I’ve always had this idea that Benson is so pissed off with Cash because Cash is gay. Which is really weird considering where we live and where he grew up. I’ve heard him comment to guys hitting on them between sets that they’re all straight, so don’t waste their time.
Something tells me that maybe Benson doesn’t actually know Onyx’s sexuality. Or, I guess, Onyx could be a book trope—bi-awakening, anyone? But more likely, I’m guessing Ben doesn’t know and Onyx doesn’t correct him because Ben’s an asshole and Onyx wants to avoid that noise.
“Too bad. I’d like to know how he can stand to be around Ben.”
He snorts. “Same.”
I pick up the newsletter. The headline today reads:
Management Strike Persists
Laiken really set off a wave of unrest. Thinking of Laiken makes me think that perhaps it’s my turn to come clean.
“My turn,” I tell Cash, setting the newsletter down again.
“Ohhh…” he says, leaning forward.
“Have you noticed that I’ve been flirting with Laiken for years now?”
Cash frowns. “This confession better be less obvious than that.”
I laugh. “Yeah. So… right before Valentine’s Day, I made dick cookies at his house. He actually flirted back with me, Cash. And he kept staring at my ass. Until then, he’sneverreturned my flirting.”
“No shit!”
“Mhm. The following week, when we went to the bar and Laiken followed us outside?” Cash nods. “He kissed me.”
Cash’s mouth drops open.
I push on before he can say anything. “He kissed me, and then he promptly told me we couldn’t do it again. I kinda avoided being around him for a couple of weeks.”
“Ass,” Cash says, frowning.
“Yes. So, my dad cornered us and suggested that, because I’m always between jobs, I work with Laiken. Laiken will keep the jerks from snapping their fingers at me or whatever. Since I couldn’t think of a reason to say no and it seemed Laiken was at a loss too, we didn’t have a choice but to agree. That first shift, a guy gave me his room number for a hookup, and I might have made it pretty clear that I had options. He pulled me into the tree cluster between our houses and kissed me for, like, ever.”
Cash squeals.
“I told him I understood why he’s hesitant to get involved, but I’m not going to turn into a monk just because we can’t fool around. I told him he had two options—we fool around or he doesn’t get a say in who I hook up with.”
“Tell me he chose you.” My smile says it all, and Cash squeals in excitement again. “Holy hell!”
“So, we’ve been making out for a while. He totally loves my ass. I’ve sucked his dick. He’s sucked me and we’ve frotted in his bed. Not to get all TMI, but Cash, he has the sexiest dick I’ve ever seen! Like, gay men write sonnets about this thing.”
He sighs, drops back against his bed, and gives me a huge smile.
“I know.”
Silence falls around us for several minutes. My eyes linger on the newsletter.
“Lie, what’s your dad going to say?”
I shake my head. “He’s not going to find out.”
“Yeah? You guys made a plan?”
“Nothing we’ve discussed, but I don’t think there needs to be an in-depth plan. Bottom line, my dad can’t find out.”
“He’s going to lose his shit.”
