Tess O-Meter -- Green.
You can dip in and out of this unexpected series, but for a richer read and character development they are best when read in the order of writing.
Therefore, I would suggest, if you enjoy this, then go back to the beginning.
Correct order is, Broadway Lust Story, Broadway Love Story, Broadway Luck Story, Broadway Beginnings, Broadway Bust, Broadway to Vegas, Broadway Betrayal, Broadway Battle, Broadway Break, Broadway Threat, Broadway Baby, Broadway Darling, Broadway Moves, and Broadway Fantasy.
-X
Ty pouted and wiped the already clean counter.
Catching sight of himself in the window, the darkness outside reflecting his grumpy face back at him, he pulled a face at his image and then went right on pouting.
A man was entitled to sulk on his birthday when he was alone, and had been alone for (Ty glanced at his watch again), fifty-six minutes.
The day had started off well. Ty had woken slowly to the delicious feel of Tony nuzzling at him under the covers. Tony's cute nose and soft lips nudging at the crease between his thigh and ball sac. Then little licky daps of Tony's warm tongue lapping against him.
Ty had moaned and opened himself up to show he was awake. Gasping as Tony immediately took him deep into the hot wet of his mouth. Pretty awesome way to start the day.
And it was Monday, so Tony didn't have to work.
Once Ty's head stopped spinning and he had received his first 'Good morning, happy birthday' kisses. They had pulled on sweats and headed out for a run.
Three miles only, as Tony was running too. But that was fine. They staggered back and into separate showers, in case they accidently drowned each other. Ty had come out with still damp hair to the smoke alarm's scream echoing and a cloud of noxious fumes.
Tony was scraping the burnt eggs into the waste disposal. Sending a 'don't you dare' look at Ty when he sniggered.
Tony could cook. He didn't have Ty's special touch, but he could cook just fine.
Just not eggs.
Ty pressed up behind him and gave him a friendly squeeze. "Diner?"
"Yay!" Tony agreed and happily abandoned the blackened pan.
After a large and excessively luxurious late breakfast at their favourite diner, they had staggered back to the apartment and flaked on the couch. Snuggling and kissing, until they both fell into a food induced doze.
Waking late afternoon, Tony had stripped and worshiped Ty until he was breathless and weak.
It had been the perfect lazy birthday. Until Frank called at twenty to seven and asked to borrow Ty.
"Sorry, honey. I know it's your birthday an'all, but I just need you in on this conversation. Won't keep you long."
Ty didn't mind really, but the ten minute conversation with him, Frank, and Gul over in San Francisco, really hadn't been that important.
Then Frank had cracked his ribs in a birthday hug before letting him free to run back upstairs to Tony.
Only Tony had gone.
Ty had been set up.
In his place were some lovely flowers, a subway, and a note advising him to shower, get handsomer (was handsomer even a word?) and be ready to be collected at eight.
Ty checked the whole apartment, including the wardrobe just in case, before dialling Tony. Starting to speak the second the call connected.
"Baby, get back here. My tongue. Your ass. Get back here."
"Oh wow. That sounds amazing," said a voice that wasn't Tony's. "Can I take a rain-check, Ty?" That was followed by giggling, and Ty recognised the giggle as his friend Billy.
"Shit, sorry Billy. Where's Tony?"
"Not telling," but Billy had clearly just whispered what Ty had said and he could hear Tony laughing in the background, and the sounds of a car.
"Billy!"
"Nope. It's your birthday surprise. Go get ready. You'll be collected by a tall, dark, handsome stranger at eight and all will be revealed. Only he's blonde, and you know him, but he's definitely handsome. Bye."
Ty scowled at his phone. Then nearly dropped it when it pinged.
'Smart casual,' he read, and rolling his eyes had gone to get ready as instructed.
But now it was (he checked again), seven-fifty-eight and he wanted answers.
Ty looked up from his watch at a sharp rap on his door. Jogging over he opened it and glared at Adam. His ex, and Billy's boyfriend.
"Ohhhhh. Looking sharp, Ty." Adam grinned and strolled in forcing Ty back, giving his button down a tug. "But you need to change your top." He headed towards the flowers. "These are nice. They look like something picked at midnight, under a full moon, from a witches garden."
Ty couldn't help but smile. "Yea, they're pretty. Adam, what's going on?"
"You're changing your top," Adam replied, looking Ty up and down, suddenly inspired. "Where's that almost sheer top you have. The sleeveless one, it's like a really dark teal. Like a tease. That'll work."
Ty followed where Adam had walked into the bedroom and was waiting expectantly. "Wardrobe, maybe." Then he shook his head as Adam just dived in.
"No. No. Okay, that's not yours. Oh, here you go." Adam's head reappeared and the top with him. He held it out and then went back to rooting in the wardrobe.
"What are you waiting for?" Adam asked, when he came back out with a light leather jacket.
"You to leave, so I can change," Ty stated, and then narrowed his eyes when Adam burst out laughing.
"What? Ty, are you shy? Really. You've had your dick in my ass. I've had mine in yours on occasion. And now you're too shy to take your shirt off?" He clutched his stomach and laughed harder when Ty gave him the finger before starting to unbutton his shirt.
"Please don't talk about your ass and my dick, or visa versa, in the bedroom I share with my husband," he grumbled.
"Facts are facts, Ty. Can't change the past." Adam smoothed down the back of the top that Ty had just pulled on, then gave him a hug from behind. His chin on Ty's shoulder. Eyes laughing at his in the mirror.
Ty smiled and gripped Adam's arms. "You broke my heart, Adam."
"Bruised it a little maybe. You have a tender heart, which those that love you know. I did love you. I still do. And we were good together. But it's not a fraction of what I feel for Billy, or you for Tony." He kissed Ty's cheek from behind.
Ty closed his eyes and leaned into it. "You were right. But I'm glad we're friends. I still love you too."
"I know," with a final squeeze, Adam released him and held out the jacket. "Let's get going."
"Where?"
"I'll explain in the cab."
Ty slipped his keys into his pocket and hurried down the stairs after Adam. Despite himself, he was starting to feel excited now. What did his friends have planned?
Security saw them and held a cab that had just dropped someone. They smiled thanks and hustled in.
"Rootless. 10th and 50th, thanks." Adam leaned back and grinned at Ty.
"We're going to Rootless?" Ty shrugged a little. He hadn't been to the tiny club in years. It was loud, queer, and mostly frequented by dance students.
Adam leaned closer. "So, you know how you like to swap fantasies?" He laughed at Ty's quick frown. "Don't get cross. All couples do it. Well, those with a healthy sex life anyway. We used to."
"Okay," Ty allowed warily.
"Tonight, Ty Maka. One of your fantasies is coming true." He added jazz hands and chuckled at Ty obvious discomfort.
"What has Tony been telling you?"
"One, Ty. He told us one thing, because he thought it would be fun to make it come true for your birthday. He wouldn't betray your trust. Don't be stupid."
Ty acknowledged this with a nod. His discomfort was giving way to anticipation.
Adam leaned in closer. "So, apparently you have this go-to-fantasy, where you walk into a dark crowded club. Music so loud you have to lip-read. And on the dance floor you see Tony. Surrounded by pretty boys, damp with sweat, looking like sex for hire and dirty dancing."
Adam smirked as Ty bit his lip and wriggled to get more comfortable. As he was suddenly very uncomfortable in his jeans.
"And you watch this wanton display until you cannot bear it anymore. Then you stride over, the crowd parting like the sea before Moses, and kiss Tony until he's putty in your hands. Claiming him."
"Fuck, Adam!"
"It's a good one, Ty. I always loved your imagination. The best thing for me, is that Tony's actually such a good boy in reality." Adam glanced at his watch. "But right now, he's being very, very bad!"
They were five minutes from the club.
"But Adam. What if he's recognized? What if?" he broke off as Adam held up a hand.
"I asked the recognized question. He's not bothered. Said he would just admit the truth, that he was putting on a show for his husband, as a fun birthday surprise. And he's safe. Ty, between you, me and Tony, we know 80% of the dancers in this city. He's in a crowd who are taking care of him."
Ty rubbed a hand over his face. His eyes were hot and dark.
"Taking very good care of him," Adam added suggestively, just to wind him up.