Chapter 10

BRAN didn’t want things getting out of control, but so far it seemed that everyone had a nice buzz and things were going according to plan.

“Be right back!” shouted Ryan as he jumped up to fetch the tequila shot supplies.

The rest of the boys waited patiently for him to set up the seven shot glasses on the coffee table.

Bran watched with a smile as all the guys gathered around. He felt a hand on his arm, and turned to see Evan standing there looking a little unsure of the situation. He leaned in close to whisper in Bran’s ear.

“Do I have to?”

Bran smiled. “You never have to do anything you don’t want to do. You know that. No one is going to think any less of you if you don’t want to do it, but if you decide you do want to drink tequila, promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Okay. Maybe just one.”

Evan still looked nervous, but moved into the circle around the table with the rest of the guys. He watched carefully as Bran showed him how to lick the back of his hand before sprinkling salt on the moist area. Evan copied his movements before throwing the shot back and downing it in one gulp. He coughed as the liquid burned down his throat.

Bran laughed. “Took that one like a champ, kid. Well done!”

Evan looked proud and defiant.

Ryan lined up the shot glasses again and poured seven more. Evan shrugged and picked up his glass.

“Sláinte!” shouted Riley.

Evan downed the second shot. His eyes were beginning to glass over, and Bran thought he had probably had enough. The kid was a lightweight. He needed to slow down or he was going to be sick in the morning.

As the night wore on, most of the guys had more tequila than was necessary for a good solid drunk and their actions began reflecting that. The shots were getting dirtier; Ryan lay on the table so Kellan could slurp the liquid from the deep ridges between his abs.

Before he knew what was happening, Bran felt himself being pushed down to a sitting position in one of the chairs. He looked up to see Evan climbing into his lap, straddling his hips and pushing one hand back into his hair, as the other hand placed a lime gently between his teeth.

Slowly Evan leaned down. His hot breath tickled Bran’s neck as he licked a warm moist path along the sensitive skin. The salt tickled as Evan upended the shaker. Bran let his head fall back and a groan escape as Evan’s warm tongue swept over him once more before swallowing the tequila. Before Bran could process what had happened, he felt the lightest brush of Evan’s lips against his own as the boy plucked the lime from his mouth and pressed the peel against his teeth to squeeze out all the tangy juice.

His eyes were wide and his face flushed, and Bran was reminded of how Evan looked just before he came. He was broken out of the reliving of the fantasy by catcalls and hoots from all the guys.

Remembering they had an audience, the bashful Evan was back. He crawled off Bran’s lap, his eyes lowered.

Bran felt the loss of the warmth and solidness of Evan’s body against his own. He wanted him back. He reached for his hand, not knowing what Evan’s reaction would be, but before he could pull him close again, Cooper suggested they all get into the hot tub. Everyone took off running toward the back deck, clothes flying in every direction as they all stripped down. There wasn’t a shy boy among them, other than Evan, who looked absolutely mortified.

They were left alone in the living room and all Bran could think about was pulling Evan back into his lap and finishing what he had started. He was so fucking turned on there was no way he was going to be able to get through the night without his balls turning blue.

He was drunk, but not drunk enough to forget the reasons why coming on to Evan was a bad idea. He could control himself. He was sure of it. They were buddies and needed things to stay that way. In the meantime, Evan wouldn’t make eye contact, his focus still trained on his toes, pink staining the tips of his ears.

Bran stepped closer, testing the waters to see if Evan would back away. He stayed put. He reached toward him, pulled him closer, and then tilted his head so he could look into Evan’s deep brown eyes. When Bran had first met Evan, he had remarked that the kid looked like a Disney cartoon. The resemblance was still there, just this time he looked like a Disney character whose mother had just been shot.

“Whatsa matter, Ev?”

Evan shook his head, attempting to look away. Bran held him steady, trying to be comforting, reassuring.

“Come on. Everything is just fine.” He still wasn’t completely sure what was troubling him, but it made his chest ache to see the kid upset.

Evan pulled his lower lip into his mouth, worrying it with his teeth. “I’m just different than the other guys.”

Was that all? Of course he was different. He was amazing. “But Ev, that’s why I picked you first. I like that you’re not like the other guys.”

“Yeah, but I just really don’t fit in. You’re so good at all this shit, and I’m just anxious and awkward.”

“Evan, listen to me,” he said, trying to convey the utmost sincerity, “being inexperienced is not the same thing as awkward. Trust me; you have nothing to worry about. There are no expectations you need to live up to. Just be yourself, do what feels right and trust your instincts. You’re doing great already, and if that last shot you did is any indication of how it’s going to be once the camera is rolling, well, let’s just say that it’s a good thing we went digital, because film woulda melted from the heat.”

“Really?” he asked tentatively.

“Jesus Christ, Ev. I almost came in my pants, you had me so turned on.”

That earned Bran a big smile from the smaller man. He released Evan and waited for him to step away. He didn’t. Bran needed to put some space between them or he was going to end up doing something stupid.

“Let’s go jump in the hot tub before they send in a search party.”

“Um, do I have to strip? I mean, I know they’re all gonna see me naked eventually, I just….” He trailed off.

“You wanna keep your shorts on for now?”

“Yes, please.” Bran was relieved. He wasn’t sure how much more teasing he could take. He wanted Evan with a fierceness that had been missing for so long. Seeing Evan naked when his inhibitions were lowered and his desire was ramped up would be pure torment.

“I’ll keep mine on too if it’ll make you feel better.”

“Okay,” Evan agreed. “Might seem less weird if I’m not the only guy with pants.”

“Don’t worry about anything, okay? Remember what I said about trusting your instincts. Just do what you feel is right, and don’t let anyone push you into anything you’re not ready for.”

“I won’t.”

After that, everything went smoothly. The guys had mellowed a little by the time they reached the hot tub, most switching back to beer or water from the hard stuff. No one mentioned Evan and Bran’s lack of nudity.

Conversation flowed easily between them as they discussed past relationships, travel, and of course, sports. Evan kept pretty quiet, but seemed to be enjoying the company with a relaxed smile that stayed put for the rest of the evening.

After everyone was sufficiently pruney, they decided to turn in for the night. The shoot the next day didn’t start till midmorning, but the guys were exhausted from the liquor and travel. Comfy beds awaited them all as they said goodnight and headed to their rooms.

Bran climbed the stairs, limbs nice and loose from the hot water. He made a mental note to look into getting a hot tub when he wrapped up the shoot. There. He had added something to the list of things to do with the money he earned.

His bed was calling to him, plush and pillowy soft. He fell into the soft mattress and burrowed under the duvet, nestling himself in like a fox burrowed up in his den for the winter. The world always seemed like a much nicer place when he was wrapped in coziness.