Choose Your Own Adventure (Yaoi style!)

[It was another close vote, but 'exploring the scent' won out. Sorry this was a day late- but you get more chapters this week! This week instead of voting you get to read both options! :)  ]

I knew I should probably let things be, but there was something about that scent that drew me. The lot was mostly empty, but the large, metal trash bins obscured my view. I thought I heard shuffling. Oh what the hell? I went across the street to get a closer look, keeping my senses on high alert.

That was one benefit of being a neko: heightened hearing and smell, and better vision than humans in the dark. But I didn’t have x-ray vision, so I didn’t know what was lurking at the back of the parking lot until I got around the trash bins—and almost collided with a big, hulking dark shadow.

I’d like to say I didn’t yelp, but hell, I don’t usually get so badly startled! “Shit!”

“Dammit! You scared the hell out of me!” the looming figure sputtered.

Raising from the cringing, err, defense position I’d taken, I looked up and blinked. “Oh.” It was the lughead who’d been hanging around near closing. “What are you doing out here!” I snapped.

“I parked here.”

“Alright, what are you doing here still? It’s well past closing time.”

I eyed him closely and noted his broad build and the way his saggy blond hair slipped over his eyes rather boyishly. Was that a blush on his cheeks?

“My, uh, bike is having some trouble,” he said, pointing behind him to the hog lined up along the wall of the building. I walked over without asking. It was beautiful.

“Nice,” I murmured. “What the issue?”

He looked away, hand rubbing his neck. “I don’t really know.”

“Hmm.” I stooped down and looked over the motorbike. It was vintage, which meant beautiful but a pain in the ass too. Some of the parts for this model wouldn’t be easy to find, and he needed them. I told him as much and he blinked.

“You can already tell what’s wrong with it?”

“It’s not that hard,” I said, standing, “and I like bikes.”

He gave this little half smile. “I guess so.”

“Anyway, you better call one of pals to pick you up—or your auto insurance company. You won’t be riding this anytime soon.”

His levity faded. “Yeah.”

“What?”

“Well, they all went to some dance place. I doubt they’ll be checking their phones—or in any shape to drive if they do.”

“Some friends you got there.” I couldn’t help saying it. I mean, he seemed like a decent guy, but the crowd he was with were dicks. Not the fun kind either.

“I don’t know that many people here yet. I don’t have much of a choice.”

I thought he did, but I held back. I knew it was tough when you moved to a new place, though I’d found decent people to hang with. People like Trace who, ironically, was probably at the same dance club as his lame friends. There weren’t that many bars that also had good dance floors.

I looked him up and down. “Alright.”

“Huh?”

I snorted. He was kinda cute when he looked bewildered. “I’ll give you a lift. Come on. You can get the hog to a shop tomorrow.”

He looked longingly at his ride, then nodded.

I led the way across the street, and felt the heat rise in my cheeks as I pointed to my little decked-out moped. “This is, umm, my bike. All I could afford, but I’ve made it my own.”

To my relief, he didn’t laugh. “It looks like one of those souped-up mod mopeds.”

That earned a grin. “Yep.” I was quite proud of the additions I’d made: checkerboard pattern across the front fender, extra headlamps, and several extras side mirrors. I opened up the compartment under the seat and pulled out my helmet. “Got yours?” I asked.

He lifted his (much larger) helmet and nodded. “I never go for a ride without protection.”

I blinked. When his own words sunk in, he flushed. “I mean, umm…”

All I could do was chuckle. “Then got on, handsome,” I said with a wink, straddling the bike. I hadn’t meant to flirt, not initially—heaven only knew I’d had enough excitement that evening already—but I couldn’t help teasing him.

He laughed self-consciously and slipped in behind me. He wasn’t a small guy and I was glad I had a larger than average bike. Even so, it was a tight fit, so to speak. His arms wrapped around my waist. “Ready when you are,” he said.

I revved up and we were off. It had been a long time since I’d had anyone join me on a ride and I had to grin as the wind whipped around us and arms tightened about me. It felt good. Damn good. Better even than being in the closet (no pun intended) with Alister. Behind me, my guest directed me by lifting an arm and pointing this way or that, and all too soon we were pulling up at his place.

We took our helmets off as I stopped the engine, but he didn’t move from behind me. I turned and looked at him.

“Thanks,” he said with a smile. “My name’s Eric, by the way.”

“Ferd.” I bent my hand back for an awkward shake of hands. Funny to try and do such a casual gesture when someone’s groin was pressed against your ass.

“Do uh, do you want to come in? For a drink or something?” he asked.

--> If you decide Ferd should go up, go to chapter 4A

--> If you think Ferd has a better idea, go to chapter 4B