Chase chuckles. “Doubt the mechanics will go for that. I heard it requires themed costumes.”
Sloan shrugs. “Pride should be enough. We’ll be in touch.”
After they exit, Chase and I share a glance.
“Social media,” I say. “You had a Myspace when I first met you, if I remember. You still got the password? I think you had swoopy emo hair in the profile pic.”
“Fuck off,” he says with a sigh. “But what the hell else are we going to do? The entire gayborhood hates us, and I’ve sunk my life savings into this business. Not to mention the loans I took out, and the promises I made these mechanics. We’ve got big plans.”
I rub my friend’s shoulder. “Right. We’ll do what we’ve got to do.” I hesitate for a moment, remembering Finn’s request fromthe bookstore. “And maybe that could include the scavenger hunt? We still need to shut down for an afternoon to install the two extra lifts. We could close for Sunday, schedule the work then, and free the mechanics up to form a team.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Did you just suggest something social? And withthemedcostumes?”
“I wouldn’t do the scavenger hunt. Hell no.” The idea horrifies me. “The mechanics would. They can call themselves the scavengers or something. Dress like rats and vultures so they still feel cool.”
“How would we convince them?”
Finn asked for discretion when he made his request. He and I butt heads all the time, but my gut tells me that he wouldn’t steer me wrong on this. He’s not a liar, and especially on this matter, when it comes to the gayborhood, I know he wants what’s best. If the PR team suggests it, too, it’s worth considering.
No better way to get the protest to go away for a day than shutting down the business they’re protesting.
“It’s a way for us to participate,” I tell Chase. “The gayborhood here, it’s a unique place, and we should be part of making it special, not a detriment to everyone’s success. We could offer the mechanics their hourly rate to sweeten the deal.”
He frowns. “So, spending more of my money?”
“We’ll have to shut down to schedule the installation eventually,” I point out.
Chase sighs. “Okay. Let me see what’s possible.” He shakes his head. “It’s all headaches lately. You regret taking me up on this mess? I know I promised a good time, metal shows and biker parties.”
“It’s fine.” I give him a nod so he knows I mean it. “And you know I’m not here for the parties. Hell, I got a new book to read tonight. That’s all I need.”
“I guess that’s something.”
I think again about the encounter with Finn in the bookstore. Just goes to figure he’d be after the same novel as me. Seems I can’t turn around without seeing that guy, and despite how hard I’m trying to forget our encounter at the con, he’s still occupying my fantasies, too.
The charge between us is electric. I’m not always sure if that’s a good thing or just trouble, but every time I see him, my pulse kicks and my thoughts get all fuzzy.
Haven’t told Chase what happened, and I hope I never will. Finn and I said we were leaving it in that hotel room, so things can stay professional. No reason to bring it up. Too embarrassing.
Must be all the pressure is building, though, because I decide I am ready to share with Chase about the other thing currently taking up all my head space. I need some perspective instead of continuing to stew in my own doubts.
“I’m considering meeting up with a guy,” I tell him, blurting it out of nowhere.
Chase perks up. “Oh yeah? Someone from an app or 'round the garage?”
I shake my head. “No. He’s a guy I’ve known for quite a while. Going on a few years now.”
“Here in Buffalo? How’s that?”
“No. Somewhere in New York. I’m not sure where.”
He tightens his brow. “Now you’ve lost me.”
I sigh, feeling self-conscious to admit this, but push ahead. “We met on a message board, talking about a fantasy show we both liked.” I rub my chin. “We liked it at first, at least. The last season was even pretty decent, except for some characterization issues. But when they got to the last episode?—”
“Hold up,” Chase cuts me off. “You’re losing me. Is this all necessary?”
“Right.” I swallow and keep rambling. “We got chatting, is the thing, and started writing to each other. We’ve kept it anonymous, so I don’t know much about him. But in another way, I really do know him. And the thing is we write stories together.”
