Michael’s wide eyes were the last thing I saw as Terrence all but dragged him to the table where the others all greeted him. Knowing Michael was in good hands, I did as I was told and ordered a round of drinks, and when I finally made my way to the table with a full tray of drinks, Michael was laughing with my friends. Luke was telling some story and everyone was smiling as I took my seat next to Michael.
I rubbed his back to let him know he was okay, but honestly, he was fine. Two drinks later and he was talking and laughing like he’d known these boys for as long as I had.
I knew they’d love him.
Because I did.
When Michael went to the bar for a round of drinks, a silence fell over the table and Massa, Luke, and Noah all stared at me, shaking their heads. Terrence laughed. “You’re so fucking whipped, Schroeder.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, and I certainly couldn’t deny it. “Shut the fuck up.”
Massa tapped my foot under the table. “He’s okay, Bryce. You picked a good one.”
“Thanks.” I felt a sudden rush of warmth in my chest. “It means a lot that you guys like him.”
Noah drained the last of his drink. “He’s good for you. I think you’ve smiled more this last hour than you have since I’ve known you.”
“I’ve asked my dad to meet him,” I admitted.
They stared, mouths open.
“Fuck,” Terrence whispered. “Dude.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I know.” I shrugged. “What the actual fuck, right?”
They all laughed just as Michael came back with a tray of drinks. He cast me a questioning look and I smiled at him to let him know it was all good. I pulled his chair a little closer to mine and rested my hand on his thigh when he sat down. I squeezed his fingers and he nudged his shoulder against mine, giving me a smile that made my heart thump.
I was pretty sure the guys at the table could hear my heartbeat because they sure looked at me like they could. And just to prove their point, I fucking laughed, leaned in and kissed Michael right there.
“Okay, stop it. You’re making me regret being single,” Luke replied with a roll of his eyes. “What’s happening with the new store? Things moving along?”
“Yes!” I replied, excited. “Fit-out has begun. Electric and cabinetry is done, refrigeration is in this week, and I interviewed staff last week.”
“So it’s full steam ahead,” Massa said.
I nodded. “Yep.”
“When’s the grand opening?” Noah asked.
“Two weeks,” I answered, unable to stop smiling.
“That’s awesome, Bryce. Proud of you, man.” He raised his glass to the centre of the table. “To Bryce, for living his dream.”
Everyone clinked glasses. “To Bryce.”
“For kicking parental expectations to the kerb,” Terrence added. “Braver than me.”
I raised my glass. “Sometimes you gotta just say ‘fuck it’ and live your life.”
They raised their glasses again to that, and both Terrence and Massa gave a solemn nod. I knew they understood. “Your support means a lot,” I said.
“So do we get free kopi?” Noah asked.
“Absolutely fucking not,” I shot back, and they all laughed.
I turned to Michael and he was smiling at me. The kind of smile that just radiated happiness. Or maybe that was the drinks he’d had. Either way, he was looking all kinds of fine.
“Oh Christ, would you two stop it,” Luke said before swigging his drink. “I’m committed to the single life and you two are killing me. I don’t need a girlfriend. I don’t. Absolutely do not.”
Michael burst out laughing. “Sorry.” Then he took his hand from my thigh.
I pulled it back and threaded his fingers with mine, and when that wasn’t enough, I slung my arm around his shoulder and gave Luke the middle finger.
“You’re so fucking whipped, Schroeder,” Terrence said again.
Now it was me who burst out laughing. He wasn’t supposed to say that shit in front of Michael. Massa leaned in and squinted at me. “Are you blushing?”
“Fuck you,” I said with a grin. “Fuck all of you.”
Michael raised his glass for them to clink with his, and with a laugh, he leaned against me and waited for me to clink his glass with mine. He didn’t say anything, he just smiled. And when it was my turn to buy another round, I found myself standing at the bar, positioned so I could still see the table.
I couldn’t hear their conversation over the music and the growing crowd, but I could see how happy they all were, how well they fit together. Michael looked so happy, laughing so hard he leaned over and clapped his hands at whatever Noah had said. Terrence said something else and Michael had to wipe at his eyes, and Luke and Massa were both cracking up.
I didn’t know what was so funny, but it didn’t matter.
Terrence said something and Michael guffawed again, and something settled inside me. Something profound, something warm and lovely. Deeper than it had before, warmer and brighter.
Love was a devastatingly wonderful thing.
The barman tapped the counter in front of me. “Hey buddy, what can I getcha?”
I ordered another round, but all I really wanted to do in that moment was to go home. I wanted to have Michael to myself. I wanted to hold him, kiss him, strip him naked, and lie down with him.
I wanted to move inside him. I wanted to make love to him.
I wanted him to know.
I took our drinks back to the table and Michael met my eyes. His gaze shifted. “Everything okay?” he whispered, just to me.
I nodded. “Perfect. But I want to leave soon, okay?”
He looked concerned. “Sure.”
The words were on the tip of my tongue. I love you. I almost said them. I wanted to, but it wasn’t fair to dump that on him in front of other people.
“Hey, Schroeder,” Noah said across the table. “You okay?”
I laughed. “Yeah, but this is my last drink. I’m out of drinking practice, I think.”
“That’s such a fucking lie,” Massa added. “You’re a terrible liar.”
I laughed again and drained my drink in one go.
Terrence raised his glass. “At least some of us at the table are getting laid tonight.”
Michael finished half his drink and stood up, fixing his coat. “On that note—” He checked his watch. “Can’t fuck all night if you don’t start before midnight.”
Massa almost choked on his drink, and I laughed as I stood up. “Yep. I have a quota to meet.”
“Okay, mister three times in one night,” Terrence groused.
Michael’s gaze met mine and his mouth fell open. “You told him?”
Luke and Noah roared with laughter as I put my arm around Michael’s shoulder. “And on that note, we’ll be leaving. Thank you for a lovely evening, dickwads.”
Terrence gave me a salute. “Fuck you.” Then he held his hand out to Michael. “About time he met his equal.”
Michael shook his hand. “Thank you. Nice to meet you all,” he said to all of them.
I pulled him toward the door and gave my mates a wave as we made it to the exit. Michael fell into step beside me and he put his arm around my waist as we walked. “That was fun,” he said. “Do you think?” He looked at me, his blue eyes imploring.