Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“So tight you’d swear she was a virgin.”
Fitch chuckled. “Smartass. Why don’t you work on getting the windows on the second floor framed out so we can install them tomorrow?” He held out a sheet of measurements.
Driver grabbed it, saluted and then headed up the stairs. The second floor was still semi-open to the elements and therefore freezing fucking cold. He wished he’d thought to bring his insulated canvas work gloves, but the truth was he hadn’t been sure where he was headed when he took off that morning. Only that he’d needed a drive. He was halfway to New Jersey before he decided to work. His funds were dwindling. It was a choice between working with Fitch or giving up his nights with Tam so he could bartend.
Fitch won.
His nights with Tam had become too essential. He wasn’t about to give them up.
Of course, faced with a full day of physical labor with November’s chilly wind whipping at his face and the biting cold of the approaching winter making his bones hurt, bartending seemed preferable.
Then Tam’s hooded eyes flashed in his mind, the way he hadn’t been able to hold back his shock and pleasure that morning, and Driver’s determination solidified.
More of that please.
Anything for more of that.
Driver studied the measurements before gathering the lumber he’d need for the first section. The crew had a nice station set up in a sheltered corner so Driver got to work. Carpentry was one of the many things he’d learned at his grandfather’s side so it came back to him easily. Another skill he could rely on whenever he needed to make a few extra bucks. He had a few of them, otherwise he never would have been able to pull off his lifestyle.
Sure, he preferred working construction sites in warm climates, but at least it was a job he could do blindfolded. Not that he would—he might be reckless sometimes, but he didn’t have a death wish.
At some point the rest of the guys filed in, someone turned on a portable stereo, and the sounds of saws and air-powered hammers accompanied the classic rock tunes. As he worked, the chill lifted enough that he removed his jacket. His heart pumped steadily from the activity, and endorphins rushed in his blood. It wasn’t as good as a long jog, but as workouts went, lifting two-by-fours and squatting to nail the frames into place did the job. By midday, he was half done with the assigned task.
And starving.
“Boss man, how ’bout you spring for delivery?” Driver called out and the rest of the crew cheered.
“I knew it was a mistake hiring you,” Fitch said. “What do you want?”
Driver shrugged as the others called out their suggestions.
“Oh fuck it, I’ll call for pizza and you can all deal.” Fitch stalked off and Driver high-fived the man next to him.
About thirty minutes later Fitch’s deep baritone voice shouted above the music and chaos. Driver followed everyone downstairs to where six steaming pies awaited. He grabbed a slice of meat lovers and found a spot in the corner on an overturned bucket.
“I should take this out of your earnings, asshole.” Fitch kicked over another bucket and sat beside him.
Driver laughed. He didn’t know Fitch well, but what he did know he liked a lot. They seemed to have some very specific things in common, especially their appreciation for men who wore heels, makeup and danced like pure sin.
And, if Driver wasn’t mistaken, they both usually preferred women.
“Can I ask you a question?” They were far enough away from the others that Driver wasn’t worried about being overheard, but he lowered his voice anyway. If Fitch wasn’t out at work, it wasn’t going to be Driver who forced the door open.
Fitch eyed him suspiciously. “You can ask.”
“How’d a guy like you end up with someone like Ansel?”
“So just ’cause I’m masc means I can’t appreciate a femme?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. Listen, I totally get the attraction, but—”
Fitch exhaled loudly. “Our worlds collided and there was nothing I could do to stop the explosions. Honestly, it was a struggle, but most great things are. Right? And yes, the thing you’re doing your best to dance around? Before him, I exclusively dated women.”
Driver nodded and took another bite of his pizza.
“Should I go ahead and assume you’re curious because you’re interested in Tam?”
“I’m bi. Always have been, but I do tend to lean toward the females. I was just curious about your situation. Seeing you at the party and then here, it’s different. You’re different.”
“Am I?”
“I guess we all wear masks depending on who’s watching.”
* * *
“Good afternoon, Tameron.” Dr. Lee entered her office like she always did, in a rush and wafting a trail of flowers through the air.
“Hi.” He picked at the chipping nude nail polish on his thumb. It was time he removed it and chose a new color, maybe vixen red.