Page 5 of Trapped for Christmas

“Let’s go for a drink,” said Hunter.

“Where?”

“How about Luckys?”

“That’s a pickup bar.”

“I know, but the crowd is younger. You said you might look for someone your own age.”

He had said that. When conversation had inevitably swung back to his lack of a dating life, he’d suggested that going for older guys was the problem, and maybe next time he would look for someone younger. He hadn’t expected Hunter to take him seriously and suggest they go to Luckys. You could get an STD just by walking over the threshold.

“What would Deacon say about you going to Luckys?”

“He has nothing to worry about.”

“Yes, but he won’t be happy about all those men looking at you.”

“He’s the one who I’m in bed with every night. It won’t work, you know.”

“What?”

“Trying to persuade me we’re not going. It’s just one drink. What harm can it do?”

For a Sunday afternoon, Luckys was busy. There had been a drag brunch earlier, and it was clear many people had been drinking since noon. Zeb and Hunter went to the bar and ordered the house cocktail. Hunter had to show his ID, but Zeb wasn’t asked. After years on the streets, he looked older than he was.

“Oh, while I remember, Deacon wants us to go away for the holidays this year.”

Zeb smiled. “Where are you going?”

“Somewhere hot he said. He wants it to be a surprise, and he squared it with Mason for me to be off from Christmas Eve. I’ll be back for New Year’s Eve, as that’s always a big night.”

“The rest of us will pick up the slack, then!”

Hunter laughed. “We’re still doing Thanksgiving with everyone, though. I think Sebastian is gonna host.”

“Mason won’t leave the restaurant, so will it just be couples?”

“I think Ethan will be there.”

“Or he might be with his secret boyfriend.”

“Is that still a thing?” asked Hunter. “I thought it ended last year.”

“I might have seen them together recently. Do not say anything to Deacon, though, or any of them. You know they can’t keep their opinions to themselves.”

Hunter laughed and agreed.

Ethan was the quiet one of Mason’s friends, although none of them could live without him. He managed their money and had made them all richer than they already were. That he had to keep his relationship with a guy secret because all his friends hated him was messed up, but Zeb wouldn’t say anything to anyone. Mason would definitely have an opinion on it. Sometimes you needed to keep that shit to yourself.

“That guy over there is looking at you,” said Hunter, motioning his head with a jerky movement.

“Subtle!”

He looked at the guy Hunter had referred to. He was hot as fuck and looked to be in his twenties. The way he held himself made him appear older, so he might just have a baby face. The guy smiled at him. Zeb wasn’t interested in talking to anyone today, but he didn’t want to be rude, so he smiled back. That was enough for the guy to approach. Zeb looked at Hunter, who grinned, took the bags off Zeb, and stepped away.

“Hello, sexy, I’m Kaden,” he said, holding out his hand.

“I’m Zeb,” he replied, connecting their hands.