“No, I was just hanging out at a laundromat with some friends. I’m on my way home now.” The sound of city life cut through Jake’s words. “How was work?”
“Long day to a long week. But the evening has gotten marginally better now that I’m talking to you.”
He made a breathy sound as if he were smiling. “I’m glad I could help.”
“Listen, I want to explain myself about what happened earlier,” I said then drew a blank.
“What happened?”
“On my lunch break. Ah, I didn’t mean to come off as clingy, and—”
“You weren’t. I… It wasn’t you. Of course, I want to go trick-or-treating with you.”
“I get it. I understand that I can’t expect you to spend all your free time with me. And I imagine your friend wouldn’t want their kids around a stranger.”
“No, that’s not… Can I call you back in a few minutes? I’m almost home.”
“Okay.”
As the line cut, hope flared in my chest. His tone had been light, his words sincere. Having dealt with my sister through all her bullshit, I was familiar with the tone of dishonesty. I blew out a pent-up breath and forced myself to relax against the fluffy pillow. Pixel joined me in bed and lay down next to me, the cat’s fur soft and warm as I pushed my fingers through his coat. As I waited, I gave my best buddy an ear message until he was purring like a sports car.
The ring of the phone made me jerk and I answered it right away. I couldn’t help the smile on my lips. “Hey.”
“I can hear you now,” Jake said. “It’s noisy here this time of the night. And I was practically running home. It turned chilly fast. This weather can’t decide what it wants to do.”
Unable to help myself, I said, “I’d keep you warm if I was there.”
“I bet you would,” he said, his tone smooth and welcoming. “Anyway…It’s not that I didn’t want you to come trick-or-treating with me. I…”
The change in his voice sent a shard of ice through my heart. “Talk to me.”
“I kind of…liedabout where I live.” The moment the words were out, he sighed as if the confession had been weighing on him. “The truth is, I’m not very well off and didn’t want you to know. It’s embarrassing.”
Frowning, I absorbed his words. “I don’t care about that.”
“I do. I know we come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and…”
I waited for him to continue, hating that he thought he was unworthy because he wasn’t rich or something. “Jake, money doesn’t buy love. I don’t care about any of that. Besides, it gives me an excuse to spoil you.”
He laughed softly. “You’re not mad that I lied?”
“I’m not mad. I’m glad you came clean with me.” A tender smile pulled at my lips. I was far from upset. “I’m guessing life hasn’t been very kind to you. I hope in time, you’ll come to trust me enough to tell me all about it.”
Another rush of breath came through the speaker. “Okay. Yeah. Thank you…for not being upset.”
I figured that was the best I was going to get for the time being and changed the subject. “So, what are you dressing up as for Halloween?”
“A zombie. For me, it’s a piece of pie to pull off.” He chuckled uneasily. “It’s not too late. You can come tomorrow.”
“No. You have fun with those kids. We will do something another time,” I said, noting the half-woody tenting my shorts. The sensation of being horizontal and lying on comfortablesheets had sparked something. His voice had a lot to do with it, I was sure. “Are you busy tonight?”
“Ah, no… I don’t usually have busy nights. I mean, I don’t do a whole lot.” A long moment passed. “I can’t exactly go bar-hopping with a ten-year-old. I don’t…really know anyone—Ah, I’m not good with socializing.”
“Deep breath,” I said and ran my thumb over my dick. “Is it something you’d like to do in the future? I’ll be your chaperone. Anyone fucks with you, and I’ll put them in their place.”
The amusement in his voice was perfect. “I would like to go out one night and see the city. It’s just not easy sometimes. You probably think I’m a sissy.”
“Not at all. We will do that. I can think of a few places to take you.” Biting my lip, I considered my next words. “When I asked if you are busy tonight, that isn’t exactly what I meant.”
