Gabe
Idon’t know how I managed to get to work on time. Torren had a box of coffee from Maggie’s when I arrived, and the seventeen cups I’ve had throughout the day are the only thing keeping me from falling asleep under this Subaru Outback.
I barely slept after Jason and I fucked in the bathtub because two words plagued my mind all night long: HellCats and Friends.
After everything that happened last night—the intimacy of it all, the confessions, my promise to speak to him—
I just didn't think all of that would lead to best buds.
But I have to push that out of my mind because being friends again is so much better than being enemies. Which is why I’m letting myself speak when I’m with Jason.
I’ve been so alone for so long—
And I deserved that! It was my way of putting myself in prison.
But Jason cracks through that feeling. He has my heart in a way others don’t, and the words flow because I don’t think about me or what I did when I’m with him.
It’s just him.
But I’m not ready to let my curtain fall for anyone else.
Then there’s the other word that plagued my thoughts all night.
HellCats.
I don’t think Jason understands what he’s gotten himself into. It’s not a game—people in that gang either rule by force or end up at the bottom of a lake. I know Jason’s tough—he wants to be something, but does it have to be this?
I feel sick thinking about what could happen to him.
It’s all too much right now.
Focus on work.
I sweep my flashlight along the exhaust pipe and find the split. Bingo. I press my gloved finger against the crack, and rust flakes fall.
My hands gently grip the undercarriage, pulling me deeper under the car to assess the extent of the damage.
This car is fucked.
We’re going to need to replace the whole ex—
“Alright. I want details,” Felix yells, ringing the bell on his bike as he returns from work.
There’s a moment of silence before he adds, “I’m talking to you, Gabe.”
Huh?
Torren’s heavy boots pad along the floor, approaching the back of the car I’m currently under.
“How bad is it?” He asks.
I slide the creeper to peek my head out and give him a thumbs-down. “Alright. I’ll let them know we need to replace the whole thing.”
Felix flutters to the back of the car and kneels next to me. “I want the scoop.”
I look at Torren with a confused expression, and he rubs his neck sheepishly. “Uh…I might have told Felix about your stepbrother.”
I blink, waiting for my brain to catch up with what I just heard.
“You know, Gabe,” Felix sings, “I told Torren that I thought you had a thing for guys, and he said he’d bet fifty dollars I was wrong.” He waggles his brows as he hands me a pad and pencil.
I sigh, knowing it’s better to be honest, rather than coy with someone like Felix.
I like boys, I scribble down.
Felix bounces on his knees, clapping his hands. “Gabe! I’m so happy for you!”
Torren rolls his eyes. “He’s into dudes, Felix; he didn’t win a prize or something.”
“Shut up, Torren!” Felix whips his gaze back to me and asks, “You’re his stepbrother?”
Ugh, that word. It sounds gross. Like incest or something, when that’s not the case. I quickly write: Wasn’t always my stepbrother!
“No judgment,” Felix assures me, waving his hands. “I think it’s hot.”
Torren pinches the bridge of his nose and groans. “Felix, you’re making him uncomfortable.”
“Am I?” he asks. “That’s not my intention at all! I’m just excited for you. I want you to be happy.”
I know my cheeks are a deep shade of red. I try to suppress my smile, but I can’t.
“Aww!” Felix lowers himself to my level and kisses my cheek. “This is so sweet!”
Torren sits next to him. “I don’t know if I’d use ‘sweet.’ You should meet this Jason guy—he’s fucking wild.”
“Oh, I must meet him,” Felix gushes. “Let’s all go get drinks at the Kitty Cat Club!”
We’re just friends, I scribble down as Jason’s words play on a loop in my mind, making my stomach clench.
Felix waves his hand. “Okay, fine, I still want to meet this friend whose dick you’re sucking!”
I am beyond embarrassed right now.
I scrub my hands over my face when Torren cocks his head to the side and says, “You know, it’s not a bad plan to take Jason to the Kitty Cat Club. Most of the guys will be there on Friday. It might help him politically if he shows up with me.”
“Does he need that kind of help? I thought Tobias wanted to fuck his brains out,” Felix adds.
You think it will help Jason? I write.
Felix chimes in. “Everyone practically genuflects when Torren walks into a HellCats haunt.” He turns to Torren and kisses his cheek. “You might not be the boss anymore, but everyone still thinks of you as the King.”
“Co-King,” Torren corrects. “And a retired Co-King can only do so much. He’s already won Tobias’s approval, but it won’t hurt for everyone to know I’ve got his back, too.”
A warm feeling blooms in my chest. This can be my way of helping Jason. He doesn’t want me to ask Torren for help explicitly, but we can at least move in a way that signals Torren’s support. “Alright. Friday it is,” I say excitedly.
I gasp before slapping my hand over my mouth.
The two of them look shocked, their mouths nearly hitting the ground, before slowly turning to look at each other and smile.
Felix leans down to hug me before saying. “I’m so excited! I need to find something to wear.” And just like that, he scurries up the stairs and into his bedroom.
I slide under the car to finish my inspection, still in shock that I spoke in front of them.
Whatever. This is good.
If Torren shows up at the Kitty Cat Club with Jason, then maybe the other HellCats will leave him alone.
I’ve heard the stories—the jostling to win Tobias’s favor. Now that Torren is gone, they’re all vying for his spot, which means they’ll be out for blood.
I really hope this helps.