Page 9 of As I Am
"Why, because you know who I am now?" Carson wanted to reach out and brush a stray strand of hair back from Ky's forehead, but he resisted the urge.
"That's some of it. I mean, if anyone saw us." Ky shook his head. "I don't want to be the latest celebrity gossip headline."
"I get that, and I guess I was a fool to even pick you up that first time. I'm new to this being famous shit. I don't always stop to think ahead." Carson sighed. "I'm sorry I put you in that position."
Ky nodded as he shifted the backpack he had to the other shoulder. "It's okay. Nothing happened, right?"
"Yeah, right." Carson frowned.
"So, I guess that's it." Ky started to turn away.
Carson bit his lip. He should just turn and walk back to the truck, but standing with Ky so close, it made him want him even more. "Ky, wait." Carson reached for him, gently touching his arm, hoping to stop him.
"What?" Ky turned to face him, leaving only a few inches between them.
"I get why you don't want to do this, but I'd like to spend more time with you today. It doesn't have to be sex." Carson quickly tried to think about something else they could do. "Have you eaten? We can go find a place to get breakfast and just talk."
Ky shook his head. "I have to work."
"I'll pay you either way," Carson offered.
"I appreciate that, but I have a real job I have to work today. I'm a dishwasher at a restaurant. I have to work at noon."
Carson pulled out his cell phone. "Does the restaurant have breakfast? It's only a little after ten. We could eat and talk before you work." He prayed it was a little place where there wouldn't be a lot of people to bother them. He wanted time with Ky, not an hour of signing autographs.
Ky looked surprised by the offer. He hesitated for a minute, then nodded. "They do, but it's expensive."
"I have money." Carson smiled.
Ky blushed again. "Oh yeah, I guess you would." He glanced around them. "What if people see us there together?"
"There is no avoiding that. I can't go anywhere public without people seeing me. We don't owe them any explanations. We're just friends having a meal together. As far as anyone knows, I might have known you before I got famous." Carson nodded to the truck. "At the least, let me give you a ride over there while you decide."
Ky glanced at the truck, then back at Carson. "Why are you doing this?"
Carson closed his eyes and took a long breath. When he opened them, he looked directly into Ky's eyes. "Because it was good between us. Not just the sex, but also the feeling of just being around you. I didn't feel like some rock star. I was just Carson again. I liked that."
"But now I know who you are."
"Yet you are still talking to me like I was just any other guy on the street." Carson smiled. "In about ten seconds, that group of girls walking up the sidewalk is going to spot me. If they recognize me, you're going to see how most people treat me."
Ky glanced toward the group of girls headed their way. He tensed as he realized what was about to happen. "I'll go with you." He walked over to the passenger door of the truck.
Thankful he wasn't going to have to deal with the girls, Carson quickly got in the truck and unlocked the passenger door for Ky. He ducked his head as the girls got closer, turning his head to glance at Ky as he slid into the truck. "Thanks."
"No problem. I don't want a scene any more than you probably do." Ky set his backpack on the floor before reaching for his seatbelt. "You should be okay while we eat. My boss has security there and they make sure people aren't bothered while they eat. He gets some famous people in from time to time."
"Must be a very high-class place." Carson kept his head down, wanting to be sure the girls had gone by before looking up.
"It is. That's why I said it's okay if you don't want to—"
"I do want to." Carson reached over and covered Ky's hand where it rested on the seat. "I'm used to this. I usually have my own security, but I didn't think I'd need it today."
"We can go through a drive thru if you want and eat in the truck while we talk," Ky suggested.
Carson sat up straight. "No, I'm good with going in to eat. We'll be okay. It's being caught in the open that gets to be a problem. Walking in places or talking outside like we were. Once I'm inside, people aren't so willing to interrupt."
Ky nodded. "Okay. We can go in the back way if you want. I know Trevor won't mind. That way fewer will see you."
