5. Chapter 5

five

Will

W alking into my little one-bedroom house, I was still floating on a cloud of shock and confusion. A stranger gave me his number. Correction. A very handsome stranger gave me his personal number. Not just any stranger, a sexy, younger man.

Another shocker, I flirted back.

“Nathan,” I say his name aloud, trying out the syllables on my tongue. Even his name was attractive, rolling across my tongue and reminding me of how he smirked when we were bantering. I’d somehow made the man laugh, and not at me.

My friends and coworkers thought I was funny, after I got to know them well enough to let myself relax around them. I never flirted with strangers. Hell, I was rarely able to flirt after a couple of dates, let alone minutes into meeting them.

As I put away the gifts and walked through my living room and galley kitchen to my bedroom, I thought about how easy conversation had flowed with Nathan. Slipping out of my jeans, I headed back towards the kitchen to eat a microwaved dinner. I knew the steps so well, they involved no thought and I could keep dwelling on the fact that I was awkward, but he didn’t seem bothered.

Nathan and I talked all the way down the escalator at his store, and he hung around to talk some more. I wasn’t used to that kind of attention pointed my way.

At first I thought he was just making conversation about my jersey, but by the way Nathan’s eyes lit up as he mentioned details, I could tell he was truly a fan of my team. They weren’t my team in the sense of ownership, but real fans know they’ve found a friend when they meet each other. I finished up my cheesy pasta dish over the sink and wondered if Nathan might want to go to a game with me.

Actually, he seemed very into the fact that I worked for the Seals. I rinsed the plastic tray and put it in recycling, stopping in my tracks under the arch between my kitchen and living room.

Was that why he gave me the time of day?

It would make more sense than a man at least a decade younger actually wanting to take me on a date. Though Nathan had asked to walk me out before he learned about my job. A kernel of hope settled into my chest at the thought Nathan was into me for me .

Getting ready for bed, since I had an early morning at the stadium waiting for me, I couldn’t help my mind running through everything we said on repeat. A couple fears kept popping up. The first was that I was delusional and he hadn’t been flirting at all. Nathan might want to get close so I’d give him tickets.

My family and a few friends had benefited from my connection, and I usually made sure they got field passes to watch warm-ups so I could say hi. I wasn’t the outgoing one, and rarely went to parties, but they could count on me to get Seals tickets.

My second fear ran deeper. I was afraid gay men would find out I was trans and look at me with disgust. I only started passing a few years before, and it still surprised me how people didn’t think twice of seeing me and knowing I was a man. My job provided me with great insurance, and I’d undergone a complete change in appearance.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

Dating apps were easier, because I could list myself as trans and put a trans flag next to my name to signal the information before they sent a message. Not that everyone paid attention. If I had a dollar for every faceless profile who messaged to ask me to fuck them and be their sugar Daddy, because all they saw was my age and that I was older, I’d go on vacation.

No matter how well I got by in society, the fear remained. My ovaries and tits were removed and I still thought I wouldn’t be seen as a man. Hell, I was a bottom with a surgically enhanced dick. To all outward appearances, I had no reason to worry.

Still…my mind was an asshole.

You’ll feel better in the morning, my brain chimed in as if it was trying to counter my usually negative inner voice. I turned off the light and crawled into bed. Sleep on it.

Surprisingly, my body obeyed as if all I needed was permission, and I woke to my alarm feeling rested. I was also resolved in my decision. I would message Nathan and ask if he wanted to go to a home game. I’d let him show me his intentions.

Composing my first text to Nathan while brushing my teeth was a mistake, because I didn’t overthink it for once.

Hi, it’s Will from Brick )

I wasn’t imagining it, Nathan had flirted back and was really interested in me. My face flushed and I stopped in the middle of reaching for my keys off the hook. The sound of them clattering to the floor woke me from my stupor to see Nathan had sent a second message.

Nathan

So glad to hear from you! Ready to plan our dinner date?

Holy crap. I took a deep breath and made my way out to my truck before replying, giving me time to compose myself. Time to see if Nathan was in it for me, or the team.

Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to go to a Seals game on Sunday?

Starting my truck, I let it idle while watching the dots dance across my screen again. I wasn’t running late, and I still had time to grab coffee and breakfast, I could wait.

Nathan

A football game? I am off Sunday… But won’t you be working?

He didn’t jump on the question and was worried I’d be working, another great sign. Fist-pumping the air, I accidentally punched the roof of my car and the pain reminded me I needed to answer his question.

Yes, but I can get you on the field for pre-game warm-ups and meet up after. If you want?

He didn’t reply right away, so I backed out of my driveway and made my way towards the freeway through my packed neighborhood. My phone was connected to my car, and it read Nathan’s next message aloud to me in the masculine voice I programmed it with. Not nearly as hot to listen to as the man himself.

Nathan

Of course, I’d love to hang out with you on Sunday if that’s the time you have available. Going to a game will be a bonus. It’s a date!

Not able to contain my excitement, I wiggled with excitement in my seat. I had a date with Nathan Meyer. How was I going to concentrate on work, now?