We get to the table, pour a few drinks, and Marcus quickly says to Josh, “Is it normally like this, fans and women just pouring on you?”
Josh smiles and says, “Well, I am still newish in New York, but last season, we were trash, so no one wanted any part of us.” He continues, “Crazy how one win and boom, we are gods.”
I smile and say, “Ha! Gods.”
Josh smiles and looks into my eyes, “Shut it! Now tell me who you have plans with, Mr. Popular.”
Now that both of the guys know about my sexuality, I feel free to talk about Nate. I explain to them how we became officially boyfriends only recently. I am meeting his family in a few weeks, and he's been sleeping at my place for the past two weeks. I talk about Nate to the guys as if he were some god and that I am some peasant drooling over him. Thankfully, they just listen and smile, sensing my excitement.
After I finish obsessing over Nate to my friends for what seems like hours, based on their facial expressions, Marcus looks at me with a smirk on his face and childishly says, “Aw, wittle Carter is in love.”
I look at him, obviously blushing, and say, “Fuck off.” I smile, though, knowing that I might be falling for Nate, even if it’s only been a short time together.
After an hour of shooting the shit, making fun of each other, and pumping each other up for next week's game, I look at both guys and say, “It’s about that time.”
Josh looks at me, smiling, and says, “Time for what? Time to play with more balls?”
Marcus butts in and says, “Yeah, dude, didn’t you get enough balls today during the game?”
I look at both of them, chuckle, shake my head, and leave without another word.
I take out my phone and message Nate,Hi babe, I know you are practicing your music shit at Mel’s, but come over whenever. It’s 9 p.m., so Nate will definitely be sleeping over. It helps that Mel lives close to me, so Nate can walk to me and even walk back for more band practice tomorrow.
I feel bad that he’s only gotten a few gigs lined up. I could sense stress in his eyes, especially when money is involved. I always pick up the tab when we order food for delivery, which is no problem at all. I sense that he feels some guilt about me always paying, and I always tell him I have way too much money for a twenty-six-year-old.
By the time my Uber ends up at my place, Nate is already outside waiting. He is wearing a comfortable red t-shirt with a design that resembles a Pokémon-like creature. He has on his typical round glasses, which I love, and is sporting some really messy hair. It’s good his hair is messy now; I won’t feel bad making a mess of it later on.
I get out of my Uber and look for anyone watching as I pull Nate in for a kiss. We head upstairs to my apartment and throw our stuff on the floor. Well, Nate places his guitar nicely in the corner, as it is clearly his prized possession.
Nate looks at me, smiling, “You never called me babe before, not even in a text.”
I look back at Nate, realizing he is right, “It just flowed off my fingers and onto the screen. I couldn’t help myself.” I nervously say, “Is that okay that I called you babe?”
“Oh, babe. Yes, I love it.” Nate says in a silly voice.
Before I can say anything else, Nate sits on my couch and pats the cushion next to him, “I know this is random, but I want to share my findings,” He says playfully.
“Um, findings? Are you some detective now?” I joke, but I am also confused as to what he has to say.
I sit next to him, feeling a little nervous and curious about what he will say, “I have been researching and trying to learn how to identify myself for a while.” I look at him with curiosity and he continues to blurt out, “I think I am demisexual.”
“What the fuck is that,” I joke.
“So, I have been with men and women both before, but I never look at random people like you do. Like, I don’t look at a man or woman and immediately think about them sexually.”
I look at Nate, about to deny that I do that, but stop myself since he is right.
Nate continues, “Demisexuality is when someone experiences sexual attraction with someone after forming an emotional connection. I think because of our chemistry and our emotional connection; I feel more urges to fool around sexually with you.”
“Well, I like the sound of that, and I am glad you found an orientation you identify with.”
“Right!” Nate jumps and says in a tone full of excitement. “It never bothered me, not knowing what I am, but I am glad I can call myself something now. It’s always been so interesting to me; how sex never really mattered to me, but with you, it means everything.
I can’t help but smile at his words, which is when I stand up next to him and bring him in for a kiss.
After we kiss for a few minutes, we both jump into our pajamas and lie in bed. We went over the details of my game and each player's stats. I always forget that Nate plays fantasy football, which I love. He went on and on about how he had drafted Jalen Briggs early but wished he had drafted Jack Sanders instead.
“Babe, relax! Briggs will pick it up; I promise,” I playfully say, but with confidence.
