When the orders slowed midway through the night, I asked, “Have you ever done wrestling in the past, Claw?”
He grinned and replied saying, “Why do you ask? Do you think you can take me down on the mats?”
I laughed with a hint of nervousness in my voice, because I realized that it might be a fun idea, but I shook my head. I said, “No, but I’m sure Sally told you I played baseball, and I just thought you looked like an athlete.”
He said, “You’ve got good eyes on you, Blake. I made it to the state tournament wrestling when I was a junior in high school. I’ve done it on occasion ever since just for fun. So if you ever wanna head to the gym with me, just let me know. I do either traditional matches like in high school or college or ones with fewer rules where things can get a little more…interesting.” He followed that comment with a pointed glance at my crotch.
Claw shared the tips with me, and they added up to decent income for a four-hour evening shift. I followed Sally’s suggestion of wearing Toolbox T-Shirts that were a size smaller than normal. They clung tight to my chest, and I wore the tightest jeans I owned with them, too.
I did draw a few annoying interactions with customers. Propositions for dates or meeting after were the norm. I developed my own particular style of letting them down gently and insisting that I didn’t mix business with pleasure. I started saying, “If you see me out somewhere else in the neighborhood, that’s when we can discuss extra-curricular activities.”
I was frequently asked where I was from originally, because I didn’t look or sound like I was from Milwaukee, according to many customers. I told them that I wasn’t from Wisconsin originally, but I was from the Midwest. I grew up as a Nebraska farm boy hauling hay bales around. Some seemed to enjoy that story even more than if I had been from Wisconsin.
My financial condition was on its way to stabilizing. I didn’t need the extra money yet, but I was pleased to know that I could bring in real cash on my own. The night before our next official softball game, I saw a pair of familiar customers show up at the Toolbox.
Reggie said, “That shirt looks great on you, Blake. Any tighter and you would be busting out of it like the Incredible Hulk.”
I leaned across the bar and laughed. Ian was at his side, and I asked, “Did you guys show up just to watch me? Or do you want a real drink?”
They tried to trip me up with orders of drinks with picky details, but I charged into mixing with confidence while Claw grinned and looked on from the opposite end of the bar. After I slid the drinks across the bar to them, Ian said, “Damn, Blake, this actually is really good. If Reggie says there is something wrong with what he gets, he’s probably lying.”
Reggie said, “No, I’m practically George Washington when it comes to telling the truth, and you did a great job.” He turned to Ian and said, “We should start scouting for gigs as job recruiters. We scored big time with this one.”
I leaned across the bar and said, “Damn, guys, you’re being very sweet, but show your appreciation with your tips.”
Reggie smirked and asked, “Appreciation for the drinks…or…?”
I said, “I don’t turn down compensation for the quality scenery we provide.”
Then Ian asked, “When does your shift end?”
I whispered, because I didn’t want half of the other customers following me around when I left for the night. I said, “I leave at 9:00 p.m.”
Ian asked, “Would you join Reggie and me then? It will still be early in the night.”
I said, “Of course, but I need to get back to work right now.” I grabbed a bar cloth and started wiping things down before the next wave of customers came through the door. The next softball game was on my mind, too, but not in a nervous way. I was looking forward to it like someone might look forward to going to the movies. I expected it to be fun and entertaining, and I was curious how it was going to end.
Ian and Reggie were waiting outside the back door of the bar when my shift came to an end. Before I left, Sally said, “Get some quality rest, Blake. I’ve got you scheduled for Saturday night, and I’m going to double you up with another bartender in the later shift. You’ll be busy, and it will be tough work, but the tips will make it worthwhile.”
Ian gave me a big hug. There was something about the embrace that felt like he was a little nervous. He said, “I do have an agenda for tonight, Blake.”
Cocking my head to the side, I asked, “Agenda? What do you mean by that.”
Ian said, “Reggie…” and he waved his hand leaving just the two of us together while Reggie sauntered out to the street and watched people walking to and from their cars.
“Is something wrong?” I asked. “This seems a little serious, Ian.”
He said “Well, I guess it is serious, but I don’t think it’s the way you are thinking.” Ian looked up into my eyes. He looked fucking handsome. I had to fight an impulse to follow up on that first kiss.
Ian said, “I want to invite you out on a date, Blake. A real one.”
I was startled. Maybe I shouldn’t have been, but I know that I blinked at least five times in quick succession. Then, fortunately, what intelligence I had took over, and I said, “Yes.”
Ian’s eyes got all glassy, and he reached out for a hug.
I said, “Oh, fuck, don’t cry about it. We might hate each other.”
I held him tight and Reggie walked up to us. He said, “Okay, lovebirds, break it up. You can get a room later. I need a drink, and from a bar where the tips are cheaper than for this bartender.” He gestured in my direction.
We both turned toward Reggie with our arms around each other’s waist. It felt both strange and completely right at the same time. I knew that I had a goofy smile on my face, and Ian was still wiping tears out of his eyes. Ian said, “Reggie, lead the way.”
12
Ian
I was already usually a little bit of a basket case when I prepared for the first date with a new guy. With Blake, it was even worse. I had an idea of what could be at stake, and I wanted everything to be perfect.
It started with trying to figure out the right clothes to wear. I considered going shopping for a completely new outfit, but then I decided that even two rounds of machine washing were unlikely to completely get rid of that new clothing smell and the machine-pressed creases. Buying new clothes for a first date was not the kind of move made by a confident man.
Then I laid six different outfits out on my bed. Fortunately, softball and gardening kept me in reasonably good shape, so everything I owned from high school forward still fit. I was serious about buying good clothes and taking care of what was in my closet.
I was trying to decide whether a good pair of jeans or khakis were more appropriate when I realized figuring out where we were likely to go was the logical first step. Outside of the Toolbox, we decided on going out to dinner, but we didn’t discuss specific restaurants. Then I realized the date itself was only three hours away, and I started to panic.
I called up Reggie, and he said, “What the fuck, Ian? I’m in traffic here. You don’t meet him for three hours. Calm down.” He said, “There’s a hot new vegetarian place downtown, but Blake looks like a meat eater to me. What about that new Thai place Satay? I haven’t been there yet, have you?”
I mused about it for a moment. “That might be good, Reggie. Thanks for the suggestion.”
He said, “Unless he’s in your bed, you’re calling me tonight when it’s over. I don’t care how late it is.”
I whispered into the phone, “I kinda hope he’s in my bed.”
Reggie laughed so loud I had to pull the phone away from my head. “I know you do. Sometimes you’re such a slut, Ian.”
“You would do the same in my situation.”
He laughed again and said, “Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, gotta go, the traffic is breaking up, and I can’t miss my exit.” Then he made a kissing sound into the phone. “Later, bud.”
I put the phone down and thought that je
ans would be okay for a Thai place. I could stay on the casual side. Then I tried on five different button-down shirts before I settled on one that was plaid in multiple shades of blue. I hoped it would bring out the color of my eyes.
Just as I was putting the rest of the clothes back in the closet, my phone rang. It was Blake. He asked, “Do we know where we’re going for dinner?”
I asked, “How about Thai?”
He said, “I love Thai, and can I ask a really stupid question, Ian?”
“I doubt that it’s that stupid, but go right ahead and ask.”
“Are you nervous?”
I said, “I’m nervous as hell. I’m standing with my legs spread so my knees don’t knock together.”
He laughed saying, “Good, I’m so glad I’m not the only one.” Then he said, “See you in a couple of hours. I’m looking forward to it, too.”
I dropped the phone and stripped out of my clothes and headed for the bathroom. A shower wasn’t going to be sufficient for my first date with Blake. Instead, I ran nice hot water for a bath.
* * *
Blake suggested that I drive, and he met me in the driveway dressed in khakis with a sport jacket. I cringed when I realized I was under-dressed. I said, “I need to run back in the house and change pants.”
He grabbed my elbow and said, “You look perfect. Let’s go.”
Fortunately, the clientele of Satay were dressed in everything from jeans and T-Shirts to suits. Thai pop music played softly in the background, and the design of the restaurant was sleek and modern but subdued. It was elegant.
We were seated in the storefront window that faced the street. I told myself it was a tribute to how good Blake and I looked together.
I asked, “What’s your favorite Thai dish?”
Blake said, “I don’t have one.”
“But you sounded excited about Thai food.”
He grinned. “I’ve actually never eaten Thai food, but I thought I would love it as long as I was with you.”
I asked, “Do you know how sweet you can be, Blake?” He was being such a nice guy, that I almost felt embarrassed that half of my mind was just wanting to get inside in his pants and was wondering how he would look naked in my bed.
“Would you rather have me be rude and obnoxious?”
I shook my head no and said, “It’s just…refreshing.”
He said, “Well, let’s stop talking about me and order something.”
We shared the signature chicken satay the restaurant was named after, and I suggested pad Thai as a beginner dish in the cuisine for Blake. We had great food, and he was pleased.
Blake said, “This really was good. I like Chinese, and it’s a little like that, but it’s different. We can have this again on another date.”
“You’re ready to go out on a second date with me?”
He nodded vigorously and asked, “Why the hell not? Unless something weird happens later. It’s really kind of wild that you’re right next door.”
I said, “Yeah, dating a neighbor is…different, but I like it.”
Just before we left the restaurant, Blake leaned across the table, and we kissed. It was a perfect dessert.
When I pulled into my driveway after dinner, I asked, “Do you want to come inside?”
He said, “Probably better than making out in the car.”
I felt my jeans grow tight when he made the comment. I didn’t know yet if Blake would end up in my bed, but clearly a hot makeout session on the couch could be in his plans.
Blake was just enough taller than me with longer arms that pressing up against his body in the corner of the couch felt like I was being wrapped up tight in the most safe place in the world. I pushed my face against the side of his neck and inhaled deeply. He smelled of both soap and shaving lotion. It wasn’t perfumey like some gay guys I dated. It was simple and masculine.
Blake said, “Go easy on me. This is my first time doing any of this with a guy.”
I asked, “Really? Never? You kiss really well. I figured that out already.”
He shook his head. “I’ve known I thought guys were hot since I was a teenager, but I only kissed a guy once, and it was more of a peck. I really haven’t done much with anyone.”
I grinned and said, “Well, fasten your seat belt, Blake. This is going to be a lot more than a peck.” Then I kissed him hard and I unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. His skin was smooth and warm beneath my fingertips. When he let out a soft little moan into my mouth, I raised my leg and pushed my thigh into his crotch. He was hard just like me.
We both fumbled with the buttons on each other’s shirts. When I slid my lips down the side of his neck, he gasped for breath and blurted out, “Oh fuck…amazing.”
I decided to keep up my streak of taking bold steps forward that began with following Reggie’s urging to ask for the date. I reached my free hand down into his crotch. I cupped his package gently at first and then started to squeeze and tug.
Blake responded with a grunt, and he didn’t make any effort to pull away or move my hand. I smothered him in a kiss on the lips again, and this time my tongue darted into his mouth seeking his tongue. He mirrored my actions, and I started to suck on Blake’s tongue.
I could feel the impact in my hand. He was completely rock hard. I stroked and caressed his hard cock with my thumb over the thin fabric of the khakis.
When I next came up for air from the kiss, I asked, “Bedroom?”
He moaned, “Oh fuck, yeah. I wanna see you naked Ian. I’ve never…” His voice trailed off and then in a hoarse croak, he said, “Just wanna see you naked. I want to feel you.”
I knew that he wasn’t really doing it on purpose, but everything Blake said was amazingly sexy to me. It was like there was a fire between us and he was continually fanning the flames.
He followed right behind me as we climbed the staircase. He was close enough that I could occasionally feel his breath on my neck as we climbed. When I pushed the door open to the bedroom, I said, “Here it is. Feel free to look around.”
Blake said, “I’ll look when we’re done.” He reached out and grabbed me and turned me around so we could kiss again. He sucked hard on my tongue, and his fingers tore open the rest of the buttons on my shirt. I was sure this was Blake’s first time going so far with a man, and he was fearless. I heard him suck in a ragged breath when the shirt fell off my shoulders. The words came out surrounded by a moan. “Your body, Ian…” He pushed me backward on to the bed and then his lips and tongue were on my chest.
I did my best to fumble with the buttons on his shirt, and, as it fell off his shoulders, I shoved a hand inside his jeans. A loud grunt came out of Blake’s mouth when my fingers gripped that hard cock. I murmured, “So fuckin’ big, Blake…”
While I unzipped his jeans, Blake said, “I wanna fuck you, Ian. Help me?”
“Help you?” I asked as my breath grew quicker and more shallow.
Blake stared into my eyes and said, “Never fucked a guy, but I want to.”
Getting him naked and getting the condom on was no problem. Lining the rest up and relaxing enough for that thick cock was a little more awkward, but when his head popped past my ring, I clenched my teeth and threw my head back hard into the pillow on the bed. It hurt at first, but I couldn’t remember feeling more full before. It was damn good for a first fuck. Blake was gentle at first, and then he slowly punched deeper.
I wrapped both my arms and legs tight around him. Sweat started to drip from his body on to mine as he grunted with every thrust. Then he asked, “Feels good?”
I moaned, “Oh fuck yeah…amazing, Blake.”
He said, “Open your eyes and look at me, Ian.”
I don’t know why, but most of the time I fucked with my eyes closed. I opened my eyes as Blake requested, and I could see that fire when I stared back at him. His mouth was half open and then he clenched his teeth when he pushed deeper. I reached down for my own cock, and Blake wrapped his hand around mine so tha
t we were both pumping it in one big fist.
He grunted and said, “Can’t hold it much longer, Ian.”
“Don’t hold it. I want it, and fuck, I’m already on the edge.”
For a few short seconds, it felt like we both hung right on the edge together, and then my balls tensed, and I erupted. I’m a shooter and cum landed both on Blake’s chest and mine.
As soon as it flew, Blake yelped and then growled, “Oh fuck!” All six feet two inches of him convulsed in orgasm. Breathing hard, I watched his Adam’s apple as he threw his head back. He pushed hard and deep into me while his body shuddered. It was fucking amazing to see.
The next thing I knew we were wrapped in each other’s arms in one big sweaty mass. For a moment, the entire world was perfection. There was nothing at all that could be any better.
13
Blake
It all happened really fast, but it felt really good, too. Since Ian and I lived next door to each other, and we fell into a pattern of alternating nights in each of our houses. We slept together like we were living together, but we quickly decided his house would remain his space, and my house was mine. We were in charge of our own castles.
It was inevitable, though, that some lines began to blur. Ian suggested planting flowers to help spruce up the appearance of my house, and I was happy to let him indulge. I did choose the basic color scheme, and I wanted different flowers, so it wouldn’t look exactly like Ian’s house.
Nights ran late, because I worked at the bar, and mornings were luxurious and long. Neither of us had to be anywhere in particular in the morning other than in each other’s arms. One morning about 10:00 a.m., I was lying in Ian’s bed with one arm raised over my head and propped up slightly on the pillow. He was drawing slow, lazy circles on my chest with a fingertip. Then he asked, “Can you believe this, Blake? Almost all of our friends are busy at work, and we get to lie here together until almost noon. I’m not sure life is supposed to be this good.”
Complete Game: The League, Book 1 Page 8
