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    complaint but was unsure how to phrase it. Thankfully he wasn’t drunk enough to start whining or bawling just yet.
    Although he probably wasn’t far off….
    “Nathan.” Auryn was using that calm, commanding tone that sounded like he was about to explain something to a child. Nathan felt a small flush of drunken indignation but there was also an undeniable shudder of pleasure at hearing his name spoken that way. As if he was about to receive a stern telling off. Nathan idly wondered if he should make one of his suggestive jokes, but a quick glance in Auryn’s direction showed he wasn’t in the joking mood.
    Nathan dropped his eyes again and fiddled with the edge of his T-shirt.
    “You’re pouting,” Auryn said.
    Nathan didn’t answer but sighed pointedly.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” Nathan mumbled.
    Wow, he really did feel silly sulking about this again, but he couldn’t help it; he was drunk and horny. His booze-addled brain was having trouble digesting the fact that someone who supposedly liked him didn’t want to get frisky right here, right now.
    Auryn was silent for more than a few moments. Nathan started to feel like maybe he should quit while he was ahead.
    Not that he seemed particularly ahead.
    Shouldn’t have drunk so much, he chided himself. Still, that wouldn’t help him now. Auryn was probably trying to work out how to make his excuses and leave the weird, little sulky boy in the dust.

    A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 79

    “Um, Nathan,” Auryn started. “Look, I’ve had one nasty break up this year, and bear in mind I’ve only met you today… and, well—”
    Oh, here it comes, Nathan thought. The excuse, the knock back, the it’s-not-you-it’s-me crap.
    “What?” Nathan cut in, looking up at him. He wasn’t going to make this easy on Auryn, oh no. He was going to glare right at him and dare him to say it.
    “Um, I’m a little worried—” Auryn started, his own eyes dropping shyly, “—about how much I like you already. I just want to take things slowly, that’s all. ” The frown was wiped clear off Nathan’s face. “Oh?” Ohhh.
    “Hmm,” Auryn answered, which wasn’t really an answer, but his fingers gingerly made a bid for Nathan’s hand.
    From impatient frustration back to feeling like the luckiest guy in the world, Nathan forced himself to relax.
    Maybe this would work out. And maybe he should sober up fast before he said anything else to ruin this. They were interrupted suddenly by Auryn’s phone. He checked the caller, then smiled and said it was Gary.
    “Aren’t you going to answer it?”
    “No,” Auryn said. “I know he’ll just ask when we’re coming back to keep him company.”
    “You didn’t get his leftovers,” Nathan giggled drunkenly
    “Don’t tell him that! Come on, it’s getting late.” A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 80

    Auryn pulled Nathan up and steered him out of the bar.
    Nathan allowed it, but he did clasp Auryn’s hand, determined not to be shaken off. He was surprised that Auryn kept hold of his hand when they were out on the street. The only thing Auryn did was smile and ask, “Is this safe out in the open?”
    Nathan shrugged. “It is Kemp Town. But if anyone has a problem with it, this chain ain’t just for show.” Auryn glanced down at the thick wallet chain swinging at Nathan’s hips. “Oh right. I assumed it was something kinky.”
    “No, I keep the fun stuff at home,” Nathan teased, pressing his body into Auryn. As he was still drunk he leaned all his weight on Auryn, causing them both to almost stumble.
    “Okay, time for you to sleep it off,” Auryn said. “Where do you live, Nathan?”
    “Just along there.” He pointed up St. James Street.
    “Opposite The Stud.”
    Auryn walked him home. It was barely five minutes away, but Nathan’s wobbly steps were a little slower than usual. At the reinforced apartment door on the street, Nathan leaned against it, trying to act cool, but one of