“Sorry. Reminds me of this asshole in high school. He was hell bent on making me his fuck toy. He thought because he was the star of the school, and I was the class clown that it was okay for him to be all over me. That I should be grateful he handpicked me. And since I was gay that automatically meant I’d be okay to fuck anyone ready and willing.”
“What happened?”
Dex grinned widely. “I told him to meet me in the locker room after school in one of the stalls. Naked. I snapped a picture of him in his birthday suit and told him if he didn’t want the whole school to see how small his dick was, he’d leave me the fuck alone. I reminded him I was friends with the photography club’s president and could easily have the picture blown up, which would be necessary in order for anyone to find his dick.”
Sloane laughed. “I bet you’d have gone through with it too.”
“Fuck yeah. I spent so much time in the principal’s office that the man started penciling me into his schedule. We even shared lunch on occasion. He was pretty cool. He knew who the assholes were at school and didn’t exactly disapprove of my methods. I avoided fist fights so when I had to fight back, I did it in my own way.” Dex leaned back against the counter. “I bet no one messed with you in school.”
“I never had that problem. But then again, I hung out with Ash. We weren’t really the most approachable guys on campus.”
“Speaking of unapproachable. Here comes the king of.”
Sloane turned to Ash who was looking even more miserable than usual. “Where’s Taylor? Alive, I hope.”
“I put him in a cab and sent him home,” Ash grumbled. The guy looked tired. Like he hadn’t been sleeping. Well, Ash had called in sick a couple of days ago. Dex couldn’t understand why the guy had insisted on having the party at his place if he was feeling crappy.
“Thanks for dealing with Taylor,” Dex said.
“I didn’t do it for you.”
“I didn’t think so, but thanks anyway. I don’t want that jackass anywhere near my brother.” For all of Ash’s faults, Dex couldn’t deny the guy was always there to back Cael up, and he appreciated that.
“Won’t be a problem.” Ash leaned against the counter, his expression somber. Which wasn’t unusual, but there was something else. He was looking out into the
throng of agents dancing, drinking, and enjoying themselves.
“You look tired, man. You feeling okay?”
Ash seemed to snap himself out of it, and he gave Dex a nod. He ran a hand over his face and sighed. “Yeah, I’m good. Just need some sleep.”
“Maybe it’s time to wrap up this shindig,” Dex suggested. A look of relief crossed Ash’s face before his signature glower returned.
“Thank fuck for that.” Ash pushed away from the counter and headed for the crowd undoubtedly to inform them they were to all fuck off.
“I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of worried about him.” Dex caught his lover’s concerned expression. Looked like Dex wasn’t the only one. “You’re worried about him too.”
“Not sure yet. Maybe it’s whatever bug he’s getting over. He gets grumpy when he’s sick.”
Dex arched an eyebrow at Sloane. “I’m sorry. Are you implying that what we experience on non-sick days is him in a good mood?”
“That is correct,” Sloane replied, completely serious.
“Fuck me.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Dex’s cock twitched in his pants. “Let’s get everyone the hell out of here.” He went off into the crowd and worked the room, joking and teasing as he ushered them out. When there was only Sloane, Ash, Dex, and Cael left, Dex thanked Ash for the party, receiving a grunt in response.
“I’ll help you clean up,” Cael said only to have Ash usher them all toward the door.
“It’s fine. I can manage.”
Dex was certain Cael’s offer had more to do with hanging out with Ash than actually cleaning.
“Are you sure?” Cael asked. The others might not have noticed his brother’s disappointment, but it was clear as day to Dex.
“Positive.” With a brief good-bye, Ash closed the door on them. The three of them stood quietly in front of the closed apartment door. Dex wished he could say Ash’s behavior surprised him, but it didn’t. He turned to Cael.