Page 17 of Joey's Trick

“Don’t let him keep you away from home any longer. No matter what you decide to do. I’ve missed my baby boy so much.”

Guilt stabbed Joey straight in the chest. “I’m sorry, Mom,” he murmured.

She touched his cheek. “It’s okay, sweetie. At least, I understand now what kept you away.” Her next words almost sent him falling out of his chair. “Now, want to tell me why you were in the hospital your first year of college?”

“You know about that?” Joey asked, shocked as hell.

“You were still on our insurance, of course we know about it. The explanation of benefits letter came a few weeks after the visit.” She pursed her lips and gave him the stink eye. “You wouldn’t exactly stay on the phone long enough to let me ask you about it.”

“I… ah… I just fell one day while horsing around,” Joey lied. “My roommate and I were being stupid. I fell and cut myself. That’s all.”

She eyed him a little longer, skepticism showing on her face. “I figured if it was serious, you’d at least have let us know what was going on.”

He hated lying to her, but there was no way in hell he would tell her aboutthat.“Of course I would have, Mom.”

After that, she seemed to accept what he said and moved on. The day went by faster than Joey thought it would. He took a shower and dressed, spritzing himself with some cologne. He hadn’t felt nervous about a date in years. Not since the first couple he went on in college. His hands shook as he snapped his usual leather band back into place. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and shook himself. It was just Trick.

“Yeah, right,” he muttered. “Just Trick.”

His phone vibrated, and Joey picked it up from his dresser. He frowned when he saw another text from Vince. Why didn’t the guy understand Joey wanted nothing to do with him? This time, Joey responded and told him to stop texting him, then blocked Vince’s number. He glanced at the time and saw it was already almost seven. Taking another deep breath, Joey stuffed his wallet in his pocket and double checked his hair before heading out of his room and downstairs. “I’ll be back later, Mom!” Joey shouted.

“Have fun, baby!” she called back.

Trick pulled into the driveway just as Joey exited the house. Joey walked to the passenger side, where Trick leaned over to open the door. “I was going to pick you up at the door,” Trick said.

Joey shrugged. “It’s fine. So where are we going to eat?”

“I thought we could head back to my place. I’d like to cook you dinner and it’ll give us a chance to talk without interruptions. If you’re okay with that.”

“Sure,” he said, even though he was a little nervous about being alone with Trick. If they were alone, there’d be no buffer.

“Great. So how was your day?” Trick asked.

Joey relayed what he’d done with his mom and dad, leaving out the conversation he’d had with his mom about Trick. “Did you and Anthony get that project done?”

“Almost. We’re about two thirds of the way through.” Joey could hear the pride in Trick’s voice.

“You really enjoy landscaping, huh?”

Trick nodded. “It gives me a chance to make something beautiful out of nothing. Kind of like an artist. After my parents kicked me out and I couldn’t finish college, I had to find something to support myself with and standing behind a register all day or sitting in an office really wasn’t somewhere I could see myself. And witnessing the pleasure on people’s faces when I show them the finished work really makes me happy. Happier than football ever did.”

Joey winced at the reminder of Trick’s parents’ actions. “I’m so sorry about your parents, Trick.”

“Thanks. I knew they wouldn’t accept my being gay. But I just couldn’t live the lies any longer.” Trick slowed the truck to a stop at a red light. “Besides, I had Anthony and your parents. They did a lot for me and I will always be grateful for them.”

Joey studied Trick, watching the late evening sunlight play across his face while driving. “I-I’m glad they were there for you, too.”

Trick gave him a sardonic glance. “Even after everything?”

Tearing his gaze from Trick, Joey shrugged. “I may not have liked you, but you didn’t deserve to be thrown out of your home just because you like men. You deserve a family, too.”

The feel of Trick’s hand on his startled him and he turned his head to look at him. A soft smile graced Trick’s full lips. “Thanks, Joey.”

“Uh, yeah, of course.” Joey swallowed hard and shifted his hand out from under Trick’s.

A few minutes later, they were pulling into Trick’s apartment complex parking lot. Nervousness settled in again. Joey’s stomach clenched even harder when he climbed out of the truck and followed Trick into the building. When they entered Trick’s apartment, Trick waved a hand at the sofa. “Have a seat while I get everything ready. Steaks sound good?”

“Sure,” Joey murmured, wandering toward the couch.