Chance to Be King Read Online Free PDF

and sing while we're waiting."
    He'd almost forgotten Pete and Di standing in front of them but their sharp intake of breath attracted his attention. He looked up to see their gazes both fixed on Thomas and the man in question giving them an almost imperceptible shake of the head.
"Thomas?" he asked uncertainly.
    "No singing tonight, dude. Food and then I might consider putting out, if you're a good boy. 'Sides dinner should be coming just about now."
Puzzled, Eric looked around. "But we didn't order anything."
     
"When you eat here you only order one thing." "Which is?" Eric was concerned to know what he was going to be fed.
    "Half a cow." Thomas pointed to two large plates making their way towards them, almost obscuring the waitress.
Eric went from concerned to ecstatic in short order."Ribs? Oh fuck me…"
    "Food first, 'Ric. Fuck later." Thomas was already moving forward to claim the plates, leaving behind an open-mouthed Eric; Pete and Di seemed barely able contain their snickering.
"Is he always so… forward?" Eric asked them.
    Di took a deep breath in an effort to calm herself down. "Nope. Normally he's really reserved around strangers. You just seem to bring out the filthy talk. He must really like you." Eric couldn't stop a large, satisfied smile spreading across his face. Di gave him a speculative look. "Looks like you feel the same way?" There was a lilt at the end that made it sound like a question.
    Feeling like he was being asked his intentions by an anxious parent and having only known the guy for a couple of days, Eric didn't really know what to say, but he nodded anyway.
    "'Ric, come and get your plate." Thomas was making his way towards him, hands laden with dinner.
    As Eric turned to move away, Di leaned forward and hissed, "Don't ask him to sing. Ever." Pete was nodding behind her in agreement.
    Eric said nothing, again, but just moved away to help Thomas. He was beginning to wonder what the fuck he'd gotten into.
* * * *
    Despite his reservations, or maybe because of the half cow now residing inside him, Eric enjoyed a relaxed evening with Thomas. He didn't push the subject of singing again and the other man didn't mention it. They found a table in the corner and were almost able to ignore the karaoke, except for some of the more enthusiastic screeching; then Eric could see Thomas wincing as some of the women went searching for the higher notes.
    Thomas kept him plied with beer despite Eric's protestations, and that, combined with the heat and food, meant Eric was soon yawning hard. Thomas eyed his companion carefully.
"When was the last time you did nothing, I mean, absolutely nothing?"
    Eric finished another yawn and sat back, parsing through the last couple of years in his head. He shook it ruefully. "Y'know, I can't remember. Been at least two years since I had more than a week off. I've been lucky. I've worked almost since I left school."
"But you're absolutely exhausted, 'Ric."
    "'M not!" Eric promptly yawned again. "Well, maybe I am, but I'll be okay after a few days of rest and your cooking."
    With an eyebrow raised comically, Thomas pursed his lips as he was about to take a drink out of his bottle. He'd drunk little beer, switching to soda as he was driving. "One neighborly act does not mean a lifetime of servitude."
Eric said the first thing that popped into his head "Awwww, you thinking of becoming my wife?"
    "Fuck off!" Thomas retorted, not the least bit offended. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty, let's get you home to your bed."
    Eric wanted to protest that he was fine and it was too early to go home, but in truth bed sounded like a really good idea. He was going to spend most of his vacation asleep if he wasn't careful. He finished the bottle of beer and followed the older man out of the bar, stopping on his heels every time someone wanted to speak to Thomas. With the help of Thomas' skill in not getting involved in long conversations they finally walked outside. It was only then he realized Thomas