Page 117 of The Bartender Special

“Alright everyone, let’s yell something meaningful,” he said as the beeping started.

Dewey thrust the plastic trident into the air.

“Screw that!” he yelled. “Everyone yell ‘nipples!’”

And that’s just what the group did.

Jack even put his arm around Benny’s waist and yelled it too.

Then the camera snapped the picture and, slowly, everyone made their way back to their tables. Santana, seemingly caught in an unending loop of giggling, walked with Dixon back to the bar to look at the pictures they’d taken. Benny was also smiling, following Jack to the table he’d parked his cell phone and water at.

If he hadn’t been so focused on how Benny’s lips had a little bit of glitter on them, Jack might have missed how quickly the man’s smile went from upright to downturned.

His gaze flickered over to a corner table, not in the main strip but still with a view of the stage.

“I didn't know Derrick Kennerly was back in town,” Benny whispered. “I-I also didn't know he was in here tonight.”

Jack felt his eyebrow rise at the abrupt demeanor change. He shrugged.

“Yeah, he came in with Dewey. They work together. He moved back to town not too long ago. Why? What's wrong?”

Benny placed his hands on each side of his face and dragged them down slowly. Though when he answered, it was the fastest Jack had ever heard him talk.

And that was saying something.

“Remember that really awkward and embarrassing story of how I lost my virginity on the boat and how I posted that story on the blog and it really blew up? It was Derrick. I mean it was with Derrick. He's the guy on the boat and, one thing I didn’t actually tell you or anyone because it’s one of those things that makes your stomach go cold when you think about it too much, is that he actually messaged me about the post when it first went viral. He told me to take it down and even though I changed the names he said he didn’t want to ever be associated with someone like me and— Oh my God, is he going for the microphone?”

The sound of feedback made thirty or so heads turn toward the stage.

Derrick Kennerly sure as shit had gone for the microphone.

And the sonofabitch had turned it on.

“Hey, everyone. This night was fun, right?”

Like Jack’s nipples, he was objectively attractive. In Jack’s humble opinion, unlike his nipples, he didn’t think Derrick was a man he would want to pick out of a line up.

Maybe that feeling was in part because Jack knew he was about to become a problem. Especially considering there was already a slur to his words.

“Jack and Benny make the greatest little couple, don't they?” he continued, despite the lack of response. “I mean, we all know Jack. He's kind of a quiet dude, likes Alabama football instead of Auburn, which that’s not nothing, and he can make a pretty mean drink or two. But, let me tell you something you probably don't know about our famous little Benny here.”

Jack was already planning the fastest way to get to him.

“That's enough, Derrick,” he said.

But Derrick’s mouth was faster.

“Benny lost his virginity to me and then talked about it on his blog. Sure, he changed the names, but it wasn't hard for my friends to put it together. And you know what? I don’t mind a little—a little press, but he acted like I was the one who—who was shit at it. When him? He made us stop like five times because he wasn’t sure how it was going to work. At one point stopped for a damn snack break and I had to think about anyone fucking else so I didn’t lose my damn hard-on and⁠—”

The only reason Jack’s fist didn’t reach Derrick’s face was because Callum had already grabbed the man by the collar.

“That’s enough, Derrick,” he said, voice dropping into a new, dangerous low.

Derrick tried to resist but Callum slung him right into Jack’s chest. A few other patrons stood, ready.

“Looks like we're cutting you off, buddy,” Jack growled out. “Santana, call our friend here a designated driver. Now.”

Sanatana already had her phone up to her ear and nodded.