He leans forward, intrigued. “You write stories?”
“Fantasy, mainly.”
“And he likes men?”
“Yeah, he does.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Hold up. Are you writing... sexy stories?”
“None of your damn business,” I bark, really not wanting to get into that part of it with him. Hard enough to admit I’m interested in an amazing stranger from the internet who might not even be real.
Damn it, this is all so humiliating.
“The point is, I let slip that I’m in New York, and now we’re thinking about meeting up. I just have to decide if I want to do it.”
Chase nods, impressed. “Cool,” he says. “What kind of meetup are we talking here? A hookup? A date? Friends?” He studies me. “Have you seen a picture of him, or is this a possible catfish situation?”
“That’s the thing. I don’t know what I want from him, or what I will want. And you’re right. He and I have never even seen each other. Hell, he might take one look at me and take off running. You know I’m no social butterfly. So what am I even thinking, right? I should probably just keep things simple, keep writing our stories and enjoying the thing we do have. I guess you’re right. I’ll cancel it.”
Chase gives me a teasing smile. “Damn. You really like this guy.”
I bury my face in my hands. “Fuck me.”
“Maybe he will, if you’re lucky. Although how you’re attracted to someone you’ve never seen, I’m not sure.”
Bad enough I’m so worked up about MorningEnthusiast. The fact that I’m still imagining Finn half the time I picture him only makes this all the more pathetic.
“You’re right. It’s ridiculous. I suck.”
Chase chuckles. “That’s not what I said. And I doubt he’d turn and run away. You’re a good-looking guy, Riley, and you’d be a catch if you ever decided to settle down. The fact that you like each other so much just from exchanging emails, that seems like a good reason to give it a chance, if you ask me. Which you are.”
I nod, glad to hear from someone else that I don’t seem like a total sap. “Still makes me sick to my stomach, the idea of putting myself on the line like that.”
“I get it,” he says. “Like we were telling the PR team, bikers are a peculiar bunch. And you’ve always liked to keep to yourself. I know you’re not close to your family, and I know you haven’t had a lot of friends, especially growing up. But you’ve been a good friend to me.”
“On top of being the biggest kid in my class, I was a gay nerd obsessed with fantasy novels and auto repair. Like I told you at the bar months ago, of course I didn’t have many friends. No one knew what the hell to do with me.”
Chase shrugs. “This guy might know what to do with you. Worth giving it a chance, at least.”
I nod. “Thanks, buddy. I appreciate it.” I reach out and pat his arm. “You’re a good friend to me, too.”
“Maybe you should tell some of your story on our social media account. It’s the kind of tearjerker those PR types love.”
I laugh. “I’d rather trade my chopper for a tricycle.”
Chase grins. “Now that’s something I’d love to see.”
Before I head back to the garage to start the day’s work, I pull up a new email to MorningEnthusiast. If I’m going to do this, I better pull the trigger before I chicken out.
Let’s meet up. When are you free?
