Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
I checked the time on my phone, finished my coffee, and tucked a five-dollar bill under the mug. “I’d better go,” I said. “I’m working the late shift tonight.”
“Take your money back. You know your mom’s rule—family drinks for free.”
“It’s for you. Thanks for all the refills.”
“You don’t have to do that, either.”
“I want to. See you soon, Pete.”
As I cut through the bar, he called, “We need to go to a club next weekend and find you a man! I’ll loan you an outfit. I suspect there’s a hot bod under those huge sweatshirts you always wear.”
The regulars thought that was pretty funny. It wasn’t news to any of them that I was gay. It definitely wasn’t news that I was single, either.
Right before I reached the exit, an old-timer named Lester asked me, “Why don’t you date Pete? He’s a nice kid, and what my niece would call a real fox.” I’d met his niece. She was in her fifties, and I could easily imagine her saying that.
How could I answer this without explaining we were both bottoms, and if I was going to date anyone, it’d be a big, burly top? I left it at, “We’re too much alike, Les,” and stepped through the door.
I’d parked in the street since the narrow lot was pretty full, and after I reached my truck I paused for a moment and looked around. This working class neighborhood was probably the last thing most people would picture when they thought of Las Vegas. Instead of glitzy casinos and bright lights, all I saw in either direction were small houses, aging apartment buildings, and a few mom and pop businesses struggling to stay afloat.
I’d been here all my life—literally right here. My first twenty-two years were spent in the apartment above the bar, and after I graduated from UNLV I moved into an apartment that was barely five minutes away. No wonder I felt restless. This wasn’t the time to dwell on that though, so I tried to push it aside as I slid behind the wheel.
It was just past sunset on a Saturday night, and even in the off-season, traffic around the Strip would be annoying. I swung wide to avoid that entire area as I drove to the opposite end of town.
The ambulance company I worked for had opened their newest location just a couple of months ago. The state-of-the-art building was in an upscale neighborhood, one I’d had very little reason to visit before being transferred here.
All three ambulance bays were empty when I went inside. That meant all the crews currently on duty were out on calls—a sure sign it was going to be a busy night.
I poured myself what had to be my eighth coffee of the day before heading to the locker room. Then I changed into my dark blue uniform and matching windbreaker before checking my reflection in the mirror on the wall.
What I saw made me frown. I usually wore my light brown hair really short, but it was at least a month past needing a cut. Also, the fact that I hadn’t been sleeping enough was written all over me, from my pale skin to the shadows under my hazel eyes. So much for the New Year’s resolution I’d made just three weeks ago to take better care of myself.
When someone entered the locker room, I turned away from the mirror. A moment later, my partner Julio came around the corner and exclaimed, “Therefore art thou, Romeo!” He found endless amusement in my name.
I grinned at him and asked, “So, when your son was born, did the terrible dad jokes kick in automatically? Or did they develop gradually over time?”
“Come on, that was funny! Admit it,” he said, as he opened his locker.
“Maybe the first five times you said it.”
“No way have I said that five times.”
“You’re right. It’s more like ten.”
“Okay, but that’s only twice a year, given how long we’ve been partners.”
“True.” I picked up my coffee cup and took a sip before asking, “Why are you here so early?”
“My kid was practicing the drums we got him for Christmas, so I had to run for my life. What’s your excuse?”
“I was visiting a friend who’s working at my mom’s bar, and he kept talking about finding me a man. I needed to bail out of that conversation, so I left and came here.”
“That reminds me. My barber’s cousin is gay, and we were going to slip him your number. He says—”
I cut him off with, “Why is everyone so interested in my love life? There’s nothing wrong with being single.”
Julio knit his thick, dark brows. “I’d agree if you seemed happy, but honestly dude? You really don’t.”
“I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine.”
It didn’t seem like he believed me, but he let it drop and finished changing into his uniform. Then we chatted in the lounge for a while, until it was time to clock in and go to work.