Page 12 of Something Unavoidable

Izzy turned his back on the group at the far end of the bar and drained the last of his cocktail. He was going to have words with Micah later. When Izzy invited his friend out, he knew Micahwould bring at least one of his men with him. What he hadn’t planned on was their third—fourth?—wheel tagging along. After basically a whole week of Keegan up his ass at work, Izzy didn’t need him and his judgy stares on his night off too. His skin crawled at the imagined sensation of eyes on him. He scrubbed a hand over his arm in an attempt to make it stop.

Someone calling his name over the music jerked Izzy’s attention back to the bar.

Damion, Hunter’s newest bartender, gave him a wave, then finished tying on an apron. “Need a refill?” Damion asked, gesturing to Izzy’s empty glass.

Damion was great. He was a few years younger than Izzy, with a pretty face and tight little body that earned him excellent tips. He joked that the real skill of his job was turning down customers who thought they had a chance and still getting his 20%.

Watching him do it was actually pretty hot. He tracked Damion’s perky ass as he bounced between the front and back bars and tried to picture it swallowing his cock.

He shuddered. Nope. Still not a top. He shook off the image. It was for the best that Damion wasn’t Izzy’s type and vice versa. Because Izzy was in a mood, and he wasn’t feeling very discerning. The last thing he needed to do was make things awkward at his safe place.

Someone familiar stepped up to the bar, and Izzy gave him an appreciative once-over. Fitted jeans and tee, designer shoes, and a watch Izzy didn’t need to know the cost of. He had artful stubble, and his highlighted-blond hair was the kind of celebrity-trendy that showed up on social media reels. Definitely not something you saw often in Split Rock, North Carolina.

Finally, Izzy placed him. Asher. Xavier’s personal assistant. Izzy had met him in passing. He was around a lot now thatXavier had his home base on the farm adjacent to the ranch. And, lucky day for Izzy, he was supposed to be single.

Izzy put on a sultry smile and slid closer. “What are you having?” he asked, planting his elbow on the bar top and keeping his body language open and inviting. He waited until the other man looked over before letting his gaze trail lower.

Asher tilted his head. “Probably nothing you’re into,” he replied, amusement coloring his tone.

Izzy tried not to let the dismissal bother him. “Typical,” he said, keeping his voice light and playful. “Hottest guy here and he isn’t looking for fun.”

Asher threw back his head and laughed. “You’re Izzy, right? You work at the ranch?” He traded Damion his credit card for a beer, giving the boy a dazzling smile. “Start a tab for me, would you, beautiful?”

Damion’s lips parted, and he blinked a few times, seemingly frozen by the smile and the endearment. So much for Damion’s professional distance. He looked starstruck. Izzy chuckled, earning a glare before Damion, pink-cheeked, spun on his heel and hurried to the register.

Asher watched Damion go with a slight smile curving his lips, then turned back to Izzy, his eyebrow raised.

It took Izzy a moment to recall the question. He held out his hand, surprised by Asher’s strength when he shook it. “Guilty. And you’re Asher.”

“Ash,” he corrected. “I’m only Asher at work.”

They chatted a little, but it was clear Ash wasn’t interested in more. Izzy wasn’t even disappointed. As attractive as the man was, Izzy didn’t get the feeling they’d be compatible between the sheets—or in a bathroom stall, as the case may be. Tonight, Izzy wanted someone to wreck him, and, while Ash had a certain vibe about it, it wasn’t that one.

After Ash got his drink and strolled away again, Izzy scanned the bar for newcomers. For a Friday night, it wasn’t very crowded. The recent holiday probably had something to do with that. People were still recovering from their New Year’s Eve excesses. That, or some new year’s resolution that would be forgotten before February, was keeping them home. Izzy didn’t believe in new year’s resolutions. Things like that were for people with regrets—Izzy was good with his current life choices.

He fidgeted with his cocktail straw, chewing on the plastic. A few people were dancing, but they were all partnered off and he wasn’t in the mood for a threesome. He needed all the focus on him tonight. He pulled out his phone and tapped the Connections app. The “nearby friends” feature didn’t offer up any options either. Just one guy he’d chatted with six months ago but wasn’t all that into. His knee bounced as he finished his drink and signaled Damion for another.

Damion complied without question, thank fuck. Hunter would have given him a look at the very least and probably a reminder about their agreement. Izzy didn’t think it was necessary; he was aware of his own tolerance and where the line was. The fact he chose to cross it as often as possible didn’t change that.

The alcohol wasn’t doing its job. Instead of making him warm and loose, he was increasingly jittery. It was the worst feeling. Soon, his skin would start to itch. He needed to find a distraction before that happened. He pulled out his phone again and shot the Connections guy a message. Greedy hands and a pounding hard enough to replace the discomfort with a mix of pain and pleasure was his go-to solution. The app guy claimed to like things rough. Izzy hoped he was telling the truth because he fucking needed it.

The response came through, a little slower than Izzy would have liked, but at least it was an affirmative. App guy was on hisway and had offered a detailed description of what he planned to do to Izzy’s ass once he arrived.

“Tell me you’re bored without telling me you’re bored,” Micah said as he appeared next to Izzy and slung an arm around his waist.

Izzy rolled his eyes but leaned into Micah’s touch, some of the skin hunger settling at his friend’s comforting strength. “Have you looked around? It’s dead in here.”

Micah did as suggested and blinked a little. He clearly hadn’t noticed, too wrapped up in his sexy men to recognize the lack of options for the rest of them.

Izzy groaned. “You’re so married.” He ducked down and hugged Micah a little tighter.

“Yep,” Micah agreed as he hugged back. “You don’t have to say it like it’s a curse, you know.”

Izzy wrinkled his nose and rested his chin on the top of Micah’s head. Micah didn’t fit the way Eli did, but Izzy made it work, grateful for the reprieve the solid heat of Micah’s body gave him. “Says you,” Izzy replied. “I happen to like keeping my options open. Besides, my fan club would be devastated if I let someone take me off the market.”

Micah turned in his arms and put his warm, callused hands on Izzy’s cheeks, forcing eye contact. “Iz,” Micah started, his gaze and tone serious. “Are you happy?”

Izzy blinked at him. “What kind of question is that?”

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