Perry
"Excuse me, how much did you say it would take to get this fixed?"
I was standing in the basement of the two story brownstone I had inherited from my Grandfather. When I first found out he left me the house, I was stunned. I never really spoke to the man due to a falling out between my father and himself years before I was born, but I was grateful none the less.
And then I moved in.
There wasn't a thing in this house that functioned the proper way. If it wasn't a leaky roof, it was the creaky floorboards. If it wasn't the clogged bathtub, it was the heating element in the stove. Every time I scrounged enough time and money to get the first problem fixed, another one popped up.
Now, as I stand adjacent from the third plumber this month, he informs me that the continual flooding in my basement every time it rained would take over $3,000 thousand dollars to fix.
I was a college student with a crappy job at a coffee place. There was no way I could afford to pay that. I had already moved out of my old place to live here because there wasn't any rent and I thought my expenses would be lowered. Turns out I had just inherited another pain in the ass.
My Dad was super rich but I hated asking him for money. He would be more than happy to help me out but I really wanted to do this on my own. No matter how impossible it may be.
I turn to the plumber as he says, "Sorry, kid. I know that's not gonna be a fun hit to the bank account. If you can scrounge the money in time, I can get some guys in here within three weeks to fix the problem."
He hands me a card and says, "Call me in the next couple days and let me know if you wanna do business. Have a good one." With that, he climbs the stairs and let's himself out.
Turning around, I grab the wall with both hands and yell my frustrations out. I wish I could just sell the damn house but the conditions of the will stated that I had to live here for a whole year if I accepted it. I wish I could go back in time and have it inspected before I signed on the dotted line.
Walking up the stairs, I throw myself in a chair and try to come up with ideas on how to come up with $3,000 dollars in 3 weeks. Coming up with no ideas besides prostitution and selling my organs, I lay my head down on the table, preparing to have myself a big ole gay pity party.
--
Later on during my shift at The Tasty Mug, Teddy listens to my latest problems as we tag team a couple of large macchiatos.
"So if you happen to know a way to make a lot of cash in a very short amount of time, don't be afraid to holler at your boy." I finish, chuckling even though nothing about my situation is remotely funny.
Teddy gets a contemplative look on his face and then turns to me.
"I actually do know of a way to get your basement fixed but it's a little outside of the law."
I turned to Teddy and gasp jokingly under my breath, "Teddy, are you into drugs?" Teddy was a very small, innocent looking twink and I wouldn't believe his ass would ever be into anything that hardcore.
"Oh god no! I've never even smoked pot before! No, what I'm talking about is more on the lines of...sex work." Teddy's face blushed bright red as he stumbled across the word "sex". I'm not sure what Teddy was trying to imply with his vagueness but I wasn't turned off at the idea of having sex for extra money. I've always loved sex and I knew I wasn't that bad to look at. I wasn't quite the twink that Teddy was, but with my light curly brown hair, hazel eyes, and a slim, short figure, I definitely did alright for myself.
"Teddy, I need you to spell it out for me, honey. What kind of sex work are we talking here?" If he meant plain ole hooking on the corner, I would have to pass on that.
Teddy went quiet as he placed lids on to the coffees we finished and passed them over to our costumers with a smile. He came back over to me and we got started on the next orders. Finally he looked around for our boss before starting to talk again.
"Do you remember last year when I got into that accident and my car was completely totaled?"
At my nod, he continues.
"Well, I really appreciated you guys here at work raising money for me to get a new one, but it didn't really cover all the expenses I had. That's when I heard about an online service that pairs rich clients with boys who need extra money. I was matched with an older man named Thomas who paid all of my expenses in a monthly fee. All I had to do was be at his beck and call during designated hours. To do designated things," Teddy finished with a suggestive raise of his eyebrows. As understanding dawned on my face, Teddy's cheeks went red from blush.
My mouth dropped open as I stared at the still blushing Teddy.
"Teddy, are you telling me you were a sugar baby?!"
Teddy whipped around to looked behind us while shushing me and thumping me on the arm.
"Perry, shut your whore mouth! Jesus." Teddy calms down and continues on doling out portions of bean juice to strung out soccer moms. Again, he looks around and then continues.
"Yeah, Perry. For a very short time, I was a sugar baby. And it was actually really nice. I was matched with Thomas based on our common needs and personalities. We spent most of our time talking and comforting each other. And yes, I know what your about to ask, you skank. The sex was fantastic. He let me decide how frequently I would give it up and my pay was never based on our sex. I've since quit the agency but Thomas and I still meet up from time to time." Teddy finished. If it was possible, his face continued to grow redder. I would definitely have to ask him more about Thomas at a later date, but now I was too intrigued with this idea.
Listening to Teddy describe his life as a sugar baby made me extremely interested in becoming one myself. The way he explained it, it sounds like I could find a Sugar Daddy who was made for me and my needs. I actually really liked the sound of serving someone else too.
"Listen, Teddy. That sounds fan-fucking-tastic. What's the name of the agency you used to find a daddy?"
"Its called Sugar Match. You pay a very small fee and then take the questionnaire that matches up daddies to boys. You'll get matches based on how comparable you match with other daddies. Then when you start receiving matches, you get the option to message them. The service is all about the protection of the boys, so only you will see his profile and match first until you accept it. If you and a Daddy connect, you'll sign a contract with Sugar Match and then you become a free agent. When and what you and the daddy do is both your decisions. It's all very safe."
Mixing steamed milk with a decaffeinated French roast, I mulled over the information Teddy was relaying. I can't believe I was considering this, but as soon as I got home, I was absolutely going to sign up for Sugar Match.
--
Gordon
I rub my eyes as the ninth interruption of my work day finally leaves my office. My secretary, Carole, is supposed to field these inane idiots but she called in sick this week with the flu. I don't envy her job one bit. Just one day of being without her interference between me and them is driving me up the wall. I should definitely give Carole a raise.
Once more, my office door flies open and another person enters my office uninvited. I was about to lose my ever loving shit when I realized it was just Oliver.
"Jesus, Gor. You look like you were about to take my head off. Should I come bother you another time?" He jokes while taking a seat adjacent to me.
Oliver was my best friend and fellow co-owner of the software engineering firm we owned. We met in college some 25 years ago and came up with the idea of Hallow Enterprises; my last name is Hall and his is Fellows.
At the time we were two crazy kids with crazy dreams but now we run a Fortune 500 business and make millions of dollars every paycheck. I may sound cocky but I was proud of what Oliver and I have created here. Even if I was tired of that hard work sometimes.
"Nah, it's all good. With Carole out of the office this week, I've been harassed nonstop by people she usually holds back. It feels like I haven't gotten a single thing accomplished. I'd get a temp but I can't just trust anybody to take her place. You know how picky I am."
Oliver chuckles and replies, "You bet I do. I was actually thinking about your problem earlier and that's why I came down. My son is off of school for the summer and he's just working at that coffee place by the campus. He inherited my good for nothing Father's old brownstone and I know it's been putting a lot of strain on his finances. He won't let me help though because he wants to do it on his own. Which I really respect. So I was thinking that maybe he could come temp for you this week between shifts at the shop. He's worked for us before and is very competent. You wouldn't even need to train him."
I'd actually met Ollie's boy a few times and I've always been impressed with the kid. The last time I saw him he was fresh out of high school and interned for us during the summer. Of what I remember of his work, he was always polite and hardworking. If I was going to get any work done this week, my best option would be to have Perry fill in.
"You know what? I think I'll take you up on that. If he accepts, have him come in to the office tomorrow morning at nine."
"Alright, thanks Gordon. You're really helping me out here. You wanna grab drinks tonight after work?" Oliver stands up and stretches.
"I would, buddy, but I have a date tonight."
"Oh man, are you still trying Sugar Match? Have you really not found anyone good yet? And Didn't you have terrible luck last time?"
Oliver's insistent questions are referring to the match service I've been using to find a sugar baby. He was the one who told me about the site in the first place. In college we bonded over being some of the only gay jocks that were out. Then we realized that we shared a lot of the same tastes. And that included having younger men serve us for money.
Apparently he meet this wonderful guy a few months ago and they're basically seeing each other now. I was happy for him but I couldn't understand why I was having such horrible luck. The boy I met up with last time wasn't the least bit interested in what I needed. It ended horribly. I wasn't ready to give up hope though. Sugar Match continues to send me new matches everyday in hopes that I'll find the one.
"I know that last time was terrible but I'm not willing to give in yet. I've gotta give it a good effort before I fold."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well good luck tonight buddy. I'll text you and let you know whether to expect Perry in the morning."