Chapter 11
Freddie
I miss Benji so much, but he was off loving it up with his new boyfriend back home. I had to find my own people here, a community that would take my weird arse in and love me for me the way he used to.
“…mocha, Freddie?” I hear the end tale of what Craig is saying as I tune back in from my thoughts and realise we are next in line to get served.
“Oh, same, but can I get a pump of cinnamon in mine?” I wasn’t always a huge sugary coffee drinker, but swimming always took it out of me in the morning, and a spicy chocolate coffee was definitely the pick me up I was after this morning.
The guy behind the counter nods with a wink when he sees that we’ve paid separately, then passes the guy next to him the takeaway cups so he can get started on making our drinks. Popping a tip into his jar, I wink back with a smirk as we make our way to the bottom counter to wait.
“Are you flirting with a guy right in front of my face?” Craig accuses, his eyes narrowed to slits. I laugh, turning to face him, my bracelets jingling as I shove his shoulder.
“Fuck up, there’s no way you’re jealous of a little winking action.
You’ve seen me naked for weeks now and haven’t so much as winked my way, which tells me you’re either straight, have gone blind or…
and its the most obvious one here Craig so listen up.
You’re not into me,” I say in a pedantic tone just to annoy him further as I list my reasons on each of my purple polished fingers.
“Maybe I’m shy,” he snorts, barely managing to finish his own joke as he covers his mouth with both hands.
“Yeah? And the band played ‘believe it if you like’,” I chant with my hands rocking his shoulders.
A friendship with Craig was so easy. We are both foreign, choosing to settle here for something we both couldn’t really explain.
We were both into kinks that others might have seen as extreme or too much which left us lonely when it came to knocks on our bedposts.
And, then there was feeling misunderstood because of the lifestyle we lived in, which was why, even though it had only been a matter of weeks, I felt like we were going to be friends a long time.
“You really are a brat, Freddie. Surprised you’ve not joined one of those clubs you write for. Bratty sub. Aren’t those in demand in a place like that?”
Well, he wasn’t wrong. I just don’t want to shit where I eat, to put it bluntly.
Maybe once I’ve done my big interview of the weekend with the most exclusive club in the city, I could look at joining one a little cheaper.
Nyctra was the place for kink, plus it was LGBTQ+ which ticked another box for me.
However, it was expensive. I made good money, but I liked to spoil my family too much to afford it.
I hoped that if the interview went well, I would be invited for a tour. Just so I could say I’d been there.
“Well, you’re quite bratty yourself. Maybe you could show me the best place to go?
” The barista's steam wand screeched as it settled into the milk jug, and I had to repeat myself louder, giving a couple of old ladies a fright.
With a little wave, I then blew them both a kiss, and they were all smiles as they passed us to leave.
“Ha. Ha. You know you’re on your own with all that sub stuff, - “
“Mocha at the bar. I also have a mocha with one pump cinnamon,” the barista calls. Craig leaves to go smoke outside as I walk to grab the drinks. I know, ew, who smokes these days? But I guess we all have our slight flaws. I just felt bad for the tongue that would one day meet Craig’s.
“Hey, uh, I wasn’t listening or anything, but um…” the guy who served me trails off quietly as I stand putting the drinks into a holder. I crane my neck around the pillar at the end of the counter and nod at him to follow. He looks so… timid suddenly.
“You okay? It was only a bit of eavesdropping; I think I’ll get over it,” I tell him when he approaches me. It wasn’t super private, but the rest of the cafe is out of earshot as I wait for him to tell me, well, whatever it was he was trying to say.
Looking at the floor, he twists a dishcloth in his hands. “I heard you guys discussing subs? Like submissives?”
Narrowing my eyes, I look him over. He doesn’t seem the type to judge because of his demeanour and the wink from the counter doesn’t have me thinking he was a religious nut about to tell me I was going to die for my sins. So, I conclude he is a sub too.
“Yeah, are you? Craig isn’t; he’s too loud and cheeky. Not in the fun, brat way that I am though,” I smirk, hoping to ease some of his tension. It does, a little.
“Well, I have a membership to an exclusive one. I’m allowed a plus one. I have a Master but I can ask if you would like to check it out sometime? I’m sure he’ll say yes; he’s always trying to get me to make friends and talk to people outside of work more.”
“Wow, I wasn’t sure which way this was gonna go. That’s ace! Thanks. I actually write a blog which is kink focused, I’m going to the latex event later today for work. Are you going?”
He looks up at me with big doe eyes. Then a smile splits across his unsure face. “Gosh, yeah, I have tickets for the bondage wrestling tonight! Are you going to be there? Maybe we could get food or something?”
“Oh, I can’t. I’m not sure when I’ll finish, but here, take my number. I’m Freddie. I really have to go, but thanks for reaching out. I’m a big boy alone in a big city, so I appreciate it… “ I say, realising I don’t know his name.
“It’s Kody,” he tells me, sensing that I was about to ask for it.
“Okay, Kody! Yass, okay, maybe see you later, but if not, text me. This is my new local,” I say with a wink as I waltz off to get my mate who must’ve either frozen to death or smoked a cloud around himself by now. Kody gives me a small wave, then goes back to working. What a nice guy.
“Was there a problem with the drinks?” Craig asks as I reach him, hand out with his coffee.
“No, no. I got talking to the winking barista,” I wiggle my eyebrows with my response, which has Craig laughing.
Not everyone was willing to tell strangers that they were kinky, so I kept Kody and I’s discussion to myself.
We stroll to where we both have to take opposite routes, promising a night in with Chinese food soon.
I need to head home, shower, and then grab a taxi over to the exhibition centre before noon.
Thankful that it was a late start, my big interview was first, and then some smaller ones with vendors.
I couldn’t wait to show myself off wearing latex in a safe zone where it was encouraged.
Giddy at that thought, I almost jog home to get myself sorted.