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time, he may never understand. Too late to change it, he told himself. All he could do was to continue to prove to Elliott that he was worth spending time with.
    Leaving the small apartment, he spotted Elliott waiting on the patio below. “Hope you haven’t been waiting long.” He descended the steps after locking up.
“Not long at all.”
By the time he joined Elliott, Smokey’s palms had begun to sweat. He wiped his hands on his dress jeans. “Sorry. I guess I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be.”
“Nothing to be nervous about,” Elliott told him. “We’ve been friends for a long time. I’m just glad to have you back in town.”
Smokey wasn’t sure how to take the remark. Did that mean Elliott was only interested in re-establishing their friendship? “Would you mind driving? The inside of my truck is pretty dusty.”
“Don’t mind at all.” Elliott led the way to his car. “Although I’ll have to move Jeff’s baseball equipment.” He opened the passenger door and relocated the duffle bag to the backseat.
“How’s Jeff doing this year?” Smokey asked, climbing in.
“Good. I think his team has a decent shot at a district championship.” Elliott got in but didn’t immediately start the engine. Instead he gripped the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. “Are you over Ezra yet?”
“Yeah. As soon as I sobered up, I realised it had always been a one-sided deal anyway. I think more than anything, I wanted a home with Ezra simply because he was the first to make me feel like I belonged somewhere.” Smokey couldn’t believe he’d admitted all that to Elliott. Hell, he’d only admitted it to himself about six months ago.
After several moments, Elliott slowly nodded his head. “I can see where that could’ve happened.”
Being friends, Elliott already knew of Smokey’s years growing up in foster care. It was nice to be around someone who already had a good grasp on his past. Smokey decided to jump into the deep end. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Elliott still made no move to start the car.
“Is this a date or did you ask me out as friends?”
“That depends,” Elliott answered.
“On what?”
“On you. I made a fool of myself once by trying to kiss you. I don’t plan on making that same mistake again.”
Before Elliott could say anything else, Smokey leaned over and kissed him. Soft at first, Smokey waited for a sign that he should continue. When Elliott opened his mouth, Smokey went for it. He was too damn old to play games. He wanted Elliott, and by God, he wanted Elliott to know it.
After several minutes of making out, Elliott broke the kiss. “Are you sure you want to go eat?”
“No, but I think it’s for the best,” Smokey replied.
* * * *
    Ryan walked into The Gym with a heavy heart. “Rio in his office?”
Kit nodded. “He’s with that hunky guy Asa sent over.”
“Hunky guy?” Ryan didn’t like the sound of that.
Kit laughed. “Down, boy. Mario’s in there, too. They’re talking about the self-defence
    classes Asa’s offering to all his employees.”
“Oh, Drake, okay. Do you know when they’ll be done?”
Kit glanced at the clock. “Soon, I hope. Mario has a client coming in at eleven.” Deciding to wait, Ryan went behind the bar and poured himself a big glass of cranberry
    juice. When Kit joined him, he held up the pitcher. “Want some?”
“God no. I prefer sweet to sour, but you can grab me a water if you’d like?” “I’d like.” Ryan reached in the fridge and removed a bottle of water. He liked Kit. She
had taken a little getting used to, but once he got to know her, he found her upbeat attitude infectious. “How’re things?”
     
“Good.” Kit took a sip of her water. “Hawk left yesterday for a shareholder’s meeting in
    LA, but he should be back Friday.”
“I didn’t think the two of you ever spent time apart.”
“Only occasionally.” Kit leaned on the bar, her breasts nearly spilling out of the tight
    tank top she