Ghost Boyfriend

blackmail

I stare intensely at my screen, watching as the two boys kiss and hug, the series drawing to a close. It's a wrap. Watching movies are so exhausting these days, I think as I stretch myself out full on the sofa, eyes half-closed when Mark appears.

"You never notified me of the new pop music trend," he gleams at me. "Your neighbours upstairs are killing it! There's a man totally nude and grunting as he moves over the lady. They're both screaming 'Ah, f**k yeah! That's good baby right there!" he giggles.

"Mark!" I snap my eyes open at him. "You can't spy on people like that! Those two were having a good fuck."

"What does 'f**k' mean?" he asks, picking on that detail. "It sounds like something positive. Is it another word for fun? Or happiness? They both look like they are in pain."

"It means s*x. They were having a private moment."

"Ooh, I knew that." he nods knowingly. "But still they've got the positions all wrong. It's like he's got her trapped and she's bawling to be set free. Not a pretty scene if you ask me."

"It's the latest s*x positions. I can't imagine how it must have been like in 2007."

"Simple. Give the b***h a lap dance. Then touch her boobs if you like, that's it."

"That's so old-fashioned and boring," I sit down to watch another show I downloaded, glancing sideways to see him looking closely at my screen. "What's that you're watching?"

"Love Victor. It's a new gay teen series recently out in Hulu."

He scowls at me now. "I should have thought so. You're invested in these abnormal people and it's ticking me off."

"Well," I glare at him. "They're people after all. People who just happen to stand out from 'the straight best ones' they're not abnormal but special."

He snots, jutting out his chin. "Smh. You talk too much. That man kissing your hand the other day...is he your lover? He seemed interested that I regret freaking you out like that."

"Clement," I say slowly. "I don't like him."

"Is he being a bug? How many boys have you hooked up with in your life?"

"Fourteen," I say offhandedly, not paying attention at all.

"Fourteen?!" he looks smacked. "You savage!"

"Now, now I was only kidding. I've dated two boys. T-W-O F-R-E-A-K-I-N-G hot boys and you were my last, even if you don't believe it."

"Must be hard for you being single." he gapes at me in pity. "And stop saying we had a thing together. You're not my type, even it if I turned up gay. You're so miserable and needy - "

"I dated you for two years," I say firmly, leaning towards him. "And you never told me all of these. You were head over heels trying to make me happy. You even killed Puffy for me. That puny little spider at Reigate and got into trouble with the management."

He rolls his eyes at me. "Listen, I don't wanna stall you to wait on me because..." he spreads his arms. "I'm a f*****g hetero, I don't suck d***s and f**k shitholes. Take my advice and find another lover."

"Well, I can't!" I yell, a bit piqued. "I can't just go on dates and force feelings for some random guys who sit across from me, telling dry jokes and expecting me to go with the flow. I want my love story to be natural. Something completely different from the - "

"Didn't your first lover make you feel that way?" he's suddenly interested.

Oh no, not a talk about Reece!

"Er yes, kinda." I try not to sound patronizing as I stab a small chunk of pancake and stuff it down my throat. Boy, did it suddenly get hot in here or what?

"So why did you two split?" he looks flummoxed. "If you had the right feelings and things went on smoothly, why did you both call it quits?"

"Because..." I trail off, sweating buckets at the thought of what transpired last between Reece and me. Oh, Lord! How can I say this without looking stupid?

Mark grins at me eagerly and I wish to crawl into a hole.

It wasn't a nice thing to recall but I was left with no options. Hesitantly, with Mark's hazel eyes about to pop out of their sockets, I began to recount all that took place that day. We came home from a hit bar and slumped down on the couch, with me initiating a prolonged kiss which lasted for five damn minutes. Being a modern guy ( And a very civilised one at that) I just had to go with the flow and let my hands drop on his zipper, pulling it down to take hold of the prize behind his pants but much to my surprise, he whipped my hands away in an instant and I thought he was playing games with me so I tried a second attempt.

This played out brutal as he had to fight me to get me off him. Turns out he's one of those guys who believe in s*x during a long term commitment and so since our relationship was barely three months old, we couldn't do anything but kiss each other. Can you imagine? I mean, who believed in commitments these days? Everyone was in for a good f**k whenever they came across such an opportunity and here I was, offering my body and soul with him slacking off under the umbrella of 'Long term commitments'

He's such a waste.

So all I do afterwards is look him in the eye and say confidently. "Alright Reece, I'll leave. But I promise you before this month runs out you'll be at my doorpost begging me on your knees for this opportunity I offered you tonight." which is a very embarrassing thing to say because it's been six f*****g years and I'd not heard a knock or phone call from him.

At this juncture, Mark reels, tapping his knees quickly as he cackled loud and long, his laughter similar to broken violin strings.

"It's not funny," I say, flicking my phone off and throwing it on the table.

"Oh dear, it is," he calmed to lighter chuckles. "You're so stupid. I wouldn't have said that if I were you."

"Well, what was I supposed to do? I'm meant to challenge him and look tough. Act classy. We didn't end how I wanted us to which is why I'm still having doubts about interviewing him. Our encounter would be awkward and uncomfortable. It's all for you, Mark. You should say thank you."

I moved into the kitchen and pull the fridge open, pouring myself a tall glass of wine which I took back to the couch. "I wonder what he thinks of me. That I'm a man-eater or what? If only there was some way to get into his head..." I pause, thoughtful for a moment with Mark watching me idly. "His number is missing and even if I had it with me, I'm doubly sure he won't return my calls. No one does hook-ups these days and I doubt we'd recognize each other if we happen to cross paths someday."

"Darling, the guy's moved on. Much of a waste to sit back here all day and reminisce on what took place ages ago. It's time to pull yourself up, dress classy, go out and find yourself a better lover while making sure you're not stupid to do anything freaky."

"Some things are hard to forget about!" I shot him an offended look. "And I'm not talking about a mere hook-up for s*x but your interview. You're still interested in catching those who mugged you right?"

He arranges himself curtly on the sofa, trying to seem natural. "Totally. But we can find a way."

"Like getting you to spy on him as you did to my neighbours upstairs?" I smile gently, holding the cup to my lips for a few seconds. "Long shot. That'd be peachy."

Bingo!

Oh my God! That's it!

I sputter out some wine in glee, with the tip of my imaginary thinking cap beeping a brilliant idea in my head. That's it. That's the answer I've been searching for.

What if Mark spied on Reece? Find out something connected to his murder and stuff?

He could stalk Reece the entire day, keep up with those he talked with, attend his appointments and take a peek into his schedule. Maybe Mark could get into his head to find out how he views me. If he regrets not having sexed me up that night six years ago.

This is achievable. Goodness! There really should be a Nobel prize for swift thinking. I deserve one right now.

"Fantastic!" I yell, sitting up to place my glass of wine on the table. "I've put two and two together! Why need me when you could have worked it out yourself?"

"I don't get your point," he says slowly. "What's there to be worked out?"

"Since Reece is the only suspect connected to your murder, why don't we spice things up a notch and spy on him! You can get into his head and find out if he's the one who sent those boys to sabotage your car. Then you'll also tell if he feels sorry for not having s*x with me six years ago!"

"No can do," he gives a brushing aside gesture. "If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that Reece Heavener didn't mug me. He's such a sweet soul and as for that sex...give it up already!"

"No!" I stare him down. "I'm in charge here and you're doing exactly as I say. You'll get into his head, find out something related to your murder and my s*x then tell it all to me. You'll be my doosie-doo informant, that's a job cut out for you else you can forget about me helping at all."

Blackmail. I hate it. He's pushed me to an edge. If you look at it without taking sides, you'll see I'm doing this for us both. He forced me into being selfish, I mean he should want to help out an ex.

Flashing me a stony look, he crosses his arms and puffs out his cheeks in resignation. "Okay. As horrible as it sounds, it. Where do we start?"