“It’s literally the definition of late,Nicki.”
“Fuck you.”
“We already agreed that’s off the table,” Andrew reminds him, pleased to see a slight flush spring up on Nicholas’s cheeks, almost like he’s not sure if he’s embarrassed or angry.
Maybe tonight will be fun after all.
5NICHOLAS
“I don’t wantto fuck you anyway,” Nicholas drawls, perhaps a bit too loudly if the way the couple at the table next to them stares while Andrew flushes.
“You’re such an asshole.”
“We’ve established that,” Nicholas says, unsure why being called that makes him feel calmer.
Trying to be liked is exhausting. It’s so much easier for people to dislike him right off the bat. Keeps the expectations where they belong, on the floor. Can’t disappoint people when they expect nothing from you, and no one can disappoint Nicholas when he expects even less from them.
“I don’t know how Amanda puts up with you,” Andrew mutters.
“I pay her well.”
“I don’t think you could pay me enough to put up with you.”
“And yet here you are,” Nicholas smirks, leaning his elbows on the table and allowing himself to take Andrew in. “Maybe you were just desperate to get another look at me in person. You certainly stared enough at Amanda’s.”
“You were sitting across from me.”
“And you sure knew it.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Mhmm,” Nicholas hums.
Before coming tonight, he’d been agitated and out of sorts and exhausted. Three games in a week takes it out of him and even after sleeping in today he was still dragging his ass when he woke up. Usually the adrenaline rush after an intense sequence of games, especially ones they won, leaves him feeling revved up. Desperate to get another spike of adrenaline before the impending crash, he’d planned to head to a club and find someone to pick up for the night, but Amanda called him no less than half a dozen times threatening to drop him as a client if he stood up Andrew. So now he’s here at some out of the way seaside restaurant instead of driving towards Los Angeles to find somewhere to disappear.
To say he was dreading tonight is an understatement. After their disastrous first meeting, he was certain Andrew was not the right person for this job. He’s nothing like anyone Nicholas dates. Come to think of it, he usually dates people like himself—slightly self-centered, gorgeous and also more concerned with getting off than with who it’s with. It’s a great way to get laid. Except this time getting laid isn’t what he needs. He needs something different, needs to shove in his father’s face that someone wants him. Maybe it’s not true, but his father doesn’t need to know that. It’s why he’s here having dinner with someone who looks like they do taxes for fun rather than slutting it up.
At least Andrew has good taste. This restaurant is exactly the kind of place Nicholas enjoys—upscale dining accommodations, picturesque views and judging by the menu he glanced at on the way in, his type of food and drink. Despite the nice accommodations, the company is still not his first choice and that familiar prickle arises—a need to act out, to regain some semblance of control he feels lacking.
“Can I ask you something?” Nicholas questions.
“Sure.” Andrew sits up a little straighter and smiles. He’s so boringly nice, it’s stupid. He’s got to have some kind of ulterior motive in all this, and Nicholas needs to figure out what that is. According to Amanda, he’s here because he’s a good friend, but no one is that nice. There’s got to be something Andrew wants out of all this, he just needs to figure out what. And do something to help his plummeting mood.
“Did you buy stock in that?”
“In what?” Andrew asks, looking down at himself.
“Polo shirts and khakis.”
Andrew flushes and Nicholas grins. He’s so easy to tease. It’s kind of thrilling, in a way Nicholas normally only experiences when on the ice or fucking. Suddenly, the evening is looking up. Maybe he can just annoy Andrew all night. It’s not fucking, but it could be fun.
“Not all of us dress for attention.”
“Does that mean I got your attention?” Nicholas questions, making sure to lay it on thick. He expects Andrew to blush but all he does is tut.
“You know, you kind of remind me of my brother.”
“That’s kinky.”
