Discovering The Real Luke

A meeting and A battle

I keep the balance of things going for a little while, AJ is nice enough to give me a few weeks to move and I don’t want to make a big issue of things because I want to move a lot sooner than I am going to but at the same time Mum is wanting me to stay longer which I can understand but there are 3 other siblings still at home.

Things are getting really nerve-wracking though because before I can move, Mum wants to make sure that she meets AJ and see what he is like which I don’t quite understand why she needs to but if it makes things so much easier then I won’t complain. The meeting with AJ is going to be interesting with him being everything that Mum hates being gay and having tattoos which for the meeting he agreed to cover up.

Not talking to AJ for a few weeks, it’s pretty nerve-wracking to meet him again with Mum and Dad in tow heading down to the city to judge the area for themselves. Giving them directions is a nightmare because the city is overwhelming. After all, neither of them is willing to listen or used to driving and despite my intention to drive around the city, they take us on a road trip on the complete opposite side of where we need to go.

Eventually, we get near where AJ’s apartment is and find a spot to park before I let him know that we’re here and about to come up to the fifth floor where his apartment is and knock on the door. Opening the door and seeing AJ for the first time since meeting him about six weeks ago, I’m disappointed that his beautiful wavy hair has gone replaced by a high skin fade that shows off his face a lot more and he’s covered his tatts up with a skin-tight long sleeve jumper that still shows off his muscles and his massive chest.

“Good to see you again Luke, you must be his Mum and Dad, lovely to meet you,” he says with plenty of friendly charm and charisma that is trying to win them over about the move and I don’t know if it is working on them, but it is working on me.

Sitting at the table, the questions start flowing from Mum in particular like AJ is trying to rent or buy something from us rather than the other way around and the fact that he doesn’t want to yell and kick us all out and say the effort is too much is amazing.

“You are not a homosexual are you, Alex?” I put my hands over my face and just rub them, realising that the very first question is going to make me go straight back to square one with how offensive Mum put it and how Alex really doesn’t need this level of crap from any roommate let alone his parents.

“Mum,” I say as she looks over at me and glares “It’s fine Luke, I am happy to answer that question, no I am not Mrs Munro, I am not gay which should not be a problem anyway because if I was, I would not get Luke involved in my life,” he says which is a backhanded crack at her but at the same time answering the question albeit not so honestly.

The questions continue to come and I get more and more embarrassed by each one that holds no real relevance to any situation

“How much money do you spend a week on vanity?”

“Do you take any drugs? Do you smoke”

“Do you spend too much time at the gym?”

“Are you going to force Luke to go out with you?”

“Do you have a girlfriend? What is her behaviour like and will she force it on Luke?”

“Are your parents still married or do you believe in divorce?”

“Do you ever speak with the Devil’s tongue or have the Devil’s Drawings?” (Meaning swearing and tattoos)

Most embarrassingly though comes the final question that I really don’t know why Mum had to ask but I quickly realise that I am about to be kicked out of AJ’s apartment forever never to be allowed in “Are you still a virgin and are you being a good person and waiting until marriage?”

AJ’s facial expression to all the questions is quite calm and mature considering that each one of the extended questions from my mother is totally out of order despite me saying so but to his credit AJ answers each one until the last one gets him offended.

“Mrs Munro, with all due respect to you and your beliefs but what I choose to do in my own life is definitely not your business whatsoever, I have tolerated some very personal questions to be polite to you but I don’t think that it is any right to be asking me these questions,” he says as I realise that he is about to cancel the deal on me and I go to speak “Look Alex” as he puts his hand up to me.

“Nope, I’m not hearing any more of these questions, I let you come here out of the goodness in my heart when I don’t really need to because Luke is the person who is wanting to be my roommate and what happens here is only the business of myself, whoever I want to bring here and whoever lives here,” he says as I quickly slump my head on the table realising that everything has been fucking ruined.

Getting up from the table I feel AJ’s hand pull me back down under the table with his hand on my thigh gesturing me to sit down as he gets up “Mr and Mrs Munro, it was lovely to meet you there is a very nice Café just down the road next to the Bike Shop, enjoy yourself to some lunch or afternoon tea while I need to have a conversation with Luke about the apartment and what my decision is going forward” he says as he goes to his wallet and takes out a $50 note and gives it to them “It’s my treat” AJ says as he almost pushes them out of the door despite Mum wanting me to go with them given the situation.

I sit at the table scared that he is about to set on me for bringing them here and telling me that he wants to rent the room to someone else. He walks back from the front door and takes off his tight jumper exposing his smooth muscular body and tattooed arms and shoulder blades.

“Fucking hell that feels better now I’ve got that off and they’ve gone… they are exhausting,” he says offering me a glass of homemade tropical juice as he comes and sits down at the table.

“Wait you’re not angry at me or gonna rent to someone else?” I ask somewhat confused because I genuinely thought that he was going to do that.

“Why would I be angry at you or rent to someone else?” he says just as confused as I was “You’re an amazing guy Luke and I can see what you’re up against which is why I want to help you because you remind me so much of me when I was growing up”.

I sit there smiling and think that the guy must be crazy because he’s just dealt with some still random stranger and his batshit crazy parents asking him the most inappropriate questions and he still wants to rent him the place. “Luke, everything I told you was true,” he says to me referring back to the night we had sex in the hotel room and everything we talked about.

Sitting with AJ at the table shirtless is a distraction that I don’t need as we sit there talking “I should go back with my parents” I say standing up as he pushes me back down “They’ve been gone 10 minutes, you need so much longer to chill out after that and everything” he says to me as I laugh.

“I am really sorry about those questions, I had no idea they were going to be anything like that at all, I just thought they were going to ask you questions about what you do for work, what do you do in your spare time, I didn’t think they would get so personal” I genuinely feel embarrassed thinking that AJ is probably thinking that I am as crazy as my parents.

He just sits there smiling “Nah, neither did I but I think I handled it pretty well and if I didn’t like you, I would’ve said fuck you and made you all leave,” his smile tells me that he does actually like me as a person but still at not sure what level as yet. “One thing that we do need to talk about is my work,” he says to me as I sit at the table looking at his muscles which are just amazing.

“So I work from home two or three days a week depending on the week it is on the schedule so I’ll always be around for my graphic design job but about the other things,” he says as I think that he just means the escort work and the fact that he would bring people around to do with that. “So obviously you know about my escort work but you don’t need to worry because I don’t bring anyone around here, it’s all outcalls so I go to them and like with you I’ll be out on the weekends but I’m winding that back a bit,” he says as I nod along understanding where he is coming from.

“There is something else that you need to know… I have my own OnlyFans channel and film stuff that’s predominantly what I use the third bedroom for so I might have people around time to time with that” he says to me as I am intrigued by that more than I am grossed out which is probably what AJ thinks that I am thinking.

“That’s hot,” I say out loud not realising that what I was thinking came out of my mouth and AJ just laughs “Well I’m guessing then that’s ok,” he says struggling to contain his laughter. “Yeah, it’s totally fine, I mean just some notice would be good so I know if I see a strange naked man wandering around then I know what’s going on or just to stay out of the way”.

AJ lets me sit at the table for a bit while he goes in and does some video editing, just letting me calm down a bit before going back to my parents at the Café and meeting back up with them. I sit there playing on my phone for about 20 minutes before I head off and tell AJ I’ll text him when I’m ready to move in which he tells me is no rush because he understands the circumstances.

Walking down the road, I can’t believe that I am about to move in with AJ, at least 4 months before I planned to move to the city and especially with how he looks and everything he does in life which is more out there than what I knew about from the very first time I met him as the guy I was potentially moving in with. I stand outside the Café and take a massive deep breath waiting for the barrage that will come my way because I know Mum and Dad won’t like AJ and there were still little clues in the apartment that might have given away his life.

“Hey Mum, Dad,” I say as I sit down at the table as they eat lunch and I order a coffee “So what do you think of Alex?” I ask as Dad shrugs his shoulders. “Seems nice enough” is all that I get from him but Mum once she’s finished her mouthful has quite a few things to say.

“I don’t trust him quite simply, I think some of his answers were too well planned and almost like he was warned about them and I think it was convenient that he was wearing a long sleeve jumper on a day like today, almost like he was hiding tattoos or something,” she says taking a mouthful of water before continuing.

“His defensiveness on some of the questions were off-putting like he was lying and I don’t trust liars Luke you know that,” she says as I roll my eyes looking away but she notices it. “What are you rolling your eyes at me for? Is there something you know about Alex that you didn’t let on today?” she says as I shake my head.

“Mum, I’ve met him once before today and we’ve texted a few times that is genuinely all,” I say knowing it is not all but she doesn’t need to know what we have done. “Well I don’t like the man, I think he’s not very honest and his defensiveness to the questions makes me think that he is hiding something so that is all I have to say on the matter and we will look for another apartment for you, somewhere a bit more you,” she says which throws me into a rage that I try to control in the café.

“Somewhere a bit more you? What do you mean by that? Wait I know what you mean, it’s somewhere a bit more you, where you can live your sheltered little lifestyle not wanting to try new things or just being scared of things” I say in a raised tone but not shouting as I would have at home.

“Watch your tone of voice Luke” Dad pipes up as I stand up and shake my head just so furious. “You know what, I asked Alex to give me a few weeks to spend some more time with you before I moved in but you know what, I’m heading back home now, you can figure your own way back and I will get my stuff from home and move tonight,” I say hurting from what Mum had to say and how gutless Dad is to even do anything to shut her up rather than just meekly sitting in the background.

I head to the Tram Stop as I spot AJ also heading there, now just wearing a black t-shirt and shorts as he’s heading down to the fruit store to get the stuff that he needs for the week. “Luke? What’s the matter man?” he says as I just don’t know what to say.

“I’m over it… they just launched at me over how they didn’t trust you and prefer that I choose somewhere else and that Mum wants me to stay at home and find an apartment that is more me,” I say as AJ sits on the seat next to me ignoring the tram that has pulled up and then gone away.

He puts his arm around me “Luke, you’re 18? You’re an adult and you’ve gotta be able to make your own decisions but at the same time sometimes you’ve got to pander to your parents and that’s what you might need to do here, give it a week then move in with me” he says as I look confused.

“There will be plenty of time for you to move in, I can handle the rent easily until you move in and I can text you next week and tell you that there is a $7,000 penalty for breaking the lease agreement payable straight away,” he says smirking at me like he knew something like this would happen.

I smile back at him “You had this plan all along, didn’t you?” I ask as he winks and nods as we sit there for a minute and he gets onto the tram and I walk back to the Café to see Mum and Dad who are sitting at the table.

“Hey Mum, Dad,” I say sitting back at the table still annoyed but playing the game that they probably want me to do for a while. 

“I’m sorry for getting really upset and the way I spoke before” trying to plead with them that I am sorry and that I will come back to Franklin for a while.

Mum looks across at Dad, her face still angry but Dad’s is calm “That’s alright Luke, we understand your frustration and desire to do something different, but we just think that this isn’t the right time” he says as I can feel the steam building in my ears but I just nod.

“Let’s head back home and we can talk about the next steps about what we are going to do?” I say as my parents nod and agree and we head for the car as I get in the back. The drive from Westvale back to Franklin is more agonising than getting here with the bickering about directions, the talk about things and most annoyingly, my headphones being out of battery.

The next few days are absolute hell, I’m at church three times in four days, I just need to get out of the house but everything I do is watched upon like an Army General and the only times I can go out are to visit Hayley and to go to work twice in the week. It’s Thursday afternoon and I’m getting really fed up with everything that I text AJ

“Hey man, any word on the plan or anything? I’m about to go nuclear here”

I don’t get a reply for a while as I sit there with Mum as she looks at apartments for me through a Christian networking site “This one looks nice, it’s in a nice area with a nice older couple who have a spare room, it’s not far from the college either” I’m not really listening to anything she’s saying as there’s another one “How about this one, 4 bedrooms you’ll be living with a bible studies group, there are two adults that cook meals and provide a safe spot”.

Sitting there just nodding my phone rings, “I’ve got to take this it’s Alex”. Heading into my room for a bit of privacy “Hey man, sorry but I was just getting impatient with everything going on” I say as he tells me there’s no issue.

“Nah, I totally understand that I’ve been buried under with work… actual work before you judge,” he says making me laugh. “Look, put me on speakerphone with your parents and I will tell them what we talked about that there is a $7,000 lease-breaking fee plus the rent for how long it takes me to re-advertise and then the length of time it takes to re-rent it… which is about 3 months,” he says with a chuckle.

I shake my head laughing at the plan “I know how to do these things… I spend enough time watching Judge Judy when I’m working from home to know what’s fair and what’s not” I say as I have to compose myself.

“Mum, Alex wants me to put him on speakerphone so that he can explain the situation with me not moving in,” I say thinking this will be a foolproof plan.

“Hello again Mrs Munro, was very nice to meet you on Monday; What we need to discuss is the lease-breaking fee because Luke signed a contract with me and now that he doesn’t seem to be moving in, I’m out because I could’ve had someone else move in straight away and legally he has broken the agreement, meaning there is a $7,000 fee instantly and then the rent that I miss for the time it takes to move someone else in,” Alex says very sternly although Mum doesn’t really flinch at the news that he says.

“Look, Alex, this has nothing against you as a person you are probably very nice, but we have expectations of Luke and we just don’t think he can achieve them living with you,” she says as I get angry. “Luke can pay you back some of the money now and then over time” Mum comes up with her own plan as I throw my head back and roll my eyes.

“Sorry Mrs Munro, but I’m not being put out by you or your families beliefs, Luke made an adult decision and that is his choice, I am not telling you how to be a parent but before moving to Westvale I grew up in McKenzie Falls and my family had the same thoughts about me,” he says surprising me that he is being this open with my mother.

“To put it simply, I made the move from a small town and look at how successful I have become,” he says as my mother nods, still not entirely convinced by what AJ is saying but I can see that she is thinking it through. “Luke is an adult now, if he makes a mistake by doing this then he will learn from it but how do you expect him to experience the rollercoaster of life if he is always protected by a safety blanket”.

AJ’s words ring through to me which is the same argument that I have been trying to put to my mother all this time. Hanging up the phone, Mum just looks at me and doesn’t say anything as she gets up “Mum?” I ask as she walks to get her keys “I’m late for Pastoral Care at the Nursing Home”.

I head back to my room before going off to see Hayley, I’ve never talked to her about all this and how soon I am potentially moving to the city almost straight away. I text her that I will pick her up and we can go for a drive out to somewhere nice.

“Hey Hayles, wanna catch up because I’ve got some news, I need to talk to you about?”

A few minutes later, she texts me back

2:54 pm “Yeah, of course, this about the apartment, pick me up at my place?”

I grab my keys and drive the 15 minutes out to Hayley’s place and pick her up, kissing her on the cheek she can automatically sense that something is wrong and different about our relationship until we get to the lookout.

Standing there looking out, I let out a sigh “This is probably hard to hear but I don’t know how to say it but I think that…” I stop for a minute before changing my sentence “I’m moving to Westvale in the next few days or weeks”. I wanted to be honest with her but then I know it would upset her and then she would tell everybody about what I said and I can’t deal with that battle right now.

“Oh… I thought it wouldn’t be for a while?” she says to me as I nod and look away “Yeah I found this really great apartment, it’s in a really good spot and modern unlike the other places but it’s got a roommate who is genuinely friendly and really nice” I say as she looks across at me.

I don’t know if her reaction is a good one or a bad one “Do you know much about the roommate?” she asks as I stand there and nod. “Yeah, I had a really good talk with him and got to know him quite well and then my parents they came down and saw him over the weekend even though they weren’t exactly keen on him”.

Hayley looks at me “So you’re going to take their advice aren’t you?” she’s always been someone who almost always follows what her parents want her to do which is why she isn’t going to college either. “Well, the point is that I want to go to college and live my own life, why do we always have to be under the control of our parents”.

Looking out over the view, I didn’t picture this going this way although I shouldn’t have been surprised because as much as Hayley is a sweet and kind girl, she is extremely naïve about the world outside Franklin and even though her parents are as strict as mine, they still keep their expectations very similar.

“There is a world outside Franklin and I want to explore it because I’m not happy here in town,” I say trying to open up to Hayley but getting frustrated because the message doesn’t seem to be getting through to her. “I want to be able to go to college, get a good job and just experience life because honestly, you can’t do that here,” I say as she shakes her head at me not convinced by my reasoning.

“So, you want to be so far away from your family and the people who love you?” she says to me as I don’t know what to say but it’s not putting me off what I want from to do. “It might be but I can still ring you and it’s only a couple of hours drive away if I’m missing anyone,” I say thinking that I’m convincing her about this all.

We head back to her place and she doesn’t say two words to me on the way back even though I’m trying to talk things through with her and I get that she is upset that I’m going but the opportunity was there for her to go but she chose not to and I wasn’t going to argue about it. Pulling up outside her house I look at her “Are you going to say anything to me?” she stops for a minute and looks at me.

“I loved you Luke, but it’s clear that you don’t love me in the same way that I love you so what is there more to say,” she says almost driving a dagger into my heart which even though I know that I’m probably gay, I still care about her and wanted to deal with this in a much easier way that didn’t hurt so much.

I guess that I was naïve to think that could’ve ever happened but at the end of the day there was probably no other way than hurting her in the way today when somebody cares about you so much and want to be with you, then they tell you they are more interested in leaving.

“Hayles, I love you and care about you but we’re 18 and there’s much more to the world than being married and having a family, look at your family, Georgia is 25 and has three kids and never got to do anything she ever talked about, Michael is 22 and has two kids and works on the farm when he was the smartest kid in the school and could have done anything,” I say as I try everything to convince her that this is the right move.

She sits there silently for a minute and looks at me “I love you too Luke but we really are in different places in life and they are just too far apart at the moment, I will still always come and visit you as a friend but ultimately I don’t think that we can be boyfriend and girlfriend because your heart isn’t there” her words are accurate but they really hurt me because I never thought something like this would happen as she gets out of the car kissing me on the cheek and going inside.

I drive home where Mum is back from the nursing home “Hayley and I broke up” I say to her as I go and lay on my bed, thumping the pillow. “Well maybe this was the sign that you needed to not move” I stop her “Mum, I am truly not in the mood for any of that nonsense right now, I’ve just broken up with my girlfriend and right now I don’t want a lecture about anything, I just need you as you”.

Mum pauses for a minute and walks into my room and puts her arm around me “It’ll be ok Luke” she says rubbing my arm as I cry for a few minutes which I need and it’s nice not to have Mum lecturing me about things or trying to push her arguments against me moving at least for a minute.

After letting go of me she looks at me, “Well we can find you a nice apartment with someone from the Church group and you can meet someone else”.  I shake my head annoyed with her “Fuck sake, you can’t just stop pushing that for two minutes can you, I’m moving to Westvale with Alex and that’s the end of the matter and I will do it this weekend” my mind made up that I can’t take any more of this nonsense and the sooner I get out of town, the better.

(Thank you for all the kind comments and support on the previous two chapters; I am sorry there is no sex scene in this chapter but wanted to look more at the emotional side of Luke here)