are going in his car so we can pick you up if you want."

"Yeah, I'll go. It'll hopefully help me relax with my brother coming into town this weekend."

Lucy's face showed sympathy. "It'll be ok Daniel."

I forced the thought out of my mind when I heard the sound of cowboy boots entering the room and my eyes immediately searched for the man wearing them. Dominic Miller walked into the break room. God, he was hot. He was a huge man. Probably 6'3" with a nice thick manly build a buzz cut and a dark thick beard with some gray hairs in it here and there. His big arms always stretched the sleeves of his shirt, his forearms were hairy and he had a tattoo under the hair on his left arm. He looked strong but with some fat on top of it that made him look even manlier and sexier to me. He looked to have a slight belly under his button-up shirt and I could see some dark hair spilling over the top button of his shirt from his chest. He was a bear and my type of man. I've had a crush on the big man ever since he started working at my job a couple of months ago.

"Why don't you try to talk to him for once? I always catch you checking him out."

"Yeah right. I doubt he's gay."

"I'm pretty sure I've seen him check you out a few times," Lucy said quietly.

"Yeah right. He's always talking to Stacy at the front desk. They look like they're flirting most of the time."

"You never know. Maybe they're just friends. He's talked to me a few times. He's nice. Me and Stacy are friends. Maybe I'll ask Stacy if they're a thing. Or if he's gay."

"Lucky. I've never talked with him. And please don't."

"Ok fine, I won't. Just go talk to him now."

"No way. I'd be too awkward."

She sighed as she got up to get back to work. "Well, one day we'll find you a man. Maybe tonight when we're out."

"Daniel. Come to my office." My boss Jason peeked into the break room and went back to his office. He didn't sound like his usual self but I still had a bad feeling.

Lucy gave me a sympathetic look.

"Well, here we go," I muttered.

Lucy went back to work and I reluctantly went to my boss's office.

***

I knocked at the door.

"Come in."

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes sit down."

I sat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk. I nervously brushed my pants with my hands even though there was no reason to.

"I know I give you a hard time a lot of days but recently you've impressed me. Your stats have been the best in the whole office as of late."

I was surprised. He wasn't being a douchebag.

"Um thank you, sir. I try."

"Yeah, you've been doing great. There's gonna be a bonus added to your check this week."

"Wow. Thank you so much, sir. I really appreciate that."

"Sure thing." He cleared his throat. "And I apologize for the way I am around the office. I let personal issues bleed into my work life too much."

"I understand sir. It is tough around here for me sometimes."

He looked a bit embarrassed when I said that. Probably because he's the cause of my stress here at work and he knows it.

He sighed. "I've been speaking with some higher-ups about getting you promoted and they agreed. If you'll take it they're interested in having you take my position over."

I was shocked.

"I- um of course I would be interested. That would be amazing. But what about you?"

"I'll be moving up in the company as well. Moving to Florida for a new office opening over there."

"Wow, that's great sir."

***

I left my boss's office and went to the break room with a big smile on my face. I was pouring a cup of coffee when Dominic came up next to me.

"Hey. Mind pouring me one?" His deep gruff voice sounded very sexy.

"Hey, yea of course." I was shocked for a second that I was finally talking to him. Play it cool Daniel.

"What's got you smiling so big?"

"Our boss just told me I'll be taking over his position."

"Wow. Good for you. What's happening with him?"

"Moving up in the company. He's moving to Florida." I handed Dominic his cup of coffee.

"Thank you." He said. "You deserve it. I see how he's such an ass to you sometimes."

I was a little embarrassed that he noticed.

"Thank you." I smiled shyly at the big handsome man.

He held out his hand to me.

"I'm Dominic."

I shook his hand. His grip was firm yet gentle. His big hand was so warm.

"Daniel"

"Nice to meet you, Daniel. I've been meaning to introduce myself."

"Nice to meet you too." I could smell his cologne. It smelled so manly and intoxicating. Looking into his deep brown eyes sent a shiver down my spine. Being so close to him I noticed he had a scar on his left eyebrow. I thought it made him look even sexier.

He squeezed my shoulder lightly. Another shiver went down my spine and I felt my dick start to wake up.

"Well, congrats on the promotion. I look forward to you being the new boss. I'll see you around. Gotta get back."

I glanced at him as he exited the break room. He had a nice bubble butt in his jeans. He turned back and tipped his head at me and I quickly looked away hoping I wasn't caught.

***

Later that night Me, Lucy, and her boyfriend Kevin were driving to a bar for karaoke night. It was a sports bar we'd gone to a few times. Kevin and Lucy's brother Jacob liked the place a lot. I wasn't too fond of the place but it wasn't bad. It just wasn't my type of scene. I'm more of a hang out at home and watch a movie or show type of person.

"So what did Jason want today at work?" Lucy asked.

"He surprisingly wasn't a jerk today. He told me there would be a bonus added to my check this pay period and I'm getting a promotion. I'm going to be the boss."

"No way!"

"Yeah, I couldn't believe it at the time. Oh! I also chatted with Dominic a little in the break room."

"What!? You had a good day huh? So what did he say?"

"Nothing much really. I was getting a coffee and he asked if I could pour him some. He asked what happened with Jason and I told him about the promotion. He was nice."

"Ooooo. He asked you to pour him some coffee. He's definitely into you." Lucy giggled

"Yeah right."

"It is a little odd that he asked you to pour him one when he could've done it himself when you were finished," Kevin said as he turned the car into the sports bar.

"Exactly! He was flirting with you, Danny." Lucy smiled at me from the passenger seat.

"Don't call me that. You know I don't like that." I was gonna deny that Dominic was flirting with me but I was kinda hoping they were right.

"Sorry sorry, I'm just excited to see you date again since Nick."

"Damn the guy asks for a cup of coffee from Daniel and now they're dating?" Kevin said. They both laughed.

I kinda cringed at her bringing up Nick. I met him a year ago at a club Lucy and Kevin dragged me to and we hit it off. He was a little taller than me with a fit muscular build and a short well-trimmed beard.

We dated for half a year and I fell in love with him quickly. But one day I caught him sexting with some twink on social media. I was heartbroken. I confronted him on it and he acted like it was no big deal and tried to say how he didn't realize we were exclusive. I cried and he said we should just end it there. It hurt more because he knew how I felt about him. I told him I loved him one night after sex but he didn't say it back he just kissed me. I guess I should've realized that something was up. Since then I've been pretty scared to get hurt again.

"Alright let's go get some drinks," Kevin said

***

We met up with Lucy's brother Jacob and his girlfriend Anne inside. They all had a few drinks while I only sipped my first beer of the night. I wasn't a big drinker. We all chatted while we enjoyed random people singing songs that most of them butchered. It was so funny when someone drunk got up there and sang complete jibberish.

"Oh my god Daniel look. Your man is here. Oh, wait."

I looked over to the bar and there he was laughing with Stacy from the front desk. He looked so hot. He was in some brown cowboy boots with a matching brown cowboy hat. Nice fitting blue jeans that made his bubble butt look so good and he had a black button-up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up above his elbows showing off his arms. Stacy was giggling at something he said.

"Sorry, Daniel."

"It's fine Lucy. I had a feeling they were a thing." I took a swig from my beer.

"Hey, maybe they're just friends," Anne said

"That's what I said earlier. Oh, shoot Stacy's waving at us." Lucy said.

She waved back and I glanced over at them. They were both walking over to us. I met eyes with Dominic and he smiled. I quickly downed the rest of my beer to hopefully help with the nerves.

"Hey, Lucy! I didn't know you guys came here. Mind if we join you guys?" Stacy said.

"Yeah, sure! And yeah we come here sometimes. First karaoke night though. It's fun."

"Yeah, it's great on karaoke night. Thats when me and Dominic usually come. I try to get him to go up there and sing something but he never does." She playfully elbowed him.

"I'm not a great singer." He shrugged.

"Yeah right. You sing sometimes when we're in your truck and I think it's really good."

"Nah. I'm just humming along."

The thought of his voice singing intrigued me. I wish I could hear the big man sing.

"Hey, Dominic was telling me you're being promoted to Jason's position at work," Stacy said to me.

"Oh yeah. Jason's moving up and I'm taking his position. I was surprised 'cause he's on my ass all the time at work."

"The guy needs to take a chill pill sometimes. Guys a dick. I'm glad you're taking his spot. You won't be like that will you Daniel?" Dominic asked me.

"Nah never. I don't have a mean bone in my body." I almost stuttered replying to him.

"Thank god. That dude gives me the creeps sometimes." Stacy said and we all laughed.

Dominic smiled and playfully nudged my shoulder.

"Wanna go get another beer?" Dominic asked me looking at my empty bottle.

"Oh uh- yea sure." Dominic downed the last of his beer.

"You guys want one?" Dominic asked the group but they all were still working on their current drinks.

I looked at Lucy as I got up to follow Dominic and she shot me a knowing look. I followed close behind Dominic as we went to the bar. I could smell his woodsy cologne and natural manly scent. His strong wide back stretched the fabric of his shirt. He ordered us two beers but when we got them he made no effort to rejoin the group. He started drinking there so I followed his lead.

"I'm happy we ran into you guys here," Dominic said smiling at me.

"Me too." I shifted nervously as I sipped my beer.

"So you nervous about the new position?"

"Yeah, a little bit. But I think I can do it. I'm kind of a shy guy but when it comes to work I think I get over it."

"Yeah, you'll do fine. I'm excited to have such a cute boss." He grinned.

I felt a jolt go through my body and my face burned red. Did he call me cute? This big man was flirting with me? He wasted no time. The butterflies awoke in my stomach.

I cleared my throat and took another swig from my beer. A bigger swig this time. I tried to think of something to say to the big man.

"So do you ever go up there and sing?" Such a dumb question. Stacy just told us he doesn't. I facepalmed internally.

He chuckled. "Oh no. My deep voice is no good for singing. Stacy's crazy if she thinks I'm any good. It's too rough."

"I think it's nice." I felt my face blush even harder as soon as the words left my mouth. Chugging that beer was getting to me.

"Oh, you like my voice?" He raised an eyebrow to me and smirked.

"Yeah," I said quietly.

"Thanks, Daniel. Yours is nice too." He took a swig from his beer. "I'll go up there and sing if you come with me."

"Oh no, I can't. I can't sing at all and I get stage fright." I shook my head.

"Oh come on." He leaned in close. "I'll be up there with you." His manly scent made my pants feel tighter.

"I- I can't. I'll look like an idiot." I looked at the people up there making a fool of themselves but laughing and having a great time.

"OK ok. But one of these days we should."

I just laughed and looked down at my beer label trying to think of something to say. Gosh, why am I so bad at just talking sometimes?

"So you seeing anyone Daniel?" He leaned an arm on the bar and his shirt stretched a bit more showing more of his hairy chest.

"No. I'm single." I glanced up at him for a second then back down to my beer. He lightly smiled and studied my face. "I recently got out of a relationship with someone and it was rough for me so I've been a bit apprehensive about any relationships."

"Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that. Just know the guy or girl messed up letting you get away."

"Guy." I blurted out. I looked at him and he gave me a sympathetic smile and rubbed my shoulder.

"His loss," Dominic said.

"What about you?" I asked.

"No, I'm not seeing anyone. It's been quite a bit for me. Just waiting for the right cute little guy to come along." He kept eye contact with me as he said the last part. I nodded and felt my face get a bit hot. He chuckled.

"Don't be so nervous Daniel. If you can't tell, I like you. I've been wanting to introduce myself and talk to you since I started working with you but haven't had the guts. But I couldn't resist today when I saw you walk into the break room with that adorable smile on your face. Hopefully, you're interested in me too, or else this might be a bit awkward at work." He laughed.

Was this happening?

"Y-yea I like you a lot Dominic." This time I kept eye contact. He smiled.

"I'm happy to hear that Daniel. Can I take you out soon? Somewhere our friends aren't glancing over at us every minute giggling." He nodded in their direction.

I looked over and they all quickly looked away and acted like their attention was elsewhere.

My face felt hot. "Sure."

***

The karaoke night was a lot of fun. We eventually went back to our friends and enjoyed some more drinks while watching people sing their drunk hearts out. Lucy kept texting me about Dominic trying to find out what we were talking about but I ignored her. She shot me a mad face when she saw me turn off my phone screen after reading the fifth text asking me again. I'll tell her later or tomorrow. Dominic and I kept catching each other glancing over at each other and every time we made eye contact I could feel my face get hot. At the end of the night, we all said our goodbyes in front of the bar. When Dominic came up to me the butterflies woke up seeing the big man smile at me.

"You drive here Daniel?" He asked.

"No, I came with Lucy and Kevin." I looked over at them and Lucy was a little tipsy and giggling with Kevin.

"You think they're good to drive?"

"Yeah, Kevin only had a beer. He knew he would be the designated driver for us tonight. What about you are you ok to drive?"

"Yeah, I should be fine. I live right around the corner. Me and Stacy came in separate cars."

"OK just be careful still ok?"

"Always Daniel." He smiled at me and pulled me into a hug. My head was on his big beefy chest and I was drowned in his cologne and natural scent. I melted into him and felt myself start to get instantly hard. "I had a lot of fun, I'm really glad we ran into you guys." He said lightly.

"Me too Dominic." He rubbed my back as we separated.

"Can I have your number so we can plan our date?"

I gave him my number and he shot me another sexy smirk and winked as he squeezed my shoulder. "See you soon Daniel."

I couldn't help but watch the big man walk away. His jeans hugged his ass so nicely I could feel myself getting hard.

"Earth to Daniel. Let's go." Lucy called out to me. I caught up to them and hopped in the car. "Well, obviously things went well with you two, and thanks for ignoring my texts all night jerk." She smiled at me from the passenger seat.

I smiled back.

***

The next day I had to get ready for my older brother Antonio to visit. I always got nervous when my brother came over because he didn't know I was gay and for good reason. He was homophobic. My whole family was. They're super religious and it was rough for me growing up around them. My brother and sister weren't as strictly religious as my parents but they still had some similar worldviews as them. While growing up my Dad and my brother always made hateful remarks towards gay people while my mom and sister didn't say things like they did, they never made any point to disagree with them. A couple of times I had to agree with them when they made remarks just so I wouldn't be suspected of being gay and I hated myself for that. I was super afraid of what my Dad and brother would say or even do to me if they found out. It made me feel horrible about myself and I never was able to open up to him or any of my family. That's why when I had enough money I moved to the next town over to finally have a chance at being myself. I got a job here and have been living on my own in a little apartment since. Thankfully I met Lucy at my job and she helped me come out of my shell a bit. I eventually told her about my family and she hugged me and told me I was family to her. She was a great person.

My brother had been coming into town these past couple of months to hang out with some girl he says he's serious about. He asked to stay with me over the weekend this time and I couldn't say no. I had to make sure I had nothing in my apartment that would make him suspect me of being gay which wasn't too hard really. I just had to hide a toy I had purchased online that I usually kept in my nightstand and put away a bracelet that had a little rainbow flag charm. I've never been a super flamboyant person or anything probably because of my upbringing but I tried to make sure absolutely nothing would be questionable to him. After finishing up making my apartment have no evidence of my sexual orientation I sighed and dropped onto my couch face down. I nearly broke into tears. I gotta stop hiding myself regardless of what my family will do. I love my family but at the same time I'm scared of them and also scared of the thought of not having a family.

My mind went to Dominic and the hug he gave me last night. I felt my chest swell with feelings of hope and desire for the big man. Would I even be able to have a relationship with someone like Dominic if I'm not even out to my family? I thought of all this for a few moments when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I got excited thinking it was Dominic regarding our date but my face fell when I saw it was Antonio.

Antonio: "Hey Daniel. I should be there in about twenty minutes."