No Good Deed - Marie Sexton Page 0,39
a bond. Jonas had detected no hint of distrust or jealousy between them. They were open and friendly and welcoming. If he was going to be Charlie’s partner in every way, he’d need their approval. He’d need them to accept him.
Charlie was dealing with the Doms. It was Jonas’s job to deal with the subs. And it all started with one sub in particular.
Jonas was nervous walking into the Tap House. He knew Gray wouldn’t be there. He’d be on his way to Charlie’s by now. Jonas hoped to catch Avery alone, after he finished playing his afternoons set. But for better or worse, Avery wasn’t playing. The two pianos sat silent. Robert sat at the bar with a man in leather, talking to Emily. Most of the crowd seemed to be engrossed in the hockey game, playing on the largest of the TVs.
Jonas glanced around. Avery was easy to spot with his well-styled purple hair. But to Jonas’s dismay, he wasn’t alone. River and Taylor sat at a small table in the corner with him. They all leaned toward each other over the table, their heads tucked close together as they talked, as if sharing some kind of deep, dark, secret.
Jonas took a deep breath and headed their way. They were so engrossed in their conversation, none of them noticed him approach.
“Wait,” Avery said to Taylor. “In you? Is that even safe?”
He sounded slightly disgusted, but River seemed intrigued. He touched the silver collar around his neck, mostly hidden by his shirt. “Urine’s sterile, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.”
“Yeah, but…” Avery seemed at a loss for words. “Isn’t it messy?”
“It’s worth it,” Taylor told him. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”
No wonder they were all leaning so close to each other. Jonas debated turning on his heel and walking away, except Avery chose that moment to look up and see him.
“Hey!” He seemed relieved to have an escape from the conversation. “Jay, right? Have a seat.”
Jonas gulped. Should he tell them his real name now? This definitely wasn’t how he pictured this going.
“Yeah, you’re one of us now,” Taylor said. “Or will be soon, I bet.” He glanced around. “Is Charlie with you?”
“Uh, no. He had to talk to Gray about something.” Now it was Jonas’s turn to look around the crowded room. “Are Warren and Phil here too?” Because that was bound to make things awkward as hell.
It was River who answered. “No.” He pointed at the TV. “They’re at the game.”
Jonas glanced at the screen, surprised. “Phil watches hockey?”
Avery frowned, but River and Taylor seemed not to notice that maybe this was a strange question coming from a guy who supposedly barely knew them. “He was skeptical at first,” River said. “But now he plans his work schedule around the games. He has the roster memorized. I bet he buys a jersey before I do.”
Taylor scooted over on the bench, making room for Jonas. “Come on. Any friend of Charlie’s is a friend of ours. Have a seat.”
Jonas licked his lips nervously. “Uh, no. Thanks. I need to speak with Avery.” He glanced nervously at the other two. “Alone, if possible.”
The three men exchanged confused looks, silently conferring.
“Why alone?” Taylor asked, suddenly confrontational. “What’s this about?”
But Avery didn’t seem to share his concern. He shrugged. “Sure, I guess.”
River elbowed Taylor. “Come on. We’ll go buy another round.”
They headed for the bar, and Jonas settled on the bench across the table from Avery.
“What can I do for you?” Avery smiled, looking uncertain. “I hope you’re not here for advice. Charlie’s the sage of the group, not me.”
“Not advice, no.” Although he kind of wished he’d stopped to buy a beer before sitting down. He didn’t drink often these days, but a beer would have gone a long way toward curbing his nerves.
“I know Charlie asked Gray to come by. He said he had something important to tell him. Is that what this is about?”
At least Avery had given him an easy in. “It is, actually.”
“Are you guys official now? Is that it? You’re telling me you’re Charlie’s boyfriend now?”
“That’s part of it, yeah.” Jonas sat on his hands to keep from chewing a cuticle. “But there’s more.”
“Okay.” Avery rested his arms on the table, waiting. Behind him, the crowd suddenly cheered as one, half of them jumping to their feet. At the bar, River threw his fist in the air as Taylor placed his order with Emily.
Avery waited. And Jonas took a deep breath