Chapter 10

The night of the party, with only about an hour to spare, Roman called Marlena desperately in need of some help. His best bartender left him high and dry on the busiest night of the year. He needed another person to help him serve.

An hour later, Will was behind the bar in the Brady Pub with his grandpa, Roman.

"It's looking festive in here with all the streamers."

"Right now, we still have the dinner crowd. In about a half an hour, we will start seeing people that plan to be here to ring in the new year. Then we'll only be serving appetizers."

"Do I eat for free?" Will asked teasingly.

"You always did like snacks. Never understood how you kept in shape," said Roman. "Must be from your dad. Your mother eats like a bird and works her ass off to stay looking the way she does."

"Huh." He hadn't thought about genetic traits, yet. He should probably find a gym now that he didn't have access to Sonny's.

"So we will move the tables around to make a small dance floor off to one side. The TV behind the bar will show the ball drop in New York City. We have bowls of confetti to put on the tables shortly before that. We also have noise makers to pass out. No standing on chairs."

"They do that?"

"Once that I remember; and you led them."

"Me?" His eyebrows rose in surprise for a few moments. "Well, that does actually sound like fun." Will laughed at Roman's stern warning look.

"Okay, fine. I'll be good."

He felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out of his pocket. It was a responding text from Sonny. He would be there in about an hour. Apparently, he was staying with Arianna until Gabby came home from dinner with her boyfriend.

He wondered if he'd ever fall into dad mode like Sonny. He wondered if Paul acted like a dad to Arianna. He wondered what Paul was doing and if he'd come to the pub. He would be better off if he stopped thinking too much.

XOXOXOXOXOX

Paul was picked up by a friend he met while working a case a couple of months back. He knew Chip was interested in him but always respected his relationship with Sonny. Now Sonny wasn't in his way and he let Paul know just how interested he was. He openly raked his gaze up and down Paul's body making him shiver delightfully. But the man looked like Will, something he noticed from the beginning. Same sweet smile and blue sparkling eyes but with blonder hair and another two inches in height. Paul didn't much go for guys taller than himself, but he didn't consider this a serious date. They were bar hopping after making an appearance at the Brady Pub for John and Marlena's sake. He told himself it had nothing to do with Will being there and knowing he was once again living with them. Apparently, Will and Sonny were still together.

Paul and Chip ran into Sonny outside Brady Pub. Sonny was obviously angry to see Paul there. Chip cautiously excused himself.

"No stay," Paul said. "You can hear anything my ex-fiancé has to say." Okay, maybe Paul was as angry as Sonny looked.

Sonny finally looked at Chip for the first time. "Yes, that would be a good idea. Paul will see you in a few minutes."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Paul asked once Chip was inside the pub.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay away from Will."

"That is going to be difficult because Will is really smart. And he needs a job." What the hell was he saying?

"It looks like he has one," Sonny answered with a hand waved in Will's direction.

"It's temporary. And like I said, he's smart. His quick thinking and problem solving skills are valuable to our company."

"Black Patch? You can't be serious. He's too naive and impulsive. He'll get himself hurt."

"He'll learn. And I'll be there to protect him."

"That's my job," Sonny almost sounded like he was whining.

"You need to give him space or you could end up losing him all over again," Paul warned.

"Don't tell me how to live my life with Will," Sonny demanded with unwarranted authority.

"I know you better than anyone else. I know how you can screw things up with Will."

"No one knows me better than Will," Sonny countered.

"Really, Sonny? He doesn't even remember you."

"Fuck you," Sonny spat and turned around to walk into the pub. He briefly turned around and added, "I suggest for you stick with your boy toy tonight."

Paul followed Sonny in and almost walked right into him when he suddenly stopped. Paul followed his line of sight to see Chip at the bar flirting with Will.

"He's a harmless flirt, Sonny. Let it go."

"Not while I'm here."

"He's a hot man. You can't expect men to not be attracted to that. Have more faith in him."

"He cheated."

"He doesn't even remember it. If you want Will, you have to let it go. You wanted to forgive him when you thought he was dead. Did you change your mind already? Are you going to punish him again?"

"Like I said, stick with your boy toy." Sonny practically sprinted to the bar to "rescue" his husband.

Paul wondered if Sonny was ever so controlling of his life and he just didn't realize it.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Will saw Sonny walk in the pub talking with Paul. He hoped Sonny wasn't giving any more orders to Paul, but he didn't have time to deal with that, yet. He pointed to the end of the bar furthest away from people.

"What's wrong?" Sonny asked concerned.

"It's Brady."

"Brady?"

Will subtly nodded in Brady's direction. "He's sneaking sips of Eve's drinks. I thought he wasn't supposed to be drinking."

"He's not. Are you sure?"

"I've been the one pouring her drinks. She's not even buzzed, but he is. Brady's non-alcoholic drinks are barely touched."

"I'll keep an eye on him. I hope he doesn't ruin my night," Sonny sulked.

"Are you okay? I saw you walk in with Paul."

"You don't have anything to worry about between Paul and me. I promise."

"I didn't think so, but I am worried about you bullying him."

"Why do you defend him so much?"

"Because he's the only person besides Marlena who isn't comparing me to a ghost. Please leave him alone."

Before Sonny could answer, a patron called for him. Saved by a couple of squealing ladies. He wondered if he should just tell them he's gay.

"I could help you out with them," said the man who called himself Chip and who was now sitting next to Paul on the barstools.

Will laughed. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

Chip crooked a finger to get him to lean closer to him. But instead of telling him his plan, he puckered up and kissed him.