Page 99 of The Dance
Blake
I’d always beenthe type to not settle down. That was why Stacey and I worked, as well as all my other hook-ups, but seeing Brandon and Spencer together almost made me want what they had.
Almost.
I had to admit I was in love with San Francisco. Even though it was much colder than Houston, I loved the sea breeze, the city life, and feeling as though I were free. Brandon let me come and go as though I was his equal and not his child.
Brandon had given me a job at his gym, doing whatever he needed me to do. Wipe down machines, check-in clients, wash towels, whatever the fuck else he asked of me, and I did it because he was paying me so I could save money again.
Every day, I still daydreamed about having my own bar. I started to get the idea that I should open it in San Francisco. Sure, Houston was where I always thought I would open my club, but there was something about San Francisco that spoke to me.
“What’s on the agenda tonight?” I asked Brandon as I plopped down in a seat in his office.
“Poker night at the house.”
My eyes widened. “No shit?”
“Yeah, you want in?”
Since living with him for the last few weeks, I knew he had poker nights on Wednesdays. He hadn’t invited me to go, and I didn’t press to be included. “Yeah, I want in. You know I love that shit.”
“Good. You’re providing the alcohol.”
Of course, I was.
* * *
Before the guys arrived,I went to the store to get what was needed for poker night. That included beer and vodka. Brandon’s friends Ben and Vince showed up first, followed by Jay, who I knew from the gym, and Jason, who was Brandon’s business partner.
After a few rounds, I asked, “Anyone want another beer?”
They all agreed, and since I was grabbing six beers, I figured I might as well put my bartending skills to use and poured everyone a shot of Tito’s.
“Oh no.” Jason held up his hands as I placed his shot in front of him when I returned to the living room. “Last time we had beer and vodka, I puked out the window of my car.”
He was referring to my second night in San Francisco. After we’d checked out Alcatraz, Spencer left my brother and me to hang out. We ended up calling Jason and had a few drinks at a restaurant, and then I vaguely recalled Becca, Jason’s wife, picking us up and bringing us to their house. I recalled nothing else except the following morning when I woke up in bed with my brother.
“What the fuck?” Brandon shouted as he pushed away from me.
“Hmmm?” I asked.
“Why are you in my bed?” he questioned.
“Stop shouting,” I groaned and opened my eyes. We weren’t in Brandon’s bedroom. Before I could ask him where we were, he left.
Once I dressed, I found Brandon and Jason nursing hangovers in Jason’s kitchen.
“Don’t be a pussy.” I chuckled. That was weeks ago.
“I agree. I’ll stick to beer,” Brandon stated.
“We’re at home. You can take shots,” I urged.
Ben, Jay, and Vince all took their shots without complaining.
“I have to work tomorrow,” Brandon said as though one shot was going to make him hungover.
“I do, too,” I reminded him.
