Free The Burning Man by Phillip Margolin Page B

too embarrassed to tell the truth.
    "Then you know you have to go down there and ask her if she wants a beer. Now she'll say no at first. These bitches always play hard to get. You insist, though.
    Women like guys who won't take no for an answer. Be forceful."
    "I don't know. She really don't look that interested in me.
    "Are you kidding? Shit, man, she's creamin' over you.
    "That's true," Booth chimed in, anxious to get rid of Gary so he could find out what Mammon wanted with him. "She definitely wants It."
    "And she wants it from you," Mammon said, lifting Gary to his feet. "Now, you aren't a fag, are you?"
    "Oh no. It's just.. .
    "It's just nothing, my man. And you know what? I'm jealous as shit, because you're gonna be sleeping with your ears between those silky thighs tonight. Go on."
    Mammon gave Gary a push toward the stairs. Gary walked down them slowly, twice looking over his shoulder at Booth and Mammon, who waved him on. He was sick with worry, but he could not disgrace himself by turning back. What would the guys think if he could not score with a girl who was giving him the eye? And if he did score with a girl that pretty, it would really be something. Maybe he would even ask her to come with him to the wedding.
    There was an empty space next to the blonde at the bar. Up close, she was even better-looking. Gary stood there for a moment, but the girl did not seem to notice him Finally, Gary worked up the courage to talk to her, but'the words caught in his throat when he tried to speak. Gary swallowed.
    Then, in a quivering whisper, he asked the girl if she wanted a beer, but the noise in the bar was so loud that she did not hear him.
    Gary felt nauseous. It had taken all his courage to make this attempt and he was too frightened to try again. He looked back at Booth and Mammon. They were doubled up with laughter. Mammon waved at him to go on. He turned back to the girl and tapped her on the shoulder, pulling his hand back as soon as he touched her. The girl stopped in mid-sentence and turned toward him.
    "Can ... can I get you a beer?" Gary managed.
    The girl flashed a smile that barely disguised her annoyance. "No thanks," she answered quickly in a tone that made it clear that she was used to being hit on and didn't like it. When she turned back to her friend, Gary looked at the table for help. His friends were laughing again. Why would they laugh like that? He wanted to run away, but he remembered what Chris said about being persistent. He tapped the girl's shoulder again, a little harder. The girl turned around. She looked angry'what do you want?" she asked.
    "I like you and I want to buy you a beer."
    "Thank you, but I'm talking to someone, okay?"
    "I can buy her a beer, too."
    "Look, I don't want you to buy me a beer. Neither does my friend. Take no for an answer, okay?"
    "I like you," Gary repeated lamely.
    The girl looked at the ceiling and rolled her eyes. Gary cringed with embarrassment.
    "Ch ... Chris said you want me to buy you a beer," he stuttered.
    "Who?"
    "Chris. My friend," Gary said, pointing toward the table where Mammon and Booth were still laughingthe girl saw them and figured out what was going on.
    "Go tell your friends they were wrong and leave me alone."
    "You ... you don't like me?" Gary asked, hurt and confused.
    "Are you an idiot?" the woman asked incredulously.
    "Didn't I just tell you ..."
    Gary's hand shot out and grabbed the girl's tee shirt.
    "I ain't no idiot," he yelled.
    The girl staggered backward, startled by Gary's sudden rage.
    "Don't call me no names," he shouted in her face.
    "Let me go," she screamed as she tried to pull out of Gary's grip. Gary yanked her toward him.
    Arnie Block, the bartender closest to the commotion, turned when he heard the girl scream. At the end of the bar farthest from the front door, another attractive blonde in a Whitaker State tee shirt and jeans was sitting across from Dave Thorne, the other bartender. The girl was wearing a silver medallion