Shut up, Sean.
A frustrated sigh escaped Tristan, but he seemed willing to talk. “It’s a pain in the ass. Everything I think I might like is already taken by the time I get to the apartment, and then they try and show me something else that of course is much more money. I swear it’s a fucking bait and switch. But I have to find something soon. I can’t impose on Ray forever. Plus, that couch isn’t the most comfortable.”
“Sounds like you had a rough day. Feel like getting out and having a drink somewhere? I know I’m bored with these same four walls.”
He held his breath as Tristan gazed at him.
“Where?”
What the hell does it matter? Just say yes.
“Probably just The Dark Horse—you know, the bar at the corner? They have happy hour five-dollar beers and three-dollar Fireball shots.”
Sean hadn’t been this nervous since his first kiss in junior high.
“Thanks, but I think I’m gonna stay home.”
Disappointment flooded him, but he refused to allow Tristan to see it. “Okay, well, don’t wait up, Dad.” He grinned and went to take a shower. Under the spray he decided he wasn’t going to let Tristan’s negativity ruin his night and sang, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.”
If only.
He left the bathroom and mumbled, “Just gonna grab some clothes from the closet.”
Tristan peered at him. “You okay? You’re all red in the face.”
“Yeah, yeah, fine. Must be the jalapeños I had earlier.”
Could he sound any lamer? But what was he supposed to say?
It’s nothing. Just the sight of you half-naked makes me want to melt into a puddle. No big deal.
Maybe he should find someone tonight and get laid. The thought of Tristan sleeping barely fifty feet from him, yet remaining so untouchable, was driving him up the wall. It had been months since he’d hooked up with anyone, but going out on the hunt wasn’t giving him the usual excitement. Where normally he’d put on loud music and dance around to get in the mood, he didn’t even check himself in the mirror while getting dressed.
Tristan was engrossed in the news when he came out of the bedroom. To add to his already crappy mood, the bastard didn’t even say anything when he walked by.
“Well, uh, I guess I’ll see you later.”
He received a grunt in return.
Annoyed, he slammed out of the apartment and punched the elevator button. He didn’t want to go out. He wanted to be with Tristan, but no way was he going to humiliate himself by being so needy.
Out on the street, he fought the urge to go back upstairs and yell at Tristan to ask him what the hell was going on, but instead he strode down the block to the bar. The cool air hit him immediately upon entering, and he took in all the people hanging out and having a good time. It was your typical setup: long, polished, wooden bar against the wall, tables for two and four scattered in the open space. Music played, and the dance floor was crowded. Like a deflating balloon, all his anger seeped out of him, and he slid into a seat at the bar. The heavily tattooed bartender wiped the spot in front of him.
“Hello, sweetie. I’m Kressley. What can I do for you?”
“Just a Dos Equis.”
“You got it.” Chatting away, Kressley opened the bottle and slid it across the bar. “Haven’t seen you before.”
“I’ve only been living here a few months.” He relayed his story of the ruined apartment, his job search, and the weird living arrangement he’d found himself in.
“Well, that’s a hell of a story.” Kressley’s mouth kept up with his hands as he deftly poured drinks while keeping up the conversation. “And this guy Tristan, what’s he like?”
His hand tightened around the bottle. “He’s okay. Not that much of a talker.”
Kressley held up a finger. “Hold on a sec. I have to get these people at the other end.”
He watched the happy couples dancing as he finished his beer, growing more defeated by the minute. He’d done nothing wrong; he’d only tried to be Tristan’s friend. Of course, friends don’t usually have filthy dreams about one another and spend their nights jerking off to thoughts of what it would be like to be plowed into the mattress by them, but Sean dared anyone to look at Tristan and not have that same fantasy. The man was a wet dream come to life.
