Sunday, we go out as a couple, taking a drive out of the city. The weather is cold and Remi makes me dress in an extra layer. I hate the in-between weather, where it's cold enough to snow but it doesn't actually. I'm hoping we can get some snow this winter. Remi surprises me with a roadside diner. Despite the small building and the lack of cars out front, the atmosphere inside and the staff are all incredibly warm and the food is delicious. We go to a hobby shop and then a Farmer's market as well. Mother Nature is in full Fall swing with the changing leaves and brisk weather. The Farmer's market is selling hot cider that warms me up as we walk around.
On the drive back to his place, we talk about his work some more. He tells me more about the email that he got and Garrett, his friend I met at the club Friday night. They met two years ago at the club, found out they had much the same hobbies, and Garrett invited him to his place for a cookout and the rest is an ongoing history.
Hearing Remi talk about his friends and even the people he works with, I realize once again that I've shut myself out the last three years. I didn't keep up with the other Littles I used to hang out with with Paul. All of the guys I work with are at least six years younger than me and we don't have much of anything in common outside of our jobs. We have good working relationships, but that's it. It makes me miss being around people and I'm happy when Remi tells me that the Mommies and Daddies have already planned another get together.
It's nearing dinner time again when we get back to my place. Remi has stayed with me so often over the last month that he has clothes here already. Neither of us are really hungry when we get to my place so we settle on a small version of a charcuterie board and a glass of wine each.
Remi takes his own shower and then runs me a bath while I'm folding clothes I forgot I had put in the dryer on Friday morning. Wrinkled is an understatement for those shirts and I start the dryer again for a few minutes with the hope that it would help. I don't own an iron. By the time I have them folded or hanging in the closet, Remi calls out for me and I travel through the kitchen and dining area. The laundry room is tiny, but efficient, just off the backside of the kitchen.
He put bubbles in the water but there aren't any toys, which is okay for tonight. I let him undress me and wash my hair and body. It's quiet between us, but not awkward. It's sweet. I don't want this to end, ever. Remi starts draining the water but has me laying back in the tub while he jerks my cock slowly. It's sensual and my orgasm comes on slow but intense. He uses the showerhead to clean me off and then he redresses me and we get into the bed.
Now, my alarm is going off and I think about calling in to stay in bed with Remi a little longer. Remi, though, is already moving to get out of bed.
"Noooo," I grumble. "Come back."
"You're the one that has to get to work, Aussie." His hand brushes down the side of my face and I finally open my eyes. He's in nothing but a pair of loose boxers this morning. My eyes travel up further, to see his soft eyes and smile. "Come on, baby. Up, up."
The alarm is shut off as I sit up and rub my eyes. It's still dark outside. I don't mind the cold weather, but I hate having to drive to work when the sun hasn't even risen yet and I don't get off work until it's set.
"Austin?" Remi's voice is different, softer now. I look up at him and he's standing by the foot of the bed with his head slightly tilted. Concern is etched into his expression. "What's up?"
"I was just complaining in my head," I answer honestly. I move my legs over the side of the bed and stand up. Remi steps closer and I wrap my arms around him. He does the same. "I don't want to go to work today."
"You can do this," Remi whispers in my ear. His hands rub up and down my back.
"Sure, but I don't want to." I tilt my head back to look up at Remi. "And you have important work stuff this week and I won't be able to see you for days."
My phone dings before Remi can respond. I drop my arms from around him and move to check it. I don't get many texts or calls in general, but one this early can be only one thing.
Tyler
Hey, Austin. Sorry to do this last minute. I'm not feeling good and got an appt with my doc. I won't be coming in today.
I slump my shoulders at Tyler's text. It isn't unexpected. He was complaining about feeling unwell on Friday. I send him a quick 'feel better' text and then lookup at Remi.
"And just like that, I really don't want to go in. Mondays are one of our busiest days of the week and now we're down a person."
"You'll be okay," Remi says. "I'm sure people will understand. Plus, it's getting close to the holiday season. People tend to be nice this time of year, right?"
"Oh, Remi." I lay a hand on his chest and let my fingers scratch through the soft hair. I drop my eyes and openly ogle him for a minute. "You have no idea how people are with their coffees. At least it isn't Jason calling out. I'd have to make all the coffees this morning on top of the owner coming in."
"I'mputtinginmytwo weeks," Jason says.
I stare at him, not sure what to say. He has a folded letter in his hand and is holding it out to me. I can see the guilt in his face and I don't want him to feel like that. This is a job and he isn't contracted. I focus my attention on the letter and take it from him, not bothering to open it right now. It's been a long morning for all of us. The owner was in a mood when he came in, something about end of the year sales and needing to file the paperwork sooner than expected. With not having Tyler in, he was upset that I chose to be on the floor helping Amir and Jason instead of sitting in a meeting while the morning rush came through.
Once I was able to sit down with the owner, he let me know I put him behind schedule for the day by nearly an hour. I held my tongue from responding that he could help out as well, seeing as it is his business, but I didn't. I sat and listened to himtalk about needing the reports for the month a week earlier and that it wasn't in the budget this year to give out bonuses for the employees. The health inspector is also coming next week, on top of everything else.
In short, it was not a good meeting.
Now this.
"Is everything okay?" I ask, looking up at him. The office is a glorified closet and there isn't room for another chair or I'd ask him to sit so we can talk. The shop is closed already so I know we can take a moment.
"Yeah, yeah." He folds his hands over his chest and nods. "I just—"
"You don't have to explain it to me," I say. "It's not my place to need to know. I appreciate the notice, though."
"I know I don't have to." Jason shifts his weight and looks right at me. "I just want you to know it's not because of you or this job specifically. You're, like, one of the best managers I've worked for. I just got accepted into a program and I'm going to be moving away first of the year."
