Ray stood in front of his apartment complex in the setting sun of a warm early summer evening. After several weeks and many nights spent sleeping in the same bed, the time had finally come to meet Dylan's friends. A prime opportunity had presented itself in mid-May with the coming of Dylan's forty-first birthday. Ray had received an invite to a dive bar owned by three - and regularly inhabited by many more - of Dylan's friends. Unfortunately, duty called and Ray was unable to get away from work.
It was disappointing but also a bit of a relief to not have to meet so many people in Dylan's life at once. But now, a few weeks later, another opportunity arose. While Ray was not hugely into sports, he followed them casually and often watched games if they were on and he had a night off. On this particularly night, Ray happened to be off the next day and Dylan had relayed an invite to watch basketball at his friend's home.
After just a few minutes outside Ray saw a familiar vehicle pulling up to the sidewalk and hopped in with a quick greeting. As Dylan drove, the two enjoyed a comfortable silence. They were men of few words and since it was a nice evening, they took a longer than necessary, yet scenic drive. It was all very relaxing. But as they pulled into the driveway next to a well-manicured lawn and walked up to the door, Ray started to feel a bit tense.
"You must be Ray, nice to meet you."
John. The man who had allowed Dylan to stay at his home when Dylan was too embarrassed to ask his friends. The man who had undoubtedly had many nights of hot sex with the guy Ray was currently seeing. It came with the territory. When the two Marine veterans had grunted their way through their first real conversation, Dylan let it be known that he was still friends with some of his exes and several guys that he had hooked up with and that that would not change. Ray also came to learn that these two men and met each other during a difficult time for the both of them and had bonded quickly. It stirred up more than a little bit of jealousy but the practical side of Ray saw that this indicated some sense of loyalty in Dylan.
As Ray was greeted at the door and led into the living room, he had to admit to himself that John was quite attractive. Handsome in a very boyish, almost wholesome way. Without being too obvious, the cop checked him out as much as possible. He was about 5'9 with a tight, lean body that was unexpectedly muscular in certain places - notably his legs and butt. He had dark brown hair, pale skin, and light blue eyes and was dressed in shorts that stopped several inches above the knee and a snug t-shirt that looked comfortable, casually athletic, and expensive.
The living room was neat and nicely decorated and the two guests were directed to a couch right in front of a very large television. Before settling into a recliner to the left of the couch, their host offered them both drinks. Dylan hesitated.
"I might have a beer or two," he said. "I've been cutting back."
John smiled. "I noticed. You look... healthier. Maybe it has something to do with this guy?" he said, gesturing at Ray.
"And the new job," Dylan added reticently.
"New job, new guy. Looks like everything's going your way," John said enthusiastically. Ray, always perceptive, detected no jealousy in that statement.
Dylan deflected. "What's goin' on you and that lawyer guy? And what ever happened with what's-his-name?" he asked.
Ray perked up; he had no idea who either of those men were but he was happy that John was seeing someone else as well. The question was answered with a loud sigh.
"I'll need a drink for that," John replied before heading over to the kitchen. As their host walked away, Ray couldn't help but check him out. John's ass was framed quite nicely by the shorts he wore. It was nice, Ray admitted to himself, and could even almost make out the lining of the underwear. Briefs, most likely.
"So, what do think of Johnjohn?" Dylan asked quietly while their host went to the kitchen.
"He seems ok," Ray said neutrally. Actually, Ray thought the man was quite a nice and a gracious host. For a moment, he also wondered if John had ever gone to a cruising area back when he was still married to a woman. The thought of someone like John showing up on one of his patrols excited Ray in way that he hoped was not too obvious.
"Ok, huh? I saw you checking him out."
Ray blanched. "I, uh"
"It's ok," Dylan reassured him. "He's got a tight little body on him. You see that ass? I gave him some exercise routines to really make that thing pop."
Ray might have been jealous if he weren't so befuddled.
"I'm not sure where you're going..."
Dylan smirked. "Do you want to fuck him?" He asked.
Ray simply stared.
"He's always ready, as in prepared, if you know what I mean." It was said in knowing tone. "Just think about it."
John soon returned with beers for Ray and Dylan and a small glass of something dark for himself. Ray wasn't much of drinker but decided he'd nurse one beer for most of the night. Dylan did the same with his second beer. John however - likely in order to loosen up - drank steadily though not sloppily. On his third drink, the topic returned to a man John was currently seeing casually.
"He wants a relationship," John said in an almost disappointed tone. "I don't. And now he's kind of trying to convince me into it but that's just not what I want."
John's two-and-half drinks were working at loosening him up and he was now comfortable talking to the both of them. Ray had to admit it was kind of nice to sit around and talk like this.
"I mean," John continued, "I was guilt-tripped into a nearly two-decade long marriage. I don't want another relationship. Not now, maybe not ever. I just want to have fun, you know? I just want to..."
His voice stopped abruptly as if he were censoring himself.
"Be a whore?" Ray offered jokingly.
