Chapter Fifteen #2
Three hours and several speeches later, the
party finally got started. The live band was high energy, amping up
the audience, and everyone was having a good time. It was amazing
to see so many LGBTQ2S members and supporters, and Wes was
impressed by the youth that were leading the way for change. Wes
also enjoyed chatting with Ashton at dinner, but he didn’t feel any
spark, even though he was a very attractive man. In fact, he hadn’t
really felt anything all night, despite several flirtatious glances
from a few men. He checked his phone again but noticed no new texts
from his grumpy partner. Writing partner, that is. A rush of
disappointment moved through him until he reminded himself that
mooning over Ryker would get him nowhere.
A smooth voice teased Wes’s ear. “May I have
this dance?”
Wes turned and found himself up close to
Chase, who held out his hand expectantly. Wes glanced at Ashton,
whose face tightened, along with his grip on the crystal wineglass,
his knuckles turning white. Ashton quickly turned away to talk to
the female guest on his right.
“Why not? But I lead,” Wes joked as they
made their way to the dance floor.
The band was performing a slow, soulful
rendition of Lady A’s “Need You Now.” Wes and Chase started to sway
to the music together.
“Smile!”
Wes turned at that announcement, and a
bright flash flooded his eyes. He recognized the photographer of
the evening, who nodded his head.
“Nice one. Thanks, gentlemen,” he said
before moving on to capture other couples and singles.
“I hope I get a copy of that picture, or no
one will believe I danced with the Wes Stewart.” Chase
chuckled. “I really enjoyed your speech tonight. Very few people
can speak without reading the whole thing from their notes. I
imagine you get a lot of public appearance requests,” Chase said
with a smile.
“I do, but I’m getting more selective. I
really love events like this one and the ability to use my public
position for positive change.” He paused. “And what about you,
Chase? Do you enjoy your work?”
“Immensely. I appreciate being back in my
hometown, too. There’s something about this city and this state
that just won’t let go of me.” Chase turned his head and nodded at
the mayor dancing nearby with his wife. “And the weather ain’t bad
either. It’s great if you’re like me and you need to stay active
year-round. I loved Miami, but the summers just killed me. What
about you? Do you enjoy living in Toronto?”
“I do. It’s a multicultural city with lots
of good restaurants, parks, and festivals. A bit like New York but
less frenetic. But I’m on the road a lot, too. I love to travel for
pleasure, and I’m looking forward to some of that once my book tour
is done.”
“Maybe you can head on down here another
time for pleasure instead of business,” Chase joked.
Wes smiled politely. Despite the close
contact, Wes’s body wasn’t reacting to Chase. Not like it reacted
to Ryker. Did Ryker dance? Wes certainly hoped so. His body had
moved so fluidly when they were in bed together.
“Earth to Wes,” Chase murmured, his large
hands running up Wes’s back.
“Sorry, Chase. Just tired and caught up in
my head.”
Chase laughed, a twinkle in his blue eyes.
“And here I was hoping to invite you back to my place for a
nightcap.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m wiped out,”
Wes replied.
Chase grinned at Wes. “Is that all? Got
someone else on your mind?”
“Yes,” Wes said automatically. “Wait, no.”
He shook his head. “No. I’m just tired.”
As the dance finished, Wes decided the best
way to shake his weird mood was to focus on someone else and play
matchmaker. “I think there’s another man you should talk to tonight
and maybe invite for a nightcap,” he said as he waved Ashton
over.
Chase shook his head. “No way. You don’t
understand, Wes. It’s complicated. Ash and I have a long history. I
did this piece on his father, and he refuses to acknowledge that I
did the right thing in exposing the man for the crook he was, far
from the saint he portrayed. Ashton Langley may have been voted one
of Atlanta’s most eligible gay men, but he is a stubborn,
hot-tempered control freak. Every time I see him, I just want to
grab him and tell him to wake up.”
Wes held up a hand. “Have a real
conversation with him and bury your long-standing feud, and maybe
skip the personal jabs. He may or may not want to hear what you
have to say, but you’ve got nothing to lose.”
Ashton walked up to them, his dark brows
furrowed in irritation.
Wes sighed. “I’m beat, so I’m going to head
back to my hotel. Chase, thanks for the dance. It was very nice to
meet you. And, Ashton, I had a great evening. Best of luck with
your ongoing work. I’m happy to support PrideAtlanta however I
can,” he said, shaking Ashton’s hand. “Here’s my number and e-mail.
Let’s keep in touch.” He then handed over his personal cards to
both men.
“Thank you again for being here tonight,”
Ashton replied and made to turn away until Wes stopped him.
“Ashton, Chase needs to talk to you.”
And with that, Wes left the ballroom, though
he stopped at the door to see how his little maneuver had unfolded.
Chase reached out and touched Ashton’s arm, leaning over to whisper
in his ear. He then placed a hand on Ashton’s hip and drew him back
onto the dance floor. Ashton looked stiff and uncomfortable, but he
went along with it, and they started talking as they swayed slowly
to the music. No raised voices or angry faces. So far, so good.
Wes observed the intense way they reacted to
each other. Chemistry like that could not be denied.
He should know. Ryker.