Chapter Twenty-Three
Gage
A s the bar empties out, only a handful of people remain, savoring the last sips of their drinks. Several approach to bid me farewell and offer birthday wishes.
Laughter fills the air, a high-pitched and annoying sound that makes me cringe and look up. Tom is making a show of himself in front of Max. Seriously, he can't take a hint. Despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to escape him throughout the night. He's like a boomerang, constantly bouncing back. Oh crap, he's coming over now. Unlike Tom, I understood the words of the song Ash sang about wanting more and being his. These were all good signs, and I was eager to talk to him about them tonight, but I guess that won't be happening now.
I see Ash out of the corner of my eye. He's wasted with his buddy. I could tell things were tense earlier, so I left them alone once they started talking.
" Gaaage ," Tom says, dragging out my name in a whiny voice.
"Yes, Tom," I sigh, feeling exasperated as I clean tables and gather glasses.
"Come on, let's go upstairs for some fun. I know exactly what you like."
He's trying to be coy, fluttering his eyelashes at me. I won't deny that when he used the same tactic on me when we first crossed paths, it was effective. However, it won't work now.
"I've already declined your offer several times tonight, so I'll pass. Can I help you find a taxi instead?"
He huffs. "No thanks, my friend is calling one. You're no fun anymore. You're all old and boring."
"Yep, that's me. Look, let me walk you to the door. Gotta lock up, anyway."
"You're missing out, you know?" he slurs, pouting. "You're gonna regret not taking me upstairs."
"I highly doubt that," I mutter under my breath. Turning toward Jax, I shout slightly louder than I have to, "Hey Jax, can you do me a favor and make sure Tom and his friend make it outside? I'll go get Ash before he passes out."
"No problem. C'mon guys, let's all go outside."
I head over to Ash, who's struggling to find his balance, while his friend bursts into laughter, clearly in an even more unstable state than Ash.
"Whoa there, birthday boy. Let's get you some water."
"Where's Gage?" he slurs. "I want him."
"I'm here, sweetheart," I chuckle. "Let me help you."
"Gage, you're here! I've missed you sooooo much." Fuck, he's adorable. Drunk out of his ass, but adorable.
I shake my head. "Let's get you that water and I'll take you up to bed." I wrap my arms around his waist, feeling the warmth of his back against my front, and guide him toward the bar where Max hands me a cold bottle of water.
"Gage is taking me to bed," he's whispering to Max, but he's way louder than he realizes.
Max laughs at me. "Good luck with that one. Want me to lock up?"
"Yeah, please. I'll clean the rest tomorrow."
Jax walks up and stands next to Max. "I'll go check if his friend wants to crash at your place and give him some water. He ain't in any condition to leave."
I glance over my shoulder to find Jace now passed out on the bench seat.
"Sounds good. I'll take Ash upstairs first and leave the door open for you. There's an extra blanket on the sofa."
"I'm on it, boss," Jax jokes, saluting me.
"Thanks, guys, for tonight. Sorry for leaving you with Jace."
"Don't worry about us. We'll take care of him, lock up, and slip out the back. We'll catch up tomorrow."
"Someone's gonna have a headache in the morning," Max says, nodding at Ash.
"We've all been there more than once," I laugh.
I gently guide Ash to lean his head back on my chest, helping him take a few sips of the water, before slowly guiding him toward the door.
"Youu'rrre comfy," he slurs.
I can't help but laugh, my chest rumbling against his back.
"Come on, let's go upstairs."
With an unsteady step, he ascends the first stair before abruptly changing direction to face me. With him standing on the bottom step, we are at the same height, and our eyes are level. He's so cute, with rosy cheeks, his eyes all glassy like green bottles as he smiles and sways in front of me.
With his hands on my shoulders, he wobbles and slurs, "I had a reaaalllyy good birffday, thank you."
I chuckle and say, "I had a blast too, muffin."
"I loooove when you give me nicknames," he playfully taps my nose.
"Good, ‘cause I enjoy calling you them."
He leans in, putting his arms on my shoulders to keep his balance, "Can I fisssh you?"
I raise my eyes. "Fish me? Babe, fishing's not really my thing!"
"Nooo kiss, I, me, I wanna kiss…"
He pokes my chest, then looks at me with his glassy, drunk eyes. "Yooou."
Fuck, if he only knew how much I want to. But I'm not that kinda guy. I refrain from kissing when someone is intoxicated.
"Maybe ask me tomorrow when you're feeling better."
"I'm feeling fantastic!"
"Haha, I bet you are. But I'm not gonna do anything with you that you'll regret when you wake up. Come on, I'll help you up these stairs."
"Spoilsport," he huffs and pouts.
"Turn around so I can support you from behind and prevent you from falling and breaking your neck! I just got insurance and don't wanna file a claim already," I joke, more for myself than him.
While making his way up, he mumbles, "You funny. You always make me smile. Happy." There's something momentarily sober about his voice, his words hitting me like a freight train.
His back repeatedly bumps into my junk, as I have my arm around his waist. Under normal circumstances, with his back playing bouncy horse with my dick, I would be all over him.
Check me out, being all responsible and stuff. He won't even remember this in the morning! But hey, at least he can say he had an awesome birthday.
I support him in reaching his room after he rebounds off the door. With a bounce, he collapses onto his bed, lying on his back. I go down on my knees, fully clothed, which is a first for me, and I take off his shoes and socks. Then, with a shaky hand, I reach up to unzip his jeans. This feels wrong with him passed out, but I can't leave him in his clothes.
Wow, these jeans are so tight, it makes me wonder if he had to use lube to put them on.
"It's fine, Ash, you just lay there. I'll do all the work!" I grumble. Finally, I slide off his jeans and start unbuttoning his shirt. But then I freak out. What if he wakes up and thinks I'm trying to take advantage of him? I'm gay, but he's not.
I give his face a little tap. "Ash, can you hear me?" He opens his eyes and smiles up at me. "I'm just gonna take off your shirt, okay?"
"Mhm, yessh. Undress me." He wiggles. Jesus Christ.
I help him sit up and slide the shirt off his arms. As his head finds its place in the crease of my neck, I'm greeted by the gentle touch of his lips.
Fuck. The goosebumps on my body betray me, as I'm forbidden to react like this; he's intoxicated. Despite my body's indifference, my mind's control ensures that nothing will happen. No matter how much I want it.
"Stand up for me, Ash." I pull him up and support his weight as he leans on me. I can feel his body heat through my shirt. Fuck my life right now! Instead of getting a birthday kiss, I'm putting his drunk ass to bed. I uncover the sheets and position him horizontally before raising his legs.
"Stay wif me," he snags my hand.
"I'll just be in the next room. You call me if you need anything." I brush his hair away from his eyes.
"Pleasssse. I don't wanna be by myself. My mom didn't want me, she forgot it was my birfday."
My heart stops. Surely that's not true? It's hard to say no when I'm faced with his sad eyes. "Okay, let me get undressed," I sigh, giving in. How on God's green earth am I supposed to deny him anything when he looks at me like that? I ditch my shoes, socks, and jeans, but I'm keeping my shirt on.
I notice there's no pillow on the opposite side of the bed. As I scan the room, I find it tucked away in the corner, covering a box. I glance inside. A butt plug catches my attention right away. What in the hell? Has he been buying toys? I do not need the visual of him using them right now as I get ready to lie down next to him.
"Gage, where are you?" he calls out in a sleepy voice.
"Coming." I close the box and go back to Ash. It's none of my business, I try to convince myself. None of my business at all what he does with that... plug.
Fuck me .
Once I climb in behind him, he immediately turns to face me and pulls me close, embracing my body. I feel the weight of his head against my chest. My mind is running a million miles an hour full of questions. But then I hear him.
"Happy birfday, Gage," he whispers, snuggling in against me.
I place a kiss on his hair, whispering back, "Happy birthday, cupcake." I pull him closer to me, against my better judgment.
I'm so fucked.