Read Winter's Gamble for Free Online

far down as the guys could strip. Neo, bumping and grinding on the stage, showed off his ass and assets as much as possible.
    Phil swallowed, his throat constricting as always when he saw how far Neo pushed it. Phil became lost in the world that was Neo dancing. Only then could he pretend that maybe he had a shot, because it was the only time that Neo wasn’t directing glares Phil’s way.
    A knock echoed on the bar in front of him.
    He swiveled around to see Ally staring him down. Now the amusement was evident in her eyes and smile. She didn’t have a poker face. “Phil, if I could go ahead and get the check, I can’t stay until close tonight. Sorry.”
    Phil nodded and punched a few buttons on the register. He never got to watch Neo’s dancing. Always had to work. It was what paid the bills, but it sucked. That wasn’t why you got the job . Yeah, but it was a perk, being able to watch Neo from the safety of the bar where Neo wouldn’t notice and call him out. After all this time, Phil was still a coward. It was why they’d never settled this “thing” between them. That and the fact that Neo hated him.
    “He’s a hot dancer, isn’t he?” Ally took a sip of her soda.
    Tucker snorted. “I could dance like that .”
    She snorted. “Only in your dreams.”
    “Hey.”
    “Is for horses, so my dad said.”
    Phil tucked her ticket in front of her, interrupting their banter, and turned back to the stage. The song strains ended, and Neo gathered up his dollar bills from the floor where he’d tossed them when his hands were full. He always had a lot to collect. Yet again, Phil had missed most of Neo’s act.
    Phil turned back to see Ally laying down her money. “You didn’t answer me. About him being a hot dancer?”
    He still didn’t answer but couldn’t help a glance at the stage where Neo had finished collecting all his ones.
    “Do you two know each other?” She sat forward a little, arms coming toward the inside of the bar as though she was trying to shield their conversation from anyone else. Tucker was a nosy SOB from what Phil had seen. “I mean, you seem to watch him a lot.”
    Was it that obvious? Shit. Fuck. Damn. He’d tried to keep his attention at a minimum. “I…screwed up with Neo. We do know each other.”
    “Well, your attention is obvious.” She gave a nervous laugh. “If I could tell, anyone could. I’m usually oblivious. You ought to try talking to him. Work things out.”
    Phil closed his eyes. “He doesn’t want my explanation.”
    “Have you tried?”
    Phil made some noncommittal noise and moved on to another customer. If only people would leave him alone for two seconds. You never get to watch him dance. Why would tonight be any different? Course if you hadn’t screwed up, maybe he’d be dancing for you in private … Neo would never accept any explanations for what happened. Phil wasn’t even sure the reasons were good ones.
    Phil pinched the bridge of his nose before using both hands to make the mojito that the next customer ordered.
    Shoulda coulda woulda did nothing. Shit . The past was the past.
    * * * *
    Neo slipped on a pair of jeans and put all the tips on the small table in front of him. Time to count it up. He’d done well at his two solo dances and at the male revue at the end. About damn time. Tips had been lacking lately.
    He heard a hushed voice outside his door, which was the door to all the back rooms. Temples had a better staging area than most. He was the only one in the back right now. Otherwise they’d all be in this main dressing room. Only Rose got her own. Everyone else had to share. He leaned back in the chair trying to listen.
    Rose’s voice, which could never be mistaken for anyone else’s. She spoke in a whisper. “Phil…” Her voice lowered on the rest, so all Neo heard was “pssstlslsjkdjd.”
    Neo frowned and lowered his head in an attempt to hear what the hell the old bitch was talking about. He didn’t often think of Rose that way,