Naughty & Nice (Merry Elf-Mas 2)

Chapter 11

Damon

“ C ongratulations team on making it almost to the end of the season. Bottoms up.” I raised my beer in salute as cheers filled the air. It had been a long holiday season, but the end was in sight. The crew had just a handful more shifts before things ended on Christmas Eve.

To celebrate our success, I’d had everyone gather at Epic for some drinks and comradery. I was proud of how well the team had come together. We’d been relative strangers to begin with, but now we worked as a well-oiled machine. Not to toot my own horn, but I was pleased with myself, too. For this being my first big project at my new job, it had gone well.

The more impressive thing was Angel having sort of made friends. My Grumpy Cat wasn’t a social person by nature, so for him to get along with others took a bit. This group had more than risen to the challenge.

Case in point, Angel was sandwiched between Aiden and Seth, laughing at something. It was nice to see him having fun. After we’d lost the flower shop and apartment, I’d worried he’d never laugh again. It was a little disappointing that Stevie hadn’t joined us, but this scene was overwhelming to him. I could respect someone who knew their social limits.

I took a sip of my drink before turning my attention to Leo sitting beside me. “So, how are things with you? How’s your little one?”

While Leo was a bit shy, once he opened up, he was a great guy. Things had to be hard, being a single dad and all. I did my best to support him and gave him any help I could offer. He’d seemed a bit off tonight, though, and I wondered whether it had something to do with his kid or some other personal matter. It would be nice if he opened up to me. I might be his boss, but I did genuinely care how my employees were doing.

Before he could respond, though, Aiden leaned toward us with mischief dancing in his eyes. “And what about you, Mr. Head Elf? How are things going with you, Angel, and Santa?”

I choked on my drink and mopped my face with a napkin.

Aiden laughed as he smacked the tabletop. “Guess he thought we didn’t notice all the eye fucking going on between the three of them.”

“Yeah, or what happened on the first day of work.” Seth joined in on the ribbing. “Remember how he practically tackled Rolly and called him Master? No kink shame, by the way.”

I blamed my feeling flushed on the alcohol. I was so not embarrassed. Okay, yes, I was, but who would blame me? That was not the best first impression I’d ever given. “Uh, things are good.”

“Ugh…Details, Damon. We want the details.” Aiden rolled their eyes as they waved their beer bottle at me. “We need to know if we need to kick Rolly’s ass.”

Seth joined in on the peer pressure. “Yeah, you’re our friend now and our chill boss. We have to make sure you’re being treated right.”

We were going to need a meeting with HR after tonight. I opened my mouth to reply but was cut off by a new beer being put in my hand. Looking up, I found Vic grinning at me. They gave me a wink before wedging in between Leo and me. “The show’s about to start. We’re here to support Billy and celebrate. Stop pestering the boss and get your drink on.”

I mouthed the word thanks , and they gave me a wink. They sipped their beer and looked at the stage. Following their lead, I watched the emcee walk out and introduce the first performer. Billy wouldn’t be in until a bit later, but the person on stage was killing it. I gave mad props to anyone who could do a split in high heels.

A ruckus at the table pulled my attention back, and I groaned. Angel was chugging his drink while the other elves egged him on. That wasn’t good. My kitty was a total lightweight and couldn’t hold his liquor to save his life.

The bad thing was that a drunk kitty was an unpredictable kitty. It was like Angel had multiple personalities and I never knew which one was coming out to play when he drank. If it was his acting dopey or being a crybaby, things were okay. If he was angry, though…Let’s just say we wouldn’t ever be welcome back to this club again.

Reaching across the table, I took the drink from his hand. “How about we slow down there, Grumpy Cat?”

Angel stared at his empty hand in confusion for a moment before his glassy eyes tracked to me. I was on pins and needles as I waited to see which personality my lover would take on tonight. Relief washed over me when his face split into a lopsided grin. “Sunny!”

Without warning, he slid down in his seat and disappeared from my sight. Concerned he’d hurt himself, I moved to stand but stopped when I felt a hand on my knee. I leaned back to look under the table and found Angel giving me a mischievous grin.

“What are you doing?” My brow arched in confusion as I reached under the table for him.

He scrambled into my lap and gave my jaw an affectionate nuzzle. Everyone at the table burst out laughing at Angel’s adorable display.

“OMG. I didn’t know he could be this cute.” Aiden reached over to pet Angel’s head.

“No.” Angel gave a halfhearted swipe at his hand and a tiny annoyed hiss.

Vic snickered as he patted my shoulder. “He’s even cute when he’s being cranky. I like drunk Angel.”

That’s because we got lucky playing personality roulette. I kept that to myself. No point in stirring the pot.

Angel’s surly gaze was focused on Vic’s hand as he pushed it off my shoulder. “Don’t touch. He’s my puppy.”

More laughter filled the air. I’m sure if he was sober, Angel would be spitting nails over everyone, calling him cute and treating him like a spectacle. I intercepted the shot that was being passed to my kitten and threw it back. “I’m cutting him off.”

I heard someone mutter the word killjoy and rolled my eyes. These guys thought he was cute now, but they wouldn’t be the ones dealing with his hangover. Everyday Angel was bristly enough. Hungover Angel was a total bear.

Seth appeared with a tray of colorful drinks and set them in front of me. “He may be cut off, but you aren’t. Come on, fearless leader, let’s drink the rainbow.”

Before I could decline, a drink was in my hand, and everyone was chanting shots. My tolerance was pretty high, so if I indulged a little now and kept it slow the rest of the evening, I’d be okay. I threw back the liquor and loud cheers burst out around me. Angel planted a kiss on my cheek as I picked up the next glass and downed it as well.

Regret. I was full of regret. Why did I always forget that I felt like shit after drinking? The world was slanted, and I had a half passed out Angel in my lap. Why did I let these guys keep talking me into more drinks?

“Boss Elf isn’t looking too good, guys.” Why was Leo’s voice so loud? I closed my eyes and willed the world to stop moving so I wouldn’t bring my dinner back up.

“He wasn’t looking good thirty minutes ago. Don’t worry. I already called his and Angel’s Daddy.” Daddy? Who the fuck was Vic talking about? We didn’t have a Daddy. We had a Master, and I wish he was here right now. He’d make everything better.

I was startled when a rough yet gentle hand cupped my cheek. My eyes flew open, and I was greeted by Master’s smiling face. “Hi, sweet boy. You look tired.”

“Master?” When did he get here?

Angel’s head had been doing that almost asleep bob but popped up at the sound of my voice. He looked around in confusion before his eyes settled on Rolly. “Master? Master!” He turned to me and cupped my face between his hands. “Sunny, Master’s here!”

“Shh…You don’t have to shout, Pineapple.” I closed my eyes against the pain that stabbed through my head. Alcohol was evil.

“Okay, Kitten. Time to get you home.” Rolly hitched his hands under Angel’s arms and lifted him off my lap.

The little spider monkey wrapped himself around Rolly with a goofy grin on his face. “Master. I love Master. He’s the best.”

Whoa! Did he just drop the L word? I might have felt like death warmed over, but I was still cognizant enough to hear that bomb go off.

Rolly’s face was frozen in shock for a moment before splitting into a broad smile. “Master loves you, too, Pineapple.” He patted Angel’s rear and winked at me.

Now I was petrified with surprise. The way Rolly had so casually thrown that word out knocked me for a loop. I might have thought that my feelings for Rolly had reached that level but was scared to say it. It was too fast, right? That was what I’d thought, at least.

“Come on, Damon.” I snapped out of my thoughts and focused on Rolly’s outstretched hand. “Time to go home.”

Home. My heart did a backflip as the weight of that word settled over me. Growing up as a foster kid, I’d never known what a home was. Angel had been the only constant in my life other than change because I’d stuck to him like glue since the second grade. As my mind chewed on that string of letters, I found it fit how I was feeling so well. Without realizing it, Rolly and Angel had become my home. I slid my hand into Rolly’s as I blinked rapidly to hold back my tears. “I’d love that, Master.”