Off Camera

Chapter 26

Tae POV

My grip tightens around the steering wheel, while my mind races along with my heart.

Jane's words repeat in my head. "So, you are dating Tee now." Her knowing look and triumphant grin tell me I better not lie, even though I've made a promise to Tee not to tell anyone.

I unfortunately break my promise with him and nod my head. "Yes, I am." Even though a part of me feels guilty for telling her, another part of me confidently and proudly answers. I'm not ashamed of being in a relationship with him.

I keep my eyes focused on the road and slam my foot down on the accelerator. My baby is drunk and practically alone. He needs me.

Kimmon might be my friend, but if he is with Copter, he is only concerned about his feisty boyfriend. He hasn't confessed to me about it yet, but the other day when Kimmon went to the mall looking for his cute friend with amazing dimples, his exact words, I knew my hunch had been correct. Kimmon's face always lights up when he talks about Copter.

But right now, Kimmon would probably walk out of the bar with Copter if he thought the feisty boyfriend needed to go home, regardless of who else is sitting around the table with them. My only hope is Copter and Tee took their other friend Bas, who can look after my boyfriend until I get there. Otherwise, all hell is going to break loose if I find Tee alone.

I take a deep breath and turn the corner. Blue Moon's neon sign flashes, lighting the area up and calling me to it.

I pull up outside the club and hop out of my car. As I run around my vehicle, I shout at the bouncers and door man. "I'm just going in to grab a drunk friend. I'm coming right back out. Okay."

A new burly guy who I've never seen before with huge muscles steps in front of me and stops me. "Do you have a membership?"

What? I don't have time for this.

Before I can reply, the bouncer by the door calls out. "Brock, that is Tae and yes, he has a membership. He usually doesn't come during filming, but he comes from time to time when he is in between shoots. Let him pass."

He then turns towards me. "You are here to get Tee, right? He is in the back corner with Kimmon and their friends."

I nod and bolt past them into the building. The music's heavy bass slams against me, but for the first time, I don't enjoy it. I have another goal in mind right now. I need to get Tee out of here and home.

Dashing through the sea of people, I quickly make my way to the back corner just in time to watch in horror as Tee's head sways and then slams down on the table.

No!

I sprint the last few remaining steps to him and growl across the table at Kimmon. "What were you thinking? You should have called me sooner! I would have come as soon as..."

Kimmon cuts me off. "I did! I sent tons of messages and I believe Tee did too, but Jane read them and never told you. Now stop being a crazy boyfriend and take Tee home. I'll make sure Bas and Copter get home."

I gently lift Tee's beautiful face off the table. My heart aches seeing the faint red spot on his forehead, but I can only hope it doesn't bruise. If it does, I'm sure the makeup artist can cover it, though.

With a snarl, I glance across the table again. Kimmon has a cheesy grin on his face which I want to slap off him, while he pulls a smaller guy into his chest. I don't have to ask him who he is. I already know. The guy is Copter.

"I'll leave the other two to you. I'm taking Tee home."

He chuckles and motions his chin towards Tee. "You should know he refused to admit about the two of you until I backed him into a corner and there was no way for him to refuse. I can see how serious he is with you. If I were you, I wouldn't let him go. He is a keeper."

My heart swells with both pride and love. He kept our promise as best he could.

As I turn back towards my gorgeous but drunk boyfriend, I nod. "I plan on keeping him forever if he will have me."

I don't wait for another response and scoop Tee up and into my arms, bridal style. Another bouncer pats my shoulder and grunts, "I'll clear the way for you."

I nod and follow behind him to the entrance. He holds open the door while one of the outside bouncers opens the passenger door of my car.

I nod to each of them and thank them as I pass by. Once Tee is safely tucked into the passenger seat, I turn and give the bouncers one last thanks before scurrying around my car and driving away towards my apartment.

Once I'm inside my apartment, I carry Tee, still passed out, to the bedroom. He reeks of alcohol and so does my car now, too. How much did he have to drink?

I shake my head and lay him down on the bed.

I stare down at him for a few moments.

What was he thinking? Clearly, he wasn't, but he knows better for doing something like this during our filming. We have strict contract terms and if he gets caught doing something crazy and getting drunk while filming, he can be heavily fined or worse, be fired.

A night out with friends isn't worth it.

I take a deep breath and press my lips together. We are going to have a talk tomorrow as soon as his hangover is gone.

Shit. He's going to have a major hangover.

I spin around and dash into the bathroom. As soon as I whip open the medicine cabinet, I snatch the bottle of painkillers before darting to the kitchen. Soon, I return with the pills and a glass of water.

I stop beside the bed.

Soft snores fill the room.

How am I going to wake him up to take the medicine? I've never been around him when he has been like this before, so I don't know what he is like.

My eyes scan him from head to toe and come back up to his reddish cheek. A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.

He is always gorgeous, but right now, he is also adorable.

His long dark lashes flutter, and I step closer to the bed, hoping he will wake up. After a few moments, though, they become still again, and a soft snore slips from his luscious lips.

Deflated, I turn and put the glass and the pills on the nightstand. This is not how I thought this evening would go. I thought by now I would have my shaft buried deep inside of him, letting his warmth and tightness pull me to my edge and my explosion. His sexy moans would fill the room when he isn't begging for me to pound him harder and faster.

My manhood stirs inside my pants, but all I can do is stare down at my hot, sexy boyfriend and sigh.

Knowing and accepting a night of nursing duties with only my hand available for pleasure, I turn around to the foot of the bed and Tee's feet. I shake my head and step around to the end of the bed and take his shoes and socks off.

Various forms of punishment flash through my head, while a slight smirk dances across my face. I need to punish Tee for this.

A/N:  My short story hasn't stayed short....  It has evolved into a full-length story of its own.  I'm not sure exactly how that happened, but I'm going to keep writing until I come to an end.  Just a heads up, if it gets to be a lengthy book, I'll end up signing it and putting it over on the pay-to-read platforms.  If I end up doing that, I'll let you know and give you time to read it here first before I move it over there.  Who knows...  My brain may stop feeding me ideas and I'll end the story soon.  

We will have to wait and see.

Published October 12, 2022