“Kip!” Her face fell into a scowl and she said, in a dark tone, “Kip.”
Kyle laughed loudly beside Eric, and Eric smiled. He was glad he came.
“Do you mind if I take some of this costume off?” Kip asked. “It’s kind of warm.”
“What do we think, beautiful people? Should he take off the suit?”
A loud cheer, and then Kip grinned and pulled off the beard and hat, and then the Santa jacket. He was wearing a black tank top underneath, which the audience appreciated. He dropped the baggy pants to reveal slim-fitting jeans. Eric had always thought Kip was a good-looking guy, but tonight he looked...hot. Scott was a lucky man.
Eric glanced at Kyle, because ifEricwas noticing how good Kip looked, then Kyle must be in agony. But Kyle was laughing along with everyone else, eyes shining with amusement. He must have felt Eric’s eyes on him, because he turned his head, and the beauty of his smiling face knocked Eric breathless.
He turned his attention to the stage, where Scott was talking about the LGBTQ youth charity they were raising money for tonight. He was saying earnest things about the great work the organization did. Eric was proud of him. It was really thrilling to watch Scott be his true self, on and off the ice.
There were three drag performances after Scott and Kip left the stage. Eric stood and watched them with the group they’d assembled for tonight: Carter, Kyle, Maria, and Matti. Scott and Kip joined them halfway through the second act. Scott had changed into jeans and a T-shirt.
“How’d I do?”
“That was fucking hilarious,” Carter said. “You’re a good sport, Scotty.”
Scott grinned. His eyes were bright and he was bouncing on his feet, as if he were filled with the same adrenaline that made him hyper after a big win. “It was fun. I mean, I felt ridiculous, but it was fun.”
“You just like being ogled by a sea of men, admit it,” Carter teased him.
“I mean, I’m not going todenyit.”
Matti wrapped Scott in a tight hug and kissed the top of his head. He was one of the more physically affectionate straight men Eric had ever met.
“That was epic,” Matti said loudly. He said everything loudly, but at least here, in this club, his volume level was appropriate. “You are a legend.”
“I need a drink,” Scott announced. “What can I get you guys?”
“I’m going to head out,” Carter said. “I’ve got a Skype date with Gloria.”
“I am starving,” Matti said. “This place does not have food.”
“There’s a diner on the corner that has amazing food. Open all night,” Maria said. Eric couldn’t help but smile when she added. “I could eat.”
Matti beamed at her and said, “Yes. Let’s go.”
Eric didn’t miss the giddy look Maria and Kyle exchanged.
“You coming, Benny?” Matti asked.
Eric glanced at Kyle, who had his eyebrows raised as he waited for the reply. “Actually,” he said slowly, knowing it was a terrible idea, “I think I’ll stick around for a bit.”
Kyle was glad Eric decided to stay, but he also wasn’t sure what to do with him. He’d thought this event would be the perfect place for Eric to cut loose a bit and maybe try to pick someone up, but now that they were here Kyle realized that Eric was probably never going to do either of those things.
Eric was talking to Scott at the moment, sipping a soda with lime. Kyle was watching the dance floor, which had gotten very busy over the last hour.
“I’m bored,” Kip complained in his ear. “Let’s go dance.”
“Scott won’t dance with you?”
“I think I need to lure him over. Come on, I haven’t danced with you in forever.”
Kyle smiled at his friend. Ithadbeen too long. “Sure. Okay.”
Kip grabbed his hand and pulled him into the throng of dancers. The music was loud and sexy, and he quickly lost himself in it. He loved dancing, and he loved Kip. And maybe his love for Kip wasn’t quite what he’d thought it was.