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“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Tough shit, that’s how I’m taking it.” Ash looked over his shoulder, a deep scowl coming onto his face. “That shitbag.”
“Who?”
“Some jackass is coming onto Cael and doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of the words ‘fuck off.’ Sometimes Cael’s too polite. How come he can rip a guy to shreds when it concerns his brother, but when it’s about him, he’s so damned nice about it.”
“Cael’s a nice guy,” Sloane replied with a shrug. “Besides, he can take care of himself.”
“It’s not him I worry about. That guy’s got ‘sleaze’ written all over his face.”
Sloane leaned to peer around Ash. His friend was right. The guy crowding Cael was definitely a creep. No matter how many times, Cael pulled away, the guy kept getting all up in his personal space.
“Excuse me.” Ash got up and Sloane hoped his friend wasn’t about to get them kicked out. When it came to Cael, Ash had little control. It wouldn’t be the first time Ash had gotten into a brawl over Cael, despite Cael’s protests that he didn’t need rescuing. Sloane could sympathize with the younger Therian, but it was hard stopping a train once it was going full speed with no brakes.
Sloane found himself on his lonesome at their table. He discreetly sneaked another peek over at Dex, his heart hammering as he watched Lou dance with Dex. To Dex’s credit, the guy looked uncomfortable, and he seemed to be trying to talk to Lou, who of course was distracted by other things, like Dex’s lips. Lou reached out to cup Dex’s cheek, and Sloane got out of his seat. He’d had enough fun for one night.
“Fuck this.” He’d just about made it to the door, when someone grabbed his arm.
“Hey!” Dex pulled him past the coatracks, through a door on the right, and they ended up in an empty hallway with a set of stairs leading down to the basement and at the far end, a supply closet. “What the hell, man? I turn around and you’re leaving without me?”
Sloane shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “I’m sure you could have found a ride. Lou’s probably dying to give you a lift home.” He knew he sounded like a jerk, but he couldn’t help it. He was pissed off. Whether at himself or Dex, he wasn’t sure.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it. We were only talking.”
And flirting, and dancing, and touching. This was stupid. What’s more, this wasn’t like him at all. He’d never had bouts of jealousy where Gabe had been concerned. Maybe because he’d never worried Gabe would leave him. Gabe had also never fraternized with any of his ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends. The idea that Dex would so easily dismiss what he’d been through with Lou, and let the guy waltz back into his life, aggravated Sloane. “How can you act like nothing’s happened? He dumped your ass when you needed him most, and now he shows up out of nowhere, flirts with you, and you accept it like you’re old friends?”
“Like I said, we were talking. Why are you pissed off with me? You’re the one who was going to bail on me.”
Sloane could see Dex growing angry with him, and he really couldn’t understand why. What the hell did Dex have to be angry about? Sloane wasn’t the one with his ex’s hands all over him. He leaned a shoulder against the wood paneling and shrugged. “I figured if you wanted to give Lou another chance, who am I to stop you.”
“Oh, fuck you.” Dex shook his head, his face growing red. Before Sloane had a chance to ask Dex what he was getting so pissy about, Dex met his eyes, his gaze intense. “Is that it? That’s all it would take for you to walk away? You don’t bother asking me what that was about, or what’s going on, just ‘hey, have a nice life with your ex.’ You dick.”
“You’re the one acting like he’s back in your life. Like it’s no big deal. You even stopped him from leaving,” Sloane spat back. Why was he allowing this ridiculous situation to get under his skin?
“What did you expect me to do? Punch him? Tell him to fuck off?”
Sloane ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath, trying to get a grip on himself. “I don’t know. I didn’t know what to think.” This was all so new to him. He kept telling himself not to get so close, despite knowing it was too late.
“That’s why there’s this thing called communication, Sloane. Let me demonstrate. ‘Sloane, does what we have mean so little to you that you would walk away just like that?’ Now you answer.”
Sloane gave Dex a warning look. “Don’t patronize me.”
“You’re right. I apologize. I’m pissed off and that foggy shit Bradley made is getting to me. Now answer the question.”
“I fucked up, okay?” What else did Dex want from him? It seemed like lately all Sloane did was either apologize to Dex or explain himself. He didn’t like it.
“Try again.”
“Fuck off.” Sloane crossed his arms over his chest. Maybe he was being childish and defensive, but he didn’t appreciate Dex’s tone. He appreciated the fact that Dex was right even less. Dex stepped up to him and gently moved Sloane’s arms away from his chest. Sloane allowed it, watching Dex intently as he closed the distance between them, his pale blue eyes pleading.
“Sloane.”
Sloane was contemplating another evasive answer, but studying Dex’s expression, his slightly parted lips, and handsome face, he couldn’t do it. “No, it doesn’t mean that little to me.” He could feel his anger melting away. Dex had a point, and Sloane wasn’t so egotistical he couldn’t admit when he was wrong. “I got upset and didn’t think things through. I figured an offer at a real relationship with someone you cared about would tempt you. I wouldn’t blame you.”
Dex’s brows drew together. His expression filled with anger and what Sloane suspected was hurt, before he moved away. “You’re such a dick. My God, are you taking lessons from Ash?”
The unexpected hostility stunned Sloane. “What did I do now?” He watched Dex pace around before his partner finally stopped, his shoulders slumping. He seemed to deflate, and Sloane felt shitty for bringing that look onto Dex’s face.
