“Vodka?” the waiter drawled, his mascara sparkling on his pink eyelashes.
Without answering, Jin plucked the entire platter out of the waiter's hands. “Thanks, honey.”
The waiter gawked, looking offended.
“Shoo,” Jin snipped, hissing through his teeth, prompting the waiter to dart away.
“Did you just hiss at him?” Wyatt asked, already grabbing two drinks off the tray.
“Yes, I did. She’s a prickly bitch. She worked the last show.” Jin frowned, watching him gulp down a shot. “I’ve never seen you this nervous.”
“I should call him,” Wyatt strained out, the vodka burning his throat, making its way to his chest. “I should warn him. Why didn’t you warn me?”
Jin arched a thinly plucked eyebrow. “When would I have done that exactly? You are never home! It’s like living with a ghost. I only know you exist because the coffee is rinsed out at night and magically comes back on in the morning.”
“It’s on a timer,” he breathed, reaching for another shot.
Jin tilted his hips, blocking his hand. “Oh no, hon. Give your liver at least five minutes to catch up before you take another.” Jin then drank two shots in front of him and handed the empty tray to another passing waiter.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Jin said, glancing around the warehouse space.
Its industrial design matched well with the sleek feel of the show and the people invited, who dripped wealth from their designer clothes, down to their fine, pointed heels. It was an eclectic group tonight. Ranging from reality TV stars to drag queens to CEOs with their trophy husbands or wives, and their mistresses on the other side. These were the type of powerful people who were open with their likes and dislikes, unashamed in how they dressed, who they fucked, or what they said. It was Jin’s crowd, and sometimes Wyatt’s. But he wasn’t sure how John would react. A newly out older man who possibly spent more time in the emergency department than anywhere else.
It would certainly be a shock, Wyatt thought, hands on his hips, fighting the urge to pace. Maybe John wouldn’t even come. He had ended their phone call rather abruptly.
Wyatt thought he’d been hit by the sun when he heard John admit his feelings for him. He burned from the inside out with pure, unfiltered joy, followed quickly by fear as he watched John panic and end the call before he could even reply.
John kept closing him out, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it anymore.
He wanted to be patient with John and knew it was the best strategy. But just because he knew he should do something didn’t mean he actually wanted to do it.
Oh, and let’s not forget the phone sex, because holy hell, Wyatt hadn’t expected to come that hard. Maybe because it was rushed. Maybe because John looked so damned sexy, or because it was very taboo to do in his friend's house. Regardless, when he did climax, he momentarily stopped breathing, seeing spots in his vision and coating Reyes' bathroom vanity with his spent, creamy bliss.
It was dirty and hot, and he couldn’t stop thinking about those slutty glasses John had worn for him, and his rich chest hair that Wyatt wanted to drag his nails through and take a nap on.
“I think I’m seeing spots right now,” Wyatt muttered, mostly to himself, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jawline.
“It’s just a date, right?” Jinasked curiously.
Just a date.
If only.
Wyatt grimaced at his best friend, inhaling a deep breath and feeling the first indicator of alcohol warming his insides. He noted Jin’s outfit then and smiled for the first time all evening. “Love the suit, by the way.”
Jin beamed, immediately twirling, showing off his sparkling orange-red suit that shone beneath the lights. His tanned, exposed chest was seen through the sharp V-neck of his blazer, adding the sexy flare that Jin always insisted on. His jet-black hair was slicked back and his cheeks were freshly shaved.
“You look good,” Wyatt said approvingly. “Doyouhave a date?”
Jin pouted, “I wish. Nope, just mama. She’ll be here later. She can drink all these bitches under the table and then some. She’s my ride or die now that she’s finally accepted her out and proud son.”
He chuckled, and his eye caught sight of a tall, attractive man standing with a group of people who were admiring the Polaroid wall. He was staring directly at him in the way a hawk would before pouncing on their prey. And then, as if to show he wasn’t that obviously on the hunt, he winked at Wyatt. He knew exactly what kind of wink that meant in this crowd.
Jin suddenly let out a gasp, causing Wyatt to jump. “Oh my God, I think that’s a Real Housewife. I need to say hello.”
“I don’t.”
“Then stay here,” Jin snapped, darting away and heading toward a group of tall, gorgeous women.
