Page 22 of Just a Taste

I clear my throat and take his hand. There’s minimal fumbling on my part, so overall I’ll jot this down as a success.

“Ryker.”

I should’ve lied. I shouldn’t have given him my real name.

And then I suppress an eyeroll. This is taking paranoid to a whole other level. We’re just talking. Just. Talking.

In a gay bar.

It shouldn’t be a big deal, but in the midst of a potential identity crisis it becomes a huge deal.

“What brings you here tonight, Ryker?” Jasper asks. He doesn’t look like he recognizes me.

Words are gone. Mind is blank.

I end up shrugging. Like an idiot. Yeah. I don’t think I have to worry about Jasper’s interest for too long.

He stays put, though. Maybe he’s into idiot jocks? Because if that’s the case? Score.

I take a deep breath. Like the ones I take before an important game. The ones that are supposed to suppress excess nervousness and have you set your eye on the prize.

I snort. This is just pathetic.

He raises his brows.

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing,” I say. “Just…” I gesture vaguely with my hand.

Something like understanding dawns on his face.

“Ah.” He tilts his head to the side. “New to the scene?”

“How obvious is it?”

“You hide it well enough.”

He’s got a sort of preppy look about him.

Chinos and a light blue dress shirt. Black rimmed glasses in front of a curious gaze.

He’s shorter than me. Not by a lot, but enough that if we both stood straight, the top of his head would be somewhere at my eye level.

His body is narrower than mine. Sort of wiry. But he’s clearly in good shape.

Do I like what I’m seeing?

Honestly, by now, fuck if I know.

I don’t mind him, which… wow. A ringing endorsement, obviously. There’s no overwhelming desire, though. It’s more that he seems like a nice guy, and I don’t mind talking to him. The possibility of getting laid doesn’t exactly enter the equation.

“So… Ryker,” he says. “What’s your deal?”

I blink. “My deal?”

He grins. “Yeah. Your deal.”

I card my fingers through my hair. Fuck it. In for the penny, or whatever that saying is. “I’ve never chatted up a guy before.”

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