Chapter Thirty-Four

Hollis

"I don't think this is a good idea," Hollis protested, dragging his shoes over plush carpet into the swanky club Frey felt was appropriate Friday night fun. The strange way they'd had to come in gave Hollis pause. Why were there three sets of heavy doors into the place?

Inside, classical music played in the background and didn't disguise the low hum of noises filtering out from the booths sitting back against the walls.

Goddamnit!

Hollis's gaze skittered around the decadent black, gold, and red… sex club . His nose twitched at the powerful scent of sexy pheromones. Black padded leather booths lined three of the walls in the large space. The middle of the room held chrome and glass topped tall tables where folks mingled, drinking and watching those in the booths who were …

"Jeez, is that alpha getting…" Bowie coughed violently, looking at Hollis with alarm as he went seven shades of red.

Why did I moan about my canceled plans with Taylin?

Why?

Frey's styled blond head fired around to look at Hollis. "We're not leaving. We just got here, and this is a great idea. No one has to do anything except drink and watch the fun. That's what the information on the website said." He pointed to the large dudes situated around the room, watching the crowd. "They'll stop anyone from doing something we don't want."

"Are you sure about that? That alpha over there, sitting alone… he's staring at us!" Bowie mumbled with uncertainty as he clung to Hollis's arm, looking around like he might get attacked at any moment.

"I heard Jupiter talking about this place to one of his playthings," Wilder added. "It's teeming with hot alphas who just want to have fun. We need some of that in our lives."

"Speak for yourself," Hollis murmured, doing his best to untangle himself from Bowie, who was attempting to climb him like a tree. Something he would never achieve with how much bigger the highland cow was than Hollis.

"Watching can be fun," Ziggy reiterated, staring at Frey fixedly before he took hold of his elbow to guide them to one of the few free center tables.

"Have you been here before?" Hollis asked, perplexed at the feeling he was missing something between Frey and Ziggy. Seeing no choice when Ziggy didn't answer him and continued on toward the free table, Hollis went after him, bringing Bowie with him. Truthfully, he had no choice in the matter when Bowie refused to let go of him.

Hollis did his best to avoid looking at the activity in the booths, experiencing his face flame when some things were harder to look away from than others. What the heck had he gotten talked into?

No one paid them any real attention. Why would they when they were getting a free show?

Hollis shuddered involuntarily, considering how to explain coming to a place like this to Taylin if he ever found out.

"Drinks. We need drinks," Frey announced, using his phone to scan the QR code on the top of the table they were gathered around.

The team had all been at a bit of a loose end after their monthly catch up had run longer than expected. The video Hollis had received from Taylin had caused a bit of a shock so Bowie had suggested they all go and get something to eat together.

Somehow, seeing how much worse the place looked than Hollis remembered didn't help with Frey's tears and Lennon's quietness. Hollis had planned on heading home straight after they'd finished their burgers. An evening of wearing his pajama's and feeling sorry for himself had been curtailed when he allowed Frey to talk him into continuing on to this place.

"Can I have a cocktail?" Wilder asked, peering over Frey's shoulder at the screen of his phone .

"I'll get us all a cocktail, as this was my idea." Frey didn't look up when he spoke, reeling off all the different choices on the menu.

"Oh… oh, I'll have the cherry one," Wilder said excitedly.

"Me too," Lennon interjected, looking at Frey.

"Sounds good to me, too," Monty added distractedly, his attention held by the alpha in a booth off to their right. "Shit. Is that Jupiter?"

Wilder spun in a circle. "Where?"

Lennon pointed at a booth tucked into the far corner of the room. The dim lighting made it hard to make out the two figures doing…

Hollis's hands shook as he removed his glasses, tucking them into his pocket, feeling it was the safest place for them, and his brain. There was nothing on earth that was going to possess him to watch Taylin's brother get his groove on— in public !

"Let's go say hi," Wilder suggested, sounding nothing like himself.

Without his glasses, Hollis had no clue what Wilder's expression would give away but there was no way in any universe they were going anywhere near Jupiter, which would require Hollis putting his glasses back on to avoid tripping over someone. There was also the slight problem he might consider telling Taylin of this adventure on the wild side. Again, he didn't want to have to explain how he'd gotten talked into this. His willpower was zero and it was not something he wanted to think about. "No. We are staying right here, having one drink and then we are all leaving together . "

"Spoilsport," Wilder moaned. "Hey, where's your glasses?"

"In the safest place. I do not need to see my mate's brother… doing whatever he's doing… in public."

"Isley, what do you want to drink?" Frey questioned.

"I'll have the cherry thing too."

Frey nodded. "Hollis, Ziggy, what about you two?"

Resignation came with the understanding that the quicker he got a drink, the quicker they could leave. "I'll take the cherry one, too."

"Might as well make that a full house," Ziggy supplied, coming closer to Hollis.

"Great," Frey murmured. "I'll put in the order."

"Frey needs this." The words whispered in his ear by Ziggy caught all of Hollis's attention. He cursed his lack of glasses as he squinted at Ziggy, trying to make out his expression. Frey had been quiet in the group chat the last couple of days, which wasn't like him, and Hollis had made a note in his diary to catch up with him on Monday to check in.

"I am missing something?" Hollis asked, keeping his voice low and doing his best to be vague in case one of the others heard him. Whatever the reason for Frey's recent unusual behavior, it appeared Ziggy might have the answer.

"He's having a rough time personally, that's all I can say. I'm sure he'll tell you in his own good time."

The reply didn't help the ball of anxiety forming in the pit of Hollis's stomach at what Ziggy wasn't saying. Frey, for all his flirtyness and gossiping, was a dedicated employee and good friend. Hollis's protective side surfaced. "Should I talk to him… now?"

"I don't know if that's a good idea or not. He's fragile right now and…"

"Is he getting his cock sucked?" Wilder exclaimed loudly, derailing Hollis's conversation.

"Dear gods, he is," exclaimed Bowie. "Is that even legal?"

"The club has a license that permits it. A bit like the places omegas can go to and hire an alpha to help with their heat, I suppose," Ziggy answered Bowie.

A smartly dressed guy carrying a tray with pretty glasses filled with their drinks brought the conversation to a halt. "Good evening gentlemen, your round of cocktails. I'm Enzo, your server for the evening. If you require anything more, just signal to me." He smoothly deposited the pink, frothy drinks on the glass tabletop.

Frey held out a hand to the guy and Hollis assumed he was tipping him when seconds later he said, "Thank you," then sailed away.

"He's sexy," Monty whispered. "Got a kind of movie star vibe."

"Yes, I'm sure," Hollis said, having no clue. "I think we should all keep our eyes on each other, have our drinks, then get the hell out of here before Jupiter sees us!"

"I think the only thing he can concentrate on is the guy blowing him!" Isley murmured, his head turned towards where Jupiter was.

Hollis moved to block Isley's view after picking up a glass and handing it to him. "Drink up. "

"Holy cow, look at that alpha with the omega sat on his lap!" Frey exclaimed, so loudly, Hollis choked on the cocktail he'd picked up to take a sip of.

"Please, keep your voice down," he hissed once he stopped coughing.

"No one's paying us any attention," Frey hissed back, sounding miffed. "Stop being a killjoy, Hollis. I just wanna see… how alphas behave with omegas."

His phrasing set off alarm bells, but Frey turned his back on Hollis before he could ask what he meant.

Ziggy put a restraining hand on his sleeve when he went to get Frey's attention. "Let him be for tonight."

Hollis blew out a frustrated breath, conflicted by his need to take care of Frey and not wanting to interfere where it wasn't wanted. "Okay… but on Monday I'm going to find out what the heck is going on."

"Fine."

"What's happening on Monday?" Isley questioned, sidling closer to Hollis, side stepping Bowie, who had finally relaxed enough to leave Hollis alone and was staring at one of the booths.

"Nothing. Now let's drink up," he said gently, doing his absolute best to keep the concern out of his voice.

He breathed a little easier when Isley didn't question him further. However, like the others, he watched what was happening around them rather than drinking his cocktail.

This is going to end in disaster!

A few hours later, Hollis felt like he'd fallen down a rabbit warren and was searching to escape the maze when one drink turned to two, then three at Wilder's and Frey's begging pleas to stay. As their boss and the responsible one, he couldn't leave them and go home.

Now, his head was swimming from the potent cocktails and the sexy fragrant air he couldn't escape every time he took a breath. Hollis couldn't decide if he wanted his willpower back or not when Ziggy ordered a fourth round of drinks, and the alcohol haze numbed the ache he worked hard to pretend wasn't bothering him. At home was a lonely bed that would make the ache in his chest worse.

Staying isn't so bad, is it?

Unsure if it was him or his animal asking the question, he grinned drunkenly at Ziggy when he handed Hollis a tall, chilled glass with several pieces of fruit floating on top.

"What's this," he slurred, eyeing the fruit with delight despite the fact that he couldn't tell what was what.

"Paradise passion… you said something about fruity, didn't you?"

His slurred words made Hollis giggle. "Fruit is my favorite."

Wilder slid an arm under Hollis's suit jacket, hugging him while resting his head on Hollis's shoulder. "We know you're a fruit lover… or is that a Taylin lover?" His soft chuckles brushed against Hollis's neck, tickling. "Is it wrong, I wanna be the omega getting to have fun with Jupiter, even though I can't stand him? I think there's something wrong with me." He sighed dejectedly.

The drink in Hollis's hand splashed over his clothing as he jerked away from Wilder when his words penetrated the alcohol bubble, heart skipping to a tempo that made it hard to stop his hand shaking. "Noooo, lalalalalalala… I can't hear you," he exclaimed in a drunken panic at what might come out of Wilder's mouth next.

The man in front of him, who'd let go, wrapped his arms around his waist, rocking and howling with laughter. "Lalalalalalalala… are you singing to me… Hollis," Wilder gasped through laughter that got louder.

Hollis raised the glass, fighting his way to the edge to swallow down the contents when he felt, more than saw, that they were gaining far too much attention. The potent liquor burned a path straight to his brain as he tilted his head from side to side, attempting to get his eyes to work. "Why do they make glasses so you can't get your fingers into the bottom?" he complained after three attempts. When he looked up, the others were all laughing… at him… possibly.

"Time to go!" he announced huffily, or he would have if he hadn't slurred his words or wobbled as if someone had added curves to the underside of his shoes. Going to place his glass down, it hit the edge of the table. Hollis squinted, coming so close to the table his nose was touching it as he placed the glass down safely, nearly going cross-eyed with how he had to focus to stand straight.

"I'll help you home," Bowie offered, slipping an arm through Hollis's when he shook his head, attempting to rectify what was happening with his eyes, only he made matters worse when the room titled weirdly.

"Why are the walls moving?" He wasn't sure what he was asking as he weaved his way outside.

Fresh air hit like a hurricane, making him reel backwards into… Ziggy.

"Oops… sorry, Ziggy."

"Has someone ordered UberX for us?"

Hollis attempted to get his lips to move together instead of independently of each other, which was how it felt when he was sure he had the answer somewhere hiding in his brain. "Home… need… home." Yeah, he was sure his lips would find their way back to him then.