Blindsided Ch. 02

Nazareth woke late the next morning, the edges of his block-out blinds glowing with the morning sun. He stretched, yawned and rolled over to looked at the clock, marvelling at the fact he was able to sleep uninterrupted for the first time in a week. If he got up quickly, he could go for a run, get a coffee and come back to do some work. The blind rolled up with a sharp squeal as he looked out the window of his bedroom. The grass wasn't too bad, he could probably mow it next week. He pulled a face. He needed to stop procrastinating. Pulling on his skins and a t-shirt, he padded out of the bedroom to find his runners.

The Schöneberg Marmion Remix pounded through his earphones as Nazareth's legs stretched over the uneven terrain. Navigating this area of the foothills was always a little tricky. Going too hard was a sure way to cop more than just muscle injury. He'd seen a few people with what the locals coined "mountain rash", after losing their footing and eating dirt. Not that he hadn't come close quite a few times, but he'd finally worked out the best route for him on the way to the sharp incline, and even then he still had to be careful. Years of runners and the elements had eroded away the grass on the hill, but it was rough ground in general. The music eventually faded away and the silence was filled with Nazareth's own laboured breathing. He felt the burn of his muscles and knew that he was going to pay for it later. He hadn't run in some time and winced as his footing slipped against the dirt, but his momentum kept him steady as his weight transferred to the other foot. Several kilometers later he was enjoying the view of the town over the treetops from the top of the hill. After a good break, he started the descent.

* * *

The sun was high in the sky by the time Nazareth made his way back to town. He stopped in the reserve for a stretch, then made his way across town to get a coffee from Percolate. He opted for a takeaway and stood out on the footpath while he contemplated whether to linger in town or drink it as he walked home. Taking a sip he realised the sugar hadn't been mixed in very well, so he took off the lid, turning to throw it in the bin. As he turned, someone bumped into him, causing him to spill most of the coffee down his t-shirt.

"CHRRRIST!" Nazareth instinctively jumped back, knowing the coffee was hot.

"Shit! I am so sorry. Oh god, are you okay?" The older woman looked horrified, as she stood and looked at Nazareth's stained t-shirt. She was holding a bunch shopping bags with her phone in her hand.

He tried not to be angry, despite the fact that it looked as though she'd been busy on her phone and wasn't watching where she was going.

"Can I help? My goodness I am so so sorry."

Nazareth waved his hand and shook his head. "Look, no it's fine. Don't worry." He couldn't bring himself to smile but at least he was able to keep his voice under control.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded and turned away. He had no stomach for coffee now as he threw the rest of it in the bin. One of the staff at Percolate had seen what had happened and had come out with some serviettes.

Nazareth took them gratefully. "Thanks." He soaked up what he could, but the t-shirt looked worse for wear, it was probably a throw away. He screwed up the last of the serviettes and threw them in the bin shaking his head.

"Hey there..."

Nazareth looked up to see Els parked at the curb next to him. He'd been so involved in cleaning up his t-shirt that he hadn't heard the car pull up.

"Els..." He half smiled, feeling slightly embarrassed at how he must've looked.

She pulled the sunglasses from her face and cocked her head. He noticed she wasn't wearing a trace of make-up. Her eyes were still quite dark, but she looked younger, more girlish. "That's not good. I tell you what, why don't you hop in. My house isn't far and we can get you cleaned up... if you want? Or I can drop you home?"

Nazareth blinked and gave her an easy smile. "Sure, I guess. I'd all but figured the t-shirt was ruined." He should have told her to drop him home but curiousity got the better of him.

"Nah." She waved her hand. "Let's clean it up before it really does stain."

* * *

It was immaculate. The faint smell of leather filled his nostrils as he looked around the beautifully restored interior. Els changed gears and looked at him, before turning her eyes back to the road.

"Thanks for this. I appreciate it."

She chuckled. "Thank me when we get the coffee out of your t-shirt."

Minutes later they pulled into a driveway. The small yellow bricked house featured a stone chimney and lawns were simple, but manicured, hosting a solitary streetlamp. He followed her to the front door as she opened it and ushered him in. Standing in the small hallway as she closed the door, he noticed that she stood a good head under him without skates or heels.

"Right, clothes off."

"What?" Nazareth was taken aback.

"Give me your t-shirt silly." Els held our her hand.

He pulled it off and handed it to her, feeling strange that he was standing in her hallway, half-naked in only his skins. She on the other hand was wearing black jeans, a black short sleeve mechanics shirt and her hair was down. She walked around the corner.

"Make yourself at home"

Two seconds later she came back with a black t-shirt, and studied his chest for a second before throwing it to him. Nazareth hoped that she hadn't noticed how his flesh prickled under her appraisal.

"That should fit you."

He pulled it on hastily. "Thanks."

She smiled before disappearing again. "No problem."

Nazareth felt as though he'd stepped back into the fifties, not the family home style, but more designer almost masculine with the exception of a few items he noted, seeing the row of bakelite canisters on the kitchen bench. The corner fireplace had some logs piled neatly in the hearth, but it looked like it hadn't been used in some time. There was also a simple shelf tucked against wall with a stack of vinyls and a record player.

"Right."

Nazareth turned his head to find Els standing in the kitchen.

"I can't offer you a coffee as good as Percolate, but I have instant, or tea if you feel like it. Or maybe a soft drink?"

He walked up to the breakfast bar and pulled out one of the stools. "Tea will be fine. Black and one."

She grinned. "Sure, that makes it easy." She turned on the ceramic jug and pulled out some mugs and sugar, then leaned back against the bench waiting for the water to boil.

"Nice place you have here."

"Thanks."

Nazareth looked back towards the living area. "Is that..." He shook his head trying to remember. "Paul McCobb?"

Els laughed. "I wish. It looks pretty good huh? It's a reproduction piece." She crossed her arms. "Impressive Nazareth, what else can you tell me?"

A wry grin tugged at his lips. Probably not what she'd want to hear. "I'm afraid that is the extent of my impressiveness today."

"So... you're a fit one. Run often?"

He shook his head. "Not as often as I would like." He shrugged. "As you can see, it was all going well until the coffee."

The jug reached the boil and Els turned to make them tea. She then grabbed both mugs and went into the living room. He followed her and she handed one of them to him as they sat on the lounge, balancing their mugs before Els gave in and put hers down on a coaster.

She gave herself a stretch before settling back in as Nazareth nursed his tea.

"So Els for Elsie, what do you do?"

She screwed up her nose. "Thanks for reminding me. Well, sometimes I work at the skate rink, sometimes get roped into helping out at derby but other than that, not a great deal. I'm an in moment kind of gal, but simple. You know?"

He didn't, but he nodded his head anyway.

"And you?"

He shrugged. "I work in product design."

She raised an eyebrow. "Sporty and smart."

Nazareth laughed. "I don't know about that." He looked at her marvelling at how he'd gone from one roller derby to being in her house. "So if you're into skating, why don't you do derby... or do you?"

She gave him a small smile. "I did it once but I've got a weak knee. I get my excitement from the sidelines these days."

She studied his face for a moment. "You know Nazareth, you're not like other guys."

He frowned. "How so?"

"I don't know..." She looked at his as though she was trying to figure out how to phrase her words. "Most other guys, well the ones I have the pleasure of running into... I don't know." She looked at him dead on. "I like you."

Nazareth had to stop himself from chuckling, but he grinned nonetheless. "That's nice Els, I like you too... You had me worried for a moment."

"Worried? Why?"

He shifted in the lounge. "I'm not sure, you had me feeling as though I had to protect my manhood."

"Oh... right." A twinkle appeared in her eye. "You think that I was going to imply that you were less of a man."

He shrugged. "Something like that."

Her eyes dipped as they trailed over him, and he felt the heat flash over his body under her scrutiny.

Els gave him a cheeky grin, that slowly disappeared. "I assure you Nazareth, I have noticed that you are man."

He felt the tension rise and he purposely drank his coffee to give himself something to concentrate on. It was as if the shoe was on the other foot.

"Did you?" He murmured almost inaudibly, taking another sip.

Els raised her eyebrow. "I see." She gave him a lazy smile. "Grace?"

Nazareth looked at her, not knowing what she meant. "Grace?"

She shifted in her seat still smiling. "The gorgeous blonde that came to the skate rink last night."

"Oh." He couldn't pretend he hadn't noticed. "Yes, I think I remember... Your girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend?" She shrugged. "Grace and I? Yeah, we're lovers. I'm not sure about the girlfriend bit though."

Nazareth wanted to smack himself in the head. This was entering dangerous territory for his overactive imagination. He tried to stop himself from envisioning them together, knowing damn well what would happen if his body got the best of him. In his skins no doubt. He suppressed a groan.

Els had stood up from the couch with her empty mug. "Finished?"

He looked in it and then handed it to her and watched as she put them in the kitchen sink.

"Are you..." He stopped. Was he really going to ask her that?

She looked at him for a moment, blank faced. "Labels are so passe." She disappeared for a few minutes and then returned.

"Ta-daaah!" She had returned with the wet t-shirt. From what he could see, most of the stain had come out. It was going to be salvageable after all.

"Wow, thanks." He smiled and stood up as she rummaged around the in the kitchen for a plastic bag.

Els handed the bag to him and grabbed her keys. "Come on, I'll take you home."

* * *

When they pulled up to his house, he knew that he should have just said thanks and left it at that, but he went ahead and invited her in anyway. To his surprise she said yes.

"Do you mind if I have quick rinse? You know, the run, the coffee..."

"Sure. Don't worry about me, you go have your shower."

With a look of gratitude he left the kitchen and quickly had a shower, relieved that he was able finally clean up. If he wasn't so taken by Els he probably would've said no to going to her place.

Pulling on a pair of loose pair of sweatpants and another t-shirt he came into the kitchen to find that Els was sitting on the back deck in the sun. He slid the door open, closing it behind him and sat down next to her.

Els gave him a small smile and closed eyes, obviously enjoying the sunshine. Nazareth smiled back and looked her over, wondering what it would be like to hold her. He thought about the hammock he'd packed away during the Winter and imagined her lying in it on Summer days. Maybe asleep, perhaps bikini-clad, with one slender leg dangling off the edge. He had to stop for a moment and contemplate whether that was being borderline creepy. Strange that, sexually fantasising seemed completely normal, but everyday mundane stuff was probably weird.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Els watched him through lazy eyelids.

He couldn't help but grin, that secretive sort of grin. "Nothing in particular."

"Aha." She said looking as though she didn't believe a word. "What's on the agenda for this weekend?"

"Well, I had planned to catch up on some work. I managed to get a run in today, so all in all it's looking right on schedule." He looked around the yard. "Maybe some lawn mowing? You?"

She shifted so she was facing him. "Well, not much really this weekend. I might drop into the skate rink... Are you doing anything tonight?"

Nazareth shook his head. "I hadn't really made any plans..."

"Well you should come out tonight with me and Grace tonight."

He looked at her sideways. "Ummm, I don't want to be a third wheel."

"Oh." She laughed, her dark eyes sparkling. "I wouldn't want you to feel that way, but we don't bite you know."

* * *

Nazareth flicked through wardrobe for the tenth time. He honestly didn't know what to wear. He should've asked Els where they were going. Hell, he shouldn't have agreed. He didn't know why he was doing this to himself. It was self-torture at the very worst. Why couldn't he say no to her?

* * *

It took him a moment to remember his manners. Both Els and Grace had caught a cab to come and pick him up. He almost had to physically peel his chin off the ground.

"Nazareth!" Els was in a good mood as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "This is Grace."

Grace put out her hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

He took her hand and shook it. "The pleasure is all mine."

He was in trouble the moment he opened the door. Both women were dressed in platform heels, short fitted dresses and loose jackets. Els was in black and Grace was in cream. It looked like they had gotten ready together, both of them sporting loose wavy hair. Els had her signature dark makeup on while Grace had much lighter, natural looking makeup, her diamond shaped face framed by manicured eyebrows. Her lips weren't as full as Els but she was stunning nonetheless.

"Are you ready to go, or do you need a few minutes?" Els looked behind her at the cab.

"I'm ready to go, I'll just grab my wallet and keys."

* * *

Nazareth swirled his whiskey around the tumbler. Of all the places they could have gone to, they ended up at Midnight. Perhaps she didn't want him to feel like the third wheel, but he sure as hell felt like a chaperone, although the looks that he got from most of the other men was just enough to rub his ego the right way. He'd asked Els indirectly why we'd come to Midnight and why perhaps they hadn't chosen something that was more... he didn't have the word. Els had given him a look as though he was dense. When he thought about it, she was right. It didn't bother him, but a straight guy hanging out in a lesbian bar with two beautiful but unavailable women would have made him look like a putz.

* * *

Grace smiled warmly at Nazareth. "So Els tells me you work in product design."

Nazareth nodded. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to talk shop tonight. He'd ploughed through his work this afternoon, on a buzz at thought of spending more time with Els, but it was all fantasy.

"I'm not sure if Els mentioned it, but I'm a lawyer.

"No she didn't. That must be quite an interesting job."

Grace shrugged. "Sometimes it's good, other times... Well no one ever really gets out unscathed." She paused. "Your company would have it's own firm already wouldn't it?"

Nazareth nodded. "Yes, we've been using them for years."

Grace suddenly grinned. "Well if you ever decide to shop around, we've got some good ones that specialise in IP and related areas.

Nazareth laughed. "Sure, I'll remember that. How long have you known Els?"

Grace stopped to think, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. "Hmm, I'm not sure now, maybe five years?"

"Right." Nazareth nodded, only to hear Grace laugh.

"Oh we haven't been together for five years." She looked up and smiled softly as Els made her way back to the table. "Els is a free spirit. She'll come freely and openly, but she's not one to be held down if she doesn't want to. What about you Nazareth? Wife, girlfriend, lover, partner?"

He shook his head. "No."

Grace looked him over. "Fussy?"

Nazareth was taken aback. He'd never thought of himself as fussy and the confusion was apparent on his face. "No, I..."

Grace laughed again, the soft echo was rich and infectious and Nathaniel couldn't help but chuckle.

"Take it as compliment Nazareth. You don't strike me as a man would would have trouble finding a woman. Well... unless you know, no offence."

"None taken."

* * *

Somehow, after far too many drinks later, he found himself on the mezzanine level. He'd never been upstairs before, and it appeared to be a VIP area where people could watch the club below. It wasn't well lit and there weren't that many people around. They sat on a lounge in the corner that followed the contour of the back wall, where a part of it was bathed in darkness.

Nazareth leaned back into the soft cushion, enjoying the feeling of his body sinking in as he revelled in his whiskey induced high. It was getting late and even though the club had thinned out, there was still enough activity downstairs to keep it interesting. He watched absently-mindedly and realised he wasn't being much company, so he turned to say something but had to wait a moment till his eyes adjusted to dark.

He couldn't stop himself as his cock instantly hardened. Els was sitting on the lounge next to him with Grace straddling her. Her hand threaded through Grace's hair, gripping the back of her neck as they kissed. Nazareth took a deep breath and turned away and his gut twisted inside. It turned him on beyond belief but it was difficult too. If the situation was in his favour, he wouldn't say no to the both of them. What fool would? However he couldn't help this growing feeling for Els and it was starting to make him feel like a rejected school boy. If this is what it meant to be friends with her, could he handle it?

He tried to block them out, but he could still hear them and goodness help him if his desire wasn't making ache tightly from his torso down. Anymore and he'd probably have to whack off in the damn toilet stall, just to get a hold on the situation.

Suddenly he felt a hand latch onto his thigh.

"Fuck." He mumbled, not knowing what to do.

It was Els' hand and he prayed she didn't move it higher, or else this thread of control he barely had grasp of would surely snap and he really didn't know what he'd do then. She didn't though, she just dug her fingers in and the pain was just enough to bring him back. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the music until he lost himself and eventually realised that she'd let go.

Without another thought he stood up. "Thanks for the night ladies, I really enjoyed it. Thanks for inviting me out Els." He didn't wait for a response and left the club.

* * *

Nazareth couldn't get a control how he was feeling. He hadn't been himself since he'd laid eyes on Els, his quiet confidence deserting him. Now he felt as though he was being slowly torn in two and he had to make some sort of decision, or risk finding himself in an unhealthy position. His chest ached and sighed as he stepped through the door. He wasn't obsessed, but wanted her so badly it was tearing him up inside.

Maybe he just needed to sleep on it.

* * *

When Nazareth awoke, he was surprised that he slept, smiling to himself feeling moderately refreshed. However his mood didn't last long as his thoughts went back to last night. If he was honest to himself, he didn't have a bad time, it was just that he couldn't help the way he felt. He cringed at recalling the way he left, it wasn't like him. He should've seen them home, and made sure they got back safely. He looked at his phone. He couldn't call Els, since he didn't have her number.