CHAPTER 21
DAINE
Zipping up my pants, I smiled down at the guy I’d met at the bar, Jason or Jeffrey or some other J name I’d forgotten as soon as he’d told me.
“That was awesome, thanks,” I said. He leaned in close, smiling as he kissed me quickly.
“My pleasure,” he whispered. “See you around?”
“I’m sure you will,” I replied, as we walked out of the bathroom together.
Lincoln Park was almost deserted at this late hour but I decided to walk around the lake before heading back home. I’d spent most of my night at the Eagle, dancing till the place closed. When the bartender called out last call, I grabbed the cutest bear I could find and pulled him out the door.
I’d chosen wisely, I thought, as I wandered around the lake with a little extra bounce in my step. He was skilled, and I promised myself that I’d remember his name next time I saw him.
Lincoln Park officially closes at ten, but that doesn’t deter many people. The park benches were filled with homeless sleepers and the pathways even had a few joggers running around, even at this late hour.
Staring up at the moon, I couldn’t help but smile. My life was damned good. I had absolutely nothing to complain about and as I turned my face up, letting the moon bathe me in its glowing light, I felt a wave of joy wash over me.
Not only did I have a wonderful job that provided me with buckets of cash, I lived in a town that was always awash in sunshine, with the majestic Pacific Ocean always within easy reach. Filled with a heavy population of beautiful gay men, I felt like I’d moved to heaven itself. Not to mention the amazing friends I’d been able to do all this with and coupled with the success of Tomcats, it was remarkable how easy everything was.
The lake was small, but beautiful, the breeze kicking up tiny waves on the surface of the water that sparkled in the moonlight. I pulled out my wallet, and fished out the stack of hundreds I’d traded in a bucket full of ones for at work earlier.
Each time I passed someone sleeping on a park bench, I’d walk up and quietly place one of the hundreds near them, anchoring it with whatever was nearby. After a few minutes of sharing my wealth, I felt like an undercover Santa Claus spreading joy in the dead of night.
Up ahead, I spotted another figure huddled under a blanket, tossing and turning on one of the benches. My heart felt for the guy, he must be so uncomfortable and miserable. I approached quietly, trying hard not to disturb him as I searched for something to put the cash under. I grabbed a nearby beer can and placed it near the head of the covered figure, slipping the bill underneath.
As I went to pull my hand away, a hand reached out from under the blanket and grabbed mine.
“What the hell are you doing?” A voice growled, as their fingers wrapped around my wrist.
“I’m just leaving money for you!” I said, pulling away.
The person jumped up from the bench, the blanket falling to the ground.
“Dude!” I cried, when I saw it was Finn, the annoying kid from work.
“Shit!” he muttered, shaking his head.
“What the hell, man? What are you doing sleeping in the park?”
“Just forget you saw me,” he growled. He leaned down, snatched up the money I’d left and shoved it towards me. “And take your fucking handout. I don’t need it.”
“You’re sleeping on a bench in the park, I’d say you definitely need it.”
“Look, it’s only temporary, okay?” he barked. “Don’t worry about it. And please, Daine, don’t say anything to anyone else, okay?”
“You’re fucking kidding me, right? You don’t have anywhere to stay?”
“Not yet, but I will soon, as soon as I save up from working. Which is why you can’t tell anyone at Tomcats! Please?”
“Dude, this is ridiculous. Look, we all live in Tillie’s huge mansion. Just come stay with us. You can have the pool house, it’s empty.”
“No way.”
“Why not? Are you crazy? I’m offering you something amazing. Just for a few days, if you’re that stubborn.”
“I don’t want them to think I’m homeless.”
“You are homeless.”
“Whatever. Just don’t tell anyone, alright?”
“Dude, what the hell is wrong with you? Get your shit and come with me. I insist.”
“It’s better if I just find my own way.”
“Really? And getting stabbed in Lincoln Park is going to help you find your way how exactly?”
He stared at me with squinted eyes. It was clear he didn’t trust me, but why would he? I’d been nothing but an asshole to him since he’d walked in the door of Tomcats.
“Look, man, it’s legit, okay? Nobody is going to care. I’m sorry I’ve been so mean to you. Let me help you out, okay? Just a place to sleep.”
He looked at me as if he was contemplating it.
“It’s really fucking nice, trust me,” I said. “Nicest place I’ve ever lived. You’d be pretty stupid to say no.”
“Fine,” he muttered under his breath.
“Awesome, get your shit,” I said. He grabbed his back pack and threw the beer can in the trash, before turning back to me. “Good. You’ll be stoked when you see the place. Have you met Tillie yet?”
“No, not yet,” he said, as we began walking next to each other.
“You’ll love her,” I said.
“Thanks, man,” he muttered under his breath.
“My pleasure,” I replied.
“Here’s your money,” he said, once again shoving the hundred my way.
“You keep that. You need it more than me,” I said.
He shoved it back in his pocket and smiled.
“Not for long,” he said. “I couldn’t believe how much money I made last night.”
“Blaze said you used to work at Cocktails. Didn’t you make good money there?”
“Oh,” he replied, looking a bit sheepish. “Yeah…”
“You never worked at Cocktails, did you?” I asked.
He looked over at me smiled.
“Damn, boy,” I said, throwing an arm around his shoulders and laughing. “Bold move, bold move…”