Page 31 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
“You will care very much when you lose even the lousy jobs you can still get.”
“Your luck won’t hold out forever, Ian. I had no proof, but someday—”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. Boys like you are disposable.” He gave an assessing tilt of his head. “You did your best, but I’m still free to swim where I please.”
I suddenly understood what this was. “I’ve aged out of your preferred waters, haven’t I?”
“Alas.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Every good boy has an expiration date.”
“Don’t get comfortable, Drake. Anywhere you swim, there’s a food chain. Someday a great white shark will come along and crack into your gross, chewy hide, and I’ll applaud from the sidelines.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sharks don’t like the taste of men, you know.”
“I’m not worried,” I said before turning my back and walking away. “By now, you probably taste just like chicken.”
When I caught up to Molly, she grabbed me and hauled me to the car. Once we were inside and the trip home was underway, she turned to me.
“Oh God. What was that? What did he say?” she asked. “You gave the code words. Why did you talk to him alone?”
“Guess he found a button that still works.”
“Your ego,” she snapped, disgusted. “Tell me exactly what was said.”
“We just had words, Molz.”
“Actionable words?”
“He vaguely alluded that he’s still…I don’t know…into boys? Don’t ask. I feel sick enough for listening to him, even for a second.”
“Why did you do it?”
“I wanted to face a monster from my past.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “Okay. How do you feel?”
“Not good.” My hands were shaking. “A little dizzy. A little…Stop the car. Stop the car!”
The driver pulled over and I practically fell out and got sick on the side of the rural road.
“Aw, shoot.” Molly handed me water and tissues. “We need a better plan going forward because this day truly sucks.”
“I know. I played the game and lost, and now I’m overreacting.”
“You did not lose.” She wrapped her arm around me. “You were a total pro during the shoot.”
“But I wanted to prove something.” Beads of sweat cooled on my face while unshed tears burned my eyes. “It’s not the first time I’ve run into someone from their set. I wanted him to know I could handle it.”
“You were fine while you were working, but I wouldn’t call the aftermathhandlingit.” Of course Molly would point out the obvious.”
“I did my job. I earned my money.”
She winced. “Oh, honey.”
“Can we go back now? My head hurts.”
She opened the car door, and I slid inside. Our driver pretended he hadn’t noticed anything unusual about our behavior.
I was very glad I hadn’t been sick in the car.
