In the Silks (7 page)

“How’s Tara?” Henry said with a bit of hesitation. He knew he had pissed her off and he was hoping that Pat was not still suffering for it.

“She’s fine, I guess. Still pissed at you though,” Pat said not taking his eyes off the screen.

Henry was picking at the label of the bottle with his thumbnail. “Yeah, I figured as much.” Henry had gotten the impression that things were not going so well in his brother’s relationship. Several conversations that he had had with his brother recently had led to that theory but he felt like it wasn’t the right time to bring it up.

They had a good time. It was just what he needed. Henry was glad that he hadn’t blown his brother off. When the game was over, Pat told Henry he wanted to get home and get some before Tara fell asleep. “She does not like wake up sex,” he told Henry.

“Then you better move your ass, bro.” Henry laughed and gave Pat a hug before he opened the door to leave.

“Thanks for the company man. I had a shit day, I needed this.”

“Anytime.”

Henry nodded, arms folded across his chest.

“Maybe next time, you can tell me about your friend Ryan.” With that, Pat turned and walked away. Henry had no chance to say anything because Pat had the phone to his ear telling his wife to stay awake, that we had won the game and he wanted to celebrate with her.

Not that Henry could have said anything anyway. He had to grab onto the door jamb to steady himself. He felt nauseous, a lump forming in his throat. If it weren’t for that lump, he thought his dinner would have come back up for sure.

When Pat was out of sight, Henry closed the door and went to the kitchen and got a glass of water. Then to the sofa, grabbing the laptop off the side chair where he had thrown it earlier. He drank the entire glass of water, in an attempt to settle his stomach. Henry pinched the bridge of his nose trying to remember the message. What could Pat have seen or read? It couldn’t have been too bad he thought. It didn’t say
‘remember that guy senior year you almost had sex with? Yeah that was me. I can’t stop thinking about you’
.

Henry shook it off, relief almost setting in. Almost. But something was off. Why would Pat care if he messaged an old friend from college? It made no sense. As soon as he opened it and started reading, he knew. His stomach started to turn again. This was bad. The browser was open to Ryan’s profile.

Occupation: Aerial Contortionist

Current City: Boston

Relationship Status: In a relationship with Cameron Moore

Then there was the message.

Ryan:
Hi Henry, I do remember you. I’m surprised that you remembered me. We just met that one night and you took off so fast. I can’t believe you remember my last name! Yeah I just moved back to Boston. How are you? Would love to catch up sometime. ;-)

He just knew that Pat had put all of the pieces together. But then again, Pat didn’t know anything. Did he? There was no way. There was only one other thing Pat could have known about. Tommy Dalton. But even that was impossible. Pat wasn’t around when that had happened. He was sure of it. Wasn’t he?

Henry read the message several times. He thought about not responding, especially given the Pat situation, but in the end he couldn’t ignore it. Desire over took any rational thoughts that he had on the subject.

Henry:
Hi Ryan, of course I remember you. Definitely, let’s catch up. Sometime soon.

Henry was about to get up to go for a second glass of water, still feeling queasy. When he heard the ping, Henry was shocked that he’d gotten an almost immediate response.

Ryan:
Cool, I just got back a few weeks ago. I don’t have much going on. I’m kind of recovering from an injury. So whenever.

Damn, Henry thought. What could have happened to him?

Henry:
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope that it’s nothing too serious? I work weekdays, but I’m free on the weekends. Maybe coffee?

Ryan:
Yeah, no worries I am healing up. Coffee is okay, but what about something a little more potent?

Henry:
Like drinks? That’s cool.

Ryan:
That works. Like I said I have a lot free time at the moment so you choose the time and the place.

They exchanged numbers, and Henry named a pub that he liked and a time for the very next day. Henry had wanted to ask him to dinner but didn’t have the balls to. It seemed much more casual to just have a drink, didn’t it? Dinner was so much more time and he already expected to be an awkward mess. Why drag that out through an entire meal? But at the moment, he was too excited and anxious to dwell on it. He logged off, sat back, and once his nerves calmed, a big, cheesy grin settled in on his face and stayed through the rest of the night. When Henry finally went to bed, his legs were restless under the sheets. He flipped his head side to side trying to get comfortable. Punched the pillow a couple of times, he was just so edgy. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, Henry closed his eyes. Images of Ryan Mallory invaded his mind as his hands disappeared below the sheet.

Chapter 6

H
ENRY was waiting for Ryan at the pub; sitting at the table, leg bouncing and chewing on his fingernails. A bad habit that he’d always had. An easy tell that he was nervous, for anyone paying attention. Henry was watching the front door intently; every time it opened, he sat up straight. Ryan wasn’t late. Henry was early.

When Ryan finally came in, Henry jumped up from his seat, rubbing his sweaty palms up and down his thighs. Ryan saw him and nodded. Henry’s gaze went straight to the crooked grin on the other man’s face. He could stare at it forever.

Jesus Henry, cue the violins.

“Hey, how are you?” Ryan asked, not giving him a chance to answer, he pulled Henry in for a quick hug. Henry noticed a scent of what he suspected was weed mingled with something else that he couldn’t pinpoint.

Henry was startled. He hadn’t expected that hug but damn, if it didn’t feel good. If he didn’t let go and sit down, Ryan and the rest of the people in the family friendly establishment would know just how good it had felt. “I’m good, how are you?”

They sat down. Ryan pulled off the knit cap he was wearing and placed it on the table before responding. “I’m okay. Like I said, I haven’t been here long. I got injured on the road. Rehab is going to take several months.”

Oh my God, he has a tongue ring.

Henry tried not to stare, but he wanted another look. He was listening and was concerned about Ryan’s injury, but the tongue ring was a serious distraction. The waitress came over, and they both ordered a beer.

“Hey, I’m going to order an appetizer. Do you want to split something? I’m starving.” Ryan asked looking over the menu.

“Uh, sure, whatever you want is good.” Okay so maybe he should have just invited him to dinner. He hadn’t considered that Ryan might have wanted to eat.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, go for it.”

Ryan squinted his eyes and smiled at Henry. The waitress returned at that moment. Ryan asked, “Do you have Hawaiian Pizza by any chance?”

Henry was in the middle of taking a long pull off his beer. He choked, and beer went up and out of his nose. It was humiliating, but it was no match for what Ryan had just said.

“We do have that on the
entrée
menu. Did you want to skip the appetizer and go right for the main course?” the waitress asked, while eying Henry awkwardly.

“Hmmm,” Ryan bit his lower lip, “What do you think Henry? Do you want to go right to the main course?” Ryan asked wickedly.  When Henry didn’t respond, Ryan laughed and turned to the waitress. “I think we’ll have the appetizer sampler.”

“Sounds good,” the waitress said and went on her way.

When she was gone, Ryan looked back to Henry with a huge grin on his face. “I’m sorry, I had to.”

“You had to huh? Well, you made me shoot beer out of my damn nose.” Henry wiped at his shirt again with the napkin. He smiled at Ryan. When he laughed, Henry got a better look at the ring. It was silver and black, and it looked like it had a word on it. Ryan caught him looking and without a word stuck out his tongue. Henry was already humiliated for getting caught ogling, he thought, what the hell? He leaned over the table and almost knocked over his beer when he read the words;
suck it
.

“Priceless,” Ryan said unapologetically as he leaned back and drank his beer.

Henry shook his head and chuckled. Sitting back and picking up his own beer, before taking a drink, he looked at Ryan and said, “I think you like to see me squirm.”

“You know what, Henry, I think you’re right.”

“So, what happened to you? I mean, you said you were injured. What happened?” Henry asked. He was trying to play it cool and not let it show how much Ryan’s suggestive joke and
suck
it
tongue ring had affected him.

“It wasn’t too bad. I was rehearsing, and one of my ankles was wrapped a little more securely than I had intended. I slipped and twisted my knee pretty bad. I tore my ACL.I don’t need surgery just therapy. The damage wasn’t too severe, the doctor said.”

“How long will you be out of commission?”

“My recovery time is about three months, at least that’s what they tell me.” It’s already been almost a month. I’m supposed to wear a brace and use crutches. I ditched the sticks a few weeks ago and now I only wear the brace when I go to physical therapy or it’s acting up.”  Ryan said, before taking a gulp of his beer.

“Ouch, damn. That must suck. Will you go back as soon as rehab is done?”

“Yep. Without a doubt.”

Henry hated that he felt disappointed by that declaration. “You know, I saw the show. Your show that is. A few weeks back. Me and my girlfr-” Henry stopped, shook his head and started speaking again. “Me and my ex-girlfriend went to see it.”

Ryan eyed Henry suspiciously. “Ex huh? Sorry about that,” Ryan leaned over the table, “or am I?”

What did that mean?

“Thanks, but it’s cool. It was long overdue.” Henry finished his beer and started looking around for the waitress. “Want another?” he asked Ryan.

Ryan picked up his beer and finished it off in a few large gulps. Before putting the empty bottle back on the table, “I sure do.” He smiled.

After Henry got the attention of the waitress and ordered two more beers, they went back to their conversation.

“So Henry, you said you saw the show. What did you think?”

“It was good.”

Ryan frowned, “Just good?”

“It was great.” Henry winked at him.

“Did you know I was in the show before you went?” Ryan eyed him suspiciously.

“Nope. It was a surprise.”

“When did you know?”

“Here we go fellas. App sampler and two beers,” the waitress said, putting the food down and handing them their beers.

Saved by some hot wings.

Henry didn’t want to answer Ryan’s question. What was he supposed to say without sounding like a flighty little girl with a crush? They picked off the platter for the next few minutes and worked on their drinks.

“So, Henry what about you? What are you doing with yourself now? You were going to law school, right?”

Henry nodded, wiping his fingers on his napkin. “Yes, I was going, but that changed. I’m a juvenile probation officer.”

“Wow, that must be a tough job,” Ryan said, dipping a celery stick in some bleu cheese and chomping on it.

“Yeah, it has its bad and good, I enjoy it though,” Henry said. He picked up his beer and finished it off. He wanted another, but he knew he may start to get a bit too relaxed if he did that.

They talked about their jobs while they finished off the food. Ryan seemed truly interested in what Henry did, and that was refreshing. Henry was fascinated by what Ryan did, what the schedule was like, all the travel. Ryan was clearly comfortable in front of an audience and very social. That contrasted with Henry’s own personality. So far neither of them had mentioned that night and he was okay with that. Henry wanted to ask about Ryan’s boyfriend but didn’t dare. Ryan didn’t volunteer the information either. When they were done and the check had come, they both pulled out their wallets. Henry put a hand out to stay Ryan when he reached into his. With the other hand, Henry grabbed up the folder with the bill in it. “I got it,” he said to Ryan.

“Nah, come on at least let me pay half.”

Henry shook his head at Ryan, pulled out a card from his wallet and slid it into the folder. He held it in his hand until the waitress came for it so that Ryan couldn’t try to grab it.

“At least let me leave the tip,” Ryan said still holding his wallet in hand.

“Okay, leave the tip.” Henry smiled at him.

“You know Henry, this is the second time you’ve bought me a meal,” Ryan said.

“Is it now?” Henry looked around for the waitress, tapping the folder against the table. He felt awkward. Ryan clearly wanted to bring up that night. Henry did too he guessed. But he had no idea where to start and what would happen if he did.

“Yes, it is. I owe you.” Ryan pulled some cash out of his wallet and tossed it in the middle of the table.

“No you don’t. My treat, it’s all good.”
Where is that waitress?

“I do. Listen, I’m having a sort of house warming party next weekend at my loft. You should come. You can eat and drink. You can bring a date it you want.” Ryan looked him straight in the eye when he said it.

“Oh, sure, yeah that sounds great. I would love to. Thanks.”

The fact that Ryan looked him in the eye when he said that Henry could bring a date was not missed. He just wasn’t sure what to say without sounding like an idiot. Ryan watched him for a minute, biting his lower lip and leaning in to the middle of the table. Arms crossed in front of him. It looked like he was waiting for Henry to say something. But he had no idea what. So he stayed silent. The waitress came and took the folder. Ryan broke the silence. “Okay, so I’ll text you my address then.”

“Sounds good,” Henry got up from the table. Ryan followed suit. They walked to the door together and Ryan told Henry where his loft was but still offered to text him the address.

“It was really great to see you, Henry. Thanks for getting in touch.” Ryan leaned in and caught Henry off guard by hugging him again. This time it lasted a few seconds longer than the last one. Not that he was counting seconds or anything.

“It was great to see you too. I’m looking forward to the party.” Henry patted his back and pulled away. He was getting stirrings low in his gut again.

“Yes, you better come.” Ryan winked at him and pushed the door open. They stepped out on to the sidewalk. They were both going in opposite directions.

“I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?” Henry asked.

“Nope, just yourself…and a date, if you want,” Ryan said with a grin.

Henry knew he wouldn’t be bringing anyone but he didn’t want to announce that for some reason. “Okay, I’ll see you then.”

Ryan started walking backwards down the sidewalk. Henry gave a quick wave and then turned to walk away. Several yards down the street he turned to see if Ryan was still watching him. Ryan was nowhere in sight.