Tyler cleaned up and headed for bed, confident things would make sense again in the morning.
Chapter 5
Tyler never did call Jenny before he went to sleep. He just couldn’t bring himself to talk to her—not when the last image in his mind as he came was of Jaime. Tyler wanted to blame it on the beer, but he hadn’t drunk that much. He wanted to blame it on the passing novelty of seeing Jaime and that other man in the alleyway. There was some truth in that—trouble was it wasn’t just a passing thought.
When Tyler woke up the next morning, it was to dreams of sparring with Jaime. In his sleep-addled mind, they were naked instead of wearing their uniforms. And it wasn’t Jaime’s cup that pressed against Tyler’s ass. It was Jaime’s hard cock. By the time Tyler’s eyes fluttered open, he had stroked his member into a painful erection Tyler felt too guilt-ridden to relieve. He knew he wouldn’t be able to do so without wanting Jaime all the more.
Instead, Tyler headed to the bathroom for a cool, sobering shower and tried to figure out what he’d say to Jenny. He was no closer to an answer when he stepped out of the shower.
“I’m sorry.” Tyler sat on the edge of his bed in his towel as he spoke into the phone.
Ironic his first words to Jenny as soon as they left his mouth were the last words Jaime had spoken to him at the dojo.
“You didn’t even call me,” Jenny said in a huff. Lately, Tyler had gotten good at getting on her last nerve. “What am I supposed to think? God knows what you do on your karate nights. Then I hear you are at the bar having a beer. You didn’t even think of inviting me, did you?”
“It was a spur of the moment thing.” Tyler struggled to explain his lack of consideration. It really wasn’t like him not to think of her. “We were celebrating Sarah’s acceptance into law school.”
“Who is Sarah?”
“Randy’s wife.”
Jenny didn’t care for his karate friends any more than she cared for him spending two nights a week training. Tyler didn’t think it was a lot to ask. Just two nights to do something that had been a part of him for most of his life. He spent every other night with her. Tyler even cooked most nights and never complained when she dragged him to some chick flick. At least not too loudly.
“I told you when we first started going out that karate was something I did.”
“I know.” Jenny sighed. “I just didn’t think it would bother me so much. You really are a sweet guy. But I might as well not exist on your karate nights. How do you think that makes me feel?”
Tyler knew where this conversation was headed.
He spent the next hour trying to talk Jenny down from breaking up with him. Even though he’d had this conversation numerous times before with other girlfriends, this was the first time he’d been on the verge of desperation to hold onto her.
“I need some time to think,” Jenny finally relented.
“Okay, I can do that.” Relief flooded Tyler’s strained nerves. “I’ll be here whenever you want to talk about what we do next. Just call me, any time.”
“Tyler, this doesn’t change how I feel.”
“I know. I can’t lose you.”
When Tyler hung up the phone, he felt marginally better. He was convinced he could salvage his relationship with Jenny. As long as he was with her, Tyler knew his interest in Jaime would remain under control and restricted to his fantasies. He would never cheat on Jenny and could have his fantasies as long as they stayed locked inside his mind.
* * * *
When his alarm went off the next morning, Jaime didn’t feel any better than the previous night. A second hot shower and two ibuprofens finally washed away the last of his hangover. Dressed and ready for work, Jaime looked around his chic one-bedroom apartment. It was home, but it never felt so empty. Bedding Mr. Military only served to remind Jaime of why he was giving up the club scene. No numbers and no names wasn’t enough for him anymore. Turning over a new leaf was proving harder than he had thought it would.
Everything had been going well until Sempai Tyler had decided to ignore him. The insult hurt more than he wanted it to, even though Jaime knew he had done nothing wrong. Obviously, Jaime needed some kind of attention and looking for it from his straight karate sempai was not the thing to do. It was only reinforcing Jaime’s crazy crush. It was time to do something Jaime hadn’t wanted to resort to, but he had little choice. He was going to have to swallow his pride and accept Leila’s fix-up offer.
“Just how cute is your cousin?” Jaime asked as he walked into the studio.
Leila squealed and clapped her hands. “I knew you’d come around. I’ll set something up for tonight. You’ll love Tomas. He’s the sweetest guy I know and a total hottie.”
“Perfect.” Jaime tried not to sound as reluctant as he felt.
Even though Jaime was used to the routine of going out Friday nights, it usually involved stocking up on condoms and lube, not fussing over which tie to wear. Normally he enjoyed getting dressed up in his more serious attire. Suits were a passion for him and the record business offered few proper outlets to show them off. The yearly Christmas party was closer to a drunken orgy with open bar. A few times a year, the VP of marketing dragged Jaime to some swanky dinner party with the big wigs of the parent company. Jaime loved the finer things, much finer than he could afford on his salary.
Cigars, brandy, and Italian suits; Jaime caught a glimpse of the world he would belong
