Chapter 10

“Why the hell not?”

“I’m not ready to kiss and make up. He hurt me,” Ross said.

“Then get a hotel room.”

“Come on, Drake, baby, don’t be that way. Let me stay at your place tonight.”

“You said it was over for good,” Drake pointed out, knowing he sounded…hell, he was…stupid.

Ross sighed and sat on the bed to shimmy into a pair of skinny black jeans. “I always say that and you know it’s never true. I love him.”

“If you love him, Ross, why do you pull this shit?”

“I don’t know. I can’t help myself. Please? I’m sure we’ll be back together tomorrow, but I can’t just be waiting at home for him tonight. It’s Saturday.”

“Fine, but you’re staying on the sofa bed in the living room.”

“What? Why?” Ross pouted, his full round lip sticking out adorably. An act of course.

“Because, I’m sick of being your go-to fuck. I should have put a stop to it before.”

“I love you, Drake, you know that.”

He didn’t know that. Not at all.

“Even if that is true, you don’t love me the way I want you to love me. You wouldn’t be with Stan or anyone else if you did.”

Ross stood. “I care about you and I love having sex with you. Isn’t that enough?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. Look, you can come with me this time, but this is it, Ross. You can’t keep calling me every time Stan pisses you off or you piss him off.”

“Okay, fine,” Ross said. “But let’s get out of here now before he comes.” He grabbed Drake’s arm. “Since you were supposed to make me breakfast and didn’t, you can buy me dinner on the way.” 5

“Just show it around to your neighbors and co-workers.”

Jay grimaced as he flipped through the brochure his sister, Rebecca, had brought to the store yesterday during his shift. His nephew’s school was having a fundraiser. The brochure contained, as usual, overpriced waxy-tasting candy and baked goods, as well as loads and loads of wrapping paper. The rolls of paper were so fat it looked to Jay like it would never have to be bought again.

He switched his cell phone to his other ear and poured boiling water into his teacup. “I don’t know, Bec. I don’t think anyone I know really wants any of this stuff.”

She snorted. “Nobody does. You aren’t buying it to have the stuff, it’s to support the school.”

“Peanuttles? Does anyone still eat those?” He frowned at the can of toffee covered peanuts.

“Mom ordered five cans.”

“Crap.” He tossed his orange spice teabag into the trash bin under the sink and went to sit on the couch in the living room.

“You do want to help out your nephew, don’t you?”

“Well.”

“Harry’s brother already has ten orders,” Rebecca said of her husband. “You wouldn’t want him to be the better uncle would you?”

Heaven forbid.

“I guess not.”

“Not exactly the enthusiasm I was going for, but it’ll do. Ask that neighbor you like. What’s his name?”

“Drake.”

“Right. He’s gay, too, isn’t he?”

“Yes, but—”

“Just flirt with him a little, Jay. I bet he’ll order something.”

Jay folded his legs underneath him and took a sip of his tea. “For a minute I thought you were trying to pimp me out for the sake of Andy’s school.”

She laughed. “No, no, I wouldn’t go that far. Just turn on the charm a little. You’re cute as hell.”

“Unfortunately, Drake doesn’t think so. I doubt my alleged cuteness will go far, but I’ll ask him.”

“Ask the people at the store, too. Maybe even the customers.”

“No, Bec, that’s against the rules. Isn’t he going door to door to sell?”

“Too dangerous. Nobody does that anymore.”

“Oh. All right, I’ll do the best I can. But no promises.”

“Let me know by next Friday how you do. Bye.”

“Bye,” Jay said and hit end call.

Well, today was Sunday, and Drake did say he wasn’t working this weekend, so he supposed he could go over and show him the brochure. He was pretty sure he heard him come home last night.

He hadn’t gotten up that long ago and had just thrown on an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt, figuring he didn’t have to see anybody today so he’d be lazy. But Jay wondered if he ought to go shower now and take care with his appearance if he was going over to see Drake.

Then he reminded himself that Drake wasn’t attracted to him anyway so why did it matter?

Scowling, Jay rose from the couch and grabbed the brochure, figuring he may as well get it over with. He didn’t bother to lock his door as he closed it behind him and walked the few steps to knock on Drake’s front door.