Keeping it Casual: A heart-warming MM novella by Jax Calder

Author:Jax Calder [Calder, Jax]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Jeremy

It’s Wednesday lunchtime, and I’m standing on Dustin’s porch.

For the last two days, he’s claimed to be too busy and has blown me off.

And it’s not been the fun type of blowing I’m used to from him.

But he’s still been messaging me back when I’ve texted him. In fact, we had an epic conversation back and forth last night about our favorite memories from growing up in the nineties in small-town New Zealand. Any man with a strong opinion on the tactics for four square is my kind of guy.

Today I decided to front-foot it and come to him. I mean, he has to stop for food sometime, right? Nourishment is a fundamental requirement of life.

It’s only when I ring his doorbell that I start to think about how there’s a fine line between being keen and stalking, and there’s a chance I’m flirting with it.

As soon as Dustin opens the door, words pour from my mouth.

“I know you’re busy, but I brought you lunch as a repayment for all the lunches you brought me.” I wave to the bakery paper bags I’m carrying. “And it doesn’t come with the expectation of sex. Although you have trained me to expect an orgasm every weekday lunchtime, just saying.”

His lips quirk up. “I’ve trained you to expect an orgasm every lunchtime?”

I nod. “Yes. So it’s slightly unfair that you’ve withdrawn my supply unexpectedly. You’ve got to at least give a guy a warning that he’s going to have to go cold turkey.” I deliberately keep my voice upbeat, hopefully hiding the hurt buried not too far beneath the surface.

Dustin scrapes a hand through his hair. “Sorry, I’ve been crazy busy trying to get this report finished.”

“Is it that harbor extension one you were telling me about?”

He nods.

“Did you get the council regulations to work with the government’s new environmental guidelines?” I ask.

He blinks at me. “You actually listened to the ranting monologue I gave you about that?”

“Well, I can’t guarantee I comprehended every word. But I probably gleaned enough I could write the CliffsNotes,” I say.

His eyes soften. “You want to come in?” He opens the door wider.

I hover uncertainly on the doorstep. “I don’t want to disturb you.”

“I’m happy to be disturbed by you,” he says.

I venture inside. It’s my first time in Dustin’s house. The house has obviously been recently renovated. The kitchen, dining, and living rooms are all open-plan. The interior is painted white and is light and airy, with high ceilings and a large window overlooking the backyard. Photos of Lachie at various ages are displayed on the walls, along with two Graeme Sydney landscapes, showcasing the sparse beauty of the center of the South Island where Dustin grew up.

“This place is nice,” I say, putting the bakery bags on the kitchen counter.

“Yeah, it is. I didn’t want to buy at first because I wasn’t sure how we’d go here, so I was lucky such a nice rental place was available.”

“You thinking about buying now?” I try

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