Shifting Gears (Crossroads Series Book 2) (4 page)

“I just came,” Rod said.

Landon gave him a wide-eyed, panicked look.

“Not literally, but it wouldn’t take much for that to happen. You got a spare thirty seconds? Jesus, you’re sexy on that thing.”

Landon shook his head as though he didn’t know what to do with Rod. He was used to getting that look from people and had to admit, he liked it.

“You’re crazy,” Landon told him.

“I’m serious. I feel like I need a cigarette and I don’t even smoke.”

Landon winked at him. “I’ve been known to have that affect on people. Keep it in your pants, though. I came to say thank you.”

A heavy weight was lifted off of Rod’s chest. It shouldn’t be so important to him that Landon got the job. It wasn’t as though it changed his life in any way, but Landon was a nice guy. It was obvious how important it was to him that he got back to work, and Bryce was his friend. He wanted Bryce to have good help at the shop. See? It made sense. He was just being a good person. “You got the job?”

“I did.” Landon nodded. “I like your friend. He seems to really love what he does. That’s important to me. I think I’m going to like working with him. So, thank you. I appreciate you telling me about the job and putting in a good word for me.”

“Well, you know what they say…nothing in life comes for free,” Rod teased him, earning an eye roll from Landon. He shouldn’t think it was cute that Landon seemed a little overwhelmed by him, but he did.

“Do I want to ask?”

“Yes, you do.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Come on.” Rod walked over and nudged him with his arm. “It’ll be fun.” He let it sound like he was kidding, but both he and Landon knew he was serious. He was attracted to Landon. Landon was single. Why not have a little fun together?

“Do you hit on everyone you meet?”

“Nope,” Rod replied. “Just you. Actually, that’s partially a lie. It’s not limited to you, but I’m not a complete free for all, either.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m fun.”

“I’m not fucking you.”

Rod pretended to be offended. He stepped back, crossing his arms and said, “I’m shocked. Who said I wanted to fuck you…? And wait. Why aren’t you?” It wasn’t any different than meeting someone at a club and going home with them, or looking for a hook-up on an app. Consenting adults and all, why shouldn’t they sleep with each other if they wanted to? But apparently he was the only one doing the wanting.

Landon ignored his question and asked, “How about I buy you a beer or something?”

“I’m at work.”

“A minute ago we were talking about fucking.”

“I’d make time for sex.” Beer or sex. Was that even a question?

“Then make time for a beer later.”

Even though he enjoyed the banter, Rod knew he needed to get back to work. He had a good time teasing Landon, though. “Fine, if you insist. I’m off Mondays and Tuesdays. I’m going on record saying that I think fucking is better than beer, but apparently you don’t agree. I’ll text you this weekend.”

Rod turned to walk away, but Landon grabbed his arm before he could leave. “I won’t fuck you because I like you. I don’t fuck people I like. Sex and friendship don’t typically go together with me. Too much hassle. You’re a fun guy. We could be friends, and I would like to have a few of those right now. If I fucked you, I’d stop talking to you, and I don’t want that to happen. I’m telling you right now that’s the only reason I’m not taking your ass. Otherwise, it already would have been mine.”

Landon winked at him and then pulled his hand back. He put his helmet on, started his bike, and walked it backward before he was out of the space.

I won’t fuck you because I like you.

You’re a fun guy. We could be friends.

Landon’s words played through his head. It was the first time in his life someone had said something like that to him. Typically when it came to attraction, hell when it came to anything, people either weren’t interested in him, or they fucked each other and walked away.

If I fucked you, I’d stop talking to you, and I don’t want that to happen. I’m telling you right now that’s the only reason I’m not taking your ass.

Rod was still standing there sorting through his thoughts when Landon drove away.

“Where are you off to?” Landon’s mom asked Monday evening just before he was about to walk out the door.

“I’m going out for a beer with Rod. He’s the guy I met who told me about the job.”

She smiled at him. Shanen had the same smile as their mom. It was a smile that said,
tell me more. Tell me everything, so I can give you advice.
“A date? Will you be home tonight?”

She meant well, he knew that, but he really didn’t know how long he could handle living here if she wanted to know where he was going, and when he’d be home every time he left. He was a grown man. He had a key. He could let himself in. That’s all that mattered.

It was odd. She seemed to check up on him more now than she did when he was a kid—Where are you going? When will you be home?

“No date. He’s a friend.” Which apparently Rod didn’t like very much. Not that Landon could blame him. “I’ll be home tonight.”

“It’s fine if you’re not. You’re an adult, Landon. You can do whatever you want.”

“Thanks, Ma.” He winked at her, and she shook her head at him. “I really am beginning to think you’re trying to get rid of me.”

“You know that’s not true. I love my family. Family means everything.”

It did, or at least family should mean everything. Before they got onto a topic that Landon didn’t want to talk about, he said, “See you later,” and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Rod lived between Landon and the shop, along a scenic route where Landon could take the back roads. He’d looked up directions after Rod gave him the address, hoping he could stay off freeways. If he could, he always took side roads, just him and his bike without cars and people all around him.

A little over twenty minutes later he pulled up at Rod’s place. He was surprised to see he lived in a small house, in what looked like a family neighborhood. He wasn’t sure why he expected something different, but he had. It looked more conservative than what he imagined for the man who Landon saw as free-spirited.

He parked his bike, got off, and then walked to the door. He knocked twice before Rod answered, and holy shit did this feel like a fucking date. Landon wasn’t a dater, never had been and never would be. “This is weird. We should have met there.”

“Why?” Rod’s dark brows pulled together.

“This feels like a date.”

“No offense, but that sounds like a personal problem to me. We’re friends—as you told me. We’re going to have a beer. Friends are allowed to ride together.”

Okay, well now he felt like an ass. “I know. I just…you mentioned the sex and—”

“Hey! Don’t blame this on me. I mentioned sex on Friday night. It’s Monday. I’m over you.” Rod crossed his arms, giving him a cocky grin. Landon bit back a smile.

“Over me already, huh? That was quick.”

“The heart is fleeting.”

“Apparently so is the ass.”

“Apparently.” Rod stepped outside and Landon backed up so he could have space. “There’s a bar not too far from here we can go to. I’d suggest a restaurant, but then you might hyperventilate thinking it was a date. I only give mouth-to-mouth to willing participants and since you’re not, I’d hate to have your death on my hands.”

“Stop trying to make me feel like an ass.”

“Is it working?” Rod asked and again, Landon found himself wanting to grin. There was something addictive about Rod. Physically, he was definitely attractive. He was smaller than Landon—shorter and leaner. He had a kind smile and sharp, blue eyes.

Landon had to admit, he wasn’t typically into men with tattoos, but on Rod they weren’t bad, and he only had a few of them—a tribal design on the front of both of his forearms.

He wore eyeliner the first time Landon had seen him, but he hadn’t had it on Friday or today. He missed it. It gave Rod’s eyes a sexy, smoky appearance that Landon liked on him. Not that he should care how good Rod looked or didn’t look, which was exactly why he wasn’t going to mention his ass.

“I’m taking your silence as a yes.” Rod took the stairs on his small porch and went for Landon’s bike. “I’ve never ridden before. Is it as big a rush as you’d think?”

That question right there was enough to get Landon’s dick hard…and make his pulse hammer down. Most people who hadn’t ridden before were nervous. Rod’s excitement made Landon like him even more. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”

“You obviously haven’t had enough sex.”

He’d had plenty of sex and as good as orgasms were, bikes were a whole lot easier and less messy. Landon grabbed the second helmet and tossed it to Rod. “You’ll see what I mean when you ride. It’s the best fucking high there is.”

He couldn’t wait to show Rod what he’d been missing.

***

Rod held tight, his arms wrapped firmly around Landon’s waist. Wind rushed by them. They’d passed the bar a long time ago, left the city behind, as Landon took them down twisting, tree-lined roads. Energy buzzed inside him. It radiated off of Landon as well, little jolts of electricity transferring through him and lighting up Rod’s insides.

Riding motorcycles was definitely a rush.

He squeezed tighter as Landon leaned, taking a curve. His heart jumped into his throat, beating wildly. His fist knotted in Landon’s jacket as he righted them again, picking up speed on the straightaway.

It was fucking incredible.

He didn’t know how long they rode. His pulse sped too fast the whole time. Eventually Landon turned around and made his way back to town. He pulled up in front of the bar Rod had told him about, killed the engine, and put the bike on the stand.

Rod pulled off his helmet and stood. His legs shook. They felt like they had no bones in them. He must have nearly gone over because Landon reached out, and wrapped an arm around him. “You good?” he asked, concern in his voice.

Rod’s legs were starting to come back to him, so he pulled back. “I’m fucking great. That was amazing. Jesus Christ it was almost as good as sex. Wow… I never…” He wasn’t sure what to say. He never really thought riding a motorcycle would be his thing, but damn, it was like… “It’s almost like you’re not tethered to the earth anymore. You’re just flying, nothing but space around you.”

Landon cocked his head, little wrinkles forming on his forehead before he gave Rod the biggest smile he’d seen from the man. “Yeah…you took the words out of my mouth. That’s how I feel about it, too. I’m glad you love it. There’s nothing like it. We’ll take a day ride sometime if you want. Just fucking go for as long as we like. I’ll show you what she can really do.”

Landon’s voice shook with excited energy. Again it jolted Rod, hitting him in the chest. He nodded. “That’d be great.” He liked the idea of spending more time with Landon.

“Great. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you liked it. I’m looking forward to taking you out.”

He almost made a joke there about it sounding an awful lot like Landon was talking about a date, but he didn’t. Landon made it perfectly clear he wasn’t interested in dating Rod. He wasn’t sure why that made his gut twist. He didn’t want to date Landon either. He just wanted to sleep with him. “My stomach is a mess. I’m scared if I put anything in it, it’s going to come up again. It’s like I’m high or something.”

“Best kind of high there is.” Landon winked. “You’ll be okay though.” He swung his leg over the bike, and then they made their way toward the building. Landon pulled the door open for him, and Rod went inside.

“I feel badass now. I’m a biker dude.”

Landon let out such a loud laugh, he looked like he surprised himself.

“I’m wondering if I should be offended. Is there a reason me being a badass biker is funny?”

“Nope, not at all.” Landon grinned. “We should probably be on my Harley and not my sports bike for that. We’ll take the Harley out next time. It’ll be more comfortable for you to ride on anyway.”

He nodded at Landon and then spotted a table in the corner. Rod led him over, and took a seat. It wasn’t extremely busy since it was a Monday night, but there was definitely a crowd. It was the only gay bar relatively close that was a spot to just hang out rather than having dancing and go-go boys. Not that he had a problem with go-go boys. He quite liked them. He just wasn’t sure it fit for tonight.

“I know five minutes ago I said I couldn’t eat, but now I’m hungry. Is food okay or is that too much like a date for you?”

Landon rolled his eyes, but Rod could tell he wasn’t really angry. “Eat, and stop giving me shit.”

“I’m just wondering what part of wanting to have sex with you made you think I wanted to date you anyway?” It wasn’t as though Rod was looking to settle down. He wasn’t capable of that kind of thing.

“I didn’t say that. I don’t think it either. All I said was I like spending time with you. Sex and emotions fuck things up, even if it starts out as just having a little fun.”