Page 18 of Home For Christmas

A few good-natured sighs and we each picked up a shot, clinked them together, and tossed them back. Even Derek and Harrison grimaced as it went down.

“Dance?” Ty yelled over the building noise from the bar. The DJ had just been getting started when we’d walked in and now that music was pumping through the speakers, the sound overwhelming.

Declan gave his husband a long once-over then nodded his head. He was going to have his hands full just keeping other men’s hands off Ty, but I was certain Declan was up to the challenge.

Derek was back at my side. “Dance, Daddy?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Absolutely, buddy. Absolutely.”

I knew Derek and Harrison were recognized as we headed toward the dance floor in a line, but people gave them space, and aside from a few comments about cute shirts that were thrown our way, we were left alone.

Derek wiggled himself so that his back was pressed against my chest as he let the music wash over him. Then he started to move with it. Derek’s natural rhythm was a thing of beauty, and watching him dance was nearly hypnotic. I didn’t have to do much because no one was paying attention to me. Truthfully, most people weren’t even paying attention to Derek—his brothers had seemingly stolen the show. From Ty’s lithe body grinding against Declan’s muscles, to Jasper, Harrison, and Greg locked in a heated kiss beside us, we were some of the least interesting people in the place.

During the first slow song, Derek turned in my arms. “Can we get drinks?”

Drinks actually sounded like a great idea. It had been nearly an hour since we’d had the shots, and this would probably be my last drink anyway. Designated driver had its downfalls, but I wasn’t normally a big drinker, especially in public. Having married a famous musician, I was all too aware that a photographer could be anywhere, and the last thing I wanted was to become tabloid fodder… again.

As soon as we took a few steps toward the side of the dance floor, I knew people were following us. I turned around to see Declan, Ty, Harrison, Greg, and Jasper falling in line behind us. I had no idea how Ty was still on his feet, but he was and looking none the worse for wear.

“Drinks?” Ty nearly begged as we made it to the bar.

Jasper held up his hand. “I’m getting these. I’ve learned my lesson about bars and you.”

Did I detect a bit of bitterness in his voice? Not that I could blame him after the stories I’d heard about Ty and Declan taking him to The Stick Pony. At least he was smiling. I was pretty sure any ill will had been forgotten, but I couldn’t blame him for not wanting a Cock Sucking Cowboy or any other weird drink Ty knew about.

Jasper returned nearly five minutes later, a smile on his face and a tray of drinks rimmed with Christmas sprinkles.

“What are these?” Derek asked, picking the red liquid up and sniffing it.

Jasper shrugged a shoulder. “House drink for the night, The Naughty Elf. It’s obviously got cranberry juice in it. Got them for free from the bartender. I’d planned on a good old Long Island or something like that, but who am I to turn down free drinks?”

Greg looked confused. “How the hell did that happen?”

Jasper grinned as he began handing drinks out. “He saw us kissing a few minutes ago. He might have asked to join us later tonight.”

Harrison choked on air, and while he was recovering Greg found his voice. “Oh, hell no! I can hardly handle the two of you.”

Jasper did a great job looking put out. “Aww, I thought it could be fun. I mean, three in bed is mind-blowing, wouldn’t four be better?”

Harrison was still gasping for air and I started to worry about him, but given that he was starting to laugh between coughing fits, I thought he’d be okay.

“No!” Greg barked. “No more in bed with us.”

“Damn, guess I better go tell him thanks but no thanks.”

Ty gawked at his oldest brother but his eyes were sparkling with excitement. Derek wasn’t looking any less surprised. “Dude, did you get kicked in the head by a bull?” Ty managed after a second.

All of a sudden Jasper was bent over laughing so hard we could hardly hear him trying to speak. “I…” He gasped. “Oh my god, your faces!” He laughed a few more times. “Payback,” he finally forced out before he dissolved into another fit of laughter.

Greg and Harrison both breathed a sigh of relief, and when Jasper had himself mostly pulled together, he sandwiched himself between his men. “I’m sorry for scaring you, but after The Stick Pony incident, I couldn’t resist.”

Greg kissed his head. “Sexy, I love you, but I’m an old man at this point. If you do shit like that too much, you run the risk of killing me.”

Jasper kissed Greg’s cheek. “Sorry, but not completely. I mean, the guy really did give these to me for free and told me he’d love to join us.”

Harrison was laughing when he finally looked over at Jasper. “Thank fuck you didn’t take him up on that offer. You and Greg are as much as this ass can handle!”

That time, Ty had nothing to say. Well, nothing but, “TMI, TMI, TMI!” He shuddered as he put his fingers in his ears. “There are some things I just don’t need to know.”

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