The Player's Protégé

by CJane Elliott

  Jerry acted casual. “Well, hello there. How’d you find me?”

  “Tyrone told me you were probably here.”

  “A-ha. Long time no see. How goes it with Grindr?”

  Arlo came closer. His expression made Jerry think of a soldier marching into battle. Jerry braced himself. “It doesn’t. I haven’t used Grindr.”

  “Oh? Why not? Wasn’t that the point?” Jerry concentrated on regulating his breathing. Arlo was so close Jerry could feel his body heat.

  “No. I was never all that interested in anonymous sex apps. I think that was your idea.”

  “I see.” At an unusual loss for words, Jerry resorted to twirling his drawing pencil. He noted the resolute set of Arlo’s jaw—Arlo was giving off some serious warrior vibes.

  “I don’t think you do, but I’ve come here to tell you what I want.”

  “Ah. Very good—”

  The words died when Arlo took Jerry’s face in his hands. “You,” he said as he pinned Jerry with a devastatingly tender look. “You’re what I want.”

  Jerry dropped his pencil as his snappy comeback shriveled in the light cast by Arlo’s eyes. “Uh, me?” His knight in shining armor had come to claim him, and the hell of it was, Jerry was dying to be claimed.

  “You. You’re amazing—too amazing for me to ever think I’d have a chance. But you got me to see my value, and you taught me to take a stand on my life. And we’re great in bed, right?”

  Fuck. Arlo was so endearing. “Right. But—”

  “I admire you, Jerry. I’ve already told you that. But I also want to… sorry if this sounds weird, but I want to take care of you. You deserve someone to care for you and make you happy.”

  Jerry’s head spun. He heard Eric and Mom and Tyrone—hell, even Denise—all telling him that he was loving, loyal, and deserving of someone like Arlo. It was hard to believe, because Arlo was a treasure, far more of a good man than Jerry could ever hope to be. He gazed into Arlo’s honest face and shuddered as his fucking father came into his mind. That put the cap on it. He would never do to Arlo what Dad had done to Mom.

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’re too good for me. You deserve more. I’m a prick and definitely not the answer to your prayers. What you need to do is get out there and experience all the different men the world has to offer. Me and Jake are not a good sampling. You can do better.”

  “Why don’t you let me decide that? I know what I want. I don’t want to go out and be a player. That’s not me.”

  “But I don’t want to settle down and play house. That’s not me.”

  As if on cue, the door opened and Ted came in, oozing sex and snarkiness. Seeing Ted and Arlo in the same room made Jerry realize that what he’d just said was a lie. Ted was nothing more than a weasel who liked to fuck around. Jerry didn’t want anything to do with him or anyone else who wasn’t Arlo. He actually could see the possibility of settling down quite happily with Arlo. It wouldn’t last, though. And Arlo deserved more than having his heart broken by a cold fish like Jerry.

  “Hey, Jer, ready to ramble?” Ted sauntered over and put his hand on Jerry’s shoulder.

  Arlo’s face shuttered. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” He turned to leave.

  “Wait.” Jerry shrugged off Ted’s hand and followed Arlo, who’d made it to the door.

  “What?”

  “I… I appreciate what you said. It means a lot. But I want you to be sure. How can you know until you get out there and see what you’ve been missing?”

  Arlo stared at the door, face stony, and gave a curt nod. “Okay.” Then he was gone.

  “What was that all about, babe?” Ted’s smarmy voice grated on Jerry.

  “Nothing. But I’m gonna have to bail. I still have more to do on this set design.”

  “Aw, you sure?” Ted approached and ran his fingers along Jerry’s arm. “I’ve been missing you.”

  Right. “I’m sure.”

  “No problem. See you around.”

  Ted left, and Jerry walked slowly back to his drawing table. He kept seeing Arlo’s blank face at the door and the way he’d said okay like a good soldier, following orders, even while marching to his death.

  It was Jerry’s fault for leading him on and letting what should have been a straightforward mentorship situation become an emotional mess. And all Jerry could think to do now was to take himself out of Arlo’s life before he fucked him up even more. If only he hadn’t been selfish and had sex with Arlo. If only he hadn’t let Arlo nurse him back to health. If only….

  He laid his face on the table and settled in for a long night of self-recrimination.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “TOLD YOU he’d be home.”

  Jerry roused from his semi-drunken stupor. Was that Will? Then Eric must not be far behind. He let his head fall back on his pillow.

  “Hello, beautiful.” Eric’s stupid voice was almost as annoying as his stupid grin in Jerry’s face once Jerry pried open his eyes.

  “Go away.”

  “Not a chance, boo.”

  Oh, great. Tyrone had joined the party.

  “What are you bozos doing here? I was trying to wallow, but I ran out of alcohol too soon.”

  “You’re coming dancing with us.”

  “Fat chance.” Jerry tried turning his back to them, but Eric pulled his pillow out from under him. “Damn you.”

  “C’mon, baby. You won the bet. And you asked for me to do a cage dance at Club Risque, remember?”

  Jerry slowly sat up as the pounding of his heart eclipsed that of his head. “What?”

  “Arlo’s a player, boo. We just saw him at Club Risque.”

  “Saw him do what? That doesn’t prove he’s a player.”

  “Yes, my dear,” Eric said with a smirk, “but tell that to the guy he’s with.”

  Jerry tried to retain the remains of his late lunch as his stomach plunged to the ground. “Okay. I won the bet. Y’all go celebrate without me.”

  Will, who had remained silent, put his hand on Jerry’s. “Come with us, okay?” He was way more subdued, and his eyes exuded sympathy and hinted at something more.

  Whatever those eyes were saying, they worked their magic on Jerry, who found himself rising from his bed. “Fine. But let me change my outfit at least.”

  “That sounds more like you. We’ll be in the living room.” Eric saluted him and ushered the others out.

  Jerry confronted his face in the bathroom mirror. He looked haggard and, worse than that, haunted. You can never get enough of what you don’t really want. He’d wanted to turn Arlo into a player. He’d arrogantly believed in his powers, not caring who Arlo was as a person or what Arlo truly wanted. And now that he’d “won,” Jerry was crushed.

  He wasn’t sure he could stand seeing Arlo with another man. Jerry-the-cynical, the person he was when he made the bet, would be fine with it. He’d laugh and toast his success and make Eric perform in the go-go dancers’ cage. He’d congratulate Arlo with a tilt of his eyebrow and a raised martini glass.

  But the joke was on him. Jerry had thought he didn’t have a heart. But Arlo, through his innocence and his ardor, through his honesty and his devotion, had changed him. The whole experience had turned him into a man who could believe in love. Jerry had finally found his heart.

  Too late, asshole.

  He took out his eyeliner. He hadn’t used it much lately, but tonight he needed his armor—make up and glitter and fabulousness—the better to hide behind. Because if what Arlo truly wanted was to be out there exploring other men the way Jerry had insisted he do, Jerry wasn’t going to stand in his way. He’d hide his misery behind a gorgeous exterior.

  His friends let out appreciative wolf whistles when Jerry finally sauntered into the living room clad in tight leather pants and transparent mesh shirt, hair gelled and glittered, eyes ringed with kohl.

  “Ohmigod, babe,” Eric exclaimed and then cast a guilty glance at Will.


  “No problem,” Will drawled. “He does look… how would you say it? Delicious.”

  Tyrone nodded. “Oh yes. A tasty snack, all right. C’mon, gays, we’ve got some dancin’ to do.”

  JERRY SAW him the minute they walked into Club Risque. Arlo was on the dance floor with some bastard. They weren’t grinding, thank God. They were barely touching, but it tortured Jerry to see Arlo with another guy, to see him dancing—which he didn’t do all that well, the dork—with someone else. He was wearing one of the outfits Jerry had picked out, and he’d even put product in his hair the way Jerry had shown him. He was gorgeous, sexy, and… lost to Jerry forever.

  “Let’s dance.” Ty was beside him, urging him onto the dance floor. Eric and Will were already out there.

  Jerry’s feet followed, even as the rest of him wanted to bolt out the door.

  As soon as they hit the floor, Tyrone waved at Arlo. “Hey, boo! Lookin’ good!”

  “Hey!” Arlo’s eyes widened when he caught sight of Jerry.

  Jerry gave a casual wave and then turned his back and gyrated his booty while he died a thousand deaths. He couldn’t look at Arlo. He didn’t want to see the depth of his loss staring him in the face.

  The music pounded on in an endless wave, and finally Jerry was done with the charade. “Let’s get something to drink,” he called to Ty, who was dancing with a cute guy and gestured him on.

  Jerry finally risked a glance in Arlo’s direction, but he wasn’t there anymore. Will joined him. “Eric’s gonna do the cage dance now. Come sit with me and laugh at him.”

  “Sure.”

  They settled at a table and ordered drinks.

  “How’re you doing?” Will asked. He nodded and raised his fist to Eric, who was stationed in one of the go-go dancers’ cages, waiting for the next song.

  “Terrible.”

  “I thought so. You got it bad, eh?” Will tilted his head to the side where Arlo stood with his date, smiling up at Eric in the cage.

  “Yes. And I’m a fool and a jerk for not realizing it sooner.”

  “Oh well. None of us are perfect. You saw me and Eric being fools for a long time before we finally got it together.”

  “True.” The music came on, and Eric began to dance. Jerry gave him a thumbs-up and a fake cheerful smile. Yay. He’d won the bet, and Eric had to pay. Some victory.

  “The thing is,” Will said calmly, “I don’t think all is lost.”

  “How can you say that? I drove him away. I practically ordered him to get out there and experience other guys—like that asshole he’s with.”

  “Why’d you send him away?”

  “Well, look at me. I’m not exactly romance material. Like I told him, he can do better.”

  “I don’t think he can.” Eric swiveled his hips, and Will yelled, “Do it, baby.” Then he turned back to Jerry. “Where were we?”

  “What? What do you mean, you don’t think he can?”

  “Because you guys are right for each other. Simple as that. Why don’t you trust yourself to be what Arlo needs?”

  Eric hooted and laughed as he swung his arms in the go-go cage. Jerry got a lump in his throat watching him. He was the first boy he’d ever loved. Time to tell the truth.

  “Because of Eric. Eric’s such a sweetheart. All he ever wanted to do was love me and be good to me, and I couldn’t handle it. I pushed him away and broke his heart. I mean, clearly he recovered. And he’s with the guy he’s meant to be with.” Jerry nodded at Will, who grinned. “But I don’t want to do the same thing to Arlo. What if I screw it up?”

  “I think that’s something to talk to him about.” Will pointed, and Jerry saw Arlo approaching their table. Without his date.

  “Hey there,” Arlo said, eyes on Jerry. “You look amazing.”

  “I’m going to cheer Eric on. Take my seat, Arlo.” Will scooted away with a wink.

  “Hi. Where’s your date?” Jerry pretended to study his nails when Arlo sat beside him.

  “Getting some drinks. He’s not exactly a date.”

  Jerry raised his eyes. “He isn’t?”

  “I only just met him tonight.” Arlo ran his gaze over Jerry’s face and down his body. “It’s good to see you. That is a seriously sexy outfit.”

  “Thanks.” Jerry couldn’t stand it any longer. He grabbed Arlo’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “What for?”

  “For sending you away. For telling you what to do with your life. Arlo, I’m—”

  “But you were right. I was getting ahead of myself. I know what I want, but you aren’t ready, and I respect that. So I’m taking your advice and seeing what’s out here. I only started tonight, though. And that guy was kind of boring compared to you.”

  Jerry wanted to shoot himself for ever thinking he should turn Arlo into a player. But as he was opening his mouth to explain, Eric finished his dance with a flourish and Arlo’s nondate walked over, drinks in hand, and the moment for realness seemed lost.

  Lost? Fuck that! All is not lost!

  Jerry shot the nondate a fake smile. “Umm… hi, whoever you are. Can you excuse us for a minute?” Jerry stood and beckoned to Arlo. “I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure.” Arlo got up from the table.

  The guy set down Arlo’s drink. “No problem. Come find me if you wanna dance some more.” He wandered off.

  “Can I come home with you tonight?” Jerry asked. No finesse, just raw urgency.

  “Umm, yeah. Of course. But why?”

  “Because I think I love you.”

  Arlo gaped at him.

  “And I don’t want you to get out there and experience any other guys… if you don’t want to, that is.”

  Arlo’s gape turned into a smile. “Oh, yeah? And why is that? I thought you thought I could do better than you.”

  Jerry almost choked. “Did I say that?” He raised his chin. “Clearly I was mistaken. Because of all the people in the world, I am the best person for you.”

  “That’s what I think. I’m glad you finally agree.”

  Arlo moved to take him in his arms, but Jerry stopped him with a hand to his chest.

  “Wait. I haven’t told you why you’re the best person for me. And no, no deflecting this, Arlo Barnes. You are one of the kindest, gentlest, most honest people I’ve ever met. You are the definition of goodness. And that’s your strength. I used to be cynical about good and sweet people, thinking it was a sign of weakness to be sweet. Now I know that I was hiding my lurking conviction that I’d never live up to people like you. But you, Arlo Barnes, have changed me. You’ve made me believe in the power of goodness. And even more, you’ve made me believe that I deserve a man like you. I can only hope to give you as much happiness as you’ve given me.”

  Arlo’s eyes shone with tears. Jerry had no idea what he’d just said, only that the words came from his newly rehabilitated heart.

  “I love you, Jerry. Can I finally kiss you now?”

  It seemed impossible that this was their very first kiss. Jerry felt like a blushing virgin. “God, yes. Please, Arlo.”

  Arlo swept him in his arms and kissed him, and it was like no other kiss he’d ever had. The tenderness of it turned deep and wild, and it might have gone on forever had they not been interrupted by raucous cheering. They broke apart to find themselves surrounded by their friends.

  “I knew it,” Eric blared, and he and Will exchanged high fives.

  “Yass, boo. Glad to see you finally come to your senses.” Tyrone held up his phone. “All captured for our future viewing pleasure.”

  “But man, you went and got it done before I was through with all the wisdom I was gonna lay on you.” Will put on a pretend pout.

  “What wisdom?” Jerry leaned on Arlo’s shoulder.

  “That me and Arlo, we’re one-man kind of guys. That’s it. Both of us had bad first relationships. Then we found the one we’re supposed to be with. We have no need to get out there and search the world or sample the wares or whatever. And w
e have no need to be with anyone else ever again. Right, Arlo?”

  “Exactly.” Arlo kissed Jerry’s temple.

  Eric caught Will in a hug that lifted Will’s feet from the ground. “I love you so much.”

  “So you knew I was going to lose the bet all along.”

  Arlo frowned. “Bet? What bet?”

  Jerry put his hand to his mouth. “Oops. Don’t be angry. When I was ‘hired’ to turn you into a player, these guys never believed I could change your true nature. So Eric and I made a bet. They were right, and I was wrong, and I’m so glad I was. Okay?”

  Jerry watched Arlo’s face closely, braced for some anger or hurt over being the object of a bet, but Arlo appeared serene.

  “Oh, yeah? Turning me into a player? I could have told you that was never going to happen.” He pulled Jerry to him in a warm hug. “Sorry you lost your bet?”

  “God, no.”

  Eric clapped his hands. “Hallelujah! We get Pride outfits.”

  “Oh, pish. I was always going to make you your Pride outfits.”

  “I know.” Eric winked at him. “Now, who’s for Alekos? I need some food after all this emotion and whatnot.”

  “And I need some love.” Tyrone’s wistful expression got to Jerry.

  “And that’s our next project—Tyrone finds The One,” he said briskly. “So stop your pity party and let’s go to Alekos to plot your next actions.”

  Arlo’s eyes shone. “Isn’t he incredible?”

  “Who, Jerry?” Eric spread his hands. “Amazing. Stick with Jerry and all your dreams’ll turn out.” He took Will’s hand and kissed it. “Right, babe?”

  “Right.”

  JERRY WAS crammed into a booth at Alekos with his friends again, but this time he had no problem with Arlo being crammed in beside him. His only problem was keeping his hands off him until they could get out of there and go home.