Friends, Sexcapades and Love Affairs Ch. 14

He couldn't promise that. His being employed there was what made things so complicated. But, against his better judgment, he nodded.

Ryan ruffled his hair and then placed a small kiss on the crown of his head. For a moment, Mike felt his resolve weakening. One moment in life, he could be foolish, screw the consequences. But, as he debated with himself, Ryan moved away. The door opened and closed very slowly as if Ryan didn't want to bother him at all.

***

"This is not exactly the kind of place we usually hang out," Jared pointed out, as soon as they were inside and took place at a table.

"I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone," Mike replied.

"Ah, is it because of Ryan? What happened?"

The rhythmic song blaring over the speakers and the dancers on the ring singing along and not exactly in tune made for quite a noisy atmosphere. But it was a Wednesday, Mike wanted out of the house, and as much as his choice had surprised Jared, he had to admit that the place had its charm.

They grabbed two pints of beer and took place at a tall table. Watching the dancers was comfortable from that vantage point, and it was as if the people there put on a free show for the bystanders. Jared found himself tapping his foot to the rhythm of the music.

Mike drank from his pint and grimaced. Jared laughed. "Hey, it was your choice. Is it really bitter?"

"Clearly more bitter than whatever I've ever put in my mouth."

"Come on, don't avoid it. What happened with Ryan?"

Mike sighed. "We kissed again. He told me he had been thinking about me, and, you know."

"I don't know if you're not telling me. Have you told him that you consider finding another place to work?"

"I don't consider it," Mike said right away. "Yes, I do. But I need to take small steps, like coming here. And he wants me to stay and work for the company."

"Ah, so you told him of your intentions."

"No. I just helped with a problem, and Ryan was glad, and, well, he told me never to leave the company."

"And the part where you two kissed, when did it happen?"

"Just a bit earlier in that conversation."

Jared shook his head. "Even if he told you to stay, that doesn't mean that he won't be glad if you make this move so that you can be with him."

"I don't know how to tell him this. I'm afraid that it would be too bold of me to go to work somewhere else. And what if I make a mistake? What if Ryan is not, you know, the one?"

"Frankly, Mike, I think being more open to change would do you good. Okay, don't do it for Ryan's sake; do it for yours. You have potential. I know you're a good coder."

"You don't know the first thing about that." Mike snickered.

Jared rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know, I'm the artistic type in our little group. But you're the guy who knows how to code, even if I don't know exactly what you're good at. Maybe you should try freelancing as I do."

"It would be too scary for me," Mike said.

"Well, then it's good that we're here, drinking the most bitter beer I've ever tried, and watching people dance. It's new, and it's good for you."

Jared let his eyes travel over the dancers. A tall guy, in a cowboy outfit, seemed to be the star on the dance ring. His partner, a young woman who appeared to be completely smitten with him, was trying hard to keep up while he showed her some moves.

Jared watched the dancer and took another sip from his beer. Damn, the guy was really too on the nose with that outfit. He even wore boots, and the shiny buckle in front drew Jared's attention on more than one occasion. All right, maybe it was also because those jeans were really tight, and Jared could tell that the guy was packing some real heat; it was that why he was staring so insistently.

The song stopped, and the dancers took a breather. Jared continued to stare at the cowboy, who was now engaged in quiet conversation with his partner. He wore his checkered flannel with his sleeves rolled up, and Jared couldn't help but notice the sinewy forearms. Clearly, he seemed to be a fan of physical work. Without having a thing for that Brokeback Mountain look, Jared had to admit that the outfit looked good on the guy. When he slightly turned, Jared bit his lips unconsciously. That was quite a scrumptious behind, what he was looking at right that moment.

He shook his head. He wasn't there to ogle straight men in cowboy dress. Maybe just a small extra peek because he was curious about the guy's face, too. Since he had worn his hat low while dancing, the cowboy's face had been obscured. Jared looked up when the man turned again as he shook hands with people.

Coincidence or not, the cowboy was looking straight at him, and their eyes met. Only for a second, because Jared quickly looked away. He had a feeling staring at a man in such a place would not score him points. The one thing he needed to do right now was to swear off men for a while. The last fiasco was still too fresh in his heart and mind.

Not that he even considered having anything to do with the sexy cowboy. In the short seconds their eyes had met, Jared had registered a few things, such as a strong jaw and thick eyebrows shadowing a pair of dark eyes. From that distance, he couldn't tell much else, but the cowboy looked like someone who spent a lot of time in the sun. He had that rugged look about him, something of a Marlboro Man in him.

Mike was nursing his beer, and he seemed lost in thought. Jared felt instantly guilty. He placed one hand on Mike's shoulder. "You know, Mike, it's best if you do everything in your own time. Don't allow anything or anyone to pressure you. I'm glad you took me here tonight. Even though this beer is undrinkable if you're asking me."

"Thank you, J. You must still be hurting after Chris, and you're still the one to comfort me because I can't make up my mind about what I really want."

"I think you know what you want. And it's good that you're thinking of getting out of your comfort zone."

Mike seemed to ponder over something. "Would you think badly on me if I met with Ryan, you know, in secret?"

Jared grimaced, but he tried to smile. "You wouldn't be happy this way, Mike."

"I know," Mike moaned. "But, I want him so much."

Jared was about to start comforting Mike again, when someone bumped into him from behind, making the table shake. The beer pints lost their balance, and their content splashed everywhere, including on his favorite t-shirt.

Annoyed, Jared turned, decided to give the clumsy patron a piece of his mind. He froze for a second as he stared into a pair of dark eyes he had seen just earlier. The cowboy smirked at him. "So damn sorry about that. Can I buy you, boys, another round?"

Jared had no idea what irked him all of a sudden. The guy looked as if he could hold himself on two feet just fine. After all, he had been dancing until earlier. So that couldn't have been an accident. Maybe the cowboy had heard them talk, and just thought it would be a good idea to make fun of them, two gay guys in a place like that.

"No, it's all right," he replied in a clipped voice. "We were just leaving, anyway. Mike, let's go."

Mike didn't protest at all. Maybe it was for the better that they didn't have to force themselves to drink that foul beer, Jared thought.

"Hey, don't leave on my account," the cowboy drawled.

Jared stared at him, now completely annoyed. The dark eyes were glinting with mischief. Jared felt like he wanted to punch the guy in the nose; it looked like others might have felt the same, because it was clear the anatomic part in question had been broken before. Not that it made the cowboy less charming. He had that appeal of a man who usually got away with anything, in particular in his relationships with women. There was both grace and strength in how he held himself.

"We're not leaving on your account," Jared said, making sure to pour as much acid as he could in his voice. "We're just leaving, period."

"Ah, that's too bad. And I ruined your t-shirt, too. Can I get your number? I should pay for the dry cleaning."

"It's a frigging t-shirt!" Jared didn't know he could have a short fuse, but it looked like that uncouth cowboy was meddling with his electric system. "It doesn't need dry cleaning!" Mike pulled at his elbow. "Mike, let's go."

He marched out, with Mike hanging from his arm.

"Come by again," the cowboy called after him.

Jared didn't turn to shout his reply. "Not in this life!"

He had no idea he had it in him to be this not-nice person. It was completely new, and it felt a bit liberating. Mike was still pulling at his elbow once they were out in the street. "Sorry about that, Mike. The guy just got seriously on my nerves. And now I'll have to take the smell of that nasty beer out of my t-shirt. Can you believe people like that?"

"Jared," Mike said, his eyes wide.

"Hey, don't look so scared. I wouldn't have gone into a fight or anything."

Mike just shook his head. "I'm not scared. But I think that cowboy really wanted your phone number."

"What? No way! He was just trying to get on my nerves. He must have heard us talking, and probably thought himself clever with that prank."

Mike snickered. "J, it's so not like you to be this dense. That's usually my area of expertise. That guy was looking at you as if he wanted to eat you. You know, in a good way."

Jared stopped. "Nah, you must be imagining things."

"I'm not," Mike said stubbornly.

"All right, so maybe he wanted to make fun of the gay guy who landed by accident in his bar or something. That must have been it. He danced all the time with some girl."

"Ah, so you noticed him! He must have noticed you back."

Jared had to admit that the cowboy hadn't seemed aggressive at all. The look in his dark eyes had been playful, sort of come-hither. No, he shook his head; now, he was the one imagining things. The guy was attractive, but that didn't mean anything.

"We should just head back home and catch some sleep."

"He really liked you," Mike said with conviction. "Oh, look, he's coming."

Jared turned only to see the cowboy jogging toward them.

The man tipped his hat. "Sorry about earlier. My friends told me it would be the perfect pick up line. They're a bunch of assholes when they want to be. So, here's how I usually do it." He offered his hand. "I'm Shane."

Jared stood there without saying a word. Mike nudged him. He shook his head and offered his hand, too. "Jared."

"Nice to meet you, Jared." Shane held his hand for a while.

He then offered his hand to Mike, too, but he only shook his curtly.

"Here is my number," Shane added and gave Jared a napkin on which a number had been written down in thick, blocky lines. "Just in case you change your mind about that dry cleaning." And then he winked at Jared like that was supposed to be reparation enough for that t-shirt. "Sorry about ruining your night. I hope you guys will come again. Have a good evening."

With that, he jogged back to the bar, leaving a much flabbergasted Jared behind. It was indeed a sight to watch him go.

"Didn't I tell you?" Mike began to talk excitedly. "He really digs you!"

"Whatever," Jared said. "I'm not in the mood for a new complication right now. Cowboy wannabes named Shane sound like quite the complication to me."

Mike picked the napkin from his hand, folded it carefully, and then stuffed it into Jared's right pocket. "There. Just in case you change your mind about complications."

No, he wouldn't change his mind about complications. It wasn't like him to move on so fast, not that he had any experience with relationships, except for whatever had happened with Chris. He sighed, and Mike squeezed his shoulder. "You know, that guy was a total asshole. At least, there's a bright side. You're not the one married to him."

Jared burst into laughter. That was, indeed, a relief. All he had to cry over was some two-week relationship or so. It did count as a long one, compared to the fleeting flings he had had in his life. "You know, Mike, maybe I'm not meant to have a relationship right now. Maybe I should, you know, just have fun for a while, no strings attached."

"Will that fun include calling a certain handsome cowboy?" Mike nudged him playfully in the ribs.

Jared snorted. "I don't think he's my type."

Mike snickered. "You two were eye-fucking each other just earlier. I could sense the electricity."

"There was no electricity," Jared protested, but he had to admit to himself that he felt flattered at the thought that a handsome man like that could be interested in him. But he was beyond that. Just as flattered, he had felt when Chris had hooked up with him the first time, and where had that taken him? No, this time, he would be a lot more careful. He wouldn't be the kid with stars in his eyes dreaming of a relationship.

"I'd say it was."

"I won't ever come back here, so there's no chance to see him again."

"You have his number," Mike pointed out. "Maybe the best solution, as they say, is to get back in the saddle. Oh, the saddle. I just made a pun. Because he's a cowboy and all that."

"He dresses like a cowboy. That doesn't mean that he's one," Jared said.

"Well, he looks the part quite well."

"There are no farms around here, so he can't be a cowboy."

"Maybe he's just visiting. And that's your chance for a fling," Mike continued. "I think that's what they prescribe on those relationship advice sites."

"Mike, I think this is another case of you getting things a little bit wrong. What advice would that be?"

Mike shrugged. "What if Shane is here only for a few days? There's nothing for you to lose. You can meet him, hop back in the saddle, and then kiss him goodbye. Like literally."

"How come you're so shy in your relationships, but you're pestering me to have a one-night-stand with a sexy cowboy?"

"Ah, so you like him! And it's easier to give advice than follow it. It's just that he seemed to like you, for real. It seemed all genuine."

"Well, I'm not going to fall twice for the same trick. I thought Chris liked me for real, as well. And look where that got me."

"It's not fair to judge all the guys by taking Chris as the measuring dick. Oops, I meant stick. Measuring stick. Did I make another pun? It must be that awful beer. I had half of it, I think."

Jared patted Mike's back. "Then you're a true hero. I couldn't manage more than one sip or so."

He couldn't consider jumping back in the saddle so quickly. It wasn't like him, despite his bravado about having fun and all that. Maybe he would just throw away Shane's number when he was back home, and Mike couldn't see him do it.

***

Jared was busy gathering his pictures from the wall. He had just been part of an event gathering young photographers, and, in his book, it had been a bit of a success. As a freelancer, he needed to network, at least once in a while, and there were occasions he could use, like this one, to create new connections.

Also, it felt nice to have his name out there, even if along with others. Chris was wrong. He could make a name for himself without any help, especially not from a man who considered him a side piece and nothing more.

"Jared Boyle?"

He turned at the sound of that voice. For a few moments, he stared at the stranger, a handsome man in an expensive suit. There was something familiar about him, but Jared didn't know where he had seen him before or whether there was just some uncanny resemblance to someone he knew.

"Yes," he replied.

The mystery was cleared right away. The stranger offered his hand. "Andrew Reeves."

Now Jared knew precisely where he had seen the man before. He pursed his lips and ignored the extended hand. Maybe he was petty, but if what Chris had said to him about having an open relationship was true, Jared wanted nothing to do with Andrew Reeves.

It hurt that he was so handsome, too. His curly hair was just a tad too long to be considered business-like, but not completely rebellious. Just as the night he had seen him the first time, Jared thought he had something of a classic beauty in him. Why would Chris go out and try to have fun on the side when he had such a man at home? His manner seemed polite and charming, too.

The hand withdrew. "I must apologize for my husband."

Jared turned and continued to take the pictures down, reining in with difficulty the need just to rip them from the wall, stuff them in his bag, and storm out.

"You know, you made quite an impression on him," Andrew continued. "It's not often that this happens with Christian. He's quite pretentious."

Christian. Pretentious. Of course, Andre must have known his husband a lot better than Jared had managed over the short time they had seen each other. No, not seen; they had just fucked. He continued to remain stubbornly silent in the hope that Andrew would take the hint and then a hike.

"I just want you to know that he didn't mean any harm."

Jared felt his jaw hurting. This time, he turned, and said through his teeth, "Oh, I think he meant everything he did and every word he said."

And he did harm me. Jared left those words unspoken.

Andrew put his hands up in a gesture of appeasement. "He should have told you about me."

"Right. Preferably before he took me to bed." Jared had a mind to use more harsh words, but it wasn't the right place for that, and it wasn't like him to throw nasty words around, anyway.

"I can see why he likes you," Andrew said, and he appeared amused.

"Of course. I look like an easy lay," Jared said in a low voice.

Andrew quirked an eyebrow. "You don't know the first thing about being married, Jared. Routine can become annoying. It can kill passion."

Jared threw the gathered pictures on the table in front of him and then crossed his arms over his chest. "And yet, some people manage to remain married all their lives without cheating on each other. I wonder how they do it."

Andrew chuckled and shifted his weight from one foot to another. Maybe that conversation was not easy for him, either. Jared wondered what Andrew really wanted.

"He told you the truth when you two last spoke on the phone."

"Too late," Jared replied. "The moment he tricked me into sleeping with him -"

"Tricked you? What are you? Twelve?"

Jared swallowed thickly. He had a feeling that Andrew and Chris deserved each other. "No, I'm not twelve. But let's just say that married men shouldn't go around, pretending to be single, just so that they can score with someone other than their spouses."

Andrew seemed a bit taken aback by the tone of his voice. "He told me you were pretty desperate to get in bed with him. Maybe you just ignored the signs."

Jared turned to the remaining pictures once more. His head was hurting already. "I assumed I was dealing with an honest human being. Rest assured that I won't make the same mistake again."

Andrew released an exaggerated sigh. "You're young, and you're overreacting."

"Why are you here?" Jared asked, ignoring the other's arrogant attitude.

"I wanted to know you."

"Tough luck, then. I'm not interested in knowing you."

"Hmm. Chris does like the most the ones with an attitude. Why were you alone the night Chris met you?"

"Well, that's none of your business."

"Let's say that it's my educated guess that you couldn't score, as you say. So the moment someone paid you any attention, you jumped right into it, without thinking of the consequences for a moment."

Jared made a conscious effort to breathe. The nerve on that guy was fantastic. He tried to ignore how those words pulled at his insecurities, threatening to unravel them all. "All right, whatever."

"And you're flippant, too."

"It must be part of my charm." Jared had finished taking all the pictures down, but he didn't want to turn and face Andrew. He had a feeling he would jump to strangle him.