Page 116 of Trigger

“There it is,” he muttered, chewing on his gum. “Do you swearyou’re okay?”

“I’m fine, Tye,” I said, feeling the opposite. “Have fun, okay?”

“Yeah. Talk to you later.” Then he added, for good measure. “Oh,by the way… if it’s bothering you who will be fucking whom, don’t worry. We’llfigure it out. I’m usually not flexible on the matter, but for you, I’m willingto make an exception.”

I laughed because… that guy was insane.

Chapter 23

You Get Some, You Lose Some

Thorsen

“What the hell was that all about?” Bazooka said, motioning foranother round. “You looked like a rabid dog when I came to your place.”

“Nothing,” I replied, looking around the bar. “This place looksdifferent.”

“Things have changed a bit, yeah. Moira is gone, as you can see.She got pregnant and quit. This place is less classy without her, if you askme.”

I nodded in agreement, taking a sip of my beer.

“I have great news about Boggs, by the way,” Bazooka said. “Thechief pulled some strings. Some doors opened. It’s too early to tell where theywill lead, but I think you will be back with us sooner rather than later.”

It was the last thing I wanted to hear, and my face gave it away.

“I thought you would be happy,” he said with a frown. “What’s thematter?”

I shook my head, unable to find words after everything thathappened this evening. Or didn’t happen. Was Carter jerking off? I would giveboth my kidneys to find out. It sounded that way. He was awfully quiet.

“This isn’t about that guy, is it?” Bazooka guessed my troubles.“That… What’s his name?”

“Dominic Carter,” I replied, dragging my hand down my face.“Fuck.”

“You didn’t really mean it when you said you’re in love or someshit?”

“I’m crazy about that guy,” I admitted, staring at my glass. “Inever felt this way about anyone before. I swear to you, Levi…. I never feltthis way. Everything about him… I like everything about him. Everything. And Idon’t want anyone else. I want him. Only him.”

After my verbal vomit, he just stared at me, and I couldn’t blamehim one bit.

“Tye… damn.”

“Yeah. Damn.”

“But isn’t he, like… straight?”

It was a million-dollar question. Because was he? Still?

“He says he is, but… erm… we really clicked, and at times it feelsas if there’s more, you know?”

Levi shook his head in disapproval.

“Don’t go there, Tye. Even if it’s true, you know the chances ofhim acting on it are—”

“Next to nothing, I know, but—”

“Look, if you want your heart broken, fine, but I’ve seen ithappen too many times. Straight dudes are a big no-no for a reason.”

“Are you talking out of your experience?”

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