Page 21 of Who The Hell Are You?

“Reaper, it's your turn!” Jemmy shouts from behind the bar, and to my surprise a large portion of the crowd cheers. I’m certain now he'll pull away or remove me completely, but to my surprise he burrows into my neck more and I almost giggle when his stubble brushes the sensitive skin.

“You failed to mention you seem to be a fan fave for this kind of thing?”

Lifting his face, he chuckles. “I'm alright–nothing special. It might be a testimony to how much we’re here. I should get a life, really.” He jokes, squeezing my hips where his hands have been resting. I swear I should get a medal for my will of steel not to jump his bones.

Someone shouts his name in the crowd and both Harris and Cass start to move, lifting me gently from his warmth and I slide down onto his seat. Giving me a wolfish grin, he squeezes my arm before they both weave their way onto the small stage area with the instruments. To my utter surprise he grabs an old looking acoustic and Harris grabs a bass, whilst someone they seem familiar with drags some sort of box hand drum closer.

“You're gonna love this.” Lilia leans into me, before using her hands to whoop loudly as everyone starts to clap. I can't help but look over at my table of friends because I feel Teddy glaring into my skull, but apart from him everyone is chatting to themselves; even Grace. She's paying her ex boyfriend zero attention.

Making noises into the microphone whilst he adjusts the height, Cass says hello to the bar. How this man thinks he has no confidence is beyond me. “Ok, so what do you all want to hear tonight?”

People shout suggestions, but Lilia is louder. “Harry Styles!”

Everyone cheers.

Running his hands through his curls, he chuckles and starts to adjust the guitar strap on his shoulders. “You sure? Harris and I only play around, we might be bad.” Everyone cheers louder, like they all know he's wrong. How many times have they played here?

“To be so lonely!” Lilia shouts again, and her brother starts to bang on the round table.

Laughing again he holds up his hands in surrender. “Ok, ok! Ladies choice. You're lucky we know this one.” Before turning to Harris, our eyes meet again and I swear I can see the little pink blush that tints his cheeks, but he keeps grinning as they start the song.

It takes a few strokes of the guitars for me to know which song they're playing, but when Cass sings the first set of lyrics, I honestly can't believe how perfectly his voice fits the song. The guy sitting on the box drum starts to tap, Harris keeps his head low but plucks at the bass, and Cassie just comes alive. His voice is unwavering, body fluid as he dips and moves his hips whilst playing the song. I didn't even know he played guitar, but there's so much to learn about him still and it just feels exciting.

I'm sitting here awestruck, looking around the bar to make sure everyone is witnessing what I am! People sway to the song, pints in the air and Teddy is gawking at me.

What the fuck? He mouths, holding his phone above Faye's head to record the song. Waving my hand at him, I mouth and action for him to send me the video, to which he nods. Grace still isn't paying much attention, texting on her phone.

For two muscly farm boys, they both know how to play for a crowd. Half way through the song when the guy starts to really go for it tapping the box drum, he grins at me again and fucking winks. My glass of wine hasn't even made it to my mouth again as I just intensely stare.

“You're drooling on the table, mate.” Emery laughs, sipping his cider and returning to watch the stage.

“Leave him alone Em, it's a curious sight seeing Cass come out of his shell.”

I shake my head, finally taking my own sip of wine before popping it on the table. “Non-existent shell with me. I know Cassie isn't quiet or shy, he just needs to think things over before words come out.”

I've clearly said the right thing, because Lilia practically swoons and Emery slaps his hand on the table, giving me an approving nod. It's so true. Whether they agree or not; the man strumming the acoustic guitar like he's playing for a full arena crowd, is so full of life.

It kind of makes me horny. Mentally scolding myself, I join in applauding and cheer loudly as they finish up.

“Sing Dolly!” Emery cups his mouth to shout, to which Harris gives him the middle finger. Those two are adorable, and the way they look at one another definitely tickles my gay-dar.

Two more glasses of wine later and plenty of other patrons giving it their all singing, mic night is over and our group leaves the bar. The guys wave goodbye to Jemmy, as I step outside and immediately bump into Teddy vaping.

“That shit stinks.” I bat at the watermelon cloud that hits my face, before my house mate shimmies his shoulders.

“Suck it. I wanna go dancing.”

I look past him to our course friends and Grace is still here, speaking with Faye, clutching at her coat. “Where are you thinking?” I wanna ask if everyone is going–Grace especially–but I don't get the chance because she air kisses our friend goodbye and turns to link arms with Teddy.

“I’m thinking Space Cowboy?” He replies, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Reckon your boys can handle it?”

Perfectly timed, Cass, Harris, Emery and his sister Lilia exit the bar, but then a few other guys who look just as muscly as the three of them follow.

“Handle what?” Harris asks. The group including the other three guys huddle around and Teddy’s cheeks flare; I'm pretty sure he's not used to this much hetero male attention at once, but he stands his ground. Grace's eyes light up when she sees Cass and considering she paid him no attention all night, I can only blame it on the glazed indicator that she's drunk. I suddenly want to wrench him closer or hiss at her like a feral cat, and the intense feeling stuns me. I've never felt so…possessive. Fuck.

I don't even get to entertain this dreadful feeling for a few seconds because Cass slides next to me, his hand finding my lower back and he even goes under my jacket. He's such a big presence that Teddy moves back, but Grace does notice how he drapes himself against me.

“Space Cowboy. The club. You guys in?” Teddy asks them all, his smirk aimed my way because he's inviting a bunch of straight guys to a gay bar. Don't get me wrong, it'll be Lilia’s scene hands down, and obviously I know that Cass isn't straight, but it's just like he’s trying to push some macho guy buttons.