Plus, why come out when I hadn’t dated a man seriously? But then, I hadn’t dated women seriously either. Not really. Sure, I’d had relationships that lasted months, people my family had met, but I hadn’t ever been in love. I was pretty sure that was something else I was doing wrong, if you asked my parents. They understood with Maddy, of course. They wanted to keep her close anyway, but my lack of permanence in the relationship department frustrated Dad no end.
So, yeah, I’d kept it from them for personal reasons, and then my sister’s husband had come out as gay, and you would have thought he was responsible for all the world’s hunger, the way my parents had acted. Maddy had been hurt—I was pretty sure she still was—but my parents’ anger had all been about two things: Ryder hurting the most important person in the world, yes, but also their pride.
That kept me from telling them for another two years. I finally dropped the bomb in a moment of anger when I was arguing with my father about whatever I had screwed up that time. Not my finest moment, but I wasn’t always the best at thinking things through. Sometimes I just acted. It had been known to get me into trouble a time or ten.
I grinned when I realized there was a man online from the south side of the building. Since it was new, they hadn’t filled all the units yet. I was pretty sure he’d just moved in; either that, or we hadn’t been online at the same time.
I checked out his page—the typical abs shot, but it wasn’t like mine was any different. Most men weren’t on this app looking for something lasting. It was a way to have a little fun, and who didn’t think a sexy set of abs was attractive?
GoodWithHisHands. Okay, I had to roll my eyes at his handle. Some might say mine, TheDoctorIsIn, wasn’t much better, though.
His bio said he was thirty years old—that didn’t happen often, listing an age—and that he’d just moved to Atlanta from California.
Bored and semicurious, I messaged him.
TheDoctorIsIn: Good with your hands, huh?
GoodWithHisHands: Among other things.
He added a winky-face emoji.
TheDoctorIsIn: Is that all I’m going to get?
GoodWithHisHands: I know how to wield my tools as well.
I chuckled. This kind of banter wasn’t anything new, of course. It was also cheesy as hell, but entertaining.
TheDoctorIsIn: Is it only your tools you’re good with? What about someone else’s? And all tools or just some? What’s your favorite?
There was a short pause before he responded.
GoodWithHisHands: Why are all the innuendos about me, Doc? How’s your bedside manner? Are you trying to play doctor with me? I guess one could likely say we’re both good with our hands.
I laughed. He had me there.
TheDoctorIsIn: Innuendo aside for a moment, you have me at a disadvantage. You know what I do, but I don’t know about you.
GoodWithHisHands: Ah, so you really are a doctor? I wondered. I’m a mechanic.
Well, shit. I hadn’t expected that. Who the hell knew what I had expected, but…
GoodWithHisHands: Family money. If you’re wondering how I live here.
He’d anticipated my curiosity, which I never would have voiced.
TheDoctorIsIn: I wasn’t going to ask. I’m not that rude.
GoodWithHisHands: Yeah, I didn’t figure you would, but it’s understandable to be curious. These condos are expensive as fuck. I was feeling a little self-indulgent, I guess.
TheDoctorIsIn: LOL. Me too.
GoodWithHisHands: But you’re a doctor. It makes sense. Isn’t it in the job description to be all fancy and a little bit of a self-righteous dick?
An unexpected laugh burst from my lips. It wasn’t every day a complete stranger called me out like that. It was refreshing, even though it was a joke.
TheDoctorIsIn: Ouch. My first instinct was to call you judgmental, but…you’re maybe a little bit right. I like nice things. I’ve been told I can be a dick. But you forgot that I’m also a know-it-all, borderline cocky, always the smartest person in the room, and have a habit of making impulsive decisions.
GoodWithHisHands: Hey, now. Slow your roll. Don’t you go getting layers and depth on me. You’re not supposed to admit your flaws. I’ll start thinking there’s more to you than a hot set of abs, sexual innuendo, and being an asshole.
TheDoctorIsIn: What can I say? I like to keep you on your toes. Also, I was never actually an asshole to you.
GoodWithHisHands: Good point. What kind of physician are you?
TheDoctorIsIn: Board certified in emergency medicine, at your service.
GoodWithHisHands: Let’s hope we only play doctor and I don’t really need you.
TheDoctorIsIn: You should always need me. I’m a great fuck.
GoodWithHisHands: I thought you said you were only borderline cocky? That sounds pretty fucking arrogant to me.
TheDoctorIsIn: I’m going to be a good boy and not talk about how cocky I am.