Chapter 3 Simon
SIMON
The crowd went wild for the resident drag queen, Hollywood Starr, as she finished her set.
Hollywood’s alter ego was Joey, who was the owner of Madame Hoes, the old-school cabaret bar in Soho that Daniel had dragged Simon to.
At the moment, he was whispering something in Josh’s ear, who was blushing profusely.
Perhaps they wouldn’t even notice if he left.
“Do you want another drink, Simon?” asked Josh.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“Get him another gin and tonic,” said Daniel.
Josh looked at Simon, who shrugged. There was no point in arguing when Daniel had decided. There was a reason he ran one of the most sought-after law firms in the city. Daniel watched Josh walk away. Well, he watched his arse.
“Do I need to leave you to it?” asked Simon.
“Sorry, I just can’t believe I’m this lucky.”
“Rub it in, why don’t you.”
To be fair, Daniel and Josh had not had an easy ride of it, and that was probably why they’d both fallen hard so quickly. The whole thing was a bit fucked up, but if his friend was happy, so was Simon.
“I had an ulterior motive for bringing you out tonight.”
“I’m not fucking one of Josh’s twink friends.”
Daniel cracked up laughing. “That’s not it, but not a bad idea. It wouldn’t be the worst thing for you to slip into something warm and tight.”
“Do you hear yourself before you speak?”
“Don’t be such a prude.”
“I’m not a prude. Jared and I used to . . .”
“Go on.”
“Get fucked.”
“Tried it. Wasn’t really my thing.”
Simon couldn’t help laughing.
“What do you need to tell me that couldn’t be said over the phone?” asked Simon.
“It’s about Dexter.”
Simon immediately tensed and took a swig of his drink. He cocked an eyebrow, signalling for Daniel to carry on.
“He’s interviewing at Morley and Cartwright.”
Simon felt his stomach drop. “How do you know that?”
“I saw him in the building the other day, so I did a bit of fishing. Wanted to be sure before I said anything.”
“Any idea what his chances are?”
“He’s down to the final two, but it’s his to lose.”
“Fuck! What am I gonna do?”
“There’s no guarantee he’ll get it.”
“You just said he was the frontrunner.”
“Look. I don’t like this, but I could have a word with Ben Morley?”
“And say what?”
“Just say enough to make them go with the other candidate.”
“Daniel. That’s not your style.”
“I know, but after everything you’ve been through, I don’t want to see your career ended for something that isn’t your fault.”
“We can’t do anything like that. I’d never be able to live with myself, and neither would you.”
“I know, I know. Forget I said anything.”
“Is that Jared?” asked Daniel.
“What?” said Simon, looking around in a panic. It was then he realised Daniel was laughing. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“We needed to break the tension.”
“And that’s the way you chose?”
Daniel was still laughing. Simon didn’t find it funny, although it was hard not to smile at Daniel’s antics. In a bar, he was like an inappropriate teenager, but put him in a boardroom with billionaires and he’d have them cowering, or begging, depending on his angle.
Josh arrived back with their drinks. “What did I miss?”
“Your boyfriend being a prick.”
“The usual, then,” said Josh with a smirk, putting the drinks down.
Daniel grabbed Josh, pulling him onto his lap. He squealed. “Are you being mouthy? Do you want me to shove something in there to shut you up?”
“I don’t need that kind of imagery, thank you,” said Simon.
Josh went bright red, like he’d just remembered Simon was there. Daniel laughed, and then whispered something in Josh’s ear, causing him to go even redder, if that were possible. Simon was definitely feeling like the third wheel.
“I’m gonna head home. Leave you boys to it.”
“No, you’re not going anywhere,” said Daniel. “You need to get your dick wet.”
“I can do that by myself when I get home, and then I don’t have to share my bed.”
“You’re acting like an old man.”
“You’re the same age as me.”
Simon was forty-five and didn’t consider himself old at all. He was still in great shape, and was told all the time he looked like he was still in his thirties, even with more grey hair coming through.
“I might be the same age, but my dick will be getting wet later.”
“Again with the imagery.”
“Your dick will be sleeping by itself if you don’t stop giving him a hard time,” said Josh.
“Really?” said Daniel. “See what you do to me?” He ground up against Josh, who smiled, before blushing again.
That was definitely his cue to exit, so he stood up and downed his drink.
Daniel tried to protest, but it was clear he just wanted to get Josh home and rail him all night.
It reminded Simon of the early part of his relationship with Jared.
They couldn’t keep their hands off each other, but it soon fizzled out.
He doubted that would happen with these two, though.
It was clear their love already went far deeper than anything he’d had with Jared, and now he was officially depressed.
It was definitely time to go home. Simon said his goodbyes and headed back out onto the street.
He lived in Islington, so the best route for him was to walk to Leicester Square Tube station.
He turned off Wardour Street onto Old Compton Street and spotted Mickey’s.
He hadn’t been there for years, and Daniel’s words rang in his ears.
Maybe he needed to get laid. It wouldn’t hurt to go in and have one, just see what the crowd looked like, then he could still get home before midnight.
Before he changed his mind, he walked up to the door.
There were people outside smoking, but thankfully there was no line, and the security guard just waved him straight in.
The heat from all the bodies was the first thing to hit him, as well as the thumping music.
The place was packed, even more so than Madame Hoes had been.
Well, that place focussed on entertaining you, and this place was where you found your own entertainment.
Gay men were fickle with affairs of the cock.
Simon pushed his way to the bar. The sudden temperature shift from being outside had made the gin he’d downed go straight to his head, so he was already feeling pleasantly buzzed when he ordered another double.
Drink in hand, he headed into the mass of bodies.
This place had changed little over the years, apart from a fresh lick of paint now and then.
If he got to the far wall, he could lean against it and get a full view of the crowd.
The thought made him feel like a dirty old man, but he shook that off.
He was getting plenty of looks from people, so he must still have something people liked.
It was a bit of an ego boost, and the gin was helping.
“Fancy seeing you here,” said a voice in his ear.
He turned to make a comment about the corny line and froze.
It was Dexter Trantor wearing a white T-shirt that showed off his freckle-covered arms. His blue eyes popped more than usual, and he must have missed a day shaving, which Simon hadn’t noticed on their call earlier.
The scruff really suited him. There was something about ginger guys that had always done something for Simon, even if his ex-husband was a blond.
Okay, maybe he was drunker than he thought, because since when did he find Dexter attractive?
“It’s weird not seeing you in a suit,” said Dexter.
His hand stroked Simon’s arm, and he gave his bicep a squeeze. Dexter’s eyes were glazed over, so it was clear he was drunk. Simon said nothing. He wasn’t sure why, but he wanted to see what was going to happen next.
“Who are you here with?” asked Simon.
“I was here with Gabriel, but he left to mope over his latest unrequited crush.”
Simon felt he was missing a big part of the story, but didn’t ask questions. It was good Gabriel wasn’t here. The last thing he wanted right now was awkwardness.
“Can I ask you a question, bossman?”
Simon couldn’t help laughing. “Ask whatever you want?”
“Oh, okay then. How big is your cock?”
Simon’s eyes widened. Dexter cracked up laughing.
“You said I could ask you anything.”
“Is that what you really wanted to ask me?”
“No. I mean, answer it if you want. It’s just, why are you such a cunt?”
Simon laughed. He had no idea why, but the look on Dexter’s face said he was deadly serious, and he looked confused at Simon’s reaction, which just made him laugh even more.
“What’s so funny? I’m being serious,” he said, whilst swaying and holding on to his drink like his life depended on it.
“How much have you had to drink, Dexter?”
“Ooh, is Daddy going to spank me for being naughty?”
Simon snorted. “Not my thing.”
“Then what is your thing? Are you one of those missionary, one-tempo kinda blokes? Or once you get all revved up, do you plough holes like a jackhammer?”
“I don’t think a jackhammer is used for ploughing,” he replied, doing all he could to keep his face neutral.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Dexter slurred.
“Never mind.”
“You didn’t answer my question?”
“Which one? You asked me several?”
“Are you top or bottom?”
Simon was struggling not to laugh. Just how wasted was Dexter? Would he remember saying any of this on Monday morning? He doubted it. The guy was swaying, and his eyes were barely focussed. Perhaps Simon should do the responsible thing and get him an Uber.
“So, are you into kinky shit? Cos it’s always the quiet ones. I love when a guy spits in my face when he’s fucking me.”
Jesus. Fucking. Christ! Simon’s cock was suddenly rock hard. He needed to get out of here before Dexter said anything else he regretted.
“I’m just gonna go for a piss,” said Simon.
“Do you want another drink?”
“Nah, I’m good. I think you’ve had enough as well.”
“Yes, sir. Are you this bossy in bed as well? I think I’d like you to boss me around.” Dexter leaned against him as if he were about to pass out.
“Be back in a few minutes.”