Grown-up by Kim Fielding Page A

he protested.
    “That’s the point.”
    “How could anyone dance in these things? I can barely walk.”
    Austin pointed at him. “You should just be relieved we’re not going to a leather bar.”
    Grumbling to himself, Ben took off his shirt. Oh my. He exceeded Austin’s expectations. He was thin but not too skinny, with some nice definition to his abs and more sandy hairs sprinkled over his pale skin. Austin didn’t get to admire him for long because Ben quickly pulled on the gray-and-black-striped tee Austin had bought. It fit him perfectly.
    “I look like an idiot,” Ben said mournfully.
    “You look fabulous. Here. Let me fix your sleeves.” Ben seemed to quiver slightly as Austin folded the short sleeves up, revealing more of Ben’s wiry biceps and triceps. When he was done, Austin mussed Ben’s hair. “And now let me deal with this.”
    “What are you going to do with it?”
    “Nothing permanent, I promise. Sit, okay?” Austin dragged him to an ottoman before gently pressing on his shoulders. Ben sat.
    In addition to clothing, Austin had brought a bag of supplies. He hummed happily as he applied various products to Ben’s short hair.
    “Maybe you should be a hairdresser instead of a salesclerk,” Ben said after a while.
    Austin moved a few strands slightly to the left. “Too clichéd. Besides, I can’t be trusted with scissors.”
    He fussed for quite some time before he was satisfied, but Ben sat with surprising patience. At last Austin took a few steps back and nodded. “Yes. I think we’ve got it. Come see.”
    Ben plodded slowly to his bedroom, Austin trailing in his wake. The bedroom was as tidy as the living room, and as devoid of color. A gray duvet covered the queen-sized bed. The artsy photos on the wall were tasteful male nudes instead of the architectural shapes and landscapes that decorated the living room. The only sign of disorder was an uneven pile of books on one nightstand. It reminded Austin of that momentary reading-in-bed fantasy he’d entertained a few weeks ago.
    But before Austin had a chance to see what Ben was reading, Ben parked himself in front of a full-length mirror and groaned. “Oh my God.”
    “What?” Austin asked, flying to his side.
    “I look so stupid.”
    Austin tried to examine him as objectively as possible. The clothing was a perfect fit—tight but not too flashy. Ben had a nice ass, which his khakis did not do justice. Wearing a T-shirt and with his hair artfully arranged, he looked much younger. And the glasses only added to his appeal.
    “Oh my God,” Austin said, his voice deeper than normal and a little hoarse.
    Ben caught Austin’s gaze in the mirror, and then Ben’s eyes widened and his back stiffened. He made a small sound.
    “We should go,” Austin rasped.
    Ben nodded mutely.
    They took Austin’s car, which he’d taken to the car wash for the occasion. The attendants there had clearly wondered why he was bothering, and Austin was a little afraid the thing would just fall apart once the dirt was no longer holding it together. But Ben didn’t complain and the car made it to JayJay’s without dying, so Austin called it a success.
    Ben dragged his feet once they were out of the car. He was wearing a pair of boring black sneakers. Austin should have thought to get him something fancier.
    “This is a bad idea,” Ben said.
    “It’s my best idea ever, and I promise you’ll survive the night.”
    Randy, Colton, and a couple of other guys waited for them outside the door. Their bright gazes focused on Ben as he and Austin approached. Austin conducted a brief round of introductions, then led the way inside.
    Ben entered the club the way a goldfish might enter a tank of sharks, and it was probably only the pressure of Colton behind him that kept him moving. Some of the guys headed straight for the dance floor, but Austin seated Ben at a table, sternly instructed Randy to keep him company, then made his way to the bar. The bartender knew