A Time for Charity by A. Willingham Read Free Book Online Page B

Just gotta put my shirt on and fix my hair.”
    “Hey, I can’t believe you’re almost ready,” James teased. “You almost never run ahead of gay standard time.”
    Chris just rolled his eyes, sighed, and pointedly looked at his watch, not trying to hide his annoyance from anyone. “Come on. You knew what time we’d be here. Why aren’t you ready yet? I don’t want to be late. We’re supposed to be there at nine.”
    “I know. I know,” Sam called from the bathroom, “but I couldn’t decide what to wear. I wanted to look perfect. Gotta look perfect to feed the hungry. How do I look?” Sam asked, walking into the room, straightening the snug, pink and white pin-striped button down that he wore over his favorite pair of worn-out jeans.
    “Good enough to eat,” James said as he smiled. “Now get your coat, and let’s hit the road. If we don’t hit traffic, we should be okay on time.”
    Chris shook his head and rolled his eyes again as he led the way to the car, mumbling something about how there wouldn’t actually be any needy people at the party. Even after two years, Chris only seemed to put up with Sam for James’s sake. Sam sometimes wondered if Chris knew about the secret crush he’d once had on James.
    “So,” Sam said to break the silence in the car. “You think there will be any hot single guys there, or only old, stodgy types?”
    “Well,” replied Chris as he turned in the passenger seat to face Sam in the back, “I’m sure there will be young and old there. A few guys I know from work are going. I’m sure you’d be able to have some fun with one or two of those guys.”
    “Cool. Fun is good,” Sam murmured, looking out the window as the storefronts zoomed by. Fun was good, but Sam really wanted something more. He wanted something like James and Chris had, something more long-term than one night. He was tired of quick hook-ups and one night stands. Well, maybe tonight would be different. Maybe he’d finally meet someone worth meeting. He’d never know until he tried.
     
    *  *  *
    “Thanks, Mitch. I owe you one. Drinks are on me tonight,” Dave promised as the two of the walked into the Double Clover and handed over their canned food. Dave took in the crowd and smiled back at Mitch. “Maybe we’ll both get lucky, yeah?”
    “Yeah,” Mitch replied half-heartedly. He just wanted to get a beer, maybe play a little pool, and then call it a night. One night stands weren’t really his thing. He was basically only here because Mitch begged him.
    “Oh, hey, there’s Chris, a guy I know from my uncle’s group.” Dave pointed and led the way to a couple of tables back by the pool tables.
    Dave greeted the small, attractive blond leaning against one of the tables. “Hey, Chris. This is my friend Mitch. He gave me a lift and is gonna hang out for awhile.”
    “Cool. Thanks for coming.” Chris leaned over to shake Mitch’s hand, flashing a pleasant smile. Turning to Dave, Chris pointed to a small, dark-haired man and a tall, lanky redhead coming toward them. “Here come James and Sam. I think you and Sam could really have some fun together.”
    “Oh shit. No fucking way,” Mitch muttered to himself as he recognized the small man as the guy from the perfume counter at Redmond’s. Just great. Not only was he a total stranger to most of the people here, he also had to see the perfume guy again. He felt a blush coloring his cheeks as Sam approached with the redhead.
    Sam laughed aloud as he and James joined them.
    “It’s you! Who would’ve thought we’d meet again? How’s the head?” Sam smiled. Mitch felt his blush intensify.
    “You two know each other?” Chris asked, eyes shifting from Sam to Mitch.
    “Not formally, no, but you could say that we’ve met before.” Sam flashed Mitch a brilliant smile before turning to wink at Dave.
    “This is Mitch and Dave,” Chris introduced.
    Sam and Dave seemed to hit it off immediately. Mitch was relieved when Sam’s attention