Page 79 of Outcast
I disassembled the Indian’s engine and removed the cylinder head and cylinder covers to inspect the damage, losing track of time as I examined, measured, and cleaned parts to prepare for a piston repair.
Of course, I had to get some new pistons in to make that happen, so once I verified the parts I needed, I moved on to the next bike, starting with changing the oil before moving on to checking filters, brake fluid, and tire pressure.
I lost track of time, and before I knew it, Axel was shaking my shoulder. “Hey, man. You need to eat something.”
I blinked bleary eyes up at him. “What time is it?”
“It’s past seven, man. Time to call it a night.”
I straightened up, my back popping three times, and I groaned. “I feel like an old man.”
“You’ve spent half the day bent over, and not even for fun,” Axel teased. “You should take a hot shower and get that pretty boy over here to blow you.”
I scowled. “Don’t talk about him like that.”
“Like what? A casual hookup?”
I cocked my head. “You know, Bailey came out at dinner, and it seemed like a big deal. But no one’s said anything about you.”
“So?”
“So, you’re clearly batting for more than one team.”
He shrugged. “I get around. Doesn’t really matter to me what’s in someone’s pants.”
“You know that’s a sexuality, right? As valid as being gay.”
Axel avoided my eye. “I just like sex a lot. So I have it with lots of people. It doesn’t have to mean anything. I’m just a manwhore.”
“Well, that’s a crappy way to see yourself,” I said. “It sounds like you’re pansexual. Maybe you like sex and have it a lot, but don’t deny your sexuality, okay? Manwhore isnotan identity.”
He smirked. “Is this your way of telling me to keep my paws off Emory?”
“No. I’ll tell you straight up, keep your grabby hands off my guy.”
“Your guy, huh?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Uh-huh. I think I’m not the only one in denial.”
“Fuck off,” I said with a laugh.
Axel walked me back to the house and made my tired ass a sandwich, which was the nicest thing he’d ever done for me. “Where’s Hold and Bails?” I asked between big bites.
Now that there was ham and cheese in my mouth, my body remembered it was fucking starving.
Axel threw a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos on the table, and I ripped into them, even though I hated that flavor.
“Bailey went out with some friends. Holden is probably binging Netflix in his room.” He paused. “Unless he’s watching porn. Do you think Holden watches porn?”
I met his gaze, flummoxed. “I…have no idea.”
“It’s hard to picture,” Axel said.
“Has he ever…”
“Been with someone? Not as far as I know.”
