CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
JAKE
February
As I rode the elevator up to Gabriel’s condo, everything was right in the world. I’d just finished swimming a few laps in the pool and experimenting with the weight machines. Luckily, I was alone in the gym so no one could witness me fumbling with them like a complete newbie.
I slid the key he’d made for me into the door, feeling as if this were where I was meant to be.
Him financially supporting me as I got my life together bothered me a bit, but I wanted to make him proud when I finally earned my GED.
Besides, if our situations were reversed I would have taken care of him because that’s what you did when you loved someone.
Between our fuck-fests, we’d shared deep and meaningful conversations.
I never thought being open and honest with someone could feel so good.
It was difficult talking about my life, but he helped me through it, and I’d discovered letting someone in made it seem as if I didn’t have to face my problems alone.
Things were great with Maria too, which was the cherry on top.
Everyday filled me with hope. I finally had something to look forward to and a reason to continue being.
Gabriel and I had made plans to see the world and do the things I never had the chance to.
Everything from spending a few days in southern Illinois to watch a once in a lifetime eclipse to visiting Hawaii in the winter.
Things were changing for him as well, and he was anxious about taking over his father’s clinic.
I wanted to support him the same way he did me, even if that meant just bringing him a cup of coffee or listening to him vent.
Gabriel was in the kitchen brewing some tea when I walked in.
He’d just gotten out of the shower, and I grinned lecherously at the white towel around his hips.
I no longer thought twice about touching him.
He still made me blush because he was plain naughty and I’d always be shy when it came to certain things, but the embarrassment about my need to wear women’s lingerie was gone.
I loved dressing in a variety of garments and sending him sexy photos while he was at work.
By the time he got home we were both hard and desperate.
He never forgot to remind me how beautiful I was to him.
He chuckled. “We don’t have time for that. We have to leave in an hour. You better get your cute butt in gear.”
I kissed him chastely then dumped my gym stuff in the hamper and jumped in the shower. Tonight was a big event for his friend Sean. The man’s boyfriend was playing in an orchestra for the yearly fundraiser it put on. It was a black-tie affair, and I was expected to look the part.
We’d gone shopping on Oak Street last week for something nice to wear.
All the high-end shops and fine restaurants were overwhelming, but he’d guided me through it all.
He’d helped me pick my outfit and made a game of us guessing the price tags.
Loro Piana, Oro Fiore, and Tom Ford were some of the labels I’d chosen based on the styles that appealed to me.
I learned about all kinds of fabric weaves and fancy stitching that made the difference between a few hundred and several thousand dollars.
To no one’s surprise, I’d lost our game.
I couldn’t fathom spending so much money on a single outfit but pampering me seemed to make him happy.
“I told you, baby boy, you’re worth so much more than I can give you,” he’d said and kissed me sweetly in front of everyone, stealing the last of my reservations.
When I was done in the shower, I dabbed on some cologne he’d bought for me.
It wasn’t as dark and spicy as his and came with notes of something floral.
As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, the edges misted over, it was as if I’d been reborn.
I was new and fresh and full of potential.
Even better, I had people that cared about me this time around.
Gabriel was in his room when I entered, slipping into his slacks. He curled his finger inward, and I obeyed. He pulled me into a slow, sweet kiss that made my balls tighten.
I pulled away with a snicker. “We don’t want to be late, remember?”
He simply smiled like a wolf.
It was dark by the time we left. We took an Uber, and it dropped us off at the entrance to the Orchestra Hall at the Symphony Center.
He told me a little about the Georgian architecture of the building as we took our place in line.
I’d discovered he enjoyed opera and theatre.
We will still learning about each other but that was a good thing.
Everyone was dressed in their best and I couldn’t help feeling out of place. It would take a while for me to become comfortable. That sense of being an impostor here gnawed at me. My anxiety would never really go away, but with Gabriel keeping me safe, I could handle this.
We were let in, and the glowing grandeur of the architecture was astonishing.
He held my hand as he pulled me toward the front of the auditorium.
I spotted Sean first, dressed spectacularly and standing next to two men my age.
The one guy with dark hair and a harsh expression dwarfed everyone and looked uncomfortable in his suit. I wondered how he’d even fit into it.
Gabriel and Sean hugged, and he tugged at the man’s long beard. “You clean up nice.”
“Don’t get used to it. This suit is not my jam, amirite?” Sean looked at me. “I see he’s turned you to the dark side.”
I rocked on my feet and shrugged, trying to seem as pleasant as possible but I was nervous that they wouldn’t like me, which seemed ridiculous at the moment. It was something I needed to work on. The new therapist I was seeing was helpful, but I had a lot to sort out.
Gabriel touched the back of my shoulder, urging me forward. “Jake, this is Danny and his husband, Jere.”
Jere smiled tightly as if he were afraid of moving and busting a seam. Danny leaned into his fancy cane and offered me his hand. I took a deep breath and connected with him, his palm trembling in mine. I wondered what had happened to such a young man that he needed a cane to walk.
“Nice to meet you,” Danny said, smiling warmly.
“I can’t breathe,” Jere finally said and tugged at his collar.
“You need to lay off the protein powder. If you get any bigger we won’t be able to clothe you,” Danny said, doing a very appreciative once over on him.
“I fit just fine in joggers and a tank,” he countered. “I just don’t understand why we’re required to be uncomfortable when the event insists this will be an ‘enjoyable and relaxing evening’.”
Everyone chuckled and I wished it were easier for me to interact with people.
We took our seats and Gabriel laid his hand on my thigh, his possessiveness and comfort soothing me.
While everyone talked easily, I traced the hard edges and patterns on the architecture to calm my nerves.
The auditorium filled up quickly and I was passed a folded paper detailing tonight’s program.
I spotted Matteo’s name near the end, designating him as the pianist for Rachmaninov’s piano concerto no. 2 in C minor.
The event got started with a man stepping forward to thank everyone for their patronage and introduce some of the up-and-coming musicians featured.
The lights turned on the stage and a full orchestra began playing, the uplifting and exuberant music penetrating my body.
I was surprised music could have such physicality.
Gabriel took my hand with a smile. He’d promised to show me wonders, hadn’t he?
We watched violinists and flutists play solos, while a small group of drummers told a story only through their simple instruments.
As lovely and enchanting as the whole production was, my attention was constantly drawn to Gabriel.
A soft smile was permanently arched across his face as the lights caught his eyes.
My heart swelled with all sorts of happy things as I thought about our life together.
He was everything I needed him to be kind, patient, affectionate, understanding, beautiful in every way and naughty to the core. I prayed I could be that for him too.
The event climaxed as the man introduced Matteo, the orchestra's highlighted musician. He bowed, took a seat at his piano and started playing. He led the collection of other musicians in a beautiful dance of sound and smooth movements that made me feel a deeper appreciation for the world.
“That’s my brat,” Sean whispered next to me. There were tears in his eyes and he was looking at Matteo the same way Gabriel looked at me.
I slid my hand into Gabriel’s, passing him a smile as we watched Matteo command the room. When the event ended, we were allowed to meet Matteo backstage.
“I’m so proud of you, amirite?” Sean said as he pulled him close.
“Yeah, that was beautiful,” Danny said and hugged him. “I’ve been passing your name around so don’t be shocked if you get some requests to play more weddings.”
Gabriel nudged me. “He played for their wedding. It was amazing.”
“You all are making me feel self-conscious. I’m not used to all the compliments and attention,” Matteo said, ruffling his mop of curls. “But I’d love to play more weddings.”
“Are you two getting married too?” I blurted and instantly regretted it as several sets of eyes turned on me. It was probably the wrong thing to say and the wrong time, but I was a novice with social interactions.
Sean chuckled and glanced at his boyfriend. “Possibly. Don’t know. Maybe in the future…?”
“Yeah, we haven’t talked about marriage much, but I’m not opposed to spending the rest of my life with this ogre.”
“Ogre?” He huffed, narrowing his eyes on the man.
I looked at Gabriel with wide eyes, terrified I’d started a fight.
He was smiling and before I knew it, everyone was joking and laughing.
I accepted it would take some time for me to develop social interaction skills.
We gathered in a cafe and had a light dinner as Matteo talked about his hope of getting into Curtis.
Gabriel gave my thigh a reassuring squeeze every time I said something or asked a question.
“I just had the most amazing idea,” Danny cut in with a gasp. “We should all do a triple date one day.”
There was a sudden uproar of approval and ideas of where to go. By the time everyone parted ways, I was flying high, my confidence restored.
As Gabriel and I waited for our Uber, I said, “Do you think we can try the meeting the parents thing again?”
His brows reached for the sky. “If you think you’re ready, then yeah. My mom is going to be ecstatic, but I’ll make sure she behaves. My older brother mentioned coming home in March, and I’d love for him to meet you.”
“I want to. I’ll be nervous again, but I trust you to help me,” I said.
He kissed me sweetly. “You know I will, baby boy.”
Biting my lip, I pushed my arms into his jacket, seeking his warmth.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about.
I was nervous about tonight, but I was able to relax after some time.
I had an idea… Maybe we can do a meet the families type of dinner.
Maria and the kids are my family and I’d love to have everyone together. Does that sound silly?”
“Not at all. I think it’s a great idea. My mom loves hosting get-togethers. I’ll run it by her soon.”
Everything fell into place, and I couldn’t imagine how things could be even more perfect.