Chapter 2: Country Meets City

I had no idea where I was heading; all I knew was that I had to get out of the house for a while. Away from Frank and his snide remarks, away from being closed in the four walls of home. He was right, I was feeling horny and wanted some action, but as I walked down our street and turned into Victoria Avenue, sex was the last thing on my mind.

We were fortunate in that we lived around the corner from the city's main gay street. Victoria Avenue was the gay mecca for all gay people, filled with shops, cafes, hotels, nightclubs - anything a gay man could want. Yet living so close had its drawbacks as well. It was a rare night that Frank and I had the house to ourselves, or even being home. Somehow friends had decided that our place was the meeting place before heading out for a night on the town. There were times I actually missed living in outer suburbia, like I used to before meeting Ryan and moving, where life was less "gay" and more laid back.

I walked down Victoria Avenue wrapped in my own thoughts before realising that I had reached the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Charles Parade - the end of the "gay" part of the street. I shook my head in bemusement as I realised that for the first time in ages, I had not only walked the entire street without stopping, but also had not perved on any cute guys along the way.

I turned and headed back towards home.

"Oi! Snob!" someone yelled from behind me.

I turned and looked back. There stood one of my closest and oldest friends - William.

"Hey bitch! Sorry lost in my own thoughts and didn't see you" I replied with a grin.

"Oh? Is he cute?"

"Nah nothing like that. Just a trip down memory lane, that's all" I replied, "where are you heading?"

"Was going to call in to DeLite's Bar for a quick drink. Want to come?" he asked "am catching up with Stephen and Michael".

"Ok, but only for a quickie though".

"You always say that and you are the last one to leave" chucked William.

"Yeah yeah whatever! Lets go" I replied "so how is the shop going?"

"Pretty quiet today actually. Left Julie to look after it for the rest of the day."

"Oh? That's unusual for a Sunday. Normally you are run off your feet" I said. His small fabrics store CoverUp was one of the busiest in Victoria Avenue with most drag queens patronising it for material for their outfits. He also had a small sewing room out the back, which the drag queens utilised on a regular basis.

"It's that time of year. Always goes quiet" he replied.

"So do tell. Who is the cute guy you were seen with on Thursday night?" I asked, fishing for information.

"Which one?" he asked.

"How many did you have on Thursday night?" I asked with a cheeky grin. I enjoyed playing tic-for-tac with William especially over his conquests. For someone in his late 40s, he had an endless supply of guys visiting him for "extra curricular" activities. How he managed it was one of the best-kept secrets in Victoria Avenue, and even to me, he would not divulge what his pick up routine was. Not that I needed help in that area, but it always got my curiosity. Whereas I picked up gay guys, William's trade generally was bisexual or guys experimenting.

"No one actually. Had young Troy call in for a coffee - you know the one. 22, Blonde, green eyes and nice 6-pack" he replied.

"Coffee? You only had coffee with that hot stud sitting next to you?" I asked.

"Yes, only coffee. He is having girlfriend problems again so wanted some advise".

"I know you are not going to tell me, but how the hell do you pick these guys up?" I asked, fully aware of the reply.

"Oh around" William replied, "How's Frank?"

"Don't change the subject!" I replied "but he is fine. Was going to go to the flicks with his ex Chris but that fell through. Came home and sprung me in bed with another guy that bastard. Could have killed him".

"Not the old guy you picked up last night?"

"NO! God is there anyone who does not know about last night?" I asked with a mock disgust tone.

"Umm ... sweetheart. Everyone knows. It was hard NOT to know about it" replied William.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"Well let me say that unlike normally, you took over an hour saying your goodbyes to everyone last night, with this guy hanging off your arm" grinned William.

"Oh shit! You mean I introduced him to everyone ... like everyone?"

"Uh huh. And to make matters worse, you called him 'your boyfriend'" chuckled William.

"Oh fuck!" I replied. By this stage, we had reached DeLite's Bar.

I could not believe that my recollection of last night was so bad. The only other time it had happened was when someone spiked my drink without my knowledge, and ever since then I always kept my drinks within my sight.

"What do you want to drink?" asked William as we reached the bar. DeLite's Bar was one of those hotels where the owners had maintained the "non-gay" look. Had one not known, it could have been a hotel in any suburb across the country, with the only difference being the lack of women present and the guys being too "friendly".

"Double scotch. I think I need it" I replied.

"So. Is he your boyfriend? Is Mr. Single becoming Mr. Married now?" asked William jokingly.

"Of course not!" I retorted, "you know me long enough to know that he is definitely NOT my type".

"Ok, was only checking. If you had said yes, I would have belted you one!" he replied.

"Oh yeah! do it to me baby!" I replied back laughing as I took a sip of my drink, which the barman had just brought us.

"Wow!" said William.

"What?" I asked.

"Look, at the end of the bar. That guy is gorgeous" replied William pointing to this cute guy standing at the far end of the bar alone.

"Yum!" I said "Totally fuckable!”

The guy was in his mid 20s, nearly 180 cm tall, blonde-brown hair and wearing a dark blue t-shirt. Pure model material and above all else, someone new. I had not seen him around Victoria Avenue and the venues before. As William and I stared at him, the guy looked up directly at us, and smiled.

I turned away towards William who was still staring at the guy.

"I'm in love! Oh there is a god out there!" I said.

William looked at me and burst out into laughter.

"What?!" I asked rather annoyingly.

"You! You are so adorable sometimes that if we weren't best of friends, I would marry you" replied William as he gently ruffled my already messy hair.

"Well don't just sit here, go and say hello to the guy" continued William.

"No. Not interested." I replied.

"Sorry? Not interested? Since when? The look on your face and the way you are discretely looking at him says to me you want him" said William.

"I am not looking at him!" I snapped back, a bit too forcefully to be convincing.

"Ok, so why are you looking at the mirrors behind the bar, which happen to catch his reflection? Hmm?" asked William "and looking at the way he is looking back, I think you might be in luck".

"Besides, he has left" I said, as I noticed him get up and walk way into the back part of the bar. "what time are the others arriving?"

“Oh later. We didn’t organise a time. But why don’t you go for a walk.”

“Where?”

“Oh I don’t know. Maybe to the back part of the bar. You never know” replied William.

“Later” I replied as I took another sip of my drink. DeLite’s Bar was starting to get packed with newcomers most of whom were in their 30s and over. I was getting into one of my rare moods where I wanted something – or someone – but had that feeling of being lost. I don’t know what brought these moods but I hated it, as I felt totally lost and alone, even with friends around me.

I looked around searching for something, my eyes scanning everyone there. A lot of familiar faces but nothing seemed to attract my attention, despite the fact that there were guys present who I would under other circumstances, make a beeline for in the hopes of picking up. I turned and looked at William, who was busy chatting to Corey the barman.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?” a voice from behind me asked. As I turned, I saw William turn to me and smiled.

“Nah you can have it,” I said as I turned to see who it was. My eyes looked straight into the guy’s and in a blink of an eye I realised who it was – the guy from the other side of the bar. I could have sworn my heart must have missed a beat or two. The guy was utterly gorgeous.

“Thanks. You don’t mind?” he asked.

“No not at all” I replied. I felt William gently jab me gently in the back, his subtle way of saying ‘don’t just sit there, talk to the guy’.

“I’m Jason by the way, and that’s my friend William” I said, pointing to William behind me.

“Hi, I’m Adam” he replied, sticking his hand out ready to shake my hand. I shook his hand and felt his firm grip, unusual for a gay guy.

“Haven’t seen you before. What brings you here?” I asked.

He looked straight at me, his deep blue eyes looked inquisitively at me, as if wondering why and what the next question would be. For a moment I gazed into his eyes, and then snapped back to reality.

“I am from out of town and here on holidays for about a month” he replied.

“Where you from? What do you do? Are you single? Just asking the gay 50,000 questions – just joking,” I said with smugness.

He smiled back and said, “I’m from Newport, am into advertising and single. Any more questions?”

“Yeah, one more. Do you want to have fun with a couple of gay guys that are pretty much regulars here? I mean, show you the sites and around the town?”

“Sure, why not. Don’t have any friends here anyway, so could be fun”.

I turned to William who at this stage was a gasp at my audacity at being so blunt and to the point. Knowing full well as to where I was heading, William shook his head in agreement.
“Great! So it’s all settled then” I said as I lifted my drink and took a sip "we'll show a side of this town you haven't seen before"

"I'm looking forward to it," replied Adam with a smile.

William looked at Corey, shook his head sideways and rolled his eyes. Corey simply smiled back. Both knew where this would end up and the only thing that Adam would see was the inside of Jason's bedroom.

"Ok. Ready to go?" I asked.

"Think I will pass Jason," replied William "promised the others I would wait for them here. You two go ahead and have fun".

"Ok. Come Adam, lets go," I replied "have to go home and change first, if that's okay with you".

"Sure" said Adam as he finished his drink.

Bidding the others goodbye, Adam and I walked out of DeLite's Bar and headed for home. The walk back was brisk and when we finally arrived, Frank had already left. A note on the kitchen table simply said "Gone to mum's for dinner. See you tonight".

Chapter 1: Charity Starts At Home

I woke up with a start as I felt a hand move over my chest, gently playing with my right nipple. I turned and looked straight into the eyes of a stranger lying next to me. My mind raced trying to remember the night before and who this guy was, my recollection fogged with the after effects of the alcohol.

"Good morning spunk" the stranger said.

"Hi" I replied hesitantly, still unable to remember who the guy was and where I had picked him up from. The last thing I could remember was Frank and I being at the local nightclub talking to some friends, with blurred visions on the dance floor later on. At 34, I had my fair of trade but rarely did I ever forget their name or where I picked them up. Most of the guys I picked up were in their mid-20s and on rare occasions, over 30. Yet this guy was at least as old as I was, if not older.

"I loved what you did to me last night. Care for another round?" said the stranger as his hand gently moved down my chest and stomach before resting on my groin. For a moment, I just lay there as the guy gently groped me, before placing my hand on the guy's and stopping his advances.

"Sorry love. Have to be at work in an hour. Can we rain check it for another time?" I said.
"But its Sunday, no one works on a Sunday".

"Well I do unfortunately" I replied as I rolled out of bed. "There's a pad and pen on your side. Jot down your number and will call you to organise another get-together later in the week".
Throwing on a robe, I walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on.

"Can you find your way out?" I called out.

"Yeah, no problem. Talk to you soon I hope." replied the guy "Call me, ok?"

"Promise" I replied as I watched the guy walk down the hallway and out the front door. I checked the door was locked, then turned the shower off and went to the kitchen for a quick coffee. Coffee in one hand and cigarettes in the other, I went out to the back yard to enjoy the morning sun.

"Hello. You are finally up I see".

"Morning Frank. You're up early or did you just get home" I replied.

"Nah. Got home at 4am, and alone before you ask" answered Frank "How was your trade?"

"Trade?" I replied innocently.

"Yes, your trade. The old guy you picked up last night at the Dragon,” said Frank "never thought I would see it, but the mighty Jason finally bedded someone older than himself".

"Oh him. He was ok and he wasn't that old actually" I replied defensively "he just had a hard week at work, that's all".

"Yeah right. Mark was 39 or don't you remember him showing you his drivers license when you told him he looked 50" replied Frank with a sneaky grin on his face.

I simply sipped my coffee and then lit the cigarette. So that was his name - Mark. I had no recollection of meeting him nor seeing his drivers license or making the age comment. But then most of last night was a huge blur.

"Can't wait to hear the rumours on the scene. Jason picked up an old guy,” laughed Frank.

"Oh shut up smart arse. Older men can be attractive to me as well" I retorted, a bit annoyed over the ribbing I was getting from Frank. It was a time like this that I wished my flat mate was actually closer to my age rather than 22.

"So you seeing him again?" asked Frank "You should you know. He must have been good because all I could hear during the night was you moaning and groaning, and asking him for more".

"I have had better" I replied rather annoyed, hoping somehow the subject would steer away from last night's trade.

"Was I that loud huh?"

"Uh huh. I think both our neighbours must have heard you" replied Frank "Mrs. Matheson from next door came over this morning to see if we were okay because she heard the noises and thought something was wrong. Told her you were in bed with an older guy and she thought I was lying, so I told her you were having an orgy".

"Yeah ok whatever. Do you want breakfast?" I replied trying to change the conversation.

"What you making?"

"Usual, bacon and eggs. Want some?" I asked.

"Yes thanks. Four eggs if there's enough and toast" replied Frank "going to have a shower while you make brekkie".

With that Frank wondered off to the shower. I looked at him as he walked down to the bathroom and simply shook my head. I remembered the first time I had met Frank at the local pub a year ago, drunk as a skunk. I had seen him earlier in the night sitting at the bar alone. Through out that night I kept eyeing him out, marvelling at how a gorgeous young man could be alone. And yet I had made no effort to get to meet him until closing time, when I saw an older guy help him up and lead him to the toilets.

A few minutes later I walked into the men's toilets to see the old guy had Frank in the cubicle with his pants down trying to rape him. I remembered stepping into the cubicle, grabbing the older guy and pushing him out, yelling "leave my fucken boyfriend alone arsehole!" The guy ran out without an argument.

Looking at the kid, I had felt sorry for him, and with my partner of the time Ryan, took him home, showered him, and then put him into the spare room to sleep off the alcohol. Ryan and I broke up shortly after that, and Frank rented out the spare room from me. That was a year ago and since then the two of us had become close friends. Most of my friends believed that Frank and I actually were more than friends, despite our constant denial. Oh well, we had gone there a couple of times, but nothing eventuated. There was a time that I actually fell in love with Frank, but never told him, and sometimes deep down felt that my interest in him was still that of love rather than friendship.

But it was times like this when I wished I had never met Frank. Waking up with an older stranger and the ribbing I got this morning was going to be just the beginning of a long long day.
I was snapped out of my daydreaming by the loud music from the lounge. Frank had no conception of what a "decent hour" was to have music blaring out so loudly. Thankfully the neighbours were used to it and rarely did they complain.

"Turn the music down and come have breakfast bitch before it gets cold!" I yelled.

As I set the table Frank came in, dancing to the tune. He poured himself an orange juice, drunk it in one mouthful and then sat at the table.

"What have you got planned for the day?" I asked.

"Not much. Going to get some washing out of the way then probably catch a movie with Chris this afternoon" replied Frank.

"Oh. You are now talking to your ex?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Of course. Why shouldn't I?"

"Oh no reason" I replied, "Just the last time I mentioned his name, you nearly tore my head off, that's all".

"Whatever!" retorted Frank.

"Youth! Thank god you guys don't run the frigging country or it would be a mess" I responded.

"Why?" asked Frank

"Because you are such airheads it ain't funny. Two weeks ago Chris was your worst enemy because he cheated behind your back, and you wanted nothing to do with him" I replied "and now you are acting as if he is your best friend. Are you two getting back together again?"

"No!" replied Frank "For your information, Chris asked if I would go to the movies with him because he wanted to apologise for what he did. And as he is paying, well - it's a free movie. Besides I want to see how I will re-act by seeing him. It will be the first time in six months since I will be face to face with him you know".

"Ok. Well remember Chris can be manipulative" I replied "bet you anything he will ask you back to his place for coffee afterwards and will try to get you to bed".

"Yeah right, as if that's gonna happen"

"Want to place a bet on that?"

"I don't bet plus I don't take money from old guys that sleep with even older guys" responded Frank.

"As if you haven't slept with older guys" I retorted "and much much older guys than I have"

"No I haven't"

"Oh yes you have" I said with a grin on my face. "Or have you forgotten the 36 year old you brought home that night? He was FOURTEEN years older than you and fat too".

"He was NOT fat, just had love handles" responded Frank with a disapproving look.

"Yeah right. Love handles. Is that what you call them?" I chuckled "at least the oldest trade I have had was only five years older than me, and when one is in the early 30s, someone 39 is not that old. The guy you slept with could practically be your dad".

"Whatever" retorted Frank, and with that pushed his plate away and got up "I have things to do. You going to be home all day?"

"Yeah. Think going to make this my veg out day" I replied "after last night, I think I need a quiet day at home"

"Ok. Well I am going out to mum's and then might get back before going to the flicks with Chris" replied Frank as he headed for the door "otherwise see you tonight".

"Have fun" I said as he started cleaning up the kitchen table.

The morning flew as I cleaned up the house, before settling down for a quick bite to eat for lunch. I enjoyed the quiet times alone at home especially when the phone didn't ring or had unexpected visitors. Most people who knew me would describe me as a very down to earth person with few hang-ups. Not what one would call stunning in the looks department, my success in picking up was more for my attitude than anything else - and my ability to talk my way into and out of any situation. Many shook their heads in disbelief as I had on numerous occasions picked up guys that others had tried and failed. And yet in the last year since my break up with Ryan, I had refused to look or accept offers from other guys to get back into a relationship.

The sun was shining outside and for winter, it was a rather warm day. Grabbing the Sunday paper, I wondered outside onto the patio and relaxed. Lost in my own thoughts and the paper, it was minutes later that I finally heard the front door bell being ring. Walking down the hallway I made mental notes to water the indoor plants later. I opened the door, and there stood this young guy.

"Hi, I am collecting donations for the local orphanage" said the young guy who could not have been any older than 18 or 19. "Its to help buy a new refrigerator".

I looked at the guy who for his age was reasonably tall around 6 feet or 180cm, and a well-defined body. As I looked at him, the guy smiled holding out the charity tin.

"Um ... yeah sure. My wallet's inside, want to come in?" I asked.

"Thanks" replied the guy as he entered the house. He followed me to the kitchen and waited as I got my wallet out, retrieving a ten-dollar note.

"Nice place you have" said the guy "love the prints in the hallway. Are you a photographer?"

"No. A friend of mine took them" I replied "you into photography?"

"Nah but like those kind of photos. You know the semi nude ones. They bring out the best look in a person" he replied with a grin.

I didn't know whether it was my imagination or whether the guy had actually winked at me as I handed him the ten-dollar note. The young guy took it, momentarily holding it as his fingers touched mine before placing it in the tin.

"I'll give you a receipt for tax purposes. It's tax deductible" the young guy said.

"Oh no need for a receipt" I replied. I pondered for a second, and then turned to the guy.

"I have other photos you can look at if you like" I said " they are better ones than these but don't have them on the walls as some people find them ... um ... too graphic. Would you like to see them?"

"Sure! But do you mind if I have a glass of water first?" the guy said "have been walking up and down the street all morning and am a bit thirsty. If that's ok".

"Yeah no problem" I replied, as I poured him a cold glass of water. I watched the guy empty the glass in one long gulp, before handing it back to me and placing it on the sink.

"Come" I said to him.

"Oh by the way, I'm Jason" I added

"Jake" he replied as I led him down the hallway to my bedroom where my collection of nude photos were located. I opened one of the built-in wardrobes where my collection had been temporarily placed.

"These are my pride and joy, but a bit too graphic to be shown" I said as I pulled a number of large print photos out. All of them showed guys in different acts of sex. As Jake looked at them, I could see the excitement in his eyes as he flipped one by one, engrossed in my collection. Standing slightly behind him, I placed my right hand on his shoulder as I explained to him the background to each one.

"Want to see my all time favourite?" I asked.

"Yeah" he replied with excitement. I reached into the back of the wardrobe and pulled out a long cardboard cylinder. From within it, I removed the rolled print. Unrolling it, I showed Jake my favourite - a nude photo of my ex boyfriend Ryan and I having sex on beach.

"Wow! That's you!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, and that's my last partner - Ryan" I replied "it was taken by a friend of ours when we were on holidays in Rio a couple of years ago".

As Jake stared at the photo, I noticed his bulge between his legs. He was excited in more ways than one. My hand tightened its grip on his shoulder. Jake turned and looked at me. The lust in his eyes gave it all away.

"You know, I can easily imagine you in that photo instead of Ryan" I said, as I pulled him closer to me and begun to kiss him. Jake did not resist my advances and instead he returned my kiss. His arms wrapping around my shoulders and back, pulling me closer to him. I held him close as we kissed; my lips wondering to his chin and neck. I could feel his bulge throbbing against my body as I nibbled his neck, his eyes rolling up and an excited ecstatic sigh coming from deep within his lips. My hands slowly begun to undo his shirt, gently pushing it off his body before turning him and laying him on his back onto the bed.

I moved slowly down his neck to his well-defined six-pack body, nibbling his nipples. Long ago I had discovered that the most erotic parts of the male body were the neck, ears and nipples. My lips moved down to his stomach, gently nibbling his navel and sending shockwaves of pleasure up through his arched body, as my hands undid the buttons of his Levi jeans. Opening them, I pulled his Calvin Kline jocks down to reveal his throbbing cock. My mouth enveloped it as my hands gently gripped his wrists and held them down against the bed.

"Well, well, well" I heard a voice from behind me.

I looked up with a start. There in the doorway stood Frank, leaning against the door with his arms crossed over his chest and a big grin on his face.

"Just can't leave you alone for a minute now can I" he said "tststst, naughty Jason. And who pray is that?"

"Get the fuck out of here Frank" I growled angrily.

Jake by this stage had begun to do up his pants, surprised and shocked that a second person was now in the room. He turned and looked at Frank and then to me, before getting up.

"No need to get up dear. I am sure Jason has more 'exploring' to do with you - or on you, I
should say" said Frank as he winked at Jake, before leaving the room.

Jake looked at me and asked, "Who was that?"

"My pest of a flat mate!" I replied annoyingly. I looked at Jake and then leaned over and kissed him. However this time, Jake resisted my advances.

"Um, sorry. I don't feel comfortable with someone else in the house" he said as he gently pushed me away.

I looked at him and for a moment the thought of killing Frank crossed my mind. He had in a matter of seconds destroyed my opportunity of pleasure with this young guy.

"Ok, not a problem" I replied "I'll give you my number, come over sometime and we can continue where we left off if you like".

"Sure, would like that" he replied with a smile that made me melt. What was it with today's youth? Somehow they had acquired this innate ability to make others melt with simply a smile and twinkle in the eye.

I wrote my number down as Jake got dressed and we both left the bedroom. I led him to the front door, kissed him on the lips gently as a parting gesture.

"Hear from you soon?" I asked

"Yeah" he replied as he left. I watched him as he walked down the street, before closing the front door. I turned and headed towards the kitchen, my mind thinking of a thousand and one things that I could make Frank pay for his 'performance' earlier.

Frank was sitting in the kitchen munching on a slice of toast and sipping a coffee.

"So the twink has left?" he asked, "what were you doing, trying to un-do the 'mistake' you made last night?"

I looked at him trying to control my anger.

"If you EVER EVER do that again, I will bloody kill you,” I said angrily.

"Oh? Are you upset?" he asked with a mock shock on his face.

"Don't give me that attitude!"

"Well it’s not my fault" he replied, " you left your door wide open. If you did not want me to see anything, you should have closed the door. You know I have to go past your room to get to the kitchen".

"You could have easily have walked right past" I replied "but no, you had to come in and make your smart comments."

"Well, I had to see what he was like" he replied "I didn't want you going down on an old man again. And besides, he looked kind of cute. When is he coming over again?"

"When you are NOT here!" I replied as I walked off to the bathroom.

"Don't worry, I won't cut your trade" he said "but ... I am the better looking one out of us two. I won't be held responsible if your trade think I am a better catch."

"Fuck off!" I yelled back jokingly. That was one thing I never had to worry about Frank We both knew where we stood with our pick-ups, and neither would become involved in each other's trade. Although on several occasions my pick-ups had fallen for him, making our relationship uneasy at times. But never had he broken his word, even though he joked about stealing my trade.

"I thought you were going to the movies with Chris this afternoon" I said as I came out of the bathroom.

"Nah. He rung and had to re-schedule. Something about an urgent matter he had to attend to" replied Frank "We are going later this week".

"Ok" I replied, "as you have just ruined a great afternoon, I might go for a walk. I'll be back later"

"After trade are we?" he said smiling.

"Pfft seeya" I responded as I walked out the house, closing the door. Even though a smile crossed my face as I walked down the street, I hated it how he could read me so easily sometimes.

Introduction

It's A Gay Gay Life

novel in production [draft only]

It's A Gay Gay Life is the tale of two gay guys and their voracious appetite for sex, lust and their never ending search for love. It will have you in stitches over their antics, and in tears as they find Cupid is nothing more than an overworked libido.
The novel is a loosely based auto-biography of my closest friends and myself. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed living it.

James Bailey