Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

took that in, surprised that Jimmy had never mentioned the man, given that Jimmy introduced him to anyone with a hard on who wasn't completely straight. He noticed the way Rob looked him over again, feeling a little awkward suddenly as he realized that if they were at a club, they'd be nodding and heading to the bathroom together about now.
    "Hey, listen," Rob said, edging in another fraction of an inch, "What are you doing tomorrow night?" he asked, arching a brow as his lips turned up in a half-smile.
    "Uh…just…"
    "No, I mean, you wanna go out? Get some dinner and maybe hit the dance floor or somethin'?"
    Scott knew his mouth was hanging open slightly and snapped it shut, nodding as his cheeks flushed, "Sure, sounds good."
    "I mean…I'm not wrong, yeah?"
    "No, I…"
    Rob laughed then, "Can't believe Jimmy didn't tell me he had a hot roommate."
    The man himself walked in the door then, stopping dead as he looked over at the couch and saw Rob and Scott there.
    "Yeah, he's full of surprises." Scott said, eyes narrowing a little.
    ****
    "So, where's he taking you?" Jimmy asked, fidgeting with a pen, looking at one of his text books but not seeming to pay much attention.
    Things were awkward after Rob left the afternoon before, Jimmy totally unsettled by the visit and even more uncomfortable after Scott told him they had plans to go out. Scott had never seen his normally unflappable friend so flustered and edgy.
    "Not sure," Scott told him, walking in from his bedroom as he pulled a light blue sweater over his head. "Dinner somewhere, maybe go out dancing after."
    "Fabulous," Jimmy muttered and Scott couldn't help but sigh.
    "If I'm lucky." Scott said from behind Jimmy, a little annoyed that the man wouldn't even look at him. He wasn't sure, but he didn't think Jimmy had looked him in the eye since Rob had dropped off the books and left. "Look, Jimmy," Scott wanted to turn the man around and shake him by the shoulders, "Is there something… I mean…is there something wrong with Rob? Closet meth-head or…into scat, or…?"
    Jimmy finally did look at him, laughing despite his mood, "God, I hope so." he told Scott, flashing a grin that held all his charms but didn't warm his face up or catch in his eyes like normal. He started to say something else but paused, sighing and looking serious, "He's a good guy; you go have fun, sweet pea."
    "Okay, you just seem…"
    "Just stressed out; got a lotta work to get done before Monday is all. Go, have a good time."
    "Sure, but—"
    Scott was cut off by a knock at the door, turning his head to look at it as if he were considering not answering.
    "Go," Jimmy told him sternly, "Take condoms and keep it down if you bring him back here." He laughed again, but he'd turned away from Scott and was staring at his gross anatomy book again.
    His arguments died on his lips and he went to the door. Rob was there, looking incredible in a Hugo Boss leather jacket and tight t-shirt tucked into even tighter black Levi's. Scott's mouth went a little dry, but he grinned, "Hey,"
    "Hey yourself," Rob said, handing Scott a six pack of imported beer. "You didn't strike me as the kind of guy that would appreciate flowers, so…" They both laughed, Scott blushing furiously as he took the small case.
    "Thanks," he murmured, leaning close with one hand on the cardboard carrier as he brushed a small kiss against Rob's cheek, "I'll go fill a vase with ice," he joked lamely, turning the corner into the small kitchen and putting the beer in the fridge.
    Jimmy turned to glance at Rob, offering him a smile and an almost-wave, "Don't keep him out past midnight and mind your manners." he teased.
    "Yes sir, I'll even keep my hands to myself." Rob joined in the joke, waiting just inside the door while Scott grabbed his keys and tucked his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans.
    "See that ya do," Jimmy said with another game laugh, adding in a dark mutter that only Scott could hear as he passed, "I know where to hide the body."
    ****
    Rob admitted he didn't even own a car, having decided when he first moved to the city that he would take advantage of the public transportation. Scott drove and, on the way to the restaurant, explained that he needed a car because he and Jimmy sometimes volunteered for the local gay and lesbian center, delivering food and other necessities to house-bound community members in the area. They also liked taking short trips out to the peninsula or down the coast or to the Oregon