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Jay glanced at where Chris stood with his back to them. “Hating him became exhausting, and I started feeling like a bigger monster than he ever was.”
That was as much honesty as Anthony was going to get. “If you want to make it right, wait for this mess to pass, then go speak with Ethan. If he refuses, try again until he comes around. He doesn’t enjoy not talking to you.”
Jay nodded and leaned back on the bench. “Did you fuck him yet?”
“Manners, James.”
Jay laughed. “Well?”
“It was supposed to happen this weekend, but here we are instead.”
“You’ll get your chance soon enough. Excited?”
Anthony smiled. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”
Jay rubbed Anthony’s back. “Love seeing you so happy, man.”
“Thanks. But does it bother you a bit? Me and him.”
Jay didn’t answer immediately, and Anthony appreciated he wasn’t rushing to give a diplomatic answer.
“It reminds me that I’m alone, but that’s on me to figure out. And no, you two together don’t bother me.”
“Okay. How’s your water pressure?”
“When I pee? Not bad.”
“I mean in your apartment.”
“Oh, it’s good now. ‘Anthony’s Renovations’ never disappoints.”
Chris and Ethan made their way toward them. “We’re about to dock,” Chris said.
“Will someone be waiting for us?” Anthony asked.
“No. We’ll walk over to the address I have. It’s not far.”
Five minutes later, they left the ferry and set foot on the island. Around them, dozens of happy visitors began to scatter. Chris led them to Bayview Walk, across cute little shops and restaurants like Island Breeze and Floyd’s Breakfast. With each new step, Anthony’s muscles felt tighter. His body became heavier like gravity was trying to warn him. He felt tempted to listen and turn back.
“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked. He had been looking at Anthony closely ever since they left the ferry.
Anthony opened his mouth to answer, not sure what he wanted to say. A small smoothie stand caught his eye before he could decide. “Let’s stop for a smoothie.”
The other three stared at him, but he continued to walk because there was nothing he wanted more than to delay the inevitable. Well, that and getting the hell off of this island.
He ordered the first smoothie he saw on the menu, and the others ordered as well. Chris insisted on paying like he usually did. It sometimes felt like he was being apologetic about his success, although he would never admit it.
“I can’t believe we’re drinking smoothies right now,” Jay said once they were all seated around a picnic table. “You’re such a weirdo, Ant.”
“But he’sourweirdo,” Chris said and wrapped his arm around Anthony’s shoulders. He leaned his head against Chris, feeling a small dose of comfort knowing the man next to him was in the same boat as he, and likely just as scared.
“I didn’t know you liked orange juice in your smoothie,” Ethan said.
“I don’t. It’s disgusting.”
Ethan chuckled and gave him his banana smoothie.
“This place reminds me of the trip we took to Maine,” Jay said. “It was... what, six years ago?”
