Except Derek wasn’t at the table anymore. A quick check showed he hadn’t joined the dancers either. Linc’s gaze swung in the other direction, toward the washrooms. And Avery.
His heart stopped. In the dim back hall, Avery’s red hair shone like a campfire. And the dark shape of Derek’s body surrounded that glow.
Linc was already moving. Derek had a hand on the wall, planted just above Avery’s shoulder. The gesture could almost be intimate, but Derek was definitely going for intimidating.
As Linc weaved around people and chairs, the tightening of Avery’s jaw and the way his eyes narrowed became more obvious. Derek said something and laughed, and Avery shoved at his chest, making Derek stumble back. His eyes rounded in surprise, but just as quickly, he was moving forward again, big fists crumpling the material of Avery’s shirt.
Linc nearly threw the last person between him and them out of his way. He definitely took hold of Derek’s shoulder and pulled him back roughly. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Derek swayed, bleary eyes unfocused. “Hey. Fireman. Avery and I were just getting reacquainted. It’s been a long time.”
“Fuck off, Derek,” Avery spat, and Linc had to give him credit for holding his ground. But his eyes held real fear too, underneath the green sparking with little copper flecks.
“I think we should go,” Linc said.
“Aw,” Derek pouted. “Coming to his rescue? That’s real cute. You two make a cute couple.”
From Emma, the words seemed sincere. But Derek undoubtedly meant it as a threat.
Avery ducked down, slipping below Derek’s arm. Linc would have preferred Avery to get behind him, but instead, he turned so they stood shoulder to shoulder.
“You’re still an asshole, Derek.”
Derek sneered. “And you’re still a twinky little queer.”
Linc grabbed Avery’s wrist, pulling him away, because the other option was punching Derek’s lights out, and then he’d have to call into the station the next morning and explain why he’d been arrested.
