“Okay,” he said, quickly. “I did have a good time, though.”
“Sure thing.” Llew’s smile never appeared, even though he’d wanted it to. He grabbed his jacket, and his long strides had him at the front door in seconds. By the time he’d unlocked the door, Gene was there with a shy hand on his shoulder. He turned, looking back down at eyes that were full of empathy, which – although it was nice –wasn’t wanted.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, Llew. I think tonight had a lot to do with me.”
Llew shook his head.
“It’s okay. I’m just not your type, Llew. That’s what all this was about.” Gene gestured lower. “Either that, or you weren’t being yourself. I noticed you barely touched me, so it’s probably more me.”
“It’s not you. I promise, Gene. Thank you for tonight.” Llew turned and left. He wasn’t going to explain anything else. He was fucked up in the head, and whatever defect he had up there was directly hardwired to his cock. There was no Viagra in prison; he just had to deal with it in there.
“A lot of men don’t get erections in prison. That’s not as uncommon as you may think, Llew. ”
Llew had hoped it’d been restricted to that environment only, but obviously it wasn’t. During the forty-five minute ride home, he contemplated what he was going to do about his brother and the business. It was painfully obvious he couldn’t stay and work for him, or any business in Emporia, for that matter. He thought again about Henderson, NC, and all the new developments his brother had mentioned going up in the fast-growing town. While it was still a relatively small area, it was still larger than Emporia, and most importantly, no one knew him. He could apply at some construction companies, hardware stores, or whatever. Happily, it was only an hour and half away from his brother so they could visit often. Llew pulled into the only twenty-four hour gas station in town to refill his brother’s truck.
He’d just come out from paying the clerk when his eyes locked on the regal figure standing at the pump behind his. Jesus Christ. He was taller. Still lean and fit beneath a tailored, black pinstriped suit. He was facing away from him, watching the tally of his gas dispensing, but Llew knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was Moss McGregor the sixth. He hadn’t seen him since that night.
His chest constricted and his steps faltered. He realized he was standing in the middle of the lane when a loud car horn yanked him out of his shocked state. Moss’ head spun around, and eyes that used to stare at him with adoration locked on to him. Fear danced across Moss’ handsome face, and Llew knew he had to get the fuck out of there. He hurried across the street, back to his pump. He wanted to run like hell, but he’d paid his fifty bucks to fill up. He kept his back turned to Moss, but he could feel those bright blue eyes boring into his back.
“Honey, who is that?” The sharp female voice could be heard over the loud ringing in Llew’s ears.
He’d heard Moss had gotten married to a debutant from Richmond, like his father had always planned. Llew’s body burned all over when he head Moss’ response of, “No one.”
His fuckin’ hands shook so hard he could barely keep the nozzle inside the tank. He wasn’t supposed to be in the vicinity of his victim, according to his probation documents. He looked up at the dispenser when it clicked and saw the numbers slow down, as he got closer to his prepaid amount. Hurry up, goddamnit.
Screeching tires and the chirp of a siren made Llew close his eyes and pray for god to just take him now. “Get your hands up, Llewellyn Gardner!” Deputy Jamison yelled, bounding from his cruiser after was just barely throwing it in park. Another sheriff car raced up, slamming on the brakes; blocking his truck’s exit.
Llew gritted his teeth, finally turning to look at Moss. He’d thought he didn’t have tears anymore, having cried them all out the first two years he was in prison, but of course he was wrong again. His own dark eyes burned with moisture when Moss’ sorrowful ones finally met his. Bright blue eyes that were once so vibrant and full of life were now as dreary as a polluted pond. Moss looked absolutely miserable, his face contorted into what looked like pain when he saw Officer Jamison slam Llew into his truck, yanking his hands behind his back. The unforgiving metal of the handcuffs pinched his flesh when they locked closed. He didn’t resist it. He grunted and flinched at the harsh treatment, but he didn’t fight it. Llew’s head was pressed against the cold, hard door, but he was determined to keep his eyes locked on Moss’. Are you going to let this happen to me again? Did you really never love me, Moss? Llew was finally able to face his accuser after all these years. Moss couldn’t hide this time. What Llew was trying to convey with his eyes must have been received; because Moss’ face twisted into anger, and he barged past the deputy that was asking if he was okay, storming up to Deputy Jamison. He was close enough that Llew could smell faint traces of his cologne.