CHAPTER FOUR
Vahin Arora
Maybe he should’ve taken Marlon’s offer to end the date. The man was obviously as far in the closet as a guy could get. Vahin had spent the first eighteen years of his life in that darkness, and he had no intention of going back. And yet he couldn’t end it so quickly. Which was ludicrous. He hadn’t been searching for dates or a possible relationship. And Marlon, it turned out, was definitely not an option for a relationship, obviously. Not when he panicked from their hands touching.
And bringing Marlon to Mary’s, the place Vahin considered home, with the people he counted as family? Maybe Vahin had chosen Mary’s because it was on his turf, his playground, the home advantage. Maybe it was because he wanted to punish Marlon.
It was to punish him; there wasn’t any doubt about it, actually. He handed the packages of wrapped plates and dishes to Pat as they walked into Mary’s. “Check these out when you have a moment. You’re going to lose your shit over the wineglasses Marlon found.”
Pat’s eyes grew large as she took the overstuffed bags. “Maybe I can get Alex to watch the host stand for a bit. I can’t wait to see them.” She grinned slyly at Vahin. “Want me to put you in the back of Mary’s parlor? I can not sit anyone else around you for a little bit, give you some privacy.”
If there had been doubt that he was punishing Marlon, it was washed away in that instant. “Actually how about the table in front?” Maybe it was a test more than a punishment. Though who the fuck cared which it was? Marlon had said he’d never seen a drag performance. Well, he was about to get initiated.
“Okay, I just sat that table not long ago, so it will probably be more than half an hour.” Pat gave him a look but didn’t say any more.
“That’s okay.” Vahin glanced over at Marlon. “You okay getting a spot at the bar and watching whatever game is on while we wait?” He looked back at Pat before Marlon could even start to nod. “Yeah, we’ll wait.”
Though the place was busy, most of the staff stopped by to give Vahin a hug and meet Marlon. By the time Steven brought them two margaritas, it was less about punishment and more about family.
At last they were seated in the hot spot. Within moments Cody came over for their orders. “Vahin! I thought I saw you at the bar, but I was too busy to come say hi.” He bent down and gave Vahin a quick hug.
“Requested your section special.”
Cody grinned. “Whatever, you requested this table for Man—”
Vahin cut him off. “Sweetie, would you put in an order of those nachos for us before we get more drinks. I want my date to be sober enough to remember what I do to him later tonight, for once.”
Cody’s cheeks reddened behind his long curtain of black bangs. He managed a nod before turning away.
“Wow, that kid can blush.” Marlon was twisting his napkin between his fingers. “I think I might be as well.”
Okay, he needed to tone down the punishment. He didn’t want to scare Marlon off completely, at least not yet. “He’s a sweet kid. Has a great boyfriend. I thought with all the sex they’ve been having, Cody would lose some of his small-town sensibilities, but looks like those are here to stay.” He tried to soften his tone. “You’ll love the nachos. They’re insane.”
“Yeah, caught that. It seems you’re still planning on taking me home after, huh? I was wondering if I blew my chances.”
Vahin shrugged, still focusing on keeping his tone neutral. “Honestly, not sure at the moment, but I’m keeping the option open for now. We’ll see how the rest of the night goes. If I make you flinch again or not.” Maybe not so neutral. He needed to relax, but he had no patience for closeted guys, especially those who were close to his age.
“Again, Vahin, I’m so sorry about that.” Marlon glanced around, then reached over and hesitantly took Vahin’s hand. “Really. I’m not embarrassed by you, if that’s what it seemed like. Not at all.”
Vahin laughed a bit. “Well, I hadn’t actually considered that option until this moment, so thanks for that.” He laughed again and glanced down at Marlon’s nearly midnight-dark hand covering his. It was so large and warm. So masculine. And despite the bite of anger, the feel of it made him want to push away the warning signs and pretend he actually did want a relationship. He lifted his gaze to Marlon’s. “I didn’t think you were embarrassed of me, just that you were in the closet.”
Marlon didn’t look away, which made it seem he was telling the truth. “I’m not in the closet.”
“Really?”
“No, I’m not. My family knows. My friends. My old partner knew, and the chief knows.”
Vahin read between the lines. “Ah, so your new partner and all the other officers don’t know.”
There was a hesitation, but finally Marlon shook his head. “No. Those people don’t know.”
Vahin pulled his hand out from under Marlon’s. “So youarein the closet, at least with the people you’re around the most.”
A hard expression crossed Marlon’s face, and his tone had a warning hint to it. “You’re a bartender. One in a”—he motioned to the vintage photographs of half-naked male wrestlers hung in gilded frames over the pink wallpaper—“very gay-friendly restaurant. It’s a little bit easier for you to be out than it is for a cop. Especially a black cop. I’ve already got enough stacked against me without adding that to the list.”
Vahin flinched. “Seriously? It’s a bit easier for me? Because you’re a black cop. Oh, poor you. Try growing up in a Muslim family and being gay. Try coming out to them, getting cut off from everyone you know. Try having to change your name to keep them from harassing you. Try having half the country assume you’re thinking about strapping a bomb to your chest and blowing them up. Yeah, it’s been easy to come out. About as fun as a fucking birthday party.”
Vahin’s pulse throbbed at his temple. He looked over to see Cody standing there holding the platter of nachos, obviously wanting to run away. “Um. Sorry, Vahin. Want me to come back?”
