Page 24 of Truth or Spare

“That’s everything,” Dewey said after all the pinsetters were shut down and headed for the side exit so he could lock it behind Theo. “Have a good night.” He held the door open and jumped when Theo kissed his cheek.

“I’m certain I will! You too, Brooks,” he said with a playful salute, then jogged to the Winnie.

Dewey stared, wishing he was brave enough to follow. He was shaking, he wanted to so badly and it didn’t seem fair, thatsomethinginvolving him—or an imaginary version of him—might happen and he wouldn’t be able to witness it.

“She isn’t helping. Cassie and that kiss just might ruin my life,” he said, dragging his feet as he headed for the front door and his truck. He’d do his best to enjoy the rest of the kiss once he was home, but Dewey had a feeling Theo’s version would be much better.

Chapter Eleven

Leaving them with an entire Sunday to ponder their kiss had been particularly ruthless on Cassie’s part. Theo had applauded her cunning and had enjoyed the kiss until he woke up the next morning and wondered how Dewey was coping. Had he enjoyed it as well or was he still stewing at Cassie for conning them with Fingerhakeln and at Theo for going along with it?

But Theo had been curious from the moment they had met and jumped at the chance to kiss Dewey. How could there be a misunderstanding or any unforeseen consequences if it was just a dare? He had assumed it would be mostly harmless and that Dewey might gain a little gay “street cred” if it got out that he had kissed Theo.

Leaving themalonehad been particularly devious.

The kiss would have been far more chaste if there had been witnesses. Instead, Theo’s imagination had gotten its teeth into Dewey and wouldn’t let go. Theo jerked offandfingered himself before he finally passed out. He woke up feeling slightly ashamed but refreshed and wanted to check in with Dewey but the bowling alley was closed.

Theo had considered calling but immediately scrapped the idea. First phone conversations were often awkward. Calling for the first time after Dewey’s first gay kiss seemed unnecessarily brutal. Instead, Theo decided he’d play it cool and follow Dewey’s lead, plastering a bright, cheerful smile on his face before entering the bowling alley the next morning.

“What are you doing here? It’s your day off,” Dewey said when Theo strolled up to the front desk and gave it a jaunty knock.

“For what? I was off yesterday,” Theo said with an amused chuckle, unbuttoning his coat. “I’ll check and make sure the syrup is good on the soda machine,” he said and Dewey’s arm swung out, blocking Theo.

“Keep your coat on. It’s cold out there.”

“Why? I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“We went through this last Monday. It’s your day off. Go do something else.”

“But…” Theo frowned, perplexed. “I don’t need a day off and there was a party Saturday. Most of the children drank the Fanta so it’s probably low.”

“I already checked it this morning and it’s fine,” Dewey said as he crossed his arms over his chest like he meant business, then gasped and held up a finger. “Speaking of checks!” He ducked and retrieved an envelope from under the counter. “You blew me off about your direct deposit info and I didn’t know if you’d found a local bank yet, so I went ahead and paid you with cash. But let’s see if we can get that figured out soon,” he suggested as he passed it to Theo.

“Jo eh! The direct deposit! That does sound fascinating and I think I’d like to try it,” he said and took a peek inside the envelope. He did call and ask his accountant if he had a direct deposit but she had laughed and asked Theo why he was actually calling so he assumed Dewey was joking or confused.

“It’s all there. $800. Counted it four times to be sure,” Dewey said.

“Ausgezeichnet!” Theo gave the envelope a fold and slid it into his trouser pocket. “What about the shoes?” he asked and went to look in the bin under the counter but Dewey shook his head. “Come on, Brooks! I don’t need another day off and I have nowhere else to go,” Theo argued as Dewey reached under the counter. A familiar pair of handmade leather Oxfords was shoved at Theo.

“I don’t care. You can’t work more than forty hours a week. I don’t want to pay you overtime—I can barely afford the $800—and I don’t want to get busted for violating labor laws.Morelabor laws,” Dewey added with a hard look. “Who knows how much trouble I’m already in.”

“Trouble?” Theo snorted down at his shoes. “I wouldn’t want to get you into any trouble, but I don’t know where else to go.”

Dewey pushed out a sound that might have been a sympathetic grunt. “You can come back later. Just go find something to do for a few hours so nobody thinks I’m holding you hostage.”

“Alright…” Theo trudged to the nearest bench and sat to change out of his bowling shoes. “Is there anything interesting in walking distance?” he asked as he worked.

“Not really.” Dewey shook his head and shrugged a shoulder, earning a frustrated glare from Theo as he pulled on an Oxford.

It felt strange, wearing a shoe with a decent insole and arch support after living in rental bowling shoes for almost two weeks. Theo winced at the front doors warily. “I believe there’s rain, possibly snow, in the forecast.”

“You’ve already experienced the convenience store, but you could try the animal shelter. It’s in walking distance and Lidia will be happy to talk your ear off while Dave ignores you,” Dewey said and Theo brightened.

“Animal shelter? I love animals.”

“Who doesn’t?” Dewey replied, then pointed at Theo. “Do not let her talk you into keeping something. I don’t go in there because I’d walk out with the whole damn shelter,” he said, causing Theo to hiss sympathetically.

“I have always wanted a house full of dogs and a few fat, old cats,” he confided but took a deep breath and shook his head. “I can be strong.”

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