AARON
The surge of excitement at seeing Jay was quickly replaced by trepidation as Aaron approached the couch. Jay’s abrupt exit had been playing on loop in his head for the past week, and he had no interest in repeating the experience.
On the other hand, Jay was sprawled out in the same spot as the last time instead of mingling. It had to mean something.
Before his critical thinking caught up to his bravery, Aaron sat next to Jay, trying to sound flirty and nonchalant. “Hey, stranger.”
Jay’s head shot up, his eyes widening and fixating on Aaron’s face. The world fell away as Aaron lost himself in the abyss of Jay’s dark, mesmerizing gaze. Electronic music floated up from the basement, becoming the beat of Aaron’s heart.
Silence stretched. Doubt crept in, a sliver of worry that joining Jay was a mistake, that Jay was using silence as a weapon. Except Jay’s expression betrayed no hint of annoyance or displeasure, but rather a growing awareness of someone waking up from a deep sleep, caught halfway between fading dreams and encroaching reality.
Jay’s lips slowly spread into a dazzling smile, more suited to winning the lottery than having a near stranger sit next to him.
It made Aaron feel like the grand prize.
“You’re here,” Jay said with far more reverence than it deserved.
“Yes, I’ve located the secret meeting spot,” Aaron quipped, relief flooding his chest.
Jay held his gaze, making it impossible to look away. The younger man was as gorgeous as Aaron remembered, though more tired, lacking the bright energy of their first meeting. Still, even the bags under his eyes didn’t detract from his captivating presence.
“I’m sorry about last time,” Jay said. “I was really hoping to run into you again so I could explain.”
The tension of the past week escaped Aaron all at once, and he let his body melt into the couch. “Here I am.” He spread his hands and smirked. “Tell me all your secrets. Did you hear a supersonic signal that called to your superhero alter ego? Or is it something boring, like you remembered you left the stove on?”
“More boring than that. I felt a migraine aura, and when that happens, I usually don’t have a lot of time to get home before I become a useless puddle of goo.”
Aaron gasped in horror, all traces of his mischievous attitude forgotten. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”
Jay waved away Aaron’s apology. “It wasn’t anything you did. They happen randomly.”
“No, I mean, I’m sorry for thinking the worst of you. I assumed it was something horrible, like you were late getting home to your wife.”
“That’s quite a dramatic conclusion to jump to.” Jay shook his head with a smile that quickly faltered. “Ugh. When I get migraines, I can’t really think or talk, so I just focus on getting home while I still can. I should have explained before I left.”
Jay’s sincerity was obvious in every word, and Aaron hated the remorseful tone. He had an inexplicable urge to put the fading smile back on Jay’s face.
“Hey.” He gently elbowed Jay’s side. “You have nothing to apologize for. You took care of yourself, and it was the rightthing to do. I’m glad you didn’t make it worse by trying to stick around. And now that I know, you have my explicit permission to peace out as abruptly as possible.”
Jay studied Aaron’s face as if trying to discern if Aaron was being earnest. One by one, his features softened, and his eyes gleamed with emotion. The weight of the moment hung in the air between them, making Aaron wonder if Jay had anyone in his life to remind him to put himself first.
As the heavy silence stretched, he resorted to his favorite strategy for when things got too serious—making jokes. “Don’t abuse it though! I’ll notice if you happen to get a migraine every time I talk aboutStar Trek.”
Jay let out a surprised chuckle. “Not a chance. If anything, you might feel one coming on after my thorough and lengthy breakdown of which captain was best.”
“I would love to hear this thorough breakdown and present an equally thorough rebuttal.”
Jay shook his head with a smile, then fixed Aaron with a searching look. “I appreciate you being so cool about this, and I won’t bring it up again, but I have to ask something first.”
Aaron braced himself, not sure what to expect. Jay cleared his throat and swept his gaze across the club. “I’ve been coming to the club every night for the past week, hoping to run into you.”
Jay fidgeted with his hands as he talked, and Aaron wanted nothing more than to reach over and cover them with his own. He had to remind himself that despite his instant attraction to Jay, they barely knew each other. Holding Jay’s hand wasn’t on the menu.
He shook the urge off and focused on what Jay was saying.
“You haven’t been here. At least I haven’t seen you. Have you…been avoiding coming to the club because of me?”
“Oh, Jay.” Aaron couldn’t help it—he reached out to trail his hand along Jay’s shoulder and down his arm, ending with areassuring squeeze on the wrist. “You’re so sweet to worry about a random stranger’s feelings. I promise, it had nothing to do with you. I was out of town most of the week, and then I was catching up at work.”
