“Wow…I guess good for you, right?” he says grinning with a cheeky wink.
“Please stop.”
“What? He’s rich and hot,” he says as we start to walk out.
“Hot?”
“Just because I’m straight, doesn’t mean I can’t tell when a dude is good looking, man. You’ve hit the gay jackpot right there.”
That elicits a huge laugh from me and I must admit, this is the best I’ve felt since moving here. I’m happy.
“Hit me up next week, and we can meet for a run or whatever,” Danny says as he punches my fist before strolling out of the building, paying no attention to Ethan, who is glaring at his back.
“Stop. He’s a friend and I’m not giving him up. Got it?” I say to Ethan, who relents with a nod.
“Come. I have something to show you,” he says before directing me to David waiting in the car outside for us. Maybe he’s taking me out for a last day of work dinner.
Five minutes into the journey and I’ve got no idea where we are going. Neither of us has spoken and it’s nice. I love that about Ethan. He doesn’tneed to fill silences with awkward chit chat, he allows me to just be. To enjoy the quiet. But after ten minutes have passed, I need to know where we are going.
“Okay spill. Where are we going?” I ask, and he continues to look out of the window as we pull up outside a large building that looks industrial. It’s quite striking with all of the bougie cafés and shops around it. I’ve never been on this street before. Intrigued, I follow Ethan out of the car and walk inside the large building with him and my nerves start to build. Oh my god.
When he turns the lights on, my heart falters. He didn’t do this. Not for me. My wide eyes fill with tears that I manage to hold in as I look at Ethan’s concerned face. He can’t read whether I’m happy or not.
“You didn’t?” is all I can say, as my eyes scan again over a workbench that looks familiar with my work sprawled out over it. My tools. My gloves. In the back against the wall are various sizes and types of metals, bolts and everything else you can think of. A large panel mirror covers the rear of the large open space and on the far side wall are large old windows that let in the perfect amount of light. I’m fucking speechless.
Ethan holds out my hand and rests a bunch of keys in my palm. I look up into those dead eyes that have a hint of warmth about them as he looks at me.
“I did. This is your place. Your workshop. It’s time for you to fly, Leo.”
“It’s too much, Ethan. How the fuck am I supposed to pay you back for this? I told you I didn’t want to be a kept man.”
“I’m investing in you. You need this space in order to do the work I require as your first customer.”
“What? What kind of work?”
“I want you to create a large infinity sculpture that I can place in each of my hotel lobbies. I want a piece of you everywhere I own. Plus it should get you some more customers, good marketing.”
“Are you serious?” I say, excitement building in my belly. I already can’t wait to get started. My own workshop. My own business.
“Yes. When you have made a profit worth fifty percent of the building price, you can buy it back off me. If that makes you feel better.”
I throw myself at him, my arms wrapping around his neck, and I kiss the fuck out of him. I’ve never felt so wanted. So supported and it comes at a cost, but fuck it. I’m happy. And that happiness catches me off guard because I say something I don’t intend on saying.
“I love you so much. Thank you.” Shit. Why did I say that? I bury my face in his neck hoping he didn’t hear me because I know he doesn’t believe in love as the rest of the world understands it.
“Never be embarrassed to say that to me. It’s nice,” he says, and I pull back.
“Nice?”
“Yeah. I think you should tell me everyday.”
“Your ego is unbelievable, you know that?”
“Of course, and you love it.”
“I know I shouldn’t ask, but do you love me, or feel anything?”
“Leo, love is not the right word for what I feel about you. I’m obsessed with you. I need to know where you are at all times, I want to know every thought, every emotion. I want to claim you everyday. It’s in my blood to crave you. I refuse to live without you, Leo.”
