Sleepy Days, Come No More
Chapter 29
"Hey." Sean exclaimed as he became aware of the two guys. "This is my special friend Steven." Sean introduced.
"I don't know if I would call us friends, let alone `special friends', but we are friendly." I clarified. "Hello." I said acknowledging the two men.
"This is Nole and Miguel." Sean informed me.
"We have met." Miguel said gesturing toward me.
"Have we, I meet so many people, it is hard to keep track." I said with a smirk.
"We spoke at the Sky Bar, I am bartender there. I'm Blake's ex." Miguel announced.
"I vaguely remember." I said.
"Nice costume." Nole complimented me.
"Thank you, I like yours too." I said with a smile.
"So what makes you `special friends'?" Miguel asked Sean.
"We go out together and we flirt with each other." Sean said.
"Is that all?" Miguel inquired.
"That is all, not that it concerns you." I exclaimed while looking Miguel in his eyes.
"Oh." Miguel replied.
"Sean, I am going to the bathroom." I announced.
"You sure you don't need any help, I wouldn't want you getting lost." Sean said flirtatiously.
"I think I can manage." I said with a smile.
I left the table and headed toward the bathroom. I tried to walk slowly and I took my time once I arrived, hoping that when I returned Miguel would be gone. However, when I came back, it was Sean and Nole who had gone, and only Miguel remained.
"Where is Sean?" I asked.
"He and Nole went to help Liam with something." Miguel informed.
"Oh, and you didn't want to join them?" I asked suggestively.
"Nope." Miguel replied.
"Well, I will leave you." I said.
"He said they would be back soon." Miguel informed.
"Oh, I guess I can wait." I said.
"So, I heard that you and Blake broke up." Miguel announced.
"I didn't realize that us sitting together meant that we would be discussing my personal business." I said bluntly.
"I was just trying to make conversation. I mean Blake is a great guy, the break up must be rough." Miguel said.
"Are you speaking from personal experience, because according to Blake you were just," I paused and chuckled, "friends with benefits." I said.
He laughed, "Wow! I must of hit a nerve." Miguel retorted.
"No, not at all, I was just telling you what Blake said." I said.
"Oh. I guess you have rebounded, though I hope you don't get too attached, because Sean is a benefits guy." Miguel informed.
"Thank you for the warning. I trust that you would know better than I." I said.
"What? You think that me and Sean hooked up?" Miguel asked with a smirk.
"Let's just say that you seem to be the kind of person who is very giving with his benefits." I said with a grin.
"Well, when you have benefits that people want, but you wouldn't understand." Miguel said.
"Really, but you do work in a bar, so I guess after enough drinks, a person is willing to settle for anything." I retorted.
"Is that what happened with Blake and Sean?" Miguel countered.
"You were there, did they smell of liquor." I retorted.
We carried on like this for a few more minutes, until Sean made his return.
"Hey, you guys having fun?" Sean asked with a smile.
"Not at all." I said bluntly.
"I don't think Steven likes me." Miguel added.
"I am shocked." I announced.
"Why?" Sean inquired.
"That Miguel could comprehend something so obvious." I exclaimed.
"Where is Nole?" Miguel inquired.
"He is at the bar." Sean informed.
"I'm going to go." Miguel announced as he stood.
"Okay." Sean said.
"Happy Halloween." I said as Miguel walked away.
"Having fun?" Sean asked.
"A blast." I said sarcastically.
"What were you and Miguel talking about? How hot I am?" Sean asked.
"What else." I said.
"You know they have special rooms for special activities," he put his hand on my knee, "if you like we could get one." Sean said with a smirk.
"Is that all you think of?" I asked.
"Not all." Sean replied.
"Did you tell Miguel that Blake and I broke up?" I inquired.
"No. Why did Miguel bring it up?" He asked.
"Miguel is an asshole." I asserted.
"He isn't so bad." Sean said.
"I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that you would think that, after all `birds of a feather'." I said.
"Well, he did go out with Blake and so did you, so what does that say?" Sean countered.
"That Blake had a temporary lapse in judgment." I replied.
"Come on. Let's dance." He said.
We stayed at the party until early in the morning. We danced and chatted with some of his friends. Later he drove me home.
"Thank you for everything." I said.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Sean asked.
"Yes. Aside from your little buddy, everything was nice." I admitted.
"You know I like spending time with you, right?" He said.
"That is what you said." I replied.
"You felt how excited you had me on the floor." He said as he reached over and placed his hand on my thigh.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I just want to touch you." He said.
"Well, you are touching me." I stated.
"I would like to come upstairs and help you out of that costume, help you clean up." He said flirtatiously as he moved his hand further up my thigh and close to my crotch.
I reached down and lifted his hand from my body, "I like you Sean, but we are not having sex tonight. I told you that I am just having fun." I paused. "You are sexy and attractive, and it gets me off to know that you want me. I like the chase, but I don't want to be caught." I confessed.
He looked at me and smiled sweetly, displaying those adorable dimples, "Maybe you want to be caught, just not by me." He said.
"What?" I inquired.
"You still want Blake." He said.
"I told you from the start that I love Blake. Hey, I was honest with you and you still wanted to play around a little and so did I, it just seems that we have two different definitions of play." I exclaimed.
"I know what you said at the start, but I thought that you might change your mind. I see the way you look at me; I know that you check me out." He said.
"You are attractive, you want to be checked out, and you get off on it." I retorted.
He laughed, "Look, I just think we could have a nice time together, I just want to have some fun. If you don't want to, I can respect that." He confessed.
"Good. I appreciate that." I said.
"I bet you are pretty tired." He said.
"Yes. I think I better call it a night." I said.
"Goodnight Steven." He said.
"Goodnight." I replied.
I vacated the car and headed up to my apartment. I peeled off my costume and took a shower, and then I went to bed. I spent the next day studying and working on a job assignment. Then it was back to business. The next week went really quickly. Nothing much happened. I went out with Lena and David one night and had lunch with Vanessa. I shared a couple of meals with Sean, as well as a bit of flirtation.
Of course there was class and therapy but other than that nothing. Actually nothing exciting really happened for the next couple of weeks, then one day I received an unexpected visitor. It was Blake.
I opened the door and let him in. He brushed against me as he entered, sending a surge of energy through me. There was a whiff of air that passed by me carrying that familiar scent of spice and wood. I took a moment to look him over, he looked great, but he always did.
"Are you lost?" I asked playfully.
"Is that all you have to say? No hello? No hug?" He asked with a smile.
"I'm sorry baby. I never learned how to greet my cheating ex-boyfriend." I said with a smirk.
"Baby? That's a good start." He said.
"What brings you here Mr. Mitchell?" I inquired.
"I was cleaning my bathroom and found this." He said producing a neti pot from his satchel.
"You came here to bring me a neti pot?" I asked with a doubtful grin.
"I know how bad your sinuses can get, so I brought it over." He proclaimed.
"Well, if that is all." I said looking toward the door.
"You don't really want me to leave, what about some hospitality." He said with a smile.
"Okay, what do you suggest?" I asked.
"You could invite me to have a seat, we could catch up." He said.
"Alright, please have a seat. Would you like me to rub your feet too?" I asked playfully.
"That would be great." He replied with a smile.
We walked over to the sofa and sat down.
"So how have things been going?" He asked.
"They have been going fine. The semester will be over soon." I informed.
"That is good and your personal life?" He inquired.
"Personal life?" I echoed.
"Yes, have you been seeing anyone?" He asked.
"I have been on a few dates." I said.
"Anyone special?" He asked.
"Well, everyone is special in their own way." I said.
"Are you dating Sean?" He probed.
"Whoa, where did that come from?" I asked in surprise.
"Someone told me that they saw you out with Sean, I just wanted to know if it was true." He admitted.
I laughed, "So, that is why you're here? You want to know if I am sleeping with Sean." I said.
"Well, are you seeing Sean?" He asked.
"Are you seeing Jonathan?" I countered.
"Yes." He said.
"Does he know that you are here inquiring about my personal affairs?" I asked with a smile.
"We have an understanding. We don't question the other about what they do, he does his thing and I do mine." He informed.
"That is so romantic." I said.
"Are you going to answer my question?" He pressed.
"I have been seeing Sean. We have fun together." I confessed.
"How much fun?" He asked.
"As much as I please." I countered.
"Is that so?" He asked with disappointment in his eyes.
"Blake, we have not had sex yet. I have not had sex with anyone." I paused. "Does that make you feel better?" I asked sweetly.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt." He assured and the disappointment in his eyes had faded.
"Hurt me? I thought that was your job." I retorted.
"I know I hurt you, but I don't want to see you hurt again." He said.
"Don't worry about me stud. I can handle myself just fine." I affirmed.
"Alright." He said.
"Do you feel better now?" I asked.
"Yes." He confessed.
"Good. I would hate to think of you losing sleep or being unable to make love to Jonathan, because you were thinking of Sean and I, rolling around beneath the sheets." I said with a chuckle.
"I see you still have the same sense of humor." He exclaimed.
"I guess it is a good thing you don't have to contend with it anymore." I said.
"No, I like your abrasive humor." He said with a smile.
"You do realize that I will have sex eventually, right? I mean I have had offers and I do have needs and my memories of you, as wonderful as they are, can't hold me over forever." I said with a smirk.
"I don't know, I think you could completely do the celibacy thing." He stated with a grin.
"You would love that wouldn't you?" I asked.
"What?" He asked meekly.
"You would love for me to never be with anyone else, for me to be on reserve for you." I proclaimed.
He smiled sheepishly, "Stop." He said.
"Okay, I was about to have lunch?" I said.
"What are we having?" He asked.
"Chicken salad." I informed.
"Great." He said.
We ate lunch together and chatted. I told him about the conference and my classes. He told me about his teaching and tutoring. After lunch we cleaned our dishes and we talked for a few minutes further.
"Well, Blake, it was an unexpected . . . . experience. But I have some things I need to take care of so, play time is over." I said.
"This was play time?" He asked with a grin.
"As close to play as we can have now." I countered.
"Alright." He said.
I walked him to the door and he turned toward me and took me in his arms and kissed me gently on the forehead.
"What was that about Mr. Mitchell?" I asked.
"Just a little affection between friends." He said.
"Are we friends?" I asked playfully.
"Yes, we are good friends." He said.
"Well, I usually give my male friends a handshake." I said.
"You don't like being hugged? I thought that was one of your favorite things." He said.
"I just don't think it is appropriate for Jonathan's boyfriend to be touching me, I would hate to cause any problems on the home front." I exclaimed.
"You never stop. I know you liked the hug. I liked it too." He said sweetly.
I blushed, "Goodbye Mr. Mitchell." I said shyly.
"Goodbye Steve." He said with a smile.
He turned and headed toward the stairs. I watched as he vanished from my view. He was right I did like that he hugged me. I wanted more than just a hug and a kiss on the forehead. I missed him, I wanted him.
After he left I gathered my school books and laptop and headed out to the library. I studied and wrote notes for hours. Then I returned home and went to bed. The next afternoon I had lunch with Vanessa. We ate in the hospital cafeteria.
"So, you were willing to slum it today, huh?" I asked regarding her agreement to eat hospital food.
"It isn't that bad. Besides I wanted to see you." She said.
"So, how are things?" I inquired.
"Everything is fine, I am thinking about leaving the paper." She announced.
"Really? Why?" I asked.
"It is just not interesting for me anymore. I have been doing private consulting and I really like that." She explained.
"Yeah, I know that, but I thought you were going to continue at the newspaper until you could find a stable consulting job." I reminded.
"Actually, I was thinking about teaching a few classes to supplement my income, until I can get things in order." She said.
"I didn't know you were considering teaching." I said.
"Not permanently, maybe not at all. It is just an option." She explained.
"Have you checked around at any schools?" I inquired.
"No, Blake told me that they were looking for a part time economics teacher at his school." She informed.
"Blake has a school?" I asked.
"Yes, he was offered a full time position at Riverside." She explained.
"Oh, that is great." I said with a smile. "He must be so happy." I exclaimed.
"Yeah, he is pretty excited." She confirmed.
"How is he?" I probed.
She sighed and reluctantly began, "He seems well, he is happy about the job. He mentioned that he had seen you recently." She informed.
"He mentioned me? What did he say?" I asked gleefully.
"Just that you two had talked and that you looked good." She informed.
"He said I looked good?" I asked.
"Yes." She confirmed.
"Good. How did he sound when he mentioned me? I mean was he casual or excited?" I probed.
"He always seems excited to talk about you Steve." She said.
"Has he mentioned Jonathan to you guys yet? Has he said that they are a couple?" I inquired.
"He never mentions him when I am around, and he hasn't brought him over or anything either. " She said with a trace of discomfort.
"I am sorry for grilling you; I guess I am just curious." I confessed.
"I understand." She said.
We finished our lunch and continued to chat. Then I walked her out to her car and we hugged. I returned to work, but my thoughts remained on Blake. I was happy that he had told Rico and Vanessa that he had seen me, and I took some comfort in the fact that he still hadn't introduced Jonathan to them as his boyfriend. I know I was probably grasping at straws, but it made me feel good. It strengthened my belief that he still loved me.
After work I went to the mall to buy a congratulatory gift for Blake. I looked around for a while, but finally settled on a small desk top globe. It was very handsome. It was pearl colored with gold latitude and longitude lines, and the words were also in gold. The base was a beautiful burl wood. There was a gold plate on the base for an inscription. I had it engraved:
"There is no better gift, than the gift of education; and there is no better teacher, than Henry Blake Mitchell IV. Congratulations, Steven."
The globe came with a decorative wooden case, which I wrapped in shiny gold paper and tied with a beautiful red bow. I also added a card.
I was very pleased with the gift and very excited to present it to Blake. I took a cab from the mall to Blake's apartment. I ascended the stairs and knocked on the door. I was beaming from ear to ear. I heard the door unlatch and then it opened.
"Steven. What are you doing here?" He asked in surprise as he stepped into the hallway closing the door behind him.
"I was out with Vanessa and she told me that you had been hired fulltime at Riverside, so I wanted to congratulate you." I explained as I passed him the gift.
"Thank you. You really didn't have to get me anything." He said.
"I know that this is what you wanted and I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you." I said.
"That was sweet Steve." He said with a smile.
"You seem a little uneasy. What's the matter?" I inquired.
"Well, I have a dinner guest." He confessed.
"Oh, I see. Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to congratulate you." I exclaimed.
"I appreciate it. It means a lot to me." He said with a sheepish smile.
"Good evening and good luck." I said with a smile as I extended my hand.
He looked at my hand quizzically, as if he didn't understand why I had extended it. Then he extended his and held mine gently. "Good evening Steve, thanks again." He said.
I smiled and turned away to leave. When I got home I took a shower. It was still early in the evening so I decided to have dinner. I thought about eating in but decided I wanted to get out of the house, so I called Sean to see if he wanted to go out for dinner.
He agreed to meet me at Roberto's for dinner. We ate and talked. I was a bit distracted. I couldn't seem to stop thinking about Blake. I guess after the visit, I had allowed myself to hope that we would get back together, but now I realized that I was being foolish. Sean must have noticed my distress because he inquired about it.
"What is the matter?" He asked.
"What?" I asked.
"You seem out of it." He said.
"I'm sorry. I told you that I had seen Blake the other day." I reminded.
"Yeah." He confirmed.
"Well, I learned that he got a job he wanted and I went over to his apartment to congratulate him, but he had a guest." I explained.
"Oh." He said.
"I know we are not together, but I guess, when I found out that he had gotten the job I wanted to celebrate with him, but he was already celebrating with someone else." I paused. "Or maybe they had already celebrated. I mean I only found out through a mutual friend, his boyfriend probably heard it from him earlier." I said.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, it was just a reality check." I paused. "We all need them from time to time. I guess it is really over." I said.
"I'm sorry Steve; I know you still have feelings for him." He said sincerely.
"That is all? No cheap shot about Blake?" I inquired.
"You know I don't like the guy, but you do." He said.
"Well, that is sweet of you." I proclaimed.
"Let me take you home, you obviously aren't in a good mood." He suggested.
"Okay." I agreed.
We settled the check and then left the restaurant. When we arrived at my building and just sat there for a moment in silence.
"Goodnight Steve." Sean said.
"Just goodnight? No come ons?" I asked.
"I didn't think that you were in the mood tonight." He explained.
"I am in the mood for a lot of things tonight." I said as I turned to face him.
He laughed, "Really?" He asked.
"Yeah, maybe tonight you can take me back to your place and we can have some fun." I suggested.
"What?" He asked in surprise.
"You don't want me anymore? You have been trying to get in my pants since the first time we met; now I am giving you an invitation." I said as I ran my fingers across his face.
"I do want to have fun with you, but you are just upset about Blake." He contended.
"Look I am a big boy. I want to get laid, you do too, why should it matter what the reason is. Let's go." I instructed.
"You don't want to go up to your place?" He asked.
"No, I want a change of scenery." I said.
"Okay, if you're sure." He said.
I moved my hand from his face to his crotch, "You seem ready, just focus on that." I said firmly.
"Alright." He conceded.
We arrived at his place, undressed each other and had sex. After I went to the bathroom and freshened up and then I got dressed. He offered to let me spend the night, but I declined. Then he offered to take me home, but I had already called a cab.
When I made it to my place, I took a hot shower and went to bed.
Acknowledgement:
I want to take the time to wish Byron a happy birthday. I hope that you enjoyed your day and that this year brings you much joy and fulfillment.
I also want to wish Oscar good luck with his thesis. I hope that everything goes well for you Oscar, you deserve it.
Best wishes to you all. Have fun and be safe.
Appreciation:
Special thanks to Oscar, Lou, Arch, Clayton, Jake, Ed, Adolfo, Khalid, Gary, Vern, Lance, Oz, Dudung, Alan, Terry, John J, Harold, Barry, Michael B., Cameron, Randy, Liam, Byron, Kris, Bryan, Fred, David, Joseph, Shawn, Bobby, Gregory, Bill, David R., Ron, Bruce, Tom, Curtis, JT and Mikal for their support, and everyone who has taken the time to follow this story, I really appreciate you all.
Sincerest thanks to Nifty and all of the wonderful participants who make this site possible, from the generous donors to the archivists and administrators, you all are truly appreciated.
Last but not least, thanks to the editor, Raziya, for all of the wonderful work.
Let Me Know:
Please, forward any comments or feedback to bonotorros@yahoo.com.