“Good thing I’ll have sex on the beach,” Blake says, winking at Liam.
“You know that’s a drink, right?” I tease.
“Tonight? Who knows,” Kieran mutters.
“We gotta keep our count up, babe. We only have done it once so far today.” Blake grins at Liam, absolutely delighted with himself.
Our drinks arrive a second later and the waitress hands them to each of us. We all cheer our mismatched glasses before taking the first sip.
“So, Ash, how’s everything going since you came out? It’s been awhile since we’ve really gotten to catch up,” Liam asks Ash, who visibly pales at his question.
“Oh… I’m not, like, out, out,” he finally answers. “I mean, obviously you guys all know I’m bi, which is so much better than a year ago when literally no one knew, but I’m not quite ready to blow up my whole life when I don’t even have a boyfriend.”
Maybe it’s the two drinks I had at the fancy dinner we just came from, but I can’t help but insert myself into their conversation. “Been there, man, it fucking sucks.”
Ash turns to me, obviously surprised. He’s usuallyworking when I’ve hung out with Blake and Liam’s friends, so we’ve only met a couple times before this weekend. “You have?”
“Yeah, I mean it was years ago now, back when I was eighteen, but my dad kicked me out when I came out to him.”
Kieran groans, leaning into my side as he smiles up at me. “God, I wish I could have been there. I would have paid so much money to see you tell that asshole that you liked having my dick in your mouth.”
“That’show you came out to him?” Ash asks, sounding alarmed.
I laugh again as I remember the look on his face. “Yeah. There was a lot going on at the time, and I kind of snapped.”
“That’s horrible he kicked you out,” Ash comments.
“Yeah, I hate that you went through that,” Liam adds.
“Honestly, I’m glad it happened,” I admit with a shrug. “Other than Kieran giving me a second chance, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m so much happier and more free now than I ever would’ve been if I’d tried to live the life my dad wanted for me.”
Ash lets out a short laugh. “Well, shit, I wish I had been that brave at eighteen. I’m thirty-one and still living the life my dad wants me to.”
“It’s never too late,” I offer with what I hope is an encouraging smile.
“You told all of us, that was huge,” Liam reminds him. “Maybe you can keep taking those small steps until you’re ready. Everyone’s path is different. And if anyoneis looking for some fatherly support, my dad would be thrilled to pseudo adopt all of you like he has Blake.”
“Yeah, I’ve been trying,” Ash says, and his cheeks darken a little. “I, uh, took a trip over the summer. Just a night, really, since I couldn’t get the time off work. But I went out, met a guy, and went back to his place.”
“Was that the first time?” Liam asks gently.
Ash nods, sucking his teeth between his lips for a moment before he answers. “It was even better than I’d hoped after thinking about it for so long.”
“Good for you, man,” Liam says with a smile. “Anything happen last night?”
“Nah, I was dancing with these two guys who were obviously together, and then I lost them.” He shrugs. “Maybe tonight I’ll have more luck.”
“Hope so,” I agree, feeling a little guilty about Ash’s failed hookup last night, but he had no idea he was dancing with my uncles. Maybe I shouldn’t have intervened though… No, no, it was for the best.
Blake yells out again. “Hell yeah! Fifteen this time. I think I’m getting better.”
“I don’t think you can get better at slots,” Liam says hesitantly.
Ash hums. “I don’t know, he seems to be winning more than any of you guys.”
I laugh. “Well, you’re more than welcome to show us how it’s done.” I step back from the machine I’d been in front of, gesturing for him to take over.
“Maybe I will.” He smirks.
