Shit. “Okay, well, we’d better drink and eat up then. There were a few people waiting to get in when I walked by it.” I studied Colton. I’d never seen him like this. His happiness appeared superficial, hinting at deeper secrets. Something was definitely off with him. How could I get him alone? Could I ask him to use the restroom with me? No, that would look weird.
After the waitress dropped off the shots, I slid two of them toward me. “I don’t think you need more of these.” I lifted mychin at Colton. I wouldn’t let him overdo it tonight. It would have been nice to take him home…but then what would Dante and my roommates say? Damn, if only we could tell people about us.
“I can handle it.” He tsked and pouted.
“I’m sure you can, but I need to catch up.” I squeezed his hand as it rested on his thigh. He couldn’t argue with that.
Twisting his hand, he threaded his fingers in mine and gave me a yearning look.
My heart melted. If only I could kiss him right now.
“Okay, then let’s drink.” Dante held up his shot glass. “To winning.”
Tapping my shot glass on Dante’s, I said, “To winning.” After downing the tequila, I hissed and then sipped some beer. I had one more to go. “I’ll just get this second one over with.” While drinking the next shot slower this time, I let the post-game tension unwind inside me as a pleasant buzz washed over me. I should pace myself for a while. Picking up a fresh slice of pizza, I bit into it.
“As soon as you finish the pizza, we’ll go.” Dante gave me a wicked grin.
“Sure.” I ate more pizza and washed it down with water.
I still doubtedthat this was a great idea. Hell, maybe leaving Colton all day with Dante hadn’t been very smart either. But at least Colton would realize that Dante wasn’t a threat. I strolled between Dante and Colton along the sidewalk leading to the gay bar, and then we stepped up the metal stairs. The earlier line was gone. Maybe the people from the game had already left and the place wouldn’t be as crazy as it usually was.
After showing our IDs to a bouncer, I followed Dante inside. The place was humming with dance music and flashing lights. The crowd was smaller than it would be later, but there were stillplenty of men on the dance floor grinding and others making out in the dark corners. A few drag queens stood at the end of the bar, eyeing everyone as they came in.
“Oh my, this is quite a place.” Holding his hands up, he twisted around. “Look at all those shots.” He pointed to the expanse of chalkboard behind the bar, listing hilarious shot names in neon colors. “Look, they have a Dirty Boy. I think that’s perfect for you, Tex.” He wrapped his arm in mine and led me toward it.
Fuck, what about Colton? What was he thinking about this? As we stopped at the long wooden bar top, I turned to find him.
Colton stood a few feet away, his mouth dropped open and eyes wide as he scanned the room.
He was getting the shock of a lifetime. “Hey, Colton. Come here.” I held my arm out.
He blinked and then rushed to my side. “This place is…well, it’s…”
“Isn’t it amazing to see men openly kissing?” Dante tongued the corner of his mouth.
“No, uh, well, yes, I guess so.” Edging into my side, Colton’s body heat shivered across my skin. His gaze rose to mine.
If only I could put my arm around him. He looked lost. “Hey, it’s just a bar like any other bar.”
“He’s never been to a nightclub before, Tex.” Dante waved to a shirtless and muscled bartender. “Are we getting one of these shots?”
“Not right now.” I needed to slow down, and I didn’t want Colton getting too drunk. If we both had too much, we’d never be able to control ourselves. I watched a bartender head our way. “Let’s just get beer.” Beer was easy. You always knew how strong it was, and I could drink it slowly.
With a tut, Dante said, “Oh, you’re no fun.” He ordered three beers and faced me and Colton. Leaning over, he touched Colton’s forearm as it rested on the bar. “What do you think,questioning straight boy? Do any of these men catch your attention?” He flicked a glance at me.
“What?”Questioning straight boy?What the hell had they been discussing all night? Had Colton come out to Dante without telling me? “Colton.” Pulling on his elbow, I turned him to face me. “Did you tell?—”
In a low voice, Colton said, “No, but I almost did.” His mouth tensed. “I had to give him a reason I was okay with coming here. I had to…” He scoffed. “It’s complicated, okay?”
Dante slid beers to each of us. “He said you knew, Tex.”
“I…” Shit, I had to go along with it. “Sure, I knew.” How much had Dante just heard? This was a clusterfuck of master proportions. I had to get Colton alone and find out what happened today. Shifting to cut off Dante’s view of us and narrowing my eyes, I said, “Follow me into the restroom.”
“Then it might appear we’re going in there to hook up.” He drank his beer. “I’m not stupid. I know what goes on in there.” His gaze flicked around the room. “I might have students in here.”
“Are any of your students gay besides me?” I laid my arm across the bar, stepping closer to him so hopefully Dante couldn’t hear us.
“Not that I know of. But it’s not like I ask them.” He huffed a laugh. “It’s not on the intake form.”