“Are you talking about our neighbor Edward?”
I shrug, suddenly feeling dumb for not asking the guy’s name. “I guess. The house right there.” I nod toward the window at the partial view of a small Craftsman-style home.
Cole and David exchange glances. David snickers. “You know that guy’s gay, right?”
Something stirs deep inside me. “No, um... I didn’t. But who cares? A job’s a job.”
“Yeah, well be careful over there. He’ll probably offer you a different kind of job.”
I shake my head. “You guys are being stupid. It’s none of our business. All I’m doing is feeding his cat and watering the plants.”
“Alright, whatever, man,” David concedes. “Just don’t bend over in front of him. He might pop your butt cherry.”
I feel my cock start to plump. Something is definitely going on with me today. Maybe I’m still worked up about the dream I had.
“I’ll be back soon,” I say, ignoring their jokes. “I just got the new Switch Pro controller if you want to play Mario Kart with me.”
“Sorry, can’t,” Cole says. “While you’re over there hanging out with that old homo we’re meeting up with some friends for lunch. And then tonight we’re going to a big summer bash. You should join us.”
I shake my head. “Maybe another time. You guys have fun.”
As I head out the back door to cut through our yard, my heart races. Suddenly I’m nervous. I don’t know why. Who cares if our neighbor is into dudes? It’s not like I’m gay.
CHAPTER 2
The front door swings open before I knock, sending cool air against my face. “Come in,” Edward says.
“Nice place,” I say, checking out the entryway foyer. The walls are painted a warm brown tone with a finish that resembles aged leather. As I step inside, my nose is filled with something fresh and spicy. “God, it smells good in here. Is that air freshener?”
“No, it’s my cologne.” A smile spreads on my neighbor’s face. “Probably smells a lot different over here than in your frat house.”
“Stale beer and sweaty jockstraps,” I agree with a nod.
Edward shrugs his round shoulder. “Jockstraps aren’t so bad,” he says with a curl in his lip.
I laugh nervously, uncertain why I’m feeling a strange tingle in my stomach. “I guess not.”
The house feels so refreshing. It’s nice to be in a place with real air conditioning to wick away the humid summer heat from my skin.
My eyes are drawn to a large framed painting on display above a half-moon shaped console table. I move closer to examine it.
“Are you a fan of George Quaintance’s work?” Edward asks.
The art features two men with glistening muscles, facing one another beside a pool. On the left is a man who’s nearly nude. His dense thatch of black pubic hair plays peek-a-boo behind his towel, offering only a hint of what’s hidden beneath. Beside him is a blond, also nude, turned inward. The blond seems to be revealing himself, but I, the voyeuristic audience, am left with only my imagination.
I suddenly realize Edward asked me a question and it’s taken me waaay too long to respond. My cheeks flush hot. “Are these guys gay?” I ask.
There’s a glimmer in Edward’s eyes. “Does it matter?”
Everything the man says is a mystery. He hints at something dirty, something secret, but he never comes out with it.
“No.” I shake my head. “Just curious.”
“Nothing wrong with curious.” Edward flashes me another sly grin. “Anyway, I was saying George Quaintance is the artist. The piece is called ‘Spartan Soldiers Bathing.’ Now if you don’t mind, I really do need to get going.”
“Oh, right.” I chuckle and run my hand across the back of my neck. “So, where’s your cat?”
“Hiding. You probably won’t see him.” Edward nods toward the main living area. I follow behind him, sneaking a quick peek at the furniture. Everything is decorated in dark earth tones and silver accents. His sleek couch is brown leather, probably real leather, I imagine. His home feels so masculine and mature, refined.