Packing Heat by Kele Moon Read Free Book Online Page A

cheeks heat as he looked back to his
    basket of wings. “Or I was. Now I dunno. I guess you could label
    me as gay. It doesn’t realy matter what label you put on it. I’m with
    Brad and I’m happy about it.”
    “Were you always bi?” Charlie leaned in and whispered like
    it was a dirty secret. “Did you always, you know, like…men?”
    “Always. I’ve been on sort of a dry spel, but that didn’t
    mean I wasn’t interested.”
    “Why the fuck didn’t you say anything?”
    “’Cause I didn’t think you’d be betting on my sexuality,”
    Gavin barked, knowing that more than anything was what got
    Charlie’s guard up. “Why didn’t you just ask me before you made
    the bet if you were looking for a sure thing?”
    “I guess it just seemed far-fetched.” Charlie took another
    drink of his iced tea. “But Maria was sure of it. She’s been
    swearing up and down that you had a thing for your roommate since
    you moved in with him.”
    “Wel,” Gavin started, the smirk back, because he was that
    high on sex and Brad. Even being outed to his partner couldn’t
    diminish it. “That probably should have been a pretty good
    indication. I did have a thing for him.”
    “Yeah, but he’s so…” Charlie held up a hand, as if searching
    for the right words. “And you’re so… It’s just, you know, weird.
    You’re both too macho to like each other.”
    Gavin frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
    “It’s not exactly obvious who’s wearing the ring and who’s
    buying it.” Charlie tilted his head, giving Gavin a pointed look.
    “Catch my drift?”
    Had Gavin realy given Charlie credit for being progressive?
    “Do me a favor. Don’t say that to Brad if you ever speak to
    him again. Shit like that makes him crazy.”
    “Hey, man, I don’t give a fuck if you’re dating your
    roommate,” Charlie said quickly. “I’m just saying it was
    unexpected, especialy with Brad. That guy is huge and seriously
    rough around the edges. Why not go for someone a little softer?
    You ever been to South Beach? We stopped by there the last time
    we visited Maria’s family in Miami, and there are some real pretty
    guys walking around showing off al their assets. You’re not gonna
    start wearing those tight speedo bathing suit things on the weekends
    now that you’re gay, are you?”
    “Jesus.” Gavin looked behind him to see if anyone was
    listening, because Charlie’s voice carried like he had a loudspeaker
    surgicaly inserted into his voice box. “Wil you tone it down?”
    “I’m just trying to be accepting of your new lifestyle,” Charlie
    said in false innocence. “I think I’m being pretty understanding
    considering I’m gonna be spending a week in Napa sipping wine
    and looking at sunsets thanks to you.”
    “That doesn’t sound so bad.” Gavin waved the waitress
    down, desperate for a check. The shrink’s office was suddenly
    more appealing than lunch with Charlie. “You make wine, romance,
    and sunsets sound like a fate worse than death.”
    “Wow, you realy are gay,” Charlie said with wide eyes.
    “It could be worse,” Gavin said with a laugh. “She could
    make you take her to New York for Broadway shows and art
    galeries.”
    “Very good point.” Charlie shuddered. “Hey, are you gonna
    tel the shrink about your new boyfriend?”
    Gavin shrugged as he took the bil from the waitress. “It’s not
    realy relevant to how I do my job. I don’t think it’s necessary, and
    you’ve officialy ruined my good mood. I doubt I’l be obvious.”
    “She can’t tel anyone,” Charlie said seriously, before he
    frowned. “At least I don’t think she can. One way or the other, if
    you out yourself, I got your back. Anyone gives you shit, they’l be
    hearing it from me.”
    Gavin looked up from the bil, a surprised smile tugging at his
    lips. “Realy?”
    “Yes, realy,” Charlie snapped, his voice echoing over the
    loud buzz of the restaurant. “Don’t act so fucking