Adam glanced around, somewhat surprised to see the tables almost full. Somehow he didn’t expect people to be out late on a random Tuesday night.
“It’s been steady. So what do you do, Adam?” As he spoke, Dale poured their beers and slid Adam’s glass in front of him first.
“I’m a firefighter; my house is in Carroll Gardens.”
As often happened with strangers when he mentioned what he did for a living, respect dawned in Dale’s eyes. “Wow, that’s awesome. You guys are amazing. I could never run into a burning building and save someone.” He patted the wooden bar in front of Adam. “Drinks on the house.” The intensity of his stare unnerved Adam.
“Thanks, but please, no.” Accepting free food wasn’t allowed by the department, and even though many did it, Adam never felt comfortable. Only occasionally would he take a single cookie from Rico’s store when he’d stop by to pick up food. “It’s my job. It’s me.” He shrugged, emotions flooding through him. Unbeknownst to anyone, Adam’s trip to Texas hadn’t helped him banish the memories of poor Manny, and he still woke up at night, bathed in sweat, wrestling with nightmares. He’d kept up speaking with the department therapist, hopeful it would help him sort things out in his head, but as of yet, nothing.
“You okay?” Rico laid a hand on his shoulder, and suddenly he was. “You got a funny look on your face for a moment.”
Dale had withdrawn discreetly to the middle of the bar, giving Adam room to breathe. “I don’t know. I’m still seeing that kid in my mind every night when I go to bed. I know I couldn’t have done anything, but I can’t shake it.”
“That’s rough. Isn’t there anyone you can talk to?”
The risk Adam was about to take was huge, but then everything worthwhile was. “You. Being with you helps.”
Rico took his hand and led him to the back of the bar and the empty dance floor. For a moment Adam thought about saying more, but Rico pulled him close, wrapped his arms around him, and began to sway to the sounds of “Take My Breath Away.”
“Then be with me.”
The music poured over them, and he let Rico hold him, ashamed he’d revealed too much, yet encouraged that Rico hadn’t laughed at him or rejected him.
“I don’t know why it’s been so hard to forget this. I should become numb to it like the other guys.”
“That’s not who you are. You care about people. It’s why you do your job so well.”
Surprised at Rico’s insight, Adam gave him a shy smile. “I didn’t think you noticed.”
“I noticed.”
The song ended, yet they remained on the dance floor, with Rico half-hidden in the shadows, silent yet with a presence so overpowering, Adam couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Rico reached up, grasped the nape of his neck, and pressed their mouths together, and as always, it took only the touch of those firm lips to crumble his defenses. They remained on the dance floor, kissing until the sound of whistles and clapping brought Adam back to reality.
Shrugging it off, Rico took his hand, and they returned to the bar, where their burgers awaited them. That revelation by Rico had shaken Adam, and he chewed and swallowed his food, sneaking sideways glances at Rico, frustrated at his inability to gain any sense of Rico’s thoughts behind that neutral mask.
“So how long have you two been dating?” Dale wiped up the counter, getting rid of their empty plates.
Holding his breath, Adam waited for Rico to answer.
“It’s not like that. We’re friends.”
“Yeah.” Adam gave Dale a weak grin, but by the bartender’s dubious expression and quirked dark brow, Rico’s explanation didn’t go far toward convincing Dale.
“Whatever you say, Rico.” He set a fresh foamy glass of beer in front of each of them. “Here’s to your kind of friendship. I’d like to find it for myself.”
“I need to settle the check. Here’s my card.” Rico scowled and flicked the card over to Dale, then took a long drink, finishing half his beer in one gulp. Not once had he looked at Adam since they’d sat down from dancing.
Unsure what to do or say, Adam sat quietly and finished off his drink while Rico signed the receipt. When Rico got up to leave, Adam followed his lead and shook Dale’s hand.
“Thanks for everything.”
“No, thankyou. And take care of him. He’s kind of a mess.”
“You coming?” Rico’s face was a storm of emotions.
Without responding to Dale, Adam hurried outside to join Rico, who’d already left. “Rico, wait up.”
Rico halted and turned, his face no less dark than earlier, but Adam recalled his words on the dance floor.
