Alex slowed as he approached the Wild Pony. Michael's truck was parked in the lot, as expected, so he swung in. If it hadn't been, he would have gone on to Michael's trailer. This was going to be more public than he preferred but on the whole he didn't mind. Better to get it out there and have it over with.

Michael was at the bar when Alex walked in, slumped on a stool and swaying slightly as Maria grabbed his keys and said, "You're not driving."

"The hell I'm not. Give 'em back."

It didn't fall silent when Alex stepped forward with his slight limp and tap of crutch but it got quieter. He didn't look around, just fixed his eyes on Michael and kept walking toward him.

Michael spun on the stool and sketched a salute. "Private."

Alex spoke to Maria. "I'm his ride." He pulled out his wallet and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Thirty-two."

Alex dropped two twenties on the bar and held out his hand. Maria gave him the keys.

Alex turned to Michael, said "Let's go" and started walking out. He was almost to the door before he heard Michael follow him.

Outside, Michael reached for his keys. "I'll pay you back."

Alex shook his head. "I'm your ride." The words had a different meaning this time.

Michael didn't argue, just got in the passenger side of his truck. Alex turned the key and the engine roared then settled to a well-tuned purr. Michael's truck looked like a beater but he knew engines.

A minute later Michael slid his arm along the seat and reached between Alex's legs, cupped and squeezed gently. It was his left hand but at that moment neither of them was thinking about how the hand got broken ten years before. Alex's hips bucked involuntarily, pushing against Michael's palm. Michael didn't do more but he also didn't move his hand until they pulled up to his trailer. He got out the passenger side.

Alex got out the driver side with an awkwardness that wasn't all due to his leg. "I have trouble walking even without a hard-on."

Michael came around to the driver side, took the crutch and put his arm around Alex's waist. "Are you going to bitch and moan every time I make you hard?"

"I'll stop bitching but I can't control the moaning."

Michael smiled and unlocked the trailer with his mind. Inside, he laid the crutch aside and pushed Alex down onto the narrow bed. Then, as always happened between them, it got very primal very fast.

Hours later Michael said, "The Pony was kind of public. People might talk. How are you going to walk it back?"

"I'm not."

"Suits me but you didn't have to do it for me."

"I did it for me. For us."

"Why now?"

"I'm in love with you. I want to show it."

"You just did. Repeatedly."

"You're deflecting. Do you want to get out of this? After asking if it would be so bad if people knew about us?"

"Nope. Just want you to be sure."

"I am."

Michael turned over until he was almost lying on Alex. His foot brushed Alex's stump and his knee pressed against his groin. Alex moaned.

Michael licked Alex's ear and whispered, "Good call on the moaning. I would have missed hearing you."