Without Reservations

Bad. He was supposed to be taking things slow. “Uh, Chay?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Lay off.”
    “Yeah, good idea, sorry. Guess I need to get a grip, don’t think the guys would appreciate me coming to poker night with a boner.”
    Yeah, that’s what Keaton was afraid of, and damned if he wasn’t hard too. God, what had he gotten himself into? Poker night, with a bunch of straight men. Oh goody. “This is a bad idea.”
    “No, it isn’t. You are going to have to meet my friends eventually.”
    “Chay, I’m socially retarded. I don’t get along well with others.”
    “You got along great with my parents.”
    “Yeah, but they are older. And I didn’t exactly get along with your mother. Anyway, I’ve always gotten along with older people. But people my own age…I’m a nerd. I’d rather be home reading, or watching a documentary on Civil War military campaign tactics. I make people uncomfortable.”
    Chay chuckled. “Are you trying to tell me you’re missing a show on the Civil War?”
    “No. I’m recording it.”
    “You’ll be fine, Bit. And for what it’s worth, you don’t make me uncomfortable.”
    Keaton snorted. “Yes, but you’re weird. You’re even a wolf and I don’t intimidate you.”
    “What do you mean?” Chay glanced at him, his eyebrows furrowed.
    “Chay, most wolves steer clear of me. Didn’t you notice your dad’s reaction?”
    He shrugged. “He said you were strong.”
    www.samhainpublishing.com 47
    J.L. Langley
    True, but he had mentioned it. Most wolves sensed Keaton’s strength and avoided him. Chay was an exception. “Are these friends of yours pack members?”
    “Nope. Only one of them, Bobby. The rest have no idea that werewolves exist.”
    Keaton sighed. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
    At least wolves wouldn’t pick on him.

    Û

    After dinner they drove by the store to get a couple six packs of beer and some water for Keaton, then straight to Chay’s friend’s house.
    Following a quick round of introductions they sat down to play poker.
    There were only five of them. Bobby, the only other wolf in attendance, Simon the guy who owned the house and Remi.
    Remi was, well, he was something else. He looked Apache, with his shoulder-length black hair, high cheekbones and beautiful tanned skin, but he had the lightest green eyes Keaton had ever seen. They reminded Keaton of peridots. And his body…he was about Chay’s size and build.
    Yum. In fact, the man could be Chay’s clone from the back. He was simply gorgeous. Unfortunately, he was one of the biggest assholes Keaton had ever met.
    They were playing Texas hold ‘em and talking sports when Remi put his poker chips on top of his cards, going out for the round, and leaned back in his chair. His attention zeroed in on Keaton. “So, Keaton, you ever date any of the college girls you teach?”
    He’d known it was coming, not that specifically, but a question regarding his sexuality or rather fishing for answers in a roundabout way. Remi had been sizing him up all evening, making snide remarks here and there. Keaton glanced at Chay.
    Chay shrugged and looked back at his cards.
    48 www.samhainpublishing.com

    Without Reservations
    “No, I have not, nor will I. It’s unethical for a professor to date students. They can fire me for it.”
    Remi snorted. “Come on. All right, but you’ve thought about it right?
    I mean how could you not?”
    Keaton rolled his eyes. “Never. I like my job.”
    “I knew it. You’re a fag.”
    “Remi,” Chay, Bobby and Simon yelled at once.
    Keaton smiled. He’d known from the moment he agreed to come with Chay that this would be brought up. It wasn’t like he acted like some queen or something, but his size and youthful appearance always made macho straight guys think “gay”. Which he was, but…well, yeah he was, therefore it was a moot point. He had every intention of answering in the affirmative, but before he could the table rattled slightly.
    Remi jumped up, glaring at Chay. “What the fuck did you do that for?”
    Chay came to his feet, glaring right back. “Stop being a dick. You’ve been giving Keaton shit since we got here. First you called him a pussy for not drinking, now… Quit being a dickhead.”
    Simon tossed his cards on the table and cocked a brow at the two men. “Give it up, Chay, he’s been a dick since elementary school.” He looked over at Keaton. “Sorry, man. Just ignore him. Don’t take it too personal. Remi is