Dating and the Single Life

By Kirk Landers

Published on Jan 30, 2004

Gay

Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.

Just a quick note to thank everyone who's been reading. Hope you enjoy!

Here's part 12 entitled "New Beginnings"

PREVIOUSLY

Kyle then went back to work. As he was finishing up someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw his sister, Phoebe, there. She was 25, 5'6", long dark hair, and brown eyes.

"Phoebe," Kyle said giving her a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"Doing some Christmas shopping," Phoebe replied. "I haven't talked to you in so long."

"Well, you know, ever since the fall out with the family..." Kyle said.

"I'm sure you, mom, and dad can work everything out if you go talk to them," Phoebe said.

"Phoebe, you heard them, they don't want me in their life anymore. They don't like the fact that their only son is a fag," Kyle said quietly.

"Actually, you're not their only son anymore," Phoebe replied.

"What?" Kyle asked.

"Mom had a baby a few months ago," Phoebe replied.


"Kyle, this is Ricky." Phoebe said as Kyle picked up his three month old brother.

"Hey little guy," Kyle said sweetly. "I'm your big brother Kyle. Phoebe, do you mind if I have a little alone time with him?"

"Oh sure," Phoebe said. "I'll just be looking around."

Phoebe then walked off in the store as Kyle sat down holding his brother.

"You probably never heard of me. Mom and Dad aren't exactly very fond of me. But I want you to know that I'm your brother. You most likely won't see me much in your life, but whenever I can, I'll visit you. It's actually probably best that you don't hang around with me much. I don't want you to grow up and be like me. The life I have is one that I would never want you to have. Living life with out your parents' love, knowing that you're their biggest disappointment. Just be happy, grow up, get married, and have kids. That's the life I want you to have. Can you promise me that?" Kyle asked, looking lovingly at his brother.


"Mom!" Kyle said, suprised to see his mom, Carol, 5'6", dark blonde hair, late 40's, standing there. "What are you doing here?"

"I have to speak with you," Carol replied.

"What is it you have to say?" Kyle asked sharply.

"I came to tell you that I don't want you around my son," Carol replied bluntly.

"He's my brother," Kyle said.

"Only by blood," Carol retorted. "I don't want him to grow up and be like you."

"I don't want that either!" Kyle snapped.

"We want him to grow up, meet a GIRL, get married and have kids," Carol said. "dreams that your father and I once had for you."

"Yeah, well sorry I ruined that dream for you," Kyle replied.

"Don't try and act like the victim here," Carol said. "You are the one who decided to live like this. You have no idea what you've done to your father and me."

"You're right, I'm the bad guy. I'm the fag that ruined your life," Kyle said angrily.

"And I don't want to have to go through that again with Rick," Carol said.

"Believe me, that's the last thing I want for him. I don't want his life to be anything like mine. You want him to get married and have kids, so do I. I want him to be accepted. I want him to be successful. Everything I'm not right?" Kyle asked.

"Right. Then you'll stay away from him?" Carol said.

"Fine," Kyle said painfully.

"Good," Carol said as she turned to leave.

"What? No good bye hug?" Kyle asked sarcastically.

Carol didn't even respond as she continued walking away. Kyle then slammed his door. As Carol got into her car she began to cry as she drove off. Kyle went and sat on the couch and began to cry as well.


"NEW BEGINNINGS"

Kyle and David were laying on Kyle's bed listening to music. David was holding Kyle in his arms and leaning his head on top of Kyle's.

"To think, we could have had this so long ago if I hadn't been so scared of falling in love again," Kyle said.

"It doesn't matter," David replied. "We have each other now, that's what counts."

"It doesn't bother you at all?" Kyle asked.

"No, because it was all worth it," David answered sweetly. He then gave Kyle a kiss. "By the way, I have a question to ask you."

"What is it?" Kyle asked, sitting to face him.

"Okay, well I know this may sound dumb, but I really want to do this okay?" David asked.

"Okay, sure," Kyle replied.

"Remember when I was dating that guy, Jason, about a month or two after we met each other?" David asked.

"Yeah," Kyle said.

"All right, well, about a few weeks of dating him I was going to ask him officially to be my boyfriend, and I had asked you of a good way to do it," David said.

"I remember," Kyle said.

"Well, you told me the most romantic, sweet, sincere way to ask him, and I remember that was the first time I began to develop feelings for you. Anyway, I had asked him the way you told me to and he said no because he liked the way things were between us at the time," David continued.

"And that's when you guys started falling apart," Kyle remembered.

"Yeah, well, I thought I'd do my proposal to someone else, someone I'm thinking will say yes," David said. "Kyle, you and I have known each other for over four years. In that time I fell for you, and it was like no one else I've ever fallen for before. I get happier whenever I'm around you, I feel stronger, I feel like a better person when I'm with you. When I hold you, I want to stay like that forever, and when I kiss you the world goes away and it's just you and me. I promised you once that I would never hurt you, and I still hold that promise to you. So I'm asking you, Kyle Garrett, will you be my boyfriend?"

Kyle smiled, touched beyond words at what David said to him. He leaned in and kissed David softly.

"How can a guy turn down a proposal like that?" Kyle asked smiling. "Yes."

David leaned in and kissed Kyle deeply and passionately. The two laid on the bed and kissed and held each other the rest of the night.


Meanwhile, Tyler and Jake were laying in their bed together. Jake was laying on the far side of the bed, while Tyler was more in the middle.

"What are you doing so far away?" Tyler asked taking Jake's hand. "Come closer babe."

Reluctantly, Jake scooted in.

"You feeling all right?" Tyler asked.

"Fine," Jake lied. He was feeling guilty still, guilty for being so attracted to another guy. He was trying to avoid Tyler because of his guilt and he didn't feel worthy of Tyler's love.

"You feel like doing stuff?" Tyler asked smiling.

"Not tonight," Jake replied. "I'm tired."

"It's only 10:30," Tyler pointed out.

"Well, it's been a long day," Jake replied.

"Okay, let's just go to sleep then," Tyler said, turning off the light. He then went and tried to spoon Jake against him.

"Not tonight," Jake said moving away from Tyler. "I'm kind of hot."

"Oh, okay," Tyler said, feeling a little wounded as he moved further to his side of the bed.

Jake rolled on his side away from Tyler and stayed up most of the night trying to find a way to get over Miles and to make it all up to Tyler.


The next day the guys were eating breakfast together. Kyle and David were both sitting close to each other, flirting, Marcus and Randal were talking about the dates they set up for each other that night, and Tyler and Jake were very quiet with one another.

"What's wrong guys?" Kyle asked, noticing they were both not talking.

"Nothing," Jake answered. "I actually have to get to work early so I'll see you guys later."

Jake then got up and left.

"Is everything all right between you two?" Marcus asked.

"I don't think so. He's been avoiding me, but I don't know why," Tyler explained.

"Maybe it has something to do with that new guy who works at the store," David floated.

"What guy?" Tyler asked.

"He didn't tell you?" David asked.

"No," Tyler replied, "What guy?"

"Crap, I shouldn't have said anything," David said, feeling guilty.

"Well, it's too late now. What guy?" Tyler pressed.

"Oh damn," David said quietly.

"What guy?" Tyler asked again.

"Well, there's this new guy at his work," David began explaining. "Anyway, he is attracted to Jake and Jake is sort of attracted to him."

"Have they done anything?" Tyler asked.

"No," David said quickly. "They haven't done anything, it's just an attraction."

"That's all?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah," David replied.

"That's no big deal," Tyler said relieved. "I thought he cheated on me or something, but if it's just an attraction then why is Jake so upset over it?"

"He feels he's betraying you in a way," David explained.

"Oh, I should talk to him," Tyler said getting up. "I'll see you guys later, I'm going to try and catch up with him."

The guys said bye as Tyler got up and left.

"What are you guys up to today?" Kyle asked Marcus and Randal.

"We have a date tonight," Randal replied.

"With each other?" David asked suprised.

"No, no," Marcus answered. "We set each other up on blind dates and we're doing a double date tonight."

"Oh," Kyle replied. "Are you ready?"

"Well, as ready as I'm ever going to be I guess," Marcus answered.

"And I'll be there in case he starts feeling weird or anything," Randal offered.

"Yeah, so it'll be all right," Marcus said.

"Good luck with that," David said.

"Thanks," Marcus replied.

"This is pretty big for you too, Randal," Kyle mentioned. "You've never had a boyfriend, right?"

"Yeah, I've never really dated before either," Randal answered.

"You'll be fine," Kyle said optimistically.

"Well, I should get going," Marcus said getting up. "I have to get to work."

"Can you drop me off at the club?" Randal asked, getting up also.

"Yeah, sure," Marcus replied.

"Bye," David said as they headed out.

"Later," Randal said.

"Bye guys," Marcus added as they left.

David and Kyle looked at the empty table and noticed...

"Do you realize that all of them just left us with the check?" David asked, laughing as he noticed that him and Kyle had to pay for all their breakfasts.

"Interesting," Kyle commented. "Well, I have to get to work."

Kyle began to get up, but David grabbed his arm and sat him back down.

"Nice try," David said smiling. "We're splitting this."

"Damn, it didn't work," Kyle said jokingly.

"You little ass," David said laughing.

Kyle just smiled.


Outside, Jake was walking to work. He was a couple of blocks away when Tyler caught up to him.

"Hey Jake," Tyler called out.

Jake turned around and was suprised to see Tyler.

"Hi," Jake said nervously.

"We need to talk," Tyler said.

"About?" Jake asked.

"The new guy at your work," Tyler replied.

"David told you?!" Jake asked appalled.

"Yeah, but don't blame him. He thought you had told me already so he accidentally let it slip," Tyler replied.

Jake was quiet, not knowing what to say.

"I'm not mad or anything," Tyler said. "Just confused as to why you didn't tell me."

"It doesn't seem like something my boyfriend would want to hear," Jake pointed out.

"Yeah, but it's just a little attraction," Tyler explained. "We all have that."

Jake wanted to explain that it wasn't a little attraction, it was a BIG attraction, but he couldn't. Jake wanted to tell him that the attraction he had towards Miles wasn't one he'd had before. It was strong, and more than just a physical attraction.

"I'm sorry," Jake sighed, not knowing what else to say.

"Don't worry about it," Tyler replied. "It's nothing. Now do you feel better?"

"Yeah," Jake said, smiling a little.

"Good, so I'll see you later," Tyler said.

"Bye," Jake replied as he turned and left.

Jake walked away, still filled with guilt and the ultimate sense of confusion.


Over at the toy store, Kyle was on his break and sitting outside when his cell rang.

"Hello?" Kyle asked answering.

"I miss you," David said sweetly.

"Miss you too," Kyle replied, equally as sweet.

"You should quit your job there and come work at my store," David suggested half seriously. "We can be closer that way."

"Yeah, but then we'd probably fight all the time," Kyle replied smiling. "I can handle you as my boyfriend, but as my boss? Yeah right."

"But you would get the ultimate in fringe benefits," David said seductively.

"You're a dork," Kyle said laughing.

"Yeah, but I'm your dork," David said, "Your very cute dork."

"Oh God, here comes the big head," Kyle said sarcastically. "Don't compliment yourself so much, or I might leave you."

"You love me too much to leave me," David said.

"That's probably true," Kyle answered.

"You want to stay over tonight?" David asked.

"I don't know, I still feel a little weird going over to your place," Kyle replied.

"Why?" David asked. "You've been there lots of times."

"But it's still half empty from Brett moving out," Kyle answered. "I still feel guilty for what happened."

"I know, but we can't deny what we feel is right," David said. "Sacrificing our happiness would be just as unfair. I just really hope that Brett and I can be friends again one day."

"I know," Kyle replied.

"So, how about I stay at your place?" David asked.

"Sure, that's fine. Marcus won't be home until late with that date of his so we'll have the place to ourselves," Kyle replied.

"You think you might be ready to take our relationship to the next level?" David asked.

"You mean sex?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah," David replied.

Kyle took a deep breath, not really sure how to answer.

"If you don't want to, it's fine," David added. "I'm not trying to pressure you."

"I don't know David," Kyle said. "That's a really big step."

"I know," David answered. "If you don't want to it's okay."

"Let me think about it all right?" Kyle asked.

"Of course," David answered.

"Well, my break's over so I should get going. I'll see you later," Kyle said.

"Bye babe," David replied.

"Bye," Kyle answered, then he hung up and went back to work.


Marcus was at work when he got a phone call from Randal.

"What's up?" Randal asked.

"Not much, just getting ready to go to court," Marcus replied.

"What's the case?" Randal asked.

"Just a small one. Some guy is claiming that he owns the rights to a book that this publishing company issued, but he has no proof," Marcus replied.

"You won't be long in court right?" Randal asked.

"No, no," Marcus answered. "I shouldn't be long at all. This case will be simple."

"Okay good, because I don't want you canceling the double date tonight," Randal said.

"I won't," Marcus replied.

"You nervous?" Randal asked.

"Kind of," Marcus said. "I mean, it's just been a while you know?"

"Yeah," Randal said. "You sure you're ready?"

"I don't know, but I feel I have to do this," Marcus said. "I can't let Thomas ruin my life more than he already has."

"That's true," Randal said. "It'll be fine. I'll be there, so if you want to leave just tell me."

"Okay, thanks," Marcus said. "Well, I have to get going so I'll see you later."

"Bye," Randal said, as they hung up.


At work, Jake was trying at all costs to avoid Miles, but after about an hour of this Miles came up to him directly during their break.

"Are you avoiding me?" Miles asked.

"No, of course not," Jake lied.

"Is it because of what I said to you last week?" Miles asked. "Because if you're worried I'm going to keep asking you out or something, I won't. I know you have a boyfriend and I wouldn't want to ruin that for you."

"Thanks, but it's not that I don't trust you," Jake explained. "I don't trust myself when I'm around you."

"What do you mean?" Miles asked confused.

"When I'm around you I get these feelings that I can't control," Jake answered.

"Do you have feelings for me?" Miles asked.

Jake was quiet for a little bit, but then slowly nodded his head. "Yes."

"And that's a bad thing?" Miles asked.

"Yes, it's a very bad thing because I'm with Tyler," Jake replied.

"Right," Miles sighed.

"Listen, if it was a different time-" Jake tried explaining.

"Don't worry about it," Miles said. "It's fine."

Miles then gave a kind smile and went back to work. Jake stood there watching him walk away, torn between his loyalty to Tyler and his forbidden feelings for Miles.


Back at work Kyle was working when he looked towards the door and saw his sister, Phoebe, walk in.

"Hey Phoebe," Kyle said coming up to her and giving her a hug.

Phoebe looked at him with a sad look, her eyes red from crying, her hair messy, clothes sloppy.

"What's wrong?" Kyle asked as they went outside.

"It's mom," Phoebe replied.

Just by the way Phoebe said those two words he knew the worst had happened.

"What happened?" Kyle asked shocked.

"Heart attack," Phoebe replied softly.

Kyle leaned in and gave his sister another big hug as his eyes started to water.

"Give me two seconds and we'll get out of here okay?" Kyle asked.

Phoebe nodded. Kyle then went and told his manager he was taking the rest of the day off and explained what had happened. The manager let him off and Kyle went with Phoebe. The two of them went for a walk in the park and sat down on the park bench.

"She had a heart attack?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, she's been having a lot of stress problems for a while and I guess it was just too much for her to handle," Phoebe replied.

"She's had stress for a while? You mean ever since the big fall out between me and her?" Kyle asked.

Phoebe didn't say anything, Kyle nodded taking her silence as a yes.

"So, I killed mom," Kyle said. He then sat and thought about times when he and his mom were close.

FLASHBACK

Kyle's 15 years old and just got home from school.

"Hey mom," Kyle said walking into the kitchen.

"Hi sweetie," Carol replied. "How did your test go today?"

"All right, I think I got a B on it," Kyle answered.

"Really?" Carol asked proudly. "That's great Kyle! I know how stressed you were over it."

"Yeah, but I wanted to get an A," Kyle complained.

"Kyle, listen don't put that kind of pressure on yourself all the time. It isn't healthy," Carol said. "Your dad and I don't care either way if you get an A, B, C or whatever on a test. As long as you're having fun and happy that's all that matters. Have fun with your youth."

"Thanks mom," Kyle smiled.

"No problem sweetheart," Carol answered, "Besides you have your adult life to get the pressures in life. But even when you get a job Kyle, don't forget to have fun."

"Yeah, but I can't be successful and have fun in my adult life if I don't get into a good college," Kyle said.

"You will," Carol said, "You'll be successful, you'll meet a nice girl, get married, have kids, all of that good stuff."

Kyle's smile fainted as he heard his mom's hopes and dreams for his future. As much as he would like to give that to her, he knew he never could.

END FLASHBACK

"You did not kill mom," Phoebe protested.

"I just wish I had a chance to make peace with her," Kyle said.

"You can," Phoebe replied. "The funeral is in three days."

"Okay," Kyle said. "When did it happen?"

"Four days ago," Phoebe answered.

"I know that her and I didn't get along for the past four years, but despite everything, I still loved her," Kyle said quietly. "She was my mom."

"So, you'll be at the service tomorrow?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah," Kyle answered. "I'll be there."

"All right, well come by the house tomorrow morning at around ten and we'll go to the service together," Phoebe said.

"Okay," Kyle said.

"I have to get going. There's still a lot of stuff to do," Phoebe said, getting up.

"All right," Kyle said giving Phoebe a hug. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course," Phoebe answered. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye," Kyle replied as Phoebe walked away.

Kyle sat back down on the bench and looked towards the playground area. He noticed a woman playing with her son. She was pushing him on the swing set and the little boy was laughing and smiling. Kyle smiled, remembering times when his mom and him had a relationship like that and he wished things had stayed the same through out his life.


That night Randal and Marcus were at Randal's place getting ready for the double date.

"So who am I going out with?" Marcus asked.

"His name's Roman," Randal replied. "I've known him for about a year. He's a friend of mine, but we don't see each other often."

"Okay," Marcus answered.

"What about the guy I'm going out with tonight?" Randal asked.

"His name is Stanley," Marcus replied, "I met him at work. He's an intern there. Very sweet guy, he's the type of guy I think you could have a future with."

"Well, we'll see," Randal said.

Just then they heard the doorbell and went to answer it. To their surprise, both of the guys got there at the same time. They all headed out.


Later that night, Jake was getting ready to leave when he saw Miles putting on his jacket. He was going to leave with out saying anything, but some how felt compelled to talk to him.

"Hi," Jake said as he slowly walked up to Miles.

"Hey," Miles replied, giving a friendly smile.

"Listen, I'm sorry about earlier," Jake said.

"Don't worry about it," Miles replied. "You have nothing to be sorry about."

"Yes I do," Jake said. "You're a really great guy. I just want to make sure you know that my reason for not going out with you has nothing to do with you. I'm attracted to you, but I'm seeing someone."

"Jake, why are you beating yourself up over this so much?" Miles asked. "There's obviously more than just a little attraction between us."

"Yea, but-" Jake began, but Miles cut him off.

"I can end up being everything you want, but you might just let that all go because of your loyalty," Miles said.

"Miles..." Jake protested

Before Jake could say anything else Miles leaned in and kissed him deeply. Jake at first tried to push away, but then felt himself slowly getting seduced by the kiss and loving it. He started to wrap his arms around Miles, but then he found himself remembering Tyler.

FLASHBACK

"What would you like us to be?" Tyler asked.

"I want us to be just that, an 'us'," Jake explained. "I want this to go somewhere. But I just want to make sure that's what you want too."

"It is," Tyler said. "I just didn't want to rush you or anything."

"So, are we making it official?" Jake asked.

"I think so," Tyler replied smiling.

The two leaned in and kissed tenderly.

END FLASHBACK

Jake suddenly pulled out of the kiss with Miles feeling a sense of guilt like he'd never felt before.

"What is it?" Miles asked.

"I have to go," Jake replied then hurried and left.


Marcus and Randal were with their dates at a restaurant together.

"So Roman, what do you like doing when you're not working?" Marcus asked.

"I don't know. Whatever," Roman boringly replied.

"I see," Marcus answered taking a sip from his drink. "What kind of music you like?"

"Whatever," Roman answered.

Marcus rolled his eyes at how bored he was. Over at the other side of the table, things seemed to be going much better between Stanley and Randal.

"You grew up in Seattle?" Randal asked smiling, "So did I."

"Really?" Stanley asked.

"Yeah, my favorite part was Fourth of July. They always did that great fireworks display at the Space Needle," Randal said.

"Oh yeah! My family and I went to that every year when I was growing up," Stanley said.

"Me too," Randal said.

"That's really cool," Stanley, "What high school did you go to?"

"Franklin," Randal answered.

"I went to Roosevelt," Stanley replied.

"Really?" Randal asked amazed, "Wow, we played your high school in sports."

"Yeah, that's pretty cool. We might have actually crossed paths a few times," Stanley said.

Randal and Stanley both looked at each other, very much enjoying the date. Marcus on the other hand, was completely bored to death with Roman.

"Oh damn, look at the time," Marcus said. "I have to go. I need to get to work early tomorrow."

"You have to leave so soon?" Randal asked.

"Yeah," Marcus replied. "Nice meeting you Roman."

Roman shook Marcus's hand.

"Bye guys," Marcus said as he got up to leave. After Marcus left, Roman left about five minutes later. Randal and Stanley continued their conversation together.


Jake got home and quickly went to take a shower to try and wash off the pain and guilt he felt for kissing Miles. When he got done he looked at himself in the mirror and was disgusted with what he saw. He saw a traitor, a cheat, he couldn't believe what he did to Tyler. He then went into the bedroom to lie down. After about twenty minutes had passed, Tyler walked in.

"Hey baby," Tyler said happily.

"Hi," Jake quietly replied.

"Today was such a busy day at work," Tyler said, taking off his shirt.

"Oh," Jake answered. He couldn't even bare to look Tyler in the eyes.

"You okay?" Tyler asked, sitting next to Jake.

"I'm fine," Jake said sitting up. "I just need some air."

Jake then got up and walked out the door. He leaned against the door outside and closed his eyes. He didn't know what to do and it was torturing him...


At Kyle's apartment David had come over and Kyle told him what happened. That night the two were laying in bed together. Kyle was facing the wall thinking about his mom. David was laying down with one arm around Kyle.

"Kyle," David said, trying to get Kyle to open up.

"I don't want to talk about it," Kyle said quietly. He then turned around to face David and he leaned his head against David's chest. "Not right now."

Kyle then went to look through his mail on the counter. He saw a small envelope. When he looked at the return address, he saw it came from his mom. He opened it up and read the letter.

Kyle,

I know that I haven't been the best mother to you and that I don't deserve much from you, but I want you to understand that no matter what, you'll always be my son. You're one of my greatest joys and for what has happened to us, I feel like a failure. I don't know how much time I have, for I haven't been feeling well, but always know that I do love you. As I've been going through some things of mine I wanted to see something that would make me smile, and the thing that put the biggest smile on my face was a picture of you and me when you were first born. Take care and be proud of who you are, I'm sorry it took me so long to see it.

Love, Mom

Kyle set the letter down and sat thinking about everything...


To Be Continued...

With any comments, questions or feedback, please e-mail me at ILJ4EVER44@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Next: Chapter 13


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