not look at Carlo.
Straight men always thought it was their prerogative to give permission about being gay, as if them accepting it was some sort of epic struggle that they’ve had to overcome. And then, once they did accept it, they had to tell everyone so they could receive the praise.
“Truly, man. Honestly, I think you gays have it right sometimes.” He slapped Lance on the back. “The point I was making though was this. I have a guy for you – a fucking hot one. Strong pecs. Arms as big as mine. Probably has a whopper of a cock too for all I know.”
“Carlo...” Lance started.
“No, no.” Carlo waved him down. “Look, I’m sure that old guy from the gym is nice – heck, stop me if I’m wrong but it probably feeds into some sort of dominant versus effeminate kind of sexual role play. Am I right? Ah... I think that ‘top’ is the correct expression?” Carlo waited for Lance to respond.
Lance raised an eyebrow at him as if to say, ‘Are you kidding?’
“It’s just that... well, you’re a good-looking dude. Fuck me. If I swung that way, I know I’d put you away.” He chuckled and then slapped Lance on the back again, harder this time, as if trying to prove his masculinity. “And that – what was his name? Kirk? Seems like a nice dude. But... you can do better.”
And this, right here and now, was what Lance had been afraid of. Whenever someone found out he was gay, they always, always, assessed whoever he was sleeping with. They would then deem it their job to get him the hottest gay man available, like gay men only cared about fucking other hot dudes. If Lance had been straight, and Kirk was a girl he was seeing, this wouldn’t have been a conversation.
Frustratingly too, and by far what annoyed Lance the most, was that he kind of actually agreed. He had now been hooking up with Kirk for a little over a week. They’d had sex five times, with each time being absolutely amazing. The post-sex experience was just as good too, with the two men spending hours in one another’s company talking about everything from gym routines, to politics to film to music and... well everything! Lance loved Kirk’s company, he did. But there could be no denying that he was batting below his average.
And he hated thinking that way too. He hated it. He liked Kirk as a person. That was what he found the most attractive. And this was a huge step up for Lance too. Never, ever had he been with a guy based solely on how he made him feel. It was always physical. But Kirk was different, and Lance could not figure out why.
“I’m fine, thanks,” Lance eventually said. He then slapped Carlo on the back, although he wasn’t sure why.
“Just hear me out!” Carlo held his hands up in defense. “It’s a guy I train – I bet you’ve seen him. He’s Brazilian, has an earring... has... hair that – you know who I mean. I see him Wednesday.”
Oh yes, Lance knew exactly who he meant. He’d seen the guy a dozen times before and had made eyes at him on just as many occasions. Worse too, the guy had made them back. “Yeah, I think I know him,” Lance shrugged and acted nonchalant
“You want to meet him?” Carlo offered with a sly smile.
“Alright.”
“Come on!” Carlo stamped his foot down. “You two would have the hottest sex! Fuck.”
“Dude...”
Carlo held his hands up in defense again. “Look. He’s coming in tomorrow, all right. Just come over and say hi. And if you two hit it off... awesome. You can thank me the next morning, eh.” Carlo winked and smirked, looking just so proud of himself.
“I’ve got to go.” Lance didn’t have to go, but he didn’t want to be caught in that conversation any longer. He did like Kirk, he did. But he also didn’t trust himself. Not yet. “I’ll see ya later.” He made to start walking away.
“Sure, sure,” Carlo shouted after him. “Tomorrow! You know when!”
“Later!” Lance waved over his head.
“See ya later, ya hot piece of ass!” Carlo screamed down the street at Lance.
Lance didn’t look back. He didn’t acknowledge the send-off. He didn’t even pretend to be interested by Carlo’s offer. And again, that was just because he didn’t want to risk anything. He was in a good place right now, content and happy. So why mess