#5: I'm Not Gay

I answered him despite the change of subject. I guess we were all allowed to avoid conversations we didn’t like.

 “A small burger joint, it’s a family-owned business…” I paused. “Unless you are against going into a place that charges less than five dollars a meal…” Knowing DeLuca, which I didn’t, but suspected, he would be familiar with thirty-dollar dishes and the glass of wine that put an average person’s monthly income to shame.

 “I have no problem with it.” He chuckled. “It’s been a while since I’ve been inside a…burger joint.”

 I laughed.

 The words sounded foreign on his tongue and I suspected he hadn’t been at a burger joint ever.

 As soon as we pulled into a parking spot, the two black cars slowly pulled to the side of the road in front of the restaurant. I all but scrambled out of the car, locking it behind me as DeLuca and I made our way to the front door. I felt a little unnerved, though it dissipated as we entered the diner.

 The simple and familiar structure with its warm colors was welcoming.

 It was small, confined, but clean and unique.

 I plopped down at the far stool at the counter and DeLuca settled next to me. His upper torso was broader than mine and our shoulders brushed. I tried not to notice. “It must suck,” I started the conversation ineloquently as I grabbed the menu from the basket. I already knew what I wanted, but the laminated card gave me something to keep me occupied. “To be followed all the time. To be watched.”

 “It’s a burden,” the man conceded, “but it’s necessary, I suppose.” DeLuca took special interest in watching the cook behind the counter. He didn’t seem particularly pleased to be talking about the security and I knew when not to push. “What would you suggest ordering?” The dark-haired man tore his eyes away from the cook and down to the menu.

 He didn’t look too long at the list of specials before his eyes danced over to me again.

 I turned uneasy at the intensity of his stare. No one had ever looked at me. Not like that. Sitting this close to him, I couldn’t help but to think he was handsome, or, at least passable. I didn’t consider myself gay, but I was confident enough with myself to admit he was attractive. Then again, DeLuca was the kind of man who knew he was attractive. He almost looked too handsome, too delicate, but his eyes and body posture spoke differently. He was dangerous and he could take care of himself.

 “Jude?” His lips parted into a knowing smile.

 I blinked, sneering at myself. “Sorry. For staring.”

 DeLuca chuckled, sounding pleased at my abrupt admittance. “You are amusing, little one.” He continued to study me as if he were looking for something.

 “The classic burger is great,” I muttered, finally answering his earlier question before I could make an even bigger idiot of myself. “And the fries…” I trailed off, this time, drooling over the prospect of food and not over the man sitting next to me.

 The small burger shop wasn’t occupied by many people tonight. A small family sat in the back enjoying a dinner. I turned my head, observing them silently. They seemed happy-go-lucky as they argued and laughed amongst each other.

 “Your parents…” DeLuca hinted after turning to see what caught my attention. “They weren’t at your track meet.”

 I found myself giving a bitter laugh. Talk about conversations that were best left to rot. “No, they have more important things to do. Like I said earlier at the track, they aren’t into sports.” I tried to defend them and see it from their perspective. It wasn’t really hard, not when I’d been doing it since a child. They were busy. “Running, especially, isn’t that thrilling to watch.”

 “I found it rather relaxing. Your movements are fluid and graceful,” he said lowly. “It’s a pity they don’t encourage you with what you enjoy doing. Have you discussed this with them?”

 “It’s nothing,” I denied sharply.

 If he could end conversations about mysterious security detail, then I could end this pointless discussion as well.

 “Jude, my dear!” a woman cried with delight.

 I perked up from my seat, watching as the owner’s wife danced out from the kitchens. She was a heavy-set woman with flaming red hair. Her smile was contagious, which was half the reason I came here. Whenever I needed cheering up, she would be my remedy. And whenever Rhys accompanied me, he always enjoyed flirting with her, which was an added bonus in itself.

 She reached over, pinching my left cheek. Hard. “You look very handsome today. It’s like I haven’t seen you in ages!”

 I looked like shit. And it had only been last week since I’d last seen her. Nonetheless, I knew not to argue. No one could win an argument with her. Rhys tried countless times before and failed. “Hello Mrs. Wilson.” I rubbed my cheek, glancing sideways at DeLuca. The man was eyeing the woman with a hint of curiosity.

 “None of that, boy, call me Julie. And who is this?” Julie raised her eyebrows, casting an appreciative look at DeLuca.

 Before I could introduce DeLuca, the man jumped in and fluently did so himself.

 “Roman DeLuca, it’s nice to meet you.” The man seemed to be more pleasant with her than he had been with my parents.

 The woman took a hold of his offered hand, casting me a wink. I blanched. “He’s Nole’s boss, Julie.” I used her first name in order to get her attention away from ogling at DeLuca. It was disturbing. “Nole had other plans tonight so Mr. DeLuca decided he would come with me to dinner.” I stressed Roman’s professional title.

 “Call me Roman, Jude,” the man corrected for what seemed like the umpteenth time that night.

 Julie gushed silently, eyeing me as if… as if… oh fuck. She actually thought I was seeing DeLuca. I wasn’t gay. Why did everyone assume that? Granted, I had difficulty dating girls, but that was because there was an unspoken rule among females that they wouldn’t date shorter men. Honestly, I would grow.

 I would.

 “The usual for you, Jude?” she cooed.

 “Yeah, hold the milkshake.” I replied a bit grumpily.

 As DeLuca ordered the same, Julie all but glided back to the kitchen.

 “Jude,” the man started, adjusting his position on his stool to give me his undivided attention. “What if I asked you to consider working for me? I believe you’d make a good addition.”

 With my forehead on my open palm, I threw DeLuca a sullen look. “This is why you wanted to come with me tonight? I’m not like my brother, you know, I plan to attend college before I settle on a career.”

 It hadn’t really crossed my mind before, but the more I considered it, the more it seemed expected. DeLuca had snagged Nole when he was young, before he even had a chance to explore his options. And maybe the man thought I would bring the same qualities to his business that my brother did.

 “No.” DeLuca leaned forward and abruptly grabbed my wrist, forcing my attention back on him. “I wanted to get to know you better.” He cocked his head, looking pensive. “Your presence is rather… unique. You aren’t like any of the others I’m with all day. After a stressful day, it’s nice to relax. That is why I agreed to come here with you.” He leaned even closer.

 “I’m not gay.” I blurted out.

 Did the man really think I was that easy?

 DeLuca blinked before breaking out into a predatory grin and a surprised laugh. “Can’t I enjoy your presence without it being sexual?”

 I noticed he didn’t indicate whether he was gay or not. “Sorry,” I grumbled, realizing I may have jumped to conclusions. “You’re right, of course.” Before I could dig myself deeper into a hole, Julie came bustling out of the kitchen, balancing our food in her hands.

 “Here you are… two classics.” She winked at me again before bustling over to the other customers.