“As if you didn’t already know that,” Jared replied, so close to his ear no one could have possibly heard.
Even so, Dylan quickly glanced in Cora and Penny’s direction. They were engrossed in their own little world, checking some photos they’d taken throughout the night.
Dylan was okay with his feelings, embraced each one of them, but he still didn’t like the idea of becoming the center of attention at the office. Nobody needed to know the filthy adventures they shared between the sheets.
“Touché,” he said. “I had no idea you were such a great dancer, though.”
“I’m not.”
“I beg to differ. That show you just put on says otherwise.” Dylan gently knocked Jared’s shoulder as they both perched their elbows on the bar.
“Nah…” Jared looked away. That was a gesture Dylan had learned happened when he blushed—a lame attempt at hiding his cuteness. “My mum loves all types of Latin music and kinda dragged me into liking it since I was a child. That’s all.”
“That’s so sweet.” Dylan smiled, warmth spreading across his chest and towards his... pants. “But I’d like you to use your superpower for something dirtier. At home. In private. Only for me.” He took a swig of his drink.
“You want me to do a striptease for you?”
“If you offer, I won’t say no.”
Jared laughed wholeheartedly, shaking his head and biting his bottom lip when he eased out of it. “You’re something else.”
“You know it.”
Dylan was about to wink at Jared, but he froze. The intensity of his eyes pinned him on the spot, shifting the energy in the room.
Among the chaos of seamlessly mixed tracks and neon lights, all Dylan could feel was his heart hammering in his chest. He wanted to kiss Jared, and it looked like Jared was thinking the same because his eyes flickered to his lips.
What if the world knew about them? It wasn’t like it was against any rules that they were together. And if they were on the same page, it would mean no more hiding. No more secrets. Maybe they would survive the gossip, or maybe they wouldn’t, but who cared if he got to hold Jared’s hand anywhere, whenever the fuck he wanted?
Just then, Dylan was ripped from his delusion when a strong hand gripped his arm, turning him around.What the—
“Yo, fucker!” a hollering voice called.
It took Dylan a moment to recognize the person in front of him. But when he did, a grin that could compete with the Cheshire Cat spread across his face.
“You’re fucking kidding me,” he exclaimed. “Chaz?” He laughed, pulling the man in front of him in for a hug. “How have you been?” he shouted, patting his back effusively.
“I’m great, man. What about you? You’re looking great!” Chaz said as they pulled away, giving Dylan a once over.
“When have I not?”
“Always a cocky prick.”
“Until the day I die.” Dylan chuckled.
“I’ve missed your smart mouth!”
“Oh, by the way, this is my friend and roomie, Jared,” Dylan said when he realized they weren’t alone.
Chaz and Dylan had known each other since they were in diapers, but Chaz moved to Switzerland for work two years before, so it had been a while. They hadn’t always been as thick as thieves, because, while growing up, they’d started liking different things and began going out with different people. Yet they had always been there for each other in the important moments. Every time they’d met up, it felt as if the clocks had stopped, and they hadn’t ever been apart. So, of course, Dylan was excited to see him again.
“Nice to meet you,” Jared said, shaking Chaz’s hand.
“Same, same.” Chaz smiled.
“When did you come back?” Dylan slapped Chaz’s shoulder. “I’m kind of offended right now.”
“Don’t be. I arrived a couple of days ago. Came back to celebrate Christmas with my mum. Tonight I’m with my sister, her husband, and a couple of cousins.” He gestured somewhere in the crowd to where they might be. “I haven’t had time to call anyone yet.”
