Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
SIMON
“So, I don’t get it.” Gabe lays a sheet out on my ancient sofa. The one I rescued from the curb after I found this apartment. “Is that guy your boyfriend or not?”
“Very much not,” I tell him from the kitchen.
More like a kitchen nook, with just enough room for a two-burner stove, a fridge, and a small dishwasher.
Enough room for me to make my hungry brother some pasta, which I’m doing now, while I wait for Brennan to answer the text I sent him a few minutes ago.
Simon: You got any work for me?
After Sebastian left us at the Grub N Grow, he texted me to tell me he was releasing me from the rest of my obligation to him.
It’s a relief, right? It fucking should be.
My debt to Brennan is a few grand from being cleared and my savings are in decent shape.
My sick leave is maxed out from having the flu, but I can cash in a couple of unused vacation days from work and spend time with Gabe while I finish studying for my nursing certification and look for jobs.
We can be out of town in a few months, maybe less.
I’m optimistic about my chances, since a lot of places elsewhere around the country are facing a staffing shortage.
Then why the fuck do I feel like shit?
Gabe clears his throat. “You said guys pay you to spend time with them. He was one of those guys?”
“To spend time with them, to have sex with them. Yes, Sebastian was one of those guys.”
Am I throwing my sheltered baby brother into the deep end with this information?
Yes. I got thrown into the deep end too, and I didn’t even have any floaties to keep me from drowning or smashing my head on the bottom of the pool.
The sooner he understands how the world outside the farm works, the better.
Gabe scrunches his nose. “You don’t ever date these guys for real?”
“Nope. That doesn’t happen.”
“You sure? Because he seemed like he liked you. He brought you to see me. He wanted to drive us home. Didn’t seem like an obligation.”
“He didn’t… No. He needed my help with something.
” He told me he didn’t want my help with Tony.
I keep telling myself he didn’t mean it.
“I happened to be with him when I got the message about you. I don’t mean anything to these guys besides what I can do for them, Gabe. I’m basically like a rental car.”
My brother probably isn’t familiar with the idea of a rental car, but he’s smart enough to catch my meaning.
Never mind that if Sebastian had asked me for more, I’m not sure I would’ve had it in me to say no again.
“It’s just…”
I turn to my brother, thrumming with a tension I don’t want to examine. “Just what?”
“He didn’t look like the sort of guy who needed to pay for sex. I’d have let him do me for free. The guy looked like a pirate. But in business clothes.”
What the what? “How do you know what a pirate looks like?”
I’m not touching the other part of that statement. My brother’s gay? Maybe. After what happened to me, it would explain why he was relieved to get off the farm. Still, I refuse to think about my little brother letting anybody “do him.” Especially Sebastian.
This is God punishing me for that sex toy joke earlier, that’s what this is.
“Mrs. Marchal, in eighth grade, before Pop made us stay home to work full-time? Her classroom had a bookshelf full of books we could borrow. I couldn’t bring ’em home but could read if I finished my work early.
My favorite series was one with magic pirates on a flying ship, and dragons.
All your guy is missing is an eye patch. ”
“He’s not my guy.”
“You sure?”
Not even a little bit. “I was sure the first time you asked me. Leave it alone.”
“Yes, sir.”
My phone buzzes.
Brennan: Got a tux handy? PJ’s got whatever plague happens to be going around, and one of his regulars has a charity function tonight. All you gotta do is show up and look pretty.
Simon: Send me the info. I’ll be there.
As soon as I hit send, I want to throw up.
“I have to go out,” I tell Gabe. “Got a job tonight. Go ahead and shower, eat, rest, watch TV. Whatever you want. Stay out of my room and don’t pet Penelope unless you want to lose a hand.”
“Do you mean you’re going out to have sex with somebody?”
“It’s only a dinner date. Stop asking me about sex.” Since all of PJ’s clients are companion arrangements, I’m not expecting this guy to want me to put out. I could push for it—the money would be better—but the idea gives me a queasy feeling.
Fucking Sebastian. I can’t get him out of my head. I need to, though. Maybe I will try to upsell my dinner date. Get over someone by getting under someone, isn’t that what they say?
“You started it.” Gabe pouts.
“You’re right. Sorry.” I blow out a breath. “I know this is a lot for you. You’re going to need help, and you’re going to need money. Get some rest while I go out and make money. Tomorrow we’ll talk about how to get comfortable with being out in the real world.”
“You should introduce me to this Brennan person. Since he helped you, maybe he’d be willing to help me.”
I almost choked on my tongue. “I don’t fucking think so.”
He winces. “Language, Isaiah.”
“Simon. And trust me, once you realize nobody’s going to whip you or wash your mouth out, you’ll also realize the f-bombs are a lot of fucking fun.”
“So, why can’t I meet Brennan?”
“Brennan’s not a good guy. He runs guys, girls, shady loans, I’m not even sure what else. The only legal shit he’s into is fronts for washing his illegal money. God forbid you get into debt with him; it’ll take you forever to get out.”
I’ve been working on it for almost five years, after all.
“I’m a little bit confused.” Gabe scratches his head. “You’re saying he’s bad. But you also sound like you sort of like the guy. You’re still working for him.”
“Brennan found me the night Pop almost whipped me to death. He got me medical care and a place to stay, and he gave me a fake identity so nobody from the farm could find me. He gave me work and enough money to attend nursing school so I could get on my feet and eventually leave Belle Argo. He saved my life. So no, I don’t exactly hate him.
I also know what he’s capable of. And, Gabe, I don’t want you in that life. ”
“Shouldn’t that be for me to decide?” There’s a defiant lift to his chin. Guess the farm didn’t beat him down thoroughly. Good.
I blow out a breath. “Look, you’re underage. It’s your first day of freedom. Get a decent night’s sleep before you make any decisions. There’s no rush.”
Penelope wanders up to sniff at my brother’s shoe, and he scratches absently at her head, after I told him not to. I guess it’s a day for miracles though, because instead of hissing and biting at him, she rubs against his leg and jumps up on the couch to stick her butt in his face.
“I guess you’re right,” Gabe says after a minute. “It’s scary though, Is—uh, Simon. I’ve never woken up in the morning without a job to do, and right now, when I picture my future, I can’t see anything.”
I rush over to hug him. “I know. You’re gonna figure it out, though. I’ll help you.”
Two hours later, I’m in a tux feeding a soft-spoken engineer named Drew.
“Here you go.” I set down a plate and a glass of champagne, lifting a mushroom tartlet for him to try.
“Mmm.” He smiles and finishes the bite I’ve fed him. “It’s good. I’m gonna ask you to get me more of these.”
“Your wish is my command.” I glance around at the glittering ballroom, the men in tuxes, the women in sparkly gowns. “So, what’s this gala about, Drew?”
He rolls his eyes. “Wetland preservation.”
“Isn’t that sort of an important thing?”
“Of course it’s important. But we’re surrounded by people who will show up to a shindig like this to see and be seen as philanthropists.
Then they’ll turn around and build yet another golf course, even though native plants and animals are killed to build it, spend the day on their gas-guzzling yacht, and have a nice juicy steak on their private plane on their way to the next charity event. It’s a lot of bullshit.”
“So what the fuck are you doing here?”
He laughs. “Because it isn’t completely bullshit. The money goes to worthwhile programs. Most importantly, though, my company is one of the sponsors.”
“Ah. I get it now. You’re here so your bosses know you showed up. Same reason I showed up at my company’s last barbecue just long enough to sing karaoke and then leave.”
“You don’t strike me as a karaoke kind of guy.”
“You do an off-key rendition of Paris Paloma’s ‘Good Boy’ and nobody forgets you showed up or accuses you of not being a team player at your next review.”
“Maybe I should call you next time my company hosts karaoke then.”
It’s a simple statement, probably not even a serious one. This guy’s PJ’s regular, not mine. The thing is, karaoke sounds like something people do on “real” dates. Aaaand now the split second of overthinking has thrown a stutter into my flirt game.
“S-sure. Yeah. I mean, if you really hate your coworkers and don’t mind making their ears bleed.”
Drew laughs again. “I can see why you and PJ are friends. You’ve both got an interesting sense of humor. So what do you—”
A hand lands on Drew’s shoulder, causing him to startle. A familiar hand. One that’s been wrapped around many parts of my body.
“Hey, Drew. Good to see you. How’s business?” Sebastian is holding a glass of champagne and smiling, but not in a happy way. More like the way a shark looks.
What’s he doing here? I open my mouth, but I’m not sure what to say. I can only stare up at Sebastian, slack-jawed and confused.
“Good to see you again, Simon. You know, Drew here is one of my favorite clients. His new startup idea is going to make millions.”
“Uh. Thanks. And how do you know Simon?” Drew seems flustered. Maybe he’s wondering if Sebastian knows me as an escort, which is a little awkward.