As the final work hour ended, Ronald overlooked almost everything that happened today and anticipated a more enthusiastic attitude for the rest of the evening. He couldn't wait to spend the night with his best friend. The twenty-seven-year-old man left his workplace, situated near Staples Center, and waited for Justin at the parking lot. He stayed in his car with the air conditioning turned on. Summer could spoil the fun if people in the city of Los Angeles weren't too careful. Even at night, it would be impossible to escape the discomfort brought about by an unwanted offshore flow. The high temperatures, coupled with the night sky and an excessive amount of humidity, would be a good reason for Ronald and Justin to hang out near the coast, perhaps in Santa Monica or Redondo Beach. A safe haven with air conditioning would be the central focus.
Ronald used his smartphone to send a text message to his best friend, who was of the same age as him. Justin replied, saying that he had a change of plans at the last minute. Ronald spotted him entering the same small parking lot. Justin always appeared to be a handsome man. With his short blond hair, clean clothes, and a complete lack of facial hair, his wife had become a lucky woman.
Ronald got out of his car and asked, "What do you mean a change of plans?"
Justin slid his fingers across his hair. It seemed to represent a certain sort of slyness instead of the usual anxiety that everyone would be aware of.
He replied, "I've made some new friends a few days ago."
Ronald chuckled. "And you didn't even tell me about it? Tell me, who are they?"
"I met them in a warehouse in the city's industrial district. They're good people, and I like them a lot."
"You don't seem like the type of person who would just wander into a warehouse. How did you meet these guys?"
"It's a long story. But I will tell you that I've met the right people. I'd like you to meet them when they're here."
"I'm eager to introduce myself to new people. What are their names?"
"Clive and Aaron."
"They're friendly people, am I right?"
Justin's little smile looked almost suspicious. "If you rub them the right way, then they can be quite friendly."
He pointed his finger at something behind Ronald. "And they're here."
Ronald turned around to see two African-American men getting out of a gray-colored sedan that was parked several yards away. One had long dreadlocks that almost reached his waist, while the other had no hair at all. Both men looked to be ten years older than both Ronald and Justin. Their casual apparel consisted of blue jeans and white t-shirts. The two African-American men smiled and nodded at Justin.
The one with the dreadlocks asked, "Who is this guy right here?"
Justin replied, "He's my best friend. Ronald, say hello to Clive and Aaron."
Ronald waved his hand. He was almost impressed with both men's rugged exteriors. Their brawny appearance would make any women swoon.
"So what do you do for a living?"
The one with the bald head replied, "We work at a warehouse."
"That's what Justin said to me just a minute ago. How did you guys meet?"
The one with the dreadlocks smiled. "Let's just say that it's a little confidential."
Ronald noticed the black man's sly-looking stare. "Your name's Aaron, is it?"
"It's Clive."
"Right, uh...is there something wrong? You're looking at me like I'm some sort of love slave."
Clive chuckled. "It's nothing. From what I can see, you've got the right stuff."
"Thanks a lot."
Ronald wasn't exactly as muscular as the two African-American men, but both he and Justin had slim and firm bodies that they had grown proud of.
Aaron asked Justin, "So are you ready to go?"
Justin nodded. "I always am."
Ronald was caught off-guard by the sudden change of plans. "Wait, aren't you going to come with me? We were supposed to visit the beach."
Justin waved it off. "I changed my mind. I want to spend the night with my new friends."
"You wouldn't just abandon your best friend like that, would you?"
"I know I wouldn't. So why don't you join us? We're going to the same warehouse where they work."
Clive raised an eyebrow as he eyed Ronald from top to bottom. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea."
Ronald ignored the brief examination and asked, "What are you going to do in this warehouse?"
Justin and Aaron stared and smiled at each other. The silent interaction seemed crafty to the point that a hidden truth was possible.
Justin replied, "We're just going to have some fun. Come join us. It'll be a night that you'll never forget."
Ronald shook his head. "I'm not too sure about that."
"Trust me. It'll be worth it. Would your own best friend lie to you about certain festivities?"
"No, I guess not."
Justin licked his upper lip for a second. "Tell your wife that this could take a while."
Justin, who originally shared a ride with Ronald, decided to join Aaron and Clive in their car. All Ronald had to do was follow the vehicle as they would be on their way to the city's industrial district. He looked to the north to see the city's towering skyline still glittering with artificial lights. Sighing, he called his wife and reminded her that he might be home sometime around midnight. As soon as he finished the call, he entered his car and followed Clive and Aaron's car out of the parking lot and onto the street.
* * *
As they moved deeper into the industrial district, Ronald kept his radio on to listen to classic rock music performed by Aerosmith. He kept it at mid-volume as he followed the gray-colored sedan, watching it moving deeper into a place he rarely recognized. He could see empty streets, endless rows of concrete buildings, and chain link fences used as security against potential burglars. As the most visible entity in the sky, the full moon didn't seem so incongruous in such an urban environment. Instead, its natural beauty fueled the mystery surrounding these old and empty buildings.
Both cars stopped at a small intersection. Despite the lack of traffic lights, Clive and Aaron's car didn't move after several seconds of pause. One brief look at the back seat of their car, and Ronald's attention shifted from the uncertainty of their proposed amusement to Justin's apparent act that unfolded in Clive and Aaron's backseat.
Ronald held his breath. He may have imagined it, but he witnessed his best friend joining Clive in the backseat and giving him a kiss. Ronald's eyes widened when the absolute truth had been exposed thanks to the street lights on the sidewalk. Justin wrapped his arms around Clive's neck and continued expressing a personality that Ronald had never seen before. The gray sedan moved once again, and Ronald continued to follow from behind.
At first, Ronald wanted to deny the entire thing. But he couldn't reject what he had just witnessed a few seconds ago. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. He no longer cared about the music on the radio. He needed information regarding the whereabouts of Justin's common sense. His wife would never dare to accept his actions, and neither would Ronald. He took deeper breaths as the four of them came to a stop in front of a two-story building. They parked right in front of the warehouse that featured clear white walls and brown-stained windows. One window had its glass shattered, looking as if someone had thrown a brick at it.
Ronald tried to say something about what he had just witnessed, but as soon as his best friend and the two African-American men got out of their vehicle, he couldn't find anything to say at the moment.
Aaron stated, "Let's go inside. We'll show you what it's like to have fun."
They stepped inside the warehouse. Clive turned on all of the fluorescent lights, revealing the true nature of the building's exterior. Ronald could see two rows of tall metal shelves placed on the floor, along with a mezzanine holding two more rows but with a smaller supply.
Ronald could only say one thing. "It looks really nice."
Clive smiled. "I'm glad you like it. It's the perfect place to have some fun."
Ronald slid his fingers across his short black hair. "I don't see a DJ anywhere."
"You don't need one. Am I right, Justin?"
Justin chuckled. "I already know it, hot stuff."
That last word alone made Ronald a little uncomfortable with the new surroundings. "Why did you say that?"
Justin replied, "It's what I always call him."
Ronald could no longer comprehend their current situation. "Where's the bathroom?"
Aaron pointed at the far corner of the warehouse. "You won't miss it."
"Thanks."
But Ronald didn't want to do anything in the bathroom. When he reached his primary destination, he closed the door behind him and turned on the faucet. He washed his face to erase his anxiety and regain his composure. The cold water helped cool his skin and pacify his mental dilemma. He used the paper towels to dry his face entirely. The solution had failed. He still couldn't erase Justin's kiss from his memory. If he needed answers, he would have to confront his best friend and demand that he explain himself. This would be the only way to make things right.
Ronald exited the bathroom. But just as he readied himself to deal with the three other men in the building, he stopped dead at his tracks. He now had the opportunity to see it unfold again. This time, it would go much deeper than a simple kiss.
Ronald hid behind the metal shelves as he watched his blond friend being groped by two black men. Justin had just taken his shirt off. Clive and Aaron surrounded him from the front and the back. From behind, Aaron leaned over and kissed Justin's bare shoulder, while Clive was the one who kissed him right on the lips.
Aaron whispered, "You can't escape from us. This is our time to shine."
Justin moaned. "I can't wait."
Ronald remained silent as Clive undid Justin's belt and pulled his jeans and boxer shorts down. He hurled them away before Aaron slid his fingers further down the white man's nude body. He reached down between Justin's legs and closed his fingers around his fresh bright cock. Justin didn't retaliate, and instead gave Aaron a kiss without hesitation. It was slow and sensuous, nothing that signified any regret from Justin's motive.
With what he had seen, Ronald would have no choice but to leave and go back home to enjoy his wife's company. He should have done it right away, if only Clive didn't spot him his hiding behind the shelves. The African-American man presented a smile that appeared almost conniving in a way.
"Come on, show yourself. You've got nothing to fear."
Ronald walked away from the shelves. He could only look at his best friend with mild resentment.
