Chapter 13 #2
Dean continued showing Sophie the gym and recording studio.
“I designed the layout and configuration of every floor. We finished construction and moved in about a year ago. The first floor is commercial businesses, second floor is my business headquarters, rehearsal studio, and common space for the staff, and third through sixth floors are residences. I give each staff member an apartment and charge them next to nothing for rent. They all seem to appreciate it.”
“Hell yeah! I certainly would!” Sophie proclaimed, sipping her drink as they finished the tour back in the kitchen. “You designed this loft? Did you decorate it too?”
“Yep! I designed the layout of the entire building. I did work with an interior designer, one of the best, but every design element in the building was my idea.”
“Shit! This is beautiful,” Sophie said with a smile. “You should be an architect.”
Dean laughed “Fuck no! That’s way too much math!”
“I know that’s right!” Sophie hollered, high fiving Dean.
Colton laughed. Being around Dean lifted his spirits. He was already in a better mood, just being near him.
Dean grinned. “But you haven’t even seen the best part yet…the roof!”
Dean led Colton and Sophie to the stairs, up to the roof and Sophie gasped at the space.
“Oh my God, that view is gorgeous!”
She turned to Dean. “A view like this shouldn't be wasted. Didn't Colton say your dancers live here too? Should we invite them up here?”
Dean grinned. “Yep, they're probably hanging out on the second floor. I can invite them up and we can make this a party.”
***
Dean
Dean pulled out his phone and opened the group chat with his dancers…
DEAN: Ladies! Sophie and Colton are here for cocktail hour. She’d love to see you! If you'd like, come on up. We’re on the roof.
After a quick tour of the roof, Sophie pointed to the cabana. “This is where I want to live!” She exclaimed.
“I know, right? I’ve spent many nights up here, lying on the pullout sofa watching the stars through the skylight. It’s pretty fabulous.” Dean smiled with a glint in his eyes.
The elevator opened and the voices of Sean, Jax, Harry, Nelly, and Justin spilled out into the warm night air.
When they stepped off the elevator, they all stopped in their tracks, taking in the scenery of the rooftop.
“Fuck me! This is gorgeous!” Justin exclaimed as Harry slammed into him from behind.
“Honey, ain’t none of us going near your crusty ass!” Jax snipped, and the guys giggled.
“This is spectacular,” Sean said, wide eyed, walking toward the cabana, surveying the area. “How did we not know this was up here?” He looked toward Dean.
Dean chuckled. “I designed this as a private space for me. But if you’re good little boys, I might be willing to share.” Dean winked, leading them around to the seating area.
“Dean, you can have my apartment downstairs,” Harry blurted, looking into the cabana. “I want to live right here!”
Some of the other guys hummed in agreement.
“That’s exactly what I said!” Sophie smiled as she exited the bathroom.
“Sophie!” The dancers exclaimed and rushed in for hugs. Colton turned to Dean and rolled his eyes, giving Dean pause. That eye roll was not as playful as it normally was. There was a little more animosity than usual in that small gesture.
“Hello, ladies!” Sophie hugged them all. “It’s so good to see you. But wait, where’s David?”
Dean looked around as well. “Yeah, David didn’t come with you?”
“We were all on the second floor,” Nelly said, looking around at the other guys. “David wasn’t with us. I’m guessing he’s in his apartment?”
“But he got the message.” Jax pulled out his phone. “I’m sure he’s coming. I’ll text him to check.”
Sean let out a slight huff, which Dean noticed immediately. “Sean, do you have a problem with David?” Dean lifted an eyebrow as the other guys shared a questioning look.
Sean sighed, “No. I really like David. But…he’s just so…quiet.”
Dean chuckled. “Well, with the five of you, do you think he’s able to get a word in?”
“We are extra. That’s a fact.” Jax interjected with a sigh. “But we have tried to include him in conversations. He’s just a little introverted.”
Dean let out a heavy breath. “There’s nothing wrong with being introverted. I think David just lacks confidence. He needs a strong support system, like us. Once he knows he has that, he’s going to come out of his shell and blossom. I’m sure of it.”
“I agree. And we can help him, but not everyone can be as confident as you, Dean.” Jax smirked.
Sean grinned. “Right! Dean is confident because of his big swinging dick. The rest of us don’t have that luxury.”
The dancers all snorted, covering their mouths. Colton and Sophie shared a look of surprise and intrigue. Everyone looked back to Sean with surprise and horror. “What? It’s true. We’ve all seen him change backstage…that thing is huge!”
Dean smiled and shrugged. “I’m confident because of my hard work and success.”
Sean pursed his lips and quirked one eyebrow at Dean.
Dean smirked. “Okay, fine. It also helps your confidence when you’re hung like a horse.”
The guys all hooted as Jax fanned his face with his hand.
Dean turned to Sean. “So you’re implying that, because David isn’t confident, he must have a micro-dick?”
Sean snapped his mouth shut. “What! No…no, no, no. I wasn’t saying that at all. I’ve never seen him naked, so I have no idea. I didn’t mean that, Dean…I promise,” He stammered.
Dean grabbed the back of Sean's head, pulled him forward, and kissed his forehead. “You were just being bitchy. And that’s why I love you. That’s why I love all of you.
” He looked between all the dancers. “You may not realize it, but you’re my family, and I love you very much.
” The guys whimpered and converged on Dean for a group hug.
Dean stepped away and tilted his chin toward the cabana. “Now, you bitches go get yourselves a drink.”
Dean turned back to Sophie and Colton, both wearing devilish, shit-eating grins.
“What?” Dean asked, looking between the two of them.
Colton’s eyes traveled down Dean’s body to his crotch, then back up to meet his eyes. “A horse, huh?” He smirked.
Dean shrugged. “You saw me naked during the video shoot.”
Dean studied Colton’s face. He could see the wheels turning in his mind until something clicked. Colton’s eyes widened slightly and he cracked a smile.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” He turned to Sophie. “I did see him naked…and Sean’s not exaggerating.” Colton waggled his eyebrows as Sophie giggled into her hand.
“You fucking doofus!” Dean loosely punched Colton’s shoulder with a smile.
Thankfully, Dean avoided any more conversation about the size of his cock when the elevator door opened a few moments later and David timidly stepped onto the roof, almost as if he was summoned by the earlier conversation.
Just as the other guys reacted, David stopped short, in awe of the fairytale rooftop.
Dean rushed over, eager to steer things in a different direction. “Hey, David! Glad you could make it. You remember Sophie and Colton?”
David smiled big. “Yes! Hi, Sophie!” He turned to Colton with a bashful smile. “I don’t think we had the opportunity to meet officially last time, Mr. Merrick.” David held out his hand. “I’m David Swisher.”
Colton smiled, shaking the young man’s hand. “Very nice to meet you, David.”
Dean patted David’s back. “Go grab a drink in the cabana, David. And make yourself at home. You can even jump in the pool, if you’d like.”
David smiled admiringly at Dean. “Thank you, Dean.”
The dancers finally ended up sitting around the pool, dangling their feet in the water, tossing snide, bitchy comments back and forth. Dean was happy to see David sitting with them. Although he didn't engage in the bitchy banter, he was actively involved, laughing and enjoying the conversation.
Dean sighed with a smile, his strange little family filling his heart to bursting.
Colton and Sophie sat in chairs by the pool. Sophie was listening to the guys, laughing at their conversation, but Colton said nothing, staring out across the bay, seemingly deep in thought. Dean studied him for a moment, something was odd. Colton was not himself.
Normally, when they hung out, Colton was all smiles and laughter, with a brightness in his eyes.
Tonight, with Sophie, the light in his eyes was dimmed.
He was quiet, almost fading into the background…
which was so not like him. There were moments when he was his usual bright, fun-loving self, but Dean noticed whenever he was alone with Sophie, that brightness was dimmed.
Dean hadn’t known him for that long, but he knew that Colton was confident, positive, and self-assured. The Colton on the roof that night was not the Colton that Dean was used to seeing.
His first instinct was to rush over and envelop him in a huge hug. But instead, he walked over and took a seat in the chaise next to Colton, patting the top of his hand as he sat.
Colton sent him a timid, tired smile. Dean made a mental note to ask Colton about this later.
A short time later, Sophie and Colton prepared to leave for dinner. Dean gave Sophie a big hug and reached to shake Colton’s hand. He made a point to look Colton in the eye with an ‘are you ok?’ expression on his face.
Colton just shook his hand, pulled him into a hug, forced a timid smile, and stepped into the elevator with Sophie.