Page 16 of Fever Dream
“Oh, tonight may be difficult,” I mull, avoiding his eyes as I pretend to look through my notes.
“Oh? You have plans already?” The disappointment in his voice is also coating his face and I die a little inside. Because yes, Casey, as a matter of fact I do have plans. Plans to go have mindless sex with any random guy I can find to getyouout of my head.
“Yeah, I do. Sorry.”
“I don’t have to go out with Sonny and Izak. I can come do whatever you’re doing if you want company.”
I choke on my own spit at the image he’s just innocently presented to me on a platter. Nope, nope, nope, just no.
Casey isnotcoming within four hundred miles of a gay club with me. Not if we were the last two men on the planet. In which case there would be no gay club but anyway. Semantics.
“Actually, you know what? Those plans weren’t set in concrete. I’ll come for a drink,” I say instead because there is no way in hell I’m telling him what I was actually planning on doing. Which was sinking my cock into some faceless guy who is definitely, most certainlynotCasey Calloway.
“Are you sure?” he checks, big blue-green eyes filled with what almost looks like worry. “I don’t want to impose.”
“No imposition,” I lie, closing my folder with a snap. I’ll just send him the bill for the RSI in my suffering right hand.
The big smile he rewards me with makes my insides melt into a puddle. “That’s great, Harry,” he grins, turning and leaving me with the sight of his perfect ass as he heads for the locker room.
***
The pub Casey and I enter later that night verges more on the side of a club than what had entered my mind when he’d mentioned the name. This is no quaint, centuries-old ramblingbuilding with its crooked walls and exposed beams. There are no cosy leather armchairs in front of a fireplace or rustic wooden tables that have heard a million tall stories.
No, this place is sleek and modern with a long bar backlit with blue lights and filled with gins and whiskies from around the world. A DJ plays a set I don’t recognise from the corner in front of a small but mostly empty dance floor. But the strong scent of ale is pervasive and strangely comforting as I follow behind Casey to the booth where Sonny and Izak are already into their first round.
“Hey, you made it,” Sonny says, reaching out to clasp hands with Casey before doing the same to me.
“Well, I tried to say no but this one wouldn’t hear of it,” I say as I slide into a booth beside Casey.
Sonny laughs out loud. “Yeah, good luck with that. Casey doesn’t understand the word no.”
“You’re making it sound like I don’t understand the concept of consent,” Casey points out, sending me that smile. His dark blonde hair is styled into artfully tussled spikes tonight and he’s wearing a black button down that looks sinful against his biceps. His light blue jeans are doing a solid job of showing off his other assets too.
“Seeing as no one has ever said no to you in the history of your life I’m not sure you really do get it, mate,” Sonny returns.
“Oh Sonny boy,” Casey returns with a shake of his head. “Don’t make me tell them the stories of all the girls you sent wild in high school.”
Sonny just grins as he takes a sip from his glass while I watch on with interest. Izak is doing the same from beside Sonny, but he seems to be more the strong and silent type.
“You two went to high school together?” I ask, question directed at Casey.
“We did. And before you ask, yes, I was the dedicated star student while Sonny here slept his way through the female population of the school.” Somehow, I believe this as I look between Casey and Sonny. They’re both very easy on the eye with bucket loads of charisma and charm to match. I can readily believe the girls would go crazy for both of them. I also have no doubt Casey could have slept his way through high school if he’d wanted to.
Before anyone can respond, a waiter appears at our booth with a tray full of beers which he summarily plants down on our table.
“Oh ah, I don’t think we ordered yet,” I say.
“On the house,” he winks at us before he leaves.
“Does this happen everywhere you go?” I ask, turning my attention on Casey as he takes a sip of the free drink. He just shrugs and sends me a rueful smile that tells me enough. “Just so we’re clear, I am havingtwodrinks. That’s it.”
“Sure, Harry,” he returns innocently, leaving a trail of froth on his upper lip. I clear my throat and look away.
“This only happens when Casey’s with us,” Izak mulls. “Like I didn’t kick goal of the year last season.”
“Aw, Izak,” Casey says solemnly. “I appreciate you and your marvellous goal kicking talent. Have a free beer.”
“Cheers, buddy,” Sonny adds, finishing off his original glass and reaching for the last free beer.
