Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Kieran
I got out of the taxi on Winterfeldtstra?e, then scanned my surroundings. The street level was a mix of cafés, restaurants, and chemists. Railings stood everywhere I looked, with bikes chained to them. An Indian restaurant sat on the corner, its tables empty.
I pulled out my phone and opened the WhatsApp thread, looking for Karl’s address. He’d called it the Treehouse, which puzzled me. Then a message appeared.
Karl: Where are you?
I clicked on Call. “Standing in front of a restaurant called Amrit.”
“I’ll be right down.” He disconnected.
A couple of minutes later, I heard his voice. “Kieran, here!”
Karl stood on the corner facing me, in front of a building that was mostly glass.
I hurried over to him, and a heartbeat later he enveloped me in a fierce hug.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he murmured. Then he took a step back. “Let me look at you.” His eyes twinkled. “Where did all this hair come from? And you got bigger.”
I laughed. “I haven’t seen you since college.
I was twenty-two the last time we met. A man can change a lot in two decades.
” He’d changed too. He’d put on a few pounds.
His hairline had receded, and all the colour had turned to steel and silver.
Those green eyes were still the same, however, although they’d gained more wrinkles around them.
He picked up my suitcase and led me to a door. “I live at the top of this building.”
We stepped out of the lift into an unassuming small plain white box of a lobby: the glass-enclosed spiral staircase to the right was far more impressive.
Karl unlocked an undecorated set of double doors, and I entered a large, not-quite-rectangular room full of the most amazingly mismatched hodgepodge of furniture, chairs, tables, and lamps of all eras.
Karl’s apartment turned out to be a penthouse with the most amazing views.
“This is wonderful,” I murmured.
“Let me show you to your room.”
A staircase led up towards the sloping roof under which sat two bedrooms with curiously shaped triangular windows and yet more sloping ceilings.
Karl showed me into one of the rooms. “This is yours for as long as you need it.”
My stomach chose that moment to grumble, and Karl frowned. “When did you eat last?”
“Last night. I had a very early start this morning, and I didn’t eat on the plane.”
“Why don’t we have an early lunch? Do you like Vietnamese food?”
I smiled. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never tried it.”
“Then I’ll take you to one of my favourite places. It’s local, cheap and cheerful, but the food is great. You can unpack later.”
When we reached street level, I got a better look at my surroundings as we strolled up Maa?enstra?e.
“There are more trees than I expected.” A loud rumble obliterated the chirping of the birds, and I gazed ahead.
A dome constructed of grey struts and arches sat atop what looked like a train station.
Karl followed my gaze. “That’s Nollendorfplatz.” He grinned. “It’s prettier at night.” Then he pointed to the corner. “This is the place. Sao Mai.” Tables sat out front, with a red marquee-type covering further back. “We’ll eat in there.”
We stepped through the gap in the awning. Four long wooden tables stood, benches between them, and Karl claimed the first available space. We sat, and moments later a small man appeared, carrying menus. I asked for water, then perused the food choices.
“What do you recommend?” I asked Karl.
“The soup is good, and if you like duck, they do a superb dish with noodles and vegetables, with a peanut sauce.”
Part of me apparently liked that idea and had no problem communicating it with a loud rumble.
He laughed. “Well, that was easy.” He gave our order to the waiter, then leaned forwards once we were alone. “Now… suppose you tell me why you suddenly decided to visit Berlin. I don’t flatter myself that you came all this way to see me.”
My stomach clenched. “It’s a long story.”
Karl clasped his hands. “We have time. Start at the beginning.”
I took a deep breath and began with the meeting with Dr. Williams and HR. His face clouded over as he listened, his brow furrowing. He didn’t interrupt, but now and then he made small noises of irritation. I knew they weren’t directed at me.
Then I told him about me and Diana, our split, and my new life that somehow hadn’t materialised the way I’d thought it would. I expected some reaction to the news that I wasn’t straight, but none was forthcoming. When I was done, he drank some of his water, then sighed.
“Poor Kieran. You’ve been through a lot.”
Our food arrived, and for about ten minutes there was no conversation as we ate. When the edge of my hunger had been dulled, I ate more slowly.
Karl finished first and pushed his plate aside. “Well, you’re in the right city for exploration.” He peered at me. “That is why you’re here, isn’t it?”
I nodded as I twirled noodles around my fork.
“Then you can stay as long as you like.”
I stared at him. “I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“You won’t be doing that, I assure you.” He cocked his head. “How is your German?”
I snorted. “Rusting away in a box in my head labelled High School.”
He smiled. “I can help you with that.” He removed his phone from his pocket and scrolled. A moment later, he spoke in rapid German. When he was done, he put his phone away. “Sorted, as you English say.”
“What was that all about?”
His eyes twinkled. “That was me arranging a tutor for you.”
I gaped at him. “You’re kidding. That’s great.”
“And you start tomorrow. His name is Hans, and he’ll meet you in the morning for coffee at a café not far from here. It’s called Romeo und Romeo.”
I grinned. “Seriously?”
Karl smiled. “Schoneberg is the heart of the gay community in Berlin. You’ll see rainbow flags everywhere. The café was his suggestion, by the way.”
“That explains it,” I murmured.
He frowned. “Explains what?”
“Why you didn’t react at my news,” I said. “You must see a lot of people like me around here.”
Karl studied me for a moment. “People like you?” he repeated.
I hesitated. “Men who don’t quite fit where they thought they did.”
Something in his expression softened. “Yes. Berlin is very good at making space for that.” He paused, then added in a gentler tone, “You don’t have to decide what to call yourself just yet, you know.”
I let out a small breath. “It doesn’t feel that simple.”
“It rarely is.” He smiled. “Some men spend years trying to find the right word. Others never bother.”
I glanced at him. “And you?”
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “I learned not to rush it. Labels can be useful, but they can also close doors too quickly.”
I considered that. “I just don’t want to get it wrong,” I admitted.
Karl smiled, a little more warmly now. “This isn’t an exam, Kieran. There isn’t a correct answer waiting at the back of the book.”
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Then what is there?”
He raised his glass. “Experience.” That twinkle was back again. “Berlin is very good for that too.”
He spoke like a man who knew what he was talking about.
Karl nodded towards my plate. “Now, finish your lunch, and then I’ll take you for a walk.”
Ten minutes later, we were strolling once more, and Karl pointed out good restaurants as we passed them. “Food is getting so expensive, it’s cheaper to eat out these days.”
I tried to suppress a yawn and failed.
He came to a dead stop and frowned. “What time did you get to the airport in Manchester this morning?”
“Four-thirty.” It already felt like a lifetime ago. There’d been the flight—
And Stefan. Don’t forget Stefan.
I gave a mental huff. No, I should forget him. I’d seen the Berlin skyline from the airport. The city was enormous. The chances of meeting him again had to be equally huge.
Karl rolled his eyes. “No wonder you’re tired. You need a nap. Let’s head back to the Treehouse. And when you’ve slept a little, there’ll be more than enough time for exploration.” He grinned. “Of all kinds.”
My stay in Berlin promised to be interesting.
And maybe educational.
Stefan
I found Cole exactly where I expected him to be, at a café on Winterfeldtplatz, one hand wrapped around a coffee, the other resting possessively on the thigh of the man seated beside him. A very handsome man, roughly the same age as him.
Then I recognised him. Perfect.
Cole looked up first. “There you are,” he said, grinning. “Back from Rome.”
I smiled as I approached their table. “Back from boredom.”
He laughed and stood, pulling me into a brief, familiar hug. “You remember Luis?” Cole turned towards the other guy.
Luis rose, dark-haired, lean but not slight, and with an ease about him, a quiet confidence I’d always admired.
“Of course.” I shook his hand. “Good to see you again.”
Luis smiled. “You too. Cole’s been talking about you.”
I glanced at Cole. “I’m not sure whether to be flattered or concerned.”
“Flattered,” Cole said immediately. “Obviously.” They retook their seats, and Cole gestured for me to join them. I ordered a coffee, and while I waited for it to arrive, I studied them.
They’re a good fit.
It was there in the way Cole leaned in without thinking, Luis’s hand settled easily at the back of his chair. The quiet, unspoken rhythm between them.
He’s happy.
“You look well,” I told him.
Cole’s smile was pure magic. “I am.”
Luis squeezed Cole’s knee, and Cole glanced at him, something warm passing between them.
I looked away, giving them the space without making a point of it.
“So…” Cole picked up his coffee. “How was Rome?”
“Productive,” I said. “And tedious.”
“Of course it was. Did you do any sightseeing?”
I laughed. “Are you kidding? Excessive heat and crowds of tourists are not a good combination. Besides, I wanted to get back here for Folsom.”
“Wise decision,” Cole said. He paused, then stared at me, his head in that familiar tilt. “You okay?”
I met his inquiring gaze. “Yes, I’m fine.”