Micah
Twenty-nine. Micah sighed, soaping his chest under the steaming shower on his birthday morning, only a week after Thanksgiving.
He told himself it wasn’t a big deal, that it was just like any other day. Frankly he liked Thanksgiving better because of all the food. And this year, he’d enjoyed cooking with Rhina and Caleb, and he hadn’t even had a terrible time at Rhina’s parents’ house even though the rest of her family thought their arrangement was strange.
That said, something about his birthday made Micah feel special. Like it was his own personal new year, a chance to start fresh and become a better person.
As a kid, his parents hadn’t done much to celebrate. They hadn’t done anything for him when he was really young, then, as he’d gotten older, they’d just given him cash.
He’d never had a birthday party. Even though family photo albums showed his big brother had had birthday parties. Tons of cousins and classmates had surrounded Kellan in the images as he’d blown out the candles on his cake.
It had pierced Micah’s young heart back then.
He washed under his arms.
Today wouldn’t be much different from any other day, but at least he’d be with Rhina and Caleb.
Even when he and Rhina had been a couple, they’d never done much for his birthday. Usually a movie or a nice dinner, no parties—because Rhina had hated the thugs he’d run around with—and no birthday cakes, though Rhina had always come through with a cupcake and a single candle for him. It was their thing, and she’d done it every year since they were eleven up until he’d gone away.
He smiled, lathering his hands and soaping a leg, his spirits lifting at the prospect of spending his birthday with Rhina—his oldest friend and the mother of his child—and his son. He’d wished for this very thing on those few birthdays he’d spent in prison. And though he’d been out for two years, today he was getting his wish.
He lathered his hands a little more before reaching down to clean his dick. Some birthday sex wouldn’t be shabby either. It was the first week of December, and he and Adrien had been hooking up for several weeks. Each Saturday night after their shift, they explored each other’s bodies for hours.
Things hadn’t progressed past hand jobs and blow jobs, though last week they had frotted, rubbing against each other until they’d spilled on each other’s chests and bellies, sticky with come and sweat …
Washing himself, Micah’s cock filled as images of Adrien flashed through his mind. That mix of shea butter and coffee beans that permeated the reddish brown of Adrien’s skin. His hands deftly maneuvering Micah where he wanted him as they kissed. His soft, damp, fleshy lips parting in pleasure as Micah mouthed and licked his cock. His hole clenched at the thoughts, and Micah couldn’t stop from fisting his cock like he did every night before he drifted off to sleep…lifting his legs and slipping a slick finger into his hole.
Water beaded down on him, and Micah leaned his forehead against the side of the shower, his body straining as he stroked himself. He wanted Adrien to fuck him, but he hadn’t gotten the nerve to ask him yet.
Micah had been topped a few times, and most of his experiences were lackluster, but he really wanted that with Adrien. He closed his eyes, pictured lying in the middle of Adrien’s bed, naked, on his back, his legs bent while he held his ankles in the air.
Being so exposed would make him embarrassed, nervous, and horny. But he was so desperate to have Adrien in him, he’d display his hole to Adrien’s assessing stare.
“Mmmhhh,” Micah moaned quietly, cupping his balls with his other hand as he continued to caress himself, briefly losing his fantasy.
Where was he? Oh yeah, on Adrien’s bed with his legs in the air, his ass on display.
Adrien would stand at the foot of the bed, huge cock dripping, then he’d lean down, crawl up the bed, plant his face between Micah’s cheeks, and swipe his tongue across Micah’s waiting hole.
“Nnnngggg, Ade!” Micah whispered, his spine tingling, and his jaw clenched as his come spurted against the wall.
Micah caught his breath then opened his eyes in the steamy cubicle, sated from his time with fantasy Adrien and anxious to get on with his day so that he could touch and taste the real Adrien after their shift tonight.
He turned off the shower and stepped out into the brightly tiled bathroom, reaching for the orange and sea-green towel that matched the bathroom decor. His thoughts remained on Adrien. They’d been hooking up for weeks, but Micah didn’t like that he couldn’t talk about their relationship.
He wanted to tell everyone about them, but—exactly what could he say about them?
Adrien was his boss, and they had a standing hookup on Saturday night. Micah thought they were friends too. They still joked around, shared confidences, watched movies together either before or after sex.
But they hadn’t even gone on a date. They hadn’t even kissed during the daytime…
Micah pulled on a pair of jeans and a forest green pullover sweater, then frowned.
Damn. He and Adrien were fuck buddies.
Fuck buddies who Netflixed and chilled.
A dull pain bloomed in Micah’s chest. He wanted to be more than a fuck buddy to Adrien. He wanted to watch a movie with Adrien in a theater, then have Thai food at a restaurant afterward instead of on Adrien’s couch. He wanted the right to reach for Adrien’s hand on a public sidewalk. He wanted to spend next Thanksgiving with Adrien.
But did Adrien want that too?
The man hadn’t shown any indication that he wanted more. And Micah didn’t know if he was willing to risk ruining what they had by asking for more.
Leaving the guesthouse, he made his way to Rhina’s, slipping through the backdoor leading into the kitchen, excited to receive what would probably be his only happy birthday wishes for the day.
Caleb and Rhina were already sitting at the kitchen table, a pile of bacon and eggs, and several slices of toast in front of them.
Rhina looked up from her tablet with a smile, her dark curls bouncing around her face. “Hey!” She focused back on her device. “Took you a while to come to breakfast this morning. I thought maybe you were sick or something.”
“I was, uh, just sleeping in a little this morning,” Micah stammered, avoiding her eyes as his cheeks heated, thinking about what he’d done in the shower…what he’d fantasized about.
“I thought that maybe you had a guest over this morning,” Rhina said, looking at Micah.
His eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Guest?”
She looked down at her coffee, acting casual. “Yeah. I thought that maybe you brought whoever you’ve been hanging out with after your Saturday night shift home with you for a change.”
Micah’s mouth dropped open in surprise and Caleb snorted.
“What? You think I didn’t notice you creeping into the guesthouse early Sunday mornings? I see everything.” The woman picked up her coffee with both hands and gave Micah a mysterious look over the rim of the mug.
“She’s got cameras for the security system on the house. She checks them in the mornings,” Caleb said.
He really wasn’t sure what to say about Adrien, Rhina’s words kicking up his worries from earlier that morning.
“I’m teasing, Micah.” She reached across the table and pushed his shoulder lightly before standing with her empty plate and turning to put it in the sink. “But, I want you to know that you’re free to spend time with your lady friend in the guesthouse. It’s yours. And whenever you’re ready, I’d love to meet her.”
Rhina winked at him and Caleb frowned.
Lady friend? Her?
Micah suppressed a groan.
His son and baby mama had no idea he was into guys…that he was gay. There. He’d actually thought the word to himself.
Gay. Now if he could just say it out loud to someone else…
“It’s nothing serious,” Micah heard himself say, his body stiffening and rebelling at the words as he forced them out of his mouth. “Just someone that I spend time with after work. We aren’t, like, dating or anything like that.”
“That’s super weird, Mom,” Caleb said, shaking his head.
“What’s weird?” Rhina frowned.
Caleb motioned between Rhina and Micah. “You and Dad. He lives with us, but you guys haven’t been a couple for, like, years. And you want to meet his new girlfriend—”
“Uh, I don’t actually have—” Micah attempted to interject, only to be cut off by Rhina.
“Your dad and I have been friends since we were eleven years old, Cale,” Rhina said, folding her arms and looking at Micah with a small, fond smile.
It was true. She’d been new in his fifth-grade class, and they’d hit it off over their love of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes and fantasy-themed books.
“Of course, anyone he dates is welcome here.” She looked over and grinned at him. “We were always better friends than partners anyway. We’ll always be friends. And we’ll always be your embarrassing weird parents. I love your dad.” She reached out and ruffled Caleb’s hair, and Micah smiled at her.
He loved her too. They just weren’t in love with each other. Now he knew that was because he was gay. But when he and Rhina began dating in the eighth grade, it had seemed natural for the two of them to pair off.
All their friends had started dating—many of them had even started having sex. And Rhina had been the only girl Micah felt comfortable with and enjoyed being around. He’d noticed handsome guys in middle and high school but figured it was normal to admire the physique of other guys and compare them to his own, not realizing what he was feeling was attraction. He didn’t realize until years later that his love for her had been completely platonic and that he hadn’t been attracted to any other girls because he wasn’t attracted to women at all.
It had only taken him a stint in prison to figure it out. He’d had a lover in prison and their encounters had been consensual—they both got to scratch an itch. Better late than never, right?
“Love you too. Both of you,” Micah responded, chest filling with a slow warmth, thinking about Rhina’s unwavering support and friendship through the years. Even after they’d split up when Caleb was three. After she’d gone to college and graduated…and after he’d gone down the wrong path and paid the price. She’d never abandoned him, taking his calls from prison a few times a month and sending the occasional card or letter. And now she had opened up her home and life to him so that he could build a relationship with his son.
“None of my friends would be cool with their boyfriend or girlfriend being friends with an ex,” Caleb said, shaking his head.
Micah reached for a mug that was sitting on the table and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Relationships come and go, Cale. But some friendships last a lifetime. That’s me and your mom.”
Caleb still looked skeptical but rose from the table to dump his plate in the sink.
“All right, I’m heading upstairs to get ready.” Rhina rose from the table. “Caleb, make sure you’re ready in forty-five minutes or I won’t be giving you a ride.”
Caleb groaned. “I’ll be ready. I always am. You’re the one who ends up taking twice as long to get dressed.” He followed closely behind Rhina as they left the kitchen.
Micah’s belly cramped. Were they really leaving without wishing him a happy birthday?
“Oh!” Rhina said, just outside the kitchen, before she looked around their son, nearly smacking into him. “We probably won’t see you until tomorrow morning, Micah, so have a good shift. And remember, your friend is welcome here.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“You—you’re leaving?” Micah stuttered.
Both Caleb and Rhina turned around to stand in the doorway to the kitchen, looking puzzled. They left every Saturday. Caleb helped his grandparents with yard work then hung out with his friends or worked on group projects for school. Rhina usually worked but she’d swapped a shift with another nurse so the woman could attend her child’s recital during the week, giving Rhina a rare Saturday off.
“Uh, yeah. I’m meeting a couple of my girlfriends for mani-pedis and Caleb has plans with friends today too,” she answered, confused.
“It’s just—I just, uh—thought maybe…” Thought his oldest friend and his son would at least remember his birthday, even if they hadn’t planned anything. Micah trailed off, his shoulders sinking as he stared down into his coffee.
“Micah?” Rhina stepped back into the kitchen as Caleb stood at the door.
Of course, they hadn’t remembered. He hadn’t been around for his birthday in years. No one had acknowledged his birthday in years, so this wasn’t any different from the years before. He swallowed to soothe his achy throat then looked up and met Rhina’s concerned gaze and forced a smile on his lips.
“It’s nothing. I’m sorry. I forgot you weren’t working today,” he said even though Rhina didn’t look the least bit convinced, her eyes squinting at him.
“She’s gonna get whatever you’re hiding out of you, dude,” Caleb said, shaking his head from the doorway. “Might as well tell her.”
“You just usually go in later when you work on Saturdays, so I thought—”
“Oh, Micah. Fuck! I’m so sorry.” Rhina’s eyes went wide, and she slapped a hand over her forehead. “How could I forget after all these years? Happy birthday.” She walked over and pulled him out of his chair, wrapping her arms around him.
“Shit. It’s your birthday?” Caleb said.
“Caleb, watch your mouth before I wash it out with soap,” Rhina said sternly, her voice vibrating against Micah’s chest.
“Sorry, Mom,” Caleb said, pushing his hair out of his face and looking at Micah guiltily. “Happy birthday, Dad. Sorry, I didn’t realize…”
“That’s okay,” Micah said, giving his son a small smile. “How could you know? I haven’t been around for a long time.” Micah was hurt, but it was his own fault his son didn’t know him or important things about him, like his damn birthday.
Rhina pulled back, her eyes watery, and grabbed both of Micah’s arms which were hanging at his sides. “Yeah, but I know. I could have shared that with him. God, I didn’t even remember, and here I was going on about what good friends we are.” She paused, her eyebrows shooting up then furrowing as she realized what Micah’s prevaricating had been about.
“You thought maybe we’d all do something together today for your birthday.” Rhina looked like she’d just witnessed someone kick a puppy.
Micah shook his head, cupping her elbows. “No, Rhina, you don’t get to beat yourself up about forgetting.” He bit his lip. “Yes, I thought maybe you’d remember and you might have time to hang out. But you have so much on your plate I’m surprised you can remember your own name most days.”
She looked dejected. “I’m a terrible friend.”
Micah rolled his eyes at that one. “Rhina, you took my collect calls from prison and you let me live in your guesthouse for free until I found a job. You’re the best fucking friend. And also human. Humans forget birthdays, especially busy humans.” Micah smiled at Rhina and cupped her cheek. “But you do owe me an entire box of Zebra Cakes for forgetting.”
She snickered, hitting him on the shoulder. “Consider it done, birthday boy.”
Micah squeezed her shoulders before jutting his chin toward the door, indicating she should go get ready, but she hesitated.
“Did you want to do something? Grab lunch or something maybe? I can reschedule.” She looked over her shoulder at Caleb. “We both can.”
Micah would love nothing more than to have had lunch with the people he considered his only family, but the glimmer of pity he saw in both Rhina’s and Caleb’s eyes dented his pride.
“Naw, it’s fine.”
Rhina opened her mouth to speak but he held up a hand.
“Really. I wanted to get a workout in today anyway, and then I have my shift. I’m a big boy. It’s no big deal. Enjoy hanging out with your friends, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Well, I at least hope you see your secret friend tonight after work. Get a little birthday action,” Rhina teased.
“Ew, Mom, I’m standing right here. Don’t want to hear about my parents’ sex lives,” Caleb grumbled before stalking off.
Micah huffed out a laugh, gently pushing Rhina out of the kitchen, and waited until he was sure both she and Caleb were upstairs getting ready before he slumped back down into his chair. He was pretty sure he’d get some action tonight. But the thing was, his “secret friend” didn’t know it was his birthday either. He and Adrien talked about their lives, but they hadn’t gotten to things like birthdays yet.
Besides, birthdays were the kinds of milestones you celebrated with family and…boyfriends.
Well, his family had forgotten about his birthday, and he wasn’t sure the man he thought about at night before he went to sleep and every morning when he first woke up saw him as boyfriend material.
So far, twenty-nine felt very lonely.