Tad was a hulking stud and a hopeless romantic. His wavy light brown hair perfectly framed his big brown eyes and square jaw. A CrossFit addict with a muscular body, that no one would believe it secretly housed an insecure geek.
Tad never dated much. In college, he had the perfect boyfriend: Lucas. They met during English Lit. Lucas slipped Tad a note that simply said, “Hi. Name’s Lucas – I’m not in the least interested in what this professor has to say today. Let’s ditch during break and split a pizza and pint. I’m buying.” They’ve been together ever since.
Tad was handsome, but Lucas was beautiful—with naturally good looks. His piercing green eyes sharply contrasted with his thick, dark hair and olive skin. He was tall with a trim swimmer’s build. He knew how to dress to impress. His hip haircut and trendy clothes made him impossible to miss when he entered a room.
One night, while enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal, Lucas reached across the table and tenderly took Tad’s hand.
Tad smiled. What’s this about? Is Lucas going to propose?
He tried not to show how excited he was. “More wine?” Tad asked nervously, trying to stifle the giddiness in his heart. “Na, I’m good, thanks.” Lucas passed on the refill, fighting the frog in his throat.
“I think I’ll have some more then!” Tad filled his glass again and prepared for the question.
What should I do? Should I say yes? It’s all sudden!
Lucas continued, “This steak was delicious, perfectly cooked. You’ve become quite the chef. We’ve turned into quite the domestic couple.”
Tad laughed nervously as he shifted in his chair. It was true. In a short time, they’d become two homebodies.
“We’ve been together quite a while,” Lucas said, “and I’m not sure if you’re picking up the same vibe as I am but we seem to be in a rut.”
Hold it, what? Is he breaking up with me?!
Tad became tense. This is not what he was expecting.
“I think you know what I’m about to say.”
No. Actually, I don’t. What are you talking about? Tad braced for impact.
“You know I love you, right?”
Tad gulped. Yup, the start of every breakup speech ever spoken.
“I was thinking, maybe we could open up our relationship, maybe bring in another boy to play with us. Maybe that would help?”
Tad was stunned. As far as he knew, Lucas was a conservative and monogamous guy. Now he wanted to “spice it up?” “I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I’m kind of a one-man, guy. Bringing other dude’s int to play really isn’t my thing.”
Lucas understood, but he was quietly determined. “That’s cool. I totally get it, but being exclusive really isn’t working for me. I see all these hot guys. They’re always making all kinds of propositions. I would like to take a few up on it.”
Tad’s insecurities got the best of him. His fears were now realized. He just lost his boyfriend because he wasn’t attractive enough.
Lucas rested his arms on Tad’s shoulders and whispered softly, “I love you but, I want to sample what’s out there.”
Tad choked on his words, “I’m not going to hold you back. If you want see other guys, I won’t stop you.”
Lucas kissed Tad gently on the cheek. “I think I’ll go now.”
“That may be best.”
Lucas grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
“We can still be friends, right?” Lucas asked as he reached for the doorknob.
“Sure,” he muttered. Then watched the man he loved slip into the night and out of his life.
* * *
Tad skipped the gym the next morning. He was too drained to get out of bed. The days seemed endless. A lonely bed. Meals by himself. The warm cuddles of someone you love, now sadly absent.
As Tad downed his third pepperoni slice, he flopped down on the couch. The doorbell rang. The sound drowned out the explanation as to why the bachelor failed to give the final rose to the eager brunette with a Christy Brinkley beauty mark just above her lip.
Who could it be at this hour? God, I look like hell and this place is a mess. Stop pressing that damn doorbell!
Tad looked through the peephole. It was Lucas. His heart jumped. He swung open the door.
In the light from the porch lamp, Tad could see that Lucas was not alone. On the front steps stood a dreamy hunk. Tad recognized him right away. His name was Brian and boy-oh-boy did he have a crush on him since grade school. They were besties growing up. Brian was the object of everyone’s desires. He was voted “best looking” in middle school and sported impossibly blue eyes, sun-kissed skin, and golden blonde hair. The two boys were inseparable before Brian moved away.
God, did I have a crush on you, and now you’re standing in front of me looking F.I.N.E.
Confused as to why they were on his doorstep, Tad blurted out, “What are you doing here?” Lucas introduced his new friend, unaware that they were already acquainted. “This is Brian. He used to live around here and just moved back into town. Brian’s newly out of the closet and looking for friends.”
Tad swallowed hard. If Lucas was looking for a new boyfriend, he certainly found a good one. #jealous.
Brian stepped fully into the light. The more he could see of him, the more Tad’s heart fluttered. “Hi, I’m Brian. Nice to meet you.”
NICE TO MEET YOU? Do you really not know who I am? And how is it possible you look even better than I remember?
Tad was caught off guard. How could he not recognize him? They were best friends less than ten years ago.
Wait. Is Brian pretending he doesn’t know me?
Lucas continued, “Mind if we come in? I brought some beers.” Lucas winked, indicating that there was more to the story.
“Uh, I guess,” stammered Tad, trying to make sense of what was happening.
Why would Lucas just pop back into his life? Why was he with Brian? What the hell is going on?
Brian’s expression suddenly changed. He cleared his throat and tapped Lucas on the shoulder. “Yah know, I’m not really up for this. I really should go.”
“Dude, really? It’ll be fun, promise. Tad’s awesome.” Lucas was crushed that Brian suddenly wanted to leave. He continued to sell Tad to Brian, “Trust me, you’ll have a blast! Tad’s a stud. He could easily satisfy both of us.”
Thanks, I guess?
“Obviously,” said Brian as he eyed Tad up and down like a side of grade-A beef. “I don’t think I’m quite ready for this, though.” Brian blushed and gave Tad a sheepish smile. Within seconds, he disappeared outside and towards the car.
“I’ll be right there,” Lucas called to Brian.
Tad confronted Lucas. “What’s going on?”
“I met Brian in a bar tonight. We somehow ended up talking about you and I thought you might want to play with us… But he clearly chickened out.”
A threesome?
“I thought you’d change your mind when you saw him. Hot huh?” Lucas turned to leave. “I’m his ride, I want to make sure he’s okay. Let’s talk later.” Then he disappeared down the driveway.
Tad scratched his head as he closed the door. This had to be one of the weirdest things that had ever happened to him. Lucas just invited his high-school crush over for a threesome?! And how did Brian not know who he was? It was true that Tad wasn’t the 125-pound wimp he was in high school, but he shouldn’t be totally unrecognizable.
One-half pint of Hagen Dazs “Cherry Garcia” later, there was a soft knock-on door. Another visitor? Perhaps Lucas wanted to apologize?
Tad was too disappointed in Lucas to add anger to his emotions. He opened the door with a mighty swing.
The porch light illuminated Brian who stood before him grinning as if he won a lottery. His disarming smile instantly defused Tad.
“Dude, what’s going on? What’s up?” Tad was instantly embarrassed for saying something so frat-boyish.
“First, I apologize for going through your ex. I wasn’t sure how to find you.” Brian could see that Tad was confused. “Can I come in?”
Tad led Brian to the living room. Die Hard was playing on the TV. Brian blurted out, “I freaking love this movie!” Without a second thought, Brian collapsed on the couch. “Do you mind?” He grabbed the pint of ice cream.
If it were anyone else on the planet, the answer would be fuck off. But Brian—here, on his couch—was a fantasy come true. Watching him eat his ice cream was the sexiest thing in the world.
“So, what were you trying to say?”
Brian moved closer to Tad and looked into his eyes. Neither minding the proximity of the other.
“I heard you were dating Lucas. He tried to pick me up tonight. He said he just broke up with his boyfriend. I took a chance that you were the guy he was talking about. I told him that the only way I’d sleep with him was to have a threesome.”
“I guess I should be flattered you’d want me to be the third?”
Brian burst out laughing and helped himself to a second scoop. “No! I wasn’t ever going to have sex with Lucas. I want my first time to be special. I told him that story so he’d show me where you lived.”
“So, the threesome was a sham?” Tad started to piece it all together.
“You’re the reason I came back to town. You were the first guy I ever had a crush on. I was praying you’d be single. When Lucas told me you guys weren’t together anymore, I took my shot. The threesome thing was a spur-of-the-moment idea to get me here. Clever huh?”
“Wow. This is a lot to take in.”
“I know it is. Sorry, but here’s something else you’ll need to process…” Brian leaned forward and rested his hand on Tad’s lap. He kissed Tad softly, yet firmly on the lips.
Brian paused and thought for a minute as if he just sampled an expensive bottle of wine. “Yeah, that was just as delicious as I dreamed it would be.”
Tad leaned back and let reality set in.
Brian blew a long blonde curl out from in front of his eyes. “Please, I’ve fantasized about you since high school! Can I have just one more kiss? And then, if you want, I’ll leave.”
Tad firmly placed his hands on Brian’s muscular shoulders and delivered a stern warning. “Dude, you’re not going anywhere till tomorrow.”
Tad took Brian in his arms and kissed him. Their pent-up desires turned into a night of unbridled passion.
On the TV, Bruce Willis seemed to perfectly capture the moment as he shouted, “Yippie kay yay, mother fucker!”
