THE STORY OF US BY: Julien
This story is 100% fictional and is by no means depictive of the life of any person, place or thing. It contains sexual activities between males and should only be read if it is legal to do so in your area. Read at your own risk and enjoy. Comments are welcomed and would be very much appreciated. ENJOY!
I didn't know why we were here or what could possibly be going through his mind at that very moment but all I knew for sure was that I was waiting for just the right opportunity to tell him I was ready to go. We were seated at one of the corner booths in the four seasons hotel restaurant/lounge patiently waiting for our drinks and appetizers that should have arrived fifteen minutes ago.
"Are you sure you told them we wanted drinks before dinner? Sometimes they don't know that." What was I saying! Of course they knew that drinks were always to be brought before dinner, always.
"I'm not a moron Richie, I can place a fucking order." He replied rolling his eyes and then turning his face in the general direction of the door.
"I didn't say you were. And why are you acting like such an asshole towards me. You're the one that wanted to fucking get out NOT me!" I was pissed, more pissed than I had been about the drinks.
He sighed and turned his head to face me and I was surprised to see worry written all over it. Michael worried? That was something new to me. Michael was always the calm as a cucumber stereotype, not me. But it seemed as if roles were reversed tonight, as I was the one holding down this fort.
"I'm sorry ok, you happy now?" I swore I saw a smile grace that face of his
"No." I replied with as much humor as I could muster up.
"Well take it or fucking step on it." And then a look passed between us that had both of us cracking up in a matter of seconds. We even had other patrons looking at us funny.
"We better stop this before they throw us out." I said.
"Fuck em!" And that was that. Things began to return to normal and Michaels' mood seemed to brighten as we got into another long debate on my and Bobby's' situation.
"How come we can talk about Bobby but we can't talk about Adam."
His smile faltered and his eyes fell from mine and I knew that I was in unchartered territory.
"You really are looking to get me to go off on you tonight, aren't you."
"No, I just don't think it's fair that I should be the only one floundering."
"You don't see that huh?"
"Nope." We were both quiet for minute before Michael spoke again, "I just don't want to talk about this now, humor me ok."
"Fine, fine, fine but if I can't ask about Adam then you can't ask about Bobby." And as I sat there expecting some sort of defiance I noticed that his attention had wavered. I looked behind to where he was staring and saw what had attracted his attention. In walked the king of sleaze himself, Ernie with Bobby by his side.
I felt my chest begin to seize up and my breathing become shallow and I thought to myself, 'what the hell is going on?'
Michael turned back to face me and asked, "You want to get out of here, my appetite is all but gone."
"Yeah." I replied but not making a move to get up.
"You coming or what?" I looked up to see Michael looking down at me.
"Sure." And this time I followed his lead and followed him out the side entrance towards where the johns were located.
"You ok?" He asked as we both found ourselves on the outside.
"Yeah, I just..." and I found that my words had evaded me.
"Don't sweat it, it was probably nothing."
"Yeah nothing." I was beginning to sound like a damn baboon not making any type of sense so I kept quiet as we got into Michaels car and took off.
Half an hour later we were cozied up on the settee watching a rerun of the Sopranos.
"That Christopher is one hot looking Italian stallion."
I had laughed at his comment and leaned into him closer if for anything, warmth.
"Yeah, if you like that type." He turned to look at me, "You don't think he's hot?"
"I didn't say that. I just said if that's what floats your boat..."
"I tell you Richie, you and me got some different taste, no wonder we didn't work out." And I found myself feeling strangely hurt by that comment. I could tell that Michael sensed it too.
"I didn't mean it man, you know that, don't you?"
"Yeah." He sighed, then reached for the remote and shut off the television.
He then turned to look at me again, "We never did really get to talk about that, did we."
"We still don't have to." I didn't want to hear the real reason why I was cast away.
"Come on Richie, work with me."
"I really don't want to talk about it Michael. Why open old wounds. And what's with this trip down memory lane. Since when do you want to relive the past?"
He didn't answer me.
"Fine, if you want us to talk about it, lets talk about it." I could practically feel him smile, as strange as it may have seemed.
"I've never gotten over the way I treated you or your feelings."
"It's ok."
"No it's not! I was a fucking ass and everyday I'm reminded of that. How can you stand to be around me after the way I treated you."
"Because that's what friends do. We put up with shit day in, day out. I did it with you, I did it with Bobby..."
"You must really love him then."
"I love you too Michael."
"Don't even try and change the subject. I see the way you get when he's around and when you talk about him. You get all red and shit." And would you believe at that moment I got as Michael put it, 'all red and shit'.
"See!" He quickly pointed out.
"Stop it man, you're embarrassing me."
"Yeah whatever. Is that how I get when I talk about Adam?" I leaned up from against him and looked him square in the face.
"I thought you didn't want to talk about him."
"I don't, I just want the answer to that one question."
"Really?"
"Yeah." And I thought real hard before answering him.
"No you don't."
"I thought so. He loves me you know, he told me so."
"When?"
"Last weekend."
"Oh. What did you say?"
"I told him thanks for the gesture."
"Michael, tell me you didn't." How unromantic was that!
"What the fuck was I supposed to do Richie. He fucking freaked me out."
"He didn't tell you he was gonna cut off your dick and tie it to a light post Michael! He just told you how he felt, big fucking deal. It's called progression, it happens when you're in a relationship."
"And that's my point, we're not in a fucking relationship. We fucked a few times and went out for dinner once or twice, that's it."
"Would it be so bad for you to at least give it a try?"
"Yes it would. I don't want a relationship Richie and I don't need one. I love my life the way it is and Adam is hampering it and me."
"That's a terrible thing to say and you know it."
"Well it's the truth! I wanted a fuck and I got it and now I want to move on, now if someone could please explain that to him, things would be just fine."
"You're an asshole Michael." I got up from the coach and walked into the guestroom with Michael right on my heel.
"Why are you all bent out of shape about this? It has nothing to do with you."
Without turning around I said, "I just don't like seeing guys like Adam get fucked over because guys like you can't make up your fucking minds."
"Oh come off it Richie. Guys like Adam? Guys like me? Give me a fucking break! This isn't even about me and Adam is it."
"Just let it go Michael." I knew where this was heading and I didn't want to go there with him, not tonight, not when the situation was spiraling out of control.
"No fucking way. You brought the argument up so be a man and finish it."
"I have nothing to say to you Michael."
He waited a second, then two, then said, "fine. Fine! Be a fucking pussy about it."
"Fuck off Michael! You and Bobby deserve each other. Neither of you can't make up your fucking mind. You both need to be neutered so you can't infect the rest of the human race with your bull shit."
"You think that up all by yourself Richie."
I didn't answer him knowing very well that would be what would push him off and over the edge.
"What, you not talking to me now - over this, this shit!"
Still I remained silent.
"Come on man. What the hell do you care what happens to Adam, you don't even know the guy."
And in a subdued tone I rarely used I said, "He saved your life Michael. Doesn't that at least grant him some degree of respect from you? The least you could do is come out and tell him you're not interested."
He sighed, then sat beside me on the bed. "You're giving me advice on my love life?"
"Yes."
"Well thank you, I mean it Richie. Thanks a million but I don't need it. I'm six years older than you and I have thrice as much experience as you and I know what I should or should not do." And as an after thought he continued with, "I don't want this shit to affect our relationship."
"It won't."
He gave me a look of disbelief, "I know you too well Richie, you're going to hold this against me, I just know it."
"No Michael."
"Don't 'no Michael' me. I can see you plotting in your head, ways to make me suffer."
A smile escaped my lips.
"See!"
"Fine but I want you to call Adam and tell him what's up, promise me that." The look on his face was one of hesitancy.
"Michael!"
"Ok, fuck - the things I do for you."
"Fine."
"Ok but I want you to tell Bobby what the deal is, I want to hear you tell him what's up, two can play this game." I groaned internally but I knew I could beat this if I played my cards right. I just had to keep a clear head.
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Hello, may I please speak to Adam. Yes I'll hold." He looked over at me and closed his eyes for a second, "Must you sit there and watch me." He whispered.
"Yes." I whispered back.
"Adam, hi it's me." I quickly went into the kitchen and picked up the extension.
"Hi Michael, I was hoping it was you."
"Yeah, well I've been busy."
"With Richie?" I swore I detected a hint of jealousy.
"Anyway I called because I felt, I mean I feel there was some miscommunication between us."
"Miscommunication?" He echoed.
"Yeah, miscommunication."
"I get the feeling you're ignoring me Michael and I don't feel like I deserve this."
"I know." Michael sounded so humble.
"If you didn't want to see me anymore all you had to was tell me. I wasn't gonna go off on your ass or anything."
"It's not like that Adam."
"Then what is it like? I feel like we're playing telephone tag or something. I'm too old for this shit Michael and you should know better than that. I was upfront about everything from the beginning."
"So was I. I told you I wasn't ready for a relationship."
"But you still fucked me knowing that I was."
"So this is my fault!"
"No, I'm not blaming you but...you know what, just forget it. You called to break it off didn't you? So just go ahead and do it, I got patients to deal with and I don't need this shit hanging over my head."
"I'm sorry it had to be this way Adam I really am."
"Sure you are. Just answer me one question, is it because I said I loved you? Is that the reason you're breaking it off?"
"Adam..."
I heard a page come from a loud speaker in the background for Adam and I'm sure Michael heard it too.
"I got to go, I'm on call." And he hung up.
I replaced the phone back into its cradle and went into Michael's room. He sat on his bed with his hands in his lap.
"You happy now. He's probably gonna go botch up some surgery on my behalf - Fuck! Why did I even listen to you Richie?"
"Because you know it was the right fucking thing to do."
"Fuck doing the right thing."
"Hey! Don't cop an attitude with me because your conscience is bothering you."
"What? You think I'm feeling guilty over this shit?"
"I know you're feeling guilty over this shit. A matter of a fact I think that the only reason you want to dump Adam is because you're losing control of things. It has to be Michaels way or no way, that's your damn problem."
"I don't have a problem." And with that he once again walked out on me.
I tried to keep my eyes on my menu but it was becoming impossibility with his leg brushing up against mine ever so often. I should have called him on it but I didn't want a scene and I knew Ernie could and would bring a scene. The waiter came back around for the third time and I decided to just stick with a chicken sandwich with fries.
"When since do you eat anybody else's chicken sandwich except your mothers?" Ernie asked as soon as the waiter walked away
"Since now." I didn't want to go down this road with him. I was here to find out what was up and to get back to my life.
"You wanted to talk so talk man, I ain't got all night."
"Right to the point, I like that about you man." And it was as if a cold spell took over my body. I grabbed my jacket from off the back of the chair and put it on.
"Yeah." I replied dryly.
"Yeah - how have you been Bobby? Haven't heard from you in a long while, what's up with that. What, we ain't boys no more?"
"We were never boys man, never." His face 'broke' for a moment before he restored it to a plastic smile.
"That how you want to play it?" he asked.
"That's how you been playing it. You think I don't see what you trying to do man. Coming all up in my room and fucking with me, what kinda messed up shit is that?"
"Your ass wasn't complaining when we was kicking it though." He seemed to lose his composure only for a minute.
"Whatever man. The bottom line is that that shit was wrong. You had no fucking right to take advantage of me when you know I was fucked up." Just the thought of what we had done had we ready to run to the john.
"Don't blame it on the liquor man. You coulda stopped me - if you wanted to but you didn't."
"The fuck I didn't. You damn well knew that I wasn't into that shit with you man. You fucking knew I wasn't down with that shit."
"I didn't know a god damn thing and according this you didn't either." I didn't know what the hell he was talking about. He reached under the table and pulled out a Manila envelope and handed it to me. As I tore through it he advised me to be careful, "I don't think you're gonna want your shit exposed to the world like that man so slow your roll."
I looked around to make sure that no one was in seeing distance then I opened the envelope, reached inside and pulled out the package-
"What the fuck is this!" I said looking from the pictures to Ernie back to the pictures again.
"What the fuck does it look like? Just think of it as a keep sake from me to you."
I looked again at the pictures and shook my head, maybe hoping to get those images out of my head.
"How the fuck..."
"You don't worry about that baby, that's not your biggest problem right now."
"What the fuck are you trying to do man, what game you trying to play with this, this shit!" I was about to get up and walk out when he grabbed my hand hard.
"Sit the fuck down Right Now! This is Ernie time so you sit down and shut the fuck up. I'm tired of having to listen to your goddamn voice day in, day out. I got these pictures and I have the power to fuck with you and your career." I was this close to knocking him the fuck out but I held my temper in check.
"What the fuck do you want?"
"I want my job back."
"You must be out of your fucking mind! You think I would put my career in your hands."
"I don't give a fuck what you think. Your career is already in my hands."
"You son of a bitch."
He ignored my comment and began speaking again, a sneer replacing that plastic smile, "I want my job back and..."
I held my breath waiting for him to finish.
"And I want twenty percent of the sales of your new album in cash, upfront as soon as they cut you a check."
I laughed, I had to. Not even Greg or Laurence for that matter got twenty percent of anything.
"What's so fucking funny?"
"You expect me to fork over my shit for you!"
"Yeah I EXPECT you to fork over your shit for me, unless you want every tabloid sporting those pictures next month."
I was backed up in a corner and I didn't know what the fuck to do. If Richie was here - and it was if lightning had hit me. I hadn't even spoken to him since we came back from Jamaica. He probably thought I was an asshole. And then it was as If I got another shock, Richie's reluctance to come back to work for me. I had only asked him once when we would start back and he had said he thought it was too much work to have both Diane and me as clients. I didn't think much of it until...
"I'll be generous and give you a week to get back to me. One week Bobby, that's it. Don't think I won't do this shit." And before I could respond, he got up and walked out leaving me with wheels turning in my head.
On the drive home I thought this out some more in my head. Did Richie know about this shit? It seemed too much of a coincidence that he didn't want to work for me anymore after finding out about Ernie and me - did Ernie threaten him too? I couldn't get those questions out of my head. I pulled over to the side of the road and made a phone call. Five minutes later I was back on the road headed in the direction of Michaels condo. I didn't care if he didn't want to see me - I was gonna get to the bottom of this TONIGHT.
FINALLY FINISHED THIS CHAPTER. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED IT. SOME EMAILS WOULD BE NICE JUST TO LET ME KNOW IT WAS WORTH READING. THANKS.