The drive didn’t take long and yet Brett felt a bit sad at its conclusion. He didn’t know why but he had thoroughly enjoyed the small talk on the way home. It felt so good to just talk, without any strain. How many times he had wished he could have had that with Brian over the two years were too numerous to add up. They never seemed to just talk, unless about which bar to hit, or what show to watch on TV.
Parking he noticed that Josh seemed a bit quiet and nervous. Couldn’t blame him either because in all honesty he knew he was feeling the same way. It just was odd, to suddenly meet someone and in a short time to be heading up to his place to cook dinner for both of them. Maybe it was kismet or something but he still felt a slight uncertainty. Christ what if Josh wasn’t gay?
The idea gnawed at him because, well he didn’t know. Least at the bars he had a pretty good certainty that anyone he talked to would be gay, though the odd straight did show up. Still this was totally different. His palms were sweaty as he entered the elevator with Josh to head up to the apartment. He could see Josh staring upwards, watching the numbers flash as if mesmerizing everything he could about the place.
Taking a left from the elevator they came finally to his apartment door. Brett could sense the hesitation in both Josh and himself. This wasn’t something he had ever done before. To just pick some guy up or be picked up by some guy and go home was not like him. He was always the cautious one. Now all that was thrown out the window as he struggled with his keys, trying to get the right one into the deadbolt lock.
“You uh, I mean, you bring guys home often Brett?”
The words were softly spoken, yet they penetrated like a knife through butter. He swallowed hard as he tried to think, to wonder if this was where it would happen. He had heard about some who would string you on, get you to take them to your home then whack you over the head. He felt the sweat on his forehead.
“No, I don’t, uh, you uh, I mean…”
“Go home with strangers often?”
“yeah”
“Not lately”
The door was finally open as Josh had spoken. He didn’t know what to say but he stepped in and leaned up against the door to let Josh inside. The sound of his empty stomach rumbling seemed to fill the empty apartment and echo. Josh seemed to jump a bit at the sound then gave him a semi type smile, one that seemed to be more out of nervous habit than genuine mirth.
“Well this is my place”
