“How’s it going, Jace?” Grant asked, but he continued to frown in Mitch’s direction.
“Good. What’s going on with you two?” Jace responded.
Mitch looked up. “Nothing new.” He glanced at Grant. “And stop glaring at me. This is only my second drink.”
Grant growled. “Since you’ve gotten here. Are you going to try to tell me that you didn’t start at home?”
“I haven’t been home,” Mitch quipped then picked up his drink and drained it.
Grant leaned forward. “You need to be put over someone’s knee and get your ass reddened.”
Mitch laughed and Jace could tell as well that he’d had more than two drinks. “And you think you’re man enough?” Mitch taunted. Oh yeah, he was pushing Grant’s buttons. There might not be any sexual chemistry between them, but Grant did indeed know that Mitch was purposely acting out. Mitch wasn’t always a brat, not like some boys, but he could act like one. He could also be super-sweet so Jace hated to see his friend so lost.
“I swear to God if you keep pushing, Iwillcorrect your behavior,” Grant threatened.
Mitch opened his mouth to respond but the waiter, a cute twink, popped up to the table.
“Hey, Daddy Jace, can I get you something to drink?” Michael asked with a shy smile.
Jace hadn’t played with Michael, but in the years that he’d been going to the club, he’d interacted with the super-sweet twink many times. Michael needed a stronger hand than Jace provided.
“Yes, please, Michael,” Jace responded. “My usual.”
Michael glanced at Mitch.
“He’s done,” Grant said. “Bring him a glass of water. I’ll take another beer.”
Michael nodded quickly then scurried away.
“You’re not my Daddy,” Mitch spat at Grant.
“I’m not,” Grant agreed, “but I am your friend and I’m not going to watch you kill yourself.”
Mitch huffed before crossing his arms over his chest and throwing himself back against the booth. “I’m sorry. Just ignore me. I’m in a mood.”
Jace shook his head. He needed to figure out how to help his friend. His thoughts were interrupted when a hand landed on his shoulder before moving down to his chest. Jace didn’t need to turn around to know who was behind him.
“I didn’t give you permission to touch, boy,” Jace growled.
Caleb Levell laughed before coming around the back of the booth to plop down on Jace’s knee. Beside them, Mitch snorted. “I don’t know why you’re still playing hard to get.” Caleb waved his hand down to his barely there boy shorts and mesh crop top. “Everyone wants a piece of me.”
From across the table, Grant growled. Jace knew Grant had also turned Caleb down. The boy was beautiful, but he was also a mess.
“I’m not playing,” Jace assured him. He lifted Caleb off him and set him on his feet.
“Daddy!” Caleb stomped his foot just like a brat. Calebwasa true and complete brat. Not Jace’s type, but around the club there would be someone for Caleb if the boy would learn to be the real him.
“I’m not your Daddy, nor will I ever be,” Jace corrected. “We’ve talked about this before.”
“But I want youuuuuuu,” Caleb whined.
Unlike the time Avery had whined when Jace was waking him up that morning, Jace was growing annoyed by Caleb’s act. He sat up straight to address the poor sub. Caleb wasn’t a bad guy, but he also didn’t know when to back off.
“Caleb, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I told you that you’re not my type,” Jace told him.
“Because I don’t want you to dress me in a diaper and suck on a pacifier. I can suck something else and make you forget all about that other stuff,” Caleb quipped.
“Listen to me,” Jace spoke clearly. “I have a boy already. I’m not interested.”