Chapter 21 

 

Krace Masters, an orderly at the DMC, walked into the staff locker room after finishing his shift. He was a British ex-pat and extremely effeminate. He was also a very pretty man with a lithe physique. He was around six foot tall but he was so slim he looked a little shapeless. He had an excited look on his fair skinned, chiseled face and his green eyes were focused in thought, as he reached into his locker and pulled out his phone. His hair was a dyed yellow-blonde, cut sharp, neat and tight to the back and sides of the head but the top of it, which was longer, stood up straight with a spiked appearance, bathed in enough product to stop a willow from weeping. Krace was an extremely obvious and stereotypical, gay man. He turned on his phone and as soon as he had signal, he dialed his boyfriend’s number.

 

James Parsons, the wide receiver from Nick’s football team, sat in his office, his eyes scanning over a multitude of important and seemingly relentless documents. James was African-American, a very handsome, fit and strong man and had an extraordinary body. His dark hair had been shaved from his head but there was an obvious shadow that covered his scalp. He was one of those men whose skin color was creamy chocolate. All of his features in combination gave him a delicious appearance and made him very sexually desirable. He looked like a real man’s man and at work in his suit, which was imported from one of London’s most expensive tailors, he looked like he should be perusing with the upper class in Montenegro or seated at a whales table in a casino on the Mediterranean coast. His mobile phone rang and he picked it up.

 

James answered, trying not to sound too irritated by the interruption, “Hey sweet cheeks. What’s up?”

 

Krace asked, “Hey baby, how are you?”

 

“Yeah, good but really busy,” James said almost dismissively.

 

“Got it but I had to call because something happened,” Krace explained.

 

“Tell me,” James ordered.

 

“You know that guy on your team, the really big one you pointed out to me from a distance that day when we were driving through midtown; you know, the one you told me won the game for you guys on Saturday,” Krace said.

 

Clarifying, James questioned, “Dozer?”

 

“Yeah,” Krace confirmed.

 

Now clear on who Krace was referring to, James said, “Yeah, what about him?”

 

“Well I think that maybe the story you told me about the quarterbacks accusations could be true,” Krace said.

 

Disbelieving but curious, James asked, “Why?”

 

“Well, he was in the hospital earlier to pick up a patient and I didn’t need my gaydar to see they were closer than two straight men should be. I think Dozer is gay, not to mention over the top hot up close. You didn’t tell me he looked like that. Shit baby, I almost fainted and blew a load in my shorts,” Krace said innocently while chuckling.

 

“Hey,” James said, reacting jealously.

 

“No baby, it’s you and it’ll always be you. You know I can’t resist you and you’re the only man who can really satisfy me. It doesn’t hurt to look, though, does it? If I was into massive white men then there might be a problem but, well, I mean, you know what I mean,” Krace back peddled.

 

“Enough. Shit Krace, do you only stop long enough to exchange feet? You know there are reasons for the human brain and one of them is so you can think before you speak. Don’t you know how much I hate it when you talk about other guys like that? Sometimes you make me question why I even stay with you,” James said acrimoniously.

 

“Sorry, baby. Don’t be angry with me, you know I can be a bit of a dumb-arse at times,” Krace said dispiritedly.

 

“It’s just as well you’re good in bed, Krace. Anyway, I don’t know. Maybe Nick is like me?”

 

Krace asked, “Sorry, baby, who’s Nick?”

 

“Dozer. Dozer is Nick. Damn you can be inept at times. Anyway, maybe Nick is like me? Maybe he’s keeping his life a secret from the team? Maybe he’s gay but even so, I just can’t wrap my head around the idea of him doing what Jack Dawson said.”

 

Krace questioned hesitantly, knowing he was about to be rapped across the knuckles again, “Baby?”

 

“Fuck, Krace. The quarterback. Jack is the quarterback and Nick is Dozer,” James said with a raised and aggravated tone. “Is there any other detail I need to spell out for you? Man, you can be such an oblivious queen at times.”

 

“Sorry baby,” Krace said, not taking offence, preferring to assume James was just stressed from work.

 

“It’s okay,” James said regretfully though still irritably, while shaking his head; “I’ll explain everything more clearly when I get home tonight.”

 

“Okay baby, love you,” Krace said.

 

“Later,” James said and disconnected the call.

 

James threw his phone and it slid across his desk, his irritation with Krace slowly reducing as the seconds ticked by. He swiveled around on his office chair and looked out the window over the city. He felt guilty for the way he had spoken to Krace but he knew it stemmed from the comment about Dozer.

 

All of his regular friends considered James to be a prize catch. The word was he was good-looking, really hot, super smart and highly successful, all while remaining down-to-earth. The other word was that they did not understand what he was doing with Krace. They thought James could get any man he wanted and so a relatively uneducated guy who seemed to have nothing going for him other than a pretty face, made them question what James saw in him.

 

Thinking about what Krace had told him, he turned back and glanced at his phone on the desk. He instantly knew the person he needed to call. It was the one person he could always talk to openly. It was also the person who would know who and what he was talking about. He reached out and picked up his phone again, while knowing he needed to keep the call short.

 

Eric said, “Hello?”

 

“Hey Eric, it’s James.”

 

Eric replied, “My old pleasure machine, how are you?”

 

“I’m good, Eric. How are you?”

 

“Well, James, including today, I’ve got five days left of my leave and then it’s back to work but right now, buddy, let me tell you, this has been the best time off and I really needed it. It’s been so relaxing.”

 

“Half your luck, Eric. I think I could do with some time off too but I just can’t get away because I’m fucking swamped with work.”

 

“That’s the life of an office clerk,” Eric joked and then roared with laughter.

 

James shot back, “Fuck you, man. I’m the CEO of the Detroit office of a multi-national company. You still playing with wood?”

 

“Yeah. When I’m not on vacation, James, I’m out in the sun building houses and breathing in the fresh air. I don’t need to be a brother to have dark skin. Nature and my job do it for me. I’m not imprisoned behind brick and glass and breathing in fake air.”

 

“Fuck you, white dog,” James said.

 

Eric laughed and so did James. It was always the same whenever they talked. They got on like a house on fire and their banter was always playful and with nothing but respect for each other.

 

Eric asked, referring to James’ seriously hung equipment, “So what’s up, Donkey boy?”

 

“You want it, mutant white man, then beg for it,” James said.

 

“James, first up, I’m not a mutant and it isn’t only black men that are well hung. Secondly, I had sex with a white man the other night that can put you to shame. Finally, you know I’ll never beg but when you’re up for something mutual and time out from Krace, let me know and we’ll set something up.”

 

“I’ll keep it in mind, Eric. Krace can be the proverbial pain in the ass at times but he’s a good one, deep down.”

 

“Yeah, I know he is,” Eric replied.

 

James said, “He treats me like I’m king of the world, you know?”

 

“Yeah, I know and every king needs his queen to give him an heir,” Eric said and snorted with great amusement.

 

“Eric, you’re an ass, you do know that, don’t you?”

 

“An ass that you seem to enjoy filling, James.”

 

“Pennies for the poor,” James replied.

 

“I have multiple accounts that show great interest, James.”

 

James said, “Speaking of, who was the shaming white man?”

 

“Who he is isn’t for publication but I can tell you he’s gay and if I wasn’t crazy about Michelle, I might think about crossing over to your side more permanently.”

 

“Sweet Jesus, he must be something special,” James replied.

 

“He is, James. I mean there’s something about him and then there’s what he did for me in bed. I mean you’re good James but he’s way better.”

 

“You keep deluding yourself, Eric. Anyway, we real workers can’t talk all day, so I should get down to business and explain the reason for this call. You know how Jack Dawson made accusations about Nick Rawlins?”

 

Eric was stunned that James was unknowingly talking about Nick as well but he maintained his tone of voice and said, “Yeah.”

 

“Well like you, I still find it difficult to believe but I just got a call from Krace at the DMC and he said that Dozer was in there this morning. Apparently he was there to pick up a patient, a guy who was being discharged. Krace suggested there was more between them than met the eye and I have to say that when it comes to his instincts about men, I trust Krace unreservedly. I know it doesn’t mean what Dawson said about Dozer is true but it does mean there’s a chance that Dozer is gay or maybe he is one of your indecisive lot,” James said and burst into laughter. He waited for Eric’s usual swift comeback about his bisexuality but instead he was confronted by silence.

 

Eric knew he should just mind his own business and say nothing. He also believed he could trust James implicitly and so he was in two minds about whether he should tell him a limited amount of information and just get him completely on side for Nick.

 

“Eric?”

 

“Yeah,” Eric replied.

 

“Spit it out. Eric, I can hear your brain thumping like a jackhammer on one of your building sites. Your silent thoughts are deafening.”

 

Eric sighed because he wanted to be loyal to Nick but then he thought that ironically that would be exactly what he would be doing. He told James what he was about to tell him was in strict confidence and James agreed. Eric told him Nick was gay but that only a few people knew. He told him he had spoken to Nick and then he gave James a brief run down about what had happened and what Jack had done. Eric shaved the story as best he could to keep it short and to the point.

 

James asked, “No shit, man?”

 

“No shit, James. Can you believe that prick?”

 

“What a fucking asshole is Dawson? Someone needs to rearrange his face. In my opinion, harsh words wouldn’t cut it,” James said.

 

“Look James, just keep it all to yourself for the time being. When Nick is ready to do something about it, then I’m going to be standing there right by his side. I would think most of the team would too, although I don’t know what the ratio is regarding pro or anti-gay but I still think most guys would be like you and I and would choose Nick over Jack every day of the year.”

 

“Yeah, I’d have to say I agree with you, Eric. He’s definitely got my vote and not just because he’s gay.”

 

“Yeah, I thought you’d think the same as me, James. Let’s face it, Jack is an ass and as for Nick, well, he’s a truly nice guy. Only a homophobe would choose Jack over Nick.”

 

“Well, you’d think so but speaking of Nick, it sort of makes me not too happy with myself. If a guy like Nick is coming out while I’m still sort of in the closet, it doesn’t say a great deal for me,” James said.

 

Even though James was out to his family and friends, he was not out at work or to the guys on the football team. He had worked long and very hard to achieve his position in the company and he did not want anything to threaten his achievement. As for the team, he thought it was risky to come out to a bunch of straight men and he thought it was unnecessary. The only real problem with it was that Krace was under strict instructions to stay away from his work and also from the games. Krace was accommodating because he loved James and would do anything for him.

 

“James, we’ve had this conversation before and now Nick is proof. Coming out to the guys on the team isn’t necessarily a smart thing to do. I wouldn’t worry too much about that side of things for now. Apart from anything, if you’d just be patient, if and when Nick comes out you’ll see the reaction from the team and that will give you an idea of what sort of reaction you’d be looking at. As far as I’m concerned, though, the only real issue for you is that you’re a CEO. In high corporate, I think you’d be far better off if you stay in the closet. You’ve got a fantastic job, you’re making shit loads of money and you’ve got a great life. Why would you want to jeopardize losing what you have, all for the sake of letting people who don’t need to know, know? You don’t need to come out to every single person on the planet and let’s face it; the only ones who matter and need to know, are only the ones who matter.”

 

“Sometimes you say the damnedest and most extraordinary and unexpected things, Eric.”

 

“Well, I know it’s sort of a play on words but I still think it’s true. I think this whole attitude that you have to hold up signs and shout out to the world that you’re gay, is absolute crap. People who say that if you’re not an open book somehow means you don’t accept yourself; well, it’s pure bullshit in my opinion. Integrity, self-acceptance and self-love are not found in political perspectives. Why does everyone need to know who we choose to fuck and love? As long as we’re true to ourselves inside, I think that’s all that matters. James, you’re out and proud to the people that matter to you the most. Stop listening to the gay fanatics and know that it’s okay. Fuck man, the next thing you know they’ll be expecting all of us to take out adds in the worldwide press, proclaiming to all seven billion people on the planet who we are in the bedroom, so to speak. If straight people don’t have to admit to being heterosexual then why should we have to herald being gay or bi?”

 

“Sometimes you’re not just a dick, Eric.”

 

“Fuck you, James.”

 

Oh shit, I’ve got to take this call from Spain. Let me know whatever’s going down, Eric.”

 

“Will do,” Eric replied.

 

“Got to go, man. Later,” James said.

 

“Sure, bye.”

 

Eric put the phone down and walked into the kitchen. Once again he had been lying in the sun on the back deck in his briefs. His tan by this point was so dark he could have almost been mistaken for a man from the subcontinent. Whatever his color was, as usual he looked absolutely stunning but as he poured himself a glass of water, he began talking to himself out loud.

 

“If Krace was right, maybe something has changed and maybe Nick was with Billy? Then again, maybe something happened at work and Nick had to take a colleague to the hospital? Hang on, what if none of the above is true? What if Krace got it really wrong and Nick was hurt and was the one being discharged from hospital? I wonder if Nick is okay?”

 

Eric’s mind began to run riot as he wondered about the wellbeing of his new friend and the man he loved. He thought about how Nick was always alone and he wondered if Nick needed him. Eric felt his heart rate lift with concern. Without a second thought, he put down the glass, went to his bedroom and threw on some light clothing. He did not even stop to think and rationalize what he was about to do. It would have been easier to call Nick and find out if he was okay or if he was at work but Eric just thought he had to see Nick. He picked up his keys and wallet and then a moment later he was rushing out of the house to drive to Nick’s home.

 

To be continued...