Page 36 of Worthy Now
Jake gives a booming laugh. “I do have a brother. Very handsome, or so I’ve been told, which makes him very popular with the ladies. So, unless I’ve missed some major tells, I don’t think you’d have much luck.”
“Shame,” Caleb pouts, linking his arm with mine and pulling me toward the bar’s entrance. “Let’s go scope out the merchandise, then. I’ve never met a real-life cowboy, and I’m feeling lucky tonight. Could you get me an apple martini, please?” he asks as he pushes past Jake, who still seems a little blindsided by my straightforward friend.
“Not sure that’s on the menu here, but I’ll see what I can do,” he promises, following us into the foyer before breaking off toward the bar.
As it turns out, my apprehension at merging my two lives was unnecessary, for Caleb quickly wins everyone over. Megan instantly falls in love with his quick wit and no-nonsense attitude, and once Carter and Jake get over their initial shock of being shamelessly hit on by a man, they hang on his every word as Caleb entertains us with stories from our shared college days.
Within half an hour, our mismatched group is interacting like we’ve known each other for years. Relieved everyone gets on so well, I decide another round is in order, and my two main men graciously offer to help carry the goods. We stand behind a row of people, waiting to gain access to the overcrowded bar, when Caleb takes advantage of an opening and pushes between a couple of patrons to get to the counter. A huge, intimidating-looking guy glances our way before he sneers at my friend.
“How about some personal space there, faggot?”
I instantly cringe at the mean-spirited slur, but it doesn’t even faze my roommate. It’s glaringly obvious he’s found himself on the receiving end of such hateful behavior enough times to let it roll off his back, and my heart aches at the thought.
“Why?” Caleb asks innocently, arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow at the rude redneck. “Are you that insecure about your own sexuality, you’re worried my being gay might rub off on you? Let me tell you, John Boy, it doesn’t work that way. If you caughtyourself glancing at your buddy’s ass in the past, it’s more likely you’ve been drawn to men your whole life, but your homophobic parents brainwashed you into believing that’s not an option. So, you resigned yourself to a lifetime of fantasizing about lil’ Bubba over here without ever reaping the rewards.”
John Boy, as my friend so adequately christened him, turns a deep crimson and narrows his beady eyes at Caleb, drawing himself up to his full height.
“Are you implying I’m into dudes?”
Caleb gives a casual shrug, not the least bit impressed with his posturing.
“If the shoe fits, Cinderella.”
Jake, who’s been hovering behind us throughout the hostile interaction, gives a low chuckle.
“Something funny, Nelson?”
“You have to admit, he’s quick on the trigger, Daryl,” he says, making it obvious the two men know each other. “Come on now. Don’t be a dick. I promised my friend a taste of that southern hospitality we’re so famous for, and then you come along and give us all a bad name.”
“Listen, if you want to spend the evening sidling up to a guy who’s itching to hide his dick in your ass, that’s your choice. But I have a right to protect myself.”
Jake snickers, shooting the homophobic douchebag a pitying look.
“I hate to break it to you, Daryl, but just because someone’s into dudes doesn’t mean he wants to screw every male in his vicinity. It’s quite obvious Caleb has standards, so you can rest assured that your hairy ass is safe tonight.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Daryl asks, glaring at Jake who steps closer to him. “It means you might think you’re awfully charming, but the reality is you’re just a narrow-minded hillbilly with shitty manners, and that’s just not a combination most people find attractive.” Jake shrugs and Caleb looks at him like he’s just transformed into Superman before his very eyes. Daryl, on the other hand, looks less than impressed.
“You always were a smug fuck, Nelson. Even back in the day, before your daddy bit the dust and your success went to your head. You think you’re better than us?” he asks, gesturing to his friend, who’s kept out of the interaction so far. “Let me tell you something. You ain’t. Never have been. Never will be. You were raised by a good-for-nothing drunk, just like I was. The difference between you and me is I’m man enough to accept who I am, and you’re still in denial.” Daryl smirks, high-fiving his buddy like we’re back in middle school.
“Nah, man. The difference between you and me is I’ve always known I don’t have to go down that road. That I had a choice in the matter. Seems to me you’re pretty content following in your daddy’s footsteps.” Jake leans forward and continues in a low but steady voice. “I know what it’s like to grow up with someone who rules the house with an iron fist. To live under the same roof with a man who gets off on belittling his offspring because that’s the only time he ever gets to feel powerful. And I know that it’s real easy to take all that anger and lash out at innocent people. But it’s not my friend’s fault your old man was a coward who enjoyed beating his own kid. All he wanted was to order a drink. He wasn’t looking to get into it with some asshole who hasn’t gotten over his daddy issues, even though it’s been a fucking decade since he died. So, why don’t you shut the fuck up, turn around and keep shooting beers with good ol’ Larry over here?” Daryl pushes away from the bar and gets right into Jake’s face.
“Do you want to take this outside, Nelson?” The anticipatory gleam in his eye makes it clear he’s hoping the answer is yes. Jake clucks his tongue, shaking his head like he’s genuinely disappointed with the bigger man.
“You’re missing the point, Daryl. I don’t have any desire to get into some kind of pissing match with you. I’m not my father. And you don’t have to drink yourself into a stupor and insultpeople who’ve done nothing to deserve your misplaced animosity. Haven’t we lived through enough public displays of senseless violence while the whole town was there to witness our embarrassment? I don’t know about you, but I’m damn glad I don’t have to experience that shit anymore. So, instead of beating each other’s heads in like a couple of cavemen, let’s be grateful those days are behind us, and quit stirring up trouble.”
The behemoth stares Jake down for several more seconds, before his chest visibly deflates. Retreating a step and turning back to his bug-eyed buddy, he barks, “Order your drinks and fuck off, Nelson. I won’t bother your fairy friend again as long as he doesn’t hit on me.”
Caleb produces apfftsound, followed by a muttered, “As if.” Slapping John Boy on the back a little harder than necessary, Jake turns toward the counter and signals the bartender over.
“One apple martini, two bottles of Bud, one spicy Caesar and a vodka tonic please,” he says before turning to Caleb who gazes up at him with stars in his eyes.
“Thanks, man. Nobody has ever defended me like that. I’m used to homophobic comments. Been listening to this bullshit since before I came out. But I really appreciate you standing up for me, considering we barely know each other.”
“I don’t have to know someone to stand up for what’s right,” Jake shoots back without hesitation, handing us our drinks and placing a large bill on the counter. “I don’t know how much Tessa told you, but I grew up with a bully. So, if I hate one thing, it’s guys like this bozo thinking it’s okay to disrespect people because it makes them feel like more of a man. Plus, you’ve been looking after my girl when I had my head so far up my own ass I wasn’t able to. Least I can do is look out for you in return. Any friend of Tessa’s is family, and I protect my own.” Jake turns his attention to me and leans in, lips hovering close to my ear when he says, “That’s twice now that I’ve almost gotten into a bar fight since you’ve been back. Something tells me you might be trouble.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head and gives me a good-natured wink before he walks off to join Megan and Carter.
“Holy hell, that man is dreamy,” Caleb exclaims the second he’s out of earshot, not even trying to hide that he’s checking out my boyfriend’s ass while he disappears into the crowd. “So, you never stopped loving him, huh?” he asks once he manages to tear his eyes away, shooting me a contrite look over the rim of his martini glass.
I try to hide my amusement, taking a pull from my beverage before I give him my answer.
