Chapter two #2
Friday night arrived faster than expected.
Bikes were ready. The team headed out together to get some food and maybe a cold beer at a bar not too far from the Georgia Dome and near the hotel where most of the teams were staying.
The upscale bar and eatery, Post-Knights, was packed, mostly with people associated with the races: riders, mechanics, managers, reporters, and more.
He knew many of them by name and others by face.
His team squeezed in with their counterpart KTM 250 team and ordered a pitcher of beer and sandwiches.
Voices, laughter and bodies jostling each other, psyched up for the racing to come over the next two days, filled the bar.
Everything around him seemed to come to a sudden stop when he spotted Davey across the room.
He wore jeans and a faded green T-shirt with the yellow Green Lantern logo plastered tightly across his chest, emphasizing his pecs.
Tyler watched as Davey brought a water bottle up to his sexy lips.
Tyler wished he had those lips on him, against his skin, again.
He licked at his own lips, physically manifesting his desire.
Then his heart shattered. A tall blonde bombshell of a woman slid down into Davey's lap. She wore her hair long and pulled back from her Barbie-doll face and had her thin arms stretched around David’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss, then she kicked her head back and laughed.
Davey's hands rested on her hips. He laughed along with her, obviously having a great time.
Finally, Davey lifted his head and stared right across the room at Tyler.
When their eyes met, Tyler felt acid crawling up his throat, making him want to throw up.
He pushed himself up from the table. "Hey excuse me.
Watch it." he called to the other mechanics as he squeezed around the table and pushed away from them.
Tyler darted to the back of the bar and into the bathroom.
He had to get his emotions under control.
He had no claims on Davey and no reason to be so jealous.
He couldn't be jealous over the girl, the hot girl, with her lips on his man; only Davey wasn't his man. Davey wasn’t his; they didn't have a relationship.
Tyler only wished he hadn't forgotten that fact so quickly.
He stopped in front of the mirror and shoved his hands in his pockets. The bathroom smelled like piss and bleach, and looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a week. Paper towels overflowed the trash bin and soapy water flooded around the sink and onto the yellowing floor.
The door opened. "Ty?"
"Hey," Tyler answered, not looking up, but knowing Davey stood there, watching him. He could feel Davey's eyes on him and he'd know that soft voice anywhere. What he wouldn't give to hear his name on Davey's lips just one more time.
"I, uh, I was hoping to see you. Again."
Tyler lifted his hands up, as if to say, "I'm here.
" He didn't want to be a smart ass to Davey, but Tyler didn't know how else to react.
The race industry forced him to into the closet and he couldn't let anything else happen with Davey.
It didn't matter what they wanted. Reality dictated their actions and Tyler certainly couldn't chase after the guy, especially when he had hot women falling all over him.
Davey bent over and looked under the stalls. "I've missed you," he said softly once he was convinced they were alone.
"I see that."
"That wasn't. It's not. Fuck, Ty, you know!" he pleaded for understanding.
"It doesn't matter."
Davey exhaled a long slow breath. "Yes, it does."
Tyler put his hands on his hips and looked at the scummy linoleum floor.
He couldn't face looking at Davey's handsome face, his dark eyes and kissable lips.
His body screamed at him to touch the man, hold him.
He couldn't make sense of his confusion.
Part of him wanted to let Davey off the hook, but the other part wanted to shove him against the bathroom wall and kiss him stupid. "It's all good, Davey."
"Hey. We're almost done here."
"So?"
"Look at me."
Tyler slowly lifted his chin. He stared into Davey's eyes and felt his soul stir. "What?"
"Come by the RV later. We'll watch a movie, play some games, video games, or something. Hang out. We can do that."
"No, we really can't." Tyler shook his head. He knew better than to think he could just be friends with Davey; that much he was certain of.
"Please." Davey stepped closer sending his heart racing.
Tyler wanted to drag his tongue across Davey's tense jaw but held himself back. He couldn't let his feelings ruin Davey's life, or his own career. "I'll think about it, but you know—"
Someone came in the door. Thankfully no one he knew.
"Yeah, later, then," Davey said and walked out.
Tyler turned to the urinals and pissed, then washed his hands and went straight back to his table.
He drank a couple beers and choked down a sandwich without even tasting it.
He quietly watched Davey laughing with the people at his own table.
He hated every minute of it. He hated the Barbie-blonde sitting so close to him and draping her long leg over Davey's thigh.
He wanted to pull her hair out. He hated himself for being so jealous, when he had no right.
He went back to his hotel room and sent Davey a text. I'm not coming over. It's not smart.
A few minutes later, he received a reply. I understand. Just wish it could be different.
I know, he texted back. What else could he say? He wished it were different as well, but the world they worked in would never allow more. He couldn't even bring himself to consider what would happen if they got caught together. The consequences would be far worse than being apart, ending it now.
His phone rang. Davey. "Hey," he said.
"Hey," Davey said. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Can you talk?"
"Yes, I'm alone." He sat down on the bed, leaning back against the headboard.
He heard deep breaths over the phone. "I wish this were easier, but I don't regret anything. Do you?" Davey's voice washed over him like a tropical waterfall.
"No." Tyler would never regret one second spent with Davey. He wished he could be in Davey's arms again. Just one more time.
"You're quiet. Are you mad?"
Tyler took his turn breathing deeply. "No. It's just, uh, at home I'm out. You know? I don't hide who I am. Here it's different and neither of us can afford to screw up. Especially you, Davey. So, I'm torn."
"Trying do the right thing?"
"Something like that." He slid down across the cheap polyester comforter, tucking a pillow under his head.
"I think this feels right. You and me."
"Maybe, but, you don't have time for this either. Focus on the race."
"Okay."
Tyler sat in the silence, listening to Davey breathe. It did feel right with him. He didn't think Davey would push it, considering everything at risk. Tyler would have to reel in his natural instincts to pursue what he wanted. He could never let his selfishness hurt Davey.
"I'll leave it alone, Ty, but...."
"But what?"
"I'm going to jack off thinking about you."
Tyler's dick plumped up, ready for his own jack-off session. "That's hot."
"You're hot."
Tyler laughed. "I do like you a lot."
"Good."
"Davey?"
"Yeah?"
"I'll be watching you ride tomorrow. Ride fast."
Davey made a chuffing noise. "Are you allowed to root for me?"
"Don't know, but I'm going to."
"I like that." His voice sounded low and husky, and deeply sexy.
"Okay. I gotta go now."
"Why?" Davey asked.
"Cause you've got me all worked up."