Chapter 1 #2
The evening went so fast, Tom’s head was in a whirl. His grandad was having the best time ever, chatting with some of the older regulars, while he and Damon were slow dancing together. It all came to an end far too soon for Tom. He pulled Damon down for a soft kiss.
“It’s been a great night. Thanks.” As he released Tom, his heart skipped a beat as he caught a glimpse of a familiar face in the crowd.
“Hey, what is it?” Damon asked.
“I just thought…” Tom shook his head. “No, I’m just seeing things.” There’s no way Jimmy would be here. Not a gay bar.
However, when Tom returned home, both his flat mates were still up, their expressions unwelcoming.
“Don’t you think we should have known you were gay?” Jimmy glowered at him.
“Not your business.” Tom refused to be cowed. It wasn’t their business.
“We walk around in our underwear.” Noah waved his hands about.
“And I couldn’t give a fuck.” Tom snapped. “Walk around naked for all I fucking care. I don’t get the hots for straight guys.” He gave them a contemptuous glare. “And neither of you are ripped, so don’t flatter yourselves. You might as well be part of the furniture as far as I’m concerned.”
Tom didn’t wait for their reply. He stormed into his bedroom, locked the door, and even jammed a chair under the handle. Then he sat on the edge of the bed shaking.
I can’t stay here. Not after that. For a moment, he thought of texting Damon, then changed it to his grandad. I’ve only been seeing Damon a couple of months. I can’t impose on him. To his relief, Martin replied almost immediately.
Tom spent the next couple of hours packing.
The bedding was his, and it all went in his car along with well-stuffed bags and cases.
He removed all of his personal items from the living room, and although petty, he made sure to take his stuff from the fridge and pantry. He was leaving nothing behind.
The first thing he did on arriving at Martin’s apartment was to email his landlady.
She was a lovely woman, and Tom was glad he was fully paid up with his rent.
He’d drop the keys off the next day. He apologized for the short notice, but emphasized he no longer felt welcome or comfortable, and had left for those reasons.
“Here you go. Nice hot cup of tea.” Martin handed him a steaming mug. “Sorry I don’t have a spare bed. Just the sofa.”
“It won’t be for too long, Grandad. Mrs. Evans is a nice lady, I’m sure she’ll give me a good reference for another place.
” Tom took the mug, blowing on the hot contents and sipping gingerly.
“Typical for me, eh?” He huffed an unconvincing laugh.
“Can’t go home. Can’t let Mum and Dad know about Damon.
Not yet. Not until I know it’s serious.”
“Oh, I think it is. Damon doesn’t seem the flighty type.” Martin chuckled. “And when he looks at you…that was the way Micky used to look at me.” Martin winked. “I think you have a good one there, my boy.”
* * * *
Despite even resorting to the use of concealer under his eyes, Tom knew Damon was aware something was wrong, but he just didn’t want to come across as needy.
There was no one else in the lift, and Damon took it to the fourteenth floor, urging Tom out into the corridor and he locked the lift.
“Now,” he looked directly into Tom’s eyes. “The truth. You look like crap, and the sparkle’s been gone since the night at the bar. You thought you saw someone you knew, didn’t you? Who was it, and what’s happened?”
With a heavy sigh, and even heavier heart, Tom explained about his now ex-flat mates. Damon listened, not speaking, and Tom shrugged, frustrated with his own inability to put his feelings into words.
“I didn’t want you to think I couldn’t cope.” He paced back and forth. “I’m used to taking care of myself. But this…this just...just…”
“It hurt.” Damon said softly. “I can see it in your eyes, in the way you carry yourself. But the truth of it is, you don’t have to just cope. You have me now. We can do things together. That’s what a real relationship is all about. Caring and sharing.”
“I love you.” Tom wrapped his arms tight around Damon.
“And I love you.”
“I’ll find somewhere for us.” Tom leaned back. “Better than your tiny bedsit.”
“I already have somewhere better.” Damon kissed Tom’s forehead.
“And your grandad is welcome if he ever needs another place, and it’s on the ground floor.
I didn’t mention it before because...well, I didn’t want to overwhelm you.
Send you running. But I think we’re both past that point now.
Tonight, I’ll take you home. Bring an overnight bag, and meet me at the bedsit at six. ”
* * * *
By the time Tom met Damon, he already had a takeout bag that he jiggled gently.
“Thought it best. We can spend a nice quiet evening at home.”
They drove away from town and into the suburbs.
Tom looked around. These homes were large, detached properties.
The kind his mother always coveted. His parents had a large semi-detached that his dad had worked himself into the ground to afford.
But these were twice the size, and with immense, well-manicured gardens.
Damon turned into a gated driveway, and the gates swung slowly open. “Here we are,” he glanced at Tom. “Home sweet home.”
He drove toward a double-fronted house. He pointed out an annex on the righthand side to Tom.
“That’s a fully furnished granny flat. Perfect for privacy, or wandering around to the back of the house, and coming in through the kitchen.”
“You live here?” Tom breathed.