Page 110 of Enemy
I’m… definitely not offended, but this situation is out of my depth, and I rub the back of my head. “What is the actual question here?”
The waif of a boy, with floppy hair covering his eyes, blushes so furiously that what Icansee of his face resembles a tomato. I doubt he’s fifteen yet. “So… it’s okay to be gay? In Vulture Hollow?”
Considering how long I’ve suppressed this part of myself before life forced me out of the closet, I’m the last person who should give others advice, but I am part of this community, and my voice counts as much as anyone else’s. “Yeah. Don’t let anyone give you shit. And if they do, come and tell me.”
The smile brightening his zit-adorned face makes something crack a little in the shell around my heart. I wish someone had had my back when I’d struggled with this. Then again, Prophet did peel me off the asphalt and bring me here. I didn’t come out until now. I’m glad I can be someone to protect this kid if push comes to shove. From the look of him, he’s hardly future biker material, but we need all sort of people here. A cook, a hairdresser, or the mechanic I’m going to see.
“Yes. Yes, sir,” he says, nodding a bit too much. I hope he doesn’t develop a crush on me, because that would be fucking awkward.
I give him one more nod and turn to the garages as the kids whisper to each other.
At this time of the day, most of the people working here should be off, but being the workaholic he is, I expect Isaac to be in, tinkering with one thing or another. I smirk whenJim Morrison’s voice reaches my ears and stride right in to find my mechanic leaning over a workbench and fiddling with a toaster. I whistle, and when he looks up, a grin lights up his eyes.
“Road! I was hoping to see you soon. Just didn’t want to crowd you with all that’s going on.”
The tension hiding deep inside me lets loose, and I offer a smile back. “It’s been intense, I admit. What are the people saying behind my back?” I ask, leaning against a pillar as I take in the vehicles and parts.
Isaac leans back in his chair and rubs his hands in a rag. “You know, the typical. Who fucks who, questioning how long it’s been going on, or even that Clydeturned you.” He snorts, meeting my gaze, awfully casual about all of it.
“He definitely didn’t have to turn me,” I tell him and nod at Martin’s bike, which is going through some kind of service. “He lost his bike. Do you know of a ride we could buy off you or borrow for the time being?”
That gets him excited, and he leads me out, behind the garage where two motorcycles stand among some junk. One is a banged-up black cruiser, the other a modified dirt bike.
“Both need some work, but I could sell either. Which one you think he’d like?”
I smoke some more, contemplating the vehicles. “My money’s on the cruiser, but maybe he should have his pick later, or tomorrow?” I propose and relax into the warm, sunny afternoon, becausethisis a sure way to put a smile on Clyde’s face.
Isaac shrugs. “Fine by me. You know… I had my suspicions.”
My heartbeat picks up, and I make myself exhale slowly, evenly, because the statement has me on edge. “Really?”
He gives me a playful shove. “You didn’t have them about me? Is your gaydar really that shit?”
I’m so stunned the pipe almost slips through my fingers. “You?” I ask, blinking and studying Isaac in more detail, because no, I couldn’t fucking tell. He’s very much… your average guy. A bit more buff, a bit more tattooed, likes his beers and cars, and he’s not the only one without a wife or girlfriend.
Did I miss him checking me out or something?
“I’d just rather keep it on the down-low, you know?”
“Even now?” I ask before shaking my head. “You know I’d have your back.”
“Maybe in the future, but I don’t need the hassle. I go meet up with a guy occasionally, but that’s about it. In my twenties though?” Isaac stretches with a smile, showing off his wide chest in the tight black tank top. “Those were the days. Different guy every weekend. I liked to find the ones who wanted a bit of force. You know what I mean?” He nudges me with his elbow, and I grin, but the back of my neck prickles, as if someone poked it with tiny needles. It’s weird, because I’ve never even considered Isaac from that point of view, and now it feels like too much information.
“I’m a simple guy,” I say, because I have nothing non-generic to say in response to that. Is he trying to tell me he’s into BDSM? Is he fishing for details of my sex life with Clyde?
“So simple you chose the most difficult guy you could get. I don’t judge,” he raises his palms, “I’m sure he’s worth it. I just like guys a bit younger—Nottooyoung!” he adds, but it still leaves a weird taste in my mouth. He’s in his forties. How young is too young?
I can’t help but think of the guys who offered to help me in exchange for favors, back when I was on the run. While Isaac has never acted in a way that made me think of him as anything but a great man to have around, my body reacts with such tension I can’t cope by telling myself to stop projecting on this guy, who’s just told me his truth. We’ve always been friends. Maybe he doesn’t have anyone to talk about guys to, and he forgot that some things are weird when said out loud?
“Must be hard to find someone—” I don’t finish that sentence, realizing that telling him that he’s not getting any younger would be needlessly offensive. I’m not here to tell him when to settle down.
“I’ve got my community here, I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I did hear you’re wifing Clyde up already. Is he that good?” Isaac smirks.
I can’t say I didn’t expect to hear this kind of joke, but maybe not from another gay man. I wrinkle my nose and correct him, “I’m making him myhusband, yeah. We’re a good fit. He understands what I’m about. And the lifestyle.”
You’d think finding out Isaac is gay would bring us closer, and instead, I think I like him less now.
He laughs and makes a gesture of zipping his lips. “I see, I see. Looking forward to officially meeting him tonight. I’m really happy for you even if the issue with the Butchers isn’t over. Just keep us civilians posted.”
