Cade
CADE
peered up at the pulsating neon sign that read ‘Pulse’ in rapidly shifting colors. “Well...that’s bright.”
Elias stopped beside him, wincing at it. “Maybe a bit too bright.”
“Jesus,” muttered.
Elias’ hand came to rest on ’s lower back. “Breathe. We talked about this. Don’t think too hard about it.”
“And you won’t worry about it too much,” finished.
And yeah, they had talked about it many times in the past forty-eight hours. It was a wonder hadn’t given himself an ulcer or a migraine from how badly his nerves had been jangling around. Elias was right, though personally felt it was easier said than done.
“How the hell are you so calm about this?” asked for probably the thousandth time.
“Would it make you feel better if I said I had a few shots before you picked me up? And that I plan on drinking considerably more once we get inside?” Elias asked, the corners of his mouth twitching.
slapped his arm. “You absolute dick! You’ve been telling me to be calm, and you’ve already pre-gamed?”
Elias chuckled, patting ’s stomach. “We’ll get you a drink as soon as we get inside. I’ll even make sure they make it nice and strong for you.”
knew he was pouting, but he didn’t care. “Fine, but it better be really strong.”
“Anything for you.”
knew he was being teased, but the comment made him smile anyway. It wasn’t quite enough to get Elias off his temporary shit list for cheating, but hey, it was a start. He considered himself mollified enough to be led into the club, paying for both their cover charges since Elias was apparently buying the first round of drinks.
was familiar with clubs, and he had to admit, despite the brightness outside, the inside was pretty nice. Against the back wall was a line of booths, with tables in front of them where the more raucous people could stand or sit on tall chairs to watch the people on the dance floor. The dance floor was much like the sign outside, lit brightly from below by lights protected by thick, transparent flooring. The bar was on the opposite side, where most people filtered to and trudged away with drinks in their hands.
groaned as he spotted Christine and the group standing in the booth area, with a few of them claimed by what looked like decorations. Elias’s gaze was also locked on them, though his face didn’t shift from its typical stoicism.
“Right,” Elias said, turning and making straight for the bar.
couldn’t help his soft laugh, hurrying after Elias so he wouldn’t be spotted. He still had no idea what Christine was up to or what she was going to put them through. What he did know was he was going to need plenty of drinks to get him through the night.
Elias leaned over the bar to get the bartender’s attention. “Gonna need two double shots.”
“Of?” the amused-looking man asked.
“Whatever won’t kill us immediately but kicks like a mule.”
“That I can do. Drinks?”
Elias glanced at . “Beer?”
“Liquor. God, please give me liquor.”
Elias turned back to the man. “Gin and tonic, and I’m betting this one wants a martini. Make the gin and tonic a double while you’re at it.”
“Someone’s looking to get blasted early,” the bartender chuckled.
“Just make it a dirty one,” said, his nerves tightening.
“Can do.”
The bartender was gone for only a few minutes, and the drinks in his hand were a welcome sight when he returned. Elias slid his card and ID onto the bar for the bartender to keep for the tab. He gazed down at the tall shot glasses sitting beside their drinks.
“What do you think it is?” he asked.
shrugged, picking one of them up. “If it gets me drunk enough to stop freaking out, or at least not as much, I’ll take it.”
And at that, they clinked the glasses together and downed the shots. Whatever it was went down smoothly with the slightest taste of mint in with the liquor. When it hit his stomach, however, was left coughing as the fireball erupted from his guts. Elias only winced, but having seen the man drink, knew he wasn’t being too dramatic.
“Jesus,” muttered, setting the glass aside.
“More like a horse than a mule, but it’s got a kick,” Elias agreed.
Knowing he was washing down liquor with even more liquor, plucked his martini glass up and took a deep drink. The large shot hadn’t had a chance to get into his system yet, but the jolt of taking it had been enough to clear his head a little. The martini was good too, and he hummed appreciatively as he took another drink.
“I’m glad we ate before we came,” Elias said with a smirk as he watched him.
“Says the man who already started drinking,” shot back.
“I also have more weight, and you’ve always been a lightweight.”
“Bite me.”
“If Christine has her way, I might have to.”
groaned, wishing the alcohol would kick in. The last thing he needed was to start thinking about what sort of show Christine would expect from them. If they had to walk around arm in arm, putting their hands on each other’s back, he could live with that. Even if he had to sit in Elias’ lap, it’d be weird to do it in public, but he could deal. But just how the hell was he supposed to get through doing more than that?
Well, at least it was just Elias. That would make it a little less weird.
Or wait, would that make it more weird?
Elias grunted. “We’ve been spotted.”
’s head jerked up, and sure enough, Christine was looking across the room, eyes locked on the bar area. Her hand raised in a polite but enthusiastic greeting.
“I guess that’s our cue,” said with a sigh.
Before Elias could say anything, someone sidled up to him. raised a brow at the thin man who barely reached his chin. The man’s bright eyes were turned up to Elias’ serious features, and there was no missing the appreciative glint.
Elias watched him. “Yeah?”
The man didn’t seem deterred by the neutral greeting. “I see you’ve got a drink, but maybe I can get you the next one?”
snorted. “He’s spoken for.”
The man turned his gaze toward , looking him over and smirking. “I mean, if you guys are down for sharing, I sure won’t say no to you either.”
“We’re not, thanks though,” Elias said before could reply.
“Shame,” the man said before turning to order.
“C’mon,” Elias said, gently taking hold of ’s elbow and leading him away.
laughed. “Christ, is that what it’s like in here?”
Elias shrugged. “Matt always told me guys can be pretty...forward in clubs.”
“I mean, yeah, but?—”
“But?”
frowned. “Huh, I never thought about it. But I guess it makes sense. Usually, it’s guys going after the girls. I guess when it’s two guys, there’s probably a lot less dancing around. That guy had no fear whatsoever and didn’t even flinch. Just came right up to you and pretty much asked for your dick.”
“Asked for yours too,” Elias reminded him.
“For both of ours. Geez, gay guys really do have it good.”
Elias stopped. “Really?”
thought about it and winced. “Well, with getting laid. Maybe...okay, not all the other stuff.”
Christine approached them. “Hey! I’m so glad you two could make it.”
“We had a choice?” asked.
Elias snorted. “What he means is, we’re so glad you’re thinking of us. We know how busy you are. It’s nice of you to take the time to celebrate something as small as our relationship.”
“Oh, it was nothing,” Christine said, laying a hand over her chest.
Elias shook his head. “No, credit where it’s due. It’s not often our guys get to have something about their lives celebrated like this. I’ve already penned a letter to the council to thank them for their service and how well they must be doing to have someone as dedicated as you with them.”
Christine blinked. “Oh? Well, that’s...very thoughtful of you. There’s no need to go to the trouble, though. I do this because you two deserve the recognition.”
“I can’t stand the idea of you receiving none,” Elias insisted.
Christine smiled. “Well, all the same, why don’t you come and say hello? I’m sure you know the men from your station, but I have others I’d like you to meet too.”
She turned away to return to the table, and stared at Elias.
Elias glanced at him. “What?”
“You, uh, play the game very well.”
Elias shrugged. “Not really.”
“Took the wind out of her sails. Do you really have a letter to send?”
“I might.”
grinned. “Oh, I’m sure they’d be very interested to know why she’s so interested in this. Especially if she’s using public funds.”
“You think she’s that dumb?”
“No, but who knows.”
Elias winked at him. “You know, just because I’m stuck in her game doesn’t mean I can’t have a bit of fun.”
snickered. “Oh baby, I love it when you talk dirty.”
“You sound like my ex. Next, you’ll be asking me to pin you against the wall and have my way with you,” Elias said with a chuckle.
watched him walk off, unable to think of anything witty to say. That would mark the first time he’d ever learned anything about Elias’ personal life in any degree of detail. Sure, he knew Elias got laid once in a while, and he knew the man had a sex drive that would probably rival ’s. The difference was that sought out partners, and Elias seemed content to be single unless he found someone worth his time. He’d never known that Elias...or did he know? It wasn’t like Elias had said he did like it rough, only that he was asked.
Jeez, why did he even care?
Shoving the thoughts aside, he hurried after his friend to the group who’d assembled for them. Sure enough, there were a few guys from the station. Most of them were guys didn’t see much, as they tended to work opposite shifts to him and Elias. Matt was there, though noticed he was alone.
Matt eyed the drink in ’s hand. “Having fun?”
At that, polished off his drink in one final gulp. “Just keeps getting better and better.”
“I bet,” Matt said, watching Elias as he talked to a couple of guys didn’t recognize.
“Christine brought in a few people from the other stations too. I guess she wants to make a show of this,” Matt added.
looked at his empty drink. “We’re going to be on display, aren’t we?”
“If it makes you feel any better, I think the worst you’ll have to deal with is a dance and maybe pucker up a bit,” Matt said.
“That’s uh,” glanced at the group, then shrugged. “Yeah.”
Matt winced. “I know.”
“Oh, God, can you...get me another one of these? Elias’ name is the one on the tab,” asked.
Matt chuckled. “Considering the night, I’ll get you this one, good buddy. Nice and strong, right?”
“The kind that makes me get poured into a cab at the end of the night,” confirmed.
“Coming right up,” Matt said as he slid from the booth.
It looked like the only peace and quiet he would get for a while. It took no time for Christine to descend on him immediately and begin chatting him up. Considering the majority of the talk was the typical back and forth he’d grown up with, he allowed himself to go on autopilot. Matt magically reappeared with drinks for himself, Elias, and , setting ’s down before disappearing again.
would have to get that man a gift basket or something.
“Now, let me introduce a few people you might not know. This is Caroline and her husband Frank. They’ve both been at the forefront of campaigning for diversity and inclusion in the city workforce, and they were delighted to hear about you and Elias,” Christine said excitedly, motioning to two people who looked younger than him.
Yet, he did his duty and took each of their hands, shaking with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. A warm hand pressed against his back, and stiffened.
“Making new friends?” asked Elias in a deep, calm voice.
shot him a grateful smile. “New friends for both of us.”
“Oh good,” Elias said, setting his glass down to shake hands as well.
Elias’ hand never left his back, and didn’t bother to shake it off. Honestly, the more he let the warmth of the liquor settle through his system, the more willing he was to admit the touch was welcome. They were surrounded by people they didn’t know and those they barely knew, save for Matt. Slapped into a situation had helped to create, it was soothing to have someone he knew he trusted so close to him.
As if sensing it, Elias never left his side or entirely removed his touch. As chatted with the people Christine insisted he talk to, Elias was always there. A hand on his back when following close behind, a grip on his arm when looked to say something foolish. At one point, Elias had laughed at something, placing his warm touch upon ’s neck, distracting him from the conversation momentarily.
It didn’t hurt that had a steady supply of alcohol. Elias, through the roaming servers that popped up, and Matt, through a shrewd eye, made sure wasn’t without a drink. Once realized he wasn’t quite as tense and freaked out, he toned down how much he consumed. Despite his joke to Matt earlier, he didn’t want to end up a drunken mess in the back of a taxi. Elias’ support was more than enough to get him through, especially now the alcohol was steadily pumping through him, making him laugh easier, talk smoother, and almost enjoy himself.
“?” Elias’ voice pierced his thoughts.
jerked his head up. “Hm?”
It was then he realized he’d zoned out again and missed a crucial part of whatever conversation was happening around him. There was no denying the fact that he’d mentally abandoned the conversation, however, as everyone at the table was watching him in amusement.
“Sorry, got lost in the forest of my thoughts,” admitted with a soft laugh.
Matt snorted. “Can’t be that deep a forest.”
Elias frowned. “Hey.”
Matt raised his hands, looking somehow more amused. “My bad. I just meant that is a very...straightforward person.”
Christine chuckled. “Oh, he’s just had a bit too much to drink.”
frowned. “I’ve had stuff to drink, but I wouldn’t say too much .”
“Oh boy,” Elias muttered just low enough that he couldn’t be heard by anyone but .
Christine beamed. “Well, good. I was just asking when we were going to see the two of you dance.”
’s face blanked. “Uh, excuse me?”
“Well, it’s a party for the two of you. I assumed I’d see you dancing at some point.”
snorted. “Who we dancing for?”
“Why, for each other, with each other,” Christine said, leaning forward with a delighted twinkle in her eyes.
turned his attention back to the music they’d been all but yelling over for the past hour or so. It was exactly what he expected of club music, though perhaps a touch more sassy than he was used to. It was also incredibly high energy and demanded the sort of dance begrudgingly did with a good-looking girl. The sort his mother would have sneeringly called ‘bumping and grinding’ or her favorite, ‘sex with your clothes on’ when she’d had a few drinks.
Elias eyed him, shrugging. “We are the guests of honor.”
wished he could shoot his friend a dirty look but didn’t dare with all the onlookers. Instead, he plastered a smile on his face and downed the last of his drink. There wasn’t exactly anything he could say. Everyone, including him and Elias, had been saying the two of them would have to play along. And if that meant having to do a little bump and grind on the dance floor, then well, he would suffer through it.
Thank God for alcohol.
As they stood up, Elias took ’s hand. For the first time, their hand-to-hand touch wasn’t just a brief tap or a squeeze before someone let go. Instead, Elias held on firmly as he helped the man out of his seat and away from the others. stared at their joined hands, amazed at how small his looked in Elias’, despite the fact that he’d never thought of his friend as that much bigger than him. The realization sent a strange chill down ’s arm, and he found himself distracted by the strength in Elias’ grip before he realized his friend was speaking to him.
looked up, wide-eyed. “What?”
Elias looked down at him, amusement creasing the corners of his eyes. “You, uh, had that much to drink, huh?”
Jesus, had Elias always been this much bigger than him?
scowled. “No, I was thinking. I think when I drink.”
“About the only time you do.”
“And here I thought you got mad at Matt for making that same joke earlier.”
“Yeah, he’s not me.”
smirked. “Only you can make fun of me for being an idiot, huh?”
“Yeah, because I’m the only one I trust to know you’re not one.”
blinked. “Oh.”
Elias shook his head. “And I’m going to be the first guy to dance with you and probably kiss you. Unless?—”
snorted. “No, I’ve never...wait, kiss?”
Elias rolled his eyes and, with a redoubled grip on ’s wrist, pulled him toward the dance floor. was still trying to process what the hell his friend was talking about before he realized he was standing amidst the crowd on the dance floor. Sight and sound merged, blending in a kaleidoscope of sensation as he looked around, trying to get his bearings.
“’Kay, maybe I had a little bit,” muttered, clinging to Elias.
“Can you dance?” Elias shouted, bending down so could hear him.
let out a laugh, shrugging. “Badly.”
Elias smiled, reaching down, taking hold of ’s hip, and wrapping his other arm around his shoulders. “Good enough.”
Only as they began to move, with following Elias’ lead, did he realize his friend could move . Even though the dance they were doing was the most cliché, grinding and humping he could think of, Elias’ hips moved well. It didn’t matter what direction Elias moved, his hips seemed to slide easily, smooth as silk and slick as oil, with a grace that left wondering where the other man had been hiding it all this time.
Then he was turned around, his heart thudding hard as he felt his back pressed to Elias’ front. His friend’s chest was strong, his stomach hard as he pressed against , hands pushing against ’s front as they roamed. Some part of him wanted to laugh, joke about the Latin blood that made Elias so smooth on the dance floor, but the rest of his mind was distracted by Elias’ motion, his grip on ’s body, the sheer confidence with which he moved.
Watching as if in a dream, reached up and held tight to Elias, allowing himself to be guided. He wasn’t paying attention to the beat and rhythm of the music anymore. Both it and the sounds of the crowd were lost as his mind wrapped and warped around what was happening. It was...impressive, awesome in the truest sense of the word, as he felt his body brought along for the ride, unable to stop itself from following the pace and moves that Elias set.
Then they were facing one another again, though it was done so smoothly, so quickly, that was left blinking and wondering when they’d moved. Elias gazed down at him, blue eyes glowing in the lights and filled with an intensity had never seen before.
His heart leaped to his throat, breath clenching, and he knew what was coming. could read it in Elias’ eyes. Maybe if his logical brain was working, he might have told himself it was all for show, an act. Yet all he knew was Elias was going to kiss him. And wasn’t going to stop him.
Their lips met, and felt his breath catch in his throat at the absolute hunger of the kiss. His back arched, and he pushed against Elias, not to fight him, but to press closer, feel his rock-hard body on every inch of his skin he could reach. His alcohol and hormone-filled mind swirled, and he somehow found himself clutching to the back of Elias’ head, holding tight and kissing him back just as fiercely.
And then it was over.
Elias pulled away, his brows stitched together as he slowly eased back. The man’s grip fell away from ’s body, gradually letting him take his own two feet again. stood there, staring back at Elias as though paralyzed. His heart thumped hard, his lips tingled, and he was left with so many questions. Yet only one screamed in his mind, in utter confusion and curiosity.
What the hell had just happened?