“Everything all right?”
“Yeah. I’m just tired. Not really in the partying mood.”
Gideon chuckled softly. “I never thought I’d hear those words come out of your mouth.”
“Yeah, me, neither.”
Gideon nodded. “I can give you a lift home. No problem.”
“Derek!” The twins rushed their way, cheeks flushed with excitement and sparkling with glitter. They sported rainbow-tinted hair with added sprinkles of glitter clinging to their painted strands. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“No,” Mickey whined. “You have to stay. There’s gonna be a street party down the block. You have to go with us. Everyone else is going.”
Gideon leaned against the car and grinned at Derek, silently daring him to turn down the twins.
Sighing, Derek cupped their heads and kissed each one on the lips. “It sounds like fun, but I’m tired and don’t feel that great. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”
“Ah.” Marcus’ lower lip poked out in an adorable pout.
Derek chuckled and kissed his mouth. “I’m sorry. But I don’t think I’d be much fun tonight. You two go on, though, and have a blast—and besafe.Stay with the guys and don’t wander off alone, okay? Promise?”
The twins nodded. “We promise.”
“I second that,” Gideon said. “You stay with the others.”
“Yes, Daddy!” they chimed in unison with tittering giggles.
“Good Lord.” Gideon chuckled.
Mickey and Marcus left them and raced back to the growing group of strippers and porn stars preparing to head off to the street party.
“Sure you want to leave?” Gideon asked. “These things get pretty hot and wild—just your style.”
Derek stared at the group of guys. “Not tonight.”
“All right then.” Gideon opened the driver’s door. “Hop in.”
Derek climbed in the passenger side.
“One last chance.” Gideon smiled and shoved the key in the ignition. “Positive you don’t want to stay and party?”
“Positive.” Derek laughed quietly.
“Okay.” Gideon started the car and drove away from the festivities.
Silence reigned supreme for a quarter of the drive home. Derek was not himself. The young man was a talker, not the quiet, brooding type. He stared out the passenger window, eyes distant, his thoughts elsewhere.
“You all right, son?”
Derek blinked slowly and looked at Gideon. “Huh?”
“Seems like you have a lot on your mind. Anything you want to talk about?”
Exhibiting clear hesitation, Derek glanced out the side window again. “I, uh… I met someone today.”
“Okay…” Gideon waited for more.
