Page 59 of Chasing After You

That sounded… really healthy. Like, emotionally stable and functional. Wow.

“That makes sense,” I said. “I guess I’m just starting to figure out what I want.”

“In terms of partners or relationships or what?”

I nodded, sipping the last of my drink. “Yeah… This is actually my first date with a man. Not that I’m experimenting or anything! I like guys! I just kinda ignored the fact I’m bi for most of my life.”

He smiled at me again gently. And for a second, I thought maybe this really could work. Maybe I could let myself like someone like Eli. He didn’t set my skin on fire, but he didn’t make me feel like I was being watched in the best and worst ways either.

“Hey, that’s fine. I must say I’m surprised, though. I know you mentioned not having a lot of experience sexually, but I didn’t think that meant you had no experience with guys at all. Like datewise. That’s okay. Like I said in our messages, we can take things slow. I really like you, Josh. I have a good feeling about you.”

I blushed. “Thank you. That’s been an insecurity of mine.”

“Everyone starts somewhere. It’s no big deal. I care more about other things, like how kind I can tell you are,” he said as his hand touched mine across the table.

“You seem nice, too,” I spluttered.

He chuckled, giving my hand a light squeeze before letting it go. “I would hope so.”

We talked a lot over the next hour, covering everything from where we went to school to our favorite streaming shows, and the new dog he’d just adopted.

As it grew later, a subtle shift in the air became noticeable. Couples made out and walked with their hands on each other’s lower backs.

Eli asked after returning from the bar with refills of our drinks, “I know you don’t have any hands-on experience, but what do you think you lean towards in terms of positions or roles in a relationship?”

“O-oh,” I rasped, flustered by the question.

He chuckled and clarified, “You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to. It was a bit too forward. Sorry about that.”

“Are you… What do you like?” I avoided his eye contact, instead focusing on my drink.

“I’m verse, but I like being the more dominant partner.”

My mind filtered through the terms I’d learned from porn. “That’s when you…” I blushed, lowering my voice. “That’s when you like to give and receive, right?”

Eli laughed, “Yes.”

“Oh…”

“You’re a lot cuter than I imagined. I like it,” he said, smiling.

He thought I was cute?

“T-thank you.” I blushed.

“I’m really enjoying our time together, Josh—”

I didn’t see Dorian walk in, but I felt it.

I turned toward the door, heart already sinking, and there he was. Black jacket, ripped pants. Messy hair, half-up, half-down. That expression that might’ve looked calm to anyone else, but made my stomach twist.

He walked straight to our table, all the while making eye contact with me.

Eli looked confused as Dorian stopped, looming over our table. “Uh… friend of yours, Josh?”

Dorian glared scathingly at him before turning his attention back towards me. “We’re leaving. Get up,” he ordered, his voice cold and serious.

“Excuse me?” I stood up, startled, embarrassed. “What are you doing here?” I turned and addressed Eli, “I am so sorry. This is my little brother. He’s supposed to be at home.”