Chapter 11 The private club
Chapter 11 The private club
Loud music could be heard even before Adrian and Jack entered the club. Strobe lights raced across their faces as they made their way through the back and into the private area.
It was one of the various clubs owned by Jack but it wasn’t in his name. He was afraid his public image would be damaged if his fans knew the business he did on the side.
“What of Monroe?” Adrian asked as they entered the room Jack always reserved in case the friend group wanted to get together.
“Last time I heard from him he was traveling all over France with some Asian heiress he met during an award night.” Jack laughed. “At least he’s smart enough to keep away from cameras.”
Adrian laughed at that. “I don’t think he cares much to be honest.” He settled into the couch. “At least one of us is having fun.”
“Let me hook you up with someone and you’ll be having fun too.” Jack grabbed two glasses and a bottle of liquor from the private bar at the other end of the room.
“All you have to do is say a word. I have many girls more than willing to keep the other side of your bed warm. Unless you have someone doing that already…” he trailed off while pouring the drink but Adrian could read his suggestion in his tone.
“There’s nothing going on between me and Rowan.” He picked up his drink. “We just have a project together.”
“I thought you hated the guy like he was the devil himself.” He tried to read the expression on Adrian’s face. “Did you get into some kind of trouble? Is he blackmailing you?”
Adrian almost laughed at that.
Blackmail would’ve been a better excuse.
He didn’t wince when the liquor burned down his throat. “We’re married.”
Jack spat his drink out. “What the hell?”
If he was going to explain this to Jack then he needed enough alcohol in his system. He wouldn’t be able to stand his reaction. At least not sober.
He drank some more.
Then he told Jack everything that happened, starting from Lily’s disappearance.
By the time Adrian was done, he was a drunk mess.
“Wait…” Jack pressed on. “So what, you’re into guys now?” There was a certain twinkle in his eyes that Adrian missed. “Does this mean I get a chance now?”
It was a running joke between them. “First of all, I’m not gay. Second…” he raised two fingers in the air. “You’re not my type.”
Jack laughed. “Please, I’m everyone's type and you know it.” he poured Adrian another drink, becoming fascinated with the pink tinge in Adrian’s cheeks. “Does this mean you’re actually married? Like tied together forever?”
Adrian pouted, the room starting to spin. “I’m not spending forever with that dickhead.”
The comments flashed in his head.
“I’m not deserving of him anyway. He’ll probably divorce when the time comes and they’ve merged the companies and…” Adrian waved his hand. “...you know all that business crap.”
Jack’s gaze softened as he put his index finger under Adrian’s chin and tilted his face till their eyes met.
“I never want you to say you’re undeserving of him or anyone! Stop reading those fucking comments, they’re just cowards spouting rubbish behind a phone. They don’t know you like I do.”
“But…I'm nobody, of course no one would really care about me. Maybe if my parents hadn’t abandoned me…”
“Shhh…” Jack put a finger on his lips to silence him. “I care about you Adrian, more than I should. So don’t believe this crap, it hurts my feelings.”
Adrian’s lip trembled, alcohol always had a way of making him emotional.
“Don’t you dare cry,” Jack warned when he saw the tears gathering at the corner of his eyes. “I wish Monroe was here, he’d know how to take care of that son of a bitch.”
“I just have to endure it. It’s better I suffer this than Lily right? I just hope she’s okay wherever she is.”
“I know she’s your sister but running away and leaving you to clean up her mess is really selfish.”
Adrian’s smile was sad. “As long as she’s happy…”
Jack grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “What about your happiness too?”
“At least I have a new project, I’m doing better than I thought I would in my career.” All the fury he’d felt before finally finished burning. “If I still have that then I can endure anything.”
“Adrian…” he leaned in to brush off the tears that rolled down his cheeks when the door burst open with a loud thud.
Who dared to interrupt them?
No one else was allowed into the room except the friend group.
Jack looked up, ready to tell whoever it was off when he saw Rowan.
He stood at the door in a dark suit that made him look like a fallen angel ready to pass divine judgment.
Jack pulled a very drunk Adrian into his embrace. It wasn’t everyday that he got up close with the almighty Rowan. It was even more rare seeing that face hold something more than a blank expression.
“I’m here for you,” Jack whispered into Adrian’s hair while stroking it.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rowan thundered as he stepped into the room. “Get your hands off him!”
Jack raised a brow. “And you are?”
“Don’t test me,” Rowan growled.
His eyes were locked in on Jack’s face pressed into Adrian’s hair. He knew he could smell the soft fruity scent of the shampoo Adrian had used that morning.
“Why are you here? Haven’t caused him enough trouble?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Jack, wanting to test a theory, pressed a kiss to the side of Adrian’s head and watched a certain fire light up in Rowan’s eyes.
Was the guy jealous right now?
Rowan stalked towards the couch like a predator ready to corner a prey. “Give him to me.”
Jack almost rolled his eyes. “He’s not a property that can just be—”
Rowan leaned forward, pushed Jack away and carried Adrian in his arms bridal style. “I’ll only say this once. Never touch what is mine.”