AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re awfully quiet,” Savage said. “You having second thoughts?”
“About beer—never,” Bowie teased. Savage shot him a smirk that told him he wasn’t buying him using humor to hide from the question.
“You always a smart ass?” Savage asked.
“Most of the time,” Bowie admitted. “I use humor to mask what I’m really feeling. My therapist says it’s a way for me to hide my true self because I’m afraid that if people get to really know me, they won’t like who I am.” Bowie looked at Savage and almost made it through without busting up laughing. Savage looked about ready to pull to the side of the road and kick Bowie’s ass out of his pick-up.
“Really, man,” Savage grumbled. “I’m not sure if you’re kidding or not.” He shook his head at Bowie and smiled.
“Your face, man,” Bowie said between fits of laughter.
“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up,” Savage griped. “Was any of that true?” The sad fact was it was all true, but Bowie wouldn’t admit that to Savage on what could potentially be their first date.
“Naw,” Bowie lied. “I just like yanking people’s chains.” Savage looked at him as if he was trying to decide if he wanted to believe him or not. He seemed like a smart guy and if he was telling the truth earlier, a literal rocket scientist. Bowie worried that Savage would be able to see right through his facade and that scared the hell out of him.
“I mean, I’ve been to a therapist, but that was to work a few things out after I got back from active duty,” Bowie admitted. Giving the guy some truth might throw him off the scent. It would be best to get through the night together without Savage finding out just how messed up he really was. That was anotherone of his secrets he didn’t share with anyone—well, besides his therapist.
“Yeah—happens to the best of us. The Air Force shoved my ass into therapy after I got shot down, not that it helped much.” Bowie knew just how a tragedy like that could affect a guy. He watched his best friend die after their Humvee was attacked. It should have been him who was lying on the side of the road, bleeding out but instead, it was his best friend, Drew.
They pulled into one of Huntsville’s dive bars famous for its customers being a little on the shady side. It was a perfect spot for two guys who didn’t want to be seen out together, to grab a few beers. No one got into anyone else’s business in places like the Voodoo Lounge and that was just the way they both seemed to want it. He knew that score—Savage didn’t look like the type of guy who had long-term relationships and that was fine with Bowie. He wasn’t sure where he’d be tomorrow and settling down with someone like Savage seemed like a pipe dream. He never let himself imagine his life with a man. Hell, he never imagined settling down with anyone, if he was being completely honest.
Savage parked his truck and cut the engine. “Listen, man,” he sighed, “if you changed your mind about all of this, I’d get it.”
Bowie smiled at Savage and reached across the center console to take his hand. “You keep saying that, Savage. But I haven’t changed my mind—about the beer or you. I’d like to hang out with you tonight, no pressure and no strings. You up for that?” Savage nodded and if Bowie wasn’t mistaken, he could have sworn the big guy was blushing.
“I’d like that,” he said. Savage grabbed his baseball cap from the back seat and covered his bald head, running his hand down his beard and Bowie couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the guy. He was hot as fuck and Bowie was mesmerized by his every movement. He had been for weeks, following him around,watching him on base. Savage was big but carried himself with confidence and grace. He had a persona that screamed alpha and that alone turned Bowie completely the fuck on. He liked older men because the few he had been with usually insisted on being in charge in the bedroom. He wondered if Savage would be just as demanding, and the thought sent a shiver down his body.
“You good?” Savage asked. Bowie shook his head and smiled.
“No, but it’s nothing a few beers won’t fix,” Bowie lied. He had a feeling it would take more than alcohol to right what had been bothering him. In fact, Bowie had a sneaky feeling it would take at least a night of taking orders from the sexy man sitting next to him to start feeling like himself again.
Savage
Savage felt about ready to turn back around and leave just as soon as he saw his ex sitting at the bar with her girlfriends. Apparently, one of them was about to get hitched and Dallas was there to help her celebrate. At least, that was what he had gathered from the group of rowdy women.
“Shit,” he grumbled and sat down next to Bowie. He looked down at the end of the bar to where Dallas mean-mugged him and had the nerve to laugh.
“I’d say ‘shit’ doesn’t even begin to cover it judging from the way that blonde is scowling at you, man. What did you do?” Bowie asked. That really was a loaded question. It was more like what he didn’t do, that was the problem. She was the only woman that Savage dated more than just a few times. Hell, she was the only person he had any kind of relationship with his entire adult life. And he fucked it completely up with her. He ghosted Dallas when he realized he wasn’t going to be able to commit to her. She’d never be enough for him and how did he admit something like that to her? It was easier to just walk awayfrom her and hope that Dallas would just forget about him. Her angry scowl told him that hadn’t happened yet.
“We dated,” Savage admitted. “About a year ago.”
“Wow,” Bowie whistled under his breath. “So, whatever you did to that woman must have been big, if she hasn’t forgiven you in a year.”
“I didn’t ask for forgiveness,” Savage growled. “And I’m not looking for it now.”
“Well, I didn’t have you pegged as the dating type,” Bowiesaid. Savage held up two fingers to the bartender, signaling that he wanted a couple of beers. The bar really didn’t offer much in the way of choices and he was one of the regulars, on nights after he had a rough day at work and didn’t want to deal with his MC brothers asking him a million questions. At the Voodoo Lounge, he could just be himself and no one really bothered him.
The bartender brought them their beers and a bowl of pretzels that looked like they had been set out for a few weeks. “Hey, Savage,” the bartender said.
“Mike.” Savage nodded. “Start me a tab,” he ordered.
“Sure thing,” Mike agreed and nodded to Bowie.
“You new here?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Bowie said. “New to the area, really. I’m at Redstone Arsenal.” Mike grunted and Bowie smiled.
“Well, women around these parts seem to burst into flames around guys in uniform. Just watch yourself with the piranhas at the end of the bar. One of the chicks is getting married but they seem to be out for a good time. Just fair warning; unless you’re looking for something like that.” Mike looked between Bowie and Savage as if trying to access what was going on between the two of them and Savage growled.
