Page 2 of Grounding the Baker
“Business,” said Michael.
“For fuck’s sake. Have a day off. It’s New Year’s Day. When was the last time we were all together that wasn’t for a wedding or a funeral?”
Michael visibly winced and glanced at Austin, who shook his head with a smile. Tony was blunt and to the point, but he’d never intentionally hurt anyone. In fact, if anyone hurt someone he cared about, that person would need to run.
Tony lived in London in a multimillion-pound penthouse on the River Thames and had a second home here. Not liking any of the properties for sale, he’d bought land and built his own home away from home. He would come up and visit at least once a month, but otherwise it was empty. He had someone go in and air it out regularly, though. The guy earned seven figures a year, and Austin wondered where he got all his energy from. He was the definition of work hard, play hard. The latter being literal: Tony was a slut!
“When did you last get laid, Austin?” asked Tony, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
“Tony!” Michael scolded.
“What? I just wanted to know if there’d been anyone since that bird in the summer?”
“What?!” said Gerard and Michael together.
“Why do I tell you anything?” Austin grumbled, feeling his face heat.
He glanced at the others, who looked shocked. Nathan had said nothing, but couldn’t hide his surprise either.
“It was a one-night thing over the summer. I justthought it would be good to see what dating would feel like. We met for dinner, and she was forward, so I just went with it.”
“And how was it?” asked Gerard.
The guy might be happily married, but he was a tart for any salacious gossip.
“It was fine.”
“Ouch,” said Gerard. “If Kevin used that word with me, he’d be sleeping on the street.”
They all laughed.
“You know me. I’m not really a casual guy. I’ve never been like that.”
“Excuse me?” said Tony. “I seem to remember your bisexual exploration at uni being very casual.”
Austin chuckled. That was fair. He had experimented a lot when he’d left home, and knew he liked guys as much as he did girls. It had been a fun few years at university, but then he’d spent his twenties in relationships and didn’t do casual sex. He found he enjoyed it more when he had feelings for someone. He’d been in a relationship with a guy and two women before he’d met Ellie when he was twenty-eight. The rest was history.
“I think it’s too soon for a new relationship,” said Austin.
“Who said anything about a relationship? Just stick your dick in someone.”
Austin snorted. Michael glared. Gerard was fighting not to laugh, and Nathan had found a beer mat to be the most interesting thing in the world.
“If I was going to get back out there, it wouldn’t be casual, Tony. You know me. We’re very differentin that respect.”
“Fair,” he chuckled. “Well, if you change your mind, I know a few guys who would love to get railed by you.”
That was enough for Gerard to almost fall off his chair with laughter. Austin couldn’t help but be amused by his friend’s antics, especially with the daggers Michael was throwing at Tony.
“What?” said Tony, trying to be all innocent. “Men are easier. Less emotional about these things.”
Michael rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I think it’s just the men you fuck who have no emotions.”
“I fuck women as well,” said Tony.
“You just said there were less emotions with men.”
“Michael, you know not to let him wind you up so easily,” said Austin.
