Page 39 of Hello Forever
He waved to the bartender, and I wondered if the offer of a drink was just a friendly thing, or a precursor to a different kind ofoffer.
I tried on that idea while the bartended fetched my beer. At any other time in my life, a hookup with a sexy, slightly older guy would be a rare and precious offer. I studied Jason, thinking it over. He was really handsome. Wavy hair, blonder than Cax’s. Great bone structure. Gorgeous blue eyes. He was goddamned pretty,really.
And I didn’t feel athing.
A beer bottle landed in front of me, and I took it. “Cheers,” I said, lifting my bottletohis.
“Cheers. And before Boz comes back, I have a question.” I looked into those baby blues and braced myself. “This isn’t easy, because I never do this. Likenever.” He chuckled. “But can we have dinnersometime?”
My stomach dropped. He wasn’t just asking me to exchange blowjobs. He was cuteandclassy enough to offer a real date? Pinch me. And how often did a nice, available gay man askmeout?
Not often. Not oftenatall.
But hewasn’tCax.
“I…” I heard myself stammering. “I would like to say yes. But it’scomplicated.”
His smile dimmed by only a fraction. “Isee.”
Pushing a hand through my hair, I tried to maintain eye contact. I wanted him to know that it wasn’t about him. “Can’t believe I’m saying this, because I’mnevercomplicated. But there’s someone I’m kind of hungupon.”
“Ah.” He smiled again, and it was friendly. “Well, keep me in mind, in case you become less complicated. I did notice that the Celtics are playing the Bulls at home next month. Even if we’re just friends, I thought you might like to comewithme.”
“Oh, man.” I rubbed my face, which was turning redder. “You don’tfightfair.”
He laughed. “I was trying to say that we should be friends anyway. You’re new in town. And we could go to a basketball game nomatterwhat.”
“That is a hell of an offer. Sounds like a blast,” I saidtruthfully.
Jason sipped his beer. “This is a small town. You can’t have too many friends who like both basketballanddick.”
With a snort, I touched my bottle to his once more. “Good point, my friend. Goodpoint.”
* * *
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:I’m sorry I didn’t stay for a beer last night. It’snotyou.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:You say thatoften.
Wait—scratch that. That was a shitty reply. I’m just frustrated. In all the ways there are to befrustrated. ;)
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:I’m… yeah. But I DO say that a lot. It’s just that I don’t see that changing any time soon. My life is a suckfest, and not theenjoyablekind.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:And now I’m thinking about BJs. Thanksforthat.
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:You’re welcome. Frustrating you is my specialty.But Imeanwell.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:I know you do. But I don’t have to like it. Last night I turned downadate.
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:Youdid?Why?
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:Because hewasn’tyou.
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:Maybe you shouldn’t havedonethat.
Igroaned.
“What?” Boz asked, chomping onhisgum.
