Page 24 of Dance With Me
As they walked in, it was heaving. People writhed and danced, and the bar was at least four deep. It would be impossible to get a drink, let alone a table. As it was, they’d had quite a few drinks before, so Seb had a good buzz going on already. Louis made his way to the bar, and the others stood at the edge of the dance floor, toes tapping, watching the dancers.
Drinks eventually arrived, three shots each, and they downed them all, one after the other. Shit, he was going to feel that in the morning!
They’d all made an effort tonight. It was a special occasion, after all. Natalia wore an off the shoulder, fitted red dress and Louis was dressed in his usual black trousers and black shirt. It was rare to see him in anything else when they went out.
Seb and Dom were both dressed in tight black jeans with button-up shirts, Dom’s green, Seb’s purple. They had both accentuated their eyes with eyeliner, Dom even wearing silver glitter on his eyelids, and they both attracted a lot of attention.
When they took to the dance floor, all eyes turned to them. Natalia and Louis moved sensually against each other as they put on a show. It was what they did, after all. Seb and Dom danced together, sometimes apart, sometimes rubbing against each other. Seb had decided he was done hiding. This was what he loved to do, but he was grateful Dom kept him in his sight all the time and never left him alone.
They’d been there a while when Seb spotted a familiar face at the bar. Well, well, if it wasn’t Joe. He looked positively edible, wearing tight jeans and a deep blue buttoned shirt.Looks like he’s been dragged here, after all.Joe was with a mixed group of people, Clare included, but he didn’t look happy. The more Seb tried not to look, the more his attention was drawn to the man.
“You OK?” Dom mouthed to him, the music so loud he was sure his ears would ring later on.
Seb nodded. “I’m good. Joe’s over there,” he shouted back, nodding over to the bar area. “Deep blue shirt and jeans.”
Dom turned them around so he was facing the bar, and his jaw dropped. “Wow! He’s fucking gorgeous.”
At least that was what Seb thought he said. The music was good, but so damn loud. They danced for a while longer before they decided they needed more drinks. Seb made his way to the bar and saw Joe was alone, everyone else on the dance floor. He wasn’t surprised and smiled to himself. He stepped up behind him, right up to the shell of his ear.
“Fancy seeing you here.”
Joe jumped a mile. “Jesus Christ, you scared me half to death.” He turned to face Seb, looking a little spaced out. “Fancy us being at the same club.” He slurred his words a little. “I honestly tried to get out of this, but no such luck. Can I get you a drink, Seb?”
“No, it’s OK. There’s four of us, so I’ll get them.” Thankfully, the bar was a little quieter where they stood, and he got served fairly quickly.
“Who are you here with again?” Joe asked, moving closer so he could be heard. He smelt delicious, good enough to eat, and Seb struggled to focus.
“Natalia, Louis and Dom. They’re over there.” Seb pointed out the trio, who’d managed to get a table just as Dom blew Seb a kiss. He turned back to look at Joe and was puzzled to see a frown on his face. “You OK?”
Joe looked at him, smiling again, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Sure, I don’t want to keep you from your friends. I’ll see you Tuesday.” Joe turned and faced the bar, cutting him off.
Seb was stunned at his response. Joe’d gone from super friendly to dismissive in the blink of an eye. He felt dizzy with the change in mood.
“Yeah, sure. See you then.” He turned and made his way back to his friends and looked back at the bar to see Joe watching him. Seb couldn’t believe what had just happened. He’d always thought they’d had a connection, but now he was second-guessing himself. He handed the drinks out and sat down next to Dom. His good mood faded fast.
“You alright?” Dom leaned over to him, taking his face in his hands.
“Yeah, no. I’m not sure. I just spoke to Joe at the bar. He was fine at first, but when I pointed you guys out, his mood changed from pleasant to downright hostile. What the hell is his problem?”
“Maybe you should talk to him again? Perhaps I shouldn’t have blown that kiss.” Dom replied with a smirk.
“Real subtle, Dom, but I’m not going to let him spoil my mood tonight. Let’s go dance.” He dragged Dom by his hand as Lady Gaga blasted across the club. As he danced, he could feel eyes burning into him, and every time he looked over to the bar, Joe was watching him.
“If I didn’t know he was ‘straight’,” Dom said, air quotes around the word, “I’d say that man was jealous.” Dom grinned.
“Fuck off. You don’t know what you’re talking about. He’s getting married; we’ve already discussed this.” The volume of the music made it hard to have a conversation, so they’d moved closer to talk.
“Well, the guy looks as if he’s about to storm over here and rip me apart. Maybe I should give him something to think about.”
“Don’t you fucking dare, Dom. Just keep dancing. I’m going to have to teach the guy on Tuesday, and I don’t need it to be awkward.”
“If you say so, but he is definitely jealous. Engaged or not, his eyes are on you and no one else.”
Seb smiled to himself. The thought made him ridiculously happy but sad at the same time, knowing nothing could ever come of it. Six weeks and counting and Joe would be off the market for good.
They danced some more, and Seb motioned that he was going to the bathroom.
“Will you be OK?” asked Dom.
