“I know exactly what I’m missing.” Derek couldn’t help the small laugh that lefthis mouth. “And I have no interest whatsoever.” He pressed his lips together and shook his head while he looked Travis up and down. “Such a shame. If you change your mind or want to come by later, give me a buzz.”
After exchanging telephone numbers with Travis, something Derek wished he’d done the first night they’d met, he watched Travis leave with the girls. He walked to the barat the opposite end of the suite and hit the alcohol hard. Jack, Jim, and Jose – separately they were friends, together they were lethal, and Derek’s head was spinning. His words were sloppy and his vision blurred, but at least he didn’t care about anything anymore, not even Travis and his female companions.
Through bleary eyes, Derek spotted Jeremy and Alan. He ran up behind themand slung an arm over each of their shoulders, stumbling on the last step. “I love you guys. You’re my best friends. Now you’re boyfriends.”
Jeremy burst out laughing. “You’re hammered.”
“How much did you drink?” Alan eyed Derek with a comical smile.
“Not enough.” There were two of Jeremy and two of Alan, a result of Derek struggling with the weight of hislids. He squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, forced them open and focused on his friends until his vision cleared. “I love that you guys are in love. I need a guy.”
Jeremy extended his hand out toward the room full of people. “Take your pick. There’s plenty of free cock here.”
“I don’t want any of them.”
“Why not? There’s a lot of hot dudes here tonight.That guy there. And there.” Jeremy pointed to them with his beer bottle.
Alan’s head snapped toward Jeremy. “Are you checking out dudes in the room? Right in front of me?”
“Not for me. For Derek.” He nudged Derek with his elbow. “See how I look out for ya, bruh?”
“You two are made for each other. Like Jack and Coke. Which reminds me. I need another drink.”As Derek stumbled across the room toward the bar, an arm was thrust under his shoulder.
“You look like you need a little help.”
The light blond hair, the square jaw, and the sweet smile reminded him of Travis. “You offering?”
“I’m definitely offering. Maybe I can help you to your room and help you lie down. You look like you’re having trouble standing up.”
“I am having trouble standing up.” Derek swayed unsteadily and blinked wearily, his lids like lead weights under his brow. “That’s very generous of you. I think I’ll take you up on that offer, kind sir.” They zig-zagged through the crowd and into the bedroom. He lumbered over to the bed and promptly fell face down into the sheets. The mixture of alcohol made his stomach revolt andit gurgled. His arms were uncoordinated and rubbery, but he managed to drag himself to the edge of the bed just in time to puke over the side of the mattress.
