Thai... Troubled
Studs & Steel #8
Heather Mar-Gerrison copyright 2018
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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work.
Prologue
Quentin
“Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Q from James Bond?”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes even as a little thrill went through me that he’d said so. I’d heard this about a million times over the last five years or so. Ever since Ben Whishaw first played Q in Skyfall. I couldn’t deny it. I did look quite a lot like him. I had the glasses and the dark, unruly hair that never sat flat no matter what I did with it – and as nerdy as it sounds, I was kind of chuffed that my name could be shortened to Q...
I would never describe myself as handsome though – not like Ben Whishaw, who I thought was absolutely stunning. I looked up and sucked in a sharp breath. It was the tall, dark, exotic-looking dancer that I’d been crushing on for weeks. I was quite sure he was called Thai, which really suited him. Fuck. And he was speaking to me! Was he actually hitting on me? Nah… probably not – but he thought I looked like Q! For once it wasn’t annoying me to be compared to a super-geek.
I grinned at him. The music was pumping, the beat vibrating through my body and I was feeling really kind of mellow. I fucking loved coming to this nightclub and tonight was no exception. Raising my voice so I could be heard over the music, I replied, “Uh, yeah – I’ve heard that once or twice.”
He chuckled, his deep, almost musical laugh making my insides feel a little mushy. “And are you a mad, gadget-creating genius on the quiet?” He shouted, his beautiful mouth curving up in a blinding smile that took my breath away, “or do your talents lie elsewhere?”
Oh, my God – he really was flirting with me! Flirting! With me! Where were all my mates to witness this amazing event?
Oh, yes. That was right – they’d all sneaked off as soon as we arrived. Franz was snogging the face off his boyfriend in the foyer – and all the others were no doubt in the bathrooms getting their rocks off with unsuspecting punters... The bastards.
“I’m more your artistic type.” I said back as loudly as I could. I might be studying physics but I really did love to draw and paint. I had about twenty sketches of him that I’d done from memory. Looking into those incredible eyes now, though, with his super long and curly eyelashes – it was more than obvious that I hadn’t done him justice. I’d have to have another go when I got home...
It was Christmas Eve and in the blink of an eye, it had turned from a run-of-the-mill sort of night into a totally magical one.
I’d been in two minds whether to come out with Franz and the guys tonight. More for the fact that I’d undoubtedly have to find my own way home and getting a taxi on Christmas Eve wasn’t gonna be the easiest of tasks. Franz was pretty much living with Buzz these days – they weren’t officially living together but he spent shed-loads of time there and I was pretty sure it was just a matter of time before he did actually take the final step and move in.
I looked over to where Franz and Buzz were and smiled. They were so damned perfect together. Franz looked utterly hilarious tonight. He was dressed as Britney Spears – and actually rocked the look better than I thought he would when he told me what his costume was going to be.
Jaime, our other friend from uni, who was almost completely deaf, was dressed as Superman and looked absolutely awesome with his hair all gelled back. He always went all out to look the part for fancy dress – and it really didn’t hurt that he was rock star handsome either.
I’d gotten changed at Quentin’s. Not that anyone at home would mind that I’d gone out dressed as a seventies rock star, but the atmosphere at the flat with Quentin and the rest of the guys was more fun than it was at home. Arthur, the guy I lived with, (which sounds like we were in relationship with each other but that couldn’t be farther from the truth) hadn’t been feeling too well for a couple of weeks now and I felt like I was tiptoeing around all of the time as it was. Sometimes it was just nice to escape – as much as I loved him.
Thai’s eyes had drifted over to Buzz and Franz and he chuckled, “Ah,” he said, “One of the most loved up couples here.” He said, sounding mildly incredulous.
I looked up at him, “And what’s wrong with that?” I asked.
He snorted, “Love?” He said, “Love is for saps.”
I blinked. “Really?’ I asked, “And how did you come to that cynical conclusion?” Hell, he was only about twenty-five. Surely life hadn’t dealt him enough blows to have already given up on finding someone to share his life with?
He shrugged, “I just don’t believe it really exists.” He said, “Someone always manages to cheat on the other – even when they take vows to always love one another. Better to just have fun. I really don’t believe in marriage – it’s just another form of control…” he trailed off looking mildly embarrassed at his outburst, “Anyway, enough of my cynical views,” he added with a grin and raising his eyebrows at me hopefully, “Would you, uh, like to come and dance with me?”
My jaw almost hit the bar. He was one of the best dancers here and he wanted me to dance with him? Fuck! It was a Christmas miracle…
I nodded, “Sure.” I agreed, hopping down from my barstool before he could realise I was a super-geek and change his mind. I was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth…
We danced together for pretty much the rest of the night. Thai had done his stint of dancing in the first half of the evening so now he could relax and enjoy the rest of the fancy dress party.
“Who did you come as?” he asked, “David Bowie?”
I smiled and shook my head, “I think I’m more of a Marc Bolan.” I said, “I’m not all that good with painting my own face the way Bowie did.” I wasn’t all that sure I’d pulled off Marc Bolan all that well if I was honest. “It didn’t occur to me to come as Q.” I added, “On reflection it would have been a whole lot easier.” I smiled.
He chuckled, “Next time, huh?”
I nodded, “Definitely.” I agreed.
“Will you be coming for New Year’s Eve?” he asked.
I shook my head, “Uh, no.” I said, feeling a wave of disappointment, “I have other plans for New Year.”
Arthur always hosted a massive New Year’s party for his friends and colleagues, and I was always invited too. To begin with, four years ago, when I was barely sixteen, Arthur’s friends had thought he’d lost his mind allowing me to move in with him, but they all accepted me now and I usually looked forward to it. But I had Thai asking me if I was coming here – and I’m not gonna lie. It was a far more appealing prospect…
Chapter 1 – New Year…
Quentin
Christmas came and went – as did New Year and I was back at university and Franz was bugging me to go back to Studs with him almost immediately. “Thai’s been asking after you.” He said, nudging my elbow and grinning at me.
I sighed even as my heart spiked, “I’ll see.” I said, “Arthur hasn’t been too well recently.” I was a bit worried about him. His health had been on a steady decline since the summer. I knew he had HIV – or at least I thought I knew. No one had ever come on out and told me straight but you get a vibe, don’t you?
Franz shrugged, “Well, the offer’s open.” He said
, “I’ll understand if you don’t come.”
I sighed. The desire to go and to see Thai was actually pretty overwhelming even if he did have some strange ideas about love and commitment. “Count me in.” I said, “Arthur won’t mind.”
And Arthur didn’t mind. “Have fun, sweetheart.” He said, beaming up at me from his easy-chair, “You can tell me all about it in the morning.”
I nodded, smiling back at him, “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?”
He chuckled, “My dear boy,” he said, “I spent the better part of thirty years on my own before you came into my life. Go. Have fun. I’ll still be here when you return.”
I nodded, feeling happier that he was happy for me to go.
“Will you be dressing up again?” he asked, his eyes full of mischief and making him look at least ten years younger than his sixty-three years.
I shrugged, “Well, you’d probably call it dressing up.” I said, “But they’re just clubbing clothes – my skinny jeans and my cropped top.”
Arthur grinned, “You’ll knock them all dead.” He said with a wink. “Have fun.”
Franz, of course, was delighted that I was going to be joining him and the boys on a night out and had invited me to get changed at his place again – the one he still had at the uni house since that was where all the other guys lived. I hadn’t been wrong about him moving in with Buzz – and the pair of them were sporting promise rings that I was sure were really engagement rings – they were wearing them on their left hands but neither of them were admitting to anything.
Feeling really good about myself, I walked into the club and headed for the bar. I needed a drink…
*
“Oh, my God. I knew I’d see you tonight. I just had a feeling… Q, I believe?” A deep, melodic voice had all the hairs on my arms standing on end and my heart had gone into overdrive.
I looked up and had to concentrate on not totally losing my shit in his presence. I raised my eyebrows at him and smiled, “Oh, hi.” I said, trying to be totally cool.
“It’s really nice to see you again.” He said, “I was beginning to wonder if you were a figment of my imagination – a Christmas miracle that turned back into a pumpkin at midnight or something.”
I chuckled. He was funny. “Not quite” I said, “I’ve just been busy with other stuff.”
He smiled at me and winked as he downed his bottle of water in one. “Are you staying for long?” he asked.
I shrugged, “I might go and dance, but I wasn’t planning on leaving any time soon, no.” If he wanted to see me again after he’d finished dancing, I wasn’t going anywhere.
He smiled, “Cool.” He said, “I’ll see you later?”
I nodded, “Sure.” I agreed enthusiastically, any hope of appearing cool and aloof evaporating into thin air.
He disappeared shortly after that exhilarating encounter. No surprise there, I guess – he was one of the main dancers after all – and he was up next. I knew this because I’d been coming here almost every Wednesday evening since the beginning of term back in September with the rest of the guys for student night and Thai had been one of the main reasons I’d come back after the first time. He was so damned beautiful and I’d instantly recognised him as the same guy I’d been watching out of my bedroom window for months on end too, which I know makes me sound like a total creep but please allow me to explain that one to you – later…
I finished my pint and turned to watch Thai do his routine, which was always a major turn-on. As I stood there, mesmerised, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I frowned. Who the hell could that be? As far as everyone at home was concerned, I was out with all of my mates. I smiled as I thought of Arthur. He was as old-fashioned as it got. Arthur never texted... Hell, he barely called on his mobile phone – referring to it as ‘that confounded contraption’ more times than I could count...
I squinted at my phone screen. In my haste to see Thai, I’d come out without my glasses, so in the darkness of the club I was damned near blind... I moved back towards the bar area where the light was at its brightest and peered closely at the screen – and my heart sank to my boots.
“Arthur has been taken ill – suspected stroke. Please return home immediately.”
My blood ran cold. Holy shit. A stroke? I started to panic. My heart started to beat wildly in my chest and my armpits went all prickly with fear. I’d left Arthur at home feeling a little unwell, but I had no idea he’d been that unwell. I turned quickly, sending the chair next to me skittering backwards. “Oh, my God.” I gasped.
The bartender looked at me with a concerned expression, “Is everything alright, mate?” he asked.
I shook my head, “No,” I said, still staring at the horrible message, “I have to go.” I choked out.
He frowned, “Something wrong?”
I nodded, “Can you tell my friend, Franz that I had to go? He’s with the doorman.” I asked desperately, “Tell him that I was called away – I was supposed to be going back to his digs with him and the rest of our mates…” I trailed off as a warm hand touched my shoulder, sending a whole new shockwave of feelings through me.
I turned and fought off the urge to just throw myself into his arms and cry against his solid chest. Thai must have noticed my erratic behaviour from his podium. He looked at me in surprise, “You’re leaving already?” He asked, looking slightly hurt and confused that I was going when I said I’d see him after his dance.
I nodded, “I’m so sorry,” I gasped, “But I have to go.”
He frowned. He could clearly see now that I was beyond upset, “Why?” he demanded, looking worried about me, “What’s happened? What’s the matter?”
“I – My... Arthur…” I stumbled over my words. I hadn’t actually discussed my living arrangements with Thai – well, of course I hadn’t. We’d hardly spoken to each other beyond a little flirting before tonight, “The uh, the guy that I live with – he’s been taken ill – I have to go to him.”
Thai blinked, understanding registering on his face, “The guy you live with?” He asked looking slightly crestfallen, “As in...? Oh…” Realisation registered on his face at my words, “Is he your boyfriend? Friend? Husband?” he glanced at my left hand, finding nothing on my third finger, “Lover?” his eyes flickered back to my face, “What is this guy to you?”
I shook my head. I couldn’t get into this right now. Arthur could be dying. “It’s complicated.” I snapped, “I’m sorry that I can’t stay and explain right now but I really have to go.”
Nodding his head, his lips pressed together, no doubt to stop himself from asking any further questions, he took my arm and gently steered me towards the exit, “I’m done here for the night.” He said, “I’ll drive you home. Come on.”
Chapter 2 – Uncomfortable silence…
Thai
The journey to Quentin’s home was awkward to say the least. There was no doubt that we were attracted to each other but we knew absolutely nothing about each other. Hell, I’d only plucked up the courage to speak to the guy twice. I can’t deny that I’d noticed him way back in September when he’d first come to the club with a bunch of other guys – all of them, presumably, students since they came on Wednesdays.
That usually meant that they were out of my comfort zone too – age wise at least. I didn’t really want to date a guy who was still in his teens – call me picky but I didn’t want to be labelled a cradle-snatcher.
I didn’t know what to say to him apart from asking him for directions because he clearly wasn’t about to tell me about his relationship with the mysterious Arthur – and I wasn’t about to start asking awkward questions when he was in this state about the guy.
We pulled up in front of the biggest house I’d ever seen and he immediately reached for the door, “Thanks for the ride.” He blurted out, “It was really kind of you.”
I looked at him. He was close to tears, “No problem,” I said, “I’ll uh, maybe see you next time you’re at Studs?�
�
He nodded, “Yeah, yeah,” he said, “Maybe.”
I watched him run up the majestic sweeping stone steps and bang on the front door. My jaw dropped when a guy in a suit answered the door and ushered him inside. Was that a butler? Fuck! I thought my parents were ridiculous having Roberts, the manservant but this was another level entirely. The house was like something out of Downton Abbey – more like a mansion than a house if I was honest. This was clearly where he lived – but the circumstances of how he’d come to live here was a complete mystery.
I watched until the butler shut the door. I couldn’t help noticing that he eyed me suspiciously as he did so, making me feel kind of uncomfortable. I just hoped Quentin’s boyfriend or whatever the guy was to him was okay. Quentin hadn’t done anything wrong – he was just a young guy wanting to have some fun…
*
I didn’t see Quentin for a couple of weeks after that night. I had no idea how to contact him other than to rock up at the mansion and that was clearly out of the question.
We knew so little about each other that we hadn’t even gotten around to swapping phone numbers and call me a coward but I didn’t really fancy going around to the big house and asking for him – potentially opening a can of worms for him – so, I just had to wait it out and hope.
During the time that I didn’t see Quentin, for one reason or another, pretty much everything changed. Life at Studs and Steel altered beyond all recognition when our beloved barman, Seth’s girlfriend was killed in a terrible car accident that also left Seth with burns and potentially life-changing injuries – not to mention the fact that he was utterly heartbroken.
Everyone was concerned about him and we were all heading over to the hospital between shifts to see him – not that he knew – he’d been put into an induced coma to help his healing.
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