Chapter 11

When he pulled away from the sudden and unexpected kiss, he was stunned silent for a few moments as Chip explained to the girls at the bar that they were barking up the wrong tree. He actually escorted them back to their table, flirting all the way, to where a group was waiting for them.

He shot a glance towards Sonny who looked murderous as he walked toward Brady. He definitely saw that kiss.

Turning to Paul, his reaction was unreadable.

Will put his hands up in defense. "Hey, you know that I did not ask for that. I don't want anything more with the man than to pour him drinks. And I'll be behind this bar all night," he added.

"All night? That sucks for you. And Sonny, of course."

"Can I get you a drink while you wait for your date to return?"

"I'll have a Heineken."

When Will gave Paul and another customer their beers, Chip was back and so was Paul's smile.

"Where's Sonny going so early?" asked Chip.

What? He looked and didn't see Sonny or Brady. He checked his phone for a text. Nothing.

"He'll be back," Will answered confidently. Of course, Sonny would be back. He couldn't trust Will to be alone in public.

"I hope so. If not though, you'll have your pick at midnight."

"Yeah, right," Will barked incredulously.

Chip looked at Paul questioningly. "Is he for real? He doesn't know?"

"Know what?" Will interrupted.

"How hot you are," Paul answered with a shy grin.

"What? Get out!" But secretly he was pleased that Paul saw him that way.

"You shouldn't sell yourself short," said Chip. "If I wasn't here with Paul, I'd hit on you."

Paul huffed. "You already did!" But Paul was smiling.

"I'm just a harmless flirt," Chip defended himself to Paul. He turned to Will. "Don't take me seriously."

"Okay, I'll remember that. You mind explaining that to Sonny when he gets back?"

"Oh, I already did that when we came in," Paul explained.

"Really? That didn't sink in." Unless the murderous glare was aimed at his cousin. He probably never saw the kiss. That must be what happened because Sonny would have punched the guy.

Paul actually looked sympathetic and changed the topic.

"So is this gig a permanent job?" Paul asked when someone new walked up to the bar.

"Hold that thought," he told Paul and turned to his new customer.

XOXOXOXOXOX

Sonny was angry. First, he was spending New Year's Eve without Will at his side. It was a lot more fun when he was working with him at TBD. And then he saw that creep, Chip, flirting with him. He never did like the guy. It was obvious months ago that he was hot for Paul. Now he has Paul and he wants Will too? Where do guys get off having that much game anyway? Damn, he felt old beyond his years the last few months. He was tired of his love life being uncertain and he was tired of fighting Brady who once again was ruining his day.

"What the hell do you want this time, Sonny?" Paul complained once he and Sonny were far enough from prying eyes and powerful ears.

"You're drinking again."

"You're crazy!" Paul attacked.

"I'm sober," Sonny defended. "You," he pointed at Paul, "are on your way to being drunk."

"You know, you need to mind your own business. If you'd remember that, your life would be so much happier."

"No more drinking tonight, Brady. I will rat you out to Maggie."

"Of course you would because you are a rat. I'm going back. Stay away from me and Eve tonight."

Sonny followed Brady back to the pub wondering if Paul and Chip were still hanging out with Will instead of being happy with each other.

XOXOXOXOXOX

After three beers, Paul was feeling relaxed. A group of guys that Chip knew from college came in and they shared a group of tables pushed together for them. Some of them had to actually work the next day so they didn't brave the parties at the big bars and clubs. Apparently, they thought it was safer at the Brady Pub. They could drink without being tempted to go home with someone. That made him laugh because the two other gay guys in the group were eyeing Will. He was feeling free to admit he was, too. He might have to be careful how much more he drank.

Sonny had returned with Brady a while ago. Paul wanted to know if all was okay, but Brady said it was nothing worth talking about. He invited Sonny to sit with him, but he declined. He sat at the end of the bar and talked to Will when there were breaks in his time. There weren't many and Paul was sure he was seeing more of Will than Sonny was. Sonny could be so stubborn.

XOXOXOXOXOX

Will was getting annoyed with Sonny. He looked miserable sitting alone.

"I can tell you're unhappy. I'm sorry it turned out I was working, but I need the job.

"No, you don't. I've got plenty of money to share."

He barely stopped himself from growling. "And so does my mother, but I want to support myself. You can understand that. Right?"

"Yeah, I know."

He was being called away again.

"Why don't you go home? It's boring here."

He walked away toward the customer wanting his attention and didn't look to see Sonny's reaction. He sighed. He still had an hour before midnight and two more hours after that before he could call it quitting time. Damn, what did Sonny expect from him then? He just wanted to go back to Marlena's.

He slipped a look at Paul who was looking back at him instead of Chip or anyone else at his table. Will smiled and received one in return.

When he made it back to Paul's table, Paul crooked a finger. He leaned closer to hear him. "Do you think people would be offended here if two men danced together?" asked Paul.

"I don't see why not. It's New Year's Eve!" Although, maybe he should ask his grandpa? It was his bar and maybe he would be afraid of losing customers. He really didn't know much about him, yet.

"Okay then, would you dance with me just before midnight?"

Will eyebrows rose in real surprise. "You're here with Chip and…"

"And Sonny left," Paul finished for him.

Shocked, he looked around and didn't see Sonny.

"Are you sure?"

"About five minutes ago."

Will looked at Chip as if he was actually thinking about taking Paul up on his offer.

"Chip is too drunk to dance."

"True," Will muttered.

"Please?"

"Are you sure you are sober enough to dance?"

Paul got up and did some weird dance moves that made him laugh.

"I'm still standing," Paul declared.

"I'll think about it."