Free Special Needs by K.A. Merikan Page A

didn’t work.
    “One of them hit on me, so you have a lot to live up to,” Ryan said casually, looking down at his ink-in-making.
    Liam bit his lip with a frown. Did Ryan fire the guy when they broke up? “Wasn’t your type?”
    “He was. And he quit a week later. Sad times Liam, I tell you.” Ryan shrugged.
    Liam looked at his young, delicate face, his heart skipping a beat before he could tell it to stop. “What a shithead.”
    “You know, people can make their own decisions. Whatever. Maybe he got creeped out by my pervy ways.”
    Liam chuckled, amused at the suggestion, though deep down, he knew Ryan was only trying not to be a victim here. He was sensitive that way. “Oh, did you take him to the Psych Ward room?”
    “Psych Ward?” Lizzy shook his head, patiently working on Ryan’s hip. “Where was it that you work again?”
    “Ryan’s got this awesome fantasy sex hotel. You need to check it out, man.” Liam knew Lizzy might be interested in a test ride.
    “Yeah.” Ryan gazed down at the artist. “If that’s up your street of course. I got some flyers in the making, and we’ll be taking them round next week.”
    “Oh, you could definitely leave some here. I bet some of my clients would be more than interested.” Lizzy smiled at Ryan.
    “It’s at Posen Beach, so they can go skinny dipping after.”
    “And it rocks!” Liam filled in.
    “I bet you didn’t waste your time.” Lizzy sighed, the buzz of the tattoo gun making Liam feel jealous. Maybe he could get another tattoo in a few weeks.
    “I haven’t seen him skinny dipping yet. Give me a heads up if you do.” Ryan snorted, winking at Liam.
    “You’d have to get up earlier than you do.” Liam teased him.
    “I might just try, you know! I’d have a good view from the balcony.”
    The outline of the small tattoo was almost done and the little face on the pack of french fries did in fact look sad. Just like it should be. Weep for your loss, grease-sticks! Say goodbye to Ryan’s succulent lips.
    “Remember to make it cry, cause these things are never coming back on my watch.” Liam got up and looked down at the drawing.
    “No! I love my fries so much!” whined Ryan. “You’re taking away a disabled person’s only joy in life.”
    “What if I give you homemade chocolate mousse instead?.”
    That perspective had even Ryan shut up about fries.
     

     
    Two hours later, Liam stopped the car in front of a discount grocery store, close to Ryan’s favorite cafe, a local company that Liam never heard of before they met. Now it was time to find out whether he should feel bad about it.
    As soon as they entered the cafe, they got greeted by a waitress who must have known Ryan. She took away a chair from one of the tables in the back to make room for his wheelchair and smiled. “Here you go, Ryan, your favorite table.”
    Liam looked around the spacious room. It was raw and modern at the same time: with wooden floors and red brick walls. Black and white photographs by local artists and mismatched seats were the only decoration of the otherwise ascetic interior. “Wish I was that welcome anywhere,” he said, sitting in a green, fifties-style armchair.
    “I’ll have a big ice coffee with chocolate syrup.” Ryan nodded at the waitress.
    “Surprise me with something big and sweet, will you?” Liam gave her a big smile. She winked at him and walked back towards the counter.
    “You know why this is my favorite spot?” Ryan leaned over, his voice turning into a whisper.
    “You’re planning a coffee shop room?” Liam said with a straight face.
    “No.” Ryan’s nose wrinkled a bit. “They have the hottest barista on the planet. Just don’t look yet.”
    Liam couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips, when he looked at the hunky guy with short dark hair, glasses and a small flesh tunnel in his ear. He couldn’t deny that Ryan had good taste. “Oh, is he gay?”
    “I’m pretty sure he is. We chatted about Thor once and he