Chapter 10 The last one
Music was blasting through the speakers, a psychodelic tapestry of colours flashing in time with the drumbeats.
Although Dylan had been crazy when he was younger, he found nothing interesting about drinking himself stupid every weekend anymore. Not when he could stay at home sleeping like a log or playing video games until the early hours of the morning—there was no in between.
However, he had to admit that it was also fun going out from time to time. More so when “the witches’ coven” was out to celebrate their last day of work until after New Year’s Eve, and they intended to make it memorable.
Crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head, Dylan watched Jared dance with Penny and Cora. They had talked about a ton of different topics, each more bizarre than the last, but this? Jared had never mentioned he liked to dance and was actually good at it. Like really good.
No wonder his hips roll so smoothly when he fucks me.
A smile curled Dylan’s lips while his friends swayed to the rhythm of the music, swirling and laughing under the jitter of lights. Jared’s messy blond hair was shining, just like those beautiful brown eyes that had him completely obsessed.
There was no reason to keep denying it. He was a goner at this point. Had been for longer than he was willing to admit. But, afraid to come across as too pushy or inconsiderate while Jared had been single for barely three months, he hadn’t mentioned it yet.
Since they had started fooling around, neither of them had seen other people.
They had talked about this and promised to always be honest, for safety reasons—you know, given that they were barebacking and fucking each other’s faces constantly without protection.
So he was okay with prolonging this temporary bliss, for however long it lasted.
Besides, imagine if Jared also wanted something more... They would eventually have to do the whole introducing each other to their families thing.
Dylan was sure his parents wouldn’t give a shit. His father may even let his dark humor shine and joke about how he was dating a kid. But maybe Jared’s mum and dad wouldn’t be so happy with their baby boy dating a man twelve years older.
He didn’t care anymore about the age difference—Jared was a lot more mature than one would’ve expected, but he was aware of how most people were with this type of stuff. Everyone was open-minded and accepting until it happened to them.
As his eyes focused on the dance floor again, his heart kicked his ribs. Jared was so beautiful it was painful to look at him sometimes, especially when he was filled with pure joy.
He was usually outgoing, but also kind of timid, though the alcohol had probably helped Jared get a little carried away tonight. His expression was genuine, relaxed, and so full of life... Dylan knew he was doomed.
Minutes ticked away, and Jared and the girls finally approached.
“That was some stamina you had over there,” Dylan teased, raising his voice above the loud music.
“As if you didn’t already know that,” Jared replied, so close to his ear no one could have possibly heard.
Even so, Dylan quickly glanced in Cora and Penny’s direction. They were engrossed in their own little world, checking some photos they’d taken throughout the night.
Dylan was okay with his feelings, embraced each one of them, but he still didn’t like the idea of becoming the center of attention at the office. Nobody needed to know the filthy adventures they shared between the sheets.
“Touché,” he said. “I had no idea you were such a great dancer, though.”
“I’m not.”
“I beg to differ. That show you just put on says otherwise.” Dylan gently knocked Jared’s shoulder as they both perched their elbows on the bar.
“Nah…” Jared looked away. That was a gesture Dylan had learned happened when he blushed—a lame attempt at hiding his cuteness. “My mum loves all types of Latin music and kinda dragged me into liking it since I was a child. That’s all.”
“That’s so sweet.” Dylan smiled, warmth spreading across his chest and towards his... pants. “But I’d like you to use your superpower for something dirtier. At home. In private. Only for me.” He took a swig of his drink.
“You want me to do a striptease for you?”
“If you offer, I won’t say no.”
Jared laughed wholeheartedly, shaking his head and biting his bottom lip when he eased out of it. “You’re something else.”
“You know it.”
Dylan was about to wink at Jared, but he froze. The intensity of his eyes pinned him on the spot, shifting the energy in the room.
Among the chaos of seamlessly mixed tracks and neon lights, all Dylan could feel was his heart hammering in his chest. He wanted to kiss Jared, and it looked like Jared was thinking the same because his eyes flickered to his lips.
What if the world knew about them? It wasn’t like it was against any rules that they were together.
And if they were on the same page, it would mean no more hiding.
No more secrets. Maybe they would survive the gossip, or maybe they wouldn’t, but who cared if he got to hold Jared’s hand anywhere, whenever the fuck he wanted?
Just then, Dylan was ripped from his delusion when a strong hand gripped his arm, turning him around. What the—
“Yo, fucker!” a hollering voice called.
It took Dylan a moment to recognize the person in front of him. But when he did, a grin that could compete with the Cheshire Cat spread across his face.
“You’re fucking kidding me,” he exclaimed. “Chaz?” He laughed, pulling the man in front of him in for a hug. “How have you been?” he shouted, patting his back effusively.
“I’m great, man. What about you? You’re looking great!” Chaz said as they pulled away, giving Dylan a once over.
“When have I not?”
“Always a cocky prick.”
“Until the day I die.” Dylan chuckled.
“I’ve missed your smart mouth!”
“Oh, by the way, this is my friend and roomie, Jared,” Dylan said when he realized they weren’t alone.
Chaz and Dylan had known each other since they were in diapers, but Chaz moved to Switzerland for work two years before, so it had been a while.
They hadn’t always been as thick as thieves, because, while growing up, they’d started liking different things and began going out with different people.
Yet they had always been there for each other in the important moments.
Every time they’d met up, it felt as if the clocks had stopped, and they hadn’t ever been apart.
So, of course, Dylan was excited to see him again.
“Nice to meet you,” Jared said, shaking Chaz’s hand.
“Same, same.” Chaz smiled.
“When did you come back?” Dylan slapped Chaz’s shoulder. “I’m kind of offended right now.”
“Don’t be. I arrived a couple of days ago. Came back to celebrate Christmas with my mum. Tonight I’m with my sister, her husband, and a couple of cousins.” He gestured somewhere in the crowd to where they might be. “I haven’t had time to call anyone yet.”
Dylan narrowed his eyes at him. “You better not have.”
They both laughed.
The conversation barely lasted a few more minutes as they caught up, but the way Jared was frowning and clenching his jaw didn’t go unnoticed by Dylan.
What the fuck was his deal?
“So, Chaz, hm?” he muttered as soon as Dylan’s childhood friend returned to his family.
Dylan was taken aback by the sudden coldness in Jared’s tone, but somehow, it didn’t surprise him. “Yup. Just a friend.” He shrugged, not sure why he’d felt the imperative need to clarify that.
Jared smirked, but it wasn’t the cheeky expression Dylan knew by heart. It was darker, almost sinister. “Like me?”
Dylan’s brow furrowed as he looked at Jared, extra confused.
Although he liked Jared and wanted more than this friends-with-benefits shit they had, they weren’t really anything serious enough yet for him to glitch like that.
But he decided to let it slide. If Jared had anything to tell him, he would. Or Dylan would fuck it out of him.
Before either of them could say anything they’d regret later, Cora approached with Penny practically hanging off her.
“We’re gonna get going,” Cora said. “She’s drunk a lot more than I thought...”
Penny tried to speak, but her tongue tangled over itself. She was truly pissed as a fart.
“You need help?” Jared offered.
“Nah, it’s fine. I’ve got her. She’s coming over to my house. If I need anything, I’ll give you a call.”
Dylan nodded in agreement, itching to reach out for Penny and carry her to the Uber himself.
“I hope I don’t need to, though.” Mischief glowed in Cora’s eyes. “I bet you two have better things to do tonight than taking care of us.”
“How did—”
“You’re not as subtle as you think you are.” Cora laughed, blowing them a kiss and waving as she walked away with Penny. “Have fun, lovers!”
Once again, Dylan and Jared were left alone. But this time, the air between them was rare. The seconds became heavier as they passed between them like molasses. Music thumped, making the space between them even bigger.
“Maybe... we should leave too,” Dylan said, shoulders slumping as his heart sank in his chest.
“Sure.”
He didn’t know what he had said or done with Chaz for Jared to get mad at him.
They had hugged at the beginning. Nothing else.
But if he had something to say about their dynamics, Dylan had made it pretty clear his door was always open to talk.
Communication was key in any type of relationship, more so when the waters were murky and people sometimes didn’t know where they stood.
The cold night hit them as they stepped outside the nightclub, and a chill ran down Dylan’s spine. Though maybe it was the weird mood making him feel so uneasy.
During the car ride, the tension in the air was palpable. Jared’s crankiness still lingered, and Dylan didn’t know whether to punch him in the throat or kiss him so he’d stop sulking.
As soon as the door of his apartment closed behind them, Dylan spoke, not wanting to continue with the awkwardness.