Page 25 of Kicks

“Mr Webster?” the exquisite specimen said.

“Um…yes.”

“Eddie Channing. From Pleasure Seekers. We have an appointment?”

“That’s right.”

“Sorry, Mr Channing,” Harry said as he pushed past Billy. “My brother appears to have let the heat get to him. I’m Harry and this is Billy.”

Eddie shook his hand. “That’s better. I’d get confused dealing with two Mr Websters.”

Billy got a hold of himself and forced his brain to focus. “My apologies, Mr…Eddie. I don’t know what came over me.”

This man intrigued Eddie. “Don’t worry about it. As long as I have the bragging rights. It’s not every day I make a handsome man lose his words. My flatmates will be amazed.”

Did he just call me handsome?

Billy refused to let his emotions take control. This was important. He wouldn’t fall for a salesman’s tactics.

He held his hand out. When Eddie took it, Billy tried his best to ignore the spark of electricity that fizzed through him.

“Would you like to come through?” Billy said.

“I’ll put the closed sign on,” Harry chipped in.

“No n—” Billy started.

Harry widened his eyes at him. “Probably for the best.”

Suddenly, Billy saw how wildly out of his depth he was. Harry seemed to be treating this like one of his fights. He was ducking and weaving all over the place. Billy had never been any good at games.

That was probably why they were about to go bust.

He led Eddie through. The close proximity making his heart beat a little faster. However, those few steps gave him the chance to get it together.

“Take a seat,” he said. “Can I get you a drink? It’s hot today.”

“No, I’m good,” Eddie said.

Billy took his usual seat at the little desk. He gestured for Eddie to take the armchair that Crystal usually sat in to do her homework.

Harry soon followed them and perched delicately on the remaining stool. He was far too big for it. Billy prayed to everything holy that it wouldn’t collapse under him.

Why didn’t I give him this seat? Fuck’s sake, calm down. It doesn’t matter.

“So,” Eddie said. “I read your application. We’re very interested. I do have to ask, why us? It’s a bit of a departure from what you’re currently selling.”

“That’s the point,” Billy said.

To his annoyance, Eddie had been addressing Harry for the whole speech. Billy didn’t blame him, but he’d be damned if he became a bit-part player.

“How so?”

A flash of interest passed across Eddie’s face. Billy found himself wanting to tell his man everything. Yet, in the back of his mind, he remembered this was a dance.

“This stuff is old-hat now,” Billy said. “We’re not stupid. Times are changing and there’s money to be made.”

Eddie appraised him. “I can’t argue with that. Some of the things we stock are pretty outrageous. You won’t be able to have anyone under eighteen in the shop. Ever. You sure you can handle that?”