“If I’d known you were going to do that, I’d have said you should have slept with the clerk.” Alcy’s eyes flashed.
“Alcy….”
Carter hadn’t known Beez long, but he actually seemed hurt by Alcy’s comment. The twinkle in his eye was suddenly gone, and his mouth fell at the corners.
“Sure, when I don’t tease, I have a stick up my butt,” Alcy complained.
Carter touched his arm. “Yeah, but there are some things you shouldn’t tease about,” he said in a low voice. “I think you hurt Beez’s feelings.”
Beez snorted. “Since when? He’d have to say a lot more than that to hurtmyfeelings.”
And just like that, Carter knew despite what came out of Beez’s mouth, Alcy’s words had devastated him. His expression hadn’t lied.
In a sudden display of affection, Alcy pulled Beez into a hug. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I have a lot to learn about humor. Want to teach me?”
Beez relaxed into Alcy’s embrace. “Anytime, Angel.” Beez peered at Carter. “And youaregonna wear that to the party. You have to look awesome, especially if you wanna find someone tonight.”
Will they stop saying that?
Carter peered at Alcy, snuggled against Beez’s side. He bit back a smile when Beez wrapped a finger around a red lock of hair before pushing it back behind Alcy’s ear.Is Beez even aware he did that?
Then it hit him, and he fought hard to repress a grin. “Okay, I’ll take it, and yes, I’ll go, but… I have a condition.”
Alcy frowned at Beez. “He gets that fromyourside of the family.”
Beez erupted into a belly laugh. When he finally got himself under control, he hip checked the angel. “You don’t need my help to work on that sense of humor.”
Alcy sighed. “Yes, I do. Because if you think I find it easy to come out with stuff like this, then apparently, there’s alotabout me you don’t know.”
Beez shifted closer, until Carter was convinced he couldn’t have gotten a sheet of paper between their bodies. He leaned in, his lips almost brushing Alcy’s ear. “Then maybe we should correct that one of these days, don’t you think?” His voice was husky.
Alcy’s flawless skin pinked, and he coughed. “Maybe we should.”
Beez returned his attention to Carter. “Okay, what’s your condition?”
Carter grinned. “Alcy has to come with us.”
Alcy stepped away from Beez, his eyes wide. “But I can’t. That’s not my job, it’s Beez’s.”
Carter folded his arms. “Ifyoudon’t go, thenIdon’t. The three of us are in this together, or none of us are.”
Beez’s slow smile grew wicked. “You’re actually going to make the angel go out? That’s so fucking awesome.”
“No, itisn’t,” Alcy insisted. “I—I can’t.”
Carter played his ace. “Then we all stay here and play Monopoly.”
Beez looked as though he’d bitten a lemon. “Monopoly?”
“Yup.” Carter was starting to enjoy himself. “Hours and hours of fun.” He nudged Alcy. “It’s either that, or you agree to come out with us.”
Beez grabbed the front of Alcy’s silk shirt in his fist. “Alcy, you’re coming with us, or I swear by the Supreme, I will throw your skinny ass over my shoulder anddragyou to this party. Nowayin fuck am I spending a Saturday night playing fucking Monopoly.”
“What if it’s naked Monopoly?” Carter waggled his brows.
Bless him, Beez faltered for a second, but then he shook his head. “No. I want us to go to this party. Ihaveto see Alcy all done up.” He touched Alcy’s cheek. “I justknowyou’re gonna be gorgeous.”
Carter smirked. He wondered if Alcy knew how bad Beez had it for him. All the constant teasing, the touching, the looks… Beez wanted Alcy and, unless he was seriously mistaken, Alcy felt the same.