Page 30 of The Play

Deacon told himself, as his gaze reverted back to the ceiling and he tried to fall asleep, that Grant’s text hadn’t been a brush-off.

And, additionally, that even if it had been, that might be a good thing.

A safe thing.

But Deacon couldn’t convince himself of either.

Chapter 5

Deacon had forgotten entirely that Fridays were 90s Night at the Pirate’s Booty until the moment he walked in.

Boyz II Men was playing loudly, and it felt like half the bar was in ripped jeans and Doc Martens and flannel. So much flannel.

Even Kieran behind the bar was in a flannel shirt, open at the neck, blond hair pushed back, as he poured drinks and chatted with the various patrons lined up to grab some of his magic for themselves.

He was grinning when Deacon finally made his way to the bar.

“The other guys are all over at the dance floor,” Kieran said. “Your usual?”

“Whatever you think I should have.” Deacon wasn’t stupid enough to flout Kieran’s famous superhero skill—which was that he knew exactly what you should be drinking, not what you thought you wanted to be drinking.

Kieran nodded absently, and then to Deacon’s surprise, he didn’t reach for the small fridge underneath to grab a bottle of his favorite beer. Instead, he filled a glass with ice and began to make a drink.

He was pretty sure Carter wouldn’t ignore him and invite Grant anyway and even more sure Grant wouldn’t actually come. But there was Kieran making him a mixed drink, so maybe stranger things had happened. Deacon shoved his hands into his jeans and tried to ask as casually as he could, “Anyone else here besides the usual suspects?”

Kieran shot him a look. “Who are you expecting?”

“Hopefully nobody,” Deacon said and meant it. He and Grant had almost made a monumental mistake last night, and yet even though he knew some space would be a good thing, he felt disappointed when Kieran gave a little shake of his head.

“Nobody I wouldn’t expect,” he said, setting a glass full of fizzy clear liquid in front of Deacon.

“What’s this?” he asked, curious as he lifted it to his mouth to take a sip.

“Gin and tonic,” Kieran said.

“It’s good.” All Kieran’s drinks were good, but Deacon didn’t think he’d ever even thought of ordering a gin and tonic. Why had Kieran decided he needed one of these tonight?

“Don’t ask,” Kieran offered with a lopsided smile. “That’s not how the superpower works.”

“Ugh,” Deacon said. But he kept sipping it as he moved away from the bar, across the room, and down the hallway that led to the dance floor.

“Hey,” Riley said, tilting his head in greeting as Deacon approached. “You’re not drinking beer?” He glanced down at Deacon’s glass.

“Guilty as charged. Thank Kieran for that.”

“What is it?” Riley asked.

“Gin and tonic.” Deacon glanced around the dance floor. Underneath the flashing lights, he could see Carter and Ian, Beck and Micah, and even Nate was there.

Of course, Deacon had texted him and told him to come, because he deserved to celebrate, too.

“Your new protege is here. You invite him?” Riley gestured to where Nate was dancing with Beck and Micah.

Deacon nodded.

The guy was grinning widely, his teeth white in the darkened room.

He reminded Deacon a little—or a lot, actually—of Jem. Played like him, or would when Deacon got done with him, and even looked a little like him, with his dark hair and hazel eyes.

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