Chapter 2

“Jason assumes he owns a mortgaged nightclub and is solidly middle class. He doesn’t know anything about being wealthy, he wouldn’t see the signs, besides which Jason has never been to his home. Zach always comes to him.”

“Interesting…” Keith sat there staring. Bobby continued to refuse to be intimidated. His smile seemed benign.

“They go to the park and sometimes Zach brings Caroline to play with Kitty. He might even like Kitty, but I don’t want to take a chance. Jason and Kitty have more to lose than Zach.”

“Zach wouldn’t hurt the little girl, how could you think that…Zach loves kids. If your friend is scheming, a kid is the way to do it.” Bobby thought Keith sounded self-righteous.

Bobby was livid at Keith accusation. His face was mottled, and he had to hold onto his leg to keep it from twitching. “Jason doesn’t know how to scheme. He’s never had the opportunity. Jason has never seen anyone, period.”

“Why’s that? It seems a bit unusual for a gay guy over eighteen to be that clueless.”

“He hasn’t had the time to get a clue. He worked as a drudge for his grasping father and stepmother. Just as he escaped their clutches and went to UNM, Ann got pregnant, and they sucked him back in.”

“Ann?” Keith asked.

“Ann was Jason’s evil stepmother, literally. She and Evan, Jason’s father, robbed Jason blind then died driving drunk. Jason doesn’t know that.”

“How could Jason not know?”

“He was in college in New Mexico on a full soccer scholarship at the time. He had no time to get a handle on the truth. Jason played soccer, studied hard, and worked part-time, not for himself, but to send stuff home to Kitty.”

“Why was that?” Keith now exuded curiosity.

“They told him Ann lost her job.” Bobby’s face was burning. “They died, driving drunk leaving Jason as the guardian and sole provider for his then three-year-old half-sister, he was only twenty, about to turn twenty-one.”

“He didn’t have to take responsibility. He could have left her to social services,” Keith said.

Now he’s trying to provoke me. Bobby settled down and continued, “Jason loves his sister. He gave up his scholarship and came back to Kitty, a house that was falling apart, and inadequate insurance. Until recently, besides caring for Kitty, he worked two jobs and was still barely able to keep his head above water. He’s had no time to learn to be devious.”

“Unlike you.” Keith projected amusement.

“Unlike me,” Bobby blandly smiled back at him.

In a mercurial change of mood, Keith said, “That’s tough about the parents for him and the kid.” Keith’s face softened. “He’s making good money here, and he gets along well with all of the staff even though they’re aware Zach’s interested in him, and that’s unusual.”

“Jason is clueless. He’s a hard worker and loyal to a fault. He’d never take advantage of anyone. Everyone likes him, but he’s prone to having people take advantage of him.”

“Yeah, that happens. Gay guys can be the worst bitches. I’ve seen them in action in too many bars. I don’t allow it here.”

Bobby raised an eyebrow.

“I hear an occasional complaint from one of the bartenders but other than him no one thinks Jason is getting special treatment, so I pay no attention to the whiner. Jason works harder than anyone in this club. He doesn’t try to take advantage of the fact that Zach’s hot for him. He’s a good worker, and they know it.”

“If you know that about Jason, why are you yanking my chain?” Bobby asked, curious.

“Because it’s so eminently yankable.” Keith smiled blandly.

“Listen, Jason’s doing well enough that he could quit his second job. He’s happy here. I don’t want the new job to be in jeopardy if Zach takes the notion to move on from whatever this is. Jason is finally making enough so that his gut doesn’t wrench every time he opens the mail.” This time it was Keith with the raised eyebrow. “Finally Reggie and I don’t have to bring food to the house under the guise of wanting to eat dinner with him and Kitty. In the last year, he’s lost at least ten pounds by doing without.”

Keith seemed to be listening intently.

Bobby sized up Keith trying to determine if he could trust him. “I’m his best friend. I can’t stand by and let Jason and Kitty get hurt by someone who is doing a drive-by and they would be because Jason is more involved than he knows.” Bobby stood and put his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts.