Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

not being serious, are you?"
    "Are you saying you're dry? Jesus, you really do love him." At Nathan's warning glare, Danny threw his hands up in surrender. "I wasn't razzing you, I just…" He seemed to think about something before letting out a resigned sigh. "I've made a mess of things, haven't I?"
    Something in his eyes must have said so, because Danny gave him a nod and walked off.
    This day couldn't get any worse. Then again, knowing his luck, it just might.
    CHAPTER 4
    The last two hours were a blur.
    Harlan had spent the whole time pacing the living room, fighting the urge to drive his fist into the wall, or better yet, Danny Brogan's face. His mind wouldn't stop replaying what he'd walked in on, and he tried telling himself over and over that Nathan hadn't betrayed him. That all it had been was an innocent kiss that had escalated out of Nathan's control.
    His heart, on the other hand, was chastising him for putting so much of himself, of his trust, of his emotional and psychological wellbeing into one man, a man who until recently hadn't been able to function in any kind of relationship. What the hell had made him think that Nathan could change? It was a miracle the guy had stuck around as long as he had.
    Well, he sure as well wasn't going to get any answers like this. The more he paced, the more he felt like he was losing his mind. He needed to get out for a while. Despite the fact that he knew Nathan wasn't out on the porch waiting for him, when he'd put on his overcoat and hat, and stepped outside, he still found himself feeling disappointed. Jesus, what a sap he was. He got into his car and drove, all the while telling himself he had no idea where he was going.
    What a load of bunk.
    Parking his car, he thanked the burly doorman for opening the gold-edged door for him and stepped inside the foyer, arguing with himself on whether or not to check in his overcoat and hat. If he did, he knew what would happen. At least he thought he did. Did he want that to happen? If he didn't, then why the hell was he here?
    From beyond the cloakroom, he could see the ballroom with its tropical theme, palm trees, and colorful flowers aplenty. The Jazz was loud, fast, and thumping. Folks everywhere were togged to the bricks, enjoying champagne and what was most assuredly not piss water. No sir, nothing but the Real McCoy at the Parisian. It was probably even Irish or Scottish. Everything here was high class, from the clientele to the workers. He twisted his hat in his hands and stepped a little closer to the ballroom to look around.
    "Looking for someone, handsome?"
    Harlan turned at the familiar voice and smiled, ignoring the fact that his stomach was in knots. "I think I just found him."
    "You're not here to spoil my fun, are you?" Julius teased. He was all dolled up, looking incredibly eye pleasing in a royal blue, pinstriped suit. Harlan didn't know what it was about Julius that caught his interest. Sure, the kid was pretty, but he wasn't the sort of fellow Harlan had ever found himself interested in. He tended to get goofy over the kind that laughed at stupid jokes, clung to him in the middle of the night as if he were the only thing keeping the guy from falling, and had a slightly above average aversion to uncleanliness.
    "No, I'm not here on business," he said somewhat gruffly, pushing those thoughts out of his mind.
    "Oh, good." Julius discreetly looked around, and Harlan had a pretty good idea who he was searching for.
    "He's not here," Harlan muttered, feeling angry with himself for getting all balled up just thinking about what had lead him here in the first place.
    Julius' expression softened. "I see."
    "I remembered you mentioning this joint, and I…" He rubbed his hands over his face and let out a frustrated grunt. "I don't know what the hell I'm doing here. I'm sorry." He started to walk away when Julius grabbed his arm.
    "Wait, I don't even know your name."
    "It's Harlan. Harlan Mackay."
    "Well, Harlan," Julius said with a sexy smile, "let's blouse. This joint was putting me to sleep anyhow."
    "Okay." Ignoring the little voice in his head that was telling him to make tracks, he stayed and waited for Julius to collect his coat and hat. Then they left the overcrowded nightclub and got into his car. It wasn't far to Julius' apartment, one he shared with the two friends who had been with him at Shifty's. Lucky for him, they were out for the night. It didn't take long before Harlan found himself on the couch,