In the Eyes of Crazy

Chapter One


“A


re you sure this place is safe?” Land glanced around the parking lot, his nerves flaring in alarm as a large group of men in biker’s leathers strode into the club.

“Of course,” Larissa replied, shutting off the car’s engine. “I’ve been here lots of times.” His sister turned and peered at him in the back seat. “You’re not gonna chicken out, are you?” She eyed him critically.

Land glared at her. “No,” he muttered, even though he really, really did want to just go home. His little one bedroom apartment was safe. No one there would judge him, call him too skinny, laugh at him for being awkward or socially inept. He had his computers and his work, and that was enough.

His right hand worked just fine, especially when coupled with scenes of a hot police officer, his uniform half off as some guy got down and dirty to get out of a speeding ticket. Land felt his dick thicken slightly at the memory of the porn he’d watched the night before. He’d gladly have been enjoying that, instead.

How had Larissa talked him into coming out again? Right, she’d said that everyone was supposed to go out, get drunk, and get laid on their twenty-first birthday. That was three days ago, and he’d finally had to do the unthinkable. Land had come out to his sister, thinking it would at least get him out of going to a bar with her. He remembered the scene with vivid clarity, still shocked at Larissa’s reaction.

Larissa cocked her head, placed her hand on her hip, and said, “Is that why you’re still a virgin? Cause you didn’t want anyone to know you’re gay?”

Sputtering, unable to form a coherent sentence, Land had felt his face flush and just knew he was bright red. Finally, he managed to squeak, “Who says I’m a virgin?”

Larissa had laughed, actually laughed! “Come on, Land,” she consoled, chucking him lightly on the shoulder. “You’ve never even been on a date, and if you actually left this apartment to do something other than go to the coffee shop or the corner store for groceries, I’d totally hear about it from Mitch.” She rolled her eyes, referring to the building’s doorman. “It’d be the biggest gossip in the whole complex,” she muttered.

The heat in his face spread down his neck and chest. He thought he could actually feel the blood rushing through his veins. Being pale and nerdy really sucked sometimes. “So,” he murmured, glancing away. “You don’t care that I’m gay?”

Scoffing, Larissa shook her head. “Puh-leez! This is San Francisco. You’re probably the only gay man in the city who isn’t out, loud, and proud.” Before Land could think up a response to that statement, Larissa went on. “Now, I know an awesome bar that caters to everyone,” she gushed. “I’ll pick up an outfit for you. You’re still a twenty-eight, right?” she asked, eyeing his waist critically.

“Yeah,” he responded dubiously. She grabbed a belt loop on his too big jeans and tugged. “How come you never wear anything that fits?”

Good thing he always wore a belt. Land knew she wasn’t trying to de-pants him, but he found baggy clothes more comfortable. “They’re comfortable.” He shoved her hand away.

“Whatever,” Larissa said. “Okay. Saturday night. I’ll be here at seven to get you ready.”

“What am I? A toddler?” He stretched his arm out toward the refrigerator door handle. “Wait. What?” he asked, spinning around. He didn’t actually remember agreeing to go out with his sister.

“Shower before I get here,” Larissa ordered as if he hadn’t spoken. “And maybe clean up a bit,” she said, waving a hand in a circle to encompass the blankets on his futon.

Land slept in the living room and used the apartment’s one and only bedroom as an office.

“If you bring someone home you don’t want him to think you’re a slob,” she said pointedly.

Land’s lower jaw dropped. “What?” he squeaked.

“See you Saturday,” Larissa called, heading toward the door. She paused when she reached the door and turned back to glare at him. Pointing a finger at him, she stated, “And don’t try to go anywhere to get out of this. I will track you down.”

With that final warning, Larissa left. Land ran a hand through his hair, pushing the shaggy, black strands out of his face. His gaze roved over his stuff, but he didn’t really see it. He’d just come out to his sister and, not only didn’t she care, she was dragging him to some bi-friendly club so he could find someone to take his virginity.

With thoughts of his sister’s acceptance firmly entrenched in his mind, Land opened the car door and slid from the vehicle. He gripped the waist of the tight leather pants and pulled, trying to get them just a little bit higher. They hugged his hips, showing all his skinny angles, but he’d been too embarrassed by the shirt Larissa insisted he wear to tell her the black leather pants accentuated his too pale skin. After all, the silver mesh top clinging like a second skin to his narrow shoulders showed off everything he didn’t have. Yes, Land knew he was slender, but just because he didn’t have fat on him didn’t mean he had muscles. Sitting at a computer wasn’t conducive to creating chest or stomach muscles.