“What are you doing after the con tomorrow?” Dakota asked, giving Felipe a wicked smile that turned Brenden’s insides to ice. It was time to walk away, let Dakota and Felipe talk all the sex they wanted while he checked out the show.
Felipe cut Dakota a cool glance. “Not you.”
Brenden paused as he was about to get up. He’d never heard that tone of utter dismissal in Felipe’s voice before. He took a cautious look at the two of them. Dakota had an engaging smile on his face, the expression he used when he was about to wield all of his charm to wheedle his target around to his way of thinking, but from Felipe’s closed-off stance, he wasn’t going to buy into it.
“Ouch.” Dakota reached for Felipe’s hand as Felipe drew back. “You’re not still pissed about the other night, are you? I gave you time to calm down.”
Brenden winced. Sometimes Dakota could be such a clueless ass. Okay, most of the time. Yet somehow, Brenden still loved the bastard.
“Time to calm down…,” Felipe said in a dangerous voice. “Motherfucker, I am calm. I meant what I said. I’m done being the lower priority to him.” Felipe jerked his chin toward Brenden as Brenden stared at him in astonishment. He recognized the glitter in Felipe’s eyes. He’d seen it too often in his own.
“Wait a moment, you two. What the hell? Keep me out of your love spats.” Brenden held up his hands. “I have nothing to do with this.”
“Bullshit.” The fury had drained out of Felipe’s voice, and now he only sounded weary. “You have everything to do with this. Don’t play innocent. How many times did you invent needing something when Dakota and I had plans? Don’t even try to deny it.”
Guilt silenced Brenden’s tongue. He had done that a couple times. Maybe not as often as Felipe seemed to think, but it didn’t mean his hands were clean. The thought he’d played a part in Felipe’s genuine unhappiness pressed the thorns in deeper. He was a bastard all the way.
“Felipe, family comes first,” Dakota said. “He’s my brother.”
Damn, Brenden hated that word. He’d never wanted a brother. He had been cool with being an only child. Then he’d wound up with Dakota’s aunt and uncle as foster parents and he’d acquired three. Funny thing was, the two younger boys had become brothers to him. He loved them. It was just this one who stuck in his craw.
“You’ve made that clear. Now I’m making this clear, all this—” Felipe struck a pose, sweeping a hand over his lithe body as Dakota looked on appreciatively. “—is no longer your playground. Go find another sucker to sniff after.”
“Any chance you’ll think differently by the time game night comes around?”
“You don’t ever give up, do you?” Felipe leaned over, his lips inches away from Dakota’s. From his sudden grin, Dakota must’ve thought he was about to get kissed, but Brenden saw that hard edge in Felipe’s eyes. He wasn’t fucking around. “See these lips you like so much?”
“They are sexy lips,” Dakota said in a lazy drawl, his gaze fixated on Felipe’s mouth as he leaned in even closer. “Come on, let me buy you lunch. We can talk.”
“Not. Going. To. Happen.” Felipe straightened, spun on his heel, and flounced off.
Brenden shook his head. He had to give it to him—Suero knew how to make a scene. All eyes were on him, and he was eating up every bit of it. “Did you get dumped?” It was wrong of him to hope for a yes, and it didn’t stop him one bit.
“I think we both did. He included you in on that little rant.” Dakota followed Felipe with his gaze and then shrugged. “It’s probably a good idea to back off anyway. Felipe was starting to think about commitments I’m not prepared to give anybody. I came into this world a bachelor, and I’m going to leave as one. Sticking to one person, marriage, is for romantic fools.”
Brenden was a romantic fool, and Dakota was an idiot. They were a fucking pair. Brenden didn’t feel like sitting around to hear Dakota’s unique views on love. He didn’t even seem upset over the dissolution of a relationship that had been a big part of his life for months now. Suero was better off without the aggravation.
“I’m going to go see if the Awesome Con promoters have a few spare minutes to talk. I want to pick their brains about going from a smaller con to bigger, maybe set up a few talks with their VIP guests if they’ll let me.”
“Don’t forget to plug the podcast. And don’t forget we have tickets to meet Matt Smith and get our pictures taken. Who’s covering our table?” Dakota asked.
“Trask from the Magick Den is either going to come himself or send his guy. I’ll swing by his table and double-check in case they’re swamped.” Brenden angled his way through the crowd, ignoring the temptations of the tables he passed. It was easy to drop money at shows like this between the cost of the tickets, the costs of the photo ops, the hotel, and food. It left attendees reluctant to spare money for original art or handmade crafts that were awesome, but not inexpensive considering the hours put into making them.
It was a conundrum he still hadn’t solved in his plans for a bigger con. There was a balance that needed to be kept. The sale of vendor and artist tables helped to pay for the stars and convention rental, but every year he heard more complaints about how the vendors and artists weren’t recouping what they spent. If they started to bail on purchasing tables, where would that leave the rest of the con?
Brenden worried over it as he passed by a section of tables that held his Chessie Con regulars. He paused at the sight of Morris with his eye-catching banner. Now he was someone to consider. Brenden liked his style. Morris waved him over, a serious look on his face that sparked his curiosity. The Karlins were set up by him, their son Jaydon asleep on the floor behind them, his head pillowed on his backpack, wrapped up in his mother’s shawl. That kid had been coming to Brenden’s shows since he was stuck in a sling on his mama’s back. How he could sleep with all this going on, Brenden didn’t know, but he supposed it was as familiar as a lullaby to Jaydon.
“How’s it going, Morris?” Brenden asked as they shook hands.
“Okay, a little quiet right now.” Morris looked down at a notepad by his elbow. “I’m running a poll with all my friends. I want your opinion.”
Daphne leaned back in her chair and shook a crochet needle at him. “You’re overthinking it. It’s a date. A date you’re looking forward to. Put a cork in it and go get laid.”
Morris closed his eyes, and Brenden would’ve sworn he was blushing furiously. He made a mental note to never discuss his love life with either of the Karlins. What one knew, the other knew, and neither of them held back on an opinion. “Thank you for your input, Daph. Remind me you are not allowed to meet my sisters.”
“Is this the guy Dakota told me about? The one with the restaurant?” Brenden asked as Morris set aside his notepad with a sigh and a nod. “He told me there were some serious sparks between you two.”
“Yeah….” Morris smiled, his gaze going faraway. “Lots of sparks, but not lots in common, and I’m taking him out on a boat. What if we run out of things to say? I should’ve planned this better.”
Judging from the look in Morris’s eyes, Brenden didn’t think talking was going to be much of a problem. He was sure Daphne had the right idea. “I think you’ll be fine. You’re a laid-back guy. Go with the flow and don’t stress it too much.”
“Yeah.” Morris fisted his hand in his dreadlocks and shook his head. “Yeah, he’s got me all tied up, which is a good thing, right? Otherwise, what would be the point?”
“Exactly,” Daphne chimed in, going back to her project.
“I think my work here is done.” Brenden grinned at Morris. At least one of his friends was dating. He wished him luck. Really, that’s what he needed to do, go out on a few dates with somebody interesting. It had been a couple months. Other people’s relationships would bug him less if he wasn’t feeling so damned alone. “See you later. I hope all of Daphne’s dreams for you come true.”
“Thanks, man.” A bemused smile tugged at Morris’s lips.
Brenden paused to get his bearings. At shows like this, he needed to walk through and make a mental map at the beginning to orient himself. Banners stretched out in a long line, creating ragged borders behind tables. Walls of T-shirts and prints soared toward the ceiling in splashy displays. The con buzzed with life, sung with the din of an indoor bazaar. Vendors hawking, writers spieling, artists haggling over commissions, and over all that, fans discussing their favorite geekery of choice. There was something for everyone at a con, and Brenden loved this life.
The Magick Den’s booth took up a whole corner, and three people were manning the tables, doing a brisk business of dice sales, miniatures, and cards. Trask finished ringing up a sale and nodded to Brenden. “How’s it going on your end?” The owner of the Richmond game store had been a fixture of local cons since Brenden moved into the area as a teenager. Back then, he had more black in his hair than silver and an edge to him that had mellowed, but he’d always been a cool dude.
“We’re getting some interest for the next Chessie Con. A few new people signed up for tables.” Brenden eyed the wall that had been set up displaying dice bags and game maps. A bookshelf on the end held games and manuals. “Looks like you’re doing well.” Trask had brought along a considerable amount of stock. But he had a system and years of practice getting set up and ready. He knew how to gauge a show.
“People can’t seem to resist getting new dice.” Trask looped his thumbs through his jeans pockets. “Including your brother. He stopped by for a set and to talk about the newest Star Trek game.”
Dakota had always been a gamer, from board games to tabletop. He’d tried getting Brenden interested, but when he actually had some quiet time, he preferred reading instead of sitting around a table. “I’m not surprised. His group’s still looking for a new gamemaster. I’m surprised he hasn’t hit you up.”
“He hasn’t, but this cosplayer came by this morning and tried batting his lashes at me. I think he was angling for the same thing.” Trask shook his head with one of his slow smiles. “I’ve been too busy for gaming with a regular group, which is a sad state for a man in my business.” He rose on his toes as another customer waved at him. “Gotta go, but don’t worry. I’ve still got you covered if you need me.”
“Thanks man, I appreciate it.” Brenden turned away, checking off another task on his mental to-do list. If only he could organize his own life as easily as he did a show. Dakota was single… and that didn’t change a damn thing.
Chapter Ten
MORRIS WASN’T sure how Theo would feel about being up this early when he usually worked so late, but he hadn’t hedged when Morris suggested they meet at seven. Sure enough, when he got outside, Theo was waiting beside his car with a hamper and a thermos, not looking in the least bit sleepy. He had the inexhaustible energy of a mutant. That was the only explanation. Morris had nothing against mornings. He liked that quiet time to work, but he sure as hell didn’t run around chasing basketballs when he first woke up or dive into making breakfast.
He took a moment to appreciate Theo’s profile as his neighbor looked out toward the morning mist rising from the ground between the trees. His expression was relaxed without that little furrow between his brows that Morris realized was almost always present. He looked ready for the boat in sandals and dark blue swim trunks, with a pair of sunglasses perched on top of his tousled hair.
He turned toward Morris with a soft smile lighting up his face. “Mornin’.”
Morris stared at the Georgetown Hoyas basketball shirt he wore and shook his head. This fling definitely wasn’t meant to last. “Mornin’.” He thrust his chin toward the hamper. “Please tell me you didn’t get up extra early to cook for us.”
“Nope, leftovers from last night.” Theo’s gaze slid over Morris in a way that reminded him how long it had been since he’d had any kind of action. As much as he was looking forward to more of Theo’s stirring kisses, though, he was enjoying the thought of getting to know him better too. Perhaps the Hoya T-shirt could be forgiven, if Theo had a valid reason. Theo hefted the hamper into the trunk when Morris opened it. “You said there wouldn’t be access to food, and I really like to eat. So I raided our kitchen as we were cleaning up.”
“True, I was thinking of stopping by a donut place or something, but this works, thank you.” Morris glanced down at Theo’s upturned face, nerves suddenly jangling. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea for a first date. What if they ran out of things to talk about or—
His worries were effectively gagged when Theo kissed him. It was a quick kiss, enough to leave him wanting more, and the way Theo touched the side of his face made him think of a long afternoon of lazing and cuddling. Anticipation made him a little breathless. Theo had all but promised to get his hands on Morris, and he knew the perfect place where they could go for a little private time with scant worry anyone would come across them.
“So, uh, why the Hoyas?” Morris asked as his thoughts cleared.
“Oh.” Theo glanced down, that furrow appearing again between his brows. “My brother goes there. This fall is going to be his last year, I think.”
Morris wished he could take back the question if it put the worried look in Theo’s eyes. “Ah, family loyalty. I suppose I can forgive that,” he said lightly, poking Theo in the shoulder to distract him from his long thoughts.
“I skipped the whole regular college thing, went straight to culinary school, and did some apprenticeships.” Theo cocked his head. “Where’d you go to school?”
“University of Maryland, College Park.” Morris thumped his chest with his fist. “Terp for life.”
Theo winced and looked away. “I suppose now would really be a bad time to tell you I’m a Duke fan.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Morris stared at him in horror as Theo’s lips twitched.
“I’m teasing, I’m teasing.” Theo laughed and gave Morris a playful shove.
“That’s not even funny,” Morris replied, though he laughed too. He had to watch out for Theo. He had a way of teasing that made him seem so serious. It was easy to fall for. “I don’t know, Boarman, teasing somebody when they’ve got a surprise lined up for you…. You are putting your life in my hands, after all.”
Theo nodded solemnly. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time I’m tempted.”
Morris shoved the bottled waters into the trunk along with his bag, then clapped his hands together. This was going to be an awesome day. “Let’s do this.”
“I’m looking forward to your surprise. I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of what would involve most of the day, no access to food, and maybe a chance for a nap,” Theo said with a wink that brought a welcome heat to Morris’s thoughts.
“We’re going boating out on the river, maybe the bay too, if the water’s calm enough and we have the time,” Morris said, fishing his keys out of his pocket. “So I hope you weren’t joking when you said you don’t have a problem with the water.”
“You own a boat?” Theo asked, his eyes widening as he slid into the seat.
“Well actually, it’s a friend’s boat,” Morris confessed, pulling the car out of the driveway and turning toward the marina. “I might make enough with my art to support myself, but I don’t high roll like that.”
“And he lets you borrow it whenever you want? I need a friend like that.” There was a wistful note to Theo’s voice.
“If he wants to date my twin, he does.”
Theo shot a quick glance at him and then laughed. “Fair point.”
&
nbsp; “Just kidding, sorta. I had to get my boating license and log in many hours tooling around with him before he even considered it,” Morris admitted. “There’s also manual labor involved in the spring when we’re getting it ready for the season and again in the fall to dock it for the winter. And it’s my hide on the line if anything happens to it.”
“Well, we can’t have that. I’d be willing to put in whatever manual labor he wants if he lets us take it out once in a while. I love boating.” Theo stared out the window for a long moment. “You’ll probably think this is silly… and I’m not quite sure how to say it without sounding like an asshole.”
Acting on instinct, Morris reached over and touched his hand. “Spit it out. It’s okay.”
“A part of me is thinking Lincoln would love to be with us and another part of me is happy it’s just us. That feels wrong, but I….” Theo trailed off, his expression troubled.
“I get the feeling you haven’t had time for yourself in a long while. After Laila’s accident, my sister had a real hard time letting her out of her sight. We had to convince her sending Laila to the camp in the summers wasn’t foisting her off on someone else. They both ended up being better for it. But I get it, it’s hard. You feel responsible for him.”
“Yeah,” Theo said, his voice still a little uncertain.
“Besides, if he were here, we’d be scandalizing him with distressing regularity.” Because Morris did not plan to keep his hands to himself, and he doubted Theo planned on it either.
Theo laughed, his expression brightening. “True that. And he’s hanging out with friends. It’s not like I’ve abandoned him at home alone for a week. I’ve got to stop hovering over him. Both Jill and I do.”
“Sounds like today is a good day to start.” Besides, Morris was also looking forward to it just being the two of them. He was sure he’d be able to convince Victor to let him borrow the boat again this summer if they wanted to go out. They could take Lincoln out another time.
A Little Side of Geek Page 10
