Chapter 9: I Don't Want Your Mother Or Father Hearing Us In The Linen Closet.
A few months later...
"I can't work that weekend; I've got 4 shows." Tyler explained to Annette. They were building the front of house schedule; Tyler often helped her.
"Okay, how about we do this then. You work Tuesday - I know you hate it - and then you're off from Thursday morning to Monday night? Can you do that? I can have Jayla work the weekend and we can move Steph to the bar for brunch." She moved names around in the scheduling software they used and made modifications here and there to help Tyler. She had been very supportive and helped every way she could since the
Benson Bar
gig went well. Amy had been booking Tyler in spots across the city, and some in San Marcos. Lots of college age crowds.
"Sounds good and I can finish training Richie on the bar on Tuesday morning." They had had to move everyone around when Beau quit after the encounter a few months back. No one had heard from him in a while. Though Steph said she had seen him and he looked good. Tyler was happy to hear that. He was happy Beau was okay. Richie was one of the servers who had been promoted to bar to accommodate.
"Okay then, I'll finalize this." Annette hit a button and the schedule was then sent out to the staff. "So," She swiveled in the desk chair and leaned back, crossing her arms. "how is it then. The stand up? Clark?"
"It's..." Tyler smiled slowly, thinking for a moment. "it's actually really good. I didn't think I'd be this happy ever." Tyler still couldn't recall what he had done to deserve all this. He worked hard, so he didn't mean the stand up. He meant Clark. Clark was so good to him, he was perfect. Sure they had issue here and there, but they were good. And the sex had gotten even better since Clark started bottoming every once in a while.
"That's good to hear." She said. "We're gonna miss you, you know."
"I'm not going anywhere soon. I still have bills to pay and so far my gigs aren't bringing in anything huge."
"Yeah, but in a year - hell a few months - you'll be so booked you'll need months off at a time. I'll have to replace you soon too." Annette insisted.
"Well it won't be for a while. So far I've made about five grand. And that took months." He explained.
"Someday you'll make that a night." She reached out and patter his arm. She stood up and pushed the chair in. "Now, let's get out of here. I want to go home to my wife, and your man is waiting for you at the host stand it seems." She pointed to the security camera behind Tyler.
"Seems so." He took a moment to check his man out on the screen before following Annette out the door, she locked it behind them. They walked through the kitchen out to the dining room where Clark now sat at the bar top. "He there handsome, come here often." He walked up to him and laid a big, wet kiss on his cheek in a dramatic flair.
"Yeah my boyfriend works here actually." He swiveled towards him. He wore some sweats and the black sweatshirt that Tyler had bought him a week ago. He had his hair pushed back with some sunglasses. The sight of him made Tylers mouth water, dick twitch, and hole ache for him.
"Mmm." Tyler moaned as Clark gave him a proper kiss. "What's up? Why are you here?" He asked pulling away from the kiss and smiling.
"I was driving by, had to run some errands. Stopped by to surprise you, I checked your location."
"Stalker." Tyler hopped into a bar stool and turned to face his boyfriend.
"Mmm, I also found out where you lived." He lowered his voice to sound menacing. It was actually kind of cute. Tyler leaned in for another kiss. "I actually wanted to ask you something." Clark pulled back and placed a hand on Tylers knee.
"Shoot. Hey, Beth, can we get two waters?" She nodded and walked over to go get them.
"So, we've been together what five, six, months now?" Beth placed the waters down and Tyler slid her a ten as thanks.
"Yeah about that." Tyler took a sip.
"Well...you've met Jacob, Lance, my friends. My sister has wanted to meet you, but she works so damn much..." Clark gulped down a drink. He seemed nervous and Tyler felt like he knew what was coming next. "and I've told my parents about you."
"And?"
"They want to meet you." Clark swallowed; his Adams apple bobbed. "I want you to meet them." He finished. Tyler knew this was inevitable. He was terrified it would happen soon, but he was hoping it would wait until after the new year.
"Wow." Tyler said. He was worried they wouldn't approve. He and Clark were not of the same echelon. And He also knew he wouldn't be returning the favor. Clark would probably meet Tylers brother, Nathan, but that was it. "Uh...when." Tyler didn't want to upset Clarks parents and he figured it was better to get it out of the way.
"They want you to come to Thanksgiving. Amy can come too if you'd like a friend for moral support. My mother can be a bit much." He gulped his water again. "And even I can't really fend her off."
"Thanksgiving!?" Tylers eyebrows nearly shot to the moon. "That's next week."
"Did you have plans?" Clark grimaced. "It's okay if you do, I'll explain we'll have to reschedule. Maybe a dinner a week or two after." He offered. Tyler contemplated. He could accept that offer and find neutral ground to meet the folks, they might be too powerful at their home base.
"No - uhm - no plans. Amy wasn't going home this year and neither was I. I think the steakhouse is doing something for the employees, but I can get out of it."...why...the
fuck
... did Tyler say that. Why would he lay down and let the train run over him like that?
"So...you ready to meet the parents?" Clark asked.
No!
"Of course babe." Tyler grinned.
What the fuck
.
"Great!" Clarks face lit up. He reached over and kissed him. "And for real, see if Amy wants to come." He stood up. "Now, I've gotta go, finish up an errand, but I'll see you at yours tonight for game night. Right?"
"Yes, see you then."
"Love you." One more kiss then he was walking away, swishing his ass just for Tylers view.
"Love you too." Tyler chuckled after him.
*****
The week had gone by in a blur. Amy had agreed to go, Tyler had done some gigs, Clark prepared them for his mother, Janets, imposing and commanding demeanor. She had taken to the life of a socialite well, Clark had explained. She made friends with the right people and helped to organize political and charitable events. Clark warned she didn't care for profanity so they'd all need to watch what they said.
Clark had stay over at Tylers the night before and now woke up with an erection. He looked over and saw that Tyler was still asleep.
He looked like a work of art, on his side with one arm out of the blanket. It curled against his chest. His hair fell just so over his face, framing it beautifully. His lips slightly parted as he hummed in his sleep. Clark had grown to love the sound. He now found it hard to sleep without the noise in his ear.
Clark loved him. So much. He feared too much.
He'll be Mr. Clark Price someday...
Clark decided to himself.
Someday...
He reached over and stroked Tylers soft cheek. He took in a deep breath.
"Good morning." Clark whispered.
"Good morning you two." Tyler responded, opening his eyes and looking Clark over. Clark always had terrible bed head in the mornings and Tyler always had to fight not to laugh. Tyler propped himself up, stretching. "I love this sight." He laid one hand on Clarks chest and started twirling his chest hair.
"You could have it every morning if you wanted." Clark said, hoping Tyler understood what he was suggesting.
"I basically already do."
"Yeah, but if we lived together..." He trailed off.
"One step at a time hoss. Let's meet the parents first." Tyler laughed rolling over to grab his phone, checking his messages. He had an email from Jason to Amy he had been CC'd on. He'd look at it later.
"Come on, it'll be nice." Clark draped himself over Tyler, rubbing sleep from his eyes and poking him with his stiffy.
"I'm sure it would be, but I'm in a lease. I can't leave Amy either. She couldn't afford this place on her own. Not yet anyway." Tyler yawned. "I need to start making some real money, and she needs more clients." Tyler put his phone down and rolled back into Clarks chest. One hand drifting down. "She's got me and Jason thinks he's about to assign her another comic and a singer, but until then. I'm her cash cow."