“How far do you think you can ride with broken hands?”
Ben narrowed his eyes, the smug playfulness gone from his face. “Someone’s balls grew mighty big recently.”
“Get out, Ben.”
“Sure, man. I’ll do that. Didn’t want to be rude or nothing. But see, I’ll be backrealsoon. Me and the boys will make a quick stop here on our way down south. A sparkle of gasoline here and there, and we’ll be driving away with flames in our rearview mirrors.” He gave his words a few seconds to sink in. “You know I ain’t bluffing. I’m giving you a chance to apologize because of all the cigarettes I got from selling your steamy performances.”
Jay’s skin burned, yet his heart felt covered in frost.He had no doubt that Ben meant what he said. Fighting him would likely end in the destruction of Stu’s business.
“Sorry,” Jay hissed.
“What’s that?”
“I’m sorry.”
Ben nodded. “That’s better. You always came around at the end. It would sound even better if you say it on your knees, though.”
Of course it would. He sank to his knees, telling himself that this was the right thing to do. In prison, smart always beat tough, even if it had taken Jay a few busted ribs to figure it out. “I’m sorry, Ben.”
“Much better.” He stood and came closer, towering over Jay. “Remember how you used to pin those fuckers down? There was no escape when you wanted to stick it in them. Man, I still get hard just thinking of your shows.” He raised Jay’s face, brushing a thumb across his lips. “Open up.”
His jaw felt locked when he forced his lips to part. Ben slid two fingers inside, tasting like dirt and grease. It took all of Jay’s willpower not to bite down on those fingers, but this was a fight he couldn't afford to lose. Ben slid his fingers deeper, reaching down Jay’s throat and causing his stomach juice to gush. He held his fists clenched tight, wondering if he should let go and throw up on Ben.
“Luckily for you, I have a shitload of things to do before I leave town,” Ben said. “But you would’ve pulled it out for me, right? Pulled it out and stroked it.”
Jay gave a stiff nod, knowing that he would have.
Ben pulled his fingers out and wiped them across Jay’s face, who just barely kept himself composed. Bentook a step back, and with no warning, kicked Jay’s crotch. The blinding pain sent him down on the floor, crawling into a ball and gasping.
“Don’t be a pussy,” Ben chuckled. “Get up and come help me with the oil. On the house, of course.”
*
He tried to work on the damn Ford but couldn’t bring himself to slide into the narrow gap beneath the car. He should have gone back to his apartment, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that either. If his brother hadn’t gone out with Margo, Jay would’ve stayed at his place tonight, making up some lame excuse and crashing on the lumpy couch he suddenly missed terribly.
Get a grip. It’s over.Fucking Ben was leaving the city, and Jay wasn’t going to see him ever again. Although, hadn’t he thought the same thing a mere hour ago?
He sat on the tattered couch in the small garage office and called Ethan. He had planned on calling anyway to wish him luck on his first day of work tomorrow, but now he needed them to meet because Jay couldn’t stand being alone this evening.
“Hey, man.”
Jay let out a long breath, his anxiety going down a notch. “Hey. Excited for tomorrow?”
“More terrified than excited. How will I handle a job without packages to deliver?”
Jay chuckled. “You’ll ace it.”
“Yeah, fingers crossed. I just ironed my new clothes. No more FedEx uniforms!”
“That’s a shame. You looked hot in those.”
“Don’t even.”
He cleared his throat. “Are you doing anything now?”
“Anthony’s on his way over. We’re having a date night.”
Shit.
