“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I tried to play it off.
His eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”
I scoffed. “Am not.”
“You are. I can tell because you won’t look at me.” Instinctively I looked at him. “and it’s annoying as fuck when you do that by the way.” He pointed out.
“Do what? Lie or not look at you?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Both.” He gripped the back of his neck. “Besides, you shouldn’t fucking lie to me anyway. Kill two birds with one stone and all that shit.”
“What do you want me to say?” I asked him, giving up.
“I don’t know…” he began sarcastically. “How about you start with what the fuck has been up with you? You’re avoiding me like I’m typhoid Mary. You still mad about what happened with Jagger?” he asked.
I groaned. “I don’t think you have a disease Tank,” I said acknowledging the easier topic from his statement.
“Cut the shit, Danny. Talk.” He commanded. He was definitely done dancing around this.
“No, I’m not mad about what happened with Jagger. We discussed it. I understood your perspective, and I told you how I felt about it. We I believe came to an understanding, so I think we’re fine.”
Both his eyebrows went up, and he leaned back in his chair and cross his arms over his chest. “Oh, yea? So, the fuck you been acting like you have then?”
I was backed up into a corner. There was no way I’d have the courage to admit to him what the real issue was. At the same time, I wouldn’t be able to get away with a lie. I knew he was going to keep pushing until I spoke up. I’m almost certain that if there were any hope that he was going to let it go, he would have done it by now. Then again, he wouldn’t have asked unless he really wanted me to answer.
I opened and closed my mouth a few times, but no words came out. I decided to buy myself a little more time and gather my thoughts by picking up my glass of champagne and gulping down every drop in the glass. I still wasn’t prepared, and I felt my hands get clammy.
He put his elbows on the table and leaned in. “Is it cause your dick got hard?” he asked.
My cheeks had to be tomato red. I know in reality he was speaking in a low voice, but the words pin ponged loudly in my head. I felt like it echoed off the walls and everyone in the restaurant heard him. I dropped my head and let my forehead bang as it dropped against the table.
“Danny?” Tank asked concerned.
I shook my head not having the strength or courage to do much else. “Can we please not talk about this and pretend it never happened. I would much rather prefer to jump into the Berkeley Pit.” I told him.
He touched my shoulder. “Stop being dramatic and sit up.” I didn’t move. “People are going to look at you and wonder if you’re passed out or something.” He said.
I shot up in my seat. The last thing I wanted right now was more attention. “I’m up.” I fussed then pointed to my empty glass. “I think I’m going to need more of that if we’re really going to have this conversation,” I informed him.
He refilled my glass and topped off his own. When he was done, he stared at me. “One, it isn’t as deep as you think it is. You’re overthinking it… stop worrying about it. We’ll talk about it to clear the air and move on from it. Things between us have been awkward, and that’s making me crazy… we fucking live together. Second, what the fuck is a Berkeley Pit?” he asked.
I chuckled, of course, he caught that. “It’s something that I learned about when I was in school. We had to do a project and while I was looking for a topic just stumbled across that. I don’t remember nearly a quarter of everything I read about it back then, but it was interesting to me, and I never forgot the important information.”
He made a motion as if to say continue. “Ok. It used to be a copper mine in I think… Montana or maybe Utah? I forget. Anyway, its over 1500 feet deep and the bottom thousand or so feet is filled with water. The water is supposedly red and filled with metals and toxins that makes it acidic.” I shook my head and almost smiled at his expression that showed interest and shock. “No one would willingly go into that, even if they had a death wish… except someone who is being pulled into the conversation you’re trying to have right now.”
He laughed. “That’s a bit much don’t ya think?”
I shrugged. “Right now, I don’t think so.”
“Look, it’s a body reaction. It happens, I get hard at weird moments sometimes and let’s be honest we were in a weird position together. I ain’t thinking nothing of it, I’m not sweating it.” He said.
I cocked my head to the side and studied him. He seemed serious, but I was confused about how this couldn’t bother him at all. “How is that? You’re not even uncomfortable around me?” I asked.
“I wasn’t the one who ran away you was. I was fine. Personally, I’d have told you if there was something that needed to be said. There wasn’t. we’re talking about this now because you overreacted.” He explained.
I cleared my throat. “Ok.” Was all I could say. I believed that he was fine with the whole thing, but then again, he doesn’t know that it wasn’t just a fluke. My condition was for the right reasons. I wasn’t going to tell him that though. There was no need for him to know. If what he believed puts this whole thing behind us and I don’t have to be so nervous around him then this was the right thing to do. It wasn’t exactly lying, it just wasn’t telling the whole story.
“Well alright.”
We talked about nothing in particular for a few minutes before the food was being served. From there, things began to flow more naturally just like they used to before this all happened. It was a good feeling.
Chapter 7
Danny
I stumbled into the house and laughed as I barely caught myself from falling to the floor by gripping onto the arm of the chair. Tank’s loud bark of a laugh sounded behind me.
“Jesus Christ you’re fucked up.” He said.
I was certain he was feeling at least a little buzz himself, his voice was twice its normal volume. “I am not. I tripped on something.” I said searching the floor for something I could’ve tripped over.
“You’re crazy.” I turned to see Tank walking my way. He took off his coat and tossed it towards the couch, and it fell to the floor instead.
He walked over to the bar and took out two glasses. He opened a bottle of Jack and poured some into each glass. He picked them up and made his way back over to me handing me one and then drinking from the other. I lifted an eyebrow. “More?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Got something else better to do?” he challenged.
I shook my head and took a sip. I instantly cringed, this was nothing like the champagne. “How do you just drink this like this?” I asked.
“After the first one, you don’t taste it. Accept the burn its good for you.” He joked.
I rolled my eyes. “Sure.”
We had three more glasses, and we both needed to stop. Tanks eyelids were hooded, and I wasn’t sure whether the room was swaying, or I was. “Now I’m drunk,” I told him and giggled.
He laughed. “Did you just giggle?” he asked.
I was too drunk to be embarrassed. “Yea, I guess I did.”
“You’re about to head to bed?” he asked.
I was feeling a bit tired, but I was having too much fun. It’s been lonely the past couple of weeks trying to avoid him and locking myself away. I was enjoying his company. “I don’t have to… I mean, we could put on the TV and try to sober up a little bit.” I offered.
“That’s cool.” He got up and stretched. “I’m going to change real quick though to get out of these clothes.”
I nodded, that sounded like a good idea. “Ok, me too.”
“Come to my room then when you’re done. I have the biggest TV in the house.” He said and walked away.
I shrugged and went to change into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. When I entered into Tank’s ro
om my head swam, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol. I had no idea what he’d been doing while I stumbled around my room trying to change my clothes but it sure as hell wasn’t changing. I was currently staring at Tank in all his naked glory. He was fumbling through a drawer on his dresser knocking clothes out onto the floor as he did so. I stayed there still as a statue and quiet as I checked out every inch of him from the back.
“Fuck.” He grumbled under his breath as we moved onto another drawer this time dumping items onto the floor.
I didn’t want to get caught standing there staring, so I spoke up. “You alright?” I asked.
He stood up tall and put his hands on his waist. “No, I can’t find shit. Where’s my shorts?” he asked me like I had a clue.
“I don’t know?” I answered.
He turned around to face me apparently not at all bothered by his nudity. Without my consent, my eyes drifted down to the equipment between his legs and my mouth went dry. Holy shit he was packing. I don’t know how long I stared at it, but he eventually broke the trance. “See something you like?” he asked teasingly.
My eyes snapped up to his. “Huh?” I asked.
He laughed. “You were staring at my cock.” He pointed out.
My eyes drifted to the ceiling. “You flashed me.” I accused.
“you’ve seen me naked before Danny.” He said.
My eyes fell down on his face, and I gaped at him. “I did not!”
He frowned. “All that time we were sharing space, and you didn’t? I’m not exactly shy like you are. It’s not like I go to the bathroom to change my clothes and shit.” He seemed genuinely confused which only made me feel the same.
“You wanted me to see you naked?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “Not like that. I just don’t care. I mean, it’s like changing in a locker room.”
I arched an eyebrow. “I am gay you know that right.”
He sighed and leaned back against the dresser… still naked might I add. “You won’t let me forget.”
“I don’t understand you,” I muttered frustrated.
“What?”
“Nothing about me makes you uncomfortable,” I told him.
“Why would anything that’s happened make me uncomfortable?”
I groaned. “Oh, forget it,” I said done with the whole thing.
His expression changed, and he stood up straight before walking over to me. When he was standing directly in front of me, he stopped. “What’s the problem Danny?” he asked. “I thought it was about what we discussed, but I think it’s something else.”
“I’m attracted to you,” I told him. It took a few seconds before I realized that I said that out loud.
“I know.” He said calmly.
I crossed my arms. “What do you mean you know? Earlier you said it was just because of the position we were in.”
He shrugged. “That’s what I thought at the time.”
“And … what changed?” I asked.
He moved quickly. Before I knew it, he had a handful of my hard cock in his hand. It jumped in happiness from the contact. “I saw this when I realized you were checking out my dick.”
I wanted to groan and grind into his hand. An unusual urge that I’ve never had before. Then again, I’ve never been touched like this by anyone that I actually wanted to be. He didn’t move as he waited for a response. Not even when I hopped from foot to foot. “Are you going to let go of me anytime soon?” I asked.
He grinned, and it was wicked. “I’ll think about it. First, though, I need to know what your problem is.”
I shook my head. Nope, that wasn’t going to happen. His hand clenched around me, and it felt very much like a caress. I groaned out loud. “I don’t have a problem.”
He took a step closer. “I think the issue is this.” He said as he gave it a stroke. Dear Jesus, the man was going to give me a heart attack.
“I… uh…” my thoughts were all jumbled up. When he repeated the motion, my legs buckled, and I had to grip his arms to keep myself from collapsing.
He chuckled and released me. “Huh.” He said amused as he took a step back and walked over to the dresser where he began rummaging through it.
“What is wrong with you?” I finally ground out between clenched teeth.
“Nothing. Why do you keep insisting there’s something wrong with me?” he asked casually.
I leaned back against the door trying to calm my entire body. I was lit up, and he barely did anything to me, and he wasn’t the least bit phased. “You are a very straight man, and you just had your hand very close to my balls.” I pointed out.
“Shit.” He said frustrated and slammed yet another drawer. “Actually, I had my hand on your cock, and I’m perfectly comfortable in my own skin. I’ve also punched a guy in the balls before. What does that say about me in that crazy head of yours?” he asked.
I shook my head. My brain didn’t appear to be functioning right now with his nakedness, so I decided to help him find some damn clothes. Naturally, I found a pair of basketball shorts in the last drawer. After tossing them to his face without looking at him, I groaned. “You need to do laundry.”
He dressed and returned his attention to me. “What were we talking about again?” he asked as he stumbled to his bed and plopped down on it.
I found an opening for an out and took it. “Nothing.”
He laughed. “That’s bullshit but the room is starting to spin, and my brain stopped working, you lucky fucker.” He was highly amused.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Looking at him spread eagle down on his bed with his eyes fixed on the ceiling. “I’m just going to go to my room and let you sleep,” I told him.
He attempted to sit up three times before he was able to hold himself up on his elbows. “I thought we were gonna watch a movie. I’m alright… bring your ass drunky.”
I snickered. “You would be one to talk.” I said as I climbed onto an empty spot on the bed. “what are we going to watch?” I asked.
He grinned. “Suicide Squad. Saw that?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea what that is.”
“then we have to watch it… wait till you see Harley fucking Quinn. That’s a bad bitch. Always been one of my favorites. I need a bitch like that in my life.” Tank said wistfully, and I was jealous.
“Well then find her.” I snapped.
“I’m hoping to.” He said completely oblivious to my outburst.
The movie turned out to be pretty good… well for as much as I saw. The last thing I remember was some scene with the joker, and that must’ve been when I crashed.
*****
Tank
The thumping in my head was horrible. I felt like it was going to split into two. I gripped both sides of my head willing for the effects of my hangover to wear off. When the thumping finally faded, I put a pillow over my head to help block the incoming sunlight and tried to go back to sleep. When the thumping and ringing came back into my head a minute later, I realized that half of this wasn’t exactly coming from a hangover.
I sat up on my elbows and had to narrow my eyes to read the clock, 10 AM. There was something vaguely familiar about that time, but it wasn’t coming to me, and my head hurt way too much to even try to think. When the thumping came again, I groaned and stood. The room only spun for a few seconds before I was able to stumble my way to the living room. I figured the thumping was someone banging incessantly at the door. They better have a damn good reason to have me up right about now because a couple more hours of sleep would’ve taken care of the drinking issue I’m dealing with this morning.
I swiped my gun that I left carelessly sitting on the table in the entryway then unlocked the door and swung it open. I had my gun aimed and ready. I didn’t have time or patience for the bullshit this morning. They better have a damn good reason for my being up, or I was going to brain them. One of those things you should never fuck with is a man with a gun and his sleep.
I shou
ld’ve fucking known. Naturally, the only mother fucker who would have the balls to ever pop up at this ungodly hour was fucking Psycho with a wide-eyed Addie. Fucking hell, he was going to kill my ass. I immediately lowered the gun and hid it behind my back like a fourteen-year-old getting caught smoking a joint would.
“Tank,” Psycho growled.
I shrugged and offered him a sheepish grin and a half wave with my empty hand. “Sup Prez?”
He shook his head and made sure to shoulder check me as he let himself into my house. Addie laughed behind his back apparently finding amusement in my scolding. “You fucking forgot, didn’t you?” he asked.
I tucked my gun away and made my way to the kitchen to get some coffee going. It sure as fuck didn’t look like I was gonna be getting sleep anytime soon. I shrugged, no use in lying. “Most likely… now you want to tell me what exactly I forgot?” I asked him.
“I asked your stubborn ass to watch Addie for me for a little while. She had a doctor’s appointment this morning, and Siarra is making me run some errands like I’m her bitch boy.” He grumbled unhappily.
Both Add, and I laughed at that. “Sure. The shrimp could kick it with me for a little while. We could watch Chuckie or Michael Meyer movies or some shit.” I offered.
Psycho immediately shook his head. “No. Nope. No fucking way Tank, no.”
I frowned. “I doubt she’ll be scared,” I argued. I damn sure wasn’t going to be in here watching no princess and fairy shit.
He sighed and cocked an eyebrow at me. “She’s crazy enough, do you really want to give her any more ideas?” he asked.
“Fair enough. I’ll find something for us to do. Maybe we’ll just leave the house after I wash my ass.” I said as I fixed my cup of coffee.
Psycho came around to help himself to a cup. When he got close enough to me, his face scrunched up. “God, you fucking wreak. A shower should be the priority on your list man.”
I shook my head. I could smell the alcohol myself. I don’t know why I was as fucked up as I was considering I usually put away more than that. Danny and me were wasted last night. Then last night hit me like a ton of bricks, and I groaned. The pain in my head came back full force as what my drunk ass did flooded my brain.
Built For A Tank (The Rulers of Darkness MC Book 2) Page 8