Page 19 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

“Are you supposed to be talking like that? Here?” Len shrank down in the water as if someone would see them.

“There isn’t anyone else here,” Steve said. “You’re the only one using the pool. If the swim team were practicing, then no. I wouldn’t.” He waved his hand. “Now tell me the truth. What’s this all about?”

“What if the guy is the ex of someone you know?” Len asked.

“I know you. Is that a problem?” Steve paused. “What are you getting at?”

“Would you be willing to date someone you’re close to?” He still wasn’t explaining himself well, but tough.

“Maybe if you’d just spit it out, I’d have an answer.” Steve grinned again, then sighed. “I’d have to think about it.”

Jesus.He wasn’t getting anywhere. “This guy is friends with Aiden. He told me he liked me.” Saying the words out loud made them finally seem real. His heart lodged in his throat. Why did making the potential of a relationship real seem so scary but kind of exciting too? Because he liked Isaac.

Steve laughed. He rocked in his seat and kicked the water. “Likesyou?”

“You’re not doing me any favors,” Len bit out. “Not at all.”

“I’m sorry. Now you’re acting archaic. No one sayslikesany longer. There are a hundred terms for it, and I can’t remember any of them.” Steve suppressed his chuckles. “If the guy likes you, then feel him out.”

“What about Aiden?”

“What about him? He’s with Matt.” Steve folded his legs beneath him. “They’re happy and married. I doubt something like this would faze him. He’s got lots of friends, and who cares if one of them wants to date you?”

“Wouldn’t it be strange? The guy is a few years older than Aiden.” If he were Aiden and saw his father with one of his friends, he’d feel odd about it. But his father wasn’t gay and hadn’t been thrilled when he’d found out Len was homosexual. His father only had guy friends and they drank together. No dating…ever.

“I don’t know how Aiden will take it, and neither will you if you don’t ask him. Talk to him. What if he says ride that stallion? Then what will you do?” Steve asked. “Ride the stallion?”

“He wouldn’t.” Aiden wasn’t the type to tell anyone toride a stallion.Christ.

“Oh?”

“He doesn’t say things like that.” Aiden was too reserved sometimes for his own good. Len wrestled with the idea of asking Isaac out. He’d already kind of turned the guy down. The look of pain in Isaac’s eyes stuck in his memory.

“Oh, well, you knew what I meant.” Steve shrugged. “Give the guy a chance. He might be good for you.”

“Steve.” Len groaned. He shouldn’t be irritated with Steve. The guy had given him permission and encouragement. All Len wanted was to hear Aiden do the same.

“You asked and I gave you my two cents.” Steve stood and shook his hair. He sprayed Len with water droplets again. “Do what you think is best, but don’t push the guy away and not talk to Aiden because you think Aiden will be upset.” He walked away, leaving Len to himself.

Len dunked his head under the water. The chill shocked his system but didn’t help him decide what to do. Maybe Steve was right. He’d never know if he didn’t give Isaac a chance. He liked Isaac, and he just might be worth the shot.

* * * *

Monday afternoon, Len parked outside Isaac’s office. He needed to set things straight. What did he want?A date.With?Isaac.He sat in his car and stared at the building. If Isaac wanted to be with him, then he’d make the first move. Why not? A thought occurred to him. Should he talk to Aiden first? Ross was only a year younger than Len, but he’d treated Aiden horribly. The ill will between Ross and Aiden had been mutual, and he hadn’t asked Aiden’s permission before dating Ross. Maybe he should’ve.

Jesus.Dating hadn’t been this hard when he’d met Keye. Back then, the process had been easy. He’d seen Keye, wanted him and made a move. They’d met up at the nightclub until they’d decided they belonged together, then fucked whenever they had a chance.Easy.And now he was in front of Isaac’s office, acting on impulse.Oh fuck.

His phone rang, jolting him out of his thoughts. He read the ID screen.Aiden.Of course. He fortified his nerves and answered. “Son.”

“Hey, Dad.”

Aiden always cheered him up, but not today. “It’s not Saturday, and I’m not due for an exam.” He didn’t mind his new doctor, Dr. Gates, but he’d rather see Isaac again.

“I know. I saw your car at the swim complex when I ran to the sandwich shop to get lunch for the nurses today. When I went back, you were gone,” Aiden said. “I’m off today and Matt’s working. Thought I’d catch you and we could spend the afternoon together.”

“What’d you have in mind?” He stared at the building, a normal doctor’s office type of place with a gray stone facade and white trim around the windows. He went there when he needed to see Dr. Gates.

“I didn’t.” Aiden laughed. “I’m not on-call and I don’t have to be anywhere. I have no idea what to do with myself.”

---