Free Of Love and Corn Dogs by Parker Williams

hand. You like this guy, right?”
    Darwin nodded. Logically, he knew it made no sense, but he truly did like Ricky. He had an air about him that had Darwin aching to know more. The kiss they shared had thrown open doors Darwin thought he’d closed off long ago. Heat surged to Darwin’s cheeks as his thoughts took an erotic turn. He glanced at Kent, hoping his embarrassment wasn’t obvious. Kent let go of Darwin’s hand and stood.
    â€œThen find out where it’s going to go. Don’t hold back. Even if it doesn’t work out with Ricky, it might work out with the next man, or the next. There has to be more to your life than work.” Kent gave Darwin a strange look, and then he laughed.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?”
    â€œI just realized. You are all about work. I was all about finding ways to not work. Now I’m the one who is trying to take the job more seriously, while you’re trying to find a way to finally think about yourself. We’re a fine pair.”
    Â 
    Darwin sat in the back of the limo later that afternoon, fiddling with his phone. Heather had blocked the whole day for the meeting with Kent, and as soon as his brother had left, Darwin told Heather he would take the remainder of the afternoon off. He reminded her he would be reachable by phone if she needed him. She’d seemed surprised, but then smiled at him. He hadn’t left work early in years, but after the emotional roller coaster he’d been on lately, he decided he’d earned a break. The weather seemed lovely, and he hadn’t gotten out much, so he asked Henley to drive him through the park to look at the beautiful flower displays.
    As they drove he scrolled through the contacts until he got to Ricky’s number. They hadn’t spoken in a week, and Darwin wanted to use the excuse he’d been busy, but in truth, he feared Ricky would change his mind.
    The window that separated the driver from the back of the car rolled down, startling Darwin. He hated when Henley had it up, because it made him feel isolated.
    â€œAre you going to use the phone, or are you content playing with it?”
    Darwin pulled a face. “Are you actually talking about the phone, or is this one of your famous euphemisms?”
    Henley chuckled. “I can see it working either way, so use whichever you’re most comfortable with.”
    â€œSo what do you think? Kent says I should call Ricky, but I’m nervous.”
    An expression Darwin couldn’t recall ever seeing before passed over Henley’s face, but just as quickly, it vanished. “I think you should call him. Get to know the man. Find out if there is anything between the two of you. From what I saw, he’s a nice guy, and you need a little nice in your life.”
    Darwin fiddled with the phone once more before he drew in a deep breath and pushed connect. After four rings, it went to voice mail.
    â€œHi, Ricky. It’s me. Um, I mean, it’s Darwin. I was calling to see how you were doing. Talk to you later.”
    He hung up and dropped his head back against the seat. He could see Henley grinning at him in the rearview mirror.
    â€œMan, you are so out of practice,” his friend teased.
    â€œNo kidding,” Darwin agreed. He slipped the phone into his pocket and tried to pretend the wait wouldn’t kill him.
    ***
    Ricky walked out of another restaurant where he’d finished applying. He groaned as the heat once again washed over him. If one thing bugged Ricky, heat would be it, and the weather report had said it would be warmer than normal from today—Monday—through Friday. He sweated easily, and the fact he’d worn the only suit he owned didn’t help. He’d done it just in case he got asked to stay for an interview. But that hadn’t happened. Again.
    He’d left applications at twelve restaurants in the last week and none of them had called him back. After he turned his phone back