Page 36 of Flowers To Give

“Thanks?”

Clark shakes his head, “You did it, didn’t you? You fucked the surfer.”

Jeremy looks around to make sure no one is in their direct vicinity, saying obstinately, “So?”

“I can’t believe you,” Clark scoffs and turns away, starting to walk toward the entrance, “You slut.”

“What’d you just call me?” Jeremy hisses under his breath, picking up the pace and staying in stride with Clark.

“You heard me. And it’s true,” Clark raises his nose in the air as they exit, stepping out to another sunny day where a black town car is waiting for them in the valet circle.

“Where do you get off?” Jeremy’s actually mad, squaring up to Clark as they make it to the car.

Clark replaces the driver at the open passenger door and holds it for Jeremy, turning to him with a scowl and saying, “Get in, we’re going to be late.”

“Forget it, you can’t-”

“Jeremy.”

Huffing, Jeremy shifts his weight and huffs, “What?”

“Please.”

Jeremy stares Clark down but loses the battle, that striking green gaze much more intense than Jeremy’s. He submits and ducks his head down as he climbs into the town car. The interior is spacious, Jeremy sitting on one side and Clark getting in on the other, closing the door behind him.

Clark crosses his arms and sets his sights out the tinted window, quiet and brooding. Jeremy deflates a little in the silence of the ride, eventually grumbling out, “So, how was the horseback riding yesterday?”

“Amazing. Incredible. You totally missed out,” Clark quickly barks.

“Well, I wish I could’ve come.”

“I do too,” Clark claps back, finally looking over to Jeremy.

He takes a deep breath and admits, “Look. I know I can come off as… Promiscuous. I just don’t see why you care so much.”

Clark chews on that, looking Jeremy over, and then staring into his eyes as he asks, “Did you really have sex with that man last night?”

Jeremy exhales heavily, nodding.

Biting down hard on his bottom lip, Clark looks back out the window and grumbles, “Unbelievable.”

“And what’s so unbelievable about it? That a guy wants to be with me?” Jeremy’s getting more offended by the moment.

“No, that you’re off being ‘promiscuous’ when you’re supposed to be here for me!”

“I don’t think it’s your business what I do in my free time.”

“Actually, it totally is my business,” Clark bares his teeth, “You make it my business when you keep me waiting. And when you go and nail my ranch hand!”

“Will you lay off about Barry?” Jeremy leans forward, “None of this was an issue when you thought I was with Jackie. So what’s so different? Is it cuz I’m with men, is that it?”

“No, of course not,” Clark shifts in his seat, “It’s that they don’t deserve you! A ranch hand and a surfer? Who are they? You’re better than that!”

Jeremy exclaims, “Clark, stop! Why are you acting so jealous?”

“Jealous?” Clark laughs.

“Yeah!”