Kevin snorted and gestured to Mike, who was staring incredulously at Kevin. “’Causehewas too chickenshit to do it.”
Mike spluttered. “Kevin!”
Kevin shook his head, laughing. “You know I’m telling the truth, Mike.”
In front of him, Tommy sat back on his stool and took a drink of his champagne, looking anywhere but at them. He focused on the guys who were drunk, stumbling on their way out of the bar. He kept sneaking glances at Mike, especially when Mike came out from behind the bar or when he bent over to reach something low down.
Not that he was the only one. Mike couldn’t tear his eyes away from Tommy for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Fuck, it was so sweet.
At twelve thirty, Don signaled to Kevin and Mike. “Okay, you guys were first in, so you’re first out. Patrick, Mitch, and I got this.” The bar was nearly deserted.
Mike disappeared for a few minutes, returning dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and his leather jacket, a bag over his shoulder. “Well, that’s me outta here.”
Kevin grabbed Mike by the arm and flicked his head in Tommy’s direction. “You gonna make a move on that?” Mike arched his eyebrows, and Kevin snorted. “Oh, c’mon, you’ve been staring at each other for long enough, that’s for damn sure.” He peered at Mike. “Do you even know his name?” Beside him, Patrick snickered.
“I’d be a poor bartender if I hadn’t already picked up onthat.” Mike grinned. “His name’s Tommy. Satisfied?”
“I will be if you get your act together,” Kevin retorted.
Tommy put down his empty glass and nodded to them. “I… I guess I’ll be goin’ now. G’night… an’ Happy New Year.” His gaze lingered that bit longer on Mike, and then he slid off his stool and walked around the bar, out of their sight.
Kevin gave Mike a shove. “Go after him, you dumbass.Now!”
Mike hesitated for about five seconds, and then he sighed. “Fine. See you later. ’Night.” He walked out of the bar with a wave to Scott and Mitch.
Kevin grinned at Patrick. “Well, go on, then. Get me a beer and a shot.” He wasn’t about to go out into the parking lot and interrupt whatever was going on.
Wonder what they’re gonna say to each other?
Chapter Nine
Mike spottedTommy walking toward a truck parked outside the bar. He watched him approach the vehicle and reach into his jeans pocket for his keys. The action pulled the fabric tight across that glorious ass.Day-um.
Mike was still unsure what the fuck he was doing out there. Hell, this was all Kevin’s idea. Tommy had barely exchanged more than a couple of words with him the whole night.What does Kev expect us to talk about?Then he recalled that black eye.Yeah, what wasthatabout?It was enough to make him decide that maybe a chat was a good idea.
“Going already?” he called out to Tommy.
The young man turned around to face him, his eyes open wide. For a moment Mike wasn’t sure if Tommy was going to reply. Then he relaxed visibly, but only slightly.
“Well, a guy can only drink so much Cherry Coke.” He stood still, keys in his hand, gaze focused on Mike.
Mike walked slowly over to him, grinning. “Well, there is that.” He stopped in front of Tommy. “Wasn’t sure if you’d be here tonight. I’d thought you might’ve been at a party somewhere.” The first sight of Tommy perched on that stool had been a pleasant surprise. Part of his anatomy had certainlythought so. It had only been after he’d watched Tommy for a while that Mike had gotten the impression all was not as it should have been. Tommy had made it to the ranks of the regulars, and Mike had grown accustomed to his shy smile and flushed cheeks, to say nothing of that gorgeous, muscled body. Tonight had been… different, notwithstanding the black eye.
He took a good look at Tommy. “Are you okay? You didn’t seem yourself tonight.”
Mike swore the kid’s breathing hitched. Then Tommy took a long, slow breath. “I’m fine. There’s just been a few things goin’ on, that’s all.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Mike was torn. He could walk away now, go home to his warm bed, or…. Something was tugging at him insistently, and it wouldn’t let up. He’d been around long enough to trust his instincts.Just go with it.
Mike cocked his head. “You wanna go grab some breakfast?”
Tommy blinked. “At this hour?”
Mike shrugged. “Sure. The American Diner on Cheshire Bridge is open 24/7, serving breakfast around the clock.” He gave Tommy an easy smile. “How about it?”
Tommy regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. Then those wide shoulders eased down a touch. “Okay. Breakfast sounds good.” That shy smile was back, the one that did strange things to Mike’s innards. “You wanna go in my truck?”
“Nah, I’ll take mine and you can follow me. That way we can both get where we need to after we’ve eaten.” Mike reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his keys. “Let’s go.”
