CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Mason fell into an easy pattern with Gavin over the next two weeks. Gavin kept up his lessons with Jessie. On his days off he still sometimes ended up at the bar, even if just for a little while, to visit. They worked together, and a few nights a week Mason ended up at Gavin’s for the night so the man could fuck his brains out.

Mason had no reason to complain about how they spent their time together.

Being around Gavin was easy, comfortable, and Mason liked easy and comfortable.

On a slow, Saturday night Mason approached Gavin as he stood behind the bar, filling a mug of dark brew. “Wanna sneak into my office for a blow job?” He whispered as he passed.

The mug slipped out of Gavin’s hand, shattering on the floor. Beer went everywhere as Mason let out a loud laugh. “I’m kidding, teach.” Or was he? He wouldn’t mind a quickie with Gavin on his knees.

When Gavin met his eyes, Mason saw fire there and realized he hadn’t shocked Gavin. Mason turned him on. He leaned against the counter. Mason kept his voice low when he spoke. “There’s a closet freak in there. I like a little kink.”

“Kink? Who doesn’t like a little kink?” Mason laughed at the sound of Cooper’s voice behind him.

“You’re going to scandalize him.” Braden spoke up next as he and Wes sat down. Noah and Cooper took stools beside them.

“That’s the plan.” Mason grabbed the broom from the corner. “Excuse me while I clean up the mess Gavin made while being properly scandalized.”

His lover shook his head but Mason saw a smile tease his lips. “We have customers.”

“No one’s paying attention to us except these guys. Well, them and Rich down the bar. He wants his beer.”

Gavin seemed to take Mason’s hint. He grabbed another mug and filled it before walking it down the bar to the waiting customer.

“Out causing trouble?” Mason asked as he first cleaned up the broken glass.

“Braden’s always looking for it.” Wes rested his arms on the bar.

“Funny, Coop is, too,” Noah added.

It was Cooper who got a smirk on his face that told Mason he had a comeback. “It’s not our fault if we’re more fun than the two of you.”

The four of them laughed. They were a good group of men. Mason liked them a lot. He had since first moving to Blackcreek.

It was already close to eleven when the foursome came in. Gavin gave them a pitcher of beer and he and Mason chatted with them off and on as they helped the customers who trickled in and out of the bar.

A little more than an hour later, only a few people lingered in the bar. A man and woman sitting at a table in the back corner and two guys playing pool. Mason checked on them to see if anyone needed a refill, and when they didn’t he joined Gavin, who spoke to their friends.

“Looking a little slow in here,” Braden teased Mason. “I thought Gavin was here because you needed extra help.”

“Jesus, Braden. You and that damn mouth of yours,” Wes replied.

“You like my mouth.”

Mason had no doubt that Wes did. He also didn’t mind Braden trying to bust his balls. “It was a little bit of both. We’re usually busy, but looks like you chased everyone out tonight. And Gavin…hell, he’s nice to look at. That’s the perk of having him around.” He winked at his lover.

“I get that a lot.” Gavin shrugged, playing along.

Mason stood beside Gavin at the bar. The sleeves of his shirt pulled up when he crossed his arms, stretching over his muscles. He didn’t like the attention on him. He played it off well, but Mason could tell.

“What happened to the live music?” Noah asked as he finished the beer in the bottom of his glass. “Didn’t you used to have it on the weekends?”

“Yeah, but it was a lot of work, finding bands and booking them. It’s the music man’s job now. He’ll no doubt be better at it than I was.” He nudged Gavin. “Hey, I like that. Now I don’t know if I want to call you teach or the music man. I’m hoping eventually I can get Gavin to play here.”

Gavin’s attention turned to Mason. He had a strange look in his eye, almost like what Mason said he hadn’t expected. He wasn’t sure why. He’d told Gavin from the beginning he could help with the music.

“Yeah?” Gavin asked.

“Of course. You sure as shit sound better than most of the people I had coming in and out of here. I’m still expecting those lessons.”

The longer Gavin looked at him, Mason realized what it meant. It was gratitude. Mason could appreciate that quality. Most of the people he knew went about life with a cocky attitude, like their shit didn’t stink. Not Gavin. He wasn’t sure what he did to deserve it, but damned if it didn’t make him reach over, wrap his arm around Gavin and pull him close. He pressed a kiss to his forehead before setting him free again.