“I wouldn't make such a fuss if that was the case.”
He rests his stare on me. He didn’t like that comment.
“Don’t joke about stuff like that.”
“I’m not joking. But you’re missing the point. I want us to be seen together on my own turf, show you off.”
“We’re not together, Ethan.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Just accept it. Your life will be easier than fighting it. Now get back to work and tell them you are leaving early.”
He nods faintly, before standing to leave my office. I watch him until he disappears, happy that heis conforming to my requests. Excited that my plan to keep him is nearly complete.
Starlight is not somewhere you find by accident. You are led or you are invited or you bleed into it through some flaw in your life.
Leo stands beside me outside the door like a nervous animal pretending he’s fine when he clearly is not.
“I can’t go in, what if someone sees?” he says.
“Yes you can, and who gives a fuck? You’re with me.”
The music inside is low and heavy, like a heartbeat filtered through smoke. I place my hand at the small of his back and push him rather than guide him further into the bar. He stiffens at first but follows my guidance.
Good boy.
Inside, the lights are dark enough to erase sins but bright enough to reveal intention. When I look over at the bar, Dima is already there flirting with his husband Seb, along with his brother Lev who I haven’t seen for a very long time.
They look up when they see me, but they quickly all shift their gazes to Leo, assessing him to see if he’s a problem. I notice it clicks with Dima who Leo is, as the asshole has a smile that appears brighter than the sun. As we move over towards them, I immediately regret coming here.
“So this is him,” Dima says, talking like Leo isn’t right there.
“This is Dima,” I say and point. “And Seb, and that guy is Dima’s brother, Lev.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Seb says, shaking Leo’s hand. Lev goes back to his drink and doesn’t even speak, Dima, however, is giddy.
“No handcuffs?” Dima jokes and Leo turns sharply to face me.
“What?” I ask.
“Handcuffs?”
“They thought I was kidnapping you,” I say, as Dima laughs.
“Ethan was very vague when he mentioned you. I wondered if you were real,” Dima says, and I say nothing. Dima studies Leo openly, his head tilted in thought.
“How fragile,” Dima murmurs.
“I’m not fragile,” Leo snaps.
“Ignore him, he’s a dick most of the time. Go sit, and I’ll bring some drinks over,” Seb says, and I’m grateful.
Dima’s eyes slide to me and he holds up his hand in a ‘you first’ gesture as we walk over to Dima’s booth that’s always reserved for him, Seb is not far behind with the drinks.
Leo drinks his like he’s exploding from thirst, gulping it down fast before coughing.
“No need to be nervous. We’re not that bad,” Dima says to Leo, which makes him relax a little. But I’m on edge now too as I don’t want to talk.
“So, what do you do, Dima?” Leo asks, and I'm pretty sure the bourbon is working fast on him as he relaxes a little more.
