Page 45 of Fire Me Up
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing another smile. “Just thinking you should branch out tonight. Dance with other guys. See what’s out there. This is your last lesson, and it should finish strong.”
Gael frowned. “I don’t want to dance with other guys.”
“Come on.” I stepped back, creating space between us that felt like a chasm. “That’s what you’re here to learn, right? How to navigate the scene. How to flirt. How to find what you like.”
“Dylan
“Trust me,” I cut him off, my chest tightening painfully. “This is all part of the education. You need to experience everything before you decide what you want.”
Gael studied my face, confusion giving way to hurt. “If you don’t want to dance with me anymore, just say so.”
“No, that’s not I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I just don’t want you to feel tied down. You’re only just figuring yourself out.”
“I know what I want,” he said, his voice dropping lower, intent clear in his eyes. “I want you.”
“You don’t even know me.” Panic clawed up my throat. He couldn’t mean that. He couldn’t want me—not really, not fully. He was just caught up in the newness, the excitement of discovery.
“Look who it is!” A familiar voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.
I turned to see Niko from the food truck, looking unfairly hot in tight black briefs that showcased his muscular thighs. His olive skin gleamed under the lights, his dark hair artfully tousled, stubble perfectly trimmed along his jaw. He had a fucking eight-pack. Who even had an eight-pack? Other than Gael.
“Niko!” Gael’s face lit up with genuine pleasure. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“First time,” Niko admitted, his accent thickening slightly as his eyes swept appreciatively over Gael’s body. “Aiden and Cash dragged me out. A few other people from the FRMC are here, too.” He pointed at a group that included Lennox, and my brother, which was odd. “They claim it’ll help me get over my divorce and be less grumpy. Don’t know why they couldn’t just eat their gyros in silence.”
“They like to meddle,” I said, forcing a laugh.
“Right, well, I didn’t like gay bars even when I was single,” Niko said. “And they’re worse with a bunch of straight assholes.”
“Well, it’s you’re lucky night. I was just telling Gael he should explore his options tonight,” I heard myself saying, the words tasting like poison on my tongue. “Dance with different guys, see what he likes.”
Niko raised an eyebrow, looking between us. “I would be happy to dance with him, if he wants.”
Gael stared at me. “Dylan
“Go on,” I said, shoving playfulness into my voice. “Have fun. I need another drink anyway.”
I didn’t wait for his response, just turned and pushed my way through the crowd, not stopping until I reached the bar. I ordered another whiskey, downing it in one burning gulp and immediately signaling for another.
“You’re an idiot,” I muttered to myself, pressing the cool glass against my forehead.
From my position at the bar, I had a perfect view of the dance floor. I spotted Gael easily—he stood head and shoulders above most of the crowd, his body illuminated in flashes of blue and purple light. Niko moved close to him, saying something that made Gael laugh.
I tore my gaze away, staring into my whiskey like it held answers. This was what I wanted, right? For Gael to see that he had options, that he didn’t need to settle for me just because I was the first guy he’d been with. This was me being a good friend, a good mentor.
So why did it feel like someone was carving out my insides with a dull spoon?
I risked another glance at the dance floor. Niko had pulled Gael closer, their bodies pressing together as they moved to the music. Gael’s expression was unreadable from this distance. Were they talking about food? About the motorcycle classes? Was Niko telling him how gorgeous he was, how much he wanted to take him home?
Bile rose in my throat. As much as this needed to happen, as much as I needed Gael to realize he could have something with another guy, I couldn’t watch it. It was too much.
I abandoned my half-finished drink and pushed through the crowd toward the exit, not bothering to say goodbye to Cash and Aiden. They’d figure it out. Or they wouldn’t. It didn’t matter.
Outside, the cool night air hit my overheated skin, making me realize I was still in just my underwear. My clothes were in the locker inside. Fuck it. I’d get a rideshare home, pay extra for thedriver not to comment on my state of undress. I just needed to be gone.
My phone buzzed in my hand—a text from Gael.
Where are you?
