by Shea Balik
Then Elden did the cutest thing ever, he stomped his foot, but somehow missed, which should have been impossible to miss the floor, yet in his drunken state, his shoe slid out to the side and he started to tilt. Thankfully, Cabe had already come out from behind the bar and caught him before he’d ended up tipping over and hitting his head on the wood flooring.
“Got you,” Cabe said.
“Yes, you do,” Elden said as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Cabe’s.
Instantly, Cabe’s dick went hard as nails as Elden’s body fit against his perfectly while those lush lips sealed over his. He knew it was wrong for his body to get excited when Elden was too damn drunk to do anything about it, but it wasn’t like his cock knew the difference.
“Eleven minutes, boss,” Jaivon called out. Jaivon was not only one of the best bartenders in town, he was Cabe’s right hand man.
“Thanks, Jaivon. I’m heading to the roof,” he called back. “You have everything under control down here?” Not that Cabe needed to ask. Jaivon always had things well in hand. He was quick making drinks, which kept the customers happy and always laid back, which worked well with the other employees.
Even more importantly, Jaivon was built like a linebacker. Anyone got out of control and Jaivon just had to give them a look to make them back off. That he was smart as hell made him the ideal manager. Why someone like Jaivon stayed at The Cure All, when he could probably get a much better paying job with a helluva lot better hours, wasn’t something he’d been willing to share no matter how often Cabe had asked.
“We’re good down here,” Jaivon assured.
Cabe took him at his word, knowing once he made the announcement that the countdown would be starting soon, it would be the rooftop where chaos would ensue. “If you notice the others can handle it down here, you might want to think about coming topside in a few,” Cabe yelled out over the rising din around as people began to realize midnight was fast approaching.
Jaivon gave him a thumbs up.
“Come on, Elden, it’s time to head upstairs.” Cabe kept his arm around Elden to steady him as they went to the doorway that was usually only closed in the winter because it was too damn cold to serve drinks outside.
“I told you we could get up on the roof,” Shine practically crowed.
Cabe could have told them they were only getting a glass of champagne to toast in the new year, but he wisely let it go. They’d find out soon enough anyway and this way he got out of a headache inducing argument.
Once they got to the roof, Cabe led them to the bar, which had Shine and David practically bouncing up and down in excitement. But instead of making them their usual drinks, Cabe took the microphone he had hooked up to the sound system and glanced at his watch.
Close enough.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is ten minutes before the big moment. If you would like a glass of champagne, we have two options for you tonight, a classic white and a more colorful pink. Each glass is five dollars. So, please head to one of the bars, or, for your convenience, waiters are milling about with their trays loaded with either selection.”
Elden’s eyes lit up. “Pink?” He swayed on his feet but managed to catch himself by holding tighter onto Cabe. “Is that fruity?”
But before Cabe could answer, Elden rested his head against Cabe’s shoulder and asked, “Is the sky spinning?”
Cabe shook his head. If he got his midnight kiss it would be a miracle. Then again, he’d already gotten the best kiss of his life. Did he really need to be greedy asking for another one, especially since Elden had been having so much fun?
When the crowds started pouring in, Cabe had felt bad because he hadn’t been able to do more than give Elden an occasional smile or wink. By ten, when the restaurants had closed and even the wine bar, Group Therapy, had closed, the crowd only grew exponentially.
He was sure Elden was going to make an excuse to leave when Shine, Montague, David, and Macalister had shown up. There had been a few other of their friends with them, but it was those four that really took Elden under their wing and made sure he had a good time.
Cabe just wished it hadn’t been quite so good, since Elden was sure to end up praying to the porcelain god before the night was over. He’d be lucky if he wasn’t doing the same all the next day, too.
“No, the sky isn’t spinning, sweetie. That’s just the alcohol talking.” Cabe wasn’t sure Elden even heard him when he didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes.
Then, he popped his head up and gave Cabe the strangest look. “Alcohol can’t talk, and if it could, how would it do so by spinning?”
Cabe couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Oh, sweetie, you are going to regret this night tomorrow.”
Elden shook his head emphatically. “Never. You kissed me. Me. Dorky Elden Richland. Nothing could ever make me regret that.”
Damn but Cabe was sure his heart melted at that moment. There was no doubt in his mind, he was falling hard for this sweet man, who was naïve in so many ways, yet wise in others.
Pulling Elden even closer, Cabe stole a kiss now. He figured there was no point in waiting since there was a good chance that even though there was only a few more minutes, Elden would either be throwing up or passing out before the big moment.
“Boss,” Jaivon handed him the microphone. “Two minutes.”
Cabe grabbed the microphone, thankful that Jaivon, as always, was on top of things. “Two minutes, ladies and gentlemen. If you don’t have your champagne, now is the time to get it.”
A cheer went up from the crowd, which had grown to the point that every inch of space on the roof was filled to capacity. He knew the stairs and the bar were equally filled at that moment, too. He and the microbrewery down the square were the only places open for the midnight festivities.
The only other place to go was the park where the town would be doing a ‘ball’ drop, if one could call it that, plus shooting off the fireworks. Alcohol was allowed, but only beer and wine, and you had to bring your own, making the bar a much better spot to be.
Plus, up on the roof at least, the ‘ball’ drop could just be seen and it was the best place in town to view the fireworks. The digital clock he had set up for the countdown reached one minute.
“One minute, everybody,” he called out into the microphone.
His arm was firmly around Elden. He looked down to find those cinnamon eyes practically glowing with excitement.
“I’ve never been to a New Year’s Eve Party,” he said.
There was no way Cabe’s heart was going to be able to withstand this wonderful man in his arms. It just wasn’t possible. All Cabe wanted to do was wrap him up and hold him for the rest of his life.
“Thirty-five boss,” Jaivon called out.
Cabe glanced at the clock. “Okay, folks, it’s time to count down.” As the clock hit thirty, Cabe said, “Thirty, twenty-nine…” The crowd counted down with him.
Elden counted too and could be heard over the speakers since he was so close, but either he didn’t notice or he didn’t care that the entire bar could hear him. Not that anyone would notice in their drunken enthusiasm.
“Ten… nine… eight…”
Cabe grabbed one of the champagne flutes that Jaivon held out to him and handed it to Elden. Then he took the second just as they reached three.
By the time one slipped from his lips, he had handed off the microphone and cupped Elden’s cheek with his free hand. “Happy New Year, sweetie,” he said as he leaned in.
Elden whispered, “Happy New Year.” Then leaned in the rest of the way.
The cheering crowd, the explosion of fireworks, the jostling of people bumping into them all went away as their lips touched. Elden’s lush lips had been slightly cold from being outside, but warmed instantly against Cabe’s.
There was no one else who existed for Cabe in that moment. No one he’d have rather shared this night with.
He could have kissed Elden for the rest of his life and never gotten
tired. Too bad life had a manner of getting in the way.
Elden jerked away from his mouth, his eyes wide as saucers. Panic filled their cinnamon depths for just a moment before he bent over and threw up all over Cabe’s pants and shoes.
Shine cackled nearby. “Happy New Year, Cabe. Sucks to be you.” Then, just like Elden, Shine’s eyes went wide just before he too bent over and puked.
Montague must have been ready for it, because he had jumped out of the way before any of it could get on him. The man smiled at Cabe. “Practice. Lots and lots of practice.”
Great. Happy fucking New Year to him.
CHAPTER 7
“Ungh,” Elden groaned as he tried to reach for his head but both the move and sound caused his entire body to hurt. Then, out of nowhere, his stomach rolled and he was sure he was going to throw up.
Determined to get to the bathroom so he didn’t make a mess, he tried to turn over but nothing happened. He tried again, even kicking his legs to gain momentum, but instead of rolling over, his feet slammed into something hard.
“Ow,” he yelled, sort of. It came out more like a whimper, but the way it reverberated in his head Elden could have sworn he had been loud enough to make his voice echo.
“Shhh,” a soothing voice said as a nice cool cloth was placed along the back of his neck. It hadn’t been until that moment that Elden had even known he was hot.
He opened his mouth to say thank you to the soft, somewhat comforting voice but instead of speaking his stomach chose that moment to heave. To his horror, with strong arms holding him, Elden started puking his guts up.
“It’s okay,” the voice said. “I’ve got you.”
Huh?
Over and over again his stomach continued to revolt and Elden was sure his insides were about to come up out of his mouth. Vaguely, he heard the contents of his stomach hitting what might have been water.
Unsure where he was, Elden barely managed to crack open his eyelids to find himself staring at one side of the opened toilet while his cheek rested against the other side. Oh good. At least he wasn’t making a mess he’d have to clean up later.
How he got there, Elden didn’t know, nor was he really sure he cared. At the moment, the only thing that mattered was trying to stop feeling like his world was about to end.
Maybe that was what was wrong. Could he be dying? It sure felt that way. Did he get into an accident? Except how would that cause him to be so sick?
He let out another moan as more vomit came up. Maybe it was food poisoning? What had he eaten?
His mind whirled as he tried to figure out where he’d been earlier. The throbbing in his head intensified, interrupting all thoughts except how to make it stop.
“Here,” the soothing voice was back, “rinse your mouth out. It will help.”
Elden cracked open his eyelids again to find a glass of water in front of him. A hand helped him to lift his head when he couldn’t manage the small feat.
He took in the barest of sips and swished it around in his mouth before spitting it out. Then a wet cloth was wiped across his mouth, making him feel just a little more human. But it was the flush of the toilet that helped the most. Not having to smell what came out of his body was a relief.
“Do you want to remain there, or lie down again?” the voice asked softly as if knowing loud noises were giving Elden a headache.
His eyelids once more cracked open to find hazel ones filled with concern staring back at him. Cabe.
Details of drinking with Shine started to come back to him and Elden was sure he would rather die than have Cabe take care of him. Nothing in his mind could be worse than having to deal with someone throwing up because they couldn’t handle their liquor.
“Please, let me die,” he moaned without thinking about what he was saying.
Cabe chuckled. “Not on my watch, but I know how you feel.” His strong hands helped Elden lie down right there next to the toilet. Instead of the hard tile surface, there was a soft blanket beneath him.
When he was settled, Cabe stood up and rinsed out the washcloth he’d used to wipe Elden’s mouth, then did the same with the one that had been draped over his neck. Once done, Cabe put the cool cloth back on his neck and Elden sighed.
Who knew something mildly cool could feel so damn good?
“Thank you,” he croaked out. His throat was so sore from puking that it sounded more like a breathy rasp.
“You’re welcome.” Cabe lay down behind Elden. “Now go back to sleep.”
Had they really slept in the bathroom? Wait! Had Cabe actually slept in the bathroom just to take care of him?
Now Elden really felt mortified. Thankfully, his spinning head couldn’t hold onto the thought too long before he was drifting back to sleep.
***
Elden gripped whatever was beneath him, praying he wouldn’t fall. His fingers dug into the softness of a blanket until they touched the hard surface of the floor.
What?
He was sure he was on some sort of precipice about to fall to his death. How could he be on the floor? It didn’t make any sense.
Cracking open one eyelid, he instantly closed it again against the light seeping in through the window. Why was the sun so bright?
Determined to figure out where he was, Elden tried to open his eyes again. This time, he worked past the blinding rays to stare at the shining white porcelain of the base of his toilet. Huh?
Pain lanced through his head, causing him to slam his lids shut once again. His head spun and even though he knew, without a doubt, he was on the floor, Elden’s mind wasn’t willing to accept that and feared he was about to fall. That or be thrown from one of those crazy whirling carnival rides.
Not that he’d know what that felt like because he’d never dared get on one, but he imagined this would be what it was like if he had. He tried to will the spinning to stop but his stomach chose that moment to revolt.
Bolting up to a sitting position, Elden just made it as he started retching over and over again. Yet, as much as he heaved, nothing was coming up but bile.
“You okay?” a concerned voice said from behind him.
Please don’t let that be Cabe. Please don’t let that be Cabe. He repeated that prayer over and over again as he willed whatever alternate world he’d entered to revert to normal.
“Sorry to tell you, but it is Cabe, and I’ve been watching you puke all night long.” There was no denying the amusement Elden heard in Cabe’s voice. Not that he could blame the man. As much as Elden wished he could forget last night, it was all coming back to him in slow motion.
It was as if life was also laughing at him by letting him see every horrifying, embarrassing detail one image at a time. “I’m never going to drink again,” he moaned.
This time Cabe actually chuckled. “If I had a nickel for every time I’ve said those exact words, I’d be a rich man by now.”
Maybe, but Elden meant every word. There was no way he was going to let Cabe see him like this ever again. The added bonus of not having to feel as if he were dying would help him keep that promise.
“Come on, sweetie,” Cabe said when it was clear Elden was done vomiting for now. “Let’s get you in the shower. You’ll feel a lot better afterward.”
He heard the water come on, but Elden didn’t move. To be honest, he wasn’t so sure he could. On top of that, he was fairly certain he wouldn’t have the strength to stand long enough to wash. Although, he smelled bad enough he couldn’t deny wanting to try.
“You ready to get on your feet?” Cabe asked.
“No,” Elden said honestly, but he put his hands on the rim of the toilet and pushed himself up.
It had been a good thing Cabe was ready, because Elden hadn’t even managed to rise more than a few inches before he felt himself sliding back to the ground.
“No you don’t,” Cabe said as his arms went around Elden, holding him safe and steady against his warm body when Elden was standing.
The heat radiati
ng off Cabe made Elden want to snuggle in closer. With his head as fuzzy, not to mention dizzy as it was at the moment, he didn’t think too much about doing what felt good. All he wanted was to not have to suffer any longer and if that meant getting to be in Cabe’s embrace, who was he to deny himself?
That deep rumble from Cabe’s chest as he chuckled helped to settle the nausea that threatened to send him back to his previous position. “Come on, Elden. As much as I love holding you, we both stink. A shower is more than necessary.”
Much to his dismay, Cabe was right. Even now Elden’s nose wrinkled in disgust at odors he hadn’t known his body could produce. “M’kay,” he mumbled even though he didn’t move.
He actually smiled when he heard Cabe chuckle once more. Happy, yet achy and still feeling more than a little nauseous, Elden hadn’t been paying any attention as Cabe turned him and led him into his shower. Nor had he noticed Cabe getting in behind him.
It wasn’t until water was raining down on his head and fingers were massaging shampoo into his hair that the thought something was off filtered through his mind. Like seriously… odd. Right?
The thing was, Elden was having a difficult time focusing on anything at the moment. Between the wonderful sensation of fingers rubbing his scalp and easing some of his headache and the awful hangover, his body was reeling and his brain wasn’t doing much better.
His eyes popped open even though shampoo was running off his head and into them. Not even the sting could make him close his eyes again as he stared in horror at Cabe.
Cabe’s blonde head tilted as he looked at Elden in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Naked,” Elden blurted out.
“Huh?” Cabe responded as if he had no clue what Elden was saying.
“We’re in the shower together… naked.” That last word was more of a shriek than anything else and Elden instantly regretted it as his head throbbed at the loud noise, but really, he couldn’t have stopped the sound even if he’d wanted to.