SINCE I HAVE BEEN GETTING RUDE COMMENTS, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING, THEN READ AT YOUR OWN RISK FOR THE REASONS STATED BELOW.
A) This story is A.U (alternate universe) = I explore the possibilities of pivotal changes made to characters' history, motivations or environment.
B) O.O.C.(out of character) = My characters have different personalities, behaviors, jobs, ages, etc....
C) I DON'T write cannon. Meaning of cannon = In terms of a fictional universe, it's a body of material that is considered to be "genuine" or "official", that can be directly referenced as, or as if it were, material produced by the original author or creator of a series. As defined at
THE CHASECHAPTER: 1 RATED: PG, SLIGHT LANGUAGESUMMARY: LUKE LIVES IN A TOWNHOUSE AND NEEDS 2 ROOMMATESDISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and storyline/plot are the property of september(25). No copyright infringement is intended.NOTE TO READERS- To give you a visual, the townhouse is bi-levl. The bottom level is the basement/storage area. The higher level is the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. there is an open loft overlooking the living room and the front door can be seen from there as well.
*A Special shout out to OnceInALifetime. My Beta Whom Puts Up With My Grammatical Errors Et Al Mistakes. A Huge THANK YOU For Your Time, Energy and For Accepting the Task at Hand. ___________________________________________________
Luke opened the newspaper and spread it on the dining room table. He searched the classified ads for apartments, then ran his finger down the columns and found the ad he paid for.
Male looking for two male roommates to share to share a three bedroom / two bathroom spacious townhouse.
Gated community with outdoor pool.
$600.00/month including utilities.
Available Now
Call 555-4435 day/eves
As soon as he finished checking the ad for mistakes, his cell phone rang.
"Hello, Luke Snyder speaking." he answered.
"Yea, I wanna know about the place for rent," A male's voice inquired through the phone.
"Sure." Luke smiled. "Could I get your name first?"
"It's Jamie." the young sounding man replied.
"What would you like to know Jamie?" Luke asked, curious as to what the man would say.
"You got a washer and dryer in the place?" he asked with that stereotypical 'surfer/valley boy' accent.
Luke nodded. Realizing that Jamie couldn't see him he answered, "Yes, on the first floor. They're new too. They're the ones you load from the front."
"Air conditioning?" Jamie asked.
"Yes, all the amenities." Luke answered.
"I wanna see it." Jamie demanded, "Can I come now- ya got time?"
Luke looked around the spacious area. He just needed to straighten the house quickly; then it would be presentable. He wasn't a neat freak or overly meticulous, but he desperately needed roommates and he wanted the place to look presentable. He couldn't afford to pay the full $1,800 a month in Southern California.
"Sure come now. The address is-" Luke recited it and closed his phone. He quickly dashed through the rooms and tidied up. He straightened the pictures of his family that were placed on the mantle the fireplace, then he waited nervously for his potential roommate to arrive.
Luke was pacing nervously when a rather important fact dawned on him. "Oh shit!" he exclaimed and ran to the kitchen. He grabbed the phone and called Hank, the security guard at the gate. Luke told him to let in a man named Jamie.
"He's right here arguing with me, Mr. Snyder." Hank chuckled. "I'll let him know he may pass through."
"Thank you." Luke replied, and ran a hand down his face.
Soon he answered the door to a nineteen-ish year old bronzed blond who was wearing flip flops, swim trunks and a poncho. He looked rather irate.
'Great I royally screwed up!' Luke thought, but stuck his hand out to be shaken anyways. With a smile he said, "I'm Luke Snyder, nice to meet you."
Jamie looked at Luke, shook his hand and nodded at him. "S'up?" he asked with his eyebrows drawn together.
"Come in." Luke said and moved away from the door. "Sorry about Hank, the security guard. It's my fault. I forgot to call down about your arrival."
Jamie entered the townhouse and scoped out the living area. "Chill dude, it's all cool now." he reassured Luke, and walked around. His eyes took everything in. "Nice man," he nodded and walked to the sliding glass doors. He strolled outside, leaned against the wrought iron railing and looked down at the large rectangular pool. It was nearly void of swimmers. Most of the people were not in the water, but were women in bikinis tanning on lounge chairs. "That view is choice dude!" Jamie turned to Luke and grinned.
Luke smiled politely. Was he supposed to tell potential renters he was gay? He didn't think so. Maybe just the serious ones or maybe not at all.
They walked back inside, and Jamie pointed to a staircase to the right of them that led to a loft overlooked the living room. "What's up there?" he asked as he eyed Luke.
"That's my bedroom slash work area, and the other bathroom."
"Where are the other bedrooms man?" Jamie asked with his foot tapping on the carpeted floor.
"Through here." Luke said and led him past the dining room and kitchen. He pointed to the bathroom on the right and continued down the hall. "There's a bedroom on the right and one on the left. They're the same size and are furnished similarly except one room is painted green, and other room is blue."
Jamie opened the door on his right and peeked in. "I hate green." he stated, then went across the hall and walked into the other room. "Cool! Blue like the ocean." He looked around and opened drawers and the closet. "How much per month, again?" he asked.
"It's $600, including utilities." Luke answered as he watched Jamie check everything over with a fine toothed comb.
"Would ya take $500?" Jamie asked, looking out the window at the view.
Luke shook his head and replied regretfully, "I'm sorry but no, I can't really afford to cut a hundred."
"Bummer!" Jamie grumbled.
"If it's not what you're looking for-"
Jamie twirled around and said, "It's bitchin' man. I want it. Where do I sign?"
"Really? You're sure?" Luke asked happily.
"Sure as shit dude!" Jamie replied and walked out to the kitchen. He looked around at the various stainless steel appliances with black accents. "Man this is off the wall!"
Luke agreed. "Top of the line."
"You decorated the place?" Jamie asked.
Luke replied, "No, my.... the owner, Lucinda Walsh, owns the townhouses in this community."
"Hm, she's got expensive taste." Jamie replied.
Luke took out a piece of paper and a pen and said, "Write your name and number here, and then a few references. I'll reserve the blue bedroom for you. As soon as I have the proper papers drawn up I'll call - after you sign, you can move in." Luke watched as Jamie wrote his name and number on the paper with his left hand. Suddenly, Luke said, "Oh, I need two months rent right after you sign the one year lease."
"No prob dude. See ya later." Jamie said and left.
Luke closed the door and shook his head. "A surfer?" he asked no one and laughed to himself. "I think I just got stupider listening to him talk. Yes, I did. Stupider isn't even a word.... or is it? At any rate, I most definitely got dumber."
___________________________________________
Sunday, two days later...
Many men called about the ad, and quite a few came to tour the townhouse, but none of them wanted to rent it. 'The place wasn't near the ocean,' a few men complained. One or two people didn't like the "snobbish vibe" the area gave off. Most said the residency wasn't what they were looking for. The last man stated that he wasn't expecting such a young roommate. He didn't want to live with someone who was "going to party and make noise every night." Luke tried to explain that he wasn't that type of person, but the older man shook his head and left. None of Jamie's references called him back, even though he left messages on their machines. Luke could justify it by telling himself that it was the weekend and people were busy, but he was pretty sure Jamie lied about wanting the place due to the price. The nineteen year old probably couldn't afford to live here.
Discouraged by the lack of interest of in the townhouse, Luke laid on his couch and tried to take a nap. He was just drifting off when his phone rang. He sat up and grabbed it off of the oak coffee table.
He tried to sound alert and awake. "Luke Snyder, hello?"
"Hi. I'm calling about the rooms for rent. Is one still available?" a smooth voice asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there is one room left. I hope you like green." Luke chuckled to himself.
"Huh?" that smooth voice asked, sounding slightly confused.
"Oh, the bedroom that hasn't been taken is painted a light sea-green color." Luke smiled.
"I don't mind green. When can I see it? Are you busy today?" the man replied.
"Nope; I'm free all day. What time is good for you.... umm, I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name." Luke said.
"Sorry, I'm Taylor." the man replied. "Say... uh, I know there's a law against discrimination and all, but do you care if I'm--"
"Black?" Luke asked.
"No." Taylor said in a sober manner. He wasn't sure he liked Luke, or his sense of humor - if he was joking at all.
"Oh, I think I understand what you mean." Luke nodded as what Taylor was trying to say hit him.
"Yeah, oh." Taylor said in a snippy way. He'd had enough of jerks who didn't want him as a roommate. "So?"
"It's cool. I'm gay myself, so no worries there."
Taylor sighed with relief. In a nicer tone, he said "Thank god! You don't know how many roommates I've had that have kicked me out. They get away with it because they make up some excuse after they find out. I just decided to get it out of the way right off the bat so that there are no secrets."
Luke smiled. "I'm glad you told me."
"Me too!" Taylor said. "I can be there within thirty minutes."
"Sounds good! I'll call the gate to let them know that you're on you're way; just say you're here to see the townhouse and Hank, the security guard, will let you in." Luke said, and gave Taylor the address to the townhouse.
"See you then Luke. Bye."
___________________________________________________-
"Where do you want me to put this suitcase?" Luke asked, hefting a rather heavy bag into the green bedroom.
"On the bed, please," Taylor replied, laughing at the strained look on Luke's face. "Here, let me help you." the dark haired, fair skinned, blue eyed, twenty-six year old said as he helped Luke lift the bulging bag onto the bed.
Luke stood up with a groan, reached his hand behind his body and placed it on his lower back. "Crap!" he complained.
"Did you hurt yourself?" Taylor asked with concern, turning Luke around.
"I think I might have pulled a muscle." Luke said, his voice straining.
Taylor moved Luke's hand away and said, "Let me."
Grabbing Luke's waist, he moved his thumbs up and down Luke's lower back to work the muscles on either side of his spine.
"Ahhhh...." Luke moaned. "That hit the spot!"
When Taylor finished the massage, Luke turned around and grinned. "Thanks so much." he said.
Taylor unzipped his suitcase as he answered Luke. "No problem. I studied massage therapy at the university as an alternative medicine. I'm a massage physical therapist now. Mostly for children." he said as he unpacked his clothes, and placed them in a dresser, then walked over to the closet to hang clothes in there.
Luke sat on the bed and observed Taylor, making mental notes. Taylor was the same height as himself, but more slight.
"What do you do for fun?" Luke asked out of curiosity.
Taylor looked away from the closet and said, "I like to read and spend quiet nights at home during the week. On weekends I like to go out clubbing- but don't worry, I'm not a vicious drunk and I won't have fifty people coming over to party and trash the place."
Luke laughed, causing Taylor to smile at the attractive blond before he turned to finish hanging up his dress shirts.
"So," Taylor said in the kitchen. "Who is this Jamie guy, and why hasn't he moved in yet?"
Luke finished chopping the tomato for their salad as he spoke. "I have no idea. I tried calling, but his voice mail says, 'Hey dude, I'm at the beach diggin' the waves. Leave a message man.'" Luke laughed when Taylor chuckled.
"Can you afford to pay double your own rent for another month?" Taylor asked.
Luke nodded, "Yeah, it's no problem. I know the landlord and she is really nice. She'll give me a few days to come up with the extra rent money." Luke smiled, thinking that his grandmother would let him in the townhouse stay free of charge, but Luke wanted to pay. He was an adult, and he could handle the responsibility. He didn't want to answer to anyone.
Taylor spread grated cheese on top of a large bowl of lettuce and vegetables. "What do you do for a living, Luke?"
Luke glanced at Taylor and held his breath. "I... um, I write." he looked away, slightly embarrassed.
Taylor picked up the bowl while Luke grabbed plates, forks and the other necessities. He followed the dark haired man to the dining room table and sat down. They used the salad tongs to load their plates, then added dressing and croutons.
As they were eating, Taylor asked, "What do you write?"
Luke looked at a slice of cucumber on his plate and picked it up. He took a bite and replied awkwardly, "Uh, books." Luke then took a long drink of ice water.
Taylor looked at Luke, sensing something was amiss. He pried, "What kind of books."
Luke set his glass down and coughed into his fist. He was beet red now. He mumbled, "Gay porn."
Taylor looked shocked, then laughed. "That's great!! Really?" he asked, staring at Luke.
"Yes." Luke stated, his blush deepening in color. His cheeks were burning, and he was afraid to look up.
"Hey, that's cool, Luke. I'm sure you're good. Um, are you good?" Taylor asked, holding his fork to his mouth.
"I've got a publisher and a contract so yes, I'd say I'm good." Luke smiled with a corner of his mouth upturned.
"Luke Snyder, huh?" Taylor commented, chewing on a carrot. "I Don't recall an author by that name."
Luke replied, "Doesn't surprise me. I have a pen name- Kyle Evans."
Taylor shook his head and said, "It sounds sort of familiar. What have you written?"
Luke finished chewing and swallowed. "Oh, where to start. Okay, how about, 'Wicked Pleasures', 'Between the Sheets', or my most popular, 'In Too Deep'- just to name a few."
"YOU wrote 'In Too Deep''?" Taylor said incredulously. "Oh my god! That isn't porn, that's like hard-core smut!"
Luke ducked his head. He tried to explain, "I know. I was especially horny or something during that time in my life."
Taylor laughed loudly, then said, "I think it was one of the best books I've ever read; I couldn't put it down! I read it all in one day. I had such a hard-on reading about those three college guys. I had to take several showers that day! That's such a great book."
Luke swallowed and looked up to see that Taylor was being serious. Luke smiled, happy that he had a fan living with him, and not someone who was grossed out about the contents of one of his dirtier books. His publisher received quite a bit of hate mail with that one book- from religious groups to 'straight' people who hadn't even read any of his novels, but were basing their opinions around the publicity the novel had received in the gay community. Luckily, Luke remained anonymous behind the name Kyle Evans and no one knew how to contact him other than through his publishing agency.
"I'm glad you liked it." Luke smiled.
"Is there going to be a sequel?" Taylor asked, leaning on his elbows.
"No." Luke chuckled. "That was their one rowdy night."
"So what are you working on now, or are you not allowed to say?" Taylor asked, taking Luke's plate and stacking it on top of his. He stood up as Luke replied.
"I've started another book. The title is 'Behaving Badly''."
"Hmm. Sounds intriguing. What is it about?"
Luke helped Taylor clear the table. "It's about two men who are in a relationship, but they cheat on each other."
"Uh-oh, sounds angsty." Taylor loaded the dishwasher and turned to Luke.
"The hitch is that they are cheating on each other with the same guy, but they don't know it. One of them comes home and finds his boyfriend and his lover together in bed." Luke smiled.
"And what happens?" Taylor asked with interest.
Luke shook his head and answered, "You'll have to wait to find out. It should be out the beginning of next year."
Taylor pushed Luke's shoulder. "You tease! Next year is so far away!" he complained, then smirked.
"I should go try Jamie again." Luke pursed his lips in thought.
Taylor nodded. "Leave a message that if he doesn't call by the end of the week, you're renting out the other bedroom. You don't have anything in writing stating you have an obligation to him do you?"
"No, but I said I'd give him a chance to-" Luke's cell phone rang at that moment, cutting his sentence short. He looked at the counter where his phone was lying. Picking it up, he glanced at the caller ID; shrugging at the unfamiliar number. "I'm going to take this in the living room. Talk to you later, Taylor."
"Yep, later." Taylor replied, heading to his bedroom to read.
After the fourth ring, Luke answered, "Hello, Luke speaking."
"Oh hi! I almost hung up."
"Then it's a good thing I got to you in time," Luke replied, rolling his eyes. He heard a soft chuckle, then a deep voice speak.
"I know I'm probably too late, but do you still have a room for rent? I have to be out of my current place by next week because my roommate wants his fiancé to move in and she and I don't get along. I really, really need a place. It's hard to find something in this area for the price you're asking. Please say you have one room left?"
Luke frowned. He wanted to give this guy the room, mainly because he sounded so desperate, but he did want to give Jamie the chance to step up too.
The guy heard the silence on the other end of the phone and said, "I freaked you out, didn't I, giving you my life story and all. I'm sorry, Luke."
"No, it's okay. I have someone who took one bedroom, and the other one isn't occupied but-"
"Great! Can I see it?" The man interrupted.
"Wait." Luke held up his hand as he talked, as if the caller could see him. "The guy who checked out the other room hasn't called me back yet. I'm waiting for him first to see if he is still interested in it."
"Oh...." the voice sounded down.
Luke heard his disheartened voice and said, "Look. I haven't heard from him in almost a week. If I don't hear from him by Friday, it's yours."
"Really? But, what if I don't like it?"
"Oh, yeah. Well, do you want to see it, or wait until I'm sure you can move in?"
"I'll wait. That way I don't get my hopes up if this other guy shows up. I'll call back on Friday. Thanks, bye."
"Wait!" Luke heard the dial tone and closed his phone. He muttered, "Who was that?"