Sweat beaded on Raja’s back, and the muscles in his arms burned until he unclenched his fingers from around his phone. He couldn’t really be missing David, could he?
“There we go,” Lucky said with a big smile and brushed hairs off the dude before letting him out of the seat. “Good as new.”
“Looks good, kid. Thanks. I don’t wanna look like fuckin’ Santa when I go meet my girl.”
The customer exchanged a few more words with Lucky and went on his way, leaving Raja alone with the bubbly gay barber, who also happened to be the partner of the most dangerous man around. It was strange. With Tooth being hot as he was, he didn’t have to settle on just one guy, and while Lucky was handsome and pleasant, what was it that made him so special that Tooth chose to give up on other guys for him?
Lucky turned the armchair toward Raja in invitation. “I was hoping you’d come at some point. You want something in particular?”
Raja smiled and sat in the barbering chair. He wondered if Lucky knew what David had been up to lately. “A bit of maintenance, really. My hair and beard are getting a bit too long.”
“Cool.” Lucky put the black cape over Raja and looked at him in the mirror. “I could do a cut. No problem. Beard too? It’s so nice and thick, I bet you get all the guys swooning over you.”
Raja smirked and held Lucky’s gaze in the mirror. He knew he needed to flirt with this one if he wanted to get something out of him. “I can’t say they aren’t. You must know a lot about this.”
“Yep, but no bitch dares go near my Tooth.” Lucky beamed at Raja in the mirror before nudging his head toward the sink.
Raja laughed. “I know. He’s hot stuff, isn’t he?”
“Hell yes he is. You got a date that you’re getting a brush-up?”
Raja clenched his eyes, happy that Lucky couldn’t see him scowl. “Not really. I have too much work for that now.”
“Whoa! The stud of Toledo has too much work for dates? Just a hookup then?” Lucky snorted, but there was no denying his fingers did feel nice as Lucky worked the shampoo into Raja’s scalp.
“You seem to know a lot about my dating life,” said Raja, relaxing to the slick massage. “And they are all hookups. I’m not the dating type.”
“Oh, you know, people talk. It’s not a big deal. Everyone should do their own thing, that’s what I always say. The flowers and candy deal isn’t for everybody.”
“I guess,” said Raja. “Tooth doesn’t seem like the type either.”
There was a short silence, so he must have caught Lucky off-guard. “Tooth? We’re getting married soon-ish.”
“I know. It’s just that he’s such a serious man. Can’t imagine him running around with a bunch of roses.”
“No need to. He has his own ways of making me happy. So who’s the hot hookup tonight?”
Raja smirked. So this was a no-go topic. “There’s no one. I really have too much on my mind right now. You know how it is sometimes.”
The massage became almost sensual, and it had a shiver going down Raja’s spine. He needed to get laid soon. “Yeah, I can imagine. Club prez always has stuff to do. Tooth is always busy too, though we always find some time to chill out. You shouldn’t put it off or your balls will go blue.” Lucky laughed.
Raja didn’t know how to answer that. “Any suggestions other than Grindr?” he asked in the end, wondering if he could somehow turn this conversation to David. As Asty’s brother, Lucky undoubtedly knew what was going on with him. It could also mean that Lucky knew about the bet and was out to cut Raja’s throat. That would have been an undignified end for a Coffin Nails club president.
“Oh, yeah! I know. What about Hunter’s brother, David? He came out lately. I knew it from the second I saw him. He’s cute. I bet he’s also pretty cock-starved after his Catholic school. You think he’s into spanking? Apparently it’s a thing after church school.”
Emotion hit Raja at once, and it took him a few seconds to speak up again. “I don’t think I’m the type of guy he’d want. After Catholic school? He’s probably still untouched.”
Not anymore, Raja’s brain reminded him.
“Hard to say what he’d want. Hunter sure didn’t know. It was so funny. He came here the other day, and he was so awkward asking me if I knew any guys David could potentially date. I made him work for it. I suppose a guy like David needs all the help he can get.”
Raja frowned, and his first instinct was to lash out. What kind of dig at David was this? Lucky was done with the washing, and he let Raja sit back in the chair while he dried his hair with a towel. “I’ve met him. He’s good-looking. I’d say he should be fine. Does Hunter think there’s something wrong with him?”
Lucky sighed. “Come on, he’s so shy. It’d be like enticing a snail out of its shell. Hunter said he wanted David to meet someone upbeat so he’d stop moping around.”
Raja’s breath caught, but he kept his cool and asked, “And did you find someone?”
Lucky gave Raja a bright smile. “Hell yeah I did. I know this barista who works not far from the Flower Crown, and he’s seen David around. I talked to him, and he was up for a date.”
Raja forced himself to smile, even though his stomach clenched with discomfort. “What kind of guy is he?” asked Raja, glancing at the narrow band of David’s no-longer valid purity ring on his pinky.
“He’s a fun guy. Up for sex but not sleazy. Might get David out of his rut. The brain goes weird if you don’t get off once in a while, right?”
“Right,” said Raja, but his face was flushing. Up for sex. What did that even mean? David didn’t need a charity fuck from some random pathetic barista. “So they haven’t been on that date yet?”
“Nah, but they’re going tonight. I told Hunter to give David condoms just in case. You should have seen the look on his face! He went so red!” Lucky laughed out loud as he combed through Raja’s hair.
Raja’s heart started rushing, and he licked his lips, squeezing his hands on the armrests to keep himself steady. This was nuts. Why would David go on a date, a mere three weeks after the shitty misunderstanding? It was fucking dismissive, and yes, a bit hurtful. As if David was already done with whatever the two of them had and moved on. No matter what he’d declared to Raja in the throes of the moment, it had all been an infatuation after all.
“I hope they chose a romantic venue. David seems to be the type to like this kind of thing.”
“I think it’s some restaurant around where they both work. Pretty boring if you ask me, but whatever. I don’t envy Tommy if they do end up fucking though. First timers can be a hassle.”
Raja gritted his teeth. “I don’t know. I think they’re perfectly fine if they want to learn,” he said in the end.
“I guess everyone has to start somewhere. And some people, like me, just have a natural flair for it, you know?” Lucky winked at Raja.
Raja laughed, even though all he wanted was to know more about David’s date. “Tooth’s a lucky man. Pun not intended.”
“I used to think I’d never settle down with one guy.” Lucky smiled, but it was different this time. A strange moment of tenderness on his face, unlike his regular bouncy attitude. “But it all changed when it came to Tooth.”
Raja swallowed, genuinely intrigued by the glow that was suddenly radiating off Lucky. Was this how it felt to be in love? He didn’t remember. “I’ve never felt that.”
Lucky patted his shoulders before reaching for the scissors. “Everyone’s different. Nothing wrong with fucking around. Gotta live a little, right?”
“Right. I wonder if David gets some tonight. What did you say the restaurant was called?” asked Raja casually, intent on sucking out as much information as he could.
Lucky frowned and looked up for a moment. “Don’t remember. Some Italian place.”
Raja was already boiling on the inside. “And probably after work...”
Lucky snorted and started making the first cuts. “Duh. It’s not like they’re gonna f
uck at the Flower Crown. Romantic though. Sex on a bed of tulips.”
Raja had fucked David in the flower shop, and it had been glorious. The memory brought a smile to his lips. “I hope they don’t choose roses. Your friend might not be happy if he gets his dick pierced by one.”
“Unless he’s into that.”
The conversation continued in a lighter tone, but the vast majority of Raja’s brain was focused on what he’d do after the visit to Lucky’s. David wouldn’t be done with work for another two hours, which gave Raja enough time to investigate the area around the Flower Crown and identify all the Italian places. He needed to see this guy Lucky set up David with, but most of all, he needed to see if David really was fine.
He kind of hoped he was. And yet he also hoped David wasn’t over him yet.
Chapter 23
David didn’t want to be here. Not that there was anything wrong with the smell of fresh pizza or the old photos of a Calabrian village on the wall. His date wasn’t bad-looking either.
Tommy was smiley, friendly, with some scruff on his chin, pretty green eyes, and a body that suggested he worked out. David had seen him around every now and then, so they had an easy starting topic of the Flower Crown, and the coffee shop Tommy worked at - Smokey Bean.
The problem was that David wasn’t ready to date yet. He couldn’t picture himself kissing Tommy. After three weeks of misery, he was beginning to worry that there was something permanently broken in him, and he would never be able to feel love for anyone again.
“Is everything okay?” asked Tommy, tilting his head and looking at David from across the table. It was almost like Asty inquiring whether David had even been listening to her for the past few minutes.
David smiled quickly. “Sure, I can never decide between breadsticks and garlic balls.” Yes, David. Talk about garlic on a date. Great idea.
Tommy smirked and leaned back into the plush backrest of their booth. The place was perfect for dates, as the dividers were quite tall, ensuring any potential couple enough privacy to look each other in the eyes without feeling watched by everyone else. That was precisely the reason David didn’t want to be here with Tommy, but it seemed that his date found David’s absent-mindedness somewhat charming, since he still remained in his seat after David had gotten stuck in his own head several times already. That, or he really liked Italian cuisine.
“I like your piercing. It makes you look very edgy, especially since your look is so mellow overall,” said Tommy, reaching out over the table.
David backed away slightly, but Tommy still nudged his new septum ring with the tip of his finger. It wasn’t big, didn’t look as aggressive as Asty’s piercings, but he liked it a lot. Every time he glanced in the mirror, he was reminded of the changes in his life.
He got the piercing just two days after the fiasco with Raja. Asty had sat him down for a chat when he couldn’t suppress his own sobbing anymore, and David wouldn’t exactly say she talked him into the piercing, but they talked about taking life into one’s own hands, bodily autonomy, and one thing led to another.
The piercing did make him feel better. Like he really had left the old David behind and was showing the world that he wasn’t just a sweet Catholic boy. He wasn’t even sure if he was Catholic anymore. Definitely Christian, but Catholic? He didn’t want to step foot in that church again, and he definitely didn’t want to stay celibate forever, just because he was gay.
“I got a new haircut today too. Lucky did it for me.” David pointed to the tiny knot at the back of his head. The sides were cut short, but the strands that were longer, Lucky tidied up in a way so David could tie them. It was different from the hairstyles David usually wore, but he liked it. Change was good, and hair would grow back eventually, even if he got bored with the new style. Same went for the piercing. He could always change his mind in the future, so why not experiment?
It was a new realization for him, one that he’d never come to if he’d stayed at home and spent all his time with his church friends. For so many years he’d thought people like Hunter and Asty were weird and looked outrageous just to get attention, but now that he lived with them, he understood that their look—Hunter’s extremely long hair, Asty’s piercings and extravagant wardrobe—had nothing to do with other people and everything to do with them. Despite Hunter being in a motorcycle club, their lives were extremely normal, and currently filled with taking care of little Bell and mundane household chores. It was a refreshing perspective to have after a life of strict rules.
Tommy sipped his wine and shook his head apologetically when the waitress approached them. He knew David still wasn’t ready to order. “Yeah, I just wanted to say... that you changed throughout the summer quite a lot.”
David nodded. “It’s been… tumultuous. I only came out a few weeks ago. I’m still learning to navigate this thing.” And Hunter pushing him out on a date was the last thing he was ready for.
Tommy nodded. “I bet you feel you have a lot to catch up on. I know I had, way back when I came out. You’ll now want to have all the fun and all the guys,” he said, browsing through the menu.
“I think I’m ready to order.” What was David even doing here? He was wasting Tommy’s time. He wasn’t ready for this. “I want to take things slow, not jump in headfirst.” Too late for that, David.
Tommy’s eyebrows rose slightly, but he kept the smile on his face. “Sure, absolutely. Everyone moves at a different pace.”
God, this date was going to be both stressful and boring. “I hope that’s okay. I don’t know what Lucky told you…”
Tommy waved his hand. “He only had good things to say about you.”
Of course, more truisms. David had been warned that most dates weren’t explosions of lust and mental connection, but after experiencing the heat of Raja’s arms and the excitement of having a man like him by his side, would anyone be able to measure up to David’s expectations? He was glad the waitress saved him in time, giving him those few precious seconds to come up with a new topic. As a barista, would Tommy be excited to talk about coffee or resent it?
“Have you been working at the Smokey for a long time?” David, get a grip. You can do better. He smiled. “Do you like it there?”
Tommy opened his mouth, but then his eyes strayed away from David, who too sensed a presence right next to him. Then came a scent that was so familiar it immediately scrambled his brain, and he shifted farther along the sofa that encircled the table within the booth, away from the faded blue jeans and the big belt buckle depicting a grenade.
He looked up at Raja, and all at once, his heart skipped a beat, and all blood drained from his face. What was the meaning of this?
Tommy blinked a few times. “Um… hello,” he said with a frown, and it was good that he spoke, because David couldn’t choke out a word.
Raja looked especially dashing, with the far ends of his moustache artistically twirled, and his hair shining as if he’d just come out of a biker-themed photoshoot for GQ. He grinned, and his white teeth glimmered in the soft light of the single lamp above the table. “Would you take a hike?” he asked Tommy, patting his fingers against the tabletop. “I’ve got something to discuss with David.”
Tommy’s lips parted. “I… no. What the hell?”
David pushed a few inches farther behind the table. “What are you doing here? This is so rude.”
Raja glanced at Tommy, and for a few seconds, they both froze, as if communicating telepathically, until Raja smirked and looked back at David. “I’ve slept with him, and believe me, you two will not be compatible.”
Tommy clenched his hands into fists. “Shut it. That was… different.”
David stared between them, dumbstruck. Had Raja fucked every single gay guy in town? “What?” His heart started pounding like crazy at the thought of Raja in bed with someone else. “You don’t know what’s compatible with me,” he muttered, getting flustered already. Raja knew. He knew everything there was to know about compatibility.
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Raja winked at him and glanced at Tommy again, as if completely ignoring the tension he was creating in their peaceful, boring booth. “Look, Brad...”
“Tom,” hissed Tommy through clenched teeth.
“Tom, David here is mine, but lately he’s been a brat who doesn’t answer any of my fucking messages. He is not gonna sleep with you, so don’t waste your time here.”
David slouched, miserable and elated all at once. “I’m sorry, Tommy, maybe it’s better if—”
“I’ll go. You figure out whatever this fuckery is, and call me.” Tommy squinted at Raja once more, and got up without waiting a second longer.
Raja ignored him as he stormed off, and just sat down in the vacated spot across from David. He picked up the wine Tommy had been drinking just now and chugged it in one gulp. David felt as if his body got somehow hot-glued to the seat, and was already burning from the way Raja’s gaze caressed his body. It was not comparable with Tommy’s lukewarm compliments. Nothing compared to the burning passion within Raja.
“Nice T-shirt.”
David looked down in shame, his face flooded by heat. He shouldn’t have worn Raja’s old T-shirt to a date. Now Raja would assume David wasn’t over him, and sadly, he’d be right. He wore it all the time, just to feel some connection with Raja even though they weren’t together anymore.
“I— yeah, everything else was in the laundry,” he mumbled.
“I don’t believe you for a second. I bet you looked up ‘Terror Sisters’ and became a big fan,” said Raja leaning forward with his elbows on the table.
David did look up ‘Terror Sisters’. He wasn’t a fan. “It’s too much screaming. I mean… it doesn’t matter. What do you want?” But the tiny voice at the back of David’s head, the one that had no self-control and wanted to jump Raja’s bones, screamed, he said ‘mine’!
Heart Ripper Page 23
