Chapter 15 The gala
Dex
I'm fidgeting in my rental tux. While I've been faking my way through designer suits the past few years, I didn't actually ever need to wear a tux. But that's what you wear to a gala, so here we are.
Whoever thought the dirt-poor kid from Queens would attend an event of this magnitude?
Luckily, I managed to use Richard’s connections to buy a ticket and it cost a pretty fucking penny.
The dinner place alone was four grand and I think you're expected to donate on top at these things.
I do well, but not that well. My rent is already quite high due to the location of my apartment, but I figure being able to walk would cut through travel costs, or paying for insurance on a car, so really it was worth it.
It was a bit hard to spend my monthly rent on a ticket to a single event though, but I wanted to support Leon.
Ok, maybe I was desperate to see him again for longer than a ten-minute coffee break and going home with blue balls every damn day.
My beautiful Leon, who didn't invite me to this event.
I'm not going to dwell on it though, it's normal for boyfriends to support each other and that's what we technically are, right?
I mean, he essentially asked me to be exclusive on Monday and we've met every day for coffee since.
He hasn't come over since the weekend, but I know he's been super busy hashing out everything for tonight.
He does hold my hand and kisses me in public without a care in the world.
I've never met a baby-bi before who was so accepting about his change in sexuality, but I'm not going to look into the horse's mouth, or whatever the stupid saying is.
I did confirm the dates with him for early September and cleared it with Richard, then Leon jumped at it like the overactive puppy he is and has already planned everything.
Guess I'm going on a hiking weekend now.
I'm a lot fucking nervous, but we've already established I would give Leon anything he wants at this point.
I make my way through to the I kid you not red carpet and go to present my ticket upfront.
What if Leon didn't want me here and specifically did not invite me?
I'm getting cold feet and about to bail, but of course, he's manning the gate looking all sexy in a tux that perfectly fits him, with a clipboard thingy in his hand and a wide smile on his face.
If dazzling could perfectly describe a person, it's him tonight.
And of course, his eyes find me like a magnet and draw me in.
My feet move on their own once again, because apparently their connection to my brain is severed wherever Leon is concerned and they get a mind of their own.
I slip through the people idling by the entrance and stand in front of him, ready for him to tell me off if he doesn't want me here.
In true Leon fashion however, he embraces me fully and drops a kiss to my lips.
"I didn't know you'd be here." He says with a wide smile.
"Uhm, yeah. One of our clients had the ticket and couldn't make it, so I used it." I lie shamelessly, not wanting to let him know I spent four grand on a whim just to see him today. "It's for a good cause." I continue with a shrug, at least giving him some truth.
"That it is!" He beams at me. "I'm so happy you're here."
He kisses me again, lingering a bit longer.
"Yeah, me too." I say, feeling a bit breathless.
"Let's get you to your table. I have to work tonight so I can't really hang, but I will find
you when I have a spare moment." He directs me inside with a firm hand to the small of my back.
"Don't worry, I don't want to distract you. Go be gala Superman and I'll see you when I can." I try to let him know I won't be a bother.
He shakes his head at me slightly but keeps his smile on.
"Trust me, I'll be distracted knowing you're here.
But it's a good thing. After the speeches and the auction, my work will technically be done, since the other guys can close shop.
We can get out of here in about two hours?
" He wiggles his eyebrows at me and gives me another lingering kiss before going back to the entrance.
I notice a big guy with floppy brown hair eyeing us intently, but I won't let some judgy guy put me down tonight.
I sit down and enjoy my overpriced salmon and champagne while I watch people mingle around the room.
The decorations are stunning and I admire the hard work Leon's put into this event. I can see everything was done in Hunters’ colors and the flower arrangements are stunning.
I still catch the guy throwing glances at me and it's pissing me off.
Leon manages to break free at some point and we have a quick slow dance together, peppered with light kisses, before the speeches begin and he has to run off again to set up microphones and whatnot.
You'd think slow dancing is not very difficult, but it's apparently something I suck at.
In my defense, I didn't go to my prom for obvious reasons.
My experience starts and ends with grinding against randoms in a bar, something I'm quite good at, thank you very fucking much.
But I wouldn't want to see the old ladies faint and need their smelling salts if I start rubbing up and down Leon in the middle of the ballroom, despite how much I want to.
He's obviously perfect in every single way as always and just slows down, to the point we're shuffling in place forehead to forehead, my hands on his shoulders and his just under my waist. I have never seen someone so affectionate, especially with PDA, but nothing seems to faze him.
I get lost in his burning gaze, so in contrast with the calming color of his sky blue eyes.
My heart constricts with the intensity he gives me his full attention, and I fall a bit more every second we sway, until he finally needs to let me go with a bit of regret and an apologetic nod, unknowing I would stand here and wait for him all night, if he wanted me to.
As I sit back at my table, the big guy who was watching us plops down next to me and I take a drink of champagne to keep from barking at him to mind his own fucking business.
The last thing I need right now is some ignorant ass making comments about our open gayness on the dance floor.
This is not the place to punch a guy and I really don't want to make Leon look bad as his (kinda) guest, but I swear my patience is wearing thin at this point with being analyzed for the past hour or so.
"Hey, you must be Dexter. I'm Ryan." He holds out his hand for me to shake, but I'm too busy choking on my champagne and almost dying.
He gives my back a few pats while he chuckles softly.
Of course, the guy I've been secretly judging is Leon's best friend and a hockey player.
Because we're at a hockey gala, duh, and he's built like an industrial wardrobe.
You'd think I learned my lessons not to make assumptions the other night.
I finally get myself under control and cringe at my now drenched tux. Guess I'll have to foot the bill for the dry cleaning before I return it, but the more pressing issue is I don't have a change of clothes with me. Ryan's still watching me, blinking with amusement.
"Nice to meet you." I manage to get out after a fit of coughing.
"You too." He chuckles. "So, officially together then? Leon didn't tell me you were coming tonight." I don't know how to take his particular phrasing.
"It was a surprise." I say simply. Don't want to go into the other stuff.
"Cool, cool. He's a great guy." he says.
Jealousy blooms, but I quickly push it down. It makes sense for him to be protective of his best friend, Macy would be the same for me. Huh, I wonder if I should introduce them so both Leon and I can have more time together without pesky best friends.
"That he is." I tell him and, because I want him to think I'm good for his friend, I give him a small truth. "I really like him."
He nods intently, "Good, happy to hear it." He still doesn't leave the table while we listen to the speeches together. They announce the auction shortly after and he rises to his feet. "That's my cue, time to get sold like a prized hog." He says, laughing.
"Wait, you're being auctioned?" I ask incredulously.
"Yeah, most of the players on the team are. It's just small things, like a picnic or a skating lesson, you know? It's for charity, so why not?"
"Oh," I say, not knowing how to continue. "Well, good luck."
"Thanks!" he says as he walks away.
Ryan is one of the last to get auctioned and goes for a solid fifteen grand for an afternoon with a middle-aged woman who looks like she wants to eat him alive. Yikes!
Poor guy is cougar prey as she approaches to collect her "prize", and I definitely wouldn't want to be in his shoes as she squeezes his bicep with long and pointy red talons.
Leon appears by my side shortly and drops a kiss to my temple, to which my feet melt in a puddle on the ground.
Fucking Leon and the effect he has on me.
He's completely oblivious to my inner turmoil as he leans over to whisper in my ear, "Wanna get out of here?
" And my blood turns to lava in an instant, my body buzzing in anticipation to get him naked again.
"Yes," I whisper softly to him and he grins wide, while his hand cups mine with fingers interlacing tightly and guides me to the exit.
"Sure no one will miss you?" I ask stupidly and want to hit myself for the question. Am I really self-sabotaging right now?
"Nope," Leon says shortly. "Instructions all left with caterers and cleaning crew. Even if someone fucks up, it won't be a huge thing since the night is closing in another hour or so. I'm sorry I'm making you miss dessert though." He smiles apologetically.