* * * *
Jaime was so relieved testing was over he hardly noticed another person join them at the bar. Sarah greeted her friend Erica at Chummy’s with a big hug and the two started gabbing.
When they settled into the semi-circular table, Jaime found himself between Sarah and Erica, with Randy and Tyler on the ends. Doing the math, Jaime quickly realized he was the odd man out. He made small talk and watched Erica flirt with Tyler, all the while biting the inside of his cheek.
“I didn’t know she was coming,” Tyler said when they were finally alone.
Jaime knew he had no right to feel jealous but that didn’t stop the sour taste from lingering in his mouth. Tyler scooted around the table and sat next to Jaime.
“I couldn’t say no to going for drinks,” Tyler said while playing with the beer coaster only inches from Jaime. “It’s tradition whenever someone grades to black belt. Besides, you did great, too. I haven’t seen anyone grade two ranks in years. We should celebrate.”
Jaime smiled in spite of his foul mood. Tyler could always make him feel better.
“What did you have in mind?”
Tyler leaned close and put his hand on Jaime’s knee. At first Jaime was taken aback then he realized that beneath the table, no one could see Tyler’s hand slide up his inner thigh. In a matter of seconds, Jaime had gone from irked to proud to horny as hell. He gnawed on his lower lip and wordlessly dared Tyler to go farther.
“Make an excuse to leave,” Tyler said in a barely audible voice. He seemed to love teasing Jaime, especially in public when he knew Jaime would do nothing about it. It was their little game. Each time Tyler got bolder. Jaime wondered just how far he would go as long as there was a risk that someone would see them being more than friends. “I’ll follow you out in a few minutes. Then we can go back to my place, and I will congratulate you properly.”
Jaime always waited for Tyler to set the limit of their interaction. He was feeling frisky tonight and Jaime was more than happy to match his moves. He leaned toward Tyler until he was close enough to touch.
“I like that plan.” Jaime bit his lower lip, almost daring Tyler to kiss him.
Tyler smiled, never taking his gaze from Jaime’s eyes. Time seemed to stand still. Even though Jaime could hear the milling of the bar patrons, it was distant and dim compared to the thundering of his heart. He longed to reach out and taste Tyler’s lips, but he didn’t dare in public. He had to wait for Tyler to make the first move no matter how badly he wanted to act on his desires.
“Ahem.”
The sound of Randy’s voice shattered the illusion of privacy. Tyler jumped away from Jaime, almost falling out of his chair in the process. Jaime sat back and tried to look innocent. Randy stood beside the table with several pints precariously balanced in his arms.
Randy glanced between Jaime and Tyler but didn’t say anything else about what he’d walked in on. “Little help?”
* * * *
“Sure, right.” Tyler took two of the pints and put them on the table then returned to his position at the edge of the bench so fast he nearly spilled half the contents of the glasses.
The hurt expression on Jaime’s face stung Tyler. It only lasted a second before it was covered by Jaime’s tempered smile, but Tyler saw it and knew he was the cause of Jaime’s pain. Tyler wasn’t about to do anything else to deepen the questioning look in Randy’s eyes. That had been too close.
Thankfully, the girls returned to the table before Randy could give voice to his thoughts.
“What did we miss?” Sarah asked as she took her seat next to Jaime.
“Nothing.” Tyler replied quicker than he should have.
Jaime cleared his throat and drew the attention of everyone at the table. His mask of polite contentment was almost perfect. Tyler knew the others would be fooled, but he wasn’t. He could see the resentment simmering in Jaime’s deep brown eyes.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to call it a night,” Jaime said but reached for his glass. “Congratulations again, Sempai. Black suits you. Kompai.”
Everyone raised their glass and toasted in unison.
“Kompai.”
As everyone took a drink, Tyler kept an eye on Jaime and tried to gauge how pissed he was. With his usual skill, Jaime avoided direct eye contact and looked past Tyler without actually looking at him.
“Are you sure you have to go?” Sarah asked as Jaime finished the last of his beer.
“I’ve got an early day tomorrow.” Jaime made his excuses as he stood. “Have a good night.”
“It was nice to meet you.” Erica offered her hand to Jaime.
He shook it politely, even though Tyler worried Jaime might be tempted to rip it off. Despite his fears, Jaime remained the picture of politeness. It only made Tyler worry all the more about what was going to happen when they were alone. That was, if he was still willing to see Tyler that night. Jaime might not stick to the plan and Tyler could be going home by himself tonight.
“See you in class on Wednesday.” Randy didn’t look as sorry to see Jaime go as the girls.
“Hai, Sempai.”
Even though he didn’t have to, Jaime bowed to everyone at the table.
“Bye, Jaime.”
“Goodnight.”
Tyler could feel Randy’s eyes on him as Jaime left.
“So, Erica,” Tyler turned to face her. It was his attempt to shift Randy’s focus. “Sarah says you’re going into law this semester, too. What kind of law are you going to specialize in?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
As eager as Tyler was to get out to his car and see if Jaime was waiting for him, he had to at least make an effort to engage
