Page 8 of Waiting on Life
“You go ahead, Donnie.” Scott sighed, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”
“What the fuck?” Donnie rounded on Scott. “You fucking suck, man. You’re a loser.”
“Sticks and stones, little boy.” I stepped closer to Scott, because I knew what was about to happen. Donnie raised a fist and lashed out at Scott, but I grabbed Donnie’s arm and stopped him cold. Then, for emphasis, I squeezed it until he shrieked. He was lucky I didn’t grab my knife, because I would have gutted him and told the cops it was self-preservation. I shoved him back, grinning when he stumbled over a chair and slammed to the floor. He glared up at me, like I should be intimidated by someone eight inches shorter and sixty pounds lighter. Besides, if the knife didn’t work, I had the gun stashed by the register. “Now get out. Stay away from Scott and from the bar. The next time I see you, I won’t be so nice.”
Donnie scrambled to his feet. “Useless faggot,” he snarled, his gaze locked on Scott.
Scott shrunk in on himself. He wrapped his arms around his waist and rocked on his heels. It was then that I understood. Since I’d met him, I had known Scott wanted to be loved, and he was willing to do what it took to find it. Apparently that even included being treated like crap by this degenerate. He’d been servicing Donnie, hoping that one day Donnie would turn around and say the words Scott had been desperate to hear. Instead, Donnie was using Scott for sex, and probably for money and a place to crash.
I gripped Scott by the shoulder, forcing him to look up. The mocha depths of his eyes said more than any words Scott could ever speak. “You don’t live with Donnie anymore.” Fuck him if he thought he was going to hurt a sweet kid like Scott. I spun to face Donnie. “Have your shit out before he gets home.”
“Fuck you! You don’t tell me what to do.”
Oh yeah. I’d had it with this piece of garbage.
I stomped toward him and grabbed the front of his shirt, then lifted him off his feet. I brought him up so we were eye level, and there was the tiniest bit of terror there. I liked it. “I do tell you what to do. You wanna stay safe and healthy, I strongly suggest you listen to my advice, because I got friends who know where to put bodies so they’ll never be found.”
Donnie swallowed hard. “Fine.”
I dropped him because I was an asshole and wanted to. He landed in a heap on the floor, but got to his feet quickly, probably expecting me to kick him while he was down. I chastised myself for not thinking about doing that.
“I can’t believe you’re going to side with this fucker over me.” Then Donnie turned and stormed out the door.
When I glanced at Scott, there were tears in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
I reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. “I know. You were caught up in a pretty man who said the right things to you. He made you feel special, but now you’ve realized he was using you. Right?”
Scott gave a sharp nod. “I thought he cared about me.” His lip trembled. “Guess I’m just as stupid as he always said I was, huh?” He shuffled toward the door. “I’m sorry. I’ll get out of the way.”
Oh, Scott. He reminded me of Cary. Both were great workers, but unlike Cary, Scott was desperate to find someone who would care for him. He wasn’t homely, but he wasn’t a stunning beauty. What he lacked in looks, he more than made up for in personality. He was way too sweet to just let walk off. Or maybe it was that I was too much of a sucker. Probably both.
“We’re low on Miller. When you get a uniform from the storeroom, grab a case and bring it up front.”
He stopped and turned to face me. There was hope there, and I wasn’t about to quash it. “But you said—”
“That we’re low on Miller.”
He gave a hesitant smile, and I had to make sure he got what I had to say to him.
“I don’t give second chances, Scott. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
“Yes, sir.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Good. Now explain it to me.”
His throat worked when he swallowed hard. He stood ramrod straight, his chin up. “I shouldn’t have done what I did. I wanted so bad for Donnie to like me, I let him pull me away from my responsibilities. You trusted me, and I broke that bond. I swear to you, I’ll work hard to prove that you can depend on me.”
That was all I needed to hear. “Go get dressed. We’re going to be busy tonight.”
His stony expression softened. “Toby, I… I’m sorry.”
I did my best to give him a smile. “We’re good. But remember, I don’t do second chances. This is the only one I’m giving you.”
“But… you just gave me a second chance.”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “No, I didn’t. You earned it, and now it’s up to you if you’re going to be a man of your word.”
