Five days on and life continued as though nothing had changed. Gideon walked into his apartment Friday afternoon from work, dumped his bag on the sofa and made his way to the bedroom. On the bedside table two thin lengths of rope sat wound up in a neat ball. For the most part, Gideon had managed to forget his miserable birthday celebration, however some things did come out of it. He realised it was time for several life changes, one being his departure from his former life.

Francis stopped talking to him mid-week when he told her he wouldn’t be accompanying her Saturday night to The Blue Bar. As much as she protested, Gideon needed this change. The revaluation of his life hadn’t truly happened when he turned thirty, if Gideon was honest with himself. Sure, turning thirty had been a huge emotional drama, yet Gideon realised change had been coming on for some time. His birthday seemed the right time to make those changes. His friends may not understand, even complain about his choices, but Gideon had to do what was right for him.

With his mobile phone idly resting in his hand, the one thing Gideon had not been able to forget was Brett. Anger remained around the surface of his thoughts every time Brett came to mind. The confidence he’d shown - in the bathroom and in the apartment - had taken Gideon by surprise. Certainly not his rude and perverted nature but the interest he’d shown and his ability to walk away. Gideon had never known a man to walk away from him, not once Gideon gave the slightest interest. Had Brett continued in the bathroom, Gideon knew without a doubt they’d have likely had sex and that frightened Gideon.

It had happened in the past, finding himself angry with a man and ending it with sex. Experience told Gideon that was no way to resolve any issues. So what was it about Brett that kept Gideon awake at night? Certainly not his age. Nine years older wasn’t Gideon’s ideal age for a partner.

Gideon reached out and took the rope from the side table, bringing it up to his nose. With a deep inhale; he made out the lingering odour of musk. Where there should be anger, there was instead an inquisitive nature to explore more. It frustrated Gideon. He lowered the ball of rope to his lap and stared at it, then to the phone in his other hand. If this were a mistake, he would certainly pay for it.

The unknown mobile number in the recent calls list did indeed show Gideon had called Brett at 3.34am, Monday morning. Embarrassment heated his face, and he pressed redial. Half hoping his call would be put through to voicemail, when Brett answered, Gideon immediately realised his mistake.

“I wasn’t expecting you to ring so soon,” he told Gideon. No hello, no how are you, no thank you for calling.

“Hello, how are you?” Gideon enquired sarcastically.

“Better now that you’re on the phone.”

“Well don’t be expecting phone sex, I don’t do that,” Gideon informed Brett.

“Good to here. I personally prefer company over doing it alone.”

“Well we agree on something them.”

“So five days over thirty, how do you feel?”

“Old,” Gideon snorted.

“Thanks, you’re making me feel ancient.”

“Yeah, well you practically are.”

“You’ll be my age one day too.”

“Shut the hell up, if you can’t be nice to me I’ll hang up.”

The phone went silent and Gideon rolled his eyes and murmured, “Pervert.”

“You know it,” Brett replied.

“Do you want to go on this date or not?”

“Yes. I do.”

Gideon rubbed his temple. The pressure building behind his eyes threatened to blow up into a headache he could do without.

“Right then. Are there any night’s you're free?” Gideon asked.

“How about tomorrow night?”

“Don’t you need to work?”

“No. I can take the night off for you.”

“Listen. I’m not looking for a boyfriend or commitment right now. So can we take the time to get to know each other first?”

“As friends,” Brett asked.

“Sure. As friends.”

The line went quiet for a moment and then Brett said, “I really am a dirty old man, Gideon.”

“Fine, whatever, if you would rather we have sex now and move on that’s fine with me.”

“No that’s not what I want but I'll play it your way for now. But keep in mind I do intend to pursue you.”

“Yeah, well if you can change my mind about perverted old men go right ahead.”

“Is that a dare?”

“No. It is not a dare.”

Brett huffed, and Gideon suspected he would take it as one and a flame of excitement flared up inside.

“I’ll pick you up at seven, were something sexy.”

“You wish. I’ll be wearing jeans so don’t plan on taking me out somewhere fancy, and it better not be your own restaurant.”

“Trust me Gideon, nothing but the best for you.”

Gideon huffed and replied, “Yeah, whatever. I’ll see you then, bye.”

“Bye Gideon.”

Gideon put his phone down as he once more stared at the ball of rope still in his hand. Another whiff before Gideon put it down, contemplating whether he’d made the right decision.

“You have a date with Brett, really.” Francis said in a disbelieving voice as she sat opposite Gideon. He’d barely had the opportunity to sleep in Saturday morning, when Francis turned up at his apartment at 10am to convince him one last time to go to The Blue Bar with her that night.

“Yes. Really. And stop asking me to go with you. I told you. I’m not doing The Blue Bar anymore.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Do I have to call Brett and have him tell you we have a date?”

“No. Not that. I can’t believe you’re giving up The Blue Bar. Merrick and Joel are more than happy to not go, and now if you stop going, who will I go with?”

“You know every person there. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“No, I won’t. I’ll be lonely and have no one to get me free drinks.”

“Is that all I am to you; someone who can get you free drinks.”

“No. You’re more than that.”

“I should hope so. Look, Francis. It might appear sudden but it’s been on my mind for a while now. I’m tired of going every weekend. Maybe now and then but not all the time.”

“Fine. You’re starting to show your age.”

Gideon didn’t like that he might be showing his age, in his mind he was still nineteen, yet he could no longer maintain the lifestyle of a nineteen-year-old. Francis poured them both another coffee as they moved from the kitchen table to the sofas to get comfortable.

“So when is your date with Mr Destiny?” Francis asked, reclining on the long sofa and Gideon curled up in the large single seat. He’d pulled the lap rug over his legs and tucked a pillow down his right side and snuggled down.

“Tonight.” Gideon replied.

“Doesn’t he need to work?”

“He said he would take the night off.”

“Did he tell you where he was taking you?”

“No. But I told him if we ended up at his restaurant I wouldn’t be happy.”

Francis snickered. “Imagine that. I don’t know anything about him; so not sure if he’d be the type of person to do that.”

“I know he’s a pervert.”

“That’s what you like about him.” Francis joked.

“No I don’t.”

“Sure.”

“If you don’t stop, I won't tell you how the date goes.”

“Yes you will.”

Gideon sipped his coffee. It wasn't that he wouldn't tell his friends; it was that they wouldn't let him not. Known for her demanding nature, Francis wouldn't give Gideon any space until she knew everything.