Page 7 of Sinful Nights
“Did you ever watch that video I sent you with Tom Holland?” Cole asks when Spider-Man shows up on the screen.
“Oh, the one for the lip-syncing thing?” Cole is always sending me videos whenever he can. He’ll send a million a day and ask if I’ve seen them all. Sometimes I can keep up, but most times, I’ll quickly scroll, picking out the ones that seem the most interesting.
“Yeah, ever since I saw it, I thought how fucking awesome it would be to do that at Peaches. Now, I don’t know if Caleb will let me have water on the stage, but damn, can you imagine?”
“Caleb seems like a pretty laid-back guy; he might let you.”
Caleb is the other co-owner of Peaches with Jonas. I’ve only met him once or twice, but from what Cole has said, he sounds like a decent guy. Secretive but decent.
“I might have to try it. I feel as though my head is constantly scrambling to come up with new ideas, trying to keep things fresh. I don’t want anyone to get tired of me and no longer want to see me out on the stage.” He turns away from me to face the TV, wringing his hands in his lap.
I grab hold of his chin, turning his head to look at me. “What the fuck? Why would you think no one would want to come see you?”
I’ve been to Peaches time and time again, and I might be a bit biased, but out of all the performers that get up on that stage, Cole is hands down the top performer. From his outfits to his choreography to just his aura. Everything about Cole screams sunshine and light. I have never met another soul who could easily put the biggest smile on my face or turn my mood from upset to happy in a millisecond. And yeah, he’s my best friend, but even if he wasn’t, he’d still be the one person I would go to Peaches for. Cole is the whole damn package. I just wish he saw himself the way everyone else does.
He sighs deeply, trying to drop his head from my grasp. “I don’t know; it’s just a feeling. Like, I know I can dance, but there are still times when I mess up. For instance, a few weeks ago, when I fell down. I stood up again, but it’s still there in the back of my mind that if I don’t keep updating my choreography, then my customers will grow bored.”
“What the hell, Cole? Don’t even think that. I need you to really listen and hear what I’m about to say. Trust me, since I’m the one who’s out there in the crowd and believe me when I say those people get all hot and bothered by you.” I wait a few seconds, making sure he heard what I said. “You, Cole. Get that through your thick skull.”
“Thanks,” he beams, offering me a bright smile. “Working at Peaches has tested my confidence, so I might get in my head a bit.”
“Seems like you’re in there way too much,” I tell him, flicking him on the forehead. “Get out of there. No one knows you better than I do; have more belief in yourself.”
“Alright, fine. I’ll try. Now stop distracting me when Spider-Man is on the screen.”
Leaning forward, I pop him on the nose with my finger before placing a soft kiss where my finger just touched. “Whatever you want.”
Cole and I get comfy on the couch, finishing the snacks within the first few minutes. From the corner of my eye, Cole shivers roughly, his body jerking inside the blanket. Without a second thought, I pull his body to mine, turning us on our sides so that we’re lying sideways on the couch with his back to my chest. Stretching my arm wide, I make sure he can use my muscle as a little pillow so that he’s more comfortable. Once he settles against my body, I ensure the blanket covers us both before placing my arm across his stomach to guarantee he doesn’t fall off the sofa.
It isn’t long before my eyes drift shut, my arms protectively keeping Cole to my chest.
PEACHES GROUP CHAT
Lennox:I got Jensen a surprise today! But I need help setting it up, so he doesn’t know
Bash:Do tell more! What did you get?
Declan:Oh, I bet it’s a toy!
Tristan:Or two!
Preston:I don’t think Lennox would tell everyone if he got new toys
Cole:He might. I don’t think there’s any limits in this chat
Lennox:Cole’s right. But it’s not a toy. At least not that kind. I got a pole! Stole it right from Preston’s playbook
Declan:Hell yeah! Atta boy!
Bash:Oh my god, I want to come use it
Declan:I call dibs on using it first
Preston:Shouldn’t Lennox use it first?
Cole:Damn, now I want to get one too
Tristan:Fuck, maybe we should all get poles. Then whoever hosts game night has a pole readily available for us all to use
