Playing Second Fiddle to Himself

About Isaac being an uncommon name, I was imagining this in a large city, like LA or somewhere like that so that Jared couldn’t assume a connection. That’s also why I was trying to stress the dramatic differences between Isaac and Isabella, colored contacts, blonde wig, makeup, etc…so that he really was almost like a different person.

Playing Second Fiddle To Himself: Chapter 2

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The next day, Isaac was nervous about seeing Jared at work. He felt sort of guilty for not revealing his identity to the other man. He didn’t want to lead Jared on, but he found himself liking the other man, thinking about him. He kind of liked meeting Jared as Isaac instead of as Isabella. Getting to know him, and having Jared know the real him, that was kind of like him having a secret life.

It was strange, the previous night he had thought about Jared almost more than he had thought about David.

When he came into the building, Jared was waiting for him, holding a latte. Jared’s eyes were running up and down Isaac’s body.

“Wow Isabella, you look fantastic,” Jared complimented as he offered Isaac the beverage.

Isaac thought it was amusing how Jared seemed to say whatever he was thinking.

“Thank you Jared.”

Isaac had a couple magazine interviews that day and was dressed up a little more than usual. He was wearing a short, ruffled skirt and high heels that showcased his long, lean legs. His shirt was more simple, but it was made of a gauzy material that was more than decadent. He left the hair of his blonde wig loose and flowing.

“Okay, so we need to leave for your first interview in fifteen minutes. Was there anything you needed before that?” Jared asked.

“This is all I needed,” Isaac raised the cup before taking a sip.

“Great. So I’ll meet you in fifteen.”

During that time, Isaac figured he would have time to speak with David. He went to his office and was stopped by the secretary.

“David isn’t in,” she told him.

“Where is he?” Isaac asked.

“He’s having a press conference for Temptations.”

“With that Lauren person?”

“Yes.” The secretary looked like she was feeling glee at telling Isaac this news.

“Thank you,” Isaac whispered before he left the office, hoping he was leaving with some dignity.

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The interview and pictures were pretty much standard. It never ceased to surprise him that even after five years as a spokes model, he was asked nearly all the same questions, or similar variations, for every interview that he did. It did make things easier for him. His standard answers rolled right off his tongue, almost automatically. There was one time when he actually gave an answer before the interviewer asked the question and the interviewer didn’t even seem to notice.

Jared was waiting in the car when Isaac stepped out of the building.

“Hey, how’d it go?”

Isaac smiled. “Same old interviews.”

“Oh?” Jared cocked his head to the side.

“They ask the same questions every time,” Isaac explained. “You’d think they’d come up with some new material.”

Jared chuckled before asking. “We have some time before your next one, did you want to grab lunch?”

“That sounds good.”

“Where would you like to go?”

“Mmmm…I don’t really mind. Something simple. Are you in the mood for sandwiches?” Isabella suggested.

“I know a little bistro that’s close by if you want to try it.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

Jared grinned and drove them to the bistro.

They were seated at a small table for two. The tables were round and Isaac felt a little too large for it, his legs were clearly visible, crossed to the side instead of beneath.

Jared was kind of staring. “You have phenomenal legs.”

Before Isaac could reply, Jared was already blustering and blushing.

“Isabella, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it…well, I did mean it, but you’re my boss and…and I’m just digging myself deeper here aren’t I?” Jared looked sheepish. “It’s only my second day working for you and I’m already screwing up.”

Isaac put his hand over Jared’s on the table, the physical position feeling weirdly reminiscent of the night before. “Jared, it’s alright. I am flattered. Thank you for the compliment.” He couldn’t hold back a smile.

“So I’m not fired?” Jared asked lightly, Isaac could tell he was half-joking, half-serious.

“Of course not.” Isaac shot him a teasing look, “If I can’t work with Anna anymore, I’d rather it be a hot guy who strokes my…ego.”

Isaac wondered if he took the teasing a little too far because Jared’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head.

“So, what are you ordering?” Isaac asked benignly, hoping to chase away the slightly uncomfortable feeling in the air.

“Oh, I’m not sure yet,” Jared opened his menu and they focused on ordering and eating without anymore awkward conversation moments.

xxxxxx

Isabella was more than happy to finish with the interviews for the day. He leaned back into the seat of the car with a sigh.

“I’m glad that’s over,” He confided. “I’m really not fond of doing a lot of these things.”

Jared chuckled. “Honestly, I wouldn’t either. People poking into your personal business and just waiting for you to screw up. I think I’d be bad at it.”

“I haven’t known you long, but it seems like you kind of say everything you’re thinking,” Isaac agreed.

“You figured that out already?” Jared laughed. “My friends tell me my brain doesn’t have a filter, and whatever runs through it comes right out my mouth.”

“I can tell.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Isaac reassured. “It’s refreshing. And amusing. Especially when you start talking about me.”

Jared’s cheeks turned pink. “Again Isabella, I…”

“I was kidding,” Isaac interrupted the impending apology. “I prefer someone who would tell me exactly what’s on their mind instead of a person who would lie or pretend.”

“Well, I can promise that I will never lie to you Isabella,” Jared stated.

And that made Isaac feel that guilty weight in the pit of his stomach.

xxxxxx

After work, Isaac quickly hopped in the shower to prepare himself for his date. He was supposed to meet Jared at the restaurant at seven. It was hard to decide what to wear to the date. It had been so long since he’d needed to flatter his appearance as a man.

Once David had started him cross dressing, he hadn’t been interested in seeing Isaac as a man anymore. He knew how to flatter himself in a womanly fashion, but as a man…Isaac didn’t find himself attractive as a man anymore, so he was unsure of how to make himself attractive as a man to others.

He tried on at least five outfits before settling on black slacks and a charcoal grey v-neck. It was simple, yet stylish. The grey flattered his eyes at least and made his hair stand out. One last unsatisfied glance to the mirror, and Isaac left his apartment.

Jared was waiting outside the restaurant when the cab pulled up. When he spotted Isaac approaching, his face lit up. He was grinning broadly by the time Isaac was face to face with him.

“I’m glad you made it. You look more gorgeous than I remember,” Jared commented.

“Thank you,” Isaac whispered. “You look good too.”

Isaac was awkward with the delivery of the compliment, but he meant the words. Jared was wearing a forest green button down with the sleeves rolled up, exposing well muscled forearms, and dark jeans.

“Thanks. Let’s get some dinner. I’m starving,” he put his hand to the small of Isaac’s back and led him through the doorway.

Once they were seated and placed their orders, that’s when Isaac became unsure of himself. He hadn’t been on a date in so long, he wasn’t sure how to act, he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted.

“How was your day with the spokes model?” Talking about work and their days was a good start right?

Jared chuckled. “It was good. I feel like I’m constantly making a fool of myself. Isabella seems to think it’s funny, so I guess it’s not all bad.”

“Oh? What are you doing that’s so foolish?”

Jared blushed a bit. “I just say stupid stuff.” He shrugged.

Isaac felt a little uncomfortable talking about himself to Jared so he changed the subject.

“So, what do you do when you’re not an amazing personal assistant or picking up guys in grocery stores?”

Jared chuckled. “Well, I like movies and music and the usual stuff, but my real passion is fixing up antique and classic cars. A buddy of mine owns a garage and on weekends I’m there working on the cars and motorcycles.”

“That sounds interesting,” Isaac commented.

“Do you know anything about cars?”

“Besides that I can ride in them, not much.”

Jared appeared hesitant, “Would you want to come by the garage this weekend? I can show you some stuff.”

“I’d like that.” And Isaac genuinely felt that way. It was fun getting to know someone new, and getting to know things he liked.

“Awesome,” Jared grinned. “What about you? What do you do? What do you like to do?”

Issac internally winced as he began to tell the mini-lie about his job he’d concocted in his head.

“I work in a corporate office. I’m sort of an executive and it’s kind of my life. My boyfriend too.”

“Boyfriend? I thought you’d split up?” Jared asked, confused.

“He broke up with me, yes,” Isaac admitted, then stopped. He knew better than to reveal that he was still hung up on his ex and hoped they’d get back together when he was on a first date with another man. “He and I…my friends are all people he knew. I don’t really have a lot of hobbies. I like art and art galleries, but I don‘t draw or paint,” Isaac offered, hoping to divert the conversation.

“Oh. I don’t know too much about art. So that’s perfect. I’ll teach you about cars and you’ll teach me about art.”

“It sounds like a plan,” Isaac smiled back at the man across from him.

Jared was staring at him again. “God, but you are gorgeous, especially when you’re smiling like that.”

Isaac mumbled his thanks, feeling self-conscious.

Luckily at that moment the waitress appeared with their meals.

They made casual small talk as they ate. When they finished, they decided to skip dessert. Jared paid for dinner and they walked out together.

“I’m glad you agreed to meeting me again. I had a good time,” Jared told him.

“Me too,” Isaac agreed.

Jared leaned in for a kiss, surprising Isaac. He moved so then Jared’s lips ended up connecting towards the corner of his mouth. Jared pulled back looking disappointed.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized to Isaac.

“No, I’m sorry Jared. I like you a lot…just not that tonight please?”

“Did you still want to come by the garage this weekend?” Jared asked, still looking downtrodden.

“Yes, I…” Isaac suddenly realized he couldn’t give Jared his cell phone number because then Jared would realize that he was Isabella. “Do you want to meet at the coffee shop where we met before first and we can get lunch?” He suggested.

“That sounds good. I’ll see you then.” Jared said his goodbyes and they went their separate ways.

Isaac decided to walk home. It wasn’t extremely far and he had too many thoughts he needed to sort through. This is what he hated about dating, putting someone on back burner. He was putting Jared on back burner until he knew where he stood with David. He was still confused about David and wondered if David would want to see him at all.

He did like Jared, but his heart was still pining for David and the familiarity there. While it was fun meeting someone new, it was also frightening.

Not to mention that he had a secret identity. That tended to make things more difficult.

Isaac sighed and pulled out his phone. At least he could try to settle one of his issues. He scrolled down to David’s name and clicked call.

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I think I’m getting a better feel, but I think where I want to go with this is going to end up a little unrealistic. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed! Thanks!