playboy | joshler ✓

- two -

Josh hated parties. He really did. He preferred staying in his and Audrey's apartment and, more specifically, his studio. Audrey was the only person Josh didn't consider intimidating. So being forced to go to a place that was alien to Josh and being forced into clothes that weren't comfortable, well, Josh was on the verge of breaking down.

Audrey had probably sensed it - they've been best friends for years, of course she sensed it - because she whisked Josh away to a quieter area, where the lights were dim and soft music played. There were only a few people here, and it was much quieter. Josh was calmed down a little, but he still felt the nervous ball in the pit of his stomach.

"Rank 5 and higher are only allowed in here." Audrey explained. "That's why it's so empty. I like it out there better, because in here, people feel like they're worth billions of dollars."

Josh sat down to stop the trembling in his legs. "It's quiet here. It's nice."

Audrey shrugged. "I guess. Quiet isn't really my thing."

"You can go back out there, if you want." Josh suggested. "I'll be fine."

Audrey hesitated, obviously worried about her best friend.

"Really," Josh insisted. "It's your party, A."

"Okay. Text me if anything goes wrong, alright?" Audrey said before turning and walking back out. Josh leaned back in his seat, breathing out and trying to reduce the tension in his body.

"Well, hello there."

Josh's eyes flew open, and he sat up a little straighter. In front of him stood a brown-haired man, wearing an expensive-looking suit and holding a glass of what seemed whiskey in his hand.

"Hello." Josh said cautiously.

"Mind if I sit?" The man asked, motioning to the seat beside Josh.

Josh shook his head, and the man sat.

"I don't think I've ever seen you here before." The man said in his soft, velvety voice.

"Oh, no, I don't work here. My friend, Audrey, invited me." Josh responded.

"Ah," the man said in understanding. "What's your name?"

"Josh."

"Josh," the man echoed. "Lovely name."

Josh scoffed. "Not really, it's pretty common. But thank you."

"I'm Tyler Joseph," the man said, holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Tyler." Josh shook the man's hand, not even fazed by the fact that the man's last name was the same as the business'. The man held onto Josh's hand.

"Do you have any plans for tonight?" Tyler asked, watching Josh with a seemingly curious, interested stare.

Josh refrained from rolling his eyes, pulling his hand out of Tyler's. "I do, actually."

Tyler frowned. Josh guessed that this man had never been turned down on an offer before.

"I really should get going, Audrey is probably looking for me." Josh started to get up, but Tyler reached out and stopped him.

"Can I get your phone number, then?" He asked.

"No. I don't even know you." Josh scowled, brushing off Tyler's hand. He stood, pulling out his phone and walking away. He quickly sent out a text to Audrey, telling her that he was ready to go, and that he would meet her outside. Josh didn't have to wait for long before she came out.

"Did something happen?" Audrey asked worriedly.

"I ran into your boss, I think." Josh grunted, sitting in the car. Audrey sat besides Josh, smoothing her dress.

"My boss? As in Tyler Joseph?" Audrey questioned, shock evident on her face.

"That's the one." Josh said, ignoring the feeling of irritation he got whenever the man was so much as mentioned. Audrey chuckled.

"Let me guess. Did he kick you out?" She wondered.

"Far from it. He wanted my number."

Audrey's gaze flew over to Josh. "What?"

"You heard me." Josh didn't look away from the road in front of him.

"Tyler Joseph, the arrogant, conceited man that is my boss, asked you for your number? No way."

"Oh, yes way." Josh rolled his eyes. "Idiot."

"Well, did you give it to him?"

"Hell no!" Josh practically yelled. "I don't even know him."

"And he didn't kick you out for turning him down?" Audrey's eyes were far too wide.

"No. I left before he said anything else."

Audrey turned to look at the road, eyes wide and mouth slightly parted.

"What? Why are you so surprised?" Josh tilted his head.

"Tyler would never go after somebody himself. He waits for people to come to him, and then decides if they're worthy of him or not." Audrey said slowly. "Damn. You must be something real special in his eyes."

Josh scoffed. "Alright, A, I think you had one too many drinks."

"I'm serious!" She insisted. "Josh, you have turned down an offer that people would kill for!"

"I don't regret it either." Josh said, flippant. "That man is nothing good. He's probably just looking for... a good time."

"And what's wrong with a little bit of that? Need I remind you that you haven't even been kissed in like a year?" Audrey said judgmentally.

Josh glared at the girl. "There's nothing wrong with it. He's just not my type."

"Bullshit."

"He's not!" Josh argued.

"Okay, Josh." Audrey said. "Whatever floats your boat, buddy."

"Don't call me 'buddy'. I just wasted an hour that I could've used on a painting at your stupid party." Josh parked in their driveway, getting out. "You better be grateful."

"I am. Thank you, Josh." The other said in a far too sincere tone; it was sarcasm.

"I don't like your tone of voice, young lady!" Josh scolded. "Anyways, I'm gonna go and paint. Don't bother me unless it's for food."

"Copy." Audrey said as she walked behind Josh, entering their apartment building and making their way to their room.

"I'm never going back to one of your parties, by the way." Josh said as he took off his shoes and hurried to his studio.

Audrey chuckled. "We'll see about that."