“Yeah? Where?”
A notable hesitation. “Just…around.” Angel murmured. “Different places. But none of the big clubs, like this one.”
Ricky seemed to catch on and stopped pushing for details. “I apologize if I seem a little forward, but…do you have a boyfriend?”
A burning shot of anger mixed with a glob of jealousy encased Dane’s heart and mind. The little fucker was asking him out?
“Uh,” Angel gave a short, anxious laugh. “No, I…” A brief hesitation. “I don’t, but…I’m not really looking…”
Ricky laughed lightly. “Easy, babe. I wasn’t making propositions. I was just asking…for a friend, who might be interested.”
An instant tension gripped Dane. A friend? Who the hell was he talking about? What do you care? You’re not interested–remember?
“A…friend?” He wasn’t sure but he swore he heard a hopeful note in Angel’s voice. “Uh…who?” he asked casually. At least he reached for casual.
Dane leaned his back against the wall, his whole body tense as he, too, waited for Ricky’s reply.
“I shouldn’t say. He’d probably kick my ass.” Ricky chuckled. “But I guess it don’t really matter anyway…since you’re not looking for a boyfriend.” The amusement in the guy’s voice said he didn’t quite believe Angel.
“Uh, yeah.” Angel murmured. “I’m not.”
What the hell was with the sudden heaviness in his chest? Who cared if the boy didn’t want a boyfriend?
“Ok then.” Ricky said lightly. “I’ll let him know you’re not on the market.” There was an audible smirk to his voice. Angel remained silent as Ricky left the dressing room. More tension seeped through Dane when he knew the kid was on the other side of the thin wall, alone. What was stopping him from stepping over there and speaking to him? Why would you do that? For what reason?
He pressed his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, his heartbeat strong at the base of his throat, nearly choking him. You are one pathetic motherfucker, you know that? Getting all worked up over some kid still wet behind the ears. Hiding out, eavesdropping…what is with you?
Dane had no answers and didn’t really want to delve too deeply into any probable ones either. He released a slow, labored breath. “Just get a fucking grip.” He whispered.
“Hey.” Angel’s tentative voice in the doorway caused Dane to flinch hard, cracking his head against the wall. His eyes snapped open and heartbeat spiked so fast he almost fainted. “Are you okay?”
“Huh?” Dane cleared his throat quick and pushed off the wall but only took a single step. He dragged his hand down his face. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”
“Okay.” The kid seemed doubtful. “Well, uh…I’ll see you later. I was just here for the…lessons. I don’t actually come on until this evening.”
Dane nodded silently, unsure why he was telling him this.
Angel lingered in the doorway for a moment, possibly waiting for Dane to say something. When he didn’t–couldn’t–the boy licked his lips slowly and flicked his hand in a half-hearted wave. “Well, see ya.” Then walked away.
Swallowing hard, Dane walked to the doorway on shaky legs and looked out, catching a glimpse of Angel as he reached the entryway out into the main part of the club. The boy cast a sudden look back, catching Dane’s stare unexpectedly. A shy smile touched his lips and then he was gone, out of sight. Oh, but not out of mind.
Dane dropped back hard against the door frame, heart pounding. This was insane. This boy should not be having this effect on him. But the fact that he was–gave him all the more reason to run the other way. It had hurt bad enough losing out with Caleb, and he’d never even had a real chance with him. But Angel…the way the boy looked at him at times…to get up close and personal with that boy and then lose him…
It would annihilate you, and you damn well know it.
***
“What the fuck were you doing up there?” The slap caught Angel in the back of the head as soon as he came through the front door of the apartment. His eyes instantly stung from the force and he stumbled forward a couple paces before catching himself.
He frowned hard, eyes burning, and grabbed the back of his head where Wade smacked him. “What’re you talking about?”
“You’re not there to fuck around with your little faggot boyfriends.” Wade snapped.
Angel swallowed hard and pulled back the tears. “I wasn’t. Ricky was giving me dance lessons. They won’t put me on stage if I can’t dance.”