* * *
The Old Ticket Hallwas an intimate space where only a railing separated performers and concertgoers. It wasn’t commercialized and allowed Eamonn to feel like he was getting a private concert. His friends grabbed drinks and found a space to see theshow.
Louisa took out a small cookie from her pocket. She stuck a lit match in it. It was the closest he would get to a birthday cake, which was fine because he’d rather have birthdaydrinks.
“Make a wish!” Louisa toldhim.
Eamonn locked eyes with Rafe, knowing exactly what his wish was. Rafe smiled at him, but it seemed just a touch off. It was like looking at a completed jigsaw puzzle that had one piecemissing.
“I wish I had taken the train with youcunts.”
Nathan joined their circle. His hair was mussed to perfection, and he wore a tight T-shirt that showed off his trim frame. Nathan had been making himself scarce since their talk at Apothecary. Perhaps he was spending time with Heath and Louisa separately, but Eamonn didn’t care to findout.
“Good to see you, mate!” Heath saidnervously.
“What are you doing here?” Eamonn asked. He was the only one who couldask.
“I’m a Bloc Party fan. We’ve gone to concerts together, listened to their music until the wee hours while we were intimate...I had a feeling you would be here, since it’s your birthday and all.” He threw an arm aroundEamonn.
The matchstick burned into the cookie. Eamonn threw it down and stomped on it before it could catch fire. He shrugged off Nathan’s arm and instantly scooped up Rafe’s hand in hisown.
“Who did you come here with?” Rafeasked.
“Nobody. Thank you for making me feel bad about myself,Rafe.”
“We’re celebrating here for Eamonn’sbirthday.”
“You’re really going to kick me out of your little circle, a circle made up of my friends? Rafe, you really need to learn toshare.”
Nathan began to walk away, and pissed Eamonn off to no end that he felt a sliver ofguilt.
“Nathan, get the fuck back here.” Eamonn was going to be the bigger person. Nathan couldn’t ruin this night for him. He had his favorite band and his favorite guy in one place. Nathan was just whitenoise.
“Smashing. Now let’s get pissed!” Heath and Louisa went up to the bar and ordered the next round. Rafe dashed off to the loo. He gave Eamonn a look wondering if he’d be okay with Nathan. Eamonn hadthis.
“I didn’t mean to ruin your night,” Nathan said, his tone now soft. “Remember when we went to Brighton last year for your birthday. We had sex on the beach and actual sex on thebeach.”
Sex on the beach in November was never a wise idea. They were not drunk enough for that. Eamonn found himself shaking hishead.
“You doremember.”
“So. I do. It’s in thepast.”
“I know. It was a good day,though.”
People up front began clapping, which spread to their area. Eamonn knew what that meant. The band was about to go on any moment. It was infectious, the energy of thevenue.
“What song do you think they’ll start with?” Nathanasked.
“Only He Can Heal Me,” they bothanswered.
Eamonn did not find the moment cute. Most of Bloc Party’s concerts started with that song. Anyone remotely familiar with the band could’ve answered thatway.
“Relax, E. We still have something in common. It’s not the apocalypse.” Nathan clapped him on the shoulder. “Enjoying your final weeks with theYank?”
Nathan knew how to hit a nerve like a nurse giving aninjection.
“Rafe is the dog’s bollocks.” Eamonn chose his wordscarefully.
