Chapter 5 - Callum makes decisions he probably shouldn’t-2
1085 Words
JAMIE, TO CALLUM’S amusement, didn’t even ask where they were going until they were already in the cab.
“My club.” Callum said. “If that’s all right?”
“Sure, yeah.” Jamie waved a hand, too tired to care where they went.
Still, Callum was grateful his club was hipper than some of its compatriots. Located in a small townhouse in Soho, its only oil paintings were ironic. Callum was fairly certain the massive deer head mounted on the wall in the entrance way was also ironic but had never chanced asking.
At the desk, Eloise — she of Thom's failed dating attempt — greeted them both with a tight smile before ushering them to the pub room.
“Do you want food or do you just want to drink?” Callum asked, as they were shown to their table. Or rather, as Callum sat down; Jamie seemed to melt into his chair as a puddle of weary boy.
“Not sure I’m awake enough to lift a fork.”
“Then you certainly won’t survive just drinking,” Callum said amiably with a hand to Jamie’s shoulder before going to the bar to order for the both of them.
The room, half full, was dark. In the far corner, nestled in a black leather banquette, a couple was on a date. Closer by, a collection of friends or business associates relaxed around a circular table. None of them paid the least bit of attention to Callum and Jamie.
“Thanks for taking the time to talk with me,” Jamie said when Callum returned to the table.
“Of course.” He still wasn’t sure why they were here, but he meant it, potential ulterior motives aside. He waited to say more, giving Jamie a chance to gather his thoughts. Jamie’s eyes glittered in the dark.
“Jamie,” Callum said when several long moments had passed without a word. “You’ve had an incredibly long day. Are you sure you want to do this tonight? I can get you home.”
“No, no. No. Thanks." Jamie sat up straighter. “I wanted to ask you. Well — I mean. I’m sorry if this is going make things awkward, but why did you help me get to Ireland? I know it wasn’t just me you helped, but it was because of me.”
“Not untrue.”
“So I keep trying to figure it out. And either you’re too nice to live— ”
“Hardly.”
“ — Or I have to ask this.”
“Go on.”
“Have you been flirting with me?”
Callum blinked mildly at him and took a sip of water. Before Jamie could do something like bolt in horror or start babbling apologies, he said, simply, “Yes.”
“Like — flirting flirting, or....” Jamie’s voice trailed off.
Callum raised an eyebrow. “Whatever you’re trying to ask, Jamie, spit it out.”
“I just wanted to know,” he said a little defensively. “You flirt. With me. And with everyone. Like. A lot. And there are rumors — and I know, I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t listen to gossip, and I’m being horribly rude, and can we pretend I never asked to talk to you tonight?”
Callum shook his head. “Bit late now. What are you asking?” he said gently. “What do you need?”
Jamie looked like he hoped the floor would swallow him up but he soldiered on anyway. Callum admired the effort.
“Are you — maybe not totally straight?” Jamie asked.
“I’m married to a woman,” Callum said in a tone of wry amusement. Jamie was far too much fun to tease, even if it was probably cruel to do so.
“I know that.”
“And, like the tabloids we all call liars have occasionally said, I’ve had relationships with men. A lot of them. A few were even serious. Does that answer your question?”
Jamie swallowed. “Yeah,” he said. “Yes, I think so. I...sorry. Some people would have been insulted. By the question, I mean.”
“Some people don’t live in the twenty-first century or make very good dining companions,” Callum said lightly as their food arrived.
“I’m a horrible dining companion right now,” Jamie admitted, twitching his napkin onto his lap.
Callum shrugged. “I’ve had worse. Now, was there more to your question?” It was obvious that hadn't been all Jamie was after. At least Callum hoped not.
Jamie stared at his hands for a moment. “I’m not totally straight either. Which I assume you knew or guessed because of, well, the flirting. And not being totally straight, that’s always been fine? But that was before all this — the movie, I mean — and it’s going to be mad isn’t it?”
“It’s an experience the first time you see yourself twelve meters high on the side of a building, yes. Which is going to happen.” There were things about this situation that were not normal, but their respective sexualities were not among them.
“I meant the thing where I’m not straight.”
“Are you gay?” Callum was curious as to how Jamie identified and if he could make himself say it out loud.
“Bi,” Jamie half-squeaked. “And people are arseholes about that, you know?”
“I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” Callum leaned close.
“What’s that?” Jamie leaned in too. Callum wondered if he even realized he was doing it.
“People are arseholes about everything,” Callum said. “And if you remember that, when they’re giving you trouble about who you date or anything in your life you don’t want to share with them, you’ll remember their judgments have nothing to do with you and it’s not your job to respond.”
“I’m pretty sure I’ve known people were arseholes since I was a kid,” Jamie said.
“It doesn’t get better when you grow up, so congratulations to you.” Callum looked at the boy, who appeared even more uncertain than when they had first sat down, and decided to take pity on him. “How’s your family?”
Jamie relaxed at the question. With Callum’s assistance, the conversation turned to easier topics. But when he leaned forward to make some point and rested a hand on Jamie’s wrist on the table, Jamie asked, “Are you flirting with me now?”
Callum looked down at their hands and chuckled. “I suppose I am. But as you pointed out, I do with everyone. Flirting doesn’t have to have intent. It can just be a nice game. Or a diversion. Or a way to make someone else feel good. Which you probably know.”
“Maybe,” Jamie said cautiously.
Callum couldn’t resist playing coy. “So I guess my question is whether your question is about whether I’m flirting with intent.”
Jamie smiled. “Maybe.”
Callum made a decision. “Then I am absolutely flirting with intent. Do you want me to stop?”
A stunned smile bloomed on the boy’s face. “Uh. No. It’s okay.”
“Good.” Callum brushed his thumb over the back of his hand. “I’m glad.”
* * *
* * * *
AN HOUR LATER JAMIE’S eyes shone a bit as Callum slid into the backseat of the cab next to him and pulled the door shut. Callum smiled at him when Jamie twined his fingers into his as soon as he touched the boy’s hand again. Jamie was an absolute wonder.
“Wait,” Jamie said, his eyes growing suddenly wide as the taxi pulled away from the curb.
“What is it?”
“What about your wife?”
“Points for asking, and it’s fine. I’ll explain when we’re not in a taxi.”
“Oh. Yeah. Okay,” Jamie said, apparently mollified. He slumped sideways and leaned his head on Callum’s shoulder.
Callum’s breath caught in his chest. This was going to be absolutely marvelous.
* * *
- Writer
