The place of meeting was a classy little pub on the gold coast, a rich part of the city. Soft jazz music spilled out and there was a small crowd of women in black dresses and men in dress shirts with designer jeans, standing around the entrance. Gabriel guided me past the people and inside the establishment. A dark-polished bar top set against rows of glittering liquor bottles stood out. The air smelled like expensive beer and maraschino cherries. It was kind of exciting.
“Here!” He said, his hand on my back. He smiled so widely, his cheeks creased. Two men surrounded him, whooping and laughing as they welcomed him.
“Always the last to arrive,” a guy with pink hair said. He looked to be about my age but wasn’t afraid to stand out with his pastel nail polish and dark eyeshadow. If only I had as much confidence as someone like him. “You’re worse than I am.”
“At least I’m fashionable,” Gabriel said lightly.
“Are you kidding? I’m the hottest little twink in this clique,” he countered and struck a pose. “Every gay in this city wants to bang me. Why do you think we get free drinks all the time?”
“Don’t know,” Gabriel said and scratched his neck. “Could it be because you know the bartender?”
“Oh, I’m very familiar with him,” he said, casting the big man behind the counter a heated look.
“Alright, control your hormones,” another man said. He was tall and husky, with pale blonde hair and baby blue eyes. He was the 1950’s cutout of an American man. “We haven’t even gotten started yet and you're bragging about your scorecard.”
The guy with pink hair narrowed his eyes on him. “I also have a record of turning you straight-bros to the other side.”
Gabriel sighed and passed me a meek expression. He ushered me forward gently. “Alright, you two, be nice. I mean it or no more free massages. I want you to meet Jake.”
“Your plus-one,” the blond said. He passed me a welcoming smile and offered me his meaty hand.
“Jake, this is Jank,” Gabriel said. “Our group's organizer and mascot.”
I accepted his hand reluctantly then quickly returned to Gabriel's side. “Nice to meet you.”
“Aw, he’s adorable,” the other said and pushed his way closer, running his gaze all over me as if I were a curiosity. He pulled me into a hug, and I got a whiff of alcohol and sugar.
“And loudmouth here is Felix,” Jank cut in.
Another man approached the table and threw his arms around Jank. “What did I miss?”
“This is Jank’s soulmate, Mike,” Gabriel said with a little chuckle.
Mike laughed. “Soulmate now? I’ve been upgraded from brother from another mother.”
There were more welcomes and teasing words exchanged and I was pulled in ten different directions as I tried to keep up. I’d never really had any friends, so it was overwhelming. I thought I should say something because I was afraid of coming off as disinterested, but all I could do was slink in the corner.
A bear of a man with a long red beard came up behind Gabriel and whacked him on the shoulder. “I’m here, I made it.”
Gabriel gasped and hugged him tightly. They rocked back and forth, slapping each other on the back. The energy was so palpable I couldn’t help smiling. “It’s nice not being the last one for a change.”
He introduced his ginger friend as Sean, and I recognized him as the man he’d occasionally shared lunch with.
Sean offered me his fist and I gently met it with mine. “So, you’re the one that's been hogging my best bud’s attention.”
“Ah…” I looked to Gabriel for support. I hated that I was so inept with social interaction.
“It’s cool. I’ve done my fair share of ignoring my friends,” Sean said, his green eyes twinkling with warmth. He pulled a young man next to him close and kissed his cheek.
“A nice piece of ass will do that to you,” Felix said.
Sean growled, pulled him in with the crook of his elbow and ran his knuckles across his pink hair. “You need a gag, my friend, amirite?”
Both Jank and Mike volunteered to restrain and gag him. The young man with Sean parked his butt on the stool next to me and introduced himself as Matteo. Gabriel was kibitzing with his friends, and I wanted to seek his protection, but I needed to join society. Everything was overwhelming but I was determined to be brave.
“I’m new here too,” Matteo said, leaning in. He had the longest lashes I’d ever seen, dark and sooty over chocolate-brown eyes. “This is my third time hanging with the single mingle. Mostly, I just fade into the background and let them do their stuff. So stick by me and we can hide together.”
“Okay,” I murmured, glad I wasn’t the only one that felt out of place.
