“Teya, what have you got?”I shout, unable to keep the panic from my voice. I wince as I nearly rip the door handle off, flinging the car door open and jumping inside. I’m more on edge than ever—Alex’s apartment was empty, and even his doorman hadn’t seen him.
“He’s at Gravity, Elijah. I’m about ten minutes away. Maybe longer with traffic.”
I freeze, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles go white.
“Gravity?Are you sure?”
“Yep. He’s definitely there.”
What thehellwould he be doing at Gravity? He hasn’t even come out yet. Not to mention, he wouldn’t set foot in that club with me just weeks ago. And now he’s walking in without any hesitation? No. It doesn’t add up.
“Elijah?”
I pull myself together and start the engine. “Yes, doll. I’m still here. Listen, I’m on my way. I’ll meet you at the club.” I toss the phone aside and hit the gas.
Minutes later, I skid up to Gravity, slipping the SUV into an open spot near the valet drop-off. I hop out at the same time I throw the gear into park. A long line snakes from the entrance, but I don’t slow down. The owner’s a friend, so I walk right past the crowd, ignoring their irritated grumbles.
At the door, I nod to Fernando, the owner’s son. I fold a hundred-dollar bill into our handshake and quickly brief him on Teya’s arrival, making sure he knows to let her in as soon as she arrives. Then I shoot a quick text off to her.
With a firm pat on the shoulder, Fernando opens the door.
The club is packed. I pause just inside, giving my eyes a second to adjust to the dim lighting as I scan the long bar snaking toward the dance floor.
This place holds so many memories.Gabriel and I used to come here all the time—basically regulars. The owner is a close friend, and we’d often join him and his husband for dinner.
No sign of Alex at the bar. My gaze shifts to the crowded dance floor.Damn. How am I supposed to find him in this?
My eyes throb from straining, and I blink hard, trying to fight off a headache building behind them.Great.Just what I fucking need.
I rake my fingers through my hair, frustration rising. And right as I’m about to lose my ever-loving mind, my phone buzzes.
Teya.
I snatch it up and answer quickly. “You here?” I snap, instantly regretting the sharpness in my voice.
If she notices, she doesn’t mention it.
“I’m here, Elijah. Your friend let me in. I’m at the smaller bar, just inside the entrance. Any luck?”
She sounds just as edgy as I feel. “Not yet, doll. But don’t worry, we’ll find him. I promise.”
“Okay. Okay. Where are you?”
“By the dance floor—but don’t move. I’m coming to you.”
I round the corner, having bulldozed my way through the swarming dance floor, when a thought hits me; I’ve never actually met Teya.
No matter. I spot her instantly.
Awkward stance, wide eyes, and phone pressed to her ear. She scans the room with the anxious curiosity of someone clearly new to this scene. Definitely her first time in a gay bar.
I slip in beside her and hold out a hand.
“Teya.”
She turns, craning her neck to look up at me. She’s way shorter than Alex, but the resemblance is unmistakable—she’s his spitting image.
“Oh my god, Elijah!” she gasps, ignoring my hand and throwing her arms around my waist in a tight hug.
