MY BEST FRIEND’S BOYFRIEND

G.A. HAUSER

MY BEST FRIEND’S BOYFRIEND

Copyright © The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC, 2011

Cover design by Mickey Stanton

Edited by Stacey Rhodes

Special Thanks to Pete DeVries

ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1461-0201-7-2

The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WARNING

This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: graphic language, homosexual relations, adult situations. Please store your books carefully where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.

First The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC publication:

May 2011

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Chapter 1

“Trina Yamagachi, you’re a serial engager.” Gavin Mecklenburg tucked the phone between his shoulder and ear as he poured coffee into a thermos in the kitchen of his two bedroom condo on Phinney Ridge.

“That is so mean, Gavie.”

“How many men have you been engaged to?” He capped the thermos and put it next to his insulated lunch box. “I’ve counted four.”

“I thought I wanted to marry them at the time.”

“You lead them on and dump them before the date is set. You can’t fool me.” Gavin checked his watch and began shutting off lights before he left for work.

“You have it easy. Women have so much to think about when they get married.”

Gavin stopped what he was doing and blinked. “Did you just say I have it easy?”

“Yes. Gay men never have to make a commitment.”

“And I can’t believe after knowing me for four years you’re telling me being a gay man is easier than being a straight woman and that we can’t make commitments.”

“Agh! Is it really seven-fifteen?”

“Yes. Can we resume this discussion later? Over a drink?”

Gavin stepped into his beige work boots at the door.

“I’ll let you know. I met a new guy and I may go out with him.”

“Another new guy?” Gavin blew out a breath and snatched his keys from the hook over the kitchen counter. “I can’t remember the last man I dated.”

“He’s a real sweetie. I’ll fill you in on it later if he doesn’t call. But he will. I think he’s hot for me.”

“Uh huh. And it’s easier for me or you? Forget it, Trina…you’re a man magnet. Call me later and let me know what you’re up to.”

“Okay, Gavie. Be careful at work. I worry about you.”

“You sound like your mom.” Gavin laughed and stood by the door, ready to leave.

“My mom loves you!”

“I love her too. Catch ya later.”

“Kiss-kiss!”

Gavin hung up, stuffed the phone into his shirt pocket and grabbed his lunch and thermos off the counter. He locked the door to his condo, which was on the first floor of a three-story complex. The light airy units were located across the street from the Woodland Park Zoo and at night with the windows open, he could hear the howler monkeys bellowing.

He pushed back the heavy steel door to the parking garage and used his key to unlock his classic, silver Mazda RX7. Once he’d placed his lunch and thermos on the passenger’s floor mat, he started the car, lowering the loud music he had listened to last night on the way home.

It was Friday but he was on call all weekend. Luckily the spring and summer months created a lull in the emergency call outs, but one never knew in Seattle. Weather was always newsworthy.

As he waited for the iron security gate to roll back, he wondered who Trina had bagged this time. She was a gorgeous twenty-eight year old Japanese American. The woman had men clamoring after her on a regular basis.

Her suitors were usually stunning, well-off, intelligent men. At times Gavin envied her assertiveness. She knew how to flirt. Sometimes while they were out together, she’d eye a potential mate, usually luring them in even though it would appear to an outsider that he and Trina were on a date.

He drove out of the lot, using his windshield wipers as the spray of drizzle coated his car. Yes, it was summer in Rain City, but that didn’t mean it would be warm and sunny. On the contrary.

Living on Phinney Ridge had its benefits. He didn’t need to use Interstate 5 to commute. In rush hour, especially Friday traffic, that meant a lot of time saved.

Fifteen minutes later, Gavin parked his car in the secure employee lot of Seattle Power Source. He took his thermos and lunch bag with him, using a key pad code to enter the building. Still battling his way through a three-year apprenticeship program, Gavin knew each day on the job demanded him to be focused and sharp. Working on high voltage power-lines was not easy. It had taken a long time to be allowed to work as a ‘hot’, fifth period apprentice. Looking back he recalled the hours of classroom training, followed by practical hands-on, including eight climbing pole tests. It was the moment that separated the men from the boys, or in his profession’s case, the ones without a fear of heights.

Climbing a thirty foot pole without safety equipment during a test was not for the faint of heart.

Luckily he got along well with most of his journeymen mentors. Every two months Gavin had to rotate to a new crew, and a new style of work. He didn’t mind. He enjoyed meeting everyone and learning each different method of the job. No, he didn’t tell any of the men he worked with he was gay. There was no reason to. The four or five-man crews consisting of a crew chief, two journeymen, and sometimes a materials supervisor, and him, the trainee. This was no place to reveal secrets about sexuality.

Being a trainee for three years, doing the work the journeymen didn’t do, like cleaning the toilets on the bucket trucks, Gavin had learned to be humble on the job. One day he would be the master and have a trainee under him. Soon. Just not yet.

But now he was working ‘hot’ high voltage circuits, and was well on his way to completing the training program. He stopped at his locker to exchange his t-shirt for his work shirt. Each article of clothing appeared normal, but were class 2 fireretardant. The last thing he needed was to burst into flames like a Hollywood stuntman. He tucked in the shirt into his jeans, which were also treated, grabbed his raingear, and popped his yellow hard hat onto his head.

This month he was assigned to a crew with crew chief, Fred Maxwell, and journeymen Harvey Dyer and Hank Smith. The men were mostly in their late forties and fifties, married with children. All the men were experts in their field. Gavin was a quick learner and enthusiastic about the work. That was all he needed to get along well with all the men he had met so far. He spotted Harvey wearing his shirt with the company logo and baggie khaki pants, standing near their ‘jeep’, which was a flatbed truck which carried all their supplies. Gavin tossed his thermos and lunch into the cab. “Mornin’ Harvey.”

“Good morning, Gav. You catch the Mariners last night?”

“I did.” Gavin did a check of the equipment as well as the nuts, bolts, wire, connectors, and tools to make sure they were fully stocked with the everyday parts they would need. When he was through he sat in the passenger’s seat next to Harvey who was behind the wheel.

“Fucking bullpen.” Harvey shook his head and stuck the key in the ignition. “Been having the same problem since the eighties.”

“Some things never change.” Gavin smiled.

“Right. Ready to go climb power poles in the rain?”

“I like sixty degrees and rain better than thirty degrees and sleet.”

Harvey laughed as he backed the truck out of the spot. “I hear ya. I just hope we eventually complain about how hot it is.”

“Sure, Harv…keep dreaming.”

They smiled at each other and then Gavin daydreamed about finishing his training as they drove to their first job.

~

Eight hours later, driving his own car, the radio blasting metallic rock, Gavin pulled into the lot under the condo building. He rolled into his numbered spot next to a concrete pillar and shut off the engine. Still humming the song that had been playing, he grabbed his empty lunch box and thermos and climbed out of the car. At the far end of the parking area, which was mostly outdoor covered parking spots, a garage opened. The condos had a limited number of garages, mostly reserved for the third floor ‘luxury’ units. He didn’t know very many of his neighbors, though he had been living in the condo for three years. Ever since he had gotten the apprentice job and an increase in wages.

Tucking his thermos under his arm as he searched for the security key to the lobby’s back door on his key ring, he heard a car motor and spotted a white 1962 split-window Stingray Corvette. Classic cars always got his attention. He didn’t recall seeing it before and watched it waiting for the opposite gate to open until it left the lot.

Gavin opened the lobby door, walking down the hall to his unit. He heard a small yapping dog in a condo down the hall, and pushed his key into his own lock.

Once inside, he dumped his lunch box and thermos on the counter top and headed to his bedroom to strip for a shower. As he stood over his bed, emptying his pockets, he tapped the button on his answering machine and looked at his mobile phone for missed messages at the same time. Trina had left one on each. He stayed put, hearing her voice on the message machine.

“Hi, Gavie…looks like it’s you and me for drinks. How about we meet over at Anthony’s in Shilshol? Happy hour ‘til six. Call me.”

He noticed a couple text messages she’d sent on his phone. He didn’t keep it on during work for safety reasons. The last thing he needed was for his attention to waver while sitting in a bucket truck fixing power lines.

He read the same message on both. ‘ u there?’ Picking up his home phone, he called Trina, unbuttoning his shirt as he did. As it rang he sniffed under his pit and made a face at how much he stunk.

“Hello, Gavieee.”

“Hello, Treniee…” He laughed. “Are you already drunk?”

“No. Just had one glass of wine when I got home from work. I’m bored. I can’t drink too much. I have to drive to Shilshol…unless you’re picking me up.”

He sank down to sit on the bed, rubbing his face. “I’m beat. I was climbing poles and stripping all day.”

“Are you a dancer?” Trina laughed loudly.

Gavin smiled. “Sounds like it, doesn’t it. Stripping wire. Not clothing.” He fell back onto the bed with a bounce.

“It’s Friday night. Come out with me. I don’t want to stay home.”

“What happened to your new beau?”

“He didn’t call. The jerk.”

Gavin tried to feel motivated. “Let me shower. I stink.”

“Okay…I’ll go grab us a table in the bar. How long will it take you to get ready?”

“Less than an hour.”

“See you then!”

“Bye, Trina.”

Gavin put his phone on the nightstand and stood with effort. He removed his clothing and looked at himself in the mirror on the dresser. Thirty-five? Where did ten years go?

He ran his hand through his brown hair, which had been sweaty under his hard hat, and stared into his blue eyes. I’m not ugly. Am I? No.

He flexed his biceps and tightened the muscles on his abs, striking a pose. Maybe he wasn’t going to the gym as often as he liked, but the work was very physical.

“I need a life.” He scuffed his heels on the way to the bathroom, starting the water in the shower. In the mirror over the sink he touched his jaw, feeling stubble. He took his razor into the shower with him and wet down, shaving by touch. Thinking about Trina, seeing her cruise a room and single out a ‘victim’, Gavin wondered if perhaps he should take some pointers from her. She was the consummate predator. Four men had asked her to marry them. Four!

After he washed up, he rinsed his face under the hot spray and shut the water. He checked his heavy, waterproof stainless steel watch for the time. That’s how he and Trina had met. He’d stopped at the jewelry store in downtown Seattle just to browse. Trina, who worked there, ended up selling him a stainless steel Rolex. They’d been friends ever since.

He sped up his motions, not wanting Trina to wait alone in a bar. She’d be surrounded by men the minute she got there and he’d end up drinking and eating alone.

Chapter 2

Gavin didn’t see Trina’s Camry in the lot. He checked his phone for a text from her and sent one as he stood outside the restaurant. ‘ Im here.’

A second later he heard a beep of a car horn. She waved as she drove around looking for a spot.

He put his phone into his pocket and waited. There she was, in her high-heeled, open-toe red pumps, matching purse with gold accents, Capri slacks, silk top, and bright red lipstick. Her jewelry matched her taste—expensive. Though she was petite, merely five foot three and slender, something gave the illusion of grandness and power. Perhaps it was Trina’s confidence. She oozed it.

“Hello, Gavieee!” she sang, throwing open her arms for a hug.

He gave her a warm embrace, inhaling her delicate perfume and feeling her jet black hair brush his cheek. “Hello, my lovely lady.”

She kissed his cheek and giggled, wiping the smudge of lipstick with a finger she wet in her mouth. “I always smear on you.”

“Oh, that sounds sexy.” He held her hand and escorted her into the lobby.

Acting like she was easily offended, she gave him a playful whack on the arm. “Why do you have to be gay?”

Before Gavin answered, he was addressed by the hostess.

“Table for two?” she asked.

Trina said, “No, honey, we want the happy hour at the bar.”

Gavin laughed softly. Thankfully he wasn’t emasculated by powerful women. “Guess we know the way,” he said, pointing to the direction of the bar.

“Enjoy your evening,” the hostess said.

“Thanks.” Gavin was led by Trina to a dimly lit room overlooking the Puget Sound. She steered them away from the bar stools to the tables by the window.

Since it was early, they had their choice of seats. Trina evidently knew where she wanted to sit; in a cozy corner by a large glass pane, and a view of the ferry boats coming and going.

Once they had settled into the chairs, facing each other, Gavin with his back to the window, Trina with the fabulous view, the waitress approached.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

Trina tugged out the tiny plastic menu from the condiment holder, and read it quickly. “We’re here for happy hour.”

Gavin opened his mouth to request a beer, but Trina interrupted him. “I want a cocktail. Are you getting a cocktail, Gavie? Or just beer?” Aside she said to the waitress, “He always gets beer. Me? I like to experiment.”

Waiting for a gap in the slightly chastising comment, Gavin told the waitress, “Honey wheat beer, please,” giving Trina a sideways glance as she laughed at him.

“I don’t know what to get…either the martini or a vodka cranberry. Gavie, what would you get?”

“Beer.”

She flapped the menu at him making him retreat. “I can’t decide.”

“Ask her.” Gavin pointed to the waitress.

Trina looked skeptically at the woman. Gavin knew she was not a big fan of pretty blondes. “I’ll take the martini,” Trina said. Gavin noticed Trina’s nail polish and lipstick matched her purse and shoes. The woman was chic in an LA way, out of place among the Birkenstocks and socks crowd of Seattle.

“Oh! And we want the crab artichoke dip, and…what else, Gavie?”

“I’d like—”

“The shrimp and calamari!” Trina said.

The waitress nodded and looked at Gavin with sympathy, as though he was a trod-on hubby. Gavin nodded. “That’s fine for now.”

“I’ll bring you your drinks and sour dough bread right away.”

She left.

Trina said, “She’s a bitch.”

“Really?” Gavin leaned on his elbows across the table.

“Meow.”

She laughed and checked her phone, setting near her on the table. “Why didn’t he call tonight?”

“Who knows the ways of straight men?”

“He’s a stupid jerk.”

“Where did you meet him?”

“He bought a two-tone Rolex from me yesterday.”

“Ah.” Trina met many men, including himself, while she worked the sales floor at the flagship store of one of the biggest jewelry chains on the west coast. It explained why she dripped with gold and pearls.

“He was so cute. He was wearing this fabulous designer suit. I fell in love.”

Gavin smiled wryly. He’d heard that nearly a dozen times before. The waitress approached with a tray. She placed a frosted glass and bottle of beer in front of Gavin, then set down Trina’s martini and a basket of warm bread and butter.

“Would you like water?”

“Sure,” Gavin said, noticing Trina giving the waitress the evil eye.

“Be right back.” The waitress left.

As he poured the beer into the glass, tilting it sideways to avoid a foamy head, he asked, “Why are you shooting darts at that woman?”

“She’s flirting with you.”

Gavin choked in his laugh, nearly spilling the beer. “You’re insane.”

“Stop. I hate when you belittle me.” She sipped her cocktail, leaving a red lipstick print on the rim.

“I’m not. You know I love you.” Gavin made a kissing noise at her. He brought the drink to his lips and took a taste. “Mm. Man, I needed that.”

“Hard day?”

“Yes.” Just as he was about to tell her about it, she said,

“Gavie…why didn’t he call me?”

“What did you guys talk about when he bought the Rollie from you?” He picked up a slice of the sour dough bread and buttered it. The warm bread melted the creamy better instantly. He stuffed half of it into his mouth. He was famished.

“We talked about his job at Boeing, how he came from Corvallis, Oregon, he was new in town. Blah, blah, blah.”

The deep sound of the ferry horn blasting made Gavin turn in his chair to look. The big leviathan of a boat was moving across the Sound to the peninsula. Since it was summertime, the sun was still high above the Olympic Mountain range. “We could have sat outside on the deck.”

“Too windy.” She turned up her nose and drank more from her glass.

“Did he make any promises when you exchanged numbers?”

“He said, ‘I’ll call you sometime.’”

Gavin arched an eyebrow. “Honey, that doesn’t sound promising.”

“I should text him.” She picked up her phone.

“What will you say?”

“Hi, what are you up to? Something like that.”

She used her thumbs to tap the tiny keys of her iPad. “I wrote,

‘hey, just wondering what you’re doing.’” She held up the phone to show him. “Hit send?”

“You know him better than I do.” He topped off the glass with the remainder of the beer.

She pushed a button and stared at it, setting it down beside her. “Think he’ll text back?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where’s the food? I’m so hungry.” She looked around for the waitress.

“Have some bread.”

“Will you butter it for me?”

“Sure.” He picked up a slice and spread butter into the soft center. “Here ya go.”

She leaned across the table. He fed her a bite and set the remainder on her bread plate.

“Why are you gay?”

“You’ve asked me that for nearly four years.”

“Did you ever tell me?”

“I don’t know why I’m gay.” He spotted a young man with a tray heading towards them.

“Artichoke dip and calamari?” the young man asked.

“Yes.” Gavin moved his beer aside.

The man set down the two plates as well as dishes and silverware. “And here’s your water.” He placed two glasses down for them. “Anything else?”

“I’d like another martini.”

“Okay. Another beer, sir?”

“Not just yet. Soon.” Gavin smiled.

The young man left.

“He likes you.” Trina scooped up the dip and loaded it on top of a chunk of toasted bread.

“He’s not gay.”

“Aren’t all waiters?”

“Trina…behave.” Gavin served himself a little of each appetizer.

“Ask him out. I think he likes you.”

“I am not asking him out. He’s not gay.”

“How do you know if you don’t ask?”

“He was wearing a wedding ring.”

“Oh.”

Gavin ate a bite of food and moaned. “Good choice.”

“Mm. Love it.” She nibbled the bread and topping. “He didn’t text back yet.” She glanced at her phone.

“He will. Give the man a second.”

“But it only takes a second.” She picked up her phone. “You think he got it?”

“You’re the expert on trapping men. You’re like honey and they’re a bunch of flies.” He gulped his beer, indeed craving another.

“Ew. I hate bugs.”

The blonde waitress brought a fresh martini to the table.

“Here you go.”

“What happened to the cute guy?” Trina asked as the woman took her empty glass.

“Who?”

“Trina…” Gavin said to the waitress, “Never mind. Another beer when you have a chance, please?”

“Sure. Be right back.”

When the waitress left, Gavin shook his head at Trina. “He’s straight and married. And I don’t need help finding a date.”

Trina finished chewing and stared at him.

“What?” Gavin tilted his head.

“Have you ever gone on a date?”

“Yes!” He looked around, lowering his voice. “I go out. I don’t always give you the news flash, but I date.”

“When?”

“When?”

Trina ate another bite of food, waiting for his answer. Gavin was slightly unnerved he had to think about it. Trina’s phone hummed. She dropped her slice of artichoke dip on bread to her plate, wiped her hands and picked it up excitedly. “It’s him!”

While Trina read her message, busy tapping one back, Gavin wondered…when had been his last date?

The new job was so consuming, he couldn’t recall. All winter, through the high winds and occasionally the snow, which was rare for their wet city, he’d worked overtime, through nights and weekends, making sure the citizens had power.

Trina made a squealing noise of excitement and Gavin figured his evening with Trina would end once she nailed her latest man down for a time.

The waitress brought over his fresh beer. “How’s the food?”

she asked.

“Very good.” Gavin glanced at Trina who was absorbed in her own world.

“Anything else I can get you?”

“Not at the moment, thanks.”

The waitress left and Gavin finished the last sip of his first beer, pouring the second into a cold glass. He scooted his chair sideways and gazed out at the distant ferry boat, with its backdrop of a mountain range capped with snow.

Trina said, “I’m meeting him at seven at Wild Ginger.” She slid the food plates closer to Gavin. “I can’t eat any more. We’re going to have dinner.” She wriggled in her seat and looked as though she was a champagne bottle about to pop.

“What’s his name?” Gavin asked though he didn’t really care.

“Toby. How cute is that? I love it.” She gulped her martini down, checking her Cartier watch.

“Do you want to go home and ‘freshen up’ before your big date?”

“Yes. You mind? Oh, Gavie…you’re so sweet. Thank you so much!” She picked up her phone and stuck it into her purse. Before she rushed off, she kissed Gavin’s cheek. “I smudged you!” She laughed as she left.

Gavin stared at his full beer, the empty martini glass with the red lipstick on it, and the plates of leftover food. He stood and moved to the seat Trina had been sitting in so he could gaze out at the view. Absently he rubbed at the spot where she had kissed him, then used a napkin to wipe off the red lipstick.

~

The phone woke him out of a dead sleep.

Gavin checked the time, seeing it was nearing one a.m. He picked up the phone and said, “Hello?”

“He didn’t kiss me goodnight!”

“Huh?” Gavin tried to get his brain to function.

“Gavie! We had a great time…we talked for hours. I thought he would kiss me goodnight.”

Rubbing his forehead, Gavin said, “How many drinks have you had? You sound toasted.”

“Why didn’t he kiss me, Gavie?” she whined.

“I think he’s just being polite. You know, taking it slow.”

“I wanted a kiss. You should see how cute he is with his little wire framed glasses. He’s really hot. He wore a suit and tie, and his new watch. Gavie, he really is the one.”

“The one?” Gavin groaned. He’d heard that at least a dozen times before. “Are you going to see him again?”

“He said he’d call me. Maybe tonight. It’s Saturday now.”

“If he gives you his whole weekend, he likes you.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. Guys don’t do that usually. At least they don’t in the rom-coms I’ve seen. You remember He’s Just Not That Into You?”

“Why didn’t he kiss me? I even leaned closer, you know?

When he said goodbye, he said, ‘I had a nice time. I’ll call you.’

Do you think he likes me?”

“Yes.” Gavin yawned and rolled to his side, cupping the phone against his ear. He was used to Trina calling at all hours. Sometimes she’d ask him for a ride home from a bar when she drank too much.

“He’s so sweet, Gavie. He’s only twenty-nine and he’s already a big-wig over at Boeing. His nails are manicured and clean.”

Gavin tried to see his hands in the darkness. He doubted his nails would pass Trina’s inspection they were so chewed up from his job.

“He’s just moved here from Corvallis. Gavie, I want to get him before some blonde bimbo does.”

Gavin smiled to himself. “You will. Trust me.”

“You think so?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Gavie. I’m sorry I woke you. Why are you in bed? You should be out at the gay bars.”

“Yeah, right. That’s my style, isn’t it?” Gavin coughed in a laugh.

“How will you meet your Mr. Right?”

“I have no idea.”

“If Toby doesn’t call me, are you free later today?”

“I’m on call at work, but I think the weatherman said sunny or partly sunny this weekend. I doubt we’ll get a huge power outage, but you never know.”

“Come shopping with me at Bellevue Square. We can have lunch there.”

Gavin groaned at the prospect. Shopping with Trina was an all day affair.

“Please? I want to talk more about my date with Toby to see what you think.”

“Let me get some errands done in the morning. I need to go to the gym, food shop…you know.”

“How about one? I can pick you up if you want, though I’d rather have you drive there.”

“I can drive. Let me call you once I get things done.”

“Okay, Gavie. Kiss kiss!”

“Goodnight, Trina.” Gavin tried to find the phone cradle in the dark. He knocked something off his nightstand and cursed, finally getting the phone into the right spot. Rolling over, curling into his pillow, he imagined the scene with Trina and her new conquest. Each new man she met that had dating potential, Trina asked Gavin to appraise for her. Sometimes it was done covertly. He would spy on them at her request, and give his feedback later on with his score from one to ten.

Gavin didn’t mind. It was slightly amusing in a macabre sense. And Ms. Yamagachi didn’t care what he thought anyway. He never failed to give them all a ten plus rating. And if he were to judge each man by looks alone, he wasn’t lying.

Gavin tried to close his eyes again. The zoo was active at night and he was across the street from a small convenient shop as well. Loud vibrating music from opened car windows reverberated in his bedroom. Summer was here.

He put the pillow over his head and sighed.

Chapter 3

Gavin parked his car in Trina’s driveway at her home on Queen Anne. Her split level house was atop one of the hilly spots overlooking Ballard and the Fremont district. He knew the neighborhood well from many downed power lines taken out by windstorms and the older trees.

Before he knocked he stood on her front lawn, which was elevated from the driveway and sidewalk out front. A retaining wall of cement surrounded each of the properties on the block. Gavin took in the view. From her spot on the street he could see the southern tip of Lake Union as well as the Aurora Bridge. He hoped after becoming a journeyman in his job, he could afford to upscale. Home prices in Seattle seemed to be in a bubble. While the rest of the country was selling foreclosures for half their value, Rain City held its ground like a stubborn waterlogged goat.

He spun on his heels to walk to her front door, ringing the bell. A barking sound surprised him. Trina didn’t own a dog, but her mother did. Gavin had met it once when he had dinner with Trina’s family ages ago.

From where he was standing he heard her scolding the pooch.

“Pepper! No!” The door opened and a tiny Shih Tzu, looking like a black and white mop, snuffled his shoes.

“Hi, Gaviee!” Trina sang enthusiastically as she did each time they met. He was glad she was happy to see him.

“Hello, lady.” He hugged her, getting a lipstick kiss on the cheek. “Isn’t he your mom’s dog?” He knelt down to pet the dog as he rubbed at a mark he knew was on his cheek from her lipstick peck.

“Yes. He’s Mom’s. She and Dad are going out of town overnight and she didn’t want him alone.” She addressed the dog, “Pepper, come get a cookie.”

Gavin closed the door behind him as Trina shook a box of dog biscuits in the kitchen and the dog wagged its tiny white fluffy tail.

While she was busy, he took the time to inspect her home, which changed each time he was there, which wasn’t often. Usually when he picked her up she was ready at the door. A few new pieces of artwork were hanging on the wall, and a flamboyant blue and clear hand-blown glass vase was on her coffee table. Trina constantly moved her furniture around, or had it moved for her by her many men, seemingly never happy with the set up.

The house was uncluttered, sparsely furnished, with white walls and unobtrusive pastel print fabric on a chair and matching sofa, a boxy television was on a low stand, and in the corner of the room was a metallic handmade globe which threw off many colored lights, like a fiber optic lamp. Trina’s tastes were eclectic, and she favored artwork from trendy up and coming artists and loathed television.

“Every time I come here you have something new.”

She appeared harried and not her usual composed self. He checked his watch. He wasn’t early, but right on time. To give her the moment she needed to get herself together, he sat on the slightly hard sofa and picked up a Glamour Magazine to browse.

“You want anything?” she yelled from somewhere in the house.

“I’m good. I figured we’d eat later.” He got hit with a perfume ad in the magazine and quickly turned the page to rid the odor.

“Why didn’t he kiss me!”

Gavin smiled, realizing that was why she was still moping.

“He’s a gentleman.”

She entered the room, putting on dark red lipstick, holding the compact mirror. Seeing her footwear, Gavin could only wonder how she managed to balance on heels all day long. Of course she was dressed to the nines in black slacks and a black and white striped satin top, while he wore his blue jeans and a black t-shirt with a Harley Davidson decal on the chest. “Should I have worn a suit?”

She put the cap on her lipstick and whacked his shoulder.

“You always look good.”

“I do?” He watched her leave the room.

“Yes!”

“Huh.”

Pepper stood by the sofa, staring at him with two black button eyes and a little black button nose.

“Does he need to go out before we leave?” Gavin asked.

“He just did.” She slung her black Fendi purse over her shoulder. “Is it still sunny out?”

“For the moment.” He closed the magazine and stood.

“I never know what to wear. I hate Seattle.”

“You always know what to wear, and you love Seattle.” He followed her to the front door.

“Sit!” She pointed to the dog. He obeyed, tongue hanging out of his mouth. “Let’s go. I have to set the alarm. Go.”

Gavin stepped outside and gave the sky a close inspection. Clouds were forming over the mountain range, but that didn’t necessarily mean rain. Though it usually did.

The tones of an alarm key-code were heard, then Trina closed the door, using a key to lock a dead bolt. She exhaled loudly and stuffed her keys into her purse, putting on a pair of sunglasses that made her look like a Japanese Jackie Onassis.

He held out his elbow to her, and she hooked it instantly.

“You should wear flats. We’re just headed to the mall.”

“Bite your tongue!” She huffed in disgust. “Flats. I wear flats when I clean house, not go out.”

“Don’t your feet hurt in those?” He opened the car door for her.

“No. I’m used to it.”

He closed the door and walked to the driver’s side. She flipped down the visor for the mirror and rubbed lipstick off her teeth. “You need a new car. I want to get a BMW. What do you think of Beamers, Gavie?” She folded the visor up again and put her seatbelt on. “What year is this jalopy?”

“I beg your pardon?” He shut off the radio and backed out of her driveway. “This, my dear, is a classic.”

“That means old.” She giggled, took her phone out of her purse and checked it for missed calls and messages. “He’s dreamy, Gav…oh…I swear, I want to kiss him all over.”

“Wow. Who does he look like?” He and Trina usually attempted to match up her conquests with a Hollywood celebrity.

“Oh, let’s see.” She tapped her red nail to her lip as he drove down the steep grade to the main road. “The latest Cosmo had a list of the cutest men. You know I never watch TV.”

“Judging by that old dinosaur in your living room, I know.”

She waved her hand dismissively at him. “Uh…how about a cross between Josh Duhamel and Chris Pine?”

Gavin blinked. “No.”

“I’m not kidding. And he wears these adorable wire frame glasses. He is so hot.” She used her thumbs to type into the phone while she spoke.

He assumed it was not to her dream man, because she would narrate that.

“He should have kissed me. I was standing, you know, leaning…I really expected a kiss.”

Gavin drove his way through the car-jammed streets near downtown trying to weave his way to Interstate 5 and the Evergreen Point Bridge.

“Should I text him?”

“No. I wouldn’t. I’d make him contact you.” Gavin shifted gears and finally made it to the highway ramp.

“Yes, but that’s you, Gavin.” She laughed. “You never go out.”

“I do. I just have a lot on my mind with this job. It’s three years of training, Trina, and I’m right at the tail end. The hardest part.”

“You should get a better job. I can’t imagine Toby climbing telephone poles for a living.” She stuck her phone into her purse and removed an emery board, filing a nail.

“It’s a great job. I really love it.” He noticed red tail lights at the far end of the bridge. “Please don’t tell me that’s an accident.”

“There’s always traffic on the bridge. That’s why I hate driving.” Done filing, Trina put her purse near her feet and sighed. “What CDs do you have?”

“I don’t know. The case is in the back of the seat.”

“That’s too much trouble.” She sighed loudly. “Why didn’t he kiss me?”

“He will. Give him one more date.”

Trina turned in the seat and Gavin felt her stare on his profile.

“What? Do I still have your lipstick smudge on me?” He wiped at his cheek.

“You need a boyfriend.”

“Tell me about it.” Gavin laughed softly.

“Maybe I can ask someone at work if they know any gay guys to set you up with.”

“Don’t. Please.” He downshifted as the traffic slowed.

“Take this exit. I know the back way to the mall.”

“Oh. Cool.” He inched closer to the end of the bridge. “How did you get a Saturday off? Don’t you usually love Saturdays because of all the sales volume?”

“I wanted a few Saturdays off a month. I told my manager I was going to take them. Screw them. I have a life, you know. Speaking about jobs…”

Gavin finally exited the snarled highway and accelerated up the ramp. “Which way?”

“Go straight and turn right at the light.” She took a box of mints out of her purse and put one in her mouth. “Altoid?”

“Sure.” He held out his hand.

“Open.”

She fed him one instead. He nodded. “Thanks.”

“I’m thinking about applying for the manager job when a new store opens in Honolulu.”

“What?” Gavin jerked his head towards her. “You’re leaving?”

She laughed at him and ran her fingers through her hair.

“You can’t leave. You’re my best friend.”

“I haven’t decided yet. If Toby and I…you know.”

“I don’t want you to move to Hawaii.”

“You are so sweet!” She squeezed his hand. “Why are you gay?”

He gave her a wink and said, “Okay, which way now?”

“I must have taken you this way before. Keep going. This will come out behind the parking garage of the mall.”

“Maybe you have, but I can’t remember.”

“You have. You just have your mind on other things.”

“Probably.” He recognized the multi-story parking area when he drove closer to it. “I’m starved. I worked out this morning and only had a cup of coffee for breakfast.”

“We can eat first. Let’s hit McCormick and Schmick’s.”

“Perfect.” His car purred as he slowed down and entered the parking area. The news that Trina may move unsettled him. Maybe he did need to expand his social life and find a man.

“There’s someone pulling out.”

Gavin liked to park his pride and joy far away from the possibility of door dings, but spying Trina’s pointy high heeled shoes, he figured he’d give her a break. He pulled into the spot and shut off the engine.

As he walked around her side to open the door, he noticed her checking her phone again. “You’re becoming manic, Ms. Yamagachi.”

“Too bad. At least I have someone to text me.” She climbed out, waiting for Gavin to shut the door, hooking his arm as they walked to the main entrance.

“Text buddies are a dime a dozen. Just go on any internet chat site.”

“True.” She waited as he opened the door for her. “Do you think I’m pretty, Gavie?”

“You know I do.”

“If you were straight, you’d kiss me, right?”

“Probably.”

She squealed in excitement and hurried to a shoe store display. “I wonder if they have these in taupe!”

Gavin stuffed his hands into his front jeans’ pockets and followed her into the store.

Chapter 4

Monday morning, Gavin was perched on a power pole, gaffs strapped to his shoes for climbing, wearing a lineman’s body belt which held all his tools. The pole strap or ‘skid’ was attached to each side of his belt so he could lean back and work with both hands. He stuffed his Kliens-linemen’s pliers, back in his belt, reaching for his knife to skin the wires.

Harvey was below him near the cones, his neck craned upwards. “You all right, kid?”

“So far.” Gavin stripped the new wires, trying to pocket the plastic debris.

“I’d have had that done if five minutes. What’s takin’ ya so long, kid?”

“Funny!” Harvey was a comic, telling Gavin how fast he could do a two man job in one hour, all on his own, and his constant shout of ‘Don’t look down’ were his favorite bullshit lines. That, and pretending he was being electrocuted. Neither made Gavin laugh.

“If you don’t need me, I’ll just have a smoke.”

Gavin peeked down the pole and watched Harvey light up. He took a piece of cable he’d stripped and dropped it on Harvey’s head, hitting his yellow hardhat. Harvey didn’t even notice, or if he did, didn’t react to Gavin’s antics. Shifting in the pole strap, Gavin got comfortable and focused on the job. It wasn’t raining. He was thankful the worst of the rainy season was behind them.

~

By four-fifteen Gavin sat behind the wheel of his RX7 and drove directly to the gym. When he first moved to Seattle he lived on Capitol Hill, a hive of gay activity. But time, and the high cost of the rent on Broadway, chased most of the quaint businesses and restaurants away. Now it was a strip mall haven overrun with gang activity. The splendor of Broadway, Capitol Hill had vanished along with the great independent novelty and book shops.

The membership he had was still valid, so he continued to work out there when he could.

Gavin parked his car on the street below the windows of the gym so he could peek down at it. He carried his gym bag to the front desk and signed in. “Hey, Teri.” He nodded to the young man with bleach blond spiky hair and a nose ring who was manning the desk.

“Hi, Gav…whatcha workin’ today?”

“Chest and biceps.” Gavin lay the pen down on the sheet of paper and entered the locker room.

“Have fun!” Teri said.

“Thank you!” He opened a locker, taking off his t-shirt and sitting down to remove his boots.

It was just after four-thirty and that meant it was going to get crowded in around a half hour to forty-five minutes. Men came and went, some flirting with each other, some exchanging a kiss or two, but Gavin kept his head down and wanted to do his routine, get home, and eat.

Just remembering his phone as he removed his jeans, Gavin took it out of his pocket and turned it on. He checked his messages and read a text from Trina. ‘ y didn’t he call? ’

This new fellow was giving her more trouble than most. It was usually Trina who played hard to get. The majority of her boyfriends were all over her, calling her ten times a day, wanting to see her constantly and crushed when she disposed of them. Hmm, my little pet, why not this one?

He tucked the phone into his gym bag and changed. Wearing his white muscle tee and shorts, he headed out to the workout room and assessed the crowd. It was a mix of straight and gay men and women, between twenty and fifty. It was a small work out area, and when it got crowded, it wasn’t fun.

He stretched quickly in front of a mirror, not catching anyone’s eye. Yes, he would love a date, but he was shy on the whole and not as outspoken as his best friend. At times he imagined he was Trina and in his head he would wink, smile, or sway his hips towards a handsome man. Maybe even give a pretty boy a seductive lick of his lips or a witty opening line. But he wasn’t Trina. And sometimes, though mid-thirties was far from old, he wondered if he was already being bested by the younger men in the social scene.

~

Picking up a meal of chicken Caesar salad and six pack of his favorite micro brew at the Safeway before he went home, Gavin parked and carried his empty lunch bag, thermos, and groceries to the condo. He retrieved the mail, sticking it in his teeth as he poked the lock with his key. Once inside, he tossed everything onto the kitchen counter and took off his work boots. The phone rang. He hopped, taking off the second shoe and picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Did you get my message?”

“Yes. I don’t know why he didn’t call.” Gavin walked with the cordless back to where the grocery bag was. He removed his salad and a six pack of beer.

“Gaviee,” she huffed as she spoke. “I like him. I want to go out with him again.”

“Call him.” Gavin located his bottle opener, and popped the top off a beer, drinking it.

“What are you doing?”

“Just got back from the gym. I’m going to eat a salad and drink a beer.”

“Can I stop by?”

“Sure. Bring a movie or something.”

“Nah. I just want to talk.”

“Okay.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.” Gavin set the phone down on the counter and sat at his dining room table with his beer and salad. Using the remote, he turned on the television to entertain him while he ate. He caught the tail end of the news and then put on mindless sit-com repeats so he could zone off.

He knew Trina’s time table. She’d take at least an hour before she would get to his place. A few scenarios of why this ‘new’

guy wasn’t biting like the rest crossed his mind. Married?

Already has a girlfriend back in Corvallis?

He chuckled to himself at his next thought. Gay?

“That would be history repeating itself, my dove.” He ate the last piece of grilled chicken and worked on the rest of the romaine lettuce. His recollection of how Trina had tried to seduce him when they first met made them both laugh now. At first, when he was sitting across from a jewelry case from her, she poured on the charm. He assumed it was for the big sales commission. It was the second week of December, and the shop was decked out in Christmas lights and garland. Everything inside the room sparkled, especially the diamonds.

He had to admit he was enamored with a woman as pretty as Trina, batting her long dark lashes, giggling at his bad jokes, and sliding solid eighteen-carat gold Rolexes on and off his left wrist. Of course he could never afford one of those. But it was fun pretending and having Trina compliment him.

“That looks so good on you!” she would squeal, “You need to own one.”

In the end all he could afford was a recondition stainless steel Oyster perpetual. Still, a Rolex was a Rolex. Even though she didn’t get the big sale from him, she still treated him like he was a king.

It had been so long since a man or woman had lavished upon him such flattery and attention, he was wondering if he could give being straight a try.

He succumbed to Trina’s wily ways instantly. They exchanged numbers and he told her he would call her for a drink. It was on the drive home with the heavy watch on his wrist that reality hit him. He knew he would never touch her sexually. When he didn’t call her the next day, he was stunned she called him. Her powers of persuasion went well past the sales floor. He agreed to meet her for drinks.

It wasn’t until their third ‘date’ that he admitted he was gay. As the topic of conversation became about marriage and children, Gavin thought it was wrong to mislead Trina in any way.

At first Gavin thought Trina was going to punch him because she appeared angry. But after apologizing to her, she softened up her furious expression and they seemed to get along even better without the pressure of coupling.

Gavin finished his salad and drank his beer, lost in his thoughts.

Prior to him telling Trina he was gay, on their first few dates, though it seemed expected, Gavin never kissed Trina. She did lean forward when they said goodnight, indicating her desire to lock lips. During their dinner she touched his arm, his fingers, and played footsie under the table.

He tipped the bottle up, finishing the beer, stood, and rinsed the plastic container from the salad and tossed it and the bottle into recycling. He washed his hands and the fork, then opened a second beer and headed to the bathroom to check out how he looked. No, Trina wasn’t his girlfriend, but he still wanted to look presentable.

He’d showered after his workout at the gym. He sniffed his tshirt. It was a clean one, not the one he wore to work under his uniform shirt. He brushed his hair. Since he had just let it dry naturally, he decided to use a little styling gel on his fingers to fluff it up to just the right messy-controlled look he liked. He brushed his teeth but still tasted garlic.

Entering his bedroom, he changed out of the casual blue jeans he was wearing into a pair of tight black jeans. He returned to the living room, shutting the television and putting on a music CD. Once he felt prepared, he grabbed his beer and stood out on the deck which faced Phinney Avenue to watch the world go by. It was a rare clear night and if a large tree wasn’t in the way, he would be able to see Mt Rainier peeking over the southern skyline. He craned his neck to the third floor and imagined they had a better view.

Each level had a small outside deck. Gavin wished he had time to get to know his neighbors. He made a mental note to go to the next condo board meeting. Though he hated the useless meetings, he at least may meet a few of the people who lived on top of and beside him.

He spotted Trina’s Camry drive by. She passed the condo, made a U-turn, and parked in front of the main entrance. Gavin walked through his home, placed his beer on the counter, and headed to the lobby to meet her and let her in before she used the intercom.

“Hi, Gavie!” She hugged and kissed him, wiping at the trace of lipstick on his cheek.

“You didn’t have to dress up to hang out in my living room.”

He held the lobby door open for her.

“You stink like garlic.” She waved her hand in front of her face and walked to his open condo door.

“I had a Caesar salad. But I just brushed my teeth.” He followed her, closing his door behind him.

“No kisses tonight!” She laughed, opening his refrigerator and taking out a bottle of water. “Do you have chocolate?”

“I have ice cream and Dilettante chocolate sauce.”

“Yes, please!” She opened the water bottle and drank it.

“Coming right up. How about I make us sundaes?”

“Mm!” She leaned on the counter and pouted. “He didn’t call or text today. Why, Gav? We had such a good time.”

“You said the guy was an exec at Boeing. Maybe he’s working overtime.” He took chocolate chip ice cream out of the freezer to soften and removed two bowls from the cupboard.

“Maybe.” She exhaled loudly. “Do you have whipped cream?”

“No. But I can run to the store across the street and get some.”

“Please?”

“No problem.” He patted his pocket for his keys and wallet.

“You want to wait here?”

“Yes. I’ll just mope on my own.”

“Be right back.” He slipped on a pair of shoes at the door.

“And rainbow sprinkles!”

He winked. “You got it.”

Gavin jogged down the hall and out the lobby door. He waited for a break in the traffic, sprinting across the street, and entered the convenience store, hunting down the items quickly. Paying, taking the small bag and jogging out, he crossed the street again and glanced at the balcony above his. It was the same corner, on the third floor. A handsome man was holding a beer, watching him from over the balcony wall.

If he didn’t have Trina waiting, he might find the balls to wave and say something about the nice weather or the view of Mt Rainier. But he did have Trina waiting, so his attention was on the lobby door. He used his key, and then moved at a fast trot down the hall to his condo.

Once inside he set the bag on the counter, kicked off his shoes and washed his hands. Trina was sitting cross-legged on his spongy beige velour sofa, her water bottle in her hand, appearing upset.

“If you don’t like the music, put something else on.” Gavin stuck the chocolate sauce into the microwave to heat while he scooped out the softened ice cream.

“No. It’s okay.” She got off the couch and stood on the opposite side of the kitchen counter, which had high bar stools near it. Sitting down, she put the empty water bottle on the counter and propped her jaw in her hand. “Should I have married David?”

Gavin thought about the last fiancé she had dumped. He liked David, a lot. He was one of the kindest men Gavin had met, and the breakup of the engagement as Trina and David began to discuss wedding plans had devastated the poor man.

“I always thought you and David were a good match.” The microwave bell sounded. Gavin took the sauce out of the oven with a mitt and poured it over the ice cream.

“Should I call him?”

“No. You killed the guy. Don’t fuck with him.”

“I didn’t kill him.” She dipped her finger into the chocolate in one of the bowls and stuck it into her mouth.

Gavin shook the whipped cream can and opened the top.

“You did. The poor guy was crying like a baby on that sofa the day after you dumped him.” Gavin tilted his head to the couch Trina has just been lounging on.

“You never told me that.”

Gavin shrugged. He swirled the whipped cream into two peaks and then shook the colored sprinkles on them. He wedged a spoon in each and handed Trina one.

“Thank you, Gavie.” She tasted a spoonful. “Mm.”

After he put away the ingredients, he carried his bowl into the living room and sat with his back to the arm of the couch, folding his legs under him. Trina did the same on the opposite side, facing him.

“What did David say to you?” She licked the hot chocolate off the spoon.

“That he loved you, a lot. And he thought you guys had something special. I think he already imagined moving into your place on Queen Anne and having three kids.”

“Should I call him?”

“Trina…” Gavin shook his head.

“Then why hasn’t Toby called me yet? Do you believe he didn’t kiss me goodnight?”

As he observed Trina eat, he didn’t believe it. She was very sensual even when she wasn’t trying to be. Watching her eat the rich treat, her red painted lips drawing over the spoon like a Popsicle, he had to shake himself out of his thoughts. “I wish I knew the answers. I can’t even get my own sex life on track.”

“Why not? Gav, you’re really handsome. You definitely need me to ask around for a gay man to set you up with.”

“No. Next topic.” He scooped the last bite of melted ice cream and sauce into his mouth.

“You know, he’s the only one besides you who didn’t try to kiss me on a date.”

Gavin glanced up at her quickly.

“What?” she asked, looking up from her bowl.

“Nothing.” He figured he’d never hear the end of it if he mentioned the possibility of Toby being gay. And it was unlikely. Why would Toby ask her out?

Wait a minute. I did.

He stood, reaching for her empty dish. She handed it to him. As he brought them to the sink, he asked, “You want to play a video game?”

“Ew. No.” She dug through her purse.

Gavin rinsed the bowls and put them into the dishwasher. While he wiped his hands he noticed her checking her phone.

“Anything?”

“No. Come here. What should I say?”

“Are you texting him?” He took his unfinished beer with him, and returned to his spot on the couch.

“Yes. Tell me what to say.”

“How about, just ask him how he is. Or say hi.” The first sip after the sugary ice cream tasted bitter.

She tapped her lip with a red fingernail. “I’ll say miss you.”

“Okay.” It wouldn’t have been his first choice, but Trina never did listen to his advice. The CD ended and the room became quiet except for the noise from the road outside. He relaxed his posture on the sofa, his arm on the back of the cushions, finishing his beer, watching her. “Want to walk around Greenlake?”

“Not in these shoes.” Her focus was on the phone.

“I could drive us to the waterfront. We could hang out for an hour.”

“Nah.”

After putting the empty bottle on the coffee table, Gavin propped his head up on his palm. “Did you send, ‘miss you’?”

“No. I decided to say I had a really good time Saturday night.” She kept staring at it, as if an answer would come back immediately.

“He’ll contact you. Not all of them are like your last four fiancés, chomping at the bit.”

She gave him a scolding glance.

“Sorry. But I’m only trying to help.”

“Should I have married David?”

He smiled. After she broke off each romance, she went through a period of questions, most of which, she answered herself. “How can I respond to that for you? You know I liked the guy.”

“If he was gay would you date him?”

“Yes.”

“Gavin!” She hit him on the leg.

“You asked. Don’t you want me to be honest?”

Her smile dropped. “I suppose. You’re my best friend. Right?”

“Right.” He reached out for her hand.

She was about to reciprocate when her phone buzzed. Eagerly she checked the message. “He said, I did too! With a smiley face.”

“There you go. All better now?”

“What should I say back?”

Before he opened his mouth she was texting. A few minutes passed where her attention was exclusively on Toby’s correspondence. Gavin got off the couch and opened the screen door, walking onto the deck and leaning on the wall to look at the movement of cars, and children playing in the grassy park which attached to the north-west side of the Woodland Park Zoo. Long-legged dogs leapt into the air to retrieve Frisbees, toddlers were tucked in boxy swings in the jungle gym, and teenagers were smoking in the convenience store lot. When the sun was out on a May evening in Seattle, everyone took advantage of it.

“Gavie?”

“Yeah, babe?” He spun around as Trina stood near the sliding door.

“I’m going to go.”

“Okay.” He walked her to his condo door. “Did you get lucky? Are you seeing Toby?”

“We’re going to meet at Greenlake. You know. Not walk, just sit on a bench or something. Are you mad?”

“No. Why should I be mad?” He could see the date with Toby had raised her spirits substantially.

“Thanks for the ice cream.” She hugged him, kissing his cheek.

“No problem. Have fun.”

“I will.” She waved as she walked down his hall, looking like a fashion model on a runway.

Gavin closed the door and stood to think. He needed to enjoy the good weather as well, at least for a few minutes. He put on his tennis shoes, shut the sliding door and grabbed his essentials to take with him.

Closing the condo and double locking it, he walked down the corridor as he considered mixing his weight workout to include running around the lake. When the weather turned warm and sunny, it only made sense.

Exiting the building out front, he looked for Trina’s car but no doubt she was already parking at Greenlake, searching for her new man. He stood at the corner of the block at Phinney Avenue and Fifty-Ninth Street, waiting for a break in the traffic to head to the Woodland Park playground. Before he stepped off the curb, the south side gate to his under-condo parking area began to open. Gavin stopped short at seeing his neighbor’s fabulous

’62 Vette again. He paused to admire it.

As the car pulled to the stop sign at Phinney Avenue, the man behind the wheel gave Gavin a stunning smile through the open window.

Gavin’s heart beat faster and he waved, smiling back. Hullo, Gorgeous!

The Corvette rocketed like a missile across the street and down the other side of the ridge, vanishing.

It took Gavin a minute to recover. “You live in my building?”

He laughed to himself as he crossed the street. A smile like that aimed my way? You must be gay. Please. Pretty please. As he walked through the park, enjoying the mild temperatures, the sound of lawnmowers, and children playing, Gavin wondered how a gay man goes about figuring out if another occupant of his condo building is gay.

“You think it’s easy, Trina, but it’s not.” He stuffed his hands into his pocket and enjoyed the blooming trees as he walked. Chapter 5

The next day Gavin and his crew were at the base of Queen Anne hill working on a pole transfer. Even though it was nearing noon, Gavin glanced at every car that passed by to see if it was Trina. They were so close to her house, he could walk to her door. He was in the bucket of the truck, glancing down at the orange cones that directed traffic away from his men. As if Harvey noticed his lapse in concentration, he said,

“Hey, kid.”

“Yeah?” Gavin stopped what he was doing and looked down at him.

“What’s so interesting about the cars going by?”

“A friend lives close. I’m just curious if she’ll drive by.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“She’s just a friend.” Gavin assumed coming out at work, especially with Harvey Dyer as his training journeyman, was not worth the aggravation.

“Sure, kid.” He chuckled. “Sounds like you’re pretty hung up on her.”

Gavin removed his pliers from his tool belt. “I’ve known her for a long time.” He tried to split his attention, but kept his main focus on the job. A brand new power pole had been set a few feet away from the old one he was working on. It was his crew’s job to move everything over to the new pole which consisted of three high voltage wires and a ten foot long cross-arm.

“Is it serious?”

“No. I don’t think the two of us are suited for that.” He stared at the wiring, making sure he had done it right.

Harvey shouted something to Fred Maxwell that he didn’t hear well. Gavin only caught something about a sub-station and contacting the electrical constructors, but that was all. Gavin had no idea what the other men were talking about at the moment so he kept working.

Harvey yelled up to him, “So why’s this woman not the one?”

“I don’t know. Don’t they say you just know it?”

“How old are you?” Harvey teased. He knew how old Gavin was. “What are you waiting for old man?”

“Ha. Ha.” Gavin brushed off his hands and began lowering the bucket. As he drew closer, Harvey was able to speak without shouting.

“A good lookin’ guy like you?” Harvey shook his head and pulled his pack of cigarettes out of his shirt pocket. “Better watch it, kid. In this town when a guy isn’t married by thirtyfive, everyone figures they’re gay.” He flipped his lighter and puffed on the cigarette.

“Yeah. I know.” He stepped out of the bucket when it stopped, standing beside Harvey at ground level.

“You’re not gay, are you?” Harvey stood right in front of him, his face weathered and lined from smoking and working in inclement weather for nearly thirty years.

Though Gavin had an opportunity to come out, to be honest, he didn’t. No way. “No. I’m not, Harvey.”

“Then ask her to marry you.” He laughed, patting Gavin’s back as if he were relieved.

Gavin looked up at the houses on the hill and the six hundred foot KIRO telecommunication towers beyond it. He thought about marrying someone like Trina, even if he were straight. He was already dealing with a high maintenance job, Trina being hard to maintain was an understatement. She seemed to grow bored within months of a relationship, and demanded new and exciting adventures. Now the lure of Hawaii was singing its siren call to her.

She would go. Gavin had no doubt. And he would miss her.

“Go stand by the cones and make sure none of these clowns hit the truck.” Harvey entered the bucket and began ‘flying’ to the top of the pole.

Gavin knew Harvey was going to cut the old pole right above the phone and cable wires. Those companies would have to transfer their lines to the new pole as well. Last one done removed the old pole.

Gavin stood near the cones, keeping an eye on the traffic as he did.

~

As his day wound down and he finished dumping the salvage metal at the salvage dock, Gavin checked his phone for messages. When he didn’t have one from Trina, he was surprised. He texted her quickly, ‘ u ok?’

A second later she texted back. ‘ just sold a big diamond ring xx! ’

Few things made Trina as happy as selling expensive ‘bling’. I’m glad someone is happy.

By four-fifteen Gavin headed out the door, finished for the day. Sitting in his car, about to drive home, he heard his mobile phone ring tone. He patted his pockets and dug into his lunch bag to find it. He removed it from a side pouch of his insulated lunch container and read the caller ID. “Hi, Trina.”

“I sold a pair of three carat earrings as well as a two carat diamond ring. I’m top sales person now in the store.”

“Congrats.” He waved goodbye at some fellow co-workers who were heading to their cars.

“I have to tell you all about the date with Toby at Greenlake.”

“You get your kiss?”

“On the cheek!” She repeated as if he didn’t hear, “On. The. Cheek.”

“Better than nothing?”

As if the reply were obvious, she exhaled loudly. “I’m starving. Meet me somewhere for dinner?”

“Do you want me to cook?”

“No, too much trouble.”

“How about Pagliacci’s?” He started the car.

“How about Elliot’s? I’m craving salmon.”

“You had salmon the other day in Bellevue.”

“That was ages ago.”

“It was Saturday. Two days ago.”

“Are you being difficult on purpose?”

“No. I just wanted a cheap meal, like pizza.”

“No. I don’t want pizza.”

“How about Bizarro Café. You ate the duck ravioli and liked it there last time.”

“You remember what I ate? I can’t even remember going there.”

Gavin didn’t know why he remembered. “I’m sick of seafood, and I don’t like salmon.”

“Gaak! Don’t like salmon? You live in Seattle and you have to like salmon. You like salmon and coffee. You hear me? Or you have to move.”

He smiled. “Is that right?”

“Yes. We have rules here.”

“And when you move to Hawaii? You have to like pineapple and sugar cane?”

“Yes. Sorry, Gav. Those are the breaks.”

“Can we go to Bizarro? Please?”

“Where is it again?”

“The thirteen hundred block of north forty-sixth.”

“How about this? Can I go home and you can pick me up?”

“What if Mr. Wonderful calls?” Gavin checked his watch, hearing his stomach growl.

“Then he can pick me up from the restaurant or you can take me to him. Deal?”

“Sure. Meet you at your place.” Before Gavin backed out of his spot, he sniffed his shirt. He usually liked to shower before he went out, and change clothing. But his stomach was telling him to get food.

“See ya.”

He disconnected the call and put the phone on the passenger’s seat, heading to Queen Anne. He thought about Toby’s kiss on the cheek. Three dates? No kiss on the lips? Hmm. What is the story with that man?

~

On the drive to the restaurant, Trina sat beside him, staring out of the window.

“Well?” Gavin asked, assuming she would talk non-stop about her date at Greenlake.

“A kiss on the cheek?” She gave Gavin a roll of her eyes as commentary.

“You know, I’ve been speculating in my head about it.” He stopped for a traffic light.

“He’s gay, right, Gavin?” She shook her head and appeared angry.

“Well, maybe, but my first guess was he has a girlfriend back in Corvallis.”

“He’d better not.” She took out her phone and checked it for missed texts.

“Have you asked him about his past relationships?” Gavin continued driving when the light changed.

“Not really.” She put the phone back into her red leather Coco Chanel purse.

“What do you guys discuss? You wanted to tell me all about your Greenlake date.”

“We talk about weird stuff. Well, he mostly sits there and I talk.”

Gavin smiled to himself.

“When I ask him what he’s thinking, he says, ‘nothing’ and tells me to go on with what I’m saying.” She inspected her fingernails. “How come the men I want to kiss won’t kiss me, and the ones I don’t want to kiss, do?”

“I have no idea why this guy doesn’t kiss you goodnight.”

Gavin wove his way through the back streets to the restaurant, avoiding Aurora and I-5. “Have you ever thought of just asking him?”

“No.” She whacked Gavin’s arm playfully. “I can’t ask him that. It’ll make it sound like I want him to.”

“Woman, you confuse the hell out of me.” Gavin parked his car in front of the restaurant. It was early evening on a Tuesday so the lot was nearly empty. He climbed out and opened Trina’s door for her.

Once Trina had gathered her purse and moved away from the car, Gavin closed the door, holding out his elbow for her. She hooked it and walked with him to the main entrance.

“I really wanted salmon, Gavie.”

He opened the door and she walked in first. “Maybe they have it as a special.” The aroma of cooking garlic and baked bread made his mouth water. He said, “Table for two,” when he approached the hostess.

She showed them to a table near the window. “How’s this?”

“Fine,” Gavin replied, seeing Trina appearing preoccupied with her dilemma. He pulled out Trina’s chair for her to sit, then relaxed across from her, taking the menu that was handed him.

“Can I get you each something to drink?”

Gavin perused the beer selection.

Trina said, “Can I have a glass of Chianti?”

“Certainly. And for you?”

“How about a glass of the Hale’s?”

“Very good. Your waitress will be right with you.”

Once the hostess left, Gavin stared at Trina. “Don’t let this get you down.”

“I really like him.”

“Hey, so far it’s not going badly. He’s very available to you. You text him and he meets you.”

“True.” She stared at the menu.

“Look, they have salmon on their specials menu.”

“No. I changed my mind.”

The waitress brought over their two drinks and glasses of water, and asked, “Are you ready to order?”

“I’ll take the lamb.” Trina handed her the menu.

“What kind of dressing on your salad?”

“The vinaigrette.”

“And you, sir?”

“The margarita pizza, and the same on my salad.” He handed her his menu.

“Got it.” She took the menu from him and said, “You have beautiful blue eyes.”

He blinked in surprise. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She appeared shy and walked away. Trina looked like she was about to explode. She said,

“Excuse me! I’m sitting right here.”

“Calm down.” Gavin reached his hand to hers.

“How does she know we’re not a couple?” Trina’s top lip curled. “That was so rude. I want to leave.”

“Trina, I think you’re overreacting. And I don’t want to leave. I’m starving.”

The waitress placed a plate of bread on the table, and Gavin hoped she didn’t notice Trina’s steely stare. When she walked away, Gavin said, “I’m glad you didn’t say anything to her.”

Trina scowled into her wine glass as she drank it.

“Honey,” Gavin said softly, “You have a great boyfriend who treats you with respect. Don’t knock it. Would you prefer him to be all over you on the first date?”

She licked the wine off her lip. “I’d prefer something in between.”

Gavin picked up a piece of bread and ate it. It was warm and delicious and he imagined eating the whole basket. “Want to know how my day went?”

“Sure.”

“I was right near your house this afternoon working on a pole transfer.” He sipped his beer.

She took the phone out of her purse and stared at it. Gavin felt ominous déjà vu. They were back with the ‘does he or doesn’t he like Trina’ game. “Just text him. He seems to respond right away when you do.”

“He should be chasing me.” She thrust her index finger into her chest. “Not me chasing him.”

“If he’s pissing you off, dump him.”

“I really like him, Gavie. Why did I just get a kiss on the cheek?”

“Did you turn your head away when he went for you?” He ate another piece of bread.

“No!”

“How did it end up on your cheek then?”

“He turned my head. He touched my chin and tilted my face and kissed my cheek.”

“How sweet.”

Trina snorted in reply, gulping her wine.

“Trina, if I had a guy tilt my head to the side, and kiss me tenderly on the cheek—”

“You’re so old fashioned, Gav.” She finished her wine and looked for the waitress.

The restaurant had filled up quickly, making it lively with laughter and conversation.

“You flag down the waitress, Gavie, she obviously likes your eyes.”

“I’m driving. Get drunk.” Gavin glanced around and caught the waitress’ attention. She approached them.

“Another wine, please?” Gavin smiled.

“Yes. I’ll check on your order and get you your salads too.”

She took Trina’s empty glass and left.

Trina texted into her phone.

“You cave?” Gavin leaned his elbows on the table. “What are you saying this time?”

“Just sending a smile.” She set the phone on the table and looked at Gavin.

He could see how hurt she was. In reality, neither of them knew her new boyfriend’s thoughts or intentions, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t interested. “So tell me about the earrings and the ring sale. Now you’re top sales person?”

Fire returned to her eyes. “Oh! It was a ten thousand dollar pair of yellow diamond—” Her phone buzzed. She snatched it up and her expression brightened even more. “He sent this. Look.”

She showed him the phone. A silly face with its tongue sticking out was her message. “Isn’t he cute?”

The waitress returned with Trina’s wine and their salads. She served the food, asking, “Is there anything else I can get you right now?”

“We’re good, thanks,” Gavin replied.

“My pleasure.” She walked off.

He checked to see if Trina would react badly to the sweet smile he received. She was busy texting and hadn’t noticed. Gavin picked up his fork and ate his salad, waiting for Trina to finish texting before he spoke. She put the phone aside and drew her plate closer.

“The salad is good.” Gavin wiped his hands on a napkin.

“I don’t know if I should eat it. What if Toby wants to meet me for dinner?”

“You could always meet him for coffee and dessert.”

She stared at her plate as if she couldn’t decide.

“At least taste it.” He began to devour his salad.

Trina took a bite, but soon her focus was back on her phone. Gavin’s attention was drawn to a couple as they were being shown to a table. The man noticed him staring and gave him a curious glance back. Gavin turned away quickly and continued to eat his food.

The waitress stopped by. “Is everything okay?”

“Excellent. Thank you.” Gavin glanced at Trina. She was busy texting.

“Would you like another beer?”

“I’m good. Thanks.” Gavin smiled at her.

She gave him a sweet sympathetic smile back and left.

“Trina?” Gavin said.

“Hm?”

“I’m still sitting here.”

She laughed and tried to hit his arm playfully over the table.

“I know!” Then her concentration was back to her phone.

“Well? Are you seeing him?”

“No. He said he’s busy but he would call me later.” She put the phone down and began eating.

Gavin finished his salad, sipping his beer between bites.

“That man is staring at you.” Trina tried to point discreetly.

“Which man?” Gavin turned to look.

“That table there. The man in the suit.”

Gavin noticed the same man that had caught his eye coming into the restaurant. “He’s with a woman.”

“So? So are you and you’re gay. Look at him checking you out. Bet he’s interested.”

“Trina, don’t stare at him.”

“Anyway…” Trina chewed and swallowed another mouthful of food. “Toby said all his family is in Oregon. Poor thing. He’s all alone here.”

“Me too.” Gavin shrugged. “I manage to survive.”

“I feel so bad for him. Maybe I can invite him to my mom’s for dinner. Then he’d feel like he’s part of the family.”

“I haven’t seen your mom in a while.” Gavin picked up his third piece of bread. “Did you bring the dog back to her?”

“Yes. Pepper’s back home. Should I get a dog?”

“Up to you.”

“Would you watch it for me if Toby and I go away on vacation?”

“No. Maybe you can ask your mom.”

“I really like Toby. Do you think he likes me?”

Gavin could recall each scenario of the first few weeks of Trina dating a new man. He had gone through the same experience with each person Trina had a relationship with. It never changed. She went through an initial bout of insecurity, then complained once she hooked them and they became clingy.

“Yes. I’m sure he likes you.”

“Yes. I’m sure too.” She smiled and ate another bite of food. Chapter 6

As Gavin drove back from dropping off Trina at her house, he neared his condo and turned left off of Phinney Avenue onto Fifty-Ninth Street. When he did, he could see people on the third floor balcony, leaning on the low wall, drinking and laughing. Gavin watched them while he waited for the electric gate to open. He sighed tiredly and wondered if he should be more proactive getting into a social scene.

Driving under the building, Gavin parked in his spot and shut off his car. He used his remote fob to set the car alarm and searched through his key ring for the master key which opened the security door to the lobby. As he came through he bumped into a man heading in the opposite direction, entering the front of the building, with a six pack of beer in his hand.

Gavin recognized him as the man who had smiled at him as he drove off yesterday.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” Gavin loved his form fitting white cotton top and black slacks.

A moment of silence followed as Gavin needed to pass him to get to his condo while this man made for the elevator. They met in the middle and shifted slightly to avoid each other. Gavin laughed at the awkwardness. “Shall we dance?” he joked.

“I don’t know. Shall we?”

At that intriguing comment, Gavin took a better look at him. Even though he was nervous, he asked, “You own that Vette?”

“Yes.” Instantly the man appeared interested.

“Nice. Sixty-two?”

“Right. You know your cars.”

“I have an eighty-two RX7.” His cheeks feeling hot, Gavin gestured to the parking area.

“Is that yours? Sweet.”

The elevator made a noise, indicating it was on the ground floor. The doors opened.

“Well, nice to meet you.” Gavin gave a little wave.

“You too. Hopefully next time we’ll have more time to talk cars.”

“I’d like that.”

The man stepped into the elevator. “So would I.”

The door slid shut.

Gavin felt butterflies in his stomach. He stood for a minute, watching the elevator go up to the third floor. The intense attraction he felt for the man was rare for him. He continued to his unit and entered, tossing his keys on the counter. He was immediately lost inside his head, daydreaming about the man.

An image of having Trina’s huge confidence level to go and get what you wanted, washed over him. He visualized heading to that third floor unit and inviting himself in. Yes, maybe there were other people hanging out with the handsome man, but he would soon get his attention and lure him away from the noise. They would be alone in the man’s bedroom, staring into each other’s eyes. Gavin would hold him around his waist, drawing his body close so they connected at the groin.

Then they would kiss, touch tongues for the first time. With the noise of conversation still going on in the other rooms, Gavin would undress this man, removing his white shirt first, kissing and licking his neck, his chest and nipples. All the while the man would be whimpering, whispering his name, grinding his hips against his.

They would lie naked on the man’s bed, exploring each other’s skin, taking their time.

The kissing would be slow and passionate, expressing how much they wanted each other. Gavin would climb over the man’s body, pinning him to the bed, kissing him harder, wilder than before. He’d make his way down the man’s chest to his navel, inhaling his cologne. The man would urge his head downward and Gavin would open his lips and taste the man’s cock. His phone rang.

Gavin blinked, waking out of his daydream and walked towards it to see who it was. His heart was beating hard in his chest, as if his neighbor had somehow found his number and was inviting him up.

Then he read the LCD display. “Hi, Trina.” Gavin sat on his bed.

“Gavie…he’s not answering my text messages. Should I call him?”

“Maybe that’s too much. He said he was busy. I’d leave him alone or he’s going to think you’re smothering him.”

“What?” She laughed like it was a joke. “Smothering? I don’t smother. What do you mean by that?”

“I’m just saying—”

“I don’t need that kind of talk, Gavin. I called you for support.”

“I know. You do what you think is best.” He kept wishing he could go up there. Go buy a six pack of beer. Full Sail? Wasn’t that what he was holding? I could bring him a six pack and say—

“I want to call him.”

“Call him.”

“Okay. I’ll call him and call you back and let you know what he says.”

“Okay.” Gavin hung up and fell back on the bed with a bounce, staring at the ceiling.

The phone rang a moment later. Gavin put it to his ear.

“He’s not answering. I didn’t leave a message.”

“Sorry, Trina.”

“Do you think I’m smothering him? Do you think that’s why he’s not calling?”

“No. I don’t. He said he was busy, and he’d call you when he came home, right?”

“I can’t remember. But I think that’s what he said.”

“Just relax. Get into a hot bubble bath and rest.” He heard her exhale loudly. “Don’t stress over it, Trina. You meet so many men, if this one doesn’t work out, the next one will.”

“I want him. I don’t want the next one.”

“I think you get off on the chase. Once they’re interested you aren’t anymore.”

“How can you say that?”

“I’m just thinking about the last four guys who proposed to you. I thought all of them were decent.”

“They just didn’t feel like ‘the one’. You know? I had this ache in my stomach that I was making a mistake.”

“It could have just been pre-wedding jitters.”

“No. I don’t think so.”

He didn’t know what to think. Never before had Gavin met someone like Trina and he couldn’t begin to explain her state of mind. He decided to ask her about his handsome neighbor.

“There’s a guy who lives in my building—”

“Should I have married David?”

“You asked me that already.” Gavin stood off the bed and walked with the phone to his balcony. He opened the sliding door and stood outside. Immediately he could hear the group two floors up.

“Yeah. I know. I’m twenty-eight, Gavie. I want a family. Maybe I should stop being so picky.”

“You don’t want to just settle. You want a man you’re sure you will love, forever.”

“Forever?” She laughed. “You’re such a romantic, Gav.”

That surprised him. He blinked and replied, “You don’t want your marriage to last forever?”

“No! None of them do anymore.”

He choked in a cough. “Why are you so cynical? Your mom and dad are still married.”

“That was a different generation.”

“But if you have kids…” Gavin heard male laughter. He leaned backwards over his balcony wall, trying to see up two floors. He couldn’t see anything but the second floor balcony’s bottom.

“Let me go. I should just go relax and go to bed.”

“Okay. Catch ya tomorrow.”

“Bye, Gav.”

“Bye.” He disconnected the call and sat on a folding lawn chair that was on his tiny patio. With the phone on his lap, he could just hear a sound or two of the party going on at the handsome man’s unit. He checked the time. It was nearing nine, and Gavin figured the guy would entertain his friends for a few more hours. He slouched in the webbed chair and closed his eyes, imagining a different end to his evening.

By eleven o’clock, he would be winding down to go to bed. In a pair of tiny gym shorts he’d take out the garbage, holding the plastic bag as he walked to the dumpster. On his return trip he’d see the handsome man with the vintage Corvette, saying goodbye to his last guest, walking them to the lobby door. Gavin would watch, standing in the dim hall. By the time the man realized he was there, Gavin would have caught him by surprise. The man would chuckle nervously, but smile. That smile. The one he gave Gavin when he said, “So would I.”

Maybe the man would say, “I would have asked you up to my place, but I had friends over.”

And Gavin would reply, “That’s okay. We’ll have another day to talk.”

He imagined the man walking closer seductively, staring at Gavin’s hard cock as it showed through his gym shorts. The leer would make Gavin’s dick throb and grow even harder. The man would grip the waistband and tear the shorts down Gavin’s legs, getting on his knees and sucking his cock deep in his throat, right there in the hallway.

Gavin jumped out of his skin at the sound of glass breaking on the ground near his balcony. He hopped to his feet and heard commotion on the top floor. A wine glass was shattered and several people were showing concern it had dropped from the third floor. Gavin spotted the handsome man’s look of worry. He shouted to Gavin, “You okay?”

Gavin was stunned he was asking. He leaned as far as he could to communicate back. “Yes. It hit the ground. You guys okay up there?”

“Sorry, man!”

The chaos turned into a rumble of unrecognizable syllables and Gavin wondered if the condo owner between them was growing annoyed at the noise level. From two floors down, Gavin couldn’t hear much, unless it was loud laughter. A short time later, two men, one the handsome Vette owner, and the other appearing to be his friend, began picking the shards out of the lawn and putting it inside a paper bag. Gavin leaned on the top of his enclosure and watched. “Sounds like you’re a wild bunch.”

The man laughed and shook his head. “More like a bunch of geeks.”

There was no way Gavin believed that rumor. “Partying on a school night? Tsch, tsch.”

Once the glass had been cleaned up, the handsome man gestured for the other one to give him a minute. “Wait by the main entrance. I’ll be there in a sec.”

“Okay.” The second man carried the brown bag of broken glass to the front of the building.

The handsome man extended his hand. “I’m Toby.”

Gavin started at the name, but couldn’t imagine it was Trina’s Toby. “Gavin Mecklenburg.” He clasped it. “Nice to meet you.”

The touch was electric. Gavin was reluctant to let go.

“We have to stop meeting like this.” Toby laughed and released their contact. “I do want to get together and shoot the breeze with you.”

“I’d like that.” Gay. Has to be gay. Please be gay.

“Me too.”

The moment became slightly awkward.

“Well, I have to go.” Toby gestured to the front of the building.

“See ya.” Gavin leaned against the low wall, watching Toby move, loving his graceful stride. Toby turned back to look, seemingly shy, and gave a small wave. Gavin waved back. When Toby vanished from his sight, Gavin exhaled as if he were holding his breath, and dropped down into the lawn chair. He held the cordless phone in his hand and imagined calling Trina to ask her if she knew where ‘her’ Toby lived.

“It can’t be the same man, can it?” Gavin shook his head, no. He stared at the phone again. “Do I want to know?” No. Yes. No. The excitement in him grew at the potential of meeting a yummy gay man right under the same roof. Gavin entered his living room, closing the sliding door and placing the phone back in the cradle in his bedroom. He was getting chills imagining being able to touch Toby, to sleep overnight in the same bed with him.

Then, as if slapped with reality, Gavin thought about the second man who had helped Toby clean the glass. Toby obviously had to have a boyfriend. A man that handsome with a room full of males most likely already had a partner. Slightly deflated at the prospect of wanting a man he couldn’t have, Gavin slouched on his sofa and turned on the TV, knowing things in life weren’t always as you want them to.

And the deep worry that this could be the same Toby that Trina was dating made him uncomfortable.

It can’t be. No way. Why would a gay man date Trina?

Gavin thought of how many times he and Trina had gone out before he told her he was gay.

“No. No way.” Gavin rubbed his face tiredly.

Chapter 7

The morning clouds gave way to patchy skies. Gavin didn’t sleep well. He drank an extra cup of coffee and filled his thermos with the rest of the full pot. Pangs of anxiety kept washing over him. What if? What if ‘his’ Toby and Trina’s Toby were the same Toby?

The likelihood was rare. But my luck…

Gavin shook his head. If that were the case, then there was no way he was going to pursue even a friendship with the man. It would seriously jeopardize his relationship with Trina, which meant a lot to him.

“It’s not the same man. Forget it.” Gavin knew he had to focus when he arrived at work. You couldn’t be distracted as a lineman. Not if you wanted to live through the day. He finished packing his lunch and checked his phone to see if it needed charging. The thought of calling Trina now, just to see if she could tell him what kind of car Toby drove, or some indication that they were not the same man…

Gavin grew annoyed and stuffed the phone into his shirt pocket, grabbed his keys, lunch, and thermos, and left the condo.

An hour later, he and Harvey were in the bucket truck driving behind the material suppliers—or ‘Grunts’ as the journeymen called the men who operated the pole setting equipment—to a traffic accident where a pole was damaged.

When he came to a stop at an intersection, Harvey asked,

“You okay, kid? I’m not used to you being so quiet.”

Gavin sat up higher in the seat. “Slept like shit.”

“Why? Your girl stand you up or something?”

“No. Just thinking about bullshit. It’s no big deal.”

“Maybe it’s the ticking of your biological clock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.” Harvey laughed at his own wit.

“Yeah. You got me. That’s it exactly.” Gavin humored him. Telling the older man he didn’t want children would only bring on a debate. He knew Harvey had two from one marriage and three from his second.

“Just keep your chin up. All women want to get married. If you ask her, she’ll say yes.”

Gavin laughed sadly. He kept his mouth shut as they drove up on the accident scene. Two police cars were directing traffic and had set up road flares. Gavin hopped out of the truck and began using cones to keep the cars away from their work.

~

After a long physical day on the job, and a visit to the gym, Gavin arrived home. He drank from a bottle of water as he turned on his phone. While he was off the job, he was on-call for emergencies. The nice part about the work was you can earn money with the overtime if you chose to.

While at home, Gavin wasn’t addicted to text messages, emails, tweets, or instant chats. Perhaps he was a rare breed in the day of worldwide technology. The way Trina was attached to her phone, constantly checking it for missed messages, was slightly unnerving. Gavin knew he didn’t want to live like that. He kept his phone off on the job. In an emergency, Gavin could be contacted through his work.

But with his family living in Spokane, he knew he would be the last to know of anything amiss back home. Being an out gay man to his family immediately placed him in lowest on the pecking order of siblings. The youngest of four, his mom and dad would never turn to him for help.

The phone buzzed with a missed message. He read the text from Trina. ‘ He never called last night.’

Feeling mildly anxious about the ‘Toby’ issue, Gavin called Trina, leaning back against his counter, finishing the water.

“Hi, Gavie…” she sounded sad.

“So? No call last night?”

“No. And he didn’t return my text. I wrote, ‘goodnight’ at around ten. Nothing back.”

“What’s Toby’s last name, Trina?”

“Montgomery. Why?”

“Just curious.” Gavin wondered if his name would be on his mailbox in the lobby. “What kind of car does he drive?”

“Gavie!” she scolded but she laughed. “I don’t know the kind of car. I don’t even think about that stuff.”

“Have you gotten a ride in it?”

“Not yet. Why? He doesn’t like me, right? I mean, I haven’t even gotten a ride in his car yet. I usually meet him when we go out. So? Is that how you’re judging his sincerity? Tell me. You don’t think he likes me, do you?”

Hearing her panic, Gavin couldn’t imagine telling her about the Toby in his own building. But he asked one more question.

“Do you know where he lives?”

“He said north Seattle. I haven’t been to his house, and I thought it would seem strange to say, ‘hey, give me your address.’ You know? Gavin, be honest. You think he’s not interested. Why didn’t he call last night? He said he would.”

“I don’t know.” Gavin began to worry. He glanced at his balcony as if it was the connection to Toby. Guilt flashed in him. If it was her Toby, he couldn’t see him socially. He didn’t even know if he could talk to him without Trina having fit. He wanted to change the subject so he asked, “Did you eat dinner yet?”

“I’m not that hungry. I feel funny. Like I’m coming down with something.”

“Should I bring you soup?”

“You are so sweet. What would I do without you, Gavie?”

“Same here. I don’t want to lose you either.” Gavin rubbed his hand through his hair.

“I still don’t know when the Honolulu store is going to be ready. But if I leave, you have to come visit me.”

Having forgotten about her possible job relocation, Gavin began thinking several steps ahead. If ‘his’ Toby was ‘her’ Toby, then when she left to work in Hawaii, he could ask Toby out for coffee and…

“Gav? You still there?”

“Huh? Yes.”

“Maybe I will take you up on the soup. Can you come?”

“Sure. Chicken noodle?”

“Not from a can.”

“No. Of course not.”

“Can you get it from Szechuan Noodle?”

“Okay. Just soup?”

“Pork dumplings?”

“You got it.” Gavin checked his wallet for cash since the tiny restaurant didn’t take anything else. “Do you have a bottle of booze? Or should I get some on the way?”

“I have tons of wine. But no beer. So bring beer if you want it.”

“Wine is fine. See you soon.”

“Thanks, Gavie!” she sang happily.

“My pleasure.” He disconnected the call, always happy to hang out with Trina. It beat eating and hanging out alone.

~

The bag holding the container of soup and dumplings smelling delicious as it permeated his car, Gavin drove to Queen Anne hill from the International District. He parked behind a dark green Escort in front of Trina’s house and shut off the car. As he carried the food to her front door, he wondered if she had company. He rang the bell, listening for her.

The door swung open and she sang, “Gavie! Come in,”

obviously not feeling sick at all.

“Hi, Trina.” He bent down as she kissed his cheek, wiping lipstick from the spot she had smudged. “Is someone else…” He noticed a woman smiling at him, a glass of red wine in her hand.

“Hi.”

“Come in, Gavie. You remember Brook? She works on the sales floor with me.”

“Hi, Brook. I can’t remember if we’ve met.”

“Once ages ago. You came in the store and bought a Rolex.”

“Wow, that’s four years ago. You have a better memory than I do.” He held out the bag. “You want me to put this in the kitchen?”

“We’re starved. Just set it on the kitchen table.”

As he placed the food down, Gavin noticed the woman checking him out.

She was younger than Trina, if he had to guess he’d say she was in her early twenties, with a plump figure and dark hair and eyes. Both women were wearing dressy outfits, as if they were right off the sales floor and hadn’t time to change. Trina was in her usual, a smart designer red skirt and black and white print top, with high spiked black pumps, and Brook was wearing a pair of black slacks with a blousy top and scarf. He glanced down at his t-shirt with a Seattle Fire Department logo and his faded jeans, feeling underdressed.

“Smells great, Gavie.” Trina retrieved bowls and plates from her cupboards, setting them on the table.

“There should be plenty of food.” Gavin removed the containers from the bag. “I didn’t know we were three, but hopefully there’s enough.”

“I’ll only eat a tiny bite.” Brook’s cheeks grew rosy.

“There’s a ton of food,” Trina said, bringing the wine bottle to the table, as well as silverware, and a glass for Gavin. Once they were seated at the small table for four in the corner of Trina’s kitchen, they passed around the food, spooning soup into bowls and sharing the dumplings.

Trina sipped her wine before she tasted the food. “Brook thinks Toby is trying to play it cool. You know, not calling last night.”

Brook tasted the soup. “Mm. That is good.” She dabbed her mouth, leaving lipstick on the paper napkin. “Definitely. I think he’s trying to make you think he’s not too eager.”

“What do you think, Gavie? You know, from a gay man’s perspective.” Trina giggled and glanced at Brook.

“I would assume the same thing.” He dipped a dumpling in hot sauce and ate it. “The guy doesn’t want to appear too needy.”

He tasted the wine and didn’t like it. Trina was into the heavy reds and he thought they tasted like the wood they were aged in.

“You don’t like wine?” Brook asked.

“Did you bring beer?” Trina appeared put out.

“I’m fine.” Gavin waved it off.

“I have bottled water and juice, Gavie.” Trina stood and took a bottle of water out of the fridge.

“Thanks. That’s fine.” Gavin took it from her.

Trina poured the wine from Gavin’s glass into hers.

“Feeling no pain, Ms. Yamagachi?” Gavin smiled.

“Just buzzed.” She giggled.

“So do you think you’re still coming down with something?

Or was it just the blues?” Gavin tipped his bowl against his mouth and drank the last drop.

“Ha ha. Isn’t he funny, Brook?” Trina gave him a scolding look. “He never dates. Tell Brook why you don’t date.”

“I don’t know why.” He shrugged, drinking the water. “I’m not a man magnet like you are.”

Brook chuckled. “She is. All the guys who come into the store want Trina to help them.”

Trina didn’t deny it. She appeared smug.

“A guy came in today that pointed her out. She was the only one with a customer, and four of us were on the sales floor. The guy would only talk to Trina.”

“He’s a good customer of mine.” Trina gulped the wine.

“Another admirer?” Gavin hoped her little infatuation would end with Toby. It would be better if they went their separate ways. He couldn’t bear the idea of ‘his’ Toby being ‘her’ Toby. At first Trina crinkled her nose in distaste, but then said,

“He’s old but he’s got a lot of money. He always buys something that’s over a thousand dollars.”

“Must be nice.” Gavin eyed the dumplings. “You guys mind if I have another?”

Both women nudged the food towards him.

He stuck a fork in one and dipped it, stuffing it in his mouth. Brook said, “I wish I could eat like that and stay so slim.”

“He works out.” Trina licked the wine off her lips. “He goes to a gym up on Capitol Hill.”

“I just go there because I have my membership there.” Gavin could see more silent communication between them. “You don’t care that I’m gay, do you, Brook?”

“Nope. But I get annoyed that all the good looking single men in this town prefer other men.”

“Do we?” He laughed. “Talk about stereotyping.”

Trina hit his arm. “Admit it, Gav. Seattle is loaded with handsome gay men.”

Gavin thought about ‘his’ Toby, hoping it were true. He would love to talk about him, but if his man turned out to be Trina’s man, that would be a disaster.

“Why don’t you date, Gavin?” Brook asked, nibbling a dumpling. “You’re handsome, have a great body, an exciting job…”

“He’s a catch.” Trina gave him a wicked smile. “I would marry him in a minute.”

“You only say that because you know I won’t ask.” Gavin wagged his finger at her. “Does Brook know about your past fiancés?”

“Yes. I tell her everything. When it’s slow on the sales floor all we do is talk.”

“Have you ever had a serious boyfriend, Brook?” Gavin eyed the last dumpling.

“Once. In high school. He left for college and that was it.”

“Anyone eating that?” He pointed to the plate.

“Take it. I want more wine.” Trina topped up her and Brook’s glass. “Oh. I have brownies for dessert.” Trina stood and took a box out of her refrigerator. “I got them from Larry’s Market. They’re my favorite.”

“There goes my diet,” Brook said.

Gavin watched Trina as she put clean plates on the table, taking away the dirty ones. He could tell she was still preoccupied about Toby, but wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about it. He ate all the leftover food that neither woman seemed interested in, then stood and set his bowl and plate in the sink. Trina looked over her shoulder at him. He was about to smile at her when he noticed her attention being drawn to his crotch. He peeked down to see what she was looking at.

When Trina met his eyes, Gavin gave her a sly smile. “Yes?”

“Nothing.” She removed a brownie from the box and ate a bite.

“What did I miss?” Brook put a brownie on her plate, licking the fudge frosting off her finger.

“Trina took a gander at my balls.”

“Uh! I did not!” She reached out like she would hit him if she could reach.

“I can’t remember the last time I had sex.” Brook sighed, biting the brownie.

“Neither can I.” Gavin sat back down. The brownies smelled good but he didn’t want one.

“I can.” Trina brushed off her hands of crumbs.

“David?” Gavin asked.

“No.” Trina appeared shy, but smiled wickedly.

“Tell us.” Brook ate a walnut that had fallen out of her brownie.

“Yes. Tell us.” Gavin tried to guess. He thought Trina had told him everything.

“When I brought Pepper back to my mom’s in Puyallup, my brother and his friend were there.”

Brook laughed, and Gavin tried to think about their last weekend plans. He and Trina had gone to the Bellevue Square Mall on Saturday but he didn’t see her Sunday.

“You had sex with your brother’s friend?” he asked.

“I was going to tell you!” Trina drank more wine, maybe starting to feel a bit tipsy. Gavin could see the signs of intoxication creeping up on her.

“Oh, God, Trina, tell us.” Brook split the remainder of the bottle between her and Trina’s glass.

“I used to date him ages ago. Before he moved to Kirkland. He and my brother went to the U-Dub together.”

“Why am I just hearing about this now?” Gavin was also wondering why she was mooning over Toby and screwing an old flame at the same time.

She shrugged, gulping the wine. “It was just sex. It didn’t mean anything.”

Gavin choked in a laugh at the comment. It seemed Brook also was in doubt.

“Just sex? How could it be just sex?” Brook cut a quarter of another brownie and took it to her plate to nibble. Trina shrugged indifferently. “I could have sex with Gavin just to have sex, even though he’s gay.”

Gavin had never heard Trina say that in those words. She had said, “Why are you gay?” a million times, but not that she and him should have casual sex.

Brook seemed intrigued. “I could have sex with Gavin too. But he wouldn’t have sex with either of us.”

“No. I wouldn’t.” Gavin tried to laugh, but something wasn’t funny here. He just couldn’t decide if it was the wine and frustration Trina felt over Toby’s lack of fawning, or…something else.

Brook ate the sliver of brownie. As she chewed she asked,

“Do gay guys ever sleep with women just for the sex?”

“If you’re gay, why would you sleep with a woman? I can go to a gay bar and get laid.”

“You would never sleep with a woman, Gavie?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Don’t ‘think’ so?” Brook asked, appearing drunk now as well. He could hear a slight slur to her words.

“Are you going to text or call Toby tonight?” Gavin wanted an end to the current topic.

Trina looked off into space. “I don’t know. Should I? Brook, what do you think?”

“He was supposed to call you last night and didn’t?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I wouldn’t text or call him.” Brook took another sliver from the same brownie.

“Gavie?” Trina popped a piece of brownie into her mouth.

“Should I call him? Or text him?”

“Am I choosing one of those two options, or is option three, none of the above.”

She hit him on the arm.

He expected it so he didn’t even flinch.

“Taste. You haven’t even tried this brownie.” Trina held up a corner for Gavin.

He leaned closer and took a bite. “Mm. It’s good.”

“You want the rest?”

“No. You eat it.”

“I can’t eat another bite. I’m stuffed.” Trina put it on a plate and slid it over to him.

He slid it to Brook. “You eat it.”

“I’ve already had two too many.” She picked up her wine glass.

Trina left the room, returning with her phone. “I’ll text him.”

“Who’s this guy you had sex with?” Gavin asked, but was ignored. “An old flame who’s a friend of your brother?”

“How about if I just say ‘hi’?” Trina held the phone at eye level. “I’m drunk.” She giggled and made a silly face. “Here, Gavie, you text him for me.”

“Me?” He recoiled like the phone was burning.

“Yes. Here. Just text him ‘hi’.”

Gavin caught Brook’s laughter behind her wine glass and took the phone reluctantly. He read the name ‘Toby’ and his phone number. A small part of him wanted to memorize it, in case it was ‘his’ Toby, but that was insane. They could not be the same man. Didn’t Trina say he wore glasses? ‘His’ Toby did not wear glasses.

He tried to settle down and not show how impossible this would be if they were both hot on the same guy. “Just ‘hi’?”

“Be creative. Let’s see if you can get a rise out of him.”

Brook laughed loudly. “That’s funny, Trina. Get a ‘rise’ out of him.”

“Funny, Brook,” Trina said sarcastically, stumbling on her high heels when she got up from her chair and brought a new wine bottle to the table. She stuck a corkscrew into it but struggled to open it.

“Give me that. I’ll open it.” Gavin wanted any excuse to put down the phone.

“I got it,” Brook said, taking the bottle. “You text.”

“What are you going to say, Gav?” Trina propped her head in her hand after she sat down.

“You just wanted me to say ‘hi’.”

“No. Tell him something else. Say something sexy or something.”

“I’m not going to flirt with your boyfriend.” Gavin put the phone down and moved it closer to her.

She pushed it back like a chess piece. “Go on. What would you say if you were the one trying to have sex with him?”

“Trina…” Gavin shook his head.

Brook popped out the cork and poured two full glasses of wine. “What would you say? I’m curious. Do you guys do things differently than we do?”

“I’m out of practice. I haven’t dated in ages. I’m in an apprentice program with the power company, and for the past three years I’ve been in limbo, studying my ass off.” He nudged the phone towards Trina again.

“Gavieeee…” She moaned like she was in pain. “You text him. You always know the right thing to do.” She shoved the phone back again.

Brook and Trina stared at him.

Gavin looked at the phone with Toby’s name and Toby’s cell phone number. What would he say if this was ‘his’ Toby?

He typed his message on the screen, and handed it to Trina before he sent it.

She took it and read it, then said, “Aww, that is so sweet.”

“What’s it say?” Brook asked.

“It says, ‘I can’t stop thinking about you.’”

“Nice one, Gavin. Very romantic.” Brook nodded, drinking more wine.

“I’m sending it.” Trina pushed a button and set the phone down.

A second later it buzzed. She squealed in excitement and read it, handing it back to Gavin. “Type him back!”

Gavin read the text from Toby. He had written, ‘ what do you like most about me? ’

“What did he say?” Brook asked.

Trina said, “He asked what I like most about him. How sweet is that?” Trina combed her fingers through her long hair.

“Aww…” Brook made a pouty face. “That is so sweet,” she repeated, looking intoxicated.

Gavin knew they were both stewed. Anything would be sweet at this point.

“What would you say back, Gavie?” Trina ate another bite of brownie.

He thought about ‘his’ Toby. ‘ I love how you look at me,’ he wrote, handing it to Trina.

She made a sound of approval and showed it to Brook.

“Wow. This is like the movie Roxanne.” Brook tried to give it back to Trina.

“Hit send.” Trina held her wine glass in her hand, sipping it.

“This is so much fun!”

Brook sent the message.

The communication may be entertaining the women, but Gavin was beginning to wish it was from him to a man. He didn’t realize how much he missed flirting and romance until he was given a chance to play.

The phone immediately vibrated. Trina grabbed it hungrily checking the reply. “This is amazing! Gavie, he said, ‘tell me more’.” She handed the phone to Gavin. “Tell him something else.”

Brook moaned softly. “I swear this is so incredible. What would Toby do if he knew a gay guy was typing him messages. It’s so funny.”

“I know. It is funny. I may even tell him one day. You know. After we’re married and we remember stuff.” Trina finished her wine.

Gavin had no idea how much alcohol Trina had consumed, but she was toast at the moment.

“What will you say next?” Brook ate another brownie. Gavin looked at the conversation again. He typed, ‘ your scent is delicious,’ and handed it to Trina.

She held the phone to her chest and groaned. “I love it!” She pushed a button and gave Brook the phone so she could read the last one and catch up.

“Wow.” She looked at Gavin. “I wish you were my boyfriend.”

Gavin sank a little from the reminder of the void in his life. When the phone hummed again, he wasn’t sure he wanted to read it.

Brook snatched it off the table. “Listen to this! He wrote, ‘are you referring to my cologne, or?’”

Trina roared with hilarity, nearly falling off the chair. “Gavie!

He’s getting sexy! Yay!”

He stood and pushed his chair in. “I should go.”

“Why? We’re having so much fun.” Trina pouted.

Brook just stared at him, as if she understood he was not as thrilled as they were. Maybe because she was single she got it.

“I’ll see ya tomorrow for drinks or something.” He patted his pocket for his car keys.

“No! Gavie, type him back. I don’t know what to say.”

“I can’t. It’s not right. He thinks it’s you.”

“Come on. Just tell me. I’m drunk and I don’t know what to say next.”

“You’ll think of something.” Gavin walked to her front door, a slight icy spot filling his stomach.

She followed him, holding the phone. “One more? Please?”

“Tell him ‘yes, I meant your cologne’.” Gavin waved at Brook. “Nice to see you. Get sober before you drive home.”

“I will. Take care, Gavin. Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome.” Gavin opened the door.

Trina leaned against him, looking upset.

“Goodnight, Trina.”

“’Night, Gavie.” She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed his cheek.

He gave her a smile and walked to his car, wiping the spot where he knew a trace of lipstick would be.

~

Before Gavin parked under the building, he pulled the car over on Fifty-Ninth Street and looked up at Toby’s third floor corner unit. It was well lit inside. The man was home. Gavin hit the steering wheel with the heel of his hand in frustration and pushed the remote for the automatic gate, waiting for it to open.

His thoughts were running in a few different directions; wishing he could meet a nice man, hoping the two Toby’s were not the same person, and slightly jealous of Trina if indeed they were the same.

He parked in his assigned spot and shut the car engine. It was a Wednesday night and most likely another one of unsettled slumber. As he walked into the lobby, he looked through the building to the front door, seeing the convenience store’s lit interior. For a single moment he imagined going there and buying an over-the-counter sleep aid, but shook his head. No. He stopped short and stared at the mailbox numbers. The third floor unit number was three-o-three. Where the name should have been, was blank. If Toby had just moved there, it was possible he didn’t place his name on the box yet. But if so, was that another indication this was Toby from Corvallis, Oregon? He poked his head outside, trying to find another clue. The name by the buzzer was also blank. Didn’t anyone keep up on the new owners? There by his unit number one-o-three, ‘G. D. Mecklenburg’ was typed in New Times Roman, along with the rest of the residents’ names by their unit numbers. Giving up on his reconnaissance mission, he continued walking to his condo unit feeling defeated.

His phone rang before he got the door unlocked. Rushing to catch it, he jogged to his bedroom and picked it up. “Hello?”

“Are you mad at me?”

“No, Trina.” He sighed and walked back to his door, shutting and double locking it, then took off his shoes.

“You sure?”

“Yes. I’m just tired. Work is really stressful and extremely physical.”

“I didn’t know what to say next. Brook said if I say something too sexy, he’ll expect sex. Should I have sex with him?”

“I can’t decide that for you. Hey, you mind if I just go to bed?

I’m really beat.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

“No. Why should I be mad?”

“I would be so upset if I got you mad. I need you, Gavie. You’re my best friend.”

“And you’re mine. Goodnight, sweetness.”

“Night, Gavie. I love you.”

“You too.” He hung up and put the phone back into the cradle. As he took off his clothing to be comfortable, he kept thinking about Toby.

The text he sent was true. He couldn’t stop thinking about him.

After stripping down to his briefs, Gavin washed his face and brushed his teeth, staring at his blue eyes in the mirror’s reflection. He rinsed his mouth and wiped his face with a towel, then headed to the living room and flopped to the sofa. He pointed the remote at the TV. Even if he tried, he couldn’t sleep yet. It was too early and he had too much on his mind. As he flipped through channels hoping something decent was on, Gavin felt his heart sink. He needed to stop living vicariously through Trina. He had to find a date.

With that thought in his head, he did something he never imagined doing. He went to a cabinet and took out his laptop to look for a single man. After resting it on his thighs, he plugged it into the wall, and booted it up.

With the sound of the television in the background making mindless noise, Gavin typed ‘gay dates’ into the search engine. He was startled with how many sites came up. Mostly lewd ads with promises of ‘Hot!-Hot!-Hot! Young Gay Studs! Ready to IM You Right Now!’

Gavin rolled his eyes in annoyance, not wanting a ‘hook-up’

but craving a real boyfriend. A romantic date. Didn’t anyone have real intellectual conversations? Stimulating interaction other than a hand inside their pants?

He scrolled through dozens of local men, some profile photos were too good to believe, and he didn’t believe them. A few he took the time to read their personal info, all written to tempt. But in reality, Gavin knew they were most likely older, fatter, and filled with personal baggage. Was he this desperate?

No.

He shut it down and zoned out at the television, occasionally glancing at the ceiling as if he could see through two floors and into his neighbor’s unit.

Chapter 8

The next day was much like the last. He arrived at work at seven-forty-five, cleaned the truck his crew was assigned to, made sure it was stocked with all the nuts, bolts, wire, connectors, and tools he and his fellow co-workers would need for the job.

He cleaned the toilet in the bucket truck, knowing the next apprentice would soon take over that horrible task. Once that was done, he opened the locked bin on the bucket truck and made sure all his tools and climbing gear were in good shape, including his low and high voltage rubber gloves, which are kept in a separate bin to keep them undamaged. Then he headed to the area where the journeymen sat to enjoy the newspaper or drink coffee, while the young guns did the menial work.

Harvey was laughing with their crew chief Fred and another journeyman, Hank Smith. Harvey noticed Gavin and waved.

“Hey, kid.”

The other two men spun around on their heels to greet him.

“Hey.” Gavin walked over, smiling amiably.

“I think the kid needs a good high climb this morning,” Fred said, smirking.

“Got your climbing gaffes?” Harvey asked, wearing the same smirk as Fred.

Gavin liked climbing poles, so he didn’t let it get to him.

“Yup. Ready to go.”

The men appeared to rally themselves for the day’s work, tossing out empty coffee cups and picking up their hard hats and reflective vests.

Harvey walked alongside Gavin to where the trucks were parked. “You sleep better last night? Make up with your girl?”

“We didn’t fight. And she’s just a good friend.”

“Sure kid.” Harvey patted his back and smiled.

Up on the power pole, his pole strap attached to his lineman belt, Gavin was able to work with both hands and lean back. A bird’s eye view of the area, he could see the orange cones as they guided the traffic around him and the truck. Harvey was below, watching him, and their crew chief was sitting inside the pickup truck at the moment.

Gavin wore his high voltage rubber gloves and reached to his tool belt for his ratcheting wrench. He nearly dropped it, fumbling to get a better grip on it as Harvey yelled, “You need help, kid?”

“I got it.” He resumed what he was doing, cursing himself for nearly letting a heavy wrench fall. Trying to get his mind back on the intense job and not wander off on sex was growing tougher lately.

By three pm, Gavin, Harvey and his crew drove back to shop, pulling into the secured lot and parking in an assigned spot. Harvey, Fred, and Hank exited the truck and entered the building, while Gavin took the scraps from the day’s work to the salvage dock. He tossed the copper wire into a large bin, moving on to the aluminum and scrap steel. He was exhausted. Using the bucket truck was a heck of a lot easier than climbing poles, but since he was still ‘training’, he wasn’t surprised he’d been asked to do it.

An hour later, after Gavin had replaced all the materials he and his crew had used during the day, he managed to stay busy until the end of his shift. By four he headed indoors to get cleaned up, and spotted the same old-timers relaxing while all the apprentices did the extra tasks.

At four-fifteen, everyone was out the door and headed home. He decided to skip the gym. His body had had a major workout already and he felt fatigued. As he drove home he tried to think of the contents of his refrigerator and if he needed to stop somewhere for dinner.

He craved a shower desperately. It may not be eighty degrees out yet, but with all the physical exertion of climbing poles all day, he had sweated profusely under his uniform shirt and jeans. Three days in a row without rain. He wondered if that had set a new Seattle record. The town was recovering from a sopping wet winter and spring, frequent mudslides, houses teetering on the brink of crumbling cliffs, and record-breaking rain and snow. It would be a relief to many to have a dry summer.

He knew he didn’t want to cook when he arrived home, so Gavin stopped at the Safeway on Broadway before he left the hill. When he lived on Harvard Avenue in a small apartment, many moons ago, he loved being in an area known for the gay men. Now that he was on Phinney Ridge, he shopped locally, surrounded by desperate housewives with screaming children or yuppie couples who argued about free range chicken or organic wineries at the deli and booze sections.

He parked in the bustling grocery store lot and pocketed his keys. Still wearing the fire retardant shirt with the company logo over his chest pocket, Gavin hoped he didn’t offend anyone with his perspiration scent when the time came to stand at the checkout line.

A red basket on his arm, he hunted in the salad section for something edible and filling. A selection of soups caught his eye. Lobster bisque, clam chowder, cream of tomato, all in plastic containers with expiration dates indicating they were fresh.

“Try the crab bisque,” a young effeminate man wearing knee length beige shorts and a polo shirt said.

Gavin had the lobster bisque in his hand. “You mean this one?”

“Lobster, crab, they’re both good.”

“It’s probably full of fat.” Gavin read the label.

“Let me tell ya, sugar, you don’t have an ounce of fat on you.” The young man gave Gavin a once over.

“I miss living here.” Gavin liked the easy signs that men were gay. He wasn’t amused by the guessing game he was playing with his hot neighbor.

“You’re not from here?” The man looked disappointed, and adjusted the sunglasses that were atop his shaved head.

“Phinney Ridge.”

“My condolences.”

“It’s nice there. I like it. Just not like here on the hill.” Gavin put the soup into his basket.

“This area used to be wonderful. Not anymore. All the sweet gay shops are gone. Sucks. What can ya do?” He held out his hand. “I’m Jerry.”

“Gavin.” Gavin shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. Do I stink?” He gave his shirt a sniff.

“No.” Jerry leaned closer, giving him a smell. “I like the scent of a working man.”

Instantly Gavin tried to evaluate if he thought Jerry was interested in sex, and if he was, was he interested in sex with Jerry?

Jerry was slight of build, shorter than Gavin would have liked, and most likely in his very early twenties. He would love to get laid, but he didn’t want to fuck with anyone’s head either. Just as Gavin began to form an opinion either way, Jerry said,

“Me and my boyfriend love that soup with a hot loaf of their French baguette, smothered in garlic butter.” He showed Gavin the small plastic container of garlic butter, ready to spread. Boyfriend.

He got his answer. “I think the soup is fattening enough. Thanks.” Gavin smiled as he circled the island section where the soups had been.

“Enjoy.” Jerry waved as he walked off.

Gavin waved back, but the moment Jerry had left the area, Gavin’s smile fell. The world was a huge Noah’s Ark, couples as far as the eye can see. Two by two, by two…

Brook was single. Maybe he and Brook needed to go out cruising for men. Trina appeared to already have her hooks in Toby.

Her Toby? My Toby?

Gavin was ready to scream. It was very important he figure that out, the sooner the better.

He stopped at the beer cooler and removed a six-pack of Full Sail Ale. Tonight he would find out.

~

Home, showered, wearing his black jeans and a black shortsleeved button-down shirt, Gavin stood over the sink and ate the soup from a bowl he had used to heat it in the microwave. He looked over the breakfast bar, out of his patio windows at the swaying tree that seemed to block the view more each year. But it was only a view of a convenience store, so he wasn’t missing much.

His home phone rang. He figured it had to be Trina. Should he answer it? Even before he had determined which Toby was which, he felt guilty. He was planning on bringing ‘a’ Toby a six-pack of beer. He didn’t want it to be ‘her’ Toby. Another couple of rings and the answering machine would pick it up. As if he were spying on himself, he walked towards the bedroom holding the soup bowl, looking down as the machine clicked on. Trina’s voice said, “You there? Gavie? Should I call your cell phone? I’ll try your cell phone.”

“Shit.” He didn’t want to ignore her. Quickly he grabbed the phone saying, “Hello? Trina?”

“Oh. I was about to hang up. Did you just get in?”

“No. Uh…I was in the bathroom.” He walked to the kitchen to put the bowl down.

She giggled. “Do you need another minute?”

“I’m good.” He leaned against the counter, feeling nervous and not liking it.

“Remember last night? When we were texting Toby?”

Hearing her say Tony’s name made him flinch. He chided himself internally for reacting. “Yes.”

“Well, I must have said something to turn him off because he didn’t answer. Brook and I tried to think of something clever. You know? Something that went along with what you were saying about his scent?”

Gavin didn’t know what to say, so he stayed quiet.

“I blame Brook. She said to text, ‘At least you don’t make me sneeze’, you know, as a joke. And he didn’t text back. I thought that was a dumb thing to say. I should never have listened to her.”

“You were both slightly high on the wine.” Gavin knew that was not what he would have texted to Toby. But if Trina didn’t want to get sexy, then she succeeded in turning him off.

“I wasn’t. She was.” She snorted.

“Whatever.”

Silence followed.

Then Trina said, “Are you mad at me?”

“No. Why do you think I’m mad at you lately? You asked me that yesterday.”

“You’re acting weird. I don’t know.”

“How am I acting weird?” Gavin tried not to get defensive. He knew why he was lashing out. He was jealous. What if his Toby is her Toby? What if Trina got to sleep with Toby and he doesn’t?

“I don’t know. Just weird. Did you already eat?”

He glanced at the remainder of his soup. “I bought a container of lobster bisque at Safeway.”

“So…no dinner tonight?”

“I was planning on hanging out. I climbed poles all day. The guys didn’t let me use the bucket—”

“Fine. Be that way. Maybe tomorrow the old Gavin will be back.”

“Trina. Stop. I just had a really physical day.”

“I had a long day too, Gavie. I was on my feet all day. You know how hard it is to stand for eight hours?”

“Yes. Do you know how hard it is to climb a thirty foot power pole? More than once?”

“I just thought if you were available we could talk about my next move with Toby. I mean, now that he didn’t text back last night…what should I do?”

What Gavin would have said before he suspected his Toby was her Toby would have been, ‘Don’t worry. He likes you. Just tell him hi or something.’ Now? He wanted to discourage her. To tell her he’s a jerk and she could do better.

He was caught in a strange trap and because he didn’t know whose Toby was whose, he had no idea what to tell her.

“Gavie?”

“Um…just say hi.”

“Say hi? You mean text him?”

“Sure.” Gavin wanted a beer. He checked to see how many he had left so he didn’t drink one from the ‘gift’ six-pack. He was out. The bottles of Full Sail began to look very appealing.

“Why don’t I stop over? I can bring us some chicken from Ezell’s.”

“I’m kind of full of soup.” Gavin looked at his clothing and knew Trina would be suspicious if she saw him in anything other than a t-shirt and faded jeans.

“So…I have to eat dinner alone? I can’t come there to hang out and we can talk about why Toby didn’t text me back?”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Sure. Come on over. I don’t have any wine. Just beer.” He took one out of the cardboard case and set it on the counter.

“I don’t want wine. I had enough…more than enough, yesterday.”

“Okay, sweetie. See you soon.”

“See ya.”

He brought the phone to his nightstand and placed it back into the cradle, unbuttoned his shirt and hung it up, taking a t-shirt out of his drawer.

It’s her Toby. Don’t bring him beer.

Gavin tucked in his shirt as he returned to the kitchen and used a bottle opener, popping the top. He drank nearly half the bottle, then placed the remaining five into the fridge.

“It was a bad idea anyway.” He gave the condo a straightening up then stood on the deck to watch for Trina’s car. The white split-window Corvette rounded the corner right near where he stood. Gavin choked in surprise, but assumed if Trina was stopping at Ezell’s she’d be at least an hour. Since Gavin had been spotted, he waved.

Toby waved back, waiting for the gate to retract to their parking area.

He’s wearing glasses. It’s him. It’s her Toby. Why is it the same man? Who did she say he looked like? He wracked his brains to remember which celebrities she mentioned. At the moment he was a drawing a complete blank.

The car vanished from his sight. Gavin muttered incoherently under his breath at life, injustice, karma, timing and any number of factors that created an impossible scenario for him. As he had his mini-hissy fit he looked up into the sky. It was another blue-sky summer night. How lucky could Seattle be?

Where’s the rain?

He didn’t want it. But he expected it. At this point a lightning bolt and thunder cloud would make his day complete. He drank his beer and sulked.

When a man walked across the lawn from the front of the condos, Gavin physically jumped. Toby was headed his way, wearing a smart suit and tie—and wire-framed glasses on his nose.

Chris Pine or Josh Duhamel.

Gavin immediately remembered the two male celebrities Trina had mentioned. Yes. Toby was gorgeous and Gavin was about to trip over his tongue.

“Hey there. We meet again.” Toby walked right up to Gavin, the low wall between them.

“Hi.” Gavin began to panic at the possibility of Trina arriving while ‘her’ Toby was engaged in a conversation with him. He knew Trina. She’d kill him. It wouldn’t matter how accidental it was.

“Nice night. When I moved here, everyone said it rained every day. I think they were trying to put me off.”

Gavin almost asked, ‘Are you from Corvallis’, but instead asked, “Where are you from?”

“Oregon.”

That sealed it in Gavin’s mind. To be one hundred percent sure, he asked, “Did you get work up here?”

“I work for Boeing.”

Gavin sank. This was his best friend’s boyfriend and he was in quicksand.

“Did I hit a nerve? Hate Boeing?” Toby laughed uncomfortably.

“No. Sorry. Um…I don’t hate Boeing. Who hates Boeing?

No one I know hates Boeing.”

At his inane rambling, he got another tilt of the head in confusion.

“Sorry. Am I talking to you at a bad time?” Toby obviously sensed something wrong. And Gavin was furious he was giving off bad vibes.

“I…uh…a friend is stopping by. That’s all.”

“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to bug you.”

“You’re not.”

“I just thought…” Toby’s cheeks grew rosy.

“Thought?”

“Nothing. I…uh…I have to get changed. I usually go for a bike ride.” He pointed to the third floor.

This was not what Gavin had in mind for their first conversation. The hole of awkwardness was gaping. “I should get a bicycle, but I have a very physical job and I…” Gavin thought he spotted Trina’s Camry, but on closer inspection it wasn’t her.

Toby spun around to look at the cars passing. “I can tell my timing sucks.”

“Maybe a little.” Gavin wanted to tell him he needed…wanted to see him socially. But was that smart? Trina’s boyfriend?

“I get it.” Toby appeared to take the hint.

“No!” Gavin couldn’t let him walk away with the wrong idea. No way. “Look, I…it’s just…”

“You don’t have to explain.”

Don’t I? Gavin had no idea what Toby was thinking. And that drove him nuts. “What am I not explaining?”

“You obviously have someone coming by you care about, and you don’t want them to see you talking to me.”

“Wow.” Gavin was impressed with Toby’s perceptive abilities and his smarts. “Yes and no.”

“Huh?” Toby narrowed his eyes.

“I do want to see you. I mean, you know. Talk cars…or…

But I am kind of busy. I just don’t want you to think I’m not interested.”

“Interested?” Toby perked up. “You mean, you are interested?”

Gavin was dizzy he was so lost. “Are we talking about the same thing?”

“What do you think we’re talking about?” Gavin’s smile became slightly sexy.

The dilemma hit him hard. Tell Toby I know he’s dating Trina? If I do that, am I talking about him being gay and interested in dating me? Augh! Help me!

The quizzical look was back on Toby’s handsome face.

“Then, I am reading this wrong.”

“How are you reading this?” Are you gay?

Though he appeared about to answer, Toby reconsidered.

“Next time.” He waved and walked off.

Gavin dropped into the lawn chair and finished his beer.

“Shoot me!”

A few minutes of zoning off in a trance and feeling sick followed. The buzzing noise from his intercom nearly knocked him over. He scrambled inside wondering if Toby forgot his keys. Barely placing his empty bottle on the counter, Gavin flew out of his unit, down the hall and came up breathless to a startled Trina. She held a bag of food and blinked curiously. He opened the door, catching his breath.

“Hi.” He took the bag from her.

“You didn’t have to run. You could have just buzzed me in.”

“I know.” He looked around the hall in paranoia. Now what?

Tell her. Don’t tell her. He shuffled her in front of him, coaxing her down the corridor to his open door. She entered his condo and spun around. “Are you okay?”

“No. Yes. Long day.” He put the aromatic bag on the table and removed the contents.

“You’re a nut.” She set her purse on the floor near the couch, and her phone on the table.

“Yup. Completely nuts. What can I get you to drink?”

“Water is fine.” She sat at the table, opening the mashed potato container and peeling back the paper on the chicken.

“Man, that smells good.” He sniffed the fried chicken. “I’m still hungry. The soup was an appetizer compared to this.” He gawked at all the food. “Woman…are you feeding an army?”

“I couldn’t decide. So I bought the spicy chicken as well as the regular, and the coleslaw, potatoes, rolls…”

He placed a bottle of water near her, then removed the dishes from the cupboard.

“Speaking about appetizing aromas…” Trina made a sour face.

“Do I stink?” He sniffed his pits. “I took a shower.”

“No!” She whacked his arm. “I’m talking about the text messages. Remember? We were talking about Toby’s scent?”

“Look, Trina. About Toby.” He pointed to his ceiling.

“Mm!” She ate a bite of chicken off a breast. “That is so good. I get a craving for it and I have to have it.”

“Trina…” Gavin sat next to her and met her dark eyes.

“What, Gavie? You are so cute!” She made a kissing noise at him.

He thought about it. What was he going to tell her? That Toby lived in the building? That would open a huge can of worms. All night she would ask him if she should go up to the third floor and knock. Then she would be thorough in wanting to know the details of their meeting. She would interrogate him. And he didn’t even do anything worth being guilty about. Other than daydream. But he hadn’t known ‘the’ Toby was ‘her’ Toby at the time.

“Try the spicy chicken. Mm. So good.” She licked her finger.

“So? What’s my next move, Gav? Hmm? What do you think I should do?”

He took a piece of chicken to his plate and tasted it. “Oh, that is good.”

“I know! I can eat it all!”

He winked at her, peeling the meat off the bone to devour. They were both up to their elbows in chicken, using paper towels to wipe up. Gavin over-ate and couldn’t even think about a slice of sweet potato pie. He reclined on the chair and covered his belch. “I can’t believe how much we ate. Are we insane?”

“I feel sick…ohh…” Trina held her stomach and burped, giggling.

With a great effort Gavin stood, tossing the bones into the garbage and the dishes into the washer. He scrubbed his hands and face at the kitchen sink and finished clearing the table. He left the pie out in case Trina wanted to nibble, but he doubted either of them could.

Trina washed up in the bathroom and returned to the table wearing fresh lipstick. “No way.” She made the sign of the cross at the pie.

“You need to take it home.” He wrapped it up.

“No, you eat it!” She laughed, pushing him from behind. He moaned. “I’m too full. And you are taking it with you.”

“Bring it to work. The men you work with will eat it.”

“You sure?” He knew they would. Harvey would eat the whole quarter of pie himself.

“I’m sure.” She picked up her phone from the table and sprawled out on his sofa, still rubbing her belly.

He placed the pie in the fridge and joined her. “Never again. I usually feel this way after Thanksgiving.”

She moaned in agreement, then said, “Okay. Tell me what to text him.”

“I can’t do that, Trina. It’s not right.”

“He won’t know. Here.” She tried to hand him the phone.

“Why do you want me to? Can’t you think of anything to say to him?” He didn’t take the phone.

“No. I can’t. I don’t get it and I’m stumped.” She dropped the phone on his lap and it landed on his crotch.

He flinched when it nailed him. “Ouch?” He gave her a look of disbelief that she hit the mark.

With a dismissive slap, she whacked his arm and then scooted over to lean on his shoulder. “What are you going to say?” She yawned.

“Exactly.” He pointed at her. “I’m bloated and exhausted. You wouldn’t believe the day I had at work.” He picked up her phone and saw it was ready for his text. “I can’t do this. I can’t be the one to send your boyfriend messages.”

She snorted in a sarcastic way. “You think he’s my boyfriend?”

“Yes. Isn’t he?”

“We have dated a week.” She rested her head on his chest. He put his arm around her. “But you really like him.”

“Tell me what to text.” She yawned again.

“Are you falling asleep on me?”

“I can. Can I sleep over?”

“Ha. Ha.” He smiled. “Well, actually you can. In the guest bedroom.”

“Nooo. I want to sleep with you. You’re my teddy bear.” She wrapped an arm around his waist.

“Don’t squeeze. My stomach is too full.” He glanced at the phone, too tired to think.

“Why are you gay?”

Gavin laughed. “I wish I had a buck for every time you asked me that in the last four years. You could have sold me that eighteen carat gold Rolex.”

She slid her hand down his body to his thigh.

“What are you doing, Trina?” Gavin glanced at her cherry red nails in apprehension.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t get too friendly.”

She sat up and stared at him. “You really would never let me touch you? Like ever?”

“Touch me? Like sexually?” Gavin had a feeling this was a product of her sense of rejection from Toby. Trina needed to be loved and the center of attention. She was the youngest child of four and was used to being spoiled. He certainly understood. He was also the youngest, although he didn’t think he was treated any different than his siblings. His oldest sister begged to differ.

“Maybe.” Trina massaged his thigh close to his crotch.

“Uh. No.” He laid his hand on top of hers to stop it.

“Don’t you ever think of me that way?”

Gavin had to tread lightly. The last thing he wanted to do was insult her and have her storm out. Though he did not think of her sexually, he lied. “Sometimes. You’re the most beautiful woman I know. But I would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship.”

It seemed to appease her. She snuggled back where she was on his chest. “Text him.”

“I don’t think it’s right.” He rested the phone on his leg.

“What would you say if you were me?” She held the phone like a toy car, and ‘drove’ it from his knee to his crotch and back.

“I don’t know.” Her actions began to distract him.

She drove the phone up over his crotch and said, “Speed bump.”

“Funny. Now stop.”

“I’ve never seen you naked.” She stared at his bulge.

“You just got laid. Why are you imagining me nude?”

“Oh, God, my brother’s friend isn’t anything like you.” She waved her hand in a gesture that confirmed her words.

“Then why did you sleep with him?”

“Because I can.”

“Trina…” he chided. “What would Toby say if he knew you did that?”

“I don’t think he cares. How do I know he’s not sleeping with someone? Maybe like you said, he has a girlfriend in Corvallis.”

“Okay. Text him, ‘do you have a girlfriend in Oregon?’”

“No! What if he does?” Trina sat up.

“Don’t you want to know?”

“Do I? Do I want to know he’s committed to some blonde bimbo?”

“I would.” I do want to know. He went for the phone. Now she was playing coy, holding it out of his reach.

“You can’t ask that. I don’t want to know.”

“Come on. Let me text him.”

Trina laughed and curled up in a ball, protecting the phone. He tickled her and she groaned loudly. “Not fair!” she said,

“I’m too full!”

Gavin let up and leaned on the back of the sofa, smiling.

“Why aren’t you a guy?”

“Oh, Gavie. Wouldn’t it be perfect? We get along so well.”

She caressed his jaw, running the tips of her nails lightly over it.

“Yeah. Grow a dick, will ya?”

Her smile faded and a strange look of melancholy replaced it. The wheels were turning in her head. He could tell. “Don’t. There’s no sense torturing ourselves. You and I are best friends. Trina, I’m good with that.”

The mask of aloofness returned and she sat up straight. “I’ll probably move to Hawaii anyway.” She stood, fixing her blouse.

“I would if I had the opportunity. Can you imagine being a lineman in Maui? It beats Rain City any day.”

She picked up her purse and put her phone in it.

“You sure you don’t want the pie?” He pointed to the fridge.

“No. Bring it to work. If I do, Brook and I will end up eating it.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Gavin pocketed his key, opened the door to his condo and allowed her to pass. They were both tired and quiet. He accompanied her to her car, waiting for a gap in the traffic to open the door of her Camry for her. She climbed behind the wheel and met his eyes.

“Don’t be sad, Trina.” He caressed her milky white cheek.

“I’m not sad. It’s just been a long day.” She started the car, rolling down the window so he could shut the door.

He leaned down so they could talk without shouting over the cars moving along Phinney Avenue. “You know I adore you.”

“I know, Gavie.” She gave him a smile but he could tell she was upset.

“Kiss goodbye?” He pointed to his cheek.

She cupped his face and kissed him on the lips. He made a noise in surprise and gently leaned back.

“You have lipstick on now.” She giggled. “Bye.”

“Bye.” He wiped at his mouth absently as she drove off, making his way back to the lobby door. As he put his key in the lock, he got a very odd feeling in his gut. Trina has always had a boyfriend. Ever since he had known her, she overlapped men so she never was alone.

This was the first time she hadn’t snagged an aggressive suitor. Never before had Trina been so overt in her attraction for him. She had teased him, flirted innocently, and joked about him being straight so she could play with him, but now? A kiss on the lips?

Trina Yamagachi, I have to find you a man.

Chapter 9

Friday came and went, and Gavin was glad for the weekend off. He was on-call at work, but with overtime at Seattle Power Source, he could say no if he don’t want to go. The money was great, but he felt extremely fatigued. For two days the journeymen had made him climb poles manually and did not allow him to use the bucket truck. Though he was upset about it, he shut his mouth. They evaluated him. He was still a trainee. The treat of the sweet potato pie was eaten and enjoyed by his crew, but it didn’t buy him any favors. He didn’t think it would. As he drove home his thoughts turned to Trina. With the strange kiss yesterday, Gavin wondered if they should cool it, not see each other every day. The minute Trina found herself a real steady boyfriend, his time with her would be limited to a phone call a night.

Trina liked to bounce her interactions with her boyfriendslash-fiancés against him. ‘What do you think he meant by this?’

or ‘What should I do if he asks me to marry him?’ He didn’t mind. It made him feel needed. Ironically, she never listened to his advice, but that didn’t stop her from asking him twenty questions about what the male point of view was for every comment or reaction from her men.

He pulled his car close to the gate and depressed the remote button, waiting for it to open. As he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, he leaned closer to the windshield and had a look at the third floor balcony. It was empty. Putting the transmission into gear, he drove down the slight slope to his assigned spot and parked, shutting off the car. While the engine cooled and made ticking noises, Gavin sat still, thinking.

Timing in life was everything.

And his timing presently sucked.

If he had met Toby first, he could have easily found out if he was gay and available. Now that Trina had met him and started a relationship, Gavin was stuck.

If he were to place this decision on a scale—try to date Toby

‘if’ he is gay, or lose Trina if he did date him—there was no decision. He would not jeopardize his relationship with his best friend for a remote possibility of a date or two . Right? Isn’t that sensible? But what if Toby is the one?

Exhaling loudly at his dumb luck, Gavin grabbed his empty lunch bag and thermos, getting out of the low slung car. He shut the car door and straightened his back, seeing Toby exit the lobby door, smiling at him, looking like a model out of an International Male catalog.

Gavin’s heart stopped.

“So. We meet again.” Toby didn’t hesitate as he closed the gap between them.

Black, curve-hugging spandex bike shorts and a blue and white cycling jersey clung to Toby’s body like a second skin. Immediately Gavin’s gaze was drawn to the bulge between his legs. It wasn’t until Toby was right next to him that he met his smoldering brown eyes.

Toby tapped Gavin’s chest, saying, “Seattle Power Source?

Yeah? You fix power lines?”

As if just coming out of a daydream from the sight of Toby’s unbelievably toned legs, narrow waist and large package, Gavin felt as if he was drunk. “Yeah. I’m a hot primary apprentice.”

“I’ll say.” Toby smiled. “But, uh, what does that mean?”

“Oh. Sorry. I’m a lineman. Power lineman. Apprentice lineman. I fix things.” I’m an idiot.

“You work on high power electrical lines?” Toby’s eyes widened as if he were impressed.

“Yes.” Gavin shifted his weight side to side, feeling nervous.

“Wow.” Toby took another look at Gavin’s body. It was so sultry it made Gavin’s throat dry up when he tried to swallow.

“You…uh…going riding?” Gavin pointed to Toby’s outfit, but ended up gesturing to Toby’s crotch.

“Yes. Would you ever consider a bike ride?”

“I should. But the work is so physical.” Gavin put his lunchbox and thermos on the car. “I do go to the gym a few times a week.”

“I’m a pencil pusher, or should I say, computer keyboard tapper.” Toby smiled, showing perfect teeth. “I need to make an effort to keep fit.” Toby’s attention moved to Gavin’s car. He smoothed his hand over the silver paint. “She’s a beauty. Did you restore it?”

“No. Just took great care of it.”

“Did you buy it new?”

“No. My dad did.” Gavin cleared his throat. He should be thinking about Trina, but at the moment he was thinking about how amazing Toby’s balls looked in black spandex.

“Yes. Duh.” Toby hit his forehead with the heel of his palm in a cliché gesture of sounding stupid. “If you bought it new you’d have to be in your mid to late forties.” Toby gave Gavin another once over. “And you’re not in your forties.”

“If we used that logic, you’d be in your sixties.”

“Sorry. I’m not usually this dumb.” Toby appeared to become distracted by Gavin’s biceps. He smoothed his hand over it and asked, “How much can you bench press?”

At the touch Gavin nearly swooned. His cock throbbed and he looked at Toby’s crotch out of reflex to see if he was interested as well. “Um…bench press? Uh…” Gavin watched the nicely shaped bulge in Toby’s pants grow larger. He had to shake himself out of his daydream and stop staring as the outline of Toby’s cock became visible.

“It wasn’t a trick question.” Toby laughed.

On the tip of Gavin’s tongue was Trina. Asking Toby about knowing Trina. But it didn’t materialize. Selfishly Gavin didn’t want to change the subject and didn’t it sound stakerish if he knew anything about Toby’s personal life? “Nearly three hundred pounds.”

“No!” Toby appeared suitably impressed.

“One time.” Gavin held up his index finger. “But I don’t work out that heavy.”

Toby ran his fingers across Gavin’s chest. “You have amazing pecs.”

Gay. No question whatsoever. What are you doing with my Trina? Bi? No. Oh no, not bi. Gavin didn’t even want to speculate what Toby’s motivation was with leading Trina on. If he was. Maybe Toby wanted to be friends with Trina, like he was.

“Are you out?” It seemed like a safe question for Gavin to ask. Now that Toby had made the advance and touched him rather intimately. Not to mention his raging hard-on—over six inches and cut, if Gavin had to guess. And he had to. Gavin could see the distinct outline under the material and the urge to stroke his hand over it, the way Toby had done to his chest, was nearly irresistible.

“Yes.”

That puzzled Gavin. Toby wasn’t ‘out’ to Trina. “Out to everyone?”

“Yes. Why? Should I not be?” Toby crossed his arms, a defensive pose. “Am I embarrassing you?”

“No. I just…” Gavin kept hitting a wall in how to handle a very sticky situation. Why would Toby lie?

“I take it you’re not?”

“No. Not at work. All my friends know.”

“Ah, macho linemen? Really? I never would have guessed in this town.”

“Not like Corvallis, huh.”

The look on Toby’s face changed.

Gavin realizes his faux pas. Toby had told him he was from Oregon but not Corvallis.

As if trying to determine if he had told him, Toby asked, “Did I tell you that?”

Lying, Gavin said, “Yes. The other day by my deck.”

Toby tilted his head as he thought about it. “Oh. I can’t remember anything anymore.” He let it go and his smile returned. “Are you dating anyone?”

“Not at the moment. Are you?” Gavin enunciated his words. Toby echoed his comment, but in a more seductive tone, “Not at the moment.” He straightened the collar of Gavin’s shirt totally on a pretext of touching him. “Hot lineman.” He purred. Gavin wasn’t prepared for the advance. He had no time to think things through.

Toby backed off. “Am I being too forward?”

“I’m not sure.” Gavin was battling his desire. Here it was. Sex. A potential partner. End of best friend Trina. Toby appeared perplexed again. “Not sure.” He laughed nervously. “I guess I should go and ride. My luck if I don’t, I’ll catch the rain and get soaked.”

Gavin didn’t want him to go. He took a few steps closer to Toby as Toby backed up slowly. Again Gavin’s gaze was drawn to Toby’s crotch. The urge to cup his hand over it was intense.

“No. Don’t walk away.”

“You’re giving me mixed signals. I’m sorry if I’m reading them wrong.”

“You’re not reading them wrong.” The battle inside Gavin was fierce. He didn’t meet many men he was completely smitten by. Toby seemed so amazing. Gavin understood what Trina saw in him, why she was so attracted to Toby. “So, you’re completely gay. Not bi.”

Toby shook his head, laughing in confusion. “Did I have a conversation with you that I don’t recall?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t remember telling you I was from Corvallis. I thought I just said Oregon. And now you think I’m bi? Why?”

Gavin bit his lip as he thought things over in a split second. Then, he just said, “Trina.”

The shock on Toby’s face was instant. It was as if Toby didn’t know how to respond. First he looked surprised, then suspicious, then downright annoyed. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Trina and I are friends.”

Toby put space between them and did not look happy. “I’m going to go ride.” He thumbed over his shoulder at his garage.

“Toby, wait.”

He did not wait. He walked to the far end of the parking area and used his key to open the garage door. Gavin stood still, struggling with what had happened and how to interpret it. He wasn’t getting anywhere with either.

Wearing a blue and white racing helmet that matched his shirt, Toby emerged from the garage riding a white street bike with the brand ‘Cavallo’ in bold letters on the frame. He used a remote to open the gate, and didn’t look back as he left the under-building lot. Gavin picked up his lunch bag and thermos and headed inside the building. His stomach felt like he’d swallowed an ice pick. He was sick and nauseated. And of course, what was he supposed to tell Trina?

If Toby told her first, he’d be dead.

He opened his condo door and said, “I already am dead.”

~

He showered and changed into a pair of faded jeans and a threadbare t-shirt with a silkscreen of Jim Morrison on it, which he had cut the sleeves off of years ago. His nerves were shot. He didn’t want the phone to ring because he knew it would be Trina. Since his stomach was in a knot, he grabbed a beer and hung out on his deck—yes, waiting to see Toby when he rode back to the condo.

The sky appeared foreboding with a line of black clouds looming against what was left of a clear evening. Toby was right. He would probably be racing against the coming rain. Gavin had to decide what to do. He had to tell Trina. Not telling her was worse, wasn’t it?

He drank more beer and heard his phone ring. “Well, here goes nothing.” Pushing the sliding door back, Gavin picked up his cordless phone from the kitchen and said, “Hi.”

“Hi, Gavie. Well, no calls, no texts, nothing.”

He returned to the deck, keeping a close watch on the main street for Toby. But of course, the man on the bicycle could come from behind the condo and he’d never see him. “Trina, I have something to tell you.”

“You sound so serious.”

“Toby lives in my building.”

Silence followed.

“Trina?”

“How…how do you know? I don’t understand.”

“I was in my parking area under the condo and we had a conversation.”

“About me?”

“Not at first. But, yes. I told him I knew you.”

“What did he say? Did he say he liked me? Gavie, this is so cool! You can have the inside scoop now. And when I go to visit you, I can see him.”

Gavin sank inside. “Trina…I think he’s gay.”

She made a choking laugh of sarcasm. “That’s not funny, Gavin. He is not gay.”

There was no going back now. Gavin was in trouble and had no idea what to say to not make Trina angry with him.

“You’re just saying that to get back at me.”

“Get back at you for what?” Gavin felt a drop of rain and looked up at the threatening clouds.

“For…I don’t know. For being happy I found a new boyfriend?”

“You’re being silly. Why would I be upset with you? I always support you.”

“You obviously have your eye on my boyfriend. Don’t you dare talk to him again!”

“Trina, calm down. Okay? Can you calm down?”

“I can’t believe you would try to steal my boyfriend. He’s not gay, Gavin, so don’t try to turn him into one.”

“Turn him?” His blood began to boil. “Did you really just say that to me?”

“Now I know why he isn’t calling me! How long have you two been friends? Huh? How long has this been going on behind my back?”

“Trina, please calm down. I am not doing anything behind your back. I just—” He heard the line go dead. “Hello?” He disconnected the call and sighed. The rain increased in intensity until it was a blinding sheet. Gavin folded up his little lawn chair and rested it against the glass of the sliding door. Just as he was about to go inside, he spotted Toby racing towards the condo, speeding by and moving towards the underground gate. Gavin entered his unit, sealing out the wet weather. He set his beer bottle and the phone down, taking a towel out of the bathroom.

~

Toby coasted his bicycle down the slight ramp and rolled to a stop next to his garage. He hit the remote and waited, wiping his face off on his shoulder because he was dripping wet. He walked the bike next to his Corvette, and used a rag to dry it off. Once he leaned the bike against the wall, he placed his helmet on a shelf and ran his hand through his wet hair. As he spun around with the intention of leaving the garage, he noticed someone standing at the open door. Gavin was there, holding a towel. Toby melted at the sight. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was partially my fault. I delayed your ride.” Gavin handed him the towel.

Toby took it, wiping his face and hair. “Thanks.”

“Mind if I look at your car?”

“No. Be my guest.” Toby turned on the garage light since thick cloud-cover had come with the rain, making it feel like night. The sound of the downspouts running with water echoed in the cement parking area. He kept dabbing the towel on his neck and arms—his riding gear was soaked. As he continued to dry off, he admired Gavin in his denim blue and tight worn tshirt. “I’m not bi.”

Gavin turned to face him after checking out the Corvette’s interior.

“Trina and I are just friends.”

“She doesn’t know that.”

“I never led her on.”

“You didn’t tell her you were gay either.”

“She never asked, and it didn’t come up in conversation.”

Gavin stared at the car, but Toby didn’t know if he was looking at it or looking through it as he thought things out. “I put a new engine in it.” Toby approached Gavin, connecting to his gaze. The blue color contrasting Gavin’s dark brown hair was Toby’s favorite combination in a man. The slight pout of Gavin’s lips made Toby want to kiss him. He broke his stare on Gavin and brushed past him to the hood, opening it, and propping it up. “Three-fifty, V-eight, four hundred and fifty HPs. It’s Tunnel Ram engine.”

“Son of a bitch. You can eat off her.”

When Gavin leaned over to have a look, Toby admired Gavin’s ass in the tight pants. He draped the towel around the back of his neck and stood closer to Gavin, feeling Gavin’s heat as he became cold from being wet. The rain pouring down against the patch of ivy, which grew above a retaining wall between the large support pillars, was so hard it sounded like hail.

Gavin took one step back and bumped into Toby. A large blast of thunder followed a flash of white light. “You got back just in time.”

“I’m sorry Trina got the wrong idea, Gavin.” Toby stared at Gavin’s lips. He wanted to kiss them.

“She did. I feel like I’m in a very bad spot at the moment.”

“Why?” Toby felt his body begin to respond to the attraction he was feeling for Gavin. Another clap of thunder shook the foundations.

“You must be getting cold. It’s freezing in here now.” Gavin connected to Toby’s gaze.

“I never kissed her, Gavin. Just on the cheek.”

“I know.”

Toby thought about it. “How close are you two?”

“Very. We either talk or go out almost every night.”

“Then you know I’ve been a gentleman.”

“I do. But she still thinks there’s potential.”

“I’ll set the record straight.”

“Good. I mean…I told her I met you and we’re neighbors, but that’s all.” Gavin looked down at Toby’s chest. “Aren’t you cold?”

“Yes. I am cooling off now.”

“Why don’t you get out of those wet things?”

Toby smiled at his sexual thoughts. “That sounds like a proposition.” He touched Gavin to back him away from the car so he could shut the hood.

“I didn’t mean it as one.”

“Why not?” Toby looked over his shoulder as it seemed Gavin’s attention was drawn there. Another resident was driving under into the parking area, their windshield wipers still on from the torrent.

“Come inside with me.” Toby gestured for them to leave the garage. Gavin headed out and Toby closed the garage door behind them, removing his keys from his shirt pouch pocket.

“Do you have a minute to come up to my place?”

Gavin opened the lobby door and stepped inside. “Do you really think that’s a good idea? Under the circumstances?”

Toby was confused. “What are the circumstances?” They stopped by the elevator door.

“You’re dating Trina.”

“Dating?” Toby narrowed his eyes at Gavin. “We met for a couple nights to get a drink and once at Greenlake. Gavin, I’m not dating Trina.”

“Are you sure she doesn’t think that?”

“How am I supposed to control what Trina thinks?” Toby began to turn off. He couldn’t understand why two men would worry about what a woman friend thought. “Why don’t you just admit you’re not interested?”

Gavin rubbed his face as if he were tired or conflicted. Toby handed him the towel. “Here. Thanks.”

“Toby…hang on. You have a habit of storming off before we can finish talking.” Gavin took the towel.

“Storming off?” Toby began to get insulted. “Look, I don’t need this kind of complication right now. You sound like you have too much stacked against this friendship already.” He pushed the elevator call button and looked down at his key ring.

“I want to be friends with you.”

“Fine. We’re friends.” Toby shot him a fake smile. The elevator opened. “Bye, friend.” He stepped inside and hit number three on the panel.

As the elevator closed Toby met Gavin’s eyes. He wanted to put out his arm and stop the doors. He wanted Gavin to do it. To make the doors open, enter the elevator, take him into his arms and kiss him passionately. But it didn’t happen.

The elevator took him to the third floor. Toby was upset as he walked down the hall. He opened his door and began stripping off the wet spandex as he walked to the bathroom and a hot shower. He turned on the water, waiting for it to heat up. While it did, he left the bathroom and hunted down his mobile phone. He found a text from Trina asking him if he knew Gavin. Toby grew angry. He liked Trina but he didn’t think he had given her the idea he was interested in her in any other way than platonically. The impulse to say something snide was strong. But he knew it wasn’t Trina’s fault he didn’t like her as something more than a friend.

Toby put the phone on the bathroom vanity and climbed into the shower. As he washed off, he thought about what to say to her to not hurt her feelings, and give him and Gavin a chance to get to know each other…intimately.

He moaned, and it echoed off the wet stall. “Gavin…this is insane. How can you not even give us one date to see if we like each other?”

The problem was, Toby already knew he liked Gavin. A lot. Chapter 10

Gavin carried the towel, sniffing it as he walked. All he could smell was laundry soap. He tossed it into the washing machine to clean with his other linens when he decided to do a wash. His phone rang. Gavin blew out a breath of air loudly and went to pick it up. “Hi.”

“I’m so mad right now.”

“Look, Trina…”

“You never did this…or did you? Did you have sex with David? Or Leonard? Or—”

“Trina! No. Are you crazy? They loved you. They were straight.”

“He’s not gay, Gavin. Toby is not gay.”

“Yes. He is.”

“He told you? He said, ‘Hi, new neighbor, I’m gay’?”

Gavin sat on the sofa heavily and slouched low. “Why would I hurt you?”

“Because you’re jealous. I keep finding men to date and have sex with and you’re the lonesome loser.”

“Ouch. That’s not necessary.”

“Tough. You hurt me, Gavie. You hurt me really badly.”

“Not intentionally.”

“He’s not gay.”

“I think if you ask him that yourself, he’ll tell you.”

“He’ll say it now because you told him to tell me that.”

“You realize you’re not making any sense.” Gavin heard the wind whipping the rain and hail against his windows and sliding glass door. The tree out in front of his unit was swaying, bending from the force.

“Why? After all we’ve meant to each other?”

“That’s what I want to ask you, Trina. Why would I make this up? Why would I tell Toby to make you think he’s gay?

You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”

“Then don’t see him again.”

Gavin felt his stomach tighten. “Well, he lives in this building. I may bump into him.”

“Don’t say hello. Be rude and tell him to go away.”

He hunched over his lap and rested his elbows on his knees. One hand on the phone, the other rubbing his eyes and hair, Gavin said, “I won’t be rude.”

“Don’t you dare date him.”

“Trina, can’t you and Toby sort this out between you two?”

“I sent him a text. I asked him if he knew you. I never got an answer.”

“He just came back from riding his bicycle. He got caught in the rain. I would guess he’s taking a shower.”

“How do you know?” Her voice broke as she shouted.

“I saw him coming back down Phinney when I was drinking a beer on the deck.” Gavin didn’t want to tell her he had brought Toby a towel. “Hello?” He looked at the phone. “Did you hang up again?” She had.

He set the phone down on the side table and stared at the sheeting rain. The streets flooded quickly and cars sent high splashing water waves as they sped through puddles. Losing his thoughts on the sound of the storm, Gavin rested his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes. A very light tap was barely audible coming from his door. He sat up and listened. He heard it again.

Both thrilled and nervous at whom it was, Gavin hopped off the couch and opened the door.

“Hey.” Toby was in jeans and a fresh white t-shirt, barefoot, wearing his glasses. “Sorry about earlier. I really have no idea what I did to lead Trina on.”

“She’s just hot for you.” Gavin shrugged.

“Can I come in, or is that not allowed under the new set of Trina Yamagachi rules?”

Gavin couldn’t help but laugh. “Come in.” He stepped back as Toby walked inside, checking out the unit.

“Just like mine.”

“I think they’re all carbon copies.” Gavin shut the door behind Toby. “I remember when I bought this place. They were all the same layout for the two bed, two baths units.”

Toby stood at the threshold of the living room, looking at the few paintings Gavin had hung on the wall; abstract prints done by local artists. “I’ve seen similar artwork at the Pike Place Market. The only difference between our apartments is my cathedral ceiling.”

“Yup. I know.” Gavin smiled. “Want a beer?”

“Sure.”

He removed two bottles of the Full Sail Ale and opened them up, handing Gavin one.

“Thanks.” Toby put it to his lips.

“Have a seat.” Gavin gestured to the sofa.

Toby sat and patted the spot next to him.

“That’s dangerous.”

“Come on.” Toby laughed, beckoning him closer. “Be brave.”

Gavin sat beside him and said, “I feel like I am betraying Trina.”

“Now that’s what I don’t get.” Toby folded one foot under him and faced Gavin. “We don’t have a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. We’re just friends.”

“She doesn’t think that.”

“I’ll talk to her.” Toby drank from the beer, keeping his eyes on Gavin as he did.

“She’s really pissed off right now. She thinks I did something underhanded.”

Toby shook his head. “She’s nuts.”

“Bad mouthing her won’t earn you brownie points.”

Toby’s eyes widened under the designer wire frames.

“You’re kidding me, right? What are you guys? Attached at the hip?”

“We’ve been friends for four years. Good friends. I don’t have family here. She’s been like a sister to me, and her parents welcome me with open arms at holiday dinners.”

“She’s been like a sister to me too. I haven’t done or said anything to make her think I was interested sexually.”

“You have. You flirt with her.” Gavin remembered the slightly racy texts about scent.

“It’s friendly flirting.”

“No. It led her on. It made her think you were attracted to her physically.”

Toby leaned his back against the arm of the sofa, facing Gavin full on. “If I did, I was wrong.”

“Yes. You were. And now I’m in an awkward situation.”

“If it weren’t for Trina, would you go out with me?”

“Yes.” Gavin admired the lines of Toby’s jaw, his high cheek bones. Yes, he would not only go out with him, he’d hump him like a poodle in heat.

After an intense staring match, Toby broke the deadlock and said, “All right. I have a confession.”

Gavin felt his heart break. He dreaded what that confession would be.

“Since I just got a job over at Boeing and am completely new in town, I figured if I had a pretty woman to take to some of the events, it would be fun.”

“So you’re not out at work.”

“No. I am out. I don’t lie to anyone. And even the guys who hired me know I’m gay. I just figured she would be a nice companion to do social events with. She’s gorgeous and very flashy.”

“Arm candy? You can’t be serious.” Gavin took insult for Trina.

“No… not like that. You make it sound so sleazy.”

“It is sleazy.”

Toby lowered his head as if gathering his thoughts. Gavin felt his stare on his crotch.

“I would have been honest with her. Gavin, Trina and I don’t even know each other one full week. Or I take that back. One week as of today. I met her last Friday when I was looking for a watch and a gold ring for myself.” He held out his hand and Gavin noticed the two-tone Rolex as well as a signet ring on his left pinky finger. “She was very persuasive in both selling me jewelry and in asking me out.”

Gavin nodded. He knew that was a fact.

“The few times we’ve been together, she did all the talking. I kept thinking of a good spot to chime in and say I was gay. I wanted her to know just in case she was interested in me in that way.” Toby looked back into Gavin’s eyes. “I swear I never figured out how to say it. I didn’t want her to be upset in case she did have ideas we could be a couple. I wanted to be tactful. But even when I felt the time was right, she talked over my thoughts and I never got the chance.”

Gavin had a feeling Toby was right. He’d struggled at first to tell Trina he was gay, and the fallout nearly ruined any chance of them staying friends.

Toby drank another swallow of beer, setting the bottle on the coffee table. He touched Gavin’s leg, immediately drawing Gavin’s attention to it. “I will tell her.”

“She’s furious with me at the moment. She hung up on me a minute ago when I tried to explain.” Gavin felt warmth at the squeeze of Toby’s hand.

“Do you want me to talk to her now?”

“I don’t know what the hell to do.” Gavin finished his beer and put it beside Toby’s on the low table.

Toby scooted closer. “I know what I want to do.”

Gavin shook his head with the intention of saying no, then he met Toby’s dark eyes. Toby removed his glasses, resting them near the bottles of beer. He ran his hand down Gavin’s arm. Chills swept through Gavin at the contact, racing to his groin. The thin line between right and wrong, loyalty and lust was getting blurred. It had been so long since Gavin held a man. The intensive training to be a journeyman, three years of night school, testing, basic training, then ground work on job sites, climbing school… He’d been consumed with it, overwhelmed with it. He hadn’t had the chance.

With the end of his primary high voltage work drawing near, his fifth period apprenticeship coming to a close, he was beginning to find time. And in reality, he had time for Trina nearly every night. Surely he had time for…

Gavin lost his thread of thoughts.

Toby was kissing his naked shoulder near where the sleeve was cut off. He was licking his skin. Toby’s eyes connected to his. The seduction made his cock throb in his tight jeans. Suddenly it felt like Gavin couldn’t catch his breath. Toby sucked and licked the taut skin on Gavin’s shoulder, while rubbing his thigh, close to his groin. Toby dug his fingers between Gavin’s thighs, massaging right next to his balls. The surge of the high-voltage carnal demand between his legs was like being shocked by electricity. Gavin felt weak, pliable, and vulnerable. He parted his lips to say something, but nothing but air escaped.

Toby drew back the shirt fabric, lapping his way up Gavin’s body to his neck, his hand began to caress where he’d grown hard in his pants.

As Toby chewed on his neck and earlobe, letting the shirt drop into place again, Gavin felt a rush of chills and sexual urges. A warm breath puffed against his ear, making Gavin close his eyes and rest his head on the cushions behind him. Toby nibbled his way to Gavin’s jaw, becoming more assertive in his fondling of Gavin’s crotch.

It felt as if Gavin’s body was giving off sparks as Toby seduced him. The wind rattled the chimney flue and spattered heavy rain against the windows.

Toby popped open the button of Gavin’s jeans, tugging at his zipper pull.

Gavin gripped Toby’s hand, stopping him. “Wait.” He couldn’t stop panting he was so pent up.

Toby obeyed, staring at him. “I’m going crazy.”

“Me too.” Gavin needed to think with his head, not his cock. The only problem was his cock was shouting louder, and making better arguments at the moment.

“Gavin, I really like you. You are the sexiest motherfucker I’ve ever met.”

“I am?” Gavin couldn’t think straight at the moment if his life depended on it.

“Are you kidding me?” Toby knelt on the spongy cushions, sitting on his heels. He grabbed his own cock and Gavin could see him squeezing it through his pants.

“Fuck,” Gavin moaned.

“Seriously, Gavin, you won’t have sex with me because you think it’ll hurt your friendship with Trina?”

“Fuck!” Gavin nodded. “Yes.”

“Don’t tell her.” Toby snatched Gavin’s hand and stuck it on his own cock.

Gavin felt it throb and wanted it so bad he was in agony. Toby spread his thighs and used Gavin’s palm to rub up and down along where he’d grown hard.

He was about to scream in frustration. This was a gay man. A gay man who had no intention of pursuing a relationship with Trina. A gay man who was available, willing, ready…

I am not betraying her. Trina never had a chance with him anyway. Gavin began to rub hot friction against Toby’s cock without his help. He got a good look at Toby’s reaction to his touch. Toby was going out of his mind at the moment, whimpering, pressing his body into Gavin’s hand. Here it was on a silver platter. Was Gavin ready to toss it away?

Oh fuck me! No!

He tackled Toby backwards to the sofa and cupped his jaw. Gavin opened his mouth and kissed him, nearly passing out from the touch of Toby’s tongue on his.

Toby untucked his legs from under his body and spread them wide. Gavin fell between them, grinding their cocks together. Toby’s kisses sent Gavin into orbit. He couldn’t remember the last man he’d French-kissed. Toby yanked Gavin’s t-shirt up his body, cupping his chest and pinching Gavin’s nipples. Another surge of pleasure raced to Gavin’s cock and his briefs grew damp. “Holy fuck.” Gavin parted from the kiss to gain air. He stared down at Toby who was pleading with his expression.

“I need to spurt.” Toby tweaked both of Gavin’s nipples simultaneously.

Their cocks throbbed in unison.

“Gavin…” Toby kissed his slack mouth. “Please, baby.”

Gavin stood off the couch and held out his hand. Toby took it, standing. As if Toby didn’t know if he’d be led to the door or a bed, he continued caressing Gavin’s ass as he walked. Gavin led him to his bed.

When he went to remove his shirt, Toby intervened and did it for him. Gavin felt high. Lost in the moment. Maybe he didn’t know how much he missed physical contact until he was touched by a man he wanted to make love to.

Once his shirt was removed, Gavin watched Toby lap at his hard nipples. Toby’s dark eyebrows knotted together as he did, nibbling each one, taking his time.

Gavin relaxed his arms and received the affection, loving it. As he swooned from Toby’s tender tongue-nipple teasing, Gavin recalled the text messages between them. Messages Toby didn’t know were from him.

‘I can’t stop thinking about you’

‘what do you like most about me? ’

‘I love how you look at me’

‘tell me more’

‘your scent is delicious’

‘are you referring to my cologne, or?’

Those thoughts made him think of Trina and how tantalizing a conversation it was. He struggled for a moment with his guilt. Toby lowered Gavin’s zipper all the way down and reached his fingers around the waistband of his pants, dragging them off Gavin’s legs with his briefs.

When Gavin’s cock was exposed from his clothing, Toby knelt in front of him, taking it into his mouth.

Gavin reached for his shoulder, steadying himself as the sensation of hot, wet sucking nearly knocked him over. With Toby’s help, Gavin stepped out of his bottom half of clothing. Standing naked, Gavin held the base of his cock as Toby gripped his hips, fucking Gavin orally.

“Holy fuck.” Gavin opened his stance to gain balance, his thoughts of Trina flying out of his head. A blowjob. When the hell was the last one I had?

Toby leaned back and released Gavin’s cock with a pop. He stood, removing his clothing. “Lay down.”

“I have condoms and lube in the nightstand.” Gavin stretched out on the bed, staring at Toby’s fit body and long straight, cut, cock.

Toby opened the top drawer of the night table, digging out the box of condoms and lubrication, placing them within reach.

“I tested negative. You?” Toby asked, getting between Gavin’s legs on the bed.

“Negative.” Gavin propped his head on the pillows as Toby resumed his sucking.

“Do you want to fuck me?” Toby gave him a charming smile, brushing Gavin’s cock against his lips.

“Yes.” Gavin tried not to pant. The sight of gorgeous Toby and his cock, side by side, was a pretty picture.

Toby gave Gavin a sultry look and kissed his way up his body. When he came closer to his chest, he said between kisses,

“You. Are. Incredible.”

Toby placed a hand on either side of Gavin’s shoulders and laid down on top of him. He held Gavin tightly, and rolled over, bringing Gavin with him.

Once Gavin was in control, he reached for the unopened box of condoms, ripping the cardboard. While he removed a strip, tearing off one and using his teeth to open it, Toby stroked him, keeping him hard and ready. With the rubber out of its package, Gavin placed it on the head of his cock, and Toby rolled it on seductively for him. His chest was heaving with excitement as he watched, catching Toby smiling at him. After his cock was sheathed, Gavin backed up on the bed. Toby handed him the lube, and scooted down, raising his legs up in the air. Gavin moaned and pressed his face into Toby’s balls, inhaling him.

‘your scent is delicious’

‘are you referring to my cologne, or?’

Stop! Gavin shook his head, trying to rid the thoughts.

“Gav?”

Gavin kept going. He had come this far. He used the lube on Toby’s ass and then on himself, jerking his cock over the condom to get back a stiff erection. Toby seemed to see him struggling and sat up, cupping the back of Gavin’s head to lead him to his lips. Gavin kissed Toby, bringing back the fire to his groin. Toby grasped Gavin’s cock in both hands and fisted it, squeezing it, running his fingers over his balls, until Gavin was rock hard once more. The moment he was, Toby lay flat, raising his legs. Gavin scooted closer, allowing Toby’s calves to rest on his shoulders. He aimed his dick and pushed in.

Toby hissed out a breath and urged Gavin deeper. Slowly Gavin achieved complete penetration. The tight heat and beautiful view of his cock entering Toby’s body was enough stimulation to keep him hard and ready. He got a handful of Toby’s balls and moaned as he massaged them in his palm. Toby whimpered and tugged on his dick.

“Ready?” Gavin asked.

“Yeah.”

He braced himself and began fucking Toby. As he did he kept his focus split between his slick cock in Toby’s ass, and Toby fisting his own.

“Fuck, that feels good!” Gavin had missed this. Missed the closeness of another man, the feeling of hot, tight penetration and intimacy on the deepest level.

“Holy shit…so nice.” Toby held his cock still. “Should I come?”

“Up to you. I would love to suck it out of you.”

Instantly Toby let go of himself.

Gavin rode him gently, loving it, edging the climax. He inhaled his cologne, his masculine essence.

‘your scent is delicious’

‘are you referring to my cologne, or?’

Gavin screwed him harder, trying to eliminate the voices in his head.

“Yeah! Oh, Gavin, fuck me.”

Gavin felt the fire of a climax trickle over his skin. He began to perspire and licked his top lip, staring at Toby’s face, his cock, their connection.

“Fuck me, Gavin, fuck me!” Toby arched his back, making for deeper thrusts.

Gavin couldn’t hold back, and didn’t want to. “I’m coming,”

he managed to choke out before he did. One more deep plunge inside Toby and Gavin’s cock shivered and pulsated. He closed his eyes and felt every throb, every beat of his heart as he came.

“That’s it, babe. That’s it.” Toby touched Gavin where he could reach, his arms, his chest.

“Holy shit.” Gavin pulled out, sitting on his heels, wiping the dripping sweat off his face. “Wow.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“Let me clean up.” He climbed off the bed.

“Okay.”

~

Toby watched Gavin leave the room, staring at his ass. He exhaled and relaxed on the bed, touching his cock which had gone soft. He caught a cologne scent on the pillow and felt good, comfortable. When he first moved to Seattle from Corvallis, he thought he would struggle to make friends and didn’t want to be socializing exclusively with work associates. He had no idea he’d be lucky enough to find a man living in the same condo complex.

With Gavin gone, he had a moment to take in the room. He’d been so preoccupied with making love he hadn’t even noticed his surroundings. The layout of the condo unit was identical to his own. Even the placement of the bed, dresser, and highboy. They had similar tastes in furnishing. Nothing too busy, but not too modern either. Traditional three piece bedroom set with cappuccino-colored wood, beige window dressing, and cream colored carpet. All the condos had either light gray or beige floor coverings and eggshell paint on the walls. Two pictures were hung, one on each bare wall—one a framed poster of the Mariners’ team logo, the other a panoramic photo of Mt Rainier. The space was neat, clean, and clutter free.

Gavin returned to sit beside Toby on the bed. He caressed Toby’s leg, smiling sweetly. “How’ you doin’?”

“Fabulous.” Toby smile back.

Gavin leaned down to give him a kiss, then crawled over the bed to settle between Toby’s legs. Toby bent his knees and straddled.

As Toby watched, his mind becoming blank, Gavin took all of his soft cock into his mouth. Gavin moved his testicles around in their loose sack and rubbed the base of Toby’s cock which was still slightly slick with gel.

“Oh, yeah…Gav, that’s incredible.” Toby loved getting his cock sucked. The last time he did was over a year ago, before he broke off a relationship with his last lover. Too long ago. As he became erect, Gavin sucked harder, massaging Toby’s rim with his index finger.

Toby began to rise to a climax. He clenched the bedding in his fists and elevated his hips to meet with Gavin’s amazing sucking. “Baby! Oh! Baby!” Toby wanted to close his eyes but watching Gavin give him head was too good to miss. When Gavin opened his eyes and met his gaze with his cock in his mouth, Toby came. His hips jerked upwards and he grunted at the intensity.

The phone rang.

Gavin appeared panicked as he sat up and swallowed the load, coughing.

Toby caught his breath, then started laughing. “Did you shoot it down the wrong pipe?”

“No.” Gavin wiped his mouth and then his hands on his own thighs. He peeked at the LCD. “Trina.”

“No!”

“Yes.” Gavin stood, fidgeting, picking up his clothing, dropping it and staring at the phone.

“I’ll be quiet.” Toby put his finger to his lips and moved back on the bed, patting the spot he wanted Gavin to sit on.

~

With the taste of Toby’s spunk on his tongue, Gavin answered the phone. He had to or he’d never hear the end of it.

“Hi.” He sat on the bed where Toby had wanted him to.

“He’s not texting me back, and he’s not answering his cell phone. Did you bad mouth me to him?”

“No, Trina.” He met Toby’s eyes. Toby looked very concerned, not amused in the least. Toby reached for his hand, holding it, rubbing it gently.

“You must have said something. Why would he all of a sudden ignore me?”

“Trina…I…” Gavin felt like the worst heel.

“What should I text him, Gavie? I sent him just a ‘hi’. Was that okay to do?”

Toby began signaling to take the phone so he could talk to Trina.

Gavin panicked and shook his head no frantically, retracting his hand from Toby’s clasp. He stood and walked out of the bedroom.

“Gavie? Were you asleep? It’s only eight o’clock.”

“No, look, Trina, I have to tell you something.” He stopped in the hall and glanced back at Toby.

It took his breath away.

Toby was lying on his side, the pillow under his head, his long, muscular body looked like a pinup model, and his dark eyes were smoldering.

“Gavie, I know you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize our friendship. And thinking you and Toby would ever be a couple is silly. Toby obviously must like me or he wouldn’t have asked me out so many times.”

“Did he ask you out, or did you guys just meet up?”

Toby shook his head and mouthed, ‘She asked me out.’

“He isn’t gay, Gavie. I think he just said that to tease you. It is fun to tease you. I do.”

“No, Trina, I have to tell you something.” Gavin wished she was making it easier.

Toby hopped off the bed and stood with him in the hall. They met eyes. Gavin melted instantly. He cupped Toby’s face, caressing his cheek.

Toby held him, rocking him, kissing his neck.

“I think he’s just busy,” Trina said, “You know how working at Boeing must be. I bet he’s getting overtime this weekend. Right, Gavin? I mean, maybe after the bike ride you saw him take, he went to the office or some work party.”

Gavin closed his eyes as Toby ran his lips up his neck to his ear, kissing it as gently as a butterfly wing on a petal. His cock wagged, hitting Toby’s thigh. Toby reached down and caressed it as softly as he was kissing him.

“If we knew each other better, I bet Toby would have asked me. I love going to those parties. They’re always so well catered and everyone wears suits or tuxedos. Gavie?”

“Yes,” he cleared his throat and said, “Yes, Trina,” as Toby ran kisses down his neck to his shoulder, lightly fingering his dick.

“I know you’d never do anything to hurt me.”

“Never deliberately.” Gavin felt like a liar. But what was he supposed to do? Toby was making his knees weak with his kisses.

“Are you up for a late drink? How about Bell Town?”

“No, sweetie, I had a very tiring day.”

“Why was it so tiring?”

“I was…” Gavin stifled a moan as Toby drew his balls up around the base of his cock. “Climbing poles.”

Toby covered his laugh against Gavin’s neck.

“I have to work tomorrow. I hate working Saturdays. I don’t usually, but the manager said since Victoria is on vacation…”

Toby kissed Gavin’s lips, soft, feather light…

“…you know the manager usually gives me any day off I want. After the last sale of those diamond earrings, I’m now top salesperson of the entire chain. So, what can I say, he lets me decide my own schedule.”

“Mm hm.” Gavin leaned back against the wall as Toby licked his way down his chest to his nipple, still tugging and fondling his cock and balls gently. It was so delicate, Gavin didn’t think anyone had ever touched him this way before.

“I guess I don’t mind working a weekend once in a while. I mean, at least we’re not a mall store. Working the flagship store in downtown has its advantages. No nights, no Sundays. So I suppose I can pitch in. Brook will be there. She loves Saturdays. She says the foot traffic is much higher than weekdays.”

Gavin opened his lips but stayed quiet as Toby literally licked him everywhere, running his stiff cock, hand over fist until it was ready for another climax.

“She did really well last Saturday. She told me she sold a Cartier and a diamond necklace for around four thousand total. Hey, I wouldn’t mind that. So, do you think I should text him again? Maybe that little ‘hi’ I wrote didn’t go through. Or he didn’t even see it because it was so small. Gavie? What should I say to him?”

“Trina…”

Toby stopped what he was doing and looked at him. He mouthed slowly, ‘Let me be the one to tell her.’

Gavin shook his head.

Toby said silently, ‘I insist.’

“Should I just say, ‘whatcha doin’? What do you think?”

Trina asked.

‘No,’ Gavin mouthed in silence to Toby, and shook his head.

‘It should come from me.’

‘What are you going to say?’ Toby kept his hold on Gavin’s cock as they communicated by silent moving lips.

“Or I could say, I was just thinking about you. What did you text that day to him? Wasn’t it something like ‘your scent is delicious’?”

Gavin felt a twinge of panic. He had no idea if Toby could hear. When he noticed a look of suspicion on his face, he realized he could.

“Should I text that again? Gavin?”

‘You wrote that?’ Toby poked his chest.

‘Let me explain.’ Gavin shook his head no.

“Gavie? You must be tired.”

“I am, babe.” Gavin signaled for Toby to wait one minute. She sighed loudly. “Okay. Well, I guess I’ll have a glass of wine on my own and be alone all night.”

“Why don’t you call Brook?” He knew now Toby was listening to every word. Since he was, Gavin played slightly dirty. “Or, what was that guy’s name? The one you screwed on Sunday?”

“Gavie!” She giggled.

“I bet he’s dying for you to call him.”

Toby tilted his head. ‘She fucked a guy this past Sunday?’

‘Yes.’ Gavin smiled.

Toby threw up his hands. ‘What does she need me for?’

“He is. But I already had my dating time with him. I don’t think he’s the one, you know,” Trina said.

“And maybe Toby isn’t the one either, Trina. Come on, if the guy is gay, and he’s not calling you…” Gavin ran his hand through Toby’s hair. They stared at each other longingly.

“He should be the one to tell me he’s gay. I don’t believe you.”

Toby gestured for the phone.

Gavin cupped it and whispered, “Are you crazy?” He stuck it back to his ear. “Yes. You’re right, Trina.”

“So? Should I text him?”

‘Should she text you?’

“No!”

Gavin spun away and cupped the phone.

“Gavie? Is someone else there?”

“No, it’s just the TV. Okay, sweetie, let me sleep.”

Sounding a little leery, Trina asked, “Are you alone?”

Gavin gave Toby a roll of the eyes. ‘You suck!’

‘I know!’ He licked his lips.

Though he hated lying to her, he figured it would be best if Toby explained that he was indeed gay. “I’m alone. Let me rest.”

“Do you have weekend plans?”

‘Yes!’ Toby mouthed, chewing on Gavin’s neck, sending chills over him.

“I may go to the gym, do errands…” Gavin leaned against the wall for support as Toby had his way with him.

“Okay. Well, call me if you want to grab dinner or something. I doubt Toby will call.”

‘I won’t.’ Toby smiled.

Gavin wagged his finger at him in reply. ‘You will.’

Toby stuck out his tongue.

“Okay, Trina. I’ll be in touch.”

“Night, Gavie.”

“Night, Trina.

“Love you.”

Toby jerked away and blinked. ‘Love you?’

Gavin ignored him. “You too. See ya.” He hung up the phone.

Toby followed Gavin back to the bedroom where Gavin replaced the phone. “She’s hung up on you.”

“No. We’re just friends.” Gavin went to put his briefs on, but Toby brushed them out of his hands and lay on the bed with him.

“I think I’m beginning to figure out what’s really going on here.” Toby grinned wickedly.

“Wrong.”

“Uh uh…My guess? She’s madly in love with you.”

“No, Toby, Trina and I are just good friends.”

“Sure, Gavin. Sure.” Toby wrapped his arms around Gavin and held him tight.

Gavin thought about it. He hated to admit he had those same suspicions. But…no. Could she be?

~

“Do you want me to get my cell phone and call her?” Toby kept in contact with Gavin, touching his arm, his chest.

“I don’t know what I want.” Gavin brushed Toby aside and began getting dressed.

Toby’s heart sank. “I didn’t mean for this to be complicated.”

“It’s the story of my life.” Gavin slipped his t-shirt over his head, tucking it into his jeans.

“Do you want me to leave?” Toby glanced at his clothing on the floor.

“Maybe you should. I’m feeling like crap about this. I never lied to her before.” Gavin ran his hand through his hair. Toby picked up his briefs, putting them and his jeans on. When Gavin left the bedroom, he grew annoyed at Trina. Thinking through his time with her, he never even touched her. She touched him. She called him, texted him, made all the advances.

Toby put on his shirt, exhaling deeply. “Gavin?”

“Yeah?” he replied from the living room.

Toby found Gavin slouching on the sofa, staring into space. He picked up his glasses and put them on. “I’m sorry if I did anything to hurt your and Trina’s friendship.”

Gavin looked up at him.

Toby reached out his hand. Gavin took it and they touched fingertips lightly. “So?” Toby shrugged. “That’s all we get? One fuck?”

The expression of frustration on Gavin said it all.

“Okay.” Toby stuffed his hands into his pockets. “See you around.”

“See ya.” Gavin went back to his unfocused staring out of the sliding doors.

The rain had stopped but it was still dark and gloomy outside. Toby let himself out, walking the corridor to the staircase. He climbed up to the third floor, removing his keys and letting himself into his unit.

He walked directly to his nightstand and picked up his cell phone. There were three text messages from Trina. Even if he were straight, he didn’t like a woman to be so pushy. He imagined with Trina’s exotic looks, she would have a very easy time getting a date.

Toby took the phone with him to stand by the sliding glass doors. His view above Gavin’s first floor condo was high enough to be able to see the tip of Mt Rainier on a clear day. In Seattle, that wasn’t often.

The wind blew the tall trees sideways, and Toby could see it was about to rain again. He held the phone and read the text messages. They were bland. Typical adolescent courting words.

‘Hi’. ‘Miss u’. Little smile faces. He thought about that one night where the messages were intriguing. Then another thought hit him.

Was Gavin coaching Trina that night? Though Gavin shook his head no, Toby didn’t believe him.

The seductive tone was so different from anything Trina had sent him previously or since. He retrieved those few messages on his phone and reread them.

‘I can’t stop thinking about you’

‘what do you like most about me? ’

‘I love how you look at me’

‘tell me more’

‘your scent is delicious’

‘are you referring to my cologne, or?’

It was followed by an incredibly obnoxious comment that had made him lose his interest.

‘At least you don’t make me sneeze’

Toby wasn’t an idiot. He could tell Trina had been coached. As he held the phone, it buzzed with another message. He scrolled to his inbox and found it was from Trina. Without reading it, he dialed her number.

“Hi, Toby!” she answered excitedly.

“Yeah, hey. Look, Trina…” Toby hadn’t established the kind of friendship Gavin had had with her. He knew being honest was long overdue. “I’m—”

“Did you get my text messages? I heard you live in the same building as Gavin. Now when I go to see him, I can visit you. Isn’t that perfect?”

“Look, Trina, let me just say—”

“I really miss you,” she baby-talked, “Can we have a late drink? Or maybe I can meet you at your place?”

Toby tried not to scream as he couldn’t get a word in. “Trina. Can I say something?”

Silence followed. Then Trina said coldly, “Gavin told you to tell me you’re gay. I already know.”

“No, Gavin didn’t tell me to tell you. I don’t need to be told what to say.”

“You’re not gay. I know when someone is gay.”

“I am. Trina, I’m sorry if it felt like—”

“You’re so funny, Toby.” She laughed. “I know you guys are just trying to be cute. Gavin and I joke all the time about it. Did he tell you how close we are? Well, I told him how you and I have this amazing connection and how attracted we are—”

“Trina.” Toby leaned his arm on the cool glass of the sliding door, and his forehead on his arm. “Let me finish.”

Dead silence.

He sighed loudly and said, “I’m sorry if I led you on. I didn’t do it on purpose. I’m gay. Not bi, not straight. I really like you and… Trina? Hello?” He heard the line go dead. He stood straight and stared at the phone. Suddenly he had a bad feeling in his gut that this fallout would hit Gavin.

He spun around, wanting to go back to Gavin’s unit to tell him what happened. If Trina spoke to him first, he had no doubt the explanation of the conversation would be skewed. Indecision washed over him.

Toby heard a loud thunderclap and looked outside. Another black cloud mass was making its way over them, sending flashes of lightning and wall-shaking booms of thunder.

The lights flickered and his answering machine played its prerecorded message. Gusting wind and rain hit his windows on the south side of the building and the lights went out. Toby made his way to a cabinet and removed a candle and matches. He lit one and blew out the match. Now he wanted to go hang out with Gavin, more than ever.

~

“No, I did not tell him to tell you he was gay.” Gavin watched the lights flicker and die. “Shit. The power just went out. I probably need to be at work.” Gavin felt his way to his kitchen, looking under the sink for a flashlight.

“Gavie, you must have told him what to say. This is the first time he’s spoken so rudely to me.”

“Trina…” Gavin lit the flashlight and sat back on the sofa listening to the storm. “I don’t know why you think Toby and I would write some kind of script to hurt you. You know that’s crazy.”

“Gavie…is he really gay?”

“It looks that way.” Gavin had a warm memory flash of Toby lying naked, edible, on his bed. Sinking his cock into him, sucking him…

“I’m so upset. I can’t believe I wasted so much time on him.”

“It was barely a week.”

“Still. You won’t date him, right?”

Gavin blinked as another flash of lightning lit up his unit.

“Uh. Why can’t I?”

“No! Gavin! I’ll never forgive you if you do!”

“That’s not fair, Trina. I haven’t met a decent guy in five years. And what if—”

“No! Gavin, I insist you do not go out with him.”

Gavin didn’t know how to feel. He understood Trina’s jealousy but didn’t know if it was fair. “Sweetie, what if he and I like each other?”

“Oh, great! What am I supposed to do? Huh? Have him tag along with us when we go out? Watch you guys kiss and hug?

No way.”

“I did that with you and all of your boyfriends.” Another explosion of thunder and flashing lightning bolts rattled his condo. “Shit, that storm is right over my head. I bet I’m going to get a call out. I have to hang up, Trina. My cell phone is the way the company contacts me.”

“Fine. But don’t you date him!”

“Bye, Trina.” The moment he disconnected, his phone rang.

“Gavin? Want some OT?”

“Yes. I’m on my way.”

“See you soon.”

He hopped to his feet, using his flashlight to find his way in his dark condo.

~

Toby sat at the table, the candle lit in front of him, the phone to his ear. “Trina, we did not sit together and plot this entire event to hurt you.”

“Right. So it’s just a coincidence you live in the same building and are both telling me you’re gay.”

“How could you think I’m that devious? And in particular, how could you think that about Gavin?”

“He’s my best friend, Toby. Don’t you even try to mess that up.”

“I don’t have any intention of—”

“And if there’s a choice between you or me, Gavin will chose me.”

“Why does there have to be—”

“I thought you liked me. Why did you ask me to meet you at Greenlake that day? Why did we go out for drinks? I don’t get it, Toby? How can you be gay? Are you sure you’re gay?”

Toby was worn out. She was exhausting.

“Oh, no!”

“What, Trina?”

“My power just went out.”

“Mine too. It’s been out.”

“I hate being alone in a storm.”

There was no way Toby was going to offer. He assumed she’d get Gavin to come and play the hero.

“Poor Gavin.”

Toby perked up. “Why, poor Gavin?”

“Because he has to be out in this weather. When the power is off, he goes to fix it.”

Toby just remembered Gavin worked the high-voltage power lines. “You have to be kidding.” He stood by his sliding doors to look at the storm. From where he was, he could see the tail end of what looked like Gavin’s RX7 turning southbound on Phinney Avenue as he left the underground lot. “Wow. That must suck.”

“He’ll be gone all night.”

“Yes. I know that now.” Toby was both in awe of Gavin’s job, and terrified for him.

“Do you want to keep me company, Toby? Gavin won’t be around.”

“No. I’m sorry, Trina. I just don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Fine. Be that way.” She hung up.

Toby disconnected the call and stood looking at the storm, worried for Gavin.

~

By two a.m. Gavin returned home. The night was stressful and challenging. The major power outages were brought on by downed trees on Queen Anne hill and on Broadway, and one car slamming into a power pole on Aurora Avenue, snapping it. While crews were still on the job in some areas, he was released for the rest of the weekend. He parked his car, and hauled himself out of the driver’s seat, completely physically exhausted. As he walked to the lobby door, it swung open from the inside.

Seeing Toby surprised him.

“What the hell are you doing up?” Gavin asked.

“Waiting for you. I was worried sick.” Toby rubbed Gavin’s back as he headed down the hall to his unit. “You must be dead on your feet.”

“Yeah, but our power’s back on.” Gavin smiled as he poked his lock with a key.

“It is. Thanks to you.” Toby smiled. “I’ll let you rest. I just wanted to make sure you got home okay.”

Gavin was so touched he nearly got emotional. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” Toby took a step back. “Get some sleep.”

“You…uh…want to come in?”

“Yeah?”

Gavin shrugged. “Up to you.”

It didn’t appear Toby needed to be convinced. He followed Gavin into the condo, helping him take off his work boots.

“Wow. Look at your hands.” Toby held them to inspect. They were covered in cuts and bruises.

“And I wear gloves for most of it.” Gavin laughed tiredly.

“But I still get chewed up.”

“Let me help you get in bed.”

“That’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Gavin was in awe of Toby. He had no idea the man cared so much for him. They were both alone in this town. No family, no partner. Common ground was established immediately. Added to that was the sexual attraction. Gavin didn’t even want to think of Trina at the moment. Though she was a great friend, he would not refer to her as a nurturer. Most times he was playing nursemaid and savior for her—fixing broken washer hoses, light switches, anything and everything Trina needed, he was there.

“I should shower, but I’m too beat.” Gavin sat on his bed, taking off his shirt.

“Later. Just get some rest.” Toby tugged off Gavin’s socks before turning down the bed for him.

Gavin stood, taking off his pants. “You are joining me, right?”

“I wasn’t going to unless I was asked.” Toby smiled.

“Consider yourself asked.”

Toby began quickly stripping off his shirt and jeans. Gavin looked at the digital clock, which was blinking the wrong time. He was too tired to deal with it, so he cuddled under the bedding. Toby climbed in with him. They faced each other, smiling. “Get the fuck over here.” Gavin encircled Toby’s neck with one arm and drew him closer so they touched.

“Time to sleep.” Toby kissed Gavin’s cheek and reached over him to shut off the light on the nightstand.

Holding Toby close, the exhaustion catching up to Gavin, he fell asleep.

Chapter 11

Only a few hours later, Gavin heard the phone ring. He ignored it, vaguely listening to Trina leaving a message, and went back to sleep.

By noon, he stirred in the bed, opening his eyes to see Toby lying beside him. Gavin smiled and remembered the crazy night last night. He couldn’t believe Toby cared enough to wait up for him. Gavin couldn’t remember the last friend he had who was that attentive. He rolled to his side, staring at Toby’s features. Toby was strikingly handsome. All of Trina’s men were good looking and/or wealthy. But even though Trina had decent taste in men, Gavin had never thought any of them were his type. Many times as the third appendage in a Trina-and-her-man-dateevening, Gavin wondered if the fellow happened to be gay, would he be interested. Most times the answer to that question was no.

The men Trina tended to attract were flashy, had slightly overinflated egos, and did not appreciate Gavin coming along for their meals or drinks. All except David. David and he became friends on a deeper level. But when Trina nearly killed the man by breaking off their engagement, David seemed to vanish underground. Gavin knew how hurt he was. No doubt he would not hear from David ever again.

Then came Toby Montgomery from Corvallis, Oregon.

Bicycle rider, Classic Corvette owner, spectacled, fabulous, Boeing exec, Toby-the-man-of-my-dreams-Montgomery.

As Gavin stared at his features, his narrow nose, his chocolate brown lashes and eyebrows, the dark morning stubble on his jaw, and slight cleft in his chin, Gavin could easily see Toby as his partner. So far, Toby seemed very easy going and caring. A far cry from the typical self-absorbed grunge-wannabe ‘dudes’ of the Emerald City.

When Toby opened his eyes, Gavin smiled in delight.

“Mornin’ sailor.”

“Mornin’.” Toby stretched under the covers and propped his head up on his pillow. “How are you this morning?”

“With you in my bed?” Gavin made a silly face. “Good!”

Toby gave Gavin a contented look. He removed his arm from under the bedding and caressed Gavin’s cheek. “I can’t even imagine how hard you work. I see those guys in the trucks poking around at power lines and I’m in awe.”

“I love the job. I can’t deny it. I’m still training, but I’m almost done with the final year of apprenticing.”

“I would love to hear all about it.”

Gavin blinked. “You would?”

“Yes.”

He tried to think of anyone else in his life who took an interest. The topic seemed to bore, not only Trina, but his family as well. So, he shut up, did his work, his studies, and didn’t bother discussing it. “After a pee and brushing my teeth, I would be happy to.”

“Deal.” Toby followed Gavin to the bathroom. “And after sex.”

Gavin chuckled as he flipped the toilet lid up. “Oh. There’s a new toothbrush in the medicine cabinet.”

“Got it.” Toby removed it and tore it out of its package. “I haven’t felt this comfortable with someone in a while.” He glanced at Gavin’s cock.

After urinating, Gavin flushed and smiled at him. “I don’t even want to go there.” He rinsed his hands under the running water, and loaded his toothbrush with paste, brushing side by side with Toby.

Toby spat out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. “Oh? Bad break up?”

“No. No break up. No dates. Nothing.” Gavin shifted his position so Toby could get his shot at the toilet. He rinsed out his mouth and washed his face.

“You mentioned the job was pretty consuming. Is that why?”

Gavin admired Toby’s body as he peed. He could get used to this. A naked man to play with? To talk to? To share his life with?

Wow, am I getting ahead of myself or what? Hanging around with Trina has really made me into a dreamer. No wonder she imagined walking down the aisle in a white dress with him. Suddenly so can I.

Trina. What the hell am I supposed to do about her?

Gavin removed the towel off the rack and dried his face and hands.

“Gavin?” Toby flushed the toilet and washed his hands. “Was it the job?”

“Let me make coffee.” He checked his watch. “Christ, it’s nearly twelve-thirty.”

“Gavin, wait.” Toby held him back by the arm.

He turned slowly and stared into Gavin’s dark eyes.

“I know what’s preoccupying you now.”

“You know?” Gavin knew he did but the guilt was consuming him.

“I know how much your friendship with Trina means to you. I want you both to know I don’t want to damage it. I mean that.”

Gavin softened his attitude, cupping Toby’s face. “I appreciate it. But I have a feeling no matter what we do, she’s going to be angry.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea any of this was going to happen. How could I know when I met you that you knew Trina?”

“You couldn’t.” When Gavin’s cock wagged as he thought about how handsome Toby was, it brushed against Toby’s. At the light tickle, Toby embraced Gavin, kissing him. A minty fresh kiss and Gavin began to want more. More. More. More!

He backed Toby into the bedroom, holding him by his upper arms, swirling tongues, playfully tugging on his lower lip with his teeth. Toby scooped Gavin up around his waist and lay Gavin back on the bed, so he was straddling Gavin’s hips. Gavin dug both his hands into Toby’s hair, deepening an already toe-curling kiss. Toby’s whimpers were sending Gavin’s cock upright. While Toby propped himself up, a hand on either side of Gavin, he rubbed friction against his cock with his own. Gavin parted their kiss for a breath and said, “That feels so good.”

“Mm.” Toby agreed, kissing Gavin’s neck, his jaw.

The phone rang.

Gavin groaned in annoyance. “It’s Trina.”

“You want to answer it?”

“No.” Gavin glanced at his nightstand and the answering machine. Five rings and the machine picked it up. Trina’s voice was audible. “Gavie? Are you still at work? I’m worried about you. I’m working today, but you can call my cell phone. I’ll keep checking it. Hope you’re okay. Um…and I don’t know what to do about Toby…”

Gavin met his eyes. Neither smiled.

“I guess he really is gay. I’m so hurt. Even if he is, please don’t date him, Gavie. You’re all I have. And if you become involved in a relationship, I’ll lose you.” There was a pause, then she said, “Love you, Gavie. Call me.”

Gavin felt heartsick.

Toby dropped down beside him since the momentum was gone and they had both lost their erections.

“I should make coffee.” Gavin shifted on the bed.

“Wait.”

He looked back at Toby, struggling on what to do for the best.

“If Trina doesn’t want you to date, you won’t?”

Gavin thought that sounded pretty lame. So he didn’t answer.

“I’m not into head games, Gavin.”

“You sure? You played them pretty good with Trina.”

“That’s not fair. I didn’t do anything intentionally.”

“You did. You told me you thought about taking her to company gatherings, using her as your arm candy.”

“I never meant it like that. I just thought I could become a good friend of hers, like you are.”

“But somehow that explanation didn’t pass your lips until you knew Trina and I were friends.”

Toby’s expression hardened. “Fine.” He rolled off the opposite side of the bed, picking up his clothing to get dressed. When he left the room, shutting himself into the bathroom, Gavin felt sick to his stomach. The pressure of the new job, working all night on treacherous power lines in wind and rain, seeing his co-workers doing things which could easily get them injured and dreading it, and now this? Gavin was worn out. He sat up, staring at his clothing piled on the floor. The machine light flashed now with two messages from Trina. One he recalled from early that morning when he was deep in sleep and didn’t even pay attention to it. If he had not met Toby, how would he be acting right now? He’d have called Trina immediately, never ignored her messages, and been attentive towards her.

The bathroom door opened. Toby didn’t even look his way as he walked to the front door.

“Toby.” Gavin stood and tried to catch him. He found Toby with his hand on the doorknob. “I do want to try this. I just have to make sure things are okay with her. Is that too much to ask?”

“It sort of is.” Toby exhaled loudly. “I’ve been in relationships before where I come in dead last in the pecking order. I swore to myself I wouldn’t allow that again.”

“I won’t do that.”

“You are doing that already. You’re putting Trina ahead of me.”

“I’ve been friends with her for four years. Please don’t make it seem like I’m choosing sides.”

“But you are.”

“Toby…come on.” Gavin took a step closer to him.

“I know you had the night from hell last night and are exhausted. Let me let you be on your own for a while and think things out. Okay?”

Gavin looked at his damaged hands, remembering the nightmare of repairing down power lines in a storm. Overwhelmed suddenly with frustration and anger, Gavin covered his face and fought to keep under control. He wanted Toby, but not at the risk of losing Trina. His luck, he and Toby would last a month, and Trina would be gone from his life. Was it worth it?

A light touch on his shoulder brought Gavin back from his grim thoughts. The expression of concern on Toby’s face made Gavin even more conflicted.

“Gavin…” Toby whispered, “I don’t want to bring you more grief. It’s the last thing I want to do.”

Gavin looped his arm around Toby’s neck and brought him into an embrace. He held Toby tightly, inhaling his shirt and hair. Toby rocked him, resting his head on Gavin’s shoulder. When the phone rang again, Gavin moaned like he was in pain.

“Is she always this aggressive?”

“Yes. She’s high maintenance and needs a lot of attention.”

“You’re a saint to put up with it.”

“I’m not putting up with it, Toby. I do enjoy her company.”

He leaned back to see Toby’s eyes. “She’s all I have.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way.” Toby caressed Gavin’s chest.

He couldn’t discern the words, but a low female voice left another message. When it ended, Gavin said, “She’ll keep calling until I contact her.”

“Yes. I got a taste of that.” Toby sighed. “What do you want me to do? I can make you breakfast…” Toby looked at his watch. “Make that lunch.”

“How about coffee? And I need to shower.”

Toby stepped back and gave Gavin’s body a once over. “You in the shower?” He closed his eyes and gave him an expression of orgasmic lust.

“So? Will you ride this Trina storm out with me? Or abandon me and run to your third floor penthouse?”

Toby chuckled. “Penthouse?” He licked Gavin’s nipple.

“You’re a hard man to say no to.”

“I want to give us a chance. I do think there is something nice here.”

“I agree.” Toby pressed his jeans against Gavin’s naked crotch.

“And I need a little backup to get this thing with Trina under control. Right now I don’t want to lose either of you.”

“I understand. But…eventually…if we work out? Will you still place her needs above mine?”

Gavin knew what he wanted to say. No. But how Trina was going to deal with he and Toby dating was going to be one hellavah rocky road. “If you and I end up in a long term relationship, then I will always consider your feelings first.”

“That’s all I can ask.” Toby tugged his shirt over his head.

“Shower time?”

“Sounds good to me.” Gavin held Toby’s hand and headed to the shower. The phone rang again.

“Maybe you should just answer it and tell Trina you’re okay.”

Gavin nudged Toby towards the bathroom. “Okay. You start the shower.”

“Okay.”

Gavin went to his bedroom and picked up the phone. “Hi, Trina.”

“Hi, Gavie. Were you asleep? Did I wake you?”

“No. I’m up.” Gavin heard the water running in the bathroom and wandered closer. Toby was naked, holding his hand under the shower head, waiting for it to warm up. He tugged his cock teasingly at Gavin while he watched.

“Did you get my messages?”

“Yes. I just got up now. So, you’re working?”

“Yes. It’s dead at the moment…oh, Brook says hi.”

“Say hi back.” Gavin watched Toby pull on his own erect cock, seducing him.

“She wondered if you’d be interested in going out to dinner when we get off work.”

“Um…” Gavin was trying to concentrate on Trina’s conversation but it wasn’t easy.

Toby slid back the shower door, stepped in and wet down, all the while giving Gavin a sexy look.

“Gavie? Tonight? Maybe over at Shilshole? How about Ray’s? We’ll meet you there around six-thirty?”

“Okay.” He wondered if he and Toby met Trina and Brook, if he’d be able to work things out with her. Brook would be a good buffer.

“You okay? You sound weird.”

“I’m worn out. I worked all night and didn’t get home ‘til two a.m.”

“I only lost power for an hour. I was so pleased it came on so fast. You’re amazing, Gavie.”

“Thanks, Trina.” Gavin began to salivate as Toby soaped up his genitals. The show was giving him a hard-on which he tried to ignore while talking to Trina.

“So? Um, you haven’t talked to Toby, right?”

“Can we discuss this later? When we’re together?”

“Will you promise me you won’t talk to him, Gavie? He was really rude to me over the phone last night.”

Gavin wondered what Toby had said to Trina. He must have been conveying his concern because Toby stopped fisting himself and tilted his head at him curiously.

“I haven’t even showered or had coffee yet, Trina. We’ll discuss all this later. Okay?”

“Okay, Gavie. See you there.”

He hung up and tossed the phone on his bed, returning to the bathroom, and climbing into the tub. Toby relinquished the shower head to him. “What did she say this time?”

“She wants to meet me for dinner over at Ray’s on Shilshol.”

Gavin shampooed his hair.

“Oh. Okay.”

“I want you to come if you’re free. I think we need to get this all out in the open.” He rinsed off and grabbed the soap.

“I’m available. I just think this is going to be world war three.”

Gavin ran the soap over his chest. “She said you were rude to her last night over the phone.”

Toby blew out a breath of air in annoyance. “She thinks I’m rude every time I don’t bend over and offer my ass.”

“Come on, Toby.”

“Don’t take her side!” Toby pointed his finger at Gavin.

“I’m not. I just want this stupidity to end.” Gavin soaped up his crotch. “I think if we all sit together we can work it out.” He parted his stance and did what Toby had done to him—

seduction.

Toby opened his lips to answer, but his attention was drawn downwards. He stopped short and watched.

Gavin allowed his slippery cock to nod up and down as he cupped his balls, offering them to Toby.

Toby took over washing Gavin’s cock, running it through his palms with the bubbles as lube. “I’m about to get a mouthful of soap.” He knelt down in the tub.

Gavin laughed and spun around, rinsing off. He returned to his original position and his cock pointed directly at Toby’s mouth. Toby held the base and sucked it as deep as he could. Gavin’s groan echoed in the wet space. He braced himself on the door and wall and watched Toby. Toby’s brows knotted as he drew hard, pulling and fisting at the same time. When he looked up, meeting Gavin’s eyes, Gavin felt a flutter in his stomach. I want you. Fuck everything. I have to have you. Toby continued to suck Gavin’s cock, deeper, faster, obviously wanting Gavin to come.

Gavin’s entire body shivered at the pre-climax surge of pleasure. Parting his lips, the hot water running down his back, Gavin’s hips jerked forward and he came. Toby responded by milking his cock, swirling his tongue around the head and massaging his balls and the root of his cock simultaneously. Gavin held himself upright with his arms when his knees buckled from the swoon. He continued to climax, shooting another load into Toby’s mouth, hearing him hum in delight. Toby released the contact of his mouth and squeezed Gavin’s cock, licking the slit for the last drops.

“Holy shit.” Gavin recovered slowly as Toby gave him a gorgeous smile.

“You taste divine.”

Gavin laughed but it came out as a cough he was so spent.

“What a blowjob. You take the cake in sucking cock.”

“Thanks.” Toby stood, holding Gavin around the waist.

“Done showering?”

“Done everything. I need to lay down and take a nap.” Gavin chuckled as he shut off the water.

Toby held him close, licking the water off his neck. “Can I make love to you?”

“Yes.” Gavin didn’t even hesitate. He wanted it as much as Toby did.

“Good.”

Gavin handed Toby a towel and took a second one to wipe his face and dry off. Now that he had made an arrangement with Trina, and was going to bring Toby with him, he knew he could work it out. They just had to talk. That’s what adult friends did. Talk.

He tossed the towel over the shower door and glanced back at Toby with a smile as he headed to the bedroom. He placed the phone that was lying on the bed, into the cradle on the nightstand. Then he tore a condom from the strip and made sure the lube was within reach. “How would you like me?”

“Doggie style?”

“You got it.” Gavin crawled over the bed on his hands and knees, taking a pillow and crushing it under his head as he waited.

Toby worked himself to get hard, staring at Gavin. He rolled on a condom, picked up the lube, and climbed on the bed behind him.

Gavin looked between his own legs so he could watch Toby. It had been a long time since he played bottom. Or top for that matter. But he loved every minute of it. Doing nothing but worktrain-test-climb and take classes night and day for three years, Gavin couldn’t think of a better time in his life to meet someone. For a change, the timing was right.

Toby moved closer, on his knees, holding the base of his cock. “You ready, lover?”

“Yes.” Gavin blew out a breath to relax his muscles. Toby used two lubricated fingers to massage Gavin’s rim. Gavin’s cock sprang to life and tingles raced up his spine. The consummate gentleman, Toby proceeded slowly and with care. He worked Gavin’s rim, giving him a great internal massage, until Gavin was chewing the pillow and his cock was seeping pre-cum. Toby pushed the head of his dick against Gavin and it slipped inside. Gavin sucked in a breath of air and tried not to tense up as he was penetrated.

“How’re you doing?” Toby caressed his ass and back lovingly.

“Good.” Gavin pushed backwards, helping Toby get in. Once he was nearly all the way inside Gavin’s back passage, Toby started moving in a steady rhythm, stroking Gavin’s ass cheeks and going deeper each time. “Still okay?”

“Yes, babe. Don’t worry.” Gavin was touched by Toby’s concern. He knew if he had been a virgin, he would be lucky to have Toby for his first.

“Gavin, this is amazing.” Toby whimpered, using two hands to hold Gavin’s hips now, gliding in and out effortlessly. Gavin glanced through his thighs again, seeing Toby’s body behind his, and his own cock and balls hanging softly between his legs.

With nothing but the sound of traffic outside the window on Phinney Avenue, Gavin focused on Toby. His breathing accelerating, the thrusts coming faster and deeper. He felt Toby’s cock throbbing as the friction heated him up inside.

“God!” Toby’s hips jerked forward. “Talk dirty to me!”

Gavin’s cock wagged at the suggestion. “Fuck me! Fuck me, gorgeous.”

“Agh! More!” Toby went into overdrive behind him.

“Give me your cum! Shoot your spunk into my ass!”

“Fuck! Fuck!” Toby grunted and ground his cock into Gavin’s body.

The pulsating quickened and made Gavin close his eyes to envision Toby’s cock spurting inside him. “That’s it, you hot motherfucker. Fuck me, fuck me hard!”

One last thrust inside, and Toby rested on Gavin’s back. He could feel Toby’s sweat, his heart beating. Slowly Toby pulled out, staggering off the bed, holding a wall for balance. “You are a fucking god. I love fucking you.”

Gavin rolled to his side, feeling the residual sensation of getting screwed. Toby’s after-climax glow, his glistening skin, the spent condom filled with his jizz, was a picture worth remembering. Toby appeared speechless. He gulped a few times and stared at Gavin, as if he too were memorizing his face, his body. It was a strange moment. Gavin wondered if they were afraid it wasn’t going to last, or even begin.

Gavin climbed off the bed. “Let’s clean up. I’m dying for a cup of coffee.” Gavin gently led Toby to the bathroom. Toby moved clumsily, as if he were slightly numb, or tired. They stood together, using wet, soapy washcloths to clean up. Gavin kept being distracted by Toby’s naked body, his movement. The comfort zone between them was instantaneous. Gavin didn’t know why. There was no awkwardness, no weird vibes. And it seemed as if Toby felt the same.

As they stood and put clothing on in the bedroom, Gavin asked, “Am I keeping you from anything today?”

Toby zipped up his jeans and faced him. “No. Am I keeping you from anything?”

Gavin smiled. “No.”

“It’s up to you, but I’d love to hang out and get to know you better.”

“I’d like that.” Gavin finished tucking in his t-shirt, headed to the kitchen, and opened the refrigerator to remove the coffee beans. Toby leaned close by as Gavin ground the beans in a little electric grinder.

“That smells great.” Toby inhaled.

“Are you referring to my cologne, or?” Gavin wanted him to know. Why not?

Toby’s jaw dropped. “I knew that couldn’t be her. It was you.”

“Yes. It was. We were playing a little Cyrano de Bergerac.”

Gavin dumped the grounds into the filter, then filled the carafe with water to get the machine dripping.

“And what happened when I asked that? I got back a stupid comment about her sneezing or something.”

“I left. Her coworker-friend Brook was with us. We were hanging out at Trina’s. She has asked me constantly what to say to you in text messages.”

Toby shook his head. “I knew it. I swear it was like she was two people. One was borderline juvenile and then suddenly she’d say something hot. You were her hot voice.”

Gavin shrugged, opened the refrigerator and took out eggs, bread and butter. “You take milk in your coffee?”

“Yes. No sugar.”

He placed a container of milk on the counter, then hunted in the cupboard for mugs and set them next to the milk.

“I can make breakfast for us.”

“Can you?” Gavin stopped his preparation. “Anything in particular?”

“Anything you want. I worked as a short order cook in Corvallis ages ago.”

Gavin gestured to the stove. “By all means. I was just going to fry up some eggs.”

“I can do that, or I can get creative.” Toby opened the refrigerator, snooping for ingredients.

As the coffee dripped, Gavin removed the pot to pour two cups full. One drop hit the hot warmer, sizzling loudly. He replaced the pot and poured milk into both of their mugs.

“I have a better idea. Do you have a blender?”

“I think so. I used to be into margaritas.” Gavin crouched down and searched a cabinet, taking out a blender. “It needs a rinse.”

“Okay. How about flour?”

“Seriously?” Gavin laughed. “Flour?”

“No?”

“I can run across the street.” He thumbed over his shoulder in the direction of the convenience store.

Toby snooped into the cabinets, taking out boxes of cereal and spices. “You do.”

“I do?” Gavin leaned back to look as Toby removed a small white bag. “How old is it?”

Once he stuck his nose in it, he shrugged. “The recipe just needs a quarter cup. It smells fine.”

“What the hell did I use flour for?” Gavin picked up his mug and sipped the coffee.

“Okay…I have all the ingredients. Just need an oven-proof dish and I’m good to go.”

Gavin opened the drawer under the oven and took out a white soufflé dish. “Here you go, chef.”

“Perfect.” Toby washed everything up and preheated the oven. He stuck a chunk of butter into the soufflé dish and put it in the oven on a rack to melt. “Okay, while I prepare this, tell me all about your job.”

Gavin sat on one of the high stools next to the breakfast bar. He leaned his elbows on it and was able to watch Toby cook without getting in his way. “I lost my last job when I turned thirty.”

Toby spun around and met his eyes at the comment, looking grim.

“I originally worked construction with my dad and brother in Spokane. Then I moved here and worked with Emerald City Homebuilders. But when the economy tanked, I was let go.”

“I heard about that company nearly going bankrupt.”

“It made Oregon news? How about that?” Gavin smiled. The coffee pot created a racket of noise as it reached the end of its dripping. Toby whirled the blender for a few minutes, cracking eggs into it until they were a lemony yellow liquid, then flour and lastly milk. When the noise stopped, Gavin continued.

“Anyway, I needed a new career direction so I checked into Seattle Power Source. The training was long and miserable, but the pay is great.”

Toby removed the hot soufflé dish with the hand towel, pouring the mixture into it. “I would hate to climb power poles in the rain. I’m not acrophobic, but…” He made a shivering gesture and said, “Brrr. That’s a little too crazy.”

Gavin chuckled. “Yeah, well, let me tell you, the climbing school and climbing tests were where we lost the most preapprentices. Or PALs, as they called us.”

Toby opened the oven and returned the dish into it. He began washing the blender in the sink, which was facing Gavin. “Pole climbing? Is it anything like pole dancing?” Toby winked.

“Ha. I wish. No. It was slightly unnerving climbing up poles that ranged from six to thirty feet. The PALs had to do them with and without safety harnesses. It soon separated the men from the boys.”

“I’ll bet.” Toby placed the washed dishes in the rack and dried his hands. He picked up the coffee mug and sipped it.

“Need a topper?”

“Sure.” Gavin held out his mug and Toby filled it, then poured the milk for him.

“Thanks. I’m not used to being served. I’ve done everything for myself for so long.”

“I hear ya. I’ve been on my own for a while too. I packed up my apartment in Corvallis and moved here by myself. No one helped me out.” Toby shrugged, sipping the coffee. “No big deal, is it? I mean, we’re grown men, we can do this shit on our own.”

“Yes, but it’s nice to have help.” Gavin stared at Toby as he stared back. “Did you have any long term relationships back in Oregon?”

Toby shrugged, looking at his coffee mug.

“Come here.” Gavin gestured for him to come around the kitchen wall to where he was sitting.

Toby did, standing beside him while Gavin sat on the stool. Gavin set his coffee mug down and touched Toby’s cheek, moving his fingers into his hair. He massaged Toby’s scalp lovingly, enjoying his brown eyes. Toby set his mug next to Gavin’s and leaned forward, kissing him.

The warm tongue swirling and physical contact was wonderful to Gavin. He drew Toby between his knees and connected their crotches. The kissing was soft and sweet, and accompanied by light caresses and affectionate squeezing. Toby parted from their kiss and smiled. “I feel like I’m already in over my head.”

“Yeah?” That delighted Gavin.

“I’m screwed.” Toby laughed.

“Not necessarily.” Gavin stroked his neck, down to his chest.

“You feel really nice, Toby.”

“You too. Too nice.”

Gavin tilted his head curiously. “Too nice?”

“I have a habit of picking the wrong men. I usually go for the pretty boys who are more interested in themselves than their partner.”

“Ahh, I see.” Gavin kept Toby close, holding his hips.

“It’s made me gun-shy.”

“That’s understandable. I’m not into pushing you, or rushing you into anything. We live in the same building. That’s close enough for now.”

Toby laughed softly.

Gavin sniffed the aroma from the baking soufflé. “That smells nice. I’m starved.”

Toby checked his watch. “Another ten minutes or so.”

“Okay, I told you a little about me. Your turn.” Gavin cupped Toby’s pectoral muscles in each hand, loving the solid curve of them.

“Uh, wow…I don’t know if I can think. You just made all the blood from my brain rush to my dick.”

“Try.” Gavin smiled, glancing at Toby’s crotch.

“Right…well, while I was working part time as a short order cook, I went to college at the Oregon State, where I got my bachelor’s in business.”

“The good ole Bull-Shit degree. I got my AA degree, or as I call it, Assholes-Anonymous, in cabinetry. Are you impressed yet?”

Toby smiled at him. “Yes. Very impressed.”

“Keep going.” Gavin was beginning to adore this guy.

“Well, got the degree, worked for a couple of shit places in management, but if you think Seattle has been hit by the recession,” Toby whistled, “Oregon has never gotten out of the one from the seventies.”

“So? Boeing hired you, eh?”

“Yes. How do you like that? So I’m a middle-manager at the big boys’ airplane manufacturer. You know. Middlemanagement? The morons who everyone hates because we’re control freaks who don’t work for a living?”

“Put that on your resume, did you?”

“Yeah. And they loved it.” Toby went for Gavin’s mouth. The passion of Toby’s kiss scorched Gavin. He gripped Toby tightly around his ass and ground his cock into him. Toby leaned back, licking his lips after the kiss. “I can’t stop touching you.”

“Same here.” Gavin felt where Toby had grown hard in his jeans.

“Let me check on breakfast so we can eat and get back into bed.”

Gavin received another peck on the lips as Toby headed to the oven, opening the door.

“It’s done.” He took the dish towel and removed it, placing it on the stove, shutting the oven off.

“Wow!” Gavin walked closer to look at it. “A breakfast soufflé?”

“It’s called a Dutch Baby. No clue why, but I love it. We need maple syrup.”

“I have some. The real stuff.” Gavin removed it from a cabinet. He handed Toby plates and began setting the table. “I feel like I’m in for a real treat.”

“You are. Let me spoil you.” Toby sliced the puffy soufflé in half and served it, then refilled the coffee mugs.

As Gavin sat at his kitchen table with Toby, he thought about Trina. She would love a man like Toby. But…David was that man. He cooked, was attentive, a good soul with a heart of gold. If Toby were straight, wouldn’t Trina just end up breaking his heart in the end?

Gavin tasted a piece dripping in syrup. “Mm. Oh my God.”

“Good, huh?” Toby ate a bite. “Oh yeah. Love it.”

They smiled at each other as they devoured the meal. Gavin wanted Toby to be in his life, he just knew the change for him would mean a challenge in keeping Trina happy.

~

Once they had cleaned up the kitchen, Toby held Gavin’s hand and led him to the bedroom. “Are you sure you don’t have errands to do?”

“If you’re asking me if I’d rather run errands or climb naked into my bed with you…” Gavin gave him a silly expression. “I think you know the answer.”

“What do you usually do on your weekends?” Toby began taking off his clothes.

“Well, last Saturday I went with Trina to Bellevue Square. But mostly I just do food shopping, laundry, hang out.”

Toby watched as Gavin took off the rest of his clothes. When they were both naked, Toby climbed across the bed and peeled back the covers for them to get underneath. Once they were, they cuddled close, interlocking legs.

“Yeah. Me too. I do a bike ride as well. Weather permitting.”

“Boy, did you move to the wrong area for outdoor activity.”

“Corvallis isn’t much better.”

“True. Maybe we should run away to a tropical island together. Get some real warmth and sun.” Gavin held Toby tightly under the sheets.

“No kidding.” Toby ran his hand down Gavin’s chest. “I love your body.”

“Thanks. I work hard to keep strong. It helps with the job.”

“I bet.” Toby pushed the blanket lower on Gavin’s torso so he could see more of it. He bumped into his stiff cock. He exposed that too, using two fingers to stand it upright to admire. “Fucking gorgeous.”

Gavin laughed shyly.

Toby met his gaze. He loved the light blue color so much, he could stare all day into his eyes. “It’s surreal meeting you.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know. I guess I feel lucky you’re available. And in my building? What are the odds?” He stroked Gavin’s cock, feeling his own tenting the sheets.

“I don’t know many of my neighbors. I suppose I should make an effort. But the ones I’ve seen have been senior citizens or women. So…”

“So…” Toby dug his hands under Gavin’s cock to his balls. Gavin parted his legs instantly. While massaging his soft sack and delicate globes within, Toby gazed into Gavin’s eyes again.

“How could you be single?”

“I could ask you that.”

“I just moved here.”

“I don’t know how to answer your question. I suppose I just didn’t meet anyone I felt a bond with.”

“Have you now?” Toby used one finger to rub the root of Gavin’s cock, near his ass. Gavin’s dick hardened and blushed dark red.

Instead of a verbal answer, Gavin cupped Toby’s cheeks and kissed him. It was all the confirmation Toby needed. He crawled over Gavin’s body and pressed their cocks together as the kissing heated up.

Toby was intensely attracted to Gavin physically, but that didn’t even come close to how much he liked him as a person. In the short time they had known each other, Toby could tell Gavin was a decent guy. How could a man who loved classic cars and work on power poles for a living be bad? Kissing Gavin, going insane for him once more, Toby could only think of fucking him, sucking him, and making Gavin come. Sex had always meant a lot to Toby, and the sex with Gavin was better than he’d had previously.

Gavin spun them over so he was on top.

It took Toby’s breath away. Gavin was the bigger of the two of them. Toby estimated Gavin to be six one or two, and at least one-ninety or two hundred pounds of solid muscle. He was fiveeleven, one-eighty, and seemed to date men smaller than he was for a very long time. He liked this big guy.

“Wanna fuck you,” Gavin said against Toby’s lips as they kissed.

Talking dirty during sex always drove Toby wild. “Yeah?

How much do you want to fuck me?” He spread his legs allowing Gavin to drop between them.

“A fucking lot.” Gavin pushed his cock between Toby’s thighs and pumped his hips.

Toby trapped his cock tightly and groaned as the urge to climax grew. “Fuck me, you slut.” The erotic foreplay seemed to be as exciting to Gavin as it was to Toby. Gavin jerked his hips at the comment, whimpering and licking Toby’s neck and ear as if he would devour him.

“I’ll fuck you hard, you nasty cocksucker.” Gavin became slightly rough, increasing the intensity of his humping, holding Toby’s jaw as he gnawed on it.

Toby was about to hit the stratosphere. He yearned to be a big man’s bitch, but never seemed to find the right combination of strength and compassion. Nothing turned him off more quickly than a dumb jock. Gavin was anything but dumb.

Toby began to mock struggle, writhing under Gavin. “Fuck me! Fuck me, you bitch!”

Gavin growled seductively and snatched the condoms off the nightstand, using his teeth to tear one open. “Spread your legs, you fucking slut!”

Toby couldn’t catch his breath. He bent his knees and straddled as far as he could, breaking out in a hot sweat. He gripped his own dick and felt how stiff it had become, the slit was oozing pre-cum. “Lick my ass, you bastard.”

Gavin gave him a wild stare and yanked Toby’s legs towards his chest, exposing his rim. When Gavin dove for it, chewing on the skin inside Toby’s thighs, Toby arched his back and pinched his cock so he didn’t come. He howled and tried to choke back his scream of pleasure. “Christ, oh fucking Christ!” He couldn’t stop himself. He jacked his cock hard and fast as Gavin’s tongue fucked his ass.

When Gavin realized Toby was coming, he released his hold on Toby’s legs and dove down to get his cock into his mouth. Toby continue to climax, jerking his hips off the bed as Gavin sucked the cum out of him and moaned loudly. “You fucking god!” Toby gasped for air. “Fuck me, you prick! Get that goddamn big cock in my ass!”

“Fuck!” Gavin sat up and grabbed his cock as if he were close to the edge. Toby handed him the lubrication and gripped the bedding in white knuckles as Gavin was about to top him like a rutting buck.

“Wanna get fucked, Toby?” Gavin showed him two fingers filled with gel.

“Yes.” Toby bit his bottom lip, his ass quivered with anticipation.

Gavin slipped his fingers inside Toby’s back passage. Toby groaned and tried to do a split. “Fuck me! Fuck me you motherfucking cunt!”

Gavin dragged Toby’s body forcefully to his lap and plunged his dick inside him. Toby wrenched at the bedding under him, going wild at the pain/pleasure combination.

All the sinewy muscles showed in Gavin’s chest and arms as he ran with sweat and hammered into Toby, choking on his grunts of pleasure.

“Yes!” Toby cried. “Yes, fuck me like I’m your bitch! Your slut!”

“Ahh, shit! I’m fucking coming!” Gavin roared at the strength of his climax and nearly slammed Toby into the headboard, he fucked him so hard.

Toby filled his senses with Gavin’s looks, his scent, his incredible moaning. “You fantastic motherfucker!”

“Oh, God! Oh God!” Gavin jammed his hips against Toby and Toby could feel every hot pulsating blast of his cock. When the climax subsided, Gavin blinked and appeared shocked. They stared at each other for a moment, then began to laugh.

Gavin pulled out and rolled to his side, tears running down his cheeks he was laughing so hard.

Toby was shedding tears of joy and he couldn’t control his hilarity. “Christ! That was the best fuck I ever had!” He dabbed at his eyes.

“Oh, my fucking God!” Gavin huffed for air as he laughed.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Son of a bitch, Gavin.” Toby controlled his laughing fit slowly, trying to calm down. “I’m dead serious, you are the best fuck I ever had.”

“Jesus.” Gavin wiped at his eyes. “I think I broke my dick.”

Toby roared with laughter again and fell on top of Gavin. They were both sticky, sweaty, and sated beyond their dreams. “I have found you, and I’m hanging on for dear life, Gavin Mecklenburg.”

Gavin slowed his respirations down and met Toby’s eyes.

“Kiss me, Toby Montgomery.”

Toby hurried for that kiss, and loved the slippery mess between them.

Chapter 12

Gavin had shaved and was wearing a nice pair of black slacks. He owned a good selection of dress clothing, but with a job that required flame retardant clothes, he never got to wear it unless Trina asked him to dress up.

He wanted to look extra hot tonight. For his new man. Boeing exec Toby Montgomery.

His house keys, wallet, mobile phone, in his pockets, Gavin locked the condo and headed to meet Toby who was also getting ready for their evening engagement. Gavin was a nervous wreck. Was he crazy bringing Toby with him to meet Trina or helping them work out the mess they had inadvertently created? Brook was going to be there. So Trina had a female sounding board to support her. Gavin liked Brook. He got the feeling Brook was a sensible woman.

He used the stairs and hopped up them two by two to the third floor. Standing in front of unit three-o-three, Gavin rapped the door with his knuckles and heard Toby say, “Come in!” from inside.

Gavin found the door unlocked and entered. “Almost ready?”

he said as he searched for him. He located him in the bathroom dabbing on cologne. Stopping short, Gavin gave his new lover a once over. “Damn, you’re amazing. What the hell are you doing with me?”

“Yeah, what am I doing with such an ugly dude?” Toby capped the bottle and stuck it into the medicine cabinet. “Well?

Suitable for a night out with Ms. Yamagachi?”

“She’s going to kill me.” Gavin shook his head. “You are everything she wants in a man.”

Toby grabbed Gavin’s collar. “And you are everything I want in one.” He kissed him.

“That smells excellent. What cologne is it?” Gavin sniffed Toby’s neck, getting horny.

“Dangereux cologne. Ever hear of it?” Toby began grinding his cock against Gavin’s.

“Is that the one with the hot long-haired model and the white horse?”

“Yes.” Toby embraced Gavin, beginning to get amorous as the attraction drew them together. “Mark Richfield.”

“Huh?” Gavin lost himself on the way Toby was rolling their stiff cocks over one another.

“The model. The one for the cologne. Oh, Christ I want to fuck you.” Toby moaned and sucked on Gavin’s mouth. “The sex earlier was so good.” He humped Gavin hotly.

“If we start now, we’ll never get to the restaurant.”

“You’re staying over.” Toby said it like an order, so Gavin replied, “Yes, sir,” and saluted.

“Have you ever been in the military?” Toby straightened Gavin’s collar since he had messed it up.

“No. Why? Should I enlist?”

“Ever role play?” Toby smiled wickedly.

“Christ! You’re making me so fucking horny we’ll never get out of here.” Gavin grabbed his own crotch and squeezed his hard cock.

Toby nodded as if he agreed. “Right. Time to fix things with your BFF.” He headed to his bedroom and put his wallet in his pocket. “I’m driving.” He dangled his keys. “Now, and…later.”

Toby licked his top lip sensually.

Gavin moaned and rubbed his dick, trying to tame it.

“If you don’t stop giving me a solo show, I’m going to rip your clothing off.”

“Jesus!” Gavin struggled to gain control over his body. With a man as hot as Toby teasing him, it wasn’t easy.

Toby put on his glasses and said, “Okay, handsome. Ready or not.”

“Not, but I have to work this out with Trina.”

“She’ll be fine.” Toby shut off lights as he went.

“You don’t know her like I know her.” Gavin waited by the front door.

“No. That’s true.” Toby closed the door and double locked it, walking beside Gavin to the stairs. “How do you think she’ll react when she sees you’ve brought me?”

“She’ll be upset. My guess is she’ll try to leave the restaurant.” Their shoes made echoing sounds as they trotted down the stairwell. Gavin opened the door at the ground floor and it led directly to the parking area.

“So? Are we supposed to tie her to the chair?” Toby held his key in his hand as he walked. They stopped at his garage and he turned the lock, activating the garage door opener.

“Yes. Got rope?” Gavin stood beside the passenger door of the Vette. “I love this car.”

“Me too.” Toby climbed behind the wheel. When they were both sitting in the low slung seats, Toby said, “But…it doesn’t have all the mod-cons, you know? I was thinking about getting something really jazzy. I wouldn’t mind power door locks, satellite navigation…etcetera.” He started the engine and it roared like a rocket.

Gavin gave him a sensual expression and moaned. “Listen to that. You can’t get horse power like that in a new car.” He fastened the seat belt.

“I’ve updated it the best I can. There’s only so much you can do to a sixty-two.” Toby backed out, using the remote garage door opener to close it then open the gate of the parking lot. As they waited for the metal gate to roll back, Gavin held Toby’s thigh. “I’m in the same boat with the Mazda. Believe me, I’ve looked at new cars. But that baby’s paid for and the insurance is cheap.”

Toby drove up the slight slope of the driveway, closing the gate behind him. “You said Shilshole?”

“Yes. You know where that is?”

“Through Ballard, right? I’ve been there before.”

“Just go down Market.”

“Okay.” Toby shifted gears and rested his hand on top of Gavin’s. “So, what’s our strategy?”

“Well, I’ve given it a lot of thought.” Gavin relaxed, straddling his legs. “I think we need to be firm but sweet. Trina’s defense mechanism is to get angry and say things she doesn’t mean. Don’t take anything personally. Within a minute she usually apologizes and I know she doesn’t mean anything she says when she’s been hurt.”

“You really know her well.”

“I do. I adore that woman. Like I said, she’s been my best friend for four years. I don’t want to lose her.”

“What if she gives you an ultimatum?”

“I’m hoping to avoid that.” Gavin glanced down at their hands as Toby shifted gears. Instead of resting his hand on his again, Toby cupped Gavin’s crotch. “Great. Now I’ll be hard all night.”

“Tough. I can’t stop thinking about the sex we had. Son-of-abitch, Gavin. I want more of that.”

“Yeah. Me too.” Gavin rubbed Toby’s hand as it rubbed his dick.

“If you’re agreeable, I’d be happy to buy you an army surplus uniform. I heard there’s a cool shop locally that sells them.”

“The one on First Ave?”

“Yup.”

“How did you find that one already, Oregonian?”

“I know where all the kinky shops are in this town.”

“Huh. I never thought of that one as kinky.”

“Think outside the box. I use that phrase for managementspeak. My team either thinks I’m crazy or innovative.”

“They probably all want you in their beds.”

“Now that’s scary!”

They exchanged smiles and laughed.

Gavin was so happy, he was trying to believe Trina would be happy for him. But he knew her. She would take time to get over the ego slap.

When they arrived at the Shilshole marina area restaurant, Toby parked his pride and joy in a distant spot. Gavin usually did the same, and for a change it wasn’t raining. The evening was cool, but clear. They held hands until they approached the main entrance where several families and older couples were gathering. Gavin took out his phone and called Trina as they entered the restaurant.

“Hi, Gavie!”

“Hi, Trina. Are you guys here yet?”

“In the dining room. We had a couple of drinks so you need to catch up.”

Gavin met the hostess and said, “I believe my friends are already here.”

“Go right ahead.” The woman smiled and gestured for them to enter the dining area.

Gavin held the phone to his ear as he searched for her. He caught her wave and hung up, putting it into his pocket. Seeing her smile change to a furious scowl Gavin said to Toby, “Prepare yourself. She just spotted you.”

“Battle ready, sir!” Toby teased.

Gavin stood at their table. “Trina, calm down. You look like you’re about to have a stroke.”

“Hi, Gavin.” Brook waved shyly.

“Hi, Brook. This is Toby,” Gavin introduced him politely.

“I know. The minute Trina saw you, she told me. Hi, Toby. Nice to meet you.”

While Toby greeted Brook, Gavin stepped closer to Trina, kneeling down to speak quietly. “Are you going to be able to deal with this and act like an adult?”

“How could you bring him here? Is he your date?” Trina obviously wanted to raise her voice but controlled her volume.

“I brought him here so we could talk this out.”

“Gavin, is he your date?” she enunciated.

He stood and said to Toby, “Take a seat.”

Toby sat down next to Brook at the square table for four, across from Trina. Gavin sat as well, his focus on his furious friend.

The waitress came over immediately. “Can I get you both something to drink?”

“Beer, please.” Gavin tried not to take his attention away from Trina, who appeared on the verge of a dramatic scene.

“Two Full Sail ales, please,” Toby ordered for Gavin, seeing Gavin had his hands full.

The waitress left.

Gavin said to Trina, “Take a deep breath, will you?”

Toby leaned across the table towards her. “Trina, I’m sorry. I never meant to lead you on.”

“I’m not talking to you.” Her lip curled in a snarl and she looked back at Gavin. “You two are together? Here? You brought him as your date to rub it in my face?”

“No. Never.” Gavin tried to catch her hand and hold it, both to reassure her and to stop her from either bolting for the door or slapping him. Her expression was so volatile, Gavin expected anything. “Trina, please, at least calm down so we can discuss this. Can you do that for me? Please?”

She picked up her glass and sucked down the contents. Gavin could tell it was a martini by the olive toothpick and the scent.

“I’ll buy you a few rounds, all right? Will that help keep you sedated enough to talk to me?”

“Don’t treat me like an idiot. I know you just stole my boyfriend from me.”

“I wasn’t your boyfriend, Trina.” Toby spoke very softly.

“Shut up. I’m still not talking to you.”

Gavin glanced at Brook. She gave him a helpless shrug. Gavin was hoping she would be a buffer. He asked her, “Who drove?”

“I did,” Brook replied.

“Good. Trina, I’m getting you another martini. Okay? Take a deep breath, for fuck’s sake.” Gavin jumped as an arm appeared from behind him. The waitress was setting down the two beers. He felt like he was a nervous wreck at Trina’s reaction. “Can you get the two ladies another round, please?”

“Yes, certainly. Are you ready to order?”

“No. Are you guys?” Gavin asked Trina and Brook.

“We can wait for you to decide,” Brook said, obviously trying to keep everyone from exploding.

“I’ll be back with the fresh drinks.” The waitress left.

“Trina.” Gavin scooted his chair closer to her. “Sweetheart, I adore you. I would never hurt you. No one did anything to you deliberately.”

“Are you two dating?” She didn’t seem calmer. It was rage under her controlled words.

Gavin felt helpless and glanced at Toby.

Toby said, “I’m gay, Trina. I wanted to tell you when we first met, but I didn’t find the opportunity.”

Brook made a small noise in her throat. Gavin didn’t know if it was sympathy or surprise.

Gavin rubbed his forehead. “Trina, forgive him. Forgive me.”

“For what? You won’t tell me if you two are dating. Are you?

Are you together now?”

Toby and Gavin again exchanged looks. Gavin exhaled loudly as the waitress arrived at their table. She placed two drinks down for the women and asked, “Do you still need more time?”

“Trina?” Gavin asked, “Are we all going to be able to make it through dinner together?”

She snorted a sarcastic sound and gulped her drink.

“Another minute?” Gavin asked the waitress.

She smiled sweetly and left.

“Hun?” Gavin touched Trina’s arm. Trina flinched away, nursing her martini. “Should we leave?”

“We?” She glared at him. “You and me?”

“No. Me and Toby.”

“Did you drive together?” Trina asked.

Gavin could hear her voice pinching in her throat.

Toby said, “Trina. This is my fault. Don’t blame Gavin. I fucked up. I’m sorry.”

“I’m still not talking to you.” Trina turned her attention to Gavin. “Gavie,” she whispered, “You don’t want him. He’s a liar.”

“Baby, I don’t know what I want yet. But I want you to be okay if Toby and I do decide we want to be together.”

“No.”

“No,” Gavin echoed without the questioning lilt. “So, that’s it? You can’t have him, so I neither can I?”

“Why would you want a man that lies, Gavie?” Trina spoke softly, as if she didn’t want Brook and Toby to overhear.

“I’m not sure if he lied, or he just didn’t say he was gay when he should have.”

She looked past Gavin at Toby.

Gavin sat back in his chair and did the same.

Toby was drinking his beer, appearing calm. “What?” he asked, “Are you talking to me now?”

“Are you dating my Gavie?” Trina asked.

“I would like to. I guess I need your permission or blessing.”

Gavin made a face of pain at Toby. “Come on.”

He shrugged. “Why should she decide if we’re together, Gavin? What am I not getting here?”

Brook asked, “Are you guys together now?”

Gavin looked at Trina. He said directly to her, “Yes. I think so.”

Trina made a move as if she were going to leave, searching for her purse. Gavin held her arm. “Don’t you dare storm out.”

“You betrayed me, Gavie. I thought we meant something…”

“You mean everything to me. But, don’t you want to see me happy?”

“With my boyfriend?” She poked her own chest to emphasize her point.

“I was never your boyfriend, Trina. I wanted us to be friends, like you and Gavin are.”

“You will never be what me and Gavin are,” she replied coldly.

Gavin gave Toby and Brook an imploring look and asked,

“Do you guys mind if Trina and I speak in private for a minute?”

Both shook their heads, and Toby said, “Be my guest.”

Gavin held Trina’s elbow and escorted her to the outside of the restaurant where they could speak privately. When she dabbed her eyes before they could begin, Gavin felt sick inside.

“Come here.” He embraced her, rocking her in his arms. He kissed her hair and held her. “Would I ever hurt you?”

“No.” Her voice sounded weak and shallow.

“I have stood by you through thick and thin for four years and countless men. I have been there for you every time you call me, every time you need me, haven’t I?”

“Yes.”

He released her as she looked for something to wipe her eyes and nose with. Gavin approached an older woman and asked,

“You wouldn’t have a tissue, would you?”

She dug through her purse, handing him one.

“Thank you.” He brought it to Trina and dabbed her eyes gently. She took it from him and wiped her nose.

“Sweetheart, are you angrier at Toby for not being straight, or me for liking him?” He brushed back her long dark hair.

“Both. Gavie, what about us?”

“Us?” He smiled sweetly. “Honey, you and me will always be best friends. Don’t you worry about that.”

“No. You’ll fall in love with Toby. You won’t love me.”

He paused and tried to think. “Trina.”

She was hesitant to meet his eyes, dabbing the tissue at her nose and cheek.

“Trina, look at me.” He held her shoulders. When finally she did, he said, “You know there’s no future between you and I, right?”

Her lip quivered.

“Sweetie?” He drew her farther from the main entrance. “You never had any expectations, right?” He couldn’t believe she would not answer him. A horrible sense of dread washed over him. Each failed engagement, each man she had turned away for petty things, including David who worshipped the ground she walked on made him ask the question; Why? “No. Trina, please tell me you weren’t hoping that I…”

“Why are you gay?”

This time when she said it, her eyes filled with tears. Until that point, Gavin had assumed it was her joke, her tease. A reality hit him that devastated him. He embraced her again and closed his eyes as his own emotions crept up on him. “I can’t love you like that.”

“Gavie…why not?”

“I don’t know why. It’s just the way it is.”

“But we can still love each other the way we do. Can’t we?”

He knew she didn’t mean as friends. Somehow inside his gut he had a bad feeling it was something more. He brought her to a retaining wall and sat down, allowing her to sit on the inside of his leg as he straddled. He held her around her back and tried to figure out where she was in her head. “Did you think eventually we would be together?”

She nodded, but looked upset.

“Like…married?”

Another weak nod.

“Oh, my Trina.” Gavin pressed their heads together, and sighed. “I can’t marry you, my love. I would never be a proper husband to you, and you can’t give me what I need.”

“Yes, you can. You’re better than any man I’ve dated, Gavie.” She exhaled and he felt her rest all her weight against him.

“Sweetheart, I am so flattered to hear that, but you know and I know, I am very gay. I need a man in my bed.”

“Toby?”

“Maybe. But I can’t marry a woman, even one as fabulous as you, and pretend.” He brushed her hair back from her face. “Do you understand?”

“I’ll lose you. You and Toby will fall in love and I’ll lose you.”

“No. Never.” Gavin shook her gently, making his point. “Any man I date will have to understand I have to make time for you.”

They stared at each other in the dimming twilight. The distant sound of gulls and the ferry boat’s low bellowing horn out in the Sound behind them. Trina kissed him.

Gavin allowed it but didn’t open his lips. When she parted from it, she gave him a strange look.

He laughed. “Nothing there, eh?”

“No.” She smiled shyly.

“See? We can’t be together like that.”

“I expected to hit the moon.”

“Ha…oh well.” He chuckled.

She wiped at his mouth. “We look like we made out. Toby will be jealous.”

Gavin allowed her to remove the lipstick mark. He asked,

“Are you okay with him now?”

“Is he nice to you?” She used her thumb to rub against his lips.

“Yes.”

“I never kissed him on the lips, Gavie.”

“I know, sweetie.”

“You do make a cute couple.”

Gavin brightened up. “Thank you, Trina.”

“Look at you smile! Uh oh! Gavin and Toby sitting in a tree…”

Gavin felt his cheeks blush.

“K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Trina sang, teasing him.

“Shut up and let’s grab dinner. I’m starving.”

“I love you, Gavie.”

“I love you too, Trina.”

She stood off his leg and held his hand as they entered the restaurant. “Let me go to the ladies room and fix my face.”

“Okay, sweetness.” He kissed her hand and stepped into the men’s room to make sure her lipstick was no longer on his mouth. Staring at his light eyes in the mirror, Gavin exhaled in relief. The worst was over. Right?

~

Toby finished his beer and ordered another. He tapped his fingers on the table in anxiety.

“Are you and Gavin a couple?” Brook asked.

“Yes. Don’t tell Trina unless Gavin says it’s okay.”

“I had a feeling you were.”

“Everyone but Trina seems okay with that feeling.” Toby took another look in the direction Gavin and Trina went. “You drove, right?”

“Why,” Brook said, smiling, “You think they’ll ride off into the sunset, happily ever after?”

“My guess it’s what Trina wants.”

The waitress brought his fresh beer. “Did we lose someone?”

she asked.

“They just stepped out.” Toby eyed the empty bread basket.

“Did you guys eat all the bread?”

“Sorry.” Brook smiled.

“I’ll bring more.” The waitress picked up the empty basket.

“Anything else?”

Toby asked Brook, “Do you want another glass of wine?”

“I’d better not.”

Turning to the waitress, Toby said, “We’re good.” When the waitress left, Toby drank his second beer.

“You said that’s what Trina wants, to ride off into the sunset with Gavin, and you’re right.” Brook leaned her elbows on the table.

“I’ve heard of fag hags who think they can seduce gay men.”

Brook recoiled. “That’s a nasty way to refer to Trina.”

“It’s just an expression. I don’t mean anything by it. But judging by the closeness she and Gavin have…” Toby tilted his head. “She would love to walk him down the aisle.”

“That would be her fifth fiancé.”

“Shut up,” Toby laughed as he spoke.

Brook held up her hand. “I swear. Trina has four engagement rings in her possession. I helped her pick them all out.”

“Jesus!” Toby sat back, feeling nervous suddenly. “I had no idea.”

“She’s a man magnet. Guys fall over their tongues when they see her. Me? Invisible.”

“Don’t say that. You’re very pretty, Brook.”

“Thanks, but next to that Japanese goddess?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m plain Jane.”

Toby checked his watch again. “What the hell is taking so long? Is she proposing?”

Brook giggled.

The waitress brought them a basket of bread.

Toby said to her, “You know what? Brook and I would like to split an appetizer.” He opened the menu and leaned closer to Brook.

“Mm, look, Toby. They have an Oregon Coast Dungeness Crab appetizer, with avocado, Marcona almonds, chervil, cocktail sauce aioli. It’s just like you were back home.”

“Perfect.” Toby said to the waitress, “For two please?”

“Coming right up.” She smiled and left.

Toby buttered a roll. “Share this too?”

“Wow. You’re a doll. And really gay, right?”

“Like, really, really gay.” He cut the roll and handed her half. They both stuffed it into their mouths and laughed. He asked,

“Can I tell you a secret and you promise not to tell Trina?”

“Yes!” She rubbed her hands together eagerly.

“Gavin is the most amazing man I have ever met.”

“Aw, that’s so cute.”

Toby drank his beer and thought about him. “I’m completely smitten.”

“Look at how you’re glowing. Ah, true love.”

“I’m serious. I’m crazy about the guy. He’s so friggin hot.”

“I know.” Brook sighed loudly. “I think the two of you are made for each other.”

“Thank you, Brook.” He buttered another roll, sharing it as well. “I like you.”

“I like you too. I can see why Trina fell for you.”

Toby glanced back to see if they were coming yet. He said to Brook, “It sounds like she falls for anything with a trouser snake.”

“Not really. She’s picky, but when she sets her sights on someone, she gets them.”

“She really was engaged four times?”

“Yes. And she broke the last guy’s heart really badly. He was crazy about her. I felt so sad for him.”

“Jeez.” Toby ate his bread.

“You know what I think?” Brook was about to say, when the waitress brought over their appetizer.

She set it between them and gave them each plates. “Should I come back to take your dinner order?”

“Yes, our friends are still having a pow-wow.” Toby glanced at Brook who laughed.

“Okay. I’ll check back.”

Toby split the appetizer between them.

“Mm, that looks so good.” Brook took a taste and hummed in excitement.

“Okay,” Toby ate a bite and asked, “What do you think?”

“Oh…I think Trina is in love with Gavin and wants to marry him.”

Toby nearly choked on his swallow, quickly washing it down with beer. He met Brook’s gaze and they stared at each other. Then, they cracked up with laughter. Toby didn’t know why. Maybe it was the beer, maybe the irony of the alliances that had formed, or maybe it was the magic of Oregon Dungeness crab meat, but they couldn’t stop laughing.

~

Gavin walked Trina back inside the restaurant. As the neared the table, he spotted Toby doubled over, wiping at his eyes, and Brook dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

He helped Trina to her chair, pushing it in for her, before sitting down. Toby and Brook struggled to keep a straight face. Gavin noticed they had eaten a plate of food down to scraps.

“Did we miss something?” Gavin asked.

“Gavie! They ate dinner.” Trina pouted out her lower lip in exaggeration.

Brook said, “We had the Dungeness appetizer,” and started laughing again.

Gavin and Trina exchanged looks in confusion.

Toby managed to control himself and sat up. “So? Am I dead? Have you guys decided to run off and elope?”

Brook cackled with laughter, hitting Toby playfully on the shoulder.

“Did we do what?” Gavin raised Toby’s beer up and sniffed it. “What’s in this stuff anyway? Laughing gas?”

“Sorry.” Toby obviously struggled to remain serious. “Well, Trina? Are you still not talking to me?”

“I am so over you.” She flipped her wrist dismissively.

“Phew!” Toby wiped his brow in an equally comical gesture. The waitress returned. “Are we ready yet?” She smiled. Everyone grabbed a menu.

Trina said, “The king salmon.”

“Of course!” Gavin was relieved to see everyone finally laughing. “I’d like the cioppino.”

“Make that two,” Toby handed her the menu as he ordered. Brook hummed and finally said, “Fried chicken with the polenta, please.”

The waitress took their menus. “Anyone need another drink?”

“I’m good.” Brook held up her hand.

“Another martini.” Trina gulped the one in front of her down. Gavin had no idea what he had missed between Toby and Brook, but said, “I’m good.”

“I’ll say.” Toby grinned wickedly.

Brook snorted as she tried to stifle her laugh.

Gavin waited for Trina to explode in anger. Instead she stayed calm and replied, “I kissed Gavin.”

Gavin shook his head to explain the reason to Toby when Trina added, “And he’s a crappy kisser.”

“Hey!” Gavin laughed but he had no idea how Toby would react.

Toby said, “Yeah? Well, he’s one hell of a hot fuck!”

Gavin cringed as Brook and Toby both roared in hilarity. He met Trina’s eyes and waited for the fallout.

She said, “I bet you are.”

“Sorry.” He felt sheepish.

Trina gave Toby a long hard look and then said, “I knew you were gay.”

Gavin kicked Toby under the table so he’d not take the bait and make a sarcastic comment. And obviously knowing it was still a sensitive area, Toby said, “Yes. I’m so obviously a flaming fag.”

Brook’s cheeks were beet red either from the wine or her laughter. “You okay, Trina?”

“Yes. Oh, I need to tell you, Gavie. A man I sold a Cartier watch to today asked for my number.”

“I want to know all about him.”

“Me too,” Toby said a little too enthusiastically.

“You.” Trina pointed at him. “You treat my best friend good or else.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Toby saluted her.

Gavin slung his arm around Trina and kissed her head. “My sweetheart.”

“Eh!” Toby wagged his finger. “You’re mine, ‘Gavie’.”

“I can be both of yours.” Gavin couldn’t remember feeling so wanted and loved. He was eating it up.

“Uh hum?” Brook pouted her bottom lip.

Both Trina and Toby went to hug her, rocking her side to side.

“I love you guys!” Brook smiled happily.

Gavin raised his beer in a toast. “To best friends.”

“To best friends!” Everyone tapped their glass.

Chapter 13

During dinner, Gavin thought Trina was unusually quiet. Brook and Toby seemed at ease, discussing work, the weather, the Mariners…

But Trina stayed silent, poking at her salmon, barely eating. Gavin had thought it was a done deal, but as the evening wore on, he had a feeling Trina was putting on a brave face. Toby was attentive towards him without being overtly affectionate. He touched Gavin when he was speaking to him and squeezed his thigh under the table. Each time Toby gave him a smile, Gavin could feel the icy chill from Trina. It was one thing to pretend, to not make a scene, but whatever Trina was going through inside her mind, Gavin had a feeling he would find out eventually.

Toby and Gavin offered to split the check. Brook was grateful, hugging each of them in front of the restaurant as they began ending the evening.

“Trina?” Gavin brushed her hair back behind her shoulder.

“You were quiet tonight.”

She didn’t reply but met his eyes for a brief moment. When Toby reached to hold Gavin’s hand, Trina recoiled. Gavin moved his arm away and shook his head at Toby, trying to communicate to him politely, no.

Toby looked confused then he turned his attention to Trina, as if trying to see what she had done to dissuade Gavin. Brook held her car keys and said, “Thanks, guys. I had a great time. I hope we can do this again soon.”

Gavin stared at Trina. “I’d like that.”

Trina didn’t respond.

“So,” Gavin said, “I’ll call you?” He touched Trina’s arm lightly.

“I don’t know. Come on, Brook. I have a headache.”

“One martini too many?” Toby teased.

Gavin elbowed him in the ribs. Toby appeared to be confused but shut up.

Brook waved as she and Trina headed to her car. Gavin watched them go, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Toby brushed up against him, making Gavin look his way.

“She’s still pissed,” Toby said, watching Brook’s car drive out of the lot.

“Yup.”

Toby jingled his keys and rested his hand on Gavin’s low back, gently coaxing him to his car. “Give her a few days.”

“I can’t remember anything upsetting her this badly.” Gavin put his arm around Toby’s waist as they walked.

“She loves you. She had an idea in her head she could convert you and marry you.” Toby unlocked the passenger’s door for Gavin, then walked around to the driver’s side.

Once they had fastened their seatbelts, Toby started the car.

“Did she tell you that?” Gavin asked.

“No. I can see it a mile away. She had four years invested in you, and Brook told me she had four fiancés that she never took to the altar. I don’t need her to tell me what’s really going on here.”

Gavin slouched in the seat as they drove back to Phinney Ridge. He wondered why it was obvious to Toby, but he never would have imagined Trina had those expectations.

“She knew I was gay. I never made a pass or even a lewd comment regarding us touching. Never.”

Toby laughed softly, reaching out to rest his hand on Gavin’s thigh.

“I’m not going to be able to keep her as a friend if I date you, am I?”

“Have you dated anyone since you’ve known her?”

Gavin thought about it. “No.”

“So this is the first time you’ve dated since you and Trina became friends?”

“Like I told you, I was entrenched in training for the last few years. I didn’t think I had it in me to begin a love affair and work simultaneously, as well as go to night class… Not to mention…”

Gavin kissed Toby’s knuckles. “I hadn’t met anyone I wanted to be with.”

“Lucky me. I can’t believe my timing is right for a change. It’s usually the pits.”

Gavin held Toby’s hand on his lap, watching the traffic as they made their way through Ballard back to the ridge. He was worried that Trina and he would become at odds over this relationship with Toby. “What am I supposed to do? Never fall for anyone?”

“Huh? Are you talking to me or yourself?” Toby squeezed his hand. “Did you say never fall for anyone?”

“I’m talking to myself. Ignore me.”

“Gav, she’ll meet someone new in a week. Believe me, I’m already ancient history.”

Gavin assumed Trina would get over Toby rather quickly. After all, it was only a week and they didn’t even kiss. But what worried Gavin was Trina thinking her relationship with him was over as well.

“Babe.”

Gavin looked at Toby.

“You have to think of yourself.”

“I know. But…”

Toby drove down Phinney Avenue, turning onto Fifty-Ninth and stopping as he hit the remote and the gate drew back. “Can you come up to my ‘penthouse’?”

Gavin nodded at Toby, smiling, but in his heart he was worried.

Once inside the building, Gavin checked his cell phone. No calls, no text messages. He followed Toby up the stairs to the third floor.

“Call her.” Toby obviously could tell Gavin was preoccupied.

“I don’t think it’ll do any good.”

Toby stopped short and faced Gavin. “You don’t have to come to my place. If you aren’t into it, it’s okay.”

“Huh?” Gavin forced himself to concentrate. “No. I’m good if you are.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” Gavin nodded his head and gestured for Toby to open the unit door.

It was nearing ten and the summer night had crept into the long day. Not a trace of the setting sun could be seen over the peninsula. Toby turned lights on as he entered, taking off his shoes at the door. Gavin did as well, admiring the similar décor of both their units. “It’s weird. I feel like I’m home.”

“I like that.” Toby spun around and held Gavin’s hips. “Can I get you anything? A nightcap? Water? A blowjob…?” Toby ran his finger up Gavin’s zipper flap.

“Oh, the BJ, definitely.”

“Step into my boudoir, lover boy.” Toby hooked a belt loop and brought Gavin into his bedroom.

Gavin took Toby’s glasses off, trying them on. “Shit. Are you blind without them?” Teasing Toby, Gavin held his hands out in front of him like he was blind. “You’re Velma!”

“My glasses. Where’s my glasses?” Toby played along, reaching out for them. “Give me those, wise-guy.” Toby removed them from Gavin’s face and set them aside. “They’re Prada. My mom and dad bought them for me when I got the new job.”

“Sweet.” Gavin sat on the bed and held Toby’s hips, bringing him between his knees. “Do you get along good with your family?”

“Yes. Mom was crushed when I moved.”

“You’re a drive away.”

“It’s a pretty long haul to Corvallis. Not like here to Portland.” Toby caressed Gavin’s hair.

“Still. You didn’t move to Hawaii or anything.”

Toby stopped short and said, “You’re still thinking about Trina.”

“Did she tell you about the management job over there if her company opens up a store in Honolulu?”

“Are we really going to discuss Trina as foreplay?”

Was Gavin doing that? He softly focused his eyes, ending up staring at Toby’s mid-section. Instead of stewing on a problem he had no control over, he tugged Toby’s shirt out of his trousers and kissed his navel.

“Get naked. Why do we still have clothing on?”

“I don’t know.” Gavin laughed and began unbuttoning his shirt.

Toby tugged off his socks, then his briefs with his trousers. As Gavin stripped, he watched Toby’s body as it was revealed. Every sinewy abdomen muscle showed through Toby’s smooth skin. His chest hair was sparse, and a delicious line ran under his belly button to his pubic hair. A treasure trail to follow…with his tongue. Gavin grabbed Toby roughly as he folded his slacks. He threw Toby on the bed and began licking his way down his washboard abs.

“Oh, yes.” Toby laughed. “Rough me up, lineman.”

Chills washed over Gavin’s body as Toby’s cock responded to the stimulation.

“Fuck me. Pretend I’m a power pole and climb me.”

Gavin rubbed his face into Toby’s pubic hair and inhaled him, running his lips against the satiny skin of his cock, using the tip of his tongue to tickle underneath to the head, then he sucked him, moaning and grabbing Toby around his narrow waist. Toby huffed out a breathy sigh and tensed his muscles. Gavin rubbed his palm over the tight ripples of Toby’s stomach. He drew hard on the head of Toby’s cock and then stood over him, staring down at him.

Toby’s chest was rising and falling rapidly as he waited for Gavin to react. “Cocksucker…” Toby sneered.

“You want to get fucked by a real man, gay boy?” Gavin pumped his cock, loving this play acting. He had never done it before and it was sublime.

“Fuck yeah. Are you man enough?” Toby fisted his own cock, pointing it at Gavin. Aside, Toby said, “Lube and condoms in the nightstand.”

Gavin opened the top drawer, taking out the box of condoms and a tube of gel. He noticed the prophylactic box had not been opened, just like his yesterday, and smiled wickedly. He held it up and said, “No sex, pretty baby?”

Toby grinned in delight. “I’m a virgin.”

Gavin’s cock went thick and wagged. “Oh…” He closed his eyes and felt the chills wash over his skin. “A virgin…yes, indeed.”

“I…I’ve never had a man before. Will you take my cherry…power lineman?”

The thrill of the role-play was intense. Gavin was hotter now than when they played yesterday. His dick was thick, roping with veins and a bead of pre-cum emerged from the slit. Gavin tossed the box at Toby. “Lesson one; put the rubber on my big cock.”

“Yes, sir.” Toby opened the cardboard box and removed a strip of condoms. He trembled while he tore one open, and Gavin assumed it was all part of the game.

“Lick it first.” Gavin held the base, pointing it in Toby’s direction. “Taste my spunk.”

“Yes, sir!” Toby sat up, licking Gavin’s cock.

“Taste good?” Gavin ran his dick up and down Toby’s mouth and cheek.

“Mm. Very good.”

“Suck it… Suck my big thick cock, boy.” Gavin had an image flash of the men he worked with for some reason—of Harvey and Fred, Hank and Jed, all holding out their cock and saying, ‘Suck my big thick cock, rookie.’ Half the time he felt like that’s what they were saying while he was stuck cleaning the crapper on the bucket truck, or sorting the scrap metal while they lounged with their coffee and The Seattle Times. It felt wonderful to have someone cater to him after he had catered to so many journeymen during his apprenticeship. Toby drew on Gavin’s cock, deep inside his throat. Gavin moaned and held onto Toby as he made sloppy slurping noises and whimpered.

The urge to come became strong. Gavin pushed Toby back against the bed, holding the base of his dick. “Put that rubber on me.”

Toby did, rolling it on like a pro, not a ‘virgin’. “Did I do it right, sir?”

“Lie down and spread your legs.”

Toby immediately obeyed, grabbing his knees and opening his thighs. Gavin stared between Toby’s legs. Toby’s cock was thick and bobbed as it pulsated. A string of pre-cum was beginning to drip from it.

Before he coated them both in lube, Gavin pushed back Toby’s thighs and chewed on his balls and the root of Toby’s cock. Toby let out a loud moan of pleasure and rocked against Gavin’s mouth. Though all he wanted to do was fuck the hell out of Toby, Gavin savored this male delight. He loved everything masculine—the scent, taste, touch, sight, all made him shiver in orgasmic bliss. How long had he waited? How long had he been the diligent student, the slave to the journeymen, the errand boy for the masters who treated him like a punk? Too long!

Using his teeth, Gavin nibbled the taut skin of Toby’s inner thighs, his ass cheeks, his rim. He ran hot, wet laps along the area between his ass and his balls, crying out in joy at having this fabulous man to take, to make his, to tease, lick, and fuck. Under him Toby was going crazy, writhing on the bed, vocalizing his pleasure in low groans and deep rumbling moans.

“Holy Christ…Gavin…I love you, you fucking god!”

Gavin smiled as he sucked on Toby’s nuts, one at a time, rolling them on his tongue. He wanted to say he loved him too, but good sex made men say silly things. He knew that much. Gavin knelt on the bed, wiping his face with his forearm.

“Get the lube, boy!”

Toby grabbed it, holding it out.

“Oh no. I want you to stick it up your own ass.”

The expression of pure lust washed over Toby’s handsome face. He again shook visibly as he opened the tube, squirting a blob on his fingers. Gavin watched, trying not to pant like he’d just been in the ‘pole yard’ climbing. His cock was seeping into the reservoir tip of the condom, filling it with clear liquid. Toby reached between his own legs and spread gel on his ass. Gavin nearly spontaneously combusted watching him. As Toby pushed gel into his back passage, he said, “Fuck! I’m gonna spurt.”

Gavin grabbed Toby’s dick, startling him, and fisted it with two hands. He jacked it like he was pulling the wire off a huge spool of cable. While Toby nearly levitated off the bed and howled in pleasure, Gavin began scooting closer. His cock was knocking at Toby’s back door. He continued to jack Toby off, using one hand to aim his dick. When he felt Toby about to fall off the edge and dive head first into an orgasm, Gavin pushed his dick inside him.

Toby arched his back and opened his lips, shooting cum across his chest in milky ribbons. “Ahhh! Gavin! Holy fuck!”

Gavin jammed his dick into Toby, fucking him deep and hard. Seconds it took, mere seconds, and Gavin was shooting his load into Toby’s ass. He snarled and threw back his head, feeling every pulsating throb of his dick inside that tight hot hole.

“Gavin! Oh my fucking god, Gavin…” Toby gasped for air, holding his chest, sperm all over his skin.

Gavin choked on his moans of pleasure, gripping Toby’s legs tightly to ride out the orgasm. He ran with perspiration, feeling it roll down his pits and sternum, his temples and neck. “Fuck.” He sucked air into his lungs and felt the slow aftershocks, making his dick move inside Toby’s ass. He pulled out and nearly fell off the bed, reaching to brace himself on the wall. Toby shook his head as if in disbelief. “Never…never in all my fucking life… Gavin, I am so hooked.”

“Jesus…” Gavin staggered to get his balance. He glanced at the condom and said, “I fucking nearly blew a hole in the damn thing, I came so hard.”

Toby sprung off the bed, embracing Gavin. Gavin had no idea where he found the energy since he was sapped.

“Baby! Baby!” Toby rubbed his face over Gavin’s neck. “I am so fucking crazy about you.”

Gavin laughed in exhaustion. “Oh, sweetheart, you said a mouthful.”

~

Toby and Gavin kept teasing each other playfully as they cleaned up. Kisses, nibbles, grabs to the groin, wonderful aftersex fun. When a cell phone ringtone sounded, Toby knew it wasn’t his.

“Could be work.” Gavin grabbed a hand towel and hurried to the bedroom where they had undressed.

Toby poked his head in to listen.

Gavin cupped the phone. “It’s Trina.”

A huge downer on their sexual bout hit like a cold bucket of water. Toby returned to the bathroom, drying his crotch and glancing at himself in the mirror. Would he forever be competing with Trina for Gavin’s affections?

He folded the towels over the rack and straightened out the bathroom. When he could find no more tidying to do, he stepped into the hall to see Gavin sitting on his bed, nodding, the phone to his ear. It was nearing midnight. Does that woman call him constantly?

So it seems. Toby sat on the bed, touching Gavin’s back. He could hear the murmur of Trina’s voice, but not make out any words. Gavin was saying, “Uh huh…uh huh…” which was typical when Trina fell into her monologue. Toby had been there. Most of the time, Trina did all the talking and he too would nod politely, ‘Uh huh…uh huh…’ as she rambled about her work, her family, her mother’s dog, Pepper…

“No, Trina…” Gavin met Toby’s eyes. “I don’t know what my plans are for tomorrow yet.”

Toby flopped against the pillows, staring at Gavin, certainly not envying his predicament. Yes, now Trina was aware they were a couple, but she didn’t seem to accept the new hierarchy. I’m now top dog, Trina. According to the ‘Gospel of Toby Montgomery’, he was the highest priority in Gavin’s life. Not the exotic dragon lady, Trina Yamagachi. If Toby had to play a close second to Trina’s first, he would kill someone.

“Yes, I’m still with Toby.” Gavin made a gesture like he was helpless.

Toby was about to hit him.

“Um, what do you mean ‘with him how’?” Gavin glanced at Toby’s groin.

You can’t tell her we’re naked? You can’t say, Trina, I’m in the middle of post-coital fun?

Toby grew angry. He grabbed his briefs and put them on, leaving the room. Hearing none of Gavin’s words any longer, but figuring he was now stuck with Trina’s whining, Toby poured himself a glass of juice and walked through the dark living room to stare out of his patio doors. It was nearing one, but plenty of vehicle traffic moved on the main drag in front of the condo building, and of course the convenience store was hopping.

~

Gavin knew talking to Trina at this moment was not making Toby happy. He stared at the opened box of condoms, the strip of five lying on the nightstand, and the open tube of lube. He tucked the phone between his shoulder and ear and capped it, trying to listen to Trina at the same time.

“Gavie, I’m so hurt. How could you still be with him? It’s late. Shouldn’t you be alone?”

“Sweetie…” Gavin stuffed the strip of unused condoms back into the box.

“I know I acted like I was okay with it, Gavie. I didn’t want to ruin a good dinner.”

“Babe…listen…” Gavin tossed the box of condoms on the nightstand once he’d put the unused ones back into it.

“I’m hurt. I’m really hurt. First you take my boyfriend, now you can’t talk to me because you’re with him? Is this it from now on, Gavie? Toby will come first in your life?”

Gavin rubbed his face tiredly. “Trina, when you were with Leonard, or David, or Darin…”

“Don’t throw that in my face. I know you, Gavin. You’ll talk about Toby-this and Toby-that. How am I supposed to handle that?”

“I won’t do that. We don’t have to talk about him at all.”

Gavin didn’t hear any sound coming from the living room. He stood and began searching for Toby.

“I thought we were best friends.”

“We still are. Nothing has changed.” He spotted Toby’s silhouette against the sliding doors in the living room. Closing the gap between them, Gavin encircled his waist and drew him into an embrace, kissing his shoulder. He felt Toby sigh.

“If nothing has changed, why can’t we see each other tomorrow?”

“Sure. We can. Okay? Let me just call you tomorrow late afternoon. I have to go food shopping, do laundry…”

“Will you take me into Bellevue for lunch? I’ve been dying to try that Thai restaurant, the Chantanee.”

Toby rested against Gavin, holding an empty tumbler glass in one hand, using his free hand to touch Gavin’s hip.

“Never heard of it.” Gavin rocked Toby gently, pushing his crotch against the fabric of Toby’s briefs.

“It’s that Thai place I mentioned to you before. I heard good things about it.”

“Can I call you tomorrow?”

“See! You can’t even make a date with me for lunch anymore. I hate Toby. And I hate you.”

“Trina?” Gavin knew she had hung up. He disconnected the call and tossed his phone onto the coffee table behind him.

“In the doghouse now?” Toby rubbed his ass against Gavin’s groin.

“She wants me to take her to a Thai restaurant tomorrow.”

“So? Take her.”

Gavin held Toby’s waist and turned him around to face him.

“I’d rather spend the day with you.”

After setting his empty glass on the coffee table, Toby wrapped his arms around Gavin’s neck, dancing slowly with him, crotch to crotch. “That’s her worse fear.”

Gavin kissed Toby, then rested his head on Toby’s shoulder as they swayed. He’d been there for Trina through all her breakups and triumphs, but Gavin wondered if Trina would not be there for him.

Would Toby?

He leaned back to stare into his eyes in the dimness.

“Maybe we should go to bed.” Toby smoothed his hands down Gavin’s back, sending chills over Gavin.

“I am tired.”

“Do you want to sleep here?”

“Yes.”

Toby held Gavin’s hand and led him back to the bed. They shut off the light and cuddled together under the blankets. Toby stripped off his briefs and nestled against Gavin, holding him close. The curtains were closed but through the gap, a light from outside was shining on the ceiling and closet doors. Gavin didn’t shut his eyes right away. There had to be a solution to keeping Trina happy and getting to spend his free time with Toby. He just didn’t know what it was at the moment.

When Toby’s fingertips tickled his leg and held his soft cock, Gavin rested his lips against Toby’s neck. He heard Toby exhale and felt his tense muscles relax. Closing his eyes, Gavin cupped his hand over Toby’s, giving it a squeeze, and finally fell asleep. Chapter 14

Gavin was having a strange dream. He and Harvey were upgrading power lines, ‘flying’ in the bucket, stopping it to work on removing a cross-arm when suddenly Harvey screamed and Gavin smelled burning flesh. He could see both of Harvey’s hands were blackened by the high voltage line and began yelling for help.

“Gav…Gavin, wake up.”

Slowly coming out of the nightmare, Gavin opened his eyes to see Toby leaning over him.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” Gavin tried to shake off the horrible image. They’d seen photos in training of what being burned by high-voltage power could do to a man. It basically barbequed your hands and innards.

Toby rested his palm on Gavin’s chest. “Your heart is going wild.”

“Ever since I began working the primary circuits, I have bad dreams about someone being burned.”

“Jesus.” Toby touched Gavin’s cheek.

“It doesn’t happen often, luckily. But hell, it is a hazard of the job.” Gavin turned to look at the digital clock. It read after eleven a.m. He stretched and yawned.

“My worst nightmares are horrible internet hook-ups.” Toby gave Gavin a wry smile. “I’m joking.”

Gavin rolled to his side and propped his head up on the pillows. “Do you do any internet shit? You know, jacking off via webcam?”

“I’ve done it a couple of times. It’s not what I want.”

When Gavin’s ringtone sounded from where he had left his phone in the living room last night, he and Toby exchanged glances. In harmony they said, “Trina.”

“I did tell her I’d call her today.”

“She also hung up on you.”

They paused as the ringing continued until it went to voicemail. Gavin exhaled and felt like shit. “I’m abandoning her. I suck.”

“I’m not stopping you from having lunch with her.”

Gavin caressed Toby’s chest. “I don’t want to get out of bed at the moment.”

“It’s hard, Gavin, I know. When you just meet someone, you don’t want to forsake your good friends.”

“It’s been so long since I met someone I wanted to spend time with, I don’t even know what the rules are anymore.” Gavin rubbed his eyes. “Let me just make sure it’s not work. I’m on call from the time I get home to the time I go back to work on Monday.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. The overtime is voluntary, though.” Gavin tossed off the blankets and headed to the living room. It was a gray day, but not raining at the moment. He checked the missed call. It was indeed Trina. He listened to the voicemail as he heard Toby enter the bathroom.

“Hi, Gavie. I don’t know if you’re still asleep or not. I just wanted to tell you that Carl…the man I just sold a Cartier watch to, you know, he’s the one who asked me for my number? Well, he’s taking me to lunch at Chantanee, so you don’t have to bother. I really like him, Gavie. I’ll call you after our first date and let you know how it went. Bye!”

Gavin heard the toilet flush and the water running in the bathroom. He stood at the open door and leaned on the frame.

“Trina has a date.”

“Aha.” Toby scrubbed his face and smiled at him.

“Carl.”

“Sounds promising.” He splashed his cheeks, rinsing off the soap.

“She seemed excited.” Gavin put his phone on the nightstand and returned to the bathroom, waiting his turn.

“Does that mean you’re off the hook?” Toby dried his face with a towel.

Gavin flipped up the toilet seat and urinated. “She said she would call after the date and give me the lowdown.” He glanced up and spotted Toby watching him pee. “Not into golden showers, are you?”

“No. You?”

“Not yet.” He made a move like he would piss on Toby, making him jerk back. Gavin laughed at him.

Toby said, “Hey, I won’t knock anything that gets a guy off. After all, I’m still dying to go to the army surplus store.”

Gavin flushed the toilet and washed his hands at the basin. “It appears I’m now at your disposal.”

Toby played with himself while he watched Gavin brush his teeth. “You have a uniform for work?”

Gavin glanced at him, spitting out the toothpaste. “Yellow hard hat, tool belt…”

“That has potential.” Toby tugged on his stiff dick. Taking the hand towel off the rack, Gavin dried his face and said, “Do I run to my unit nekkid?”

“Oh, fuck yeah.” Toby laughed, fisting his cock.

“No way.” Gavin chuckled, tossing the towel back over the rack. “Am I getting a free solo act?”

“Want one?”

“I want anything you want.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Get that hard hat and tool belt, Mecklenburg.”

“I can do that.” Gavin gave Toby’s balls a grope as he walked past him. He slipped on his black slacks and grabbed his key.

“Don’t come without me.”

“Never.” Toby kissed him, still playing with himself as he walked Gavin to the door.

“Be right back.”

“Hurry.”

Gavin smiled as he walked down the hall, turning around to see a stark naked Toby jacking off as he watched him. Gavin headed down the staircase, smiling as he went.

~

Toby closed the door and hopped as he spun around, excited to continue playing and loving every minute. As he straightened the bed, folded their clothing to place on his dresser, he heard Gavin’s ringtone again. His first impulse was annoyance, but Gavin did say he was on-call for work. In case it was indeed Seattle Power Source calling one of their heroes to the rescue, Toby picked it up and read the display. ‘Trina’.

He wanted to answer it. To tell Trina to lay off. To remind her Gavin was now his.

He set the phone down and walked away from it. The smartest path for Toby to stay out of harm’s way was to keep clear of any involvement between Trina and Gavin. No matter what he wanted to do to bring an end to the constant calls, Gavin had to be the one, not him.

Finally the ringing stopped. Toby returned to the task of getting the bedroom ready for hot sex, only now he was brooding and pre-occupied.

Just as he began to wonder what was taking Gavin so long, there was a knock on his condo door. Toby jogged to it, looking out of the peephole. He swung open the door and his dour mood vanished.

“Heard you had a problem with your power pole.” Gavin wore a yellow hard hat, a pair of torn jeans and a tool belt, slung low on his hips—barefoot, bare-chested, wearing canvas gloves.

“I brought my hot stick with me. Just tell me where I should stick it.”

Toby was in heat, and couldn’t believe Gavin was his to enjoy. He shook his head. “I have died and gone to heaven.”

Gavin poked Toby’s chest with his gloved finger. “Look, buddy, my time is worth a lot of money to this city. You want me to come in and service you, or not?”

The surge to Toby’s cock was strong. He backed up and allowed Gavin inside, closing the door behind him. “Uh…I do have a problem, sir.”

Gavin spun around, hands on hips, looking like a pinup from one of Toby’s hot, online gay sex websites. “You want your pole mounted?”

“Fuck!” Toby laughed, jerking on his cock. “Yes!”

“Then show me where the problem is.” Gavin shoved him towards the bedroom. “Is it with your primary circuit?” Gavin pointed to the way Toby was fisting himself. “Looks like it’s working just fine.”

A sense of attachment washed over Toby. His man. This hunk could be— was—his man. Toby was in awe of him. Gavin exuded power, confidence and so much testosterone, Toby could shoot his load just looking at him.

He lunged for Gavin, nearly knocking him backwards, wrapping his arms around him and kissing his lips. Gavin held onto his hat as Toby devoured his mouth, running his hands all over Gavin’s body.

At first, Gavin held Toby’s waist, but soon he shed the gloves and his hands slid down to cup Toby’s ass cheeks.

Toby felt as if he couldn’t catch his breath. His cock rubbed against Gavin’s jeans, brushing the tool belt. When Gavin picked Toby up, Toby interlocked his ankles behind Gavin’s back while their kissing intensified to wild, open-mouthed sucking tongues and whimpering sounds of pleasure.

Feeling the coarse edge of the leather belt against his ass, Toby scooted higher on Gavin, so he could feel the heat of his skin. Gavin hoisted him up, helping Toby get where he wanted to be. While he savored the taste and feel of Gavin’s lips and tongue, Toby felt Gavin touching his ass crack. The sensation of shivers rushed up Toby’s spine and one thought raced through his head. Coming. He wanted to come all over Gavin. Toby parted from Gavin’s mouth and said, “Can I jack off on you?”

“Anything, baby.” Gavin used the tip of his tongue to touch Toby’s top lip.

“Lay down.” Toby was released and stood by the bed, waiting as Gavin lie back. Toby opened Gavin’s jeans, rooting out his cock, exposing it from his clothing. He clenched his jaw at the raging urge he had to come and leaned over Gavin, jacking off as he licked his lips and drank in his image.

Gavin touched his own cock, making it stand upright from his open zipper.

Toby swept his vision from Gavin’s yellow hard hat, to his fabulous blue eyes, down his naked chest, the tool belt, and finally his large blushing cock. He sprayed Gavin’s chest and arched his back, jacking off briskly to spatter Gavin’s skin with as much spunk as he could.

Gavin showed his teeth in a sensuous growl and tugged on his own cock.

Toby went down on Gavin, drawing hard and fast on his dick, holding the base and going wild. Gavin bucked under him, squeezing Toby’s arm as the climax began to rock him. A mouthful of pre-cum let Toby know Gavin was close. He drew to the tip, then sucked as deep as he could, using his tongue to run up and down the underside of Gavin’s cock. Gavin’s hips jerked upward, for deeper penetration, and he grunted a low masculine sound.

Toby began swallowing the load as Gavin’s body gave it up. He hummed in delight, milking Gavin’s cock strongly, making Gavin squirm on the bed.

Toby finally released Gavin’s cock, staring at it, licking the creamy drops from the slit as they appeared.

Under him, Gavin was gasping for air, lying limp on the bed. Gavin’s phone made a vibrating sound. Toby knew that was from a text message. They both ignored it as they recovered. Toby crawled beside Gavin on the bed, touching the sticky cum that was turning clear from the heat of Gavin’s body.

“Holy fuck.” Gavin laughed, but sounded exhausted.

“I swear, Gav. Never in my life.”

“Shit. Me too.” He raised his head to look down his body.

“That was amazing.” He moved the hardhat to the side of the bed, unbuckling the tool belt. “I’ll never think of those job phrases the same again.”

Toby helped him remove the belt, setting it on the floor.

“Don’t you guys laugh over them? I mean, come on. They’re so phallic.”

“No. We don’t. The guys at work aren’t the type. They’re total homophobes.”

“Sorry, Gavin.”

Gavin shrugged. “Macho work, macho men.”

“Let me get something to clean you up.”

“Thanks.”

~

Gavin sat up on the bed, picking up his phone to see what text he had missed. He noticed Trina had also called again and left another voicemail. The text said, ‘ he’s late. should I call him? ’

Gavin immediately dialed her number. “Hey. Are you still waiting for him?”

Toby returned, holding a wet washcloth to clean up the sticky cum. They pecked lips quickly. Gavin lay back to allow Toby to wash the spatter off, which was from his nipples to his navel.

“Yes, Gavie. You don’t think he’ll stand me up, do you?”

Gavin checked the clock. It was just after noon. “Are you at the restaurant?”

“Yes. Should I call him?”

Toby walked in the direction of the bathroom and returned without the washcloth. He lay beside Gavin on the bed, cuddling.

“What time did he say to meet him?” Gavin put his arm around Toby and hugged him.

“Noon.”

“Sweetie, it’s just after. I’d give him fifteen minutes.”

“Oh, Gavie. What if he never shows? I’ll feel like such a loser.”

“Never. You are not a loser.”

Toby leaned up and gave Gavin an expression of concern.

“I am. I can’t find the right man, Gavie. I don’t know what to do.”

Gavin cupped the phone. “She thinks the guy is standing her up. She’s alone at the restaurant.”

“Go.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

Gavin got back on the phone. “Trina?”

“Yes, Gavie?”

“Look, if you want—”

“Oh! He’s here! Bye!”

Gavin said, “Hello?”

Toby started laughing.

Gavin put the phone on the night table and lay back his head.

“He showed.”

“I gathered.”

“Thanks for saying I can go.”

“Hey, I got you, don’t I?”

Gavin stared at Toby’s dark eyes. “Yeah. You do.”

Toby snuggled against Gavin’s chest.

They caressed each other gently, relaxing. Gavin wanted nothing more than to be lazy and hold Toby all day…and night.

“I can’t believe I fell for my best friend’s boyfriend.”

Toby started laughing. “Isn’t that a song by the Cars?”

“That’s my best friend’s girlfriend.”

“Oh. Maybe we should write a gay version.” Toby cupped Gavin’s crotch over his jeans.

“Yes. I think we should.” Gavin hugged him tight.

Chapter 15

“Gavie, he’s the one!” Trina beamed as she sipped her wine. It was Monday night and they met for a quick drink.

“You really like Carl?” Gavin smiled.

“I do! He’s so handsome, and rich, and he really dotes on me.”

“You won’t let me meet him, will you?” Gavin laughed, drinking his beer as they sat on the deck of Anthony’s restaurant on Shilshole.

“No! My luck, he’s gay and you’ll steal him too!” She whacked his arm.

“I’m off the market.” Gavin took a bite of the crab appetizer, gazing out at the Olympic Mountain range.

“Really, Gavie? You and Toby?”

Gavin met Trina’s dark eyes. “Really.”

“That’s so romantic.”

Gavin checked his watch. Toby was going to meet him after he and Trina had appetizers together.

“You should get a gold Rolex, Gavie. Trade up.”

“Maybe one day.”

“Carl has one. I sold him the eighteen-carat President. He’s my dream man.”

“You sure, Trina? You think this guy’s is the one you’ll finally marry? You know that so soon?”

“I hope so. I know there’s no chance of getting you to marry me…”

Gavin coughed in a laugh.

“So…maybe Carl will be the lucky one.” She inspected her nails. Her phone hummed. Trina picked it up and squealed. “He said, miss you! Look. And a little kiss.” She showed him the phone. “What should I text back, Gavie?”

“I think you know exactly what to say.” He winked.

As she got busy tapping her phone, Gavin felt his vibrate. He took it out and read a text from Toby. ‘ wanna fuck, fuck, fuck you. ’

Gavin’s dick throbbed. While Trina was occupied with her own e-conversation, Gavin typed back, ‘ got the uniform?’

‘ yup.’

‘on my way.’

“Gotta go, Gavie!” Trina grabbed her purse, tossing cash on the table.

“Me too.” Gavin made sure they covered the check the waitress had left on the table. They walked to the parking lot, holding each other’s hand. Gavin escorted her to her Camry and gave her a hug. “I hope Carl is the one.”

“He is. I can just feel it. He owns a house in Honolulu, so I can go with him to check it out before I apply for the job offer.”

“That’s very cool. I’m happy for you.”

“Toby wasn’t the one for me, Gavie. I see that now. You can have him.”

“I appreciate that.” Gavin loved her silly way of telling him she was happy for him too.

She kissed his cheek. “I smudged you!” She laughed, waving.

“Bye, Gavie. I’ll call you later.”

“Bye, sweetheart.” He opened her car door for her, closing it when she was in. Waiting as she backed out, he waved at her, watching the car leave the lot.

He’d miss her when she moved. Because she would go to Hawaii. She had been talking about it since the company planned to open a store there. He hoped Carl was a good man. Gavin climbed into his Mazda and headed home, wondering what Toby had in mind for their next role play.

The moment he walked to Toby’s unit and knocked, a sailor in a white uniform and hat answered the door. Gavin cracked up with laughter as Toby saluted.

“Get in here. Wait ‘til you see what I bought for you!” Toby shoved Gavin into the bedroom.

On the bed, laid out like it was already on a man, Gavin spotted a camouflage shirt and pants, a’la the war in the Middle East, including a cap. On the shirt it read, US Army.

“Hurry. I’ve been ready to jack off over the uniform even without you in it.”

“You’re a nut.” Gavin smiled at him, taking off his shoes.

“I’ll give you a minute.”

“Okay.”

Toby raced out and shut the door.

Gavin changed into the uniform, with nothing underneath, and stood at the dresser mirror to see how he looked. Well, was there anything better than a military man? No.

“Ready?” Toby asked from behind the door.

“Yes, sir.” Gavin straightened his back and waited. Toby came flying in and stopped short. “Oh, God. I need to suck your cock.”

Before Gavin could agree or comment Toby was on his knees tearing open the desert camouflage pants. Toby wasted no time rooting out Gavin’s cock and engulfing it into his mouth. It nearly knocked Gavin off his feet, it was so exciting. “I haven’t even pretended to be a GI yet.”

“Mm!” Toby gripped Gavin’s legs through his pants, moaning and drawing his cock deep into his mouth.

The escalating sensations became an urgent need to climax. Gavin reached for the wall to steady himself, watching Toby go nuts, wearing his sailor suit, looking like a stud himself. Gavin hiked up his shirt and the moment his skin was exposed, Toby ran his hands up his body.

“Gavin…” Toby sat on his heels and stared at Gavin’s cock, then took in all of him. “I need to get fucked.”

“I think you do.” Gavin hoisted Toby up to his feet, pushing him back on the bed. He unfastened Toby’s slacks and yanked them down his legs. Toby wriggled them off and reached for the condoms.

While Toby was occupied, Gavin nestled between his legs, whimpering and inhaling him. He rubbed his cheek against Gavin’s stiff cock, running kisses under its length and head. Toby held a condom in one hand and the gel in the other, making little lovesick sounds that Gavin was growing to adore. He gave his cock a suck and a lick, then plucked the rubber from Toby’s fingers. As he rolled it on, he admired Toby’s body. They weren’t doing much role playing, but it seemed the uniforms alone had done the trick.

Gavin took the gel and applied it to his fingers, gave his balls a good groping, and smoothed his hand down the root of Toby’s cock to his ass. When Gavin pushed in, Toby raised his hips and let out a deep sigh. After giving Toby a prostate rub and relaxing him, Gavin held the base of his cock. “Ready for entry, soldier?”

“Yes, sir.” Toby elevated his hips.

Gavin placed each of Toby’s legs on his shoulders and scooted closer. He aimed his cock and inched inside.

“Seaman Montgomery, reporting for duty, sir.” Toby saluted, but looked like he was already riding a sex high.

“At ease, ‘seaman’.” Gavin thrust in and bit his bottom lip.

“Holy fuck…fuck…fuck…” Toby shook his head as he stared at Gavin.

“I want my…semen…” Gavin quickened his pace, holding Toby’s thighs. “In you. In you!” He hammered as the orgasm began to swirl in his groin.

Toby grabbed his own dick and jacked on it, hissing air between his teeth and meeting Gavin’s thrusts from below. Unable to ride the edge, Gavin came, choking on his moans and pushing as deeply inside Toby as he could. Feeling every pulsating beat of his cock, Gavin watched Toby fisting his dick in a blur.

Gavin pulled out, allowed Toby’s legs to rest on the bed, and took over for him. He put the head of Toby’s cock into his mouth while he worked the base with one hand, massaging under his balls with the other. Toby cried out and his hips jerked upwards. Immediately Gavin tasted his cum and sucked it down. Under the heavy uniform fabric, Gavin was dripping with sweat. He milked Toby’s cock and lapped the drops that appeared. Once they were both sated and catching their breath, Toby began to sing softly, “My best friend’s boyfriend…”

Gavin smiled at him, shaking his head.

“I wish you were mine.” Toby gave him a sexually satisfied grin.

“I am yours.” Gavin took off the hot top and lay beside him on the bed. “One kiss and then we clean up.”

Toby lunged for him, pinning him to the bed.

Gavin rocked him in his arms, imagining Toby would one day be ‘his fiancé’. Maybe Trina could be his maid of honor.

The End

About the Author

Award-winning author G.A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written over sixty novels, including several bestsellers of gay fiction and is an Honorary Board Member of Gay American Heroes for her support of the foundation. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website. www.authorgahauser.com G.A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, and Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, Best Author 2007.

The G.A. Hauser Collection

Single Titles

Unnecessary Roughness

Hot Rod

Of Wolves and Men

The Order of Wolves

Mr. Right

My Best Friend’s Boyfriend

The Diamond Stud

The Hard Way

Games Men Play

Born to Please

Got Men?

Heart of Steele

All Man

Julian

Black Leather Phoenix

London, Bloody, London

In The Dark and What Should Never Be, Erotic Short Stories

Mark and Sharon (formally titled A Question of Sex) A Man’s Best Friend

It Takes a Man

The Physician and the Actor

For Love and Money

The Kiss

Naked Dragon

Secrets and Misdemeanors

Capital Games

Giving Up the Ghost

To Have and To Hostage

Love you, Loveday

The Boy Next Door

When Adam Met Jack

Exposure

The Vampire and the Man-eater

Murphy's Hero

Mark Antonious deMontford

Prince of Servitude

Calling Dr Love

The Rape of St. Peter

The Wedding Planner

Going Deep

Double Trouble

Pirates

Miller's Tale

Vampire Nights

Teacher's Pet

In the Shadow of Alexander

The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes

The Action! Series

Acting Naughty

Playing Dirty

Getting it in the End

Behaving Badly

Dripping Hot

Packing Heat

Being Screwed

Something Sexy

Going Wild

Men in Motion Series

Mile High

Cruising

Driving Hard

Leather Boys

Heroes Series

Man to Man

Two In Two Out

Top Men

G.A. Hauser

Writing as Amanda Winters

Sister Moonshine

Nothing Like Romance

Silent Reign

Butterfly Suicide

Mutley’s Crew

A quickie based on the characters of GA Hauser’s All Man:

At Your Service, Staff Sergeant Gary Wilson.

Gary knew damn well what showing up in his Airman’s Battle Uniform did to Chase. It drove Chase wild.

It was impossible to have Chase working at the clinic at Wright Patterson Air Base and not seek him out. And Gary knew he was being naughty, but hell, after three tours, two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, he deserved a little, ‘naughty’. Entering the clinic, Gary removed his cap and approached the reception desk. “Hello, I’m Staff Sgt. Wilson. I need to see Chase Arlington, please.”

“I think he’s with a patient.” The woman smiled dreamily at him. “I can check.”

“I don’t want to interrupt him. It’s not urgent.” Like hell it ain’t.

“I can check, Sergeant. Can you have a seat?”

Gary had a quick look at the waiting area and the few civilian patients staring at him. “That’s fine. Could you just say someone from the 445th is here? He doesn’t need my name.” Gary knew that would ruin the surprise.

“I’ll let him know.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Gary nodded politely.

When she passed into physical therapy area, Gary ducked out of view. A moment later she returned. “He’s just finishing up, Sergeant.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“You’re very welcome.” She returned to her desk, smiling flirtatiously at him.

Gary checked his watch. He didn’t have a lot of time either. Finally an older man left the therapy room. A moment later, Chase appeared looking around the waiting area.

Moving from behind the potted fichus tree, Gary met Chase’s dark eyes. The moment of recognition and fire that passed over Chase’s face was priceless.

He leaned over the desk to the same receptionist. “I’m taking a quick break. Be right back.”

“Fine, Mr. Arlington.”

Gary exited the clinic, popping his cap back on his head. He was grinning so hard his cheeks ached. Feeling Chase’s hand on his arm, Gary grew even more thrilled. He knew what Chase’s reaction would be. Did he know him, or did he know him?

Chase directed Gary through the parking lot, behind the clinic near some tall barren oak trees waving in the cool breeze.

“Get over here!” Chase hissed in desperation.

Gary was urged back against the brick wall of the building with Chase’s hot body pressed against his. At the taste of Chase’s lips, Gary closed his eyes and held his waist tightly. As predicted, Chase went mad. He ran his hands all over Gary’s uniform, from his shoulders, down his chest, his crotch, back up to his arms, then Chase took the ride all over again, the entire time whimpering in agony.

Gary parted from his lips to grin wickedly at him. “Knew you’d go nuts.”

“I love you in this thing! Ah!” Chase took a quick glance around before he opened Gary’s zipper.

“Geez! I thought I’d be sucking you off!” Gary pressed against the cold brick wall behind him. “Mother-fucker!”

Instantly Chase was kneeling in front of him sucking him fast and hard.

Gary’s head started spinning from the daring deed. They both knew if they were caught doing this on base there would be dire consequences. That slightly amused Gary. After what he’d been through in the war, he didn’t think what he was doing was all that dangerous.

When Chase’s fingers dug under Gary’s balls, Gary lit up.

“Ahhfuck! Chase, I’m there!”

Chase drew harder, deeper.

Gary closed his eyes and shuddered as he came in Chase’s mouth. “Holy shit.”

Taking his time milking Gary’s cock, Chase finally stood, tucking Gary back into his camouflaged trousers.

The minute he had, Gary spun them around, slamming Chase against the wall. He dropped to his knees to return the favor. Feeling his hat being removed as he exposed Chase’s dick, Gary glanced up at Chase just before he slid Chase’s cock into his mouth. Chase had popped Gary’s cap on his own head. Trying not to laugh while a big hard dick was between his lips, Gary focused on the job at hand, knowing damn well time was of the essence.

The taste and scent of Chase’s body was worth the risk. It was worth everything to Gary.

“Look at you…” Chase crooned, running his hands through Gary’s dark short hair. “You gorgeous soldier, I am so fucking in love with you.”

Gary intensified the sucking. If Chase could talk, he wasn’t swooning enough by his standards. He yanked Chase’s trousers wider to get at his balls and ass. It did the trick. Chase’s body tensed up and his cock went rock hard. “Oh, Christ…”

Gary closed his eyes as Chase climaxed, feeling his come shoot into his mouth in ecstasy. Sucking him until nothing more came out, Gary pulled up Chase’s zipper, buttoned his fly and caught his breath.

Chase, still wearing Gary’s ABU hat, was recuperating slowly.

“You look damn cute in that thing,” Gary laughed, pecking Chase’s lips.

“Not as beautiful as you, soldier.” Chase handed it back to him.

“I have to go.” Gary took one last minute to crush Chase against the brick wall and kiss him. “Until later.”

“Yes. Tonight.” Chase looked positively dazed.

Gary flipped his cap back on his head and gave Chase a proper military salute. “Permission to leave, sir!” Gary teased.

“Regretfully, permission granted.” Chase walked back around to the parking lot with him. “Just remember something, Staff Sergeant Wilson.”

“Yes?” Gary grinned wickedly at him.

“Chase Arlington, lowly civilian, is at your service. Night and day.”

“I like that,” Gary purred. “Later, civie.” Gary waved as he jogged across the lot back to his Hummer. Seeing Chase still standing in the cool October breeze watching him, Gary waved. Once he was headed back to his area on the base, he checked the rear view mirror quickly. A drop of Chase’s come was on his cheek. He wiped it off and with a wicked smile, sucked at his finger.

~

Chase waited until he couldn’t see the Hummer any longer. Making his way back inside the clinic, Chase smiled. At your service, Sgt. Wilson. On call.

“Everything all right, Mr. Arlington?”

Chase addressed the receptionist, “Yes, everything is fine. It’s my pleasure to serve the men who serve our country,” Chase boasted.

“I couldn’t agree more.” She smiled.

Dying for the rest of the afternoon to pass so he could have Gary in his arms again, Chase returned to his work, floating on a cloud.

The End

Recommended Read By Stormy

Glenn!

REDEMPTION

True Blood Mate 4

Rogan Owens lives a life of secret misery. Three years ago, he lost his mate when he couldn't come out of the closet and acknowledge their bond. He's suffered in silence ever since, taking over as alpha of his mate's clan. Rogan is overjoyed when he discovers Julian alive. He has so many questions. Where has Julian been? Why hasn't he come home? What are the long scars on his body? But most importantly, why is Julian running away from him?

Stricken with grief, Rogan takes a dangerous path that almost ends his life. Only by Julian's swift intervention is he saved. Rogan finally comes to accept that his mate will never want him only to have Julian decide it's time to come home.

But someone else doesn't want Julian and Rogan reunited and they will use anything to keep the two men apart, even if it means Julian's death for real this time. Between keeping each other safe and trying to solve the mystery of who wants Julian dead, they barely have time to learn to love each other. Will what they feel for each other make them stronger or be their downfall?

M/M, Paranormal, Werewolf, Erotic Romance

http://www.bookstrand.com/redemption

Available Now!

Excerpt:

"Rogan, how are you feeling?"

"Surprisingly well considering."

"Any pain?"

A light flushed filled Rogan's face. "Define pain." Julian frowned. "Does anything hurt?"

"Well, there's a definite ache in my ass." Rogan chuckled. "But other than that I feel fine, great, in fact." Suddenly understanding the meaning behind Rogan's words, and enjoying the delightful man that had woken up, Julian stretched on the bed next to his mate. "I imagine I can help you with that ache if you want."

"Not dressed you can't."

"Want to bet?" Julian grinned as he moved in, pressing his lips against Rogan's. The man's acceptance was instantaneous, which thrilled Julian down to his toes. A growl of satisfaction built in Julian's throat when he felt Rogan lean into the kiss, his mouth opening and allowing Julian in.

It was a heady feeling, having such acceptance. It made Julian ache. The need to dominate Rogan again and claim him was almost overwhelming. He'd been pretty rough on Rogan last night and he wanted to be just a bit gentler this time around. Rogan deserved it.

Julian kept his lips pressed against Rogan's, their tongues brushing together as they explored each other. He pushed against Rogan until the man rolled onto his back then moved over the top of him.

The feeling of Rogan's skin under his hands drove Julian crazy. It was soft and silky, hot and hard. It felt perfect under Julian's fingertips. He pushed the blanket down as far as he could, wanting to explore more of Rogan's skin.

"Julian," Rogan moaned as he tugged at his shirt, "take off your clothes. It's been so long. I want to feel you."

"Me first."

Julian didn't give Rogan a chance to say anything more. He claimed the man's mouth with a hunger that quickly consumed them both. He could feel Rogan's chest moving rapidly up and down as he panted.

Julian moved his lips away from Rogan's mouth and kissed a small trail down his face to his throat. He licked at the small pulse that beat against his lips. The sweet taste of the man's skin exploded across his tongue. Julian groaned, never having felt anything better in his life.

He moved further down Rogan's body, wanting to explore more, to taste more. He'd never tasted anything so sweet yet masculine. He took particular interest in the twin brown hued nubs that decorated Rogan's chest. The musty taste there was stronger, more masculine than sweet. Julian paid them special attention, rubbing his tongue across them then gently biting down.

Rogan squirmed beneath him. The loud groans that filled the room also filled Julian's soul. He'd waited years to hear those soft sounds come from his mate, more time than anyone should have to wait. He didn't think he'd ever get tired of hearing them.

And the groans just turned louder the farther down Rogan's body that Julian moved. They turned into one continuous moan and full body trembles by the time Julian hovered over Rogan's hard cock. He gently blew across the straining erection.

"Fuck, Julian, what are you doing?"

Julian grinned as he licked away the small pearly drops pooling at the tip of Rogan's cock. "I'm having fun," Julian said through their bond. "What are you doing?"

"Losing my fucking mind!"

"Good." Julian chuckled then went back to what he was doing, admiring the thick solid cock in front of his face. But he wanted to do more than admire it. He wanted to taste it. Julian opened his mouth and gulped down Rogan's entire length.

"Julian!" Rogan screamed as he arched into the air. Julian swallowed hard, trying not to gag when Rogan's hard cock was shoved further into his mouth. His movements had an added affect when his throat muscles gently massaged Rogan's cock.

"Like that, baby?"

"Oh god, don't stop," Rogan groaned. "I've never—"

"Never what, mate?" Julian had to ask. He was intrigued by the sudden intensity he could hear in Rogan's voice.

"Never felt anything… anything like it."

Surprised, Julian glanced up to Rogan's face. The man's head was moving back and forth on the pillow with wild abandon. His hands were clenched in the sheets besides his body. His face was flushed.

Rogan looked as sexy as hell.

"How about this?" Julian asked as swiped his tongue across the tip, licking away the drops of pre-cum gathering there. At the same time, Julian licked his fingers then reached back and pressed two of them into his own ass. He had claimed Rogan last night and ridden him hard. This time, he wanted to be the one claimed. He knew exactly how gorgeous Rogan's cock was, and how large. Rogan was even bigger than he was. The thought of the man pounding into his ass made Julian as hard as stone. Julian released Rogan's cock and worked his way down to the man's balls, sucking them gently then licking them with his tongue. Rogan's legs spread, giving Julian more access. Rogan brought his knees up then let them fall to the side.

Julian looked up and groaned at the wanton picture his mate made. He looked totally debauched spread out the way he was with a soft glow of passion making his skin look flushed. Julian couldn't stand it anymore. He needed to feel Rogan inside of him before he exploded.

He quickly shoved two more fingers into his ass, stretching himself as fast as he could. Julian winced in discomfort but not much. He liked a bit of pain with his pleasure. He liked knowing he was being taken.

"Are you ready for me, baby?" Julian asked out loud.

"Yes, god, yes!"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stormy believes the only thing sexier than a man in cowboy boots is two or three men in cowboy boots. She also believes in love at first sight, soul Mates, true love, and happy endings. Stormy lives in the great Northwest region of the USA, with her gorgeous husband and soul Mate, six very active teenagers, two boxer/collie puppies, one old biddy cat, and one fish.

You can usually find her cuddled in bed with a book in her hand and a puppy in her lap, or on her laptop, creating the next sexy man for one of her stories. Stormy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website at www.stormyglenn.com