“Thanks, Mrs. C.” They hung up, and Bas stared at Dane. “So what do you want to do? Store or rehab?”
“Can’t I just stay here?”
That was not a good idea. The panic attack in the bathroom had proven that. Leaving Dane alone was not an option.
“Sorry. I just want to make sure you’re safe. What if you have another panic attack like last night, and I’m not here? I would never make you go through that alone. Choice is either with me and Mrs. C or back to rehab. I can always come pick you up after if you don’t want to be out in public.”
“What if people recognize me?”
“At the store, you mean?” Bas put his bowl in the dishwasher. Adam and Ru might have done the dishes last night—a Corbin habit—but Bas had no plans to soap up the sink and scrub. That’s what technology was for.
“Yeah. What if people want autographs or take pictures to send to the tabloids?”
Paige appeared in the kitchen, no more covered than she’d been this morning when Bas had thrown a blanket over her.“You’re someone famous?” She asked.
Bas sighed and looked skyward. “Can you put something on? Your girly bits are everywhere.” He had no idea where she’d putthat, but it was nowhere to be seen.
“Oh hush, Axelrod. It’s not like anything I have interests you, anyway.”
“For sure. But we don’t need to see…” He did a little push up motion for boobies. “Besides, you need to get ready. Marissa will be here soon. I think she said you’re starting with the thrift shop dollar sale.” Bas pulled out his wallet and handed her a credit card.
“I can get secondhand clothes at the shelter or just about any church,” she complained.
Bas smiled. “You’ve never been to the Ark.” He turned to show off his purple corduroy pants. “These were ninety-nine cents. Still had the tags on them. Never worn. I have found some great stuff at the Ark. Never paid more than five dollars for anything there. Even shoes. Adam got his mom a brand new Coach purse from there.”
Paige still looked skeptical.
“She’s also taking you to the consignment shop today. You won’t need the card there. I have an account on file. I sell a lot there and buy almost as much. So it works out in the end.” Bas looked at Dane. “I’d like to take you to the consignment shop when we have a chance. They have some stuff that I think would look great on you. It’s all a bit higher end, not as cheap as the thrift, but worth it.”
Paige stared at Dane. “Soishe someone famous? The flirty brunet said they were all in a band.”
“Vocal Growth. Ru, Tommy, and Dane are all from the group. It broke up late last year.”
“I know Ru. Saw him perform at the shelter for Christmas. The place was packed. He’s got an amazing voice. Can you sing like that, Dane?”
“Nope. Ru always was the talent of the group. The rest of us were background decoration.”
Bas sighed. “Yes, he sings, and is pretty good at it too. We’re working on the self-esteem thing. Will you go get less naked now, please? This gay boy is thinking of where missing things are, and it’s hurting his head.”
Paige giggled and sauntered off, swinging her hips. Bas put together her hot cereal and shoved a plastic spoon in it. She could eat it on her way.
Dane just shrugged. “I’ve heard there are a lot of people like her in Europe. Some impossible to tell if they are a girl or a boy. Tommy and Ru used to tell me stories. I never went out much when we’re not playing.”
“That is not scrubbing my brain of naked girly images.” Bas rubbed his eyes. “I like my men hairy and hung. No hiding the sausage for me. I’d rather hold on to it.”
Dane laughed loud and hard, “Hide the sausage?”
Bas waved his hands. “Did you see anything but girl just now? ‘Cause I didn’t.”
“She is a girl though, right? No matter what parts she may or may not be hiding. At least that is what I understood from our conversation in the car yesterday.”
Bas smiled. “She is.”
“And likes boys?” Dane added.
“Yes.” Bas suddenly wondered if Dane was into Paige. She was pretty, and if Dane liked girls…
“So she’s straight? Only likes boys?” He squinted like he was working stuff out in his head.
