Arlo needed a moment to get back to his senses. It was the first time in his life that somebody wanted to attack him and for no reason at all. The whole action and Tod … it was too much to process. Tod was looking at him with worry in his eyes.

“I’m fine Tod. I just wanted to thank you for your help.” Arlo finally managed to get a word out of his mouth.

“ No problem, Arlo” Tod patted Arlo’s back. “Man you sure know how to attract trouble.” Tod smiled and led him back in.

“You’d better stay close to me so nothing like that happens again.” He smiled and Arlo obediently sat down next to Tod. It was weird, the whole situation. Arlo was trying to keep up the good mood but he felt a bit off. He looked at Tod’s hands, his knuckles were a bit grazed and Arlo felt guilty and thankful. He grabbed Tod’s hand.

“I think you need to disinfect it. I can help you.” He offered. 

Tod was silent for a moment but then called for the waiter and asked for a first aid kit. The waiter was quick and soon Arlo attentively cleaned the hand and gently applied some antiseptic ointment and even put a bandage on it. It all happened under an intense gaze of Tod who watched the whole process carefully.

“There, I’m done.” Arlo smiled shyly. 

“Not bad.” Tod admitted. Now I look like a real fighter.” Tod was smiling again.

The party was in full swing, girls were dancing, some of the team players too and there was a lot of alcohol. Arlo didn’t feel like drinking anymore.

“You want some more?” Tod gave him another drink.

“No, I’m good.” Arlo refused.

“Don’t worry, I will go to the toilet with you.” He smiled .

“Shit men, you make me feel like a damsel in distress.” Arlo shook his head with both disbelief and inner laughter.

Tod laughed and wrapped his arm around Arlo.

“As you wish my lady.” He whispered into his ear which sent shivers along Arlo’s spine. 

“Let’s dance, the ladies seem to feel lonely!” Tod encouraged all the sitting men to get on the floor. Arlo went too. It was fun dancing with girls and one of them, with blond curls called Melanie, was dancing very close with him. Tod was with two other girls, they were moving very slowly to a sensual music. Soon Tod was switching partners and placed his hands on Melanie’s hips, dancing behind her back. She was laughing and was playing along swinging her hips. After a while Tod moved to another person and left them together on the dance floor. Before the music stopped Arlo felt someone's hands on his hips. He turned around and saw a grinning Tod behind him.

“Shake that thing!” He was singing along with the music.

Arlo leaned back against Tod and danced to the music for a bit till Tod let him go and went back to the table. He sat down next to his friend Andrew.

“I see you are having fun.” Andrew remarked drinking some vodka with cranberry juice.

“I do, man he got me all riled up. That plump ass of his looks delicious in those tight jeans and the way he was rubbing against me ….” Tod sighted and leaned back, he still felt uncomfortable in his trousers. He needed a moment to calm down.

“How’s your little plan for the evening?” Andrew put away the finished drink.

“It worked.” Tod smiled brightly pointing at his hand.

“You got injured?” Andrew frowned.

“No, not really. Just a scratch but I was offered almost professional help and I enjoyed every moment of it.” 

Andrew looked at Tod, he had that pleased expression on his face and a distant look for a moment but then he got back to reality.

“Did you make him drunk?” Andrew refilled his glass.

“I don’t want to. I just want him to feel relaxed and lower his guard a bit. I think I made progress tonight, he seems to be very thankful.” Tod was watching Arlo again. He was still dancing with that blonde bitch. That girl was slowly pissing Tod. He wanted Arlo’s full attention for himself.  

“Andrew, could you do me a favor?” Tod suddenly smiled brightly.

Arlo was tired, the whole evening was so intense. First the match then the ride and the amazing club. The scary encounter in the bathroom and Tod in action. Melanie helped him to forget the stress of that moment and made him tired after dancing for a while. Arlo sat down next to Tod, who was looking a bit disappointed.

“Having fun?”

“Yeah I am. How’s your hand?” He looked at Tod’s bandaged hand. 

“It's alright.I think I’ll be going. Want me to give you a ride back home?” He looked attentively at Arlo. It was way past midnight and Arlo didn’t feel like going back home alone.

“If it’s not a problem.” He agreed cautiously.

“No problem at all. We need to say goodbye before we leave.” Tod got up, shook hands with a few guys, waved at the girls and along with Arlo left the room. They went out of the club straight to a parking lot. As they were passing by other cars Tod stopped for a moment.

“Well well, look who’s having fun.” He was looking to the left and Arlo followed his sight. In an instant his eyes turned round from shock. He saw Andrew kissing another guy passionately. Arlo blushed, not sure where to look.

“What’s wrong? You looked a bit shocked. Kissing another guy can be really arousing” Tod grinned widely. 

Arlo was speechless. Has Tod ever kissed another guy?

“Come Arlo we need to go, let them have some privacy.”

They got into the car but Arlo kept throwing glances at Tod as he was fastening the seat belt.

“What’s the matter? Spit it out.” Tod looked at Arlo.

“Have you ever kissed a guy?” Arlo finally managed to say it.

“I have, it’s no different than kissing a girl and it’s very nice. Wanna try?” He suddenly leaned towards Arlo.