What If... We Could Start Again...?

What If… We could start again?

What If #4

Heather Mar-Gerrison copyright 2018

Revised Edition 2022

Beautiful front cover design courtesy of Shutterstock designs

Smashwords Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work.

Chapter 1 – The shirt…

Asher

Nice shirt.

I looked up and did my best not to drool or to say anything stupid. The sexiest guy I’d seen in forever was grinning back at me.

He stretched out an arm and stroked a finger down the sleeve of my rather fabulous shirt and I’m not gonna lie, I actually shivered at his touch. Wow. I’d never reacted to another guy like that before, either. This one was really pressing my buttons. Uh, thanks. Fuck! What was with the tongue-tied shit? I was usually the sassy one out of my group of friends – hence the desire not to open my mouth and say anything stupid...

He raised his eyebrows and his smile broadened. Oh. My. God. Gorgeous didn’t even begin to cover it. "So, where did you get it from?"

I looked back at him blankly for a moment. Stunned into silence at his utter beauty… I know – it was pathetic wasn’t it? Suddenly my brain kicked back into gear, If I tell you – are you gonna get one the same? I asked flirtatiously. Yes! I high fived myself in my head. I was back in the game…

He grinned that fabulously sexy grin again, Not if you don’t want me to, he drawled, but for not doing, at least allow me to take you out for a drink – wearing the shirt. He stroked his hand down my chest. Ohhh, yeah – he’s very definitely interested in me…

Me wearing the shirt, or you? I asked cheekily.

His eyes narrowed slightly and then his grin almost knocked me out with its power, At the beginning of the date – you. He said, But by the end, who knows?

Ohhh, fuck! That was some line. He was so going to be mine. Okay. I said, grinning back at him as I pushed myself away from the bar towards him and totally getting into his personal space, Where are you taking me?

His eyes widened slightly. Was he turned on by me or was I being my usual, too ‘in your face’ self? Probably. I’d been told I was kind of sassy in the past. Not sure. He said, Come and dance with me.

I hopped off my stool, grinning all over my face. Grabbing his hand, I dragged him to the dance floor before he could change his mind… Sure thing. I said, I’m Asher by the way – and you are?

Schuyler. He said with a smile. Well, of course he’d have the sexiest name under the sun. Cupid was sure looking out for me tonight…

Fuck. Schuyler was good at this dancing lark. His moves were definitely making my dick take an interest. It was hot on the dance floor. Loads of guys were dancing together, all of them getting hot and sweaty. The vibe was very definitely full of promise – the promise of sexual awakening. It was a heady experience.

Wanna get a drink? Schuyler leaned towards me and asked in a loud voice so I’d hear him over the music.

I nodded, Sure. I agreed. I would go anywhere with him right at this moment in time, absolutely anywhere.

He took my hand this time and navigated his way, holding onto my hand tightly, through the throngs of swaying bodies.

It was a little cooler by the bar. What are you having? he asked.

I shrugged, I’m good with water. I said. I was thirsty after expending all of that energy.

He nodded, Good call. He said with a grin. He turned his glass around on the bar a few times. Was he nervous? He looked up at me, biting his lip and his eyes wary, So, he said "Can I see you again?" The way he asked was hesitant – almost as if he was shy.

I nodded. Probably far too enthusiastically but coy I was not, Of course. I agreed.

He chuckled, I know it’s a terrible cliché to ask this – but do you come here very often?

I chuckled, "Oh, my God – you did not just ask me that." I said, rolling my eyes.

His eyes crinkled up at the edges when he grinned and his lips were full enough not to disappear when he smiled, "I believe I did apologise in advance – it’s just that I’m new to this area and so I don’t know a lot of places to agree to meet you at."

I blinked, Really? I asked, how new?

He smiled, Very new. He said, "Like, I got here yesterday. I’m out tonight with some guys I met from the training centre I’m at until I start my new job next week – and I literally do not know anyone else in the entire city."

Wowsers. Totally fresh meat… And he’d picked me.

I reached over and squeezed his hand, Are you staying anywhere near a tram stop?

He nodded. It’s literally right outside my front door.

I smiled, Get on it then and I’ll meet you in the city centre tomorrow morning – and then I’ll give you the grand tour of my fabulous city.

Chapter 2 – Moment of madness…

Schuyler

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Asher was a guy. What the hell had I been thinking of last night when I walked into that gay bar and started talking to him?

Because let me tell you here and now, up until that moment of madness, I’d always identified as straight; from my very straight career choice as a Geography and Geology teacher (what can I say? I loved rocks) to my relationship of five years with my beautiful girlfriend, Imogen. I’d always been quite convinced, thanks very much, that I was as straight as a die.

And let me defend myself here a little bit – I didn’t walk into the bar alone looking for a hook-up with a young, fit twink. No. I’d gone out with a group of guys that I was training with and they’d all thought it would be a good idea to go into that bar for whatever reason.

I’d gone along willingly enough but honest to God, I would never have thought I’d have started to chat another guy up without having been put up for it as a dare – or unless my life depended on it.

I was ordering myself a pint when my eyes drifted across the bar area and I spotted him. He was stood at the end of the bar. He was wearing the tightest pair of skinny jeans I’d ever seen on a person. They clung to his every contour like a second skin. Over that, he was wearing a skinny rib tee shirt with a completely obnoxious-looking, flowery shirt finishing off the look. Somehow or other it totally worked. He looked incredible. He hadn’t tucked the shirt into his jeans – like there was any room anyway – and it was unbuttoned. He looked kind of like an eighties throwback and I have no idea why, but I was instantly intrigued.

To top it all, he had a mop of the curliest, blonde hair I’d ever seen – it actually hung in ringlets around his cute little face and oh, my God… I’d never seen anyone so angelically pretty in my whole life. He was like a modern-day, grown-up cupid. Absolutely beautiful.

Nice shirt. Fuck! Who gave my legs permission to walk over here? Stop talking right now and walk away. What the hell do you think you are doing?

But instead of looking at me as if I was some sort of creep, he looked up at me with real interest and his smile was totally genuine. And oh, my God, he had dimples. He was perfect. Utterly perfect.

With a charming blush to his cheeks, he managed to pull off bashful and cheeky all rolled into one, Uh, thanks. He said.

Shit. Now what was I supposed to say? Think Schuyler, think! So, where did you get it from? I asked hurriedly. I was desperately grasping at straws, torn between wanting to carry on talking to him forever and yet, at the same time, mortified that any of the guys I’d come in with might see me and out me for chatting up a guy.

I glanced around. Oh. Why had I even been worried? Two of the guys I was with were dancing with each other – grinding against each other, actually – and locking lips. Okay… hadn’t really seen that developing but hey, who was I to judge?

Another one was sitting at the bar texting and the one I’d got on best with, David, was chatting to a guy leaning up against the wall and looking completely comfortable in his skin.

I jumped slightly as my beautiful new friend spoke, If I tell you – are you gonna get one the same?

I grinned. He was well sassy, Not if you don’t want me to – but for not doing, at least allow me to take you out for a drink – wearing the shirt.

I reached out a hand and ran it down the front of his shirt. Fuck. I really shouldn’t have done that. My heart started pounding as I felt the heat of his body through his clothing against my hand. I was going officially crazy. I’d