26Dylan
18 Months Later
The club looked amazing. Definitely more heaven than hell, with fairy lights everywhere, white cloths over the tables, and silver birthday balloons. The centre piece was a massive arch, with balloons shaped into the number twenty-two. Dylan had arranged party food, so there was something for them all to nibble on, and the club DJ had agreed to play music as long as he could have free drinks and some food. Basically, Dylan had turned the club into the set of a rom-com, or a modern fairy tale. It was perfect.
“Thanks for letting me use the club, Michael,” Dylan said.
Michael smiled. “No problem at all.”
Jag snuggled into his fiancé’s arms. “You know, this place would make a great wedding reception venue.”
Michael laughed and kissed his hair. “Is that a hint?”
“Maybe.” Jag twisted around. “Or a potential side business?”
Michael pursed his lips. “Maybe.”
Jag grinned. “When will Callum be here?”
“Jared and Kyrone are bringing him,” Dylan replied. “Kyrone’s going to come up with some reason to need to drop by here.”
Dylan wasn’t sure how much of a surprise party it was going to be. Hehadtold Callum eighteen months ago that he’d throw him a party to celebrate his twenty-second birthdayandhis juvenile conviction being spent, but they had a third reason to celebrate too—they’d both held true to their word and organised counselling.
Dylan had spent about six months having fortnightly sessions. Callum’s head had taken longer to sort out, but his sessions had officially ended a week earlier. Neither of them was perfect. They still had regrets and wobbly moments, but they knew how to deal with their pain—how to live, cope, and move forward without it controlling them. That was great in and of itself, but it meant Dylan had another promise he was desperate to keep. He patted his pocket, content the ring he’d bought was safely tucked in there.
He was wearing his favourite relaxed party gear—a short, tight-fitting white T-shirt with a Pride rainbow stretching across his chest, cute little denim shorts, white socks with rainbow colours around the tops, and white trainers. He’d gone heavy on the eye make-up—thick false lashes, lots of eye liner, and a vibrant rainbow of eyeshadow, circling from the inside top to the inside bottom. He felt amazing.
Everyone he’d invited was there—all the dancers, bar staff, and bouncers from the club, plus Ezra, who had brought Liam and Faye from Ink Envy along with him.
“It looks great,” Hunter said, patting him on the back.
“I still can’t believe you guys have been together so long,” Taylor said.
“Howdoyou go from serial heart-breaker to long term relationship?” Logan asked.
Dylan shrugged. “I found the right guy.”
That really was the only answer he could give. Callum had got under his skin and stolen his heart. He couldn’t explain it any more eloquently than that if he tried, nor did he need to. They’d met and fallen in love, like in the rom-coms he’d never get tired of watching. This party was their movie-worthy happy ending.
“Where is he?” he wondered out loud.
“He’ll be here,” Jag said. “Kyrone and Jared will make sure of that.”
They didn’t have to wait much longer before they heard Kyrone’s voice on the other side of the stage door.
“Damn, it’s not in here. Hey, Callum, could you check to make sure I didn’t leave it on the stage?”
Dylan smiled. He wasn’t sure what the hell Kyrone would have left on the stage, but if it got Callum through the door, nothing else mattered. His heart fluttered in his chest as the door opened. Callum stood still, staring at the room, eyes growing wider by the second. At first his jaw was slack, then he grinned as everyone in the room shouted ‘happy birthday’ at him.
He entered the room, slowly walking towards Dylan. He clasped Dylan’s hands, squeezing them tight.
“You lookamazing,” he breathed.
“So do you.”
Callum blushed. “I look underdressed.”
Dylan pulled him close and kissed him. “You’re always stunning in my eyes.”
