Michael was lucky to be in possession of the kind of cheekbones that a 90s supermodel would kill for. But with his blue eyes, black hair, and rugged stubble he was definitely as masculine as you could get.
All in all, the three of them would definitely have ticked many a guy or girl’s fantasy checklist when it came to their looks. Butit wasn’t just the superficial looks side of things that made the three of them so attractive. It was their swagger too.
As they began to drink and make merry, Michael noticed that they were getting some attention from a bunch of cute boys over on another booth…
‘Shall I call them over?’ Michael said. ‘Oh, no. Wait. Max’s taken now…’
Max rolled his eyes.
This was merely a rouse from Michael to get him talking about Channing.
Max was wise to Michael’s game but decided to play along anyhow.
‘Yeah, Iamtaken as a matter of fact,’ Max said, proudly. ‘So if you guys want to go and flirt with those boys over there, you’re welcome to. But I’ll be parking my ass here and focusing on sinking these God damn phenomenal beers.’
Harrison and Michael laughed and the three men high-fived.
‘Bro, it’s so good to hear you say that,’ Harrison said. ‘I’m actually kind of jealous. But in a good way. You deserve it. Seriously, bro.’
‘Thanks man,’ Max replied, his heart warmed by Harrison’s sincere words. ‘I know we haven’t hung out in a while. Life’s been…complicated. But it feels so good to be sitting here shooting the shit with you both.’
‘The feeling is mutual,’ Michael said. ‘I think this is the first time all three of us have been together in… a year?’
‘Yup. Time flies,’ Harrison replied, toasting his beer bottle. ‘To good friends. And cute, peach-butted boys!’
The three friends toasted and continued on discussing a variety of topics from the playoffs, to Channing, to Michael’s plans for his investment business, and back around to Channing again…
‘So you think it could last this time?’ Michael said, arching his eyebrow. ‘I know how you’ve always felt about commitment.’
‘I think it could be my time to settle down and become a house cat,’ Max said. ‘Or, House Daddy. Whatever. Well, I’m more of a dog guy anyhow but you know what I mean.’
‘I’ve been having similar thought about myself,’ Harrison said, a wistfulness in his voice. ‘I guess I just haven’t met my Channing yet.’
‘Guys, can I just clear one thing up?’ Max said, knowing that he just had to get something off his chest. ‘The only reason I didn’t call one of you up to stay with when I had my difficult moment recently was…’
‘It’s fine bro, I get it,’ Michael said, attempting to spare Max a difficult conversation. ‘No need to explain.’
‘No, I want to,’ Max said. ‘I guess I just felt a real sting of pride. You know, both of you guys are doing so well. And we hadn’t been in touch for a minute either. I guess I just didn’t want you to see me on such a downer.’
‘Bro, it’s all good,’ Harrison said, putting his hand on Max’s shoulder. ‘We’d have been here for you one hundred percent. But you chose Channing, and that’s cool too. It’s all good.Seriously.’
Max felt a huge sense of relief.
It felt good to have got that off his chest and as the three men sunk another premium imported beer, Max realized that the person he owed his newfound happiness to was Channing.
It would soon be time to head on home and see what Channing had been up to with his friends.
But for now, there was still the question of who was going to be crowned the new pool champion between Max, Michael, and Harrison.
Things were about to getseriouslycompetitive…
* * *
Max paid the Uber driver and made sure to give him a decent tip too.
‘Have a great evening,’ Max said as the Uber driver drove off into the night. ‘I think mine might be about to get even better.’
Having worked hard and hustled for many years, Max always like to show his appreciation to service workers and cab drivers. Knowing how hard they worked, and how often they would have other dreams and hustles on the side made Max want to give as generously as he could.
