Chapter Twenty-One

Jeff

I don't know if it's the relief of knowing the bulk of the software problems are fixed, or if it's the margaritas from lunch, but this bold and frisky Drake is my new best friend. What started off as just a playful handy in the dark turned into him dropping to his knees and sucking me off right there in the theater.

Of course, the excitement of it being so dangerous has me coming in practically seconds, but I never would've guessed he'd be willing to even consider something so public.

When I try to reciprocate, Drake just licks his lips and shakes his head. “Nope that was just for you. You can repay me later.”

Later… I like the sound of that. We pick up takeout after the movie and head back to Drake’s house. Setting up shop on his dining room table, we have three laptops setup and ready for the rollout. When the new software goes live at midnight, Drake and I are both pacing with nervous energy. The minutes tick by while we wait for some kind of failure. But after Diya and Walt both confirm nothing catastrophic has occurred, Drake strips me down in his dining room and takes me against the table.

It’s hot and hard and exactly the way I need to start the weekend. Before I can even pretend to suggest going home, Drake drags me up to his bed. The light is barely off before we both pass out, tangled up in each other’s arms.

The following week, I spend every waking moment back at my cube, resolving minor customer complaints. There’s nothing serious wrong with the new code, just the usual bugs you would expect after a major software revision. Fortunately, between Kyle and me, we have it covered.

By Wednesday, we’re all ready for the holiday break. Kyle has been critical in helping keep customers happy during the transition and is practically giddy when I see him every morning.

“My job is so much fun again,” Kyle says as we refill our coffee cups in the break room.

“Yeah?”

"Yeah. It's like it used to be―actually being able to help people and solve their problems. I like it again."

I know what he means. The best part about this job is truly helping people solve issues that affect their jobs. And for so long, we were completely helpless.

It's frustrating to know you're just making customers more annoyed rather than actually doing anything useful. But that's all behind us and we’re ready to move forward.

The incoming email notification vibrates on my phone, and I pull it out to check. Kyle does the same, so he probably got the same message.

“Dude! Cooper’s throwing a New Year's party. I don't know if he's ever done that.”

I look at Kyle. “You gonna go?”

“I have to check with Jonathan, but I don't think we have anything planned…” He shrugs. “So yeah, we'll probably go. What about you?”

“Yeah. I was gonna hang out with Ashley, but maybe I'll bring her as my plus one.”

“You should. She's cool.” Kyle's phone rings and he mouths “duty calls” as he walks back toward his cube. Once I’m alone, I thumb out a text to Drake.

YOU GOING TO COOPS NEW YEAR'S PARTY?

His reply is almost instant.

PROBABLY. YOU?

I bite my lip and consider messing with him.

PROBABLY. JUST HAVE TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE MY DATE IS OKAY WITH IT.

I see the typing bubbles appear after my message and then disappear as my phone rings. It's Drake.

“Your date?”

To anybody else, his voice would probably sound calm, but I can hear the undertone of rage brewing there. It actually sends a shiver down my spine.

“Yeah. We had other plans, but I think we can change them.”

“Who the fuck is this date?”

Drake drops that cool demeanor he had just seconds ago, and I feel warmth flow in my belly. No one has ever been jealous over me before.

“Ashley. My best friend. The girl I’ve been telling you about. The same one you refuse to let me tell about you.”

“Oh,” Drake says quietly. “Yeah, I guess you could bring her.”

“Thanks,” I say sarcastically. “So when are you leaving?”

Drake’s heading to Aspen to spend a couple days at his sister’s place. She's hosting this year, so I won't see him until he’s back in town next Monday.

Since we started working together, I haven’t gone five days without seeing him and it seems like a lifetime. But Ashley has promised to keep me busy all weekend by returning bad gifts and hitting sales for new self-gifts.

And true to her word, she does. We spend Christmas Eve at her place with our usual crowd of friends. Between eating too much and getting sick off eggnog, I’m actually grateful to the crowds that keep me on my feet for a few days.

Although, in the back of my mind, I can't stop wishing for the day Drake will be comfortable standing by my side amongst close friends like this.