'Til There Was You - Jerry Cole Page 0,6

manner that Finn hated.

If there was one thing Finn didn’t like about the gay scene, it was the “queen” gays, the ones that screeched and carried on in an over-the-top manner. There was just something so unappealing about them, so emasculating. Finn hadn’t always been gay, so to speak. When he was a teenager, he didn’t know what he was. He had just assumed he was straight because he was told to be. He’d even had a girlfriend in high school, and then another in college. But it had never felt right, which had led to a little bit of experimentation, and a lot of fun, and a huge realization in his mid-twenties. Now he was out in the open, with no regrets.

“So... Anthony... tell me about yourself.” Finn leaned forward on the table and prepared himself for some small talk. He would keep this going for an hour, all the while coming up with an excuse to end the date early.

“Oh, where to start!” And then Anthony launched into what had to be a rehearsed speech, complete with plenty of hand movements and eyelash batting.

The date went for another forty-eight minutes. In that time, Finn managed to check his phone and respond two more times, setting up a place and time to meet Alexander. He had two more drinks too, so as to build enough courage to end the date with Anthony. And when that time did come, he did it rather easily, feigning a stomach cramp that might have also been something more.

“Oh, no,” Anthony gasped sympathetically as Finn explained his ailment. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Unfortunately, it’s best if I just go home and lie down. I get them all the time. They suck, but they don’t kill me at least. So, there’s that.” He then tried for a pitiful laugh and a groan as if he were in pain.

Again, Finn felt terrible about all of this. He did his best to be gracious toward Anthony, and even promised a make-up date next week. They hugged, kissed on the cheek, and parted ways on good terms too, good enough so that Finn wouldn’t feel like the worst person that ever lived.

But any guilt he felt evaporated the moment he checked his phone and saw that Alexander, the hottie, was on his way. This was going to be the date that made the night... and his next morning if things went well. Yes, Finn was searching for the one, and he knew one day he’d find him. But until then, he may as well have a little fun. Why else be single?

Chapter Three

“Hey, Mr. ‘skim latte two sugars.’ Haven’t seen you hear in a while. How ya been? Still writing that novel?” The hipster barista leaned across the counter to fist bump Austin’s hand. He grinned eagerly and nodded his head as he did so, like the two were old friends.

“Oh... hey.” Austin kept his voice low and quickly fist bumped the barista. He had never known the guy’s name specifically, but had always liked him, and the two always engaged in a little small talk whenever he came in... with Freddy. “Yeah, still working on it,” he finished nervously.

“Too good. So... what else has been going on?” The barista was a young guy, wearing large glass, with a shaved head, more tattoos than Austin cared to count and a ridiculously silly goatee.

“Oh... this and that.” Austin offered a shy smile and quickly glanced around the café. He kept his head low as he did, careful not to be seen. “How much is that again?” he asked.

“Right.” The barista rolled his eyes at himself. “The boss always tells me to serve first, chat later. But I can’t help it! I love to chat! That’s probably why I got into this – look at me go!” the barista slapped at his forehead and chuckled. “That’ll be $4.70.”

Austin whipped his card out and held it to the POS system. When he heard it beep, he offered a quick, “Cheers,” and then scurried to the back of the café, careful to be hidden from view.

Although the congenial nature of the barista had caught Austin by surprise, it had nothing to do with the way he was acting. Austin had sneaked into this cafe for a very specific purpose, and were it not considered rude to do so, he wouldn’t have even ordered a drink. He would have sat at the back, alone, and waited. But he thought that to be