Lessons After Midnight (mxm)

𝓢𝓪𝓶

It was late in the evening by the time I arrived at the club. The air outside was chilling to the bone, so I was forced to drive instead of walk. Though, I'm sure Erick would approve of the decision. I could already feel my heart speed up as I neared the entrance to the club. My nerves itched with anticipation, bracing myself for my meeting with Erick, even if it was informal.

I bypassed the line, walking straight past them, as I smiled at the bouncer, who graciously allowed me in with a quick glance at my ID. No questions, no resistance—just a seamless entry, as if Erick alerted them of me, which I was sure he had.

Inside, the club was in full swing, even for a Sunday. The music was loud, the bass was deep, and the lights were colorful and dim, creating the perfect atmosphere. There was a hint of intimacy to it all, or maybe, it was the patrons who made it seem as such.

I made my way through the busy area heading towards Erick's office. As I passed the bar, I instinctively searched for Ryan, expecting to see him giving me suggestive looks and unprofessional comments, but he wasn't there.

Ryan was not my concern tonight, I reminded myself as I reached the discreet set of doors that led to the private hallway where Erick's office was. I pushed open the doors and went in. The music was instantly muffled as the doors clicked shut behind me. I retraced my steps from the previous time I was here, easily able to find the office.

Erick's office was to my immediate left—closer than I would've liked. There was no more time to gather my thoughts and overthink.

There were a few other rooms that branched from the hallway, other offices I presumed, until a man exited one of the rooms, only meters away from me.

He was around my height, with ruffled chestnut brown hair. He was shirtless, dressed in only trousers as he looked my way. A scowl appeared on his features as he noticed my presence. He looked me up and down before speaking.

"You're not supposed to be back here... This is a restricted area, only for upper management," He grumbled out, clearly intoxicated to some extent.

Before I could respond, a woman opened the door from behind him. She was giggling as she grabbed him by the wrist.

"Ed, daddy, come back and play with me," She begged, obviously drunk, and possibly high as well.

I furrowed my brows at the scene in front of me. The girl continued giggling, even when the man shrugged off her touch.

"Hey," He called out to me in a deeper tone, pulling my attention away from the girl beside him.

The door to Erick's office opened just as the man down the hall took a step toward me. Erick stood in the doorway, his eyes skipping over me to look at the annoyed guy.

"Is there a problem here?" Erick asked deeply, directing the question down the hall.

"Customers shouldn't be back here," The man grumbled.

Erick and I looked at the guy dumbly. The same guy who still had a girl hanging off of his arm. She definitely didn't look like she worked here.

I cleared my throat, sighing as I spoke. "I should go," I said quietly, turning towards Erick.

"No," Erick said shortly, turning around to walk into the office. "Come in. You do not need to leave."

I was left standing in the doorway, the man scoffed and walked away out of sight, turning a corner at the end of the hall, presumably, into another room. The girl followed him like a puppy, soon, she was out of sight as well.

I hope she was okay. She clearly wasn't sober, which didn't flow well with the concept of consent.

I took a step into Erick's office, closing the door behind me. He was sitting at his desk, the same desk that he had me splayed out on only a few weeks prior. Damn, a blush crept onto my features as I reminded myself of that night.