Two for Two

Alex lounged on the balcony of his second-floor apartment. A bit of sun slipped past the patio umbrella he’d zip-tied to one of the wooden posts, and, for the fourth time that day, he scooted away from the strip of light. A breeze played with the electric green curls on his head and tickled the dark curls of hair on his chest. He reached for the vodka-lemonade. The glass was cold and slick with condensation. Goosebumps erupted on his arm as he brought it to his lips to take a long sip. It settled in his stomach, made him feel floaty. He set it down with a contented sigh and leaned his head back against the chair, staring at the creamy canopy with red-stitched flowers. Sakura, his little red Shiba, snored at his feet.

The flowers reminded him of yesterday, his first date at the botanical garden with Griffin, a guy from his gym. Alex tipped his head up slightly to look into brown eyes beneath black hair. A sharp face with olive skin, smooth from a fresh shave. Lean enough that a fitted shirt would rest on him rather than stretch over him. And a treasure trail of that same black hair that ran from his belly button, through the canyons of his abs, and into the shorts he wore when working out (almost always green, Alex noted when he’d see the man across the gym). They’d got to talking when he’d come over to correct Alex’s form on a squat. The man’s firm hands on his hips knocked the breath from his lungs. His knees locked, and Griffin pulled the weight of the barbell, his body close enough that Alex could feel what was hidden in those shorts.

“All good?” Griffin asked, voice raspy. Alex could only nod as he dabbed a towel to his forehead and neck. Griffin held out his water bottle. Alex took it, drank with his lips sealed on the bite valve, watching the way Griffin’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. Griffin blushed and coughed as he took the bottle back. His own lips went immediately to the valve, eyes locked on Alex. The towel slipped from Alex’s fingers. Fell perfectly on his lap. Thank god.

They exchanged numbers and coordinated times to meet up at the gym. Fingers lingered when spotting. If one pressed himself too close, the other leaned into it. Sessions together stretched from one hour to two to three. They showered in stalls next to each other.

“Could always share sometime,” Griffin said with a wink. Alex sputtered on his sip of water. Griffin’s hand clapped his back. Alex smiled gratefully as he looked up at the other man. As they stripped, Alex studied the numbers on his lock, skin tight and hot. He did not look at Griffin’s uncut cock jutting out from dark curls. How it lay slightly to the left. Nope. Swore he didn’t notice. His gaze lingered on those dark curls. Griffin’s other hand snaked down. Tugged himself once. Alex’s tongue became sandpaper in his mouth.

Griffin grinned, his white teeth radiant, and left Alex there. He watched the other man go, noting the dark hair that covered his backside. Alex flexed his hands. Waited a moment, then followed Griffin to the shower stalls and turned the water to ice cold. It didn’t help. His hand found his own cock, and in seconds he erupted, his cum painting white onto red tile. Panting, chilly water running down his back, Alex made a decision.

He finished showering, dressed, and found Griffin waiting for him by the locker room exit.

“Hey. All good? You look a little red.”

“Uh, yeah, yeah, fine,” Alex stammered. “Would you…” Fuck. This was harder than necessary. He swallowed. Took a breath. “Would you wanna go on a date sometime?”

Griffin looked… pleased? A small smile graced his lips as his eyes crinkled. “Yeah, I’d like that. What are you thinking?”

Alex toed the ground as he chuckled. “Hadn’t… um… got that far.”

“What about brunch? Sunday at the botanical garden, 9:00 AM. They have this little spot right by the water lilies. They’re blooming right now.”

“Yeah, that would be great. I live two blocks from there, but I’ve never been.”

Griffin said it didn’t matter, that it would be nice for Alex to have his first time with him. Alex choked. Griffin chortled as they walked out. They said goodbye as they parted. Alex was two steps into his walk home when he was grabbed, turned around, and met an intense stare from brown eyes. Griffin’s head came down, and he placed a searing, lingering kiss not on Alex’s lips, but on his cheek.

“I’ll see you on Sunday,” Griffin whispered, voice husky and heavy, before he walked away. Alex’s hand was on his cheek, fingering the spot where lips and slight stubble marked him. He shivered. It was Friday. Sunday felt both close and impossibly far. His stomach flipped, fizzled and bubbled, and a giggle escaped him. Trees and buildings and cars flew past as Alex nearly skipped home, the ten-block walk over in minutes.

At home, Sakura snoozed on his legs as he scrolled through movies available on streaming. Paused on a new horror film, scrolled away. There was a new romance from Taiwan, about a ghost and a detective, but no, not that either. He turned the television off, laid down on his couch, and let sleep take him early. Dreamt of strong hands and a lithe, olive-skinned body. Woke to a sticky mess that hadn’t happened since he was sixteen. Laughed when he wiped the goo off himself with toilet paper.

Saturday stretched after that. At 11:00 AM, he took Sakura for a walk along the tree-lined sidewalks of the city neighborhood. Passed by the botanical garden, smelled citrus wafting from beyond the fence as it mixed with oil and exhaust from the streets. Walked through the park across the street from the garden, past a young couple taking selfies on a wooden footbridge over a brook.

By the wading pool, families lounged with lunches spread out. A father and son passed a football between them, and Alex imagined himself one day with a kid of his own doing the same, maybe even Griffin watching on a blanket. Or joining them. Baseball diamonds were kickball fields down the way, and a field hockey team was warming up. Alex circled back to the garden, smelled honey this time, and when he checked the time on the stovetop, it read 12:05 PM.

Alex looked at the calendar on his phone, groaning when he saw his day was void of plans. Off day from the gym, no last-minute banquets or weddings he could pick up from his occasional bartending gig. He sent a text to the family group chat, asking if anyone wanted to grab dinner. Everyone else already had plans. The phone banged on the counter as he dropped it. Fed Sakura. Scrolled through Netflix as the sun shifted through the apartment. Thanked god when the light changed as the sun set. Fell asleep on the couch again, Sakura snoring away at his feet.

Sunday dawned, and gilded light warmed the apartment. A buzz ran through Alex’s fingers. He sent a quick text to Griffin—Can’t wait to see you! Can I bring my furbaby?—and then he showered, shaved, found the oak and lemon cologne he’d purchased from a soapworks shop a city over, debated outfits before settling on a green button-up with orange flowers, a pair of white linen three-quarter pants, and his dark leather sandals. His phone pinged, Griffin replying Absolutely! See you soon. Alex’s cheeks stretched as he floated down the stairs and into the bright sun.

Sakura pulled on the leash as they walked the two blocks to the garden. His hand ached from gripping the leash tighter than usual. They turned the corner into the brick-paved parking lot, shaded by huge bald cypress trees. It was almost empty at the moment, but on a day like this, warm and sunny, it would be full by noon. Griffin stood at the top of the white-gray concrete steps in navy blue slacks and a short-sleeved white polo. They waved at each other. Griffin bounced slowly on the balls of his feet, toes splayed out in the black leather sandals he wore. Alex approved.

When Alex reached the top of the stairs, they hugged, and Griffin kissed his cheek again. Alex returned the gesture. Introduced Sakura. Griffin declared her the prettiest girl in the world. She licked his face. He chuckled at that, scratching her chin in the exact spot Alex always did. He planted a second kiss on Griffin’s cheek.

“What was that for?” he said breathily.

Alex cupped his face and said, “We’re even, two for two.”

“It’s a contest?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m going to win, you know,” Griffin smirked as he said it, pulling the door open and ushering them inside. He pulled out his phone for the attendant to scan. She was an older lady with leathered skin, and she held out a dog biscuit to Sakura, telling her she was so cute. She told them to enjoy their brunch and the gardens. Also reminded Alex that he needed to clean up after Sakura. He pointed to the red plastic bone with a roll of bags in it. She nodded approvingly.

They exited the welcome center into a small courtyard bounded by evergreen bushes. To the right, a path snaked around towards a large domed greenhouse. To the left was a series of small ponds with Chihuly sculptures. It was still early, about 8:40, and Griffin suggested they could meander over to the little café whichever way they wanted. Sakura tugged on her leash, leading them to the ponds.

“That way, then,” Alex said, grabbing Griffin’s hand. He curled his fingers into Alex’s, and they paused here and there to admire the whimsical glass sculptures. Sakura sniffed at the ponds, then at the little flowers blooming all around. She yipped as a bird flew too close. The ponds gave way to a rose garden arranged in an arch. The colorful bushes had been carefully plotted into a rainbow. Alex let go of Griffin’s hand to pull out his phone and snapped a picture, then demanded a selfie with the three of them.

Griffin’s arm found Alex’s waist. Alex rested his head on the man’s shoulder, inhaling scents of sage and lavender. They walked that way, pulled together, until they found the lily display. Griffin let go as Alex pulled his phone out again. Flowers of red, blue, purple, white, pink, and yellow swayed in a soft breeze throughout the long pond, the massive green lily pads underneath looking strong enough to hold the three of them. An older couple passed by, two women with interlocked fingers, and one asked if Alex and Griffin wanted them to take their picture.

“Just such a cute family!” they gushed. Alex watched as Griffin nodded, but his face seemed to draw thin. The lady taking the pictures revealed she was a photographer and passed her card along to Alex, telling him she wanted to get him in a studio to model. He’d been perplexed by that but confirmed he’d reach out.

Griffin’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he agreed with her. His mouth was inches from Alex’s ear as he said, “You are quite handsome, you know.”

Alex reached for his hand, but Sakura pulled the leash as she chased a squirrel towards a squat little building. He pulled the leash, stopping her, but she strained. Griffin followed behind him, saying the building ahead was the café. Beneath a deep purple awning, Alex saw square bistro tables covered in green linen and cast-iron chairs with purple pillows tied on. A hand found the small of his back, pushing him forward. Griffin told the hostess their reservation, and she guided them toward one of the tables already laid out with coffee and a pitcher of mimosas.

They sat. Sakura plopped herself down at Alex’s feet. He poured coffee and a mimosa for each of them. Griffin toyed with his silverware, eyes downcast.

“Are you alright?” Alex asked softly.

Griffin looked up, smiled weakly, and inhaled slowly. “I have something I need to tell you.”

Alex waited. Griffin’s eyes darted around. He sighed. “It’s about my life.”

“I know the age gap thing is weird,” Alex said. They’d talked about it at the gym. Griffin had referenced something in politics that happened when he was nineteen. Alex had been seven, blissfully unaware as he played with Pokémon cards and stuffed animals.

Griffin chuckled. “It’s not that. I… haven’t done the whole dating thing in a long time, you know? I got divorced about seven years ago, and certain things meant I gave up trying to do the whole post-marriage bounce-back thing.”

Alex asked, “What are these ‘certain things’? Did something happen with your ex-husband?”

“Ex-wife.”

“Oh. I mean, that’s not so unusual—”

“We have a son together.”

Alex poured himself a mimosa as Griffin studied him carefully. His stomach knotted, his throat tightened, and he looked away. “Um… wow… I need a moment.” He wanted to move, but his feet remained stubbornly in place. Sakura was no help either. She’d fallen asleep on his left foot. Damn it.

Alex grabbed his wine glass and gulped down the mimosa. Poured another one and was about to gulp that one down when Griffin stopped him. “Not a good idea, I think,” he said. Alex set the glass back on the table. Picked up his water and drank that down instead. Looked back at Griffin. His lips were turned down.

Half of Alex wanted to run. The other half remembered the father and son in the park.

“How old?”

“Twelve.”

“Wow. That’s…” Alex swallowed thickly, wondering how he felt about it. “Never thought about being a stepfather before.”

Griffin’s smile could have brightened the darkest night. “His name is Jamie.”

Alex grinned at the pride in Griffin’s voice. He reached across the table and squeezed the man’s hand. “Tell me about him.”

Griffin launched into a full explanation. Straight A’s in school, a budding pitcher, over-enthusiastic about robotics. Showed Alex pictures of the two together at Disneyland last year, both wearing full Jedi robes and carrying lightsabers.

“Return of the Jedi is his favorite film.”

“The Last Jedi is better,” Alex pushed back.

“Insanity.”

They laughed.

Brunch came—a prix fixe menu of bananas foster waffles, eggs, and sausages—and they continued talking about family. Alex told Griffin about his brother’s coffee roasting business and about his sister’s graphic design freelancing. Griffin revealed he had a single sister studying film in New Zealand. A server cleared their empty plates and the pitcher. There was a nice buzz in Alex’s fingers and toes from the wine.

Griffin suggested they check out the rest of the garden. Alex assented, and they walked hand in hand. There was a small Chinese garden bordered by a large pond and a sprawling Japanese garden, complete with a rock garden. Alex had always wanted to try out the meditative technique, but this one had firm instructions not to disturb it.

Around noon, they’d circled back to the welcome center. Talked about plans for another date as they walked down the steps to the parking lot.

“No plans this afternoon,” Griffin said. “You?”

“I do.”

Griffin tried to release his hand, but Alex held firm.

“I thought you said you had plans?”

“I do. You,” Alex said coyly. Griffin’s face deepened in color. Alex tugged him towards the parking lot entrance.

“My car?”

“Call the garden and tell them you had to take an Uber because you’re drunk.”

“I… Yeah, okay.” He dialed as they left the parking lot, turning towards Alex’s apartment. Made it up the stairs. Sakura jumped on the couch. Alex led Griffin to the bedroom. Clothes were discarded as they became a mess of tangled limbs and sheets and sweat. There was nothing urgent as they explored each other’s bodies.

Griffin’s arm was around Alex’s waist, his hand playing in the curls above Alex’s cock. “Do you have work tomorrow?” Alex mumbled.

“A meeting at three.”

“Stay here.”

Griffin pressed a kiss to Alex’s neck. “Okay.”

They skipped lunch and dinner, snacking on each other instead. Fell asleep with arms and legs splayed over each other. Woke the next morning to hazy sunlight. Kissed softly and lazily touched each other until climaxing. Showered together. Griffin scrubbed Alex’s back. Alex scrubbed Griffin’s chest, pausing for a moment to tease a dark nipple between his fingers.

They dried off together, hands still exploring, tugging, mouths meeting skin. Alex put on a pair of shorts, no underwear or shirt.

“What are you going to do today?” Griffin asked.

“Be lazy. Lay on the balcony and sip vodka lemonades.” When Alex opened the door, arms snaked around his waist, stubble at his neck, Griffin nuzzling into the divot between neck and shoulder, placing a kiss there.

“I win.”

“You do?”

“I do.”

“What’s the prize?” Alex rubbed his head against Griffin’s cheek.

“You,” Griffin huffed, kissing Alex’s temple.

“Come back after your meeting?” Alex begged.

“Sure.”

“Bring dinner?”

“Absolutely.”

“And wine?”

“Whatever you want,” Griffin whispered in his ear, nibbling the lobe.

Alex turned around and captured Griffin’s lips with his own. “You. I want you.”

Griffin left for his meeting. Alex poured himself a drink and settled underneath the patio umbrella. Sakura padded out and lay down in the sun. Sipped and sighed, letting the breeze wash over him. Scooted out of the sun. Sometime later, a car door shut somewhere below. Alex glanced over the cedar railing and spotted Griffin crossing the street, a white takeout bag swinging in his hand. Swallowed some more of his drink and lay back down.