Chapter Six — Sometimes, You Just Want To Eat At Home
“What’s the expiration date on a crush?” Mike asked with a long sigh.
On the other end of the phone call, Jared matched his with one that spelled compassion. It was only natural for Mike to go complaining to him since Jared surely had some kind words for him.
“Go have fun, Mike. I feel guilty that I can’t come with you so that we could party as usual. Actually, I could call Chris –“
“No, listen, Jared. It’s okay. We went last night for drinks, and it was all fine. I’m not going to take over your Saturday, especially since you have a date with a super guy.”
Jared made a small sound like he was melting. “I know how you hate being on your own. But you’re cute and young, and there are many guys out there. I know that the last time I told you to go out on your own, you practically ended up –“
“Sucking off my boss,” Mike completed Jared’s words, but his voice was dreamy, not self-deprecating as he aimed for.
“Right. But I think the best remedy is to go dance with some hot guys, take a few phone numbers, and see where the night takes you.”
“You are so optimistic about my chances to get some hot guys’ phone numbers. But thanks for your trust in me, J. You’re the best friend I could ever hope for.”
“I haven’t asked you. Have you seen Ryan after he came down to your server haven?”
“Just from afar. I promise I wasn’t stalking him or anything!”
“I wasn’t accusing you,” Jared replied, obviously surprised.
“Ah,” Mike groaned, “I’m in so deep. Why do I have to fall for impossible guys?”
“When have you ever fallen for such guys before?”
“In my dreams,” Mike said promptly.
Jared laughed. “It’s okay to fantasize. But don’t lose yourself in such a habit. It could be quite dangerous.”
“So, are you trying to tell me that it’s fine if I dream of my boss?”
“If you can’t help it … But please go clubbing. And yes, I know what you’ll say, even without Adrian and me. Even if you go to the club, stay for one hour, and then go back home, it will still be a win. At least, you won’t be by yourself, moping around.”
“I guess that’s true. But I should think of going to another club. Jimmy might still want to kick my ass over that Gino thing from last week.”
“I told you, Mike. There’s nothing to worry about. You can go to our usual spot. The only thing you should worry about is them proposing you to get into a threesome.”
“Would a threesome heal my broken heart?”
“No,” Jared said promptly. “Please don’t tell me you’re even considering it.”
“I wasn’t. Well, if Jimmy won’t kick my ass, then I’ll go for one drink. He might not even be there. If I’m lucky.”
“Hey, have a little faith.”
“Wait, how do you turn down an invitation to a threesome?”
Jared laughed. “Just say that you believe in monogamy.”
“What if they get into a debate and come strong at me?”
“Hmm.” Jared seemed to ponder. “You can lie, then. Tell them your boyfriend is jealous.”
“Ah, so I managed to get a boyfriend between last Saturday and this one. They won’t buy it.”
“I should point out some things. One, the chances that some strong debate over the delicate subject of threesomes would occur are slim. Two, you almost did get yourself a boyfriend. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Meant to be. Somehow, those words felt cruel to Mike. Jared wasn’t at fault, of course. But that evening with Ryan had been perfect. It had felt like something meant to be. And Mike was a bit afraid that such things were unlikely to happen too often to someone like him.
***
Mike took place at the bar, trying to appear relaxed and in the mood for fun. He knew it quite well that his tries wouldn’t fool anyone, but the lights were dim, and people were too busy seeing about their night that they couldn’t be bothered to observe one awkward guy.
“Just the man I was hoping to see.”
Mike looked up and forced a smile. If anything went wrong, he could always blame Jared. No, he would never do that. Going to a different club seemed way too intimidating, so he had settled for their usual spot, as Jared had said.
“Hi, Jimmy.” His voice was so low that Jimmy had to lean over the bar to catch his words.
He waited. If Jimmy wanted to curse at him, he was welcome to do it. Despite what Jared and Adrian had said, Mike still had his doubts that the cute bartender would be okay with his boyfriend sleeping around, and especially with someone Jimmy had practically invited because he had taken pity in.
Jimmy offered him a smile from up close. Then, he suddenly closed the distance between them and kissed Mike quickly.
“Wow, what was that for?” Mike asked, his voice even meeker than before.
“You looked like you needed it. So, you just ditched me and Gino that time, huh?”
Mike fidgeted in his bar stool. “I had no idea he was your boyfriend.” That excuse was lame, but also true. “I’m sorry.” He looked down and linked his fingers, to stop his nervousness.
“I ataköy escort am the one who’s sorry. I should have come clean and tell you my boyfriend and I both wanted to get to know you better.”
Mike’s head snapped up. “For real?”
Jared and Adrian had told him this much.
Jimmy smiled at him. Some client shouted something unflattering at him. He flashed an apologetic smile at Mike. “Be right back. Here, something to keep you busy.” He placed a drink in front of Mike.
“I’m paying for it this time,” Mike said, but Jimmy was already gone.
It wasn’t such a bad idea to have a drink. At least, he could work a little on calming his jitters while Jimmy was busy with the other patrons and their parched throats. Was Jimmy going to propose that kind of arrangement? Nah, probably that ship had already sailed, and the previous Saturday had been the only chance for Mike to do something so wild.
He hoped Jimmy wouldn’t say anything. Things were completely different from the previous Saturday. Now, there was Ryan on his mind and, as helpless as it was, the idea of cheating on him with an adventurous couple made up of a cute twink and a handsome alpha top was torturing him already.
Wasn’t he getting ahead of himself? Jimmy had a handsome man like Gino in his bed, and Gino already had a cute twink as a boyfriend. He didn’t need a lesser cute one.
He was still debating over his shortcomings when someone took the seat next to him. “How are you, birdie?” The husky voice made Mike sit straight in his bar stool.
“Oh, Gino, hi.” He threw some desperate looks toward Jimmy, but the bartender was still busy and quite far away from them to be easy for Mike to call for him, without appearing hysterical.
Mike let out a small gasp as a firm hand rested on his back and began to massage his tense muscles.
“You know, I wondered why you took off like that.”
“Ah, well, I just remembered that I was busy … preparing … um, something for work,” Mike blurted out the last words.
“On a Saturday night?” Gino appeared genuinely disoriented over Mike’s lie. “Hey, listen, we wanted to have some more fun with you.”
“Jimmy is your boyfriend, right?” Mike asked, trying to sit in such a manner so that Gino would take his hand off his back. Gino didn’t appear to take the hint.
“Yeah. We’ve been together for six months or so.”
“And is he really okay with, you know?”
“Yeah, sure.” At least Gino understood what Mike was talking about and didn’t make him say the words out loud.
“But, he’s cute.”
“He is.”
“Cuter than me.”
Gino laughed, and this time, he moved his hand only to sling one arm over Mike’s shoulders and pull him close. “Two cuties are better than one.”
Oh, fuck. Here came that debate about threesomes. What was he supposed to say? His mind was blank. Automatically, he reached for his glass and downed it all down.
“Wow. Thirsty?” Gino laughed.
Jimmy finally made it back to them. He kissed Gino on the lips, not quickly, as he had done with Mike, but long, sweetly, and lingering. Then he noticed Mike’s empty glass, and, without even asking, he brought a bottle and filled it.
“Thanks,” Mike said politely.
“So, Mike, do you have any plans for tonight?” Jimmy asked, after bringing Gino a drink, too.
“Not really,” Mike mumbled, realizing too late that he would have better come up with a lie.
“Then let’s have some fun. You guys sit here and get to know each other a little more while I’m slaving for the man. Just make sure that you keep something for me, too.”
Before going away, Jimmy kissed Gino again, and then Mike, too, this time, sweetly and lingering, just the same as he had done with his boyfriend.
He was in deep, deep trouble. Mike reached for his glass and drank some more. As soon as he let his glass down, Gino turned toward him and grabbed him, pulling him into a kiss. The tongue in his mouth was firm and persistent, and Mike should have felt like his entire world was tilting on its axis, but it was nothing like that. Instead, the kiss just triggered other memories, such as soft, gentle lips searching his and giving him an internal orgasm without his even being touched anywhere else.
No, he couldn’t think of Ryan. Ryan was off-limits. Ryan was his boss, his gorgeous, awesome boss, a handsome sexy man that had arrested his soul and his mind.
So that very moment, Mike decided that maybe Jared was wrong. Maybe having a threesome was a good idea.
***
Jared stole a quick look at Chris across the table and looked back at his plate. He had put on the effort for tonight, getting a casual suit and tying his hair into a discreet ponytail, trying to minimize his usual looks in exchange for something that should work better for dinner in the company of a man such as Chris.
Chris caught his eyes. “You seem a bit stressed out. Is there something bothering you?”
Jared just shook his head. He was not usually this nervous. He had been avcılar escort on dates, but right now, he was, indeed, stressed out. If someone were to ask him, he couldn’t have said what was wrong. Maybe he still felt out of his league. The restaurant was lovely, and Jared was glad he had dressed up or else he would have looked out of place. There was even subdued classical music filling the air, spread through invisible speakers.
“This place is really nice.” He studied his fork, trying to avoid Chris’s eyes.
“I have a feeling I’ve overdone it. If you want us to go someplace else, please, just tell me. I want you to feel at ease.”
“Oh, no, this is really nice.” Jared knew that he had just said that.
Chris sighed. “Is the age difference bothering you? Is this place making it obvious?”
“No, it’s –” If he said once more that it was nice, he was officially stupid.
“You clearly were more at ease while we walked in the park or at the gym. I didn’t mean to take you out of your comfort zone.”
“It’s not like that. It’s, um,” Jared struggled to find the right words, “I guess I’m a little overwhelmed.”
Chris sat back into his chair. “I knew it. Let me call the waiter with the check, and we’ll be out of here in a minute.”
“No. I wouldn’t want that. It would be like ruining the date, right?”
“The only thing ruining the date is my poor choice for a restaurant.”
“I could have said something when you sent me the list of alternatives. Maybe it’s time I grew up a little.”
Jared pushed the food on his plate mindlessly as he talked. There was also the other issue he needed to bring up, and he didn’t know how to do it without sounding like he was accusing Chris of something. He had visited Adrian’s doctor, and, although he told himself there was nothing to worry about, he still felt a little bad over being reckless.
“Look, Jared,” Chris said and put one hand over his, the one that just lay on the table, doing nothing.
“Reeves, fancy meeting you here!” Someone called from their right.
Chris withdrew his hand quickly and welcomed the man addressing him. “Porter, what’s bringing you here?”
“I asked first,” the newcomer said in a playful voice.
Jared took in the guy. He was showing his age, unlike Chris, and seemed in his late forties. The business suit couldn’t conceal his considerable girth, but he appeared to be laid back about his weight and not at all bothered by it. He had the look of someone who enjoyed the fruits of successful endeavors in more ways than one.
“I’ve been relocated for a while,” Chris finally replied. “Business is going crazy.”
“You’re telling me? I’m just in passing and saw that this place had glowing recommendations. What are you guys having?”
Jared felt strange as Chris’s acquaintance studied him briefly. He wondered whether Chris would invite the man to join them, turning that Saturday evening dinner — which was supposed to be romantic — into a business meeting.
“Actually, we were just leaving,” Chris replied.
Jared observed his date carefully. Chris appeared detached, but his right hand that had held his only moment earlier appeared rigid like its owner didn’t know what to do with it.
“That’s too bad. What would you recommend? I hope you two aren’t leaving because of the food,” Porter joked.
Chris offered a few suggestions affably, but something in his countenance told Jared that he was almost ready to bolt.
“Hey, how’s Andrew?” For some reason, Porter stole a glance at Jared while asking that.
“He’s fine,” Chris replied. “Oh, so sorry, I haven’t introduced you two. Porter, this is Jared, a young and very talented photographer. This old goat here is an old friend of mine.”
Jared shook Porter’s hand, and the sensation that something was wrong came washing over him. What sort of introduction was that? Could it be that Chris was in the closet, at least, to some of his friends?
That was a reasonable explanation. He replied politely to a few questions regarding the city that Porter addressed him while Chris hurried the waiter with an impatient gesture.
***
Just for how long was this guy going to insist? Adrian stared in annoyance at the list of unanswered phone calls from Edward. No texts, though. It seemed like Edward was bent on having him answer his phone, and there was no other way he would accept as a means of communication.
He also had the habit of calling at the same time every day. Was Edward secretly a robot? Adrian was tempted to think of him in all the unflattering colors possible since Edward was, after all, guilty of seeing through him and quite fast.
Adrian liked to think he was an uncomplicated guy. But he was entitled to his secrets, and he didn’t want to have them exposed. For days, he had thought about that fucked up way their fucking had ended, with Edward guessing right away that Adrian had been thinking of another dude during sex. At first, he had blamed himself. Then his anger had turned beylikdüzü escort against Edward for meddling where he wasn’t supposed to.
Whatever. The chance was lost. Edward would eventually take the hint and stop calling. And, in the meantime, Adrian had no time to waste with stupid things, like reminiscing the past and wondering if Alexander hadn’t fucked him up good for all eternity. Adrian was in no mood to visit some shrink and listen about how his inability to commit was rooted in a broken heart. He wasn’t made for that kind of stuff.
He knocked on the door to the posh townhouse and waited. Maybe he didn’t attend parties as sophisticated as whatever Edward was used to, in the company of other rich perverts like him, but he could score some more bizarre experiences for himself without pretending to be the hottest stuff that ever walked the earth.
“Wow.” The slim brunet standing in the doorway and wearing nothing but a vaporous see-through threw him an appreciative look. “You look better than in your profile pictures.”
“Thanks.”
The brunet made a small sign with his chin and stood out of the way, allowing Adrian to come in.
It was like walking into a fantasy, Adrian thought as he didn’t hesitate to stare shamelessly at the naked bodies populating the gorgeous living room. There were probably a few places in the world, let alone in the city where there could be such an impressive concentration of hotties per square foot.
The beautiful brunet snuck one hand around his waist. “Hey, everyone. Can I have your attention, please?”
Those who weren’t already looking at Adrian with hungry eyes turned toward him.
“We have Adrian here, and guess what? He’s our guest of honor.”
The audience started clapping right away, and there were small murmurs of appreciation, and a few little delighted laughs.
“Can I offer you a drink, handsome?” The host offered, but Adrian shook his head.
“I’m ready if you guys are.”
“Nice,” the brunet replied and dragged Adrian to a lavish armchair, after helping him out of his jacket.
Adrian plopped down on the armchair and smiled at his host, who got on his knees fast and began pulling down his jeans after a short struggle with the fly. He winked at him as the young man gave a long seductive lick to the entire length of his cock.
“Remember, boys, play nice,” the brunet said as he turned toward the room. “Each one with his condoms and don’t try for seconds until everyone got some, got it?” After that, he addressed Adrian again. “So, are you up to the challenge? There’s only one of you, and ten of us.”
Adrian nodded with a smug grin. “Come and hop on my dick, and you’ll see how up to the challenge I am. Are you going to be the first?”
The brunet threw him a flirty look. “I wish. But I have the reputation of a perfect host, and that means that my guests have priority. Just make sure you can still keep it up by the time I’m coming for you.”
Adrian grabbed a handful of the host’s ass. “I will.”
“Excellent. Then I should let you prey to these fiends now.”
A tall blond with languid eyes came to rest on Adrian’s knees, straddling him. He had a throaty, sexy voice. “You’re new. I haven’t seen you before.”
“Ah, I just thought I could try this.”
The blond got busy with Adrian’s cock, wrapping it quickly in a condom. “Viagra? So nice and hard.”
“Please don’t insult me. I’m all-natural. You’re enough to make me hard.”
The blond flashed a perfect smile at him. Adrian caught him by the waist and bit on his chest playfully, making him gasp. He could hear squelching sounds as the blond was preparing himself. Adrian didn’t allow him much leeway and pushed him down on his cock. The pretty young man seemed used to such treatment and began bouncing up and down happily.
Adrian tried to grab the also bouncing cock, but the blond slapped his hand away. “I’m all hands-free, honey.”
The squeeze on his cock was delicious, but Adrian found his mind doing tricky things. His cock twitched the soonest he let his mind wander. Only that right now, he wasn’t thinking of Alexander and his betrayal, but of Edward, and that thought unnerved him nonetheless.
There was no need for him to think of Edward now. He was in a room filled with beautiful bottoms, and all wanted a piece of his cock. What need did he have for a sophisticated man who played games with his mind and with his body?
Being the main course at a reverse gangbang party was all Adrian needed to get himself cured. All he had to do was to focus on giving and receiving pleasure while playing with beautiful men who weren’t Edward.
The blond gasped and played with his tits while he fucked himself into Adrian’s cock. He had no trouble keeping it up in a place like this. With a last long moan, the blond began shooting from his cock, spreading juice all over Adrian’s t-shirt.
He should have taken it out. But it was okay either way. The blond stood up and kissed Adrian on the cheek. “Thank you, sexy. If there’s still something left in your balls by the end of the night, I’ll come to suck you dry.”
Adrian just patted the young man on his behind. Two other beautiful boys materialized next to him and playfully pushed the blond away. Their Asian features made them look like China dolls.