Neon Yellow: Obsessive Adhesives (5 page)

As Spencer entered the department store and made his way to the elevators, he noticed a pale green button down in men's wear and, on impulse, purchased it. It would easily stand out in his closet among the white shirts. Shopping bag in hand, Spencer entered the elevator and thought about what other changes he could make. The doors opened, and by the time Spencer sat his desk, he knew he was kidding himself. The new shirt would end up in the back of the closet among all the other clothing he'd never wear.

He heard Rosa's laughter and looked up to see her and Jason saunter out of the elevator together, almost as intimate as if they were lovers. She smiled coyly at Jason. “Thank you Jason, I'll certainly keep that in mind,” she trilled before tottering off to her desk.

Spencer caught Jason looking at him and turned his gaze back to his monitor before Jason saw the hurt in his eyes. It was becoming obvious that Jason was playing with him, especially if he'd rather have lunch with Rosa after he'd arranged to have lunch with Spencer.

"Sorry, got caught up with the computers in admin.” Jason's soft voiced apology came from behind him.

Spencer shrugged, trying to come off as indifferent. “No problem."

"Let's try breakfast tomorrow morning?"

Spencer jumped. Suddenly, Jason was so close he was whispering in his ear. Spencer looked around, hurriedly. Thank God no-one was watching.

"Sure.” Again Spencer tried to come off as cool. “When and where?” A breakfast ‘date', for lack of a better word, was better than a lunch one—right?

"If it can't be at my place after waking up with you,” Jason whispered. “Well, I can be here by eight, how about around ten past at the diner down the road?"

To say Spencer was shocked would be an understatement of the grandest proportions. He held onto his desk as the room spun around him and the ringing in his ears seemed to drown out everything except Jason's words. Jason wanted to wake up next to him? Oh, God. Spencer was both terrified and excited by the thought of spending the night in the other man's bed.

"Okay, I'll meet you there."

"Lovely."

Just that one word from Jason surrounded Spencer's ear with warmth. Spencer wondered what would it be like listening to that voice telling him things in the dark, letting the honeyed words wash over him, and pretend he was someone else who these things happened to all the time?

"...shopping? Buy anything interesting?"

Snapping out of his daydream—and hoping what he was dreaming about wasn't too obvious—Spencer gave Jason a confused look.

"The shopping bag. It's okay, you don't have to tell me, my curiosity overrides my sense sometimes.” Jason retreated to his own desk, a few feet away from Spencer's.

"I bought a shirt."

"Can never have too many shirts,” Jason stated. “Not white, we need to jazz you up a bit.” He turned back to Spencer's desk.

We?
What did that mean? Did Spencer really need jazzing up? He already knew the answer to that one—yes, he did. Spencer reached into the bag and pulled out the shirt.

"It's not white.” Spencer bit his lip and nervously held out the pale green shirt.

Jason nodded. “Wear it tomorrow.” He winked and was back at his desk, digging through a box of computer bits before Spencer had even realized he was holding his breath. Was Jason's approval really that important? He mentally rolled his eyes. Obviously.

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Jason strolled into The Home-Style Kitchen, a diner that used to be known as Dan's Diner before the re-vamp of this part of town. Before, it had been all 1950s style red vinyl seats, laminate tables and black and white linoleum tiles on the floor. Now the diner looked like some sort of country homestead—and Jason wasn't sure which country. Polished floorboards, pine chairs and tables with colorful check table cloths, and daisies everywhere. He saw Spencer sitting at one of the small tables toward the back of the diner. Spencer looked nervous, playing with his teaspoon and glancing around. Jason took this small moment to study him. Spencer was wearing the pale green shirt; it actually lifted his complexion, he didn't look as washed out as he usually did.

Jason ambled over and slid into the chair opposite Spencer. “Morning. The color's good."

"Good morning."

Jason noticed some of Spencer's nervousness ebb once he'd sat down. Probably relieved that he'd turned up this time. The blush when Jason complimented Spencer was cute, though. “Been waiting long?"

"Not long,” Spencer opened up his over-sized menu.

Jason followed suit. As soon as they'd ordered, they could get rid of things for Spencer to hide behind. Jason was enjoying the glimpses of the real Spencer that he uncovered. It was hard going, though. Almost as if the man wasn't willing to give away anything of himself in case one thought him too boring. Wasn't it better to appear boring with interests than without? Anyone who felt as passionately about anything as Spencer felt about astronomy and rocks had to have some redeeming qualities. Even if it was just that passion. Jason hoped there was plenty more passion in his shy friend.

"Would you like to order now?"

Jason glanced at the pretty waitress, her pencil and order pad at the ready, and realized that, while he'd been looking at the menu for the past five minutes, he hadn't actually been reading it. His mind had been too occupied with Spencer. “Um, Spence?” He hoped Spencer hadn't been day-dreaming, too. “I just need a couple more seconds,” he told the girl.

"I'll have the pancakes with sausage and a coffee, please.” Spencer closed his menu and placed it on the table in front of the waitress.

"Sounds good, the same please.” Jason handed the waitress both menus and looked at Spencer, oddly relieved that he seemed to like food. “A good healthy cooked brekky. Great way to start the day.” Jason grinned. “I'm lucky if I manage to grab a muesli bar as I'm going out the door."

"I like a good breakfast. My omelets are awesome."

"Hmm, we'll have to have an omelet-off one day. I've been told I make a pretty awesome one, too."

Blushing, Spencer turned his attention to the ad filled place mat.

"Oh, The Odeon is showing a double feature of Dr. No and Goldfinger,” Spencer said and then frowned. “Damn, it ends tonight."

"So? Come with me, I already have tickets.” Jason knew Thad, who had originally agreed to go with him, would understand.

"You like James Bond?” Spencer's face lit up with that enthusiasm Jason was beginning adore.

Jason raised an eyebrow. “No, I bought tickets so I could stalk you, knowing how much you loved the films."

Just like that, the light died from Spencer's face, his expression turning into alarm, eyes zeroing in on the nearest exit. Jason looked around, too, confused. He thought things had been going well. Spencer had been talking to him, even though he'd blushed at every second word. But Jason, for the life of him, couldn't think what he had said that would send Spencer into outright panic.

"What?"

Spencer took a deep breath. “It's nothing.” He seemed relieved when their waitress arrived with their coffee.

Jason watched Spencer add three sugars and two little containers of milk to his and stir a little more forcefully than was needed. Well, at least he was staying seated. And he looked less panicked. Jason tried again.

"Yes, I like James Bond, especially the older stuff. Sean Connery was the best... and still is. That voice...” Jason visibly shivered and winked. “So, come with me, please."

Spencer continued to stir his coffee, apparently going over each and every pro and con. Jason couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much trouble getting a ‘date'.

"Who was the other ticket for?” Spencer asked, looking up from his morning brew.

"Thad. But he won't care; he was only going ‘cause he knows he'd get laid after,” Jason explained, laughing. “C'mon, Spence. I don't expect anything like that from you. Just two friends going to see a classic flick."

"Maybe you should take him instead."

"Maybe not.” Jason knew that if he really wanted to get laid by Thad, a date wouldn't be necessary. All he'd have to do would be to phone Thad. Yes, even
after
he'd been out with someone else.

Spencer bit down on his bottom lip. “Okay."

Jason smiled and relaxed. Fuck, that'd been hard work. “It starts at seven-thirty, want me to pick you up and we'll have dinner first?"

"No, I can't do dinner. But I'll meet you at the theater a little after seven."

"No probs.” Jason knew he'd have to be content with that, but he also knew he'd be driving Spencer home afterward. A kiss goodnight wouldn't be too much to ask. Jason wondered briefly if Sean Connery's voice had the same effect on Spencer that it had on him, but was interrupted by food before he could ponder on it too much.

"Morning, Shaun,” Jason greeted the security guard.

Shaun's eyes flicked from Jason to Spencer and he grunted a response.

"Hi Shaun,” Spencer quickly threw over his shoulder as they passed the security guard, and returned his attention to Jason. “The Orionid meteors are going to be great next month. I might go up to a camping site I know in Braeside. It'll be perfect for viewing the showers."

"Hmm, that sounds good. Want some company?"

Spencer's face lit up. “That'd be great. I have extra camping gear if you need it. I can bring my telescope as well."

It amazed Jason how different Spencer was once the man relaxed and felt more comfortable. After a few awkward moments in the diner, everything had changed—for the better. They'd talked non-stop and had even stayed for two refills of coffee. “No need. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy camping. Don't let the Yuppie exterior fool you."

"I won't,” Spencer replied and pushed the button to call the elevator. “Think we can both get time off? The meteors peak on a Tuesday."

Jason laughed. “Take a sick day. You must have about four thousand owing.” Try as he might, Jason couldn't recall Spencer ever having a day off that wasn't vacation time.

Spencer worried his bottom lip. “I guess I could. But won't it look suspicious if we
both
call in sick? You know how Rosa loves to gossip."

"Pfft, they'll deal with it. Maybe I'll take a couple of vacation days."

They rode the elevator up to the second floor. “Thursdays can be busy. If I don't see you for the rest of the day, I'll see you tonight, about seven."

"I'll buy the popcorn.” Spencer smiled as he left the elevator and walked toward his desk.

"I love popc...” Jason crashed into Spencer's back. “What the? What's up?” He recovered and peered around Spencer to see what had made the other man stop so abruptly, noticing nothing but Spencer's work station as it usually was. Pristine.

"It's nothing,” Spencer said, quickly pulling a neon yellow Post-It off his computer screen and tossing it in the trash bin. “I'm gonna make some coffee."

"More coffee?” Jason raised his eyebrows and watched Spencer go. Spencer usually drank about two cups a day. He'd already gone over his quota and the day hadn't even begun. Once the lunch room door had closed behind Spencer, Jason fished the Post-It from the bin.

Good morning, lover.

No, not lover. Not yet.

After all, you don't even know who I am.

But I know who you are. I watch you.

And then I have to jerk off.

Jason flipped the bright yellow note over, then back, and reread it. What the fuck was this? How long had it been going on? Did Spencer really have no idea who this person was, as the note had intimated? Jason saw red. He followed Spencer into the lunch room.

"What's this?"

Spencer visibly tensed when he saw the note in Jason's hand. “It's nothing, just someone having a laugh at my expense.” Spencer turned his gaze to the coffee maker. “What are you doing going through my trash anyway?"

Jason slapped the note down on the table, hard. “
This
is not someone having a laugh.
This
is serious shit, Spencer.” He took a deep breath. Being in IT had taught him a lot about cyber bullying and cyber crimes. All types of harassment were dangerous, even anonymous notes written on sticky paper. He had to calm down a bit before he scared Spencer. “Do you have any idea who it is?"

"No, I don't.” Spencer spun around to face Jason. “It's a joke, it has to be. Who would want to stalk
me
? Eli? He agrees with Rosa that I'm gay and abnormal. You? You can have anyone you want. You wouldn't jerk off thinking about
me
.” Spencer took a deep breath before continuing. “It's probably Rosa or Jenny, trying to out me."

Jason shook his head and couldn't help smiling at Spencer's less than logical skills to narrow down the odds. “I think, if you think about all those statements you just made, you'll find they're all false.” He peeled the Post-It from the laminated table top. “And
this is serious.
You should go to management. Or the cops."

"I'm sure the cops would love to waste their time on Post-It fearing gay guy. I
can
take care of myself.” Spencer opened the cabinet, took out two coffee cups and placed them on the counter.

"For one thing, this has nothing to do with gay or un-gay. Straight boys get harassed and killed too, y'know.” At the word killed, Jason saw Spencer shudder. “It's sexual harassment, pure and simple. And I really think you need to do something about it."

Spencer drummed his fingers on the counter. “I guess I could ask Shaun to keep an eye out and see who goes back into the office after I leave."

That seemed like a good idea. Shaun had been working at the store for ages and knew everybody. Jason nodded. “Sounds good. Just..."

"Just what?” Spencer snapped. “Be careful?” He filled his cup with coffee. Jason noticed Spencer's hand shaking as he added sugar and cream. “I
can
take care of myself,” Spencer said, storming out of the lunch room.

Jason smiled and poured his own coffee. “So, the kitty does have claws,” he mumbled, somewhat pleased to find that out.