Chapter 22

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Martin was grateful that Danny arrived just in the nick of time. Sam had confirmed his fears about how she saw their future and now he had to decide whether having her in his life was worth sacrificing having a family of his own. But as much as Martin wasn't ready to deal with the inevitable talk with Sam, he really wasn't ready for what he found when he opened his door: Danny – in tight black leather pants.

"Hey, man, you ready to go?" Danny asked.

Martin gaped at Danny wearing a pair of pants that looked like they were spray painted on and a shiny red shirt with the top three buttons undone. Danny's outfit was so ridiculous that he couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey, man, er…..nice clothes." Martin smirked.

Danny grinned and said, "I believe in pizzazz."

Martin nodded his head skeptically when he heard Sam come up behind him. He turned around in time see her reaction to Danny's attire as she commented, "Well, if it isn't the Belle of the Balls."

"Shut it. I'm just getting in character." Danny commented, narrowing his eyes at Sam.

Sam looked back over at Martin who suddenly remembered how much he wanted to get out of his apartment and get to work. He grabbed his keys and wallet as he ushered Sam and Danny out the door. As they walked down the hall he stole glances at Sam and noticed her doing the same. As they stood waiting for the elevator Martin stood on one side of Danny while Sam was on the other; they were all silent.

Martin tried focusing his gaze on the elevator doors but apparently Danny noticed the tension and asked, "Is everything alright?"

Martin glanced up and saw Sam eyeing him with lowered lids, leaving it up to him to respond. "Everything's fine."

Danny shifted his eyes between the two of them and thankfully decided to just let it drop. Martin knew that Danny was quite accustomed to walking into the middle of one of his and Sam's fights about their relationship. Some things never change.

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As Martin walked with Danny to Rick's Tiki Lounge the two of them tried to formulate their plan of action. Unfortunately, Martin found it very difficult to take Danny seriously when he was wearing that outfit.

"So, I think we act like we're together that way we can get information while avoiding getting hit on." Danny commented as he strutted down the sidewalk.

"If you were so concerned about getting hit on then why did you wear that outfit?" Martin chided as they reached their destination and got in line to enter the club. There were at least twenty or more people in line ahead of them and Martin worried that they might not get in.

Danny glanced down at his attire and said, "So you do think I look good."

Martin shook his head and laughed. He looked over at Danny and saw him shifting and adjusting his pants. Unable to resist making some sort of comment, he smirked and said, "Did you buy those special or have you just been waiting and praying for an excuse to wear them?"

Danny tossed him a dirty look and said, "You are just jealous because you don't have the kind of physique that can wear this outfit and look this good. Is it my fault I'm just a better looking man? Face the facts: I'm the beauty in this relationship."

Before Martin could open his mouth to respond two men walking past overheard Danny's comment and walked up to where they stood.

"Hey, you don't talk to your boyfriend like that." A tall brown haired man wearing black slacks and a wild looking shirt with a bright purple tie grabbed Martin by the arm and pulled him out of line. "Come with us, sweetie."

The other man, who wore a gray suit that would normally be conservative if it weren't for the hot pink scarf tied around his neck, followed behind Martin and his 'rescuer' before looking back at Danny to say, "Bitch."

They led Martin to the front of the line and the bouncer greeted the trio as he let them inside the velvet rope. "Hey, Paul, Mike. Who's the new guy?" He asked nodding at Martin.

"This is….what's your name, sweetie?" Paul asked with his arm still looped with Martin's.

"I'm Martin."

"Martin? Oh, no, that's too formal. I'm going to call you Marty. Chris, this is Marty. Marty, this is Chris." He shook Chris' hand while Paul continued, "And that man over there in the passé leather pants is Marty's partner. But we're mad at him so don't let him in for at least forty-five minutes."

They all looked over at Danny who was standing in line looking both stunned and annoyed.

"You got it." Chris replied as he motioned for them to enter the club. Martin stopped at the doorway and gave Danny a little wave and a big smile before disappearing into Rick's Tiki Lounge.