The front door beeped, causing Aud to look up after he slid the receipt into his to-do pile. Randal Hudspeth, the pushy guy from the gym, stood there.
“So you really do work in an art gallery.” Randal walked toward Aud with a strange swagger in his step. “Real fancy one too.”
“I own it,” Aud replied. What is Randal doing here?
“Nice. You’re a better catch than I realized.” Randal stopped and stared at the large painting of a bull. “I think your balls are bigger than this guy’s.”
“Can I help you with something, Randal?” Aud didn’t bother to keep the irritation out of his voice.
“I thought I’d try and track you down outside the gym and see if you avoided me there too.” He turned from the painting. “It’s good to see that you aren’t.”
“What?” Aud shook his head for a second, trying to comprehend what Randal had just said. “Are you saying you’ve been stalking me?”
“No. Not at all.” Randal waved his hand dismissively. “This is my first stop. One of the guys who works at the gym slipped me your information after I gave him the blow job of his life in the steam room last night.”
And that might be enough to make me change gyms. “I see. I thought all you were looking for was tricks. Why go to all the trouble of tracking me down when I’ve made it clear to you that our little encounter didn’t do much for me?”
Randal sighed dramatically and walked over to another large painting, this one of an adobe chapel. “I was thinking about that and figured maybe we could go out to dinner and afterward I could show you what I’m really capable of when I’m not constrained by either time or the size of the steam room.”
Aud rolled his eyes. “Randal, I guess I’m going to need to be a little more direct. I’m not interested. We had a moment of madness in the steam room. That was it. We both managed to get a release we needed at the time. I don’t really see it happening again.”
Randal blinked at him. “So you’re saying you’re not interested in going out with me?”
“That’s right.” Aud crossed his arms and glared at Randal.
“But I’m one of the most popular guys at the gym.” Randal’s face reddened. “I’ve got the hottest body there, after you. Even the straight boys like me on their cocks.”
“And that’s part of the problem. I don’t really like to have the same guy everyone else is having. Randal, go back to the gym and troll around in the steam room. You’ll be happier there. I’ve got a business to run.”
The front door opened and Heather walked in, carrying their lunch and two large cappuccinos.
Randal didn’t seem to notice her. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re rude? Not to mention you’ve got a small cock.” He spun on his heel and stormed out of the gallery.
Heather stared at Randal before turning to Aud. “What was that all about?”
“I think I’ve got my first stalker.” Aud walked back behind the counter.
“Should we call the police?” Heather set the bag of deli sandwiches on the counter, then placed the coffees beside it.
“Probably not.” Aud reached for the cup with the markings he knew were his. “I think I insulted him enough that he’ll go crawling back to the steam room and not bother me again. The problem is I might have to change gyms. One of the employees told him where to find me. That’s not cool.”
“Not at all.” Heather sipped her drink. “Write down the information you know about him. If anything happens to you, I’ll make sure the cops know.”
He looked at her over the steam that rose from his drink. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” She picked up the bag. “You can’t be too casual about a stalker. They can get really serious really fast. You remember that ex-boyfriend of mine who used to look in my window?”
“The one you had to get the restraining order on, and then he went to prison for abusing his next girlfriend? I guess there are more than a few crazies out there.” He followed her and the food into the back room with the hope they’d have time to eat before the next client came in.
She put the bag down on the small table. “Right. Now make sure I’ve got that guy’s info, just in case.”
“Okay. I don’t know much, just his name and the gym he hangs out at.”
“That should be enough for the police to get started in case he gets worse.” She handed him a sandwich.
He set the sandwich on the table and stared at it, his appetite gone. At least Leo doesn’t seem crazy, and I know he’s not easy. He’s a breath of fresh air after dealing with people like Randal.
9
LEO BREATHED a sigh of relief as he parked in front of Aud’s house. At least it’s easy finding a parking place around here. Some of these older areas of town are impossible to locate a spot. He glanced in the mirror on his visor and combed his fingers through his hair. I guess I look okay. Should’ve taken time for a haircut.