Page 85 of For Your Heart
“Damon didn’t tellme,”Simon says.
“I didn’t tell Zarek, either,” Damon says, bringing my face to his. “Your job is just as important as Zarek and Stommer’s. Just as impressive too.”
I press my lips together before I say, “I’m a physical trainer and nutritionist.”
“Like my twins,” Simon says, grinning.
There’s a moment where I bristle slightly.Histwins? I swallow and nod, turning my focus to him. “Yes.”
“I think that’s really awesome. All through college, they gave me workout regimens. I’ve put on some pounds since… over the last few months.” His voice turns dull for a second and a quiet lull meets us. But he quickly adds with a smile, “I didn’t listen to their food advice, though.”
“Ever!” Declan says, exasperated. “He’d live off chocolate milk if we let him.”
Quin nods, chuckling.
“Let’s go in,” Zarek says.
Dinner goes by surprisingly easy. There’s pleasant conversation, laughter, and teasing. I don’t hate Quin at all. As much as I’d like to support Damon and think he’s an awful, selfish man, I don’t find that he is. He’s constantly doing little things for Simon. Things that I realize Damon does for me. And though he’s trying not to glare at Quin for doing them, he doesn’t miss the opportunity to treat me the same way.
It's not just a show, though. When we’re alone or every time we’ve gotten food or something, this is just how Damon is. He’s a good man.
I’m feeling really comfortable with everything by the time we head to the club. The six of us are relaxed and while Damon and Declan don’t outright ignore Quin, they also don’t talk to him at all unless he says something to them. Which I don’t think he has more than once.
It’s slightly awkward, but not bad. Not enough that Simon does more than gives them wary looks on occasion.
We drive to Wilder’s and park. I stare at the sign with trepidation.
“We’ve been with them all evening,” Damon says as he studies my new anxiety.
Shaking my head, I take a breath. “I’ve never actually been to a gay bar.”
“Ah,” Damon says and looks at our destination. “I’ve never been inside this one. Declan has though, and he says it’s not bad. There are rooms off the primary space for a quieter conversation.” He gives me a sudden wide, wicked grin. “And plenty of dark corners for hookups.”
I flush. “Or we can just go back to my house for that. Or yours.”
Chuckling, we get out of the car and meet the others at the door.
“I haven’t been to a club since the last time we went to Stripes,” Simon says as we approach, looking at Declan.
“Back at college?” Zarek asks.
Simon nods. “Yep. They’d drag me along because I’m incapable of staying home alone.”
Declan snorts. “Yeah, that’s why.”
Simon grins and shrugs. We’re let in a minute later and I take my time to look around. The door dumps us into a (far too) loud bar area with a dance floor—which is packed with bodies. Male bodies. Half naked. There’s one man in nothing but a jock! Do I stare? Shamelessly, but only because I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
Damon chuckles, his lips on my jaw. “Like what you see?”
“I… yes?”
He laughs more and pulls me to the bar with the others. I just stand there and realize that I might have to dance. I’ve never danced before. Even when I went to straight bars, I usually remained at the bar. I drink a club soda and watch the hot bodies grind together. Swing and sway and grope. It’s stupidly arousing and I have to adjust how I’m sitting.
“Ready to dance?” Declan asks, pulling Zarek from his stool.
Zarek nods with a smile and allows Declan to pull him away. Quin and Simon follow. I turn to Damon with wide eyes.
“You want to dance or stay here?” he asks.
