Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

to maintain my girlish figure."
    "Girlish?" Jason guffawed. "I'd say it's more like 110% pure man!" Did I just say that out loud?
    Glenn raised his eyebrows and then grinned. "You're making me blush," he said. "Hey, are you about to wrap things up here?"
    Jason pulled out his phone to check the time. "Uh… yeah, actually. I didn't realize how late it was."
    "I'm gonna stop at the bar," Glenn said. "Care to join me for a drink?"
    Jason thought for a moment, unable to stop staring at the man in front of him. "You know, I'm not sure that's such a good idea…"
    "Why?"
    "You and my dad… your history."
    "I feel terrible about what happened between us," Glenn said. "And I wish your dad didn't hate me so much. Believe me, I've tried to talk to him. I tried many times …"
    "What exactly happened?"
    "It's a long story. Jase, let me explain it over drinks." He was already taking the liberty of using a nickname.
    Jason took a breath and exhaled slowly. "Sure, why not. Give me fifteen, and I'll meet you there. I'm gonna pack up and tote a couple things out to my car."
    "I can help," Glenn offered.
    "Nah, I got it. I'll meet you … I promise." He saw the skeptical expression on the man's face. "I swear, I won't stand you up."
    "Okay then. See you in a few."
    Actually, the thought of blowing the guy off did cross Jason's mind. He didn't really need fifteen minutes to load the car. All he had to take with him was the two laptops. The rest of the materials were part of the display and would stay right where they were for another full day. He was trying to buy time. He needed to think about this for a few minutes.
    There was something about that guy that made Jason's heart rate increase. God, was he sexy. And that voice! Fuck! But hurting his father was the last thing on earth Jason wanted to do. His dad would be furious if he found out Jason had had drinks with Glenn Braeburn. On the other hand, maybe this would give Jason an opportunity to dig into their history and learn what had really happened. Maybe he could help his dad and Glenn make amends.
    After locking the laptops in his trunk, Jason stopped off at the restroom to check his appearance. "What are you doing?" he asked himself as he stood in front of the full length mirror. He knew he was playing with fire. Jason knew his father had always been supportive of him, and for the most part did not interfere in his life. He hadn't pressured him during his decision-making process while choosing a college. He hadn't flinched when Jason informed him that he wanted his own apartment. He didn't even say a word when Jason bought the more expensive car that he'd be making payments on for the next three years.
    But if there was one thing that Robert Mathers was passionate about, it was his dislike of Glenn Braeburn. The last thing Jason wanted to do was betray his dad. "I'm just gonna find out what happened," he said to his reflection. "This has nothing to do with … with anything other than that!" Or did it? Since yesterday afternoon, when he first laid eyes on Glenn, he seemed to be all Jason could think about. And it wasn't simply the fact that the guy was hot looking. There was no denying that fact, but the way he spoke to Jason and the way he looked at him when he spoke—it stirred something within Jason—excited him in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. Christ, he'd never felt that before.
    What would it hurt to talk to the man? Get his version of the story. How could this be a bad thing? It may help him to understand his father better. Jason would just have to suppress his own feelings and not allow himself to start thinking with his small head. No matter how good looking the man was, no matter how sexy his voice or how incredibly delicious he smelled—no matter the fact that his eyes were so dark and sensual that they pierced Jason's soul when he looked at him—he wasn't going to let on that he even noticed any of those things.
    He straightened his posture, squaring his shoulders, then nodded his head and took a deep breath.
    Ready or not, here I come.
    Glenn's warm smile was the first thing Jason noticed as he took a seat across from him in the bar. They had a table in the corner, but it really didn't matter. The bar wasn't too busy. Before Jason could speak, the bartender approached to take his drink order.
    "Um.. do you have Heineken?"
    The bartender nodded. "On draft."
    "Perfect," Jason said, smiling. The bartender was cute, about Jason's age, and for a second it