by C. E. Wilson
Clayton James
By C. E. Wilson
Contents
Clayton James
Clayton James
Disclaimer
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Note from the Author
Clayton James
By C. E. Wilson
Amazon Edition
Copyright 2019
This book may not be replicated or reproduced in any manner without the express and written permission from the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re- sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to the author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Chapter 1
Clayton James walked into the bar and looked around. It wasn’t his first time in a gay bar, but this time, his mission was different. He wasn’t looking for a hookup; he was ready to find a more serious relationship. He was ready for his happy ever after. Well if there was such a thing. He had a lot of friends that found the man for them, but he had yet to find his forever man.
He went to the bar and sat on a stool and ordered a drink. He turned to face the dance floor and watched as men held other men and danced with them. He was so engrossed in the dancers that he didn’t notice the man that slipped in on the stool beside him. The man tapped on his shoulder, causing Clayton to turn toward him and look at him. He was a little shorter than Clayton but seemed to have a good body. He was handsome in his own way.
“Hi there,” Clayton said and smiled.
“Hi, handsome. Looking for some company tonight?”
Clayton frowned. “No, nothing like that. I was just seeing who was here. Not looking for a hookup. I want something more meaningful than that.”
“I would be game for that. We can at least get to know each other.”
“One question first. Are you on display on Grindr? Or maybe Tumblr? Just want to know if you're showing what you have.”
“Yes, actually I am on both of them. You want my user name so you can see what I look like naked?”
“No, I want you to leave me alone. I don’t want anyone that is on either or both of those sites. I want someone that has enough self-respect not to put his business on display.”
“Sounds to me like you’re a snob. I don’t think I want to talk to you any longer.”
“Good, move on then.”
Clayton turned back to his drink and stared at the mirror that had the couples dancing on the dance floor. He didn’t see anyone that he wanted to talk to, so he paid for his drink and left. He wandered down the street and saw another bar. He went inside to find all men in there. Some were dancing, and some were sitting around the tables with drinks and talking. He sat down at the bar and ordered another drink. It was a good thing he decided to take a cab. That way, he could take a taxi back home and not drive drunk.
When he got his drink, he turned around in his seat and watched the men dance. He had never been in this bar before, so he was taking it all in. He noticed a man sitting in the corner. He seemed to be alone and was just watching the dancers as he was doing. He decided to approach him and see what his story was. He seemed to be so sad.
Clayton picked up his drink and walked over to where the man was sitting. As Clayton got closer, the man’s eyes turned to him. He looked Clayton up and down and then looked at his bottle of beer on the table. Clayton noticed that the man was younger than he first thought. He looked like he was around the same age as Clayton was. “Hi. My name is Clayton James. Is this seat taken?”
The man glanced up at Clayton and shook his head no. Clayton pulled out the chair and sat down. The man glanced at Clayton, “John Willis. I am not looking for a hookup if that is what you expect from me.”
“No, I didn't want a hookup. I am looking for something more serious. I am looking for a relationship.”
John gave Clayton a weak smile. “Yeah, that’s what I’m looking for too, but it seems that these guys are all about advertising themselves in despicable ways. I want someone that is into the old-fashioned way of meeting.”
Clayton grinned. “Where have you been? I have been looking for you and thank goodness I just found you.”
John frowned. “Do I know you? I don’t remember ever meeting you before.”
“No, you don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but I sure would like to. You seem to be looking for exactly what I am looking for. I don’t want a man that advertises on the internet by showing all they are offering. I want to discover that after getting to know someone.”
John looked up into Clayton’s eyes and gave a big toothy smile. “It's hard to believe that someone actually agrees with me. I have met so many men that are so proud of what they have they have to put it all over the internet. I want what my partner has to be for me only and not let everyone in the world see it.”
“I agree with you, totally. I think we’re a good match. Can I ask you out on a date? Maybe to dinner and then a movie or something like that?”
“Yes, on one condition that I can pay for my own dinner and movie. I am a man, and I don’t need to be treated less than. We can agree on most things, but that one thing is important to me. We both pay our own ways.”
“I can agree with that as well. I’ll give you my phone number, and if you can’t make it, you can call and let me know. I’ll need your number as well.”
“Are you leaving?”
“No, just didn’t want to forget to get your number and give you mine. I was planning on talking for a while so we could get to know each other a little better. I’m an attorney and work here in town at Smith and Dillon law firm. We are real estate lawyers.”
“I am a Cardiologist and have my own practice. I do alright for myself and sounds like you do as well. That’s good, so we won’t have to depend on each other, and that’s what I want.”
“I won’t depend on anyone financially but want to have someone I can depend on emotionally. I want to fall in love and get married and adopt a couple of children. I think the most important thing for me is to have a family of my own.”
“Well, it sure sounds like we are on the same page. I would like all of that as well. I want a boy and a girl.”
“What do you like to do for entertainment?”
“I like to go out once in a while, but my dream date is to cook for my partner and then snuggle on the couch while we watch the movie. I know that sounds like a girl’s dream, but it is what I like.”
“Doesn’t seem like a girl’s dream to me. Sounds like what I would enjoy as well. I am not one for going to bars even though we are in one now. I just wanted to try and find a man th
at I could relate to, and here you are.”
John smiled at Clayton. “Since we both like that kind of date, why don’t you come over to my condo tomorrow evening? I will cook dinner and rent a couple of movies, and we can eat then watch movies and cuddle on the couch?”
Clayton grinned. “Sounds like a plan to me.” He pulled out his wallet and handed John a twenty-dollar bill.
John frowned. “What is this for?”
“My share of dinner and the movies. You said you wanted to pay for yourself and so do I. So, there you go.”
John laughed and then rolled his eyes. “What kind of movies do you like?”
“Anything but horror. I can’t stand those movies. I like anything else.”
“Another point we agree on; I don’t like them either. What do you like to eat?”
“I like just about anything. I’m not a fussy eater.”
“Give me a hint. What did you have for dinner tonight?”
“Um…frozen tv dinner. I never was allowed to learn to cook. My father decided since I told him I was gay if he kept me out of the kitchen that I would all of a sudden be straight. Didn’t work.”
John’s mouth fell open, and he stared at Clayton. “Are you serious?”
“Yep, he kicked me out of the house when I wouldn’t convert. I had good grades, so I got a good scholarship to law school and haven’t talked to my parents since then. They can’t handle me being gay, and I can’t handle them being bigots.”
“So, what you’re telling me is if we get into a long-term relationship that I’ll have to be the cook?”
“Yes, but I’ll do my part and do the dishes. I don’t need lessons to do that. I can learn to cook if it’s a deal breaker.”
John smiled and took Clayton’s hand. “No, it isn’t a deal breaker. I would prefer to cook, and I love it, but I hate the clean up afterward. So, if you're going to do that, then we can work together just fine.”
Clayton asked, “Do you want another drink?”
“No, thanks. I have been nursing this beer since I got here. I am not much of a drinker.”
“That makes two of us. I have had two altogether, so I’m glad I took a cab and will take one home.”
“I can take you home if you want to save on a cab. Where do you live?”
“I have a house on the east side. It is about seven miles from here.”
“My condo is on the east side as well, so it wouldn’t be out of my way. I think we should know where each other lives if we are going to try and have a relationship.”
“Yes, of course, we do.”
John stared at Clayton for a few minutes. “Do you think this will work for us, Clayton?”
“I think it will be work as is any other type of relationship, but so far I don’t see anything that could be bad for us. We seem to like most everything the same. I’m sure we will find things we don’t agree on, but that is just human nature. Not everyone can agree on everything, but I don’t think it will be so much as to drive us apart. Time will tell I guess.”
“I think the key to it will be for us to talk openly with each other and not hold anything in. If we can do that, we will for sure be able to make this work. It seems funny that we are talking about a relationship when we just met an hour ago. I guess when it is right then it is right.”
“It is fast, but it isn’t like we are getting married tomorrow. At least we plan on dating and getting to know each other before we get to that point.”
“If you're agreeable, I would like to spend as much time as possible together. Weekends during the day and weeknights at least a call. I know we both have to work and I for one, can’t get calls since I will be seeing patients. I don’t know how your work day is, but I assume the same, and you can’t have calls that interrupt your clients so let’s make a pact that we only call each other after, say five pm?”
“Yeah, that sounds good to me. When we get to the point that we are sleeping together, let’s take turns spending the weekend with the other one. Not to say that’s going to happen right away but when we get to it, then I would like to stay the whole weekend with you and you at my home too.”
“That sounds good to me too. Would you be interested in meeting my parents at some time? They are nothing like yours, and they are fine with me being gay. They are hoping that I’ll find a partner and have them some grandchildren. They would love you.”
Clayton watched the men dance and didn’t answer him right away. John took that as he didn’t want to meet them, so he quickly said, “It isn’t something you have to do. I just thought you might like to meet them.”
“Oh no, John, I would very much like to meet your parents. I just have a lot of regrets that I won’t be able to take you to meet mine. They don’t want anything to do with me because I am gay. They think I am going to hell in a handbasket.”
“Well, at least we will be together there too. I don’t believe that, though. I know what people say, but I can’t believe that you go to hell if you're gay.”
Clayton reached over and kissed John on the cheek. “Thank you, John.”
They smiled at each other.
Chapter 2
Clayton and John sat and talked for several more hours. They both switched to sodas so neither of them would get drunk. They found that they had so much in common. It was surreal that they met in a bar when neither one frequented a bar that much. They decided it was time to go home, so John took Clayton by his condo to show him where he lived, and then he took Clayton home. They were surprised that they only lived about a mile apart in the same neighborhood.
Clayton invited John into his house since Clayton would see John’s condo the next evening. He showed John around and then walked John to the front door. Clayton started to kiss John on the cheek, but John turned his head and met Clayton’s lips and kissed him sweetly. Clayton smiled and touched his lips. John winked at him and went out and got into his car and went home.
Clayton spent the next day thinking about John. He seemed to be everything he could ever want in a partner, but he was hesitant to get his hopes up. He just wanted to get to know John and see if this was something they could work together and make it what they both wanted. Clayton was anxious about going to John’s house for dinner and a movie. He wanted to go but was so worried that something would happen that would keep them from a good relationship.
Clayton picked out a nice pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. He wanted to be casual but not too casual. Was that the right thing to wear to a friend’s house for dinner? Was John a friend or potential partner? So, what did you wear to someone’s house that was a potential partner or a good friend? Clayton was so nervous because he wanted to impress John. He finally decided that he would just be himself, and if that wasn’t what John wanted, then they would know it first off.
Clayton got dressed at five and was to be at John’s house at six. He left the house and went and got some flowers and a bottle of wine at the local stores. He got to John’s house at five-forty-five. He got the flowers and the wine and went to the door. He pushed the doorbell, and a few minutes later, John opened the door. He had a big smile when he saw Clayton.
John pulled Clayton into the house and kissed him softly on the lips. Clayton handed him the flowers and the bottle of wine. John looked at the wine and raised a brow. Clayton shrugged his shoulders and laughed. “I always heard if you’re invited to dinner that you should bring flowers and wine. We don’t have to drink wine. In fact, I would rather have some tea or something like that.”
“This red wine will go good with the steaks if that is what you want.”
“Not really. Maybe some other time. I just felt I needed to do that. I know it is silly, but I wanted to make a good impression on you.”
“Clayton, you don’t have to do anything but be yourself. If you don’t want to drink wine, then don’t bring it. I don’t need it.”
“Messed up, didn’t I?”
“Of course not, I’m glad you are even here. I think it is
adorable that you brought flowers and wine. Thank you. Come on into the kitchen with me. I want to check the steaks. They should be done in just a few minutes. We are having salad, baked potato, steak, and corn on the cob. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like I could marry you if you cook like that all the time. That sounds great.”
“I think anything would sound great to someone that eats TV dinners all the time. Play your cards right, and one day, I will make you a pan of lasagna that will guarantee that you marry me.”
Clayton laughed. “You just hit the top of my list for favorite people. Lasagna is my all-time favorite food. Anytime you decide to make lasagna just give me a call, and I will be here in seconds.”
“Oh, I see, well when I need you, I will just make a pan of lasagna, and I will have you.”
“You don’t have to make anything to get me here. If you need me, you have my number. Use it.”
John winked at him. “I might just have to test that out once in a while. Steaks are done. Can you grab the salad from the fridge, and I will get the corn out of the steamer?”
They went about getting the food on the table. When all was ready, they sat down and fixed their plates. Clayton moaned when he got the first bite of the steak. It was a T-bone and was so tender he could cut it with his fork. John watched him eat and smiled. “It is good to see someone enjoy my cooking.”
“I am enjoying it so much. You’re an awesome cook. I think I’ll take you home and keep you.”
“That’s an option. We’ll see how tonight goes. I’m getting stoked about this relationship. I think we can make this work, Clayton. I really want it to work out for us. I’m getting tired of being alone. I have my family, but it isn’t the same.”
“I know John, and I agree with you. I just want to take it slow for a little while and get to know each other. I don’t want to have a broken heart, and you could easily do that to me. I’m not sure with you being a cardiologist you can fix a broken heart.”