Bad Company by K.A. Mitchell Read Free Book Online

young one at that—since Nate felt like the gap in their ages was closer to twenty years instead of the actual seven. Should have known that Eli’s effervescent adoration would turn him into a barnacle Nate couldn’t peel off. And it was his own fault for letting the flattery go to both his heads.
    As Nate stared into the half-empty bottle of Smirnoff, he wondered if that was the way he’d made Kellan feel, smothered under the weight of too much attention. Was that what had driven him to be such a fucking dick that year?
    Nate realized Eli was yelling something in his ear over the thumping mix from the DJ, something that didn’t sound like his refrain of I can’t believe you’re fucking Kellan Brooks.
    “What?” Nate yelled back, leaning closer.
    “I said, ‘What are you guys going to do now?’ I mean, like about his dad? Is it a secret still?”
    Some perverse part of Nate wanted to tell Eli that it was a secret, prolong the weird dynamic of a pretend version of the boyfriend Nate had dreamed of living with at thirteen, but he yelled back in Eli’s ear, “No. Kellan’s tired of being in the closet.” God, they were really doing this. “He doesn’t care what his dad does.”
    “That is so cool.”
    No, it was exploitative. What Kellan was doing was wrong. Nate started to say something, but Eli went on with that familiar infatuated gleam in his eyes.
    “I can’t believe he’d walk away from all that money. He’s a hero. You should totally do something for the paper. I bet Jess could write up something really cool, not too corny.”
    That was exactly what Kellan wanted. Geoffrey would settle twenty million dollars on him the second the bigger papers picked the story up. Then Kellan could issue his ha-ha, it was just a big joke retraction. Everyone would believe it was another one of his stunts. And Eli and every other gay kid who’d ever had their parents tell them they were a disgusting mistake would take it like the gut punch it was. Nate was crazy to have agreed to this. “We’ll think about it.”
    “But I get to do the shoot, right?”
    “Yeah, I’ll make sure.”
    “Thanks, Nate.” Eli kissed him. “So you mind if I go dance?”
    “I’ll come with you.” Maybe the beat pounding up through his bones would help him forget how fucked up everything was. Stop the plant or set back gay rights? Let Kellan keep playing gay chicken or stop testing the boundaries of consent?
    Eli kept a good space between them, which was what Nate would expect for a guy showing off to garner some attention. Watching him dance, Nate remembered why he’d had Eli’s pants around his ankles three days after he met him. He moved like he didn’t have a spine, fluid, twisting, hips and ass inviting touch with every swivel. Nate turned away from repeat temptation and found himself staring at a shirtless chest, hard jaw and intent dark eyes. The other man rocked them together once, then stepped back, gaze dropping to Nate’s crotch as he licked his lips and tipped his head in invitation.
    Nate’s lips might still be tingling from a kiss that had gotten out of hand, but his dick was rock hard at the promise in this stranger’s eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten off with someone.
    He glanced back. Eli was dancing with another goth-like twink. He’d be fine. Better than fine if he’d stop chasing guys who were too old for him. Nate started to follow the other man through the crowd.
    A hand yanked him back.
    “Where are you going?” Eli yelled in his ear.
    “To pee, all right?”
    “No. You’re going to get your dick sucked. I can’t believe it. After everything he gave up for you?”
    “Trust me. Kellan won’t mind at all.”
    “You didn’t see the way he looks at you.”
    “Jesus, Eli, mind your own fucking business.” Nate wrenched himself away, but the tall, shirtless guy was gone. And he wasn’t waiting by the men’s room or anywhere else. Nate went back to the bar and downed