Spectre
Part 4
Saturday night, Paddy's birthday and the four of them were out to have a good time. They were determinedly working their way around the pubs and clubs in Hotton, so it was inevitable they'd end up in Bar West at some point. Paddy and Marlon had been a bit uncomfortable the first time they'd come here with them but that had been a few years back now and they were now classed as regulars.
The two oldies were on the dance floor... dad dancing! He was grinning to himself as he watched the two of them strut their stuff. It was amazing just how limber alcohol made them. Maybe he should get up and join them, show them where they were going wrong... then again maybe not!
He looked to his right, towards the bar, Jackson was still standing there waiting to be served. As usual the club was heaving, buzzing. A stag party adding to the numbers and to the atmosphere. They'd probably stay here for the rest of the night now, in what was arguably the best gay club in Yorkshire! He supposed he was a little biased, well he had met Jackson here, it was a while before they'd got together though. His fault, his doing, still they'd got there in the end and that's all that mattered.
He had some not so good memories of the place too, Jackson had knocked him back here, he'd seen him kiss another man here... and he'd fallen under Chris Davies' spell here! He silently blasted himself for letting his mind stray to that nutter. He'd done it again, let him invade his thoughts, he'd been doing so well too. He had managed to push the bastard right to the back of his mind after convincing himself that Chris returning his clothes was his idea of closure, and that his car passing their house was purely a coincidence. He'd told himself he'd over reacted to both. He still believed that, he had to.
Raucous laughter drew his attention, one of the stag party was now stripping off, he looked on as one of the more sober of the group tried to persuade his friend that it wasn't really such a good idea, not with so many mobile phones ready and waiting to record the performance. His gaze had been drawn elsewhere then, to the door, to the young man who'd just stepped through it.
There was something about him that held his attention, and it wasn't because he was attracted to him, he wasn't, not in anyway. No it was because he looked so very uncomfortable, so on edge, like a fish out of water... and he felt for him. He'd once walked through that same door feeling the very same way. Still he was sure the teenager... he'd decided the lad wasn't much more than eighteen... would probably find things a lot easier than he had done. He bet he wouldn't turn tail and run the minute another man showed some interest in him.
The object of his interest had taken a look around him, tying to get his bearings and was now making his way over to the bar. He was tall, blond and good looking and he was already turning a few heads. He looked to have everything going for him, but he could tell he was lacking in one department and that was confidence in himself. Not that it mattered, he might not yet have the courage to chat someone up but he knew it wouldn't be long before someone made a move on him.
Jackson was making his way back to the table with a tray of drinks, and his attention shifted back to him. They'd chatted and lost themselves in a kiss, and he'd quickly forgotten about the other bloke. When he did remember he'd looked around for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. He hoped he hadn't bottled it, that he was tucked away in some cosy corner with someone.
His gaze again settled on Paddy and Marlon, Jackson having gestured towards them. Unfortunately they were showing no signs of flagging and his boyfriend had joked about wanting to drink whatever it was they were drinking. He knew Jackson was tired, he'd been putting in some very long days, he was having to, he needed to finish his present job before his 'away' one started in just over a weeks time. Jackson had put in a full day today, but at least he wasn't working tomorrow. They could have a long lie in, and would spend the rest of the day together, just the two of them. He was determined to spend as much time with Jackson as he could these next nine days.
He looked towards the bar wondering just how much of a wait there was now to be served, there seemed to be a bit of a lull in sales so he decided to get the next round in ready. He caught sight of the blond lad and he was pleased to see he was carrying away two drinks, he looked a lot more relaxed, in fact he was looking quite pleased with himself, someone had put a smile on his face!
He'd made his way to the bar and after setting their drinks down on to the table had told Jackson he needed the loo. The toilet door was opening as he'd reached it and he'd been about to step to one side to give the man exiting some room to pass, only he found himself rooted to the spot.
A set of piercing blue eyes were now looking into his. Chris seemingly as shocked as he was to see him there. The giant of a man had held his gaze briefly before looking away and stepping around him.
For some reason he'd expected Chris to say something, to acknowledge him in some way, to make some unwanted comment or something specifically designed to unnerve him, but no, apart from the initial eye contact he'd ignored him.
Seeing Chris again had badly thrown him, and to a lesser extent so had his reaction to seeing him. The Chris he remembered wouldn't have just walked away. Maybe he had changed, maybe he'd had some kind of help in prison, he'd certainly been in need of some. Maybe that had played a part in his early release? He hoped so, he really could forget all about him if that was the case.
He'd lingered in the mens, washed his face, took some steadying breaths, all the time pondering over whether or not he should tell Jackson that Chris was here. It might be a better idea to keep quiet and just move them all on somewhere else. Having decided that would be the best thing to do he'd made his way back into the heart of the club.
He'd only walked a few feet when he spotted Chris again, and he wasn't alone. he was sitting with someone... the lad who'd so reminded him of himself!
Chris hadn't changed! He was up to his old tricks, preying on the young, the naive, on the inexperienced. The question was, what did he do about it?
TBC