Page 6

Chapter Six

Tobias

We’ve since finished dinner, declined dessert, but we are working on another drink.

“Hey, have you ever been to The Butterfly?” I ask, not sure why I’m asking him this. There’s just something about him that has me curious and wanting to help.

His gaze darts to mine. “The Butterfly?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“No, never even heard of it.”

“It’s a bar on the other end of town. My friends and I go there all the time. You should come hang out tonight. ”

I hadn’t planned on going out to the bar tonight, but I mean…

maybe it’ll help the guy. He’s sad as hell, confused about his life, and he needs to figure that shit out before he makes a huge mistake.

I may never see him again, but I don’t want him to be miserable for the rest of his life.

I was miserable for four years and that was hell—never mind being married to someone.

Brandon may be a piece of shit, but unfortunately he does know me, and helping people is something I am passionate about.

He wasn’t wrong about that. Not in the way of donating tons of money, though I have done that.

It’s more in the way of helping people understand themselves.

I should have been a therapist or counselor, rather than a physical therapist, but at the end of the day, I’m still helping people.

“A bar? I don’t know.”

“If you’re worried about the money—”

“I’m not. I have plenty of it.”

“I was going to say it’s not a paid gig. I’m asking you as a nice person.”

“Oh…” He blinks a few times. “Well, okay then.”

I narrow my eyes, wondering how that changes anything. Did he think I was only doing it to get money? Seems what this guy needs is a friend to talk to, not a paid date. He’s lonely. Doesn’t have someone who understands him. I could be that person for him, even if it’s only for tonight.

“I’m ready to go whenever you are,” I say, finishing my drink .

He’s already taken care of the check, and I even offered to pay for half because I really do feel for this guy, but he refused. Said it wasn’t appropriate. Whatever that means.

Theo takes the last mouthful of his drink then moves to get up, so I do the same. We get our coats from the coat check, and then we’re out on the sidewalk. The air is crisp, but at least the rain has stopped for now.

“I’ll order a ride,” I say.

“I can do it.”

“Well, so can I. It was my idea, so I will do it.”

He blinks at me, then his shoulders sag. “Fine.”

So, he likes a firm hand? Interesting. It seems learning about him only makes me crave more.

“It’ll be here in six minutes,” I say, pocketing my phone.

He nods, rocking back on his heels, hands shoved into his Milford coat.

Had I seen that on him at the beginning, I’d have known he came from money.

Those aren’t cheap. It’s not just about the money, but the style.

It’s long, stopping at his knees, and navy blue, which matches his pants. Not an everyday, casual jacket.

“Do you invite all your dates to the bar?” he asks, looking over at me.

I give a small shrug. “Just the ones who don’t annoy me to the point of wanting to jump off a cliff.”

“Wow. I must really be something special then.”

I chuckle.

He adds, “Do you get a lot of annoying dates? ”

“Depends what you’d consider is a lot. A couple a month.”

“Out of how many dates?”

“I do roughly twenty-five a month.”

“Damn,” he comments. “And they’re all different people? Like strangers?”

“I have my regulars, but the dating business is lucrative. Foxy is rolling in the dough, for sure.”

“That’s really her name?” he asks.

“Probably not legally, but it’s what she goes by and what we all know her as.”

“How many guys work for her?”

“Around thirty.”

He huffs out a laugh. “Maybe I’m in the wrong business.”

I give him a good look up and down. He swallows hard as I do, so I do it for a moment longer just to fuck with him. “Yeah, you’d do great in my line of work.”

I look away, leaving him to stew in that as he continues to stare at me. I try my best to hide my smile. I bet his cheeks are a nice rosy pink right about now, but I’ll never know, thanks to the darkness blanketing us. My phone vibrates and I glance at it.

“Car will be here in a minute.”

He doesn’t say another word until we get to the bar.

The driver drops us off right in front, and I give him a tip from my phone as I make my way onto the sidewalk. Theo grips my arm, so I look over at him.

“Aren’t we a bit overdressed for this place?”

I glance at the bar that is a hole in the wall dive bar most people avoid. I can just barely hear the bass of music inside.

“Not at all. These guys love seeing a man all dressed up.”

His eyes narrow before they widen. “This is a gay bar?” he whispers.

“Did you expect to see college frat boys looking for pussy in a bar called The Butterfly ?” I deadpan.

His cheeks are pink now, but I can’t tell if it’s from what I said or the nip in the air.

“I didn’t really think about it.”

“Do you not want to go in? We don’t have to. I should have told you beforehand. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just…” He looks at the door. It’s dark wood, thick and heavy. On the building, in faded paint, are a bunch of butterflies and the bar name, which doesn't let anyone know what it is. If you don’t know the place, you likely won’t ever go in, and that’s how they like it.

I raise a brow when he doesn’t answer.

“You’ve never been to a gay bar before?” I ask.

He shakes his head.

“I’ll tell you, this is a great place to be your first. If you want to leave at any time, feel free, but I do think you’ll have a great time here. Everyone is very accepting. ”

He nods, taking a breath. “Okay, let’s go.”

I grin at him before moving to the door and pulling it open. The music gets a little louder, but we have to walk down some steps and the hallway before getting to the actual bar.

“After you.”

It’s dark inside, the lights dim. We make our way through the hallway that’s lined with different pieces of artwork and sconces in the shape of dicks.

“Are those…”

“Yep,” I say with a chuckle. "Dicks."

He smirks, shaking his head, and we make it to the next set of doors that I pull open.

The music is much louder. Not so loud we won’t be able to chat, but loud enough that you know it’s okay to dance.

As we step inside, the smell of bar food hits my nose and my mouth waters.

I do love a good meal from a nice restaurant, but nothing beats greasy burgers.

As we step inside, I spot Nathanial up on the small stage, singing his lungs out to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. It isn’t karaoke night or anything; Nathanial just goes up there any chance he gets to sing. No one complains because he sounds great and is a good source of entertainment.

“Let me have your coat,” I say loud enough that Theo can hear. I take mine off. He gives me his, and I hang them both up on one of the many coat racks lined by the door. I put my hand on his lower back. It’s warm and firm, and I guide him over to the bar, where I see a group of my friends .

“Holy shit, it’s Tobias!” Benton shouts from the bar, throwing his arms up. The guys he’s sitting with all look my way, smiling at me in shock.

“Hey, guys,” I say. “Long time no see.”

“No shit. Where have you been?” Mario asks.

“Just busy working.” I gesture to Theo. “This is my friend, Theo” I give him a look to ask if introducing him as Theo is okay, and he gives a little nod. “This is Benton, Mario, and Luca.” I point to each of them as I say their name.

“Hey,” Theo says, waving shyly.

They all return a hello.

“So, is this a friend or a friend ?” Benton asks, waggling his brows.

“Don’t be annoying so soon, Benton. I just got here.” He holds his hands up in an apologetic way, causing Mario to laugh.

“Let’s move to a table,” Luca says as he gets up from his stool. “There’s a free one in the back over there.”

There aren’t any free seats at the bar, so moving is a good idea. I don't mind standing, but sitting is more comfortable.

“How long has Nathanial been up there?” I ask, gesturing toward the stage as we walk by it to get to the table. He sees me, smiling and winking as he belts out lyrics to “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry.

“Too long. He’s on this Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan kick,” Luca explains .

“And Katy Perry, it seems,” Theo adds, and I grin at him. Glad he’s comfortable enough to add to the conversation.

“Yeah, that’s new,” Luca says.

We get to the table, which is a half circle booth with a small table between. There’s enough room to get up and walk out, even if you’re in the center of the booth, but the table is big enough to hold our drinks and some food. Great design, if I'm being honest.

“So, what brings you here tonight?” Benton asks.

I never come here after dates. Usually only when I have a night off, which is rare. And I have never, not once, ever brought a date here . This is personal to me, and I keep personal stuff to myself.

“Just looking for something to do,” I say as I get up. “Who needs a drink?”

Probably should have ordered them before we came over here, but I wasn’t thinking. My three friends raise their hands all at once.

“IPA, Vodka Cranberry, and… whiskey and ginger?” I ask.

“You know us so well,” Luca says with a love-sick smile.

“Impressive,” Theo remarks.

“Nah. I was a bartender for a while. You okay with whiskey?”

“Sure,” he says.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

I head over to the bar, where the bartender, Pete, only just now sees I’m here. I used to come here all the time, but as I’ve gotten busier with Foxy’s, I haven’t had the time. Still, everyone is welcome at The Butterfly as long as you aren't an asshole.

“Holy shit, it’s Tobias!” he shouts with a raspy laugh. The guy smokes so much it’s a surprise his lungs still work.

“Hey, Pete. How are things?”

“Oh, you know. Just lovely down here.” He leans on the bar top, his bulky arms and body hair squeezing out of his white tank top.

People say he used to be a physical trainer or something, but he’s gotten old and let himself go.

He never tells us shit about his life, and no one has ever seen him outside of the bar.

Cool as shit guy, though. “How are you?”

“Busy with work, you know.”

“Mhmm. Sure do. What can I get you?”

I ramble off all the drinks I need just as Nathanial starts up “Taste” by Sabrina Carpenter.

I give Pete my card when he comes back with the drinks. “Leave it open.”

I carefully carry all five drinks to the table and put them down for everyone to grab. Thankfully, Theo doesn’t look too uncomfortable talking with Mario, who is seated beside him and going a mile a minute about cameras. He's a photographer—is that something Theo likes?

“What did I miss?” I ask.

“Nothing really,” Benton says. “Just getting to know your friend.”

“I know what that means,” I say .

“Oh, you do not,” Benton answers with an eye roll.

He is the picture-perfect 90s heartthrob.

Blond hair with piercing blue eyes. Lean body, great smile.

Mario is full-blooded Italian, and when he gets drunk, his accent comes out.

He was born here but spent every summer and school vacation in Italy, so he didn’t lose it.

He has golden skin, dark hair and eyes. Luca has long, light brown hair that goes to his ass, big brown eyes, and feminine features. He’s a dancer and a model.

I take my seat beside Theo and nearly get knocked over by someone jumping into my lap and grabbing my face.

“Toby!”

Warm lips are pressed to mine, and I huff out a laugh, knowing who it is. He makes a loud smacking sound when he pulls away, smiling down at me.

“It’s been too long,” he says, squeezing my face.

“Hi, Nathanial," I say through a grin.

No matter what kind of mood you're in, Nathaniel will brighten in. He's a ray of sunshine.

“I was just saying—” He stops speaking, turning to face Theo. His eyes go wide. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.” He jumps off my lap.

“Oh no,” Theo says, waving his hands. “We’re not… I’m not… uh—”

Theo is frantic as he looks from me to Nathanial and back. I can’t help but laugh, but because I enjoy messing with him, I put my hand on his knee .

“We’re just friends, Nathanial.”

“Oh, well in that case—”

Nathanial grabs my face again, leaning in, but I swat him away. His light brown hair falls over his eyes, and he runs a hand through it to tame it back.

“You know that costs money,” I say, pointing at him chastisingly.

He pouts, then moves over to sit between Luca and Benton.

“You all sung out?” Luca asks.

“Just wanted to give someone else a turn,” he says, reaching for a drink on the table and taking a swig.

“That’s mine!” Mario shouts, reaching over to pull it from his hand.

Nathanial turns his body to give Mario his back and take a longer swig. When he’s done, he hands Mario the glass back and says, “Oh shut up. Your dick’s been in my mouth; what’s a little saliva on the rim of your glass?”

I glance at Theo, who looks terrified. It’s going to be a good night.