Chapter 51
“Going out is a great idea,” Dan said. “What would you like to do?”
“Right now—fuck you again. We can decide what to do on our date after.”
“You’re incorrigible!”
“And you love it,” Bill said, pulling Dan into a kiss and beginning to fondle his ass.
* * * *
Friday arrived. Bill and Dan had decided they’d drive into the city. Bill had told Dan he had a surprise for him. Dan had badgered Bill for clues, but all Bill would say was that Dan would love it. Dan remembered Damion had said the same thing and that didn’t turn out well as his surprise was the dungeon. Dan tried to reassure himself Bill was an entirely different person.
Bill was to go home first to take care of his cats—for, in addition to their date, the men would spend their first full night together at Dan’s house. Bill would pick Dan up at home and drive them to the city.
At the office, Dan turned in his daily list of services he’d performed. Ezra was there as well.
“Another weekend at home with the dogs?” he asked Dan.
“No. Actually I have a…” Dan almost said date, thought better of it, and quickly changed his response to, “…plans. Remember, I asked you if you could take my Friday night on call duties?”
“That’s right! Glad you reminded me. I totally forgot. What are you going to do?”
“Bill Henley and I are going into the city to hang out.”
Ezra raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“What?” Dan asked, wondering if the process of discovery of Bill’s and his real relationship was beginning.
“Nothing. But rumor has it that Bill’s seeing someone on the staff.”
Dan felt the blood drain from his face.
“Dr. Devlin!” Rose said. “Aren’t you the one that’s always saying how we women love to gossip? Just listen to you now, telling tales!”
Ezra chuckled. “Just sayin’, why would anyone as good-lookin’ as Henley want to hang out with this ole dog when he could have his pick of any one of the single gals at the clinic.”
“How you talk,” Rose said. She was laughing, too.
Dan laughed as well. Whatever the rumor was, it apparently didn’t involve him.
Dan said goodbye and left the office. He decided to check with Bill to let him know he was ready to leave for home. He was told at the front desk of the small animal clinic that Dr. Henley was in the hospital wing checking on patients.
Dan whistled as he made his way to the hospital. He was happily anticipating the evening and night that lay ahead. When he pushed open the swinging door to the entrance to the wing, he heard raised voices. However, because of the barking of the dogs in their kennels he couldn’t make out what was being said.
He walked to the second aisle where the voices seemed to be coming from. Standing at the end were Bill and Marty. Bill had a hand on Marty’s shoulder. Marty stood with his hands on his hips, looking up at Bill.
When Bill saw Dan standing at the end of the row of kennels, he dropped his hand from Marty. Marty turned to look at Dan. Marty glanced back at Bill, dropped his head, and brushed past Dan without speaking to him.
Dan watched him go, then looked back at Bill, who was leaning with one hand on the kennel nearest him and shaking his head.
Dan walked down the aisle toward him.
“You can’t even expect them to follow the simplest directions,” Bill said, shaking his head again.
Dan looked into the kennel on which Bill had been leaning. Inside was a poodle with a plastic head cone around its neck. He assumed Marty had done something wrong in caring for the animal.
“Work’s done for today,” Bill said, checking the latch on the poodle’s kennel door. He put his arms around Dan’s neck. “You ready for your surprise?” he asked, smiling broadly.
Dan looked hesitantly down the aisle.
“Relax. It’s the twenty-first century,” Bill said and gave Dan a peck on the cheek.
* * * *
They drove along the interstate in Bill’s vintage cherry red Mustang convertible. Bill’s hand rested on Dan’s thigh as they drove. Dan’s short hair rippled in the wind. He took a deep breath. He was happy.
“I didn’t know you owned a car like this. I’ve never seen it in the parking lot.”
Bill glanced over at him. “She’s ma baby!” he said, smiling a proud smile. “I only use her for very special occasions.” He gave Dan’s leg a squeeze. “I use the van for every day stuff. Remember, I told you I have a son. I don’t have joint custody. The homophobic judge in our divorce case saw to that. But I do have visiting privileges. But by decree of her Royal Highness, Marjory, A.K.A. my ex-wife, this car is too dangerous, and so only a van is acceptable. Since I don’t have much say in the matter, Billy Jr. doesn’t get to ride in it—yet! Soon as he’s eighteen he will though. But that’s a ways off.”
“I’d like to meet him,” Dan said tentatively, not wanting to push beyond where Bill might be in their relationship.