KnotMyProblem: when are you seeing himagain?
TeenDad2: It’s so frickin romantic that you’re dating again after so long spent doing your own thing. Are you having a good time? I’m so happy foryou!
Laurence laughed. He sank back onto the couch, resting his head against its plush arm. His knees were tented, his toes buried into the space between the couch cushions. After the night he’d spent with Alex, he couldn’t wind down. Everything in his life was coming together in the best possible way, and tonight’s date had confirmedit.
He couldn’t help but come home and share his joy with hisfriends.
Gwynning: I don’t know. I guess so. We haven’t talked about official titles... do people still do that? Do I need to ask him to be myboyfriend?
LoveHarley: Yes, absolutely. How else is he going to know you want him if you don’t talk to him aboutit?
TeenDad2: I mean, most relationships these days kind of evolve naturally, but the fact that you’re not in a typical relationship might blur those rules a little. I’d definitely make sure he knows you’re interested. He might be involved for the wrong reasons, you know? You don’t want to get your wirescrossed.
It was sound advice, even if Laurence didn’t want to hear it. As high as he was off everything that had happened today, he didn’t want to be reminded that Alex might only be interested in him for sex. Laurence’s heart was already invested. The way Alex made him feel was something he hadn’t found with anyone else, and he wanted to keep that feeling close. The thought that Alex might not feel the same way botheredhim.
Gwynning: When we parted ways tonight, he agreed to go on another date with me,though
KnotMyProblem: but you did say that he’s kinky, right? If you’re getting down and dirty every time you see him, maybe he’s just assuming it’s a hookup. You should be clear about what youwant.
LoveHarley: Maybe it’s just because I’m AFK for days at a time, but have you ever told us about him, Laurence? I think we all know that he’s kinky, but we don’t know too much else. We might have better advice if we know what kind of guy heis.
TeenDad2: ohh, goodidea!
How much of what he knew was appropriate to share? Laurence had been deliberately vague about his interactions with Alex. The Single Dads were his friends, but his relationship with Alex was private, and disclosing its details felt like a breach oftrust.
He’d be as vague as possible. If the Single Dads knew generalities, it wouldn’t directly harmAlex.
Gwynning: Well, you guys know he’s younger than I am… significantly younger. He’s twenty-one.
KnotMyProblem: Holyshit,Gwynn. You dog. You’re finally speaking mylanguage
The response was meant to be a joke, but Laurence didn’t find it very funny. Alex was more than a number. He’d struggled long enough trying to justify their age gap and explain away his emotions, but there was no stopping his heart. It had bonded to Alex, and whether he liked it or not, it didn’t seem interested in movingon.
LoveHarley: okay, so, with an age gap like that, you’re going to want to make sure you spell things out crystal clear with Alexandwith Matthew. You said Matthew walked in on you,right?
Gwynning:Yes
LoveHarley: Then he already knows, and really, that’s the most difficult part. How has he been taking it so far? That’ll determine what you need to do goingforward.
Gwynning: He’s been taking it well. He’s grossed out, but what teen wouldn’t be grossed out by their parent datingsomeone?
TeenDad2: Okay, so, I’m your dream boy’s age, and here’s what Ithink…
TeenDad2: It’s really important that you make sure Matthew knows that whatever’s going on isn’t going on because your dream boy is so young. (That’s true, right? He came onto you, and you just felt it, right? It just kind ofhappened…)
TeenDad2: I have a friend who’s only been dating older men for the last few years, and he’s seen and done it all. If you want, I can try to get some advice from him, although he’s not really the best about keeping relationships. :( I think he likes the sex more than anything else. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, especially at our age, but sometimes I wish he’d settle down just for a little so he could see how nice it is to have apartner.
KnotMyProblem: … TD, aren’t you like… you’re practically a dating virgin, aren’t you? You’ve never even had a boyfriend. How would youknow?
TeenDad2: My case isspecial.
LoveHarley: You are wonderfully special, TD. I agree with what yousaid
TeenDad2: Thank you,Harley.
KnotMyProblem: So what else have you got going on, Gwynn? You’ve got a boy who’s into kinky shit and your son walked in on you fucking. What else do we need to know to give youadvice?
Gwynning: I don’t know. He’s an artist, and he doesn’t work a traditional job. He’s independent and dominant. He has expensive tastes, or at least, he claims to. We haven’t managed to successfully go for dinner yet, so I can’ttell.
