Of moonshine and memories | BoyXBoy

Drowning out expectations

The hotel was the kind of place you only ever saw on TV or in magazines. Polished floors, chandeliers, and a level of luxury that was way out of our league. The lobby alone felt like it belonged to a different world, one that didn't want us there. Everything about the place seemed to silently scream that we didn't fit in.

I tugged at my collar, suddenly aware of how out of place I felt. This was supposed to be a thank-you gift from my boss for dog-sitting last month.

A fancy dinner and tickets to some pretentious show. It was meant to be a treat, but now, standing in the middle of this upscale lobby, I felt more like I was going through the motions rather than actually looking forward to it.

Lucian, though, didn't seem to care. He stood next to me, hands stuffed in his pockets, looking bored and unimpressed.

"Jesus, this place looks like a fever dream." He muttered, casting a sideways glance at me.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, well... it's free, so we're supposed to enjoy it."

Lucian snorted. "Sure, nothing like pretending to enjoy overpriced food and pretentious bullshit. But if that's your idea of fun, I'm in."

He wasn't wrong, and that's what bothered me. I'd been telling myself all week that we should enjoy this. That I should be grateful for the chance to experience something so nice. But now that we were here, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that we just didn't belong.

Lucian walked up to the reception desk, his usual easy confidence on display. The receptionist, all bright smiles, greeted us like we were someone important.

"Checking in?" She asked, her tone a little too cheerful.

"Yep. Sorrentino," Lucian replied, smoothly adopting my last name like it was his own.

The receptionist handed over the key and tickets for the show, her smile still plastered on.

"Enjoy your stay! You've got a dinner reservation and tickets to the show tonight."

Lucian took the key with a charming grin. "Can't wait." He said, laying it on thick.

As we walked away, I gave him a look. "You really went for it there, huh?"

He shrugged, a cocky smile spreading on his lips. "Just being your supportive husband."

We stepped into the elevator, and for a moment, the quiet felt like a break from the suffocating atmosphere around us.

"So, you'd actually take my last name?" I asked, half-joking, but curious.

Lucian shot me a playful grin. "Honestly? I like the sound of it. Way better than Carter. It has a nice ring to it."

"Really?" I chuckled, trying to imagine it. "Lucian Sorrentino. Quite the upgrade."

He nodded, twirling the key between his fingers. "Exactly. Just think of all the class that name brings. It rolls right off the tongue."

I shook my head, unable to hide my smile. There was something about his willingness to embrace my last name that made my heart flutter. A brief glimpse of a life that felt almost real. It struck me as oddly intimate, like a secret vow whispered between us.

"Lucian Alec Sorrentino." I said, smirking as I let the name roll off my tongue. "I can already picture it."

He shot me a sideways glance, a playful, yet agitated glimmer in his eyes. "Don't get too cocky." He replied, a teasing lilt to his voice.

I laughed. "Hey, I'm just saying it would suit you."

We exited the elevator, and Lucian led the way to our room.
As he unlocked the door, I was taken aback by the luxury inside, my jaw dropping in disbelief. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline, while high-end furniture and elegant decor filled the space, creating an atmosphere of indulgence.