9. Chapter - What a Friday
"How old are you, Nathaniel?" I asked, laying on top of him and playing with his hair.
"38 till next March."
I chuckled a little. I liked that Nate's older, yet he loves me to make him my bitch. I never called him a bitch. I have to make a mental note of that. I thought
"What do you laugh at, Rick? How old are you?"
"35"
" Can I ask something?"
"I don't know, can you?"
" Why are you still single at 35?"
" Is there something wrong with being single at 35? "
" No, sorry, of course not. I was just curious. Have you thought about having a family or something like that?"
" I don't know. There were a few men in my life I think I loved, and sure, I did think about things like having family, but it always ended before it could get to that. After the last one, I just decided to concentrate on my business. "
"How many men have you been with?"
"Oh no, are we having this conversation now? How many women have you been with?"
"Five. "
"Why do you want to know it anyway?"
"Well, to be honest, I was just curious, and I didn't know it would be as big of a deal as it seems now."
"No, it's just that I don't know."
"You don't know how many men you've slept with?"
"No, I didn't feel the need to count all the hook-ups and one-night stands."
"And you call me a slut." He laughed
"You are slut for my dick." I winked at him
"Ok then, how many relationships have you had?"
"Four."
We were silent for a minute.
"Can I ask you something?"
He must have heard something in my tone cos he answered with caution. "Ask."
"Are you prepared to ruin everything and start anew with your life just a little before 40?"
I don't know why. The words just flew out. I looked at Nate, but I couldn't keep looking at him after he looked at me like I had just broken something beautiful. I just felt sad. Torn. I couldn't imagine how he must feel right now.
It's different to make up ideas of possible ways to defile your hot brother-in-law when you know that it's mostly just an imagination, but once you lay there with him and you realize that you care, you don't want to see him hurt and somehow you can't un-see the damage you about to cause.
"I don't know."
"You don't know." I sighed and looked from the window, hurt for some selfish reason that eluded me.
"I don't mind saying I don't know when I don't. And I can admit my mistakes because I own every decision I make. And I learn from each outcome." He said defiantly.
"That's nice pep talk Nathaniel, but we are talking about people with lives and feelings, not some projects."
"Why do you have to make this so difficult on me?"
"Maybe it's too real for me, and I am not as big of an asshole as I thought."
"Yet you are laying on me after you just fucked me for over an hour."
"It's hard for me to restrain myself when you are teasing me like that, and you knew that."
"It's hard for me too. I never felt this alive as I do these past few weeks. Even when I was crying myself to sleep from regret and guilt, I never felt more real. I have many friends, Rick, but I never enjoyed spending time with anyone like I am with you. Maybe it's only because of this damn lockdown but damn... you can look at me sometimes in a way my whole body shivers. And I think I've got addicted to that feeling when you're close. The way you smell calms me down and excites me every time I feel it."
"Quarantine romance," I remembered when Jerry told me he didn't want one. "Who knows if we would ever feel that if the world around us didn't call for social distancing."
"Kiss me, Richard." He pleaded, his eyes looking for closure. I raised my eyebrows at the name he had just used. Not sure how I feel about that.
"I don't think anyone ever in my life called me Richard."
"I thought Rick was short for Richard."
"Yeah, but I've just never been called that."
"Is it something with your grandfather?"
With that remark, I just sat and turned away.
"Have I..?" His words were cut short when my phone started ringing.
I just went for it and saw that Jerry's calling. I didn't even know what to feel right now. So I sighed and pressed to answer.
"Hi, Jerry." I looked at Nate, and he went full stone-cold mask that moment. I couldn't read a thing in his expression, but given that I hadn't seen that face since we first kissed, I didn't think he was ok with it.
He sat on the bed and watched me quietly. No judgment in his eyes, just stone-calm observation.
- Hi, daddy. It's been some time. How are you doing? I am getting crazy over here.
"Tell me about it," I said sternly
- Is your sister back yet?
"No, she's coming back Monday."
- And that hottie brother-in-law? Was he ok?
"Yeah, sure, he's fine."
- Rick darling, is everything ok over there? You sound like this conversation is painful or something. Do you want to talk?
"Thanks, Jerry, but not really. I have a few issues I need to deal with right now on my own"
- Sure, I get that. Could you perhaps use a distraction?
I had to smile weakly. You would have to know this little man to know how caring he is. And I appreciated it. But there was nothing he could do, and I didn't feel like talking with him while Nate sat just a few feet from me. Even looking at him now, I saw that the moment I smiled, he froze a bit.
"That's really kind of you, boy, but I don't think it would help at the moment."
- Sure, daddy, if anything, call me.
"Sure, thank you, Jerry." It was hard for me not to call him boy again, as I saw Nate's brow twitch when I called him boy just then.
I ended the call and set the phone back on the desk.
Nate was watching me, silently sitting without movement. There was chaos in my head, and there was no place for me to hide and think it through.
"I will go for a run. I need to sort out my thoughts."
Nate just nodded slowly. He still hadn't said a word as he watched me get dressed and leave.
I put the hood on and blasted the running playlist in my ears. I ran until I could hear only noise in my ears, and no random thoughts were emerging from within my conscience. Just music and my breath. Just the road and street lights.
I ran like this for some time and then decided to think again. Now I was a bit calmer.
I liked Nathaniel. There was no question about it. I loved his hunger for my body and how he could take me. I adored him when he smiled and admired him when he talked. I liked how he moved, and I was fascinated with how he learned so fast things it took me years to get. Was he really living only with women before, thinking he was asexual? Is that even possible in today's day and age? He can lie, of course. But in the end, what does it matter?
Am I looking for a relationship with him? Does even that matter? He's married, and what's more, he's fucking married to Ash!
I saw a familiar store and turned back because I was far now.
Nothing will really matter if I stay there. There is no way we won't do it again. But I had to be honest with myself about one thing, I didn't want to leave either. I wanted this to continue and see where it goes. I fucking wanted him like no one ever. So even if I make the biggest mistake of my life, I want to go with it and burn with it if needed.
I will have to constantly remind myself that I am the side piece, and I will have to find the strength to leave when it becomes unbearable, but until then, I want to try it. Not for Nate but for me. Not because he's fucking good lay but because I want to get to know him as a person, as a man. But in that case, I need to make my peace with the possibility that I may be the one shattered into pieces in the end. Can I make my peace with that?
Fuck it! Fuck it all! Fucking bring it on!
I ran faster. It felt like I was running from myself. Like I needed to reach Nathaniel before my self-doubt and reason would catch up to me. I needed to hold him this second! I saw our street. I sped up to a full sprint. I need to have him now!
I opened the door and took my earphones, hoodie, and shoes off. I looked for Nate. Then everything stopped.
The living room was dark, with a single light next to the couch. I saw Nate sitting there sideways, legs in front of him, resting his head and shoulder on the back cushions. He got a book on his lap, but it didn't seem like he was reading. He looked at me, quiet, calm, stoic. I came to him and sat behind him on the couch, moving him slightly to sit between my legs, his back to me. I put my arms around him and laid my head on his shoulder, breathing fast and erratic but somehow, deep inside, I felt calm. I sat there for a while, getting my breath under control.