When One Door Opens by JD Ruskin Page B

his shoulders, but he didn’t want to draw any more attention to them. They were turning heads all right. Men and women were swiveling their heads to check out Caleb’s ass, encased in a pair of gray sweats that looked glued on. His long-sleeved white T-shirt was so thin Logan could just make out Caleb’s tight nipples. Caleb’s luscious lips were parted slightly and his breathing heavy, like any second he was gonna throw his head back and come. Yeah, they’re staring. Wondering how I can afford such a hot rentboy.
    “Who says they’re looking at you? Remember back to when you first met me.”
    Caleb remained quiet for a few steps. “Does it bother you?”
    Up ahead, Logan spotted a mother and her young son. She pulled the boy in close and inched over until she was as far away as she could get on the sidewalk. Her wary eyes never left Logan until she’d passed by them.
    “No big deal.” When Logan glanced away, he caught Caleb giving him a look that seemed to say so much: bullshit and I’m sorry and they’re idiots .
    Caleb squeezed his elbow. “I guess I should be happy my freakiness is curable.” He bumped Logan’s arm. “You’re stuck being a giant.”
    “Smartass.” Logan flicked the back of Caleb’s ear.
    Caleb gave him a toothy grin, not looking the least bit chagrined. He then stopped. “We’re here.”
    Logan stepped through the sliding door, trusting Caleb to follow. Caleb licked his lips, his eyes darting around the store as if counting the potential number of witnesses if he fell apart. His eyes lit when he spotted Min and Mr. Meng approaching. With a squeal of delight, Min wrapped her arms around Caleb, hugging him close. Logan felt that ridiculous urge again, wanting to peel Min off Caleb. Caleb didn’t look any happier about Min touching him. Logan tried not to be happy about that.
    Oblivious to or maybe in spite of Caleb’s discomfort, Min took hold of Caleb’s hand, snatched a box from below the counter, and dragged him toward the back of the store. Logan leaned against the counter, enjoying the view of Caleb’s retreating backside. Just as they reached the dairy case, Min looked over her shoulder and giggled in a way that could only mean trouble. A yank on his sleeve had Logan glancing down at the storeowner.
    “You dating Mister Klass?”
    Amused, Logan peered at the old guy. “Not yet.”
    Meng nodded thoughtfully before walking away. A few minutes later, he returned, carrying a large plastic bag. Holding out the bag with both hands, he offered it to Logan with his head bowed. Confused, Logan accepted the frozen bag of… something. Through the frosty plastic, he saw what looked like an earthworm on steroids with tentacles glued to its face.
    “Comjang O,” Meng said, gesturing toward the bag. “Make you big.”
    “Uh… thanks?” Logan had no idea what the proper response was to being given a creature straight out of a Stephen King novel or possibly Dune .
    Apparently satisfied by the response, Meng smiled and headed back to the counter.
    A few minutes later, Caleb appeared at his side, carrying a now filled box of groceries. Examining the bag, he said, “It’s even uglier when alive.”
    “Uglier? What the hell is it?”
    “It’s called a hagfish and alive it’s covered in this slimy mucus it uses to ward off predators.”
    “Why would he give me this?”
    “I guess he thought you needed it,” Caleb said with an air of absolute innocence that didn’t fool Logan for a second. After a beat he added, “It’s a Korean aphrodisiac.”
    Logan groaned. “To make me big.”
    After letting Logan take the box, Caleb held up the bag and peered at the contents. “It looks to be about a foot long. That would certainly be big.” He smirked. “I’ll go grab some spices to go with it.” He ran off before Logan could stop him.
    As they left the store, Caleb said, “You should be honored. They don’t sell hagfish here. Mr. Meng must’ve given you one from his private