Chapter 154: Tipsy triggered desire

At that minute, Alex stepped in, as Dave watched Lucas and Nathan in surprise. He explained their relationship, no doubt. Dave nodded, clearly understanding, his attention moving between the two guys.

Meanwhile, Derby wasn’t focused on the conversation. She was watching connections. Watching weaknesses and how close they all were.

Then Dave leaned toward Alex, saying something low. Alex nodded and gestured toward a quieter part of the venue. They walked off together.

At the same time, Lucas turned to Nathan, pulling him slightly towards the balcony, their conversation already animated and deep as if they were picking up from years ago. And just like that, Alex and Lucas split.

Derby’s eyes sharpened.

A slow smile crept onto her lips.

“There it is…”

Larrisa glanced at her. “What?”

But Derby didn’t answer immediately. She was already thinking, already calculating. Two separate paths and conversations. No Alex was watching Lucas. No Lucas was watching Alex. A crack in their perfect little world.

Derby leaned closer, her voice low, almost dangerous. “If we can't hit them together…”

Larrisa’s expression shifted, interest flickering. “Go on.”

Derby’s gaze locked onto Lucas in the distance, then briefly flicked toward Alex disappearing with Dave.

“We hit them separately,” she said. “Break their balance.”

A pause fell.

Then, softer and deadlier,  “And we make it hurt where they won’t see it coming.”

Larrisa’s lips curved slowly, understanding dawning.

“Lucas first… or Alex?”

Derby’s smile didn’t fade.

“Alex seemed like a hard nut to crack. So we start from Lucas,” she said quietly. “We make them turn against each other.”

The music swelled again, drowning out the quiet conspiracy.  At that moment, something far more dangerous than noise was about to be set into motion.

The music swelled, and laughter spilled across the hall as glasses clinked. Conversations overlapped in a warm buzz. In the middle of it all, Lucas and Nathan stood, wrapped in their own little world.

Nathan talked more, as usual. His hands moved animatedly, his smile bright as he went on about Dave. “...and I’m telling you, Luc, he’s actually amazing. Like, surprisingly amazing,” Nathan said, shaking his head in disbelief. “The way he listens? And he’s thoughtful too. Not just rich and powerful, you know?”

Lucas raised a brow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh? Sounds like someone is already falling.”

Nathan scoffed lightly, waving him off. “Relax. I still love you, my bestie, so not yet.”

Lucas chuckled. “Stop your silly jokes.”

Nathan laughed with him, but the sound didn’t quite reach his eyes. If only you knew, he thought quietly. If only you knew what I feel…

But Lucas had already chosen Alex. That much was clear. So maybe… maybe he could let himself move on. Maybe Dave could have that chance.

As if sensing the shift in his thoughts, Lucas reached out and patted his shoulder gently. “Give it time, bestie. You’ll be alright.”

Before Nathan could respond, the announcer’s voice rang through the hall. “Well-wishers, grab a glass of wine for a toast to the celebrant!”

A waiter appeared almost instantly, offering them two glasses. They each took one, their fingers brushing briefly against the stems.

They joined the crowd, raising their glasses.

“To the celebrant!”

The toast echoed, followed by a chorus of cheers. They sipped. Another tray passed. Nathan, already feeling oddly restless, downed the rest of his drink and grabbed two more.

“Here,” he said, handing one to Lucas.

Lucas laughed. “Easy there.”

But they drank again. And then again.

At first, it felt normal, just the warmth of alcohol settling in. But then something shifted. It sort of felt subtle and wrong.

Nathan tugged slightly at his collar. “Why am I sweating all of a sudden?”

Lucas chuckled, though his voice carried a strange edge. “I guess it’s because you’ve missed me too much.”

Nathan looked at him, really looked and something in his chest tightened. The teasing didn’t feel like teasing anymore.

Then, Lucas swayed.

“Whoa…” Nathan caught him quickly, steadying him with both hands. “Careful.”

Lucas blinked, trying to focus. “Why do I feel tipsy after just… three glasses?”

Nathan swallowed, his own head spinning. “I’m… I’m feeling it too.”

Their eyes met and then lingered.

Something unspoken passed between them. Something heavier than the moment, deeper than the alcohol.

“Luc…” Nathan’s voice dropped, softer now, uncertain. “Why do I feel like kissing you?”

Lucas let out a shaky laugh. “Alex and Dave would have our heads.”

Nathan stepped closer anyway, drawn by something he couldn’t explain. “And who’s going to tell them?” he murmured. “Just… a little experiment.”

His gaze flickered around quickly. The crowd was distracted. No one was watching.

At least, it felt that way and before Lucas could respond, Nathan closed the distance. Their lips met. It was brief, but electric.

Nathan pulled back just enough to breathe, his heart pounding. “Damn… that feels so good, Luc.”

Lucas let out a soft, breathy chuckle, his usual restraint slipping under whatever haze clouded his mind. “Yeah… it did.” His voice dropped. “Another one, Nat.”

And this time, Lucas leaned in.

Nathan didn’t hesitate. The second kiss lingered longer, slower, deeper, confusion and desire tangling together in a way neither of them fully understood.

A passing waiter slowed, eyeing them with a knowing smirk. “Hey, fellas… if you need some privacy, there’s an open door right there. It’s air-conditioned.” He winked and moved on.

They both laughed. It was light, careless and not quite themselves.

Nathan slipped his hand into Lucas’s. “Let’s check it out.”

Lucas hesitated, swaying again. “No… I…I think I need to sit. Something’s off. I don’t… I don’t know what they gave us.” He tried to steady himself. “I need to call Alex.”

He fumbled for his phone, but Nathan gently caught his hand.

“You don’t have to call him right now,” Nathan said softly, guiding him. “Just come sit for a bit.”

Lucas didn’t resist.

The hallway felt quieter and cooler but the heat inside them only intensified. By the time they reached the room, the air-conditioning hit their skin, yet it did nothing to calm the strange fire coursing through their bodies.

Nathan helped Lucas onto a seat, but even sitting didn’t help.

Lucas leaned forward slightly, breathing unevenly.

Nathan ran a hand through his hair, pacing once before turning back. “Luc… this doesn’t feel like just alcohol.”

Lucas swallowed hard. “I know…”

Nathan stepped closer again, his voice almost a whisper now. “I feel like… I need to kiss you again.”

Lucas shook his head weakly, though his eyes betrayed him. “Oh no… we can’t…”

But neither of them moved away.

And the space between them kept shrinking.

Nathan couldn’t control the pull any longer. He leaned in again, but this time Lucas turned his face slightly, the kiss brushing past the corner of his lips. Lucas let out a shaky breath, his fingers gripping the edge of the chair.

“Nat… something’s not right,” he murmured, his voice unsteady.

Nathan paused, blinking as if trying to clear a fog from his mind. The room felt warmer. His heartbeat drummed loudly in his ears, and his thoughts felt scattered.