Page 130 of A Quick Buck

“Nice night for it,” Erasmus said, smiling softly.

Fuckin’ creep.

“Whatever,” Noah mumbled.

“Junior,” Alistair said, “if you’d be kind enough to take dear Noah upstairs for me?”

“Yes, Mr. Star.” Junior nodded obediently. “Yous got it.”

“How much longer until our guest arrives?”

Without looking at his phone or a watch, Erasmus replied, “Seventeen minutes.”

“Thank you. Junior, Noah, if you’ll excuse yourselves, please.”

Noah turned to Alistair, and he didn’t know what to do. Depending on how the rest of tonight went down, this might be it for them. He didn’t want to think of it that way, but he couldn’t stop the destructive thoughts from invading his mind.

Should they share one last passionate kiss? Should Noah storm off? Maybe slap him?

Alistair held out his hand expectantly.

Hesitating but for a moment, Noah took it.

Pressing a kiss to Noah’s knuckles, Alistair said, “Go on. I’ll see you later this evening, my boy.”

“Okay,” Noah breathed, his heart still fluttering to hear Alistair call him his. There was something hopeful in Alistair’s voice, and it made Noah want to hope too. He held on to Alistair’s hand longer than he needed to before pulling away to go to his room.

Every step of every stair was like walking through molasses, and Noah swore it took forever to finally step inside his bedroom. It was eerie to be back in here after having spent so much time in Alistair’s room.

No, not Alistair’s—possibly soon to be dead Patrick’s room.

Junior shut the door and leaned up against it, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t look that happy either.

Probably pouting he’s not down there to scream at Uncle Patrick,Noah thought bitterly.

He kicked off his shoes and flung his jacket on the floor, reaching up to take off his tie. He remembered how proud he’d been to tie it and the warmth of Alistair pressed up against him while he showed him what to do.

He forced the memory away and hurled the tie as hard as he could.

It didn’t go very far and fluttered weakly to the floor.

Fuck it.

“Well.” Noah clapped. “Time to get trashed.”

Junior rolled his eyes.

For once, he didn’t have anything to blab about.

Noah headed over to his mini-fridge and retrieved the bottle of rum. He wished he had something to chase it with, but maybe it wouldn’t be too bad straight. He went to unscrew the lid and found it was already open despite being full.

Huh.

He didn’t give it much thought, taking a quick chug and immediately wishing he hadn’t. He hissed loudly, grimacing at the burn.

That at least made Junior snort in amusement.

“Want some?” Noah offered out the bottle.