I raised my hand to him to let him know I’d seen him, trying my best to keep a lid on my racing heart and rampaging imagination...
Seth chuckled, “Someone’s got it bad.” He commented.
I raised an eyebrow, “Who?” I asked, “Me or Alfie?”
He grinned at me, “Well, now that you’ve asked – I’d have to say – both.” He shook his head and chuckled, “I’ve never seen Alfie like this before, though, and that’s the truth.”
My heart started to beat really hard in my chest. Oh, God. He really did like me as much as I liked him...
I watched him dance for around twenty minutes and then, just as he had last night, he climbed down from his podium and came to join me at the bar, “Hey.” He said, clapping me on the shoulder.
I smiled up at him, “Hey, yourself.” I said looking him up and down appreciatively, “Looking good.”
He grinned, “Thanks,” he said, “Likewise.”
Chapter 7– Hot Date...
Alfie
I sent a quick text to my Mum, “Got a hot date – don’t pick me up. I’ll get a ride home or I’ll see you tomorrow!”
She’d freak out for a bit, probably send George out in his car to check where I was and worry all night long about me – but I wasn’t thinking about that now. I was just thinking about getting to know Mr Harley Whatever-his-name-was a little better – or a lot better if I was going to be completely honest with myself. The idea of kissing and touching and getting down and kind of dirty with him was making my head feel a bit spacey. I didn’t do this sort of thing. I was still a virgin and I had absolutely no experience other than one totally disastrous kiss with some guy in sixth form that went really badly wrong – as in, I misread the signs and ended up with a bust nose...
My nose healed way before my hurt pride did and I’d been kind of reluctant to put myself into such a vulnerable position ever since. Sure, it was nice to snog a guy in a gay club – let’s face it, everyone was there to get off with someone but to actually make it known to someone else that you had feelings for them – well, that was something completely different and yet I didn’t seem able to help it. I’d got feelings for Harley – I just didn’t really understand why when we’d only just met...
He was watching me texting with interest, “Whose worrying about you?” he asked.
I looked up at him and grinned, shaking my head, “No one, I’ve already told you – I’m single.” I said, “And I know you’re gonna think I’m really pathetic – but I was just texting my mum to tell her not to worry about me being, uh, a little later than usual.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
I shrugged, “Like last night, I usually head home pretty much immediately after my session – I’m not really what you’d call a party animal.”
He blinked, “You just keep getting better and better.” He murmured.
Well, that was it. He was definitely interested. “Want to move to the sofas with me?” I asked, with my heart in my mouth for at least the second time that night.
He smiled, “I’ll bet you say that to all the guys.”
I shook my head, “You can ask anyone – I’ve never said that to anyone before.”
He smiled and took my hand, sending shock waves right through my body and I’m not gonna lie – straight to my groin... “I would love to move to the sofas with you but just like I was last night – I’m kind of on duty until closing.”
I nodded, feeling suddenly stupid. It wasn’t a brush off per se but it sure as hell felt like one. How could I have been so daft? “Oh, yeah of course, I’m sorry.”
He squeezed my hand, “I’d really like to see you again, though – when’s your night off?”
My heart took off at a gallop. He wanted to see me again! “I uh, don’t work the weekend – I have another job then. It’s just in the warehouse at one of those out-of-town superstores but you know, it’s in the day for a change and I quite like it. I use it as a sort of upper body work out.” I grinned at his surprised face.
“You don’t go to the gym?” he asked faintly.
I shook my head. “I have my own pole in my bedroom.” Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that – it was a little weird...
His eyes glowed with something that I could mistake for lust... “You are incredibly interesting.” He said in such a low voice it sounded more like a growl.
I leaned into him so our eyes were staring into each other’s and our noses were mere inches apart, “So are you.” I murmured.
There was no way I was going home before closing time. I didn’t even feel tired. I knew I’d feel it tomorrow but what the hell? I’d just pull the black-out blinds down and sleep all day. I had nothing else to do...
Harley
“You are incredibly interesting.” I murmured, subconsciously leaning closer to him. Wow, his eyes were even prettier this close up.
He smiled, his eyes absolutely mesmerising me, “So are you.” He said, leaning in so closely I was certain he was going to close the gap entirely and kiss me. I found myself holding my breath with anticipation.
He leaned away again. “Reckon I might hang around with you for a while.”
I grinned. It was what I was hoping he would do. “Cool,” I said, “I’ll give you a ride home later if you want. I’m definitely not allowed to drink while I’m working so you’ll be perfectly safe with me.”
He nodded, “Sounds great – I’ll call Mum and tell her not to come out for me.”
How fucking cute was this guy? His mum still picked him up from work!
I would have loved to take him back to my place but I didn’t like to assume that he’d agree to it – and besides, call me old-fashioned, but I wanted to take him out on a date first. I’d never been into casual hook-ups and I got the feeling he wasn’t either.
Finally the club closed, ending my shift. I smiled at Alfie who was most definitely drooping now. He was slumped on his barstool with his head on his arms, leaning on the bar. His face was turned towards me, but his eyes were closed and his face was totally relaxed. His mouth was slightly open and the tiniest of snores kept escaping on every other breath. Sooo fucking cute.
I put my hand on his shoulder and he jumped, his eyes opening immediately, “Wh-what?” he blinked, “Oh, God – I didn’t drool, did I?” he checked his face with the back of his hand instinctively.
I laughed at his look of utter mortification, “No,” I assured him, “You didn’t drool.”
He grinned then, stretching his arms above his head and rolling his head on his shoulders, “Thank God. I was well gone then.”
I nodded, “Yeah,” I said, shooting him a teasing grin, “I noticed that you were totally riveted with my conversational skills.”
His face fell, “Oh, God, I’m so sorry man – I’m just really not a night bird.”
I shook my head and chuckled, “What the hell do you work here for, then?”
He shrugged, “Because I can’t find a pole-dancing job that requires guys in the morning, I guess.”
Good point. Well presented. Think before you speak, Harley...
I held the door open for him, “Well, let’s get you home to bed, then.” I said, “Where do you live?”
He rattled off the directions and I drove. I was pretty damned tired myself but I had most of the next day off – I had to report to the office at six before I headed back to the club at nine. “What will you be doing tomorrow – or, rather later...?” I glanced at the clock on the dashboard and realised that it was already almost tomorrow – it was quarter to four.
He blinked, “Uh, I’ll probably sleep until about twelve and then I dunno – do a bit of dancing, play on the X-Box...”
With my heart in my mouth, I did the bravest thing I’d ever done in my life. I asked him for a date...
“Would you like to grab lunch with me?” Oh, fuck. What was he gonna say?
He stared at me, “Lunch?” he asked, “You’re asking me on a date?”
I nodded. Fuck. He was gon
na totally laugh in my face and then tell all the guys at the club that I’d hit on him and then they’d all laugh at me too... Dying inside...
The smile that spread across his face, however, told a different story, “I would love to go on a date with you.” He said delightedly, “Where to?”
I shrugged. My heart beating out of my chest with relief and excitement all rolled into one fantastic feeling, “Anywhere – where would you like to go?”
His eyes sparkled, “There’s this really lovely place in town.” He said shyly, “It’s called ‘Guy’s Place’ and they do the best breakfast rolls there – the bacon rolls are just amazing, and the milkshakes are out of this world....” He trailed off, his cheeks blazing and looking totally embarrassed to have raved on about bacon rolls and milkshakes. “I’ll bet you think that’s pretty childish.” He muttered, “But I’m not really into coffee...”
I shook my head. I thought it was adorable, “You’re beautiful.” I murmured, “I’ll pick you up at what? Eleven thirty? Is that enough sleep for you?”
He nodded, his smile dazzling. “That would be great – and yes, it’s absolutely enough sleep.”
He leaned across the centre console of my car and pressed his lips against mine, surprising me but in a totally good way. I smiled shyly back at him as he pulled away and gave me a grin, “See you tomorrow then.” He said.
I nodded, “See you tomorrow.”
I don’t actually know how I got home. I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the way my lips were still tingling where he’d kissed me and I was just dying to see him in the morning – it was gonna be difficult getting any sleep with the excitement coursing through me...
Chapter 8 – Proper grown-up... and George
Alfie
I couldn’t believe I was waffling on about bacon rolls and milkshake. Harley was a proper grown-up with a proper grown-up job. He was a fucking police officer for chrissakes – he probably drank coffee all of the fucking time. Jeez, he must have thought I was such a baby...
He smiled at me though and shook his head, “You’re beautiful.” He said, gazing at me as if he really meant it.
I couldn’t believe it. He really thought I was beautiful? Wow...
He said he’d pick me up at half past eleven. Holy hell, that wasn’t nearly long enough to sleep really but I was desperate to spend some time with him. I totally lied and told him that of course I’d have enough sleep. I’d have to have power naps between dances...
Impulsively I leaned across and kissed his mouth. I wasn’t prepared for the jolt of electricity that flooded through me just from brushing my lips against his. Wow. I’d never felt anything like it... I seriously couldn’t wait to see him again. Could not wait... “See you tomorrow, then.” I said a little breathlessly, more to check that he really was going to pick me up and it wasn’t just a really awesome dream I’d had on the way home...
He nodded, looking almost as tired as I felt, “See you tomorrow.” He agreed.
I let myself in and sneaked up to my room. I thought I’d got away with it too until I switched on my light and found my brother sitting on my bed. I jumped violently. I really hadn’t expected that!
“George?” I asked a little warily.
He looked up at me through bleary eyes. “How did you know that you were gay?” he asked.
I blinked. “Uh?” I know – not the most supportive I could have been but forgive me – I’d been dancing half the night and fighting a boner for the other half of the night. I was officially exhausted...
He rolled his eyes, “I went out tonight with a bunch of guys from work.”
I nodded sitting down next to him on the bed and taking his hand in mine, “Go on.” I said, stifling a yawn.
He bit his lip and then looked at me with his enormous blue eyes that were so similar to mine and I was shocked to see that he’d been crying.
“What is it?” I asked, suddenly full of concern for my (usually really annoying) big brother.
“We had a few drinks...” he started tearfully.
Well, I’d gathered that one... “Okay.” Just where was he going with this...? Oh, hang on a minute... He’d just asked me how I knew I was gay... my stomach clenched and I stared at him with my mouth open before I gathered myself back together and finally spoke. “Did you kiss a guy, dude?” I asked incredulously, “Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”
He nodded, staring at me with fear on his face, “Yes.” He whispered, “And it was the best kiss I’ve ever had, but...”
I beamed at him. George had never really had any luck with the ladies – his girlfriend was absolutely bloody awful – and if I’m gonna be completely honest I’d long ago suspected that the reason he was dating her was more to do with the fact that he simply wasn’t all that interested in women but needed to make out that he was, than the fact that he actually really loved her.
She totally hated my guts and most of the time I wondered if she even liked him. He was a really good-looking guy and he was fun to be around – what the hell wasn’t there to like? It looked like he’d finally discovered what actually floated his boat – well, better late than never... “Well, that’s great, George!” I said, “Who’s the lucky guy?”
He swallowed and then he totally crumpled and put his head in his hands and rocked back and forth before finally answering me with a mumbled, “Oh, God, Alfie it was my boss.”
Ohhh, fuck! I blinked, horror-struck. “Your boss?” I asked in near revulsion, “As in Mr Daniels?” Jesus, the guy had to be pushing seventy...
He shook his head, and let out a snort that any pig would be proud of, “Not Mr Daniels Senior.” He said with a little grin as he saw the look on my face and realised I was picturing him with the old coffin dodger, “His grandson, Edward just took over – he’s twenty seven and he’s just...” His eyes went kind of dreamy.
“Edward?” I asked, “That’s a really sexy name.”
He nodded, “It is, isn’t it?” He murmured, “And he is – unbelievably sexy – he kind of oozes it...” He sighed and shook his head, as if he really couldn’t believe he was saying these things to me, “I’ve never felt this way before, Alfie – I’m really sorry to put all of this on you at this time of night – and you had a hot date and everything – and I haven’t even asked you about that.”
I grinned, stifling a yawn. “I had a great time – it wasn’t really a date per se but I have got a date tomorrow for brunch.”
George beamed, “In that case I’ll let you get to bed...” He let go of my hand and started to get up.
I grabbed his arm, “I’ve got all the time in the world for my big brother because you’ve always had my back. Stay here – I’ll go and get us a hot chocolate each and we’ll talk.”
He nodded, smiling at me gratefully, “Thanks, bro’,” he said.
I grinned, “No problem.”
There wasn’t gonna be a whole lot of sleep going on tonight, then...
*
I woke up with my face smushed up against my bedside cabinet and feeling pretty damned chilly. I frowned. What the hell?
I turned over and yelped in fright to find that I wasn’t alone.
Snapping the light on and blinking in the sudden brightness, it finally dawned on me that it was only George. He’d nicked the quilt and was lying right in the middle of my bed, fast asleep, leaving me absolutely no room – hence the smushed face and feeling pretty damned cold!
Bless him. We’d talked and talked and talked last night. I’d told him all about Harley and he’d told me all about Edward. Sounded to me that he’d had a bit of a crush on him for quite a while.
I wondered if Edward felt the same way about him. I hoped so – unrequited love was such a ball ache – no pun intended....
I checked the time on my phone. It was really early. I decided to set an alarm for myself for ten o’clock and to go and sleep in George’s bed instead. There was no way I was going to wake him up now that he’d found enough peace
to actually stop crying and sleep.
I sneaked across the landing and into George’s room. Pulling the quilt over my head I lay back gratefully and was finally able to sleep...
Chapter 9 – Amazing
Harley
I was so nervous going to pick Alfie up that I almost left the house in unmatched shoes. I know – that really would have been a faux pas when he was always so perfectly put together...
Just thinking about seeing him again sent a thrill through me. I grabbed my car keys and headed for the door. It was eleven-fifteen but I figured the traffic would be fairly light at this time of day and his parents house really wasn’t all that far away from mine.
I pulled up outside of his house at precisely eleven-thirty and he came bounding out of the front door pretty much immediately. It would seem that he was just as eager to see me...
He plunked himself down in the seat next to me and turned towards me, even though he’d automatically grabbed the seat-beat and clicked himself in. “You’ll never guess what happened when I got in last night.” He said breathlessly.
I smiled at him, “You’re right,” I agreed, “I’ll never guess – so tell me.”
He smiled, his eyes bright and looking as if he was about to burst with excitement. God he was adorable. “George came out.”
I blinked. Who the fuck was George? “George?” I asked, floundering. Had he ever mentioned a George to me before?
He nodded, “George – my brother.” He said, “Eternally straight George.” He added gleefully, “George who’s been going out with the same girl for the past five years – that George.”
Fuck. Five years? That was practically forever... “Seriously?” I asked as I pulled into the lane for the town centre, “That’s a pretty big deal.”
“Pretty big?” Alfie’s eyes were huge in his face, “It’s a fucking massive deal, man – he’s twenty-three!”
I smiled, “Well, I’m twenty-two and I only came out to my mother last year on my twenty-first. Sabine knew – but she is my twin sister...”
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