Chase laughs. “When’s the last time you got laid?”
“Two weeks ago,” I shoot back. “And it’s none of your business.”
Two weeks ago in a hotel in Vegas, and nearly six months before that, although I don’t mention that last detail to Chase.
“It is my business if you scare all the flavor out of the garage. Little Joe needs to learn professionalism, you’re damn right. But you could learn to have some fun. If we’re going to be a hub for gay bikers, we need to be a place people can hang without fear that you’ll come and rip their heads off.”
“And your grand idea is that I need to get laid?”
“Just seemed like an easy place to start.”
I study him. “I’ll get a beer with you after work again, but that’s about as much socializing as you can expect.”
Chase frowns.
“What?”
“Yes to the beer. But we’re going to need a little more socializing than that. There’s a small business association barbecue in a couple of days. All the business owners in the gayborhood will be there, I hear. And I’m going to need you to be my date.”
I tap my head back against the brick wall. “A barbecue? Why the hell do you need me for that? You know I’m not an owner.”
“But you and I are running this thing together, so I asked for a plus-one,” he says. “And you know with all the renovations, I haven’t had time to introduce myself around town properly.” He clasps my arm. “All you have to do is come and be my big, silentdiesel bear. Exchange names, shake hands, grunt. It’s better in the long run if you know your way around town, too, and you know it.”
“If I come, you have to swear you’ll never call me a diesel bear again. Or any kind of bear. As a matter of fact, no wildlife comparisons or gay slang terms at all. I’ll walk out.”
“It’s a deal,” Chase agrees. “I’ll text you the details.”
I rub my hands together as I glance back in the garage. The crew is in motion, everyone staying busy and keeping their heads down after my outburst. I’m glad to see how much they’re getting done, but I can’t deny that Chase is right. The atmosphere is clearly lacking the spark that I noticed when I first came in today.
Whatever. Who needs fun? It’s not like we’re running a damn ice cream shop.
