John and I had always joked about going out for a beer whenever he'd come in for a bite to eat. I'd never seriously thought wed actually do it, but then I never thought I'd do half the things I did with him after that night . . ..
It was a night not that different from any other. After six and my shift was over, I tugged at my work clothes and tossed my heavy coat on, gearing myself up for the walk home, 'cause my car was on the fritz again. Slipping out of the back room, I found John standing at the register, paying his bill.
"Hey John, how 'bout that beer?" I joked dryly.
He smirked as he turned to look my way, his eyes showing great humor. "Sure thing Steve, meet me at the bar, I'll buy us a round."
I laughed and patted him on the shoulder as I walked by. "Okay, I'll meet you there." I added, with a wide grin.
One of the waitresses came up with John's change then, and I slipped out the front door, still smiling. I wasn't more than ten steps out when John pulled his car up next to me. Looking over I smiled again, or rather, tried to smile even wider. "What's up John?" I asked curiously.
"You're walking?" He asked.
"Yep, car's on the blink."
He paused, opened his mouth, then closed it with a small 'humph' sound.
I turned my head to the side at that, but before I could question him he said, "how 'bout that beer now?" I was silent for a moment, looking from him, down the road, and back again: take the long walk home? Or get a ride and a beer? I shrugged and circled around his car to get it.
We joked with each other on the ride to the bar, and when we finally got there we drank several rounds: or at least I drank several rounds. The long and the short of it is that I got way too drunk. It wasn't John's fault; it just doesn't take much to get me drunk. What memory I have of the rest of the night is hazy at best: I remember John making his 'humph' expression again, and helping me walk unsteadily to his car. I must have fallen asleep during the drive, muttering god knows what, and didn't wake up until the next day.
Upon waking my first thought was that I wasn't home: my place wasn't as nice as what I woke up to! I was lying haphazardly on a nice plush couch in front of a crackling fire in a large stone fireplace. I sat up and my head spun: making me groan and flop back against the couch again.
John walked in then, nonchalantly, and I looked up again, slowly this time.
"You're kinda a light weight there Steve!" He joked, as I cautiously sat up.
Thoughts filled my head that nearly made my heart stop: had he done something to me while I was out? Was I his captive? Was he some sort of cannibalistic psycho?
He must have seen the fear on my face, because he exclaimed: "Oh lord, you think I raped you or something?!"
His question completely disarmed me and it was all I could do to nod, slack jawed.
"Pft!" He spat, humorously, "Don't be ridiculous! I would have taken you home, but you were in no condition to give me directions, and, well . . ." he hesitated before adding, "you didn't have your wallet on you either . . ."
He was right: I'd forgotten it that day 'cause I wasn't driving. I hung my head, embarrassed by my assumptions.
"Sorry to have disappointed you." He chuckled, "But I prefer my lovers conscious and willing."
I looked up at him startled, not sure what to say. He smiled at me, and I swallowed another lump of embarrassment. "So you're . . ." I started, hesitantly, as my knees drew together instinctively and I leaned forward.
"Gay?" He finished the question for me, arching an eyebrow.
The way he looked at me made me lower my gaze.
"Yep." He added, popping his lips on the 'p.'
I drew in a long breath and exhaled, clamoring after the thoughts bouncing around in my mind, but they seemed as slippery as a well lathered bar of soap. "I've never . . .." I started.
"Done anything with a man before. I know." He finished for me.
I looked up at him as he ran his hand through his slick black hair, a curious smile played across my lips as I lowered my eyes again. It was as if that act made it possible to talk, but only just barely. "But I've . . .." I began again.
"Thought about it before. I know that too." He finished my thought for me again.
I smiled openly. "Yeah." Was all I could say as I lifted my eyes again. My smile faltered when I was that he held my coat and his car keys.
"What? You didn't expect to get down and dirty right now did you?! I think we have to get to know one another a little bit better before that happens." He said wordlessly, with just the look in his eyes, as he smiled back at me.
Twenty minutes later I was back home, standing at my front door. I watched John pull away in his car, glad that he had invited me over the next day, 'just to hang out,' after giving me his number. I accepted without a second thought. The rest of the day seemed to drag on like an eternity, and the apartment I lived in suddenly felt empty, not even Greedo my cat could change the lonely mood in the air around me. Eventually, thankfully, I feel asleep.
When I woke up Greedo was curled up on my chest, his head tucked under my chin. I patted him and he 'mirred' in reply, but didn't move. I mimicked him and laughed under my breath as he answered back with an annoyed 'mrow' and stretched his legs out. "Come on Greedo, ya lazy shit." I grumped, as I scratched his head. He yawned, with yet another irritated 'mirr,' but finally gave up and climbed off me to look for a corner to curl up in.
Looking at the time, I reached for the scrap of paper with John's number on it. It was eleven thirty a.m. I took a relieved breath because I'd said I'd call by noon. As I dialed I stated to feel nervous, but I swallowed it back. The line picked up and I started: "Hi, this is Steve from last night . . .."
I was cut off by the answering machine: "You've reached the home of John Leimount, I'm not in ri . . ." I'd been afraid I would have to leave a message, but right in the middle the recording stopped and John came on the line.
"Hi there Steve, sorry about that, I just got out of the shower."
"Oh, that's okay, um, you still want to hang out today?" I asked, somehow keeping my voice from quavering over the sudden mental picture of him just coming out of a hot shower.
"Sure! When would you like me to pick you up?" He asked.
He definitely had a way of making things easy! "I can be ready in twenty minutes." I answered.
"Okay, I'll head out in just a few minutes then, and be there in less than half an hour, . . . or your money back!"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, see you then!" I said, still snickering.
"See ya!" He said, with a laugh of his own.
Then we both hung up and I immediately bolted for the shower.
Twenty minutes later I was dressed and ready to go even had my wallet this time! I tousled my hair with a towel one last time, and smoothed it back with one hand as I heard a knock at the door. Rushing up to it I opened up and grabbed my coat, feigning a look at the clock. "Damn, you're on time! Looks like I'll have to pay full price." I joked as I stepped out next to him.
