Dale reached out and touched Bo’s chin, turning him to make eye contact. Bo’s eyes were red. He had been crying, but he didn’t want Dale to know. He jerked away.
“Leave me alone, Dale. You made your choice. I just need to get out of here.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way. He’s open to both of us. At least giving it a trial run. More than you’re willing to do.”
Bo chuckled to himself. “I didn’t realize I had a choice in the matter. Seems like you’ve been making plans for both of us all along. Well, Dale, I’m not interested. I was content with just the two of us. What’s it been, three years now?”
“I’m just trying to spice things up a bit.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what porn’s for.”
“Just meet him, Bo. Come on. I think you’ll like him too.”
Bo zipped up the duffel and turned to face Dale. “How did you meet? Wait. Strike that. I don’t want to know. Because if you’re flirting with customers at the store, then you’re cheating. And if you’re not even at work when you’re telling me you are—” Bo said, pointing at his chest, “—then this combustion engine doesn’t need more fuel or it’s gonna blow. So, I suggest you just back off and let me go before things get ugly.”
“If you would just talk to me about it.”
“You don’t seem to understand, Dale. I’m not open to talking about it. You’ve invited a stranger in to sample our relationship, behind my back and I’m not cool with that. I’m not cool with the presumptions, the dishonesty, or whatever else is going on beneath the surface here. The only reason you want to talk to me right now is that you’re a salesman by profession. You think you can sell me on the idea. But I’m here to tell you—it’s not going to work. So back off.”
Dale held up his hands. “OK, OK. I fucked up. I’ll let him know that you’re not open to a three-way. Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Three-way or throuple, Dale? Because I left three-ways behind a long time ago, and throuple... well, that’s just not something I’m looking for.”
“I thought—” Dale said, “—maybe he could give you what I can’t.”
“What you can’t, Dale... or what you won’t?”
Dale said nothing. Bo looked at him, waiting. “That’s what I thought. Don’t try to make this my fault, Dale. You’re selfish enough—especially in bed. Don’t blame me.”
“I was just exploring options.”
Bo looked at him incredulously. “And the solution was to go behind my back... not even speak to me about it first? You’re not that irrational, Dale. Something’s already going on here with this guy, I can tell. Have you slept with him?”
“Bo, where will you go?”
“I have a place in mind. Answer the question.”
“What question?”
“Have you slept with him?”
“His name is Chip, Bo.”
“Chip? Are you fucking kidding me? Chip and Dale!”
“Yeah, yeah... hilarious. Whatever. Could we stick to the subject, please?”
“Fine. How often have you shared your nuts with Chip?”
Dale stared at him, speechless. He had a youthful face for a man in his mid-thirties... blue eyes, buzzed, prematurely graying hair, high and tight. To sustain eye-contact integrity with Bo, he attempted to use another facial feature. He went for a smile, then thought better, freezing the gesture midway, resulting in a ridiculously slack expression, not unlike a toddler that had just shit his diaper.
“Never mind. That face is answer enough.”
“What about all your stuff? You’re just going to pack a bag and leave? You have furniture, cookware...”
“Oh, thanks for reminding me.”
Bo went into the kitchen, Dale following. He reached under the stove and got a large non-stick skillet. Once back in the bedroom, he threw the pan on the bed beside the duffel.
