in their own world. They ate in silence for a while, people-watching as they enjoyed the break from all the walking around.
“Check it out.” Silver gazed past Donovan’s shoulder and Donovan angled his head to see what he was referring to. “That guy in the ten-gallon hat? I bought my first ride off him.”
Donovan arched his eyebrows then turned to Silver. “Not the Mustang?”
“Nah. A Firebird. I only had it about six months, but it sure was a blast.”
Donovan chuckled. “Did you race it?”
“Hell yeah. But not street.” Silver took a slug of his soda. “A group of us used to go out to Mojave and hold races there.”
“Any wagering go on while you were tearing around the desert?”
The corner of Silver’s mouth quirked into a smile. “Why do you think I only had the Firebird for six months?”
They burst into laughter, and Donovan was pleased that something had broken through the cloud of melancholy hanging over Silver’s head. But Donovan couldn’t stand it. Silver might have patience, but he didn’t. He was on a need to know right fucking now basis with everything in his life, but especially with this man who meant so damn much to him.
“Hey.” Donovan poked Silver’s soda can with the tip of the ravaged corn cob. “I know something’s bothering you.”
“It’s okay, mijo. I want us to enjoy our day.” Silver nudged Donovan’s toe with the tip of his boot.
“I am enjoying it. Quite a bit, actually. But that’s because I’m here with you, and… Well, a lot of things that are too deep to get into while sitting at a filthy auto show picnic table.” Donovan rubbed his forehead. “I guess what I’m trying to say, is that I hope you view my contribution to our relationship as being worthy enough, that should you need advice, you might consider what I had to say? Or perhaps, I could be the proverbial shoulder to cry on?”
Silver furrowed his brow. “I’m being an ass, aren’t I?” He nudged Donovan’s foot harder. “Of course I value your thoughts, your advice.” He gave Donovan a lopsided smile. “I was trying to be the tough Papi who can handle anything, who has to take whatever life hurls at him so he can protect his boy.”
Donovan chuckled. “This is SoCal. There’s bound to be more hurling than any one person can handle.”
Silver snorted. “Yeah. True that.” He wrapped his fingers around the soda can, staring at some mysterious point across the eating area as he seemed to be formulating his thoughts. After a few moments, he turned to Donovan. “I gave my two weeks at the garage.”
Donovan straightened on the wooden bench. “Oh, wow. I hadn’t realized you were so close to taking that next step. I’d assumed from what you told me it might be another year or so. Did you find a place you want to set up shop in?”
Silver let out a mournful sigh, and Donovan was wondering whether he should’ve just brought the subject up of what was bothering Silver after they’d left the show.
“I’ll get into all the details later, but the short of it is that my boss screwed me over. It doesn’t make sense for me to work there and not know if I’ll ever get paid. The point of that job was to take that money, put it in my savings, and pay my regular bills with the diner money. Without the funds from the garage, then all I’m doing is slaving away for that pendejo so I can live in a crappy apartment.”
Donovan covered his mouth with one hand, wishing like hell he could at least put an arm around Silver, if nothing else.
“Jesus, Silver. I’m so sorry. Have you thought of what you want to do next?”
The seed of an idea planted itself in Donovan’s mind, but it was too risky. Still, if they were extra careful…
“No, not really. I’m sure I can find a studio apartment and get more shifts at the diner while I look for garages that are hiring mechanics. Nothing has to be decided this minute.” He gave Donovan a hopeful smile. “It’ll all work out.”
Donovan chewed on his lip as he worked up the courage to voice his thoughts. Silver gave him a stronger nudge.
“What?”
“Don’t chew, mijo.”
Donovan clasped his fingers then rested his joined hands on the table. “Terrible, I know.” He cleared his throat. “So, I was thinking. If you need a place to stay, and we were super careful, you’re welcome to