PETE
My eyes open for the second time that day and as I stretch and sit up I take notice of how much better I feel. My stomach still feels a little wooshy but my headache is gone. Stretching my back I listen as it pops gloriously. Blinking rapidly I look around the dark room, I’m in Gavin’s office. The memory of his soft kisses and the way he cared for me warms my heart. “EEEEKKKKKKK!” I squeak and pump my fist in the air as I jump up and dance silently around the small space in front of Gavin’s desk. He likes me, he really fucking likes me and he kissed me… again. With one final shake of my ass I compose myself and straighten my pale yellow chiffon shirt, I have a job to do.
As I step out of the office it seems like all eyes shift to me then to my Grumpy Bear as he bounces from his stool, and walks around his client reclined on the leather tattoo bench. His eyes are full of concern as he reaches me. Unfortunately, he doesn’t grab my face and kiss the shit out of me.
“Are you okay?” he asks in a low whisper so the others can’t eavesdrop. Reaching up to touch his cheek I smile.
“I’m fine Gavin, I feel much better, thank you. I think those hangover remedies worked a treat.” I wink playfully then move around his clearly tense body. I’m not sure why he’s so concerned. It’s just a hangover and I’m twenty-five, I can still rally but I’m not going to complain about his attentiveness, it’s something I never expected from him.
I can feel his eyes on me throughout the day, like he’s waiting for me to collapse at any moment but my bounce back is on point.
When lunchtime rolls around I feel better than ever and I am ready to eat. Gavin had called ahead and ordered lunch for the team from Ash. He won’t admit it but I know he did that to save me the trouble of running over there for everybody. I greet Ash with a megawatt smile as I open the door for him and his giant tray of sandwiches. He beams back at me and sets them on the reception desk. “You lot must be hungry today, that’s almost double the usual order.” Leaning forward I look through the clear lid and see that he is indeed correct, that’s a lot of food for five people. I wonder if Gavin is planning on feeding the clients too.
“So, uhmm, I was wondering if you wanted to meet up and hang out sometime? I haven’t been to the new club in town and I’ve heard it’s wild, you seem like just the guy to go with,” he winks, sliding his hands into his pockets.
A throat clearing behind me has my back straightening. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is. I have a built-in tracker device that pings in my dick every time Gavin is close. I feel more than hear the growl that comes from Gavin’s chest before his large mitt of a hand lands, dare I say, possessively on my lower back.Fuck me, I’m either going to pass out or come in my pants right this very second.
“Thanks for bringing these over Ash,” Gavin practically grunts the words out as he slams two crisp twenty-dollar bills on the desk in front of Ash. Gavin’s eyes never leave him. What is happening here? I watch Ash’s gaze move from me to Gavin and back again, a question there that I pray he does not voice out loud. Gavin may look like a big strong bear but he is very easily spooked when it comes to relationships and me, or a relationship with me, which I really hope is now fully on the cards after his sweet concern and kisses this morning.
Ash lifts his hand to the back of his neck as he once again glances between Gavin and I before focusing on me.
“I’ll text you,” I call out with a wave as he starts to back out of the shop.
Ash isn’t much taller than I am, probably weighs even less and since Gavin is an utter behemoth, yeah he’s intimidating. I can’t even see his face right now but I can guess the scowl on his face is pretty fierce given Ash’s swift exit.
Thankfully the vultures that work here descend upon the food tray, Carter lifting the whole thing to take to the break room as Nyx sees out her last client. This is a rare day that everybody is free now for an hour or so and we can enjoy lunch together. Taking advantage of the empty shop I press myself against Gavin’s side and lean up as high as I can on my tiptoes.
“Are you jealous, Grumpy Bear?” I whisper against his neck as I press a soft kiss to the exposed skin there. Letting my hand run down the back of the signature black vest he always wears, I stop at the waistband of his worn black denim jeans. “I’m pretty sure everyone I’ve ever met knows I have it bad for you big guy. I’m glad to see you’re catching up,” I smirk, tugging lightly on his belt to get him to face me. Which I instantly regret when I see the intensity in his gaze, making my brows furrow in confusion.
“Are you sure it’s wise to go drinking again Pete?” His words take me aback for a second and my brain struggles for a response, that isn’t what I had expected him to say.
“Well, I don’t plan on it, I was hoping I would get a much better offer for my time tonight. Is that what you’re worried about? Me drinking again?” Is he kidding right now? “I’m not some alcoholic Gavin, I can have a few drinks and be just fine,” I say then reach out to rest my hands on his thick tattooed forearms. I can feel the tension in his frame as he shakes his head at me.
“Getting so drunk you can barely function at work, then making plans to go out again the next night doesn’t sound healthy, Pete. You can talk to me, you know. If there is something going on with you, I am happy to listen and trust me I have some experience with this.” He keeps his voice in a low whisper so we can’t be overheard, like he thinks this is something I should be ashamed of.
“I might be young, Gavin, but I don’t need another dad,” I snap at him and move around his body to put some space between us. “I don’t have an issue with alcohol,” I remind him as I put my hands on my hips. I don’t even know how we got here but I’m fucking pissed.
“I think you might, and I just want to help you.” Did this man really have the audacity to tell me he thinks I have a drinking problem? My eyebrows hit my forehead but before I can pick my jaw up off the floor to respond, Carter approaches and rests a hand on my shoulder as he faces down our boss.
“Is everything okay over here? Looks kinda tense,” he asks, his usual jovial tone nowhere in sight and it warms my heart that he is willing to go toe to toe with not only his boss but his friend, for me.
“It’s fine Car-Car,” I assure him with as much of a happy tone as I can muster right now considering Gavin just accused me of being an alcoholic. “I hope you heathens left some food for me,” I say, spinning under his hand and rushing off to the break room.
GAVIN
Sighing heavily I look up at Carter, who is clearly pissed at me. He stands with his arms folded over his chest like a bodyguard waiting for an explanation. If he wasn’t protecting Pete right now I might be pissed at him.
“It’s nothing, Carter,” I mutter as I try to move around him but his hand on my chest stops me in my tracks.
“It didn’t look like nothing, boss. We all love that kid and you’re lucky I’m the one standing here and not Ry, so I’m gonna need more thanit’s nothing,” he says using air quotes as he repeats my statement back to me. I sigh and drop my shoulders.
“You saw him when he came to work today. He was hungover as fuck and now he’s considering going out again tonight? Doesn’t that sound like a problem to you?” I pause and try to calm myself down because my worry about Pete is getting to me. “I don’t want to see him struggle every day.”
“So what you’re saying is that you think he’s a drunk and you expect to see him hungover all the time?” He looks at me disapprovingly. When I don’t answer he continues. “Let’s see, he’s worked here for more than a week now, has he been drunk at work? Hungover every morning? No Gavin, what he has been is an asset to your business and a stellar employee. Our clients love him,welove him.” He points his finger at my chest. “He went out yesterday with his friend to celebrate and he didn’t even drink that much. But you…” he gestures accusatively at me, “...you just decide he’s an alcoholic? You’re an idiot.” He shakes his head.
“Sue me for being worried. Doesn’t it concern you?”
“You know what my first thought was today when I saw him? I thought that the guy is so tiny. He’s a damn lightweight, probably drank one beer and it gave him a hangover.” He doesn’t wait for my response and instead moves past me to go to the break room but stops a few feet from the door. Without turning to face me he mutters, “Fix it.”
