by Tabby Storm
“I understand. Really, it’s ok. Stuff comes up.” He was wearing a pair of slacks tonight, with a blue cotton V-neck tee. Not the kind of clothes she’d seen him in before. He looked like he might be trying to impress her.
He was smiling at her and looking right in her eyes. She peered around as inconspicuously as possible. Around them were a few more drag queens, young and old gay men, couples of all kinds, and a surly looking biker dude in the corner. Biker dude was reading a fashion magazine and drinking a drink with fruit on the rim. Even though she wasn’t sure she’d apologized enough for Friday, she chuckled in spite of herself.
“What’s that for?” he queried. “What’s funny?”
“I grew up in this town, and have gone by this place and never come in. You know, you think you know what a place will be like, and sometimes things just surprise you. This place just feels good. I guess I’m just surprised. I never expected it to feel the way it does in here.”
“I guess you thought it was going to be some dark underbelly of the alternative gay nightlife?” Kyle laughed. “Well, it’s just a regular bar. That happens to cater to queer dudes. But it’s still just a bar.”
Josie blushed again.
“Kyle, I have to ask you something.”
“Sure, what?”
She paused, not sure how to say it.
“Why do you want to hang out with me? I mean, I’m just an ordinary girl, I don’t do much that’s exciting, and you’re—so different than me. I just seem, boring, in comparison to you.”
Kyle tipped his head back and started laughing. “Pussycat, you are a master worrier, aren’t you?”
Josie looked at him, then at her bracelets. She wasn’t sure what to say.
“Hey, hey, I’m sorry. I just was surprised by the question. I think you’re incredible.”
“What’s so incredible? I always mess things up when I’m around you.” She was embarrassed and a little annoyed. She hated being told how she felt.
Kyle set down his beer and took one of her hands into his much bigger hands. “You are awkward and sweet and so genuine. You light up a room just by being you. You seem unaware of how stunning you are. You’re very humble. You talk a lot and yet you know how to be quiet and peaceful, too. You work with kids and you care a lot about what you do. I think you’re wonderful.”
She was sitting next to him and her mouth was hanging open a little. She was so surprised by his words. He leaned toward her body more, moved one hand to the back of her neck and the other to her cheek. She felt tingly all over, not sure what he was going to do. He gently pressed his lips to hers and she could feel something shoot up her back like hot liquid that spread out across her entire back and down her limbs. His lips felt warm and gentle, and they knew what they were doing. She felt him push her lips open and tease her tongue with his. He gave her another gentle kiss with his lips, then pulled away and looked at her. She was completely transfixed by him.
“You are lovely, Josie. Thank you for coming to join me tonight.”
She hadn’t said anything since his lips moved away from hers. He had surprised her by the kiss, surprised her by somehow understanding her so well after such a brief time. She felt like she’d suddenly become paralyzed on her chair. Thankfully her wits returned and she smiled at him.
“Thank you for the beer. And company.” She stammered as she got up. “And the, yes, well. Thank you for everything.” Although her legs felt kind of like jello, she stood to go.
“I’ll see you Wednesday night.” She grabbed her jacket and turned back to him. “When the show’s over do we get to see you?”
“Oh yes! Please stay and come up to the stage after the show. We’ll invite you back to hang out with the band for a while. The guys would love to meet you, I’m sure.”
“Okay. Thank you, I’ll be there.” Kyle watched Josie walk out of the club, slightly teetering.
Chapter 9
“Maya, you cannot be a good wing woman if you are distracted by trying to hook up with Kyle’s bandmates!” Josie scolded. Maya was more than excited to attend tonight’s concert but even more excited about access to rocker dudes.
“You have to give me a break, Josie. I’ve been with Don the banker for 3 months, and while he’s a freak in bed, he’s not exactly Mr. Sexy. I want to objectify men in tight leather pants!”
Josie laughed while she drove her mom’s ancient Volvo down Hwy 24 in Oakland during rush-hour traffic. They’d left SF at 4:15 to make a 7 pm show. They were only halfway there at it was already 5:30. Maya changed the station to a hard rock station in Concord. She was doing air guitar. They were going 30 mph.
“Thanks for coming, Maya.” Josie said quietly. “Thanks for sitting in all this traffic with me for the show. I really appreciate it.”
“Josie girl, you know I’d go anywhere with you, babe. You need to get back on that horse. And Mr. Sexy Kyle is exactly the right horse to ride!”
Josie smacked her. “Maya, what would I do without you?”
“You’d be a lot more bored, that’s for sure Miss Teacher of the Year. You’ve gotta let your hair down sometimes, woman.” Maya paused for a minute and looked over at Josie.
“What, Maya? You’re making me nervous. Stop staring at me! What is it?”
“Ok. In all seriousness, I’d been really worried about you. Until this Kyle guy showed up, you…were not yourself.”
Josie was quiet. “I know, Maya. But I’m trying to get out of my head a little. I feel like I’m coming out of a cloud.”
“Josie, I’m serious when I say this. It’s okay to still love James, but you have to let it go. You’re going to stay stuck if you hold on to him. Don’t let your past stuff mess this up for you.”
“I know, Maya.” Josie bit her lip and looked out the window. She knew Maya would only say something like this if she was really worried. After 8 years, she knew her best friend very well.
She had eventually told Maya everything, the running out of the club on Friday, texting Kyle after his special gift delivery, meeting up with him at gay club. And The Kiss. She touched her lips involuntarily then, thinking about Kyle’s lips touching hers. Something started to stir in her, a feeling of excitement and longing. It had been a long time since she’d been kissed. She had forgotten how much she missed it.
Since Monday they’d texted some. Josie had asked him about his family. She’d learned that Kyle was the middle child with an older and younger sister. His sisters Maggie and Grace ruled the house. His dad had died when he was a teenager, and his mom counted on him to be the man of the house. He was used to doing what needed to be done to take care of the family. And he was used to living with women. He sure seemed to get Josie. She smiled. Maya looked at her.
“What are you thinking over there, lady?”
“I was thinking about Kyle, naturally.” She braked for a Range Rover that darted to merge in front of her. They had barely made it to the tunnel.
“Maya, I want you to know, I’m working hard on moving past my old crap. I thought I had, really. I’m not sure what was up Friday, but I’m working on it.”
“Jo, I’m proud of you. I know this isn’t easy for you.”
“Thank you.”
They rode in silence for a while, listening to the radio and looking at the traffic.
As they approached the bar in Martinez, Josie started to get nervous. Maya noticed quickly and said, “Josie. Breathe. Everything is fine. It is what it is. He likes you, it’s obvious. Just take the rest in.”
Josie was so grateful for Maya. She had a way of encouraging her and keeping her calm that made everything okay.
The club was busy, but not crazy. And it was so much smaller than Josie expected. The sign above the only exit read “capacity 300.” That was very small in club terms, and Josie was surprised that Kyle’s band would play at such a small place.
The band started to play, but everyone but Kyle was on stage. They launched into a cover of “Alive,” but Kyle was still not there.
Josie was looking around for him, and suddenly, there he was, sitting next to her and Maya at their table.
Kyle took her hand and looked into her eyes, “Josie, I want to see you after the show. Promise me you’ll stay this time.”
He was wearing burgundy skinny jeans and a white tee. His necklace was like one of those Tibetan beaded necklaces that monks wear. He looked casual and sexy and his hair was doing its signature floppiness that made Josie crazy.
Josie looked at him and said, “I promise I’ll stay.”
Maya was a witness to the whole exchange, and as Kyle walked up to the stage to begin singing she watched Josie’s reaction.
“I honestly don’t get why he’s into me. Look at him!” Josie stammered.
Maya looked at Josie and sighed over the music.
“Josie, the day you see and know your own worth will be a day that we all celebrate.”
“What?” Josie was shocked.
“You don’t give yourself credit.” Maya said loudly. “You are so-you. He sees it. You used to. I know it already.”
Josie had nothing to say about this. Her only job right now was to listen to Kyle and try to enjoy the music and let go.
Chapter 10
The show was fantastic. They stayed for all of it, cheering them on after every song. It was a very different feeling, being at a smaller venue. She felt connected to the band in a more intimate way than in the Music Hall. At the end of the show, just after they had gone off stage, Kyle came out to their table to invite them to hang out backstage. Once back there, Maya flirted endlessly with the drummer, getting kind of touchy and making Josie nervous. That is, until she remembered that Maya was dating Don and she eased up subconsciously. Some had done shots right after the show, but most were mellow and just sipping beer, talking about the show and visiting. Loud music was playing in the background and there were many other women hanging around with various band members and friends.
Josie and Kyle barely noticed any of it. They had been talking for hours, sharing things about themselves that they didn’t think they’d ever share with someone. It all just came out so easily. Eventually Josie looked at her watch and realized that it was quite late. She didn’t want to leave Kyle. He noticed her look at her watch and said, “how about you come back to the city with me and the guys, we can keep visiting on the way home. I don’t want to say goodbye to you yet.”
Josie looked at him and took his hand. “I’d like that. Thanks.”
Maya was more than willing to drive Josie’s mom’s Volvo home. She drove off with a whisper to Josie “Please be careful and have fun!”
Around midnight the band and Josie were headed back to the city, all piled into Johnny’s van with instruments and people. They zipped back quickly, except for the slowing down at the Bay Bridge, where there is traffic non-stop whether it is rush hour or not. Kyle’s bandmates were pretty cool guys. They were kind to each other and joked and teased each other like very old friends do. It was nice to be there to see it.
“Where can we drop you, Josie?” asked Johnny when they came into the city.
“I, um, ok well…”
She looked at Kyle and he smiled.
“Just drop us off at my place,” Kyle answered. “I’ll make sure she gets home safe.”
Josie ignored the furtive glances and snickers between band members as she and Kyle were dropped off at his flat. She was so embarrassed that she exited the van as quickly as possible when they got off at Paige and Haight.
“You know this is not something I usually do, right?” Josie was looking at Kyle, trying to catch his eye as he opened the front door to his 4-plex.
“Yah, Josie. I got that.” He said as he leaned down to kiss her and pushed open the front door into the lobby.
“It’s not that I don’t want to be here,” she stammered. They climbed the stairs to his 2nd floor flat and she watched him open the door.
He turned then and grabbed her close to him. “Josie.”
“Yes?”
“Ssshhh.”
He leaned down and kissed her lips, slowly and softly. Josie let out a quiet loan of contentment.
Standing in his opened doorway, he lifted her shirt to expose her belly and bent down briefly to kiss her there. He pulled her inside by holding on to her waistband and once inside he slammed the door shut. He pulled her shirt above her head and exposed her white lace bra. He pushed her against the door gently and kissed her starting at her mouth, down between her breasts and grabbed both of her arms tightly while he kissed her nipples through her bra. Her body was tightening.
Kyle came back up and kissed her face, each cheek separately. “Josie.”
“Yeah?” she breathed quietly as he was slowly massaging in between her thighs, stroking her and teasing her, not quite on her clit, but very close.
“You okay?”
“Uh huh.”
He made his way down her belly, on his knees now. He teased her by kissing her belly and licking her skin above her belly button. She was breathing in shorter breaths now. He put his hands behind her and squeezed her hips, rubbing the top of her bum.
Kyle stood up. He put his hands on her face and looked in her eyes.
“I have wanted this since you fell in my lap.”
She closed her eyes and let him kiss her. His mouth crossed over her face, while her hands were pulling on his t-shirt. She couldn’t believe how easy this was. She wanted him, wanted him in her. She wanted to let go.
Suddenly, as if taken over, she grabbed his head and pressed her face into him. Their tongues rubbed against each other furiously, and Josie could feel heat rising from her body from her toes to her fingers. She pulled his shirt off and started undoing his belt.
“Kyle.”
“Yeah?”
“Take me.”
That was all the permission he needed. He grabbed her bottom with both hands and picked her up. He put her on the middle of the bed in his tiny studio and grabbed the rest of her clothes off of her. She was breathing heavily, for a second she let her thinking take over.
“What am I doing?” she thought. Her self-consciousness lasted only momentarily, because Kyle was teasing her panties off, pulling them fast past her ankles. She was pulling his pants off, surprised that he wasn’t wearing underwear, but excited to see his huge erection.
He kissed her furiously. His tongue darted in her mouth; he bit her lips and grabbed her hair. He put his fingers in her pussy and she was dripping with desire. She was moaning and almost came on his fingers. She wanted him in her so badly she grabbed his cock and stroked him firmly. This was all she wanted, she felt consumed by desire for him. He grabbed a condom out of a box next to the bed and put it on so quickly while still kissing her. It was highly erotic to see him slip it on so fast and that he didn’t expect her to be the one to bring up safety. He just was safe, naturally. It was a major turn on.
Kyle lay on top of her. His eyes were dark and intense. He looked right into her eyes as he entered her, making her moan with pleasure. Her body hadn’t felt this in so long. She shuddered and grabbed his arms, pushing her pelvis deep against his. Kyle wrapped his arms under her arms and back to her shoulder blades, hugging her tightly to him. He kept moving in ways that increased her pleasure; it was shocking, really, to have him be so in tune with what she needed. Suddenly her body started shaking and she felt a rolling wave of tension build up in her groin and escape, a huge powerful orgasm that she felt down to her legs and up to her arms. He let out a moan and pushed into her deeper and faster. Josie held the back of his head and pulled it down to meet her lips. Suddenly Kyle started shaking himself and grabbed her tightly.
Their passion had fulfilled what they both needed so quickly, moments later they were both lying there staring at the ceiling, breathing in short gasps.
Josie looked over at Kyle and started to laugh. He looked at her and started laughing himself. She ran her arm over his hairy chest and nipples; he put his on her inner thigh.
�
�What was THAT?” she laughed.
“I know. Whoa.” He agreed.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m starving!”
It was around 1 AM on Thursday morning, and Josie and Kyle were walking to the 24 hour coffee shop up the street. She devoured her hash browns, eggs and toast with coffee. He got a waffle with whipping cream and chocolate chips.
“That is what little kids eat, I’m pretty sure, Mr. Rocker.”
He just smiled at her. “I like what I like, woman! This is delicious.”
He took a forkful of waffle and cream and fed it to her, dropping a little on her lower lip. She smiled. She put her hand in front of her full mouth, and attempted to say “Yum.”
It was so easy, being with him, Josie thought. He was so easygoing, he just made everything they were doing feel just right. She didn’t let her mind wander because she was so interested on what they were doing, which was really just being together. Being with him was just that-enough. It didn’t matter what they were doing, it just felt easy.
She pulled her feet up onto the vinyl booth seat and grabbed her coffee mug. She had thrown a pair of his joggers on and was wearing one of his old sweatshirts. He had on jeans and a zip hoodie that had the “California Republic” flag on the back.
“So.” Kyle started. He put his fork down.
“So?” Josie said. She looked at him.
“Look, I really like hanging out with you, and I want to spend more time with you.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I like you hanging out with you, too, “she teased.
“I just…well, the tour is going to be a bit more than a month, and we’re leaving Friday. I don’t want to be presumptuous, but I really want to keep seeing you, even though I’ll be gone.”
“I heard about it on KFOG.”
“Really? Cool. Well, what do you think?”
“About?” she was teasing him and he knew it.
“Josie, will you come with me? I mean, I know you’ve got school, but do you think you can come to some of the shows? A lot of them are on the weekends.”