At the pub, the boys had a special VIP section on the second floor, where they could drink and relax before the show.
Currently, there was a bluegrass band that was playing on stage. The boys, along with some of their friends and family who had arrived early, were drinking and relaxing.
Nathan was sitting at the bar answering some of his missed text messages.
Jay had tons of family and friends coming to this show, so he was off mingling and reuniting with them. Nathan couldn't help but look over occasionally to watch Jay. He had meant what he said about waiting for Jay to be ready, but there was a huge part of him that wanted to tell the world.
For instance, on a night like tonight, he could be by Jay's side being introduced to his family and friends as his boyfriend. Just thinking about that made him ache for the real thing, but he knew his heart would hurt more without Jay in his life.
He could even stand by and be his friend if it meant Jay was in his life. Although, that would hurt like nothing he had ever felt before, he loved him as a person.
"Lost in thoughts of Jay." Siva said quietly into Nathan's ear as he sat down on the stool beside him.
Nathan blushed. "Is it that obvious?"
Siva chuckled. "It is only cause I know mate. It is very sweet though."
"Thanks a lot." Nathan said sarcastically.
Siva smiled widely. "You get that goofy look on your face."
Nathan looked embarrassed. "What goofy look?!"
Siva demonstrated it to Nathan, causing him to shake his head.
"Oh get out."
"I know the look mate. There is only one other time you get that look on your face."
Nathan pressed his lisp together. Oh this should be good, he thought to himself. "Oh yeah? When is that?"
"When you are up there." He said pointing to the stage.
Nathan smiled warmly.
Siva ruffled his hair then ordered another beer.
Nathan glanced over at Jay and his heart sank because Jay was looking at him. Jay smiled and winked at him from across the room.
His heart began to beat really fast. He felt Siva's eyes on him. He turned his head to face him. "I have the look on my face don't I?"
Siva burst out laughing. "It is adorable mate. I'm just sayin."
Nathan shoved him. "Bastard."
"What is adorable!" Tom said loudly as he approached them at the bar.
"Your ass in those jeans." Nathan teased.
Tom spanked his own ass. "I do have a nice ass don't I?"
"Along with a big ego." Siva added.
Tom hit him on the head. "Fuck off Seev." He teased.
"Ow that hurt."
"Quit being so soft." Tom said then ordered a beer. "How are you baby Nath?"
"I'm good mate. Just can't wait to get down there." He said referring to the stage.
"Me too." He said then gave Nath a big long kiss on the top of the head. He then ran over to Max and some friends.
"He's levered already mate."
Siva laughed. "What else is knew."
Nathan felt his phone buzz. It was Rico. They hadn't spoken in a while.
Text from Rico: I'm outside, can you come out?
Nathan smiled. He missed Rico and was actually very happy that he was here.
Text from Nathan: Come up! I'll tell Kev.
"Everything alright?" Siva asked.
Nathan nodded. "Yeah, Rico is here."
Siva raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? You two are still talking?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't we?"
Siva shrugged.
A few minutes later Nathan felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. He looked up and there was Rico, looking smokin' hot by the way. He was wearing a tight t-shirt and black leather jacket with skintight jeans.
Nathan felt a twinge of excitement between his legs. He loved Jay, but he was still human.
"Hey cutie." Rico said then leaned in and kissed Nathan on the cheek. He lingered a bit longer than a normal social situation would call for.
It caused Nathan to blush and also quickly glance over to see if Jay was looking. Thankfully he did not see that interaction because he did not want to upset him. "How have you been?"
"I'll leave you two alone." Siva said then walked away.
Rico leaned his elbow on the bar and faced Nathan sideways. "Besides missing you, alright."
Nathan blushed. "I've missed you too." He said then looked down. "It has just been...busy I suppose."
Rico smirked. "You don't have to explain it to me Nathan. Are things better with Jay?"
Nathan couldn't help but smile. He nodded.
Rico forced a smile. "I am glad...for you." He said placing his hand on Nate' shoulder and massaging it.
Just then Jay came over to the bar. He stood right behind Rico and leaned over to order another beer.
Nathan swallowed hard. What an awkward situation. Jay, his love, was right next to Rico, his little fling. Awkwarrrrrrd.
"Thanks mate." Jay said to the bar tender then casually leaned in a bit to catch Rico's ear. "Watch what you are doing with those hands bro."
Rico smirked and shook his head.
Jay then began to walk away.
Rico turned towards Jay, leaning back onto the bar. "At least I use them in public." '
Jay stopped dead in his tracks, his back still towards Rico.
Nathan's eyes widened. "Oh shit." He said under his breath.
Jay slowly turned and gave Rico a mocking smile.
Nathan placed his face in his hands and shook his head. "No, this is not happening."
Jay walked over to Rico, who still had this cocky smug look on his face. Jay wanted to chin him right then and there. "Look, you don't touch him. End of story."
Nathan looked up in shock. He glanced from Jay to Rico then back to Jay, like a tennis match.
Rico smirked. "Well someone should."
Jay gritted his teeth then pushed up against Rico. "Listen you little fuck."
Rico stood up to him. "You need to back off."
Nathan hopped off of the stool and tried to separate them. "Fellas, let's not do this right now. Please?"
"Walk away." Rico said to Jay.
Nathan put his hand on Jay's forearm. "Please Jay?"
Jay glanced at Nathan then back at Rico.
"What the fuck dude?" Tom asked.
"It's fine." Nathan said not wanting Tom involved.
Just then Siva grabbed Jay by the arm and pulled him away. "You need to calm yourself down."
Jay pulled out of Siva's grip. "Don't fuckin' pull me mate."
"What the hell was that?" Siva asked.
Jay glanced over at Rico in anger. "That little Menudo, Ricky Martin fuck face."
Siva crossed his arms. "What did he do?"
Jay looked around and then whispered to Siva. "He fuckin had his hands all over Nathan."
Siva shook his head.
"What?!" Jay asked in annoyance. He knew Siva had something to say.
"It's just....I dunno."
"What dammit?"
Siva looked into Jay's eyes. "He has a right to go after him. If you don't want that happening, well, I know you don't want to hear this but you have to do something about it."
"I was. I was going to kick the shit out of him."
Siva rolled his eyes. "Not what I meant mate."
Jay sighed. "I know. I know. Don't push me okay?"
Siva nodded.
Just then Max put his hand on Jay's shoulder. "Your dad's here mate."
Jay rolled his eyes at Siva. "Brilliant timing." He said then headed over to talk to his father.
Back at the bar, Nathan was trying to recover from that little confrontation.
"Are you mad at me?" Rico asked sadly.
Nathan shook his head. "Well, no but..."
Rico reached for Nathan's hand, but he pulled away. "I can't okay?"
"Can't what?"
Nathan looked into his eyes. "Jay and I....I mean....I'm sort of with him and.."
Rico shook his head. "Oh so he finally came out of the closet?"
Nathan looked around worried that someone might hear. "Well, no but..."
"Look at yourself Nate. It is like you are back in the closet now."
Nathan was a bit ashamed of himself. He was letting Jay's fears dominate the relationship. "Listen, I told him I'd wait until he was ready."
Rico shook his head. "Listen, I really care about you. I totally understand you love him and all of that. I've been in his shoes. He won't budge until he is pushed to do so. By the time I came around it was too late."
Nathan shook his head. "I love him Rico."
Rico nodded. "I know that. You don't think my ex loved me?"
Nathan knew he had a point. "I can't push him. I promised."
Jay was over at the other end of the VIP section talking with his father and his fiancé Jolie.
"I wanted to officially apologize for my behavior the other night. It was selfish and uncalled for."
Jolie smiled. "I am sorry too. Can we start over?"
Jay nodded. "I would like that."
Mr. McGuiness smiled in relief as his son hugged his new fiancé. "Thank goodness." He said then caught a glimpse of Rico and Nathan almost holding hands at the bar. "Those two need to get a room."
Jay glanced back over and saw Rico talking closely to Nathan. He was burning with jealousy. He doesn't listen, does he?, he thought to himself. He would deal with him later that little fucker.
"Nobody wants to see that shit." Mr. McGuiness said in disgust.
Jay rolled his eyes. "Dad, come on."
"What?! It's true."
"Darling come on." Jolie said, not wanting the two men to argue. She knew it was headed that way.
"There is nothing wrong with it."
Mr. McGuiness laughed. "It is disgusting. It is unnatural there kind is."
"Please stop talking about them like that." Jay said, slowly losing patience with his father.
"Oh will you stop defending them. It is like you want to be one of them."
Jay felt sick to his stomach. He was one of them. He needed to get his shit together before it was too late.