Page 80 of Judging Duke

These past few months, I’d thought about him more. Mainly because he’d been so present in my life for whatever reason. Everywhere I’d turned, he was there, and I began to wonder if that meant something. Was life telling me it was time to move on and let bygones be bygones?

“You’re off today as well, right?” Cyril asked, breaking into my thoughts.

“I am, yes. I have a few things I need to take care of, things I should have done a long time ago.”

“Well, Barbara and I are happy you decided to join us for this small production. We’d like to extend an invitation to you for upcoming movies, if you’d be interested.”

“You know, you’re a great couple, and these past few days have been amazing, but between you and me, I’m calling it a day. I’ve other things I need to pursue.”

“Would one of those be a six-feet, dark-skinned man with a shaved head by any chance?”

“Who knows?”

“I won’t pry and ask what happened last night, but he wasn’t his usual self when he left. A little upset, perhaps? I’ve watched you both while you’ve been here. I know you might not have spotted me, but it’s what I do. I watch and I learn. You have to in my line of work. I need to make sure my actors are happy and pair them with the right person to get the perfect chemistry on screen.

“You and Duke have that. Don’t throw it away, son.”

Leaving me with my coffee, he walked away to greet Barbara when she appeared looking as tired as I’d seen her.

She waved wearily, and I waved back before returning to the view and my coffee. Last night had been an eye-opener for me. As old as I was and as many times as I’d had sex, nothing compared to the care and attention Duke lavished on me.

Sex had been a job for me, not that I didn’t enjoy it. I wouldn’t do the damn job if I didn’t, but there was rarely a deep connection there, certainly no emotions, and that had suited me just fine.

I’d thought for years I didn’t need it. I fucked and got fucked, never for one minute thinking that something was missing.

Not saying that was Duke, but he’d shown me that sex could be sensual in a way I’d not experienced before, not just ‘wham, bam, thank you mam’, or in my case, man.

Down and dirty sex I could do. I’d happily done that for years and been paid handsomely for it. Now, it was time to call it a day and move on with the rest of my life.

I’d told Dex this was my last job, but the doubt that I’d ever be good at anything else had me rethinking my decision more than once.

I planned to visit Robbie, put things right with him, and I’d be having words with my parents too. For far too long, Robbie’s wellbeing and care had all been on me; it was about time they stepped up and took over some of the responsibility.

The money I had was no longer bottomless. I was Robbie’s brother. They were his parents, time they acted like it.

I packed my clothes and camera, and after saying goodbye to everyone, I was ferried to the airport. The flight was as expected, and I arrived home to a dull and dreary reception, nothing at all like the temperatures I’d got used to.

My apartment was freezing, and I turned up the heating, wrapping myself tight in a hoodie and sweatpants.

Time to make some changes.

I contacted Dex first.

“Hey, how did it go?” he asked. “I heard good things.”

“It was fine, but it was my last.”

“Now, I told you not to be hasty.”

“You did, but I’m done, Dex. Time for me to retire. I have my investments, and we still have some sponsorship deals we can make the most of until they run out. I’ve been in this business for too long. I want more out of my life.”

“Well, if you’re sure. There’s nothing I can do to persuade you to stay?”

“Not one thing. I’ll be in touch soon. Been great having you on the team, Dex.”

“Likewise.”

And just like that, the only ‘job’ I’d known since God knows when was done.

---