Derek remains glued to Zeke’s side, even offering to buy him another drink, which Zeke declines. Derek maintains a sickeningly jovial attitude toward everyone at the table—except me, of course—and I’m both disgusted and amazed at how easily they all buy it.
Can they not see how uncomfortable Zeke is?
He gave an incredible performance on that stage tonight, but he can’t hide his true discomfort behind his skill as an actor. His body is clearly braced for impact, even if I’m the only one who notices.
Pushing my chair back, I turn to face him.
“Zeke, can I talk to you for a minute?” He winces, and my eyes fly to Derek’s hand where his fingers are pinching Zeke’s side. Before either of them can say anything, I taunt Derek further, refusing to back down. “What’s the matter, Derek? Not secure enough to let him talk to another man without your hovering?”
Derek’s mask slips.
It’s only down a second, but I see the fury in his eyes. The barely contained rage, and suddenly, I’m fuckingterrifiedfor Zeke. It’s that fear that has me changing course.
“Actually, you know what? I think a conversation with you would prove to be more beneficial,” I say.
“I’m not sure what we could possibly have to discuss,Talon. I really don’t know you, and as you can see, I’m simply here to celebrate my boyfriend’s opening night. Please stop trying to make a scene.”
Eloise’s hand lands on my biceps, her lips at my ear.
“Maybe we should go.”
“I’m not leaving until I have a private word with either youorhim,” I say, pointing to Zeke. I’m answering Eloise, but my eye contact makes it clear I’m talking to Derek. “You decide.”
The coward removes his arm from Zeke’s waist, downs the drinkIpaid for, and nods his head at Zeke. “Go.” Looking at me, he says, “You have two minutes, and he’ll tell me everything you say anyway, so don’t count on it being private.” I help Zeke up because his legs are wobbly despite his efforts to hide it. As we walk away from the group, I hear Derek address the table. “Sorry about him.”
Eloise can hold her own, and I’ll count on her to tell me the rest of what’s said in my absence.
When Zeke and I are alone at the end of the bar, I drop my voice and dive in.
“Zeke, do you want to go home with Derek?”
“Please don’t do this. Not here,” Zeke begs. “I just wantedone nightto be normal. To be happy. To pretend that my life was like everyone else’s.”
I’m two seconds away from going on a rampage and smashing every bone in Derek’s face.
“Is that ayes, then?” I manage to grind out. Zeke stays quiet, telling me everything I need to know. “Zeke, don’t do it. That guy is trash. Come with me. You can stay as long as you’d like. I have plenty of room,” I say, begging him to agree.
“I’ll be fine,” he says, lying to my face. “His bark is worse than his bite.”
I don’t believe that for a second, mostly because Zeke won’t look at me as he says it.
Needing to touch him, I place a finger under his chin and raise his head. Still, he refuses to meet my gaze, looking off to the side instead of at me.
“Zeke, look at me,” I say. When his glassy eyes collide with mine, I can’t help but use my thumb to pull that full bottom lip from between his teeth before he makes it bleed. I’m startled atthe touch becauseit’s so fucking soft. “Pleasecome with me. Be done with him.”
“I can’t,” he says in a broken whisper.
“Why not?”
“Because I have nothing to offer you, and I wouldn’t be able to stand it if you ever looked at me the way he does.”
His words eviscerate me.
“Zeke, I’m not asking for anything in return.”
“And I’m not asking for anything at all,” he says sadly.
This whole situation feels surreal because usually, I have to ask foreverythingin return. My previous girlfriends craved my wallet and gave me their bodies, but withheld their affection; the one thing I’ve always wanted more than anything. The one thing I’mwiredto seek. Now, I’m literallydyingfor Zeke to take my money, and I need nothing from him other than to know he’s safe. I would go outright nowand buy him his own house, but the man won’t even accept a glass of Prosecco paid for with my dime.
