Three Men in Chicago
Arriving at the gym, Jesse signed them in at the front desk. A very pretty young woman was on duty. She immediately sat up, put her shoulders back and smiled coyly.
“Hi Diana. This is Nick Warden. Just moved to town.”
“I do hope you'll consider taking a membership with us, Mr. Warden. I think you'll find we're a full service establishment.”
Jesse was sure she had emphasized the words 'full service' in a rather suggestive way. He looked at Nick, who smiled back at her, and said, equally suggestively, “I surely will give it every consideration.”
As they walked away from the counter toward the double doors to the men's lockers, Jesse whispered, “I think you just made her day.”
“Too bad she's gonna be disappointed,” Nick replied.
Another round of easy laughter followed their exchange.
The lockers for guests were in the next aisle over from Jesse's. Disappointed, he left Nick and proceeded to the members changing area. He changed quickly, hoping to get at least a glimpse of his new friend, but again, was disappointed as Nick rounded the corner just as he was pulling his tee over his head.
“Dang, you're fast,” Nick said, with a laugh.
“You, too,” Jesse returned. He couldn't help but notice how well Nick filled out his spaghetti strap tee and work out shorts.
He led the way to the main gym, stopping to pick up towels from Sam.
“Hey, Jess,” called the old man, “see you got yourself a new friend. 'Bout time.”
Jesse was embarrassed by the towel man's remark, but tried to pass it over. He knew Sam had never liked Denny. On more than one occasion the two of them had had words over seemingly insignificant issues.
“What's with him?” Nick queried.
“Nothin',” Jesse answered. “He's just a bit weird. He's gay and is in heaven with all the men he gets to ogle at this job.”
Nevertheless, Sam's comment had rattled him.
Leading the way, Jesse opened the doors to the small work out area. It was equipped with aerobic apparatus, resistance machines and free weight stations. The usual Saturday afternoon crush had begun; the clang of dumbbells, whirr of treadmills and blare of overhead televisions assaulted the ears.
“What's your usual?” Nick asked, over the noise.
“Usually do circuits with the machines: three, sometimes more. Denny says circuits are for sissies. He likes the macho free weights.”
“Well, I guess I'm a sissy then, cuz I like the circuit trainers, too.”
The two men each went to one of the circuit training machines. They punched in a workout code, desired resistance and began. Jesse kept a close, but covert, watch on his new friend as he worked the various muscle groups. He couldn't tell for sure, but he felt Nick might just be checking him out as well. After making three rounds of the machines, which each stressed one muscle group, they were both sweating and breathing deeply. Since they had already done their aerobics with their morning run, they headed for the locker room and showers.
Stripping off his work out clothes, Jesse donned a towel and walked around the end of the row of lockers. He was successful this time. Nick was just straightening up from picking up his clothes. He stood, totally naked, looked directly at Jesse and smiled. Jesse realized he had just taken a sharp intake of breath at the gorgeous male specimen standing unabashedly in front of him. He felt himself blush.
Nick picked up his towel, wrapped it around his waist and walked toward him, still smiling in that warm friendly manner of his.
“Glad you like what you see,” he said.
“Look. I … I don't want you to get the wrong idea… I think you look wonderful.”
Actually Jesse couldn't remember being so attracted to another man in all his life.
“But I have Denny and…”
“And I respect that.” Nick said. “But that doesn't mean we don't still have eyes and can't appreciate what we find good to look at. I think you are one hell of a man yourself. Come on let's take that shower and enjoy the view.”
In the shower, they talked and laughed. They also casually, but unashamedly checked each other out. Jesse noted that Nick was tall, blond and had the muscular build of an athlete with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His ass was smooth and rounded, his uncut dick, now at half staff, thick and long. His nuts were full and plump. He was completely hairless except for a patch of reddish blond hair around the base of his cock. Nick was in every way the opposite of Denny, who was short, very muscular and hairy. Jesse couldn't help making the mental comparison.
Shower finished, they headed for the dry sauna for a quick sweat. They sat quietly next to each other and let the deep heat of the sauna relax their muscles, tight from their workouts and morning run. It felt very good to be with Nick. Jesse was completely relaxed and happy.
Back to the shower for a quick rinse with cool water, and then to dress and head for home.
Nick parked his Honda in front of the townhouse. The men got out. Jesse got the bag of groceries, and his gym bag out of the car. They stood on the sidewalk facing each other.
“Hey, man, had a great time today,” Nick said.
“Yeah, me too.” Then, because for some reason he didn't want the day to end, Jesse added, “Come on over for a bit. We can have a beer while I get stuff ready for Denny's homecoming.”
“You sure? I don't want to be in the way.”
Then, on some unexplainable impulse Jesse put his gym bag down, reached up and put his hand around Nick's neck, pulling him close. “You're never gonna be in the way,” he said. Then realizing what he had just done and said, he dropped his hand and backed up.
“Okay, just let me get my smelly gym stuff in the washer and I'll be over.”
“Bring Clyde with you,” Jesse added, “He probably needs some company after being cooped up all day. I know Shel would like to see him.”
“Will do.”
Entering the house he was greeted by an enthusiastic Shelby, whose happy tail was wagging furiously. Leaving his gym bag in the hall, he put the bag of groceries on the counter and let her out. She wasted no time doing her business in the small back yard and returning to the house.
“You're gonna have some company while we wait for Daddy Denny to come home,” Jesse told her. She sat at his feet and stared intently into his eyes as if trying to comprehend the message she was being given.
Jesse ruffled her ears and went into the kitchen to unload the items he had purchased for dinner. While engaged in those activities, he found himself thinking of the day he had spent with Nick. Images of the fine body the man possessed, Snatches of laughter they had shared, the ease with which they had talked. Then suddenly he realized: I'm preparing an anniversary dinner for my boyfriend, and I'm obsessing on another guy.
He didn't have time to dwell on that thought, because he heard the front door open and the scratch of paws on the hardwood floor.
“Hey, we're here!” called Nick.
Jesse came around the corner from the kitchen to find Nick kneeling on the floor with two writhing animals. Both were trying their best to communicate their happiness at being together and being with this human. Jesse leaned, smiling, against the door frame and took in the sight: one that made him feel warm inside.
Nick untangled himself from the ecstatic canines and stood up. The dogs took off for the living room, where they began a game of wrestle and roll.
“Well, make yourself at home, Clyde, you old hound,” Nick called after them.
“You, too,” said Jesse warmly. “Come on in here while I get stuff started.”
They went into the kitchen.
“Here are those chew sticks I picked up for Shelby,” Nick said, handing Jesse the package.
“Thanks, I know she'll love um.” Jesse placed the package on the counter.
He got two beers from the fridge and handed one to Nick.
“To having great neighbors,” said Nick, holding his bottle up and toasting Jesse.
“To great neighbors,” Jesse repeated, tapping his brew against Nick's.
When Jesse had gotten the lasagna into the oven warming on low heat, and had made the salad and refrigerated it, they went out to the patio, set the table and put the champagne on ice. When it was finished, Nick stood back and said, “Well, the stage is set for a repeat performance.”
“Yeah, only with a different cast,” Jesse replied, once again finding himself experiencing strange feelings at making another comparison between Nick and Denny.
Jesse and Nick returned to the living room with two fresh brews. They sat on opposite ends of the couch facing each other. The dogs, tired out from their wrestling match, lay in a puppy pile on the floor between the men.
As they sat talking quietly, the sound of the front door opening interrupted their conversation.
“Surprise!” came a loud voice. “I got an earlier flight back, Babe. Get ready to open your anniversary package!”
Denny rounded the corner with his hands encircling his ample crotch.