A few more clicks, and the servers were loading. As soon as I entered the online world, I moved to my friend chat.
“Reg? Are you back already?” Zeke asked, beating me to typing.
“I am. Can we talk?”
Immediately, the voice interface loaded, and I heard Zeke through my headset. “Reg, you okay?”
I could hear his concern. “Yeah, but I need to talk. It’s been a wild night.”
“What happened? Did douche canoe finally let you leave early?” Zeke asked.
“It started like any typical day at work, with him yelling at me and ordering me around. I went to take out the trash, and four guys jumped me—”
“What! Are you okay? Do you need help? Did you call the cops? Tell me where you are, and I’ll come to you.”
“I’m okay. I was saved. A man came out of nowhere and tossed the men attacking me like rag dolls. Then he stood up to George for me. George nearly pissed himself and gave me the night and tomorrow night off with pay.”
“Holy shit, that’s awesome. Then what’s wrong? Did they hurt you?”
“I have a few scratches. I’m okay physically but confused mentally. Colin, the guy who saved me, walked me home, and well…he kissed me and other stuff.”
“Hot damn! Get you some, Reg. That’s awesome. So, is he there still? What’s got you confused?” Zeke asked.
“He’s gorgeous and way out of my league. I’m…. He doesn’t care that I’m… fat. All my life, I’ve been teased and bullied. It doesn’t feel real,” I said. I didn’t know why I admitted it to Zeke, but I prayed I didn’t lose a friend.
“Is that why you never wanted to meet and always changed the subject when I brought it up?” Zeke asked quietly.
I sighed. “Yes.”
“I don’t care, Reg. Hell, I can lose a few pounds. I like you …as a friend. You know I’m straight,” Zeke replied.
I laughed. “Yes, I know you’re straight. I didn’t want to lose you as a friend. You and the guys, you’re the only friends I have.”
“You’re not gonna lose me as a friend, bros until the end. Now, you didn’t answer my question. Is Colin still there?”
“No, he went to the store. We didn’t have condoms.” I said, mumbling the last word.
Zeke roared in laughter. “He’ll be back then, don’t worry,” he said, still chuckling.
“But what if he doesn’t? I mean, he could have anyone; he’s stunning, and I’m me.”
“What makes you think you’re not good enough for him? Did he say something?” Zeke asked, his voice turning hard.
Even though I knew Zeke couldn’t see me, I shook my head. “No. He called me beautiful and perfect and mo shoe. But I think that’s a term of endearment.”
Zeke howled with laughter, “Mo shoe? What?”
“He’s French, I think. He has an accent. I just tried looking it up but didn’t find anything.” I said.
“You know, Hansel lives in Belgium, and I know he speaks French. I can ask him,” Zeke said.
“No!” I shouted. “Please don’t. I don’t want anyone to know. Please.”
“Okay, I won’t say anything. How long do you think this guy, Colin, will be?” he asked.
I looked at the time on my computer screen. “I don’t know. I would’ve thought he’d be back already. He’s not coming back. He changed his mind; I know it.”
“Reg, you don’t know that. It could just be taking longer. He might have gotten tied up at the store.”
