Free Apartment 1209 by Elizabeth Lister Page B

it’d be to come in another guy’s hand or on his stomach or, Jesus, have him come onor in me .
    I knew after that experience I’d only ever be physical with guys. But the opportunities hadn’t presented themselves. And now, I was too busy to think about anything except work and school, and almost too tired to jack off when I was at home. It was a sad, sad, life.
    Ryan came back with our coffees and passed me mine. As we sipped and talked, I wondered at the fact that I felt so comfortable here. Who was this man and why did it feel like he already knew me?
    ****
    We chatted about inconsequential things while we waited for the superintendent to arrive with a key. It was hard to completely relax in Ryan’s presence, but only because I found him so alluring. I almost expected him to make a move on me, and was truly disappointed when he didn’t. And I was too chicken to do anything more than stare and stutter and blush. Really, I was pathetic. What man would ever think of me as a suitable object of sexual pursuit? Luckily the coffee perked me up enough to converse on a basic level. I was still pretty tired.
    Finally, Mr. Conway showed up with my key. He said I could make one copy of it and bring it back to him by end of day tomorrow.
    “I’m sure Mr. Holloway’s been keeping you entertained,” he said as he looked my savior over with barely concealed contempt.
    “Whatever do you mean, Mr. Conway?” Ryan asked, with a look of concern.
    “Nothing,” the other man mumbled. He glanced at me, then turned and walked away, whispering something under his breath that I couldn’t catch.
    I looked at Ryan. “That was weird.”
    He nodded. “He’s a strange guy.”
    “Well, thanks for helping me out, and for the coffee.”
    “It was great to finally meet you, Henry. Maybe we could go out for coffee sometime?”
    Was he asking me on a date?
    Again, the stuttering: “Well, I… sure, but I don’t have a lot of time. I work at a call centre in the morning, walk dogs at lunchtime, and go to school in the afternoon. Usually, I have a shift at Boston Pizza in the evening.”
    He stared at me. “My, you are a busy fellow. No wonder you’re so tired.”
    As if on cue I had to cover a yawn. “I do want to go out with you, I just don’t know when I can,” I admitted, honestly. After my previous misinterpretation, I thought I’d better check. “You are asking me out, right?”
    He smiled. “Oh yes. Well, why don’t you contact me when you have a spare hour sometime? You know where I live. If I’m not home, slip a note under the door.”
    Why did that sound so dirty?
    “Okay.” I said. “Thanks again.”
    “Please be more careful with your key, Henry. I’d hate to think of you stuck outside again.”
    “It was luck that you came along.”
    “Very.”
    I turned and walked away, hearing the door close behind me. I knew I wouldn’t fall asleep anytime soon, tired though I was.
    ****
    I didn’t really have time to think about Ryan’s offer for the next several days. My work and school commitments kept me busy and I never seemed to pass him in the building to even say a quick hello.
    On Friday, during my shift bussing tables at Boston Pizza, my co-worker, Frank, noticed I was a little distracted when he caught me forgetting to put out cutlery on my just-wiped tables.
    “Henry, what the hell has got you all daydream-y anyway?” he asked. “You finally get a boyfriend?”
    I blushed, shaking my head. Frank was gay too, but enjoyed the freedom of one-night stands and getting groped in back rooms more than I did. Hell, I didn’t even have time for that .
    I guess he could tell from my shamefaced denial that something was up, because he didn’t let it go.
    “You met someone, though, right?” He regarded me intently as I shrugged. “Someone hot?”
    I met his gaze with what must have been an open confession.
    “I knew it! Who is he?” he asked, sitting down in the booth I was cleaning.
    “Just this guy in my