Colton smiled and gladly stepped away from the lovefest between Sophie and the dancers.
“Sorry about them.” Dean tilted his chin toward his dancers, handing Colton a glass of wine. “They are my boys, and I love them…but…they can be a lot.”
Colton smiled and sipped his wine. “Thanks. Yeah, I can see that. But Sophie loves it though. How the hell do you live with all that? I would lose my mind.”
Dean threw his head back and laughed. Colton couldn’t help but notice his Adam’s apple dance with his laughter. “I would lose my mind too! I don’t live with them, thank God. They are three floors below me and my loft is not the communal gathering place. I like my space.” He smirked with a wink. “They know they can come to me for anything they need, but they all hang out together on the second floor of the building, thus, what you witnessed tonight.”
Colton couldn’t help but notice the contrast between Dean and his dancers. Dean was rugged and handsome, with ultra masculine features and demeanor. His dancers were more effeminate, snapping their fingers, calling each other “girl”. And they worshipped Sophie for the supermodel that she was.
Colton understood there were different types of people, and he wasn't judging, but he was secretly glad that Dean didn’t act like his dancers.
They chatted backstage for a few minutes before Dean showed Sophie and Colton around, pointing out the video screens, and where sound and lighting was controlled. It was an interesting and amazing new world for Colton.
“Alright, folks, we’ve got to clear out before they lock us in here,” Dean announced. He turned, hugged Sophie, and extended his hand to shake Colton’s. “So glad you guys came.”
Colton grabbed Dean’s hand, feeling a jolt as their hands touched, like a sparkler on the Fourth of July. Without thinking, he pulled him in for a bear hug and slapped his back with the other hand. “Amazing fucking show man.”
They turned toward the door, Sophie tucking herself into his side as they made their way to the exit.
Colton looked back as Dean waved goodbye.
***
Dean
The next day, Dean sipped his coffee in a chaise on the roof, enjoying the beauty of the bay in the morning sun. Last night’s show was fantastic. The crowd had great energy, the dancers were off the chain, and there hadn't been any backstage drama.
It was nice to see Colton let loose too, dancing and smiling. He had a beautiful smile. His blue eyes sparkled like sunlight on the water when he smiled. He needed to do it more often. Dean decided to make that his personal goal…Operation Make Colton Smile.
Dean kept thinking about the hug between him and Colton. Not that it was weird or out of the ordinary, necessarily, but Dean thought it was a little more ‘emotional’ from Colton than might be expected. Colton usually presented as quite stoic, almost rigid, your typical serious professional athlete. Hanging out backstage, Colton was smiling, laughing, a little looser. And the hug just seemed a little out of character for Colton, at least from what Dean had seen so far.
Maybe it was the alcohol.
But Dean couldn’t deny what he felt when they first shook hands at the video shoot, and again when they were backstage. The thunderbolt when their skin pressed together was hard to ignore.
Maybe Colton felt it too?
And should Dean even be doing this with Colton? He had lusted after Colton for years.
Being this close to him couldn’t be healthy. Colton was straight and engaged to a fucking supermodel!
Dean knew he would develop feelings for Colton, and his heart would be broken. Why put himself through that mess? Maybe he needed to create some distance, keep his heart safe.
Still, it was possible in this day and age for a gay man and a straight man to be friends. He knew nothing romantic would ever happen. Colton didn’t swing that way, and that was just fine.
As long as Dean could resist the urge to climb Colton like a tree, being friends with Colton was enough. He could handle it, simply being friends with Colton. He could admire Colton, even secretly lust after his stunning body, and keep his feelings in check. He’d done it before, many times, and he could do it again. He wouldn’t allow himself to develop feelings for Colton, outside of a deep friendship.
Jesus, Dean, stop overanalyzing! he thought.
He tended to analyze, overanalyze, and then analyze some more. It was helpful when working on small details in mixing and remixing music, but it also made him crazy when it came to friendships and relationships.
It was just a hug. Colton had enjoyed the show. Maybe he'd gained a new friend, a thought that made Dean smile.
He paused for a moment and grabbed his phone. “Jordan, I think I’d like to go to the Niners game this Sunday. Can you see if there are any tickets available? I’d prefer a small box, if possible. And can you see if I can go down to the sideline pre-game? Thanks.”
Not ten minutes later, Jordan had come through. “I got you a small private box, fully catered, forty-five-yard line, and you’ll have sideline privileges before and after the game,” Jordan said over the speaker.
“You’re the best, Jordan. Remind me I need to give you a raise.” Dean smiled.
