by Allison
The words sent a surge of electricity through Andrew. His cock filled out and became fully erect inside his pants, forcing him to shift his hips to relieve the uncomfortable pressure. “Thanks.”
“So this boyfriend who doesn’t want the same things as you. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” He took another sip of his beer, the effect beginning to calm him.
Peter was attractive and no one had listened to him, understood him, like this for quite some time. An image of Robert popped into his mind. Robert had understood him perfectly. He recalled how good it felt to talk about his work and his hopes with Robert.
Maybe I need someone like him.
Before Peter could speak again, his phone vibrated. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was Jeremy. “Jeremy. Nice of you to call.” Peter walked away, cleaning the rest of the bar top.
“Hello to you too. I’m at Sidewalk and you aren’t here. Where are you?”
“I decided to go to Phoenix instead.”
“Oh. Okay, want me to meet you there?”
“No, stay where you are. I’m hungry. I’ll come join you. See you in a few.” He snapped his phone shut and turned to Peter. “Thanks for listening.”
Peter smiled. “Good luck.”
Stepping back outside, Andrew squinted until his eyes had a chance to readjust to the brightness. Rather than dulling his thoughts, going to Phoenix had shoved more things to think about into his overcrowded head. Peter had been openly flirting with him and it felt good. He seemed like a great guy, someone Andrew could have fun with. But that would be jumping from one person who couldn’t move forward with me to the next.
He thought of Robert again. Robert was handsome and shared his professional interests. They were far more compatible. If he and Jeremy were growing apart, someone like Robert was a far better choice for him. And Robert had seemed interested.
There had been a hint of flirtation that evening as well. At the time he had written it off as just being friendly, but re-examining the evening through a new lens, he could see how Robert had sent out signs of invitation.
He turned left and headed South on Second Avenue. Only a few blocks to go and he would be at Sidewalk Café, with Jeremy. The thought filled him with a sense of frustration. He had just snapped at Jeremy on the phone. Would Jeremy start an argument about that? Would he complain that Andrew had gone out without him? His frustration sparked a hint of the anger, the same anger he’d been trying to escape.
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He shook his head, a faint humming behind his ears. I need food. Drinking on an empty stomach was a bad idea. Whatever reaction he faced when he arrived, he would deal with it, like he always did.
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Chapter Twelve
Craig was sitting at his computer Sunday night, working on a project for one of Boris’s clients. It was a condo job near Jeremy’s place by Central Park. Ever since his run with Jeremy, and their shower, he hadn’t been able to think of anything else. Since he had blown up at Robert the day of Boris’s party, they had barely spoken to each other.
No wonder I let him in the shower with me. I haven’t had sex in over two weeks.
Staring at his screen, his attention was diverted by the continual images of Jeremy and his naked body, his erect cock, his climax, their kiss. He got up and walked into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of wine. Several times the night before and during the day, he had wanted to call Jeremy, but was afraid to. What if Jeremy had second thoughts about what they had done? What if he realized they had made a terrible mistake and didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore? Craig knew he wouldn’t be able to stand it if he lost Jeremy again.
Just as he finished pouring the wine, his phone rang. He picked it up without checking the caller ID. “Hello.”
“Hi, Craig.” Jeremy’s voice sounded cheerful. “Seriously, why do you keep taking so long to answer the phone?”
A warmth filled him. It was nice to have someone who was playful to talk to. “I told you. I have to keep you on your toes.” Relief flooded through him. Jeremy called me. He shook his head, both amused and annoyed for having worked himself up so much.
“Very funny. Listen. I was wondering if you still wanted to visit the kids. I wasn’t kidding about them asking for you.”
“Of course I do.” He wanted to kick himself for having allowed himself to get so worked up, but his sense of relief outweighed any criticism he could give himself.
Jeremy not only felt comfortable with him, he wanted him to visit his class. I should have called him last night instead of worrying myself into next week. “When would you like me to come?” Jeremy was silent for a moment. “You there?”
Jeremy laughed on the other end of the phone. “Sorry. I was just deciding whether to go with that opening you just gave me or to simply answer your question about when to come.”
Heat rushed to Craig’s cheeks. “Geez Jeremy. I’ve been spending the last twenty-four hours worrying that you wouldn’t want to see me again after our little…experience…and here you are joking about it.”
“I told you. No weirdness. We’re fine, Craig.” He remained quiet for another moment. “But it’s kinda cute that you worried about it.”
“Quit it!” Craig laughed to release some of the nervous energy building up inside of him. “So when do you want me to come…I mean visit your classroom?”
“We agreed on Tuesday, right?”
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“Right, we did.” Craig flushed and was glad Jeremy couldn’t see his embarrassment.
“Perfect. And Craig, don’t worry so much. That was always your problem growing up. You worried about everything.”
“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. See you Tuesday.” Craig flipped his phone shut and held it against his chest. A simple phone call and all of his concerns were gone. Jeremy wasn’t uncomfortable at all. And yet, maybe things would be easier if he were uncomfortable. He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip of his wine.
* * * * *
On Tuesday, Craig left work early to visit Jeremy’s class. ”Craig. Wait.” At the door, Janet handed him a container filled with cookies. “I made these for the kids. Can you tell them I said hello?”
“You baked?” Craig summoned as much surprise into voice as he could muster.
Janet smiled sweetly, stepping forward and handing the container to him. Once his hands were occupied, she reached up and flicked him hard between the eyes. “Yes, I baked! Now get your fuckin’ wise ass out of here before I do something that will really hurt.”
“Should I share that message with the kids too?”
Janet took a menacing step forward, forcing Craig to jump back. “Peace. I’m kidding. That was sweet of you.”
A dazzling smile replaced her warning glare. “Okay, call to tell me how they liked the cookies.” Craig headed out, chuckling to himself. I never would have thought of Janet as motherly.
The short walk to Jeremy’s school was filled with a nervous tension as Craig replayed Saturday in his mind. He hadn’t seen Jeremy since the shower and had only spoken to him once the next day. He wondered if seeing him again would cause Jeremy to realize what they had done had been a terrible mistake, and to shy away from him, despite his reassurances that everything was fine.
When he arrived at the school, he had wound himself into a bundle of nerves. The fact the front office was expecting him only marginally eased his anxiety. Upon entering the classroom, his concerns evaporated into thin air. Jeremy’s beaming grin greeted him, warm as ever. Unfortunately, the comforting welcome was short lived as all the kids jumped up from the rug where Jeremy had been reading them a story and huddled around Craig, to give him hugs.
As the kids crowded him to get their turn, his legs began to give way and he started to fall ov
er backwards, catching himself on a desk before he fell all the way to the ground, probably taking a few kids out with him.
Jeremy rose from his seat, laughing. “All right kids, come on, let Craig come in and sit with us. We’ll have plenty of time for you to talk to him for the rest of the day.
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Craig righted himself, shooting an appreciative glance at Jeremy, and headed to a chair on the outskirt of the rug, his earlier nervousness entirely forgotten.
Jeremy shook his head, still chuckling. “So boys and girls, like I told you before, Craig and I were friends growing up. Do you want me to tell you a secret?” A small knot formed in Craig’s chest. Is this an ambush? “Craig was clumsy as a kid too. He used to fall over all the time.” Several kids giggled and the knot unclenched inside him. “In fact, sometimes he tripped by walking along the sidewalk.” Some of the kids glanced at him, wide smiles crossing their faces. Craig blushed, but found the kids’ delight to be too cute to become annoyed by Jeremy’s jab.
A girl raised her hand and Jeremy called on her. “Can we give Craig his present now? Pleeeease!”
Jeremy flushed. “Okay, since Abby has let our little secret out, I guess now is a good time for us to give Craig his surprise.” The kids let out squeals of delight and reached into their desks, pulling out colorful pieces of folded construction paper. “Abby, would you like to go first?”
Abby walked to the front of the room, shoulders held back and head held high, clearly excited and proud to be the first one to share. She opened the colorful paper and began reading. “Dear Craig, Thank you so much for showing us how you make pictures on computers and for letting us play with the computers. I love my picture. It was pretty. Love, Abby.”
Craig smiled. He hadn’t expected the kids to write him thank you notes. “You’re welcome, Abby. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” The students took turns reading their cards to Craig who fidgeted in his seat, embarrassed by all the attention and adoration.
When they finished, Jeremy got them started on their math lesson. With the kids busily working, he was free to pay attention to Craig. “They couldn’t wait to read those to you. They haven’t stopped talking about you since we visited Spectacular Designs.”
Craig was touched. “The kids have so much love to give. You must feel like a king every day.”
Jeremy turned his gaze away from Craig, and faced his class. “They are filled with love; they’re so open and unguarded. It’s one of the things I like about teaching elementary school.” As Jeremy spoke, Craig observed him, noting a slight pinking in his neck. “I can’t believe you figured that out in only a few minutes. I’m constantly amazed at how attuned you are to the things I care about.”
The acknowledgement cut straight to Craig’s heart. Not just because he was pleased that he had made Jeremy feel appreciated, but because Jeremy’s comment meant Andrew didn’t connect with him the same way. Maybe the two of them weren’t as close as they seemed.
Craig spent the rest of the day walking around the room, helping kids with their work. Finally, at dismissal, when the last kid had been picked up, Jeremy took Craig back inside. “You have a natural way with the kids. They adore you.”
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Happiness flooded Craig at the compliment. “Well, they’re kind of hard not to love.
They’re so cute and damn if they aren’t smart as hell too.” I can’t believe how a simple compliment from him causes my heart to race. “So, we have a couple of hours to kill before we’re supposed to meet the boys downtown at The Bulls and Bears.”
Jeremy walked over to the far corner of the room and stood in front of a bulletin board covered with student work. Craig followed him. “Are these the stories your kids wrote?”
“Yeah. I’ve left spaces next to each one for their pictures.” Jeremy kept his eyes focused on the board as he spoke. “I’ve never had anyone take an interest in my class before. No one. I mean my parents ask about school and Andrew listens to my stories, but you really care about the kids.”
Craig watched Jeremy as he continued to inspect the wall, surprised to find the flush had moved from his neck to his cheeks. When Jeremy turned to face him, two smoldering eyes caught him in a lust-filled gaze. Before he had a chance to speak, Jeremy grabbed him and gave him a fierce kiss. Unable to resist, not wanting to, Craig wrapped his arms around Jeremy and kissed him back, opening his mouth to Jeremy’s invading tongue.
They remained together for several minutes, gripping each other as the intensity of their kiss increased and their straining erections pressed against each other through the fabric of their pants.
The wall connected with Craig’s back and Jeremy leaned his body even tighter, to create more pressure and friction. Craig allowed him to take charge, his own hands carelessly running along lateral muscles and resting on Jeremy’s waist.
Jeremy’s hands were far from gentle. He wrapped one hand behind Craig’s neck and pulled him close, sealing their lips together in a fervent kiss. His other hand worked its way inside Craig’s shirt, lightly pinching the sensitive nipple, rolling the nub of flesh between his thumb and forefinger and leaving Craig helpless to do anything but enjoy.
When Jeremy ended the kiss, they both stood panting for a moment, simply staring at each other.
Craig was the first to speak. “Jesus, Jeremy. What if someone saw us?”
Jeremy laughed. “They couldn’t. See, the door is on this wall and we’re standing in the corner here. They would have to come into the room to catch us and no one ever comes in once school lets out.”
“But—”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just can’t help myself when I’m around you. And watching you interact with my kids and the way you understand me and what I do…it’s a huge turn on. You have no idea how good it makes me feel to know you appreciate what I do.” Jeremy’s lips were red and swollen from their kisses, making them appear even more pouty and kissable. Since it was obvious that his cock was tenting his pants, Craig 111
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didn’t bother hiding as he reached into the front and readjusted himself. Jeremy laughed and did the same.
“Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy kissing you, but you’re with Andrew and I’m with Robert.”
Jeremy finished tucking his shirt back into his pants, his skin returning to a normal pallor. “I know. We’re going to have to work harder at controlling ourselves. Let’s say we’re even. You pulled me into a kiss the other day. I initiated this one.”
Craig had to work to suppress a laugh, the thought of them competing to see who could trap the other in the most compromising kiss caused all his work at readjusting himself to be undone. “This isn’t a competition, Jeremy.”
Jeremy shuffled from foot to foot. “I like kissing you.”
Four words, four very dangerous words which could make the difference between a lasting friendship, or losing one forever. Craig held Jeremy’s gaze. “Maybe we should grab a bite to eat before meeting the guys.”
Jeremy nodded, grabbed his things, and led Craig outside. The fresh air helped to dissipate the heat between them and made regular conversation easier. “Do you like Thai food?” Jeremy’s voice had returned to its normal cheerful tone.
“Yeah, I love it.”
“Cool. Let’s go eat at Thai on Two. They have the best curry puffs I’ve ever eaten and I haven’t been there in ages.” They walked the few blocks to the restaurant and sat down in the nearly empty dining room.
Craig looked around. “The place is kind of empty. How does it stay in business?”
Jeremy sighed. “No idea. So many of my favorite spots have closed as the gentrification of the East Village has progressed. Whenever I get used to a place, it’s forced to close down and something new opens up.”
Craig hadn’t spent much time in the East Village, so he wasn�
��t familiar with the dramatic changes. The West Village was well established and hadn’t changed much at all since he lived there. He knew the East Village had once been a slightly dangerous place, but as wealthy businesses bought property and developers upgraded the area, the diversity of the neighborhood had been significantly impacted. “I never paid much attention to the changes. What a bummer people and restaurants are getting pushed out.”
Jeremy sighed. “I know. This place used to be teaming with diversity. It’s what I loved so much about living here. It’s still one of the most diverse places in the city, but people are getting pushed north or out to the boroughs. Have you noticed how One-Hundred Sixteenth Street has become completely upscale? Ten years ago it was dangerous. Now, people are getting pushed even further north. Before long, no one except the wealthy will be able to afford to live anywhere in Manhattan. So much for this being the original melting pot.”
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Jeremy’s passion for the subject surprised Craig. As he imagined people being forced out of their homes due to inflation, increasing rent, and the abolishment of rent control, he realized what Jeremy said was true. “You’re a tree hugger, aren’t you?”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Craig clarified, realizing his comment might be taken as a criticism. “I didn’t mean that as a bad thing. I use the term for anyone who cares about those less fortunate than themselves. You teach. You care about people being pushed out of their homes; refreshing in a city where everyone is so cutthroat.”
Jeremy smiled. “Oh. Yes. I’m definitely a tree hugger.”
Craig let out a breath, relieved Jeremy was not offended. When their meal arrived, they continued talking. Craig was surprised when he checked his watch and realized two hours had passed. “Shit, we’re going to be late.” He waved for the waiter. They split the cost and headed out to the bus stop across the street. Twenty minutes later, they got off near Wall Street and headed to the bar where they were meeting Robert and Andrew.