Our drinks arrive, and Dominic insists we toast to the new year. He stands up with flair, hoisting his glass into the air.
“May the new year be filled with love,” he says as Trevor giggles and winks at him, “or lots and lots of fine ass men to play with.”
Cooper and Ryan howl at that part, cheering and taking large gulps of their mimosas. My future brother-in-law sits back down and points a well-manicured finger at me.
“Since you will not do the hot-man thing, I guess this means it’s time for you to find a love like your brother here.”
Cooper stops mid-sip and snaps his fingers to this suggestion.
“Yas! Or at least land a date to Trev and Dom’s wedding next month.”
I finish my cup of coffee while Trevor explains that so far my plus one is an empty chair.
“Damn, Ray, you are an attractive guy. How are you not fighting off the ladies?”
Shooting an annoyed look at my brother, I turn to Cooper.
“I do fine with the ladies, Coop.”
“Do you have a date for your brother’s wedding? That’s like 6 weeks away?”
“There’s time.”
Ryan watches us while we have this exchange and taps Cooper on the shoulder.
“He needs a glow up,” he says, waving his hand in my direction.
“Oh, yes! A glow up!”
Trevor and Dom chuckle when I ask, “What the hell is a glow up?”
The Saturday after New Year’s Day, Trevor and Dom invite the three of us over for appetizers, spritzers, and to help stuff gift bags for out-of-town wedding guests. I am standing in their kitchen, sipping a cranberry lime spritzer, when Cooper and Ryan show up.
“Where is he?” Cooper’s voice is easily heard from the front door.
“Found him, Coop!” Ryan yells out when he sees me in the kitchen.
“Found him? Me? Why me?” I ask, dread trickling down my spine.
Right then, Cooper steps into the door frame, holding up several garment bags. Ryan swings the large bag that’s on his shoulder to draw attention to it as well.
Dominic walks past them to the kitchen and says, “That’s for after the gift bags, remember?”
Cooper and Ryan nod empathetically, while I say, “Uh, no. I don’t remember.”
“You’re getting that glow up, older brother,” Trevor calls from the hallway.
“Like that show, I know your friend Enid likes it. With the cute gay guys,” Dom says, waving his hand toward me, as if that clues me in to whatever they have planned.
The gift bag stuffing goes quickly since all five of us are handling it. Afterward, my brother asks his phone to play “Supermodel” on loop and I suddenly become several gay men’s fashion guinea pig.
“What’s wrong with the way I dress?” I ask when they make me try on yet another outfit.
“You dress fine. Basic. But that’s it,” Ryan says, giving me an over-the-top sensitive look.
“I like basic.” I grumble.
“Yeah, we can tell.” Trevor jokes.
