Page 40 of King of the Crease

“What’s your preference, if you don’t mind me asking?” Nick’s never sounded this playful. I wonder if he’s a little buzzed, too.

“You cut right to the chase.”

“Well, everyone else shared. That leaves you as the token hetero?” Nick is definitely buzzed, but how much is it beer versus…something else.

“I’m actually…I’m a newbie bisexual. A newbisexual”

“Oh?”

“I’ve only dated women. But then I made out with a guy at a New Year’s party, and I liked it.” We were the only two single people at the party, and the guests kept egging us on to kiss at midnight. We both had enough to drink that we decided fuck it. “It’s something I’ve started to explore.”

“Explore how?” His eyes peer into me with unwavering interest, hanging on my answer.

“I went on a few first dates with guys, but that was a while ago, and nothing ever came of it. So…I’m not a very good explorer.”

The corners of his lips turn down. I’m let down by my answer, too.

“Why’d you stop? Wasn’t for you?” Nick wonders.

“It’s not that…” My hands fidget around my beer glass. “Most gay guys or bi guys are, like, jacked. And they’re great dressers. And they wear nice shoes.”

“These are all stereotypes, you know.”

He’s right. I’m stalling. It’s impossible to lie to such a gorgeous face. “I haven’t had good luck with women. And I didn’t want to strike out with guys, too.”

Our teammates are engaged in their own conversations. The hum of chatter provides a protective wall around our delicate conversation, allowing me to continue. “Looking back, I think I’ve been attracted to dudes before, but it was easier to just be one of the guys than to admit to myself that I wanted to pursue them. I know how to be the funny best friend, not the leading man.”

“So you haven’t been with anyone since that New Year’s kiss?”

I shake my head no and try not to die of embarrassment. Nick has probably hooked up with lots of guys and had charming, rich boyfriends. If I admitted that I might be feeling something for him, he’d…well, he’s too nice of a guy to laugh in my face. He’d turned me down politely, say it’s best to be friends. Everyone wants to be friends with the funny best friend.

“Does one kiss make me bi?”

“Yes. On a technicality. Was it a good kiss at least?”

I see-saw my head. “It was okay. He burped while kissing me. I think he had too much sparkling wine.”

“It would’ve been better if it’d been champagne. The burps that come with champagne are more elegant.”

“Exactly,” I say, smiling. I could talk to this guy all day and then the day after that.

Jack Gross, Griffin’s boyfriend, strolls up to our table, and the guys all welcome him. It’s a welcome break from my chat with Nick. He pulls up a chair next to Griffin, who kisses him hello.

“Congrats on the victory,” Jack says. “Next week might be a little tougher.”

“We’re playing the Blades, Jack’s team,” I report to Nick. “We almost beat you guys last time!”

“Almost, Hank. Almost.” Jack smiles haughtily. He’s only in his mid-twenties and is full of bravado and unearned confidence that we all had at his age. “Maybe you’ll get the upper hand this time since Saturday is the Elf’d Up Bar Crawl. My boys and I are going to hit it hard.”

“That’s this coming Saturday?” Griffin asks.

“Yeah, I’m going with some of my Blades teammates and their girlfriends. Twelve bars. No mercy.”

Once upon a time, I would’ve LOVED that. I would’ve hit up all twelve bars, done keg stands at each, and then tried for four more. My stomach was a tank. But the older I get, the worse the hangovers hit my body and the longer they last.

“Their girlfriends are going, too?” Griffin swirls his beer glass in his hands.

“Oh yeah. Same people who went to that concert with us. I don’t think anyone your age is going to the bar crawl.”