Beau lifted his ball cap from his head and ran his hand through his disheveled blond hair and looked around, like he didn’t realize where he was. When he turned to face Ethan, he felt the passion in his gaze dart across his entire body like a physical caress. Beau obviously didn’t try to hide his attraction the way Ethan hoped he had. If he would have to guess, Beau was still a little stunned by the scene back at Dillinger’s, which was probably part of the reason he appeared to be confused.
Ethan had been down that road before. The one that led to anger so explosive, he feared what he’d do. Now… well, now he treaded lightly because showing the hurt or the anger only made things worse.
Remembering the incident, the word that had come out of Ricky’s mouth, had his hands trembling with lingering anger. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked down at the ground for a minute, trying to catch his breath.
Ricky’s reaction wasn’t something Ethan had to deal with on a daily basis – anymore – but that was because he kept himself holed up as often as possible. He had certainly handled his fair share of harassment over the years. More so when he was younger, too confused to understand that he wasn’t like everyone else, and too stupid to realize he should just keep his mouth shut.
Not that Ethan could do anything to change how Ricky reacted, or anyone else for that matter. It wasn’t the first time someone would take a stab at him, and it wasn’t – by a long shot – the most he’d had to endure. It didn’t matter that he never flaunted his lifestyle, nor did he talk about it, but there was always someone who thought they could antagonize him. It was a small town. Rumors existed. That was life and Ethan had accepted long ago that the only thing he could do was keep his mouth shut, his eyes forward and try his best to ignore them.
Ricky Dillinger was a prick. Always had been and always would be. His “faggot” comment hadn’t surprised Ethan in the least. In fact, he was surprised it hadn’t come sooner than it had. There was no love lost between Ethan and that little bastard. But what had surprised him was Beau’s reaction. If the guy was going to get all up in arms about bigots like Ricky who spewed filth when they opened their mouths, he was in for a world of hurt in the future.
“You ok?” Ethan found himself asking, unable to hide his concern for Beau, even if he knew the guy was going to have to get tougher skin if he expected to live his life openly.
Beau shook his head as though to shake out the cobwebs before looking at him, his eyes seeming to clear somewhat.
“Good. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize to me. You’ll have to get used to assholes like Ricky mouthing off like that. Trust me, that was tame compared to what I’ve heard before.”
Beau stood up straight, the muscles in his shoulders tensing, his brows furrowing as he looked at Ethan. “I don’t have to get used to shit.”
Ethan hadn’t expected Beau’s defensive response, but, as usual, his own defenses locked into place. “Well, tough guy, if you’re gonna come out of the closet, you’ll have to get used to people sharing their opinions. Right or wrong, they aren’t nearly as accepting as you want them to be.”
Ethan turned to walk away, wanting to find a way to busy himself so he could get the hell out of there. He didn’t make it two steps before Beau’s hand was on his arm, successfully spinning him back to face him.
“You think that was because I give a fuck what that spineless little prick thinks about me?”
Beau’s statement forced Ethan’s irritation level even higher. He took a step closer, getting right up in Beau’s face.
Fuck.
If there was any difference in their height, it was maybe an inch at most – in Beau’s favor – which put them nose to nose. Beau’s shoulders were wider, his chest too, but aside from that, from where he stood, they were a pretty good match.
Ethan wasn’t quite sure whether it was Beau’s intimidating stance or whether he actually was bigger than he was giving him credit for, but Ethan felt… smaller. And he liked the fuck out of it for some strange reason. There weren’t all that many men who could make him feel that way.
But that wasn’t the only thing Ethan noticed as he stood so close to Beau. How was it the guy could still smell so damn good when he spent the day rummaging around in a greasy engine? His scent was potent; a fresh clean smell interspersed with that sexy cologne he wore and a hint of engine grease.
“Well, I know it damn sure wasn’t because you were defending my honor.” Ethan laughed without mirth, remembering why he was standing so close as he pulled out of Beau’s grasp.