Chapter 43
Jamie
Despite having a reputation for being the world’s largest brat, Freddie was on his best behaviour with me once we had headed to bed that night at Simmons.
We had agreed that we both needed a funny movie to relax after such a considerable scene.
I had never played with more than one person, and Freddie told me that Simmons didn’t share him ever.
Apparently, I was the first to touch him in a scene that Simmons was orchestrating the entire time they had been in their dynamic.
With our friendship early doors, I didn’t want to ask him one of the many thousands I had about the two of them.
We had put on Clueless since I had mentioned never having seen it before.
Freddie gasped, hand on heart, as he described in insane detail how incredible Cher Horowitz was.
I’ll admit that it had me laughing so hard along with Freddie that I found myself not wanting the night to end when we both started half dozing in the bed as the credits rolled.
Freddie had looked over at me then, a look of happiness in his eyes that made him look human and genuine, not just the bratty sub I’d met on those few occasions.
I squeezed his hand in mine, then brought him over to snuggle into my bare chest. Since we were given permission, we slowly kissed, with it going no further.
It was so odd to be kissing someone as part of a friendship than it was to be kissing the love of my life, who no doubt was already sleeping sound in Simmons’ room.
The next morning, Simmons had ordered breakfast of coffee and pastries to his house before telling Arnie and I that we were welcome back anytime, but he needed to get on with fucking his sub if he were to get any grading done the rest of the day.
We laughed, pecks on cheeks and waving as we made our way from his door to the car.
The next few weeks flew by. Work was busy with hen do’s, thirsty Thursdays and meeting with Raj for Sunday morning markets.
Freddie was even behaving himself when we text every day.
Life was good, so good that when Christian, my brother, called, and I missed it, it had me feeling like I had stones in my stomach.
I had been so caught up in my whirlwind new life that Jed had fallen so far off my radar that he wasn’t even the first thought I had when I saw my brother’s call.
I called him back once I got to work that night, much to my relief he answered on the second ring.
“Hey, baby bro. How’s things?”
“Hey, is everything okay? Please tell me anything you have on Jed. Moms not pestering you, is she?”
There was a pregnant pause before Christian huffed a laugh.
“No, is that why you called back so soon? Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you, little bro.
I was just thinking, it was high time I visited you.
You know, I haven’t seen you in person for about 4 years, as you kept where you were hidden and all that.
Figured if Jed was lingering nearby, you could use some help if he showed up. ”
I had felt terrible about lying to Christian all those years ago when I had fled from my stepdad and his abuse. I couldn’t risk being found. Hadn’t done me any good in the end. Jed had found me without any help from my older brother.
“Oh really? That would be wonderful! You can meet Arnie. He will be thrilled to finally meet some of my family,” I enthusiastically told him, as I was indeed thrilled. I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around him and tell him everything that had happened in the past 4 years in person.
“Well, that’s good seeing that I’m kinda on the train already, and I’m one stop away from getting off…” he trails off as if unsure how I would take the news that he was already basically here.
“Oh my god, well shit, I’m at work, but I can try to swap my shift so I can come meet you. If I’d known, I could have met you at the station.”
“No, no, don’t be silly. It’s my fault for packing a bag and jumping the train as soon as the idea hit me. I can come by your work. I mean, I don’t really want to see my little bro work the pole, but I can hang out by the bar until you’re done?”
I laugh in relief, “Yes, come to my work. I’m sure the dancers will love the fresh meat.
Shame you’re not gay, or you could bag yourself a bed for the night,” I joke as I pictured Frankie hump-walking to meet him when he arrived.
That guy was a muscle-bound bottom with a sex obsession, and that was me being polite!
“Just let the bouncer know your name, and he will let you straight through. I should be off stage at ten as I’m off rooms tonight, then we can head back to Arnie’s. He’s away and won’t be back tomorrow, so you can meet him then.”
“Yeah, sounds great. Honestly, Jamie, thanks for going out of your way. It means a great deal. I can’t wait to give you a huge old hug and meet your man, too,” he says tenderly, emotion flooding the tone of his words.
“Okay, well, I’ll send you the details of the club. I’ll see you soon, Christian.”
We disconnect the call, and I send him the location before telling John, the bouncer, to keep an eye out for an older, dark-haired version of myself.
I change, spending some time telling the guys about Christian, and they all seem happy for me reuniting with him after all this time.
My life last year versus now has me taking the stage with a massive, enthusiastic smile on my face as I dance for those that holler and whistle for me to shake my glittery butt.
***
I held my older brother, squeezing the life out of him for what felt like forever.
Christian was a hit at the club. Everyone loved him, and soon he was crossing the road to Corricks for late-night drinks with some other workers as I headed home for the night with Freddie on my arm.
The brat had shown up asking for mocktails and chatting up the bar staff before I dragged him home with me to keep me company while Arnie was away at an interview.
Christian had felt guilty about staying out, but I had told him we had forever to catch up on old times. Arnie was away, and I would be at home waiting so see him in the morning. I’d given him a spare key, then sent him on his merry way.
Freddie and I had kept it PG13 when we got back, opting for hot chocolate and watching episodes of Buffy, describing all the filthy things we would do if Giles ever crossed our paths.
Eventually calling it a night, I fell asleep questioning why Christian’s sudden appearance had seemed like an act of urgency and what tomorrow would bring.