Page 47 of In Step

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Abe

I wokeearly to the sounds of Leroy and Fox getting ready for work and dragged myself out of bed to join them in the kitchen.

Leroy smiled when he saw me, looking way too chirpy for the arse crack of dawn. “Man, look what the cat dragged in. It’s not even light outside and it’s pissing down with rain. What the hell are you doing out of bed? Sit.” He slid a mug of coffee my way and I almost kissed him.

“I’ve got a list a mile long today, starting with a haircut. Any recommendations?”

Leroy nodded. “You can’t go wrong with May up in the main street. She used to own an Auckland city salon and she does Judah’s frou-frou fancy shit. Just ignore the whole kaftan thing she has going on.”

I snorted. “Fair enough.”

“You were late last night?”

“Mmm,” I hedged, wrapping my freezing hands around the warm mug and lifting it to my lips. “Fuck, it’s cold in here.”

Leroy laughed. “You’re just not winter proofed after leaving that nice northern-hemisphere summer. We don’t usually put the heater on since we’re not here all that long in the mornings, but I’ll fire it up for you.” He aimed a remote at the heat pump on the wall and it kicked over immediately.

“My blue balls thank you.” I took a long swallow of delicious coffee and sighed in appreciation.

Fox eyed me as he strolled in from the hall, a towel slung low on his hips. “Wow, look who’s up? Rough night?”

Leroy’s gaze raked over his boyfriend and the smile turned to a scowl. “Jesus, put something on, will you?” He flicked a glance my way. “You’re half-naked.”

“So I am.” Fox grinned and wrapped Leroy in a bear hug, holding on until Leroy whacked him on the arm. “Let me go, you big lump.”

“Aw, but I’m your big lump,” Fox fired over his shoulder as he disappeared into the laundry.

“Yes, you are,” Leroy said quietly with a sappy grin that fell flat as soon as he caught me watching. “I thought you might’ve been at the studio.” He eyeballed me. “Only the place was dark when I walked Mack outside around nine. But therewasmusic playing up in Kane’s place, the same stuff you had Fox and I dancing to on Monday.” He finished with a raised brow.

“Didn’t realise I was on a curfew.” It came out sharper than I’d intended, and I winced. “Sorry.”

But Leroy already had his hands in the air. “No, you’re right. It’s none of our business.”

“Absolutely.” Fox reappeared with a pile of clean T-shirts and accepted the coffee Leroy handed him.

“No, it’s me being an arsehole. Iwaswith Kane in his bedsit. He graciously agreed to be my guinea pig so I could practise my tango teaching techniques for you guys.”

Leroy’s eyes bugged. “Kane?OurKane?” His gaze flicked to Fox in disbelief. “And he’s okay with that... with you and him—” He circled a finger in the air. “—dancing?”

For fuck’s sake.“He’s fine with it. Jesus, he works around you lot all the time.”

Leroy frowned. “Yeah, I know, but—” He snapped his mouth shut and I waited, wondering if he was going to finish and whether I could stop myself responding if it was anything judgemental of Kane. In the end he simply shrugged and began unpacking the dishwasher. “Whatever, it’s nothing to do with me.”

I sighed, not wanting any bad feeling between us, but I was also acutely aware of the fine line I was walking. “I needed a guy to practise with since I was teaching—” I waved my hand in their direction, hoping they were buying the crock of shit I’d concocted on the fly. “—andJudah and Morgan and your mums. And same-sex dancing has its quirks, right?”

Fox snorted. “Yeah, like trying to lead when your partner is a ball buster.”

Leroy smirked and I laughed. “Exactly. Which is why I asked Kane if he’d mind. And the only reason I hadn’t said anything was because of Judah.”

Leroy and Fox shared a look and nodded. “Good point. We won’t breathe a word.”

“But if I can convince Kane to partner me on the night, I’ll tell Judah then.”

Leroy choked on his mouthful of coffee. “Yeah, good luck with that. Never. Gonna. Happen.”

“Hey, I gotyoudancing.” I eyeballed Leroy. “And Judah guaranteed me that wouldneverhappen.”

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