Page 45 of The Key Holder

“Not a problem.” He clapped me on the back as if we were old friends, then said, “Why don’t you show me what needs fixin’.” As we made our way around the side of the house, he said, “You’re not the only one with damage from that storm, you know, but you were the first to call me. Plus, Yvette said you were nice to her and that’s a big plus in my book.”

“Are you and Yvette together?” I shouldn't have asked—it was none of my business—but I had a feeling.

“Nah,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m as gay as a tap-dancing hyena. Same year in high school.” He must’ve taken my silence for bigotry. “Is that a problem?”

I shook my head. “N-no. I’m, uh…actually gay—well, kind of, bi—myself.”

“It’s a small world after all,” he said, putting his hands on his hips. “I knew I liked you when we shook hands. It’s nice up here. This area’s pretty queer friendly. Every now and then, I come up here for a skinny-dip with the boys.” He chuckled, nudging my stomach. “Water’s lovely.”

I helped him set up the ladder, then held it in place while he climbed up to take a closer look. With a grace I did not expect from him, he moved around the roof with confidence, climbing down the ladder with ease after about ten minutes.

“Easy peasy,” he said. “Should take only a couple days.”

“Don’t you need to go inside?” I asked.

“Oh, I took a peek under the shorts up there, but sure, we can go take a look. You out here all by yourself?” Before I could answer, he added, “I bet a looker like yourself has some cute young thing twisted around his finger. Am I right?”

“I-I’ve got a friend,” I said.

“A friend! Ooh boy, that’s a loaded statement if I ever heard one. I’ve got a few friends myself.”

Having met him only a short while ago, I already knew two things about River. He was very comfortable with himself, and he loved to laugh. He reminded me of a younger Santa Claus, but with darker hair and more muscle than fluff.

I held the door open for River and a few seconds later, heard him say, “Holy buckets!”

As I entered the kitchen a few steps behind, I saw what he had seen. A shirtless Dylan on all fours wearing a pair of gym shorts so teensy, the strap of his jock was peeking out the bottom.

“I spilled the milk.”

“This must be the friend,” River said, walking forward with his hand extended.

Dylan pushed up onto his knees and held one hand out to shake River’s hand, then cocked his head as his eyes bored straight into mine. “Friend?”

What the fuck was I supposed to say?

“Let me help you with that,” River said, grabbing the roll of paper towels off the counter and joining Dylan on the floor. I stood there like a cold fish, frozen by fear. “No use crying over spilled milk.”

More chuckling.

"Don't get a lot of your type out here." River’s voice was thick with rustic charm. His eyes lingered, executing a slow, appreciative sweep of Dylan’s body from his soft hair down to his bare feet.

Dylan raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. After a quick glance up at me, he asked, "My type?"

"Yeah.” River stood up and grinned, a flash of white teeth in his bushy beard, offering a hand to help Dylan off the floor. “Sexy ass twinks."

Sexy ass twinks.

River’s words felt like a violation. A possessive fire ignited in my gut, spiralling up through my body. Sweat broke out on my forehead, and my hands clenched instinctively.

Dylan seemed to be enjoying the attention. I watched him tilt his head with a playful smirk and lean against the counter with his arms crossed.

"Oh yeah?" Dylan’s voice was soft and smooth, like a fucking purr, as he flirted back. "And what makes you say that?"

I watched, my jaw clenching, as River smiled, a not-so-subtle dance of attraction. A tale of two charmers. Jealousy, raw and fierce, consumed me, twisting me stomach into knots, and I gave zero fucks if it was obvious.

I wanted them to know.

I stepped closer to them, trying to interrupt the vibe, subtly asserting that this was my territory without being overtly rude. "River, why don’t we go look at the damage inside?” I asked. My tone was harsh, my voice clipped, but I didn’t care.