This is my final chapter of Jay and Paul.
I hope you enjoyed their journey and what I created. Thanks for the support. Again, this was my first attempt so hopefully I'll get better at this. Any feedback is appreciated.
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Other than the kisses and confessions, the day ended uneventfully. The guys bundled up and were making their way out the door, Brenda following behind them - stopping to give Paul a kiss on the cheek as well.
"I'm happy for you too honey" she said "Jay is a great guy."
The group paused when someone called out from the office.
"Quinn, could I talk to you a second? I'll keep it brief."
Jay nodded to Paul "I'll wait for you at the car."
It was Craig, one of Paul's sales reps. He was always friendly enough to Paul, just a bit stand-offish. A little older than Jay, buzz cut blonde hair, always looking slightly annoyed - good mood or bad.
Paul walked back the Sales department to talk with Craig.
"Can I offer you some advice?" Craig started "I saw you at the restaurant with Summers and Wyatt - you two kissing."
Paul was a bit confused, not really sure where Craig was going with this.
"Look, you seem like a good guy, so for what it's worth... don't derail your career with flaunting that gay stuff."
Gay stuff Paul thought. Who the fuck says that?
"You're smart with a great future ahead of you. While that lifestyle might be OK with Andy, it's not going to fly everywhere. Unless you intend to work here forever, keep your private life just that... private."
Paul was stunned "Craig, you do realize it's 2019 and most people don't care who other people love?"
"Yeah, but a lot still do. I don't want you regretting choices you make now, that's all. Just think about it. Anyway, that's all I wanted to say, have a good night." Craig gave Paul a slap on the back and grabbed his coat from the back of his chair.
Paul left the office and walked to the parking lot, Craig's talk running through his head. He was feeling conflicted now. Before meeting Jay he was, for all purposes, straight. He enjoyed dating women... looking at women - hell, they're what he jacked off to. Now he thought he could be bi, loving all the things he and Jay did together, and wouldn't change a thing. Would his life be altered that drastically if he just loved Jay for who he was... a guy who loved him back?
"So, what did he want?" Jay asked.
Paul was uncertain. Did he tell Jay the truth and risk worrying him, or worse, cause Jay to confront Craig and stir things up.
"He just wanted to run things past me for tomorrow, nothing important." He chose lying to Jay and regretted it the moment he said it.
Jay looked at Paul asking "do you want me to drop you off at your place tonight?"
"Why?" Paul was puzzled "Nothing there I need."
"Well, you'll need clothes for tomorrow won't you?"
Paul looked disappointed "oh, yeah, back to my place I guess." He left out a heavy sigh.
"Are you OK?" Jay asked, a little concerned with Paul's mood. "Tell me, what's up?"
Paul took a deep breath "Would you mind if I picked up a couple changes of clothing so I could spend more time at your place? I mean, if that's ok? It's not like I won't ever leave or anything... I just enjoy the time we spend together." Paul took another deep breath. "I'm sorry if that sounds weird."
"Sweetie, you could move in for all I care. I love spending time with you, too." Jay could feel himself smiling, no matter how hard he tried to force himself to stop. "Are you hungry? Wanna stop at the diner?" Paul wanted to say yes, but worried about Jay bumping into his friends from the bar, and now with Craig's speech still running through his head, he felt confused.
Paul finally conceded. "Yeah, let's do dinner. I am kinda hungry"
-
The guys entered the diner, the bell clinging on the door like always, heads swiveling to see who entered. Paul did a quick scan of the room to see if those two guys were there. Nothing, so he felt a little more relaxed. The waitress brought menus and the guys asked for coffee right away. Paul still seemed a little uneasy as he fidgeted at the table.
"Ok, spill it. Something is bothering you, and don't tell me nothing." Jay was matter of fact but trying to sound sympathetic.
"Do you ever think us being together is a bad idea?" Paul sighed "I mean, like I could hurt your future?"
"Where is this coming from?" Jay asked concerned. "Are you having second thoughts about trying a relationship with me?"
"No, no, no!" Paul reassured Jay. "Ok, look, Craig saw us kissing at the restaurant this afternoon. He said I could be risking my career or my future if I were gay... if I acted gay."
Jay looked away, trying to keep his composure, but knowing deep down this is what he suspected was going to happen all along. Right guy, wrong circumstances.
"I understand, I really do." Jay tried to remain positive. "I'm secure with who I am, and I'm happy with you. However, I'll never force you to be anything... decide anything. Just know whatever you choose I'll always be here"
"You'd actually let me walk away?" Paul looked sad and shocked.
Jay got up and walked around to Paul's side of the booth, sliding in next to him and wrapping his arm around him.
"Sweetie, I'd do anything for you - and if that means letting you go to experience different things - it'd break my heart but I'd do it."
Grabbing Paul's hand Jay continued "hiding being who you are, and not loving who you're attracted to... those might be Craig's perceptions, but they're not everyones. They're not mine and they don't have to be yours."
