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My shoulders relaxed even as my eyes shot wide. “Holy shit, dude! Great job!”

Gio grinned at me. He was a slight, tall-ish guy in his mid-forties and impeccable at ensuring no one underage got in. Plus, he always managed the crowds here well—I’d clone him if I could. “Thanks, Henry.”

“You’re awesome, Gio. Share that with the other guys, will you? Maybe print something out to keep here at the front podium? He’s banned for a year.” His eyes widened. “He was harassing one of our customers. And Cameron.”

Gio’s eyes narrowed as his nostrils flared. He knew most of the guys in the Daddies and Subs Club, like I did. Tuesday was one of his regular nights. “Fucker. Deserves that and more.”

“Absolutely.” I heard Timothy on the mic, which reminded me I needed to relieve Ben behind the bar. “If he comes back, call me right away.”

Gio saluted me, making me laugh. “Will do, boss.”

After my interactions with Timothy and Gio, some of the best men a guy could know, I was feeling lighter despite the incident with that Jason guy and my melancholy over Tris.

But I still wrote down Jason’s name and my version of the encounter in my phone so I wouldn’t forget it, just in case it came up later.

Fuck, I hoped it didn’t.

Chapter fourteen

Tristan

Zander and Joey’s demonstration on the brightly illuminated stage had started, and I still hadn’t seen Cameron. I hoped he was enjoying the show from the dance floor or in one of the booths I couldn’t see from here; my bestie enjoyed impact play.

Henry was back behind the bar now. Because my eyes had been tracking him all night, I noticed when he and the emcee—I wasn’t sure of his name as we’d never been introduced—disappeared into the back hallway with some drunk dude. They all rushed out a few minutes later, and it appeared the guy left. I hoped nothing serious had happened. Was Henry okay?

Ugh, what was I doing? I had no right to worry about Henry. I was the one who blew him off.

My restless, roiling stomach hadn’t calmed down since the morning I walked out on him.

I watched the Daddy of my dreams carefully as he served drinks at the perpetually crowded bar. His smiles seemed genuine, and though I couldn’t see from this distance, I’d bet his crow’s feet were making frequent appearances. The sight made me want to smile every time, though it flooded me with guilt in equal measure.

He deserved to be happy. I didn’t deserve to bask in it.

A loud smack from the stage drew my attention. Despite my depressed mood, my dick twitched in my tiny leather shorts. Fuck, that was hot. Zander and Joey always killed it during these scenes, and though I enjoyed some light spanking, I’d never want to go as hard as they did. Their style of play, which tonight involved a variety of scary-looking implements, was much too intense for me.

But watching them was definitely hot. Given my chosen profession, no one would be surprised to learn I had an exhibitionism kink. I enjoyed both performing and watching.

The demonstration wasn’t even finished before I saw Cameron and Sam scurrying past our table toward the side door. Cameron caught my eye, and I nodded my approval with a knowing grin before he flew out of sight. Good for him. He and Sam were perfect for each other.

Joey’s ass was purple and lined with welts by the time the cane stopping swinging, and Zander helped him from the spanking bench then grabbed his discarded gray sweatpants and led him off the stage before disappearing somewhere in the back.

“Shit, that was fucking hot as hell,” Nate exclaimed.

Anson gasped. “Nathan!”

Nate rolled his eyes, surprising no one. “What? It was!” Anson’s eyes narrowed at him, and Nate threw up his hands. “Hey! I’m just saying. Zander and Joey knocked it out of the park tonight. Plus, look around! We’re in a crowded gay bar with dozens of half-naked men. If I can’t be crass here, where the hell can I?”

Anson rolled his eyes right back, and sometimes I wished these two would just fuck already to relieve the tension between them. “Fine. Act however you want. I’m done playing manners police.”

Nate huffed, chuckling. “Riiiiiight.” Anson sneered at him, but Nate just laughed. “Don’t even act like you don’t love my dirty talk or that your mind isn’t just as filthy as mine. I’m your best friend, Ans—I know everything about you.”

Anson’s face turned red, and in that moment, I knew that Anson had a secret he very much didn’t think Nate knew. I idly wondered how long it would take for Anson’s secret to come out as they bickered between themselves for a few more minutes.

As soon as Anson started smiling at Nate’s antics again, I knew everything would be okay between them. This happened a lot, the two of them bickering like an old married couple. These dudes seriously needed to get laid. By each other.

Ethan and I grinned over the table, then he said, “Well, if the drama is over, I’m buying the next round.” He slid out of the booth as Nate chuckled and Anson gasped.

“Well, I never!” Anson exclaimed, and at that, we all broke down laughing.