playboy | joshler ✓

- thirty three -

All eyes were on Tyler as he walked in, gazes heavy on him like a coat. The billionaire payed no attention to them, for once heading straight to the bar and ordering a drink. The bartender quickly served it, and she raised an eyebrow.

"Bad day?" She guessed.

Tyler chuckled humorlessly. "Terrible."

She set the drink down, and patted Tyler's hand. "It's on the house," she said, motioning to the drink.

"Thanks, Ashley." He replied, downing it almost instantly. Ashley set out the bottle, leaning down.

"So, Jenna back at it with the annoying complaints?" She tilted her head.

"No." Tyler served the cup up to the brim. "It's Josh this time."

Ashley sighed, shaking her head. "What did I tell you?"

Tyler sipped at his cup. "Shut up, you're with his bestfriend."

"We're friends," she corrected, and it wasn't a lie.

"Whatever," Tyler muttered. He moved his hand around, making the drink slosh around in the inside. He stood up. "I'm gonna go look at your strippers now. Make sure I don't go home with any of them."

Ashley snorted. "Tyler, we both know you'll be taking a plus one when you call Jonathan tonight."

Tyler grinned, and he shrugged. "Eh, you're right." He turned and pushed into the crowd, making his way to the first performer.

+ + +

"So, how've you been these past 2 years?" Noah smiled softly, setting the menu aside.

Josh shifted uncomfortably, shrugging. "Okay," he said shortly. "What about you?"

"I've managed," Noah looked down. "Then again, I didn't have you around, for those two years."

Josh let out a deep breath, ignoring the last bit. He looked down at his menu to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "Have you thought of something to order?"

Noah shook his head, picking the menu back up. "What are you going to get?"

Josh looked through the menu, before his gaze landed on a plate called Pappardelle. He couldn't fight the smile off his face at the memory of Tyler having ordered that for him, and Noah noticed.

"Something funny?" He raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

Josh blinked, shaking his head. "Uh, no, no. Just looking for something to eat."

"Oh, alright." Noah returned to his menu. "You take your time, okay?"

"Okay," Josh said belatedly.

Noah ordered a drink while he waited for Josh to make a choice, sitting back and sipping whatever he had ordered.

"I heard that you were seen hanging out with that billionaire guy, Taylor Josiah."

"It's Tyler Joseph," Josh corrected sharply. How somebody could get Tyler's name wrong was past Josh's comprehension.

"Whatever," Noah waved him away. "I want to know what's the deal between you two."

"What's it to you, Noah?" Josh glared at him.

"I just want to know," Noah replied stiffly.

Josh snapped the menu shut. "You don't need to know, now do you? You don't get to know."

Noah stared at Josh, expression bordering anger. "Troye told me that - "

"Troye? Oh, my God, did you actually go to my workplace?" Josh scowled, mouth popping open in disbelief.

Noah smiled with tight lips. "Maybe."

Josh stared at him for a second, eyes narrowed slightly and brow furrowed. Then, he shrugged his coat on and shoved his chair back from the table so quickly it scraped loudly against the floor. "You're doing your controlling thing again, and I'm not going to stand it this time, Noah."

Noah's smile vanished, and he stood up too. "Wait, Josh, I'm sorry." He reached for Josh, to stop him from leaving, but Josh only smacked his hand away.

"You better leave me alone," Josh warned, pointing a threatening finger at him. "You better leave me alone or I'll file a restraining order. I swear, Noah, I'm done with your controlling crap."

Josh didn't wait for his answer, instead stomping out of the restaurant. He pulled out his phone, hurriedly going through his contacts until he came to the T section. He pressed the person he intended to call as he walked down the sidewalk, glancing behind him to make sure Noah wasn't following him.

"Hey, this is Tyler's personal number. If you have any business inquiries, please call the office, and we'll attend you as soon as possible. If you're trying to get a hold of me, I'm obviously not available to talk right now, so call back when I'm not busy." The beep sounded.

"Hey, Tyler, we need to talk," Josh muttered. He waved at a taxi, sighing in relief when the car slowed to a stop. "Please call me back soon. I'll swing by the apartments tomorrow, okay? Be there. It's important."

Josh ended the call, and he pocketed his phone as he stepped into the car. He told the taxi driver his address, and the driver nodded and drove off.

A sleek, black Nissan rounded the corner, coming from the Italian restaurant on that street, and followed the yellow car.