Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 13:43:17 +0000 From: John Barnes <bigg89@hotmail.co.uk> Subject: Dirty Laundry part 1 DISCLAIMER: 1.) No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 2.) This is a story about relationships and not sex. If you are looking for a story about sex then go elsewhere. I hope you enjoy my story. ************************************************************ Episode 1: Lunch at Matty's ************************************************************ The lunchtime ambiance in the packed restaurant-bar called Matty's was always a favourable one. Despite the busy and stressed staff, the guests here couldn't help but feel warm and happy every time they graced the restaurant with their presence. This is why it's the home of lots of groups of friends, and in particular one group of guys in their twenties who met here every Wednesday for lunch to catch-up. First here was perennial timekeeper Nathan. A doctor by profession, Nathan was a swimmer in college and tried to keep this up with his heavy work-schedule. The quietest member of the group, Nathan has also been quiet about guys, insisting on remaining faithful to a long-distance love. Next up was Justin, an investment banker in his late 20s and a former football player. A highly competitive and successful guy, Justin always valued success and money, perhaps why he's in a relationship with his boss. They were followed by Scott, the eternally popular friend. Always on the phone and meeting people, Scott worked in the political field, a perfect way to do what he does best - schmoozing. Although Scott was single, he didn't find this to be an issue. Latecomer Eric followed them. He was smaller than the other guys, but was on his college's basketball team nonetheless. Single guy Eric was longing for a life of romance and security, but it has been over a year since he'd been in that situation, or even kissed a guy. Last but certainly not least was Tyler, an athletic and cute guy who always came in looking like he'd just got out of bed. Normally, that was the case as Tyler was the 'slut' type in this group and revelled in sleeping with as many guys as possible. That only left one person missing that day. His name was Jordan and he was usually the most prompt of everyone. That's why it was especially surprising when Jordan didn't even turn up at all. "This is so strange," Eric said, gazing at the menu, "why hasn't he told us at all where he is?" "I agree," Tyler noted, "he's always here before me and that's saying something." "You're right about that," Justin said laughing, "Good night last night, I presume?" "You bet," Tyler said, winking, "I managed to land - you'll never guess - a hot Canadian model." "Canadians can't be hot," Scott joked, "but seriously congrats on that." "I wish I could get with a Canadian model at some point," Eric said dreamily, "I need a guy in my life so badly." "We know," everyone said, laughing. "Let's go and get Eric a guy this weekend," suggested Justin on behalf of everyone. "And Scott and Nathan and me," Tyler said laughing, "you're the only taken one here Justin." "Hey!" Nathan protested, "I'm taken too." "By some dude in Australia, whatever," Scott said, "you could totally get with a guy this weekend." "Well that doesn't mean I will," Nathan said huffily, "I love Joe and I'd never do that to him." "Your loss, I guess," Tyler said, "so you wanna come on Friday, it's Singles Night at Fusion." "Sure," "yeah", "sounds good", everyone murmured together. After ordering their food, everyone looked at the empty space at their table. An empty space that was always filled. "Seriously guys," Eric said, "I'm a bit worried about Jordan. Where could he be? He didn't tell anyone about this and he's always around. He just got back from Hawaii with Mike and surely he must have lots of stories." "I guess maybe he just was tired or something," Scott suggested, "But I agree it's weird." "Well, we can invite him for Friday," Nathan said, eating his burger, "and if he still hasn't responded then we can get worried." "Sounds good to me," Tyler said, taking a drink. They finished the rest of their meal chatting about the many things going on in their lives and catching up as friends. "Well, I best go," Nathan said after paying, "Unfortunately I'm back all day in surgery. Woohoo." "Yeah, go and save some people and their lives," laughed Eric, "I'll just potter about like always, trying to paint some more." "You'll get big eventually, don't fret," Tyler said, "So 9 at my place on Friday?" They all agreed and went on their many ways. ************************************************************** It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon for everybody, as they went about their busy lives. The next day, Nathan's day off allowed him to write a love letter for Joe, which he decided to send lovingly to the mailing office. "Good day, Nathan," the cashier said in a friendly manner. "Hi, Pat," Nathan said, smiling, "a letter to Australia please." "Another one?" Pat said, questioningly, "You're always sending things there." "Well, it's for my one true love," Nathan said, in a surprisingly open manner. "Awww, did you hear that, Brenda," Pat said gushingly, "Nathan has a one true love. What's her name, dear? I'll have to tell our book club all about it." "Erm.... She's called Gertrude," Nathan mentioned unconvincingly. "Gertrude?" Brenda asked confused, "I thought only people our grandmother's ages were called that." "Oh Brenda, how tactless of you!" Pat scolded, "You know, I didn't want to pry," she continued quietly, "but I've checked your records everyday and this girl in Australia hasn't been writing back to you for a long time." "Oh," Nathan said unhappily, "well... actually she sends me lots of emails and messages and phone calls and things every day. Just because you don't read my letters doesn't mean we aren't in contact," he said almost menacingly. "Oh, sorry honey," Pat said, putting the letter away, "I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought it was weird that I, a woman who could be your mother, has no doubt a more interesting and exciting sex-life than you." "Well, I'm glad to hear you're so good in that area," Nathan said coldly and walked off quickly. "Damn," he thought, "I can't believe Pat from the mailing office gets more sex than I do." That's when reality hit Nathan very hard. Joe hadn't contacted him in over 7 months and what they once had was surely over. Still, he couldn't admit that to anyone, especially since he still loved him dearly. A lot. *************************************************************** At that exact moment, Justin was phoning and trying to secure a crucial deal with the company. Unfortunately, today wouldn't be a good day for that. "Fine," Justin said as a man entered, "have a good day." "So, how'd it go?" A bigger man asked, smiling. "I didn't get it, Frank," Justin said, sighing. "WHAT?" Frank exploded, "honey, you're supposed to be an investment banker. That shit was easy." "Well, the client apparently didn't like your aggressive approach to it," Justin argued, "Just like I don't either." "What's that supposed to mean?" Frank said, curiously. "You always attack me about my work and you never treat me like I'm your boyfriend," Justin said, angry, "I know that you're my boss, but sometimes you don't even acknowledge me and you completely ignore me! How do you think that makes me feel?" "Well, if that's what this is about, you should probably go back to phoning and trying to get that deal," Frank said, disgustedly, "I don't have time for your womanly arguments." "Fine," Justin said in passing, "Just know that you won't be getting any tonight." "Again?" Frank said incredulously, "You kill me, man. Can't we just have sex once, even if it's angry?" "No!" Justin said, "I'm not going to have sex with someone who treats me like I'm three years old." "Oh but dear," Frank said condescendingly, "sometimes you don't exactly act like an adult." "Oh for heaven's sake!" Justin said angrily, "I get the best sales in investment and am your number 1 employee and you still say that to me?" Justin began to walk out his office. "Oh, and you definitely aren't getting any tonight," he mentioned, "because if I'm three years old then that's illegal and you'd go to jail. Just trying to protect you," Justin said smiling. Frank was furious and threw things off Justin's desk. Justin walked towards to photocopier and wondered exactly why he was even with Frank. ************************************************************** It was finally Friday night, and the music was flying and the drinks were going down in rapid style. Everyone was at Tyler's small apartment and having a great time. "I hope everyone is ready to get WASTED!" Tyler said, passing out sambuca shots. "One, Two, Three, DRINK!" Everyone drank their shot, with differing levels of success. "Oh god help me," Eric confessed to Scott, "I'm already really drunk." "Me too," Scott said laughing, "Oh and Tyler has another bottle of tequila over there." After a moment of hesitation Eric replied: "We're screwed." "Yup," Scott said laughing. "You know," Eric said, attempting to stand up with authority, but instead collapsing into a nearby table, "maybe we should just go out now to the club, yes?" "Oh god, Eric's shwasty!" Justin laughed, "yeah, Tyler we should go now. I mean look at him - he's totally gone, he won't last another shot." "I guess," Tyler said reluctantly, "oh well, I guess that means one more bottle for next time!" "Yeah, I suppose it does," Nathan said reluctantly. As they walked or staggered towards the club, Justin remarked, "you know, Jordan still hasn't replied to anything yet, has he?" "Yeah, that's just so weird," Nathan said, puzzled, "I don't get him at all." "Maybe we should have another luncheon tomorrow and if he's not there get even more worried and do something," suggested Scott. "Okay," Eric said, almost veering into a lamppost, "but let's make it late, as in 3 o'clock in the afternoon." The other guys laughed. When they arrived in the club, they took their usual seats and Tyler went behind the bar, where he worked. After doing another few shots, they headed to the dance-floor, where they began dancing their hearts out. *************************************************************** On a break, Justin and Scott went outside for some air. "You know," Justin said quietly, "I'm pretty jealous of you right now." "WHAT?!" Scott said, in complete shock, "how could you be jealous of me? Look at your life, it's perfect." "Oh, trust me," Justin said laughing, "my life is by no means perfect. You get the single life and a perfect job. I have a boyfriend who invades not only my personal life but also my job." "Frank's a great guy, Justin," Scott said comfortingly, "maybe you're just going through a bad spot." "Yeah, we are," Justin nodded, "but he's so negative, he is so aggressive to me at work it makes it so stressful! And you won't believe how mad he was that I was coming out tonight. It was horrific." "Hey," Scott said, putting his arm around Justin, "It'll be okay. Let's just have fun and relax tonight, ok?" "Yeah," Justin said, smiling, "thanks for that." **************************************************************** At the other side of the bar, Eric and Tyler were talking at the bar with Nathan. "Where is the Canadian model?" Eric slurred, prompting Nathan and Tyler to laugh. "Oh Eric," Tyler chuckled, "He went to New York for a modelling assignment." "I don't care," Eric said, "I want to get him or any other guy. I'm not particularly fussy." "Oh gosh," Tyler said, cleaning some glasses and approaching Nathan, "maybe you should take him home before anything happens." "Yeah," Nathan said, picking up Eric, who was trying to flirt with some older guys, "Let's go." "But I was just getting to know Greg and his friends," Eric said, trying to pry his way from Nathan. "Fellas, hands off," Nathan said, and Greg and his friends backed away sulkily. ************************************************************** Nathan and Eric ended up leaving and walking home after telling the others. "You know," Eric said as he stumbled back, "As much as I don't like being single, I don't envy you. Long-distance relationships must be impossible." "They're a bit... difficult," Nathan said, hesitating as he tried to pick Eric up from a nearby wall and also not reveal the truth about his non-existent love life, "but if you really love someone, you'll always go through with it." "I guess," Eric replied distantly, "but still, it must be hard work." "Yeah," Nathan said in anguish. Changing the subject quickly, he proclaimed, "you know, I'm really worried about Jordan and where he is." "Me too," Eric said, upset, "I really hope he's just lost his cellphone somewhere rather than having major issues or being in trouble." "He's fine," Nathan tried to reassure Eric, "he's probably just wandering aimlessly somewhere. You know Jordan. Maybe he's not even back from Hawaii yet." "That's true," Eric said laughing before throwing up all over some plants. "Let's get you home," Nathan sighed before dragging Eric to his apartment. ************************************************************ While Matty's restaurant usually had a lovely atmosphere, today was not one of those days. Not only was it Saturday afternoon and the rush period, but the guys were here. And they were in for a big surprise. "So, how's everybody feeling today?" Tyler said laughing at the hungover faces, "you know, you guys should have stayed for the after party. I danced with a bunch of transsexuals and then slept with this hot Brazilian tourist. Fun stuff." "How do these stories always happen to you?" Nathan asked, puzzled, "Instead I had to drag Eric home throwing up all over the city's Green Initiative." The guys laughed as Eric walked in, looking completely like a mess. "I just got up," he confessed. "It shows," Justin said laughing and passing him a menu. "What happened to you guys anyway?" Nathan asked Scott and Justin. "Well, I went home when Scott started making out with this guy," Justin said laughing. "He was cute, though, I'll give you that." "Yeah he was," Scott said, "until he started talking about how much he enjoys the history of broccoli. That's when I made my escape." The guys laughed hysterically at Scott's conquest. "Typical Friday night with the guys," Tyler said, grinning and looking around. "It wasn't though," Nathan said, sadly and looking at the empty seat. "Jordan's still not here." "Guys, I'm super worried now," Eric said, "I really think we should go and ask his boyfriend Mike about him and what's going on. Maybe he'll have some idea." "Yeah I hope at least Mike knows about where he is," Justin said anxiously, "Jordan has never disappeared like this before." ************************************************************ After getting their food and eating some, the guys began to laugh a bit more and worry less about Jordan's fate. That was until a certain server came. "Excuse me," the server said, "this is table 53 right?" "Yes," Scott said confused, "what's the matter?" "Well, a lady asked me to give you guys this note," he said, moving away with some drinks, "have a good meal." "Thanks," Scott said, accepting the note and reading it. When his expression turned to concern, the other guys looked at each other. "What does it say?" Justin asked Scott, confused. "Oh my god," Scott said, "This note is awful." "What does it say," Eric pressured him for a reply. "It says," Scott read out, "Jordan is never coming back. You will never see him again." A mixture of horror and intense worry and confusion spread over all the guys as they looked at each other in shock. Many questions were going through their minds as they lost their appetites for their food. Where was Jordan? What did he do? And who on earth sent them this note? "Oh Jordan," Eric said in despair, "Where are you?" They say that Matty's restaurant and bar has a pleasant ambiance. But that Saturday afternoon just wasn't one of those days. ************************************************************** ************************************************************** Thank you for reading! I've been inspired by many different things to write but this is my second story on Nifty. There will be approximately 15 chapters to this first season so stay tuned for the next episode, where we'll find out more about the characters and their twists and turns, as well as some more about Jordan. Please send any comments you may have to bigg89@hotmail.co.uk, I would love to hear about them!