“You’re stealing my thunder,” Felix complained. “This story might have started out as a sad tale of misfortune, but this small group of men decided to get together for drinks every month, hereby forming a circle of friendship.”
“That was eight years ago,” I said to Jake. “The single mingle was born that night.”
“Although,” Jank said and pointed at Sean. “With you no longer single, and Gabriel on his way, we’re going to have to find a new name.”
“I didn’t get to finish!”
“Let him finish,” Mike said. “Or we will have to listen to him complain about it for the next year.”
“I’m listening,” Jake muttered, and I swiped my thumb across the edge of his panties to let him know I was proud of him.
“That’s not the end of our story, for our heroes’ journey was far from over. It was at this very bar, four years ago, that I heard these poor, sex-deprived, but cute men lamenting about the situation. I took pity on them and bought them a round of drinks.”
Jenk scoffed. “That’s not how it happened.”
“Yeah,” Sean cut in. “If I remember correctly, you volunteered to have an orgy with us, amirite?”
“After I bought you sorry saps a drink.” He huffed and folded his arms over his chest, but his smile let me know he was anything but annoyed. Felix was a total character, and I was glad he’d added himself to our group of friends.
“Not everyone wants to sleep with you, my friend,” Mike said, throwing his arm around Felix’s shoulders. “Trying to have sex while listening to you drone on about anime is mood-killing.”
“Then stick a dick in my mouth. Besides, everyone wants to sleep with me. I have no gag reflex and snake jaws.”
Jank rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Jake. “I should take this opportunity to explain that I bat for the other team.”
“So you say,” Felix bit back.
“Leave it alone,” Mike growled.
“How did you get caught up in the single-mingle?” Jake asked, looking interested and I was happy he was settling in.
Felix gasped as if he wanted to tell that story too, but Sean slapped his hand over the guy's mouth. I wanted to get Jank and Mike going because it was hilarious and saccharine.
They hugged each other at the same time and bumped their heads together. Mike said, “We've been best friends since childhood.”
Jank nodded. “We’ve done everything together.”
“So when I wanted to take a shot and try the dating site thing—”
“I wasn’t going to let him do it alone.”
They went on taking turns telling the story. Jake seemed enchanted by the whole thing. Felix was entertaining and managed to get a laugh out of him which pleased me immensely.
I left his side only to chat with Sean and Matteo. The night wound on, the alcohol flowing and the laughter booming. I kept a close eye on Jake and offered him a wink to remind him that he was safe. He was working on his second beer and his eyes were a bit glassy. The look he’d cast me suggested he wanted to find a little privacy. I returned to his side, and something passed between us. It was a current of electricity, singing our nerves.
“Well, it’s getting late, and I’ve got a house call early tomorrow morning,” I suddenly announced. I took a big swig of my Diet Coke and slammed the can down. “Boys, as always, it’s been a pleasure.”
“What?” Felix exclaimed. “But it’s not even eleven yet. Don’t be a party pooper.”
“Yeah. You have to leave the party-poopin’ to me, ya know?” Jank chimed in.
Jake spoke up. “I should probably get going too. Thanks for having me and it was nice meeting everyone.”
“Yeah, yeah. I remember when I was in love. Fucking day and night,” Felix muttered.
“Sex-addiction is not love,” Sean countered.
My friends heckled us a little more for leaving early, but ultimately wished us a fond farewell. The moment we steppedout into the cold air, my insides jumped with excitement. I threw my hand around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head.
