"I'd like it anywhere as long as you're with me," Thomas said, baring his feelings more than intended, but the sweet, loving acceptance that crossed Riggs’ face was worth the risk he'd taken.
“Agreed.” He said. “Anywhere is home as long as you’re there.” He reached his hand across the table and took Thomas’ hand.
Riggs hated hearing about the poor treatment Thomas had received from his parents as a child. His father basically disappeared, and his mother just didn't give a shit after she secured a good life for herself. He had to school his features quickly, not wanting his sweet man to misread his anger.
It appears that Thomas' acceptance of being treated badly by others was a learned behavior, acquired early in his life. Riggs would make sure that such dismissiveness was over, and Thomas' feelings and needs would take precedence. No more rolling over for the comfort of others.
He wanted to ask him about his job; he knew they all worked at a museum in town, and he'd gathered that much from the talk around the table last night. Thomas had not spoken about it apart from identifying the people at his table ascoworkers. There was a lot of underlying tension, and he wished Thomas would open up about it. If it involved that asshole who embarrassed him, then Riggs was more than willing to teach the fucker a good lesson in manners.
Thomas was about to say something when his phone rang. He had placed it on the table earlier, so he just leaned over and looked at who was calling. Riggs could see the name Jeremy at the top of the screen.
"I should answer that." He said dryly. "Jeremy drove me home last night. He's probably checking on me." Riggs had a feeling it was more about control than concern. Thomas paused before picking up the phone and answering. He didn't leave the table.
“Hello.” Riggs sat quietly and listened.
"Dr. Ferris called me this morning," Jeremy stated without preamble, and Riggs noticed Thomas's shoulders tighten and his brows drew together. “He was really upset about your behavior last night.”
"His own behavior didn't bother him?" Thomas shot back, and Riggs was proud.
"I didn't call to fight with you, Thomas." Jeremy's tone was tight but also held a shred of concern. "He was ridiculous, we all know that, but that doesn't stop him from putting everything on you and getting you removed from the museum."
"I expected that he would have me blackballed; it's not a surprise," Thomas said, and then added. "I will look elsewhere for an internship placement."
"He's going to try to prevent you from finding any placement here in Chicago," Jeremy told him.
"Neither he nor my supervisor has that much influence.” Riggs listened closer as he felt the tension rise in the room
“He’s going to take it to the board.”
“Take what?”
"I don't know, but he's leaning heavily on the fact that his family is one of the museum's top donors." Silence fell with those words, and Riggs saw Thomas' face fall. They locked eyes, and Riggs gave a slight shake of his head, signaling not to let his heartbreak show to the man on the phone.
"I'll deal with it." He said it sharply and definitively, then closed the call.
CHAPTER SIX
Dr. Orin Ferris pulled up out front of Thomas’ apartment building and parked. He could observe the front doors without being noticed. Mandy, one of the service workers who had remained at the Blood Rose after everyone else had left, had called him. She let him know that she'd heard that the bartender had taken Thomas into the back room and that they had made out. She also informed him that the bartender had also left not long after Thomas had left with Jeremy.
"He received a call and then walked out in a hurry." She told him, quite pleased with herself. He loved employees like Mandy, who were not above stabbing others in the back for personal gain. He respected that in a person. "The talk was that he was following that little man in the bowtie." She finished with a flourish.
"Thank you, Mandy, your attention to detail is appreciated."
"It was disgusting the way Thomas threw himself at that server. He made us all look like a bunch of tarts. His behavior needs to be dealt with before it impacts his position at the Art Institute." Mandy had just handed Orin everything he needed tomake his case at tomorrow's board meeting. He would run that little bastard out of town if it were the last thing he did.
“Thank you, Mandy. Would you write up what you saw and your concerns for Thomas professionally and get it to me by tomorrow morning?” She agreed and was happy to throw her coworker under the bus. He really loved hungry people like Mandy.
After about an hour, he saw Thomas leaving the building, and the bartender, Riggs, was right beside him. The man was definitely gorgeous, but the staff at the Blood Rose were all good-looking. He wasn't upset that the man denied him; it upset him that he was ditched for the likes of someone like Thomas Carter.
It was humiliating, and Orin had enough. He knew that last night it had become obvious he was interested in catching the eye of the bartender. He was going to give it his best shot, then move on to one of the other staff members. He'd gone to the Blood Rose often in the past and had always found a hookup for the night. It hadn't become a problem until the bartender in question completely shut him down and then started swooning over Thomas.
He looked ridiculous losing out to that little, awkward, inept, dolt. Thomas was not handsome by any stretch, and what that Adonis saw in him was a true mystery. That blonde hair resisted all attempts to control it, and he was built like a skinny waif, no shape or form worth a second look. Riggs had a body that made grown men cry and a face that made you sweat with desire and pant with need.
Everyone at the table was probably talking about it and mocking him about being passed over for that dullard Thomas Carter. He slammed his palm against the steering wheel andtook a deep breath to calm himself down. He would pay Orin would make sure of it.
He watched them walk to the parking garage. Riggs had his arm around Thomas, and they looked happy. Orin would put an end to that sooner than later. Riggs will drop him once Thomas is ruined. Men like Riggs bartend as a way into the wealthy and professional. Thomas is just a joke, and once Orin destroys him, Riggs will not hang around.
He didn’t stay any longer and did not follow them. He wasn't a stalker; he just wanted confirmation that Thomas had no standards or mores. It would support his assertions tomorrow.
