A Christmas Break - Annabelle Jacobs
Chapter 1
November
Finn.
“Christ. I don’t know why I let you drag me out.” The place was busy, too busy for my liking anyway, and I grimaced as someone splashed beer over my shoe.
Christian rolled his eyes. “Because you’re twenty-six, not ninety, and going out is what young people do.” He elbowed his way to the bar and I dutifully followed in his wake, grudgingly conceding that he had a point.
I’d never been one for going out and getting pissed every weekend––as my ex, Evan, had pointed out on many occasions—but even I had to admit I’d got worse lately.
Wallowing in self-pity could only last for so long. Christian’s words, not mine. I’d be happy to wallow for a good while yet if left to my own devices.
Yet here we were.
Saturday night in town, in a bar that wasn’t so much a gay bar as it was an “anything goes” bar. I’d spied a few same-sex couples getting with each other as we’d walked in, and the dance floor was a mass of bodies doing god knew what. If I was going to go out, this would be my kind of place for sure, but tonight I felt stiff, unable to relax for whatever reason.
Christian got served pretty quick, unsurprising when I spotted his cousin tending bar. He turned back to me with a grin, holding shots in one hand and a couple of bottles of Beck’s in the other. “These’ll loosen you up and wipe that frown off your face.”
Why the hell not? I needed something.
The shot burned as it hit my throat, and I rolled my shoulders, welcoming it. The ice-cold beer went down a treat afterward, and before I knew it I’d polished off the whole bottle.
“Well, okay then.” Christian’s raised an eyebrow, but followed suit and downed his drink. “Another round? Then dance for a bit?”
The alcohol had served its purpose in taking the edge off, and finally after what seemed like weeks of being strung tighter than a bow, I felt myself relax a little. My smile came easier than it had in a while. “Yeah, I’ll get these.”
Christian pointed over to a free table near the back wall. “I’ll go snag that.” I watched in amusement as he marched over with purpose, deftly sliding onto one of the stools just as a group of girls had their eye on it. With a shrug and that charming smile of his, he had them chatting and laughing in no time.
Shaking my head, I turned back to the bar, ready to battle, but the queue had inexplicably disappeared for the time being. Only a few people stood waiting to be served, and one of them caught my eye, which was more than anyone had done in months. He leant on the bar, arse jutting out in a pair of black skinny jeans that left little to the imagination. The dark purple T-shirt he wore clung to broad shoulders, and I licked my lips, following the line of his back down to his arse again.
Alec, Christian’s cousin, slid a couple of drinks over to him, laughing at whatever had been said. The curl of jealousy was unexpected, but damn it, I was suddenly itching to be part of that conversation, to be included in whatever the joke was.
My feet were moving before I realised, and I found myself at the bar next to him.
“All right, Finn.” Alec shot me a warm smile. “Same again?”
“Yeah, please.” I glanced sideways to find blue eyes and a smirk staring back at me. Black hair, a little wild-looking, framed his face, his hot as fuck but vaguely familiar face. Faint stubble covered his jaw, and my gaze caught on the sharp lines of it as I struggled to remember why I recognised him. “Do I know you?” It sounded like a cheesy come on, and I winced.
The guy laughed, eyes dancing with mirth as he gave me a slow once-over that made my belly tighten. “It’s been a while Finn, but not that long. I’m wounded you don’t remember me.” He put a hand over his heart and gave me a pouty look that made me want to pull him into a kiss.
I licked my lips, gaze still caught on his mouth. “Erm . . . I . . .” Alec interrupted my floundering, setting drinks on the bar. He shot a quick glance between me and whoever this guy was and winked.
“Good to see you back out with the living.”
“Oh fuck off, you’re as