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“What went on between you two?” Clive asked. “It looked like you had a moment there.”
“Nothing,” David answered quickly—probably too fast, because Clive continued watching him. “We just spoke briefly.”
Teddy leaned forward. “Even I saw that. What’s going on?”
David shook his head. “I saw that the guy was going to fall and didn’t want him to get hurt.”
Clive leaned closer as the announcer did his warm-up for the next performer. “Bullshit. The entire time he was up there, you couldn’t take your eyes off him, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was cute as all hell. You were transfixed, and I swear if anyone had gotten in your way, you would have bowled them over to get to him.” Dammit. Clive was too observant for his own good. “So what’s the deal?”
David shrugged. “His name is Noel, and I gave him a ride home last week after one of Dad’s campaign events on the south side. He was huddled against the cold, so Antoine and I offered him a ride.” David couldn’t help smiling. “He thought I was coming on to him and told me that if I wanted to see the show, I had to buy a ticket because he didn’t give private performances.” He chuckled. “I had no idea what he was talking about and was just being nice.”
Teddy threw his head back, laughing. “Only you would offer to give a stripper a ride home and not have a clue.”
“He’s a burlesque performer, and you be nice,” David snapped at Teddy.
“Okay,” Jake intervened from next to him. “Teddy, behave. And David, I take it from your reaction that you like him.”
“I do. Okay? He’s nice and he’s funny. Noel is also cynical and cautious as anything, but….” How did he explain that holding him for just those few seconds, even in front of everyone, had been like magic? “I think we all need to go. Noel is going to need to return, and I don’t think he needs us in the audience.”
Teddy shook his head, and David pulled the glass from in front of him. “I want to see what he’s got.”
David leaned over the table. “And why the fuck do you think I want to leave? I don’t want all of you seeing him. Okay?” Maybe he was being ridiculous. Guys saw Noel perform all the time, and yet the thought of his friends seeing Noel was too much, too intimate for David. Strangers were one thing, but his friends were something else altogether. “Can we just leave, okay?” He was also worried that Noel had misstepped because he had seen David there. That little smile had told him so much.
“But…,” Teddy began as Clive and Jake both stood. Teddy did the same, and David stayed behind to make sure their tab was settled. He paid the bill at the bar and left a good tip, as well as one for Noel, before pulling on his coat.
“David.”
He turned, staring into Noel’s intense blue eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked, and Noel shook his head. “What happened?”
“I twisted my ankle. It isn’t sprained, I don’t think. But I need to rest it.” Now that David looked closely, he could see how he was favoring it.
“Do you need a ride home? I’m here with my friends, but there’s room, and we could give you a lift.” There was no way in hell he was letting Noel walk home hurt. Shit, he’d carry him there if that was what it took.
“Are you sure?” He shifted his gaze to the floor.
“Of course,” David said.
“But I don’t want to ruin your night. I know you and your friends were out to have a good time.” He bit his lower lip, and David wanted to soothe the bit of worried skin. “I can’t believe I was so stupid and lost track of the edge of the stage. That’s never happened before, and I certainly haven’t needed to be caught by an audience member before.”
“Come on. Let’s get you home so we can get some ice on your ankle.” He put an arm around Noel’s waist and guided him out toward the door. Clive had pulled the SUV up in front, and Teddy climbed into the third-row seat, stretching out. David got Noel inside and climbed in after him, closed the door, and then he told Clive where to take them.
The guys were surprisingly quiet for the short ride to Noel’s corner. David got out, and Clive rolled down the window. “We’ll wait here for you.”
“No. Just go on. I’m done for the night, and I’ll get an Uber for the ride home.” David leaned closer. “Besides, Giles is going to love all of us if we get Teddy home, and he doesn’t have to pour him into bed.” He stepped back as Clive raised the window and drove off. Then David put his arm around Noel’s waist once more and let him guide the way to his building.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” Noel said as they reached the second-floor landing. He winced with each step, and David thought of carrying him up the last set of stairs. By the time they reached the third floor, Noel was pale, but he unlocked the door, and David helped him into the small but warm apartment.
The room was furnished in compact, basic pieces of furniture, probably because they all had to be carried up the stairs. The one exception was a royal blue sofa against the wall and a massive chair in the corner, covered in the same fabric. He got Noel settled in a chair and pulled over one from the small table to prop up his foot.
“You don’t need to do this,” Noel said. “I’m sure if you called, your friends will be happy to continue the fun.”
David ignored him and helped Noel get his shoe off. Then he went to the tiny kitchen, got some ice, and located a plastic bag next to the sink. He found a dish towel and wrapped the bag before gently placing it on Noel’s ankle. “Does that help?”
Noel nodded and shivered, his eyes filling with worry and hurt. All David wanted do was make it go away.
ChapterFive
Noel’s ankleached, but he’d been hurt worse. As soon as the ice touched his skin, he tensed, and then as it did its numbing work, he relaxed somewhat. He closed his eyes as David’s fingers gently roamed his foot.
