“Things still hot and heavy with you and Brandon?” I asked as we sipped our beer in a corner booth a while later. I’d bought us both burgers and fries for dinner, which we’d just finished. It was eight o’clock, and the crowd was just beginning to build up.
“Yeah. The past two years have been great. He travels a lot, but we keep in touch while he’s gone, and when he’s here, it’s fabulous. Brandon’s not a morning person, though. He’s always bitchin’ that I get up before the damn birds.”
“Huh.” I felt a twinge of something I didn’t want to recognize right then, so I shoved it aside. Probably just the day getting to me. I was sure I’d feel better once I found a tight hole to plug. “You trust him to keep it in his pants while he’s away?” I asked, smirking.
“Of course I do—he’s not you,” Adrian replied.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I’ve known you for years, man. Your d**k has plugged so many holes, it’s a wonder it hasn’t fallen off. You don’t do monogamy.”
“Just because I don’t do the couple thing doesn’t mean I’m not capable of it. It just doesn’t interest me, right now. I like variety, and I like ‘em young.” Sometimes, I wanted to wring Adrian’s neck. Brandon must be a saint.
“So you say.” Adrian took another sip. “Any prospects yet?”
I almost choked on my beer. “Since when are you interested—?”
“I’m just curious, is all,” he replied, a small smile on his face. “I want to see the ass master at work. Show me how you do it.”
“You’ve picked up guys before. It’s no different than that, I’m sure.”
“Maybe. I just want to watch you in action, is all.” Yeah, so you can have something else to use against me.
“Whatever.”
Wiping my mouth, I surveyed the bar and took note of the prospects. The men in here right now were my age or just a little bit younger, which was unusual for this time of night.
“I don’t see anything yet.” I finished my beer.
“Really?” Adrian asked. “What about that guy over there leaning against the bar? He’s hot.”
I turned my head in the direction he indicated and checked the guy out. Yeah, he was handsome and slender, with his wavy brown hair, snug jeans and high, firm ass. He reminded me of Grant, actually. He even had dimples when he smiled. But he wasn’t what I wanted.
“Not tonight.”
“How so? Not young enough?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Uh-huh.” He scrutinized me for a minute. “What’s your deal with guys over a certain age?”
“What are you harping on about now?”
“Have you paid attention to your mirror lately, Trev? You’re no spring chicken, buddy. You may be tall and built rock solid. But no matter how good you are in the sack, or how ripped your muscles appear in tight shirts, pretty soon, even the young things will stop hooking up with you, unless they have a Daddy complex. Is that what you want? To be this pathetic letch preying on younger guys to make you feel like a big man?”
“It’s not something I worry about,” I retorted, though I probably did, somewhere deep down near my toenail.
“You should,” Adrian said.
“God, what is with you tonight, Mr. High and Mighty? Just because your life is all peachy and perfect doesn’t give you the right to judge me. What works for you, what seems proper for you, may not work for everyone else. At least I’m honest about what I want. Any guy I’m with knows that, up front.”
I had to admit to myself, however…There were a couple of guys recently who’d said “thanks, but no thanks, old man” to me. I’d blown them off with a “your loss, honey” line and moved on to the next guy, but inside, it had hurt.
“One day, you’ll get it.” Adrian jumped a little in his seat, then reached into his pocket for his cellphone. He smiled and sent a quick text.
“Brandon’s home.” He put the phone away, then stood. “Thanks for the beer, man. Here’s hoping you find the secret to a long life in a young, tight ass tonight.” With a little wave, Adrian was gone.
I sat alone in the booth for a long time, lost in thought.