“I’m going to change it up in a minute to some cocktails if you fancy something a bit more cheeky.” Mark grabbed the menu and thrust it at Robert, who just gave it gently to Luke as I gritted my teeth and headed around the bar to give Kai a hand.
Stacking the glasses and keeping the empties off the tables couldn’t be that hard when things got too quiet.
“I know the menu inside out, thanks. I work here.” Robert chuckled, before he pointed his thumb at Luke. “He does too, but he’s still a rookie.”
“Hey, less of the rookie. Maybe with this menu, but I tell you, I can mix a fine cocktail. London taught me a fine few skills, I’ll have you know.”
“I bet you can, brit boy,” Mark chuckled before grabbing hold of Kai’s attention and ordering a round of drinks. “Next set you pick.”
“Deal,” Luke agreed, standing up and moving closer into Mark’s personal space. “I’m Luke, this here is Robert.”
“I’m Mark.”
“Nice to meet you. Cheers to a night of shenanigans,” Luke mumbled as he grabbed the bright, pink colored cocktail glass and brushed his forearm against Mark’s, ensuring he caught my gaze in the process before taking a sip. “I’m sure it’ll be an interesting night.”
Whilst the alcohol flowed between the three of them, my jealousy grew. I wanted to join in, be a part of the group. I wasn’t naïve, but I couldn’t say that Luke’s actions were not hurting me. They were. It was as if he was after a reaction and the way things were going, he was going to get one. I just didn’t know if it was the one he was hoping for.
My mind toyed with walking around the bar and jumping his bones and telling him he was mine, to bend him over my knee and smack his ass as he wept for mercy, or relief. I wanted relief from this situation but the scary thing was, I deserved it. If I hadn’t freaked out and panicked earlier, then none of this would have happened. Instead of talking, I’d gotten lost within my mind and pushed Luke away.
I stood, wiping the excess steam off the glasses as each came out of the dishwasher before I placed them back in their relevant places, transfixed on them all. I wanted to slow dance and grind my cock against Luke’s ass, allowing him to feel my hard length pressing into him. I needed him in my arms, his mouth on mine, teasing my tongue with his. I actually wanted him to fuck me. That thought surprised me as I’d never allowed a guy to take control of sex, but with Luke, I desired it more than anything.
I couldn’t understand how this had happened. How I was in so much turmoil over a guy who should’ve been long forgotten by now? I was beginning to realize Luke wasn’t just any guy; he’d somehow braced the steel cage I’d surrounded around myself in protection and settled deep inside.
Jealousy; deep green evil jealousy.
I’d be glad just to get out of here and get home, just so I could stop and align my thoughts. I don’t know how I’d restrained myself without an outburst of emotions, yet I fingered the tie I couldn’t have left behind on my bed. Instead, I held it in my pocket between my fingers, allowing it to soothe my tensions.
As people started to leave, I counted down to the end of my shift, until the doors flew open and Isobel and Chrissie walked in, arms linked. Their eyes scanned the room until they first stopped on me and then Luke.
Fuck, I never replied back.
I quickly made my way around the bar.
“Isobel. Sorry I didn’t reply, I just needed some time alone,” I quietly said in the hopes of placating her that I was fine, but it was too late. She had her sights set on the trio of men propping up the now empty bar. I followed her gaze alongside Chrissie’s before nonchalantly saying the words I had all night in my head out loud. “I’m fine.”
“Pigs might fly too, Fred, but they don’t,” Isobel chirped up as she moved her gaze to me and let go of Chrissie, hugging me.
“We’re your friends, Fred.” Chrissie beamed, squeezing my other side as I let a tear fall down my cheek.
I didn’t need to miss the gasped shock on the girls’ faces before Isobel let me go and stormed over to the three of them. I stood back in Chrissie’s arms, finally broken, watching them happily chuckling away with shots in hand and cocktails lined up.
“Hey Isobel…” Mark slurred as he tried to wrap his arm around her shoulder but missed.
“Don’t hey me.” She pointed at Mark. “You should know better than to get like this.” Chrissie and I walked slowly towards them.
“Isobel, it’s okay, honestly. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll…” I began, but Isobel’s fire took over. When she wanted answers, she pushed until she got them and I guessed she felt by my displayed emotions, I wasn’t the right person to ask yet.
“What’s going on Luke? Why’s my bestie so messed up? I’ve never seen him so… broken before,” Isobel questioned Luke. His gaze shot to mine and his eyes drifted to my pocket.Shit, the tie.
I pulled the length of the material out into my hands and wrapped one side around my wrist as I trailed the rest between my fingers, not dropping my gaze from his. I didn’t miss the gulp in his throat as he swallowed hard and took a step forward toward me, but Isobel placed her hand flat on Luke’s chest to stop him.
“I asked you a question?”
“And what has happened or does happen between Freddie and me is between us. Isobel… Chrissie.” He looked between the pair of them before he let out a long held breath. “I get you’re trying to support him. You care for him. I’d be worried if you didn’t have his back.” I watched as he ran his fingers through his hair and stepped forward. “My best friends Nina and Thomas would be exactly the same, but you have to understand, the only people who can solve what’s going on are…”
“Luke and I.” I finished his sentence, realizing I had to step up now and be that man he could lean on. “I know you’re both only trying to protect me. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
I kissed the top of Chrissie’s head before I walked over and did the same to Isobel.