“Dowhat? You’re kidding me.”
She regarded him with an innocent expression. “Why not? It’s close to home. And besides, it’ll be fun.”
She bit her lip. Mike flashed a glance in Darren’s direction.
He was staring at her, mouth open. “You?”
Mike was trying really hard not to laugh. He glanced at the clock over the fireplace and got to his feet. “Lovely though this is, I have things to do before I go to work, and I have a long evening ahead of me.” He gave Darren a brief nod. “Darren, it was nice meeting you. Mom, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He walked over to kiss her on the cheek and brought his lips to her ear. “Don’t have too much fun tonight.” He felt rather than saw her restrained chuckle. Mike picked up his leather jacket from the hook on the wall in the hallway and left the house. He’d have to be at the bar by three thirty, four o’clock at the latest, and that left just enough time for a nice power nap.
Before all the New Year’s Eve madnessreallybegan.
Mike loved New Year’s: the atmosphere in the bar; the expectant air as everyone waited for that ball to drop; the sight of guys kissing at midnight….
But what he loved most? The way the bartenders got to dress. S-E-X-Y. It all added to the fun, and there’d been somereallyinteresting costumes over the years. He glanced at the guys working the bar and smiled to himself. This year was no exception. Kevin was wearing the skimpiest pair of shorts Mike had ever seen, together with an open-sided black T-shirt that showed off that big body with its gorgeous tats. Patrick was gonna be the cause of a lot of drooling that night. He’d turned up in full harness, leather shorts, and boots, that furry chest on display. All those guys who were into daddy bears were gonna lap it up. Don was wearing tight jeans and a T-shirt that showed off those body builder muscles to perfection.
There were only a few customers in the bar, so Mike took advantage of the quiet before the storm to put up a few moredecorations. He was up a ladder, hanging the Happy New Year signs, when he got the distinct feeling of being watched. He twisted around to catch Kevin ogling him from behind the bar.
Mike snorted. “You’d get more done if you kept your eyes off my furry little ass.” Not that Kevin could miss it. Mike was wearing nothing but a leather jock strap, a half harness, and boots. He figured it wouldn’t harm his tips.
Kevin chuckled. “If you’re gonna put it on display, you gotta expect people to look.” He palmed his erect dick, which his shorts did nothing to hide. “Looking good there, Mikey. And by the way? There ain’t nothing little about your ass.”
“Bitch.” Mike went back to his task, grinning when he caught Kevin’s mock gasp. “Have you fetched down all the boxes of plastic champagne glasses yet?” The silence that greeted his words was answer enough. Mike shook his head. “Get your ass into gear, Kev. Time’s a-wastin’.”
He listened to Kevin’s good-natured grumbling as he went off in search of the glasses. The bar was looking good, and it wouldn’t be long before the customers started piling in through the doors.
It was gonna be a good night.
Tommy gazed at the plastic garbage bags and boxes full of clothes and heaved a sigh. He didn’t have a clue what he was going to wear. He’d gone through everything at least twice already, and he was no nearer to making up his mind.
I just want him tonoticeme. Not that Mike wasn’t gonna do that anyway, for all the wrong reasons. Tommy’s black eye would take care of that.
“Okay, I’ve been listening to you sighing all evening, and it’s driving me crazy.” Ben emerged from his bedroom, looking smart in black jeans, dark blue shirt, and a matching tie.
Tommy smiled. “You look nice. I know it’s not how you’d normally dress for a date, but I’m sure Della’s parents will ’preciate it.”
“Yeah.” Ben shrugged. “It’s gonna be a party full of relatives, so I thought I’d better look the part.” He peered at the bags strewn around Tommy. “I gather you’ve not decided what you’re wearing yet.” He folded his arms across his chest. “What do youwantto look like?”
Tommy considered his question for all of two seconds. He grinned. “Not like Danny.”
Ben smirked. “Ya don’t say.” He pursed his lips, apparently deep in thought. A moment later, he smiled. “I think we need some help here.”
Before Tommy could say a word, he disappeared out of the door that led up to the main house. Tommy went back to pulling open the bags and perusing their contents. He looked up when he heard Caroline grumbling, getting louder.
“Can this wait? I’m right in the middle of getting ready myself.” She followed Ben into the apartment.
Ben pointed to Tommy. “Look at all this, Mom. Tommy needs help. We’re talking fashion disaster here.”
She walked over to where Tommy stood and regarded him with a keen glance. “Okay, I’m thinking jeans,nicejeans that fit you, andnotones that make you look like you’re wearing diapers.”
Tommy’s cheeks grew hot.
“And I may have an idea of what shirt would work. Perfect, in fact.” She went back into the house.
Ben came over and burrowed through the pile of clothes until he pounced on something with a little cry of triumph. “Perfect.” He slung a pair of jeans at Tommy. “How ’bout those?”
Tommy stared doubtfully at the jeans. “I haven’t worn those in a while now, ’cause they’re a little on the small side for me.”
“Humor me,” Ben said with a grin.
