We dissolve into laughter, and in this moment, everything feels perfect—the easy banter, the comfortable closeness, the feeling of truly getting to know each other. As our laughter subsides, Axel’s hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with my own for a quick squeeze. I gaze into his eyes with happiness.
As the evening progresses, more and more people wander into the bar, transforming the cosy atmosphere into more of a party. The tables and lounges fill up quickly, and before long, a small group of guys approaches the area where we’re sitting.
“Mind if we join you?” one of them asks, gesturing to the vacant couch opposite. “Everywhere else is full.”
I glance at Axel to gauge his reaction. He gives me a subtle nod, before turning back to them. “Sure, no worries,” he says, his smile warm and welcoming.
The guys settle in with their drinks and I scoot closer to the corner so Axel can move along to allow one of them to sit at the other end of the couch we’re on.
“Thanks so much,” the guy says. “Are you having a good night?”
“We are,” Axel replies holding up his drink. “The martinis are amazing.”
“Oh my God, they are! Have you tried the espresso martini yet? It’s to die for.” He’s blond, blue-eyed, and pretty, and radiating excitement and confidence.
I check out his friends as the guy engages Axel in conversation about the best cocktails. They’re all laughing and their animated chatter changes the mood. The dark-haired one briefly looks at me, before his gaze falls on Axel. He leans in and whispers something to his sandy-haired friend.
It doesn’t take long for the conversation to inevitably turn to Axel and his music.
“I have to say, your performance tonight was incredible,” the sandy-haired guy gushes, leaning forward and raising his voice to address Axel. “I’ve been a fan for years, but seeing you live? It’s a whole different experience.”
Axel grins. “Thanks, mate, that means a lot.”
Initially I’m wary, but as the guys bombard Axel with questions and compliments, he handles the attention with ease, his natural charm on full display. He’s confident and every ounce the rockstar.
More drinks are brought to the table, along with a bottle of wine. As he chats, Axel passes me a glass of red, then puts his hand on my knee. The others are drinking cocktails with garnishes galore, but the pinot noir is more my speed and I sip it gratefully.
The talk switches to bars and restaurants and the nightlife of Sydney. There’s nothing I can contribute so I drink my wine and try to keep up with the conversation, something made even more difficult with the rising noise level in the bar. My gaze slides to Axel who’s checking out the tattoo on the arm the blond guy has shoved his way, the guy now almost in his lap. I have to consciously loosen my grip on the stem of my glass before it snaps.
The dark-haired guy—I think he said his name was Lance—gets up from the opposite couch and pulls a chair close to where I sit. Our knees nearly touch so I angle mine away. “So how did you two meet?” he asks.
“Oh, it’s not much of a story,” I mumble, fidgeting with my glass, a flush creep up my neck, suddenly self-conscious.
But Axel jumps in, his voice filled with warmth. “I literally bumped into him, and let’s just say, he made quite an impression.”
“I bet he did,” maybe-Lance chuckles, his gaze now laser-focused on Axel.
His friend, the sandy-haired one, returns with a tray of shots. The night wears on and as the drinks keep flowing, a nagging sense of doubt creeps into my mind. I feel so inadequate next to Axel. He’s a star, and I’m just a… I’m a nobody farmer from the bush. I’ve no doubt the guys around us have much more interesting lives than I do.
I take a sip of my drink—my third for the night—trying to push away the self-doubt. Axel’s world with the glitz, and the glamour, and the constant attention, is so different from mine. I don’t fit in. My fingers fidget with the glass, my eyes fixed on the swirling red wine. I know it’s irrational, because Axel has shown nothing but genuine interest, but the fear of not being enough gnaws at my insides.
Even now he squeezes my thigh and leans in close. “Everything okay, Kyle? You seem a bit quiet.”
I force a smile, trying to shake off the melancholy thoughts. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He nods but he narrows his eyes and I’m sure he doesn’t believe me. That idea is validated when he whispers, “Drink up and we’ll head off.”
Now it’s my turn to bob my head. “Sounds good.”
I take a deep breath, and turn back to maybe-Lance. I catch his eyes lingering on me with a hint of interest—at least I think I do. I quickly avert my gaze, unsure how to respond to the unexpected attention. It’s flattering in a way, but then again, maybe he was looking at Axel. However, his next actions make his position clear.
He leans in so close I can feel his hot breath on my cheek. “I was wondering if you wanted to get out here,” he says.
I stumble over my words. “I… I’m flattered, but I’m …” I indicate Axel’s hand that still rests on my thigh.
Lance’s gaze shifts to Axel, a glint in his eyes. “Well, the more the merrier, right? It’s just a bit of fun.”
My eyes widen as the implication of his words sinks in. A threesome? I struggle to form a coherent response.
