“We’re just dropping Dexter off there,” Randall said. “And then Eli is taking me to the arcade.”
Dimitri raised an eyebrow. “What arcade?”
“The one near Canal Street, by the McDonald’s.”
“Try to stay out of the restroom. I heard it’s not safe,” Dimitri said with a smile.
Randall smiled at him, but his statement went clear over his head.
It did get a reaction out of Eli. His cheeks turned red.
“We won’t be there long enough for that,” Randall continued. “Eli and I are going over to his place to practice.”
“Oh?” Dimitri asked. “Alone?”
“Yeah,” Eli said. “I thought I’d give Randall the grand tour. He’s been dying to see it.”
“Yeah, I heard his place has this awesome garden with a gazebo where we can practice.”
Dimitri frowned.
Eli walked off, and the other two followed behind him like two puppies in heat.
“See you guys,” Randall called to them.
“That didn’t go so well,” Greer said. “Eli could barely look you in the face.”
“Forget it,” Dimitri said, continuing to watch Eli’s back. “It’s for the best anyway.” God, his heart was breaking but he had to pretend he wasn’t in pain. Eli had all but hinted that he planned to bed Randall later. And Eli usually did what he set out to do.
“Best for whom?” Jose asked. “You love the kid and you’re just going to let him walk away.”
Dimitri nodded. His heart drowned in tears . Let him have his fun. He’ll be mine again someday.
Chapter Eight
“Are you nervous?” Randall asked Eli as they stood backstage before the recital began.
“No,” Eli answered. He’d never suffered from stage fright before.
Randall didn’t either, but today he seemed very nervous about something.
“I had a great time yesterday with you.” Regardless of what he insinuated to Dimitri, he didn’t lay a finger on Randall last night. They just practiced for about two hours after they left the arcade and then Eli took him home without attempting to kiss him. Then he drove back to his apartment, took a shower, and then tossed and turned most of the night. Damn Dimitri. Why did he have to go and accept the check? Was that all he was worth? Hell, if he needed money for something he should have come to him. “We’ll have to hang out again sometime,” Eli said as he straightened his tie.
“Really?” Randall asked excitedly.
He looked cute with his new neck-length haircut. Apparently he’d gotten his mother to compromise. He wore his contacts, but for some reason Eli missed the glasses. Randall’s bangs were shorter too which meant they wouldn’t fall in front of his eyes and block his view.
“Sure. You’re pretty cool to hang out with, and you can dance.” Randall smiled and Eli’s cock moved in his briefs, which wasn’t a good thing because he wore a white tuxedo and the pants were snug.
Randall looked down at him, crossed his legs, and blushed. “Is it warm in here?” He fanned himself with his hand.
“A little,” Eli said, apparently feeling the heat radiating from Randall’s body to his. He ran his gaze over Randall and let it descend down between his legs. Randall too sported a gigantic hard-on.
“I’m so embarrassed,” Randall said shyly.
“Don’t be,” Eli said. “I’m flattered.”
“But…”
Eli stopped him from saying anything. “I know exactly how you feel. We’ll discuss this later, but first we need to compose ourselves for this recital. Try putting your attention on something less confusing.” He practiced his solo in his head and tried to ignore his body’s reaction to Randall. He’d practiced his solo for so many hours this morning that he expected his neighbors to come banging on his door to ask him to stop.
“I can’t believe this is the last time we’ll be playing together,” Randall said, leaning against a table.
“It won’t be if you’re accepted to Loyola next year.”
“I hear the tryouts for the orchestra band are really tough.” Eli smiled at him. “What are you worried about? You’re an excellent violinist. I’m sure you’ll get in on the first audition, and then we’ll take Paris by storm.” They used to talk about going to Paris and performing before royalty when they were kids.
Randall gazed at him with sparkling eyes.
Eli sighed. No doubt he could have taken Randall’s cherry last night. He didn’t know when Randall had fallen for him, but he could see the love written all over his face at this very moment.
“Sounds heavenly,” Randall said with a sigh.
“Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t we go to the Lakefront after this is over tonight and practice like we used to do before Hurricane Katrina? I’m sure some of the gazebos and shelters must have survived.”
Randall smiled and nodded. “We’ll perform for the fish and the mosquitoes.”
“My favorite audience,” Eli said.
Mr. Dubisson appeared. “Are you guys ready?” Eli and Randall nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“The place is packed to the rafters, and there’s a couple of talent scouts in the audience, so don’t be nervous.” Eli didn’t care. He planned to finish college first, so the talent scouts would have to wait.
“Come on,” Mr. Dubisson said, walking off.
“To Paris,” Randall exclaimed.
“See you in four years,” Eli said. “We’ll meet in front of the music school no matter what.”
They hurried to catch up with their teacher.
* * * *
So this is what I missed out on. Dimitri looked around the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts Building. The auditorium was packed wall to wall with music lovers and families who’d come to see Mr. Dubisson’s students perform.
“I’m glad you changed your mind about coming,” Greer said as they walked to their seats. “I don’t think you’d forgive yourself if you’d missed his solo.”
Dimitri had finally told Greer the whole story and Greer agreed that he had made the right decision.
“I didn’t do it for him,” he said, sitting down next to Greer. “I couldn’t come up with a good enough excuse to give Mr. Dubisson.”
“Eli probably won’t know you’re here anyway,” Jose said as he sat down on the other side of Dimitri. “Look at all these people.
You’d
