Unfortunately, Maisie’s teasing nagged at him for most of the day. Donnie was always cheerful. Donnie would bounce back from anything. Donnie didn’t mind providing whatever anyone required, going wherever anyone needed him, didn’t mind being teased about his kitchen disasters, wasn’t expected to land a rich, handsome, attentive, eager boyfriend…
Okay, so she hadn’t exactly said that. But maybe that was how people saw him. Good for free baking, for extra biscuits, for free babysitting, for lifting furniture, putting up shelves, for providing a shoulder to cry on, for thinking of other’s needs first. He’d done it all in the past, without complaint.
Oh, things annoyed him, of course they did. But he’d learned early on in life, as middle child in a family of eight half-and-whole siblings, that he didn’t achieve anything by making a fuss. Better he just kept quiet and got on with things. Over the years, he’d become the man they all came to for help, comfort, and support. Donnie was the giver of the family—and now his community—and he was happy to help. Usually.
But maybe it was time to help himself?
“I can’t do overtime tonight,” he said to his boss. “Sorry,” he added, though there was no need. He often covered staff when they were off work, for whatever reason. Donnie himself was rarely ill, and usually had to be bullied into taking his holiday. He was always the reliable stand-in. In fact, he’d done a massive amount of extra hours over the last month, while his boss swanned about the Caribbean on a friend’s yacht.
But tonight… tonight he had that date with Will, didn’t he?
Maisie was right to think it was significant, that they’d seen each other every day since they met. Donnie was secretly, mutely, deep in his deepest thoughts, really keen on Will. Will: handsome and mature and inevitably wise, with eyes that sparked interest and delight when he smiled. Will, who smiled a lot at Donnie. Who didn’t only smile, but wanted to touch, and kiss…
Oh.
They’d kissed a lot since that first date. Will’s car and Donnie’s battered old sofa had seen some action, including both of them getting half naked. By now, Donnie was pretty keen on going further. And tonight? Just might be the night.
So…
“Not tonight,” he repeated now, facing down his boss’ grim stare. “I can’t do extra hours.”
When they’d talked about Donnie’s job, Will had told Donnie he was entitled to a life of his own, to a proper work/home balance, to make his needs known, firmly and clearly. Donnie agreed, though secretly thought it was pretty easy to do that when it was only him and Will.
Now his boss’ expression grew sly. “Just an hour, Donnie,” he wheedled. “I have to leave early for my boy’s parents evening at the school. You know how important it is to be there for your kids.”
Not personally, Donnie thought, with a flash of spirit. Maybe he’d like kids one day, but if he did have a child, he’d be sure to make time for their needs too. His boss had never made much of an effort as far as Donnie knew. He’d heard the man complain about boring and unnecessary school events far too often. What’s more, “just an hour” would stretch into the late evening hours, Donnie knew. It always did.
And compared to an evening with Will? That was what Donnie wanted; that was his real need. Since meeting Will his optimism was riding high, his tolerance of human nature had blossomed even further.
But not to the extent of missing a date with Will.
“No,” he said, clearly and firmly. “And that’s an end to it!”
“I’m proud of you,” Will said later, as they sat on a bench in the park, watching the end of a casual but enthusiastic football match with the under-21 team from the community centre. Donnie had met Will at the surgery, they’d locked up together, and decided to take a walk before supper because the weather was so mild. “I know I haven’t known you for very long, and who am I to give an opinion, when I often work long hours too? But it’s obvious they take advantage of your good nature.”
What a tactful way of describing slave labour, Donnie thought wryly.
“I’m flattered, too.” Will had that lopsided, nervous smile on his face whenever he talked about their budding relationship. “Flattered it was our date that inspired you to take a stand.”
“So, we are dating?”
Will looked momentarily horrified. “God! I mean, yes… I mean, I… you don’t think…?”
“I’m teasing you,” Donnie said, though he was gratified Will had been so shocked at the thought they weren’t. “I’m not sure when things go from having a drink and a snog to a proper dating, boyfriend thing. I really hoped we were.”
“I think we’ve definitely gone there by now,” Will said with mischief in his voice. “The clue is I have a spare toothbrush in my pocket I could leave at your place. I mean, if that’s ok?”
He looked suddenly nervous again, which made Donnie laugh. “Of course it is.” Even Donnie’s flat could find space for an extra toothbrush. In fact, if Will was willing to stay over, maybe Donnie could empty a drawer for him to leave a few other supplies. A washbag, a phone charger, some underwear…
Will cleared his throat. “And I can’t help recalling on Wednesday night, falling asleep on your couch after watching the football highlights—”
“Watching? I seem to remember—”
“Sucking each other off?” Will chuckled, his cheeks red. “Yes, there was that too.”
Oh. Fuck. Donnie went hot then cold all over and his jeans got tight around the crotch. It was like a Pavlovian response. He liked the way Will was nervous at first but could get really filthy when he let loose.
“So, having established all that, we can… um... share personal problems?” he said tentatively.
Will frowned. Was he worried or disapproving? Donnie wasn’t sure.
“Okay,” Will said. “I’m sitting down, I can take it. Are you dangerously ill? Are you broke? God, are you married?”
Donnie gave a shaky laugh. “No, usually, and no.”
“Thank God, I thought for a moment—”
“But,” Donnie sighed, “I was fired from my job today.”