“Tyler,” Randy’s tone got serious, and he almost seemed reluctant to say what was on his mind. “We are tight, but I’ve got to say this. The dojo is a great place to meet someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, but it’s the last place you want to have a one-night stand.”
Randy was speaking not only as a friend but a fellow black belt. “Sarah and I worked out, but if things don’t work out usually someone ends up quitting.”
That was the last thing Tyler wanted. Considering the way Jaime had acted all class, Tyler knew he had to set things straight between them. He would never be able to forgive himself if Jaime quit karate because of him.
* * * *
When Jaime arrived at class, he had his mind made up to avoid direct contact with Sempai Tyler without making it obvious he was avoiding him. It was the only way to get the man out of his thoughts. If practicing karate hadn’t come to mean so much to Jaime, he might have been tempted to just skip class. But Tomas was busy and Jaime loved his new dojo. All he needed to do was remember those three little words Sempai had said. I’m not gay.
Jaime knew where those kinds of relationships went. Sempai Tyler had been honest with him about their encounter being a one-night stand, and Tomas was turning out to be an amazing conversationalist. They had talked on the phone for nearly two hours that first night and stayed up ridiculously late the next. Their conversations ranged from the typical getting to know you questions to the more intimate ones. Jaime was looking forward to their hiking date on Saturday, even though he didn’t own a pair of hiking boots.
All Jaime needed to do was give his body a reality check.
Fortunately, Sempai Tyler was keeping his distance, too. Jaime made a point of asking Sarah for help with his kata then made a beeline for the door as soon as they were done. He couldn’t help but feel a little jealous to see Sempai Randy taking his place sparring with Sempai Tyler. But it was for the best. Jaime needed to focus on a relationship that could actually go somewhere, instead of his libido. Three more days and he’d get a chance to see if Tomas was as good in person as he was on the phone.
Chapter 9
Randy’s words of caution about getting involved with someone in the dojo kept bouncing around in Tyler’s head as the days went on. The next class wasn’t until Monday, and he couldn’t be sure Jaime would show up. Tyler’s uncertainty about his attraction to Jaime vanished under the weight of his responsibilities as a black belt. He had acted so rashly in satisfying his own desires without a second thought as to how it would affect Jaime. Not that Jaime was forced into it, but Tyler should have known it would change things between them. It didn’t even occur to him it would affect Jaime’s training.
Several times Tyler thought about calling Jaime. His number was on the class phone list. It just felt wrong to use it to call him. For Tyler, the need to separate his karate life from his hidden desires was paramount. He couldn’t let one interfere with the other. Jaime needed to know that.
By Sunday morning, Tyler was anxious to speak with Jaime. It was all he could think about. The talk with Randy had assured him it was possible to train with someone even if that person had seen more of you than a karate-ka should. Tyler had to explain that to Jaime and apologize for putting him in an awkward position. With a desperate certainty, Tyler knew he could convince Jaime not to quit. If he was thinking of quitting. Jaime was the hardest person to read. Tyler had no idea what he was thinking even when they were sparring. He just couldn’t let anything happen without at least trying to speak with Jaime.
Halfway through grocery shopping, Tyler had almost worked up the courage to call Jaime when he should have been figuring out what he needed to buy. He must have looked like a lost soul wandering up and down the aisles, pushing an empty cart and muttering under his breath what he wanted to say to Jaime.
By the third time revisiting the produce section, Tyler was so preoccupied with thinking about Jaime, he just about imagined the man there, picking over a display of apples. When Jaime looked up, the man’s eyes moved over Tyler as if he weren’t there. Tyler wasn’t imagining him. Maybe Jaime hadn’t seen him. Only Jaime made a beeline in the opposite direction. Jaime might be able to walk away from Tyler, but Tyler wasn’t above hunting Jaime down.
Tyler followed Jaime up and down several aisles, waiting for the right opportunity to approach him. If only he could just casually bump into Jaime, it might make the conversation easier. Jaime didn’t even pause for more than a few seconds as he grabbed whatever was within arm’s reach before moving on. Tyler tried to catch up with him by cutting over to the next isle, only to have Jaime reverse direction. Jaime was making it impossible for Tyler to run into him. If subtle wasn’t going to work, Tyler was going to have to bite the bullet and just walk up to Jaime.
“Jaime.” Tyler doubled his pace to catch up. Jaime didn’t even miss a step but kept right on going.
At a near jog, Tyler cut in front of Jaime, nearly colliding into him.
“Jaime, didn’t you hear me?” Tyler frowned.
“Oh, no. Sorry, Sempai.” Jaime spoke into his half-filled basket of groceries.
“Just Tyler, we aren’t in uniform.”
