Chapter 87
In addition to all of that, Rory was also concerned at leaving the ranch while the others worked on his and Zane’s house. Barry soon set his mind at rest on that score, telling him to go and enjoy himself.
“It’ll be your first real date, won’t it?” Barry asked.
Rory was embarrassed to realize it was. Yes, they’d gone out before, but only as part of a group. The few meals they’d eaten out when Zane had driven to be with him in Kansas didn’t really count.
* * * *
The tests at the clinic had been a non-event. Both he and Zane were clear of all STD’s. The visit to the gay bar had started out okay. Evidently mid-week afternoons didn’t attract many customers. And there was no loud music. In fact, no music at all. This was perfectly all right with Rory, who quickly settled into a booth with his mug of surprisingly good beer that Zane had said was the bar’s own special brew. Zane sat next to him with a Bud Lite. He didn’t want anything stronger because he was driving.
The two men talked, mostly about sports, but also about Zane growing up, his days on the football team, and his sister, Betsy. Rory had opened up some about life in the group homes, telling Zane it wasn’t all bad and how he’d made a couple of friends and they looked out for each other.
After getting a second round of drinks—another mug of the house brew for Rory and what looked like a Coke for himself—Zane suddenly changed the topic of conversation. “Which other men in here do you like?”
Rory looked at Zane. “Excuse me?”
“Him over there in the denim jacket, or that older guy in the corner in the leather vest talking with the smaller man?” Zane pointed and Rory looked. “Or maybe the small guy the bigger one is talking to?”
His mellow feelings of a few moments earlier were rapidly evaporating and being replaced by confusion and anxiety. Rory didn’t know how to answer. None of the men could hold a candle to his Zane. “I don’t know. I mean, uh, there aren’t many guys in here.” There were half a dozen other patrons, although none piqued Rory’s interest.
“But which do you like the most?” Zane persisted.
Rory shifted uncomfortably and took a gulp of his beer. “I don’t really. But I guess the guy in the leather vest is, uh…” Leather vest guy was too old, and the naked chest under the open vest wasn’t much of a turn on. Zane had a much better body. More hair, more muscles, more…
“Why him?” Was Zane’s question accusatory? Or was he upset?
Rory shifted in the seat again. “I, uh. He’s quite big and I guess strong. But I don’t understand why we’re talking about this.”
Zane shrugged and looked uncomfortable. “Just wondered is all.”
Deciding to move the focus away from himself, Rory asked, “Who do you like?” Although as soon as he’d asked, he wished he hadn’t. What if Zane liked someone else more than him? Why were they even having this conversation?
Zane surveyed the bar’s patrons but soon shook his head. “Just you.”
Rory sagged in relief. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He leaned into his man. “You’re the hottest, hunkiest, hottest, heroist, hottest, and hugest hunk here.”
Zane laughed. “There were, like, three hottests in that list.”
Rory giggled. “That’s because you’re two times hotter than anyone else here.”
Zane laughed. “Two times? So why the third hottest?”
Rory leaned past Zane and patted the man’s duster that was folded on the bench. “This ups the hotness factor.”
Zane raised an eyebrow.
Rory continued, excitement and relief spurring him on. “When you wear it, especially unbuttoned, it’s like a cape and with the superhero tees, you’re, like, my very own superhero.” He hiccupped and took another pull on his beer.
Zane shook his head. “You’re crazy.”
Rory grinned goofily. “Crazy about you.” Was he drunk? The beer did taste pretty strong, not that he was any judge.
That earned him a kiss. And it was wonderfully liberating to be able to do that in public.
After taking another drink from his mug and feeling further emboldened, Rory asked, “Why did you ask who else I liked the look of?”
Zane sighed and began to draw lines in the condensation on his glass. “I just wanna make you happy and will do anything so’s you are. Only gay people I know who’re together are Barry, Jake, ’n’ Jimmy. They’re happy so…I’m probably being really dumb but…”
It was like a lightbulb went off in Rory’s head. He all but climbed into Zane’s lap. “First, and most important. You ain’t dumb. We’ve been through that loads of times.” He went on before Zane could interrupt. “Second, threesomes are more the exception than the rule in gay relationships.” Rory smiled at himself. He was hardly an expert on gay relationships. “Two is way more usual. And third, you’re worth at least two of any other man. So, just so we’re absolutely clear on this, you’re more than enough cowboy for me.”
“God, Ror, you’re so fucking hot when you get all riled up. And just so you’reclear, you’re more than enough cowboy for me, too. So I’m stoked I don’t have to share you with nobody else.”
“Me either. And we just got tested so we could be together, just you and me.”
Zane dipped his head. “Said I was dumb.”
Rory scowled at Zane and punched his arm.