Phoenix Club 07(11)

“Hey, boss.”

Max glanced up from behind his desk when Dane leaned in the door. He waved him inside and had him close the door behind him. “What’s up?”

“Have you heard from Caleb?” he perched on the arm of the sofa. “Do you know what’s going on with Coulson’s trial?”

Leaning back in his chair, Max nodded slowly. “It should be starting soon. But Samuel doesn’t anticipate it lasting long. Coulson isn’t contesting the charges, so they won’t have to go through a court battle.”

Dane stared at his hands, eyes distant. “And the others?” He looked up. “How soon will Samuel put together Nick and Christian’s cases?”

“He’s working on them.” Max stood up and walked over to the sofa. “He’ll take care of Christian first. Nick won’t leave the prison until Christian is out.”

“That’s understandable.” Dane murmured and lowered his eyes again. “I wouldn’t either, in his place.”

“Well that’s because, like Nick,” Max squeezed his shoulder. “You’re a hell of a good man.”

“Yeah.” Dane whispered but didn’t sound too positive about it.

The young man had a tense, troubled look on his face as he stared at the floor. Max raised an eyebrow. “Want to talk about it?”

“Huh?” Dane looked up, frowning. “About what?”

“Whatever it is that’s bugging you.”

He sighed then shook his head. “Nothing’s bugging me.” He stood up. “I just wanted to see how things were going with Caleb.”

Max gazed at him warmly. “You miss him.” He wasn’t asking a question.

Clearing his throat, Dane stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Yeah, I…I guess I do.”

“Can I ask you something?” Max picked up the decanter of scotch and poured himself a third of a glass.

“Yeah…sure.” Dane replied uncertainly.

Max gestured at the liquor and Dane shook his head. He sipped from his glass. “Are you in love with him?”

“Who?”

“Caleb.” Max walked over and leaned against the front of his desk.

Licking his lips slowly, Dane’s gaze drifted from Max’s face and settled on the floor again. “I…thought I was. But…I think maybe it was just…” He shrugged and whispered, “I don’t know.”

“Deep affection for the boy?” Max offered and lifted the glass to his lips.

“Yeah, maybe.” He murmured dully.

Max wasn’t blind to the behind-the-scenes dance going on between the young man and their new recruit. He suspected that Caleb may have been the first boy Dane had truly ever cared about, and facing the reality of such heartache could cause a man to run scared when confronted with it a second time. Especially so soon.

“So what made you decide that maybe it wasn’t all out true love?”

The guy seemed to contemplate his answer, then merely shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because…when it’s the real thing…it goes both ways.” He looked up and his dark eyes were damp. “Like with Caleb and Samuel.” He shrugged again. “And Abel and Devlin.” He sighed. “And Cole and Gabe.” He laughed low, with only a measure of humor. “The list is growing.”

Max nodded and smiled. “Maybe you’ll be next on that list.”

Releasing a slow breath, Dane stood up. “No, I don’t think so.” He said quietly. “And that’s…whatever. I’m fine on my own.”

“Are you?” Max murmured.

Dane looked at him then walked over and kissed him without warning. “As fine as you are on your own.” He whispered, his dark eyes speaking volumes that never reached his lips. He turned away and left the office without saying anymore.

Sighing heavily, Max downed the rest of the scotch and shook his head. As fine as you are on your own. “In that case, baby,” he whispered. “You’re fucked.”





***





“Oh, by the way,” Cole caught hold of Dane’s arm as he brushed past him on the way to the dressing rooms. Dane halted, the skin around his eyes tight, the dark orbs somewhat piercing.

“What?” His tone was brittle and Dane knew he was overreacting to Cole’s and Gabe’s earlier ribbing about Angel, and even he didn’t really understand why it was pissing him off and putting him on edge. It was as if this whole situation was causing pressure on a deep rooted splinter which, if left alone, was fine–but became irritated if messed with.

Cole released his arm. “I suggested to Angel that he ask you for some dance lessons as well. Ricky is into the hot moves, but he isn’t as skilled with the slow sexy stuff as you are.” He winked.