“I meant to ask you out for a real one, but I wanted to do it in person,” Cody said.
“No.” Kyler jumped in. “I asked you but screwed it up. And I don’t need something fancy. Dinner out for Chinese and a movie. Free tomorrow night?”
Cody frowned. “I can be. I need to talk to Bev and Avery about changing to a bartending job. If you’re sure you want to keep dating or whatever we’re doing.”
Unable to find the words, Kyler kissed Cody hard. He knew what was real and somehow believed it would work out, but nothing seemed to get through. “I love you. I know, I know it’s too soon and stupid. But love is crazy, and I’m not going to run or freak out again. I’ll do my part and more. The jealous stuff is all because we haven’t done this in a normal way. I want a boyfriend.”
Cody grinned tightly and took a deep breath. “As long as I keep my clothes on?”
“I’d prefer if you only danced naked for me. Yeah.” Kyler exhaled slowly. “I might as well tell the whole truth and yes. I don’t want to hear about you filling for anyone or last minute substitute because a guy twisted or sprained something. I know it’s not fair to expect you to change, but you do seem to like bartending.”
Cody smiled. “I do. I like talking to Avery and not being pinched. But it’s my decision when I want to make any changes. That’s not up to you or a condition of dating.”
“I offer free car repairs for life, and I’ll bring my friends here on bar nights. Since we’re all paired off now, it doesn’t need to be sad gay singles nights. We can hang here while you’re tending the bar and enjoy the show.” Kyler didn’t mind Big D’s nearly as much when he imagined Cody behind the bar.
“You don’t have to fix my car. It’s a rust bucket. Love isn’t about how much money you have or how nice your things are versus mine. Love is about trust, and it’s not always equal or the way you want it to be. You are asking for huge changes, and you need to remember that customers might still slip me numbers even if I’m behind the bar. It’ll be much easier to say that I’m taken without blaring music overhead, but I don’t want you getting into any fights over me.”
“Damn, no. I won’t get into fights. I trust. I know I’m not a big hunk as you are. Or flirtatious and coy like some of the men here. I never fit in a nice box and maybe that wore on my confidence a bit. But I want a date night once a week, even if it’s just popcorn and movies at my place. I can cook. I just want a little special time that isn’t after work grabbing food.” Kyler shrugged.
“Do you even care what I want?” Cody folded his arms.
“Of course, I do. You don’t want a nice, middle-class life with date nights and a dog?” Kyler asked.
“I want a relationship where I’m an equal.” Cody moved in close. “I’m not dumb. I’m not your arm candy. I’ve been treated like that enough. I thought you were different because you did all this charity work. But you’re a snob looking down your nose at the guys on stage. My friends.”
Kyler felt the power shift, and panic set in. “No, I like Avery, and I respect that you’re willing to work hard. That’s paying your own way. But get real. I’ve been honest. Maybe blunt and harsh about it, but I’m not good at subtle. I’m a mechanic. I don’t look down at anyone. I work on people’s cars. I make good money, but people love to look down on those of us in service jobs. If a hose is busted, you pull it out and replace it. This is what it’ll cost. I tell it as I see it. The kids at the shelter appreciate it.”
“That doesn’t mean you get to dictate my life. Maybe I like stripping. The money and the tips. The attention. If I’m not cheating, what’s it to you?” Cody stuck a finger in Kyler’s chest.
Pushing Cody’s finger away, Kyler needed to diffuse fast. “I’m not going to let this fight turn physical. You’d beat the crap out of me. I don’t want to date a stripper. I want a guy I can take home and not have to explain to my mother. I want us to go out at night and have fun. I want to pool our salaries and make it that way instead of my boyfriend doing something degrading.”
“Who says it’s degrading? I’m not your responsibility. If I like it, tough shit for you. Then don’t date me.” Cody stormed toward the door.
“No, you don’t!” Kyler shouted.
“What? I don’t dare walk out on you?” Cody asked snidely.
“You don’t want to strip. I can see it in your eyes. I knew it from day one.” Kyler rubbed the back of his neck. “If working at the shelter has taught me anything, it’s how to tell when people are lying. Teenagers lie a lot. Some lie about their families, if they were abused. Some lie to themselves—they act tough when they need a hug. They act as if nothing hurts them when they’re in a damn shelter with no one coming to get them. I’m not a shrink, but I’m good at cutting through the crap. Teenagers appreciate it more. Someone cares enough to look them in the eye and really listen. I may not be any good, but I’m trying to help, and I get it. I don’t mind helping with real issues. I might not have the best people skills, but I don’t lie. You don’t want to get naked on a stage for money. Tell me I’m wrong.”
Cody’s eyes went cold, and he shook his head. “I’m not a fucking teenager.”
Kyler watched Cody leave and knew he’d ruined something great because he couldn’t be patient. He couldn’t keep his mouth shut. The only tiny bit of hope he had left was that Cody hadn’t told Kyler was he wrong. They both needed to cool and think.
* * * *
Parking at Kyler’s place, Cody took a deep breath. Kyler had invited him over, and they needed to talk. Cody had done a great job of trying to ice Kyler out for a week, but he had to give the guy credit. Despite Kyler’s pushy style, he had reduced his volunteer schedule in hopes of spending more time with Cody. He’d made friends with Cody’s friends at the strip club. Meanwhile, Cody had never even been to Kyler’s work.
Their styles were very different, but honesty was so rare and shocking that Cody had almost let a good relationship go because he was afraid of the truth. The only way to know how this would go was to head inside.
Cody made sure his car was locked and headed to the front door. He knocked and heard Kyler call. Cody tried the door, and it opened. He locked it behind him and felt more at home here than he had in his own place all week.
Kyler walked out to the living room. “Hi, thanks for coming.”
The scent of garlic wafted through the house. “What smells so good?”
“I’m just making some pasta. Thought we could have dinner. If you’re willing to hear me out.” Kyler smiled. “I’m sorry I pushed you. I treated you as if you needed my help or input. You don’t. I stand by what I said about stripping, though. I don’t think you really want to do it.” He took a breath. “I came from a family where we didn’t talk about anything. It was a whitewash sort of life until I came out. I’m a lot happier with honesty. It might not work for you. But I meant what I said. I love you, and you deserve to be happy.”
Smiling, Cody took a step closer. “That’s certainly better. You were a bit of a bully with your opinions. There is more than one right answer.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I need to learn to say nothing when I have nothing nice to say. But you can be brutally honest with me, too. That’s the good flip side of this.” Kyler looked at the ground as though waiting for the insults.
“You were pushy and out of line. But you also were out of your element and turned it into a great thing for that shelter. You care, which comes off as controlling and jealous at times.”
“I don’t want to control you. I want you to be real with me. I want the real you all the time.”
Cody laughed. “The real me drives a crap car and works two jobs. If you don’t want to run things in my life, why offer to fix my junker car?”
Kyler sighed. “I don’t care
what
you drive, I care that it’s safe and will get you there. I don’t give a damn about labels. I get a deal at work so I have a used Lexus. I can get you a deal if you want. Do I get any points for wanting you safe?”
Cody finally got the guy he’d fallen for. Kyler’s heart was in the right place, but deep down he wasn’t the alpha male he tried to pretend to be. He wanted to take care of people and make it better. The teenagers, the cars, and his friends.
Cody wrapped his arms around Kyler’s neck and kissed his forehead. “Lots of points. But you have to let me take care of you, too. And talk rather than proclaim the truth as you see it.”
“I can do that. I won’t be perfect, but I’m trying.” Kyler looked Cody in the eye. “So we can try this again?”
“Considering you were right, and I don’t want to be a stripper, I’d be crazy not to give it another try. You reduced your volunteer schedule to have time for me. Fair is fair. I’m done with dancing. Not even a fill-in. I’m a paramedic during the day, and I’ll bartend on Friday and Saturday nights, but the rest of the week is ours.” Cody kissed Kyler gently on the lips.
Kyler hugged him tightly, and Cody relaxed in his boyfriend’s arms. The guy had quirks, but he wasn’t as mean or harsh as he first seemed. Cody could help him soften the edges just as Kyler could help Cody get a deal on a new car. That was what a relationship was, after all, right? Give and take with no scoreboard.
Cody wanted to change anyway. It wasn’t only to keep Kyler in his life. It was what he wanted, and Kyler had just read him right.
Kyler led Cody into the kitchen. He could smell garlic bread in the oven.
“You’re spoiling me,” Cody said.
“Come on, it’s a ten dollar dinner. Besides, you adjusted things for me.” Kyler smiled. “Ken wasn’t annoyed?”
“No, he knew I wouldn’t last forever. I guess I wasn’t faking it as well as I thought. I’d been thinking of going to the bar instead of the stage. Men don’t get serious about a stripper. Not the good ones. I want a life, not just money. I was so one-track I almost missed the best guy who ever walked into that bar.” Cody nipped Kyler’s neck as he stirred the pasta in boiling water.
“Please. I’m a misfit. You’re a big sexy hunk who saves lives in your day job. You’ll always find someone.” Kyler turned off the heat.
Cody grabbed the pot and poured the contents into the strainer waiting in the sink. “You really think the stripper label doesn’t matter? You are handsome, hot, and can fix things. I mean you could pick up so many guys just saying you give rim and lube jobs for a living.”
“Now you’re making me sound like a porn star?” Kyler grabbed a wooden spoon and batted Cody’s ass until he moved away from the noodles. “I guess we’re both misfits.”
“We don’t need to fit into anyone’s stereotype or label. We fit pretty damn well together. Avery is glad we’re back together. He is also happy to have a reliable bartender. But he was acting weird.” Cody frowned.
Kyler nodded. “You’re right. Are you okay about talking at the shelter? You can get a male nurse if you would rather. Just preferably gay.”
“Right, I forgot.” Cody pulled his phone from his pocket and set it on the kitchen table. “I talked to Mary on the way over. She is a lesbian and about twenty-five. She would be happy to come and talk to the girls. I’ll call Harry and figure out a date that works for everyone.”
“Thanks.” Kyler put the pasta in a big bowl and added the sauce.
Cody saw hesitation in Kyler’s face. “What?”
The oven dinged, and Kyler pulled out the garlic bread. “You’re really not mad about the job thing? I don’t want you to pull this out in ten years and say I really did bully you into quitting.”
Cody put the hot pieces of bread in a basket before he kissed Kyler. “Are you serious about changing your volunteer schedule?”
“Of course. I already did it. I was off balance. Too much work and volunteering. I like to help, but now he can afford more paid staff. It works out. It feels right.” Kyler shrugged.
“Same here. I got so money-obsessed, I didn’t see what I was missing. Bartending is a good option. Not as much money, but I can’t do it all at once. I was pushing myself so hard, I didn’t have a life. I want one with you.” Cody led Kyler to the set table.
“I want that. More balance for both of us.” Kyler dished out pasta.
Cody grabbed some drinks from the fridge and sat down. “There will be. You spoiled me with dinner. I get to spoil you in bed later.”
Kyler blushed and grabbed a piece of garlic bread.
“I don’t hear any objection,” Cody teased.
“Spoil me the way I like. I love it.” Kyler nodded.
“I love you.” Cody grabbed Kyler’s hand.
“I love you too. But don’t go soft on me in bed.” Kyler winked.
“Not a chance.”
* * * *
After all the dishes were put away, Kyler stripped off his clothes and headed for the bedroom. Cody was turning on the dishwasher, and Kyler could barely wait. He pulled out a condom and the lube before he stretched out on his back on the bed, totally naked.
Cody strolled in and stared down as Kyler’s cock grew hard.
“What’s your fantasy?” Cody asked.
Kyler smiled. “I don’t know. You.”
Cody undressed slowly. “I’ll do you plenty. Where do you want it?”
For a second, Kyler paused. “The back of your ambulance. If you won’t get in trouble.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Cody knelt naked on the bed and spread Kyler’s legs.
“What if we’re caught? Seen?” Kyler closed his eyes as Cody rubbed lube on Kyler’s asshole.
“It’s my workplace, not yours. I’ll bend you over any fancy car you want in that garage, if you like.” Cody slid on the protection.
Kyler tensed. “I’m up for a promotion. If I get it, you can fuck me at my desk. Maybe after hours if I can find out where all the cameras are. I can’t get fired.”
As Cody filled him, Kyler scooted closer and relaxed to take it all.
“That’s okay. We’ll find plenty of fun.” Cody pinched Kyler’s nipples.
“Oh God, Cody. Fuck me. I really get this all the time?” Kyler could not believe he had found a guy who liked what he did and did not judge him. Cody wasn’t freaked out by the shelter work or anything about Kyler.
“As much as I want.” Cody leaned down and kissed Kyler. “Jerk your cock now.”
Kyler didn’t argue. His dick pulsed in agreement as he gripped it and gently slid the shaft through his hand.
“Harder and faster. I want to watch you come like a fountain all over yourself.” Cody buried his dick all the way and held Kyler’s attention.