“Well, are you coming in or not, because I really don’t think this is a conversation we should have in the hallway?”
He glanced left and right while chewing the corner of his mouth.
“Jesus Christ, you sat outside my apartment waiting for me, and now you’re too afraid to fucking come in the door. Do whatever you want. The door will be open if you decide to come in.”
I walked into the living room, waiting for the heavy metal door to slam shut. A soft click followed by a snick sounded instead of the loud echo I expected. Sighing, I headed for the bar cart and poured myself a drink.
“Help yourself.”
“No. I don’t drink.”
“Ever?” I ask incredulously.
“I have in the past, but only socially. Never in private at home.”
“But you’re not in private. You’re also not at your home. “
“I meant I drink when out socially.”
Interesting. Especially for someone so young. Instead of speaking the words aloud, I pulled the takeout menus from the junk drawer in the kitchen.
“You hungry?”
“I could eat.”
Of course, he could. He’d trained all afternoon. An array of colors skidded across the dining table after I tossed the menus on the smooth surface. “Pick a place.”
“I’m not picky.”
“Good. Me neither. Just tell me where and what, and I’ll order it.”
“I can pay for my own food.”
“I’m sure you can. However, since we’re both in the closet, don’t you think it’ll be easier and safer if I do the ordering?”
His hands fisted at his sides, then raised to his temples. “Fuck!” he cursed.
I walked toward him, approaching him like an injured animal. Afraid he’d lash out at me if I startled him. He was so young. Too young to even buy the rounds of drinks he earned while being hazed. Definitely too young for me.
“Xander? Are you okay?”
He spun, paced away from me. “I’m fine.”
He was anything but fucking fine, but I couldn’t make the man talk to me. Picking up the cordless phone, I dialed my favorite takeout place.
“Hello, Mr. Lennox.”
“Hello, Mei Ling. How are you?”
“Do you want the usual?”
“Yeah. The fried rice, black pepper chicken, but throw in…” I raised my brow in Xander’s direction.
He sighed, shaking his head.
“Mr. Lennox?”
“Sorry, Mei Ling. Add in an order of beef with broccoli and enough egg rolls, pot stickers, and wontons for two,” I said.
