“Dude. I’m broken. You broke me.”
I laughed at his words as he picked up my call.
“No one told you to accept my invitation.”
“It was that or going to a practically empty apartment and sleeping off the jetlag. You know I get all weird with time zones.”
“I hope you’ve had some sleep since this morning’s workout because we’re going out.”
He sighed. “We are?”
“Meet me downstairs in ten.”
He groaned. “I’m going to regret moving into the only vacant apartment in your building, aren’t I?”
“It’s the best decision you’ve made in your life. I promise.”
I heard a string of “Yeah, yeah” as he disconnected the call. I finished getting ready, and ten minutes later, I stepped out of the elevator into the lobby of my building.
Jax was already there.
“Damn, man. You look like you’ll have no trouble scoring tonight.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” His eyebrows raised like he wanted no part in whatever I was up to.
“That’s whatI’mdoing.” Even though I hadn’t brought any condoms or lube, I could bullshit like the best of them.
“Crazy me thought you actually wanted to spend time with your best buddy. Where are we going anyway?”
“Best bar in town.”
What I loved the most about the location of my apartment was that it was equidistant from both the office and Tanner’s. Whether I was grabbing a quick drink after work or hoping to score some fun, it was all within the same square mile.
Tanner’s was already showing signs of a busy Saturday night, but we managed to score a couple of stools at the bar and ordered a beer each.
“Happy to be back on US soil?” I asked Jax. When he’d gotten in touch with me a month ago to help him find a place to live, all he’d told me was that he was retiring from the military.
“Ask me when I’ve had more than three hours of sleep in a row.” He clinked his bottle against mine and drank almost half of it.
“I thought you army guys were all tough and shit. Don’t you sleep standing up?”
“Man. It gets old, and so am I. I’m looking forward to starting over.”
“Well, I’m glad you came this way. It’ll be nice having you around again.”
He turned on his stool and leaned his elbow against the bar. “What’s the score around here?”
I mimicked his position and scanned the bar. There were a few familiar faces. People who worked or lived nearby.
“I don’t mess with the regulars. Things can get awkward, and I like this bar too much.”
“That includes the bar staff?”
“Absolutely. Don’t fuck where you drink. Or who serves you drinks. There are a few good bars in town, but this one is the best. Also, openly LGBTQ+ friendly.”
Jax nodded and grabbed his drink.
It was fun catching up with someone else’s life. So much of mine in the last year had been about being there for my younger brother, watching as he hid away more and more, keeping him from slipping all the way down.
