Chapter Eight
After meeting Drew and going to 54 Below, it took forever for date night to arrive. Ty hung out with me every night, though, and while he didn’t consider these official dates, I felt romanced. He refused to let me take the subway home so we’d go to Brooklyn in his car, sample the cuisines of my neighborhood and talk for hours.
Sometimes he’d get recognized and he was always gracious. That said a lot about him because I’d seen my share of celebs getting upset if fans bothered them on the street. Even the one time he asked a couple to let us finish our dessert before he took photos with them, it was graceful and the couple seemed to understand completely.
On Saturday, I arrived at Ty’s door promptly at six. He was staying in a fancy glass building on Fifty-Fourth Street. I hadn’t been here yet, and it was cool to get this glimpse of his life. It was far different from mine, for sure.
“Hey,” he said, as the elevator opened into his apartment. He greeted me with a kiss as I stepped out. “Welcome to my little glass box.”
I chuckled. That’s exactly what it was. From where I stood, there was glass on three walls with only the kitchen having a solid wall. I wasn’t sure where the bedroom was—maybe on the other side of the elevator. Unless this was a studio and Ty was sleeping on the couch, which didn’t seem quite right. The furniture was modern with a lot of glass and stainless steel. The word that sprang to mind was sterile.
“That’s one way to describe it. But it’s nice, right?”
“It’s okay. I can’t wait for the show to open so I’ll have time to find a place. This belongs to one of the producers. Technically, I can stay here for as long as the show runs, but it’s a little much. I feel like I’m leaving fingerprints everywhere.”
“It could be worse. You could have the shoebox I live in.”
“Yours feels cozy, though. I don’t think this place could ever feel that way, not without a thorough makeover and lots of curtains.” He grabbed his jacket. “Anyway, enough about my housing. I shouldn’t be complaining. It’s a nice, clean place, and I’ve lived in my share of New York hovels. Shall we?”
He pushed the button and the elevator opened immediately.
“Where do you want to live?” I asked as we rode down.
“I don’t know. Brooklyn, maybe. Suburbs, maybe, if it was along a train line. I told a bunch of stuff to a realtor, so that once we’re open I’ll have places to look at.”
“Nice. I hate moving, but I always like looking at places. It’s kinda fun.”
“Wanna come with and help me find a good place?”
“Sure.” I hoped I didn’t sound too enthusiastic. “You’re looking for cozy without a ton of glass.”
“Exactly, and, please, some character that doesn’t make it feel like a clean room.” He stopped us as we stepped out on the sidewalk. “I didn’t call the car. Is it okay if we subway?”
“Of course. That and my bike are my usual transportation.”
“Cool. I feel weird always getting around in a town car, especially if it’s for personal stuff. It’s one thing back and forth to work, but, much like this place—” he gestured back at the building. “—it’s not quite me.”
“You didn’t have perks on CyberClear?” We headed east toward the subway.
“I had a parking space at the studio, but I didn’t have a driver unless we were on location, and then they were moving all of us around in vans.”
I looked at Ty and smiled. He gave me what I referred to as his quirky smile. It was mostly on his right side and was absolutely adorable. I’d never seen him use it with anyone but me, and I liked it.
“What?” he asked.
“I’d always hoped you were down-to-earth, and you just keep showing that side more and more. You’re beyond just nice and it’s more than just show. You really are a simple guy.”
“My parents would slap me upside the head if they ever read that I was being a dick. They were none too pleased when I moved and gave things a go in the big, bad city. They hoped I’d maybe teach drama locally, but I wanted to see if I could hold my own and make a career of performing.”
“You’ve done pretty well for yourself.”
He nodded as we descended the subway stairs. “Yeah, I get to make a living at it. I’ve been able to pay off my parents’ house and stuff. And when I go home, I drop in at my high school and teach a few classes so they like that too. What about your parents?”
“They take great pleasure in letting their friends know that I’m on Broadway.” We swiped our MetroCards and caught the downtown train that had just arrived in the station. “They have a hard time understanding why I switched shows like I did, but it’s what I wanted.”
“My parents haven’t questioned my choice of roles, but my agent does. He’s not happy I opted for theater over another series or maybe a film.”
We zipped down the 1 line and switched to the N at Times Square. He got some looks of recognition, but no one approached. We chatted our way down to Twenty-Third Street, where we walked the rest of the way to Duke’s.
Time flew by as we ate some delicious Southern-style comfort food. I had no idea this was available, and it was dangerous this place was now on my radar because it was so good.
“I’m going to have to work out all day tomorrow to even begin to make up for this dinner.” I didn’t care, though, because the meal was stupendous. Ty started us off with barbecue french fries, and then I dug into Miss Dixie’s buttermilk fried chicken because there was no way I could ignore chicken that sounded like someone’s grandma was making it.
“I’ve seen how careful you eat, and I think you can afford to let go one night.” Ty winked at me before taking another bite of his shrimp and grits. “Besides, it’s chicken, so you’re having good protein, and hey, I’m having seafood, also good protein. And look, there’s even spinach.” He gathered some spinach on his fork and held it up before he ate it.
I laughed. “Oooh, gimme some. I need greens.” I reached over and speared some spinach, which was slathered in grits. “That’s good.” I took a moment to savor the cheesy grits alongside the tasty, leafy green.
“May I?” His fork was poised in midair.
“Of course.” I pushed my plate toward him.
He first went for the juicy, tender chicken and then added some mashed potatoes to it, making what looked to be a perfect bite. “I’m going to have to get that sometime. I always go with shrimp and grits because it reminds me of home, but that was tasty.”
Once we finished up dinner, we hopped into a cab for the crosstown trip to bowl at Chelsea Piers. He interlaced his fingers with mine during the trip and I loved it. It felt like such a date thing to do.
Bowlmor was bustling as expected, but Ty had made reservations so we had a lane waiting. It was a good one, too, next to a wall, so we didn’t have bowlers on both sides. It was a fun, goofy time as we bowled pretty badly—neither of us cracked one-eighty—and occasionally danced to the soundtrack that thumped through the dimly lit lanes. The silly fun had us laughing and left me vibrating with excitement. There was no doubt I was falling hard for this man.
After the bowling, and a quick check of Twitter to find where our dessert was, we were in a cab to the waffle truck, which was parked at one of its usual hangouts near Cooper Union. We studied the menu for quite some time before Ty finally spoke.
“So what’s it going to be?”
“It’s tough because they’ve got the Chili con Corne waffle and I haven’t had one of those in a while, but I’d already been thinking about getting the Throwdown because it’s my favorite. And this is supposed to be dessert, after all.”
“Chili? On a waffle?”
“Absolutely,” said the guy manning the truck as he finished up with another customer and focused on us. “It’s outstanding.”
“We could split them.” Ty looked to me.
“Why not? We already ate off each other’s plates at dinner. And it’ll be the best of both worlds. I’m in.” I turned to the waffle maker. “Let’s do it. One of each, plus a diet Coke and a hot chocolate.”
“Comin’ up,” he said as he got to work on the order.
“Soda and hot chocolate?” Ty looked confused.
“I know. Weird. But hot chocolate doesn’t go with the chili and sour cream so you need the soda and you can’t do a Throwdown and that Spekuloos spread without the hot chocolate. We’ll have to split the beverages like the waffles.”
“Fair enough. I have to admit, I’ve only had the dessert waffles, and never the hot chocolate.”
“Oh man, you’re in for a treat. In the winter there’s times I stop just for the hot chocolate because it’s the best.”
Once the food was ready, we found a bench nearby and sat down, each holding a waffle and a beverage.
“Eat half and then trade?” I asked.
“That works.” Ty passed the chili waffle he held under his nose. “This smells amazing. How have I never had this?” He went in with the fork and ended up with a huge bite. “I may not be able to give this to you,” he said after he swallowed. “The waffle and chili are perfect together.”
I nodded, smiling. He had chili on his bottom lip, and I grabbed one of the napkins to clean him up. “Just make sure you’re eating the chili, not wearing it. It’s a messy one.”
He laughed and then suddenly leaned over for a quick kiss. “What if I put chili on your lips to lick off?”
I swooned and enjoyed our first public kiss. Ty’s kisses always sent waves of happy through me, but out here it told the world we were two guys on a date.
“If we’re going to do that, we should probably be indoors because I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to stay G-rated for an outdoor audience, even a New York one.”
“This is a side of Jeremy Steele I haven’t seen before.” Ty’s look subtly changed, and it was obvious I’d pushed a button because he looked like he might take me where we sat.
“Maybe you bring that out.” I took a bite of waffle, trying to play it cool. “You, me, a chili tasting.”
He burst out laughing and I couldn’t hold back from joining in.
“Hey, with that smoldering look you just gave me,” I said, “I’d pretty much let you do whatever.”
“I can’t decide if you’re a tease or starting some foreplay.”
“Maybe a little of both.” The fire in Ty’s eyes focused on me and I swallowed hard before moving us back into safer date territory. “You should eat that before it gets cold.”
We ate and stole glances at each other, which usually resulted in smiles or winks or both. It didn’t take long before we swapped the waffles.
“I may have to come back tomorrow for another.” The chili waffle tasted incredible. Not only was the chili outstanding, but the sweet waffle was also good.
“Lunch, maybe?”
“Is that an invitation?”
“Yeah. And a roundabout way to ask if you want to stay the night.”
My body quaked at the question. Staying the night. I’d hoped the date might end that way, but I’d tried to keep my expectations in check since neither of us wanted to move too fast. It’d been a great week, and I was ready to know Ty on that level. It thrilled me he made the move. We’d had some scorching make out sessions and I was more than willing to progress to something that would involve getting out of our clothes.
“I’d like that.” The quietness in my voice surprised me. Was I scared or simply treating it with the reverence it deserved?
He nodded and turned on that quirky smile to full tilt. I could’ve melted into the pavement with happiness.
“Let’s finish up and head back,” he said.
We didn’t eat any faster, although it was difficult not to. I hadn’t been this thrilled, or jittery, about having sex with someone since my first time back in high school. I knew this was coming, but it was all I could do to not bounce off the proverbial walls since it was about to happen. I hoped these feelings were because Ty’s an incredible guy and not so much my celebrity crush. I guessed I’d know the answer to that soon.
“You do have curtains in the bedroom, right?” I asked on the subway ride back to his place. “We’re not putting on a show for the neighborhood, are we?”
“Tacky blinds, actually. We could leave them open if you’re into that. I’d be okay letting anyone see how good our date is going.”
“I’d prefer private. At least for now.” I grinned and raised an eyebrow. “Besides, how do you know it’s gonna be good? What if I fail this audition?”
He ran his eyes over me, cocked his head, and then looked more. I’d recognized this move from casting directors when they looked between a picture, a resume, and the person standing before them—as if something might not quite be right.
“I think you’ve already passed.” He took my hand in his.
“Completely the right thing to say.”
I bumped my leg in to his and he squeezed my hand. On the crowded bench of subway seats we’d scrunched ourselves into, it was the only movement possible. I wondered what the people on either side of us thought. We weren’t talking loudly, but I supposed it was possible some of the conversation could’ve seeped in past their earbuds.
In his apartment, Ty led me to the bedroom, which was as spartan as the living room. The bed sheets were tussled. The blinds were already down as well.
“Sorry,” he said, straightening the bed, “I wasn’t thinking.”
The bed was the only thing askew. Everything else was neat—no clothes on the floor, no towels lying about, no drawers open.
“Please. If I didn’t have to fold my bed up every day to create the living room, I wouldn’t make it either.”
“I love that about you. One more reason we get along great.”
He stepped up to me, leaving practically no space between us, and laid on me the most intense kiss I’d ever had. It was different than any kiss we’d shared so far. I couldn’t put words to what changed, but my body was all too aware as a tingly feeling radiated from my chest all the way out to my fingers and toes. My cock, which had been half-hard since dessert, became rock solid. We each shuddered as the softest moans escaped from us.
I took half a step back, just enough so I could grab the hem of his shirt and pull it up. He made it easy by putting his arms over his head. I dropped the shirt behind him and ran my hands over his chest, relishing in finally being able to enjoy his muscles as well as the hairiness.
“My turn,” he said after I’d had a few moments of enjoyment.
I presented slightly more challenge because I wore a shirt with buttons. He moved quickly through them, though, and pushed the shirt off my shoulders and down my arms.
“You should show yourself off more often. So lean, but so strong too. And this light covering of silky hair is so hot. Makes me look like a bear in comparison.”
“I love your look.” I felt his chest again. “Don’t you dare change a thing.”
“As you wish.”
I grabbed the belt he wore. “What I wish is to get you out of these pants and get a look at what I’ve only groped the past few days.”
Once I got rid of the belt and dealt with the button fly—and those barriers simply increased the anticipation—I dropped his jeans and underwear together, to show off his nicely proportioned endowment and sexy legs. He teetered a little and grabbed my shoulders for balance as he got out of his shoes before stepping out of the pants.
“A very nice looking mouthful you’ve got there.” I cupped his cock and balls.
Making some sexy, grunting noises, Ty undid my single button and zipper so he could push my pants down as I’d done with him. I was more graceful getting out of the shoes, and as soon as I was free of my jeans, he pulled me close so we were finally pressed together, naked.
“Yeah, I don’t think you’re going to be bad at this at all.”
He made the surprising move of picking me up just above the waist and taking me over to the bed. As he walked, I carefully wrapped my legs around him. I didn’t let go at the edge of the bed so he lowered us both down. Being moved so confidently and gently made me fall for him a little bit more.
It was good we’d made lunch plans because we hardly moved from the bed as we made out, got to know each other’s bodies intimately, slept, and then repeated well into the next day.
Next Friday: It's time for the curtain call as we arrive at the finale!
Fun fact: This date is made up of some of my favorite food in NYC. Duke's, located near Gramercy Park, was something I discovered during my first job in the city because it was near the office. The Southern-style food was delicious. I'm happy to see the restaurant is still there, although what Ty and Jeremy eat on the date isn't currently on the menu. I also had bowling outings at Bowlmor at Chelsea Piers—the disco bowling sessions were my favorite. Lastly, the waffle truck, known as Wafels & Dinges, is one of the best things ever. Now days they're easier to find because they've got storefronts, but back when I lived there I’d stalk the trucks on Twitter because sometimes you need a Throwdown and hot chocolate fix.
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