A pregnant pause followed, prompting him to look up. His parents were exchanging small smiles and it was then that Ethan realized he had casually referenced sleeping with Max. Embarrassed, he shot a glance at Max who seemed unfazed as he picked up his paper napkin. But Ethan thought he spied a tint of red in his ears. Gotta remember to tease him about that later.
Faced with a table full of food, he and Max ate more than they’d ever eaten in Las Vegas for breakfast. Max, the kind man, sampled everything, and Ethan hadn’t wanted to leave him hanging out to dry so he sampled everything, too, nearly resulting in food comas for both of them. It was only Ethan insisting on him and Max taking a walk around the neighborhood that kept them upright.
Lunch, needless to say, was pushed back to two o’clock.
There were so many places that Ethan could have suggested for the meet up with his former co-workers from Winnaker Security. There was a local pizza joint that was a favorite of Larry’s or the rib place that was Bob’s favorite (though not an option Ethan would ever subject Max to.) Or they could have gone somewhere more neutral like a chicken finger restaurant or a diner. Ethan rejected all of these for various reasons and settled on Dave & Buster’s, thinking the sports bar setting would make his old friends comfortable while the gaming side would provide enough background noise to prevent awkward silences.
Seated at a table for four beside a projection screen showing a college football replay, Ethan felt his humongous breakfast sitting in his stomach like a tumor.
“We should have rescheduled for tomorrow,” he said to Max.
The place was loud and he was glad for it. The bustle of the place suited his nerves.
“We’ll order light.” Max checked his Breitling, the only concession to his wealth. Well, that and the cashmere V-neck sweater he wore, but Ethan told himself it was still just a sweater and Larry and Bob wouldn’t know any better. “They should be here any minute.”
“I feel compelled to rundown their personalities for you so you’ll know what you’ll be dealing with, but then I remember that Bob was ready to beat you up, so really, you already know all about them.”
“Not the most amiable way to meet your co-workers,” Max allowed, “but I learned that they are protective of you and good friends, and that’s all I need to know to be satisfied.”
Ethan folded and refolded the paper wrapper that he’d peeled off his straw. “I expected them to be weirder about me being gay, but they’ve handled it pretty well. We definitely have to be lowkey, but they’re accepting of us and that’s good enough for me. I’m grateful for that.”
“They sound like good men.”
Ethan’s grin was strained. “They’re a couple of characters, that’s for sure. Oh. I think I see them. Oh, wow, I think Bob’s gained ten more pounds at least—hey! We’re over here!”
He flagged the two men down. When he saw their huge grins, Ethan felt like he’d been away from Winnaker Security for only a week or so. He hadn’t doubted them when they’d accepted his lunch invitation over the phone, but until they’d appeared, he’d been emotionally prepared for circumstances to keep them away.
Shame on you, Ethan, he thought to himself as he stood up and moved away from the table. These guys are good. Like a second family.
“Well, look what the cat dragged back to Indiana!” Larry boomed as he led the way. His voice carried easily above the raucous around them, drawing curious looks from the other diners. “Looks like someone came crawling back for their job!”
Ethan couldn’t help laughing at the comment.
“Too bad we don’t need him anymore!” Bob chimed in, puffing out his chest. “No fancy, big city investigators allowed.”
“Yeah, ‘cuz I can’t afford him.” Larry laughed at his own joke as he hustled up to Ethan and engulfed him in a bear hug. “Good to see you, kid,” he said a little too loudly in Ethan’s ear.
Ethan squeezed back, mostly out of sense of self-preservation. “Still as charming and handsome as ever, Larry.”
“Something tells me you’re blowing sunshine up my—oh, hey!” Larry let go and straightened up, his smile changing. “You brought your, er, partner.”
He shuffled back, making room for Bob to come up and give Ethan a hug, too. Ethan watched how Larry’s eyes didn’t leave Max, who stood calmly beside the booth, a neutral smile on his face.
“Good to see you back,” Bob said to Ethan. “Not that we could have used you or anything. Well, maybe to pick up sandwiches for us sometimes.”
“It must be hard without me,” Ethan said, smiling. “I’ve missed you guys, too.” He motioned at Max. “You remember Maxmillian.”
Bob sheepishly tugged on the hem of his flannel shirt. “Yeah, I remember. No hard feelings from last time, right?”
Max inclined his head. “You were defending Ethan. The last thing I’d do is hold that against you.” He extended his hand. “Thank you for coming.”
After not so discreetly wiping his palm down the hip of his jeans, Bob took his hand and gave it a long shake. “No problem. We had to see our boy, make sure he’s going okay.”
“Are you ever going to stop acting like a guard dog?” Ethan teased him.
Realizing he was still shaking Max’s hand—and likely trying to squeeze as hard as he could to assert dominance—Bob quickly let go.
“Maxmillian,” Larry said, stepping up to take his place. He shook Max’s hand. “Glad to see you’re still in the picture.”
Feeling his ears becoming hot, Ethan pushed Larry back. “Can we all sit down and try to act like normal human beings, please? Max and I are about to get married, so there’s no need to bully him.”
He hadn’t intended to blurt out the information, but he was flustered. Larry and Bob’s reactions reminded him that up until that moment, only his and Max’s parents were aware of their plans.
“So, yes, that’s happening,” he said with chagrin as he and Max took a seat.
“Is that even legal?” Bob asked as he dropped into his chair and gaped at the two of them. “I mean—er, it should be, just wasn’t sure what the law had to say about it.”
“Our union will be legally recognized in the United States,” Max told him patiently.
“Since 2014, actually,” Ethan chimed in. “Get with the times, old man.”
Bob’s cheeks became mottled under the teasing. “Just wasn’t something on my radar, is all. It is now,” he added quickly.
Ethan smiled, appreciating the effort he was making. “Thank you, Bob.”
Larry was staring at Ethan’s and Max’s left hands. “Then it’s a done deal?”
“You’ll receive your invitations soon,” Max told him. “The wedding will be local.”
Larry looked at him with surprise. “Not in Las Vegas? Or, I don’t know, Paris?”
Max shook his head. “Ethan’s family and friends are here. This makes the most sense.”
“What about your friends and family?” Larry asked him. “We don’t know much about you, only that, well—you guys had that rough start.”