24. Chapter 24

My phone buzzes while I'm in the middle of a tat, and I' m compelled to check it. Von references karaoke. Weird. I don't picture Von singing in front of a crowd.

I text back, but my mind isn't on our conversation.

Instead, I try not to fuck up this tattoo while my mind races with possibilities for a queer youth facility in my hometown. Reality is sinking in.

Mads texts, informing me I'm going to karaoke tonight at Pink Titanium. I close her text and pull up Von's. His texts make so much more sense now. I thought his texts were a cryptic way of planning another date. He's not the uptight, practically mute dude I first met.

With him, I can be a better version of myself. A man who can be in a relationship and isn't afraid of being thrown away. I never imagined being with someone could be so easy. I've only experienced drama and this is so good it's unnerving, but I won't sabotage it with what-ifs.

He gives me the crazy idea that maybe being someone's partner wouldn't be so terrible. That I'm glad I decided to trust him.

After my client leaves, I check in with Em. He's been on edge this week and glued to his phone desperately waiting for something. He won't give me details, but I've convinced him to shake off his sullen mood and join me for karaoke. I told him he can make fun of Von's English and get drunk. He grumbles but agrees.

I haven't texted Mads back to let her know I'll be there. My feelings about my ex get tangled with the worst moments in my life, which is not her fault. But she has to learn boundaries. I don't have the perspective to separate my emotions from what she did.

"Rideshare will be here in two minutes," I call to Em. He reluctantly pulls his coat on.

The door to the shop bangs open and Mads says, "Jayce is in the car and you're coming with us." She stops dead in her tracks. "Emmett."

At the same time, Em whispers, "You came after all."

My mouth is moving as I'm processing their reaction to each other. "Mads, relax. I'm going with Em."

Emmett visibly shakes when he realizes Mads isn't there for him.

"Fuck this," Em barks and stalks past an open-mouthed Mads, banging the door shut on his way out.

"You and Em know each other how?" I prompt.

"His name is Emmett. Why didn't you tell me he works here?" she accuses.

"I call him Em, and I did tell you. We were supposed to meet up two weeks ago, remember?" It occurs to me I haven't told her I'm with Von. I've been sleeping with the same guy for weeks, and she doesn't know. More importantly, I'm suspicious of why she and Em are upset seeing each other.

Her hands are shaking when she takes out her phone to text. "Fuck. Fuckity, fuck, fuck!"

"How do you know Em?"

"I was his teacher," she says, furiously typing.

"You"—I'm putting the pieces together—"were his teacher his senior year of high school."

She's still on her phone. "Yeah, the year after graduation, when I did a replacement job at his school. I met Jayce there."

Mads is the teacher Em had a crush on, and Jayce is the hockey player who inadvertently enlightened Em to his bisexuality. But that's not what this is about. My phone buzzes.

"My ride's here." I turn to face Mads, but she left without a word. What. The Fuck!

Outside, I apologize and give the rideshare guy a tip without getting in the car. My priority is finding Em. Mads is a big girl and has Jayce, but I'm definitely worried about Em. He's not texting me back.

Returning to the shop, I pull out the keys to the loft and text Von to let him know I'll be late. I don't know if Mads and Jayce will go to Pink Titanium, and Von might be there alone. Fucking Madyson. What the hell did she and Jayce do to Em?

He's not in the loft and isn't answering his phone. There's nothing I can do for him now, so I head to the bar.

I see Von sitting with Cole and Shane, so I slide into the booth next to him.

"Is everything okay?" Von reaches a hand toward me but snatches it back.

"No, but I'm working on it." I blow out a breath and reach into my pocket for my pill container with my emergency stash of fruity shit. I throw one up and catch it in my mouth.

Von asks for one and I hand it to him, curious to see how he'll react.

Von chews and his face screws up in disgust. "This is the worst candy I've ever tasted."

"More for me." I shrug, not ready to explain its purpose.

"I'll get drinks. They're short servers tonight." Cole kisses Shane, gets our drink orders, and exits the booth.

"I'll go with you," Von offers, which is brave since Cole still thinks Von is an asshole.

Cole rests his forearms on the bar and turns his head to look at me. "I didn't like you when I first met you." He's direct, no small talk.

"I know." I choose my words carefully. "I was mentally in a horrible place when I came to the US, and I took some of my issues out on Alec." My fingers grip the bar, but I'm not telling Cole things I haven't told Alec yet. "It was wrong, but he's not holding a grudge."

Alec inspires me to be a better man. One who doesn't hold grudges and can put others before myself. I don't deserve someone as selfless as Alec.

Cole grunts and orders a round of drinks for the table and two shots. He silently watches the bartender make our drinks, but I sense he's not done talking yet. After the bartender delivers the drinks, Cole faces me directly.

"I've been friends with Alec since he was a nineteen-year-old homeless kid. Did you know that?" I nod and Cole hums with approval. "He'll tell you I saved him, but he saved me more than once. I loved my first husband, but our relationship was rocky. Alec dragged me through the rough times and grief. You get me?"

"This is where you tell me if I hurt your friend, you will kill me?" It's a joke, but images of mafia movies play in my mind. Cole embodies the role of an enforcer.

"Nah, not kill, just maim." Cole's large hand thumps on my shoulder. "I'm kidding."

Maybe.

"Alec likes you and I've never seen him so into a guy before, so if you're not in this with him, be honest."

"I can do that." I honestly want him, but I don't know how we'll work long term. Alec hasn't said he's interested in anything beyond our temporary arrangement that started with fake dating, so it's not an issue. One day at a time.

Cole hands me a shot glass. "Drink up. I have a favor to ask."

Cole asks me to create marriage necklaces for him and Shane. He has a design in mind and definitely wants them made of titanium. He's sketching on a napkin, and we're passing it back and forth with our ideas.

I'm relieved and happy to make this for them.

We decide he should come to the workshop once I have the materials so he can understand the scale and dimensions.

"What was that about?" Shane asks in a suspicious tone with a jealous expression.

"Cole threatened to murder me," I say, and Cole clears his throat. "Sorry, maim me if I hurt Alec. I promised to not hurt Alec intentionally, and then we designed a friendship bracelet." I pat my pocket with the napkin.

"Dammit, Alec is rubbing off on you." Shane pretends to pout.

We make small talk and it's not forced or uncomfortable. I enjoy their company.

No one else is here but us, not even Madyson, the covert mastermind behind this plan. No one makes a move to sign up for songs, and I'm relieved I don't have to sing. I came here to be with Alec, but he's on edge, which is unusual.