by GA Hauser
“Nothing,” the tall one whispered seductively. “That was it.”
“You still think there are women out here who don’t want to offer you a blowjob, Jordon?”
“Fine. I get it.” Jordon wanted the ogling to stop.
“Thank you, ladies.”
“What about you, gorgeous?” the tall one hissed.
“Gay. Gay as they come.”
“Oh. Too bad. Bye, boys!”
Jordon was a quivering mass suddenly. He took a few deep breaths to calm down.
“Straight guys can’t get their cock sucked,” Tyler sneered. “Gee, Jordon. Why didn’t you take a business card? Wait. Maybe because you’re loyal and trustworthy?”
“Shut up, Tyler.”
“Ya get it now? You’re not stupid, Jordon. Do. You. Get. It. Now?”
“Yes. I get it.”
“Up to the individual, babe. Straight, gay, bi, tranny, up to the individual what the limits are.”
“Maybe I have been given the wrong idea from Bryan. I just see what he does and how little he cares about the men he’s with.” Jordon ran his hand through his hair tiredly. “To my brother, men are meat. A way to get his rocks off. He’s the one source of information I have to understanding the way gay men behave. What the hell else am I supposed to think, Tyler?” Jordon found deep contemplation in Tyler’s eyes.
“You’re supposed to judge every human being for who they are. Not by some horrific stereotype.”
Having blamed Fawn for that offense, Jordon bit his lip in shame. “You’re right. Please accept my apologies.”
“Enough. Come on. We’re out on the streets in Manhattan on an August night.” Tyler hooked Jordon’s elbow. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“No. I’m famished.”
“My turn to treat the chef.”
“Thank you, Tyler.”
“You know spending time with you is always my pleasure, Mr. Buck.”
Jordon smiled lovingly at his sweet expression, tightening his hold on Tyler’s arm.
***
They walked past the posh eateries and fashionable cafés. Jordon wondered where Tyler was taking him. When he realized, his smile appeared. “Tyler Holliday,” he chuckled.
“Man-food, Jordon. I figured you need a break from your own gourmet cooking.”
The aroma of Ray’s cheesy pizza filled his nostrils. Tyler led him up to the counter and they eyed the greasy sheen on delectable pies. “Two?” Tyler asked.
“I don’t think my arteries could take much more than that.” When Jordon reached for his wallet, Tyler gave him a pained look.
“My treat, Buck.”
“Thank you, Tyler.” Jordon gazed adoringly at him.
“Four slices, please.” Tyler leaned on the counter. “Anything to drink?” he asked Jordon.
“Whatever you’re having is fine.”
“Two ginger ales,” Tyler added.
They stood at the counter to eat their meal, staring out at the passing throng in the City that Never Sleeps. Jordon folded the slice of pizza in half, allowing the oil to drip off before taking a bite. “Christ, it’s delicious.”
“Best pizza in New York.” Tyler wiped his lips on a napkin. “How long is Fawn in town for this time?”
Jordon shrugged. “A few days. We’re supposed to get together with our moms tomorrow, so we’ll have the list of addresses for you by Monday.”
“Okay.”
After devouring one slice, Jordon watched Tyler for a moment. He picked up a clean napkin and dabbed Tyler’s chin for him. It caught Tyler’s attention instantly.
“Am I eating like a slob?” Tyler smiled.
“Like a man.”
“Don’t women think that’s the same thing?” Tyler replied.
Jordon asked, “Have you ever had sex with a woman, Tyler?”
Tyler raised his eyebrows at the direct question, then looked around the tiny, yet crowded, pizzeria first before answering. “I have.”
“No good?”
He gave Jordon a wry smile. “I was straight for pay.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Jordon didn’t like the way it sounded.
Tyler finished up his last bite, wiping his hands on his napkin. “Tell ya outside.”
Once they had tossed their trash into a can and left, Tyler’s shoulder brushed Jordon’s as they walked. “When I was in the films, years ago…” Tyler took another discreet glance around, “I had a couple of bi-scenes.”
“Oh?”
“Had to use a fluffer. Couldn’t get hard with them.”
“You do realize you keep losing me. I have never watched any type of pornography, and some of the slang you use goes over my head.”
“You’re adorable, you know that?” Tyler laughed.
“Does that mean you’ve stopped listening to a word I’ve said and are lost on my good looks?” Jordon teased, trying to get back at Tyler for his earlier similar comment.
It wasn’t lost on him. “No, hot stuff, it means you’re adorable because you’re so innocent. Nice try, though.”
“Innocent?” Jordon stopped in his tracks. “Me? I hardly think that’s an adjective to describe me.”
“Okay. How about innocent to the world of porn.”
“That has to be a positive attribute. Ask my mother,” Jordon chuckled.
Tyler hooked his arm at the elbow again. “You mind if we look like a gay couple as we stroll, Mr. Buck?”
“No. I do not mind. Just don’t expect a kiss goodnight at your doorstep.”
“Damn. You really know how to hurt a guy.” Tyler’s eyes sparkled.
Jordon wrapped his elbow tightly around Tyler’s arm, enjoying their closeness. “Okay. A fluffer. What the hell is that?’
A smile formed on Tyler’s lips as he leaned closer to Jordon’s ear. “When a porn star can’t get an erection, there is someone there to help them along.”
“Err… help them?”
“Yes. For instance, if a man is straight and he’s playing a gay role, he may ask for some photos of a nude woman, or for a woman to suck him to get him hard.”
Jordon stopped in his tracks.
Tyler paused, staring at him.
“So…” Jordon released his hold on Tyler’s elbow to face him. “You needed to get hard for a sex scene with a woman.”
“Yes.” Tyler’s wry smile appeared.
“And… and you used a man to get you hard?”
“That’s what a fluffer does.” Tyler hooked his arm once again to continue their walk. “Learning your lessons in triple-X films, Mr. Buck? I never thought I’d be a teaching mentor to a straight, innocent man.”
“Hang on…” Jordon was fascinated. “You had a guy stimulate you so you could get an erection and screw a woman.”
“Correct.”
Jordon shook his head. “Son of a bitch. It’s like a whole secret society.”
“Shh, don’t tell anyone I’m revealing our secrets or I’ll have to kill you.” Tyler squeezed his arm tighter.
Jordon laughed to himself. “I never know what to expect from you, Mr. Holliday.”
“I’ll keep you on your toes, Mr. Buck.”
Tyler leaned against him as they walked. The warmth from his body was comforting. Yes, some strangers took a look at them as they passed, so what? Bryan didn’t seem to care about what people thought of him holding onto a man’s arm while he was out, so why should Jordon?
As the evening deepened into night, and the streets overflowed with theater patrons, restaurant goers, and bar-hoppers, Jordon enjoyed his time with Tyler. It was relaxed, unhurried, and stress-free.
He couldn’t remember the last time he and Fawn had such a pleasant evening.
When their conversations started to become mixed with yawns, Jordon smiled sweetly at Tyler. “I’ve had a great time.”
“Me too.”
Awkwardness hit suddenly. What were they supposed to do? Shake hands? Kiss?
To Jordon’s relief, Tyler reach
ed out his hand. The moment Jordon clasped it, Tyler drew him to his body to embrace.
The thrill it sent through Jordon overwhelmed him.
“This is how us gay guys say goodnight,” Tyler chuckled softly.
Wow. When he parted from the hug, Jordon was afraid to look into Tyler’s eyes for fear of showing him how much he enjoyed it. “I’ll get us a couple of cabs.” Jordon stood in the street and waved one down. As it pulled over, he offered, “You take it.”
“You’re a gentleman, Mr. Buck.” Tyler opened the back door. “I’ll see you soon.”
Jordon waved as Tyler vanished into traffic. Allowing his heart to calm down after the full body contact, Jordon found a cab of his own, making his way to his home, feeling very content.
Chapter Eleven
“Nice to see you again, Blithe.” Jordon kissed her cheek as they stood just inside the main entrance of a restaurant the next day.
“You too, Jordon.” Blithe kissed him back. “Maureen, so wonderful to see you, dear.”
While their mothers exchanged greetings, Jordon held Fawn’s hand. She had kept her sunglasses on as they waited for the host to seat them.
“How is Jonathan doing, Blithe? Keeping busy?” As Maureen inquired about Blithe’s husband, Jordon thought his mother looked smart in her Versace blouse and slacks, with her Fendi handbag.
“Yes, Maureen, he’s doing very well. I assume Bruce is fine?”
Jordon gestured as the host signaled them. “Table’s ready, ladies.”
They followed the host to a sunny spot near the window with a view of the passing pedestrians. Once they were comfortable and gazing at menus, Blithe asked, “So, how many guests did we end up with total, Jordon?”
“Just over two hundred.”
“That’s a perfect size,” Maureen replied.
“What will you have, Fawn?” Jordon shared a menu with her.
“I don’t know.” She leaned closer to his ear to whisper, “I’m still really hung over.”
“Just get a salad. Something light.”
“Order for me, Jordy. I can’t focus my eyes at the moment.”
He pecked her on the hair and looked back at the list. When he lowered the menu, his mother was giving him a pained look. “What?” he asked her.
She shook her head, but not before Jordon had noticed her take a long, disapproving glance at Fawn.
After the waiter had come and gone and they were sipping ice water and lemonade, Maureen leaned over the table and asked, “Fawn, why are you wearing your sunglasses inside?”
“My eyes ache.”
“Your eyes ache?” her mother echoed. “Why on earth do your eyes ache?”
Jordon replied, “Late night partying with the girls, Blithe.”
“Fawn,” Blithe admonished, “aren’t you too old for that kind of thing?”
Jordon once again caught his mother’s frown.
“No. I’m not too old for it,” Fawn defended. “What am I? Sixty? I’m only twenty-six. Leave me alone.”
“Anyway,” Jordon tried to change the topic. “We’re just getting a standard photography package. Is there anything you two want made up so I can be sure it’s included?”
“I wouldn’t mind an eight by ten, Jordon.”
“Okay, Blithe. Mom?” Jordon asked.
“It doesn’t matter, Jordon. Whatever they offer is fine.”
It was obvious to Jordon his mother was souring on the idea of his marriage. Though he loved her dearly, he had no intention of allowing her to run his life. “Fine.”
“What’s the next step, Jordon?” Blithe asked. “Anything else we can do to help?”
Jordon sipped his water. “Well, Fawn wants to decide the menu, and really the only thing left that I can think of are the tuxedos and bridesmaids’ dresses.” He looked at Fawn. “I assume you’ll do all the dresses, right?”
“No problem, Jordy.” Fawn appeared distracted.
“How many are in your wedding party?” Maureen asked.
Jordon leaned on Fawn’s shoulder. “Did we discuss that?”
“No.”
“Any idea?” he pressed.
“Uh. I think I’ll have three, including the maid of honor.” Fawn sipped her lemonade through her straw.
“Camisha?” Jordon smiled.
“No. Uh. She refused. Jewel is.”
Jordon sat back in confusion. “Why did Camisha refuse to be your maid of honor? I thought you two were best friends?”
Fawn shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “Never mind.”
“Are you asking Bryan to be your best man, Jordon?” Maureen enquired.
Jordon gave her a pained look. “I suppose I have to.”
“I thought you would want to. What on earth is wrong with asking your brother?”
“Nothing.” If Jordon thought his mother was going to be privy to how nastily his brother was treating his ex-porn star wedding planner, she had another think coming. “It’s fine. I’ll ask Bryan.”
“Where’s the food? I don’t have all day.”
Jordon peered down at his fiancée. “Don’t have all day?”
Fawn avoided his gaze even under the dark sunglasses and mumbled, “I’m meeting the girls for happy hour at Parkside.”
Blithe made a disapproving sound. “More drinking? Fawn, what’s wrong with you?”
“I need to unwind. You don’t know what it’s like, Mother, being on a plane for a week. Leave me alone.”
“Jordon,” Blithe implored.
He shrugged. “Blithe, she’s got her own way of relieving stress and so do I.”
“What do you do to relieve it, Jordon?” Maureen asked.
“Work out.” He noticed the waiter coming with their food.
“At least that’s a constructive way. Not drowning yourself in booze every night,” Blithe reprimanded her daughter.
As the lunch was set down before them, Fawn snapped, “Every night? I don’t have a sip of booze while I’m working. None. I finally get home after a week on the road and I’m getting shit from you?”
Jordon squeezed her knee. “Calm down. It’s all right.”
“Listen to Jordon, Mom. He understands me.” Fawn stared down at her food with little interest.
Jordon placed his arm around her shoulder and hugged her affectionately. “You go and have fun.”
“Thank you, baby.” She kissed him.
Jordon glanced up. His mother was scowling at him. He ignored it.
***
Tyler opened the door of the Ruby Fruit Bar and Grill for his good friend Elijah Rahn. “I can’t believe you saw that movie. It looked like crap.”
“Hey, Robert Downey, Jr.? Excuse me?” Elijah postured in defense.
Tyler held up his hands in surrender. “Uncle. I give up.”
“You want anything to eat? Or just a drink?” Elijah headed to the bar.
“You know, I don’t even feel like booze at the moment. I’ve been doing this great workout lately with a friend and it has me feeling lean and mean.”
“Get a club soda.”
“How about pineapple juice?”
Elijah raised his eyebrow at him.
“Humor me.” Tyler gestured to the bartender when they got his attention.
While his friend ordered, Tyler gave the club a scan. It wasn’t jammed, just pleasantly crowded. He never went to this place, but Elijah had some close bisexual friends he was meeting there.
“Thanks.” He took the juice from Elijah. “You want to sit down? There’s a spot over there.”
“Great. Save those extra seats for Carya and Sue.”
Tyler scooted the two empty chairs closer to the table and relaxed, setting his drink down.
“You must be really busy with all the weddings this summer.” Elijah took a sip of his daiquiri.
“I am. But hell, it’s money.” He checked his watch. “What time were they meeting us?”
“Give them another few minutes.”
