by Drew Hunt
Joey smiled stupidly. He gave the guy a quick hug before climbing into his cab and starting the engine.
* * * *
To Joey’s relief, the café was relatively empty. He headed towards the booths at the back, feeling they’d get more privacy if he and the guy couldn’t be seen from the street.
The guy took off his heavy winter jacket before sitting opposite Joey.
Joey was having serious second thoughts about revealing the intimate details of his heart; he’d never been one for deep and meaningful discussions, especially with a comparative stranger. But perhaps because he didn’t really know the bloke, it might be easier.
“Come here often?” Joey winced at the banality of his opening salvo.
The lines around the other guy’s eyes crinkled in amusement. Studying him closely for the first time, Joey estimated the man was in his late forties or early fifties. There were several strands of grey in the man’s brown hair, as well as in his full beard. He seemed to have a kind and understanding face, one Joey felt he could trust, though he couldn’t put his finger on why.
“God, that must be the lamest pick up line in the history of pick up lines. But,” he sighed, “sadly you’re not here to chat me up. Want a Danish pastry to go with your coffee?”
“Uh, yeah, go on then.”
Joey wasn’t interested in coffee, much less food, but perhaps they would prove a distraction, making it easier for him to tell his tale. Joey realised he needed to confide in someone, get a second opinion, confirm he wasn’t going loopy.
After the elderly waitress had disinterestedly taken their order, Joey guessed he ought to begin. “Um, this ain’t easy for me.”
The other guy smiled and nodded for him to continue.
“Sorry, I don’t even know your name. That’s so typical of me, the old me,” Joey was quick to add. “You’ve sucked my dick, and I don’t even know what to call you.”
The guy’s smile grew broader. “It’s Ted.”
“Thanks.” Joey played absentmindedly with the packets of sweetener in the red plastic sugar bowl. He found he couldn’t look directly into Ted’s eyes. “I’ve never wanted to settle down. Didn’t think I was the type. I’d always thought monogamy was for the straights. I’m gay, and I’ve never had any problem getting blokes into bed. My life was great, plenty of variety, nobody to push me into doing things I didn’t want to do.”
“But,” Ted put in when Joey stopped talking and wasn’t sure how to go on.
“But.” Joey let out a long sigh. “Wham! when I wasn’t looking, someone came into my life and turned it upside-down, inside-out or however you wanna put it.”
“What’s his name?”
“Kevin,” Joey breathed out softly, even the mention of his lover’s name caused a tingle to wash through him.
“So, tell me about Kevin. What’s he managed to do, that no other man has been able to?”
Joey closed his eyes momentarily. In truth he didn’t know. “He kind of made me care for him, look after him, protect him. I didn’t even know I wanted to do those things. He’s smaller than me, more…more…” Joey tried to grasp for the right word.
“Needful?”
“Um, yeah, I suppose that covers it. He’s been in an abusive relationship, I don’t think he’s told me quite how abusive. But despite that, he’s still sweet and—though he doesn’t agree with me—he’s really strong inside, you know?”
Ted nodded.
“I’ve heard people say that they fell in love with someone at first sight. I always thought that was a load of bollocks. I can’t say that I fell for Kevin the first time I clapped eyes on him. He’s worked at Parker’s for a couple of years. I’ve seen him in the office loads of times, but not really seen him, you know? Kevin’s really good at blending into the background.”
Ted nodded for him to continue.
“He slipped in a patch of engine oil on the car park at work, it was pissing it down, and the poor bugger was soaked to the skin. When I picked him up, he was all trembling and what have you. The poor sod was afraid of me. That gave me a bit of a jolt, that someone was actually scared of me. I mean I’d barely spoken half a dozen words to him before.”
“You do cut quite an imposing figure, you know.”
They paused as the waitress drew near.
“We’re out of Danish,” she said, none too gently putting their drinks and food on the table. “so you’ve got curd tarts.”
Joey stared at the gravy and grease stains on the woman’s apron, wondering why he was paying attention to such trivialities.
Pushing the corner of the till receipt under the sugar bowl, the woman departed.
“Right little ray of sunshine that one, eh?” Ted observed, sipping from his tall mug.
Joey couldn’t help grinning when some of the milk froth adhered to the guy’s moustache.
“So, how long have you and Kevin been together?” Ted reached for his food and took a bite.
“Since Friday.”
“What?” Ted sprayed pastry crumbs over the table. After wiping his mouth on his sleeve he looked up at Joey. “Last Friday, the one just gone?”
“Uh huh. I’ve got it bad, haven’t I? This mean and macho lorry driver, going all ga-ga over a little brown-haired, brown-eyed bloke.”
“I’ll say.”
“I’m fucking shitting my pants about it. You see, Kevin’s very submissive. It’d be so easy to crush him. Like I said, he’s not long come out of a bad relationship, and he’s so timid, one wrong move from me, and he’s like this quivering lump of blubber on the floor.”
“Shit, that’s heavy stuff. You sure you’re up to dealing with all that?”
Joey shook his head. “Don’t have a choice. It’s not easy, though. I’ve never had to consider anyone else before, but now I have to think as a couple. Kevin needs me to make all the decisions.”
“Fuck, I know you like being in control and all that, but this is like, for real.”
“I know.” Joey sighed. “But I keep coming back to the fact that I’m head-over-heels in love with the little sod. I go all warm and…well, you get the idea, each time I think of him. Shit, I sound like a fucking Valentine’s card.”
Ted laughed.
“I just hope I can be all he needs. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a right fucking turn on to have someone call you ‘sir’ and do everything you tell ’em to, but it’d be way too easy to push him too far. Go beyond his limits. He doesn’t like saying no to me, and…oh, shit, it’s really heavy.” Joey ran his fingers through his closely cropped hair.
Ted stayed silent, seeming to ponder. “You don’t regret starting something with Kevin do you?”
“Christ, no.” Joey was certain of that. “He’s already made a fucking big difference to my life. Gives me a real buzz when I carry him about, take care of him and all that crap. But it’s just he looks at me as though I’m some perfect god or something, and I ain’t. I’m scared that when he finds out I’m just human like he is, he’ll think a lot less of me.”
“I doubt it. He loves you. I bet when he sees that you’re not perfect, it’ll actually be easier to love you. Does he think he’s unworthy of you?”
Joey nodded. “Oh yeah, god knows where he gets all that shit from.”
“Probably his last relationship. Like you said, he’s submissive, so it’s likely that he’ll have a low opinion of himself. Heck, I’m no psychologist, psychiatrist or whatever. You two will just have to take it slow, learn about each other.”
Peeking at his watch, Joey said, “Look, I better be going.”
“Can’t bear to be parted from your lover any longer, eh?” Ted smirked.
Joey blushed. “Err, yeah. Um, thanks, you know…thanks for…” Joey was lost for words.
Ted shrugged. “You’re welcome, mate. But I didn’t really do anything.”
Joey stood up and squeezed Ted’s shoulder affectionately. “Trust me, mate, you did.”
The weather had taken a severe tur
n for the worse. Breaking into a steady jog, Joey pulled up the collar of his leather jacket, trying to get some relief from the biting wind and heavy rain. As he waited at a road junction for the lights to change, he flipped open his mobile phone and called Kevin, who answered on the second ring.
“It’s me, Pup,” Joey said before Kevin could get out his greeting.
“Sir?” Kevin sounded surprised but happy to hear Joey’s voice, which pleased the older man tremendously.
Joey wanted to say ‘It’s good to hear your voice’, but something inside of him prevented the words from coming out. “Um, did you pick up your glasses, are they okay?”
“Yes, thank you, Sir, they’re great.”
“Good.” Joey didn’t want to talk about mundane things like spectacles. “Listen, I’m still in Hull. Grab a sandwich or something, we’ll go out to eat when I get back.”
“Whatever you say, Sir, but I really don’t mind cooking.”
“I know, but I don’t want you slaving over a hot stove.”
“I enjoy it, especially when it’s for you.”
That warm tingly feeling washed through Joey’s body again. The lights changed and he began to cross. “Okay, whatever you say. Thank you.” His teeth started chattering. The wind seemed to cut right through him. “I’ll be home in a couple of hours or so, okay?”
“Okay, Sir.”
Joey said goodbye and closed his phone. Then he realised he hadn’t told Kevin that he loved him. Trying to push away his thoughts, dismissing them as being overly sappy, he quickened his step. But it was no use, he couldn’t escape the thought that he’d not ended the call properly. Fuck this! I’m turning into a right mushy bugger! Next thing I’ll be buying boxes of chocolates and red roses for him.
Once he’d reached the lorry park and the shelter of his cab, Joey opened up his phone and called Kevin again, his breath coming out in short excited gasps. When the phone wasn’t picked up immediately, Joey’s heart began to pound in anticipation, and his palms started sweating.
When the call was eventually answered, in one breath Joey got out, “Just had to tell you that I love you.”
There was a momentary silence at the other end; Joey hoped he hadn’t dialled the wrong number. Then he heard a sniffle, before Kevin spoke. “I love you too, Sir, very much.”
“You okay?”
“Yes, Sir, never better.”
Joey let out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. “Okay, I’m setting off now.”
“Please drive safely.”
“I promise.” Joey had to break the connection before his emotions got out of hand. for fuck’s sake! He banged his head on his steering wheel to try and knock some sense into his head.
* * * *
The traffic on the journey back was interminable. Joey found himself stuck behind at least two accidents; the earlier drizzle had turned into heavy sleet, making driving conditions hazardous. Taking heed of Kevin’s plea, he slowed down his speed and kept his distance between himself and the car in front. The wipers battled hard to keep the windscreen clear. Eventually his junction came up, and Joey gratefully exited the motorway and drove his unladen lorry along the smaller roads, until the very welcome sight of Parker’s Haulage came into view. Bless his heart, Kevin had prepared the papers ready for signature. So it only took Joey a few moments to sign off the job, before plunging back into the wintry outdoors.
Angrily kicking the front tyre of his bike, Joey cursed loudly at the fact that the fucking engine wouldn’t start. He resisted the urge to try the starter too often, knowing he’d flood the carburettor. Joey knew he’d have to take the Harley to a garage to get it looked at. Ever since its last service, it had had trouble firing when the weather was especially wet. The machine was a little on the big side to push, but in the absence of a convenient hill, Joey had few other options. It wasn’t until the second traverse of the deserted car park before the engine coughed apologetically into life. Swearing at how cold and wet he was, Joey straddled his machine and made his way to Kevin’s place.
Joey could barely feel his fingers as he stowed his crash helmet. The sleet had turned to rain, but the wind—which had gotten up—made the water just as cold as its icy predecessor. He couldn’t help thinking that his mother had a point, he wouldn’t have to face the elements so much if he owned a car. But there was just something about being on a bike, which Joey knew he could never give up. Fortunately there was someone coming out of the building when Joey approached the main entrance, so he grabbed the door before it closed. By the time he reached Kevin’s door, he couldn’t stop shivering. He hoped the kettle would be on; he could murder a cup of strong coffee.
Joey barely had time to remove his hand from the door before it was cautiously opened to reveal a concerned Kevin.
“Sir!” Kevin plastered himself against Joey’s wet and cold body and gave him a hug. “I’ve been so worried. You look half drowned.”
Amused by Kevin’s greeting, Joey said, “It’s raining.”
Kevin opened the door wider to allow Joey to come in. Thankfully the room was pleasantly warm, and there was a heavenly smell of food, too. Joey’s stomach rumbled.
Turning to his bespectacled lover, Joey said, “I was right, those specs do make you look brainy, and sexy.”
Kevin blushed, “They feel so different from my old pair.” He reached up and touched the frames. “They’re so light. Thank you, Sir.” Kevin stood on tip-toe and kissed Joey’s cheek before fawning all over him. “You’ll catch your death. Come on, take off these wet clothes. Please, Sir, stand nearer to the fire. No, on second thoughts, sit down.” Kevin moved a couple of magazines from the chair and pulled it closer to the hissing gas fire.
Joey handed Kevin his jacket before sitting down. Loosening his belt, Joey said, “You just wanna get me naked, don’t you?”
Joey pulled off his jeans, which Kevin hung to dry along with his other clothes. He was touched by all that Kevin was doing to make him comfortable. Previously he’d never had anyone to come home to, no-one to look after him, have a meal waiting for him.
“You’re still shivering,” Kevin said. “And you feel like a block of ice.”
“I got soaked when I had to push-start the bike.”
Kevin sank to his knees in front of Joey and worked off his socks. To Joey’s amazement his lover then bent his head and began to kiss his bare feet. Joey’s dick—which had been at half bone since he’d walked in—sprang to full hardness and pressed up against his abs. Although he had some reservations about how subservient Kevin was becoming, he couldn’t deny it was a fucking turn on watching and feeling someone worshipping his body like this. Sticking out his tongue, Kevin began to lick along the tops of Joey’s feet, before gently taking each frozen toe into his mouth, and reverentially sucking on them, warming them in the most erotic way. Joey moaned, he knew he was in danger of shooting his load.
When Kevin had sucked on all ten toes, he raised his head, a broad smile of satisfaction on his lips.
“Where did you learn that trick?” Joey asked.
“I dunno. It was something I just knew I had to do.” Kevin dipped his head.
“It was fucking hot.” Patting his knee, Joey said, “Com’ere.”
Kevin climbed into the chair and snuggled down. Joey pulled his arms round his pup; the man just seemed to fit so perfectly.
“Missed you this afternoon.”
Joey stuck his nose into Kevin’s hair and took a couple of deep sniffs and closed his eyes. Kevin’s scent was clean and homely, comforting and reassuring.
“When I heard that there’d been a couple of accidents on the motorway, well, I…”
Joey gave Kevin a squeeze. “I promised you I’d drive safely, didn’t I?”
“I know, Sir, sorry.”
Joey turned Kevin’s face towards him and after removing Kevin’s glasses, laid a tender kiss on each of his closed eyelids. Then his stomach rumbled, causing Kevin to giggle.
“What’s fo
r dinner? I’m starved.”
Kevin broke from the embrace, climbed down from Joey’s lap and stepped over to his tiny kitchen. It consisted of little more than a couple of basic cupboards topped by a sink and draining board. A small cooker with two burners and an even smaller fridge completed the set up.
“When I saw how the weather was closing in, I thought I’d best make you a beef casserole.”
Joey’s mouth watered. “Smells great.”
Kevin removed a brown earthenware pot from the oven and set it on the top of the stove. “I knew this wouldn’t spoil if you happened to be late.”
Joey stepped closer and peered over Kevin’s shoulder at the rich brown contents of the cooking pot. “Are those dumplings?”
“Yes, Sir,” Kevin turned round. “That’s okay isn’t it? I don’t know what you like. I can always make something else if you—”
Joey put a finger to Kevin’s lips. “I love dumplings. You trying to fatten me up?”
Kevin smiled warmly before returning his attention to the food. “Please, Sir, go and sit back down in front of the fire. It’s a bit draughty over here. I’ll bring it over when I’ve dished up.”
Joey made his way back to the chair, and poked his bare feet at the glowing fire.
Kevin soon presented him with a lap tray containing a large bowl of steaming hot stew. “Not sure I’ll be able to eat all of this.” Joey dipped his spoon into the rich gravy, blew on the spoon’s contents before bringing it to his lips. “Wow, this’s grand.”
“It’s an old family recipe. Although I had to use vegetarian suet for the dumplings ’cause the normal stuff isn’t Kosher.”
Joey opened his mouth to remind Kevin he didn’t observe, but his lover had returned to dish up his own, smaller, serving. Joey wondered where Kevin was going to sit, as he had the only chair. His unasked question was soon answered, when Kevin sank to his knees and leant against Joey’s legs.
“You sure you’re comfortable down there?”
Kevin looked up, his brown eyes—framed by his new glasses—radiating deep contentment. “I’m fine, Sir, I’m where I want to be.”