Page 34 of Bad Call

Baylor got quiet and then changed the subject. “We should place a friendly wager on the outcome of the game today.”

“Sure, maybe. I asked you a question.”

“You did?” He pretended not to have heard me, but I knew he did. “What was it?”

“I asked when you started to realize you were interested in men.”

“Are you sure you don’t want some jerky?”

“Baylor,” I warned. He was raising red flags all over the field.

“About a year ago.” My foot hit the brake and Baylor jolted forward. “Jesus Christ. Warn me before you do that.”

“A year ago?” I glanced at him wide-eyed. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“No, why?”

“You’ve been gay for like five minutes.”

“I’m not gay,” he insisted. “I’m bisexual. You’re one of those jackasses that perpetuates bi-erasure. You assume that if I’m sleeping with men, I must be just gay.”

Oh, for the love of Christ! “That’s not what I’m doing! I’m just curious as to why the sudden change.”

“Sexual orientation is fluid. In the last year or so, I’ve realized my attraction to men growing stronger, and I finally decided to act on it, to see if the reality interests me as much as…”

“The fantasy?” I asked.

“It’s not a fantasy. It’s just a fact. I’m attracted to men. I just wanted to know what that felt like to be with one.”

“But you said you haven’t dated much, so how many men have you been with?”

“You sure you don’t wanna bet on that game today? I’m thinking like twenty bucks.”

“Sure, but twenty bucks isn’t even enough to buy dinner.”

“All right, fine then. The winner buys dinner.” Baylor laughed. “That rhymes. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. But if you’re buying, I’m getting a steak, not chicken.”

I wanted to throttle him, but I needed an answer to my question more, so I had to keep him alive…for now. “Baylor, you’re doing it again. Answer the fucking question.”

He turned to me and burst, “Why are you so interested in my damn sex life?”

“I don’t care how many men you’ve slept with.”Not entirely true.“And I wouldn’t tell you if you asked the same of me.”

“Then why are you asking?”

“Why aren’t you answering?” Only Baylor would argue with me like a toddler, despite appearing to be a full-grown man. “Either you sleep with so many that you’ve lost count, or there haven’t been all that many.” I was beginning to form my own conclusions, and they were setting off warning bells that blared, making my head throb worse.

“So now, in addition to bi-erasure, you’re going to slut shame? You’re a real standup guy.”

“I’m not slut shaming you, Baylor! I just have a feeling that you aren’t the swinging single bachelor you claimed to be in SoCal.”

“I told you, I’ve been busy.” He reached into the backseat to grab a bottle of water from the cooler, his elbow knocking into my ribs. I pushed him and he turned, shoving his ass in my face. The perfectly round one I remembered so well. “Sit down before you get me in an accident.”

He settled, and silence reigned, making my skin itch. “I’m waiting, Baylor.”

“For what?”

“An answer! How many men have you slept with?” Baylor reached for the radio knob and I smacked his hand away and growled. “Three?” Baylor remained quiet. “More than five?” He looked out the window, taking a long swig of his water. “Am I hot or cold?” Fuck. It was like pulling teeth!

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