On the sixth day of Christmas my true friends gave to me:
The new boyfriend and the banker
18th December
Greg waggled his wrist in front of his face and peered at the time. Midnight.
How the fuck can it be midnight? They’d only just got there.
He grinned at his three blurry friends. “You guysss know it’sss mid… night, righttt?” He giggled at the slurred voice that sounded a little like him.
A nagging thought had him try to pull it to the front of his muddled brain.
It’s Monday?
Oooohhh, work!
Greg sagged back into the booth, pushing the hair out of his face. He tried to think past the alcohol cloud. He lost his train of thought when Brad’s phone vibrated crazily across the table for the umpteenth time. He started to think that the night was over. With the slight worry about work floating about with the alcohol, he wasn’t sure if he was happy about that or not.
He shrugged, finding himself giggling at the rebellious glint in Brad’s tropical green eyes while looking at the phone in his hand. The purposeful swipe to decline the call caused an air of expectation as they all waited for Joe’s phone to ring. As predicted, a second later it rang. They all burst into fits of giggles.
Eyes leaking with tears, he watched Joe follow suit, swiping to decline the call before laying it back on the table. Joe’s soppy grin and muttered “fight club” had them all nodding drunkenly at each other.
This had been their pattern over the last few hours. Hell, he was shocked when even Aaden had got on board with whatever Martin and Stuart were up to, and rang him and Nick several times. They’d both joined the “we’re on a night out, so fuck them” club.
“Oooohhh, you gonna be in twroble.” Greg stated, lifting his drink, squinting at the glass. His hand swayed as he drained it. Feeling an odd tug at the back of his mind, he raised his empty glass to his face, narrowing his eyes to see if he could spot what had given him the odd feeling. He peered closer and shrugged. He ignored the nagging feeling and glanced towards the bar.
I just need another drink, that’s all.
The bar had busied up as the evening had worn on, and now it was packed to the gunnels. The buzz around them made it difficult to be heard. Greg tried to get his eyes to centre on Ste, observing him for several minutes bustling around the back of the bar making drinks before he finally caught his eye.
He gave Ste a big soppy smile as he approached the table. He cast a glance at the others who were all talking over each other. Greg shouted, “Let’ss have another round.” He didn’t wait for an answer and ordered for them all.
“Same again, Ste. Make em large.” Greg batted his lashes at Ste.
He got a devilish grin back. Greg couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped at the exaggerated eye roll Brad gave him or Nick’s loud moan before he buried his head in hands.
Greg gave an overstated wink at Ste before becoming distracted by his tight backside as he walked away, scribbling on his pad. At first, Greg didn’t notice the chill of cold air brushing against his heated skin. Peering at the open door, he cursed the chatting person holding the door open wide.
Greg felt the alcohol roil in his stomach when it dropped. A shiver raced up his spine. His alcohol-clouded vision glued itself to the door and the all too familiar figure standing with his back to him.
He blinked.
Then tried again, hoping to clear the vision in front of him.
He moaned. “Why tonight?”
“Whatsup, Greg” Nick’s tinkling voice hardly penetrated as Greg watched Vic scope out the area while talking to several of his mates as they moved towards the crowded bar.
Greg tried to remember not to stare at his arsehole ex. Shifting his gaze to the table, he picked at the beer mat. All three pairs of eyes pinned him with what he thought might be a questioning look, but in his drunken state, he wasn’t too sure.
He remembered this was fight club, so he leant over the table, stage whispering. “Don’t look, but my ex-boyfriend just came in and is standing at the bar.” He wanted to slap a hand over his mouth when all three heads turned quicker than fire spreading in the dry forests of California towards the bar. Instead, he buried his head in his hands, groaning, before it quickly popped back up when he felt the room spin.
He couldn’t hold back his despair when Brad’s slurred strident voice carried across the bar. “Which one is it? There all uuuu… gl…ly. I can’t see that you’d date oneofthem.”
“Oh dear God, pleassseee be quiet he’ll hear you.” Greg uttered the words too late.
He watched in horror as Vic turned to face the room. His beady eyes skimmed the room, halting when they got to Greg. The pallid shirt and dark fitted trousers showed off his trim figure. But Greg noticed the powder-blue shirt just made Vic’s face appear washed out. His dark mahogany hair also looked like it could use a good stylist. Greg peered closer, trying to understand what he’d actually seen in him.
The ugly glint in Vic’s eyes had Greg hiding his hands under the table. He wrung his fingers together, willing himself to sit still, all the while reminding himself he’d done nothing wrong.
Joe seemed to suddenly catch on to the atmosphere when he looked from Greg to the now fast-moving Vic, who pushed past several people to reach their booth.
“Who’s this dickhead?”
He flicked Joe a warning look before he answered his question, or he hoped that’s what he’d done. “This is my… ex-boyfriend… Vic.” Greg enunciated the ex-boyfriend part.
Greg couldn’t grasp what Vic was trying to convey when his intimating glower landed on him. Whatever it was, he decided right then and there that he wanted no part of it.
He knew he was being rude by not introducing his friends, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.
“Found yourself some new cling-ons?” Vic cast his eyes around the table before searching the bar. “No Gemma? I thought you two were joined at the hip.” His snarky comment had Greg’s back going up.
“If we were joined at the hip, it might have stopped me from making the biggest mistake of my life: dating you.” Greg wanted to groan at his own stupidity for baiting Vic. He knew he wouldn’t let that comment drop and leave.
Ste’s return with their drinks gave Greg a moment to collect himself. He took a large slurp, hoping that Vic would just leave them alone. His hopes died when the expected rant started. Vic’s shrieking drew the attention of his friends and those standing by their booth.
To Greg’s dismay, Vic’s friends strolled from the bar with their drinks as if getting ready to join the fun.
“I was the best thing that ever happened to your scrawny arse. You were just too blind or stupid to see it.”
Greg bit his lip to stop the instant response that wanted to leap out of his mouth. He sucked his lip into his mouth, clenching it with his teeth, as Vic continued.
“Fuck, I was stupid to think you were even in my league. It was a pity shag. That’s all I could muster, and even that was a struggle. Hell, I didn’t even want to be seen in public with you. Look at the state of you.” The disparaging comments threw Greg for a loop. They sliced open the sensitive spot inside he tried to keep hidden.
Greg felt heat slid up his neck, past his scruffy red jumper. He secretly wished he’d left on the lovely jacket Joe had bought him so it wouldn’t draw attention to his ripped jeans. He cursed that he hadn’t gone home and changed after Joe had texted.
He choked back his welling tears. The salty ball at the back of his throat made it hard to speak as he sniffed. His past reality crashed right through the thin cloud of alcohol he’d been floating on, making it evaporate.
“Whatever.” Greg wanted to cry in earnest hearing the dismay in his voice.
Brad’s solid presence and arm sliding around his back made the ache in his chest lessen. Cuddling closer to Brad, Greg inhaled the scent of cherries and alcohol.
Brad’s breath wafted over his cheek as he spoke. “Ignore him. You have Aaden now. He would make mincemeat out of him.”
The slightly slurred words had a wet chuckle escape as both Nick and Joe grinned at him before turning their attention to Vic.
“Why don’t you go and take a hike off a short pier and do us all a favour. No one here is interested in what you have to say. So fuck off!” At Nick’s strident comments, a red stain worked its way up Vic’s pale face.
His friends pushed a little closer to the table. They only halted when Vic raised his hand, giving them all what Greg thought looked like a constipated smile.
“Look, guys. The little fem of the group thinks he can take us on.” Vic’s lips peeled back as he gave Nick a disparaging sneer while his eyes roamed over Nick’s pretty face and slim body.
Greg felt bile burn the back of his nose and throat when Nick seemed to wilt for a brief moment before he pushed back his narrow shoulders. His “fuck you” look when Vic continued to ridicule him had Greg want to stand and cheer.
“Fuck, look at him, I bet he’s wearing those clothes trying to be manly. How sad. Christ, lads, I bet he’s single.” Greg could see the light of victory in Vic’s hateful eyes when he saw Nick blanch.
Vic’s sneering comments got louder. “Who’d want someone like you? No one, that’s who. You’re just a big-mouthed fucking fem, with a bunch of misfit arsehole friends.”
The disparaging, hurtful comments had Greg’s blood boiling. There was nothing fucking misfit about his friends. He thrust his jaw forward, watching Joe put a restraining hand on Nick’s arm as he strained to get out of the booth.
Nick’s snarled “why you little…” comment stopped as he surveyed something over Greg’s shoulder. The fury on his face turned to something Greg couldn’t quite decipher as Nick’s face shuttered and his expression went blank.
Greg glanced over his shoulder. He swallowed repeatedly. His Adam’s apple bobbed furiously. He wanted to squeak when a kind of hushed silence fell around them.
His eyes travelled up what he knew was a rock-solid pair of thighs. Up and up until his eyes locked with the onyx gaze of his boyfriend. Greg titled his head back, feeling his earlier dizziness return at the deadly fire sparking out of Aaden’s eyes. He was not sure if he wanted to cower or jump him.
His pulse thundered, making his ears ring. His eyes swept the room, looking for what, he had no clue. It was only then that he noticed the others behind Aaden. Martin, Stuart, and Brody all stood towering over everyone. The sheer force of male dominance radiating off them all had Greg’s cock dance to attention.
He whispered in Brad’s ear, “Ooh, here comes twroble.”
“Does someone want to tell me what’s going on here?” Aaden’s angry growl was aimed at Greg, but his eyes never left Vic.
Greg’s pulse fluttered when Brad spoke up. “It’s Greg’s ex-boyfriend, Vic. He was being horrible and mean to Greg and Nick.”
Greg tried to feel bad for Vic when he shrunk under Aaden’s scrutiny. He quickly reminded himself of the hurtful comments he’d used to lambaste Nick. But not wanting to cause a fight, Greg plastered a fake smile to his face, hoping it was a smile and not a grimace. “Nothing, these… ars…” Greg shook his head, stopping the word arsehole from popping out. He started again, praying for patience. “These gentlemen were just leaving, weren’t you?”
Greg looked at Vic, encouraging him to agree.
He should have known better when the arrogant arse turned to Aaden, sizing him up. The fact that Aaden towered over him by a good several inches and was twice his size didn’t seem to faze him. Greg wanted to groan in despair at what was coming.
“Not that it is any of your business.” Vic shoved his face towards Aaden, continuing. “My ex-boyfriend thinks he and his little friends can get away with being mouthy gits. So it’s time for them to leave and get the fuck out of my way. Now, before they find themselves in a world of hurt.” Vic’s aggressive posturing had Greg wanting the floor to open up and swallow him.
How did I ever think he was a nice guy, worthy of dating?
The remaining alcohol fled from his system with that thought. He compared Vic to Aaden. Greg shook his head, realising he couldn’t. It was like trying to compare chalk to cheese.
Aaden is my fucking soulmate for fuck’s sake.
A small smile graced his lips as Vic continued to posture aggressively towards Aaden. Vic was totally barking up the wrong tree, picking on Aaden if he thought he was going to back down. The outcome seemed more than obvious to him, so why the fuck couldn’t Vic see that?
Greg held his breath when Aaden stepped closer to Vic. His rock-hard body tensed. His muscular frame seemed to stretch as he rolled his broad shoulders, making his dark hair shift on his black jacket. The lights reflecting off the mirrors made it shine like raven’s wings. It cloaked his face, allowing the strength in his onyx eyes to shine out. The furrowed brow didn’t mask the raw power that emanated from him while he spoke to Vic.
“I would suggest you leave my boyfriend alone.”
Greg watched as Vic’s eyes grew to the size of saucers at that comment.
“That’s right, boyfriend.”
Greg wanted to preen under that enforced statement, but as Aaden continued, his breath caught in his lungs.
“That is if you want to leave in one piece and while you’re still breathing.”
Aaden’s large hand motioned to the door, barely missing one of his Vic’s friends who’d jumped back.
“If I were you, I’d leave now.” The quiet statement radiated with menace.
It wasn’t the menace that had Greg move, but the expression that covered Vic’s face. Greg untangled himself from Brad, jumping out of the booth. He knew first-hand how stupid Vic could be with a few drinks on board. It had a habit of making him believe he was invincible.
Greg wasn’t sure what he was going to do when he stepped between Vic and Aaden. His back hit Aaden’s chest when his hands jumped to his hips as he thrust his jaw out, getting ready to tell Vic where to get off.
Sudden movement and his sluggish brain gave Vic all the opportunity he needed.
“Oooowwwww.” Greg screeched while he held his face.
The punch he hadn’t seen coming landed hard against his left eye, making lights explode behind his eyelid. He was convinced stars floated around his head as it snapped back, making him stagger into Aaden’s body. Large arms flexed as they clasped him to his hard chest while he swayed on wobbly legs. Aaden’s scent surrounded him as his arms tightened briefly.
He heard the loud, angry growl reverberating up Aaden’s chest as he was unceremoniously pushed into Martin’s arms a second later. The commotion around them had him barely hear Aaden when he spoke to Martin.
“Hold him.” Aaden’s harsh command had Greg’s insides turn to jelly, matching his legs.
He struggled to comprehend what was happening. The loud clatter, then resounding thud had his now swelling left eye ache as he forced it to open. Seeing his ex-boyfriend sprawled on the deck had a glimmer of humour return.
“Oh, this is so not going to end well.” He muttered as he watched Vic struggle to get back up. The crowd in the bar dispersed when Aaden gave an angry roar, launching himself at Vic when he went to punch Greg, again.
“Oh no, you don’t, you little fucker. You touch one more hair on my redheaded beauty, and you’ll be wearing your teeth as a necklace.” The ice-laden threat thrilled Greg, who couldn’t help the silly grin from widening across his face, even as it made his eye throb harder.
He watched Aaden grip both Vic’s arms, restraining him before frogmarching him to the door, bodily throwing him out. Greg noted Ste had followed to open the door, offering Aaden a wide smile of appreciation.
The clatter of shoes had Greg shifting, and he watched Vic’s friend’s hastily following suit. They all scuttled out behind him. Their departure left only the sound of background Christmas tunes. Then just as quickly noise erupted to feverish levels as excited chatter filled the void.
People seemed unperturbed by the altercation. In fact, it was almost like it hadn’t happened. Except for the horrible pain in Greg’s face, he wouldn’t have believed it either.
Martin’s grip tightened on his arm as he muttered under his breath. Not quite sure what he’d said, Greg was distracted when Aaden stalked back to him, anger radiating from every pore. Greg struggled to keep standing when his legs wobbled under him.
Oh no, the honeymoon period is so over.
“What honeymoon?” Aaden sudden question had Greg rolling his eyes, only to regret it when his head throbbed, his left eye aching worse than a toothache. Greg opened his mouth to respond but slammed it shut when he realised Aaden had read his loud thought.
Greg ignored Aaden’s question.
The tension around them seemed to grow. Greg wanted to kiss Martin when he spoke.
“Come on, you lot of reprobates. Let’s get out of here before the police come and arrest us. Some of us actually have work in the morning. And some of you are in big trouble, with some serious punishments coming their way.” Martin’s husky rasped ultimatum was directed at Brad.
Greg’s one good eye searched out Brad. Who, it seemed, wasn’t in the least bit worried about the word punishment, if the squirming he was doing on the seat was anything to go by.
The word “work” finally registered. Greg groaned.
I’m so going to pay for the fun I’ve had tonight. I just know it.
Greg felt his shoulders droop.
Martin stepped away, pushing him into Aaden’s arms.
Martin strode to the bar, muttering about paying the bill, leaving an awkward silence behind him.
Greg chewed his lip. He hoped Martin had a big chunk of cash with him when he considered how many drinks they’d all had. He shrugged. His unfocused eyes blinked when Joe exited the table, not looking at Stuart. The stand-off between them seemingly continued when neither spoke or acknowledged the other.
Greg felt his head and eyes bang out a tune. He laid his head on Aaden’s firm chest, soaking up his reassuring presence.
“Come on, troublemaker, let’s get you home.” Aaden’s harsh tone was at odds with the gentle touch of his fingertips as he ran his fingers over Greg’s swollen eye. “You’ll need some ice, and I’m sure some painkillers to deal with the pain and the hangover you’re surely gonna have in the morning.” Aaden’s quick head movement and wrist flick had Greg wonder for a second what Aaden was doing until he continued speaking.
“Or I should have said, in a few hours.” Aaden heaved sigh was the only sign of his frustration.
Greg bit his lip to keep the moan of pain at bay when Aaden guided him outside to the van waiting at the curb. He watched his friends trail behind their partners. Their shoulders drooped as they shuffled to their waiting vehicles. Greg shook his head, hoping to clear his eyes as he watched Nick follow Brody to his car before he ducked inside, not looking at anyone as they drove off.
Greg wasn’t sure if it was his thought about them all being partnered and knowing Nick wasn’t, or if it was the obvious hurt he’d seen on Nick’s face when Vic had spoken about his appearance and single status, but his brain seemed to be trying to tell him something. Something he was missing, especially when Nick meekly followed Brody to his car.
Greg lost sight of the car when Aaden opened the van, helping him inside and blocking his view. It sidetracked him when Aaden buckled him into the seat. The evening caught up with him, and Greg rested his head back on the leather headrest. He hoped Aaden would hurry up and get them home before the throb in his head became worse. Greg shut his eyes. That was his last thought as he fell into unconsciousness.
“Come on, sleepy head, we’re home.” He felt the rumble under his ear, just as arms flexed and bulged around his body. As he was lifted out of the car, the vicious cold wind raced over his exposed skin. He shivered violently, wanting to complain bitterly for the interruption to his sexy dream. He could still envision Joe and Stuart having sex while Aaden fucked him seven ways to Sunday.
Greg mumbled into Aaden’s chest as he was lifted higher. The arms holding him hugged him closer to Aaden’s warm, solid body. His powerful shoulders and broad back shielded him from the icy chill. Greg couldn’t resist snuggling closer. His mouth nibbled up the side of Aaden’s neck before sniffing deeply. The strong scent of musk and wood shaving had his body responding. His cock roused, liking the way Greg let the dream images linger.
Greg spoke without putting his filter in place.
“I can’t wait to watch Joe and Stuart together while you’re doing naughty things to me.” He remembered too late that Joe had asked them to keep it a secret until he’d spoken to Stuart.
Greg lifted his face, getting ready to make up some fib, only to stop when the moonlight caught Aaden’s flabbergasted expression. The grip on him slackened for a second, and Aaden’s feet faltered.
“What did you say?”
The harsh demand and flinty glare Aaden gave him as his hands tightened had Greg trying to shake off the sleep. The pain in his eye and alcohol fuddled his brain.
Aaden fumbled with the keys, unlocking the door before depositing him inside. Greg held on to the bare hall wall. He tried to recall exactly what he’d said. Aaden didn’t give him a chance to respond before he was propelled towards the stairs.
Aaden’s face was now a stoic mask, causing Greg to blow out a noisy breath.
He shook off the large, warm hand on his arm.
Greg put his hands on his hips, making sure he was steady before he tapped his foot on the dusty floor. He ignored the screaming pain in his eye while he tried to bring Aaden into focus.
“What is your problem? You let Stuart lay all over you when Joe fucked him in your lap.” Greg waved his hand at Aaden’s slack jaw.
“Yes, I know all about your little sexcapades with them. So, what’s wrong with us both watching and having a little fun at the same time, I ask you?” Greg wagged his finger, swaying a little when a wave of dizziness hit. He grappled with the wall at the side of him. He was distracted by trying to keep upright, so he didn’t see Aaden’s expression. But he sure as hell heard his loud sigh.
He squeaked when Aaden’s large forearms lifted him bodily off the ground, tucking him into his body, as he stalked upstairs.
Greg felt his pulse flutter at the show of strength, but he wasn’t going to be deterred. “Come on, answer me. I might be a little drunk, but I’m sure I saw a look of interest when I mentioned watching Stuart and Joe. As I said, it’s not like you haven’t done it before.” His sulky pout pulled him up short.
He metaphorically kicked himself, reminding himself he’d done nothing wrong.
He let Aaden lay him on their bed and strip him down to his underwear. He wanted to preen a little when he noticed the gleam of interest in Aaden’s dark onyx eyes right before he caressed his chest. Greg whimpered when Aaden covered him with the fluffy duvet.
“I’ll go and get you some painkillers, and we’re parking this conversation until you’re sober enough to understand what you’re asking for.” Aaden’s voice trailed off as he walked to the bathroom.
Greg gave a dreamy smile to the empty room, knowing he’d won.
He settled himself back against the cool cotton, wishing Aaden would hurry up and get in bed to warm up the sheets. As if answering his wish, the man in question strolled back in with a large glass of water and some pills. Swallowing the offered pills, Greg took a large gulp of water. He gave the glass back to Aaden and lay back. Closing his eyes, he let his mind drift.
He jerked up. His heart thundered under his skin. He collided with Aaden, who was in the process of getting into bed when the front door slammed shut.
“Calm down. It’ll be Brody and Nick. Remember Brody drove Nick home.” At Aaden’s explanation and reassuring touch, Greg lay back down.
A nagging thought that Nick and Brody had left before them had him questioning himself. Why are they getting home after us?
Greg shifted when Aaden turned off the lights and pulled him closer, making his mind empty. He plastered himself over Aaden’s broad chest. He huddled closer, avoiding the left side of his face.
Greg gave a small snuffle, muttering. “Never mind the black eye. Who made the sandwiches?”
Aaden’s chuckle shifted his head, making Greg squint in the darkness. Regretting it instantly, he moaned into Aaden’s chest. A large, gentle hand cupped the back of his head, rubbing in slow circles. Greg gave a sigh of pleasure. His lips curled up as Aaden lulled him into the land of Nod.
Max strolled in through the cat flap and prowled through the house, lost in thought. His whiskers twitched at the tension radiating from the lounge. Sticking his head around the door, he saw the four men, all sitting on the plastic-covered, charcoal-grey leather furniture. He watched Aaden get up, followed by Martin and then Stuart. He sat down on the bare floorboards, watching them pace and fret over their significant others.
He turned his attention to Brody, who was still sitting. But who wasn’t as unaffected as he led the others to believe. His tapping fingers showed his agitation at Nick’s disappearance.
Max chuckled, thinking they were fussing like mother hens over their chicks. Only all their chicks had fled their nests and were currently out somewhere, getting up to Odin’s Raven knew what.
“Why don’t you just use your link to Greg? It should allow you to go and find them.” Max huffed when Aaden turned. He blinked, his forehead wrinkled, while his eyes darkened.
“Why the hell didn’t you mention this before? You know, like when Martin and Stuart rushed over here in a panic when neither Brad nor Joe would pick up their phones?” Aaden’s anger rolled off Max’s back.
He’d bigger fish to fry, and that didn’t include worrying about Aaden getting in a snit with him.
“I would have, but as I wasn’t here”—Max rolled his shoulders—“how could I? It’s a pity. I think I would have enjoyed watching you lot chase your own tails.”
“Ha fucking ha.” Aaden’s grumble was half-hearted as he sat. The rustling of plastic had Martin and Stuart stop pacing.
Shutting his eyes, Aaden blocked the others in the room when they started asking questions he couldn’t answer, yet. Feeling for his connection with Greg, he let his mind focus on the colourful rainbow that was Greg’s aura.
Max’s gums peeled back. His sharp teeth gleamed under the brightly lit room when Aaden jumped up minutes later. His declaration that the boys were at the Bath and Bottle cocktail bar had several questions fired at him. Max hissed, stopping all questions, allowing Aaden to deflect them better than any world-class goalkeeper.
Aaden led them out of the house to their respective vehicles. The grumbling about Aaden’s weird behaviour had Max wonder if this would also be another strike against him.
Max didn’t hear Aaden’s quick thank you when his body bowed up. His heckles rose as a voice slithered into his consciousness.
“Well, lover, have you made up your mind?”
Max acknowledged Christina as she shimmered to life in front of him. He kept his small features bland, hiding his irritation.
Why do I always feel like I’m on the back foot?