He was shoveling the leftovers into containers when I left. At seven, the party was just getting started, the dance floor a little light this early. I made sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and doing what they were paid for. Because the crowd was light, Jere was at the entrance, helping check people in. I bumped my elbow against his in greeting and made my way to the back of the club. I wasn’t surprised when my phone chimed, letting me know I had a new text.
MATTEO: I wanted to tell you upstairs but it’s easier through texts, I think. I was wondering… Maybe you could be the person to show me what I’ve been missing. I mean, I know you’ve been wanting my ass for a while, so I thought I’d throw you a bone. Just a thought.
That snarky, irresistible, frustrating brat. If that didn’t make me want to rush upstairs, I didn’t know what would. His words were going to haunt me all night. I already found it difficult to work because I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and now that he was offering to have sex with me, it was safe to say I wasn’t going to get much done tonight.
I came up with several responses that were quickly backspaced and proceeded to fume among all the alcohol crates in the storage room.
ME: U want me that bad, huh?
MATTEO: It’s a proximity thing and you’re not hideous.
I caught myself smiling stupidly at my phone again and it took a lot to put it away without responding.
I took a survey of our alcohol stock, so the bosses could place an order for more, the gnawing urge to look at my phone slowing the process down. Any other time, I enjoyed taking inventory and doing paperwork because it reminded me of how far I’d come. From leaving Virginia, to landing in Chicago and shaking my ass to survive, all those years of work had ended with me sharing a stake inthe Adonis, so I cared about the club’s success.
I tried to ignore the text notification and made it three minutes before I retrieved my phone.
MATTEO: You said I should have sex with someone I trust and feel comfortable with. You’re the only one I can think of. If you don’t think you can keep up, old man, I understand.
Well, damn. How could I say no after he’d just admitted to trusting me? And a very big part of me wanted to be the person to guide him into the crazy world of gay sex, on the count that I wished I’d had someone to help me when I was his age.
MATTEO: Also, this might be your only chance to bang a virgin twink, so I wouldn’t pass it up if I were you.
“Sean!”
“What!” I bit back, a flush of embarrassment at being caught ensorcelled with my text messages crawling up my neck.
Jere frowned at me and pointed behind him with his thumb. “Bosses asked to find you. Something about the stock?”
“Yeah, finishing it up right now. Sorry I snapped at you. Thanks, Jere.”
He hoovered for a moment as if he wanted to say more but didn’t. When he was gone, I glanced at my clipboardand sighed. Matteo was a nice distraction, but a distraction, nonetheless.
I didn’t look at my phone again until I had the stock in the bosses’ hands. As I climbed the stairs to their office, I heard the Cure’s “Lovesong” clashing against the techno beat of the club. I peeked my head in their office. They were dancing, Glen twirling Patty as he giggled like a young man. In their sixties, the two were what everyone should strive for.
Glen noticed me and turned the music down. “Come on in, Gingersnap. We were just goofing off.”
I stepped in and held up the clipboard. “Sorry for the delay.”
“Are you going to tell us what’s got you so distracted?” Glen looked at his husband and wagged his brows.
“Or should we say, who?” Patty asked and they laughed in unison. “I’ll wager a pretty young face. Or–”
“A big cock,” Glen broke in.
He nodded in agreement. “A big pecker changes minds and hearts.”
“So, what you’re saying is all I had to do was show you my junk and I wouldn’t have had to chase you across half the U.S?”
“Oh, don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy chasing me,” he countered.
Glen beamed as they went back and forth, and I hoped to find a relationship like theirs one day. I set the stock report on their desk and attempted to slip out unnoticed.
“Oh, Gingersnap. Just a word of advice from two old men that have been around the world a few times. Take advantage of that distraction.”
I saluted them and left, their boyish giggles haunting my steps. What I wouldn’t give to find a love like theirs.
It was almost ten when I pulled up my conversation with Matteo again.
