“What do I have to do on my end?”
“I told him there would be people watching, making sure he kept his word. I also recommended he get a new job since he has such a problem working with a gay man.”
Sal made a growling noise. “He’s probably in the closet.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. I personally think he’s a homophobic prick who likes to bully people smaller than him.”
“Is there anything else I should know?” he asked.
“Not yet. But I told him I looked into him and that if he didn’t keep his word, every little secret he had would be blasted to everyone he knows.”
“You looked him up already?”
I chuckled. “Nah. I was lying my ass off. But he doesn’t know that. I’ll put Michael on it when he gets back to the City.”
“Excellent.” He let out a sigh. “Tony, I can’t thank you enough. This means a lot to me.”
“Anytime, Sal.” After a short pause, I asked, “So, are you going to ask Brendan out?”
After a long silence, he said, “I don’t know. You know what my life is. He’s such an innocent. It wouldn’t be right to bring him into my world.”
“I hear what you’re saying,” I replied. “But Brendan’s an adult. It should be his choice, shouldn’t it?”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it. Thanks again, Tony. I owe you one.”
“Anytime, Sal. You know I’m here for you.”
After I ended the call, I took a taxi back to my apartment. On the ride downtown, I opened my contacts to the newly acquired phone number of one Greg Hayden.
I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’d actually agreed to a friends-with-benefits arrangement. I hadn’t done that in more than ten years. It had always been so unsatisfying. What made me think this would be any different?
This was all Michael’s fault. I was tempted to call Greg and tell him I couldn’t do it. But then I remembered the look on his face when he told me he wanted to be my friend. He was living alone in a new city, trying to make a new life for himself. And I was trying to break the pattern of attaching myself to a romantic partner too soon. I could do this. I was an adult.
As I entered the lobby of my apartment building, I was reminded why I had decided to agree to Greg’s proposition. My ex-boyfriend, Luke, was leaning against one wall, his arms crossed, and a deep frown creasing his brow. “For fuck’s sake,” I muttered under my breath.
Luke launched himself off the wall as soon as he saw me. “Where have you been?” he demanded. “I’ve been here for over an hour.”
“I never asked you to come here, so that’s a you problem,” I retorted. “Why are you here?”
The asshole had the nerve to look hurt. “Come on, Tony,” he wheedled. “We can work this out. It was just a misunderstanding. Let’s go up to your place so we can talk about it.”
“No,” I replied curtly. “I took back my apartment key for a reason.”
His placating tone turned to acid in a split second. “You just can’t cut the apron strings from your little brother, can you? You let Michael run your life. He wants to split us up because he’s jealous.”
I stepped in close to him but kept my hands at my sides because I didn’t trust myself not to punch him in the face. “Keep my brother’s name out of your mouth. Michael didn’t do anything but point out what you were doing behind my back. You’re only mad because you got caught, and now you’re gonna lose your gravy train. Go find someone else to leech off of. We’re done here.”
His lip curled up in a snarl. “You still have my stuff at your place. I want it all back.”
“I told you Marco would bring it to you.”
“I want it all back now,” he insisted.
I clenched my jaw. “Fine. But you’re staying here. I’ll go up and bring it down.”
“How do I know you’ll bring it all?”
I leaned in close and said in a low growl, “Because there is nothing of yours that I want. I don’t want any reminders that you ever existed.”
