Someone to Love Him

Chapter 3-2

“If I was smart,” Luke muttered under his breath, “I’d get my ass moving and go over behind the clubs, again. I’m not making ace-duce sitting here.” The problem was, he wasn’t in the mood to give blowjobs to drunks, no matter how profitable that was—compared to what he was doing now. He sighed, getting up to lean against the wall behind him to ease the kinks in his knees.

As he did, he heard someone say, “We meet again,” and saw Jourdain approaching a few feet away. This time, the man was wearing jeans and a leather jacket, which made him look…Even more sexy, and dangerous, than he did last time.

“Not for long,” Luke replied, picking up his pack and sign.

Jourdain smiled, asking, “Why are you afraid of me?”

“I’m not. It’s…I’m not sure I trust you.”

“Because I want to help you?”

“Because,” Luke countered, “no one does something for nothing. Your help will come with strings attached. Ones I probably won’t like.” He grinned, barely. “Like polishing your shoes.”

Jourdain laughed. “If I needed that, I’d stop down there.” He gestured toward an outdoor shoeshine stand a block away.

“Have at it,” Luke said, eyeing Jourdain. “Is it coincidence? You being here?”

“Absolutely. I had dinner with a friend and, since it’s a nice evening, I decided to walk off what I ate.”

“Like you have to worry about putting on weight.”

Jourdain chuckled. “True. I was blessed with a good metabolism. You, on the other hand, could do with adding a few pounds.”

“So you said, the last time.”

“And it’s still the case. When was the last time you had a decent meal?” Jourdain asked.

Luke shrugged. “I found a half-eaten breakfast burrito in a trash container this morning. Does that count?”

“That’s it?” Jourdain asked in disbelief.

“Okay,” Luke admitted. “I did buy a ninety-nine cent burger for lunch. And I’m planning on getting another one, and fries, before I head back to my palatial home.”

“Somehow, I doubt it’s even close to palatial. From what I’ve seen and read, it’s probably more like an alley doorway or behind a bush down by the river.”

“That, too,” Luke admitted. “Somehow, I don’t have the wherewithal to be able to afford a motel room. Even a cheap one.”

Why am I telling him this? Why am I still here, talking to him? He’s not really interested in my hard luck story and helping me get off the streets. Is he?

As if he’d read Luke’s mind, Jourdain said, “I meant it when I said I’d like to help you. No strings attached.”

“Right. Your good deed for the week. Help a homeless guy better his life,” Luke replied snidely.

“Help you better your life. If you’re willing to trust me.”

Genuinely curious, Luke asked, “Why me?”

“There’s something about you that says you’re different from most of the kids I see hanging around the streets.” Luke refused to look away when Jourdain studied him for a long moment. “You have guts, for one. And you take care of yourself, as best you can.”

“I try.”

“That’s obvious.” Jourdain nodded slowly. “What can I do to prove to you I have no ulterior motives?”

Luke was tempted to reply, “Give me a million dollars and then vanish.” Instead, he thought about Jourdain’s question. Finally he replied, “Help me find a job.”

Jourdain seemed surprised. “Now that I didn’t expect. I was certain you’d ask for money, or for me to pay for the motel room you mentioned.”

“Nope. If I have a job, I can do that for myself. And eat decently, and maybe have time to study for my GED so I can get a better job, later.”

Jourdain gripped Luke’s shoulder, and for whatever reason Luke didn’t pull away, even though he knew he should. “I knew I was right about you,” Jourdain said. “Let me see what I can do. I have friends. Well, acquaintances I suppose, who might be willing to hire you, if you don’t mind possibly having to work a night shift.”

Luke chucked. “I’m doing that now, sort of, but it would be great if it was legitimate.”

“Very good.” Jourdain released his hold. “Why don’t we plan on meeting tomorrow evening? Say at the coffee house we stopped at the last time.”

“The only time,” Luke replied with a small grin. “Okay. I’ll be there.” And I hope you show up. I hope this isn’t some sort of malicious game you get off playing with guys like me.

“Excellent. I’ll see you then.” With that said, Jourdain walked away.

Luke watched him go, praying the man was for real. “And that he doesn’t expect me to pay him back with my body,” he murmured under his breath. Not that it would be a real hardship. He’s definitely sexier than hell. Still, it would be nice if, for once, I’ve met someone who actually means what they say and wants to help because they’re good people.