Opening a Barber Shop (3) by Scott the Haircut Lover

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Opening a Barber Shop (3)

We graduated. Things were really looking up. Zack and I were in the same haircut routine getting freshened up every two weeks. I was working three days a week in the barber shop and Jarrod had started to teach me how to do different styles on his hair mannequins. Zack and I hung out all the time. He was new to my life and while I had gotten back to being close to my old friends, Zack brought a new light to my life. In the short time we knew each other we literally had become best friends and knew everything about each other. Truthfully, I had never had a friend like Zack.

The big question in my life was, what is next? I loved working at the barber shop. Seeing people come in either in need of a make over or just kind down or blah and leaving happy and looking fresh. Jarrod was an amazing teacher. Zack and I had planned a camping trip one weekend after I was done at the barber shop. Jarrod looked at me and said "You two behave!" We both laughed, but when he said it it made my mind think a bit. NAHHHHH! I am not going there with Zack, I thought to myself. It was the middle of the day. This kid came in with hair that was shaggier than mine was when I went through my struggles. I didn’t know him, but I think I had seen him around. He got in the chair and asked for something new. Jarrod told me to come over to the chair. We talk to the kid about what style he was thinking about. He showed us a couple of pics. It was going to be VERY short. For the first time I got a weird twitch down below. I ignored it and focused on what Jarrod was teaching me about how to approach the haircut. Jarrod began to work on the kids head. Hair was being shaved off the sides. Aside from getting my own haircut this was the closest I had been to a client while the cut was happening. Jarrod was magical with the clippers. When all was said and done the kid had a modern mullet. Not very long in back but a blurry fade on the sides which was perfectly matched with the back of his hair. The top was cut down to about two inches and this kid looked super good. He was thrilled with his new look.

Work was coming to and end for the day. There was no one in the shop. I was nervous to ask Jarrod, but if I was going to pursue being a barber I had to know if what happened was normal. "Jarrod, can I ask you something kinda awkward?" He looked at me with a questioning look "Sure man anything." I thought for a second then said "So when I was watching the hair come off that kid and seeing him be transformed, I felt some tingles down below. Is that weird?" Jarrod smiled. He was always so respectful. He replied "No its not weird Tyler. Happens all the time. You just have to remain professional. That is why I love my job so much. Giving people what they want and making them happy." Jarrod and I had never talked about that before but that is the exact reason I was interested in this as a career. The Jarrod said "Tyler, my turn to ask you something awkward." I was kinda nervous about what he was going to ask but of course I said "Sure, go ahead." He looked at me "Are you gay Tyler? You have never had a girl friend. You are one of the best looking guys around this town. You and Zack are super close. I don’t care if you are I just am curious if you are." I had honestly never thought about it. I didn’t know how to answer him but it was a valid question. I looked at him with a serious face "I don’t know. Maybe? After every thing I went through a relationship with anyone just wasn’t something I was pursing. Zack is an amazing friend. We have never discussed it. So, I don’t know Jarrod. Are you gay?" Jarrod smiled and comfortably said "Yes I am. I thought you knew that. I know we never talk about that kind of stuff. But, yes I am." All of the sudden I realized I always knew he was. It didn’t bother me or change anything in the least. I sat there thinking about what just happened for a minute. Then looked at him "Do you have a boyfriend?" Jarrod smiled "Yeah we have been dating for three years. I just don’t advertise it because, well some people might not come here for a haircut if they knew I was gay."

The events and conversations of the afternoon had my head spinning a bit. I finished up my chores at the shop. Jarrod said "Be safe and have fun camping. See you on Tuesday." I smiled and thanked him for the well wishes and headed out. I smiled when I went outside as Zack was pulling into the parking lot to pick me up. I hopped in his Jeep and smiled and said "He bro ready for the big trip?" He punched my arm playfully "We are literally driving 5 miles to the lake and camping for two nights. Is that your idea of a big trip?" We both laughed and drove off to the camp site.

It was pretty late in the day so we were hustling to get the site set up. About 30 min later we had a fire started and everything ready for our first night. We decided to walk down to the lake before the sun fully set. I asked Zack "What are you plans next fall? Have you found a school yet?" He said to me "I really don’t know. I think I might take the semester off and just chill. After everything that has happened it would be nice to have a little responsibility as possible. How about you?" I was skipping rocks "I think I am going to pursue being a barber full time. I really love the atmosphere. Seeing people walk out happy after a fresh cut is such positive energy." Zack responds "That is so cool. I actually have considered it too! I really enjoy getting mine cut by Jarrod. Even when I had the surfer looked I love getting it trimmed and styled at the salon." We both talked about it a bit more and then headed up to the camp site.

Zack shocked me when he pulled out to big steaks from the cooler. "WOW! Those look amazing! Do you know how to cook them?" He laughed "Of course! It’s not hard." We set up the grill over the fire and prepared the steaks to be cooked with some seasonings. I was loving sharing this time with Zack and feeling closer and closer to him. Then I started thinking about the conversation Jarrod and I had back at the barber shop. My mind started to drift as Zack cooked the steaks. I found myself staring at him and finding him extremely attractive.

Our meal was amazing. Steaks and a few sides to finish it off. We talked and laughed well into the night. The s’mores we cooked were perfect and I couldn’t have been in a better place. After making sure the fire was completely out, we headed into the tent. I wasn’t even tired. I was so excited to be out camping and was really enjoying being with Zack. "You tired?" I asked. Zack say "Nah this is so cool and I really enjoy being with you Tyler." I smiled so big when he said that "Zack I really enjoy being with your too! I know we haven’t known each other all that long, but I feel like we are best bros." Zack turned on his side facing me "Is that all you feel? Just best bros?" I was a bit shocked "I mean, I think, I feel," I didn’t know what to say and even if I did I don’t know if I could have gotten the words out. I felt Zack’s disappointment even though it was pitch black in the tent. He says "its cool man. I get it if we are just friends and I like that we are." Then I felt him reach out and rub the buzzed back of my head. It send shockwaves through my body. I let out a soft moan saying "that feels so good Zack." I found the words I was looking for "Zack, I do have feelings for you. Strong feelings. I didn’t even realize it until earlier today. Jarrod asked me if I was gay. I told him I didn’t really know. He told me he was. Then when you picked me up I felt more for you than I ever had. I just didn’t want to ruin anything we have as I was not sure that you felt the same way." The next thing I felt was his lips on mine. Our hands rubbing through each others short haircuts and the electricity was something I had never felt before……. More to come…. Yes there will be more haircuts in the next chapter 

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