Too effeminate, too soft, too brown, Darren was a disappointment to his ex-military father almost since birth, but growing up in a small-town Alabama middle-class family, he lived a comfortable if lonely life ... until coming out. Soon homeless with little more than the clothes on his back, he found work in a convenience store, living in the moment, shell-shocked and quietly hurting.
Rob barely survived the foster care system and set himself the goal of becoming a special agent, keeping others safe and protecting those in need. A job at the gas station is a means to that end, paying for his college courses while he hones his body and mind. Focused, driven, and disciplined ... until he meets Darren. Will he risk his future to teach the vulnerable young man survival skills of the heart and body, or is there no chance for them to have a happy ending?
“Must have really been a helluva day,” Rob said under his breath, as he entered the front door the next evening. He frowned at the row of refrigerated cooler units along one wall, and its many reduced or empty slots then over to the disordered shelves and messy deli area. A large and noisy group of loiterers were also hanging out in the parking lot, lounging on their cars and motorcycles.
“Glad you came in early,” Darren said, looking near tears, struggling to shorten the queue of people impatiently observing his distress.
“Don’t sweat it,” Rob said. “I’ll take care of it.”
Darren’s shoulders dropped in relief as he rang up another customer. “Thanks, Rob. I owe you.”
Rob sauntered outside and soon had the gaggle of Honda hybrid owners and their admirers on their way, then came back in and started bagging and fetching for Darren as a full load of workers from a nearby factory's final shift burst in to get their Friday brew and smokes. It took nearly an hour of Rob and Darren working side by side, radio bopping out 80s pop music, before the in- and outflow of customers slowed to a standstill.
“You’re good at everything,” Darren sighed, flicking away his bangs. “I didn’t know what I was going to do if you hadn't come in.”
“If I hadn’t come in you would have rung up your customers, got what you needed to do done, and handled any problems that arose,” Rob said simply. “I have confidence in you.”
Darren looked at him in comical perplexion before bursting out with laughter. “Well, I’m glad you do!”
“You should have more in yourself,” Rob said, sitting on the stool just down from the register. “Don’t let people bother you and do what you know you can. Everything’ll be fine.”
“I’m always getting schooled, aren’t I?” Darren tried to make a joke of it, moving closer. “I wish I could do what you said.”
“You can,” Rob replied, casually watching the hesitant approach. Their eyes met.
Rob felt again that tell-tale flush of arousal before he deliberately looked away, in what he hoped conveyed dispassion, away from Darren’s parted lips and lower drifting gaze.
“W-would you teach me?”
A glance back showed Darren had come up close beside him to lean an elbow on the counter. Licking his own lips, Rob rose abruptly.
“Your paperwork needs to be done. Close out, would you? Then you can get started restocking while I go over the receipts.”
He shouldered past Darren, entering the office, half closing the door behind himself.
* * * *
Darren blushed furiously. I’ve messed it up good, he thought. He caught me out.
The register rumbled and rolled, spewing its fountain of paper. When it finished, Darren ripped off the coil and gathered up all the other slips and coupons. He was reluctant to take it in to Rob, however.
“Bringing it or not?” Rob’s sharp question made him jump.
He opened the door farther, offering the papers without looking.
“Anyone out there?” Rob asked quietly.
“What?” he asked, confused.
“Anyone in the store, at the pumps ... out there?” Rob repeated.
“N-no, there’s no one,” Darren said, curiously stepping inside the door.
And was pulled into a kiss.
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