by E. M. Leya
The sound of a door opening caused him to jump before he remembered he wasn't home alone. He ran his fingers through his long hair as he peeked out into the hall.
"Morning," Les mumbled as he approached the bathroom. "Sorry, didn't know you were in there. I'll wait." He started to turn around.
Axel took in his sleep-messed hair and his tired eyes, trying not to pay attention to Les's naked chest or the thin mass of light brown hair that covered it. "No, I'm done. It's all yours." He stepped into the hallway. "Was about to make some coffee. Want some?"
"God, yes, please." He blinked a couple times at Axel. "Sorry. I'm not a morning person."
"It's okay. I'll make coffee, but if you want to go back to bed, go ahead. It will be hot when you get up."
"Nah, it's already almost eleven. I should clear out and let you enjoy your day." Les pushed past him as he went into the bathroom. "I'll be out in a sec."
"Take your time." Axel let his gaze wander down Les's body again before reminding himself the man was straight and he shouldn't be ogling him. Figures he would find a guy who accepted him and he couldn't touch. He laughed at the thought as he pulled the coffee out of the cupboard and started making it. Hungry, he threw four slices of bread into the toaster, unsure if Les would want some, but being nice anyway.
"Thanks again for letting me stay." Les came to stand against the wall where the living room turned into the kitchen.
"No problem. Like I said, I have no plans so you really don't have to rush out on my account." The toaster popped. "I made toast. You want butter, jam, or something else on it?"
"Just butter is good." Les rubbed his chin. "Seriously, you don't have to do all this. I didn't come here to put you out."
"You aren't. I have to eat too." Les handed him a plate with two pieces of toast. "Coffee should be done in a minute. How do you take it?"
"Black, thanks." Les took the plate and headed into the living room. He yawned as he sat down, arching his head back against the cushions for a minute with his eyes closed.
"Tough night?"
"Actually, no. I slept too well if anything."
"Is that possible?" Axel laughed as he poured two cups of coffee. He balanced his plate on top of one cup and brought them into the living room, handing Les his before he sat down.
"You wouldn't think so, but I really did sleep good. Maybe it's because I wasn't woken by the neighbors screaming or Jeff fucking."
"He do it often?"
"More than I think he should, but who am I to judge." Les blew over his coffee. "He thinks I'm jealous, and maybe a part of me is, but I really don't see how you can sleep with several people in one week. To me, sex is supposed to mean something."
"Yeah, I feel the same way. I've never been into the casual hook-up thing either. I mean I've had a few, but most of the time, when I see someone, it's more serious." He took a sip of his coffee, finding it still too hot. "So, you have to listen to it several times a week?"
"Not always, but he does seem to bring them home more than he goes to their place."
"I'd turn on some loud porn to cancel them out." Axel winked.
"Great idea. I should try that. Only the neighbors might really complain then."
"Good point." Axel stretched out his legs, resting them on the coffee table. He ran a hand down his hairless thigh. "So, I was serious about wanting us to be friends. Do you think you would want to hang out sometime?"
"I'd love to. I work a lot during the week, but weekends are almost always free."
"Yeah, I work different shifts too, but always have weekends off."
"Were you serious when you said you were a mechanic?" Les brushed crumbs off his lap and into his hand before dumping them on the plate.
"Yep, certified mechanic. Grease monkey by day, princess by night."
"Can't get any more extreme than that." Les laughed.
"Nope, but the guys at work don't know about my princess side. They know I'm gay, but I've never gone to work as a girl. Not sure I'd like bending over the hood in a short skirt all day or in tight high heels."
"Nope, probably wouldn't go well. One thing is for sure, you'd look hot doing it."
"Hey now. Are you saying you were checking out my ass?"
Les blushed. "More your long legs, but could you blame me? The way you looked last night, a man would have to be blind not to look."
"But today when you see my legs?" Axel ran his painted nails down his thigh.
"I see images in my mind of how they looked sneaking out of that dress you were wearing. They don't turn me on now like they did then, but they are still great legs."
"Thanks. It really means more than you know to hear someone say that." Axel hated that he needed the reassurance, but he did. "So anyway, about hanging out, you free next Saturday? You said you had a new gun. We could head to the range and I can help you learn how to handle that thing. I'll bring a few of mine to let you try out."
"Really? You wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all. I'm always up for a day of shooting. We can stop and buy ammo on the way."
*****
"Hell, ya'. I've wanted to do this forever. Thanks." Les sat up, excited at the thought of going out.
"Glad to help."
"So, you said you collect guns. Do you have them here?"
"No way. I have way too much invested to trust them to this little apartment. I haven't had my place broken into yet, but most of my neighbors have. I keep them at my parents' house."
"Wow, sounds like you need to move." Les couldn't imagine living somewhere that you were just waiting to have someone break in.
"I know, but the rent's cheap, but unfortunately so is the area. I can't afford to move unless I get a roommate, and you heard how that seems to end up." Axel shrugged. "I don't keep much here."
"Guess I can't blame you. The tension is so high at my parents' house. I do everything I can to stay away."
"As long as I look like this." Axel waved a hand in front of his body. "Everything is good, but I show up with even a little make-up or my nails done, it's not so pretty." He sighed. "Anyway, how about I pick you up at ten Saturday morning. We can make a day of it. Get ammo, go shooting, then grab dinner. I've been wanting to try out that new rib place that just opened near the mall."
"Oh, I saw that place. One of the guys from work said it was great. They have some good microbrews on tap too." Les didn't try to hide his excitement. It had been so long since he'd hung out with anyone other than Jeff. "I'll even buy as a thank you for the best night's sleep I've had in a long time."
"Deal, and you are welcome to my guest room any night. If Jeff gets too loud, you know where I live."
Les finished off his coffee. "Careful what you offer. You may just find me here more than home."
"It would be a welcome change to have someone around."
"Well, I guess I better head out and get some stuff done. I promised Jeff we could go grocery shopping today. Hopefully, Carl's gone and Jeff's not hung over."
"He didn't seem to be drinking much. He was otherwise distracted."
"True, but that doesn't mean they didn't drink once they got home." Les stood. "Honestly, you would think I hate the guy. I don't. He's my best friend. I just wish he was a bit more…" He couldn't think of the word.
"I get it. It would bother me too. Anyway, feel free to grab a shower or whatever before you go. You can leave the sweats on the bed. I'll grab them later."
"Thanks, but I'll shower at home. I've taken enough of your time. Let me hurry and change and I'll be out of your hair." Les hurried down the hall to the bedroom.
Five minutes later, he was ready to go. He watched as Axel rinsed out their coffee mugs. "So, let me give you my number and address for next Saturday."
"Oh yeah. Grab my phone off the coffee table and put your info in." Axel glanced over his shoulder.
Les grabbed it and punched in his info. "Give me a call if anything changes. Otherwise, I'll be ready at ten. Do I need to wear anything spec
ial?"
"Nope. Whatever's comfortable."
"Great. Well, thanks again for the room and for keeping me company at the bar last night."
"Anytime. Drive safe."
"See ya." Les gave a wave as he shut the door and headed to his car, wondering why leaving was the last thing he wanted to do.
CHAPTER FOUR
The music thumped so hard that Les could feel it in his seat. He tapped his foot as he watched the crowd of dancers on the dance floor. Sweat trickled down his back already and they'd just gotten there.
"Here." Jeff pushed a beer in front of him. "Busy tonight." He was already scanning the crowd for someone to hit on.
Les sighed. Tonight would be just like every other. He'd sit here bored while Jeff took off and played. It was his own fault. He picked the club this week, but as he looked around and watched people around them, he had no desire to jump into the pick-up game or join the drunks that lingered around him. They should have stayed home, but Jeff bitched about it being a Friday night, and how he needed to work off the stress from working all week. It was a lame excuse, but as always, Les gave in and picked a place he knew Jeff would have fun.
"Are you going to dance?" Jeff nodded to the dance floor.
"Maybe later. I want to enjoy my beer first."
"You always say that. Get out there and live a little." Jeff rolled his eyes as he downed his beer. "I'm going to prowl." He gave Les a wink and took off, swinging his hips as he pushed through the mass of people.
Les watched until he disappeared from sight. He probably wouldn't see him again until he met someone and came to say goodbye. Hopefully tonight they wouldn't go back to their apartment. Twice already over the week, he had to deal with Jeff's guests.
He scanned the crowd, trying to convince himself to try to have some fun. A redheaded girl smiled at him, and he smiled back, checking her out. She was shorter, her legs thick, but shapely like a gymnast. Her dress fit her curves in all the right places as she made her way toward him.
"Hey." She set her drink on the table. "Can I join you?"
"Sure." He held out his hand. "I'm Les."
"Nice to meet you. Karen." She gently shook his hand as she climbed onto the stool. "You here alone?"
He shook his head. "My roommate is out there dancing somewhere."
"Ah, so is mine." She waved her hand toward the crowd. "So, you come here a lot?"
"Not too often. You?"
"Almost every weekend." She ran her finger absently around the rim of her glass.
"It's a nice place." He smiled. The last thing he wanted was some girl who spent all her free time at the bar. Then again, maybe Jeff was right and he needed to live a little. Karen didn't look like someone who was looking for anything special. She had hook-up written all over her. He bit his lip, wondering if he dared to try the one-night-stand thing again. "You want to dance?"
"Sure." She jumped down from the stool and reached for his hand.
Dancing wasn't his strong point, especially fast. He could do it well enough not to make a fool out of himself, but that was about it. He let Karen lead him to the dance floor. She gyrated her hips, placing her hands on his shoulders as she stared into his eyes. He bit his cheek to keep from telling her never mind and rushing back to the table. He focused on her body, on her legs, her breasts, moving his body against her, rubbing up against her and trying to show interest, but honestly, there was none. There was not a single thing about this girl that he wanted.
After a couple dances, he bent in and said. "Thanks. I'm going to sit the next few out." He waited to see if she would follow.
She must have felt the disconnection too, because she waved at him. "Thanks for the dance."
He made his way off the dance floor to see his table occupied by other people. He ignored them as he headed to the bar and ordered another beer.
As he glanced around the bar, looking for Jeff, he wondered how so many of these people came out just looking for sex. He'd seen it all before, the nervous first contact, the buy me a drink, then the dancing. By the end of the night, the couple was making out on the dance floor and then rushing out the door where they could finally do more. It disgusted him. This wasn't what he wanted. Was there something wrong with him for thinking there should be more? He wanted a friendship, a connection, something more intense than just raging hormones and a forgotten, 'I'll call you soon', the next morning.
This wasn't worth it anymore. He was wasting his time coming here, but now he was stuck until he found Jeff, or more likely, Jeff found him just to tell him he was leaving with someone else.
Les downed his beer and set the mug on the bar, shaking his head no when the bartender asked if he wanted another. Hot and tired of the crowd, he hurried outside to the patio where he could get some fresh air. He stood back against the railing, watching couples come and go. One pair, hidden in the corner, he was sure was having sex. He watched as she moved her body up and down as she straddled the man. His face was buried in her hair as she ran her hands up and down his back. People walked by with nothing more than a casual glance.
Was this all sex was to people?
Disgusted he made his way through the bar, looking for Jeff. He found him near the dance floor doing a shot of some neon drink from a vial.
"Hey." Les touched his shoulder.
"Oh, hey, you want a shot?" Jeff grinned as he swayed.
"Nah, I'm good. Just checking to see if you were ready to go?"
"Ah, I don't think so, but I'm sure Tim will give me a ride home tonight, won't ya?" He traced his hand down some guy's chest.
"You going to make it worth my while?" Tim leaned in and sucked Jeff's bottom lip between his.
"Plus some." Jeff licked his lips as he looked back at Les. "Leave the door unlocked. I forgot my key."
"You sure you're okay? Call me if you guys need a ride, alright?"
"Yeah, no problem. Tim's not drinking much."
Les eyed the heavyset man. "Call me if things change."
"You know I will." Jeff hugged him before turning back to Tim without another word.
Frustrated with Jeff and life in general, Les headed out to his car. He sat behind the wheel for several minutes, trying to figure out why he was so different from everyone else. Why couldn't he just pick someone up, go home, and have some fun? Was it wrong to want more?
He pulled out of the lot, and headed home, sure that he wasn't the only one in the world who felt this way. Someday he would find a girl who wanted to settle down and lead a simple life. No bar scenes, no pick-ups. Something purer. Something real.
The apartment complex was oddly quiet when he got home. Most of the parking stalls were empty. That was rare. Several of his neighbors partied almost weekly, and the families who shared his block rarely went out at night. Seemed everyone had a social life but him.
He tossed his keys on the table by the front door and stripped off his shirt as he walked down the hall to his room. He was hot and sweaty, in need of a long shower. Hopefully before Jeff showed up with his date.
The thought sent another wave of annoyance through him. He was going to have to spend the night listening to his roommate get some. A small voice told him to give Axel a call and see if he could crash there again, but he hardly knew the guy. It wasn't fair to use him as an escape from his problems.
What he needed to do was talk to Jeff and make some changes. Maybe put two feet of soundproofing between Jeff's bedroom and his. The thought made him laugh.
At least tomorrow, he could escape. He was looking forward to hanging out with Axel. For a change, he wasn't going to be hanging with Jeff and his friends. The insecure part of him expected Axel to call and cancel at the last minute, but he refused to acknowledge it. For once in his life, he was going to be positive, plan on a great time, and not be stuck in all the negative in his life.
Stripped down, he made his way to the shower. The hot water helped him relax as he washed the sweat and smell of tobacco from his body. As he shampooed h
is hair, he again thought of Axel and how different he looked from male to female. His long hair was curly either way, but as a female, it fell in soft curls over her shoulders, rounding her face perfectly. He closed his eyes, remembering how good she looked and how blue those eyes were.
Running his hand down his body, he used the suds from the shampoo to wash his cock, sliding his hand up and down his hardening length. He rocked his hips as he imagined Axel's eyes, the curls, how soft her skin looked. His breath hitched as he imagined sliding his hands over her thighs, running his palms under her dress and cupping her perfectly round ass. God to have those eyes staring up at him as she sucked his cock.
The thought brought him over the edge and he braced a hand on the wall as his balls pulled tight and his cock exploded, sending cum shooting all over his fingers and dripping into the tub below.
He gasped for breath as his release eased, his body relaxed, and he was finally able to stand without shaking. He arched his head back, allowing the water to rush down his body, washing away the mess when he suddenly tensed as he realized, he'd just gotten off thinking about another man.
CHAPTER FIVE
Axel rang the doorbell as he looked around the apartment complex. He smiled at two young girls who ran past him as they chased a dog. This was how he wished his place was. He would give anything for a family next door instead of the old, alcoholic lady and her lazy son. He wondered how much rent was. It had to be at least double what he paid.
"Hey, come on in. Sorry, I'm running behind." Les had a towel hung over his shoulders, his hair still wet.
"No problem. Gives me a chance to scope out how the upper-class live." He stepped in and looked around. "Damn, your entry is bigger than my whole living room."
"Yeah, but it's got its own issues."
A loud moan came from down the hall.
"And that would be one of them." Les sighed.
Axel couldn't help but smile. "Jeff?"
"Yep. They got home from the bar a little after two. It got quiet for a couple of hours, but picked up not long ago."
