Page 17 of No Rhyme or Riesling

“We actually don't have one yet,” Morgan admitted.

“What?” Adam squawked. “How do you guys not have a song? Okay. Shit. Let me think.” He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his fingertips to his temples, mentally reviewing songs that he knew, trying to pick something that might fit their relationship. “Oh!” He leaned over to Skylar and whispered, “Do you know 'Something Just Like This?'”

Skylar laughed. “Oh yeah. For sure.”

Adam grinned as the two of them made a beeline for the piano. Skylar sat down, folded back the cover, and tested the keys. He gave Adam a nod, then started to play.

Conversations slowly died down as the first few notes drifted through the room. Adam shifted from foot to foot, unable to hold still. Even with as small an audience as this was, he felt the same thrill he always did. His skin tingled all over, and he couldn't stop smiling.

Then, just before he started to sing, he caught John's gaze from across the room.Oh fuck. John stared at him, his eyes dark and lips parted, his body utterly frozen in anticipation.

Adam sang, giving it everything he had, losing himself in the life of the music. He couldn't even tell if anyone else was listening. Maybe they were are still going about their conversations and ignoring his little corner of the room entirely. It didn't matter. He needed to sing for Everett and Morgan. For John. For himself.

When the song came to an end, Skylar couldn't even get the last few notes out on the piano before the crowd erupted with deafening applause.

A high-pitched wail sounded from across the room. It cut off abruptly, but not before Skylar shot to his feet, stretching up to look over the heads of everyone there.

Adam was about to ask him if he was okay, but before he could get the words out, Morgan grabbed him by the arms and bounced in place, grinning in excitement.

“That was amazing!” Morgan exclaimed.

Beside him, Everett gave a nod, staring at Adam in awe. “Okay, I'm sold,” he said, then turned to look at Morgan. “And I think we have a song?”

Morgan gasped. “Really?” His smile grew even more blinding, and he stretched up to throw his arms around Everett's neck as Everett pulled him in for a scorching kiss.

“Yeah?” Everett murmured.

“It's perfect,” Morgan got out before Everett kissed him again.

Whistles and catcalls rose up, replacing the applause. Adam laughed with joy, glad to see his friends so happy, his chest swelling with pride that he was able to do that for them.

He turned around to thank Skylar for helping him, only to see Skylar focused on some commotion dying down at the far end of the sitting room. The crowd parted just enough that Adam could see John's assistant, Ward, sitting in an armchair by the window. Adam hadn't even noticed the man's arrival.

But Ward wasn't alone. Charlie was curled up in the man's lap, eyes squeezed shut and covering his ears. Ward held his hands up at his sides, a stunned look on his face. On either side of him, Dakota and Quinn looked like they were apologizing and trying to gently encourage Charlie away.

Ward shook his head and wrapped his arms around Charlie. He moved slowly, watching the boy, like he was gauging his reaction. Ward used one hand to help cover Charlie's ears, and as the boy settled against him, Ward's stunned expression gave way to a look of peaceful revelation.

Adam's jaw dropped. He'd been so sure Ward was straight, but with as content as the man looked, holding Charlie in his lap, he began to wonder.

Of course, there was also the big problem of Charlie curled up against someone other than his boyfriend.

Adam looked at Skylar, noticing the bittersweet expression on his face. “Uh, Sky? How come your boyfriend is sitting in someone else's lap?”

Skylar didn't answer right away. He kept staring across the room, looking somehow both relieved and broken at the same time. “I've never seen him do that before,” he finally murmured.

“Do what?”

“Approach a complete stranger, let alone seek comfort from them.” Skylar paused. “Maybe it won't be as bad as I thought.”

“What won't?”

Skylar finally looked at him. “When I leave the city, I was planning on leaving everything behind. Including Charlie,” he added, a guilty look flashing across his face. “Truth is, he needs someone like that,” he went on, gesturing across the room. “Someone strong. I'm not strong enough for him, mentally or physically. Not in the long term. But if he can find someone else, someone like that, maybe he'll be okay. And,sheesh, I am so fucking envious right now. That man is alldaddyright there. Fuck. I'm half-tempted to go join them.”

Adam flinched violently as the word obliterated what relief the music had given him.That's it. One too many, and he was done. His hands shook and his heart thumped wildly in his chest, so desperate for relief, he thought he might scream.

“I need a drink,” Skylar bit off, heading straight for the bar.

“You read my mind,” Adam muttered to himself as he hurried to follow. He needed that alcohol so badly, he could already taste it.

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