pace. Dennis and Charlie are a few feet behind him.
He sucks in a deep breath. “God, why did you come this far? You know I hate running.” He fans himself dramatically. When he’s done with his show, he makes eye contact with Merrick and grins. “Wow, you’re even better looking in person.”
Merrick chuckles. “Uh. Thanks.”
“Look, I’m sorry I invited you out here. Alejandro told me y’all were friends. . .kinda. And I’m a jokester.”
“Shit-starter,” Charlie adds as he steps us.
“Anyway, I didn’t think about the fame and being at a gay establishment. I just don’t think of it as being wrong, you know?” Jordy looks at me. “I’m sorry, Al, seriously. I wasn’t thinking. Well, I was thinking I’d meet a celebrity, but that’s it.”
Merrick clears his throat. “It’s okay. I’m Merrick,” he says, holding his hand out to Jordy.
Jordy smiles flirtatiously and takes his hand. “I’m Jordy. I’m Al’s best friend.”
“I used to be his best friend,” Merrick adds with a small grin.
“This is Charlie and Dennis,” I say, gesturing to them. “I knew Merrick back in school.”
They all shake hands, and then Charlie faces me. “Oh, we’re gonna talk about this later.”
“Want a gyro?” Jordy asks Merrick. “We’re gonna go get something for Dennis to eat, because he doesn’t know how to properly prepare for a night of drinking. Then we’re gonna go to Shamrocks. Don’t worry, it’s not a gay bar.”
I’m a few steps behind them, watching Jordy walk as close as possible to Merrick all while gazing dreamily at his face.
Merrick glances over his shoulder at me. “Uh, sure? If it’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay, sweetie,” Jordy says, touching his arm. “I need to buy you a drink to make up for my antics.”
“Jordy, what are you doing?” I groan.
“Honey, if you’re not gonna be friends with him, I will.”
Charlie chuckles behind me and I settle in for what’s definitely going to be a long and annoying night.
20
Merrick
Present Day
Shamrocks isn’t too bad of a spot. The lighting is sparse, so I feel confident I won’t be noticed. It’s not extremely crowded, but there’s definitely a good amount of people in here.
I pull the bill of my cap low and keep my head down as I follow Ali and his friends. They find us a booth all the way in a corner, behind the bar and away from the dance floor. I’m sure it’s for my benefit.
“This isn’t the most prime spot for scouting out the potentials, but I don’t know how many gay people are here anyway,” Jordy says, scooting to the middle. “We come here for Charlie, because he swings both ways, and I like the challenge of seeing how straight the straight ones really are,” he says with a wink.
“Oh God,” Ali groans, rolling his eyes.
I scoot in toward the middle and have Jordy on one side and Ali on the other. Dennis and Charlie went straight to the bar for drinks.
“What? I’m not trying to turn your friend,” Jordy says, looking up at me. “Unless you’re interested.”
“Don’t answer that,” Ali says. “Don’t even pay attention to Jordy.”
Jordy pouts. “Meanie. I said I was sorry, and you know I don’t do that often.”
“You see why I laughed when you said you wanted to hang out with my friends?” Ali asks, a smirk on his face.
Jordy scoffs. “He acts like we’re so embarrassing.”
I grin. “Well, I’m not embarrassed or uncomfortable. I’m just ready to drink.”
“Yes! Where are those two with our drinks?” Jordy questions. “I’ll go help them out. Be right back, kids.”
Ali sighs. “Sorry. He’s a handful, but he’s been a good friend. You just gotta get used to the way he is.”
“It’s fine,” I assure him with a grin.
“I can’t believe he invited you out to a gay bar.”
I laugh, and without thinking, I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze him gently. “Ali, it’s okay.” When he tenses up, I snatch my hand back. “Sorry.”
Ali gazes into my eyes, and we get lost in each other for a few seconds. His lips part like he wants to say something, but the words never come out.
“We’re back. Oh, are we interrupting something?” Jordy asks in a teasing tone.
We both turn and face him, but Ali’s first to speak up. “No, just apologizing for your behavior.”
“My behavior?” he questions, sliding back into the booth. “Oh, inviting your friend to have a good time with us? Please,” he waves his hand. “Merrick is already over it. Aren’t you, baby?”
I grin. “Yes, I was trying