Bare with me on this one. I didn't proof read it, so forgive any errors. I just wanted to get this posted. BTW, if I get ten reviews by Sunday, I'll update again.
Chapter Four
Pity Party
Marco got through Saturday night unscathed. Business was good and very profitable, as usual. That and no sign of Dylan.
Sunday had Marco setting up the bar for the private party. In the middle of it, his cell phone rang. Looking at the caller id, he smiled.
"Hey Paige…"
"Yeah, we open to the public at 11. If you want to stay and help out, I'd greatly appreciate it. It would mean good money too."
"Of course I'll pay you for the entire night at your usual hourly wage."
"Great, I'll see you at 8."
Marco finished setting up and went home to shower and change.
Marco returned to the bar at 7 to meet the caterers for the party. It was one that he used rather often for these things and wasn't surprised at her comments.
"Wow, you look damn sexy," Lisa exclaimed. "If I didn't already know that you're gay, I'd be disappointed to find out."
Marco laughed, "You look great, too. Pregnancy really agrees with you."
"Where'd you find jeans that tight? It might help me like my husband more…"
Marco shrugged, "Just buy them one size too small."
"One suggestion, sweetie…Don't sneeze, you'll pop your stitches." Lisa said laughing.
Marco smiled, "Okay, I won't sneeze."
Marco had put on a skin tight pair of black jeans and a lycra woven shirt in emerald green. It set off his dark looks perfectly. He knew the shirt would be gone by midnight but he'd try it.
Paige showed up at a quarter of 8, ready to serve. She squealed when she saw Lisa. "Oh my God. You are so adorable hun."
Lisa groaned, "I'm almost eight months pregnant, I'm not adorable. I'm an orca."
Paige laughed, "Nonsense. You look fabulous! Now, where's my friend?"
Lisa pointed to the back room as she moved a few things on the table.
Paige found Marco sitting on a stool staring into space, "Marco, hun, are you okay?"
Marco whipped around and looked at her, as his eyes refocused, "No, I'm fine. Pre-party jitters per usual."
Paige kissed his forehead, "Well, everything looks great and I know I do, so it'll be fine. The ladies will love it."
Marco smiled and then finally looked at Paige. She was wearing a short jean skirt and a tight sweater that matched her baby blues perfectly. Her heels added an extra four inches to her height. "Wow, you do look gorgeous. If I were straight you wouldn't be safe alone with me."
Paige laughed, "Thanks, Spin didn't want to let me out. Until I told him it was a lesbian party…now he hopes I'll bring one home."
"Boys," Marco responded rolling his eyes, "Never did understand the whole two girls together fascination."
Paige laughed as she heard Luke and Mike stroll in and converse with Lisa.
The party got started around 8:30. It went smoothly. Everyone had a great time. At a quarter to 11, Marco stood on the stage, "Ah, my lovely ladies…as much as I love these private parties, I do have to let in the public." There were some groans and mumbles in the audience.
"Yes, I know but I must let them in. You are welcome to stay, of course at no cover because you're already here."
One blonde lady stood up, "Will you be singing tonight?"
"Well Angie, I just might…if I get enough requests."
At 11, the doors opened and the bar got crowded. Marco left to check on a few things at the apartment and then do some necessary paperwork caused by the party.
He entered the bar from the back door about a half hour later. He greeted the people that were regulars as he made his way to the bar. It was wall-to-wall people. In the midst of everyone, he recognized a familiar blonde head sitting at the end of the bar, again.
Marco hopped up on the bar next to him to swing back behind it, "I didn't think I'd see you again."
Dylan grinned, "Just doing the family support thing. I wanted to see my little sis in bartending action…I must admit, she's rather good."
Marco jumped down behind the bar, "She learned everything she knows from me. Including a few things she didn't need to know."
Dylan raised an eyebrow, "As in?"
"You told me once you didn't want to know anything sexual about your sister, so we'll just leave it as she now knows great tricks to keep Spin happy." Marco responded with a sly grin.
Marco started pouring drinks and the requests started pouring in. It was nearing one am and his shirt had already gone MIA due to persistent regulars. When he stripped it off, there were many catcalls from the male patrons. Dylan couldn't say he wasn't delighted by the fact Marco had started stripping.
Marco jumped the bar again and sauntered up to the stage.
"Okay, we're going to do something a little less cliché. This is modern. The Killers, Mr. Brightside."
Marco cued the music up and started dancing to the rhythm.
Coming out of my cageAnd I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss
It was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I can't look it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabye
Choking on their alibis
But it's the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
I'm Mr. Brightside
Paige strolled up to Dylan, "You know that's for you, right?"
Dylan never took his eyes off Marco while he sang, "What in the hell are you talking about? It's about some girl jumping beds."
Paige laughed, "That's one interpretation. Marco's version is the guy is smoking after sleeping with his lover who's falling asleep. Then the guy sees the girl and takes her to bed too…to prove a point. If you ask me, Marco's still really hurt about the clause."
Dylan turned to look at Paige, "Yeah, that wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done."
Paige smacked him lightly, "So your contract is up next month, change it. Get traded if Anaheim won't agree. Hell, try for the Maple Leafs, they need a good forward. Then I'll see you more often and you'll be living close." Paige looked at Marco meaningfully, "We all would see you more."
Dylan caught the look in her eyes, "That's the last thing Marco wants is for me to move here permanently. He can barely look at me and it's only been 48 hours."
Paige patted Dylan's hand, "That's because he's still hurting. Aidan was his longest relationship but when Aidan asked him to move in after graduation, Marco bolted. He said he didn't love Aidan enough to keep stringing him along like that. He admitted that he already felt real love once and if he didn't feel that again, it wasn't worth it."
Dylan looked shocked at the timing of Paige's admission.
Paige had one of the ladies request a certain song for Marco to sing.
Marco looked at the note in his hand and recognized Paige's handwriting.
"I hate to bring this party down but it seems that I've had a particular request. I'd love to ignore it but that would be rude. It's a dedication from Paige. To Dylan, Just listen to the lyrics and your heart. Maybe you'll finally find home. It's Beth Nielsen Chapman's Say Goodnight."
Marco glared at Paige from across the room. She knew this was what Dylan played for him when he signed the contract. Before Marco was made aware of the clause.
Marco started singing, his voice never wavering even though he wanted to cry.
Say goodnight not goodbyeYou will never leave my heart behind
Like the path of a star
I'll be anywhere you are
In the spark that lies beneath the coals
In the secret place inside your soul
Keep my light in your eyes
Say goodnight not goodbye
Don't you fear when you dream
Waking up is never what it seems
Like a jewel buried deep
Like a promise meant to keep
You are everything you want to be
So just let your heart reach out to me
I'll be right by your side
Say goodnight not goodbye
You are everything you want to be
So just let your heart reach out to me
Keep my light in your eyes
Say goodnight not goodbye.
Marco thanked his audience. Then he left the stage and disappeared into the back room. He sat on the floor and dropped his head into his knees. He heard the door open and close. "I don't care who you are, You're fired."
Dylan rounded the corner, "You can't fire me. I don't work for you."
"Then you shouldn't be here. You're trespassing." Marco tried.
"So call the cops," Dylan suggested.
Marco shook his head, "Why are you here, Dylan? Why now?"
Dylan shrugged, "I don't know. The first day was because I wanted to fuck some guy in a bar. Last night, I wanted to be with you. Tonight, I don't know. I didn't intend to come here again but I was drawn back, like a magnet. I wanted to be here to see you. To watch you. Just so I could be close to you one more time."
Marco half-laughed, "If I didn't already love you, that would've sent me over the edge."
Dylan and Marco stared at each other as the words bounced between them in the air.
"You love me? After all I did and said? After all these years?" inquired Dylan, in pure disbelief.
"Yeah, I do. That's what it means to be in love. Even through all the bad times, nothing can change the feeling. Hell, I'll be the first to admit that I tried my damnest to hate you. Not to feel anymore. Not to care which actress, model, or boytoy you were courting that week. Not that I didn't notice the trend with Italian women constantly flanking your side. In an odd way, rather flattering."
Dylan tried not to laugh but lost the battle. His laughter seemed to set Marco off. He started laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.
"This is ridiculous, Marco," Dylan said, looking at the younger man.
"What is?" inquired Marco after he quit laughing.
"This thing between us. I haven't seen you in four years. Hell, I've barely spoken to you in six years. And look where we are now, talking like a day hasn't gone by." Dylan said.
"Believe me, Dylan. I'm well aware of the six years that have kept us apart. For the record, those six years were your fault and they were hell. While I still love you, I'm not interested in hiding again, Dylan. I won't give up who I've become when I finally like myself just the way I am," Marco responded sadly.
Dylan put his arm around Marco's shoulders and tugged him against his side, "Yeah, I wouldn't ask that you do that. Again. It was stupid and selfish of me the first time. But I'm working on that."
Marco looked at Dylan, "What do you mean, working on it? Don't do anything stupid that's going to ruin your career. I mean, you don't have many more years on the ice. What maybe a decade?"
Dylan laughed, "Yeah, another ten to twelve years but sixteen to eighteen years of being miserable and hiding who you are really sucks. And before you say it again, I'm well aware it was my choice. What I meant was that my contract is up next month. There have been rumors of a trade and this time I'm not signing the 'No Guys' clause again." Dylan explained.
"So if Anaheim won't re-up you without the clause, what happens?" inquired Marco.
"Well, if Anaheim doesn't want to resign me, there are a few other teams that have been hinting interest. I mean, not to sound arrogant but I took a bottom ranked team to the finals four years in a row."
Marco laughed and bumped Dylan with his shoulder, "It's not bragging if it's true." Marco smiled, "So what teams have been interested?"
"Fishing for info, are we?" Dylan accused.
"Well, I figure since we're sitting in a back room of a bar, alone. We may as well have a conversation that really counts. What else is there possibly to do in the dark?" retorted Marco.
Dylan considered the information and then nodded, "I can think of a few things but I'll answer the question instead. I'll let you in on my ideas if we have time after that. The Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Bruins and the Hurricanes have shown interest."
"Which do you think will have least problem with you being gay?"
"Probably the Maple Leafs considering the Canadian tolerance of the gay lifestyle."
"Then I guess you're looking to come home."
"The thought has some appeal…"
A knock on the door before it opened stopped Dylan's sentence. Paige peeked around the corner and laughed at the two sitting on the floor.
"I didn't know what I'd find when I came in here but this wasn't it. A companionable looking pair of adults actually talking."
Dylan raised an eyebrow, "What were you expecting?"
"Either a fight or making out…not this." Paige said as she waved her hand between the boys.
Marco rolled his eyes, "What's up Paige?"
"Luke and Mike need you. There seems to be someone named Jason out there and he's getting irate that you aren't in the bar."
Marco jumped up, "Shit, not again." He turned and looked at Dylan, "Come on, I might need your help."
Dylan and Paige followed Marco out. Marco approached a guy in his late 20s, who was verbally abusing Mike, "Jason, get out of my bar, now."
The brunette turned on Marco, "Your bartender refuses to serve me," his words were already slurred.
Marco started to steer Jason toward the door, "Jason, you aren't supposed to be here. Go home and sober up. Your wife will hate you less in the morning."
Jason stopped being steered and turned on Marco again, "I don't want to go home to her. It's you I want. I love you!"
Marco got Jason out the door to the bouncer. He gave him his address and money for a cab. "Just make sure he gets home."
The bouncer nodded and took Jason off his boss's hands.
The bar was buzzing with the disturbance Jason caused, again.
Marco jumped up on the bar, "Okay, so sorry for that interruption to such a lovely evening. So, since it's unfortunately last call, it's on me. So, come quickly because we close in twenty minutes."
Marco helped serve the rush of people.
Everyone finally left and Marco locked the door. He sat on a barstool in between Paige and Dylan.
"Thanks for helping out tonight, Paige. I'll have your check written in the morning. How'd you do in tips?"
Paige pulled the cash out of her pocket and thumbed through it, "Around 450."
Marco looked at her like she was insane, "How'd you manage that?"
"Two of the lesbians really liked me. One tipped 50 and then the second one upped it to 100."
Dylan laughed, "At least you know you have options if things go bad with Spin."
"So, dear brother," Paige started…
"Whoa, the stud's your brother? The hockey star?" inquired Luke.
Paige nodded, "May I introduced Dylan Michalchuk, star of Anaheim's Mighty Ducks. Anyway, as I was saying, are you coming home with me so I can drop you at your hotel?"
Dylan looked at Marco, "I don't know, am I?"
Marco nodded, "Yeah, that'd be a wise choice." Marco leaned over and kissed Paige on the cheek, "Call me when you get home. You know I worry."
Paige smiled, "Yes Dad. Come on Dyl."
Dylan trailed a hand down Marco's arm, "Talk to you a sec, alone?"
Marco nodded and led him back to the back room.
"I leave on Tuesday, is there anyway I can see you tomorrow afternoon? I have a game tomorrow night or I'd just show up here."
Marco searched Dylan's eyes for sincerity and found it, "Yeah, tomorrow. I've got a final at 10 that ends at noon. Then I'm free until I have to be here at 8."
"So meet at 12:30…where?"
"Let's meet at my place. That way I can get some things done while we talk. When do you have to be at the rink?"
"I've got to be in the locker room at 7."
"So, I'll see you around 12:30 then, at my apartment." Marco said bending his head slightly to look up at the still taller Dylan.
Dylan nodded, "You bet."
Neither knew what was happening until they found themselves kissing.
When they pulled apart, the confusion was apparent on both their faces.
Marco sighed, "Whoa, didn't expect to feel that again."
As Dylan, shaking his head, "I can't believe I forgot that feeling until just now."
The men left the back room and parted company.
Neither knowing just what was in store for them the next day.