The Devil's Lover

Chapter 11: Brunch

It was the day after Jayce, Miles, and Curtis all went out to eat after Jayce's shift. Miles had kept his promise of paying for all of their orders, and in doing so secured Curtis Gamboa's friendship.

Jayce's straight companions had discussed what it was like for Curtis working in a gay strip club without the potential to feel actual s****l attraction towards any of his clients, then they talked about sports (which Jayce knew little about), then about Curtis' ex whom he had to leave back in Florida.

When Jayce and Miles had arrived at Jayce's apartment at nearly five in the morning—rousing Aunt Fran in the process—only then did Miles open up about what exactly pissed him off this time. It was similar to all the other times Miles had ranted, and the set-up of their sleeping arrangement had even been familiar; with Miles on an air mattress on the floor next to Jayce's bed.

Currently, the two of them were sitting on the couch, Miles wearing one of Jayce's sweats and Jayce's largest shirt. Jayce had his feet propped up on the coffee table, with Miles' legs over his.

Franchesca had booked herself a spa day with some of her friends that lived in town, telling both Miles and Jayce to behave while she was gone.

"...four, five, six, seven, seven-fifty, eight..." Miles straightened out the collection of big bills in his hand, "You have exactly eight hundred dollars here."

Jayce waited until he got through his own stack of money before responding to Miles, "I counted five-hundred and sixty dollars for the twenties."

He handed the stack to Miles, who used two rubber bands to secure the stacks. "So that's eight hundred, plus five-hundred and sixty, plus five hundred and twenty-nine for the one-dollar bills..." Miles tilted his head, lips pursed and tapping all the counted money against his palm. "That's one-thousand, eight hundred and eighty-nine dollars for six hours of work."

Jayce huffed in amusement as Miles handed back Jayce's tips from last night; all acquired by doing two Champagne Rooms, performing on stage, and various lap dances. "Damn. I don't even need my calculator or my money counter with you here. That's fast math."

"And that's a lot of money to make in one night." Miles raised a brow, pretending to be in deep thought. "Maybe I should be stripping."

"You certainly know how to count your money at the end of the night," Jayce placed his hard-earned dollars on the coffee table just as they heard a set of keys jingling outside the apartment door.

Teressa appeared in the living room with her natural curls tied above her head and a forest green sundress. She took off her thin-rimmed sunglasses, frowning at Jayce and Miles. "What's this?"

"You look very beautiful, Tes," Jayce complimented.

"I know," Teressa replied matter-of-factly, using her sunglasses to gesticulate at their stacked legs. "You said we'd be heading to brunch. It's already ten and neither of you are dressed."

Miles pinched the shirt Jayce lent him. "I'm wearing this."

Teressa was horrified. "No, you're not."

"Ouch," Jayce said on behalf of his shirt.

"The brunch plan was last minute and I didn't have any extra clothes with me before I crashed here for the night," Miles whined.

Teressa turned to Jayce and raised a groomed brow in question.

"His parents were pressuring him again," Jayce summarized.

Teressa sighed. "At least change into one of Jayce's sweaters or something. That shirt has a giant naked baby on it," She was pertaining to Cupid. Teressa then used her bag to nudge at Miles' legs. "Move. By the time we get to the cafe, it's going to be eleven!"

Miles heaved himself off the couch like he was terribly burdened, stomping to Jayce's room to scavenge for a sweater or a hoodie big enough to fit his bulkier muscles like a child in the middle of a tantrum.

Rolling her eyes at their friend, Teressa then set her gaze on Jayce and down to the stack of money. "Looks like you had a successful night."

"I did," Jayce said, getting up to his feet and taking his stacks with him. "Miles waited for me outside the employee's dressing room for three hours, and we went out for shawarma with a new dancer who just moved into town."

Teressa smiled, patting Jayce's cheek with the pads of her fingers. "I'm very proud of both my boys for reconciling and making a new friend, all in one night."

Jayce smiled back with a wrinkled nose. "Joke all you want, but you, Teressa Martinez, have not made a new friend ever since you got stuck with us."

"Exactly." Teressa nodded. "I'm stuck with two idiots who take up too much effort. Now, go." She pushed Jayce towards his own room. "Dress nice. You have to compensate for Miles' lacking outfit."

Jayce went willingly, and when he opened his bedroom door, the sight of Miles' toned back greeted him.

It's not a big deal anymore, seeing Miles' bare torso. Neither of them were prudes or shy about their physique. Miles worked out a lot and was very proud of his gains over the years, meanwhile the Gallants' son had seen Jayce in stripper outfits countless times.

Miles kept his back turned, hands on his hips as he eyed the rack of tops hung in Jayce's closet. The shirt Miles had borrowed was folded neatly on top of a set of drawers. "I was scanning through your shirts but then I think I went too deep into the closet. I saw something I shouldn't have."

It was Jayce's turn to roll his eyes. "Funny," He deadpanned, padding with sock-clad feet until he was standing next to Miles.

Miles turned to look at him with a raised brow, eyes dancing. "So... You don't have a secret stash of s*x toys?"

The small, very discreet collection of s*x toys Jayce had was not hidden in his closet. Not that he'd tell Miles or any other people that.

Jayce nudged Miles away with his elbow, taking it upon himself to find Miles something decent to wear. "I already have a stripper pole in front of a full-length mirror installed in the corner." He gestured blindly towards where said set-up inside his bedroom was. "What more do you want?"

Miles collapsed on top of Jayce's bed with a huff of breath. "I want a lot of things, Jayce Terrell," he said dramatically."

"What's the thing you wish for most?" Jayce played along, hands moving expertly across his wardrobe.

He heard Miles hum. "I wish that my parents would finally get it into their thick skulls that I'm a performer, not a business man. I enjoy singing, especially singing for a crowd. I'm even getting into composing." Miles clicked his tongue. "But all they see is their son wasting his future."

It did bother Jayce that his own bosses treated their son like this. "Your happiness should always come first, because this world has a tendency to suck the life out of you. That's what my mom always used to say."

Miles shifted on Jayce's silk pillowcases, looking up at Jayce. "I didn't know your mom was a pessimist." Miles smiled lightly. "Must be where you got it from."

"Not a pessimist, just a realist. And she didn't used to think like that. She used to be very positive when I was a kid." Jayce stopped his movements upon reaching the edge of his clothes rack.

The gray turtleneck was about two years old, made of a stretchy fabric that was thin but not sheer. He hadn't worn it many times because the shoulders were too big, but it was also a gift, so Jayce hadn't gotten rid of it. The size would be perfect for Miles.

He tossed the clothing with the hanger towards the body on his bed, adding to his previous statement, "I think mom's whole way of thinking changed when we had to move to the South Side."

The time Jayce's family relocated to South Side Chicago was when his father was drowning in debt and his mother had just been diagnosed with cancer.

Those types of situations—the kinds of problems Jayce had to grow up with—would definitely change anyone's optimistic view of life.

-----

The cafe was quaint and quite a drive away from Jayce's apartment, but the vibes were worth it—at least according to Teressa.

Miles looked more presentable wearing Jayce's turtleneck sweater (which Jayce said he could keep), and Jayce had pulled out his burgundy sweater for this meal.

Teressa had already taken several photos of the three of them, and then insisted that Miles take solo shots of her.

"The lighting is perfect over here," Teressa explained simply as she straightened her back where she sat.

Miles rolled his eyes but diligently snapped some pictures, even changing the angles and adjusting the camera settings so Teressa had a variety to choose from.

"If you're going to send one of these to your girlfriend," Miles said as he handed Beatriz her phone back. "Make sure to mention I was the one who took them."

It was not a secret that Miles and Beatriz did not like each other. It wasn't that serious, it wasn't even an issue really. Beatriz didn't stop Miles from meeting with Teressa, and Miles didn't badmouth Beatriz at all. It seemed more like they kept light distrust towards the other person, as well as low expectations. They maintained a general wariness of each other.

"I don't know why two people who love me so much can't seem to find a common ground," Teressa sighed, scrolling through the photos while shaking her head.

"That's probably their only common ground," Jayce suggested. Miles didn't deny it.

Their drinks were served, iced lattes for Jayce and Miles, and a mimosa for Teressa, which Miles narrowed his eyes at. "I know I'm the last person to judge, but since when did you start day-drinking?"

"Brunch isn't brunch without mimosas," Teressa shrugged, sipping on her cocktail.

As they waited for their food, they caught up with each other's lives. Miles told them about how his work was going, how there's a cute girl also employed at the bistro who he's been trying to impress and how they only managed to exchange numbers two days ago, how he'd barely spoken a word to his parents after Yana Gallant's first reaction to him getting the job was to ask how long he planned to pretend that his hobby was something that could support him in the long run.

Teressa had been focused on her final year in college, already having listed down the places she wished to do her internship at. She and Beatriz actually had a bit of a fight last night (which Miles narrowed his eyes at) because Teressa had been so focused on school that she had to cancel their weekend plans twice.

"Why isn't she here then?" Jayce asked. "She could have joined us. I like hanging out with Bea."

Teressa glanced at Miles, who raised his hands in mock-surrender. "If you're looking for more suggestions like that, Jayce is all you got. You know I'd never lie to you, and I don't want to spend brunch with Bea."

"Miles is just greedy. He doesn't want other people invading our time together." Jayce patted Miles' forearm as if he were consoling someone younger than him (he and Miles were the same age).

Not that Jayce could really blame Miles. Jayce would be sad too if his time with his two best friends dwindled, or if he were forced to pretend to have a good time with someone he didn't really click with.

"She has a whole-day shift at Baby Dough's, so even if I had invited her she wouldn't have come. But also, as much as you two give me a headache, I started to feel like a bit of a third-wheel in our group texts." The thought of it genuinely upset Teressa. "You'd update each other about going to work or eating out somewhere, and then you had a sleepover. I feel left out."

Jayce frowned as well. "We didn't mean for you to feel that way, I just didn't want to risk disturbing you when you're studying or volunteering. We can have a sleepover too! We won't even have to tell Miles!"

"This is getting ridiculous," Miles sighed. "Stop pouting at each other before the waiter brings over our food."

Teressa glared at Miles then turned back at Jayce, pretending to whisper, "We are not inviting him to our sleepover."

Their food looked and smelled great, thankfully. It was a bit expensive for breakfast food, the cost of a single order of waffles alone might've bought Jayce two full meals in a fast food drive-thru. He'd expressed this earlier, and Teressa had to remind him that splurging on good (and healthy) food was never a waste of money. She even mentioned the stack of dollars she'd seen on Jayce's coffee table earlier.

Their discussion about more mundane things as they enjoyed brunch took a complete turn after Jayce's ringtone sounded, his phone on the table between his and Miles' plate.

Miles startled at the sudden loud ringtone, and they both looked down at the unknown number.

There was one person that came to mind, and Jayce nearly choked on his bite of avocado toast.

His abrupt cough made his two friends look at him in question. "You know whose number it is?" Miles asked.

Jayce swallowed the food in his mouth and took a sip of his drink before he could reply, "I think so." Trying to pretend that he wasn't anxious to figure out, Jayce wiped his mouth with a napkin and grabbed his phone. "I'll be right back," He said, standing and heading out the cafe.

The midday breeze was refreshing, and the day wasn't too hot either. There were no other customers on the tables placed outside, so Jayce answered the call just a feet away from the door leading to the cafe. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Jayce?"

Jayce could never mistake that voice for another. Hearing Choi Seuljin saying his name during the daylight and over the phone was weird, but it also sent a light tingle down Jayce's spine. Keeping his voice steady, Jayce said, "Glad to see you haven't deleted my number, Mr. Choi."

He could imagine the smile Choi Seuljin wore on the other line as the investor replied, "I worked for it, of course I'm going take care of it." Seuljin chuckled. "I hope I didn't wake you, or intrude on your day?"

"Ah..." Jayce turned around to peek at his two friends through the cafe window. Fortunately, they weren't paying him any mind, absorbed in their own conversation. "No, you're not intruding. Though I am having brunch right now."

"Huh," Seuljin said. "I can't imagine you at brunch. Honestly, I can't even imagine you being up before nine."

"I rarely ever am. You're lucky to catch me on one of the rare days my friends drag me out of bed," Jayce conceded. "So. To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?"

There's a humming sound, Seuljin thinking. "You know, I thought we'd be having this conversation in person. It seems... very impersonal, me calling you like this. Last night, I stuck around Glorious G after we finished talking so I could chat-up with some of the regulars and get their thoughts on what else would improve their experience."

Jayce found himself pleasantly surprised. "That's quite clever of you."

He hadn't realized how it sounded until Seuljin laughed from the other line—and it's such a nice laugh. Of course this man wouldn't have a weird laugh. Jayce was beginning to think there was nothing wrong with Choi Seuljin.

"It sounds as if all this time you've had the impression that I was not smart," The investor said in a good-natured way. "I may not be a genius, but I can safely say I've got years and years of experience."

"I'm sure you do," Jayce said. "But years and years of experience certainly hasn't taught you to stop making people wait. I still haven't gotten an answer to my question."

"Oh, right. Why I called. Well," Seuljin cleared his throat. "I... actually feel a bit embarrassed to be saying this."

"You sound embarrassed," Jayce noted, curiosity piqued. He teased, "Now I'm even more excited to hear it."

"I do believe I've embarrassed myself in front of you enough last night and during our first date. You're privy to more of this stuff than any other people I see frequently," Seuljin chuckled.

Jayce didn't know if he was going out of his mind, but finding out he knew more about Seuljin at a personal level than a certain number of people in the investor's life made Jayce feel... special. And Jayce wanted to punch himself at such a thought, because why would he be this affected when he and Seuljin hadn't even gotten to know each other that well?

Thankfully, Seuljin continued to speak before Jayce could think about it any further. "I attempted to be more of a gentleman, is what I'm trying to say. I stayed until you were done with your shift, and I planned to meet you outside the employee's dressing room again, like before. My plans... changed when I saw you with the Gallants' son."

Jayce's mouth dropped. Seuljin was there? He saw that?

"I didn't want to interrupt anything, so I told myself I'd just call you the next day. Which leads us to right now."

Unconsciously, Jayce turned around once more to stare at Miles through the window.

The thought of Jayce being caught by Choi Seuljin hugging his best friend wasn't bothersome, he had been comforting Miles after all. And even if he wasn't, Jayce was allowed to hug his friends.

So why did Jayce feel the need to bring up, "Miles is one of my best friends. There's... nothing going on, if that's what you're implying."

There's a pause in their conversation.

Then, Seuljin let out a sigh that might've only been audible because his mouth was next to his phone's microphone. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I was hoping the two of you were only friends."

Jayce was taken aback at the genuineness of that confession, so much so that he burst out laughing. His friends must've heard it from within the cafe, and the strangers nearby might've heard too. But Jayce was too stunned to care.

He had to wipe the corners of his eyes once he'd calmed down. Jayce had no idea why he found Seuljin's embarrassed way of saying he was still interested in Jayce to be so funny. Maybe it's because Seuljin was so composed, so in control, every time Jayce saw him, and this was the first time Jayce had heard Seuljin sound this flustered.

"I deserve that, I suppose." Seuljin sighed exaggeratedly at Jayce's ear, but he was not upset about making Jayce laugh. They were both happy in that regard.

Jayce's grin was so broad his cheeks were beginning to hurt. "Mr. Choi," he said, taming down another burst of a chuckle.

"Do you have to keep calling me that?" Choi Seuljin sounded like he was grinning too.

"Mr. Choi," Jayce repeated. "Why don't you ask me out on a second date already?" Jayce was too happy to even feel any sort of embarrassment about speeding up their conversation.

Seuljin groaned playfully. "I was getting to that. You keep catching me off-guard."

"You're not really behaving the way I expected you to, either," It was Jayce's turn to confess. "But, I have to admit... I kind of like this side of you." The side that was more down-to-earth, more personable, and more candid. Less smooth with his words and actions because he was so flustered by Jayce.

There's another silence, this one loaded with a different type of energy.

"Jayce," Seuljin said. "Do you think you could honor me with a second date?"

That same fluttering feeling rushed from Jayce's stomach to his chest. "I guess I kind of have to since you asked so nicely," Jayce sighed in faux nonchalance, finding himself smiling down at his shoes when Seuljin let out another one of his amused chuckles.

Jayce suddenly remembered that Miles and Teressa had no idea he had even gone out with Choi Seuljin that first time.