Page 11 of Primary Seduction
“They’re inside, in a booth. Sean was cold so Asher took him in. You know how he gets everything he wants.” Max chuckled at the worst kept secret their group had.
Trent tried to smile. “I guess you won’t be getting cold,” he mumbled, too softly for anyone to hear. Or so he thought.
“Sorry?” Max’s voice held confusion, understandably.
Trent looked over at him, shrugged and said, “I’ll go in and find them. Can you tell me roughly where they are?”
Max’s frown stayed as he told Trent where they were. He said goodbye, then stalked off into the stifling bar area again.
“I can’t believe he’s here with that guy. I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone. But then why would you, Trent, you don’t really talk to him, do you?” he mumbled.
“You talking to yourself or can anyone join in?” Logan’s voice in his ear made him jump.
“Shit, Logan. Don’t do that!” Trent’s heart had been beating hard enough before Logan scared him, now it was frantic.
Logan laughed, then leaned close again. “How else are you going to hear me in this joint?”
Trent conceded his point. “Where are you all sitting?” he called.
Logan pointed towards the back, possibly their usual booth, and led the way. Trent’s heart had returned to normal by the time they reached the others. And yes, their usual booth; they would have it named after them soon.
He threw himself onto the seat opposite Logan and realised he’d lost his beer along the journey somewhere. He didn’t even remember putting it down. Another thing to add on to the list of weird happenings.
“What’s that frown for?” Asher shouted across the table.
Trent looked up and shrugged. “I’m hot, that’s all.” He shrugged off his jacket, making sure to put his phone in his jeans pocket instead; that way, he’d be able to feel the vibration if it rang. Not that he expected it to; his kids hadn’t replied since he’d left their messages, and in all honesty, he didn’t expect them to.
Gemma walked over to their little corner of the world and took a drink order. Trent ordered another beer as he’d hardly started the one he’d misplaced. He’d be all right driving home still. He asked about food.
“The kitchen is open with a full menu.” Gemma nodded to the new laminated menus standing in a holder. “I’ll take your order when I bring your drinks.”
“Thanks, Gem.” Trent grabbed a menu and saw a few new things had been added to it. He settled on the lasagne and chips, then looked around at the other guys. Asher was sat in the corner, sideways with his back to the wall and Sean settled backwards against his chest—they were rarely seen apart now, except when their jobs took them in different directions. Logan was sat next to them, arms on the table as he looked around the bar, probably scanning for trouble. As a Detective Sergeant, he worked long hours but was able to swap shifts to make sure he had time with his friends. As far as Trent was concerned, Logan worked too hard and needed those days off more regularly than he got them.
He was tumbled from his thoughts when a body slid across the seat next to him and nudged him further over. He turned his head to see Max, and then the guy from outside slide in next to him. Trent moved as far as the booth would let him, wishing he’d sat where Logan now resided.
“Hi, Max. How have you been?” Logan asked. “Not seen you for a while.”
“Good, thanks. Work’s keeping me busy, so it’s all good.”
“I know how you feel.” Logan laughed.
“Max, who’s your sidekick?” Sean asked with a smile, lessening the potential sting—although they’d been friends for years, so could probably get away with a lot more with each other.
“Oh, sorry. Guys, this is Frederick. Frederick, this is—” Max pointed to each person as he said their name, “Asher, Sean, Logan and Trent.”
“Don’t forget us!” a voice called.
Two bodies stood side by side next to their table. Trent realised it was Ethan and Zak, Max and Sean’s friends.
“You made it! Grab some seats if you can find them.” Sean had sat upright when they’d appeared, joy visible on his face; a far cry from when he was first involved with Asher. Serious emotional issues happened there, but they’d sorted it all out and things couldn’t be better.
Zak managed to find a couple of stools, and they parked at the end.
“What have we missed?” asked Ethan. He had been working alongside Sean in the same architectural company last year for his work experience but had been back at uni for this year. He still managed to get out and meet up with them quite a bit, which was good. Trent would hate for Sean to lose another friend.
“Not a lot. Max was just introducing us to Frederick, his date.” Asher managed to say that without a smirk in place, but Trent thought he heard it in his voice.
“Oh, nice to meet you, Frederick,” Zak said, all polite.
