All Snug Read Free Page A

one?” I asked.
    “Indeed you may!”
    A few moments later, I had sold my tickets and the boys
    were off getting their picture taken. Not only that, but the
    gentleman and I had exchanged business cards as well. The
    evening was bearing all kinds of possible results already.
    B.G. Thomas

    Al Snug [17]

    Just as I went to look for Shawn, he appeared at my
    side. “I hope you’re selling tickets ’cause I’ve sold mine and
    am going for more.”
    “How fortuitous,” I said. “I’m ready as well.” And why
    was it that the look that passed over Shawn’s face brought
    me no pleasure? I’m not an asshole, like some people—
    especially at the office—liked to think I am, but I did take
    pleasure in beating the other man in business. Yet the
    almost stricken look that had passed over Shawn’s face
    didn’t give me the little charge I usually got in such a
    situation.
    That’s because this isn’t big business, some damned
    inner voice told me, and I just gave it an inner shrug. Yes, it
    is, I told myself, and I followed Shawn back for more tickets.
    “Maybe we shouldn’t talk again until this Santa thing is
    over?” I asked. If I got to feeling guilty, it might hinder my
    ability to go in for the kill. The idea of Steve, tied to that
    antique bed, was calling after all.
    “Yeah,” Shawn nodded. “Sure.”
    There was a brief moment of excitement when this
    bearish-looking guy who was about to get his picture taken
    got all pissed off when he didn’t get to sit in the leatherman’s
    lap but instead had to pose with some big heavy guy who
    actually looked like Santa. Besides that, the evening went
    pretty uneventfully.
    As it turned out, I won the first round by only six
    tickets.
    Again, for some reason it didn’t feel so good.

    B.G. Thomas

    Al Snug [18]

    THE RADIANT CUP; the next day. It was Sunday and neither
    of us had to work, not even with Shawn needing the
    overtime.
    “The place I work isn’t open on Sundays,” Shawn
    explained over his coffee. “Whoa!” he said.
    “What?” I asked.
    “This coffee! It’s really good.”
    I smiled. I couldn’t help it. Aldi’s indeed. “It’s Peruvian,”
    I explained. “They roast it here themselves, probably within
    the last couple of days. It was ground today, right before
    they brewed it.”
    “Shit,” he said. “Who would have thought there was
    such a difference?”
    “Vive la différence?” I asked.
    Shawn smiled that smile of his and nodded. “Touché,”
    he said. I wondered how it would be for Mr. Shawn’s
    Boyfriend to wake up and have coffee with Shawn in the
    mornings. To look at that handsome face, those blue eyes,
    that boyish smile over the kitchen table. Nice.
    “There are all kinds of wonderful things out there just
    waiting for you to try,” I told him.
    “But sometimes,” he commented, pointing to his cup, “it
    really is about the price of a can of coffee from Aldi’s. I just
    can’t afford Peruvian every day.” He took what was obviously
    an appreciative sip.
    “Not it and that bed,” I said.
    B.G. Thomas

    Al Snug [19]

    “Don’t start!” he said. “Now what is the next challenge?”
    “Well, usually in things like this there is a physical
    challenge….”
    “Physical?” he asked.
    “We could arm wrestle,” I suggested.
    “Arm wrestle? Like I’d stand a chance with you!” he
    cried. “Just look at your arms!”
    What the hell was I supposed to do about that?
    “Handball?” I asked.
    “I wouldn’t have any idea how to play that,” he said.
    “You know, I don’t have to make it something you can
    do. That was never part of the bargain. You seemed pretty
    sure you’d beat me last night.”
    Shawn looked crestfallen. Damn him.
    “I usually make a killing on things like that,” he said.
    “People are always trying to get me involved in their charity
    drives.”
    “And you usually help?”
    Shawn nodded. “It’s just that if I am going to be out,
    going to be gay, then I have to take