The bleak years Dallas experienced in his youth exposed a picture in Greer’s head that he didn’t want to see. What all had Dallas gone through? Did his parents put him through some form of pray-the-gay-away therapy? It explained so much. “I need to talk to him. What’s he doing this weekend? Do you know?”
“I don’t know. Ducky’s asked me to train the new instructors. He’s worried about Dallas. Other than that, Dallas is volunteering for an auction at the Boys & Girls Club Friday night. He’s not in any condition to make small talk with anyone, so I agreed to buy him in BikeBro’s name. We also plan to film for YouTube. We’re running out of pre-recorded content—” Skye abruptly stopped speaking. Her serious face morphed into something excited. Her fingers landed on his arm in a slap. Her eyes grew wide as she spoke her thoughts aloud. “Greer! He’s being auctioned off for a date.”
She bounced in the seat at the implication. Greer nodded before understanding what she wanted him to do. Buy Dallas’s time? Greer immediately shook his head no.
“No, Greer! Buy Dallas. That’ll force him to have to talk to you, and it’s so romantic.” Her hands came together close to her heart and her head tilted. Her doe-eyed stare lost in the romance of her suggestion.
Outside of being something that might happen on the Hallmark Channel during the holidays, Greer did see the significant romance qualities of showing up unexpectedly and buying his man. “I don’t know. He doesn’t want anyone to know.”
“He’s doing it to build exposure for BikeBro. You’re BikeBro too. And if we make a big donation and buy him, the company looks like it’s supporting local charities. Greer! I think it’s a great idea.” She slapped him in the arm a bit harder this time in her unbridled excitement. “You have to do it.”
If he purchased Dallas as a show of company support for the community, that BikeBro was the one making the purchase, maybe it might work. A relieving sense of hope filled his heart and drove him to say, “Would you take his classes this weekend?”
Skye’s eyes grew wider. “You’re going to surprise him with an overnight trip? Greer…”
If he took Dallas to Houston, they’d have distance and time to sort this out. Two things they both genuinely needed.
“I don’t know.” Greer tucked his lips between his teeth, gnawing against the tender flesh. He needed time to think but showing up unannounced to buy Dallas for a date seemed reasonable. His heart instantly connected, hanging on to the dreamy idea. “You can’t tell him or anyone for that matter. And I’ll need your help. I’ll have to get him proper clothing to wear. I have meetings on Saturday. I could give him a spa day Saturday to relax and get him ready for the gala. You’ll have to help me with sizes. I could have a bag packed…”
“I’m in, Greer.” Skye gave her supporting allegiance and sat back in her seat, looking incredibly pleased with herself. “Dallas deserves happiness. You deserve happiness. What’s our plan? I can sneak into his room and get clothing sizes today while he’s teaching. That won’t be any problem…”
Greer let Skye talk as he said a simple prayer to the universe. Please don’t let this blow up in my face.
=?=
“What the fuck, Dallas?” Donny shouted, shoving open Dallas’s closed bedroom door. His brother’s ominous shadow darkened the doorway.
Dallas had barely signed out of the class he’d just finished. Sweat flew when he jerked his head in Donny’s direction, caught off guard by his brother’s outburst. His spine instantly steeled at the harsh, judgmental tone.
Why the fuck was Donny even in his house at ten forty-five at night?
Donny stalked toward Dallas, getting all in his personal space. Donny had always been a bully.
Now was not the time.
Anger easily licked along Dallas’s spine, building into an instant defense against his brother’s rage. Dallas refused to be backed into a corner ever again. He pushed past Donny, forcibly knocking his brother in the shoulder as he went. Donny’s intimidation tactics no longer affected him.
Dallas’s intentions had been to shower before bed to make the last morning of his sub assignment a little easier. But Donny bounded forward, blocking the entrance to the bathroom. His brother’s chest swelled, declaring nothing was getting past him without a fight. Fine by him.
“It’s close to eleven. Leave me the fuck alone. Go home,” Dallas roared, bending to put his face within inches of his brother’s, showing his own brand of intimidation.
“I’d love to be in my fucking bed, in my fucking house, but your lazy-ass is holding everything up. Why aren’t you responding to any of the emails?” Donny shouted.
Fuck him. He didn’t answer to his brother no matter what Donny thought. Dallas turned away, giving Donny his back as he started down the hall.