by Zach Jenkins
I’m too drunk and euphoric for this shit right now.
Their bodies collapsed onto the bed and Levi wrapped Inigo in his arms as they spooned with Levi’s dick still inside of him.
“I can stay in here forever,” Levi slurred in his ear, reminding Inigo that he wasn’t the only drunk fool in the bed.
Inigo replied, “I think I’d like that. You’re amazing.”
Levi’s only reply was gentle snoring.
17
Levi
After ringing Linda’s doorbell, Levi rested his head against the screen door.
How much did I drink last night?
He hadn’t thrown up yet, but he felt so miserable that he wondered if he should just force himself to so he could get it over with and let the healing begin.
He’d been slightly confused when he’d woken up in Inigo’s bed with two used condoms lying next to him. Both men had sported horrible hangovers, and neither did more than grunt at each other before Levi had hurriedly dressed and left to pick up Daxter.
I wish I could remember what we did.
He knew they’d had sex, obviously, but the details were few and far between. From what he could remember, and the lingering ache from whatever Inigo had done to him, it had been an impressive night of debauchery and it was a shame to lose all those memories.
Stupid tequila.
When Linda answered the door, she said in a high-pitched and entirely too loud voice, “Good morning, sunshine.” After one careful look at Levi, she laughed and lowered her voice. “You look like shit. That must’ve been some date. Come on in and tell me all about it.”
Levi shook his head and covered his mouth with a fist to keep his stomach where it belonged. The smell of sausage when the door had opened had almost done him in.
“Not right now. I need to go home and lie down. I think I’m catching a cold.”
Linda smiled at his obvious lie. “The kids are halfway through Kung Fu Panda. What you probably need is quiet more than anything. We also rented the sequel. If you play your cards right, you could sit on the couch and talk to me for a while, and still have time for several hours of napping right here while the kids stay in the basement and leave you alone. Don’t forget. You promised to take mine home with you this morning. You’re not going to back out on me, are you?” She stepped out onto the porch to hold the screen door open with her back. “So are you coming in and telling me about your night, or taking the loud, obnoxious wrecking crew home with you? I’ll call it even on the babysitting if the gossip is good enough.”
Levi stepped into the house. “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Macintosh.”
“Go sit down on the couch and I’ll get you some water and aspirin. When you get hydrated a little bit, we’ll see if we can get a little food in you to absorb up all that hangover.”
Levi crept slowly through the house and had just barely settled onto the couch when Linda rejoined him with a glass and two pills in her hands.
“Thanks,” he said. “I know it’s a lie, but I’m never drinking again.”
Linda left and came back a moment later with two coffee mugs that she set on the coffee table before settling on the opposite end of the couch from him, her legs tucked up under her. “Not sure if it’ll help, but I like coffee the morning after my worst ideas. So what happened last night? Skip the boring parts and linger on the juicy bits.”
He hadn’t expected to feel like talking at all, but once he started, the words poured out of him in a rush. When he got to the part where Inigo had joined him out behind the bar, Linda made him slow down and describe every detail down to whether he’d crossed his arms or not, until Levi told her he honestly couldn’t remember whether he’d cocked his head to the left or the right.
“I think he likes you,” Linda said. “I mean like likes you. You were only out there—what, like a minute or two?—and he was already missing you enough that he needed to come find you rather than hanging out with some friends who were drinking?”
“Well, he did bring the tequila with him.”
“Don’t be a dummy. He’s into you. You guys are going to make an adorable couple. Or gnarly couple? Whatever punk metalheads call themselves when they’re dating.”
Levi laughed, but drank the rest of the water before answering. “I don’t know. We had fun. But is that enough?”
Linda shrugged. “Who the fuck knows? Don’t overthink it, though. If there’s one thing I learned with my ex, it’s that overthinking things leads to pieces of shit sleeping with women half my age. Everything seemed fine for us until one day he told me he’d been thinking about how we needed to shake things up a little bit. He’d said it on his way out to the car for a day of work like it was no big deal. I thought he wanted to sign up for a tango class or something. A week later I found the condoms and hotel key card that he’d forgotten to get rid of after one of his business trips.”
Linda picked up the coffee cup and took a big drink. “Sorry. My own baggage and not really relevant to your situation, I guess. That’s why I need to live vicariously through you. Go on. Tell me again about how this guy’s so fun that it can’t possibly work out.”
Levi picked up his cup and had a sip. His stomach warned him that it was not the kind of stomach that was interested in coffee to cure a hangover that morning.
He shook his head and set the cup back down. “I know I must sound crazy. We were having so much fun. There was this gay punk metal band and they were thrashing and the mosh pit was bouncing. It was incredible. Half the time I didn’t even know where I was. I was just smashing into people and having a blast. Do you have any idea how therapeutic that is?”
Linda scrunched up her nose and shook her head.
“Probably a guy thing,” Levi conceded. “Anyway, the whole scene was a real rush, and every once in a while we’d bounce back into each other and kiss or rub each other’s dicks or whatever. Who knows what we were doing after all the tequila we were drinking. It was crazy. God, I hope there aren’t any pictures.”
Levi paused and was just about to check his phone for any evidence when Linda said, “Go on. Don’t leave me hanging. You’re just getting to the good part, right?”
“Well, unfortunately, I only remember bits and pieces after that.” When she started to protest, he shook his finger at her. “Don’t you dare. Imagine what it’s like for me to not remember. While we walked home we split about a half a bottle of tequila between us. I do remember sitting on his porch, trying to pull off my socks.”
Linda gasped. “You had sex right there on the porch?” she asked in an excited whisper.
Levi chuckled. “I don’t think so. God, I hope not. I remember carrying him on my shoulder, and us on the bed. Then I was sitting on his…”
He trailed off when he realized what he was confessing.
“Oh my God. This is hot. What’s he like?” Linda asked, holding her hands in the air about six inches apart.
Levi blushed, and would have gathered up Daxter to leave if his stomach would have let him.
Before continuing, though, he bumped her hands a few more inches apart, and smiled at the look of surprise on her face. “Seriously. I don’t remember much else. Just brief images and random feelings, you know. Everything was hard and sexy and, well, wild.”
Neither spoke while Levi gathered his thoughts and Linda fanned her face with her hands.
“I can’t remember if I told you,” Levi continued, “but the other night after we hooked up at my place, he ran away after the sex like the house was on fire. How can I believe he’s interested in more after that?”
“Is that a problem?” Linda asked.
Levi almost said yes, but reconsidered.
Would it really be so bad to just have a physical relationship with occasional wild dates, but none of the mess and difficulties that came with a commitment?
“Not really, I guess. I mean, I’d like there to be more, but it’s enough for now. We did just meet each other, after all. But I go back to
thinking about the night we met at the hotel. We actually talked after the sex that night, and neither one of us ran away. We were completely sober, but we both managed to stay in the same bed, talking until we fell asleep. And the next morning we were still talking. I can’t figure out what the difference between that first night and the second was. Last night doesn’t count because tequila is an asshole, and this morning we were too hungover to even think about talking. Why’d he run away that night?”
“Levi, dear. Welcome to the wonderful world of dating while parenting. You have a kid now. You didn’t that night you met. Since the divorce, do you have any idea how many men I’ve slept with who left me as soon as they found out I had kids? Every single one of them was down to fuck, but had no interest in a relationship with the baggage of children.”
They sat in silence.
Levi tried to figure out if he knew enough about Inigo to tell how he might feel about kids. Other than a few jokes Inigo had made about them, they hadn’t known each other long enough to provide an answer.
Why am I even worrying about this yet? We just met.
Linda continued, “I’m not saying that’s what’s going on with your guy. It could be something totally different. Maybe he’s worried about morning breath. But I can tell you there’s only one way to find out. Ask him. If he says he doesn’t want any part of being around your kid, you’ll have to make a decision on whether you are willing to date a man and keep him separate from Daxter. But at least you’ll make a decision based on knowing what’s really going on.”
Levi sighed. “You’re right. It just feels so strange to talk about something that serious after just a couple hookups and one date. Won’t bringing it up scare him away?”
“Who knows? I think asking and finding out is better than not, though. Kids change everything. Even when you’re going out to party your ass off, the parenting is still there. I mean, you called me during your date. You already get it. The number one thing is Daxter. Right?”
Levi answered immediately. “Of course. Hell, I don’t know what I’m doing most of the time, but I want to be a good dad. Shit. Why does it all have to be so complicated?”
“It’s not all that complicated as long as you know what your priorities are. Hookup or real relationship. They can both be fun and healthy for you. Whatever you decide, though, I’ll be here if you want to talk about it. Us single parents gotta stick together, right?”
“Of course,” Levi agreed.
They heard the banging of feet running up the basement stairs, and Linda’s oldest child threw open the basement door and shouted, “Come quick. Daxter’s sick. He threw up all over the floor.”
Momentarily forgetting the queasiness of his own stomach and the worries of what to do about Inigo, Levi focused on the only thing that mattered. His son.
18
Inigo
As soon as he’d arrived at Clay and Ezra’s house and saw that Levi wasn’t there yet, Inigo had volunteered to work the grill. He wouldn’t even have bothered to come if he’d known Levi wasn’t coming. Most of the people were other firefighters who knew Clay from work.
Inigo only knew a handful of the guests.
A week had passed since Levi and Inigo’s date, and Levi hadn’t tried to call or text him.
Inigo had picked up his phone several times to reach out to Levi, but had set it back down each time, figuring he’d asked Levi out on their last date. It was only fair that Levi initiate this time.
He sighed and flipped the burgers, wondering if he was more stupid for calling or for expecting that Levi would be interested in going out again.
Ezra walked over to join him, carrying two large serving trays. He set them on the deck’s railing. “That mohawk looks fierce, Inigo, but you should stop over someday and let me dye it for you. It would look even better in blue or red.”
Inigo ran his fingers along the spiky hairs and said, “I don’t know. I was thinking about cutting the whole thing off. It gets squashed down when I have to wear my derby helmet, and barely fits. Plus, don’t you think I’m getting too old to be running around with a mohawk?”
“Honey, you’re never too old for a mohawk. Guys can get too bald for one, but never too old. Age is just a number, right? Look at you. You’re in great shape, healthy as can be, and handsome, in a rugged kinda way that some people like.”
Inigo knew Ezra was just trying to make him feel better. He was happy to have friends like him who cared.
“Ezra, don’t tease me. You know I could never ask you to leave Clay,” Inigo said, batting his eyes, playing along. While he’d been talking, Clay came up behind Ezra and surprised him with a hug and a kiss on the back of his neck.
“You better not even try,” Clay said in a gruff voice, pretending to be jealous. “You might be bigger than me, but I’m crazy for Ezzie.” Dropping back into his normal voice, he asked, “Where’s Levi?”
Inigo shrugged and turned his attention back to the burgers. If he couldn’t talk to Levi about what was going on between them, he certainly wasn’t going to be blabbing to friends about it either. “Don’t ask me. I haven’t seen him in a while. I figured he must be working.”
Clay shook his head. “Once he got home with his kid, he decided to put in for a couple weeks off to give themselves time together. He had to wait a bit, but he hasn’t been in to work this week. What’s his name? Dexter?”
“Daxter,” Inigo quickly answered. “With an ‘A.’”
“Well, you clearly know more about what’s going on with him than I do,” Clay said, implying much more with his raised eyebrows. “Just look at the poor guy,” he said into Ezra’s ear. “He looks like he can’t decide whether he’s happy or sad that Levi didn’t show up. My guess is they had a date, but something went wrong, and they’re both being too stubborn to talk about it.”
Ezra, still in Clay’s grasp, slapped his arm. “Clay, don’t be cruel. I’m sure that’s not what happened.”
“I betcha I’m right,” Clay said, winking at Inigo.
“What on earth has ever happened in our past to make you think you understand relationships better than I do?” Ezra asked while wiggling out of Clay’s hug and turning to look at him with his hands on his hips.
Inigo wanted to let them argue about who knew more about relationships, and use it for cover to escape the conversation, but he was trapped on the deck.
Clay held his hands up defensively and said, “Fine, fine. I’m sure you’re right. It’s not like Inigo is such a player that he could’ve already hooked up with Levi, so how bad could things be?”
Inigo, growing tired of being talked about right in front of his face, said, “Three times. We’ve already hooked up three times. Well, three nights. More than three times depending on how you’re counting.”
Clay laughed. “See, I told you, Ezzie. The only question left is which one of them is throwing himself at the other and messing it all up.”
Before Ezra could make any words come out of his open mouth, Inigo interrupted. “Neither of us. There’s no drama. He went home the morning after our last date, and I just haven’t heard from him since.”
Ezra looked like a top spinning between the two larger men as they talked.
“That’s all?” Ezra said when he finally managed to cut in. “You guys have been together. You had a good time. But now you haven’t seen each other for a few days. Is that about right?”
Inigo nodded, feeling silly, and afraid of what Ezra was going to say next.
“That’s all it takes to make you look like rain clouds are about to start pouring on your little mohawk?”
When Inigo didn’t answer right away, Ezra continued. “You guys just met. You can’t possibly be far enough along that not talking for a couple days is a big deal. Get over yourselves. Second of all, grow a pair, and call the guy. I can’t believe I’m telling this to a grown-ass man. Don’t sit around wondering what he’s thinking. Ask him. And then tell him what’s on your mind, even if he doesn’t ask.
No more mind games. We’re all adults here.”
Apparently disgusted with the conversation, Ezra stormed back into the house, leaving Inigo and Clay staring after him in surprise at the outburst.
Inigo knew that what Ezra had said made sense. In the long run, it would definitely be easier to make the call and get it over with. But even just thinking about asking the questions that needed to be asked sent his heart racing and his hands sweating.
I really like this guy.
Clay reached out and took the spatula from Inigo. In a much gentler tone than earlier, he said, “Go call him. Find out what’s going on. You can invite him and Daxter over if they’re free, of course. I’m sure Brian would love to play with Daxter when Quinn and David get here.
Inigo released his grip on the spatula and reached for his phone. “Okay. I’ll do it. But if this turns into a disaster, I’m holding you accountable.”
“Shit. You might want to ask for a second opinion, then. Up until I met Ezra, well, you know I wasn’t very good at picking ’em. Good luck with the call. Levi’s a good guy. It’ll be fine.”
Inigo walked through the crowd, nodding at the handful of people he knew from barbecues and Super Bowl parties. He found a quiet spot behind the garage. Before dialing, he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes to say a little prayer.
Please, let this work out.
Inigo had enjoyed every second he’d spent with Levi so far, and he really didn’t want it to end. Before their date, he had worried that any chance at fun with Levi would be doomed because of the kid, but their wild night together had proved otherwise. All it took was a little babysitting. Hell, Inigo would be willing to pay for the babysitter himself, if necessary, to ensure more dates.
But what about the kid?
He wasn’t looking to be a dad to a kid, that was for sure. He doubted Levi would let it happen anyway. The last thing the kid needed was a second new dad in his life so soon after meeting his real one.