Page 17 of Poles Apart
He didn’t do situations like this well. He was more of a hook ’em and fuck ’em type of guy. He didn’t do relationships, and that had served him well for the last few years. Or it had since his time with Luc anyway. He’d steered clear of them after leaving him in Vegas, and he’d gone back to his old ways.
But he was almost twenty-seven now. Should he be thinking of settling down? The thought gave him hives, but strangely not when he imagined doing so with Jacob.
He checked his phone, but there were no messages from him. Not that he was expecting one; he wouldn’t be surprised if Jacob never contacted him again. But he’d promised to teach Abby, and Tuesdays were one of the days that Jacob had said she was free.
He pulled up the app and prepared a message.
Hi, I know I’m probably the last person you want to hear from, but I did agree to teach Abby, and I don’t go back on my promises. Can we meet at the same place tomorrow around 4.30? For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. D
He hit send and put his phone on his side table. It was still early, but he felt drained. Jacob’s words from earlier still swirled through his mind. He couldn’t help imagining what it would be like to be loved by him. He was certain he still had feelings for Jacob, and he more than likely had loved him then, but he wasn’t sure that’s what it was now. He didn’t think he was ready to jump into something just yet.
He tossed and turned in his bed, his thoughts now on Jordan’s upcoming appointment. All this worry, this anxiety—it was all too much.
Twelve months on and although Jordan was so much better, he still suffered the after-effects of having broken his back. He was damn lucky he hadn’t severed his spinal cord, but he’d been placed into an induced coma to aid his recovery. Dom had rushed home to look after him and had been here ever since, tending to his brother’s every need.
All these thoughts fuelled his overactive mind, and it was well into the early hours of the morning before he managed to sleep.
The following morning, he woke and checked his phone, surprised to see a message from Jacob.
Hi, apology accepted. I shouldn’t have put that all on you so soon. We’ll meet you there at 4.30. Perhaps I could make it up to you with a coffee? How do you take it? Jx
He read it, smiling at Jacob’s thoughtfulness and his willingness to forgive him. God, he’d been such an arse.
Hi, thank you and a cappuccino would be great. See you later. D
It hadn’t escaped his notice that Jacob had ended his text with a kiss, and he wasn’t sure what to make of that. Maybe he hadn’t realised he’d done it. Either way, he needed to get up. He stepped into the bathroom, peed and took a hot shower, thoughts of Jacob making him hard. A small tug wouldn’t hurt, would it? No one would know.
He stroked himself lazily, his foreskin pulled back from his engorged head. It felt so good. He smiled and closed his eyes as his movements became more urgent.
A sudden bang on the bathroom door interrupted his thoughts.
“Stop wanking and get out of the bathroom. Some of us need to piss, you know.” Fucking Jordan. Just when things were getting good too.
The moment lost, Dom finished washing and turned off the shower. He opened the door wearing only a towel and sauntered into the lounge.
“You know, a little privacy wouldn’t go amiss. Don’t tell me you don’t have a crafty wank in the shower. I’ve heard you. And you could have at least let me finish before banging on the door.” Dom wasn’t really cross with him, and they had plenty of time before they had to leave for the hospital.
“Go piss while I get changed. We can go out for breakfast.” He walked back into his bedroom and stood in front of his wardrobe, looking for something to wear. He pulled out his favourite light-pink skinny jeans, a white T-shirt and his dark-pink and white, floral, long-sleeved shirt. He ran some gel through his short, now dry, hair and applied a little eyeliner.
He came out of his room as Jordan stepped out of his. “You’re wearing that?” his brother asked.
“Yeah, what’s wrong with this? Be grateful I’m not wearing a dress today.” Jordan wasn’t typically homophobic and accepted his sexuality, but sometimes, he thought Dom went over the top with his dress sense.
“I didn’t mean that. Just looks like you’re going out, out. You know what I mean? Not to the hospital.”
Dom looked at him, his head tilted. “Out, out as opposed to…” He gestured with his hand for Jordan to continue.
“You know what I fucking mean, Dom. Stop being obtuse, you sarky bastard.” Jordan nudged him lightly. Dom ruffled his hair, knowing it would annoy him, and Jordan swatted his hand away.
“Come on, old man. Let’s get breakfast, then see what the quack has to say.” Dom opened the door for him and guided him out. He held his arm as they walked to Dom’s car.
“Can I drive?” Jordan asked, smiling innocently in his direction. Dom knew he was trying it on.
“When hell freezes over, Jordan, and not before.” Nobody drove Dom’s car but him. It was nothing too fancy, a bright-red Mini Cooper, but he’d paid for it with his hard-earned cash, and he loved it.
He drove them to a local American-style diner in town, and they sat down to a breakfast of pancakes and bacon for him and blueberries for Jordan. They chatted about the upcoming appointment and what they were hoping to hear today.
Ideally, the consultant would finally allow Jordan to go back to work, even if it was only part-time at first, but they’d wait and see. It would depend on how he got on today.
