Carson adjusted his bow tie, straightening it out so it looked good against his tux. He wasn't the biggest fan of them, but it was pretty much mandatory for this event. His mother was going to be at the yearly charity ball their company held, after all, and Carson didn't know if he would be able to handle her fussing if she saw him dressed 'inappropriately'.

He was wearing a black, tailored tuxedo, and Carson knew he looked good. Still, if he was being honest, he'd rather be in an old t-shirt and sweatpants, hanging out with Kyle and watching Netflix.

Well, maybe without the Netflix part. He knew they would never get to the Netflix part, if Kyle was here with him. There was a host of other more fun, vigorous activities they could both be doing, especially ones involving Carson's bed.

And fuck, did Kyle ever look amazing on Carson's bed. He should be there all the time. If Carson had his way, Kyle wouldn't be leaving his bed--his apartment--at all, but he knew asking Kyle to move in with him would probably scare the man.

Kyle was skittish sometimes, and Carson knew he needed to take it slow. He was patient--he'd wait however long it took for Kyle.

Smiling, he grabbed his phone from the dresser, hoping for a text from Kyle. He looked forward to every text message Kyle sent him, though Kyle had been quiet today. Carson knew he went to the doctor's office for his follow-up visit, but that was only because Nora told him.

Kyle hadn't messaged him at all today, aside from the one he sent in reply to Carson's morning text to him.

He was a little worried. Kyle had been sick all week--maybe even longer, if Carson really thought about it--and he wanted to know what was going on. If there was anything--something--he could do to help Kyle, he'd do it in a heartbeat.

He hated seeing Kyle feel unwell.

Without thinking, he punched in Kyle's number on his phone. Carson was going to see Kyle at the charity event later, but he needed to hear Kyle's voice now. He was a needy fuck, he was willing to admit that where Kyle was concerned.

"Hey," Kyle greeted, his voice a little hoarse, after a couple of rings.

Carson couldn't help the grin on his face. Hearing Kyle's voice always made him feel happy. "Hey, baby. You getting ready for the event tonight?"

"Yeah, just about finished dressing," Kyle said. Carson could hear rummaging on the other line. "I look like a mess."

"I highly doubt that. I'm sure you look perfect," Carson said. Kyle looked good in anything. Carson didn't know why this event would be an exception. "How did your appointment go earlier?"

"It went well. I'll tell you more about it when I see you in person," Kyle said. "I should have gotten a new tux. I looked frumpy in mine."

Carson didn't know why Kyle needed to relay his news in person, but he was just glad Kyle's appointment went well. "I'm sure you look amazing, baby. Don't worry about it. You should have just brought your stuff here and gotten ready with me. You sure you don't need me to pick you up?"

Kyle laughed, and it was like a melody in Carson's ears. "I don't know if the old Carson would have told me that," Kyle said. "And yes, I don't need you to chauffeur me. I have a car, too, you know."

"The old Carson was an idiot. And he still would have thought you looked amazing, he just wouldn't have told you," Carson replied. It wasn't a lie. Even before their relationship started, Carson always thought Kyle looked amazing in anything he wore. Gorgeous, even. "You hate driving your car. Also, you're terrible at driving your car."

"There's the Carson I know," Kyle said through giggles. "Always harping on my driving. I'll be fine, it's a short drive to the hotel."

"If you're sure," Carson said. He wanted to arrive at the event with Kyle, if only so he could spend some time with him before he had to make his rounds through the guests. "You're coming back to my place after, right?"

There was a pause before Kyle spoke. "Yes, if you still want?"

"I always want," Carson replied quickly. "Never doubt that."

"Then I'll be there," Kyle said, voice soft. "But I really need to go now. I still need to finish getting ready. I'll see you soon."

"See you soon," Carson said. Soon couldn't come soon enough.

He walked to the living room, unhooking his keys from the key holder, and locked the door behind him. The drive to the hotel didn't take long. After handing his keys to the valet, he entered the hotel’s lobby, heading straight for the ballroom that held their event.

It was a beautiful hotel, with a classic, understated design. He often took his clients for business lunches there, so he was familiar with the place, but tonight, the hotel was decorated to the nines.

He took a glass of champagne from one of the servers roaming around the room and took a sip. Carson spotted his father right away, his dad waving for him to come over.

His dad was huddled around a small circle with a couple of clients Carson recognized.

"Hey, dad," he greeted as soon as he reached the group. He nodded to the two men with his father. "Sirs, it's great to see you. Thank you for coming."

"It's always our pleasure," one of them said. A woman about Carson's age joined their group. "This is our daughter, Celeste. Celeste, this is David Wood and his son, Carson Wood."

Carson's father shook Celeste's hand. "Ah, your fathers speak so highly of you. You look beautiful, my dear."

"Thank you, it's great to finally meet you," Celeste said, gracious. She turned to Carson, holding out her hand to him.

Carson took her hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you."

"Celeste, I hear you work for the Toronto Raptors," Carson's dad said. His eyes were glimmering, and Carson had a sneaking suspicion he was up to something. He nodded at Carson. "My son here is a big basketball fan. Loved the Raptors growing up. You two should talk."

Ah, there it was. Of course his dad was trying unsubtly to set him up with his friends' daughter.

"Is that right?" Celeste said, smiling. "You chose a great team. The Raptors' organization is fantastic. Who's your favorite player?"

"DeRozan," Carson said politely. "It's too bad he was traded."

Celeste nodded. "Definitely. He was a fantastic asset to the team. One of my favorites, too."

Taking a quick look at his father, Carson noticed him watching his interactions with Celeste. He fought off a sigh. Celeste was beautiful, no doubt. With her long, blonde hair and her curvy figure, she was definitely eye-catching. In another life, Carson would have been very interested.

Right now?

He felt nothing. His dick was very firmly uninterested, and his heart wanted nothing to do with her. Not when all he could think about was Kyle.

Speaking of Kyle, he wondered where the man was. It didn't sound like Kyle was too far behind him from their conversation earlier, and Carson felt antsy without him.

"So what do you do, Carson?" Celeste asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"I'm VP of Operations here at Williams and Wood," Carson said. He wasn't interested in her, yes, but he was brought up to be polite. He wasn't just going to reject a conversation with her outright.

"He followed in my footsteps, and I couldn't be more proud," his father supplied, clapping him on the back. "He's done wonders for the company."

Carson smiled at the praise. "You're overselling it a little, dad," he said ruefully. "I'm just doing my job. Luckily, I love it here."

"You're selling yourself short, Son. Both Frederick and I realize just how indispensable you are," his father said. Frederick Williams was Kyle's dad, and Carson couldn't help but want to preen, knowing Kyle's dad thought well of him.

He'd known Kyle's dad forever, but he still wanted to impress the man. He didn't want Kyle's dad to think he was unworthy of Kyle's affections.

Fuck, they really should tell their parents about their relationship. The last few weeks had been magical, though. Just him and Kyle, without the interference or influence of outsiders. Their parents were lovely and great, but they could also be overbearing.

It was like they were in their own little bubble. But Carson knew they couldn't live in that bubble forever. They had to sit their families down soon. He'd talk to Kyle about it tonight, after the event. As much as he wanted to tell his family--his dad, especially--about Kyle, he knew it was something they needed to talk about as a couple first.

"I'm sure it must be great working at the family business," Celeste said, taking a sip of her champagne. She sidled closer to him. "I can imagine the fun you all have."

Carson couldn't agree more. Working with his dad, with his Uncle Frederick and Kyle--there was nowhere he'd rather be. Before he could reply, though, he felt a hand land on his shoulder.

"Kyle, my boy, come meet the Duclairs," Carson’s father boomed. He grabbed Kyle for a quick hug, allowing Carson to have a good, solid look at his man.

Carson was completely right. Kyle looked amazing, just as he'd expected--maybe more so, because Kyle in person? Gorgeous. Just positively fucking gorgeous. He still couldn't believe it had taken him almost three decades of his life to register the fact that his best friend was the most attractive man in the world.

He was a goddamned idiot. The worst kind of idiot. He was just glad his eyes were opened now. It was like everything else faded away, and his focus rested solely on Kyle. Carson couldn't peel his eyes away from the man, not even if he wanted to.

Kyle's tux molded over his body like a glove, and Carson could make out the strong, firm muscles hidden underneath. Carson wanted to peel it off him and let his hands wander all over Kyle's body.

He didn't remember if he'd ever seen Kyle in this specific tux before, but he wanted to send a thank you note to whoever created it, because damn. Kyle looked mouth-wateringly sinful in it.

Carson was torn. On the one hand, he wanted to show off Kyle to everyone in the room. He wanted everyone to see just how beautiful Kyle was, how perfect, and Carson wanted to be there every minute of it, holding Kyle's hand.

Conversely, though, Carson also thought of all the excuses they could give to make an early departure from the event. Because as much as he wanted to show Kyle off? There was a part of him that wanted to keep Kyle for himself. Carson wanted everyone to go away, leaving him alone with Kyle, so he could run his hands, his tongue, all over Kyle's body.

Seeing Kyle like this? It was a test of his will.

Kyle pulled away from Carson's dad and stood beside him, their shoulders touching. Carson could feel the heat emanating from Kyle, and he fought the urge to lick his lips, thoughts of Kyle naked and splayed all over his bed still rampant in his mind.

"Hey, Cars," Kyle said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Carson wanted to kiss him, people around them be damned. "Kyle. You look good," he said instead, his control tenuous at best. There had to be a room somewhere around he could push Kyle into. Carson didn't want to have to wait until the end of the event to touch his lover.

They really needed to be open about their relationship. Carson was going to make sure that happened immediately.

"It's good to see you, Kyle. I trust your parents are well?" One of Celeste's dads said politely.

Kyle nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Duclair. My parents are well. They're just on their way now."

"Frederick--always fashionably late," Carson's dad joked. "Kyle, have you met the Duclairs' daughter? This is Celeste."

"Pleasure to meet you," Celeste said. Kyle greeted her in return, nodding in her direction and shaking her hand.

"We were just talking about how Celeste and Carson had so much in common," Carson's dad remarked, eyeing both Celeste and Carson. "Maybe we should leave the two of them to get to know each other."

"Agreed," Celeste's dad said. "I'm sure Celeste and Carson would love a chance to chat more privately."

Carson saw Kyle stiffen, his brows furrowing, confused. Hell, Carson was confused, too. His father was looking at him encouragingly, though, grinning widely.

Was his father really setting up him with Celeste? He wasn't exactly being subtle, and Carson felt ire rise up in him.

He didn't want Celeste.

"Dad, really, there's no need. We're--" Carson started, but his father waved him off.

"It's quite all right," his dad said, interrupting him. He turned to Kyle. "Come on, son, why don't you join us for a drink at the bar? Let's leave these two lovebirds alone."

Lovebirds? Carson had known Celeste for a grand total of ten minutes. He didn't know what his father was thinking.

"Yes, that sounds like a plan. Let's leave these two lovebirds alone," Kyle said woodenly. He looked pained, though he wouldn't meet Carson's gaze. He said the word lovebirds like it was diseased, but none of the other men seemed to have noticed. Kyle fell into step with Carson's dad, turning his back on Carson.

"Kyle, wait," Carson called out.

Kyle didn't stop, though. If anything, he sped up his movements, walking away quickly from where Carson stood.

"Our fathers aren't the subtlest of people, are they?" Celeste said. She bit her lower lip, making them look plumper. Before Kyle, before Carson realized the truth, maybe he would have found that move attractive.

Now? It barely registered in his head, not when Kyle was out there, looking hurt. Because of Carson.

He forced a smile at Celeste. Carson didn't want to be here, but he also didn't want to be rude. "Listen, it was great to meet you, but I'm needed elsewhere. I hope you have a great evening, Celeste."

She looked like she was going to protest for a minute, but she nodded sharply. "Oh. It was great to meet you as well." Gone was the warmth in her voice, but Carson barely had it in him to care.

He needed to go after Kyle.

Scanning the room, he tried to look for the man. He saw his father and the Duclairs, but Kyle wasn't anywhere near them. Where could Kyle have gone? It had only been a minute. He looked again, walking around the ballroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kyle.

It was difficult, though, when people kept stopping him to chat. He found a quiet corner of the ballroom and pulled out his phone. He punched in Kyle's number, hoping Kyle would pick up.

Kyle didn't. Of course, Kyle didn't pick up.

Where the hell was he? Surely he was still in the ballroom. Right?

He spotted Nora and immediately made his way towards her. "Nora, hi, have you seen Kyle?"

Raising an arched brow, Nora pursed her lips. "Yes. He just left."

"What? Why would he leave? He can't leave, his parents aren't even here yet."

Nora didn't have an answer for him. "He just left. He said he wasn't feeling well."

"Fuck," Carson said lowly. "Thank you. Have a good evening, Nora." He started to walk away, looking around for the nearest exit. He needed to find Kyle.

"Carson, where are you going? You can't leave, too. Your fathers will have an aneurysm."

Nora was probably right. Their fathers were going be incensed. This was an important event, after all. Most of Williams and Woods' clientele were here. Carson needed to stay.

Carson also needed to find Kyle, though. And if he had to choose between work and Kyle?

Kyle would always win. Without question.

“I’ll see you in the office, Nora,” he said before walking towards the exit.

He needed to find his man. Kyle was more important.