Page 14 of Quiet
“I-I’ve taken care of a lot of animals in my life. They have a tendency to find me.”
The duck stirred from its nap and nudged its bill against Briar’s fingers, seeking food. Briar kept his fingers still and allowed the duck to explore his hand.
“Like a real-life Disney princess!’ Bea tilted her head as she scrutinized Isa’s features. “You’re certainly pretty enough.”
“Bea, you’re going to scare him off, coming on that strong.” Alex chided playfully.
“Aren’t you two together?” Isa could have slapped himself. “I’m sorry that was really nosy.” It was just that the two had been lovey-dovey throughout the whole modeling session.
“We have an open relationship.”
“Oh . . .”
“So, if you two wanted to”—Alex waved a hand between Isa and Bea—“get to know each other better, you don’t have to worry about me.”
Briar had been in the process of running a finger lightly over the duck’s bill, but he went still. The duck gave a little quack.
“Oh. Um, thank you.” Isa was never sure how to deal with the girl issue. He didn’t usually notice them flirting with him and had to be hit over the head before he understood. This was way more obvious than he was used to.
Isa ducked his head awkwardly. He liked Bea. She was really nice, and he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. He should be honest with her.
“The thing is, I’m gay, so . . .”
Isa jerked his head up in fear. What the hell was he thinking? He’d never just come out and said it like that. Not even to his friends. If his impression of the artists being open-minded people was mistaken, he was about to be in serious trouble. Isa mentally prepared himself to run, just in case.
“That’s okay, Isa. My ego would far rather be rejected because you’re gay than because you were too stupid to notice how hot I am.” Bea winked at him. “But now that we know, we can hook you up with all the hot gay guys we know!”
Why was everyone determined to find him a date?
“No, that’s okay!” Isa waved his hands. “I’m not available right now, so that’s not necessary.”
Alex’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he gave an easy smile. “That’s okay too, man. Let us know if that ever changes.”
“Can you meet us here tomorrow around the same time?” Bea asked, as friendly as ever.
Excellent. Somehow, he’d managed not to offend her, and it appeared as though there was no need for him to run.
Isa appreciated the subject change immensely, so he jumped on it. “Absolutely! Is it okay if I drop my foster child here before class? It’ll be around nine.”
“I’ll be here,” Briar signed.
Alex started to translate but stopped when Isa said, “Perfect! I’ll see you then.”
He stood up and Briar joined him. Before Isa could take the cage, Briar had it and was heading for the door.
“My duck . . .” Isa said in confusion. He ran after Briar, shouting “See you tomorrow!” to Bea and Alex as he went.
Isa caught up to Briar in the hallway and grabbed his arm to slow him down. “You don’t have to carry the duck for me. The cage isn’t that heavy.”
“I don’t mind.”
Isa’s brain shorted out as the sound of Briar’s voice rolled over him. It really should be illegal. Maybe that was why he didn’t talk much? He’d gotten sick of people chasing him though the campus after hearing him talk, so he’d just stopped.
They were outside the art building before Isa realized he’d consented to Briar walking him back to his room by not saying anything. He only had his hormones to thank for it.
He shook himself.Get your head together, Isa, focus on the now. He’s a person, you’re also a person. A gay, horny person . . .
Isa shook himself again and continued with his internal pep talk.
