Page 60 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Gene looked like he already knew what his answer would be, but he didn’t say anything right away. He grabbed his keys and turned off the lights behind the bar before he pulled on his jacket. “I got company in from out of town, so my spare room is occupied, but I’ve got a sofa that won’t break your back like the one in the office. Why don’t you come on home with me and you can stay there till you get your shit sorted out, all right?”

What could he say? Tommy had hit a point in his life where he had no choice but to accept whatever charity was offered him. If he hadn’t already been numb with liquor and grief, it might have ripped a new hole in him somewhere, but at the moment, it just made him huff a soft laugh. “Thanks, Gene. I owe ya one.”

Gene waved his hand at the words and shook his head as he and Tommy headed out the door. “You’d do it for me, wouldn’t ya, kid?”

At least that was true. Tommy knew without question he’d help Gene out in any way he could.

It felt less like charity when Tommy thought about it in that light.

The lights were on at Gene’s apartment when they pulled up. As they walked up the steps, Gene said over his shoulder, “I’ve got some sweats that might not fall off you if you wanna take a shower and get changed.”

Tommy didn’t know what to say, so he didn’t say anything.

Gene went on as he unlocked the front door, “Don’t mind Ben. He looks scarier than he is.”

Tommy was about to ask what Gene meant by that, but he understood as soon as they walked through the door. A man was sprawled on the living room sofa. He was huge. Not fat, but muscular. Every inch of skin showing under his leather vest was covered with ink, and Tommy guessed he was well over six feet tall. Tommy didn’t consider himself slight, but looking at Gene’s friend, Tommy felt like a very small child.

Ben reached for the remote and turned off the television before he glanced in Gene’s direction. “You’re back.”

Ben’s voice was like rich velvet, deep and soft. Tommy nearly laughed because he was already thinking of Ben as a giant tattooed teddy bear.

“And I come bearing sustenance,” Gene told him, laughing as he kicked off his shoes and locked the door after Tommy came inside.

They walked into the living room together, and Gene dropped a bag of sandwiches on the table.

“And wayward homeless youth?” Ben asked as he stood up from the couch and stretched, looking at Tommy with a playful grin.

If it had been anyone else, Tommy might have flipped him off for the remark. Ben had at least six inches and a hundred pounds on him, so he decided to shrug and laugh and let Gene answer for him.

Gene stepped aside to introduce them. “Shut it, asshole. This is Tommy. He’s gonna stay with me for a while.”

Ben’s brown eyes went wide and Tommy saw a trace of sorrow reflecting in his expression. “Shit, I’m sorry, man.” Ben shook his head and reached a hand to Tommy. “Gene told me what happened. Goddamned awful,” he added as Tommy shook his hand.

Again, Tommy didn’t know what to say, so he only offered a nod.

Gene had disappeared into the kitchen and came back with three bottles of beer. As he passed one to Tommy, he said, “I’d say you need water, but you’d just tell me to fuck off.”

Ben laughed and patted Tommy on the back. His hand felt like a slab of meat pounding against Tommy’s shoulder. “My kinda guy.” Tommy nearly stumbled forward with the force of the friendly gesture. He lifted the bottle to Ben in a mock toast before taking a long pull from it.

Gene sat down in a club chair and started passing out the food. Tommy took a seat on the couch as Ben fell back on it next to him.

“How’d it go today?” Gene asked Ben before digging in to his sandwich.

Ben had already taken a bite and was talking around his food. “Good,” he said, nodding animatedly. “Did about twenty people, made some killer contacts, and took home the trophy for best design.”

“Not bad for a day’s work.” Gene grinned at his friend. He must have seen Tommy’s question on his face because Gene explained, “Ben’s an artist. He’s in town for a tattoo convention.”

Tommy didn’t have to offer anything to the conversation other than a quiet smile as Ben said, “It’s not the biggest, but there was still some stiff competition and some really good artists there. Gray X had a booth set up next to mine and they’ve got some of the best in the business.”

“Did you go up against any of theirs?” Gene asked.

“Two of their artists were up for the same categories as me. Shocked the shit out of me when I beat ’em.”

Ben beamed, obviously pleased with himself, but not in a smug way, Tommy noticed.

“I bet your man is proud of you,” Gene added before taking a bite of his sandwich. Ben shot a look at Tommy and then back to Gene, and Gene laughed. “Tommy’s one of your lot.”

Ben seemed to relax, but Tommy was confused. Laughing when he looked at Tommy, Gene said pointedly, “Gay.”

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