Chapter Text
“You let that video of you get out! How stupid are you?” his mother’s shrill, filled the dressing room from the talk show he’d just been forced to attend with her. One of the last because he was going to focus on himself which included who he spent time with. Raffy wasn’t stupid. He knew who’d filmed them. It was obvious when he thought of the angle that focused on capturing only his face and body as he was railed against a tree in the forest.
Pete. They’d been frenemies since they were children but clearly it had bothered him that Rome had wanted Raffy instead of him. The slap he’d earned had served to remind him that his mother only approved of his sexuality because it could benefit her as she strived to stay relevant.
He told her he loved her but he wasn’t going to be controlled by her anymore. He had his own money from the trust that had been put in his name since he’d been working since he was a baby. That this was also the last time she was going to put her hands on him. He left feeling even lighter than when he’d told the others off.
That’s how he found himself at ZeroSum for a good drink. He hadn’t bothered changing from his suit. Raffy knew he looked good especially with all the hungry eyes that were on him. He wouldn’t have a problem finding someone to spend the night with him. Raffy had ordered himself a cherry old fashioned that he nursed until the one man that he had no desire to see was sliding up beside him.
“Raffy.”
“Rome. Look at that, we know each other's names.” Raffy sassed, sipping his drink as he looked around the dancefloor. His gaze slowed to a stop as he spotted Boston. He looked good with his arms on display with the sleeveless, sheer top and high waisted trousers. Raffy ran his tongue over his lips.
“Look, we need to talk.” Rome tried to get the man to talk with him. “We’ve talked enou- stop looking at him and look at me, damn it.” Rome cursed when he followed Raffy’s faze. “I should-”
“You should get back to Pete. He’s coming from the bathroom.” Raffy commented, gesturing with his glass as Pete exited the bathroom with his big doe eyes blinking with hurt. “And he’s getting the wrong idea. You and I aren’t ever going to be anything, not even friends. I can’t trust you. Don’t talk to me ever again.” He pushed himself off the bar, tossing enough baht to cover his drink before heading to one of the high tops. That of course gave Boston the opening to come over.
“Picking which demon to fight?” Boston teased, knowing how Raffy had quit the production. Honestly he was glad that he did. The man deserved better.
“We all have demons. I just chose to toy with mine instead of battling.” Raffy smirked as he brought the drink to his lips. He knew exactly what he wanted as he peered over the rim of the glass. There wasn’t the familiar floating through life waiting for the next shoe to drop. Raffy refused to allow himself to wither inside anymore. He’d given up trying to get Jack, the stupid play, being what his mother wanted, and trusting Rome. None of them deserved to be close to him.
“He looks thoroughly messed with.” Boston chuckled, seeing Rome glare from where he’d slunk back to his private table when Raffy had rejected him earlier. He hadn’t missed the shift in Raffy. There was a confidence there that was undeniably sexy. He couldn’t help but crave a taste. Especially as he’d watched from afar, coming into the club wearing that suit. Raffy looked sexy in the deep blue suit with the high collar sheer top beneath. He could see the delicate collar bones and moles his tongue and teeth wanted to trace. Jack and Rome were idiots. This man was a hidden diamond.
“Good.” Raffy didn’t bother looking back. He understood how Rome got under his skin was because the man could have genuine bits of connection with him. However, they were so short lived and self-serving no matter the tenderness expressed. “But do you really want to sit here with me talking about him or do you have something better you’d like to do?”
“More like someone.” Boston grinned, his gaze dropping to the younger man’s lips. He was going to enjoy devouring the man. “At my place or yours?”
“Mine.” Raffy answered with his own sultry smile. He lifted his phone, sharing the location with the man, then he drank the rest of the scotch in one gulp uncaring of the droplet escaping down his chin before sauntering away.