YES. You can’t let a little thing like your career get in the way of what’s rightfully yours.
From a reader:
I’m 42, and everything still works. There is this 18 year old at my place of employment that has never been “worked.” We are very attracted to each other. I’m sure that in this small town (where gay dating is an untested concept) he doesn’t know any other gay guys. He’s too damn young, and I have the common sense not to see anybody from work, but pickins are so slim around here (it’s almost impossible to meet gay men), and it’s been so long since I’ve been with anyone that I may not be able to help myself. Events and his hints are soon going to put him in my apartment with me alone, and I’m afraid I’m going to practically rape him if he gives me that hungry look one more time. I’m allowing all this to happen, and I feel like disaster looms in the future if we go through with it. It’s like watching a slow train wreck.
BUT, I’m so damn horny I can’t stand it. What’s your gay advice?
— Small Town Blues
Dear Blues:
Dude, he’s an adult. As long as you’re not supervising him or have any influence over his career, there is nothing unethical about bending a co-worker over the rail and pounding the dust out of his rug. Awkward, yes. Unethical, no.
Take it from me, I had a fuck buddy at work for years. Nobody knew or suspected, even though we worked in the same department and often took long, and may I say thick, lunches.
Did I agonize about it like you are? No. When He Who Must Be Obeyed speaks, I listen. When he tells me to pump I’m only allowed to ask how hard. Whatever you decide you need to decide quickly or you’re going to be called out. People notice when co-workers exchange smoldering looks. You think they don’t but they do. I’ll bet my last mound of crack that you’ve got at least three office busybodies dying for somebody like you to do something scandalous. And trust me, when they see your 18-year-old walk away from you with a hard-on, the shit isn’t going to hit a regular fan, but the one with the kick-start.
My buddy and I got away with it for years because we both realized we could NEVER, EVER flirt. Not even vaguely-coded emails. Hell, especially emails. Actually, we made it a point to hardly talk at work. We were stupid in lust but not stupid at work.
Now the difference in your case is that a) You live in a small town where rumors can seriously hurt your career, B) you don’t know if this guy would turn vindictive if things fall apart (what a nightmare–a boyfriend turned bunny-boiler at work!) or C) that you’d fall in love and have to work with somebody that just wanted a fling. Hello, Suicide Hotline?
Still, I’d think twice about giving up stud crack for “what ifs.” If you’re going to play the What If game at least make it balanced. Like:
– What if he turns out to be the best lay of your life?
– What if he turns out to be the love of your life?
– What if you trick and become best friends?
– What if he helps you meet other gay men?
Ultimately, you have to decide if the risk is greater than the reward. I’ve made my position clear (although, really, I can think of several positions off the top of my head). Gay attraction in small town offices doesn’t happen often. Just remember this: There are few things we ever regret doing. There are a LOT we regret not doing.