Chapter 9 - Hot Dates #2
Julian’s smile was the only response Callum needed. He reached for his hand across the table, and Julian didn’t even flinch, just accepted it. They held hands, the contact bridging the gap between them. He was relaxing into this already, Callum observed. The walls really are down tonight.
“I was terrified,” Julian admitted, his voice dropping to a vulnerable grit.
“I was terrified that if I touched you, the mask would break and I wouldn't be able to put it back on. I have a board of directors who think I’m this unbreakable Titan of industry. I have a public image that is built on being powerful. I thought if I let you in, if I let anyone in, I’d lose my Infinity Gauntlet and the power that goes with it. ”
Callum laughed out loud, “You know Marvel films? I’m seriously impressed?”
Julian feigned indignation, “Hell yes I know Marvel films. I’m a huge superhero fan, and I love films. I watch films all the time when I’m not working; it’s my ‘de-stress’, but to be frank, it’s not much fun when it’s just me.
I have a great life, yes,, but it’s been a lonely one for various reasons. ”
Callum reached out, not able to help himself, his thumb tracing Julian’s lower lip. “And now?”
“Fuck lonely, I’m over it. Now I don't care about the empire,” Julian said, his eyes darkening with a new, steady intensity.
“I just care about you and when I can see you again.” He sat back as if pondering.
“But a word of caution, Cal. If this is what you want, and I know it’s early days - in fact, hours.
If we do this, people will talk. There’ll be a lot to deal with.
The press, the media. Your life could change, and I’m not sure that’s something I want you to endure.
You need to think very carefully about things as we…
” Julian didn’t know the right words and left the sentence dangling, but gestured with his hands as if showing future time progressing…
Callum helped him out with the word: “Date?”
He said it, but with a degree of uncertainty, hoping with all his heart this was what Julian was trying to express.
Julian laughed, again the real deep belly laugh. “Yes, date. I feel like a teenager again”. His face was a picture, his smile beaming.
“Let them talk,” Callum said softly. “I’ve spent my life being out and proud, Julian. I’m not going back into a closet for anyone. But I am willing to be patient to a degree. I can be your secret for a little while, as long as I know I’m your only one.”
Julian was instant with his response: “I do not want you or us to be any kind of secret. I’m not ashamed of you, and I’m not ashamed of me either.
It’s just past decisions made to support my career and business ambitions, which I’ve diligently followed because I had nothing in my life that needed anything different. ”
Callum squeezed his hand tight, sensing the frustration.
“The media has speculated for years about me and who I’m dating, whether I’m straight, gay, or maybe a eunuch, whatever.
Let them speculate. But I can guarantee you this,” he paused, “if our dating is successful, and this goes the way I want it to, and I hope you do too, I will have nothing but enormous fucking pride to stand in front of the world when the time is right, with you by my side.”
His eyes were steely, the green pulsating with the passion of his words.
To demonstrate he meant this, he stood and leant across the table, lifting Callum by the shoulders, and kissed him on the lips in front of everyone, putting his hand behind his neck, leaning into it.
It was a special moment, and the people at the nearby tables applauded.
Julian’s stature meant that people noticed him.
A huge guy standing up in a restaurant, lifting the man opposite him, and kissing him, was going to get noticed.
They heard the woman at the next table comment to her companion on what a handsome couple they were.
Julian and Callum looked at each other, and both descended into fits of laughter.
Julian put his hands up in an admission as a thank-you before sitting once again.
At that point their food arrived, and they both got busy with quesadillas, tortillas, and burritos. It was good, and they chatted easily, both relaxed and content as they enjoyed it.
They finished their meal; of course, Julian insisted on paying with some fancy black card that Callum had never seen before.
Was that like a platinum card he wondered?
Julian took out his phone and typed a quick message.
Callum realised he hadn’t looked at his phone all afternoon.
He took it from his pocket, but it was completely dead, battery flat.
They left the restaurant together, heading back towards the office. When they arrived at the front of the building, there was a shiny black Mercedes G-Wagon SUV waiting for them. A burly man stepped out.
Julian introduced him. “This is Markus; he’s my head of security, and this is Coco,” he indicated the guy behind the wheel, “my driver. This is Callum West, who I am currently dating. You will be seeing a lot of him going forward. Remember his name.” Markus gave a polite nod of his head in acknowledgement.
The words sounded strange, but nice to Callum.
“The guys will take you wherever you need to go in a moment.”
At this point Julian stepped away from the kerb with Callum. How to say goodbye, thought Callum, after all that’s happened. This is going to be awkward… but it actually wasn’t at all.
Julian turned to him, put his hands on his shoulders, not caring who could see this, and said, “I have had a lovely day, thanks to you. I’ve had, eleven lovely days thanks to meeting you,” his eyes were alight and smiling.
“I don't really know how to do this; I’ve spent years being a cold corporate statue. I don't know how to date someone, but I’m very happy to give it a go. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be perfect, but I promise I will try my best. I want to be with you, Cal. I’ve never wanted anything more.”
At this point, he embraced Callum and kissed him firmly on the lips. It wasn’t a peck; it was a long, tender kiss, the kind Callum loved to receive. Callum was conscious that Julian’s team were right nearby, but Julian seemed unconcerned.
“When can I see you again, please?” Julian asked, face hopeful.
“For a training session, or…?” asked Callum, confused and suddenly unsure what was being asked for.
“Well yes, we still need to do that too, but no, I’m more interested in a Cal session please, I’m asking for a second date, and I need it ASAP.” He smiled, and Callum did too. “We don’t know each other Cal; we need to get to know each other. I want to get to know you properly.”
Callum took his phone out of his pocket, forgetting it was dead…. “Ah, shit, sorry, I have no idea what I’m doing tomorrow. I’ll text you later or in the morning.” “I’ve got to work tonight, but I think I’m free; I just need to check. I want to see you again too.”
Julian’s smile was all the response he needed.
It was cold now on the street, and they both felt it. “The guys will drop you wherever you need, Cal. I have some things to do upstairs, but I’ll wait to hear from you about tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure, I promise I will text you later”. He gave Julian one last kiss and walked over to the car.
“Good evening. Where do you need to go, Mr. West?” Markus asked.
“Just home to 311 DeKalb Avenue, across the Brooklyn Bridge please,” he replied. He looked out of the window. Julian was waiting there patiently to see him off. Callum waved but then realised that, with the darkened glass, he probably couldn’t even see him anyway.
As the car drew away, Julian breathed a big sigh. What a momentous day. He was still thinking things over as he headed back into the building and up to the fiftieth floor.
He felt drained.
He’d expressed many emotions today and made admissions he himself had previously been unwilling to make.
It felt good. He was energised by the possibilities ahead of him.
He really liked Cal. He looked at his phone.
Of course, there wouldn’t be any message from Cal until he charged his phone, so he’d just have to be patient.
He wasn’t used to waiting for what he wanted, but he knew he was going to have to calm himself down and take Callum’s lead in this.
He was so used to forming strategies and plans, but in this situation he could do neither. He rested his head against the cool glass, the city mocking him below.
They’d gotten physical and he’d had a first date with Callum, and both were amazing. Could this be real? Could he believe that this was possible? Did he need to change himself to be the man that Callum wanted, or was he already?
The possibility was both exciting and quite terrifying to a former Titan.