dressing after our showers Carl asked, “So what do you think? Think you’ll stick with it?”

“I’m thinking I just might,” I said.

“Good then, we can become regular workout buddies.”

I smiled, hoping that would be the case. I wanted to spend more time with Carl.

Suddenly Carl glanced over and said, “You should come over. We can watch a movie or something. Have a few beers.”

I felt a tingle of excitement as I had been imaging being alone with Carl the entire week. I tired not to sound too enthusiastic as I said, “Yeah sure. That would be great.”

Carl had a nice place and as I walked around the large living room he went to get us a couple of beers. His place was appointed tastefully and yet still maintained an air of mystery. Why was I so damned curious about this man?

Carl returned and placed two beers on a large glass coffee table. He turned on a movie and we sat down to watch. Before long we were talking more than watching and inevitably the topic turned first to women and then to sex.

I had been single for over 3 months, my last girlfriend having moved out of state. “It was a bummer, but I wasn’t about to move to Indiana if you know what I mean.”

“No shit, moving sucks,” Carl said. “I’ve been single for almost a year.”

“Really?” I said. “I’d probably lose it if I had to go that long without sex!”

Carl laughed. “No kidding, so would I!”

“So, what do you do?” I asked.

“Come on, it’s easy enough to get laid.” Then Carl casually said something that nearly floored me. “Especially when you have twice as much to choose from.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I’m bisexual,” he said without a trace of embarrassment. “But to be honest I prefer sleeping with men. They’re less inhibited.”

I looked at Carl as I felt a stirring in my jeans. I swallowed. “Men?”

“You act like there’s something wrong with that,” Carl said.

“Well, I . . .” I didn’t know what to say.

“It’s no big deal,” he said nonchalantly. “With men there’s no bullshit. I want to get off and I just go out and get what I need. I prefer oral sex and with guys that’s not a problem.”

My mouth must have dropped another notch open.

“It’s no big deal. A blow job is a blow job whether it’s a woman or a man doing the sucking,” he said. “Its just sex.”

“But what if they want something back?”

He shrugged. “It’s actually not that hard to find men willing to suck you off no reciprocation required.” He paused. “At least not for me. But reciprocating?” Again with the shrug, as if it were no big deal.

I still didn’t know what to say.

Carl laughed.

“What?” I asked. “What’s so funny?”

He nodded as if knowing something that was beyond me. “I actually figured you were bi too the way you’re always checking me out.”

“Me? No way. Are you kidding?”

“I’ve seen hot chicks walk right past us while we’re working out and you never once take your eyes off me. And