Page 5 of As I Am
"Ah, yeah, we all know him. He doesn't come around in the afternoons. Your best chance to catch him is in the mornings. I'd be happy to keep you company tonight since he's not here." The guy leaned into the window, smiling at him.
"What's your name?" Carson reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill.
"Seth." The guy straightened as he focused on the money in Carson's hand.
"Seth, I thank you for the offer, but I really was just looking for Ky. Here, go buy yourself some dinner, and if you see Ky around, tell him Carson will be here Thursday morning around ten if he's interested." He handed the money to him. "I appreciate the information."
Seth's eyes widened and he stepped back. "Carson…." He pointed at him. "You're Carson Childs."
Carson quickly put a finger to his lips as he looked around to make sure no one else heard. He should have known better than to use his real name, but he really didn't think anyone down here would recognize him. "Please, don't make a big deal of it. I don't want everyone to know." He reached in his pocket and pulled out another twenty. "Ky's a friend. If you see him just give him the message, okay?" He handed the other twenty to the man.
"Can I get an autograph?" Seth asked.
Carson glanced around again, making sure no one else was heading their way. "Um, let me see if I have a pen or paper." He reached over, flipping open the truck's glove box, not having much hope in finding anything.
"I've got stuff." Seth surprised him by reaching for the bag at his feet and pulling out a notebook and pen. "Here." He pushed it through the window.
"Thanks." Carson quickly signed it. Once done, he glanced back up at Seth. "Thanks for keeping quiet."
Seth stared awestruck. "It's okay. My sister is a huge fan of yours. I got this for her. And thanks for the money, but you don't have to pay me to keep quiet." He offered the money back.
"No, take it. Get yourself what you need." Carson smiled. "Again, if you see Ky, let him know I'll be around Thursday."
"I'll tell him. Thanks again, Mr. Childs." Seth stepped back and waved.
Carson cringed at being called mister. It made him feel old. As he pulled away from the alley, he imagined Seth handing the autograph to some preteen girl, trying to explain how he'd gotten it. It was a harsh warning to Carson that he needed to be more careful. The last thing he needed was some gossip column getting word that he was picking up guys off the street. Still, he'd give one more try to catching up with Ky on Thursday, if it didn't happen, he'd just have to forget about Ky's soft ivory skin and go back to how it was before.
With nowhere to go and nothing to do, Carson headed back to his parents' place. Maybe a few hours in the garden was just what he needed to work off the restlessness.
