The Setup
John sighed as he walked into his apartment. He dropped his keys and mail on the small table near the door before turning and engaging the locks on the door. He trudged to his office to drop off the bag he carried everyday containing his laptop and other important documents. John stood there waiting for his cell phone to ring like it always did when he got home. He smiled when like clockwork the device started to buzz
"Yes Cody?"
"How was work?"
"Work was fine. All the guys showed up so we're caught up on the work we were behind on yesterday. Today was productive which is what I like."
"Aw, that's great John. Are you coming over for dinner?"
"Do I ever come over for dinner?"
"If I whine enough you usually do."
"So are you going to start whining?"
"You know I will if I have to. Don't make me do it."
"Come on, just a little for my hard day."
"John."
"What did you make?" Cody laughed
"Does it matter?"
"No. Everything you cook is delicious Chef Boyardee."
"So get your butt in the car and come on over. I made sangria." He younger man said in a song-song voice
"White or red?"
"Both." John was sold
"I need to take a shower. I'll see you in 45 minutes."
"And I'll be keeping the food hot and the drinks cold until your arrival."
"You're a true friend."
"Bye John."
"Bye Codes." John ended the call and went to his bedroom. He eyed his bed and contemplated calling Cody back and saying he couldn't make it just so he could crawl in bed and stay there but Cody was a very good friend, one of his best friends actually and John was very nice so instead he went to the adjoining bathroom, turned on the shower and stripped out of his flat front khakis and button down shirt
After showering John walked to his well-organized closet looking for something to wear. He decided on a blue chambray shirt, light grey shorts and a pair of boat shoes. Once he was dressed John walked to the front door and grabbed the keys to his sports car off the hook mounted above the small table. He unlocked the doors again and went down to his car. John drove just a little above the speed limit enjoying the sights of the city. He'd moved to Atlanta a little more than eight years ago from West Newbury. He'd moved to Atlanta because of a job he had been offered but before he left John was in a long-term relationship. He was so much in love and had asked the man he was with to move with him but he said no. John knew that in order to make a better life for himself he had to go. So he left. And he never regretted his decision. John smiled when he pulled up to the guard house in front of the gates to Cody's neighborhood
"Hey Tom!"
"Hello there Mr. Cena! Stopping by for a little Friday night dinner?"
"You know it."
"Mr. Rhodes' never did send me down any of that peach cobbler of his." John smiled almost tasting the cobbler on his tongue
"I'll be sure to remind him."
"Please do." Tom said pushing the button for the gates. "Have a good night sir."
"You too." John drove through the gates and admired the houses like he always did. He wanted to have this with someone one day. John pulled into the driveway of 307 Alberta Terrace and killed the engine of his car. The home was beautiful and paid for entirely by Cody after dipping into his trust fund. John was always a hard worker and never thought that he would be friends with a trust-fund baby but Cody was sweet and if you didn't know about his background you would never know about his position in Atlanta society
"Hello!" John yelled walking into the house. He never knocked anymore
"Johnny!" Cody yelled back as he came around the corner with an ever-present smile on his face. "So glad you could make it."
"I'm glad to be here. Oh, Tom's still waiting for that peach cobbler by the way."
"Oh my," Cody said placing a hand on his cheek. "I'd forgotten all about that. I'll make him one tomorrow."
"Sounds good to me."
"Well don't stand there like a stranger." The younger man said taking John by the hand and leading him to the kitchen. John had to curb his laughter each time he was with Cody. He didn't know if there was a male equivalent to a Southern Belle but if there was Cody was it. John took the glass of sangria that he knew was for him in the kitchen
"Where's that husband of yours?"
"He said that he was going to take a quick shower but that was about 40 minutes ago."
"Maybe he's in there taking care of some," John cleared his throat. "Personal business." Cody gasped and playfully slapped John's arm
"Don't be crass John. Besides," He said lowering his voice a bit. "He wouldn't have been in there that long if that were the case." John started to laugh as the man in question walked into the kitchen
"Cena."
"Barrett."
"How come you don't let the guys leave early on Friday's? I want my hubby home with me."
"8-5 Monday through Friday I want your hubby with me. He's my foreman, he's got the experience and I trust him."
"Well I just don't understand it all." Cody said wiping the already spotless counter top. "Are you ready to eat?"
"Yes." John and Wade answered
"Well go on outside. I already have the table set."
"Do you need help with anything babe?"
"No. I've got it."
"Fantastic." Wade said as he walked outside with John and took a seat. The two men chatted idly while Cody brought out the food. Before taking a seat Cody served his husband first then John before serving himself. He always did and it always made John uncomfortable but it was just part of Cody's southern charm
"Oh my God." John said biting into one of the most tender pieces of meat he'd ever had. "I should have snagged you when I had the chance." He said making both Wade and Cody laugh
"He's quite high-maintenance John. I'm not sure you can handle it."
"Baby," Cody started
"You're high-maintenance Love."
"I like to think that I just require maintenance."
"Well now you just sound like an old car." Cody dropped his fork
"And just how comfortable is our couch honey?"
"Uh-oh." John said while Wade frowned
"Not very to be quite honest."
"Anyway," Cody said gathering himself. "When's your friend moving here again?" Wade glared at his husband as he chewed his food
"He should be in tomorrow, you know, like I told you earlier."
"You know that I just plum forget sometimes." Wade knew that Cody hadn't forgotten. He was up to his matchmaking ways and already had Randy, who he'd never met and John, one of his best friends, in his sights and ready to be shot by one of his arrows
"What's going on now?" John asked finally taking his face out of the plate of food. Wade ground his teeth. He hoped that John hadn't heard the exchange between him and his nosey but well-meaning husband
"A friend of mine is moving here and will be staying with us until his apartment is ready."
"Oh."
"And he's very cute John."
"Oh." John said again while Wade shot Cody a look. "Why do I need to know this information?"
"You have everything except someone to share it with and frankly I worry about you at times."
"You worry about me? What do you think that I'm doing?"
"I don't mean it in the sense that you're hurting yourself or are on drugs just that you're lonely and all."
"I'm alone not lonely. There is a difference."
"They sound similar to me."
"I'll admit that it would be nice to have,"
"Oh wonderful!" Cody said clapping his hands together. "I can talk with Randy about you then right?"
"But I didn't,"
"Are you guys all done?" Cody said standing and picking up plates. "I hope you saved room for dessert. I made a pecan praline cake." John looked at Wade once Cody was in the house
"If I weren't so excited about that dessert I would leave right now." Wade nodded
"I understand but he means well. You know that."
"I do know that."
"I'll talk to him later about it and see if I can get you out of this." John shook his head
"It's not a big deal. I don't need to date this guy."
"...but he is cute." John sighed. Apparently everyone in this house was against him
One Week Later
Randy stood there in the kitchen listening to the younger man go on and on about this John person. He had only been staying in the house for a week and aside from this daily badgering he loved it there. The house was clean, there was always breakfast, lunch and dinner and Cody's hospitality made him feel right at home. But the John talk, that had to stop. He was starting to hate the man and he'd never even met him
"Cody."
"Yes?"
"Can you please just let me finish this delicious lunch you made for me? I'm going to get indigestion listening to you go on about this."
"Okay, I'm sorry but I just think that the two of you will like each other. I love John and I've known you for a week and I like you."
"You're southern."
"What does that mean?"
"You guys are just bred to like everyone." Cody laughed
"Oh no, you've got that all wrong. We do not like everyone but we're gracious and never want anyone to feel out of place."
"So how do you know who your true friends are?"
"You ever felt a pain in your back? That's your enemy because a true friend stabs you in the front." Randy laughed. If he were being honest with himself he had to admit that he could listen to Cody talk all day...just not about this John person
...
Wade knocked on the door to his bosses' on-site office
"Come in Barrett!"
"How'd you know it was me?"
"You're the only one who knocks or knocks and actually waits for me to say come in. I get a lot of the knock and turn. Have a seat." Wade removed his hardhat and sat down in the chair across from John's desk. "This isn't work related is it?"
"No."
"What?"
"Cody's been talking to Randy about you."
"Of course he has."
"Well Randy hasn't been too keen on the idea."
"That makes me feel good." Wade laughed
"That's not what I meant and I think it's more so because he just got here and is not really looking for,"
"No, I get it Wade." John said looking at his phone on the desk
314-935-4896: it's Randy. Cody made me do it
404-438-5024: I'm sure he did
"Randy just sent me a text."
"You're kidding me." John turned the phone toward Wade who laughed. "That man's getting a stern talking to when I get home."
"Don't be too hard on him."
"No matter how hard I try I can't be hard on him. He just wraps those arms around me and looks at me with those bright blue eyes...I'm bloody whipped John."
"You are not whipped." John said laughing. "You're in love."
"Deeply." Wade said standing. "I'm still going to talk with him though."
"As you wish."
John: you didn't have to text me you know. Cody would be none the wiser
Randy: oh no. he's regaled me with stories of how great you are all week and I think he's been watching me so yea, I had to text you
John: that's deep
Randy: I'm a little scared
John: you fulfilled your obligation to text me. You're not going through with the actual meeting up are you?
Randy: you mean the date you owe me?
John: I'm sorry?
Randy: I've been harassed for a week now so I feel like you, John the Great, owes me a date
John: but I wasn't the one harassing you
Randy: tru
John: are you starting to go stir crazy yet?
Randy: a little. My car's not here yet so Cody's been driving
John: I've been in the car with him. It's a nightmare. Tomorrow night then?
Randy: tomorrow night's good
John: I'll pick you up around 7
Randy: see ya tomorrow around 7 then
John: okay
John sighed and dropped his phone on his desk
Saturday Evening
John was standing in his closet trying to decide on a red or grey shirt. He was also trying to decide if he wanted to remain friends with Cody. John couldn't believe the man had basically forced him into going on a blind date with someone who's only lived in the city for a week and that he had never met. He snatched the red gingham shirt off its hanger and shoved one arm inside. After his shirt was on properly John tucked it into his navy chinos, slipped his feet into a pair of shoes and made sure he had everything he would need before leaving the safety of his apartment
"Come here." Wade hissed through his teeth at Cody
"Why?"
"You're not going out there. Randy knows how to get dressed on his own." Wade said taking his husband by the arm and pulling him down into his lap. "I wish you would pay as much attention to me as you have been to Randy this week."
"Are you jealous honey?" Cody asked kissing his pouting husband
"No. I'm just saying is all." The young man smiled and wrapped his arms around Wade's neck
"I'm going pay so much attention to you after John picks Randy up. We can pay attention all night long." The bearded man kissed his adorable husband loudly on the lips. Their kissing turned hotter but was interrupted by knocking on their bedroom door. Cody immediately hopped up and straightened his clothing. "Come in."
"Does this look alright?" Cody shot Wade a look
"You look great." He said smoothing out the other man's shirt
"I mean is this okay for the restaurant. I meant to Google what the place looked like earlier but I was so busy with work that I forgot."
"No this is just perfect for Pampas and I'm sure John will like it. He's quite fashionable." Wade breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the doorbell ring
"I will get that." He said standing from the chair he was in and leaving the room and heading downstairs. He opened the door and shook his head at John who was standing there
"What's the problem?" John asked laughing
"Cody's more excited about this damn date than you or Randy." Wade said stepping to the side and allowing John in
"How much longer do you think they'll be up there?"
"Who knows? Randy's dressed but he's got Cody up there so." John looked around Wade when he saw movement behind him
"Is that him?" John whispered
"Uh-huh."
"Why's he so tall? We'll you're really tall so I guess your kind likes to stick together." Wade laughed
"We're actually in a gang."
"Hi Johnny!" Cody said happily
"Hey Codes." John said hugging the other man. He turned to Randy and stuck his hand out. "John. It's nice to meet you."
"Randy and same here."
"Are you ready?"
"Yes I am."
"Have a good time you two." Cody said from his position in Wade's arms. "We won't wait up. Ouch!" He yelped after being squeezed
"Quiet." John and Randy just left the house and walked down the walkway to John's car
"Nice car." Randy said referring the John's S5
"Thank you." John said unlocking the doors. They got inside and drove to the restaurant in virtual silence. John couldn't wait to get out of the car and hand his keys over to the valet
Pampas Steakhouse
"This place is really nice." Randy said trying to make conversation
"Yea. I immediately thought of this restaurant when you said that you liked a good steak."
"Thanks for keeping me in mind." John rolled his eyes
"What do you do?"
"What?"
"For a living."
"Oh. I'm a risk analyst." John nodded
"That's interesting. I've never met an actual risk analyst."
"Well now you have." The older man furrowed his brow at Randy's flippant attitude. It was like he was mad at John but they had never met so that wasn't possible
"What made you move out here?"
"My work. I'm more of an independent analyst and I was getting a lot of business from companies here in Atlanta so I just decided to move. I'd just gotten out of a relationship too so I needed a change."
"Oh." John said nodding. "I sort of know what that's like."
"Oh?" Randy asked peeking over the menu
"Yea, well I got a really good job offer out here and I asked the person I was with if he wanted to move with me and he said no."
"And you just left?"
"Yes."
"How is that anything like my situation? You basically threw your relationship away mine ended."
"Wow." John said scratching his chin. "You are something else." After their somewhat heated exchange John and Randy didn't say a single word to each other over dinner. John was still a gentleman and allowed Randy to order whatever expensive thing he wanted off the menu while he paid. When the valet pulled the car around John slid behind the driver's seat and sped away before Randy even had a chance to buckle his seatbelt. The ride back to Cody and Wade's home was a lot quicker than the drive to the restaurant thanks to John's lead foot. He punched in the code at the front gates and navigated the windy roads as best he could as fast as he could. John pulled into the driveway and didn't even bother putting the car in park before unlocking the doors
"I really needed to get out so thanks for dinner. It was delicious."
"Just get out of my car." Randy smirked
"Alright, fine." He said opening the door and throwing one of his long legs out. "I guess I'll see you around."
"Get all the way out and shut my door...and don't slam it!" Randy slammed it anyway
Upstairs Cody's head popped up from Wade's chest when he heard a door slam
"Is Randy back already? That was quick."
"It was. Things must not have gone that well."
"How can that be? Everything was so perfect." Cody pouted grabbing his phone
"What are you doing?"
"I have to talk to John. You go talk to Randy." He said pushing against Wade's large frame
"Stop pushing me. I'm not going,"
"Do you want me to do that thing I did earlier ever again?" Wade growled as he sat up and threw the sheets back
Cody: what happened?
John: he was rude. Very rude
Cody: really? He seemed so nice all week
John: well he went all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tonight
Cody: I apologize
John: it's not your fault. I'm sure you didn't tell him to be rude like he was
Cody: oh goodness no. I'm really sorry John. I am
John: it's okay Codes, really
Cody: okay
John: hey I'm home now so I'll talk to you later
Cody: tomorrow?
John: later
Cody: later tomorrow you mean
John laughed
John: I'll talk to you tomorrow
Cody: goodnight : )
John: goodnight
John stripped out of his clothes and practically jumped in his bed after brushing his teeth. He grabbed the remote to his television and turned it on not paying attention to the channels he scanned through
Next Morning
Wade rolled over and pulled Cody close to his body and breathed in the man's scent. He snuggled closer almost tucking his husband's bottom into him then kissed the back of his neck
"It's not going to happen so just stop it Wade."
"What do you mean Love?"
"You know what I mean."
"Oh," Wade whined. "What did I do?"
"Your friend was rude to mine."
"That's not my fault so why am I being punished?" Cody looked over his shoulder and Wade could read the annoyance in his eyes. "Don't be mad with me." He said kissing Cody's neck again. Cody pushed away from him
"We need to get up for church anyhow." He said getting out of the bed. "I'm going to make breakfast after I wash up. Come down when you're ready." He added before shutting the bathroom door
"I didn't want to set them up in the first place." Wade said burying his face in a pillow
...
"Good morning." Randy said walking into the kitchen. Cody plastered on a smile as he scrambled Wade's eggs
"Good morning Randy." Although he could hear the less than warm tone in the other man's voice he had to hand it to Cody. He flashed those pearly white teeth and greeted Randy like they were old and dear friends. "How was your date last night?" Randy was caught a little off-guard by the question but he should have seen it coming
"It was alright. John took me to a very nice restaurant and the food was incredible."
"So everything other than your snotty attitude was great then?"
"Cody." Wade said in his booming voice as he walked into the kitchen. Cody pursed his lips together tightly as he turned back toward the stove then dumped the eggs onto a plate. Before he took it to the table he checked his phone
John: I'm not coming to lunch today
Cody: why?
John: seriously?
Cody: oh John, I don't want you to be uncomfortable because of him
John: I will be
Cody: I understand. Still coming to the service?
John: yes
Cody: I'll see you there then
John: later
"John's will not be joining us for lunch today." Cody announced as he put Wade's plate on the table. "Would you like cheese on your grits?"
"Not today and why? He always comes over after church for lunch."
"Why?" Cody asked laughing. "I'm giving you one guess as to why he won't come over here." Wade just grunted and sawed at one of his sausage links with a fork. Randy knew that he was the reason and now he kinda felt bad but not exactly bad enough to apologize
Bellwood Church
John was a man of his word but Cody watched the doors of the church until he saw the man walk through them
"See? He said that he would be here." Wade whispered to his husband as he stood up in the pew to let John in
"Good morning guys."
"Morning Cena."
"Good morning John." Cody said as he hugged him. John took his usual seat next to Cody and waited for that mornings service to start. "Are you sure you don't want to come over for lunch? I can accidentally not make enough for him so he can't eat." John laughed
"You'd never do that and yes I'm sure. I have a friend coming over anyway and we're going to go out."
"Who is this friend?"
"Not that kind of friend so relax. I just went on the date from hell last," Cody gasped
"We're in the house of the Lord John."
"I'm sorry. I just went on the date from heck last night so I'm not trying to go on another one anytime soon."
"So who are you going out with?"
"Phil."
"Oh yes, I remember him. Tattoos?"
"Yes. Tattoos everywhere." Cody looked at John with a raised brow. "You know what I mean. All places visible."
"Oh. Will you be staying away from the Barrett residence while Wade's friend is there?"
"If I can help it...and your last name is Rhodes."
"It's almost December John...and I'm a hyphen."
"I know. I've been meaning to ask what you want for Christmas."
"Oh never mind that...well I did see these recycled glass pillar candleholders that would look nice in the bedroom but we can talk about those later. I'm reminding you because there's a certain Christmas party that you attend every year."
"Oh crap...I forgot." John sighed. "I don't want to be around him but you're my friend and I wouldn't miss it for the world." Cody smiled and rubbed John's arm
"Thank you John. I promise to get you something really good as a gift this year. You like Porsches right?" John laughed
"Yea, now we're talking."
Later: Crabapple Tavern
"Why are you so late?" Phil asked as soon as John sat down
"Hi there. It's nice to see you too."
"Hello John-Boy. Why are you so late?"
"I got here as soon as I could. I'm still in my church clothes in case you hadn't noticed and to answer your question Cody was on me about coming over for lunch. Wade had to practically pick him up and stuff him in their car."
"Didn't you tell him this morning that you weren't having lunch with them?"
"Yes. And when I got to church."
"Does he think that you won't eat if you don't come over?"
"I told him that I had lunch plans."
"I'm all out of suggestions then."
"Thanks for playing." Phil chuckled
"So tell me about this awesome date you went on last night." John rolled his eyes
"Awesomely bad."
"Just tell me what happened. I might beat him up for you."
"He told me that his car hadn't arrived yet so I would have to pick him up. No problem. He comes downstairs with Cody and my immediate thought was okay, he's hot so this could go well. Well," John stressed. "We go outside to my car and he's like, nice car but it wasn't a genuine compliment – I let it slide because some people are just haters like that. I drive over to the restaurant,"
"Where'd you take him?"
"He said that he liked steak and he's new to Atlanta so I took him to Pampas,"
"Nice."
"I thought so. Trying to make conversation with him was like pulling an impacted tooth. This was our exact exchange verbatim. I'll start: What do you do? What? For a living. Oh. I'm a risk analyst. That's interesting. I've never met an actual risk analyst. Well now you have." Phil furrowed his brow. "I did the same thing."
"What a dick."
"I know right. I tried not to let that deter me so I tried to keep the dry conversation going and asked him what brought him to The A." John smiled after saying that because he knew how much Phil hated the term
"Moving on."
"Moving on...I asked what brought him here and he said work and that he'd ended a relationship and needed a change. I said I sort of know what that's like, he proceeds to lower the menu because yea, he had it in front of his face this entire time, looks at me and says, oh."
"I guess he was interested then. Misery loves company."
"Right. I told him about my situation,"
"I can't wait to hear what his response was."
"That we weren't the same because I left the person I was with and his relationship just ended." Phil started to laugh. "I don't think we said another word to each other until we got back to Cody's. I drove so fast I'm surprised I didn't get pulled over."
"Did you guys make out in the driveway at least?" John eyed his friend
"No. I told him to get out of my car and not to slam my door which he did. On purpose."
"You should really be mad with Cody." John shook his head
"I could be mad with him for forcing this but he didn't know Randy would act like that. He probably would have fought with Wade about letting him stay there if he knew how rude he was. You know that he doesn't like to have people like that around him and especially in his home."
"I know all too well about Lady Cody and his house rules."
"Don't call him Lady Cody. He's Southern and is a big believer in the old quote 'You Are the Company You keep'."
"He's lucky he's so pretty." John laughed
"I'm sure that's it. Not the fact that his husband, who is 6'7", was ready to kick the living shit out of you."
"That had absolutely nothing to do with it." Phil said picking up his glass and sipping from it
Weeks Later
John was in his home office looking over paper work for a job that his crew would be starting when his phone buzzed
Randy: sorry
John: for what? you can't possibly be apologizing for the date we went on over a month ago
Randy: I am. I'm not good with apologies
John: or going on dates apparently
Randy: I know. Meet me for coffee?
John was busy and now annoyed. He didn't really want to meet the man or ever see him again but the nice guy in him told him to just go
John: where?
Randy: I'm sitting outside of Thousand Hills coffee house. Is that too out of the way?
John: it's fine. I'll see you there
John rubbed his face as he stood up
"I cannot believe I'm doing this." He said making his way to the door
Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Shop
John arrived and saw Randy sitting at a table near the window
"Hey." Randy said as John sat down
"Hi."
"I don't know if you like French pressed coffee but I asked for two cups just in case you do."
"Thanks." John said flipping the extra mug over and pouring coffee for himself. "So?" He said as he stirred in the sugar
"So what?" John pulled the spoon past his lips and laid it on a napkin. The innocent gesture made Randy shift in his seat
"So what am I here for? I was in the middle of working." Randy sighed
"I wanted to apologize properly. The phone just wasn't right."
"Okay."
"John I'm sorry for acting like a total dick on our date. You didn't have to take me out at all and you certainly didn't have to take me to such an expensive restaurant. And I'm sorry for slamming your car door like I did when you specifically told me not to." John laughed
"Why didn't you just say no to the date if you knew that you were going to act that way?"
"I didn't know."
"So a demon just possessed you?"
"Well we know that's not possible but something like that."
"Okay. I accept your apology then."
"We can co-exist then at Wade's house?"
"We can co-exist but for the record I would have gone to their house whether you apologized or not. I was and still am perfectly content with ignoring you." Randy sat back in his seat. He was not expecting John to say that
"But I said that I was sorry."
"I know. I accepted. I was just letting you know that while I don't dislike you as much as I did we're still not friends."