Rupert jumped out of his seat. “That’s fucking ridiculous!”
“Is it?”
“You’ve fucked plenty of guys,” Rupert stated.
“Escorts that meant nothing to me. But Aiden was different, wasn’t he? Aiden meant something to me and that’s why you’ve been giving him shit since you two met,” I said. “I’m going to say this one time. Get over it. Aiden is in my life and he’s not going anywhere. If you really consider yourself my friend and care for my wellbeing—as you’ve said—then you’ll accept this. Are you in or out?”
“I’m in, but you’re making a huge fucking mistake,” Rupert said, then stormed out of the office, leaving me alone with an awestruck Barry. I was pissed at Rupert for his attitude toward Aiden; that was why I threw down the gauntlet. From now on, things were about to change and I needed to know who was going to be on my side.
“Are you okay, Barry?” I asked.
Barry blinked several times, then nodded. “I’m trying to get over the fact that Rupert hit on you. I suspected he had a serious attachment to you, but I thought it was because he saw you as one hell of a meal ticket. Didn’t know he wanted to fuck you. I wonder if his wife knows.”
I shrugged. “I’m sure she doesn’t. Look, if they send you another photo or letter demanding money, you can tell them I said to ‘suck my dick, they ain’t getting shit’. Dumb asshole didn’t even put any contact info in the letter.” I stood up, adjusting my sweats.
Barry looked up at me and nodded. “I’m proud of you, kid. I’m worried for you, but I’m also proud too.”
“Thanks, Barry.” I smiled because I had never felt so free in my life. I was about to finally be me and I couldn’t wait to share this moment with Aiden. Of course, he was out of town at the moment, but he’d be back tomorrow and back at work, writing up a story. I left Barry’s gym, went home and tried to sleep, but couldn’t… I was so excited. Finally, I had to take a pill in order to get some rest and I woke up around ten in the morning. I got up quickly, packed a bag, and called Barry to let him know I was taking a short break. He didn’t argue because he knew it would have been futile. I was going to see my man.
I made my travel arrangements, got to the airport, signed some fan autographs and boarded my plane, first class. A few hours later, I was in L.A. I rented a car, putting my bag in the back. I didn’t bother to get a hotel room. I was going to stay at Aiden’s. I drove to Ringside Magazine’s building, parked, then walked inside. My body was buzzing with more energy than when I headed into the ring. I was inside the belly of a media beast about to take my man out for a surprise dinner.
I walked up to the front desk and the girl behind the counter grinned at me. “Wow, I can’t believe it’s actually you.”
I smiled. “In the flesh. Listen, I’m here to see one of your staff members, but I don’t want him to know it’s me. Can you see if Aiden James is available?”
“Oh, okay… sure.” She dialed a number and waited. “Yes, hello Mr. James. You have a guest that would like to come up and see you. Is it okay if we send him up?” She paused as she awaited his reply. “Sure. Not a problem. Bye.” She hung up and looked at me. “He’s waiting. Oh, before you go, can I get your autograph?”
“My pleasure,” I said. I signed the piece of paper, took the visitor’s badge she gave me, then made my way to his floor, following her directions. The doors opened and I stepped off and looked around. The space was full of cubicles like a little maze. People were busy walking this way and that, some stopped when they noticed me walking through the aisles.
I had to ask one guy where Aiden’s desk was and he looked at me in shock, then pointed in the direction.
“Thank you,” I said, then made my way over to where my baby was working diligently. I could see his fingers flying over the keyboard as he typed away on his latest story. I stood over his shoulder and he didn’t even know I was there. This was going to be awesome. Boy, I was charged as hell to finally be coming out and on my Own. Fucking. Terms. “Hungry, baby?”
Iwas an exhausted mess when I arrived at work. Reuniting with Macio was the happiest day in my life, but it had taken me on an emotional rollercoaster full of twists and turns that left me feeling dizzy and disoriented worse than any buzz from alcohol.
I experienced the joys of being in his arms again, the fear that he would be ripped out of my life again, and the worry that our late-night talks were having a negative impact on his training. I hoped he was sleeping better than I was and that his dreams weren’t filled with uncertainty and doubt. During the day, I was sure of our love and that we’d have the life we both wanted, but that all disappeared the second I slipped into dreamland.
I hit the coffee hard and kept it coming all day long. I worked through lunch so I could leave early and start my mini vacation. Macio didn’t know it, but I took an extra day off so I could extend my stay with him and Caesar in Vegas. I existed on peanuts from the vending machine and an endless flow of coffee. As the afternoon wore on, the growling of my stomach was loud enough to garner looks and comments from my coworkers, but I just kept my mind on the prize – a long weekend with Macio.
The receptionist called up to let me know I had a visitor and I fought down my annoyance at the unexpected intrusion into my day. Didn’t this person know I had a hot stud to get to? I was so flustered that I didn’t even ask who it was, I just told her to send them on up. I hung up my phone and went back to typing my interview so I didn’t lose any more precious time.
“Hungry, baby?”
I sighed out loud because that voice did so many things to me. It warmed my heart, it turned me on, and it made me love stronger than I ever dreamed possible. I heard a warm chuckle and turned my head. Oh god, I had starved myself until I had become delirious. I wanted Macio so badly, my psyche imagined him standing in my cubicle looking at me like I was his next meal.
“Surprise.” A huge smile spread across Macio’s face when he saw the confused look on my face.
I jumped to my feet and threw my arms around his neck without even thinking about it. “Macio.”
“Hi, baby.” He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly in the middle of my office like he did when we were alone. “I missed you and decided I’d gone enough days without seeing you.”
Surely, I was dreaming. I just knew my alarm was going to go off at any minute and he’d be gone. I did the only thing I could think of to prove that Macio was real and in front of me. I pinched the skin at his waist and twisted, but not too hard in case I wasn’t delusional or dreaming.
Macio growled low, then said, “I’m going to make you pay for that later.”
“Promise?”
“I’m real – we’re real – and soon you won’t need to pinch me to know the truth,” he replied.
