Sorry it's been a while. I've been experiencing technical difficulties lately. I've got ch 3 half done right now. I'm having trouble with where I wanna take the story though. Anyway, here's 2. Enjoy!
Same disclaimer applies from chapter 1
Chapter 2
The pizza showed up about 20 minutes later. Brad walked in just as I was coming back from the kitchen with some plates and napkins.
"Smells awesome," he said.
"Yeah, it's got everything but anchovies and black olives. I hope you don't mind."
"Na man, that's actually the way I like it," he grinned at me.
`Damn, I love his smile.' Okay, something really fucked up is going on. Am I falling for this guy or some shit?
"So what movie are we watching?"
"Hairspray," I tell him.
"I don't think I've seen that one."
"Omg, you're shitting me, right?"
"No man. I've heard it was okay," he says.
"Okay? Okay? Man it's one of the greatest movies of all time," I shout.
"Chill man, it's just a movie."
"Man, just watch and you'll see what I'm talking about."
The movie starts and I settle into the couch. Brad looks a little tense, so I say, "Just relax man, nothing is gonna happen to you. This couch is really comfortable, so take advantage of it."
He smiles and finally leans back, "Wow, this is nice."
"Told you," I shoot at him.
We spent the next hour and a half just watching the movie and eating pizza. When the movie finished, Brad turned to me and said, "I should prollay get home. It's late."
"Hey, why don't you just stay here for the night? No sense in coming in late and risk pissing your roommate even more."
"Na, I couldn't. Besides, I don't have an extra uniform with me."
"Why don't I just throw your stuff in the washer and it'll be clean for tomorrow." He looks like he's actually considering this for a brief second, then starts crying.
Brad said, "I don't think it'll be a good idea. You've been really cool to me and stuff, but I have to go."
He gets up, grabs his shoes and is out the door. Way to go Jesse, you really fucked up this time.' I clean up the pizza mess and the head to the bathroom. Shit, he left his clothes. I put in his stuff in the wash and went back to the living room. Well nothing to do now. Guess I'll watch another movie. I popped in Beauty Shop' and sat back on the couch. I must have dozed off, cause the next thing I knew I was being woke up by the washer signal. Why do I have so many annoying things in this place? I put Brad's shit in the dryer and headed to bed.
I was woke up again by my damned alarm clock. `I really have to get a quieter clock.' Ah Tuesday. Yet another day of bullshit. I get brads clothes out of my dryer and proceed to get ready for work. I head out to my car and my cell starts ringing.
"Hello?"
"What's up sexy?"
"Hey Sheil, what's going on?"
"Nothing here. Just calling to check how it went with Brad." How the hell does she know that he came over? Does she have someone following me?
"How did you know Brad came over?"
"Sweetie, I know everything. So how did it go?" she asks.
"We had a pretty good time watching a movie and eating pizza. Then he wanted to go home, but I suggested that he stay the night to avoid pissing off his roommate."
"Wow, that's pretty unusual for you. Asking a guy to stay the night. How'd he react?
"Well, I thought he might actually do it, but then he ran out of my house crying."
"Are you thinking closet case?"
"Yeah, I mean the way he reacted at Chameleon then at work, and now my place. I think all signs point to 'Yes'."
"Do you think all this is worth getting to know him?"
"Honestly Sheila, I do. I can't get him out of my head. I've only known him for a few days, but I get this really strange feeling around him."
"What do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure, Sheil."
"Well, we'll talk about this later. Right now, you need to get your ass to work."
"Ok Sheil. Talk to you later."
"By sweetie."
I pulled up to the diner at seven and went in. I make my way to the kitchen only to see Brad standing there looking just as terrified as yesterday.
"Hey Brad."
"Uh, hey, uh Jesse."
"Man I just wanted to say sorry about last night. I wasn't trying to scare you off. I just thought you might not want to go back to your place cause of your roommate."
"It's not you, Jesse. It's me. I'm just confused right now. I can't seem to figure anything out anymore."
"I know how you feel guy. I was scared about being gay too. Then I met some other people who are gay and they helped me out. They were there for me when my mom reacted badly to me coming out. I don't know what I would have done without them."
He looked at me for what seemed like forever. Finally he spoke.
"Do you think that we could still be friends? I want to try and get to know you."
"Hey man, we didn't stop being friends just cause you got a little overwhelmed."
"Cool. So can we hang out sometime?"he asked.
"Sure man. How about you come with me to Chameleon. I'd like to introduce you to some people."
"I don't know Jesse. That place seems crazy."
"It's the best though. Besides, I want you to meet my best friend in the whole wide world."
"Ok, but remember, I don't drink." We'll see about that.
"No drinking then...for you. Me? I have to get my party on."
"Ok, when should we go?"
"How about Friday? I'll meet you there at 9:15. Sound good?"
"Sure."
"By the way Brad, here are clothes. You forgot them last night."
"Thanks Jesse. I brought yours back too."
"Thanks dude. Now let's get to work before Rick reams both of our asses."
He smiled at me.
'God I want him.' There's that damn voice again.
I got outta work and tried not to speed home. I was getting really nervous about the sudo date I had on Thursday. I still have to rent a tux. Shit! This is gonna suck ass.
Wednesday came and went. I managed to get a decent tux considering how short of notice I had. I woke up on Thursday wishing I didn't have to go on this date. I went to work feeling pretty somber about the whole thing. Why can't I stand up to my mom?
Work was a pain as usual but seeing Brad so excited about Friday made it almost bearable. Why does he make me feel so weird inside? It couldn't be love. I barely know Brad. Maybe it is. I just don't know what's going on anymore.
My shift ended and I went home to get ready for tonight's certain debacle. I took my time with everything trying to delay tonight. The tux didn't look as awful as I thought it would. Go figure. I got to veronica's place at 6:45. She had called me on Wednesday to make sure we were still on.
"Yeah Veronica, I can't wait. I'm so excited!" Please strike me dead now God!
"So when should I pick you up veronica?"
"Well the opera doesn't start until 8. How about we go out to dinner and then head out afterwards?" Shoot me please, some merciful sniper! A head shot would be appreciated.
"I'll pick you up at quarter till 7 then."
"Sounds great Jesse. I'll see you soon."
I walk up to Veronica's door and ring the bell.
"Hello Jesse."
Omg, she's wearing a stunning evening gown. Man, my tux looks like shit.
"Wow, you look nice Veronica."
"Thank you, Jesse. My, I must say that you look very handsome tonight."
"Thanks. You ready to go?"
"Very ready." Oh man. This is going to be a nightmare.
Maybe I'll take her to the diner so she'll cancel the evening. No. I'll be a gentleman and take her to Austin's. Damn, I don't have a reservation. Wait! She may want to cancel tonight. Thank you alcohol for your brain damaging goodness. We walk in and the same seating hostess is standing there.
"Good evening. May I help you?"
"Yes. Table for two."
"Do you have a reservation?"
"I'm afraid I don't." Please let me out here.
"Well lucky for you we have an open table." Shit!
"That was lucky, wasn't it Jesse?" I'm being punished. I've had to have done something extremely horrible and now karma is torturing me.
"Great." I manage to say.
We set down at our table and guess who comes walking up? Ted. We all remember Ted, don't we? Seeing that I left him a twenty dollar tip, I don't think he'll be forgetting me anytime soon.
"Good evening. My name is Ted and I'll be your waiter tonight."
He looked over at me, then to veronica, then back to me and smiled. God, this is just the beginning.
"Hello Ted."
"May I take your drink orders?"
"Vodka, straight." I said immediately.
Ted and Veronica start looking at me.
"I'll have water please." veronica said.
"Very good, I'll be back shortly." Veronica turns to me and mouths 'Vodka?'
"I'm just a little nervous tonight." She put her hands on mine. She's touching me, oh god someone \help me please.
"Don't be nervous Jesse. We're supposed to be having fun." It'd be more fun if you had a cock.
Ted came back with our drinks.
"Have we made a decision about our orders?"
I say, "I'll have the house special. Veronica?" I turn to her and ask.
"I'll have the grilled salmon please." Wow, she and mom could be mother and daughter.
"Very good. I'll be back with your orders as soon as they're ready."
Veronica kept trying to make small talk all through dinner.
"So Jesse, go to the opera often?"
"No. This is will be my first one."
"Really? That's so interesting."
We finish with dinner and thankfully ted brings the check quickly. I pay it and we leave for the opera.
We arrived at the opera house with a few minutes to spare, and were immediately shown to our seats. For the next three hours I sat there listening to the most excruciating noise on the planet. Veronica was apparently enjoying it though. 'Where's the sniper I ordered earlier?' Finally the torture ends and veronica turns to me and says,
"Wasn't that the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" I guess she's never seen a guy's dick before.
"Yeah, it was great!" I think I just died a little inside.
We went back to my car to head out for drinks. I really hate my mom sometimes. Why did she have to suggest drinks? Veronica and I just decide to sit at the bar.
"What did you think of the concert Jesse?" I thought about sticking my keys in my ears.
"I thought it was good."
"That's great. I had a really nice time tonight Jesse." I wanna suffer a brain aneurysm.
"So did I." Then she said something that I wasn't expecting.
"Jesse, I have to tell you something. I'm not really how else to say it either, but here goes. I'm a lesbian." Wait. Did I hear that right? Did you hear it?
"Huh?"
"I'm a lesbian." This is to damn funny. I think I'm having a stroke.
"Are you ok Jesse?"
"Yeah, it's just that this is the funniest thing to ever have happened to me."
"What's so funny about me being a lesbian?"
"Nothing. It's just that I'm gay."
"No way."
"Yeah. Looks like our moms had the same thought." I say.
"Looks like it. So do you want to continue the evening or take me home?"
"I think this is pretty much over, seeing as we don't have the right bits too finish."
"I think you're right."
Friday. Yay!! I get to hang out with Brad tonight. I still can't figure out why I want to see him so much. I got to work only to see Rick out of his office again. Damn. Now what?
"Good to see you show up, Jesse"
"What's up Rick?" Go...away...douche bag.
"I just remembered that we didn't pick a day for your extra shift this week." Crap. Well I know I'm not doing it this fucking weekend.
"Huh? Oh, right."
"How about Sunday?"
How about you go fornicate yourself with an Iron stick?
"Sure Rick. What time should I be here?"
"Normal time."
"See you Sunday." Asshole.
I walk back to the kitchen and see brad. 'He looks excited.' I think to myself.
"Hey Jesse."
"Hey Brad, what's up?"
"Not a lot. Just really jazzed about tonight."
"What happened to the nervous wreck that was here on Tuesday?"
"He called. He had something to do tonight so it'll be just us." I couldn't help but smile. I like it when he jokes around. It shows that he's getting comfortable around me.
"Good, now I don't have to kick his ass into having fun."
"Why don't you just get to work, wise guy?"
So my day started. And it was a crazy ass day. The grill quit working as soon as I turned it on. The deep fryer also kicked the bucket. Why can't that asshole manager get some decent equipment? Thankfully my day ends quickly. I was on my way home to wash up. I'd be meeting Sheila and Brad at the Chameleon.
I park in front of the Chameleon and see Brad waiting outside the door.
"Hey dude, why you waiting for me? You could've gone in."
"Hey Jesse, man I'm too nervous to be by myself."
"What, you think the big, bad, gay wolf is gonna eat you?"
"Something like that," he grinned. We walked in and were greeted by Carl.
"Hey Carl, what's up?"
"Not much, Jesse Boy."
"That's good to hear. Carl, this is my friend Brad. He works with me at the diner." I gesture towards Brad.
"Nice to meet you, Carl."
"Same to you Brad."
"Anything exciting happening tonight Carl?" I ask.
"Not tonight. Tomorrow were having a show."
"Sweet. Anyone good performing?"
"There sure is. Kelly Schmall."
"No way!" I shout.
"Yes way!" Carl says.
"Dude, Brad. Please tell me that you're coming out tomorrow night."
"I don't know man, why do you ask?"
"Uh, cause Kelly Schmall is only the greatest female illusionist in the city. She's really hard to get."
"I suppose that I should come then."
Carl chimes in, "You're damn right you're coming. I'll even reserve a table for the three of you."
"Three of us?" Brad asks confused.
"He hasn't met Sheila yet?"
"Not yet, Carl. She's supposed to meet us tonight."
"Who's supposed to meet you?" I hear from behind us.
"Sheila! You made it!"
"Damn right I did. I couldn't miss the chance to meet one of your new friends. Hey there, I'm Sheila Watson"
"Brad Thomson. Nice to meet you. Jesse talks about you a lot."
"Really now?" She looks over me and smirks.
"You boy's ready to party?"
"You know it girl!" I shout.
"Alright. Jesse, get some drinks. I'm taking brad out for a spin."
"Try not to hurt him Sheil," I grin.
"I guarantee nothing!!" Lol. Sheila is something else, huh?
Shelia heads over to the dance floor practically dragging brad. I look at him and see a `help me' look on his face. I go up to the bar to get some drinks for everyone. Smirnoff for me and a screwdriver for Sheila. Brad, I don't know. Maybe a coke? I head over to our table and set the drinks down. Maybe I should rescue Brad.
"Come on you two, we've got all night to dance." I say to Brad and Sheila. She gives me a look like I just took her new toy away.
"Come on Sheil. Take it easy on him, he's a newbie."
"I know that, Jesse!" Damn, testy much?
"So Brad, how long have you been out of the closet?" Sheila asks him.
"Uh, I'm not really out. There's like three people who know I'm gay."
"Oh yeah? Who's that?"
"You, Jesse, and Carl."
"Well we should get you out there then. There's oodles of people you should meet tonight."
"Come on Sheila, let's not bombard him. How about we just introduce him to Jim and the others?"
"Yeah, you're right Jess."
We all head over to where the others are seated.
"Jim, guys, this is Brad. He works down at the diner."
"How nice to finally put a name with the face. We see you all the time down at the diner." Greg says.
Eric says, "Very nice to meet you Brad."
"Hey guys, nice to meet all of you."
"So are you guys coming out to see Kelly tomorrow?" I ask.
"Wouldn't miss her for the world", Jim says.
"Brad, why don't we sit with these guys for a while? Give you a chance to talk with them. That way you can make some more friends that are gay."
Brad leans into me, "You're not gonna leave me alone with them, are you?"
"Wouldn't dream of it." He smiled a little.
We spent the rest of the night talking about nothing and everything. I was glad to see Brad opening up to the crew. These guys are like family. I don't know what I would do if they didn't get along. I didn't get as drunks as I usually do. I guess I don't want brad to see me all wasted and stuff. Wait! Why the hell do I give a shit about what he thinks of me? At 1:30 a.m. we decide to call it a night.
"So Brad, you're still coming out tomorrow for the show, right?
"Why not? I actually had a pretty good time tonight. Besides, I've never seen a drag show before. Should be fun."
"Well if you want, you could come over a little before then and hang out" \ "I'd like that Jesse. What time should I be there?"
"Come by around noon. Wear some clothes that you would mind getting ruined, and bring some clothes to wear to the bar."
"Do I want to know?"
"No questions. Just do it!"
"Sir, yes sir," he saluted me. What a Joker.
I got up at 11:40. Twenty minutes to get ready. I got out the paint I bought last week, and then started to get the living room ready to paint. You know, putting drop cloths down and stuff. At noon I heard my door bell ring. I open the door for Brad. He's wearing some sweat pants and an old t-shirt.
"Glad you could make it."
"Het Jesse. So why did you have me wear some old stuff?"
"This is why." I lead him to the living room.
"You sly bastard. You only wanted to be my friend so I could help you paint."
"Am I that transparent?" I smile at him.
"So what color are we using then?" I was a little sad that he didn't want to keep bantering.
"Red, a deep red."
"Cool"
"Have you eaten yet Brad?"
"Na, I didn't have a chance too. Why?"
"Well, I just woke up and haven't eaten yet either. What do you say to some grilled ham and cheese sandwiches?"
"Sounds good." I take Brad into the kitchen for lunch.
"Wow, this is some kitchen!"
"Yeah, I love to cook. I thought 'why not have a really decked out kitchen'."
"I'd say it's decked out. Stainless steel countertops and appliances? This must have set you back."
"Not really. I know a guy, so the counters were practically a steal. The appliances were a little out there, but the warranties are really good."
I start getting our sandwiches together. We ate, just shooting the shit. I found it really easy to talk to Brad. Like we didn't have to find anything to talk about.
"Did you get enough to eat guy?"
"Yeah, I didn't know that the sandwiches would be so big."
"When I make food, I usually go big." I smile at him.
"So d owe still have to paint?"
"You're not trying to weasel your way out of it, are you?"
"Na, I just feel like a house right now."
"Come on Brad, move your ass!"
"Jeeze, you're such a slave driver."
"Waah! Get moving!"
We went back to my living room and started painting. We talked some more while we were painting. I found out that Brad has two sisters that live a couple of cities over. His mom and dad live in the next state. I told him about growing up around here, and how Sheila and I met.
Sometimes I caught myself staring at Brad. `Get a grip Jesse!' I scolded myself. While I was bet over the paint tray, Brad came up behind me and ran his paint roller down my back.
"You realize that this mean war!"
I turn around and nail him with my own roller. I managed to get most of him before he pulled away. We must have screwed around for half an hour just trying to cover each other in paint.
"Good thing I got some extra paint."
"Man that was great. I haven't had that much fun with someone in years."
"Damn, I didn't realize the time. We gotta get in gear and clean up. It's almost time to head to the bar."
"Ok. Should we clean this stuff up?"
"Na, it can wait till tomorrow. I'll seal up the paint. You get your ass in the shower!"
"Sir, yes sir!" Omg, he is so cute.
"Do you have a towel I can use?"
"Yeah, get in and I'll bring it to you."
"Cool"
I went and grabbed a towel for him. As I was heading for the bathroom, I noticed that the door was cracked again. Weird. He must not like to shut the door all the way or he just forgot again. I couldn't help looking at him in the mirror. `Damn, he's fine.' Friends Jesse, that's all you guys are.
I knock on the door, "You in yet?"
"Just a sec. Ok"
I left the towel on the counter. I can't swear to it, but I think he was starting to get a hard-on before he stepped in the shower.
Brad and I made our way over to Chameleon. This was going to be a really fun night. We walk in but aren't greeted by Carl this time. `Weird. Carl is always here to greet people,' I thought to myself.
"Carl must be chatting Kelly Schmall up."
I started to say something else when my phone started ringing.
"Hey Sheila. What's up?"
"Not a lot Jess."
"What's wrong lady?"
"I can't come to the bar tonight."
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah, things are okay. I'm just not feeling all that hot. You have fun though. Don't worry about me either or I'll kick your ass."
"Okay Sheil, you take it easy. Feel better. Love you."
"Love you. Tell Brad I say `hi'."
"Will do." I wonder what's wrong with her.
"Sheila okay?"
"I don't know man. She's never missed a weekend. She says `hi' by the way."
"It's prollay nothing. Anyway, didn't she tell you not to worry?"
"How the fuck did you know that?"
"I've got really good hearing."
"I guess I'll have to be careful when I talk about you behind your back, huh?"
"It's probably no worse than what I say about you." He's good. He's really good.
Brad and I make our way to the bar for some drinks. I tried to convince brad to drink something stronger than coke, but he wouldn't do it. Whimp! We found out reserved tables up near the stage. I invited the crew to join us,
At 10:00 it was show time. They had 5 entertainers lined up for the evening. The only one I had ever heard of was Kelly. When they came out, Brad was just grinning ear to ear. He looked like he was really enjoying himself. This was his first drag show after all. I had a few more drinks during the night, but still didn't get nearly as bad as other weekends. Why am I changing my habits over some guy?
Brad and I left around 1a.m. again.
Sunday. Well at least I'm not as hung over as I normally am. Thank God for small favors. I got up and got ready for work. I really hope that douche of a manager appreciates this. Just before I get ready to leave, my phone rings. It's mom.
"Hello Mom. How are you doing today?"
"Very well, thank you."
"So what can I do for you mom?"
"I was calling to see how Thursday went."
"Oh it was a very interesting evening. The opera was great. Then I had a very good laugh when I found out that Veronica was a lesbian."
"You must be joking me?"
"I'm afraid not mom."
"Well I see that Linda felt like keeping me in the dark about the whole thing."
"Maybe, maybe she was just as ashamed like you are. Did you tell her that I'm gay?"
"No, no I didn't."
"Then why get so upset?"
"I'm not upset. Anyway, it's all in the past now." She's clearly upset by the hilarious turn of events.
"I also called to invite you to dinner tonight."
"I can't mom. I'm working tonight." Why the hell does she all of a sudden want to have dinner with me again? I smell another trap.
"Oh, Well I suppose that's a legitimate reason not to have dinner with your only mother." Damn her and her guilt trip! Where do they learn this shit?
"Mom, it's not that. If I call off, Rick will never let me hear the end of it. He might even fire me."
"It would be a blessing. You're wasting your talent in that cess pool." Ok. I'm confused. First I have a deviant lifestyle, now she sounds like she's kind of proud of me. Mothers!
"I gotta go mom. Rain Check on dinner?"
"I'll call you later in the week to set something up."
"Okay mom, Later."
"Goodbye Jesse."
I get to the diner right on time. It really didn't make any difference though. Rick seemed like he was pissed off at me. `Fuck the guy.' I go back to the kitchen and Brad comes over to me.
"Hey Jess."
"Hey Brad. Did you enjoy last night?"
"Fuck yeah, thanks for inviting me out."
"No problem. Anytime dude."
"Cool," he smiles at me.
"Anyway, I gotta get to work. Rick is gonna be all over me soon."
"He pissed again?" Brad asks.
"Yeah, it seems like PMS to me."
"Permanently Mad Syndrome?" He grins.
"Dude, can you read minds or some shit?"
"Na, that's just a really old joke." He laughs. "Yeah, well, whatever."
He just walks away like he actually thinks he got me. I start my shift and find out that none of our equipment has been fixed.
"Damn it Rick! Why the hell is shit still not working around here?"
He came out of his office to see why I was yelling.
"Cause it costs extra to have stuff repaired on the weekend."
"It'll cost more when people find out they can't order what they want. And walk out."
"Stop bitching and do your job."
"Fine." I hope they fire you.
"Good. Now I'm going back to my office. I don't want to have to come out here again." Fuck you. I really wanna shove your head in an oven.
"Sure Rick. Whatever you say. You might have to though if you can't find a replacement for me. I quit."
"What?!? You can't quit. I need you." Hearing him beg is almost worth the shit id have to put up with today.
"Sorry Rick. Beg all you want."
"Come on Jesse. My ass is sunk without you." He changed his tune real quick, huh?
"Rick, suck my cock!"
I turn and see Brad standing there. I smile but he doesn't. He almost looks sad.