“Thanks again for coming, Scott,” Kate says. “We’ll have to have a far more exciting Sunday Funday once I get situated in a new place. I’m looking at a condo in Midtown next week. Maybe we can go after I see it.”
“What are you talking about?” Jordan asks.
“I want to go to Blake’s or Ten.”
“What are those?” Mikey asks.
“Oh, shut up,” Jordan says. “Don’t act like you don’t know where all the gay bars are in this town. Are you just so straight that they aren’t even on your radar?”
“I seriously didn’t know about them.”
“Oh, we all should go together. I would love to see the boys crawling all over Mikey. God, they would eat him alive. Although, I have to admit that I feel pretty fucking attractive whenever I go.”
“You’ve been to these bars?” Mikey asks.
“Fuck yeah. Scott and I went a few times after his breakup. It’s a lot of fun. They have the best music, and they actually pour decent drinks. I got trashed off two vodka sodas.”
“Oh, I need to dance soooo much,” Kate says.
“Then definitely hit me up when you’re in town,” I say. “I’ll meet you out.”
“That’d be nice. I’ll get the sitter.” She slaps her hand against her face. “But God, no drinks is going to fucking kill me.”
“I’m sure you need one, especially right now.”
“You have no idea. I think this would have been easier if I’d been able to go out and get trashed after it all happened.” She laughs, but then her expression turns serious. “You know I’m kidding about that, right? I know we don’t know each other that well, so I don’t want you thinking I always need a drink in my hand. It’s just that nothing has made me want to turn to liquor more than this situation.”
“Oh, no. I totally get that.”
“But dancing will definitely cheer me up.”
“Well, then we have to do it. Although, I should tell you that I’m not much of a dancer.”
“Oh, you’re gonna dance,” Jordan says. “That’s how you’re gonna get you a new hottie.” He turns to Mikey. “I keep telling him he needs to go out more to snatch up something good, but he’s all work and no play. You’re a hot piece of ass, Scott. You gotta get out there and own it.”
“You should get out there, Scott,” Mikey says, and I can tell by the amused expression on his face that he’s just enjoying having our little secret.
I sip on my tea.
“Like Jordan said,” Mikey adds, “you’re a hot piece of ass.”
I start to laugh when the tea hits the back of my throat, and I pull the glass down, coughing and spitting it across the floor. Thank God they’re hardwood.
As I recover from his comment, my neck pinches even more from the movement. Kate bursts into loud, boisterous laughter, and Jordan isn’t far behind.
“You’re not the first person Mikey’s made choke like that,” she says, tears rushing from her eyes.
“Kate!” Jordan exclaims.
“It’s not like we all didn’t see that thing growing up. It was practically falling out every time he wore gym shorts. Do you know what brothers like you guys do to a girl? I went out into the world thinking that they all looked like that.”
Jordan covers his ears with his hands, even though his glass prevents him from actually being able to cover one. “La, la, la, la, la,” he sings.
Kate giggles some more, rolling her eyes at him. I think she’s enjoying that she’s getting to him. Whenever I hang out with them, it’s obvious that she likes making him a little uneasy. I think she believes that’s her job as his older sister—although, only by a year.
“Well, there are worse things you could be saying about me,” Mikey points out, grinning.
We chat for a few more minutes, Kate telling stories about when they were younger and the hard times they used to give each other. Her eyes are filled with life, reminding me of the times I saw her before all this shit went down. It’s probably helpful to have her brothers here. I think, at least in this moment, she feels safe and relaxed and like she can set some of that shit behind her.
