Luke took in a deep breath before walking inside the theatre. He had the morning off at the bar so he could go to an audition. He didn't think anything would come from it, but he hadn't gone to one in a while, and if he ever wanted to make it he had to try to make himself known.

He went to the check in table and signed the necessary papers, handed over his headshots, then found an empty corner so he could practice his song in his head. He always sang the same song for auditions, but ever since his fifth grade production of Annie when he forgot the words to his big solo, he always had the fear. It never hurt to be prepared.

"Hey, you're Luke Hemmings, right?" a voice to his left said.

Luke looked up from his spot on the ground. A tall, muscular man with short black hair was standing in front of him, with a shorter, almost lanky man next to him. His bleached blonde hair was styled in a quiff similar to his own. "I'm Calum." The first introduced himself. "And this is Niall."

"Yeah, I'm Luke, it's nice to meet you." he said.

The two men sat down in front of him, forming a little circle on the floor.

"We know, we've seen you on TV."

"Calum, don't freak him out before we get to know him." Niall hissed, smacking his friend with the folder he was holding.

"It's all right. What did you mean though?"

"You were in the news for a couple days earlier in the month. Your boyfriend owns that bar, right?" Niall asked.

"Uhm, yeah. We were on the news?" Luke questioned.

"Oh yeah, buddy. Your face was all over. I'm surprised more people don't recognize you. You're like practically famous now!"

Luke shook his head. These guys were very high energy, but he could tell they were fun. He got good vibes from them both right off the bat.

"So, what are you auditioning with?" Niall asked. Just as Luke was about to reveal his song, a woman called everyone's attention.

"Can I have everyone numbers 340-359 line up against this wall please?" She asked, pointing to the wall next to the auditorium doors. Luke checked his little slip with his number on it, even though he knew he was 344 and stood.

"This is me, mates."

"Same here,"

"Yay! Audition buddies!" Niall exclaimed, hopping up and grabbing both Luke and Calum's hands. They rushed over to the line and stood in their places. The woman gave them a run down of what they were to do once they got onto the stage and where to sit. The doors were opened and all the auditionees filed in.

Niall was 340, so he went directly to the stage. He handed his music to the pianist sitting and waiting on the stage, then went directly to the middle and smiled brightly at the judges.

"Hello, my name is Niall Horan. I'll be singing "Being Alive" from Company." Luke sneaked a peak at the judges who sat a couple rows behind them and saw a couple of them roll their eyes. That song was over sung, but Niall sang it very well. Maybe Luke was biased because he was hoping to be friends with him, but it was probably the best rendition he'd ever heard of the song, besides the legendary Neil Patrick Harris.

Three more people went in between him and Niall. It was his turn so he got up from his seat and walked to the steps. He fumbled as he tried to walk up the three steps and heard a couple giggles from the audience. He blushed and his hands were shaking as he handed his papers to the accompanist.

"Uhm, hello. I'm Luke Hemmings. I'll be singing 'Any Dream will Do' from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He took a deep breath to steady his breath before looking back and nodding and beginning his song. He sang the 16 bars and retrieved his music, walking back down the steps to a light smattering of applause.

Calum was up next, and he belted out 'One Song Glory' from Rent. The next five people went and they were all told if they got a callback, they'd get a call by 4pm the next day.

Calum, Niall, and Luke walked out together.

"The two of us were planning to get lunch together soon, you interested?" Calum nudged Luke's shoulder.

"Oh, I'd love to, but I have to get back to Michael. I'm due at the bar soon, but I'd love to hang out with you guys another time?" Luke said shyly, toying with the papers in his hand. He looked down ready to be rejected, but Niall threw his arm around Luke.

"That'd be great, best buddy! Why don't we just exchange emails?"

"Booooooring!" Calum called. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and shoved it in Luke's hand. "Put your number in there, we'll call you later." Luke did as instructed, then was hugged by both of his new friends.

"Let me know if either of you hear back about the call backs!" Luke called as he walked away from his new friends.

"You too, buddy!"

He smiled as he walked home. Today didn't go how he expected, and he didn't even care if he got a call back. Today was more important because he made two new friends.

He had friends!

***

The phone screen lit up and Luke jumped, reaching to grab it with both hands. He slapped it down on the counter and sighed when it was just a Farmville request from some weird aunt of his.

"Luke, you gotta chill, man. You almost knocked the glass off the bar." Harry scolded, righting the glass that had been disrupted by his freak out.

"I'm sorry, Harry. It's just..."

"Yeah, man I know. You're nervous. I get it."

Luke nodded. He tapped the bar counter and looked around, but his eyes zoomed back to his phone when it lit up again. It was a notification from his news app. He let his head fall to the counter, making a loud smacking sound. He heard Harry squeal in protest and peeked over to see him cleaning up a drink that spilled.

"That's it," he muttered, walking away. Luke ignored him, wallowing in self-pity instead.

"Lu, what's going on?" Michael appeared from his office after talking to Harry. "Are you still waiting--"

"They're not gonna call back, Michael. I know they're not. They said we'd hear back at 4 today by the latest and it's already 7."

Michael stood in front of him, hands resting on his arms.

"It's all right, babe. You'll get the next one."

Luke rolled his eyes and shook himself out of Michael's grip. He started towards the office.

"No, I'm never going to make it. I should just quit while I'm ahead and work here forever."

He walked off. 

"Go talk to him," Harry urged, watching the distressed boy walk into the office. His boyfriend should go after him and make sure he's okay.

"He'll get over it. Part of being in show business is getting used to the disappointment of not making auditions." Michael started flipping through some paperwork he'd been filling out. He had to sign employee paychecks.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Maybe, but it still is disappointing. He's sad, how could you want him to feel that way?"

"Fine, you're right," Michael snatched his drink off the counter, giving Harry a nod. Harry knew he was just trying to get his shit done, but Luke should come first.

Michael entered the office to see Luke slumped down in a brown leather armchair facing Michael's desk.

"Lu, I hate seeing you so upset. What can I do, baby?"

Luke just shook his head. Unless he could get him a big part in a musical, there was nothing he could do.

"How about this..." Michael walked towards Luke, seductively swaying his hips. "Let's have a night out. We'll finish up...business." he ran his hands over Luke's shirt, toying with the buttons by his neck. "And then I'll take you out. We can get your mind off things."

Luke was about to protest, but Michael straddled his lap and started sucking little kisses to the side of his neck. Suddenly in the mood, Luke returned the affection.

A little bit later, both men—in much better moods—left the office hand in hand.

"Harry, we're going out. You good?"

"All good, boss. Have fun." Harry winked at Luke as they left.

"What should we do?" Luke asked, hanging on Michael's arm and looking up at him in complete adoration. It's funny how just an hour ago he was ready to give up completely, but Michael had a way about him that always cheered him up. All Luke needed was his attention and he lit up. Michael always made everything better.

"Well.." he looked around the busy street. "Ashton's been asking me to go to his bar. Why don't we hang around there for a bit?"

Luke reluctantly agreed, but as they walked across the street, he wasn't sure how great of an idea that was. What if the bouncer remembered him? Or Ashton said something about him having been there? He was trying to figure out a way to leave, to go literally anywhere else, but Michael had already dragged him over.

They stood in front of the bouncer, the line hadn't been very long since it was still kind of early, and he ran his eyes over the couple. Luke grimaced and avoided eye contact, but the damage had been done. The bouncer gasped before nodding and letting them through.

"Wow, that was cool. I didn't even have to drop Ashton's name to get in." Michael mused, not even realizing what had just happened. Luke breathed a sigh of relief. That was a little weight off his shoulders, but he still had to navigate the situation with Ashton.

"This is a nice place." Michael commented. It was the same old boring club, there really wasn't much good about it, Luke thought. At least it was dark, so maybe Ashton wouldn't notice them. "Want a drink?" Michael asked after navigating the two through the crowded floor. They made their way to a table in the corner and sat down.

"Get me a coke?" he asked, not really in the mood to drink. Michael wrinkled his nose but nodded and went to the bar. Maybe drinking would make the night better, then he wouldn't have to worry so much. He could let loose, forget his anxiety. That would probably result in bad things happening. Maybe it was better to be sober, he decided, that way if something did happen he'd have a clear mind to think through the damage.

"Hi, Luke, what are you doing here?" Ashton appeared at his side, grinning. Good thing he was sitting, or else Luke would have found himself on the floor; he forgot how stunning the man was. Luke leaned back and gave him a full once over. Ashton's hair was styled back and as always, that perfect smirk was in place. He wore a black suit with matching pants, a gold and black striped shirt under the suit jacket, and there was a small heart drawn underneath his right eye. How did he manage to look good in everything?

Luke tried not to feel guilty about thinking about how attractive Ashton was when his boyfriend was right at the bar, getting him a drink. That wasn't fair to Michael, who had always been so good to him. Luke thought about how good he was in the office earlier, and blushed. Good thing no one could read his thoughts.

"Uhm, Luke?" Luke shook his head and looked at Ashton, seeing an adorable pout on his handsome face.

"Hi, sorry. I was lost in my thoughts."

"Thinking about me, weren't ya?" Ashton smirked. Luke tried to protest, but Ashton cut him off. "Of course you were, I'm Ashton Fucking Irwin. Everyone thinks about me."

Luke shook his head and turned away from the arrogant man. Every time he thought Ashton was going to get better, he acted like that and completely turned Luke off.

"So, what are you doing here?" Ashton asked.

"Michael wanted to come check the place out, and see you." Luke glared at him out of the corner of his eyes. "Though I don't know why."

Though he thought Ashton would be upset by his diss, the infuriating man just smirked.

"Sure. Of course you don't." Luke crossed his arms and looked across the crowd to find Michael. He found him talking to someone by the bar, two glasses in his hand. Luke watched them shuffle closer together but before he could investigate more, Ashton stood in his way.

"Hey,"

"I don't appreciate being ignored by someone so beautiful." Ashton told him, glancing from his eyes to his lips, back to Luke's eyes. He felt a shudder run through his body at the thought.

"Stop hitting on me. I have a boyfriend." Luke snapped, stepping around Ashton. He wanted Michael. Ashton blocked his path again, looking down at the smaller man with pity.

"Why did you come back here?"

"I told you," Luke stated slowly, hoping he'd understand this time. "Michael wanted to go out tonight, so we came over here because he said you'd been telling him to check it out."

"He didn't send you over here the other night to tell him everything? Hm? Spy on me, on his competition?" Ashton leaned closer.

"N-no." Luke stuttered out. "I, uhm, I came over here by myself. I needed some time alone. D-don't tell him I was here, please." Michael would not react well to knowing that Luke had gone somewhere without his permission, especially when he was meant to be working. It just would make Michael mad at him, and that wasn't what he wanted. Things were going relatively well for the two of them, and he didn't want to ruin things with a pointless argument.

"Yeah, sure. I won't tell." Ashton looked in his eyes for a moment and must have found what he was looking for, or maybe he didn't, but he nodded before glancing away, focusing on Luke again after a second.

Just then Michael came back with two glasses and handed one to Luke.

"Thanks." Luke said, gratefully grabbing the glass. At least it gave him something to do, other than stare into Ashton's eyes. He brought the glass to his lips but before he took a sip, he smelled the alcohol in the cup. "This isn't coke." He said to Michael.

"Sure it is. It's whiskey and coke."

"That isn't what I--"

Michael cut him off and started talking to Ashton about how the bar was doing. Ashton answered his questions but kept glancing back to Luke who was observing the crowd, looking at all the people who all seemed to be having a better time than he was. Why was it that Michael was always giving him his full attention when they were alone, but the second someone else was in the picture, his boyfriend brushed him off like he wasn't even there? It made Luke feel sad and insignificant.

He tried not to let the tears pool in his eyes, but like his boyfriend, his eyes wouldn't listen to him, and they glistened. He excused himself to go to the bathroom—not that Michael noticed—to compose himself.

His phone started ringing and he quickly slipped it from his pocket, smiling, hoping it was Michael realizing he was gone and worrying about him. He was disappointed to find and unknown number calling. He knew it wouldn't be the directors calling about call backs, but picked it up anyway, just in case.

"HEY BUDDY!" a voice rang out from the other end. He cringed and pulled the phone away from his ear.

"Calum, we've talked about the yelling." Niall scolded. Luke just chuckled, already in a better mood. He'd forgotten about his new friends.

"Hey you guys, how ya doing?"

"Wonderful!" Calum cheered. "I got a callback!"

"Wow! That's great!" Luke was genuinely happy for his friend even though he didn't get one himself. "When is it?"

"Two days from now. I'm so happy, and Ni Ni is helping me prepare for it. I'm hoping to maybe get the part..."

"You'll do great, Calum. I'm sure you will."

"Thanks buddy," Luke could hear the smile in Calum's voice and chuckled.

"How about you Niall? How are you holding up?"

He heard a sigh from the other end.

"I'm a little disappointed, but I'm just happy for Calum. He's going to do great." The saddest Luke had ever heard Niall sound was spoken at the beginning of the sentence, but he cheered up by the end.

"That's great."

Someone walked inside the bathroom and when the door opened, music flooded the small space for a moment before muffling when the door closed again.

"What was that?" Niall questioned.

"Don't be rude, you can't ask things like that." Luke smiled at their antics. He wondered if they were a couple but didn't want to ask. He knew as well as anyone that just because two people seemed close didn't mean they were in a relationship. He shouldn't just assume.

"You're fine, Niall. I'm at my boyfriend's friend's club. I was upset about not getting a callback, so he took me here to get my mind off of things. It wasn't really working, but I'm feeling better after talking to you two."

"Aweeee, Niiiiii, do you hear that?" Calum cooed, his voice rising an octave. Luke could imagine him pressing his hands over his heart and grinning.

"Yeah, I do. That's the beauty of speaker phone." Niall said sarcastically, causing everyone to laugh. "Anyway, we should let you go, but the three of us need to hang out together sometime soon."

"Yeah, we're going to be the best of buddies! I can already tell."

"Okay, goodnight you two."

Just before he hung up the phone, he could hear Niall chastising Calum for 'scaring him away'. But he didn't have to worry; Luke found Calum's awkward high energy endearing and cute. It made him seem innocent, and adorable in a little brother type way.

In a much better mood, Luke strutted out of the bathroom, grin on his face. He looked around for Ashton and Michael and found Michael by the bar. He made his way over to them just as Ashton re-joined.

"Here, Luke, I got you a new drink since you set your last one down. You know what they say, don't set your drinks down in a club, and even though it's mine, that's just a good rule," Ashton rambled on, handing Luke a dark brown drink in a clear glass, shit-eating grin plastered across his face. Luke gulped, knowing nothing good would come out of his mouth next. "You know, especially after last--"

"--Week, when someone at a different club had roofies put in their drink, yes I do remember reading about that online." Luke said with a pointed look at Ashton who only smirked. He said he wasn't going to say anything.

"Anyway, let's go to my office so we can talk. It's loud in here." Ashton said, ushering Michael and him behind the bar and up a staircase on the left. Luke sniffed his drink, but he didn't smell any alcohol. Ashton must have gotten him just a coke. He smiled, that was very sweet of him...Quite unlike the Ashton he knew.

Ashton led them into a room that definitely wasn't the place Luke had gone to last time.

"What did you say this room was?" Luke asked.

"This is my office." Ashton sat in a brown leather chair and gestured for them to sit on the padded bench in front of the desk. Ashton met Luke's eyes and smirked. "It's not as nice as my secr--"

"Michael's office is better." Luke blurted out quickly. He narrowed his eyes at Ashton who winked at him, quite pleased with making him uncomfortable. He knew Michael couldn't know, why was he being such a jerk about it?

"Luke, that's not very nice." Michael scolded, but he could see the pride in Michael's eyes as he looked around, the look on his face agreeing with the fact that he thought his office was indeed better. Luke didn't think either office was better, he honestly didn't care, but he had to make Ashton stop talking.

"Sorry." Luke muttered. Ashton stuck his tongue out at Luke when Michael wasn't looking. Wow, how mature.

Ashton and Michael began talking about something, but when Ashton's phone went off, he excused himself and stood, walking over to the window behind his desk. Luke leaned against Michael's arm, and Michael pulled him onto his lap.

"Michael--" Luke gasped, staring at Ashton in the corner.

"You know, we should get one of these for my office." Michael muttered lowly, glancing at the bench before looking at Ashton to make sure he stayed turned around. Luke blushed, knowing where this was going. "It would be great to f—"

"All right," Ashton announced loudly, causing Luke to squeak and fall off Michael's lap, landing on his butt. He whimpered.

"Lu!" Michael helped him up, gently setting him on the bench. "You need to be careful, baby." He smoothed his hair back and kissed his forehead tenderly. "Are you all right?"

"I am now," Luke whispered, cuddling into Michael's chest. He loved when Michael showed his caring side. This night couldn't get any better, he thought.

"Ugh, barf." Ashton groaned. Luke and Michael both glared at him, but Ashton just grinned and sat down in his chair. "What? You two were dreaming about having sex in my office, I can--"

"Please stop!" Luke squealed, he almost wished Ashton would talk about him showing up the other day, as long as they would stop talking about this.

Both men laughed.

"You're such a prude, baby." Michael leaned into Luke's ear and teased him, lightly grazing it with his teeth. Luke shivered and pulled away.

"Am n-not. Stop." He muttered and Michael just chuckled. He grabbed Luke's hand and began a new conversation with Ashton. Luke was content to just snuggle against Michael and tune them out, happy with how his life was going. It seemed like everything was perfect. Maybe he would make it as an actor, he just had to keep trying, getting himself out there. Auditioning the other day gave him a high he hadn't felt in a while, and maybe, just maybe, things would continue going right. He had the perfect boyfriend, he had friends...what could possibly go wrong?

***

Well, Lucas. You're gonna find out, aren't ya? He probs shouldn't have thought that.

Hope you're enjoying this book! It's starting to pick up now, sooo stay tuned for updates!

~ashtonfortherwin