Jerk

I catch myself wondering suddenly how this date would have gone had Danny come to a movie with me instead. Somehow, I can’t picture it going in this direction at all. He’d actually watch the movie. He would jump at all the surprise moments when a zombie pops out of nowhere. He would clutch my arm and gasp, then laugh at his own jumpiness.

He wouldn’t be on his knees on that sticky floor, begging to give me a blowjob.

And to pull his hair.

And who knows what other clever ideas are in Benjamin-Benny-Bradley-Brian’s head.

“I, uh …” I clear my throat. “I don’t mean to disappoint you. And I’m definitely not meaning to kink-shame you or anything. I like to think of myself as … as a pretty open-minded guy. In a certain state of mind, I might even be open to this … power-play dynamic you want. But this isn’t what I’m looking for.” I grimace. “I really just wanted to have a nice date, get to know you, and enjoy a movie together.”

“A … A nice date …?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” He settles back on his heels, then adjusts his glasses, which have gone slightly askew.

I frown. Maybe I’m going about this wrong. To be fair, I’ve never held an honest conversation with someone whose face is an inch from my crotch. “Did I disappoint you?”

“I’m not into conventional sex,” he admits, then looks up at me. “And since we had a lot in common from our profiles, I thought you’d be the kind of guy who’s open to new experiences. But I think I pushed my fantasy onto you too strongly. I projected my own desires without reading yours. I guess that’s on me.” He keeps holding my feet, unsure what to do with them.

He is surprisingly thoughtful and introspective for someone who’s only desire was to bow down and blow me a second ago. Something tells me there’s more about him than meets the eye.

Still, I consider my phone. I still have the freedom to pretend an emergency came up with my bestie. It’s not too late to take hold of that rope Prisha threw me.

“I guess a blowjob is still out of the question?” he asks.

I stare down at him. “I’m so sorry. I’m not really into hooking up like this.”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry.” Why do I keep apologizing? “I really am.” Still apologizing. “I’ll pay for the popcorn and the drink. You didn’t have any of either.”

“It’s okay. I liked doing that for you. I’m kinda into that, too—spending money on others.” He adjusts his glasses. “Can I, uh … still rub your feet, though? Just a friendly foot rub?”

Considering how happy it makes the guy, it seems almost cruel to deny him. I give one last glance at my phone, then pocket it and shrug. “Okay, if you really want to. A little harder at the heels, maybe?”

His eyes light up. “Yes, sir.”

6. Open Minds

Another very long Monday at the office has me and Prisha exhausted beyond words, despite the help Juan gave our team in coining a catchy tagline for an ad we’re developing. With everyone else bailing out of our usual workout plans, Prisha and I spend an hour downstairs on the treadmills alone, having ourselves a “spirited jog” to blow off some steam.

It’s evident from her silence that she’s refraining from giving me a “told you so” speech about my recent date—which tied up rather quickly after the movie was over, and not in a kinky way. All Prisha asked me this morning when we got to the office was how last night went, I answered with a shrug, and that was it.

I guess that shrug said it all.

When we’re grabbing our stuff to go, she turns to me. “Hey, don’t forget about our game night after work on Thursday. My parents are coming into town for the weekend, so … knowing them … I’ll be occupied from Friday through the last possible second on Sunday.”

“Oh, this weekend is your parents already? I thought that wasn’t for another month. Is your mom making some of her famous—?”

“Yes,” Prisha cuts me off, “and I’ll get you as much of her special Tandoori chicken as I can. I’d say you can come over and get it yourself—she misses and adores you—but then she’d never let you leave.”

“True. Also, she’d probably ask whether I have a girlfriend yet.”

“And why it isn’t me. Yes, I know.”

Just as we reach the door, I spot Danny at the front counter talking on the phone while typing into the computer. Everything is lost for a moment as I stare at him, curious whether it’s a good idea or not to strike up a conversation today. I noticed earlier that Joey isn’t here.

“Debating staying for a shower again?” asks Prisha rather dryly.

I eye her. “I don’t like that tone and all the dirty stuff you’re suggesting with it.”