When Marty did ask me over, I was prepared, although I wondered if the minimalist Speedo I had bought and not yet worn would give too obvious of a signal that I was ready. I had always been curious about that lifestyle, and I couldn't get the images of the other night out of my mind.
I had visions of finding Neal there, waiting for me. I think that's what prompted me to be so bold. But then, why would Neal be waiting for me? He didn't even know I was hot for him. Other than limited contact on servicing my car, he'd only seen me in the yard that one time. And although he'd given me a smile of recognition, it wasn't like he realized how much I'd lusted for him.
It was dusk when I walked around my fence and into Marty's yard, with both a T and some shorts on over my Speedo, so as not to arouse the other neighbors. I had a big towel draped over my shoulder. I had called my wife at her aunt's shortly before making the trip next door to assure myself she had arrived safely at a destination a good five-hour drive awayโand, more important, that she was safely located that far away.
Marty was already in the tub, and his CD player was set on some music that had a real good steady beat to it and at a volume that would not impede discussion in the tub but would keep it to the near vicinity of the tub. The tub itself was quite large, more than eight feet in diameterโand a good thing too, because Marty wasn't the only one in it. Across from him was his most recent tenant, Seth, I think his name was, a big, black handsome dude, with Mulatto features. He had a massive chest that I could see above the waterline, and a blue, intricate sleeve tattoo following the curve of his left chest muscle and wrapping up around his left bicep and down his arm to just above his elbow. I must admit that his presence was a little intimidating, but I'd waited for several agonizing days in anticipation of the possibility of a new experience, so I gave him a friendly wave back in answer to the welcoming gestures from both of them.
"Come on in, neighbor," Marty invited. "The water's great and is bubbling up just fine. You've met Seth, haven't you, Glen?"
"Hi, Seth," I said. "We haven't actually met yet," I said, "but I've seen you around."
"And I've seen you gardening too," Seth said with a big, friendly grin. "Strip down and come on in."
I pulled my T over my head, glad just now that I'd put so much work into my own physique, pulled my shorts down, taking my loafers with them, and stepped down into the tub. The water was warm and swirled around my legs with a pretty forceful pressure.
"Here, over by me," Marty said. "Here's a beer."
I pushed my way over near Marty and took the beer gratefully. I downed a swig to calm myself, hoping that neither Marty nor Seth could see my hand shaking, and settled down on the bench ringing the inside of the tub.
"Seems like you've got a real houseful over here," I said, somewhat nervously.
"Yeah, every room is taken now," Marty answered.
"So, umm, where are the rest of the guys?"
"Most of them are around."
"Neal?" I asked, that being who I was interested in all along. "The mechanic at the Jaguar dealer? Didn't I see him here the other day?"
"Yeah, he's rooming here now. He might be around; I don't know. Just us here right now, though. That's good enough."
Marty spread his arms around the rim of the tub, and his left arm was draped loosely behind me. We chitchatted for a short while before I took the initiative that I had planned to take. We were talking about the placement of Marty's hot tub, and I said, "You know, Marty, that I can see your whole tub from my study window. I don't think it can be seen from anywhere else, but I can see it."
"Yes, I know," Marty said. "I've sensed that you were up there looking down here on occasion." There was a short silence, and Marty added, "And I'll bet you know I don't bring young men home from the gym because I need the rent money, don't you?"
"Yes," I said quietly and took another long swig of beer. "I guess I figured that out."
"And that doesn't bother you, as a neighbor?" Marty asked.
I turned and looked into his baby blue eyes and said, "No, not particularly. Live and let live, I say."
"That's a good philosophy. But still you accepted my invitation to try out my hot tub while your wife was away? Why, might I ask?"
A long swig at the beer. "Curious, I guess," I answered, "just curious."
"Curious about the hot tub or what happens in this hot tub?"
I took another swig of beer and then plunged ahead with, "Both, I guess."
"Have you ever been . . . curious . . . before?"
"No, not actually. No, no . . . not much before anyway. Well, maybe just a little." Another nervous swig at the beer. It was beginning to give me a buzz.
"But you're . . . curious . . . now?"