Page 45 of Obnoxious Bad Boy

I barely keep a grin at bay, but I’m incognito and don’t want to give those people any ideas.

The one with the hat must be Logan, and he steps our way with a cocky grin. He eyes me from head to toe. “This your new boyfriend, Aaron?”

“A friend,” I say right away and stuff my hands down my pockets while a dark horse raises his head from its feeder, eyeing me.

Aaron straightens up, stiff as if his spine was made of iron. "Exactly. I never said anything about a ‘boyfriend’. One may have friends of all sorts of sexualities, and one may bring said friends for a fun afternoon out on horseback.”

Logan raises his palms in defeat. “Okay, okay! We were just wondering if it’s a date, since I don’t recall seeing you with any guys. That offer to set you up, still stands, you know?”

I know they’re joking, but anger still buzzes in every muscle in my body when I think of Aaron kissing someone else. In my angry fantasies, the strangers he might get set up with have familiar faces, including the ones in front of me, and I itch to cut this idiotic conversation short.

“I’m sure he’s perfectly capable of finding a date,” I say in a tone so neutral it comes out almost robotic.

The shorter guy finds his lover’s hand but keeps staring at me. “Yeah, I’m sure he can.”

Is he suspecting something?

Aaron seems eager to cut the conversation short as well. “Thank you for saddling my horse. We have to get going if we’re to catch the sunset.”

The couple watches us without a word and I’m positive they have their suspicions. Which means that they're either extremely observant, or Aaron broke his promise to tell only one, trustworthy person, because when Logan adjusts his Stetson while looking at me, it’s crystal clear that he knows.

Or I’m just paranoid.

They are gay, sure, but while many things can be said about the alphabet mafia, the fact that they aren’t into gossiping is definitely not one of them. Just. Fucking. Great.

Everything inside me balks at the idea of acknowledging the obvious suspicion in the two pairs of eyes following me, but I end up staring back with a tense smile. “I’m here a bit incognito, if you catch my drift. Can this stay between us?”

Logan tips his hat. “What happens at the stables, stays in the stables,” he says and winks at his husband who just shakes his head. I’m pretty sure it’s an inside joke, but after that heavy make out session we witnessed not long ago, I have no doubt it has everything to do with them fucking here.

“We’ll leave you to it,” Kyle says, and they finally leave us.

Aaron rolls his eyes and heads two doors down the aisle, where a massive white horse sticks his head out for petting. “Why does everyone have to be up in my business?” he complains.

My hand is already sweaty, because that animal is towering over me as I approach, and with the way it’s staring at me, I’m not sure if it’s curious or if it’s considering whether my nose looks tasty.

“Did... is there a chance your friend told them?” I ask, because I trust Aaron enough to believe he wouldn’t have done it himself. But he’s also naive and innocent, and might end up deceived by the people he trusts.

He opens the stall and grabs the giant’s reins without a hint of fear, which strikes me, since the riding outfit somehow makes him look even more compact. “Inconceivable. Me and Matt… We have an understanding. They’re being weird because I’m sure Kai told them I hang out with you. You know, the waiter with blue hair. I didn’t tell him anything either, but he’s got his own ideas.”

My insides knot, and I try not to look at the giant who could trample me to death within seconds. Of course there’s already gossip. I can’t fucking have nice things. “Hard to keep secrets in a small town. Yasmin... she once said I should have moved someplace where it’s easier to melt into the crowd. But then again, people even bring phones to darkrooms at clubs, so there’s nowhere safe, really.”

“Sorry. Because I’m very much out, people make these stupid speculations. Which are maybe not so stupid since we are seeing each other.” He sighs as he guides the horse out into the afternoon sun. “Why didn’t you move to a big city?”

I lick my lips, hurrying along the hallway to catch up and stand at Aaron’s side. “I used to live in one with my dad. It’s better here. Peaceful. And people still come over to get tattooed by me specifically.”

Just as Aaron opens his mouth to answer, someone rushes from behind the horse in a flurry of long ginger hair. Right when I was about to tell him the real-real reason why I’m here, and why I can’t date him.

The freckled girl who has to still be in her teens, beams at us, panting as if she’s just run. “Hey, Aaron!” she says even though she stares at me with a dark gaze I know all too well.

Aaron stiffens. “Hey, err… Veronica, was it?”

“Yes! I just… I heard you were riding out with a friend, so I thought I’d get you some treats for Snowley,” she says and hands him a little cardboard box.

Aaron’s surprise makes it obvious she doesn’t usually do this for him, which means that she must follow me on social media, and is star-struck by the opportunity to say hello to the man whose abs she knows by heart. My public persona switches on, and I come over, reaching for her hand. “That’s super generous of you, Veronica,” I say, making sure she knows I acknowledge her name. And her very existence. And there it is—she’s blushing.

It’s too easy.

Too bad there are also downsides to being a closeted gay man.