I slowly approached the man at the bow. I didn’t think of anything more than just getting his name, and maybe his room number. He turned to see me, and this time, he did look at me.
I smiled at him. “Hi,” I said.
“Hi,” he replied. His voice was slightly higher pitched than what he looks would have presented; definitely gay, I thought, smiling even more.
“Nice morning.”
“Uh huh.” He looked me up and down, assessing me.
I let him. I was much broader than him, bigger in probably every way, except for height. While I was 5’8″, I made up for it by being broad, trim, with strong legs made for running. I was a linebacker in my past job. It was tough being in that kind of job for the LA Rams and being gay. In a way, I suppose I was glad that the concussions finally caught up with me.
I preferred little men, not the tall pretty twinks. This man was a hybrid; his voice effeminate but rugged good loos betrayed that.
I said, “So what brings you your here so early?”
He shrugged. “Issues.”
“Problems with the wife or girlfriend?” I figured I’d give him an out.
He winced. “Boyfriend.” He looked out to sea. It was starting to calm down, betraying my racing heart. It wouldn’t be the first time I would have picked up a guy on the rebound.
“It’s too bad, you’re stuck on this ship.” I tried to wheedle my way into his confidence. “You have no place to go.”
“I can sleep out here,” he said. “Take showers when he’s not there.”
“Well, I’m here by myself.” I put down my cards.
He turned to look at me again. Studying me. I smiled, held out my hand. “Tommy Greenway.”
He didn’t seem to know me. That was refreshing. “Ben Penzwyck,” he shook my hand, a firm handshake.
“Good to meet you.”
He nodded. “Look, I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship right now.”
Damn. Shot down.
