Chapter 3 No matter what Josh did, he couldn't get Lance's voice out of his head. His mind get playing back the two calls over and over in his head. The voice haunted his dreams as he slept and his thoughts when he was awake. By Tuesday, he had circles under his eyes cause everytime he closed his eyes to sleep, he would hear that low voice whispering in his ear. When Chris called that night to set up the time for their get together with his friend, he was ready to cancel, but he thought better of it. Maybe this guy, whoever he was, could take his mind off Lance. This guy was real. Lance was just a fantasy. A voice on the line that was there for him when he needed. Josh needed more than that. Maybe this guy that Chris was trying hook him up with was just what he needed. At least, he hoped he was because what he wanted was reality and not fantasy. By the time Wednesday night rolled around, he was excited. He hadn't even thought about Lance that day. Well, maybe he had, but not as much as he usually did. He was supposed to meet Chris at seven, so at six he walked into his apartment, so that he could change clothes. The place they were meeting at was casual, so he pulled out a pair of jeans and a blue long sleeved shirt. Running a brush through his growing hair, he smiled back at what he saw. The blue made his eyes stand out more. Picking up his keys and wallet, he left the room, and headed out the door. It took him just over fifteen minutes to walk to the bar. It was one he and Chris frequented, so the minute he walked in one of the waitresses pointed out Chris sitting near the back of the bar. He was sitting alone, so Josh made his way quickly over to him. "Hey, man. You're early for a change," Josh said as he sat on the bar stool clapping his friend on the back. "Yeah. Well, don't get used to it, Josh." The small brunette took a sip of his drink before looking towards Josh. "So what you been up to lately?" "Not much. Working." Josh reached out for the drink that was set in front of him the second he sat down. It was nice being known. Even if was just by your bartender. "Met anyone lately?" "Yeah... well, no, not really." Josh took another sip of his drink avoiding his friend's gaze. If he could he would kick himself. "Yeah or not really? Those are two different things, Josh." Josh sighed. Once something peeked his curiosity, Chris was relentless. "Just been talking to someone on the phone." Chris stared for a second before he burst out laughing. "You didn't?" Josh sighed again lowering his head to the bar. "Shut up, Chris." Chris laughed bouncing on his stool. "You called one of those..." Josh groaned. "Yeah. So what if I did?" "It's just funny, man. I was just shitting with you when I suggested it." "Yeah, I know." Josh took a sip of his drink. "So who is this guy you want me to meet?" "James. Real nice guy. Kind of quiet, but real smart. I met him at school." Now it was Josh's turn to laugh. "School? What are you going to school for now? Six months ago it was cooking. Last year karate." "Well, now it is acting." Josh burst out laughing waving towards the bartender for a fresh drink. "Well, doesn't that beat all, Chris. So, this guy is an actor." "He wants to be. Listen, you'll like him. Just trust me on that." Chris looked towards the front of the bar motioning his hand to someone at the door. "He's here." Josh turned to see a man walking towards them. His breath caught in his throat. He was absolutely gorgeous. His short spiky hair was tipped blonde, and even from this distance he could see the jade color of his eyes. The red shirt he was wearing showed off his defined chest and arms. Chris motioned toward the stranger as Josh cupped his hands over his mouth, checking for bad breath. Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine Chris would have hit the nail on the head. Satisfied his breath was only tinged with alcohol, he stood up. “Hey James,” Chris said happily, “Meet Josh.” Josh extended his hand, eager to feel if James did indeed hold the energy he hoped for. Hoping maybe this would be the one to cure his loneliness -- and discard the heated urges he fought to call Lance back night after night. “Nice to meet you,” James said, gripping Josh’s hand firmly. “Same here.” And there it was, a sharp tingle that fled over Josh’s palms. His blue eyes locked with James’ green ones, and suddenly he was lost. “I hear you’re an architect.” Josh nodded dumbly, pulling his hand back. “I am. And you act?” “Eh, I try.” James laughed and took a seat next to Josh, letting his eyes drift over him demurely. Chris wrapped his arms around the two of them. “I’ll be off now. My job is done.” He kissed Josh sloppily on the cheek and sauntered off into the sea of people. Josh resisted the urge to wipe the wetness from his face as he blushed. “Chris. He’s something else.” James laughed again, and Josh flinched. That laugh. It was *almost* familiar. Plush. Warm. It caused his gut to bend and his body to perk. The noise in the tiny bar was growing with each moment, loud voices and people eager to mingle. Josh fended off elbows from customers with a grumble, annoyed that they were seated at the bar. Anxious to drag James to a quiet corner and talk. Looking around, he saw no one place that wasn’t occupied by people trying to relax after a hard day’s work. James was looking around too, and Josh noticed the way his glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose. He was entranced by the way James moved, almost shyly. It intrigued him. The drinks slithered in his stomach, sending a delicious warmth throughout his body. Josh dabbed at his forehead with the back of his hand, wondering when it had gotten so hot inside the bar -- inside his body. Josh leaned in, his eyes dancing over the line of stubble that grazed over James’ jaw line -- adding an air of sexiness to an otherwise boyish face. As his lips moved closer to James’ ear, he caught the heady scent of cologne that mingled along the flesh so close. And Josh almost lost it. He nearly let his lips brush along James’ earlobe -- nearly let his teeth nibble and his tongue dart. “Jesus,” he whimpered, wobbling back. “What’s that?” James asked, an obvious shade of pink blushing along his cheeks. “I couldn’t hear you.” Josh gasped inwardly, his heart thudding dangerously inside him, his pants rubbing against the erection fighting to emerge. He turned away, embarrassed -- angry that he’d turned into an aggressive person. Blaming Lance with all his vibrator talk. “Fuck!” Josh muttered under his breath, lifting his hand for yet another drink, convinced he’d made a fool of himself in front of James. “Wanna go for a walk?” James stepped back as he asked, averting his gaze and Josh smiled because the guy was reserved. “Sure,” he nodded. “Cancel that drink,” he shouted, tossing a careless wave to the bartender before weaving through the patrons. Once outside, James took a deep breath, willing his nerves to go away. Wishing that a set up by Chris wasn’t so much pressure. Daring himself to fall for this blue eyed brown haired man before him -- despite the slightly drunken haze that flooded him. Sexy was still sexy, and James took another shaky breath as he stared down the nearly empty New York City street. “Where should we walk?” he asked. Josh shrugged. “Central Park?” James shuddered, not having been in the city quite long enough to dare wander there at night. Fearful of stories he’d heard shortly after arriving by Greyhound bus from Mississippi of muggings and stabbings. He ran his fingers through his blonde spikes and backed up a bit. “Yeah? The park at night?” “You’re not scared are you?” Josh didn’t mean to tease, to let his lips twitch at the sides, but to see a New Yorker scared of Central Park at eight o clock was slightly amusing to him. Still, he saw the immediate defense raise in those sea glass eyes, and he felt bad. Nudging James’ arm he started forward. “Come on. I’ll protect you.” James bit his lip, and pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. “I’m not scared,” he countered, jogging to catch up with Josh’s long strides. “I’m just not from here originally.” Josh stopped and turned. “No?” “Nope.” They fell into an easy stride with each other, walking the short distance to the park with mutual liking settling upon them, neither one ignoring the small jolts of attraction that sizzled between their bodies as they continued on. “Mississippi?” Josh chuckled as he pointed to a bench. “Wow. That’s some distance. From small town boy to big city actor. No wonder you were reluctant to come to the Park.” James rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “My momma sent me with some money and a bible.” He giggled at the revelation he’d offered to the man beside him, sure that this was not at all what a successful architect would be interested in. But James knew if nothing else, he was true to himself in his real life -- in the life he considered his truth. In the life he lead while the sun was up. Acting class. Being a volunteer at the local teen center. Singing in church on Sunday. That was what he never shied from -- his outer core. He would gladly let Josh in on that -- let him see every angle on that front. When the moon came over the Hudson River is where James stopped. And as Josh talked on and on about the history of Central Park, James turned his body slightly to pay attention. Inside his heart was thumping relentlessly, reminding him of what he was when darkness fell upon the city. Reminding him to be careful with Josh -- because for the first time since setting foot in New York, he’d met someone he imagined starting a relationship with. Reminding himself that when the sun was long gone, he turned into Lance -- not much more than sex on the line for lonely men. Chapter Two More Than Words Menu Chapter Four