Page 107 of Counterpoint
Thankfully, Greg just nodded and moved off to serve someone else.
Granted, he might not be dating Dominic much longer. That thought felt like an ice pick to his spine. Adrian gritted his jaw, peered at his beer, then forced himself to take one sip, then another.
The cool liquid slid down his throat and loosened the knot there. Dominic was spooked, and rightly so. But Adrian wasn’t about to give up on him without a fight.
He took his phone out and typed in a text message.
Tried stopping by your place. It’s crawling with reporters. Or press. Or whatever they are.
Finally, finally, a response came.They’re sharks. I’m not home. I’m in a hotel.
A second text came on the heels of that one.Ray says I’m being a fool and I should talk to you.
Adrian huffed a laugh and took another draw on his beer.Give Ray my thanks.
I don’t know if I should. This is a nightmare, Adrian.
He chewed on his lip, then drank. He could almost hear the panic in Dominic’s voice. See the haunted expression in those wide brown eyes.I should call you, but I’m in a bar, so I can’t. When I get home, I’ll call. But Dominic, I’m serious. I want to make this work. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you say...
He looked up at the TV while he waited for the reply to come. His beer was half gone, and the alcohol had done the trick of relaxing him a bit. The news was on, but it was all about the government or sports or some latest crime or another in the city.
Yeah, Dominic was famous, sure. But it wasn’t like the world revolved around Twisted Wishes.
Greg the bartender came into view. “You need another?” He was still eyeing Adrian with curiosity.
This wasn’t flirting, because it made his skin want to creep away. “Nah. One’s enough. Just the check.”
Greg nodded and moved away. The sooner Adrian got out of here, the sooner he could actually talk to Dominic.
A text had come back.I know you think I’m exaggerating, but I’ve seen what the others have gone through. Adrian, I love you. I love you too much to put you through that.
He didn’t even think as his fingers typed the reply.Don’t you think I should be the one to choose what I go through?
He finished his beer and stared at the screen. Dominic’s reply was both heartening and gut-wrenching.Fuck. I can’t do this over text. Call me when you can.
Just as soon as he paid for his beer and got out of the bar. It was too hot and too loud, even though it was hardly packed. He had to give Dominic some due, though. He was right—this whole thing was a nightmare, but not in the way Dominic meant.
Give me a few. I’ll call.
Greg came back with the slip and slid it to Adrian. “Hey, can I ask you a question?” He didn’t lift his fingers from the paper.
Adrian met the man’s stare. “What?”
“What’s it like?” Greg smiled a bit and his eyes widened.
“What’s what like?” He couldn’t help the irritation slipping in. This dude wasweird.
“Being Domino Grinder’s lover.”
Adrian’s breath caught and his mind stuttered for a moment. Oh god. Of course. Of course someone would remember. Would know. He and Dominic came here all the damn time. People would recognize the Domino-as-Dominic now.
Holy shit.
“I mean,” Greg said, and his voice took on a low tone. “You two are practically fucking by the time you leave here. Must be pretty hot.”
Heat—the painful, burning kind—flared in Adrian and he fought the instinct to curl his hands into fists. Those nights had beentheirs. His and Dominic’s. Yes, they’d been pretty blatant, but he’d seen other couples that into each other. Fuck this guy. He pulled the slip out from under Greg’s hand and checked the total before he drew out his wallet and placed cash on the bartop. “That’s none of your damn business.”
He stood and turned to head out the door.
